补中益气汤联合耳穴贴压对消化道肿瘤癌因性疲乏患者免疫功能及血清皮质醇的影响

目的:探讨补中益气汤联合耳穴贴压对消化道肿瘤癌因性疲乏患者免疫功能及血清皮质醇的影响。方法:选择消化道肿瘤癌因性疲乏患者92例,以随机数字表法分为两组,各46例。对照组常规治疗加耳穴贴压,观察组在对照组基础上加用补中益气汤。对比两组临床疗效、疲劳症状、生活质量、免疫功能指标、血清皮质醇及不良反应。结果:观察组总有效率为80.43%,高于对照组的60.87%(P<0.05)。治疗后两组患者PFS、CD₈⁺均降低,但观察组降低水平更大; 治疗后两组QLQ-C30、CD₃⁺、CD₄⁺及Cor水平均明显升高,且观察组升高幅度更大(P<0.05)。治疗期间对照组未出现明显不良反应,观察组出现2例,组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对照组平均生存时间为(11.80±0.62)个月,观察组平均生存时间为(14.47±0.67)个月,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:补中益气汤联合耳穴贴压可提高消化道肿瘤癌因性疲乏患者临床疗效,延长患者生存期,改善疲劳症状、免疫功能指标,提高生活质量及皮质醇水平。     

Improved prediction of brain age using multimodal neuroimaging data

Brain age prediction based on imaging data and machine learning (ML) methods has great potential to provide insights into the development of cognition and mental disorders. Though different ML models have been proposed, a systematic comparison of ML models in combination with imaging features derived from different modalities is still needed. In this study, we evaluate the prediction performance of 36 combinations of imaging features and ML models including deep learning. We utilize single and multimodal brain imaging data including MRI, DTI, and rs‐fMRI from a large data set with 839 subjects. Our study is a follow‐up to the initial work (Liang et al., 2019. Human Brain Mapping) to investigate different analytic strategies to combine data from MRI, DTI, and rs‐fMRI with the goal to improve brain age prediction accuracy. Additionally, the traditional approach to predicting the brain age gap has been shown to have a systematic bias. The potential nonlinear relationship between the brain age gap and chronological age has not been thoroughly tested. Here we propose a new method to correct the systematic bias of brain age gap by taking gender, chronological age, and their interactions into consideration. As the true brain age is unknown and may deviate from chronological age, we further examine whether various levels of behavioral performance across subjects predict their brain age estimated from neuroimaging data. This is an important step to quantify the practical implication of brain age prediction. Our findings are helpful to advance the practice of optimizing different analytic methodologies in brain age prediction.     

Relation between diabetes related distress and glycemic control: The mediating effect of adherence to treatment

AimsDiabetes related distress (DRD) is a negative emotional reaction to stresses associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and its management. This study estimated the burden of DRD and self-reported adherence to treatment (SRAT) among patients with DM and investigated their relationship with glycemic control.MethodsA cross sectional study of consented 157 diabetics was conducted using the17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS). It measures distress at four subscales: Emotional Burden (EB), Physician-related (PD), Regimen-related (RD) and Interpersonal Distress (ID). SRAT was assessed using Morisky’s scale. Glycemic control was assessed using the most recent HbA1c results. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used for adjustment of confounders and bootstrap Confidence Interval was used to test for the occurrence of mediating effect.ResultsAverage age was 44.5 ± 16.0 years, 65% were females, 79% had type 2 DM and nearly 55% has had DM for more than 7 years and the average HbA1c was 8.9 ± 2.2%. Clinically significant DRD was reported by 37% of the participants, EB and RD in 40.8%, PD in 46.5%, and ID among 32.5%. Younger patients showed higher level of stress compared to older participants and patients with type 1 DM showed higher level of stress in all DRD domains. Only 46% of patients were defined as having satisfactory SRAT and improvement of SRAT significantly enhanced the glycemic control (r = ?0.32, p < 0.01). DRD and low SRAT negatively correlated with HbA1c; increasing the DRD by one point may increase the HbA1c on average by 0.41 (C.I. 0.02–0.80) and will indirectly raise the HbA1c by 0.24 (C.I. 0.04–0.47) through the mediating effect of low SRAT.ConclusionDRD and low SRAT are commonly reported among DM patients and both are indirectly correlated. The mediating effect of low SRAT highlights the clinical role of DRD and clarifies the process by which distress affect the outcome of DM management.     

大鼠尾椎间盘退变造模器械的研发与应用

目的:研制一种简便、微创、针刺深度可控的大鼠椎间盘退变模型的造模器械。方法 :自行设计一种新型针刺大鼠尾椎间盘退变的造模器械,由C型套环和针筒两部分构成。取3月龄雄性SD大鼠20只,分为针刺组(10只)和对照组(10只),将造模器械的C型套环套在鼠尾上,用21G针对针刺组的大鼠尾椎Co6/7、Co8/9椎间盘分别行横贯(10mm)和半横贯穿刺(5mm);对照组大鼠尾椎无任何处理。造模前和造模后4周时对两组大鼠的尾部行X线片和MRI检查,在X线片上测量椎间盘高度,计算目标椎间盘高度指数(DHI)比;在MRI T2像上采用Pfirrmann评分评价目标椎间盘退变情况。再处死大鼠取目标椎间盘固定切片后行番红O染色,观察椎间盘退变情况;对非针刺节段尾椎间盘内注射造影剂(碘海醇)后,X线下显影并用针抽吸髓核组织。结果:造模过程中大鼠无死亡,术后无感染等并发症。向大鼠椎间盘注射碘海醇后造影显影良好,可以抽取一定量的髓核组织。造模后4周,针刺组Co6/7和Co8/9的DHI比分别为0.65±0.07和0.73±0.09、Pfirrmann退变评分分别为4.3±0.82和3.5±0.71分,对照组分别为0.98±0.02和0.97±0.02、1.1±0.32分和1.1±0.32分,两组同节段比较均有显著性差异(P0.05),针刺组两个节段间比较有显著性差异(P0.05),对照组两个节段间比较无显著性差异(P0.05)。番红O染色针刺组Co6/7髓核消失,与纤维环界限不清,终板骨化;针刺组Co8/9穿刺侧髓核和纤维结构紊乱,另一侧髓核与纤维环较完整;对照组Co6/7和Co8/9髓核、纤维环和终板形状完整,结构清晰。结论:造模器械穿刺可以成功建立大鼠尾椎间盘退变模型,且横贯穿刺较半横贯穿刺椎间盘退变重;利用该造模器械可以向椎间盘内注射造影剂或药物,抽取髓核。     

