Brain protective effect of dexmedetomidine vs propofol for sedation during prolonged mechanical ventilation in non-brain injured patients

BACKGROUND Dexmedetomidine and propofol are two sedatives used for long-term sedation.It remains unclear whether dexmedetomidine provides superior cerebral protection for patients undergoing long-term mechanical ventilation.AIM To compare the neuroprotective effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol for sedation during prolonged mechanical ventilation in patients without brain injury.METHODS Patients who underwent mechanical ventilation for>72 h were randomly assigned to receive sedation with dexmedetomidine or propofol.The Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale(RASS)was used to evaluate sedation effects,with a target range of-3 to 0.The primary outcomes were serum levels of S100-βand neuron-specific enolase(NSE)every 24 h.The secondary outcomes were remifentanil dosage,the proportion of patients requiring rescue sedation,and the time and frequency of RASS scores within the target range.RESULTS A total of 52 and 63 patients were allocated to the dexmedetomidine group and propofol group,respectively.Baseline data were comparable between groups.No significant differences were identified between groups within the median duration of study drug infusion[52.0(IQR:36.0-73.5)h vs 53.0(IQR:37.0-72.0)h,P=0.958],the median dose of remifentanil[4.5(IQR:4.0-5.0)μg/kg/h vs 4.6(IQR:4.0-5.0)μg/kg/h,P=0.395],the median percentage of time in the target RASS range without rescue sedation[85.6%(IQR:65.8%-96.6%)vs 86.7%(IQR:72.3%-95.3),P=0.592],and the median frequency within the target RASS range without rescue sedation[72.2%(60.8%-91.7%)vs 73.3%(60.0%-100.0%),P=0.880].The proportion of patients in the dexmedetomidine group who required rescue sedation was higher than in the propofol group with statistical significance(69.2%vs 50.8%,P=0.045).Serum S100-βand NSE levels in the propofol group were higher than in the dexmedetomidine group with statistical significance during the first six and five days of mechanical ventilation,respectively(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION Dexmedetomidine demonstrated stronger protective effects on the brain compared to propofol for long-term mechanical ventilation in patients without brain injury.

Recovering from prolonged cardiac arrest induced by electric shock:A case report

BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest(CA)induced by electric shock is a rare occurrence,particularly in cases of prolonged CA.Currently,there is limited literature on similar incidents,and we present a relevant case report.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old Asian male man,experiencing respiratory CA due to electric shock,was successfully restored to sinus rhythm after 50 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and 8 electrical defibrillation sessions.In the subsequent stages,the patient received multiple organ function protection measures,leading to a successful recovery and eventual discharge from the hospital.CONCLUSION Prolonging resuscitation time can enhance the chances of survival for patients,this study provide valuable insights into the management of electric shock-induced CA.

Gemcitabine-induced peripheral vascular disease and prolonged response in a patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Gemcitabine is an antimetabolite used in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.One of the side effects of gemcitabine is vascular toxicity.Here,we report the case of a patient treated with gemcitabine who had peripheral vascular disease concomi-tant with a prolonged antitumor response.CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old man was diagnosed with locally recurrent pancreatic cancer.Partial response was achieved after 9 mo of gemcitabine.At the same time,the patient reported peripheral vascular disease without necrosis.Chemotherapy was suspended,and after one month the Positron Emission Tomography(PET)scan showed locoregional tumor recurrence.Gemcitabine was resumed and partial response was obtained,but peripheral vascular disease occurred.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the appearance of peripheral vascular disease may be related to a prolonged response to gemcitabine.

