Numerous strategies are employed routinely in an effort to lower rates of surgical site infections (SSIs). A laminar flow theatre environment is generally used during orthopaedic surgery to reduce rates of SSIs. Its role in vascular surgery, especially when arterial bypass grafts are used, is unknown.
Methods
A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was undertaken for all vascular procedures performed by a single consultant over a one-year period. Cases were performed, via random allocation, in either a laminar or non-laminar flow theatre environment. Demographic data, operative data and evidence of postoperative SSIs were noted. A separate subgroup analysis was undertaken for patients requiring an arterial bypass graft. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression was undertaken to identify significant factors associated with SSIs.
Results
Overall, 170 procedures were analysed. Presence of a groin incision, insertion of an arterial graft and a non-laminar flow theatre were shown to be predictive of SSIs in this cohort. In the subgroup receiving arterial grafts, only a non-laminar flow theatre environment was shown to be predictive of an SSI.
Conclusions
This study suggests that laminar flow may reduce incidences of SSI, especially in the subgroup of patients receiving arterial grafts. 相似文献
Introduction: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a constellation of symptoms. Currently, there are numerous therapies in various phases of drug development that target the pathogenesis of AD.
Areas covered: Our paper aims to examine small molecule therapies and other novel agents registered for clinical trial in the phase II and mainly phase III stages of development. A literature search using PubMed as well as Clinicaltrials.gov was conducted. Clinical trial evidence of these novel agents was compiled and assessed. Both topical and oral novel therapies with diverse range of mechanistic action are currently being studied, with varying success. These include phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, boron molecules, Janus kinase inhibitors, cannabinoid receptors agonists, kappa-opioid receptor agonists. A variety of compounds with yet undisclosed or unknown mechanisms of action are also being studied.
Expert opinion: Further research through extensive clinical trials will allow for more information about these targeted therapies and their potential place in the treatment algorithm of AD. Due to the success of such therapies in treating a spectrum of chronic inflammatory diseases, we remain hopeful that the successful development of targeted therapy for AD lies ahead. 相似文献
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients and its treatment is associated with a high risk of recurrent VTE (rVTE) and bleeding.
Objectives
To analyze data from the Comparison of Acute Treatments in Cancer Hemostasis (CATCH) trial to describe the impact of rVTE and bleeding events on health-related quality of life.
Methods
The three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D) data were collected monthly for up to 7 months in patients starting anticoagulation for newly diagnosed VTE. Analyses were designed to describe the impact of rVTE and bleeding on EQ-5D scores while controlling for effects of covariates such as background and clinical variables and longitudinal changes. A repeated-measures model with specification of the variance-covariance matrix to characterize the intrapatient correlation was used to estimate the utility values. The impact of an rVTE or a bleeding event was assumed to be reflected in the utility value when it occurred within 2 weeks from a planned data collection point.
Results
Data were available from 883 patients. A total of 76 rVTE and 159 bleeding events occurred during follow-up. rVTE had a significant impact on EQ-5D scores, with a decrement of ?0.075 on the basis of our reference case (male, no metastasis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score = 1, Western European), but different patients might have different decrements. Bleeding events had a smaller (nonstatistically significant) impact on EQ-5D scores.
Conclusions
This data set study has quantified the decline in EQ-5D scores associated with experiencing rVTE or bleeding events in cancer patients. These results indicate the net gain in quality of life and impact on cost-effectiveness of secondary VTE prevention. 相似文献
Based on the initial survey of the project “Strengthen parents for dealing with the alcohol consumption of their children” parental style was quantified. The survey addressed the following issues: 1. The parents information of the alcohol consumption of their adolescents. 2. Adequate rules when dealing with the alcohol consumption of their children. 3. Parent?s reactions to a potential intoxication of their children.
Method
2,793 parents of students in grades 8–10 were surveyed in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. The questionnaires were passed back through the teachers. The questionnaires were collected by the teachers.
Results
The results show that parents feel well informed about alcohol related education of children. 71?% use the internet as an information source. Approx. 95?% of the parents have talked with their children about alcohol consumption, particularly adviced them of health damages and development of dependence. Those rules of behavior guaranteeing a safe way home are favored by parents. In response to rule violations the parents talk with their children first. The comparison with current youth surveys shows that parents underestimate their children?s drinking.
Conclusions
Alcohol and its consequences are a topic of conversation among parents and children. The parents need support to argue objectively and according to youth. The Internet should be used for drug prevention education activities. 相似文献
To develop a psychometric measure of diabetes acceptance.
Methods
An item pool was developed and pilot-tested using a sample of 220 people with diabetes; item selection resulted in the 20-item ‘Diabetes Acceptance Scale (DAS)’. 606 people with diabetes were then cross-sectionally assessed with the DAS to evaluate its reliability, validity and clinical utility; concurrent measurements included diabetes-related coping (FQCI), diabetes distress (PAID-5), depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), quality of life (EQ-5D), self-management (DSMQ), glycaemic control (HbA1c) and complications.
Results
Internal reliability was high (Cronbach's α?=?0.96). Factorial and criterion-related results supported validity. Higher diabetes acceptance scores correlated with more functional coping styles, lower distress and depression levels, higher treatment adherence, better glycaemic control and better quality of life (all P?<?.001). Persons with low diabetes acceptance (22% of the sample) were four times more likely to have HbA1c values over 9.0% (75?mmol/mol), two times more likely to be diagnosed with long-term complications and each over two times more likely to have had episodes of severe hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis in the past year; the prevalence of major depression in this group was fivefold increased (all P?<?.05).
Conclusions
The DAS is a reliable and valid tool to measure diabetes acceptance. It may help identify patients with significant problems of accepting diabetes, a putative high-risk group in need of tailored care and support. 相似文献
Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. Once released, its rapid removal from the synaptic cleft is critical for preventing excitotoxicity and spillover to neighboring synapses. Despite consensus on the role of glutamate in normal and disease physiology, technical issues limit our understanding of its metabolism in intact cells. To monitor glutamate levels inside and at the surface of living cells, genetically encoded nanosensors were developed. The fluorescent indicator protein for glutamate (FLIPE) consists of the glutamate/aspartate binding protein ybeJ from Escherichia coli fused to two variants of the green fluorescent protein. Three sensors with lower affinities for glutamate were created by mutation of residues peristeric to the ybeJ binding pocket. In the presence of ligands, FLIPEs show a concentration-dependent decrease in FRET efficiency. When expressed on the surface of rat hippocampal neurons or PC12 cells, the sensors respond to extracellular glutamate with a reversible concentration-dependent decrease in FRET efficiency. Depolarization of neurons leads to a reduction in FRET efficiency corresponding to 300 nM glutamate at the cell surface. No change in FRET was observed when cells expressing sensors in the cytosol were superfused with up to 20 mM glutamate, consistent with a minimal contribution of glutamate uptake to cytosolic glutamate levels. The results demonstrate that FLIPE sensors can be used for real-time monitoring of glutamate metabolism in living cells, in tissues, or in intact organisms, providing tools for studying metabolism or for drug discovery. 相似文献