The impact of age on prognosis in patients with gastric cancer: experience in a tertiary care centre

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the world and most patients have advanced disease upon presentation. The effect of age on prognosis in GC is controversial. We aimed to determine the impact of age on survival in patients with GC.MethodsThis was a retrospective study of the medical records of Lebanese patients diagnosed with GC at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) between 2005 and 2014. Patients were divided into young (<65 years) and older groups (≥65 years). A multivariate analysis was done to determine the independent predictors of survival. Kaplan-Meier method was used for analysis of long-term survival outcomes.ResultsThe sample consisted of 156 patients. The mean age was 62.15 (SD 13.54). Most patients presented with stage 4 disease (62.2%) and poorly differentiated histology (66.4%). The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. On bivariate analysis, advanced stage (P=0.02) and higher grade (P=0.04) were associated with increased mortality. Patients <65 years of age were significantly more likely to have poorly differentiated tumours, while patients ≥65 years had more comorbidities (P=0.001). The 5-year DFS were 35% and 37% for patients <65 years of age and ≥65 years of age, respectively (P=0.15).ConclusionsHigher grade and advanced stage are associated with worse survival in patients with GC, but age did not seem to have an impact. Screening high risk patients and early diagnosis are necessary to improve survival.     

Is T9-11 the true thoracolumbar transition zone?

ObjectiveDegenerative thoracic stenosis has been shown to most frequently involve the lower thoracic segments (T9-T12) where there is greater mobility and vulnerability due to flexion, extension and rotation of the spine. The thoracolumbar junction is considered anatomically to be T12-L1; the anatomical transition between the relatively immobile thoracic spine and relatively mobile lumbar spine. From anecdotal experience at our institution, we hypothesise that the true thoracolumbar junction is higher, at T10-11; the point of transition from floating to false ribs resulting in increased mobility at T10-11.Methods and materialsA retrospective review was performed of MRI lumbar and whole spine performed on patients aged 10–40 years in our institution over a 5-year period. Patients with previous surgery, chronic spinal disorders and congenital abnormalities were excluded from the study. Intervertebral discs from T8-9 to L1-2 were assessed for evidence of degeneration using the Pfirrmann grading system. Data obtained from a study using computer-based models to assess mean resultant loads in flexion, sitting and standing from T8-9 to L1-2 on patients aged 18–35 years was also analysed. The mean load gradients between two consecutive discs from T8 to L2 were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS (p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant).ResultsThree-hundred and twenty-two MRI studies were reviewed. Mean Pfirrmann grade was highest at T8-9 and T9-10 (1.35 ± 0.99 and 1.32 ± 0.93 respectively).Pfirrmann grade differed significantly at each level (χ² = 45.137 p = 0.001). Difference in mean load gradient from T9 to T11 was significantly higher than mean load gradient across T11 to L1 in both sitting and standing (0.095 ± 0.062 vs 0.050 ± 0.044 kN; p = 0.007, and 0.101 ± 0.061 kN vs 0.040 ± 0.054 kN; p = 0.007).ConclusionThe changes in segmental loads and more severe disc degeneration at T9-11 compared to T11-L1 support our hypothesis that the true thoracolumbar transition is higher than expected, at T10-11; where the rib cage transitions from floating to false ribs.     

Longitudinal blood pressure patterns and cardiovascular disease risk

Abstract

Observational and interventional studies have unequivocally demonstrated that “present”, i.e. single-occasion, blood pressure is one of the key determinants of cardiovascular disease risk. Over the past two decades, however, numerous publications have suggested that longitudinal blood pressure data and assessment of long-term blood pressure exposure provide incremental prognostic value over present blood pressure. These studies have used several different indices to quantify the overall exposure to blood pressure, such as time-averaged blood pressure, cumulative blood pressure, blood pressure trajectory patterns, and age of hypertension onset. This review summarises existing research on the association between these indices and hard cardiovascular outcomes, outlines the strengths and weaknesses of these indices, and provides an overview of how longitudinal blood pressure changes can be measured and used to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction.

• KEY MESSAGES

• Numerous recent publications have examined the relation between cardiovascular disease and long-term blood pressure (BP) exposure, quantified using indices such as time-averaged BP, cumulative BP, BP trajectory patterns, and age of hypertension onset.

• This review summarises existing research on the association between these indices and hard cardiovascular outcomes, outlines the strengths and weaknesses of these indices, and provides an overview of how longitudinal BP changes can be measured and used to improve cardiovascular disease risk prediction.

• Although longitudinal BP indices seem to predict cardiovascular outcomes better than present BP, there are considerable differences in the clinical feasibility of these indices along with a limited number of prospective data.