Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinica
To explore the functions of miR-9 and miR-9* in SAMP8 mice during the aging and their possible mechanisms.
SAMP8 mice(4-,8-,12-month old,respectively)were selected,three age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as the control group with three mice in each group. The brains were collected and then sectioned for in situ hybridization of miR-9 and miR-9*. Mimics or inhibitors of miR-9 and miR-9* were transfected into N2a cells,and the effects of overexpression or knockdown of the microRNAs on the cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry. Target genes were predicted by bioinformatic analysis and confirmed by dual luciferase assay.
Expressions of miR-9 and miR-9* in hippocampus of SAMP8 mice were lower than those of SAMR1 mice. Knockdown of miR-9 and miR-9* induced a prolonged G1 phase and a shortened S phase in N2a cells;in contrast,miR-9 and miR-9* overexpression showed opposite effects. The predicted target genes of miR-9 were PSEN1,SCN2B,MAP3K3,and BACE1,and that of miR-9* was CDKn1c. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-9 targeted MAP3K3 while miR-9* targeted CDKn1c.
miR-9 and miR-9* play an important role during aging via the target genes MAP3K3 and CDKn1c in the SAMP8 mice.
To investigate the changes in the expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the occurrence and progression of pancreatic cancer in mouse models.
The mouse models of chronic pancreatitis,pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN),and pancreatic cancer were successfully established by dimethyl benzene and anthracene (DMBA) embedding in situ. GRP78 expression was detected in various stages by immunohistochemistry.
Of these 60 mouse models,18 mice (30%) died during the observation period. Two months after the embedding,the survived mice were sacrificed,and HE staining and IHC staining were performed. Among these mice,9 (15%) developed chronic pancreatitis;18 (30%) had PanIN [PanINⅠ,5 (8.3%);PanINⅡ,9 (15%);and PanIN Ⅲ,4 (6.7%)];15 (25%) developed pancreatic cancer. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GRP78 in pancreatic cancer tissue was significantly higher than that in adjacent noncancerous duct cells (χ2=13.39,P =0.000). Also,GRP78 expression in pancreatic cancer tissue and high grade PanIN was significantly higher than that in low grade PanIN and chronic pancreatitis (χ2=17.84,P=0.000).
The expression of GRP78 remarkably differs in different stages of pancreatic cancer and therefore is associated with the occurrence and progression of this disease.
To investigate the inhibitory effects of icariin(ICA),an active ingredient of Herb Epimedii,on angiogenesis.
The chick chorioallantoic membrane(CAM)assay was adopted to evaluate the effects of various doses of the ICA on the angiogenesis. The cell growth inhibitory effect of ICA on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. The effect of ICA on the migration of HUVEC cells was measured on Transwell model.
ICA remarkably inhibited angiogenesis in CAM in a concentration-dependent manner. The proliferation of HUVEC cells was inhibited by ICA,and the effect was time-and concentration-dependent. ICA-treated HUVEC cells showed cell cycle arrest;180 μg/ml of ICA decreased the percentage of migrating HUVEC cells by 78.0%.
ICA can effectively suppress angiogenesis;however,its in vivo inhibitory effect on angiogenesis warrants further investigations.
To study the potential mechanisms via which estrogen exerts its effects on the insulin sensitivity in mice.
Totally 36 female C57BL/6J mice aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into six groups:normal diet(NOR)group,normal diet with ovariectomy(NOR+OVX)group,normal diet with ovariectomy and estrogen replacement(NOR+OVX+E2)group,high-fat diet(HF)group,high-fat diet with ovariectomy(HF+OVX)group,and high-fat diet with ovariectomy and estrogen replacement(HF+OVX+E2)group. There were six mice in each group. After the ovariectomy based on the grouping,the mice were given normal diet or high-fat diet for 20 weeks. The intervention groups were given estrogen(5 μg/d,subcutaneous injection)for 20 days. Then,the body weight,visceral fat weight,oral glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity(by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp test),and serum leptin,adiponectin,and resistin levels were compared among these six groups.
