Ground reaction forces during stair ascending and descending in congenitally blind and sighted individuals

BackgroundStair ascending and descending are common in daily life activities which are challenging for blind individuals. Visual information plays an important role in controlling an individual's movements. However, the relationship between visual information and stair ascending and descending is poorly understood.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate how blindness alters the ground reaction force (GRF) components during ascending and descending the stairs.MethodsTen individuals with congenital blindness and 10 able-bodied sighted individuals were served as experimental (EG) and control groups (CG), respectively. The GRFs were recorded during stair ascending and descending tasks using a portable 40 × 40 cm Kistler force plate which was placed on a firm stair. CG repeated the ascending/descending tasks in both open and closed-eyes conditions. For within and between groups comparisons the repeated measure ANOVA and MANOVA tests were used, respectively. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all comparisons.ResultsIn ascending task, there was not any significant between group differences on GRF components. However, closing the eyes in CG resulted in a significant decrease in some GRF components in the stair descending (p < 0.05). The GRF components of the stair descending in CG with open and closed-eyes were significantly different from those in the blind group; however, the differences were less in closed-eyes.SignificanceThe GRF in the stair descent was similar in both blind and sighted individuals with closed-eyes condition, that it can increase the risk of falling in blind people. As a result, the provision of tools and equipment for the blind in descent conditions is essential.     

Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients with craniomaxillofacial injuries have an increased risk of surgical site infection

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the association between ‘asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic’ severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (AS/MS-COVID) and surgical site infection (SSI) after repair of craniomaxillofacial injury (CMFI). Using a case-control study design with a match ratio of 1:4, we enrolled a cohort of AS/MS-COVID cases with immediately treated CMFI during a one-year period. The main predictor variable was SARS-CoV-2 infection (yes/no), and the outcome of interest was SSI (yes/no). The other variables were demographic, clinical, and operative. Appropriate statistics were computed, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The study group comprised 257 cases (28.8% female; 13.2% aged ≥ 60 years; 10.5% with fractures; 39.7% with involvement of nasal/oral/orbital tissue [viral reservoir organs, VROs]; 81.3% with blunt trauma; 19.1% developed an SSI [vs 6.8% in the control group]) with a mean (SD) age of 39.8 (16.6) years (range 19–87). There was a significant relation between SARS-CoV-2 infection and SSI events (p<0.0001; odds ratio 3.22; 95% confidence interval 2.17 to 4.78). On subgroup analysis, SSIs significantly increased with age ≥ 60 years, presence and treatment of fracture, contact with VROs, and prolonged antibiotic use (PAU). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed a positive effect only from old age, contact with VROs, and PAU (relative risk = 1.56, 2.52, and 2.03, respectively; r = 0.49; p = 0.0001). There was a significant 2.8-fold increase in SSIs among AS/MS-COVID cases, especially in those aged ≥ 60 years, or those with injuries to VROs, or both, who therefore required PAU.     

High-flow via a tracheostomy tube and speaking valve during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy

Background

Weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy after prolonged intensive care consume enormous resources with optimal management not currently well described. Restoration of respiratory flow via the upper airway is essential and early cuff-deflation using a one-way valve (OWV) is recommended. However, extended OWV use may cause dry airways and thickened secretions which challenge the weaning process. High-flow therapy via the tracheostomy tube (HFT-T) humidifies inspired air and may be connected via an in-line OWV (HFT-T-OWV) alleviating these problems. We aim to provide clinical and experimental data on the safety of HFT-T-OWV along with a practical guide to facilitate clinical use during weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy.

Methods

Data on adverse events of HFT-T-OWV were retrieved from a quality register for patients treated at an intensive care rehabilitation center between 2019 and 2022. Benchtop experiments were performed to measure maximum pressures and pressure support generated by HFT-T-OWV at 25–60 L/min flow using two different HFT-T adapters (interfaces). In simulated airway obstruction using a standard OWV (not in-line) maximum pressures were measured with oxygen delivered via the side port at 1–3 L/min.

Results

Of 128 tracheostomized patients who underwent weaning attempts, 124 were treated with HFT-T-OWV. The therapy was well tolerated, and no adverse events related to the practice were detected. The main reason for not using HFT-T-OWV was partial upper airway obstruction using a OWV. Benchtop experiments demonstrated HFT-T-OWV maximum pressures <4 cmH₂O and pressure support 0–0.6 cmH₂O. In contrast, 1–3 L/min supplemental oxygen via a standard OWV caused pressures between 84 and 148 cmH₂O during simulated airway obstruction.

Conclusions

Current study clinical data and benchtop experiments indicate that HFT-T-OWV was well tolerated and appeared safe. Pressure support was low, but humidification may enable extended use of a OWV without dry airway mucosa and thickened secretions. Results suggest the treatment could offer advantages to standard OWV use, with or without supplementary oxygen, as well as to HFT-T without a OWV, for weaning from mechanical ventilation and tracheostomy. However, for definitive treatment recommendations, randomized clinical trials are needed.     

