Objectives: To investigate the role of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for rapid diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis.Methods: From February 2014 to November 2014,pus specimens of 49 osteoarticular tuberculosis patients and 32 nontuberculosis patients were detected by Xpert MTB/RIF system,and the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,agreement rate of Xpert MTB/RIF system were calculated,and clinical diagnosis was used as the reference standard.All the pus specimens were detected by acid-fast stain and fast culturing(BACTECT MGIT 960),to find the difference of sensitivity and specificity among Xpert MTB/RIF,acid-fast stain,and fast culturing.The role of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for rapid diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis was evaluated through the two factors above.Results: It took 2.3±0.2h to detect each pus specimen by Xpert MTB/RIF.Among the 49 osteoarticular disease patients,46 were positive,3 were negative by Xpert MTB/RIF test.Among the 32 nontuberculosis patients,1 was positive,31 were negative by Xpert MTB/RIF test.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,agreement rate was 93.87%,96.87%,97.87%,91.17%,95.06% respectively for Xpert MTB/RIF assay.Among the 46 specimens which were positive by Xpert MTB/RIF test,10 had rifampicin resistance mutation,with the rate of rifampicin resistance mutation as 21.73%.Among the 49 osteoarticular disease patients,8 were positive,41 were negative by acid-fast stain test,the sensitivity was 17.39%,and based on fast culturing test,11 were positive,38 were negative,the sensitivity was 23.91%.All pus specimens of 32 nontuberculosis patients were negative by acid-fast stain test and fast culturing test.As for the sensitivity,Xpert MTB/RIF was superior to acid-fast stain and fast cultureing (P＜0.05).While as for the specificity,there was no statistical difference among Xpert MTB/RIF,acid-fast stain,or fast culturing (P＞0.05).Conclusions: The role of Xpert MTB/RIF assay for rapid diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis is perfect.It is of time saving,high sensitivity and high specificity,which is superior to the traditional methods.

Objective To evaluate the biological compatibility of dental nano-silicon dioxide/high-strength-glass fiber/EAM resin composites(FRC). Methods Experiments of general acute toxicity, cytotoxicity, hemolysis and mucous membrane irritation were performed on the newly developed FRC. Results The newly developed FRC induced no cytotoxicity, hemolysis, acute toxicity or mucous membrane irritation. Conclusion The newly developed FRC has good biocompatibility in vitro and vivo.

Objective To finding out the characters of vascular remolding after the establishment of native arteriovenous fistula on the wrist,and exploring the influential factors.Methods Doppler ultrasound was used to monitor the diameter of cephalic vein,brachial artery,radial artery and ulnar artery at the time before the surgery and one day,one week,two weeks,four weeks and eight weeks after the surgery respectively.The tendency of the diameter change was analyzed.Results Twenty eight patients completed the whole monitor session,in which eleven were female.The average age of those patients was (53.68 ± 2.61) years old.Twelve of them were diabetic nephropathy.The diameters of all vessel were increased more rapidly at the first day than any other days after surgery(all P ＜ 0.01).The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether diabetic nephropathy.No significant difference was found between the two groups on the tendency of diameter change in cephalic vein and brachial artery (all P ＞ 0.05).However,the tendency of diameter change in radial artery and ulnar artery was statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Cephalic vein,brachial artery,radial artery and ulnar artery are all apparently dilated on the first day after the surgery.The vascular dilation and diameter increasing become much slower after the period,the diameter tend to be stable.The primary diseases may affect the tendency of the diameter change in radial artery as well as ulnar artery.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the least diameter of autogenous arteriovenous fistula and other parameters like flow rate and artery diameter. To identify an appropriate way in defining fistula stenosis. Methods Physical examination and Doppler ultrasound were used to examine the autogenous arteriovenous fistula of maintenance hemodialysis patients. Well?used wrist arteriovenous fistula was included. The least diameter of the fistula vein was found and marked by ultrasound, and the diameter and the distance between the point and the anastomotic stoma were measured. Diameters of different places along the cephalic vein of the fistula, including the forearm place, the place close to elbow and the upper arm place were measured by ultrasound. Meanwhile, diameter as well as flow velocity and flow rate of brachial artery, radial artery and ulnar artery were also measured. Result Sixty?eight patients were enrolled in the study. The average age of those patients was 52.56 ± 2.00 years old. Thirty?one patients were female. Forty?nine fistula were located on the left arm. The average diameter and flow rate of brachial artery were 5.72(5.34, 6.33) mm and 821.50 (540.50, 1075.00) ml/min, respectively. The average diameters of radial artery and ulnar artery were 3.95 ± 0.10mm and 3.17(2.73,3.75) mm, respectively. The least diameter of cephalic vein was 3.34 ± 0.11mm in average. The distance between the least place to the anastomotic stoma was 3.76±0.14cm in average. The diameter of forearm cephalic vein was averaged 5.36(4.52, 6.45) mm. Diameter of place close to elbow and the upper arm place in the cephalic vein were (5.57±0.12) mm and (5.80±0.14) mm, respectively. The least diameter of cephalic vein was positively and statistically associated with the diameter and flow rate of brachial artery as well as radial artery. The least diameter was also positively and statistically associated with the diameter of each place in the cephalic vein. Statistical inter?group difference was found when the division was based on the value of the least diameter. Conclusion sThe least diameter of the wrist autogenous arteriovenous fistula vein will indeed affect the whole diameter and flow rate of the fistula. The value of the least diameter is more closely associated with the fistula function rather than narrow rate.

