Improving outcomes in co-morbid diabetes and COVID-19: A quasi-experimental study

Background: High-risk people living with diabetes (PLWD) have increased risk for morbidity and mortality. During the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) wave in 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa, high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 were fast-tracked into a field hospital and managed aggressively. This study evaluated the effects of this intervention by assessing the impact of this intervention on clinical outcomes in this cohort. Methods: A retrospective quasi-experimental study design compared patients admitted pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 183 participants were enrolled, with the two groups having similar demographic and clinical pre-Covid-19 baselines. Glucose control on admission was better in the experimental group (8.1% vs 9.3% [p = 0.013]). The experimental group needed less oxygen (p < 0.001), fewer antibiotics (p < 0.001) and fewer steroids (p = 0.003), while the control group had a higher incidence of acute kidney injury during admission (p = 0.046). The median glucose control was better in the experimental group (8.3 vs 10.0; p = 0.006). The two groups had similar clinical outcomes for discharge home (94% vs 89%), escalation in care (2% vs 3%) and inpatient death (4% vs 8%). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a risk-based approach to high-risk PLWD with COVID-19 may yield good clinical outcomes while making financial savings and preventing emotional distress. Contribution: We propose a risk-based approach to guide clinical management of high risk patients, which departs significantly from the current disease-based model. More research using randomised control trial methodology should explore this hypothesis.

Risk assessment of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in worker in a metal tool manufacturing enterprise / 中国职业医学

Objective To evaluate the risk of occupational noise-induced hearing loss in workers in a metal tool manufacturing enterprise, and to carry out risk classification and risk management. Methods A total of 91 male noise-exposed workers from a metal tool manufacturing enterprise in Hebei Province were selected as the research subjects using the convenience sampling method. The work site survey on occupational health and the measurement on individual noise exposure level were carried out. The ISO 1999：2013 (E) Acoustics-Estimation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss was used to predict the risk of high frequency hearing loss (HFHL) and occupational noise-induced deafness (ONID). The risk classification and risk management were conducted using the WS/T 754-2016 Guideline for Risk Management of Occupational Noise Hazard (hereinafter referred to as WS/T 754-2016). Results The individual noise exposure intensity of workers in the six work sites of the enterprise, including blade workers, sheet punching workers, roller forging workers (hoe), hole punching workers, roller forging workers(shovels), and carpenters, exceeded the national occupational exposure limit, with the maximum volume of 91.2-104.1 dB(A). Among these workers, the positions of blade workers, sheet punching workers, and roller forging workers (hoe) were identified as critical control points for noise hazards in the enterprise. The detection rates of HFHL and ONID were 24.2% and 8.8%, respectively. The risk prediction results showed that, based on the actual noise exposure time and age of the study subjects, the risk of HFHL and ONID ranged from 1.7%-48.8% and 0.0%-29.5%, respectively. The risks of HFHL caused solely by occupational noise exposure when working up to 50.0, 55.0, and 60.0 years of age were 11.4% to 64.7%, 16.4% to 65.1%, and 17.2% to 59.4%, respectively. The risks of ONID caused solely by occupational noise exposure were 0.0% to 45.5%, 4.2% to 51.7%, and 5.9% to 57.4%, respectively. Except for the blade workers, the predicted median of potential noise-induced permanent threshold shifts (NIPTS) in the other five positions were lower than the actual values of NIPTS, with the difference ranging from 3.0-28.3 dB, and 73.3% of them underestimated by 10.0 dB or more. Conclusion The outcome of noise exposure on the hearing of workers in this enterprise are severe. Risk management should be conducted according to the WS/T 755-2016.

