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Background: Therapeutic hypothermia has been recommended for the treatment of cardiac arrest patients who remain comatose after the return of spontaneous circulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of mild hypothermia on patients with cardiac arrest by conducting a meta-analysis., Methods: The relevant trials were searched in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI and Wan Fang Data from the date of their establishment to October 2014. Thereafter, the studies retrieved were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted, and the quality of the included studies was evaluated. A meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 5.2 software., Results: Six randomized controlled trials involving 531 cases were included, among which 273 cases were assigned to the treatment group and the other 258 cases to the control group. The meta-analysis indicated that mild hypothermia therapy after cardiac arrest produced significant differences in survival rate (relative risk [RR] =1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.48, P = 0.03) and neurological function (RR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.08-1.65, P = 0.007) after 6 months compared with normothermia therapy. However, no significant differences were observed in the survival to the hospital discharge (RR = 1.35, 95% CI: 0.87-2.10, P = 0.18), favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge (RR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.95-2.45, P = 0.08) and adverse events., Conclusions: The meta-analysis demonstrated that mild hypothermia can improve the survival rate and neurological function of patients with cardiac arrest after 6 months. On the other hand, regarding the survival to hospital discharge, favorable neurological outcome at hospital discharge, and adverse events, our meta-analysis produced nonsignificant results.

Background: Craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle is difficult to treat and its therapeutic regimens and operative approaches have been controversial. This study was undertaken to probe indications for microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle via an improved transventricular approach, its surgical procedures and therapeutic effects, and prevention of postoperative complications., Methods: Fifty-one patients with craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle were treated from January 2000 to October 2004 by an improved transventricular approach for removing the tumor via the interventricular foramen, the intermedius of the septum pellucidum or choroid fissure. Symptoms and signs of the patients, and results of imaging, operation, and follow-up were analyzed., Results: Of the 51 patients who had received the improved transventricular resection, 4 underwent a combined approach with an entrance of the pterion. Forty patients (78.43%) underwent total resection and others subtotal resection, without an operative death. Epileptic seizures were found in 3 patients (5.88%) and subdural effusion in the operative field in 4 (7.84%). All patients showed good general conditions after operation, and follow-up for an average of 27.52 months showed relapse of the tumour in 8 patients (15.69%)., Conclusions: Microsurgical resection of craniopharyngioma of the third ventricle by an improved transventricular approach has advantages of operative safety and efficacy, lower mortality and disability, and less complications.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that nomogram can simplize complicated calculations of several variables. A simple nomogram was constructed to estimate absorption rate coefficient (k(a)) by using the peak time (tpeak) and the elimination rate coefficient (k(e)) of drugs administered orally., Methods: The nomogram was based on the plasma concentration-time (C-T) curve equation and the function relation between t(peak), k(a) and k(e). A mathematical analysis was presented for the construction of single chart nomogram. To check the degree of accuracy of the developed nomogram, we used it to analyze retrospective profiles of 46 drugs and compared the ka values obtained graphically and those calculated by numerically solving the descriptive equation. In addition, we measured the carbocisteine concentration of 18 healthy volunteers by HPLC with fluorescence detection. To analyze performance error, the measured carbocisteine concentrations were compared with predicted concentrations by the ka obtained from the nomograms along with the other pharmacokinetic parameters., Results: The estimated of k(a) values from nomograms were in very close proximity with the numerical values. The performance error was as follows: median performance error (MDPE) and median absolute performance error (MDAPE) were 1.32% and 18.15%, respectively., Conclusions: The developed nomogram is accurate and reliable. The size of performance error meets the demand of clinical pharmacokinetics. Therefore, the nomograms can offer another convenient and easy method for rational individualized dosage regimens.

Of the 25 cases of entrapment, or compression syndrome of the posterior interosseous nerve of the forearm reported, 23 were treated surgically. The compressing or entrapping factors found during the operations consisted of 14 sites in tendinous tissues, 12 in vessels, 6 in scar adhesions, and 3 unclear. Of 11 cases each had 2 or more compression sites. 19 patients underwent local decompression. And 4 cases had membranous and degenerated nerves resection and end-to-end anastomoses. Hypertrophy and inflammation appeared to be the main pathological changes in 10 cases. The causes and pathology are discussed and the early diagnosis and treatment emphasized.