Object To investigate the maturity status of the cephalic vein when the native arteriovenous fistula matures and set up indicators of a matured native arteriovenous fistula.Methods The diameter,flow rate and wall thickness of the cephalic vein were prospectively measured by Doppler ultrasound after the native fistula was created.Mature judgment was done by skilled nurses depending on their experience before the fistula was punctured.The ultrasound data was marked as proposed mature at the same time.After three times dialysis,if blood flow was fluent and complications such as prolonged bleeding time and hematoma were absent,fistula mature was confirmed.Results Thirty-one patients were admitted to the study,then fistula were matured.The average age of those patients was (52.93±3.21) years old.Thirteen patients were female.Twenty two fistula located on the left arm.Thirteen of the patients were diabetic nephropathy.The average diameter of cephalic vein was increased from (3.10±0.11) mm before surgery to (4.74±0.16) mm when the fistula was matured,though it was still smaller than 6 mm which K/DOQI guideline had recommended (P ＜ 0.05).The average mature period was (57.10±3.21) days.The matured fistula had an average high flow rate of (569.76±48.34) ml/min and wall thickness of (0.95±0.04) mm.The one-side 95％ credibility interval of the diameter,flow rate and wall thickness of cephalic vein was 4.44 mm,486.37 ml/min and 0.67 mm,respectively.Conclusions The diameter of cephalic vein in a matured native arteriovenous fistula in our study was significantly smaller than 6 mm which K/DOQI guideline had recommended.The indicators of native arteriovenous fistula mature in our country may different from abroad.

Objective:To investigate and compare the therapeutic effect of Foley catheter balloon dilation and the traditional open reduction in the treatment of intussusception in children.Methods:A total of 68 children with intussusception treated by Foley catheter balloon dilatation by laparoscopic surgery or traditional open reduction in Department of Pediatric Surgery, the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from August 2015 to July 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, there were 32 cases in the Foley catheter group and 36 cases in the traditional laparotomy group.Foley catheter group were treated with laparoscopic Foley catheter balloon dilatation, while the traditional open group were treated with traditional open surgery which was performed with finger dilatation.The results of surgical treatment, postoperative recovery, short-term complications, patient satisfaction and long-term complications were compared between the two groups.Results:Among the indexes of surgical treatment effect, the operation time[(0.4±1.1) h], intraoperative bleeding volume[(10.2±3.4) mL], incision size[(0.5±0.4) cm] and incidence of the rupture of intestine[6.3%(2/32 cases)] in the Foley catheter group were significantly lower than those in the traditional open group[(1.3±2.9) h, (40.5±2.1) mL, (5.1±0.7) cm, 30.6%(11/36 cases)], and the differences were statistically significant (all P< 0.05). Among the indexes of postoperative recovery and short-term complications, recovery time of gastrointestinal function[(1.2±3.1) d], length of hospital stay[(6.7±1.8) d], incidence of incision infection[9.4%(3/32 cases)]and incidence of incisional hernia(0) in the Foley catheter group were significantly lower than those in the traditional open group[(3.3±6.4) d, (7.3±0.9) d, 36.1%(13/36 cases), 16.7%(6/36 cases)], and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Among the indexes of family satisfaction and long-term complications, the score of family satisfaction in the Foley catheter group [(8.7±1.2) scores]was significantly higher than that in the traditional open group[(6.6±3.1) scores], and the incidence of adhesive intestinal obst-ructionin the Foley catheter group (0)was significantly lower than that in the traditional open group[0 vs.19.4%(7/36例)], and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusions:Compared with traditional open reduction in the treatment of intussusception in children, Foley catheter balloon dilation has the advantages of short operation time, safe operation, low incidence of intestinal injury, less bleeding, and so on, and also has the advantages of small incision, fast recovery, short hospitalization time, high satisfaction of parents.In addition, the Foley catheter balloon dilation has a lower incidence of incisional infection, incisional hernia, postoperative intestinal adhesion and other complications.

