Cytomegalovirus load at treatment initiation is predictive of time to resolution of viremia and duration of therapy in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

BackgroundPreemptive antiviral therapy relies on viral load measurements and is the mainstay of cytomegalovirus (CMV) prevention in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. However, optimal CMV levels for the initiation of preemptive therapy have not been defined.ObjectivesThe objectives of our work were to evaluate the relationship between plasma CMV DNA levels at initiation of preemptive therapy with time to resolution of viremia and duration of treatment.Study designRetrospective analysis of HCT recipients undergoing serial CMV PCR testing between June 2011 and June 2014 was performed.Results221 HCT recipients underwent preemptive therapy for 305 episodes of CMV viremia. Median time to resolution was shorter when treatment was initiated at lower CMV levels (15 days at 135–440 international units (IU)/mL, 18 days at 441–1000 IU/mL, and 21 days at >1000 IU/mL, P < .001). Prolonged viremia lasting >30 days occurred less frequently when treatment was initiated at 135–440 IU/mL compared to 441–1000 IU/mL and >1000 IU/mL (1%, 15%, 24%, P < .001). Median treatment duration was also shorter in the lower viral load groups (28, 34, 37 days, P < .001).ConclusionInitiation of preemptive therapy at low CMV levels was associated with shorter episodes of viremia and courses of antiviral therapy. These data support the utility of initiating preemptive CMV therapy at viral loads as low as 135 IU/mL in HCT recipients.     

老年结直肠癌患者腹腔镜根治术围手术期加速康复外科护理标准化工作流程的建立与实施

目的探讨在老年结直肠癌腹腔镜根治术围手术期患者实施加速康复外科护理的过程中建立、实施标准化工作流程的应用效果。 方法收集2018年9月至2019年6月青海大学附属医院收治的行加速康复外科护理的60例老年结直肠癌腹腔镜根治术患者的临床资料,按照随机数字表法分为加速康复外科护理标准化工作流程组30例（标准化组）及常规加速康复外科护理组30例（对照组）,对比两组患者的护理质量评分、患者满意度及不良事件发生率。 结果两组患者进行护理质量评分比较,其中,两组护理评估（t=4.030,P<0.001）、健康教育（t=4.151,P=0.001）、专科护理（t=2.688,P=0.0094）、护理记录书写（t=2.078,P=0.042）经比较,差异均有统计学意义;两组基础护理评分比较,差异无统计学意义（t=0.5678,P=0.5723）。术前满意度比较,两组差异有统计学意义（χ²=4.043,P=0.044）;术后满意度两组差异有统计学意义（χ²=5.192,P=0.023）;出院随访满意度,两组差异有统计学意义（χ²=2.308,P=0.126）。两组不良事件发生情况对照组共计发生2例（6.67%）,标准化组共计发生1例（3.33%）,两组经比较差异无统计学意义。 结论在老年结直肠癌腹腔镜根治术围手术期患者实施加速康复外科护理的过程中建立、实施标准化工作流程,使加速康复外科护理工作更加科学化、规范化、程序化,提高了加速康复外科护理工作质量,降低老年患者不良事件发生率,有助于提升护理队伍专业素质。     

Cost minimization analysis of an in-house molecular test for cytomegalovirus in relation to a commercial molecular system

IntroductionCytomegalovirus may cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients. Nowadays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction is the gold-standard for both diagnosis and monitoring of cytomegalovirus infection. Most of these assays use cytomegalovirus automated molecular kits which are expensive and therefore not an option for small laboratories, particularly in the developing world.ObjectiveThis study aimed to optimize and validate an in-house cytomegalovirus quantitative polymerase chain reaction test calibrated using the World Health Organization Standards, and to perform a cost-minimization analysis, in comparison to a commercial cytomegalovirus quantitative polymerase chain reaction test.Study designThe methodology consisted of determining: optimization, analytical sensitivity, analytical specificity, precision, curve variability analysis, and inter-laboratorial reproducibility. Patients (n = 30) with known results for cytomegalovirus tested with m2000 RealTime System (Abbott Laboratories, BR) were tested with the in-house assay, as well as patients infected with other human herpes virus, in addition to BK virus. A cost-minimization analysis was performed, from a perspective of the laboratory, assuming diagnostic equivalence of the methodologies applied in the study.ResultsThe in-house assay had a limit of detection and quantification of 60.3 IU/mL, with no cross-reactivity with the other viral agents tested. Moreover, the test was precise and had a R² of 0.954 when compared with the m2000 equipment. The cost analysis showed that the assay was economically advantageous costing a median value of 37.8% and 82.2% in comparison to the molecular test in use at the hospital and the m2000 equipment, respectively.ConclusionsThese results demonstrated that in-house quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing is an attractive alternative in comparison to automated molecular platforms, being considerably less expensive and as efficacious as the commercial methods.     

