Acid and alkali-resistant fabric-based triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered intelligent monitoring of protective clothing in highly corrosive environments.

The corrosion of materials severely limits the application scenarios of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), especially in laboratories, chemical plants and other fields where leakage of chemically corrosive solutions is common. Here, we demonstrate a chemical-resistant triboelectric nanogenerator (CR-TENG) based on polysulfonamide (PSA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) non-woven fabrics. The CR-TENG can stably harvest biological motion energy and perform intelligent safety protection monitoring in a strong corrosive environment. After treatment with strong acid and alkali solution for 7 days, the fabric morphology, diameter, tensile properties and output of CR-TENG are not affected, showing high reliability. CR-TENG integrated into protective equipment can detect the working status of protective equipment in real time, monitor whether it is damaged, and provide protection for wearers working in high-risk situations. In addition, the nonwoven-based CR-TENG has better wearing comfort and is promising for self-powered sensing in harsh environments.

Superhydrophobic aerogel blanket with magnetic and solar heating effect enables efficient continuous cleanup of highly viscous crude oil.

Rapid cleanup of highly-viscous oil spills the sea is eagerly desired while still remains a great challenge. Hydrophobic and lipophilic adsorbents are regarded as ideal candidate for oil spill remediation. However, traditional adsorbents are not suitable for viscous crude oil, which would block the porous structure and lead to poor adsorption efficiency. In this work, a non-contact responsive superhydrophobic SiO2 aerogel blankets (SAB) with excellent magnetic and solar heating effect for efficient removal of viscosity oils under harsh environments was developed, via assembled MXene and Fe3O4/polydimethylsiloxane layer-by-layer along the SAB skeleton (Fe3O4/MXene@SAB). The Fe3O4/MXene@SAB exhibited excellent compression tolerance (compression stress 70.69 kPa), superhydrophobic performance (water contact angle 166°), and corrosion resistance (weak acid/strong base). Due to high water repellency and stable porous structure, the Fe3O4/MXene@SAB could successfully separate oil-water mixture, while with remarkable separation flux (1.50-3.19 × 104 L m-2 h-1), and separation efficiency (99.91-99.98 %). Furthermore, the responsive Fe3O4/MXene@SAB also showed outstanding magnetic-heating and solar-heating conversion efficiency, which could continuously separate high viscosity crude oil from seawater by pump even under relatively low magnetic fields and mild sun. The superhydrophobic blankets hold great promise for efficient treatment of heavy oil spills.

[1,4]Diazocine-Embedded Electron-Rich Nanographenes with Cooperatively Dynamic Skeletons.

Curved nanographenes (NGs) are emerging as promising candidates for organic optoelectronics, supramolecular materials, and biological applications. Here we report a distinctive type of curved NGs bearing a [1,4]diazocine core that is fused with four pentagonal rings. This is formed by Scholl-type cyclization of two adjacent carbazole moieties through an unusual diradical cation mechanism followed by C-H arylation. Owing to the strain in the unique 5-5-8-5-5-membered ring skeleton, the resulting NG adopts an interesting concave-convex cooperatively dynamic structure. By peripheral π-extension, a helicene moiety with fixed helical chirality can be further mounted to modulate the vibration of the concave-convex structure, through which the distant bay region of the curved NG inherits the chirality of the helicene moiety in a reversed fashion. The [1,4]diazocine-embedded NGs show typical electron-rich characteristics and form charge transfer complexes with tunable emissions with a series of electron acceptors. The relatively protruding armchair edge also allows the fusion of three NGs into a C2 symmetric triple diaza[7]helicene which reveals a subtle balance of fixed and dynamic chirality.

Factors Associated With Neurosyphilis in Patients With Syphilis Treatment Failure: A Retrospective Study of 165 HIV-Negative Patients.

