Somatotype of the individuals with lower extremity amputation and its association with cardiovascular risk

Anthropometric somatotyping is one of the methods to describe the shape of the human body, which shows some associations with an individual's health and disease condition, especially with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Individuals with lower extremity amputation (LEA) are known to be more vulnerable to the cardiovascular risk. The objectives of the present study are to report the somatotype of the individuals having lower extremity amputation, to study the possible variation in somatotype between two groups of amputated individuals, and to study the association between cardiovascular disease risk factor and somatotype components among individuals with locomotor disability. 102 adult male individuals with unilateral lower-extremity amputation residing in Calcutta and adjoining areas were investigated. The anthropometric data for somatotyping and data on cardiovascular risk traits (such as body mass index, blood pressure measurements, blood lipids) have been collected. The somatotyping technique of Carter & Heath (1990) has been followed. The result shows high mean values of endomorphy and mesomorphy components and a low mean value of the ectomorphy component among the amputated individuals having cardiovascular risks. The results of both discriminant analysis and logistic regression analysis show a significant relationship between somatotype components and CVD risk among the individuals with LEA. The findings of the present study support the findings of similar studies conducted on the normal population. Diagnosis of CVD risk condition through somatotyping can be utilized in prevention/treatment management for the individuals with LEA.     

Association of increased oncostatin M with adverse left ventricular remodeling in patients with myocardial infarction

BackgroundThe study of laboratory biomarkers that reflect the development of adverse cardiovascular events in the postinfarction period is of current relevance. The aim of the present study was evaluation of oncostatin M (OSM) concentration changes in the early and late stages of myocardial infarction and evaluation of the possibility of its use in prediction of adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients with myocardial infarction with ST-elevated segment (STEMI).MethodsThe study involved 31 patients with STEMI admitted in the first 24 hours after the onset of MI and 30 patients with chronic coronary artery disease as a control group. Echocardiographic study was performed on day 3 and in 6 months after STEMI. The serum levels of biomarkers were evaluated on the day of hospital admission and 6 months after MI using multiplex immunoassay.ResultsOSM level increased during the first 24 h after the onset of the disease, with the following decrease in 6 months. OSM concentration at admission had correlated with echocardiography parameters and Nt-proBNP, troponin I, CK-MB levels. Our study has demonstrated association of the increased levels of OSM at the early stages of STEMI with development of the adverse LV remodeling in 6 months after the event.ConclusionsElevation of OSM levels in the first 24 h after STEMI is associated with the development of the adverse LV remodeling in the long-term post-infarction period.     

Evolution with material symbol systems

Pattee's semantic closure principle is used to study the characteristics and requirements of evolving material symbols systems. By contrasting agents that reproduce via genetic variation with agents that reproduce via self-inspection, we reach the conclusion that symbols are necessary to attain open-ended evolution, but only if the phenotypes of agents are the result of a material, self-organization process. This way, a study of the inter-dependencies of symbol and matter is presented. This study is based first on a theoretical treatment of symbolic representations, and secondly on simulations of simple agents with matter-symbol inter-dependencies. The agent-based simulations use evolutionary algorithms with indirectly encoded phenotypes. The indirect encoding is based on Fuzzy Development programs, which are procedures for combining fuzzy sets in such a way as to model self-organizing development processes.     

肠道益生菌联合奥曲肽对肝硬化合并胃食管静脉曲张初次出血患者血流动力学及预后的影响

目的:研究肠道益生菌联合奥曲肽对肝硬化合并胃食管静脉曲张初次出血患者血流动力学及预后的影响。方法:选取2016年5月-2017年4月我院收治的肝硬化合并胃食管静脉曲张初次出血患者96例,以随机数字表法分成研究组(n=48)和对照组(n=48)。对照组予以奥曲肽治疗,研究组则采用肠道益生菌联合奥曲肽治疗,疗程均为28天。分别比较两组临床治疗总有效率、再出血率、病死率、临床症状改善时间、止血时间以及住院时间,观察并比较治疗前后血流动力学、血清内皮素(ET)、一氧化氮(NO)、内毒素脂多糖(LPS)水平。结果:研究组临床治疗总有效率为93.75%(45/48),高于对照组的79.17%(38/48)(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者心输出量(CO)、心脏指数(CI)、门静脉血流量(PVF)、食管曲张静脉变化(EVD)均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后两组患者血清ET、NO、LPS水平均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。与对照组比较,研究组再出血率、临床症状改善时间、止血时间以及住院时间均降低(P0.05),而两组病死率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:肠道益生菌联合奥曲肽治疗肝硬化合并胃食管静脉曲张初次出血患者的临床疗效明显,能够改善患者血流动力学和促进肠道菌群的平衡,预后较佳。     

