Assessing the Effects of Geniculate Artery Embolization in a Nonsurgical Animal Model of Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo create a nonsurgical animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the effects of embolotherapy during geniculate artery embolization (GAE).Materials and MethodsFluoroscopy-guided injections of 700 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed into the left stifle in 6 rams. Kinematic data were collected before and after induction. At 10 weeks after induction, Subjects 1 and 4–6 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and Subjects 1, 3, and 4–6 underwent angiography with angiographic scoring to identify regions with greatest disease severity for superselective embolization (75–250-μm microspheres). Target vessel size was measured. At 24 weeks after angiography, DCE-MR imaging, angiography, and euthanasia were performed, and bilateral stifles were harvested. Medial/lateral tibial and femoral condylar, patellar, and synovial samples were cut, preserved, decalcified, and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. The stifle and synovium Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study score were determined. The volume transfer constant (K_trans) and extracellular volume fraction (v_e) were calculated from DCE-MR imaging along the lateral synovial regions of interest.ResultsThe mean gross and microscopic pathological scores were elevated at 38 and 61, respectively. Mean synovitis score was elevated at 9.2. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization angiographic scores were 5 and 3.8, respectively. Mean superior, transverse, and inferior geniculate artery diameters were 3.1 mm ± 1.21, 2.0 mm ± 0.50, and 1.6 mm ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization cartilage and synovitis scores were elevated at 35.13 and 73.3 and 5.5 and 9.2, respectively. The K_trans/v_e values of Subjects 4, 5, and 6 were elevated at 0.049/0.38, 0.074/0.53, and 0.065/0.51, respectively. Altered gait of the hind limb was observed in all subjects after induction, with reduced joint mobility. No skin necrosis or osteonecrosis was observed.ConclusionsA nonsurgical ovine animal knee OA model was created, which allowed the collection of angiographic, histopathological, MR imaging, and kinematic data to study the effects of GAE.     

Understanding Hispanic Patient Satisfaction with Telehealth During COVID-19

BackgroundRecent studies have described the use of telehealth for pediatric surgical care during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to evaluate equity in telehealth use by comparing rates of utilization and satisfaction with pediatric surgical telemedicine among Hispanic patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients seen by a surgical subspecialty provider in the outpatient setting at a quaternary pediatric hospital between April 1 and June 30, 2020. Patients evaluated in the same three-month period in 2019 were analyzed as a historic control. Differences in Family Experience Survey (FES) responses based on race and ethnicity and preferred language of care were assessed using univariable and multivariable generalized linear modeling.ResultsThe pandemic cohort included fewer patients of Hispanic ethnicity and fewer Spanish-speakers. After controlling for visit type, comparison of Spanish-speaking and English-speaking patients revealed that Spanish-speaking families had significantly lower scores for FES items that evaluated healthcare provider explaining (IRR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.61–0.90), listening (IRR 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63–0.92), and time spent with the family (IRR 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.89). There were no differences in FES responses based on insurance status or degree of medical complexity.ConclusionsTelehealth services were less commonly used among Hispanic and Spanish-speaking patients. Language may differentially affect family satisfaction with healthcare and telehealth solutions. Strategies to mitigate these inequities are needed and may include strengthening interpreter services and providing language-concordant care.Level of evidenceLevel IV.     

Improving capacity to care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities: The value of an experiential learning model for family medicine residents

BackgroundPatients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are more likely to experience poor health outcomes and family physicians receive inadequate training to provide appropriate care to this patient group. Little prior research has studied how to effectively train family physicians to care for patients with IDD.ObjectiveThe aim of this pilot study was to assess the value of adding an experiential component to didactic education strategies to improve family medicine resident perceived comfort, skills and knowledge related to caring for patients with IDD.MethodsStructured education programs for residents were implemented at three primary care practices in Ontario, Canada. Two practices received didactic information only (didactic-only group); one received didactic information and an experiential training model including clinical interactions and a written reflection on that experience (didactic plus experiential group). In this separate-sample pre-post design, residents were invited to complete a brief anonymous survey prior to and following the training assessing their perceived comfort, skills and knowledge related to patients with IDD.ResultsAt baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups of residents. At follow up, the experiential group reported significantly higher levels of comfort, skills, and knowledge compared to baseline for most items assessed, while in the didactic-only group most items showed little or no improvement.ConclusionThis pilot study suggests that providing residents the opportunity to participate in clinical encounters with patients with IDD, as well as a structured process to reflect on such encounters, results in greater benefit than didactic training alone.     

阴道顺产与剖宫产对初产妇产后早期盆底功能的影响比较

目的研究阴道顺产与剖宫产对初产妇产后早期盆底功能的影响。方法选择2020年1月至12月在阳春市人民医院产科中心分娩的120例初产妇展开研究,按照分娩方式的不同分为对照组与观察组,每组各60例。对照组为阴道顺产,观察组采用剖宫产,两组均在产后第6周进行早期盆底功能检查,并进行盆底康复治疗,比较两组的治疗效果。结果观察组的尿失禁、阴道脱垂、子宫脱垂发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组治疗后的盆底肌力分级情况优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组治疗后的膀胱颈与耻骨联合下缘水平线间的垂直距离(BSD)高于对照组,膀胱尿道后角(RA)、膀胱颈移动度(BND)低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论阴道顺产对于盆底功能及盆腔结构的不良影响大于剖宫产,盆底功能障碍性疾病发生率更高,而康复治疗可有效改善阴道顺产、剖宫产初产妇的盆底功能,剖宫产初产妇的盆底功能恢复更好。     

小剂量克赛联合百令胶囊对微小病变型NS的疗效

目的 探讨小剂量克赛联合百令胶囊对微小病变型肾病综合征（NS）患者高凝血状态和免疫功能的影响。 方法 选取2017年4月～2020年5月于本院就诊的90例微小病变型NS患者，按随机数表法分为观察组（45例）和对照组（45例）。对照组服用百令胶囊，观察组同时应用小剂量克赛。观察两组患者临床疗效、肾功能指标变化、凝血指标变化、血液流变学指标变化、T淋巴细胞亚群及药物不良反应。 结果 治疗后，观察组治疗总有效率高于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组肾功能损伤指标及24 h尿蛋白水平均低于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组凝血相关时间指标水平高于对照组，凝血相关因子水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组血液流变学指标水平低于对照组（P＜0.05）；观察组外周T淋巴细胞亚群检测结果显示CD3+、CD4+、CD4+/CD8+水平高于对照组，CD8+水平低于对照组（均P＜0.05）；两组不良反应发生率比较，差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论 小剂量克赛联合百令胶囊对微小病变型肾病综合征患者疗效确切，可减少患者肾功能损伤，调节血液高凝状态，降低血液粘稠度，提升人体免疫功能，且安全性较好。