Refining a Church-Based Lifestyle Intervention Targeting African-American Adults at Risk for Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Pilot Study

Objective: The pilot study was intended to test the feasibility of a multiple-component lifestyle intervention targeting African American adults in a weight control and cardiometabolic risk reduction program on diet, activity, and stress, using community-engagement principles. Methods: Applying mixed qualitative and quantitative measures, the intervention had a two-part sequential study design consisting of 12 weekly small group sessions that provided individual and group counseling in nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness, while incorporating focus group and interactive techniques to learn about barriers and acceptable practices for this population. The program was implemented at an African-American church in Nashville, Tennessee. Results: Thirty-four participants (aged 56.1 ± 11 years, body mass index (BMI) 36.7 ± 6.6 kg/m2) completed the intervention. Lifestyle changes after the 12 weekly sessions showed some positive trends including reduced sodium intake (from 2725.3 ± 326.5 to 2132 ± 330, mg/day, P = 0.008), increased walking steps (from 4392.1 ± 497.2 to 4895.3 ± 497.9, steps/day, not significant), and slightly decreased Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) scores (from 13.7 ± 1.4 to 12.4 ± 1.5, not significant). Body fat % among male participants decreased significantly (from 33.8 ± 2.6 to 28 ± 2.6, %, P = 0.043). Among cardiometabolic risk biomarkers, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) decreased significantly (from 6.6 ± 0.2 to 6.1 ± 0.2, %, P β = 2.4, P = 0.006). Twenty-one participants took part in focus groups during the program to identify barriers to healthy lifestyle changes. Primary barriers reported were price, time for preparing healthy meals, unfamiliarity with mindfulness activities, their health condition, and daily schedule available for physical activities. Conclusions: This church-based pilot intervention was proven feasible by showing modest progress in reducing adiposity and decreasing HbA1c levels. The focus group and interactive methods facilitated program direction. Future full-scale studies are warranted to identify key strategies that provide more personalized approaches and supportive environments to sustain a healthy lifestyle among these at risk minorities with limited resources.

他们不再是孩子了 关于“新失业群体”现状的社会学报告

The “New Unemployed” consists of young people with low education in the Chinese cities. They differ from the cohorts of their parents because they have no work experiences in any state- or collective-owned enterprise, and are subject to completely different policies designated by the government. Investigations of their daily living lead to the conclusion that the “New Unemployed” has gone through a “system withdrawal” process. They are now facing an environment of “system vacuum” that none of other unemployed groups has ever encountered before. The author emphasizes in the paper a strategic employment principle of “For Future Generations” so that focused attention and care can be provided and this toughest challenge in China can be dealt with.

Donors’ Quality of Life after Live Liver Transplantation and Social Support: A Correlation Study

Objective: Donors’ quality of life (QOL) and social support were investigated in this study. Method: The SF-36 scale and social support scale were used to survey the quality of life and social support of donors of live liver transplantation. Result: The PCS (Physical Correlated Score) is 84.78 ± 13.21, the MCS (Mental Correlated Score) is 80.71 ± 14.65, and the total score is 165.49 ± 22.63. The results show the significant difference at GH (General Health) & VT (Vitality) domain regarding the age, P < 0.05;while there’s a significant difference at BP (Body Pain) domain regarding the sex, P < 0.05. The social support score of male & female donors are 37.75 ± 7.50 and 44.00 ± 4.30, and the difference is significant, P < 0.05. The MCS and the social support score are correlated, the correlation factor is 0.483, P < 0.05. Conclusion: There’s no significant difference between the donors and the normal population. The age is the risk factor of QOL, and it should be paid more attention when we select the donor. Excellent social support relates to high quality of life.

