Humans ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

Objective To investigate the carotid plaque conditions and clinical commonly used test events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to explore the risk factors affecting the stability of plaques in carotid artery.Methods According to the results of cervical vascular color Doppler ultrasound examination, 125 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into unstable plaque group (n=21), stable plaque group (n =54), and non-plaque group (n =50).Analysis related results including age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), intima-media thickness (IMT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), uric acid (UA), fibrinogen (Fbg), D-dimer (D-D), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed.Results Age, gender, SBP, DBP, TG, HDL, D-D, and TSH were without significant differences among groups.Glucose and Fbg were significant different (P ＜ 0.05) between unstable plague group and stable plaque group/no plaque group.No significance difference was found between stable and no plaque groups.IMT, TC, LDL, and FT4 were significant different (P ＜ 0.05) between unstable and stable plaque groups, and between stable and no plaque groups.Logistic multiple regression analysis suggested that IMT and TC might be independent risk factors for the stability of plaques in carotid artery of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The factors affecting formation of plaques in carotid artery include glucose level, TC, and LDL in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.The factors affecting its stability include thickness of IMT, TC, LDL, and FT4.IMT and TC were the independent risk factors for the stability of plaques in carotid artery.

Objective To explore the changes of serum cortisol and its influence on prognosis in children with traumatic brain injury( TBI) . Methods A total of 52 children suffering from TBI hospitalized in SICU of Nanjing Children′s Hospital from June 2014 to December 2015 were analyzed. According to the glasgow coma scale(GCS),they were divided into three groups:mild injury group(19 cases,GCS≥13), moderate injury group(16 cases,8

Objective To study the expression of transforming growth factor -β1 (TGF -β1 )in myocardial tissue and the concentration of serum B -type natriuretic peptide (BNP)in myocardial remodeling of SD rats induced by isoproterenol (ISO)and the effects of carvedilol intervention.Methods According to random number table,30 male SD rats were divided into 3 groups:(1 )after 9 g/L saline was injected with 5 mL/(kg·d)for 1 0 days,9 g/L sa-line was used at the dose of 1 0 mL/(kg·d)by way of gavage for 4 weeks in the control group (n =1 0);(2)after ISO was injected with 5 mg/(kg·d)for 1 0 days,9 g/L saline was used at the dose of 1 0 mL/(kg·d)by way of gavage for 4 weeks in the model group (n =1 0);(3)after ISO was injected with 5 mg/(kg·d)for 1 0 days,carvedilol was used at the dose of 1 0 mg/(kg·d)by way of gavage for 4 weeks in the treatment group (n =1 0).Then,all the rats were killed and the cardiac weight index (CWI)was measured.The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were ob-served through HE staining and Masson staining.The mRNA expression of TGF -β1 was detected by adopting reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction.The protein of TGF -β1 was detected by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The concentration of serum BNP was tested by adopting enzyme -linked immuno sorbent assay.Results (1 )Pathological changes by light microscope:no significant pathological changes were observed in myocardial tissue of the control group.The denaturization,hypertrophy,edema,necrosis of myocardial cells and collagen fibers increased in myocardial tissue of the model group were more serious than those of the treatment group.(2)CWI:CWI of the model group[(3.31 ±0.07)mg/g]was significantly higher than that of the treatment group[(3.03 ±0.04)mg/g],and CWI of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group[(2.98 ±0.1 0)mg/g].There was significant difference among 3 groups (F =54.383,P =0.000).There was also significant difference between any 2 groups (all P <0.01 ).(3)The level of TGF -β1 of myocardial tissue:the level of TGF -β1 of the model group was significantly higher than that of the treatment group,and the level of TGF -β1 of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group by using three detection methods.There was significant difference among 3 groups (F=1 3.62,P =0.000).There was also significant difference between any 2 groups (all P <0.01 ).(4)The concentration of serum BNP:the concentration of serum BNP of the model group[(61 .1 3 ±2.00)ng/L]was significantly higher than that of the treatment group[(57.08 ±1 .52)ng/L],and the concentration of serum BNP of the treatment group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the control group[(51 .56 ±1 .80)ng/L].There was significant difference among 3 groups (F =72.81 ,P =0.000).There also was significant difference between any 2 groups (all P <0.01 ).Conclusions The expression of TGF -β1 in myocardial tissue was up -regulated and the concentration of serum BNP was increased in my-ocardial remodeling of SD rats induced by ISO.The carvedilol intervention can down -regulate the expression of TGF -β1 and decrease the concentration of BNP,then inhibit myocardial remodeling,and improve cardiac function.

Aged ; CD3 Complex ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukocyte Common Antigens ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To investigate the roles of adrenomedullin(ADM) and endothelin-1(ET-1) in left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease(CHD) complicated with congestive heart failure(CHF).Methods Plasma ADM and ET-1 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in heart failure stage and recovery period of 18 infants with left-to-right shunt CHD.Also 20 healthy infants acted as control group were measured.Results Plasma concentrations of ADM and EF-1 were significantly higher in heart failure stage of left-to-right CHD infants than those in their recovery period,and both in their heart failure stage and in their recovery period were higher than that in control group(P

