Relationship of Quality of Life with Disability Grade in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Dysthymic Disorder

Background:

There is paucity of information on the relationship of quality of life (QOL) in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and dysthymic disorder (DD) with disability grade in India.

Aim:

To assess the relation of QOL with disability level in OCD and DD.

Materials and Methods:

This hospital based study was conducted in a medical institution in Davanagere, Karnataka, India. Data was collected by using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV Text Revision (DSM IV TR) criteria, WHO QOL BREF and IDEAS. Relationship between disability grade and QOL was assessed by independent sample t test.

Results:

Mild disabled OCD patients had a significantly better QOL in the Q1 domain i.e. perception on quality of life as compared to moderately disabled patients (P < 0.05), while in other domains of QOL, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). But, QOL score in physical domain showed significant difference across disability grades (56.00, SD = 6.89; 48.50, SD = 12.28) in DD, but not in other domains.

Conclusion:

Perception of QOL is better in those with mild disability in OCD, but in DD, physical domain of QOL score is more in mild disability compared to moderate disability.     

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of the 1,440‐nm laser in the treatment of photodamage in Asian skin

Background and Objective

As the demand for diminished procedure‐associated downtime continues to increase, nonablative fractional laser resurfacing is becoming a more popular intervention in the progression of photoaging. Patients with pigmented skin and a mild degree of photodamage may be particularly suited for a less intensive laser treatment. In this study, we have evaluated the safety and efficacy of a low energy, low density 1,440‐nm fractional laser in the treatment of multiple signs of photoaging including dyspigmentation, wrinkling, tissue laxity, enlarged pores, and skin roughness in Asians.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Ten Chinese subjects with Fitzpatrick skin types III–V and visible signs of photodamage participated in this study. Patients received four treatments at 2‐week intervals with a 1,440‐nm diode‐based fractional laser. Photographs were taken at baseline, 2 weeks after each of the first three treatments and 4 weeks after the final treatment. Images were evaluated independently by two physicians. Clinical improvement and adverse events were analyzed. Discomfort, heat sensation and overall patient satisfaction associated with the procedure were also quantified.

Results

In this prospective single‐arm study, signs of photoaging were examined after treatment with the 1,440‐nm laser. Here we show that a series of four treatments with this device produced a mild improvement in skin texture, pigmentation, and wrinkling. Changes in pore size and skin laxity failed to reach statistical significance. Immediate after‐effects of the procedure included erythema and edema which were transient and left no permanent sequela. A significant proportion of patients reported some degree of discomfort during the procedure despite use of a topical anesthetic. One patient developed a discrete, localized area of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation which completely resolved by the final follow up visit.

Conclusion

The low energy, low density nonablative 1,440‐nm fractional laser produces a mild improvement in select signs of photodamage after four treatments without any long‐term adverse effects. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:375–379, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Inhibitory effects of aspirin and indometacin on the growth of Helicobacter pylori in vitro

OBJECTIVE: The interactions between non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and Helicobacter pylori have not been sufficiently documented to date. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of aspirin and indometacin on the growth of H. pylori and to determine the effects of aspirin on the susceptibility of H. pylori to some antimicrobials. METHODS: Kinetic studies were performed by inoculating strains of H. pylori in brucella broth with different concentrations of aspirin and indometacin. Growth of bacteria in the broth was assessed spectrophotometrically and by viable colony counts after incubation for 24 and 48 h. Bacterial morphology was determined by Gram stain under light microscopy. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aspirin and indometacin was determined by the standard agar dilution method. The MIC of amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metronidazole was measured in the presence and absence of aspirin by the E‐test method. RESULTS: Kinetic studies revealed that aspirin and indometacin inhibited the growth of H. pylori in a dose‐dependent manner. The bactericidal activity of these agents was expressed by cell lysis. Aspirin at 400 µg/mL produced an almost 2‐log decrease in the number of CFU/mL at 48 h. Similar inhibitory effects were obtained when 100 µg/mL indometacin was tested. The MIC at which 90% of H. pylori was inhibited was 512 µg/mL and 128 µg/mL for aspirin and indometacin, respectively. Increased susceptibility of H. pylori to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and metro­nidazole was found in the presence of aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin and indometacin could significantly inhibit the growth of H. pylori when incubated in brucella broth in vitro. A subinhibitory concentration of aspirin enhanced the susceptibility of H. pylori to some antimicrobial agents.     

