后循环缺血性事件患者预后的临床分析

目的 评估206例后循环缺血性事件患者30d预后,探讨不同病变部位及受累血管与30d预后不良的相关性.方法 收集206例后循环急性脑梗死和短暂性脑缺血发作患者的临床资料.全部患者均在入院时进行美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损量表(NIHSS)、改良Rankin残障量表(MRS)评估,病后30d进行MRS评估,分析患者30d预后;系统评价病变部位及受累血管,并与预后不良进行相关性分析.结果 本组206例,病后30d病死率为4.9%,致残率为18%,颅脑近中远段同时受累(r=9.270,P＜0.001)、基底动脉急性闭塞(r=5.106,P＜0.001)及颅内病变个数＞1个(r=2.491,P＜0.001)的患者预后不良.结论 不同病变部位、血管引起的后循环缺血性事件预后不同,大部分预后良好.     

Health service utilization,unmet healthcare needs,and the potential of telemedicine services among Korean expatriates

Background

With the significant growth of migration and expatriation, facilitated by increased global mobility, the number of Koreans living abroad as of 2016 is approximately 7.4 million (15% of the Korean population). Healthcare utilization or health problems, especially among expatriates in developing countries, have not been well researched despite the various health risks these individuals are exposed to. Consequently, we identified the health utilization patterns and healthcare needs among Korean expatriates in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey examined 429 Korean expatriates living in Vietnam (n?=?208), Cambodia (n?=?60), and Uzbekistan (n?=?161) who had access to the Internet and were living abroad for at least 6?months. A 67-item questionnaire was used, and feedback was received via an online survey program. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with unmet healthcare needs and preferences of certain type of telemedicine.

Results

We found that 45.5% (195/429) of respondents had used medical services in their country of stay. Among those who visited health institutions >?3 times, the most popular choice was general hospitals (39.4%, 15/38); however, they initially visited Korean doctors’ or local doctors’ offices. The most essential criteria for healthcare service facilities was a “skilled professional” (39.3%, 169/429), 42% wanted a health program for chronic disease management, and 30% wanted specialized internal medicine. A substantial number wanted to access telemedicine services and were willing to pay for this service. They were particularly interested in experts’ second opinion (61.5%, 264/429) and quick, 24-h medical consultations (60.8%, 261/429). Having unmet healthcare needs and being younger was strongly associated with all types of telemedicine networks.

Conclusions

Nearly half of the expatriates in developing countries had unmet healthcare needs. Telemedicine is one potential solution to meet these needs, especially in developing countries.

     

Enhanced conversion of sterols to steroid synthons by augmenting the peptidoglycan synthesis gene pbpB in Mycobacterium neoaurum

Some species of mycobacteria have been modified to transform sterols to valuable steroid synthons. The unique cell wall of mycobacteria has been recognized as an important organelle to absorb sterols. Some cell wall inhibitors (e.g., vancomycin and glycine) have been validated to enhance sterol conversion by interfering with transpeptidation in peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Therefore, two transpeptidase genes, pbpA and pbpB, were selected to rationally modify the cell wall to simulate the enhancement effect of vancomycin and glycine on sterol conversion in a 22‐hydroxy‐23,24‐bisnorchol‐4‐ene‐3‐one (4‐HBC) producing strain (WIII). Unexpectedly, the pbpA or pbpB gene augmentation was conducive to the utilization of sterols. The pbpB augmentation strain WIII‐pbpB was further investigated for its better performance. Compared to WIII, the morphology of WIII‐pbpB was markedly changed from oval to spindle, indicating alterations of the cell wall. Biochemical analysis indicated that the altered cell wall properties of WIII‐pbpB might contribute to the positive effect on sterol utilization. The productivity of 4‐HBC was enhanced by 28% in the WIII‐pbpB strain compared to that of WIII. These results demonstrated that the modification of peptidoglycan synthesis can improve the conversion of sterols to steroid synthons in mycobacteria.     

Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis infection changes the gut microbiome and increases probiotic Lactobacillus in mice

Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis changes the host’s immune system. Recently, it has been reported that helminths including C. sinensis can ameliorate immune-related diseases such as allergy. In addition, recent studies showed that helminth infection can alleviate immune-mediated disorders by altering the gut microbiome. However, changes in the gut microbiome due to C. sinensis have not been reported yet. In this study, changes in the gut microbiome of C57BL/6 mice infected with C. sinensis metacercariae were evaluated over time. Stool was analyzed by 16S rRNA amplicon analysis using high-throughput sequencing technology. There was no apparent difference in species richness and diversity between the infected and control groups. However, the composition of the microbiome was different between the infected and control groups at 20 days and 30 days post-infection, and the difference disappeared at 50 days post-infection. In particular, this microbiome alteration was associated with a change in the relative abundance of genus Lactobacillus and the probiotic Lactobacillus species that are known to have an immune-modulation role in immune-mediated diseases.

     

煅石膏、骨形成蛋白及羟基磷灰石三元复合人工骨修复骨缺损的实验研究

以煅石膏(PLP）作为颗粒型羟基磷灰石(HA)人工骨粘接成形剂和骨形成蛋白(BMP)的载体，制成三元复合人工骨．分别用HA—bBMP、HA—PLP和单纯HA植入狗下颌骨实验性骨缺损中，采用组织学、定量组织学、免疫组织化学、X线摄片和扫描电镜观察的方法评价该复合人工骨的生物学性能。术后1，2，4，8和16周观察发现，HA—bBMP—PLP复合人工骨具有明显的骨诱导活性．PLP可充当BMP缓慢释放系统载体．增强BMP骨诱导活性，和作为颗粒型HA的粘接成形剂．使复合人工骨具有一定的可塑性和成形性，可达到准确的植入，植入后早期可有效防止HA颗粒移动。本研究证实．HA—bBMP—PLP三元复合人工骨不但可限制植入后HA颗粒的早期移动，更重要的是可以迅速增加新骨形成量．从形态和功能上大大提高了复合人工骨修复骨缺损的质量。     

Progressive dysphagia in an elderly male

Dysphagia can result from a variety of causes, including central nervous and peripheral nervous system, myogenic, and structural disorders. A 76-year-old man underwent anterior cervical disketomy and fusion 10 years ago, with progressive dysphagia noted 2 years ago. Endoscopy showed an oropharyngeal tumor, and lateral plain film evaluation of the neck revealed a cervical plate extrusion. Removal of the instrumentation and tumor with primary closure of the pharyngeal perforation was performed, and dysphagia was resolved postoperatively. We report the case of an unusual presentation in the pharynx. We should not neglect this rare diagnosis, because it can progress to a life-threatening outcome.