Objective To investigate whether radial augmentation index (AI) associates with cardiovascular risk as well as arterial stiffness.MethodsA total of 4985 subjects, 2417 men and 2568 women, aged 18-96 (50.9 ± 14.7)years,were recruited.AI was measured in the left radial artery using tonometry Colin HEM-9000AI.Carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) were examined by automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system.Framingham risk score and Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score were applied upon subjects without cardiovascular disease to calculate individual cardiovascular risk respectively.ResultsRadial AI (rAI) was significantly higher in women than in men[(83.18 ± 12.36)％ vs (71.93 ± 15.22)％, P ＜0.01].Simple correlation analysis showed rAI was significantly correlated to two cardiovascular risk scores or CFPWV and CRPWV.After adjusted for multi-factors, rAI was still significantly correlated to Framing, ham risk score or Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score (r = 0.17 and 0.12) in men respectively (P ＜ 0.05), while r were 0.09 and 0.08 in women respectively (P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between CFPWV and rAI (r = 0.14 in men, r = 0.10 in women, P ＜ 0.01), whereas the relation ship between CRPWV and rAI was not found.The relationship between rAI and cardiovascular risk or PWV became weaker for those aged above 50 years.ConclusionAugmentation index might be a useful marker of cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness, which could be more feasible for younger subjects as a tool for risk differentiation.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms of nitric oxide (NO) in decreasing intestinal mesenteric arterial hypocontractility in rats with hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension,and to analyze the interaction of NO and RhoA/ROCK pathway.Methods The levels of NO in the peripheral blood and mesenteric artery of normal rats (normal control group,5 rats),rats with portal hypertension (experimental control group,6 rats)and rats with portal hypertension treated by L-NAME (L-NAME group,6 rats) were detected.Mesenteric arteriole contractility to norepinephrine in the 3 groups was determined using a vessel perfusion system.The expressions of proteins of NO-cGMP-PKG pathway and RhoA/ROCK pathway in the 3 groups were detected by Western blot.All data were analyzed using the analysis of variance or LSD-t test.The changes of mesenteric arteriole contractility to norepinephrine was expressed in dose-response curve,and was analyzed using the nonlinear regression method,and the EC50 value was calculated.Results (1) The pressures of portal veins of the normal control group,experimental control group and L-NAME group were (6.2 ± 0.9)mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa),(13.9 ± 1.7)mm Hg and (16.6 ± 1.3) mm Hg,respectively,with a significant difference among the 3 groups (F =94.4,P ＜ 0.05).(2) The levels of NO in the normal control group,experimental control group and L-NAME group were (43 ± 5) μmol/L,(82 ± 16) μmol/L and (45 ± 9) μmol/L,respectively,with a significant difference among the 3 groups (F =24.77,P ＜ 0.05).The level of NO of the L-NAME group was significantly lower than that of the experimental control group (P ＜ 0.05).(3) The levels of NO in the mesenteric artery of the normal control group,experimental control group and L-NAME group were (236 ±41) μmol/g,(407 ± 82) μmol/g and (216 ± 42) μmol/g,respectively,with a significant difference among the 3 groups (F =20.29,P ＜ 0.05).The NO level of the L-NAME group was significantly lower than that of the experimental control group (P ＜ 0.05).(4) Compared with the experimental control group,the dose-response curve of mesenteric arterioles to norepinephrine shifted to the left,while it did not reach the level of the normal control group.The levels of EC50 of the normal control group,experimental control group and the L-NAME group were 6.458 × 10-7 mol,9.546 × 10-7 mol and 7.494 × 10-7 mol,respectively.There was a significant difference in the EC50 level between the L-NAME group and the other two group (t =2.726,3.112,P ＜ 0.05).(5) Compared with the normal control group,the protein expression levels of eNOS and p-VASP of mesenteric artery of the experimental control group were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),while they were decreased in the L-NAME group (P ＜ 0.05).The protein expression levels of eNOS and p-VASP of mesenteric artery of the L-NAME group were significantly higher than those of the normal control group (P ＜0.05).There were no obvious changes of protein expression levels of PKG-1,ROCK-1 and p-moesin in the 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).(6) The activity of ROCK-1 was significantly increased with norepinephrine stimulation in the normal control group and the L-NAME group,while no obvious changes were detected in the experimental control group.Conclusions The NO expression is upregulated in mesenteric arteries in rats with hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Such changes induce ROCK activation via influencing the expression of vasoconstrictors.L-NAME can reduce the NO levels in the mesenteric arteries,which may improve RhoA/ROCK signal pathway transduction.This can help vasoconstrictors induce ROCK activation without affecting the protein expression of ROCK.

