Sequential Therapy Based on Evolvement of Patterns: A New Model for Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

In order to solve the problem of long-term (>9 months) efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer''s disease (AD) by conventional therapy (CT), a staged and multiply-targeted sequential therapy based on the evolvement of patterns (STEP) was developed. Its main innovations include: (1) the time order of evolution of patterns defined by Chinese medicine (CM) in AD was found, that is, "the orderly pattern evolution starting from Shen (Kidney) deficiency, progressing to phlegm, stasis and fire, and worsening to severe toxin as well as functional collapse"; (2) the cascade hypothesis of Shen deficiency in AD and its sequential therapy based on Shen-reinforcing was proposed, that is, "reinforcing Shen in the early stage and throughout the whole process, resolving phlegm, activating blood and purging fire in the middle stage, detoxifying and replenishing vitality to stop the collapse in the advanced stage", and through meta-analysis, clinical drug use was optimized, thus the leap from "inferential selection" to "evidence-based selection" was realized; (3) the STEP regimen combined with CT maintained cognitive and behavioral stability in AD patients for at least 12 months, with cognitive enhancement and behavioral synergy after 9 months, and cognitive benefit was superior to CT at 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 months, respectively. The 2-year cognitive improvement rate was increased by 25.64% (P=0.020) and the cognitive deterioration rate was decreased by 48.71% (P=0.000). Among them, the cognitive and functional benefits of Shen-reinforcing therapy for very early AD (350 cases) for 1 year were better than the placebo (P<0.001), and the dementia conversion rate was reduced by 8.85% (P=0.002). The behavioral symptomatic relief of patients with vascular dementia received fire-purging therapy (540 cases) was superior to those received CT (P=0.016). These data suggested that the STEP regimen has synergistic effects on CTs at least in terms of cognitive benefit, and the earlier the use, the greater the benefit will have. Therefore, the STEP regimen should be considered as one of the clinical options, particularly for the dearth of effective pharmaceutical or immunological interventions that are currently available for AD.     

四方联动防跌护理在社区跌倒高危老年人中的应用

目的探讨专科护士-社区护士-个体-家庭四方联动防跌护理模式在社区跌倒高危老年人中的应用与效果。方法选取深圳市龙岗区的2个社区,随机分为观察组和对照组,从两个社区登记建档的跌倒高风险老年居民中分别随机抽选45名进行干预。观察组采用"专科护士-社区护士-个体-家庭"四方联动推进的综合干预方案。对照组接受社区防跌倒常规护理。于干预前及干预后12个月使用修订版社区老年人跌倒危险评估量表、步态和平衡测试量表对两组老年人进行评测,记录两组1年内跌倒发生例次。结果干预期间跌倒发生情况:观察组1人次,对照组6人次。观察组步态和平衡测试得分提高,跌倒危险评估表得分降低,与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(均P0.01)。结论四方联动的综合干预方案应用于社区居家老年人,能有效降低老年人跌倒风险,提升其防跌能力,对预防社区老年人跌倒的发生有积极作用。     

Comparison of inhaled nitric oxide with aerosolized prostacyclin or analogues for the postoperative management of pulmonary hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of inhaled prostacyclin or its analoguesversus nitric oxide (NO) in treating pulmonary hypertension (PH) after cardiac or pulmonary surgery remains unclear.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases were searched for literature published prior to December 2019 using the following keywords: inhaled, nitric oxide, prostacyclin, iloprost, treprostinil, epoprostenol, Tyvaso, flolan, and pulmonary hypertension. Randomized controlled trials and multiple-armed prospective studies that evaluated inhaled NO versus prostacyclin (or analogues) in patients for perioperative and/or postoperative PH after either cardiac or pulmonary surgery were included. Retrospective studies, reviews, letters, comments, editorials, and case reports were excluded.

Results: Seven studies with a total of 195 patients were included. No difference in the improvement of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (pooled difference in mean change= ?0.10, 95% CI: ?3.98 to 3.78, p?=?.959) or pulmonary vascular resistance (pooled standardized difference in mean change= ?0.27, 95% CI: ?0.60 to 0.05, p?=?.099) were found between the two treatments. Similarly, no difference was found in other outcomes between the two treatments or subgroup analysis.

Conclusions: Inhaled prostacyclin (or analogues) was comparable to inhaled NO in treating PH after cardiac or pulmonary surgery.

