Annals of medicine
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Although the Japanese chronic total occlusion (J-CTO) score is widely used to assess the complexity of revascularization for CTO lesions, ambiguous and conflicting results are reported in validation studies. Therefore, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the J-CTO score and explore the heterogeneity of its comparison with other CTO scores. ⋯ The discrimination power of the J-CTO score was useful for time-efficient wire crossing and moderate for angiographic success. Head-to-head comparisons of CTO scores would benefit from standardized reporting and appropriate statistical methods.Key messagesThe J-CTO score has useful discrimination in predicting 30-min wire crossing while performing moderately for technical success.After excluding optimism bias, there is insufficient independent evidence supporting the superiority of newly introduced models over the J-CTO score.Standardized methodology and assessment are needed to achieve a better understanding of CTO scores, especially for their calibration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A prospective randomized clinical trial of active-fluidics versus gravity-fluidics system in phacoemulsification for age-related cataract (AGSPC).
To figure out the efficacy, effects, safety and patient's subjective perceptions of phacoemulsification with the active-fluidics system (AFS). ⋯ AFS improves the efficiency, effects, safety and patients' subjective perceptions of phacoemulsification compared with GFS. It is worthwhile to promote its application in cataract surgery.KEY MESSAGESThe active-fluidics system automatically detects and maintains stable intraocular pressure at the set value.The active-fluidics system improves the efficiency, effects, safety and patients' subjective perceptions in phacoemulsification.
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Systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of mifepristone combined with methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancy (EP), analyze the experimental designs, put forward improvement ideas. ⋯ The combination of mifepristone and methotrexate can improve the efficacy of ectopic pregnancy without amplifying the toxic side effects. Larger scale and better design of the randomized controlled trials are needed.KEY MESSAGESIn recent years, the increase in ectopic pregnancies and their impacts on female fertility makes physicians have to find an effective medical treatment as soon as possible that can avoid surgery.The mifepristone combined with methotrexate therapy for EP has better curative effects on improving the cure rate, lowering β-HCG level, reducing the mass, and alleviating symptoms of abdominal pain and bleeding, without amplifying the toxic side effects.Literature with high quality is lacking, and well-designed, large-scale and high-quality multicenter randomized controlled trials are needed.
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Background: Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P; 300 mg/120 mg) is a new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) that exhibits anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) pan-genotype (GT) activity for 8, 12, or 16 weeks. However, the U. S. ⋯ Conclusions: DILI was found to occur frequently with G/P treatment. Hyperbilirubinemia occurred most frequently, especially, in patients with cirrhosis. However, G/P is still the primary therapy of choice for CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients due to a superior safety rate.
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Meta Analysis
Clinical assessment of endothelial function in convalescent COVID-19 patients: a meta-analysis with meta-regressions.
Endothelial dysfunction has been proposed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its post-acute sequelae. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is recognized as an accurate clinical method to assess endothelial function. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis of the studies evaluating FMD in convalescent COVID-19 patients and controls with no history of COVID-19. ⋯ Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist. Targeting endothelial dysfunction through pharmacological and rehabilitation strategies may represent an attractive therapeutic option.Key messagesThe mechanisms underlying the post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have not been fully elucidated.Impaired endothelial function can be documented in convalescent COVID-19 patients for up to 1 year after infection, especially when residual clinical manifestations persist.Targeting endothelial dysfunction may represent an attractive therapeutic option in the post-acute phase of COVID-19.