This paper gives several fundamental theorems for the stability, uniform stability, asymptotic stability and uniform asymptotic stability. Those theorems allow the derivative of Lyapunov functions to be positive on ce...This paper gives several fundamental theorems for the stability, uniform stability, asymptotic stability and uniform asymptotic stability. Those theorems allow the derivative of Lyapunov functions to be positive on certain sets,relax the restriction about the rate of change of state variable in a system to be bounded in Marachkov's theorem and extend the related results in [4—7].展开更多
Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conv...Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conventional treatments and for patients with steroid dependent disease.The reduction in hospitalization and surgical intervention for patients affected by ulcerative colitis after the introduction of biologic treatment remains to be proven.Furthermore,these agents seem to be associated with increase in cost of treatment and risk for serious postoperative complications.Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice in ulcerative colitis patients.Surgery is traditionally recommended as salvage therapy when medical management fails,and,despite advances in medical therapy,colectomy rates remain unchanged between 20% and 30%.To overcome the reported increase in postoperative complications in patients on biologic therapies,several surgical strategies have been developed to maintain long-term pouch failure rate around 10%,as previously reported.Surgical staging along with the development of minimally invasive surgery are among the most promising advances in this field.展开更多
Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN)complicated with depression based on network pharmacology.Methods The components of Dihuang(Rehmanni...Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN)complicated with depression based on network pharmacology.Methods The components of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)were identified from the Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCMIP),Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),and relevant literature.The component targets were detected by combining the SwissTargetPrediction and Pub Chem databases.Disease targets were collected from the Therapeutic Target Database(TTD),Dis Ge NET,and Ensembl databases with“diabetic nephropathy”and“depression”as keywords.The disease-component targets were mapped using Venny 2.1.0 to obtain potential targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins(STRING)database and Cytoscape 3.7.2.The co-expression genes of the key targets were collected based on the COXPRESdb 7.3.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were performed for potential targets using R language.Target-component docking was verified and evaluated using Discovery Studio 4.5.Results According to the databases and literature reports,Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)contained 65 active components,and had 155 related targets for the treatment of DN complicated with depression.PPI screening showed that the key targets included serine/threonine protein kinase 1(AKT1),signal transducer and activator transcription 3(STAT3),interleukin 6(IL-6),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),etc.GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes,such as lipid metabolism,protein secretion regulation,cell homeostasis,and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase activity.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis included the role of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complements,insulin resistance(IR),neurotrophin signal path,Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,relaxin signaling pathway,epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs),etc.Molecular docking showed that the target had high affinity for stachyose,manninotriose,verbascose,nigerose,etc.Conclusion Based on network parmacology,this study preliminarily predict the effects of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)in treating DN complicated with depression by regulating inflammation,glucose metabolism,nution nerve,etc.展开更多
AIM: To examine the allegations in malpractice litigations related to gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases tried in the civil court system during the 21-year period from 1985 t...AIM: To examine the allegations in malpractice litigations related to gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases tried in the civil court system during the 21-year period from 1985 to 2005, identified in a computerized legal database, was undertaken. RESULTS: Eighteen malpractice litigations and a total of 30 allegations were identified. Of the 18 (44%) malpractice litigations, 8 (44%) were related to eso- phagogastroduodenoscopy, 4 (22%) to colonoscopy, 4 (22%) to endoscopic sphincterotomy, and 2 (11%) to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Seventeen (94%) cases pertained to complications, and the remaining (6%) case pertained to misdiagnosis. In 10 cases, the patient died of the complications. Allegations were categorized as: (1) performance error during the endoscopic procedure (n = 12, 40%); (2) lack of informed consent (n = 9, 30%); (3) performance error during the treatment after the endoscopic procedure (n = 4, 13%); (4) premedication error (n = 3, 10%); (5) diagnostic error (n = 1, 3%); and (6) indication error for the endoscopic procedure (n = 1, 3%). CONCLUSION: These data may aid in the design of risk prevention strategies to be used by gastrointestinal endoscopists.展开更多
