[A survey of cervical and lumbar spine diseases of express delivery employees].

Objective: To understand the current situation and influencing factors of cervical and lumbar spine diseases of the express delivery employees, and provide scientific basis for carrying out their occupational health protection in a targeted manner. Methods: From February 2020 to January 2021, the current situation research method was used to obtain 527 express delivery employees by cluster sampling. Online questionnaires were used to investigate sociodemographic characteristics and emotional characteristics, and clinical data were obtained by digital X-ray (DR) examination of the neck and waist. Pearson χ(2) test and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of cervical and lumbar spine diseases in express delivery employees. Results: The prevalence rates of cervical spine and lumbar spine diseases among express delivery employees were 49.15% (259/527) and 67.74% (357/527) , respectively. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the distribution of cervical and lumbar spine disease among express delivery employees with different ages, length of service, working hours per week, and different degrees of distress due to emotional factors (P<0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that express delivery employees aged ≥25 years old had a higher risk of cervical spine disease (P<0.05) , the express delivery employees who worked 49-55 hours per week had a lower risk of cervical spine disease (P<0.05) . Express delivery employees aged≥35 years old had a lower risk of lumbar spine disease (P<0.05) , and the risk of lumbar spine disease was higher among express delivery workers who suffered moderate or more distress due to emotional factors (such as anxiety, depression, or irritability) in the past 4 weeks (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical and lumbar spine diseases is relatively high among express delivery employees. It is recommended to adjust the weekly working hours of express delivery employees, organize psychological counseling training, and effectively protect the occupational health rights of express delivery employees.

[Establishment of a deep learning-based visual model for intelligent recognition of Oncomelania hupensis].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a deep learning-based visual model for intelligent recognition of Oncomelania hupensis, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, and evaluate the effects of different training strategies for O. hupensis image recognition. METHODS: A total of 2 614 datasets of O. hupensis snails and 4 similar snails were generated through field sampling and internet capture, and were divided into training sets and test sets. An intelligent recognition model was created based on deep learning, and was trained and tested. The precision, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F1 score and Youden index were calculated. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the model for snail recognition was plotted to evaluate the effects of "new learning", "transfer learning" and "transfer learning + data enhancement" training strategies on the accuracy of the model for snail recognition. RESULTS: Under the "transfer learning + data enhancement" strategy, the precision, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Youden index and F1 score of the model were 90.10%, 91.00%, 97.50%, 96.20%, 88.50% and 90.51% for snail recognition, which were all higher than those under both "new learning" and "transfer learning" strategies. There were significant differences in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the model for snail recognition under "new learning", "transfer learning" and "transfer learning + data enhancement" training strategies (all P values < 0.001). In addition, the area under the ROC curve of the model was highest (0.94) under the "transfer learning + dataenhancement" training strategy. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first visual model for intelligent recognition of O. hupensis based on deep learning, which shows a high accuracy for snail image recognition. The "transfer learning + data enhancement" training strategy is helpful to improve the accuracy of the model for snail recognition.

Mini review: immunologic functions of dual oxidases in mucosal systems of vertebrates / Minirrevisão: funções imunológicas de oxidases duplas em sistemas mucosos de vertebrados

Abstract Mucosal epithelial cells act as the first immunologic barrier of organisms, and contact directly with pathogens. Therefore, hosts must have differential strategies to combat pathogens efficiently. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a kind of oxidizing agents, participates in the early stage of killing pathogens quickly. Recent reports have revealed that dual oxidase (DUOX) plays a key role in mucosal immunity. And the DUOX is a transmembrane protein which produces ROS as their primary enzymatic products. This process is an important pattern for eliminating pathogens. In this review, we highlight the DUOX immunologic functions in the respiratory and digestive tract of vertebrates.

Resumo As células epiteliais da mucosa atuam como a primeira barreira imunológica dos organismos e entram em contato direto com os patógenos. Portanto, os hospedeiros devem ter estratégias diferenciadas para combater os patógenos de forma eficiente. Trabalhos recentes revelaram que a oxidase dupla (DUOX) desempenha um papel fundamental para a imunidade da mucosa. A DUOX é uma proteína transmembrana geradora de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) como seus principais produtos enzimáticos. Nesta revisão, apresentaremos as funções imunológicas da DUOX no trato respiratório e digestivo dos vertebrados.

