Influenza vaccination and the endurance against air pollution among elderly with acute coronary syndrome

ObjectiveAir pollution, weather condition and influenza are known risk factors of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) among elderly people. The influenza vaccine (IV) has been shown to reduce major cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to compare resistance to air pollution and weather factors causing ACS between vaccinated and less-vaccinated elderly people.MethodsA case–crossover design was applied to 1835 elderly ACS patients who were obtained from the 1-million sample of Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Data with inclusion criteria: (1) the first diagnosis of ACS was in cold season and at age 68 or more, (2) had received the free IV program at least once during the period 3 years before the ACS. They were stratified into two groups: 707 had received flu vaccinations for all the 3 years and the remaining 1128 had not. The measurements of air pollutants, temperature, and humidity corresponding to each of the 3 days prior to the ACS diagnosis date were retrieved from the data banks of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration and Central Weather Bureau.FindingsIncreases in air pollution concentrations of CO, NO₂, PM₁₀ or PM_2.5 and decreases in temperature significantly influenced the risk of ACS for the non-continuously vaccinated elderly population; however, less significant effects were observed for the continuously vaccinated population.ConclusionConsecutive influenza vaccination may potentially offer resistance against the detrimental effects of air pollution and changes in temperature in frail elderly adults with ACS. Future studies are needed to directly assess the interaction effect between the vaccination and environmental factors on ACS.     

Acute liver injury,acute liver failure and acute on chronic liver failure: A clinical spectrum of poisoning due to Gyromitra esculenta

Gyromitra esculenta, also known as “false morel” is one of the most poisonous mushrooms. This species is found all over the world, growing in coniferous forest in early spring time. Common manifestation of poisoning includes gastrointestinal symptoms which include varied degrees of liver impairment.We describe three cases: acute liver injury, acute liver failure and acute-on-chronic liver failure due to G. esculenta poisoning. At admission patients presented with encephalopathy and features of liver failure. Two of them recovered completely following supportive management while the remaining patient who also had preexisting liver disease developed multiorgan failure and subsequently died.Although a rare occurrence, G. esculenta poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute liver failure.     

A new era of immuno-oncology in acute myeloid leukemia - antibody-based therapies and immune checkpoint inhibition

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a therapeutically challenging malignancy with high rate of relapse and poor outcomes. There has been increased understanding of the molecular characteristics of AML and the various roles of the immune system in its pathogenesis, the result of which has led to the study and development of multiple immune-based approaches for this disease. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the recent advancements made in antibody-based approaches to the treatment of AML including monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and immune checkpoint inhibition. In addition, we provide insight and discuss the promise of these agents, some of which may soon enter the therapeutic armamentarium we currently employ against this lethal disease.     

脑小血管病

目的探讨伴皮质下梗死和白质脑病的常染色体显性遗传性脑动脉病(cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy,CADASIL)患者脑微出血(cerebral microbleeds,CMBs)的分布特征及临床意义。方法回顾性纳入2017年6月-2019年12月北京协和医院基因确诊的连续CADASIL患者21例(CADASIL组),以及性别匹配的高血压动脉硬化性脑小血管病患者21例(高血压脑小血管病组)。所有患者均行头MRI检查(含T2^*/SWI序列),盲法读片并记录CMBs的数量和部位,分析两组CMBs分布的差异。结果CADASIL组年龄和常见血管病危险因素比例均低于高血压脑小血管病组。CADASIL组47.6%患者检出CMBs(共计115个),而高血压脑小血管病组高达95.2%(共计218个)。CADASIL组CMBs分布以丘脑最常受累(45.2%),其次是脑叶(皮层/皮层下,35.7%)、基底节(11.3%)。高血压脑小血管病组则以丘脑以外的基底节CMBs最多见(35.3%),其次是脑叶(26.6%)、丘脑(19.2%)、脑干(16.1%)。CADASIL患者丘脑CMBs/总CMBs比例、丘脑CMBs/(基底节CMBs+脑干CMBs)比例均高于高血压脑小血管病组(均P<0.001)。结论CADASIL患者CMBs分布以丘脑最常见,其次是皮层/皮层下区域,而高血压脑小血管病患者则以丘脑以外的基底节、脑干更常见。     

Relationship between 3D lower limb bone morphology and 3D gait variables in children with uni and bilateral Cerebral Palsy

BackgroundMedical and surgical interventions to prevent or reduce bone deformities and improve gait in children with cerebral palsy (CP) are based on empirical evidence that there is a relationship between bone deformities and gait deviations.Research questionWhat is the relationship between tibial-femoral bone morphology and kinematic gait variables in ambulant children with CP?MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 121 children with uni- (n = 64, mean age 9.9 (SD 3.4) years) and bi- lateral (n = 57, mean age 10.4 (SD 3.6) years) CP who had undergone 3D gait analysis and biplanar X-rays (EOS® system). The limbs were split as DIP (the more impaired limb of children with bilateral CP), HEMI (the impaired limb of unilateral CP) and REF (the unimpaired limb of unilateral CP). Multi-variable Linear Regressions were performed between 23 kinematic variables, the Gait Deviation Index (GDI) and a model composed of nine 3D bone variables for each limb type.ResultsWhen the whole sample was pooled, 72% of R² values were poor, 16% were fair, and 12% were moderate. Lower limb bone morphology models explained less than 1% of GDI variability. Correlations between tibial-femoral rotational parameters and hip rotation were mostly poor. Mean foot progression angle was the only kinematic parameter that was fairly to moderately correlated with bone variables in the 3 limb types. A tibial-femoral bone model explained 48% of the variability of mean foot progression angle in the REF limbs, 31% in the HEMI limbs and 25% in the DIP limbs.SignificanceTibial-femoral bone morphology was only weakly related to kinematic gait variables, in contrast with common clinical assumptions. These results suggest that factors other than bone morphology influence gait quality and thus a thorough clinical examination and gait analysis is required prior to making treatment decisions.     

