血清C反应蛋白、外周血白细胞与妊娠期糖尿病关系的探讨

目的探讨血清C反应蛋白（C-RP）、外周血白细胞（WBC）与妊娠糖尿病（GDM）的关系。方法观察比较36例GDM（GDM组）、32例OGTT正常的孕妇（NGT组）和22例健康的非妊娠妇女（NC组）的血清C—RP、WBC、就诊时的BMI、糖脂代谢指标、HOMA-IR情况。结果与NC组相比,GDM组、NGT组的WBC、C-RP、HOMA—IR均增高（P〈0．01）,与NGT组相比,GDM组增高更明显（P〈0．01）。C-RP和WBC均与就诊时BMI、TG、2hPG、2hIns、HOMA—IR呈正相关（P〈0．01）。结论GDM的发生可能是由于母体肥胖导致炎症反应,加重IR,从而引起糖脂代谢紊乱。     

慢乙肝肝硬化伴自发性腹膜炎患者外周血PCT和CRP水平、WBC计数变化及诊断价值

目的观察慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）肝硬化伴自发性腹膜炎（SBP）患者血降钙素原（PCT）、CRP水平及WBC计数变化,分析三者诊断SBP的价值。方法收集CHB肝硬化伴SBP患者50例（SBP组）、不伴SBP患者50例（非SBP组）,分别测定血中WBC计数及CRP、PCT水平,并绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线,记录曲线下面积（AUC）、95％可信区间（95％CI）及特定诊断敏感性和特异性所对应的cut—off值。结果与非SBP组相比,SBP组血ClIP、PCT水平及WBC计数均明显升高（P均〈0．05）;PCT与CRP的AUC均显著大于WBC（P均〈0．05）,cut—off值分别为0．415ng／mL、17．15mg／L。结论CHB肝硬化伴SBP患者血WBC计数及CRP、PCT水平显著升高,后两者诊断SBP的价值更高。     

颈动脉粥样硬化患者外周血LDL-C水平、WBC计数变化及其相关性分析

目的观察颈动脉粥样硬化（CAs）患者外周血血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）水平、白细胞（WBC）计数变化及其相关性。方法用生化分析仪测定60例CAs患者（CAs组）和31例健康对照者（对照组）的外周血血清LDL-C,血细胞分析仪进行外周血WBC计数,彩色多普勒超声检测颈动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）。结果 CAs组血清LDL-C水平、WBC计数较对照组升高（P均〈0.01）。CAs组颈动脉内膜斑块形成者血清LDL-C水平、WBC计数较颈动脉单纯内膜增厚者高（P均〈0.01）。CAs组血清LDL-C水平与WBC计数呈正相关（r=0.798,P〈0.01）。结论 CAs患者血清LDL-C水平、WBC计数升高,CAs程度重者血清LDL-C水平、WBC计数升高更明显,二者的升高是同步的。     

术前血清C反应蛋白水平与原发性肝癌患者临床病理因素及肝切除术后生存率的关系

目的评估术前血清C反应蛋白（C-RP）水平作为原发性肝癌（PLC）肝切除患者预后判断指标的价值。方法165例PLC肝切除患者,术前均测血清C-RP,分析其血清C-RP水平与临床病理因素及患者术后生存率的关系。结果术前血清C-RP值与PLC肿瘤最大径、血小板、谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）呈正相关（r分别为0．343、0．212、0．276,P均〈0．01）,与自蛋白呈负相关（r=-0．184,P〈0．01）,与患者术后生存率呈负相关（r=-0．322,P〈0．01）;Cox回归分析显示,肿瘤最大径、血小板、GGT与PLC患者预后有关（P均〈0．01）。结论术前血清C—RP值可作为PLC肝切除术后独立的预后判断指标,结合肿瘤最大径、血小板和GCT等分析更有助于PLC患者预后的判断。     

急性颅脑损伤患者白细胞计数变化及临床意义

目的探讨急性颅脑损伤（ABI）患者白细胞（WBC）计数变化的临床意义。方法测定104例ABI患者伤后24h内入院即刻、3d、7d及出院时的外周血WBC计数，并结合格拉斯哥昏迷评分分型及格拉斯哥预后评分分级进行组间比较。结果ABI患者伤后外周血WBC计数显著升高，且与损伤程度呈正比，入院7d及出院时渐降至正常；WBC计数与患者的预后有明显相关性。结论外周血WBC计数测定可作为判断ABI程度及患者预后的监测指标，具有临床参考价值。     

