PTPN22基因多态性与张家口地区汉族人群桥本甲状腺炎的相关性研究

目的：分析蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶非受体型22（PTPN22）基因-1123G>C位点（rs2488457）多态性与桥本甲状腺炎(HT)易感性的相关性。方法：选取2014~2015年张家口地区HT患者（病例组）和健康体检者（对照组）各200例,提取外周血DNA后进行PCR测序,检测rs2488457基因型,计算其基因型频率和等位基因频率。结果： rs2488457基因型分布频率与Hardy Weinberg遗传平衡定律一致,各基因型和等位基因分布频率在病例组与对照组差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。PTPN22 基因-1123G>C位点C/G、C/C基因型可显著提高HT的风险, 携带G/G基因型可能降低HT风险。结论：rs2488457多态性与HT易感性相关。携带C/G、C/C基因型可能是HT发生的危险因素,携带G/G基因型可能是HT发生的保护因素。     

OAS基因多态性与肠道病毒71感染易感性关系

目的探讨2′-5′寡聚腺苷酸合成酶（OAS）1、2、3基因单核苷酸多态性（SNP）与肠道病毒71型（EV71）感染遗传易感性的关系,探讨不同基因型对EV71感染患病风险及病情程度的影响。方法收集2011年11月—2012年12月山东青岛地区的EV71检测为阳性的手足口病病儿163例,提取病儿外周血白细胞基因组DNA,采用序列特异性引物-聚合酶链反应技术检测EV71感染病儿和正常对照儿童OAS1外显子-6区rs1131476（G/A）位点、OAS2内含子-2区rs1293767（G/C）位点及OAS3的5′端rs7132797（C/A）位点SNP。结果组间OAS2内含子-2区rs1293767（G/C）位点基因型CC＋GC、GG及等位基因G、C频数分布与OAS3的5′端rs7132797（C/A）位点基因型AA、CA、CC及等位基因A、C频数分布差异无显著性（P〉0.05）;OAS1外显子-6区rs1131476（G/A）位点基因多态性中基因型AA和等位基因A在重症病儿分布频数较轻症者组明显增高（χ2=6.389、7.002,P〈0.05）,而EV71感染组与正常对照组差异无显著性（P〉0.05）。结论 OAS1rs1131476（G/A）基因SNP与EV71感染病儿疾病严重程度关系密切;基因型AA和等位基因A携带者在EV71感染中易发展为重症。     

乳腺癌易感基因相互作用蛋白1基因功能区单核苷酸多态性与宫颈癌的相关性研究

目的：探讨乳腺癌易感基因相互作用蛋白1基因（BRIP1）功能区5个单核苷酸多态性（SNP）位点与宫颈癌的相关性。方法严格按照诊断标准,采集无亲缘关系宫颈癌患者309例（病例组）及健康体检者（对照组）315名静脉血,提取基因组DNA,采用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱技术检测5个SNP的基因型,采用SPSS11.5及Haploview4.2软件分析各基因型、等位基因及单倍型频率在两组中的差异。结果宫颈癌组与正常对照组的BRIP1基因rs4986764（外显子18）及rs7213430（3＇非翻译区）位点基因型及等位基因频率分布差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。宫颈癌组rs4986764位点C等位基因频率显著高于对照组（P=0.036,OR=1.294,95%=1.017-1.647）;宫颈癌组 rs7213430位点 A 等位基因频率显著高于对照组（P=0.003,OR=1.435,95%CI=1.133-1.818）。连锁不平衡分析发现一个单倍型（rs11079454-rs7213430-rs4986763）高度连锁（D＇〉0.9）,宫颈癌组T-A-C单倍型频率显著高于对照组（P=0.018）。结论 BRIP1基因功能区rs4986764及rs7213430 SNP位点可能与宫颈癌有关,携带有rs4986764 C等位基因及rs7213430 A等位的个体可能更容易患宫颈癌。     

