Sixty male SD rats were separately fed by normal diet or high-fat diet.After eight weeks of highfat diet,these rats were injected low dose streptozotocin (30 mg/kg).Diazoxide or glipizide was administered to the diabetic rats for 4 weeks.The results showed that body weight,serum insulin,and insulin sensitive index were decreased in the obese diabetic rats while the fasting blood glucose,total cholesterol,and triglyceride levels were increased compared with the high-fat diet group ( all P＜0.01 ).Consistent with the results of glipizide,diazoxide treatment lowered blood glucose,improved glucose tolerance,and decreased islet cell apoptosis compared with the diabetes mellitus group ( all P＜0.05 ).The results suggest that diazoxide can improve islet function of obese type 2 diabetic rats via decreasing insulin secretion and thus lessening the load on islet cells.

Objective To analyze the changes of the intima-media thickness(IMT)of carotid and femoral arteries, serum advanced glycosylation end-products(AGEs),and AGEs soluble receptor(sRAGE)after intensively controlling blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid. Methods One hundred and thirty-two type 2 diabetic patients were divided into 3 groups and followed for 5 years: 20 patients were treated with intensive control of blood glucose and blood pressure, 80 patients with intensive control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid; and 32 patients with conventional therapy. AGEs, sRAGE, and IMT of carotid and femoral arteries were measured and compared among different groups. Results The IMT of carotid and femoral arteries and serum level of AGEs were significantly decreased after intensive treatment. The ratio of sRAGE and HbA1C(sRAGE/HbA1C)were negatively correlated with the mean of HbA1Cin the past five years(r=-0.417, P＜0.001)and the fluctuation of HbA1C(r=-0.309,P＜0.001). Multinomial regression analysis showed that AGEs were the important risk factors of IMT of femoral artery(β=0.152,P=0.068). Conclusion Intensive treatment is significant in controlling the growing IMT of carotid and femoral arteries, while decreasing serum level of AGEs.

OBJECTIVE: Angiomyolipoma is the most common benign kidney tumor. However, literature describing FDG PET findings on renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is limited. This study reports the FDG PET and PET/CT findings of 21 cases of renal AML. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study reviews FDG PET and PET/CT images of 21 patients diagnosed with renal AML. The diagnosis is based on the classical appearance of an AML on CT scan with active surveillance for 6 months. The study is focused on the observation of clinical and radiographic features. RESULTS: Six men and 15 women were included in our study. The mean age of the patients was 57.14 +/- 9.67 years old. The mean diameter of 21 renal AML on CT scans was 1.76 +/- 1.00 cm (Min: 0.6 cm; Max: 4.4 cm). CT scans illustrated renal masses typical of AMLs, and the corresponding FDG PET scans showed minimal FDG activities in the area of the tumors. None of the 21 AMLs showed a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) greater than 1.98. No statistically significant correlation was present between SUVmax and tumor size. CONCLUSION: Renal AMLs demonstrate very low to low uptake on FDG PET and PET/CT imaging in this study. When a fat-containing tumor in the kidney is found on a CT scan, it is critical to differentiate an AML from a malignant tumor including an RCC, liposarcoma, and Wilms tumor. This study suggests that FDG PET or PET/CT imaging is useful for differentiating a renal AML from a fat-containing malignant tumor.
Angiomyolipoma/*radionuclide imaging ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/*radionuclide imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Positron-Emission Tomography ; *Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use ; Retrospective Studies

It has been demonstrated that APPL1 (adaptor protein, phosphotyrosine interacting with PH domain and leucine zipper 1) is involved in the regulation of several growth-related signaling pathways and thus closely associated with the development and progression of some cancers. Diallyl trisulfide (DAT), a garlic-derived bioactive compound, exerts selective cytotoxicity to various human cancer cells through interfering with pro-survival signaling pathways. However, whether and how DAT affects survival of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear. Herein, we tested the hypothesis of the involvement of APPL1 in DAT-induced cytotoxicity in HCC HepG2 cells. We found that Lys 63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitination of APPL1 was significantly decreased whereas phosphorylation of APPL1 at serine residues remained unchanged in DAT-treated HepG2 cells. Compared with wild-type APPL1, overexpression of APPL1 K63R mutant dramatically increased cell apoptosis and mitigated cell survival, along with a reduction of phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, and Erk1/2. In addition, DAT administration markedly reduced protein levels of intracellular TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). Genetic inhibition of TRAF6 decreased K63-linked polyubiquitination of APPL1. Moreover, the cytotoxicity impacts of DAT on HepG2 cells were greatly attenuated by overexpression of wild-type APPL1. Taken together, these results suggest that APPL1 polyubiquitination probably mediates the inhibitory effects of DAT on survival of HepG2 cells by modulating STAT3, Akt, and Erk1/2 pathways.

