[Analysis of influencing factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis in order to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the preventive strategies. Methods: From July 2019 to January 2020, all occupational pneumoconiosis patients reported in Guangzhou from 1958 to 2018 were investigated retrospectively (n=1155) . The basic data (including gender, diagnosis time, diagnosis age, dust exposure duration, period, pneumoconiosis disease type, work type and industry) were obtained from pneumoconiosis case card and network report database. The data of pulmonary tuberculosis were collected from the occupational disease diagnosis files of Guangzhou Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Hospital, and were supplemented by telephone follow-up. The distribution of pneumoconiosis and tuberculosis in Guangzhou was analyzed. Binary logistic regression analysis model was used to analyze the influencing factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Results: Among the 1155 new cases of pneumoconiosis, 357 cases were pneumoconiosis tuberculosis, and the complication rate of tuberculosis was 30.9%. Year of diagnosis, age of diagnosis, dust exposure duration, pneumoconiosis caused by mineral dust and construction industry were influencing factors for pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis (OR=0.948, 1.048, 0.972, 3.112, 2.815, P<0.05) . After the adjustment of gender, diagnosis year, diagnosis age, dust exposure duration and diagnosis period, the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in rock drilling workers was 1.462 times higher than that in other types of work (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The complication rate of tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis is relatively high. The main influencing factors are the year of diagnosis, age of diagnosis, dust exposure duration, the type of pneumoconiosis and the industry. The importance of occupational health examination and health education on prevention and treatment of tuberculosis should be emphasized among dust-exposed workers and pneumoconiosis patients. People with susceptibility factors are the top priority.

[MicroRNA-140-5p suppresses cell proliferation and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting Glut1].

Objective: To investigate the expression of microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and its role in cell proliferation and invasion of ESCC. Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-140-5p in ESCC tissues and cells. Negative control and miR-140-5p mimic were transfected into Eca109 and KYSE70 cells. CCK-8 kit and Transwell assay were employed to examine the changes of cell proliferation and invasion ability after transfection, respectively. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to assess the interaction of miR-140-5p with Glut1. Western blot was utilized to detect the Glut1 protein expression after transfection. Results: Analysis of the related GEO datasets revealed that the expression of miR-140-5p in ESCC tissues was significantly lower than that in normal tissues (P<0.01). The qPCR testing demonstrated that the expression of miR-140-5p in ESCC tissues and cells was markedly lower than that in normal tissues and normal esophageal epithelial cell Het-1A (P<0.01). The miR-140-5p expression was closely associated with tumor differentiation, TNM staging and lymph node metastasis in ESCC patients. The survival rate of ESCC patients with high miR-140-5p level was higher than those with low miR-140-5p level (P<0.05). Besides, addition of miR-140-5p mimic significantly upregulated the expression of miR-140-5p in Eca109 and KYSE70 cells, and suppressed cell proliferation and invasion in Eca109 and KYSE70 cells. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that Glut1 was a direct target of miR-140-5p in ESCC cells, and its expression was upregulated in ESCC tissues. Glut1 expression was inversely associated with miR-140-5p expression in ESCC tissues. MiR-140-5p mimic dramatically inhibited the expression of Glut1 in Eca109 and KYSE70 cells. Conclusions: MiR-140-5p plays an essential role in ESCC development and progression. Targeting at miR-140-5p/Glut1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for ESCC patients.

[Laboratory diagnosis and molecular tracing of dengue bordline cases in Henan Province, 2017].

