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Objective To investigate the factors affecting the efficacy of leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids in the treatment of progressive IgA nephropathy (IgAN).Methods Clinical and pathological parameters were collected retrospectively in patients of primary IgAN with proteinuria＞ 1.0 g/24 h and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 1-3 treated with leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids in Ren Ji Hospital,School of Medicine,Shanghai Jiao Tong University from Jan 2005 to Dec 2010.According to the treatment effects,patients were divided into complete remission group and non-complete remission group.The biochemical and pathological indexes of the two groups were compared.Results A total of 42 patients were included.The remission rates at 3,6,9 and 12 months were 62％,64％,67％ and 74％,respectively.Seventeen (40.5％) and fourteen (33.3％) patients achieved complete and partial remission after one-year treatment,and the remission rate remained stable within one year after withdrawal of drugs.The 24hour proteinuria was 1.50 (0.67,2.66) g,which was significantly reduced compared with the baseline 2.44 (1.36,3.74) g (P ＜ 0.01).The decrease rate was 31.3％.There was a slight decrease in proteinuriawithin one year after withdrawal of drugs.Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remained stable during the treatment and a year of follow-up.No serious adverse event was observed during the followup period.Among 31 responder patients,6(19.4％) patients relapsed.Logistic multivariate regression analysis suggested that the degree of renal interstitial inflammatory infiltration was an independent predictor of complete remission with one-year treatment of leflunomide combined with medium / low dose corticosteroids (HR=0.067,95％ CI 0.008-0.535,P=0.011).Conclusions IgAN treated with leflunomide and medium/low dose corticosteroids can achieve remission in early stage,and the remission rate remains stable after withdrawal of drugs.It is a safe option for the treatment of IgAN.Renal interstitial inflammatory infiltration is an independent predictor of complete remission.
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Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of leflunomide (LEF) combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids and full dose of corticosteroids in the treatment of IgA nephropathy. Method Primary IgAN patients diagnosed by renal biopsy with 18?65 years old and eGFR≥30 ml·min?1·(1.73 m2)?1 and proteinuria>0.5 g/24 h were enrolled in a prospective controlled clinical study. They were randomly divided into leflunomide combined with medium/low dose corticosteroids (LEF group) and corticosteroids alone (steroid group). The primary outcomes were (1) end stage renal disease or dialysis (2) 50% increase in serum creatinine above the baseline. Secondary outcome was the remission of proteinuria. Results Ninety patients completed the follow?up. The 24?hour proteinuria at baseline were 2.00(1.10, 2.88) g and 1.87(1.13 ,3.08) g in LEF group and steroid group respectively. Compared with baseline, it was significantly decreased in both groups at 6 months [0.30(0.11, 0.93) g, 0.30(0.14, 1.33) g] and 12 months [0.30(0.09, 0.82) g, 0.32(0.14, 0.66) g], (P0.05]. At 6 and 12 months, there was no significant difference in terms of 24?hour proteinuria, serum creatinine and eGFR (CKD?EPI) between groups (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse events between groups during the treatment (9/40 cases in LEF group and 11/50 cases in steroid group, P>0.05). The average follow?up was 79 months, and there was no difference in the renal prognosis between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that serum creatinine at baseline and renal interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration predicted the risk of the progress of IgA nephropathy. Conclusion Leflunomide plus medium/low dose corticosteroids has a similar effect as full dose of corticosteroids in IgA nephropathy and does not increase the risk for adverse events during the treatment.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify potential mutation of the PAX6 gene in a family affected with congenital aniridia from northeastern China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two patients were collected from the family and underwent full ophthalmologic examinations. Genomic DNA was extracted from all family numbers and 100 healthy controls. The coding regions and flanking sequence of the PAX6 gene were amplified by PCR amplification and subjected to bidirectional DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A nonsense mutation (c.718 C>T) was identified in exon 9 in both patients but not in other unaffected families or the 100 healthy controls. However, obvious difference was noted in the phenotype between the two patients. One of the patient has presented irregular cornea, which was infrequently reported.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A c.718C>T transitional mutation has been found to underlie the aniridia, which showed an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern in this northeastern Chinese family.</p>
