The effect of massage therapy on pain after surgery: A comprehensive meta-analysis

BackgroundFindings on the usefulness of massage therapy (MT) in postoperative pain management are often inconsistent among studies.ObjectivesThis study’s aim is to conduct a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to clarify the effects of massage therapy in the treatment of postoperative pain.MethodsThree databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for RCTs published from database inception through January 26, 2021. The primary outcome was pain relief. The quality of RCTs was appraised with the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. The random-effect model was used to calculate the effect sizes and standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 % confidential intervals (CIs) as a summary effect. The heterogeneity test was conducted through I². Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were used to explore the source of heterogeneity. Possible publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plot asymmetry.ResultsThe analysis included 33 RCTs and showed that MT is effective in reducing postoperative pain (SMD, −1.32; 95 % CI, −2.01 to −0.63; p = 0.0002; I² = 98.67 %). A similar significant effect was found for both short (immediate assessment) and long terms (assessment performed 4–6 weeks after the MT). Remarkably, we found neither the duration per session nor the dose had an impact on the effect of MT and there seemed to be no difference in the effects of different MT types. In addition, MT seemed to be more effective for adults. Furthermore, MT had better analgesic effects on cesarean section and heart surgery than orthopedic surgery.LimitationsPublication bias is possible due to the inclusion of studies in English only. Additionally, the included studies were extremely heterogeneous. Double-blind research on MT is difficult to implement, and none of the included studies is double-blind. There was some heterogeneity and publication bias in the included studies. In addition, there is no uniform evaluation standard for the operation level of massage practitioners, which may lead to research implementation bias.ConclusionsMT is effective in reducing postoperative pain in both short and long terms.     

Trends in using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in treating corneal diseases

Since their inception in the 1960s–70s, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have gained interest because of their differentiation potential, anti-inflammatory effects, and immune-modulating properties. Both cell-based and cell-free MSC treatments show healing capacity in injured tissues. Cell-based treatment comprises MSCs and all secreted products, whereas cell-free treatments include only the secreted products. MSCs are therapeutically administered to many damaged organs owing to their efficacy. Specifically, the eye is a unique organ system to study the effects of MSCs, as treatment is easily applied and measured owing to its external location. The eye holds an immune-privileged status, wherein inflammation and immune responses are innately down-regulated. As excessive inflammation in the cornea often leads to fibrosis and irreversible corneal hazing, many studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating capacities of MSCs. Decades of research suggest that MSCs modulate the immune response by secreting cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins that inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells following injury and promote a healing phenotype via M2 macrophage polarization. MSCs have also shown trans-differentiation potential into cornea-specific cell types during the wound healing process, such as corneal epithelial, stromal, or endothelial cells. This review discusses recent investigations of MSC treatment in the cornea, focusing on therapeutic efficacy, mechanisms, and future directions.     

Epstein–Barr-virus-associated hepatitis with aplastic anemia: A case report

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) is a rare condition. Patients with HAAA usually present with acute hepatitis, jaundice and significantly increased transaminase. After 1–2 mo, hepatitis gradually improves, but progressive hemocytopenia, bone marrow hematopoietic failure, and severe or extremely severe aplastic anemia are manifest. Most cases of HAAA are fulminant and usually lethal if left untreated. The literature on Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-associated HAAA is sparse. CASE SUMMARY We report a 30-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital because of pale yellow urine and skin with a simultaneous decrease in peripheral blood ternary cells. We made a diagnosis of EBV-associated HAAA. The treatment strategy for this patient included eltrombopag, an immunosuppressive regimen of rabbit anti-human thymocyte immunoglobulin, cyclosporine, and supportive care. The patient was discharged in normal physical condition after five months. A hemogram performed on follow-up revealed that he had achieved a complete response. CONCLUSION Eltrombopag plus anti-thymocyte globubin and cyclosporine may be a therapeutic option for EBV-associated HAAA.Larger studies are warranted to confirm.     

Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in treatment of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is a serious and common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide. Electroconvulsive therapy is the oldest and most effective treatment available for the treatment of severe major depressive disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy modifies structural network changes in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. And it can also affect neuroinflammatory responses and may have neuroprotective effects. Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of major depressive disorder.     

我国老年人认知水平变化轨迹及其分化

目的 探究影响我国老年人认知水平的变化趋势，分离出年龄、队列效应。方法 基于CLHLS（2002—2018）多重队列追踪数据，以Stata16.0软件为工具，运用分层生长曲线模型进行统计分析。结果 本研究发现，个体行为生活方式、社会经济地位、性别、慢性病数量对认知水平均具有统计学意义；年龄、队列对认知水平的变化具有独立效应；随着年龄的增长，我国老年人认知水平下降，认知水平的城乡、性别差异明显；较年轻出生队列的老年人认知水平较好，认知水平的城乡差异随着队列的年轻化而变大，性别差异在较年轻队列有略微缩小的趋势。结论 影响认知水平因素复杂，认知障碍会增加医疗成本及照护负担，因此需准确把握老年认知水平的变化规律与作用路径，从而为卫生服务、养老保障、长期医疗照护的资源配置提供科学依据。     

基于动脉自旋标记技术的麻痹性痴呆患者脑血流量特点及其与认知障碍相关性

目的探讨麻痹性痴呆（GPI）患者脑血流量（CBF）特点及其与认知障碍的相关性。 方法纳入2018年1月至2019年12月于首都医科大学附属北京地坛医院就诊的GPI患者18例和健康体检者18例（健康对照组），采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表评定认知功能。采用磁共振动脉自旋标记技术扫描评估其各个脑区CBF，并进一步应用Spearman相关分析CBF异常区域与认知功能的相关性。 结果GPI患者蒙特利尔认知评估量表评分低于健康对照组[（16.00 ± 7.19）vs. （27.90 ± 1.21）：t =－7.853、P < 0.001）]。18例GPI患者中，头颅MRI正常5例，脑白质病变1例，脑萎缩9例，3例患者同时存在脑萎缩和脑白质病变。健康对照组头颅MRI均未见异常。GPI患者脑13、14、28、37、38、41、42、43、44、46、48、49、50、51、52、69、70、77、78、83、84、88、109、117、165、166、167、168、169、177、178、179、187、188、211、212、213、214、215、216、219、223、227、237和238区CBF显著高于健康对照组（P均< 0.001）。GPI患者认知障碍中的注意力障碍与脑69、70、77、78、166和168区CBF异常有一定的负相关性（r =－0.476、P = 0.046，r =－0.487、P = 0.034，r =－0.604、P = 0.008，r = －0.545、P = 0.019，r =－0.544、P = 0.02，r =－0.522、P = 0.026）。 结论GPI患者存在全脑血流量升高。GPI患者认知功能障碍中的注意力障碍可能与局部脑区血流量升高有一定相关性。局部CBF越高，注意力障碍越严重。这可能也是GPI发病机制之一。