Background: In recent years, the incidence of syphilis has increased year by year. Our study is to explore the risk factors for the development of neurosyphilis in patients who failed syphilis treatment. Methods: A total number of 165 patients with complete medical records and who agreed to undergo lumbar puncture were divided into 47 neurosyphilis cases and 118 non-neurosyphilis cases according to the diagnostic criteria of neurosyphilis, and the differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory features between the two groups were analyzed. Significant variables were entered into multivariable logistic regression models. Results: (1) There were statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the neurosyphilis (NS) group and the non-neurosyphilis (NNS) group in terms of the higher proportion of male and serum rapid plasma reagin (RPR) > 1:32 and the elevated cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell (CSF WBC) and CSF protein in the neurosyphilis group compared with the non-neurosyphilis group. (2) Male gender, serum RPR titers >1:32 at lumbar puncture, CSF WBC >8 × 106/L were significantly associated with neurosyphilis. Conclusion: For patients who have failed syphilis treatment, lumbar puncture should be performed to exclude neurosyphilis, to enable early diagnosis and treatment, and to prevent irreversible damage of neurosyphilis, especially if the patient is male and has a serum RPR>1:32 and elevated CSF WBC at lumbar puncture, which are risk factors for neurosyphilis.

Robust Graphene@PPS Fibrous Membrane for Harsh Environmental Oil/Water Separation and All-Weather Cleanup of Crude Oil Spill by Joule Heat and Photothermal Effect.

The cleanup of oily wastewater and crude-oil spills is a global challenge. Traditional membrane materials are inefficient for oil/water separation under harsh conditions and limited by sorption speeds because of the high viscosity of crude oil. Herein, a kind of Graphene-wrapped polyphenylene sulfide fibrous membrane with superior chemical resistance and hydrophobicity for efficient oil/water separation and fast adsorption of crude oil all-weather is reported. The reduced graphene oxide (rGO)@polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fibrous membrane can be applied in the various harsh conditions with Joule heating and solar heating. In addition, the oil(dichloromethane)/water separation flux of rGO@PPS reached 12 903 L m-2h-1, and the separation efficiency reached 99.99%. After 10 cycles, the rGO@PPS still performed high separation flux and filtration efficiency. More importantly, the rGO@PPS still retained its high conductivity, excellent filtration efficiency, and stable hydrophobicity after acid or alkali treatment. Moreover, the rGO@PPS can be heated by solar energy to absorb viscous crude oil during the day, while at night, the crude oil can be adsorbed by Joule heating. The time to adsorb crude oil can be reduced by 98.6% and 97.3% through Joule heating and solar heating, respectively. This all-weather utilization greatly increases the adsorption efficiency and effectively reduces energy consumption.

Body-related Perspectives and Weight Control Methods of Korean-Chinese Nursing School Students in Yanbian, China: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at identifying the current nutrition knowledge, body-related perspectives, and weight control behaviors of Korean-Chinese college students. METHODS: We conducted a pilot study by employing a healthy weight education program targeting Korean-Chinese nursing school students at the Yanbian University of Science and Technology in Yanbian, China. RESULTS: This pilot study included 40 participants (38 women and 2 men; mean age, 20.5 years). The current weight status of the participants was as follows: 7.9% underweight, 78.9% normal weight, 7.9% overweight, and 5.3% obese. However, nearly two-thirds of the participants were dissatisfied with their current body size (43.6% a little dissatisfied; 20.5% very dissatisfied). Fifty percent of the participants perceived their current body size as being either slightly fat (35.0%) or very fat (15.0%). The following unhealthy weight control methods were commonly used among the 24 participants who practiced weight control: (1) laxatives or diuretics (91.7%), (2) saunas or spas (87.5%), and (3) a one-food diet (79.2%). In addition, the nutrition knowledge of the participants increased by 24 points from 117 points (pretest) to 141 points (posttest) through the healthy weight education program. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate an urgent need to educate Korean-Chinese college students on healthy weight control methods and body-related perspectives.

Barriers, Attitudes, and Dietary Behaviors Regarding Sodium Reduction in the Elderly Korean-Chinese Population in Yanbian, China.