Effect of regular swimming exercise to duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model

Objective: This study investigated the effect of regular swimming exercise according to the duration-intensity on neurocognitive function in a cerebral infarction rat model.

Methods: Forty male Sprague–Dawley 10-week-old rats, weighing 300 ± 50 g, were subjected to photothrombotic cerebral infarction. The remaining 36 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 9 per group: non-exercise (group A); swimming exercise of short duration-intensity (5 min/day, group B); swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity (10 min/day, group C); and swimming exercise of long duration-intensity (20 min/day, group D). Exercise was performed five times a week for 4 weeks, beginning the day after cerebral infarction. Neurocognitive function was evaluated with the Morris water maze test. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis examined brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 4 weeks postinfarction.

Results: At 4 weeks postinfarction, escape latency was found to be shorter in group C than in any of groups A, B, or D. Immunohistochemistry revealed the most significant immunoreactivity for BDNF and VEGF in group C. Western blot analysis demonstrated that BDNF and VEGF proteins were markedly expressed in group C.

Conclusions: Regular swimming exercise of moderate duration-intensity may be the most effective exercise protocol for the recovery of neurocognitive function in cerebral infarction rat model.     

清热化瘀汤对急性脑出血患者血清hs-CRP、血浆S100β蛋白和NSE的影响

目的:探究清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血浆S100β蛋白和神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的影响。方法:选择2017年5月—2019年5月在我院神经内科就诊符合纳入标准的80例急性脑出血患者,随机分为联合组(40例)和依达拉奉组(40例),两组均给予基础治疗和依达拉奉静脉滴注治疗,联合组则在此基础上加用清热化瘀汤。观察并比较两组的临床疗效、神经功能缺损程度评分(NIHSS)、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。结果:联合组的总有效率为95%(38/40),显著高于依达拉奉组的总有效率75%(30/40)(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组NIHSS评分降低,GCS评分升高,且联合组NIHSS评分明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05),GCS评分高于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及均脑血肿量均低于治疗前,且联合组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。结论:清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者具有良好的疗效,可显著改善其神经缺损,降低hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。     

SWIM技术治疗后循环大血管闭塞所致急性缺血性卒中的有效性和安全性观察

目的 观察SWIM技术治疗后循环大血管闭塞所致急性缺血性卒中的有效性及安全性。 方法 回顾性分析2017年2月-2018年11月于大连市中心医院采用SWIM技术治疗的后循环大血管闭 塞所致急性缺血性卒中患者的临床资料，评价该技术的疗效和安全性，并分析影响患者预后的因素。 观察指标为术后即刻成功再通（mTICI≥2b）、90 d良好预后（mRS评分≤2分），以及术后24 h任何颅内 出血、90 d全因死亡。 结果 共纳入35例患者，平均年龄66.1±12.1岁，男性26例（74.3%），基线NIHSS评分22（15～34）分。 术后即刻成功再通率为94.3%（33/35），90 d良好预后率为45.7%（16/35），24 h颅内出血率为17.1% （6/35），90 d全因死亡率为37.1%（13/35）。单因素分析显示，基线NIHSS评分较低（P =0.001）、基 线后循环ASPECTS评分较高（P =0.016）、发病至到院时间较短（P =0.039）、发病至再通时间较短 （P =0.047）、血管成功再通率较高（P =0.036）以及饮酒比例较低（P =0.042）与良好预后相关。 结论 使用SWIM技术治疗后循环急性缺血性卒中相对安全、有效。     

自拟温润方治疗风寒袭肺型急性咳嗽病的临床观察

目的 观察自拟温润方治疗风寒袭肺型急性咳嗽病的临床疗效。方法 64例风寒袭肺型急性咳嗽病患者,随机分为对照组(31例)和治疗组(33例)。对照组患者给予复方甘草口服溶液治疗,治疗组患者给予温润方治疗。比较两组患者治疗前和治疗3、6 d后的中医症状评分以及临床疗效。结果 治疗3、6 d后,两组患者咳嗽、咯痰、恶风、咽痒、鼻塞、流涕、鼻干、口干咽燥症状评分均低于治疗前,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组患者治疗3 d后咳嗽、咽痒、鼻干、口干咽燥症状评分分别为(2.18±0.98)、(1.15±0.81)、(0.60±0.61)、(0.81±0.71)分,均低于对照组的(3.04±1.62)、(1.68±0.96)、(0.96±0.67)、(1.37±0.86)分,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组患者治疗6 d后咳嗽、咽痒、鼻干、口干咽燥症状评分分别为(0.54±0.51)、(0.42±0.48)、(0.40±0.46)、(0.47±0.51)分,均低于对照组的(1.12±0.76)、(1.11±0.98)、(0.88±0.98)、(1.01±0.92)分,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组患者治疗3、6 d后咯痰、恶风、鼻塞、流涕症状评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗3 d后,治疗组治疗总有效率90.9%高于对照组的71.0%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗6 d后,治疗组患者治疗总有效率93.9%与对照组的90.3%比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 在风寒袭肺型急性咳嗽病治疗中,温润方在缓解咳嗽以及部分次症方面明显优于复方甘草口服溶液,起效更快。