Osteotomy around the knee: Assessment of quality,content and readability of online information

BackgroundAs knee osteotomy surgery becomes increasingly accessible, more patients may turn to the Internet for information. This study examined the source, quality, content and readability of online information regarding osteotomy around the knee.MethodsThe first 70 websites returned by the top four search engines were identified using the key words: “knee osteotomy” and “high tibial osteotomy.” The websites were categorised by type and assessed using the DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria and a novel Knee Osteotomy-Specific Score (KOSS). The presence of the Health On the Net (HON) code accreditation seal was noted. Readability of each website was assessed using eight readability formulae. The mean reading grade level (RGL) was compared to the 6th and 8th grade reading levels. The mean RGL of each category was also compared.ResultsOf the 45 unique websites analysed, the majority were Physician (33%) and Journal websites (31%). The mean DISCERN score was 36.7 (±8.9) which is classified as ‘poor.’ The mean JAMA benchmark criteria score was 2.04 (±1.5) and Physician websites were most likely to be scored zero. The mean KOSS was 15.4 (±5.7). The highest scoring website was a Commercial site but, overall, Journal category sites provided the best quality information. Websites that bore the HONcode seal obtained higher DISCERN, JAMA benchmark criteria and Knee Osteotomy - Specific Scores.The cumulative mean RGL was 13.2 (±2.2) which exceeded the 6th grade level by an average of 7.2 grade levels and the 8th grade level by an average of 5.2 grade levels. No website (0%) was written at or below either the 6th or the 8th grade reading levels. The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score of all websites was 41.13 (±14.7) which is classified as ‘difficult.’ Journal websites had the highest RGL.ConclusionThe information available online regarding osteotomy around the knee varies tremendously in quality and completeness. Physician sites predominate, but these were among the lowest scoring of all websites. Even where high quality information is available, it is set at too high a level to be easily understood.Level of evidenceSurvey of materials – Internet.     

Supra-maximal cycling efficiency assessed in humans by using a new protocol

This study proposed a non-invasive method to determine the gross (GE, no baseline correction), net (NE, resting metabolism as the baseline correction) and work (WE, unloaded cycling as the baseline correction) efficiencies during cycling at an intensity higher than the maximal aerobic power (MAP). Twelve male subjects performed two exercises consisting of 4 min at 50% MAP followed either by 8 min at 63% MAP or by 8 sequences of 60 s divided into 10 s at 130% MAP and 50 s at 50% MAP (i.e., 63% MAP on average). Oxygen uptake was continuously measured to calculate GE, NE and WE at 50%, 63% and 130% MAP, and the data presented as the means and standard deviations. The GE values were 18.2%, 19.1%, 22.7%, the NE values were 22.4%, 22.8%, 24.3% and the WE values were 34.2%, 31.4% and 27.2% at 50%, 63% and 130% MAP, respectively. The GE and NE increased (P<0.001) whereas the WE decreased (P<0.001) with each increment in power output. The GE was lower than the NE (P<0.001) at 50% and 63% MAP and than the WE (P<0.001) at all intensities. The NE was lower (P<0.001) than the WE at 50% and 63% MAP. These results showed that (1) efficiency index values obtained during supra-maximal exercise were consistent with previous proposals and (2) the efficiency-power output relationships were not limited to sub-maximal intensity levels but were confirmed at higher power output.     

Starch digestibility modulation significantly improves glycemic variability in type 2 diabetic subjects: A pilot study

Background and aimsIn type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, the reduction of glycemic variability and postprandial glucose excursions is essential to limit diabetes complications, beyond HbA1c level. This study aimed at determining whether increasing the content of Slowly Digestible Starch (SDS) in T2D patients’ diet could reduce postprandial hyperglycemia and glycemic variability compared with a conventional low-SDS diet.Methods and resultsFor this randomized cross-over pilot study, 8 subjects with T2D consumed a controlled diet for one week, containing starchy products high or low in SDS. Glycemic variability parameters were evaluated using a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System.Glycemic variability was significantly lower during High-SDS diet compared to Low-SDS diet for MAGE (Mean Amplitude of Glycemic Excursions, p < 0.01), SD (Standard Deviation, p < 0.05), and CV (Coefficient of Variation, p < 0.01). The TIR (Time In Range) [140–180 mg/dL[ was significantly higher during High-SDS diet (p < 0.0001) whereas TIRs ≥180 mg/dL were significantly lower during High-SDS diet. Post-meals tAUC (total Area Under the Curve) were significantly lower during High-SDS diet.ConclusionOne week of High-SDS Diet in T2D patients significantly improves glycemic variability and reduces postprandial glycemic excursions. Modulation of starch digestibility in the diet could be used as a simple nutritional tool in T2D patients to improve daily glycemic control.Registration numberin clinicaltrials.gov: NCT 03289494.     

An exploratory case study of the impact of expanding cost-effectiveness analysis for second-line nivolumab for patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer in Canada: Does it make a difference?

