BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Assessment of wound healing is a complex task, especially when the lesion is associated to significant (full thickness) loss of the skin. The clinical observation, essentially subjective and highly dependent on the observer's experience, creates difficulties in the comparison of results. Scoring scales were introduced in the clinical practice to create comparable semi-quantitative data and promote better management of resources, but its usefulness in a clinical perspective is still limited. New non-invasive biometric methodologies, although infrequently used, have opened new possibilities. While complementing the clinical observation and contributing to therapeutic decisions and prognosis, they may also help to look further into the pathophysiological mechanisms of scarring drugs rehabilitation. Following previous work in this arena, the authors review, the state-of-the-art of cutaneous wound healing clinical and biometric follow up, proposing a diagnosis correlation for the most relevant descriptors found in both strategies in order to fully characterise the different stages of the healing process.

背景与目标： : 评估伤口愈合是一项复杂的任务，尤其是当病变与皮肤的显着 (全层) 损失相关时。临床观察本质上是主观的，并且高度依赖于观察者的经验，因此在比较结果方面造成了困难。在临床实践中引入了评分量表，以创建可比较的半定量数据并促进更好的资源管理，但其在临床方面的实用性仍然有限。新的非侵入性生物识别方法虽然很少使用，但开辟了新的可能性。在补充临床观察并有助于治疗决策和预后的同时，它们也可能有助于进一步研究疤痕药物康复的病理生理机制。在这个领域的先前工作之后，作者回顾了皮肤伤口愈合的最新技术，临床和生物特征随访，提出了两种策略中最相关的描述符的诊断相关性，以便充分表征不同的特征愈合过程的阶段。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The work of the main European research teams in the field of thermal factors was coordinated in order to improve significantly the Required Sweat Rate model published as an international standard. Many significant modifications were brought, in particular concerning the effects of forced convection, body movements and exercise and the prediction of the skin temperature as a function of the rectal temperature and in case of severe conditions of radiation, humidity and clothing. The criteria for acceptable work durations in hot environments were updated concerning the maximum increase in core temperature and the acceptable water loss. The revised model, called Predicted Heat Strain model, was validated through a set of lab and field experiments involving stable and fluctuating conditions with high and low radiation, humidity and air velocity. It is meanwhile adopted as an ISO and CEN standard. In addition, a strategy was developed to assess the risks of heat disorders in any working situation. It is based on the three highest stages of the SOBANE strategy: an "Observation" method for improving simply the thermal conditions of work; an "Analysis" method to evaluate the magnitude of the problem and optimise the choice of solutions and an "Expert" method for in depth analysis of the working situation when needed.

背景与目标： : 协调了欧洲主要研究小组在热因素领域的工作，以显着改善作为国际标准发布的所需汗率模型。进行了许多重大修改，特别是在强迫对流，身体运动和运动的影响以及皮肤温度随直肠温度的变化以及在辐射，湿度和衣服的严酷条件下的预测方面。更新了在高温环境中可接受的工作持续时间的标准，涉及岩心温度的最大升高和可接受的水损失。修订后的模型称为预测热应变模型，已通过一系列实验室和现场实验进行了验证，这些实验涉及高辐射和低辐射，湿度和空气速度的稳定和波动条件。同时被采用为ISO和CEN标准。此外，还制定了一项战略，以评估任何工作情况下的热病风险。它基于SOBANE策略的三个最高阶段: 一种 “观察” 方法，用于简单地改善工作的热条件; 一种 “分析” 方法，用于评估问题的严重性并优化解决方案的选择，以及一种 “专家” 方法，用于在需要时深入分析工作情况。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:A detailed appreciation of left atrial/pulmonary vein (LA/PV) anatomy may be important in improving the safety and success of catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVES:The aim of this nonrandomized study was to determine the impact of computerized tomography (CT) image integration into a 3-dimensional (3D) mapping system on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing CA for AF. METHODS:Ninety-four patients (age: 56 +/- 10 years) with AF (paroxysmal 46, persistent 48) underwent wide encirclement of ipsilateral PV pairs using irrigated radiofrequency ablation with the endpoint of electrical isolation. Ablation was guided by 3D mapping alone (electroanatomic 24, noncontact 23) in 47 (3DM group) patients and by CT image