International journal of clinical and experimental medicine
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To determine the pathogenesis and characteristics and to assess the long-term effectiveness of polymethylmethacry late (PMMA) vertebroplasty treatment in patients with intravertebral cleft (IVC) in osteoporotic compression fractures. ⋯ Polymethylmethacrylate vertebroplasty treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures is initially effective for patients with signs of IVC, but compression and kyphosis gradually reoccur. Therefore, we strongly recommend strict observation and follow-up after vertebroplasty.
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This study aims to investigate the extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) in lung water scavenging of sepsis patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) by renal replacement therapy (RRT). 57 septic acute kidney injury patients with EVLWI > 7 ml/kg were selected and randomly divided into two groups: the treatment group with continued RRT for 24 h per day, the control group with RRT for ≤8 h per day. Fluid resuscitation and RRT were performed simultaneously. After fluid resuscitation, EVLWI, hemodynamics, oxygenation index, blood lactate, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were determined. ⋯ The 28d mortality had no significant difference in the two groups (P > 0.05). The average ICU stay for the treatment group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05). EVLWI monitoring of septic patients with AKI in RRT time had clinical reference value.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) generally has a relatively favorable clinical course; however, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) was much more frequently progresses to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials to examine the effects of vitamin E supplementation in improving liver histology in NASH. We performed a comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases through October 2014. ⋯ Compared with controls, vitamin E supplementation significantly improved all histological parameters, including steatosis (WMD = -0.62, 95% CI: -0.95, -0.77, P = 0.0002), hepatocyte ballooning (WMD = -0.30, 95% CI: -0.56, -0.04, P = 0.03), lobular inflammation (WMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.67, -0.11, P = 0.007) and fibrosis (WMD = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.72, -0.06, P = 0.02). Our analysis also indicated the absence of publication bias between NASH and Vitamin E intake. This meta-analysis indicates that vitamin E supplementation had a significant and positive effect in the improvement of steatosis, ballooning degeneration, lobular inflammation and fibrosis in patients with NASH.
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Concept mapping is an effective method in teaching and learning, however this strategy has not been evaluated among electrocardiogram (ECG) diagnosis learning. This study explored the use of concept maps to assist ECG study, and sought to analyze whether this method could improve undergraduate students' ECG interpretation skills. There were 126 undergraduate medical students who were randomly selected and assigned to two groups, group A (n = 63) and group B (n = 63). ⋯ Difficult to learn at the beginning and time consuming are the two problems in using this method, nevertheless most of the students indicated to continue using it. Concept maps could be a useful pedagogical tool in enhancing undergraduate medical students' ECG interpretation skills. Furthermore, students indicated a positive attitude to it, and perceived it as a resource for learning.
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This work aims to compare the curative effect of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TUSPLC) and four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (FPLC). 200 patients with cholecystolithiasis were enrolled in this study. They were randomly divided into TUSPLC group and FPLC group, 100 cases in each group, and the TUSPLC and FPLC was performed, respectively. The surgical time, intraoperative complication, conversions rate, postoperative pain, postoperative analgesic drug use, incision infection, postoperative hospitalization time and postoperative cosmetic results in two groups were compared. ⋯ TUSPLC has obvious advantage in treatment of Nassar grade I patients with cholecystolithiasis. It can be used as a supplement for standard laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. It is safe and feasible, without abdominal scar, thus achieving to excellent cosmetic result and high satisfaction in patients.