Guidelines for prevention of hospital acquired infections

These guidelines, written for clinicians, contains evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of hospital acquired infections Hospital acquired infections are a major cause of mortality and morbidity and provide challenge to clinicians. Measures of infection control include identifying patients at risk of nosocomial infections, observing hand hygiene, following standard precautions to reduce transmission and strategies to reduce VAP, CR-BSI, CAUTI. Environmental factors and architectural lay out also need to be emphasized upon. Infection prevention in special subsets of patients - burns patients, include identifying sources of organism, identification of organisms, isolation if required, antibiotic prophylaxis to be used selectively, early removal of necrotic tissue, prevention of tetanus, early nutrition and surveillance. Immunodeficient and Transplant recipients are at a higher risk of opportunistic infections. The post tranplant timetable is divided into three time periods for determining risk of infections. Room ventilation, cleaning and decontamination, protective clothing with care regarding food requires special consideration. Monitoring and Surveillance are prioritized depending upon the needs. Designated infection control teams should supervise the process and help in collection and compilation of data. Antibiotic Stewardship Recommendations include constituting a team, close coordination between teams, audit, formulary restriction, de-escalation, optimizing dosing, active use of information technology among other measure. The recommendations in these guidelines are intended to support, and not replace, good clinical judgment. The recommendations are rated by a letter that indicates the strength of the recommendation and a Roman numeral that indicates the quality of evidence supporting the recommendation, so that readers can ascertain how best to apply the recommendations in their practice environments.     

MIM系统标准病例模块联合CBL教学在放疗科靶区勾画中的应用

目的探讨基于MIM计划系统标准病例模块的CBL教学方法在肿瘤放疗科临床研究生和规培生学习肿瘤靶区勾画的教学效果。方法选取2016-2018年度西安交通大学第一附属医院肿瘤放疗科临床研究生和规培生40名,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组20名。在MIM放疗计划系统上建立子病例库,以肺癌教学为例,创建标准化肺癌靶区勾画病例。在临床中选择具体病例,实验组采用MIM标准化病例学习和传统带教方法学习,对照组采用传统教学方法。临床带教3个月,比较两组学员的学习效果及教学满意度。结果实验组靶区勾画准确性、总成绩、教学满意度均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论基于MIM计划系统标准病例模块建立的CBL教学方法在肿瘤放疗科临床研究生和规培生靶区勾画中具有显著的效果,有助于提高临床操作技能,值得进一步推广。     

Validity of standard gamble estimated quality of life in acute venous thrombosis

Introduction

The standard gamble is considered the ‘gold standard’ technique for measuring quality of life. We recently used the standard gamble to estimate quality of life in acute venous thrombosis, and found unexpected variability in the responses. The current study aimed to explore the reasons for variability by comparing the standard gamble technique in patients with acute venous thrombosis to other quality of life measurement tools.

Materials and Methods

Thrombosis clinic patients treated for venous thrombosis were eligible to participate. Patients evaluated their current health state by performing a standard gamble interview, reporting on a visual analogue scale, completing the SF-36 and disease specific questionnaires (PEmb-Qol and VEINES-QOL/Sym). Validity was assessed by correlating the standard gamble utilities with the other methods. Test-retest reliability, responsiveness and acceptability were also assessed.

Results

Forty-four patients were interviewed, with 16 attending for a repeat interview. The median standard gamble utility was 0.97 (0.84-1.0), SF-6D 0.64 (0.59 - 0.80) and visual analogue score 70 (60 - 80). Participants with pulmonary embolism had lower standard gamble estimates than those with deep vein thrombosis. There was good discriminant validity in that the standard gamble estimates were not associated with risk taking behavior, negative outlook, sex or education. Test-retest reliability with the standard gamble was moderate and there was evidence of a ceiling effect.

Conclusions

Standard gamble utilities are higher than other methods of measuring quality of life in venous thrombosis. The choice of utility values adopted in studies will impact on future economic studies.     

Evaluation of a chromogenic commercial assay using VWF-73 peptide for ADAMTS13 activity measurement

Introduction

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), related to a severe functional deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity (< 10% of normal). ADAMTS13 activity is thus crucial to confirm the clinical suspicion of TTP, to distinguish it from other TMAs, and to perform the follow-up of TTP patients.

Material and methods

We compared the performance of the commercial chromogenic assay Technozym® ADAMTS13 Activity ELISA (chromogenic VWF73 substrate, Chr-VWF73, Technoclone, Vienna, Austria), to that of our in-house FRETS-VWF73 used as reference method. A large group of 247 subjects (30 healthy volunteers and 217 patients with miscellaneaous TMAs) was studied.

