Objective To investigate the effect of spirolactone on cardiac function and serum brain natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic heart failure( CHF). Methods Eighty-four patients with CHF were randomly divided into control group( n=42 )and observation group( n=42 ). The patients in the control group were given conventional therapy,while in the observation group were given spirolactone( 20 mg/times,2 times/day)based on treatment of the control group for six months. The clinical effects and left ventricular end diastolic diameter( LVEDd ),left ventricular ejection fraction( LVEF ) and serum brain natriuretic peptide( BNP ) of pretherapy and post-treatment between the two groups were recorded and compared. Results The total effective rate of observation group was 95. 2%(40/42),obviously higher than that of control group(80. 9%(34/42),χ2=6. 468,P=0. 028). The levels of LVEDd and BNP in two groups after treatment were(57. 8 ± 6. 2)mm and (62. 4 ± 7. 8)mm,(364. 4 ± 32. 8)ng/L and(457. 4 ± 43. 2)ng/L,significantly lower than those at before treatment((64. 6 ± 7. 4)mm and(64. 8 ± 7. 6)mm,(867. 8 ± 78. 5)ng/L and(864. 4 ± 74. 8)ng/L),while LVEF in two groups after treatment were( 49. 8 ± 5. 4 )% and( 42. 6 ± 4. 6 )%,significantly higher than those before treatment((35. 2 ± 3. 9)% and(35. 4 ± 3. 5)%),and the differences were significant(t = -3. 264, 4. 626,-5. 373,-3. 932,5. 438,-6. 548;P﹤0. 05). Moreover the changes in observation group were obvious than those in control group in terms of LVEDd,BNP and LVEF( t = -3. 425,3. 644,-2. 846;P ﹤0. 05 ) . Conclusion Spironolactone can effectively decrease the serum brain natriuretic peptide levels,improve the cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure,and it is worthy of popularization and application.

Objective: The aim of our work was to investigate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on apoptosis, granzyme B and perforin expression of intestinal epithelial cells of chronic rejection after small intestinal transplantation. Methods: Small bowel transplantation was performed and rats were divided into three groups: Group 1, Lewis-to-Lewis, group 2, F344-to-Lewis, dietary corn oil, Group 3, F344-to-Lewis, dietary fish oil. All recipients were killed after 16 weeks of posttransplantation. The apoptosis rate of mucosal cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. The expressions of granzyme B and perforin were analyzed by reverse transcriptase RT-PCR. Results: A high apoptotic rate was observed when the allografts demonstrated one or more histological features of chronic rejection. N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased the rate of the apoptosis and inhibitted the expressions of granzyme B and perforin. Conclusion: N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can suppress the chronic rejection in small intestinal transplantation.

