Abstract

INTRODUCTION Nursing knowledge, critical thinking ability, and self-perceived confidence are imperative to nursing skills in professional nursing practice. Therefore, nurse educators are required to use teaching strategies that will help promote their knowledge, critical thinking, and self-confidence in complex contents such as the nursing of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB). PURPOSE This study compares the effect of student-led and instructor-led ward-round training methods on knowledge acquisition, critical thinking ability, and self-perceived confidence during AUGIB sessions. METHODS Forty nursing students in the first year of the Emergency Nursing Residency Program were randomly divided into a student-led ward round training group (SG) and an instructor-led ward round training group (IG) with a ratio of 1:1. A knowledge quiz, critical thinking ability test, and self-perceived confidence questionnaire were performed before and after the ward round training to assess both groups of students for their knowledge acquisition, critical thinking ability, and self-perceived confidence improvement. Feedback questionnaires were conducted after the training to evaluate students' perspectives and interests concerning the teaching module. RESULTS The scores of the post-training quiz were significantly higher than that of the pre-training quiz in both the SG (44.10±2.92 vs 31.10±4.27, p<0.001) and IG (32.35±2.21 vs 30.55±2.24, p=0.01). In the post-training quiz, scores achieved by the students from the SG (44.10±2.92) were significantly higher than those achieved by the students from the IG (32.35±2.21, p< 0.001). The level of self-perceived confidence improved significantly after ward round training in the SG (p< 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the IG with respect to the change from pre- to post-training (p=0.43).The students' critical thinking ability improved significantly in the SG (14.95±2.58 vs 7.10±1.79, p<0.001), while no significant improvement was found in the IG (7.91±2.28 vs 6.52±2.21, p=0.07) after ward round training. CONCLUSION The teaching method of SWRT improves nursing students' knowledge acquisition, critical thinking ability, and self-perceived confidence in AUGIB.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is an ongoing controversy regarding the risks of restrictive and liberal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion strategies. This meta-analysis assessed whether transfusion at a lower threshold was superior to transfusion at a higher threshold, with regard to thrombosis-related events, that is, whether these outcomes can benefit from a restrictive transfusion strategy is debated. MATERIALS AND METHODS We searched PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Scopus from inception up to 31 July 2021. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in any clinical setting that evaluated the effects of restrictive versus liberal RBC transfusion in adults. We used random-effects models to calculate the risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) based on pooled data. RESULTS Thirty RCTs involving 17,334 participants were included. The pooled RR for thromboembolic events was 0.65 (95% CI 0.44-0.94; p = 0.020; I(2) = 0.0%, very low-quality evidence), favouring the restrictive strategy. There were no significant differences in cerebrovascular accidents (RR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.64-1.09; p = 0.180; I(2) = 0.0%, very low-quality evidence) or myocardial infarction (RR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.87-1.26; p = 0.620; I(2) = 0.0%, low-quality evidence). Subgroup analyses showed that a restrictive (relative to liberal) strategy reduced (1) thromboembolic events in RCTs conducted in North America and (2) myocardial infarctions in the subgroup of RCTs where the restrictive transfusion threshold was 7 g/dl but not in the 8 g/dl subgroup (with a liberal transfusion threshold of 10 g/dl in both subgroups). CONCLUSIONS A restrictive (relative to liberal) transfusion strategy may be effective in reducing venous thrombosis but not arterial thrombosis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND We investigated the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on tendon-bone healing and intra-articular graft (IAG) maturation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. METHODS In this prospective randomized controlled study, 60 patients with ruptured ACLs were divided one-to-one into two groups (study and control). Patients were treated using single-bundle autologous hamstring autografts. Only patients in the study group were administered PRP. Knee function (pre-operative and three-, six-, and 12-month post-operative Lysholm activity, Tegner and International Knee Documentation Committee scores, femoral tunnel (FT) and tibial tunnel (TT) diameters measured with computed tomography (post-operative follow-up at 4 days and at 12 months), and magnetic resonance imaging signal/noise quotients of the IAG and graft in the FT (at 12 months) were used to evaluate tendon-bone healing and graft maturation. RESULTS Patients' knee function scores improved after ACL reconstruction, but there were no significant differences between groups. At 12 months, FT (study, 8.88 ± 1.46 mm; control, 8.42 ± 2.75 mm) and TT (study, 9.50 ± 1.07 mm; control, 9.99 ± 1.91 mm) diameters were larger than FT (study, 6.91 ± 0.74 mm; control, 7.30 ± 1.17 mm) and TT (study, 9.31 ± 0.83 mm; control, 9.36 ± 0.88 mm) diameters at 4 days; however, differences between groups were not significant (FT, P = 0.67; TT, P = 0.52). There were no significant differences between groups for signal/noise quotients of the IAG (study, 1.38 ± 0.70; control, 2.01 ± 0.62; P = 0.06) and FT-portion of the graft (study, 2.39 ± 1.22; control, 2.46 ± 0.83; P = 0.89). CONCLUSION PRP had no significant effect on reducing bone tunnel widening, accelerating tendon-bone healing, or improving knee function; however, PRP may improve IAG maturation. TRIAL REGISTRATION Our study was first registered at Clinicaltrials.gov with registration No. NCT04659447 on 12/09/2020.

