Effect of auricular acupuncture on reduction of sertraline hydrochloride in patients with depression: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of auricular acupuncture on reduction rate of sertraline hydrochloride, and to explore the long-term efficacy of auricular acupuncture in patients with depression.@*METHODS@#Seventy-two patients with depression were randomly divided into an observation group (36 cases, 1 case dropped off) and a control group (36 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the control group were treated with conventional dosage reduction method, that is, the dosage of sertraline hydrochloride was reduced by 25% every week until the dosage was stopped completely on the premise of no aggravation of depressive symptoms. Based on the conventional dosage reduction method used in the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with auricular acupuncture at Xin (CO@*RESULTS@#The dosage of sertraline hydrochloride in the observation group was less than that in the control group after 2, 3, 4 weeks of dosage reduction and during follow-up (@*CONCLUSION@#Auricular acupuncture could effectively reduce the dosage of sertraline hydrochloride, improve the dosage reduction rate, reduce the incidence of withdrawal syndrome and reduce the risk of long-term recurrence in patients with depression.

Comparison between ultrasound-guided percutaneous radiofrequency and microwave ablation in benign thyroid nodules

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). Methods: Patients with BTNs were treated in our hospital, including 72 patients treated with RFA and 100 patients treated with MWA from June 2016 to March 2019. The volume reduction rates (VRRs), thyroid function, clinical status, and complications were compared at each postoperative duration to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the two modalities. Results: The mean VRRs of the RFA group vs. the MWA group at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 22.7±13.4% vs. 24.0±16.1% (P = 0.681), 56.1±19.5% vs. 54.8±22.8% (P = 0.788), 77.9±21.0% vs. 68.7±19.1% (P = 0.038), and 85.4±18.9% vs. 75.8±19.4% (P = 0.029), respectively. There was no significant difference in the VRRs between the two treatments at 1 and 3 months and the RFA group achieved higher VRRs than MWA group at 6 and 12 months. Moreover, the symptom and cosmetic scores decreased significantly in both groups and all patients succeeded in preserving thyroid function. Of the total patients, 2.8% in the RFA group and 4% in the MWA group experienced voice changes after undergoing thyroid ablation, and one patient in the RFA group had intraoperative hemorrhage of about 10 mL. Conclusions: RFA and MWA are both effective and safe techniques for treating BTNs. Higher VRRs were observed at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups in the RFA group

Tumor Volume Reduction Rate during Adaptive Radiation Therapy as a Prognosticator for Nasopharyngeal Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic significance of the tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR) measured during adaptive definitive radiation therapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the RT records of 159 NPC patients treated with definitive RT with or without concurrent chemotherapy between January 2006 and February 2013. Adaptive re-planning was performed in all patients at the third week of RT. The pre- and mid-RT gross tumor volumes (GTVs) of the primary tumor and the metastatic lymph nodes were measured and analyzed for prognostic implications. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 41.5 months (range, 11.2 to 91.8 months) for survivors, there were 43 treatment failures. The overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 5 years were 89.6% and 69.7%, respectively. The mean pre-RT GTV, mid-RT GTV, and TVRR were 45.9 cm3 (range, 1.5 to 185.3 cm3), 26.7 cm3 (1.0 to 113.8 cm3), and -41.9% (range, -87% to 78%), respectively. Patients without recurrence had higher TVRR than those with recurrence (44.3% in the no recurrence group vs. 34.0% in the recurrence group, p=0.004), and those with TVRR > 35% achieved a significantly higher rate of PFS at 5 years (79.2% in TVRR > 35% vs. 53.2% in TVRR ≤ 35%; p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, TVRR was a significant factor affecting PFS (hazard ratio, 2.877; 95% confidence interval, 1.555 to 5.326; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: TVRR proved to be a significant prognostic factor in NPC patients treated with definitive RT, and could be used as a potential indicator for early therapeutic modification during the RT course.

