Quality of life of low vision patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveQuality of vision plays an important role in everyday living, and low vision (LV) can take a toll on individual's quality of life (QOL). The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of LV on QOL and depressive symptoms in LV patients compared with healthy controls.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.MethodsLiterature was systematically searched to obtain all relevant records. Covidence software was used to conduct the systematic review. Duplicate records were removed, and 2 independent reviewers screened records for relevance. After screening, risk of bias assessment was carried out. Data were extracted and meta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.0. Fixed-effect and random-effect models were computed based on heterogeneity.ResultsIn total, 2870 records were retrieved from database and grey literature searches. Twelve articles (35 341 subjects) were included for quantitative analysis. Overall, the QOL of LV patients was significantly lower compared with healthy individuals. Common QOL questionnaires, including 25-item visual function questionnaire (VFQ-25) (standard mean difference [SMD] = 0.91, confidence interval [CI]: [0.42–1.40]), 36-item short form survey (SMD = 0.53, CI: [0.26–0.80]), VFQ-14 (SMD = 0.58, CI: [0.42–0.74]), and visual function QOL questionnaire (SMD = 0.68, CI: [0.54–0.82]), demonstrated a poor QOL in LV patients compared with healthy controls. Additionally, odds of depressive symptoms were significantly greater (odds ratio = 2.25, CI: [1.58–3.21]) in LV patients compared with controls.ConclusionLV patients demonstrated a poor QOL and higher odds of depressive symptoms compared with healthy controls.     

HIV sero-discordance among married HIV patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy in northern Vietnam

Background

In many countries in Asia, the HIV epidemic is in a concentrated phase, with high prevalence in certain risk groups, such as men who inject drugs. There is also a rapid increase of HIV among women. The latter might be due to high levels of sero-discordant couples and increasing transmission from male to female partners over time.

Methods

All adult married patients initiating antiretroviral treatment at four out-patient clinics in Quang Ninh province in north-eastern Vietnam between 2007 and 2009 were asked to participate in the study. Clinical information was extracted from patients’ records, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect social, demographic and economic data.

Results

Two hundred eighty-eight married patients for whom information on the HIV status of their spouse was available were included in the study. Overall, the sero-discordance rate was 58%. The sero-discordance rate was significantly higher among married males, 71% had spouses not infected, than married females, of whom 18% had spouses not infected. Other factors associated with a high rate of sero-discordance were injection drug use (IDU) history, tuberculosis (TB) history and the availability of voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) in residential locations. High sero-concordance was associated with college/university education.

Conclusion

The sero-discordance was significantly higher among married males than married females. Other factors also related to high sero-discordance were history of IDU, history of TB and the availability of VCT in residential locations. In contrast, college/university education and female sex were significantly related to low sero-discordance. To contain the increasing HIV prevalence among women, measures should be taken to prevent transmission among sero-discordant couples. Trial registration NCT01433601

     

Genetic variations of HLA-DRB1 and susceptibility to Kawasaki disease in Taiwanese children

Although some previous studies have reported that genetic and immunologic factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD), the etiologic factors of this enigmatic pediatric disease are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms of the human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) gene are associated with KD and the development of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in Taiwanese children. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples from 145 children with KD and 331 healthy controls. The HLA-DRB1 gene was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence-based typing assays. We found that the distribution of HLA-DRB1 allele families and alleles in children with KD did not differ from that in healthy controls. Stratified analysis did not demonstrate any association between particular HLA-DRB1 allele families or alleles and the development of CAL in children with KD. These findings suggest that susceptibility to KD and CAL is not associated with the HLA-DRB1 gene in a Taiwanese population. If immunogenetic determinants are involved in this disease and its complications in Taiwanese children, they must involve genes other than HLA-DRB1.     

Impact of varying ablation patterns in a simulation model of persistent atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Several strategies of endovascular ablation with varying success rates and proarrhythmic effects have been proposed to treat persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Evaluation of ablation patterns by computer simulation provides a tool for examination of its effectiveness and side effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: A biophysical model of the human atria based on magnetic resonance imaging derived geometry and a membrane kinetics model was used. Uniform conduction properties were assigned to the monolayer surface representing the atria. After induction of AF by burst pacing, progressively broader ablation patterns were applied: (A) individual pulmonary vein isolation (PVI); (B) double ipsilateral PVI; (C) double PVI with a roofline; (D) double PVI with a lateral mitral isthmus line, and (E) double PVI with both linear lesions. In addition, the influence of incomplete linear lesions and dilated atria were simulated. The incidence of AF termination was found to increase from pattern (A) to (E). Atrial flutter rate increased with incomplete ablations and in dilated atria. CONCLUSION: Computer simulation of various ablation patterns in persistent AF is feasible and can reproduce clinical results of catheter ablation. This model can be used to develop and simulate new ablation patterns and anticipate success rates and potential adverse effects.     

