Medicine
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Compound danshen dripping pills (CDDP) and trimetazidine (TMZ) are commonly used in the treatment of unstable angina pectoris (UAP). Currently, the combination of CDDP and TMZ has been widely used for UAP. However, the clinical evidence CDDP combined with TMZ for treating UAP is not sufficient. ⋯ This systematic review will be provided up-to-date clinical evidence to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of CDDP combined with TMZ for the treatment of parents with UAP.Registration Number: PROSPERO CRD42019143100.
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Observational Study
Pancreatic cancer treatment costs, including patient liability, by phase of care and treatment modality, 2000-2013.
Our study provides phase-specific cost estimates for pancreatic cancer based on stage and treatment. We compare treatment costs between the different phases and within the stage and treatment modality subgroups. ⋯ Our estimates demonstrate that pancreatic cancer costs can vary widely by stage and treatment received. These cost estimates can serve as an important baseline foundation to guide resource allocation for cancer care and research in the future.
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Compound Kushen injection (CKI) is a commonly used anti-tumor Chinese patent medicine, which is extracted from Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) and Baituling (Rhizoma Smilacis Glabrae) and has been widely prescribed as an add-on therapy to platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy remain controversial. ⋯ CRD42019134892.
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Male fertility has gradually become a worldwide problem. Because of the limitation of treatment, many drugs have been used for improving sperm quality. Among them, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), as a treatment of diabetic neuropathy, has been applied to improve the quality of sperm in clinical practice, with satisfactory effect. However, there is still no systematic review on the field of male infertility treating with oral ALA. ⋯ Efficacy and safety of oral ALA on male sperm quality in infertile men will be assessed. The results will be published in a public issue journal to provide evidence-based medical evidence for urologists and andrologists to make better clinical decisions.
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Meta Analysis
Platelet-rich plasma vs corticosteroids for elbow epicondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) vs corticosteroids for treatment of patients with lateral elbow epicondylitis. ⋯ Local corticosteroid injections demonstrated favorable outcomes compared with those of local PRP treatments for lateral elbow epicondylitis during the short-term follow-up period (4 weeks and 8 weeks post-treatment). Otherwise, at the long-term follow-up (24 weeks post-treatment), PRP injections had improved pain and function more effectively than corticosteroid injections.