Psychological status and coping with illness in patients with malignant melanoma

Melanoma patients are subject to different degrees of psychosocial distress. The emotional impact of malignant melanoma can be long lasting and profound, with the most common reactions to melanoma being depression, anxiety and deterioration in quality of life. Coping styles have been shown to have a significant influence on patients' quality of life and their emotional reaction to the illness. The aim of this paper was to investigate the quality of life, emotional status and coping styles in patients with melanoma. 31 patients suffering from malignant melanoma were included in the study. Results of this study show that melanoma has a medium influence on patients' psychological status and quality of life. The most "constructive" coping style--problem focused coping is the mostly used style by the patients, which might be one of the reasons why the illness didn't have a more severe influence on patients' psychological status.     

阿仑膦酸钠联合化疗对多发性骨髓瘤患者骨代谢的影响

目的:研究阿仑膦酸钠联合化疗对多发性骨髓瘤患者骨代谢的影响。方法:选取2011年4月到2014年4月我院收治的多发性骨髓瘤患者130例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组65例,对照组给予化疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予阿仑膦酸钠,比较两组骨特异性碱性磷酸酶(BAP)、骨钙素(OC)、I型前胶原氨基肽(PINP)、血钙(Ca)、血磷(P)、β胶原特殊序列(β-CTx)以及碱性磷酸酶(ALP)。结果:治疗后研究组OC、PINP和BAP均显著高于治疗前和对照组,比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后研究组β-CTx显著低于治疗前和对照组,比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:阿仑膦酸钠联合化疗治疗多发性骨髓瘤患者能显著改善其的骨代谢,值得临床推广。     

DCs-CIK细胞免疫治疗联合化疗治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效观察

目的:探讨树突状细胞(DCs)和细胞因子诱导的杀伤(CIK)细胞免疫治疗联合化疗对晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的治疗效果。方法:将我院2012年2月到2014年2月就诊的72例晚期非小细胞肺癌患者随机分为对照组(n=36,单纯化疗组)和实验组(n=36,DCs-CIK细胞免疫联合化疗组)。比较两组患者治疗后的疗效、治疗前后免疫功能,并运用Kamofsky(KPS)评分来评估两组患者治疗后生活质量的改善情况。结果:实验组的疾病控制率(DCR)77.78%显著高于对照组的52.78%(P0.05)。治疗后实验组患者外周血CD3+、CD8+及NK细胞所占的比值较治疗前均上升显著(P0.05);治疗后对照组患者外周血CD3+、CD8+及NK细胞所占的比值较治疗前下降显著(P0.05)。治疗后实验组KPS评分提高率明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:DCs-CIK细胞免疫联合化疗能够提高晚期非小细胞肺癌患者的DCR,且显著改善患者的免疫功能和生活质量。     

