Natural history of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms

ObjectivesElucidating critical aortic diameters at which natural complications (rupture, dissection, and death) occur is of paramount importance to guide timely surgical intervention. Natural history knowledge for descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is sparse. Our small early studies recommended repairing descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms before a critical diameter of 7.0 cm. We focus exclusively on a large number of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms followed over time, enabling a more detailed analysis with greater granularity across aortic sizes.MethodsAortic diameters and long-term complications of 907 patients with descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms were reviewed. Growth rates (instrumental variables approach), yearly complication rates, 5-year event-free survival (Kaplan–Meier), and risk of complications as a function of aortic height index (aortic diameter [centimeters]/height [meters]) (competing-risks regression) were calculated.ResultsEstimated mean growth rate of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms was 0.19 cm/year, increasing with increasing aortic size. Median size at acute type B dissection was 4.1 cm. Some 80% of dissections occurred below 5 cm, whereas 93% of ruptures occurred above 5 cm. Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm diameter 6 cm or greater was associated with a 19% yearly rate of rupture, dissection, or death. Five-year complication-free survival progressively decreased with increasing aortic height index. Hazard of complications showed a 6-fold increase at an aortic height index of 4.2 or greater compared with an aortic height index of 3.0 to 3.5 (P < .05). The probability of fatal complications (aortic rupture or death) increased sharply at 2 hinge points: 6.0 and 6.5 cm.ConclusionsAcute type B dissections occur frequently at small aortic sizes; thus, prophylactic size-based surgery may not afford a means for dissection protection. However, fatal complications increase dramatically at 6.0 cm, suggesting that preemptive intervention before that criterion can save lives.     

Does newborn screening improve early lung function in cystic fibrosis?

Despite evidence showing an improvement in nutritional outcomes following diagnosis by newborn screening (NBS) for cystic fibrosis (CF), the impact on pulmonary outcomes has been less clear. In this review the approaches to measurement of early lung function and knowledge gained from NBS CF cohorts will be described. Studies which have compared outcomes in those diagnosed by NBS to those diagnosed following symptomatic presentation will be presented. Compiling the evidence base used to evaluate the impact of NBS on pulmonary outcomes has been complicated by improvements in clinical management, infection control practices, as well as public health interventions (such as tobacco smoking bans in public places) that have evolved substantially over recent decades. Forced expiratory volumes have been used as the main outcome but it is important not to draw conclusions for ‘early lung function’ from tests such as spirometry alone, which lack sensitivity in early lung disease. There is, at present, insufficient evidence to draw firm conclusions about the effect of NBS on early lung function. In an era of highly effective treatments targeting the underlying molecular defect responsible for CF, future opportunities for early initiation of treatment may mean that the impact of NBS on early lung function may yet to be realised.     

乌鲁木齐市维吾尔族、汉族住院患者胰岛素抵抗状态下多种危险因素分析

目的探讨乌鲁木齐市住院患者维吾尔族和汉族胰岛素抵抗(IR)状态下多种危险因素分布特点。方法来自内科住院病人219例,均进行葡萄糖糖耐量试验和胰岛素释放试验,运用稳态模式法评价胰岛素抵抗对维吾尔族、汉族多种危险因素分布的影响。结果维吾尔族胰岛素抵抗组体重和腰臀比大于维吾尔族对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);汉族胰岛素抵抗组总胆固醇(TC)和低密度脂蛋白(LDLC)高于汉族对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。维吾尔族胰岛素抵抗组体重、体质指数(BMI)和腰围大于汉族胰岛素抵抗组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。维吾尔族体质指数明显高于汉族人群,即非胰岛素抵抗组维吾尔族高于汉族(26.84±4.19 vs25.52±3.19)kg/m2,(P0.05),胰岛素抵抗组维吾尔族高于汉族(27.77±3.60 vs 26.09±3.68)kg/m2(P0.05)。多个危险因素(Logistic回归分析)分析发现糖尿病、高血压、总胆固醇和甘油三酯与胰岛素抵抗呈正相关(P0.01)。高密度脂蛋白(HDLC)与胰岛素抵抗呈负相关(P0.01)。结论在乌鲁木齐市住院患者胰岛素抵抗人群中,维吾尔族以肥胖为主,汉族以胆固醇升高为主。糖尿病、高血压和血脂异常与胰岛素抵抗密切相关。     

Associations between serum amino acids and incident type 2 diabetes in Chinese rural adults

Background and aimsSome amino acids (AAs) may be associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This study aimed to determine the associations of individual AAs with the development of T2DM in rural Chinese adults.Methods and resultsA cohort study of 1199 individuals aged 18 years or older was conducted from 2006 to 2008 in a rural community of Deqing, China, a repeated survey was done in 2015 and data linkage with the electronic health records system was performed each year for identifying new T2DM cases. A high-performance liquid chromatography approach was used to measure the baseline serum concentrations of 15 AAs. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations between AAs and the risk of incident T2DM. A total of 98 new T2DM cases were identified during the follow-up of 12 years on average. Among 15 AAs, proline was associated with an increased risk of incident T2DM after adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, family history of T2DM, smoking status, alcohol use, and history of hypertension, the adjusted hazard ratio for 1-standard deviation increment was 1.20 (95% confidence interval: 1.00, 1.43). The association tended to be more marked in subjects younger than 60 years and overweight/obese subjects. Among participants without hypertension, proline and phenylalanine were associated with an increased risk of incident T2DM, while aspartic acid was associated with a decreased risk.ConclusionSerum proline was associated with the risk of incident T2DM in rural Chinese adults and might be a potential predictor.     

Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi effects on physical activity and body composition in breast cancer survivors: A pilot study

BackgroundBreast cancer survivors (BCS), particularly Latina BCS, experience weight gain and reduced physical activity (PA) post-treatment increasing the risk for recurrence. There is a lack of evidence on the intensity and type of PA needed to engage cultural subgroups and improve clinical outcomes. This study developed and piloted two non-traditional PA interventions among a diverse sample of BCS.MethodsTwenty BCS (65% Latina; age 25–75) participated in a 2-arm parallel group-randomized pilot study to test the effects of an 8-week Latin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi intervention on PA and body composition. A seven-day pedometer protocol was used to measure steps/week and a bioelectric impedence scale was used to assess BMI and %body fat. T-tests were used to examine preliminary outcomes across both interventions and within intervention arms.ResultsThere were no significant changes in steps/week, BMI, or %body fat across or in each separate intervention. A small effect size for increase in steps/day was found among participants in the Qigong/Tai Chi arm (0.10) and low-to-moderate effect sizes for reductions in % body fat overall (0.36), and separately for participants in Latin dance (0.26) and Qigong/Tai Chi (0.46).ConclusionLatin dance and Qigong/Tai Chi are engaging and acceptable PA modalities that are promising for improving PA and body fat among diverse, high-risk BCS. Our findings highlight the need to continue to reach and engage high-risk BCS, including Latina survivors, using novel, culturally-sensitive PA interventions. Future studies should extend and more rigorously test these novel approaches to improving outcomes associated with recurrence.     

基于体质指数的营养健康教育指导对食管癌根治术后病人营养知信行水平及营养学指标的影响

目的:探讨基于体质指数(BMI)的营养健康教育指导对食管癌根治术后病人营养知信行水平及营养学指标的影响。方法:将117例食管癌根治术后病人抽签分为对照组58例和观察组59例,对照组病人给予延续性饮食指导,观察组病人在延续性饮食指导基础上联合基于BMI的营养健康教育指导。比较两组病人营养知信行水平、营养学指标及不良反应。结果:干预后观察组病人营养行为、营养态度和营养知识评分高于对照组,前白蛋白(PA)、血清白蛋白(ALB)和转铁蛋白(TRF)水平、BMI和上臂肌围均高于对照组(P<0.05),反流性食管炎及腹泻发生率较对照组低(P<0.05),吻合口狭窄、胃排空障碍发生率均低于对照组,但两组间比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:基于BMI的营养健康教育指导可提高食管癌根治术后病人的营养知信行水平,改善病人营养学指标,降低并发症发生率。     

Rhythmic interlimb coordination of the lower limbs in multiple sclerosis during auditory pacing to three different frequencies

BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system with heterogeneous symptoms. Persons with MS (PwMS) show reduced walking capacity with changes in their gait pattern. It is unknown to which extent coordination deficits are present in PwMS, which can be measured by seated lower leg interlimb coordination tasks, and to which extent they are related to motor and cognitive function.Research questionHow is the control of interlimb coordination of the lower limbs characterized in PwMS compared to healthy controls (HC) during a seated rhythmical coordination task and what is the relationship between interlimb coordination, motor or cognitive function?MethodsRhythmical interlimb coordination was assessed during a single session in 38 PwMS and 13 HC, using a seated rhythmical coordination task, comprising of antiphase flexion-extension of the lower limbs, to metronomes at 0.75 Hz, 1.00 Hz, 1.50 Hz. Outcomes were phase coordination index (PCI), movement amplitude and movement frequency. Correlations between interlimb coordination, motor, and cognitive function were examined.ResultsPwMS showed impaired walking capacity but preserved cognitive function. Mixed model analysis revealed a significant effect of group and metronome frequency for PCI, attenuated by the variability in generating knee (antiphase flexion-extension) movements. Movement amplitude was highest at metronome frequency 1.00 Hz. In PwMS significant correlations were found between PCI and cognitive function when performing the task at metronome frequencies 0.75 Hz and 1.50 Hz, as well as motor function at 1.50 Hz.SignificancePwMS had a higher variability in interlimb coordination compared to HC. The most stable interlimb antiphase coordination mode was performed at 1.00 Hz. Significant correlations support the existence of a relationship between information processing speed, as well as walking impairment, with interlimb coordination. While cognitive and motor control are always needed for interlimb coordination movements, associations are strongest in the deviant higher and lower metronome rhythms.