Mapping the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire to SF-6Dv1 / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo construct and evaluate the transformation model of the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire （CCMQ） to SF-6Dv1 health utility and broaden the applications of CCMQ. MethodsThe data of CCMQ and SF-6Dv1 were collected from 595 participants at baseline， 3 months and 6 months after the comprehensive intervention suitable for the corresponding traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） constitution. The estimation and validation datasets were constructed， and four statistical algorithms including the ordinary least squares （OLS）， MM robust regression （MM）， censored least absolute deviations （CLAD） and the Tobit model were used to create alternative models. The mean absolute error （MAE）， root mean square error （RMSE） and intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） were used to evaluate the prediction performance of the model. ResultsThe constitution scores of all TCM constitutions by CCMQ was significantly correlated with the SF-6Dv1 health utility value measured at three timepoints； the health utility value of the SF-6Dv1 was positively correlated with gentleness type （r=0.596， r=0.578， r=0.606， all P＜0.05） and negatively correlated with eight unbalanced constitutions （r=-0.586~-0.301， all P＜0.05）. The MM established based on the subscale scores of CCMQ was the optimal mapping model， and the MAE， RMSE， and ICC values were 0.0741， 0.0930 and 0.766， respectively. Gentleness type， qi-deficiency type， phlegm-wetness type， qi-constraint type， and age were the primary factors included in the model. The measured and predicted value of SF-6Dv1 had a moderate positive correlation （r=0.673， r=0.617， P＜0.05） and a good consistency as shown by the Bland-Altman plot. ConclusionBy using MM， the CCMQ can be transformed into SF-6Dv1 health utility value for health economics analysis.

Projects for predictive maintenance and operation between Copet G&T and Gnarus Institute

Abstract The continuity of an electrical system's services is linked to its equipment's correct operation. The more correctly they worked, the higher the quality of the services provided. Thus, they must have their functioning scanned closely and that minor defects have their evolution monitored. This fact creates the possibility of making predictions about how long equipment can operate without compromising the system's continuity. This follow-up is proper for predictive maintenance. This paper presents three on-going COPEL Generation and Transmission projects in essential elements of its electrical system: circuit breakers, lightning arresters, and SF6 substation. The central idea of all monitoring projects is to check the early problem in this equipment and facilities.

Introduction and Research Status of 6-Dimensional Health State Classification System / 中国卫生经济

Cost-utility analysis(CUA) was widely used for health care decision-maker.It systematically introduced ShortForm 6D(SF-6D) and described the latest international research and application progress.Compared with EuroQol 5 Dimensions Questionnaire(EQ-5D),SF-6D had higher time validity and more reliable result on estimating patients in some fields.On the other hand,the unity value of SF-6D was estimated based the investigation result of Short Form-36(SF-36) through transferring literature and reports.Based on the method,estimating the health unity of patients' health could make the maximized use of the current data of SF-36,so as to save the costs of pharmacoeconomic.However,further research needs to verify that this transformation model is suitable for Chinese.

Cataract Change after Vitrectomy and Gas Injection in Patients with Epiretinal Membrane and Macular Hole

PURPOSE: To investigate the outcomes of quantitative lens nuclear opalescence change after pars plana vitrectomy and intravitreal gas injection in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane and macular hole. METHODS: All patients were divided into two group according to the kinds of injected gases, either Group 1 (fluid/air exchange) or Group 2 (20% SF₆ gas injection). Lens nuclear opalescence according to the classification of Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III, mean nuclear density and maximal nuclear density of Pentacam® scheimpflug image changed by image J, besides refractive errors were evaluated before surgery and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Out of 40 eyes of 40 patients included in the analysis, 21 received only fluid/air exchange (Group 1) and 19 received 20% SF₆ gas injection (Group 2). There were significant changes in lens nuclear opalescence between the study and control (unaffected) eyes. In both groups, the study eyes experienced significant progression of cataract compared with the control eyes, in terms of mean nuclear density, maximal nuclear density and LOCS III. In comparison according to the kinds of injected gases, there was a significant difference in mean nuclear density after 4 months, maximal nuclear density after 2 months and 4 months, LOCS after 2 months and 4 months, and refractive error after 1, 2, 4, and 6 months between both groups (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: After vitrectomy and intravitreal gas injection, changes in postoperative lens nuclear opalescence of the study eyes progressed more rapidly compared with the control eyes. This study identified that lens nuclear opalescence of Group 2 progressed rapidly, but after 12 months there was no significant difference of lens opacity between the kinds of injected gases.