Objective: To confirm the laboratory diagnosis of dengue bordline cases reported in Henan Province and trace its origin from molecular level in 2017. Methods: The study samples were blood samples (3-5 ml), which came from 8 suspected cases of dengue fever reported in the 2017 direct reporting system of Henan provincial infectious disease monitoring network. Meanwhile, case investigation was conducted according to National dengue fever surveillance programme. Serum were separated from blood samples and tested for Dengue NS1 antigen, IgM & IgG antibodies, and dengue RNA. According to dengue diagnosis criteria, confirmed cases were identified by testing results. Samples carried dengue RNA performed for real-time PCR genotyping and amplification of E gene. Then, the amplicons were sequenced and homological and phylogenetic analyses were constructed. Results: 8 serum samples of suspected dengue cases were collected in Henan Province, 2017. Six of them were diagnosed as dengue confirmed cases. All the dengue confirmed cases belonged to outside imported cases, 5 of them were positive by dengue RNA testing. Genotyping results showed there were 1 DENV1 case, 2 DENV2 cases and 2 DENV3 cases. A DENV2 case and a DENV3 case of this study were traced its origin successfully. The sequence of Pakistan imported DENV2 case belongs to cosmopolitan genotype, which was the most consistent with Pakistan's DENV2 KJ010186 in 2013 (identity 99.0%). The sequence of Malaysia imported DENV3 case belongs to genotype I, which was the most consistent with Singapore's DENV3 KX224276 in 2014(identity 99.0%). Conclusion: The laboratory diagnosis and molecular traceability of dengue cases in Henan Province in 2017 confirmed that all cases were imported and did not cause local epidemics.

[Analysis of early response to the antipsychotic treatment and related factors in acute schizophrenia patients].

Objective: The objective was to assess the relationship between early response and later response to antipsychotics, and the relationship between antipsychotics and early response. Methods: Data were retrospectively analyzed from patients with schizophrenia and they were hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical College from May, 2013 to September, 2015.The patients were divided into theearly response group (PANSS total score improvement ≥20% at week 2) and early nonresponse group.General information, the use of drug and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) on before and 2, 4, 6 weeks after treatment were compared between the two groups.The relation between early response and late response and the effect of drug selection on early response were analyzed by correlation analysis and regression analysis. Results: Relative to early nonresponders, early responders were significantly more likely to have lower PANSS scores (total scores on 2, 4, 6 weeks after treatment 66.2±11.8 vs 84.5±10.9, 55.9±13.2 vs 70.9±13.7, 48.9±13.1 vs 60.6±14.9, all P<0.05) and higher PANSS scores improvement at 2, 4, 6 weeks after treatment (total scores improvement on 2, 4, 6 weeks after treatment (37±14)% vs (9±7)%, (56±19)% vs (32±18)%, (68±20)% vs (49±21)%, all P<0.05). The correlation coefficient between PANSS total score improvement at week 2 and at week 4, 6 were 0.730 and 0.541, respectively (all P<0.05). Olanzapine had more PANSS total score improvement than aripiprazole, quetiapine and ziprasidone (2 weeks after treatment (29±19)% vs (19±16)%, (18±15)%, (17±15)%, 4 weeks after treatment (51±21)% vs (37±25)%, (39±18)%, (37±22)%, all P<0.05). The protective factor for early response was olanzapine (P<0.05). Conclusions: Early responders are associated with faster and greater improvement in symptoms, the type of antipsychotic has impacts on early response, early non-responders can benefit from adjustment of treatment.

Intrinsic Ferromagnetism in the Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor Co:TiO_{2}.

Here we present a study of magnetism in Co_{0.05}Ti_{0.95}O_{2-δ} anatase films grown by pulsed laser deposition under a variety of oxygen partial pressures and deposition rates. Energy-dispersive spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy analyses indicate that a high deposition rate leads to a homogeneous microstructure, while a very low rate or postannealing results in cobalt clustering. Depth resolved low-energy muon spin rotation experiments show that films grown at a low oxygen partial pressure (≈10^{-6} torr) with a uniform structure are fully magnetic, indicating intrinsic ferromagnetism. First principles calculations identify the beneficial role of low oxygen partial pressure in the realization of uniform carrier-mediated ferromagnetism. This work demonstrates that Co:TiO_{2} is an intrinsic diluted magnetic semiconductor.

[Cognitive effectiveness of risperidone and olanzapine in first-episode schizophrenia].