Q-T间期离散度联合肌钙蛋白Ⅰ检测早期诊断乳腺癌蒽环类化疗所致心脏毒性的价值

目的:探讨Q-T间期离散度(QTd)联合肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)在蒽环类化疗药所致心脏毒性早期检测中的应用价值。方法:回顾性分析我医院2019年01月至2020年06月用蒽环类药物完成化疗的97例乳腺癌患者的临床资料。以左心射血分数(LVEF)下降幅度及充血性心衰症状为参考标准将纳入患者分为观察组(心脏毒性组)与对照组(非心脏毒性组),统计其QTd、cTnI水平,用SPSS 25.0分析软件进行数据处理。结果:入组的97例患者中18人发生心脏毒性,发生率18.6%。化疗前对照组与观察组QTd、cTnI基线水平无明显统计学差异(P>0.05);各化疗周期后QTd、cTnI水平均较基线水平明显升高(P<0.05);相同化疗周期观察组QTd、cTnI水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。QTd、cTnI的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.877、0.871,敏感性分别为85.4%、82.6%,特异性分别为96.5%、93.4%,联合应用时AUC为0.876,敏感性与特异性分别为84.0%、97.3%。结论:QTd、cTnI检测均可作为无创性评估蒽环类化疗药所致心脏毒性发生的前瞻性方法之一;QTd、cTnI联合应用具有更高的诊断价值。

Effect of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes

Objective:To discuss the effect of prolonged second stage of labor on maternal and neonatal outcomes.Methods:A total of 101 primiparas with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2 h were selected and pregnant women with the length less than 2 h served as control.The maternal and neonatal outcomes of two groups were observed and compared.Results:A total of 62.1%(18/11) with the length of second stage of labor between 120 min and 180 min,46.7%(28/32) between 181 min and 240 min and 12 longer than 241 min underwent vaginal delivery.The longer the length of second stage of labor,the lower score of Apgar scale for infants in 1 min,and the higher the incidence of asphyxia.But there was no difference in scale in 5 min.As second stage of labor prolonged,the incidences of cesarean section and of postpartum hemorrhage increased. Conclusions:Almost half of puerperas with the length of second stage of labor longer than 2 h underwent vaginal delivery.The prolonged second stage of labor can decrease the score of Apgar scale in 1 min,increase the incidence of asphyxia,but has no effect on scale in 5 min.It still need more evidence from evidence medicine to definition of time and treatment of second stage of labor.

Identifying Regional Prolonged Low Temperature Events in China

This study examined regional prolonged low temperature （PLT） events in China from the observational station data for the period 1960–2008 using the new criteria. The new definition of a site PLT event is that the daily minimum temperature does not exceed the 10th percentile threshold of the local daily minimum temperature climatology for at least 5 days at a station. The regional PLT event is defined as at least five adjacent stations exhibiting site PLT simultaneously for 5 d. Under the new definition, 552 regional PLT events were identified, and three indices： duration, extent, and intensity, as well as a comprehensive index （CI） were used to quantify the event severity. In addition, geographical patterns and temporal variations of regional PLT events were investigated using three event categories： strong, moderate, and weak. Spatially, strong events were mainly located in the north of Xinjiang and along the Yangtze River to the south of the Yangtze River; moderate events occurred in Xinjiang and south of the Yangtze River; and weak events occurred south of the Yellow River. The variation for the annual frequency of regional PLT events in China in the last 49 years showed a significant decreasing trend with a rate of-1.99 times per decade, and the significant transition decade was the 1980s.

Prolonged manganese exposure induces severe deficits in lifespan,development and reproduction possibly by altering oxidative stress response in Caenorhabditis elegans

