Is personality associated with dementia risk? A meta-analytic investigation

This study provides a quantitative synthesis of the prospective associations between personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness) and the risk of incident Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We conducted five separate meta-analyses with 8–12 samples (N = 30,036 to 33,054) that were identified through a systematic literature search following the MOOSE guidelines. Higher neuroticism (HR = 1.24, 95% CI [1.17, 1.31]) and lower conscientiousness (HR = 0.77, 95% CI [0.73, 0.81]) were associated with increased dementia risk, even after accounting for covariates such as depressive symptoms. Lower extraversion (HR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.86, 0.97]), openness (HR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.86, 0.96]), and agreeableness (HR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.83, 0.98]) were also associated with increased risk, but these associations were less robust and not significant in fully adjusted models. No evidence of publication bias was found. The strength of associations was unrelated to publication year (i.e., no evidence of winner’s curse). Meta-regressions indicated consistent effects for neuroticism, openness, and conscientiousness across methods to assess dementia, dementia type, follow-up length, sample age, minority, country, and personality measures. The association of extraversion and agreeableness varied by country. Our findings indicate robust associations of neuroticism and conscientiousness with dementia risk.     

Effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterisation of intestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease: A comparison with surgical histopathology analysis

BackgroundDifferentiation between predominantly inflammatory versus fibrous-predominant lesions is particularly important in order to decide the optimal therapy in patients with refractory symptoms in Crohn's disease (CD).ObjectiveThe purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the accuracy of several US parameters, especially of contrast-enhanced US, for evaluation of mural inflammation in CD, with histopathology as the reference.Materials and methodsPreoperative ultrasound examination, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed in 25 consecutive patients with Crohn's disease undergoing elective bowel resection. Ultrasound variables, such as wall thickness, transmural complications, colour Doppler grade, quantitative analysis of the enhancement and the presence and severity of strictures, were prospectively evaluated and compared with the histopathology results. Histopathology grading of acute inflammation using the acute inflammatory score and the degree of fibrostenosis was performed in each segment and the results were compared with all the US variables as well as with a previously defined ultrasound score system for inflammatory and fibrostenotic changes.Results28 segments were analysed. In pathology analysis there were 12 predominantly inflammatory segments, 9 predominantly fibrostenotic and 7 compound lesions. When the pathology score was dichotomised into two groups (inflammatory and fibrostenotic) the number of stenoses correctly classified by US was 23 out 28, with a substantial agreement (kappa = 0.632). There was a good correlation between the sonographic and pathology scores, both inflammation (Spearman's, r = 0.53) and fibrostenosis (Spearman's, r = 0.50). Transmural complications, colour Doppler grade and percentage of increase in contrast enhancement were significantly associated with the pathology inflammatory score (p = 0.018, p = 0.036 and p = 0.005, respectively). There was a significantly negative association between the colour Doppler grade and the pathologic fibrostenotic score.ConclusionsUltrasound, including CEUS, can be a useful tool for distinguishing inflammatory from fibrostenotic lesions in CD. This information can be useful in the management of CD.     

The challenge of asthma control grading in clinical practice

Asthma is a chronic disease for which control is considered the management goal. However, the different methods to measure asthma control, including the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) criteria and Asthma Control Test (ACT), can produce conflicting results. This nationwide pediatric study compared both methods in 465 enrolled children (322 males, mean age 11.2 years). Lung function and symptom perception were also evaluated. The results showed fair concordance (k = 0.253) between GINA grading and childhood-ACT (C-ACT). Multivariate analysis revealed an association between the parents' perception of asthma and uncontrolled asthma (odds ratio [OR] = 1.52).These findings highlight the persisting puzzle of asthma control grading in primary care, which could confuse doctors. Therefore, asthma control assessment deserves adequate attention and requires substantial expertise in clinical practice.     

经皮机械循环支持设备治疗急性心肌梗死并发心源性休克研究进展

当前急诊经皮冠脉介入治疗技术日趋成熟规范，新型抗血小板药物广泛应用，主动脉球囊反搏泵（IABP）逐渐普及，但急性心肌梗死并发心源性休克患者死亡率仍居高不下。对此，包括Impella、TendemHeart和ECMO在内的经皮机械循环支持设备可通过提供较之IABP更强的血流动力学支持而有望改善心源性休克患者预后。尽管现有临床证据较少，仍不足以充分证明应用经皮机械循环支持设备救治的临床获益，同时应用后血管和全身并发症不容忽视，但随着技术的进步和临床应用经验的日益增加，经皮机械循环支持设备有望成为心梗并发心源性休克患者成功救治的关键所在。     

Health Related Quality of Life and Emotional Health in Children with Chronic Granulomatous Disease: A Comparison of Those Managed Conservatively with Those That Have Undergone Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Purpose

Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) is a rare primary immunodeficiency that predisposes to life-threatening infections and inflammation. Haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) can cure CGD. Chronic illness reduces quality of life. Children with haematological malignancies report improved quality of life post-HSCT. There are no data for children with CGD. This study evaluated quality of life and emotional well-being in CGD children treated conventionally or transplanted.

Methods

Parents and children completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory v4.0 (PedsQL) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQ). Mean scores were compared with published UK norms. Comparisons were made for those that had or had not undergone HSCT.

Results

Forty-seven parents completed PedsQL (children aged 3–15). Twenty-one were post-HSCT. Forty-two completed SDQ (children aged 3–15). Nineteen post-HSCT. Median age for non-HSCT group 9 years. Median age for post-HSCT group 10 years. The HSCT group were median 3 years post-HSCT (range 1–9 years). HSCT survival was 90 %—two died without completing questionnaires Parent and self-reported quality of life for non-transplanted children was significantly lower than healthy children. Parents reported increased emotional difficulties compared to published norms. PedsQL and SDQ scores for transplanted children were not significantly different from healthy norms.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the quality of life is reduced in CGD. Transplanted patients have quality of life comparable to levels reported in healthy children. This data will help inform families and clinicians when deciding about treatment and may have relevance for other immunodeficiencies treated with transplant.     

急性心肌梗死突发性猝死的抢救和护理观察

目的探讨急性梗死突发性猝死患者的护理措施。方法对26例急性心肌梗死突发猝死患者实施积极抢救措施并给予细致的护理。结果 26例抢救成功率96.15%。结论积极有效的现场救治及护理,能减少心肌梗死患者并发症的发生,对挽救患者生命,促进患者早日康复具有重要意义。     

Primary breast lymphoma – a review of the literature and report of three cases

Primary breast lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease accounting for 0.4-0.5% of all breast malignancies. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common histological diagnosis. The clinical presentation of PBLs is usually no different from that of carcinoma. In this paper we review the literature on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognostic factors and treatment options of PBL. In the light of the information gained we discuss three patients with primary breast lymphoma (one with a central nervous system relapse) who were treated in our department in the years 2002-2007. In conclusion: there is no consensus on the question of how to best treat PBL: chemotherapy, radiotherapy or combined therapy. However, the last approach to be the most successful one. Due to high incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement in PBL patients, many authors strongly believe that patients with aggressive forms of PBL should receive CNS infiltration prophylaxis, even in the early stages, as this may improve the outcome and significantly reduce the risk of a CNS disease relapse.