Association of weight-adjusted-waist index with incident hypertension: The Rural Chinese Cohort Study

AimsTo explore the association between WWI and the incidence of HTN in the Rural Chinese Cohort Study.Methods and ResultsWe examined data for 10,338 non-hypertensive participants (39.49% men) aged ≥ 18 years from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study who completed a baseline examination during 2007–2008 and follow-up during 2013–2014. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the probability of HTN across four WWI categories. Restricted cubic splines analysis was used to model the dose–response association of WWI and HTN. A total of 2078 participants had HTN during a median follow-up of 6 years. After adjusting for potential confounders, as compared with the lowest WWI category (<9.94 cm/√kg), with WWI 9.94 to 10.42, 10.42 to 10.91 and ≥ 10.91 cm/√kg, the ORs (95% CIs) for HTN were 1.12 (0.93–1.35), 1.40 (1.17–1.69) and 1.50 (1.24–1.82), respectively. Results of the sensitivity analyses were robust. The ORs were generally consistent on subgroup analysis by sex, smoking status, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression models with restricted cubic splines showed a non-linear positive association between WWI and HTN (P_nonlinearity < 0.001).ConclusionThe highest WWI category was significantly associated with increased risk of HTN. Our findings may facilitate the development and promotion of obesity prevention strategies aimed at reducing the risk of HTN and provide evidence for healthcare policy in rural China.     

Bone Metabolism Discrepancy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients With and Without Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

To explore the distribution of several bone metabolic indicators in type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to preliminarily evaluate the relationship of bone metabolism with NAFLD in patients with T2DM. The hospitalized patients with T2DM were divided into the group of T2DM complicated with NAFLD and the group of T2DM alone according to the results of ultrasonic diagnosis. The general information and laboratory test data such as bone metabolism indexes of these patients were collected and the differences of the indexes between the 2 groups were compared. Furthermore, the independent influencing factors of NAFLD in patients with T2DM were analyzed. A total of 186 patients were included in the study. Compared with patients with T2DM only, patients with T2DM combined with NAFLD were characterized with younger age (p < 0.001), higher BMI (p = 0.016), ALT (p = 0.001), TG (p = 0.005), HOMA-IR (p = 0.005), and lower HDL-C (p = 0.031). Significant discrepancy of age (OR 1.052, p = 0.001), ALT (OR 0.964, p = 0.047), HOMA-IR (OR 0.801, p = 0.005), and T-PINP (OR 1.022, p = 0.008) was found using multivariate logistic regression model. Significant discrepancy of T-PINP was found in T2DM patients with and without NAFLD. Further studies are needed to explore whether T-PINP could be used as a predictor of fatty liver disease, osteoporosis, and other related complications in patients with T2DM.     

Clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes of infertile patients with endometriosis and endometrial polyps: A retrospective cohort study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to discuss the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of surgically diagnosed endometriosis complicated by endometrial polyps and investigate the association between pregnancy outcomes during subsequent pregnancies.Materials and methodsFrom January 2013 to December 2016, 1263 infertile patients were enrolled in the study. We identified 451 patients with endometriosis, and divided them into a polyp group (n = 204) and a non-polyp group (n = 247) based on whether or not they were associated with endometrial polyps. Postoperative clinical pregnant women (n = 82) among the polyp group were then classified into a study group and a control group composed of those undergoing a singleton pregnancy (n = 164) who delivered during the same time period. Clinical statuses and complications during pregnancy and delivery were collected from hospitals and by telephone interviews and surveys through the mail.ResultsThe prevalence rate of endometriosis infertile group was obviously higher than the non-endometriosis infertile group ([45.23%; 204/451] versus [17.12%; 139/812]). Women suffering from stage 1 to 4 endometriosis had a 42.44% (73/172), 40.69% (59/145), 55.89% (38/68) and 51.52% (34/66) occurrence rate of endometrial polyps, respectively. The frequency of endometrial polyps for stage 3 and 4 patients was obviously higher than that of stage 1 and 2 patients ([53.73%; 72/134] versus [41.64%; 132/317]). Moreover, the occurrence rate of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) was 57.81% (37/64), which was obviously higher than that of ovarian endometriosis (42.42%; 98/231) and peritoneal endometriosis (44.23%; 69/156). Of the 204 women diagnosed with posterior endometrial polyps, 89 became pregnant, 7 pregnancies ended in a spontaneous abortion, and 82 successfully delivered a baby. The clinical pregnancy rate of patients in stages 1 and 2 was wholly higher than that of patients in stages 3 and 4 ([48.70%; 56/115] versus [37.71%; 26/82]). The postsurgical pregnancy status of patients suffering from peritoneal endometriosis was slightly better than those with ovarian or DIE, but differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.626). We also found that the pregnancy rate was statistically elevated in patients whose EFI scores range from 7 to 10. When compared to the control group, women with endometriosis and endometrial polyps had a higher risk of their pregnancy being complicated by placenta previa (13.41%) and cesarean delivery (59.76%).ConclusionPatients with endometriosis have a higher frequency of endometrial polyps. We found that a combined hysteroscopy and laparoscopy surgical procedure is an effective way to increase pregnancy rates. Different endometriosis stages and types in patients were associated with clinical pregnancy and spontaneous abortion rates. Women affected by both endometriosis and endometrial polyps have an independently elevated risk of placenta previa and cesarean delivery during pregnancy.     