AIM: To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed...AIM: To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: In total, 173 patients with HCV genotype 2 started to receive interferon-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week and 600-800 mg of ribavirin daily for 24 wk. RESULTS: The overall sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, 24 wk after the end of treatment, was remarkably high by 84.4%, (146/173) by an intention-to-treat analysis. A significant difference in SVR was found between patients with and without the discontinuation of ribavirin (46.9% vs 92.9 %), but no difference was found between those with and without a dose reduction of ribavirin. A significant difference in SVR was also found between patients with less than 16 wk and patients with 16 or more weeks of ribavirin treatment (34.8 % vs 92.0 %). CONCLUSION: The 24-wk interferon and ribavirin treatment is highly effective for Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2. The significant predictor of SVR is continuation of the ribavirin treatment for up to 16展开更多
AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine...AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine treatment of Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: The data of 61 consecutive Japanese pa- tients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent continu- ous lamivudine treatment for more than 24 mo and had a virological response were analyzed. Analysis of YMDD mutants was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction with LightCycler probe hybridization assay for up to 90 mo (mean, 50.8 too; range, 24-90 too).RESULTS: A mixed mutant-type (YMDD + tyrosine-iso- leucine-asparatate-asparatate: YIDD or tyrosine-valineasparatate-asparatate: YVDD) or a mutant-type (YIDD or YVDD) were found in 57.4% of 61 patients at i year, 78.7% of 61 patients at 2 years, 79.6% of 49 patients at 3 years, 70.5% of 34 patients at 4 years, 68.4% of 19 patients at 5 years, 57.1% of 14 patients at 6 years, and 33.3% of 6 patients at 7 years. Of the 61 patients, 56 (92%) had mixed mutant- or a mutant-type. Only 5 (8%) had no mutants at each observation point. Vi- rological breakthrough was found in 26 (46.4%) of 56 patients with YMDD mutants, 20 of whom had a hepa- titis flare-up: the remaining 30 (53.6%) had neither a virological breakthrough nor a flare-up. All 20 patients who developed a hepatitis flare-up had a biochemical and virological response after adefovir was added to the lamivudine treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is possible to continue lamivudine treatment, even after the emergence of YMDD mutants, up to the time that the patients develop a hepatitis flare-up.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of endoluminal gastroplication (ELGP) in pa- tients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant, non- erosive reflux disease (NERD). METHODS: The su...AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of endoluminal gastroplication (ELGP) in pa- tients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant, non- erosive reflux disease (NERD). METHODS: The subjects were NERD patients, diag- nosed by upper endoscopy before PPI use, who had symptoms such as heartburn or reflux sensations two or more times a week even after 8 wk of full-dose PPI treatment. Prior to ELGP, while continuing full-dose PPImedication, patients' symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were assessed using the questionnaire for the diagno- sis of reflux disease, the frequency scale for symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (FSSG), gastroin- testinal symptoms rating scale, a 36-item short-form. In addition, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring or 24-h in- traesophageal pH/impedance (MII-pH) monitoring was performed. The Bard EndoCinchTM was used for ELGP, and 2 or 3 plications were made. After ELGP, all acid reducers were temporarily discontinued, and medica- tion was resumed depending on the development and severity of symptoms. Three mo after ELGP, symptoms, QOL, pH or MII-pH monitoring, number of plications, and PPI medication were evaluated. Further, symptoms, number of plications, and PPI medication were evalu- ated 12 mo after ELGP to investigate long-term effects. RESULTS: The mean FSSG score decreased signifi- cantly from before ELGP to 3 and 12 mo after ELGP (19.1 :k 10.5 to 10.3 + 7.4 and 9.3 + 9.9, P 〈 0.05, respectively). The total number of plications decreased gradually at 3 and 12 mo after ELGP (2.4 + 0.8 to 1.2 :l: 0.8 and 0.8 :l: 1.0, P 〈 0.05, respectively). The FSSG scores in cases with no remaining plications and in cases with one or more remaining plications were 4.4 and 2.7, respectively, after 3 too, and 2.0 and 2.8, respectively, after 12 mo, showing no correlation to plication loss. On pH monitoring, there was no differ- ence in the percent time pH 〈 4 from before ELGP to 3 mo after. Impedance monitoring revealed no changes in the number of reflux episodes or the symptom index for reflux events from before ELGP to 3 mo after, but the symptom sensitivity index decreased significantly 3 mo after ELGP (16.1:1:12.9 to 3.9 ~ 8.3, P 〈 0.01). At 3 mo after ELGP, 6 patients (31.6%) had reduced their PPI medication by 50% or more, and 11 patients (57.9%) were able to discontinue PPI medication alto- gether. After 12 mo, 3 patients (16.7%) were able toreduce the amount of PPI medication by 50% or more, and 22 patients (66.7%) were able to discontinue PPI medication altogether. A high percentage of cases with remaining plications had discontinued PPIs medication after 3 mo, but there was no difference after 12 mo. No serious complications were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: ELGP was safe, resulted in significant improvement in subjective symptoms, and allowed less medication to be used over the long term in patients with PPI-refractory NERD.展开更多
