Genetic susceptibility to autoimmune thyroid diseases in a Chinese Han population: Role of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms

Purpose

Previous studies have found that some immune-related genes were associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). A couple of studies have explored the association between vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to AITDs in different populations and found conflicting results. This case-control study was designed to evaluate the role of polymorphisms of VDR gene in the predisposition of AITDs in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 417 patients with Graves’ disease (GD), 250 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 301 healthy subjects were enrolled. The Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform was applied to detect four SNPs (rs1544410, rs2228570, rs731236 and rs7975232) in the VDR gene.

Results

In the rs7975232 allele A frequency showed a significant increase in GD patients (30.34% vs. 25.42% in controls; P = 0.041, OR = 1.278, 95%CI = 1.010–1.617). However, no relationship was found between clinical phenotypes and the four SNPs.

Conclusions

This result suggests that the VDR gene may be one susceptibility gene which contributes to the risk of GD.     

Effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on sperm parameters,seminal plasma biochemical markers,and oxidative stress in men

In this experimental prospective study, we aimed to analyze the effect of transient scrotal hyperthermia on the male reproductive organs, from the perspective of sperm parameters, semen plasma biochemical markers, and oxidative stress, to evaluate whether different frequencies of heat exposure cause different degrees of damage to spermatogenesis. Two groups of volunteers (10 per group) received testicular warming in a 43°C water bath 10 times, for 30 min each time: group 1: 10 consecutive days; group 2: once every 3 days. Sperm parameters, epididymis and accessory sex gland function, semen plasma oxidative stress and serum sex hormones were tested before treatment and in the 16-week recovery period after treatment. At last, we found an obvious reversible decrease in sperm concentration (P = 0.005 for Group 1 and P= 0.008 for Group 2 when the minimums were compared with baseline levels, the same below), motility (P = 0.009 and 0.021, respectively), the hypoosmotic swelling test score (P = 0.007 and 0.008, respectively), total acrosin activity (P = 0.018 and 0.009, respectively), and an increase in the seminal plasma malondialdehyde concentration (P = 0.005 and 0.017, respectively). The decrease of sperm concentration was greater for Group 2 than for Group 1 (P = 0.031). We concluded that transient scrotal hyperthermia seriously, but reversibly, negatively affected the spermatogenesis, oxidative stress may be involved in this process. In addition, intermittent heat exposure more seriously suppresses the spermatogenesis compared to consecutive heat exposure. This may be indicative for clinical infertility etiology analysis and the design of contraceptive methods based on heat stress.     

Vela激光——能否胜任剜除治疗前列腺增生新领袖的角色?(附光盘)

经尿道前列腺剜除术因良好的安全性、疗效、极低的复发率和极少的并发症,成为近年来治疗前列腺增生手术的主流术式。剜除术中常用的手术需要的能量系统和设备有多样,各有所长,其中,激光是常用和临床效果可靠的设备之一。本文旨在探讨一种波长为1 900nm的Vela激光,可行汽化切割剜除前列腺增生组织的新武器、成为剜除治疗BPH新领袖的安全性和有效性。     

Variation of plantar pressure in Chinese diabetes mellitus

To investigate dynamic changes in plantar pressure in Chinese diabetes mellitus patients and to provide a basis for further preventing diabetic foot. This is a cross‐sectional investigation including 649 Chinese diabetes mellitus patients (diabetes group) and 808 “normal” Chinese persons (nondiabetes group) with normal blood glucose levels. All the subjects provided a complete medical history and underwent a physical examination and a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. All subjects walked barefoot with their usual gait, and their dynamic plantar forces were measured using the one‐step method with a plantar pressure measurement instrument; 5 measurements were performed for each foot. No significant differences were found in age, height, body weight, or body mass index between the two groups. The fasting blood glucose levels, plantar contact time, maximum force, pressure‐time integrals and force‐time integrals in the diabetes group were significantly higher than those in the nondiabetes group (p < 0.05). However, the maximum pressure was significantly higher in the nondiabetes group than in the diabetes group (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the contact areas between the two groups (p > 0.05). The maximum plantar force distributions were essentially the same, with the highest force found for the medial heel, followed by the medial forefoot and the first toe. The peak plantar pressure was located at the medial forefoot for the nondiabetes group and at the hallucis for the diabetes group. In the diabetes group, the momentum in each plantar region was higher than that in the nondiabetes group; this difference was especially apparent in the heel, the lateral forefoot and the hallucis. The dynamic plantar pressures in diabetic patients differ from those in nondiabetic people with increased maximum force and pressure, a different distribution pattern and significantly increased momentum, which may lead to the formation of foot ulcers.     

