Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2012), EMbase (January 1974 to July 2012), PubMed (January 1966 to July 2012), CHEST (January 1995 to July 2012), CNKI (January 1994 to July 2012), CBM (January 1978 to July 2012), VIP (January 1989 to July 2012) and WanFang Data (January 1995 to July 2012) were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid versus glucocorticoid alone for IPF patients. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality, and then the meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of seven RCTs including 264 IPF patients were included. The results of meta-analysis demonstrated that, compared with the glucocorticoid used alone, a) NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid could significantly improve PaO2 (SMD=0.82 mmHg, 95%CI 0.30 to 1.35, P=0.002) and DLco (SMD=0.59 mmHg, 95%CI 0.16 to 1.03, P=0.008) with a significant difference. b) NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid could significantly improve all clinical symptoms (RR=1.56, 95%CI 1.26 to 1.92, Plt;0.000 1). Conclusion NAC combined with low-dose glucocorticoid for IPF patients can significantly improve PaO2, DLco, and the clinical symptoms such as cough, difficulty breathing after activities, cyanosis, and Velcro rales. Due to the quantity and quality limitation of included studies, this conclusion still needs to be further proved by more high quality and double blind RCTs.
Objective To systematically evaluate the correlation between endometriosis (EM) in Chinese women and Xba I polymorphism in intron-1 of estrogen receptor α (ER-α) gene. Methods Such databases as PubMed, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2012), VIP, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI were searched to collect case-control studies about the correlation between EM and Xba I polymorphism in intron-1 of ER-α gene. The retrieval time was from 1980 to 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality, and then the meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.0 and Stata 12.0 software. Results A total of 7 studies involving 676 EM patients and 688 healthy volunteers were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that Chinese women with X/X genotype had similar risk of EM compared to those with x/x genotype (OR=0.95, 95%CI 0.58 to 1.54, P=0.82) or X/x genotype (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.44 to 1.20, P=0.22). The allele X also showed similar risk of EM compared to the allele x (OR=1.11, 95%CI 0.93 to 1.33, P=0.25). Conclusion At present, it has not yet been found that the incidence of EM in Chinese women is related to the Xba I polymorphism in intron-1 of ER-α gene as well as the allele X. For the quantity and quality limitation of the included studies, this conclusion has to be proved by more studies.
Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of platelet increasing capsule combined with hormone in treating idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ITP treated by platelet increasing capsule combined with hormone were electronically searched from PubMed (1966 to 2012), The Cochrane Library (CENTRAL, Issue 3, 2012), CBM (1978 to 2012), CNKI (1979 to 2012), WanFang Data (1998 to 2012), and VIP (1991 to 2012). References of included studies were also retrieved. The literature was independently screened according to exclusion and inclusion criteria by two researchers independently and meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.1 software after data extraction and quality assessment. Results 10 RCTs were included involving 588 patients. The results meta-analysis showed that, the group which was treated by platelet increasing capsule combined with hormone was superior to the hormone alone group in the aspects of overall effectiveness rate (RR=1.18, 95%CI 1.06 to 1.32, P=0.003), the significant effectiveness rate (RR=1.57, 95%CI 1.29 to 1.91, Plt;0.000 01), blood platelet count (MD=21.54, 95%CI 13.85 to 29.23, Plt;0.000 01), and the recurrence rate (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.34 to 0.69, Plt;0.000 01) which was lower. Conclusion Current evidence has showed that platelet increasing capsule combined with hormone in treating ITP is better than hormone alone. However, more high quality RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion in future.
Objective To evaluate long-term effectiveness of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) for children with idiopathic short stature (ISS). Methods The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about rhGH in treating ISS published from 1985 to 2010 were searched in PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOHost, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP. According to the Cochrane Handbook, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, assessed methodological quality, and conducted meta-analysis using RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 11 RCTs involving 607 ISS children were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with the blank/placebo control group after 1-year treatment, the rhGH group resulted in a significant increase in height standard deviation score (SDS) (MD=0.29, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.54, P=0.03), growth velocity (MD=2.68 cm/year, 95%CI 1.70 to 3.65, Plt;0.000 01), and adult SDS (MD=0.46, 95%CI 0.29 to 0.63, Plt;0.000 01). Conclusion rhGH can effectively promote the growth of ISS children. But due to the limitation of quality and small sample size of the included studies, its effectiveness still needs to be further proved by more high quality RCTs.
Objective To determine the effects recombinant human growth hormone (GH) and hypocaloric nutrition on postoperative convalescence, we performed a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial in 18 patients after elective gastrectomy or colectomy. Methods The subjects received parenteral nutrition containing 20 calories/kg per day and 1 g protein/kg per day. Daily injections of drug or placebo were given during the first postoperative week. Result The nine control subjects lost 3.3 kg (5.9% of preoperative weight) and had a cumulative nitrogen loss of 32.6 ± 4.2 g nitrogen at eight days. The patients receiving GH lost significantly less weight (1.3 kg) and nitrogen loss was 7.3 ± 3.1 g at eight days (Plt;0.001). Kinetic studies demonstrated that anabolic effects of GH were associated with increased protein synthesis, and amino acid flus studies across the forearm revealed increased uptake of amino acid nitrogen in the GH-treated patients. Body composition analysis revealed that the patients receiving GH maintained their lean body mass despite the major surgical procedure. Conclusion We conclude that the postoperative catabolic response can be modified with GH and hypocaloric nutrition. The metabolic and physiologic effects should now be studied in a larger number of patients to determine if this approach can reduce morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay for surgical patients.