Objective To investigate the value of peak strain dispersion (PSD) in evaluation of synchronicity of left ventricle in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.Methods Totally 38 MHD patients (MHD group) and 45 healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled.Two-dimensional dynamic images,including standard apical two-chamber,longaxis and four-chamber views in 3 consecutive cardiac cycles were acquired,and the standard deviation of time-to-peak longitudinal strain,i.e.PSD,in 18 segments of left ventricle were calculated.The difference of PSD between the two groups and the correlation between PSD and other parameters were assessed.Results PSD of MHD group ([54.21 ± 11.55] ms) was larger than that of control group ([35.58±14.37]ms;t=4.653,P＜0.001).In MHD group,PSD had positive correlation with left ventricular mass index (LVMI),interventricular septum thickness at end-systolic (IVSd),left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastolic (LVPWd),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd),left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV;r=0.461,0.466,0.498,0.472,0.414,0.498,respectively,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Left ventricular systolic synchronicity in MHD patients might be impaired in early stage,which can be quantitatively evaluated with PSD.

Objective To explore the systolic function and synchronicity of left ventricle ( LV ) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis( MHD) by layer-specific strain. Methods Forty-three patients with MHD and 48 healthy controls were studied. Three consecutive cardiac cycles two-dimensional dynamic images including standard LV apical two-chamber,long-axis and four-chamber views and LV short-axis views at the levels of basal,middle and apical were acquired. A quantitative software called EchoPAC was used to analyze longitudinal strain(LS) and circumferential strain(CS) of these six dynamic images and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) was automatic computed by the software. The difference of these parameters between the two groups and the correlation between PSD and other parameters were studied. Results Parameters of global layer-specific strain: compared with the control group, global LS and CS of subendocardial,midmyocardial,epicardial and full-thickness myocardium layers were decreased in the MHD group ( P ＜0.01). Parameters of segmental layer-specific strain:LS of 3 layers and full-thickness in basal, middle,apical segments were lower in MHD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.001). CS of 3 layers and full-thickness in middle,apical segments were lower in MHD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05). There was no significant difference in CS of 3 layers and full-thickness in basal segment between two groups( P ＞0.05). Parameters of synchronicity:PSD of MHD group was larger than that of control group ( t ＝6.094, P ＜0.001). PSD was positively correlated with longitudinal strain of full-thickness (GLS) in MHD group ( rs＝0.478, P ＝0.039). Conclusions Layer-specific strain can noninvasively and accurately quantitate left ventricular systolic function and synchronicity in patients with MHD.

Objective To evaluate the value of longitudinal peak strain ( GLS ) and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) in left ventricular myocardial synchrony and systolic function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome ( OSAS ) . Methods Seventy male patients with OSAS diagnosed by polysomnography and 26 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study . According to AHI ,the OSAS patients were divided into three groups :mild group ,moderate group and severe group . Echocardiography was performed on the next day . The Left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF) ,diastolic blood pressure , systolic blood pressure ,left ventricular end-diastolic diameter ( LVDd) ,left ventricular end-systolic diameter ( LVDs) ,left atrial diameter ( LAD) ,interventricular septum thickness ( IVST ) ,left ventricular posterior wall thickness ( LVPW) ,global systolic longitudinal strain( GLS) and peak strain dispersion ( PSD) were compared among four groups . The correlation between GLS ,PSD and AHI were analyzed . Results ① Age , height ,weight ,body mass index ( BMI) ,LVEF ,diastolic blood pressure ,systolic blood pressure ,LVDd , LVDs ,LAD and LVPW were not statistically different among the OSAS mild ,moderate ,severe group and control group ( P > 0 .05) . IVST in severe groups was increased than that in control group ( P < 0 .05) . ②Compared with the control group and the mild group ,the PSD increased and the GLS decreased significantly in the moderate and severe groups ( P < 0 .05) ,and there was a statistically significant decrease in the GLS between the severe group and the moderate group ( P < 0 .05) . There was no statistical difference in other parameters among 4 groups ( P > 0 .05) . ③ Pearson correlation analysis showed that AHI was associated with GLS( r 2 = 0 .5026) and PSD( r 2 = 0 .6845) ( P < 0 .05) . Conclusions GLS and PSD can early evaluate the left ventricular myocardial synchrony and systolic function changes in patients with OSAS .

