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Meta‐analysis of the influence of tracheal intubation with cuff and without cuff on the incidence of total wound complications in ICU intubation patients

Abstract

At present, it is still controversial whether patients in intensive care unit (ICU) use tracheal intubation with or without cuff. This paper evaluates the effect of tracheal intubation with and without cuff on overall complication rate of patients with intubation in ICU. The database of PubMed, Embase, Conchrane Library and Web of Science was searched by computer, and the clinical research on intubation with and without cuff in ICU was collected. The time range was from the database establishment to November 2023. Literature was independently screened, information was extracted, and quality was assessed by two researchers. Finally, there were nine studies included, with 11 068 patients (7391 in cuff group and 3677 in non-cuff group). The results showed that the overall complication rate of cuff group was significantly lower than that of non-cuff group, and that of cuff group (RR = 0.53, p < 0.01). In addition, compared with the non-cuff group, the cuff group had a lower number of tracheal intubation changes [RR = 0.05, p < 0.01] and a lower incidence of aspiration pneumonia (RR = 0.45, p = 0.01). Compared with the non-cuff group, the cuff group had a higher incidence of oral mucosal ulcers and pharyngitis (RR = 1.99, p = 0.04), while the cuff group had a lower incidence of laryngeal edema (RR = 0.39, p < 0.01). In ICU intubation patients, the use of cuffs reduces overall complication rate in comparison to patients without cuffs. Therefore, patients with intubation in ICU can recommend tracheal intubation with cuff.

Assessing the efficacy of Naoxintong capsules on wound healing in post‐craniotomy patients: A clinical perspective

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether Naoxintong capsules may enhance wound healing and reduce postoperative complications in individuals having craniotomies. A total of 120 patients at Tongji Hospital, Shanghai, participated in this clinical perspective study conducted from April 2022 to June 2023. Participants were divided into treatment group (n = 60), receiving standard care plus Naoxintong capsules and control group (n = 60), receiving standard care only. Primary outcomes included the rate of wound healing, while secondary outcomes encompassed postoperative complications and patient-reported outcomes on pain and quality of life. The treatment group exhibited significantly enhanced wound healing rate than the control at Day 7 (40.33 vs. 25.67%, p < 0.05), Day 14 (75.17 vs. 50.83%, p < 0.05) and Day 28 (94.83 vs. 79.50%, p < 0.05). Postoperative complications were markedly reduced in the treatment group, with lower rates of infection (p < 0.05), wound dehiscence (p < 0.05) and cerebrospinal fluid leakage (p < 0.05). Furthermore, patient-reported outcomes significantly favoured the treatment group, with reduced pain scores and improved quality of life at 4 weeks post-surgery(p < 0.05). Naoxintong capsules thus significantly enhanced the wound healing and reduced postoperative complications, contributing to improved patient-reported outcomes in post-craniotomy patients. These findings advocated for the integration of Naoxintong in postoperative care, highlighting the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in modern surgical recovery protocols. Further studies with larger cohorts are recommended to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Artificial intelligence driven malnutrition diagnostic model for patients with acute abdomen based on GLIM criteria: a cross-sectional research protocol

Por: Ma · W. · Cai · B. · Wang · Y. · Wang · L. · Sun · M.-W. · Lu · C. D. · Jiang · H.
Background

Patients with acute abdomen often experience reduced voluntary intake and a hypermetabolic process, leading to a high occurrence of malnutrition. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria have rapidly developed into a principal methodological tool for nutritional diagnosis. Additionally, machine learning is emerging to establish artificial intelligent-enabled diagnostic models, but the accuracy and robustness need to be verified. We aimed to establish an intelligence-enabled malnutrition diagnosis model based on GLIM for patients with acute abdomen.

Method

This study is a single-centre, cross-sectional observational investigation into the prevalence of malnutrition in patients with acute abdomen using the GLIM criteria. Data collection occurs on the day of admission, at 3 and 7 days post-admission, including biochemical analysis, body composition indicators, disease severity scoring, nutritional risk screening, malnutrition diagnosis and nutritional support information. The occurrence rate of malnutrition in patients with acute abdomen is analysed with the GLIM criteria based on the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 and the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form to investigate the sensitivity and accuracy of the GLIM criteria. After data cleansing and preprocessing, a machine learning approach is employed to establish a predictive model for malnutrition diagnosis in patients with acute abdomen based on the GLIM criteria.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has obtained ethical approval from the Ethics Committee of the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital on 28 November 2022 (Yan-2022–442). The results of this study will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at scientific conferences and directly to study participants.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2200067044.