KRAS基因多态性与云南汉族人群非小细胞肺癌的相关性分析

  目的   探讨KRAS基因多态性与云南汉族人群非小细胞肺癌发生发展及病理类型的相关性。  方法   选取455例非小细胞肺癌患者,391例健康对照作为研究对象。采用Taqman探针基因分型法对KRAS基因3’UTR区域3个单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）位点rs12587（G > T） 、rs12245（A > C）、 rs1137282（A > G）进行基因分型。根据分型结果,分析等位基因、基因型及单倍型与非小细胞肺癌发生、病理类型（鳞癌、腺癌）和临床分期（I+II期、III+IV期）的相关性。  结果   rs12587（G > T）位点等位基因G在非小细胞肺癌组的分布频率显著高于对照组（P = 0.008,OR = 1.365,95%CI 1.086～1.716）;在显性模式下携带T等位基因的个体（G/T+T/T）患非小细胞肺癌的风险显著降低（P = 0.011,OR = 0.70 ,95%CI 0.53～0.92）。病例分层分析发现,鳞癌组与对照组的rs12587（G > T）位点等位基因和基因型频率,差异有统计学意义（P < 0.001、P = 0.001）;在显性模式下携带T等位基因的个体（G/T+T/T）患肺鳞癌的风险显著降低（P < 0.001,OR = 0.45 ,95%CI 0.30～0.68）。非小细胞肺癌病例组与对照组rs12245（A > C）位点等位基因分布频率及基因型,差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）;在显性模式下携带A等位基因的个体（A/T+A/A）患非小细胞肺癌的风险显著降低（P = 0.028,OR = 0.73 ,95%CI 0.55～0.97）。病例分层分析发现鳞癌组与对照组的rs12245（A > C）位点等位基因和基因型频率,差异有统计学意义（P = 0.003、P = 0.001）;在超显性模式下,基因型为A/T的个体患肺鳞癌的风险显著降低（P<0.001,OR = 0.43 ,95%CI 0.28～0.67）。  结论  KRAS基因3’UTR区域SNP位点rs12587（G > T）等位基因G可能是云南汉族人群非小细胞肺癌及鳞癌发生的风险因素。SNP位点rs12245（A > C）等位基因A可能是云南汉族人群非小细胞肺癌发生的保护性因素。     

INSIG1基因SNPrs9769506位点的多态性与2型糖尿病的关系

目的：探讨胰岛素诱导基因1（INSIG1）单核苷酸多态性（SNP）rs9769506位点的多态性与2型糖尿病（T2DM）的相关性,以期为 T2DM 的防治提供潜在的分子靶点。方法选择河南省南阳市中心医院2013年1月至2014年3月收治的 T2DM患者98例,另选取体检中心的健康体检者90例作为对照组,INSIG1基因 SNP rs9769506位点多态性检测使用实时荧光定量PCR（RT‐PCR）Taqman 分析。结果 T2DM 组 rs9769506位点 A 等位基因频率为54．1％,G 等位基因频率为45．9％,对照组 A等位基因频率为47．8％,G 等位基因频率为52．2％,两组之间差异无统计学意义（P ＞0．05）。 T2DM 组患者 rs9769506位点 A/A 、A /G 和 G/G 基因型频率分别为41．8％、24．5％和33．7％,对照组 rs9769506位点 A/A 、A/G 和 G/G 基因型频率分别为32．2％、31．1％和36．7％,A/A 基因型频率在对照组和 T2DM 组之间差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）,而 A/G 和 G/G 基因型频率在对照组和 T2DM 组之间差异则无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。 T2DM 患者中三酰甘油（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL‐C）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL‐C）表达水平在 A /A 、A/G 、G/G 基因型患者之间差异有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）,而 A/G 、G/G 基因型患者之间差异无统计学意义（P＞0．05）。结论 INSIG1基因 SNP rs9769506位点 A/A 基因型在 T2DM 患者中检出率高,对 T2DM 早期筛查及基因治疗具有临床指导意义。     

