Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a cross-sectional study in Singapore

INTRODUCTIONPsoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin and joints, and is associated with cardiovascular risk factors, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to assess the prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis and determine whether there was a correlation between psoriasis severity and MetS in a Singapore population.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study of patients with psoriasis, aged 18–69 years, who attended a tertiary dermatology referral centre in Singapore from October 2007 to February 2009. Fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, and body mass index were measured. MetS was diagnosed in the presence of three or more criteria of the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III.RESULTSAmong 338 patients with psoriasis, there were 238 (70.4%) men and 100 (29.6%) women, who were Chinese (n = 228; 67.5%), Malay (n = 52; 15.4%) and Indian (n = 58; 17.2%). The prevalence of MetS was 45.1%. MetS was 44% more prevalent in patients older than 50 years (p = 0.02). Malay patients with psoriasis were significantly more likely to have hypertriglyceridaemia, elevated fasting plasma glucose and abdominal obesity. There was no significant correlation between psoriasis severity and risk of MetS.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of MetS in patients with psoriasis in Singapore was 45.1%, or nearly threefold higher than the Singapore general population. Patients with psoriasis should be screened yearly for MetS and any modifiable cardiovascular risk factors should be actively controlled.     

Pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography: Expert consensus from the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique et Congénitale (FCPC) and the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV)

This article was designed to provide a pediatric cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) expert panel consensus based on opinions of experts of the Société Française d’Imagerie Cardiaque et Vasculaire diagnostique et interventionnelle (SFICV) and of the Filiale de Cardiologie Pédiatrique Congénitale (FCPC). This expert panel consensus includes recommendations for indications, patient preparation, CTA radiation dose reduction techniques, and post-processing techniques. The consensus was based on data from available literature (original papers, reviews and guidelines) and on opinions of a group of specialists with extensive experience in the use of CT imaging in congenital heart disease. In order to reach high potential and avoid pitfalls, CCTA in children with congenital heart disease requires training and experience. Moreover, pediatric cardiac CCTA protocols should be standardized to acquire optimal images in this population with the lowest radiation dose possible to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure. We also provided a suggested structured report and a list of acquisition protocols and technical parameters in relation to specific vendors.     

Effect of Electroacupuncture on Spermatogenesis in Rats with Oligozoospermia of Insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) Essence Syndrome

Objective: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells(SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen(Kidney)essence syndrome(OIKES).Methods: Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control,tripterygium glycosides(TG) treatment,sham and EA groups(n=5 in each group).A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG.The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu(BL 23) and Zusanli(ST 36) acupoints for 20 min,once daily for 30 days,while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation.After 30 days,the ?nal body weight and coef?cients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured.Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells.Apoptosis in germ cells was quanti?ed by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay.Results: Compared with the control group,the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different,but the sperm count and motility were lower(P0.05).Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also signi?cantly weaker(P0.01).The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased(P=0.059),whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased signi?cantly(P0.01).In contrast,EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints signi?cantly improved the ?nal body weight as well as the sperm count,concentration and motility(P0.01 or P0.05).EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly,and signi?cantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusions: EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES.This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disruption of cytoskeletal protein in SCs.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者CYP3A4基因多态性的检测

目的探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)CYP3A4基因的多态性,了解其对芬太尼类药物的敏感性及不同基因型的人群分布特征,指导临床个体化用药。方法对50例OSAHS患者进行CYP3A4基因的多态性检测,采静脉血,通过DNA抽提-PCR扩增-焦磷酸测序方法检测CYP3A4基因。结果野生纯合型型34例(68%),突变杂合型15例(30%),突变纯合型型1例(2%)。结论OSAHS患者中约2%为AA型,该型对芬太尼类药物极其敏感,术后有易发生窒息的风险,应高度警惕芬太尼类药物呼吸抑制的潜在风险。     

丹红注射液对急性心肌梗死PCI围手术期心功能和TIMI血流影响的Meta分析

目的:系统评价丹红注射液对急性心肌梗死(AMI)经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)围手术期心功能和心肌梗塞溶栓治疗(TIMI)血流分级的影响。方法:计算机检索CNKI,万方数据库,维普数据库,Pub Med,CBM,Web of Science,The Cochrane Library共7个数据库,全面采集在PCI围手术期应用丹红注射液治疗急性心梗的临床试验,采用Cochrane风险评价表进行文献质量评价,运用Revman 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入12个临床试验,包含1131例患者,其中丹红治疗组569例,对照组562例,结果显示在常规治疗的基础上加入丹红注射液治疗,患者的左室射血分数明显增高[均数差(MD)=6.62,95%可信区间(CI)(4.91,8.34),P<0.00001],TIMI分级3级患者明显增多[相对危险度(RR)=0.22,95%CI(0.12,0.41),P<0.00001],脑利钠肽水平明显降低[MD=-151.86,95%CI(-247.00,-56.72),P=0.002]。结论:丹红注射液可以提高急性心梗PCI围手术期心功能和增加TIMI血流的分级。     

胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义研究

目的探讨胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义。方法选取2018年1月-2019年1月在大连中医医院内一病房就诊的80例胸痹心痛病患者,经辨证分型为气虚血瘀型胸痹,随机分为试验组和对照组,对照组40例采取常规护理,试验组40例在对照组的基础上使用中医心脏康复护理,主要包括:证候施护、饮食护理、中医特色技术、情志护理、健康指导等。通过中医证候评分对治疗的有效率进行观察。结果试验组有效率为92.5%,对照组有效率为77.5%,试验组优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理,可以有效提高临床有效率,改善临床症状,提高患者生活质量,值得在临床推广。     

