The epidemiology of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in the United States between 2010-2020: a population-based study

Introduction and objectivesNon-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can progress to liver cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is the second leading cause of liver transplant in the US. We aim to investigate the prevalence, demographics and risk factors NASH patients in the US.Patients and methodsWe used a large database (Explorys IBM) that aggregates electronic health records from 26 nationwide healthcare systems. We identified adults with NASH between 2010-2020. Demographics including age, gender and race were collected. NASH risk factors including Diabetes Millets (DM), Hyperlipidemia (HLD), Hypertension (HTN) and Obesity were also collected. Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess the statistical significance of year-by-year trend. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of risk factors.ResultsNASH annual prevalence rate increased from 1.51% in 2010 to 2.79% in 2020 (p < 0.0001). The proportion of patients with NASH by gender was 54.1% female vs 45.9% male (OR 1.04 [0.91-1.11]). Caucasian had higher odds of NASH than non-Caucasian (OR 1.42 [1.31-1.54]). NASH is strongly associated with DM and obesity (OR 18.61 [17.35-19.94]) and (OR 20.97 [17.87-23.21]), respectively. Other components of metabolic syndrome were associated with NASH to a lesser degree; HTN (OR 3.24 [3.20-3.28]) and HLD (OR 4.93 [4.85-4.01]).ConclusionThe prevalence of NASH has significantly increased in the US in the last decade. This is likely related to the increased prevalence of risk factors as well as increased awareness of the disease.     

智慧医疗在居家安宁疗护中的研究现状

居家安宁疗护(HBPC)是安宁疗护的服务模式之一,智慧医疗作为一种新兴的信息技术,为HBPC高质量发展提供了新的契机。目前国内外已有研究报道将智慧医疗应用至HBPC中能够取得较好的效果,本文围绕智慧医疗的概念,对HBPC的应用形式、应用效果、应用困境及对策进行综述,旨在为我国医务人员在HBPC中深入开展智慧医疗照护模式提供参考依据。     

晚期癌症患者痛苦体验：一项丧失与疏离死亡相关的质性研究

目的 深入了解晚期癌症患者痛苦体验,为制定个体化的干预措施提供依据。方法 采用描述性现象学的方法,进行目的性抽样,于2022年4月至6月对湖南省某三级肿瘤专科医院的安宁疗护病房的15例晚期癌症患者进行半结构式深度访谈。采用Colaizzi 7步分析法对资料的分析、归纳与主题提炼。结果 晚期癌症患者痛苦体验可分为3个主题、9个亚主题:丧失相关痛苦(自我完整性丧失、自我尊严感丧失、自我价值感丧失、生命意义丧失);疏离相关痛苦(社会关系疏离、情感联结疏离);死亡相关痛苦(想到死亡充满恐惧、面对死亡不安焦虑、期待死亡结束痛苦)。结论 晚期癌症患者的痛苦体验涵盖丧失、疏离、死亡多个维度,具有多样性和个体性,应提供有针对性的干预措施,从而提高其生活质量。     

Toward Accurate Clinical Spasticity Assessment: Validation of Movement Speed and Joint Angle Assessments Using Smartphones and Camera Tracking

ObjectiveTo investigate whether a three-dimensional (3-D) camera (Microsoft Kinect) and a smartphone can be used to accurately quantify the joint angular velocity and range of motion (ROM) compared to a criterion-standard 3-D motion analysis system during a lower limb spasticity assessment.DesignObservational, criterion-standard comparison study.SettingLarge rehabilitation center.ParticipantsA convenience sample of 35 controls, 35 patients with a neurologic condition, and 34 rehabilitation professionals (physiotherapists and rehabilitation doctors) participated (N=104).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasuresThe Modified Tardieu Scale was used to assess spasticity of the quadriceps, hamstrings, soleus, and gastrocnemius. Data for each trial were collected concurrently using the criterion-standard Optitrack 3-D motion analysis (3DMA) system, Microsoft Kinect, and a smartphone. Each healthy control participant was assessed by 1 health professional and each patient with a neurological condition was assessed by 3 health professionals. Spearman correlation coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient with 95% confidence intervals were used to report the strength of the relationships investigated.ResultsThe smartphone and Microsoft Kinect demonstrated excellent concurrent validity with the 3DMA system. Overall, 74.8% of the relationships investigated demonstrated a very strong (≥0.80) correlation across all of the testing parameters. The Microsoft Kinect was superior to the smartphone for measuring joint start and end angle, the smartphone was superior for measuring joint angular velocity, and the 2 systems were comparable for measuring total joint ROM.ConclusionsThese findings provide preliminary evidence that user-friendly, low-cost technologies can be used to facilitate accurate measurements of joint angular velocity and angles during a lower limb spasticity assessment in a clinical setting.     

