Patients In Control Group Research Articles

Effectiveness of Earplugs and Eye Masks on Sleep Quality and Fatigue Among Nonventilated Patients in an Intensive Care Unit.

Sleep is a basic physiological need and is imperative for healing and rejuvenation. However, the environment of the intensive care unit (ICU), including loud sounds and bright lights, can undermine patients' sleep quality. This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of overnight use of earplugs and eye masks to improve sleep quality and potentially influence hemodynamic parameters and mitigate fatigue among nonventilated patients in an ICU. This experimental study was conducted among 84 nonventilated patients in an ICU. The patients were evenly divided between an intervention group (n=42) and a control group (n=42). The intervention group patients received earplugs and eye masks for three consecutive nights from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am, while the control group patients received routine care. Clinical data, responses to the Richards-Campbell sleep questionnaire, and rankings on a numerical fatigue scale were collected before (pretest) and after the intervention each night and the next morning (posttests 1, 2, and 3). The results revealed a significant reduction in fatigue. At pretest, fatigue scores in the study group were 4.19±1.64. The score was significantly reduced to 3.40±1.39 at posttest 1 and then to 2.21±1.00 at posttest 3 (p<0.0001). The sleep quality for the study group showed a significant improvement from the pretest score of 43.73±8.27 to 60.35±6.85 at posttest 3 (p<0.001), whereas the control group had slightly worse sleep quality, with 40.64±8.67 at pretest and 45.63±6.95 at posttest 3. Continuous patient monitoring is an essential nursing care activity in ICUs while ensuring good-quality sleep promotes healing and reduces fatigue. Sleep quality can be supported by devices such as earplugs and eye masks to limit undue disturbances in the ICU settings.

Mild moxibustion for the prevention and treatment of bladder spasms after transurethral resection of the prostate

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of mild moxibustion on preventing and treating bladder spasms after transurethral resection of the prostate. Method: The control group patients were given routine perioperative care, while the experimental group patients were given mild moxibustion on Taixi, Zhongji, Qihai, and Shenque points in addition to routine perioperative care. Result: The frequency of bladder spasms, degree of pain, and degree of bladder spasms in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Mild moxibustion is safe and reliable in preventing and treating bladder spasms after transurethral resection of the prostate.

Assessment of Serum Beta 2-Microglobulin Levels in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Patients: Implications for Immune Activation and Disease Pathogenesis

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe, life-threatening conditions. Despite extensive research on CCHF pathogenesis, comprehensive understanding remains elusive. Our investigation focused on assessing serum beta 2-microglobulin (β2M) levels in CCHF patients, aiming to elucidate its potential as an immune activation marker and its involvement in disease pathogenesis. The study enrolled 45 CCHF patients and 45 healthy volunteers as a control group. Serum β2M levels were quantified using the immunoturbidimetric analysis method. The patient group was divided into two groups, mild and moderate-severe, using scoring systems. The mean β2M values for the control, mild, and moderate-severe patient groups were 2.27±0.50, 4.37±1.29, and 5.82±2.62 mg/L, respectively (p&amp;lt;0.001). Positive correlations were noted between β2M concentrations and markers such as BUN, creatinine, uric acid, creatine kinase, and aPTT (p&amp;lt;0.001, r=0.684; p&amp;lt;0.001, r=0.602; p=0.003, r=0.439; p=0.008, r=0.392; p=0.019, r=0.348, respectively). Conversely, negative correlations were observed with total protein, albumin, and platelet count (p=0.021, r=-0.342; p=0.003, r=-0.434; p=0.048, r=-0.296, respectively). The findings suggest a prominent inflammatory response in CCHF, indicated by elevated β2M levels, implying its potential role in the molecular mechanisms of the disease

The Effects of Deep Neck Muscle Exercises on Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain

Introduction: The study aimed to investigate the effects of deep neck flexor (DNF) and deep neck extensor (DNE) muscle exercises on pain, passive range of motion (PROM), craniovertebral angle (CVA), neck flexor endurance (NFE), neck extensor endurance (NEE), and the number of weekly painkiller usage (NWPKU) in chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 27 CNNP patients, incuding intervention group (n=15) and control group (n=12), were recruited for this study. Patients in the intervention group participated in 6 weeks of DNF and DNE exercises plus traditional physiotherapy. After 10 sessions (3 weeks), the exercise protocol was followed for 3 weeks of the home-based exercise form. Control group patients received traditional physiotherapy alone. The numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), PROM, CVA, NFE, NEE, and NWPKU were examined and compared between groups, at the baseline and after six weeks. Results: Numeric pain rating scale, PROM, CVA, NFE, NEE, and NWPKU improved significantly in both groups after treatment (P&lt;0.001). The NPRS, passive flexion, passive extension, passive right-side bending, passive left rotation, CVA, NFE, NEE, and NWPKU differences were significant (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The study supports the positive effects of combination therapy (DNF and DNE exercises plus traditional physiotherapy) on pain, passive neck range of motion, neck lordosis posture, and neck muscle endurance in CNNP patients.

Exploring Programmed Cell Death-Related Biomarkers and Disease Therapy Strategy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Using Transcriptomics.

Uncontrolled cellular proliferation may result in the progression of diseases such as cancer that promote organism death. Programmed cell death (PCD) is an important mechanism that ensures the quality and quantity of cells, which could be developed as a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis and treatment. RNA-seq data and clinical information of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and 1548 PCD-related genes were collected. We used the "limma" package to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The STRING database was used for protein interaction analysis, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) and support vector machines (SVMs) regression analyses were used to identify biomarkers. Then, the timeROC package was used for classifier efficiency assessment, and the "CIBERSORT" package was used for immune infiltration analysis. Wound healing and transwell migration assay were performed to evaluate migration and invasion. We identified 800 DEGs between our control and NPC patient groups, in which 59 genes appeared to be PCD-related DEGs, with their function closely associated with NPC progression, including activation of the PI3K-Akt, TGF-β, and IL-17 signaling pathways. Furthermore, based on the STRING database, Cytoscape and six algorithms were employed to screen 16 important genes (GAPDH, FN1, IFNG, PTGS2, CXCL1, MYC, MUC1, LTF, S100A8, CAV1, CDK4, EZH2, AURKA, IL33, S100A9, and MIF). Subsequently, two reliably characterized biomarkers, FN1 and MUC1, were obtained from the Lasso and SVM analyses. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that both biomarkers had area under the curve (AUC) values higher than 0.9. Meanwhile, the enrichment analysis showed that in NPC patients, the FN1 and MUC1 expression levels correlated with programmed cell death-related pathways. The enrichment analysis and cellular experimental results indicated that FN1 and MUC1 were overexpressed in NPC cells and associated with programmed cell death-related pathways. Importantly, FN1 and MUC1 severely affected the ability of NPC cells to migrate, invade, and undergo apoptosis. Finally, medroxyprogesterone acetate and 8-Bromo-cAMP acted as drug molecules for the docking of FN1 and MUC1 molecules, respectively, and had binding capacities of -9.17 and -7.27 kcal/mol, respectively. We examined the PCD-related phenotypes and screened FN1 and MUC1 as reliable biomarkers of NPC; our findings may promote the development of NPC treatment strategy.

The association between antiphospholipid syndrome and atrial fibrillation: a single center retrospective case-control study.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a systemic autoimmune syndrome characterized by arterial or venous thrombosis, pregnancy complications and thrombocytopenia. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between APS and atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients in Peking University People's Hospital. A single center retrospective study was conducted. Cases were hospitalized patients diagnosed with AF by a cardiologist while the control group patients did not exhibit cardiac diseases. The results of the study revealed that in multivariable logistic regression, APS, anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) positivity and anti-beta-2-glycoprotein antibody (anti-β2GPI) positivity are independent risk factors of AF. APS, aCL positivity and anti-β 2GPI positivity are statistically different between AF patients and non-AF patients. Forthcoming studies are needed to clarify the potential link between APS and AF.