Compared with HF group,the HF+OVX group had significantly higher body weight and visceral fat weight and lower glucose tolerance,which were significantly improved after estrogen replacement therapy(all P<0.05). However,these indicators showed no significant differences among groups with normal diets(all P>0.05). The insulin sensitivity of ovariectomized mice was significantly decreased in both high-fat and normal diet groups and was also improved significantly after estrogen replacement(P<0.05). The serum leptin was increased and adiponectin was decreased significantly in ovariectomized mice,and the improvements of these two adipokines were also statistically significant after estrogen therapy(P<0.05):however,the serum resistin level was not significantly different among these 6 groups(P>0.05).
Estrogen replacement therapy can improve insulin resistance by lowering body weight. In addition,it can exert its effect directly on adipose tissue,improve the levels of adipokines,reduce the amount of visceral fat,and improve insulin sensitivity in mice.
To investigate the potential correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in the KLKB1 region and pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE)in a Chinese Han population.
In this case-control study,95 patients with confirmed PTE were enrolled as the PTE group and 90 healthy subjects as the control group. The genotypes,alleles,and haplotypes of the SNPs were analyzed with PLINK 1.07 and Haploview 4.2 software using chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis. SNPs were further analyzed under three genetic models(additive,dominant,and recessive).
The distribution of rs3733402 in KLKB1 gene showed significant difference between PTE group and control group(P=0.041). The distributions of GTG haplotypes consisted of rs2292423,rs4253325,and rs3733402 in KLKB1 gene were also significantly different between PTE group and control group(P=0.040).
The rs3733402 locus variation in KLKB1 gene is associated with PTE in Chinese Han people.
To study the expressions of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3(TNFAIP3) and mammary serine protease inhibitor(Maspin)in the radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and explore the differences in radiosensitivity and radioresistance,the relation with the occurrence and development of radioresistance.
The TNFAIP3 and Maspin mRNA expressions were detected by using TNFAIP3 and Maspin multi-point labeled DIG probes in situ hybridization.
In radiosensitivity and radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,the moderately and strongly positive TNFAIP3 mRNA expression rates were 27.50% and 48.33%(P=0.037),and the moderately and strongly positive Maspin mRNA expression rates were 67.50% and 46.67%(P=0.040). In the radioresistance of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,TNFAIP3 mRNA moderately and strongly positive expressions were positively correlated with TNM stage(P=0.005). In distant metastasis and no distant metastasis(70.00% and 37.50%,P=0.018),the expression rates had statistical significance. The Maspin mRNA moderately and strongly positive expressions were positively correlated with TNM stage(P=0.039)and T stage(P=0.021). In distant metastasis and no distant metastasis(65.00% and 37.50%,P=0.044),the expression rates had statistical significance.
TNFAIP3 may be involved in the development of radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma,and Maspin may be related with the invasion and metastasis of radioresistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
To evaluate the effect of crosslinks on the stability of the spine and pedicle screws.
Compression fracture of the L1 vertebra was produced in 30 fresh thoracic and lumbar vertebrae samples obtained from adult sheep,which were divided into 3 groups(n=10)with lot-drawing method. Four screws were fixed onto the superior and inferior pedicles of vertebral arch close to the fractured vertebrae,with different number of crosslinks(0 in Group A,1 in Group B,and 2 in Group C)on the rods. After fixation,the samples were subject to 10 000 times of fatigue test with 1.5 Hz load on the HY-3080 computer-control electronic universal test machine and HY-1000NM computer-control torsion test machine. The axial compressive stiffness,maximum pullout strength,and range of motion(ROM)of 6 directions,i.e.,flexion,extension,left and right lateral bending,and left and right axial rotation of the 3 groups were measured and compared.
There were no statistically significant differences in axial compressive stiffness as well as the ROM of flexion,extension,and left and right lateral bending(all P>0.05). The maximum pullout strength was significantly smaller in Group A and Group B than in Group C [(129.56±29.63)N vs.(294.67±23.25)N,P=0.000;(254.02±36.29)vs.(294.67±23.25)N,P=0.006]. The ROM of left axial rotation was the highest in Group A(13.35°±1.06°),followed by Group B(12.23°±1.06°)and Group C(11.04°±0.74°)(F=13.44,P=0.000;Group B vs. Group A,P=0.000;Group B vs. Group C,P=0.001;Group C vs. Group A,P=0.000). The ROM of right axial rotation was also the highest in Group A(13.56°±1.15°),lower in Group B(12.39°±1.01°)and the lowest in Group C(10.81°±0.51°)(F=21.91,P=0.000;Group B vs. Group A,P=0.002;Group B vs. Group C,P=0.001;Group C vs. Group A,P=0.000).
