Individual analysis of dynamic stability for twenty-four Tai Chi forms among persons with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study

BackgroundTai Chi (TC) training has been increasingly used to prevent falls. However, the underlying biomechanical mechanisms of TC training which influence fall risk remain unknown. As a result, the selection of TC forms differs among studies, leading to inconsistent results.Research questionIs dynamic stability different between the simplified 24 Yang-style TC forms among adults with knee osteoarthritis?MethodsTen participants with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis were recruited. Under one-on-one instruction by an experienced TC master, each participant learned how to correctly perform the 24-form TC movements. Participants’ full-body kinematic and kinetic data was collected during walking trials and performance of the respective TC forms. Their dynamic stability was calculated in both sagittal and frontal planes and compared between each TC form and regular walking.ResultsThe results indicate that dynamic stability in both planes significantly varies among forms. Moreover, some forms pose a greater challenge to dynamic stability in comparison to others. The most challenging TC forms are Form 8 for stability in the sagittal plane and Form 10 in the frontal plane. Among all forms, Form 1 appears to be the least challenging.SignificanceOur findings could provide foundational information to identify the best TC forms for optimizing the effectiveness of TC-based fall prevention interventions.     

胆胰肠结合部医源性损伤诊治及预防

胆胰肠结合部（CPDJ）医源性损伤发生隐匿，易漏诊与误诊，可导致严重并发症。近年来，随着胆石病发病率的不断增高、胆胰手术的普遍开展以及内镜和胆道镜等技术的深入推广，CPDJ医源性损伤发生逐渐增多。损伤处理方式和时机选择仍存在一定争议，治疗方案因人、因时而异。目前，多以“损伤控制性外科”理念为原则，继而进行“个体化”分期手术治疗。但二次手术治疗成本高、风险大、病人预后不佳，因此，防胜于治，全面而细致的防治思维可为病人提供更好的治疗效果。而对于CPDJ医源性损伤的监测及诊断技术有待进一步优化。     

Neonatal mortality in Jordan: secondary analysis of Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) data

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the 2009 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS) data to determine the level, trend, and distribution of neonatal mortality (NNM) in Jordan and determine its associated factors.

Methods: Nationally representative data on NNM were extracted from the JPFHS data. Using multivariate analyses, the strength of associations between 12 clinical/sociodemographic variables and neonatal mortality were quantified after controlling for potential confounders.

Results: The weighted NNM rate for 2005–2009 period was 16 deaths per 1000 live births, with the early NNM rate and late NNM rates were 10 deaths per 1000 live births and six deaths per 1000 live births, respectively. Fluctuations of NNM according to year of birth and geographic variations were noted. Risk of NNM increased among male newborns, as mother’s education level decreased, in mothers 40–49 years old, in multiple gestations-low birth weight neonates, and as birth interval was <3 years.

Conclusions: The NNR rate for 2005–2009 period of 16 deaths per 1000 live births indicates that there are opportunities to decrease it. Risk factors of neonatal mortality with respect to predictors of death during first days of life and variables related to geographic variations require particular focus to improve the quality of obstetric and neonatal health services and to decrease neonatal mortality.     

超声引导下经皮经肝胆囊穿刺后继发性脓肿发生的危险因素分析

目的 探讨超声引导下经皮经肝胆囊穿刺置管引流术(Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage,PTGD)术后发生继发性脓肿(Secondary abscess,SA)的发生率及其危险因素。方法 回顾性分析南京医科大学附属无锡人民医院2010年1月至2017年12月间410例经超声引导下PTGD患者的临床资料,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析相关危险因素。结果 12例(2.93%,12/410)患者PTGD术后出现SA,再次针对SA穿刺引流的成功率100%。对良性疾病梗阻、基础疾病、胆囊大小、腹水、凝血功能、血小板、糖化血红蛋白(HbA_1C)、短期内引流管脱落/自行拔出等混杂因素进行校正后,Logistic回归分析表明短期内引流管脱落/自行拔出(OR=6.64,95%Cl：3.34～13.81,P=0.03)和HbA_1C＞9.0%(OR=3.38,95%Cl：1.22～7.95,P=0.04)是引起术后SA的独立危险因素。结论 SA是超声引导下PTGD术后罕见的并发症,再次穿刺引流是治疗SA有效和安全的方法。临床可通过加强对穿刺引流管的保护和应用降血糖药物,降低PTGD术后SA的发生。     

Premature Ticagrelor Discontinuation in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic CVD: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Ticagrelor is a cornerstone of modern antithrombotic therapy alongside aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and after percutaneous coronary intervention. Adverse effects such as bleeding and dyspnea have been associated with premature ticagrelor discontinuation, which may limit any potential advantage of ticagrelor over clopidogrel. The randomized trials of ticagrelor captured adverse events, offering the opportunity to more precisely quantify these effects across studies. Therefore, a meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials of ticagrelor conducted between January 2007 and June 2017 was performed to quantify the incidence and causes of premature ticagrelor discontinuation. Among 66,870 patients followed for a median 18 months, premature ticagrelor discontinuation was seen in 25%; bleeding was the most common cause of discontinuation followed by dyspnea. Versus the comparators, the relative risk of dyspnea-related discontinuation during follow-up was 6.4-fold higher, the relative risk of bleeding was 3.2-fold higher, and the relative risk of discontinuation due to any adverse event was 59% higher for patients receiving ticagrelor. Understanding these potential barriers to adherence to ticagrelor is crucial for informed patient-physician decision making and can inform future efforts to improve ticagrelor adherence. This review discusses the incidence, causes, and biological mechanisms of ticagrelor-related adverse effects and offers strategies to improve adherence to ticagrelor.     

Facilitators and barriers to HIV testing among Asians in the United States: a systematic review

Asians have the highest rate of undiagnosed HIV in the United States. Limited research on factors implicated in HIV testing among this population presents a barrier to monitoring and addressing HIV testing disparities. To examine predictors of HIV testing among Asians in the United States, a systematic search of articles published from January 1997 to December 2017 was conducted using four electronic databases, including Medline, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Twenty-two articles were included according to predefined inclusion criteria: peer-reviewed, published in English, took place in the United States, included participants at least 18 years of age, reported data specifically on Asians or Asian subgroups, and assessed HIV testing. Included studies were assessed by methodological quality scoring. Individual-level factors such as HIV knowledge and HIV risk perceptions were commonly reported facilitators of HIV testing. Studies placed less attention on community, institutional, or structural level factors predicting HIV testing. Sorely warranted are high quality, longitudinal studies that examine HIV testing among Asians in the United States. Multi-level theoretical frameworks that examine HIV testing among Asians with attention to ethnic subgroups are needed to improve understanding of HIV testing and to develop targeted testing interventions.