MIF基因多态性与剖宫产术后腹壁子宫内膜异位症遗传易感性相关性研究

目的：研究巨噬细胞移动抑制因子（MIF）启动子上游的rs2012133G/C、rs4822443A/G和rs4822446G/A位点基因多态性与剖宫产术后腹壁子宫内膜异位症易感性的关系。方法：收集60例经病理确诊的剖宫产术后腹壁子宫内膜异位症患者作为病例组,同期选取109例健康志愿者作为对照组,采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）方法对MIF基因多态性进行分析,分析基因型的分布及其与剖宫产术后腹壁子宫内膜异位症发病风险的关系。结果：rs2012133G/C SNP的CC、CG、GG基因型频率在病例组和对照组2组中比较差异有统计学意义（P=0.032）;C、G等位基因频率分布2组比较差异有统计学意义（P= 0.031）。与CG+CC基因型相比,携带GG基因型可明显增加子宫内膜异位症的发病风险（OR=2.284,95%CI：1.200～4.345）。而rs4822443A/G、rs4822446G/A SNP的基因型频率在病例组和对照组中的比较,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论：MIF rs2012133G/C位点基因多态性与剖宫产术后腹壁子宫内膜异位症发生的易感性有关,GG基因型是子宫内膜异位症的易感基因型。     

脑钠尿肽基因rs198389单核苷酸多态性与冠心病的相关性研究

目的探讨脑钠尿肽(BNP)基因rs198389位点单核苷酸多态性(SNP)与冠心病(CHD)的关系。方法取病例-对照方法,收集冠心病和健康者各961例,应用Real-timeqPCR(TaqMan探针)技术进行基因分型,分析BNP基因rs198389位点SNP与CHD危险性的关系。结果 CHD组和对照组比较,AA和GG基因型、A等位基因和G等位基因分布差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);GG基因型和G等位基因频率在病例组(3.6%和16.7%)明显高于对照组(2.1%和14.3%)。与A等位基因比较,G等位基因使CHD危险性显著增加(OR=1.20,95%CI=1.01~1.43,P=0.04)。GG基因型者CHD危险性增加(P=0.04),但在调整年龄、性别、吸烟、饮酒、体重指数、血甘油三脂、高血压史、糖尿病史和CHD家族史等变量后结果差异无统计学意义(P=0.12)。结论 BNP基因位点rs198389的G等位基因使CHD危险性显著增加;BNP基因rs198389位点SNP可能与CHD易感性相关,但不是其独立危险因素。     

房颤患者CX40基因单核苷酸多态性研究

目的探讨缝隙连接蛋白40 基因（GJA5）单核苷酸多态性在房颤发生中的作用。方法选择2012 年6～12 月南华大学附属第一医院心血管内科住院患者200 例,分为房颤组98 例（持续性发颤）及对照组102 例（窦性心律）。收集患者一般临床资料并通过经胸心脏彩超采集患者左房内径值,静脉采血提取DNA,经聚合酶链反应（PCR）及电泳法检测SNP 的位点,PCR 扩增产物纯化后直接测序查看SNP 位点;哈德温伯格平衡检验后,比较各组间基因分型和基因频率,就房颤危险因素非条件Logistic 回归分析。结果GJA5 基因rs10465885 存在A/G 多态性,房颤组等位基因A、G频率分别为0.54 和0.46。对照组等位基因A、G频率分别为0.45 和0.55。哈德温伯格平衡检验显示组间均符合其平衡,房颤组AA基因型高于对照组,AA 、GG基因型以及等位基因频率差异无统计学意义。GJA5 基因（rs10465885）AA 基因型（OR =2.49)和左房直径（OR =1.29）是房颤的危险因素, GJA5基因（rs10465885）基因型和左房直径无关。结论GJA5基因rs10465885 位点存在基因多态性, AA基因型与左房直径是房颤的危险因素。     