integration (Cartomerge) in 47 (CT group). In persistent AF, a combination of linear ablation and targeted ablation of complex fractionated electrograms was also performed. RESULTS:Successful PV electrical isolation did not differ between the two groups. A significant reduction in fluoroscopy times was demonstrated in the CT group (49 +/- 27 minutes vs 3DM group 62 +/- 26 minutes, P = 0.03). Arrhythmia recurrence was reduced in the CT group (32% vs 51% in the 3DM group, P < 0.01). In 30 symptomatic patients (12 CT and 18 3DM), repeat procedures for AF (13 in 3DM and 5 CT, P < or = 0.10) and AT (5 in 3DM and 7 CT, P = NS) were performed. Overall success on 7-day monitor off antiarrhythmic drugs was achieved in 60% in the 3DM group when compared with 83% in the CT group (P < 0.05) at a follow-up of 25 +/- 5 weeks. CONCLUSION:CA for AF guided by CT integration was associated with reduced fluoroscopy times, arrhythmia recurrence, and increased restoration of sinus rhythm. Improved visualization of complex LA geometries might improve the safety and success of CA for AF.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:A prospective evaluation of spiral CT angiography (SCTA) as the sole pre-operative imaging modality for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:Spiral CT angiography was compared with conventional transfemoral angiography in 30 patients and results correlated with surgical findings in 22 patients. The following features were assessed: renal artery number and disease; upper and lower aneurysm extent; aneurysm size; perianeurysmal inflammation; iliac artery disease; radiation dose; and contrast usage.

RESULTS:Spiral CT angiography agreed with conventional angiography in all cases of severe stenosis or occlusion of renal arteries and had 90% agreement overall for renal artery disease. Two of nine accessory renal arteries seen at conventional angiography were missed. For showing aneurysm extent SCTA was 100% sensitive, and performed better than conventional angiography. Aneurysm size was better shown with SCTA. In iliac disease SCTA, as performed in this study, was poor for mild-moderate disease, but detected four of six severely stenosed/occluded iliac arteries seen at conventional angiography. Prospective sensitivity for perianeurysmal inflammation was 33%. Radiation dose for SCTA was approximately twice and contrast dose approximately three times that for conventional angiography.

CONCLUSION:Spiral CT angiography can provide all the necessary imaging information to plan aneurysm repair in the non-claudicant.

背景与目标： 目的 : 对螺旋ct血管造影 (SCTA) 作为腹主动脉瘤修复的唯一术前成像方式的前瞻性评估。
材料和方法 : 将30例患者的螺旋ct血管造影与常规经股动脉造影进行了比较，结果与22例患者的手术结果相关。评估了以下特征: 肾动脉数量和疾病; 上，下动脉瘤范围; 动脉瘤大小; 动脉瘤周围炎症; 髂动脉疾病; 辐射剂量; 和造影剂使用。
结果 : 在所有严重肾动脉狭窄或闭塞的病例中，螺旋ct血管造影与常规血管造影一致，并且在肾动脉疾病方面总体上90% 一致。在常规血管造影中观察到的9条副肾动脉中有2条被遗漏。对于显示动脉瘤范围，SCTA 100% 敏感，并且比常规血管造影更好。SCTA能更好地显示动脉瘤大小。在本研究中进行的SCTA在轻度-中度疾病中较差，但在常规血管造影术中发现了六个严重狭窄/闭塞的动脉中的四个。33% 了对动脉瘤周围炎症的前瞻性敏感性。SCTA的辐射剂量约为常规血管造影的两倍，造影剂剂量约为常规血管造影的三倍。
结论 : 螺旋ct血管造影可以提供所有必要的成像信息，以计划非幽闭者的动脉瘤修复。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The selective promotion of clinical services which have proven effectiveness is a movement that is gaining momentum within healthcare. Outcome evaluation in treatment services for alcohol dependency is given as an example of the methodological issues associated with the establishment of clinical efficacy. It is argued that the adoption of clear protocols for assessment, treatment and outcome are a prerequisite of the process. There are costs associated with in-house follow-up studies but the benefits of feedback are evident for patients and for staff providing their care. Although exposing service providers (and commissioners) to the possibility of negative feedback, outcome evaluation in the treatment of alcohol dependency should be an integral part of provision. The principle of systematic assessment of efficacy applies to healthcare provision generally and should include management, teaching, purchasing and policymaking.

