Assessment of intracellular cytokines and regulatory cells in patients with autoimmune diseases and primary immunodeficiencies — Novel tool for diagnostics and patient follow-up

Serum and intracytoplasmic cytokines are mandatory in host defense against microbes, but also play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases by initiating and perpetuating various cellular and humoral autoimmune processes.     

SARS-CoV-2 Testing Before International Airline Travel,December 2020 to May 2021

Although there have been several case reports and simulation models of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission associated with air travel, there are limited data to guide testing strategy to minimize the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure and transmission onboard commercial aircraft. Among 9853 passengers with a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test performed within 72 hours of departure from December 2020 through May 2021, five (0.05%) passengers with active SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified with rapid antigen tests and confirmed with rapid molecular test performed before and after an international flight from the United States to Italy. This translates to a case detection rate of 1 per 1970 travelers during a time of high prevalence of active infection in the United States. A negative molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 within 72 hours of international airline departure results in a low probability of active infection identified on antigen testing during commercial airline flight.     

Nutritional intervention during maxillomandibular fixation of jaw fractures prevents weight loss and improves quality of life

Maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) for the management of jaw fractures leads to compromised nutritional intake and consequent weight loss and poor quality of life (QoL). The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based dietary plan to prevent weight loss, and its effect on the QoL of patients who underwent four weeks of MMF for the treatment of maxillofacial fractures. A total of 50 patients were randomised into nutritional intervention (Group1) and non-intervention groups (Group 2). Patients in Group1 were counselled by a dietitian and given a diet plan. Patients in Group 2 were advised to take a liquid diet of their own choice in the form of shakes, juices, and milk, along with protein supplements. Patients in Group1 lost significantly less weight than those in Group 2 (p=0.001) at week four of follow up. Group1 patients had significantly better oral health-related QoL in the ‘physical pain’ domain during the two weeks of MMF, and in the ‘physical discomfort’ and ‘psychological disability’ domains two weeks after the release of MMF. They had significantly better nutrition-related QoL in all the domains during the two weeks of MMF and, except for the ‘physical’ domain, also during the two weeks after its release. Individual home-based diet plans effectively helped the patients maintain their weight and improved QoL.     

Postpartum psychological distress after emergency team response during childbirth

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a protocol determining the relationship between emergency team response (ETR) during childbirth and acute stress disorder (ASD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Methods: In a prospective, observational, cohort design, women experiencing ETR during childbirth were approached and recruited on postpartum day-1 and followed for six weeks. Demographics, obstetric and birth characteristics, ASD scores and PTSD scores (by Impact of Events Scale, IES and PCL-civilian) were recorded. Recruitment and retention rates were recorded, and scores were compared to women who did not experience ETR.

Results: Three hundred sixty-nine were approached and 249 were enrolled (67.5% recruitment rate). One hundred twenty-five completed all procedures (50.2% retention). Twenty experienced ETR (3.5% event rate), 12 enrolled (60.0% recruitment rate) and 8 completed the study (66.7% retention). The ETR group had higher PCL and IES scores (PCL: ETR median 12, non-ETR median 2, p?=?.08; IES: ETR median 22.5, non-ETR median 20, p?=?.08). ASD scores were similar between groups.

Conclusions: Methodology investigating the link between ETR and postpartum psychological distress is feasible and acceptable. A relationship between ETR and PTSD symptoms appears to exist, with ETR being associated with higher PTSD scores compared to non-ETR childbirths. Methods that incorporate awareness of the unique concerns of vulnerable populations are needed.     

醒脑静联合纳洛酮注射液治疗急性重度酒精中毒疗效观察

目的:探讨醒脑静与纳洛酮联合应用治疗急性重度酒精中毒的临床疗效.方法:将150例急性重度酒精中毒患者随机分为三组,在常规支持治疗的基础上,A组给予小剂量纳洛酮,B组给予最大剂量纳洛酮,C组给予醒脑静联合最大剂量纳洛酮治疗,对比三组患者完全清醒时间以及药物的不良反应等临床治疗效果.结果:C组患者有效时间、显效时间、痊愈时间、出院时间最短,B组次之,A组时间最长,差异明显(P<0.05),具有统计学意义.C组患者心律失常发生率与B组无明显差异,恶心、呕吐等明显低于A组或B组,差异明显(P<0.05),具有统计学意义.结论:醒脑静联合大剂量纳洛酮治疗急性重度酒精中毒具有更好的临床效果,其酒精中毒症状消失时间进一步缩短,并在呕吐、恶心等并发症的发生上得到了很好的控制,发生率明显降低,值得首选使用.     

改良小骨窗与大骨瓣开颅血肿清除术治疗高血压脑出血的临床对比研究

目的 研究小骨窗开颅术与大骨瓣开颅术对高血压脑出血的治疗效果.方法 对2007至2011年间收治的80例高血压脑出血患者随机分为实验组和对照组各40例,实验组使用小骨窗开颅术,对照组使用大骨瓣开颅血肿清除术进行治疗,对两组患者治疗效果及并发症情况进行观察和比较.结果 对照组患者痊愈3例,显著改善22例,有效率62.5％；实验组痊愈5例,显著改善30例,有效率87.5％,实验组显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).实验组患者肺部感染发生率30％,显著低于对照组的52.5％(P＜ 0.05),其余并发症两组比较差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论小骨窗开颅术比大骨瓣开颅血肿清除术有更好的治疗效果而操作更简便,术后并发症更少,是一种理想的手术方案.