The value of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET /CT in detecting the risk of metastasis in patients newly diagnosed with prostate cancer / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To investigate the diagnostic efficiency of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in assessing the metastasis of newly diagnosed prostate cancer （PC）， and evaluate its relationship with clinical risk classification. 【Methods】 The clinical data of 257 newly diagnosed PC patients who underwent 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT between March 2019 and April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed in this study. All images were interpreted by two senior PET/CT diagnostic specialists. According to the D’Amico risk classification， the patients were divided into low-， intermediate- and high-risk groups. According to Gleason score （GS）， the patients were divided into GS≤6， GS=7， and GS≥8 groups. According to the level of serum total prostate-specific antigen （tPSA）， the patients were divided into <10 ng/mL， 10-20 ng/mL， and >20 ng/mL groups. Finally， in the groups with D’Amico risk classification， the subgroups were divided according to tPSA level and GS， and the differences of 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT in the detection of metastasis were compared among the subgroups. 【Results】 A total of 257 patients were enrolled with a median tPSA 16.34 （3.38-783.12） ng/mL and median Gleason score （GS） 8 （range： 6-10）. There were 10 （3.89%）， 36 （15.01%）， and 211（80.10%） PC patients in the low-， intermediate-， and high-risk groups， respectively. The rate of metastasis in high-risk group， GS ≥ 8 group， and tPSA >20 ng/mL group was 45.02%， 46.50%， and 47.02%， respectively. The rate of metastasis in low-risk group， GS ≤6 group and tPSA <10 ng/mL group was 0， 8.82%， and 15.63%， respectively. When tPSA <10 ng/mL， the rate of metastasis in low-risk group （0） was lower than that in high-risk group （33.33%）. When tPSA was 10-20 ng/mL， the rate of metastasis in intermediate-risk group （7.69%） was lower than that in high-risk group （38.71%）. When GS ≤6， the rate of metastasis in low-risk group （0） was lower than that in high-risk group （38.71%）. 【Conclusion】 The detection rate of metastasis in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer by 18F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT is positively correlated with GS， preoperative tPSA level， and D’Amico risk grade.

Análise das complicações clínico-obstétricas em gestantes adolescentes segundo a Classificação de Robson / Analyzing clinical obstetric complications in pregnant adolescents by the Robson / Classification Análisis de las complicaciones clínico-obstétricas en adolescentes embarazadas según la Clasificación de Robson

Objetivo: analisar as complicações obstétricas de gestantes adolescentes por meio da Classificação de Robson. Método: trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa documental. Foram pesquisados 150 prontuários de gestantes adolescentes de alto risco. O estudo foi de setembro a novembro/2019 e iniciou após a aprovação do Comitê de ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Alagoas. Resultados: as taxas de cesáreas do grupo 1 foram o dobro do recomendado (18,92%), pela Classificação de Robson. No grupo 2, houve 100% de cesárea, enquanto recomendação é de 20 a 35%. No grupo 4 observou-se 100% de parto vaginal, enquanto os grupos 5, 8 e 10 excederam o número de cesáreas em cerca de 15,40 a 20%. Conclusão: evidenciou-se, por meio da Classificação de Robson, que o tipo de parto das gestantes adolescentes que foram afetadas por uma complicação clínico-obstétrica foi o parto cesáreo, com aumento nos grupos de gestante 1, 2, 5, 8 e 10.

Objective: to analyze obstetric complications in pregnant adolescents using the Robson Classification. Method: in this quantitative study, 150 medical records of high-risk adolescent pregnant women were searched between September and November 2019, after approval by the research ethics committee of Alagoas Federal University. Results: by the Robson Classification, cesarean section rates in group 1 were twice as high as recommended (18.92%). Group 2 returned 100% cesarean section, while the recommendation is 20 to 35%; group 4 showed 100% vaginal deliveries; and, in groups 5, 8 and 10, these exceeded the number of cesarean sections by about 15.40 to 20%. Conclusion: using the Robson Classification, it was shown that pregnant adolescents affected by a clinical obstetric complication were delivered by cesarean sections, which increased in groups 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10.

Objetivo: analizar las complicaciones obstétricas en adolescentes embarazadas mediante la Clasificación de Robson. Método: se trata de una investigación cuantitativa documental. Se investigaron 150 historias clínicas de adolescentes embarazadas de alto riesgo. El estudio fue de septiembre a noviembre/2019 y se inició después de la aprobación del Comité de Ética en Investigación de la Universidad Federal de Alagoas. Resultados: Las tasas de cesáreas en el grupo 1 fueron el doble de lo recomendado (18,92%) según la clasificación. En el grupo 2, hubo 100% de cesáreas, mientras que la recomendación es del 20 al 35%. En el grupo 4, el 100% tuvo parto vaginal, mientras que los grupos 5, 8 y 10 superaron el número de cesáreas en aproximadamente del 15,40 al 20%. Conclusión: queda claro, a través de la Clasificación de Robson, que el tipo de parto de las adolescentes embarazadas que se vio afectado por una complicación clínico-obstétrica fue el cesáreo, con incremento en los grupos de embarazadas 1, 2, 5, 8 y 10.