OBJECTIVES: This research investigated the barriers, attitudes, and dietary behaviors related to sodium reduction among the elderly Korean-Chinese population in Yanbian, China. METHODS: We conducted this pilot study using both descriptive research and a focus group interview at the elderly community center in Yanbian. RESULTS: In total, 21 elderly Korean-Chinese (average age, 71 years) were examined. The findings showed that the top three barriers to sodium reduction were 1) the difficulties associated with having meals with others, 2) a preference for liquid based-dishes, and 3) the lack of taste in low-sodium dishes. Although the participants strongly believed that a reduced-sodium diet would improve their health, they were poorly aware of the amount of sodium in various foods and dishes. In particular, the focus group interviews with eight participants (mean age, 67 years) revealed that salt-preserved foods (e.g., Korean pickled cabbage called 'kimchi' and soybean paste) were frequently consumed as part of their food culture, and that very salty dishes were served at restaurants, both of which lead to a high sodium intake. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful preliminary data to help design a nutrition intervention program for sodium reduction that targets the elderly Korean-Chinese population in China.

[Retrospective analysis of influence of differential protein intake on renal prognosis for progressive chronic kidney disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore retrospectively the influence of differential protein intake on renal prognosis for progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: A total of 159 chronic kidney disease patients at stages 2, 3 and 4 were enrolled and a questionnaire survey was conducted from January 2009 to July 2012. They were followed monthly and their clinical data collected, including primary disease, blood pressure, body mass index and adverse events. Laboratory tests were performed every 3 months, including biochemical parameters, protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), diet reviews and daily protein intake (DPI). A simplified MDRD formula was employed to evaluate the level of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). According to the level of DPI, they were divided into 3 groups of very low protein diet (VLPD): DPI ≤ 0.6 g · kg(-1) · d(-1), low-protein diet (LPD): DPI >0.6-<0.8 g · kg(-1) · d(-1) and normal-protein diet (NPD): DPI ≥ 0.8 · g · kg(-1) · d(-1). RESULTS: Among them, 4 cases (2.50%) progressed to uremia stage and received renal replacement therapy, 2(1.25%) experienced rapid decline in renal function, 9(5.66%) were hospitalized from cardio-cerebral diseases and the 2-year kidney survival rate was 97.5%. At the end of study, among 9 patients of PEM, 2 subjects had a serum level of albumin under 32 g/L and another 7 with a BMI<20 kg/m(2). No significant difference existed in PEM among different stages of CKD. There was no significant correlation between DPI and Δ GFR (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Within a certain range, differential protein intake may not significantly affect the prognosis of kidney for progressive CKD patients.

Structural model of factors influencing smoking behavior among Korean-Chinese adolescent boys.

AIM: The aim of this study is to develop and test structural equation model to explore factors influencing smoking behavior among Korean-Chinese adolescent boys. METHODS: Participants were recruited from six middle schools in China (N=768). Self-administered questionnaire included: (1) demographic information, (2) smoking behavior, and (3) individual factor (i.e., life satisfaction, future orientedness, stress), familial factor (i.e., relationship with parents, family life, socioeconomic status), environmental factor (i.e., father's smoking, friends' smoking, anti-smoking environment), and Intention Refusal Self-efficacy. AMOS analyses were used to evaluate the proposed model. RESULTS: The model was a good fit for the data. Intention Refusal Self-efficacy significantly influenced smoking behavior. The model explained 52% of the variance in smoking behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking behavior is significantly related with factors of intention to smoke, refusal skill, self-efficacy, friends' and father's smoking, and anti-smoking environment. Targeting these issues might be useful when developing strategies for smoking prevention programs.

