Long-range interactions of the ground state muonium with atoms.

The scaling relations for the dispersion coefficients of long-range interactions between the Mu(1s)-Mu(1s, 2s, or 2p) systems and the H(1s)-H(1s, 2s, or 2p) systems are obtained using analytical properties of hydrogenic wavefunctions, which allows us to obtain the dispersion coefficients for Mu(1s)-Mu(1s, 2s, or 2p) systems from the corresponding H(1s)-H(1s, 2s, or 2p) systems. Additionally, the dispersion coefficients of long-range interactions of Mu(1s) with the ground-state H, noble gas atoms He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, alkali-metal atoms Li, Na, K, and Rb, alkaline-earth atoms Be, Mg, Ca, and Sr, and Cu, Ag, F, and Cl atoms are calculated.

TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 shows better response to methotrexate in a Chinese population: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate (MTX) is an efficacious treatment for psoriasis; however, its widespread application is limited by its unpredictable efficacy. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association of clinical factors and variants of psoriasis susceptibility genes with clinical responses to MTX in a prospective cohort. METHODS: A total of 221 patients with psoriasis were recruited. Patients who achieved Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) improvement ≥ 75% at week 12 were defined as responders, whereas those with PASI improvement < 50% were defined as nonresponders. In 90 screening patients, genetic variants for 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 14 susceptibility genes, and HLA-Cw6 status were initially compared for responders and nonresponders. Statistically significant associations in genetic variants were verified in all 221 patients. RESULTS: Overall, 49% and 45% of patients achieved PASI 75 improvement during screening and verification stages, respectively. Concomitant arthritis with psoriasis and high body mass index (BMI) negatively affect the efficacy of MTX. TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1 was significantly associated with PASI 75 response at week 12 (54% and 37%, P < 0·05). A significantly higher PASI 90 response was observed in patients with TT genotype of rs10036748 (27% vs. 12%, P < 0·01) and TC/TT genotype of rs4112788 in LCE3D (25% vs. 13%, P < 0·05) at week 12 compared with those who had other genotypes. After adjustment for all confounding factors, only BMI (P < 0·05), arthritis (P < 0·05) and genotype of rs10036748 (P < 0·05) were significantly associated with clinical responses to MTX. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis with TT genotype of rs10036748 in TNIP1, with lower BMI, without arthritis will achieve a better response to MTX.

Strain-tunable molecular doping in germanane: a first-principles study.

Germanane, fully hydrogenated germanene, has recently attracted great interest, both theoretical and experimental. In this paper we thoroughly study strain-tunable n/p-type doping in germanane by adsorption of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF)/tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) molecules through first-principles calculations. The results show that both TTF and TCNQ molecules can non-covalently functionalize the electronic properties of germanane. Not surprisingly, TTF molecular adsorption induces n-type doping in germanane because the TTF molecule is a typical electron donor. Moreover, a linearly tunable band gap of germanane and differing n-type doping strengths can be realized by a biaxial strain ranging from -3% to 3%. Analysis indicates that tensile strain would promote the doping effect whereas compressive strain would inhibit it. Comparatively, TCNQ molecular adsorption induces a germanane/TCNQ system which exhibits metallic characteristics. Surprisingly, however, under a tensile strain of 2.5%, a strong p-type doping effect is achieved in germanene/TCNQ. In particular, with increasing tensile strain over the range 2.5%-3%, the strain-tunable p-type doping effect decreases gradually. Such a multiple effect of molecular adsorption and strain on the electronic properties of germanane could be helpful for potential future applications of germanane-based electron devices.

Nutrition therapy in esophageal cancer-Consensus statement of the Gastroenterological Society of Taiwan.