转化生长因子β1基因rs2317130单核苷酸多态性与结核病易感性的关联分析

目的 探究转化生长因子β1（transforming growth factor β1, TGF -β1）基因单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP）与结核病易感性的关系,为结核病的诊断和治疗提供更多的参考依据。方法 通过病例-对照（case-control）研究方法,以深圳市第三人民医院1 533例确诊的活动性结核病患者作为病例组（男980例,女553例）,选取同期在该院体检的1 445例人员作为健康对照组。通过飞行时间质谱仪（TOF-MS）检测TGF-β1基因6个SNP位点rs2317130、rs17516265、rs8110090、rs3087453、rs2278422、rs1800469基因型,通过比较两组间SNP等位基因频率差异,初步筛选出与结核病易感性相关联的SNP位点。用结核分枝杆菌标准株H37Rv刺激不同基因型的健康人外周血单个核细胞（peripheral blood mononuclear cell, PBMCs）,ELISA检测上清中TGF-β1含量,进一步验证TGF-β1基因SNP位点与结核易感性的关系。结果 在6个SNP位点中发现仅 rs2317130 C>T 位点等位基因频率在活动性结核组和对照组中差异有统计学（P<0.05）,结核病患者rs2317130 C>T位点C等位基因频率显著增高（OR=1.14;95%CI=1.03~1.26;P<0.01）,其他5个SNP等位基因频率在两组之间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。此外,ELISA实验结果表明,rs2317130 SNP位点CC纯合子基因型的患者TGF-β1表达量显著高于其他基因型（CT杂合子和TT纯合子基因型）,TGF-β1表达量上调可加速结核病发展,进一步证实rs2317130位点C等位基因为结核易感基因。结论 TGF-β1基因rs2317130 C>T位点与结核易感性相关,其C等位基因为结核易感基因,即携带C等位基因人群患结核风险升高。     

白细胞介素10基因单核苷酸多态性与小儿哮喘易感性的相关性研究

目的：探讨白细胞介素10（IL-10）基因3个单核苷酸多态性位点（rs1800896、rs3021097和rs3024492）与哮喘遗传易感性的相关性。方法：采用Sequenom MassARRAY-IPLEX SNP检测系统,分别对湖北省黄石地区汉族人群中200例正常健康者（对照组）和189例哮喘患者组（病例组）IL-10 3个单核苷酸多态性位点（SNP）（rs1800896、rs3021097和rs3024492）进行基因分型并分析两组间分布情况。用Hardy-Weinberg平衡对位点的基因型分布进行检验后,用χ2检验统计分析病例组和对照组基因型和等位基因的频率;采用Logistic回归模型进行计算,消除性别年龄因素对统计的影响,寻找出在病例组和对照组之间存在显著性差异的SNP位点,从而揭露IL-10多态性与哮喘之间的关联性。结果：①rs1800896位点存在G/G、G/A、A/A 3种基因型,其在病例组的分布频率为4.2%、57.1%、38.7%,在对照组的分布频率为0%、19.5%、80.5%,两组之间差异有统计学意义（P=0.001）;②rs3021097位点存在T/T、C/T和C/C 3种基因型,在病例组的分布频率为49.7%、40.8%和9.5%,在对照组的分布频率为46.5%、43.5%和10%,两组之间差异有显著统计学意义（P=0.45）;③rs3024492位点在汉族人群中只存在T/A和A/A 2种基因型,其在病例组的分布频率为4.8%和95.2%,在对照组的分布频率为5.5%和94.5%。两组之间有差异,但无统计学意义（P=0.7）。结论：在湖北黄石地区人群中,IL-10基因多态性与小儿哮喘易感性相关。其中rs1800896和rs3021097与小儿哮喘的易感性显著相关,而rs3024492与小儿哮喘的易感性不相关。     

Value of D-Dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection

Objective: To evaluatel the value of D-dimers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: This study consisted of 16 patients with AAD and 27 non-AAD patients. Serum D-dimets were measured by Sta-Liatest D-DI immunoturbidimetric assay. Results: D-dimer level was higher (P ＜ 0.001) in patients with AAD(7.91 ± 5.52 μg/ml) than that in non- AAD group(1.57±1.24 μg/ml). D-dimer was positive (＞0.4 μg/ml) in all patients with AAD and in 10 control group patients (37%). Among patients with acute AAD, D-dimers tended to be higher in Stanford A than in Stanford B (8.67 ± 4.31 μg/ml vs. 3.24±1.27 μg/ml, P ＜0.01). D-dimer values tended to be higher in more extended disease(3.84 ± 1.65 μg/ml, 8.57 ± 3.58 μg/ml and 11.87 ± 5.69 μg/ml in thoracic aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta, thoracic and abdominal aorta and iliacal arteries, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 for both 8.57 ± 3.58 and 11.87 ± 5.69 vs. 3.84 ± 1.65 ). Including the control group into the analysis, we found a sensitivity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 100%, and a specificity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 64% for D-dimer in diagnosis of AAD in our patients with suspected AAD. Conclusion: D-dimer was elevated in patients with AAD. A negative D-dimer test result could be useful in excluding AAD.     

