ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of ultrasound for breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes, so as to provide evidence for clinical decision-making. MethodsWe searched the databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2013), CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP for studies about ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes till December 31st, 2013. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, literature was screened, data were extracted, and methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Meta-analysis was then conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsA total of 12 studies involving 2 188 cases were included. The pooled results of meta-analysis showed that sensitivity and specificity were 0.75 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.77) and 0.91 (95%CI 0.89 to 0.92), respectively; positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 6.54 (95%CI 4.68 to 8.89) and 0.22 (95%CI 0.15 to 0.33), respectively; diagnostic odds ratio was 33.59 (95%CI 17.87 to 63.12); and the AUC was 0.934 3. ConclusionUltrasound is has relatively high value in diagnosis of breast cancer with axillary sentinel lymph nodes. However, due to the influence caused by the limited quality and various potential heterogeneity, more high quality RCTs with large sample size are needed to further verify the above conclusion.
Objectives To investigate the employment situation of graduates of West China School of Medicine in Sichuan University. Methods The employment situation of graduates from West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University from 2013 to 2017 were investigated. Student’s information, employment rate, employment satisfaction, self-evaluation of graduates and employment satisfaction were investigated. A descriptive analysis was used. Results A total of 1 789 graduates, including 602 academic degree graduates and 1 187 professional degree graduates, were surveyed. The one-time employment rate of graduates was over 90%, and the employment rate at the end of first year was 100%. The rate of academic degree graduates engaging in medical-related work was on the decline. The top 3 items of graduates' professional competence self-evaluation were professional knowledge and practical skills, teamwork awareness, and pioneering spirit. Graduates' job satisfaction was increased annually. Conclusions The employment satisfaction of graduates of West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University is increasing year by year, while the guidance and service for graduate students should be further strengthened.
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological burden and trend of skin malignant melanoma in China based on the data from the global burden of disease 2019 (GBD 2019). MethodsThe data about quantity of incidences/illnesses/deaths, age-standardized incidence/prevalence rates/mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and DALY rate of skin malignant melanoma in China from 1990 to 2019 were obtained from the GBD 2019 databases. The epidemiological trends, age-period-cohort trends, and the relationship between the incidence and sociodemographic index (SDI) were analyzed.ResultsIn 2019, both prevalence and incidence of skin malignant melanoma in China were at low levels in the world, the age-standardized mortality ranked the 35th in the 204 countries GBD researched, the number of prevalent cases and incident cases increased compared with 1990 (12.65% and 3.57%, respectively), the prevalence and incidence rates showed growth trends, while the DALY rate and mortality decreased slowly. The prevalence of skin malignant melanoma peaked age at 50 to 54 years old. The incidence peak age of males was older than that of females (55-59 years old for males vs. 50-54 years old for females), while the mortality peak age of males was younger than that of females (55-59 years old for males vs. 75-79 years old for females). With the increasing of SDI value, the incidence of skin malignant melanoma showed a linear growth trend. DALY rate was negatively correlated with SDI (P<0.05). ConclusionFrom 1990 to 2019, age-standardized incidence and prevalence of skin malignant melanoma in China are increasing, while DALY rate and mortality are decreasing, and these are correlated with social and medical development.
ObjectiveTo study the value of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in the evaluation of antiviral efficacy and its influencing factors under a complex population background resulting from various nationalities in Xinjiang. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) admitted and administrated with nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) for the first time in Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2012 to August 2013. The biological, virological, and serological responses were analyzed as well as the possible factors related to HBsAg levels and its reduction levels. ResultsThere were 63 CHB patients enrolled. After 48 weeks' treatment, all patients achieved biological response, and 59 of them achieved complete virological response in spite of 4 patients with partial response. In all the 30 hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) positive patients, 5 achieved HBeAg seroconversion. After correlation and regression analysis, it turned out that the history (P=0.033) and HBeAg levels at week 48 (P<0.001) were independent impact factors for HBsAg level at week 48. And the reduction degree of HBsAg at week 48 was influenced by HBsAg at week 48. In 21 patients counting to week 72 maintaining biological response, 18 achieved complete virological response. Unfortunately, all 8 HBeAg positive patients encountered no HBeAg loss or seroconversion. After correlation and regression analysis, it turned out that HBsAg level at week 72 was influenced by HBsAg at week 48 (r=0.700, P<0.001). And the decline degree of HBsAg at week 72 was related to baseline HBsAg level. ConclusionSatisfactory efficacy can be achieved via NAs treatment in CHB patients. But when HBsAg is used separately as an indicator for therapeutic efficacy, we should be aware that intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is not only the impact factor of HBsAg variation, the history, the variations of HBeAg and HBsAg itself during the treatment should also be considered.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors. MethodsSuch databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 9, 2013), CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were searched by Sep 31st, 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsSeven studies involving 462 patients were finally included. ROC curve showed shoulder-arm shape. The results of Spearman suggested significance of the threshold effect. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.98. ConclusionContrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve diagnostic accuracy, which is of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, the abovementioned conclusion still needs to be verified by conducting more high quality studies.