A number of clinical guidelines on nutrition therapy in cancer patients have been published by national and international societies; however, most of the reviewed data focused on gastrointestinal cancer or non-cancerous abdominal surgery. To collate the corresponding data for esophageal cancer (EC), a consensus panel was convened to aid specialists from different disciplines, who are involved in the clinical nutrition care of EC patients. The literature was searched using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the ISI Web of Knowledge. We searched for the best evidence pertaining to nutrition therapy in the case of EC. The panel summarized the findings in 3 sections of this consensus statement, based on which, after the diagnosis of EC, an initial distinction is made between the patients, as follows: (1) Assessment; (2) Therapy in patients with resectable disease; patients receiving chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy prior to resection, and patients with unresectable disease, requiring chemoradiotherapy or palliative therapy; and (3) Formula. The resulting consensus statement reflects the opinions of a multidisciplinary group of experts, and a review of the current literature, and outlines the essential aspects of nutrition therapy in the case of EC. The statements are: Patients with EC are among one of the highest risk to have malnutrition. Patient generated suggestive global assessment is correlated with performance status and prognosis. Nutrition assessment for patients with EC at the diagnosis, prior to definitive therapy and change of treatment strategy are suggested and the timing interval can be two weeks during the treatment period, and one month while the patient is stable. Patients identified as high risk of malnutrition should be considered for preoperative nutritional support (tube feeding) for at least 7-10 days. Various routes for tube feedings are available after esophagectomy with similar nutrition support benefits. Limited intrathoracic anastomotic leakage postesophagectomy can be managed with intravenous antibiotics and self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) or jejunal tube. Enteral nutrition in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy or chemoradiation provides benefits of maintaining weight, decreasing toxicity, and preventing treatment interruption. Tube feeding or SEMS can offer nutrition support in patients with unresectable esophageal cancer, but SEMS is not recommended for those with neoadjuvant chemoradiation before surgery. Enteral immunonutrition may preserve lean body mass and attenuates stress response after esophagectomy. Administration of glutamine may decrease the severity of chemotherapy induced mucositis. Enteral immunonutrition achieves greater nutrition status or maintains immune functions during concurrent chemoradiation.

[Role of CMKLR1 on mouse vascular smooth muscle cells proliferation and related mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the proliferation property of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in the stable CMKLR1 gene knock-down mouse VSMCs line and explore related mechanism. METHODS: The short hairpin RNA sequence targeting to knockdown the coding regions of mouse CMKLR1 mRNA was synthesized and subsequently employed to construct recombinant lentivirus vector.Mouse VSMCs were cultured and infected with the recombinant lentivirus (knockdown VSMCs). mRNA and protein CMKLR1 expression in Knockdown VSMCs was measured by real-time PCR and Western blot and compared with those in normal VSMCs (vehicle VSMCs) and lentivirus control VSMCs (control VSMCs). The proliferation of normal, knockdown and control VSMCs was induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF VSMCs) and measured by cell number counting and BrdU.The phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK) protein was investigated by Western blot. RESULTS: The relative level of CMKLR1 mRNA in knockdown VSMCs (0.23±0.04) was significantly downregulated compared with which in vehicle VSMCs (1.05±0.05) as well as control VSMCs (0.99±0.04) (P<0.01). The relative level of CMKLR1 protein in knockdown VSMCs (0.29±0.04) was also significantly decreased, compared with which in vehicle VSMCs (1.06±0.04) as well as control VSMCs (0.95±0.02) (P<0.01). The VSMCs number ((50.33±1.20)×10(3)/cm(2)) and BrdU A450 nm value (1.80±0.05) in PDGF VSMCs were significantly increased in vehicle VSMCs ((42.02±1.53)×10(3)/cm(2,) 1.55±0.04) (both P<0.05). Compared with those in vehicle VSMCs, the VSMCs number ((23.33±2.03)×10(3)/cm(2)) and BrdU A450 nm value (1.32±0.02) in knockdown VSMCs were significantly decreased.The proliferation property between PDGF VSMCs and control VSMCs was similar(P>0.05). Compared with the relative level of p-JNK protein (1.03±0.03) in vehicle VSMCs, the p-JNK protein level was significantly increased in PDGF VSMCs (1.36±0.02, P<0.05) and significantly downregulated in knockdown VSMCs (0.79±0.05, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Knockdowning CMKLR1 gene can reduce the proliferation of mouse vascular smooth muscle cells, which was related with the down-regulation of p-JNK expression.

Tag single nucleotide polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes modify the risk of upper aerodigestive tract cancers: HapMap database analysis.

