Endovascular Aortic Repair in Nonagenarian Patients

BackgroundThe increasing proportion of elderly patients being treated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the endovascular era is controversial.ObjectivesThis study compared 30-day outcomes of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in nonagenarians (NAs) with non-nonagenarians (NNAs).MethodsThis retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database included EVAR procedures performed from 2011 to 2017. Multivariate logistic regression in the unadjusted cohort, followed by propensity-score matching (PSM), was performed. Primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major adverse events.ResultsA total of 12,267 patients were included (365 NAs). Ruptured aneurysms accounted for 6.7% (n = 819): 15.7% (n = 57) in NAs versus 6.5% (n = 762) in NNAs (p < 0.001). Mean aneurysm diameter was 6.5 ± 1.8 cm in NAs versus 5.8 ± 1.7 cm in NNAs (p < 0.001). The unadjusted 30-day mortality was 9.9% in NA versus 2.2% in NNAs (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age ≥90 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.36), male sex (OR: 1.78), functional status (OR: 4.22), pre-operative ventilator dependency (OR: 3.80), bleeding disorders (OR: 1.52), dialysis (OR: 2.56), and ruptured aneurysms (OR: 17.21) as independent predictors of mortality. After PSM, no differences in 30-day mortality (intact AAA [iAAA]: 5.3% NA vs. 3% NNA [p = 0.15]; ruptured AAA [rAAA]: 38% NA vs. 28.6% NNA [p = 0.32]) or 30-day major adverse events (iAAA: 7% NA vs. 4.6% NNA [p = 0.22]; rAAA: 28% NA vs. 36.7% NNA [p = 0.35]) were observed.ConclusionsAge was identified as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality after EVAR on multivariate analysis. However, no differences were found after PSM, suggesting that being ≥90 years of age but with similar comorbidities to younger patients is not associated with a higher short-term mortality after EVAR. Age ≥90 years alone should not exclude patients from EVAR, and tailored indications and carefully balanced risk assessment are advised.     

Characterizing smoking,cessation services,and quit interest across outpatient substance abuse treatment modalities

The majority of individuals seeking treatment for substance use disorders are cigarette smokers, yet smoking cessation is rarely addressed during treatment. Conducting a detailed smoking-related characterization of substance abuse treatment patients across treatment modalities may facilitate the development of tailored treatment strategies. This study administered a battery of self-report instruments to compare tobacco use, quit attempts, smoking knowledge and attitudes, program services, and interest in quitting among smoking patients enrolled in opioid replacement therapy (ORT) versus non-opioid replacement (non-ORT). ORT compared with non-ORT participants smoked more heavily, had greater tobacco dependence, and endorsed greater exposure to smoking cessation services at their treatment programs. Favorable attitudes towards cessation during treatment were found within both groups. These data identify several potential clinical targets, most notably including confidence in abstaining and attitudes toward cessation pharmacotherapies that may be addressed by substance abuse treatment clinics.     

黄冈市免疫规划人力资源现状分析

目的调查黄冈市免疫规划工作人员配置现状,为加强专业人员队伍建设和科学配置人力资源提供参考。方法组织该市11家县级疾病预防控制中心填报统一的调查报表,对数据进行统计分析。结果黄冈市从事免疫规划工作人员为955人;工作人员与人口总数之比为1．29／万;高级职称占2．93％,中级职称占44．40％,初级职称占48．06％,无职称占4．61％;本科及以上学历占4．50％,大专学历占36．34％,中专学历占55．18％,无学历占3．98％;40岁以上占41．89％,30—40岁占43．87％,30岁以下占14．24％;从事免疫规划工作10年以上占37．91％,5～10年占20．73％,3～5年占20．42％,3年以下占20．94％。结论黄冈市免疫规划人力资源现状不能满足当前扩大免疫规划的需求。卫生行政部门应加强宏观管理,在现有条件下适当调控及合理配置,以适应新时期免疫规划工作的需要。     

2013年全国县级调查以乡为单位适龄儿童国家免疫规划疫苗接种率分析

目的分析2013年全国县[区、市、旗、新疆生产建设兵团（新疆兵团）师,下同]级调查以乡（镇、街道、苏木、新疆兵团团场,下同）为单位适龄儿童国家免疫规划疫苗（National Immunization Program Vaccines,NIPV）接种情况。方法应用批质量保证抽样（Lot Quality Assurance Sampling,LQAS）方法确定每个乡调查≥42名2-3岁儿童,随机抽取适龄儿童开展入户调查。描述性分析定性评价全国及各省（自治区、直辖市、新疆兵团,下同）以乡为单位NIPV接种率≥90%情况,合并并加权辖区乡NIPV接种儿童比例点值估计全国和各省NIPV接种率。结果全国所有县调查辖区36549个合并乡的〉150万名适龄儿童,约占每年出生儿童的9.1%。全国累计适龄儿童建预防接种卡率和预防接种证持有率均≥99%;除第4剂百日咳-白喉-破伤风（百白破）联合疫苗（The Fourth Dose of Diphtheria,Tetanus and Pertussis Combined Vaccine,DTP4）、第2剂A群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗（The Second Dose of Group A Meningococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine,MPV-A2）和甲型肝炎减毒活疫苗（Heptitis A Attenuated Live Vaccine,Hep A-L）接种率≥90%的乡比例〈90%外,其余疫苗剂次接种率≥90%的乡比例均≥90%。分别有12、13、15、17个省第2剂含麻疹成分疫苗（The Second Dose of Measles-containing Vaccine,MCV2）、MPV-A2、DTP4和Hep A-L接种率≥90%的乡比例〈90%,多为中西部省。接种率点值估算结果显示,全国调查适龄儿童NIPV接种率均〉95%;各省NIPV仅西藏自治区的DTP4、MCV2、MPV-A2、Hep AL接种率〈90%。结论全国及各省NIPV接种率总体保持较高水平,但西藏自治区和个别省存在相对较低NIPV接种率。全国及各省以乡为单位儿童NIPV接种率在不同疫苗、不同疫苗剂次和不同区域间存在较大差别,存在小范围低接种率地区。相对而言,LQAS这种小区域概率抽样的定性评价方法结果更为敏感,适合于识别低接种率地区,?     

Locust bean gum safety in neonates and young infants: An integrated review of the toxicological database and clinical evidence

Locust bean gum (LBG) is a galactomannan polysaccharide used as thickener in infant formulas with the therapeutic aim to treat uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Since its use in young infants below 12 weeks of age is not explicitly covered by the current scientific concept of the derivation of health based guidance values, the present integrated safety review aimed to compile all the relevant preclinical toxicological studies and to combine them with substantial evidence gathered from the clinical paediatric use as part of the weight of evidence supporting the safety in young infants below 12 weeks of age. LBG was demonstrated to have very low toxicity in preclinical studies mainly resulting from its indigestible nature leading to negligible systemic bioavailability and only possibly influencing tolerance. A standard therapeutic level of 0.5 g/100 mL in thickened infant formula is shown to confer a sufficiently protective Margin of Safety. LBG was not associated with any adverse toxic or nutritional effects in healthy term infants, while there are limited case-reports of possible adverse effects in preterms receiving the thickener inappropriately. Altogether, it can be concluded that LBG is safe for its intended therapeutic use in term-born infants to treat uncomplicated regurgitation from birth onwards.     

Impact of school-based health promotion interventions aimed at different behavioral domains: a systematic review

Objective

Given that lifestyleshave similar determinants and that school-based interventions are usually targeted at all the risks that affect adolescents, the objective of this systematic review was to summarize the characteristics and effects of school-based interventions acting on different behavioral domains of adolescent health promotion.

Methods

The review process was conducted by two independent reviewers who searched PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases for experimental or observational studies with at least two measures of results published from 2007 to 2011, given that the research information available doubles every 5 years. Methodological quality was assessed with a standardized tool.

Results

Information was extracted from 35 studies aiming to prevent risk behaviors and promote healthy nutrition, physical activity, and mental and holistic health. Activities were based on theoretical models and were classified into interactive lessons, peer mediation, environmental changes, parents’ and community activities, and tailored messages by computer-assisted training or other resources, usually including multiple components. In some cases, we identified some moderate to large, short- and long-term effects on behavioral and intermediate variable.

Conclusions

This exhaustive review found that well-implemented interventions can promote adolescent health. These findings are consistent with recent reviews. Implications for practice, public health, and research are discussed.     

Economic evaluation of meningococcal serogroup B childhood vaccination in Ontario,Canada

Objective

Invasive Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) disease is a low incidence but severe infection (mean annual incidence 0.19/100,000/year, case fatality 11%, major long-term sequelae 10%) in Ontario, Canada. This study assesses the cost-effectiveness of a novel MenB vaccine from the Ontario healthcare payer perspective.

Methods

A Markov cohort model of invasive MenB disease based on high quality local data and data from the literature was developed. A 4-dose vaccination schedule, 97% coverage, 90% effectiveness, 66% strain coverage, 10-year duration of protection, and vaccine cost of C$75/dose were assumed. A hypothetical Ontario birth cohort (n = 150,000) was simulated to estimate expected lifetime health outcomes, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and costs, discounted at 5%.

Results

A MenB infant vaccination program is expected to prevent 4.6 invasive MenB disease cases over the lifetime of an Ontario birth cohort, equivalent to 10 QALYs gained. The estimated program cost of C$46.6 million per cohort (including C$318,383 for treatment of vaccine-associated adverse events) were not offset by healthcare cost savings of C$150,522 from preventing MenB cases, resulting in an incremental cost of C$4.76 million per QALY gained. Sensitivity analyses showed the findings to be robust.

Conclusions

An infant MenB vaccination program significantly exceeds commonly used cost-effectiveness thresholds and thus is unlikely to be considered economically attractive in Ontario and comparable jurisdictions.     

基于学术论文产出的国家公派研究生培养质量分析

本文基于本校开展公派研究生项目的工作实践,将公派研究生和同级同导师未留学研究生进行对照,采用文献计量学方法,对研究生论文产出、分布特点和影响力进行统计,对比分析论文发表数量、被引频次、影响因子、合作状况、高水平期刊论文比例等客观数据,以期从一个侧面反映国家公派研究生项目对提高研究生培养质量所发挥的作用,为开展公派研究生项目的其他院校提供参考。     

Introducing technology into medical education: Two pilot studies

ObjectivesEducators are integrating new technology into medical curriculum. The impact of newer technology on educational outcomes remains unclear. We aimed to determine if two pilot interventions, (1) introducing iPads into problem-based learning (PBL) sessions and (2) online tutoring would improve the educational experience of our learners.MethodsWe voluntarily assigned 26 second-year medical students to iPad-based PBL sessions. Five students were assigned to Skype for exam remediation. We performed a mixed-method evaluation to determine efficacy.ResultsPilot 1: Seventeen students completed a survey following their use of an iPad during the second-year PBL curriculum. Students noted the iPad allows for researching information in real time, annotating lecture notes, and viewing sharper images. Data indicate that iPads have value in medical education and are a positive addition to the curriculum. Pilot 2: Students agreed that online tutoring is at least or more effective than in-person tutoring.ConclusionsIn our pilot studies, students experienced that iPads and Skype are beneficial in medical education and can be successfully employed in areas such as PBL and remediation.Practice implicationsEducators should continue to further examine innovative opportunities for introducing technology into medical education.