A familiar species of Crank: Anti-Vaccinationists in medical history

Vaccination, health psychology and mental health make for three well-established and prestigious topoi in medical history. An in-depth look at their historical intersections remains forthcoming, however. Vaccinology’s psychological turns merit historians’ attention, all the more in the light of more recent, post-psychological and infodemiological, perspectives in vaccine acceptance research. Historiography at this point may help appreciating the present, and future, standing of psychological profiling in terms of its explanatory merits and policy uses. Of specific, critical interest is the motif of mental illness historically shared by vaccine advocates and contrarians. Mock-psychiatric nosology was a favored framing device for vaccination polemicists early on, indeed before vaccines were called vaccines and before psychiatry came to be called psychiatry. Though long anticipated, substantive historical-sociological and empirical approaches to vaccine non-acceptance were seen only from the 1920s and 1930s, respectively. Today, spirited animosity over vaccination continues to invite both professional and public debate about the founding concepts, the basic tenets, and the defining boundaries, of the mental health sciences.     

糖尿病前期中医证型及证素特点分析＊

目的 探讨糖尿病前期的中医证型及证素分布特点。方法 检索中国知网、万方及维普三大数据库中收录的自建库以来有关糖尿病前期证型的临床研究文献，对中医证型进行规范整理，建立数据库，提取证素，运用数据挖掘技术中的关联分析、聚类分析探究证素分布规律。结果 共纳入10篇文献，总有效病例1620例，证型经规范处理后整理为18个，主要证型为脾虚痰湿证。共提取证素13个，主要病位证素为脾，主要病性证素为气虚、湿和痰，关联分析显示脾—湿支持度和置信度最高，聚类分析结果可得到3个聚类组。结论 糖尿病前期病位在脾，气虚、脾、痰、湿是常见证素，临床诊治糖尿病前期应注重从脾论治，需辨证施治。     

Coping with cancer: A qualitative study of adolescent and young adult perspectives

ObjectivesCancer can have long-term biopsychological impacts for young people that persist for years. To promote adjustment, it is essential to understand how young people cope, yet this is relatively understudied.MethodsThis study explored the coping strategies using semi-structured interviews with 16 young people with cancer aged 15–24 years. Eligible participants were diagnosed within the previous 24 months and recruited through Australian Youth Cancer Services. Transcribed interviews were analysed using content analysis.ResultsCoping strategies included: seeking support; controlling the focus; avoiding negatives and staying positive; meaning making and; changes with time. During treatment, seeking support, focussing on the present, distraction and avoidance were commonly applied. Following treatment, planning for the future, avoidance of re-traumatising situations and meaning making were used.ConclusionFindings support the concept of coping as a dynamic process where different strategies are used depending on the stressor, available resources and previous experiences.Practice ImplicationsComprehensive, developmentally appropriate psychosocial assessments, open communication, education and information provision, as well as appropriate referral for support are essential, particularly for young cancer survivors identified at risk.     

Clinical application of automated virtual orbital reconstruction for orbital fracture management with patient-specific implants: A prospective comparative study

The aim of the study was to compare automated and manually conducted (slice-by-slice) virtual orbital wall reconstruction in terms of PSI design, manufacture, and clinical application for orbital fracture management.Patients with orbital wall fractures were evaluated for the potential for treatment with PSI, based on automated virtual wall reconstruction; these formed the main group. The surgical outcomes of these main-group patients' treatments were compared with those of the control group, which comprised patients randomly selected for this study, each of whom had the same orbital trauma patterns and were also managed with PSI. However, the control group patients were treated using ‘slice-by-slice’ virtual orbital reconstruction.Mean volume differences between the intact and reconstructed orbit were 0.65 ± 0.26 cm³ in the main group (n = 23) and 0.57 ± 0.23 cm³ in the control (n = 27; p = 0.837). In both groups, no cases of implant malposition or enophthalmos were detected after surgery. Orbital shape difference was similar for the main group and the control, at ?3.3 ± 3.5% and 3.25 ± 2.5%, respectively (p = 0.929). Diplopia was diagnosed at the 3-month follow-up in 13.0% of the main group and in 11.1% of the control (p = 0.651). The average times spent on computer-aided design (CAD) procedures, including segmentation, virtual orbital reconstruction, and PSI design, were 36.7 ± 6.9 min in the main group and 72.9 ± 7.7 min in the control group (p < 0.001).Within the limitations of the study it seems that PSI based on automated virtual reconstruction is a relevant alternative treatment option for orbital fractures because of its clinical efficacy that is similar to PSI based on a ‘slice-by-slice’ CAD protocol.     

