Contemporary Epidemiology of and Risk Factors Associated with Removal of a Pathologically Normal Appendix in Children with Suspected Appendicitis

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to characterize contemporary performance benchmarks and risk factors associated with negative appendectomy (NA) in children with suspected appendicitis.MethodsA multicenter retrospective cohort analysis of children undergoing appendectomy for suspected appendicitis was performed using data from the 2016–2021 NSQIP-Pediatric Appendectomy Targeted Public Use Files. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate the influence of year, age, sex, and WBC count on NA rate, and to generate rate estimates for NA based on different combinations of demographic characteristics and WBC profiles.Results100,322 patients were included from 140 hospitals. The overall NA rate was 2.4%, and rates decreased significantly during the study period (2016: 3.1% vs. 2021: 2.3%, p < 0.001). In adjusted analyses, the highest risk for NA was associated with a normal WBC (<9000/mm³; OR 5.31 [95% CI: 4.87–5.80]), followed by female sex (OR 1.55 [95% CI: 1.42–1.68]) and age <5 years (OR 1.64 [95% CI 1.39, 1.94]). Model-estimated risk for NA varied significantly across demographic and WBC strata, with a 14.4-fold range in rates between subgroups with the lowest and highest predicted risk (males 13–17 years with elevated WBC [1.1%] vs. females 3–4 years with normal WBC [15.8%]).ConclusionsContemporary NA rates have decreased over time, however NA risk remains high in children without a leukocytosis, particularly for girls and children <5 years of age. These data provide contemporary performance benchmarks for NA in children with suspected appendicitis and identify high-risk populations where further efforts to mitigate NA risk should be targeted.Level of EvidenceIII.     

一测多评法同时测定艾纳香油中5种成分

目的建立一测多评法同时测定艾纳香Blumea balsamifera(L.)DC.油中β⁃蒎烯、β⁃石竹烯、樟脑、α⁃石竹烯和龙脑5种成分的含有量。方法艾纳香油乙酸乙酯提取物的分析采用PEG⁃20 M柱(30 m×0.32 mm,1.0μm);程序升温;载气为高纯氮气(99.999%);FID检测器温度240℃,进样口温度240℃。以龙脑为内标,计算其他4种成分的相对校正因子,再测定其含有量。结果蒎烯、β⁃石竹烯、樟脑、α⁃石竹烯和龙脑分别在1.49~59.5μg/mL(r=0.9996)、2.22~88.8μg/mL(r=0.9996)、6.48~259μg/mL(r=0.9997)、3.64~146μg/mL(r=0.9991)和16.4~656μg/mL(r=0.9998)范围内线性关系良好,平均加样回收率(RSD)分别为97.4%(0.9%)、99.0%(1.3%)、98.9%(0.9%)、97.6%(0.9%)和99.7%(1.0%)。一测多评法所得结果接近于外标法。结论该方法准确稳定,重复性好,可用于艾纳香油的质量控制。     

Premature Ticagrelor Discontinuation in Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic CVD: JACC Review Topic of the Week

Ticagrelor is a cornerstone of modern antithrombotic therapy alongside aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome and after percutaneous coronary intervention. Adverse effects such as bleeding and dyspnea have been associated with premature ticagrelor discontinuation, which may limit any potential advantage of ticagrelor over clopidogrel. The randomized trials of ticagrelor captured adverse events, offering the opportunity to more precisely quantify these effects across studies. Therefore, a meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials of ticagrelor conducted between January 2007 and June 2017 was performed to quantify the incidence and causes of premature ticagrelor discontinuation. Among 66,870 patients followed for a median 18 months, premature ticagrelor discontinuation was seen in 25%; bleeding was the most common cause of discontinuation followed by dyspnea. Versus the comparators, the relative risk of dyspnea-related discontinuation during follow-up was 6.4-fold higher, the relative risk of bleeding was 3.2-fold higher, and the relative risk of discontinuation due to any adverse event was 59% higher for patients receiving ticagrelor. Understanding these potential barriers to adherence to ticagrelor is crucial for informed patient-physician decision making and can inform future efforts to improve ticagrelor adherence. This review discusses the incidence, causes, and biological mechanisms of ticagrelor-related adverse effects and offers strategies to improve adherence to ticagrelor.     

柴葛芩连汤联合常规治疗对湿热闭肺型小儿支气管肺炎患者的临床疗效

目的考察柴葛芩连汤联合常规治疗对湿热闭肺型小儿支气管肺炎患者的临床疗效。方法 137例患者随机分为对照组(68例)和观察组(69例),对照组给予常规治疗(吸氧、布洛芬、头孢美唑钠、喜炎平注射液),观察组在对照组基础上加用柴葛芩连汤,疗程10 d。检测临床疗效、恢复情况、血清炎症因子(CRP、IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α)、中医证候评分变化。结果观察组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05),恢复情况(除X线全胸片消失时间外)更明显(P<0.05)。治疗后,2组炎症因子水平、中医证候评分降低(P<0.05),以观察组更明显(P<0.05)。结论柴葛芩连汤可缓解湿热闭肺型小儿支气管肺炎患者症状,其机制可能与下调血清CRP、IL-6、IL-8、TNF-α水平有关。     