[Establishment of the gene detection method of Schistosoma mansoni based on the recombinase-aided isothermal amplification assay].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a recombinase-aided isothermal amplification (RAA) assay for nucleic acid detection of Schistosoma mansoni. METHODS: The 121 bp highly-repeated sequence of S. mansoni was selected as the target gene fragment to be detected. The primers and fluorescent probes were designed using the Amplfix software, and a fluorescent RAA assay was established and optimized. The fluorescent RAA assay was performed to detect gradient diluent recombinant plasmids containing target gene fragment and different concentrations of S. mansoni genomic DNA to determine the sensitivity, and this assay was applied to detect the genomic DNA of S. japonicum, S. haematobium, Ancylostoma duodenale and Clonorchis sinensis to evaluate the specificity. RESULTS: A fluorescent RAA assay was successfully established, which was effective to amplify the specific gene fragments of S. mansoni within 20 min at 39 ℃. The minimum detectable limit of the fluorescent RAA assay was 10 copies/µL using recombinant plasmids as templates and 0.1 fg/µL using S. mansoni genomic DNA samples as templates. The fluorescent RAA assays were all negative for detecting the genomic DNA from S. japonicum, S. haematobium, A. duodenale and C. sinensis. CONCLUSIONS: A novel fluorescent RAA assay is successfully established, which is simple, rapid, sensitive and specific to detect genomic DNA of S. mansoni.

Desflurane pretreatment can reduce sepsis-evoked lung injury in rats via inhibiting STAT3 pathway.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of desflurane (Des) pretreatment on sepsisevoked lung injury in rats and its mechanism. The rat model of sepsis-evoked lung injury was prepared using lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while rat lung mesenchymal cell (MSC) model was cultured in vitro, followed by Des pretreatment or inhibitor S31-201 culture. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the serum of rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-step terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was utilized to determine the apoptosis levels of lung tissues and MSCs cultured in vitro. The expressions of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway in rat lung tissues and MSCs were detected by Western blotting. After modeling, LPS induced the lung injury in rats, the expression levels of IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α were up-regulated (P<0.05), the apoptosis rate was increased (P<0.05), and phosphorylated-Janus kinase 2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3) protein expressions were up-regulated (P<0.05). Des pretreatment can alleviate LPS-induced lung injury, down-regulate IL-6, IL-1ß and TNF-α expression levels (P<0.05), reduce apoptosis (P<0.05), and downregulate p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 protein levels (P<0.05). LPS induced an increase in apoptosis rate of MSCs (P<0.05) and the up-regulation of p-STAT3 protein expression (P<0.05). Both Des pretreatment and S31-201 inhibitor culture could reduce the apoptosis rate (P<0.05) and down-regulate p-STAT3 protein level (P<0.05). Des pretreatment can reduce sepsis-evoked lung injury in rats, which may be related to the inhibition of protein expressions of STAT3 pathway.

Mini review: immunologic functions of dual oxidases in mucosal systems of vertebrates.

Mucosal epithelial cells act as the first immunologic barrier of organisms, and contact directly with pathogens. Therefore, hosts must have differential strategies to combat pathogens efficiently. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a kind of oxidizing agents, participates in the early stage of killing pathogens quickly. Recent reports have revealed that dual oxidase (DUOX) plays a key role in mucosal immunity. And the DUOX is a transmembrane protein which produces ROS as their primary enzymatic products. This process is an important pattern for eliminating pathogens. In this review, we highlight the DUOX immunologic functions in the respiratory and digestive tract of vertebrates.

A tuberculosis school outbreak in China, 2018: reaching an often overlooked adolescent population.