Effects of salinity on egg and fecal pellet production, development and survival, adult sex ratio and total life span in the calanoid copepod, A cartia tonsa:a laboratory study

The ef fects of salinity on the copepod, A cartia tonsa in terms of daily egg production rate(EPR), hatching success, fecal pellet production rate(FPR), naupliar development time and survival, sex ratio, and total life span were determined in laboratory conditions through three experiments. In experiment 1, EPR, hatching success, and FPR of individual females were monitored at salinities of 13, 20, 35 and 45 during short-periods(seven consecutive days). Results show EPR was aff ected by salinity with the highest outputs recorded at 20 and 35, respectively, which were considerably higher than those at 13 and 45. Mean FPR was also higher in 35 and 20. In experiment 2, the same parameters were evaluated over total life span of females(long-term study). The best EPR and FPR were observed in 35, which was statistically higher than at 13 and 20. In experiment 3, survival rates of early nauplii until adult stage were lowest at a salinity of 13. The development time increased with increasing of salinity. Female percentage clearly decreased with increasing salinity. Higher female percentages(56.7% and 52.2%, respectively) were signifi cantly observed at two salinities of 13 and 20 compared to that at 35(25%). Total longevity of females was not af fected by salinity increment. Based on our results, for mass culture we recommend that a salinity of 35 be adopted due to higher reproductive performances, better feeding, and faster development of A. tonsa.

Focus on Cancer Pain at Home: A Prospective Study of Quality of Life and Its Influencing Factors on Patients

Background and Aims: The treatment of patients with advanced cancer pain is mainly concentrated in the outpatient department, and most of the time in their family, these patients are easy to be ignored, To study the quality of life and its influencing factors of cancer pain patients at home is of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients. Meanwhile, it provides theoretical and practical basis for medical personnel to develop and implement individualized comprehensive intervention programs. Patients and Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 200 patients with cancer pain at home are selected to treat, and their quality of life conditions are observed before treatment, 1 week after treatment and 1 month after treatment, and their influencing factors are analyzed. Results: The patients’ scores of body function, emotional function, cognitive function and social function exist significant difference before and after treatment (p scores of role function and the overall evaluation scores before and after treatment, two stages after treatment exist significant difference (p < 0.01), the symptoms scores of fatigue, pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting are significant differences before and after treatment (p appetite loss score before a month and a week after treatment and treatment exists significant difference (p the scores of constipation symptom before treatment and a month after treatment exist significant difference (p < 0.01), only gender on cognitive function before treatment has significant difference (p . One week after treatment, tumor staging and metastasis have impact on overall health evaluation, role function, cognitive function and emotional function (p The location of metastasis and the type of pain affect the role function and emotional function respectively (p . One month after treatment, age, metastasis, metastasis site and pain type have influence on cognitive function, emotional function, overall health evaluation and role function respectively (p The overall health status, body function, role function, emotional function, cognitive function and social function of the patients are lower than those of the Norwegian norm (p < 0.001). The symptoms of pain, appetite, constipation, nausea and vomiting are higher than those of the Norwegian norm before and after treatment (p There was a significant positive correlation between quality of life and total score of social support (p < 0.01). Objective support and subjective support were positively correlated with quality of life (p Conclusion: Cognitive interventions should be individualized. The effectiveness of cancer treatment and the control of cancer recurrence and metastasis have influence on the quality of life of patients with cancer pain at home. Although the patients’ function indexes have been improved after treatment, there exist differences in the improvement after treatment. The symptoms of nausea, vomiting, pain and appetite should be intervened promptly. The management of symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, constipation should be focused persistently. Objective support and subjective support were the influencing factors of patients’ quality of life, the construction of social support system should be strengthened, we should help them to overcome negative emotions, return to normal family and social roles, seek help in a positive manner and use support to improve the quality of life.

