Identifying risks in China's counter-terrorism policy

published_or_final_versionInternational and Public AffairsMasterMaster of International and Public Affair

Unplanned Admission After Day-case Haemorrhoidectomy: A Retrospective Study

To identify the risk factors associated with unplanned admission after day-case haemorrhoidectomy. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the outcomes of patients who underwent elective, intended day-case haemorrhoidectomy in a surgical institution between January 2005 and December 2009. Data were generated from a computerized database. Information on patient demographics, type of surgery, mode of anaesthesia, operative time, operation end time, and perioperative drugs were collected and analysed. Unplanned admission was carefully recorded. Results: In a 5-year period, 243 patients underwent intended day-case haemorrhoidectomy. Of these, 43 (17.7%) had unplanned admission, with acute urinary retention as the most common cause (n = 30). Using univariate analysis, male gender, the use of spinal anaesthesia, and a late operation end time of after 2 PM were found to be positive risk factors associated with unplanned admission, whereas the use of single-dose dexamethasone during induction was identified as having a negative effect on unplanned admission. However, multivariate analysis showed that only male gender, the use of spinal anaesthesia, and a late operation end time of after 2 PM were independent risk factors. Conclusion: Good operation listing and the use of general anaesthesia are recommended in the practice of day-case haemorrhoidectomy

What Is the Cause of Toxicity of Silicone Oil?

Purpose: To investigate the toxicity of the low-molecular-weight components (LMWCs) in ophthalmic silicone oils (SilOils) on retinal cell lines. Methods: The toxicity of six types of LMWCs were studied and compared with conventional SilOil 1000 cSt. In vitro cytotoxic tests of LMWCs, in both liquid and emulsified forms, on three retinal cell lines (Müller cells (rMC-1), photoreceptor cells (661W) and retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19)) were conducted using a transwell cell culturing system. The morphology and viability of cells were assessed by light microscopy and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay at different time points (6, 24 and 72 h). The ARPE-19 apoptotic pathway was investigated by Mitochondrial Membrane Potential/Annexin V Apoptosis Kit at different time points (6, 24 and 72 h). Results: Apart from dodecamethylpentasiloxane (L5), all liquid LMWCs showed varying degrees of acute cytotoxicity on retinal cell lines within 72 h. Emulsified LMWCs showed comparable cytotoxicity with liquid LMWCs on retinal cell lines. Cyclic LMWCs, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) had significantly higher cytotoxicity when compared with their linear counterparts decamethyltetrasiloxane (L4) and L5 with similar molecular formula. Using ARPE-19 cells as an example, we showed that LMWCs induce the apoptosis of retinal cells. Conclusions: Most LMWCs, in both liquid and emulsified forms, can induce acute cytotoxicity. In addition, cyclic LMWCs are suspected to have higher cytotoxicity than their linear counterparts. Therefore, LMWCs are suspected to be the main cause of the long-term toxicity of ophthalmic SilOil, due to their toxicity and propensity to cause ophthalmic SilOil to emulsify. The amount of LMWCs should be considered as the paramount parameter when referring to the quality of SilOil