Examining the impact of COVID-19 on Maori:non-Maori health inequities in Aotearoa, New Zealand: an observational study protocol

Por: Curtis · E. · Jaung · R. · Paine · S.-J. · McLeod · M. · Tamatea · J. · Atkinson · J. · Jiang · Y. · Robson · B. · Reid · P. · Harris · R. B.
Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has had both direct and indirect impacts on the health of populations worldwide. While racial/ethnic health inequities in COVID-19 infection are now well known (and ongoing), knowledge about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic management on non-COVID-19-related outcomes for Indigenous peoples is less well understood. This article presents the study protocol for the Health Research Council of New Zealand funded project ‘Mā te Mōhio ka Mārama: Impact of COVID-19 on Māori:non-Māori inequities’. The study aims to explore changes in access to healthcare, quality of healthcare and health outcomes for Māori, the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) and non-Māori during the COVID-19 outbreak period across NZ.

Methods and analysis

This observational study is framed within a Kaupapa Māori research positioning that includes Kaupapa Māori epidemiology. National datasets will be used to report on access to healthcare, quality of healthcare and health outcomes between Māori and non-Māori during the COVID-19 pandemic in NZ. Study periods are defined as (a) prepandemic period (2015–2019), (b) first pandemic year without COVID-19 vaccines (2020) and (c) pandemic period with COVID-19 vaccines (2021 onwards). Regional and national differences between Māori and non-Māori will be explored in two phases focused on identified health priority areas for NZ including (1) mortality, cancer, long-term conditions, first 1000 days, mental health and (2) rheumatic fever.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has ethical approval from the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC AH26253). An advisory group will work with the project team to disseminate the findings of this project via project-specific meetings, peer-reviewed publications and a project-specific website. The overall intention of the project is to highlight areas requiring health policy and practice interventions to address Indigenous inequities in health resulting from COVID-19 pandemic management (both historical and in the future).

Sarcopenia in systemic sclerosis: prevalence and impact--a systematic review and meta-analysis

Por: Tu · X. · Lin · T. · Ju · Y. · Shu · X. · Jiang · T. · Ge · N. · Yue · J.
Objective

This review aims to provide an estimate of sarcopenia prevalence and its impact on clinical characteristics in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources

Embase, Medline, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systemically searched from inception to 24 May 2023.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

We included observational studies that reported the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with SSc.

Data extraction and synthesis

Two reviewers independently performed study selection and data extraction using standardised methods. Risk of bias was assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Scale and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models.

Results

A total of 4583 articles were screened and 9 studies with data from 815 patients were included in the analysis (8 cross-sectional studies and 1 retrospective cohort study). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with SSc was 22% (95% CI 17% to 28%). Patients with SSc with sarcopenia had a poorer quality of life (mean difference –12.02; 95% CI –19.11 to –4.93) and higher C reactive protein (CRP) levels (standardised mean difference 0.67; 95% CI 0.35 to 1.00).

Conclusions

Sarcopenia is common in patients with SSc. Patients with SSc with sarcopenia had a worse quality of life and higher CRP levels, based on our findings. Given the detrimental impact of sarcopenia on quality of life, future efforts aimed at early identification of sarcopenia in the clinical assessment of patients with SSc may have significance.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022368326.

Downregulation of the CD151 protects the cardiac function by the crosstalk between the endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes via exosomes

by Luying Jiang, Jingbo Liu, Zhenjia Yang, Jianyu Wang, Wenkai Ke, Kaiyue Zhang, Chunran Zhang, Houjuan Zuo

Background

Heart failure (HF) is the last stage in the progression of various cardiovascular diseases. Although it is documented that CD151 contributes to regulate the myocardial infarction, the function of CD151 on HF and involved mechanisms are still unclear.

