Due to the limited data available, there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the use of acupuncture for neuropathic pain in general, or for any specific neuropathic pain condition when compared with sham acupuncture or other active therapies. Five studies are still ongoing and seven studies are awaiting classification due to the unclear treatment duration, and the results of these studies may influence the current findings.
Caldesmon, an actin-binding protein, can inhibit myosin binding to actin and regulate smooth muscle contraction and relaxation. However, caldesmon has recently attracted attention due to its importance in cancer. The upregulation of caldesmon in several solid cancer tissues has been reported. Caldesmon, as well as its two isoforms, is considered as a biomarker for cancer and a potent suppressor of cancer cell invasion by regulating podosome/invadopodium formation. Therefore, caldesmon may be a promising therapeutic target for diseases such as cancer. Here, we review new studies on the gene transcription, isoform structure, expression, and phosphorylation regulation of caldesmon and discuss its clinical implications in cancer.
Background This systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized studies (NRSs) aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of two types of surgical interventions (respectively drainage alone and drainage with primary fistula treatment) for perianal abscesses (PAs) in children.
Materials and Methods Studies from 1992 to July 2022 were searched in 10 electronic databases. All relevant NRSs with available data which compared surgical drainage with or without primary fistula treatment were included. Patients with underlying diseases which led to abscess formation were excluded. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias and quality of the included studies. The outcomes were the healing rate, fistula formation rate, fecal incontinence, and wound healing duration.
Results A total of 16 articles with 1,262 patients were considered suitable for the final meta-analysis. Primary fistula treatment was associated with a significantly higher healing rate when compared with incision and drainage alone (OR 5.76, 95% CI 4.04-8.22). This aggressive procedure for PA resulted in an 86% reduction in the fistula formation rate (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.06-0.32). Limited data showed patients who underwent primary fistula treatment have a minor effect on postoperative fecal incontinence.
Conclusion Primary fistula treatment demonstrates a better clinical efficacy in promoting the healing rate and decreasing the formation of fistulas in PAs in children. The available evidence for a minor impact on anal function after this intervention is less strong.
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