Anatomical and Radiological Description of the Macaca fascicularis Spine in Comparison with the Human Spine

Background: This paper describes and displays the spinal radiological anatomy and associated pathology in a Macaca fascicularis and compares it to the spinal anatomy of humans. Animal models are commonly used in research. As compared to Macaca mulatta, the anatomy of M. fascicularis is less well described in the literature. Materials and methods: The authors anatomically reconstructed and reviewed the defleshed spine of a single adult M. fascicularis visually, radiographically, and with high resolution CT. Results: 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 3 sacral, and 16 caudal vertebrae were identified. Similarities in the spine to humans were seen as well as differences such as the beaked anterior arch of C1, the anterior pointed lower lumbar vertebrae, the upward curved transverse processes, and presence of three sacral segments. Degenerative changes were seen at multiple locations similar to humans though most pronounced at T3-4. Conclusions: This paper addresses the normal spinal anatomy and degenerative changes in an adult M. fascicularis and compares it to humans.

Efficiency and patient experience with propofol vsconventional sedation:A prospective study

AIM: To determine whether anaesthesiologistadministered sedation with propofol(AAP) or endoscopist-administered conscious sedation(EAC) with fentanyl/midazolam shortens colonoscopy duration/total room time. METHODS: This is a prospective, non-randomized, comparative study that enrolled patients greater than 18 years of age undergoing colonoscopy in a single Canadian academic outpatient endoscopy unit over a three-month consecutive period. Colonoscopies in this unit are performed both with AAP and EAC. Patient demographics, procedure-related data and adverse events were documented. Additionally, the level of procedure difficulty, and whether a staff endoscopist, trainee with assistance, or independent trainee, performed the procedure were documented. A validated modified 4-question, 5-point Likert scale telephone survey was used to assess patient satisfaction with colonoscopy. The telephone patient satisfaction survey was conducted 24-72 h following the procedure.RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty patients were enrolled during the study period with 126 patients in the AAP group and 104 patients in the EAC group. Mean procedure time was 18.3 ± 10.1 min in the AAP group and 14.7 ± 7.1 min in the EAC group(P = 0.002). Mean total room time was 36.8 ± 13.7 with AAP and 30.1 ± 11 min with EAC(P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed the use of AAP(P = 0.002), resident participation(P < 0.001), diagnostic interventions(P = 0.033), therapeutic interventions(P < 0.001), lower body mass index(P = 0.008) and American Society of Anaesthesiologist class(P = 0.016), to be predictors of longer total room time. Patient age and gender were not significant predictors. After excluding cases in which trainees were involved, there was no significant difference in procedure time between the two groups(P = 0.941), however total room time was still prolonged in the AAP group(P = 0.019). The amount of pain experienced was lower with AAP(P = 0.02), with a trend toward overall higher patient satisfaction(P = 0.074). There were 2 sedation-related adverse events, both in the AAP group involving a patient with aspiration requiring hospitalization and a patient with hypoxia managed with bronchodilators.CONCLUSION: EAC results in reduced total room time compared to AAP. Resident participation doubles procedure time regardless of sedation type.

A Needs-Based Rheumatologist Education Program on Treating to Target in Psoriatic Arthritis and Spondyloarthropathy: Insights and Challenges