Method and results

In the present study, we found that the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated endothelial cell-specific knockdown of CD151-transfected mice improved transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac function, attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and increased coronary perfusion, whereas overexpression of the CD151 protein aggravated cardiac dysfunction and showed the opposite effects. In vitro, the cardiomyocytes hypertrophy induced by PE were significantly improved, while the proliferation and migration of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were significantly reduced, when co-cultured with the CD151-silenced endothelial cells (ECs). To further explore the mechanisms, the exosomes from the CD151-silenced ECs were taken by cardiomyocyte (CMs) and CFs, verified the intercellular communication. And the protective effects of CD151-silenced ECs were inhibited when exosome inhibitor (GW4869) was added. Additionally, a quantitative proteomics method was used to identify potential proteins in CD151-silenced EC exosomes. We found that the suppression of CD151 could regulate the PPAR signaling pathway via exosomes.

Conclusion

Our observations suggest that the downregulation of CD151 is an important positive regulator of cardiac function of heart failure, which can regulate exosome-stored proteins to play a role in the cellular interaction on the CMs and CFs. Modulating the exosome levels of ECs by reducing CD151 expression may offer novel therapeutic strategies and targets for HF treatment.

The effectiveness of interventions to reduce cancer‐related stigma: An integrative review

Abstract

Aims

The clinical significance of cancer-related stigma on patients' well-being has been widely established. Stigma can be perceived and internalised by cancer patients or implemented by the general population and healthcare workers. Various interventions have been carried out to reduce cancer-related stigma, but their effectiveness is not well-understood. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to reduce cancer-related stigma.

Design

An integrative review.

Methods

This integrative review combined both qualitative and quantitative studies and followed five steps to identify problems, search for the literature, appraise the literature quality, analyse data, and present data. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (version 2018) was applied to evaluate the quality of the included studies.

Data Sources

Databases included Web of Science, MEDLINE, SpringerLink, Wiley Online Journals, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, OVID, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (from the inception of each database to 30 April 2021).

Results

Eighteen quantitative, six qualitative, and five mixed-methods studies were included in this review. Cultural factors should be considered when conducting interventions to reduce cancer-related stigma. For cancer patients, multi-component interventions have demonstrated a positive effect on their perceived stigma. For general population, interactive interventions show promise to reduce their implemented stigma towards cancer patients. For healthcare workers, there is a paucity of studies to reduce their implemented stigma. Existing studies reported inconclusive evidence, partially due to the lack of a robust study design with an adequate sample size.

Conclusions

Multi-component and interactive interventions show promise to relieve cancer-related stigma. More methodologically robust studies should be conducted in different cultures to elucidate the most appropriate interventions for different populations to reduce cancer-related stigma.

Implication for the Profession and Patient Care

These findings will facilitate healthcare workers to design and implement interventions to reduce cancer-related stigma, thus improving the quality of life for cancer patients.

Patient and Public Contribution

No patient and public contribution.

Factors associated with the intrinsic capacity in older adults: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

In 2015, the term ‘intrinsic capacity’ (IC) was proposed by the World Health Organisation to promote healthy aging. However, the factors associated with IC are still discrepant and uncertain.

Aim

We aim to synthesise the factors connected with IC.

Methods

This scoping review followed the five-stage framework of Arksey and O'Malley and was reported using PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Results

In all, 29 articles were included. IC of older adults is associated with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, disease conditions, behavioural factors, and biomarkers. Age, sex, marital status, occupation status, education, income/wealth, chronic diseases, hypertension, diabetes, disability, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity were emerged as important factors related to the IC of older adults.

Conclusions

This review shows that IC is related to multiple factors. Understanding these factors can provide the healthcare personnel with the theoretical basis for intervening and managing IC in older adults.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

The influencing factors identified in the review help to guide older adults to maintain their own intrinsic capacity, thereby promoting their health and well-being. The modifiable factors also provide evidence for healthcare personnel to develop targeted intervention strategies to delay IC decline.

No Patient or Public Contribution

As this is a scoping review, no patient or public contributions are required.