糖尿病患者踝肱指数及血尿酸与颈动脉斑块的关系

将60例2型糖尿病患者按照ABI的不同，分为两组：A组34例（ABI≥0．9），B组26例（ABI〈0．9），分别测定ABI、血尿酸（SUA）和颈动脉斑块。结果A组的血尿酸明显低于B组（P〈0．05）。A组的颈动脉斑块分级明显低于B组，（P〈0．05）。结论ABI、SUA可作为评价2型糖尿病患者大动脉顺应性的指标。     

高血清胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白7血症与胰岛素抵抗的相关性研究

目的 研究T2DM患者血清胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白7（IGFBP7）与坂的相关性。方法选取新诊断T2DM患者（T2DM组）137例和健康体检者（NC组）96名,测定两组FPG、FInS、血脂、C-RP、肿瘤坏死因子a（TNF-a）和IGFBP7。结果T2DM组除TC和LDL-C外,其余指标与NC组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。按T2DM组IGFBP7四分位数将其分成4组（Q1～4）,各组间年龄、BMI、C-RP、TNF-a、Fins、HOMA-IR和HOMA-IS差异有统计学意义（P＜0．05）;新诊断T2DM患者IpFBP7与年龄、BMI、C-RP、TNF-a、Fins和HOMA-IR呈正相关（r=0．264、0．173、0．255、0．227、0．192、0．325,P〈0．05）,与HOMA-IS呈负相关（r=-0．324,P〈0．01）。年龄、C-RP、TNF-n和HOMA-IR是影响新诊断T2DM患者IGFBP7水平的独立因素（β’=0．318、0．186、0．239、0．255,P〈0．05）。结论新诊断T2DM患者IGFBP7与年龄、C-RP、TNF-a和HOMA-IR密切相关。     

糖尿病肾病与血浆内皮素1及C反应蛋白的相关性研究

目的探讨糖尿病肾病（DN）与血浆内皮素1（ET-1）、C反应蛋白（C-RP）的关系。方法测定86例T2DM患者（DM组）和30例健康对照者（NC组）血压、血糖、血脂、SCr、ET-1、C-RP和尿白蛋白排泄率（UAER）。结果血浆ET-1和C-RP在DM组较NC组显著升高（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,且DM组血浆ET-1和C-RP水平随着SCr、UAER的增加而升高（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。结论血浆ET-1和C-RP可能参与DN的发生、发展。     

踝臂指数与冠状动脉复杂病变的相关性研究

目的探讨踝臂指数（ABI）与冠状动脉（冠脉）病变程度的关系。方法对纳入研究的185例患者收集其基本资料、测量ABI、行冠脉造影,ABI〈0．9者为研究组（52侧）,ABI≥0．9者为对照组（133例）,应用多变量Logistic回归分析两组ABI与冠心病危险因子及冠脉病变程度的相关性。结果两组的病变血管支数比较,两组3支病变、B2／C型复杂病变例数比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）;多个心血管危险因子与ABI〈0．9存在相关性,ABI〈0．9是冠脉3支病变及B2／C型复杂病变的独立预测因子（OR值分别为3．845、3．012）。结论ABI〈0．9一定程度上能够预测冠脉复杂病变（3支病变及B2／C型复杂病变）。     

肺结核患者血清中MMP-9、VEGF的水平及其意义的探讨

目的通过检测肺结核患者血清中的MMP-9、VEGF水平．讨论二者与肺结核临床特点的关系。方法采用ELISA方法检测活动性肺结核患者、肺癌患者及健康人血清MMP-9、VEGF水平。结果①肺结核患者血清MMP-9、VEGF水平显著高于健康人（P〈0．001），但显著低于肺癌患者水平（P〈0．001）；②痰菌阳性结核组血清中MMP-9、VEGF水平较痰菌阴性结核组明显增高（P〈0．05）；肺内病变广泛组血清MMP-9、VEGF水平较肺内病变局限组明显增高（P〈0．05）：肺内病变有空洞组血清MMP-9水平较肺内病变无空洞组明显增高（P〈0．05）。而血清VEGF水平在两组间无明显差别：③血清MMP-9、VEGF水平诊断活动性肺结核的敏感性和特异性均较高。结论活动性肿结核患者血清MMP-9、VEGF水平与肺结核临床特点密切相关．是具有较高价值的标志物．     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Language of CTO interventions – Focus on hardware

The knowledge of variety of chronic total occlusion (CTO) hardware and the ability to use them represents the key to success of any CTO interventions. However, the multiplicity of CTO hardware and their physical character and the terminology used by experts create confusion in the mind of an average interventional cardiologist, particularly a beginner in this field. This knowledge is available but is scattered. We aim to classify and compare the currently used devices based on their properties focusing on how physical character of each device can be utilized in a specific situation, thus clarifying and simplifying the technical discourse.