A Randomized Trial of Solvent/Detergent and Standard Fresh Frozen Plasma in the Treatment of the Coagulopathy seen during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background : Viral transmission remains a residual risk in single unit blood component therapy. Virus inactivation of pooled fresh frozen plasma (FFP) by the solvent/detergent (SD) method can be used to reduce this risk but results in some loss of factor activity including factor VIII and (2-anuplasmin. This study was aimed at assessing the clinical effectiveness solvent/detergent treated pooled fresh frozen plasma (SDFFP) in the correction of the coagulopathy seen during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) as compared with standard FFP. Method : Twenty eight patients with an underlying derangement of coagulation and who were due to undergo OLT were randomized to receive either FFP or SDFFP. They were assessed for side effects, correction of coagulopathy, and seroconversion for viral markers. Results : Patients undergoing OLT showed equal correction of clotting factors and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) when treated with FFP or SDFFP. There was also a similar time course to return to baseline values in each group. There was no significant difference in correction of INR in either group. Usage of other blood components during the operation was identical in the two groups. No seroconversions were seen for HIV, HBC or HCV but only 12 patients were available for long term follow-up. Conclusion : SDFFP is an efficacious and safe source of coagulation factors for patients with liver disease undergoing Orthotopic Liver Transplantation. No adverse effects were seen during its administration. Further work is required to ascertain long term possibilities of seroconversion.     

Psychometric evaluation of a patient-reported outcome measure in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI)

Background/objectives

Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is commonly caused by chronic pancreatitis (CP) or cystic fibrosis (CF). There are no PEI-specific patient-reported assessments of symptoms and impacts. The PEI Questionnaire (PEI-Q) was developed through qualitative research with PEI patients and expert clinical input. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PEI-Q.

Transforming growth factor-beta1: differential effects on multiple myeloma versus normal B cells

Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a product of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), is a growth factor for multiple myeloma (MM) cells. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is also produced by BMSCs and can regulate IL- 6 secretion by several tissues, including BMSCs. The present study was designed to characterize in vitro tumor growth regulation by TGF-beta1 in MM. Sorted CD38+CD45RA- MM cells secreted significantly more TGF- beta1 (8.2 +/- 2.0 ng/mL) than peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < .001), splenic B cells (P < .001), and CD40 ligand (CD40L) pretreated B cells (P < .05). TGF-beta1 secretion by MM-BMMCs (3.8 +/- 0.9 ng/mL) was significantly greater than by N-BMMCs (1.2 +/- 0.1 ng/mL, P < .001). MM-BMSCs also secreted significantly more TGF-beta1 (6.6 +/- 2.5 ng/mL, n = 11) than N-BMSCs (4.4 +/- 0.6 ng/mL, P < .02, n = 10) and N- BMSC lines (3.9 +/- 0.2 ng/mL, P < .02, n = 6). TGF-beta1 secretion was correlated with IL-6 secretion in MM-BMSCs. Anti-TGF-beta1 monoclonal antibody both blocked IL-6 secretion by BMSCs and inhibited the increments in IL-6 secretion by BMSCs induced by MM cell adhesion. Moreover, exogenous TGF-beta1 upregulated IL-6 secretion by MM-BMSCs, normal BMSCs, and CD38+ CD45RA- MM cells, as well as tumor cell proliferation. This is in contrast to the inhibitory effect of TGF- beta1 on proliferation and Ig secretion of normal splenic B cells. Finally, retinoblastoma proteins (pRB) are constitutively phosphorylated in MM cells; TGF-beta1 either did not alter or increased pRB phosphorylation. pRB are dephosphorylated in splenic B cells and phosphorylated in CD40L triggered B cells in contrast to its effects on MM cells, TGF-beta1 decreased phosphorylation of pRB in CD40L treated B cells. These results suggest that TGF-beta1 is produced in MM by both tumor cells and BMSCs, with related tumore cell growth. Moreover, MM cell growth may be enhanced by resistance of tumor cells to the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1 on normal B-cell proliferation and Ig secretion.     

功能性便秘与情感障碍相关性分析

功能性便秘是一种常见的功能性肠病,焦虑抑郁等情感障碍与功能性便秘是相互影响的。该文从三个方面阐述功能性便秘与焦虑抑郁等情感障碍的相关性。     

国内慢性荨麻疹临床疗效评价标准的调查

目的：调查分析国内慢性荨麻疹临床疗效判断标准。方法：采用频数分析、K-均值聚类分析等方法,分析目前国内慢性荨麻疹相关疗效判断标准的使用情况与适用范围。结果：符合纳入标准的文献857篇,文献中症状评估指标和疗效评价标准各不相同,采用症状体征下降指数（SSRI）四级分级法的文献549篇（占64.17%）。采用K-均值聚类统计分析后发现,以治愈（100%≥SSRI>90%）、好转（90%≥SSRI>60%）、显效（60%≥SSRI>20%）、无效（20%≥SSRI≥0%）为标准的四级疗效分级法适用范围较广。结论：慢性荨麻疹临床评估和药物疗效判断标准亟待统一和标准化。     

中心静脉压联合全心舒张末容积指数指导感染性休克患者容量治疗的效果

目的 评价中心静脉压(CVP)联合全心舒张末容积指数(GEDVI)指导感染性休克患者容量治疗的效果.方法 感染性休克患者23例,性别不煨,年龄18～64岁,休克时间＜6h,急性生理和慢性健康状况评分13～31分,采用随机数字表法,将其随机分为2组:CVP指导容量治疗组(Ⅰ组,n=12)和CVP联合GEDVI指导容量治疗组(Ⅱ组,n=11).2组均静脉输注生理盐水和6％羟乙基淀粉200/0.5,晶体液和胶体液的比例为1∶(0.5 ～ 1.0),输注速率800～ 1600 ml/h,容量治疗过程中Ⅰ组维持CVP8～ 12mmHg;Ⅱ组维持CVP＞8 mm Hg和GEDVI 600 ～ 750 ml/m2.分别于容量治疗前及容量治疗开始后6h时采集动脉及中心静脉的血样,测定血乳酸浓度和中心静脉血氧饱和度(ScvO2),计算乳酸和ScvO2的变化率.结果 与Ⅰ组比较,Ⅱ组乳酸变化率升高(P＜0.05),ScvO2变化率差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 与CVP指导容量治疗比较,CVP联合GEDVI指导感染性休克患者容量治疗时可增加组织灌注,其效果较好.     

Effect of Hypoglycemia on Brain Structure in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Epidemiological Analysis of the ACCORD-MIND MRI Trial

OBJECTIVEThe effect of hypoglycemia related to treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on brain structure remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether symptomatic severe hypoglycemia is associated with brain atrophy and/or white matter abnormalities.RESULTSOf the 503 T2DM participants (mean age, 62 years) with successful baseline and 40-month brain MRI, 28 had at least one HA episode during the 40-month follow-up. Compared with participants without HA, those with HA had marginally significant less atrophy (less decrease in TBV) from baseline to 40 months (−9.55 [95% CI −15.21, −3.90] vs. −15.38 [95% CI −16.64, −14.12], P = 0.051), and no significant increase of AWM volume (2.06 [95% CI 1.71, 2.49] vs. 1.84 [95% CI 1.76, 1.91], P = 0.247). In addition, no unexpected local signal changes or volume loss were seen on hypoglycemic participants’ brain MRI scans.CONCLUSIONSOur study suggests that hypoglycemia related to T2DM treatment may not accentuate brain pathology, specifically brain atrophy or white matter abnormalities.