Berberine Prolongs Life Span and Stimulates Locomotor Activity of <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>

Drosophila melanogaster mutants with deficient kynurenine (KYN) formation from tryptophan (TRP) have longer life span than wild type flies. Administration of alpha-methyl-TRP and 5-methyl-TRY, the inhibitors of TRP-KYN metabolism, prolonged life span in wild-type flies. Both inhibitors are not available for human use. Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from berberis aristata is known as the herb widely used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine. Berberin is a strong inhibitor of the enzyme catalyzing TRP conversion into KYN. Considering this particular feature we investigated the effect of berberine on life-and health-span in wild-type Drosophila melanogaster. The results of our study showed that Berberine extended mean, median and maximum life span of female flies. Berberine did not affect the number of pupae of filial generation and decreased their lethality. Berberine increased locomotor activity (vertical climbing). The results of the study suggest that berberine prolongs life- and improves health-span of Drosophila melanogaster. Berberine might be a candidate drug for prevention and treatment of aging and aging-associated medical and psychiatric disorders.

Dietary <i>γ</i>-Aminobutyric Acid Shortens the Life Span of Stroke-Prone Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Dietary γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) has been suggested to decrease systolic blood pressure. This study aimed to ex-amine the effects of dietary GABA on the life span of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). In this study, life span was determined for SHRSPs provided 1% NaCl solution or 0.01% GABA in 1% NaCl solution as drinking water. The life span of the GABA-fed group (76.3 ± 1.65 days) was significantly shorter than that of the control group (81.6 ± 0.88 days). The results of this study may not be applicable to humans. Future studies will be necessary to elucidate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

Prognostic Nutritional Index Predicts Life Expectancy of Patients with End-Stage Oral Cancer: A Retrospective Study

Background: Generally, clinicians do not accurately estimate life expec-tancy in terminally ill patients with cancer. Aim: To evaluate the value of the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) for accurately estimating the life expectancy of patients with end-stage oral cancer. Design: A longitudinal section study. Setting/participants: Fifteen patients (12 men;mean age: 71.7 years) who died of oral cancer between 2005 and 2014 (the terminal group) were included. The mean PNI values at the initial visit and at 3, 2, and 1 months before the deaths were comparatively analyzed. Results: The mean follow-up period was 133 days. At the initial examination, the PNI values were 49.1 ± 4.5 (p = 0.6723). The PNI value of the terminal group was 35.6 ± 5.1 at 2 months before death and 28.6 ± 3.0 at 1 month before death. The PNI values at 3, 2, and 1 months before death in the terminal group significantly differed from each other and from that at the initial visit and steadily decreased until death. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the utility of PNI as a prognostic index in patients with end-stage oral cancer patients. Furthermore, the PNI should be routinely considered in the nutritional management of patients with oral cancer nearing death.

多维学生生活满意度量表中文版的初步测试报告

目的:建立多维学生生活满意度量表(Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale,MSLSS) 的中文版.并测试其信、效度。方法:793名中学生完成了MSLSS,计算量表的内部一致性信度、分半信度和重测信度、总分与各因子间的相关系数,并进行验证性因子分析。结果:MSLSS 中文版的Cronbach's a 系数为0.90; 重测信度为0.86;总分与各因子的相关系数在0.71～0.80之间,各因子间的相关系数在0.36～0.57之间;条目对因子的标准负荷系数在0.35～0.89之间,5个潜变量在上一级潜变量的标准负荷系数介于0.55～0.74之间。验证性因子分析的指标:x^2、x^2/df、NFI、CFI、TLI、RMSEA 均符合心理测量学要求。结论:MSLSS 中文版具有良好的信、效度,在我国也是一种较好的青少年生活满意度测评工具。

Influence of Metabolic Syndrome versus Musculoskeletal Disorders on Saudi Health-Related Quality of Life

