全身运动评估家庭录像法在早产儿神经发育随访中的可行性研究

目的了解全身运动(general movements,GMs)评估的家庭录像法在早产儿神经发育随访中的可行性和稳定性。方法对家长进行早期筛查随访重要性教育和取得合格家庭GMs录像的相关培训,在家中摄录GMs,通过网络传至GMsQQ群进行评估随访,对家庭录像从录像质量、次数及评估者间信度进行分析,了解家庭录像法评估的可行性,调查未参加家庭GMs录像的原因。结果 GMs家庭录像质量能接近临床标准化录像水平,且能序列录像,评估者间信度较好。结论 GMs评估家庭录像法具有可行性,可作为标准化GMs评估的补充方法,适合在经济欠发达地区推广。     

Plasma total homocysteine levels and prognosis in patients with previous premature myocardial infarction: a 10-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES: To explore plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) as a predictor of long-term prognosis after premature myocardial infarction (MI). DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTINGS: Akershus University Hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 247 patients (193 men and 54 women) in stable clinical phase after premature MI (males: first MI at age < or =55; females < or =60). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end-point was total mortality and the secondary end-point was cardiac death. The third end-point was major cardiac events: a combination of cardiac death, MI and cardiac arrest. RESULTS: After 10 years, 44 patients had died, 36 from cardiac causes. Major cardiac event occurred in 70 patients. The relative risk for death of all causes increased 1.43 (95% CI, 1.08-1.88) per tHcy quartile (P for trend = 0.01), and was only modestly reduced after adjustment for age, ejection fraction, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, smoking and hypertension to 1.37 (95% CI, 1.04-1.80) (P for trend = 0.03). Similar results were observed when cardiac death was used as the end-point, but we observed no association between tHcy and the end-point major cardiac event. CONCLUSIONS: Total homocysteine was an independent predictor of total and cardiac mortality in stable patients following premature MI. tHcy had no effect on major cardiac event in contrast to most other risk factors in this study. Thus, the mechanism(s) underlying the effects of homocysteine on coronary heart disease may differ from other risk factors.     

High preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen predicts metastatic recurrence in potentially curative colonic cancer: Results of a five-year study

INTRODUCTION: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen is used mainly for tumor follow-up to detect recurrence of colonic cancer. However, raised preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels may be helpful for the identification of understaged cases and of patients meriting more intensive preoperative and postoperative diagnostic workup. METHODS: From a prospectively collected database, the data on 261 patients who had curative colonic carcinoma with a minimal follow-up of five years and who had preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels assessed were retrieved and analyzed. Outcome parameters were local and/or distant recurrence and time to recurrence. These parameters were correlated with Dukes staging and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels. RESULTS: The cumulative diseasefree survival of patients with a preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level within the normal range was significantly better than that of those whose carcinoembryonic antigen was 5 ng/ml or more (P=0.001). No patient with carcinoembryonic antigen levels less than 1 ng/ml developed metastatic recurrence. Twenty-three percent of all patients with a raised carcinoembryonic antigen above 5 ng/ml compared with 2.1 percent of patients with carcinoembryonic antigen below 5 ng/ml developed a metastasis at two years. At five years, these figures were 37.2 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively. Dukes staging and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were found to be directly correlated (P<0.001) when all patients were included. Carcinoembryonic antigen of more of 15 ng/ml was found to be a significant adverse prognostic indicator for disease-free survival irrespective of Dukes staging (P<0.02). Raised carcinoembryonic antigen levels predicted distant metastatic recurrence (P<0.001) but did not predict local recurrence (P=0.72). CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels above 15 ng/ml predicted an increased risk of metastatic recurrence in potentially curative colonic cancer and may indicate undetectable disseminated disease. Preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels predict understaging and the possibility of distant recurrence. Such patients may therefore be selected for adjuvant therapy where indicated. Therefore, carcinoembryonic antigen is complementary to conventional Dukes staging for the prediction of recurrence and survival.     

Long-Term Follow-Up in Patients With Stable Angina and Unobstructed Coronary Arteries Undergoing Intracoronary Acetylcholine Testing