A controlled clinical study of vertebroplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures after self-made spinal positioner and manual reduction

To explore clinical effect of manipulation reduction combined with vertebral plasty on osteoporotic compression fractures (OVCFs). Totally 61 patients with OVCFs treated from January 2022 to March 2024 were randomly divided into self-made spinal locator positioning with manipulation reduction group (treatment group) and traditional Kirchner positioning group (control group). There were 30 patients in treatment group, including 4 males and 26 females, aged from 61 to 87 years old with an average of (73.61±7.17) years old;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 15.24 to 28.89 kg·m-2 with an average of (23.90±3.20) kg·m-2;bone mineral density T value ranged from -4.90 to -2.50 SD with an avergae of (-3.43±0.75) SD;fracture to operation time was 6.50 (4.00, 10.25) d;10 patients were gradeⅠ, 13 patients were gradeⅡ, and 7 patients were grade Ⅲ according to Genant classification of fracture compression. There were 31 patients in control group, including 7 males and 24 females, aged from 61 to 89 years old with an average of (73.63±8.77) years old;BMI ranged from 18.43 to 27.06 kg·m-2 with an average of (23.67±2.35) kg·m-2;bone mineral density T value ranged from -4.60 to -2.50 SD with an avergae of (-3.30±0.68) SD;fracture to operation time was 6.00 (3.00, 8.00) d;11 patients were gradeⅠ, 9 patients were gradeⅡ, and 11 patients were grade Ⅲ according to Genant classification of fracture compression. The puncture times, X-ray fluoroscopy times and puncture time between two groups were observed and compared. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) and timed up and go test (TUGT) were observed and compared before operation, 3 d and 1 month after operation. All patients were followed up for 1 to 3 months with an average of (2.10±0.80) months. Puncture times, X-ray fluorosecopy times and puncture time in treatment group were 5.00(4.00, 6.00) times, (29.53±5.89) times and 14.83(12.42, 21.20) min, respectively, while those in control group were 7.00(6.00, 8.00) times, (34.58±5.33) times, 22.19(17.33, 27.01) min, treatment group was better than those of control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in preoperative VAS, JOA and TUGT between two groups(P>0.05). VAS, JOA and TUGT in both groups were significantly improved after opeation(P<0.05). On the third day after operation, JOA score of treatment group was 23.00 (20.75, 25.00), which was higher than that of control group 20.00(19.00, 23.00)(P<0.05). TUGT of treatment group was 6.26(5.86, 6.57) s, which was better than that of control group 6.90(6.80, 7.14) s (P<0.05). Bone cement leakage occurred with 1 patient in treatment group and 2 patients in control group. The optimal scheme of self-made spinal locators for locating descending verteboplasty combined with traditional Chinese medicine reduction manipulation for OVCF patients could reduce the number of intraoperative puncture times, shorten puncture times and reduce number of X-ray fluoroscopy times, and have advantages over the simple positioning of Kirschn's needle in restoring short-term lumbar function and standing and walking ability of postoperative patients.

Could radiological parameters help to predict the failure of ureteral access sheath placement

To identify the radiological parameters which may help to predict the success of ureteral access sheath (UAS) placement during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).The study included 49 patients in whom failure ureteral access sheath placement in RIRS and 49 control group patients who were successfully placement between January 2023 and December 2023. The age, gender, body mass index (BMI), non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), and kidney ureter bladder (KUB) radiographs were compared between the two groups. Measurements of the anteroposterior (ap) diameter of the pelvic inlet, anteroposterior diameter of the pelvic outlet, interspinous distance diameter were taken from non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), while pelvic anteroposterior diameter and pelvic lateral diameter were measured from kidney ureter bladder (KUB) radiography. There were no significant differences between the groups in age, gender, body mass index, ap pelvic inlet diameter, ap pelvic outlet, and interspinous distance diameter. However, a statistically significant difference was found between the pelvic ap diameter and pelvic lateral diameter values measured on the KUB radiography. The values for pelvic ap diameter and pelvic lateral diameter measured in the KUB radiographs can be used to predict the likelihood of UAS passage during RIRC procedures. However, further studies with larger patient groups are needed to establish a cut-off value.

