A comprehensive strategy for the evaluation and triage of the chest pain patient: A cost comparison study

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a comprehensive, risk-based triage system, composed of multiple critical pathways, with the use of early myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in low-risk patients. We found previously that a chest pain evaluation system that uses MPI in low-risk patients was safe and effective, but the cost-effectiveness of this approach was not studied. METHODS AND RESULTS: We compared two groups. The Acute Cardiac Team (ACT) group (n = 874) was assigned prospectively to 1 of 4 risk levels by emergency department (ED) physicians. Level 1, 2, and 3 patients were admitted; level 4 patients were evaluated in the ED. Level 3 and 4 patients underwent ED MPI. The control group (n = 713) represented consecutive patients evaluated in the prior year according to standard care and assigned retrospectively to an ACT level based on the presenting electrocardiographic and clinical data. Record and hospital administrative data were assessed for clinical variables, outcomes, lengths of stay, and all expenses incurred within 30 days of the index visit. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, including age, sex, myocardial infarction prevalence, and 30-day revascularization rates within each level or between the two groups. Mean costs per encounter were reduced for the ACT patients for each level, which was significant when all patients were compared ($5,030 +/- $7,081 vs $6,044 +/- $10,432, P =.02). Use of MPI in the low-risk patients was associated with reduced costs (level 3, $4,958 +/- $4,948 vs $5,051 +/- $7,036; level 4, $1,529 +/- $2,664 vs $1,794 +/- $6,854) and was associated with a significantly lower angiography rate and shorter length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a comprehensive strategy for chest pain evaluation and triage reduced overall costs for patients with chest pain on presentation. Acute MPI in the ED setting did not increase net cost.     

Molecular identification of pathogenetic IdLNF+1 autoantibody idiotypes derived from the NZBxSWR F1 model for systemic lupus erythematosus

The acceleration of nephritis in SNF(1) mice by CD4(+) T-cell clones reactive with a nephritogenic idiotype, Id(LN)F(1) [1], as well as the ability of anti-Id(LN)F(1) antisera to down-regulate the production of Id(LN)F(+)(1) immunoglobulin (Ig) in vivo and delay nephritis [2], suggests that dysregulation of this idiotype may contribute to the development of SNF(1) nephritis. Herein, we show that a monoclonal Id(LN)F(1)-expressing antibody, 540, significantly (P< or = 0.01) stimulated Id(LN)F(1)-reactive T-cell clones B6 and D2 to proliferate, while other Id(LN)F+1 antibodies did not. Further, injection of 540-producing hybridoma cells into nonautoimmune (SWRxBalb/c)F(1) mice resulted in the deposition of Id(LN)F(+)(1) Ig in the kidneys, in a pattern indicative of early nephritis. To identify the pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1) epitope(s) at the molecular level, we compared the deduced amino acid sequences of the heavy and light chain variable regions of pathogenetic and non-pathogenetic Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Igs 540, 317, and 533. Two overlapping peptides derived from the V(H) sequence of 540 (aa 54-66 and 62-73), which both contain the triple basic amino acid motif K(X)K(X)K, stimulated SNF(1) T cells and T-cell clones B6 and D2. These results further support the involvement of a subset of Id(LN)F(1)-expressing Ig in SNF(1) nephritis.     

A comparison of schizophrenic patients in different community support treatment approaches

Recent advances in the care of the chronically mentally ill in the community have resulted in a community support system approach to maintaining chronically mentally ill persons outside the hospital. Yet, very little is known of what a community support system actually is for the chronic mental patient. This paper looks at three different sorts of community support programs and compares a sample of patients within them with respect to network variables, role performance, and demographic variables. Implications regarding the use of network oriented approaches are discussed and directions for further research are explored.     

参麦注射液对内皮细胞增殖和迁移的影响

目的：探讨参麦注射液对血管生成的影响。方法：采用MTT法检测参麦注射液对牛血清和肿瘤细胞条件培养液促进的牛主动脉内皮细胞增殖的影响，采用琼脂糖刮除法检测参麦对牛血清和肿瘤条件培养液促进的牛内皮细胞迁移的影响。结果：在含10％新生小牛血清培养液中和在肿瘤细胞条件培养液中，参麦都能明显抑制牛主动脉内皮细胞增殖，且呈量效关系，对肿瘤细胞条件培养液诱导的内皮细胞迁移抑制作用显著。方法：参麦能抑制牛内细胞增殖和迁移，具有抑制血管生成的作用。     

姜黄素具有抑制血管生成与诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡双重作用

目的　探讨姜黄素的抗肿瘤机制。方法　采用鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜模型观察姜黄素对血管生成的影响 ;利用培养的肿瘤细胞SMMC 772 1,采用电子显微镜及流式细胞仪观察姜黄素诱导SMMC 772 1细胞凋亡的作用。结果　姜黄素能明显抑制鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜内的血管生成 ,2 0 μmol·L-1的姜黄素即可诱导SMMC 772 1细胞凋亡。结论　姜黄素的抗肿瘤机制是多方面的 ,既可抑制血管生成又可诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡     

血清白细胞介素2检测在恶性腹水白细胞介素2治疗中的应用

目的 对恶性腹水患者血清白细胞介素2(IL-2)水平进行测定,了解血清IL-2水平与腹腔灌注IL-2治疗疗效之间的关系,以期获得判定恶性腹水IL-2治疗疗效的指标。方法 54例恶性非肝癌性腹水患者均接受IL-2腹腔灌注治疗,治疗前应用ELISA法检测血清IL-2水平,将IL-2测定值较高的27例患者分为A组,IL-2测定值较低的27例患者分为B组。比较两组患者的治疗效果。结果 血清IL-2测定值较低组IL-2腹腔灌注治疗的有效率为77.8％(21/27),明显高于IL-2测定值较高组的51.9％(14/27,P<0.05)。结论 恶性腹水患者IL-2腹腔灌注治疗前血清IL-2水平高低与IL-2治疗的疗效明显相关,原有IL-2水平较低的患者IL-2腹腔灌注治疗的疗效较好。血清IL-2水平可作为判定IL-2腹腔灌注治疗疗效的指标。     

人膀胱癌细胞nm23蛋白表达量与丝裂霉素抗药指数之间的相关性研究

目的探讨膀胱癌细胞nm23蛋白表达量与丝裂霉素药物敏感性之间的相关性.为临床膀胱移行细胞癌治疗方案选择提供理论依据.方法对32例临床病理诊断为膀胱移行细胞癌标本采用S-P免疫组化和图像分析技术检测细胞的nm23蛋白表达量;同时采用MTT法测定膀胱癌细胞对丝裂霉素的药物敏感性.结果膀胱癌nm23表达量与MMC抗药指数相关,相关指数为0.890(P＜0.001).结论膀胱癌nm23蛋白表达量与MMC抗药指数呈正相关.     

睾丸扭转诊治及探讨

目的:提高睾丸扭转的诊治水平,减少其误诊率。方法:对临床19例疑诊睾丸扭转病例进行总结,并针对病例分析。结果:2例经镇静治疗后自行复住。17例手术探查,15例证实为睾丸扭转,2例为急性附睾炎。15例睾丸扭转病人中10例为鞘膜外扭转,5例为鞘膜内扭转,发病至就诊时间2h～10d,彩色多普勒超声确诊率88.1%。19例均有睾丸绞痛症状,阴囊皮肤红肿.Prehn征阳性者为18例。结论:突发睾丸疼痛,尤其阴囊皮肤红肿者,应及早行彩色多普勒超声检查,疑为睾丸扭转者应尽早手术是避免睾丸坏死的关键。