[A prospective observational study on functional outcomes and condition-specific quality of life after intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer].

Objective: To investigate functional outcomes and condition-specific quality-of-life (CSQoL) after intersphincteric resection (ISR) in patients with low rectal cancer using traditional and exploratory questionnaires. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Characteristic Medical Center of the People's Liberation Army Rocket Force. Patients with low rectal cancer who underwent ISR with ileostomy reversal from May 2020 to April 2023 were enrolled. An electronic self-assessment survey was sent to enrolled patients at 3 to 6, 12, and 24 to 36 months after reversal, and differences in functional and CSQoL results between the 3 groups were analyzed with generalized estimation equations. Functional outcomes were determined by the Wexner incontinence score (WIS) and the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. In line with the five frequency responses ranging from never (score 0) to always (score 4) defined by the WIS, an exploratory survey was used to measure the severity of 16 LARS-specific variables confirmed by the latest international Delphi consensus. Furthermore, CSQoL was evaluated using the fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale (FIQL) and the visual analog scale (VAS). Results: A total of 90 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 64 males and 26 females, aged (58.6±10.4) years (range: 28 to 79 years). The median distance from the distal tumor margin to the anal verge(M(IQR)) was 3.0 (1.5) cm (range: 1.0 to 5.0 cm). There were 55 patients who completed the questionnaires at 3 to 6 months, 59 patients at 12 months, and 40 patients at 24 to 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The summary score of FIQL and VAS improved significantly after reversal (2.33±0.69 vs. 2.40±0.66 vs. 2.79±0.76, χ2=11.703,P=0.003; 5.31±1.65 vs. 5.61±1.90 vs. 6.58±1.92, χ2=12.781,P=0.002), but the differences in the WIS and LARS score did not reach statistical significance (both P>0.05). The survey responses for the LARS-specific variables indicated that "emptying difficulties" and "dissatisfaction with the bowels" were the most frequent symptom and consequence after ISR, respectively. The exploratory severity score for LARS improved significantly among the 3 time periods(34 (14) vs. 31 (13) vs. 23 (17), χ2=13.952,P=0.001). Furthermore, the FIQL summary score was strongly correlated with the LARS severity score (rs=-0.72, P<0.01). Conclusions: Although a high prevalence of LARS may persist for years, patients reported an improvement in CSQoL and functional outcomes after ISR. The highest priorities recommended by the international consensus might provide better assessments the severity of LARS.

[A cross-sectional investigation and analysis of early treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds by professional burn medical staff in China].