Aim: This work aimed to study the influence of two chronic health conditions, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of Saudis. Method: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) health status questionnaire was used to measure the HRQoL and compare the mean scores of the questionnaire subscales and physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) of 33 patients with MetS, 18 patients with MSDs, and 30 apparently healthy (AH) subjects. Regression analysis was used to measure the prediction power of the study group, age and gender of the participants in estimating the HRQoL. Results: Results showed that the mean scores of the physical subscales, the PCS, the mental subscales and MCS were arranged in descending order from AH subjects, patients with MetS, to patients with MSDs. The mean scores difference among the 3 study groups were statistically significant with the only exception for the general mental health (GMH) subscale (P = 0.404). The study group and age accounted for 41.8% of the variability of PCS while the study group accounted for 19.6% of the variability in the MCS. The resulted equation to estimate the PCS score was as follows: PCS = 113.18 - 12.85 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs) - 0.67 age. On the other hand the resulted equation to estimate the MCS score was as follows: MCS = 76.203 - 10.426 (Group: 0 for AH, 1 for MetS, and 2 for MSDs). Conclusion: Patients with MetS and patients with MSDs had lower HRQoL than AH subjects. All the physical and mental dimensions of HRQoL are negatively influenced with MetS and with MSDs with the only exception for the GMH subscale. The physical and mental burden of MSDs is more dominant. The study group and age can be used to predict the PCS while the study group can be used to predict the MCS.

Quality of life in women with cervical precursor lesions and cancer:a prospective, 6-month, hospital-based study in China

The overall survival of patients with cervical cancer has improved due to detection at an early stage and availability of comprehensive treatments in China. As patients' lives prolonged, it is important to understand their health-related quality of life(QoL) during and after treatment. We used the EQ-5D questionnaire to assess QoL of 194 patients with cervical lesions at Sichuan University West China Second Hospital between May 2010 and January 2011. Patients were surveyed before primary treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after primary treatment. Results showed a consistent decline in EQ-5D scores in the spectrum of cervical lesions at each time point after treatment(all P < 0.05). For patients with precursor lesions, there was an increasing trend along the timeline of treatment(P < 0.01). For patients with early-stage cervical cancer, EQ-5D scores declined in the first month(P = 0.01) and gradually increased to higher levels at 6 months post-treatment than those before treatment(P < 0.01). EQ-5D scores followed a similar trend in patients with advanced cervical cancer(P = 0.04), though they did not statistically rebound after 6 months(0.84 ± 0.19 vs. 0.86 ± 0.11, P = 0.62). Regarding advanced cervical cancer, EQ-5D scores for women above 40 years of age appeared to recover more rapidly and reached higher levels than those for women below 40 years(P = 0.03). Caution and extra care are recommended in the early period of cervical cancer treatment given the slight deterioration in the QoL, and in particular, for younger cervical cancer patients. Our study implies that health care providers may need to improve the health-related QoL of cervical cancer patients.

Study on metal recovery process and kinetics of oxidative leaching from spent LiFePO_(4)Li-batteries

A green environmental protection and enhanced leaching process was proposed to recover all elements from spent lithium iron phosphate(LiFePO_(4)) lithium batteries.In order to reduce the influence of Al impurity in the recovery process,NaOH was used to remove impurity.After impurity removal,the spent LiFePO_(4) cathode material was used as raw material under the H_(2)SO_(4) system,and the pressure oxidation leaching process was adopted to achieve the preferential leaching of lithium.The E-pH diagram of the Fe-P-Al-H_(2)O system can determine the stable region of each element in the recovery process of spent LiFePO_(4)Li-batteries.Under the optimal conditions(500 r·min^(-1),15 h,363.15 K,0.4 MPa,the liquid-solid ratio was 4:1 ml·g^(-1)and the acid-material ratio was 0.29),the leaching rate of Li was 99.24%,Fe,Al,and Ti were 0.10%,2.07%,and 0.03%,respectively.The Fe and P were precipitated and recovered as FePO_(4)·2H_(2)O.The kinetic analysis shows that the process of high-pressure acid leaching of spent LiFePO_(4) materials depends on the surface chemical reaction.Through the life cycle assessment(LCA)of the spent LiFePO_(4) whole recovery process,eight midpoint impact categories were selected to assess the impact of recovery process.The results can provide basic environmental information on production process for recycling industry.

