Minority HIV patients' perceptions of barriers and facilitators to participation in clinical research

HIV clinical trials play an essential role in producing new HIV medications, developing guidelines for the appropriate timing of antiretroviral treatment, and evaluating behavioral interventions that aim to increase the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals. It is critical to have participation from all demographic groups, yet minorities are disproportionately underrepresented in HIV clinical research. This study assessed HIV+ minority patient perceptions of the barriers and benefits of participating in HIV clinical trials in an HIV clinic of a large, urban teaching hospital. Twenty-six, age-eligible (18-65), minority patients were recruited and participated in three focus groups, separated by clinical research participation status. Results suggest differences in perceptions between those who had and had not participated. Facilitators for those who had participated included doctor recommendation and receiving extra medical attention. Those who had not participated indicated disclosure of HIV status, fear of losing the stability that their current medication regimen provided, distrust of the medical system and doubt about the origin of HIV were major deterrents of participation. Both groups indicated a need to better educate minority patients about what clinical research is and its benefits. To increase minority participation, it is vital to examine the perceptions of minority HIV-infected patients and develop culturally competent, developmentally appropriate messages that address these barriers.     

部分脱乙酰甲壳质生物套管小间隙桥接修复周围神经损伤:免疫组织化学观察

目的:神经断端保留小间隙的静脉桥接模拟神经外膜形成神经再生室,为周围神经再生创造了良好的生理环境,从而保证神经束的良好对合。实验采用部分脱乙酰甲壳质作为套管材料,用小间隙桥接方法修复坐骨神经损伤,观察套管内的神经再生情况,并与传统外膜缝合法进行比较。方法:实验于2001-01/2002-10在北京大学人民医院创伤骨科实验室完成。①主要材料:实验所用中空圆柱形套管为北京大学人民医院与中国纺织科学院共同发明的一种部分脱乙酰甲壳质生物套管(专利号:01136314.2)。实验中所用套管尺寸为:管长4 mm,壁厚0.1 mm,内径1.5 mm。②实验动物:健康成年雄性SD大鼠20只,随机分成2大组,每组10只,每一大组全部10只动物的左腿坐骨神经为一组,右腿坐骨神经为另一组,每组10根坐骨神经。另取5只同样大鼠双侧坐骨神经未做处理作为正常对照组。③实验方法:外膜原位缝合组:切断坐骨神经,显微镜下神经外膜原位缝合;生物套管小间隙原位桥接组:切断坐骨神经,显微镜下小间隙套管桥接;断端旋转180°外膜缝合组:切断坐骨神经,显微镜下远端旋转180°后,神经外膜缝合;断端旋转180°生物套管小间隙桥接组:切断坐骨神经,显微镜下远端旋转180°后,小间隙套管桥接。④实验评估:术后第7,14,21,28,42天取坐骨神经,进行免疫组织化学染色及观察。结果:再生神经延套管中央走行,7 d时已有部分纤维通过2 mm间隙,14 d时有髓纤维数量明显多于近端。21 d后,套管组与原位外膜组新生有髓神经纤维数相近。再生纤维胞核数量较多,髓鞘纤细。套管结构完整。结论:此种部分脱乙酰甲壳质生物套管内的再生神经连续、整齐,髓鞘完整,其神经再生情况好于传统外膜缝合法。     

Isolated cleft mitral valve: a variety of congenital mitral regurgitation identified by 2-dimensional echocardiography

Nine children with isolated cleft mitral valve, aged 1 day to 12 years, were studied. The electrocardiogram showed a normal QRS axis in 5 subjects. Cardiac catheterization was performed in 4 patients and demonstrated severe mitral insufficiency in 3 but failed to clearly demonstrate a cleft mitral valve or gooseneck deformity. The mitral cleft was confirmed at operation in 2 patients. Two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a cleft dividing the anterior mitral leaflet into 2 portions in each patient. The mitral anulus was normally positioned and the atrioventricular septum present. Atrial and ventricular septa were intact. Features similar to anatomic studies such as accessory chordae and thickening of the edges of the cleft with increasing age were also seen. Two-dimensional echocardiography is the only method available to reliably diagnose isolated cleft of the mitral valve.