The Bibliometric Analysis on the Application Status of EQ-5D and SF-6D in Cost-Utility Analysis in the Recent 10 Years:Based on PubMed Data Base / 中国卫生经济

Objective: To analyze the application status of the EQ-5D and SF-6D in cost-utility analysis ( CUA) . Methods: The data from PubMed data base from 2003-2012 was conducted as the main resource in econometric analysis. Results: There is no certain increasing trend of literature quantity in the recent 10 years’ application of EQ-5D and SF-6D in the CUA. The main published language was English and the main country was the United Kingdom. The core authors of researches on the CUA estimated by EQ-5D and SF-6D had not been formed, however, the core periodicals had been formed. The literatures involve wide-spread diseases, mainly known as Motion system and pain diseases. Most of the effectiveness could be calculated with quality adjusted life year ( QALY) , the object of CUA is mainly on the medicine, operation and health intervention. Conclusion: Appicating EQ-5D and SF-6D in CUA and research content of the literatures has wide distribution width, although it has shown centralized trend, which still needs more studies by related researchers.

Health domains and race in generic preference-based health-related quality of life instruments in the United States literature / Domínios de saúde e raça nas medidas genéricas de qualidade de vida associada à saúde na literatura dos Estados Unidos / Dominios de salud y raza en las medidas genéricas de calidad de vida, asociada a la salud, en la literatura de los Estados Unidos

Race differences in health have been extensively analyzed and documented in the literature, especially between African Americans or blacks and whites in the United States. Despite the vast literature in the area, the majority of studies that explore the relationship between race and health use outcomes such as self-rated health, mortality or morbidity, and disability, but very few use Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measures and their domains or dimensions. This narrative review aims to provide a better understanding of the relationship between race and health domains that are commonly used in preference-based HRQoL measures. We investigated the literature on race, physical health, mental health, pain and discomfort, cognition, neurologic spectrum domains, dexterity, ambulation, vitality and social functioning domains. We conducted a literature search and review using the key words race and the health domain of interest, using medical and social sciences databases, such as MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, and the Google Scholar portal.The majority of the studies identified in the literature show that African Americans or blacks in the United States tend to have lower scores than whites throughout a variety of health domains found in preference-based HRQoL measures. This review also emphasizes the scarcity of studies that investigate some health domains, such as social functioning, dexterity, vitality and neurologic spectrum domains, and therefore we identify the need for more studies focusing on race and measures that address such domains.

A literatura sobre raça nos Estados Unidos está repleta de estudos que documentam diferenças na saúde entre negros e brancos. Entretanto, a maioria dos trabalhos que exploram a relação entre raça e saúde utiliza medidas com saúde autorrelatada, mortalidade e morbidade, mas poucos empregam medidas de qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde e seus domínios específicos. Este artigo revisa a literatura sobre raça e qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde, especificamente examinando os domínios que constituem as principais medidas baseadas na teoria da utilidade: saúde física; saúde mental; dor e desconforto; cognição; domínios neurológicos; destreza; locomoção; vitalidade; e funcionamento social. Conduziu-se uma revisão da literatura usando as palavras-chave raça e o domínio da qualidade de vida de interesse nos Estados Unidos. Foram consultadas as bases de dados Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science e o portal Google Scholar. A maioria dos estudos sobre diversos domínios das medidas de qualidade de vida investigados sugere que negros têm pior qualidade de vida do que brancos nos Estados Unidos. A revisão salienta a escassez de estudos que exploram a relação entre raça e alguns domínios, como, por exemplo, funcionamento social, destreza, vitalidade e domínios de escopo neurológico, e, portanto, mostra a necessidade de que futuros estudos examinem a relação entre raça e estes domínios.

La literatura sobre raza en los Estados Unidos está repleta de estudios que documentan diferencias en la salud entre negros y blancos. No obstante, la mayoría de los trabajos que explotan la relación entre raza y salud utiliza medidas con salud autorrelatada, mortalidad y morbilidad, pero pocos emplean medidas de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y sus dominios específicos. Este artículo revisa la literatura sobre raza y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, específicamente, examinando los dominios que constituyen las principales medidas basadas en la teoría de la utilidad: salud física; salud mental; dolor y molestias; cognición; dominios neurológicos; agilidad; locomoción; vitalidad; y funcionamiento social. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura usando las palabras-clave raza y el dominio de la calidad de vida de interés en los Estados Unidos. Se consultaron las bases de datos Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science y el portal Google Scholar. La mayoría de los estudios sobre diversos dominios de las medidas de calidad de vida investigados sugiere que los negros tienen peor calidad de vida que los blancos en los Estados Unidos. La revisión resalta la escasez de estudios que explotan la relación entre raza y algunos dominios, como, por ejemplo, funcionamiento social, agilidad, vitalidad y dominios de objetivo neurológico, y, por tanto, muestra la necesidad de que futuros estudios examinen la relación entre raza y estos dominios.