肺癌患者化疗期间的生活质量与情绪的关系

目的:探讨肺癌患者在化疗期间的生活质量与述情障碍和负性情绪的关系。方法:采用中国癌症患者化学生物治疗生活质量问卷(QLQ-CCC),多伦多述情障碍量表(TAS-26)和症状自评量表(SCL-90)对51 名正在进行化学治疗的肺癌患者进行测评。结果:(1)疗后的QLQ 量表总分及躯体、心理、社会和总体感觉分量表得分比疗中有显著提高(总分提高11%,P<0.05)。(2)疗后述情障碍者QLQ 的总分及躯体、心理分量表得分比无述情障碍者显著较低(总分低8%,P<0.05),而疗中两组则无明显差异。(3)相关分析显示疗后QLQ 的躯体分与TAS-DIF 因子、肺癌临床分期、躯体化和抑郁显著相关(r=-0.37～0.61,P<0.05):QLQ 心理分与TAS-DDF 因子、肺癌临床分期、SCL-躯体化、SCL-抑郁和SCL-焦虑显著相关(r=-0.43～0.51,P<0.05)。(4)多元逐步回归分析显示TAS-DIF 因子、肺癌临床分期是疗后QLQ 躯体分的独立预测变量(t 分别为-3.13,-3.81,P<0.05):肺癌临床分期、SCL-抑郁是疗后QLQ 心理分的独立预测变量(t 分别为-2.42,-2.84 P<0.05)。结论:述情障碍和负性情绪对肺癌患者疗后的躯体和心理功能状态的恢复造成负面影响。其中,不会识别情感、不会区分情感与躯体感受会加重疗后躯体症状,而疗前抑郁则会增加疗后的心理困扰。

中美两国中学生生活满意度的跨文化研究

目的:比较分析中美两国中学生生活满意度的差异。方法:采用“多维学生生活满意度量表”(MSLSS)对872名中、美两国的中学生进行测查。结果:(1)中国中学生的朋友、学校和一般生活满意度高于美国中学生,差异具有统计学显著性;(2)中国7、8、9三个年级学生的学校和一般生活满意度均高于美国同年级学生,差异具有统计学显著性;(3)美国男生生活环境的满意度高于中国男生,中国男生的自我满意度高于美国男生,美国女生的自我满意度高于中国女生,差异均具有统计学显著性;(4)中、美中学生的生活满意度都在各自国家内存在统计学意义的年级差异,均表现为7年级学生在存在差异维度上的满意度高于本国其他年级的学生;(5)中、美中学生的生活满意都在各自国家内存在统计学意义的性别差异,两国均表现为女生在存在差异维度上的满意度高于本国男生。结论:中美两国中学生的生活满意度存在差异,社会文化背景是影响青少年生活满意度的重要因素。

Understanding the Unique Characteristics of Suicide in China: National Psychological Autopsy Study

Objective To compare the characteristics of suicides in the four main demographic groups： urban males, urban females, rural males and rural females in order to help clarify the demographic pattern of suicides in China. Methods A detailed psychological autopsy survey instrument was independently administered to 895 suicide victims in family members and close associates from 23 geographically representative locations from around the country. Results Pesticide ingestion accounted for 58% （519） of all suicides and 61% （3181519） of deaths were due to unsuccessful medical resuscitation. A substantial proportion （37%） of suicide victims did not have a mental illness. Among the 563 victims with mental illness, only 13% （76/563） received psychiatric treatment. Compared to other demographic groups, young rural females who died from suicide had the highest rate of pesticide ingestion （79%）, the lowest prevalence of mental illness （39%）, and the highest acute stress from precipitating life events just prior to the suicide. Contusion Many suicides in China are impulsive acts of deliberate self-harm following acute interpersonal crises. Prevention of suicides in China must focus on improving awareness of psychological problems, improving mental health services, providing alternative social support networks for managing acute interpersonal conflicts, limiting access to pesticides, and improving the resuscitation skills of primary care providers.

