BACKGROUND & AIMS: Studies concerned with the efficacy of cochlear implants have traditionally focused on measuring enhancements in speech perception associated with implantation. This paper reports the findings of a study concerned with qualitative and quantitative measures of psychosocial benefit associated with the adult cochlear implant programme. Cochlear implants enhanced implantees' interpersonal communication skills and social confidence, and were associated with a reduction in the user's social anxiety. Broader socioeconomic gains were not achieved by implantees, mainly because of an absence of adequate employment and community education programmes associated with implant programmes.

背景与目标： 传统上，与人工耳蜗的功效有关的研究集中在测量与植入相关的语音感知的增强。本文报告了一项研究的结果，该研究涉及与成人人工耳蜗计划相关的社会心理益处的定性和定量测量。人工耳蜗增强了植入者的人际沟通技巧和社交信心，并与减少用户的社交焦虑有关。植入者没有实现更广泛的社会经济收益，这主要是因为缺乏与植入计划相关的适当就业和社区教育计划。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :It is clear that the optimal clinical outcomes in bladder cancer patients requiring radical cystectomy are related to standard histopathologic variables of tumor grade, stage and lymph node status. However, other less well defined variables are also critical to the successful outcomes of these patients. Patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer and treating physicians should avoid unnecessary and significant treatment delays. In addition, hospital and surgeon-volume/experience are thought to be factors that may too be important components that relate to the clinical outcomes of patients following surgery. Lastly, there is a growing body of literature to support the concept of an appropriate lymphadenectomy at the time of surgery, for both node-positive and node-negative bladder cancer patients. It is becoming more obvious that there are multiple variables involved in the clinical success and outcomes of patients with bladder cancer following radical cystectomy. As treating physicians and surgeons we must be aware of these components to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

背景与目标： : 很明显，需要根治性膀胱切除术的膀胱癌患者的最佳临床结果与肿瘤分级，分期和淋巴结状态的标准组织病理学变量有关。然而，其他不太明确的变量对于这些患者的成功结局也至关重要。肌肉浸润性膀胱癌患者和治疗医生应避免不必要和显著的治疗延误。此外，医院和外科医生的数量/经验被认为是与手术后患者的临床结果相关的重要因素。最后，越来越多的文献支持在手术时对淋巴结阳性和淋巴结阴性膀胱癌患者进行适当的淋巴结清扫术的概念。越来越明显的是，根治性膀胱切除术后膀胱癌患者的临床成功和结局涉及多个变量。作为治疗医生和外科医生，我们必须意识到这些组成部分，以确保为我们的患者提供最佳结果。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: PROBLEM:Thrombophilia has been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes. To determine the association of specific inherited thrombophilias and recurrent pregnancy loss, 10 thrombophilic genes were investigated. METHOD OF STUDY:A total of 550 women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss had buccal swabs taken for DNA analyses of the following gene mutations: factor V G1691A, factor V H1299R (R2), factor V Y1702C, factor II prothrombin G20210A, factor XIII V34L, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, PAI-1 4G/5G, HPA1 a/b(L33P), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T, MTHFR A1298C. The frequencies of these mutations were compared with controls published in the literature. RESULTS:When examined individually, PAI-1 4G/5G (P = 0.009), factor XIII V34L (P < 0.0001), and homozygous MTHFR C667T (P < 0.0001) correlated significantly with recurrent pregnancy loss compared with controls. The frequency of the factor V Y1702C mutation was extremely low in patients and controls; thus, this gene was removed from further calculations. The remaining six mutated genes, when analyzed cumulatively, also corresponded with recurrent pregnancy loss (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION:A panel of thrombogenic gene mutations consisting of factor V G1691A, factor V H1299R (R2), factor II prothrombin G20210A, factor XIII V34L, beta-fibrinogen -455G>A, PAI-1 4G/5G, HPA1 a/b(L33P), MTHFR C677T, and MTHFR A1298C can identify individuals at risk for recurrent pregnancy loss.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :The aim of this study was to assess the clinical value of serum oestradiol concentration 8 days after embryo transfer (D8E2) and beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG-beta) concentration 12 days after embryo transfer (D12HCG-beta) in the prediction of pregnancy and the outcome of pregnancy following assisted reproduction, taking into account the day of transfer, which was either day 3 (D3) or day 5 (D5). The objective was to improve patient counselling by giving quantitative and reliable predictive information instead of non-specific uncertainties. A total of 2035 embryo transfer cycles performed between January 2003 and June 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Biochemical pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy and first-trimester abortions were classified as non-viable pregnancies; pregnancies beyond 12 weeks gestation were classified as ongoing pregnancies (OP). Significantly higher D8E2 and D12HCG-beta were obtained in D5 transfers compared with D3 transfers with regard to pregnancy and OP (P

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Botulism during pregnancy is uncommon and raises concern due uncertainty about fetal impairment. This type of situation has not been reported to date. Treatment is basically symptomatic and based on nursing care. The prognosis is tightly correlated with the maternal status. Dietary hygiene is the basis of prevention. We describe a case of botulism occurring during the second quarter of pregnancy.