A complementary Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Through Muscle Ultrasound and Machine Learning Algorithms

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy represents one of the common long-terms complications that effect about fifty percentage?of diabetes patients. The habitual diagnosis tool based on nerve conduction study that examine the nerve damage and classify the patient status into normal and diabetic peripheral neuropathy with degree of severity without considering the effect on skeletal muscle and take on patient data. A complementary diagnostic tool proposed, in this study integrates the patient’s data including body mass index, age and duration of diabetic, average blood glucose levels, nerve conduction study that involves amplitude and latency of peroneal and tibial nerves and muscle ultrasound alongside the machine learning algorithms to facilitate the clinicians for a precise diagnosis. A group of control and diabetic patients utilized to gather the data with calculating the muscle thickness and statistical properties from the gray-level ultrasound images of six skeletal muscles. Support vector machine, naïve bayes, ensemble of bagged tree and artificial neural network supervised machine learning algorithms categorize each class with a high classification accuracy, 98.1% for tibialis anterior with naïve bayes algorithm. The outcomes of this study show a promising complementary diagnostic tool that will help the clinicians to perform an exact diagnosis and disclose the side effect on both nerves and muscles of diabetic patients.

Application of Cefaclor in Orthodontics through Micro-Implant Anchorage in Patients with Periodontitis.

Chronic periodontitis leads to gingival swelling, hyperplasia, and tooth mobility, which affects orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of cefaclor in orthodontics through micro-implant anchorage in patients with periodontitis. A retrospective study was conducted on patients with periodontitis who received micro-implant anchorage treatment in the department of orthodontics at the First People's Hospital of Yongkang City from July 2019 to January 2022. According to different treatment regimens, these patients were divided into the test group (patients receiving cefaclor and micro-implant anchorage treatment) and the control group (patients receiving micro-implant anchorage treatment only). The plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), and serum inflammatory factor levels were compared between the two groups after treatment. One hundred and five patients were included in the study, (44 males and 61 females, median age 21 [15-25] years), 51 in the cefaclor group and 54 in the no cefaclor group. After treatment, the PLI, GI, and SBI scores in the two groups were higher than those before treatment, and the levels of serum inflammatory markers significantly increased (p < 0.05). After treatment, the PLI, GI, and SBI scores in the test group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001). The levels of serum interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly lower in the test group, and the interleukin-2 level was higher in the test group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (p > 0.05). Cefaclor and micro-implant anchorage have a good clinical effect on orthodontics in patients with periodontitis, improving periodontal health and reducing inflammatory response.

Effects of upper limb low resistance exercises along with manual lymphatic drainage in subjects with post radical mastectomy – a pilot study

Introduction: Post radical mastectomy patients will have physical problems like reduced shoulder movements and upper limb muscles strength. The performance and overall function of upper limb and Quality of Life (QOL) will reduce followed by these muscle’s reduced activity. The aim of present study is to find the effects of manual lymphatic drainage with low resistance training of upper limb on shoulder function and QOL of post mastectomy patients. Generally, upper limb muscles like Trapezius, serratus anterior, pectoralis s group. 1 subject from experimental group withdrawal from study. The treatment duration is 12 weeks based on cancer Rehabilitation principle. Outcome measures are taken Lymph ICF (for QOL), anatomical circumferential measurements (for Lymphedema). Patients selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Experimental group patients receiving upper limb low resistance training and manual lymphatic drainage techniques and control group patients receiving only manual lymphatic drainage techniques. Both group of patients are advised to wear upper limb elastic stockings for 8 hours per day. Result: All Outcome measures taken in baseline (pre) and end of 12 weeks (post) in both groups. Data was analysed by using paired ’t’ test. Results analysed based on pre and post test values. Conclusion: The study has designed a structured low resistance upper limb exercise program for post radical mastectomy patients in improving shoulder function and QOL.

Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy and Uterine Volume in Korean Adolescents with Turner Syndrome: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Study ObjectiveWe aimed to identify critical factors for uterine development by comparing uterine volume (UV) among patients with Turner syndrome (TS) who underwent pubertal induction (PI), patients with TS who had natural menarche (NM), and patients in a non-TS control group. MethodsThis retrospective case-control study included patients with TS who had undergone PI with oral estrogen in a PI group(n=31) and a NM group(n=7). The control group included patients without TS with spontaneous puberty who underwent pelvic ultrasound at 16 years of age. For TS patients, both the UV from the first ultrasound performed at age 16 or older (1st-UV) and the UV from the most recent final ultrasound (final-UV) were obtained. ResultsThe 1st-UV was larger for patients in the NM group than those in the PI group (p<0.001), but did not differ significantly between the NM and control groups (p=0.375). The final-UV of the PI group was larger than their 1st-UV (p<0.001), but still smaller than the NM group (p=0.021). HRT duration and 1st-UV of PI group were positively correlated (p=0.048). There were no variables that were significantly correlated with final-UV of PI group. ConclusionPatients with TS who experienced NM showed normal uterine development, but TS patients who underwent PI showed significantly smaller, undeveloped UV. While HRT duration and UV are positively correlated at the beginning of HRT, it is unclear what determines the final UV; however, late PI initiation and use of oral estrogen probably contributed to the lack of UV development.

Perioperative transfusion study (PETS): Does a liberal transfusion protocol improve outcome in high-risk cardiovascular patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery? A randomised controlled pilot study.

Small studies have shown that patients with advanced coronary artery disease might benefit from a more liberal blood transfusion strategy. The goal of this pilot study was to test the feasibility of a blood transfusion intervention in a group of vascular surgery patients who have elevated cardiac troponins in rest. We conducted a single-centre, randomised controlled pilot study. Patients with a preoperative elevated high-sensitive troponin T undergoing non-cardiac vascular surgery were randomised between a liberal transfusion regime (haemoglobin >10.4 g/dL) and a restrictive transfusion regime (haemoglobin 8.0-9.6 g/dL) during the first 3 days after surgery. The primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction or unscheduled coronary revascularization. In total 499 patients were screened; 92 were included and 50 patients were randomised. Postoperative haemoglobin was different between the intervention and control group; 10.6 versus 9.8, 10.4 versus 9.4, 10.9 versus 9.4 g/dL on day one, two and three respectively (p < 0.05). The primary outcome occurred in four patients (16%) in the liberal transfusion group and in two patients (8%) in control group. This pilot study shows that the studied transfusion protocol was able to create a clinically significant difference in perioperative haemoglobin levels. Randomisation was possible in 10% of the screened patients. A large definitive trial should be possible to provide evidence whether a liberal transfusion strategy could decrease the incidence of postoperative myocardial infarction in high risk surgical patients.

The Role of Glutathione Administration in the Treatment of Infertility Men

Lipid peroxidation negatively affects sperm function by decreasing the number of motile sperm in the reproductive tract, which is caused by a disruption in the balance of sex hormones that regulate male fertility. A total of 80 adult men, aged 36-55 years, participated in this study. The group comprised 40 fertile control men and 40 men with idiopathic infertility who received antioxidant treatment. Among them, 15 men were younger than 36 years and 65 men were older than 36 years. All the infertile men had been married for at least five years and had no children. The study samples were collected from an infertility clinic at Kirkuk Teaching Hospital and private clinics. Each patient received glutathione supplementation once a day for five months, starting oral antioxidant therapy in July and continuing until December 2023, along with garlic taken twice daily with food. Initially, there were slight but significant differences observed in FSH and LH levels between the control group and infertility patients before treatment, while testosterone levels were significantly lower in the infertility group. However, after five months of treatment, there was a significant increase in FSH, LH, and testosterone levels in the idiopathic infertility group compared to the control group. The research indicated a significant increase in seminal plasma glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and a significant reduction in seminal plasma malondialdehyde (MDA). These changes led to a significant increase in the sperm count of idiopathic infertility men after five months of treatment compared to the control group. Furthermore, FSH levels significantly increased after two months of treatment, with a corresponding increase in serum GSH. Thus, the administration of glutathione with garlic significantly reduced serum MDA and significantly increased serum FSH, total testosterone, and the count of motile sperm in idiopathic infertility men. Key Words: L-Glutathione250MG , Garlic ,idiopathic infertility men ,sperm count ,total testosterone

Efficacy of customized insoles in the distribution of the diabetic foot pressure: A randomized and controlled clinical trial