Research of combined liver-kidney transplantation model in rats

Objective： To set up a simple and reliable rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods： SD rats served as both donors and recipients. 4℃ sodium lactate Ringer＇s was infused from portal veins to donated livers,and from abdominal aorta to donated kidneys, respectively. Anastomosis of the portal vein and the inferior vena cava （IVC） inferior to the right kidney between the graft and the recipient was performed by a double cuff method, then the superior hepatic vena cava with suture. A patch of donated renal artery was anastomosed to the recipient abdominal aorta. The urethra and bile duct were reconstructed with a simple inside bracket. Results： Among 65 cases of combined liver-kidney transplantation, the success rate in the late 40 cases was 77.5%. The function of the grafted liver and kidney remained normal. Conclusion： This rat model of combined liver-kidney transplantation can be established in common laboratory conditions with high success rate and meet the needs of renal transplantation experiment.     

APPLICATION OF LORNOXICAM TO PATIENT-CONTROLLED ANALGESIA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ABDOMINAL SURGERIES

FOR anesthesiologis s ,treatingpostoperativepainhas alwaysbeen a problem.Althoughopioidshave been provedtobe effective,theirsideeffectscouldnotbeignored.With thedevelopmentofscienceand pharmacology,many drugs with aspectsof satisfactoryanalgesicefficacyand couldbe welltoleratedby patientshave been developed.And lornoxicamisone of them, which isa non-steroidalanti-inflammatorydrug (NSAID ), with analgesic, anti-infl-ammatory,andantipyreticproperties.Itseliminationhalf-time(3 to 5 hours) isle…     

BLOOD PRESSURE CHANGE WITH AGE IN SALT-SENSITIVE TEENAGERS

Objective To observe blood pressure change with age in salt-sensitive teenagers whose salt sensitivity were determined by repeated testing.Methods Salt sensitivity was determined through intravenous infusion of normal saline combined with volume-depletion by oral diuretic furosemide in 55 teenagers. After five years, salt sensitivity was re-examined and subject blood pressure was followed up. Blood pressure changes in salt-sensitive teenagers were compared to that of non-salt sensitive teenagers over five years.Results After 5 years, the repetition rate of salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading is 92.7%. In teenagers with salt sensitivity on the baseline, both the systolic blood pressure increments and increment rates were much higher than non-salt sensitive teenagers (12.7±12.1 mmHg vs. 2.8±5.2 mmHg, P＜ 0.01; 12.2%± 12.0% vs. 2.5% ±4.4%, P＜ 0.001,respectively). There was a similar trend for diastolic blood pressure (8.4 ± 6.4 mmHg vs. 3.7 ± 6.4 mmHg, P = 0.052; 13.2% ±10.6 % vs. 6.8%± 10.1%, P = 0.053, respectively).Conclusions Salt sensitivity determined by intravenous saline loading showed good reproducibility. Blood pressure increments with age were much higher in salt-sensitive teenagers than non-salt sensitive teenagers, especially in terms of systolic blood pressure.     

Acupuncture Combined with Spinal Tui Na for Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea in 30 Cases

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effects in acupunture treatment of primary dysmenorrhea combined with spinal Tui Na, and study its mechanism. Methods: Thirty cases of the treatment group were treated by acupuncture combined with spinal Tui Na, and thirty cases in the control group were treated by routine acupuncture. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3% in the treatment group, and 73.3% in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Acupuncture combined with spinal Tui Na has good prospects for treatment of primary dysmenorrhea.     

