IntroductionAcute post-traumatic brain swelling (BS) is one of the pathological forms that need emergent treatment following traumatic brain injury. There is controversy about the effects of craniotomy on acute post-traumatic BS. The aim of the present clinical study was to assess the efficacy of unilateral decompressive craniectomy (DC) or unilateral routine temporoparietal craniectomy on patients with unilateral acute post-traumatic BS.MethodsSeventy-four patients of unilateral acute post-traumatic BS with midline shifting more than 5 mm were divided randomly into two groups: unilateral DC group (n = 37) and unilateral routine temporoparietal craniectomy group (control group, n = 37). The vital signs, the intracranial pressure (ICP), the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS), the mortality rate and the complications were prospectively analysed.ResultsThe mean ICP values of patients in the unilateral DC group at hour 24, hour 48, hour 72 and hour 96 after injury were much lower than those of the control group (15.19 +/- 2.18 mmHg, 16.53 +/- 1.53 mmHg, 15.98 +/- 2.24 mmHg and 13.518 +/- 2.33 mmHg versus 19.95 +/- 2.24 mmHg, 18.32 +/- 1.77 mmHg, 21.05 +/- 2.23 mmHg and 17.68 +/- 1.40 mmHg, respectively). The mortality rates at 1 month after treatment were 27% in the unilateral DC group and 57% in the control group (p = 0.010). Good neurological outcome (GOS Score of 4 to 5) rates 1 year after injury for the groups were 56.8% and 32.4%, respectively (p = 0.035). The incidences of delayed intracranial hematoma and subdural effusion were 21.6% and 10.8% versus 5.4% and 0, respectively (p = 0.041 and 0.040).ConclusionsOur data suggest that unilateral DC has superiority in lowering ICP, reducing the mortality rate and improving neurological outcomes over unilateral routine temporoparietal craniectomy. However, it increases the incidence of delayed intracranial hematomas and subdural effusion, some of which need secondary surgical intervention. These results provide information important for further large and multicenter clinical trials on the effects of DC in patients with acute post-traumatic BS.Trial registrationISRCTN14110527

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This qualitative study investigated academic challenges, supports and the role of readiness in academic adaptation of international students. 20 international students were recruited for data collection employing semi-structured interviews. The results showed that three types including academic challenges, socio-cultural challenges and language incompetency were affecting the academic adaptation process. In addition, three types of supports including university support, peer support and psychological motivation which helped international students cope with the challenges while readiness played a significant role in balancing challenges and supports. Pre-departure preparedness and on-campus orientation instilled readiness among international students. The study suggested that sending countries should make effective mechanism to prepare the students before their departure. It can include host country’s language, its education system, degree requirement, culture, climate and food etc. The study proposed theoretical model of academic adaptation of international students for future quantitative research.

ObjectivesTo explore the risk factors for mesh erosion after female pelvic floor reconstructive surgery based on published literature. Materials and MethodsA systematic literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical (VIP) databases was performed to identify studies related to the risk factors for mesh erosion after female pelvic floor reconstruction published before December 2014. Summary unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the strength of associations between the factors and mesh erosion. ResultsIn all, 25 studies containing 7 084 patients were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences in mesh erosion after female pelvic floor reconstruction were found in older vs younger patients (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98), more parities vs less parities (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.07-1.51), the presence of premenopausal/ oestrogen replacement therapy (ERT) (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.03-1.79), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.35-2.57), smoking (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.80-3.08), concomitant pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.16-0.84), concomitant hysterectomy (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03-2.07), preservation of the uterus at surgery (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.08-0.63), and surgery performed by senior vs junior surgeons (OR 0.42,). ConclusionOur study indicates that younger age, more parities, premenopausal/ERT, diabetes mellitus, smoking, concomitant hysterectomy, and surgery performed by a junior surgeon were significant risk factors for mesh erosion after female pelvic floor reconstructive surgery. Moreover, concomitant POP surgery and preservation of the uterus may be the potential protective factors for mesh erosion.