Self-reported outcomes of a randomized trial comparing three community health worker interventions for diabetes prevention among Cambodian Americans with depression

ObjectiveCambodian Americans have complex, interrelated and persistent medical and mental health problems stemming from genocide and the social determinants of health. We examined changes in multiple domains of self-reported health outcomes from a diabetes prevention trial. Methods: Cambodian Americans with depression and high risk for diabetes (n = 188) were randomized to one of three community health worker interventions: lifestyle vs lifestyle plus medication therapy management vs social services. Assessments were at baseline, 12- and 15-months. Results: The typical participant was 55 years old, female, earned below $20,000 annually, and had 7 years of education. About one-third were taking antidepressant medication and over half had elevated depressive symptoms. Relative to social services, lifestyle and lifestyle plus medication therapy management were both similarly effective at increasing diabetes knowledge, nutrition habits, sleep quality and decreasing pain; 2) lifestyle alone was superior to social services for self-reported health; and, 3) all three groups showed improved anxiety and insomnia. There were no effects on physical activity or physical functioning. Conclusion: Community health worker interventions have multiple benefits beyond delaying diabetes. Practice Implications: Health promotion programs that are designed and delivered appropriately can impact even hard to reach and hard to treat groups.     

Assessment of the uterine dose in digital mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis

IntroductionDigital Mammography (DM-2D) and more recently Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), are two of the most effective imaging modalities for breast cancer detection, often used in screening programmes. It may happen that exams using these two imaging modalities are inadvertently performed to pregnant women. The objective of this study is to assess the dose in the uterus due to DM-2D and DBT exams, according to two main irradiation scenarios: in the 1st scenario the exposure parameters were pre-selected directly by the imaging system, while in the 2nd scenario, the maximum exposure parameters were chosen.MethodsThe mammography equipment used was a Siemens Mammomat Inspiration. A physical anthropomorphic phantom, PMMA plates (simulating a breast thickness of 6 cm) and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were used to measure entrance air kerma values on the phantom's breast and abdomen in order to successively estimate the mean glandular dose (MGD) and the dose in the uterus. For the two irradiation scenarios chosen, two-breast imaging modalities were selected: 1) DBT in Cranio-Caudal (CC) view (with 28 kV and 160 mAs as exposure parameters), 2) DBT and DM in Medio Lateral-Oblique (MLO) and CC views (with 34 kV and 250 mAs as exposure parameters).ResultsIn the 1st scenario, the TLD measurements did not detect significant dose values in the abdomen whereas the MGD estimated using the D.R. Dance model was in close agreement with data available in the literature. In the 2nd scenario, there was no significant difference in MGD estimation between the different views, whereas the air kerma values in the abdomen (in DBT mode, CC and MLO) were 0.049 mGy and 0.004 mGy respectively. In CC DM-2D mode the abdomen air kerma value was 0.026 mGy, with no significant detected value in MLO view.ConclusionsFor the dose in the uterus, the obtained values seem to indicate that DM-2D and DBT examinations inadvertently performed during pregnancy do not pose a significant radiological risk, even considering the case of overexposure in both breasts.Implications for practiceThe accurate knowledge of the doses in DM-2D and DBT will contribute to raise the awareness among medical practitioners involved in breast imaging empowering them to provide accurate information about dose levels in the uterus, improving their radiation risk communication skills and consequently helping to reduce the anxiety of pregnant women undergoing this type of examinations.     

Stress Testing Versus CT Angiography in Patients With Diabetes and Suspected Coronary Artery Disease

Background

The optimal noninvasive test (NIT) for patients with diabetes and stable symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown.

