The p.R229Q variant of the NPHS2 (podocin) gene in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome: a meta-analysis

While many previous studies have reported an association between the p.R229Q variant of the NPHS2 gene and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), a conclusive relationship has not been defined. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of the published data to investigate the impact of the p.R229Q polymorphism on FSGS and SRNS patients. Despite significant heterogeneity within some of the comparisons, the results revealed significantly higher risks of SRNS in individuals homozygous for the variant allele (OR 7.411, 95 % confidence interval 1.876–29.436, p = 0.004) compared to homozygous non-variant individuals. However, the carrier rate of the p.R229Q variant was not significantly different between SRNS patients and steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome patients. No statistically significant differences in the p.R229Q carrier rate were observed between FSGS patients and controls or FSGS patients and patients with different pathology classifications. No notable differences in the p.R229Q carrier rate were found between patients and controls in any group with early-onset disease (onset age < 18). In conclusion, our meta-analysis suggests that for adult-onset disease (onset age > 18), the homozygous variant could be a potential predictor of hereditary nephrotic syndrome and that the p.R229Q allele cannot currently be considered a risk factor for predicting FSGS.     

Abnormal lipid metabolism down‐regulates adenosine triphosphate synthase β‐subunit protein expression in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in vitro and in vivo

Metabolic syndrome is closely related to erectile dysfunction (ED), and hyperlipidaemia is considered a major risk factor for ED. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase is believed to play an important role in metabolic syndrome; it has been hypothesised that ATP synthase contributes to ED development. We have verified this hypothesis using primary cultured human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (HCCSM) cells treated with excessive free fat acid (FFA) and a high‐fat diet (HFD) mouse model. Our results showed that high fatty factors could cause lipid accumulation in HCCSM cells, which could result in abnormal lipid metabolism, such as high levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose in the HFD mice. There was a remarkable down‐regulation of ATP synthase and p‐Akt after in vivo and in vitro excessive FFA treatments. These results indicated that abnormal lipid metabolism could induce ATP synthase down‐regulation via the Akt phosphorylation pathway and that ATP synthase may be a target of lipotoxicity in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.     

结肠CT仿真内窥镜充气方法及压力的研究

目的：探讨结肠CT仿真内窥镜较理想的充气方法和充气压力。材料和方法：8名志愿者中，男4名，女4名，最大年龄50岁，最小年龄40岁，平均44.4岁。用电脑遥控灌肠整复仪通过双腔气囊胶乳导尿管向志愿者结肠内注入气体。先行最大耐受气压CT扫描，扫描期间持续注入这个压力直到扫描结束，然后每降低7.5mmHg进行一次CT扫描，最低压力为30mmHg。结果：肛门插管用双腔气囊胶乳导尿管。CT扫描时，用持续性注入同一压力气体的方法。结肠扩张程度，在52.5mmHg，40mmHg，37.5mmHg，30mmHg 4个级别气压之间，无显著性差异。结肠充气CT扫描后，腹部不适消失时间，男女之间有显著性差异。结论：CT扫描时，持续性注入同一压力气体的方法，可以保持肠管扩张的稳定性，保证CTVE检查的顺利进行。肠管充气压力的控制，不应以患者的最大耐受为标准，应以较低的气压为妥，本研究为30mmHg。肛门插管用双腔气囊胶乳导尿管，其膨胀的气囊可以起到固定导尿管和减少导尿管与肛门间的漏气作用。CT充气扫描后，腹部不适消失时间，女性较男性为长。     

Antibiotic prophylaxis in craniotomy: a review

The effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) in craniotomies has been clarified through the accumulation of evidence and increased antibiotic knowledge. This paper focuses on the use of AP in craniotomies during different historical periods and collects highly relevant evidence on this issue. This review surveys different AP guidelines and explains why cefazolin was selected by most guidelines. Recent prominent topics, including strategies to update and implement guidelines and antibiotic efficacy in postoperative meningitis and surveillance and decolonization therapies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, are discussed.     

Pathokinematics of precision pinch movement associated with carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can adversely affect fine motor control of the hand. Precision pinch between the thumb and index finger requires coordinated movements of these digits for reliable task performance. We examined the impairment upon precision pinch function affected by CTS during digit movement and digit contact. Eleven CTS subjects and 11 able‐bodied (ABL) controls donned markers for motion capture of the thumb and index finger during precision pinch movement (PPM). Subjects were instructed to repetitively execute the PPM task, and performance was assessed by range of movement, variability of the movement trajectory, and precision of digit contact. The CTS group demonstrated shorter path‐length of digit endpoints and greater variability in inter‐pad distance and most joint angles across the PPM movement. Subjects with CTS also showed lack of precision in contact points on the digit‐pads and relative orientation of the digits at contact. Carpal tunnel syndrome impairs the ability to perform precision pinch across the movement and at digit‐contact. The findings may serve to identify deficits in manual dexterity for functional evaluation of CTS. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:786–792, 2014.