Cochrane Db Syst Rev
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At present, there is a lack of effective treatments for paraquat poisoning. Xuebijing injection is a complex traditional Chinese prescription consisting of Flos Carthami, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae and Radix Angelicae Sinensis. Although clinical experience suggests that Xuebijing injection might have potential in the management of paraquat poisoning, there is no conclusion on the effectiveness of this treatment. ⋯ Based on the findings of two small RCTs, Xuebijing injection did not have a statistically significant benefit on reducing all-cause mortality in people with paraquat poisoning. However, both included studies involved small numbers of participants and were considered to be of poor methodological quality. The results are imprecise and easily compatible with the play of chance. Xuebijing injection may be effective for people with paraquat poisoning; however, this needs to be proven by further high-quality evidence.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2013
Review Meta AnalysisAcupuncture and assisted reproductive technology.
Acupuncture is commonly undertaken during an assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle although its role in improving live birth and pregnancy rates is unclear. ⋯ There is no evidence that acupuncture improves live birth or pregnancy rates in assisted conception.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRegular (ICSI) versus ultra-high magnification (IMSI) sperm selection for assisted reproduction.
Subfertility is a condition found in up to 15% of couples of reproductive age. Gamete micromanipulation, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), is very useful for treating couples with compromised sperm parameters. Recently a new method of sperm selection named 'motile sperm organelle morphology examination' (MSOME) has been described and the spermatozoa selected under high magnification (over 6000x) used for ICSI. This new technique, named intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI), has a theoretical potential to improve reproductive outcomes among couples undergoing assisted reproduction techniques (ART). ⋯ Results from RCTs do not support the clinical use of IMSI. There is no evidence of effect on live birth or miscarriage and the evidence that IMSI improves clinical pregnancy is of very low quality. There is no indication that IMSI increases congenital abnormalities. Further trials are necessary to improve the evidence quality before recommending IMSI in clinical practice.
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The most serious complications of cystic fibrosis (CF) relate to respiratory insufficiency. Oxygen supplementation therapy has long been a standard of care for individuals with chronic lung diseases associated with hypoxemia. Physicians commonly prescribe oxygen therapy for people with CF when hypoxemia occurs. However, it is unclear if empiric evidence is available to provide indications for this therapy with its financial costs and often profound impact on lifestyle. ⋯ There are no published data to guide the prescription of chronic oxygen supplementation to people with advanced lung disease due to CF. Short-term oxygen therapy during sleep and exercise improves oxygenation but is associated with modest and probably clinically inconsequential hypercapnia. There are improvements in exercise duration, time to fall asleep and regular attendance at school or work. There is a need for larger, well-designed clinical trials to assess the benefits of long-term oxygen therapy in people with CF administered continuously or during exercise or sleep or both. However, we do not expect any new research to be undertaken in this area any time soon and do not plan to update this review again until any new evidence does become available.
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Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jul 2013
Review Meta AnalysisElectromechanical-assisted training for walking after stroke.
Electromechanical and robotic-assisted gait training devices are used in rehabilitation and might help to improve walking after stroke. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2007. ⋯ People who receive electromechanical-assisted gait training in combination with physiotherapy after stroke are more likely to achieve independent walking than people who receive gait training without these devices. Specifically, people in the first three months after stroke and those who are not able to walk seem to benefit most from this type of intervention. The role of the type of device is still not clear. Further research should consist of a large definitive, pragmatic, phase III trial undertaken to address specific questions such as the following: What frequency or duration of electromechanical-assisted gait training might be most effective? How long does the benefit last?