AIM:To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:To determine arginine,asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA),symmetric...AIM:To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:To determine arginine,asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA),symmetric dimethylarginine(SDMA),and nitric oxide(NO) plasma levels,blood samples were collected from the superior cava,hepatic,and portal vein just before,directly after,and 3 mo after TIPS-placement.RESULTS:A significant increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement was shown.Moreover,TIPS placement enhanced renal function and thereby decreased systemic SDMA levels.In patients with renal dysfunction before TIPS placement,both the arginine/ADMA ratio and creatinine clearance rate increased significantly,while this was not the case in patients with normal renal function before TIPS placement.Hepatic function did not change significantly after TIPS placement and no significant decline in ADMA plasma levels was measured.CONCLUSION:The increase of the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement suggests an increase in intracellular NO bioavailability.In addition,this study suggests that TIPS placement does not alter dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase(DDAH) activity and confirms the major role of the liver as an ADMA clearing organ.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the possible relationship between varicocele and chronic constipation.METHODS:Between April 2009 and May 2010,a total of 135 patients with varicocele or constipation and 120 healthy controls were evalu...AIM:To evaluate the possible relationship between varicocele and chronic constipation.METHODS:Between April 2009 and May 2010,a total of 135 patients with varicocele or constipation and 120 healthy controls were evaluated.Patients were divided into two groups.In both groups detailed medical history was taken and all patients were examined physically by the same urologist and gastroenterologist.All of them were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography.All patients with constipation,except for the healthy controls of the second group,underwent a colonoscopy to identify the etiology of the constipation.In the first group,we determined the rate of chronic constipation in patients with varicocele and in the second group,the rate of varicocele in patients with chronic constipation.In both groups,the rate of the disease was compared with age-matched healthy controls.In the second group,the results of colonoscopies in the patients with chronic constipations were also evaluated.RESULTS:In the first group,mean age of the study and control groups were 22.9 ± 4.47 and 21.8 ± 7.21 years,respectively(P < 0.05).In the second group,mean age of the study and control groups were 52.8 ± 33.3 and 51.7 ± 54.3 years,respectively(P < 0.05).In the first group,chronic constipation was observed in 8 of the 69 patients with varicocele(11.6%) and 3 out of 60 in healthy controls(5%),respectively.In this regard,there was no statistical significance between varicocele patients and the healthy control(P = 0.37).In the second group,varicocele was observed in 16 of the 66 patients with chronic constipation(24.24%) and 12 out of 60 in healthy controls(20%) respectively.Similarly,there was no statistical significance between chronic constipation and healthy controls(P = 0.72).Internal/external hemorrhoids were detected in 4 of the 16 patients with chronic constipation and varicocele,in the second group.In the remaining 50 patients with chronic constipation 9 had internal/external hemorrhoids.In this regard,there was no statistical significance between chronic constipation and healthy controls(P = 0.80).CONCLUSION:Chronic constipation may not be a major predictive factor for the development of varicocele,but it may be a facilitator factor for varicocele.展开更多
AIM： To determine factors predictive for esophagea varices in severe alcoholic disease （SAD）. METHODS： Abdominal ultrasonography （US） was performed on 444 patients suffering from alcoholism. Forty-four patients ...AIM： To determine factors predictive for esophagea varices in severe alcoholic disease （SAD）. METHODS： Abdominal ultrasonography （US） was performed on 444 patients suffering from alcoholism. Forty-four patients found to have splenomegaly and/ or withering of the right liver lobe were defined as those with SAD. SAD patients were examined by upper gastrointestinal （UGI） endoscopy for the presence of esophageal varices. The existence of esophageal varices was then related to clinical variables. RESULTS： Twenty-five patients （56.8%） had esophageal varices. A univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in age and type Ⅳ collagen levels between patients with and without esophageal varices. A logistic regression analysis identified type Ⅳ collagen as the only independent variable predictive for esophageal varices （P = 0.017）. The area under the curve （AUC） for type Ⅳ collagen as determined by the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） for predicting esophageal varices was 0.78. CONCLUSION： This study suggests that the level of type Ⅳ collagen has a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of esophageal varices in SAD.展开更多
A method of improving the accuracy of laser pulse range finding from ±10 m to ±1 m inexpensively by means of time scale up is described. Time scale up can stretch the entire flight time by a factor of 1 00...A method of improving the accuracy of laser pulse range finding from ±10 m to ±1 m inexpensively by means of time scale up is described. Time scale up can stretch the entire flight time by a factor of 1 000 and then the stretched result is counted to calculate the distance. The use of this technique decreases the resolution of counting from nanosecond to microsecond, therefore a separate counting oscillator followed by an interpolation operation is unnecessary. This technique can improve the accuracy of laser pulse range finding inexpensively and effectively.展开更多
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) encompasses a range of liver histology severity and outcomes in the absence of chronic alcohol use.The mildest form is simple steatosis in which triglycerides accumulate within ...Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) encompasses a range of liver histology severity and outcomes in the absence of chronic alcohol use.The mildest form is simple steatosis in which triglycerides accumulate within hepatocytes.A more advanced form of NAFLD,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,includes inflammation and liver cell injury,progressive to cryptogenic cirrhosis.NAFLD has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents.The recent rise in the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity likely explains the NAFLD epidemic worldwide.NAFLD is strongly associated with abdominal obesity,type 2 diabetes,and dyslipidemia,and most patients have evidence of insulin resistance.Thus,NAFLD shares many features of the metabolic syndrome(MetS),a highly atherogenic condition,and this has stimulated interest in the possible role of NAFLD in the development of atherosclerosis.Accumulating evidence suggests thatNAFLD is associated with a significantly greater overall mortality than in the general population,as well as with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease(CVD),independently of classical atherosclerotic risk factors.Yet,several studies including the pediatric population have reported independent associations between NAFLD and impaired flow-mediated vasodilatation and increased carotid artery intimal medial thickness-two reliable markers of subclinical atherosclerosis-after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and MetS.Therefore,the rising prevalence of obesity-related MetS and NAFLD in childhood may lead to a parallel increase in adverse cardiovascular outcomes.In children,the cardiovascular system remains plastic and damage-reversible if early and appropriate interventions are established effectively.Therapeutic goals for NAFLD should address nutrition,physical activity,and avoidance of smoking to prevent not only end-stage liver disease but also CVD.展开更多
Pilot scale column flotation studies were conducted on a low grade siliceous limestone ore. Silica content was reduced to less than 13g in the concentrate so that it became satisfactory for use in the paper or rubber ...Pilot scale column flotation studies were conducted on a low grade siliceous limestone ore. Silica content was reduced to less than 13g in the concentrate so that it became satisfactory for use in the paper or rubber industries. The limestone sample was crystalline and constituted primarily of calcite that contained quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, and biotite as gangue minerals. Quartz is the major silicate gangue whereas feldspar, pyroxene, and biotite exist in minor to trace quantities. Traces of pyrite were also observed within the sample. A reverse flotation process was adopted where the silicate gangue minerals were floated using two different commercial cationic collectors： Chem-750 F or Floatamine-D. The studies clearly suggest it is possible to produce a limestone concentrate assaying around 96-97% CaCO3 containing less than 1 % Si02. The effect of feed flow rate, percent solids, froth depth, and wash water on the grade and recovery of the CaC03 concentrate is discussed.展开更多
文摘AIM:To analyze the change of dimethylarginine plasma levels in cirrhotic patients receiving transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS).METHODS:To determine arginine,asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA),symmetric dimethylarginine(SDMA),and nitric oxide(NO) plasma levels,blood samples were collected from the superior cava,hepatic,and portal vein just before,directly after,and 3 mo after TIPS-placement.RESULTS:A significant increase in the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement was shown.Moreover,TIPS placement enhanced renal function and thereby decreased systemic SDMA levels.In patients with renal dysfunction before TIPS placement,both the arginine/ADMA ratio and creatinine clearance rate increased significantly,while this was not the case in patients with normal renal function before TIPS placement.Hepatic function did not change significantly after TIPS placement and no significant decline in ADMA plasma levels was measured.CONCLUSION:The increase of the arginine/ADMA ratio after TIPS placement suggests an increase in intracellular NO bioavailability.In addition,this study suggests that TIPS placement does not alter dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase(DDAH) activity and confirms the major role of the liver as an ADMA clearing organ.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the possible relationship between varicocele and chronic constipation.METHODS:Between April 2009 and May 2010,a total of 135 patients with varicocele or constipation and 120 healthy controls were evaluated.Patients were divided into two groups.In both groups detailed medical history was taken and all patients were examined physically by the same urologist and gastroenterologist.All of them were evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography.All patients with constipation,except for the healthy controls of the second group,underwent a colonoscopy to identify the etiology of the constipation.In the first group,we determined the rate of chronic constipation in patients with varicocele and in the second group,the rate of varicocele in patients with chronic constipation.In both groups,the rate of the disease was compared with age-matched healthy controls.In the second group,the results of colonoscopies in the patients with chronic constipations were also evaluated.RESULTS:In the first group,mean age of the study and control groups were 22.9 ± 4.47 and 21.8 ± 7.21 years,respectively(P < 0.05).In the second group,mean age of the study and control groups were 52.8 ± 33.3 and 51.7 ± 54.3 years,respectively(P < 0.05).In the first group,chronic constipation was observed in 8 of the 69 patients with varicocele(11.6%) and 3 out of 60 in healthy controls(5%),respectively.In this regard,there was no statistical significance between varicocele patients and the healthy control(P = 0.37).In the second group,varicocele was observed in 16 of the 66 patients with chronic constipation(24.24%) and 12 out of 60 in healthy controls(20%) respectively.Similarly,there was no statistical significance between chronic constipation and healthy controls(P = 0.72).Internal/external hemorrhoids were detected in 4 of the 16 patients with chronic constipation and varicocele,in the second group.In the remaining 50 patients with chronic constipation 9 had internal/external hemorrhoids.In this regard,there was no statistical significance between chronic constipation and healthy controls(P = 0.80).CONCLUSION:Chronic constipation may not be a major predictive factor for the development of varicocele,but it may be a facilitator factor for varicocele.
文摘AIM： To determine factors predictive for esophagea varices in severe alcoholic disease （SAD）. METHODS： Abdominal ultrasonography （US） was performed on 444 patients suffering from alcoholism. Forty-four patients found to have splenomegaly and/ or withering of the right liver lobe were defined as those with SAD. SAD patients were examined by upper gastrointestinal （UGI） endoscopy for the presence of esophageal varices. The existence of esophageal varices was then related to clinical variables. RESULTS： Twenty-five patients （56.8%） had esophageal varices. A univariate analysis revealed a significant difference in age and type Ⅳ collagen levels between patients with and without esophageal varices. A logistic regression analysis identified type Ⅳ collagen as the only independent variable predictive for esophageal varices （P = 0.017）. The area under the curve （AUC） for type Ⅳ collagen as determined by the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） for predicting esophageal varices was 0.78. CONCLUSION： This study suggests that the level of type Ⅳ collagen has a high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of esophageal varices in SAD.
文摘A method of improving the accuracy of laser pulse range finding from ±10 m to ±1 m inexpensively by means of time scale up is described. Time scale up can stretch the entire flight time by a factor of 1 000 and then the stretched result is counted to calculate the distance. The use of this technique decreases the resolution of counting from nanosecond to microsecond, therefore a separate counting oscillator followed by an interpolation operation is unnecessary. This technique can improve the accuracy of laser pulse range finding inexpensively and effectively.
文摘Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) encompasses a range of liver histology severity and outcomes in the absence of chronic alcohol use.The mildest form is simple steatosis in which triglycerides accumulate within hepatocytes.A more advanced form of NAFLD,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis,includes inflammation and liver cell injury,progressive to cryptogenic cirrhosis.NAFLD has become the most common cause of chronic liver disease in children and adolescents.The recent rise in the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity likely explains the NAFLD epidemic worldwide.NAFLD is strongly associated with abdominal obesity,type 2 diabetes,and dyslipidemia,and most patients have evidence of insulin resistance.Thus,NAFLD shares many features of the metabolic syndrome(MetS),a highly atherogenic condition,and this has stimulated interest in the possible role of NAFLD in the development of atherosclerosis.Accumulating evidence suggests thatNAFLD is associated with a significantly greater overall mortality than in the general population,as well as with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease(CVD),independently of classical atherosclerotic risk factors.Yet,several studies including the pediatric population have reported independent associations between NAFLD and impaired flow-mediated vasodilatation and increased carotid artery intimal medial thickness-two reliable markers of subclinical atherosclerosis-after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and MetS.Therefore,the rising prevalence of obesity-related MetS and NAFLD in childhood may lead to a parallel increase in adverse cardiovascular outcomes.In children,the cardiovascular system remains plastic and damage-reversible if early and appropriate interventions are established effectively.Therapeutic goals for NAFLD should address nutrition,physical activity,and avoidance of smoking to prevent not only end-stage liver disease but also CVD.
文摘Pilot scale column flotation studies were conducted on a low grade siliceous limestone ore. Silica content was reduced to less than 13g in the concentrate so that it became satisfactory for use in the paper or rubber industries. The limestone sample was crystalline and constituted primarily of calcite that contained quartz, feldspar, pyroxene, and biotite as gangue minerals. Quartz is the major silicate gangue whereas feldspar, pyroxene, and biotite exist in minor to trace quantities. Traces of pyrite were also observed within the sample. A reverse flotation process was adopted where the silicate gangue minerals were floated using two different commercial cationic collectors： Chem-750 F or Floatamine-D. The studies clearly suggest it is possible to produce a limestone concentrate assaying around 96-97% CaCO3 containing less than 1 % Si02. The effect of feed flow rate, percent solids, froth depth, and wash water on the grade and recovery of the CaC03 concentrate is discussed.