Objective To investigate the relationship between folate metabolism-related gene polymorphism and fetal congenital defects,and discuss the effect of genetic factors on fetal congenital defects.Methods Retrospective analysis was used to investigate the genotype and gene frequency of 5,1O-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T,A1298C gene loci and ethionine synthase reductase (MTRR) A66G gene locus in 132 cases of adverse pregnancy pregnant women (case group) and 150 cases normal pregnant women (control group) at the same period.The statistical differences were analyzed between the levels of their serum folate,vitamin B12 (Vit B12) and homocysteine (HCY).Results In the serum of case group,folate was positively correlated with Vit B12,and was negatively correlated with HCY,only HCY of skeletal system defects(6 cases) was higher (t =3.409,P ＜ 0.05).Comparing genotypes frequency of the MTHFR C677T,A1298C gene loci and MTRR A66G gene locus in case group with control group,the difference above was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).In these three gene loci C/T,A/C and A/G allele frequency with the control group,the difference above was not statistically significant (all P ＞ 0.05).Different genotype combinations of MTHFR C667T and A1298C gene loci in control groups had no statistically different from the control group (P ＞ 0.05),and there was no synergy.Conclusions Maternal folate metabolism-related MTHFR and MTRR genes polymorphisms can affect the metabolic products levels accordingly.However,the correlation between the changes and the genetic mechanism of fetal congenital defects needs more large samples study in depth.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of pelvic floor ultrasound combined with electromyography physiological parameters for postpartum stress urinary incontinence(SUI)of different degrees and pelvic floor function of primipara.Methods:A total of 160 SUI patients who admitted to Yan'an hospital of Kunming City from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected,and they were divided into abnormal group(110 cases)and normal group(50 cases)according to pelvic floor function(the muscle voltage values of different muscle fibers).The SUI was graded according to the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis of Urological Diseases and the International Incontinence Advisory Committee's Incontinence Questionnaire(ICI-Q-SF).The posterior horn(α)of bladder and urethra at rest,the displacements of the bladder neck on y-axis(△y)and x-axis(△x)after the rest to the fatigue action,the proximal urethral rotation angle after the rest to the fatigue action(γ),the posterior horn of bladder and urethra(β)after the fatigue action were observed.The electromyography was used to draw and record the pelvic floor myoelectric activity signals of the patients of two groups at five stages(pre baseline rest period,class II muscle fiber systole period,class II and I muscle fiber systole period,class I muscle fiber systole period and post baseline rest period).And then,the muscle voltage values of different muscle fibers on the surface of pelvic floor were quantified.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in Δ x between patients with postpartum SUI of different degrees.There were significant differences in △y,α,β and γ between patients with postpartum SUI of different degrees(F=7.162,7.655,14.998,2.758,P<0.05).The differences of the means of muscle voltages of pre and post baseline rest period,and class I muscle fiber systole period among patients with postpartum SUI of different degrees were not significant.The differences of the means of muscle voltages of class II,and the class II and I muscle fiber systole period among patients with postpartum SUI of different degrees were significant(F=12.062,24.501,P<0.05),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in △x between the two groups.The △y,α,β and γ of abnormal group were significantly higher than those of normal group(t=8.991,8.691,9.389,27.552,P<0.05),respectively.There were no statistically significant differences in the means of muscle voltage values of the pre and post baseline rest period,and class I muscle fibers systole period between the two groups.The means of muscle voltage values of class II,and class II and I muscle fibers systole period in the abnormal group was significantly higher than them in the normal group(t=9.613,14.452,P<0.05),respectively.The sensitivities of △y,α,β,γ,the means of class II muscle fibers systole period,and the means of class II and I muscle fibers systole period of pelvic floor ultrasound and electromyography physiological parameters were respectively 71.60%,79.40%,81.40%,91.20%,83.30%and 82.40%,and the specificities of them were respectively 41.40%,37.90%,37.90%,60.30%,41.40%,and 44.80%in diagnosing postpartum SUI of different degrees of primipara.The sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis of them were respectively 92.20%and 82.80%in diagnosing postpartum SUI of different degrees of primipara.The sensitivities of △y,α,β,γ,the means of class II muscle fibers systole period,and the means of class II and I muscle fibers systole period of pelvic floor ultrasound and electromyography physiological parameters were respectively 79.10%,77.30%,88.20%,89.10%,77.30%,87.30%,and the specificities of them were respectively 64.00%,64.00%,52.00%,46.00%,70.00%and 66.00%in diagnosing pelvic floor function of primipara.The sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis were respectively 98.20%and 80.00%in diagnosing pelvic floor function of primipara.Conclusion:Pelvic floor electromyography physiological parameters and pelvic floor ultrasonic parameters have a certain value in diagnosing postpartum SUI of different degrees and pelvic floor function,and the value of the combined diagnosis of them is higher.

