Fusion and failure following anterior cervical plating with dynamic or rigid plates: 6-months results of a multi-centric, prospective, randomized, controlled study

Anterior cervical plate fixation is an approved surgical technique for cervical spine stabilization in the presence of anterior cervical instability. Rigid plate design with screws rigidly locked to the plate is widely used and is thought to provide a better fixation for the treated spinal segment than a dynamic design in which the screws may slide when the graft is settling. Recent biomechanical studies showed that dynamic anterior plates provide a better graft loading possibly leading to accelerated spinal fusion with a lower incidence of implant complications. This, however, was investigated in vitro and does not necessarily mean to be the case in vivo, as well. Thus, the two major aspects of this study were to compare the speed of bone fusion and the rate of implant complications using either rigid- or dynamic plates. The study design is prospective, randomized, controlled, and multi-centric, having been approved by respective ethic committees of all participating sites. One hundred and thirty-two patients were included in this study and randomly assigned to one of the two groups, both undergoing routine level-1- or level-2 anterior cervical discectomy with autograft fusion receiving either a dynamic plate with screws being locked in ap - position (ABC, Aesculap, Germany), or a rigid plate (CSLP, Synthes, Switzerland). Segmental mobility and implant complications were compared after 3- and 6 months, respectively. All measurements were performed by an independent radiologist. Mobility results after 6 months were available for 77 patients (43 ABC/34 CSLP). Mean segmental mobility for the ABC group was 1.7 mm at the time of discharge, 1.4 mm after 3 months, and 0.8 mm after 6 months. For the CSLP- group the measurements were 1.0, 1.8, and 1.7 mm, respectively. The differences of mean segmental mobility were statistically significant between both groups after 6 months (P = 0.02). Four patients of the CSLP-group demonstrated surgical hardware complications, whereas no implant complications were observed within the ABC-group (P = 0.0375). Dynamic plate designs provided a faster fusion of the cervical spine compared with rigid plate designs after prior spinal surgery. Moreover, the rate of implant complications was lower within the group of patients receiving a dynamic plate. These interim results refer to a follow-up period of 6 months after prior spinal surgery. Further investigations will be performed 2 years postoperatively.     

异丙酚复合麻醉下髋关节置换术患者瑞芬太尼控制性降压的效果

目的探讨异丙酚复合麻醉下髋关节置换术患者瑞芬太尼控制性降压的效果。方法择期行髋关节置换术患者30例,ASA分级Ⅱ级或Ⅲ级,随机分为2组(n=15):瑞芬太尼组(R组)和硝普钠组(N组)。2组麻醉诱导气管插管后在30min内静脉输注6%羟乙基淀粉200/0.5 15ml/kg行急性高容量血液稀释,桡动脉穿刺置管监测平均动脉压(MAP)和心率(HR),颈内静脉穿刺置管监测中心静脉压,术中维持脑电双频谱指数45～55。2组于切皮前开始降压,R组和N组分别持续静脉输注瑞芬太尼0.3～0.7μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1)、硝普钠0.5～6.0μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1),使MAP降低到术前基础值的70%左右(60～70mm Hg)并维持至术毕。分别于急性高容量血液稀释后控制性降压前即刻(T_0)、控制性降压20min(T_1)、40min(T_2)、术毕(T_3)时抽取静脉血,测定血红蛋白(Hb)、红细胞压积(Hct)、乳酸(Lac)浓度,同时抽取动脉血,行动脉血气分析,记录开始降压至目标血压所需的时间(降压诱导时间)、停降压药后MAP恢复至基础值的时间(MAP恢复时间)及术中出血量、输血量。结果与N组比较,R组降压诱导时间、MAP恢复时间、血气分析指标及Lae水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),T_(1,2)时HR降低,出血量减少(P<0.05或0.01);N组有5例患者发生反射性心动过速,需使用艾司洛尔,T_3时有2例患者发生反跳性高血压,2组术后均未见并发症。结论异丙酚复合麻醉下髋关节置换术患者持续静脉输注瑞芬太尼0.3～0.7μg·kg~(-1)·min~(-1)控制性降压可控性好,降压及恢复平稳,且血液保护作用优于硝普钠。     