Solitaire AB支架机械取栓联合阿替普酶静脉溶栓对急性缺血性脑卒中患者的临床研究

目的:探讨急性缺血性脑卒中患者运用阿替普酶静脉溶栓联合Solitaire AB支架机械取栓对其神经保护因子、血液流变学及免疫功能的影响。方法:将我院于2017年4月~2019年3月期间收治的急性缺血性脑卒中患者113例以双色球随机分组法分为研究组(Solitaire AB支架机械取栓联合阿替普酶静脉溶栓)和对照组(阿替普酶静脉溶栓),分别为57例和56例。比较两组患者疗效、神经功能、血管再通率、神经保护因子、血液流变学及免疫功能,并记录两组治疗期间不良反应状况。结果:研究组治疗后3个月的总有效率为91.22%(52/57),高于对照组的76.79%(43/56)(P<0.05)。研究组的血管再通率高于对照组(P<0.05)。两组不良反应发生率对比未见统计学差异(P>0.05)。两组治疗后3个月的CD8⁺、美国国立卫生研究所卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、纤维蛋白原、全血黏度、神经胶质原纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)及血浆黏度均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P<0.05)。CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺、胰岛素样生长因子-1(IGF-1)、脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)均升高,且研究组高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:急性缺血性脑卒中患者在阿替普酶静脉溶栓治疗的基础上联合Solitaire AB支架机械取栓治疗,安全有效,能够改善机体的免疫功能及血液流变学,减轻神经功能损害,并提高患者血管再通率。     

流程管理配合肠内营养对大肠癌手术患者的临床效果

目的:探讨流程管理的护理模式对大肠癌患者术后早期空肠营养的作用,为临床护理提供可借鉴的方法。方法:选择2010年3月-2013年12月在我院接受手术治疗的大肠癌患者93例,随机分为研究组和对照组。其中,研究组51例患者采取流程管理的模式进行空肠营养护理,而对照组42例患者采用基础护理模式。观察并比较两组患者的临床效果及对护理服务的满意度。结果:实施护理干预配合肠内营养支持治疗后,两组患者的营养状况与之前比较均获得明显改善(P0.05);研究组患者的平均住院时间、肠道功能恢复时间、血淀粉酶及尿淀粉酶等各项指标恢复情况均显著优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组患者对护理服务的满意度为85.71%,研究组患者对护理服务的满意度为100.00%,两组比较差异显著具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:流程管理护理配合早期肠内营养能够改善患者术后的营养状况,提高机体免疫功能,而且有利于提高患者对护理服务的满意度,值得推广。     

不同品种烟草花粉电子显微镜观察

通过对10个烤烟品种、8个晒烟品种、2个野生种的花粉进行扫描电子显微镜观察,发现同为烤烟或晒烟的烟草,其花粉的形态、大小、外壁纹饰比较稳定。野生烟在供试种中具有独特的细网状外壁纹饰,是鉴别野生烟与非野生烟的一条有效途径。     

Asymmetric regression models with limited responses with an application to antibody response to vaccine

We develop regression models for limited and censored data based on the mixture between the log‐power‐normal and Bernoulli‐type distributions. A likelihood‐based approach is implemented for parameter estimation and a small‐scale simulation study is conducted to evaluate parameter recovery, with emphasis on bias estimation. The main conclusion is that the approach is very much satisfactory for moderate and large sample sizes. A real data example, the safety and immunogenecity study of measles vaccine in Haiti, is presented to illustrate how different models can be used to fit this type of data. As shown, the asymmetric models considered seem to present the best fit for the data set under study, revealing significance of the explanatory variable sex, which is not found significant with the log‐normal model.     

A systematic review of the frequency of neurocyticercosis with a focus on people with epilepsy

Background

The objective of this study is to conduct a systematic review of studies reporting the frequency of neurocysticercosis (NCC) worldwide.

Methods/Principal Findings

PubMed, Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau (CAB) abstracts and 23 international databases were systematically searched for articles published from January 1, 1990 to June 1, 2008. Articles were evaluated for inclusion by at least two researchers focusing on study design and methods. Data were extracted independently using standardized forms. A random-effects binomial model was used to estimate the proportion of NCC among people with epilepsy (PWE). Overall, 565 articles were retrieved and 290 (51%) selected for further analysis. After a second analytic phase, only 4.5% of articles, all of which used neuroimaging for the diagnosis of NCC, were reviewed. Only two studies, both from the US, estimated an incidence rate of NCC using hospital discharge data. The prevalence of NCC in a random sample of village residents was reported from one study where 9.1% of the population harboured brain lesions of NCC. The proportion of NCC among different study populations varied widely. However, the proportion of NCC in PWE was a lot more consistent. The pooled estimate for this population was 29.0% (95%CI: 22.9%–35.5%). These results were not sensitive to the inclusion or exclusion of any particular study.

