Duodenal-jejunal bypass surgery on type 2 diabetic rats reduces the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the thoracic aorta

Background Bariatric surgery offers a productive resolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）.The development of T2DM vasculopathy is due to chronic inflammation,which increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 （TIMP-1） expression.This study sought to examine MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in the thoracic aorta after duodenal-jejunal bypass （DJB） surgery on a T2DM rat model induced by a high-fat diet and low dose streptozotocin （STZ）.Methods Twenty-one T2DM Wistar rats induced by high-fat diet and low dose STZ were randomly divided into DJB and sham duodenal-jejunal bypass （S-DJB） groups.Ten Wistar rats were fed a normal diet as a control.Recovery of gastrointestinal function post-operation and resumption of a normal diet completed the experiment.Body weight,blood glucose,blood lipid levels,and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression levels in aortic endothelial cells were measured throughout.Results DJB rats showed significant weight loss 2 weeks post-operation compared with S-DJB rats.After surgery,DJB rats showed significant improvement and steady glycemic control with improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance.They also exhibited improved lipid metabolism with a decrease in fasting free fatty acids （FFAs） and triglycerides （all P ＜0.05）.Immunohistochemistry showed decreased MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression 12 weeks after surgery （P ＜ 0.01）.Conclusions DJB surgery on an induced T2DM rat model improves blood glucose levels and lipids,following a high-fat diet and low dose STZ treatment.In addition,DJB decreased MMP-9 and TIMP-1 expression in vascular endothelial cells,which may play an important role in delaying the development of T2DM vascular disease.     

Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Background Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease.Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles.Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin,obestatin,the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin （G/O） and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.Methods This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients （OSAS group）,30 body mass index （BMI）-match non-OSAS adults （over-weight group） and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults （control group）.Polysomnography （PSG） was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group.Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）.Results Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group （P ＜0.05）.Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group,but there was no significant difference among the three groups.The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher,and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group,and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure （DBP）,nocturnal average systolic blood pressure （SBP） and DBP,DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects.Furthermore,there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure （including hypertension and normotension） in the OSAS group than in the other two groups （P ＜0.01）.Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters.In contrast,the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） （P ＜0.05）,as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values （P ＜0.01）.In multivariate analyses,AHI （P ＜0.05） and G/O （P ＜0.05）were independently related to SBP variability changes,while AHI （P ＜0.05）,G/O （P ＜0.01） and BMI （P ＜0.05） were independently related to DBP variability changes.Conclusions Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS.Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity.Moreover,the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.     

Effect of partial liquid ventilation on lung function in oleic acid-induced lung injury model of piglets

Background Pediatric patients are susceptible to lung injury that does not respond to traditional therapies.Partial liquid ventilation （PLV） has been developed as an alternative ventilatory strategy for treating severe lung injury.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PLV on lung function in immature piglets.Methods Acute lung injury was induced in 12 Chinese immature piglets by oleic acid （OA）.The animals were randomly assigned to two groups （n=6 each group）：（1） conventional mechanical ventilation （MV） group and （2） PLV with FC-77 （10 ml/kg） group.Mean arterial blood pressure （MAP）,mean pulmonary arterial pressure （MPAP）,central venous pressure （CVP）,left atrial pressure （LAP）,systemic vascular resistance （SVR）,pulmonary vascular resistance （PVR）,cardiac output （CO）,mean pressure of airway （Paw）,dynamic lung compliance （Cydn）,and arterial blood gases were measured during the observation period.Results No piglet died in either group with severe lung injury.After four hours of ventilation,pH in the MV group gradually decreased to lower than 7.20,while in the PLV group,pH also gradually decreased but remained higher than 7.20 （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of oxygen in artery （PaO2） decreased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery （PaCO2） increased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Paw increased in both groups,but was not significantly different （P ＞0.05）.Cydn decreased in both groups,but without a significant difference （P ＞0.05）.At four hours,heart rate （HR） and MAP in both groups decreased.MPAP in both groups increased,and there was a significant difference between the two groups （P ＜0.05）.CVP was stable in both groups.At four hours,PVR and LAP were increased in both groups.CO was decreased in both groups （P ＜0.05）.SVR was stable during the observation time.Conclusion PLV did not improve outcome in changes of lung function.     