Although alcohol is associated with higher upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer risk, only a small fraction of alcoholics develop cancers. There is a lack of evidence proving the association of tag single nucleotide polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes with cancer risk. The aim of this study was to determine the association of these genetic polymorphisms with UADT cancer risk in a Chinese population. It was a hospital-based case-control candidate gene study. The databases of the International HapMap Project were searched for haplotype tag single nucleotide polymorphisms of the genes alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)1B, ADH1C, and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)2. The genotyping was performed by the Sequenom MassARRAY system. Totally, 120 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, 138 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients, and 276 age- and gender-matched subjects were enrolled between June 2008 and June 2010.Minor alleles of ADH1B (rs1229984) and ALDH2(rs671) were not only associated with the risk of UADT cancers (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval, CI]: 3.53 [2.14-5.80] and 2.59 [1.79-3.75], respectively) but also potentiated the carcinogenic effects of alcohol (OR [95% CI]: 53.44 [25.21-113.29] and 70.08 [33.65-145.95], respectively). Similar effects were observed for head/neck and esophageal cancer subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified four significant risk factors, including habitual use of cigarettes, alcohol, betel quid, and lower body mass index (P < 0.001). The haplotypes GAGC (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.40, P = 0.018) and CCAATG (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.24-2.30, P < 0.001) on chromosomes 4 and 12, respectively, were associated with higher cancer risk. These findings suggested that risk allele or haplotype carriers who consume alcohol and other carcinogens should be advised to undergo endoscopy screening. The information can be used to determine the degree of susceptibility of each subject and can be combined with other environmental factors, like carcinogen consumption, in the screening analysis.

The safety profile of ustekinumab in the treatment of patients with psoriasis and concurrent hepatitis B or C.

BACKGROUND: Ustekinumab, an interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 blocker, has emerged as a new therapeutic option for patients with psoriasis. It is generally well tolerated but safety data on the use of ustekinumab in patients with viral hepatitis are limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety profile of ustekinumab in the treatment of patients with psoriasis who have concomitant hepatitis B or hepatitis C. METHODS: This study included 18 patients with concurrent psoriasis and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (14 patients) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (four patients) who were treated with at least two ustekinumab injections. Viral loads were measured at baseline and each time before the administration of ustekinumab. Relevant clinical data were recorded. RESULTS: Among 11 patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), two out of the seven (29%) patients who did not receive antiviral prophylaxis exhibited HBV reactivation during ustekinumab treatment. No viral reactivation was observed in the three occult HBV-infected patients (HBsAg-negative/hepatitis B core antibody-positive patients). One patient with HCV, liver cirrhosis and treated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) experienced HCV reactivation and recurrent HCC during the ustekinumab treatment. No significant increase in aminotransferase levels was observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Antiviral prophylaxis appears to minimize the risk of viral reactivation in patients with concurrent psoriasis and HBV infection. Without effective anti-viral prophylaxis, the risk/benefit of ustekinumab treatment should be carefully assessed in patients with psoriasis and HBV or HCV infection and/or HCC. Close monitoring for HBV and HCV viral load is recommended, particularly for patients with high-risk factors. Serum aminotransferase determination may not be useful for early detection of viral reactivation.

The use of procalcitonin in the diagnosis of bone and joint infection: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Only a few studies have investigated the use of PCT in the diagnosis of bone and joint infection, and these studies have had relatively small sample sizes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in the identification of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis in patients who present with fever and orthopedic symptoms. EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases and the reference lists of relevant articles were searched, with no language restrictions, through February 2012. All original studies that reported the use of serum PCT alone or in comparison with other biomarkers for diagnosis of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis were included. Seven studies qualified for inclusion. These studies enrolled a total of 583 patients with suspected bone or joint infection, 131 of whom had confirmed osteomyelitis or septic arthritis. Analysis of the PCT data indicated a bivariate pooled sensitivity of 0.67 (95 % CI: 0.37-0.88), specificity of 0.90 (95 % CI: 0.78-0.96), a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 6.48 (95 % CI: 2.28-14.6), and a negative likelihood ratio (LR-) of 0.37 (95 % CI: 0.16-0.84). Use of a lower PCT cut-off value (0.2-0.3 ng/mL) improved the LR + to 6.66 and the LR- to 0.15. Analysis of the three studies that also measured serum C-reactive protein (CRP) indicated that CRP had an LR + of 1.39 (95 % CI: 1.17-1.65) and an LR- of 0.40 (95 % CI: 0.12-1.36). Our results indicate that PCT may be more suitable as an aid for rule-in diagnosis rather than for exclusion of septic arthritis or osteomyelitis and that use of a lower cut-off value for serum PCT may improve its diagnostic performance.

The role of Cu in degrading adsorption of CO on the PtnCu clusters.

