ObjectiveTo analyze the relationship between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of primary tumor detected by 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and clinicopathologic factors in stageⅠnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and investigate the prognostic value of PET/CT on pathological feature. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 182 patients with stageⅠNSCLC who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scan before lobectomy or segmentectomy in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from April 2013 to June 2014. There were 121 male and 61 female patients with their ages of 34-85 (68.1±9.8) years. Clinicopathologic factors including sex, age, smoking history, histology, TNM stage, T stage, tumor size, lymphatic vessel invasion, blood vessel invasion (BVI) and visceral pleural invasion were evaluated to identify the independent factors affecting SUVmax by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. The diagnostic efficiency and best cut-off point of SUVmax were calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve. ResultsThe univariate analysis identified that sex (P=0.015), smoking history (P=0.001), histology (P < 0.001), TNM stage (P=0.004), T stage (P=0.001), tumor size (P < 0.001), BVI (P=0.001) were factors affecting SUVmax. Only histology (P=0.001), tumor size (P=0.006), BVI (P=0.009) were found to be significant independent factors according to multivariate regression analysis. The SUVmax of primary tumor was a predictor for BVI with the highest diagnostic accuracy at a cut-off value of 4.85, the sensitivity and specificity were 65.5% and 71.7%. ConclusionThe SUVmax is correlated with histology, tumor size and BVI in stageⅠNSCLC, higher in patients with non-adenocarcinoma, lager tumor and positive BVI. Furthermore, the probability of BVI could be predicted by SUVmax of the primary tumor.
The number of clinical practice guidelines for traditional Chinese patent medicine has been increasing recently. However, the quality of guidelines was still low compared to international guidelines. Considering the characteristics of traditional Chinese patent medicine, we suggested the following items should be taken into account when developing traditional Chinese patent medicine guidelines: ensuring the standardized guidelines of traditional Chinese patent medicine research problem is scientific based on reliable evidence; identifying the common questions according to these research problems; understanding the strength of evidence and how to recommend correctly; inviting some experts in other fields to take part in the development of guidelines; paying more attention on the changes of disease burden and the impact of new methods and technologies when developing the guideline; paying more attention to the non-consensus opinions and evidence supporting these opinions; insisting on quality is the priority, while speed is secondary.
Objective To evaluate the reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in seven military medical journals. Methods Seven journals in 2007, including Medical Journal of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Journal of South Medical University, Journal of Second Military Medical University, Journal of Third Military Medical University, Journal of Fourth Military Medical University, Bulletin of the Academy of Military of Medical Sciences and Academic Journal of PLA Postgraduate Medical School, were handsearched. We identified RCTs labeled “random” and assessed the quality of these reports using the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials (CONSORT) statement. Results We identified 99 RCTs, but found an incorrect randomized method was used in 6 RCTs. According to the items in the CONSORT statement in 93 RCTs, 62 (66.7%) RCTs described baseline demographic and clinical characteristics in each group. Sixteen (17.2%) RCTs mentioned the method of random sequence generation, with 5 (5.4%) using a computer allocation. Only 1 RCT had adequate allocation concealment. Only 9 (9.7%) RCTs used blinding, with 2 mentioning blinding, 1 using single blinding and 6 described as double-blind (2 were correct). Zero (0%) reported the sample size calculation and 1 RCT reported the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Conclusion The reporting quality of RCTs in seven journals is poor. The CONSORT statement should be used to standardize the reporting of RCTs.
The significant increase in mortality after tuberculosis (TB) progression to severe disease is a major obstacle to achieving the goal of ending the TB epidemic by 2035. Up to now, there is no clear definition and diagnostic criteria for adult severe tuberculosis at home or abroad, which has a significant adverse impact on the early diagnosis and timely treatment of patients with severe tuberculosis. In order to improve the treatment level of patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, reduce mortality and improve prognosis. The Professional Committee of Tuberculosis Science of the Chinese Society of Research Hospitals and Shenzhen Third People's Hospital/National Clinical Medical Research Center of Infectious Diseases/Shenzhen Tuberculosis Clinical Medical Research Center led the formulation of "Guidelines for definition and diagnosis of severe pulmonary tuberculosis in adults in China (2023)", aiming to guide and standardize the definition and diagnosis of severe tuberculosis. So as to improve the level of diagnosis and treatment of severe pulmonary tuberculosis in our country, to maximize the benefit of patients.