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Female , Humans , Male , Aniridia , Genetics , Eye Proteins , Genetics , Homeodomain Proteins , Genetics , Mutation , PAX6 Transcription Factor , Paired Box Transcription Factors , Genetics , Repressor Proteins , GeneticsABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the influencing factors of successfully switching to sequential ventilation in patients with prolonged weaning due to acute respiratory failure (ARF) after thoracolaparotomy based on the initial rapid shallow breathing index (RSBI) at 60 min after spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), namely, the f/VT optimal value range of 80-120 times/ (min · L), thus providing the basis for determining the ideal timing of weaning in clinical practice.Methods A prospective observational study of sequential ventilation [RSBI during the initial SBT (60 min), 80-120 breaths/ (min · L)] was carried out in 42 patients on mechanical ventilation (≥ 48 h) due to post-thoracolaparotomy ARF in the ICUs.According to the duration of the mechanical ventilation, the patients were divided into 2 groups : successfully prolonged weaning group (≥ 7 days, n =24) and refractory weaning group (＜ 7 days, n =18).The patients with cardiac failure, aged less 18 or over 80, with hepatic dysfunction, or those needing gastrointestinal decompression after esophageal surgery or upper abdomen surgery were excluded.The demographics, APACHE Ⅱ scores and duration of mechanical ventilation of both groups were recorded, and the respiratory work and oxygen metabolism variables before the switch to sequential ventilation (within 24 hours after admission to ICU) and at the time of switching (24 hours in the ICU after admission) were recorded, respectively: clinical puhnonary infection score (CPIS), assessment of cough severity, pH, PaO2, PaCO2 and PaO2/FiO2;hemodynamic and microcirculation-related variables: HR, MAP, fluid balance, BNP and Lac;endocrine and metabolism variables : Hb, ALB and random serum cortisol (COR).The clinical features and the changes of the above-mentioned variables before and at the time of switching were compared between both groups.The independent sample t test was used for the single factor comparison and Mann-Whitney U test was applied to the non-normal distributions.The Fisher exact probability test was used for the single factor comparison of ranked data such as categorical variables.Results There were no significant differences in age, gender and severity of disease between two groups (P ＞ 0.05);the successfully prolonged weaning group had longer duration of invasive mechanical ventilation and ICU stay compared with the refractory weaning group (P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences in cough severity, PaCO2, pH, HR and fluid balance between two groups before switching (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with those before switching, in the refractory weaning group there were marked decrease in Lac (P ＜ 0.05), obvious increase in cough severity, pH, Hb and ALB (P ＜ 0.05), but there was no significant difference in COR (P ＞ 0.05);while in the successfully delayed weaning group, there were significant decrease in CPIS, PaCO2, HR, MAP, BNP, fluid balance and Lac (P ＜ 0.05), and cough severity, pH, ALB and COR showed an upward trend (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The key of successful sequential ventilation is within the values of RSBI ranging from 80 to 120 times/ (min · L) during the initial SBT (60 min) selected as the switching point in patients with prolonged weaning after thoracolaparotomy.The major influencing factors for determining the ideal timing of switching include the matching status between respiratory endurance and respiratory work, the balance between myocardial strength and both cardiac preload and afterload, the severe disease associated with adrenal insufficiency, and malnutrition.
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Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and traditional thoracotomy in fixation of traumatic multiple rib fractures.Methods Clinical data of 56 patients with traumatic multiple rib fractures treated surgically between July 2005 and September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively.Based on the treatments,the patients were assigned to video-assisted thoracoscopy group (thoracoscopy group,n =27) and traditional thoracotomy group (thoracotomy group,n =29).A comparison was done on the variables including operation time,intraoperative blood loss,ventilator support rate,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,incidence of lung infections,visual analogue scale (VAS) at day 3 postinjury and mortality between the two groups.Results Operation time [(128.9 ± 21.1) min vs (140.7 ± 24.2) min],ventilator support rate (70％ vs 76％) and mortality (4％ vs 7％) in thoracoscopy group revealed no statistical differences compared with thoracotomy group (P ＞ 0.05),but intraoperative blood loss [(321.1 ± 30.1)ml vs (438.1 ± 43.2)ml],duration of mechanical ventilation [(4.3 ± 2.1) d vs (7.2 ± 1.6) d],length of ICU stay [(5.9 ± 21.1) d vs (8.5 ± 1.7) d],incidence of lung infection (33％ vs 90％),and VAS [(7.0 ± 1.4) points vs (8.3 ± 0.9) points] were significantly reduced in thoracoscopy group than in thoracotomy group (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is characterized by fewer intraoperative bleeding,shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay,and lower lung infection rate during treatment of traumatic multiple rib fractures compared to traditional thoracotomy.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of preheating on the microhardness and compressive strength of two resin composites. Methods: Specimens were fabricated from one microhybrid composite resin(Filtek Z250, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA)and one nanohybrid composite resin (Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA), and stored at two different temperature(23℃, 40℃). The microhardness and compressive strength were tested after cured. Data obtained were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance. Results:For two composites, the preheated specimens have higher microhardness and compressive strength value than that stored at room temperature. Conclusion:Preheating can improve the mechnical properties of resin composite.