Objective To formulate an evidence-based treatment for a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous pericarditis. Methods According to the principles of evidencebased clinical practice, we searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2008), Ovid-Reviews (1991 to 2008), MEDLINE (1950 to 2008), and http://www.guideline.org. to identify the best evidence for treating a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis combined with tuberculous meningitis and tuberculous pericarditis. Results Nine guidelines, 2 systematic reviews, and 11 randomized controlled trials were included. The evidence showed that corticosteroids could help reduce the risk of death and disabling residual neurological deficiencies in patients with tuberculous meningitis. After adjusting for age and gender, the overall death rate of patients with tuberculous pericarditis was significantly reduced by prednisolone (P=0.044), as well as the risk of death from pericarditis (P=0.004). But for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, there was still a controversy about the use of corticosteroids. Given the evidence, the patient’s clinical conditions, and his preferences, dexamethasone was used for the boy in question. After 7 weeks of treatment, his cerebrospinal fluid returned to normal and pericardial effusion disappeared. Conclusion Corticosteroids should be recommended in HIV-negative people with tuberculous meningitis or/and tuberculous pericarditis. The difference in the effectiveness of various corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone and the optimal duration of corticosteroid therapy is still unknown.
Objective To investigate the effect of epristeride on 5-alpha-reductase activity and androgen receptor levels in prostate tissue. Methods Forty patients with benign prostate hyperplasia were randomly divided into the trial group and the control group with 20 in each group. Patients in the trial group were administered oral epristeride and terazosin, while those in the control group were given just terazosin. All patients underwent trans-urethral resection of the prostate after two weeks, and then the 40 samples of prostate were tested immunohistochemically for 5-alpha-reductase activities and androgen receptor levels. Results The 5-alpha-reductase in prostate tissue was not stained or lightly stained in the trial group, while it was heavily stained in the control group. The androgen receptor in prostate tissue was heavily stained in both groups. Conclusion Oral epristeride can inhibit the activity of 5-alpha-redutase in prostate tissue, but it has no obvious effect on the androgen receptor level in prostate tissue.
目的 探讨颅内动脉瘤破裂后，患者血清促肾上腺皮质激素、甲状腺激素水平的变化情况。 方法 监测2010年3月－6月共51例动脉瘤患者术前、术后2～3、4～5 d促肾上腺皮质激素（ACTH）、甲状腺激素水平的变化情况，并对监测结果进行统计学处理。 结果 ACTH、促甲状腺激素、甲状腺素、血清游离甲状腺素在术前、术后2～3、4～5 d差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05），三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）在术前、术后2～3、4～5 d差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）；不同部位动脉瘤患者的T3、FT3在术前、术后2～3、4～5 d差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）；Fisher、Hunt分级不同级别的动脉瘤患者的T3、FT3在术前、术后2～3、4～5 d差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。 结论 动脉瘤破裂患者的血清T3、FT3的变化水平情况，可以作为判断患者病情的轻重与预后的一项重要指标。
目的 探讨碘131（131I）治疗后Graves眼病（GO）预后与血清促甲状腺激素受体抗体（TRAb）水平变化之间的关系。 方法 选择2011年5月－12月初发Graves病患者238例，分为GO组124 例和非GO组114 例，分别检测131I治疗前及131I治疗后2、3、6个月甲状腺功能和TRAb，GO患者131I治疗前和治疗后6 个月进行临床活动度评分（CAS）。 结果 131I治疗前各组TRAb水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05），TRAb水平与GO CAS评分之间无相关；131I治疗后6个月所有患者TRAb水平显著增加；非GO组有5例新发GO，新发GO组与其他患者的TRAb水平分别为（58.7 ± 77.9）、（61.9 ± 81.1）U/L，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）；GO组又分为GO无变化29例，GO加重17例，GO缓解78例，三组患者TRAb水平分别为（53.5 ± 77.6）、（66.2 ± 89.9）、（66.8 ± 42.2）U/L，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 131I治疗后患者TRAb水平显著增加，但TRAb水平的变化和GO预后无关，TRAb与GO的关系还需要进一步研究。
目的 探讨3种不同助孕方案在≥40岁妇女体外受精-胚胎移植（IVF-ET）周期中的临床效果。 方法 回顾性分析2010年8月－2012年2月期间，于四川大学华西第二医院生殖中心行IVF-ET助孕、年龄≥40岁妇女共245个周期的临床资料，排除一侧卵巢缺如患者3例，余242个周期根据助孕方案不同分为3组：拮抗剂组（GnRH-A方案组）44个周期、长方案组109个周期及短方案组89个周期，比较3种方式助孕的临床效果。 结果 3组均无早发黄体生成素峰；长方案组应用促性腺激素（Gn）的时间最长，应用Gn数量最多，获得最高的获卵数及获胚数（P＜0.05）；3组的受精率、优胚率、冷冻胚胎数、周期取消率、卵巢过度刺激综合征发生率、早期流产率均无统计学意义（P＞0.05），短方案组的种植率及临床妊娠率最低（P＜0.05）。 结论 GnRH-a长方案在≥40岁妇女的IVF-ET周期中具有较好的临床结局，在≥40岁妇女IVF-ET周期中具有与长方案相似的结局，并且可以减少Gn使用量，提高卵泡及胚胎质量，短方案组对≥40岁妇女临床效果较差。