Prognostic value of selected platelet parameters of patients operated for non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundPlatelets play a vital role in the neoplastic process. Platelet parameters are hence an important source of information concerning ongoing neoplastic disease. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of selected platelet parameters on the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsThe study included 532 (174 female and 358 male) patients aged 36–84 years (mean age 63.6 years) operated on due to NSCLC, staged IA–IIIA. Before the operation, all patients received a blood morphology test. The following parameters were subjected to statistical analysis: platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV) parameter, platelet distribution width (PDW) parameter, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index. These findings were compared with the clinical data of the patients, and the probability of overall survival was analyzed.ResultsThe univariate analysis revealed a correspondence between PDW, MPV, PLR and SII index and patient survival. The multivariate analysis including patient clinical data found the following factors to have negative prognostic value for patients operated on due to NSCLC: male sex, advancement stage of neoplastic disease and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) above 4, and PLR >144.ConclusionsPDW value, PLR and SII index are independent prognostic factors. In the multi-factor model, male sex, the advancement stage of the neoplastic disease, CCI above 4 and PLR lower than 144 had the greatest prognostic value.     

Absolute lymphocyte count and C-reactive protein-albumin ratio can predict prognosis and adverse events in patients with recurrent esophageal cancer treated with nivolumab therapy

Predicting the prognosis and adverse events (AEs) of nivolumab therapy for recurrent esophageal cancer is very important. The present study investigated whether a simple blood biochemical examination could be used to predict prognosis and AEs following nivolumab treatment for relapse of esophageal cancer. A total of 41 patients who received nivolumab treatment for recurrent esophageal cancer after esophagectomy were analyzed. The absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and C-reactive protein-albumin ratio (CAR) were assessed at the time of nivolumab induction as indices that can be calculated by blood biochemical examinations alone. Median values were 1,015 for ALC, 3.401 for NLR, 242.6 for PLR, 0.458 for MLR and 0.119 for CAR, and patients were divided into two groups according to values. A high ALC, low NLR, low PLR, low MLR and low CAR were associated with a better response to nivolumab. In addition, patients with the aforementioned indices, with the exception of low PLR, or better response were more likely to develop AEs in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, a high ALC [odds ratio (OR): 4.857, P=0.043] and low CAR (OR: 9.099, P=0.004) were identified as independent risk factors for AEs. Survival analysis revealed that overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) rates after nivolumab treatment differed significantly between the high and low groups of ALC, NLR, PLR, MLR and CAR. The multivariate analysis identified a low ALC [hazard ratio (HR): 3.710, P=0.003] and high CAR (HR: 2.953, P=0.007) as independent poor prognostic factors of PFS. In conclusion, ALC and CAR have potential as biomarkers for outcomes of recurrent esophageal cancer following nivolumab treatment.     

A Comparative Evaluation of the Strain Transmitted through Prostheses on Implants with Two Different Macro-Structures and Connection during Insertion and Loading Phase: An In Vitro Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the strain levels in the peri-implant bone as generated by the blade-like implant (BLI) and the screw-type implant (STI) with two different internal connections (hexagonal and conical) and with a 1:1 and 2:1 crown/implant (C/I) ratio. Methods: The implants (BLI and STI) were placed into sawbones according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Two strain gauges, horizontal and vertical to the implant axis, were placed around each implant on the bone surface 1 mm from the cervical part. Each implant was loaded by a material testing machine at a force of 100 N. Micro-strains (με) generated in the surrounding bone were measured by a strain gauge and recorded. Results: Recorded micro-strains were not significant in both the insertion and loading phases (p < 0.0625). The average recorded micro-strain values were lower in the horizontal dimension of STI with hexagonal connection when the C/I ratio was 2:1 compared with BLI, 210 με and 443 με, respectively. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, implant design, implant-abutment connection and C/I ratio did not influence strain values in bone and there is no statistically significant effect of these parameters on bone.     

