Preparing IR for COVID-19: The Singapore Experience

This paper describes country-wide special measures undertaken for interventional radiology staff during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although each interventional radiology service around the world faces unique challenges, the principles outlined in this article will be useful when designing or strengthening individual practices and integrating them within wider hospital and national measures. Moving beyond the current outbreak, these measures will be useful for any future infectious diseases which are likely to arise.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Clinical Study on CT-guided Modified Akupotomye in the Treatment of Lumbar Nerve Posterior Branch Compression

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of modified akupotomye closed lysis under CT guidance on compression of posterior lumbar nerve branch.Methods: Patients were diagnosed by HRCT 3-D reconstruction combined with clinical symptoms and signs.After HRCT three-dimensional reconstruction combined with clinical symptoms and signs, the patients were confirmed as posterior lumbar nerve compression.After CT accurate surface positioning, CT-guided modified akupotomye was used for closed lysis of the posterior lumbar nerve branch.Oswestry Dysfunction Index Questionnaire(ODI) was used for quantitative scoring, 7 days before and after treatment and 6 months after treatment.Results: In 62 cases, 20 cases were cured, with 25 cases markedly effective, 11 cases effective, and 36 cases ineffective.The total effective rate was 90.3%.ODI score: Self-paired t test 7 days before after treatment, P < 0.01;Before treatment and 6 months after treatment, self-paired t test(P < 0.01);Self-paired t-test was performed 7 days after treatment and 6 months after treatment(P > 0.05).Conclusion: With CT precise positioning, the modified akupotomye can be used to do closed lysis, to relieve the adhesion and compression, so that the low back pain can be relieved, with good clinical.The akupotomye closed lysis, combined with modern imaging technology has not only achieved good clinical effect, but also can improve the accuracy, safety and scientificity of akupotomye treatment.     

范金茹教授治疗颈性眩晕经验举隅

范金茹教授为首批全国优秀中医临床人才,在诊治眩晕类疾病方面积累了丰富经验。颈性眩晕多表现为眩晕、头颈部疼痛、恶心、呕吐、耳鸣等,严重影响了人们的生活质量。范师认为颈性眩晕为本虚标实之证,病位在头颈,肝肾亏虚为本,病性因素多为痰瘀。强调分急性期、缓解期治疗,注重气之升降--引痰饮血瘀下行而出,津气上行以荣脑。自拟颈痹眩晕方,为升降散合泽泻汤加减而成,组方精当,临床运用每获良效。     

滋阴药延缓衰老机制的研究进展＊

当代社会，老年人口比例呈现不断上升的趋势，老龄化问题日益严峻。因此，如何有效地延缓衰老不仅成为了世界医学研究的热点，也成为了全球亟待解决的问题。中医药在延缓衰老方面经验丰富，而滋阴药在此类研究中效果显著。本文通过整理滋阴药抗衰老作用机制的若干文献，对滋阴复方六味地黄丸、二至丸、左归丸及其他滋阴中药延缓衰老的机制研究进展进行综述。     

Cardiovascular risk assessment tools: A scoping review

ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to describe cardiovascular risk (CVR) assessment methods and to identify evidence-based practice recommendations when dealing with population at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.Review methods and data sourcesA literature review following the Arksey and O'Malley scoping review methodology was conducted. By using appropriate key terms, literature searches were conducted in PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, Dialnet, ENFISPO, Medigraphic, ScienceDirect, Cuiden, and Lilacs databases. A complementary search on websites related to the area of interest was conducted. Articles published in English or Spanish in peer-review journals between 2010 and 2017. Critical appraisal for methodological quality was conducted. Data was extracted using ad-hoc tables and qualitatively synthesized.ResultsAfter eliminating duplicates, 55 325 records remained, and 1432 records were selected for screening. Out of these, 88 full-text articles were selected for eligibility criteria, and finally, 67 studies were selected for this review, and 25 studies were selected for evidence synthesis. In total, 23 CVR assessment tools have been identified, pioneered by the Framingham study. Qualitative findings were grouped into four thematic areas: assessment tools and scores, CVR indicators, comparative models, and evidence-based recommendations.ConclusionsIt is necessary to adapt the instruments to the epidemiological reality of the population. The most appropriate way to estimate CVR is to choose the assessment tool that best suits individual conditions, accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the patient. More research is required to determine a single, adequate, and reliable tool.     

A Tool to Assess Patient and Surrogate Knowledge About the POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Program

ContextIt is especially important that patients are well informed when making high-stakes, preference-sensitive decisions like those on the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. However, there is currently no way to easily evaluate whether patients understand key concepts when making these important decisions.ObjectivesTo develop a POLST knowledge survey.MethodsExpert (n = 62) ratings of key POLST facts were used to select items for a POLST knowledge survey. The survey was administered to nursing facility residents (n = 97) and surrogate decision-makers (n = 112). A subset (n = 135) were re-administered the survey after a standardized advance care planning discussion to assess the scale's responsiveness to change.ResultsThe 19-item survey demonstrated adequate reliability (α = 0.72.). Residents' scores (x = 11.4, standard deviation 3.3) were significantly lower than surrogate scores (x = 14.7, standard deviation 2.5) (P < 0.001). Scores for both groups increased significantly after administration of a standardized advance care planning discussion (P < 0.001). Although being a surrogate, age, race, education, cognitive functioning, and health literacy were significantly associated with higher POLST Knowledge Survey scores in univariate analyses, only being a surrogate (P < 0.001) and being white (P = 0.028) remained significantly associated with higher scores in multivariate analyses.ConclusionThe 19-item POLST Knowledge Survey demonstrated adequate reliability and responsiveness to change. Findings suggest the survey could be used to identify knowledge deficits and provide targeted education to ensure adequate understanding of key clinical decisions when completing POLST.