Predictive markers of asymptomatic atherosclerosis in end-stage renal disease patients

Objective: Uremia is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiac injury markers, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), or troponins, frequently used to recognize acute coronary events, may be falsely elevated in this patient group. In this study, our aim was to (i) test serum levels of myoglobin, CK-MB, and troponin I (cTnI) in ESRD patients without coronary artery disease (CAD) and compare the results with healthy controls and (ii) to investigate the association between these markers and carotid artery intima–media thickness (CA–IMT), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and serum uric acid (SUA) levels in ESRD patients. Materials and methods: Fifty-two ESRD patients (25 hemodialysis and 27 peritoneal dialysis) and 17 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum levels of myoglobin, CK-MB, and cTnI were measured and ultrasonographic CA–IMT was determined in all participants. SUA and hs-CRP levels were only measured in the ESRD group. Results: Serum myoglobin, CK-MB levels, and the mean CA–IMT were significantly higher in ESRD group (p < 0.01), whereas cTnI levels were not different compared to healthy controls (p = 0.70). There was also a positive correlation between CA–IMT and cTnI levels (p = 0.003, r = 0.35) and CA–IMT and hs-CRP (p = 0.03, r = 0.30) or SUA levels (p = 0.003, r = 0.43). Conclusion: cTnI may serve as a more sensitive marker in detecting cardiovascular events in patients with renal failure. Besides the traditional risk factors of atherosclerosis, cTnI, hs-CRP, and SUA may have a predictive role in recognizing premature atherosclerosis in ESRD patients.     

Combined genotypes of ACE and NADPH oxidase p22phox associated with somatic mutation of mtDNA and carotid intima-media thickness in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: We previously reported that the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) increased with age and that patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) had a significantly larger IMT than did age-matched nondiabetic subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Although the exact mechanism behind the increase in IMT in diabetic patients has not been determined, data obtained from in vivo and in vitro studies suggest that hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress may lead to atherogenesis.Objective: The aim of this single-center study was to determine whether long-term oxidative stress and the carotid IMT are influenced by differences of the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form) oxidase p22phox C242T genotypes.Methods: Eligible subjects were Japanese patients with type 2 DM. Polymorphism of the ACE I/D and p22phox gene was investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively. The rate of an acquired mutation of mitochondrial DNA—that is, A-to-G substitution at position 3243 (mtDNA A3243G)—was determined by real-time PCR. As a marker of early atherosclerosis, the carotid artery IMT was measured using high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography.Results: A total of 262 Japanese patients (173 men, 89 women; mean [SEM] age, 58 [0.6] years [range, 18-80 years]) were recruited and enrolled for study. An ACED-positive (DD or DI) and p22phox 242T-negative genotype (CC) was associated with a significantly higher mtDNA A3243G mutation rate than the other 3 possible genotypes (0.0219% [0.0028%] vs 0.0097% [0.0012%]; P < 0.05). This genotype also had higher maximum and mean IMT values than the other genotypes (1.13 [0.048] mm vs 0.99 [0.03] mm and 1.01 [0.036] mm vs 0.92 [0.023] mm; P < 0.05). These parameters were similar among the other 3 genotypes.Conclusion: In this study, the ACED-positive and p22phox 242T-negative genotype showed higher rates of somatic mtDNA mutation (mtDNA A3243G) and higher carotid mean and maximum IMT levels.     

The effects of different doses of inhaled bacteriophage therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary infections in mice

ObjectivesInhaled phage therapy has been revisited as a potential treatment option for respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, there is a distinct gap in understanding the dose–response effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the dose–response effect of Pseudomonas-targeting phage PEV31 delivered by the pulmonary route in a mouse lung infection model.MethodsNeutropenic BALB/c mice were infected with multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa (2 × 10⁴ colony-forming units) through the intratracheal route and then treated with PEV31 at three different doses of 7.5 × 10⁴ (Group A), 5 × 10⁶ (Group B), and 5 × 10⁸ (Group C) plaque-forming units, or phosphate-buffered saline at 2 hours postinoculation. Mice (n = 5–7) were euthanized at 2 hours and 24 hours postinfection, and lungs, kidneys, spleen, liver, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and blood were collected for bacteria and phage enumeration.ResultsAt 24 hours postinfection, all phage-treated groups exhibited a significant reduction in pulmonary bacterial load by 1.3–1.9 log₁₀, independent of the delivered phage dose. The extent of phage replication was negatively correlated with the dose administered, with log₁₀ titre increases of 6.2, 2.7, and 9 for Groups A, B, and C, respectively. Phage-resistant bacterial subpopulations in the lung homogenate samples harvested at 24 hours postinfection increased with the treatment dose (i.e. 30%, 74%, and 91% in respective Groups A–C). However, the mutants showed increased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, impaired twitching motility, and reduced blue-green pigment production. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß and IL-6, and TNF-α) was suppressed with increasing PEV31 treatment dose.DiscussionThis study provides the dose–response effect of inhaled phage therapy that may guide dose selection for treating P. aeruginosa respiratory infections in humans.     

Community attitudes towards emergency research and exception from informed consent

Objective

To determine public attitudes towards emergency research, exception from informed consent (EFIC) and a specific proposed clinical trial using EFIC.

Methods

As part of a planned community consultation activity, a survey was conducted at a popular public venue. Participants answered demographic questions and then were asked their opinions on specifically described consent circumstances in emergency research, including the proposed EFIC trial. Multiple logistic and linear regression were used to determine respondent characteristics associated with specific attitudes.

Results

1901 surveys were completed. The majority of respondents supported emergency research (88%) and the concept of surrogate consent by a legally authorized representative (78%). The concept of EFIC was less well supported (35%) but the application of EFIC was more accepted, especially when EFIC was applied to the respondent themselves (51%). The community believed the proposed EFIC study was acceptable (82%); a minority had concerns but most were related to patient safety and not to EFIC. Respondents with less education and lower incomes were less likely to express opinions about the consent and research concepts described.

Conclusions

Emergency research and the proposed EFIC trial is supported in this community. The concept of EFIC is less well supported but is more acceptable when a specific trial is described or when respondents consider EFIC for themselves. Specific respondent characteristics are associated with attitudes about research; this can assist in development of meaningful community consultation activities.     

基于APP形式的健康教育在胆管结石患者延续性护理中的应用

目的：探讨APP形式的健康教育在胆管结石患者延续性护理中的应用效果。方法将我院2015年1月至3月出院的80例胆管结石患者随机分为观察组和对照组,对照组仅给予出院指导,观察组在对照组的基础上给予出院后APP形式的健康教育,比较两组出院后的健康知识掌握、复发率、自我管理行为及护理满意度。结果观察组在疾病病因、危险因素、合理饮食、运动锻炼等健康知识得分方面均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义( P<0.05)。观察组在症状管理实践、与医生沟通、运动锻炼方面的管理行为好于对照组,复发率低于对照组,护理满意度高于对照组,差异有统计学意义( P<0.05)。结论 APP形式的健康教育能够增加胆管结石出院患者对健康知识掌握度,降低复发率,是一种值得推广的延续性护理形式。     

肝硬化患者肝移植术后生存质量的变化

目的调查肝硬化患者肝移植前后生存质量的变化情况。方法研究对象为在中山大学附属第三医院移植中心行首次肝移植手术的68例肝硬化患者。分别在术前,术后0～6个月、7～12个月、12个月以上对患者进行问卷调查。问卷采用健康调查简表(medical outcome study 36-item short form health survey,SF-36)与疾病专用调查表——慢性肝病问卷(chronic liver disease questionaire,CLDQ)。结果在肝移植术前,肝硬化患者的SF-36和CLDQ各维度评分均偏低。术后各时段SF-36的生理机能、躯体疼痛、一般健康、精力和CLDQ的腹部症状、乏力、全身症状、活动评分均较术前明显升高(均为P<0.05);与术前比较,术后0～6个月SF-36的生理职能、社会功能、情感职能、精神健康和CLDQ的情感功能、焦虑评分差异无统计学意义(均为P>0.05),但术后7～12个月、术后12个月以上述维度评分比较差异均有统计学意义(均为P<0.05);术后随着时间的推移,两表各维度得分逐步升高。结论肝硬化肝移植患者术后的生存质量与术前比较有明显改善,术后早期以生理功能方面改善明显,随时间的推移,生存质量其他指标如心理状态和社会功能也得到明显的改善。     

