Respecting the circle of life: one year outcomes from a randomized controlled comparison of an HIV risk reduction intervention for American Indian adolescents

Potential for widespread transmission of HIV/AIDS among American Indian (AI) adolescents exists, yet no evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have been adapted and evaluated with this population. Intensive psychoeducation may improve knowledge and decision-making which could potentially translate to reductions in HIV risk behaviors. A peer group randomized controlled comparison of an adapted EBI vs. control was delivered over an eight-day summer basketball camp in one reservation-based tribal community to adolescents ages 13–19. Outcome data were gathered immediately post-camp and at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Self-selected peer groups were randomized to intervention (n = 138) or control (n = 129) conditions for a total sample of 267 participants (56.2% female), mean age 15.1 years (SD = 1.7). Intervention participants had better condom use self-efficacy post-camp (Adjusted Mean Difference [AMD] = ?0.75, p < 0.005) and at 6 (AMD = ?0.44, p < 0.005) and 12 months (AMD = ?0.23, p < 0.05) follow-up. Intervention participants also had higher HIV prevention and transmission knowledge (post-camp: AMD = 0.07, p < 0.01; 6 months: AMD = 0.06, p < 0.01) were more likely to believe condoms prevent sexually transmitted infections (post-camp: RR = 1.41, p < 0.005; 6 months: RR = 1.34, p < 0.05), to talk with an adult about HIV/AIDS (post-camp: RR=1.78, p < 0.005; 6 months: RR = 1.14, p < 0.005), had higher partner negotiation efficacy related to substance use during sex (post-camp: AMD = 0.37, p < 0.01), and were more likely to intend to use a condom (post-camp: RR = 1.39, p < 0.01). The adapted intervention had short- and medium-term impacts on AI adolescent risk for HIV/AIDS, but attenuated at 12 months. Intervention delivery through a community-based camp is feasible and acceptable with strong retention. Additional study is needed to evaluate the adapted intervention's impact on sexual risk behaviors and if booster sessions and parent involvement translate to long-term impacts.     

同轴微切口与传统小切口超声乳化术的临床疗效及术后并发症对比分析

目的　比较1.8 mm同轴微切口超声乳化术与传统同轴3.0 mm小切口超声乳化术的临床疗效及术后并发症。方法　收集2015年5月至10月北京同仁医院北京同仁眼科中心收治的老年性白内障患者48例（48眼），将患者分为微切口组和小切口组。微切口组主切口长1.8 mm，前房内注入透明质酸钠，行直径约为5.0 mm的中央连续环形撕囊，水分离后用劈核钩劈核，扭动模式超声乳化吸出术，自动灌注系统吸出残留皮质。小切口组角膜主切口大小为3.0 mm，术中植入常规折叠式人工晶状体。术后行裂隙灯、眼底镜以及角膜地形图检查，电脑验光检查患者最佳矫正视力。结果　术后1周、1个月、3个月两组患者最佳矫正视力比较，差异均无统计学意义（均为P>0.05）。术后1个月和3个月两组间手术源性散光比较，微切口组均明显低于小切口组，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.01）。在微切口组组内术后1个月和3个月手术源性散光无明显差异（P>0.05），微切口组手术源性散光在术后1个月保持稳定。在小切口组组内术后3个月手术源性散光明显低于术后1个月 （P<0.01）。微切口组术前角膜厚度为（567±27）μm，小切口组为（564±25）μm，两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；术后1个月与3个月两组间角膜厚度变化差异亦均无统计学意义（均为P>0.05）。在随访期间两组患者均未发生后发性白内障。结论　1.8 mm同轴微切口白内障超声乳化吸出术安全可靠，术后散光恢复快，可有效减少术后角膜手术源性散光。     

弥散张量成像在癫痫中的研究进展

癫痫作为多种病因引起的神经系统慢性、发作性疾病,严重影响着患者的生活质量,因此对其及时诊断和早期治疗极为重要。目前已有多种神经影像技术用于癫痫的定位、定侧和病理生理研究。弥散张量成像是利用水分子在组织中弥散的各向异性成像的磁共振技术,是目前唯一能在活体中无创性地显示脑白质纤维束的方法,它能敏感地显示脑部细微结构,并能揭示各个结构间的功能联系,有助于癫痫的研究。本文主要从癫痫的病因诊断、癫痫手术的辅助指导、癫痫的结构网络及其与癫病功能障碍的相关性研究等方面对DTI应用于癫痫的最新研究进展进行综述。     

Epidemiologic Characteristics of Work-related Eye Injuries and Risk Factors Associated with Severe Eye Injuries: A Registry-based Multicentre Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Work-related eye injuries have been reported with a variety of epidemiologic and clinical characteristics. We aimed to identify epidemiologic characteristics of work-related eye injuries and risk factors associated with severe injury in a large metropolitan city.     

Patient preferences and predicted relative uptake for targeted therapies in metastatic colorectal cancer: a discrete choice experiment

Abstract

Objective

Ras wild-type metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC) may be treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents. We aim to estimate patients’ preferences for mCRC treatment and relative importance of cost, efficacy improvement, avoidance of side effects and therapy convenience, and relative uptake between profiles that resemble Bevacizumab (anti-VEGF) and Cetuximab (anti-EGFR), two commonly prescribed mCRC targeted therapies.     

Advancing primary and community care for persons with spinal cord injury: Key findings from a Canadian summit

Context: Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) experience significant challenges when they access primary care and community services.

Design: A provincial summit was held to direct research, education, and innovation for primary and community care for SCI.

Setting: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Participants: Key stakeholders (N?=?95) including persons with SCI and caregivers, clinicians from primary care, rehabilitation, and specialized care, researchers, advocacy groups, and policy makers.

Methods: A one-day facilitated meeting that included guest speakers, panel discussions and small group discussions was held to generate potential solutions to current issues related to SCI care and to foster collaborative relationships to advance care for SCI. Perspectives on SCI management were shared by primary care, neurosurgery, rehabilitation, and members of the SCI community

Outcome Measures: Discussions were focused on five domains: knowledge translation and dissemination, application of best practices, communication, research, and patient service accessibility.

Results: Summit participants identified issues and prioritized solutions to improve primary and community care including the creation of a network of key stakeholders to enable knowledge creation and dissemination; an online repository of SCI resources, integrated health records, and a clinical network for SCI care; development and implementation of strategies to improve care transitions across sectors; implementation of effective care models and improved access to services; and utilization of empowerment frameworks to support self-management.

Conclusions: This summit identified priorities for further collaborative efforts to advance SCI primary and community care and will inform the development of a provincial SCI strategy aimed at improving the system of care for SCI.