皮质下动脉硬化性脑病伴发抑郁的治疗分析

目的:观察抗抑郁治疗对皮质下动脉硬化性脑病伴发抑郁症患者抑郁症状、神经功能缺损及日常生活能力的改善情况。方法:选择2002-01/2005-06来自于河南省人民医院神经科门诊和住院的患者110例,随机分为米氮平治疗组(n=38),阿米替林治疗组(n=36)、对照组(n=36),各组均行常规神经营养药物和促智药物治疗,米氮平治疗组同时口服米氮平30mg/次,1次/晚;阿米替林组同时口服阿米替林25mg/次,分早晚两次口服,最大剂量为100mg/d,总疗程均为12～24周,治理期间不合并其他抗抑郁或精神障碍药。治疗前、治疗后1,2,4、8,12周及6个月分别采用汉密顿抑郁量表评定患者的抑郁症状。于治疗前及治疗后12周、6个月进行神经功能缺损和日常生活能力评定。记录治疗期间米氮平治疗组和阿米替林治疗组不良反应发生情况。并于6个月对各组患者的并发症及预后进行评定。结果:纳入患者110例,由于调查过程中停药、失访、患并发症、死亡等原因,米氮平治疗组、阿米替林治疗组和对照组分别脱落5、6和6例,分别进入结果分析33、30和30例。①汉密顿抑郁量表评分结果:米氮平治疗组在治疗第1,2,4,8,12周及6个月时汉密尔顿抑郁量表得分均明显低于治疗前及对照组(P<0.01～0.05),阿米替林组在治疗后第2,4,8,12周及6个月时汉密尔顿抑郁量表得分低于治疗前及对照组(P<0.01～0.05)。②神经功能缺损及日常生活能力评定。结果:米氮平治疗组及阿米替林治疗组在治疗后第12周、6个月时神经功能缺损评分均明显低于治疗前及对照组(P<0.01～0.05),日常生活能力得分明显高于治疗前及对照组(P<0.01～0.05)。③不良反应发生情况:治疗期间米氮平导致口干、便秘、视力模糊、恶心、呕吐、心电图异常、尿潴留等不良反应发生情况明显少于阿米替林治疗组(P<0.01～0.05)。④各组治疗后并发症及预后比较:对照组肺部感染、尿路感染、脑卒中、心血管事件的发生率高于米氮平治疗组、阿米替林治疗组(P<0.01～0.05),其死亡率也明显增高(P<0.01～0.05)。结论:抗抑郁治疗能有效改善皮质下动脉硬化性脑病伴抑郁的症状,有利于患者神经功能康复,提高生活能力,减少并发症,米氮平治疗副反应少,更安全。     

A simple fluorescent assay for cyromazine detection in raw milk by using CYR-stabilized G-quadruplex formation

A rapid biosensor for the detection of cyromazine in milk is reported based on a fluorescence quenching result. When an FAM labelled G-rich ssDNA Tcy2 is treated with cyromazine, it can form a G-quadruplex-CYR complex and cause a change in fluorescence. As a result, the presence of cyromazine can be determined by fluorescence quenching. This sensor is selective for the detection of cyromazine in raw milk and has a limit of detection of 0.68 ppb and a detection range from 0 to 200 ppb.

A rapid biosensor for the detection of cyromazine in milk is reported based on a fluorescence quenching result.     

Size Effects in Internal Friction of Nanocrystalline Aluminum Films

Al thin film is extensively used in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and electronic interconnections; however, most previous research has concentrated on their quasi-static properties and applied their designs on larger scales. The present study designed a paddle-like cantilever specimen with metal films deposited on the upper surface to investigate the quasi-static properties of Al thin film at room temperature under high vacuum conditions at microscopic scales. Energy loss was determined using a decay technique in the oscillation amplitude of a vibrating structure following resonant excitation. Grain size and film thickness size were strictly controlled considering the quasi-static properties of the films. This study found that the internal friction of ultra-thin and thin Al films was more dependent on the grain boundaries than film thickness.