Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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The study of effectiveness of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in treating burn wounds is still a developing field. The process of wound contraction in areas of loose skin is a major confounding factor in the evaluation and study of burn wound healing in animal models. ⋯ Thus, in this study, a novel burn wound rat model with reduced interference from wound contraction has been put forth to investigate the therapeutic effects of local administration of ASCs on burn wound healing. Local injection of ASCs not only improved burn wound recovery but also enhanced angiogenesis and skin appendage regeneration.
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Previous studies have reported an increased risk of cavities in diabetic patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), which may be associated with poor glycemic control. Cavities have a negative impact on PTB treatment outcomes; however, the possible interaction of other potentially confounding diabetes-related variables regarding pulmonary cavities have not been fully evaluated. ⋯ This study suggests that despite multiple potential confounding variables, including metformin use, poor glycemic control is still the dominant risk factor for cavitary lesions in diabetic patients with PTB. Efforts to improve glycemic control in diabetic PTB patients may be of considerable value in facilitating antimycobacterial treatment.
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Thumb basal joint arthritis is a common, disabling condition of the hand. Ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition (LRTI) is one of the more common surgical solutions. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate long-term radiological and clinical outcomes of modified LRTI procedures in treating thumb basal joint arthritis. ⋯ With good and durable surgical outcomes, the modified LRTI procedure could be a good treatment for thumb basal joint arthritis.
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In Taiwan, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, most of them focused on specific diseases or the use of particular methods. Therefore, the results of those studies were quite different and difficult to compare with those of studies from other countries. The International CAM Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q), meanwhile, is a unified tool that can provide comparable results for studies conducted worldwide. Thus, the aim of this study was to discover the proportions of people in Taiwan receiving CAM treatments from different types of health care providers by using an adapted version of I-CAM-Q (I-CAM-QT). ⋯ Regarding the utilization of CAM in Taiwan, this internet-based survey revealed that CHM, dietary supplements, and massage were the types of CAM most commonly prescribed or recommended by WM physicians or TCM doctors.
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Catheter ablation provides a therapeutic option for decreasing episodes of ventricular tachycardia in patients with coronary artery disease. Clinical studies show improvement with catheter ablation in reducing arrhythmia recurrence and therapy from implantable defibrillators, but not in decreasing mortality. ⋯ Overall, complication rates of catheter ablation are acceptable, but recurrence rates are still significant. Advances in mapping and ablation technologies could be expected to improve the success rates and reduce the mortality.