Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Gefitinib for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods We searched several databases, including MEDLINE (1991 to June 2008), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2008) and CBMDisc (1978 to Feb. 2008). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in the meta-analyses, which were done using The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2 software. We also included retrospective case reports published in Chinese journals. Results Eight RCTs and 36 uncontrolled case reports were analyzed. The results of the RCTs showed that 250 mg/d Gefitinib had similar efficacy to 500 mg/d, but the side effect was significantly less for the lower dose. When used as a combined first-line treatment or a third-line treatment, Gefitinib was not superior to placebo on response rate, survival rate and life span. When used as second-line treatment, it did not prolong median survival, though it gave a higher response rate than placebo. Gefitinib caused many more side effects than placebo. Gefitinib exhibited similar efficacy to docetaxel in objective response rate [OR 1.18, 95%CI (0.84, 1.67), P=0.35], but was better for symptom and quality-of-life improvement [OR 1.58, 95%CI (1.33, 1.89), Plt;0.00001]. The overall uncontrolled clinical studies showed the following results: complete response rate was 2.2%, partial response rate was 25.8%, disease stable rate was 40.0% and progressive disease rate was 32.0%. The average median survival time was 8.9 months; the average time to progressive disease was 5.2 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 44.2%. The average median survival from EAP studies (6.9 months) was shorter than that for all the studies as well as the registered clinical trials (10.0 months). The average periods to progressive disease for registered clinical trials (3.2 months) and EAP studies (4.4 months) were somewhat shorter than that found for all studies combined, though response rate and 1-year survival rate were similar. Since there was no controlled clinical study, it was hard to conclude from the results whether Gefitinib brought any clinical benefit to NSCLC patients in China. Conclusion Gifitinib is not suitable as a combined first-line treatment or a third-line treatment for NSCLC. The clinical favor from gefitinib in the second-line treatment remains uncertain. There is not enough evidence to show whether Chinese people are more sensitive to Gefitinib, and its use in the second-line treatment of NSCLC needs to be tested further.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for advanced retinoblastoma (RB) after failure of intravenous chemotherapy (IVC).
MethodsFifteen eyes of 13 patients with advanced RB were treated with IAC (1-5 cycles) after failure of IVC (2-8 cycles). The patients included 10 boys and 3 girls, with the mean age of (15.67±8.16) months. Six patients had bilateral RB and 7 patients had unilateral RB. There were 14 eyes (93.33%) in stage D, 1 eye (6.67%) in stage E according to the International Classification of intraocular retinoblastoma. The main reasons for failure of IVC were recurrent primary tumor in 3 eyes (20.00%), subretinal seeds recurrence in 9 eyes (60.00%), viable vitreous seeds in 2 eyes (13.33%) and poor response of primary tumor in 1 eye (6.67%). The mean interval between IVC completion and IAC start was 3 months. The mean follow-up was 19 months (ranged from 3 to 52 months).
ResultsAfter IVC and secondary IAC, the retinoblastoma and seeds were regressed in 12 eyes (80.00%). Three eyes required enucleation for severe vitreous seeds, subretinal seeds recurrence and primary tumor recurrence. There was no evidence of metastasis in any case.
ConclusionIAC can achieve high global salvage rate (80.00%) for patients with advanced retinoblastoma after failure of IVC.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy of treatments for β-coronaviruses.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, SinoMed, CNKI and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized controlled trials (non-RCTs) of treatments for β-coronaviruses from inception to June 17th, 2020. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 14.0 software.ResultsA total of 109 studies invoving 23 210 patients were included. The results of the systematic review showed that compared with standard of care, corticosteroids could reduce mortality and increase cure rate for COVID-19. However, chloroquine could decrease cure rate. In severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients, corticosteroids could decrease the cure rate. In Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) patients, ribavirin/interferon/both drugs showed higher mortality.ConclusionsThe currently limited evidence shows that corticosteroids may be effective to COVID-19 patients while having limited effects on SARS patients. Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine may have negative effects on COVID-19 patients. Ribavirin/interferon may be harmful to MERS patients. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusions.
Objective?To explore the difference between bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) and avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH).?Methods?Recent original articles about BMES and ANFH were extensively reviewed, and were comprehensively analysed.?Results?The pathology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment selection, and prognosis are different between these two diseases.?Conclusion?BMES and ANFH are two different diseases. Micro-fracture may be the cause of bone marrow edema.