Crosslinks may reinforce the pullout strength of the screws and improve the axial stability of the spine.
To investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasonography for diffuse thyroid disease accompanied with suspicious nodules.
A total of 148 patients with diffuse thyroid diseases accompanied with suspicious nodules underwent both ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided biopsy,and the results were analyzed and compared.
Among these 148 patients,44 had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 104 had Graves’disease. Totally 151 suspicious lesions were detected by ultrasonography,among which 48 lesions were pathologically confirmed to be benign and 103 malignant. Thirteen malignant lesions were diagnosed as benign by pre-operative ultrasonography,which were confirmed to be malignant after the surgical resection due to other suspected or confirmed malignant lesions. The detection rate of diffuse thyroid disease accompanied with thyroid cancer by per-operative ultrasound was 68.21%,and the misdiagnosis rate was 31.79%. The gender of patients(P=0.36),number of nodules(P=0.08),and blood flow types in lesions(P=0.080)had no significant difference between the benign and malignant groups,whereas internal echo(P=0.040),margin(P=0.000),shape(P=0.001),and calcification features(P=0.000)showed significant differences. Up to 80.74% of the lesions with hyperechoic calcification were malignant.
Gray-scale sonographic features are helpful for the differential diagnosis of nodules in patients with diffuse thyroid diseases. Nodules in the isthmus and those accompanied with multiple nodules should be noticed.
To determine the best shear wave elastography(SWE)quantitative parameters including the maximum elasticity(Emax),mean elasticity(Emean),minimum elasticity,standard deviation and ratio of Emean(Eratio)in assessing benign and malignant breast lesions.
Totally 302 breast lesions underwent conventional ultrasound and SWE. Each lesion was classified according to ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System(BI-RADS). The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to determine the cut-off values of SWE quantitative parameters and to suggest breast lesions as benign or malignant. The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index(sum of sensitivity and specificity minus 1)of SWE quantitative parameters were compared,and then the sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the combinations of each SWE parameters in assessing breast lesions were compared.
The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of the Emax were 0.87,0.97 and 0.84,which were higher than other SWE parameters(all P<0.01). The sensitivity,specificity and the Youden index of Emax combined with ultrasound BI-RADS were 0.86,0.97 and 0.83,which were higher than other combinations(all P<0.01).
Compared with other parameters,Emax has the best performance in assessing breast lesions. It can be used as an important quantitative indicator for the evaluation of benign and malignant breast lesions.
To investigate the role of quantitative three-dimensional(3D)power Doppler ultrasound in differentiating malignant and benign thyroid nodule.
A total of 92 lesions in 86 patients were preoperatively examined using 3D power Doppler ultrasound. The Virtual Organ Computer-aided Analysis(VOCAL)-imaging program was used to analyze the stored volume ultrasound. The differences in the mean gray value(MG),vascularization index(VI),flow index(FI),and vascularization flow index(VFI)were compared between benign and malignant lesions.
The MG of the malignant thyroid nodules was significantly lower than that of the benign ones (28.27±7.21 vs. 32.89±8.73,P=0.007).The benign nodules had significantly higher VI,FI,and VFI than the malignant nodules [VI:(40.43±26.55)% vs. (26.87±23.06)%,P=0.011;FI:41.03±7.19 vs. 37.51±7.17,P=0.022;VFI:18.23±14.60 vs. 11.47±12.47,P=0.009].Also,76.5%(39/51)of the malignant nodules and 92.7%(38/41)of the benign nodules had higher VIs in the shell of the lesion than that of the whole lesion,and 80.4%(41/51)of the malignant nodules and 95.1%(39/41)of the benign nodules had higher FIs in the shell of the lesion than that of the whole lesion.
Quantitative 3D power Doppler ultrasound provides a useful tool in distinguishing benign and malignant thyroid nodules.The malignant thyroid nodules have lower echoes than the benign nodules,wherese the benign nodules have larger blood flow than the malignant nodules.
