Development and validation of the stigma scale for epilepsy in Turkey

ObjectiveEpilepsy is a chronic disease with an increased risk of stigma. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a scale developed by the authors to determine the level of stigma in Turkish patients with epilepsy and their relatives.MethodsIn this pilot study, two scales were developed, one consisting of 32 questions for the patients and one of 20 questions for the patients' relatives. Initially, a total of 30 patients with epilepsy and 30 relatives of the patients were included. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated in a reliability analysis of validity applying the scales to 302 patients and 201 relatives of the patients. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for the reliability analysis of the test-retest. The t-test was used in paired series, and factor analysis was conducted. The correlation between the clinical and demographical data and the stigma scores was evaluated.ResultsThe scales were applied to participants twice under the same conditions in one-week interval. In the test-retest analysis, the internal consistency of the scales was high and reliable. In the analysis of the patients, the Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.915. In the factor analysis, the questions were grouped into five factors including social isolation, discrimination, insufficiency, false beliefs, and stigma resistance. The factors with the highest contribution to the stigma level were social isolation and discrimination. In the stigma scores, a significant correlation was found between the age of the patient, frequency of seizures, education status, level of income, and the amount of antiepileptic drugs used. In the analysis of the patients' relatives, the Cronbach's alpha value of the scale was found to be 0.892. In the factor analysis, the questions were classified as discrimination, prejudgments, and false beliefs. The factor which most contributed to the stigma level was discrimination. A significant correlation was found in the stigma scores between sex, education status, marital status, and income distribution.ConclusionAccording to our study results, it is clearly seen that both patients and their relatives suffer from epilepsy-associated stigma. Patients with epilepsy and their relatives are faced with discrimination in society, resulting in social isolation. We, therefore, believe that both patients and their relatives should be informed in detail about discrimination to overcome this challenge.     

Rasch analysis of a Spanish language-screening parent survey

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and refine items from a parent survey designed to screen the language skills of Spanish-speaking preschoolers. This investigation applied Rasch modeling to systematically evaluate and identify items that demonstrated favorable qualities.A set of 124 parent survey items was administered to 107 Spanish-speaking parents of preschool age children. Parents completed survey items intended to provide a global measure of preschool language abilities. Rasch analyses of the survey items were conducted using WINSTEPS.Results indicated that 59 items, all vocabulary items, fit the Rasch model. Sufficient unidimensionality was obtained, with the model accounting for 58% of the variance. Item difficulty estimates ranged from −7.43 to 4.12, with a shortage of items at both the lower ability level and at the higher ability level. Analyses of pruned and remaining items identified the type of items that may be most useful for a refined item bank. These results will inform the development of new items for a Spanish language-screening parent survey for preschool age children.     

老年妇女绝经后阴道流血的原因分析与治疗对策探讨

目的探讨分析老年妇女绝经后阴道流血的原因及治疗方案。方法回顾分析2007年1月-2011年12月我院接收的211例绝经后阴道流血及血性白带为主要症状的女性患者,排除因妊娠引起流血的病例,对其余患者进行妇科检查、经阴或腹部B超检查、TCT检查及宫腔镜下病理活检。观察分析所有患者的阴道流血的病因及病变程度。结果依据本组患者的各项检查及病理报告可分为：生殖器官炎症125例,子宫肌瘤18例,恶性肿瘤53例,其他15例。结论绝经早期阴道流血多数患者由生殖器官良性病变引起的,但随着绝经时间的延长,恶性程度越高,针对病因选取恰当的治疗方式才是行之有效的方案。     

再发骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折保守治疗患者出院后生存质量

目的：对比初次和再发骨质疏松性椎体压缩骨折(osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures,OVCFs)患者保 守治疗的生存质量,了解再次骨折对此类患者生存质量各方面的影响。方法：回顾性观察治疗OVCFs后出现再骨折 的患者30名(再骨折组)和同时期行保守治疗OVCFs后未发生再骨折的基本条件相似的患者30例(对照组),比较两组出 院后3个月时SF-36简明健康健康状况调查表的调查结果。结果：再骨折组治疗后的8个维度均不同程度较对照组变差 (均P<0.01)。结论：再骨折组患者的生存质量明显低于对照组,并且会进一步影响患者的心理预期、情绪和社会活动 的各个方面。     