The BRAFV600E mutation analysis and risk stratification in papillary thyroid carcinoma

ABSTRACT Objective: Although the prognostic role of BRAFV600E mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial, the American Thyroid Association (ATA) includes the mutational status in their risk stratification system. To evaluate the impact of the BRAFV600E mutation status on PTC risk stratification. Subjects and methods: PTC patients attending a university-based hospital who had the analysis of the BRAFV600E mutation were included. Persistent disease was defined as the presence of biochemical or structural disease. The performance of the ATA risk stratification system on predicting persistent disease with or without the BRAFV600E mutation status information was evaluated. Results: Of the 134 patients evaluated, 44 (32.8%) carried BRAFV600E mutation. The median tumor size was 1.7 cm (P25-75 1.0-3.0), 64 (47.8%) patients had lymph node, and 11 (8.2%) distant metastases. According to the ATA risk stratification system, patients were classified as low, intermediate, and high risk in 55 (41%), 59 (44%), and 20 (14%) patients, respectively. The data on BRAFV600E mutation reclassified 12 (8.9%) patients from low to intermediate risk. After a median follow-up of 8.5 years, the prevalence of persistent disease was similar in patients with and without BRAFV600E mutation (P = 0.42). Multivariate analysis failed to demonstrate an association between the BRAFV600E mutation and persistent disease status (RR 0.96; 95%CI 0.47-1.94). Notably, none of the patients reclassified from low to intermediate risk showed persistent disease on follow-up. Conclusion: Inclusion of BRAFV600E mutational status has a limited impact on risk stratification and does not add to the prediction of outcomes in PTC patients.

Discussion on the experience of organ donation after citizen's death under COVID-19 epidemic / 器官移植

Objective To summarize the experience of organ donation after citizen' s death during the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) epidemic. Methods Eleven cases of potential donors of organ donation after citizen' s death during the COVID-19 epidemic were retrospectively analyzed, and the workflow and key points of infectionprevention and control were summarized. Results Among 11 cases of potential donors, 6 cases failed to implement organ donation. Five donors who were successfully performed organ donation had no respiratory symptoms before the onset of encephalopathy. CT scan of the lungs upon the onset of encephalopathy showed that one case was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, and the remaining four cases obtained negative results. During hospitalization, all of the 5 donors showed fever symptom and repeated chest CT scan detected lung inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or blood samples tested for novel coronavirus nucleic acids were all negative. No confirmed or suspected cases appeared among all staff and recipients who were in close contact with organ donors. Conclusions Targeted formulation of the workflow and prevention and control measures, in combination with selection and implementation of infection risk classification can effectivelyreduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and carry out organ donation after citizen' s death in a safe and organized manner.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment With High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I And Other Biomarkers: An Observational Cohort Study In Johor, Malaysia

@#Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health challenge in Malaysia, many Malaysians are unaware of their CVD risk. The measurement of biomarkers in the general population may help to identify at-risk individuals before the onset of symptomatic CVD. The aim of this community health screening project was to determine the distribution of high-sensitivity troponin I (hsTnI) and other biomarkers of CVD risk in the general population of Johor, Malaysia. A sampling of self-declared healthy volunteers was conducted during the 2016 Kembara Mahkota community event in Johor. Levels of hsTnI, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and homocysteine (HCY) were analyzed using the ARCHITECT immunoassay and clinical chemistry platforms utilizing fresh venous blood samples. Based on previous data, biomarker levels indicative of high risk were >10 and >12 ng/mL for hsTnI in women and men, respectively, BNP >50 pg/mL in the overall population, and HCY >13.6 µmol/L in women and >16.2 µmol/L in men. A total of 2744 volunteers participated in biomarker testing. Biomarker measurements showed that up to 10% of participants had moderate or high CVD risk based on hsTnI, approximately 2% were above the BNP threshold and >50% of subjects were above the HCY threshold. General population biomarker testing shows distribution of biomarker levels that may be indicative of CVD risk or the presence of disease and suggests that biomarker-guided risk strategies should be more widely implemented to determine the impact they would have on early detection and prevention of disease.

