Incremental peritoneal dialysis: a 10 year single-centre experience

INTRODUCTION: Incremental dialysis consists in prescribing a dialysis dose aimed towards maintaining total solute clearance (renal + dialysis) near the targets set by guidelines. Incremental peritoneal dialysis (incrPD) is defined as one or two dwell-times per day on CAPD, whereas standard peritoneal dialysis (stPD) consists in three-four dwell-times per day. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-centre cohort study. Enrollement period: January 2002-December 2007; end of follow up (FU): December 2012. INCLUSION CRITERIA: incident patients with FU ≥6 months, initial residual renal function (RRF) 3-10 ml/min/1.73 sqm BSA, renal indication for PD. RESULTS: Median incrPD duration was 17 months (I-III Q: 10; 30). There were no statistically significant differences between 29 patients on incrPD and 76 on stPD regarding: clinical, demographic and anthropometric characteristics at the beginning of treatment, adequacy indices, peritonitis-free survival (peritonitis incidence: 1/135 months-patients in incrPD vs. 1/52 months-patients in stPD) and patient survival. During the first 6 months, RRF remained stable in incrPD (6.20 ± 2.02 vs. 6.08 ± 1.47 ml/min/1.73 sqm BSA; p = 0.792) whereas it decreased in stPD (4.48 ± 2.12 vs. 5.61 ± 1.49; p < 0.001). Patient survival was affected negatively by ischemic cardiopathy (HR: 4.269; p < 0.001), peripheral and cerebral vascular disease (H2.842; p = 0.006) and cirrhosis (2.982; p = 0.032) and positively by urine output (0.392; p = 0.034). Hospitalization rates were significantly lower in incrPD (p = 0.021). Eight of 29 incrPD patients were transplanted before reaching full dose treatment. CONCLUSIONS: IncrPD is a safe modality to start PD; compared to stPD, it shows similar survival rates, significantly less hospitalization, a trend towards lower peritonitis incidence and slower reduction of renal function

Histochemical analysis of glycoconjugates in the domestic cat testis

The localization and characterization of oligosaccharide sequences in the cat testis was investigated using 12 lectins in combination with the ßelimination reaction, N-Glycosidase F and sialidase digestion. Leydig cells expressed O-linked glycans with terminal aGalNAc (HPA reactivity) and N-glycans with terminal/internal aMan (Con A affinity). The basement membrane showed terminal Neu5Aca2,6Gal/GalNAc, Galß1,3GalNAc, a/ßGalNAc, and GlcNAc (SNA, PNA, HPA, SBA, GSA II reactivity) in O-linked oligosaccharides, terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc (RCA120 staining) and aMan in N-linked oligosaccharides; in addition, terminal Neu5Aca2,3Galß1,4GlcNac, Forssman pentasaccharide, aGal, aL-Fuc and internal GlcNAc (MAL II, DBA, GSA I-B4, UEA I, KOH-sialidase-WGA affinity) formed both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides. The Sertoli cells cytoplasm contained terminal Neu5Ac- Galß1,4GlcNAc, Neu5Ac-ßGalNAc as well as internal GlcNAc in O-linked glycans, aMan in N-linked glycoproteins and terminal Neu5Aca2,6Gal/ GalNAc in both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides. Spermatogonia exhibited cytoplasmic N-linked glycoproteins with aMan residues. The spermatocytes cytoplasm expressed terminal Neu5Aca2,3Galß1,4 GlcNAc and Galß1,3GalNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides, terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc and a/ßGalNAc in N-linked glycoconjugates. The Golgi region showed terminal Neu5aca2,3Galß1,4GlcNac, Galß1,4GlcNAc, Forssman pentasaccharide, and aGalNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides, aMan and terminal ßGal in N-linked oligosaccharides. The acrosomes of Golgi-phase spermatids expressed terminal Galß1,3GalNAc, Galß1,4GlcNAc, Forssmann pentasaccharide, a/ßGalNAc, aGal and internal GlcNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides, terminal a/ßGalNAc, aGal and terminal/internal aMan in N-linked glycoproteins. The acrosomes of cap-phase spermatids lacked internal Forssman pentasaccharide and aGal, while having increased a/ßGalNAc. The acrosomes of elongated spermatids did not show terminal Galß1,3GalNAc, displayed terminal Galß1,4GlcNAc and a/ßGalNAc in N-glycans and Neu5Ac-Galß1,3GalNAc in O-linked oligosaccharides

Histological and immunohistochemical investigation on ovarian development and plasma estradiol levels in the swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.)

The paper reports a histological and immunohistochemical description of oocyte growth and ultrastructural aspects of zona radiata (ZR) formation as well as the relationship between plasma estradiol-17b‚ (E2) levels and ovarian development in swordfish (Xiphias gladius L.) from the Mediterranean Sea. Ovaries were inactive during March to mid April; maturation occurred during late April to June and spawning in June and July. Zona radiata formation starts, as Pas positive material, in oocytes at the lipid stage. In this stage a deposit of electrondense material between oolemma and follicular cells appears. In the cortical alveoli stage and through the early vitellogenic stage, the deposition of a moderately electrondense material occurred on the inner side of the ZR. Finally, in late vitellogenic oocytes a third layer, made of microfibrillar material, appeared. The immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the initial internalisation of hepatic zona radiata proteins (Zrp) in the swordfish oocyte starts before the uptake of vitellogenin (Vtg) and that it is associated with the low previtellogenic E2 plasma levels, while a significant E2 increase in plasma is associated with the beginning of Vtg uptake. This would appear to confirm the hypothesis that the differential and sequential induction of zonagenesis and vitellogenesis may reflect a general feature of teleost oogenesis

Marginal Adaptation of New Bulk Fill Composites: Microscopical Evaluation

Objectives: Aim of this study was to investigate the cavity margin adaptation of three composites using optical microscope and software evaluations. Methods: 30 molars were randomly divided into 3 groups. An MOD cavity was prepared on each tooth. In the first group (G1) restorations were performed using a new experimental bulk-filling composite. In the second group (G2) Surefil SDR (Dentsply) was used with a single-application technique. In the third group, a traditional nanohybrid composite was used with a microlayering technique (Tetric Evoceram, Ivoclar-Vivadent). Composites were cured (G1: >2000mW/cm2,1s; G2:1.200mW/cm2,20s; G3:1.200mW/cm2,10s per increment), then samples were cut in 1mm-thick slices, starting from the coronal end of the tooth. Sections at 1mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm were analyzed. After the images optical-microscope acquisition (50x), the gap analysis has been carried out through a digital automated software (Jmicrovision). The mean marginal gap width and standard deviations were calculated using Kruskal‐Wallis and Tukey’s tests because of the non-parametric distribution (p<0.05). Results: Gap was considered as dependent variable, while group and slice as independent. No significant differences were found between groups (p=0.252). Group N Mean St Dev Gap Max Gap(mm2) G1 40 0,001837 0,003227 0,015125 G2 40 0,002682 0,004670 0,017309 G3 40 0,001830 0,002410 0,012107 A significant difference was found comparing slices independently from the groups (p=0.03). Tukey’s test showed a statistically significant difference only when comparing slices 1mm-4mm (p=0.0022). Conclusions: The newly-introduced lamp-dependent material designed for bulk application may afford good marginal adaptation while saving more time if compared with bulk composite materials and much more with layering technique materials

Conversion Degree and Push-out Bond Strength of Two Composite Cements

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate, by means of a non-destructive procedure, the degree of conversion (DC) of two different composite cements. Subsequently, the same samples underwent a push-out test to investigate the bond strength at the adhesive interface after DC microRaman evaluation. Methods: 24 single-rooted teeth were cut at the CEJ, endodontically treated and a 8mm post-space deep was made. Teeth were randomly divided in two groups (n=12) and RelyX Fiber Posts were luted using 2 composite cements: Multilink Automix (group A/control) and an experimental cement (group B/self-adhesive). Composites were cured (120s, 400mW/cm2) and each sample was cut, perpendicularly to the long axis, in 2mm-thick slices starting from the CEJ. The sections corresponding to 1mm, 3mm, 5mm were analysed with the microRaman spectrometer; then a push-out test evaluated the resistance to the displacement of the post. Finally the slices were analysed with an optical microscope to evaluate the nature of failure. Data were statistically evaluated (ANOVA, Tukey’s, p<0.05). Results: In group A we recorded higher strength at debonding (p<0.001) and higher DC (p<0.001) compared to group B. In both groups push-out strength was higher at 1mm than at 5mm (p=0.002). Most common failures (POF) are recorded at the cement-dentin interface. Group B didn’t show any POF at cement-post interface. Conclusions: an experimental cement self-adhesive showed a lower DC and a lower bond strength compared to the “traditional technique” composite (group A). Distance from the CEJ didn’t affect the DC, due to autopolymerizing component of both materials