OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Shenbing Mistura (SM) combined with glucocorticoid on recurrent nephrotic syndrome (RNS) in children and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in blood and urine.

METHODSThe treatment group was treated with SM plus glucocorticoid, the control group with glucocorticoid alone, and a healthy control group was adopted, 30 cases in each group. The clinical effect and recurrence rate were observed, and levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in blood and urine were determined before treatment and at the 4th, 8th, 12th week after treatment.

RESULTSSignificant difference of IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in blood and urine was found in either the pre- and post- treatment auto-control of both the treatment group and control group, or in the inter-group comparison of them (P < 0.01); clinical effect also showed remarkable difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the recurrence rate of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group showed by a 18-month follow-up (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSM combined with glucocorticoid could significantly reduce the recurrence rate and elevate the clinical effect in children with RNS, it could also lower the levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in patients' blood and urine.

Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; blood ; urine ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Phytotherapy ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis ; blood ; urine

OBJECTIVETo evaluate treatment outcomes of mandibular complete denture supported by two endosteal magnetic-attachment implants in edentulous patients with severe mandibular alveolar ridge absorption.

METHODSEight edentulous patients with severe mandibular alveolar ridge absorption were chosen. Each of them was treated with a complete denture supported by two CDIC implants. The implants were inserted at the areas of two the first premolars respectively. After five months, two magnets were adhered to the inside of the complete dentures. Retention, masticatory efficiency and maximal masticatory force were measured before and after the magnets were adhered and six months later.

RESULTSStatistical analysis revealed that retention, masticatory efficiency and maximal masticatory force were all increased after the magnets were adhered (P < 0.01) and six months later (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONRetention, maximal masticatory force and masticatory efficiency were significantly increased after the endosteal magnetic attachment implants were applied. It is concluded that mandibular complete denture supported by two endosteal magnetic attachment implants is an effective method for severe alveolar ridge absorption cases.

Alveolar Process ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Denture, Complete ; Denture, Overlay ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Phenomena ; Male ; Mandible ; Mastication ; Middle Aged ; Mouth, Edentulous ; Patient Satisfaction