Objective To objectively evaluate the effectiveness of Tai Chi in fall prevention and balance function in the elderly. Methods Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 8, 2012), EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically searched to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from 2000 to 2012, and the relevant references of the included articles were also manually searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed. Then meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. Results A total of 6 RCTs involving 2 796 participants were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that the Tai Chi group was superior to the control group in decrease of the incidence rate of fall (RR=0.82, 95%CI 0.73 to 0.92, P=0.000 6), Timed Up and Go Test (MD=0.71, 95%CI 0.29 to 1.12, P=0.000 9), Functional Reach Test (MD=0.78, 95%CI 0.33 to 1.23, P=0.000 7) and Berger Balance Scale (MD=2.45, 95%CI 1.47 to 3.43, Plt;0.000 01), and there were statistical differences. Conclusion Tai Chi can effectively reduce the risk of fall for the elderly and improve their balance function.
Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of strain elastography (SE) and virtual touch tissue image quantification (VTIQ) technique in determining the nature of cervical lymph nodes in patients with lung cancer. Methods A total of 124 patients with lung cancer combined with cervical lymph node enlargement were selected for this study. All patients underwent routine ultrasound examination, using SE to detect lymph nodes and scored them, and using VTIQ technique fro measurement of lymph node shear wave velocity (SWV). Pathological results were taken as gold standards. Non-metastatic lymph nodes were included in the benign group, while metastatic lymph nodes were included in the malignant group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated. The optimal cutoff value of SWV was determined for predicting metastatic lymph nodes, the area under curve (AUC) of SE and VTIQ technique was compared, and the diagnostic efficacy of SE and VTIQ technique for benign and malignant lymph nodes was analyzed. Results Among the 124 patients, 28 cases of benign lymph nodes had an SE score of 2 - 3, and 59 cases of malignant lymph nodes had an SE score of 4 - 5. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of SE were 70.2%, 75.6%, and 60.9%, respectively. The maximum, minimum, median, and mean values of SWV in the malignant lymph nodes were significantly higher than those in the benign lymph nodes in VTIQ technique testing (P<0.05). Based on the ROC curve analysis, the mean value of SWV had the highest diagnostic efficiency, and its cutoff value of 3.18 m/s was used as the diagnostic criterion for predicting malignant lymph nodes. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the VTIQ technique in diagnosing malignant lymph nodes were 85.5%, 92.3%, and 73.9%, respectively. The AUC of SE and VTIQ technique were 0.713 and 0.896, respectively, indicating higher diagnostic value of VTIQ technique. Conclusions Both SE and VTIQ technique have high accuracy in determining the nature of cervical lymph nodes in lung cancer patients. Compared with SE, VTIQ technique showed superior diagnostic performance, and SWVmean has the best diagnostic performance. It can provide a new non-invasive examination method for evaluating the nature of cervical lymph nodes in lung cancer patients in clinical practice.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the potential effectiveness of JinHuang powder in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). MethodsDatabases including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, WanFang data, VIP and CNKI were electronically searched from their inception to December 2013, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about JinHuang powder for DFUs. Two reviewers screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of included studies, and then meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.1 software. ResultsA total of 3 RCTs involving 198 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the JinHuang powder group were superior to the control group in total effective rate (RR=1.25, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.41, P=0.00) and the wound healing time (SMD=-3.32, 95%CI -5.69 to -0.96, P=0.00). ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that the JinHuang powder is an effective therapeutic method for DFUs. Because of the limitations of quantity and quality of the eligible studies, large sample size studies are needed to validate the conclusion.