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.
Prevention and treatment of traumatic neuroma by implanting the proximal neural stump into the muscle were studied. Sixteen SD rats were used for the experimental study. The proximal stump of the left sciatic nerve was implanted into the nearby muscle as the experiment side, whereas the proximal stump of the right sciatic nerve was left untreated as the control side. The results were assessed with histological and electrophysiological methods. The experiment demonstrated that neuroma was formed in the control side one month postoperatively, whereas in the experimental side the nerve fibers were dispersed among the muscle fibers and no definite neuroma was formed. Implantation of neural stump into muscle could prevent and treat traumatic neuroma.
Objective To investigate the effect of nursing practice on the treatment compliance in schizophrenic inpatients.Methods A total of 196 inpatients with schizophrenia met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into two groups: the rountine nursing group (n=96) and the trial group (n=100). The trial group followed the paths of evidence-based nursing by confirming the affected facts of compliance, collecting the evidence, evaluating the evidence and incorporating this into nursing practice. The change of compliance was evaluated and two groups were scored by NOSIE-30 and BPRS at the beginning and 3 months later, respectively.Results The trial group had a significant improvement (Plt;0.05) on using the chosen treatment and had a lower relapse rate. Conclusions Implementing evidence-based nursing practice has a positive effect on the compliance with treatment of inpatients with schizophrenia.
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.
