Subthreshold micropulse laser versus intravitreal anti-VEGF for diabetic macular edema patients with relatively better visual acuity

AIM: To compare the effects of yellow (577 nm) subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) and intravitreal (IV) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) with relatively better visual acuity [best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≤0.15 logMAR]. METHODS: The medical records of 76 eyes of 47 patients underwent IV (0.5 mg) anti-VEGF injection or SML for the DME with relatively better BCVA were reviewed. The IV group received three consecutive monthly IV anti-VEGF injections, then were retreated as needed. The laser treatment group was treated at baseline and 3mo, and then retreated at 6 and 9mo if needed. All participants were followed up for one year. The mean BCVA and mean central macular thickness (CMT) values changes over the follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-four and 23 patients were assigned to the SML and IV subgroups, respectively. The mean number of treatments was 3.64±0.76 in SML group and 5.85±1.38 in IV group (P<0.05). The subgroups were similar with regard to the mean BCVA score at baseline and at the 1st and 3rd months, but the score of SML group was better than that of IV group at the 6th, 9th, and 12th months (P<0.05). The decrease in the mean CMT values from baseline values was higher in SML group at the 6th, 9th, and 12th months (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Yellow SML treatment is superior to IV anti-VEGF injection in DME patients with relatively better BCVA for increasing visual acuity and decreasing CMT at 6, 9, and 12mo. SML can be a good alternative first-line therapy for DME with BCVA ≤0.15 logMAR.     

前胡伪品碎叶山芹的生药学研究

目的：对浙产前胡伪品碎叶山芹进行产地调查和鉴别。方法：采用生药学研究和理化分析法。结果：前胡及其伪品碎叶山芹的原植物形态、性状、显微特征及理化性质均有差异,可资鉴别真伪。结论：碎叶山芹不可作前胡药用。     

木瓜及其伪品的紫外光谱聚类分析

目的 :鉴别木瓜及其伪品。方法 :采用紫外光谱聚类分析。结果 :不同种之间有不同距离而分不同的类别。结论 :初步判别木瓜的真伪优劣     

Evaluation of ECG Repolarization Parameters in a Worker Cohort Working the Night Shift

ObjectivesNight Shift work is an increasingly common working order that affects human well-being and it is little known about its arrhythmic role in the cardiovascular system. We aimed to investigate the effect of working at night shifts on P-wave dispersion (Pd), QT and QTc dispersions (QTd, QTcd resp) on surface electrocardiography.MethodsWe included 286 foundry workers who work at night shift and 100 foundry workers who work on day time only. The night shift workers were divided into three subgroups according to the length of time they worked at night shift. Surface electrocardiography and blood tests were applied for all participants.ResultsPd, QTd and QTcd values increased in the night shift workers compared to the day time workers (p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis; the night shift workers for more than 15 years had a significantly higher Pd, QTd and QTcd compared to others (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations with working duration and Pd (r = 0.578, p < 0.001) and QTcd (r = 0.417, p < 0.001). In the linear regression analysis, working duration at night shift was significantly associated with Pd and QTcd values, independent from other associated clinical risk parameters.ConclusionsThis study makes one of the first attempts to assess changes in ECG parameters reflecting tendency to rhythm disturbances, in night shift workers. Our results further underline the importance of covering a comprehensive evaluation of ECG in periodical health check-ups in night shift workers to evaluate the risk of both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.     

Prevalence and incidence of venous leg ulcers—A systematic review and meta-analysis

Venous leg ulcers (VLU) represent a major public health challenge. Little is known about the prevalence and incidence of VLU internationally. Published studies are usually reporting different estimates because of disparities in study designs and measurement methods. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to identify the prevalence and incidence of VLU internationally and to characterise the population as reported in these studies. Studies were identified from searches in Medline (PubMed), CINAHL Complete (EBSCOhost), Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LiSSa (Littérature Scientifique en Santé), Google Scholar and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to November 2022. Studies were included if their primary outcomes were reported as a period prevalence or point prevalence or cumulative incidence or incidence VLU rate. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, 10 reporting estimates of prevalence, three reporting both prevalence and incidence estimates and one incidence. All were included in meta-analyses. The results show a pooled prevalence of 0.32% and a pooled incidence of 0.17%. Our results highlighted an extreme heterogeneity across effect sizes for both prevalence and incidence, which prevent a meaningful interpretation of pooled indexes and argue for further studies with specific prevalence-type reported and target population under study.