Coronary Artery Disease Manifestations in HIV: What,How, and Why

Understanding why persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have accelerated atherosclerosis and its sequelae, including coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction, is necessary to provide appropriate care to a large and aging population with HIV. In this review, we delineate the diverse pathophysiologies underlying HIV-associated CAD and discuss how these are implicated in the clinical manifestations of CAD among persons with HIV. Several factors contribute to HIV-associated CAD, with chronic inflammation and immune activation likely representing the primary drivers. Increased monocyte activation, inflammation, and hyperlipidemia present in chronic HIV infection also mirror the pathophysiology of plaque rupture. Furthermore, mechanisms central to plaque erosion, such as activation of toll-like receptor 2 and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, are also abundant in HIV. In addition to inflammation and immune activation in general, persons with HIV have a higher prevalence than uninfected persons of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, and tobacco use. Antiretroviral therapies, although clearly necessary for HIV treatment and survival, have had varied effects on CAD, but newer generation regimens have reduced cardiovascular toxicities. From a clinical standpoint, this mix of risk factors is implicated in earlier CAD among persons with HIV than uninfected persons; whether the distribution and underlying plaque content of CAD for persons with HIV differs considerably from uninfected persons has not been definitively studied. Furthermore, the role of cardiovascular risk estimators in HIV remains unclear, as does the role of traditional and emerging therapies; no trials of CAD therapies powered to detect clinical events have been completed among persons with HIV.     

Tratamiento empírico de la oligoastenoteratozoospermia idiopática

Male infertility accounts for 50% of the causes of infertile couples, being more than 30% of unknown etiology. In these cases, empiric treatment can be an option prior to the application of assisted reproduction techniques. Empiric treatment can be categorized as hormonal, such as gonadotropins, antiestrogens and aromatase inhibitors, and antioxidant, with vitamins, trace elements and carnitine, among others. Although scientifically acceptable evidence is limited due to the absence of large randomized and controlled clinical trials, recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses show that treatment with gonadotropins, antiestrogens and antioxidants increases pregnancy and live birth rates and improves seminal parameters. Empiric medical treatment for idiopathic infertility can be considered in specific cases in order to improve semen quality and spontaneous fertility.     

Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

芪地固肾方治疗特发性膜性肾病的临床分析

目的:回顾性分析芪地固肾方治疗特发性膜性肾病(IMN)的临床疗效与安全性。方法:选取2014年1月至2017年6月陕西中医药大学附属医院肾病科门诊及住院IMN患者141例,根据用药方案分为西药组(西药标准疗法)、中西药结合组(芪地固肾方+西药标准疗法)和中药组(芪地固肾方)3组各47例,观察3组患者治疗后临床疗效、复发率及不良反应等。结果:治疗6个月后,中西药结合组和西药组总有效率72.34%、68.09%高于中药组,治疗12个月时3组有效率比较差异无统计学意义,治疗18个月后中药组和中西药结合组总有效率75.76%、78.72%高于西药组。中药组和中西药结合组在治疗12个月和18个月后较西药组在提高中医证候疗效、减少中医证候积分上更具优势。中药组和中西药结合组复发率更低,3组均未出现严重不良反应。结论:芪地固肾方能提高IMN缓解率,在提高中医证候疗效、降低复发率上更具优势,远期疗效可观,值得进一步推广应用。     

预见习在精神病学教学中的作用研究

目的探讨预见习在精神病教学中的作用。方法选取120名本科学生,随机分为预见习组(n=60)和对照组(n=60)。预见习组在学习精神病学理论课程前一学期开始实施带教老师带领学生预见习、见习、实习全程教学,对比两组学生实践操作、理论知识成绩和学生满意度。结果干预后,导师制预见习组实践操作和理论知识成绩显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。导师制预见习组学生满意度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论预见习教学有助于学生全面发展,提高精神病学教学水平。     

Brain impedance variation of directional leads implanted in subthalamic nuclei of Parkinsonian patients

ObjectiveConventional deep brain stimulation (DBS) systems with ring-shaped leads generate spherical electrical fields. In contrast, novel directional leads use segmented electrodes. Aim of this study was to quantify the impedance variations over time in subjects with the directional Cartesia-Boston® system.MethodsImpedance records, programming settings, and clinical data of 11 consecutive Parkinsonian patients implanted with DBS directional leads in two Italian centers (Udine and Vicenza) were retrospectively evaluated. Data were collected before starting stimulation (in the operating room and at days 5 and 40) and after switching stimulation on at the successive follow-up visits (1, 6 and 12 months).ResultsDirectional leads have significantly higher impedance than ring leads. Stimulated contacts had always lower impedance compared to non-stimulated contacts. Before DBS-on, all contacts had higher impedance in the operating room, with an initial decrease five days post-surgery and a subsequent increase at day 40, more evident for directional contacts. The impedance of directional leads increased post-implantation at 1 and 6 months with a plateau at 12 months.ConclusionsThere was a significant difference between the directional and ring leads at baseline (before activation of DBS) and during follow-up (chronic DBS).SignificanceOur study reveals new information about the impedance of segmented electrodes that is useful for patient management during the initial test period, as well as during long-term DBS follow-up.     

从武汉抗疫看中医药文化认同与新的医学模式

从武汉抗疫中医药的投入使用情况,反思现代临床和国人所呈现出的中医药文化认同和就医习惯,探索其历史文化根源及社会因素与医学发展的内在关联。回顾历史,中医屡次临危受命,不负重托,如今大疫当前,中医药再次发挥了重要作用。故新时代探讨如何遵循中医药发展规律,传承精华、守正创新,坚持中医药原创优势,形成中医药学科优势整体化呈现的新模式医学,对提升全社会的中医药认知度具有重要意义。     

督脉灸联合香砂养胃丸治疗脾虚泄泻的临床观察

目的观察督脉灸联合香砂养胃丸治疗脾虚泄泻的临床疗效。方法将2018年3月—2019年3月在东营市垦利县人民医院确诊为脾虚泄泻的90例患者,按照随机数字表法分为对照组和观察组各45例。对照组采用香砂养胃丸治疗,观察组采用香砂养胃丸联合督脉灸治疗。两组治疗1个疗程后观察并比较疗效以及治疗前后各项中医证候积分变化情况。结果治疗后观察组总有效率为88.89%,高于对照组的57.87%,观察组各项中医证候积分均降低且低于对照组,两组各项指标差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论督脉灸联合香砂养胃丸治疗脾虚泄泻疗效显著,能够有效改善患者临床症状。