Adolescents have been largely neglected from tuberculosis control efforts. In low- to medium burden settings much of the tuberculosis burden in this age group occurs from school outbreaks. We report on a large tuberculosis outbreak in adolescents from a boarding high school in Jiangsu Province, China. From March to June 2018, a tuberculosis outbreak occurred in a boarding high school. We conducted an outbreak investigation involving clinical diagnostic tests and molecular analysis to determine the outbreak origin. Cases were detected through symptom screening, tuberculin skin testing (TST), chest radiography, sputum smear, solid sputum culture and GeneXpert MTB/RIF. Mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat (MIRU-VNTR) genotyping and spoligotyping methods were performed on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) isolates to identify the outbreak origin. A total of 845 students and 131 teachers/staff attended a TST screening for tuberculosis infection. The prevalence of elevated tuberculin reactions at ≥5, ≥10 and ≥15 mm was 12.19% (119/976), 6.35% (62/976) and 3.28% (32/976), respectively. Radiographic abnormalities were present in 5.73% (56 of 976) individuals, 40 students and 16 teachers/staff. Of these, 12 students were diagnosed with confirmed tuberculosis. In total, 14 students (two index cases and 12 confirmed cases) were diagnosed and reported in the tuberculosis outbreak, an attack rate of 1.7% (14/847) among students (two index cases and 845 screened students). Results from MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping analyses demonstrated that three M. tuberculosis strains belong to the Beijing family with corresponding MIRU-VNTR alleles. This school-based tuberculosis outbreak among adolescents demonstrates that transmission among individuals in this age group is common and must be prioritised. It suggests that identifying and timely diagnosis of smear-positive cases, especially in the early phase of outbreaks, is the key to preventing further spread among close contacts.

Population dynamics of Echinops gmelinii Turcz. at different successional stages of biological soil crusts in a temperate desert in China.

The effects of biological soil crusts (BSC) on vascular plant growth can be positive, neutral or negative, and little information is available on the impacts of different BSC successional stages on vascular plant population dynamics. We analysed seedling emergence, survival, plant growth and reproduction in response to different BSC successional stages (i.e. habitats: bare soil, cyanobacteria, lichen and moss crusts) in natural populations of Echinops gmelinii Turcz. in the Tengger Desert of northwest China. The winter annual E. gmelinii is a dominant pioneer herb after sand stabilisation. During the early stages of BSC succession, the studied populations of E. gmelinii were characterised by high density, plant growth and fecundity. As the BSC succession proceeded beyond moss crusts, the fecundity decreased sharply, which limited seedling recruitment. Differences in seedling survival among the successional stages were not evident, indicating that BSC have little effect on survival in arid desert regions. Moreover, E. gmelinii biomass allocation exhibited low plasticity, and only reproductive allocation was sensitive to the various habitats. Our results further suggest that the negative effects of BSC succession on population dynamics are primarily driven by increasing topsoil water-holding capacity and decreasing rain water infiltration into deeper soil. We conclude that BSC succession drives population dynamics of E. gmelinii, primarily via its effect on soil moisture. The primary cause for E. gmelinii population decline during the moss-dominated stage of BSC succession is decreased fecundity of individual plants, with declining seed mass possibly reducing the success of seedling establishment.

The function of microRNA-34a in osteoarthritis.

AIM: To discuss the effects and mechanism of microRNA-34a in cell apoptosis induced by osteoarthritis. METHODS: Collection of the normal and osteoarthritis synovial tissues and measurements of the miRNA-34a and TGIF2 gene expression. In the cell experiment, the cells were divided into Control, Blank and miRNA inhibitor group. The cell proliferation and apoptosis of the different groups were measured by MTT and flow cytometry and the TGIF2 protein expression in the different groups was evaluated by WB assay. The correlation between TGIF2 and miRNA-34a was analyzed by Double luciferase experiment. RESULTS: Compared with normal synovial tissues, the miRNA-34a gene expression was significantly up-regulated and TGIF2 gene expression was significantly suppressed in osteoarthritis synovial tissues (p < 0.001, respectively). The cell proliferation was significantly depressed and the cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased in miRNA inhibitor group compared with the Control group (p < 0.001, respectively). Using the WB assay it was shown that the TGIF2 protein expression of miRNA inhibitor group was significantly suppressed compared with that of Control group (p < 0.01). By Double luciferase assay, TGIF2 gene was one target gene of miRNA-34a. CONCLUSION: miRNA-34a could induce osteoarthritis synovial cell apoptosis via regulation of TGIF2 in vitro (Fig. 6, Ref. 29).

[Progress of interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in Jiangsu Province].