Anti-catabolic effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an active component of honeybee propolis on bone loss in ovariectomized mice: a micro-computed tomography study and histological analysis

Background Osteoporosis （OP） is a common bone disease,which adversely affects life quality.Effective treatments are necessary to combat both the loss and fracture of bone.Recent studies indicated that caffeic acid phenethyl ester （CAPE） is a natural chemical compound from honeybee propolis which is capable of attenuating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the effect of CAPE on bone loss in OP mice using micro-computed tomography （CT） and histology.Methods Eighteen mice were prepared and evenly divided into three groups.The six mice in the sham＋PBS group did not undergo ovariectomy and were intraperitoneally injected with PBS during the curing period.Twelve mice were ovariectomized （OVX） to induce OP.Six of them in the OVX＋CAPE group were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mg/kg CAPE twice per week for 4 weeks after ovariectomy.The other six OVX mice in OVX＋PBS group were treated with PBS.All the mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after ovariectomy.The tibias were bilaterally excised for micro-CT scan and histological analysis.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to test the statistical differences among groups.Results Bone loss occurred in OVX mice.Compared with the sham＋PBS group,mice in the OVX＋PBS group exhibited a significant decrease in bone mineral density （BMD,P ＜0.05）,bone volume fraction （BV/TV,P ＜0.01）,trabecular thickness （Tb.Th,P ＜0.05）,and trabecular number （Tb.N,P ＜0.01）,as well as a non-insignificant increase in the number of osteoclasts （N.Oc/B.Pm）.With CAPE treatment,the microarchitecture of the tibial metaphyses was significantly improved with a reduction of osteoclast formation.Compared with the OVX＋PBS group,BV/TV in the OVX＋CAPE group was significantly increased by 33.9％ （P ＜0.05）.Conclusion CAPE therapy results in the protection of bone loss induced by OVX.     

Myelin protein zero and its antibody in serum as biomarkers of n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy and neurotoxicity effects

Background Chronic exposure to n-hexane can lead to peripheral neuropathy that no effective treatment regimen could be applied presently. This study investigated whether myelin protein zero （P0） protein and its antibody could be used to distinguish n-hexane intoxication and protect workers from peripheral neuropathy. Methods We compared P0 protein and its antibody among three levels of n-hexane-exposed groups, which included 18 patients with n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy as case group, 120 n-hexane-exposed workers as n-hexane- exposed control group, and 147 non-hexane-exposed participants used as control group. ELISA method was applied to detect P0 protein and its antibody. Results P0 protein in serum was significantly higher in the case group and n-hexane-exposed control group in comparison with the control group （P〈0.01）. Compared with the n-hexane-exposed control group, the case group also had significant increase of P0 protein （P〈0.01）. After 6 months therapy, P0 protein was observed to decrease significantly in the case group （P〈0.01）. The P0 antibody in serum was significantly higher in the n-hexane-exposed control group than in the control group （P〈0.01）, but not significantly different between cases and controls. Conclusions P0 antibodies in serum may be a short-term effect biomarker for n-hexane exposure. P0 protein in serum may be an early effective biomarker for peripheral nerve neuropathy and its biological limit value needs investigation in the future study.     

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b is a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study in Han Chinese

Background Bone damage around the joints is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms that leads to rheumatoid arthritis （RA） chronic disability.Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRACP-5b） is secreted by osteoclasts,its activity can be used as a clinically relevant bone resorption marker.The aim of this study was to test whether the measurement of serum levels of TRACP-5b in patients with RA would correlate with measures of disease activity and with responses to therapy.Methods Fifty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive recombinant human cytotoxic tlymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin （RhCTLA4-lg）,infliximab or methotrexate （MTX）.The clinical and serologic indicators of RA activity were evaluated at baseline and at 24 weeks.Serum TRACP-5b was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay （ELISA） at 0,12 and 24 weeks.Hand X-rays were obtained at baseline.Results At baseline,the levels of TRACP-5b correlated with the severity of X-ray damage,disease duration （r=0.332,P=0.012）,and tender joint count （r=0.408,P=0.002）.The 24 weeks values of TRACP-5b for RhCTLA4-lg group and infliximab group differed significantly from the baseline values in each group （P 〈0.05; P 〈0.05）,whereas only the value for RhCTLA4-lg group differed significantly from the 24 weeks value for the MTX group （P 〈0.01）.Considering the two biologics-treated groups together,the TRACP-5b levels at 24 weeks differed significantly from the baseline values only in those patients who reached an ACR70 level （P 〈0.05）.Conclusions Measurement of serum TRACP-5b in RA patients reflects clinical and radiological measures of disease activity,treatment with certain biologics,and degree of response to therapy.TRACP-5b should be investigated further as a potential biomarker to predict response to therapy,including slowing of radiographic progression.     

