bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downregulation of SIRT6 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zhu Bojin , Yan Yongjin , Shao Boyun , Tian Luwen , Zhou Weihua 
Published: January 2018

Objective To explore the prognostic significance of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-6 (SIRT6), encoded by the sirtuin 6 ( SIRT6) gene, in a population of Chinese Han patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Cancer tissues and normal lung tissues (>5 cm adjacent to cancer tissue) were collected from Chinese Han patients with NSCLC. Expression levels of SIRT6 and histone H3-acetyl K56 ( H3K56), in cancer and normal lung tissues from patients with NSCLC, were detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Correlations between SIRT6 expression and various clinicopathologic features were investigated. Results Out of 86 patients included in the study, mRNA and protein SIRT6 levels were down-regulated in NSCLC tissue versus normal lung tissue, and SIRT6 levels were inversely correlated with H3K56 levels. Positive rates of SIRT6 were significantly correlated with degree of cell differentiation, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis, overall survival and metastasis-free survival. Conclusion Downregulation of SIRT6 expression may promote NSCLC malignancy in the Chinese Han population. SIRT6 may be a potential therapeutic target in Chinese Han patients with NSCLC.
Lesion Size Does Not Predict Outcomes in Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation
Authors: Tírico Luis E.P. , McCauley Julie C. , Pulido Pamela A. , Bugbee William D. 
Published: January 2018

Background: Cartilage repair algorithms use lesion size to choose surgical techniques when selecting a cartilage repair procedure. The association of fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) size with graft survivorship and subjective patient outcomes is still unknown. Purpose: To determine if lesion size (absolute or relative) affects outcomes after OCA transplantation. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study included 156 knees in 143 patients who underwent OCA transplantation from 1998 to 2014 for isolated femoral condyle lesions. The mean age was 29.6 ± 11.4 years, and 62.9% were male. The majority of patients (62.2%) presented for cartilage repair because of osteochondritis dissecans. The mean graft area, used as a surrogate for absolute size of the lesion, was 6.4 cm2 (range, 2.3-11.5 cm2). The relative size of the lesion was calculated as the tibial width ratio (TWR; ratio of graft area to tibial width) and affected femoral condyle ratio (AFCR; ratio of graft area to affected femoral condyle width) using preoperative radiographs. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Further surgical procedures were documented, and graft failure was defined as revision OCA transplantation or conversion to arthroplasty. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) pain, function, and total scores were obtained. Satisfaction with OCA transplantation was assessed. Results: The mean follow-up among patients with grafts remaining in situ was 6.0 years (range, 1.9-16.5 years). The OCA failure rate was 5.8%. Overall survivorship of the graft was 97.2% at 5 years and 93.5% at 10 years. No difference in postoperative outcomes between groups was found in absolute or relative size. Change in IKDC scores (from preoperative to latest follow-up) was greater for knees with large lesions compared to knees with small lesions, among all measurement methods. Overall satisfaction with the results of OCA transplantation was 89.8%. Conclusion: The size of the lesion, either absolute or relative, does not influence outcomes after OCA transplantation for isolated femoral condyle lesions of the knee.
Dimensions of Central Venous Structures in Humans Measured in vivo using Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Implications for Central-Vein Catheter Dimensions
Authors: Twardowski Z.J. , Seger R.M. 
Published: January 2018

The tip of a central vein catheter for hemodialysis should be located in the upper right atrium for the best performance. Hemodialysis catheters do have internal diameters unadjusted to the catheter length; however, the longer the catheter the slower the flow at the same pressure difference. On the other hand, the catheter diameter cannot be so large as to fill the vein too tightly as it predisposes to damage of the vein wall, thrombosis and stenosis. Therefore, the catheter length and diameter should be appropriate for the patient. For this purpose, the exact dimensions of the venous system in vivo should be known. In this study we correlated the anthropometric measurements and the dimensions of the large upper body veins in 31 adult volunteers. After deep inspiration, magnetic resonance imaging of the chest was performed in three planes; the positions of specific points in the three-dimensional coordinate system were measured, and the distance to adjacent points was calculated according to the analytic geometry formula. The total length from the catheter entry point to the right atrium was the sum of distances between the adjacent points. The lengths of the veins were correlated with the body anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body surface area, bi-acromion span, and height plus bi-acromion span). The best overall correlations of the lengths and diameters of the large upper body veins are with the body surface area. A table is included to guide the selection of the total catheter length and diameter in relation to the body surface area and insertion site.
Combined Effect of Oxygen and Ammonia on the Kinetics of Ammonia Elimination and Oxygen Consumption of Adherent Rat Liver Cells
Authors: Catapano G. , De Bartolo L. 
Published: January 2018

Oxygen is essential for the survival of isolated liver cells and its concentration is known to affect their viability and function. Recent reports have also shown that ammonia is eliminated at a rate depending on its concentration and that high ammonia concentrations may be cytotoxic to rat liver cells. Nonetheless, little quantitative information on the effect of either metabolite on liver cell reaction kinetics is available although important to the design of bioreactors for bioartificial livers (BALs). In this investigation, we characterized the dependence of the rate of oxygen consumption (OCR), ammonia elimination (AER) and urea synthesis (USR) on ammonia concentration at physiological (i.e., 43 and 72 mmHg) and supra-physiological (i.e., 134 mmHg) dissolved oxygen tensions. To this purpose, isolated rat liver cells were cultured in adhesion on collagen in a continuous-flow bioreactor optimised for the kinetic characterisation of liver cell metabolic reactions. Rates of the investigated reactions generally increased with increasing ammonia concentrations. OCR and USR significantly increased with increasing dissolved oxygen tensions, particularly at high ammonia concentrations. The actual dissolved oxygen tension significantly influenced also OCR and USR dependence on ammonia concentration. The best-fit rate equations were used to show that, at the beginning of the treatment with a bioreactor packed with primary liver cells, high ammonia concentration in the blood may cause large hypoxic zones in the bioreactor as a result of its effect on OCR. This suggests that plasma (or blood) detoxification prior to entering the bioreactor might enhance BAL efficacy by preserving a large fraction of the available cell activity for longer times.
Albumin Loss in On-Line Hemodiafiltration
Authors: Combarnous F. , Tetta C. , Cellier C. Chapuis , Wratten M.L. , Custaud M.A. , De Catheu T. , Fouque D. , David S. , Carraro G. , Laville M. 
Published: January 2018

Background Based on the increased hydraulic permeability of the new high permeability polyethersulfone membrane, DIAPES®HF-800, we investigated the kinetics and handling of albumin in high volume on-line hemodiafiltration (HDF). Methods Seven patients on predilutional HDF were studied in two consecutive sessions. Blood flow rate and transmembrane pressure were continuously monitored. Spent dialysate was spilled at 20 ml/h every hour. Albumin was measured in blood and dialysate by immunonephelometry. Albumin and proteins adsorbed onto the dialyzer membrane were eluted after treatment with Triton X. Ultrafiltrates collected at 1 and 2 hours of treatment were pooled from different patients and incubated for 24 hours at 37°C with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Total sulphydryl groups were evaluated using Ellmann's reagent [5, 5'-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)]. Results In all 7 patients, the total loss of albumin was 3.99±1.81 g, ranging between 1.09 and 6.82 g/session. Most albumin loss occurred in the first 60 min of pre-dilutional hemodiafiltration (1.92+0.83 g). There was no correlation between transmembrane pressure, urea clearance and the loss of albumin. Plasma water urea clearance values were stable over the treatment (234±14.3 mI/min). Plasma albumin concentration did not decrease during HDF sessions. Albumin adsorbed onto the dialyzers was 0.7±1.6 mg but the total amount of adsorbed proteins was much higher (130+90 mg). In addition, the ultrafiltrate collected during HDF sessions was able to induce oxidation of bovine serum albumin as measured by total protein sulfhydryl groups: bovine serum albumin incubated in the presence of ultrafiltrate collected at 1 hour had a sulfhydryl loss of 56.3±5.7% (p<0.0001 vs control), and bovine serum albumin incubated with ultrafiltrate collected at 2 hours had a loss of 67.5±3.8% (p<0.003 vs control). Conclusion The present study shows the high inter- and intra-patient variability of transmembrane passage of albumin in chronically uremic patients undergoing pre-dilutional HDF. Factors involved do not seem to be correlated to transmembrane pressure but rather to an interaction with the polymer surface. Albumin adsorption was minimal and was significantly lower than that of other plasma proteins. Albumin loss during HDF seemed to have no acute impact on plasma albumin. In addition, we demonstrated the presence of prooxidative compounds able to oxidize albumin, of which extracorporeal removal by HDF procedure could be beneficial for HD patients.
In Vitro Evaluation of the Hydraulic Permeability of Polysulfone Dialysers
Authors: Eloot S. , De Wachter D. , Vienken J. , Pohlmeier R. , Verdonck P. 
Published: January 2018

An in vitro set-up has been designed to study the hydraulic permeability of hollow fiber dialysers. Forward and reverse dialysate ultrafiltration were determined using both sterile dialysers and samples with a protein layer settled on the membrane (Fresenius F6, F8, F60 and F80). The ultrafiltration coefficient KUF (ml/h.mmHg) was calculated as the ratio of volumetrical flow (QUF) and transmembrane pressure (TMP) measurements. The protein layer on the membrane was induced either by recirculating human plasma through the dialysers (in vitro) or by a standard hemodialysis session (in vivo). KUF is largely independent of TMP up to 600mmHg (low flux) and 60mmHg (high flux) for forward and reverse flow. In sterile dialysers, backfiltration yields a significantly different KUF except for the F80. An in vitro induced protein layer on the membrane decreases KUF15–30% (forward) and 4–12% (backward) in low flux and 45–70% (forward) and 65–73% (backward) in high flux dialysers.
Poly2-methoxyethylacrylate (PMEA) Coated Oxygenator: An ex Vivo Study
Authors: Mueller X.M. , Jegger D. , Augstburger M. , Horisberger J. , von Segesser L.K. 
Published: January 2018

PMEA is a hydrophilic polymer coating with a unique design that minimizes the adsorption and denaturation of proteins and blood cells. This study compares thrombus resistance, blood path resistance, thrombocyte profile, and blood trauma of the PMEA coated Capiox membrane oxygenator (Terumo, Japan) vs. an uncoated version. Methods Six calves (mean bodyweight: 75.3±4.5kg) were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass for 6 hours and randomly assigned to the coated or uncoated oxygenator, with a low heparinisation protocol (ACT>180s). Results Macroscopically, red staining was observed in all uncoated oxygenators, and in none of the coated ones. Inlet pressure was significantly higher in the uncoated group (at 1h: 279±25 vs. 175±11mmHg, p<0.01 and at 6h: 217±10 vs. 171(8mmHg, p<0.01). Thrombocyte count values (corrected for hematocrit and normalized by prebypass values) were significantly higher in the coated group (at 1h: 76±6 vs. 53±13%, p<0.01 and at 6h: 70±6 vs. 44±26%, p<0.01). Plasma hemoglobin was below 100mg/L in both groups throughout the experiments. Conclusions When compared with uncoated oxygenator, PMEA coated oxygenator exhibited increased thrombus resistance with lower inlet pressure and lower thrombocyte consumption. In both groups, trauma to red cells was minimal, emphasizing the efficient design of this type of oxygenator.
The Aachen-Keratoprosthesis - A Flexible KPro that Permits Intraocular Pressure Measurement
Authors: Krug A. , Kompa S. , Schrage N.F. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose Postoperative glaucoma is one of the major complications observed in patients with keratoprostheses (KPro). The optical components of the majority of KPros are rigid and inflexible, which prevents indirect tonometry by common methods. This study confirms that the Aachen-KPro allows measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) due to its flexible optical part with a modified Schiotz tonometer. Methods The Aachen-KPro was placed in a special chamber where pressure can be generated and monitored by a transducer. Measurements were taken by common ophthalmologic methods. The results were compared to the initial pressure values in the chamber. Results With the Goldmann tonometer, the Tono-Pen and the topography system (Technomed), no significant pressure changes could be observed. The results of the Schiotz tonometer were promising. It was slightly modified and standard curves with different weights could be obtained. Conclusions With a modified Schiotz tonometer, it is possible to detect elevated IOPs. Modifying this common instrument is inexpensive and can be easily performed. This advantage of the Aachen-KPro permits early management of postoperative high tension glaucoma.
Approach to Vascular Access for Hemodialysis: Experiences from the Republic of Macedonia
Authors: Oncevski A. , Dejanov P. , Gerasimovska V. , Polenakovic M.H. 
Published: January 2018

Eight thousand eight hundred and forty nine different vascular hemodialysis accesses were performed in the period from 1976 until 1999 at the Department of Nephrology, Skopje: 3,114 native arterial-venous fistula (AVF), 715 arterial-venous shunts (AVS), 4,964 temporary or permanent catheters (4,411/88.86% femoral, 410/8.26% subclavian, 143/2.88% jugular) and 56 PTFE vascular grafts. Femoral catheterization (4,312/86.86%) is the favoured solution if a temporary vascular dialysis access is taken into consideration. The most popular chronic dialysis angio-access in our country is native AVF (90.5% of 3,440 permanent dialytic vascular accesses). The tunneled subcutaneously positioned catheters as a permanent dialytic angio-access were present in 270 cases (7.9%): 99 in femoral veins (our original method), 123 in subclavian veins and 48 catheters in jugular veins. The synthetic vascular grafts-PTFE (polytetrafluoro-ethylene) represent only 1.6% of all dialysis angio-accesses. The number of preventive AVFs created in patients with preterminal end-stage renal disease eventually increased; from 14% in the eighties, 20.8% after 10 years and 31.50% in 1999. Most of the preventive AVFs are done in outpatients 71.8% in 1999. This year 44.4% of all chronic vascular access were created in the same way. We prefer femoral catheters for both temporary and permanent access because our results show that femoral catheterization has a lower rate of early complications when compared to the subclavian catheterization group; the rate of late complications (thrombosis, stenosis, infections) is lower or the same; infections in femoral catheterizations are less frequent, compared to subclavian and jugular ones. Our contributions in the field of vascular access surgery are the three original methods which are constantly used at the Department: 1. Combination of temporary (AVS) and permanent vascular access (AVF) using the same blood vessels, performed in one surgical act; 2. Tunneled femoral catheter as a permanent vascular access for hemodialysis (2 types: on the abdominal wall and on the infrainguinal region - thigh); 3. Reduction of hyper-flow in AVF without the operation of “banding”, with ligation of the artery before arteriovenous anastomosis.
Testing protein permeability of dialysis membranes using SDS-PAGE
Authors: Mann H. , Melzer H. , Al-Bashir A. , Xu X.Q. , Stiller S. 
Published: January 2018

Background Permeability of dialysis membranes for high molecular weight compounds should be similar to that of the glomerular membrane in order to remove uremic toxins like the human kidney does. In order to evaluate permeability of high-flux dialysis membranes SDS-PAGE is applied for examination of filtrate of dialysers during routine dialysis with different membranes. Method SDS-PAGE analysis is performed with silver staining method according to the modification of Melzer (5) and consecutive laser densitometry. Results The protein pattern of filtrate from dialysis membranes is similar to that of the glomerular membrane containing IgG, transferrin, albumin, alpha-1-microglobulin, retinol binding protein and beta-2-microglobulin. Comparing different membranes there are considerable differences depending on cut-off, charge and adsorption capacity of the particular membrane. In all membranes tested permeability of proteins decreases during one treatment session. Conclusion Protein permeability of high-flux dialysis membranes is similar to the gloemerular membrane but modified according to pore-size, surface charge, adsorption and time on dialysis. In contrast to the glomerular membrane in each of the investigated membranes protein permeability decreases during function.
Heparin-Coated versus Uncoated Palmaz-Schatz Stent in Native Coronary Circulation. A Randomized Study with Blind Angioscopic Assessment
Authors: Kedev S. , Guagliumi G. , Valsechi O. , Tespili M. 
Published: January 2018

The increasing use of stenting to treat more complex lesions and highly thrombogenic situations still carries higher risk for subacute stent thrombosis. To assess new heparin-coated stents in a more stringent reality, 40 consecutive patients were randomized in 1:1 ratio to receive either heparin-coated (group 1, 25 stents) or uncoated Palmaz-Schatz stents (group 2, 32 stents). The two groups were similar in baseline clinical, pre-and post-procedural angiographic and angioscopic characteristics. High pressure stent deployment without intravascular ultrasound guidance was used. All pts received antiplatelet agents alone. We applied serial angioscopy (baseline and on 7th day) to evaluate thrombus formation and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) to define late (6 months, n=39, 100% the eligible pts) neointimal regrowth. There was one subacute stent thrombosis with subsequent acute myocardial infarction and death in the uncoated group. Conclusion The implantation of heparin-coated stents in nonselected population is well tolerated and associated with no clinical or angioscopic evidence of new thrombus formation, resulting in favorable long-term clinical and angiographic outcome.
Minimized Weight Gain between Hemodialysis Contributes to a Reduced Risk of Death
Authors: Stegmayr B.G. , Brannstrom M. , Bucht S. , Dimeny E. , Ekspong A. , Granroth B. , Grontoft K.C. , Hadimeri H. , Holmberg B. , Ingman B. , Isaksson B. , Johansson G. , Lindberger K. , Lundberg L. , Lundstrom O. , Mikaelsson L. , Mortzell M. , Olausson E. , Persson B. , Svensson L. , Wikdahl A.M. 
Published: January 2018

The risk of death is higher in dialysis patients compared to age matched healthy subjects, the main reason being cardiovascular. This prospective study investigated if the extent of ultrafiltration was of importance for the outcome. Material and Methods 88 hemodialysis patients were included and followed prospectively. The outcome was registered in regard to death, acute myocardial infarction or coronary vascular intervention. The extent of ultrafiltration needed at dialysis was calculated as a mean during the observation period as were other variables. The mean extent of ultrafiltration was compared for patients who had survived without end-points (group 1, n = 53) versus those who reached any endpoint during the period (group 2, n = 35). Results In total, 40% of the patients reached end-point during the observation period. There was no difference at baseline between the groups in regard to age, prevalence of diabetes mellitus or history of previous cardiovascular disease, KT/V, residual renal function ultrafiltration need, C-reactive protein, s-albumin, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, appetite or wellbeing, while triglyceride was lower in group 2 (p = 0.035). The observation period for group 1 was at a mean 24.7 months (SD13.1) and for those in group 2 at a mean 13.8 (±11.7 months, p < 0.001). Patients representing group 1 at 24 and 30 months had less need of ultrafiltration than those in group 2. Thus, the need of ultrafiltration was about 27% lower at 24 months (for 29 persons in group 1: 3.63 ± 1.93 weight% versus 4.97 ± 1.70 weight% for 9 patients from group 2, p = 0.046) and 46% at 30 months (for 18 from group 1: 3.48 ± 1.95 versus 6.45 ± 1.55 for 3 from group 2, p = 0.030). C-reactive protein did not differ significantly between the groups during the period. Conclusion After a prolonged period of 24 months the extent of ultrafiltration need seems to be important for the outcome of the patients. Thereby those with higher need of ultrafiltration had worse prognosis. It seems important to motivate patients to reduce the extent of fluid intake between dialysis to prolong survival.
Double Kidney Transplantation: Initial Experience of the Bologna Transplant Center
Authors: Nardo B. , Pacilè V. , Bertelli R. , Beltempo P. , Montalti R. , Puviani L. , Neri F. , Mosconi G. , Scolari M.P. , Liviano D'Arcangelo G. , Stefoni S. , Faenza A. 
Published: January 2018

Aim Double-kidney transplantation is performed using organs from marginal donors with a histological score not suitable for single kidney transplantation. The aim of the study is to verify the results obtained with double-kidney transplantation in terms of graft and patient survival and complications. Methods Between September 2001 and September 2004, 16 double-kidney transplantations were performed in our center. The kidneys were all perfused with Celsior solution and the mean cold ischemia time was 17.6 ± 2.7 hours. In all cases a pre-transplant kidney biopsy was performed to evaluate the damage. Immunosuppression was tacrolimus based for all patients. Results Eight patients had good renal postoperative function while the other eight had acute tubular necrosis. Two of the patients who had severe acute tubular necrosis never recovered renal function. There was only one episode of acute rejection, while the incidence of urinary complications was 31.2%; there were two surgical revisions for intestinal perforation. The graft and recipient survival was 78.1% and 100% and 78.1% and 93.7% at 3 and 36 months. Conclusions Double-kidney transplantation is a safe way to face the organ shortage. Moreover the score used in this study is useful to determine whether a kidney should be refused or suitable for single or dual-kidney transplantation. The results of our initial experience are encouraging, but this series is too small in number to consent a conclusive statement.