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Journal of Clinical Medicine May 2024: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of application-linked stretching ball instruments that record the rolling time and force of patients compared with a...
: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of application-linked stretching ball instruments that record the rolling time and force of patients compared with a traditional simple stretching ball. : Fourteen participants with plantar fasciitis were divided into a simple massage ball group (group A, n = 8) and an application-linked massage ball group (group B, n = 6). The application-linked massage ball sends information regarding the massages, such as the frequency and force of the massage on the foot, to the application on the patient's smartphone. All clinical outcomes were evaluated at the beginning of the study and 1-, 2-, and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the Manchester-Oxford Foot Questionnaire (MOXFQ) score. : At the beginning of the study, the initial MOXFQ score was not significantly different between the two groups ( = 0.948). At each time point, the MOXFQ score of the whole population did not improve significantly compared to that of the initial state ( = 0.131). Generalized estimating equation modeling demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the improvement of the MOXFQ score between groups A and B during follow-up ( = 0.826). In addition, no group-by-time interactions were observed ( = 0.457). : The efficacy of an application-linked massage ball for the treatment of plantar fasciitis was not as definite as that of a traditional simple stretching ball in patients whose symptoms persisted for at least six months. Future studies that include patients with acute plantar fasciitis are required.
PubMed: 38731253
DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092722 -
Joint Diseases and Related Surgery Apr 2024This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE) treated with local massage, corticosteroid (CS) injection, and... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of patients with lateral epicondylitis (LE) treated with local massage, corticosteroid (CS) injection, and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This randomized prospective study included 52 patients. Patients treated with local massage in Group 1 (n=17; 9 males, 8 females; mean age: 46.1±10.9 years; range, 27 to 64 years), CS injection in Group 2 (n=17; 7 males, 10 females; mean age: 46.0±8.8 years; range, 28 to 63 years), and ESWT in Group 3 (n=18; 12 males, 6 females; mean age: 46.7±11.3 years; range, 28 to 68 years) for LE were evaluated between March 2021 and June 2022. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH), and DASH-Work Model (DASH-WM) scoring systems at the initial examination at the beginning of the study and at two-week, three-month, and six-month follow-up controls.
RESULTS
Similar results were observed between VAS, DASH, and DASH-WM scores measured during LE diagnosis. In the first two weeks of follow-up, statistically significant decreases were observed in VAS, DASH, and DASH-WM scores in all three groups. Compared to baseline values, Group 1 and 2 had significant difference in VAS and DASH scores at three months. Group 3 had a significant difference in all clinical evaluation scores. At six months, no significant difference was observed in Groups 1 and 2 in any of the scoring systems, while Group 3 showed significant improvements in all scoring systems.
CONCLUSION
Treatment with ESWT was superior to other treatments throughout the study and at the final follow-up. In patients receiving CS injections, the clinical outcomes worsened with time, evidenced by the six-month follow-up. Further studies on combined treatment modalities are needed on this subject.
Topics: Humans; Tennis Elbow; Male; Female; Middle Aged; Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; Adult; Massage; Prospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Aged; Injections, Intra-Articular; Glucocorticoids; Pain Measurement; Adrenal Cortex Hormones
PubMed: 38727119
DOI: 10.52312/jdrs.2024.1648 -
Cancer Biology & Medicine May 2024Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used to relieve and refuel anti-tumor immunity by blocking the interaction, transcription, and translation of co-inhibitory... (Review)
Review
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are used to relieve and refuel anti-tumor immunity by blocking the interaction, transcription, and translation of co-inhibitory immune checkpoints or degrading co-inhibitory immune checkpoints. Thousands of small molecule drugs or biological materials, especially antibody-based ICIs, are actively being studied and antibodies are currently widely used. Limitations, such as anti-tumor efficacy, poor membrane permeability, and unneglected tolerance issues of antibody-based ICIs, remain evident but are thought to be overcome by small molecule drugs. Recent structural studies have broadened the scope of candidate immune checkpoint molecules, as well as innovative chemical inhibitors. By way of comparison, small molecule drug-based ICIs represent superior oral bioavailability and favorable pharmacokinetic features. Several ongoing clinical trials are exploring the synergetic effect of ICIs and other therapeutic strategies based on multiple ICI functions, including immune regulation, anti-angiogenesis, and cell cycle regulation. In this review we summarized the current progression of small molecule ICIs and the mechanism underlying immune checkpoint proteins, which will lay the foundation for further exploration.
