Association Between Patient and Physician Sex and Physician-Estimated Stroke and Bleeding Risks in Atrial Fibrillation

Background

Physicians treating nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) assess stroke and bleeding risks when deciding on anticoagulation. The agreement between empirical and physician-estimated risks is unclear. Furthermore, the association between patient and physician sex and anticoagulation decision-making is uncertain.

Comparison of Laparoscopic-Assisted Operations and Laparotomy Operations for the Treatment of Hirschsprung Disease: Evidence From a Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the relative merits among laparoscopic-assisted operations and laparotomy operations for patients with Hirschsprung disease.PubMed, Web of Science, and Wanfang databases were searched for the related articles. We analyzed dichotomous variables by estimating odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and continuous variables using the weighted mean difference (WMD) with the 95% CI. The random-effects model (REM) was used to combine the results. The outcome measures included operating time (OT), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of hospital stay (LOHS), mean first bowel movement (MFBM), and number of complications.Sixteen articles were included in the meta-analysis. These studies involved a total of 774 patients, 396 of whom underwent laparoscopic-assisted operations and 378 of whom underwent laparotomy operations. The EBL (WMD = −1.48, 95% CI = −1.82, −1.13), LOHS (WMD = −0.67, 95% CI = −0.86, −0.49), MFBM (WMD = −0.83, 95% CI = −1.05, −0.61), and number of complications (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.40, 0.89) were significantly lower in laparoscopic-assisted operations than in laparotomy operations. The OT (WMD = 0.12, 95% CI = −0.05, 0.28) showed no significant differences between laparoscopic-assisted operations and laparotomy operations.Compared with laparotomy operations, laparoscopic-assisted operations are generally safer and more reliable for patients with Hirschsprung disease.     

H型高血压患者舌面诊图像颜色特征参数分析＊

目的 分析H型高血压患者的舌面诊图像颜色参数特征，探讨H型高血压患者的舌诊、面诊变化规律。方法 运用上海中医药大学自行研制的Smart TCM-1型中医舌面一体仪，采集高血压患者舌面诊图像，提取特征参数，分析健康对照组、H型高血压组与非H型高血压组患者舌面颜色参数特征。结果 ①在舌色各项参数中，H型高血压组舌尖部R值、B值、V值均显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01）；非H型高血压组舌尖部B值显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01），S值较健康对照组显著增大（P < 0.05）；H型高血压组舌尖部R、V值均明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。在舌苔各项参数中，H型高血压组舌中H值、V值均明显小于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；非H型高血压组舌中V值、舌右V值均显著小于健康对照组（P < 0.01）；H型高血压组舌中H值明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05），右侧舌苔S值明显大于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。②H型高血压组面色参数鼻G值、下颌G值、口唇R值、口唇V值均明显小于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；非H型高血压组前额H值、目眶H值、脸颊H值、鼻H值、下颌H值、整体H值均明显大于健康对照组（P < 0.05）；H型高血压组前额H值、目眶G值、目眶H值、脸颊H值、鼻G值、鼻H值、下颌R值、下颌G值、下颌H值、下颌V值、口唇R值、口唇G值、口唇V值、整体R值、整体G值、整体H值、整体V值均明显小于非H型高血压组（P < 0.05）。结论 H型高血压患者苔色偏黄，以舌中部为主，且舌右侧黄苔积聚较明显；H型高血压患者面色为黄中带红，口唇、下颌部更为晦暗。H型高血压患者的舌、面诊特征参数的变化，与高血压病阳亢湿盛病机相符。     

滋阴清热方治疗对甲状腺功能亢进症阴虚火旺证患者疗效、血浆内皮素-1、炎症因子和免疫功能的影响

目的:研究滋阴清热方治疗对甲状腺功能亢进症阴虚火旺证患者疗效、血浆内皮素-1、炎症因子和免疫功能的影响。方法:将广州市花都区妇幼保健院收治的100例甲状腺功能亢进症阴虚火旺证患者分成观察组和对照组。对照组:给患者使用常规药物治疗;观察组:在对照组的基础上,给予滋阴清热方治疗。干预后,比较两组患者的临床疗效、血浆内皮素-1(Endothelin,ET)、炎症因子[白介素-2(Interleukin-2,IL-2)、白介素-8(Interleukin-8,IL-8)]及肿瘤坏死因子(Tumour Necrosis Factor-α,TNF-α)和免疫功能(CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+及CD4^+/CD8^+)。结果:干预前,两组患者IL-2、IL-8及TNF-α无变化,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);干预后,观察组患者的IL-2比对照组高,且对照组的IL-8及TNF-α比观察组的高,P<0.05,差异有统计学意义;干预前,两组患者的CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+及CD4^+/CD8^+与ET无变化;干预后,观察组的CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8+及CD4^+/CD8^+比对照组高,P <0.05,差异有统计学意义,且观察组的ET低于对照组且观察组总有效率明显高于对照组。结论:滋阴清热方治疗降低了血浆内皮素-1,减少炎症的出现,提高免疫功能。     

Bismuth Sodium Titanate Based Materials for Piezoelectric Actuators

The ban of lead in many electronic products and the expectation that, sooner or later, this ban will include the currently exempt piezoelectric ceramics based on Lead-Zirconate-Titanate has motivated many research groups to look for lead-free substitutes. After a short overview on different classes of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with large strain, this review will focus on Bismuth-Sodium-Titanate and its solid solutions. These compounds exhibit extraordinarily high strain, due to a field induced phase transition, which makes them attractive for actuator applications. The structural features of these materials and the origin of the field-induced strain will be revised. Technologies for texturing, which increases the useable strain, will be introduced. Finally, the features that are relevant for the application of these materials in a multilayer design will be summarized.     

Outcomes of Early Decompressive Craniectomy Versus Conventional Medical Management After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examined whether early decompressive craniectomy (DC) can improve control of intracranial pressure (ICP) and mortality in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI).Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases were searched until May 14, 2015, using the following terms: traumatic brain injury, refractory intracranial hypertension, high intracranial pressure, craniectomy, standard care, and medical management. Randomized controlled trials in which patients with TBI received DC and non-DC medical treatments were included.Of the 84 articles identified, 8 studies were selected for review, with 3 randomized controlled trials s having a total of 256 patients (123 DCs, 133 non-DCs) included in the meta-analysis. Patients receiving DC had a significantly greater reduction of ICP and shorter hospital stay. They also seemed to have lower odds of death than patients receiving only medical management, but the P value did not reach significance (pooled odds ratio 0.531, 95% confidence interval 0.209–1.350, Z = 1.95, P = 0.183) with respect to the effect on overall mortality; a separate analysis of 3 retrospective studies yielded a similar result.Whereas DC might effectively reduce ICP and shorten hospital stay in patients with TBI, its effect in decreasing mortality has not reached statistical significance.