Objective: To assess the current situation of early treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds by professional burn medical staff in China, and to further promote the standardized early clinical treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted. From November 2020 to February 2021, the self-designed questionnaire for the early treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds was published through the "questionnaire star" website and shared through WeChat to conduct a convenient sampling survey of domestic medical staff engaged in burn specialty who met the inclusion criteria. The number, region, and grade of the affiliated hospital, the age, gender, occupation, and seniority of the respondents were recorded. The respondents were divided into physician group and nurse group, senior group and junior group, eastern region group and non-eastern region group, primary and secondary hospital group and tertiary hospital group. Then the seniority, grade of the affiliated hospital, region of the affiliated hospital of the respondents in physician group and nurse group, conventional treatment of partial-thickness burn blisters, reasons for retaining vesicular skin, reasons for removing vesicular skin, and the conventional selection and optimal solution recommendation of topical drugs or dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage of respondents in each of all the groups were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test. Results: The survey covered 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan regions). A total of 979 questionnaires were recovered, which were all valid. The 979 respondents came from 449 hospitals across the country, including 203 hospitals in the eastern region, 116 hospitals in the western region, 99 hospitals in the central region, and 31 hospitals in the northeast region, 348 tertiary hospitals, 79 secondary hospitals, and 22 primary hospitals. The age of the respondents was (39±10) years. There were 543 males and 436 females, 656 physicians and 323 nurses, 473 juniors and 506 seniors, 460 in the eastern regions and 519 in the non-eastern regions, 818 in tertiary hospitals and 161 in primary and secondary hospitals. There were statistically significant differences in the composition of different seniority in the respondents between physician group and nurse group (χ2=44.32, P<0.01), while there were no statistically significant differences in grade or region of the affiliated hospital of the respondents between physician group and nurse group (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the conventional treatment of partial-thickness burn blisters among respondents between different occupational groups, seniority groups, and region of the affiliated hospital groups (P>0.05).The respondents in different grade of the affiliated hospital groups differed significantly in the conventional treatment of partial-thickness burn blisters (χ2=6.24, P<0.05). Compared with respondents in nurse group, larger percentage of respondents in physician group chose to retain vesicular skin for protecting the wounds and providing a moist environment, and alleviating the pain of dressing change (with χ2 values of 21.22 and 19.96, respectively, P values below 0.01), and smaller percentage of respondents in physician group chose to retain vesicular skin for prevention of wound infection (χ2=23.55, P<0.01). The reasons for retaining vesicular skin of respondents between physician group and nurse group were similar in accelerating wound healing, alleviating pigmentation and scar hyperplasia post wound healing (P>0.05). Compared with respondents in junior group, larger percentage of respondents in senior group chose to retain vesicular skin for protecting the wounds and providing a moist environment and alleviating the pain of dressing change (with χ2 values of 10.36 and 4.60, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and smaller percentage of respondents in senior group chose to retain vesicular skin for prevention of wound infection (χ2=8.20, P<0.01). The reasons for retaining vesicular skin of respondents in senior group and junior group were similar in accelerating wound healing, alleviating pigmentation and scar hyperplasia post wound healing (P>0.05). The 5 reasons for the respondents between eastern region group and non-eastern region group, primary and secondary hospital group and tertiary hospital group chose to retain vesicular skin were all similar (P>0.05). Compared with those in physician group, significantly higher percentage of respondents in nurse group were in favor of the following 6 reasons for removing the vesicular skin, including convenience for using more ideal dressings to protect the wounds, prevention of wound infection, facilitating the effect of topical drugs on the wounds, the likely rupture of blisters and wound contamination, accelerating wound healing, and alleviating pigmentation and scar hyperplasia post wound healing (with χ2 values of 4.35, 25.59, 11.83, 16.76, 46.31, and 17.54, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with respondents in senior group, larger percentage of respondents in junior group chose to remove vesicular skin for the reasons such as the likely blister rupture and wound contamination, preventing wound infection, accelerating wound healing, and alleviating pigmentation and scar hyperplasia post wound healing (with χ2 values of 17.25, 18.63, 14.83, and 10.23, respectively, P values below 0.01). Compared with respondents in non-eastern region group, larger percentage of respondents in eastern region group chose to remove vesicular skin for preventing wound infection and the likely rupture of blisters and wound contamination (with χ2 values of 9.30 and 8.65, respectively, P values below 0.01). The 6 reasons for the respondents between tertiary hospital group and primary and secondary hospital group choose to remove vesicular skin were similar (P>0.05). Compared with respondents in physician group, larger percentage of respondents in nurse group chose to use moisturizing materials for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (χ2=6.18, P<0.05), and smaller percentage of respondents in nurse group chose other topical drugs or dressings (χ2=5.20, P<0.05). Compared with respondents in junior group, larger percentage of respondents in senior group chose to use moisturizing materials and other topical drugs or dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (with χ2 values of 4.97 and 21.80, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with respondents in non-eastern region group, larger percentage of respondents in eastern region group chose to use topical antimicrobial drugs for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (χ2=4.09, P<0.05), and smaller percentage of respondents in eastern region group chose to use other topical drugs or dressings for the partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (χ2=5.63, P<0.05). Compared with respondents in primary and secondary hospital group, larger percentage of respondents in tertiary hospital group chose to use biological dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (χ2=9.38, P<0.01). The optimal solution recommendation of topical drugs or dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage varied significantly among the respondents between different occupational groups and seniority groups (with χ2 values of 39.58 and 19.93, respectively, P values below 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences between eastern and non-eastern region groups, tertiary hospital group and primary and secondary hospital groups in optimal solution recommendation of topical drugs or dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage (P>0.05). Conclusions: The conventional treatment measures of partial-thickness burn blisters and reasons for preserving blister skin by professional burn medical staff in China are relatively consistent, but there are great differences in the selection of reasons for removing blister skin, the conventional selection and optimal solution recommendation of topical drugs or dressings for partial-thickness burn wounds in the early stage. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a clinical treatment standard for partial-thickness burn wounds.

[Proteinuria associated with hookworm infection: a case report].

As a common soil-borne nematode, hookworm is mainly parasitized in the intestine, and the clinical manifestations of hookworm infections mainly include gastrointestinal symptoms and iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, hookworm may be also parasitized in other organs in addition to gastrointestinal system, resulting in development of disorders in other systems. Proteinuria caused by hookworm infections is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed in clinical practices. Hereby, the diagnosis and treatment of a case of proteinuria associated with hookworm infections was reported, in order to increase the understanding of hookworm infection-associated proteinuria among clinicians.