Topics: Humans; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors; Neoplasms; Drug Development; Immune Checkpoint Proteins; Small Molecule Libraries; Animals; Immunotherapy
PubMed: 38727005
DOI: 10.20892/j.issn.2095-3941.2024.0034 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Extensive research on cluster headaches (CHs) has been conducted worldwide; however, there is currently no bibliometric research on CHs. Therefore, this study aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Extensive research on cluster headaches (CHs) has been conducted worldwide; however, there is currently no bibliometric research on CHs. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the current research hotspots and frontiers of CHs over the past decade.
METHODS
Raw data on CHs was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database from 2014 to 2023. CiteSpace V6.2 R7 (64 bit) and Microsoft Excel were used to assess the annual publication volume, authors, countries, and references. VOSviewer 1.6.19 software was used to assess the institutions, cited authors, and keywords, and co-occurrence and clustering functions were applied to draw a visual knowledge map.
RESULTS
In the past decade, the overall annual publication volume of articles related to CHs has increased year by year, showing promising development prospects. The total 1909 articles contained six types of literature, among which the proportion of original research articles was the highest (1,270 articles, 66.53%), published in 201 journals. (439 articles, 23.00%) had the highest publication volume, and the was the journal with the highest impact factor (IF = 168.9). Furthermore, the United States of America was the country with the most published papers (584 articles, 30.60%), University of London was the research institution with the most published papers (142 articles, 7.44%), and Goodsby, Peter J was found to be the most prolific author (38 articles, 1.99%).
CONCLUSION
This study may provide some direction for subsequent researcher on CHs. The hotspots and frontiers of future research on CHs are suggested as follows: in basic medicine, more attention should be paid to pathophysiology, especially on increasing research on the pathogenesis mediated by CGRP; in clinical medicine, more attention should be paid to the design of evidence-based medicine methodology, especially the strict design, including double-blind, questionnaire, and follow-up, in randomized controlled trials, using high-quality articles for meta-analyses, and recommending high-level evidence; therapeutic techniques need to be further explored, suggesting the implementation of transcranial magnetic stimulation of the cortex, and stimulation of the sphinopalatine ganglia and occipital nerve to achieve peripheral neuromodulation. Furthermore, chronic migraine and insomnia are inextricably linked to CHs.
PubMed: 38725643
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1395770 -
BMJ Open May 2024The 2020 American Heart Association guidelines encourage lay rescuers to provide chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation to simplify the process and...
INTRODUCTION
The 2020 American Heart Association guidelines encourage lay rescuers to provide chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation to simplify the process and encourage cardiopulmonary resuscitation initiation. However, recent clinical trials had contradictory results about chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This study will aim to compare standard and chest compressions-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This study will retrieve only randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases. Data on study design, participant characteristics, intervention details and outcomes will be extracted by a unified standard form. Primary outcomes to be assessed are hospital admission, discharge, and 30-day survival, and return of spontaneous circulation. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework will evaluate the quality of evidence. Cochrane's tool for assessing the risk of bias will evaluate risk deviation. If the I statistic is lower than 40%, the fixed-effects model will be used for meta-analysis. Otherwise, the random-effects model will be used. The search will be performed following the publication of this protocol (estimated to occur on 30 December 2024).
DISCUSSION
This study will evaluate the effect of chest compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and provide evidence for cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
No patient or public entity will be involved in this study. Therefore, the study does not need to be ethically reviewed. The results of the study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journal publications and committee conferences.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42021295507.
Topics: Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Humans; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Research Design; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Heart Massage
PubMed: 38724047
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079167 -
Journal of Investigative Surgery : the... Dec 2024Hypermetabolism is associated with clinical prognosis of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore the association between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and...
OBJECTIVES
Hypermetabolism is associated with clinical prognosis of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to explore the association between basal metabolic rate (BMR) and postoperative clinical outcomes in gastric cancer patients.
METHODS
We collected data of 958 gastric cancer patients admitted at our center from June 2014 to December 2018. The optimal cutoff value of BMR (BMR ≤1149 kcal/day) was obtained using the X-tile plot. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were then performed to evaluate the relevant influencing factors of clinical outcomes. Finally, R software was utilized to construct the nomogram.
