Correlation between MRI appearances and serum alkaline phosphatase levels in Osteogenic sarcoma

IntroductionMagnetic resonance imaging is a pictorial depiction of the patho-anatomy of a bony lesion. As different parts of the tumor in Osteogenic sarcoma concurrently undergo various biological processes i.e. osteoblastic new bone formation, cell death, necrosis, bony destruction and revascularization etc., we hypothesized that the image seen in MRI could be used to assess the tumor behavior at that time. This study was done as a preliminary study with the aim to find whether the MRI pictures can have identifiable patterns and if present whether they can be linked to biological behavior. We could identify 2 distinct patterns in T2 weighted images which correlated well with serum alkaline phosphatase a serum marker and the duration of symptoms and so we are reporting our observations.Material and methodT2 weighted MRI pictures of 15 cases of Osteogenic sarcoma were studied for identifiable patterns in matrix. These patterns if found were to be linked to biological behavior in the form of serum alkaline phosphatase levels and duration of symptoms.ResultsWe could identify 2 unique patterns named by us as Group 1 Heterogeneous type (4 cases) which had a raised serum alkaline phosphatase level and had a history at presentation of less than 3 months duration. In Group 2 homogenous type (5 cases) the serum alkaline phosphatase levels were low and the cases presented after 6 months. As we could not identify any logical pattern in rest of the cases we labeled them as miscellaneous.DiscussionMRI patterns can be used as markers of disease activity as there are 2 clear poles correlating well with serum alkaline phosphatase levels (high or low). Intermediate patterns may be the natural biological behavior and waxing and waning of the tumor disease activity.     

胃癌术后患者早期肠内营养达标状况及其影响因素研究

目的了解胃癌术后患者早期肠内营养达标状况,分析影响营养达标的因素,为进一步制定有效护理措施改善胃癌术后患者营养支持状况提供参考。方法根据肠内营养制剂第3天供给热量能否达到患者需求[104.6kJ/(kg.d)]的60%,将82例患者分为达标组和未达标组,分析比较两组患者的一般资料及临床特征,通过Logistic回归进行多因素分析,探讨影响早期肠内营养达标的主要因素。结果82例患者中17例(20.73%)达标。达标组患者体质量水平、术中出血量、肠内营养不耐受例数显著低于/少于未达标组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。Logistic回归分析显示,患者体质量、术中失血量、肠内营养不耐受对早期营养达标有影响。结论胃癌术后早期肠内营养实施状况有待进一步提高,体质量越重、术中失血量越多、肠内营养不耐受发生率越高的患者早期肠内营养不达标的危险大。     

Nursing roles and levels of practice: a framework for differentiating between elementary,specialist and advancing nursing practice

The recent profusion of new nursing roles in the UK has led to much confusion in the minds of health care consumers, employers, nursing practitioners and educationalists regarding the meaning, scope of practice, preparation for, and expectations of such roles. Titles such as Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), Higher Level Practitioner (HLP) and more recently Nurse Consultant (NC) are being adopted in a variety of care settings with little understanding or consensus as to the nature of or differences between such roles. Further, the former United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting (1992) initiative for extending the scope of professional practice allows for the prospect that nurses can adopt additional clinical tasks or alter the nature of service provision provided that they acquire the appropriate education or training, levels of competence and are prepared to be accountable for their new practices. Consequently, nursing practice is becoming more diverse than ever before and the boundaries of inter- and intraprofessional practices are becoming increasingly blurred. The UKCC (1999a) has recently contributed to an understanding of the levels of clinical practice undertaken at the specialist level but the situation at advanced or consultant levels remains unclear.     

von Willebrand factor, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular disease

von Willebrand factor (VWF), a glycoprotein involved in arterial thrombus formation, is released into the circulation by secretion from endothelial cells. Plasma VWF levels are determined by genetic factors including ABO blood groups and VWF mutations, and by non-genetic factors including aging, impaired nitric oxide production, inflammation, free radical production and diabetes. Plasma VWF levels have been proposed as a risk factor for cardiovascular events. Although they are only weakly associated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in the general population, they are a more promising CHD risk factor in high-risk populations with previous cardiovascular events, diabetes or old age. However, is it still unclear whether VWF levels directly determine the rate and severity of arterial thrombus formation or whether they merely reflect alteration in other endothelial functions. The future status of VWF levels as a cardiovascular risk factor depends on additional studies on the genetic determinants of both VWF levels and cardiovascular outcomes. Further studies on VWF levels as a predictor of the risk of stroke (rather than CHD) in elderly or other high-risk population are also promising. Such studies could lead to the clinical use of plasma VWF levels to refine the estimation of the cardiovascular risk and of the expected benefit of antithrombotic agents.     

木犀草素对稳定期COPD患者血清炎症细胞因子及肺功能的影响评价

目的：探讨木犀草素对稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）患者的血清炎症细胞因子以及肺功能的影响,分析木犀草素对COPD的防治作用。方法：将2013年10月～2014年10月在本院进行治疗的50例稳定期COPD患者随机分为观察组和对照组,各25例。其中观察组运用木犀草素进行治疗,对照组运用常规药物治疗,根据酶联免疫吸附法对两组患者的血清炎症细胞因子水平进行测定,运用MRC呼吸困难评分对肺功能进行测定,比较观察组与对照组的治疗效果。结果：观察组的25例患者运用木犀草素进行治疗血清炎症细胞因子水平有了明显的下降,肺功能FEV1（pred%）、FEV1/FVC、MVV、PEF指标有了明显的改善,与对照组相比差异显著,具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：木犀草素对于稳定期COPD治疗效果显著,对患者体内的血清炎症细胞因子能够做到较好的控制,同时对肺部功能的恢复有较好的临床价值。     