Predicting the trend of the COVID-19 outbreak and timely grading the current risk level of epidemic based on moving average prediction limits / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective : To establish a practical data-driven method that helps predict the evolutionary trend of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, track and prejudge the current risk classification of the epidemic area, and provide a quantitative evidence for precision prevention and control strategies. Methods ¡¤ A moving average prediction limit (MAPL) method was established based on the moving average method. The previous severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic data was used to verify the practicability of the MAPL method for predicting epidemic trends and quantitative risk. By tracking the COVID-19 outbreak epidemic data publicly reported since January 16, 2020, the MAPL method was used for timely epidemic trend prediction and the risk classification. Results ¡¤ According to the MAPL analysis, the na-tional epidemic of COVID-19 peaked in early February 2020. After active prevention and control in early stages, the overall epidemic situation in the country showed a downward trend from mid-February to mid-March. Compared with Hubei Province, the number of new cases in non-Hubei region declined rapidly in mid-February, but then increased slightly. The analysis of imported cases since March showed that there was a medium to high level of epidemic import risk in the near future. It is recommended to take corresponding prevention and control measures to prevent the epidemic from spreading again. Conclusion ¡¤ The MAPL method can assist in judging the epidemic trend of emerging infectious diseases and predicting the risk levels in a timely manner. Each epidemic district may implement a differentiated precision prevention and control strategies according to the local classification of epidemic risk. Since March, attention should be paid to the prevention and control of imported risks.

The treatment of tumor dissolved syndrome / 中国小儿急救医学

Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency that seriously threatens the lives of pa-tients. Prevention of tumor lysis syndrome is more important than treatment. According to the risk classifica-tion,identifying high risk patients and effective preventive measures can improve the prognosis of patients. Patients with tumor lysis syndrome should receive hydration, rasburicase, diuretics, correction of electrolyte imbalances and appropriate renal replacement therapy.

Advances in radiological studies of gastrointestinal stromal tumors / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The commonly used radiological examinations for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) include ultrasound, CT, magnetic resonance imaging and PET, which play important roles in the individualized treatment of GIST through the assistance of the detection, location, diagnose and differential diagnosis, biological behavior and risk evaluation, operation planning, therapeutic effects prediction and follow-up. Standardized predisposal, multi-planar reconstruction and multi-phase enhancement are of great significance in the detection of small GIST lesions. Differences in drainage vessels and enhancement characteristics of tumors are helpful in differentiating small intestinal GIST from pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumors and other abdominal non-GIST tumors. Radiology can provide multiple indicators to qualitatively or quantitatively reflect the risk of GIST. Recent study found that the risk classification of GIST has correlation with necrosis, but not cystic degeneration. The risk stratification of GIST by dual-energy CT showed that CT value and standardized iodine concentration in arterial-venous and delayed phases of high-risk tumors were significantly higher than those of non-high-risk tumors. The correlation between tumor enhancement pattern and risk stratificationwas still controversial. Recently, the rise of radiomics and deep learning techniques provide new direction for risk assessment of GIST. Some studies used various models and parameters to predict the risk classifications of GIST and achieved AUC values above 0.85, and some results were also superior to conventional indicators and radiologists′ subjective judgment in the prediction of exon 11 mutations, mitotic counts and survivals. Recent developments in PET and diffusion-weighted MRI provide more precise functional quantitative indicators for the prediction and early evaluation of the response of GIST to targeted therapy. These studies are constantly expanding our field of exploration, and prompting us to stride toward the goal of individualized treatment of GIST.

Evaluation of drug prescriptions for pregnant women in the Legal Amazon Region / Avaliação de prescrições medicamentosas para gestantes da Amazônia Legal

