In Vivo Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Assessment of Acute Compartment Syndrome in a Turkey Model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work described here was to evaluate the objectivity and reproducibility of non-invasive intra-compartment pressure (ICP) measurement using ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) in a turkey model in vivo and to determine the biological and histologic changes in acute compartment syndrome (ACS). METHODS: Twenty-four turkeys were randomly divided into four groups based on the duration and fasciotomy of ACS created by infusion of up to 50 mm Hg in the tibialis muscle: group 1, ACS 2 h; group 2, ACS 4 h; group 3, ACS 2 h + fasciotomy 2 h; group 4, ACS 4 h + fasciotomy 2 h. For each turkey, the contralateral limb was considered the control. Time-synchronized measures of SWE and ICP from each leg were collected. Then turkeys were euthanized for histology and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) examination. RESULTS: All models created reproducible increases in ICP and SWE, which had a strong linear relationship (r = 0.802, p < 0.0001) during phase 1. SWE remained stable (50.86 ± 9.64 kPa) when ICP remained at 50.28 ± 2.17 mm Hg in phase 2. After fasciotomy, SWE declined stepwise and then normalized (r = 0.737, p < 0.0001). Histologically, the myofiber diameter of group 2 (82.31 ± 22.92 µm) and group 4 (90.90 ± 20.48 µm) decreased significantly (p < 0.01) compared with that of the control group (103.1 ± 20.39 µm); the interstitial space of all groups increased significantly (p < 0.01). Multifocal muscle damage revealed neutrophilic infiltration, degeneration, hemorrhage and necrosis, especially in group 4. Quantitative RT-PCR verified that interleukin-6 and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor were significantly increased in group 4. CONCLUSION: SWE provided sensitive measurements correlating to ICP in a clinically relevant ACS animal model. Once ACS time was exceeded, progression to irreversible necrosis continued spontaneously, even after fasciotomy. SWE may help surgeons in the early detection, monitoring, prognosis and decision making on fasciotomy for ACS.

[Speciation distribution and risk assessment of heavy metals in sediments in suburban outfall of industrial oasis region].

The speciation distribution and potential environmental risk of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr in sediments in suburban outfall of industrial oasis region, Baiyin City were studied by Tessier sequential extraction method, correlation analysis, enrichment factor (EF) and risk assessment code (RAC). The results indicated that, the average concentration of heavy metals in sediments samples of Dongdagou and Xidagou streams exceeded the background levels in Gansu Province, with Cr, as an exception. The enrichment factor suggested that the enrichment of Cd in sediments of Dongdagou and Xidagou streams were very serious, which posed a strong pollution level. Furthermore, the analysis of chemical speciation indicated that Zn, Ni, and Cr in sediments of Dongdagou stream were mainly dominated by the fraction of residual, the existence of Cu and Cd was mainly in organic forms, while Pb was composed mostly by its Fe-Mn oxides fraction; Pb in sediments of Xidagou stream existed by Fe-Mn oxides fraction, other metals mainly appeared with the residual fraction. The risk assessment code (RAC) showed that the risk level of heavy metals in sediments of Dongdagou stream descended in the order: Ni > Cd > Pb > Cu > Zn > Cr, Ni posed a highest risk level. The risk level of heavy metals in sediments of Xidagou stream decreased in the order: Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Zn > Cr, Cd, Pb and Ni posed a highest risk level.

The associations between the family education and mortality of patients on peritoneal dialysis.

AIMS: To investigate whether education level of family members predicts all-cause and cardiovascular death and initial-episode peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: A total of 2264 patients on chronic PD were collected from seven centers affiliated with the Socioeconomic Status on the Outcome of Peritoneal Dialysis (SSOP) Study. All demographic, socioeconomic and laboratory data of patients and the education level of all family members were recorded at baseline. Multivariate Cox regression was used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and initial-episode peritonitis with adjustments for recognized traditional factors. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between patients with (n = 1752) and without (n = 512) complete education information. According to the highest education level of patients' family, included 1752 patients were divided into four groups, i.e. elementary or lower (15%), middle (27%), high (24%) and more than high school (34%). The family highest education (using elementary school or lower group as reference, hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval of middle school group, high school group and more than high school group was 0.68[0.48-0.96], 0.64[0.45-0.91], 0.66[0.48-0.91], respectively) rather than their average education level or patients' or spouse's education was significantly associated with the higher mortality. Neither patients' nor family education level did correlate to the risk for cardiovascular death or initial-episode peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: Family members' education level was found to be a novel predictor of PD outcome. Family, as the main source of health care providers, should be paid more attention in our practice.

Impact of individual and environmental socioeconomic status on peritoneal dialysis outcomes: a retrospective multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the impacts of individual and environmental socioeconomic status (SES) on the outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in regions with significant SES disparity, through a retrospective multicenter cohort in China. METHODS: Overall, 2,171 incident patients from seven PD centers were included. Individual SES was evaluated from yearly household income per person and education level. Environmental SES was represented by regional gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and medical resources. Undeveloped regions were defined as those with regional GDP lower than the median. All-cause and cardiovascular death and initial peritonitis were recorded as outcome events. RESULTS: Poorer PD patients or those who lived in undeveloped areas were younger and less-educated and bore a heavier burden of medical expenses. They had lower hemoglobin and serum albumin at baseline. Low income independently predicted the highest risks for all-cause or cardiovascular death and initial peritonitis compared with medium and high income. The interaction effect between individual education and regional GDP was determined. In undeveloped regions, patients with an elementary school education or lower were at significantly higher risk for all-cause death but not cardiovascular death or initial peritonitis compared with those who attended high school or had a higher diploma. Regional GDP was not associated with any outcome events. CONCLUSION: Low personal income independently influenced all-cause and cardiovascular death, and initial peritonitis in PD patients. Education level predicted all-cause death only for patients in undeveloped regions. For PD patients in these high risk situations, integrated care before dialysis and well-constructed PD training programs might be helpful.