Pioglitazone inhibits the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat mesangial cells

Background Oxidative Stress and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38MAPK） play a vital role in renal fibrosis. Pioglitazone can protect kidney but the underlying mechanisms are less clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress and whether the severity of oxidative stress was associated with the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK.     

Hydrogen sulfide defends against the cardiovascular risk of Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester-induced hypertension in rats via the nitric oxide/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway

Background Dyslipidemia caused by liver injury is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular complications.Previous studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide （H2S） protects against multiple cardiovascular disease states in a similar manner as nitric oxide （NO）,and NO/endothelial nitric oxide synthase （eNOS） pathway is the key route of NO production.The purpose of this study was to investigate whether H2S can ameliorate the high blood pressure and plasma lipid profile in Nw-nitro-L-argininemethyl ester （L-NAME）-induced hypertensive rats by NO/eNOS pathway.Methods Thirty-six 4-week old Sprague-Dawley （SD） male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups （n=6）：control group,L-NAME group,control ＋ glibenclamide group,control ＋ NaHS group,L-NAME ＋ NaHS group,and L-NAME ＋ NaHS ＋ glibenclamide group.Measurements were made of plasma triglycerides （TG）,low-density lipoprotein （LDL）,high-density lipoprotein （HDL）,total cholesterol （CHO）,glutamic-pyruvic transaminase （ALT） levels after 5 weeks.Then measurements of NO level and proteins expression of eNOS,P-eNOS,AKT,P-AKT were made in liver tissue.Results After 5 weeks of L-NAME treatment,the blood pressure,plasma TG （（1.22±0.12） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.68±0.09） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） and LDL （（0.54±0.04） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.28±0.02） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration were significantly increased,and the plasma HDL （（0.26±0.02） mmol/L in L-NAME group vs.（0.69±0.07） mmol/L in control group; P ＜0.05） concentration significantly decreased.Meanwhile the rats treated with L-NAME exhibit dysfunctional eNOS,diminished NO levels （（1.36±0.09） mmol/g protein in L-NAME group vs.（2.34±0.06） mmol/g protein in control group; P ＜0.05） and pathological changes of the liver.H2S therapy can markedly decrease the blood pressure （（37.25±4.46） mmHg at the fifth week; P ＜0.05）,and ameliorate the plasma TG （（0.59±0.06） mmHg）,     

Over-expression of small ubiquitin-like modifier proteases 1 predicts chemo-sensitivity and poor survival in non-small cell lung cancer

Background Non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is one of the most common malignant tumors.Despite the advances in therapy over the years,its mortality remains high.The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of small ubiquitin-like modifier （SUMO） proteases 1 （SENP1） in NSCLC tissues and its role in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression.We also investigated the association between the expression level of SENP1 and the clinicopathological features and survival of the patients.Methods A SENP1 small interfering RNA （siRNA） was constructed and transfected into the NSCLC cells.VEGF gene expression was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）.Immunohistochemistry staining was used to assess the expression of SENP1 in 100 NSCLC patients and its association with the clinicopathological features and survival was analyzed.Results VEGF expression was significantly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues.Inhibition of SENP1 by siRNA was associated with decreased VEGF expression.SENP1 was over-expressed in 55 of the 100 NSCLC samples （55％） and was associated with a moderate and low histological tumor grade （3.6％,38.2％,and 58.2％ in high,moderate and low differentiated tumors,respectively,P=0.046）,higher T stage （10.9％ in T1,and 89.1％ in T2 and T3 tumor samples,P ＜0.001）and TNM stage （10.9％ in stage Ⅰ,and 89.1％ in stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ tumor samples,P ＜0.001）.The rate of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the SENP1 over-expression group （76.4％） than that in the SENP1 low expression group （33.3％,P ＜0.001）.Sixty three patients received postoperative chemotherapy,including 34 with SENP1 over-expression and 29 with SENP1 low expression.Among the 34 patients with SENP1 over-expression,22 （64.7％） patients developed recurrence or metastasis,significantly higher than those in the low expression group 27.6％ （8/29） （P=0.005）.Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed     

Urinary albumin excretion rate: a risk factor for retinal hard exudates in macular region in type 2 diabetic patients