To compare the size of papillary thyroid carcinoma on ultrasonography(US)and the actual size measured during histological examination and to discuss the potential causes of such discrepancy.
A total of 148 patients with histologically confirmed papillary thyroid carcinoma underwent thyroid surgery in our center from December 2012 to May 2013. Patients were stratified based on the size,morphology,margin,cystic component,and presence of Hashimoto’s disease to compare the discrepancy of the US and pathalogical measurements.
The mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(1.58±0.94)cm and(1.33±0.84)cm,respectively(P=0.000). In 70.9%(105/148)of the nodules,the sizes measured by US were larger than those measured by pathology. In 17.6%(26/148)of the nodules,the sizes measured by US were smaller than those measured by pathology. In 1.1-1.4 cm size subgroup,the difference between mean ultrasound diameter and pathologic diameter was not significant [(1.21±0.11)cm vs.(1.11±0.32)cm,P=0.062]. In 0.1-1.0 cm size subgroup,the mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(0.75±0.19)cm and(0.62±0.23)cm,respectively(P=0.000). In ≥1.5 cm size subgroup,the mean sizes of the nodules measured by US and pathology were(2.48±0.70)cm and(2.03±0.81)cm(P=0.000).
There is a significant discrepancy between US and pathologic size measurements for papillary thyroid carcinoma. However,for nodules sized 1.1-1.4 cm,the ultrasound and pathologic measurements are more likely to be consistent.
To investigate the sonographic features of struma ovarii and its corresponding histopathologic findings.
The sonographic and histopathological features of 72 patients with histopathologically comfirmed struma ovarii who were treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.
Of these 72 patients,71 had benign struma ovarii(73 lesions)and one patient had malignant struma ovarii(1 lesion). On ultrasonography,all the 73 benign lesions had distinct margin,45(61.6%)had multilocular cystic or cystic-solid mass,49(67.1%)had irregular shape,and 28(38.4%)had nodular solid protrusions in the cystic areas. On the color Doppler flow imaging,36(49.3%)lesions had blood flow signals. The ultrasonographic features of the malignant struma ovarii lesion were multilocular cystic-solid mass with several nodular solid protrusions in the cysic areas;on the color Doppler flow imaging,blood flow signals were visible within septa and solid areas.
The sonographic features of struma ovarii are diverse. If ultrasonography reveals multilocular cystic or cystic-solid mass with distinct margin and isoechoic or hyperechoic nodular solid protrusions in the cystic areas with visible blood flow signals,the diagnosis of struma ovarii should be considered.
To investigate the relationship between the dynamic variation of pre-ablation stimulated thyroglobulin(sTg)and distant metastasis in patietns with differentiated thyroid cancer(DTC).
DTC patients after total or near total thyroidectomy were divided into two groups as M1 group(n=38)and M0 group(n=130)according to the presence of distant metastases or not. Clinical data including pre-ablation sTg and the corresponding thyrotropin(TSH)values were dynamically measured. The pre-ablation sTg and corresponding TSH collected at the first time were defined as Tg1 and TSH1,while as Tg2 and TSH2 at the last time. χ2 test was used to compare the variation tendency of sTg between these two groups. Tg1,Tg2,pre-ablation sTg variation(ΔTg),and ΔTg/ΔTSH ratio between M0 and M1 were compared by Mann-Whitney rank-sum test. The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and diagnostic critical point(DCP)were employed to evaluate the predictive values of the above indicators.
Both Tg1 and Tg2 of M1 were significantly higher than those of M0(the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test:Tg1 P<0.001,Tg2 P<0.001). The corresponding areas under the ROC curve(AUC)to differentiate the two groups were 0.921 and 0.942,respectively. The cut-off value of Tg2,which was more accurate in predicting distant metastasis,was 24.3 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 92.11% and a specificity of 83.85%. Both ΔTg and ΔTg/ΔTSH between these two groups were significantly different(the Mann-Whitney rank-sum test:ΔTg P=0.002,ΔTg/ΔTSH P<0.001). ΔTg/ΔTSH worked better than Tg2 in predicting distant metastasis with both higher accuracy(87.50%)and higher specificity(86.92%).
