Predictors of 3‐month retention in a drug treatment therapeutic community

Introduction and Aims. To study rates of 3‐month retention in a drug treatment therapeutic community and the characteristics of residents who remain in treatment. Design and Methods. A total of 200 consecutive admissions to a therapeutic community in Christchurch, New Zealand received a structured interview and questionnaires and were prospectively followed for 3 months. Assessments included the Modified Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL‐90), Temperament Character Inventory (TCI) and Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Results. A total of 107 out of 187 residents remained in the program for at least 3 months. These residents had a better baseline mental health score (SF‐36), higher lifetime depression, higher current sedative/hypnotic dependence and less lifetime stimulant dependence. The differences were modest and predicted around 18% of the variance in outcome. Discussion and Conclusions. The retention rate is consistent with other studies. Few variables predict those who discontinue treatment supporting a non‐discriminatory approach to new residents by clinicians.[Mulder RT, Frampton CMA, Peka H, Hampton G, Marsters T. Predictors of 3‐month retention in a drug treatment therapeutic community. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009;28:366–371]     

Pre-hospital antibiotic treatment and mortality caused by invasive meningococcal disease, adjusting for indication bias

Background  

Mortality from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has remained stable over the last thirty years and it is unclear whether pre-hospital antibiotherapy actually produces a decrease in this mortality. Our aim was to examine whether pre-hospital oral antibiotherapy reduces mortality from IMD, adjusting for indication bias.     

腰椎融合固定和非融合固定生物力学分析

目的探讨腰椎Isola椎弓根钉系统内固定和DIAM固定后椎体的生物力学特性的变化。方法 9具尸体腰椎(L1～5)标本建立力学测试模型,分为A:正常对照组;B:腰椎DIAM固定组;C:腰椎Isola椎弓根钉系统内固定组。应力加载方式为轴向压缩、前屈、后伸、侧屈等4种,测试各种工况的生物力学变化。结果采用DIAM固定,腰椎的集中应力被分散,同时起到了固定的作用。Isola椎弓根钉系统内固定同样能使椎体稳定,但是坚强内固定较正常椎体应力下降过大,形成应力遮挡,增加了邻近节段的应力水平。结论 DIAM棘突间植入物能够改善由于后部结构缺损造成的脊柱稳定性降低。Isola椎弓根钉系统能增强腰椎的稳定性,但融合相邻节段的应力增加。     

Values for Mitral Valve Annulus Dimensions in Normals and Patients with Mitral Regurgitation

Objectives. The present study was designed to investigate the dimensions of mitral valve annulus in the presence of mitral regurgitation. Method. Fifty-four patients were examined. On transthoracic echocardiographic images, we performed linear measurements in the parasternal plane in order to define the size of the left ventricle, left atrium, and mitral valve annulus. We compared these findings with those obtained in 16 control subjects. Results. Twenty-one patients with mild or moderate mitral regurgitation demonstrated no significant change of the mitral valve annulus compared with the control group (P > 0.05). Seventeen patients with severe mitral regurgitation (grade of 4) had a significant increase of the dimensions of the mitral valve annulus, left ventricle, and left atrium (P < 0.05). The etiology of mitral regurgitation was degenerative in 32 patients, rheumatic in 2 patients, and mitral valve prolapse in 4 patients. All patients had normal left ventricular systolic function. Thirty-one patients were in normal sinus rhythm, and seven were in atrial fibrillation. Conclusions. The measurement of the diameter of the mitral valve annulus is feasible with transthoracic echo-cardiography. In addition to the evaluation of mitral valve leaflets and subvalvular apparatus, the measurement of the mitral valve annulus is important in the evaluation of mitral regurgitation, as its enlargement is indicative for severe mitral regurgitation .     

Testing on formalin-fixed neutrophils is less sensitive and specific for small vessel vasculitis, and less sensitive for MPO-ANCA, than most ELISAs

This study evaluated the usefulness of testing sera with perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCA) on formalin-fixed neutrophils to differentiate between vasculitis and other diseases, and to distinguish between myeloperoxidase (MPO) and other antigen targets. Sera from active (n=24) or treated vasculitis (n=23) and non-vasculitic disease (n=37) were tested in 3 ethanol- and 2 formalin-fixed neutrophil assays, and in 12 MPO-ANCA ELISAs. The sensitivity of demonstrating that P-ANCA became cytoplasmic on formalin-fixed cells in vasculitis, and negative in non-vasculitic disease was 75-79% in different assays compared with 88% for positivity in the majority of MPO-ANCA ELISAs. The sensitivity and specificity of demonstrating that P-ANCA became cytoplasmic where the target was MPO, and disappeared with other antigens were 89% and 74-80% respectively in different assays. P-ANCA specificity for MPO should be confirmed in one of the better-performing MPO-ANCA ELISAs.     

Pulmonary Artery Stent Implantation in Children with Single Ventricle Malformation Before and After Completion of Partial and Total Cavopulmonary Connections

Objectives: Relief of pulmonary artery stenosis before and after cavopulmonary connections (CPC) in patients with single ventricle malformation is essential to optimize pulmonary hemodynamics. We evaluated the risk factors for pulmonary artery stenosis and assessed the outcome after stent implantation .
Interventions: Seventeen stents in twelve patients were implanted for pulmonary artery stenosis before and after CPC at a mean age of 4.5 (0.1–17.6) years.
Results: Fourteen stents were placed in the left pulmonary artery (82%) and three stents in the right pulmonary artery (18%). One stent was implanted intraoperatively. Mean time between surgery and stent implantation was 28 (1–132) months. The mean (SD) size of the pulmonary artery stenosis was 3.1 ± 2.1 mm before and 8.1 ± 3.3 mm (P < 0.001) after stent implantation. Six out of seventeen stents (35.2%) had to be redilated after a mean time interval of 19 (5–48) months. Two patients' stents were removed during the next surgical procedure; both needed an early restenting of the affected vessel. There were no procedure-related complications for stent implantation or redilatation. Anatomical risk factors for pulmonary artery stenosis were right aortic arch and hypoplastic pulmonary arteries, whereas dilatation of the ascending aorta for LPA stenosis and Blalock–Taussig shunt for RPA stenosis were surgical risk factors.
Conclusions: Stent implantation to treat pulmonary artery stenosis in pediatric patients with CPC is effective and can be realized safely. Close follow-up is recommended in patients with risk for pulmonary artery stenosis. During total cavopulmonary connection, previously implanted stents at that site should be left in place or be changed in a hybrid procedure to a larger diameter, because the etiology of stenosis may persist after surgery and the surgical removal could result in vessel injury that promotes restenosis.