Background The various risk factors for retinal hard exudates are still poorly understood in type 2 diabetic patients.The aim of this study was to determine the association between urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER） and hard exudates in macular region in north Chinese patients.Methods A total of 272 patients （272 eyes） were enrolled for this study,including 154 subjects from group 1 （mild hard exudates）,91 subjects from group 2 （moderate hard exudates） and 27 subjects from group 3 （severe hard exudates） confirmed using colour fundus photography,optical coherence tomography （OCT） as well as slit-lamp biomicroscopy with 78 diopter （D） lens.Each participant underwent a comprehensive assessment that included biochemical,clinical characteristics test and detailed ophthalmic evaluation.One-way analysis of variance （ANOVA） test and chi-square test were performed to analyze the fasting blood glucose （FBG）,glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c）,total cholesterol （TC）,low density lipoprotein （LDL）,high density lipoprotein （HDL）,triglycerides （TG）,full blood counts,urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER）,blood creatinine （CREA）,duration of diabetes,body mass index （BMI）,systolic blood pressures （SBP） and diastolic blood pressures （DBP） between groups.Ordinal logistic regression analysis was further performed in order to eliminating the possible confounding factors.Results Three groups were matched in terms of age and gender.Risk factors which showed significant difference between groups include FBG （P ＜0.001）,HbA1c （P ＜0.001）,LDL （P ＜0.001）,UAER （P ＜0.001）,duration of diabetes （P=0.001）,TC （P=0.005）,SBP （P=0.026）,CREA （P=0.004） and haemoglobin （Hb） （P=0.012）.There was no significant difference between groups for the TG,HDL,DBP,platelet,total white blood cells and BMI.Using ordinal Logistic regression analyses,of all the variables,HbA1c,LDL and UAER which were independent risk factor for hard exudates showed a si     

Association between improved trunk stability and walking capacity using ankle-foot orthosis in hemiparetic patients with stroke: evidence from three-dimensional gait analysis

Background Restoration of both normal movement of the pelvis and centre of mass is a primary goal of walking rehabilitation in post-stroke patients because these movements are essential components of effective gait. The aim of this study is to quantitatively analyze the effect of ankle-foot orthosis on walking ability, and to investigate the correlation between improvements in trunk motion and walking capacity.     

Retinoschisis and intravitreal ranibizumab treatment for myopic choroidal neovascularization

Background Intravitreal ranibizumab injection is effecitve on treating myopic CNVs,but it could be a risk factor for developing more severe retinoschisis in eyes with preexisted retinoschisis and epiretinal membrane.This study aimed to explore the incidence and features of retinoschisis after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for myopic choroidal neovascularization.Methods Eighty-three eyes of 81 patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathologic myopia were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection.The best corrected visual acuity and optical coherence tomography （OCT） images were recorded at baseline and every month thereafter.Central retina thickness and maximal retina thickness were measured.The subjects were divided into three groups.Eleven eyes that had retinoschisis and epiretinal membrane were in group 1,six eyes that had simple epiretinal membrane were in group 2,and 66 eyes that had neither retinoschisis nor epiretinal membrane were in group 3.Six contralateral eyes in group 1 which had retinoschisis and epiretinal membrane but were not treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injection were set as the control group.Results Seven of the 11 eyes in group 1 developed more severe retinoschisis,the mean maximal retinal thickness increased from （380.28±90.13） to （467.00±70.20） μm （P 〈0.05）.The retinoschisis of all 6 eyes of the control group did not aggravate.Compared with the control group,the aggravation ratio of retinoschisis increased significantly （P 〈0.05）.No new onset of retinoschisis took place in group 2 and group 3.Conclusion Intravitreal ranibizumab injection may be a risk factor for aggravation of retinoschisis in eyes with preexisted retinoschisis and epiretinal membrane.     

Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease

Background Accurate evaluation of coronary artery,aortic valve annulus diameter （AVAD）,and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy.In this study,we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence （MinDose sequence） scan of dual-source CT （DSCT） for those patients.Methods Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease （the experimental group） underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery,AVAD,and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）.Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease （the control group） underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT.Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （2D-TTE） and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （4D-TTE） were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.Results There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.87,P ＜0.01）,as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54％ lower than that in the control group.Conclusions MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery,AVAD,and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.     

