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Evidence-based Complementary and... 2016To evaluate ginsenoside Rg3 combined with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, in a meta-analysis. . We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane...
To evaluate ginsenoside Rg3 combined with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, in a meta-analysis. . We searched PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the VIP and Wanfang databases for eligible studies. We manually searched for printed journals and relevant textbooks. Statistical analyses were performed with Revman 5.3 and STATA 14.0 software packages. . Twenty studies were included. Ginsenoside Rg3 combined with chemotherapy could enhance response, improve disease control, prolong overall survival, improve patient quality of life, reduce leucocyte count decrease due to chemotherapy, reduce vascular endothelial growth factor expression in peripheral blood, and increase CD4/CD8 T cell ratio. . Ginsenoside Rg3 combined with chemotherapy may enhance short-term efficacy and overall survival, alleviate treatment-induced side effects, reduce vascular endothelial growth factor expression, increase CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, and serve as a potential therapeutic regimen for NSCLC. However, considering the limitations, the conclusion should be interpreted carefully, and these results need to be confirmed by more high-quality trials.
PubMed: 27800005
DOI: 10.1155/2016/7826753 -
Reproductive Biomedicine Online Oct 2016This systematic review focuses on the literature evidence for residual ovarian function during treatment with hormonal contraceptives. We reviewed all papers which... (Review)
Review
This systematic review focuses on the literature evidence for residual ovarian function during treatment with hormonal contraceptives. We reviewed all papers which assessed residual ovarian activity during hormonal contraceptive use, using endocrine markers such as serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations, FSH, LH, oestradiol, progesterone and sonographic markers such as antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume and vascular indices. We considered every type (oestroprogestin or only progestin) and dosage of hormonal contraceptive and every mode of administration (oral, vaginal ring, implant, transdermal patch). We performed an electronic database search for papers published from 1 January 1990 until 30 November 2015 using PubMed and MEDLINE. We pre-selected 113 studies and judged 48 studies suitable for the review. Most studies showed that follicular development continues during treatment with hormonal contraceptives, and that during treatment there is a reduction in serum concentrations of FSH, LH and oestradiol, and also a reduction in endometrial thickness, ovarian volume and the number and size of antral follicles. The ovarian reserve parameters, namely AFC and ovarian volume, are lower among users than among non-users of hormonal contraception; regarding the effect of hormonal contraception on AMH, there are still controversies in the literature.
Topics: Anti-Mullerian Hormone; Contraceptives, Oral, Combined; Estradiol; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovarian Reserve; Ovary; Progesterone; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 27527655
DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.07.010 -
Surgical Infections Apr 2016Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the main causes of morbidity and death after surgical intervention. The use of physical barriers, including gloves, drapes, and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the main causes of morbidity and death after surgical intervention. The use of physical barriers, including gloves, drapes, and gowns to reduce SSI after abdominal surgery is long-standing practice. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy of ring incision retractors in reducing the risk of SSI in abdominal surgery.
METHODS
PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane randomized controlled trials (RCTs) Central Register, and the ISRCTN registry were searched for RCTs in which ring retractors were utilized to reduce SSI in abdominal surgery. The PRISMA guidelines and RevMan 5.3 were used for study selection and analysis. Additional subgroup analyses were performed, including trials using incision class (clean, clean-contaminated contaminated, and dirty) and trials that used the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's SSI definition in their protocol.
RESULTS
A total of 19 RCTs inclusive of 4,229 patients were included. The utility of ring retractors in reducing SSI was suggested by an overall risk ratio of 0.62 (95% confidence interval 0.48-0.81). However, study heterogeneity caused by differences in effect size between individual RCTs, the non-standardized utilization of concomitant measures to reduce SSI, and an overall lack of high-quality trials was found.
CONCLUSION
A reduction in SSI incidence with the use of ring retractors is suggested by the findings. However, this result must be treated with caution because in addition to some old trials poor quality and the large number of factors affecting SSI, there were substantial differences between trials in effect sizes in statistical heterogeneity. Further RCTs are needed to confirm this provisional finding.
Topics: Abdomen; Humans; Incidence; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 26784527
DOI: 10.1089/sur.2015.145 -
Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology :... Apr 2016Use of recent antenatal screening guidelines for cardiac abnormalities has increased fetal diagnoses of right aortic arch (RAA). We aimed to establish the outcome of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Use of recent antenatal screening guidelines for cardiac abnormalities has increased fetal diagnoses of right aortic arch (RAA). We aimed to establish the outcome of fetal RAA without intracardiac abnormalities (ICA) to guide postnatal management.
METHODS
In the retrospective cohort part of our study, outcome measures were rates of chromosomal abnormalities, 22q11.2 deletion, fetal extracardiac abnormalities (ECA), postnatal ICA and ECA, and symptoms of and surgery for vascular ring. A systematic review and meta-analysis was also performed; results are reported as proportions. Kaplan-Meier analysis of vascular ring cases with surgery as endpoint was performed.