Objective: To study the impairments of cognitive function in first-episode schizophrenia and the potential effectiveness of risperidone and olanzapine monotherapy on first-episode schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 57 first-episode schizophrenia and 30 healthy controls were assessed at baseline, and patients were assessed again after 8-week antipsychotics therapy. Results: The positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) reductive ratio between the two groups was similar. At baseline, the performance of schizophrenia patients was significant poor than healthy controls in the four domains of cognitive function (P<0.05); after 8-week's antipsychotics therapy, the performance of Trail Making Test (t=3.862, P<0.05) and Verbal Learning (t=-3.073, P<0.05) got significant improvements in patients with risperidone, while in group of patients with olanzapine, the performance of Trail Making Test (t=3.587, P<0.05) and working memory domain (t=-2.891, P<0.05) got significant improvements. Spearman correlation analyses suggested that dosage of risperidone was negatively correlated with the score-reducing rate of the performance of Trail Making Test of patients (r=-0.391, P=0.048). Conclusions: The effects of the two psychotroptic drugs on clinical symptoms and cognitive functions are almost equal. Comprehensive cognitive impairment is found in first-episode schizophrenia, and risperidone and olanzapine could partially improve the performance of cognitive function as well as clinical symptoms. The higher the dosage of risperidone is, the less improvement the patients has in the speed of process domain.

Genome shuffling of Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis YF11 for improving nisin Z production and comparative analysis.

Nisin has been widely used in the food industry as a safe and natural preservative to increase the shelf time of many foods. In this study, genome shuffling was applied to improve nisin Z production of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis YF11 (YF11) via recursive protoplast fusion. Ultraviolet irradiation and diethyl sulfate mutagenesis were used to generate parental strains for genome shuffling. After 4 rounds of genome shuffling, the best-performing strain F44 was obtained, which showed dramatic improvements in tolerance to both glucose (ranging from 8 to 15% (wt/vol) and nisin (ranging from 5,000 to 14,000 IU/mL). Fed-batch fermentation showed that the nisin titer of F44 was up to 4,023 IU/mL, which was 2.4 times that of the starting strain YF11. Field emission scanning electron microscope micrographs of YF11 and F44 revealed the apparent differences in cell morphology. Whereas YF11 displayed long and thin cell morphology, F44 cells were short and thick and with a raised surface in the middle of the cell. With the increasing glucose and nisin content in the medium, cells of both YF11 and F44 tended to become shrunken; however, alterations in YF11 cells were more pronounced than those of F44 cells, especially when cultured in tolerance medium containing both nisin and glucose. Nuclear magnetic resonance analysis demonstrated that the structure of nisin from YF11 and F44 was the same. Expression profiling of nisin synthesis related genes by real-time quantitative PCR showed that the transcription level of nisin structural gene nisZ and immunity gene nisI of F44 was 48 and 130% higher than that of the starting strain YF11, respectively. These results could provide valuable insights into the molecular basis underlying the nisin overproduction mechanism in L. lactis, thus facilitating the future construction of industrial strains for nisin production.

[Surveillance for sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan province, 2017-2020].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) cases in Henan province during 2017-2020. Methods: Descriptive epidemiology method was used to analyze the characteristics of SFTS cases in Henan during 2017-2020. Patients' sera in acute phase were collected and tested using real-time fluorescence RT-PCR. The S segment complete sequences of the isolated sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) strains were amplified and homology analysis was performed to construct the phylogenetic tree. Results: A total of 1 767 SFTS cases, including 1 000 suspected cases and 767 confirmed cases, were reported in Henan during this period, and 11 cases, including 3 suspected cases and 8 confirmed cases died, the case fatality rate was 0.62% (11/1 767). The incidence decreased year by year. The cases were distributed in 28 counties of 6 cities, and 1 681 cases were reported in Xinyang, accounting for 95.13% (1 681/1 767) of the total. The cases mainly occurred from April to October, accounting for 96.10% (1 698/1 767) of the total. The incidence in males (0.38/100 000) was significantly lower than that in females (0.54/100 000) (χ2=54.855, P<0.001). Up to 93.44% (1 651/1 767) of the cases were aged between 40 and 84 years. Farmers accounted for 96.10% (1 698/1 767) of the total cases. One family cluster outbreak occurred in 4 years. A total of 1 110 samples were detected by Henan CDC, in which 435 were SFTS virus positive with an average positive rate of 39.19% (435/1 110). The differences in positive rates of SFTS virus among different years were significant (χ2=25.405, P<0.001). The sequence homology of complete S segment of the 39 SFTS virus strains ranged from 94.76% to 99.82%. The genetic evolution analysis on the complete S segment of the 39 SFTS virus strains showed that 34 strains belonged to genotype A, 2 strains belonged to genotype B, and 3 strains belonged to genotype D. Conclusions: The incidence of SFTS in Henan was sporadic, and decreased year by year. SFTS had obvious regional and seasonal characteristics, and the area affected by SFTS expanded. The incidence of SFTS was high in elderly female farmers, and the positive rate of SFTS virus varied greatly in different years. The main type of SFTS virus in Henan was genotype A, but the etiological surveillance is still needed.

