Source imaging of seizure onset predicts surgical outcome in pediatric epilepsy

ObjectiveTo assess whether ictal electric source imaging (ESI) on low-density scalp EEG can approximate the seizure onset zone (SOZ) location and predict surgical outcome in children with refractory epilepsy undergoing surgery.MethodsWe examined 35 children with refractory epilepsy. We dichotomized surgical outcome into seizure- and non-seizure-free. We identified ictal onsets recorded with scalp and intracranial EEG and localized them using equivalent current dipoles and standardized low-resolution magnetic tomography (sLORETA). We estimated the localization accuracy of scalp EEG as distance of scalp dipoles from intracranial dipoles. We also calculated the distances of scalp dipoles from resection, as well as their resection percentage and compared between seizure-free and non-seizure-free patients. We built receiver operating characteristic curves to test whether resection percentage predicted outcome.ResultsResection distance was lower in seizure-free patients for both dipoles (p = 0.006) and sLORETA (p = 0.04). Resection percentage predicted outcome with a sensitivity of 57.1% (95% CI, 34–78.2%), a specificity of 85.7% (95% CI, 57.2–98.2%) and an accuracy of 68.6% (95% CI, 50.7–83.5%) (p = 0.01).ConclusionIctal ESI performed on low-density scalp EEG can delineate the SOZ and predict outcome.SignificanceSuch an application may increase the number of children who are referred for epilepsy surgery and improve their outcome.     

辛味中药在治疗消渴证中的应用价值及中药五味理论现代研究的思考

辛味是中药五味学说中的重要性味之一,通常具有“发散”“行气”和“行血”的作用,且辛味中药在传统医学临床应用中占有较大比例。结合中药辛味的功效内涵及传统中医理论对消渴证的认识,阐述辛味中药与消渴证治疗之间的内在联系,总结辛味中药对“消渴三消”的治疗意义与价值。并在此基础上,对中药五味理论的现代研究趋势和发展方向进行思考,为同行研究提供参考。     

Capturing the value of vaccination within health technology assessment and health economics: Country analysis and priority value concepts

BackgroundA value of vaccination framework for economic evaluation (EE) identified unique value concepts for the broad benefits vaccination provides to individuals, society, healthcare systems and national economies. The objectives of this paper were to work with experts in developed countries to objectively identify three priority concepts to extend current EE.MethodsThe previously developed classification of value concepts in vaccination distinguished 18 concepts, categorised as conventional payer and societal perspective concepts and novel broader societal concepts. Their inclusion in current EE guidelines was assessed. Experts identified eight criteria relevant to decision-making and measurement feasibility, which were weighted and used to score each concept. The relative ranking of concepts by importance and the gaps in guidelines were used to identify three priority concepts on which to focus immediate efforts to extend EE.ResultsThe EE guidelines review highlighted differences across countries and between guidelines and practice. Conventional payer perspective concepts (e.g., individual and societal health gains and medical costs) were generally included, while gaps were evident for conventional societal perspective concepts (e.g., family/caregiver health and economic gains). Few novel broader societal benefits were considered, and only in ad hoc cases. The top-three concepts for near-term consideration: macroeconomic gains (e.g., benefiting the economy, tourism), social equity and ethics (e.g., equal distribution of health outcomes, reduced health/financial equity gaps) and health systems strengthening, resilience and security (e.g., efficiency gains, reduced disruption, increased capacity).ConclusionsGaps, inconsistencies and limited assessment of vaccination value in EE can lead to differences in policy and vaccination access. The three priority concepts identified provide a feasible approach for capturing VoV more broadly in the near-term. Robust methods for measuring and valuing these concepts in future assessments will help strengthen the evidence used to inform decisions, improving access to vaccines that are demonstrably good value for money from society’s point of view.     