株洲市门诊儿童血铅水平及其影响因素的流行病学研究

目的了解株洲市门诊儿童血铅水平及其影响因素,为防治铅中毒提供针对性建议。方法对株洲地区儿科门诊的1 200例1月~14岁儿童进行问卷调查,并测定其静脉血铅水平和血清铁、钙、铜、镁、锌含量。结果 1)门诊儿童血铅水平平均为(96.1±64.4)μg/L,≥100.0μg/L者检出率达28.7%。2)逐步回归分析:血铅水平与全血铁、钙、铜含量呈负相关,而不认为血铅水平与全血镁、锌含量存在显著关系。3)Logistic回归分析:母亲年龄较大、常补充钙/铁/锌制剂、常食用乳类和乳制品、散居是儿童血铅含量≥100μg/L的保护因素。母亲文化程度低、父亲吸烟、男童、常在交通繁忙地带散步/玩耍、进食前几乎不洗手、常咬文具/玩具、常食爆米花、常吸吮手指/啃手指甲、常玩橡皮泥、常服中草药、经常饮用罐装饮料、住所距离主干道较近、居室有墙皮脱落、住所楼层较低、大年龄儿童是儿童血铅含量≥100μg/L的危险因素。结论株洲市门诊儿童血铅水平≥100.0μg/L检出率较高,当地政府和社会应以改善生态环境、加强营养干预、普及健康教育、落实行为指导为切入点,减轻儿童铅暴露及其危害。     

Toxicity profiles and solvent–toxicant interference in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea after dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) exposure

To investigate hydrophobic test compounds in toxicological studies, solvents like dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) are inevitable. However, using these solvents, the interpretation of test compound‐induced responses can be biased. DMSO concentration guidelines are available, but are mostly based on acute exposures involving one specific toxicity endpoint. Hence, to avoid solvent–toxicant interference, we use multiple chronic test endpoints for additional interpretation of DMSO concentrations and propose a statistical model to assess possible synergistic, antagonistic or additive effects of test compounds and their solvents. In this study, the effects of both short‐ (1 day) and long‐term (2 weeks) exposures to low DMSO concentrations (up to 1000 µl l^?1) were studied in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. We measured different biological levels in both fully developed and developing animals. In a long‐term exposure set‐up, a concentration of 500 µl l^?1 DMSO interfered with processes on different biological levels, e.g. behaviour, stem cell proliferation and gene expression profiles. After short exposure times, 500 µl l^?1 DMSO only affected motility, whereas the most significant changes on different parameters were observed at a concentration of 1000 µl l^?1 DMSO. As small sensitivity differences exist between biological levels and developmental stages, we advise the use of this solvent in concentrations below 500 µl l^?1 in this organism. In the second part of our study, we propose a statistical approach to account for solvent–toxicant interactions and discuss full‐scale solvent toxicity studies. In conclusion, we reassessed DMSO concentration limits for different experimental endpoints in the planarian S. mediterranea. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Obesity in Older People in China: Data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS)

Background: No studies have been conducted to explore the associations between dietary patterns and obesity among older Chinese people, by considering gender and urbanization level differences. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey (2745 individuals, aged ≥ 60 years). Dietary data were obtained using 24 h-recall over three consecutive days. Height, Body Weight, and Waist Circumference were measured. Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Multinomial and Poisson regression models were used to examine the association between dietary patterns and Body Mass Index (BMI) status/central obesity. Results: The prevalence of general and central obesity was 9.5% and 53.4%. Traditional dietary pattern (high intake of rice, pork and vegetables) was inversely associated with general/central obesity; modern dietary pattern (high intake of fruit, fast food, and processed meat) was positively associated with general/central obesity. The highest quartile of traditional dietary pattern had a lower risk of general/central obesity compared with the lowest quartile, while an inverse picture was found for the modern dietary pattern. These associations were consistent by gender and urbanization levels. Conclusions: Dietary patterns are associated with general/central obesity in older Chinese. This study reinforces the importance of a healthy diet in promoting healthy ageing in China.     

Effects of obesity on the association between long‐term sleep apnea treatment and changes in interleukin‐6 levels: the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in interleukin (IL)‐6 and soluble IL‐6 receptor levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients and assess the role of positive airway pressure treatment and obesity on these changes. A total of 309 newly diagnosed subjects with sleep apnea from the Icelandic Sleep Apnea Cohort were referred for treatment and reassessed at a 2‐year follow‐up. Full treatment was defined objectively as use ≥4 h day^?1 and ≥20 days month^?1. At the 2‐year follow‐up, there were 177 full users, 44 partial users and 88 non‐users. The mean change in biomarker levels from baseline to the 2‐year follow‐up was assessed in a primary model that included adjustment for baseline biomarker levels, baseline body mass index and change in body mass index, as well as after adjustment for numerous relevant covariates. No significant overall difference in IL‐6 level change was found among full, partial and non‐users. However, in severely obese patients (body mass index ≥35), a significant increase in IL‐6 levels during the 2‐year period was found in partial and non‐users, compared to no change in full users. Results were attenuated in a smaller propensity score matched subsample, although similar trends were observed. No differences were found in soluble IL‐6 receptor levels between full users and non‐users, after adjustment for confounders. In conclusion, among untreated obese sleep apnea patients, IL‐6 levels increase substantially during 2 years, while adherence to positive airway pressure treatment may prevent further increases in this inflammatory biomarker.