Efficacy of alendronate for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a very tricky orthopedic disorder. If such condition cannot be managed fairly well, it may significantly affect quality of life and even leads to disability among such population. A variety of studies have reported that alendronate is utilized for the treatment of AS. However, their results are still contrary, and no systematic review has addressed on this topic. Thus, this study will systematically assess the efficacy and safety of alendronate for the treatment of patients with AS. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search will be performed from the below electronic databases from their commencement to the January 31, 2020 without language and publication status limitations: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, WANGFANG, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Only randomized controlled trials focusing on the alendronate for the treatment of patients with AS will be considered for inclusion in this study. Two authors will independently select all identified records, extract essential data from all included studies, and appraise study quality for each eligible trial using Cochrane risk of bias. If any differences occur, another experienced author will be invited to solve them by discussion and a consensus decision will be made. We will implement RevMan 5.3 software to analyze the extracted data. RESULTS: This study will summarize high-quality randomized controlled trials to assess the efficacy and safety of alendronate for the treatment of patients with AS through primary outcome of bone densitometry; and secondary outcomes of pain intensity, quality of life, disease activity, functional status, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to help determine whether alendronate is an effective and safe management for patient with AS or not. STUDY REGISTRATION: INPLASY202040153.

Efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of neural stem cell transplantation (NSCT) for the treatment of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: All potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on NSCT in the treatment of patients with SCI will be searched from the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, MEDILINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, CBM, WANGFANG, and CNKI. We will search all electronic databases from their initiation to the January 31, 2020 in spite of language and publication date. Two contributors will independently select studies from all searched literatures, extract data from included trials, and evaluate study quality for all eligible RCTs using Cochrane risk of bias tool, respectively. Any confusion will be resolved by consulting contributor and a consensus will be reached. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 software to pool the data and to conduct the data analysis. RESULTS: This study will summarize the most recent RCTs to investigate the efficacy and safety of NSCT in the treatment of patients with SCI. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of NSCT in the treatment of patients with SCI at evidence-based medicine level. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020173792.

Effectiveness of electrical stimulation for postoperative pain in patients with osteosarcoma: A systematic review protocol of clinical controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of electrical stimulation (ES) for postoperative pain (PPP) in patients with osteosarcoma systematically. METHODS: We will systematically search the following electronic databases from inception to the May 1, 2019: MEDILINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Springer, and CNKI without language restrictions. All literatures of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and case-controlled studies (CCSs) of ES for PPP in patients with osteosarcoma will be included. RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Community; London, UK) and STATA 15.0 software (StataCorp; College Station) will be used for statistical analysis. Cochrane risk of bias will be used for methodological quality assessment for RCTs and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale will be utilized for CCSs. RESULTS: This study will assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of ES for PPP in patients with osteosarcoma through assessing primary outcome of pain intensity and secondary outcomes of frequency of rescue analgesic use, cumulative morphine consumption, quality of recovery, as well as adverse events. CONCLUSION: This study will provide latest evidence on effectiveness and safety of ES for PPP in patients with osteosarcoma, and may also provide guidance for both clinician and further studies. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: This study does not require ethical approval, because it will not analyze the individual patient data. Its results are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019135790.

Physical therapy for the treatment of frozen shoulder: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have reported that physical therapy (PT) can be used for the treatment of frozen shoulder (FS). However, its effectiveness is still inconclusive. In this systematic review study, we will aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of PT alone for the treatment of FS. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from the inception to the present to identify any eligible studies focusing on PT for the treatment of FS. These databases comprise of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and 4 Chinese databases of Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (which includes the database China Academic Journals), VIP Information, and Wanfang Data. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PT for FS will be considered for inclusion without language restrictions. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the methodological quality for all included RCTs. RESULTS: The effectiveness and safety of this study will be assessed by shoulder pain intensity, shoulder function, quality of life, and any adverse events. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide most recent evidence on the effectiveness and safety of PT for patients with FS.

Effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave monotherapy for avascular necrosis of femoral head: A systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical studies have reported that extracorporeal shock wave (EPSW) monotherapy can effectively treat avascular necrosis of femoral head (ANFH). However, no systematic review has been conducted to assess its effectiveness and safety for patients with ANFH. Therefore, this study will systematically assess the effectiveness and safety of EPSW monotherapy for patients with ANFH. METHODS: In this study, the following electronic databases will be searched from their inceptions to the present: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PUBMED, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. This study will include randomized controlled trials for assessing the effectiveness and safety of EPSW monotherapy for patients with ANFH. Two independent authors will perform study selection, data extraction, and methodology assessment. RevMan 5.3 software will be used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This systematic review will provide latest summary evidence of EPSW monotherapy for patients with ANFH through assessing the outcome measurements. The primary outcome is pain intensity, which can be measured by visual analog scale or relevant measurement tools. The secondary outcomes are functional status of attacked femoral head, as assessed by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, or other relevant scales; quality of life, as evaluated by The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, or related instruments; and adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide the latest evidence for assessing the effectiveness and safety of EPSW for the treatment of ANFH. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: This study does not require ethical approval, because no individual data will be involved in this systematic review. The findings of this study will be published through a peer-reviewed journal. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019124665.