肝癌术后槐耳颗粒防治肿瘤复发转移的效果研究

目的探究槐耳颗粒对肝癌根治术后复发转移的影响。方法114例行肝癌根治术患者,按治疗方法不同分为对照组(54例)和观察组(60例)。对照组行常规治疗,观察组行常规+槐耳颗粒治疗。对比两组生存及肿瘤复发转移情况、血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)、血清甲胎蛋白(AFP)、总胆红素(TB)、丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、生活质量改善情况。结果观察组存活率90.00%高于对照组的75.93%,复发转移率8.33%低于对照组的25.93%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组VEGF(413.54±21.05)pg/ml、AFP(356.32±25.36)μg/L均低于对照组的(486.53±20.43)pg/ml、(415.69±21.32)μg/L,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,观察组TB(18.63±1.34)μmol/L、ALT(52.78±5.32)U/L低于对照组的(21.66±1.25)μmol/L、(56.23±5.63)U/L,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组患者生活质量改善情况优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论槐耳颗粒在防治肝癌术后肿瘤复发转移方面具有明显效果,推荐使用。     

针刺治疗癌症化疗后恶心呕吐疗效的Meta分析＊

目的 系统评价针刺治疗癌症化疗后恶心呕吐的有效性和安全性。方法 采用计算机检索PubMed、荷兰医学文献数据库（Embase）、Cochrane图书馆（Cochrane Library）、中国期刊全文数据库（CNKI）、中国生物医学文献数据库（CBM）、维普中文科技期刊全文数据库（VIP）、万方学术期刊全文数据库（Wan fang）建库至2021年02月28日针刺治疗化疗后恶心呕吐的随机对照试验。采用RevMan5.4软件进行Meta分析。结果 本研究共纳入18篇文献，涉及1538名患者。Meta分析结果显示，针刺治疗化疗后的恶心呕吐在有效率（P<0.01，RR=1.17，95%CI=［1.09，1.26］）、症状完全缓解率（恶心：P<0.01，RR=1.42，95%CI=［1.14，1.76］；呕吐：P=0.01，RR=1.18，95%CI=［1.04，1.34］）及Karnofsky功能状态评分（KPS）（P<0.01，MD=3.97，95%CI=［1.55，6.39］］）等方面均优于对照组。亚组分析显示，消化道肿瘤试验组与对照组治疗有效率相当（P=0.45，RR=1.07，95%CI=［0.89，1.29］）；非消化道肿瘤试验组有效率优于对照组（P<0.01，RR=1.29，95%CI=［1.10，1.52］）。同时，试验组药物不良事件发生数远低于对照组，且针刺不良事件发生数较少。结论 针刺治疗癌症化疗后恶心呕吐是安全的，并可以提高有效率、症状完全缓解率，改善化疗后KPS评分，提高患者生活质量。     

What information can we gain from performing adaptive radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients from the past 10 years?

The aim of the review was to present the current literature status about replanning regarding anatomical and dosimetric changes in the target and OARs in the head and neck region during radiotherapy, to discuss and to analyze factors influencing the decision for adaptive radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients. Significant progress has been made in head and neck patients’ evaluation and qualification for adapted radiotherapy over the past ten years. Many factors leading to anatomical and dosimetric changes during treatment have been identified. Based on the literature, the most common factors triggering re-plan are weight loss, tumor and nodal changes, and parotid glands shrinkage. The fluctuations in dose distribution in the clinical area are significant predictive factors for patients’ quality of life and the possibility of recovery. It has been shown that re-planning influence clinical outcomes: local control, disease free survival and overall survival. Regarding literature studies, it seems that adaptive radiotherapy would be the most beneficial for tumors of immense volume or those in the nearest proximity of the OARs. All researchers agree that the timing of re-planning is a crucial challenge, and there are still no clear consensus guidelines for time or criteria of re-planning. Nowadays, thanks to significant technological progress, the decision is mostly made based on observation and supported with IGRT verification. Although further research is still needed, adaptive strategies are evolving and now became the state of the art of modern radiotherapy.     

Clinicians' Views of Patient-initiated Follow-up in Head and Neck Cancer: a Qualitative Study to Inform the PETNECK2 Trial

AimsCurrent follow-up for head and neck cancer (HNC) is ineffective, expensive and fails to address patients' needs. The PETNECK2 trial will compare a new model of patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU) with routine scheduled follow-up. This article reports UK clinicians' views about HNC follow-up and PIFU, to inform the trial design.Materials and methodsOnline focus groups with surgeons (ear, nose and throat/maxillofacial), oncologists, clinical nurse specialists and allied health professionals. Clinicians were recruited from professional bodies, mailing lists and personal contacts. Focus groups explored views on current follow-up and acceptability of the proposed PIFU intervention and randomised controlled trial design (presented by the study co-chief investigator), preferences, margins of equipoise, potential organisational barriers and thoughts about the content and format of PIFU. Data were interpreted using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsEight focus groups with 34 clinicians were conducted. Clinicians highlighted already known limitations with HNC follow-up – lack of flexibility to address the wide-ranging needs of HNC patients, expense and lack of evidence – and agreed that follow-up needs to change. They were enthusiastic about the PETNECK2 trial to develop and evaluate PIFU but had concerns that PIFU may not suit disengaged patients and may aggravate patient anxiety/fear of recurrence and delay detection of recurrence. Anticipated issues with implementation included ensuring a reliable route back to clinic and workload burden on nurses and allied health professionals.ConclusionsClinicians supported the evaluation of PIFU but voiced concerns about barriers to help-seeking. An emphasis on patient engagement, psychosocial issues, symptom reporting and reliable, quick routes back to clinic will be important. Certain patient groups may be less suited to PIFU, which will be evaluated in the trial. Early, meaningful, ongoing engagement with clinical teams and managers around the trial rationale and recruitment process will be important to discourage selective recruitment and address risk-averse behaviour and potential workload burden.