Minimally Invasive Treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo review and to compare indirectly the outcomes of minimally invasive therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia.Materials and MethodsA literature search via Medline and Cochrane Central databases was completed for randomized control studies published between January 2000 to April 2020 for the following therapies: Rezum, Urolift, Aquablation, and prostatic artery embolization (PAE). Data on the following variables were included: International prostate symptom score (IPSS), maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life, and postvoid residual (PVR). Standard mean differences between treatments were compared through a meta-analysis using transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) to assess differences in treatment effect.ResultsThere was no significant difference in outcomes between therapies for IPSS at the 3, 6, and 12-month follow ups. Although outcomes for Rezum were only available out to 3 months, there were no consistently significant differences in outcomes when comparing Aquablation versus PAE versus Rezum. TURP PVR was significantly better than Urolift at 3, 6, and 12 months. No significant differences in minor or major adverse events were noted.ConclusionAlthough significant differences in outcomes were limited, Aquablation and PAE were the most durable at 12 months. PAE has been well studied on multiple randomized control trials with minimal adverse events while Aquablation has limited high quality data and has been associated with bleeding-related complications.     

Family Caregivers' Subjective Caregiving Burden,Quality of Life,and Depressive Symptoms Are Associated With Terminally Ill Cancer Patients' Distinct Patterns of Conjoint Symptom Distress and Functional Impairment in Their Last Six Months of Life

Context

Family caregivers constitute a critical component of the end-of-life care system with considerable cost to themselves. However, the joint association of terminally ill cancer patients' symptom distress and functional impairment with caregivers' subjective caregiving burden, quality of life (QOL), and depressive symptoms remains unknown.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid Tolerance and Withdrawal in a Rat Model

Long-term daily use of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and related compounds has recently been associated with a withdrawal syndrome. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there are currently no animal models of GHB withdrawal. OBJECTIVES: The authors studied and described the effect of chronic dosing of GHB (3-6 days) on tolerance and withdrawal in a rat model. METHODS: Rats were administered GHB every three hours via intraperitoneal catheter. Groups of rats (2 per group) were dosed with GHB for either 3 (24 doses), 4 (32 doses), 5 (40 doses), or 6 (48 doses) days. The GHB dose was 0.25 g/kg for doses 1-8, 0.75 g/kg for doses 9-12, 1 g/kg for doses 13-16, 1.25 g/kg for doses 17-24, 1.5 g/kg for doses 25-32, 1.75 g/kg for doses 33-40, and 2 g/kg for doses 41-48. Following the last dose of GHB, the rats were scored using a 16-point ethanol intoxication-withdrawal scale rating spontaneous behaviors, response to handling, grooming, and neurological signs. Lower scores indicate intoxication, while higher scores indicate withdrawal. Scores were recorded at hours 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 12, and 24. RESULTS: Tolerance: Rats dosed with GHB for more days were less intoxicated one hour after their last GHB dose despite receiving higher doses. WITHDRAWAL: The scores for all rats dosed with GHB increased at hours 4 (p = 0.028), 5 (p = 0.037), 6 (p = 0.007), and 9 (p = 0.024) after the last dose, indicating withdrawal. The scores demonstrated a linear increase dependent upon the number of days of GHB dosing at hours 3 (p < 0.000), 4 (p = 0.004), 5 (p = 0.002), and 12 (p = 0.039) as well as prior to the last dose at hour 0 (p = 0.000). No rats developed seizures. CONCLUSIONS: Tolerance and mild withdrawal in rats can be induced by administering intraperitoneal GHB every three hours for 3-6 days. More prolonged dosing and higher doses of GHB may be necessary to induce severe withdrawal.     

Ethical aspects of withdrawing/withholding renal replacement therapies on patients in acute renal failure in an intensive care unit

The majority of patients being treated for acute renal failure in intensive care units have multiple medical problems. Accordingly, the withdrawal of renal replacement therapies should be considered as part of a general decision about whether to initiate or continue with treatment per se. Several guidelines on withdrawing and withholding therapy have been produced and some common themes emerge: concerns to avoid euthanasia, potential for benefit, patient consent (shared decision‐making), team consensus/decision‐making, and the provision of appropriate palliative care and resource implications. Each of these is considered in turn, although the word limit for this paper does not permit detailed exposition.     

精神病人与正常人戒烟前后焦虑抑郁症状的对照研究

目的　了解精神病人和正常人戒烟前后精神状况的变化及差异性 ,探讨戒烟措施。方法　对 71例精神病人和 5 0例正常人戒烟前及戒烟后 1周分别应用汉密顿焦虑量表 (HAMA)、汉密顿抑郁量表 (HAMD)、焦虑自评量表 (SAS)、抑郁自评量表 (SDS)、简明精神病量表 (BPRS )进行测评。结果　精神病人强制性戒烟前HAMA、HAMD、SAS、SDS、BPRS分值分别为 (8.2 1± 6 .4 1)、(7.6 4± 5 .71)、(36 .81± 7.14 )、(33.71± 7.1)、(2 9.4 5± 8.4 7) ;戒烟后HAMA、HAMD、SAS、SDS、BPRS分值分别为 (16 .4 5± 6 .34)、(19.73± 8.71)、(5 8.1± 12 .12 )、(5 6 .31± 11.4 )、(37.32± 7.95 ) ;戒烟前后 5种量表分值变化与正常人戒烟前后分值变化比较有极显著性差异(P <0 .0 1)。结论　对精神病人强制性戒烟可引起明显的情绪反应 ,应适宜控制病人吸烟 ,建立一个合理的管理制度     

小鼠吗啡依赖纳洛酮催促戒断跳跃反应模型的建立

目的建立稳定的小鼠吗啡依赖纳洛酮催促戒断跳跃反应模型。方法小鼠连续皮下注射吗啡,以纳洛酮催促戒断跳跃反应为指标,调整吗啡给予天数(5,6,7,10d)、吗啡累积剂量(360,560,640,945,1100,1105,1200mg/kg)、每日给予吗啡的频数[一天二次(bid),一天三次(tid)]、纳洛酮催促紧前给予吗啡与否、以及纳洛酮剂量(10,20mg/kg),建立四个造模方案包括八个子方案。结果方案A、B2、C2吗啡组小鼠跳跃反应率未达100%;方案B1、C1、D2、D3、D4吗啡组小鼠跳跃次数变异系数较大。方案D1采用小鼠连续皮下注射倍增剂量的吗啡,tid×6d,每日每次剂量分别为5,10,20,40,80,160mg/kg;第7天皮下注射吗啡160mg/kg,3h后腹腔注射纳洛酮10mg/kg,吗啡组小鼠可产生显著的跳跃反应,与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.01),且变异系数小(CV为0.22),该方案吗啡依赖小鼠跳跃反应次数适度,离散度小。结论选用方案D1可建立稳定的小鼠戒断跳跃反应模型。