东北苦菜UPLC指纹图谱建立及化学模式识别

目的建立东北苦菜Ixeris vesicolor DC.UPLC指纹图谱,并进行化学模式识别。方法东北苦菜甲醇提取物的分析采用CORTECS C18色谱柱(2.1 mm×150 mm,1.6μm);流动相0.1%磷酸水⁃乙腈,梯度洗脱;体积流量0.1 mL/min;检测波长(1~15 min,327 nm;15~50 min,360 nm);柱温35℃;进样量2μL。采用相似度分析和化学模式识别技术相结合的方法对其进行质量评价。结果10批样品指纹图谱中有19个共有峰,相似度均大于0.953。通过聚类分析将样品分成2类,主成分分析结果支持聚类分析结果,采用正交偏最小二乘法⁃判别分析筛选出了导致不同批次药材质量差异的3个共有峰,指认出2号峰(绿原酸)和12号峰(木犀草素)。结论该方法稳定可靠,可系统、全面地评价东北苦菜的药材质量。     

The impact of long-term corticosteroid use on acute postoperative complications following lumbar decompression surgery

BackgroundCorticosteroids have a negative impact on the human immune system’s ability to function at an optimal level. Studies have shown that patients on long-term corticosteroids have higher infection rates. However, the rates of infection and other complications following lumbar decompression surgery remains under-investigated. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of preoperative long-term corticosteroid usage on acute, 30-day postoperative complications in a subset of patients undergoing lumbar spine decompression surgery, without fusion or instrumentation. We hypothesize that patients on long-term corticosteroids will have higher rates of infection and other postoperative complications after undergoing lumbar decompression surgery of the spine.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using data collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database data from 2005 to 2016. Lumbar decompression surgeries, including discectomies, laminectomies, and others were identified using CPT codes. Chi-square analysis was used to evaluate differences among the corticosteroid and non-corticosteroid groups for demographics, preoperative comorbidities, and postoperative complications. Logistic regression analysis was done to determine if long-term corticosteroid use predicts incidence of postoperative infections following adjustment.Results26,734 subjects met inclusion criteria. A total of 1044 patients (3.9%) were on long-term corticosteroids prior to surgical intervention, and 25,690 patients (96.1%) were not on long-term corticosteroids. Patients on long-term corticosteroids were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), female (p < 0.001), nonsmokers (p < 0.001), and have a higher American Society of Anesthesiologist class (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that long-term corticosteroid usage was associated with increased overall complications (odds ratio [OR]: 1.543; p < 0.001), and an independent risk factor for the development of minor complications (OR: 1.808; p < 0.001), urinary tract infection (OR: 2.033; p = 0.002), extended length of stay (OR: 1.244; p = 0.039), thromboembolic complications (OR: 1.919; p = 0.023), and sepsis complications (OR: 2.032; p = 0.024).ConclusionLong-term corticosteroid usage is associated with a significant increased risk of acute postoperative complication development, including urinary tract infection, sepsis and septic shock, thromboembolic complications, and extended length of hospital stay, but not with superficial or deep infection in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures. Spine surgeons should remain vigilant regarding postoperative complications in patients on long-term corticosteroids, especially as it relates to UTI and propensity to decompensate into sepsis or septic shock. Thromboembolic risk attenuation is also imperative in this patient group during the postoperative period and the surgeon should weigh the risks and benefits of more intensive anticoagulation measures.     

川芎-天麻配伍对川芎中2种成分在大鼠脑内药动学的影响

目的探讨川芎⁃天麻配伍对川芎中川芎嗪、阿魏酸在大鼠脑内药动学的影响。方法18只大鼠随机分成川芎组、川芎⁃天麻(1∶0.25)组、川芎⁃天麻(1∶1)组,每组6只,建立血瘀型偏头痛模型。灌胃给药后,于大鼠脑内插入微透析探针,收集不同时间点脑透析液,UPLC⁃MS/MS法检测川芎嗪、阿魏酸含有量,绘制血药浓度⁃时间曲线,计算药动学参数。结果与单味药组比较,配伍组2种成分T1/2[川芎⁃天麻(1∶1)组阿魏酸除外]、MRT0~∞、Cmax、AUC0~∞升高(P<0.05,P<0.01);川芎⁃天麻(1∶0.25)组两者T1/2、MRT0~∞、AUC0~∞高于川芎⁃天麻(1∶1)组(P<0.05,P<0.01),川芎嗪Cmax降低(P<0.05)。结论天麻可提高川芎中川芎嗪、阿魏酸脑组织吸收程度,延长作用时间,减缓消除速率,增加蓄积,其作用强度与天麻剂量有关。     