Objective To explore the role of hydrogen peroxide in mesenteric artery contraction of cirrhotic rats with portal hypertension,which was induced by bile duct ligation.Possible mechanism in RhoA/ROCK signal pathway was also part of the focus.Methods The bile duct ligation-induced cirrhotic rats and normal rats (control group) were treated equally with PEG-catalase(10 000 U/kg-1 · d-1,ip.) or by its vehicle for 8 days.Then the level of H2O2 in mesenteric arteries was detected.The contractile response to norepinephrine of arterioles was analyzed by vascular perfusion system.The protein expressions of the α1 adrenergic receptor,β-arrestin-2 and Rho kinase-1 (ROCK-1),and the activity of ROCK-1 were measured by western blot.In addition,the interaction of α1-adrenergic receptor with β-arrestin-2 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation.Results Compared to normal rats,the dose-response curve of the mesenteric arterioles in response to norepinephrine shifted to the right,and the EC 50 increased in the rats with portal hypertension.PEG-catalase treatment can decrease the hydrogen peroxide level in arteries,thus significantly lowered EC50 and improved the reactivity to norepinephrine of the mesenteric arterioles in portal hypertension rats.No significant difference in the α1-adrenergic receptor amounts was observed among groups.There was remarkable decreases in the protein expressions of β-arrestin-2 and its interaction with the α1-adrenergic receptor in cirrhotic rats with PEG-catalase treatment.PEG-catalase also increased the amount and activity of ROCK-1 in cirrhotic rats.Conclusions The level of hydrogen peroxide increases in the mesenteric arteries in bile duct ligation-induced cirrhotic rats.And it enhances the β-arrestin-2 expression and its interaction with the α1-adrenergic receptor,which subsequently decreases the amount and activity of ROCK as well as the contractility of mesenteric arteries in response to vasoconstrictors.

Objective To study effects of salmon calcitonin and Heng Gu bone healing reagent on vertebral osteoporotic fracture(OPF).Methods From Nov.2007 to Dec.2009,82 cases of vertebral OPF were treated.These cases were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group(42 cascs)were treated with salmon calcitonin and Heng Gu bone healing reagent.The control group(40 cases)received salmon calcitonin only.Pain relief of the 2 groups wag compared.Results Before treatment,the 82 patients were scored 6-9 points by visual analogue scales(VAS)and pain scores of the 2 groups were similar (P>0.05).3 days,5 days,8 days and 15 days after treatment,VAS scores of the 2 groups were significantly different(P<0.01).Compared to the control group,the treatment group had pain relief in shorter time and their bone mineral density Was better showed by the 3-month-later review.Conclusion The combination therapy of salmon calcitonin and Heng Gu bone healing reagent in treating vertebral OPF has better effect of pain relief and bone formation,which is a safe and effective method.

Objective:To study urine albumin excretion (UAE) and its related factors in patients with essential hyper‐tension (EH) .Methods :A total of 113 EH patients without significant target organ damage were enrolled as EH group ,while another 92 healthy subjects were regarded as healthy control group .Ratio of morning urinary albumin to creatinine was measured and regarded as UAE index .Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) ,serum uric acid ,creatinine , blood urea nitrogen ,blood glucose ,blood lipids etc .levels were measured ,and compared between two groups Re‐sults:Compared with healthy control group ,there were significant rise in UAE ,body mass index (BMI) ,waist hip ratio ,blood pressure ,pulse pressure ,heart rate ,plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) ,low density lipoprotein choles‐terol (LDL‐C) ,serum uric acid and Hcy (P<0.05 or <0.01) ,and significant reduction in level of high density lip‐oprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) in EH group ( P=0.001) .Pearson correlation analysis indicated that lgUAE was pos‐itively correlated with lgTG (r=0.257 ,P=0.015) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ,r=0.284 ,P=0.007) ,and inversely correlated with lg creatinine (r= -0.277 ,P=0.008) in healthy control group ,while in EH group ,lgUAE was positively correlated BMI (r=0.231 ,P=0.014) ,lgTG (r=0.200 ,P=0.034) and lgHcy (r=0.244 , P=0.009) .Muti-factor gradual regression analysis indicated that lg TG (β=0.265 ,P=0.001) and lg Hcy (β=0.170 , P=0.012) were independently positively correlated with lg UAE , R2 =0.112.Conclusion:UAE level significantly rises in EH patients ,and it′s significantly positively correlated with plasma levels of TG and Hcy .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the histological changes on the femoral heads of the SANFH rabbit animal models and after it were intervened by Osteoking (herbs of the Yi minority in Yunnan province) using general and light microscope observation.