应用心肌分层应变及做功技术评估长期腹膜透析尿毒症患者左心室功能

［摘要］目的： 利用心肌分层应变及心肌做功技术对长期腹膜透析的尿毒症患者的左心室功能进行研究,评估其在长期腹膜透析下的心功能变化。方法: 选择长期规律进行腹膜透析且经常规超声心动图检查提示左心室射血分数(left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF)正常的尿毒症患者14例,测量其常规二维超声心动图参数,利用二维斑点追踪及心肌分层应变技术测量左心室整体纵向收缩期峰值应变(global longitudinal peak systolic strain,GLS)及内膜层、肌层和心外膜层3层心肌的纵向收缩期峰值应变(longitudinal peak systolic strain,LS),并结合血压得出左心室心肌整体做功参数,共同评估左心室心肌功能,随访5年并比较腹膜透析5年前后相关数据变化。结果: 规律腹膜透析5年后,尿毒症患者LVEF改变无统计学差异;GLS在四腔心切面明显减低(P=0.018),并从心内膜减低至心外膜(LS心内膜层 P=0.029,LS肌层 P=0.017,LS心外膜层 P=0.004);心肌整体做功参数以整体无用功(GWW)升高为主(P=0.048),整体有用功(GCW)、整体做功指数(GWI)及整体做功效率(GWE)无统计学差异。结论: 长期规律腹膜透析5年的尿毒症患者,其左心室整体心肌功能尚保持稳定,但局部心肌收缩功能进一步受损,主要体现在后间隔和侧壁的各层心肌,心肌做功以GWW升高为主。     

肺组织β-AR和GRK2与重症急性胰腺炎肺损伤的关系以及甲强龙的影响

目的：探讨重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）致急性肺损伤（ALI）大鼠肺组织β-AR和G蛋白偶联受体激酶2（GRK2）的变化规律以及甲强龙的影响。方法：SD大鼠36只，随机分为3组，每组12只。对照组，仅做十二指肠翻动；模型组，胰胆管逆行注射5%牛磺胆酸钠（1 mL/kg），建立SAP模型；干预组，建立SAP模型后1 h给予甲强龙（30 mg/kg）。于6 h和12 h分别处死大鼠6只取肺组织，放射配基结合实验测量肺组织β-AR最大结合容量B_max和平衡解离常数K_d，免疫荧光法检测肺组织GRK2表达。结果：模型组和干预组胰腺组织损伤评分显著高于对照组，模型制备成功；模型组和干预组肺组织损伤评分显著高于对照组，发生SAP肺损伤；模型组β-AR B_max显著低于对照组和干预组，K_d显著高于对照组和干预组；模型组GRK2的表达显著高于对照组和干预组。结论：SD大鼠肺组织有丰富的GRK2表达，SAP肺损伤大鼠肺组织GRK2表达显著增加，这可能是β-AR下调的重要机制。     

A contemporary prospective review of 205 consecutive patients with penetrating colon injuries

