肝移植术后脑病的发病因素及防治

目的探讨肝移植术后脑病的原因及防治措施。方法回顾性分析185例肝移植患者的临床资料,将术后出现脑病的患者作为观察组,与对照组进行比较,分析发生脑病的原因,并总结其防治经验。结果肝移植术后出现脑病39例,占21.1%。脑病的发生与患者的术前Ch ild分级、有无肝性脑病史、术中的出血量、术后ICU天数及术后是否出现早期肝功能不良等因素显著相关,而与免疫抑制剂的血药浓度无显著相关性。结论肝移植术后脑病的发生是多因素的,通过合理的治疗,其预后良好。     

Effects of escitalopram on menopause-specific quality of life and pain in healthy menopausal women with hot flashes: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of escitalopram 10–20 mg/day on menopause-related quality of life and pain in healthy menopausal women with hot flashes.Study designA double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of escitalopram 10–20 mg/day vs. identical placebo was conducted among 205 women ages 40–62 years with an average of ≥4 daily hot flashes recruited at 4 clinical sites from July 2009 to June 2010.Main outcome measuresThe primary trial outcomes, reported previously, were the frequency and severity of vasomotor symptoms at 8 weeks. Here, we report on the pre-specified secondary endpoints of total and domain scores from the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL) and the pain intensity and interference scale (PEG).ResultsOutcome data were collected on 97% of randomized women and 87% of women took at least 70% of their study medication. Treatment with escitalopram resulted in significantly greater improvement in total MENQOL scores (mean difference at 8 weeks of −0.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.71 to −0.11; p < 0.001), as well as Vasomotor, Psychosocial, and Physical domain scores with the largest difference seen in the Vasomotor domain (mean difference −0.75; 95% CI −1.28 to −0.22; p = 0.02). There was no significant treatment group difference for the Sexual Function domain. Escitalopram treatment resulted in statistically significant improvements in PEG scores compared to placebo (mean treatment group difference at 8 weeks of −0.33; 95% CI −0.81 to 0.15; p = 0.045).ConclusionsTreatment with escitalopram 10–20 mg/day in healthy women with vasomotor symptoms significantly improved menopause-related quality of life and pain.     

Influence of stress on the development of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which is shaped by genetics and environmental factors, including stress. Numerous studies and case reports have suggested that stress is a major contributor to the development and exacerbation of psoriasis. In recent decades, much progress has been made expanding our knowledge on the pathophysiological processes linking stress to psoriasis. The main pathways involve the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, sympathetic–adrenal–medullary axis, peripheral nervous system and immune system. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the relationship between stress and psoriasis and the underlying mechanisms.     

Enhanced tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 induction in dermatomyositis

Clinical Rheumatology - Extrahepatic tryptophan (Trp)-kynurenine (Kyn) metabolism via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) induction was found to be associated with intrinsic immune regulation....     

Contemporary Provider Management Practices and Attitudes Toward Referral for Advanced Heart Failure Therapies in Fontan Patients Across North America

Background: To date, no reports have described clinicians’ management practices for patients with Fontan circulatory failure or their understanding of risk factors for mortality and transplant outcomes in these patients.Methods and Results: A cross-sectional survey of caregivers across North America was conducted from February to September 2020. Responses were compared by primary specialty (heart failure/transplant vs non-heart failure/transplant), years of experience (early, mid, and late career), and Fontan center volume (low, medium, and high). Of 400 responses, the majority were from general cardiologists (111, 28%) followed by heart failure/transplant specialists (93, 23%). Although most agreed that patients with Fontan physiology will have signs/symptoms of heart failure (369 [93%]) and eventuate in heart transplant (286 [72%]), many disagreed (180 [45%]) that routine evaluation by a transplant cardiologist is needed without symptoms. Transplant providers were more likely than non-transplant providers to suggest referral for manifestations of Fontan circulatory failure such as protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis, and worsening valve regurgitation. Non-transplant providers were more likely to suggest that protein-losing enteropathy, plastic bronchitis, and Fontan-associated liver disease lead to inferior outcomes after transplantation. Early career and transplant providers more favorably viewed ventricular assist device use for Fontan patients failing traditional heart failure therapy (P < .05 for all).Conclusions: There is significant variation in the management of Fontan patients, including heterogeneous timing of referral of such patients to the heart failure/transplant team, which may have implications for future outcomes.     

Left Atrial Stiffness Index Independently Predicts Exercise Intolerance and Quality of Life in Older,Obese Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

BackgroundHeart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is the fastest growing form of HF and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The primary chronic symptom in HFpEF is exercise intolerance, associated with reduced quality of life. Emerging evidence implicates left atrial (LA) dysfunction as an important pathophysiologic mechanism. Here we extend prior observations by relating LA dysfunction to peak oxygen uptake (peak VO₂), physical function (distance walked in 6 minutes [6MWD]) and quality of life (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire).Methods and ResultsWe compared 75 older, obese, patients with HFpEF with 53 healthy age-matched controls. LA strain was assessed by magnetic resonance cine imaging using feature tracking. LA function was defined according to its 3 distinct phases, with the LA serving as a reservoir during systole, as a conduit during early diastole, and as a booster pump at the end of diastole. The LA stiffness index was calculated as the ratio of early mitral inflow velocity-to-early annular tissue velocity (E/e’, by Doppler ultrasound examination) and LA reservoir strain. HFpEF had a decreased reservoir strain (16.4 ± 4.4% vs 18.2 ± 3.5%, P = .018), lower conduit strain (7.7 ± 3.3% vs 9.1 ± 3.4%, P = .028), and increased stiffness index (0.86 ± 0.39 vs 0.53 ± 0.18, P < .001), as well as decreased peak VO₂, 6MWD, and lower quality of life. Increased LA stiffness was independently associated with impaired peak VO₂ (β = 9.0 ± 1.6, P < .001), 6MWD (β = 117 ± 22, P = .003), and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (β = –23 ± 5, P = .001), even after adjusting for clinical covariates.Conclusions: LA stiffness is independently associated with impaired exercise tolerance and quality of life and may be an important therapeutic target in obese HFpEF.RegistrationNCT00959660