Objective To investigate the discriminator value of Han Chinese first morning urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) for determining the microalbuminuria. Methods A total of 1056 participants (494 males and 562 females) were selected from epidemiologic study of the metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease in Pinggu district, Beijing. Eight-hour overnight urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was regarded as the gold standard for defining the albuminuria,and the ROC curve analysis was used to determine the ACR discriminator value for microalbuminuria. Results (1)Microalbuminuria was found in 12.5% of participants,macroalbuminuria in 1.7%. (2)The ACR discriminator value for microalbuminuria by ROC curve analysis was 1.95 g/mol (sensitivity 97.6% and specitivity 88.6%) for men, 3.62 g/mol(sensitivity 83.8% and specitivity 89.1%) for women, 2.78 g/mol (sensitivity 88.7% and specitivity 85.9%)for overall. The upper boundary of microalbuminuria by ROC curve analysis was 22.59 g/mol (sensitivity 100.0% and specitivity 98.8%) . (3)The inter-rater agreement of the result in this study showed that sensitivity was 91.3% and specitivity was 88.2%, positive likelihood ratio was 7.56 and negative likelihood ratio was 0.10, positive predictive value was 56.9% and negative predictive value was 98.4%. Conclusions The ACR discriminator value for determining microalbuminuria is obviously higher in women than that in men, and is higher than recommendation of international guidelines. The result by ROC curve analysis has better sensitivity and specitivity.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and serum uric acid in general population. Methods The study participants were derived from the epidemiological study on the association of metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Pinggu district, Beijing. A total of 992 participants (463 men and 529 women) aged from 30 to 75 years were enrolled in this study. For each participant, UAE, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, and serum lipids were detected and other potential risk factors for CKD were surveyed. Results ( 1 ) The frequencies of microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria and hyperuricemia were 12.9% , 1.8% and 4.3% respectively. The persons with hyperuricemia had significantly higher frequency of albuminuria than those without hyperuricemia (37. 2% vs 13. 7% , P ＜0. 01). (2) The participants were divided according to the quartiles (25% , 50% , 75% ) of serum uric acid level, and the frequencies of albuminuria in males were 13. 2% , 13. 9% , 17. 2% and 25.4% , while those in females were 8. 4% , 6. 2% , 9. 6% and 24. 8%. ( 3 ) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed, hyperuricemia was significantly associated with albuminuria in females (OR =2. 31, 95% CI 1. 15-4. 68; P=0.02), but not in males. If the persons with reduced renal function were excluded, similar result still could be gained. Conclusions The prevalence of albuminuria increases gradually with uric acid elevation. Serum uric acid is an independent risk factor of elevated UAE, especially in females.

Objective:To explore the impact of different six-character qigong training modes on respiratory muscle function early after a stroke.Methods:Sixty-six stroke survivors in the early stage of recovery were randomly divided into a control group, a modified training group, and an ancient training group, each of 22. In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received conventional respiratory training. The modified training and ancient training groups were trained in modified six-character qigong or ancient six-character qigong, respectively, for two weeks. Before the treatment, after the two weeks and one month later, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced expiratory volume in one second, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow, maximum mid-expiratory flow, and peak inspiratory flow were measured. Diaphragm mobility during quiet inspiration and maximum inspiration were also quantified.Results:After 2 weeks of treatment and at 1 and 3 months after the end of the treatment, all three groups showed significant improvement in MIP, MEP and the pulmonary ventilation indicators, but the average improvement in the modified training group was significantly greater than in the other two groups. Their average diaphragm mobility was also significantly greater.Conclusion:Modified six-character qigong respiratory training is more effective than its ancient counterpart in improving respiratory muscle function, pulmonary ventilation, and diaphragm mobility early after a stroke, with effects which persist for at least one month.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of C-reactive protein (CRP) on transplantation day in predicting early post-transplant infections and outcomes of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 78 recipients undergoing allo-HSCT. The clinical reference value of CRP on transplantation day was determined, and its sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing bacteremia was analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC). The incidence of transplant-related complications, overall survival, and relapse rate of the patients were analyzed with respect to the CRP level.

