Short-term CD4 cell response after highly active antiretroviral therapy initiated at different times from seroconversion in 1,500 seroconverters

The effect of HIV infection duration and CD4 cell count on short-term CD4 response was evaluated in treatment-naive seroconverters using logistic regression adjusted for CD4 count before highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) as well as for exposure category, age, sex, acute infection, and cohort. This association was also investigated in pretreated seroconverters, further adjusting for prior therapy. CD4 response (increase of >100 cells/microL at 6 months) was more likely if HAART was initiated in the first year following seroconversion (OR = 1.50 [95% CI: 1.07-2.10] compared with 2-5 years). There was no improvement in response from initiating HAART with CD4 count >350 cells/microL compared with 201 to 350 cells/microL. Below 200 cells/microL, however, the chance of a CD4 response appeared to be reduced (OR = 0.72 [95% CI: 0.40-1.28] for 0-200 cells/microL compared with 201-350 cells/microL, P = 0.26). Results were similar for pretreated individuals. Further, in pretreated individuals, a CD4 response was less likely if the CD4 nadir was lower than the pre-HAART CD4 count (OR = 0.18 [95% CI: 0.10-0.36] for >150 cells/microL difference between nadir and pre-HAART CD4 count vs. no difference, P < 0.001). Given the limitations of observational studies, particularly the inability to control for unmeasured confounders, these findings suggest that the initiation of HAART within the first year following seroconversion appears to improve short-term immunologic response. After that time, there is little to be gained in terms of short-term response from initiating HAART before reaching a CD4 count of 200 cells/microL.     

Presentation of viral antigens restricted by H-2Kb,Db or Kd in proteasome subunit LMP2-and LMP7-deficient cells

In the class II region of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), four genes implicated in MHC class I-mediated antigen processing have been described. Two genes (TAP 1 and TAP 2) code for multimembrane-spanning ATP-binding transporter proteins and two genes (LMP 2 and LMP 7) code for subunits of the proteasome. While TAP 1 and TAP 2 have been shown to transport antigenic peptides from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum, where the peptides associate with MHC class I molecules, the role of LMP 2/7 in antigen presentation is less clear. Using antigen processing mutant T2 cells that lack TAP 1/2 and LMP 2/7 genes, it was recently shown that expression of TAP 1/2 alone was sufficient for processing and presentation of the influenza matrix protein M1 as well as the minor histocompatibility antigen HA-2 by HLA-A2. To understand if presentation of a broader range of viral antigens occurs in the absence of LMP 2/7, we transfected T2 cells with TAP 1, TAP 2 and either of the H-2K^b, D^b or K^d genes and tested their ability to present vesicular stomatitis vires and influenza virus antigens to virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. We found that T2 cells, expressing TAP 1/2 gene products, presented all tested viral antigens restricted through either the H-2K^b, D^b or K^d class I molecules. We conclude that the proteasome subunits LMP 2/7 as well as other gene products in the MHC class II region, except from TAP 1/2, are not generally necessary for presentation of a broader panel of viral antigens to cytotoxic T cells. However, the present results do not exclude that LMP 2/7 in a more subtle way may, or in rare cases completely, affect processing of antigen for presentation by MHC class I molecules.     

“Pulmonary tongue” a right ventricle phase abnormality in muga studies in patients with pulmonary hypertention

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) produces strain followed by hypertrophy and later dilatation of the right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary artery. The signs and symptoms are nonspecific. There is a need for a noninvasive sensitive way to diagnose PH. The purpose of this study is to evaluate phase abnormalities in radionuclide MUGA studies of patients with referred diagnosis of PH. In a retrospective analysis of 44 patients who had a radionuclide multigated study (MUGA) and contrast ventriculography (CV), 19 had high mean pulmonary pressure (over 20 mmHg) and a high pulmonary vascular resistance index (over 2.0). In 15 patients, a delayed phase segment in the RV corresponding to the pulmonary infundibulum and pulmonary conus was noted The Pulmonary Tongue sign (PT), 12 had PH (True positive) and 3 did not (false positive) on CV. No PT was seen in the remaining 29 patients, only 7 of them had PH (False negative). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the PT sign in detecting PH was 80%, 72% and 77% respectively. The number of patients was too small to calculate the correlation of the grade of PT with the severity of PH. We conclude that The Pulmonary Tongue sign on a MUGA study is clinically useful in detecting PH.This project is supported by research project MLNO13 and funded by research Council, Kuwait University     