RESULTS
Our cohort included 86 cases; 41 had a vascular ring. Rates of chromosomal abnormalities, 22q11.2 deletion and fetal ECA were 14.1%, 6.4% and 17.4%, respectively. Sixteen studies including our cohort (312 fetuses) were included in the systematic review. Overall rates of chromosomal abnormalities and 22q11.2 deletion were 9.0% (95% CI, 6.0-12.5%) and 6.1% (95% CI, 3.6-9.3%), whilst the respective rates for cases with no ECA were 4.6% (95% CI, 2.3-7.8%) and 5.1% (95% CI, 2.4-8.6%). ECA were seen in 14.6% (95% CI, 10.6-19.0%) prenatally and in 4.0% (95% CI, 1.5-7.6%) after birth. Postnatal ICA were identified in 5.0% (95% CI, 2.7-7.9%). Rate of symptoms of vascular rings (follow-up ≥ 24 months postpartum) was 25.2% (95% CI, 16.6-35.0%), and 17.1% (95% CI, 9.9-25.7%) had surgery. Two-year freedom from surgery was 83.0% (95% CI, 74.3-90.1%).
CONCLUSIONS
Fetal RAA without ICA is more frequently associated with ECA than with chromosomal abnormalities. Most cases, however, are isolated. Vascular-ring symptoms occur in about 25% of cases. Postnatal surveillance is required mainly in the first 2 years after delivery.
Topics: Abnormalities, Multiple; Aorta, Thoracic; Aortic Arch Syndromes; Chromosome Aberrations; Cohort Studies; DiGeorge Syndrome; Female; Fetal Diseases; Fetal Heart; Heart Defects, Congenital; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal
PubMed: 26643657
DOI: 10.1002/uog.15805 -
Irish Journal of Medical Science Feb 2016Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the main causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis is one of the most commonly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the main causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis is one of the most commonly performed surgical interventions worldwide. The use of ring retractors to protect the wound edge from contaminated intra-abdominal contents may be an effective method to reduce SSI.
AIM
The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine whether the use of wound ring retractors reduces SSI rates after open appendectomy.
METHODS
A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analysis of ring retractors was undertaken using the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane RCTs Central Register, CINAHL, and ISRCTN registry were searched for eligible studies. Only studies in which open appendectomy was undertaken were included. The Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.3 was used for analysis. A subgroup analysis by degree of appendiceal inflammation was performed.
RESULTS
Four RCTs inclusive of 939 patients met eligibility requirements. One trial used single ring while three used double ring protectors. Differences in the definition of SSI, skin preparation, and type and duration of prophylactic antibiotic were found between the 4 studies. The use of ring retractors show some evidence of SSI reduction risk ratio 0.44 [95 % CI (0.21, 0.90)]. On sub-analysis, ring retractor was more effective in more severe degrees of appendiceal inflammation i.e., the contaminated group.
CONCLUSION
Our review suggests some benefit in using ring retractors to reduce SSI post appendectomy; however the small number and variable quality of the studies suggest the need for more RCTs to confirm these results.
Topics: Appendectomy; Appendicitis; Humans; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 26560110
DOI: 10.1007/s11845-015-1381-7 -
European Spine Journal : Official... Feb 2014To identify all available reconstruction methods for a total sacrectomy. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate outcomes based on different interventions. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To identify all available reconstruction methods for a total sacrectomy. Secondarily, we aimed to evaluate outcomes based on different interventions.
METHODS
We searched PubMed to identify sacral resections for tumors requiring internal fixation for stabilization. Demographic information, fixation techniques and postoperative outcomes were abstracted.
RESULTS
Twenty-three publications (43 patients) met inclusion criteria from an initial search of 856 (κ 0.93). Mean age was 37 years and follow-up was 33 months. Fixation methods included a combination of spinopelvic fixation (SPF), posterior pelvic ring fixation (PPRF), and/or anterior spinal column fixation (ASCF). For the purposes of analysis, patients were segregated based on whether they received ASCF. Postoperative complications including wound/instrument infections, GI or vascular complications were reported at a higher rate in the non-ASCF group (1.63 complications/patient vs. 0.7 complications/patient). Instrument failure was seen in 5 (16.1 %) out of the 31 patients with reported outcomes. Specifically, 1 out of 8 patients (12.5 %) with ASCF compared with 4 out of 23 patients (17.4 %) without ASCF had hardware failure. At final follow-up, 35 of 39 patients were ambulating.
CONCLUSION
While surgical treatment of primary sacral tumors remains a challenge, there have been advances in reconstruction techniques following total sacrectomy. SPF has shifted from intrapelvic rod and hook constructs to pedicle and iliac screw-rod systems for improved rigidity. PPRF and ASCF have adapted for deficiencies in the posterior ring and anterior column. A trend toward a lower rate of hardware failure emerged in the group utilizing anterior spinal column support. Despite a more involved reconstruction with ASCF, surgical complications such as infection rates and blood loss were lower compared to the group without ASCF. While we cannot definitively say one system is superior to the other, based on the data gleaned from this systematic review, it is our opinion that incorporation of ASCF in reconstructing the spinopelvic junction may lead to improved outcomes. However, most importantly, we recommend that the treating surgeon operate on patients requiring a total sacrectomy based on his or her level of comfort, as these cases can be extremely challenging even among experts.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Bone Screws; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Orthopedic Procedures; Pelvis; Postoperative Complications; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Sacrum; Young Adult
PubMed: 24150036
DOI: 10.1007/s00586-013-3075-z