Living or deceased organ donors in liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) versus deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for HCC patients were not well defined and it was necessary to reassess.

Long‐Term Clinical Outcomes of a Biodegradable Polymer‐Based Biolimus‐Eluting Stent

Objectives

To investigate the long‐term clinical outcomes of biolimus‐eluting stents with biodegradable polymers in real‐world clinical practice.

Background

Long‐term clinical outcomes of biolimus‐eluting stents have not been clearly established.

Methods

A total of 824 all‐comer patients (971 lesions) treated with unrestricted implantation of a biolimus‐eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer were prospectively enrolled. Patients were divided into complex (413 patients) versus noncomplex (411 patients) groups according to the complexity of coronary lesions. Long‐term clinical outcomes for stent efficacy (target lesion revascularization) and safety (composite of cardiac death, target lesion‐related myocardial infarction, and definite or probable stent thrombosis) were compared between the two groups during 5 years of follow‐up.

Results

The complex group showed higher rates of decreased left ventricular ejection fraction, impaired renal function, previous history of myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus compared to the noncomplex group. In the overall population, the 5‐year cumulative rate of target lesion revascularization was 4.8% (8.3% in the complex group vs 1.6% in the noncomplex group, P < 0.001). For stent safety, the 5‐year cumulative rate for a composite of cardiac death, target lesion‐related myocardial infarction, and stent thrombosis was 2.5% overall (3.9% in the complex group vs 1.1% in the noncomplex group, P = 0.010). Overall 5‐year cumulative rate of stent thrombosis was 0.4% (0.5% in the complex vs 0.2% in the noncomplex group, P = 0.561) with no very late stent thrombosis (VLST).

Conclusions

Biodegradable polymer‐based biolimus‐eluting stents showed favorable efficacy and safety in all‐comer patients during 5 years of follow‐up. (J Interven Cardiol 2016;29:162–167)

     

Epidemiologic Features of Animal Bite Cases Occurring in Rabies-Endemic Areas of Korea, 2005 to 2009

ObjectivesHuman rabies is a reemerging infectious disease in Korea. There was no human rabies case for 14 years until the disease had reoccurred in 1999. To prevent occurrence of human rabies, surveillance for animal bite patients in rabies endemic areas in Korea was conducted since 2005 as a part of a human rabies control program. The animal bite cases were analyzed to determine whether patients were treated according to the post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guideline of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.MethodsInformation of animal bite cases that occurred from 2005 to 2009 in rabies high-risk regions were collected by cooperation with Regional Public Health Centers in 18 cities/districts of rabies endemic areas.ResultsA total of 2458 animal bite cases were reported. Dogs accounted for 86% of animal bites and 67% of the animals were not vaccinated against rabies virus. For PEP, among rabies-vaccinated animals, 92.7% were observed for clinical signs and 1.4% underwent necropsy. Among unvaccinated animals, 72.7% were observed for clinical signs and 4.1% underwent necropsy. The remaining animals were not available for examination. Of the animal bite patients, 32.5% received PEP and 51.6% were treated by first aid or by washing the wound.ConclusionsGiven that no human rabies cases were reported since 2005 and animal rabies was continuously reported in endemic areas of Korea, the human rabies control program implemented in 2005 appears to have a significant role in the prevention and control of human rabies.     

Perceptions of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs) and Intention to Quit Among Adult Tobacco Users in Korea

BackgroundThe popularity of heated tobacco products (HTPs) has been growing globally but, limited information exists on tobacco use behaviors and its impact on tobacco control. This study investigates awareness and perception of HTPs among tobacco users and whether perceptions of HTPs are associated with HTP use and intention to quit.MethodsWe invited 2,000 tobacco users aged 19–65 years with countrywide representation to an online survey in November 2018. Information on general characteristics, tobacco use behaviors, awareness and perception of HTPs, and intention to quit were gathered. Multinomial logistic regression analysis and ANCOVA were used for estimation of association and comparison.ResultsAmong all tobacco users, 36.8% were classified as ever users, whereas 28.3% had used HTPs in the past 30 days, which was higher than expected. Users of liquid-based e-cigarettes (odds ratio [OR] 1.578; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.210–2.056) and poly-product users (OR 2.029; 95% CI, 1.121–3.671) showed higher intention to quit within 1 month when compared to users of conventional cigarettes (CCs), whereas HTP users and dual product users did not. HTP users rated HTPs more favorably than CCs in terms of smoke, smell, harm, aid in quitting, design, and price than users of other products did (P-value < 0.001).ConclusionWe find that positive perception of HTPs following strategic marketing from tobacco companies could have contributed to a greater increase in HTP use than expected in Korea. However, HTPs might not be considered substitutes for CCs for quitting tobacco use because a significant proportion of dual product users reported a lower intention to quit.Key words: heated tobacco products, IQOS, harm reduction, intention to quit, advertising and promotion     

脑卒中后吞咽障碍中西医康复治疗的研究进展

脑卒中具有高发病率、高死亡率、高复发率、高致残率、疾病进展快等特点,成为我国成年人致死和致残的首位原因,脑卒中后可能引发多种并发症,吞咽障碍是最常见的并发症之一,脑卒中后吞咽障碍患者因进食受限会造成脱水、营养不良、电解质紊乱及肺部感染等不良后果,严重影响患者的生活质量,延缓了疾病康复进程,增加了家庭及社会的经济负担。治疗脑卒中后吞咽障碍的方法较多,但目前尚缺乏特异性的治疗手段,临床多采取吞咽功能训练、电刺激疗法、神经调控技术、导管球囊扩张术、针刺疗法、中药疗法、穴位按摩等方法改善吞咽功能。本文从脑卒中后吞咽障碍的认识展开论述,总结脑卒中后吞咽障碍的中西医康复治疗方法,以期为临床选择康复治疗方案提供参考。     

传统樟帮、建昌帮特色炮制饮片质量控制研究现状

樟帮和建昌帮两大特色炮制帮派均源自江西,其炮制器具、辅料、方法等独具一格,由此炮制出的饮片特色鲜明,在业界极具代表性。现通过对樟帮和建昌帮特色炮制饮片在辅料的选择及质量控制,水制、火制和水火共制关键工艺参数的质量控制,现代技术在樟帮、建昌帮特色炮制饮片质量控制中的应用等3个方面进行文献综述,以提高对樟帮和建昌帮传统特色炮制饮片的认识,促进传统特色炮制饮片在炮制方法和炮制技术上的传承和创新,提高饮片质量标准,满足临床的需要。