不同重复经颅磁刺激模式对脑卒中后上肢运动功能障碍干预效果的网状Meta分析

背景 上肢运动功能障碍是脑卒中后常见的后遗症之一,严重影响患者日常生活能力。重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）作为常见的神经电生理技术对治疗脑卒中后上肢运动功能障碍有较好的疗效,但临床对不同rTMS干预模式的选择仍缺乏循证依据。目的 采用网状Meta分析方法比较rTMS的4种模式对脑卒中后上肢运动功能障碍患者的临床疗效。方法 计算机检索PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library、Web of Science、中国生物医学文献数据库、中国知网、万方数据知识服务平台、维普网中有关rTMS治疗脑卒中后上肢运动功能障碍的随机对照试验,并通过追溯Meta分析的参考文献作为补充。检索时间均为建库至2022年2月,采用主题词和自由词结合方式进行。2名研究者进行文献筛选、资料提取及质量评价。采用RevMan 5.0软件和Stata 16.0软件进行统计学分析。结果 最终纳入17篇文献,790例患者,共涉及6种干预措施：高频rTMS(HF-rTMS)、低频rTMS(LF-rTMS)、间断性theta节律刺激（iTBS）、连续性theta节律刺激（cTBS）、假刺激、常规疗法。网状Meta分析结...     

针灸治疗慢性非特异性腰痛随机对照试验结局指标的现状研究

背景 针灸是治疗慢性非特异性腰痛(CNSLBP)的重要方法。随着研究的发展,大量针灸治疗CNSLBP的随机对照试验(RCT)已经发表,但由于在结局指标选择方面存在一定的问题,严重限制了高质量临床证据的产生。目的 评价针灸治疗CNSLBP RCT选用的结局指标情况,为针灸治疗CNSLBP相关研究提供参考依据。方法 系统检索4个中文数据库(中国知网、维普网、万方数据知识服务平台、中国生物医学文献服务系统)、3个英文数据库(PubMed、Embase、Cochrane Library)2017-01-01至2022-03-15发布的针灸治疗CNSLBP的文献,以及自建库以来至2022-03-15发表的非特异性腰痛(NSLBP)的核心结局指标集(COS)。对纳入的针灸治疗CNSLBP的文献基本特征进行分析,对文献的临床结局指标进行归类,对文献中的结局指标及《中医病证诊断疗效标准》的应用现状进行分析。分析NSLBP研究的COS现状,比较其与现有针灸治疗CNSLBP文献结局指标的异同。结果 本研究纳入的针灸治疗CNSLBP的49篇文献均为RCT,共包含4篇英文文献和45篇中文文献。共包含4 272...     

益气养阴活血法治疗冠心病心律失常有效性和安全性的Meta分析*

[摘要]目的 系统评价益气养阴活血法治疗冠心病心律失常的有效性及安全性。方法 检索中国知网数据库（CNKI）、维普中文科技期刊全文数据库（VIP）、中国学术期刊数据库（万方）、Cochrane图书馆、Web of Science和PubMed中有关益气养阴活血法治疗冠心病心律失常的临床随机对照试验研究,提取纳入研究的相关数据并进行方法学质量评价。应用RevMan5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果 共纳入26个研究。Meta分析结果显示,益气养阴活血法治疗组在临床总有效率[OR=3.47,95%CI（2.68, 4.48）,P<0.00001]、24h心律失常事件数[WMD=-204.82,95%CI（-228.78, -180.86）,P<0.00001]、中医症候疗效[OR=3.08,95%CI（2.04,4.66）,P<0.00001]、心电图疗效[OR=2.50,95%CI（1.63,3.83）,P<0.0001]、血液流变学指标：全血高切黏度[WMD=-1.02,95%CI（-1.18,-0.85）,P < 0.00001]、全血低切黏度值[WMD=-1.66,95%CI（-2.00,-1.33）,P< 0.00001]、血浆比黏度[WMD=-0.42,95%CI（-0.50,-0.35）,P < 0.00001]、纤维蛋白原[SMD=-1.67,95%CI（-2.06,-1.28）,P <0.00001]及安全性[OR=0.41,95%CI（0.27,0.61）,P<0.001]方面均优于常规西医治疗组。结论 益气养阴活血法治疗冠心病心律失常具有更好的有效性及安全性。由于目前纳入文献数量及质量的限制,期望今后有更多高质量的随机对照试验支持。     

