Total body water/fat-free mass ratio as a valuable predictive parameter for mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Hydration of fat-free mass (FFM), defined as the ratio of total body water (TBW) to FFM (TBW/FFM), is stable at 0.739 in adult mammals. However, an increase in the TBW/FFM ratio is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aimed to evaluate the determinants of TBW/FFM and investigate its predictive value for the prognosis of all-cause mortality in HD patients.We enrolled patients undergoing maintenance HD between July 2020 and May 2021. All patients were prospectively followed until death, HD dropout, or until the end of the study (November 1, 2021). A forward stepwise multivariable linear regression analyses was performed to test the independent relationship between TBW/FMM and other clinical variables. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to discriminate the TBW/FFM with respect to 180-day mortality.Of the 106 patients, 42 had elevated TBW/FFM levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the TBW/FFM ratio was significantly associated with extracellular water (ECW)/TBW (standardized regression coefficient [β = 1.131, P < .001], phase angle (PhA) [β = 0.453, P < .001], and sex (β = 0.440, P < .001). We calculated the ROC curve (AUC) of TBW/FFM, ECW, ECW/TBW, and intracellular water (ICW) to compare the discriminatory capacities of these parameters in predicting 180-day mortality. The AUC for TBW/FFM (AUC = 0.849; 95% CI, 0.745–0.953) exhibited better discriminatory potential than ECW (AUC = 0.562; 0.410–0.714), although it had a similar predictive potential as the ECW/TBW ratio (AUC = 0.831; 0.731–0.932). High TBW/FFM can be used as a valuable prognostic index for predicting all-cause mortality in patients on HD.     

Intraocular lens-blocking technique for intraocular foreign body removal

The aim of this study was to describe a novel technique for intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal. Phacoemulsification was performed in all patients, followed by a complete microincision vitrectomy to free all tissues surrounding the IOFB. A three-piece intraocular lens (IOL) was placed in the capsular bag, and an opening was made in the upper center of the capsule. The IOFB was removed and lifted to the anterior chamber through the capsular opening and IOL edge. The IOFB was confined to the anterior chamber by the IOL, and then easily extracted through the main corneal incision. The technique was adopted in six eyes of six patients. All IOFBs were removed successfully in all patients without intraoperative or postoperative complications. The IOL-blocking technique is a useful approach for IOFB removal.     

微型种植体支抗和XIVE种植体在牙列缺损修复中的临床应用

目的：探讨用微型种植体作为正畸支抗压低伸长磨牙,同时用XIVE种植体修复对（牙合）缺失牙的可行性.方法：选择7例下颌第一磨牙缺失,对颌牙伸长＞2.5mm种植修复的患者.在对颌伸长的第一磨牙的近中腭侧和远中颊侧各植入1枚微型种植体.用橡皮链挂在颊、腭侧的种植体上,以压低伸长的对颌牙齿,定期更换并进行临床检查.同时缺牙区植入XIVE种植体,常规种植治疗.结果：7例患者中,1枚微型种植钉松动脱落,余6例患者伸长牙平均压低3mm,平均压低时间为5个月,经种植修复后均获得满意的临床效果.结论：针对下颌第一磨牙缺失对颌牙伸长较多的病例,微型种植体支抗和种植体的联合应用,能达到良好的修复效果.     

玻璃体切除联合不同手术方式治疗晶状体脱位于玻璃体腔的疗效观察

目的探讨玻璃体切除联合不同手术方式治疗晶状体脱位于玻璃体腔的临床疗效。方法眼外伤、白内障手术中并发症和马凡综合征及不明原因所造成的晶状体脱位于玻璃体腔的患者27例(29只眼),采用玻璃体切除联合不同的手术方式取出晶状体,包括标准睫状体扁平部三通道闭合式玻璃体切除联合晶状体切除术、玻璃体切除联合晶状体超声粉碎术、玻璃体切除联合应用全氟化碳液体角膜缘切口取出晶状体术等。结果29只眼脱位于玻璃体腔之晶状体均被成功地取出,视力均有不同程度的提高。8只眼矫正视力恢复至≥0.3,7只眼继发性青光眼,手术后除1只眼需局部用降眼压药外,眼压均得到控制;6只眼伴有视网膜脱离者,联合视网膜复位手术,使其复位成功;10只眼同期行人工晶状体睫状沟缝线固定。29只眼无1例发生严重并发症。结论脱位于玻璃体腔之晶状体如果长期存留将会产生多种较为严重的并发症,因此,在高眼压和炎症反应得到基本控制的前提下,根据不同情况,应用玻璃切除手术联合不同的手术方式,尽早及时地取出脱位于玻璃体腔之晶状体,对视功能的恢复和减少并发症的发生有着重要的临床治疗价值。     

Differences between Four Skinfold Calipers in the Assessment of Adipose Tissue in Young Adult Healthy Population

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the validity of four different skinfold calipers, as well as to establish the differences between them in a healthy young adult population. Methods: The present study followed a cross-sectional design, including 138 participants, with 69 males (21.46 ± 2.52 years) and 69 females (22.19 ± 2.85 years). The measurement protocol included basic measurements of body mass and stretch stature and eight skinfolds with a Harpenden, Holtain, Slim Guide, and Lipowise. The ∑6 and ∑8 skinfolds and fat mass were calculated. The order in which the skinfold calipers were used was randomized. Results: No significant differences were found in either the Σ6 and Σ8 skinfolds or masses and fat percentages calculated with the skinfolds obtained with the different calipers (p > 0.05), and the inclusion of the covariates of sex, BMI, and hydration status of the participants showed no effect on the differences. The Bland–Altman test showed significant differences between the calipers (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It has been observed that the analyzed calipers have shown validity for the assessment of adiposity-related variables in a male and female sample of non-overweight, young healthy adults, but they are not interchangeable with each other when the assessment is meant to be compared over time or with other samples.     

