Urea rebound and delivered Kt/V determination with a continuous urea sensor

BACKGROUND: The recent introduction of urea sensors for dialysis monitoring has made possible new approaches to urea kinetic modelling. In this study we show how the equilibrated postdialysis urea concentration (Ceq) and Kt/V corrected for double-pool urea kinetics (Kt/Vdp) can be accurately determined using an on-line sensor providing a continuous measure of blood water urea. A modification of the Smye constant volume double-pool theory led to the following equations for Ceq and Kt/Vdp [formula: see text] where Cpre is the blood concentration measured at the start of dialysis, t is the length of the dialysis session (in min) and S(ex) is the constant slope of the blood urea logarithm concentration decline following development of the intercompartmental urea concentration gradient in the first 30-60 min of dialysis. METHODS: These equations were tested in 11 patients undergoing 165-240 min of paired filtration dialysis with continuous monitoring of blood urea concentration. Cpre was determined as the plateau concentration during a preliminary period of 15-20 min of slow isolated ultrafiltration. S(ex) was accurately determined from linear regression applied to the urea sensor data from the 80-min point to the end of dialysis. RESULTS: Ceq and Kt/Vdp determined from the above equations compared closely to values determined from 25-40 min of urea rebound monitoring with the urea sensor: 10.6 +/- 3.0 versus 10.8 +/- 2.7 mmol/l (mean +/- SD) for Ceq and 1.21 +/- 0.24 versus 1.18 +/- 0.20 for Kt/Vdp, compared to single-pool values of Kt/V = 1.34 +/- 0.23. CONCLUSION: This technique may be readily programmed into on-line urea monitors to provide current and extrapolated values of Ceq and Kt/Vdp from about the first hour of dialysis.      

Are vitamin B12 and folate deficiency clinically important after roux-en-Y gastric bypass?

Although iron, vltamm B₁₂, and folate deficiency have been well documented after gastric bypass operations performed for morbid obesity, there is surprisingly little information on either the natural course or the treatment of these deficiencies in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients Durmg a l0-year period, a complete blood count and serum levels of iron, total iron-binding capacity, vltamin B₁₂, and folate were obtained in 348 patients preoperatively and postoperatively at 6-month intervals for the first 2 years, then annually thereafter The principal objectives of this study were to determine how readily patients who developed metabolic deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass responded to postoperative supplements of the deficient micronutrient and to learn whether the risk of developmg these deficiencies decreases over time Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were slgnificantly decreased at all postoperative intervals in comparison to preoperative values Moreover, at each successive interval through 5 years, hemoglobin and hematocrit were decreased signifiantly compared to the preceding interval Folate levels were significantly increased compared to preoperative levels at all time intervals Iron and vltamin B₁₂ levels were lower than preoperative measurements and remained relatively stable postoperatively Half of the low hemoglobin levels were not associated with iron deficiency Taking multivltamin supplements resulted in a lower incidence of folate deficiency but did not prevent iron or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency Oral supplementation of iron and vitamin B₁₂ corrected defiaencies in 43% and 81% of cases, respectively Folate deficiency was almost always corrected with multivitamins alone No patient had symptoms that could be attributed to either vitamin B₁₂ or folate deficiency Conversely, many patients had symptoms of iron deficiency and anenua Lack of symptoms of vitamin B₁₂ and folate deficiency suggests that these deficiencies are not clinically important after RYGB Conversely, iron deficiency and anemia are potentially serious problems after RYGB, particularly in younger women Hence we recommend prophylactic oral iron supplements to premenopausal women who undergo RYGB     

Small interfering RNA inhibits SARS-CoV nucleocapsid gene expression in cultured cells and mouse muscles

SARS-CoV isa newly identified coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS）. Currently, there is no effective method available for prophylaxis and treatment of SARS-CoVinfections. In the present study, the influence of small interfering RNA （siRNA） on SARS-CoV nucleocapsid （N） protein expression was detected in cultured cells and mouse muscles. Four siRNA expression cassettes driven by mouse U6 promoter targeting SARS-CoV N gene were prepared, and their inhibitory effects on expression of N and enhanced green fluorescence protein （EGFP） fusion protein were observed.     

A model of corrective gene transfer in X-linked ichthyosis

Single gene recessive genetic skin disorders offer attractive prototypes for the development of therapeutic cutaneous gene delivery. We have utilized X-linked ichthyosis (XLI), characterized by loss of function of the steroid sulfatase arylsulfatase C (STS), to develop a model of corrective gene delivery to human skin in vivo. A new retroviral expression vector was produced and utilized to effect STS gene transfer to primary keratinocytes from XLI patients. Transduction was associated with restoration of full-length STS protein expression as well as steroid sulfatase enzymatic activity in proportion to the number of proviral integrations in XLI cells. Transduced and uncorrected XLI keratinocytes, along with normal controls, were then grafted onto immunodeficient mice to regenerate full thickness human epidermis. Unmodified XLI keratinocytes regenerated a hyperkeratotic epidermis lacking STS expression with defective skin barrier function, effectively recapitulating the human disease in vivo. Transduced XLI keratinocytes from the same patients, however, regenerated epidermis histologically indistinguishable from that formed by keratinocytes from patients with normal skin. Transduced XLI epidermis demonstrated STS expression in vivo by immunostaining as well as a normalization of histologic appearance at 5 weeks post-grafting. In addition, transduced XLI epidermis demonstrated a return of barrier function parameters to normal. These findings demonstrate corrective gene delivery in human XLI patient skin tissue at both molecular and functional levels and provide a model of human cutaneous gene therapy.      