RESULTS
A total of 213 patients were defined as having a lower basal metabolic rate (LBMR). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that gastric cancer patients with LBMR were more prone to postoperative complications and had poor long-term overall survival (OS). The established nomogram had good predictive power to assess the risk of OS in gastric cancer patients after radical gastrectomy (c-index was 0.764).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, LBMR on admission is associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients, and this population has a poorer long-term survival. Therefore, there should be more focus on the perioperative management of patients with this risk factor before surgery.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Male; Female; Retrospective Studies; Middle Aged; Gastrectomy; Nomograms; Aged; Postoperative Complications; Basal Metabolism; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Adult
PubMed: 38724045
DOI: 10.1080/08941939.2024.2350358 -
Resuscitation Jun 2024Mechanical chest compression devices in 30:2 mode provide 3-second pauses to allow for two insufflations. We aimed to determine how often two insufflations are provided...
BACKGROUND
Mechanical chest compression devices in 30:2 mode provide 3-second pauses to allow for two insufflations. We aimed to determine how often two insufflations are provided in these ventilation pauses, in order to assess if prehospital providers are able to ventilate out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients successfully during mechanical chest compressions.
METHODS
Data from OHCA cases of the regional ambulance service of Utrecht, The Netherlands, were prospectively collected in the UTrecht studygroup for OPtimal registry of cardIAc arrest database (UTOPIA). Compression pauses and insufflations were visualized on thoracic impedance and waveform capnography signals recorded by manual defibrillators. Ventilation pauses were analyzed for number of insufflations, duration of the subintervals of the ventilation cycles, and ratio of successfully providing two insufflations over the course of the resuscitation. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to accurately estimate proportions and means.
RESULTS
In 250 cases, 8473 ventilation pauses were identified, of which 4305 (51%) included two insufflations. When corrected for non-independence of the data across repeated measures within the same subjects with a mixed effects analysis, two insufflations were successfully provided in 45% of ventilation pauses (95% CI: 40-50%). In 19% (95% CI: 16-22%) none were given.
CONCLUSION
Providing two insufflations during pauses in mechanical chest compressions is mostly unsuccessful. We recommend developing strategies to improve giving insufflations when using mechanical chest compression devices. Increasing the pause duration might help to improve insufflation success.
Topics: Humans; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Male; Female; Insufflation; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Heart Massage; Aged; Netherlands; Time Factors; Respiration, Artificial; Emergency Medical Services; Registries
PubMed: 38723941
DOI: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2024.110234 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research May 2024International health policies and researchers have emphasized the value of evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical studies. However, the characteristics...
BACKGROUND
International health policies and researchers have emphasized the value of evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical studies. However, the characteristics of PROs in adult tumor clinical trials in China remain insufficiently elucidated.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to assess the application and characteristics of PRO instruments as primary or secondary outcomes in adult randomized clinical trials related to tumors in China.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study identified tumor-focused randomized clinical trials conducted in China between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022. The ClinicalTrials.gov database and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry were selected as the databases. Trials were classified into four groups based on the use of PRO instruments: (1) trials listing PRO instruments as primary outcomes, (2) trials listing PRO instruments as secondary outcomes, (3) trials listing PRO instruments as coprimary outcomes, and (4) trials without any mention of PRO instruments. Pertinent data, including study phase, settings, geographic regions, centers, participant demographics (age and sex), funding sources, intervention types, target diseases, and the names of PRO instruments, were extracted from these trials. The target diseases involved in the trials were grouped according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, 8th Edition.
RESULTS
Among the 6445 trials examined, 2390 (37.08%) incorporated PRO instruments as part of their outcomes. Within this subset, 26.82% (641/2390) listed PRO instruments as primary outcomes, 52.72% (1260/2390) as secondary outcomes, and 20.46% (489/2390) as coprimary outcomes. Among the 2,155,306 participants included in these trials, PRO instruments were used to collect data from 613,648 (28.47%) patients as primary or secondary outcomes and from 74,287 (3.45%) patients as coprimary outcomes. The most common conditions explicitly using specified PRO instruments included thorax tumors (217/1280, 16.95%), breast tumors (176/1280, 13.75%), and lower gastrointestinal tract tumors (173/1280, 13.52%). Frequently used PRO instruments included the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-30, the visual analog scale, the numeric rating scale, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.