We examined the possible multiple defects induced by acute and prolonged exposure to high levels of manganese（Mn） solution by monitoring the endpoints of lifespan,development,reproduction,and stress response.Our data suggest that acute exposure（6 h） to Mn did not cause severe defects of life span,development,and reproduction,similarly,no significant defect could be found in animals exposed to a low concentration of Mn（2.5 μmol/L） for 48 h.In contrast,prolonged exposure（48 h） to high Mn concentrations（75 and 200 μmol/L） resulted in significant defects of life span,development,and reproduction,as well as the increase of the percentage of population with hsp-16.2：：gfp expression indicating the obvious induction of stress responses in exposed animals.Moreover,prolonged exposure（48 h） to high concentrations（75 and 200 μmol/L） of Mn decreased the expression levels of antioxidant genes of sod-1,sod-2,sod-3,and sod-4 compared to control.Therefore,prolonged exposure to high concentrations of Mn will induce the severe defects of life span,development,and reproduction in nematodes possibly by affecting the stress response and expression of antioxidant genes in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Nomogram to predict prolonged postoperative ileus after gastrectomy in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Prolonged postoperative ileus(PPOI)is one of the common complications in gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy.Evidence on the predictors of PPOI after gastrectomy is limited and few prediction models of nomogram are used to estimate the risk of PPOI.We hypothesized that a predictive nomogram can be used for clinical risk estimation of PPOI in gastric cancer patients.AIM To investigate the risk factors for PPOI and establish a nomogram for clinical risk estimation.METHODS Between June 2016 and March 2017,the data of 162 patients with gastrectomy were obtained from a prospective and observational registry database.Clinical data of patients who fulfilled the criteria were obtained.Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were performed to detect the relationship between variables and PPOI.A nomogram for PPOI was developed and verified by bootstrap resampling.The calibration curve was employed to detect the concentricity between the model probability curve and ideal curve.The clinical usefulness of our model was evaluated using the net benefit curve.RESULTS This study analyzed 14 potential variables of PPOI in 162 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy.The incidence of PPOI was 19.75%in patients with gastrectomy.Age older than 60 years,open surgery,advanced stage(III–IV),and postoperative use of opioid analgesic were independent risk factors for PPOI.We developed a simple and easy-to-use prediction nomogram of PPOI after gastrectomy.This nomogram had an excellent diagnostic performance[area under the curve(AUC)=0.836,sensitivity=84.4%,and specificity=75.4%].This nomogram was further validated by bootstrapping for 500 repetitions.The AUC of the bootstrap model was 0.832(95%CI:0.741–0.924).This model showed a good fitting and calibration and positive net benefits in decision curve analysis.CONCLUSION We have developed a prediction nomogram of PPOI for gastric cancer.This novel nomogram might serve as an essential early warning sign of PPOI in gastric cancer patients.

Preoperative albumin levels predict prolonged postoperative ileus in gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND Prolonged postoperative ileus(PPOI) is a prolonged state of "pathological"gastrointestinal(GI) tract dysmotility. There are relatively few studies examining the influence of preoperative nutritional status on the development of PPOI in patients who underwent GI surgery. The association between preoperative albumin and PPOI has not been fully studied. We hypothesized that preoperative albumin may be an independent indicator of PPOI.AIM To analyze the role of preoperative albumin in predicting PPOI and to establish a nomogram for clinical risk evaluation.METHODS Patients were drawn from a prospective hospital registry database of GI surgery.A total of 311 patients diagnosed with gastric or colorectal cancer between June 2016 and March 2017 were included. Potential predictors of PPOI were analyzed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, and a nomogram for quantifying the presence of PPOI was developed and internally validated.RESULTS The overall PPOI rate was 21.54%. Advanced tumor stage and postoperative opioid analgesic administration were associated with PPOI. Preoperative albumin was an independent predictor of PPOI, and an optimal cutoff value of 39.15 was statistically calculated. After adjusting multiple variables, per unit or per SD increase in albumin resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of PPOI of 8%(OR = 0.92, 95%CI: 0.85-1.00, P = 0.046) or 27%(OR = 0.73, 95%CI:0.54-0.99, P = 0.046), respectively. Patients with a high level of preoperative albumin(≥ 39.15) tended to experience PPOI compared to those with low levels(< 39.15)(OR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.24-0.78, P = 0.006). A nomogram for predicting PPOI was developed [area under the curve(AUC) = 0.741] and internally validated by bootstrap resampling(AUC = 0.725, 95%CI: 0.663-0.799).CONCLUSION Preoperative albumin is an independent predictive factor of PPOI in patients who underwent GI surgery. The nomogram provided a model to screen for early indications in the clinical setting.

