The Journal of international medical research
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Comparative Study
Medium-term effects of Dynesys dynamic stabilization versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion for treatment of multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease.
Objective To compare the medium-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of Dynesys dynamic stabilization and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for treatment of multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease. Methods Fifty-seven patients with multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease underwent Dynesys stabilization (n = 26) or PLIF (n = 31) from December 2008 to February 2010. The mean follow-up period was 50.3 (range, 46-65) months. ⋯ Conclusions Both Dynesys stabilization and PLIF can improve the clinical and radiographic outcomes of multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease. Compared with PLIF, Dynesys stabilization can maintain the mobility of the stabilized segments with less influence on the proximal adjacent segment and may help to prevent the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration. Dynesys is reliable for the treatment of multisegmental lumbar degenerative disease at the medium-term follow-up.
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Review Meta Analysis
Foetal responses to dexmedetomidine in parturients undergoing caesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Objective This current meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate effects of dexmedetomidine on neonatal maternal factors. Methods The electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. The primary outcomes were neonatal parameters, including umbilical blood gases and Apgar scores. ⋯ Conclusion This meta-analysis shows that dexmedetomidine is safe for neonates who are delivered by caesarean section. Moreover, dexmedetomidine used in neuraxial anaesthesia can improve the characteristics of motor and sensory block and prolong the maternal pain-free period. Dexmedetomidine can also reduce the maternal incidence of postoperative adverse effects.
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Objective To compare the attentional bias of depressed patients and non-depressed control subjects and examine the effects of age using eye-tracking technology in a free-viewing set of tasks. Methods Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and non-depressed control subjects completed an eye-tracking task to assess attention of processing negative, positive and neutral facial expressions. ⋯ The positive attentional bias in 'middle-aged' patients with MDD was significantly lower than in 'young' patients, although there was no difference between the two age groups in negative attentional bias. Conclusions These results confirm that there are emotional attentional biases in patients with MDD and that positive attentional biases are influenced by age.