[Surveillance on the pathogen of imported Dengue fever in Henan province, 2018].

Objective: To analyze data gathered from the laboratory records related to imported Dengue cases in Henan province in 2018. Methods: Suspected Dengue cases were found out through the Dengue fever surveillance network from the National infectious Disease reporting management information system. Serum samples of suspected Dengue cases were collected while case study and tested for Dengue NS1 antigen, IgM, IgG antibodies and Dengue RNA in Henan province in 2018. According to the standardized Dengue diagnosis criteria, confirmed cases were identified under the results of testing. Dengue RNA was checked by Real-time PCR genotyping and amplification of E gene in the samples being tested, before the PCR products were sequenced and analyses of homological and phylogenetic were performed. Results: In 2018, a total of 29 cases of Dengue fever was reported in Henan province, with all of which were imported cases, mainly from Southeast Asian countries and Africa. Majority of the cases were young and middle-aged farmers under 45 years old, and the number of males was significantly higher than that of females. The imported cases were dispersed in time and space. Among the 29 Dengue reported cases, 22 cases were with NS1 antigen and/or IgM positive through testing, while 6 cases were positive by detection of the Dengue virus RNA. These 6 samples with Dengue RNA were genotyped successfully, including 3 cases of Dengue virus type 1 and 3 cases of type 2. One of the Maldives import Dengue virus type 2 samples was sequenced. Result showed that the sequence belonged to the Asian Ⅰ genotype, which was most consistently similar to the Cambodia's Dengue virus type 2 JF730046, identified in 2008. Conclusions: The incidence of imported Dengue fever cases increased significantly in Henan province in 2018, compared to that in 2017, but fortunately did not cause any local epidemics.

[Characteristics of spatiotemporal distribution on severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan province].

Objective: To explore the characteristics regarding temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal distribution on severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Henan province. Methods: Surveillance data related to SFTS was collected in Henan province, from year 2014 to 2016. Descriptive method was used to analyze the distribution of SFTS. 1.7.0 software related to the Public health geographic information system (PHGIS), was applied to draw the spatial distribution map of SFTS. Chi-square test was used to compare the different incidence rates. Results: A total of 2 781 SFTS cases, including 34 deaths, were reported in Henan province from 2014 to 2016, with an average annual fatality rate as 1.22%. There were statistically significant differences for the incidence rates of SFTS between different years (P<0.01). Cases were mainly concentrated from April to October, which accounted for 96.66% of the total number, with the incidence peak seen in May. Incidence rates of SFTS in spring, summer, autumn were higher than that in winter. The cases were scattering around in 26 counties of 8 cities. Xinyang city reported 2 714 cases, accounting for 97.59% of the total number of cases in the province. The average annual incidence rate in Xinyang city was 17.22 per 100 000, much higher than that for the whole Henan province (0.98 per 100 000), with statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Six counties reported having death cases, that accounted for 23.08% of the total number of counties, reported to have death cases. Two kinds of incidence patterns of SFTS were noticed in Henan province, with aggregation in some local regions or sporadic in individual counties. The number of counties with reporting cases increased annually. The epidemic area was expanding and gradually spreading from south to north areas of the province. Conclusions: SFTS was characterized with both temporal and spatial clusters in Henan province. Effective prevention and control measures should be made in accordance with the spatiotemporal distribution and the trend on SFTS.

[Submandibular gland resection via subclavian into the road under the endoscope].

Objective:To evaluate resection of submandibular gland through a minimal skin incision under the endoscope. Method:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data from 28 cases of submandibular gland resection by endoscope surgery via subclavian approach, 14 cases of preoperative diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma, submandibular gland of chronic inflammation in 11 cases, 3 cases of the submandibular gland stone,one case of lymphatic cyst,all cases were evaluated by preoperative imaging or 3 d sonography. Result:All patients' submandibular gland and tumors were resected totally under the endoscope, no open surgery, no surgical complications, and postoperative aesthetic outcome was good, patients were satisfied, pleomorphic adenoma patients were postoperative followed up of 4 to 24 months, and no recurrence. Conclusion:Under the cavity mirror via subclavian path submandibular gland resection is safe and feasible, and has a good cosmetic effect.

Alteration in the levels of thyrotropin releasing hormone, substance P and enkephalins in the spinal cord, brainstem, hypothalamus and midbrain of the Wobbler mouse at different stages of the motoneuron disease.

The present study was undertaken to quantify selected neuropeptides (thyrotropin releasing hormone, substance P, methionine and leucine enkephalin) in the cervical spinal cord and other regions of the central nervous system of Wobbler mice by radioimmunoassays during several stages of the motoneuron disease compared with age- and sex-matched normal phenotype littermates. In Wobbler spinal cord, thyrotropin releasing hormone is higher early in the disease, whereas in the brainstem it is higher at a later stage. Substance P in spinal cord is also higher late in the disease. Leucine enkephalin levels are greater at all stages in diseased spinal cord and brainstem, but methionine enkephalin increases only late in the disease. Highly significant increases of the peptides (except thyrotropin releasing hormone) appear in hypothalamus and midbrain only late in the motoneuron disease. Regression analyses show that thyrotropin releasing hormone in spinal cord and brainstem decreases normally with age in the control mice and at a faster rate related to the extent of motor impairment in Wobbler mice. Thyrotropin releasing hormone and methionine enkephalin in the Wobbler brainstem correlate (P less than 0.05) with the progress of the motoneuron disease. Methionine enkephalin increases faster in Wobbler brainstem and decreases faster in control spinal cord with age. The increase of leucine enkephalin in the Wobbler spinal cord correlates significantly with age and with the progress of the disease, but leucine enkephalin declines slightly with age in the controls. The changes of substance P in spinal cord and brainstem do not correlate significantly with the progress of the disease. In the hypothalamus, increasing values for substance P in control specimens and enkephalins in Wobbler specimens are significantly correlated with age. However, in the midbrain, higher methionine and leucine enkephalin levels are significantly associated with age only in the control mice. Alterations of neuropeptides in the Wobbler mouse spinal cord and brainstem may result from the degeneration of bulbospinal raphe neurons projecting to the ventral spinal cord, or from primary afferent or interneuronal nerve terminals. The data imply that the neuronal degeneration process in the Wobbler motoneuron disease is not limited to motoneurons. In the spinal cord, the data support our previous hypothesis that neuronal sprouting presynaptic to the motoneurons may account for increased neuropeptide concentrations. Alternatively, synthesis and/or degradation of these peptides may be altered. In addition, it is proposed that enkephalinergic neurons may develop abnormally in Wobbler mice. The early increase of leucine enkephalin in the Wobbler spinal cord possibly indicates its importance in the etiology of the motoneuron disease.

Arsenic compounds induce cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant gynecological cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: Arsenic compounds have been found to be effective in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia through the downregulation of bcl-2 expression. Resistant ovarian cancer cells often overexpress bcl-2 or p53 proteins or both. We hypothesized that arsenic compounds, such as As2O3 and As2S3, could also be active against gynecological cancers resistant to conventional chemotherapy. METHODS: We investigated the effects of these two arsenic compounds in vitro on ovarian cancer cell lines sensitive (OVCAR, GG, JAM) and resistant (CI80-13S) to cisplatin (CDDP) and on human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa) in comparison with their effects on human fibroblasts (HF). A fluorometric assay based on measurements of fluorescein diacetate (FDA) in cells was used to determine cell viability. Apoptosis was assessed in terms of cell morphology, by flow cytometry and by a DNA fragmentation assay. RESULTS: Treatment of each cell line with the As2O3 or As2S3 led to a marked dose-dependent decrease in cell growth. The IC50 of the two compounds indicated a significantly greater cytotoxic effect against all the cancer cells tested than against the normal HF. At a clinically achievable concentration (2 microM), As2O3 selectively inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis in CI80-13S, OVCAR and HeLa cells but had no significant apoptotic effect on GG or JAM cells or HF. Following treatment with 5 microM As2S3, the CI80-13S, OVCAR and HeLa cells also exhibited growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Arsenic compounds (As2O3 and As2S3) can inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human ovarian and cervical cancer cells at clinically achievable concentrations, indicating that As2O3 and As2S3 could be effective in the treatment of gynecological cancer.