Evaluation of pelvic visceral functions after modified nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy

Background Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy （NSRH） was developed in an attempt to minimize complications after radical hysterectomy.Since 2008,a modified NSRH-nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy （NPSRH） has been developed at the Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NPSRH in improving postoperative pelvic visceral dysfunctions.Methods Eighty-three patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics （FIGO） stage IB1-IIA2 cervical cancer received NPSRH （the study group） from January 2008 to October 2012.One hundred and sixty-six patients who underwent conventional radical hysterectomy （CRH） were randomly selected as the control group.Age,pathological type and stage were matched between the two groups.The safety of surgery was assessed by duration of operation and blood transfusion rate.Postoperative short-term bladder function was analyzed by duration of catheterization.Long-term bladder,anorectal and sexual function were evaluated with questionnaires.Results Seventy-eight patients （94.0%） in the NPSRH group and one hundred and sixty patients （96.4%） in the CRH group completed the study.Median follow-up time was 31.9 months and 31.0 months respectively （P=0.708）.There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age,body mass index,FIGO stage,pathologic type,preoperative and postoperative therapy （P 〉0.05）.The blood transfusion rate shared no difference between two groups （P=0.364）.The operation time in the NPSRH group was significantly longer than CRH group （P 〈0.01）.But the duration of catheterization and hospitalization in the NPSRH group was significantly reduced compared with CRH group （P 〈0.01）.In addition,the incidence of long-term urinary frequency,urinary incontinence,urinary retention,straining to void,constipation and diarrhea was significantly lower in the NPSRH group （P 〈0.05）.However,there was no significant difference regarding sexual function （P 〉0.05）.Conclusions The current evidence indicated that NPSRH improved long-term bladder function compared to CRH.Moreover,it may improve long-term anorectal function as well.     

Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures caused by metastases: a retrospective study

Background There are few comparative studies regarding kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare KP with VP in pain improvement, cement leakage incidence, and the cost of treatment of malignant VCF.

Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical data for 80 patients with multiple spinal metastases, treated with KP in 42 cases and VP in 38. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected pre-operatively, post-operatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Cement leakage was identified using fluoroscopy and CT scan. Total cost per patient was also collected.

Results There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS scores (7.4±2.0 to 3.8±1.6, P <0.001 in the KP group; 6.7±2.4 to 3.7±1.4, P <0.001 in the VP group), and was maintained at 1-year follow-up (3.2±1.4 in the KP group, 3.1±1.3 in the VP group). However, the difference in VAS score between these two groups was insignificant at baseline and every follow-up assessment post-operatively (P >0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the KP group was lower than that of the VP group (16.9% (14/83) vs 30.3% (23/76), P <0.05). However, none of the patients developed any symptoms. The length of postoperative hospital stay in the VP group was shorter than that of the KP group ((2.4±1.3) vs (5.3±1.9) days, P <0.05). Total hospital cost in the KP group was much higher than that of the VP group (RMB Yuan 8 492±3 332 vs RMB Yuan 3 173±1 341, P <0.01).

Conclusions VP and KP are both effective in providing pain relief for patients with cancer-related VCF. KP provides no greater degree of pain improvement. KP is associated with a lower rate of cement leakage compared with VP. VP is associated with lower cost and shorter postoperative hospital stay in China.

     

Current status of anticoagulant treatments and improvements for hemodialysis patients in northern Chinese cities: a five-year comparative study

Background Anticoagulation treatments are an important aspect of hemodialysis; however,few reports have addressed these treatments.This investigation intends to increase the understanding of the current status and improvements of hemodialysis-related anticoagulation treatments in China.Methods In this study,an epidemiological investigation was conducted that examined 842 patients in 2007 and 1 175patients in 2012 who underwent hemodialysis anticoagulation treatments in seven blood purification centers in northern Chinese cities.Results Heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant,although the percentage of use of low-molecular-weight heparin （LMWH） increased from 26.5% in 2007 to 42.1% in 2012.In 2007,there were no significant differences in anticoagulant selection among either patients with various primary diseases or patients with hemorrhage,thrombosis,thrombocytopenia,or a low hemoglobin level.However,compared with patients with other diseases,significantly lower doses of LMWH were administered to patients with hypertension （55.5 U/kg vs.67.3 U/kg,P 〈0.05） or diabetes （58.5 U/kg vs.67.3 U/kg,P 〈0.05）,and patients with hemorrhage received lower doses of heparin than the other patients （61.6 U/kg vs.71.8 U/kg,P 〈0.01）.In 2012,patients with diabetic nephropathy （51.5% vs.36.5%,P 〈0.01）,hemorrhage （43.4% vs.31.7%,P 〈0.01）,or a hemoglobin level below 90 g/L （57.2% vs.37.1%,P 〈0.01） experienced significantly higher doses of LMWH administration; patients with hemorrhage received significantly reduced LMWH dosages （50.4 U/kg vs.57.8 U/kg,P 〈0.05）,and patients with thrombosis received significantly higher doses of heparin （73.8 U/kg vs.62.1 U/kg,P 〈0.01） or LMWH （57.8 U/kg vs.52.6 U/kg,P 〈0.05）.Antiplatelet drugs were administered to 20.4% of the examined patients in 2007 and 20.7% in 2012.In 2012,patients with hypertension （25.9% vs.18.5%,P 〈0.01） and thrombosis （36.6% vs.16.1%,P 〈0.01） had a higher rate of using antiplatelet drugs than patients     