The Role of Oral Health in the Acquisition and Severity of SARS-CoV-2: A Retrospective Chart Review

ObjectiveStudies have shown that gingival crevices may be a significant route for SARS-CoV-2 entry. However, the role of oral health in the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 is not known.DesignA retrospective analysis was performed using electronic health record data from a large urban academic medical center between 12/1/2019 and 8/24/2020. A total of 387 COVID-19 positive cases were identified and matched 1:1 by age, sex, and race to 387 controls without COVID-19 diagnoses. Demographics, number of missing teeth and alveolar crestal height were determined from radiographs and medical/dental charts. In a subgroup of 107 cases and controls, we also examined the rate of change in alveolar crestal height. A conditional logistic regression model was utilized to assess association between alveolar crestal height and missing teeth with COVID-19 status and with hospitalization status among COVID-19 cases.ResultsIncreased alveolar bone loss, OR = 4.302 (2.510 – 7.376), fewer missing teeth, OR = 0.897 (0.835–0.965) and lack of smoking history distinguished COVID-19 cases from controls. After adjusting for time between examinations, cases with COVID-19 had greater alveolar bone loss compared to controls (0.641 ± 0.613 mm vs 0.260 ± 0.631 mm, p < 0.01.) Among cases with COVID-19, increased number of missing teeth OR = 2.1871 (1.146– 4.174) was significantly associated with hospitalization.ConclusionsAlveolar bone loss and missing teeth are positively associated with the acquisition and severity of COVID-19 disease, respectively.     

2型糖尿病患者扫描式葡萄糖监测系统指标与尿白蛋白/肌酐比值的相关性研究

背景 随着血糖监测技术的发展，近些年来人们开始使用扫描式葡萄糖监测系统（FGMS）"全景式"地观察2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者的血糖水平，明确FGMS指标与T2DM并发症之间的关系有助于提高其临床应用价值，但目前相关研究较少。 目的 探究佩戴FGMS的T2DM患者葡萄糖在目标范围内时间（TIR）等指标与尿白蛋白/肌酐比值（UACR）的相关性。 方法 选取2019年1月至2021年10月于北京大学人民医院老年科就诊并佩戴FGMS的T2DM患者79例，以尿液检查中UACR是否<30 mg/g将患者分为无白蛋白尿组（n=50）和白蛋白尿组（n=29）。比较两组患者的临床特征、实验室检查指标及FGMS指标等。采用Pearson相关、Spearman秩相关分析探讨TIR、高血糖时间（TAR）与糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）的相关性。分别采用Pearson相关、Spearman秩相关、偏相关分析探讨FGMS指标与lnUACR的相关性。使用多因素Logistic回归分析探究T2DM患者发生白蛋白尿的影响因素，采用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评估TIR对白蛋白尿的预测价值。 结果 白蛋白尿组T2DM病程长于无白蛋白尿组，三酰甘油（TG）、HbA1c、平均血糖（MBG）、TAR、平均血糖标准差（SDBG）、最大葡萄糖波动幅度（LAGE）、平均葡萄糖波动幅度（MAGE）、连续每隔2 h血糖净作用（CONGA2）高于无白蛋白尿组，TIR低于无白蛋白尿组（P<0.05）。Pearson相关、Spearman秩相关分析结果显示，TIR与HbA1c呈负相关（P<0.001），TAR与HbA1c呈正相关（P<0.001）。Pearson相关、Spearman秩相关、偏相关分析结果均表明，TIR与lnUACR呈负相关（P<0.001），MBG、TAR、SDBG、LAGE、MAGE、CONGA2与lnUACR呈正相关（P<0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示，TIR>70%〔OR=0.038，95%CI（0.003，0.467）〕是T2DM患者出现白蛋白尿的保护因素（P<0.05），TAR升高〔OR=1.046，95%CI（1.000，1.094）〕是T2DM患者出现白蛋白尿的危险因素（P<0.05）。TIR预测T2DM患者出现白蛋白尿的ROC曲线下面积（AUC）为0.784〔95%CI（0.674，0.894）〕（P=0.003），灵敏度为78%，特异度为83%，最佳切点为69.71%。 结论 在FGMS指标中，TIR>70%是T2DM患者出现白蛋白尿的保护因素，TAR升高是T2DM患者出现白蛋白尿的危险因素。同时，SDBG、LAGE、MAGE、CONGA2等多种反映血糖波动的指标也与UACR密切相关。对TIR水平较低及TAR、SDBG、LAGE、MAGE、CONGA2水平较高的T2DM患者进行FGMS筛查有助于早期识别及预防白蛋白尿的发生、发展。     