扶正化瘀方增加毛细血管化肝窦内皮细胞窗孔结构

目的：体外实验探讨扶正化瘀方对毛细血管化肝窦内皮细胞(liver sinusoidal endothelial cells,LSECs)窗孔 变化的影响。方法：扶正化瘀方药物粉末以0.46 g/kg大鼠体质量的剂量配制成悬液,给予10只Sprague Dawley (SD)大 鼠灌胃,采取二次重复给药方式,1 h后心脏采血提取扶正化瘀方药物血清(扶正化瘀方组,n=10),同法以三蒸水灌 胃10只SD大鼠,提取血清作为对照血清(对照组,n=10)。两组血清均以10%的浓度配成培养基,以其培养体外传代 的LSECs,观察不同条件下体外传代的LSECs vWF和CD31的蛋白表达情况,并用电镜观察LSECs窗孔结构的变化。 结果：1)免疫细胞化学及Western印迹结果均显示：扶正化瘀方组体外传代的LSECs表达vWF和CD31蛋白均较对 照组明显下调,扶正化瘀方组vWF 和CD31的灰度值分别为0.548±0.020和0.262±0.010,对照组分别为0.845±0.090和 0.383±0.010,两组比较差异均有统计学意义(分别t=5.18,9.61,均P<0.05)。2)扫描电镜显示：对照组LSECs大部分窗 孔处于闭塞甚至消失状态,而扶正化瘀方组LSECs表面窗孔的数目明显增多、增大。结论：扶正化瘀方可抑制肝窦内 皮细胞vWF和CD31的表达,增加细胞表面的窗孔结构,具有潜在的逆转肝窦毛细血管化的作用。     

胎儿心肌致密化不全的超声心动图诊断与病理对比研究

目的：研究胎儿心肌致密化不全心肌病(ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy,NCCM)的产前超声心 动图诊断及其病理特征和心肌超微结构的特点。方法：2004年到2013年产前超声诊断9例胎儿NCCM,观察其产前超 声心动图表现,与产后超声心动图或尸体解剖进行对比,并取心肌组织进行病理检查,观察NCCM心肌超微结构特 点。结果：NCCM心肌的超声心动图表现为异常粗大的肌小梁、肌小梁隐窝和心肌非致密层厚度/致密层厚度≥2。 产前超声心动图诊断9例胎儿NCCM中,6例累及左心室,2例累及双心室,1例累及右心室。其中2例胎儿继续妊娠至 分娩,并经产后超声心动图证实,其他7例均选择终止妊娠并经尸体解剖病理证实,心肌组织活检显示NCCM心肌的 线粒体和肌小节发育不良、心肌纤维化。结论：通过产前超声心动图诊断NCCM是可行的。胎儿NCCM可以累及左 心室、右心室或两个心室。NCCM心肌的线粒体和肌小节成熟度低并伴有心肌纤维化。     

盐酸氨溴索双层片的制备及体外释放度研究

目的:制备盐酸氨溴索双层片并测定体外释放度。方法:采用正交设计筛选处方工艺,选择出最优处方,并采用紫外-可见分光光度法方法测定其体外释放度。结果:所制备盐酸氨溴索双层片的体外释放度符合要求。结论:本研究制备的盐酸氨溴索双层片工艺简单,质量稳定,适用于工业化生产。     

The relationship between healthy lifestyles and bone health: A narrative review

BackgroundBone health, especially osteoporosis among ageing populations, has become an important topic for both clinical and basic researchers. The relationship between bone health and healthy lifestyles has been frequently discussed. The present study focuses on the relationship between bone health and healthy lifestyles among older adults, based on a global comparison.MethodsThis narrative review was performed by collecting clinical trials, basic research and reviews on lifestyle and bone health in PubMed database.ResultsPositive effects of physical activity and negative effects of malnutrition, alcohol abuse, and cigarette smoking on bone health were revealed. The relationship between bone health and drinking coffee and tea is still inconclusive. Moreover, the diversity of each region should be aware when considering healthy lifestyles to improve bone health.ConclusionHealthy lifestyles are highly related to bone health, and different lifestyles may have different influences on regions with a high risk of bone diseases. It is practical to acknowledge the diversity of economic, religious, environmental and geological conditions in each region when providing suitable and effective recommendations for healthy lifestyles that can improve overall bone health.     

Evaluation of adalimumab biosimilar candidate (HS016) in Chinese patients with active ankylosing spondylitis based on a health survey: sub-analysis of a phase 3 study

Clinical Rheumatology - The equivalence of the biosimilar HS016 to adalimumab (Humira) for the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients has been previously validated. The aim was to...