BackgroundDiabetic neuropathy is a condition that can be early diagnosed in DM type 2 patients. PurposeEvaluate the influence of customized insoles in the plantar pressure of diabetic neuropathy patients when compared to the sham group at baseline and after three and six months. MethodsREBEC (Clinical Trial Brazilian Register) (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/) RBR-5NQK4K, is a randomized, controlled, double-blinded clinical trial was carried out with a 46-volunteer sample in which participants were randomized to be directed to the intervention and control groups. This study was developed following the standards set for randomized clinical trials (CONSORT). The primary outcome was the analysis of plantar pressure points on the diabetic neuropathy patients' feet using podobarography in the intervention and control group patients. The secondary outcome was the foot functionality in activities of daily living assessed using the FAAM questionnaire in a 6-month follow-up period. ResultsNo significant differences were found between the groups regarding the primary and secondary outcomes in the 3rd or in the 6th month. ConclusionIs not possible to state that insoles provided patients with a significant improvement of the footstep structure in the intervention group in comparison to the control group in diabetic neuropathy patients.

Serum Catestatin Levels in Patients with Acne Vulgaris: Single-Center Prospective Study

Introduction: Recent studies showed that antimicrobial peptides have an essential role in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. This study aims to investigate serum catestatin levels in acne vulgaris patients and focuses on the change in serum levels after systemic isotretinoin therapy. Methods: This prospective study includes 101 acne vulgaris patients and 28 healthy controls. Serum catestatin levels were measured and compared between acne vulgaris and control group patients. Also, serum catestatin levels were measured again at the 24th week of isotretinoin therapy. Results: The serum catestatin levels in patients with acne vulgaris were statistically higher than in the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, serum catestatin levels were associated with the severity of acne vulgaris. A significant decrease in serum catestatin levels was detected after 24 weeks of systemic isotretinoin treatment. Conclusion: Catestatin was found to be significantly higher in the serum of patients with acne vulgaris compared to the control group. Although, the demonstration that catestatin levels decrease with isotretinoin treatment may indicate that it may have an important role in the pathogenesis of acne and could be used as a biomarker, future studies are needed to establish the role of catestatin in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.

Features of post-surgical menopause with concomitant primary hypothyroidism: A prospective single-stage clinical study

Background. In recent decades, the frequency of surgical interventions on reproductive system organs has been steadily increasing. In gynecological practice, preference is given to minimally invasive surgery and precision treatments, especially involving ovaries. Despite the modern approach, it is not always possible to preserve this endocrine organ, which leads to post-surgical menopause (PSM). The relatively high incidence of total hysterectomy-associated PSM and primary hypothyroidism in late reproductive age often leads to their combination. Clinical manifestations aggravating each other form an unfavorable vicious circle. Aim. To study the features of the PSM course with concomitant primary hypothyroidism. Materials and methods. A prospective clinical study included 130 women aged 45 to 55 years with a history of PSM. The main group consisted of 70 patients with PSM with subclinical primary hypothyroidism. A control group included 60 PSM patients without thyroid disorders. We assessed the effect of hypothyroidism on the PSM course by comparing several indicators in the main and control groups. Results. It was found that in the main group patients, severe 26.5% and moderate 38.8% menopausal syndrome prevailed, while in the control group patients, such forms were twice as common. In the women of the main group, the levels of triglycerides were higher than those in the control group by 1.3 times (2.6±0.86 mmol/L and 1.43±0.33 mmol/L, respectively). The total serum alkaline phosphatase activity in patients in the study groups was 29.8% higher than in healthy women. Conclusion. It can be concluded that the severity of menopausal disorders depends on the thyroid status, with more severe in patients of the main group with hypothyroidism. In addition, in patients of the main group with hypothyroidism, dyslipidemia is more pronounced, which predisposes them to severe diseases in the future, in particular cardiovascular disorders, the unfavorable course of metabolic syndrome, and the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Exoskeleton rehabilitation robot training for balance and lower limb function in sub-acute stroke patients: a pilot, randomized controlled trial