Elimination of myeloma cells from bone marrow by using monoclonal antibodies and magnetic immunobeads

The efficacy of immunomagnetic beads to purge human myeloma cells from bone marrow ex vivo was evaluated. The optimal conditions for purging were studied first by using three myeloma cell lines: RPMI-8226, SKO- 007, and SKMM-2. Myeloma cells labeled with the vital fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342 were admixed with normal bone marrow cells, and two monoclonal antibodies reactive with the myeloma cells (PCA-1 and BL-3) were added alone or in combination with the cells. Magnetic beads coated with goat antimouse immunoglobulin G were then added, and the tumor cells to which beads were attached were separated from the mixture with a magnet. The efficacy of tumor cell removal was dependent on the bead-to-tumor ratio; a ratio of more than 500 was optimal in the presence of excess normal marrow cells. The combination of monoclonal antibodies PCA-1 and BL-3 increased the tumor cell removal as compared with either antibody alone. Two cycles of treatment were more effective than one cycle was. Under optimal conditions, 2.3 to 4 logs of tumor cells could be removed from the mixture containing 10% myeloma cells without a significant loss of normal hematopoietic progenitors as measured by CFU-GM, CFU-GEM, and BFU-E. When the efficacy of this procedure was tested on fresh bone marrow from patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by using the combination of PCA-1, BL-3, and J-5, 1.6 to 2.5 logs of tumor cells could be removed by one cycle of treatment, even from marrows containing less than 10% myeloma cells. These observations support the use of monoclonal antibody combinations and immunobeads as a reliable and nontoxic method to eliminate contaminating myeloma cells ex vivo in preparation for autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with MM.     

Infused peripheral blood autograft absolute lymphocyte count correlates with day 15 absolute lymphocyte count and clinical outcome after autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Absolute lymphocyte count at day 15 (ALC-15) after autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT) is an independent prognostic factor for survival in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Factors affecting ALC-15 remain unknown. We hypothesized that dose of infused autograft lymphocytes (A-ALC) directly impacts upon ALC-15. A total of 190 consecutive NHL patients received A-ALC between 1993 and 2001. The primary end point was correlation between A-ALC and ALC-15. A strong correlation was identified (r=0.71). A higher A-ALC was infused into patients achieving an ALC-15 > or =500/microl vs ALC-15 <500/microl (median of 0.68 x 10(9)/kg (0.04-2.21 x 10(9)/kg), vs 0.34 x 10(9)/kg (0.04-1.42 x 10(9)/kg), P<0.0001). The median follow-up for all patients was 36 months (maximum of 109 months). The A-ALC threshold was determined at 0.5 x 10(9)/kg. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) times were longer in patients who received an A-ALC >/=0.5 x 10(9)/kg vs A-ALC <0.5 x 10(9)/kg (76 vs 17 months, P<0.0001; 49 vs 10 months, P<0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated A-ALC to be an independent prognostic indicator for OS and PFS. These data support our hypothesis that ALC-15 and survival are dependent upon the dose of infused A-ALC in NHL.     

大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后管壁血管内皮生长因子和血管内皮细胞黏附分子1表达及雷公藤多甙的干预

目的:观察不同剂量雷公藤多甙对颈动脉球囊损伤后大鼠血管内皮生长因子、血管内皮细胞黏附分子1的影响,探讨雷公藤多甙在再狭窄防治方面的作用。方法:实验于2006-01/05在上海复旦大学医学院动物实验中心及上海瑞金医院烧伤研究所完成。①实验材料:SPF级SD雄性大鼠32只;雷公藤多甙(复旦复华药业)。②实验分组:随机分为正常对照组、模型组、雷公藤多甙小剂量组、大剂量组各8只。③实验干预:采用右颈动脉内膜剥脱法制备大鼠颈动脉狭窄模型。模型组术后予蒸馏水3mL/(kg·d)灌胃,雷公藤多甙小剂量和大剂量组分别给予雷公藤多甙30,60mg/(kg·d)灌胃。④实验评估:于术后2周麻醉后处死各实验组动物,取材,采用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠颈总动脉血管内皮生长因子和血管内皮细胞黏附分子1含量。结果:32只大鼠全部进入结果分析。①正常大鼠颈动脉血管壁少量表达血管内皮生长因子,球囊损伤后表达量增加,雷公藤多甙大、小剂量组血管内皮生长因子表达的趋势与模型组基本相同,但表达量较模型组明显增加,雷公藤多甙小剂量组与模型组比较,P<0.05;大剂量组与模型组相比,P<0.01。②正常大鼠颈动脉管壁少量表达血管内皮细胞黏附分子1。球囊损伤后,模型组管壁血管内皮细胞黏附分子1表达增加;雷公藤多甙小剂量组和大剂量组管壁血管内皮细胞黏附分子1表达的趋势与模型组基本相同,但数量明显下降,雷公藤多甙小剂量组与模型组比较,P<0.05,大剂量组与模型组比较P<0.01。结论:雷公藤多甙能有效促进内皮细胞生成,减少内皮细胞间的黏附,对大鼠血管球囊损伤后的狭窄有一定的防治作用。     

