Academic literature on the topic 'Beijing Design Week'

Objective To explore the safety and efficacy of intravenous (IV) iron sucrose in maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD). Design Randomized, controlled, parallel-group single-center trial. Setting Blood Purification Center of Chaoyang, Beijing Capital University of Medical Science, China. Methods 46 patients on PD were involved in this trial. 26 patients received IV iron sucrose (200 mg iron) once per week for 4 weeks then once every other week for a further 4 weeks. The other 20 patients received oral ferrous succinate, 200 mg three times per day, for 8 weeks. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin (SF) level, and transferrin saturation (TSAT) were assessed at baseline and then again after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of treatment. Results There were no differences between the IV and oral groups in terms of sex, age, duration of PD, mean dialysate dosage per day, erythropoietin dosage per week, or hematological parameters at baseline. After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment, mean Hb and Hct were significantly increased in the IV group and were also significantly higher than those in the oral group. Levels of SF and TSAT were also significantly increased in the IV group, and significantly higher than in the oral group. After 8 weeks, the response rate in the IV group was 94.8%, which was significantly higher than that in the oral group. The mean erythropoietin dose was significantly lower in the IV group than in the oral group. Hb, Hct, SF, and TSAT levels were maintained between 4 and 8 weeks in the IV group despite the decrease in dose frequency. There were no adverse events with IV iron. Eight patients in the oral group had adverse gastrointestinal effects. Conclusion IV iron sucrose is safe in PD patients. It increases Hb levels and serum iron parameters more effectively than oral iron; it is well tolerated and can permit reductions in the required dose of erythropoietin.

Objective. To explore the feasibility of evaluating the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture for patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Method. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted at a teaching hospital in Beijing. A total of 30 patients with KOA (Kellgren grade II or III) were randomly allocated to an eight-week treatment of either electroacupuncture or sham electroacupuncture. Patients and outcome assessors were blinded to group allocation. The primary outcome was the proportion of responders achieving at least 1.14 seconds decrease in the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) at week eight compared with baseline. The secondary outcomes included the knee range of motion, the knee extensor and flexor muscle strength, Lequesne index, 9-step stair-climb test (9-SCT), and TUG. Results. Of 30 patients allocated to two groups, 27 (90%) completed the study. The proportion of responders was 53.3% (8 of 15) for electroacupuncture group and 26.7% (4 of 15) for sham electroacupuncture group by the intention-to-treat analysis (P=0.264). There was no statistically significant difference in TUG between the two groups at eight weeks (P=0.856). The compliance rate measured according to patients who conformed to the protocol and had received treatments ≥20 times was 93.3% (28 of 30). The dropout rate was 20% (3 of 15). Adverse effects were not reported in the study. Conclusion. Our research demonstrated that further evaluation of the effectiveness of electroacupuncture versus sham electroacupuncture was feasible and safe for patients with KOA. Whether or not the electroacupuncture can improve the physical functions of knee joint, expand the knee range of motion, and increase the extensor and flexor muscle strength more significantly than sham electroacupuncture, future studies can be designed with larger sample size, randomization design and less biases. This trial is registered with NCT03366363.

Background. Dysphagia is a common complication of stroke, affecting up to 78% of stroke patients. The existence of dysphagia after stroke has been associated with an increased risk for pulmonary complications and even mortality. Previous studies have shown that acupuncture could be potential therapeutic method for treatment of dysphagia after stroke. A prospective randomized controlled pilot trial is designed to evaluate the effect of He’s Santong needling method on dysphagia after stroke. Methods and Design. Sixty eligible participants will be recruited and randomly assigned into treatment group (He’s Santong needling method and swallowing rehabilitation training) and control group (swallowing rehabilitation training) in a 1:1 ratio. All treatments will be provided everyday on weekdays with a two-day interval at the weekend, during a total treatment course of four weeks. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale with Fiberoptic Endoscopic Examination of Swallowing will be assessed at baseline and endpoint (Week 4) as primary outcomes. The Saitoh’s classification score, Swallowing-Related Quality of Life score, the Modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability score, and Surface Electromyography will be evaluated at baseline and endpoint as secondary outcomes. Ethics and Dissemination. The trial protocol has been approved by the Research Ethical Committee of Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University on 9 May 2017 (ethical batch number: 2017BL-013-02). Each participant will be notified regarding the study protocol. Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant. Trial Registration. ISRCTN registry: ISRCTN68981054; Registered on 25 September 2017.

