Out of the boxes,out of the silos: The need of interdisciplinary collaboration to reduce poor-quality medical products in the supply chain

In this paper, we argue that understanding and addressing the problem of poor-quality medical products requires a more interdisciplinary approach than has been evident to date. While prospective studies based on rigorous standardized methodologies are the gold standard for measuring the prevalence of poor-quality medical products and understanding their distribution nationally and internationally, they should be complemented by social science research to unpack the complex set of social, economic, and governance factors that underlie these patterns. In the following sections, we discuss specific examples of prospective quality surveys and of social science studies, highlighting the value of cross-sector partnerships in driving high-quality, policy-relevant research in this area.     

Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1在创伤性骨折下肢静脉栓塞中的预测价值

目的分析同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、溶血磷脂酸(LPA)及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)在创伤性骨折下肢静脉栓塞中的预测价值。方法选取2019年3月至2020年2月商丘市第一人民医院收治的104例创伤性骨折者(观察组),根据有无DVT:有DVT组33例,无DVT组71例;根据创伤严重程度:轻度组61例,重度组43例。另选取本院同期92例健康体检者设为对照组。比较不同人群、不同病情程度以及有无DVT者血浆Hcy、LPA及血清TGF-β1水平,分析Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1对DVT的预测价值。结果观察组Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1表达水平均明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。重度组Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1表达水平明显高于轻度组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。有DVT组者Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1表达水平明显高于无DVT组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。依据ROC曲线分析可知,Hcy+LPA+TGF-β1三者联合预测创伤性骨折后发生DVT敏感度和特异度分别为88.90%、8130%,明显高于三者单独检测(P<0.05)。结论Hcy、LPA及TGF-β1在创伤性骨折发生下肢静脉栓塞时水平均明显升高,三者联合检测对下肢静脉栓塞早期诊断有重要的临床价值。     

Epidemiologic and socioeconomic factors impacting hepatitis B virus and related hepatocellular carcinoma

Chronic Hepatitis B is a highly prevalent disease worldwide and is estimated to cause more than 800000 annual deaths from complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although universal hepatitis B vaccination programs may have reduced the incidence and prevalence of chronic hepatitis B and related HCC, the disease still imposes a significant healthcare burden in many endemic regions such as Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. This is especially concerning given the global underdiagnosis of hepatitis B and the limited availability of vaccination, screening, and treatment in low-resource regions. Demographics including male gender, older age, ethnicity, and geographic location as well as low socioeconomic status are more heavily impacted by chronic hepatitis B and related HCC. Methods to mitigate this impact include increasing screening in high-risk groups according to national guidelines, increasing awareness and health literacy in vulnerable populations, and developing more robust vaccination programs in under-served regions.     

Trends in using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in treating corneal diseases

Since their inception in the 1960s–70s, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have gained interest because of their differentiation potential, anti-inflammatory effects, and immune-modulating properties. Both cell-based and cell-free MSC treatments show healing capacity in injured tissues. Cell-based treatment comprises MSCs and all secreted products, whereas cell-free treatments include only the secreted products. MSCs are therapeutically administered to many damaged organs owing to their efficacy. Specifically, the eye is a unique organ system to study the effects of MSCs, as treatment is easily applied and measured owing to its external location. The eye holds an immune-privileged status, wherein inflammation and immune responses are innately down-regulated. As excessive inflammation in the cornea often leads to fibrosis and irreversible corneal hazing, many studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating capacities of MSCs. Decades of research suggest that MSCs modulate the immune response by secreting cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins that inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells following injury and promote a healing phenotype via M2 macrophage polarization. MSCs have also shown trans-differentiation potential into cornea-specific cell types during the wound healing process, such as corneal epithelial, stromal, or endothelial cells. This review discusses recent investigations of MSC treatment in the cornea, focusing on therapeutic efficacy, mechanisms, and future directions.     

肺癌患者化疗后三种肿瘤标志物的表达变化及意义

目的探讨肺癌患者化疗后的癌胚抗原(CEA)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)和鳞状上皮细胞癌抗原(SCC-Ag)表达变化。方法选取2017年5月至2020年2月间南京市六合区人民医院收治的100例肺癌患者,将这些患者作为肺癌组,另随机选取同期100例健康体检人员作为健康组。统计分析两组人员化疗前的血清NSE、CEA、SCC-Ag表达水平、肺癌组化疗成功患者化疗前后的血清NSE、CEA、SCC-Ag表达水平、肺癌组化疗失败患者化疗前后的血清NSE、CEA、SCC-Ag表达水平。结果肺癌组患者化疗前的血清NSE、CEA和SCC-Ag表达水平均高于健康组,差异均有统计学意义(均P <0.05)。肺癌组化疗成功患者化疗后的血清NSE、CEA和SCC-Ag表达水平均低于化疗前,均高于健康组,差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05)。肺癌组化疗失败患者化疗后的血清NSE、CEA、SCC-Ag表达水平均高于化疗前,均高于健康组,差异均有统计学意义(P <0.05)。结论对肺癌患者的NSE、CEA、SCC-Ag表达水平进行检测能够将化疗效果有效反映出来,进而有效指导临床的下一步治疗工作,从而有效改善患者预后。