Attitudes and perceived barriers to mental healthcare in the People's Liberation Army Navy: study from a navy base.

INTRODUCTION: The People's Liberation Army (PLA, China) Navy is increasingly conducting military operations other than war overseas. Factors such as confrontations with pirates, special environments and long sailing times have resulted in mental health problems. However, the navy's actual utilisation of mental health services is low. This study examined members' rate of willingness to seek help and the factors that act as barriers to willingness to seek mental health services in the PLA Navy. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Zhoushan Base, operated by the East Sea Fleet, between March 2019 and April 2019. We distributed a 12-item questionnaire to examine participants' attitudes and perceived barriers to mental healthcare. We recruited 676 navy personnel. Participants' willingness to seek help if they had mental health problems was also assessed. RESULTS: The response rate was 99%. A total of 88.44% of the sample reported being willing to seek help. Univariate analysis suggested that those not willing to seek help were more likely to agree with the items, 'Mental healthcare does not work' and 'My unit leadership might treat me differently' and all organisational barriers, and they were more likely to have concerns about 'embarrassment' and 'being weak' than those willing to seek help. After controlling for demographic characteristics, binary logistic regression analyses confirmed that a lack of knowledge regarding the location of mental health clinics and being perceived as weak were the main factors preventing participants' willingness from seeking help. CONCLUSIONS: Extensive efforts to decrease organisational barriers and stigma towards mental healthcare should be a priority for researchers and policymakers to improve the usage of mental health services. Psychoeducation aimed at de-stigmatising mental health problems should be delivered and the accessibility and availability of mental health services should be increased.

[Impact of Toxoplasma gondii human infections on blood lipid levels].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of Toxoplasma gondii human infections on blood lipid levels. METHODS: A total of 1 000 healthy volunteers that were randomly sampled from a tertiary hospital during the period from December 2017 through December 2019 were enrolled, and assigned into the infection group and the control group according to the detection of serum anti-T. gondii antibody using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) were detected and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii antibody was 8.40% in the study subjects, and there were no significant differences between the infection and control groups in terms of gender (χ2 = 1.29, P > 0.05) or age (χ2 = 1.41, P > 0.05). The mean serum LDL (t = 3.89, P < 0.05) and TC levels (t = 3.81, P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the infection group than in the control group, while no significant differences were seen between the two groups in terms of mean serum TG (t = 0.97, P > 0.05) or HDL levels (t = 0.75, P > 0.05). In addition, the proportions of abnormal LDL (χ2 = 9.69, P < 0.01) and TC levels (χ2 = 10.39, P < 0.01) were significantly greater in the infection group than in the control group, while no significant differences were found in the proportion of abnormal TG (χ2 = 0.02, P > 0.05) or HDL level (χ2 = 0.11, P > 0.05) between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: T. gondii human infections affect blood lipid levels, and the individuals sero-positive for anti-T. gondii antibody have higher mean serum LDL and TC, as well as higher proportions of abnormal TC and LDL than sero-negative individuals.

Identification of the most appropriate existing anthropometric index for home-based obesity screening in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Home-based self-screening and monitoring for obesity is particularly valuable for the prevention and control of chronic diseases. This study aimed to identify an anthropometric index suitable for home-based obesity screening in children and adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: The design of this study is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 14,042 students (6-17 years) from the Qibao Community, Minhang District, Shanghai, were studied in 2018. The percentage body fat (PBF), height, weight, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI), triponderal mass index (TMI), body adiposity index (BAI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationships between these indices and PBF, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate their performance for obesity screening. RESULTS: BMI, TMI, WC and WHtR were found to strongly correlate with PBF (r ≥ 0.830, all P < 0.001). The optimal index for obesity screening in children (6-11 years) was BMI (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.980 for boys and 0.981 for girls) and in adolescents (12-17 years) was TIM (AUC = 0.976 for boys and 0.945 for girls); however, the optimal cut-off values for BMI and TMI differed among the subgroups. The ROC curve analysis showed that WHtR had similar cut-off values in each subgroup (0.45 for boys of 6-11 years and 0.43 for the other subgroups), excellent performance in children (AUC>0.90) and good performance in adolescents (AUC = 0.960 for girls and 0.878 for boys). CONCLUSIONS: Owing to its accuracy and stable cut-off value for defining obesity, WHtR should be recommended for home-based obesity screening in children and adolescents.