Abstract Objectives: to evaluate the drug prescriptions for pregnant women in the Legal Amazon during prenatal care. Methods: this is a pharmacoepidemiological, descriptive, retrospective and cross-sectional study. Medical records included sociodemographic variables, prenatal care, most frequent pharmacological classes prescribed, risk classification of drugs and possible drug-drug interactions among pregnant women. Results: a total of 159 records from pregnant women, enrolled in the Unified Health System were used. Most pregnant women began prenatal consultations in the first trimester of pregnancy (53.3%) whereas most of the drugs were prescribed in the second gestational trimester (55.5%). The most used pharmacological classes, classified according to the National List of Essential Drugs were: antianemic preparations (52.9%), vitamins (12.5%) and analgesic (10.6%). According to the risk classification, the highest prevalence of prescribed drugs belongs to category A (46.8%), followed by category C (28.9%), category B (20.0%) and category D (4.3%). Eight possible drug-drug interactions were found, being considered with mild severity, and six classified with moderate risk. Conclusions: the results demonstrate a lack of information regarding prescription drugs for pregnant women and this may endanger maternal and fetal health. It is essential that medical records be an effective therapeutic tool, which should be read, analyzed and reviewed in order to ensure effective and safe medical treatment.

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a prescrição de medicamentos para gestantes da Amazônia Legal, durante o pré-natal. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo farmacoepidemiológico, descritivo, retrospectivo e transversal. Através de prontuários médicos foram avaliados variáveis sociodemográficas, assistência pré-natal, classes farmacológicas mais prescritas, classificações de risco e possíveis interações medicamentosas nas gestantes. Resultados: foram utilizados 159 prontuários de gestantes usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde. A maioria das grávidas iniciaram as consultas do pré-natal no primeiro trimestre gestacional (53,3%) e a maior parte dos medicamentos prescritos foram no segundo trimestre gestacional (55,5%). As classes mais utilizadas conforme a Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais foram: preparações antianêmicas (52,9%), vitaminas (12,5%) e analgésico (10,6%). De acordo com a classificação de risco, a prevalência maior dos medicamentos prescritos pertence à categoria A de risco (46,8%), seguido da categoria C (28,9%), categoria B (20,0%) e categoria D (4,3%). Foram encontradas oito possíveis interações medicamentosas, sendo duas consideradas de risco leve e seis de risco moderado. Conclusões: os resultados demonstram falhas na prescrição de medicamentos para gestantes o que pode colocar em risco a saúde materna e fetal. É fundamental que o prontuário médico seja uma ferramenta terapêutica efetiva, o qual deve ser lido, analisado e revisado a fim de garantir um tratamento medicamentoso eficaz e seguro.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification in predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: a retrospective cohort study in Chinese prostate cancer patients / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to assess the role of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification in predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in Chinese prostate cancer patients. We included a consecutive cohort of 385 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RP at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) from March 2011 to December 2014. Gleason grade groups were applied at analysis according to the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology Consensus. Risk groups were stratified according to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Prostate Cancer version 1, 2017. All 385 patients were divided into BCR and non-BCR groups. The clinicopathological characteristics were compared using an independent sample t-test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact test. BCR-free survival was compared using the log-rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. During median follow-up of 48 months (range: 1-78 months), 31 (8.05%) patients experienced BCR. The BCR group had higher prostate-specific antigen level at diagnosis (46.54 ± 39.58 ng ml-1 vs 21.02 ± 21.06 ng ml-1, P= 0.001), more advanced pT stage (P = 0.002), and higher pN1 rate (P < 0.001). NCCN risk classification was a significant predictor of BCR (P = 0.0006) and BCR-free survival (P = 0.003) after RP. As NCCN risk level increased, there was a significant decreasing trend in BCR-free survival rate (Ptrend = 0.0002). This study confirmed and validated that NCCN risk classification was a significant predictor of BCR and BCR-free survival after RP.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification in predicting biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy: A retrospective cohort study in Chinese prostate cancer patients / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aimed to assess the role of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk classification in predicting biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in Chinese prostate cancer patients. We included a consecutive cohort of 385 patients with prostate cancer who underwent RP at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) from March 2011 to December 2014. Gleason grade groups were applied at analysis according to the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology Consensus. Risk groups were stratified according to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Prostate Cancer version 1, 2017. All 385 patients were divided into BCR and non-BCR groups. The clinicopathological characteristics were compared using an independent sample t-test, Chi-squared test, and Fisher's exact tes.t BCR-free survival was compared using the log-rank test and multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis. During median follow-up of 48 months (range: 1-78 months), 31 (8.05%) patients experienced BCR. The BCR group had higher prostate-specific antigen level at diagnosis (46.54 ± 39.58 ng ml-1 vs 21.02 ± 21.06 ng ml-1, P= 0.001), more advanced pT stage (P = 0.002), and higher pN1 rate (P < 0.001). NCCN risk classification was a significant predictor of BCR (P = 0.0006) and BCR-free survival (P = 0.003) after RP. As NCCN risk level increased, there was a significant decreasing trend in BCR-free survival rate (Ptrend = 0.0002). This study confirmed and validated that NCCN risk classification was a significant predictor of BCR and BCR-free survival after RP.