Abstract

PURPOSE To assess the clinical evidence defining the optimal combination of arthroscopic suture technique and Platelet-Rich Products (PRP) application for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR). METHODS All level of evidence (LOE) I randomized controlled trials (RCT) focusing arthroscopic suture technique and/or PRP application in ARCR were included. The exclusion criteria were: LOE II or worse; Studies with other interventions; Studies reported none of predetermined clinical outcomes; Studies unable to extract any precise data; Studies from the same patient group of included studies. A pair-wise meta-analysis and Bayesian network analysis were performed on each comparison. The intervention options were ranked by Bayesian network analysis. RESULTS 27 studies comprising 1, 947 individuals met the inclusion criteria. The application of transosseous equivalent/suture bridge repair (SB) with PRP (SB+PRP) significantly reduced retear rate (Risk Ratio [RR], 0.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], [0.15, 0.55].) and increased Constant score (Mean Difference, 1.90; 95% CI, [0.14, 3.74].), compared to SB repair. Single-row repair (SR) with PRP usage (SR+PRP) significantly reduced retear rate (RR, 0.27; 95% CI, [0.12, 0.55].) and pain visual analog scale (VAS) (Mean Difference, -0.84; 95% CI [-1.39, -0.46].), increased University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score (Mean Difference, 1.48; 95% CI [0.50, 2.58].) and Constant score (Mean Difference, 4.53; 95% CI [2.65, 6.38].), compared to SR repair. The ranking for outcomes demonstrated SB+PRP resulted in the best retear rate, UCLA shoulder score, with the second-best postoperative pain, Constant score, while SR+PRP resulted in the best postoperative pain, Constant score, with the second-best retear rate and UCLA score. CONCLUSION Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair utilizing SB+PRP yields optimal retear rate and UCLA shoulder score, with the second-best postoperative pain and Constant shoulder outcome score, while SR+PRP yields the best in these two parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level I, Bayesian network analysis of level I RCT.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the clinical features of Kawasaki disease shock syndrome (KDSS) in children. Methods: The case-control studies of KDSS and KD children up until April 30, 2021 were searched in multiple databases. The qualified research were retrieved by manually reviewing the references. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of male and female in children with KDSS. Children with KDSS compared with non-shocked KD, there were significant difference in age, duration of fever, white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of neutrophils (NEUT%), platelet count (PLT), c-reactive protein level (CRP), alanine transaminase concentration (ALT), aspartate transaminase concentration (AST), albumin concentration (ALB), sodium concentration (Na), ejection fraction, and length of hospitalization as well as the incidence of coronary artery dilation, coronary artery aneurysm, left ventricular dysfunction, mitral regurgitation, pericardial effusion, initial diagnosis of KD, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) resistance and receiving second dose of IVIG, vasoactive drugs, hormones, and albumin. In contrast, there was no difference in the hemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the incidence of conjunctival injection, oropharyngeal change, polymorphous rash, extremity change, and incomplete KD. Conclusion: Current evidence suggested that the children with KDSS had more severe indicators of inflammation and more cardiac abnormalities. These patients were resistant to immunoglobulin treatment and required extra anti-inflammatory treatment. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42021241207.