Dynamically tracing pre-ablation sTg may improve the accuracy and specificity of distant metastases prediction in DTC patients. ΔTg/ΔTSH,which means the ratio of sTg variation to TSH variation,may be a useful diagnostic marker for predicting distant metastases in DTC.
To investigate the imaging potential and biodistribution in vivo of a novel positron imaging agent,2-[18F]fluoropropionic,in breast cancer-bearing mice.
2-[18F]fluoropropionic acid (7.4-11.1 MBq)was injected into the breast cancer-bearing mice via tail vein,followed by micro positron emission tomography at 60min and 120min.The radioactivity per volume (Bq/ml) in organs was transferred to percentage injected dose per gram(% ID/g)by Inveon Research software and the biodistribution of 2-[18F]fluoropropionic acid in organs was deduce.The same operations were done with 18F-FDG.
2-[18F]fluoropropionic acid was mainly distributed in the urinary bladder,intestine,and liver between 60 min to 120 min.The breast cancer at right flank was visualized clearly,and the radioactivity uptake was (13.74±1.97)% ID/g and (14.84±1.06)% ID/g,respectively,at these two time points (P=0.454).The radioactivity uptakes in muscle and brown tissue were relatively low.The radioactivity uptake of 18F-FDG was (10.27±2.34)% ID/g at the breast cancer 60 min after injection,and radioactivity uptake of the brown fat on the back was obvious.
Positron imaging agent 2-[18F]fluoropropionic acid can be used to image breast cancer.It may be applied in the noninvasive imaging of breast cancer in clinical settings.
To explore the differences of the thresholds of pain and analgesic effects of parecoxib sodium among patients with different racial and religious backgrounds.
A total of 48 male patients aged 18 to 38 years who had undergone elective laparoscopic appendectomy under general anesthesia in our centers were enrolled in our study and then divided into 6 groups(n=8 in each group)based on their racial backgrounds(three levels:Mongoloid,Negroid,and Europoid)and religious backgrounds(two levels:without religion background,with religion background).All subjects received the same anesthesia,surgical procedure,and postoperative analgesia with parecoxib sodium. The temperature pain threshold and electrical pain threshold were detected 1h before and after analgesia.
The threshold of pain was higher in Europoids than in Negroids and Mongoloids before and after treatment. The temperature pain threshold and electrical pain threshold were not significantly different between subjects with or without religious background(before analgesic therapy:F=251.119,P=0.130,F=275.861,P=0.059;after analgesic therapy:F=308.531,P=0.086,F=180.062,P=0.078). Also,there was no interaction between the racial and religious backgrous in terms of temperature pain threshold and electrical pain threshold(F=13.553,P=0.091,F=22.001,P= 0.089;after analgesic therapy:F=4.624,P=0.089,F=15.935,P=0.094).
The threshold of pain differs among individuals with different racial background:it is highest in Europoids,followed by Negroids and Mongoloids. It shows no obvious difference in people with different religious backgrounds.
To observe the hemodynamic changes in patients undergoing pericardiectomy at different operational stages.
Totally 16 consecutive patients receiving radical pericardiectomy were enrolled in this observational study. Hemodynamic variables were monitored continuously by pulse-indicated continuous cardiac output(PiCCO)system. Totally,three sets of intraoperative hemodynamic parameters were obtained at three different stages of pericardiectomy.
During the pericardiectomy,the cardiac index[CI,(1.9±0.6),(2.7±0.6),(3.0±0.5)L·min-1·m-2;P<0.05]and stroke volume index[SI,(22.5±8.7),(29.9±8.5),(30.1±8.5)dyn·s·cm-5·m2;P<0.05]showed significant improvement,whereas central venous pressure[CVP,(17.1±5.0),(13.3±3.9),(12.3±3.0)mmHg;P<0.05]decreased significantly. Global end-diastolic volume index[GEDVi,(533±156),(580±153),(559±144)ml·m-2;P<0.05]increased and stroke volume variation[SVV,(15.6±6.1)%,(10.8±4.2)%,(9.4±5.4)%;P<0.05]decreased intra-operatively. The majority of the above-mentioned hemodynamic improvements occurred after the resection of pericardium over the left ventricular outflow tract(LVOT).
