Resuming Breast Imaging Services in the Aftermath of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Safety and Beyond

As the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic begins to stabilize, different medical imaging facilities not directly involved in the COVID-19 epidemic face the dilemma of how to return to regular operation. We hereby discuss various fields of concern in resuming breast imaging services. We examine the concerns for resuming functions of breast imaging services in 2 broad categories, including safety aspects of operating a breast clinic and addressing potential modifications needed in managing common clinical scenarios in the COVID-19 aftermath. Using a stepwise approach in harmony with the relative states of the epidemic, health care system capacity, and the current state of performing breast surgeries (and in compliance with the recommended surgical guidelines) can ensure avoiding pointless procedures and ensure a smooth transition to a fully operational breast imaging facility.     

Pro-equity immunization and health systems strengthening strategies in select Gavi-supported countries

BackgroundAchieving universal immunization coverage and reaching every child with life-saving vaccines will require the implementation of pro-equity immunization strategies, especially in poorer countries. Gavi-supported countries continue to implement and report strategies that aim to address implementation challenges and improve equity. This paper summarizes the first mapping of these strategies from country reports.MethodsThirteen Gavi-supported countries were purposively selected with emphasis on Gavi’s priority countries. Following a scoping of different documents submitted to Gavi by countries, 47 Gavi Joint Appraisals (JAs) for the period 2016–2019 from the 13 selected countries were included in the mapping. We used a consolidated framework synthesized from 16 different equity and health systems frameworks, which incorporated UNICEF’s coverage and equity assessment approach – an adaptation of the Tanahashi model. Using search terms, the mapping was conducted using a combination of manual search and the MAXQDA qualitative analysis tool. Pro-equity strategies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified and compiled in an Excel database, and then populated on a tableau visualization dashboard.ResultsIn total, 258 pro-equity strategies were implemented by the 13 sampled Gavi-supported countries between 2016 and 2019. The framework determinants of social norms, utilization, and management and coordination accounted for more than three-quarters of all pro-equity strategies implemented in these countries. The median number of strategies reported per country was 17. Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Uganda reported the highest number of strategies that we considered as pro-equity.ConclusionFindings from this mapping can be useful in addressing equity gaps, reaching partially immunized, and ‘zero-dose’ vaccinated children, and valuable resource for countries planning to implement pro-equity strategies, especially as immunization stakeholders reimagine immunization delivery in light of COVID-19, and as Gavi finalizes its fifth organizational strategy. Future efforts should seek to identify pro-equity strategies being implemented across additional countries, and to assess the extent to which these strategies have improved immunization coverage and equity.     

中国村卫生室医疗卫生服务能力的现状、问题及对策

目的:分析评价我国村卫生室医疗卫生服务能力的现状和问题,为制定政策提供参考和依据。方法:对东部(北京、江苏、山东、福建、广东)、中部(黑龙江、河南、湖北)以及西部(四川、贵州、云南、西藏、陕西、新疆)共14个省(区、市)的1 683位医疗机构法人代表或者法定代表人、14 131位医务人员、12 316位城乡居民以及10 473名乡村医生进行问卷调查;分小组对福建、广东、贵州、河南、江苏、山东、云南、湖南、四川9个省实地调研,通过实地观察、开展座谈和蹲点访谈获取一手资料。结果:全国范围内村卫生室条件总体上明显改善,服务能力有所提高,但也普遍存在标准化达标率地区差距大、医疗服务水平能力偏低、公共卫生服务质量不高、缺药少药与过度用药并存等突出问题。结论:通过实施加大对医疗贫困地区财政扶持力度等政策提高村卫生室医疗卫生服务能力仍是当务之急。     

Clinical evaluation of cervical dentin sensitivity (CDS) in patients attending general dental clinics (GDC) and periodontal specialty clinics (PSC)

AIM: The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence, severity and distribution of CDS in patients attending general dental clinics (GDC) and periodontal specialty clinics (PSC) and to correlate them to possible causal factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2 groups of patients aged 20-60 years recruited from GDC (144) and PSC (151) were evaluated for CDS by means of a questionnaire and intraoral clinical examinations. Furthermore, gingival recession and plaque scores were recorded at the same visit. RESULTS: The results showed that patients referred to PSC had a significantly higher prevalence of CDS (60.3%) than those examined at GDC (42.4%) (p<0.001). Also, mean plaque scores of PSC patients (1.87 +/- 0.88) was found to be significantly higher than that of GDC (1.44 +/- 0.7) (p<0.01). The occurrence and extent of gingival recession associated with hypersensitive teeth was significantly higher in PSC than GDC patients (p<0.01), with a 5% incidence of severe recession (5 mm) in PSC only. The association of periodontal disease and periodontal treatment to the high prevalence of CDS and gingival recession in PSC patients would suggest their role in predisposition to hypersensitivity. The distribution of CDS in tooth types revealed that upper molars and lower anteriors of PSC patients were mainly affected, and followed by, to a lesser extent, lower right canine and right first molars of GDC patients. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CDS among our periodontal patients appears somewhat lower than that reported in periodontal specialty clinics of earlier studies but still higher than those reported in other dental populations. This indicates that periodontal disease and its treatments may increase the occurrence of hypersensitivity.     

Relationship of femoral artery ultrasound measures of atherosclerosis with chronic kidney disease

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is strongly associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD). Detection of subclinical PAD may allow early interventions for or prevention of PAD in persons with CKD. Whether the presence of atherosclerotic plaque and femoral intima-media thickness (IMT) are associated with kidney function is unknown.

基于扎根理论的发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系构建研究

背景 2020年3月,上海市卫生健康委提出在基层医疗卫生机构设置发热哨点诊室,以局部应急处置与常态化疫情防控相结合的原则,应对疫情零星散发。 目的 探索并构建一套普适、规范的发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系。 方法 2021年1—4月,采用目的性抽样法,分别从上海市中心城区、郊区、城郊结合地区选取1家发热哨点诊室,通过实地考察、对来自3家发热哨点诊室的10名工作人员进行两轮半结构化深度访谈,获得原始资料,借助ROST CM6软件整理访谈资料,采用Charmaz建构主义扎根理论的范式分析资料。采用目的抽样法,邀请熟悉发热哨点诊室运行特征的专家（发热哨点诊室管理者、高校研究人员、相关协会学者、卫生发展研究机构人员等）12名作为函询对象,于2021年5—6月采用专家函询法对其进行两轮函询,并运用层次分析法确定各级指标权重、检验各级指标逻辑一致性,最终形成发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系。 结果 基于扎根理论构建而成的发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系由5个一级指标、13个二级指标、29个三级指标组成。两轮专家函询问卷的有效回收率均为100.0%,专家权威系数均为0.81,Kendall's W系数分别为0.265（χ2=163.768,P<0.001）、0.320（χ2=130.323,P<0.001）。最终形成的发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系由5个一级指标（功能和职责、诊室设置要求、人员配备、工作流程和工作规范）、13个二级指标和25个三级指标构成,5个一级指标的权重分别为0.033 7、0.056 4、0.392 6、0.377 8、0.139 5。各层级指标的一致性比率（CR值）为0.056 5、0.032 5、0.042 4（<0.100 0）。 结论 将扎根理论运用于发热哨点诊室运行评价指标体系的构建具有较强的操作性,构建的评价指标体系具有一定的科学性和应用价值。后续随着政策的迭代,可借助扎根理论对评价指标体系进行进一步补充和完善。     

Clinical,molecular genetics and therapeutic aspects of syndromic obesity

Obesity has become a major health problem worldwide. To date, more than 25 different syndromic forms of obesity are known in which one (monogenic) or multiple (polygenic) genes are involved. This review gives an overview of these forms and focuses more in detail on 6 syndromes: Prader Willi Syndrome and Prader Willi like phenotype, Bardet Biedl Syndrome, Alström Syndrome, Wilms tumor, Aniridia, Genitourinary malformations and mental Retardation syndrome and 16p11.2 (micro)deletions. Years of research provided plenty of information on the molecular genetics of these disorders and the obesity phenotype leading to a more individualized treatment of the symptoms, however, many questions still remain unanswered. As these obesity syndromes have different signs and symptoms in common, it makes it difficult to accurately diagnose patients which may result in inappropriate treatment of the disease. Therefore, the big challenge for clinicians and scientists is to more clearly differentiate all syndromic forms of obesity to provide conclusive genetic explanations and eventually deliver accurate genetic counseling and treatment. In addition, further delineation of the (functions of the) underlying genes with the use of array- or next-generation sequencing-based technology will be helpful to unravel the mechanisms of energy metabolism in the general population.     

专科护理门诊个案管理对永久性起搏器植入患者的影响

目的 探讨专科护理门诊个案管理对永久性起搏器植入患者复诊及服药依从的影响。方法 将首次植入永久起搏器患者134例采用随机数字表法分为对照组和干预组各67例。对照组给予微信或电话方式进行常规随访,干预组实施专科护理门诊个案管理,即通过线上及专科护理门诊方式对患者进行随访与个性化健康教育。比较两组出院后1、3、6个月的复诊率、服药依从性。结果 出院后1、3、6个月干预组复诊率、服药依从性显著高于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论 对永久性起搏器植入患者实施专科护理门诊个案管理,促进患者出院后专业化护理的延续和全程管理,可以显著提高其术后复诊率、服药依从性。