上尿路梗阻致肾功能衰竭临床分析

目的：探讨上尿路梗阻引起肾功能衰竭的诊断和治疗。方法：回顾分析30例上尿路梗阻引起肾功能衰竭患者的临床资料。结果：梗阻原因肾盂输尿管结石76.67%（23/30），肿瘤10%（3/30），其它13.33%（4/30）。治愈86.67%（26/30），好转13.33%（4/30）。结论:上尿路梗阻引起肾功能衰竭是泌尿外科的急重症，尽早解除梗阻有利于肾功能的恢复。     

Angiotensin (1−7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma transfusion in COVID-19

AimTo determine whether convalescent angiotensin (1?7) peptide replacement therapy with plasma (peptide plasma) transfusion can be beneficial in the treatment of critically ill patients with severe coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.Study designCase series of 9 critically ill patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who met the following criteria: severe pneumonia with rapid progression and continuously high viral load despite antiviral treatment.Peptide plasma: Plasma with angiotensin (1?7) content 8–10 times higher than healthy plasma donors was obtained from suitable donors. Peptide plasma transfusion was applied to 9 patients whose clinical status and/or laboratory profile deteriorated and who needed intensive care for 2 days.ResultsIn our COVID-19 cases, favipiravir, low molecular weight heparin treatment, which is included in the treatment protocol of the ministry of health, was started. Nine patients with oxygen saturation of 93% and below despite nasal oxygen support, whose clinical and/or laboratory deteriorated, were identified. The youngest of the cases was 36 years old, and the oldest patient was 85 years old. 6 of the 9 cases had male gender. 3 cases had been smoking for more than 10 years. 4 cases had at least one chronic disease.In all of our cases, SARS CoV2 lung involvement was bilateral and peptide plasma therapy was administered in cases when oxygen saturation was 93% and below despite nasal oxygen support of 5 liters/minute and above, and intensive care was required. Although it was not reflected in the laboratory parameters in the early period, 8 patients whose saturations improved with treatment were discharged without the need for intensive care. However, a similar response was not obtained in one case. Oxygen requirement increased gradually and, he died in intensive care process. An increase of the platelet count was observed in all cases following the peptide plasma treatment.ConclusionIn this preliminary case series of 9 critically ill patients with COVID-19, administration of plasma containing angiotensin (1?7) was followed by improvement in their clinical status. The limited sample size and study design preclude a definitive statement about the potential effectiveness of this treatment, and these observations require evaluation in clinical trials.