Abnormal glucose tolerance in a pediatric cystic fibrosis cohort: Trends in clinical outcomes and associated factors in the preceding years

Background and aimsDeterioration of anthropometric and lung function parameters was shown to precede the onset of cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) in adults. In children, studies have been conducted in small cohorts with relatively short observation period. Study objectives were to document the longitudinal trends of anthropometric, pulmonary, nutritional and metabolic parameters from cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosis to the ascertainment of abnormal glucose tolerance and identify parameters associated with the incidence of such abnormalities in a pediatric CF cohort.Methods and resultsRetrospective cohort study of 281 children with CF. Longitudinal trends of anthropometric, lung function, nutritional and metabolic data were generated from CF diagnosis to the ascertainment of abnormal glucose tolerance defined as the presence of either impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), unconfirmed CFRD or CFRD. Cox models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to identify factors associated with developing abnormal glucose tolerance.Forty-five percent of cohort had normal glucose tolerance (NGT), 27% IGT, 10% unconfirmed CFRD and 18% CFRD. Children who developed CFRD displayed lower height z-scores from a very early age. Conversely, HbA1c levels began to rise closer to CFRD ascertainment. Height z-scores (HR: 0.45; CI 95% [0.29–0.69]) and HbA1c (HR: 2.43; CI 95% [1.86–3.18]) in years preceding ascertainment were associated with the risk of developing CFRD.ConclusionChildren who developed CFRD display distinctive trends for height z-scores from a very early age, whereas HbA1c appears as a marker of established glucose metabolism derangements.     

基于TGF-β/smad信号通路探讨七方胃痛颗粒对人胃腺癌AGS细胞上皮间质转化过程的影响＊

目的 探究七方胃痛颗粒对转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）诱导人胃腺癌细胞AGS上皮间质转化（Epithelial-mesenchymal transition， EMT）过程的影响及其潜在分子机制。方法 为了探究七方胃痛颗粒对TGF-β1处理的AGS细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响，实验分为四组：AGS细胞对照组，EMT空白模型组，中药血清组，TGF-β/smad通路抑制剂组，分别利用CCK8、细胞划痕实验和Transwell实验检测细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。此外，通过免疫荧光检测EMT过程中相关蛋白（E-cadherin、N-cadherin、14-3-3ζ、Smad2和p-Smad2/3）的表达水平。结果 与AGS细胞对照组相比，TGF-β1诱导EMT过程，显著促进AGS细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭，下调了E-cadherin的表达，上调了N-cadherin、14-3-3ζ、Smad2和p-Smad2/3的表达；与EMT空白模型组相比，中药血清组、TGF-β/smad通路抑制剂组显著抑制了细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭，上调了E-cadherin的表达，降低了N-cadherin、14-3-3ζ、Smad2和p-Smad2/3的表达。结论 七方胃痛颗粒通过调控TGF-β/smad信号通路从而抑制人胃腺癌AGS细胞的EMT过程。     

香萱益神方对血管性痴呆模型大鼠神经元凋亡机制研究

目的:探讨香萱益神方治疗血管性痴呆(VD)模型大鼠认知功能作用及其对神经元凋亡机制的研究。方法:两血管阻断法建立VD大鼠模型,给予中药方香萱益神方灌胃治疗6周,分别于造模后、中药喂养6周后进行Morris水迷宫行为学检测,测试大鼠认知行为能力改变,行为学测试结束后,检测VD模型大鼠海马中海马组织脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)表达水平的变化。结果:香萱益神方治疗6周后,血管性痴呆大鼠模型学习记忆能力得到改善,上调脑内海马组织神经营养因子水平,海马神经元凋亡率下降。结论:香萱益神方是治疗血管性痴呆的有效方剂,可以有效改善VD大鼠模型认知行为功能的障碍情况,起到减少海马神经元细胞凋亡,诱导海马神经元细胞修复的作用。香萱益神方可能是通过激活BDNF相关通路,起到保护海马神经元的作用。     

ERCC1在结直肠癌组织中的表达及预后价值

目的:探究核苷酸切除修复交叉互补基因1（excision repair cross-complementation gene 1，ERCC1）表达对结直肠癌（colorectal cancer，CRC）患者铂类辅助化疗的预后价值。方法:选取2011年01月至2013年01月安徽医科大学附属六安医院行CRC根治术后接受mFOLFOX6方案化疗的患者共84例，通过免疫组化方法评估ERCC1在CRC组织中表达情况，分析ERCC1表达与预后的关联。结果:ERCC1高表达30例（35.7%）。Kaplan-Meier曲线显示ERCC1高表达的CRC患者无病生存期（DFS）和总生存期（OS）均缩短（P均<0.001）。多因素COX分析显示ERCC1高表达（DFS HR=4.645，95%CI:2.045~10.548，P<0.001；OS HR=4.898，95%CI:1.971~12.170，P<0.001）是CRC患者预后的不良因素，分析各亚组患者中ERCC1表达与生存相关性得到相似的结果。复发患者中ERCC1高表达的肝肺转移占68.8%（11/16），低表达的腹腔转移为70.0%（7/10），ERCC1表达与首次复发模式显著相关（P=0.006）。结论:ERCC1表达可作为评价CRC患者预后的重要指标。ERCC1表达可能有助于预测CRC患者辅助化疗后首次复发模式。ERCC1表达的预后价值需进一步研究。     

Apical U-shape splitting technique for undercut areas of the anterior alveolar ridge: a prospective non-randomized controlled study

The aim of this study was to investigate a novel apical U-shape splitting technique for horizontal bone augmentation in undercut areas and to compare its efficacy with that of guided bone regeneration (GBR). This was a prospective non-randomized controlled clinical trial. A total of 36 patients, who presented with a labial undercut that was not able to house a normally inclined implant, underwent the new technique or GBR. Radiographic and clinical data were obtained preoperatively, immediately after surgery, and 12 months after surgery. Pairwise comparisons of changes in ridge width gain, marginal bone loss, and pink aesthetic score were performed; correlations with pristine ridge morphology were investigated. The results showed similar marginal bone loss in the two groups. The overall ridge width gains in the new technique group (2.56 ± 1.92 mm) and GBR group (0.73 ± 1.21 mm) differed significantly (P < 0.05). The pink aesthetic score was higher for the new technique group (11.75 ± 1.22) than for the GBR group (9.25 ± 1.86) (P < 0.01). The morphology of the concavity had different impacts on regeneration in the two groups. The apical U-shape splitting technique, as a safe and effective alternative to GBR, provided a significant increase in bone volume gain where labial fenestration was inevitable during implant placement.     

Improvements in epidermal function prevent relapse of psoriasis: a self‐controlled study

While therapeutic approaches for psoriasis are widely available, preventive regimens are lacking. We aimed to determine whether improvements in epidermal function could prevent psoriasis relapse. Two self‐controlled cohort studies were designed, enrolling two cohorts of patients with psoriasis (n = 30 and n = 60) to be treated topically with an in‐house‐prepared emollient or ATOPALM^® cream applied twice daily to one forearm for 20 and 30 days, respectively, while the same sites on the contralateral arm served as the untreated control. Epidermal function on both arms was assessed prior to and at the end of the trials. Delayed relapse on the treated arm was seen in 54.5% and 71% of patients in the first and second cohort, respectively. The time of psoriatic relapse correlated with the extent of abnormalities in baseline epidermal function. These results suggest that improvements in epidermal function with topical emollients can prevent/attenuate the development of psoriasis.