Three Cases of Pneumoretinopexy for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment by Multiple Retinal Tears over 1 Hour in Distance

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of performing pneumoretinopexy in patients without the conventional indication of pneumoretinopexy but with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by multiple retinal tears separated over 1 hour in distance. METHODS: Three patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by multiple retinal tears separated over 1 hour in distance from November 2003 to December 2003 were the subject of this study. Treatment records of the patients were examined retrospectively. In one case, when performing pneumoretinopexy, 0.5 cc of vitreous was aspirated followed by an injection of 0.8 cc SF6 gas. In the other two cases, after injecting 0.5 cc of SF6 gas, one retinal tear was adhered in the proper position. Then, sequential retinal adhesion was attempted by changing the position. RESULTS: In all three cases, anatomical retinal adhesion was maintained, and visual acuity functionality was improved. CONCLUSIONS: Both sequential retinal adhesion by changing the position and performing pneumoretinopexy after vitreous aspiration are successful method of retinal adhesion. Therefore, pneumoretinopexy can be used as an effective medical treatment in patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment by multiple retinal tears separated over 1 hour in distance.

Two Cases of Aggravation of Submacular Hemorrhage after Intravitreal Gas Injection

PURPOSE: To report two cases of submacular hemorrhage worsened after intravitreal gas (sulfuric hexafluoride; SF6) injection without tissue plasminogen activator. METHODS: Two old men complaining of decreased visual acuity in their one eye visited clinic. On ocular examination, both of them had subretinal hemorrhage in macular area choroidal neovascularization on fluorescein angiography. 0.5cc sulfuric hexafluoride (SF6) gas was injected into vitreous cavity and patients were educated to keep strict prone position. Several days after intravitreal injection, visual acuity decreased and subretinal hemorrhage increased and spread to adjacent area. RESULTS: In cases of the intravitreal injection, aggravation of subretinal hemorrhage should be considered, even without tPA and if so, it is necessary to monitor and informed the patients in detail.

A Case of Total Descemet's Nembrane Detachment Treated by Non-expansible SF6 Gas Iinfusion

PURPOSE: We intend to report that a case of total Descemet's membrane detachment, occured after cataract operation which was reattached with non-expansible SF6 gas infusion. METHODS: 77-year-old woman who was undertaken cataract surgey 7days ago showed corneal edema, decreased visual acuity and rolled detached Descemet's membrane which was attached inferior cornea. Nine days after cataract surgery, 0.25 ml of non-expansible SF6 gas 20% was infused into anterior chamber. RESULTS: Three days after intracameral injection of non-expansible SF6 gas 20%, Descemet's membrane was begin to reattach and corneal edema was improved progressively. CONCLUSIONS: When total Descemet's membrane detachment occurs after intraocular surgery, intracameral injection of non-expansible SF6 gas is to be a effective treatment.

Pneumatic Displacement of Submacular Hemorrhage with Intravitreal Injection of tPA and SF6 Gas

Submacular hemorrhage from various causes induces the irreversible damage to the retina, leading to poor visual outcome. Surgery for removal of submacular hemorrhage was performed but the general results were not satisfactory in spite of better surgical technique. We took this study to identify the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal injection of tissue plasminogen activator(tPA) and SF6 for displacement of submacular hemorrahge. Thirteen patients who have submacular hemorrhage had undergone intravitreal injection of tPA and SF6 and positioned face down for about 1 week. Postoperative complication, best corrected visual acuity, final visual acuity, amount of displacement related to the duration of submacular hemorrhage and causal diseases were checked retrospectively. The average age of the patients was 64. Six eyes(46.2%) improved visual acuity by 2 lines or more, and 2 eyes(15.4%) lost visual acuity 2 lines or more. Complications included vitreous hemorrhage in 2 eyes, increased intraocular pressure in 2 eyes. Causes were trauma in 3 eyes and age-related macular degeneration in 10 eyes. The final visual results after 5 months or longer were related with macular lesion. Complete displacement was achieved in 10 eyes, partial displacement in 4 eyes at 1 month. The authors concluded that brief prone position after intravitreal injection of tPA and SF6 is rapid and effective method for displacement of submacular hemorrhage.