Comparison of the risk of postoperative wound infection in patients with rectal cancer by laparoscopic versus open Hartmann's surgery

Abstract

Traditional Hartmann surgery is used when the patient is in an acute case where it might not be safe to carry out a one-stage intestinal anastomosis. Laparoscopy has been extensively applied in the treatment of large intestine, which can significantly improve both short- and long-term outcomes. While randomized, controlled studies and reviews have shown that laparoscopy is superior to that of open-access colectomy, the impact of Hartmann's surgery on postoperative site infections has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to summarize the existing evidence to show that laparoscopy is better than open operation in the area of injury. Methods The Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Libraries were searched from the moment the database was created until November 2023. For binary results, the odds ratio was estimated, and a weighted average of consecutive results was calculated. Our findings indicate that there is a lower risk for SSIs after laparoscopic approach surgery than an open-access procedure (OR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.10, 0.69, p = 0.006); Laparoscopy was associated with a reduction in the risk of dying after surgery (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30, 0.84, p = 0.009); The operation time was not significantly different in open and laparoscope (MD, 12.23; 95% CI, −5.63, 30.09, p = 0.18); laparoscopy was used to lower the incidence of SSI after surgery and to lower the mortality rate after surgery than by open-access surgery. However, the time of operation did not differ significantly among the two methods. However, further controlled trials will need to be carried out to verify the results.

Analysis of pathogen distribution and associated risk factors for surgical site infections following laparoscopic urological surgeries

Abstract

Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant complication following laparoscopic urological surgeries, impacting patient recovery and healthcare resources. Understanding the pathogen distribution and identifying associated risk factors for SSIs is critical for improving surgical outcomes. A retrospective analysis was performed on 90 patients, from March 2020 to June 2023, to investigate the risk factors and pathogen profiles in SSIs post-laparoscopic urological procedures. Patients with documented infections were compared to a control group without SSIs. Data on demographics, comorbidities and perioperative variables were collected. Pathogens were identified using the VITEK-2 Compact system. Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Upon evaluation, demographic and clinical characteristics showed no significant variance in patients with SSIs compared to those without such infections. The predominant pathogen identified was Escherichia coli. Administration of prophylactic antibiotics correlated with a reduced incidence of SSIs, whereas an array of risk factors including surgery duration of 2 h or more, anaemia, white blood cell counts exceeding 10 × 109/L, a history of urinary tract infections, the presence of diabetes mellitus and incidences of urinary leakage post-surgery were identified as contributors to a heightened risk of SSIs. Prophylactic antibiotics serve as a protective factor against SSIs, whereas several modifiable risk factors, including operation duration, anaemia, elevated leukocytes, history of urinary infections, diabetes and urinary leakage, contribute to the increased risk.

Evaluation of diabetic foot care knowledge, determinants of self‐care practices and the efficacy of health education

Abstract

To evaluate the risk factors connected with diabetic foot care and investigate the impact of health education on promoting proper diabetic foot care practices. An explanatory and mixed-method study was performed. We administered a structured pretest questionnaire to patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who frequented our health examination center and community health clinics. The survey encompassed patient demographics, basic knowledge concerning diabetic foot care, and self-care practices pertaining to diabetic foot care. Concurrent assessments and scoring were carried out. Following the survey, patients underwent health education sessions focusing on foot self-care behaviours. Their progress was reevaluated after 2 weeks to gauge its effectiveness. We identified educational attainment, diabetes duration, regular follow-up, and blood sugar control as critical factors influencing knowledge about foot care and self-care practices related to it. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive relationship between scores for diabetic foot care knowledge and scores for self-care behaviours (r = 0.32, p < 0.001). Health education led to a significant improvement in the self-care behaviours of diabetic patients. A variety of factors affect the occurrence of diabetic foot complications and the self-care behaviours associated with diabetic foot care. Health education proves to be an effective means of enhancing diabetic foot care behaviours.

Role of HDL cholesterol in anthracycline-induced subclinical cardiotoxicity: a prospective observational study in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with R-CHOP

Por: Ou · W. · Jiang · T. · Zhang · N. · Lu · K. · Weng · Y. · Zhou · X. · Wang · D. · Dong · Q. · Tang · X.
Objectives

Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is a debilitating cardiac dysfunction for which there are no effective treatments, making early prevention of anthracycline-induced subclinical cardiotoxicity (AISC) crucial. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) plays a role in cardioprotection, but its impact on AISC remains unclear. Our study aims to elucidate the protective capacity of HDL-C in AISC in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with R-CHOP (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, prednisone and rituximab).

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Conducted in China from September 2020 to September 2022.

Participants

70 chemotherapy-naïve patients newly diagnosed with DLBCL who were scheduled to receive the standard dose of R-CHOP; 60 participants included in a case–control study (DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10085-6).

