Simultaneous non-parametric confidence intervals for survival probabilities from censored data

In medical studies with censored data Kaplan and Meier's product limit estimator has frequent use as the estimate of the survival function. Simultaneous confidence intervals for the survival function at various time points constitute a useful addition to the analysis. This study compares several such methods. We consider in a simulation investigation two whole curve confidence bands and four methods based on the Bonferroni inequality. The results show that three Bonferroni-type methods are essentially equivalent, all being better than the other methods when the number of time points is small (3 or 5).     

Characteristics of thyroidectomy in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Thyroidectomy is a common treatment for thyroid disorders in Taiwan, and constitutes a significant percentage of medical expenses. This study investigated the characteristics of thyroidectomy in Taiwan. METHODS: A total of 21 senior general surgeons from 16 medical centers and 5 regional hospitals participated. One surgeon from each hospital reviewed the hospital's medical records of thyroid operations performed in the year 2001. Medical records for 3846 thyroidectomies were retrospectively analyzed, including surgical indications and modalities, complications, pathology reports, and the use of antibiotics. RESULTS: Most of the patients were women (85%). Indications for surgery included proven malignancy (9%), suspicious malignancy (30%), evident compression symptoms (20%), hyperthyroidism (20%), and cosmetic reasons (12%). The majority of patients (78%) underwent a surgical procedure with lobectomy or bilateral thyroidectomy; 13% had unilateral partial thyroidectomy. Prophylactic antibiotics were administered in 46% of procedures, and continued postoperatively in 12%. Postoperative complications occurred in 12% of patients. Hypocalcemia was the most common complication (8%), and its incidence was significantly correlated with the frequency of total thyroidectomy (p < 0.01). Complete pathology reports for the thyroidectomized specimens were available in only 65% of the cases. The frequency of cosmetic reasons for surgery, unilateral subtotal resection, routine antibiotic administration, and incomplete pathology reports were significantly higher in regional hospitals than in medical centers. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in the high rates of cosmetic reasons for surgery, unilateral partial thyroidectomy, incomplete pathology reports, and use of antibiotic prophylaxis are needed to improve the quality of thyroidectomy in Taiwan.     

Recurrent acalculous cholecystitis and sclerosing cholangitis in a patient with X-linked hyper-immunoglobulin M syndrome.

X-linked hyper-immunoglobulin M (IgM) syndrome (XHIGM) is a rare genetic primary immunodeficiency disease caused by mutations of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene with normal or elevated levels of IgM and markedly decreased serum IgG, IgA, and IgE. Liver disease may occur as a clinical manifestation in XHIGM. This complication appears to increase with age. We report an 18-year-old male patient who had recurrent episodes of acalculous cholecystitis (AC) and sclerosing cholangitis (SC). The diagnosis of XHIGM was confirmed by the finding of CD40L expression < 1% of normal and a tyrosine 169 asparaginase (t526a) mutation in exon 5 (the tumor necrosis factor domain) of the CD40L gene. The patient had direct hyperbilirubinemia (direct bilirubin 5.5 mg/dL, total bilirubin 8.7 mg/dL), cholestasis (alkaline phosphatase 1133 U/L, gamma-glutamyl transferase 1019 U/L) and elevated transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase 70 U/L, alanine aminotransferase 101 U/L). Findings on abdominal ultrasound and abdominal computed tomography were compatible with AC. After the fourth episode of cholecystitis, cholecystectomy and liver biopsy were performed. Operative cholangiography revealed poor opacification of the hepatic duct and proximal common bile duct; the upstream intrahepatic bile ducts were not visualized. The biopsy specimen showed marked fibrosis of the portal areas. Enterococcus species was cultured from the bile. Children or adolescents with recurrent AC and SC should be evaluated for an underlying immunodeficiency syndrome such as XHIGM.     

SNAP-II predicts mortality among infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: Outcomes analysis in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) requires a validated risk-adjustment tool. The purpose of this study was to use the Canadian Neonatal Network (CNN) database to validate the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology, Version II (SNAP-II) for prediction of mortality among CDH infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and to compare this to the predictive equation recently developed by the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group (CDHSG). STUDY DESIGN: Infants with CDH in the CNN database were identified. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors predictive of mortality. Model predictive performance and calibration were assessed using the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve and the technique of Hosmer-Lemeshow, respectively, and compared with the CDHSG predictive equation. RESULTS: There were 88 patients with CDH among 19,507 admissions to CNN hospitals. The mortality rate among CDH patients surviving to NICU admission was 17%, and 12.5% received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. Gestational age and admission SNAP-II score predicted mortality. Model predictive performance and calibration were optimized with these variables combined. The CDHSG equation was equally predictive of mortality, but was only marginally calibrated. CONCLUSIONS: SNAP-II is highly predictive of mortality among patients with CDH, and can be used to risk-adjust these patients.     

