Service based comparison of group cognitive behavior therapy to waiting list control for chronic fatigue syndrome with regard to symptom reduction and positive psychological dimensions Background: Although chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) sometimes referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is a very challenging condition to treat, there is evidence that individual cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) can be effective for treatment and management of its symptoms. Furthermore, group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) is emerging as promising treatment for the condition. The aim of the present study was to explore further the effectiveness of GCBT in a routine clinical setting and to investigate associated positive psychological effects related to GCBT. Methods: In this pragmatic, non-randomized, controlled trial, 28 people acted as their own waiting list control by completing a range of measures 8 weeks prior to taking part in the GCBT. The intervention consisted of 8 consecutive weeks of 2.5-hour sessions. Results: Repeated measures analysis of covariance revealed significant improvements in physical fatigue (F = 28.31, P < .01, effect size d = 0.52), mental fatigue (F = 7.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.22), and depressive symptoms (Beck depression inventory-fast screen for medical individuals [BDI-FS]: F = 11.43, P < .01, effect size d = 0.30; hospital anxiety and depression scale [HADS-D]: F = 16.72, P < .01, effect size d = 0.38) compared with the waiting list. Improvements in quality of life (F = 7.56, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23), hope (F = 15.15, P < .01, effect size d = 0.36), and optimism (F = 8.17, P < .01, effect size d = 0.23) were also identified, but no change was reported for anxiety levels. Global outcome measures revealed that the majority of the individuals found the treatment beneficial and were satisfied with the results. Conclusion: GCBT is a beneficial and cost-effective treatment that individuals find amenable in routine clinical practice for CFS. Additionally we have described important effects emerged on positive psychological dimensions such as hope and optimism potentially enhancing the overall benefit.

Comparison of mortality and complications between bilateral simultaneous and staged total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) relieves pain and restores function in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Over the past few decades, several authors have attempted to assess the efficacy and safety of simultaneous bilateral THA compared with staged bilateral THA. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to compare the mortalities and complications between simultaneous bilateral THA and staged bilateral THA. Methods: A literature search to identify eligible studies was undertaken to identify all relevant articles published until August 2018. We included studies that compared simultaneous bilateral THA and staged bilateral THA and their effects on mortality and complications. The outcomes included mortality, the occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), the occurrence of pulmonary embolism (PE), respiratory complications, cardiovascular complications, digestive system complications and the occurrence of dislocation. Stata 12.0 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: Nineteen studies involving 59,257 patients were identified; among them, 16,758 patients were selected for treatment with simultaneous bilateral THA, and 42,499 patients were chosen for the purpose of staged bilateral THA. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between simultaneous bilateral THA and staged bilateral THA in terms of mortality (risk ratio [RR] = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.76, 1.74; P = .520). Compared with staged bilateral THA, simultaneous bilateral THA was associated with a reduction in the occurrence of DVT, PE and respiratory complications (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the cardiovascular complications, digestive system complications or the occurrence of dislocation and infection (P = .057). Conclusions: We observed that the prevalence of DVT, PE and respiratory complications was considerably lower with the use of simultaneous bilateral THA than with the use of staged bilateral THA. Thus, simultaneous bilateral THA is a considerably safer procedure than staged bilateral THA in selected THA patients.

Kuntai capsules improve glucolipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial Background: The aim of this study was to observe the effect and safety of Heyan Kuntai Capsule (HYKT) on glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Hundred patients with PCOS were randomly divided into HYKT group (n = 50) and placebo groups (n = 50) in which the individuals were treated with HYKT and its placebo continuously for 6 months. Meanwhile, all participants received health education (such as exercise and diet). The primary outcomes were serum sex hormone levels, a series of blood lipid, fasting and postprandial 2 hours blood glucose. Body mass index (BMI), waist–hip ratio (WHR), insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin-sensitive index (ISI) were also observed. In addition, adverse events were recorded to evaluate the drug safety. Results: After treatment, the BMI and WHR of all the patients were decreased. The fasting and postprandial 2 hours blood glucose levels were significantly declined when treated with HYKT, which were not observed in the placebo group. Similarly, serum sex hormones including luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were lowered after treated with HYKT instead of the placebo. Besides, blood lipids outcomes such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as insulin and HOMA-IR were decreased with significance in HYKT group when compared with those in the placebo group, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and ISI increased obviously. Conclusion: HYKT showed the effect on ameliorating the glucose and lipid metabolism disorder and improving insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity of PCOS patients, which is similar to insulin sensitizing agent.

