The effect of physical conditioning on antipyrine clearance

The effects of physical conditioning on antipyrine clearance were studied in two groups of subjects. Healthy men not engaged in the systematic practice of any sport were compared with endurance runners (defined as men running >80 km/week). Studies were carried out at three different periods of the annual plan training at 4-month intervals. Antipyrine was administered orally and pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained from saliva samples by the multiple-sample method. Endurance performance, expressed in terms of the maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O_{2 max}), the ventilatory threshold and the 4-mM · l⁻¹ lactate threshold (OBLA), was higher in trained than in control subjects at each of the three periods. Antipyrine clearance was also significantly elevated and antipyrine half-life reduced in runners during all periods. No significant difference in V˙O_{2 max} or antipyrine clearance was found between the various periods in either trained or control subjects. Both ventilatory threshold and OBLA increased significantly along the training period in conditioned subjects. Significant correlations were found between antipyrine clearance and V˙O_{2 max}, ventilatory threshold and OBLA. In summary, these results indicate an association between aerobic conditioning and increased hepatic oxidative metabolism of low-clearance drugs. Accepted: 15 July 1997     

Mental Health of Mothers of Children with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Appraisal as a Mediator

Examined direct and mediated relations between condition parametersand maternal mental health for 53 mothers of 2- to 11-year-oldchildren with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Multivariateanalyses revealed that when considered simultaneously, indicesof both biological severity and functional severity were associatedsignificantly with maternal mental health. Further, mother'sappraisals of the impact of the child's illness on the familypartially mediated the effects of medication type and child'sfunctional status on mother's mental health. Results providesupport for conceptual models that emphasize the cognitive mechanismsby which condition parameters such as biological and functionalseverity might affect maternal mental health. Explicating theprocesses by which a child's JRA might lead to psychologicaladjustment problems in the parent has implications for developingpreventive and treatment interventions.     

Effect of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil on plasma retinol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene in renal transplant recipients

Introduction

Plasma antioxidant vitamins (retinol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene) were measured to establish the influence of clinical condition and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment on the nutritional status of renal transplant recipients.

Material and methods

In 106 adult patients plasma vitamins were measured and 24-h diet history questionnaires were conducted. The MMF influence on plasma vitamins was verified in 61 patients.

Results

The current dietary intakes of vitamins in daily food rations were lower than recommended. Plasma retinol was lower in patients suffering from gastrointestinal disorders (1.25 ±0.48 mg/l vs. 1.55 ±0.70 mg/l) and inversely associated with aminotransferases activity (p = 0.019) and creatinine clearance (p = 0.021). Retinol concentrations were positively associated with plasma creatinine (p = 0.027) and pharmacokinetic parameters of MMF phenyl glucuronide. β-Carotene concentrations were higher in women (0.39 ±0.46 mg/l vs. 0.28 ±0.23 mg/l; p = 0.041) and when MMF was co-administered with cyclosporine vs. tacrolimus (0.45 ±0.62 mg/l vs. 0.25 ±0.19 mg/l). Plasma α-tocopherol correlated negatively with the mycophenolic acid pre-dose concentration (p = 0.027) and was significantly lower in patients treated with calcineurin inhibitors (8.90 ±5.23 mg/l vs. 12.25 ±5.62 mg/l). A positive correlation was observed between α-tocopherol levels and aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.006). In multivariate regression aspartate aminotransferase and MMF treatment significantly influenced retinol (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The MMF treatment was associated with significantly lower retinol concentrations. The gastrointestinal disorders occurrence in MMF-treated patients may cause a decrease in retinol absorption. Diet adjustment and/or vitamin A supplementation should be considered.     