Effects of glucose and insulin on the H9c2 （2-1） cell proliferation may be mediated through regulating glucose transporter 4 expression

Background The change of glucose transporter 4 （GLUT4） expression could influence glucose uptake in the myocardial cells and then effect myocardial metabolism, which maybe one of the factor for the diabetes cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to explore the influence of glucose and insulin at different concentrations on H9c2 （2-1） cell proliferation and its GLUT4 expression in vitro, and evaluate the correlation between myocardial cells proliferation and GLUT4 expression. This might be helpful for understanding the relationship between glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Methods According to glucose concentrations in culture medium, cultured H9c2 rat myocardial cells were divided into five groups： control group （NC, glucose concentration 5.0 mmol/L）, low glucose group （LG, glucose concentration 0.1 mmol/L）, high glucose group 1 （HG1, glucose concentration 10 mmol/L）, high glucose group 2 （HG2, glucose concentration 15 mmol/L）, high glucose group 3 （HG3, glucose concentration 20 mmol/L）. Then according to different insulin concentrations in culture medium, each group was further divided into two subgroups： normal insulin subgroup （INSc, insulin concentration 3.8 mU/L）, high insulin subgroup （INSh, insulin concentration 7.6 mU/L）. H9c2 （2-1） cells were cultured for 1, 2, 3 days, the proliferation of cells were assayed by cell counting Kit-8 assay, the expressions of GLUT4 mRNA and protein were detected with RT-PCR and Western Blotting technique, and the relation between myocardial cells proliferation and GLUT4 expression was evaluated.     

Detection of periodontal pathogens in the patients with aortic aneurysm

Background The occurrence and development of aortic aneurysm （AA） are associated with infection.Some researchers have detected the DNA of periodontal pathogens in AA samples in certain populations.However,it has not been done in Chinese population.The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of periodontal pathogens in oral tissue samples and aneurysm samples of AA patients.Methods Eighty-nine subjects with AA and 59 subjects without AA were examined.Periodontal clinical parameters were evaluated.Unstimulated saliva and subgingival plaque somples were collected from all subjects.Twenty-six dissected AA samples were obtained.Evidence of eight periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis （Pg）,Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans （Aa）,Prevotella intermedia （Pi）,Tannerella forsythensis （Tf）,Treponema denticola （Td）,Campylobacter rectus （Cr）,Fusobacterium nucleatum （Fn）,and Prevotella nigrescens （Pn） was ascertained in all samples by 16S rRNA-based polymerase chain reaction （PCR） assay.Results The periodontal indexes including plaque index （PLI）,probing depth （PD）,bleeding index （BI）,and clinical attachment loss （CAL）,of the six Ramfjord index teeth were significantly higher in the AA group than those in the control group （P ＜0.01）.Eight periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque samples were more frequently detected in the AA group than in control group.The difference in prevalence between the groups was significant for six （out of eight） periodontal pathogens assayed （Pg,Pi,Fn,Pn,Tf,and Td,P ＜0.01）.Additionally,all eight periodontal pathogens were more frequently detected in saliva samples of the AA group than in those of the control group,again with six （out of eight） （Pg,Pi,Fn,Cr,Tf,and Td） displaying significant differences in prevalence between the two groups （P ＜0.01）.Out of 26 aneurysm samples examined,Pg,Pi,Fn,Crand Tfwere detected in 6 （23.1％）,2 （7.7％）,3 （11.5％）,1 （3.8％）,2