The platinum copper alloy nanocrystals (NCs) have generated much interest because of their wide applications in fuel cells due primarily to their good catalytic performance and to decreasing sensitivity toward CO poisoning. The exact atomic-level morphology of platinum copper alloy NCs is still not clear in the literature, and research to understanding the poisoning mechanism is still insufficient to date. In this article, we report on density functional calculations of small PtnCu clusters and their adsorption of a CO molecule that provide evidence for degrading adsorption of the CO molecule compared to pure platinum clusters. The lowest-energy geometries of PtnCu and PtnCuCO clusters have been identified. The CO molecule prefers to be adsorbed on the nearest platinum atom by the C-end-on mode, forming linear or quasi-linear O-C-Pt structures. The adsorption energies indicate that the introduction of a copper atom decreases the adsorption ability of the CO molecule. The local density of states of the representative clusters is used to characterize the adsorption properties of the CO molecule on the PtnCu clusters. Results from our theoretical calculations can be helpful for understanding the poisoning mechanism of the CO molecule on the platinum copper alloy NCs.

Differential expression profiling of orange-spotted grouper larvae, Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton), that survived a betanodavirus outbreak.

Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), a piscine nodavirus, has caused serious viral nervous necrosis and viral encephalopathy and retinopathy in hatchery-reared larvae and juveniles of a wide range of marine teleost species worldwide in the last two decades. Although the mortality of NNV-infected larvae is nearly 100%, there are still some larvae that survive this catastrophe. To comprehensively understand the variations of these survivors at the molecular level, we collected orange-spotted grouper larvae that survived an NNV outbreak in an indoor hatchery in southern Taiwan to study differential gene expression. Healthy larvae with high, medium and low levels of detected NNV were compared with morbid larvae using a 9600-clone-containing grouper larva cDNA microarray, and differential gene expression was further confirmed by a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Significant variation exists in healthy larvae. The following genes were upregulated: adenylate kinase 1-2, myosin binding protein H-like, myosin light chain 2, myosin light chain 3, tropomyosin, fast/white muscle troponin T embryonic isoform, and parvalbumin 1 and 2 genes. The following genes were downregulated: apolipoprotein A-I, trypsinogen, pyruvate kinase and astacin-like metalloprotease. Moreover, immunoglobulin M heavy chain gene transcription was significantly higher in healthy larvae that had high virus levels, indicating that humoral immunity might protect organisms from viral infection. These results suggest that some non-immune-related genes may have played important roles in survival during the larval metamorphosis stage, after betanodavirus infection.

Metabolic syndrome loses its predictive power in late-stage chronic kidney disease progression--a paradoxical phenomenon.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a significant determinant of CKD. The aim of this study was to determine the possible impact of MS on CKD progression. METHODS: 746 CKD subjects were included. The presence of MS was determined according to the modified criteria proposed by the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III. The study endpoints were stage-to-stage CKD progression or starting renal replacement therapy during the study period. CKD Stages 1, 2 and 3 were defined as early-stage CKD, while CKD Stages 4 and 5 were defined as late-stage CKD. RESULTS: Early-stage CKD patients with MS had a higher risk of CKD progression than those without MS. Cox regression analysis showed that MS was a significant determinant of CKD progression in early-stage (HR: 1.60, p=0.041) but not late-stage CKD patients (HR: 1.00, p=0.975). The results of subgroup analysis in non-diabetic subjects also showed that only early-stage CKD subjects with MS had significant risks of CKD progression (HR: 2.21, p=0.010). In diabetic patients, the association between MS and CKD progression was not significant in both early- and late-stage CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that the impact of MS on CKD progression might be prominent in non-diabetic early-stage CKD subjects, and became non-significant in diabetic late-stage CKD and diabetic CKD patients.

[Research progress on organoids in stomatology].

The organoid is a kind of distinctive micro-organ formed by stem cells with the ability of self-renewal, which can be cultured in three-dimensional scaffold in vitro. With the development of cell culture system, organoids have been gradually applied in researches such as in vitro organ model establishment, drug testing and even the repairing or replacing damage organs. It shows significantly promising prospects. This review article aims to summarize the latest research progress and provide the theoretical foundation and prospects for the development of organoids in stomatology.

Time trends of endoscopic and pathological diagnoses related to gastroesophageal reflux disease in a Chinese population: eight years single institution experience.