背景与目标： 有选择地推广已证明有效的临床服务是一项在医疗保健领域获得动力的运动。以酒精依赖治疗服务中的结果评估为例，介绍了与建立临床疗效相关的方法学问题。有人认为，采用明确的评估，治疗和结果协议是该过程的先决条件。内部随访研究有相关的成本，但反馈的好处对患者和提供护理的员工是显而易见的。尽管使服务提供者 (和专员) 面临负面反馈的可能性，但酒精依赖治疗中的结果评估应成为提供的组成部分。功效的系统评估原则通常适用于医疗保健，应包括管理，教学，购买和决策。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:To determine the clinical importance and relative value of reinterpreting brain CT imaging studies by subspecialty experts regarding changes in clinical management. METHODS:Computerized records were queried at two institutions during the years 2002-2003 for both primary interpretation by board-certified nonneuroradiologists and secondary interpretation by three neuroradiologists. A total of 1,081 cases were reviewed. Each case was initially interpreted as an emergent or urgent study. The reinterpreted studies were scored as concordant or discordant by the subspecialty experts. The discordant studies were then categorized as a "major discordance" if there was a change in clinical management, or as a "minor discordance" if there was no impact or change in clinical management. RESULTS:Of the 1,081 studies reviewed, 14 studies were identified as discordant (1.3%). Of those discordant studies, four were categorized as major discrepancies necessitating a change in clinical management (0.4 %). Ten were categorized as minor discrepancies (0.9%). There were no permanent adverse outcomes with respect to morbidity and mortality as a result of any discrepancy. CONCLUSION:The vast majority of interpreted head CT cases read by board-certified general radiologists do not result in discordant interpretations as verified by subspecialty experts. Discordant interpretations did not result in changes in clinical management in most cases. Double reading of head CTs by subspecialty experts appears to be an inefficient method of substantially improving imaging health quality outcomes.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:MR digital subtraction angiography (MR-DSA) is a contrast-enhanced MR angiographic sequence that enables time-resolved evaluation of the cerebral circulation. OBJECTIVE:We describe the feasibility and technical success of our attempts at MR-DSA for the assessment of intracranial pathology in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We performed MR-DSA in 15 children (age range 5 days to 16 years) referred for MR imaging because of known or suspected intracranial pathology that required a dynamic assessment of the cerebral vasculature. MR-DSA consisted of a thick (6-10 mm) slice-selective RF-spoiled fast gradient-echo sequence (RF-FAST) acquired before and during passage of an intravenously administered bolus of Gd-DTPA. The images were subtracted and viewed as a cine loop. RESULTS:MR-DSA was performed successfully in all patients. High-flow lesions were shown in four patients; these included vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation, dural fistula, and two partially treated arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Low-flow lesions were seen in three patients, all of which were tumours. Normal flow was confirmed in eight patients including two with successfully treated AVMs, and in three patients with cavernomas. CONCLUSION:Our early experience suggests that MR-DSA is a realistic, non-invasive alternative to catheter angiography in certain clinical settings.