Sex Disparities in Risk of Mortality Among Children With ESRD

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Comparative evaluation of acute toxicity and antitumor activity of IF-XXV preparation and holoxan

The alkylating agent ifosfamide synthesized according to own method at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, Warsaw, was compared in biological evaluations with Holoxan (Asta-Werke's ifosfamide). No significant differences between tested compounds were found in respect of acute toxicity and antitumor activity in experimental systems in mice.     

竹林区村庄白纹伊蚊孳生特点的调查

白纹伊蚊在竹林里孳生的阳性比为75.4%;而在竹林包围的居民区阳性比为15.3%。白纹伊蚊在居民区孳生密度布雷图指数为19.4,容器指数为6.2%。居民区孳生蚊虫的主要场所是泡菜坛,泡菜坛主要孳生蚊种是骚扰阿蚊,阳性比为73.7%,其次是淡色库蚊为20.2%,贪食库蚊为14.0%,白纹伊蚊最低,为9.1%。     

Surviving crack: a qualitative study of the strategies and tactics developed by Brazilian users to deal with the risks associated with the drug

Background  

Due to marginalization, trafficking violence, conflicts with the police and organic and social psychological problems associated with the drug, crack is one of the most devastating drugs currently in use. However, there is evidence that some users manage to stay alive and active while using crack cocaine for many years, despite the numerous adversities and risks involved with this behavior. In this context, the aim of the present study was to identify the strategies and tactics developed by crack users to deal with the risks associated with the culture of use by examining the survival strategies employed by long-term users.     

Voiding patterns in men and women with lower urinary tract symptoms combined with nocturia

AIM: We evaluated differences between men and women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) combined with nocturia. METHODS: A total of 71 age-matched female-male pairs (median 58, range 20-81 years) who had moderate to severe LUTS and nocturia of more than once per night were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: In the younger group (<50 years), the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) results of the sexes were not significantly different. However, although total I-PSS results in the elderly group (> or =50 years) were not significantly different, quality of life index scores for women were higher (P = 0.002). On frequency-volume (FV) charts, mean total daytime voided volume (DVV) was significantly higher in younger men than in younger women (P = 0.017), but the mean nocturnal polyuria index (NPi) for women was higher than that for men (P = 0.047). However, maximum DVV (P = 0.009), mean DVV (P < 0.0001), total DVV (P < 0.0001), and mean nocturnal urine volume (P = 0.009) were significantly higher in elderly men than in elderly women. However, numbers of daytime voids were not different. CONCLUSION: Elderly women with LUTS have lower functional bladder capacities than elderly men, as suggested by their smaller mean voided volumes. However, no significant differences were observed between numbers of daytime voids, which was probably due to the smaller total daytime voided volumes of elderly women. In addition, although NPi for younger women and nocturnal urine volume for elderly men was higher, no other differences were observed in terms of other night-time parameters.     

Serial peritoneal macrophage function studies in new and established continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Peritoneal macrophages (PM) perform first-line defense activity against peritonitis, the most important complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy. Our longitudinal study has compared the PM function in 20 uremic patients during periods free of peritonitis since they started CAPD therapy in January 1987. The results showed that at the initiation of CAPD, there was a higher bactericidal activity, phagocytosis index, H2O2 production and interleukin-1 (IL-1), gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production ability and MHC expression. As time went on, these progressively decreased, and by 9 months after CAPD therapy had started they were significantly lower than at the beginning. During the 1.5-year follow-up period, there was a significantly increased peritonitis rate in the period 6 months after the beginning of CAPD than in the period before the 6th month (88.3 vs. 11.7% respectively; p less than 0.001). These results indicate that PM of new CAPD patients have a more active function than those of established patients. The established patients had a greater risk of peritonitis. A comparison of the immunological profiles of PM from patients who had a peritonitis history shows that phagocytosis index, bactericidal activity and IL-1 and TNF production of PM were significantly decreased during the period free of peritonitis. This result suggests that these parameters may serve as an indicator in developing peritonitis.     

Computed tomography and plain radiography in experimental fracture healing

We evaluated the relative contribution of plain radiographs and computed tomography to the assessment of fracture healing under experimental circumstances. In 15 sheep, we performed midshaft femoral osteotomies and internal fixation of the resultant segmental fractures. Radiographs were obtained preoperatively and immediately postoperatively. Animals were sacrificed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 24 weeks, and 36 weeks after surgery, and the femoral specimens radiographed. After removal of the internal fixation devices, computed tomographic scans of the specimens were performed.By 3 weeks, callus was visible, but at 6 weeks, a trabecular pattern in the callus was seen on plain films but not on computed tomography. There was progressive organization of the callus on both studies. At 24 weeks, computed tomography demonstrated fracture lines not seen due to overlying callus on plain films and also more accurately showed incomplete union. By 36 weeks, healing was essentially complete according to both modalities, although there still were small gaps in the callus detectable on computed tomography but not on plain films.Computed tomography may be of value in the evaluation of fractures of long bones in those cases in which clinical examination and plain radiographs fail to give adequate information as to the status of healing.     

Acute transverse myelitis caused by Coxsackie virus B4 infection: a case report.

Acute transverse myelitis is a rare clinical manifestation of Coxsackie virus infection which cause acute and progressive debilitating illness associated with loss of spinal cord function in the affected patients. A 62 year-old female developed symptoms of rapidly progressive paraplegia with sensory loss. On spinal MRI, T2 sagittal image showed increased signal intensity with cord swelling at T11-L2 level and 8 folds or greater rise of Coxsackie virus B4 neutralizing antibody titers was observed in the CSF. There is only one previous report of acute transverse myelitis caused by Coxsackie virus B4 infection to our knowledge. The presence of specific viral antibody titers change in the CSF and a corresponding spinal cord lesion are sufficient to suggest a causal relationship between the virus and the illness. This article is a case report of an unusual acute transverse myelitis caused by Coxsackie virus B4 infection.