Results

The lower limit of detection of the Chr-VWF73 was 3%, which is well adapted to the clinically relevant threshold for TTP diagnosis (10%). Our results showed a reasonable agreement between FRETS-VWF73 and Chr-VWF73 assays to distinguish samples with an ADAMTS13 activity < 10% from those with an ADAMTS13 activity > 10%. However, Chr-VWF73 assay provided false negative results in ~ 12% of acute TTP patients. Inversely, the Chr-VWF73 assay globally underestimated ADAMTS13 activity in detectable values ranging from 11 to 100% (with a great variability compared to FRETS-VWF73), which may be a concern for the follow-up of TTP patients in remission.

Conclusion

In-house assays developed and performed by expert laboratories remain the reference methods that should be used without limitation to control values provided by commercial assays when needed. Also, the development of an international reference preparation will be crucial to improve standardization.     

标准去骨瓣减压与常规去骨瓣减压治疗重型颅脑外伤的对比研究

目的 探讨标准大骨瓣开颅术在治疗重型颅脑损伤中的临床应用价值.方法 选择64例重型颅脑外伤患者,随机均分为观察组和对照组,各32例,对照组使用常规去骨瓣减压术,观察组使用标准去骨瓣减压治疗,比较两组患者术后颅内压变化情况,以及术后6个月随访的预后情况及并发症.结果 观察组术后1、3、7d颅内压均低于对照组同时间段颅内压水平(P＜0.05),观察组经过治疗后预后良好者为16例,对照组仅为7例,观察组预后良好者比率明显大于对照组(P＜0.05),对照组出现术后脑积水和迟发性血肿比率均高于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 标准去骨瓣减压术治疗重症颅脑外伤,相对于常规去骨瓣减压术而言,能更好的降低患者术后颅内压,且术后疗效相对较好,并发症少,是一种值得推广的手术治疗方法.     

A comparison of visual acuity measured by ETDRS chart and Standard Logarithmic Visual Acuity chart among outpatients

AIM:To compare the results of visual acuity(VA)measured by Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study(ETDRS)chart,5 m Standard Logarithm Visual Acuity(5 SL)chart,and 2.5 m Standard Logarithm Visual Acuity(2.5 SL)chart in outpatients of age 12-80 y.METHODS:Each patient(totally 2000 outpatients)had both eyes tested with ETDRS chart at 4 m,5 SL chart at 5 m,and 2.5 SL chart at 2.5 m in random order.The VA values of outpatients were categorized by ages.VA values were expressed by log MAR recording method.RESULTS:The mean VA results of ETDRS charts,5 SL,and 2.5 SL chart were 0.52±0.28,0.50±0.30,and 0.46±0.28 log MAR,respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in the three eye charts in the whole group(P<0.001).For all subjects,the correlation of VA tested with three charts was statistically significant(Spearman correlation coefficient=0.944,0.937,0.946,all P<0.001).Bland–Altman analysis shows the 95%limits of agreement between the 5 SL and 2.5 SL chart were-0.182 to 0.210,-0.139 to 0.251,and-0.151 to 0.235 log MAR,respectively.CONCLUSION:The agreement between the three eye charts is not high.The VA measured by 5 SL chart is slightly better than that by ETDRS chart and 5 SL chart would be a suitable alternative when ETDRS chart are not available in the clinical situation.The VA measured by 2.5 SL chart is about 0.5 line better than VA tested with ETDRS chart,which may overestimate VA.     

标准及扩大根治术治疗胰头癌疗效的meta分析

目的运用meta分析评估扩大根治术及标准根治术治疗胰头癌的远期疗效。方法检索Pubmed、WOS、Embase、万方、中国生物医学文摘及中国知网数据库1990～2012年期间的相关文献,运用Jadad评分评估所涉文献的研究质量。治疗组为胰头癌扩大根治术后患者,对照组为标准根治术后患者,运用meta分析评估2组患者的死亡率、并发症发生率,以及术后1、3及5年生存率的差异。结果11篇文献人选,纳入病例744例,其中标准根治组357例,扩大根治组387例。结果显示：①2组患者术后并发症发生率的差异无统计学意义（OR=1．360,95％CI=0．990～1．870,P=0．050）。②2组患者术后死亡率的差异无统计学意义（OR=0．870,95％CI=0．430-1．760,P=0．700）。⑨2组患者术后1、3及5年生存率的差异均无统计学意义（OR=0．880,95％CI=0．450～1．720,P=0．710;OR=0．940,95％CI=0．590～1．480,P=0．710;OR=1．000,95％CI=0．600～1．670,P=1．000）。结论同标准根治术相比,扩大根治术不能改善患者术后1、3及5年生存率,不能降低死亡率及术后并发症发生率。