CONCLUSIONS
Over recent years, the incorporation of PROs has demonstrated an upward trajectory in adult randomized clinical trials on tumors in China. Nonetheless, the infrequent measurement of the patient's voice remains noteworthy. Disease-specific PRO instruments should be more effectively incorporated into various tumor disease categories in clinical trials, and there is room for improvement in the inclusion of PRO instruments as clinical trial end points.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; China; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Neoplasms; Adult; Female; Male; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Middle Aged; Clinical Trials as Topic
PubMed: 38718388
DOI: 10.2196/45719 -
AME Case Reports 2024A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is an important way to supply long-term intravenous infusion or parenteral nutrition for premature infants, especially...
BACKGROUND
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is an important way to supply long-term intravenous infusion or parenteral nutrition for premature infants, especially very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. PICC removal difficulties occur mostly during use. It is rare to have difficulty removing a PICC due to reverse folding during catheterization. We presented a case to explore the nursing experience of caring for a VLBW infant with difficult PICC removal.
CASE DESCRIPTION
A 30-week, 1,240-g infant, suffered a difficult PICC removal during the catheterization adjustment process. The X-ray images showed that the tip of the catheter was bent at the elbow joint and formed three abnormal bends in the blood vessel. The result was that the catheter was removed by a multidisciplinary team, and the reasons for the difficulty were analyzed. We used multidisciplinary team collaboration to solve a clinical problem. First, we analyzed the possible causes of a difficult removal by consulting PICC nurses, vascular interventional surgeons, and venous specialist nurses. Second, we used nonsurgical treatment methods to try to solve the problem. Finally, the catheter was completely removed using phlebotomy. Healing of wound and the growth of blood vessel are both well.
CONCLUSIONS
In neonates, PICC may have obstacles in insertion and removal, methods such as posture changes, wet and hot compresses, and local massage can help. Multidisciplinary cooperation can improve the success rate of removal with minimal trauma. Individualized analysis of causes and measures are key steps to solve the difficulty of PICC insertion and removal.
PubMed: 38711880
DOI: 10.21037/acr-23-145 -
JAMA Pediatrics Jun 2024Human milk feeding is a key public health goal to optimize infant and maternal/parental health, but global lactation outcomes do not meet recommended duration and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
IMPORTANCE
Human milk feeding is a key public health goal to optimize infant and maternal/parental health, but global lactation outcomes do not meet recommended duration and exclusivity. There are connections between lactation and mental health.
OBJECTIVE
To appraise all available evidence on whether the provision of relaxation interventions to lactating individuals improves lactation and well-being.
DATA SOURCES
Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched on September 30, 2023, and topic experts were consulted.
STUDY SELECTION
Two independent reviewers screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were full-text, peer-reviewed publications with a randomized clinical trial design. Techniques that were entirely physical (eg, massage) were excluded. A total of 7% of initially identified studies met selection criteria.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Fixed-effects meta-analysis and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations guidelines were used to synthesize and present evidence.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Prespecified primary outcomes were human milk quantity, length and exclusivity of human milk feeding, milk macronutrients/cortisol, and infant growth and behavior.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies were included with 1871 participants (pooled mean [SD] age for 1656 participants, 29.6 [6.1] years). Interventions were music, guided relaxation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises/muscle relaxation. Provision of relaxation was not associated with a change in human milk protein (mean difference [MD], 0 g/100 mL; 95% CI, 0; 205 participants). Provision of relaxation was associated with an increase in human milk quantity (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.89; 464 participants), increased infant weight gain in breastfeeding infants (MD, z score change = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30-0.72; 226 participants), and a slight reduction in stress and anxiety (SMD stress score, -0.49; 95% CI, -0.70 to -0.27; 355 participants; SMD anxiety score, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.67 to -0.22; 410 participants).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that provision of relaxation was associated with an increase in human milk quantity and infant weight gain and a slight reduction in stress and anxiety. Relaxation interventions can be offered to lactating parents who would like to increase well-being and improve milk supply or, where directly breastfeeding, increase infant weight gain.
Topics: Humans; Relaxation Therapy; Milk, Human; Breast Feeding; Lactation; Infant, Newborn; Female; Infant
PubMed: 38709505
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0814