2型糖尿病肾功能损害与颈动脉内-中膜厚度的关系研究

目的探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)与肾功能损害的关系。方法选取60例健康体检者(对照组)、60例单纯糖尿病者(A组)、60例糖尿病肾病肾功能正常者(B组)和60例糖尿病肾病肾功能不全者(C组),检测并比较4组受检者的血压、血糖、血脂、C肽、尿微量清蛋白等水平及颈动脉IMT,分析与颈动脉IMT相关的指标。结果对照组、A组、B组和C组受检者的颈动脉IMT分别为(0.63±0.11)、(0.89±0.20)、(1.03±0.23)、(1.37±0.26)mm,4组间比较差异有统计学意义(F=132.190,P<0.01)。且B、C组受检者的颈动脉IMT显著高于对照组及A组,且C组又显著高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。多元逐步回归分析显示,T2DM患者的颈动脉IMT与尿清蛋白排泄率呈正相关(P<0.01)。结论 T2DM患者颈动脉IMT与肾功能损害密切相关,早期应用颈部B超测定颈动脉IMT对诊断T2DM肾损害具有重要意义。     

Effects of total glucosides from paeony (Paeonia lactiflora Pall) roots on experimental atherosclerosis in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Total glucosides of paeony (TGP), compounds extracted from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, have been used as an anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in China. Inflammation plays a critical role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Risk of cardiovascular diseases is significantly higher in patients with RA than in normal population. It has a great significance to study the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis.

Aim of the study

To investigate the effects of TGP on atherosclerosis induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats and study the mechanisms involved.

Materials and methods

Atherosclerosis was induced by excessive administration of vitamin D and cholesterol in rats. TGP was intragastrically administered for 15 weeks. The serum concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) were determined by immunoturbidimetry method, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The morphological changes of aorta were observed with optical microscopy.

Results

Compared to controls, TGP significantly lowered the serum level of TC, TG, LDL-C, ApoB, TNF-alpha, IL-6 and CRP, increased the ratios of HDL-C/LDL-C and ApoA1/ApoB, decreased the intima-media thickness (IMT) of abdominal aortal wall and improved the morphological change of the aorta.

Conclusions

TGP may attenuate the development of atherosclerotic disease. The beneficial effects are associated with its lowering blood lipids and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokines.     

子宫内膜透明细胞癌69例预后因素分析

[目的]探讨子宫内膜透明细胞癌的预后因素。[方法]回顾性分析69例原发性子宫内膜透明细胞癌患者的临床资料。[结果]术前诊刮准确率为69.8%。临床分期、宫颈受累、累及附件、宫外转移、腹水细胞学、脉管间隙受侵、治疗方式及复发与患者预后相关（P〈0.05）。Cox回归分析显示腹水细胞学、脉管间隙受侵、治疗方式及复发情况是影响子宫内膜透明细胞癌患者预后的独立危险因素。[结论]子宫内膜透明细胞癌诊刮准确率低。腹水细胞学、脉管间隙受侵、治疗方式及复发与否是影响子宫内膜透明细胞癌患者生存率的独立危险因素。     

Influence of the degree of dentine mineralization on pulp chamber temperature increase during resin-based composite (RBC) light-activation

Objectives

To analyse the influence of the degree of dentine mineralization on the pulp chamber temperature increase during composite light-activation.

Methods

Dentine discs (2 mm thick) obtained from recently extracted teeth or those with extensive dentine sclerosis were analysed by FT-IR spectrometry in order to choose the two discs with the greatest difference in the degree of mineralization. A model tooth was set up with the dentine discs between a molar with the pulp chamber exposed and a crown with a standardized class II cavity. A K-type thermocouple was introduced into the molar root until it came into contact with the dentine discs and the cavity was filled with P60 resin composite. The temperature rise was measured for 120 s after light-activation began: Standard (S) 600 mW/cm²/40 s; Ramp (R) 0 → 800 mW/cm²/10 s + 800 mW/cm²/10 s; Boost (B) 850 mW/cm²/10 s and LED (L) 1.300 mW/cm²/40 s (n = 10). The same protocol was repeated after grinding the dentine discs to 1.0 and 0.5 mm thickness.

Results

The temperature increase was significantly higher in dentine with high degree of mineralization (p < 0.05). With respect to the dentine thickness, the following result was found: 2 mm < 1 mm < 0.5 mm (p < 0.05). The light-activation mode also presented significant difference as follows: S > R = L > B (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The higher the degree of dentine mineralization the greater the increase in pulp chamber temperature. The temperature increase was influenced by the light-polymerization mode and dentine thickness.     

应用Micro CT进行下颌骨骨板厚度的测量研究

目的：运用MicroCT测量下颌骨牙根尖到颊侧骨板的解剖距离。方法：应用Micro CT（Skyscan1072,Antwerpen,Belgium）及cutome软件分析下颌骨三维骨结构。结果：下颌第二磨牙远中根到颊侧骨板的平均距离为8.51mm,近中根距离7.34mm,融合根7.19mm。下颌第一磨牙近中和远中根到颊侧骨板的距离分别为5.18mm和4.09mm。当出现有2个远中根时,远中舌侧根到颊侧骨板的厚度约9.52mm。第一前磨牙和第二前磨牙到颊侧骨板的平均距离分别为3.68mm和3.02mm。前牙牙根到颊侧骨板的距离2.07mm～2.48mm。男性下颌骨颊侧骨板厚度大于女性,差异没有统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论：Micro CT是一种快速、准确、不损伤样本内部结构的有效的评价方法。牙根尖到下颌颊侧骨板厚度的测量结果可为牙根尖手术和牙种植术提供理论依据。     

