Objective To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to investigate the associated problems in treatment. Methods A total of 254 PD patients in our division were enrolled in this study. CVD history, laboratory measurements, examinations of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy by ultrasonography were collected and associated factors were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49 months. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 37% (93/254). Diabetes, longer dialysis duration, hypertfiglyceridemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoprealbuminemia were commonly found in the patients with new CVD event. The patients without pre-existing CVD had the higher Ccr, Kt/V, D/Pr, nPCR, serum albumin level. In those with pre-existing CVD, the hypertriglyceridemia and the duration of dialysis were independent predictors of progression of CVD. Differences of LAD, LVST, LVMI and IMT were significant between with and without pre-existing CVD groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence of CVD was the independent risk factor of survival. Alb<330 g/L, LAD>39.6 mm and peritonitis were risk factors of CVD. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD in PD patients is quite high. CVD history should be realized, dialysis adequacy should be maintained, and peritonitis should be prevented.

How to eliminate the background of other tissue and to protrude the blood vessel information is the basic requirements in DSA. Because of the complexity and non-linearity of the X-ray imaging process, the common DSA technique cannot completely remove other tissue's image which lapped over the vessels. By experiments, this paper analyses and corrects the imaging process of the actual DSA system based on the "equivalent single energy" model, and the results indicate the validity of this method.
Algorithms ; Aluminum ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; methods ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Plastics ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term restriction of dietary protein intake (DPI) supplemented with α-keto acids on chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out.Seventeen chronic hepatitis B patients with CKD were randomized to either low DPI with α-keto acid-supplemented (sLP) or low DPI (LP) group for 3 months.Low-protein diet (LPD) was individualized with total energy intake 125.52-146.44 kJ·kg-1 ·d-1,and protein intake of 0.6-0.8 g·kg-1·d-1.α-keto acid was supplied in a dosage of 0.1 g·kg-1·d-1.Nutritional indexes were recorded and other clinical indexes were measured to evaluate the efficacy and safety respectively. Results The urine protein excretion level and microalbuminuria were significantly decreased at the end of the observation period in the sLP group compared to the basal value and the LP group [24 h urine protein:baseline (4.52±1.74) g,the 1st month (3.19±1.52) g,the 2nd month (2.19±1.1) g,the 3rd month (1.64±0.77) g,P＜0.05; microalbuminyria:baseline (2855.43±248.03) mg/L,the 1st month (2157.14±218.15) mg/L,the 2nd month (1681.57±146.18) mg/L,the 3rd month (924.29±83.33) mg/L,P＜0.05].No significant difference was found in Scr and eGFR.Nutritional indexes (SGA,serume albumin) were significantly higher at the end of 3 months in the sLP group (P＜0.05).No obvious side-effect occurred. Conclusions Short-term restriction of DPI is safe,and when combined with α-keto acids,can increase serum protein and decrease urine protein excretion in chronic hepatitis B patients complicated with CKD without significant sideeffect.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis between acupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) and oral administration of jingfukang granules.

METHODSThree hundred cases of cervical spondylosis were divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 150 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, according to the different types of cervical spondylosis, acupuncture was applied at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2), once a day. In the medication group, jingfukang granules were prescribed for oral administration, one bag each time, three times a day. The treatment of ten days made one session in the two groups and two sessions were required totally. Before and after two sessions of treatment, the clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS) was adopted to evaluate the score of subjective symptoms, clinical physical signs and adaptability as well as the total score in the patients of the two groups and the efficacy was compared.

RESULTSThe patients' symptoms and physical signs were alleviated, the adaptability was improved and the score of each item and the total score were increased in the two groups after treatment (all P<0.01). The improvements in the acupuncture group were better than those in the medication group (all P<0.01). The curative and markedly effective rate was 90.7% (136/150) in the acupuncture group, better than 66.0% (99/150) in the medication group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at three lines of cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) achieves the significant clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis. This therapy is superior to relieving symptoms and physical signs and recovering adaptability as compared with jingfukang granules.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo test the effect of recombinant interleukin-4 (IL-4) and recombinant osteoprotegerin (OPG) in suppressing bone resorption induced by polyethylene wear particles..

METHODSA cranial bone allograft was introduced into the air pouches induced on the back of BALB/c mice, followed by injection of 1 ml suspension of polyethylene particles into the pouches. The mouse models were then divided into 3 groups to receive injections of saline (control), IL-4 alone, or IL-4 and OPG into the pouches. The tissues were harvested 21 days after bone implantation for molecular and histological analyses.

RESULTSPolyethylene wear particles-stimulated inflammatory responses (increased cellular infiltration and IL-1 and TNF production) were markedly reduced by IL-4 treatment either alone or combined with OPG (P<0.05). Polyethylene particles significantly increased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone absorption of the implanted bone graft, and IL-4 treatment, either alone or combined with OPG, obviously reduced the osteolysis induced by polyethylene particles (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIL-4 offers protection against polyethylene wear debris-induced inflammation and bone resorption in this mouse model. IL-4 combined with OPG can be a feasible and effective therapeutic approach to the treatment and prevention of polyethylene wear debris-associated osteolysis and aseptic loosening of the prosthetic components.

