The Performance of a Body Composition–Based Equation in Estimating Overhydration of Hemodialysis Patients

Hydration and nutritional status of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are linked to increased morbidity and mortality. Body composition monitoring (BCM) by multi-frequency bioimpedance spectroscopy (MFBS) is considered to be a superior modality of fluid assessment in chronic kidney disease (CKD) dialysis. We did a longitudinal prospective study in South India on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients over 24 months and looked at impact of baseline nutritional parameters and body composition parameters on 24-month mortality. Ninety-nine patients stable on dialysis for at least 3 months were recruited (MHD 85, CAPD 14) at baseline and at 24 months, 41 were alive and 33 had expired, 12 had undergone renal transplant and 13 were lost to follow-up. BCM and nutritional assessment were done at baseline and at follow-up. Baseline overhydration (OH) differed significantly between surviving and dead patients (p < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve between OH and mortality showed that the best cut-off point to differentiate between survived and expired patients was 3.15 L. ROC curve for BMI showed lower than cut-off of 22.65 kg/m2 to predict mortality with sensitivity 41.30% and specificity 81.81%. At follow-up, triceps skin fold thickness (TSF), biceps skin fold thickness (BSF) and mid arm circumference (MAC) increased significantly from baseline (p < 0.001, p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Overhydration and BMI are important predictors of mortality in dialysis patients. Improvement in anthropometric markers TSF, BSF and MAC in MHD patients was associated with survival.

To study the relationship between overhydration (OH) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and cardiac mortality. OH, as measured by body composition monitor (BCM), is associated with increased mortality in dialysis patients. BCM has been used to guide treatment on the assumption that correcting OH will improve cardiac morbidity and mortality although data demonstrating causality that is reversible is limited. We wished to determine if OH in PD patients predicted cardiac mortality, and if there was a correlation between OH and cardiac troponin-T (cTnT) levels. Finally, we wished to determine if improving OH values would lead to a decrement in cTnT. All prevalent PD patients over the study period of 57 mo who had contemporaneous BCM and cTnT measurements were followed irrespective of transplantation or PD technique failure. We also studied a cohort of patients with who had severe OH (> +2L). The Fresenius Body Composition Monitor was used to obtain hydration parameters. cTnT levels were done as part of routine clinical care. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0. There were 48 deaths in the 336 patients. The patients that died from cardiac or non-cardiac causes were similar with respect to their age, incidence of diabetes mellitus, gender, ethnicity and cause of renal failure. However, the patients with cardiac causes of death had significantly shorter dialysis vintage (10.3 mo vs 37.0 mo, P < 0.0001) and were significantly more overhydrated by BCM measurement (2.95 L vs 1.35 L, P < 0.05). The mean (standard error of the means) hydration status of the 336 patients was +1.15 (0.12) L and the median [interquartile range (IQR)] cTnT level was 43.5 (20-90) ng/L. The cTnT results were not normally distributed and were therefore transformed logarithmically. There was a statistically significant correlation between Log (cTnT) with the OH value (Spearman r value 0.425, P < 0.0001). We identified a sub-group of patients that were severely overhydrated; median (IQR) hydration at baseline was +2.7 (2.3 to 3.7) L. They were followed up for a minimum of 6 mo. Reduction in OH values in these patients over 6 mo correlated with lowering of cTnT levels (Spearman r value 0.29, P < 0.02). Patients that were overhydrated had higher cTnT, and had deaths that were more likely to be cardiac related. Reduction in OH correlated with lowering of cTnT.

Multiple regression equations were developed to describe the relationship between percentage hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) loss and the density and shoot dry weight of multi-species weed communities dominated by green foxtail [Setaria viridis (L.) Beauv.]. Data were collected over a 10-yr period from fields sown by farmers near Regina, Saskatchewan. Weed densities averaged 470 plants m−2, with green foxtail constituting 85% of the total number of plants and 57% by dry weight. Other important species included in the equations were stinkweed (Thlaspi arvense L.), common lamb’s-quarters (Chenopodium album L.), wild buckwheat (Polygonum convolvulus L.), and wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). Including crop density as a variable made a significant improvement in the efficiency of the equations. Precipitation and growing degree-days (base 5 °C) were related to the residuals from the analysis relating wheat loss to weed abundance. These environmental variables were significantly related to crop loss, but only for the residuals of the equation where weed densities were used as independent variables. Hyperbolic and sigmoidal equations were less efficient at describing the data than were multiple linear regression equations. Key words: Green foxtail, spring wheat, competition, multi-species, multiple regression, crop loss