Classificação de risco em unidade de pronto atendimento: discursos dos enfermeiros / Risk classification in an emergency care unit: the nurses' discourse / Clasificación de riesgo en unidad de urgencias: discursos de los enfermeros

Objetivo: conhecer a percepção dos enfermeiros de uma unidade de pronto atendimento acerca da classificação de risco. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo, realizado com nove enfermeiros de uma unidade de pronto atendimento de Florianópolis, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, no período de abril a junho de 2014. Para a organização e análise dos dados, utilizou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo. Projeto aprovado por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa, protocolo nº 17041613.8.0000.0121. Resultados: emergiram dois discursos com as ideias centrais: a classificação de risco além de priorizar o atendimento aos pacientes mais graves dá mais segurança ao profissional; e, cada enfermeiro avalia, classifica e registra de um jeito. Conclusão: apesar de os enfermeiros considerarem a importância da classificação de risco na unidade de pronto atendimento, encontram dificuldades quanto à unicidade de conduta na sua implementação e registro, sinalizando a necessidade de ações de educação permanente para uma melhor organização no atendimento.

Objective: to examine nurses' perceptions of risk classification in an emergency unit. Method: in this qualitative, descriptive study, nine nurses at an emergency unit in Florianópolis underwent semi-structured interviews between April and June 2014. Collective Subject Discourse was used as an organizational and data analysis technique. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (Protocol No. 17041613.8.0000.0121). Results: two discourses emerged with the core ideas: risk assessment, in addition to prioritizing critical patient care, gives health personnel more security; and each nurse assesses, classifies and records in a particular way. Conclusion: although nurses consider risk classification important in the emergency unit, they find difficulty as regards standard conduct in implementing it and in recording, which signals a need for continuous education actions to improve care organization.

Objetivo: conocer el punto de vista de los enfermeros de una unidad de urgencias acerca de la clasificación de riesgo. Método: es un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, realizado junto a nueve enfermeros de una Unidad de Urgencias de Florianópolis, por medio de una entrevista semiestructurada, entre abril y junio del 2014. Se utilizó, como técnica de organización y análisis de datos, el Discurso del Sujeto Colectivo. Proyecto aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación, Protocolo nº 17041613.8.0000.0121. Resultados: surgieron dos discursos cuyas ideas centrales son: la clasificación del riesgo, además de priorizar la atención de los pacientes más graves, le ofrece más seguridad al profesional; y cada enfermero evalúa, clasifica y registra de una manera diferente. Conclusión: aunque los enfermeros hayan considerado la importancia de la clasificación de riesgo en la unidad de urgencias, ellos encuentran dificultades en cuanto a la unicidad de conducta en su implementación y registro, señalando la necesidad de acciones de educación permanente para una mejor organización respecto a la atención al paciente.

Establishing a HPLC method to detect urocanic acid in serum and investigate its significance for childhood leukemia / 基础医学与临床

Objective To establish a method for detection of serum urocanic acid (UCA) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),and explore the clinical significance of serum UCA concentration for children acute leukemia.Methods The chromatographic conditions of HPLC were set up and optimized,and the linearity of standard curve,precision,accuracy and stability were validated.Then the serum from ninety acute leukemia children and ninety non-tumor blood disease children was collected,the concentration of serum UCA was detected with HPLC,and the differences of two groups were compared to study the clinical significance of UCA in children acute leukemia.Results The HPLC method for detecting serum UCA was successfully established and optimized.The standard curves of trans-UCA and cis-UCA both showed good linearities(R2=0.999 6 and 0.999 9) at the condition of the mobile phase of acetonitrile-20 mmol/L KH2PO4,pH 3.7(5:95,V/V),flow rate of 1.2 mL/min,detection wavelength of 264 nm in HPLC.The relative standard deviation RSD％ of intra-assay and inter-assay were lower than 5％.Compared with non-tumor blood disease,the serum concentration of cis urocanic acid (cis-UCA) and trans urocanic acid (trans-UCA) of children with acute leukemia were significantly increased (P＜0.001).Compared with cis-UCA,trans-UCA was more valuable for risk classification of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Conclusions HPLC is a good technology to titrate of UCA in serum.The concentration of serum UCA in children with acute leukemia may provide the clues for diagnosis and prognosis,with important clinical significance.

The value of 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging in predicting the malignant potential of GIST / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG PET-CT in predicting the malignant potential of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST).@*Methods@#The clinical and pathological features of 31 patients with GIST confirmed by surgery or biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. The malignant potential of GIST before treatment was assessed by 18F-FDG PET-CT. The GIST risk classification was graded according to the Standard revised by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2008. The relationship between the maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) and GIST risk classification, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index, and mitotic count were analyzed respectively. The cut-off level of SUVmax for the diagnosis of malignant GIST was calculated from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve.@*Results@#Among the 31 cases of GIST patients, 14 cases were gastric primary (stomach group) and 17 cases were nongastric primary (outside stomach group). The SUVmax, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count of the 31 patients were 8.21±4.68, (7.82±5.12)cm, (10.03±11.07)% and (12.29±10.55)/50 HPF, respectively. SUVmax was significantly correlated with GIST risk classification (r=0.727, P<0.01), but not with tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count (r=0.348, r=0.284, r=0.290, P=0.055, P=0.121, P=0.114). The SUVmax, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count in the stomach group were 4.36±2.36, (6.08±4.31)cm, (3.43±3.03)% and (5.71±2.20)/50 HPF, respectively. SUVmax was significantly correlated with tumor diameter, GIST risk classification and Ki-67 index (r=0.682, r=0.868, r=0.732, P<0.01) but not with mitotic count (r=0.510, P=0.063). The SUVmax of the GIST in the gastric group and the outside gastric group were 4.36±2.36 and 10.68±5.50, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The SUVmax in the malignant group of GIST (middle or high risk grade) was 8.90±4.89, which was significantly higher than 2.22±0.86 in the benign group (low or very low risk grade). The difference was statistically significant between the two group (P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that a SUVmax cut-off of 3.75 was the most sensitive for predicting malignant GIST. When the area under the curve of 0.969, the sensitivity was 84.6% and the specificity was 100%.@*Conclusions@#The SUVmax was strongly correlated with the GIST risk category and also with the tumor diameter and Ki-67 index in the gastric primary GIST, so it can be used as an effective indicator in predicting malignant potential of GIST before treatment.

Perception of emergency nurses in using a chest pain assessment protocol / Percepción de enfermeros de emergencia en la utilización de un protocolo de evaluación del dolor torácico / Percepção dos enfermeiros de emergência na utilização de um protocolo para avaliação da dor torácica

A qualitative and descriptive study aimed at identifying the perception of nurses at the emergency service of a hospital in Southern Brazil on the use of a nursing protocol for classifying chest pain, implemented at a private hospital in the Brazilian Southeast. The protocol considers, among others, the characteristics of the chest pain, risk factors and flowcharts that lead to the nursing action of classifying the risk. Seven nurses participated in the study through semi-structured interview, between January and February 2014. For the data analysis, Content Analysis was used. The results reveal a consensus among nurses that the protocol prioritizes care; identifies risk factors for acute myocardial infarction more easily and identifies the type of pain. The lengthiness and time consumption were revealed as negative considerations. For the nurses, the protocol is applicable to the service as it supported their conduct.

Estudio cualitativo, descriptivo que objetivó identificar la percepción de enfermeros del Servicio de Emergencias de un hospital del Sur de Brasil sobre la utilización de un protocolo de Enfermería para clasificar el dolor torácico, implementado en un hospital privado de la región sureste de Brasil. Contempla, las características del dolor torácico, factores de riesgo y flujogramas, que conducen a la acción de enfermeros para clasificar el riesgo. Participaron del estudio siete enfermeros por medio de entrevista semi-estructurada, en enero-febrero del 2014. Para el análisis de datos se utilizó el análisis de contenido. Los resultados revelan consenso entre los enfermeros de que el protocolo prioriza el atendimiento, identifica más fácilmente los factores de riesgo para el Infarto Agudo de Miocardio e identifica el tipo de dolor. Como consideraciones negativas destacan ser extenso y demorado. Para los enfermeros el protocolo es aplicable al servicio, pues proporcionó respaldo en su conducta.

