Impact of new technologies on diabetes care

Technologies for diabetes management, such as continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, have improved remarkably over the last decades. These developments are impacting the capacity to achieve recommended hemoglobin A1c levels and assisting in preventing the development and progression of micro- and macro vascular complications. While improvements in metabolic control and decreases in risk of severe and moderate hypoglycemia have been described with use of these technologies, large epidemiological international studies show that many patients are still unable to meet their glycemic goals, even when these technologies are used. This editorial will review the impact of technology on glycemic control, hypoglycemia and quality of life in children and youth with type 1 diabetes. Technologies reviewed include CSII, CGM systems and sensor-augmented insulin pumps. In addition, the usefulness of advanced functions such as bolus profiles, bolus calculators and threshold-suspend features will be also discussed. Moreover, the current editorial will explore the challenges of using these technologies. Indeed, despite the evidence currently available of the potential benefits of using advanced technologies in diabetes management, many patients still report barriers to using them. Finally this article will highlight the importance of future studies tailored toward overcome these barriers to optimizing glycemic control and avoiding severe hypoglycemia.     

高原地区部队医院谋求新发展应处理好七个关系

从高原部队医院实际出发,阐述了适应新形势谋求新发展应处理好的七个关系:即继承与创新的关系;坚持“姓军为兵的服务方向与对外有偿服务的关系;基础建设与人才建设的关系;日常医疗保障与科研的关系;发挥自身特色与学习借鉴的关系;硬件建设与软件建设的关系;科技研究与成果转化的关系。     

有助改善人体健康的纳米生物科技

纳米技术是20世纪80年代末期兴起的新技术。此种新技术是指在1-100nm这一尺度范围内对原子和分子运动规律和特性进行研究和应用。通过直接操纵和安排原子、分子将物质转变成具有特殊性能的新材料的科学技术。纳米技术研究的最终目标是直接以原子和分子为起点，从纳米材料出发或采用纳米加工技术，制造出具有特殊功能的产品，从而改变人类的生产和生活模式。纳米科技保健产品对促进人类健康有积极作用。     

The dual effect of L-proline on spreading depression in the chicken retina

Evidence was presented for a glutamate agonistic effect of L-proline which promotes K+-based spreading depressions (SD) in chick retinas at relatively high concentrations (5 mM), in addition to an antagonistic effect which inhibits glutamate-based SDs at lower (2 mM) concentrations. Together these effects explain the observed biphasic effect of L-proline on the incidence of SD in the retina.     

Technology evaluation in a US hospital: The role of clinical engineering

Appropriate deployment of technological innovation contributes to improvement in the quality of healthcare delivered, containment of cost, and an increased access to the healthcare system. Hospitals have been allocating a, significant portion of their resources to procuring and managing capital assets; they are continously faced with demands for new medical equipment and are, asked to manage existing inventory for which they are not well prepared. To objectively manage their investment, hospitals are developing medical technology management programmes that need pertinent information and methods for new equipment planning as well as for reduction in the ownership costs of existing equipment. Clinical engineers can identify new medical equipment, review their institution's technological position, develop equipment-selection criteria, supervise installations and monitor postprocurement performance to meet their hospital's programme's objectives. This programme, together with cost accounting analysis, will objectively guide the capital assets decisionmaking process. The result of systematic planning and execution, the programme will assure the lowest life-cycle costs at the best performance. The clinical engineer's skills and expertise are needed to facilitate the adoption of an objective methodology for implementing the programme, thus improving the match between the hospital's needs and budget projections, equipment performance and cost of ownership.     

Digital health technologies for osteopaths and allied healthcare service providers: A scoping review

BackgroundDigital health technologies are poised to revolutionise the healthcare industry by improving accessibility to services and patient outcomes. The novel coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for the delivery of allied healthcare and has catalysed rapid adoption of telehealth. As such, allied healthcare consumers and providers stand to benefit from the capabilities of the digital health movement, ultimately justifying a scoping review of current and emerging technologies.ObjectiveTo provide decision makers with up-to-date information on the allied health applications of new and emerging digital health technologies; their evidence of efficacy, scope of use, and limitations.MethodsA scoping review of the literature was conducted, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. To synthesise original research, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases were searched from 2010 to June 2020 and reference lists were examined for randomised control trials analysing the efficacy of these technologies in allied health applications.ResultsA total of 14 articles were included with a focus on common musculoskeletal conditions managed by allied health service providers. Studies were selected for data extraction after abstract and full-text screening by three independent reviewers. The results of this review indicate that telehealth technology effectively monitors and progresses patient care, while mobile health applications provide remote support and enable data collection.ConclusionEmerging trends suggest that digital technologies serve as promising adjuncts to allied healthcare. Further research is warranted regarding the safety and efficacy of digital health technologies in this context.     