Objectives: To determine if comparative practice data and education for rheumatologists would change physician behavior for monitoring and treating psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: Participating rheumatologists each performed a chart audit on 20 patients with PsA and SpA. Accredited education (determined by a survey and chart audits) and results of chart audits (comparing to other rheumatologists) were provided for each participant (intervention). Eight months later, a repeat chart audit by each participant was conducted on another 20 PsA and SpA patients. Changes in measurements collected, treatment given and patient characteristics pre and post intervention were analyzed. Results: Nine rheumatologists received the intervention. At baseline, most routinely monitored PsA and SpA for clinical and laboratory markers. In PsA, there was no change post-intervention in performing SJC (96%), TJC (≥91%), ESR (≥70%), CRP (≥73%), and CDAI (25%). In SpA, there were increased measurements of inflammatory markers (54% pre vs. 61% post for CRP), more NSAID use and decreased physical exam measures and HAQ but no significant changes. There were no major treatment differences pre and post intervention including NSAIDs, DMARDs and biologics. Conclusions: The rheumatologists frequently performed measurements of disease activity, did not change significantly with educational intervention so there may have been little room for improvement and many patients were already in a low disease state. Calculation of composite scores did not increase in PsA. The validity of physical exam and BASDAI as a measurement of disease activity were noted as concerns in applying a treat-to-target approach in SpA. Significance and Innovation: This study did not show a significant change in behavior for rheumatologists who had education based on care gaps and needs assessment in psoriatic arthritis and spondyloarthropathy. The rheumatologists identified that disease activity is difficult to determine with usual care in SpA and thought some measures lacked validity.

Preoperative Medication Management, Compliance and Adverse Events in Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery: A Historical Chart Review

Purpose: Medication compliance for chronic medications has been well studied, but there is a gap in the literature regarding compliance within the perioperative period. Our objective was to determine the incidence of patient non-compliance with preoperative medication instructions for adult non-emergent surgery. Additional objectives were to identify predictors of compliance, describe medication instructions by drug type, and explore the impact of non-compliance. Patients and Methods: This historical chart review evaluated preoperative compliance to medication instructions in 393 adults undergoing non-emergent surgeries at Hamilton Health Sciences between May 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013. Seven patient factors (age;sex;American Society of Anesthesiologists class;number of medications;type of surgery;time between preoperative appointment to surgery;the individual collecting the medication list) were evaluated as potential predictors of non-compliance and analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Consequences of non-compliance were assessed by impact on intraoperative blood pressure, blood glucose level, drop in hemoglobin, bronchospasm, and case delays. Results: One hundred forty-six (37.2%) patients were non-compliant with one or more medication reconciliation instructions provided by the anesthesiologist. No significant associations were observed for any patient risk factors and non-compliance. Non-compliance was not associated with any clinically significant consequences. Conclusions: Our study shows that 37.15% of adult patients undergoing non-emergent surgery were non-compliant with medication instructions, although patients did not receive any written instructions for 46% of their medications. We did not identify any predictive patient factors or adverse outcomes associated with non-compliance.

Relative Contributions of Intraoperative Low Dose Ketamine, Lidocaine and Ketamine-Lidocaine Combination in Addition to Intrathecal Morphine for Postoperative Analgesia in Open Liver Resection: A Prospective, Randomized, Four-Arm, Triple Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and Aims: Open liver resection requiring an upper abdominal incision is associated with significant opioid use due to postoperative pain. We tested the hypothesis that the intraoperative combination of low dose lidocaine and ketamine would reduce opioid consumption when given in conjunction with intrathecal morphine for liver resection surgery. Methods: In this triple blind, parallel group four-arm placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 124 adult ASA 2 - 4 liver resection patients to receive intraoperative lidocaine 0.33 mg/kg/h (group L), ketamine 70 μg/kg/h (group K), combination of lidocaine 0.33 mg/kg/h and ketamine 70 μg/kg/h (group KL) and saline (group P). All patients received 300 μg intrathecal morphine prior to induction of anesthesia. All infusions were started immediately after intubation and continued until the end of surgery. Primary outcome measurements included opioid consumption at 24-hours. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, opioid consumption at 48 and 72-hours and side effects including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, hallucinations, headaches and signs of local anaesthetic toxicity. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks. Results: There was no difference in the primary outcome of opioid consumption within all 4 groups at rest or movement at 24-hours. Secondary outcome of 48-hour rest pain score was significantly higher in the L group (p = 0.03) but without any difference in opioid use. There was no difference in any other outcomes between the groups at any time points. Conclusions: Low dose lidocaine and its combination with ketamine did not add any analgesic/morphine sparing benefit in the presence of single dose intrathecal morphine in patients with major liver resection.