Reasons for failure to continue home therapy in patients with hemophilia: A qualitative study

Background: Home therapy for hemophilia reduces pain, deformity and incidence of complicationinduced hospitalizations. Therefore, it is an important component of comprehensive hemophilia care.Unfortunately, most hemophilic families in Shanxi province, China do not continue home therapy.Objective: To analyze the reasons that hemophilic families do not continue home therapy and to provide a foundation for formulating targeted interventions by the Hemophilia Treatment Center(HTC) in Shanxi Province.Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach using purposeful sampling of 17 hemophilic families, two physicians, and one nurse from 11 branches across 11 cities in Shanxi Province. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Four themes were identified:(1) home therapy was generally positively evaluated;(2) concerns about the safety of home therapy;(3) an imperfect social medical security system; and(4) inadequate continuous nursing of hemophilia.Conclusions: Home therapy for hemophilia remains in a preliminary stage in Shanxi Province, and inadequate family and social support systems have obstructed the implementation of home therapy. It is necessary to develop a home therapy model suitable for hemophilic families in Shanxi Province as soon as possible. Such a model would improve the community and home care medical systems for hemophilia and guarantee home therapy throughout the entire medical care system, thus enabling more hemophilic families to carry out home therapy. Achieving these goals requires urgent research and attention from medical staff.

上海市某区警察心理健康状况和生活质量的时点调查

目的调查警察心理健康状况和生命质量的基本流行学资料。方法采用梅奥心理服务问卷,主要内容为心理健康状况和生命质量测定等。在上海市某公安分局内进行截断面时点调查。结果1共调查警员1611人,男性91.5%,女性8.5%,年龄28.8±17.5岁。2GHQ的平均得分:1.5±2.31,存在可能心理障碍倾向者比例15.3%,可能存在重度心理障碍者比例2.9%。3SCL-90总分大于160分者比例17.2%;单项分大于2分比例最高的是强迫症状因子(19.5%),睡眠饮食因子次之(12.8%),躯体化症状因子(12.6%)第3位,敌对因子(12.4%)处于第4位。4健康变化、总体健康感、心理健康和生命活力得分是相对最低的维度。结论1在警察群体中存在心理障碍者比例远高于一般市民,生活质量一些维度相对较差;2建立长效机制是维护和保证警察心理健康和生活质量的有效手段。

Quality of life after colorectal surgery:A prospective study of patients compared with their spouses

BACKGROUND Although radical surgery for colorectal cancer improves the oncological outcomes,a significant portion of patients suffer from alterations in their quality of life(QoL).There are many studies investigating the QoL of patients who have colorectal cancer but none of these focus on the QoL of spouses.AIM To compare the QoL of patients after colorectal surgery to the QoL of spouses.METHODS This prospective study consisted of patients who were married and who underwent surgery at the University of Ankara,Department of Surgery between March 2006 and November 2010.Patients’spouses were also enrolled.The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine,Ankara University,and all patients provided written informed consent.The study included patients who underwent curative surgery for colorectal carcinoma[n=100;abdominoperineal excision(n=33),low anterior resection(n=33),left hemicolectomy(n=34)]and their spouses(n=100).The patients and spouses completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Survey(SF-36)and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II(WHODAS-II)preoperatively and at postoperative months 15 to 18.RESULTS During this 4.5-year study period,273 patients with sigmoid or rectal cancer were admitted to the hospital.Of these patients,119 were eligible and willing to participate.Eleven patients had either systemic or locally inoperable disease,three patients had a severe surgical complication,and five patients were lost to followup.Therefore,a total of 100 patients completed the follow-up period.There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the disability scores of patients and the scores of their spouses for some of the WHODAS-II subscales,such as“self-care,”“life activities,”and“participation in society,”as well as for the total WHODAS-II score.There was also a positive correlation between the QoL of patients and the QoL of their spouses in most of the SF-36 subscales.Statistically significant correlations were observed for the“bodily pain,”“general health,””vitality,”“social function,”“emotion,”“mental health,”and mental component summary score subscales of the SF-36.When gender differences were evaluated,the QoL of male patients’spouses changed more when compared with female patients’spouses for all of the WHODAS-II subscales.Colorectal cancer surgery has a significant effect on the QoL of both patients and their spouses,these effects were more significant among male patients’spouses.CONCLUSION Preoperative counseling regarding potential problems should therefore collectively address patient and their spouse as a couple rather than the patient alone,particularly for patients undergoing low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection procedures.

Oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy and colo-rectal cancer patient's quality of life:Practical lessons from a prospective cross-sectional,real-world study

BACKGROUND Colon cancer is one the most common forms of cancer in both sexes.Due to important progress in the field of early detection and effective treatment,colon and rectal cancer survivors currently account for 10%of cancer survivors worldwide.However,the effects of anti-cancer treatments,especially oxaliplatinbased chemotherapy,on the quality of life(QoL)have been less evaluated.Although the incidence of severe chemotherapy-induced neuropathy(CIPN)in clinical studies is below 20%,data from real-world studies is scarce,and CIPN is probably under-reported due to patient selection and the patients’fear that reporting side-effects might lead to treatment cessation.AIM To determine the impact of CIPN on QoL in colorectal cancer patients with a recent history of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.METHODS We performed a prospective cross-sectional study in two major Romanian oncology tertiary hospitals—the Regional Institute of Oncology Ia?i(Iasi,Romania)and the Fundeni Clinical Oncology Institute(Bucharest,Romania).All consecutive patients with colon or rectal cancer,undergoing Oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy that consented to enroll in the study,were assessed by means of two questionnaires—the EORTC QQ-CR29(quality of life in colon and rectal cancer patients)and the QLQ-CIPN20(assessment of neuropathy).Several demographical,social,clinical and treatment data were also collected.Statistical analysis was performed by means of SPSS v20.The student t test was used to assess the relationship between the QLQ-CIPN20 and QLQ-CR29 results.Kaplan Meyer-curves were used to report 3-year progression-free survival(PFS)in patients that discontinued chemotherapy vs those that completed the recommended course.RESULTS Of the 267 patients that fulfilled the inclusion criteria in the pre-specified time frame,101(37.8%)agreed to participate in the clinical study.At the time of the enrolment in the study,over 50%of the patients had recently interrupted their oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy,most often due to neuropathy.Almost 85%of the responders reported having tingling or numbness in their fingers or hands,symptoms that were associated with pain in over 20%of the cases.When comparing the scores in the two questionnaires,a statistically significant relationship(P<0.001)was found between the presence of neuropathic symptoms and a decreased quality of life.This correlation was consistent when the patients were stratified by sex,disease stage,comorbidities and the presence of stoma or treatment type,suggesting that neuropathy in itself may be a reason for a decreased quality of life.At the 3 year final assessment,median recurrence-free survival in stageⅢpatients was 26.88 mo.When stratified by completion of chemotherapy,median recurrence freesurvival of stageⅢpatients that completed chemotherapy was 28.27 mo vs 24.33 mo in patients that discontinued chemotherapy due to toxicity,a difference that did not reach statistical significance.CONCLUSION CIPN significantly impacts QoL in colorectal cancer patients.CIPN is also the most frequent reason for treatment discontinuation.Physicians should actively assess for CIPN in order to prevent chronic neuropathy.

军队离退休干部支气管哮喘的流行病学调查

目的 了解某省军队离退休干部的支气管哮喘的发病现状及影响因素,为疾病防治及改善哮喘患者的生命质量提供科学依据。方法 采用问卷访问和体格检查相结合的方法对某省军区76 7名(例)离退休干部进行流行病学调查分析。结果 全部被调查人员中支气管哮喘的发病人数为5 1例,占调查人数的6 .6 5 % ,为老年慢性疾病患病率的第13位。调查显示哮喘患者的日常生活功能、心理卫生、生活满意度及日常健康活动等均受到严重影响,其相关影响因素经多元logistic回归分析后认为与老年人的婚姻状况、经济收入及娱乐活动紧密关联。结论 某省军队离退休干部支气管哮喘的防治仍然是今后工作的重点,社会、医疗单位及家庭均应加强对哮喘患者的监督管理,对其进行必要的健康教育,是减少哮喘发作,改善生命质量的关键。