High resolution MRI of the normal finger at 0.1 T: anatomic correlations

Summary MR images of the fingers are obtained in a 128×128 or 256×256 matrix format using a prototype of a mini imager dedicated to the hand. The vertical field of 0.1 T is provided by an electro-magnet with an air gap of 15 cm equiped with a single solenoidal coil. No Faraday cage is used. The maximum in plane pixel resolution of 100 µ is obtained for a field of view of 2.5 cm with a slice thickness of 2 mm. The identification of fine structures of the finger is demonstrated by the anatomical and histological correlations. This type of imager which is adapted to very limited field of views demonstrate that high resolution MRI of limb extremities can be achieved at 0.1 T.

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IRM en haute résolution du doigt normal à 0,1 T. Corrélations anatomiques

Résumé Les images IRM des doigts sont réalisées dans un format de 128×128 ou 256×256 pixels par un mini imageur prototype spécialisé pour la main. Le champ magnétique vertical de 0,1 T est délivré par un électro-aimant dont l'entrefer de 15 cm est équipé d'une antenne solénoïdale simple. Il n'y a pas de cage de Faraday. La résolution maximale de 100 µ par pixel est obtenue pour un champ de vue de 2,5 cm et une épaisseur de coupe de 2 mm. L'identification de structures fines du doigt est démontrée par les corrélations avec des coupes anatomiques et histologiques. Ce type d'appareil, adapté à de si petits champs d'exploration, démontre que l'imagerie ostéoarticulaire périphérique en haute résolution est possible à 0,1 T.

     

Technical basis for magnetic resonance images

The spin-echo procedure is the basic technique in a magnetic resonance (MR) study (the magnetization vector is flipped by 90° onto the ortogonal plane to the main magnetic field). Very soon after the MR procedure was developed, it was pointed out how important it is to achieve the needed contrast with shorter repetition times (TRs) to reduce the imaging time. Recently, fast imaging techniques have been introduced (partial flip angles, short TRs, and the lack of 180° radiofrequency pulses to refocus the spins are their main characteristics; the spins are refocused by the application of a gradient reversal technique). These techniques are particularly needed in pediatric neuroradiology, where the examination time must be as short as possible. At present, partial flip-angle techniques are almost completely replacing the conventional spin-echo procedure, but the variations in flip angle could result in a change in contrast. For these reasons, conventional spin-echo techniques may still be useful in a routine MR study.Presented at the 11th Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Neurosurgery, Naples 1988     

Emerging technologies from the Human Genome Project for understanding susceptibility and risk

The new technologies from the Human Genome Program provide exceptional opportunities for surveying and measuring human exposure, as well as determining susceptibility on an individual-by-individual basis. These new technologies will soon enable rapid screening of populations at risk, as well as the broader public, for a variety of genes known to be associated with increased risk. These include specific oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes and DNA repair enzymes. Use of these technologies also presents a number of ethical issues, both in screening and in use of the information about individuals. Overall, the use of rapid genotyping technologies will introduce a specificity and possible group identifiers that will present new challenges to the determination of risk within the EPA mandate.     

伽玛刀的医学技术评估

伽玛刀是世界上最昂贵的医疗设备之一,我国从１９９２年开始引进。１９９５年卫生部等联合发文暂缓装备。为了规范提供方和患方的行为,以及为卫生行政部门提供决策依据,我们开展了伽玛刀的技术评估。在评估前拟定评估步骤,然后确定评估内容与方法。评估结果,国外１９９４年有５６台伽玛刀,平均每台治疗１９０例,治疗病种是：动静脉畸型病人占３２％,肿瘤病人占６５％,功能性疾病占２％。我国１３台伽玛刀到１９９５年底共治病人７０００例,前６位病种是转移瘤等,虽然比例和顺位与世界有差异,但病例分析结果完全一致。