Fertility performance and the predictive value of the endometriosis fertility index staging system in women with recurrent endometriosis: A retrospective study This study presents the postoperative pregnancy rate of women with recurrent endometriosis and evaluates the predictive value of the endometriosis fertility index (EFI) for the pregnancy. A total of 107 women who wished to conceive after surgery for recurrent endometriosis from January 2007 to December 2016 were included. The EFI score was calculated postoperatively. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to determine the most promising contributor to predicting pregnancy, and Kaplan–Meier (K–M) analysis was used to estimate the cumulative pregnancy rate (CPR). A total of 61 pregnancies were registered in 58 women and the remaining 49 patients failed to become pregnant. The EFI score was strongly associated with the postoperative fertility prognosis. The CPRs during the first 2 and 3 years postoperatively were 51.86% and 66.38%, respectively, and increased to 71.98% within the first 5 years postoperatively in patients with EFI scores ≥5. However, the CPR was 26.00% during the first 2 years after surgery in individuals with EFI scores <5, and there was no increase in the CRP thereafter. Women suffering from recurrent endometriosis still experienced a probability of natural pregnancy, especially patients with EFI scores ≥5. The EFI score had good predictive power for postoperative pregnancy in these patients.

Evaluation of halitosis in adult patients after treatment with photodynamic therapy associated with periodontal treatment: Protocol for a randomized, controlled, single-blinded trial with 3-month follow up Rationale: Halitosis is an unpleasant odor that emanates from the mouth. Studies show halitosis returns in a week, after treatment with PDT. Probably, bacteria living in the periodontal sulcus could recolonize the dorsum of the tongue. Until nowadays, there are no study in adult population that associates halitosis and periodontal treatment with follow-up evaluation. The aim of this randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial is to treat oral halitosis in healthy adults with photodynamic therapy (PDT), associated with periodontal treatment and follow them up for 3 months. Patient concerns: the concerns assessments will be done over the study using anamnesis interviews and specific questionnaire. Diagnoses: halitosis will be evaluated by OralChroma. Interventions: The participants (n = 40) with halitosis will be randomized into 2 groups: G1-treatment with PDT (n = 20) or G2-cleaning of the tongue with a tongue scraper (n = 20). Outcomes: Halitosis will be evaluated by measuring volatile sulfur compounds using gas chromatography. After the treatments, a second evaluation will be performed, along with a microbiological analysis (RT-PCR) for the identification of the bacteria T. denticola. The assessment of halitosis and the microbiological analysis will be repeated. After that, patients will receive periodontal treatment. The participants will return after 1 week and 3 months for an additional evaluation. Quality of life will be measured by Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire (OHIP-14). Lessons: This protocol will determine the effectiveness of phototherapy regarding the reduction of halitosis in adults. clinicaltrials.gov NCT 03996915. Ethics and dissemination: This protocol received approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Universidade Nove de Julho (certificate number: 3.257.104). The data will be published in a peer-reviewed periodical.

Prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and glycosylated hemoglobin for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients with single concomitant chronic total occlusion following primary percutaneous coronary intervention: A prospective observational study To investigate factors predicting the onset of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) for patients with non-ST-segment elevation infarction (NSTEMI) and single concomitant chronic total occlusion (CTO). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) both play essential role in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular homoeostasis. However, current knowledge of its predictive prognostic value is limited. 422 patients with NSTEMI and CTO (59.7 ± 12.4 years, 74.2% men) who underwent successful pPCI were enrolled and followed for 2 years. Multivariate cox regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine the factors predicting MACCEs. 140 patients (33.2%) experienced MACCEs in the follow-up period. Multivariate cox regression analysis found when we process the model with NGAL at admission, low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, HR = 0.963, 95% CI 0.940 to 0.987, P = .003) and fasting blood glucose (HR = 1.078, 95% CI 1.002 to 1.159, P = .044), but not NGAL at admission, were independent predictors of 2 years MACCEs. While HbA1C (HR = 1.119, 95% CI 1.014 to 1.234, P = .025), LVEF (HR = 0.963, 95% CI 0.939 to 0.987, P = .003), estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.035, P = .006) and NGAL value 7 day (HR = 1.020, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.035, P = .006) showed their predictive value in another model. ROC analysis indicated NGAL 7 day (AUC = 0.680, P = .0054 and AUC = 0.622, P = .0005) and LVEF (AUC = 0.691, P = .0298 and AUC = 0.605, P = .0021) could predict both in-hospital and 2 years MACCEs, while higher NGAL at admission could only predict poorer in-hospital prognosis (AUC = 0.665, P = .0103). Further analysis showed the prognostic value of NGAL was particularly remarkable among those HbA1C<6.5%. Patients with NSTEMI and single concomitant CTO receiving pPCI with higher NGAL on 7 days during hospitalization are more likely to suffer 2 years MACCEs, particularly in those with lower HbA1C.

Association between lymphocyte subsets and cytomegalovirus infection status among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study This study aimed to determine the association between different lymphocyte subsets and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection status in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We performed a retrospective study among SLE patients with CMV infection and collected patient socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as their recorded circulating lymphocyte subsets. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between CMV infection status and lymphocyte subset counts. We included 125 hospitalized patients with SLE, consisting of 88 with documented CMV infection and 37 without any evidence of CMV or other infections. Among the 88 CMV-infected patients, 65 (73.8%) patients developed CMV disease and 23 (26.2%) presented as CMV viremia. Compared to uninfected patients (1520 ± 101 cells/μL), lymphocytes remained stable among those with CMV viremia (1305 ± 272 cells/μL, P = .995). However, compared to their uninfected counterparts, there was a marked decrease in lymphocytes among patients with CMV disease (680 ± 513 cells/μL, P < .001). Analysis of lymphocyte subsets via flow cytometry showed that CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, and natural killer cell counts were lower among those with CMV disease compared to those with CMV viremia and those without infection. Further, multivariable analysis showed that total lymphocyte (odds ratio [OR] 0.999, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.998–1.000, P = .007) and CD4+ T cell counts (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.992–0.998, P = .003) were negatively associated with CMV disease. Our findings support a potential inverse relationship between lymphopenia, specifically CD4+ T-cell lymphopenia, and CMV disease among hospitalized SLE patients.

Reduction of intra-abdominal pain through transcranial direct current stimulation: A systematic review Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to modulate cortical excitability and to induce neuronal plasticity. With a wide range of applications in neurological and psychiatric disorders, the efficiency of tDCS is also studied in the treatment of various pain conditions. Treatment with tDCS might accordingly provide pain relief for patients with acute or chronic pain and thus lead to an increase in quality of life. Moreover, applied as an adjunct therapy, tDCS can reduce help to reduce pain medication intake and accompanying adverse events. To this end, this review examines studies evaluating the efficacy of tDCS in pain relief in patients with intra-abdominal pain. Methods: A structured search of the PubMed medical database was carried out to identify possibly relevant studies. Studies were compared in terms of treatment characteristics, general conditions, and results. Jadad scale was applied for quality analyses. Results: Out of 289 articles that were found initially, 6 studies were identified that met eligibility criteria. Five out of 6 studies reported significant effects for pain reduction in different types of intra-abdominal pain. Conclusions: Results indicate that tDCS might be able to reduce intra-abdominal pain. However, more randomized-controlled trials with larger sample size are necessary to define clinically relevant effects as well as treatment characteristics such as duration of stimulation.

