Objective To evaluate the effect of clinical pathway (CP) teaching methods versus traditional methods in nursing clinical teaching. Methods The following electronic databases as PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CBM and CNKI were retrieved on computer from their establishment to April 2011 to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of comparing CP with traditional methods in nursing clinical teaching. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was assessed by two reviewers independently according to the scale of criteria for methodological quality developed by Smits PB, and the meta-analysis was conducted by using the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan5.1 software. Results A total of 12 RCTs involving 1 269 participants were included, and nine of them were of high quality. The meta-analyses showed that compared with the traditional teaching method, the CP teaching tended to be superior (Plt;0.05) in improving nursing students’ objective knowledge, nursing operating skills, professional ability and satisfaction with teaching methods, and in improving patients’ satisfaction as well. Conclusion The clinical pathway teaching method is a scientific teaching model in nursing clinical teaching; it standardizes the teaching procedure, promotes students’ active learning and further enhances the teaching effect. But it is necessary to unify the method of assessment with more researches. In addition, researchers should pay more attention to improving the comprehensive quality of nursing students.
Objective To retrospectively compare short-term outcomes and health economics of PHS versus UHS for inguinal hernia repair. Methods We included 105 patients suffering from reducible inguinal hernia hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University from September, 2007 and September, 2012. The referred hernia types involved direct and indirect hernia (unilateral and bilateral). Based on different repair materials, the patients were divided into two groups, PHS group (n=53) and UHS group (n=52). Outcome parameters for comparison included incidences of seroma and scrotum edema, hospital duration, costs, etc. Results There were no differences in age, sex, hernia type, incidences of seroma and scrotum edema after surgery, hospital duration and costs between the two groups. However, the patients in the PHS group spent less money than those in the UHS group regarding the costs of materials and hospitalization, with significant differences. Conclusion For inguinal hernia repair, PHS and UHS are alike in reducing short-term complications, but PHS can significantly reduce patients’ economic burden due to less costs.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of doxepin in the treatment of primary insomnia. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2009), PubMed (1966 to December 2009), EMbase (1974 to December 2009), ISI (1961 to December 2009), CNKI (1979 to December 2009), VIP (1989 to December 2008), CBM (1978 to December 2009), and WANFANG Data (1998 to December 2009). We also searched the correlated grey literature and conference literature for complement. Data were extracted, methodologically evaluated, and cross-checked by two reviewers independently. RevMan 5.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results One randomized controlled trial and three cross trials involving 171 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that total sleep time (TST), wake time during sleep (WTDS), wake time after sleep (WTAS), and sleep efficiency (SE) were improved by low and medium dosage of doxepin (1-25 mg) with statistically significant difference compared with placebo. On the contrary, most indicators of sleep quality had no statistically significant difference between high dose doxepin (50 mg) and placebo. While the sleeping structural indicators of rapid eye movement sleep (REM), rapid-eyemovement latency (REM-L), and sleep stage II (St.II) were changed by high and medium dosage of doxepin (25-50 mg) with statistically significant difference. Conclusions Low and medium dosage of doxepin (1-25 mg) is effective in improvement of the sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia, but it is necessary to concern the side effects and the effects on sleep structure when treating primary insomnia with medium dosage of doxepin (25 mg). High dosage of doxepin (50 mg) is not recommended to treat primary insomnia. However, this conclusion still needs clinical trials to be further validated.
Objective To systematically review the efficacy of ambroxol for lung protection in perioperative period. Methods We followed the Cochrane Collaboration methodology to conduct systematic reviews. We searched relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CBM, CNKI and VIP. We assessed the methodological quality for each outcome by grading the quality, and used RevMan5.0.0 to perform meta-analysis. Results Eight RCTs were eligible and included 669 patients. All of these trials used randomization but the quality scales were B. Compared to the control group, the ambroxol group had a statistically significant benefit in atelectasis, pulmonary complications, cough and expectoration degree. The RR (95%CI) were 0.44 (0.25, 0.78), 0.51 (0.34, 0.75), 0.39 (0.16, 0.94) and 0.22 (0.09, 0.53), respectively. The ambroxol group was also better than the control group in sputum volume, sputum characteristics, rales and pulmonary surfactant. Conclusion Ambroxol can improve respiratory system symptoms post-operatively, reduce pulmonary complications, and prevent pulmonary surfactant from decreasing during operation. Ambroxol has a satisfactory lung protective effect in the preoperative period, but we can’t define a proper dose and usage time.