针药并用在早发性卵巢功能不全防治中的价值初探

早发性卵巢功能不全的常规西医治法包括激素替代疗法和辅助生殖技术,但均存在一定局限性。针药并用是在中医理论指导下,综合使用针灸和中药的一种综合治疗模式,在防治早发性卵巢功能不全中具有一定价值,不仅可提高临床疗效,还可为优化治疗方案、提高治疗安全性奠定基础。未来应进一步明确针药并用防治早发性卵巢功能不全的内涵,在中医理论指导下制定规范,深化基础研究,阐述相应机制,不断完善针药并用防治POI的体系。     

The fatality and morbidity components of the value of statistical life

The fatality risk–money tradeoff that is the value of a statistical life (VSL) may vary with the nature of the fatality event. While all fatalities involve loss of future life expectancy, the morbidity effects and their duration may differ. This article analyzes fatality risks accompanied by morbidity effects of different duration to disentangle the mortality and morbidity components of VSL using data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). The VSL is comprised of the sum of the value of the fatality risk and the value of the morbidity risk. Labor market valuations of morbidity risks are positive, even for fatalities that are caused by traumatic injuries. The value of the fatality risk is the dominant component of VSL, rather than the value of the morbidity risk.     

临床药学专业学生人文精神的内涵探究与测量

目前为止，对临床药学专业学生人文精神还没有形成统一的衡量标准。本文在借鉴众多学者研究成果的基础上，调研了来自各级医院、卫生管理部门、高校的临床药学、药事管理等方面的专家意见，对临床药学专业学生的人文精神内涵进行了系统全面地剖析，尝试对临床药学专业学生人文精神进行界定。通过问卷调研的方式量化上述研究内容并对调查问卷的数据进行因子分析，最终构建出临床药学专业学生人文精神测量指标体系。该指标体系可以用于临床药学教育的人文素质培养现状测试以及数据分析，对于临床药学专业人文素质教育有一定借鉴意义。     

中药临床应用的适当性探索

目的 探讨和阐述中药临床应用的适当性原则，提高临床中药师运用适当性原则指导临床用药的技能，促进临床合理用药。方法 通过文献梳理及理论分析，结合中医药理论基础以及中药临床应用的复杂性，探讨中药临床应用的适当性原则，明确中药临床应用"适当性"的学术内涵。结果 中药临床应用的适当性表现在用药过程的各个环节，是合理用药的基本要求之一。中药临床应用适当性的基本内容应充分考虑用药对象、适当的药物、适当的剂量及疗程、适当的给药途径和煎煮方式、适当的服药方法、适当的治疗目标等各个用药环节。结论 中药临床应用的适当性是合理用药的基本要求，将适当的药品，以适合的剂量，在合适的时间内经适当的用药途径给相应的患者使用，以达到预期的治疗目的。     

ICD-10 anaphylaxis algorithm and the estimate of vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis incidence in Medicare

BackgroundAnaphylaxis is a rare, serious allergic reaction. Its identification in large healthcare databases can help better characterize this risk.ObjectiveTo create an ICD-10 anaphylaxis algorithm, estimate its positive predictive values (PPVs) in a post-vaccination risk window, and estimate vaccination-attributable anaphylaxis rates in the Medicare Fee For Service (FFS) population.MethodsAn anaphylaxis algorithm with core and extended portions was constructed analyzing ICD-10 anaphylaxis claims data in Medicare FFS from 2015 to 2017. Cases of post-vaccination anaphylaxis among Medicare FFS beneficiaries were then identified from October 1, 2015 to February 28, 2019 utilizing vaccine relevant anaphylaxis ICD-10 codes. Information from medical records was used to determine true anaphylaxis cases based on the Brighton Collaboration’s anaphylaxis case definition. PPVs were estimated for incident anaphylaxis and the subset of vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis within a 2-day post-vaccination risk window. Vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis rates in Medicare FFS were also estimated.ResultsThe study recorded 66,572,128 vaccinations among 21,685,119 unique Medicare FFS beneficiaries. The algorithm identified a total of 190 suspected anaphylaxis cases within the 2-day post-vaccination window; of these 117 (62%) satisfied the core algorithm, and 73 (38%) additional cases satisfied the extended algorithm. The core algorithm’s PPV was 66% (95% CI [56%, 76%]) for identifying incident anaphylaxis and 44% (95% CI [34%, 56%]) for vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis. The vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis incidence rate after any vaccination was 0.88 per million doses (95% CI [0.67, 1.16]).ConclusionThe ICD-10 claims algorithm for anaphylaxis allows the assessment of anaphylaxis risk in real-world data. The algorithm revealed vaccine-attributable anaphylaxis is rare among vaccinated Medicare FFS beneficiaries.