Medicine
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This study examines the rate and the influencing factors of glycemic control among adult residents living with DM in Mkhondo Municipality of South Africa. In this cross-sectional study, 157 individuals attending care for DM were recruited. Glycemic control status was categorized as poor if glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7% and very poor if HbA1c ≥ 9%. ⋯ We found a high rate of poor glycemic control (77.71%) possibly attributed to religious affiliation, fast food consumption, and dyslipidemia. On the contrary, about half of the study sample had very poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥9%), which was predominant among younger cohort with diabetes mellitus. Interventions aimed at improving glycemic control in this population must also target religious practice, dietary patterns and dyslipidemia as well as tailored-approach for young people.
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Catgut implantation at acupoints (CIA) is a subtype of acupuncture that has been widely used to treat simple obesity, but evidence for its effectiveness remains scarce. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treating simple obesity with CIA. ⋯ This is a randomized, sham-controlled trial of CIA treatment for simple obesity. The results of this trial will provide more evidence on whether CIA is efficacious and safe for treating obesity.
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Sutures are used for the approximation of incised flaps, assistance in primary healing, and hemorrhage control. In oral and periodontal surgery, the appropriate selection of suture material is vital for favorable healing. The aim of the present in-vitro experiment was to evaluate the tensile strengths of 4 different types of suture materials (silk, polygalactine 910, polypropylene, chromic catgut) by simulating potential short-term intraoral exposure to various beverages (saliva, Arabic coffee, tea, cola). ⋯ Whereas, at day 7, silk and polypropylene retained their tensile strengths better than others. The authors recommend precaution in the use of these beverages in the first postoperative week, to avoid adverse effect on the mechanical strength of sutures. When exposure to these beverages are anticipated, it is better to use polypropylene sutures that resists rapid fall in tensile strengths in the early postoperative period.
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To audit the young patients referred to the Hypertension Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital that predominately serves the underprivileged communities of Cape Town. Folders of patients between the ages of 15 and 30 years over a 2 year period were reviewed. The data collected included demographic, clinical and laboratory data, investigations, causes of hypertension, and presence of hypertensive organ damage. ⋯ High risk behavior, including smoking and illicit drug use, and obesity were identified as contributing factors. Secondary causes were identified in 14.2%. These results suggest a targeted approach to the investigation of young hypertensives for secondary causes, and significant opportunities for lifestyle intervention.
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Observational Study
Effectiveness of direct-acting antivirals in maintenance hemodialysis patients complicated with chronic hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is very common in maintenance hemodialysis patients, causing high morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and adverse events of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in maintenance hemodialysis patients complicated with chronic hepatitis C in real-world clinical practice. In this retrospective observational study, hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in the Third Central Hospital of Tianjin outpatient were screened, and appropriate treatment plans were selected accordingly. ⋯ A total of 25 cases met the eligibility criteria and provided informed consent. Except for 1 patient who discontinued the treatment due to gastrointestinal bleeding, the remaining 24 cases completed the treatment cycle with 100% rapid virologic response (RVR) and 100% SVR12, with no serious adverse reactions recorded. Maintenance hemodialysis patients complicated with chronic hepatitis C in Chinese real-world setting tolerate DAAs very well, with a viral response rate reaching 100%.