Targeted damage effects of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on liver tissues of Guizhou Province miniswine.

HIFU can pass through tissues and accurately damage target tissues inside organisms. This article reports on the oriented damage effects of HIFU upon miniswine internal and external liver tissues, and suggests a new conception of the 'biological focal field'. The results revealed that: (1) HIFU can be used to damage accurately liver tissues under the guide of a B-modal ultrasound device; (2) the scope of the injury is connected with sound intensity and irradiation time; and (3) the different layers of tissue through which the ultrasound has passed remain undamaged.

Granular mucosal lymphocytes in porcine small intestine.

A subpopulation of purified, interepithelial lymphocytes from porcine small intestinal mucosa contained cytoplasmic granules. Toluidine blue staining revealed metachromatic granules in 13.64% (606/4,450) cells. The cells had scant organelles, a single large nucleus with obvious invagination of the nuclear membrane, and prominent chromatin. Each cell contained 1 to 10 cytoplasmic membrane-bound granules, 0.6 to 1.5 micron in diameter. These findings indicated that the granular mucosal lymphocytes are related morphologically to mucosal mast cells. The presence of serotonin in the granules, confirmed by the serotonin releasing test, provided functional evidence that granular mucosal lymphocytes are related to mucosal mast cells.

Specific recognition of DNA by small molecules.

DNA exhibits many attractive features in the development of drug design and disease treatment, and there are some successful events for drugs targeting to DNA in clinic use. Nowadays, the specific recognition of DNA by small molecules is the crucial factor of the sustainable development of DNA-target drugs, for the serious side-effects of existing drugs. In this review, we discussed the current efforts of DNA-drug specific interaction that concerned with various DNA recognition models, such as abasic, mismatch or bulge site recognition, specific sequence recognition, and secondary structure recognition. Some compounds are found to show a remarkable potential to be an ideal drug.

The effect of carbon coating and porosity on early patency of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: Synthetic vascular grafts have never achieved long-term patency comparable to autologous saphenous vein. Changes in graft wall porosity and carbon coating of the luminal surface have both been suggested to improve patency. METHODS: Forty-two mongrel dogs, weighing 20 to 30 kg, underwent bilateral aortoiliac grafting with one of three randomly selected grafts: group I, 60 microns carbon-coated, thin-walled expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE); group II, 60 microns thin-walled uncoated ePTFE; or group III, regular ePTFE. All grafts were 10 cm long and had an internal diameter of 5 mm. Twenty-one dogs were killed at 60 days and 21 dogs were killed at 120 days. Thus in each group there were 14 60 microns, thin-walled, carbon-coated ePTFE grafts; 14 60 microns, thin-walled, uncoated ePTFE grafts; and 14 regular ePTFE grafts. RESULTS: At 60 days, 12 (85.7%) of 14 group I, 13 (92.3%) of 14 group II, and 9 (64%) of 14 group III grafts were patent. At 120 days, 12 (85.7%) of 14 group I, 11 (78.6%) of 14 group II, and 6 (42.9%) of 14 group III grafts were patent. The patency of the 60 microns carbon-coated, thin-walled ePTFE at 120 days was significantly improved compared with that of the regular ePTFE (p < or = 0.05). The patency of the 60 microns thin-walled uncoated ePTFE was improved relative to conventional ePTFE at 120 days, although this difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in patency between 60 microns carbon-coated, thin-walled ePTFE and 60 microns thin-walled uncoated ePTFE. When the results were analyzed simply on the basis of graft porosity, the 60 microns porosity grafts had a significantly improved patency compared to the regular ePTFE at 120 days (p < 0.05). Histologically, the 60 microns porosity grafts had significantly better tissue ingrowth along their entire length, regardless of the presence or absence of carbon coating. This ingrowth was present at both 60 days and 120 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that increasing ePTFE graft porosity to 60 microns improves overall patency. However, the addition of carbon lining did not appear to further augment patency.