Intra-arterial administration of cell-based biological agents for ischemic stroke therapy

Introduction: Ischemic stroke is becoming a primary cause of disability and death worldwide. To date, therapeutic options remain limited focusing on mechanical thrombolysis or administration of thrombolytic agents. However, these therapies do not promote neuroprotection and neuro-restoration of the ischemic area of the brain.

Areas covered: This review highlights the option of minimal invasive, intra-arterial, administration of biological agents for stroke therapy. The authors provide an update of all available studies, discuss issues that influence outcomes and describe future perspectives which aim to improve clinical outcomes. New therapeutic options based on cellular and molecular interactions following an ischemic brain event, will be highlighted.

Expert opinion: Intra-arterial administration of biological agents during trans-catheter thrombolysis or thrombectomy could limit neuronal cell death and facilitate regeneration or neurogenesis following ischemic brain injury. Despite the initial progress, further meticulous studies are needed in order to establish the clinical use of stem cell-induced neuroprotection and neuroregeneration.     

Fractal dimension in CT low attenuation areas is predictive of long-term oxygen therapy initiation in COPD patients: Results from two observational cohort studies

BackgroundSome chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients develop hypoxemia with disease progression, with some even requiring long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). Lung function, especially diffusing capacity, and the annual decline in PaO₂, are reported to be predictive factors of chronic respiratory failure. However, the association between lung morphometry evaluated using computed tomography (CT) images and LTOT initiation is unknown.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated the relationship between clinical indices, including pulmonary function, body mass index (BMI), and CT parameters, at baseline and LTOT initiation in two prospective COPD cohorts. In the Nara Medical University cohort (n = 76), the low attenuation area (LAA) and its fractal dimension (fractal D) were adapted as the indices for parenchymal destruction in CT images. The association between these CT measurements and LTOT initiation was replicated in the Kyoto University cohort (n = 130).ResultsIn the Nara Medical University cohort, lower BMI (hazard ratio [HR]:0.70, p = 0.006), lower % diffusing capacity (%DLCO) (HR: 0.92, p = 0.006), lower %DLCO/VA (HR, 0.90, p = 0.008), higher RV/TLC (HR, 1.26, p = 0.012), higher LAA% (HR: 1.18, p = 0.001), and lower fractal D (HR: 3.27 × 10^?8, p < 0.001) were associated with LTOT initiation. Multivariate analysis in the Kyoto University cohort confirmed that lower %DLCO and lower fractal D were independently associated with LTOT initiation, whereas LAA% was not.ConclusionFractal D, which is the index for morphometric complexity of LAA in CT analysis, is predictive of LTOT initiation in COPD patients.     

Perfusion pressure flow study in the upper urinary tract

Hydronephrosis with an undetermined pathology is a common condition detected in imaging studies. In urological clinical practice, it is a persistent dilemma to predict whether this condition will progress to result in the deterioration of renal function. Perfusion pressure flow study of the upper urinary tract, known as the Whitaker test, provides an alternative diagnostic tool for solving this condition. Perfusion pressure flow study has been criticized for its invasiveness, nonphysiological approach, and inconsistency in predicting outcomes. However, it continues to be used to evaluate difficult or equivocal cases and to provide an objective assessment of the upper urinary tract.     

Acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos to the non-target organism Cnesterodon decemmaculatus

Chlorpyrifos is the most used insecticide in Argentina. Cnesterodon decemmaculatus is a widely distributed, endemic fish from Neotropical America. It attains high densities in the shallow water assemblages of Argentina and Brazil. The aim of this study was to assess the acute toxicity of chlorpyrifos to C. decemmaculatus. The mean 96-h LC₅₀ of three independent determinations was 105.3 (±?3.1) μg/L. Sublethal effects were observed. Swimming behavioral changes at each chlorpyrifos exposure concentration were reported. C. decemmaculatus represents a good model for ecotoxicological risk assessment.     

甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿的长期随访研究

目的探究甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患儿的应用价值。方法选取2015年5月~2018年6月收治的74例ALL患儿,按照治疗方案不同分组。对照组(37例)实施VDLD方案治疗,联合组(37例)实施甲磺酸伊马替尼+VDLD化疗方案治疗。对比两组疗效、不良反应发生率、随访1年无复发生存率(RFS)及治疗前、治疗2个疗程后血清B淋巴细胞刺激因子(BAFF)、增殖诱导配体(APRIL)水平。结果联合组总有效率(91.89%)高于对照组(72.97%)(P<0.05);联合组治疗2个疗程后血清BAFF、APRIL水平低于对照组(P<0.05);两组不良反应发生率、随访1年RFS对比无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗ALL,疗效确切,能显著降低血清BAFF、APRIL水平,且安全性高。     

支气管哮喘急性发作期气道炎症表型与中医辨证分型的关系

支气管哮喘是由多种细胞和细胞组分参与的气道慢性炎症性疾病,其气道炎症反应的复杂性,给临床诊断和治疗带来了困难[1]。2009年全球哮喘防治倡议(GINA)第一次提出“表型”这一概念,并提出基于表型分类有助于哮喘治疗及判断预后[2]。中医药治疗哮喘有其独特优势,但辨证分型缺乏明确统一的客观化、量化指标。     

护士分层级管理对急性肝炎患者护理满意度的影响

目的分析护士分层级管理的实施对急性肝炎患者护理满意度的影响。方法该院自2018年3月起实施护士分层级管理,以该院10名肝病科护理人员为研究对象,其中2017年3月—2018年2月实施前(对照组)及2018年3月—2019年2月实施后(研究组)的管理效果。结果与对照组比较,研究组患者的病房管理、患者护理、文书书写、基础护理、入院宣教方面的护理质量评分均明显升高(P<0.05);与对照组82.29%的护理总满意率比较,研究组护理总满意率显著升高,达到了97.92%(P<0.05);与对照组工作自我满意度比较,研究组患者的自我价值体现等方面的工作自我满意度评分均明显升高(P<0.05)。结论护士分层级管理策略的实施,有效提高了急性肝炎患者护理满意度,提升了科室护理质量。     

胸腔镜下心包厚壁囊肿切除术1例报告

面对来势汹汹的新型冠状病毒肺炎(COVID-19),如何能够正确、快速诊断和筛检出确诊病例显得尤为重要,国内诸多科技工作者都在积极开展相关的诊断试验研究。本文回顾了目前正在开展的十余项诊断试验的注册信息,针对其中存在的共性问题进行了讨论,重点阐述了如何使用PICOS原则构造COVID-19诊断试验的研究问题,还对金标准的设置、受试者的代表性、样本量计算和同步、独立、盲法的测定等诊断试验的设计要点进行了详细说明。旨在为广大研究者提供开展COVID-19诊断试验的设计建议,帮助研究者在顶层设计阶段减少、避免偏倚,完成高质量的临床研究,为临床诊疗提供循证医学证据。     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.