Objective To systematically assess the clinical efficacy and safety of cilostazol for preventing ischemic stroke recurrence. Methods Such databases as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, CNKI, CBM, and VIP were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of cilostazol to prevent ischemic stroke recurrence (up to November, 2010). Two researchers selected studies and extracted data independently using a designed extraction form. The quality of included trials was evaluated and RevMan 5.0 software was used for meta-analyses. Results Four RCTs involving 3 916 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that there were significant differences between cilostazol and aspirin in terms of hemorrhagic stroke occurrence (RR=0.39, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.61, Plt;0.000 1), headache occurrence (RR=1.99, 95%CI 1.16 to 3.43, P=0.01) and dizziness occurrence (RR=1.43, 95%CI 1.13 to 1.79, P=0.002). Whereas, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of ischemic stroke recurrence (RR=0.80, 95%CI 0.61 to 1.04, P=0.10) and transient ischemic attack occurrence (RR=0.93, 95%CI 0.45 to 1.92, P=0.85). Conclusion The current evidence indicates that cilostazol is as effective as aspirin in preventing ischemic stroke recurrence, but with less incidence of hemorrhagic stroke.
Objective The objective of this study is to find individualized, evidence-based treatment for a patientwith extensive small cell lung cancer, malignant pleural effusion, and liver metastasis.Methods According to the PICO (patient intervention comparison outcome) principle, evidence was collected and critically assessed. The patient’s preference was also taken into consideration in the decision making process. Results We included 10 randomized controlled trials, 13 systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and three clinical guidelines. The evidence indicated that chemotherapeutic treatment prolongs survival in patients with extensive small cell lung cancer and AiDi injections could relieve adverse effects caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Cisplatin and etoposide are considered major standard cytotoxic drugs for small cell lung cancer. We drained the pleural cavity and infused Bleomycin into the pleural cavity. We also used an EP regimen of chemotherapy after the patient’s condition had improved. This patient survived longer than the average survival time for small cell lung cancer patients and has enjoyed a higher quality of life. Conclusion Chemotherapy is the main medical treatment for patients with extensive small cell lung cancer, backed up by symptomatic treatment and supportive care. Prophylactic cranial irradiation decreases brain metastases incidence and improves survival in complete response small cell lung cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE: To comprehend the progress of tissue engineering research and speculate its developmental trends. METHODS: MEDLINE search was conducted to retrieve the papers published between 1987 to 1999 under the main headings of tissue engineering. Years, nationalities, languages, journals, authors and heading frequencies of 314 papers were analyzed by bibliometrics. RESULTS: Since 1990, the number of tissue engineering research literatures had doubled, and papers between 1998 and 1999 made up 57.96% of the total papers. All papers came from 15 nations, in 6 languages and 140 journals; 64.97% came from United States and 25.79% from England, Netherlands and Germany; 93.95% was in English; 42.04% was published on 15 journals. Vacanti JP and 19 other authors presented 5 to 24 papers. Heading frequencies were cytology 22.89%, transplantation 13.30%, scaffolds and extracellular matrixes 11.72%, implanting 10.60%, polymers 8.91%, potential applications 8.91%, artificial substitutes 6.88%, tissue culture 6.70% and biogenetics 4.96%. CONCLUSION: Tissue engineering literatures mainly come from United States, England, Netherlands and Germany. English is the major language. J Biomed Mater Res and 14 other journals are important journals about tissue engineering research. Vacanti JP and 19 other authors are prolific authors. Cytology, transplantation, scaffolds and extracellular matrixes and implanting are hot topics and key points on tissue engineering research.