Priorities for content for a short-course on postoperative care relevant for low- and middle-income countries: an e-Delphi process with training facilitators

Most surgical and anaesthetic mortality and morbidity occurs postoperatively, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Various short courses have been developed to improve patient outcomes in low- and middle-income countries, but none specifically to address postoperative care and complications. We aimed to identify key features of a proposed short-course addressing this topic using a Delphi process with low- and middle-income country anaesthesia providers trained as short-course facilitators. An initial questionnaire was co-developed from literature review and exploratory workshops to include 108 potential course features. Features included content; teaching method; appropriate participants; and appropriate faculty. Over three Delphi rounds (panellists numbered 86, 64 and 35 in successive cycles), panellists indicated which features they considered most important. Responses were analysed by geographical regions: Africa, the Americas, south-east Asia and Western Pacific. Ultimately, panellists identified 60, 40 and 54 core features for the proposed course in each region, respectively. There were high levels of consensus within regions on what constituted core course content, but not between regions. All panellists preferred the small group workshop teaching method irrespective of region. All regions considered anaesthetists to be key facilitators, while all agreed that both anaesthetists and operating theatre nurses were key participants. The African and Americas regional panels recommended more multidisciplinary healthcare professionals for participant roles. Faculty from high-income countries were not considered high priority. Our study highlights variability between geographical regions as to which course features were perceived as most locally relevant, supporting regional adaptation of short-course design rather than a one-size-fits-all model.     

What are the requirements for patient-centered breast imaging? Communication preferences of mammography patients in Turkey

Abstract

We have investigated communication preferences of mammography results in 90 patients through a structured interview approach. About 81% of patients expressed that they wanted to get the results, and 18% expressed that getting the results does not help if they are incomprehensible. In patients who want to get the results, 80% preferred face-to-face interaction with physicians, whereas the others preferred other modes of communication to prevent loss of time. Majority of patients infavor of face-to-face interaction (57%) preferred both the referring physician and the radiologist. Comprehensibility and fast delivery of reports, plus direct communication with radiologists are the requirements in mammography patients while implementing patient-centered radiology.     

Transport mechanism of L-[14C]glutamate in cortical slices and synaptosomes of rabbits exposed to brain ischemia and reperfusion

Molecular and chemical neuropathology - Changes in the functioning of the glutamatergic system in rabbit brain were studied after partial brain ischemia and reperfusion. In vitro studies were...     

Stoma Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding versus Vertical Banded Gastroplasty for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity

Background: Among gastric restrictive operations, the procedure of choice is still controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the results of two different gastric restrictive procedures: vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and stoma adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB). Methods: Between 1991 and 1996, 51 patients were treated surgically for morbid obesity: 27 underwent VBG and 24 underwent ASGB. Preoperative body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and percentage of ideal body weight (% IBW) were (mean ± SD): 145.7 ± 45.3 kg; 53.9 ± 15.9 kg/m²; 249.1 ± 73.5% respectively in the VBG group. Corresponding figures for the ASBG group were 132.5 ± 22.7 kg; 46.9 ± 7.8 kg/m² and 207.2 ± 35.0%. Results: In the VBG group, the median follow-up period was 26 months (range: 7-47). Eighteen months after the operation BW, BMI, % IBW and percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) were 85.5 ± 26.8 kg, 31.9 ± 9.8 kg/m², 145.4 ± 43.9% and 74 ± 1% respectively. Complications included incisional hernia (n = 1), and bowel obstruction (n = 1). One patient died of acute myocardial infarction on the third postoperative day. In the ASGB group, median follow-up time was 19.7 months (range: 18-26). At 18 months postoperation BW, BMI, % IBW and % EWL values were 86.6 ± 20.6 kg 30.6 ± 6.6 kg/m2 140.6 ± 29.3% and 64 ± 1% respectively. Gastric wall erosion occurred in two patients and the bands had to be removed. These patients underwent VBG 6 months later. Complications encountered in this group were incisional hernia (n = 1), outlet stenosis and reflux esophagitis (n = 1), reservoir leakage (n = 1) and gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1). Two patients died of pulmonary embolism and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions: Weight reduction was not statistically significant between the two groups. ASGB was easier to perform and less invasive than VBG.     

体外培养中IFN-γ、L-Arg 及L-NNA对NO合成的影响及NO抗旋毛虫的作用

目的　探讨体外培养中IFN γ、L Arg及L NNA对NO合成的影响及NO抗旋毛虫的作用。 方法　分离、纯化长爪沙鼠腹腔巨噬细胞 ,置RPMI16 4 0培养液中培养。设IFN γ组、L Arg组、L NNA组和对照组 ,每个实验组又分 5个不同的浓度组。分别向含有巨噬细胞的培养瓶中加入不同浓度的IFN γ、L Arg及L NNA进行体外培养。培养 2 4h后 ,用硝酸还原酶法分别测定培养液中的NO含量。将旋毛虫幼虫分别加入上述培养体系中进行体外培养 ,观察旋毛虫幼虫的活动及损伤。结果　①体外培养中 ,激活的巨噬细胞能产生NO ,IFN γ和L Arg能促进NO的合成 ,L NNA则能抑制NO的合成 ,这种促进或抑制NO合成的作用均具有剂量依赖性 ,剂量越高作用越明显。②加入旋毛虫幼虫后 ,在IFN γ和L Arg培养体系中 ,随着NO浓度的升高及作用时间的延长 ,对虫体的抑制及杀伤作用越来越明显 ,导致其活动度减弱 ,虫体破裂 ,最终死亡 ;在L NNA培养体系中 ,L NNA浓度越高 ,对虫体的影响越小。结论　①体外培养中 ,通过激活的巨噬细胞 ,IFN γ和L Arg能促进NO的合成 ,给予L NNA则能抑制NO的合成。②NO对旋毛虫幼虫有抑制及杀伤作用     

Digoxin-like factor in infants of diabetic mothers not receiving digoxin therapy

Serum digoxin-like factor was detected in infants of diabetic mothers who were insulin-dependent or diet controlled. No statistical difference was found between the serum digoxin-like factor levels of the infants of diabetic mothers and the controls.