RESULTSThe clinical reference value of CRP for diagnosing bacteremia was 23.3 mg/L (AUC=0.735 [95% CI: 0.623-0.848], P=0.001), which had a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 0.793 and 0.592, respectively. Compared with the patients with low CRP levels, the patients with high CRP levels tended to have delayed neutrophil reconstitution and platelet engraftment by 0.71 days (P=0.237) and 4.09 days (P=0.048), respectively, and had a significantly higher incidence of bacteremia (17.1% vs 53.5%, P=0.001) and CMV viremia (37.1% vs 72.1%, P=0.003) within 100 days following the transplantation; the incidences of EBV viremia, pulmonary invasive fungal infection, or acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) showed no significant difference between the two groups (41.9% vs 22.9%, P=0.094; 14.0% vs 5.7%, P=0.285; 51.2% vs 45.7, P=0.656, respectively). During the follow-up for a median of 318 (7-773) days in high-CRP group and for 299 (78-747) days in low-CRP group, the high-CRP group showed a significantly lower 2-year overall survival than the low-CRP group (42.5% vs 78.4%, P=0.022), and tended to have a higher 2-year cumulative relapse rate (52.3% vs 19.8%, P=0.235). Logistic multivariate analysis identified a high CRP level on transplantation day as the independent risk factor for post-transplant bacteremia within 100 days (OR=5.090 [95% CI: 1.115 -23.229], P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONA high CRP level on transplantation day can be indicative of a high risk of early post-transplant bacteremia and CMV viremia and also a poor prognosis following allo-HSCT.

Bacteremia ; diagnosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; chemistry ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mycoses ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Viremia ; diagnosis

Triptolide has wide clinical applications due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and immunosuppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of blocking isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) translocation on the biosynthesis of triptolide by exogenously adding D,L-glyceraldehyde (DLG) to the suspension cells of Ttripterygium wilfordii at different stages (7 d, 14 d). Subsequently, the cell viability, biomass accumulation, triptolide contents, as well as the profiles of the key enzyme genes involved in the upstream pathway of triptolide biosynthesis, were analyzed. The results showed that IPP translocation is involved in the biosynthesis of triptolide. IPP is mainly translocated from the plastid (containing the MEP pathway) to the cytoplasm (containing the MVA pathway) in the early stage of the culture, but reversed in the late stage. Blocking the translocation of IPP affected the expression of key enzyme genes involved in the upstream pathway of triptolide, which in turn affected the accumulation of triptolide. Understanding the characteristics and mechanism of IPP translocation provides a theoretical basis for further promoting triptolide biosynthesis through synthetic biology.
Diterpenes ; Epoxy Compounds ; Hemiterpenes ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Phenanthrenes

Objective:To investigate the independent predictors for malignancy in colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs) by therapeutic endoscopy.Methods:Data of consecutive patients with colorectal LSTs who underwent endoscopic treatment in Beijing Friendship Hospital between June 2013 and March 2019 were collected for retrospective analysis. Patients′ gender, age, body mass index, smoking history, and endoscopic and histological results were reviewed. Univariate analysis was used to identify the associated factors for malignancy of colorectal LSTs. Factors with statistical significance in univariate analysis were used in multivariate logistic regression to determine the independent predictors.Results:A total of 323 patients with 341 colorectal LSTs were involved in the study. The rate of malignancy was highest in non-granular pseudo depressed (NG-PD) subtype [85.48% (53/62)], followed by granular nodular mixed (G-NM) subtype [76.97% (117/152)]. Both of the above rates were significantly higher than that of granular homogenous (G-H) subtype [29.51% (18/61), P<0.001] and non-granular flat elevated (NG-FE) subtype [24.24% (16/66), P<0.001]. Univariate analysis showed that NG-PD subtype ( P<0.001, OR=18.40, 95% CI: 7.46-45.42), G-NM subtype ( P<0.001, OR=10.45, 95% CI: 5.30-20.58), rectosigmoid location ( P<0.001, OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.47-3.69) and size ≥2 cm ( P<0.001, OR=2.60, 95% CI: 1.60-4.00) associated with malignancy for colorectal LSTs. In multivariate logistic regression, NG-PD subtype ( P<0.001, OR=17.51, 95% CI: 7.06-43.43), G-NM subtype ( P<0.001, OR=8.25, 95% CI: 4.07-16.73) and size ≥2 cm ( P=0.032, OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.05-3.08) remained to be independent predictors. Conclusion:LSTs of NG-PD subtype, G-NM subtype or size ≥2 cm are high risk factors of malignancy, in which cases, en bloc resection is required.