Long-Term Effect of Gluten-Free Diets on Nutritional Status,Body Composition,and Associated Factors in Adult Saudi Females with Celiac Disease

This cross-sectional study examines the influence of long-term gluten-free diet (GFD) consumption on nutritional status, body composition, and associated factors in adult Saudi females with celiac diseases (CD). Fifty-one patients who have been diagnosed with CD and have been on GFD for more than 1 year were included in this study where data regarding their dietary pattern, as well as a complete analysis of their anthropometric parameters, vitamins B12 and D levels, and complete blood count (CBC), were collected. Data have shown that all included patients showed a reduced intake in all micro and macro-nutrients, as well as vitamin D, folate, calcium, and iron. However, the vast majority of all measured hematological parameters and blood indices were within the expected reference range. In addition, 51%, 43.1%, and 60.8% of the patients showed low waist/hip ratio (WHR), decreased level of total body fat (BF), and decreased level of visceral fat (VF), respectively, whereas 33.3% were slim. The poor educational level and some psychosocial factors were associated with the poor nutritional status of the patients. In conclusion, the GFD-dependent intake by female patients with CD adversely affects their nutritional intake and anthropometric indices and leads to a deficiency in major nutrients, vitamins, and ions.     

Framing Concerns about Body Image during Pre- and Post-Surgical Consultations for Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Study of Patient–Physician Interactions

Patients with head and neck cancer report high unmet psychosocial needs as they undergo lifesaving treatments that can significantly alter their appearance and cause functional impairments. This qualitative analysis of recordings of 88 pre- and post-surgical consultations involving 20 patients respond to the need for empirical studies of patient–provider conversations about body image concerns. It indicates that the emphasis on concerns about survival, cure, and physical recovery during clinical consultations may leave concerns about the impacts of surgery on appearance and function unexplored and even silenced. The interviews with patients and medical team members that complement the analysis of the recordings suggest that an emphasis on survival, cure, and physical recovery can respond to the need for reassurance in the context of serious illness. However, it can also be problematic as it contributes to the silencing of patients’ concerns and to a potential lack of preparedness for the consequences of surgery. The results of this study can contribute to raising surgeons’ awareness of the interactional dynamics during clinical consultations. Moreover, the results highlight the unique role that surgeons can play in validating patients’ psychosocial concerns to support patients’ rehabilitation in both physical and psychosocial domains.     

螺旋CT对气管支气管异物和狭窄的诊断价值

目的：探讨螺旋CT（MSCT）对气管、支气管异物和狭窄的诊断价值。方法：对18例可疑支气管异物的患儿进行MSCT检查。将获得的轴位扫描图像行Minp及MPR重建,并与支气管镜检查结果对照。结果：MSCT显示异物15例,21枚,其中1例异物CT值为278HU,其余14例CT值为-10．6～31．0HU;位于主支气管6例,叶支气管9例,其中并发段支气管异物4例。支气管炎性狭窄2例,异物取出后气道狭窄1例。异物及气管狭窄的显示以MPR和Minp图像最好。支气管镜所见与MSCT一致,但4例并发段支气管异物者未发现。MSCT所见不仅与支气管镜吻合,而且可准确显示段支气管以下的异物。结论：MSCT可准确显示气管、支气管异物与狭窄的直接和间接征象,并较准确地判定异物性质,对小儿支气管异物的诊断有重要参考价值。     

包涵体肌炎的临床与病理特点(附2例报告)

目的 探讨包涵体肌炎的临床与病理特点。方法 对2例包涵体肌炎患者的临床表现、肌肉组织化学、酶组织化学和超微结构等资料进行分析。结果 本组2例患者分别于41岁及54岁发病,均以双下肢无力起病,远端重于近端,并逐渐向上肢发展;血清肌酶轻～中度升高;肌电图示肌源性损害;肌肉活检光镜下主要表现为肌纤维内出现镶边空泡,少数变性坏死纤维,伴炎性细胞浸润。电镜观察证实肌浆内有大量涡轮状髓样小体及管状细丝包涵体。结论 包涵体肌炎临床表现缺乏特异性,肌肉病理学检查是诊断包涵体肌炎的重要手段。     

基才网络环境的远程数字人体中医脉诊智能诊断系统

本文主要阐述了中医学脉诊原理,分析了脉诊数字化的可行性,描述了数字脉诊诊断系统的设计方案及进行家庭远程诊断的设想,并对该系统的应用前景作了展望。