• Key messages

• This study compared the efficacy of inhaled prostacyclin or its analogues versus inhaled NO to treat PH after surgery. The two types of agent exhibited similar efficacy in managing MPAP, PVR, heart rate, and cardiac output was observed.

• Inhaled prostacyclin may serve as an alternative treatment option for PH after cardiac or pulmonary surgery.

     

What to expect when you're expecting a hepatopancreatobiliary surgeon: self-reported experiences of HPB surgeons from different training pathways

BackgroundHepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery fellowship training has multiple paths. Prospective trainees and employers must understand the differences between training pathways. This study examines self-reported fellowship experiences and current scope of practice across three pathways.MethodsAn online survey was disseminated to 654 surgeons. These included active Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (AHPBA) members and recent graduates of HPB, transplant–HPB and HPB–heavy surgical oncology fellowships.ResultsA total of 416 (64%) surgeons responded. Most respondents were male (89%) and most were practising in an academic setting (83%). 290 (70%) respondents underwent formal fellowship training. Although fellowship experiences varied, current practice was largely similar. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and ultrasound were the most commonly identified areas of training deficiencies and were, respectively, cited as such by 47% and 34% of HPB-, 49% and 50% of transplant-, and 52% and 25% of surgical oncology-trained respondents. Non-HPB cases performed in current practice included gastrointestinal (GI) and general surgery cases (56% and 49%, respectively) for HPB-trained respondents, transplant and general surgery cases (87% and 21%, respectively) for transplant-trained respondents, and GI surgery and non-HPB surgical oncology cases (70% and 28%, respectively) for surgical oncology-trained respondents.ConclusionsFellowship training in HPB surgery varies by training pathway. Training in MIS and ultrasound is deficient in each pathway. The ultimate scope of non-transplant HPB practice appears similar across training pathways. Thus, training pathway choice is best guided by the training experience desired and non-HPB components of anticipated practice.     

QZD-B型全自动洗胃机维修

本文叙述了QZD-B型全自动洗胃机的三例故障维修及改进探讨。     

Lucio phenomenon mimicking antiphospholipid syndrome: The occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies in a leprosy patient

Lucio phenomenon is an atypical reaction of leprosy, characterized by vasculitic lesions that can mimic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) clinically. Distinguishing the two can be difficult as antiphospholipid autoantibodies may be present in patients with leprosy. We report on a 32‐year‐old female patient presenting with a sudden onset of fever, hemorrhagic bullae, and skin necrosis on her lower legs. She was treated for APS due to the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies but had an inadequate response. A skin biopsy revealed thrombotic vasculopathy and necrotizing vasculitis associated with aggregation of foam cells in the perivascular area and subcutis, with acid‐fast bacilli in the histiocytes and blood vessel walls. Direct immunofluorescence showed IgM, C3, and fibrinogen deposition in the superficial and deep dermal blood vessels. The pathology confirmed the diagnosis of Lucio phenomenon, and appropriate therapy was given. It is essential to evaluate the patient comprehensively, including clinical, serological, and pathological aspects, to obtain the correct diagnosis.     

互动式歌唱表演对轻中度阿尔茨海默病患者抑郁、精神行为和运动训练参与率的影响

目的 观察互动式歌唱表演对轻中度阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者抑郁、精神行为症状及运动训练参与率的影响。方法 选取符合入组条件≥60周岁AD患者63例，随机分为研究组（31例）和对照组（32例）。所有受试患者常规药物治疗及常规运动训练，对照组接受被动性音乐治疗，研究组接受以互动歌唱为主的主动性音乐治疗，1次/d，每次1小时，每周训练5天，持续干预6个月。于治疗前、治疗1个月后、治疗3个月后、治疗6个月后分别采用康奈尔痴呆抑郁量表（CSDD）评分、阿尔茨海默病病理行为（BEHAVE AD）评分、参与率进行评估。结果 治疗1个月、3个月后，研究组CSDD评分较治疗前均降低（P<0.05）；治疗6个月后，研究组患者CSDD评分较治疗前、治疗1个月、3个月后均显著降低（P<0.05），且与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗1个月、3个月后，研究组BEHAVE AD评分较治疗前均降低（P<0.05）；治疗6个月后，研究组患者BEHAVE AD评分较治疗前、治疗1个月、3个月后均显著降低（P<0.05），且与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。治疗6个月后，两组运动训练参与率组间比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 互动式歌唱表演可能对改善轻中度AD患者的抑郁和精神行为症状有着积极的疗效，同时对提高受试者运动训练的参与率可能有着更积极的疗效。