Arch Med Sci
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There is an academic debate over surgical treatments of liver hydatid cyst disease. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in order to evaluate the pros and cons of both PAIR (Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Respiration) and laparoscopic techniques by considering the outcomes of liver hydatid cysts. ⋯ This study shows promising trends toward an advantage of PAIR procedures in treatment of liver hydatid cyst in comparison with laparoscopic procedures. The PAIR procedure is superior to laparoscopy due to having a higher cure rate and lower complication and mortality rates; however, the latter has a lower recurrence rate.
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Biologics and traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are generally used in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous studies have presented abundant data and information about the efficacy of such treatments, but the results were incomplete and inconclusive. This network meta-analysis was conducted to compare and assess the efficacy and safety of 15 therapies employing biologics and DMARDs for RA patients. ⋯ We recommend CZP + MTX as the optimal drug therapy because it has the highest ranking in efficacy outcomes and relatively low risk of adverse events. TCZ + MTX is recommended as an alternative. Abatacept (ABT) and cDMARDs are not recommended due to their low efficacy.
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Many experimental and clinical trials have suggested that flaxseed might be a potent antihypertensive, but the evidence concerning the effects of flaxseed supplements on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations has not been fully conclusive. We assessed the impact of the effects of flaxseed supplementation on plasma CRP concentrations through a systematic review of literature and meta-analysis of available randomised controlled trials (RCTs). ⋯ The meta-analysis of RCTs did not show a significant change in plasma CRP concentrations following supplementation with various flaxseed products. Large, well-designed studies should be still performed to validate the current results.
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Review
Efficacy of serotonin receptor agonists in the treatment of functional dyspepsia: a meta-analysis.
Functional dyspepsia (FD) is typically treated with serotonin receptor (5-HT) agonists such as cisapride, mosapride, tegaserod and tandospirone citrate. However, there are conflicting efficacy data, possibly due to significant heterogeneity between studies. In this meta-analysis, we analyzed the efficacy and safety data from studies evaluating the efficacy of serotonin receptor agonists in patients with FD. ⋯ Serotonin receptor agonists had a significantly higher efficacy compared to placebo in the treatment of FD.
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Competency-based educational models recommend trainee exposure to research, but the best methods for Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs to accomplish this have not been clarified. The objective of this study was to quantify published interventions to generate resident research and compare effectiveness among those interventions. ⋯ Leadership interventions (directors, curricula) are associated with successful GME research efforts.