Dietary Carbohydrate as Glycemic Load,Not Fat,Coupled with Genetic Permissiveness Favoring Rapid Growth and Extra Calories,Dictate Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Induction in Nile Rats (Arvicanthis niloticus)

Objective: Whether dietary carbohydrate (CHO) or fat is more involved in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) induction uncomplicated by dietary fiber was addressed in a spontaneous diabetic model, the diurnal Nile rat that mimics the human condition. Methods: A total of 138 male Nile rats were fed plant-based and animal-based saturated fat where 10% energy as CHO and fat were exchanged across 5 diets keeping protein constant, from 70:10:20 to 20:60:20 as CHO:fat:protein %energy. Diabetes induction was analyzed by: 1. diet composition, i.e., CHO:fat ratio, to study the impact of diet; 2. quintiles of average caloric intake per day to study the impact of calories; 3. quintiles of diabetes severity to study the epigenetic impact on diabetes resistance. Results: High glycemic load (GLoad) was most problematic if coupled with high caloric consumption. Diabetes severity highlighted rapid growth and caloric intake as likely epigenetic factors distorting glucose metabolism. The largest weanling rats ate more, grew faster, and developed more diabetes when the dietary GLoad exceeded their gene-based metabolic capacity for glucose disposal. Diabetes risk increased for susceptible rats when energy intake exceeded 26 kcal/day and the GLoad was >175/2000 kcal of diet and when the diet provided >57% energy as CHO. Most resistant rats ate <25 kcal/day independent of the CHO:fat diet ratio or the GLoad adjusted to body size. Conclusion: Beyond the CHO:fat ratio and GLoad, neither the type of fat nor the dietary polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid (P/S) ratio had a significant impact, suggesting genetic permissiveness affecting caloric and glucose intake and glucose disposition were key to modulating Nile rat diabetes. Fat became protective by limiting GLoad when it contributed >40% energy and displaced CHO to <50% energy, thereby decreasing the number of diabetic rats and diabetes severity.     

绵羊产后诱发发情试验

本试验利用多种方案对90只哺乳母羊采用羔羊提前断奶、公羊性刺激并结合激素处理发发情，以达到缩短产羔间隔，提高繁殖率的目的，经试验测定，母羊发情率平均为32.22%，情期受胎率平均为31.03%，效果不理想，需进一步对此进行研究。     

外侧裂区脑挫裂伤86例手术治疗效果观察

目的总结外侧裂区脑挫裂伤的手术治疗效果。方法回顾性分析86例外侧裂区脑挫裂伤手术治疗患者的临床资料。结果根据GOS标准,良好48例,中残11例,重残9例,植物生存5例,死亡13例。结论尽快充分解除外侧裂区血管受压能提高手术疗效。     

2011-2013年九江地区手足口病临床特征和病原变化分析

目的：分析近3年九江地区引发手足口病病原变化和相应临床特点,指导该地区手足口病的防护,并能为国内手足口病的预防及病原学的变化提供临床数据。方法：采用回顾性分析方法,对2011年至2013年度我院收治的手足口病患儿的性别、年龄、发病时间、居住地、接触史、临床表现、辅助检查、病原学结果和临床转归等进行综合分析。病原学通过咽拭子RT-PCR方法分析。结果：4 222例手足口病患者年龄分布在4个月-11岁。1-5岁患儿占该病发病人数占94.5%,城郊及农村病例多于市区,占61.5%。普通型病例主要表现为手、足、口皮疹（88.7%）,发热（73.3%）,心肌酶升高（78.5%）;重症病例达419例,主要表现为神经系统、循环系统并发症,该类患儿年龄多在1-3岁,常伴有外周血白细胞、中性粒细胞增高等现象,重症病例的病原检测结果肠道病毒71型占77.1%,柯萨奇病毒A16型占15.5%,其它类型肠道病毒感染占7.4%。结论：手足口病已成为幼儿常发病,高发人群为1-5岁的儿童,城郊及农村仍是该病防治的重点区域;手足口病导致神经和循环系统并发症是危害患儿的主要并发症;重症、危重症病例主要见于EV71感染,但是随着其他肠道病毒感染数量的增加,危重症手足口病的比率将会上升;各年度病原学变化有待进一步长期监测。     