We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problem...We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problems of genuine biological autonomy: (1) if biological autonomy is not physical, where does it come from? (2) Is there a room for biological causes? And (3) how to obtain a workable model of biological teleology? It is shown here that the solution of all these three problems is related to the quantum vacuum. We present a short review of how this basic aspect of the fundamentals of quantum theory, although it had not been addressed for nearly 100 years, actually it was suggested by Bohr, Heisenberg, and others. Realizing that the quantum mechanical measurement problem associated with the "collapse" of the wave function is related, in the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to a process between self-consciousness and the external physical environment, we are extending the issue for an explanation of the different processes occurring between living organisms and their internal environment. Definitions of genuine biological autonomy, biological aim, and biological spontaneity are presented. We propose to improve the popular two-stage model of decisions with a biological model suitable to obtain a deeper look at the nature of the mind-body problem. In the newly emerging picture biological autonomy emerges as a new, fundamental and inevitable element of the scientific worldview.展开更多
This paper presents a new record of Lasioseius Berlese in China, Lasioseius japonicas Ehara, with descriptions of the female. Specimens of L. japonicus were collected from the laboratory culture of Athetis lepigone Mo...This paper presents a new record of Lasioseius Berlese in China, Lasioseius japonicas Ehara, with descriptions of the female. Specimens of L. japonicus were collected from the laboratory culture of Athetis lepigone Moschler (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Shandong Agricultural University and deposited in the Laboratory of Systematic and Applied Acarology, Shandong Agricultural University (SDAU). L. japonicus has shown promise of being a biological control agent of Bradysia odoriphaga in laborat ory observations. A key to the females of Lasioseius species from China is provided.展开更多
AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hep...AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hepatocellular cancer(HCC) prevention in patients with CHB is more cost-effective than current standard care,or HCC screening.Based upon this model,we developed the B positive program to optimize CHB management of Australians born in countries of high CHB prevalence.We estimated CHB program costs using the B positive program algorithm and compared them to estimated costs of using the CHB treatment guidelines published by the AsianPacific,American and European Associations for the Study of Liver Disease(APASL,AASLD,EASL) and those suggested by an independent United States hepatology panel.We used a Markov model that factored in the costs of CHB screening and treatment,individualized by viral load and alanine aminotransferase levels,and calculated the relative costs of program components.Costs were discounted by 5% and calculated in Australian dollars(AUD).RESULTS:Using the B positive algorithm,total program costs amount to 13 979 224 AUD,or 9634 AUD per patient.The least costly strategy is based upon using the AASLD guidelines,which would cost 34% less than our B positive algorithm.Using the EASL and the United States Expert Group guidelines would increase program costs by 46%.The largest expenditure relates to the cost of drug treatment(66.9% of total program costs).The contribution of CHB surveillance(20.2%) and HCC screening and surveillance(6.6%) is small-and together they represent only approximately a quarter of the total program costs.CONCLUSION:The significant cost variations in CHB screening and treatment using different guidelines are relevant for clinicians and policy makers involved in designing population-based disease control programs.展开更多
A synopsis of political welfare concepts, which are currently discussed under labels such as "green growth", "zero growth" and "degrowth", has identified fundamental shortcomings concerning the informational bas...A synopsis of political welfare concepts, which are currently discussed under labels such as "green growth", "zero growth" and "degrowth", has identified fundamental shortcomings concerning the informational bases of the complex links between ecological, social and economic systems, which were taken into account in the creation of the concept. In the development of a concept for political action, a rationally acting environmental policy cannot neglect reflecting on which economic, ecological and social contexts have to be taken into account and on which normative statements its decisions should be grounded. The proposed sustainable welfare model consists of a positive impact and a normative decision model. The positive model provides a description of the "world" with which the effects of the various options for action on the environmental, social and the economic systems can be assessed. The normative model is a tool for selecting and assessing the options for action in pursuing the desired goal of sustainable welfare development. Principally the key environmental goals are prearranged to socio-economic goals. The model at hand provides the reference points for the development of a sustainable welfare concept, which can be used as a political action plan in the context of environmental policy.展开更多
