健脾固肾膏对慢性阻塞性肺疾病稳定期炎症因子和BODE指数的影响

目的:观察健脾固肾膏对慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,COPD)稳定期炎症因子和多维分级评分(BODE)指数的影响。方法:84例COPD稳定期患者,采用简单随机法,分为膏方组41例,对照组43例。两组均给予吸入噻托溴铵粉吸入剂,口服盐酸氨溴索片,膏方组在此基础上加用健脾固肾膏。两组连续治疗3个月。结果:膏方组总有效率高于对照组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);膏方组肿瘤坏死因子(Tumor Necrosis Factor,TNF-α)和白细胞介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)浓度明显低于对照组,两组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05);膏方组呼吸困难程度评分,运动能力评分和BODE总分明显低于对照组,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。结论:健脾固肾膏可以提高COPD稳定期的中医治疗效果,降低TNF-α和IL-6水平,改善BODE指数,提高患者生活质量。     

推拿联合针灸治疗血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效观察

目的:观察推拿手法联合针灸对血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症的临床疗效。方法:选取2015年6月至2017年12月秦皇岛市中医医院收治的血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症患者100例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组和观察组,每组50例。对照组接受单纯针灸治疗,观察组在对照组基础上加用脊柱推拿手法,2组均以10次为1个疗程,连续治疗2个疗程。比较2组患者治疗前、治疗3 d、10 d后JOA评分系统(Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores,JOA)、Oswestry功能障碍指数的变化、血小板计数、血浆凝血酶原时间(PT)、活化部分凝血酶原时间(APTT)、血栓弹力图及临床总有效率的变化、腰椎疼痛评分(VAS)、血清学指标、炎性因子的变化。结果:推拿手法联合针灸可明显改善血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症的JOA评分、Oswestry功能障碍指数及凝血状态,降低患者外周血SP、NPY、IL-1β、TNF-α水平,且具有时间依赖性。结论:推拿联合针灸可明显改善血瘀型腰椎间盘突出症症状,调节患者的高凝状态,该法具有一定的时间依赖性。     

Low-dose l-isoproterenol versus salbutamol in hospitalized pediatric patients with severe acute exacerbation of asthma: A double-blind,randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough the guidelines in most countries do not recommend continuous inhalation of l-isoproterenol to treat pediatric patients with acute severe exacerbation of asthma, lower dose of l-isoproterenol has been widely used in Japan. To determine whether the efficacy of low-dose l-isoproterenol was superior to that of salbutamol, we conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.MethodsHospitalized patients aged 1–17 years were eligible if they had severe asthma exacerbation defined by the modified pulmonary index score (MPIS). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive inhalation of l-isoproterenol (10 μg/kg/h) or salbutamol (500 μg/kg/h) for 12 hours via a large-volume nebulizer with oxygen. The primary outcome was the change in MPIS from baseline to 3 hours after starting inhalation. Trial registration number UMIN000001991.ResultsFrom December 2009 to October 2013, 83 patients (42 in the l-isoproterenol group and 41 in the salbutamol group) were enrolled into the study. Of these, one patient in the l-isoproterenol group did not receive the study drug and was excluded from the analysis. Compared with salbutamol, l-isoproterenol reduced MPIS more rapidly. Mean (SD) changes in MPIS at 3 hours were −2.9 (2.5) in the l-isoproterenol group and −0.9 (2.3) in the salbutamol group (difference −2.0, 95% confidence interval −3.1 to −0.9; P < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 1 (2%) and 11 (27%) patients in the l-isoproterenol and salbutamol groups, respectively (P = 0.003). Hypokalemia and tachycardia occurred only in the salbutamol group.ConclusionsLow-dose l-isoproterenol has a more rapid effect with fewer adverse events than salbutamol.     

The association between body mass index and in-hospital outcome among patients with acute myocardial infarction—Insights from China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry

BackgroundThe relationship between body mass index (BMI) and in-hospital mortality risk among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains controversial.Methods and ResultsWe included 35,964 patients diagnosed with AMI in China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry between January 2013 and December 2016. Patients were categorized into 4 groups according to BMI level: BMI <18.5, 18.5–24.9, 25–30, and ≥30 kg/m² for underweight, normal, overweight, and obese groups, respectively. Clinical data were extracted for each patient, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between BMI level and in-hospital mortality. Compared with normal-weight patients, obese patients were younger, more often current smokers, and more likely to have hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Multivariable regression analysis results demonstrated that compared with normal group, underweight group had significantly higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.69; p = 0.016), while overweight group (OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77–0.97; p = 0.011) and obese group (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.46–0.91; p = 0.013) had lower mortality. All subgroups showed a trend toward lower in-hospital mortality risk as BMI increased.ConclusionsOur study provided robust evidence supporting “obesity paradox” in a contemporary large-scale cohort of patients with AMI and demonstrated that increased BMI was independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality.     

