Two cases of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess necessitating liver resection for effective treatment

We report two British cases of liver abscess, due to Klebsiella pneumoniae and associated with synchronous infection elsewhere, which required liver resection for definitive treatment. They illustrate the geographic spread of aggressive K pneumoniae liver infection and demonstrate the importance of early aggressive treatment.     

Direct insertion of an ultra‐slim upper endoscope for cholangioscopy in patients undergoing choledochoduodenostomy

Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope is one modality of POC for intraductal endoscopic evaluation and treatment of the bile duct. Choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) is one modality of biliary bypass surgery that provides a new route to the bile duct. We carried out direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the use of accessories in 10 patients (four sump syndromes, three bile duct strictures and three intrahepatic duct stones) previously undergoing surgical CDS. Direct POC was successful in all patients. The use of an intraductal balloon catheter was required in one patient for advancement of the endoscope into the bile duct. Distal bile ducts with sump syndromes were cleared using baskets and water irrigation under direct POC. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in one patient with hilar bile duct stricture after cholangioscopic evaluation and a targeting forceps biopsy under direct POC. Intrahepatic duct stones were successfully extracted after intraductal fragmentation under direct POC. Oozing bleeding occurred during intraductal lithotripsy but stopped spontaneously. Direct POC using an ultra‐slim upper endoscope without the assistance of accessories can easily be carried out in patients undergoing CDS.     

清肝解郁和健脾补肾法在治疗肝火上亢型慢性肾衰合并高血压中的应用

目的:观察清肝解郁和健脾补肾法治疗肝火上亢型慢性肾衰(CRF)合并高血压患者的临床效果。方法:选取2016年6月至2018年6月京东誉美医院收治的肝火上亢型CRF合并高血压患者90例作为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为对照组和观察组,每组45例。对照组给予口服硝苯地平控释片治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上给予清肝解郁、健脾补肾汤治疗,每4周为1个疗程,均治疗3个疗程。比较治疗前后中医症状评分、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)变化;比较2组临床疗效;比较治疗前后肾功能指标:尿素氮(BUN)、血肌酐(Scr)、24 h尿蛋白定量(24 hPRO);统计治疗期间2组不良反应发生情况。结果:治疗前观察组与对照组中医症状评分、SBP、DBP、BUN、Scr、24 hPRO比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后2组患者中医症状评分、SBP、DBP、BUN、Scr、24 hPRO均显著降低(P<0.05),观察组均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);2组临床疗效比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且观察组总有效率显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组和对照组不良反应发生率分别为2.22%和6.67%,2组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:清肝解郁、健脾补肾法辅助治疗肝火上亢型CRF合并高血压疗效确切,可较好控制血压,并且可显著改善肾功能,减少不良反应发生情况。     

利用CNV-seq技术产前诊断Pallister-Killian综合征胎儿一例

应用拷贝数变异测序(copy number variation sequencing,CNV-seq)技术鉴别来源不明的胎儿标记染色体,明确其遗传物质的来源,并探讨此技术在产前诊断中的应用价值。讨论Pallister-Killian综合征(Pallister-Killian syndrome,PKS)的临床特征及遗传学特点,提高对此类罕见染色体疾病的认识。该病例因在妊娠中期超声发现胎儿异常而行羊水穿刺进行CNV-Seq检测,同时分析胎儿和父母的核型。羊水CNV-Seq结果示该样本12号染色体p13.33-p11.1处检测到拷贝数为3.5、片段大小为34.70 Mb的嵌合重复区域;羊水染色体核型结果为47,XY,+i(12)(p10)[58]/46,XX[42],综合上述结果考虑为PKS。通过结合超声结果,综合应用染色体G显带核型分析和CNV-seq技术能准确确认染色体异常片段来源,在产前有效诊断PKS患者。     

The role of National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups (NITAG) in strengthening health system governance: Lessons from three middle-income countries—Argentina,Jordan, and South Africa (2017–2018)

IntroductionToward the Global Vaccine Action Plan 2020 goal, almost 90% of countries have established a National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG). However, little is known about NITAG's contributions to governance.MethodsIn 2017–2018, a two-step, qualitative retrospective study was conducted. Jordan (JO), Argentina (AR), and South Africa (SA) were selected owing to government-financed NITAGs from middle-income countries (MICs), geographic diversity, and a vaccine introduction with NITAG support. Country case studies were developed, collecting data through desk review and face-to-face key informant interviews (KIIs) from Ministry of Health (MoH) and NITAG. Case studies were analyzed together, to assess governance applying the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies framework focusing on transparency, accountability, participation, integrity, and policy capacity (TAPIC).ResultsDocument review and 53 KII (22 AR, 20 SA, 11 JO) showed NITAGs played a pivotal role as advisors promoting a culture of evidence-informed policies. NITAGs strengthened governance, although practices varied among countries. Meetings were conducted behind-closed-doors, participation restricted to members, only in one country agendas, and recommendations were public (AR). To increase participation, policy capacity, and transparency, countries considered adding experts in communications, advocacy, and economics. AR and SA contemplated including community members. NITAGs functioned autonomously from the government, with no established internal or external monitoring or supervision. NITAG meeting minutes allowed the review of integrity, adherence to terms of reference, standard operating procedures, and conflict of interest (CoI). For the most part, NITAGs abided by their mandates. Significant issues were related to the level of MoH support and oversight of CoI declaration and documentation.ConclusionsSystematically implementing governance approaches could improve processes, better tailor policies, and implementation. The long-term survival and resilience of NITAGs in these countries showed they play a significant role in strengthening governance. Lessons learned could be useful to those promoting country-driven evidence-informed decision-making.     

Endoscopy-Related Bleeding and Thromboembolic Events in Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants or Vitamin K Antagonists

1. Download : Download high-res image (232KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image