Bioimpedance measurements with the Body Composition Monitor (BCM) have been shown to improve fluid management in haemodialysis. However, there is a lack of a sufficiently robust evidence-base for use of the BCM outside of standard protocols. This study aims to define the error associated with BCM measurement using alternate paths and timings to allow the use of BCM with confidence in a range of clinical scenarios. BCM measurements were made in 48 healthy controls and in 48 stable haemodialysis patients before and immediately after dialysis. The effect of utilising alternative measurement paths was assessed using mixed effects models and the effect of measuring post-dialysis was assessed by comparing changes in BCM-measured overhydration (OH) with weight changes over dialysis. The data from healthy controls suggest that there is no difference in BCM-measured OH between all the whole-body paths other than the ankle-to-ankle measurement. Dialysis patients showed similar results other than having higher BCM-measured OH when measured across the site of a vascular access. There was good agreement between BCM-measured OH from the standard path and change in weight, suggesting post-dialysis measurements can be utilised. These results suggest BCM protocols can be flexible regarding measurement paths and timing of measurement to ensure as many patients as possible can benefit from the technology.

Background: Fluid management is a central aspect of haemodialysis (HD). Body composition monitor (BCM)-measured overhydration (OH) can improve fluid management strategies, but there remains uncertainty about its use in subjects with high body mass index (BMI). This study explored whether the observed tendency for HD patients with high BMI to complete dialysis fluid depleted according to BCM is associated with an artefact in the BCM models, or with systematic differences in the prescription and delivery of treatment. Methods: To isolate the effect of BMI from effects relating to treatment, BCM measurements were made on 20 healthy subjects with high BMI. Mean OH was compared with a previously reported cohort of healthy subjects with normal BMI. To further explore BCM-measured OH in HD patients, measurements were made pre- and post-dialysis on 10 patients with high BMI alongside relative blood volume monitoring. Body shape was classified to assess associations between shape and OH. Results: The mean OH for healthy subjects with high BMI was -0.1 litres, which was not different from that of healthy subjects with normal BMI. Median BCM-measured OH for HD patients was 1.8 and -1.8 litres pre- and post-dialysis respectively, while blood volume and blood pressure were maintained. Body shape correlated with OH in control subjects but not HD patients. Conclusions: We found no evidence of systematic bias in BCM-measured OH with high BMI in healthy subjects. BCM-measured post-dialysis fluid depletion in asymptomatic patients with high BMI appears to result from greater tolerance of ultrafiltration and ability to maintain blood volume.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of product quality and service quality on customer satisfaction at the SLV Room Boutique. The population in this study were consumers of SLV Room Boutique. the sampling in this study was carried out using a purposive sampling technique so that 80 respondents were sampled. The type of research used is quantitative. The data used is primary data obtained by distributing questionnaires to consumers. The results of the study after the data was processed with SPSS.23 show that there is a partially significant effect between the independent variable and the dependent variable which can be proven by the calculated t value of the product quality variable (X1) of 2,938&gt; t table 1.665 with a significant value of 0.004 &lt;0.05 and the calculated t value of the service quality variable (X2) of 4.700&gt; t table 1.665 with a significant value of 0.000 &lt;0.05. Simultaneously there is a positive and significant effect on the dependent variable (X2). Simultaneously, there is a positive and significant influence between the independent variables on the dependent variable as evidenced by the multiple linear regression equation, namely Y = -0.754 + 0.167 X1 + 0.338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016 &gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. Simultaneously there is a positive and significant effect on the dependent variable (X2). Simultaneously, there is a positive and significant influence between the independent variables on the dependent variable as evidenced by the multiple linear regression equation, namely Y = -0.754 + 0.167 X1 + 0.338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016 &gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. Simultaneously there is a positive and significant effect on the dependent variable (X2). Simultaneously, there is a positive and significant influence between the independent variables on the dependent variable as evidenced by the multiple linear regression equation, namely Y = -0.754 + 0.167 X1 + 0.338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016 &gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. there is a positive and significant influence between the independent variables on the dependent variable as evidenced by the multiple linear regression equation, namely Y = -0.754 + 0.167 X1 + 0.338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016&gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. there is a positive and significant influence between the independent variables on the dependent variable as evidenced by the multiple linear regression equation, namely Y = -0.754 + 0.167 X1 + 0.338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016&gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. 338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016&gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study. 338 X2 + e and a significant effect with a calculated F value of 56.016&gt; F table 3.965 with a significant level of 0.00 &lt;0.05. The R Square value or the coefficient of determination of 0.593 indicates that 59.3% of the customer satisfaction variable (Y) is influenced or can be explained by the independent variables of product quality and service quality, while the remaining 40.7% is explained by other variables not included in this study.