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of oral tranexamic acid (TXA) with intravenous (IV) TXA in reducing perioperative blood loss in total-knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total-hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library were fully searched for relevant studies. Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of oral TXA with IV TXA in TKA and THA were included in this research. Odds ratio (OR) or risk difference (RD) was applied to compare dichotomous variables, while mean difference (MD) was used to compare continues variables. RESULTS A total of 7 studies (5 randomized controlled trials and 2 retrospective studies) were included into this study. As for patients undergoing TKA or THA, there were no obvious differences between oral TXA group and IV TXA group in hemoglobin (Hb) drop (MD = 0.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.01 to 0.13, P = .09), transfusion rate (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.54-1.13, P = .19), total blood loss (MD = 16.31, 95% CI = -69.85 to 102.46, P = .71), total Hb loss (MD = 5.18, 95% CI = -12.65 to 23.02, P = .57), length of hospital stay (MD = -0.06, 95% CI = -0.30 to 0.18, P = .63), drain out (MD = 21.04, 95% CI = -15.81 to 57.88, P = .26), incidence of deep vein deep vein thrombosis (RD = 0.00, 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.01, P = .82) or pulmonary embolism (RD = 0.00, 95% CI = -0.01 to 0.01, P = .91). The sample size of this study was small and several included studies were with relatively low quality. CONCLUSION Oral TXA is equivalent to IV TXA in reducing perioperative blood loss and should be recommended in TKA and THA. More high-quality studies are needed to elucidate this issue.

