Ebola Virus RNA Stability in Human Blood and Urine in West Africa’s Environmental Conditions

We evaluated RNA stability of Ebola virus in EDTA blood and urine samples collected from infected patients and stored in West Africa’s environmental conditions. In blood, RNA was stable for at least 18 days when initial cycle threshold values were <30, but in urine, RNA degradation occurred more quickly.     

Analysis of arterial hypertension pharmacotherapy in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

IntroductionObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often connected with arterial hypertension and it could also be a cause of secondary hypertension. Treatment of arterial hypertension and optimal blood pressure level are important for prevention of cardiovascular complications. It is not well known how to treat patients with OSA and arterial hypertension. Also many patients with OSA suffer from metabolic syndrome which worsen their prognosis.AimThe aim of our study was to assess arterial hypertension compensation in patients with metabolic syndrome and moderate to severe OSA and to analyze used pharmacotherapy.Materials and methods85 hypertensive patients (75 men) with metabolic syndrome, average age 53.6 ± 9.3 years, were evaluated using overnight sleep study with diagnosis of OSA, average apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) 56.3 ± 23. Patients underwent 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and their current pharmacotherapy data were obtained. Appropriate combinations of antihypertensive drugs (patients with metabolic syndrome) were derived from ESH/ESC 2013 guidelines.ResultsArterial hypertension was well compensated in only 11.8% of the patients. 24.7% patients were treated according to current guidelines. Fisher's exact test with analysis of adjusted residues has found higher rate of blood pressure subcompensation in patients treated with triple+ combination of drugs (p = 0.035, 51.4% vs 10%).ConclusionOnly a small number of patients had optimal blood pressure level and were treated according to current ESH/ESC guidelines. We have to constantly appeal to all physicians to perform ABPM in patients with OSA.     

血清血管紧张素转换酶的水平在阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者中的变化研究

目的检测阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者中血清血管紧张素转换酶(ACE)水平的变化及其临床意义。方法设置OSAHS组(n=40)和健康对照组(n=40),测定并比较患者的血压、血脂和血清ACE水平在两组间的差异;分析ACE水平与患者病情变化、血压、血脂的相关性。结果 OSAHS患者在体重、BMI指数、颈围、腰围、AHI、收缩压、舒张压、TC、LDL-C和血清ACE方面高于健康人(P体重=0.002,P颈围=0.024,P腰围=0.038,PBMI=0.019,PAHI=0.001,P收缩压=0.001,P舒张压=0.001,PTC=0.017,PLDL-C=0.010,PACE=0.039),在LSa O2上低于健康人(PLSa O2=0.001)。OSAHS患者的收缩压、TC、ACE在轻中度和中重度之间均存在统计学差异(P收缩压=0.018、0.043,PTC=0.045、0.034,PACE=0.030、0.001),相关性分析显示,OSAHS患者中血清ACE与收缩压和TC均呈正相关(r=0.35,P=0.017;r=0.28,P=0.044)。结论 OSAHS患者血清ACE能反映患者病情的变化,并与血压和血脂具有一定相关性。     

8周基础军训对入伍新兵红细胞及其相关指标的影响

目的探讨8周基础军训(basic military training,BMT)对入伍新兵血像中红细胞及其相关指标的影响,为指导科学的军事训练提供参考。方法数据来自新疆边防部队2015年度入伍的50名男性新兵,分别在BMT前后测定并记录受试新兵的红细胞计数、血红蛋白浓度及血清铁蛋白等。结果经过8周的BMT,新兵血液中血红蛋白浓度、红细胞计数及血清铁蛋白均显著下降(P0.05,P0.01)。结论 8周BMT可能导致入伍新兵发生运动性贫血,铁缺乏可能是其主要原因。     

Implementation of Recommendations for Long-Acting Contraception Among Women Aged 13 to 18 Years in Primary Care

ObjectiveClinical specialty societies recommend long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) as first-line contraception for adolescent women. We evaluated whether a combined educational and process improvement intervention enhanced LARC placement in primary care within an integrated health care system.MethodsThe intervention included journal clubs, live continuing education, point-of-care guidelines, and new patient materials. We conducted a retrospective cohort study across 3 time periods: baseline (January 2013?September 2015), early implementation (October 2015–March 2016), and full implementation (April 2016–June 2017). The primary outcome was the proportion of LARCs placed by primary care clinicians among women aged 13 to 18 years compared with gynecology clinicians.ResultsKaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado cared for approximately 20,000 women aged 13 to 18 years in each calendar quarter between 2013 and 2017. Overall, LARC placement increased from 7.0 per 1000 members per quarter at baseline to 13.0 per 1000 during the full intervention. Primary care clinicians placed 6.2% of all LARCs in 2013, increasing to 32.1% by 2017 (P < .001), including 45.5% of contraceptive implants. Clinicians who attended educational sessions were more likely to adopt LARCs than those who did not (17.9% vs 6.4% respectively, P = .009). Neither overall LARC placement rates (relative risk, 1.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.7?5.6) nor contraceptive implant rates (relative risk, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.9?9.8) increased significantly in clinicians who attended educational activities.ConclusionsThis multimodal intervention was associated with increased LARC placement for adolescent women in primary care. The combination of education and process improvement is a promising strategy to promote clinician behavior change.