ObjectiveTo investigate the cause of stoma recurrence after anterior resection of rectal cancer and discover the methods of prevention and treatment.MethodsA total 91 patients with stoma recurrence after anterior resection of rectal cancer (or Dixon) were analysed retrospectively between 1985 and 1996. Fourtyseven patients experienced reradical resection (Miles), 27 cases palliative resection, and 11 cases only exploration. Thirtytwo cases had been followed up for 5 years and obtained 1，3，5year survival rate for reradical radical resection (Miles). Diagnosis and treatment of stomal recurrence after Dixon were evaluated. ResultsOne, three and fiveyear survival rate of reradical resection (Miles) was 93%，77%，45% respectively.ConclusionTo amplify blindly the adaptation of Dixon is to raise the rate of stoma recurrence. Digital rectal examination and fiberopic colonoscopy (and biopsy) are very essential methods for the diagnosis of stoma recurrence, and we strive to do reradical resection (Miles) for the patients with stoma recurrence after Dixon’s operation.
Objective To review the diagnosis, treatment method, and surgical technique of tarsometatarsal joint injury. Methods Recent l iterature concerning tarsometatarsal joint injury was reviewed and analyzed in terms of anatomy,injury mechanism, classification, diagnosis, management principle and methods, and surgical techniques. Results It could be difficult to diagnose tarsometatarsal joint injury, and subtle injury was more difficult to diagnose with a high rate of missed diagnosis. Fairly accurate diagnosis of tarsometatarsal joint injury could be made based on medical history, symptoms and signs, and necessary imaging examinations. For the patient of partial l igament rupture caused by subtle or non-displacement injury, a cast for immobil ization could be adopted; the patients of instable injury should be treated with open reduction and internal fixation. For the patients of complete dislocation and severe comminuted fractures, arthrodesis should be suggested. Conclusion The diagnosis and management of tarsometatarsal joint injury is compl icated. The treatment method of tarsometatarsal joint injury has evoked controversy. Surgeons should choose the optimal treatment method and surgical technique according to the injury type, radiological manifestation, and classification so as to obtain the best cl inical outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism and to explore the measures of prevention and treatment of hypothermal vasoconstriction. METHODS: By the techniques of endothelial cell culture and scanning electron microscopy, and vasomotor functional test of isolated vascular vessels, the relation of hypothermal vasoconstriction and the release of endothelium-derived contractile and vasodilative factors were observed. RESULTS: Hypothermia obviously induced vasoconstriction of isolated vascular vessels, whether endothelium was intact or removed, the lower the temperature, the higher the vascular tension. Removal of endothelium could decrease the effect of vasoconstriction by hypothermia. The conditioned medium of bovine aortic endothelial cell could induce significantly vasoconstriction of isolated rat common neck arterial ring in hypothermia. It indicated that the bovine aortic endothelial cells secreted contractile factors into the medium. Reheating to 37 degrees C or vasodilator or reheating plus vasodilator did not obviously influence the hypothermia-induced vasoconstriction within 2 hours. When reheating to 50 degrees C, vascular tension was decreased, but only changed in range of 28% to 42%. CONCLUSION: Hypothermia vasoconstriction is relative to vasoconstrictor factors secreted by endothelium. Reheating to 37 degrees C or vasodilator does not antagonize the constriction of vascular vessels. Reheating to 50 degrees C only partially eliminates the constrict effect of blood vessels, so the prevention of hypothermia vasoconstriction should be emphasized.
Objective Anorexia nervosa is a disorder of high morbidity and significant mortality. The aim of the present review was to evaluate the evidence from randomized controlled trials for the efficacy of outpatient psychotherapies used in the treatment of older adolescents ( aged ＞16 years) and adults with anorexia nervosa. Methods The search strat egy comprised database searches of Medline, EXTRAMED, EMBASE, PSYCLIT, Current Contents, Cochrane Con trolled Trials Register and the Depression and Anxiety Neurosis Cochrane Group ( CCDAN), the search date was Novem ber 2002. A hand-search of The International Journal of Eating Disorders from its first issue up to March 2003, and the ref erence lists of all papers selected. Personal letters were sent to identified leading researchers published in the area, requesting information on trials that are unpublished. All randomized controlled trials of adult individual outpatient therapy for anorexia nervosa, as defined by the DSM-IV or similar international criterion, were included. Quality ratings were made according to the CCDAN criteria. A range of outcome variables were selected, including physical state, severity of eating disorder attitudes and behefs, interpersonal function, and general psychiatric symptom severity. Continuous outcome data comparisons were planned with the standardized mean difference statistic, and binary outcome comparisons planned with the relative risk statistic. Results Six small trials only, two of which included children or adolescents, were identified from the search and aggregation of data was not possible. Bias was possible due to lack of blinding of outcome assessments. The results in two trials suggested that "treatment as usual" or similar may be less efficacious than a specific psychotherapy. No specific treatment was consistently superior to any other specific approach. Dietary advice as a control arm had a 100% non-completion rate in one trial. Conclusions No specific approach can be recommended from this review. It is unclear why "treatment as usual" performed so poorly, or why dietary advice alone appeared so unacceptable. There is an urgent need for large well-designed trials in this area.