Three data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to analyse the relative efficiencies of four AIDS treatments in AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Study 193A(1 309 patients in total, classified into 4 age groups)...Three data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to analyse the relative efficiencies of four AIDS treatments in AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Study 193A(1 309 patients in total, classified into 4 age groups). Results from the output-oriented BCC model show that Treatment 4 ( 600 mg of zidovudine plus 400 mg of didanosine plus 400 mg of nevirapine) is particularly efficient for age group 14—25, but not efficient for the older age groups; Treatment 1 (600 mg of zidovudine alternating monthly with 400 mg of didanosine)and Treatment 2 (600 mg of zidovudine plus 2.25 mg of zalcitabine) are efficient for the age groups 35—45 and 45— ; age group 25—35 does not have a particularly efficient treatment, but Treatments 1 and 2 are relatively good. The cost efficiency BCC model, which takes the treatment cost into account, gives similar results as the output-oriented model. Results from the indirect output-oriented BCC model, which allows the replacement among medicines, show that the efficiency of Treatment 2 has greatly decreased compared with that of the output-oriented model, and a set of optimal medicine amounts for different age groups is obtained.展开更多
文摘This paper gives several fundamental theorems for the stability, uniform stability, asymptotic stability and uniform asymptotic stability. Those theorems allow the derivative of Lyapunov functions to be positive on certain sets,relax the restriction about the rate of change of state variable in a system to be bounded in Marachkov's theorem and extend the related results in [4—7].
文摘Recently introduced in the treatment algorithms and guidelines for the treatment of ulcerative colitis,biological therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with an acute severe flare not responsive to conventional treatments and for patients with steroid dependent disease.The reduction in hospitalization and surgical intervention for patients affected by ulcerative colitis after the introduction of biologic treatment remains to be proven.Furthermore,these agents seem to be associated with increase in cost of treatment and risk for serious postoperative complications.Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the surgical treatment of choice in ulcerative colitis patients.Surgery is traditionally recommended as salvage therapy when medical management fails,and,despite advances in medical therapy,colectomy rates remain unchanged between 20% and 30%.To overcome the reported increase in postoperative complications in patients on biologic therapies,several surgical strategies have been developed to maintain long-term pouch failure rate around 10%,as previously reported.Surgical staging along with the development of minimally invasive surgery are among the most promising advances in this field.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(81960714)Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine Graduate Innovation Project(JZYC21S52)。
文摘Objective To predict the molecular mechanism of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy(DN)complicated with depression based on network pharmacology.Methods The components of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)were identified from the Integrated Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCMIP),Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP),and relevant literature.The component targets were detected by combining the SwissTargetPrediction and Pub Chem databases.Disease targets were collected from the Therapeutic Target Database(TTD),Dis Ge NET,and Ensembl databases with“diabetic nephropathy”and“depression”as keywords.The disease-component targets were mapped using Venny 2.1.0 to obtain potential targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins(STRING)database and Cytoscape 3.7.2.The co-expression genes of the key targets were collected based on the COXPRESdb 7.3.Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were performed for potential targets using R language.Target-component docking was verified and evaluated using Discovery Studio 4.5.Results According to the databases and literature reports,Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)contained 65 active components,and had 155 related targets for the treatment of DN complicated with depression.PPI screening showed that the key targets included serine/threonine protein kinase 1(AKT1),signal transducer and activator transcription 3(STAT3),interleukin 6(IL-6),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA),etc.GO enrichment analysis mainly involved biological processes,such as lipid metabolism,protein secretion regulation,cell homeostasis,and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase activity.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis included the role of the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complements,insulin resistance(IR),neurotrophin signal path,Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,relaxin signaling pathway,epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs),etc.Molecular docking showed that the target had high affinity for stachyose,manninotriose,verbascose,nigerose,etc.Conclusion Based on network parmacology,this study preliminarily predict the effects of Dihuang(Rehmanniae Radix)in treating DN complicated with depression by regulating inflammation,glucose metabolism,nution nerve,etc.
