Ostium primum atrial septal defect with persistent left superior vena cava opening into unroofed coronary sinus—A rare entity

Raghib syndrome is a rare developmental complex consisting of termination of the left superior vena cava in the left atrium, absence of the coronary sinus, and an atrial septal defect commonly located at the posterior‐inferior angle of the atrial septum. This complex was considered unique to Raghib syndrome; however, cases with a normal atrial septum have been reported where the orifice of the unroofed coronary sinus functions as the inter‐atrial communication. Our patient demonstrated an isolated persistent left superior vena cava draining into the left atrium through unroofed coronary sinus and presence of ostium primum atrial septal defect.     

Effect of patent ductus arteriosus on the heart in preterm infants

There continues to be controversy on the long‐term effects of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and its management. However, the hemodynamic effects of a large PDA in a preterm infant are well known. This article aims to provide insight into the adaptive changes and remodeling effects of a PDA on the myocardium in preterm infants.     

Egg Intake Has No Adverse Association With Blood Lipids Or Glucose In Adolescent Girls

Objective: Longitudinal data on cardiometabolic effects of egg intake during adolescence are lacking. The current analyses aim to evaluate the impact of usual adolescent egg consumption on lipid levels, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance during late adolescence (age 17–20?years).

Methods: Data from 1392 girls, aged 9 to 10 at baseline and followed for 10?years, in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s National Growth and Health Study were used to examine the association between usual egg intake alone and in combination with other healthy lifestyle factors and late adolescent lipid levels, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance, measured as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Diet was assessed using 3-day food records during eight examination cycles. Girls were classified according to usual weekly egg intake, ages 9–17?years:?<1 egg/wk (n?=?361), 1 to <3 eggs/wk (n?=?703), and ≥3 eggs/wk (n?=?328). Analysis of covariance modeling was used to control for confounding by other behavioral and biological risk factors.

Results: Girls with low, moderate, and high egg intakes had adjusted low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of 99.7, 98.8, and 95.5 mg/dL, respectively (p?=?0.0778). In combination with higher intakes of fiber, dairy, or fruits and vegetables, these beneficial effects were stronger and statistically significant. There was no evidence that ≥3 eggs/wk had an adverse effect on lipids, glucose, or HOMA-IR. More active girls who consumed ≥3 eggs/wk had the lowest levels of insulin resistance.

Conclusion: These results suggest that eggs may be included as part of a healthy adolescent diet without adverse effects on glucose, lipid levels, or insulin resistance.     

Routine Laboratory Testing Every 4 Versus Every 6 Weeks for Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Quality Improvement Project

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Chronic Pain,Functional Status,and Life Satisfaction Are Associated With Patients Living With HIV Discussing Advance Care Planning With Their Family or Friends

Context

In the era of effective antiretroviral therapy, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are living longer, transforming HIV from a universally fatal disease to a serious chronic illness, warranting discussions between patients and their loved ones about advance care planning (ACP). Evidence is needed on factors associated with patients' likelihood to discuss ACP with loved ones.

益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘效果观察

目的探讨益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘的临床疗效。方法选取2016年4月至2017年1月湖北省中医院肛肠科收治的60例老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘患者作为研究对象,并按照随机数表法随机分为试验组(30例)与对照组(30例),其中试验组患者在口服益肠通秘汤的同时采用中药热奄包热敷治疗,对照组患者单纯口服乳果糖口服溶液治疗,对比观察两组患者的腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度、便后不尽感等变化情况以及临床疗效与复发情况。结果治疗14 d后,两组患者腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度及便后不尽感较治疗前均明显改善,且尤以试验组改善最为显著,两组患者腹胀、排便时间、排便顺畅度及便后不尽感评分分别与治疗前对比,P均0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗14 d后,两组患者腹胀及便后不尽感评分对比,P均0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗14 d后,两组患者排便时间及排便顺畅度评分对比,P均0.05,差异无统计学意义;治疗14 d后,试验组患者中痊愈17例、显效6例、有效4例、无效3例、总有效率为90. 00%,对照组患者中痊愈9例、显效8例、有效3例、无效10例、总有效率为66.67%,两组对比,P0.05,差异具有统计学意义;治疗后6个月随访,试验组17例痊愈患者中复发4例,对照组9例痊愈患者中复发6例。结论益肠通秘汤联合中药热奄包治疗老年脾肾阳虚型慢性便秘,可有效缓解患者腹胀不适、排便时间延长、排便费力及便后不尽感等临床症状,疗效显著,且复发率较低,值得临床推广应用。