Background: There is no truly optimal treatment to cure refractory neuralgia of the infraorbital nerve. Recently, nondestructive pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) has become one of the most attractive interventional techniques for painful disorders. However, use of the technique for infraorbital neuralgia has been seldom reported. Objective: The purpose of this prospective study is to observe the effectiveness and safety of PRF treatment for neuralgia of the infraorbital nerve. Study Design: Prospective case series clinical outcome study. Setting: University Medical Center, Beijing, China Methods: From January 2011 to November 2012, 36 consecutive patients, following ineffective conservative therapy, underwent PRF treatment and completed 2-year follow-up. Numeric rating scales (NRS), effective rate, additional carbamazepine dosage, and side effects were recorded at postoperative day one, week one, week 2, month one, month 3, month 6, year one, and year 2. Patients were divided into effective group and ineffective group based on postoperative one -month total pain relief or more than 50% reduction in NRS and patients were satisfied with the effect, and possible factors affecting efficacy were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Effective rates were 69%, 69%, 64%, 50%, and 50% at postoperative month one, month 3, month 6, year one, and year 2, respectively. No serious side effects were observed, except that 9 patients felt short-term (one -month duration) mild numbness. Output voltage and tissue resistance in the effective group were significantly higher than the ineffective group (P < 0.01). Intraoperative output voltage was negatively correlated with postoperative one -month NRS (r = -0.332, P < 0.05). Limitations: The non-controlled and single-centered design of the study. Conclusions: Results demonstrated PRF treatment under computed tomography (CT) guidance for infraorbital neuralgia is safe, effective, and is expected to become an alternative for patients experiencing ineffective conservative therapy. Increasing the output voltage of PRF could be the chosen method to improve the efficacy. Key words: Infraorbital nerve, neuralgia, pulsed radiofrequency, radiofrequency thermocoagulation

Background: Conventional percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) with an “insideoutside” technique has 4.3% – 10.3% surgical failure rate, especially in central herniated discs (HDs), migrated HDs, and axillary type HDs. PELD with foraminoplasty has been used for complex HDs. Percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF), which is performed with a trephine or bone reamer introduced over a guidewire without a protective working cannula in the original Tessys technique, can quickly cut the hypertrophied bony structure under fluoroscopic guidance, and risk injury to the exiting and traversing nerve roots. Study Design: A prospective cohort study. Setting: Hospital and outpatient surgical center. Objective: To evaluate the outcome and safety of modified PLF-PELD with a specially designed instrument for complex uncontained lumbar HDs. Method: From April of 2007 to April of 2009, 148 patients with uncontained lumbar HDs were treated with modified PLF-PELD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) checkup was performed the next morning after the operation. Outcomes of symptoms were evaluated by follow-up interviews at 3 months, 6 months, one year, and 5 years after surgery. Low back pain and leg pain were measured by visual analog scale (VAS) score (1 – 100). Functional outcomes were assessed by using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and modified MacNab criteria. Result: Follow-up data were obtained from 134 cases, including 14 cases on L3-4, 78 cases on L4-5, and 42 cases on L5-S1. One hundred-eight cases were prolapse type, while 26 cases were sequestration type. Pre-operative symptoms and deficits included nerve root dermatome hypoesthesia in 98 patients (73%), nerve root myotome muscle weakness in 32 patients (23%), and weakening or disappearance of tendon reflex in 43 patients (32%). No case required conversion to an open procedure during the surgery. Low back pain and leg pain were significantly relieved immediately after surgery in all patients. MRI examination showed adequate removal of HD in all patients. VAS scores and ODI values were significantly lower at all time points after surgery than before surgery. The percentage of pain relief in leg pain was significantly higher than that in low back pain (P < 0.01). But there was no significant correlation between duration of the preoperative symptoms and the percentage of pain relief. MacNab scores at 5 years after surgery were obtained from 134 patients. Seventy-five cases were rated “excellent”; 49 were rated “good,” Five patients experienced heavier low back pain, thus being classified as “fair.” Five cases with recurrence were rated “poor.” Preoperative and postoperative (5 years follow-up) related nerve root function status was compared. Sensation and muscle strength recovered significantly (P < 0.01), while tendon reflex was not changed (P = 0.782). No patients had infections. Five patients were complicated with dysesthesia in distribution of the exiting nerve that was all operated at L5-S1. Complaints were reduced one week after treatment with medium frequency pulse electrotherapy. Five cases required a revision surgery after recurrence. Limitations: This is an observational clinical case series study without comparison. Cohort Study Modified Percutaneous Lumbar Foraminoplasty and Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: Instrument Design, Technique Notes, and 5 Years Follow-up From: The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA’s General Hospital Beijing, China Address Correspondence: Zhen-zhou Li, M.D. Associate Chief Surgeon The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA’s General Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery No. 51, Fucheng Road Haidian district Beijing, Beijing 100048 China 86 1068989322 E-mail: dr_lizhenzhou@163.com Disclaimer: There was no external funding in the preparation of this manuscript. Conflict of interest: Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of his or her immediate family, has no commercial association (i.e., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted manuscript. Manuscript received: 08-10-2015 Revised manuscript received: 12-28-2015 Accepted for publication: 03-28-2015 Free full manuscript: www.painphysicianjournal. com Zhen-zhou Li, MD, Shu-xun Hou, MD, Wei-lin Shang, MD, Ke-ran Song, MD, and Hong-liang Zhao, MD www.painphysicianjournal.com Pain Physician 2017; 20:E85-E98 • ISSN 2150-1149 Conclusion: Modified PLF-PELD with a specially designed instrument is a less invasive, effective and safe surgery for complex uncontained lumbar DH. Key words: Lumbar disc herniation, minimally invasive treatment, foraminoplasty, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy

Objective. To compare the effects of group-based and individual-based Tai Chi training on nonmotor symptoms in patients with mild to moderate Parkinson’s disease. Design. Randomized controlled pilot study. Methods. 36 community-dwelling patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) were randomly assigned to either group-based training group (n=19) or individual-based group (n=17). Both groups received same content of Tai Chi training 3 times a week for 13 weeks. Participants were also asked to perform home exercises daily. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale was used to assess global nonmotor symptoms change. Sleep quality, depression, and cognition were evaluated by Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale, Hamilton Depression Scale, and Beijing version-Montreal Cognitive Assessment, respectively. Home exercise compliance was recorded. Results. There was no significant difference between two groups at baseline. After 13 weeks, there were no statistical significance between two groups. However, the within-group effect was different. Participants in group-based and individual-based groups showed a significant improvement on global nonmotor symptoms (P<0.001, P=0.004) and sleep (P<0.001, P<0.001). But only group-based training patients presented a significant improvement in cognitive impairment compared with baseline (P=0.002, P-0.116). For depression, no group gained a significant improvement(P=0.123, P=0.170). Group-based participants had a higher home-exercise compliance rate (HeCR) than individual-based participants did (P=0.019), and HeCR showed a moderate correlation with MoCA-BJ and NMSS scores changes in this study. Conclusion. Group-based Tai Chi training is considered to be a more effective and a more labor-saving method in the clinical settings, and patients tend to have a higher compliance rate in their home exercise program. This study is registered with ChiCTR-IPR-17010388.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with vascular cognitive impairment no dementia (VCIND) in comparison with citicoline, an agent for cognitive disturbances associated with chronic cerebral disorders. Design: A randomized controlled multicenter trial. Setting: In three hospitals in Beijing, China. Subjects: A total of 216 patients with VCIND were recruited. Interventions: Patients with VCIND (mean age of 65.4 years) were randomized to receive acupuncture (two sessions per week) or oral citicoline (100 mg three times daily) over three months. Main measures: The primary outcome was the change from baseline to three months in cognitive symptom, measured by Alzheimer’s disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Secondary outcomes included changes from baseline to six months in ADAS-cog, executive function measured by the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), and functional disability measured by the Ability of Daily Living (ADL) scale at three and six months. Results: At three months, the acupuncture group had a greater decrease in mean ADAS-cog score (−2.33 ± 0.31) than the citicoline group (−1.38 ± 0.34) with a mean difference of −0.95 (95% CI, −1.84 to −0.07, P = 0.035). The mean change from baseline to six months in ADAS-cog also significantly favored acupuncture treatments (acupuncture change −2.61 vs citicoline −1.25, difference: −1.36 points; 95% CI, −2.20 to −0.51; P = 0.002). There was no difference between the two groups on CDT and ADL scores at either time point. Conclusion: Compared with citicoline, acupuncture has comparable and even superior efficacy with improved cognitive and daily living performance as a complementary and alternative medicine treatment for VCIND.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) occurs in 9% to 34% of herpes zoster (HZ) patients, and the incidence of PHN is positively correlated with age. A number of patients suffer from poor therapeutic effects or intolerable side effects and need to accept minimally invasive analgesia. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) on the treatment of elderly patients with HZ-related pain persisting beyond the acute phase. Study Design: A prospective, randomized-controlled trial. Setting: Research was conducted at the National Pain Management and Research Center, ChinaJapan Friendship Hospital (Beijing, China). Methods: We selected 63 patients aged over 50 years with zoster-related pain of 1 to 6 months onset. They were randomly divided into an SCS group and a PRF group. In the SCS group, the stimulus electrodes were placed in the affected spinal ganglion segment of the epidural space for 2 weeks. In the PRF group, the radiofrequency needle was percutaneously punctured in the affected dorsal root ganglion. The main outcome measures were the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11) score, response rate, and complete remission rate. The secondary endpoint was defined as the use of analgesics and calcium channel antagonists. Results: The NRS-11 score in the SCS group decreased to 2.90 ± 1.83 (1 week post operation) and 4.37 ± 2.43 (24 weeks post operation), while that in the PRF group decreased to 3.13 ± 1.78 and 4.23 ± 2.64, respectively (compared with baseline, P < .001); there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P > .05) . The effective rate of pain management was in the range of 56.67% to 81.25%, and the complete pain relief rate ranged from 37% to 71%. The number of patients still using analgesics and calcium channel antagonists after operation were significantly less than those pre-operation (P < .001). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the operation method, age, gender, and course of disease did not affect surgical efficacy. Limitations: The main limitation of this study is that all the cases were from the same center. Conclusion: It therefore can be concluded that SCS and PRF can effectively relieve PHN. Key words: Spinal cord stimulation, pulsed radiofrequency, postherpetic neuralgia