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of glucose-insul in-potassium (GIK) in patients with acute myocardialinfarction (AMI). Methods Both foreign language databases including The Cochrane Library (issue 4, 2007), PubMed, EMBASE and Chinese databases involving CBM, VIP and CJFD were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported the effect of GIK on the heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction LVEF, ST changes, left ventricular remodel ing) of patients with AMI. Two reviewers assessed the qual ity of each trial and extracted data independently. The Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4.2.10 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Five RCTs were included, all of which came from abroad. The methodological qual ity of the included studies was good. The basel ine data of each trial were comparable. Meta-analyses showed that no significant difference was observed in the improvement of LVEF between the GIK group and the control group (WMD=1.87, 95%CI -0.32 to 4.06, P =0.09), whereas GIK was more beneficial in decreasing ST (OR=1.92, 95%CI 1.25 to 2.96,P =0.003) and preventing left ventricular remodel ing (OR=0.08, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.68, P=0.02). Conclusion Based on the above evidence, although GIK may, to some extent, be beneficial for both ST decreasing and long-term prognoses in patients with AMI, it can not yet be concluded that GIK can improve the heart function of those patients. Therefore, it is imperative to design and implement further stricter, large-scale RCTs, so as to accurately identify the therapeutic effect of GIK solution in patients with myocardial infarction.
Objective To assess the effects of combining intravenous immunoglobulin for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by analyzing the randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods The electronic databases such as PubMed (1966 to Aug. 2010), EMbase (1974 to Aug. 2010), The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2010), CNKI (1994 to Aug. 2010), VIP (1989 to Aug. 2010), CBM (1978 to Aug. 2010) and Chinese Medical Association Digital Periodicals (1998 to Aug. 2010) were searched to collect RCTs of intravenous immunoglobulin for the patients with SLE. The methodology quality of the included studies was evaluated in accordance with RCTs quality evaluation standard of the Cochrane Handbook 4.2.6, and meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.0 software. Results Four RCTs involving 154 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that compared with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, the combining intravenous immunoglobulin markedly reduced the SLE disease activity index (MD= –3.09, 95%CI –4.21 to –1.97), the incidence of infection (OR=0.24, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.54), the proteinuria (MD= –1.09, 95%CI –2.11 to –0.06), and the relapse of SLE (OR=0.07, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.37). But there was no significant difference in elevating of complement between two groups. Conclusion According to the results of meta-analyses, compared with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide combining intravenous immunoglobulin may be more efficient in improving clinical symptoms, decreasing incidence rate of infectious diseases, and reducing relapse for SLE patients.
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose urokinase plus conventional treatment versus conventional treatment alone in patients with unstable angina. Methods We searched the database PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, SCI, CBM, CNK, VIP and Wanfang database on line by computer, and handsearched relevant professional journals by two independent screening and extract information. The quality of the included documents was evaluated by the criterion of Cochrane handbook 4.2.6. The cochrane collaboration’s Revman 4.2.10 software was used for data analyses. Results A total of 19 randomized controlled trials were included (2 273 patients) Meta-analyses showed that the low-dose urokinase group was better than the conventional treatment group in efficiency [OR= 4.18, 95%CI (3.24, 5.41)] and ECG [OR= 2.81, 95%CI (2.04, 3.88)], and there were no differences between the two groups in cardiovascular outcomes [OR= 0.74, 95%CI (0.44,1.24)], mucocutaneous bleeding [OR= 1.43, 95%CI (0.90, 2.28)], gums bleeding [OR= 1.88, 95%Cl (0.46, 7.70)] and microscopic hematuria [OR= 3.82, 95%CI (0.77, 18.92)]. Conclusion The low dose urokinase group is higher efficient than the conventional treatment group. As the samples of the included studies are small and their quality is low, more randomized, double-blind, high-quality and big- sample trials are required.