Luo Lingjie's Experience in Treating Chronic Nephropathy

In treating chronic nephropathy,Luo Lingjie,a chief physician,pays attention to regulating the balance between yin and yang,treating infection if present,and removing pathogenic factors.He prescribes gentle drugs and uses carefully strongly warming-tonifying ones,emphasizes the importance of persuading the patient to persist in treatment with medication and nurse one's health for recuperation,and is good at combined use of TCM and western medicine therapy and brings the merits of various therapies into full play,with obvious theraoeutic effects.     

Dr.Zhang Ren's Experience in the Acupuncture Treatment of Different Diseases with the Same Therapeutic Principle

Dr.Zhang Ren,the chief physician,is the chairman of Shanghai Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association.Having been engaged in medicine for about 40 years,he is experienced in treating various intractable diseases.In his long years of clinical practice,he advocates taking the TCM differentiation as the basis to seek for the acupuncture method for treatment of modern intractable diseases.The author of this essay had the fortune to follow Dr.Zhang in study.The following is a summary of Dr.Zhang's experience in the acupuncture treatment for different intractable diseases with the same therapeutic principle.     

安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术后生活质量影响的研究

目的：评价使用安心颗粒对急诊经皮冠状动脉介入术（PPCI）术后生活质量的影响.方法：将160例接受PPCI的急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者随机分为安心颗粒组（术前顿服安心颗粒8.8g,术后安心颗粒4.4 g/次,每日2次）和对照组（仅接受基础药物治疗）.所有患者均服用阿司匹林、氯吡格雷和阿托伐他汀.分别在入院时、出院前1d、出院后180 d时,应用心肌梗死多维度量表（MIDAS）、中文版SF-36评价量表对患者生活质量评分.并观察术后30 d以内的出血并发症、血小板减少症发生情况.结果：入院时和出院前1d,两组患者的心肌梗死MIDAS、SF-36量表评分比较无差异（P＞0.05）;出院后180 d时,与对照组比较,安心颗粒组MIDAS、SF-36评分明显减低（P＜0.05）;组内与入院时比较,两组出院前1d、出院后180 d时,MIDAS、SF-36评分均降低（P＜0.05）.两组患者在随访期间均无大量出血、少量出血、重度和极重度血小板减少症发生,安心颗粒组有4例、对照组有7例发生不明显出血（P＞0.05）.两组发生轻度血小板减少症的患者数比较无差异（P＞0.05）.结论：PPCI使用安心颗粒,能改善急性ST段抬高型心肌梗死患者的生活质量,且不增加出血风险.     

The comparative studies of the influences of Urapidil and Nicardipine on sino-atrial node function, atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics

Objective:To investigate the influences of urapidil and nicardipine on rabbit sinus function,atrio-ventricular node function and hemodynamics.Methods:Thirty-two Angora's rabbits were selected and randomly divided into four groups.U1 group:urapidil 0.25 mg/kg;U2 group:urapidil 0.5 mg/kg;N1 group:nicardipine 10 μg/kg;N2 group:nicardipine 20 μg/kg.All these medicine were administrated within 30 seconds.Measurements were taken before and after the administration of urapidil or nicardipine for the following data:mean blood pressure(MAP),heart rate(HR),sino-atrial conduction time(SACT),maximal sinoatrial recovery time(SNRTmax)corrected sinus node recovery time(CSNRT),index of sinus node recovery time(SNRTI),Wenckebach A-V conduction frequency (WB),and P-R interval.Results:Significant MAP and HR changes were identified in all of the four groups before and after administration of both urapidil and nicardipine.No significant changes could be found in the rest of the parameters.Intergroup analysis showed that SACT and CSNRT of N1 and N2 groups were shorter than those of the U2 group(P＜0.01);the MAP decreased(P＜0.01)and the HR increased drastically(P＜0.01).Conclusions:Neither urapidil(0.25 mg/kg,0.5 mg/kg)nor nicardipine(10μg/kg,20μg/kg)has any significant influence on rabbit sinus function or rabbit atrio-ventricular node function.Nicardipine could be a better choice than urapidil for parafunctional sinus node patients.