Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Tetralogy of Fallot: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundAlthough there are robust data about the pathophysiology and prognostic implications of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with acquired heart disease, similar prognostic data about LV systolic dysfunction are sparse in the tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) population. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of all studies that assessed the relationship between LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) defined as death, aborted sudden death, or sustained ventricular tachycardia.MethodsWe used random-effects models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsOf the 1,809 citations, 7 studies with 2,854 patients (age 28 ± 4 years) were included. During 5.6 ± 3.4 years' follow-up, there were 82 deaths, 17 aborted sudden cardiac deaths, and 56 sustained ventricular tachycardia events. Overall, CAEs occurred in 5.1% (144 patients). As a continuous variable, LVEF was a predictor of CAE (HR 1.29, 95% CI, 1.09-1.53, P = 0.001) per 5% decrease in LVEF. Similarly, LVEF < 40% was also a predictor of CAE (HR 3.22, 95% CI, 2.16-4.80, P < 0.001).ConclusionsLV systolic dysfunction was an independent predictor of CAE, and we observed a 30% increase in the risk of CAE for every 5% decrease in LVEF, and a 3-fold increase in the risk of CAE in patients with LVEF <40% compared with other patients. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating LV systolic function in clinical risk stratification of patients with TOF and the need to explore new treatment options to address this problem.     

The roles of prostaglandin E2 and D2 in lipopolysaccharide-mediated changes in sleep

When living organisms become sick as a result of a bacterial infection, a suite of brain-mediated responses occur, including fever, anorexia and sleepiness. Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a common constituent of bacterial cell walls, increases body temperature and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in animals and induces the production of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins (PGs). PGE₂ is the principal mediator of fever, and both PGE₂ and PGD₂ regulate sleep–wake behavior. The extent to which PGE₂ and PGD₂ are involved in the effect of LPS on NREM sleep remains to be clarified. Therefore, we examined LPS-induced changes in body temperature and NREM sleep in mice with nervous system-specific knockouts (KO) for the PGE₂ receptors type EP₃ or EP₄, in mice with total body KO of microsomal PGE synthase-1 or the PGD₂ receptor type DP, and in mice treated with the cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor meloxicam. We observed that LPS-induced NREM sleep was slightly attenuated in mice lacking EP₄ receptors in the nervous system, but was not affected in any of the other KO mice or in mice pretreated with the COX inhibitor. These results suggest that the effect of LPS on NREM sleep is partially dependent on PGs and is likely mediated mainly by other pro-inflammatory substances. In addition, our data show that the main effect of LPS on body temperature is hypothermia in the absence of nervous system EP₃ receptors or in the presence of a COX inhibitor.     

我院护士在职教育的体会

本文针对不同层次护理人员制定不同的培训目标和计划,采取岗前培训,岗位培训(专科培训、在职分层培训、护理人才培训),自学等形式,开展护士在职教育,不断扩充更新知识,以适应现代护理工作要求。     

Risk Factors for a First Febrile Seizure: A Matched Case-Control Study

Summary We conducted a matched casecontrol study to identify risk factors for first febrile seizures, with special emphasis on characteristics of the acute illness episode. Cases were identified through hospital emergency departments; controls were identified through outpatient clinics and emergency departments. Sixtynine children with first febrile seizures and no history of previous unprovoked seizures were matched for age (±6 months), site of routine pediatric care, and date of visit (±weeks) with 1 or 2 febrile controls who had no history of previous febrile or unprovoked seizures. Medical records for the index visit were reviewed, and parents were interviewed by telephone. Illness characteristics examined included height of temperature, type of underlying illness, contact with a physician during the illness but before the index visit, and use of acetaminophen or decongestants. Family history of febrile and of unprovoked seizures, sociodemographic characteristics, daycare use, and selected preand perinatal variables were also studied. On multivariable analysis, significant independent risk factors were height of temperature, history of febrile seizures in a firstor in a higher degree relative. Gastroenteritis as the underlying illness had a significant inverse (i.e., protective) association with febrile seizures. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was a marginally significant predictor of febrile seizures.     

121例重症恶性疟疾的临床抢救

目的重症恶性疟疾病情重，变化快，并发症多，患者若抢救不及时常可导致死亡，为观察疗效，总结121例重症恶性疟患者的临床抢救情况。方法用国产青蒿琥酯、蒿甲醚和法国产Quinimax配合一系列综合治疗。结果抢救121例重症恶性疟疾患者，共治愈103例（85．1％），死亡18例（14．9％）。结论早期诊断，积极预防并发症是降低死亡率的主要环节。     

肾综合征出血热地鼠肾细胞Ⅱ型灭活疫苗的安全性、免疫性及其流行病学效果考核

目的：考核HFRS地鼠肾细胞Ⅱ型灭活疫苗的安全性、免疫法及其流行病学效果。方法：采用间接免疫荧光抗体试验（IFA）、微量细胞变性中和试验（MCPENT），检测接种者血中荧光抗体及中和抗体水平；调查接种组与对照组发病情况。结果：以怀宁、广德两县18个村为疫苗观察现场，接种组7499人，对照组7261人，中强反应率为224％（5／223）。3针全程免疫后中和抗体阳转率为63．33％（19／30），荧光抗体阳转率为38.58％（27／70）；接种后1年内接种组无发病，对照组发病3例。结论：该疫苗的安全性较好；有一定水平的免疫应答，但防病效果应进一步观察确证。