The discrepancy between Eastern and Western countries exists regarding the time trends of Barrett's esophagus (BE)/adenocarcinoma. We aimed to elucidate this issue through a retrospective review of the endoscopic and pathological diagnoses of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) over time in a Chinese population. All records were analyzed from 2000 to 2007. Records included demographic data, clinical indication for endoscopy, and endoscopic findings. The total number of endoscopic procedures increased over time. The indications for referral endoscopy secondary to GERD increased from 366 cases (4.9%) in the beginning of the study to 1439 cases (14.1%) at the end. Concomitant GERD symptoms did not significantly change (range, 13-15.1%) in screening endoscopic studies. Endoscopic detection of erosive esophagitis increased in referral populations from 1546 (20.7%) to 5207 cases (51%) and by screening endoscopy from 791 (14.5%) to 1983 cases (23.5%). The prevalence of nonerosive reflux disease and BE did not change over time. BE-associated dysplasia and adenocarcinoma were rare. The detection of Los Angeles class A disease increased with time in referral endoscopy cases with a focus on erosive esophagitis composition. The endoscopic demand for GERD investigation and the GERD endoscopic diagnosis increased in our population. The results were related to a higher prevalence of low-grade erosive disease diagnosed. The incidence of BE-associated dysplasia and adenocarcinoma has been the same and the increased screening did not detect more cancers.

The effect of metabolic risk factors on the natural course of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The effect of metabolic risk factors on the natural course of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), which remains elusive, was quantified. METHODS: The population included 3669 subjects undergoing repeated upper endoscopy. Data were analysed using a three-state Markov model to estimate transition rates (according to the Los Angeles classification) regarding the natural course of the disease. Individual risk score together with the kinetic curve was derived by identifying significant factors responsible for the net force between progression and regression. RESULTS: During three consecutive study periods, 12.2, 14.9 and 17.9% of subjects, respectively, progressed from non-erosive to erosive disease, whereas 42.5, 37.3 and 34.6%, respectively, regressed to the non-erosive stage. The annual transition rate from non-erosive to class A-B disease was 0.151 per person year (95% CI 0.136 to 0.165) and from class A-B to C-D was 0.079 per person year (95% CI 0.063 to 0.094). The regression rate from class A-B to non-erosive disease was 0.481 per person year (95% CI 0.425 to 0.536). Class C-D, however, appeared to be an absorbing state when not properly treated. Being male (relative risk (RR) 4.31; 95% CI 3.22 to 5.75), smoking (RR 1.20; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.39) or having metabolic syndrome (RR 1.75; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.38) independently increased the likelihood of progressing from a non-erosive to an erosive stage of disease and/or lowered the likelihood of disease regression. The short-term use of acid suppressants (RR 0.54; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.75) raised the likelihood of regression from erosive to non-erosive disease. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoesophageal damage is a dynamic and migratory process in which the metabolic syndrome is associated with accelerated progression to or attenuated regression from erosive states. These findings have important implications for the design of effective prevention and screening strategies.

[Survival analysis of laboratory - bred smooth - shelled Oncomelania snails in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival period of Yunnan Province-derived smooth-shelled Oncomelania snails bred in laboratory. METHODS: Oncomelania snails were sampled from Heqing and Yongsheng counties where schistosomiasis is endemic, and uninfected adult snails were collected and bred in laboratory. The survival period of snails sampled from these two counties was compared. RESULTS: The 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-year survival rates of laboratory-bred smooth-shelled snails sampled from Yunnan Province were 72.36%, 29.11%, 13.08% and 0.21%, respectively, and were 74.66%, 38.91%, 19.46% and 0.45% for snails derived from Heqing County, and 70.36%, 20.55%, 7.51% and 0 for snails sampled from Yongsheng County, respectively. The mean and median survival period of Yunnan Province-derived adult snails was 20.90 and 20.67 months, and there were significant differences between the snails sampled from Heqing and Yongsheng counties in terms of the mean (22.94 vs. 19.13 months, P < 0.05) and median survival period (21.63 vs. 19.81 months, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mean survival period of Yunnan Province-derived smooth-shelled adult snails is approximately 20 months in laboratory, and the survival varies in geographical areas.

