A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation

Background

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study.

晶珠肝泰舒胶囊治疗肝炎肝硬变60例

观察了服用晶珠肝泰舒胶囊治疗慢性肝炎 ５２例、肝炎后肝硬化（代偿期） ８例。经 ３个月（ １疗程）治疗,全部病例临床症状、体征与肝功改善均较显著,显效率达８３ ３３％。其中对肝炎后肝硬变作用明显,提示晶珠肝泰舒胶囊在保肝同时,还有一定抗肝纤维化作用。对乙肝病毒血清标志物ＨＢＶ－ＤＮＡ阴转率１２ ５％,ＨＢｓＡｇ阴转率１５．７８％,ＨＢｃＡｇ转阴率７ ４％,提示晶珠肝泰舒胶囊具有抗病毒作用。     

The "throbbing sign"--an indication of early venous congestion in replantation surgery.

Venous congestion in a replanted or transplanted digit can be detected, even before any obvious color changes, by the "throbbing" elicited by pinching the digit between the thumb and finger of the examiner until the skin blanches. Releasing the pressure slowly, a sensation of throbbing will be felt synchronous with the patient's pulse rate. The sign disappears when venous congestion is relieved or when swelling persists and increases enough to lessen the arterial inflow.     

脑泰营养素治疗帕金森病临床疗效观察

[目的]考察脑泰营养素对帕金森病(PD)临床症状的控制和改善。[方法]选择PD病人41例,随机分为治疗组和对照组,对照组采用美多巴治疗,治疗组在此基础上加用脑泰营养素。分别比较两组治疗前后Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y)分级和改良Webster量表评分变化及两组间的疗效差异。[结果]与对照组比较,治疗组的H-Y分级和改良Webster量表评分明显减少(P<0.05),总有效率明显提高(P<0.05)。[结论]在使用美多巴的基础上加用脑泰营养素治疗PD,可明显增强疗效。     

加味栀子豉汤治疗抑郁症临床观察

抑郁征是临床常见病、多发病,发病机理尚不清楚,目前多认为与遗传、性格、生物化学、环境等因素密切相关。中西医治疗效果尚不肯定,笔者运用《伤寒论》名方栀子豉汤加味治疗抑郁症48例,颇具疗效。总有效率治疗组优于对照组。     

Effect of Tai Ji Quan training on self-reported sleep quality in elderly Chinese women with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trail

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a 24-week Tai Ji Quan training program on sleep quality, quality of life, and physical performance among elderly Chinese women with knee osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA 24-week randomized, controlled trial of 46 elderly women with knee OA. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Tai Ji Quan group (n = 23) or a control group (n = 23). Participants in the Tai Ji Quan group completed training sessions three times per week, while those in the control group had bi-weekly educational classes. The primary outcome was total score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality of Index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes were: seven subscales of the PSQI; sleep latency; total sleep time; sleep efficiency; physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36); Berg Balance Scale (BBS); and Timed Up and Go (TUG).ResultsCompared with the control group, participants in the Tai Ji Quan group had significantly improved primary outcome (global PSQI score, p = 0.006) and secondary outcomes, including three PSQI sub-scores (sleep latency, p = 0.031; sleep duration, p = 0.043; daytime dysfunction, p = 0.007), total sleep time (p = 0.033), and SF-36 PCS (p = 0.006). The Tai Ji Quan group also had significant improvements compared with baseline in three PSQI sub-scores (sleep latency, p = 0.031; habitual sleep efficiency, p = 0.049; sleep disturbance, p = 0.016), sleep latency (p = 0.003), BBS (p = 0.001), and TUG (p = 0.006).ConclusionTai Ji Quan training is an effective treatment approach to improve sleep quality and quality of life in elderly Chinese women with knee OA.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (June 16, 2013): ChiCTR-TRC-13003264.     

Techniques of Yang’s arthroscopic discopexy for temporomandibular joint rotational anterior disc displacement

Disc displacement is a common disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint. According to previous publications, the displaced disc can be categorized into pure anterior displacement and rotational displacement (anteromedial and anterolateral). However, the technique of arthroscopy treatment has only been reported for patients with pure anterior disc displacement. In this study, an arthroscopic discopexy for rotational anterior disc displacement was developed and its effectiveness evaluated over 24 months of follow-up. A total of 532 patients (749 joints) with rotational anterior disc displacement, admitted to Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital between January 2011 and December 2015, were included. The success rate was based on clinical parameters (visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, maximum inter-incisal opening (MIO), and complications) and radiographic data. The clinical and radiographic data were collected preoperatively and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperative. The VAS score decreased to 0.73 ± 1.43 following surgery (P < 0.001). A significant improvement in MIO (34.73 ± 6.28 mm) was also detected (P < 0.001). Magnetic resonance imaging showed discs repositioned in both sagittal and coronal images for 714 of the 749 joints, giving a success rate of 95.3%. This study reports an effective and predictable technique of arthroscopic discopexy for rotational anterior disc displacement.     

Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi effects on physical activity and body composition in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study

BackgroundBreast cancer survivors (BCS), particularly Latina BCS, experience weight gain and reduced physical activity (PA) post-treatment increasing the risk for recurrence. There is a lack of evidence on the intensity and type of PA needed to engage cultural subgroups and improve clinical outcomes. This study developed and piloted two non-traditional PA interventions among a diverse sample of BCS.MethodsTwenty BCS (65% Latina; age 25–75) participated in a 2-arm parallel group-randomized pilot study to test the effects of an 8-week Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi intervention on PA and body composition. A seven-day pedometer protocol was used to measure steps/week and a bioelectric impedence scale was used to assess BMI and %body fat. T-tests were used to examine preliminary outcomes across both interventions and within intervention arms.ResultsThere were no significant changes in steps/week, BMI, or %body fat across or in each separate intervention. A small effect size for increase in steps/day was found among participants in the Qigong/Tai Chi arm (0.10) and low-to-moderate effect sizes for reductions in % body fat overall (0.36), and separately for participants in Latin dance (0.26) and Qigong/Tai Chi (0.46).ConclusionLatin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi are engaging and acceptable PA modalities that are promising for improving PA and body fat among diverse, high-risk BCS. Our findings highlight the need to continue to reach and engage high-risk BCS, including Latina survivors, using novel, culturally-sensitive PA interventions. Future studies should extend and more rigorously test these novel approaches to improving outcomes associated with recurrence.