创伤高血糖与感染和MODS早期诊断和干预

本文详细介绍了创伤后血糖应激适度理论,以及高血糖与感染和多器官功能不全综合征的关系;提出涉及胰岛B细胞功能不全的MODS实验诊断新方案和极化液个体化干预新措施,可早期发现创伤MODS、降低感染率及MODS发生率和病死率。     

腹膜后纤维化与肾积水发生关系的临床研究

目的：探讨腹膜后纤维化（RPF）导致肾积水的原因及诊治经验。方法：回顾分析2004年1月—2010年12月24例腹膜后纤维化致肾积水患者的诊治资料。结果：（1）RPF患者常见首发症状为腰背痛或腹痛（69.2%）;（2）红细胞沉降率（ESR）增快和血清IgG4升高最常见。超声检查仅提示上尿路积水。RPF的静脉肾盂造影（IVP）和CT尿路成像（CTU）表现具有特征性。IVP肾盂输尿管显影不良时,CTU能较清晰的显示上尿路影像。CT扫描发现腹膜后软组织肿块9例（37.5%）,优于超声检查;（3）输尿管松解和腹腔化手术治疗22例;行肾切除术1例;行输尿管置双J管术1例。最终确诊为继发性RPF8例,其中4例为术前诊断,3例为术中腹膜后软组织肿块冷冻活检证实,1例为术后病理证实;（4）特发性RPF手术后肾积水均获长期缓解,而继发性RPF的预后取决于原发疾病及其治疗方案。结论：影像学检查是诊断RPF的重要手段,CTU优于超声检查和IVP。输尿管松解和腹腔化手术可以使特发性RPF输尿管梗阻得到长期的缓解,术中对肿块进行冷冻活检有助于鉴别特发性和继发性RPF,及时调整治疗方案。     

Fibrinogen and fibrin structure and functions

Fibrinogen molecules are comprised of two sets of disulfide-bridged Aalpha-, Bbeta-, and gamma-chains. Each molecule contains two outer D domains connected to a central E domain by a coiled-coil segment. Fibrin is formed after thrombin cleavage of fibrinopeptide A (FPA) from fibrinogen Aalpha-chains, thus initiating fibrin polymerization. Double-stranded fibrils form through end-to-middle domain (D:E) associations, and concomitant lateral fibril associations and branching create a clot network. Fibrin assembly facilitates intermolecular antiparallel C-terminal alignment of gamma-chain pairs, which are then covalently 'cross-linked' by factor XIII ('plasma protransglutaminase') or XIIIa to form 'gamma-dimers'. In addition to its primary role of providing scaffolding for the intravascular thrombus and also accounting for important clot viscoelastic properties, fibrin(ogen) participates in other biologic functions involving unique binding sites, some of which become exposed as a consequence of fibrin formation. This review provides details about fibrinogen and fibrin structure, and correlates this information with biological functions that include: (i) suppression of plasma factor XIII-mediated cross-linking activity in blood by binding the factor XIII A2B2 complex. (ii) Non-substrate thrombin binding to fibrin, termed antithrombin I (AT-I), which down-regulates thrombin generation in clotting blood. (iii) Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA)-stimulated plasminogen activation by fibrin that results from formation of a ternary tPA-plasminogen-fibrin complex. Binding of inhibitors such as alpha2-antiplasmin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, lipoprotein(a), or histidine-rich glycoprotein, impairs plasminogen activation. (iv) Enhanced interactions with the extracellular matrix by binding of fibronectin to fibrin(ogen). (v) Molecular and cellular interactions of fibrin beta15-42. This sequence binds to heparin and mediates platelet and endothelial cell spreading, fibroblast proliferation, and capillary tube formation. Interactions between beta15-42 and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, an endothelial cell receptor, also promote capillary tube formation and angiogenesis. These activities are enhanced by binding of growth factors like fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1. (vi) Fibrinogen binding to the platelet alpha(IIb)beta3 receptor, which is important for incorporating platelets into a developing thrombus. (vii) Leukocyte binding to fibrin(ogen) via integrin alpha(M)beta2 (Mac-1), which is a high affinity receptor on stimulated monocytes and neutrophils.     

Migraine and genetic and acquired vasculopathies

It is remarkable that migraine is a prominent part of the phenotype of several genetic vasculopathies, including cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL), retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukodystrophy (RVCL) and hereditary infantile hemiparessis, retinal arteriolar tortuosity and leukoencephalopahty (HIHRATL). The mechanisms by which these genetic vasculopathies give rise to migraine are still unclear. Common genetic susceptibility, increased susceptibility to cortical spreading depression (CSD) and vascular endothelial dysfunction are among the possible explanations. The relation between migraine and acquired vasculopathies such as ischaemic stroke and coronary heart disease has long been established, further supporting a role of the (cerebral) blood vessels in migraine. This review focuses on genetic and acquired vasculopathies associated with migraine. We speculate how genetic and acquired vascular mechanisms might be involved in migraine.     

Telemedicine and teleradiology technologies and applications

Summary. Telemedicine and teleradiology hold the key for improving future health care delivery. In this paper we first review current communication and computer technologies used in telemedicine and teleradiology. Five examples in teleradiology applications are given including hospital-integrated picture archiving and communication systems, tele-neuro-imaging, telemammography, university consortium teleradiology service, and teleradiology for second opinion. Parameters important to teleradiology applications like costs, image quality, system reliability, and turn around time are considered. Data security is discussed, including patient confidentiality and image authenticity-which will be a major issue in future teleradiology applications.     

Physician and Nurse Practitioner Teamwork and Job Satisfaction: Gender and Profession

Designing interprofessional primary care teams composed of physicians and nurse practitioners (NPs) is a national priority. We assessed how profession and gender affect teamwork and job satisfaction among primary care physicians and NPs by using survey data from 186 physicians and 398 NPs practicing in New York State. Our regression models show profession (NP vs physician) moderates the associations of gender with teamwork and job satisfaction. Among NPs, men had higher job satisfaction than women. Among physicians, women had higher job satisfaction than men. Our results can benefit interprofessional primary care teams to optimize their professional and gender mix.     

Acetaminophen and acetylcysteine dose and duration: Past,present and future

Abstract

Acetylcysteine has been utilized successfully in the treatment of acetaminophen overdose since the 1970s. Although prospective trials as to efficacy and safety of acetylcysteine were conducted, there were no randomized controlled trials. This commentary addresses the reasons for this, and the background to choice of dose of acetylcysteine utilized in the oral and IV dosing regimens. Nomograms to predict possible hepatotoxicity based upon time of ingestion of acetaminophen were developed from a relatively arbitrary definition of toxicity as an aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (ALT/AST) greater than 1000 IU/L. While these have proved generally useful, patients still continue to develop hepatic damage after acetaminophen overdose, particularly if they present late after ingestion. The optimum management of these patients remains unclear, and one area of uncertainty is the dose and duration of acetylcysteine in various circumstances. This article discusses the issues that need to be elucidated to better target changes in acetylcysteine dose. The potential for measurements of other markers to improve treatment selection is the subject of further research.     

Trust and distrust between patient and doctor

To trust someone is to have expectations of their behaviour; distrust often involves disappointed expectations. But healthy trust and distrust require a good understanding of which expectations are reasonable, and which are not. In this paper, I discuss the limits of trustworthiness by drawing on recent studies of trust in the context of defensive medicine, biobanking and cardiopulmonary resuscitation decisions.