Unsatisfactory outcomes of prolonged ischemic priapism without early surgical^shunts： our clinical experience and a review of the literature

Ischemic priapism is a rare occurrence which can cause severe erectile dysfunction （ED） without timely treatment. This retrospective study reports our experience in treating prolonged ischemic priapism and proposes our further considerations. In this paper, a total of nine patients with prolonged ischemic priapism underwent one to three types of surgical shunts, including nine Winter shunts, two AI-Ghorab shunts and one Grayhack shunt. During the follow-up visit （after a mean of 21.11 months）, all patients＇ postoperative characters were recorded, except one patient lost for death. Six postoperative patients accepted a 25-mg oral administration of sildenafil citrate. The erectile function of the patients was evaluated by their postoperative 5-item version of International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire （IIEF-5）, which were later compared with their premorbid scores. All patients had complete resolutions, and none relapsed. The resolution rate was 100%. Seven patients were resolved with Winter shunts, one with an AI-Ghorab shunt and one with a Grayhack shunt. The mean hospital stay was 8.22 days. There was only one urethral fistula, and the incidence of postoperative ED was 66.67%. Four patients with more than a 72-h duration of priapism had no response to the long-term phosphodiesterase type 5 （PDE-5） inhibitor treatment. These results suggest that surgical shunts are an efficient approach to make the penis flaccid after prolonged priapism. However, the severe ED caused by prolonged duration is irreversible, and long-term PDE-5 inhibitor treatments are ineffective. Thus, we recommend early penile prosthesis surgeries for these patients.

Effect of prolonged isothermal heat treatment on the mechanical behavior of advanced NANOBAIN steel

The microstructural evolution and consequent changes in strength and ductility of advanced NANOBAIN steel during prolonged isothermal heat-treatment stages were investigated. The microstructure and mechanical properties of nanostructured bainite were not expected to be influenced by extending the heat-treatment time beyond the optimum value because of the autotempering phenomenon and high tempering resistance. However, experimental results indicated that the microstructure was thermodynamically unstable and that prolonged austempering resulted in carbon depletion from high-carbon retained austenite and carbide precipitations. Therefore, austenite became thermally less stable and partially transformed into martensite during cooling to room temperature. Prolonged austempering did not lead to the typical tempering sequence of bainite, and the sizes of the microstructural constituents were independent of the extended heat-treatment times. This independence, in turn, resulted in almost constant ultimate tensile strength values. However, microstructural variations enhanced the yield strength and the hardness of the material at extended isothermal heat-treatment stages. Finally, although microstructural changes decreased the total elongation and impact toughness, considerable combinations of mechanical properties could still be achieved.

Conversion from prolonged intravenous fentanyl infusion to enteral methadone in critically ill children

AIM To describe our institutional experience with conversion from intravenous(IV) fentanyl infusion directly to enteral methadone and occurrence of withdrawal in critically ill mechanically ventilated children exposed to prolonged sedation and analgesia.METHODS With Institutional Review Board approval,we retrospectively studied consecutively admitted invasively mechanically ventilated children(0-18 years) sedated with IV fentanyl infusion > 5 d and subsequently converted directly to enteral methadone.Data were obtained onsubject demographics,illness severity,daily IV fentanyl and enteral methadone dosing,time to complete conversion,withdrawal scores(WAT-1),pain scores,and need for rescue opioids.Patients were classified as rapid conversion group(RCG) if completely converted ≤ 48 h and slow conversion group(SCG) if completely converted in > 48 h.Primary outcome was difference in WAT-1 scores at 7 d.Secondary outcomes included differences in overall pain scores,and differences in daily rescue opioids.RESULTS Compared to SCG(n = 21),RCG(n = 21) had lower median WAT-1 scores at 7 d(2.5 vs 5,P = 0.027).Additionally,RCG had lower overall median pain scores(3 vs 6,P = 0.007),and required less median daily rescue opioids(3 vs 12,P = 0.003) than SCG.The starting daily median methadone dose was 2.3 times the daily median fentanyl dose in the RCG,compared to 1.1 times in the SCG(P = 0.049).CONCLUSION We observed wide variation in conversion from IV fentanyl infusion directly to enteral methadone and variability in withdrawal in critically ill mechanically ventilated children exposed to prolonged sedation.In those children who converted successfully from IV fentanyl infusion to enteral methadone within a period of 48 h,a methadone:fentanyl dose conversion ratio of approximately 2.5:1 was associated with less withdrawal and reduced need for rescue opioids.