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prognosis of a large cohort of patients with stable angina and unobstructed coronaries undergoing acetylcholine spasm testing.BackgroundCoronary artery spasm can be found in up to 60% of patients with symptoms of myocardial ischemia despite unobstructed coronary arteries.MethodsConsecutive symptomatic patients with unobstructed coronary arteries undergoing acetylcholine testing to detect epicardial or microvascular coronary spasm were prospectively enrolled. After a median follow-up period of 7.2 years (6.5 to 7.9 years), data regarding mortality, nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, repeat coronary angiography, recurrent symptoms, and quality of life were obtained in 736 patients (57% women, mean age 62 ± 12 years).ResultsIn total, 55 deaths (7.5%), 8 nonfatal myocardial infarctions (1.4%), and 12 strokes (2.2%) occurred during the follow-up period. Recurrent symptoms were reported by 64% of patients, and repeat coronary angiography was performed in 12% of cases. Multivariate analysis revealed epicardial spasm as a predictor of nonfatal myocardial infarction (hazard ratio: 14.469; 95% confidence interval: 1.735 to 120.646) and repeat angiography (hazard ratio: 1.703; 95% confidence interval: 1.062 to 2.732), whereas patients with microvascular spasm more often had recurrent angina at follow-up (hazard ratio: 1.311; 95% confidence interval: 1.013 to 1.697).ConclusionsIn this long-term follow-up study, the overall prognosis of patients with coronary spasm was favorable. Patients with epicardial spasm were at increased risk for myocardial infarction and repeat angiography, while microvascular spasm was associated with recurrent angina. Acetylcholine testing may help identify patients at increased risk for adverse cardiac events among this overall low-risk population.     

Neurodevelopmental care following neonatal discharge

The development of the brain and nervous system to achieve functional capabilities is known as neurodevelopment. Certain factors increasing the risk of brain injury such as prematurity, neonatal encephalopathy, infection, and other insults to a developing brain can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. Neurodevelopmental intervention aims to achieve the closest to expected functioning possible for every child starting right from birth or even antenatally. Standardized and robust follow-up care is needed for all neonates who are at high risk for developmental impairment. Meticulous follow-up care is essential to recognize early signs of developmental delays and deviations. Early identification enables us to initiate interventions and improve long term outcomes for the babies. Various age-appropriate screening tools are available for early recognition of developmental delays and neurodevelopmental disorders. Prompt intervention and appropriate support enhances developmental growth and improves the outcome significantly. This article introduces the importance of neurodevelopment and summarises the guidelines on developmental follow-up for babies at high risk of developmental impairment. The article mainly focuses on follow up strategies in the UK but also discusses about developmental follow up in general.     

Correlation of Ki-67, p53, and Adnab-9 immunohistochemical staining and ploidy with clinical and histopathologic features of severely dysplastic colorectal adenomas

Variations of Ki-67, p53, and Adnab-9 monoclonal antibody reactions in colonic adenomas may be associated with colonic cancer risk. We studied the predictive value of these markers for adverse behavior in severely dysplastic colorectal adenomas, such as an associated carcinoma, multiplicity of adenomas, and subsequent development of adenomas. For this purpose we compared the clinical, gross, and histologic characteristics of highly dysplastic index polyps in 42 patients with Ki 67, p53, and Adnab-9 immunostaining and other molecular markers. Polyps were removed endoscopically, and severely dysplastic polyps were stained immunohistochemically with Ki-67, Adnab-9, and p53 protein by the avidin biotin conjugate (ABC) technique. Quantitative DNA (QDNA) was analyzed by computer-assisted image analysis. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry showed reversal of normal distribution of nuclear staining from the normal basal position to the upper third of the colonic crypts. This abnormality of immunostaining in dysplastic adenomas was the earliest detected by the panel we used. A statistically significant correlation was seen between invasiveness of carcinoma in the index polyp and polyp size (P = 0.003), sessile morphology (P = 0.037), and villous or tubulovillous histology (P = 0.019). In the index adenoma, p53 positivity was correlated with multiplicity at initial examination (P = 0.053), villous histology (P = 0.053), invasiveness of carcinoma (P < 0.003), and recurrence of colorectal adenomas (P = 0.025). Although p53 positivity and aneuploidy were correlated with invasiveness of carcinoma in the index polyp (P = 0.025), Adnab-9 positivity was not. However, Adnab-9 positivity in the index polyp was associated with multiplicity of adenomas (P = 0.04) as well as recurrence of adenomas (P < 0.024). In conclusion, in addition to the morphologic and histologic markers already known, Ki-67, Adnab-9 antibody, and p53 protein may be prognostic indicators useful in follow-up of patients with severely dysplastic colorectal adenomas. Adnab-9 antibody may identify a field defect in above-average-risk adenoma-bearing patients.     

Effects of a home visiting program for older people with poor health status: a randomized, clinical trial in The Netherlands

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home visiting program on health-related measures in a population of older people with poor health status.
DESIGN: Randomized, clinical trial.
SETTING: Community-dwelling citizens in the Netherlands.
PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty people aged 70 to 84 randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=160) or a control group (n=170).
INTERVENTION: Eight home visits, lasting 1 hour or more, with telephone follow-up, over an 18-month period, conducted by experienced home nurses under supervision of a public health nurse; key elements of the (systematic) visits were assessment of health problems and risks, advice, and referral to professional and community services.
MEASUREMENTS: Self-rated health, functional status, quality of life, and changes in self-reported problems.
RESULTS: No differences were found between the intervention and control group in these and other outcome measures at the end of the intervention period (18 months).
CONCLUSION: The home visiting program did not appear to have any effect on the health status of older people with poor health and are probably not beneficial for such persons.     