Objective To investigate the status of fatigue in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, analyze the correlation between fatigue and uncertainty and hope, and establish a multiple regression model to discuss the dependence between fatigue and uncertainty and hope situation in MHD Patients. Methods A convenient sampling method was used to select 150 patients with renal failure who were treated with MHD in the hemodialysis center of a third-class general hospital in Tianjin from June to September, 2018. The demographic data and disease data of the patients were collected with self-designed general data questionnaire. The patients were assessed with Piper Fatigue Revision Scale, Disease Uncertainty Scale and Herth Hope Scale. Results The results showed that the total fatigue score of MHD patients was 4.37 ± 1.17, belonging to the moderate level, with the highest score (4.95±1.35) in behavioral dimension, and the lowest score (3.48 ± 1.37) in cognitive dimension. The results showed that the score of fatigue were different in MHD patients of different ages, marital status, educational level, work status, primary disease, and the number of complications (P<0.05). The results of correlation analysis showed that the score of fatigue in MHD patients was positively correlated with the total score of uncertainty and its dimensions (r = 0.231-0.634, P<0.05). The fatigue level of MHD patients was negatively correlated with the total score of hope and its dimensions (r=-0.608- -0.323, P<0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that the independent variables entering the regression equation included marital status, number of complications, disease uncertainty and hope level score. And the determination coefficient R2 was 0.530,the adjusted determination coefficient was 0.501, F=18.454, P=0.000, which had statistical significance. Conclusions The fatigue level of MHD patients is moderate, and the score of fatigue in behavioral dimension is the highest, which is influenced by age, marital status, education, work condition, primary disease and the number of complications. The level of fatigue in MHD patients was positively correlated with disease uncertainty and its dimensions, and negatively correlated with the level of hope and its dimensions. Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis; Fatigue; Uncertainty in illness; Hope

Prediction of the therapeutic alliance in alcoholism treatment (as rated by the client and by the therapist) was examined in light of a range of potentially relevant factors, including client demographics, drinking history, current drinking, current psychosocial functioning and therapist demographics. The data were gathered in Project MATCH. The present analyses were based on data from 707 outpatients and 480 aftercare clients assigned to one of the three Project MATCH treatments. Potential predictor variables were evaluated by first examining bivariate linear relationships between the variables and ratings of the alliance, and then entering blocks of these predictors into multiple linear regression equations with alliance ratings as the dependent variables. All analysis incorporated adjustments for the nonindependence of ratings pertaining to clients seen by the same therapist. In simple regressions evaluating bivariate relationships, outpatients' ratings of the alliance were positively predicted by client age, motivational readiness to change, socialization, level of perceived social support and therapist age, and were negatively predicted by client educational level, level of depression, and meaning seeking. Therapist ratings in the outpatient sample were positively predicted by the client being female and by level of overall alcohol involvement, severity of alcohol dependence, negative consequences of alcohol use, and readiness to change. Among aftercare clients, ratings of the alliance were positively predicted by readiness to change, socialization and social support, and were negatively predicted by level of depression. Therapist ratings of the alliance in the aftercare sample were positively predicted by the client being female and therapist educational level, and were negatively predicted by pretreatment drinks per drinking day. Of the variables having significant bivariate relationships with alliance scores, only a few were identified as significant predictors in multiple regression equations. Among outpatients, client age and motivational readiness to change remained positive predictors and client education a negative predictor of client ratings of the alliance, while client gender remained a significant predictor of therapist ratings. Among aftercare clients, readiness to change and level of depression remained significant predictors of client ratings, while none of the variables remained a significant predictor of therapist ratings. While the data indicate that several client variables predict the nature of both the client's and therapist's perception of the therapeutic alliance, the significant relationships are of modest magnitude, and few variables remain predictive after controlling for causally prior variables. The strongest relationship identified in both the outpatient and aftercare samples is that between clients' motivational readiness to change and their ratings of the alliance.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between the age and the cone-beam CT (CBCT) images of the third and fourth cervical vertebrae in female skeletal class Ⅰ patients aged between 9 and 17 years, and to establish a quantitative evaluation method for calculating the age. Methods: CBCT images of 108 female skeletal class Ⅰ patients aged between 9 and 17 years were collected from Qingdao Stomatological Hospital from September, 2017 to March, 2019. The two-dimensional linear values (AH: height of anterior edge of vertebral body; H: height of middle part of vertebral body; PH: height of posterior edge of vertebral body; AP: width of vertebral body), the two-dimensional linear ratio values (AH/PH, AH/AP, AH/H, H/AP, H/PH, PH/AP) and the three-dimensional volume values of the third vertical vertebrae (C3) and the fourth vertical vertebrae (C4) were measured. By Exponential transformation of measurements and multiple linear regression analysis, the optimal index for evaluating age were screened, and the fitting degree of multiple linear regression equation (R(2)) and the accuracy of age estimation (SEE) were compared. CBCT images of 27 female skeletal class Ⅰ patients aged from 9 to 17 years were added from Qingdao Stomatological Hospital between April, 2019 and July, 2019, by which the accuracy of the regression equation was verified. Results: Multiple linear regression equation for age estimation based on two-dimensional linear indexes was as follows: Y=-113.928+33.743×e(AH)(3)(/100)+58.844×e(PH)(4)(/100)+20.590×e(AP)(4)(/100)( "e" was a natural constant, e≈2.718), R(2)=0.745, SEE=1.31. Multiple linear regression equation for age estimation based on two-dimensional linear ratio indexes was as follows: Y=-0.076-2.284×e(A)H(3)/PH(3)+3.227×e(A)H(3)/AP(3)+2.149×e(A)H(3)/H(3)+1.961×e(A)H(4)/H(4), R(2)=0.576, SEE=1.70. Multiple linear regression equation of age estimation by the volume index was as follows: Y=-16.828+22.184×e(V)(3)(/10 000), R(2)=0.555, SEE=1.71. The data of 27 new patients were tested. The CBCT measurement index of C3 and C4 vertebral bodies inferred the fitting degree (R(2)) and accuracy (SEE) of the equation of the age estimation. The two-dimensional linear value was superior to the two-dimensional linear ratio and the latter was superior to the three-dimensional volume value. The standard error of the estimate about them was 1.74, 2.00 and 2.37, respectively. Conclusions: The two-dimensional linear index of CBCT images of C3 and C4 could be used to estimate the age of 9 to 17-year-old female skeletal class Ⅰ patients, and the accuracy of the method was higher than that of two-dimensional ratio index and three-dimensional volume index.

Background/Objectives: In patients with malignancy, fluid electrolyte imbalance and renal dysfunction have been demonstrated to increase mortality and morbidity. The objective of this study was to evaluate body composition, and clinical and laboratory tests at baseline and at 3 months during chemotherapy and standard fluid therapy in patients with malignancy. Methods: This study included patients with an ECOG performance status of 0–1 who did not have clinically evident organ failure, brain tumors, or a need for intensive care treatment. All received standard fluid therapy and chemotherapy. Examinations, routine laboratory tests, and body composition measurements were performed at the beginning of chemotherapy and again after three months. Results: The number of hypervolemic patients increased. Although the body mass index (BMI) did not change compared to the baseline, serum levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), calcium, albumin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides increased at the second measurement. By month three, the frequency of overhydration (OH) increased. There was a significant, positive, moderate correlation between the difference in OH and the difference in BNP (p = 0.001). The leukocyte, neutrophil, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and neutrophil-to-albumin ratio decreased (p < 0.05 for all). Body composition monitor (BCM) measurements revealed that the extracellular fluid/intracellular fluid ratio (E/I) increased at the second measurement (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The frequency of OH and BNP levels increased at three months. An initial fluid deficit or OH was associated with mortality. OH may mask sarcopenia in patients. Therefore, objective assessment of body composition is important for patient management to avoid OH and predict mortality. However, more studies with larger patient populations and long-term follow-up are needed.

Objective To evaluated the quality of life of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and CAPD patients and to discuss the influence factors of quality of life of MHD and CAPD patients. Methods The objects' clinical and questionnaire data were obtained from the Department of Nephrology and Blood Purification Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from July to September 2016, which inclued 118 MHD patients and 76 CAPD patients.The quality of life of MHD and CAPD patients was evaluated through the application of KDQOL-SFTM 1.3 version. At the meantime, related indexes reflecting nutrition and the adequecy of hemodialysis of MHD and CAPD patients were screened. Results The KDTA score of MHD patients was (62.4±11.3), SF-36 score was (58.3±17.9), significantly lower than the general population(P<0.05). In KDTA and SF-36, the score of 11 fractal dimensions was slightly higher than the United States, and the scores of 6 fractal dimensions was slightly higher than Spain.Compared with the survey data in Guangzhou, scores of all fractal dimensions were obviously improved and the same as survey data of Shenyang and Hefei.The KDTA score of CAPD patients was (71.4±8.9), SF-36 score was (61.6±16.3), significantly lower than the general population(P<0.05). In KDTA and SF-36, the score of 7 fractal dimensions was significantly higher than Hongkong, and the rest of which were all relatively low than Hongkong.Compared with the survey data in Guangzhou, scores of all fractal dimensions were obviously improved and the same as survey data of Shenyang and Hefei.The KDTA and SF-36 overall scores of MHD patients were significantly lower than the CAPD patients(P<0.05). In 11 fractal dimensions, the scores of all fractal dimensions of CAPD patients were higher than MHD patients and showed significant differences in EKD, BKD, WS, CF, QSI, SexF, SoS and PS(P<0.05). In 8 fractal dimensions’ scores of SF-36, besides PF, SF and Energy, the other fractal dimensions’ scores of CAPD patients were all higher than MHD patients and showed significant differences in PF, RP, BP, EWB, RE and SF(P<0.05). The general data for the MHD patients showed that the quality of life existed differences (P<0.05) among the sex, literacy, annual household income, the conditions of health insurance, the primary diseases and the dialysis age, and also had a correlation (P<0.05) with the scores of SAG, ALB, HB, Kt/V, iPTH, Ca×P. Multiple-factor analysis showed that dialysis age, sex (female), the primary disease (DN), iPTH, Kt/V, the score of SGA was the independent risk factors for the quality of life of the MHD patients, of which dialysis age was a long-time effect factor. The general data for the CAPD patients showed that professional conditions, the conditions of health insurance, the causes of primary diseased and the dialysis age existed differences (P<0.05), and also had a correlation (P<0.05) with the score of SAG, ALB, HB, Kt/V, multiple-factor analysis showed that the primary disease(DN), Kt/V, ALB, the score of SGA were the independent risk factors for the quality of life of the CAPD patients. Conclusions MHD and CAPD patients have a low quality of life, there are differences between developing and developed country.Diabetic Nephropathy, Kt/V, SGA are the common independent risk factors for the quality of life of the MHD and CAPD patients. Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis; CAPD; Quality of life

With the development of society, carbon emissions are increasing. The key organisms to maintain the stability of the carbon cycle are fungi that can be easily seen and ignored. In this paper, we selected several fungi to establish the model of decomposition and reproduction so that we can understand the role they played. First of all, we studied several physiological indexes of fungi, and established the degradation model through multiple regression analysis, and multiple linear regression equation for the relationship between decomposition rate, growth rate, unit volume density of mycelium, temperature and humidity tolerance. Next, we established the competitive growth model based on logistic model, simulated the competitive growth process of strains with different growth rates, humidity tolerance, and the total decomposition rate. In order to be closer to the real situation, we set up the competitive growth model among four species. By arranging fungal communities randomly to simulate different biodiversity, we analyzed the effects on the decomposition rate in the case of that the environmental temperature and humidity changed by 10% respectively. After that, we established a growth prediction model based on ARIMA. By querying the climate data of five typical climates, we established the competitive growth model with 4 combinations, and we obtained a short-term model, a medium-term trend and a long-tern forecast to describe growth, reproduction and decomposition rate. In order to refine the strains of the pressure of competition and the influence of the distance between the strains of competition, we have established improved competition evolution model based on the cellular automata theory of population. The model helped us comprehend the competition between species on a micro level. All these analyses showed us the significance of biodiversity and the great role decomposers play in Earth.

This study aimed to investigate the suitability of using ultrasonograph muscle thickness (MT) measurements to estimate the muscle volume (MV) of the quadriceps femoris as an alternative approach to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The subjects were 46 men aged from 20 to 70 years who were randomly allocated to either a validation or a cross-validation group. In the validation group, multiple and simple regression equations, which used a set of MT values determined at mid-thigh and thigh length (1) and the product of pi, (MT/2)2, and l [pi x (MT/2)2 x l], respectively, as independent variables, were derived to estimate the MV measured by MRI. Because the two equations were cross-validated, the data from the two groups were pooled to generate the final prediction equations: MV (cm3)=(MT x 311.732)+(l x 53.346) -2058.529 as the multiple regression equation and MV (cm3) = [pi x (MT/ 2)2 x l] x 1.1176+663.040 as the simple regression equation. In the multiple regression equation, MT explained 75% of the variation in the MV measured by MRI. The r2 and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) of the equations were 0.824 and 175.6 cm3 (10.6%), respectively, for the multiple regression equation and 0.829 and 173.7 cm3 (10.5%), respectively, for the simple regression equation. Thus, the present results indicate that ultrasonograph MT measurements at mid-thigh are useful for estimating the MV of knee extensors. However, the observed SEE values suggest that the prediction equation obtained in this study may be limited to population studies rather than individual assessments in longitudinal studies.

The aim of the study was to detect regression (multiple linear regression and correlation) and correlation (two-dimensional correlation method) relationships between the indicators of Kettel's test in mentally ill with addictive disorders (alcoholics and ludomanes). For the formation of mathematical models, each of the indicators of the set selected in the analysis, was considered as the target sign (Y), and the other elements of the set as X and the method of multiple linear regression determined orientated influences. As a result of the procedure used, we obtained the equation of multiple linear regression. The adequacy of the regression coefficients was estimated by the method of sigma deviations of the regression coefficients, and the efficiency of the regression as a whole was estimated by means of calculating the multiplier correlation coefficient. Geometrically, the equation of multiple linear regression was interpreted using polycyclic multigraphs.Between the factors of the Kettle test in the mentally healthy participants of the study, there were more oriented statistically significant regression relationships-ratios than those suffering from alcoholism and ludomania. The coefficients of the two-dimensional correlation between the indicators of Kettle's test in people suffering from alcoholism and ludomania appeared to be more than healthy ones. In the established system of indexes of Kettel's tests, system-forming, depending on the research group, the following factors-indicators were determined: in the conditions of the psychological norm - restraint-expressiveness and low intelligence-high intelligence; among patients with alcoholism - alaaxia-protense (trust, openness-suspiciousness, jealousy); among patients suffering from ludomanii - low super-his-high super-him and trektia - parmy (timidity, indecision, courage, entrepreneurship). The discrepancies of system-forming factors are revealed, which testify that in the course of chronic alcoholism and ludomania the formation of orientation on the lower levels of the value system appears. The obtained mathematical models visualize the destruction of mental activity in persons suffering from alcoholism and ludomania.

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) level in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and to explore its relationship with mineral bone metabolism disorders and vascular calcification. Methods From January to February of 2018, a total of 380 patients who had undergone MHD for more than 3 months in our hospital were enrolled for this study. Clinical parameters were recorded, including gender, age, dialysis age, dialysis adequacy, and use of phosphorus-reducing drugs. Before dialysis, blood was drawn for detection of serum calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and alkaline phosphatase as mineral bone metabolism indicators, as well as hemoglobin, albumin, blood glucose, blood lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and β2 microglobulin, etc. The serum level of FGF23 was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while multislice spiral CT (MSCT) was used to evaluate coronary artery calcification scores. The t-test and chi-square test were applied to analyze the influencing factors of FGF23 in the MHD patients. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed for multivariate analysis. The chi-square test was also used to analyze the correlation between parathyroid hormone and coronary artery calcification scores in the MHD patients with different FGF23 levels. Results The median level of serum FGF23 in the MHD was 8 905.3 pg/ml. According to 50% of the FGF23 median level, the patients were divided into high-level group and low-level group. Univariate analysis showed that dialysis age, dialysis duration, dialysis ultrafiltration volume, and dialysis frequency were the influencing factors of serum FGF23 level. The level of FGF23 was higher in patients with larger age, longer duration of dialysis, more frequent dialysis, and greater volume of dialysis ultrafiltration (P<0.05). In the FGF23 high-level group, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum β2 microglobulin levels were higher than in the FGF23 low-level group (P<0.05). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that dialysis age and serum creatinine were risk factors for the increase of FGF23 (P<0.001). And high FGF23 level was associated with the levels of serum calcium, serum phosphorus, iPTH, and high coronary artery calcification scores. Conclusions Dialysis age, dialysis duration, dialysis ultrafiltration volume, dialysis frequency, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum β2 microglobulin, were related to the maintenance of FGF23 elevation in MHD patients. Dialysis AGE and serum creatinine were risk factors for FGF23 elevation. FGF23 was significantly associated with mineral-bone metabolism and coronary artery calcification in MHD patients. Key words: Hemodialysis; Fibroblast growth factor 23; Vascular calcification; Mineral-bone metabolism disorder; Cardiovascular disease