Model Setting and Interpretation of Results in Research Using Structural Equation Modeling: A Checklist with Guiding Questions for Reporting

PurposeThis study develops a checklist with guidelines for the methods and important factors to consider in research using structural equation modeling (SEM).MethodThe paper discusses the factors to consider in the process across the three stages of 1) model setting, 2) model evaluation and modification, and 3) interpretation and reporting of SEM-based studies.ResultsThe authors present a checklist for researchers during the stages of model setting, model evaluation and modification, result analysis, and reporting, along with examples of figures and tables with explanations.ConclusionA checklist will help to improve the reporting quality of SEM-based studies.     

Hypertensive Crisis during Microwave Ablation of Adrenal Neoplasms: A Retrospective Analysis of Predictive Factors

PurposeTo identify risk factors for hypertensive crisis (HC) during ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave (MW) ablation of adrenal neoplasms.Materials and MethodsPatients who underwent MW ablation for adrenal tumors between April 2006 and November 2017 were retrospectively identified for this study (51 consecutive patients; 35 males, 16 females; mean age, 55 years; range, 15–85 years). A total of 77 MW ablation treatments were performed for 67 tumors (24 primary [9 pheochromocytomas, 8 adenomas, and 7 cortical carcinomas]; and 43 metastases [22 hepatocellular carcinoma, 8 renal cell carcinoma, 5 non-small cell lung cancer, 4 colorectal cancer, 3 liposarcoma, and 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma]). The mean diameter of the adrenal tumors was 4.6 cm (range, 1.2–16.2 cm). Information about patient demographics, imaging studies, pathology and laboratory results, procedure records, and clinical outcomes was retrieved and analyzed. Statistical analysis was then performed to determine potential risk factors for HC.ResultsOf the 77 MW ablation procedures, HC occurred in 13 (16.9%). A significantly higher risk of HC was observed in patients with pheochromocytoma (odds ratio [OR], 9.037; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.731–47.172; P = .009), body mass index <24 kg/m² (OR, 5.167; 95% CI, 1.060–25.194; P = .042), dominant tumor size ≤4.5 cm (OR, 4.023; 95% CI, 1.011–16.005; P = .048), and pre-procedural systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg (OR, 0.242; 95% CI, 0.068–0.861; P = .029).ConclusionHC can occur during MW ablation in patients with either primary or metastatic adrenal tumors. Pheochromocytoma, body mass index, tumor size, and pre-procedural systolic blood pressure appear to be significant risk factors for the occurrence of HC.     

Motor unit number index (MUNIX) in the quantitative assessment of severity and surgical outcome in cervical spondylotic amyotrophy

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of motor unit number index (MUNIX) in the quantitative assessment of the cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA).MethodsMUNIX was recorded bilaterally on the abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, biceps brachii and middle deltoid in 41 normal controls and 47 patients with CSA (distal-type to proximal-type ratio: 25 to 22). Additionally, patients were assessed on handgrip strength (HGS), the disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) and Medical Research Council (MRC) scales. These examinations were re-evaluated approximately 18 months after surgery in 37 of these CSA patients.ResultsMUNIX values were noticeably lower in the mainly affected muscles of CSA patients than those in controls (P < 0.05), and 49.0% (51/104) of the tested muscles with abnormal MUNIX measurements showed normal muscle strength. Significant correlations between MUNIX measurements and both DASH and MRC scores were observed in both CSA patient groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative longitudinal follow-up analysis identified significant increase in motor unit number in both CSA patient groups within approximately 18 months (P < 0.05), with or without improved measures of motor function.ConclusionsA significant reduction in MUNIX values related to motor impairment was observed in CSA patients, even in the subclinical stage. Compared to measures of motor function, the MUNIX measurements in the patients with CSA improved more noticeably after surgical intervention.SignificanceMUNIX may serve as an available supplementary test to quantitatively evaluate the motor dysfunction in CSA and to track its progression, that is complementary to conventional electromyography.