Slip Reduction Rate between Minimal Invasive and Conventional Unilateral Transforaminal Interbody Fusion in Patients with Low-Grade Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the slip reduction rate and clinical outcomes between unilateral conventional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (conventional TLIF) and unilateral minimal invasive TLIF (minimal TLIF) with pedicle screw fixation for treatment of one level low-grade symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis. METHODS: Between February 2008 and April 2012, 25 patients with low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent conventional TLIF (12 patients) and minimal TLIF (13 patients) in single university hospital by a single surgeon. Lateral radiographs of lumbar spine were taken 12 months after surgery to analyze the degree of slip reduction and the clinical outcome. All measurements were performed by a single observer. RESULTS: The demographic data between conventional TLIF and minimal TLIF were not different. Slip percentage was reduced from 15.00% to 8.33% in conventional TLIF, and from 14.15% to 9.62% in minimal TLIF. In both groups, slip percentage was significantly improved postoperatively (p=0.002), but no significant intergroup differences of slip percentage in preoperative and postoperative were found. The reduction rate also not different between conventional TLIF (45.41+/-28.80%) and minimal TLIF (32.91+/-32.12%, p=0.318). CONCLUSION: Conventional TLIF and minimal TLIF with pedicle screw fixation showed good slip reduction in patients with one level low-grade symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis. The slip percentage and reduction rate were similar in the conventional TLIF and minimal TLIF.

Evaluation on the Decision and Timing of Cyst Enucleation after Marsupialization of Large Sized Cystic Lesion on the Jaws

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cyst enucleation would be done after marsupialization of large cystic lesion on the jaws or not, and if so, when it should be done. PATIENTS & METHODS: 12 patients with cystic lesion treated by marsupialization only and 10 patients with cystic lesion treated by marsupialization followed by enucleation were examined in this study. Postoperative clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 months on 22 patients. Bone regeneration and reduction rate of the residual cystic cavities and bone density were evaluated with a analysis of digital panoramic radiographs. Also histological evaluation of the healing process was performed on 1 patient. RESULTS: Uneventful healing and spontaneous bony filling of the residual cavities were observed in all cases. Postoperative radiographs showed that the size of the lesions was reduced for a few months, but the reduction rate of the residual cavity was minimized for 13~16 months after marsupialization. The bone density was increased 22.5 % after 19 months. CONCLUSION: This results suggest that the appropriate timing to perform enucleation would be 13~16 months after marsupialization. The state of healing process could be confirmed by histological examination and radiographic evaluation of bone density. Enucleation after marsupialization could be applied appropriately to reduce the periods of bone healing in large cystic lesion on the jaws.

Factors affecting the satisfaction rate of radiofrequency myolysis: 18 months follow up / 대한산부인과학회지

OBJECTIVE: To report 18 months follow up results of radiofrequency myolysis and analysis the factors which effect the success rate of myolysis. METHODS: 153 patients who took radiofrequency myolysis between October 2004.~June 2006 in this hospital were enrolled this retrospective study. Except 14 patients which had incomplete data, total 139 patient's charts were reviewed. Sonographic evaluations were checked after a week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after myolysis. Questions about complications like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, feber and vaginal discharge were asked to patients in every visits. Volume of the myoma were checked via 3D ultrasonography. RESULTS: Reduction rate of the volume of myoma after 18 months were 73% and reoperation rate were 4.3%. Improvement rates of patients symptom were 87% (menorrhagea 95%, dysmenorrheal 75%, pelvic pain 60%) The patients who had myomas sized over 100 ml before treatments showed statistically higher rate of reoperation, and decreased rate of satisfaction. Reoperation rate and reduction rate of myoma showed no difference through pathologic diagnosis. The patients who had initial symptoms showed higher rate of satisfaction after myolysis. Total satisfaction rate were 62%, and no serious complications like bowel injury, bladder injury, sepsis and peritonitis were not reported. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction rate after radiofrequency myolysis was increased in symptomatic leiomyoma especially smaller than 6.5 cm in diameter.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON EFFICACY OF LEVAMISOLE IN PREVENTION FR OMSCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM CERCARIA INFECTION / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To study the effect o f levamisole against the invasion of Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. Methods Mice infected wit h Schistosoma cercariae were administered orally with levamisole hydrochloride or alkali levamisole two days before the infectio n at a dose of 26.25 mg/kg for 7 days. The liniments of levamisole hydrochlorid e and alkali levamisole were embrocated on the mouse skin two days, one day and 0 day before the infection respectively, and the concentrations of the drug were 1%, 2%, 3%, 5% and 7% respectively. The experimental animals were dissected 4 we eks after the treatment and adult worms were collected. Results The worm reduction rates of mice administered orally with leva misole hydrochloride or alkali levamisole were both 0. The worm reduction rates were both 100% when the mice were embrocated with 5% levamisole hydrochloride on the infection day or with 7% levamisole hydrochloride one day before the infect ion. The worm reduction rates were all 100% when the mice were embrocated with 2 %, 3% or 5% alkali levamisole one day before the infection. Conc lusions Levamisole liniments can prevent from S . japonicum cercaria infection, and alkali levamisole is better th an levamisole hydrochloride. When levamisole is given orally, no effect was show n.