品管圈对精神分裂症患者约束率及护理满意度的影响

目的总结和分析精神分裂症患者的护理中采用品管圈活动的临床效果。方法以本院于2017年8月—2019年6月收治的122例精神分裂症患者为研究对象,随机分为品管圈组和常规护理组,各61例。其中常规护理组患者选择传统的常规护理方法,而品管圈组患者则采取品管圈活动。比较两组患者的护理效果,对比指标主要有患者的约束率和护理满意度。结果品管圈组患者各项评价指标均优于常规护理组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论精神分裂症患者采用品管圈活动的总体临床效果较好,可提高患者的约束率,总体满意度高。     

2013年-2017年我国血站收入的结构变动情况分析△

目的：对我国不同类型血站的收入状况进行问卷调查和深度访谈,分析近年来我国血站收入结构变动情况及特征,找到影响血站收入结构变动的主要项目,合理优化血站收入结构。方法：2018 年8月采用普查的方法对全国353家（32 家血液中心、321 家中心血站）的收入状况进行问卷调查,同时选取山东省6地市中心血站的负责人进行深度访谈。对收集的血站收入数据,运用结构变动方法进行分析。 结果：2013年-2017年公益一类血站收入的结构变动度为24.22%,财政补助收入、事业收入是构成公益一类血站收入变动的主要来源,其中财政补助收入的贡献率53.20%;2013年-2017年我国公益二类血站收入的结构变动度为16.79%,财政补助收入、事业收入是构成公益二类血站收入变动的主要来源,其中贡献率最大的是事业收入49.99%。结论：财政补助收入、事业收入是影响血站收入结构变动的主要项目,两类血站的日常运营与建设对财政补助收入高度依赖,公益二类经营收入增幅不明显,发展不足。     

夜间最低血氧饱和度联合睡眠相关量表筛查儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停的应用

目的 评价夜间最低血氧饱和度(LSaO₂)联合OSA-18量表和针对儿童的改良版Epworth嗜睡量表(ESS-CHAD)初筛儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)的准确性,以探讨更简便、快捷、可行的基层医院初筛疑似儿童OSA的方法。方法 纳入2020年8月13日—2021年2月8日就诊于本院耳鼻咽喉头颈外科睡眠监测中心完成整夜多导睡眠监测的儿童139例作回顾性分析研究,其家长在医生协助下完成OSA-18量表和ESS-CHAD。分析LSaO₂和两种量表及三者联合早期初筛疑似儿童OSA的诊断价值。结果 LSaO₂预测儿童是否患OSA的最佳界值为90.5%(P<0.00, AUC=0.82)。OSA-18和ESS-CHAD依据不同界值分别诊断儿童OSA的灵敏度最高,分别为74.8%、22.7%。LSaO₂/OSA-18,LSaO₂/ESS-CHAD、OSA-18/ESS-CHAD诊断儿童OSA的灵敏度最高,分别为88.2%、68.1%、77.3%。 结论 LSaO₂有诊断儿童OSA的临床价值,OSA-18量表较ESS-CHAD初筛疑似儿童OSA有更高的灵敏度,但特异度低,LSaO₂联合OSA-18量表诊断儿童OSA的灵敏度、特异度均较其他联合诊断方式高。在无法进行睡眠监测的基层医院可考虑应用LSaO₂ 与OSA-18量表结合的方式初步筛查儿童OSA。     

Barriers of Adherence among Palestinian Healthcare Professionals towards the Protocol of Health Education and Counselling on Healthy Behaviours for Non-Communicable Diseases

BackgroundDespite the huge numbers of the universally produced and employed protocols, the adherence with them is still low to moderate in the healthcare settings. This study was employed to assess the attitudes of Palestinian healthcare professionals in Gaza Strip to health education and counseling on healthy behaviours protocol (WHO-PEN Protocol 2), for patients with non-communicable diseases in the Ministry of Health primary healthcare centers.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted with a census sample of all governmental family physicians and nurses (n=175). The study questionnaire was developed based on Cabana theoretical framework. The Arabic version questionnaire was developed based on the cross-cultural adaptation framework. The psychometric properties of the Arabic version questionnaire was finally evaluated.ResultsThe psychometric properties of the Arabic version questionnaire showed good construct validity and internal consistency reliability. The overall adherence level to WHO-PEN Protocol 2 was 70.0, SD=6.9. The main perceived barriers were lack of incentive, patients'' factors, and lack of time. In general, most of healthcare professional respondents had a positive attitude toward the protocol, but this attitude was not predictor to protocol adherence.ConclusionThe good validity and reliability of the questionnaire can provide support for the accuracy of the study results. Varied implementation strategies targeting the major barriers derived from the study are extremely required for addressing the lack of incentives, patients'' factors and time constraints.     