背景与目标： : 怀孕期间肉毒中毒并不常见，由于胎儿受损的不确定性，引起了人们的关注。迄今为止尚未报告这种情况。治疗基本以对症为主，以护理为主。预后与孕产妇状况密切相关。饮食卫生是预防的基础。我们描述了在怀孕第二季度发生的肉毒中毒病例。

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: 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: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: 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:Monochorionic (MC) twins are at increased risk of early fetal loss secondary to vascular complications such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). This study compared the early perinatal loss rates between MC and dichorionic (DC) twins in an era of invasive treatment for TTTS. METHODS:This was a retrospective study of all twin pregnancies of known chorionicity from a large regional cohort of nine hospitals over a 10-year period. Ultrasound data were matched to hospital delivery records and to a mandatory national register of pregnancy losses. Prospective risk of pregnancy loss from 14 to 24 weeks' gestation was calculated and the survival trend of MC and DC twins was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS:The analysis included 3117 twin pregnancies (605 MC and 2512 DC). The total risk of early pregnancy loss (miscarriage and neonatal death) before 24 weeks was significantly higher in MC twins (60.3 per 1000 fetuses) than in DC twins (6.6 per 1000 fetuses), with a relative risk of 9.18 (95% CI, 6.0-13.9). Survival analysis showed a significant difference in overall and early mortality between MC and DC twins (log-rank test, P < 0.0001), while no difference was noted after 24 weeks' gestation (log-rank test, P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS:Early pregnancy loss is significantly more common in MC than in DC twins, but no difference in the prospective risk of mortality between MC and DC twins is evident after 24 weeks' gestation. The observed early mortality rate has almost halved in comparison with previous studies in the published literature. Early detection and prompt treatment of complications in MC twins are likely to have contributed to this improvement in outcome.

背景与目标：

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :Fetal growth, birth weight specific mortality rates and effect of sick leave or hospitalization on the fetal growth were investigated in a material of 476 twin pregnancies managed at University Central Hospital of Turku in years 1970-81. Birth weights of twin babies at any gestational age were slightly but not significantly higher than in earlier materials. When compared to growth curve of singleton fetuses, the growth rate of both twins is equal to singletons up to 30th week of pregnancy, being thereafter slower than in singleton pregnancies. Although duration of sick leave and hospitalization increased considerably during the study period, no change in the duration of pregnancy nor in the weight of twin babies occurred. Instead perinatal mortality decreased from 101/per thousand to 36.2/per thousand. Birth weight specific mortality rates did not differ from those in singleton fetuses.

背景与目标： : 在图尔库大学中央医院1970-81年管理的476例双胎妊娠材料中，研究了胎儿生长，出生体重特定死亡率以及病假或住院对胎儿生长的影响。在任何胎龄的双胞胎婴儿的出生体重均略高于但不显着高于早期材料。与单胎胎儿的生长曲线相比，两个双胞胎的生长速度等于怀孕第30周的单胎，此后比单胎妊娠慢。尽管在研究期间病假和住院时间大大增加，但怀孕时间和双胞胎婴儿的体重没有变化。相反，围产期死亡率从101/每千下降到36.2/每千。出生体重特定死亡率与单胎胎儿没有差异。

BACKGROUND & AIMS: :We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of pregnancies among women with moderate to complex congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension over a 12-year period, resulting in a cohort of 107 cases in 65 women. Neuraxial analgesia or anaesthesia was provided in 84%, 89% and 95% of spontaneous vaginal, operative vaginal and caesarean deliveries, respectively. The caesarean delivery rate was 43% compared to our institution average of 27% over the same period (p = 0.02), and 38% had operative vaginal deliveries compared to a 10.5% institution rate (p < 0.01). Invasive monitoring was used in 28% of all deliveries. There were one maternal and two neonatal deaths. This study provides detailed anaesthetic and peripartum management of women with congenital heart disease, a patient population in whom evidence-based practice and data are largely lacking. We observed a predominance of neuraxial anaesthetic techniques, increased caesarean and operative delivery rates, and favourable maternal and neonatal outcomes. Multicentre studies and registries to compare anaesthetic and obstetric management strategies further and delineate risk factors for adverse outcomes are required.

背景与目标： : 我们对12年的中度至复杂先天性心脏病或肺动脉高压妇女的妊娠进行了回顾性队列分析，结果在65名妇女中进行了107例病例的队列研究。分别在84%，89% 和95% 自发阴道，手术阴道和剖腹产时提供了神经镇痛或麻醉。与同期的机构平均27% 相比，剖腹产率43% (p = 0.02)，与10.5% 机构相比，38% 进行了阴道分娩 (p <0.01)。侵入性监测用于28% 所有分娩。有1名产妇和2名新生儿死亡。这项研究提供了先天性心脏病妇女的详细麻醉和围产期管理，先天性心脏病是一个缺乏循证实践和数据的患者人群。我们观察到神经麻醉技术占主导地位，剖腹产和手术分娩率提高，孕产妇和新生儿结局良好。需要进行多中心研究和注册，以进一步比较麻醉和产科管理策略，并描述不良结局的风险因素。