Primary outcome measures

Serum biomarkers, 2D speckle tracking echocardiography and conventional echocardiography were measured at baseline, at the end of the third and sixth cycles of R-CHOP and 6 and 12 months after chemotherapy.

Results

24 patients experienced AISC, while 10 did not. 36 patients were lost to follow-up and death. Cox regression analysis showed that higher levels of HDL-C were associated with a significantly lower risk of AISC (unadjusted HR=0.24, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.67, p=0.006; adjusted HR=0.27, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.79, p=0.017). Patients without AISC had a more stable and higher HDL-C level during the follow-up period. HDL-C levels significantly decreased from the end of the third cycle of chemotherapy to the end of the sixth cycle of chemotherapy in all patients (p=0.034), and particularly in the AISC group (p=0.003). The highest level of HDL-C was significantly higher in patients without AISC than in those with AISC (1.52±0.49 vs 1.22±0.29, p=0.034).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that higher HDL-C levels may associate with lower AISC risk in patients with DLBCL treated with R-CHOP. HDL-C could be a cardioprotective target, but further research is needed to confirm its benefits and limitations.

Study registration number

Study registration number: ChiCTR2100054721

Prevalence of and risk factors for myopia among urban and rural children in Northeast China: protocol for a school-based cross-sectional study

Por: Zheng · T. · Jiang · S. · Fu · W. · Liu · H. · Ding · S. · Xv · D. · Zhang · H. · Zheng · T. · Yang · X.
Introduction

The worldwide prevalence of myopia is high and continues to increase. In this study, a school screening programme for myopia will be implemented using the whole-process information method. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of myopia in urban and rural areas of Northeast China and to determine the factors related to myopia.

Methods and analysis

This is a school-based cross-sectional study. Our study population will include 6000 school-aged children from 2 urban and 2 rural schools in Jinzhou, China. The study will be conducted using our self-developed internet-based intelligent data collection, transmission, storage and analysis system. Examination parameters include uncorrected distance visual acuity, presenting distance visual acuity, non-cycloplegic autorefraction, height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, spinal curvature and dental caries. The examination report will be automatically sent to parents, who will complete the questionnaire, and appropriate statistical analysis will be performed. The main outcome is the prevalence of myopia, defined as an equivalent spherical degree ≤–0.5 D.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University (number: JYDSY-KXYJ-IEC-2023-018). Findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Subjects and their parents (or other authorised agents) give informed consent prior to study participation.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2300072893.

Quantitative assessments of retinal macular structure among rural-dwelling older adults in China: a population-based, cross-sectional, optical coherence tomography study

Por: Zhang · Q. · Zhang · C. · Wang · Y. · Cong · L. · Liu · K. · Xu · Z. · Jiang · C. · Zhou · W. · Zhang · C. · Dong · Y. · Feng · J. · Qiu · C. · Du · Y.
Objectives

To quantitatively assess and compare retinal macular structures of rural-dwelling older adults in China using two different optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanners and to examine their associations with demographic, lifestyle, clinical and ocular factors.

Design, setting and participants

This population-based, cross-sectional study included 971 participants (age ≥60 years) derived from the Multimodal Interventions to Delay Dementia and Disability in Rural China study. We collected data on demographics, lifestyle factors, clinical conditions (eg, cardiovascular disease (CVD)) and ocular factors (eg, visual acuity and spherical equivalent). We used two models of spectral-domain OCT to measure macular parameters in nine Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study subfields. Data were analysed using the multiple general linear models.

Results

Spectralis OCT demonstrated higher macular thickness but a lower macular volume than Primus 200 OCT (p

Conclusions

Macular thickness and volume assessed by Spectralis and Primus 200 OCT scanners differ. Older age and female sex are associated with lower macular thickness and volume. Macular parameters are associated with education, CVD and spherical equivalent.

Trial registeration number

MIND-China study (ChiCTR1800017758).

Patient and family engagement interventions for hospitalized patient safety: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim

To summarize existing studies that focused on improving hospitalized patient safety through patient and family engagement interventions to identify priorities and gaps.

Design

A scoping review.

Methods

Eight databases and citations of important reviews were searched on 30 September 2022. Two researchers independently screened the records. Then, two researchers extracted the data and cross-checked. The results were synthesized narratively, and a comparison was performed for studies from China and those from other countries.