Association between Serum Potassium and Outcomes in Patients with Reduced Kidney Function

Background and objectives

Patients with CKD are more likely than others to have abnormalities in serum potassium (K⁺). Aside from severe hyperkalemia, the clinical significance of K⁺ abnormalities is not known. We sought to examine the association of serum K⁺ with mortality and hospitalization rates within narrow eGFR strata to understand how the burden of hyperkalemia varies by CKD severity. Associations were examined between serum K⁺ and discontinuation of medications that block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which are known to increase serum K⁺.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

A cohort of patients with CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m²) with serum K⁺ data were studied (n=55,266) between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2013 (study end). Serum K⁺, eGFR, and covariates were considered on a time-updated basis. Mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), hospitalization, and discontinuation of RAAS blockers were considered per time at risk.

Results

During the study, serum K⁺ levels of 5.5–5.9 and ≥6.0 mEq/L were most prevalent at lower eGFR: they were present, respectively, in 1.7% and 0.2% of patient-time for eGFR of 50–59 ml/min per 1.73 m² versus 7.6% and 1.8% of patient-time for eGFR<30 ml/min per 1.73 m². Serum K⁺ level <3.5 mEq/L was present in 1.2%–1.4% of patient-time across eGFR strata. The median follow-up time was 2.76 years. There was a U-shaped association between serum K⁺ and mortality; pooled adjusted incidence rate ratios were 3.05 (95% confidence interval, 2.53 to 3.68) and 3.31 (95% confidence interval, 2.52 to 4.34) for K⁺ levels <3.5 mEq/L and ≥6.0 mEq/L, respectively. Within eGFR strata, there were U-shaped associations of serum K⁺ with rates of MACE, hospitalization, and discontinuation of RAAS blockers.

Conclusions

Both hyperkalemia and hypokalemia were independently associated with higher rates of death, MACE, hospitalization, and discontinuation of RAAS blockers in patients with CKD who were not undergoing dialysis. Future studies are needed to determine whether interventions targeted at maintaining normal serum K⁺ improve outcomes in this population.     

Two decades of atrial tumour

We have reported 19 patients with atrial tumour. The long follow-up(5–19 years, mean 10 years) of the 17 patients with leftatrial myxoma has been described. No patient showed evidenceof recurrence of the tumour, although three patients have unexplainedshadows—probably artifactual—on echocardiography.The limitations ofechocardiography and importance of clinicalindicators are stressed. One patient had a rhabdomyosarcoma of the left atrium and diedone year after operation. Certain features differentiated thispatient from those with myxoma. It is concluded that true atrial myxoma does not metastasize.Reports in the literature of metastasizing left atrial myxomaprobably refer to malignant tumours simulating myxoma. Variationsfrom the typical clinical and haemodynamic picture of atrialmyxoma should arouse suspicion of malignancy. Careful microscopicexamination of the tumour is essential.     

Comparison between QRS duration at standard ECG and signal-averaging ECG for arrhythmic risk stratification after surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot

INTRODUCTION: Surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot is complicated by the occurrence of ventricular tachycardia (VT). Among different indexes proposed to assess prognosis of these patients, the study of QRS and repolarization provided useful information. Controversial results come from the analysis of signal-averaging ECG (SAECG). The aim of our study was to identify patients operated for tetralogy of Fallot at higher risk of sudden death by means of SAECG. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-six consecutive patients, mean age 26 +/- 10 years, were studied 17.7 +/- 5.8 years after total correction for tetralogy of Fallot using standard ECG, 24-hour Holter recordings, SAECG, and echocardiography. The following variables were measured: standard QRS duration, filtered QRS duration (fQRS), high-frequency and low-amplitude signal duration (HFLA), root mean square of the mean voltage in the terminal portion of filtered QRS (RMS), left and right end-diastolic volumes, and ejection fractions. During a mean follow-up period of 7.3 +/- 3.1 years, 12 patients had episodes of sustained VT and two of them suddenly died. All patients had complete right bundle branch block. Patients with VT were characterized by a significantly longer fQRS duration at all filter settings. On the contrary, there was no difference in standard QRS duration in patients with or without VT. At a multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction and fQRS were independent predictors for VT. CONCLUSIONS: A longer fQRS duration is associated with an increased risk in developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias in asymptomatic patients after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot.