YouTube Videos Demonstrating the Nasopharyngeal Swab Technique for SARS-CoV-2 Specimen Collection: Content Analysis

BackgroundReal-time polymerase chain reaction using nasopharyngeal swabs is currently the most widely used diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 detection. However, false negatives and the sensitivity of this mode of testing have posed challenges in the accurate estimation of the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection rates.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether technical and, therefore, correctable errors were being made with regard to nasopharyngeal swab procedures.MethodsWe searched a web-based video database (YouTube) for videos demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab tests, posted from January 1 to May 15, 2020. Videos were rated by 3 blinded rhinologists for accuracy of swab angle and depth. The overall score for swab angle and swab depth for each nasopharyngeal swab demonstration video was determined based on the majority score with agreement between at least 2 of the 3 reviewers. We then comparatively evaluated video data collected from YouTube videos demonstrating the correct nasopharyngeal swab technique with data from videos demonstrating an incorrect nasopharyngeal swab technique. Multiple linear regression analysis with statistical significance set at P=.05 was performed to determine video data variables associated with the correct nasopharyngeal swab technique.ResultsIn all, 126 videos met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of these, 52.3% (66/126) of all videos demonstrated the correct swab angle, and 46% (58/126) of the videos demonstrated an appropriate swab depth. Moreover, 45.2% (57/126) of the videos demonstrated both correct nasopharyngeal swab angle and appropriate depth, whereas 46.8% (59/126) of the videos demonstrated both incorrect nasopharyngeal swab angle and inappropriate depth. Videos with correct nasopharyngeal swab technique were associated with the swab operators identifying themselves as a medical professional or as an Ear, Nose, Throat–related medical professional. We also found an association between correct nasopharyngeal swab techniques and recency of video publication date (relative to May 15, 2020).ConclusionsOur findings show that over half of the videos documenting the nasopharyngeal swab test showed an incorrect technique, which could elevate false-negative test rates. Therefore, greater attention needs to be provided toward educating frontline health care workers who routinely perform nasopharyngeal swab procedures.     

Smoking Cessation and Quality of Life: Insights From Analysis of Longitudinal Australian Data,an Application for Economic Evaluations

ObjectivesA number of studies have shown an association between smoking habit and quality of life, but these have mainly involved cross-sectional data. This study takes advantage of longitudinal panel data to estimate the effect of the transition from “smoker” to “ex-smoker” status (smoking cessation) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), measured by SF-36, in an Australian general population sample.MethodsPanel data from 13 waves (2001-2013) of a nationally representative longitudinal survey of Household Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia (HILDA) were used; 1858 respondents (5% of total HILDA sample) who experienced only 1 cessation event in their HILDA life were selected. HRQoL trajectories elicited by SF-36 (0-100 scale, worst to best health) were modeled before and after cessation events using a piecewise (segmented) 2-way fixed-effect linear regression, adopted to capture within-person differences. This enabled measurement of changes of regression slopes and intercept while controlling time-invariant characteristics (eg, country of birth, gender) and time-varying changes in health status.ResultsAnnual pre-post intervention improvements were estimated for the following dimensions: role physical 0.65 (95% CI 0.62-1.24), bodily pain 0.48 (95% CI 0.10-0.86), general health 0.55 (95% CI 0.2-0.9), and the physical component summary score 0.22 (95% CI 0.01-0.04). Immediate effects (discontinuity at the time of cessation) of smoking cessation existed for bodily pain –1.5 (95% CI –2.52 to –0.40) and general health 1.82 (95% CI 1.01-2.62). The effects for mental health domains were not significant.ConclusionsAdjusting for all unmeasured time-invariant confounders and controlling the effect of time, this study revealed the varied effects of smoking cessation on HRQoL; it has positive effect on physical and general health but nonsignificant effect on mental aspects. Preference-based utility measures based on SF-6D capture changes that can be measured in several of the domains of the SF-36.     

Toward Better Data Dashboards for US Drug Value Assessments

ObjectivesTo explore the use of data dashboards to convey information about a drug’s value, and reduce the need to collapse dimensions of value to a single measure.MethodsReview of the literature on US Drug Value Assessment Frameworks, and discussion of the value of data dashboards to improve the manner in which information on value is displayed.ResultsThe incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year ratio is a useful starting point for conversation about a drug’s value, but it cannot reflect all of the elements of value about which different audiences care deeply. Data dashboards for drug value assessments can draw from other contexts. Decision makers should be presented with well-designed value dashboards containing various metrics, including conventional cost per quality-adjusted life-year ratios as well as measures of a drug’s impact on clinical and patient-centric outcomes, and on budgetary and distributional consequences, to convey a drug’s value along different dimensions.ConclusionsThe advent of US drug value frameworks in health care has forced a concomitant effort to develop appropriate information displays. Researchers should formally test different formats and elements.     

