Clinical Outcomes and Patency after Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Reduction for Overshunting Adverse Events

PurposeTo assess clinical outcomes and patency after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) reduction for overshunting adverse events.Materials and MethodsThis multicenter, retrospective observational study included 33 patients (male-to-female ratio, 20:13; mean age, 59 years; mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease [MELD] score, 15) who underwent TIPS reduction between 2007 and 2020. Procedure indications included medically refractory hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (85%), post-TIPS hepatic insufficiency (HI) (12%), and heart failure (3%). The measured outcomes included improvement in HE (classified using the West Haven system) and HI, patency of reduced TIPS, and transplant-free survival (TFS).ResultsTIPS reductions were successfully performed using parallel stent (94%) or other (6%) techniques at a median of 120 days after TIPS creation (HE, median, 164 days; HI, median, 5 days). The portosystemic pressure gradient increased from a mean of 10 to 17 mm Hg (P < .001). The overall HE rate after TIPS reduction was 54%; HE was persistent, improved, and resolved in 21%, 32%, and 46% cases, respectively. In patients with HI, the MELD score increased from a mean of 22 before TIPS to 34 after TIPS (P = .061), but without improvement (0%) in HI after TIPS reduction (mean MELD score, 30; P = .266). Recurrent ascites occurred in 14% of the patients. The median shunt patency was 961 days (95% confidence interval, 476–1,447). The 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year shunt patency rates were 92%, 81%, 74%, and 37%, respectively. The median TFS was not reached. The 30-day, 6-month, 1-year, and 3-year survival rates were 97%, 90%, 81%, and 60%, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough TIPS reduction may be an effective and durable approach to treat post-TIPS medically refractory HE, shunt reduction may not achieve meaningful benefit for HI.     

Optimizing the integration of advanced practitioners in a department of surgery: An operational improvement model

Physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) have established themselves as key members of the healthcare team to supplement practicing physicians in patient care. PAs and NPs are collectively referred to as “advanced providers” (APs) and work not only in primary care but in general surgery and surgical subspecialties. Studies have addressed AP integration into the profession of medicine and have examined cost and efficacy of APs, attitudes about APs among residents, and educational impact of APs, but very little literature exists that describes a formalized approach to AP integration into a department of surgery, specifically with AP/resident integration. The purpose of this paper is to describe an initiative for developing an operational improvement model for APs working with residents on surgical inpatient services in a large academic health center. The model consists of four components and each component is described in detail from discovery state towards continuous improvement. Formal professional development opportunities for APs as well as appointing a Clinical Director for Surgical APs have positively impacted AP integration into the department of surgery.     

多种放射性肺损伤动物模型的建立和效应评价研究

放射性肺损伤是胸部肿瘤放疗后常见并发症,随着对放射性肺炎研究不断深入,如何为基础研究和药物干预寻求最佳的动物模型和效应评价已成为当前亟待解决的难题之一。通过检索近10年文献,对不同放射性肺损伤模型动物及放射部位的选择、照射剂量的确定、照射方法的比较和动物模型效应评价进行了对比研究,以期寻找建立放射性肺损伤动物模型的稳定方法和较为明确的效应机制,为防护和减缓放射性肺损伤的发生发展而进行的基础研究和药物研制提供可靠的方法。     

The relationship between supination resistance and the kinetics and kinematics of the foot and ankle during gait

BackgroundClinical tests of foot posture and mobility are not strongly related to the dynamic kinematics of the foot during gait. These measures may be more directly related to foot and ankle kinetics. The supination resistance test (SRT) is a clinical test that may more directly measure forces acting on the weightbearing foot to provide clinicians with insight about the loading of foot structures.Research QuestionWhat is the relationship between the SRT in relaxed calcaneal stance and in single-leg-stance and the kinetics and kinematics of the foot and ankle during gait?Methods10 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 65 were recruited to participate in this study. Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed using the Oxford Foot Model during gait. The results of the SRT were compared with peak midfoot and ankle joint moments, power generation and absorption, joint angles, and peak angular velocities and accelerations. Correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the strength of relationships between these variables and the SRT.ResultsThe SRT demonstrated significant relationships with several variables. In relaxed calcaneal stance, the SRT was inversely related to maximum midfoot pronation moments (r = −0.51), maximum midfoot plantarflexion moments (rho = −0.71), and peak midfoot power generation (r = −0.61). In single-leg-stance, the SRT was significantly related to maximum midfoot plantarflexion moments (rho = −0.55) and peak midfoot power generation (r = −0.47).SignificanceThe SRT is significantly associated to several kinetic variables that quantify midfoot loading during gait. Interventions that decrease supination resistance may have the potential to increase midfoot power generation.     

静脉血栓栓塞症风险评估模型研究进展与启示

通过文献研究，总结国内外静脉血栓栓塞症各类评估工具的优缺点及适用范围。指出我国与欧美国家人群存在种族、疾病谱和遗传因素等方面的差异，国外量表所纳入的危险因素并不一定能准确、完整地反映我国患者的风险状况。应借鉴国外评估工具的构建方法，基于我国VTE患者数据进行多中心、大样本的回顾性研究，从而构建更适合我国人群的、更准确的VTE风险评估模型。     

miR-99a对帕金森模型细胞活力及ROS水平的影响

目的:分析miR-99a对帕金森病细胞模型作用。方法:采用Western blotting以及Real-time PCR方法,对miR-99a以及其靶基因FZD5表达水平进行研究。采用CCK-8方法,检测细胞存活力。结果:过表达miR-99a,可将MPP+抑制PC12细胞存活作用明显缓解,该作用是通过调控miR-99a/FZD5轴完成的。结论:miR-99a在帕金森病细胞模型中,可对MPP+导致的PC12细胞存活抑制作用明显缓解,是通过靶向及下调FZD5实现的。     

健脾疏肝降脂方干预非酒精性脂肪肝病肥胖小鼠肝功能、游离脂肪酸机制探讨

目的:观察健脾疏肝降脂方治疗非酒精性脂肪肝(NAFLD)肥胖小鼠ALT、AST、FFA及光镜下病理组织学改变,并与壳脂胶囊治疗组比较,观察其疗效。方法:将72只小鼠随机分为模型组、健脾疏肝降脂方高、中、低剂量组、壳脂胶囊对照组和空白组。采用饲养高脂饲料及皮下注射5%CCl₄复制NAFLD肥胖小鼠模型,分别以相应药物灌胃6周,检测血清中ALT、AST及FFA的含量,光镜下观察肝组织的脂肪变程度。结果:①各个用药组相比模型组,血清ALT、AST均降低有统计学意义(P<0.01),且中药各浓度组较壳脂胶囊组血清ALT、AST降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 中药高、中剂量组相比模型组FFA降低,比较有统计学意义(P<0.05); 但与壳脂胶囊组相比,中药各剂量组改善FFA,差异无明显统计学意义(P>0.05)。②光镜可见:各用药组光镜下病理组织改变均较模型组明显,以中、高剂量组较低剂量组小鼠肝细胞脂肪变程度减轻较明显。结论:健脾疏肝降脂方能有效降低NAFLD肥胖小鼠的肝功能、其与浓度无关; 可以降低FFA及改善光镜下肝脏的脂肪变,其有效程度与浓度有一定的关系。