Improving on National Quality Indicators of Breast Cancer Care in a Large Public Hospital as a Means to Decrease Disparities for African American Women

Background

In April 2007, the National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed the first nationally recognized hospital-based performance measures for stage I, II, and III breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to document compliance with the 3 NQF breast quality indicators during 2 time intervals in a metropolitan public hospital.

Materials and Methods

Tumor registry and medical records were used to identify patient demographics and treatments before (2005–2006) and after (2008) implementations in 2007 as a result of the NQF audit. Program changes included: hiring a dedicated medical oncology nurse practitioner, requiring the radiation oncology case manager to attend weekly multidisciplinary conferences, educating Patient Navigators of the importance of multimodal care, and providing support groups for patients addressing importance of completion of all treatment options.

Results

A total of 213 female patients were diagnosed with and treated for stage I, II, or III breast cancer in 2005–2006 and 2008. Of these, 189 (89%) were African American (AA) women. Also, 70 patients of 86 (81.3%) received radiation therapy, 60 of 77 (77.9%) received or were considered for adjuvant chemotherapy, and 124 of 144 (86.1%) for hormonal therapy according to NQF indicators. After 2007, patients receiving radiation therapy increased from 75.8 to 95.8%. Patients receiving or considered for adjuvant chemotherapy or hormonal therapy increased from 73.7 to 93.7% and from 84.1 to 90.0%, respectively.

Conclusions

NQF breast cancer indicators provided a mechanism to improve compliance of multimodal treatment in our center. Raising awareness of these indicators in the multidisciplinary conference, hiring dedicated personnel, and educating patients has led to major improvements in breast cancer care.     

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α is renoprotective in doxorubicin-induced glomerular injury

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic utilized in antitumor therapy; however, its clinical use is frequently impeded by renal toxic effects. As peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) has renoprotective effects in drug-related kidney injuries, we tested its ability to inhibit DOX-induced renal injury. Although both male PPAR-α knockout mice and their wild-type littermates (pure 129/SvJ background) had significant proteinuria 4 weeks after DOX treatment, those with deletion of PPAR-α had more severe proteinuria. This was associated with more serious podocyte foot process effacement compared with wild-type mice. In contrast, the PPAR-α agonist fenofibrate effectively reduced proteinuria and attenuated DOX-induced podocyte foot process effacement. Consistently, glomerular nephrin expression was significantly lower in the knockout compared with wild-type mice following DOX treatment. Fenofibrate therapy significantly blunted the reduction in glomerular nephrin levels in DOX-treated wild-type mice. In cultured podocytes, DOX induced apoptosis, increased cleaved caspase-3 levels, and decreased Bcl-2 expression, all attenuated by pretreatment with fenofibrate. Thus, PPAR-α deficiency exacerbates DOX-related renal injury, in part, due to increased podocyte apoptosis.     

神经调节蛋白对小鼠睾丸精原细胞增殖作用的研究

目的:研究神经调节蛋白(NRG)对小鼠睾丸精原细胞增殖的影响。方法:将纯化的NRG1β或NRG3的类EGF区域的重组蛋白分别添加到DMEM培养液中,终浓度分别为50、100、200 ng/m l,进行小鼠睾丸断片的器官培养,随后进行B rdU免疫组化染色,检测精原细胞的增殖效应。结果:添加NRG后可以促进精原细胞的增殖活性,与对照组相比具有显著性差异(P<0.05)。按NRG1β50、100、200 ng/m l、NRG3 50、100、200 ng/m l的顺序,精原细胞的增殖活性分别是对照组的1.69、1.55、1.86、1.35、1.54、2.11倍。结论:NRG1β、NRG3能促进小鼠精原细胞的增殖。可以期待NRG应用在男性不育症的治疗上。     

开书型骨盆骨折与男性尿道损伤关系的实验研究

目的对骨盆骨折模型尿道行CT扫描,探讨耻骨联合分离和后尿道损伤的关系。方法于男性骨盆标本尿道内置入造影剂,制成开书型骨折模型,CT扫描测定尿道和骨盆壁的关系。结果耻骨联合分离6cm时,尿道前列腺、尖部与完整侧耻骨联合后缘的距离从(2.03±0.27)cm分离到(2.95±0.31)cm,伴有尿道向完整侧半骨盆移位。结论骨盆骨折尿道损伤多发生于前列腺尖部,骨折时尿道前列腺尖部、前列腺部及膜部均向尾侧和健侧移位。     

Comparing the efficacy of prophylactic metoclopramide, ondansetron, and placebo in cesarean section patients given epidural anesthesia