Conclusion/Significance

Only one study has estimated the prevalence of NCC in a random sample of all residents. Hence, the prevalence of NCC worldwide remains unknown. However, the pooled estimate for the proportion of NCC among PWE was very robust and could be used, in conjunction with estimates of the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy, to estimate this component of the burden of NCC in endemic areas. The previously recommended guidelines for the diagnostic process and for declaring NCC an international reportable disease would improve the knowledge on the global frequency of NCC.     

Preliminary report of histopathology associated with infection with tongue worms in Australian dogs and cattle

Tongue worms utilise herbivorous mammals as intermediate hosts and reside in the nasopharynx of carnivores as their definitive hosts. A recent study in south eastern Australia showed an unexpectedly high infection (67%) of wild dogs with these parasites. The present study aimed at determining the pathogenicity of the parasite in both definitive (dog) and intermediate (cattle) hosts by histopathology. The definitive host showed multifocal haemorrhage of the interstitium of the nasal mucosa, multifocal mucosal erosion, congestion and haemorrhage, with haemosiderin laden macrophages present in those foci and distortion and destruction of the nasal mucosa. Histopathologic examination of lymph nodes from an infected cow showed diffuse eosinophilic granulomatous necrotising lymphadenitis and perinodal panniculitis with intralesional parasitic remnants and comparatively large numbers of eosinophils. A large, ~300–500?μm diameter, area of necrosis was also observed in one lymph node. This is the first time a study has been undertaken in Australia to determine the pathogenicity of tongue worms in both their definitive and intermediate hosts. This is a preliminary study and to properly estimate the health impact of infection with this pathogenic parasites on Australian production and companion animals more studies are necessary.     

左旋氨氯地平联合氯沙坦治疗2 型糖尿病肾病合并高血压的疗效及对血 压和肾功能的影响*

目的:探讨左旋氨氯地平联合氯沙坦治疗2型糖尿病肾病(T2DN)合并高血压的疗效及对血压和肾功能的影响。方法:采用随机数字表法将2010年1月至2013年1月本院门诊及住院部收治的260例T2DN合并高血压患者分为实验组和对照组,每组患者130例,实验组给予左旋氨氯地平和氯沙坦口服联合治疗,对照组仅给予左旋氨氯地平口服治疗,对比两组疗效,并观察两组治疗前后的收缩压(SBP)和舒张压(DBP)、血肌酐(Scr)水平、尿微量白蛋白(UMALB)/尿肌酐(Ucr)水平和24 h UMALB水平。结果:实验组的总有效率90.77%显著高于对照组的78.46%(P0.05);治疗后两组SBP、DBP、脉压差、SCr、UMALB/Ucr及24h UMALB水平均有显著下降(P0.05),且实验组均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:左旋氨氯地平联合氯沙坦不仅可有效降低T2DN合并高血压患者血压,还可有效减少尿液中蛋白的排放,保护患者的肾脏功能,疗效显著,值得推广。     

Antipyretic Therapy in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis: An Interaction with Body Temperature

Background and Objective

The effect of antipyretic therapy on mortality in patients with sepsis remains undetermined. The present study aimed to investigate the role of antipyretic therapy in ICU patients with sepsis by using a large clinical database.

Methods

The multiparameter intelligent monitoring in intensive care II (MIMIC- II) database was employed for the study. Adult patients with sepsis were included for analysis. Antipyretic therapy included antipyretic medication and external cooling. Multivariable model with interaction terms were employed to explore the association of antipyretic therapy and mortality risk.

Main Results

A total of 15,268 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria and were included in the study. In multivariable model by treating temperature as a continuous variable, there was significant interaction between antipyretic therapy and the maximum temperature (T_max). While antipyretic therapy had no significant effect on mortality in low temperature quintiles, antipyretic therapy was associated with increased risk of death in the quintile with body temperature >39°C (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04–1.61).

Conclusion

Our study shows that there is no beneficial effect on reducing mortality risk with the use of antipyretic therapy in ICU patients with sepsis. External cooling may even be harmful in patients with sepsis.     