Effects of Kinesio Taping on postural balance in patients with low back pain,a randomized controlled trial

Purpose: to identify postural balance changes in subjects with low back pain after the application of Kinesio Taping, which is then compared to a no treatment control group, using baropodometric evaluation. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 50 individuals (both sexes) with chronic low back pain. They were then randomized into two groups: an experimental group - EG (treated with Kinesio Taping in the lumbar region) and a control group - CG (no intervention). Both groups underwent a baropodometric evaluation (mean plantar pressure, peak plantar pressure, plantar surface, mass distribution on right foot and left foot, mass distribution on forefoot and rear foot and base width) at four different moments: pre-intervention, 10 minutes, 48 hours, and 10 days after the intervention on the EG. The level of statistical significance was established at 5%. Results: Significant changes were observed in the EG compared to the CG. In the EG, peak pressure reduced on both right and left foot after Kinesio Taping application; the right base width was reduced, and the mass distribution between the forefoot and the rear foot normalized towards the ideal 50% distribution. These changes happened 48 hours after the Kinesio Taping application, with effects lasting up to 10 days. Conclusion: The use of Kinesio Taping in the lumbar region of subjects with chronic low back pain improved postural balance. This is proved by changes in peak plantar pressure, plantar surface, and mass distribution 48 h after Kinesio Taping application, with effects lasting up to 10 days.     

高层次科技人才创新能力评价及预测模式研究

高层次人才的引进可以迅速增强高校科研实力,缩短培养时间,但引进成本高昂,因此,必须加强高层次科研人才引进时的科学评价.本文阐述了评价高层次科研人才的主要指标,结合高层次科研人才的年龄、科研年龄等提出了科研业绩与人才未来科研贡献预测的定量评价模型,并对评价模型进行了运用说明.     

电感耦合等离子体发射光谱（ICP）检测电生理导管可沥滤物的试验方法研究

本文采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法检测电生理导管中四种可沥滤物：硫酸钡,颜料黄53,颜料棕24和二氧化钛的含量。经方法验证,该方法校准曲线线性良好,线性范围达4~6个数量级;检出限极低,小于0.1μg/mL;回收率达到95%~103%;实验室内检测变异系数小于3%。该方法可同步测量多种超低痕量金属元素,大大减少了样品预处理和样品使用量,具有实用性和经济性,值得推广使用。     

Comparison of emergent versus elective laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for patients with or without nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with common bile duct stones

Background

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has already been established for the treatment of patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) in elective situations. However, the effect of emergent LCBDE on those patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of emergent LCBDE on patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with CBDS admitted from January 2009 to December 2012 were included for this retrospective study. LCBDE of transductal approach for CBDS was performed to all patients. Thirty-seven patients underwent emergent LCBDE for nonsevere acute cholangitis and 35 patients underwent elective LCBDE. Duration of the procedure, complications, retained stone of bile duct, hospital stay, and total charges were compared between the two groups. In addition, the characteristics of patients underwent emergent LCBDE were also compared before and after surgery.

Results

There was no significant difference with regard to the diameter of common bile duct and number of CBDS from imaging and/or operative findings between the two groups. There was no conversion to open common bile duct exploration, no major bile duct injuries, and no mortality in both the group of patients. There was no significant difference in patients with or without acute or chronic cholecystitis, duration of surgery, overall hospital stay (16.41 ± 1.03 versus 14.54 ± 0.94, P > 0.05), and total charges (18,603 ± 1774.64 versus 14,951 ± 1257.09 Yuan in renminbi, P > 0.05) between the two groups. Four cases with retained stones were found in patients with emergent LCBDE and two in elective LCBDE patients. There were four cases of biliary leak in patients with emergent LCBDE and three cases in elective LCBDE group, respectively. However, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The biliary leak was cured postoperatively after drainage. Control of septic symptoms was achieved in all patients after emergent LCBDE.

Conclusions

Our data indicated that emergent LCBDE is as safe and effective as elective LCBDE for the treatment of patients with nonsevere acute cholangitis complicated with CBDS.     

Circadian fluctuations in three types of sensory modules in healthy subjects

This study was designed to observe and compare the circadian fluctuations in tactile sense, joint reposition sense and two-point discrimination in healthy subjects. Twenty-one healthy adult subjects received perceptual ability tests through these three different sensory modules at approximately 9：00, 13：00 and 18：00 in a day. The distribution of ranking for perceptual ability was significantly different among the three different time points in each individual, with highest perceptual ability in the evening compared with noon and morning, in terms of tactile sense and two-point discrimination. These findings suggest that the perceptual ability of healthy subjects fluctuates according to the time points in a day.