IntroductionHealth technology appraisal agencies often rely on cost-effectiveness analyses to inform coverage decisions for new treatments. These assessments, however, frequently measure a treatment’s value from the payer’s perspective, and may not capture value generated from reduced caregiving costs, increased productivity, value based on patient risk preferences, option value or the insurance value to non-patients.MethodsTo examine how using a broader societal perspective of treatment value affects cost-effectiveness estimates, this case study analyzed the net monetary benefit (NMB) of second-line nivolumab treatment of patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Canada. The comparator was treatment with docetaxel. NMB was measured from three perspectives: (i) traditional payer, (ii) traditional societal and (iii) broad societal.ResultsNivolumab was more effective (increased quality-adjusted life years by 0.66 versus docetaxel), but also increased costs by $100,168 CAD. When valuing a quality-adjusted life year at $150,000, the net monetary benefit from the payer perspective suggested that costs modestly exceed benefits (NMB: −$1031). Adopting a societal perspective, however, nivolumab’s benefits outweighed its costs (NMB: +$6752 and +$91,084 from the traditional and broad societal perspectives, respectively).ConclusionBroadening cost-effectiveness analysis beyond the traditional payer perspective had a significant impact on the result and should be considered in order to capture all treatment benefits and costs of societal relevance.     

网络培训对提高重症监护病房护士临床思维能力及专科理论水平的效果观察

目的观察网络培训对提高重症监护病房护士临床思维能力及专科理论水平的效果。方法采用配对设计,将重症监护病房护士40人分为观察组和对照组各20人,对照组采用传统方法培训,观察组采用网络培训,培训时间持续6月。比较两组的理论测试成绩及加利福尼亚批判性思维倾向问卷得分。结果理论测试成绩观察组为(76.62+6.39)分、对照组为(69.33+5.12)分,两组比较,t=3.98,P=0.038;加利福尼亚批判性思维倾向问卷各思维特质得分组内培训前后比较,观察组有统计学意义,对照组无统计学意义。结论网络培训能提高重症监护病房护士临床思维能力及专科理论水平。     

鸡血藤总黄酮对坐骨神经损伤大鼠机械痛敏影响的实验研究

目的：研究鸡血藤总黄酮对坐骨神经损伤（chronic constriction injury of the sciatic,CCI）大鼠机械痛敏和脊髓谷氨酸含量的影响。方法40只大鼠随机均分为4组：对照组（腹腔注射生理盐水,不手术）、假手术组（分离坐骨神经但不结扎+腹腔注射生理盐水）、模型组（坐骨神经结扎+腹腔注射生理盐水）、鸡血藤总黄酮处理组（坐骨神经结扎+腹腔注射鸡血藤总黄酮20 g/kg）,连续给药4周。运用机械缩足反射阈值检测术后3、7、10、14、21、28 d大鼠机械痛敏。运用高效液相法测定大鼠术后14、28 d脊髓背角中谷氨酸的含量。结果与模型组比较,处理组术后第10、14、21、28天的机械缩足反射阈值明显升高（P＜0.05,或P＜0.01）;在第14天及第28天观测到鸡血藤总黄酮可显著降低大鼠脊髓背角谷氨酸的含量（P＜0.01）。结论鸡血藤总黄酮可减轻神经病理性痛大鼠的机械痛敏,其机制可能与降低脊髓背角谷氨酸的含量有关。     

Enfarte agudo do miocárdio no YouTube – Is it all fake news?

Introduction and objectivesThe Internet is a fundamental aspect of health information. However, the absence of quality control encourages misinformation. We aim to assess the relevance and quality of acute myocardial infarction videos shared on YouTube (www.youtube.com) in Portuguese.MethodsWe analyzed 1,000 videos corresponding to the first 100 search results on YouTube using the following terms (in Portuguese): “cardiac + arrest”; “heart + attack”; “heart + thrombosis”; “coronary + thrombosis”; “infarction – brain”, “myocardial + infarction” and “acute + myocardial + infarction”. Irrelevant (n=316), duplicated (n=345), without audio (n=24) or non‐Portuguese (n=106) videos were excluded. Included videos were assessed according to source, topic, target audience and scientific inaccuracies. Quality of information was assessed using The Health on the Net Code (HONCode from 0 to 8) and DISCERN (from 0 to 5) scores – the higher the score, the better the quality.Results242 videos were included. The majority were from independent instructors (n=95, 39.0%) and were addressed to the general population (n=202, 83.5%). One third of the videos (n=79) contained inaccuracies while scientific society and governmental/health institution videos had no inaccuracies. The mean video quality was poor or moderate; only one video was good quality without any inaccuracies. Governmental/health institutions were the source with the best quality videos (HONCode 4±1, DISCERN 2±1).ConclusionsOne third of the videos had irrelevant information and one third of the relevant ones contained inaccuracies. The average video quality was poor; therefore it is important to define strategies to improve the quality of online health information.     

神经上皮细胞转化基因1对细胞辐射敏感性的影响及其机制探讨

目的 探讨神经上皮细胞转化基因1(Net1)对细胞辐射敏感性的影响及相关的分子作用机制.方法 运用实时荧光定量PCR检测辐射后细胞中Net1基因表达水平的变化;采用RNAi干扰技术抑制细胞中Net1的表达,用克隆形成率分析细胞的辐射敏感性;利用免疫共沉淀技术发现Net1的结合蛋白.结果 电离辐射损伤后,细胞中的Net1 mRNA水平显著上升(t=-10.52,P＜0.05);与对照组相比,siRNA沉默细胞中的Net1表达后明显增加了细胞的辐射敏感性(t=15.31、11.65,P＜0.05);无论在正常状态下还是在细胞受到辐照后,Net1都能与非同源末端连接修复蛋白Ku70、Ku80和DNA-PKcs结合.结论 Net1对细胞的辐射防护作用可能是通过与非同源末端连接修复蛋白相互作用来调控辐射损伤修复实现的.