Age and gender influence on maximal bite force and masticatory muscles thickness

The present study aimed investigate the age and gender influence on maximal molar bite force and at outlining the criteria for normal masticatory muscle development in a sample of 177 Brazilian Caucasian dentate individuals aged 7-80 years divided into five age groups: I (7-12 years), II (13-20 years), III (21-40 years), IV (41-60 years), and V (61-80 years). Except for Group V, which comprised nine women and eight men, all groups were equally divided in respect to gender (20 M/20 F). Bite force was recorded with a mouth-adapted 1000 N dynamometer and the highest out of three records was regarded as the maximal bite force. The data were submitted to multivariate statistical analysis (SPSS 17.0 p < 0.05). Effects of group and gender were found, but no interactions between them. The ANOVA showed significant differences between groups bilaterally. Bonferroni's test showed that group I had significantly lower bite force means at both sides as compared to all groups, except group V. No differences were found between the left and right sides. In all the groups, gender was found to be a significant factor associated with maximal bite force. A global comparison including all the subjects and measures showed that the means of men were approximately 30% higher than those of women. Within-group comparisons yielded similar results in all groups. Muscle thickness was measured with a SonoSite Titan ultrasound tool using a high-resolution real-time 56 mm/10 MHz linear-array transducer. Three ultrasound images were obtained from the bilateral masseter and temporal muscles at rest and at maximal voluntary contraction. The means of the three measures in each clinical condition were analyzed with multivariate statistical analysis (SPSS 17.0 p < 0.05). A gradual increase in thickness of the masseter and temporal muscles was found both at rest and maximal voluntary contraction for groups I to IV, whereas a decrease in muscle thickness was observed in group V. Multivariate analysis showed that in both conditions there was an effect of group and gender. The study of the development of the stomatognathic system in relation to age and gender can provide useful data for the identification of normal and impaired functioning patterns. The results of this study indicate that age and gender are associated with structural and functional alterations in the muscles of the stomatognathic system.     

Meta-analysis of the effect of nicotinic acid alone or in combination on cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis

Objective

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events in both naïve and statin-treated patients. Nicotinic acid is an attractive option for decreasing residual risk in statin-treated or statin-intolerant patients since it increases HDL-C by up to 20% and decreases low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipoprotein(a) plasma concentrations.

Methods

We performed a computerized PubMed literature search that focused on clinical trials evaluating niacin, alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering drugs, published between January 1966 and August 2008.

Results

Among 587 citations, 29 full articles were read and 14 were eligible for inclusion. Overall 11 randomized controlled trials enrolled 2682 patients in the active group and 3934 in the control group. In primary analysis, niacin significantly reduced major coronary events (relative odds reduction = 25%, 95% CI 13, 35), stroke (26%, 95% CI = 8, 41) and any cardiovascular events (27%, 95% CI = 15, 37). Except for stroke, the pooled between-group difference remained significant in sensitivity analysis excluding the largest trial. In comparison with the non-niacin group, more patients in the niacin group had regression of coronary atherosclerosis (relative increase = 92%, 95% CI = 39, 67) whereas the rate of patients with progression decreased by 41%, 95% CI = 25, 53. Similar effects of niacin were found on carotid intima thickness with a weighted mean difference in annual change of −17 μm/year (95% CI = −22, −12).

Conclusions

Although the studies were conducted before statin therapy become standard care, and mostly in patients in secondary prevention, with various dosages of nicotinic acid 1–3 g/day, this meta-analysis found positive effects of niacin alone or in combination on all cardiovascular events and on atherosclerosis evolution.     

Longitudinal association between toenail selenium levels and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis: The CARDIA trace element study

Objectives

To examine the longitudinal association between toenail selenium levels and subclinical atherosclerosis over an 18-year period.

Methods

Toenail selenium concentrations were examined among 3112 Americans age 20–32 years in 1987 and measured by instrumental neutron-activation analysis. Subclinical atherosclerosis, including common, bulb and internal carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT), was measured in 2005 and coronary artery calcium (CAC) score in 2000 and 2005. General linear regression was developed examining the relation between toenail selenium levels and CIMTs, and logistic regression for repeated outcomes was employed estimating the risk of having CAC > 0.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, no associations were observed between toenail selenium levels and CIMTs as well as CAC score. Comparing participants in the highest with the lowest quintile of selenium, the CIMT was 0.005 mm (SE = 0.008 mm, P_trend = 0.39), 0.018 mm (SE = 0.019 mm, P_trend = 0.49), and 0.017 mm (SE = 0.014 mm, P_trend = 0.21) thicker measured in common, bulb and internal carotid, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio of having CAC > 0 was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.67–1.35; P_trend = 0.999).

Conclusions

No associations were observed between toenail selenium and measures of subclinical atherosclerosis among American young adults. This study does not support an atherosclerotic mechanism of selenium for risk reduction of cardiovascular disease.     

Aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrieval over land using satellite image-based algorithm

The aim of this study is to present and apply the proposed algorithm on archived time series Landsat TM over an urban area in the vicinity of Heathrow Airport (UK) acquired in 1984–1986 and to two up-to-dated Landsat TM images in the vicinity of Paphos Airport in Cyprus acquired in July–August 2008. The monitoring of aerosol concentrations becomes a high environmental priority particularly in urban areas. The proposed algorithm has been developed to allow the quantification of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) over land. The algorithm compares multitemporal satellite data sets and evaluates radiometric alterations due to the optical atmospheric effects of aerosols. Novel features of this algorithm which is based on the application of radiative transfer calculations are the inclusion of applying iteration procedures for selecting the suitable object for determining the aerosol optical thickness and the automatic division into working grid cells. AOT retrieval from Landsat TM band 1 images of Cyprus has been cross-validated satisfactorily by comparing AOT values found from handheld MICROTOPS II sun photometer.