Results

Ninety-eight studies were included. The results indicated that patient and family engagement interventions were applied to decrease the incidence of patient safety incidents, and to improve the healthcare providers' and patients' knowledge, attitude or practice of patient safety. Most studies only engaged patients and families at the direct care level, and the engagement strategies at the organization and health system levels were insufficient. For stakeholders, many studies failed to consider patients' perspectives in intervention design and report taking staff training as a supportive strategy. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, were the main implementers of current interventions. Certain differences were observed between studies from China and those from other countries in the above aspects.

Conclusions

International interest in engaging patient and family for patient safety is growing. Future studies should enhance the patient and family engagement as a partner in various patient safety at the direct care level, and further explore the engagement at the organization and health system levels.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Nurses, as the main formal caregivers for patients, should promote patient and family engagement in patient safety, especially at direct care level. Nurse should also incorporate the perspectives of patients in the design and implementation of interventions.

Reporting Method

PRISMA-ScR Checklist.

Effect of antiplatelet therapy after COVID-19 diagnosis: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

by Hong Duo, Mengying Jin, Yanwei Yang, Rewaan Baheti, Yujia Feng, Zirui Fu, Yuyue Jiang, Lanzhuoying Zheng, Jing Wan, Huaqin Pan

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may predispose patients to thrombotic disease in the venous and arterial circulations.

Methods

Based on the current debate on antiplatelet therapy in COVID-19 patients, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the effect of antiplatelet treatments. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science on February 1, 2023, and only included Randomized clinical trials. The study followed PRISMA guidelines and used Random-effects models to estimate the pooled percentage and its 95% CI.

Results

Five unique eligible studies were included, covering 17,950 patients with COVID-19. The result showed no statistically significant difference in the relative risk of all-cause death in antiplatelet therapy versus non-antiplatelet therapy (RR 0.94, 95% CI, 0.83–1.05, P = 0.26, I2 = 32%). Compared to no antiplatelet therapy, patients who received antiplatelet therapy had a significantly increased relative risk of major bleeding (RR 1.81, 95%CI 1.09–3.00, P = 0.02, I2 = 16%). The sequential analysis suggests that more RCTs are needed to draw more accurate conclusions. This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that the use of antiplatelet agents exhibited no significant benefit on all-cause death, and the upper bound of the confidence interval on all-cause death (RR 95% CI, 0.83–1.05) suggested that it was unlikely to be a substantiated harm risk associated with this treatment. However, evidence from all RCTs suggested a high risk of major bleeding in antiplatelet agent treatments.

Conclusion

According to the results of our sequential analysis, there is not enough evidence available to support or negate the use of antiplatelet agents in COVID-19 cases. The results of ongoing and future well-designed, large, randomized clinical trials are needed.

The effect of virtual reality technology in exercise and lung functions of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Background

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious chronic disease worldwide, with significant negative impacts on the quality of life, family economic burden, and social healthcare burden of patients.

Aims

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of virtual reality technology on exercise function and lung function in COPD patients.

Methods

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was utilized. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Medline, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Weipu Database (VIP), and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) were systematically searched. We included randomized controlled trials published from the establishment of the database to August 10, 2022, on virtual reality technology in COPD patients. Literature retrieval and screening was carried out independently by two reviewers to obtain literature that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria and to extract relevant data. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias in the included literature. A meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.4 Software.

Results

A total of 10 randomized controlled trials with 539 participants were included. The results showed that virtual reality technology significantly improved the lung function of COPD patients, such as forced expiratory volume (FEV1; MD = 7.29, 95% CI [4.34, 10.24], p < .01) and forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC; MD = 6.71, 95% CI [4.72, 8.71], p < .01). The combined intervention with different virtual reality technology had different effects on motor function. Compared with endurance training (ET) alone, virtual reality technology combined with ET had no significant effect on the 6-minute walk test (6WMT) in COPD patients (p > .05). Compared with pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) alone, virtual reality technology combined with PR was more effective in increasing 6WMT in COPD patients (MD = 30.80, 95% CI [10.85, 50.74], p < .01).

Linking Evidence to Action

Virtual reality technology can help to improve lung function in COPD patients, and virtual reality combined with PR can improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients. However, due to the limited number of included studies, large-sample, multicenter, high-quality randomized controlled trial studies are needed to provide clear evidence.

