Elevated serum levels of Interleukin‐37 are associated with inflammatory cytokines and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Interleukin‐37 (IL‐37) is closely associated with several inflammatory diseases. However, the role of IL‐37 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the associations between serum levels of IL‐37 and disease activity, inflammatory cytokines, and bone loss in patients with RA. Serum cytokines levels were examined by Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Radiographic bone erosion was assessed using the van der Heijde‐modified Sharp score and bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using DXA. Serum IL‐37 levels in RA patients were significantly higher than those in HCs (p < 0.001), and were significantly positively correlated with clinical parameters of disease activity and serum levels of IL‐17 and IL‐23. In addition, serum IL‐37 levels were significantly higher in patients with stage IV of radiographic bone erosion than those with stage III and stage I–II, and they were significantly higher in those with osteopenia and osteoporosis than in those with normal BMD. Our results suggest that serum IL‐37 levels were increased in patients with RA and were positively associated with disease activity, IL‐17/IL‐23 and bone loss in RA, suggesting that IL‐37 may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of RA.     

从武汉抗疫看中医药文化认同与新的医学模式

从武汉抗疫中医药的投入使用情况,反思现代临床和国人所呈现出的中医药文化认同和就医习惯,探索其历史文化根源及社会因素与医学发展的内在关联。回顾历史,中医屡次临危受命,不负重托,如今大疫当前,中医药再次发挥了重要作用。故新时代探讨如何遵循中医药发展规律,传承精华、守正创新,坚持中医药原创优势,形成中医药学科优势整体化呈现的新模式医学,对提升全社会的中医药认知度具有重要意义。     

Hair shaft miRNA‐221 levels as a new tumor marker of malignant melanoma

miRNA‐221 (miR‐221) is known to be abnormally expressed in many human cancers. The serum levels of miR‐221 have been reported as a tumor marker for malignant melanoma (MM). We hypothesized that the hair shaft miR‐221 levels may be increased in patients with MM. We therefore assessed the possibility that hair shaft miR‐221 levels could be a marker for MM. The hair shaft miR‐221 levels were significantly higher in patients with MM than controls. The rates of increased hair shaft miR‐221 levels above the cut‐off value were comparable to those of serum 5‐S‐CD, which is a tumor marker commonly used for MM. Measurements of the hair shaft miR‐221 levels could have potential clinical value in the detection of MM. This is the first report investigating the hair shaft levels of an miRNA in patients with MM. Our investigations offer new insight into the relationship between miR‐221 and MM, and may provide a new, non‐invasive way to screen for melanoma.     

西部地区基层医院继续医学教育的调查及思考

通过在西部基层医院实施继续医学教育并开展问卷调查,对调查结果如:基层参加继续医学教育人员的教育及职称状况;既往参加继续医学教育的经历;对基层进行继续医学教育的形式和内容等进行探讨,明确在基层进行继续医学教育优势,为进一步在基层开展继续医学教育提供参考依据。     

尿干化学法和离心沉渣镜检法检测穿刺羊水母体细胞污染的应用

目的　探讨一种快速简便鉴别羊水母血污染的方案。方法　选取30 例2019 年6~10 月羊水穿刺样本, 检测 羊水及母血DNA，将母血DNA 污染量换算对应体积全血量建立羊水母血DNA 污染梯度模型，运用尿干化学法及离 心沉渣镜检法检测母血污染情况。结果　羊水母血DNA 污染率为5%，10%，20% 和30%，尿干化学法检出率分别为 16.67%，60%，100% 和100%；离心沉渣镜检法检出率分别为60%，100%，100% 和100%。结论　尿干化学法及离心 沉渣镜检法联合检测可更简便快捷地进行羊水母血污染鉴定，检出率与母血DNA 污染率呈正比关系。     

Cancer/health communication and breast/cervical cancer screening among Asian Americans and five Asian ethnic groups

ABSTRACT

Objectives: This paper is an examination of cancer/health communication factors (i.e. cancer/health information seeking, patient-provider communication (PPC), cancer screening information from providers) and screening for breast and cervical cancer among Asian Americans and five Asian ethnic groups (Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese) in comparison to Whites. Additionally, the relationship between cancer/health communication disparity and cancer screening gaps between Asian Americans and Whites was investigated.

Design: Data comes from a nationally representative sample of 2011–2014 Health Information National Trends Surveys (HINTS).

Results: Asian Americans and most Asian ethnic-groups reported significantly lower rates of cancer/health information seeking and lower evaluations for PPC as compared to Whites, though differences within Asian ethnic groups were observed (Koreans’ greater cancer/health information seeking, Japanese’ higher PPC evaluation). When the cancer/health communication factors were controlled, Asian Americans’ odds of cancer screening were increased. Especially, Asian Americans’ odds of adhering to the breast cancer screening guideline became nearly 1.4 times greater than Whites.

Conclusion: This research demonstrates that health organizations, providers, and Asian American patients’ collaborative efforts to increase the access to quality cancer information, to make culturally competent but straightforward screening recommendations, and to practice effective communication in medical encounters will contribute to diminishing cancer disparities among Asian Americans.     

Safety and efficacy of different anesthetic regimens for parturients with COVID-19 undergoing Cesarean delivery: a case series of 17 patients

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d'anesthésie - To assess the management and safety of epidural or general anesthesia for Cesarean delivery in parturients with coronavirus...     

抗信号识别颗粒抗体阳性肌病伴心脏损害1例

1临床资料患者,男,43岁,因"四肢近端肌肉无力9个月,加剧1周"于2013年9月22日入院。患者于9个月前无明显诱因下出现四肢肌肉无力,以近端肌力减退为主,主要表现为上楼梯费力,提重物困难,易疲劳,尚可参加工作,无发热、皮疹、肌痛、感觉异常等,无明显晨轻暮重的波动现象,上述症状逐渐加重,劳动耐量和日常生活能力进行性下