Univariate Risk Factors for Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in Patients Undergoing Prosthetic Heart Valves Replacement Surgery

Data from 736 patients undergoing prosthetic heart valve replacement surgery and concomitant surgery （combined surgery） from January 1998 to January 2004 at Union Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identity risk factors for prolonged mechanical ventilation. The results showed that prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass duration, prolonged aortic cross clamp time and low ejection fraction less than 50 percent （50 %） were found to be independent predictors for prolonged mechanical ventilation. Meanwhile age, weight, and preoperative hospital stay （days） were not found to be associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation. It was concluded that. for age and weight, this might be due to the lower number of old age patients （70 years and above） included in our study and genetic body structure of majority Chinese population that favor them to be in normal weight, respectively.

Emergency Department Waiting Times and Determinants of Prolonged Length of Stay in a Botswana Referral Hospital

Introduction: Emergency medicine is a critical component of quality public health service. In fact length of stay and waiting times in the Emergency department are key indicators of quality. The aim of this study was to determine waiting times and determinants of prolonged length of stay (LOS) in the Princess Marina Hospital Emergency Department. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. It was done at Princess Marina, a referral hospital in Gaborone, Botswana. Triage forms of patients who presented between 19/11/ 2018 and 18/12/2018 were reviewed. Data from patient files was used to determine time duration from triage to being reviewed by a doctor, time duration from review by emergency doctor to patients’ disposition and the time duration from patient’s triage to disposition (length of stay). Prolonged length of stay was defined as duration > 6 hours. Results: A total of 1052 files repre- senting patients seen over a 1-month period were reviewed. 72.5% of the patients had a prolonged length of stay. The median emergency doctor waiting time was 4.5 hours (IQR 1.6 - 8.3 hours) and the maximum was 27.1 hours. The median length of stay in the emergency department was 9.6 hours (IQR 5.8 - 14.6 hours) and the maximum was 45.9 hours. Patient’s age (AOR 1.01), mental status (AOR 0.61), admission to internal medicine service (AOR 5.12) and pediatrics admissions (AOR 0.11) were significant predictors of prolonged length of stay in the emergency department. Conclusion: Princess Marina Hospital emergency department waiting times and length of stay are long. Age, normal mental status and internal medicine admission were independent predictors of prolonged stay (>6 hours). Admission to the pediatrics service was associated with shorter length of stay. There is a need for interventions to address the long waiting times and length of stay. Interventions should particularly focus on the identified predictors.

Implications from Subseasonal Prediction Skills of the Prolonged Heavy Snow Event over Southern China in Early 2008

An exceptionally prolonged heavy snow event(PHSE)occurred in southern China from 10 January to 3 February 2008,which caused considerable economic losses and many casualties.To what extent any dynamical model can predict such an extreme event is crucial for disaster prevention and mitigation.Here,we found the three S2S models(ECMWF,CMA1.0 and CMA2.0)can predict the distribution and intensity of precipitation and surface air temperature(SAT)associated with the PHSE at 10-day lead and 10−15-day lead,respectively.The success is attributed to the models’capability in forecasting the evolution of two important low-frequency systems in the tropics and mid-latitudes[the persistent Siberian High and the suppressed phase of the Madden−Julian Oscillation(MJO)],especially in the ECMWF model.However,beyond the 15-day lead,the three models show almost no skill in forecasting this PHSE.The bias in capturing the two critical circulation systems is responsible for the low skill in forecasting the 2008 PHSE beyond the 15-day lead.On one hand,the models cannot reproduce the persistence of the Siberian High,which results in the underestimation of negative SAT anomalies over southern China.On the other hand,the models cannot accurately capture the suppressed convection of the MJO,leading to weak anomalous southerly and moisture transport,and therefore the underestimation of precipitation over southern China.The Singular Value Decomposition(SVD)analyses between the critical circulation systems and SAT/precipitation over southern China shows a robust historical relation,indicating the fidelity of the predictability sources for both regular events and extreme events(e.g.,the 2008 PHSE).