Relationships between the serum levels of soluble leptin receptor and free and bound leptin in non-pregnant women of reproductive age and women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between the serum levels of soluble leptin receptor (SLEPR), and total, free and bound leptin, and the change in the serum SLEPR level during an IVF cycle. METHODS: Serum concentrations of leptin and SLEPR were measured in 50 Japanese women of reproductive age, and 20 patients participating in an IVF programme. The total leptin was fractionated into free and bound portions by gel filtration chromatography. RESULTS: The SLEPR level was negatively correlated with the body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.548, P < 0.0001), total leptin (r = -0.433, P < 0.0001), the percentage of free leptin (r = -0.732, P < 0.0001) and the absolute free leptin concentration (r = -0.506, P < 0.0001). The SLEPR level was positively correlated with the percentage of bound leptin (r = 0.730, P < 0.0001), whereas there was little variation in the absolute bound leptin concentration, regardless of the BMI or SLEPR concentration. During the IVF cycle, total and free leptin elevated during maximal ovarian stimulation, whereas there was no significant difference in the SLEPR concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a skillful mechanism where a change in the serum SLEPR level regulates, in part, the biological activity of leptin in the circulation.     

Safety and efficacy of oral nemonoxacin versus levofloxacin in treatment of community-acquired pneumonia: A phase 3, multicenter,randomized, double-blind,double-dummy,active-controlled,non-inferiority trial

Background/Purpose

Nemonoxacin is a novel nonfluorinated quinolone with excellent in vitro activity against most pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), especially Gram-positive isolates. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of nemonoxacin compared with levofloxacin in patients with CAP.

Effect of terbutaline and bambuterol on immediate-type allergic skin responses and mediator release in human skin

Background: Beta-2 agonists are potent inhibitors of mast cell degranulation in vitro. Intradermally injected they also inhibit mast cell activation in human skin in vivo. To what extent orally administered ₂-agonists inhibit mast cell degranulation and allergic skin responses in vivo in daily recommended doses remains unclear.Purpose: The main purpose was to study the effects of oral administered terbutaline and bambuterol on allergen- and codeine-induced histamine release and skin responses in intact human skin in vivo. In addition, control studies were carried out with intradermally injected terbutaline.Methods: Ten allergic subjects were randomized to receive bambuterol (10 mg tablets twice daily), terbutaline (7.5 mg controlled release tablets twice daily) and corresponding placebo for 5 days with a washout phase of 3 days between treatments in a double-blind, double-dummy, cross-over trial. The patients were studied at the fifth day of each regimen, i.e. at day 5, 13, and 21. Allergen- and codeine-induced histamine release was measured by microdialysis technique. Wheal and flare reactions to allergen, codeine, and histamine were measured planimetrically. Measurements were performed in the morning on day 5 on each regimen before medication and for additional 5 h after administration of the morning dose. In a separate series of experiments in another 10 allergic patients, 1–1,000 nM (0.05–50 pmoles) of terbutaline was injected intradermally for measurement of histamine release, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) synthesis and skin responses.Results: Neither orally administered terbutaline nor bambuterol significantly reduced allergen- or codeine-induced histamine release. Flare reactions to allergen, codeine and histamine remained unaffected which was also the case for the majority of the wheal reactions. In comparison, intradermally injected terbutaline significantly reduced allergen-induced histamine release, PGD₂ synthesis, and skin reactions. Codeine-induced histamine release remained unaffected. Terbutaline significantly reduced flare reactions to codeine and histamine with no effect on wheal reactions.Conclusions: Terbutaline, in micromolar concentrations, was a potent inhibitor of immediate allergic skin reactions primarily due to inhibition of mast cell degranulation. However orally administered terbutaline, as the active drug itself or released from its pro-drug bambuterol, did not inhibit mast cell activation or allergic skin responses. Received 28 January 2003; returned for revision 7 March 2003; accepted by M. Parnham 29 April 2003     

Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of An Athletic Trainer-Directed Spit (Smokeless) Tobacco Intervention for Collegiate Baseball Athletes: Results After 1 Year

Context: Athletes in the United States are at high risk for using spit (smokeless) tobacco (ST) and incurring its associated adverse health effects.Objective: To examine whether an athletic trainer-directed ST intervention could decrease initiation and promote cessation of ST use among male collegiate baseball athletes.Design: Stratified, cluster-randomized controlled trial.Setting: Fifty-two California colleges.Patients or Other Participant(s): A total of 883 subjects in 27 intervention colleges and 702 subjects in 25 control colleges participated, as did 48 certified athletic trainers.Intervention(s): For college athletic trainers and associated dental professionals, a 3-hour video conference, and for collegiate athletes, an oral cancer screening with feedback and brief counseling during the preseason health screenings, athletic trainer support for cessation, and a peer-led educational baseball team meeting.Main Outcome Measure(s): The subjects' ST use over 1 year was assessed by self-report. At the end of the study, the certified athletic trainers were mailed a survey assessing their tobacco use and perceptions and behavior related to tobacco control in the athletic environment. We used multivariable logistic regression models for clustered responses (generalized estimating equations) to test the difference between groups in ST-use initiation and cessation and to identify significant overall predictors of noninitiation and cessation of ST use.Results: Of the 1585 athletes recruited, 1248 (78.7%) were followed up at 12 months. In addition, 48 of the 52 athletic trainers (92%) responded to the 1-year follow-up survey. The ST-use initiation (incidence) was 5.1% in intervention colleges and 8.4% in control colleges (generalized estimating equation odds ratio = 0.58, 95% confidence interval = 0.35-0.99). Predictors of ST noninitiation were low lifetime tobacco and monthly alcohol use (odds ratio = 1.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.40- 2.82) and athletic trainers' report that the baseball coach supported ST-use prevention activities (odds ratio = 1.43, 95% confidence interval = 1.11-1.83). Although at 1 year, cessation of ST use was relatively high in both groups (36%), we noted no significant difference between the groups (odd ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval = 0.70-1.27).Conclusions: The intervention was significantly effective in preventing incident ST use but did not significantly increase cessation beyond that seen in the control group. The latter finding is inconsistent with previous studies and may be explained by spillover of the intervention to control colleges, other anti-tobacco activity in control colleges, and/or the small sample of dependent ST users enrolled in the study.     

A randomised controlled trial to test the feasibility of a collaborative care model for the management of depression in older people

BACKGROUND: Depression is the most common mental health disorder in people aged over 65 years. Late-life depression is associated with chronic illness and disability. AIM: To investigate the feasibility of a collaborative care model for depression in older people in a primary care setting. DESIGN OF STUDY: Randomised controlled trial with 16-weeks follow up. SETTING: A primary care trust in Manchester. METHOD: Participants were 105 people aged 60 years or older who scored 5 or more on the Geriatric Depression Scale; 53 were randomly allocated to an intervention group and 52 to a usual care group. The intervention group received care managed by a community psychiatric nurse who delivered an intervention comprising a facilitated self-help programme with close liaison with primary care professionals and old-age psychiatry according to a defined protocol. The usual care group received usual GP care. A nested qualitative study explored the views of the health professionals and patients regarding the acceptability and effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS: The main outcome measure was recovery from depression. Patients in the intervention group were less likely to suffer from major depressive disorder at follow up compared with usual care (0.32, 95% confidence = interval = 0.11 to 0.93, P = 0.036). The qualitative component of the study demonstrated the acceptability of the intervention to patients. CONCLUSION: A model of collaborative care for older people with depression, used in a primary care setting with a facilitated self-help intervention is more effective than usual GP care. This study demonstrates that the implementation of a collaborative care model is feasible in UK primary care and that the intervention is effective and acceptable to patients.