Two hundred and fifty patients with subclinical hypothyroidism ( SCH) and 120 euthyroid volunteers were recruited for the study, SCH patients were stratified into 2 groups according to TSH levels(group A:TSH<10 mIU/ L; group B: TSH>10 mIU/ L). All subjects were examined for clinical characteristics, thyroid profile, lipid profile, and biomarkers of early atherosclerosis. Patients in group B received L-thyroxine replacement treatment to achieve euthyroidism. After 6 months of stable euthyroidism all measurements were repeated. SCH patients had higher levels of total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), carotid artery intima media thickness(CIMT), thromboxane B2(TXB2), and C-reactive protein(CRP) but with lower nitric oxide(NO) level compared with euthyroid subjects. Levels of TC, LDL-C, CIMT, TXB2, and ADMA decreased, and NO level increased significantly after 6 months of euthyroidism. TSH was positively correlated with TC, LDL-C, CIMT, ADMA, and TXB2; and negatively correlated with NO. Based on multivariate regression analysis, TSH was an independent influential factor of CIMT and NO. We conclude that raised TSH is an important risk factor of atherosclerosis in SCH.

Established rat models with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) were divided into three groups:subclinical hypothyroid(SCH),SCH treated with levothyroxine (L-T4),and control group.The L-T4 group displayed lowered total cholesterol and endothelin levels compared with the SCH group[(1.29 ±0.05 vs 2.38 ±0.55) mmol/L,(98.54 ± 32.43 vs 160.62 ±37.25) nmol/L,both P＜0.05].Nitric oxide levels,left ventricular systolic pressure,and blood flow in abdominal aorta were significantly higher in the L-T4 group than those in the SCH group.The results of this study indicate that L-T4 treatment may improve endothclial dysfunction and hemodynamic changes in rats with SCH.

Objective: To study the effect of hyperplasia suppressor gene (HSG) in inducing vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The cultured VSMCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector containing rat HSG gene. Effects of HSG on VSMC apoptosis were investigated by fluorescent dye staining to detect the tact of nuclei, and by flow cytometry to define the content of DNA and to detect the levels of caspase-3. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were also performed by Western blot analysis. Results: The increased expression of HSG in VSMCs infected with AdHSG induced apoptotic cell death detected by flow cytometry assay and nucleic staining. Compared with control groups, HSG induced vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis 72 h after infected with adenoviral vector (39.6%?3.2% vs. 2.6%?0.9%,P

Objective To investigate the effects of B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) on expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) in rat peritoneal macrophages and to identify the inflammation-mediated effects of BNP in macrophages. Methods Peritoneal macrophages of primary culture were treated with BNP, BNP+HS-142-1, or BNP+TNF-?+HS-142-1. The protein expression of MCP-1 was measured by Western blot. Results BNP enhanced the MCP-1 protein expression in macrophages, and this effect could be abrogated by HS-142-1. In addition, BNP could inhibit TNF-? induced MCP-1 expression. Conclusion BNP can induce the MCP-1 protein expression in macrophages, suggesting BNP has a pro-inflammatory effect. However, BNP also can inhibit TNF-? induced MCP-1. These findings suggest that the effect of inflammation-mediated by BNP is biphasic though the mechanism is still unclear.

Objective To study the clinical value of magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy in diseases screening. Method We retrospectively analyzed 61 cases which were evaluated by magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy from March 2015 to December 2016. The items include operating time, the divergence rate score and cleanliness score of stomach. The consistency was compared between magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy and gastric duodenal endoscopy. Results 61 upper gastrointestinal tract studies were included. The mean age was (49.4 ± 11.6) years. No capsule retention, perforation or bleeding occurred. There was 98.4% patients, which cleanliness of stomach was good. There was 68.9% patients, which filling degree of stomach was good. The concordance rate of the two tests of gastrduodenoscopy and magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy was 89.9% (80/89). The concordance rate of the two tests was 78.9% (15/19) in esophageal and cardia, 92.9% (52/56) in stomach, 92.9% (13/14) in duodenum. Conclusion Our experience shows that magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy is a safe and useful tool for the diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract disease. The detection rate is similar to gastrduodenoscopy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of human tissue inhibitor of matelloproteinase 4 (TIMP 4) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) migration and the neointimal formation after balloon injury in rats. Methods: The cultured VSMCs were transfected with an adenoviral vector containing human TIMP 4 gene, AdTIMP 4. Effect of TIMP 4 on VSMC migration was investigated by monolayer cell scrape. AdTIMP 4, control adenoviral vector or PBS was transduced into the rat carotid artery from the adventitial after carotid artery injury. Cell number within the internal elastic lamina 4 days after gene transfer was counted and neointima/media area ratio 28 days after gene transfer was calculated. Results: The migration distance of VSMCs infected with AdTIMP 4 was inhibited markedly. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the number of cells migrated into neointima compared with controls [(32.5?4.8) cells per section, (33.8?7.0) cells per section and (8.2?2.4) cells per section for uninfected, AdGFP treated and AdTIMP 4 treated arteries, respectively]. There was a reduction of intima/media ratio of TIMP 4 treated group by 66.5% compared with control groups 28 days after gene transfer ( P

