T cell independent mechanism for copolymer-1-induced neuroprotection

Despite active investigation of copolymer-1 (Cop-1) for nearly 40 years the mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective properties remain contentious. Nonetheless, current dogma for Cop-1 neuroprotective activities in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases include bystander suppression of autoimmune T cells and attenuation of microglial responses. In this report, we demonstrate that Cop-1 interacts directly with primary human neurons and decreases neuronal cell death induced by staurosporine or oxidative stress. This neuroprotection is mediated through protein kinase Calpha and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Dendritic cells (DC) uptake Cop-1, deliver it to the injury site, and release it in an active form. Interactions between Cop-1 and DC enhance DC blood brain barrier migration. In a rat model with optic nerve crush injury, Cop-1-primed DC induce T cell independent neuroprotection. These findings may facilitate the development of neuroprotective approaches using DC-mediated Cop-1 delivery to diseased nervous tissue.     

术前心理教育在腰硬联合麻醉下剖宫产术中的应用

目的探讨术前心理干预在腰硬联合麻醉下剖宫产术中的应用效果。方法选择2016年8月至2017年6月昆明医科大学第二附属医院腰硬联合麻醉下行择期剖宫产术的产妇60例,按随机数字表法分为两组,每组30例。A组为心理干预组,在麻醉开始前给予心理干预,B组为对照组,不用心理干预。记录患者手术开始切皮时的平均动脉压、心率、脉搏氧饱和度、呼吸频率,采用焦虑自评量表(Self-Rating Anxiety Scale,SAS)评估两组产妇术前1 d未进行心理干预前及术后第7 d的焦虑情况。结果两组产妇术前1 d SAS评分比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术中切皮时,A组患者平均动脉压、心率明显低于B组;A组产妇术后7 d的SAS评分与术前1 d比较明显下降,也明显低于B组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论腰硬联合麻醉前心理干预可有效缓解剖宫产手术产妇的焦虑情绪,降低切皮时的心血管反应。     

Concept analysis of suffering

Suffering is commonly encountered in nursing and is defined as an individual and subjective experience. It is a complex human response to which there are physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects. Perception of suffering threatens self-integrity, and induces negative behaviors, such as personal changes in relation to value system, sense of reality, withdrawal, feelings of helplessness, and despair. A great deal of relevant literature explores the influence of suffering, but only a few articles analyze the concept of suffering. The purpose of this article, therefore, is to clarify the concept of suffering. In order to do this, we used the technique of concept analysis described by Chinn and Kramer (1995). It is hoped that the results of the study will enhance nurses' understanding of suffering and that its lessons may be adopted in clinical nursing.     

The relationship between quinolone exposures and resistance amplification is characterized by an inverted U: a new paradigm for optimizing pharmacodynamics to counterselect resistance

We determined the relationship between garenoxacin exposure and quinolone-resistant subpopulations for three bacterial isolates in an in vitro hollow-fiber infection model. An "inverted-U" relationship was identified wherein resistant subpopulations rose initially and then declined with increasing exposure, until reaching a threshold that prevented resistance amplifications. Different targets for the area under the concentration-time curve over 24 h/MIC ratio were required for different bacteria.     

The complexity of care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: metrics for better understanding chronic disease care

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) provide an important opportunity for understanding care of patients with a serious chronic condition. OBJECTIVES: We sought to characterize the complexity of care for patients with RA, including metrics describing the patient, the disease, and use of the health care system across time and place. METHODS: We undertook a prospective cohort study of 568 community-dwelling patients with RA by using observational data from clinically detailed telephone interviews at baseline and 2 years later in addition to medical record abstraction. Health status, comorbidity, use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, visits, providers, provider types, encounter settings, and the discontinuity between patients and providers were studied. RESULTS: Within a 12-month window, 568 patients had 8686 outpatient encounters with the health care system with a mean of 3.41 unique providers per patient associated with a mean of 5 primary care and 6 rheumatologist visits. Half did not see a primary care physician, and 20% did not see a rheumatologist during 6-month periods despite their use of potentially toxic drugs, a mean of 4 comorbidities and progressive RA. Over the course of 24 months, 29% of patients changed their primary care provider, and 15% changed their rheumatologist. Patients were moderately impaired with mean SF-12 physical component score 37 (SD, 9). CONCLUSION: Patients with RA have frequent encounters with multiple providers and also frequent discontinuity of care. Recognizing the complexity of the care of patients with a chronic disease across multiple dimensions provides an opportunity to better understand challenges and opportunities in delivering high quality care.     

Debulking of free myocutaneous flaps for head and neck reconstruction using an arthroscopic shaver

Most reconstructive surgeons prefer a myocutaneous free flap for head and neck reconstruction due to its bulk and superiority in bacterial suppression. To obtain proper symmetry and contouring in the head and neck region, ancillary procedures usually have to be performed. Eleven head and neck cancer patients underwent resection and reconstruction with myocutaneous flaps that resulted in unacceptable facial contouring. Delayed flap debulking with an arthroscopic shaver was performed. All 11 patients were satisfied with their facial contouring and symmetry after one session of debulking. There were no complications such as flap necrosis, seroma or haematoma. This novel technique done under local anaesthesia is effective for debulking myocutaneous free flaps and removing fibrotic tissues. It is simple, safe and produces a reliable and satisfactory outcome.