PurposeThis pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of REX exoskeleton rehabilitation robot training on the balance and lower limb function in patients with sub-acute stroke.MethodsThis was a pilot, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Twenty-four patients with sub-acute stroke (with the course of disease ranging from 3 weeks to 3 months) were randomized into two groups, including a robot group and a control group. Patients in control group received upright bed rehabilitation (n = 12) and those in robot group received exoskeleton rehabilitation robot training (n = 12). The frequency of training in both groups was once a day (60 min each) for 5 days a week for a total of 4 weeks. Besides, the two groups were evaluated before, 2 weeks after and 4 weeks after the intervention, respectively. The primary assessment index was the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), whereas the secondary assessment indexes included the Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity Motor Function Scale (FMA-LE), the Posture Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS), the Activities of Daily Living Scale (Modified Barthel Index, MBI), the Tecnobody Balance Tester, and lower extremity muscle surface electromyography (sEMG).ResultsThe robot group showed significant improvements (P < 0.05) in the primary efficacy index BBS, as well as the secondary efficacy indexes PASS, FMA-LE, MBI, Tecnobody Balance Tester, and sEMG of the lower limb muscles. Besides, there were a significant differences in BBS, PASS, static eye-opening area or dynamic stability limit evaluation indexes between the robotic and control groups (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the effectiveness of the REX exoskeleton rehabilitation robot in the rehabilitation of patients with stroke. According to our results, the REX exoskeleton rehabilitation robot demonstrated superior potential efficacy in promoting the early recovery of balance and motor functions in patients with sub-acute stroke. Future large-scale randomized controlled studies and follow-up assessments are needed to validate the current findings.Clinical trials registrationURL: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html.Unique identifier: ChiCTR2300068398.

Role of scalp nerve block in improving the quality of rehabilitation in patients after meningioma resection: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

In this study, we analyzed whether scalp nerve block with ropivacaine can improve the quality of rehabilitation in patients after meningioma resection. We included 150 patients who were undergoing craniotomy in our hospital and categorized them into 2 groups - observation group (patients received an additional regional scalp nerve block anesthesia) and control group (patients underwent intravenous general anesthesia for surgery), using the random number table method approach (75 patients in each group). The main indicator of the study was the Karnofsky Performance Scale scores of patients at 3 days postoperatively, and the secondary indicator was the anesthesia satisfaction scores of patients after awakening from anesthesia. The application value of different anesthesia modes was studied and compared in the 2 groups. Patients in the observation group showed better anesthesia effects than those in the control group, with significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Scale scores at 3 days postoperatively (75.02 vs 66.43, P < .05) and anesthesia satisfaction scores. Compared with patients in the control group, patients in the observation group had lower pain degrees at different times after the surgery, markedly lower dose of propofol and remifentanil for anesthesia, and lower incidence of adverse reactions and postoperative complications. In addition, the satisfaction score of the patients and their families for the treatment was higher and the results of all the indicators were better in the observation group than in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < .05). Scalp nerve block with ropivacaine significantly improves the quality of short-term postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing elective craniotomy for meningioma resection. This is presumably related to the improvements in intraoperative hemodynamics, relief from postoperative pain, and reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Observation Safely Reduces the Use of the Computerized Tomography in Medium-to-Low-Risk Patients with Suspected Acute Appendicitis: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives-The objective was to compare the effectiveness of observation in standard-of-care computed tomography (CT) in adult patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA). Methods-Patients with clinically suspected AA and inconclusive diagnosis after primary clinical examination, laboratory examination, and transabdominal ultrasound (TUS) were eligible for the study, and they were randomized (1:1) to parallel groups: observation-group patients were observed for 8-12 h and then, repeated clinical and laboratory examinations and TUS were performed; CT group (control group) patients underwent abdominopelvic CT scan. The study utilized Statistical Analysis System 9.2 for data analysis, including tests, logistic regression, ROC analysis, and significance evaluation. Patients were enrolled in the study at Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos in Lithuania between December 2018 and June 2021. Results-A total of 160 patients (59 men, 101 women), with a mean age of 33.7 ± 14.71, were included, with 80 patients in each group. Observation resulted in a reduced likelihood of a CT scan compared with the CT group (36.3% vs. 100% p < 0.05). One diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in the observation group; there were no cases of negative appendectomy (NA) in the CT group. Both conditional CT and observation pathways resulted in high sensitivity and specificity (97.7% and 94.6% vs. 96.7% and 95.8%). Conclusions-Observation including the repeated evaluation of laboratory results and TUS significantly reduces the number of CT scans without increasing NA numbers or the number of complicated cases.