Objective To explore the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH).Method Sixty EH patients [34 male,aged between 43-76 years,mean(59 ±7)years]and 30 healthy subjects [17 male,mean age (57 ±5) years] were enrolled in this study.Serum YKL-40 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA).Endothelial function [endothelin-1 (ET-1),nitric oxide (NO),flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)] was also measured.EH patients were further divided to no metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome group.Results Serum uric acid,ET-1,hs-CRP were significantly higher while serum NO,FMD and NMD were significantly lower in EH group than in control group (all P ＜ 0.05).YKL-40 was significantly higher in EH group than in the control group [51.7 (35.6-341.9) μg/L vs.33.2 (23.3-167.3) μg/L,P ＜ 0.05] and significantly higher in EH patients with metabolic syndrome than in EH patients without metabolic syndrome(152.3 μg/L vs.94.2 μg/L,P ＜0.05).In this cohort,serum YKL-40 level was positively correlated with SBP,DBP,BMI,TG and hsCRP(r =0.360,0.303,0.281,0.216,0.530,all P ＜ 0.05) but not correlated with FMD,ET-1 and NO (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Serum YKL-40 levels are increased compared to normal controls and positively correlated with blood pressure level but not with endothelial function parameters in hypertensive patients.Serum YKL-40 level might thus be used as a biomarker reflecting inflammation status other than endothelium function in hypertensive patients.

Background Restylane, a hyaluronic acid gel, has been widely used as a dermal filler in USA and European countries. This study was designed to study the safety and efficacy of Restylane as a non-permanent dermal filler for facial augmentation therapy in China for the correction of nasolabial folds during a follow-up period of 6 months. Methods The study consisted of a screening visit, a baseline visit during which injection with Restylane was given, and follow-up visits after four weeks, three months and six months. The efficacy was subjectively assessed by comparing the treatment results between pre-treatment and post-treatment. Adverse events were analyzed by severity and duration. Results At six months post-baseline, the subjects and the investigators' independent assessment score of Wrinkle Severity Rating Scale was decreased. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale was considered to have improved by over 90% in some cases. Adverse events related to product and injection was reported in 21.5% of the injections. A vast majority of the post-treatment reactions were mild. Conclusions The efficacy of Restylane for nasolabial fold in a Chinese population was excellent. Restylane was well tolerated and no systemic reactions or other safety concerns were raised.

Objective To investigate the status quo of smoking cessation and analyze factors influencing smoking cessation in cigarette smoking patients with coronary artery disease(CAD).Method A total of 350 smoking patients with CAD was surveyed by questionnaire,logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze factors influencing smoking cessation.Results Incidence of smoking cessation was 57.1%(200/350)in this cohort.Patients were divided into two groups,the elderlv(>65 years old,n=111)and the young group(≤65 years old,n=239).The smoking cessation rate in the elderlv group is significantly higher than in the young group(71.2%vs.50.6%,P<0.001).Aged patients and patients with high cultural level are easier to give up smoking.Logistic analysis showed that age≤65 years old (OR=2.336,P=0.004),low cultural level(OR=1.310,P=0.028),PCI(OR=0.261.P<0.001).coronary artery bypass graft(OR=0.107,P=0.004),total family income>4000 RMB/month (OR=1.828,P=0.003)are risk factors for failed smoking cessation.There are 76 patients smoking again in current smokers,most due to lack of self-control(76.3%).Compared to the elderly group,there is a higher proportion of smoking again due to the need of daily communication and work in the young group.Conclusions We still need to raise the awareness of smoking cessation for smoking patients with CAD.Following factors should be focused for tobacco control in CAD patients:younger age,lower cuItural level,not treated with PCI or CABG,patients with smoking family members.higher body mass index and higher total family income.