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The aim of this pilot study was to investigate anaesthetists' assessment of the ability of patients to increase cardiac output over a range of clinical scenarios and of their perceived 'likelihood of transfusion' in these scenarios. Specialist anaesthetists were given a questionnaire with clinical cues in the form of diagnoses about theoretical patients. They were asked to use 100 mm visual analogue scales (VAS) for their assessments of each patient's cardiac reserve and their 'likelihood of transfusion' of these patients; the endpoints of the VAS being 'Very low' (0 mm) to 'High' (100 mm), and 'Do not transfuse' (0 mm) to 'Transfuse' (100 mm) respectively. The assessment of patients' cardiac output reserve by anaesthetists (n = 54) showed great variation; for example, a patient with severe aortic stenosis was perceived overall to have a limited ability to increase cardiac output (mean VAS 16 mm) but there was considerable variation between anaesthetists (25-75 percentiles 10 mm to 21 mm). Assessment of 'likelihood of transfusion' (n = 42) also had great variation; as an example a patient with 'angina' with a haemoglobin of 95 g l(-1) was perceived overall to have an average likelihood of transfusion of 50 mm, but the 25-75 percentiles ranged from 33 mm to 71 mm. This study suggests that inter-anaesthetist variability in the assessment of a patient's 'cardiac output reserve' and his 'likelihood of transfusion' is large.

背景与目标： : 这项初步研究的目的是调查麻醉师对患者在一系列临床情况下增加心输出量的能力的评估，以及他们在这些情况下感知到的 “输血可能性”。以理论患者的诊断形式向专科麻醉师提供了一份带有临床线索的问卷。他们被要求使用100毫米视觉模拟量表 (VAS) 来评估每个患者的心脏储备和这些患者的 “输血可能性”; VAS的终点是 “非常低” (0毫米) 到 “高” (100毫米)，和 “不输血” (0毫米) 分别转换为 “输血” (100毫米)。麻醉师 (n = 54) 对患者心输出量储备的评估显示出很大的差异; 例如，总体上认为患有严重主动脉瓣狭窄的患者增加心输出量的能力有限 (平均VAS 16毫米)，但麻醉师之间存在相当大的差异 (25-75个百分位数10毫米至21毫米)。“输血可能性” 的评估 (n = 42) 也有很大的差异; 例如，具有95g l(-1) 血红蛋白的 “angina” 患者总体上被认为平均输血可能性为50毫米，但25-75个百分位数范围为33毫米至71毫米。这项研究表明，在评估患者的 “心输出量储备” 和他的 “输血可能性” 时，麻醉师间的变异性很大。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Several case reports have raised serious concerns about the safety of shoulder surgery in the beach-chair position, related to global cerebral hypoperfusion. We summarize our experiences with 15,014 cases of shoulder arthroscopy over an 11-year period. Our primary aim was to evaluate the incidence of intraoperative or immediate postoperative neurologic events and secondarily to relate other perioperative complications. METHODS:We searched our online deidentified departmental quality improvement and patient safety database for adverse outcomes associated with arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed in the beach-chair position for the 11-year period between April 2001 and November 2011, as well as our hospital-system database and a statewide database. This was compared with the total number of such cases, available from our department billing database. RESULTS:The total rate of adverse events was 0.37%. Neurologic abnormalities suggestive of acute cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage did not occur in the immediate perioperative period. One new neurologic deficit was reported, secondary to ischemic stroke, which occurred 24 hours after the surgery. The most frequent complications detected were unplanned return to care (0.067%), local anesthetic systemic toxicity (0.053%), and airway compromise requiring unplanned intubation (0.033%). Complications were infrequent and did not vary in incidence over the course of the study. CONCLUSIONS:This retrospective study suggests that intraoperative or immediate postoperative stroke is rare when surgery is conducted in beach-chair position in conjunction with regional anesthesia, propofol sedation, and spontaneous respiration via natural airway.