Review of the environmental prenatal exposome and its relationship to maternal and fetal health

Environmental chemicals comprise a major portion of the human exposome, with some shown to impact the health of susceptible populations, including pregnant women and developing fetuses. The placenta and cord blood serve as important biological windows into the maternal and fetal environments. In this article we review how environmental chemicals (defined here to include man-made chemicals [e.g., flame retardants, pesticides/herbicides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances], toxins, metals, and other xenobiotic compounds) contribute to the prenatal exposome and highlight future directions to advance this research field. Our findings from a survey of recent literature indicate the need to better understand the breadth of environmental chemicals that reach the placenta and cord blood, as well as the linkages between prenatal exposures, mechanisms of toxicity, and subsequent health outcomes. Research efforts tailored towards addressing these needs will provide a more comprehensive understanding of how environmental chemicals impact maternal and fetal health.     

Immunization with BLS-Stx2B chimera totally protects dams from early pregnancy loss induced by Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) and confers anti-Stx2 immunity to the offspring

Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are bacterial pathogens involved in food-borne diseases. Shiga toxin (Stx) is the main virulence factor of STEC and is responsible for systemic complications including Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). It has been previously demonstrated that Shiga toxin type 2 (Stx2) induces pregnancy loss in rats in early stage of pregnancy. The main purpose of this study was to determine if an active immunization prevents Stx2 mediated pregnancy loss and confers passive protective immunity to the offspring. For that purpose Sprague Dawley female rats were immunized with the chimera based on the enzyme lumazine synthase from Brucella spp. (BLS) and the B subunit of Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2B) named BLS-Stx2B. After immunization females were mated with males. At day 8 of gestation, dams were challenged intraperitoneally with a sublethal and abortifacient dose of Stx2. The immunization induced high anti-Stx2B-specific antibody titers in sera and most important, prevented pregnancy loss. Pups born and breastfeed by immunized dams had high anti-Stx2B-specific antibody titers in sera. Cross-fostering experiments indicated that passive protective immunity against Stx2 was transmitted through lactation. These results indicate that immunization of adult female rats with BLS-Stx2B prevents Stx2-induced pregnancy loss and confers anti Stx2 protective immunity to the offspring.     

正念减压疗法对妊娠呕吐妇女负性情绪和生活质量的影响

目的 探析正念减压疗法对妊娠呕吐妇女负性情绪和生活质量的影响。 方法 将2017年5月-2018年5月在我院治疗的90例妊娠呕吐妇女纳入本研究,采用数字表法随机分成研究组和对照组,每组各45例。对照组接受宣教,研究组在对照组上实施正念减压疗法。分别于入组时、干预4周和干预8周采用焦虑自评量表(self-rating anxiety scale,SAS)、抑郁自评量表(self-rating depression scale,SDS)、生活质量综合评定问卷(generic quality of life inventory-74,GQOLI-74)进行评估,比较2组妊娠呕吐妇女负性情绪和生活质量。 结果 2组SAS、SDS评分及生活质量综合评定问卷总分在组间效应、时间效应及交互效应上差异具统计学意义。 结论 妊娠呕吐妇女进行正念减压疗法,能够显著减轻妊娠呕吐妇女负性情绪和提高生活质量,值得在临床上广泛应用。     

运用六经辨证治疗子嗽探析

妊娠期间,咳嗽不已,称"妊娠咳嗽",亦称"子嗽",孕妇咳嗽日久未见好转,咳嗽胸痛甚则咳而呕吐,或咳嗽剧烈或久咳不愈,可损伤胎气,导致堕胎、小产。笔者运用六经辨证治疗外感型中表寒里热证子嗽,认为此类患者病在太阳阳明,属于寒热错杂之表寒里热,采用《伤寒论》中方证麻杏甘石汤合止嗽散,使热从外泄,宣发卫气,散寒不助热、解表不伤正,故辨证论治取得了显著的疗效。同时子嗽治疗还需注意健脾固肾安胎,应将顾护胎元贯穿治疗妊娠咳嗽的始终。     

Hypertension is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: a cohort study

Abstract

Background

Comorbidities are commonly seen in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but the clinical implication is not yet well-delineated. We aim to characterize the prevalence and clinical implications of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19.