Background: Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is a key concern in clinical practice. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we compared duloxetine and placebo treatments in terms of their efficacy and safety in patients with PDPN. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases for relevant English articles published before January 11, 2021. Treatment efficacy and safety were assessed in terms of pain improvement, patient-reported health-related performance, and patients’ quality of life. Results: We reviewed a total of 7 randomized controlled trials. Regarding pain improvement, duloxetine was more efficacious than placebo (mean difference [MD] − 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 1.09 to − 0.69; P < .00001). Furthermore, duloxetine significantly improved the patients’ quality of life, which was assessed using the Clinical Global Impression severity subscale (MD − 0.48; 95% CI − 0.61 to − 0.36; P < .00001), Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale (MD − 0.50; 95% CI − 0.64 to − 0.37; P < .00001), and European Quality of Life Instrument 5D version (MD 0.04; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.07; P = .0002). Severe adverse events were rare, whereas nausea, somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, and decreased appetite were common; approximately, 12.6% of all patients dropped out because of the common symptoms. Conclusions: Duloxetine is more efficacious than placebo treatments in patients with PDPN. The rarity of severe adverse events indicates that duloxetine is safe. When a 60-mg dose is insufficient, 120 mg of duloxetine may improve PDPN symptoms. Our findings may help devise optimal treatment strategies for PDPN. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42021225451

Background The demand for aesthetic procedures continues to grow globally, particularly in East Asian countries. The popularity of specific aesthetic procedures varies, however, depending on the particular East Asian geographical region being studied. This study aimed to evaluate the experiences of and attitudes toward aesthetic procedures in five East Asian countries/regions, including China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Methods To recruit participants, an online questionnaire was designed and distributed on social media networks between May 2015 and March 2016. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, version 22.0. Results A total of 3,088 people responded (approximately 600 in each country/region). Of these, 940 participants (47.8%) responded that they had experienced at least one aesthetic procedure in the past. Taiwan had the highest number of participants who had experienced at least one procedure (264/940, 41%), with primarily non-surgical experiences. Only in South Korea did surgical cosmetic experiences exceed non-surgical cosmetic experiences (55.9% vs. 44.1%). The popularity of particular procedures and the motivation for undergoing aesthetic procedures varied by country. Conclusions The popularity of aesthetic procedures continues to evolve. Similar trends were observed across the East Asian regions; however, each country had its unique demands and preferences. The information provided by this study can help aesthetic plastic surgeons further understand the patients in their corresponding region, customize their practice, and develop the requisite skills.

Secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) is associated with donor site morbidities. We aimed to compare the outcomes of SABG and extensive gingivoperiosteoplasty (EGPP) at the mixed dentition stage. This single-blinded, randomized, prospective trial enrolled 50 consecutive patients with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate who had residual alveolar bone cleft, of which 44 (19 SABG, 25 EGPP) completed the study. Bone volumes before surgery, 6 months postoperatively, and 1-year postoperatively were compared using computed tomography. The Bergland scale score was recorded at 6 months postoperatively. Both groups had the same preoperative alveolar cleft volume. On the Bergland scale, 21, 3, and 1 patient in the EGPP group and 16, 2, and 1 patient in the SABG group were classified as types I, II, and IV, respectively, which did not show significant difference. With perioperative orthodontic treatment, the 1-year residual bone defect volume in both groups did not show significant difference (SABG 0.12 cm³ vs. EGPP at 0.14 cm³, p > 0.05). The study was not able to reveal much difference between SABG and EGPP combined with perioperative orthodontic treatment.

Blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and the human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (hACE2) protein serves as a therapeutic strategy for treating COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments containing bioactive products could alleviate the symptoms of severe COVID-19. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has complicated the process of developing broad-spectrum drugs. As such, the aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of TCM treatments against SARS-CoV-2 variants through targeting the interaction of the viral spike protein with the hACE2 receptor. Antiviral activity was systematically evaluated using a pseudovirus system. Scutellaria baicalensis (S. baicalensis) was found to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection, as it mediated the interaction between the viral spike protein and the hACE2 protein. Moreover, the active molecules of S. baicalensis were identified and analyzed. Baicalein and baicalin, a flavone and a flavone glycoside found in S. baicalensis, respectively, exhibited strong inhibitory activities targeting the viral spike protein and the hACE2 protein, respectively. Under optimized conditions, virus infection was inhibited by 98% via baicalein-treated pseudovirus and baicalin-treated hACE2. In summary, we identified the potential SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors from S. baicalensis that mediate the interaction between the Omicron spike protein and the hACE2 receptor. Future studies on the therapeutic application of baicalein and baicalin against SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed.

The efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) after lower-limb intervention remains controversial. Currently, the prescription of DAPT after an intervention is not fully recommended in guidelines due to limited evidence. This study compares and analyzes the prognosis for symptomatic PAD patients receiving DAPT versus monotherapy after lower-limb revascularization. Up to November 2021, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched to identify studies reporting the efficacy, duration, and bleeding complications when either DAPT or monotherapy were used to treat PAD patients after revascularization. Three randomized controlled trials and seven nonrandomized controlled trials were included in our study. In total, 74,651 patients made up these ten studies. DAPT in PAD patients after intervention was associated with lower rates of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.79–0.94; p < 0.01), major adverse limb events (HR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47–0.78; p < 0.01), and major amputation (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64–0.96) when follow-up was for more than 1-year. DAPT was not associated with major bleeding events when compared with monotherapy (OR = 1.22; 95% CI, 0.69–2.18; p = 0.50) but was associated with a higher rate of minor bleeding as a complication (OR = 2.54; 95% CI, 1.59–4.08; p < 0.01). More prospective randomized studies are needed to provide further solid evidence regarding the important issue of prescribing DAPT.

Background: Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) is a severe and life-threatening complication following cardiovascular surgery. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has emerged as a promising therapeutic bridging option for DSWI. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the authors aimed to evaluate the impact of NPWT on clinical outcomes in patients with DSWI. Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA guideline in electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers, and risk of bias was assessed by ROBINS-I tool. The primary outcomes assessed were mortality rate and reinfection rate. The secondary outcomes assessed were length of hospital stay and ICU stay. Results: In this systematic review identified a total of 36 studies, comprising 3681 patients with DSWI who received treatment. The meta-analysis revealed that NPWT was associated with a significant reduction in mortality rate (RR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.35–0.61, P<0.000001) and reinfection rate (RR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.25–0.74, P=0.002) compared to conventional wound management. Furthermore, pooling of these studies showed significant difference between the NPWT and conventional treatment groups in length of hospital stay (mean difference: −4.49, 95% CI: −8.14 to −0.83; P=0.02) and length of ICU stay (mean difference: −1.11, 95% CI: −2.18 to −0.04; P=0.04). Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis provide evidence that NPWT is superior to conventional treatment for patients with DSWI following cardiovascular surgery.