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PURPOSE:To evaluate the indications and outcomes of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) performed within the first 2 weeks of presentation in the management of patients with acute Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). METHODS:A retrospective chart review from January 1998 to May 2011 identified 128 SJS/TEN patients admitted to Loyola University Medical Center Burn intensive care unit. The degree of initial ocular surface inflammation was graded as mild, moderate, or severe within the first 2 weeks of admission. Patients were managed either medically or with amniotic membrane (AM). Outcomes were graded as good [best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA)>20/40], fair (BCVA 20/40 to 20/200 or with ocular surface discomfort, requiring contact lens or reconstructive surgeries), or poor (BCVA<20/200). RESULTS:Of the 182 eyes (91 patients) with documented inpatient eye examinations, 108 eyes (59.4%) had mild or no initial ocular involvement, 37 eyes (20.3%) had moderate, and 37 eyes (20.3%) had severe inflammation. Of the 29 patients (58 eyes) with greater than 1 month of follow-up, 17 patients (33 eyes) were treated with medical management and 13 patients (25 eyes) were treated with early AM. One of the 23 eyes with moderate or severe presentation treated with early AMT (4.3%) resulted in a poor outcome within 3 months compared with 8 of 23 eyes (34.8%) that were medically managed (P=0.022). CONCLUSIONS:We present the first case-control study of the use of AM in the management of acute SJS/TEN. Early use of AMT prevents severe vision loss in SJS/TEN patients with initial moderate or severe ocular surface inflammation.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: BACKGROUND:Existing methods to predict recovery after severe traumatic brain injury lack accuracy. The aim of this study is to determine the prognostic value of quantitative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS:In a multicenter study, the authors prospectively enrolled 105 patients who remained comatose at least 7 days after traumatic brain injury. Patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging, including DTI in 20 preselected white matter tracts. Patients were evaluated at 1 yr with a modified Glasgow Outcome Scale. A composite DTI score was constructed for outcome prognostication on this training database and then validated on an independent database (n=38). DTI score was compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials Score. RESULTS:Using the DTI score for prediction of unfavorable outcome on the training database, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91). The DTI score had a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 95% for the prediction of unfavorable outcome. On the validation-independent database, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.54-0.94). On the training database, reclassification methods showed significant improvement of classification accuracy (P < 0.05) compared with the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials score. Similar results were observed on the validation database. CONCLUSIONS:White matter assessment with quantitative DTI increases the accuracy of long-term outcome prediction compared with the available clinical/radiographic prognostic score.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The Shozu Herpes Zoster (SHEZ) Study was designed to clarify the incidence of and predictive and immunological factors for herpes zoster in a defined community-based Japanese population. As part of this series, a total of 5683 residents aged ≥50 years received a varicella-zoster virus (VZV) skin test with VZV antigen, and 48 h later, the erythema and oedema were assessed by measuring the longest diameter. The diameters of both the erythema and oedema decreased with the increasing age of the subject. Sixty-three subjects contracted herpes zoster within a year after receiving the VZV skin test. Analysis of the herpes zoster incidence rate vs. the skin test reaction revealed that the shorter the diameter of erythema or oedema, the greater the likelihood of herpes zoster. These results demonstrated that the VZV skin test is an excellent surrogate marker for predicting the risk of herpes zoster.