文摘AIM: To examine the allegations in malpractice litigations related to gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan. METHODS: A retrospective review of cases tried in the civil court system during the 21-year period from 1985 to 2005, identified in a computerized legal database, was undertaken. RESULTS: Eighteen malpractice litigations and a total of 30 allegations were identified. Of the 18 (44%) malpractice litigations, 8 (44%) were related to eso- phagogastroduodenoscopy, 4 (22%) to colonoscopy, 4 (22%) to endoscopic sphincterotomy, and 2 (11%) to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Seventeen (94%) cases pertained to complications, and the remaining (6%) case pertained to misdiagnosis. In 10 cases, the patient died of the complications. Allegations were categorized as: (1) performance error during the endoscopic procedure (n = 12, 40%); (2) lack of informed consent (n = 9, 30%); (3) performance error during the treatment after the endoscopic procedure (n = 4, 13%); (4) premedication error (n = 3, 10%); (5) diagnostic error (n = 1, 3%); and (6) indication error for the endoscopic procedure (n = 1, 3%). CONCLUSION: These data may aid in the design of risk prevention strategies to be used by gastrointestinal endoscopists.
文摘AIM: To determine the efficacy of an interferon alpha and ribavirin combination treatment for Japanese patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of genotype 2, a multi-center study was retrospectively analyzed. METHODS: In total, 173 patients with HCV genotype 2 started to receive interferon-alpha subcutaneously thrice a week and 600-800 mg of ribavirin daily for 24 wk. RESULTS: The overall sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA in serum, 24 wk after the end of treatment, was remarkably high by 84.4%, (146/173) by an intention-to-treat analysis. A significant difference in SVR was found between patients with and without the discontinuation of ribavirin (46.9% vs 92.9 %), but no difference was found between those with and without a dose reduction of ribavirin. A significant difference in SVR was also found between patients with less than 16 wk and patients with 16 or more weeks of ribavirin treatment (34.8 % vs 92.0 %). CONCLUSION: The 24-wk interferon and ribavirin treatment is highly effective for Japanese patients with HCV genotype 2. The significant predictor of SVR is continuation of the ribavirin treatment for up to 16
文摘AIM: To analyze the association between the emergence of tyrosine-methionine-asparatate-asparatate (YMDD) mutants (reverse transcription; rtM204I/V) and deterioration of liver function during long-term lamivudine treatment of Japanese patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: The data of 61 consecutive Japanese pa- tients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent continu- ous lamivudine treatment for more than 24 mo and had a virological response were analyzed. Analysis of YMDD mutants was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction with LightCycler probe hybridization assay for up to 90 mo (mean, 50.8 too; range, 24-90 too).RESULTS: A mixed mutant-type (YMDD + tyrosine-iso- leucine-asparatate-asparatate: YIDD or tyrosine-valineasparatate-asparatate: YVDD) or a mutant-type (YIDD or YVDD) were found in 57.4% of 61 patients at i year, 78.7% of 61 patients at 2 years, 79.6% of 49 patients at 3 years, 70.5% of 34 patients at 4 years, 68.4% of 19 patients at 5 years, 57.1% of 14 patients at 6 years, and 33.3% of 6 patients at 7 years. Of the 61 patients, 56 (92%) had mixed mutant- or a mutant-type. Only 5 (8%) had no mutants at each observation point. Vi- rological breakthrough was found in 26 (46.4%) of 56 patients with YMDD mutants, 20 of whom had a hepa- titis flare-up: the remaining 30 (53.6%) had neither a virological breakthrough nor a flare-up. All 20 patients who developed a hepatitis flare-up had a biochemical and virological response after adefovir was added to the lamivudine treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that it is possible to continue lamivudine treatment, even after the emergence of YMDD mutants, up to the time that the patients develop a hepatitis flare-up.
基金Supported by In Part by a Grant for Medical Research from Aichi Medical University School of Medicine
文摘AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of endoluminal gastroplication (ELGP) in pa- tients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-resistant, non- erosive reflux disease (NERD). METHODS: The subjects were NERD patients, diag- nosed by upper endoscopy before PPI use, who had symptoms such as heartburn or reflux sensations two or more times a week even after 8 wk of full-dose PPI treatment. Prior to ELGP, while continuing full-dose PPImedication, patients' symptoms and quality of life (QOL) were assessed using the questionnaire for the diagno- sis of reflux disease, the frequency scale for symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (FSSG), gastroin- testinal symptoms rating scale, a 36-item short-form. In addition, 24-h esophageal pH monitoring or 24-h in- traesophageal pH/impedance (MII-pH) monitoring was performed. The Bard EndoCinchTM was used for ELGP, and 2 or 3 plications were made. After ELGP, all acid reducers were temporarily discontinued, and medica- tion was resumed depending on the development and severity of symptoms. Three mo after ELGP, symptoms, QOL, pH or MII-pH monitoring, number of plications, and PPI medication were evaluated. Further, symptoms, number of plications, and PPI medication were evalu- ated 12 mo after ELGP to investigate long-term effects. RESULTS: The mean FSSG score decreased signifi- cantly from before ELGP to 3 and 12 mo after ELGP (19.1 :k 10.5 to 10.3 + 7.4 and 9.3 + 9.9, P 〈 0.05, respectively). The total number of plications decreased gradually at 3 and 12 mo after ELGP (2.4 + 0.8 to 1.2 :l: 0.8 and 0.8 :l: 1.0, P 〈 0.05, respectively). The FSSG scores in cases with no remaining plications and in cases with one or more remaining plications were 4.4 and 2.7, respectively, after 3 too, and 2.0 and 2.8, respectively, after 12 mo, showing no correlation to plication loss. On pH monitoring, there was no differ- ence in the percent time pH 〈 4 from before ELGP to 3 mo after. Impedance monitoring revealed no changes in the number of reflux episodes or the symptom index for reflux events from before ELGP to 3 mo after, but the symptom sensitivity index decreased significantly 3 mo after ELGP (16.1:1:12.9 to 3.9 ~ 8.3, P 〈 0.01). At 3 mo after ELGP, 6 patients (31.6%) had reduced their PPI medication by 50% or more, and 11 patients (57.9%) were able to discontinue PPI medication alto- gether. After 12 mo, 3 patients (16.7%) were able toreduce the amount of PPI medication by 50% or more, and 22 patients (66.7%) were able to discontinue PPI medication altogether. A high percentage of cases with remaining plications had discontinued PPIs medication after 3 mo, but there was no difference after 12 mo. No serious complications were observed in this study. CONCLUSION: ELGP was safe, resulted in significant improvement in subjective symptoms, and allowed less medication to be used over the long term in patients with PPI-refractory NERD.
文摘We argue that genuine biological autonomy, or described at human level as free will, requires taking into account quantum vacuum processes in the context of biological teleology. One faces at least three basic problems of genuine biological autonomy: (1) if biological autonomy is not physical, where does it come from? (2) Is there a room for biological causes? And (3) how to obtain a workable model of biological teleology? It is shown here that the solution of all these three problems is related to the quantum vacuum. We present a short review of how this basic aspect of the fundamentals of quantum theory, although it had not been addressed for nearly 100 years, actually it was suggested by Bohr, Heisenberg, and others. Realizing that the quantum mechanical measurement problem associated with the "collapse" of the wave function is related, in the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, to a process between self-consciousness and the external physical environment, we are extending the issue for an explanation of the different processes occurring between living organisms and their internal environment. Definitions of genuine biological autonomy, biological aim, and biological spontaneity are presented. We propose to improve the popular two-stage model of decisions with a biological model suitable to obtain a deeper look at the nature of the mind-body problem. In the newly emerging picture biological autonomy emerges as a new, fundamental and inevitable element of the scientific worldview.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation ofChina(31501847)the Science&Technology Basic Resources Investigation Program of China(2018FY10030002)the National Undergraduates’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program(201810434062)
文摘This paper presents a new record of Lasioseius Berlese in China, Lasioseius japonicas Ehara, with descriptions of the female. Specimens of L. japonicus were collected from the laboratory culture of Athetis lepigone Moschler (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Shandong Agricultural University and deposited in the Laboratory of Systematic and Applied Acarology, Shandong Agricultural University (SDAU). L. japonicus has shown promise of being a biological control agent of Bradysia odoriphaga in laborat ory observations. A key to the females of Lasioseius species from China is provided.
基金Supported by A Cancer Council NSW grant,to George Jthe Robert W Storr bequest to the Sydney Medical Foundationgrants from the NHMRC
文摘AIM:To compare program costs of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) screening and treatment using Australian and other published CHB treatment guidelines.METHODS:Economic modeling demonstrated that in Australia a strategy of hepatocellular cancer(HCC) prevention in patients with CHB is more cost-effective than current standard care,or HCC screening.Based upon this model,we developed the B positive program to optimize CHB management of Australians born in countries of high CHB prevalence.We estimated CHB program costs using the B positive program algorithm and compared them to estimated costs of using the CHB treatment guidelines published by the AsianPacific,American and European Associations for the Study of Liver Disease(APASL,AASLD,EASL) and those suggested by an independent United States hepatology panel.We used a Markov model that factored in the costs of CHB screening and treatment,individualized by viral load and alanine aminotransferase levels,and calculated the relative costs of program components.Costs were discounted by 5% and calculated in Australian dollars(AUD).RESULTS:Using the B positive algorithm,total program costs amount to 13 979 224 AUD,or 9634 AUD per patient.The least costly strategy is based upon using the AASLD guidelines,which would cost 34% less than our B positive algorithm.Using the EASL and the United States Expert Group guidelines would increase program costs by 46%.The largest expenditure relates to the cost of drug treatment(66.9% of total program costs).The contribution of CHB surveillance(20.2%) and HCC screening and surveillance(6.6%) is small-and together they represent only approximately a quarter of the total program costs.CONCLUSION:The significant cost variations in CHB screening and treatment using different guidelines are relevant for clinicians and policy makers involved in designing population-based disease control programs.
文摘A synopsis of political welfare concepts, which are currently discussed under labels such as "green growth", "zero growth" and "degrowth", has identified fundamental shortcomings concerning the informational bases of the complex links between ecological, social and economic systems, which were taken into account in the creation of the concept. In the development of a concept for political action, a rationally acting environmental policy cannot neglect reflecting on which economic, ecological and social contexts have to be taken into account and on which normative statements its decisions should be grounded. The proposed sustainable welfare model consists of a positive impact and a normative decision model. The positive model provides a description of the "world" with which the effects of the various options for action on the environmental, social and the economic systems can be assessed. The normative model is a tool for selecting and assessing the options for action in pursuing the desired goal of sustainable welfare development. Principally the key environmental goals are prearranged to socio-economic goals. The model at hand provides the reference points for the development of a sustainable welfare concept, which can be used as a political action plan in the context of environmental policy.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (No 10571134)
文摘Three data envelopment analysis (DEA) models were used to analyse the relative efficiencies of four AIDS treatments in AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) Study 193A(1 309 patients in total, classified into 4 age groups). Results from the output-oriented BCC model show that Treatment 4 ( 600 mg of zidovudine plus 400 mg of didanosine plus 400 mg of nevirapine) is particularly efficient for age group 14—25, but not efficient for the older age groups; Treatment 1 (600 mg of zidovudine alternating monthly with 400 mg of didanosine)and Treatment 2 (600 mg of zidovudine plus 2.25 mg of zalcitabine) are efficient for the age groups 35—45 and 45— ; age group 25—35 does not have a particularly efficient treatment, but Treatments 1 and 2 are relatively good. The cost efficiency BCC model, which takes the treatment cost into account, gives similar results as the output-oriented model. Results from the indirect output-oriented BCC model, which allows the replacement among medicines, show that the efficiency of Treatment 2 has greatly decreased compared with that of the output-oriented model, and a set of optimal medicine amounts for different age groups is obtained.