2017年度参加全国生物剂量估算能力考核结果分析

目的 通过对2017年参加全国生物剂量估算能力考核总结分析,提高该项工作的专业技术能力。方法 根据《2017年度生物剂量估算能力考核方案》,进行受照后的培养、制片、分析染色体的非稳定性畸变,统计染色体非稳定性畸变数量（dic+r）,应用国家标准上的曲线Y=7.3512×10^-3+3.4037×10^-2D+8.0398×10^-2 D²估算剂量。结果 样本05-1平均值是3.62Gy,95%的可信区间是（3.32~3.90）Gy,相对偏差为0.56%;样本05-2平均值是2.37 Gy,95%的可信区间是（2.19~2.54）Gy,相对偏差为7.73%,两样品相对偏差均<20%,综合判定本实验室生物剂量能力估算结果为合格。结论 本实验室能满足生物剂量工作需要,但仍然需要加强质量控制,规范操作,不断总结分析,建立本实验室生物剂量曲线,减少系统误差,使结果更加准确可靠,为核与辐射事故的临床救治及监督管理提供科学依据。     

125I粒籽植入放射工作人员受照剂量评估

目的 研究¹²⁵I粒籽植入治疗过程中放射工作人员受照剂量水平,并对其辐射风险进行评估,同时提出合理化的辐射防护建议。方法 本次用于场所防护检测采用100粒单粒活度为0.8 mCi的¹²⁵I粒籽源;单粒¹²⁵I粒籽源周围剂量当量率研究采用的单粒粒籽源出厂活度为0.85 mCi;采用点源模型对不同分工的医务人员受照剂量进行理论计算;同时使用TLD对单粒¹²⁵I粒籽源周围剂量当量率进行测量,使用AT1121型X、γ辐射剂量当量率仪对场所进行布点检测,根据检测结果评估医务人员的受照剂量。结果 术前分装人员,在佩戴0.025 mmPb铅防护手套的情况下手部剂量将降低为5.02 mGy/a;术中手术人员手部剂量将降低为3.01 mGy/a;对于术后护理人员而言,100粒粒籽源在植入深度为2 cm,穿戴0.25 mmPb铅衣的情况下,年受照剂量将降低为0.013 mGy/a。单粒¹²⁵I粒籽源周围剂量当量率测量结果表明距离源30 cm以外基本为本底水平。针对单粒粒子源周围剂量率分布,使用点源模型以及TLD实验测量结果表明,点源模型计算结果较TLD实验测量结果较大,距离越近,相差越大;距离越远两者结果越接近。对于治疗场所而言,使用点源模型以及实验测量结果表明,点源模型较实测结果较大。结论 针对单粒¹²⁵I粒籽源,距离较近时需看作线源,而非点源,因此在距离较近时,点源计算模型较实测结果较大;随着距离的增加,点源计算结果与实测结果越来越接近。建议分装、手术人员、护理病患的护士穿戴防护用品;放射性粒籽植入的患者在手术后穿戴铅围裙或在手术部位覆盖铅防护用品。     

2015年重庆市生物剂量盲样考核结果分析

目的 为进一步提高放射卫生技术机构染色体非稳定性畸变的分析能力和水平,保障对受照者生物剂量的评估质量。方法 中国疾病预防控制中心辐射安全所按照能力考核方案对其实验及其结果进行分析。结果 两个样品的估算剂量的相对偏差均小于20%,考核结果均为合格。结论 本单位生物剂量实验室的整体技术水平符合国家有关标准要求。     

2016年南通市放射工作人员外照射个人剂量监测结果

目的 了解南通市放射工作人员职业外照射的剂量水平及分布情况,评价放射工作人员职业危害及防护效果,为放射防护管理工作提供科学依据。方法 使用RGD-3D热释光剂量仪对放射工作人员进行外照射个人剂量当量H_P（10）监测,职业类别包括诊断放射学、介入放射学、核医学、牙科放射学、放射治疗、工业应用等,采用全国放射卫生信息平台个人监测管理系统进行数据汇总统计。结果 南通市放射工作人员外照射人均年有效剂量为0.273 mSv/a,所有监测人员的年有效剂量均小于年剂量限值20 mSv,集体有效剂量为0.570人·Sv,人均年有效剂量以介入放射学（0.375 mSv/a）稍高,其次为核医学（0.316 mSv/a）,人数最多的诊断放射学为0.271 mSv/a,其余职业类别年有效剂量值均在较低水平;不同地区放射工作人员平均年有效剂量相差不大,人均年有效剂量海安县（0.418 mSv/a）较其他地区稍高;二甲医院以下医疗单位监测剂量值（0.361 mSv/a）要高于二甲医院及以上医疗单位（0.182 mSv/a）和工业企业（0.143 mSv/a）。结论 2016年南通市放射工作人员年有效剂量均处于较低水平,我市放射工作人员的放射防护条件良好,工作环境安全。