Preservation of residual renal function by not removing water in new hemodialysis patients: a randomized, controlled study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of no water removal (NWR) on preservation of residual renal function (RRF) in new hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: Fifty-six patients with a daily urine volume ≥ 1,000 mL were included. Patients were randomized to different fluid management groups of NWR or water removal (WR) for 6 months. If predialysis BP was >150/90 mmHg, patients could take antihypertensive drugs. The primary endpoints included death, cardio-cerebral vascular disease, refractory hypertension, and edema or an auxiliary examination indicating obvious fluid retention. The secondary endpoint was oliguria. A daily urine volume, 24-h urine creatinine clearance, the defined daily dose (DDD) index of antihypertensive drugs, erythropoietin resistance index, cardiothoracic ratio, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were recorded. RESULTS: Eight patients in the NWR group reached the primary endpoints. Nine patients in the WR group reached the secondary endpoint. At the end of the study, patients in the NWR group had more increased systemic blood pressure (9.0 ± 8.3 vs. -2.4 ± 2.0 mmHg, p < 0.001), DDD index (1.2 ± 1.02 vs. -0.9 ± 0.51, p < 0.001), daily urine volume (164 ± 351 vs. -726 ± 342 mL, p < 0.001), cardiothoracic ratio (0.02 ± 0.04 vs. -0.03 ± 0.03, p < 0.001), LVMI (9.6 ± 17.0 vs. -12.0 ± 21.4 g/m(2), p < 0.001), and less decreased urine creatinine clearance (-1.0 ± 0.4 vs. -2.0 ± 1.0, p < 0.001), compared with those patients in the WR group. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of RRF by NWR is warranted in new HD patients, but is not appropriate for all patients.

Effect of long intermittent hemodialysis on improving dialysis adequacy of maintenance hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: With the increase in hemodialysis (HD) patients, the blood dialysis patient's quality of life (QoL) and long-term survival are still a challenge for clinicians. Recent studies have found that most of the HD patients have sleep disorders, which have a certain correlation with long-term survival and QoL. But there are few studies of Chinese in this field. This study aimed to investigate whether increasing the dialysis dose can improve sleep quality, so we treated HD patients on long intermittent hemodialysis (LIHD). METHODS: Forty patients who were treated by conventional HD at the Beijing Friendship Hospital Blood Purification Center were offered the option of LIHD. The patients' laboratory data, medication use, and questionnaire answers were analyzed. Conventional HD was delivered thrice weekly with 4 hours per treatment, and LIHD was delivered thrice weekly with 8 hours per treatment. The study lasted 6 months. Questionnaires included sleep quality survey and QoL SF-36; the former includes the Athens Insomnia Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). RESULTS: After conversion to LIHD the dialysis efficiency (Kt/V) significantly increased than before (P < 0.05) and clearance rate of urea nitrogen also increased from 67 to 78% (P < 0.01). After conversion, median values for Hb increased from 108.95 to 126.55 g/L (P < 0.01); albumin increased from 38.85 to 40.05 g/L (P < 0.01). Phosphorus decreased from 2.69 to 1.54 mmol/L (P < 0.01), but there was no alteration in blood calcium; phosphorus and calcium-phosphate product levels were under more control, but parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level did not change after conversion to LIHD. After conversion, blood pressure (BP) was better controlled than before and the mean number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed declined from 2.9 to 0.5 (P < 0.01). There was a significant reduction in the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agent of 5250 U/w (P < 0.01). Sleep quality significantly improved in the 2 months after conversion to LIHD, and the PSQI score decreased from 10.80 to 5.45 and the ESS score decreased from 12.05 to 5.30 (P < 0.01). However, sleep quality started to decline after 2 months on LIHD. QoL SF-36 score increased from 410.92 to 592.53 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: LIHD offers an effective improvement in dialysis adequacy for Chinese maintenance HD patients, but it improves sleep quality only briefly which may be related to loss of serum calcium and parathyroid dysfunction.

Smoking in korean-chinese middle school students: prevalence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is rising among Chinese adolescents, and adolescent smoking is a crucial public health issue. Despite the number of studies that have explored the prevalence and various aspects of adolescent smoking in China, we know of no data currently available on smoking behavior among Korean-Chinese adolescents. PURPOSE: This article studies the prevalence of smoking and factors affecting smoking behavior among Korean-Chinese adolescents. METHODS: Data were collected from six Korean-Chinese middle schools in the Yanbian region of Jilin, China. The differences in data from three groups (never-smokers, ever-smokers, and current smokers) were analyzed using χ2 tests and analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting smoking behavior. RESULTS: Among the 2,116 participants, 7.3% of the boys and 3.7% of the girls were ever-smokers, and 7.2% of the boys and 0.8% of the girls were current smokers. Differences among groups in terms of gender, number of friends currently smoking, parental smoking behavior, academic performance, alcohol consumption, and intention not to smoke were all significant (p < .001, .05). Compared with never-smoking and ever-smoking students, currently smoking students perceived a significantly less antismoking environment (p = .000). The smoking rate was 2.24 times higher in boys than girls and was 11.57 times higher in students who had three smoking friends compared with those who had no smoking friends. CONCLUSION: The findings may help develop more effective intervention approaches to prevent adolescent smoking. Preventive programs should involve smoking parents by increasing the value they place on their children's nonsmoking behavior and equipping them to help deter adolescent smoking.

Improvement and influencing factors of blood pressure control by nephrologist referral in chronic kidney disease patients in China: a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Hypertension is an independent risk factor for mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and is suboptimally controlled worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the rate of BP control and the main barriers to achieving target BP, according to K/DOQI guidelines, in China. METHODS: We performed a single-center, prospective cohort study. Two hundred and sixty CKD patients were referred by general physicians to nephrologists, and their BP was treated in accordance with K/DOQI guidelines for a 1-year follow-up. We evaluated improvement of BP target achievement and factors affecting BP control. We defined "not-at-goal" as persistence of systolic BP ≥ 130 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 80 mmHg after 1 year. RESULTS: The BP decreased from 138 ± 12/84 ± 7 mmHg at baseline to 124 ± 13/73 ± 7 mmHg after 1 year. The rate of achieving the BP goal (<130/80 mmHg) increased from 25.4 to 61.5 %. The decrease in BP was associated with a significant reduction of proteinuria (median, 0.14 vs 0.06 g/24 h; P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified proteinuria levels ≥1.0 g/24 h (odds ratio [OR]: 5.21; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.37-19.77) and high basal systolic BP (OR: 2.17; 95 % CI: 1.25-3.77) and diastolic BP (OR: 6.62; 95 % CI: 2.03-21.60) as independent predictors of not-at-goal BP. Higher educational level was independently associated with at-goal BP (OR: 0.21; 95 % CI: 0.06-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: In CKD patients, BP control is poor when managed by general physicians and may be improved after nephrologist referral. High basal BP and proteinuria levels ≥1.0 g/24 h are the main barriers that preclude the optimal control of BP.

Left ventricular mass index and aortic arch calcification score are independent mortality predictors of maintenance hemodialysis patients.

To analyze predictive factors for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, nonfatal CV events (CVE) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to compare the effects of standard hemodialysis (HD) and online hemodiafiltration (HDF) on these factors and outcomes. A total of 333 MHD patients were prospectively followed up for 50 ± 15 months and all-cause death, CV death and CVE were registered. At the baseline, demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the whole population were recorded. Then, patients were stratified into two groups according to the dialysis modalities, HD (n = 268) and HDF (n = 65). At the end of 6th month, clinical and laboratory data were recorded again. The predictive factors at baseline for all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE were analyzed by Cox regression. The effects of HD and HDF on these factors at the 6th month and long-term outcomes were compared by t-test and Kaplan-Meier method, respectively. Age, gender, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), aortic arch calcification score (AoACS), hemoglobin (Hb) <10 g/dL, and ferritin >500 ng/mL maintained independent associations with all-cause mortality. C-reactive protein (CRP), LVMI, AoACS, and Hb <10 g/dL were associated with CV mortality. Prior cardiovascular disease (CVD), AoACS and LVMI were independent predictors of nonfatal CVE. Higher body mass index (BMI), body weight, total serum cholesterol, Hb concentration, and lower CRP level, LVMI, and AoACS were found in patients on HDF at the end of the 6th month. Improved outcomes with longer survival time for all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE were found in HDF group. Age, gender, LVMI, AoACS, Hb, and ferritin were predictors of all-cause mortality in MHD patients. CRP, LVMI, AoACS, and Hb were associated with CV mortality. Prior CVD, AoACS, and LVMI were independent predictors of nonfatal CVE. HDF could improve BMI, body weight, total serum cholesterol, Hb, CRP, LVMI, AoACS, and long-term outcomes, including all-cause mortality, CV mortality, and CVE.

Serum uric acid and chronic kidney disease: the Severance cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Both serum uric acid (SUA) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease; however, it is unclear whether SUA independently increases the risk of CKD based on longitudinal data. METHODS: To investigate the relationship between SUA levels and CKD development, we initiated a 10.2-year prospective cohort study. Data from 14 939 Koreans, 20-84 years of age, who completed a questionnaire and medical examination at the Severance Health Promotion Center were evaluated. The outcome of interest, CKD, was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of <60 mL/min/1.73m(2) via the simplified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. RESULTS: A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, controlling for age, life style and other cardiovascular risk factors, showed an increased risk of developing CKD for men [hazard ratio (HR) 2.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6-2.9] and women (HR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0-1.8) in the highest quartiles of SUA compared to their counterparts in the lowest quartiles. The relationship between SUA and CKD was linear and stepwise in men. The HRs for renal function Grade 2 (75-89.9 mL/min/1.73m(2)), Grade 3 (60-74.9 mL/min/1.73m(2)) and Grade 4 (<60 mL/min/1.73m(2)) increased with an increase in SUA quartiles as compared to the baseline GFR group (Grade 1, ≥90 mL/min/1.73m(2)). CONCLUSIONS: Higher SUA levels increased the risk of CKD, suggesting that at least part of the reported association between SUA and cardiovascular disease may be connected to CKD.

Association of the leptin to high-molecular-weight adiponectin ratio with metabolic syndrome.

Recent studies have reported that leptin and adiponectin are associated with metabolic syndrome. The leptin/adiponectin ratio has been suggested as an atherosclerotic index. The objective of this study was to compare the degree of association of metabolic syndrome with adiponectin levels, leptin levels, leptin/adiponectin ratio, and leptin/high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin ratio. The study population included 3272 Koreans (men: 1915, women: 1357; age, 30-84 years), who had visited the Health Examination Center. Adipokines were divided into quartiles, and metabolic syndrome was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP ATP III). A logistic regression model was fitted to establish the association between adipokines and metabolic syndrome. Adipokines, such as adiponectin, HMW adiponectin, and leptin, were found to be statistically related to metabolic syndrome. Compared to the lowest quartile, the leptin/HMW adiponectin ratio in the highest quartile was associated with a 5-fold increase in the probability of prevalent metabolic syndrome, which was independent of age, smoking status, exercise, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and body mass index. There was a linear increase in the leptin/HMW adiponectin ratio as the number of metabolic syndrome components increased. The leptin/HMW adiponectin ratio had the highest odds ratio in women. In addition, compared to adiponectin or leptin alone, the AUC of the leptin/adiponectin ratio and leptin/HMW adiponectin ratio was higher for metabolic syndrome. We may suggest that the leptin/HMW adiponectin ratio is not superior to other adipokine markers, but is as effective as the leptin/total adiponectin ratio.

Differences in bio-incompatibility among four biocompatible dialyzer membranes using in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Following the introduction of modified cellulosic and then synthetic membrane dialyzers, it was realized that the dialyzer bio-incompatibility depends on the membrane composition. We designed a prospective, randomized, cohort study of 6 months to determine several parameters of biocompatibility in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients treated with four different membrane dialyzers. METHODS: There were 60 MHD patients enrolled in the study. In baseline, synthetic low-flux dialyzer, polysulfone (PS) membrane was used in all patients for at least 3 months. Then the patients were randomly divided into three groups according to different dialyzer membranes. Synthetic high-flux dialyzer group, polyethersulfone membrane, cellulose triacetate (CTA) high-flux membrane, and synthetic low-flux dialyzer, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membrane were used in 6 months. A new dialyzer was used for each study treatment, and there was no dialyzer reuse. The biocompatibility markers and solutes removal markers were detected repeatedly at different time points. RESULTS: The blood levels of highly sensitive C reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and interleukin (IL)-13 showed no difference among different groups at al time points. However, the blood complement levels and white blood cell counts were significantly different among three groups. When the dialyzers changed from PS to PMMA membrane, C3a levels and white blood cell counts changed significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, the changes of C5a levels were significantly different between group CTA and group PMMA in month 3 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were much more differences on bio-incompatibility among different dialyzer membranes.

Prevalence and risk factors of adolescents smoking: difference between korean and korean-chinese.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare smoking prevalence and risk factors of smoking between Korean and Korean-Chinese middle school students. METHODS: Data was collected from seventh and eighth grade students from 12 schools in Korea and 6 schools in China. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and t test were performed. RESULTS: For data analysis 10,002 usable surveys were utilized. The smoking prevalence was higher in Korean-Chinese students than in Korean students. Risk factors, such as father smoking, friends smoking, gender, grade, academic achievement, alcohol use, and family income were associated with current smoking, and the differences in the two samples were significant. Korean-Chinese students were more likely than Korean students to have friends who smoked and a father who smoked. Smokers had a significantly higher rate of friends smoking, father smoking, and alcohol use. Korean-Chinese male students smoking prevalence was more than three times higher than Korean students. Korean students could sense a more anti-tobacco atmosphere in their environment. Korean-Chinese students were more likely than Korean students to perceive that it was easy to buy cigarettes and to smoke cigarettes in a public computer room. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the differences of smoking prevalence and risk factors between Korean-Chinese students and Korean students. The findings may help health educators and researchers to better understand adolescent smoking and risk factors cross culturally and aid in the development of more effective education programs, which could lead to preventing tobacco use among these populations.

Characterization of a small molecule inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that reducing the level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) through the use of anti-TNF antibodies or soluble TNF receptor is a safe and efficacious treatment to inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, novel approaches to achieve this outcome are desired. The aim of this study was to investigate the characterization of a small molecule inhibitor, Y316, which blocks TNF mRNA upregulation and TNF production by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulated monocytes. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy volunteers were plated in 24-well plates and stimulated with LPS (1 µg/ml), phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 ng/ml), zymosan (10 µg/ml) and Tsst (100 ng/ml). Supernatants were collected after 4-hour culture at 37°C, and quantitative determination of TNFα, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-2 production in the supernatants was performed by colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Total RNA of PBMC was isolated and cytokine mRNA quantitation was performed by using a RNA level measuring kit (R & D Systems). PBMC were pretreated with Y316 (10 µmol/L, 1 µmol/L, 0.1 µmol/L, 0.01 µol/L and 0.001 µmol/L) or dimethyl sulfoxide at 37°C for 10 minutes, and then stimulated with LPS or PMA, protein concentrations of p44.42, IKBα, P38 and Jun NH2-terminal kinase were determined by Western blotting. Cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) of PBMC was measured by enzyme immunoassay kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). RESULTS: Y316 blocked TNF production and inhibited the upregulation of TNF mRNA levels in response to LPS, and also prevented the production of IL-1 and IL-6. In contrast, Y316 augmented the production of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated monocytes. Y316 failed to prevent the production of IL-2 and TNF in antigen-stimulated T cells, suggesting that its effects may be cell-type specific. Y316 prevented the phosphorylation and activation of the MAPK, ERK, and therefore appeared to mediate its effects on TNF by acting at an early point in the signaling cascade induced in response to LPS. There was no effect of Y316 on cAMP levels either alone or in the presence of LPS. CONCLUSIONS: Y316 appears to be a small molecule inhibiting TNF production, which may act via a novel mechanism. Identification of the target of Y316 may lead to the development of alternative strategies for achieving selective cytokine inhibition.