[Molecular identification of Tricula spp. and the parasitized trematode cercariae in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To characterize a species of the genus Tricula and parasitized trematodes in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province using a molecular analysis, so as to understand their taxonomic positions. METHODS: Tricula spp. and Oncomelania snails were collected from Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province, and cercaria parasitizing snails were observed using crushing followed by microscopy. Cercaria parasitizing Tricula snails at various morphologies were sampled using a shedding method. Genomic DNA was extracted from snail soft tissues and cercariae, and the 16S rRNA, COI, 28S rDNA genes in snails and the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes in cercariae were amplified using a PCR assay and sequenced. The species of Tricula snails and their parasitized trematodes was characterized using sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Among 382 Tricula snails detected, there were three types of trematode cercariae found, including the non-forked (20.94%, 80/382), double-forked (3.40%, 13/382) and swallow shapes (7.07%, 27/382). Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that the 16S rRNA, COI and 28S rDNA gene sequences of this species of Tricula had high homology to those in Delavaya dianchiensis, and were clustered in a branch. Sequencing analysis of the ND1 and 28S rDNA genes revealed that the non-forked cercariae belonged to the family Pleu- rogenidae, the swallow-shaped cercariae belonged to the family Opecoelidae, and the double-forked cercariae belonged to another species of the genus Schistosoma that was different from S. sinensium and S. ovuncatum. CONCLUSIONS: The species and taxonomy of Triculla spp. and their parasitized trematodes are preliminarily determined in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Yunnan Province; however, further studies are required to investigate the more definite taxonomy and pathogenicity.

Performance of a neuro-fuzzy model in predicting weight changes of chronic schizophrenic patients exposed to antipsychotics.

Artificial intelligence has become a possible solution to resolve the problem of loss of information when complexity of a disease increases. Obesity phenotypes are observable clinical features of drug-naive schizophrenic patients. In addition, atypical antipsychotic medications may cause these unwanted effects. Here we examined the performance of neuro-fuzzy modeling (NFM) in predicting weight changes in chronic schizophrenic patients exposed to antipsychotics. Two hundred and twenty inpatients meeting DSMIV diagnosis of schizophrenia, treated with antipsychotics, either typical or atypical, for more than 2 years, were recruited. All subjects were assessed in the same study period between mid-November 2003 and mid-April 2004. The baseline and first visit's physical data including weight, height and circumference were used in this study. Clinical information (Clinical Global Impression and Life Style Survey) and genotype data of five single nucleotide polymorphisms were also included as predictors. The subjects were randomly assigned into the first group (105 subjects) and second group (115 subjects), and NFM was performed by using the FuzzyTECH 5.54 software package, with a network-type structure constructed in the rule block. A complete learned model trained from merged data of the first and second groups demonstrates that, at a prediction error of 5, 93% subjects with weight gain were identified. Our study suggests that NFM is a feasible prediction tool for obesity in schizophrenic patients exposed to antipsychotics, with further improvements required.

Prognostic predictors of technique and patient survival in elderly Southeast Asian patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

The population of elderly patients entering chronic dialysis programmes is increasing. Elderly patients are susceptible to malnutrition and have multiple complicating disorders in addition to uraemia. Selecting appropriate dialysis modality is particularly critical in elderly patients. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has many advantages to elderly patients; however, the clinical outcome varies for elderly CAPD patients. In comparison with Westerners, Southeast Asians have a small body mass index and may be more suited to CAPD therapy. To identify the prognostic predictors in elderly Southeast Asian patients, this historical cohort study analysed 144 patients aged > or = 65 years at initiation of CAPD. A group of haemodialysis (HD) patients aged > or = 65 years was utilised as the control group. Survival curves for patient and technique were derived from Kaplan-Meier analysis and were further analysed by Cox-Mantel log-rank test. To elucidate the impact of individual factors on patient survival, various significant univariables were further subjected to multivariate analysis. No significant increase existed for relative risk of technique failure in elderly patients compared with younger patients. This analytical data indicates that CAPD was as good as HD for elderly uraemic patients regarding to the patient survival. Diabetes, dependent patients, low albumin levels and previous HD history were significant poor prognostic factors for survival of elderly CAPD patients. In conclusion, CAPD is an effective modality of renal replacement therapy for Southeast Asian elderly patients. The technique survival was not affected by patient age.

Inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by chlorine dioxide in soil and shifts in community composition.

To study the efficacy of chlorine dioxide in the inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in soil, bacteria resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin or streptomycin were screened out from the soils around a hennery. The effects of dosage, contact time and pH value on the killing rates were investigated by batch experiments. The community composition before and after inactivation was analyzed by high-throughput genetic sequencing. The results showed that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are common and widespread in soil and the most resistant species is Staphylococcus aureus. More than 99% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria could be killed by chlorine dioxide at 5 mg L-1 within 30 min under neutral conditions. The killing log value declined slightly when the pH was changed from 4 to 9. The dominant genus was Sphingomonas, which was sensitive to chlorine dioxide and could be inactivated easily similar to Arthrobacter and Massilia. However, Micromonosporaceae and Thaumarchaeota were more resistant to chlorine dioxide than other species, and their relative abundance increased after disinfection.