Animals ; Bone Resorption ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Interleukin-4 ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; adverse effects ; Osteolysis ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Osteoprotegerin ; pharmacology ; Polyethylene ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology

AIM AND METHODSThe effect of intrahippocampal microinjection of noradrenaline (NA) and its receptors antagonists and agonists on cellular immune functions were investigated in normal and adrenalectomy rat by determine the proliferative activity of Con A-stimulated splenic lymphocytes in MTT method and natural killer (NK) cell activity.

RESULTS(1) In normal group, the proliferative activity of Con A-Stimulated splenic lymphocytes were inhibited and the activity of NK cell were reduced with microinjection NA and beta1-, beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists Dobutamine (Dob, 4 microl, 6.0 x 10(-3) moL/L), Metaproterenol (Met, 4 microl, 8.0 x 10(-3) mol/L), compared with their intensity of effect, NA > Met > Dob; the immunosuppression effect induced by NA was partly hindered by alpha- and beta-receptor antagonists, phentolamine (Phen, 2 microl, 1.6 x 10(-2) mol/L) and propranolol (Prop, 2 microl, 1.6 x 10(-3) mol/L), and the action of Prop was more evident. (2) In adrenalectomy group, immunosuppression effect induced by NA was unconspicuous.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that NA in hippocampus could inhibit distinctly cellular immune functions, which was predominantly mediated by beta2- adrenergic receptor with a minor contribution of beta1- and alpha- adrenergic receptors. Moreover, keeping intact construction and function of adrenal gland have an important role in the effect of NA on cellular immune function.

Adrenergic Agonists ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; Immunity, Cellular ; drug effects ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Microinjections ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Spleen ; cytology ; immunology

Objective To investigate the prediction of diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI)and intra voxel incoherent motion(IVIM)imaging global histogram parameters for the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in patients diagnosed with breast invasive ductal carcinoma.Methods A total of 69 patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma confirmed by penetration pathology were retrospectively selected.Prior to undergoing NAC,all patients underwent sequential scans including MR conventional(T1WI,T2WI),dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE),DKI,and IVIM.After surgery,the patients were divided into significant group(40 patients)and non-significant group(29 patients)based on the efficacy of NAC,which was evaluated using the Miller-Payne(MP)grading method criteria.The differences in global histogram parameters of DKI[mean diffusivity(MD),mean kurtosis(MK)]and IVIM(D value,f value,D*value)between the significant group and the non-significant group were compared by the two-independent sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.In addition,the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted,and Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and correlation of DKI and IVIM global histogram parameters in predicting NAC efficacy.The DeLong test was used to compare whether there was statistical significance in area under the curve(AUC)differences among histogram parameters.Results The DKI MD value(90th percentile,mean,median,maximum,range,root mean square),IVIM D value(mean,range,root mean square,median)and D*value(entropy,90th percentile)of patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma in the significant group with efficacy of NAC were higher than those in the non-significant group,while the DKI MK value(mean and median)were lower than those in the non-significant group,and all the differences mentioned above were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The AUC,sensitivity and specificity of DKI combined with IVIM global histogram parameters were the highest,which were 0.816,72.41％and 90.00％,respectively.MD value,D value and D*value were negatively correlated with the efficacy of NAC in breast invasive ductal carcinoma.MK value was positively correlated with NAC efficacy significance.Conclusion DKI combined with IVIM global histogram parameters can effectively predict the efficacy of NAC in patients with breast invasive ductal carcinoma and provide effective value for clinical NAC preoperative efficacy evaluation.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of leflunomide (LEF) combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids and full dose of corticosteroids in the treatment of IgA nephropathy. Method Primary IgAN patients diagnosed by renal biopsy with 18?65 years old and eGFR≥30 ml·min?1·(1.73 m2)?1 and proteinuria>0.5 g/24 h were enrolled in a prospective controlled clinical study. They were randomly divided into leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids (LEF group) and corticosteroids alone (steroid group). The primary outcomes were (1) end stage renal disease or dialysis (2) 50% increase in serum creatinine above the baseline. Secondary outcome was the remission of proteinuria. Results Ninety patients completed the follow?up. The 24?hour proteinuria at baseline were 2.00(1.10, 2.88) g and 1.87(1.13 ,3.08) g in LEF group and steroid group respectively. Compared with baseline, it was significantly decreased in both groups at 6 months [0.30(0.11, 0.93) g, 0.30(0.14, 1.33) g] and 12 months [0.30(0.09, 0.82) g, 0.32(0.14, 0.66) g], (P<0.05). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months were (80.39 ± 28.56), (87.12±28.70) and (88.20±30.26) ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1. It was decreased in steroid group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was detected in LEF group[baseline (87.63 ± 27.35), 6 months (86.91 ± 32.45), 12 months (90.06 ± 30.00) ml·min-1·(1.73 m2)-1, P>0.05]. At 6 and 12 months, there was no significant difference in terms of 24?hour proteinuria, serum creatinine and eGFR (CKD?EPI) between groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between groups during the treatment (9/40 cases in LEF group and 11/50 cases in steroid group, P>0.05). The average follow?up was 79 months, and there was no difference in the renal prognosis between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that serum creatinine at baseline and renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration predicted the risk of the progress of IgA nephropathy. Conclusion Leflunomide plus medium/low dose corticosteroids has a similar effect as full dose of corticosteroids in IgA nephropathy and does not increase the risk for adverse events during the treatment.