Schistosomiasis was once heavily endemic in Jiangsu Province. Following the control efforts for several decades, schistosomiasis was almost eradicated in all endemic counties in Jiangsu Province in 1980, and transmission control was achieved in the province in 2011. According to the principle of "implementing the control measures with adaptation to local circumstances and guiding the control programs with classified interventions", an integrated strategy with emphasis on the management of both infectious sources and snails has been recently employed for schitsosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province. In addition, a sensitive and highly effective surveillance system has been built and the application of novel techniques and information construction has been intensified to effectively interrupt the transmission of schistosomiasis in the Province. Transmission interruption of schistosomiasis was achieved in all endemic counties in Jiangsu Province. The paper summarizes the endemic situation of schistosomiasis, progress of schistosomiasis control, and major schistosomiasis control measures implemented during the stage of transmission interruption in Jiangsu Province.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Limb Ischemia in an Asian Population.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of peripheral arterial occlusions in Asian populations is likely to increase exponentially in the present and future decades due to the adapted Western lifestyle in metropolitan Asian life, extended life expectancies, and high rates of smoking. The literature on thrombolytic treatment of peripheral arterial occlusions in Asian populations is limited. Therefore, we evaluated the thrombolysis results in a real-world contemporary Asian cohort of patients with peripheral arterial occlusions. METHODS: Retrospective review of all electronic patient records of patients who underwent thrombolytic therapy for peripheral arterial occlusions between July 2011 and July 2016 was conducted. Outcomes were angiographic patency, clinical success, bleeding complications, amputation rates, and mortality rates. RESULTS: In total, 82 patients (median age 66 years, range 34-95) underwent catheter-directed thrombolysis. Median treatment duration was 26 hr (3-209). Angiographic patency and clinical success rates were 64% and 66%, respectively. Bleeding complications occurred in 12% of patients of which 6% were major. Amputation-free rates were 81%, 67%, and 63% for 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 6%. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that thrombolytic treatment of peripheral arterial occlusions in an Asian patient cohort yields comparable treatment success rates to Western cohorts; however, higher rates of bleeding complications are hazardous and remain a detrimental drawback of this treatment.

miRNA-31 over-expression improve synovial cells apoptosis induced by RA.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and mechanism of miRNA-31 in synovial cells apoptosis induced by RA. METHODS: The miRNA-31 gene expressions were extracted from synovial tissues of normal and RA patients by RT-PCR and H et E staining. The synovial cells of RA patients were isolated and randomly divided into Control, Blank and miRNA groups. The cell apoptosis of difference groups were measured by flow cytometry; the TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations of difference groups were measured by Elisa assay; TLR4 and NF-κB proteins expressions were measured by WB assay and the correlation between TLR4 and miRNA-31 were evaluated by double luciferase target experiment. RESULTS: The miRNA-31 gene expression was significantly suppressed in RA tissues (p<0.001); Compared with control group, the cell apoptosis rate of miRNA group was significantly suppressed (p<0.001); TNF-α and IL-1ß concentrations were significantly down-regulation in culture fluid (p<0.001, respectively) and TLR4 and NF-κB proteins expressions were significantly depressed (p<0.001, respectively) in miRNA group. By double luciferase target experiment, the TLR4 was a target gene of miRNA-31. CONCLUSION: miRNA-31 is a key role in synovial cells apoptosis induced by RA (Fig. 7, Ref. 23).

MiR-93 inhibition ameliorates OGD/R induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by targeting Nrf2.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the expression changes of microRNA 93 (miR-93) in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in cardiomyocytes and its mechanism of mediating OGD/R and inducing apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary cardiomyocytes were extracted and OGD/R model in cardiomyocytes was established in vitro. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of miR-93, and Western blot assay was applied to measure the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and caspase-3. Flow cytometry was utilized to examine the cardiomyocyte apoptosis rate. RESULTS: The apoptosis rate was increased after OGD/R in cardiomyocytes, accompanied by remarkable rise of miR-93 expression. After transfection of miR-93 antagomir, the apoptosis rate of cardiomyocyte induced by OGD/R was down-regulated, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 was decreased. Meanwhile, the results of qRT-PCR and Western blot showed that the levels of Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression were up-regulated after the miR-93 level was inhibited, and luciferase reporter assay affirmed that Nrf2 was a target molecule for OGD/R-induced apoptosis mediated by miR-93. CONCLUSIONS: miR-93 mediates OGD/R-induced hypoxia/reoxygenation injury apoptosis in cells by targeting Nrf2.