The present paper is aimed to discuss the influence of three different ways on modification of aluminum borate whiskers (AlBw) and on flexural properties of dental composite resins. In Group A, AlBw and silicon dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles were thermally fused directly under certain processes. In Group B, Si-O network was formed on the surface of AlBw via the sol-gel process of tetraethoxysilane, then thermally fused with SiO2 nanoparticles to form AlBw-SiO2 compound as inorganic fillers. In Group C, SiO2 nanoparticles were repaired by sol-gel method of tetraethoxysilane under certain processes, and were deposited in the surface of AlBw. The mixtures were fused with high temperature sintering method. The effects of the surface morphology of AlBw with different ways were characterized by TEM and SEM. Then the mixtures were polymerized with resin matrix after surface siliconization and their flexural strength and Young's modulus were determined. SEM was used to examine specimen fracture surfaces. The results showed that the flexural properties of dental composite resins were significantly improved after whiskers were modified. Different methods produce different effects. Flexural strength of the Group A is (95.28 +/- 4.53) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that the aggregation was obvious between AlBw and SiO2 nanoparticles. Flexural strength of the Group B was (123.14 +/- 17.37) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that the dispersity was improved but SiO2 nanoparticles also reunited. AlBw were modified with nanometer-size SiO2 particles which were prepared by sol-gel method based on tetraethyl orthosioate (TEOS), the flexural properties of a new type of dental composite resins was (130.29 +/- 8.38) MPa. The results of TEM and SEM revealed that better dispersion between AlBw and SiO2 nanoparticles occurred. The SiO2 nanoparticles were fused and attached onto the surface of AlBw uniformly.
Acrylic Resins ; chemistry ; Aluminum Compounds ; chemistry ; Boron Compounds ; chemistry ; Composite Resins ; chemistry ; Elastic Modulus ; Elasticity ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Phase Transition ; Polyurethanes ; chemistry ; Silanes ; chemistry ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical ; Surface Properties

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of developing brain-targeted nasal delivery system of scutellarin by the passage between nase and brain in nasal olfactory area.

METHODThe samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood were prepared by cranial puncture and femoral artery catheterization methods respectively according to the certain sampling time after drug administered. The scuteIlarin concentration of samples were determined by 125 marked method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by trapezoidal rule. The brain-targeted trendence were evaluated by the value of the index AUC(brain)/AUC(plasma).

RESULTThe distribution of scutellarin in brain following intranasal administration was different between tissues. Drug concentration in olfactory bulb achieved to peak at 5-15 min after intranasal administration, while in brain tissue was 30-60 min. Above all, peak concentration in olfactory bulb and olfactory region respectively were (574.8 +/- 205.), (323.4 +/- 128.3) ng x g(-10, both are higher than CSF, which is (123.2 +/- 29.3) ng x g(-1). Moreover, the distribution of scutellarin given by intranasally in brain was: olfactory bulb (OB) > olfactory region (OR) > cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) > cerebellum(CB) > medulla oblongata (MO) > cerebrum (CR); AUC(0-240) of olfactory bulb, olfactory region and CSF after scutellarin intranasal administration were 5.54, 5.07 and 5.51 times of that after intravenous injection, respectively. And the AUC(0-240) of other brain tissues after intranasal administration were also higher than that after intravenous injection. AUC(brain tissue)/ AUC(plasma) of every brain tissues by intranasally are all higher than that by intravenously remarkably. For instance, 5 min after intranasal administration, the value of AUC(CSF)/ AUC(plasma), AUC(OB)/AUC(plasma), and AUC(CR)/AUC(plasma) were 30.34, 56.93, and 6.14 times of that by intravenously.

CONCLUSIONPart of scutellarin could be straightly transported into brain by the intranasal administration. Its absorption pathway was: the molecule of Scutellarin throughed olfactory mucosa in nasal cavity into olfactory bulb in arachno-hypostegal cavity, and then entered into olfactory region, CSF, cerebrum and cerebellum gradually. It showed that olfactory bulb was the only way for drug molecule to go through nasal cavity into brain. It had a significant trendence of brain-targeted when compared to oral administration and intravenous injection, which indicated a certain feasibility to develop a brain-targeted nasal delivery system for scutellarin.

Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Apigenin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Glucuronates ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

INTRODUCTIONAnti-BP180 IgG titres were observed to parallel disease activity in case series of bullous pemphigoid (BP). This study aimed to examine whether anti-BP180 titres are an indicator of disease severity, clinical course and outcome in Asian patients with BP.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a prospective observational study conducted between March 2005 and March 2008 in the Immunodermatology Clinic at the National Skin Centre, Singapore. Disease activity and anti-BP180 IgG titres were measured 4-weekly for 12 weeks and during disease flares and clinical remission. Associations between anti-BP180 titres and disease activity, disease flare, clinical remission and cumulative prednisolone dose were examined.

RESULTSThirty-four patients with newly diagnosed BP were recruited. Median follow-up duration was 3 years. Notable correlations between disease activity and anti-BP180 titres were at baseline (r = 0.51, P = 0.002), and disease flare (r = 0.85, P <0.001). Lower titres at Week 12 were associated with greater likelihood of clinical remission (P = 0.036). Post hoc, patients with anti-BP180 titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis who reached remission within 2 years of diagnosis received significantly higher cumulative doses (mg/kg) of prednisolone (median, 72.8; range, 56.5 to 127.1) than those with titres <87.5 U/mL (median, 44.6; range, 32.5 to 80.8); P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONAnti-BP180 titres may be a useful indicator of disease activity at time of diagnosis and at disease flare. Lower titres at Week 12 may predict greater likelihood of clinical remission. Titres above 87.5 U/mL at time of diagnosis may suggest the need for higher cumulative doses of prednisolone to achieve remission within 2 years.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; blood ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoantigens ; blood ; Disease Progression ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Non-Fibrillar Collagens ; blood ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Pemphigoid, Bullous ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; immunology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prospective Studies ; Singapore