高海拔地区脊柱侧凸患者心肺功能变化

目的评估高寒缺氧环境对脊柱侧凸患者心肺功能的影响。方法回顾分析2006年1月~2012年12月本院收治的高海拔地区特发性脊柱侧凸患者31例,并选取同时期来自平原地区的其他特征(年龄、性别、侧凸角、后凸角)相似特发性脊柱侧凸患者31例作配对研究。收集并分析62例患者术前站立位全脊柱正侧位X线片、术前肺功能和心脏彩超检查结果。结果高海拔地区脊柱侧凸患者心脏彩超结果中每搏输出量(stroke volume,SV)、射血分数(ejection fraction,EF)、左房内径(left atrial internal diameter,LAID)、左室内径(left ventricular internal diameter,LVID)、右房内径(right atrial internal diameter,RAID)以及肺功能检查中肺活量(vital capacity,VC)、肺总量(total lung capacity,TLC)、用力肺活量(forced vital capacity,FVC)、一秒率(FEV1/FVC%)大小与平原地区脊柱侧凸患者检查结果相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。而高海拔地区与平原地区脊柱侧凸患者的右室内径(right ventricular internal diameter,RVID)、第一秒用力呼气容积(forced expiratory volume in one second,FEV1)实测值相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论高海拔地区与平原地区脊柱侧凸患者的心肺功能总体上无明显差异,在进行术前评估、准备和围手术期处理上,高海拔地区脊柱侧凸患者与平原地区脊柱侧凸患者相比并无特殊。     

胸腰椎骨折经椎弓根椎体内植骨术后伤椎愈合情况的对比

目的研究胸腰椎骨折经椎弓根植骨术后伤椎愈合的方式及影响因素。方法本次研究纳入自2011-01-2013-01诊治的74例具有完整随访结果的患者,采用经椎弓根植骨36例,同期未经椎弓根植骨38例。依据脊柱骨折负荷分享分级、笔者设计的椎体轴位9分区法明确骨折损伤程度、骨折复位及伤椎植骨情况、骨折愈合及伤椎植骨愈合情况。结果术后随访16~24个月,平均20个月。未植骨组:术后1年随访时椎体内各区形成空洞总计21.1%。植骨组:术后1年随访时椎体内各区形成空洞总计24.1%。结论胸腰椎骨折后伤椎经椎弓根植骨术中可撬拨复位塌陷及碎裂的上终板,减少髓核组织的突入发生,形成椎体内有效的可填充空腔,便于椎体内充分植骨,形成利于骨细胞爬行替代的框架结构,减少晚期上终板的塌陷及椎体内空洞的形成。     

高龄患者人工全膝关节置换术的并发症及疗效分析

目的探讨年龄大于75岁的高龄患者进行全膝关节置换术的并发症情况及疗效。方法系统回顾分析2006年8月至2012年12月,共62例(72膝)大于75岁实施全膝关节置换术的患者,记录术前合并症和术后并发症的情况。术后2周,1.5、3、6、12月及之后每年门诊随访,应用HSS评分进行评估。结果所有62例患者中,术中没有死亡和局部并发症。围术期术后系统性并发症31例,并发症发生率为43.1%,共有8例(12膝)失访,54例(60膝)获得随访,随访时间12~72个月,平均(36.9±3.5)个月。HSS评分恢复到平均(86.2±12.8)分,优良率88.3%。结论通过术前合理选择病例,术中、术后密切监护调整,加强出院后的随访和功能康复指导,可以有效地降低术后的各种并发症,使得全膝关节置换术也可以在高龄患者中获得满意的疗效。