The American Thoracic Society Committee Task Force on Standards for Pulmonary Function had recommended a standardized reporting format for pulmonary function tests due to considerable variability in pulmonary function reports presented to end users, which might lead to potential confusion and miscommunication. This recommendation includes seven parts: overview, introduction, methods, report format, selecting and reporting reference values, grading the quality of pulmonary function tests and conclusions. This document presents a reporting format in test-specific units for spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity that can be assembled into a report appropriate for a laboratory’s practice. Recommended reference sources are updated, with especially emphasizing to adapt lower limit of normal (LLN) or z score instead of percent of prediction to estimate the abnormal results. This document provides detail and clear explanation on the recommendations, which might improve the interpretation, communication, and understanding of test results. However, parts of recommendation might not be used directly in our clinical practice owing to some specific conditions in China. We suggest to use appropriate normal predictions from Chinese population, to include small airway parameters such as mid-maximal expiratory flow for early detection of pulmonary function deterioration, and to include inspiratory flow volume curve, as well as strengthen the quality control data and figures in the report format.
ObjectiveTo report the short-term outcomes of a standardized, simplified and reproducible strategy of mitral valvuloplasty (MVP), which was focused on leaflet foldoplasty and anatomic anomalies of congenital mitral regurgitation (MR).MethodsConsecutive 74 patients who underwent MVP by our standardized strategy in our institution from 2016 to 2018 were included retrospectively. There were 30 males and 44 females with a median age of 18.5 (6-146) months and weight of 15.4 (7-51) kg.ResultsAnatomic anomalies of MR included: (1) subvalvular apparatus: 72 (97.3%) patients with mal-connected chordae tendineae, 31 (41.9%) with absent chordae tendineae and 14 (18.9%) with fused or dysplastic papillary muscle; (2) leaflet: 10 (13.5%) patients with cleft of anterior leaflet, 61 (82.4%) with leaflet prolapse including 56 (91.8%) with anterior leaflet prolapse; (3) annulus: 71 (95.9%) patients with annular dilatation. Leaflet foldoplasty was performed in 61 (82.4%) patients with leaflet prolapse. All patients were successfully discharged and 4 (5.4%) patients were with moderate MR. The follow-up time was 22.0 (9.1-41.8) months. During the follow-up period, 3 patients had moderate MR and 1 patient had reoperation for severe MR. All patients were in normal cardiac function with a mean left ventricular ejection fraction of 66.0%±6.1%. In addition, the mean left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 31.8±6.0 mm, which was significant smaller than that before the operation (t=6.090, P<0.000 1).ConclusionThe standardized leaflet foldoplasty with resection of mal-connected chordae tendineae and posterior annuloplasty technique is safe and feasible with favorable short-term outcomes in MR patients.
Objective To evaluate the role that problem based learning (PBL) teaching plays in the education of doctors. Methods A total of 240 7-year students who entered the China Medical University in Shenyang in 2004 were divided into two groups: one group used PBL teaching model while the second group used a traditional teaching model. There were 120 students in each group. At the end of the teaching, a questionnaire on PBL teaching model was distributed to the both groups. We organized and classified answers to the questionnaire and conducted statistical analyses. Results Problem based learning is a model for education in which students dominate the course, question the case, look for evidence, participate in the group discussion and reach resolution. This emphasizes the process of learning and the training of student abilities, instead of the teaching of knowledge only. PBL is more effective at meeting the requirements of the global minimum essential requirements in medical education (GMER). Conclusions PBL teaching plays an important role in the training of doctors
On September 27, 2022, the first international standard of Diagnosis and Classification of Optic Neuritis was published online in Lancet Neurology, the top journal of neurology. The publication of this standard fills the gap in the international diagnosis and classification of optic neuritis (ON), promotes the consistency of the global diagnosis classification of ON, and helps ophthalmologists and neurologists to diagnose ON more accurately in the future. In recent decades, although Chinese ophthalmologists have made great progress in their understanding of ON and diagnosis and treatment level, it is still necessary to continue to strengthen the standardized training of Chinese neuro-ophthalmologist specialists, cooperate to establish a national ON clinical epidemiology database, carry out Chinese multi-center clinical studies, and further verify and optimize the international ON diagnostic system in future clinical practice. The ON diagnostic standards and treatment standards are gradually improved for China.