BackgroundManagement of colon injuries has significantly evolved in the recent decades resulting in considerably decreased morbidity and mortality. We set out to investigate penetrating colon injuries in a high-volume urban academic trauma center in South Africa.MethodsAll patients with penetrating colon injuries admitted between 1/2015 and 1/2018 were prospectively enrolled. Data collection included demographics, injury profile and outcomes. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome was morbidity.ResultsTwo-hundred and five patients were included in the analysis. Stab and gunshot wounds constituted 18% and 82% of the cases, respectively. Mean age was 28.9 (10.2) years and 96.1% were male. Median injury severity score (ISS) and penetrating abdominal trauma index (PATI) were 16 (9-25) and 19 (10-26), respectively. A total of 47.8% of the patients had a complication per Clavien-Dindo classification. Colon leak rate was 2.4%. Wound and abdominal organ/space infection rate was 15.1 and 6.3%, respectively. Overall in-hospital mortality was 9.3%. Risk factors for mortality were higher ISS and PATI, shock on admission, need for blood transfusion, intra-abdominal vascular injury, damage control surgery, and extra-abdominal severe injuries.ConclusionsContemporary overall complication rate remains high in penetrating colon injuries, however, anastomotic leak rate is decreasing. Colon injury associated mortality is related to overall injury burden and hemorrhage rather than to colon injuries.     

First-Pass Arrival Interval of Ultrasound Contrast Medium in the Hepatic Artery and Portal Vein as a Marker for Assessment of Liver Transplant Recipients

BackgroundThis study measures the first-pass arrival times in the hepatic artery and portal vein of the transplanted liver using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and assess its correlation with graft performance in the early posttransplant period.MethodsThis study evaluated 35 liver transplant recipients who underwent CEUS examination within 1 month of transplant surgery. CEUS under contrast-specific harmonic imaging mode were recorded for 60 seconds immediately after intravenous administration of microbubble ultrasound contrast medium (Sonazoid, GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway). The recorded video clips were reviewed by 2 readers to determine the first-pass arrival times in the hepatic artery and portal vein, and the difference between the 2 was defined as the arterial-portal arrival interval (APAI). Laboratory data on the same date of CEUS examination were collected as indicators to correlate with APAI.ResultsThe intra- and inter-rater reliability for APAI measurement were excellent, with intraclass correlation coefficients > .95. The mean APAI was 4.5 ± 1.8 seconds (range, 2.0-10.5 seconds). The APAI was positively correlated with the serum total bilirubin level (r = 0.357, P = .035) and negatively correlated with the platelet count (r = −0.354, P = .037). At the 5 second cutoff point, a total serum bilirubin of >8 mg/dL was reported in 5 of 11 patients (45.4%) with APAI of >5 seconds and in only 3 of 24 patients (12.5%) with APAI of <5 seconds (P < .05).ConclusionsThe APAI is a quantitative marker that links the hemodynamics and the clinical status of the liver graft.     

Immunohistochemical analysis of the vimentin filaments in Sertoli cells is a powerful tool for the prediction of spermatogenic dysfunction

The close interaction between male germ cells and Sertoli cells, a type of somatic cell found in the seminiferous tubules of mammalian testis, is essential for the normal progression of spermatogenesis in mammals. Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein that primarily provides mechanical support, preserves cell shape, and maintains the nuclear position, and it is often used as a marker to identify Sertoli cells. Vimentin is known to be involved in many diseases and aging processes; however, how vimentin is related to spermatogenic dysfunction and the associated functional changes is still unclear. In a previous study, we reported that vitamin E deficiency affected the testes, epididymis, and spermatozoa of mice, accelerating the progression of senescence. In this study, we focused on the Sertoli cell marker vimentin and explored the relationship between the cytoskeletal system of Sertoli cells and spermatogenic dysfunction using testis tissue sections that caused male reproductive dysfunction with vitamin E deficiency. The immunohistochemical analysis showed that the proportion of the vimentin-positive area in seminiferous tubule cross-sections was significantly increased in testis tissue sections of the vitamin E-deficient group compared with the proportion in the control group. The histological analysis of testis tissue sections from the vitamin E-deficient group showed that vimentin-positive Sertoli cells were greatly extended from the basement membrane, along with an increased abundance of vimentin. These findings suggest that vimentin may be a potential indicator for detecting spermatogenic dysfunction.