大鼠性别及血清保存条件对生化检测结果的影响研究

目的 研究大鼠不同性别、血清样本放置条件及时间对生化检验结果的影响.方法 80只大鼠编号后一次性取静脉血,放置30min后离心,每只鼠血清分成8份.首次(1h)检测后,所有血清至于-80℃冰箱保存,一份于1、2、4、7、11、23、40d时间点重复解冻、检测后复存于-80℃冰箱;其余七份分别于以上时间点单次解冻、检测后丢弃;检测项目均为谷草转氨酶(AST)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、尿素(UREA)、肌酐(CREA)、胆固醇(CHO)、甘油三酯(TG)、血糖(GLU)、总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB).结果 雄性、雌性大鼠血清样本-80℃冰箱保存至40d 9个生化指标均与1h差异无统计学意义;雌性大鼠血清样本保存-80℃在1d、2d、4d、7d4个时间点重复解冻,部分生化指标逐步显示差异有统计学意义,且随解冻次数及保存时间的增加,差异具有统计学意义的生化指标项数增加,第4次(7d)解冻后ALT、TP指标结果与1h测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);第5次(11d)解冻ALT、TG、TP指标结果与1h测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);第6次(23d)解冻ALT、CREA、TG、TP指标结果与1h测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);第7次(40d)解冻ALT、AST、UREA、CREA、TG、GLU、TP、ALB指标结果与1h测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).其余指标与1h测定结果比较无显著差异(P＞0.05).雄性大鼠血清样本保存-80℃重复解冻1～5次9个生化指标均与1h测定结果比较差异无统计学意义,第6次(23d)解冻TP指标测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);第7次(40d)解冻TG、TP指标测定结果比较差异具有统计学意义(均P＜0.05),其余指标与1h测定结果比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 不同性别大鼠血清-80℃条件下保存40d以内单次解冻后测定以及在大鼠血清解冻3次以内对生化指标测定值无影响;但重复解冻4次以上部分生化指标有显著差异,且不同性别大鼠血清指标差异情况不同,血清样本放置条件及时间及解冻次数会对大鼠生化检测指标造成影响.     

经尿道等离子前列腺切除术患者术前术后性生活状况对比分析

目的:探究良性前列腺增生(benign prostatic hyperplasia,BPH)患者采用经尿道等离子前列腺切除术(transurethral plasmakinetic prostatectomy,TUPKP)治疗对其性生活状况的影响。方法:选择2011年2月至2014年2月期间来我院治疗的198例BPH患者为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为实验组和对照组,分别为100例与98例。实验组患者采用TUPKP术进行治疗,对照组患者给予经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)治疗,比较两组患者术前、术后6个月、12个月的国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、生活质量指数评分(QOL)以及国际勃起功能指数评分简表(IIEF-5)评分的变化;观察两组患者术前、术后射精状况的差异。结果:治疗前,两组患者的IPSS评分、QOL评分无差异性(P>0.05);两组患者在术后6、12个月的IPSS评分和QOL评分均较术前显著降低(P<0.05),但两组患者之间比较,术后6、12个月的评分无差异性(P>0.05);治疗前,两组患者的IIEF-5评分差异性较小(P>0.05);两组患者在术后6、12个月的IIEF-5评分均较治疗前降低(P<0.05),且实验组患者的IIEF-5评分较对照组降低更为明显,具有统计学意义(P<0.05);经过手术治疗,实验组患者发生ED状况的例数显著低于对照组患者,具有明显差异性(P<0.05);在精量增加、精量减少、逆行射精、射精疼痛等状况,两组患者差异性较小(P>0.05)。结论:TUPKP治疗BPH患者,能够显著降低IIEF-5评分、IPSS评分以及QOL评分,减少阴茎勃起功能障碍状况的发生,对患者的术后性生活影响较经尿道前列腺电切术小,是一种令BPH患者满意的治疗方法。     

Extrinsic Factors as Component Positions to Bone and Intrinsic Factors Affecting Postoperative Rotational Limb Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting postoperative rotational limb alignment of the tibia relative to the femur. We hypothesized that not only component positions but also several intrinsic factors were associated with postoperative rotational limb alignment.

Preparing IR for COVID-19: The Singapore Experience

This paper describes country-wide special measures undertaken for interventional radiology staff during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although each interventional radiology service around the world faces unique challenges, the principles outlined in this article will be useful when designing or strengthening individual practices and integrating them within wider hospital and national measures. Moving beyond the current outbreak, these measures will be useful for any future infectious diseases which are likely to arise.     