BACKGROUND: von Willebrand factor (vWF) is only released from endothelial cells and platelets and is an in vivo and in vitro marker of endothelial injury in septic patients with acute lung injury (ALI). Interleukin-8 (IL-8), as a proinflammatory mediator causing recruitment of inflammatory cells, induces an increase in oxidant stress mediators and makes it as a key parameter for localized inflammation. However, it has not been well established whether the level of serum IL-8 is associated with the severity of lung injury and whether it is a prognosis marker for severe lung contusion. This study was to investigate the expression of plasma vWF and IL-8 and their association with the severity and outcomes of severe pulmonary contusion. METHODS: A total of 63 patients were divided into a severe pulmonary contusion with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) group and a non-ARDS group, or a survivor group and a non-survivor group, or an injury severity score (ISS) <20 group and an ISS ≥20 group. Another 20 healthy volunteers served as controls. The levels of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after injury. The expression patterns of the plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were compared between different groups. RESULTS: The concentrations of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 were significantly increased in all severe pulmonary contusion patients at all time points in comparison with the control group. The concentrations of plasma vWF in patients with ARDS increased during the whole study period, but vWF in patients with non-ARDS increased gradually until day 5 and then decreased at day 7. The concentration of serum IL-8 showed a similar expression pattern in both groups, but the expression increased more significantly in the ARDS group than in the non-ARDS group. Interestingly, both plasma vWF and serum IL-8 levels steadily increased in the non-survivor group. Furthermore, the level of plasma vWF was higher in the ISS≥20 group than in the ISS<20 group. The level of serum IL-8 in the ISS≥20 group was consistently high, while that in the ISS<20 group peaked at day 3 and decreased at day 5. In addition, the level of plasma vWF was positively correlated with platelet count, but negatively correlated with oxygen index. The level of serum IL-8 was positively correlated with white blood cell count and ISS score, and inversely correlated with oxygen index. CONCLUSION: The elevated levels of plasma vWF and serum IL-8 in severe pulmonary contusion patients reflect the severity of pulmonary injury and patients outcomes, suggesting that the plasma vWF and serum IL-8 are sensitive markers for clinical evaluation of the severity of pulmonary injury and predication of patient prognosis.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the results of two-part surgical neck fractures of proximal humerus treated with locking intramedullary nail for proximal humerus, and to discuss the indication, surgical technique and the effectiveness.

METHODSThe data of the 22 patients with two-part surgical neck fractures fixed with proximal humeral nail was retrospectively reviewed. The mean age was 57 years. X-ray film and visual analogue scale (VAS), American shoulder and elbow surgeon (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system and simple shoulder test (SST) questionnaire were used to evaluate the patients' shoulder function recovery at final follow-up.

RESULTAll the patients were followed up with an average time of 13 months. All fractures united within 8 weeks postoperatively. No infection, avascular necrosis or complications which concerning with hardware was found during follow-up. The average active forward flexion was 147.8 degrees , the average external rotation was 45.5 degrees and the average internal rotation was T10. The mean VAS score was 1.5. The mean ASES score, Constant-Murley score, UCLA score and SST score were 81.2, 85.4, 29.9 and 9.5 respectively. Eighteen patients were rated as "excellent" or "good", while 4 others were rated "poor". All patients were satisfied with their results.

CONCLUSIONWith good indication control, meticulous intraoperative management and strict postoperative rehabilitation, close reduction and internal fixation with proximal humeral nail can be an effective method for the treatment of two-part surgical neck fracture.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Humerus ; surgery ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the indications and clinical results of displaced proximal humeral fractures treated by locking proximal humeral plate (LPHP).

METHODSFrom September 2004 to March 2006, 75 patients which were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with LPHP were available to follow-up, with an average time of 17 months (12 - 30 months). There were 60 fresh fractures and 15 delayed fractures. The range of motion, muscle strength, visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, American shoulder and elbow surgeon (ASES) score, Constant-Murley, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system and simple shoulder test (SST) for function evaluation were all recorded.

RESULTSThe average forward flexion was (147.3 +/- 17.7) degrees , external rotation was (30.5 +/- 16.2) degrees and internal rotation was to T9. The mean ASES was 86.7 +/- 12.7, Constant-Murley was 87.4 +/- 10.5, UCLA was 30.1 +/- 4.2. The total good or excellent rate was 89.3%. Compare with fresh fractures, the delayed group showed significant less forward flexion and ASES (P = 0.021 and 0.036 respectively). In 9 patients with late complications, there were significant differences regarding ASES, UCLA scoring system and Constant-Murley compared with patients without any complication.

CONCLUSIONWith strict indication control and appropriate surgical technique, satisfactory results can be expected for the displaced proximal humeral fractures treated with locking proximal humeral plates.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Shoulder Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To construct PPAR?and PPAR?response element (PPRE)-controlled luciferase expression vectors,and to determine whether the traditional Chinese medicine emodin activates PPAR?and improves the glucose uptake by HepG2 hepatocytes.Methods (1) PPAR?and PPRE luciferase expression vectors were constructed and were applied to screen more than 20 ingredients of the traditional Chinese medicine. (2) HepG2 cells were incubated with emodin which can activate PPAR?and PPRE luciferase activity,and the PPAR?mRNA expression level was evaluated by RT-PCR/Southern blot.(3) PPAR?and glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) proteins were determined by Western blot analysis in HepG2 cells treated with emodin.(4) The glucose uptake rate was measured using 2-deoxy-[~3H]-D-glucose in HepG2 cells after treatment with emodin.Results (1) Emodin stimulated luciferase activity controlled by PPRE in dose-dependent manner at concentrations of 0.04 to 180?mol/L in COS-7 cells.The highest value was about 4 folds of control in the cells treated with 90?mol/L emodin (P