PiCCO system can serve as a reliable,less invasive hemodynamic monitoring method during pericardiectomy. Resection of the pericardium over the LVOT is the most important step of the pericardiectomy.
To investigate the influence of sex on the cough-preventing effect of target-controlled infusion(TCI)of remifentanil during anesthetic emergence.
A total of 25 female(group F)and 25 male(group M)patients undergoing thyroidectomy were recruited in the current study. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane and remifentanil TCI.At the end of the surgery,inhalational anesthetics were discontinued,and remifentanil TCI at an effect-site concentration(Ce)of 2.0 ng/ml was maintained during emergence until extubation. The cough score,blood pressure,and heart rate(HR)during peri-extubation period as well as the respiratory rate,calm score,and sore throat score after extubation were evaluated.
During extubation,the proportion of patients with no cough or just a single cough was significantly higher in group F than in group M(88% vs. 64%,P=0.047). Mean arterial pressure(P=0.025,P=0.037)and HR(P=0.035)were significantly increased during extubation compared with preoperative levels in group M.
Sex may influence the cough-preventing effect of remifentanil TCI during anesthetic emergence. At a Ce of 2.0 ng/ml,remifentanil has better cough-preventing effect and more stable hemodynamic status in females than in males.
To evaluate the effectiveness of two training methods for avoiding excessive inflation of laryngeal mask airway(LMA)Supreme.
Totally 41 anesthesiologists were randomly divided into hand touch group(H group,n=20)and short-term pressure gauge training group(G group,n=21). Before training,subjects were asked to inflate the cuff of LMA Supreme to two target pressures,30 cmH2O and 60 cmH2O,according to their own experiences. The actual cuff pressures were recorded as baseline pressures. Subjects in H group then received the training of hand touch:touch the vermilion of the lip and apex nasi with the left ring finger and feel the hardness. A cuff pressure with hardness similar to the vermilion of the lip was defined as 30 cmH2O,and similar to the apex nasi as 60 cmH2O. Subjects in G group were asked to inflate the cuff with a pressure gauge and feel the hardness of the cuff when the pressure reached 30 cmH2O and 60 cmH2O. After one-week training,two groups of subjects repeated the cuff inflation test. Actual cuff pressures after training were also recorded and compared with the baseline pressures.
Actual cuff pressures after training[Group H:(39.7±15.7) cmH2O(P=0.00);Group G:(26.2±13.2) cmH2O(P=0.03)]were significantly lower than baseline pressures in both groups when the target cuff pressure was 30 cmH2O,and the differences were not statistically significant between these two groups(P=0.06). When the target pressure was 60 cmH2O,the actual cuff pressure of H group [(91.1±24.3)cmH2O] was significantly higher than that of G group [(58.1±15.4) cmH2O (P=0.01)]. However,the actual cuff pressure of G group was similar to the target pressure.
The two training methods are equally effective when the target pressure is 30 cmH2O,while short-term pressure gauge training method is superior when the target pressure is 60 cmH2O.
To improve the management of the early neurogenic pulmonary edema(NPE)in patients with non-traumatic cerebral hemorrhage.
Totally 140 eligible patients with non-traumatic cerebral hemorrhage who were treated in the emergency department of our hospital from October 2008 to October 2014 were divided into two groups:NPE group(n=25)and non-NPE group(n=115). The clinical data were analyzed and compared.
Although the mean arterial pressure was similar between these two groups,the median pH and the bicarbonate ion(HC
NPE is a rare and severe complication in patients with non traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. The possibility of NPE should be considered in relatively young patients with higher glucose and lower blood pH value. Timely prevention and treatment can improve the outcomes.
To investigate the distribution and change of the causes of fever of unknown origin(FUO).
The clinical data of 500 inpatients with FUO in our center between December 2003 and June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic methods,etiologies,and their possible relationship with age,sex,fever duration,and period.