比伐芦定与肝素用于急性冠脉综合征行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的药物经济学研究

目的 对比研究比伐芦定及普通肝素用于急性冠脉综合征(ACS)行经皮冠状动脉介入(PCI)治疗的成本效果,为中国ACS患者PCI围手术期抗凝治疗药物的合理选用提供理论依据.方法 基于中国单中心临床研究数据,建立一年期决策树及Markov长期外推药物经济学模型,模拟计算使用比伐芦定或普通肝素治疗患者的调整质量生命年(QLAYs)及治疗成本,对比伐芦定用于中国ACS患者行PCI抗凝治疗的成本效益进行分析和研究.结果 比伐芦定和普通肝素组的治疗总成本分别为47089.56元和48766.33元,使用比伐芦定患者可获得的质量调整生命年(QALYs)为9.02,采用普通肝素治疗方案的患者QALYs为8.74.增量成本效果分析显示,采用比伐芦定可提高患者的健康效益(△E>0),同时还能降低治疗成本(△C<0),增量成本效果比(ICER)为-6010.02元/QALYs,提示采用比伐芦定是必然会接受的优势治疗方案.一维敏感度分析显示本研究结果稳定可靠.结论 在中国目前整体经济形势下,与使用普通肝素相比,比伐芦定用于PCI抗凝具有成本效果优势,可替代传统抗凝方案用于ACS患者PCI围手术期抗凝治疗.     

上中切牙短根畸形患者骨性错[牙合]和轴倾度的临床分析

目的探讨昆明市人群中非综合征型短根畸形(short root anomaly,SRA)的患病率及与骨性错[牙合]和上中切牙轴倾度分布的关系,为SRA患者的正畸临床诊疗提供一定参考。方法回顾性分析2011年1月~2019年7月笔者所在医院收治患者CBCT数据库并随机抽样选取1000例,诊断出SRA患者27例(SRA组);对照组,为非SRA患者中随机选取的100例患者,根据其临床资料以及头影测量数据,将骨性错[牙合]分为I类骨性错,Ⅱ类骨性错[牙合],Ⅲ类骨性错[牙合]3个亚组,将中切牙轴倾度分为唇倾型、腭倾型和正常唇倾度型3个亚组,分析SRA组和对照组的性别、骨性错[牙合]以及上中切牙轴倾度分布情况。结果本研究所选人群中SRA的患病率为2.7%,女性的SRA患病率为3.67%(21/572),高于男性患病率1.4%(6/428),SRA患病率的性别差异具有统计学意义(χ^2=4.562,P=0.033)。SRA患者与对照组骨性错[牙合]构成比差异具有统计学意义(χ^2=8.710,P=0.013)。SRA患者骨性错以Ⅲ类骨性错[牙合]为主。SRA患者与对照组上中切牙轴倾度型构成比不同,差异具有统计学意义(χ^2=16.75,P<0.001)。SRA患者上中切牙轴倾度以腭倾型为主。结论SRA与Ⅲ类骨性错[牙合]及前牙腭倾型轴倾度有关,正畸治疗前需对此类患者的冠根比和根形进行评估。     

Correlates and Outcomes of Late and Very Late Drug-Eluting Stent Thrombosis: Results From DESERT (International Drug-Eluting Stent Event Registry of Thrombosis)

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to identify clinical, procedural, and angiographic correlates of late/very late drug-eluting stent (DES) thrombosis as well as to determine the clinical outcomes of these events.BackgroundLate/very late DES thromboses are a poorly studied phenomenon, partly due to the relative infrequency of these events, even in large cohort studies.MethodsIn the DESERT (International Drug-Eluting Stent Event Registry of Thrombosis), a retrospective, case-control registry, 492 cases of late/very late definite DES thrombosis from 21 international sites were matched in a 1:1 fashion with controls without stent thrombosis (ST). Controls were matched according to 2 criteria: same enrolling institution and date of initial DES implantation. Baseline and procedural variables were collected, and clinical follow-up was obtained for patients with ST as long as 1 year after the event. Offline quantitative coronary angiography was performed for a subset of 378 case-control pairs.ResultsThe majority of ST events occurred after 1 year (75%) and continued to occur for as long as 7.3 years. The clinical presentation of late/very late ST events was mainly myocardial infarction (66.7% ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and 22.0% non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction); in-hospital mortality was 3.8%. A minority of patients (30%) with ST were receiving dual-antiplatelet therapy at the time of the event. Independent clinical correlates of late/very late ST were younger age, African-American race, current smoking, multivessel disease, longer stented length, overlapping stents, and percutaneous coronary intervention of vein graft lesions. Independent angiographic correlates for late/very late ST were lesions within the left anterior descending artery or a bypass graft, thrombus, and a larger residual diameter stenosis after the initial DES implantation. Despite the large sample of ST cases, all identified correlates of late/very late ST had weak associations with subsequent ST (all odds ratios <2.5).ConclusionsDespite a large sample of ST cases and use of limited matching to maximize the identification of predictive factors associated with late/very late ST, the variables associated with the development of late/very late ST were only weakly predictive of subsequent events. Additionally, a relatively low observed mortality rate of ST in this series may reflect a different pathophysiology of these late/very late events compared with acute/subacute ST. (Drug Eluting Stent Registry of Thrombosis [DESERT]; NCT00812552).