应用加权秩和比法综合评估血吸虫防治效果

目的应用加权秩和比法综合评估血吸虫病防治效果,为血吸虫病防治及政策制定提供参考。方法选择反映血吸虫防治效果三个方面的疫情指标体系:人群感染情况、家畜感染情况、洲滩危险指标,并通过德尔菲法建立各指标的组合权重,再应用加权秩和比(RSRw)法对3个试点村连续4年的防治效果指标进行综合测评。结果试点村中双坪村及利兴村的RSRw时间序列值逐年升高,并在2009年达到最高,预示着两村的血吸虫病防治效果较好且呈逐年上升趋势,而灯塔村的RSRw时间序列值有所波动,且存在下滑趋势,意味着灯塔村的血吸虫病防治效果欠佳,防治工作质量有待加强。结论加权秩和比法可克服单一评估指标的不足,给人整体感,所包含信息量大,操作简单,应用性强,在评估血吸虫病防治效果中能综合直观地反映血吸虫病的防治效果及趋势,可为血吸虫病防治政策的制定及防治重点提供科学的参考。     

Magnesium-to-Calcium Ratio and Mortality from COVID-19

Obesity, type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, decrease in immune response, cytokine storm, endothelial dysfunction, and arrhythmias, which are frequent in COVID-19 patients, are associated with hypomagnesemia. Given that cellular influx and efflux of magnesium and calcium involve the same transporters, we aimed to evaluate the association of serum magnesium-to-calcium ratio with mortality from severe COVID-19. The clinical and laboratory data of 1064 patients, aged 60.3 ± 15.7 years, and hospitalized by COVID-19 from March 2020 to July 2021 were analyzed. The data of 554 (52%) patients discharged per death were compared with the data of 510 (48%) patients discharged per recovery. The ROC curve showed that the best cut-off point of the magnesium-to-calcium ratio for identifying individuals at high risk of mortality from COVID-19 was 0.20. The sensitivity and specificity were 83% and 24%. The adjusted multivariate regression model showed that the odds ratio between the magnesium-to-calcium ratio ≤0.20 and discharge per death from COVID-19 was 6.93 (_95%CI 1.6–29.1) in the whole population, 4.93 (_95%CI 1.4–19.1, p = 0.003) in men, and 3.93 (_95%CI 1.6–9.3) in women. In conclusion, our results show that a magnesium-to-calcium ratio ≤0.20 is strongly associated with mortality in patients with severe COVID-19.     

Investigation of Technological and Load Intensity Parameters of the Finishing Process of Materials on Equipment with Tools Translational Kinematics

The regularities of the formation of the resulting raster tool trajectories based on Lissajous figures for the lapping process of planes are established. This makes it possible to maximize the cutting ability of the tool, which contributes to its more uniform wear and increased productivity and processing quality. Optimal parameters of productivity and roughness of the treated surface during lapping of zirconium ceramics are achieved through the use of ASM paste 28/20 µm. Based on Preston’s hypothesis, an exponential dependence of the change in the contact area during the lapping of planes of different initial shape of the macrorelief is obtained. The obtained theoretical and practical results of the study of the process of flat lapping with constant and variable clamping force of the treated surface to the surface of the tool. The influence of the force factor on the formation of the surface in the process of abrasive lapping has been established. Studies have been carried out and the main technological recommendations of precision surface treatment of workpieces based on hard, brittle ceramic material and bronze samples on equipment with a raster trajectory of the tool movement are presented. The optimal pressure value when processing ceramics should be considered 203–270 kPa (2.1–2.8 kg/cm²).