[Surgical strategies and long-term outcomes of total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting: a series of 208 patients].

Objective: To examine the short and long-term clinical outcomes of total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods: Clinic data of 208 patients with left main and multiple vessel coronary artery disease and undertaken total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting from February 2009 to December 2019 in Department of Cardiac Surgery, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were analyzed retrospectively. There were 188 males and 20 females with an age of (54.7±10.7) years (range: 32 to 79 years). The harvest of arterial conduits and grafting strategies were depended upon the individual patient characteristics and surgeon's experience. Left internal thoracic artery (LITA) was applied in 207 cases, right internal thoracic artery (RITA) in 38 cases (bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) in 37 cases), and radial artery (RA) in 187 cases (188 grafts). The graft number per case was 2.6±0.7 (range: 2 to 4). Surgical procedures was completed with off-pump technique in 98.1% patients (204/208). Subgroup analysis was carried out between subgroup BITA (n=37) and subgroup SITA (single ITA+RA) (n=171). The t test, χ(2) test or Fisher exact test were used to compare the clinic characteristics between the two subgroups. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the rate of late mortality, major adverse cardiac cerebrovascular event (MACCE), and target vessel revascularization (TVR). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent prognosis factors of late mortality. Results: The overall mortality within 30 days postoperatively was 1.4%(3/208). The incidences of perioperative MACCE, re-operation for bleeding and deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) were 1.9%(4/208), 0.5%(1/208) and 1.4%(3/208), respectively. Perioperative myocardial infarction and TVR were not observed. There was no significant difference of 30-day mortality, MACCE, bleeding and DSWI between subgroup BITA and SITA+RA (all P>0.05). In a follow-up period of (5.4±2.8)years (range: 0.2 to 10.9 years), the incidence of all-cause mortality at 1-, 5- and 10-year was 2.3%, 3.4% and 6.9%, respectively. The incidence of MACCE was 3.9%,11.2% and 28.5%, respectively. The rate of TVR was 0.4%, 3.7% and 11.9%, respectively. Age>65 was an independent prognosis factor of late mortality (HR=1.125, 95% CI:1.050 to 1.205, P<0.01). Conclusions: Total arterial coronary bypass grafting is safe and achievable with proper patient selection and surgical strategies. It significantly decreases the risks of late mortality and repeated revascularization.

[Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with autoimmune diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infections among patients with autoimmune diseases, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the management of toxoplasmosis in patients with autoimmune diseases. METHODS: A total of 237 patients with definitive diagnosis of autoimmune disease were selected as the study subjects, including 79 cases with systemic lupus erythematosus, 71 cases with rheumatoid arthritis and 87 cases with inflammatory bowel disease, while 237 healthy volunteers served as controls. The serum anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with autoimmune diseases and healthy controls, and the detection of serum IgG antibody against T. gondii was compared between the autoimmune disease patients and healthy controls. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of serum IgG antibody against T. gondii was significantly greater in patients with autoimmune diseases than in healthy controls (29.96% vs. 4.22%; χ2 = 55.41, P < 0.01), and the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection was all significantly higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (31.65%), rheumatoid arthritis (23.94%) and inflammatory bowel disease (33.33%) than in healthy controls (χ2 = 45.25, 26.58 and 50.95; all P values < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody is significantly higher in patients with autoimmune diseases than in healthy controls, and T. gondii infection may be a potential risk factor for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

[Long-term outcomes of multiple arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of multiple arterial off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) on left main coronary artery or multivessel disease. Methods: A total of 329 patients [303 males and 26 females, with a mean age of (55.1±9.1) years old] with left main coronary artery or multivessel disease who underwent isolated multiple arterial OPCAB in Ruijin Hospital between January 2006 and June 2018 were included. The baseline characteristics, perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied for estimation of freedom from major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and overall survival. Independent predictors of MACCE were assessed by Cox regression analysis. Results: The perioperative mortality was only 0.9% (3/329). The median follow-up time was 65(22, 126) months, and 302 (91.8%) patients were followed up. The long-term MACCE rate, mortality, cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction (MI) rate, stroke rate and target vessel revascularization (TVR) rate were 13.9%, 4.6%, 1.3%, 3.6%, 6.0% and 6.0%, respectively. Among the alive patients, 51.3% were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) Ⅰ class and 80.9% had no recurrence of angina pectoris. The estimated 5-year and 10-year overall survival rates were 97.3% and 93.1%, respectively. The estimated 5-year and 10-year freedom from MACCE survival rates were 91.5% and 78.0%, respectively. Senility (OR=1.058, 95%CI: 1.020-1.097, P=0.002) and history of MI (OR=2.200, 95%CI: 1.131-4.412, P=0.021) were the independent risk factors for late MACCE. Conclusion: Multiple arterial OPCAB appears to be safe and with excellent clinical outcomes in treating left main coronary artery or multivessel disease.