Clinical status and emotional adjustment of children of depressed mothers

The authors compared children (ages 7-13 years) of unipolar depressed mothers with children of nondepressed psychiatric patients, of nondepressed medical patients, and of nondepressed mothers in the community. The children's adjustment was rated by clinicians on the Child Adjustment Schedule and by the mothers on the Child Behavior Checklist. The highest proportion of clinically significant problems was found in the children of the depressed mothers. However, the overlap between the problems of these children and those of the children of the nondepressed psychiatric patients calls into question the formulation that children's adjustment difficulties are specific to parental depression.     

JAK2激酶抑制剂AG490对结肠癌HT-29细胞侵袭性的影响

目的观察JAK2激酶抑制剂AG490对结肠癌HT-29细胞侵袭以及对基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）表达的影响，探讨STAT3信号转导通路在结肠癌侵袭转移调控中的作用。方法应用JAK2激酶抑制剂AG490处理结肠癌HT-29细胞，Matrigel肿瘤体外侵袭模型检测肿瘤细胞侵袭；Western blot检测STAT3蛋白表达；逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）检测MMP2mRNA表达。结果AG490可抑制JAK2／STAT3信号转导通路活化及结肠癌HT-29细胞侵袭，在此过程中AG490在mRNA水平抑制MMP-2表达。结论STAT3信号转导通路参与结肠癌细胞侵袭调控，阻断STAT3通路活化可抑制结肠癌细胞侵袭，这一作用可能是通过抑制MMP-2表达实现的。     

Transvenous catheter–based microwave ablation for atrial flutter

We report a case of successful transvenous, catheter-based, cavotricuspid isthmus ablation for treatment of atrial flutter using microwave energy. Microwave energy was delivered at 900–930 MHz using 21 W of power. Bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus conduction block was achieved by microwave ablation without any patient discomfort or complication during the procedure. Our initial experience suggests that transcatheter microwave ablation is feasible for the cure of typical atrial flutter.     

Late atrioventricular block after heart transplantation.

Bradyarrhythmia requiring permanent pacing after heart transplantation remains a common problem. Sinus node dysfunction is the most common indication, and late onset of atrioventricular (AV) block has rarely been reported. We report the case of a patient who developed advanced AV block at 41 months after transplantation. Right bundle branch block with progressive increase of QRS complex duration was noted in serial electrocardiograms. At the time of late AV block development, the patient did not have acute rejection and coronary angiogram was normal. The mechanism of late onset of AV block is unclear, but it may be caused by progressive conduction.     

急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术前后血小板活化及血管内皮功能的变化

目的观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入治疗后血小板活化指标CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物及内皮功能的改变。方法60例急性冠状动脉综合征患者在冠状动脉介入术前和术后即刻以及次日采用流式细胞仪检测血小板活化指标CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物;双抗体夹心固相酶联免疫吸附试验测定血浆假血友病因子的表达水平;放射免疫测定法测定血浆内皮素1表达水平;酶法测定血浆一氧化氮的含量;彩色多谱勒超声诊断仪测量内皮依赖性血管舒张功能。选择健康体检者和稳定型心绞痛患者各30例作对照,观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者冠状动脉介入前后指标的变化并与对照组比较。结果与健康对照组和稳定型心绞痛组比,急性冠状动脉综合征组CD62p、CD63及糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物明显增高(P<0.05或0.01);急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术后即刻CD62p、CD63和糖蛋白Ⅱb/Ⅲa受体复合物与术前相比明显增高(P<0.01),但术后24h较术前无明显变化(P>0.05)。与健康对照组和稳定型心绞痛组比,急性冠状动脉综合征组假血友病因子、内皮素1的表达水平明显增高(P<0.01),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能和一氧化氮降低(P<0.05或<0.01);急性冠状动脉综合征患者介入术后即刻血浆假血友病因子和内皮素1水平升高(P<0.05或P<0.01),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能和一氧化氮水平降低(P<0.05),且介入术后24h假血友病因子水平也较术前升高(P<0.05),内皮依赖性血管舒张功能降低(P<0.05),但内皮素1和一氧化氮水平与术前差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论血小板活化和内皮功能的损伤在急性冠状动脉综合征发生和发展过程中起重要的作用,冠状动脉介入术后血管内皮受到一定损伤,血小板有一定程度的激活。