Associations Between Complex PCI and Prasugrel or Clopidogrel Use in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Undergo PCI: From the PROMETHEUS Study

Background

Potent P2Y₁₂ inhibitors might offer enhanced benefit against thrombotic events in complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We examined prasugrel use and outcomes according to PCI complexity, as well as analyzing treatment effects according to thienopyridine type.

Phenotype classification using the combination of lung sound analysis and fractional exhaled nitric oxide for evaluating asthma treatment

Background

We report the utility of combining lung sound analysis and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) for phenotype classification of airway inflammation in patients with bronchial asthma.We investigated the usefulness of the combination of the expiration-to-inspiration sound power ratio in the mid-frequency range (E/I MF) of 200–400 Hz and FeNO for comprehensively classifying disease type and evaluating asthma treatment.

Immediate and early discharge for patients with exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: is there a role in “real life”?

An exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common respiratory condition necessitating admission to hospital. Many of these are relatively mild in nature and as a consequence, there is increasing interest in immediate and early discharge of patients with nonsevere exacerbations. Following initial assessment, “hospital at home” or “assisted discharge” schemes enable suitable patients with COPD to be discharged into the community earlier than normally anticipated. The putative implication is that substantial financial savings can be made in addition to increasing the availability of in-patient beds, without compromising patient care or satisfaction. We highlight the current literature which has evaluated the role of hospital at home and assisted discharge schemes and discuss our own “real life” service operating in a large teaching hospital in Scotland.     

Control of cardiac myofilament activation and PKC-betaII signaling through the actin capping protein, CapZ

Actin capping protein (CapZ) anchors the barbed ends of sarcomeric actin to the Z-disc. Myofilaments from transgenic mice (TG-CapZ) expressing a reduced amount of CapZ demonstrate altered function and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling [Pyle WG, Hart MC, Cooper JA, Sumandea MP, de Tombe PP, and Solaro RJ., Circ. Res. 90 (2002) 1299-306]. The aims of the current study were to determine the direct effects of CapZ on myofilament function and on PKC signaling to the myofilaments. Our studies compared mechanical properties of single myocytes from TG-CapZ mouse hearts to wild-type myocytes from which CapZ was extracted using PIP(2). We found that myofilaments from CapZ-deficient transgenic myocardium exhibited increased Ca(2+) sensitivity and maximum isometric tension. The extraction of CapZ from wild-type myofilaments replicated the increase in maximum isometric tension, but had no effect on myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that the extraction of CapZ was associated with a reduction in myofilament-associated PKC-beta(II) and that CapZ-deficient transgenic myofilaments also lacked PKC-beta(II). Treatment of wild-type myofilaments with recombinant PKC-beta(II) reduced myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity, whereas this effect was attenuated in myofilaments from TG-CapZ mice. Our results indicate that cardiac CapZ directly controls maximum isometric tension generation, and establish CapZ as an important component in anchoring PKC-beta(II) at the myofilaments, and for mediating the effects of PKC-beta(II) on myofilament function.     

银质针对腰椎间盘突出症镇痛作用及其对血浆β-内啡肽的影响

目的:观察银质针对腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)的镇痛作用及其对血浆β-内啡肽(β-EP)的影响。方法:72例LDH患者分为观察组38例和对照组34例,观察组采用银质针治疗,对照组采用常规电针治疗。结果:治疗10d后,观察组MPQ疼痛评分中选词阳性项目数、PRI感觉分、PRI总分、VAS及PPI评分均明显高于对照组(均P<0.01),而PRI情绪分2组间比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后观察组的镇痛起效时间明显早于对照组,镇痛维持时间明显长于对照组(均P<0.01);2组即刻和远期的VAS评分均较治疗前明显下降(均P<0.01),且观察组较对照组下降更显著(P<0.01);2组β-内啡肽含量与治疗前比较均上升(均P<0.01),且观察组上升更明显(P<0.01)。结论:银质针可提高LDH患者血浆β-EP活性,具有良好的即时和远期镇痛效应,且维持时间长。     

What is the rate of COVID-19 infection in a population seeking oral health care?

BackgroundAlthough rates of COVID-19 have remained low among US dentists, the authors aimed to determine the risk of there being COVID-19 in patients seeking oral health care.MethodsThe authors performed a retrospective chart review of all emergency department consultations from June 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. They used Pearson correlation coefficients to compare rates with citywide prevalence (P < .05).ResultsThe authors located 203 encounters with 149 tests and 10 cases of COVID-19. Cases were strongly correlated with the citywide positivity rate (r = 0.9147; P = .0039). All patients who tested positive were asymptomatic and afebrile, and one-half (50%) visited a dentist within a week of consultation.ConclusionsThe rate of COVID-19 in a population seeking oral health care reflects the community positivity rate. Asymptomatic or presymptomatic patients pose risks to providers, staff members, and other patients.Practical ImplicationsDentists should remain vigilant during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, even with vaccination rollout. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains an accessible website with easy access to each state’s positivity rate and caseload.     

推拿局部镇痛机制的概述

既往对推拿镇痛的研究多集中在脊髓或中枢水平对疼痛的调制方面,而中医经筋疾病的治疗原则是"以痛为腧",在患者的局部给予推拿治疗后,其疼痛往往能够得到减轻或消除,而其局部的某些物质究竟发生了如何的变化值得研究者进行观察,本研究就是探讨推拿手法与局部镇痛物质和致痛物质之间的关系,为中医"以痛为腧"的理论提供客观的依据。     

带锁髓内钉并骨折端小钢板治疗股骨干骨折不愈合和延迟愈合15例临床分析

目的探讨使用交锁髓内钉并骨折端局部小钢板治疗股骨不愈合和延迟愈合的临床疗效。方法对股骨骨折不愈合及延迟愈合患者15例均采用有限切口切开复位顺行扩髓,静力锁定,骨折端应用小钢板加植骨治疗。结果所有病例均获随访,时间为11～24个月(平均18个月),骨折均达到骨性愈合,愈合时间为7～23个月。结论交锁髓内钉加骨折端钢板固定并植骨治疗骨不愈合及延迟愈合具有固定牢靠,利于关节早期活动,促进骨愈合等优点,值得推荐使用。