[Genetic characterization of rubella virus isolated in Guizhou Province from 2012 to 2015].

Objective: To analyze the genetic characteristics of rubella virus isolated from 2012 to 2015 in Guizhou province. Methods: A total of 390 cases of suspected measles were collected from Guizhou measles network laboratory from 2012 to 2015 and 25 cases of rubella cases were diagnosed. Rubella virus isolation was performed using Vero/SLAM cells. The presence of rubella viral RNA was detected using Real-time RT-PCR after RNA extraction from infected tissue culture cells. Fragments of 480 bp and 633 bp nucleotides of E1 genes of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR and the PCR products were sequenced and spliced. The phylogenetic tree was conducted based on the 739 bp nucleotide sequences of E1 genes and gene characteristic analysis was performed. Results: There were 19 cases of rubella outbreaks and 6 cases of rubella sporadic cases in 25 cases of suspected rubella cases. There were 11 males (44.0%) and 14 females (56.0%). The mean age and standard deviation were (12.3±3.9) years. A total of 10 rubella strains were isolated. The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that 7 strains of rubella virus isolates belonged to genotype 1E and the other belonged to genotype 2B. The nucleotide acid and amino acid homology among 7 strains 1E genotype were 99.0%-100% and 100% respectively. 2B genotype of 3 strains of nucleotide and amino acid homology were 99.4%-100% and 99.5%-100% respectively. Ten strains of rubella virus were not mutated in the E1 glycoprotein gene, Asn 177 and Asn 209 N-type glycosylation sites and E1 antigen epitopes between 213 and 285aa.Among them, 7 strains of 1E genotype had a mutation from leucine to phenylalanine in 338 amino acid, 2 strains of 2B genotype at 377 amino acids from valine to alanine. Conclusion: Rubella virus epidemic was caused by 1E and 2B genotypes in Guizhou from 2012 to 2015.Ten strains of rubella virus were highly conserved in nucleotide and amino acid sequences and there was no variation of important functional sites.

Relationship between aspirin use after diagnosis of colorectal cancer and patient survival: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological evidence suggests that use of aspirin after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer can lengthen survival. However, the supporting data vary between studies, and this hypothesis remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative assessment of the association between use of aspirin after diagnosis of colorectal cancer and patient survival. METHODS: We searched the Medline and Embase databases up to April 2014 to identify studies related to aspirin use after diagnosis and all-cause mortality or colorectal cancer-specific mortality. Summary effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived using a fixed or random effects model, depending on the heterogeneity between the included studies. RESULTS: Seven epidemiologic studies that consisted of six cohort studies and one nested case-control study were included in this meta-analysis. The hazard ratio (HR) of the association between aspirin use after colorectal cancer diagnosis and overall mortality, which was reported in five studies, was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.62-0.89) using a random model (heterogeneity test P=0.003, I(2)=75.3%), and for colorectal cancer-specific mortality (four studies), it was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.51-1.10) using a random model (heterogeneity test P=0.001, I(2)=84.1%). In addition, we analysed postdiagnosis aspirin use according to whether aspirin was also used before diagnosis. The HR for the overall mortality of patients who did not use aspirin before diagnosis, which was reported in four studies, was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.70-1.00), and for colorectal cancer-specific mortality (three studies), it was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.61-1.02). For those who did use aspirin before diagnosis, the HR for overall mortality (four studies) was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.83-0.93), and for colorectal cancer-specific mortality (three studies), it was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.59-1.09). Subgroup analysis showed that use of aspirin after diagnosis was associated with longer overall survival among patients with the variant PIK3CA gene but not for those with wild-type PIK3CA. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, the use of aspirin after diagnosis does not reduce colorectal cancer-specific mortality, but it does reduce all-cause mortality for colorectal cancer patients.

Effects of dialysis membranes on the kinetics of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by peripheral mononuclear cells in chronic hemodialysis patients.