[Drug resistance mutations and its associated factors among 579 HIV/AIDS patients experiencing failure of antiretroviral therapy in Jiangsu Province, China].

Objective: To understand the incidence and related factors of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV/AIDS patients experiencing treatment failure in Jiangsu province, China. Methods: The HIV/AIDS integrated prevention and control data information management system of China were used to collect the basic data of patients, blood specimens were collected from patients who had antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure with ≥12 months and older than 18 years in 2016 in Jiangsu, excluding cases with missing information, 713 cases were enrolled in this study. HIV-1 RNA was extracted, and then pol gene region was amplified and sequenced. The obtain sequences were submitted to Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database to interpret and analyse HIV-1 drug resistance and sub-types. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore the related factors of drug resistance. Results: A total of 579 subjects were amplified successfully, male accounted for 85.66% (496 cases), and the median age was 39 years old. The main route of infection was sexual transmission (553 cases, 95.51%). A total of 331 patients with drug resistance gene mutation were detected, drug resistance mutation rate was 57.18%. Compared with patients with baseline CD4(+)T cell count >500 cells/µl, patients with CD4(+)T cell count in 201-500 cells/mm(3) and ≤200 cells/µl had a higher incidence of genetic drug resistance, the odds ratio was 3.33 and 6.87, respectively. Compared with patients with treatment less than 24 months, patients treated for 25-48 months had a higher incidence of drug resistance, the odds ratio was 1.88. Compared with patients infected by CRF07_BC strains, patients infected by CRF01_AE strains were associated with higher incidence of drug resistance, the odds ratio was 2.22 and 3.32, respectively. Protease inhibitor (PI) resistance mutations, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) were found in 3.80%, 33.16% and 53.37% of patients, respectively. 31.95% of patients harbored NRTI and NNRTI resistance mutations simultaneously. M184V/I and K103N/Q were the highest frequency of NRTI and NNRTI resistance mutation, the prevalence of M184V/I and K103N/Q were 28.15% and 22.28%, respectively. Conclusion: The status of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations are complex and diverse among patients experiencing failure of ART in Jiangsu. Patients with lower baseline CD4(+)T cell count, longer treatment time and HIV-1 CRF01_AE and B strains infection were associated with higher incidence of drug resistance mutation.

[The advance of detection technology of HIV self-testing].

At present, China's AIDS testing increased rapidly, but there are still many people living with HIV do not recognize their status, thus postponing the antiviral treatment time. HIV self-testing (HST) is an effective method to expand the testing, not only simple operation, easy to get a result, effectively protect the detection privacy, expand the selection of testers, suit to the entire population, but also the premise and basis of other AIDS comprehensive prevention measures, all over the world are promoting it. Because the HST has controversies in the window period, price and before and after controversial, and our country is in the initial stage of HST, so it is not to develop related policies, but more and more countries are in accordance with their own situations are modified or developed to allow to use rapid detection of AIDS policy to regulate the field. This paper analyzed and summarized the advantage and influence factors of HST promotion, HST believes that in the long term, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, we need to formulate relevant policies, and improve the sensitivity of the kit, shorten the window period of time, production and promotion of operation standard of video, specification and testing the operating practices, preventing and reporting the possible social harm, investigation and understanding of the needs of the people of the crowd, to maximize the advantages of HST, find more infection, so as to curb the epidemic of AIDS.