Objective:To explore the value of pressure-strain loop (PSL) for non-invasive quantitative assessment of left ventricular myocardial work index (GWI), global work efficiency (GWE), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) in the evaluation of left ventricular myocardial work in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).Methods:Thirty-one HCM patients (HCM group) and 36 healthy volunteers (control group) from December 2018 to September 2019 in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were selected. Relevant clinical data were collected, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVEDs), left atrial diameter (LAD), the maximum wall thickness (MWT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the global longitudinal strain (GLS), the peak strain dispersion(PSD) and GWI, GWE, GCW and GWW between the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with the control group, MWT, LAD, E/e′, LVMI in HCM group were significantly increased (all P<0.05); left ventricular myocardial functional parameters of GLS, GWI, GWE, GCW were significantly decreased, and GWW and PSD were significantly increased (all P<0.05). Left ventricular GLS, PSD and GWI, GCW, GWW, GWE have better repeatability within the observer and between observers. ICC within the observer were 0.852, 0.707, 0.917, 0.955, 0.675, 0.618, respectively. And their ICC between observers were 0.837, 0.631, 0.927, 0.944, 0.555, 0.670, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that GLS was positively correlated with GWI, GWE, and GCW ( r=0.765, 0.737, 0.815; all P<0.001), and negatively correlated with GWW and PSD ( r=-0.517, -0.606; all P<0.001). Conclusions:The left ventricular GWI, GWE and GCW decreased in HCM patients, while the GWW increased. PSL can evaluate the damage of left ventricular myocardial work in HCM patients.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning and the differences in the severity of poisoning.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2020. The general information, exposure time, poisoning dose, poisoning cause, poisoning route, clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results during hospitalization, treatment measures, hospital stays and prognosis of the patients were collected. The patients were graded according to the poisoning severity scoring standard of Chinese Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Poisoning in 2016. The highest severity score during hospitalization was used as the final grade. According to the final grade, asymptomatic and mild patients were included in the mild group, and moderate, severe and death patients were included in the severe group. The independent sample T test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for measurement data, and χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used for counting data. The differences of general data and clinical data between the two groups were compared. Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 83 patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning were selected as the study subjects. All patients survived, mainly mild poisoning (56.6%), with a male to female ratio of 33∶50, and an average age of 39 years. The number of poisoning cases increased yearly (the highest in 2019), and most cases occurred in spring and summer. The main cause of poisoning was suicide (71.1%), direct oral administration (83.1%) was the primary route of poisoning, and the dominating clinical manifestations were digestive symptoms (71.1%). Laboratory tests showed increased white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil percentage (NEUT %) and D-dimer, and decreased hemoglobin and potassium. Compared with the mild group, patients in the severe group were older [(51±17) years vs. (35±19) years], had a higher proportion of suicide and direct oral administration, a longer hospital stay [8.0 (4.8, 12.0) d vs. 3.0 (2.0, 5.5) d], a higher dose of poisoning [200.0 (50.0, 200.0) mL vs. 30.0 (11.3, 57.5) mL], and higher NEUT % within 24 h of admission [(83.4±10.4) vs. (73.2±12.8)]. The increase of WBC, NEUT %, aspartate aminotransferase, prothrombin time, D-dimer and the decrease of serum potassium were more common in the severe group than the mild group, with statistical significance (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The number of patients with acute glyphosate herbicide poisoning is increasing yearly. Generally, the condition is mild and the prognosis is satisfying. The severity is more serious in the middle-aged and elderly patients andthose with direct oral administration, high toxic dose, and high NEUT % within 24 h of admission. Severe poisoning is more likely to cause changes in laboratory indicators.