Impact of prolonged fraction dose-delivery time modeling intensity-modulated radiation therapy on hepatocellular carcinoma cell killing

AIM: To explore the impact of prolonged fraction dosedelivery time modeling intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on cell killing of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) HepG2 and Hep3B cell lines.METHODS: The radiobiological characteristics of human HCC HepG2 and Hep3b cell lines were studied with standard clonogenic assays, using standard linear-quadratic model and incomplete repair model to fit the dose-survival curves. The identical methods were also employed to investigate the biological effectiveness of irradiation protocols modeling clinical conventional fractionated external beam radiotherapy (EBRT, fraction delivery time 3 min) and IMRT with different prolonged fraction delivery time (15, 30, and 45 min). The differences of cell surviving fraction irradiated with different fraction delivery time were tested with paired t-test. Factors determining the impact of prolonged fraction delivery time on cell killing were analyzed.RESULTS: The α/β and repair half-time (T1/2) of HepG2and Hep3b were 3.1 and 7.4 Gy, and 22 and 19 min respectively. The surviving fraction of HepG2 irradiated modeling IMRT with different fraction delivery time was significantly higher than irradiated modeling EBRT and the cell survival increased more pronouncedly with the fraction delivery time prolonged from 15 to 45 min,while no significant differences of cell survival in Hep3b were found between different fraction delivery time protocols.CONCLUSION: The prolonged fraction delivery time modeling IMRT significantly decreased the cell killing in HepG2 but not in Hep3b. The capability of sub-lethal damage repair was the predominant factor determining the cell killing decrease. These effects, if confirmed by clinical studies, should be considered in designing IMRT treatments for HCC.

Prevalence and risk factors of prolonged grief disorder among bereaved survivors seven years after the Wenchuan earthquake in China: A cross-sectional study

Background:This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictive factors of prolonged grief disorder(PGD)among those bereaved by the Wenchuan earthquake in Southwestern China seven years after the event.Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on census tracts was conducted on the bereaved earthquake survivors.Responses to the questionnaire regarding PGD and its potential associated factors were obtained either through face-to-face or telephone interview.PGD was screened by a validated Chinese version of the PGD questionnaire-13(PG-13).Bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of PGD.Results:A total of 1464 bereaved earthquake survivors,with a response rate of 97.6%,were included in the study.Of the 1464 respondents studied,124(8.47%)were diagnosed with PGD.Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that PGD in the bereaved earthquake individuals was significantly associated with several factors,including age,economic burden,close kinship with the deceased,and living with the deceased before the loss.Wenchuan earthquake bereaved aged 41e60 years were more likely to develop PGD compared to those aged younger than 40 or older than 60(OR=2.075,95%CI=1.297e3.319).Those who had a close kinship with the deceased had a higher tendency to develop PGD(OR=5.144,95%CI=2.716e9.740).The odds of PGD among the earthquake bereaved with economic burdens were higher relative to those who did not experience an economic burden(OR=8.123,95%CI=2.657e24.831).Those who living with the deceased before loss also had a higher tendency to develop PGD(OR=0.179,95%CI=0.053e0.602).Conclusions:This study revealed that a significantly high proportion(8.47%)of the Wenchuan earthquake-bereaved remain grieving seven years after the event.Those diagnosed with PGD should receive appropriate interventions from clinical psychologists.The risk factors identified in this study are crucial for the early screening and prevention of PGD in future nursing and psycho-clinical practices.