新复合纤维蛋白胶可注射性磷酸钙人工骨的理学特性

目的:检测纤维蛋白胶复合β-磷酸三钙/磷酸二氢钙复合人工骨材料的物理学性能,评价纤维蛋白胶对β-磷酸三钙/磷酸二氢钙骨水泥性能的影响,以及其作为注射型复合人工骨用于修复骨缺损的可行性。方法:实验于2006-12/2007-06在南方医科大学珠江医院中心实验室和华南理工大学生物材料实验室完成。①材料:β-磷酸三钙由上海瑞邦生物材料有限公司提供,磷酸二氢钙为东泰化工赠,纤维蛋白胶购自广州倍绣生物技术有限公司。②复合材料制备:将β-磷酸三钙/磷酸二氢钙骨水泥按3∶1的比例充分混合后,与纤维蛋白胶按凝固后的体积2∶1体积比混合,制成复合人工骨材料。③观察指标:测定复合材料的凝固时间,抗压强度,抗稀散性能,并用扫描电镜观察其煅烧前后的显微结构特征,以未加纤维蛋白胶的磷酸钙水泥为对照(CPC组)。结果:复合人工骨材料的平均初凝时间长于CPC组(P<0.004),终凝时间在初凝时间后2～4 min;复合材料的抗压强度为(14.72±1.81)MPa。复合材料较CPC组有良好的抗稀散性能,扫描电镜发现,纤维蛋白胶贯穿于磷酸钙水泥晶体间,并将磷酸钙水泥晶体紧密连接。煅烧后复合材料的孔径有增大,空隙率为57.28%,并且微孔之间有空隙互相贯通。结论:该骨水泥复合材料凝固时间符合临床操作的需要;抗压强度达到松质骨强度的要求;煅烧后磷酸钙水泥的空隙率明显提高,有利于材料的降解。     

薄层扫描法测定黄芪生脉颗粒中黄芪甲甙含量

目的：制订黄芪生脉颗粒中黄芪甲甙含量测定方法。方法：双波长薄层扫描法，经乙酰洗涤、正丁醇提取和Ｄ１０１大乳吸附树脂柱层析法制备样品，以氯仿－甲醇－水（１３：７：２）下层液为展开剂，检测波长为５１０ｎｍ，参比波长为７００ｎｍ。结果：加标回收率平均为９８．７％（ＲＳＤ＝２．０％，ｎ＝６），标准曲线ｒ＝０．９９６６，重复性ＲＳＤ＝１．４％（ｎ＝５），精密度ＲＳＤ＝２．０％（ｎ＝６）。结论：方法稳定、可靠     

Effectiveness of exercise in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee: nine months' follow up

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the effects of an exercise programme in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee are sustained at six and nine months' follow up. METHODS: A randomised, single blind, clinical trial was conducted in a primary care setting. Patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee (ACR criteria) were selected. Two intervention groups were compared. Both groups received treatment from their general practitioner, including patient education and drug treatment if necessary. The experimental group also received exercise treatment from a physiotherapist in primary care. The treatment period was 12 weeks, with an ensuing 24 week follow up. The main outcome measures were pain, drug use (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and observed disability. RESULTS: 201 patients were randomly allocated to the exercise or control group, and 183 patients completed the trial. At 24 weeks exercise treatment was associated with a small to moderate effect on pain during the past week (difference in change between the two groups -11.5 (95% CI -19.7 to -3.3). At 36 weeks no differences were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Beneficial effects of exercise decline over time and finally disappear.     

A STD/HIV prevention trial among adolescents in managed care

OBJECTIVE: To determine if sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, risk assessment, and education tools provided as part of office-based primary care reduce adolescent risky sexual behaviors. DESIGN: A randomized intervention trial with 3- and 9-month follow-up. SETTING: Five staff-model managed care sites in Washington, DC (n = 19 pediatricians). PATIENTS: Consecutive 12- to 15-year-olds receiving a general health examination; 81% minority. Participation rate = 215/432 (50%). Nine-month follow-up rate = 197/215 (92%). INTERVENTION: Audiotaped STD risk assessment and education about staying safe (safer = condoms, safest = abstinence). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adolescent-reported sexual intercourse and condom use. RESULTS: More intervention adolescents reported pediatrician discussion on 11/13 sexual topics. Although more vaginal intercourse (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-5.84) was reported in the intervention group at 3 months, this was not true of overall sexual intercourse (OR = 1.55, 95% CI =.73-3.32). More sexually active adolescents reported condom use in the intervention group at 3 months (OR = 18.05, 95% CI = 1.27-256.03). At 9 months, there were no group differences in sexual behaviors; however, more signs of STD were reported by the control (7/103) than the intervention group (0/94). CONCLUSIONS: STD risk assessment and education tools administered in a single office visit facilitated STD/HIV prevention education. Any impact on sexual activity and condom use was short-lived. Further research is needed to develop brief, office-based sexual risk reduction for young adolescents.