In the future, the entire society will fully understand the special role of older adults and increase their value through social engagement to achieve active and healthy aging in China.Captopril challenge test (CCT) is a simple and safe confirmatory test for primary aldosteronism (PA). We investigated the effectiveness of the indices after captopril administration for prediction of unilateral hyperaldosteronism (UHA) on adrenal vein sampling (AVS). We studied 238 patients with PA who had CCT and successful AVS between July 2007 and December 2019 in Sapporo City General Hospital. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the diagnostic performance for prediction of UHA on AVS in regard to the reduction rate of plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) after captopril administration was inferior to aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) and PAC (area under the ROC curve 0.72 vs. 0.84, 0.72 vs. 0.89, respectively, both p less then 0.01). Based on the optimal cut-off values in ARR (897 pg/mL/ng/mL/h, sensitivity 64.6%, specificity 93.0%) and PAC (203 pg/mL, sensitivity 73.9%, specificity 93.0%) after captopril administration, the patients were divided into three groups (1) both positive, (2) one positive, and (3) both negative. The prevalence of UHA on AVS in the three groups were 90.0%, 52.9%, and 7.3%, respectively. In the first group, 31 of 32 patients with unilateral nodular lesion on CT had an ipsilateral unilateral AVS. In conclusion, the combination of post-captopril ARR and PAC is useful for prediction of laterality diagnosis on AVS. find more AVS is strongly recommended in patients with both positive or one positive results for the optimal cut-off values of post-captopril ARR and PAC and is weakly recommended in patients with both negative results.

Carnitine plays a pivotal role in energy synthesis through β-oxidation in mitochondria. Serum and tissue levels of free carnitine are significantly decreased in dialysis patients, whereas acylcarnitine levels are increased. However, the precise kinetics and fate of carnitine fractions in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who are not on dialysis have not been clarified. This study aims to determine the kinetics of serum carnitine fractions in patients who were not on dialysis.

Seventy-five CKD patients not on dialysis were recruited in this study. Serum and urinary carnitine fraction levels were measured to evaluate the kinetics and regulation of serum carnitine fractions. Carnitine fractions were measured by the enzymatic cycling method.

Total and free serum carnitine levels did not change with progression of CKD, whereas acylcarnitine levels and the acyl/free carnitine ratio significantly increased. Serum acylcarnitine levels were inversely associated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r

= 0.239, p < 0.001), but free carnitine levels were not. Serum free carnitine levels were positively associated with urinary free carnitine excretion (r

= 0.214, p < 0.001), but serum acylcarnitine levels were not. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that urinary free carnitine excretion and blood urea nitrogen were independent determinants of serum free carnitine and acylcarnitine levels, respectively.

The present study demonstrated that serum acylcarnitine levels increased with renal dysfunction independent of urinary excretion levels. Serum free carnitine was not affected by renal function in CKD patients who were not on dialysis.

The present study demonstrated that serum acylcarnitine levels increased with renal dysfunction independent of urinary excretion levels. Serum free carnitine was not affected by renal function in CKD patients who were not on dialysis.This study aimed to assess the influence of different light curing units (LCUs) on the polymerization of various flowable resin composites. Three LCUs (Optilux 501, Elipar™ DeepCure-L LED and Bluephase®20i) and eight flowable resin composites MI FIL Flow, Estelite Flow Quick, Estelite Universal Flow (medium), Estelite Universal Flow (super low), Beautifil Flow Plus, Clearfil Majesty ES Flow, Filtek Supreme Ultra flowable and TetricEvo Flow were tested. For Vickers microhardness (VHN) test and degree of conversion (DC), specimens were prepared and polymerized for 20 s. VHN test was performed at top surfaces (3 indentations) and DC for each specimen was measured using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy after 24 h dry storage in dark at 37˚C. The data were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA and t-test with Bonferroni correction. DC and hardness values showed a relationship between materials and LCUs. The curing efficacy of LCU type may depend on the material composition.Binary Ti-Fe alloys with 5-25 mass% Fe were prepared, and subjected to reciprocating wear test. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between mechanical properties and the wear resistance of titanium and Ti-Fe alloys. The dimensions (length, width and depth) of wear marks on Ti-Fe alloys were less than those observed on pure Ti specimen. Wear resistance of Ti-Fe alloys was better than that of pure titanium. It was established that hardness was the main factor that influenced wear resistance of Ti-Fe alloys. Single β Ti-Fe alloys showed better wear resistance than α+β Ti-Fe alloys. Increase in concentration of Fe in the β phase of Ti-Fe alloys leads to improved wear resistance of the alloy. Ti-Fe alloys with 11-15 mass% Fe form ideal candidates for fabrication of dental titanium alloys with excellent wear resistance.Binary Ti-Fe alloys of varying concentrations of Fe between 5-25% were made, and their castings evaluated in terms of microstructures formed and mechanical properties. The aim of this study was to explore the composition of Ti-Fe alloys that offers improved wear resistance of titanium. X-ray diffraction and microstructural observation revealed that 5-7% Fe, 8-15% Fe, and 20-25% Fe consisted of α+β, single β, and β+Ti-Fe phases, respectively. The hardness of alloys with 8-13% Fe was almost equal to that of Co-Cr alloys but lower than of the other Ti-Fe alloys. Elongation of the Ti-Fe alloys was negligible. However, dimples were observed in specimen containing 7-11% Fe. Alloys with 9% Fe demonstrated the highest strength of more than 850 MPa. We believe that Ti-Fe alloys with 8-11% Fe may be applicable in development of an alloy with good wear resistance due to the exhibited properties of high hardness and ductility albeit low.