PGT-A preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies and embryo selection in routine ART cycles: Time to step back?

Embryo aneuploidies may be responsible for implantation failures, miscarriages and affects IVF outcomes. A variety of technologies have been implemented to individuate euploid embryos in IVF treatments, which is named preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). According to this strategy, a better embryo selection should increase IVF results. In reality, several issues remain unaddressed including the sampling strategy, involving the test outcomes, and the frequent occurrence of embryo mosaicism, affecting the criteria for selection of supposed viable embryos and possibly posing an ethical dilemma. Safety issues are in place, including perinatal and postnatal consequences of embryo sampling and the epigenetic weaknesses from a prolonged in vitro culture, necessary for trophectoderm biopsy. On the other side, chromosome number mistakes are progressively recognized as physiologic events in the early pre-implantation embryo with many corrective mechanisms in place and their destiny in the post-implantation development is unclear. Accordingly, the increasing precision of the diagnostic tools should be used to investigate the effect of such interventions within rigorous research programs in the sake of improved clinical outcomes. Meantime the diagnosis of embryo aneuploidies in IVF cycles should be considered as a research tool and systematic implementation in clinical practice may appear unjustified.     

Symptom improvement in dry eye subjects following intranasal tear neurostimulation: Results of two studies utilizing a controlled adverse environment

PurposeTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the intranasal tear neurostimulator (ITN) in improving dry eye symptoms assessed in a controlled adverse environment (CAE®).MethodsStudy 1: Multicenter, subject-masked, randomized-sequence, crossover design. Single intranasal (active) and extranasal (control) ITN administration during CAE exposure. Study 2: Single-arm, open-label design. Intranasal ITN administration ≥2 times/day for 45 days, CAE assessment at days 0 and 45. In both studies, upon CAE entry, and every 5 min thereafter, subjects assessed eye dryness score (visual analog scale, 0–100 mm; EDS-VAS), and ocular discomfort score (ODS; Ora Calibra™, 0–4), for ≈2 h. Study 1: when ODS was ≥3 at 2 consecutive timepoints, subjects applied ITN intranasally or extranasally for ≈3 min, and again when achieving the same ODS criteria in randomized sequence. Study 2: days 0 and 45, ITN was applied for ≈3 min employing the same ODS criteria as Study 1.ResultsStudy 1: Significantly greater pre- to post-application reductions in mean [SEM] EDS (−16.5 [1.7] vs −3.1 [1.7], P < 0.0001) and ODS (−0.93 [0.08] vs −0.34 [0.08], P < 0.0001; n = 143) with intranasal vs extranasal stimulation. Study 2: On day 0 (n = 52) and day 45 (n = 48), significant pre- to post-application reductions in mean [SEM] EDS (−15.9 [2.7] and −15.2 [2.4]; P < 0.0001), and ODS (−1.3 [0.2] and −1.3 [0.1]; P < 0.0001). Few device-related adverse events were reported, none serious.ConclusionsAcute symptom relief is significant with the ITN and remains undiminished after daily use.     

替格瑞洛对比氯吡格雷治疗东亚ACS患者有效性和安全性的Meta分析

目的:系统性评价替格瑞洛对比氯吡格雷治疗东亚急性冠状动脉综合征(ACS)患者的有效性和安全性,旨在为临床用药提供循证参考。方法:计算机检索Cochrane图书馆、PubMed、Embase、中国知网、万方数据库等,收集替格瑞洛(试验组)对比氯吡格雷(对照组)治疗东亚ACS患者的随机对照试验(RCT)。筛选文献、提取数据后采用Cochrane系统评价员手册5.1.0推荐的偏倚风险评估工具对纳入文献进行质量评价,采用Rev Man 5.3统计软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入5项RCT,共计4511例患者。Meta分析结果显示,两组患者主要心血管不良事件发生率[OR=0.85,95%CI(0.68,1.04),P=0.12]、心血管原因死亡率[OR=0.76,95%CI(0.57,1.03),P=0.08]、脑卒中发生率[OR=0.77,95%CI(0.48,1.24),P=0.28]比较,差异均无统计学意义;试验组患者主要出血事件发生率[OR=1.54,95%CI(1.19,1.99),P=0.001]、次要出血事件发生率[OR=1.80,95%CI(1.40,2.32),P<0.00001]均显著高于对照组。结论:替格瑞洛在降低东亚ACS患者的主要心血管不良事件、心血管原因死亡以及脑卒中的发生风险等方面的作用与氯吡格雷相当,但该药会增加患者主要出血、次要出血事件的发生风险。     