METHODA total of 150 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a non-treatment control group (A group, n = 24), normal rabbits with Osteoking treatment group (B group, n = 24), and the experimental group (n = 102). The experimental group was injected with escherichia coli endotoxin (10 microg x kg(-1)) into auricular vein twice by 24-hour intervals, and prednisolone (20 mg x kg(-1)) was injected into buttock three times by 24-hour intervals to make steroid-induced femoral head necrosis model. At the fifth week, 48 out of 53 rabbits were equally divided into model group (C group, n = 24, models with non-treatment Osteoking) and abnormal rabbits with Osteoking treatment group (D group, n = 24). B group and D group were intragastrically administrated with Osteoking, once every two days. A group and C group were intragastrically administrated with the equal volume of saline. At 8th, 12th and 16th week after model preparation, the femoral head specimens were observed under the general and a light microscope.

RESULTMacroscopic and light microscopic analysis showed that, clear bone necrosis of femoral head was observed in the C group, and a large number of fat cell proliferation was found in the bone marrow cavity. As compared with C group, the damage level of cells in D group was milder, however, the density of bone trabecula from Osteoking treatment was high, and the ratio of bone lacuna was very low. It is also demonstrated that the surface area of bone necrosis was decreased, and the number of cells from adiposities was reduced significantly. The phenomenon of bone necrosis repaired apparently. The morphology of femoral head from A group and B group is normal.

CONCLUSIONIt suggested that Osteoking could effectively help repair steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in the early stage.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Femur Head ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Femur Head Necrosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of internal fixation of lateral and medial borders for displaced scapular body fractures via the minimally invasive approach. METHODS: The internal fixation of lateral and medial borders via minimally invasive approach was applied in surgical treatment of 23 patients with scapular body comminuted fractures from January 2014 to June 2018. The lateral approach was made straightly orienting over the lateral border of scapula. The dissection was taken down to the deltoid fascia. The deltoid was retracted cephalically, revealing the external rotators. Blunt dissection was used down to the lateral border between infraspinatus and teres minor, exposing the fracture site. The medial incision was done along the medial border of the scapula over site of the fracture. Dissections were taken down to the fascia and the periosteum. A subperiosteal dissection was then performed to elevate the infraspinatus to the degree necessary to visualize the fracture. The medial and lateral borders of scapula body were fixed with plates and screws in a frame-like way. RESULTS One patient developed the delayed healing of the incisions due to liquefactive fat necrosis. The other 22 patients showed no complications of the incisions. The glenopolar angle (GPA) of fractured scapula was increased from preoperative (25±12) degrees to postoperative (41±5) degrees (P<0.01). The healing time of fractures healed was 3-8 months, with an average time of (4.4±1.3) months. CONCLUSIONS The lateral-medial combined fixation through minimally invasive surgical approach for the scapula body fractures allows visualization of fracture reduction without extensive muscular or subcutaneous flaps, and is associated with successful fracture healing and high functional scores of the shoulder.

BACKGROUNDArterial stiffness is well known as an important risk factor for coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity (caPWV) and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and the interaction between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and other potential risk factors of CAD.

METHODSA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted for subjects living in Beijing, China. We collected 213 subjects with coronary artery disease and 1 266 subjects without CAD between September 2007 and January 2009 in a community center of Beijing. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the odds ratios of factors related to CAD.

RESULTSWe found CAD subjects were more likely to have a higher body massindex (BMI), fasting glucose, uric acid, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP), carotic-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and caPWV (P < 0.05), and CAD subjects had a significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, the proportion of hypertension in CAD subjects was significantly higher than non-CAD subjects. The multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension, higher uric acid, hs-CRP, cfPWV and caPWV levels significantly increased the risk of CAD, with ORs (CI) of 1.47 (1.25-1.74), 1.17 (1.01-1.26), 1.35 (1.10-1.67), 1.15 (1.09-1.19) and 1.07 (1.01-1.15), respectively. Higher HDL cholesterol was significantly associated with reduced risk of CAD, with ORs (CI) of 0.58 (0.40-0.83). In addition, cfPWV had significant association with age, hypertension, LDL cholesterol, with Pearson's coefficients of 0.166, 0.074, and 0.030, respectively.

CONCLUSIONScfPWV and caPWV are independently associated with significant CAD, and cfPWV has significant correlation with age and hypertension. cfPWV and caPWV may be used as a practical tool for predicting the risk of CAD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Coronary Artery Disease ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Vascular Stiffness ; physiology ; Young Adult