Aim To investigate the role of GDF11 in palmitate induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance.Methods The C2C12 cells were sorted into control group, GDF11 intervention group, palmitate group and GDF11 combined with palmitate group.Cell viability was measured by CCK-8, and the glucose uptake was determined by 2NBDG.The mRNA level of myotube marker genes(desmin,myogenin), insulin mediate glucose uptake related genes(GLUT-4,IRS-1) and PGC-1α were tested by RT-PCR.The protein expression of PGC-1α was detected by western blot.Results GDF11 had little effect on cell viability of skeletal muscle cells.Compared with control group, the glucose uptake and the expression of GLUT-4,IRS-1,PGC-1α were significantly decreased by palmitate intervention.Compared with palmitate group, the glucose uptake and the expression of GLUT-4,IRS-1,PGC-1α were not significantly changed by GDF11.Conclusion Palmitate can induce skeletal muscle cell insulin resistance, but GDF11 may not significantly improve the skeletal muscle cell insulin resistance.

ABSTRACT:Objective To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect and safety of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)blockers in treating moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC)by meta-analysis.Methods Such databases as the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,PubMed,OVID,Embase,ISI,CBM,CNKI, VIP,and WanFang Data were searched from establishment to June 2013.All randomized clinical trials (RCTs)on tumor necrosis factor alpha blockers in treating UC were collected,and then selected on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria.We assessed the methodological quality,extracted the data from the included articles and performed the meta-analysis with Revman 5.1.Results A total of 13 RCTs involving 3334 patients were analyzed.TNF-αblockers group was superior to the control group in the short-term clinical response (OR =2.5 1, 95% CI 1.73,3.64),short-term clinical remission (OR =2.74,95% CI 1.80,4.1 6),long-term clinical response (OR =2.98,95% CI 1.98,4.47),1ong-term clinical remission (OR =2.64,95% CI 1.89,3.67),and mucosal healing (OR =1.89,95% CI 1.39,2.59)compared with control group.TNF-αblockers could also reduce the rate of colectomy (OR =0.61,95% CI 0.41,0.89)and improve inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire scores (MD=14.74,95% CI 1 1.43,18.06 ).There was no significant difference between the two groups in all reported adverse effects (OR =1.14,95% CI 0.97,1.34)and serious adverse effects (OR=0.78,95% CI 0.56,1.09).Conclusion Compared with conventional therapy or placebo,TNF-αblocking agents can improve the therapeutics effect on UC in clinical response,clinical remission and mucosal healing,and also can reduce the rate of colectomy. In patients with moderately to severely active UC treated with TNF-α blocking agents,it is easier to achieve the improvement of life quality.TNF-αblocking agents treatment is safe for UC.This conclusion should be verified with more large-scale and high-quality RCTs.

Objective To investigate improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of primary malignant tumor of the duodenum. Methods The clinical data of 54 patients with primary malignant tumor of the duodenum treated during a period of 6 years were analysed retrospectively. Results Tumors located in the first, second, third and fourth parts accounted for 6 cases(11.1%), 44 cases(81.5%), 2 cases(3.7%), and 2 cases(3.7%) respectively; and among them, ampullary tumor accounted for 38 cases(86.4%) of tumor of descending portion of duodenum and 70.4% of the total number of duodenal tumors. The main clinical presentation included jaundice, upper abdominal pain, weight loss, abdominal distention, and gastrointestinal obstruction. Upper abdominal pain, no positive signs and abdominal mass were found in 72.0%, 20.0% and 8.0% respectively on abdominal examination. Preoperative associated cholecystopathy accounted for 37.0%. The accuracy rate of duodenoscopy and ERCP in preoperative diagnosis was 94.4%, and 77.8% respectively. Preoperative diagnostic accuracy rate was 27.8%. Panceaticoduodenectomy was performed in 38 cases, duodenectonmy in 1 case, palliative resection of tumor in 9 cases, and tumor was inoperable in 6 cases. Radical resection rate was 72.2%. The postoperative 3- and 5-year survival rate was 40.6% and 21.9%, respectively. After palliative resection, death occurred from 1month to 24months. Conclusions The tumors in the ampullary region account for the majority of primary malignant tumors of the duodenum and are mainly adenocarcinoma. The symptoms of advanced stage are complicated, and specific signs on abdominal examination are few. Associated cholecystopathy is relatively ferquent and preoperative accurate diagnostic rate is low. The examinations of first choice are duodenoscopy and ERCP, and radical panceaticoduodenectomy can extend survival time.

Objective To investigate the effects of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis.Methods The in vivo role of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits was investigated mainly using adiponectin-producing adenovirus(Ad-APN)and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS).On day 14 after Ad-APN local transfer to the intima of abdominal aortas,abdominal IVUS images were recorded and then rabbits were sacrificed.Abdominal aortas were collected and performed histochemical analysis.Results Ultrasonography revealed a significantly reduced atherosclerotic area,in abdominal aortas of rabbits infected through intima with Ad-APN,by 36.39% compared with the area in adenovirus expressing β galactosidase gene(Ad-βgal)treated rabbits(P＜0.01),and by 37.50% compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).The lumen area stenosis was also reduced by 23.37%(P＜0.05)and 33.15%(P＜0.01),respectively.In rabbits with Ad-APN infection,the atherosclerotic plaque area as seen on Oil Red O staining was reduced significantly,by 30.70%(P＜0.05)and the greatest thickness of plaque was reduced,by 20.83%(P＜0.05)as compared with those in Ad-βgal-treated rabbits,respectively.Conclusions Intravascular ultrasound analysis is a valuable method in the in vivo study about the effects of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the value of virtual touch tissue imaging (VTI) of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods VTI features of 77 histologically proven thyroid nodules in 74 patients were analyzed and the VTI features were divided into 6 grades.The higher grade represented higher tissue stiffness.Differences in VTI grade between benign and malignant lesions were analyzed by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve,and the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy were calculated.Results 77 pathologically proven thyroid nodules included 61 benign and 16 malignant lesions.VTI images classification included 0 in grade Ⅰ,1 ingrade Ⅱ,1 in grade Ⅲ,9 in grade Ⅳ,3 in grade Ⅴ and 2 in grade Ⅵ for malignant diseases ; and included 18 in grade Ⅰ,28 in grade Ⅱ,10 in grade Ⅲ,1 in grade Ⅳ,2 in grade Ⅴ and 2 in grade Ⅵ for benign diseases.The best diagnostic point of VTI-grade was grade Ⅳ.When VTI-grade Ⅳ or greater was used as the diagnostic criterium for malignancy,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy rate in differentiation between benign and malignant thyroid nodules were 87.50％,91.80％ and 90.9(％ respectively.Conclusions VTI is useful in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Objective To investigate the effects of aging on procollagen α polypeptide gene transcription and protein expression in rat vascular smooth muscle cells.Methods Vascular smooth muscle cells from thoracoabdominal aorta in neonate and 9 months old healthy Wistar rats were cultured in vitro.Results Transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect type Ⅰ and Ⅲ pro-collagen α polypeptide mRNA and protein.The RT-PCR displayed that type Ⅰ procollagen α polypeptide mRNA expression had no significant difference between young group and adult group [(76.62±1.05) vs.(78.37±2.42),P＞0.05].Type Ⅲ procollagen α polypeptide mRNA expression was (105.40 ± 2.66) in young group and (123.10 ± 3.81) in adult group(P＞0.05).Type Ⅰ procollagen α polypeptide mRNA expression was (3.13 ±0.54) in young group and (4.63 ± 1.03) in adult group (P=0.05).Type Ⅲ procollagen α polypeptide mRNA expression had no significant difference between the adult and young groups[(6.86 ±0.41) vs.(7.68±0.63),P＞0.05].Type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ procollagen α polypeptide protein expressions were increased significantly in adult group as compared with the young group [(0.10 ± 0.03) vs.(0.06±0.03),(0.58±0.06) vs.(0.40±0.02),both P＜0.05].Conclusions Aging increases the procollagen α polypeptide level in vascular smooth muscle cell,which may involve in the development of vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the best vibration frequency for activating human muscles.Methods Nineteen healthy college students accepted vibration stimulation at frequencies between 10 and 50 Hz.Surface electromyograms (sEMG) were recorded.The subjects were sitting,standing,squatting (knee flexion 30°) and recumbent.Their left anterior tibial muscles and the medial heads of the gastrocnemius were targeted as test muscles.The vibration stimulation point was on the surface of the left distal tibia.The sEMG characteristics of the calf muscles were analyzed under vibration stimulation at different frequencies. ResultsThe leg muscles were activated significantly at all vibration frequencies,but the sEMG values of the anterior tibialis were significantly different at different frequencies,except for among 30 Hz,40 Hz and 50 Hz in any position.The gastrocnemius sEMG values were not significantly different at different frequencies. ConclusionVibration at 30 to 50Hz may be the normal human muscle activation frequency.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of liver damage in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS).MethodsSixteen patients with BCS which were all conifrmed by interventional therapy or inferior vena cava angiography were enrolled in the study. And iffty healthy volunteers who were conifrmed with no liver disease history, no surgical history and no metabolic disease such as diabetes were included in this study. All the subjects underwent conventional ultrasound and no obvious abnormality was detected. All the BCS patients and the volunteers underwent SWE. The elastic graph and the quantitative elastic value, including the average value, the maximum value and the minimum value, were acquired and compared between BCS patients and the volunteers.ResultsThe elastic graphs for the healthy volunteers were uniform light blue while the elastic graphs for BCS patients were hybrid images of blue, green and yellow. The average value, the maximum value and the minimum value of BCS patients were (18.1±9.4) kPa, (20.6±10.5) kPa and (15.5±8.5) kPa, which were statistically higher than those of healthy volunteers [(6.2±1.0) kPa, (7.5±1.2) kPa and (4.8±1.1) kPa,t=7.69, 8.94 and 7.83, allP<0.01].ConclusionsSWE can reflect the liver damage of patients with BCS before the change of the two-dimensional ultrasound. It can play an important role in the accurate selection of treatment and the accurate evaluation of treatment effect and the prognosis.

ObjectivesTo investigate the composition of clinical classiifcation and pathological patterns and their rela-tionships and change in children with renal disease undergoing biopsy.MethodsA retrospective analysis of pathological and clinical data obtained from children (≤14 year) with renal disease undergoing biopsy from 1984-1997 and from 1998-2011 was performed.ResultsOne thousand four hundred and sixty-two children underwent renal biopsy in 28 years, and 1313 patients were recruited in this study, 824 males (62.8%) and 489 females (37.2%). The mean age was 9 years and 4 months at renal biopsy. There were 921 children (70.1%) with primary glomerular disease (PGD) and 312 children (23.8%) with secondary glomerular disease (SDG). The main clinical classiifcations of PGD were nephrotic syndrome (NS, 31.2%), isolated hematuria (IH, 16.1%), and acute glomerulonephritis (AGN, 11.0%). The main pathological patterns of PGD were IgA nephrop-athy (IgAN, 27.6%), minimal change disease (MCD, 24.0%), and mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN, 16.9%). The main causes of SGD were lupus nephritis (LN, 40.7%), Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis (HSPN, 34.3%), and hepatitis B virus related glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN, 19.6%). In this 28 years, the composition of PGD was decreased, however, the compositions of SGD and other renal diseases were increased. Compared with 1984-1997, the pathological manifestations of IgAN, MCD and focal segmental glomeralosclerosis were increased, MsPGN, IgMN, and crescentic glomerulonephritis were decreased in 1998-2011. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In SGD patients, HBV-GN was significantly decreased (P<0.05).ConclusionsPGD is the main disease in children undergoing renal biopsy. IgAN is the most common pathological pattern. NS is the most common clinical classiifcation. In this 28 years, the composition of PGD is decreased, SGD and other renal diseases are increased in children undergoing renal biopsy.

Objective To explore the relationship between blood lipids level with creatinine clearance rate(Ccr)in patients with heart failure(HF). Methods A total of 955 patients who were diagnosed with heart failure(cardiac function NYHAⅡ~Ⅳclassification)upon discharge from the Department of Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, between January 2010 to June 2013 were enrolled as HF group. Healthy adults (n=200) with normal cardiac function which approximately matched basic condition with HF group were selected as control group. The HF group was fur?ther divided intoⅡ,Ⅲ,Ⅳclassification according to their cardiac function(NYHA classification). HF group was also divid?ed into normal renal function group, mild renal injury group and moderate-severe renal injury group based on their Ccr. Ef?fect of gender and lipid parameters were also compared. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing renal function in patients with HF. Results Compared with people in the control group, the levels of triacylglycerol(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c)and non high density lipoprotein cholesterol(non-HDL-c)in patients of HF group were increased while Ccr and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c)were decreased. Ccr and lipids were obviously decreased in patients with HF of Ⅳclassification. TG and HDL-c were decreased in moderate-severe renal injury group. Females had a higher lipid levels than males in HF group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Advanced age, coronary heart disease and hypertension were all risk factors for renal impairment in patients with HF by binary logistic re?gression. On the other hand, weight gain and HDL-c were the protection factors for renal function in HF patients. Conclu?sion Dyslipidemias may lead to renal insufficiency in patients with HF. It was important to control lipids and improve re?nal function in patients with HF.