Biocompatibility performance evaluation of high flux hydrophilic CO3Ap/HAP/PSF composite membranes for hemodialysis application

Clinical effect of nursing methods integrating health belief models on self-care of maintenance hemodialysis patients: A retrospective study

This study aimed to explore the clinical effectiveness of nursing methods that incorporate health belief models on the self-care practices of maintenance hemodialysis patients. The objective was to enhance patients' health beliefs, strengthen their healthy behaviors and habits, improve their unhealthy daily behaviors, and provide robust theoretical and practical foundations for future nursing practices in this area. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 hemodialysis patients from our hospital, from January 2019 to February 2023. The participants were divided into 2 groups: a control group (N = 75) using routine nursing methods, and an experimental group (N = 75) using methods integrated with health belief models. Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic and baseline clinical characteristics such as gender, marital status, age, education level, total scores of self-care ability, and dialysis duration, with no significant differences observed (P > .05). Data collection tools included a general information questionnaire and a self-care ability scale, and clinical effectiveness was measured through specific indicators such as parathyroid hormone, blood phosphorus, urea, potassium, calcium, and IWGR%. Post-intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in self-care capabilities across various dimensions and most clinical indicators compared to the control group, with the exception of parathyroid hormone and blood urea levels. The study concludes that integrating health belief models into nursing practices significantly enhances the self-care abilities of maintenance hemodialysis patients, improves several clinical parameters, and holds promise for fostering better patient outcomes and guiding future clinical nursing practices.

Functionalized organic filler based integrated membranes for environmental remediation

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are synthesized for efficient CO₂ separation released from various anthropogenic sources, which are due to global environmental concerns. The synergetic effect of porous nitrogen-rich, CO₂-philic filler and polymer in mixed matrix-based membranes (MMMs) can separate CO₂ competent. The development of various loadings of porphyrin poly(N-isopropyl Acryl Amide) (P-NIPAM)as functionalized organic fillers (5-20%) in polysulfone (PSU) through solution casting is carried out followed by the various characterizations including field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer(FT-IR) analysis and pure and mixed gas permeations ranging from 2 to 10 bar feed pressure. Due to both organic species interactions in the matrix, well-distributed fillers and homogenous surfaces, and cross-sectional structures were observed due to π-π interactions and Lewis's basic functionalities. The strong affinity of porous nitrogen-rich and CO₂-philic fillers through gas permeation analysis showed high CO₂/CH₄ and CO₂/N₂ gas performance that surpassed Robeson's upper bound limit. Comparatively, MMMs showed improved CO₂/CH₄ permeabilities from 87.5 ± 0.5 Barrer to 88.2 ± 0.9 Barrer than pure polymer matrix. For CO₂/N₂, CO₂ permeabilities improved to 75 ± 0.8 Barrer than pure polymer matrix. For both gas pairs (CO₂/CH₄, CO₂/N₂), respective pureselectivities (84%; 86%) and binary selectivities (85% and 85%)were improved. Various theoretical gas permeation models were used to predict CO₂ permeabilities for MMMs from which the modified Maxwell-Wagner-Sillar model showed the least AARE% of 0.87. The results showed promising results for efficient CO₂ separation due to exceptional functionalized P-PNIPAM affinitive properties. Finally, cost analysis reflected the inflated cost of membranes production for industrial setup using indigenous resources.

To Explore the Application of PDCA in Hemodialysis Center and Its Effect on the Maintenance of Internal Fistula

Background

The survey found that in recent years, with the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) increasing, some patients with CKD even progressed to end-stage renal disease. Luckily, progressive hemodialysis technology and nursing level can improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients.

Objective

To explore the application of plan-do-check-adjust (PDCA) cycle in the management of nurses in hemodialysis center and its effect on the maintenance of internal fistula in patients.

Methods

In this study, a randomized controlled trail (RCT) was used to select 90 patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis in the hemodialysis center of our hospital from January 2018 to June 2021 as objects. They were divided into a PDCA group (with PDCA nursing management) and routine group (with routine nursing management) by random number table with each of 45 cases for 6 months to compare the differences of the internal fistula complications, internal fistula maintenance quality, patients' microinflammatory state, and satisfaction with nursing, as well as nursing staff's operational and theoretical performance between the two groups.

Results

There was no significant difference in CRP, IL-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels between the two groups before intervention (P > 0.05); after that, these levels in the PDCA group were lower than those in the routine group, with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05); before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the qualification rate of blood flow, the awareness rate of health education, and the incidence of nursing defects between the two groups (P > 0.05); after that, the qualification rate of blood flow and the awareness rate of health education among nurses in PDCA group were higher than those in routine group, while the incidence of nursing defect accidents in the PDCA group was lower than that in routine group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); before intervention, there was no significant difference in the complication rate between the two groups (P > 0.05); after that, the complication rate of the PDCA group was lower than that of the routine group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); after intervention, the theoretical assessment and practical skills assessment scores of the PDCA group were higher than those of the routine group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05); after intervention, the nursing satisfaction of the PDCA group was higher than that of the routine group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The application of PDCA approach in the management of nurses in hemodialysis centers can effectively improve the quality of internal fistula management and improve the practical and theoretical level of nurses, as well as reduce the microinflammation of patients.

Bioactive Surface Modifications through Thermally Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Composite Coatings: A Review over Selective Reinforcements

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been an excellent replacement for the natural bone in orthopedic applications, owing to its close resemblance; however, it is brittle and has low strength. Surface modification techniques...

Fabrication and performance evaluation of polymeric membrane using blood compatible hydroxyapatite for artificial kidney application

In the current study, a phase inversion scheme was employed to fabricate hydroxyapatite (HA)/polysulfone (PSF)-based asymmetric membranes using a film applicator with water as a solvent and nonsolvent exchanging medium. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic studies were conducted to confirm the bonding chemistry and purity of filler. The inherent thick nature of PSF generated sponge-like shape while the instantaneous demixing process produced finger-like pore networks in HA/PSF-based asymmetric membranes as exhibited by scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs. The FTIR spectra confirmed noncovalent weak attractions toward the polymer surface. The leaching ratio was evaluated to observe the dispersion behavior of HA filler in membrane composition. Hydrophilicity, pore profile, pure water permeation (PWP) flux, and molecular weight cutoff (MWCO) values of all formulated membranes were also calculated. Antifouling results revealed that HA modified PSF membranes exhibited 43% less adhesion of bovine serum albumin (BSA) together with >86% recovery of flux. Membrane composition showed 74% total resistance, out of which 60% was reversible resistance. Biocompatibility evaluation revealed that the modified membranes exhibited prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT) comparable with typical blood plasma, whereas proliferation of living cells over membrane surface proved its nontoxic behavior toward biomedical application. The urea and creatinine showed effective adsorption aptitude toward HA loaded PSF membranes.