Abstract

Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) exerts positive therapeutic effects on hair thickness and density in patients with pattern hair loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of intra-perifollicular autologous PRP and polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) injections in treating female pattern hair loss (FPHL). Twenty FPHL patients were treated with a single session of PRP injection, followed by 12 sessions of PDRN intra-perifollicular injection, along the scalp at weekly intervals. Additionally, another 20 FPHL patients were treated with 12 sessions of PDRN injection only. Meanwhile, one half of the backs of two rabbits was injected with the PRP preparation, while the other half was injected with phosphate buffered saline as a control. Tissue samples from the rabbits were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. Compared with baseline values, patients treated with PRP and PDRN injections exhibited clinical improvement in mean hair counts (23.2+/-15.5%; p<0.001) and mean hair thickness (16.8+/-10.8%; p<0.001). In addition, patients treated with the 12 sessions of intra-perifollicular PDRN injection alone also showed clinical improvement in mean hair counts (17.9+/-13.2%; p<0.001) and mean hair thickness (13.5+/-10.7%; p<0.001). Comparison analyses between the two groups revealed that combined therapy with PRP and PDRN induces greater improvement in hair thickness than treatment with PDRN therapy alone (p=0.031), but not in hair counts (p>0.05). The pilot animal study revealed significant up-regulation of WNT, platelet-derived growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor expression in rabbit skin treated with the PRP preparation, compared with control skin. In conclusion, intra-perifollicular injections of autologous PRP and/or PDRN generate improvements in hair thickness and density in FPHL patients. Copyright © 2014 by the Wound Healing Society.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Tranexamic acid (TA), a synthetic antifibrinolytic drug, has been shown to reduce postoperative bleeding and the need for allogeneic blood transfusion in cardiac surgery. However, the optimal dose regimen of TA is still under debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a lower-dose TA regimen produced equivalent efficacy to its higher-dose counterpart in reducing postoperative bleeding and transfusion needs. DESIGN A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. SETTING National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases & University Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. PARTICIPANTS One hundred seventy-five patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery were enrolled in the study. INTERVENTIONS All patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. The lower-dose TA group received a loading dose of 10 mg/kg, maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg/h, and a cardiopulmonary bypass pump prime dose of 40 mg; the higher-dose TA group received a loading dose of 30 mg/kg, maintenance dose of 16 mg/kg/h, and a pump prime dose of 2 mg/kg. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The amount of postoperative bleeding, the amount and frequency of allogeneic transfusion, mortality, and morbidities were recorded. There was no significant difference in the volume of 24-hour postoperative bleeding between the lower-dose group and the higher-dose group. Other measurements also showed no statistical difference between the 2 groups, including the amount and frequency of allogeneic transfusion, mortality, and morbidities. CONCLUSION Lower-dose TA regimen was as effective as the higher-dose regimen in reducing postoperative bleeding and transfusion needs in patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery. 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE Reducing the priming volume is an effective means of decreasing hemodilution and blood transfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The patient's own blood was used to replace the crystalloid in the CPB circuit by retrograde autologous priming (RAP) in order to decrease the priming volume. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether RAP could reduce blood transfusion and improve clinical outcomes. Materials and METHODS A comprehensive search was conducted for randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) exploring RAP in PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar and Chinese literature databases (WanFang, WeiPu and CNKI). Clinical parameters and outcomes were focused on the lowest hematocrit (Hct) during CPB, the number of patients transfused blood intraoperatively, the number of patients transfused blood perioperatively, the number of blood units transfused, 24-hour chest tube drainage, hours to extubation, length of ICU stay, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS Ten trials, with a total of 1123 patients, were included. The number of patients transfused blood intraoperatively (RR = 0.39, 95% CI = [0.29, 0.53], p<0.00001, I(2) = 40%) and perioperatively (RR = 0.53, 95% CI = [0.43, 0.66], p<0.00001, I(2) = 0%) and the number of blood units transfused (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI = [-0.73, -0.33], p<0.00001, I(2) = 14%) were all significantly reduced in the RAP group. No differences in the hours to extubation (SMD = -0.11, 95% CI = [-0.33, 0.12], p=0.37, I(2) = 0%) and the length of ICU stay (SMD = -0.17, 95% CI = [-0.41, 0.08], p=0.18, I(2) = 0%) were observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared to conventional priming, RAP could reduce transfusion in adults significantly, but had no effect on clinical outcomes, comparing to conventional priming. Further studies involving RAP are expected to investigate if this technique is beneficial to the patient.

Abstract

Cell salvage devices are routinely used to process red blood cells (RBCs) shed during cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three commercially available cell saver (CS) devices in terms of erythrocyte function and the quality of washed RBCs during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Thirty patients undergoing CPB were randomly allocated to three CS devices: Group C (Cell Saver 5+; Haemonetics, n = 10), Group M (autolog; Medtronic, n = 10), and Group F (CATS; Fresenius HemoCare, n = 10). Blood samples were collected from reservoirs and transfusion bags. Reservoirs and washed RBCs were analyzed for erythrocyte aggregation index, deformation index (DI) and hematocrit viscosity, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), free Hb removal (fHb), glucose (Glu), lactate (Lac), and blood urea nitrogen. After processing, Groups C (P = 0.026) and M (P = 0.032) had relatively higher erythrocyte DI compared with Group F. Group C had lower 2,3-DPG compared with Groups M (P = 0.001) and F (P = 0.001). Group F provided the maximum concentration of Hct (P = 0.021; 0.046) and Hb (P = 0.008; 0.013). In addition, Groups C (P = 0.035) and M (P = 0.038) had a higher removal of fHb (fHb), differing significantly with Group F. In conclusion, CS devices use the same theory of centrifugation; however, based on different designs, the function of the washed erythrocyte and undesirable content removal efficiency differs widely from one device to another. 2012, Copyright the Authors. Artificial Organs 2012, International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.