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Objective To differentiate proteinuria due to non-diabetic renal diseases(NDRD)from that of diabetic nephropathy(DN)in type 2 diabetic patients,and to evaluate the prevalence of NDRD.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on diabetic patients who had undergone renal biopsy between Jan 1,2003 and Dec 3 1,2006.The data including history of diabetes,cardiac color ultrasound,color Doppler ultrasound of the carotid artery,retinal changes,examination of ocular fundus,giomerular filtration rate,hepatic and renal function,lipid profile,blood glucose,HbA1c,and urine protein were collected.Results Among 46 patients,22 cases (47.8%)were distinctly diagnosed as diabetic nephropathy(DN),while the other 24(52.2%)as NDRD.Focal segmental glomeruloselerosis Was the most common lesion found in patients with NDRD.In DN group,the fasting blood glucose was higher than that of NDRD group,as well as ejection fraction,carotid plaque,and intimamedia thickness(IMT)showed significant differences between 2 groups.Patients with NDRD were less frequently associated with diabetic retinopathy.Diabetic retinopathy showed hiigh sensitivity(72.7%)and specificity (91.7%)in diagnosing DN.Conclusions Blood glucose,ejection fraction,carotid plaques and IMT,and retinopathy may be helpful in differential diagnosis of diabetic patients with overt proteinuria.Renal biopsy is an important step lo establish the diagnosis.
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Objective To assess sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in patients on maintenance high flux hemodialysis, and discussed the associated factors. Methods A total of 112 high flux hemodialysis patients and 53 normal subjects were estimated by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS) to assess the sleep quality and day time sleepiness. Global score of these questionnaires were analyzed. Seven components' scores and 9 reasons for sleep disturbances were compared between "good" (global PSQI ≤5) and "bad" (global PSQI＞5) sleepers. Sleep quality was compared among different shifts of hemodialysis. The impact of clinical factors on sleep quality were analyzed by multivariate linear regression and logistic regression. Results Compared with control group, hemodialysis group had a higher PSQI (7.02±4.94 vs 3.28±2.79, P＜0.05) and a lower ESS score [3(0-6) vs 8(4.25-11.75), P＜0.05] . 58% patients were "bad" sleepers and sleep latency was longer (30 min vs 15 min, P＜0.05). Insomnia was the main problem. Patients on morning shift, afternoon shift and night shift had similar subjective sleep quality. Age (OR=1.75, P=0.003), dialysis vintage (OR=1.26, P=0.008),hemoglobin (OR=0.64, P=0.008), calcium phosphate product (OR=1.60, P=0.02) were significantly related to sleep quality score. Conclusions Sleep disturbance is common in hemodialysis patients. Older age, longer dialysis vintage, anemia and higher calcium phosphate product are risk factors for poor sleep quality.
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Objective To elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and to investigate the associated problems in treatment. Methods A total of 254 PD patients in our division were enrolled in this study. CVD history, laboratory measurements, examinations of carotid atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy by ultrasonography were collected and associated factors were analyzed. The median follow-up time was 49 months. Results The overall prevalence of CVD was 37% (93/254). Diabetes, longer dialysis duration, hypertfiglyceridemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypoprealbuminemia were commonly found in the patients with new CVD event. The patients without pre-existing CVD had the higher Ccr, Kt/V, D/Pr, nPCR, serum albumin level. In those with pre-existing CVD, the hypertriglyceridemia and the duration of dialysis were independent predictors of progression of CVD. Differences of LAD, LVST, LVMI and IMT were significant between with and without pre-existing CVD groups. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the presence of CVD was the independent risk factor of survival. Alb<330 g/L, LAD>39.6 mm and peritonitis were risk factors of CVD. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD in PD patients is quite high. CVD history should be realized, dialysis adequacy should be maintained, and peritonitis should be prevented.
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The bovine jugular veins were divided into two groups and treated with 4% EX-313 and 0.5% glutaraldehyde respectively, and then they were examined with naked-eye, microscope and scanning electron microscope. Biomechnics test and dorsal implantation in rats were performed. The aquired data were processed and subjected to t-test. The EX-313 fixed material was more pliable than the glutaraldehyde treated material, and the former had higher anticalcification than the latter. In conclusion, the hydrophilia crosslinking agent EX-313 is superior to glutaraldehyde in treating biomaterials, and the bovine jugular vein tanned with EX-313 should be a promising material for repairing in cardiovascular surgery.