Of these 500 FUO patients,452(90.4%)were confirmed to be with fever caused by conditions including infectious diseases [(n=231,46.2%;e.g.tuberculosis(32.9%,76/231)],connective tissue diseases(CTD)(n=99,19.8%),neoplasms(n=58,11.6%),miscellaneous causes(n=64,12.8%). The causes were not identified in 48 cases(9.6%).The proportion of CTD in female patients was significantly higher than that in male patients(26.3% vs. 14.5%,P=0.025),whereas the proportion of neoplasms in male patients was significantly higher than that in female patients(14.5% vs. 8.0%,P=0.001). Infectious diseases was the most common cause in all age groups,CTD ranked the second in the 21-39-year group and 40-59-year group,and neoplasm was the second most coomon cause in the over 60 year group. Thus,the distribution of FUO etiologies significantly differed in different age groups(χ2=43.10,P=0.000). The duration of fever in patients with neoplasms [60(28,90)d] was longer than that in patients with infectious diseases [28(21,42)d,Z=-4.168,P=0.000] or CTD [30(21,60)d,Z=-2.406,P=0.016)]. Compared with the level in 2003-2008,the proportion of CTD significantly increased in 2009-2014(13.7% vs. 23.8%,χ2=8.598,P=0.003),along with the dicrease of the proportions of infectious diseases,neoplasms and miscellaneous diseases were decreased(all P>0.05).
Infectious diseases(in particular,tuberculosis)remains the major cause of FUO. CTD and neoplasms also play important roles in the development of FUO. The distributions of the FUO etiologies have certain differences in terms of age,sex,duration of fever,and period.
To investigate the potential association between monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1)in plasma and acute aortic dissection(AAD).
A total of 110 patients with Stanford type A AAD who had received emergent surgical treatment in Xiangya hospital from September 2011 to September 2014 were enrolled in as the study group;meanwhile,110 patients with simple hypertension who had received treatment in department of cardiology were chosen as the control group. The plasma level of MCP-1 was measured and then compared between these two groups.
The plasma level of MCP-1 in the study group was(257.79±86.52)pg/ml,which was significantly higher than that in control group [(136.57±48.84)pg/ml](P<0.001).
There may be a correlation between plasma MCP-1 level and AAD.
To explore the risk factors of velamentous umbilical cord insertion(VCI)and the impact of VCI on perinatal outcomes.
The clinical data of 588 VCI patients who were treated in Beijing Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital from January 2006 to January 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. In addition,61,143 non-VCI subjects were enrolled as the control group. The possible risk factors of VCI and the impact of VCI on perinatal outcomes were analyzed. In addition,the causes of perinatal deaths were analyzed.
The gemellary pregnancy,multiple pregnancy,in vitro fitilization(IVF),placenta praevia,and placenta succenturiata/placenta bipartite were found to be the risk factors of VCI. The incidences of low birth weight,intrauterine growth restriction,asphyxia of newborns,deaths of fetuses or neonates,and single umbilical artery in the VCI group were significantly higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). In 678 perineonates with VCI,the total death toll of perineonates was 7(1.0%),among whom the death causes included angiorrhexis of placenta praevia(n=1),preterm birth and low birth weight(n=3),torsion of cord(n=1),prolapse of cord(n=1),and placental abruption(n=1).
The risk factors of VCI should be carefully monitored. A diagnosis of VCI,if any,should be correctly made by using modern ultrasound techniques before delivery,so as to lower the mortality of perineonates.
Long non-coding RNAs(LncRNA)may play a key role in tumorigenesis by regulating gene expression and intervening transcription. Recent studies have demonstrated that a series of patterns including protein modification,chromosomal reconstruction,regulation of target gene expression,transcription intervention,epigenetic modification,and natural antisense transcript are involved in this process. This article reviews recent research advances in this aspect with an attempt to better understand the role of LncRNA in tumorigenesis.
A variety of molecules are involved in tumorigenesis,during which the RAS pathway-related molecules play key roles. RAS gene mutations exist in about 30% of human tumors;in some tumors(e.g. pancreatic adenocarcinomas),the mutation rates may rise to 75%-95%. Even in tumors without RAS mutations,the RAS pathway-related molecules can also be highly activated. RAS-GTPase-activating proteins(RASGAPs)are a group of tumor suppressors. They normally turn off RAS pathway by catalyzing the hydrolysis of RAS-GTP. However,the mutation or hypermethylation of their promoters will inactivate their roles and thus provide an alternative mechanism of activating Ras. This article reviews the research advances in the role of RASGAPs in the development of tumors.