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the relative efficacy of prophylactic metoclopramide, ondansetron, and placebo in nonemergent cesarean section patients given epidural anesthesia intraoperatively and for the first 24-hour period after delivery. DESIGN: Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING: Inpatient obstetric unit at a university hospital center. PATIENTS: 164 nonemergent cesarean section patients given epidural anesthesia. INTERVENTION: At time of umbilical cord clamp, patients received intravenously (IV) either 4 mg ondansetron (Group O) or 10 mg metoclopramide (Group M) or 10 mL normal saline (Group P). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Episodes and severity of nausea and vomiting, rescue antiemetic requirement, patient satisfaction, and side effects were recorded. The frequency of intraoperative nausea were 24%, 43%, and 57% for Group O, Group M, and Group P, respectively (p < 0.03). The frequency of nausea for the 24-hour study period were 26%, 51% and 71% for Groups O, M, and P respectively (p < 0.03). The frequency of intraoperative and postoperative vomiting were similar between Group O and Group M, but significantly higher in Group P (p < 0.05). Overall patient satisfaction was highest in Group O compared with Groups P and M (p < 0.05). Maximum analog sedation score was higher in Group M compared to Groups O and P (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In cesarean section patients given epidural anesthesia, prophylactic ondansetron, 4 mg IV, is more efficacious and has a higher patient satisfaction than that with metoclopramide, 10 mg IV, or placebo in preventing nausea and achieving complete responses during intraoperative period and the first 24-hour postdelivery period. However, there is no difference between ondansetron and metoclopramide in reducing frequency of vomiting. Prophylactic ondansetron 4 mg IV is more effective in preventing nausea than vomiting.     

Anti-CD25 mAb, anti-IL2 mAb, and IL2 block tolerance induction through anti-CD154 mAb and rapamycin in xenogeneic islet transplantation

BACKGROUND: We have used anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (mAb; MR1) and rapamycin (rapa) to induce tolerance to islet xenografts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether classical anergy and/or regulation by interleukin (IL)2-dependent CD25+ T regulatory cells played roles in the induction and maintenance of tolerance in this model. METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were transplanted with rat islets. We performed the following groups: control group, islet transplantation without therapy; rapamycin group, 0.2 mg/kg by oral gavage on days 0, 1, 2, and every other day to day 14; anti-CD154 mAb (MR1) group, 0.5 mg intraperitoneally on days 0, 2, and 4; combination therapy group with rapa and MR1. We then administered in addition to the combination therapy with early (from days 0 to 14 [for IL2] or to 28 [for anti-IL2 mAb and anti-CD25 mAb] post-transplantation) or late (from days 100 to 114 [for IL2] or to 128 [for anti-IL2 mAb and anti-CD25 mAb] posttransplantation) recombinant IL2 (2000 U, intraperitoneally twice a day), a neutralizing anti-IL2 mAb (S4B6-1, 0.3 mg intraperitoneally twice weekly), and a depleting anti-CD25 mAb (PC61, 0.3 mg intraperitoneally twice weekly), respectively. Histology was performed at time of rejection. RESULTS: Rapa and MR1 therapy alone significantly prolonged xenograft survival compared to the control group: median graft survival was 34 days versus 17 days (P<.05) and 98 days versus 17 days (P<.05), respectively, but rejection still occurred. Combination therapy with MR1 and rapa allowed indefinite graft survival (median graft survival [MGS]>200 days, P<.001). When exogenous IL2 was administered early with MR1 and rapa, rapid rejection developed in 18 of 18 mice (MGS 7 days), whereas when IL2 was given late, only 3 of 10 developed rejection. Early administration of anti-IL2 mAb led to rejection in 10 of 10 mice (MGS 42 days), whereas late administration led to rejection in only one of four mice. Early administration of anti-CD25 mAb led to rejection in eight of nine mice (MGS 49 days), whereas late administration led to rejection in only three of seven mice. CONCLUSIONS: Rapa and MR1 allowed indefinite graft survival of islet xenografts. Classical anergy and regulation by IL2-dependent CD25+ T regulatory cells were critical in the induction of tolerance in the immediate posttransplantation period and less important for maintenance of tolerance.     

Effects of low intensity vibration on bone and muscle in rats with spinal cord injury

Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes rapid and marked bone loss. The present study demonstrates that low-intensity vibration (LIV) improves selected biomarkers of bone turnover and gene expression and reduces osteoclastogenesis, suggesting that LIV may be expected to benefit to bone mass, resorption, and formation after SCI.

Introduction

Sublesional bone is rapidly and extensively lost following spinal cord injury (SCI). Low-intensity vibration (LIV) has been suggested to reduce loss of bone in children with disabilities and osteoporotic women, but its efficacy in SCI-related bone loss has not been tested. The purpose of this study was to characterize effects of LIV on bone and bone cells in an animal model of SCI.

