AIM: To characterize the effects of age on clinical presentations and endoscopic diagnoses and to determine outcomes after endoscopic therapy among patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal b...AIM: To characterize the effects of age on clinical presentations and endoscopic diagnoses and to determine outcomes after endoscopic therapy among patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) compared with those aged < 65 years. METHODS: Medical records and an endoscopy data-base of 526 consecutive patients with overt UGIB admitted during 2007-2009 were reviewed. The initial presentations and clinical course within 30 d after endoscopy were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients aged ≥ 65 years constituted the elderly population (mean age of 74.2 ± 6.7 years, 63% male). Compared to young patients, the elderly patients were more likely to present with melena (53% vs 30%, respectively; P < 0.001), have comorbidities (69% vs 54%, respectively; P < 0.001), and receive antiplatelet agents (39% vs 10%, respectively; P < 0.001). Interestingly, hemodynamic instability was observed less in this group (49% vs 68%, respectively; P < 0.001). Peptic ulcer was the leading cause of UGIB in the elderly patients, followed by varices and gastropathy. The elderly and young patients had a similar clinical course with regard to the utilization of endoscopic therapy, requirement for transfusion, duration of hospital stay, need for surgery [relative risk (RR), 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.03-2.75; P = 0.26], rebleeding (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.92-2.25; P = 0.11), and mortality (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.57-2.11; P = 0.77). In Cox's regression analysis, hemodynamic instability at presentation, background of liver cirrhosis or disseminated malignancy, transfusion requirement, and development of rebleeding were significantly associated with 30-d mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite multiple comorbidities and the concomitant use of antiplatelets in the elderly patients, advanced age does not appear to influence adverse outcomes of acute UGIB after therapeutic endoscopy.展开更多
This paper investigates the finite-time generalized outer synchronization between two complex dynamical networks with different dynamical behaviors. The two networks can be undirected or directed, and they may also co...This paper investigates the finite-time generalized outer synchronization between two complex dynamical networks with different dynamical behaviors. The two networks can be undirected or directed, and they may also contain isolated nodes and clusters. By using suitable controllers, sufficient conditions for finite-time generalized outer synchronization are derived based on the finite-time stability theory. Finally, numerical examples are examined to illustrate the effectiveness of the analytical results. The effect of control parameters on the synchronization time is also numerically demonstrated.展开更多
文摘AIM: To characterize the effects of age on clinical presentations and endoscopic diagnoses and to determine outcomes after endoscopic therapy among patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) compared with those aged < 65 years. METHODS: Medical records and an endoscopy data-base of 526 consecutive patients with overt UGIB admitted during 2007-2009 were reviewed. The initial presentations and clinical course within 30 d after endoscopy were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients aged ≥ 65 years constituted the elderly population (mean age of 74.2 ± 6.7 years, 63% male). Compared to young patients, the elderly patients were more likely to present with melena (53% vs 30%, respectively; P < 0.001), have comorbidities (69% vs 54%, respectively; P < 0.001), and receive antiplatelet agents (39% vs 10%, respectively; P < 0.001). Interestingly, hemodynamic instability was observed less in this group (49% vs 68%, respectively; P < 0.001). Peptic ulcer was the leading cause of UGIB in the elderly patients, followed by varices and gastropathy. The elderly and young patients had a similar clinical course with regard to the utilization of endoscopic therapy, requirement for transfusion, duration of hospital stay, need for surgery [relative risk (RR), 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.03-2.75; P = 0.26], rebleeding (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.92-2.25; P = 0.11), and mortality (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.57-2.11; P = 0.77). In Cox's regression analysis, hemodynamic instability at presentation, background of liver cirrhosis or disseminated malignancy, transfusion requirement, and development of rebleeding were significantly associated with 30-d mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite multiple comorbidities and the concomitant use of antiplatelets in the elderly patients, advanced age does not appear to influence adverse outcomes of acute UGIB after therapeutic endoscopy.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.61203304,61203055 and 10901145the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant Nos.2011QNA26,2010LKSX04,and 2010LKSX01
文摘This paper investigates the finite-time generalized outer synchronization between two complex dynamical networks with different dynamical behaviors. The two networks can be undirected or directed, and they may also contain isolated nodes and clusters. By using suitable controllers, sufficient conditions for finite-time generalized outer synchronization are derived based on the finite-time stability theory. Finally, numerical examples are examined to illustrate the effectiveness of the analytical results. The effect of control parameters on the synchronization time is also numerically demonstrated.
