Correlation study of increase of pharyngeal airway space after mandibular advancement,taking natural head position into consideration

The increase in the pharyngeal airway space after mandibular advancement has not been well explained, and in this study we aimed to show whether there is a correlation in the increase of pharyngeal airway space as a consequence of the mandibular advancement or of the relative change between the mandibular position and the natural head position (NHP). Fifteen patients who had bilateral sagittal split osteotomy for mandibular advancement with or without genioplasty were studied retrospectively. The primary variables of mandibular position, NHP, and pharyngeal airway space were measured in three dimensions using preoperative and postoperative cone-beam computed tomographic datasets and were compared using the paired t test. The secondary variable of pharyngeal airway space was defined as the square root of the mean cross-sectional area (CSA^1/2) of the pharyngeal airway space. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to find out whether there was a correlation between the change in CSA^1/2 and the change in mandibular position, or the relative change between the mandibular position and the NHP. Volumes and minimal cross-sectional areas were increased in the pharyngeal airway space, and lengths of airways decreased. Correlation existed only between the increase in CSA^1/2 and the relative change between the mandibular position and NHP. The increase in pharyngeal airway space after mandibular advancement correlated with the relative changes between the mandibular position and the NHP.     

Genotypes and Phenotypes of Chinese Pediatric Patients With Idiopathic and Heritable Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension—A Single-Center Study

BackgroundThe relationship between clinical outcomes and gene mutations in Chinese pediatric patients with idiopathic and heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is unclear.MethodsWe retrospectively studied the clinical characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients who visited Beijing Anzhen Hospital from September 2008 to December 2018.ResultsEighty-two pediatric patients were included. Forty-two gene mutations were identified in 41 patients (50%), including 25 mutations in BMPR2, 5 mutations in ACVRL1, 3 mutations each in ABCA3 and NOTCH3, 2 mutations each in KCNK3 and HTR2B, 1 mutation in ENG, and 1 mutation in EIF2AK4. The mean age at diagnosis of PAH was 86.4 ± 55.1 months. Forty-eight patients (twenty-eight mutation carriers) underwent cardiac catheterization examinations, with acute vasodilator testing performed simultaneously. Results showed that mutation carriers demonstrated a higher pulmonary vascular resistance index (P = 0.037). Patients with gene mutations responded poorly to vasodilators (P = 0.001). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of mutation noncarriers were 95.1%, 87.8%, and 82.5% respectively; while for mutation carriers, the proportions were 86.6% (P = 0.216), 63.8% (P = 0.021), and 52.2% (P = 0.010), respectively. Cardiac index was an independent predictor of death (P = 0.005; odds ratio [OR] 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.258-3.704), as well as RAP (P = 0.01; OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.056-1.503).ConclusionsIn our cohort of Chinese pediatric patients, those with an identified gene mutation demonstrated worse clinical outcomes. Therefore, early gene screening for pediatric patients with idiopathic and heritable PAH is recommended, and more aggressive treatment for mutation carriers may be advisable.     

2018—2019年度河北省城市结直肠癌筛查结果分析CSCD

目的分析2018—2019年河北省城市癌症早诊早治项目结直肠癌筛查结果。方法按照河北省城市癌症早诊早治中结直肠癌筛查流程,在石家庄市和唐山市选定社区中年龄40~74岁的当地居民,通过问卷调查后采用国家统一评估模型评估出高危人群,进一步通过结肠镜检查,发现早期结直肠病变,必要时通过病理进行确诊。结果 2018—2019年度,河北省城癌项目共计37849人完成结直肠癌危险因素问卷调查,评估结直肠癌高危人群6938例,总体高危率为18.33%。其中共有1230人参加了结肠镜检查,并完成病理检查465例(37.80%)。进行病理诊断者年龄主要分布在50~64岁。经结肠镜检查及病理诊断,共检出6例(0.49%)结直肠癌患者,其中结肠癌4例(0.33%)、直肠癌2例(0.16%)。结直肠癌癌前病变190例(15.45%),非进展期腺瘤/息肉250例(20.33%),炎性反应性肠道疾病168例(13.66%)。结论开展人群结肠镜筛查可以有效检出结直肠癌和癌前病变,实现结直肠癌的早期发现、早期诊断和早期干预。     

Directly observed hepatitis C treatment with opioid substitution therapy in community pharmacies: A qualitative study

BackgroundThe hepatitis C virus (HCV) will only be eliminated through successful engagement with people who inject drugs (PWID), however some of this population experience socioeconomic and individual issues that can lead to poor HCV treatment adherence. A key sub-group of (PWID) are those who receive opioid substitution therapy (OST). In Australia, OST is most often delivered under direct supervision by a community pharmacist every day or multiple times a week. This regular interaction could be an ideal opportunity to enhance direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment adherence under directly observed therapy (DOT) by the pharmacist.AimThe aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of OST patients with a lived experience of HCV to understand whether or not dispensing DAAs in the same way as, or simultaneously with OST would benefit HCV treatment.MethodsData collection occurred from June to August 2017. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of PWID living with HCV and on OST programs (n = 12) in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews were voice recorded and transcribed in verbatim. Interpretive phenomenology guided analysis of the data.ResultsThemes reported by participants that provide insight into the suitability of DOT of DAAs include: Adherence and non-adherence to DAA treatment; Mixed views towards DOT of DAAs; Experiences and perceptions of OST providers; and Perceived stigma in the pharmacy.ConclusionsCommunity pharmacies offering OST may be an effective place for DOT of HCV treatment, but is likely only to benefit people who face significant challenges to adherence. We suggest that a positive pharmacist-patient relationship, high OST adherence, and commitment to reducing stigma in the pharmacy would be necessary for the intervention to be effective. Further research is needed to evaluate the expanded-role of community pharmacies in improving DAA adherence and eliminating HCV.     

京津冀地区自建设施供水单位水质卫生学调查

目的了解京津冀地区自建设施供水单位的水质现状,分析存在的风险指标。方法于2015年对108家自建设施供水单位的基本情况进行调查,并采集出厂水进行水质检测。结果京津冀地区自建设施供水单位多以深井水为水源,48%(52/108)的单位未采取水处理措施,26.8%(29/108)的单位采取了消毒措施,超过1/2的自建设施供水单位日供水能力在500 t以下。氟化物、硝酸盐氮合格率分别为67.6%(73/108)和86.1%(96/108)。结论本次调查的京津冀地区自建设施供水单位的供水规模大多较小,供水水质与水源地质因素和处理工艺落后有关。