背景与目标： : Shozu带状疱疹 (SHEZ) 研究旨在阐明以社区为基础的日本人群中带状疱疹的发生率以及预测和免疫学因素。作为本系列的一部分，共有5683名年龄 ≥ 50岁的居民接受了VZV抗原的水痘病毒 (VZV) 皮肤测试，48小时后，通过测量最长直径来评估红斑和水肿。随着受试者年龄的增长，红斑和水肿的直径均减小。接受VZV皮肤测试后一年内，有63名受试者感染了带状疱疹。对带状疱疹发病率与皮肤测试反应的分析表明，红斑或水肿的直径越短，带状疱疹的可能性越大。这些结果表明，VZV皮肤测试是预测带状疱疹风险的出色替代指标。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: INTRODUCTION:The goal of burn care is that 'the quality of the outcome must be worth the pain of survival'. More research is needed to understand how best to deliver care for patients with burns to achieve this aim. Loss of independence, function as well as loss of income for patients with burns and carers cause a significant burden at both individual and societal levels. Much is being done to advance knowledge in the clinical care field; however, there has been a paucity of research exploring psychosocial outcomes. This paper describes the study background and methods, as implemented in an Australian cohort study of psychosocial outcomes after major burn injuries. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:In this inception cohort study, a target sample of 230 participants, aged 18 years or over, admitted to a single statewide burns centre with a burn injury are identified by hospital staff for inclusion. Baseline survey data are collected either in person or by telephone within 28 days of the injury and participants then followed up with telephone interviews at 3, 6 and 12 months postburn. Injury and burns treatment information is collected from medical records. Social support is measured as a predictor variable using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Outcome data are collected via standardised measures in the domains of Quality of Life (SF-12, EQ-5D, BSHS-B), depression (PHQ-9), post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-C, PAS), community integration (CIQ-R) and Quality-Adjusted Life Years (EQ-5D). Additional survey questions measure life satisfaction, return to work and public services utilisation at 12 months postinjury. Data analysis methods will include analysis of variance, Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Hospital-based and University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committees have approved the protocol. Results from the study will be disseminated at national and international conferences, in peer-reviewed journals and in a doctoral thesis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12616000828426). Retrospectively registered on 23 June 2016; pre-results.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:We evaluated the functional and oncological outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) in patients with previously untreated supraglottic carcinoma compared with the outcomes in salvage cases after radiation-based treatment. METHODS:We conducted a retrospective case-control study at a single academic tertiary care institution. The functional outcomes were stratified by prior irradiation and were assessed at baseline, less than 1 week after operation, and at last follow-up. RESULTS:Five patients underwent TLM for previously untreated disease, and 5 previously irradiated patients underwent salvage TLM for local failure. No patient required tracheostomy. There was no local recurrence after TLM as primary therapy, and none of those patients required radiotherapy. One salvage patient developed local recurrence. The duration of feeding tube dependence (p = 0.049) and the rates of chronic aspiration (more than 1 month after operation; p = 0.048) were significantly higher in the salvage TLM cases than in the previously untreated cases. The median scores on the PSS-HN Understandability of Speech were 75 ("usually understandable") in the salvage group and 100 ("always understandable") in the previously untreated group. CONCLUSIONS:Both local control and function were better in the previously untreated patients than in the salvage patients. Our findings provide support for the use of TLM as a primary treatment modality for selected supraglottic carcinomas, but also suggest a potential for functional recovery in both previously untreated and salvage cases.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: OBJECTIVES:To evaluate first-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students' communication apprehension, outcome expectations, and self-efficacy for communication over the duration of a 15-week patient-counseling course. DESIGN:First-year PharmD students (n=94) were asked to complete a 47-item, self-administered questionnaire on 3 occasions over the duration of the Nonprescription Drugs/Patient-Counseling course during the fall 2009 and 2010 semesters. ASSESSMENT:Eighty-seven of 94 students completed the survey instrument across data collection periods. There were significant reductions in total communication apprehension scores and in the communication apprehension subscores for meetings and public speaking, and significant increases in self-efficacy over time. No differences were found for outcome expectations of communication scores or the subscores for interpersonal conversations and group discussion. CONCLUSIONS:Communication apprehension may be decreased and self-efficacy for communication increased in first-year PharmD students through a 15-week Nonprescription Drugs/Patient-Counseling course using small-group practice sessions, case studies, and role-play exercises in conjunction with classroom lectures.

背景与目标：