西药联合穴位贴敷中西医结合治疗复治肺结核疗效观察

目的评价西药联合穴位贴敷中西医结合治疗复治肺结核的临床疗效。方法选择本院2017年1月～2018年1月收治的60例复治肺结核患者进行分组研究,全部患者根据治疗方法不同随机分为两组,每组各30例。两组均采取西药进行治疗,采用2HRZE/6HRZ标准化疗方案,实验组同时联合穴位贴敷中西医结合进行治疗,治疗后对比分析两组病灶吸收情况及两组临床症状改善情况。结果实验组病灶恶化9例,其病灶显著吸收率达50.0%,总有效率达70.0%,对照组病灶恶化6例,不变5例,其病灶显著吸收率达33.3%,总有效率达63.3%,两组病灶吸收总有效率组间比较,差异具有显著性(P0.05);实验组的疗效指数治疗6个月后显著高于对照组,组间比较,差异具有显著性(P0.05)。结论西药联合穴位贴敷中西医结合治疗复治肺结核疗效确切,可以显著促进病灶吸收,改善临床症状,安全性好,且还可以扶助人体正气,提高机体免疫力,调节全身状态,以达到治疗目的,是治疗复治肺结核的有效方法之一,值得临床广泛推广和应用。     

Torsion and linear accuracy in intraoral scans obtained with different scanning principles

PurposeFew investigations have examined the production of single restorations using intraoral scanners (IOS). Data on full-arch scans are rare, and data regarding torsion within the entire arch are very sparsely reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the deviations of torsion and linear distances in full-arch scans of three IOS based on different scanning principles.MethodsA cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloy master model (CCMM) with four hemispheres was fabricated by laser sintering. The CCMM was digitized using a laboratory scanner (ATOS-Core/GOM) and scanned with three IOS (Omnicam/Sirona(OC); True Definition/3M(TD); TriosII/Cara-Version/Kulzer(TR)). All scan data were exported in a standard STL-file format and were analyzed with GOM Inspect software (V7.5/GOM). Torsion between the right and left side of the arch and linear accuracy (trueness and precision) were evaluated. After normality was confirmed, all data were subjected to parametric statistical analyses.ResultsThe torsion ranged from 0.07 ± 0.03°(OC) to 0.29 ± 0.14°(TD). Pairwise comparisons showed significant differences between the OC and TD scanners and between the TR and TD scanners. The linear distances ranged from 6 ± 5 μm(OC) to 298 ± 317 μm(TD). Significant differences were observed among all investigated IOS (p = 0.05).ConclusionsAlthough the highest torsion was observed for the TD scanner, it is still not clear whether the differences between the IOS are related to the scanning principle or to the scanning algorithm. Due to the high clinical relevance of full-arch restorations, future studies should consider torsion. Regarding linear accuracy, no general difference related to the scanning principles of the IOSs was observed.     

Hailey–Hailey disease improved by fractional CO2 laser

Hailey–Hailey disease (HHD), also known as benign familial pemphigus, is an autosomal dominant skin condition that affects the adhesion of epidermal keratinocytes. Although the initial manifestation of flaccid vesicles on erythematous or normal skin in flexure sites frequently goes unnoticed, large, macerated, exudative plaques of superficial erosions with crusting are observed at the time of diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for HHD, and most cases are symptomatically supported. However, infrared laser ablation has been somewhat helpful. We present a case successfully treated with fractional CO₂ laser showing a long-term favourable outcome and no adverse effects. Thus, this modality could be an alternative to full ablation for this condition.     

Collecting and evaluating convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment: why and how?

Plasma provided by COVID-19 convalescent patients may provide therapeutic relief as the number of COVID-19 cases escalates steeply worldwide. Prior findings in various viral respiratory diseases including SARS-CoV-related pneumonia suggest that convalescent plasma can reduce mortality, although formal proof of efficacy is still lacking. By reducing viral spread early on, such an approach may possibly downplay subsequent immunopathology. Identifying, collecting, qualifying and preparing plasma from convalescent patients with adequate SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing Ab titres in an acute crisis setting may be challenging, although well within the remit of most blood establishments. Careful clinical evaluation should allow to quickly establish whether such passive immunotherapy, administered at early phases of the disease in patients at high risk of deleterious evolution, may reduce the frequency of patient deterioration, and thereby COVID-19 mortality.     

Lifitegrast clinical efficacy for treatment of signs and symptoms of dry eye disease across three randomized controlled trials

Objective: Report efficacy findings from three clinical trials (one phase 2 and two phase 3 [OPUS-1, OPUS-2]) of lifitegrast ophthalmic solution 5.0% for treatment of dry eye disease (DED).

Research design and methods: Three 84-day, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trials. Adults (≥18 years) with DED were randomized (1:1) to lifitegrast 5.0% or matching placebo. Changes from baseline to day 84 in signs and symptoms of DED were analyzed.

Main outcome measures: Phase 2, pre-specified endpoint: inferior corneal staining score (ICSS; 0–4); OPUS-1, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and visual-related function subscale (0–4 scale); OPUS-2, coprimary endpoints: ICSS and eye dryness score (EDS, VAS; 0–100).

Results: Fifty-eight participants were randomized to lifitegrast 5.0% and 58 to placebo in the phase 2 trial; 293 to lifitegrast and 295 to placebo in OPUS-1; 358 to lifitegrast and 360 to placebo in OPUS-2. In participants with mild-to-moderate baseline DED symptomatology, lifitegrast improved ICSS versus placebo in the phase 2 study (treatment effect, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.05–0.65; p?=?0.0209) and OPUS-1 (effect, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.10–0.38; p?=?0.0007). Among more symptomatic participants (baseline EDS ≥40, recent artificial tear use), lifitegrast improved EDS versus placebo in a post hoc analysis of OPUS-1 (effect, 13.34; 95% CI, 2.35–24.33; nominal p?=?0.0178) and in OPUS-2 (effect, 12.61; 95% CI, 8.51–16.70; p?<?0.0001).

Limitations: Trials were conducted over 12 weeks; efficacy beyond this period was not assessed.

Conclusions: Across three trials, lifitegrast improved ICSS in participants with mild-to-moderate baseline symptomatology in two studies, and EDS in participants with moderate-to-severe baseline symptomatology in two studies. Based on the overall findings from these trials, lifitegrast shows promise as a new treatment option for signs and symptoms of DED.