How common is repeat surgery and multi-level treatment in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy? Findings from a patient perspective survey

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy (DCM) is a common condition which causes significant disability and reduces health-related quality of life. The only evidence-based treatment and current management guidance is surgery to decompress the spinal cord and stop further damage in moderate to severe cases. However, this guidance is mainly informed by studies that only include first time surgery and/or single level disease, but DCM can reoccur after primary surgery and affect multiple levels of the spine. It is unclear whether patients in these subgroups; repeat surgery and multi-level DCM, differ significantly in their baseline and disease characteristics from those with single-level, single-operation disease. To investigate this, we conducted an online survey of people with DCM looking at key demographic, disease (e.g. mJOA) and treatment characteristics. We received a total of 778 respondents, of which 159 (20%) had undergone surgery for DCM. Around 75% of these respondents had a single operation and 65% at a single level. We found no statistically significant difference in key participant and disease characteristics between respondents with single-level or single-operation and those with multi-level DCM or multiple operations. These data support generalisability of research to these subgroups but also warrants further investigations as these subgroups are underrepresented in current research.     

Retail cannabis environment and adolescent use: The role of advertising and retailers near home and school

Youth cannabis use is influenced by overlapping environmental contexts. We examined the associations between proximity to cannabis retailers and seeing cannabis advertisements and cannabis use behaviors in Oregon, a state with adult cannabis legalization. We used 2017 anonymous survey data from 24,154 Oregon 8th and 11th grade students. After adjustments for student and school district characteristics, advertising for 8th graders and presence of a retailer within a mile from school for 11th graders were associated with cannabis use and perceived harm. Additional policy efforts may further reduce youth exposure to cannabis.     

Disaggregating Canadian immigrant smoking behaviour by country of birth

As of the 2006 census, nearly one fifth of Canada's population was foreign-born. With such a sizeable and fast-growing immigrant population, research in immigrant health in Canada is increasingly important, including research on the smoking behaviours of Canada's immigrants. Research has shown that immigrants are significantly less likely to smoke than non-immigrants, yet differences by immigrant origins have yet to be fully explored. This paper explores smoking prevalence and cessation amongst immigrants in Canada disaggregated by country of birth. Additionally, it examines the impact of neighbourhood level effects on smoking cessation to determine if residential location has an impact on the likelihood of quitting. Results reveal important heterogeneities previously unseen in studies employing aggregate data. While immigrants in general were less likely to smoke than non-immigrants, and are also more likely to quit than non-immigrants, considerable variation exists between immigrant groups defined by origin region or country. Asian immigrants were the least likely to smoke but exhibited the greatest variation between countries of origin. Vietnamese men were found to be the most likely immigrant group to smoke and among the least likely to quit. While neighbourhood disadvantage was negatively associated with quitting smoking, it is not as important as individual socioeconomic characteristics in explaining variations in smoking cessation. The research illustrates the need for disaggregated data to account for the diversity of Canada's immigrant population.     

多层次执行功能训练对改善脑出血患者认知功能及运动功能的影响

目的 探讨多层次执行功能训练对改善脑出血患者认知功能及运动功能的影响。 方法 选取2018年1-12月我院神经内科收治的脑出血患者86例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为观察组(n=43)及对照组(n=43),对照组行神经内科常规性训练,观察组在对照组基础上辅以多层次执行功能训练,包括中枢执行功能训练、定势转换训练、工作记忆训练等,分别于训练前、训练6周后采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表(Montreal cognitive assessment scale,MoCA)、简易智力状态检查量表(mini-mental state examination scale, MMSE)、Barthel指数、Fugl-Meyer运动功能评分(Fugl-Meyer motor function score,FMA)及世界卫生组织生活质量评定量表(world health organization quality of life rating scale, WHO-QOL-100)对2组认知功能、运动功能及生活质量进行评价。 结果 干预后,观察组MoCA评分、MMSE评分、Barthel指数、FMA评分均高于对照组(t=6.236,P<0.001; t=4.727,P<0.001; t=12.084,P<0.001; t=7.750,P<0.001)。观察组生理维度、心理维度、社会关系维度、独立性维度、环境维度、精神维度评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。 结论 多层次执行功能综合训练能有效提高脑出血患者认知功能及运动功能,从而改善患者生活质量。     

Expansion of ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in hospitalized patients: A successful story of international clones (ST15, ST147, ST336) and epidemic plasmids (IncR,IncFIIK)