《艾滋病诊疗指南第三版(2015版)》更新解读

2015年中华医学会感染病学分会艾滋病学组发布了第三版《艾滋病诊疗指南》。新版指南强调抗病毒治疗时点前移:一旦成人确诊感染人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV), 若无禁忌宜尽早启动抗HIV治疗。对于合并机会性感染的HIV感染者, 在感染控制、病情稳定后也应及早开始抗病毒治疗。尤其强调HIV合并结核患者在CD4阳性淋巴细胞数少于200/μL的情况下, 建议抗结核两周内即开始抗病毒治疗。在抗HIV治疗用药中, 淘汰了一些毒副作用大、依从性较差的药物, 如司他夫定、去羟肌苷、茚地那韦等, 优选抗病毒效力强、服药方便的组合, 如拉米夫定、替诺福韦、依非韦伦组合。对于HIV感染的婴幼儿, 亦主张及早抗HIV治疗。对于五岁以内的幼儿, 主张确诊后即启动抗病毒治疗。对于HIV感染的孕产妇, 建议尽快予以全程、联合抗HIV治疗, 寓防于治。     

Reading the unique DNA methylation landscape of the brain: Non-CpG methylation,hydroxymethylation, and MeCP2

DNA methylation at CpG dinucleotides is an important epigenetic regulator common to virtually all mammalian cell types, but recent evidence indicates that during early postnatal development neuronal genomes also accumulate uniquely high levels of two alternative forms of methylation, non-CpG methylation and hydroxymethylation. Here we discuss the distinct landscape of DNA methylation in neurons, how it is established, and how it might affect the binding and function of protein readers of DNA methylation. We review studies of one critical reader of DNA methylation in the brain, the Rett syndrome protein methyl CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), and discuss how differential binding affinity of MeCP2 for non-CpG and hydroxymethylation may affect the function of this methyl-binding protein in the nervous system.     

A multi-institutional experience in vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis

ObjectiveVascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a rare disorder and 1 of 13 types of EDS. The syndrome results in aortic and arterial aneurysms and dissections at a young age. Diagnosis is confirmed with molecular testing via skin biopsy or genetic testing for COL3A1 pathogenic variants. We describe a multi-institutional experience in the diagnosis of vEDS from 2000 to 2015.MethodsThis is a multi-institutional cross-sectional retrospective study of individuals with vEDS. The institutions were recruited through the Vascular Low Frequency Disease Consortium. Individuals were identified using the International Classification of Diseases-9 and 10-CM codes for EDS (756.83 and Q79.6). A review of records was then performed to select individuals with vEDS. Data abstraction included demographics, family history, clinical features, major and minor diagnostic criteria, and molecular testing results. Individuals were classified into two cohorts and then compared: those with pathogenic COL3A1 variants and those diagnosed by clinical criteria alone without molecular confirmation.ResultsEleven institutions identified 173 individuals (35.3% male, 56.6% Caucasian) with vEDS. Of those, 11 (9.8%) had nonpathogenic alterations in COL3A1 and were excluded from the analysis. Among the remaining individuals, 86 (47.7% male, 68% Caucasian, 48.8% positive family history) had pathogenic COL3A1 variants and 76 (19.7% male, 19.7% Caucasian, 43.4% positive family history) were diagnosed by clinical criteria alone without molecular confirmation. Compared with the cohort with pathogenic COL3A1 variants, the clinical diagnosis only cohort had a higher number of females (80.3% vs 52.3%; P < .001), mitral valve prolapse (10.5% vs 1.2%; P = .009), and joint hypermobility (68.4% vs 40.7%; P < .001). Additionally, they had a lower frequency of easy bruising (23.7% vs 64%; P < .001), thin translucent skin (17.1% vs 48.8%; P < .001), intestinal perforation (3.9% vs 16.3%; P = .01), spontaneous pneumothorax/hemothorax (3.9% vs 14%, P.03), and arterial rupture (9.2% vs 17.4%; P = .13). There were no differences in mortality or age of mortality between the two cohorts.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of confirming vEDS diagnosis by testing for pathogenic COL3A1 variants rather than relying on clinical diagnostic criteria alone given the high degree of overlap with other forms genetically triggered arteriopathies. Because not all COL3A1 variants are pathogenic, the interpretation of the genetic testing results by an individual trained in variant assessment is essential to confirm the diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis is critical and has serious implications for lifelong screening and treatment strategies for the affected individual and family members.     

甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病患儿的长期随访研究

目的探究甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)患儿的应用价值。方法选取2015年5月~2018年6月收治的74例ALL患儿,按照治疗方案不同分组。对照组(37例)实施VDLD方案治疗,联合组(37例)实施甲磺酸伊马替尼+VDLD化疗方案治疗。对比两组疗效、不良反应发生率、随访1年无复发生存率(RFS)及治疗前、治疗2个疗程后血清B淋巴细胞刺激因子(BAFF)、增殖诱导配体(APRIL)水平。结果联合组总有效率(91.89%)高于对照组(72.97%)(P<0.05);联合组治疗2个疗程后血清BAFF、APRIL水平低于对照组(P<0.05);两组不良反应发生率、随访1年RFS对比无显著差异(P>0.05)。结论甲磺酸伊马替尼联合VDLD化疗方案治疗ALL,疗效确切,能显著降低血清BAFF、APRIL水平,且安全性高。