藏族糖尿病患者代谢功能改善与面对面教育的效应

目的:观察面对面随访方式的糖尿病教育对藏族患者代谢功能改善的作用。方法:①选择2005-08/2006-08在西藏军区总医院心内科住院和门诊就诊的糖尿病患者113例。男69例,女44例;年龄48～71岁。纳入糖尿病患者均符合1999年世界卫生组织糖尿病诊断标准,且对检测项目知情同意;均为离解放军西藏军区总医院最近的娘热乡藏族糖尿病患者。②测量身高、体质量、收缩压、舒张压,计算体质量指数=体质量/身高2。采用日立7600型全自动生化分析仪测定血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平。采用TosohHLC-723GHbV型高压液相色谱仪测定糖化血红蛋白。③所有参试者得到一份本院编写的藏汉对照糖尿病教育手册,并在分组前统一讲解,以上大课的形式进行普及教育。根据每个患者不同情况,由内分泌专业医师给予不同处方,包括饮食、用药、生活方式调整。随后将患者随机分为教育组56例(男35例,女21例)和对照组57例(男34例,女23例)。对照组主要采用患者主动咨询(电话咨询或医院复查)和每一两个月一次普及教育的方式,但医生不采用面对面主动干预;教育组的干预方式除上述普及教育以外,每2周进行一次面对面、一对一随访,并及时调整处方。半年后比较两组的代谢指标差异。④计量和计数资料的差异比较分别采用方差分析和χ2检验。结果:藏族糖尿病患者113例均完成随访并进入结果分析。①组间比较:干预前两组体质量指数、收缩压、舒张压、总胆固醇、三酰甘油、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇、糖基化血红蛋白比较,差异不明显(P>0.05)。教育半年后教育组的体质量指数、收缩压、舒张压、总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和糖化血红蛋白均明显低于对照组(t=2.0156～4.7592,P<0.05～0.01),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇明显高于对照组(t=3.8031,P<0.01),其中以糖基化血红蛋白差异最明显。②组内比较:教育组糖尿病教育半年后血清总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和糖化血红蛋白均较干预前明显降低(t=1.9832～3.6446,P<0.05～0.01),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇较干预前升高(t=2.8219,P<0.01),教育干预前后体质量指数无明显变化(P>0.05)。对照组糖尿病教育半年后,体质量指数、总胆固醇、三酰甘油、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和糖化血红蛋白、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇与教育前相近(P>0.05)。结论:藏族糖尿病患者采取面对面的随访方式进行糖尿病教育较一般形式的糖尿病教育更好的改善其代谢功能。     

Clinical characteristics,treatment intent,and outcome in a consecutive 10-year cohort of oral cancer patients aged 75 years and older

The prevalence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the elderly is expected to increase by nearly a third in the next decade. Its management in older patients is potentially more challenging due to their pre-existing medical comorbidities, frailty, reduced life expectancy, and social issues. The aim of this retrospective review was to report on treatment given to patients aged 75 years and over, case mix, and survival. All patients aged 75 years and over who were diagnosed with OSCC in Merseyside between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2016, and treated with either curative or palliative intent, were included. Their hospital notes were reviewed. Fisher’s exact test and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for data analysis. There were 236 patients (median (IQR) age 81 (78-86) years); 67% were treated curatively and 33% palliatively. Factors associated with palliation included older age, advanced tumour stage, cognitive impairment, and residence in a nursing or residential home. Of the 165 patients who were offered curative treatment, six (4%) declined due to personal or family reasons. Overall survival for palliative patients was 12% at one year and 7% at two years, whereas for patients treated curatively it was 74% at one year, 56% at two years, and 34% at five years. Patients over 85 years of age were less likely to have composite free flaps and postoperative radiotherapy. Perioperative mortality was 2.6%. Improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative management have enabled clinicians to offer treatment with curative intent to older frail patients, and with careful case selection outcomes can be very good.