Factors Associated with Prolonged Poor Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Patients Followed in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital, Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

Background: Achieving and maintaining glycemic targets are a challenge for health practitioners around the world. We aimed to study the factors associated with prolonged poor diabetes control in the cohort of T2DM patients monitored and treated in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yalgado OUEDRAOGO Teaching Hospital in Ouagadougou in order to optimize therapeutic education in these patients. Methodology: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study combining retrospective data collection from the last year of patient follow-up and prospective collection of some information. The study included all diabetic patients, aged at least 18 years old, followed and treated in the Department of Internal Medicine at the Yalgado OUEDRAOGO Teaching Hospital between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018 following a systematic random sampling with a sampling step of 10. The variables collected were sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes-related characteristics. To determine the risk factors associated with prolonged poor glycemic control, we performed modeling using logistic regression. All variables associated with prolonged poor glycemic control, in bivariate logistic regression with a p-value less than 0.20 were included in the full model. Later, we used a stepwise descending method to obtain the final model, which was then tested by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The significance threshold was set at 5%. Raw and fitted Odds-Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval were presented. Results: 270 patients were included. Prolonged poor control of diabetes mellitus was observed in 73.70%. The mean age was 55.97 years (SD: ±11.52) and the sex ratio was 0.6 in favor of female. The mean time since diabetes mellitus diagnoses was 5.85 years (SD: ±5.15). A monthly gain of 92.62 USD (50.74%) for average diabetes mellitus care expenditures of 55.82 USD (SD: 28.25) was reported. An overweight (55.92%) and hypertension (41.85%) were reported. Diabetes mellitus was complicated in 68.15%. Patients were supported by their families in the management of their diabetes mellitus in 85.19%. In multivariate analysis with bivariate logistic regression, low level of formal education (OR = 8.34, 95% CI [1.97 - 35.22];p < 0.01), family support for diabetes mellitus management (OR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.45 - 0.94];p = 0.02), presence of abdominal obesity (OR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.08 - 4.77];p = 0.03), presence of a history of hospitalization (OR = 7.39, 95% CI [2.97 - 18.39];p < 0.01), poor adherence to antidiabetic treatment (OR = 2.97, 95% CI [1.42 - 6.18];p < 0.01), and the presence of microangiopathy (OR = 5.05, 95% CI [2.36 - 10.81];p < 0.01) were the factors independently associated with prolonged poor control of T2DM, with a ROC curve of 0.88, which reflects a very good sensitivity and specificity of these factors. Conclusion: The imbalance of T2DM is multifactorial. Lifestyle, family environment, and compliance seem to be essential to ensure good glycemic control. Healthcare practitioners should take these elements into account in their daily patient assessment. A predictive score would be a tool to help identify patients at risk of diabetes imbalance and would contribute to improving their management.

Prolonged acute hepatitis A mimicking autoimmune hepatitis

AIM: We report a case with a prolonged course of hepatitisA, with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) higher than 500 IU/Lfor more than 2 mo.METHODS: A middle-aged woman had an elevated IgG level of more than 2 000 mg/dL, positive arti-nudear antibodies (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA), but no evidence of persistent hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. Liver biopsy findings were compatible with prolonged acute hepatitis, although acute onset of autoimmune hepatitis could not be ruled out.RESULTS: It was assumed that she developed a course of hepatitis similar to autoimmune hepatitis triggered by HAV infection. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment was initiated and a favorable outcome was obtained. CONCLUSION: We describe a case of a middle-aged woman who showed a prolonged course of acute hepatitis A mimicking autoimmune hepatitis. Treatment with UDCAproved to be effective.

An experimental study on embankment failure induced by prolonged immersion in floodwater

Prolonged immersion in floodwater is one of the main causes of embankment failure or dam breaks, although failure mechanisms have not been extensively studied. In this study, an embankment model was constructed to investigate the influence of prolonged immersion in floodwater on the failure of an embankment. The results indicate that： （1） the phreatic surface gradually rises and negative pore pressures gradually dissipate with the time of prolonged immersion in floodwater, and, finally, a stable and fully saturated state is reached; （2） observable cracks and a heave phenomenon are found near the downstream toe and in the top stratum of the foundation, which are attributed to the large uplift pressure on the interface between the top stratum and the pervious substratum, the tremendous impact effect induced by the rapid rise in water level, and the reduction of shear strength of heavy silt loam. The present study enhances our in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms of embankment failure induced by floodwater, and provides experimental data for validation of mathematical models of the embankment seepage failure.