困难气管内插管的预测和处理

目的 探讨对困难气管内插管的预测及处理方法。方法 随机选取各类需行气管内插管麻醉下择期手术患者50例,术前测量IG、Slux,TM,HENE,HFNF、气道分类及声门分级等各项指标,并分析它们在气管插管难度之间的关系。结果 50例患者中,气道分类Ⅳ类者7例,声门分级Ⅲ级者17例,Ⅳ级者1例。17例声门Ⅲ级者以EtCO2引导下口腔盲插法插管成功,1例声门Ⅳ级者以气囊充气鼻腔盲控气管内插管法插管成功。结论 术前评价气管插管难易程度应综合考察各项测量指标,这些指标中又以声门分级最为可靠。     

Acquired Idiopathic Stiffness After Contemporary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Incidence,Risk Factors,and Results Over 25 Years

BackgroundAcquired idiopathic stiffness (AIS) remains a common failure mode of contemporary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). The present study investigated the incidence of AIS and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) at a single institution over time, determined outcomes of MUAs, and identified risk factors associated with AIS and MUA.MethodsWe identified 9771 patients (12,735 knees) who underwent primary TKAs with cemented, modular metal-backed, posterior-stabilized implants from 2000 to 2016 using our institutional total joint registry. Mean age was 68 years, 57% were female, and mean body mass index was 33 kg/m². Demographic, surgical, and comorbidity data were investigated via univariate Cox proportional hazard models and fit to an adjusted multivariate model to access risk for AIS and MUA. Mean follow-up was 7 years.ResultsDuring the study period, 456 knees (3.6%) developed AIS and 336 knees (2.6%) underwent MUA. Range of motion (ROM) increased a mean of 34° after the MUA; however, ROM for patients treated with MUA was inferior to patients without AIS at final follow-up (102° vs 116°, P < .0001). Significant risk factors included younger age (HR 2.3, P < .001), increased tourniquet time (HR 1.01, P < .001), general anesthesia (HR 1.3, P = .007), and diabetes (HR 1.5, P = .001).ConclusionAcquired idiopathic stiffness has continued to have an important adverse impact on the outcomes of a subset of patients undergoing primary TKAs. When utilized, MUA improved mean ROM by 34°, but patients treated with MUA still had decreased ROM compared to patients without AIS. Importantly, we identified several significant risk factors associated with AIS and subsequent MUA.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study.     

Total Femur Antibiotic Spacers: Effective Salvage for Complex Periprosthetic Joint Infections

BackgroundA simultaneous periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of an ipsilateral hip and knee arthroplasty is a challenging complication of lower extremity reconstructive surgery. We evaluated the use of total femur antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement spacers in the staged treatment of such limb-threatening PJIs.MethodsThirteen patients were treated with a total femur antibiotic spacer. The mean age at the time of spacer placement was 65 years. Nine patients had polymicrobial PJIs. All spacers incorporated vancomycin (3.0 g/40 g PMMA) and gentamicin (3.6 g/40 g PMMA), while 8 also included amphotericin (150 mg/40 g PMMA). Eleven spacers were biarticular. Twelve spacers were implanted through one longitudinal incision, while 8 of 12 reimplantations occurred through 2 smaller, separate hip and knee incisions. Mean follow-up after reimplantation was 3 years.ResultsTwelve (92%) patients underwent reimplantation of a total femur prosthesis at a mean of 26 weeks. One patient died of medical complications 41 days after spacer placement. At latest follow-up, 3 patients had experienced PJI recurrence managed with irrigation and debridement. One required acetabular component revision for instability. All 12 reimplanted patients retained the total femur prosthesis with no amputations. Eleven (91%) were ambulatory, and 7 (58%) remained on suppressive antibiotics.ConclusionTotal femur antibiotic spacers are a viable, but technically demanding, limb-salvage option for complex PJIs involving the ipsilateral hip and knee. In the largest series to date, there were no amputations and 75% of reimplanted patients remained infection-free. Radical debridement, antimicrobial diversity, prolonged spacer retention, and limiting recurrent soft tissue violation are potential tenets of success.Level of EvidenceIV.