Comparison of the efficacy of continuous epidural block with epidural electrical stimulation and conventional continuous epidural block for management of zoster-associated pain beyond the acute phase: A retrospective study Continuous epidural block (CEB) is a popular clinical method for controlling postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, the long-term effects of CEB on PHN have not yet been established. This study aimed to confirm the clinical efficacy of epidural electrical stimulation catheters in CEB to manage PHN. Patients were classified into 2 groups: those with subacute PHN, between 30 and 180 days after the onset of the rash; and those with chronic PHN, over 180 days after the onset of the rash. On the basis of the type of catheter used, the patients were further divided into the following 2 groups: the esopocan group, in which the site of herpes zoster infection was confirmed using a contrast medium alone; and the epistim group, in which an additional method of electrical stimulation through a guide-wire in the catheter was used for detecting the site affected by herpes. Clinical efficacy was assessed with a numerical rating scale immediately 1, 3, and 6 months after the procedure. We also investigated whether additional interventional treatment was necessitated because of insufficient pain control during the 6-month follow-up. We examined 88 patients. In the subacute PHN period, the numerical rating scale score was significantly lower in the epistim group than in the esopocan group until 6 months. In the chronic PHN period, no significant differences in the numerical rating scale scores were observed between the 2 groups until 6 months. In the subacute PHN period, the adjusted odds ratio for other interventional procedures within 6 months in the esopocan group versus the epistim group was 2.59 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–8.09, P = .10), and in the chronic PHN period, it was 1.31 (95% CI 0.11–5.46, P = .79). Epidural drug administration to specific segments using electrical stimulation catheters may be more useful in mitigating zoster-associated pain in subacute PHN.

Post-hysterectomy rare collision vulva tumor with long-term human papilloma virus infection composed of squamous cell carcinoma of the labia major and adenosquamous carcinoma of bartholin gland: A case report Rationale: Post-hysterectomy collision tumors of the vulva has rarely been reported. Though long-term HPV infection may induce vulva tumor, but the relationship between HPV infection and collision vulva tumor is not clear. And there are no clear rules of the post-hysterectomy cancer surveillance for human papilloma virus (HPV) long-term infections. So here we first report a case of post-hysterectomy rare collision vulva tumor with long-term HPV infection composed of squamous cell carcinoma of the labia major and adenosquamous carcinoma of bartholin gland and hope to bring new direction to our future research. Patient concerns: A 48-year-old woman with long-term HPV infection, 3 years after hysterectomy, gravida 3, para 2, was admitted to our hospital with complaints of a 4-month history of an itching vulva ulceration. An anabrosis was located on the surface of the solid mass of the bartholin gland at the posterior part of the right labium and the right inguinal lymph nodes were palpable. Result of the incisional biopsy of the ulcer area at local hospital was atypical squamous cells couldn’t exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H). Subsequently more authoritative pathological consultation results suggested squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Diagnoses: Post-hysterectomy collision vulva tumor with long-term HPV infection composed of squamous cell carcinoma of the labia major and adenosquamous carcinoma of bartholin gland. Interventions: The extensive excision of the vulva, bilateral inguinal lymph nodes dissection, and local skin flap transposition surgeon was done to this patient. The final certificate diagnosis was: vulvar tumor T1bM0N0 composed of squamous cell carcinoma of the labia major and adenosquamous carcinoma of bartholin gland; HPV infection; post hysterectomy, and bilateral salpingectomy. Outcomes: The patient recovered well after surgery, and consequently received 6 courses of TC (paclitaxel + carboplatin) chemotherapy, and 9 months and 13 days followed up. So far patient recorded as complete response (CR). Lessons: Collision vulva tumor occurred post-hysterectomy is extremely rare. It is most likely related to long-term HPV infection, which suggests us should to modify the manner of the post-hysterectomy cancer surveillance for HPV long-term infections. For patients with high-risk HPV infection, even if the cytology results are negative, we may should perform colposcopy and vulva biopsy more positively to prevent the disease from progressing into cancer. And the pathogenesis of relationship between HPV infection and collision vulva tumor is still need further investigation.