Analysis on the relationship and mechanism of high blood pressure and vascular aging on the condition that the gender and age matches.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between hypertension and the mechanism of the expression of T-lymphocyte Kv1.3 channels in vascular aging has been analyzed in this study based on the gender and age matches' principle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients have been consecutively chosen with vascular aging caused by hypertension (group A), while 30 cases of high blood pressure not merged with vascular aging (group B) were chosen, and 30 cases of healthy volunteers (group C), conforming to gender and age 1:1 and the closest matching principle, were studied. The aim of this study was to separate the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and give intervention of 0.2 nmol/L ANGII to CD4 + T-lymphocytes, and store them in the incubator 48 h. The difference of Kv1.3 channel current of CD4 + T-lymphocyte, mRNA, angiotensin receptor (AT1R) protein mRNA, and IFN-γ density has also been compared. RESULTS: The membrane capacitance, peak current, and current density of group A, are higher than those of the other two groups, and the differences have statistical significance (p<0.05). After adding ANGII intervention to group A, the expression levels of T-lymphocyte Kv1.3 potassium channels mRNA, AT1R mRNA, and IFN-γ are significantly increased, so that the difference has statistical significance p<0.05, while the other two groups have no significant change (p>0.05). The levels of Kv1.3 potassium channels, AT1R mRNA, and IFN-γ of group A before and after the intervention are significantly higher than those of the other two groups, and the differences are statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vascular aging caused by hypertension may be linked to the increase of Kv1.3 potassium channel activity of T-lymphocyte, while ANGII can improve the high expression of Kv1.3 potassium channel and AT1R, to stimulate lymph cells to secrete IFN-γ.

Mini review: immunologic functions of dual oxidases in mucosal systems of vertebrates

Abstract Mucosal epithelial cells act as the first immunologic barrier of organisms, and contact directly with pathogens. Therefore, hosts must have differential strategies to combat pathogens efficiently. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as a kind of oxidizing agents, participates in the early stage of killing pathogens quickly. Recent reports have revealed that dual oxidase (DUOX) plays a key role in mucosal immunity. And the DUOX is a transmembrane protein which produces ROS as their primary enzymatic products. This process is an important pattern for eliminating pathogens. In this review, we highlight the DUOX immunologic functions in the respiratory and digestive tract of vertebrates.

Resumo As células epiteliais da mucosa atuam como a primeira barreira imunológica dos organismos e entram em contato direto com os patógenos. Portanto, os hospedeiros devem ter estratégias diferenciadas para combater os patógenos de forma eficiente. Trabalhos recentes revelaram que a oxidase dupla (DUOX) desempenha um papel fundamental para a imunidade da mucosa. A DUOX é uma proteína transmembrana geradora de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) como seus principais produtos enzimáticos. Nesta revisão, apresentaremos as funções imunológicas da DUOX no trato respiratório e digestivo dos vertebrados.

Endovascular Stent Graft Repair is an Effective and Safe Alternative Therapy for Arteriovenous Graft Pseudoaneurysms.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Pseudoaneurysm formation occurs in 2-10% of hemodialysis arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). Surgical repair often requires pseudoaneurysm resection, interposition graft placement, and insertion of a catheter as a bridge. Endovascular stent graft repair is a controversial alternative therapy. This study was performed to examine the effectiveness and mid-term outcomes of stent graft repair for AVG pseudoaneurysms. METHODS: All patients who had undergone stent graft repair for AVG pseudoaneurysms between December 2012 and July 2015 were identified from hospital medical records for retrospective analysis. Outcome measures were technical success, early and late complications, and primary and secondary patency rates. RESULTS: A total of 37 stent graft repairs of AVG pseudoaneurysms were performed in 35 patients (42.9% men; mean age 66.9 years). The mean time from AVG creation to pseudoaneurysm repair was 69 months. The indications of treatment (as per the institutional policy) were large pseudoaneurysm (56.7%), impending rupture (27.1%), and bleeding (16.2%). Mean pseudoaneurysm diameter was 23.0 mm. The most common diameter and length of stent graft used were 7 mm (67.6%) and 50 mm (48.6%), respectively. Technical success was 100%. Only one early complication occurred after stent graft repair, which was due to recurrence of the pseudoaneurysm as a result of a short landing zone. Late complications included infection (17.1%) and thrombosis (37.1%). The 1, 6, and 12 month primary patency rates were 89.2%, 55.5%, and 22.0%, respectively. The 1, 6, and 12 month secondary patency rates were 100%, 88.6%, and 78.6%, respectively. The median follow up was 12.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that endovascular stent graft repair is an effective and safe alternative therapy for AVG pseudoaneurysms. However, the rate of thrombosis and infection was high and needs to be balanced against open surgery in future studies.