The mechanisms of sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma:theoretical basis and therapeutic aspects

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor capable of facilitating apoptosis,mitigating angiogenesis and suppressing tumor cell proliferation.In late-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),sorafenib is currently an effective first-line therapy.Unfortunately,the development of drug resistance to sorafenib is becoming increasingly common.This study aims to identify factors contributing to resistance and ways to mitigate resistance.Recent studies have shown that epigenetics,transport processes,regulated cell death,and the tumor microenvironment are involved in the development of sorafenib resistance in HCC and subsequent HCC progression.This study summarizes discoveries achieved recently in terms of the principles of sorafenib resistance and outlines approaches suitable for improving therapeutic outcomes for HCC patients.

共识指南和循证指南中基于低质量证据的强推荐及其合理性的经验性分析

目的探讨共识指南及循证指南的证据质量与推荐强度是否一致。研究设计经验性分析。数据来源美国心脏病学会/美国心脏协会(ACC/AHA)和美国临床肿瘤学会(ASCO)于2021年3月27日前制订的指南。指南选择纳入推荐意见符合以下标准的指南:明确报告循证或共识意见、推荐意见独立于指南全文、报告证据质量和推荐强度。数据提取由2名研究人员独立提取资料,提取内容包括:推荐意见类型(共识意见或循证意见)、制订推荐意见的分级系统、推荐强度和证据质量。研究团队统计了低质量证据强推荐和不合理的低质量证据强推荐(不符合GRADE标准)的数量。结果本研究共纳入12部ACC/AHA指南中的1434条推荐意见以及69部ASCO指南中的1094条推荐意见。ACC/AHA指南共有504条基于低质量证据的推荐意见,其中200条(40%)是共识意见,304条(60%)是循证意见;ASCO指南中包含404条基于低质量证据的推荐意见,其中292条(72%)是共识意见,112条(28%)是循证意见。ACC/AHA和ASCO制订的指南中,共识指南比循证指南出现了更多基于低质量证据的强推荐,ACC/AHA[比值比(0R)=2.1,95%可信区间(CI)(1.5-3.1)],ASCO[OR=2.9,95%CI(1.1-7.8)],以及更多不合理的低质量证据强推荐,ACC/AHA[OR=2.6,95%CI(1.7-3.7)],ASCO[OR=5.1,95%CI(1.6-16.0)]。结论与循证指南相比,共识指南更容易形成不符合循证医学基本原则的推荐意见。确保证据质量与推荐强度的一致性和合理性是制订可信赖指南的关键。

美国结直肠外科医师协会2019版肠道准备在择期结直肠手术中的应用临床实践指南

美国结直肠外科医师协会(The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons,ASCRS)于2019年1月公布了最新的肠道准备在择期结直肠手术中的应用临床实践指南。该指南是由国际知名结直肠外科专家组成的临床实践指南委员会修订,对肠道准备的一些争议进行了汇总和分析。

儿童血栓性血小板减少性紫癜(英文)

血栓性血小板减少性紫癜(TTP)在儿童病例中甚为少见,但如未能及时诊断及施予治疗,其后果则极为严重。其最常见之5种病症为:血小板减少、微血管溶血性贫血、急性肾衰竭、发热及中枢神经系统症状。但临床病例中,并不一定会同时出现上述5种症状。故此医疗人员对此病必须有极高之警觉性。TTP之病理特征包括:外周血涂片可见裂体细胞,Coombs试验阴性,血清乳酸脱氢酶增高及中度或重度血小板减少。TTP发病机理主因缺乏ADAMTS13,从而引发微血管溶血性贫血及血小板减少。TTP可概括分为家族性TTP(Upshaw Schulman综合征)和继发性TTP。家族性TTP是由于先天性ADAMTS13缺乏所致,其急性治疗法为血浆置换,当病情稳定后,可输注新鲜冰冻血浆以防止病情复发。继发性TTP是指患者因体内产生抗体而导致ADAMTS13功能减退,主要治疗方法亦为血浆置换,最新之临床文献显示rituxiamb对此症亦颇有治疗价值。