The aim of this study was to characterize by a multi-level approach extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates other than E. coli from Portuguese hospitals. Eighty-eight ESBL-producing clinical isolates (69 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 13 Enterobacter cloacae complex, 3 Klebsiella oxytoca, 1 Enterobacter asburiae, 1 Proteus mirabilis and 1 Serratia marcescens) recovered from hospitals located in the North (A) or Centre (B, C) regions during two time periods (2006–7 and 2010) were analyzed. Standard methods were used for bacterial identification, antibiotic susceptibility testing, ESBL characterization, clonal (PFGE, MLST) and plasmid (S1-PFGE, I-CeuI-PFGE, replicon typing, hybridization) analysis. Isolates produced mostly CTX-M-15 (47%) or SHV-12 (30%), and less frequently other SHV- (15%; SHV-2, -5, -28, -55, -106) or TEM- (9%; TEM-10, -24, -199)-types, with marked local and temporal variations. The increase of CTX-M-15 and diverse SHV ESBL-types observed in Hospital A was associated with the amplification of multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae epidemic clones (ST15, ST147, ST336). SHV-12 and TEM-type ESBLs were mostly identified in diverse isolates of different Enterobacteriaceae species in Hospitals B and C in 2006–7. Particular plasmid types were linked to bla_CTX-M-15 (IncR or non-typeable plasmids), bla_SHV-12 (IncR or IncHI2), bla_{SHV-28/-55/-106} (IncFII_K1 or IncFII_K5), bla_TEM-10 (IncL/M) or bla_TEM-24 (IncA/C), mostly in epidemic clones. In our country, the amplification of CTX-M-15 and diverse SHV-type ESBL among non-E. coli Enterobacteriaceae is linked to international MDR K. pneumoniae clones (ST15, ST147, ST336) and plasmid types (IncR, IncFII_K). Furthermore, we highlight the potential of IncFII_K plasmids (here firstly associated with bla_{SHV-2/-28/-55/-106}) to disseminate as antibiotic resistance plasmids.     

Factors influencing whether children walk to school

Few studies have simultaneously evaluated multiple levels of influence on whether children walk to school. A large cohort of 4338 subjects from 10 communities was used to identify the determinants of walking through (1) a one-level logistic regression model for individual-level variables and (2) a two-level mixed regression model for individual and school-level variables. Walking rates were positively associated with home-to-school proximity, greater age, and living in neighborhoods characterized by lower traffic density. Greater land use mix around the home was, however, associated with lower rates of walking. Rates of walking to school were also higher amongst recipients of the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program and attendees of schools with higher percentage of English language learners. Designing schools in the same neighborhood as residential districts should be an essential urban planning strategy to reduce walking distance to school. Policy interventions are needed to encourage children from higher socioeconomic status families to participate in active travel to school and to develop walking infrastructures and other measures that protect disadvantaged children.     

机能实验学设计性实验分层次教学的实践与思考

由于学生人数众多、教学资源和教师数量不足等因素的限制,使设计性实验教学在机能实验学中难以有效开展。为此,探讨设计性实验的分层次教学,通过夯实科研基础以及三层次教学内容由易至难的逐层递进,学生的教学中心地位不断提高,其知识面亦由书本拓展至学科研究前沿,其创新意识不断增强。问卷调查显示,90%的学生对当前教学表示满意,并认为其自主学习能力等有所增强。总结实践经验可见,教学时间的合理安排及教学过程的监督与管理是保证分层次设计性实验教学有效开展的关键因素。     

基于排序求因子权重的门诊病人满意度多层次模糊综合评判研究

目的 对病人满意度进行科学合理的测评.方法 采用多层次模糊综合评判,按病人关注度进行排序求一级因子权重,并在此基础上应用变异系数法形成二级因子权重.结果 克服了在确定因子权重系数时的主观因素,较客观地进行了对病人满意度问卷调查表的定量分析.结论使权重系数的分配和确定比较客观,评判结果更趋于真实.     

医学院校应用心理学专业构建多层次实践教学模式探索

针对医学院校应用心理学专业实践教学实施中的难点,以湖南中医药大学应用心理学专业原有实践教学为基础,从完善课程设置、搭建实践操作平台、改革课程考核评价方式和构建教学互长的督导模式方面进行探索,构建起以新生心理健康普查为起点的各级实践操作平台,形成心理健康建档→心理健康评估→心理咨询和治疗的多层次立体型实践模式。