Background: This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of transsphenoidal surgery (TPS) for patients with a pituitary tumor (PT). Methods: We will retrieve the following electronic databases for randomized controlled trials or case–control studies to assess the effect and safety of TPS for PT: Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Each database will be retrieved from the inception to December 20, 2018. The entire process consists of the study selection, data collection, methodology quality assessment, data pooled, and meta-analysis performance. The methodology quality will be assessed by using Cochrane risk of bias tool. The data pooled and meta-analysis will be conducted by using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of TPS for PT. The primary outcome includes total tumor resection rate. The secondary outcomes consist of quality of life, total tumor resection rate, postoperative complication rate, and the rate of functional tumor hormone levels. Conclusion: The expected results may provide up-to-date evidence of TPS for the treatment of PT. PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018120194.
Background: This systematic review aims to investigate the effectiveness and safety of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on hearing loss (HL) caused by skull base fracture (SBF). Methods: We will retrieve the following electronic databases of Cochrane Library, PUBMED, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from the inception to January 1, 2019 for relevant RCTs of NMES for HL caused by SBF. Two experienced authors will independently perform the study selection, data extraction, and methodology quality assessment. A 3rd author will solve any disagreements between 2 authors through discussion. Results: This study will provide a high-quality synthesis of latest evidence of NMES for HL caused by SBF from comprehensive assessments, including hearing loss evaluation, hearing threshold, quality of life, and any relevant adverse events. Conclusion: The expected results of this systematic review will provide the up-to-date evidence to assess the effectiveness and safety of NEMS for patients with HL caused by SBF. Ethics and dissemination: The results of this study will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal or will be presented at an associated conference meeting. This study will not use individual patient data, thus, the ethical approval is not needed. PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019120195.
This study retrospectively analyzed the effectiveness of acupuncture as add-on therapy (AAOT) to sublingual allergen-specific immunotherapy (SASIT) for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). A total of 120 eligible cases of adult patients with AR were included in this retrospective study. Of these, 60 patients received AAOT plus SASIT and were assigned to a treatment group, while the other 60 subjects underwent SASIT only, and were assigned to a control group. Primary outcome was AR symptoms. The secondary outcome was quality of life, as evaluated by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ). In addition, adverse events were also recorded during the study period. All outcomes were assessed before and after 8 weeks treatment. After 8 weeks treatment, patients in the treatment group had much better effectiveness in symptoms relief ( P <.05), and quality of life improvement (activity domain, P = .04; practical domain, P = .03), compared with patients in the control group. In addition, although patients in the treatment group reported more mild pain at local area after the treatment than that in the control group ( P <.01), no patients stopped the treatment. The results of this study showed that AAOT plus SASIT achieved more benefits in patients with AR than SASIT alone.
To understand the relationship between structural properties of the β2-adrenoceptor ligands and their interactions with membranes, we have investigated the location and distribution of five β2 agonists with distinct clinical durations and onsets of action (indacaterol, two indacaterol analogues, salmeterol and formoterol) in monounsaturated model membranes using magic angle spinning NMR to measure these interactions through both H nuclear Overhauser enhancement (NOE) and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) techniques. The hydrophilic aromatic groups of all five β2 agonists show maximum distribution in the lipid/water interface, but distinct location and dynamic behavior were observed for the lipophilic aromatic rings. Our study elucidates at atomic level that the hydrophobicity and substitution geometry of lipophilic groups play important roles in compound-lipid interactions.
A 0.13um Cu-Al hybrid backend between a dual damascene process with Cu line and a conventional process with Al line is introduced in this paper. First 3 metal layers (M1~M3) interconnects with Cu line for process capability and circuit speed concern. Whereas following metal layers (M4~M7) interconnects with Al line for cost concern. The interconnection via between Cu and Al interface is the key process for Cu-Al hybrid process. This paper mainly focused on via process study between Cu and Al interconnection.
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