Breast-feeding after vertical mammaplasty with medial pedicle

A retrospective study was performed in which the breast-feeding success of women of childbearing age (15 to 40 years) with macromastia but no prior breast surgery was compared with that of women of similar age who had undergone medial pedicle/vertical pattern reduction mammaplasty. All women completed a self-administered questionnaire that provided information on their breast-feeding success. The control group consisted of 149 women with macromastia (mean age, 27 years) who had been evaluated for possible breast reduction surgery and who had children before their consultation. The study group consisted of 58 women (mean age, 29 years) who had children after their vertical mammaplasty. The mean weight of breast tissue removed was 610 g per breast. None of the patients had absent nipple sensation. A period of 2 weeks or more was chosen as the defining duration of a successful breast-feeding attempt. Those individuals judged able to breast-feed were further classified on the basis of having breast-fed exclusively or with supplementation. The results demonstrated that, of the women who attempted to breast-feed, 61 percent in the control group and 65 percent in the study group were successful, with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The breakdown of the successful groups indicated that 36 percent in the control group and 38 percent in the study group supplemented their breast-feeding with formula. The groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05). In conclusion, this study found no significant difference in the rate of breast-feeding success between women who had medial pedicle/vertical pattern reduction mammaplasty and women who had no prior breast surgery.     

来曲唑联合二甲双胍治疗多囊卵巢综合征不孕症的疗效观察

目的:探讨来曲唑联合二甲双胍治疗多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)不孕症的疗效。方法:选择2012年6月~2013年6月期间我院收治的PCOS不孕症女性150例,随机分为研究组75例与对照组75例。对照组单纯采取来曲唑促排卵治疗,研究组采取来曲唑联合二甲双胍治疗。观察对比两组治疗前后糖代谢情况、临床疗效及排卵结局。结果:治疗前两组空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖、胰岛素抵抗(IR)比较无统计学差异(P0.05);治疗后研究组空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖、IR均显著降低,且研究组著低于对照组(P0.05)。研究组排卵数、优势卵泡数显著高于对照组(P0.05),卵泡生长时间显著低于对照组(P0.05)。研究组妊娠率为60.00%,显著高于对照组的33.33%(P0.05)。结论:来曲唑联合二甲双胍治疗PCOS不孕症疗效确切,可以有效降低雄激素水平,增加优势卵泡数量及排卵数量,保障了患者的生育功能及妊娠质量。     

双腔水囊联合腹主动脉介入阻隔术对比催产素联合常规剖宫产在晚期妊娠糖尿病引产中的应用分析

摘要 目的：探讨双腔水囊联合腹主动脉介入阻隔术对比催产素联合常规剖宫产对于晚期妊娠糖尿病引产的临床疗效。方法：收集2019年9月至2020年4月在我院待产的146例晚期妊娠糖尿病患者,随机分为研究组（73例）和对照组（73例）。研究组首先采用双腔水囊置于宫颈引产,对于双腔水囊引产失败的患者则采用腹主动脉介入阻隔术情况下剖宫产;对照组采用单纯静脉滴注小剂量催产素引产,对于催产素引产失败的患者则行常规剖宫产。通过询问病史、体征检查、实验室检查等收集孕妇一般情况、引产前后宫颈Bishop评分、各产程情况、不良反应等数据;引产失败的部分患者收集手术时间、输血量、出血量、子宫切除率、新生儿Apgar评分。对比分析两组患者促宫颈成熟度、各产程情况、妊娠结局、不良反应等结果。结果：研究组孕妇宫颈Bishop评分治疗后高于对照组（P＜0.05）;研究组与对照组在宫颈Bishop评分提高上比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。研究组引产成功率高于对照组,对照组剖宫产率高于研究组,两组分娩结局比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。研究组引产开始至临产时间、第一产程、第二产程、总产程时间上短于对照组（P＜0.05）。研究组术中出血量、输血量、子宫切除率及新生儿Apgar评分均少于对照组（P＜0.05）。研究组不良反应发生例数低于对照组（P＜0.05）。结论：双腔水囊、催产素均可促宫颈成熟,但前者优于后者且可提高引产成功率;腹主动脉介入阻隔术的应用较常规剖宫产优势更为明显,对于晚期妊娠糖尿病孕妇采用双腔水囊联合腹主动脉介入阻隔术引产具有更高安全性,值得临床借鉴。