To evaluate the biocompatibility of dialysis membranes, blood samples were collected from 10 hemodialysis patients immediately before dialysis and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated. The 3.0 x 10(5) cells/ml were then passed 30 times through modules made of a polyethylene glycol-grafted cellulose membrane, a polyacrylonitrile membrane, and a polysulfone membrane. Expression of messenger RNA for tumor necrosi factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined. Cells were also cultured for 2 h with and without lipopolysaccharide and TNF-alpha levels in the supernatant were measured. TNF-alpha messenger RNA expression was significantly higher immediately after passage through the polyacrylonitrile membrane compared with the other membranes. Cells cultured without lipopolysaccharide, produced significantly less TNF-alpha after passage through the polysulfone membrane, while lipopolysaccharide significantly increased TNF-alpha production by cells passed through the polyacrylonitrile membrane. These results suggest that biocompatibility differs even among dialysis membranes believed to cause no complement activation.

CAPD catheter rupture without deterioration.

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is associated with various problems, including damage to the CAPD catheter. We encountered catheter rupture around the titanium adaptor in a patient who had been on CAPD for 7 years. The area near the adaptor generally suffers damage secondary to deterioration of the silicon composing the catheter. However, stereoscopic and electron microscopic observation of the surface of the catheter revealed no deterioration. Instead, there were fine scratches around the site of rupture and the broken surface was rough. Since the patient did not protect the catheter with gauze near the titanium adaptor, it was probably damaged by the adaptor and then ruptured by some external force.

Role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and macrophages in ddY mouse nephropathy.

ddY mouse nephropathy is an animal model of human IgA nephropathy that is characterized by spontaneous IgA deposition in the glomerular mesangium, mesangial cell proliferation, and matrix expansion. We investigated the involvement of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and macrophages in the pathogenesis of ddY mouse nephropathy. Five mice each underwent urinalysis, light microscopic examination of the kidneys, immunofluorescent detection of immunoglobulins and complement, and immunohistochemical examination for intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and infiltrating macrophages at 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70 weeks of age. Albuminuria was observed from the age of 20 weeks and all mice showed albuminuria by 70 weeks. Histological glomerular damage was significantly related to the appearance of albuminuria (p < 0.01). In the glomeruli, positivity for intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, as well as the number of infiltrating macrophages, were significantly increased in mice with nephropathy compared to pre-nephropathy mice (p < 0.01). These results suggest that intercellular adhesion molecule-1, lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and infiltrating macrophages are involved in the progression of histological damage in ddy mouse nephropathy.

Role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and -beta 2 in ddY mouse nephropathy.

We investigated the glomerular distribution of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2) protein and the expression of its mRNA, and related factors, in ddY mice, aged 5-60 weeks, before and after the onset of nephropathy, TGF-beta 1 protein expression was observed from the age of 20 weeks onwards, peaking at 50 weeks, and then declining. Expression of TGF-beta 2 protein gradually increased from 5 to 60 weeks. TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 mRNA were both detected from 5 to 60 weeks. The mesangial matrix expansion index (MMEI) was significantly higher in mice with nephropathy than in those without nephropathy, as was the expression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 proteins (P < 0.05). TGF-beta 2 was significantly positively correlated with the MMEI (P < 0.05). Infiltration of CD68-positive monocytes/macrophages gradually increased until 60 weeks, and was significantly correlated with the expression of TGF-beta 1 (P < 0.05) and TGF-beta 2 (P < 0.01). These findings indicate that TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 2 were overexpressed in ddY mice with overt nephropathy compared with pre-nephropathic mice. TGF-beta 2 may be an important mediator of mesangial matrix expansion in ddY mouse nephropathy.

[The effects of retention and adaptation of complete denture on masticatory efficiency]

There are many facts of effectiveness on complete denture.Retention and adaptation are very important to denture's function among them.This thesis used soft relining material for 22 complete denture's patients whose pain,non-retention and etc.resulted in the decline of masticatory efficiency to be treated.Masticatory efficiency is measured and analysed by light absorption method after treatment.The result shows there is closed relationship between full denture's retention and adaptation and masticatory efficiency.After relining,patient's masticatory efficiency is greatly improved due to increasing retention and adaptation.the masticatory efficiency after/before treatment is average 209%.Among these patients,mandibular changes are larger than maxilla.Author considers that soft relining is a good material for poor condition of alveolus dentis,mucosa and for old fragile man.