脊柱术后感染病原菌及CD64和中性粒细胞百分比的早期预测价值

目的分析脊柱术后医院感染患者病原菌分布特征及中性粒细胞64(CD64)和中性粒细胞百分比(NEU%)表达情况。方法选取2017年6月-2019年6月天津市天津医院收治的脊柱术后医院感染患者51例为感染组,并选取同期于医院就诊的脊柱术后未发生感染患者51例为未感染组。分析感染组患者病原菌情况,检测患者NEU和CD64水平;ROC曲线分析CD64和NEU%指标水平预测感染的诊断价值。结果 51例感染患者共培养分离病原菌78株,其中革兰阴性菌42株(53.85%)、革兰阳性菌33株(42.31%)、真菌3株(3.85%),以铜绿假单胞菌及金黄色葡萄球菌为主。术后7 d,感染组体温、WBC、中性粒细胞计数、CRP、ESR分别为(38.47±0.52)℃、(8.34±2.17)×109/L、(5.98±1.94)×109/L、(54.52±19.93)mg/L、(51.74±21.88)mm/h均高于非感染组(P<0.05)。术后7 d,感染组CD64、NEU%分别为(8.87±2.13)%、(84.93±13.39)高于非感染组(P<0.05)。CD64指数与NEU%水平诊断ROC曲线下面积分别为0.922、0.826。结论脊柱术后医院感染以革兰阴性菌为主,CD64及NEU%水平有助于脊柱术后医院感染的早期诊断。     

超声弹性成像联合BI-RADS分类在乳腺微小癌诊断中的临床价值

目的:探讨在乳腺微小癌诊断中联合应用超声弹性成像及数据系统(BI-RADS)分类的临床价值。方法:选择2018年3月~2019年3月本院接收的疑似乳腺微小癌的96例患者作为研究对象。均进行超声弹性成像检查、BI-RADS分类,以病理检查结果为诊断金标准,比较单项检查与联合检查的准确率、灵敏度、特异度。结果:数据显示,在96例疑似乳腺微小癌患者中,共80例患者经病理检查确诊为乳腺微小癌,同时乳腺钼靶联合超声检查的准确性、灵敏度均高于单项检测,数据之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。此外,单项与联合检测的特异度对比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:在乳腺微小癌诊断中联合应用超声弹性成像及BI-RADS分类检查,可有效提高诊断准确性及灵敏度,对早期疾病诊断、临床治疗具有重要意义。     

In Vivo Observation of Cutaneous Larva Migrans by Fluorescence-Advanced Videodermatoscopy

Fluorescence-advanced videodermatoscopy is not a widespread diagnostic technique. Its application in dermatology can facilitate the diagnosis of diseases such as cutaneous larva migrans by enabling us to recognize the precise position of larva in vivo on the skin. Using this noninvasive technique, we detected a case of cutaneous larva migrans in a patient.     

PCT与SDI比值对重症细菌性肺炎患者短期预后的预测价值

 目的 探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)与肺泡灌洗液辛普森菌群多样性指数(SDI)比值对重症监护病房(ICU)内细菌性肺炎患者短期预后的预测价值。方法 回顾性调查扬州大学附属医院ICU 2019年10月—2021年7月选择肺泡灌洗液宏基因组二代测序(mNGS)技术的56例细菌性肺炎患者病历资料,依据其入ICU 24 h内急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(APACHE-Ⅱ)分为非危重症组21例和危重症组35例。以细菌性肺炎造成死亡为终点事件,记录28天转归,并将患者分为生存组38例和死亡组18例。对各组患者的SDI、PCT、C-反应蛋白(CRP)、PCT/SDI、CRP/SDI进行比较分析。结果 与非危重症组比较,危重症组患者血清PCT/SDI、PCT水平均升高,且呼吸机辅助通气时间更长,28天病死率更高(均P＜0.05);与存活组比较,死亡组患者SDI较低,PCT/SDI、PCT水平均较高(均P＜0.05);SDI与呼吸机辅助通气时间呈负相关(r值为-0.655,P＜0.001),PCT水平、PCT/SDI与呼吸机辅助通气时间呈正相关(r值分别为0.660、0.734,均P＜0.001)。受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)显示,PCT/SDI预测患者28天死亡的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)为0.851,其次为PCT+SDI (0.845)、PCT (0.808)、SDI (0.785)、CRP/SDI (0.731),PCT/SDI的最佳截断值为11.56时预判患者28天死亡的灵敏度为89.5%,特异度为66.7%。Cox回归分析显示,PCT/SDI值高(HR=1.562,95%CI：1.271~1.920,P=0.031)、PCT水平高(HR=1.106,95%CI：1.021~1.198,P=0.024)是ICU细菌性肺炎患者死亡的独立危险因素。结论 PCT/SDI、PCT、PCT+SDI、SDI、CRP/SDI均可作为ICU细菌性肺炎患者短期预后的评估指标。与其他指标相比,PCT/SDI预测患者短期预后更有价值。     

颅内肿瘤的CT误诊分析

目的　分析颅内肿瘤的CT误诊原因 ,提高颅内肿瘤的CT诊断水平。方法　回顾分析经病理证实、CT误诊的 17例颅内肿瘤的CT图像资料 ,并与病理学结果进行对照。结果　CT误诊的 17例包括脑膜瘤 7例 ,胶质瘤 7例 ,颅咽管瘤 1例 ,垂体瘤 1例 ,多发颅内肿瘤1例。病变征象不典型、对病变CT征象认识不足和观察不仔细、检查方法不当、诊断思维错误、机器因素等是造成CT误诊颅内肿瘤的主要原因。结论　加强对病变CT征象的认识 ,培养客观正确的诊断思维 ,选择恰当的扫描方式 ,有助于减少或避免颅内肿瘤的CT误诊。     

Diagnostic value of routine semen analysis in clinical andrology

Infertility is a major health issue affecting over 48.5 million couples around the world, with the male factor accounting for about 50% of the cases. The conventional semen analysis recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) is the cornerstone in the evaluation of male fertility status. It includes macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of the ejaculate, which reflects the production of spermatozoa in the testes, the patency of the duct system and the glandular secretory activity. Evaluation of seminal fructose, sperm vitality and leucocytes (Endtz test) are useful adjuncts to semen analysis that provide information on specific clinical conditions. Though several computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems have been developed, conventional methods for semen analysis are still widely accepted in clinical practice. This review summarises the conventional techniques used in routine semen analysis and their diagnostic value in clinical andrology.