Medicine
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Complementary and alternative medicine-related liver injuries are increasing globally. Alternative medicine, as an inclusive healthcare practice, is widely accepted in developing and underdeveloped countries. In this context, the traditional systems of medicine in India have been at the forefront, catering to the preventive and therapeutic spectrum in the absence of conclusive evidence for benefits and lack of data on safety. ⋯ This review also highlights the importance of the upcoming liver toxicity profiles associated with other traditional herbs used as dietary supplements, such as Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., Garcinia cambogia Desr., Cassia angustifolia Vahl (Indian senna), and Morinda citrofolia L. (Noni fruit). Fortunately, most reported liver injuries due to these herbs are self-limiting, but can lead to progressive liver dysfunction, leading to acute liver failure or acute chronic liver failure with a high mortality rate. This review also aims to provide adequate knowledge regarding herbalism in traditional practices, pertinent for medical doctors to diagnose, treat, and prevent avoidable liver disease burdens within communities, and improve public health and education.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparative study between remifentanil (or fentanyl) and dexmedetomidine for the analgesia of rhinoplasty: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Remifentanil (or fentanyl) and dexmedetomidine may have some potential to improve the analgesia of rhinoplasty, and this meta-analysis aims to compare their efficacy for the analgesia of rhinoplasty. ⋯ Remifentanil (or fentanyl) and dexmedetomidine may have comparable analgesia for patients undergoing rhinoplasty.
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Clinical Trial
Switching to the aflibercept (3 mg) therapy for treatment-resistant wet age-related macular degeneration: 1-year outcomes.
This study aimed to elucidate 1-year outcomes following switching to the aflibercept (3 mg) therapy for treatment-resistant wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). In this prospective, open-label, non-controlled clinical trial, 18 patients with wAMD who had multiple recurrences or persistent exudation despite intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (except aflibercept) received a 3-mg intravitreal aflibercept injection every 4 weeks. Each patient received 3 to 8 injections. ⋯ The logMAR vision increased from baseline 0.68 to 0.59 (P < .05). No ocular or systemic adverse events occurred. The intravitreal injection of 3-mg aflibercept seems to be feasible in the treatment of wAMD unresponsive to other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents.
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There has been growing interest in using the traditional Chinese herb Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) as a potential treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI), owing to its long-used treatment for SCI in China. However, the efficacy and safety of BHD treatment for SCI remain widely skeptical. This meta-analysis aims to assess the safety and efficacy of BHD in managing SCI. ⋯ The current evidence suggests that BHD is effective and safe in treating SCI, warranting consideration as a complementary and alternative therapy. However, given the low methodological quality of the included studies, further rigorous research is warranted to validate these findings.
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Case Reports
Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas contain no adipose tissue resulting in thoracic spine kyphosis: A case report.
Aggressive vertebral hemangiomas (AVHs) destroy continuous vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and resulting in spinal kyphosis is extremely rare. The very aggressive behavior was attributable to its significant vascular component and contained no adipose tissue. ⋯ AVHs destroy multiple vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and resulting in spinal kyphosis is extremely rare.