Objective To discuss the diagnosis of refractory epilepsy (RE) in children, and to study the association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of muhidrug-resistance gene (MDR1) C3435T with pharmaco- resistant epilepsy. Methods Four hundred children with epilepsy were retrospectively or prospectively identified from multiple sources in our hospital in Shanghai and were followed-up for the occurrence of refractory epilepsy. The clinical features of RE regarding age at onset, gender, seizure type, electroencephalogram, neuroimaging, development of central nervous system, etiology and prognosis etcetera were investigated. DNA samples were obtained from 132 patients with epilepsy (70 RE and 62 responsive epilepsy) and 62 health children by DNA extraction kit. Genotype of the C3435T polymorphism was determined by DNA sequence analysis after traditional polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of genotypes and alleles among the three groups was compared by Chi-square test. Results Eighty-three (20.8%) out of total 400 patients were RE. Among them 65 (78.3%) patients failed at least 2 drugs in six months. Forty-two (50.6%) were administered at least 3 drugs on the last follow-up. Medical treatment showed remarkable effective in 6 (7.2%) RE patients, effective in 40 RE patients (48.2%). No effectiveness was seen in another 37 (44.6%) RE patients, however 25 out of 37 presented symptomatic alleviation. Significant difference in genotype (CC, CT, Tr) frequency was neither found between RE and responsive epilepsy patients nor between RE patients and healthy controls. No association between the C3435T polymorphism in the human MDR1 gene and refractory epilepsy was found by logistic analysis. Conclusions Refractory epilepsy could be diagnosed in 6 months after being treated with anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) in children with average attack once per month at least and failed more than 2 AEDs. Multiple AEDs were necessary for treatment. No association between the C3435T polymorphism in the human MDR1 gene and refractory epilepsy was found by logistic analysis in this study.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that chitosan and other natural polysaccharides have heparin-like anticoagulant function after sulfonated modification. Sulfonated chitosan has good anticoagulant property because the sulfonate group formed by sulfonated chitosan is similar with the active group of heparin. OBJECTIVE: To prepare the anticoagulant chitosan nanoparticles and to detect its morphology, physical and chemical properties and biological security. METHODS: Chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by emulsion-chemical cross link. Sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized by sulfonation reaction. Its morphology was described by transmission electron microscope. The peak-value change of its specific groups was observed by infrared spectroscopy. (1) Coagulation experiment: Heparin, chitosan nanoparticles and 10, 30 and 50 mg of sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles were added into the blood of Spraque-Dawley rats. The coagulation indicators were detected. (2) Hemolysis experiment: deionized water, physiological saline and 10, 30, 50 g/L sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles extracts were added into 2% red blood cel suspension of rabbits. The hemolysis rate was detected. (3) Cytotoxicity experiments: DMEM medium containing fetal bovine serum and 10, 30, 50 g/L sulfonated chitosan nanoparticle extracts were used to culture human umbilical vein endothelial cels. Cel relative growth rate and toxicity grading were detected after 72 hours. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Scanning electron microscopy showed that sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles had good morphology, with a diameter of 50 nm. Infrared spectroscopy showed that the sulfonated replacement occurred.In vitro coagulation experiments showed that sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles had significant anticoagulant effects in a dose-dependent manner. Sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles meet the national safety standard for hemolysis rate of less than 5%, non-induced hemolysis property. Cytotoxicity assays showed that sulfonated chitosan nanoparticles extracts had no significant cytotoxicity, and its biological safety was in line with the national standards.

BACKGROUND:It has been a hotspot in the treatment of spinal fracture by minimaly invasive approach.Compare with open operation,minimaly invasive surgery has less trauma,less bleeding,less tissue damage and shorter hospital stay.But no clinical study focuses on the reduction effect of minimaly invasive percutaneous screw fixation and maintenance of vertebral height.OBJECTIVE:To compare the difference of minimaly invasive percutaneous screw combined with articular process bone grafting and simple screw fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture on maintaining vertebral height.METHODS:Clinical data of 79 patients with T11-L2 thoracolumbar fractures (AO type: A1,A2,A3,B1) wereretrospectively analyzed.Among them,41 cases were treated by percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with articular process bone grafting,while 38 cases were treated by percutaneous pedicle screw fixation,from January 2010 to September 2013.Perioperative indicators in the two groups,visual analogue scale scores,and Oswestry Disability Index before and after surgery,as wel as at final folow-up were compared between the two groups.The anterior and posterior of vertebral height,the recovery of Cobb's angle were evaluated.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The patients in the grafting group were folowed up for 4-36 months and those in the non-grafting group were folowed up for 5-30 months,there was no significant difference in the folow-up time between the two groups (P=0.25).The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative ambulation time and hospital stay showed no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05).The folow-up results showed that,no significant difference was found in visual analogue scale scores and Oswestry Disability Index between the two groups (P＞0.05).However,the anterior and posterior of vertebral height,the recovery of Cobb's angle in the grafting group were significantly better than that in the non-grafting group (P＜ 0.05).The short-term efficacy and security are similar between the two surgery methods in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture.However,minimaly invasive percutaneous screw combined with articular process bone grafting shows great advantages in recovering and maintaining the long-term stability.