Estudo qualitativo, descritivo que objetivou identificar a percepção de enfermeiros do serviço de emergência de um hospital do Sul do Brasil sobre a utilização de um protocolo de enfermagem para classificar dor torácica, protocolo esse, já implementado em um hospital privado localizado na região sudeste brasileira. Contempla, entre outros, as características da dor torácica, fatores de risco e fluxogramas que conduzem a ação do enfermeiro ao classificá-la. Participaram do estudo sete enfermeiros por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, em janeiro e fevereiro de 2014. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados apontam consenso entre os enfermeiros de que o protocolo prioriza o atendimento, identifica mais facilmente os fatores de risco para Infarto Agudo do Miocárdio e, também, o tipo de dor. Como considerações negativas apontam ser extenso e demorado. Para os enfermeiros, o protocolo é aplicável ao serviço, pois proporcionou respaldo em sua conduta.

A comparative study of risk classification systems for drug use during pregnancy / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze three risk classification systems for drug use during pregnancy, so as to provide evidence for drug safety used in pregnancy. METHODS: The drugs included in the risk classification systems from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) and the Swedish Catalogue of Approved Drugs (FASS) were searched, and descriptive analysis was performed in terms of definition of category, allocation of drugs and difference of categories. RESULTS: FDA uses animal studies and human observations studies in pregnancy to define the risk of drugs in pregnancy. The classification systems of ADEC and FASS are similar, which use experience in human and animal research for defining the drug safety during pregnancy. The category assignments for 1113 drugs in FDA system, 1232 in ADEC system and 983 in FASS system were compared. Only 367 (11.6% ) drugs among the total of 3167 in the three systems were placed in the same risk level category, which accounted for 33.0%, 29. 8% and 37.3% of FDA, ADEC and FASS systems, respectively. The main differences existed in drugs in X and C categories between FDA and ADEC/FASS systems. CONCLUSION: Differences in category allocation for the same drug can be a source of great confusion among users of the classification systems, and may limit the usefulness and reliability of risk classification systems.

Advances in Study on Treatment of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 胃肠病学

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor( GIST)is the most common gastrointestinal mesenchymal neoplasm and accounts approximately 18% of all mesenchymal neoplasms and 1% of all gastrointestinal neoplasms. Morbidity of GIST is about 1-2 per hundred thousand per year. The recurrence rate 5 years after complete resection of malignant GIST is up to 50%,and the median survival of metastatic GIST is only 9 months. Nowadays,endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)is the first choice management for upper digestive tract GIST with diameter ≤2 cm,however,because of its high degree malignancy,surgical resection is the choice for GIST with diameter > 2 cm,and adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be used in case with high risks and difficulties in surgical removal. This article reviewed the advances in study on treatment of GIST.

SALL4 expression in children with acute leukemia and its clinical significance / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To investigate the expression of sal-like 4 (SALL4) gene in children with acute leukemia and analyze its clinical significance. Methods:Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect SALL4 mRNA and SALL4 protein ex-pressions in 50 patients initially diagnosed with acute leukemia and in 15 patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), which served as controls. Changes were detected in SALL4 mRNA expression from preliminary diagnosis and after complete remission of 5 acute leukemia patients. The relationship between SALL4 mRNA expression and clinical indicators was analyzed. Results: SALL4 mRNA expression is higher in initially diagnosed B-ALL [13.89 (1.00-63.15)] and AML [11.12 (2.31-56.59)] than in ITP controls [1.00 (0.29-1.71)] (P0.05). SALL4 protein expression is in agreement with SALL4 mRNA expression. SALL4 mRNA expression significant-ly decreased in complete remission stage [0.98 (0.22-1.09)] than in acute phase [28.64 (11.20-87.46)] in acute-leukemia patients (P0.05). Conclusion:SALL4 was found to play an important role in pro-moting childhood B-ALL and AML, which promises a new target for monitoring the therapeutic effects and evaluating the prognosis of childhood B-ALL and AML.