Methods

The effects of LIV initiated 28 days after SCI and provided for 15 min twice daily 5 days each week for 35 days were examined in female rats with moderate severity contusion injury of the mid-thoracic spinal cord.

Results

Bone mineral density (BMD) of the distal femur and proximal tibia declined by 5 % and was not altered by LIV. Serum osteocalcin was reduced after SCI by 20 % and was increased by LIV to a level similar to that of control animals. The osteoclastogenic potential of bone marrow precursors was increased after SCI by twofold and associated with 30 % elevation in serum CTX. LIV reduced the osteoclastogenic potential of marrow precursors by 70 % but did not alter serum CTX. LIV completely reversed the twofold elevation in messenger RNA (mRNA) levels for SOST and the 40 % reduction in Runx2 mRNA in bone marrow stromal cells resulting from SCI.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate an ability of LIV to improve selected biomarkers of bone turnover and gene expression and to reduce osteoclastogenesis. The study indicates a possibility that LIV initiated earlier after SCI and/or continued for a longer duration would increase bone mass.     

犬急性心肌梗死早期冠状动脉旁路移植术对左室壁运动的影响

目的 探讨犬急性心肌梗死早期冠状动脉旁路移植术对室壁运动的影响及其在唤醒冬眠心肌中的意义.方法 结扎犬冠状动脉前降支制备心肌梗死模型(30只).按手术日期随机分组,分别在心肌梗死后1、2、4、6周行冠状动脉旁路移植术作为实验组,其中第2周4只,其余每组6只;对每个实验组分别设立心肌梗死对照组(不进行冠状动脉旁路移植术),每组2只.实验组在冠状动脉旁路移植术前及冠状动脉旁路移植术8周后开胸利用多巴酚丁胺超声负荷试验结合组织多普勒成像技术标记冬眠心肌,并测定室壁运动记分;对照组在相同时间点同样的方法标记冬眠心肌并测定室壁运动记分.每只犬处死后分别测定心肌梗死面积.结果 每个实验组各存活4只,对照组均存活.1、2周实验组较4、6周实验组及对照组梗死区心肌室壁运动记分的变化明显减小(0.03±0.06,0.05 ±0.09,0.23 ±0.08,0.27±0.06,0.32 ±0.05,P＜0.05),所有实验组较对照组心肌室壁运动记分的变化明显减小(1.195±0.09,1.25±0.18,1.30±0.18,1.36 ±0.11,1.65 ±0.17,P＜0.05),所有实验组较对照组唤醒更多的冬眠心肌(0.27 ±0.12,0.22±0.04,0.31±0.09,0.23±0.03,0.03 ±0.04,P＜0.05).1、2周实验组较4、6周实验组及对照组心肌梗死范围明显减小[(20.75±2.63)％,(21.25±2.5)％,(27.25±1.71)％,(27.75±2.22)％,(26.50±0.71)％,(29.00±1.41)％,(27.00±1.41)％,(28.50±0.71)％,P＜0.05)].结论 犬急性心肌梗死早期冠状动脉旁路移植可以明显改善心肌室壁运动,唤醒更多的冬眠心肌,尤其2周内行冠状动脉旁路移植术可以最大限度地减少梗死心肌对室壁运动的影响,并可以减少心肌梗死范围.     

Correlation of lactate and pH in human skeletal muscle after exercise by 1H NMR

We have made in vivo 1H NMR measurements of the time course of pH and lactate in human skeletal muscle after exercise. Spectra were obtained in a 4.7-T 30-cm bore Bruker Biospec spectrometer with a 2.5-cm diameter single surface coil. pH was determined from the shift of the endogenous carnosine H-C2 peak while lactate concentrations were determined by comparison with endogenous total creatine, taken to be 28.5 mM/kg wet wt. Fitting the data shows that the exponential decay of lactate (-0.094 +/- 0.014 min-1. t1/2 = 10.6 min) is slower than that of pH (-0.147 +/- 0.015 min-1, t1/2 = 4.7 min), n = 7 with two different volunteers. These values are significantly different with P less than 0.0005. Relaxation times of lactate and creatine were also measured for lactate quantitation; creatine T1, 1.23 +/- 12 s, T2, 136.2 +/- 26.4 ms (both in resting human muscle); lactate T1 (in postmortem rabbit muscle), 1.0 +/- 11 s and T2, 80 ms (in postexercise human muscle). At the end of intense exercise, the lactate level reached was 25.3 +/- 4.0 mM and the average pH drop was 1.0 pH unit. We discuss the implications of these measurements in conjunction with existing data on other sources of H+ flux, phosphocreatine resynthesis, H+ transport, and contribution of inorganic phosphate to buffering.