胆囊癌切除范围研究进展

胆囊癌是胆道系统最常见的恶性肿瘤，早期诊断困难，恶性程度高，易发生转移和复发。以手术为主的综合治疗是改善胆囊癌病人生存的唯一方法，但仍存在若干争议，如T2期是否需要行肝段切除、扩大根治术是否可以延长晚期胆囊癌病人的生存时间、各期胆囊癌淋巴结清扫范围等。结合术中所见、病理学检查等判断胆囊癌的肿瘤分期，并依据分期规范切除范围和淋巴结清扫是提高R0根治切除率的关键，且扩大根治术可以改善晚期病人的预后。     

Neuroendovascular Treatment of Acute Stroke During COVID-19: A Guide From the Frontlines

Since the initial reports surfaced of a novel coronavirus causing illness and loss of life in Wuhan, China, COVID-19 has rapidly spread across the globe, infecting millions and leaving hundreds and thousands dead. As hospitals cope with the influx of patients with COVID-19, new challenges have arisen as health-care systems care for patients with COVID-19 while still providing essential emergency care for patients with acute strokes and acute myocardial infarction. Adding to this complex scenario are new reports that patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk of thromboembolic complications including strokes. In this article, we detail our experience caring for acute stroke patients and provide some insight into neurointerventional workflow modifications that have helped us adapt to the COVID-19 era.     

针刺联合优质护理干预对周围性面神经麻痹急性期患者的影响

目的分析针刺联合优质护理干预对周围性面神经麻痹急性期患者的影响。方法以2016年1月—2019年2月60例周围性面神经麻痹急性期患者为研究对象,患者按照护理方法不同,将其分为对照组、观察组各30例患者,对照组进行神经内科的常规护理,观察组进行针刺联合优质护理干预,对2组患者临床疗效和护理满意度等进行观察。结果对照组总有效率为70%,观察组总有效率为96.6%(P<0.05)。对照组护理满意度为63.3%,观察组护理满意度为96.6%(P<0.05)。结论周围性面神经麻痹急性期患者临床治疗中,针刺联合优质护理干预的应用,可以提升患者临床疗效,降低患者住院时间,实现其护理满意度的提升。     

清热化瘀汤对急性脑出血患者血清hs-CRP、血浆S100β蛋白和NSE的影响

目的:探究清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血浆S100β蛋白和神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)的影响。方法:选择2017年5月—2019年5月在我院神经内科就诊符合纳入标准的80例急性脑出血患者,随机分为联合组(40例)和依达拉奉组(40例),两组均给予基础治疗和依达拉奉静脉滴注治疗,联合组则在此基础上加用清热化瘀汤。观察并比较两组的临床疗效、神经功能缺损程度评分(NIHSS)、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。结果:联合组的总有效率为95%(38/40),显著高于依达拉奉组的总有效率75%(30/40)(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组NIHSS评分降低,GCS评分升高,且联合组NIHSS评分明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05),GCS评分高于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及均脑血肿量均低于治疗前,且联合组hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量明显低于依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。结论:清热化瘀汤联合依达拉奉对急性脑出血患者具有良好的疗效,可显著改善其神经缺损,降低hs-CRP、S100β蛋白和NSE水平及脑血肿量。