The efficacy of sacral foam dressing in preventing sacral pressure injury: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Purpose

We aim to evaluate the efficacy of sacral foam dressings in preventing sacral pressure injury.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant publications until October 2023. All studies evaluating the efficacy of sacral foam dressings in preventing sacral pressure injury were included. We calculated pooled risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for binary outcomes. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias Tool were used to evaluate the quality of studies.

Results

A total of 9 randomized controlled studies with 3972 patients were included in this analysis. Sacral pressure injury rate was significantly lower in the sacral foam dressing group compared with the standard care group (RR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.17–0.82). Furthermore, the rate of ≥stage II sacral pressure injury was also significantly reduced (RR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37–0.83), along with a lower blanching erythema rate (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.97). No obvious publication bias was observed in the funnel plot (Egger's p values = 0.91).

Conclusions

Sacral foam dressing significantly reduced the incidence of sacral pressure injuries, including those of stage II or higher, and blanching erythema when compared to standard care without sacral foam dressing. However, the results should be interpreted with cautious because of the observed heterogeneity and the diverse patient population. Further larger, well-designed randomized control studies are needed.

Clinical study on the role of LncRNA STX17‐AS1 in wound healing and hypertrophic scar formation

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process that can lead to hypertrophic scarring (HS) when dysregulated. The role of lncRNAs in this process is increasingly recognized, yet the specific contributions of lncRNA STX17-AS1 require elucidation. This study investigated the expression of STX17-AS1, its regulatory effects on miR-145-5p, and downstream targets, highlighting its impact on wound repair and HS development. In a cohort of 20 HS patients and 20 matched controls, we assessed the expression of STX17-AS1, miR-145-5p and PDK1 via real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. We correlated these expressions with wound characteristics and analysed their regulatory impact on the PI3K/AKT pathway, crucial for cellular proliferation and migration in wound healing. Elevated levels of STX17-AS1 and miR-145-5p in patient samples were correlated with larger wound areas and slower healing rates, suggesting the regulatory imbalance in scar formation. The negative correlation of PDK1 expression with age and its positive association with wound size underscored its relevance in wound repair mechanisms. Functional analysis confirmed the interaction between STX17-AS1 and miR-145-5p and modulation of PDK1, indicating the potential disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway in the wound healing process. The study identified lncRNA STX17-AS1 as the significant mediator in wound healing, with aberrations in its pathway correlating with impaired healing and HS. The findings proposed lncRNA STX17-AS1 and miR-145-5p as molecular targets to enhance wound healing and prevent pathological scarring, offering a new avenue for therapeutic advances in wound management and regenerative medicine.

Effects of exercise in treating patients with venous leg ulcers: An umbrella review

Abstract

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) represent a substantial challenge within the healthcare landscape, thereby necessitating efficacious therapeutic strategies. Exercise has been investigated as a prospective intervention to bolster the management of VLUs. The objective of this comprehensive review is to systematically scrutinize and appraise the extant body of evidence pertaining to the impact of exercise on the treatment of patients diagnosed with VLUs. A comprehensive literature search was executed across multiple databases, encompassing PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. The methodological rigour was evaluated utilizing the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) instrument, while the quality of the evidence was appraised via the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) classification system. The relative efficacy of exercise interventions on outcomes related to VLUs, including rates of wound healing, total range of motion in the ankle joint, and adherence rates, was synthesized. Data were consolidated employing fixed-effects models, and the impact of exercise on these outcomes was visually represented through the use of forest plots. The methodological foundation of this investigation comprised four systematic reviews and meta-analyses, each characterized by an intermediate level of methodological rigour and evidence quality. Subsequent analyses revealed that exercise interventions exert a multifaceted and favourable impact on the therapeutic landscape of VLUs. These interventions distinctly contribute to the enhancement of wound healing rates (risk difference 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06–0.28) and the extension of ankle range of motion (mean difference [MD] 6.10, 95% CI: 4.61–7.59). Furthermore, Pooled adherence rate was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.20–2.45) with no significant heterogeneity. In conclusion, although existing evidence supports the positive impact of exercise training on VLUs, higher-quality research is still needed to deepen our understanding of its effects and provide more specific guidance for clinical practice.

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