Efficacy of etoricoxib for ankylosing spondylitis: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have reported that etoricoxib has been utilized to treat ankylosing spondylitis (AS) effectively. However, no study systematically investigated the efficacy and safety of etoricoxib for patients with AS. In this systematic review, we will assess the efficacy and safety of etoricoxib for AS. METHODS: The following electronic databases will be searched from inception to the February 1, 2019: Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and Chinese Scientific Journal Database. This study will include randomized controlled trials that explore the efficacy and safety of etoricoxib for AS. The primary outcome is pain intensity, as measured by any pain scales, such as Numerical Rating Scale. The secondary outcomes consist of AS function, as measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, or other tools; quality of life, as assessed by Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire or any other relevant instruments; as well as adverse events. Two authors will independently carry out the study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. Statistical analysis will be performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This systematic review will provide a detailed summary of present evidence related to the efficacy and safety of etoricoxib for patients with AS. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may provide management guidance for AS treated by etoricoxib. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: This systematic review dose not needs ethical approval, because it will not analyze individual patient data. The findings of this study are expected to publish through a peer-reviewed journal. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: CRD42019124768.

Effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave for low back pain: A protocol of systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical trials have reported that extracorporeal shock wave (EPSW) can be used to treat low back pain (LBP), and have achieved satisfied effect. However, its effectiveness is still inconclusive. Thus, this systematic review will aim to assess the effectiveness and safety of EPSW for patients with LBP. METHODS: In this systematic review, the electronic databases of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PUBMED, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wanfang Data will be searched from inception to January 1, 2019. Randomized controlled trials and case-control studies that assessed the effectiveness and safety of EPSW for LBP will be included. The primary outcome is pain intensity. The secondary outcomes are functional status, quality of life, psychological outcomes, as well as the adverse events. All process of the study selection, data extraction, and methodology evaluation will be carried out by two authors independently. RevMan 5.3 software will be utilized for statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide a detailed summary of latest evidence related to the effectiveness and safety of EPSW in pain relief, improvement of functional status, quality of life, and psychological disorders in patients with LBP. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide possible guidance for LBP treated by EPSW. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: Ethical approval is not required in this study, because it will not collect the original data from individual patient. The results are expected to publish through a peer-reviewed journal. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019120501.

Effect of extracorporeal shock wave for tennis elbow: A protocol for systematic review of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous clinical studies have reported that extracorporeal shock wave (EPSW) is an effective treatment for patients with tennis elbow (TE). However, no systematic review has assessed its effectiveness and safety for the treatment of TE. METHODS: In this systematic review, we will search the potential eligible literature from the following electronic databases: Central, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and CNKI from inception to the present. All literatures of randomized controlled trials of EPSW for TE will be considered without language restrictions. Two reviewers will independently select the studies, extract the data, and evaluate the methodology quality. All disagreements between those 2 reviewers will be resolved by a third reviewer involved through discussion. Outcome data will be pooled by RevMan 5.3 software if the heterogeneity is reasonable. Reporting bias will also be conducted if more than 10 included studies can be reached. RESULTS: This systematic review will evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of EPSW for TE. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will summarize the current evidence of EPSW on TE outcomes and may provide guidance for both clinical practice and further studies. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: This systematic review does not need ethical approval, because it does not utilize the individual patient data. Its findings are expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019119687.

Compact film fabrication of porous coordination polymer Co3[Co(CN)6]2 and its reversible vapochromic behavior.

Films of Prussian blue analogue (PBA) Co3[Co(CN)6]2 were fabricated on porous α-alumina, ITO glass, silicon wafer and non-woven fabric substrates via a facile self-assembly method, and were characterized using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscope techniques. The films composed of truncated cube-shaped PBA particles are highly oriented with a preferred (100) plane on the glossy and smooth surfaces of ITO glass and silicon wafer, but crystallographically isotropic on the rough surface of porous α-alumina and non-woven fabric substrates. Compact films were achieved on porous α-alumina and surface-functionalized ITO glass. Reversible solvatochromism/vapochromism was discovered and investigated for the powdered and thin-film PBA samples. Such peculiar solvatochromism/vapochromism is related to the process of the adsorbed solvent molecules replacing the coordinated water molecules in octahedral Co(2+)-(N)4(H2O)2. The change of the Co(2+) ion's coordination atmosphere leads to the variation of crystal field strength, as a result, the d-d transitions within the Co(2+) ions are altered to give rise to a color change.