Objective To compare the complications and outcomes of urgent?start peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) in end?stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and explore the safety and effectiveness of PD which was as an urgent?start dialysis modality in ESRD patients. Methods All patients for urgent?start dialysis, who initiated dialysis without a long?term dialysis access or had the long?term dialysis access under 30 days in Renji Hospital from January 1st 2013 to December 31st 2014, were enrolled. According to the dialysis modalities, patients were divided into PD group and HD group. Participants were followed up until death, transferred to other centers, lost of follow up or January 1st 2016. Dialysis?related complications within 30 days of implantation, complications of reimplantation and the occurrence of bacteremia between two groups were compared, and their survival rates were tested by Kaplan?Meier curves. Results Among 178 patients in this study, there were 96 (53.9%) patients in PD group and 82 (46.1%) patients in HD group. Compared with those of HD group, patients of PD group presented more cardiovascular disease [21(21.9%) vs 8(9.8%), P=0.029], higher serum potassium [(4.5±0.8) mmol/L vs (4.3±0.8) mmol/L, P=0.038], but less heart failure (NYHA Ⅲ?Ⅳ) [26(30.2%) vs 40 (48.8%), P=0.014], lower brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) [328.5 (129.5, 776.8) ng/L vs 503.5(206.0, 1430.0) ng/L, P=0.008], higher hemoglobin [(81.5 ± 17.7) g/L vs (75.3 ± 22.5) g/L, P=0.039], higher serum albumin (33.5±5.7) g/L vs (31.3±6.7) g/L, P=0.022] and higher serum pre?albumin (304.5±78.0) mg/L vs (257.0 ± 86.1) mg/L, P<0.001]. PD group presented less dialysis?related complications [5 (5.2%) vs 20(24.4%), P<0.001], less dialysis?related complications requiring reimplantation [1(1.0%) vs 20(24.4%), P<0.001] and less bacteraemia [3(3.1%) vs 11(13.4%), P=0.011]. The 3?, 6?and 12?month patient survival rates of PD and HD group were 97.9% vs 98.4%, 97.9% vs 98.4%, and 92.1%vs 93.0% respectively, and no significant difference was found (Log ? rank=0.004, P=0.947). Conclusions Patients with urgent?start PD have less complications within 30 days of implantation and occurrence of bacteremia than patients with urgent?start HD, and the same survival rates. PD may be a feasible and safe urgent?start dialysis modality for ESRD patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the techniques and clinical applications of multislice helical computed tomography (CT) colonography in colonic lesions.

METHODSFifty-nine patients with malignant lesions of colon underwent volume scanning using multislice helical CT. Four types of reconstruction including CT virtual colonoscopy (CTVC), shaded surface display (SSD), Raysum, and multiple planar reconstruction (MPR) were used for image post-processing. The results were compared with those of colonoscopy and pathology.

RESULTSMultislice helical CT colonography detected 54 colorectal carcinomas, 4 adenomas with focal carcinoma, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). The lesions' number, size, location, morphology, stricture of intestinal cavity, infiltration, and metastasis were shown satisfactorily by multislice helical CT colonography. Whole colon could be shown in all patients. CT colonography displayed 4 synchronous colonic tumors, 1 ascending colon carcinoma combined with left renal carcinoma among 54 patients with colonic carcinomas. The accuracy of location of CT colonography was 100%. There were 9 cases that CT showed the tumor location was different from the finding of conventional colonoscopy, while all of the CT location were proven exact by operation. CT colonography also displayed the infiltration of serous layer and fatty tissue in 45 cases; 21 cases matched the pathological results in all the 24 cases of suspicious lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity was 87.5%, the specificity was 90.6%; 9 cases hepatic metastasis, 2 ovarian metastasis, and 1 double adrenal gland metastasis.

CONCLUSIONSMultislice helical CT colonography is effective in preoperative diagnosis, location, stage, and making treatment plan of colorectal carcinoma. It can display the portion not seen during colonoscopy and may have an adjunctive role.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adenoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colon ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Colonography, Computed Tomographic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed