Objective:To study the relationship between serum level matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and atrial fibrillation (AF) and to assess its predictive value of AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardio-version.
Methods: Our research included in 4 groups: Control group, n=30 healthy subjects, Paroxysmal AF group, n=30, Persistent AF group, n=60 and Permanent AF group, n=30. Serum levels of MMP-9 were examined and compared among different groups. The patients in Persistent AF group received drug therapy or drug+electric cardio-version;with successful cardio-version, antiarrhythmia medication was used to maintain sinus rhythm and the patients were followed-up for prognosis, MMP-9 levels were further compared between the patients with or without AF recurrence to assess the predictive value of MMP-9 for AF recurrence.
Results: Serum levels of MMP-9 were as follows: Control group (151.43±88.14) ng/ml, Paroxysmal AF group (182.66±96.39) ng/ml, Persistent AF group (278.93±89.22) ng/ml and Permanent AF group (336.82±112.35) ng/ml respectively, which indicated that MMP-9 level in Persistent AF group was higher than Paroxysmal AF group and Control group;MMP-9 in Persistent AF group was higher than the other 3 groups, P<0.01. The patients in Permanent AF group were followed-up for (15.4±4.3) months after cardio-version, retrospective analysis found that the patients with AF recurrence had the higher MMP-9 level than those without AF recurrence (315.63±94.52) ng/ml vs (261.92±87.86) ng/ml, P=0.036. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted on age, gender, AF history, left atrial diameter and MMP-9, the consequence showed that serum MMP-9 level was the independent predictor for AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardio-version (P=0.035, OR=1.135, 95%CI 1.018-1.321).
Conclusion: Serum MMP-9 level was elevated in persistent and permanent AF patients;MMP-9 was the independent predictor for AF recurrence in persistent AF patients after cardio-version.

Objective To evaluate the impact of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and bile duct exploration with open surgery on immune function and inflammatory response.Methods Fifty-one patients with choledocholithiasis were divided into endoscopy group ( EG,n =24) and laparotomy group ( LG,n =27 ) according to the patients' will from June 2010 to February 2012.Procalcitonin( PCT),C-reactive protein (CRP),immunoglobulins (IgA 、lgG 、IgM ) and T lymphocyte (CD4、CD8 ) of peripheral blood were examined preoperatively and on the 1st,3rd and 5th day postoperatively.Results Compared with preoperative levels,postoperative levels of serum PCT and CRP were higher in both groups (P ＜0.01 ),but on the 3rd day after the operation,the changes of PCT and CRP levels in the two groups were not significantly different ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Postoperative levels of serum immunoglobulins of two groups were lower than preoperative levels (P ＜ 0.01 ),but the IgA and IgM levels in EG were significantly higher than those in the LG (P ＜ 0.05),and IgG levels in the two groups were not significantly different after surgery ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Compared with preoperative levels,postoperative levels of CD4,CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio in EG were only slightly decreased (P ＞ 0.05 ),and returned to the preoperative levels on the 5th day postoperatively,but postoperative levels of these variables in LG were decreased significantly ( P ＜ 0.05).Postoperative levels of CD4,CD8 and CD4/CD8 ration of the two groups were significantly different (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Both EST and bile duct exploration with open surgery can inhibit immune function and induce inflammation,but the procedure of EST,which may mainly affect humoral immune function,has impact on immune function less intensely.

Objective To investigate the gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and explore its possible reasons.Methods Thirty-six patients with stable COPD were divided into mild group [21 cases,forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1) measured values/predictive values ≥50％] and severe group (15 cases,FEV1 measured values/predictive values ＜ 50％) according to the pulmonary function.Replacement of 19 healthy volunteers as control group.The patients and volunteers completed the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scales (GSRS) scores and received electrogastrography,the plasma vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (Ⅰ-FABP) were detected.Results The GSRS scores in severe group and mild group was higher than that in control group[(17.73 ± 4.64),(14.29 ± 5.44) scores vs.(8.00 ± 2.29) scores],and severe group was higher than that in mild group,there was significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of normal slow waves of fasting and postprandial,the percentage of bradygastria in severe group and mild group were lower than those in control group,there were significant differences(P ＜ 0.05).The level of VIP in severe group was lower than that in mild group and control group [(36.07 ± 9.22) μ g/L vs.(44.16 ± 7.88),(46.53 ± 4.54) μ g/L],the level of I-FABP was higher than that in mild group and control group [(35.80 ± 11.69) μ g/L vs.(27.40 ±9.53),(23.58 ±8.18) μg/L],there was significant difference (P ＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between mild group and control group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The patients with COPD are accompanied with serious gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric dysrhythmia,severe COPD can be associated with VIP decrease and Ⅰ-FABP rise in peripheral blood.

Background:Gastrointestinal dysmotility is frequently seen in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Simo Decoction is used for promoting gastrointestinal motility in clinical practice. Aims:To study the effect of Simo Decoction on gastrointestinal symptoms and motility in patients with COPD. Methods:Thirty-six patients with stable COPD in Shiyan Renmin Hospital from Sep. 2012 to Jun. 2013 were enrolled and received a 28-day course treatment of Simo Decoction oral solution,19 healthy volunteers were served as controls. All subjects were assessed with gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS). Electrogastrography was performed and levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein( I-FABP)in peripheral blood were measured. Patients with COPD were re-examined for the above-mentioned parameters after treated with Simo Decoction. Results:The baseline GSRS score and serum I-FABP level in COPD patients were significantly increased as compared with controls(P<0. 05),while the baseline serum VIP level,as well as the fasting and postprandial normal gastric slow wave percentage in COPD patients were significantly decreased(P <0. 05). After 28-day course of Simo Decoction treatment,all these parameters in COPD patients were improved as compared with those before treatment(P<0. 05),serum levels of VIP,I-FABP and normal gastric slow wave percentage were similar to those of controls. Conclusions:Simo Decoction can ameliorate the gastrointestinal symptoms and dysmotility in patients with COPD. The regulatory effect of Simo Decoction on gastrointestinal motility might be bidirectional.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of esophageal intraluminal stents with 125I seeds based on survival time and quality of life (QOL) of patients with advanced esophageal cancer.Methods A total of 37 patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent placement of esophageal 125I irradiation stent were followed up.The QOL was evaluated by QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES18 questionnaires before the procedure, and 1 week and 3 months after.Results The mean survival time of 37 patients was 28 weeks, with 3-month and 6-month survival rates at 94.6% (35/37) and 51.4% (19/37), respectively.Compared with the baseline, the scores of emotional functioning(EF), cognitive functioning(CF),global quality of life(QL), fatigue(FA), pain(PA), financial difficulties(FI) and pain of QLQ-OES18(OESPA) assessed 1 week after stent placement increased (P<0.05) significantly and dysphapia of QLQ-OES18(OESDYS), eating of QLQ-OES18(OESEAT), trouble swallowing saliva of QLQ-OES18(OESSV) and choked when swallowing of QLQ-OES18(OESCH) decreased significantly (P<0.05).At 3 months after stent placement, the scores of FI increased significantly (P<0.05), and those of nausea or vomiting (NV), OESDYS,OESEAT, OESSV and OESCH decreased significantly (P<0.05).The scores of FI,OESDYS, OESCH, role functioning(RF), EF,CF,FA and OESPA at 3 months were significantly different from those at 1 week after the procedure (P<0.05).Other variables at 1 week and 3 months after the procedure were not different from those before (P>0.05).Conclusion Implantation of 125I seeds combined with esophageal intraluminal stents may prolong survival time and improve QOL of patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of acidic conditions on epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT) of HepG2 cells.Methods HepG2 cells were cultured under acidic and alkaline conditions to observe the difference of cell morphology.Wound healing assays were performed to detect the migration ability of the two groups.Matrigel invasion assays were used to detect the invasive ability of the cells.The expression of EMT-related genes at mRNA level was detected by RT-PCR.The expression level of EMT-related gene protein was detected by Western blot.Results The morphology of HepG2 cells was changed from epithelium to interstitial type under acid conditions.The migration ability of HepG2 cells under acidic condition was stronger than that of alkaline conditions.The number of HepG2 cells crossing Matrigel was higher than that of alkaline condition.The mRNA expression of Vimentin,Slug,Snail and Zeb1 related to EMT and the protein expression of Vimentin and MMP9 related to EMT in HepG2 cells were significantly higher than those under alkaline condition.Conclusion The acid conditions can induce the occurrence of EMT in HepG2 cells.

Objective To investigate the current perioperative management of geriatric hip fractures in China.Methods The survey was performed between 15th to 21st of November,2017.An electric questionnaire was delivered to the orthopedic surgeons attending the 12th International Congress of Chinese Orthopedic Association (COA) and the orthopedic fellows attending grand round at Department of Orthopaedic Trauma,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.The questionnaire addressed the current perioperative management of geriatric hip fractures (≥ 65 years) at the departments where the participants worked,covering preoperative examination and preparation,postoperative rehabilitation and multidisciplinary collaboration.Results 171 valid questionnaires were collected for this study.Of the 171 orthopedic surgeons from 28 provinces in China,106 (62.0％) came from a tertiary hospital and 65 (38.0％) from a secondary hospital.In 74.3％ (127/171) of the hospitals,more than 100 geriatric hip fractures were treated annually.63.2％ (108/171) of the hospitals treated 100 to 500 cases annually,5.9％ (10/171) 500 to 1,000 cases and 5.3％ (9/171) more than 1,000 cases.Multidisciplinary collaboration was not established in most hospitals (71.9％,123/171) for geriatric hip fractures.Pulmonary function test (61.4％,105/171),Holter (38.0％,65/171) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (53.8％,92/171) were indicated as routine preoperative investigations.In 56.3 ％ (96 / 171) of the hospitals,traction was performed before operation.In 80.1％ (137 / 171) of the hospitals,the interval between admission to surgery was more than 48h for the patients.In 36.3％ (62/171)of the hospitals,patients were allowed to ambulate within one week after surgery.In 4.1％ (7/171) of the hospitals,patients were allowed full weight-bearing within one week after surgery.Conclusion Significant gaps exist in perioperative management of geriatric hip fractures between current practice in China and worldwide guidelines and consensus.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of pioglitazone in reducing lung injury induced by acute pancreatitis.Methods:Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly(random number) divided into the sham operation group, model group and pioglitazone group, with 10 rats in each group. After anesthesia, the rats in the sham operation group were injected with normal saline retrogradely through the pancreaticobiliary duct. In the model group, after anesthesia, the rats were retrogradely injected with sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct to construct the lung injury model of severe acute pancreatitis. In the pioglitazone group, the model was established after intraperitoneal injection of pioglitazone. Six rats in each group were randomly selected and killed 12 h after operation, and then lung tissue and venous blood were collected. The levels of serum amylase and TNF-α and NO in lung tissue homogenate were detected and compared among the three groups; the expression of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue was detected by RT-PCR and compared among the three groups; the lung tissue pathological injury score and lung leakage index were calculated and compared among the three groups. The correlation of TLR2 and TLR4’s mRNA expression with lung tissue pathological injury score and lung leakage index was analyzed.Results:The levels of serum amylase and the levels of TNF-α and NO in lung tissue homogenate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group, and the above indexes in the pioglitazone group were significantly lower than those in the model group ( P<0.05). The expression levels of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue, the lung tissue pathological injury score and lung leakage index in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group, and the above indexes in the pioglitazone group were significantly lower than those in the model group ( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue were significantly positively correlated with the lung tissue pathological injury score ( rs=0.959, P<0.001; rs=0.924, P<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue were significantly positively correlated with the lung leakage index ( r=0.957, P<0.001; r=0.958, P<0.001). Conclusions:Pioglitazone may reduce the severity of severe acute pancreatitis induced lung injury by inhibiting the expression of TLR2 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA in lung tissue.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of miR-494 negatively regulating ROCK1 and PTEN in inhibiting apoptosis of pancreatic cells and participating in the occurrence and development of acute pancreatitis.Methods:Pancreatic acinar cells AR42J from rats were treated by caerulein, and then the levels of amylase, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-1) and IL-6 in the supernatant of cell culture were detected by ELISA to verify the cell model of acute pancreatitis. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-494 in normal AR42J cells (control group) and acute pancreatitis cell model (model group). Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of the control group, negative control miRNA transfected acute pancreatitis cell model (negative control group) and miR-494 transfected acute pancreatitis cell model (miR-494 transfection group). Western blot was used to detect the expression of ROCK1 and PTEN in the control group, negative control group and miR-494 transfection group.Results:The levels of amylase, TNF-α, IL-1 and IL-6 in the supernatant of AR42J cells treated with caerulein for 8 h and 12 h were significantly higher than those at 0 h and the control group ( P<0.05), indicating that the model was successfully constructed. The expression levels of miR-494 at 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after the establishment of acute pancreatitis cell model were significantly higher than those at 4 h and the control group ( P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of the model group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate of the miR-494 transfection group was significantly lower than that of the model group ( P<0.05). The expression levels of ROCK1 and PTEN in the miR-494 transfection group were significantly lower than those in the model group and negative control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:When acute pancreatitis occurs, overexpression of miR-494 can inhibit the expression of pro-apoptotic protein, thus inhibiting the apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells and promoting the development of acute pancreatitis.

Objective: To explore the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signaling pathway in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP)-associated lung injury and the intervention of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) analogue. Methods: Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly(random number)divided into the sham operation group, experimental group, and intervention group, each group containing 15 rats. ANP animal models were prepared by injecting sodium taurocholate into biliopancreatic tube in the experimental group. No sodium taurocholate was injected into biliopancreatic duct in the sham operation group. After the preparation of ANP animal models in the intervention group, LXA4 was injected through the tail vein. Rats in each group were randomly divided into 3 subgroups (n=5 each subgroup). The serum amylase, TNF- α, IL-1β, IL-6 and endotoxin levels were detected 6, 12 and 24 h after the operation. The lung injury scores were assessed and the lung wet/dry weight ratio was calculated. The expressions of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 in lung tissues were detected by Western blot. Results: Serum levels of amylase, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and endotoxin in the experimental and intervention groups were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group, while the levels of the above indicators in the intervention group was significantly lower than those in the experimental group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Postoperative lung injury scores and lung wet/dry weight ratio in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Lung injury scores in the intervention group 6 h after operation had no significant difference compared with those in the sham operation group (P>0.05), while lung wet/dry weight ratio in the intervention group 6 h after operation, and lung injury scores and lung wet/dry weight ratio in the intervention group 12 h or 24 h respectively after operation were significantly higher than those in the sham operation group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Postoperative lung injury scores and lung wet/dry weight ratio in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the experimental group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The expressions of TLR4 and p65 in the lung tissues of the experimental and intervention groups were significantly higher than those of the sham operation group, and the expressions of TLR4 and p65 in the lung tissues of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the experimental group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusions LXA4 can reduce the severity of acute necrotizing pancreatitis-associated lung injury, and its mechanism is related to reducing the stimulation of endotoxin, thus inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway and the activation of p65 to down-regulate the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines.