Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety for Lentinan in the Control of the Malignant Pleural Effusions via Intrapleural Injection.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the efficacy and safety of lentinan combined with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone for controlling malignant pleural effusion (MPE). This study is a meta-analysis of available evidence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen studies reporting lentinan combined with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone for controlling MPE were reviewed. Pooled odds ratios and hazard ratio with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the fixed effects model of meta-analysis. RESULTS: The overall response rate (ORR) of lentinan combined with cisplatin for controlling MPE was significantly higher than that of cisplatin alone (P < 0.001). In addition, lentinan combined with cisplatin showed a better benefit of quality of life (QOL) compared with cisplatin alone (P < 0.001). The main adverse effects (AEs) found in the control plan were hematological reactions, nausea/vomiting, chest pain and fever. However, the presence of lentinan did not have an extra influence on the incidence of AEs (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intrapleural injection of lentinan combined with cisplatin had a better benefit of ORR and QOL for controlling MPE, compared with cisplatin alone. Moreover, lentinan combined with cisplatin had a similar incidence of AEs with cisplatin alone.

Clinical Observation of Acupuncture-moxibustion plus Moving Cupping on the Back for Sub-health in the Undergraduates / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture-moxibustion plus moving cupping on the back in treating sub-health in the undergraduates. Method According to the theory of preventive treatment in the Chinese medicine, 30 undergraduates with sub-health were treated by acupuncture at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), and bilateral Zusanli (ST36), plus moving cupping to the Governor Vessel, totally for 20 d. The Self-rating Sub-health Scale (SRSHS) was adopted for evaluation before and after intervention, for observing the clinical efficacy. Result Of the 30 subjects, 14 were recovered, 14 showed effective, 2 failed, and the total effective rate was 93.3%. The SRSHS score dropped significantly after intervention (P＜0.001). The psychological factor responded most significantly to the intervention, followed by the physical factor, while the social function factor didn’t show a significant change. Conclusion Acupuncture-moxibustion plus moving cupping is significantly effective in improving and treating the sub-health state in the undergraduates.