A structural equation model relating oral condition,denture quality,chewing ability,satisfaction, and oral health-related quality of life in complete denture wearers

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between mandibular ridge form, stability and retention of mandibular complete denture, accuracy of jaw relation recording, patients’ perception of chewing ability, satisfaction with dentures and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in complete denture wearers.MethodsA total of 183 edentulous patients, who visited the Dental Hospital of Tokyo Medical and Dental University for new complete dentures, were recruited. Oral examination was performed. Cawood and Howell's method was used to grade the mandibular ridge form. The stability and retention of the mandibular complete denture were assessed using Kapur method. Accuracy of jaw relation recording was evaluated using a newly developed jaw relation index. Patients’ perception of chewing ability was rated using a food intake questionnaire. Patients’ satisfaction with complete dentures was assessed on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. OHRQoL was measured using the Japanese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile for edentulous subjects. A structural equation model was constructed based on the hypothesis that oral condition and denture quality would be related to chewing ability, satisfaction and OHRQoL.ResultsSignificant relationships were found between mandibular ridge form, stability of mandibular complete denture, accuracy of jaw relation recording, perceived chewing ability, satisfaction and OHRQoL. Various fit indices were within acceptable limits.ConclusionsOral condition and denture quality were related to patients’ perception of chewing ability, satisfaction with dentures and OHRQoL in complete denture wearers.Clinical significanceA favourable oral condition and denture quality are important for successful complete denture therapy.     

Surface changes of mineral trioxide aggregate after the application of bleaching agents: electron microscopy and an energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis

Introduction

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the surface structure and chemical composition after applying bleaching agents to completely hardened mineral trioxide aggregate.

Methods

A total of 12 samples of MTA blocks were divided into three groups, two different bleaching agents, and a control group. The surface structure was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The changes in elemental composition were analyzed by an energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX) system.

Results

The surface of the MTA covered with each bleaching agent changed in terms of both color and structure compared with the control. EDX showed that both bleaching agents affected the elemental distribution. A decrease in Ca and an increase in Si were shown, and this tendency was especially pronounced in the higher hydrogen peroxide concentration group.

Conclusions

The acidic conditions induced by bleaching agents brought about the deterioration of the MTA surface. These findings suggest that MTA is an insufficient barrier against tooth bleaching.     

Effects of surface finishing conditions on the biocompatibility of a nickel-chromium dental casting alloy

Objectives

To assess the effects of surface finishing condition (polished or alumina particle air abraded) on the biocompatibility of direct and indirect exposure to a nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) d.Sign^®10 dental casting alloy on oral keratinocytes. Biocompatibility was performed by assessing cellular viability and morphology, metabolic activity, cellular toxicity and presence of inflammatory cytokine markers.

Methods

Discs of d.Sign^®10 were cast, alumina particle air abraded and half were polished before surface roughness was determined by profilometry. Biocompatibility was assessed by placing the discs directly or indirectly (with immersion solutions) into contact with TR146 monolayers. Metal ion release was determined by ICP-MS. Cell viability was assessed by trypan blue dye exclusion, metabolic activity by XTT and cellular toxicity by LDH. Inflammatory cytokine analysis was performed using sandwich ELISAs.

Results

The mean polished Ra value was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) compared with the alumina particle air abraded discs but metal ion release was significantly increased for the polished discs. Significant reductions in cell density of polished compared with alumina particle air abraded discs was observed following direct or indirect exposure. A significant reduction in metabolic activity, increase in cellular toxicity and an increase in the presence of inflammatory cytokine markers was highlighted for the polished relative to the alumina particle air abraded discs at 24 h.

Significance

Finishing condition of the Ni-Cr dental alloy investigated has important clinical implications. The approach of employing cell density and morphology, metabolic activity, cellular toxicity levels and inflammatory marker responses to TR146 epithelial cells combined with ICP-MS afforded the authors an increased insight into the complex processes dental alloys undergo in the oral environment.