An Analysis of Cancer Center–Provided Rideshare Utilization for Radiation Therapy

ObjectivesThe potential of rideshare services to facilitate timely radiation therapy (RT), especially for resource-limited patients, is understudied.MethodsPatients (n = 63) who received 73 courses of RT (1,513 fractions) and utilized free hospital-provided rideshare service (537 rides) were included in this retrospective study. A multidimensional analysis was conducted including a comparison of demographic, disease characteristics, and treatment completion data; a revenue analysis to evaluate the financial impact of rideshare services; and a geospatial analysis to evaluate community-level characteristics of patients.ResultsMedian age was 59; most were female (56%) and self-identified as Black or African American (56%), not working (91%), not partnered (83%), high school educated or less (78%), and insured with Medicaid (51%). Geospatial analysis revealed that patients lived in communities with significantly higher rates of resource deprivation. Median rideshare distance was 6.4 miles (interquartile range 3.4-11.2) with a median cost of $13.04 per rideshare (interquartile range 9-19). Of the rideshare-facilitated treatments, 100% were completed, with an overall course completion rate of 97.3% compared with 85.4% for those who did not use rideshare (P = .001); two patients discontinued RT for reasons unrelated to transportation. High rideshare utilization (n = 32), defined as utilization ≥ 45% of the treatment course, was associated with significantly shorter treatment courses and lower radiation doses compared with low rideshare utilization (P = .04). Total rideshare cost for high utilizers and whole cohort was $11,589 and $16,895, facilitating an estimated revenue of $401,952 and $1,175,119, respectively.ConclusionsFree hospital-provided rideshare service is economically feasible and associated with high RT completion rates. It may help enhance quality radiation care for those who come from resource-limited communities.     

从脾论治高脂血症

脾的运化功能对机体的物质能量代谢起着重要的作用,同时这一功能也体现在脂质代谢方面。脾失运化是高脂血症发生和发展的重要病机,因脾虚和肝脾失调所产生的痰湿之邪是高脂血症发病的物质基础;从脾论治是治疗高脂血症的基本大法,同时从脾论治高脂血症将对提高疗效改善高脂血症的异常脂代谢具有重要意义。     

利用射频识别技术 保障体外诊断试剂质量安全

目的：探讨体外诊断试剂规范化管理体系。方法：对体外诊断试剂在供应和使用过程中存在的安全和质量风险因素进行分析,并介绍运用“一体化冷链运输射频识别周转箱”对体外诊断试剂进行整个流程规范化可溯源管理。结果：建立了体外诊断试剂从采购、冷链物流运输、入库验收到使用一整套规范的动态跟踪管理体系。结论：射频识别技术对体外诊断试剂各环节可进行实时监控与记录,确保试剂的质量安全与可溯源。     

过氧化物酶体增殖体活化受体γ、肝脏X受体α、视黄酸X受体α活化对THP-1单核巨噬细胞ABC1mRNA表达的影响及意义

目的探讨核受体过氧化物酶体增殖剂活化受体γ(peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ,PPARγ)、肝脏X受体α(Liver X receptor alpha,LXRα)、视黄酸X受体α(Retinoid X receptor alpha,RXRα)活化对THP-1单核巨噬细胞ATP结合盒转运蛋白(ATP binding cassette transporter 1,ABC1)mRNA表达的影响及意义。方法体外培养的THP-1单核细胞,经佛波酯(PMA)诱导成为巨噬细胞后,与核受体PPARγ、LXRα、RXRα的相应配体曲格列酮(TROG)、22(R)羟化胆固醇(22(R)-HC)、9-顺式视黄酸(9-CRA)作用24小时,提取细胞总RNA,用一步法逆转录聚合酶链反应检测核受体PPARγ、LXRα、RXRα活化剂对ABC1mRNA表达的影响。结果与对照组相比较,曲格列酮组、22(R)-HC组、9-CRA组、TROG+22(R)-HC组、TROG+组、22(R)-HC+9-CRA组ABC1 mRNA的表达均有不同程度增加,联合作用组(即核受体PPARγ、LXRα、RXRα两两活化)ABC1 mRNA增加更为明显。结论通过调控PPARγ、LXRα和RXRα等核受体的活化程度可达到调控ABC1表达的目的,这可能将为动脉粥样硬化的防治提供新的前景和机会。     

Survival of primordial follicles following prolonged transportation of ovarian tissue prior to cryopreservation

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for fertility preservation is becoming increasingly common. Treatment of diseases that may deprive the ovaries of follicles is often performed at local hospitals that are without the necessary facilities and expertise to cryopreserve ovarian tissue. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether primordial follicles of ovarian cortex survive transport for up to 4 h prior to cryopreservation. METHODS: Immediately after recovery of one ovary from each of four patients, the cortex was roughly isolated, placed in IVF culture medium, kept on ice and transported for 3-4 h to the centre where final dissection and cryopreservation took place. Transplantation of pieces of thawed ovarian cortex under the skin of ovariectomized immunodeficient mice for a period of 4 weeks was used to assess the survival of primordial follicles. RESULTS: After transplantation, ovarian tissue from each of the four patients contained surviving follicles. CONCLUSIONS: Transport of roughly isolated ovarian cortex cooled on ice for a period of up to 4 h allows survival of primordial follicles following cryopreservation and transplantation to immunodeficient mice.     

中医“湿”义考

湿自长夏而来,虽为阴邪,然而也是火热所生之物,因此同时蕴含阴阳之性,往往容易与温热和暑热相兼。从哲学范畴看,湿源于阳热对土中水的气化,与水、土和太阳有着密切关联。中医对湿的认识在《黄帝内经》中得到完善。"湿"具备双重属性,既有利民生之性,也有致病之性,同时扮演着自然产物(如气候、环境)、生命化生者、邪气和致病因素等角色,蕴含着湿润、迟缓、黏滑、重浊、趋下等义,具有发病隐匿、广泛、急骤等特性。人体内的湿一方面源于外湿的侵入,另一方面源于脾主运化的失司。     

Non-oncotic properties of albumin. A multidisciplinary vision about the implications for critically ill patients

Introduction: Effective resuscitation with human albumin solutions is achieved with less fluid than with crystalloid solutions. However, the role of albumin in today’s critical care unit is also linked to its multiple pharmacological effects.

Areas covered: The potential clinical benefits of albumin in select populations of critically ill patients like sepsis seem related to immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, antibiotic transportation and endothelial stabilization. Albumin transports many drugs used in critically ill patients. Such binding to albumin is frequently lessened in critically ill patients with hypoalbuminemia. These changes could result in sub-optimal treatment. Albumin has immunomodulatory capacity by binding several bacterial products. Albumin also influences vascular integrity, contributing to the maintenance of the normal capillary permeability. Moreover, the albumin molecule encompasses several antioxidant properties, thereby significantly reducing re-oxygenation injury, which is especially important in sepsis. In fact, most studies of albumin administration are a combination of a degree of resuscitation with a degree of maintenance or supplementation of albumin.

Expert commentary: The potential clinical benefits of the use of albumin in selected critically ill patients such as sepsis seem related to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects, antioxidant properties, antibiotic transportation and endothelial stabilization. Additional studies are warranted to further elucidate the underlying physiologic and molecular rationale.