Validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of community acquired pneumonia in the emergency department

BackgroundDetermining prognosis in community acquired pneumonia (CAP), is very important. Many scores are introduced up to now for prediction of pneumonia prognosis like SMART-COP.ObjectiveTo evaluate validity of SMART-COP score in prognosis and severity of CAP in emergency department (ED).MethodsAll patients older than 18 years old with clinical suspicion of CAP (meeting the inclusion criteria), were enrolled in our study. In this prospective study, patients were admitted to the ED of a tertiary referral center. Hospital length of stay, rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality rate, number of intensive respiratory or vasopressor support (IRVS) use, patients' SMART-COP scores and all demographic data were recorded. Validity of SMART-COP in the prediction of IRVS rate and its correlation with other variables were determined.ResultsIn this study, 47.6% and 52.4% of patients were females and males respectively. The mean age of patients was 68.13 ± 16.60 years old. The mean hospital length of stay was 13.49 ± 5.62 days. Of all patients entered in our study, 55 cases (38.5%) needed ICU admission, 29 cases (20.3%) were expired within 1 month and 44 cases (30.8%) needed IRVS during their treatment. SMART-COP ≥5 (high risk CAP) accurately predicted the rate of ICU admission, one-month mortality and IRVS need (p-value = 0.001).ConclusionsSMART-COP≥5 had a high sensitivity and specificity in the prediction of patients' prognosis with severe CAP in the ED.     

Marine n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation and Quality of Life After Kidney Transplant

Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may improve cardiovascular, renal, and mental health. No previous trial has investigated the effects of marine n-3 PUFA supplementation on quality of life (QoL) indices after renal transplant.

Variability in non-core vaccination rates of dogs and cats in veterinary clinics across the United States

Vaccination guidelines for dogs and cats indicate that core vaccines (for dogs, rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus; for cats, feline parvovirus, herpes virus-1, calicivirus) are essential to maintain health, and that non-core vaccines be administered according to a clinician’s assessment of a pet’s risk of exposure and susceptibility to infection. A reliance on individual risk assessment introduces the potential for between-practice inconsistencies in non-core vaccine recommendations. A study was initiated to determine non-core vaccination rates of dogs (Leptospira, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bordetella bronchiseptica, canine influenza virus) and cats (feline leukemia virus) in patients current for core vaccines in veterinary practices across the United States. Transactional data for 5,531,866 dogs (1,670 practices) and 1,914,373 cats (1,661 practices) were retrieved from practice management systems for the period November 1, 2016 through January 1, 2020, deidentified and normalized. Non-core vaccination status was evaluated in 2,798,875 dogs and 788,772 cats that were core-vaccine current. Nationally, median clinic vaccination rates for dogs were highest for leptospirosis (70.5%) and B. bronchiseptica (68.7%), and much lower for canine influenza (4.8%). In Lyme-endemic states, the median clinic borreliosis vaccination rate was 51.8%. Feline leukemia median clinic vaccination rates were low for adult cats (34.6%) and for kittens and 1-year old cats (36.8%). Individual clinic vaccination rates ranged from 0 to 100% for leptospirosis, B. bronchiseptica and feline leukemia, 0–96% for canine influenza, and 0–94% for borreliosis. Wide variation in non-core vaccination rates between clinics in similar geographies indicates that factors other than disease risk are driving the use of non-core vaccines in pet dogs and cats, highlighting a need for veterinary practices to address gaps in patient protection. Failure to implement effective non-core vaccination strategies leaves susceptible dogs and cats unprotected against vaccine-preventable diseases.     

真实世界中丹参川芎嗪注射液治疗冠状动脉硬化性心脏病联合用药复杂网络分析＊

目的 本研究为探究丹参川芎嗪注射液治疗冠状动脉硬化性心脏病联合用药优效方案。通过全国19家三甲医院信息系统（hospital information system，HIS）数据库中优效人群联合用药规律探讨冠心病治疗中丹参川芎嗪联合用药方案。方法 全国19家三甲医院4952例患者纳入分析，采用真实世界研究方法及Tabu搜索算法。结果 丹参川芎嗪注射液 + 单硝酸异山梨酯 + 速效救心丸 + 阿卡波糖 + 蛋白水解物，为冠心病中西医联合用药频次最高组合，适宜冠心病心绞痛合并糖尿病及缺血性脑血管疾病患者；丹参川芎嗪注射液 + 维生素复方 + 蛋白水解物 + 硝酸甘油 + 头孢类 + 阿卡波糖为最常见西药搭配，用于冠心病合并消化性溃疡、失眠、炎症及糖尿病；活血化瘀制剂（化瘀通脉剂） + 益气养阴剂 + 清热类中药为使用频率最高组合用于冠心病血瘀证合并气阴两虚或阴虚火旺证。结论 目前临床治疗冠心病越来越关注全身治疗，符合中医整体观念及治未病原则。丹参川芎嗪注射液治疗冠心病联合用药符合最新的冠心病诊疗指南。     

Insights from an early-stage development mixed methods study on arts-based interventions for older adults following hospitalisation

BackgroundA period of hospitalisation can have negative consequences on physical function and autonomy for older adults, including functional decline, dependency and reduced quality of life. Older adults favour activity that focuses on social connectedness, fun and achievable skills.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this early-stage development mixed methods study was to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised crossover trial design and two arts-based interventions tailored for older adults recently discharged from hospital.Materials and methodsCommunity-dwelling adults, aged 65 years and older, who reported reduced mobility and less than six weeks post discharge from hospital were invited to participate in the study. Two sites were randomised to either a four-week dance or music therapy intervention, followed by a four-week washout and subsequently to the alternate intervention. Participants and stakeholders were interviewed to share their views and perspectives of the study design and interventions developed.ResultsThe arts-based interventions were acceptable and safe for participants. Randomisation was completed per protocol and no implementation issues were identified. The outcome measures used were acceptable and feasible for this group of patients and did not lead to fatigue or excessive assessment time. Participants were positive about their experience of the programme.ConclusionsThis early development study provides a precursor and several imperative learning points to guide and inform future research in the area. Difficulties in recruitment and attrition were in part due to the barriers encountered when recruiting an incident cohort of vulnerable individuals post hospitalisation.     

Resuming Breast Imaging Services in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Safety and Beyond

As the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic begins to stabilize, different medical imaging facilities not directly involved in the COVID-19 epidemic face the dilemma of how to return to regular operation. We hereby discuss various fields of concern in resuming breast imaging services. We examine the concerns for resuming functions of breast imaging services in 2 broad categories, including safety aspects of operating a breast clinic and addressing potential modifications needed in managing common clinical scenarios in the COVID-19 aftermath. Using a stepwise approach in harmony with the relative states of the epidemic, health care system capacity, and the current state of performing breast surgeries (and in compliance with the recommended surgical guidelines) can ensure avoiding pointless procedures and ensure a smooth transition to a fully operational breast imaging facility.