Objective To evaluate the relationship of metabolic syndrome (MS) and MS components with thyroid nodule. Methods A total of 10 357 subjects ( age ＞ 18 years old) who received physical checkup at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University between June 2009 and June 2010 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Anthropometric parameter, fasting plasma glucose (FPG),serum lipid profile, blood uric acid, alanine aminotransferase and thyroid ultrasonography were measured. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodule,MS,and thyroid nodule + MS was 46. 96% ,23. 6%,and 11.6%, respectively. The prevalence of thyroid nodule was significantly higher in MS patients than in non MS patients ( 75.9% vs 38. 0%, P ＜ 0. 05 ). Multifactor logistic analysis showed that MS, body mass index (BMI) and FBG (β vales were 0. 78,1.22,and 0. 62,respectively; odds ratios were 4. 167,3. 876,and 2. 359, respectively; all P ＜ 0. 05 ) were independently correlated with the development of thyroid nodule. Conclusions Significantly increased prevalence of thyroid nodule could be found in MS patients. BMI and FBG may be independent risk factors of thyroid nodule.

Objective To compare the efficiency of intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid (TXA) and autolo-gous transfusion drain on the blood loss after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A total of 124 patients (124 knees) with varus knee osteoarthritis, who were performed TKA,were retrospectively analyzed. Patients included 24 males and 100 females. The mean age was(65.03±6.84)years. Due to the blood loss control method, patients were divided into two groups including TXA application group (test group, n=49) and autologous transfusion drain group (control group, n=75). The data of blood routine examination, blood loss and blood transfusion after TKA were analyzed. Results The blood transfusion rates were 10.20%(5/49) in test group and 17.33%(13/75) in control group 7 days after TKA surgery. There was no signifi-cant difference between two groups (P>0.05). There were significant differences in red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (HCT) between groups and effects of interaction in the two groups (P＜0.01). There were significantly higher values of RBC, Hb and HCT at 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery in test group than those of control group (P＜0.05).The total blood loss 1 and 3 days after TKA was significantly lower in test group than that of control group (P＜0.05). There was no sig-nificant difference in the blood loss 7 days after surgery between two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The single dose intra-articular injection of tranexamic acid is a safe and effective procedure for hemostasis after TKA.

Objective To investigate the effects of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis.Methods The in vivo role of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis in rabbits was investigated mainly using adiponectin-producing adenovirus(Ad-APN)and intravascular ultrasound(IVUS).On day 14 after Ad-APN local transfer to the intima of abdominal aortas,abdominal IVUS images were recorded and then rabbits were sacrificed.Abdominal aortas were collected and performed histochemical analysis.Results Ultrasonography revealed a significantly reduced atherosclerotic area,in abdominal aortas of rabbits infected through intima with Ad-APN,by 36.39% compared with the area in adenovirus expressing β galactosidase gene(Ad-βgal)treated rabbits(P＜0.01),and by 37.50% compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).The lumen area stenosis was also reduced by 23.37%(P＜0.05)and 33.15%(P＜0.01),respectively.In rabbits with Ad-APN infection,the atherosclerotic plaque area as seen on Oil Red O staining was reduced significantly,by 30.70%(P＜0.05)and the greatest thickness of plaque was reduced,by 20.83%(P＜0.05)as compared with those in Ad-βgal-treated rabbits,respectively.Conclusions Intravascular ultrasound analysis is a valuable method in the in vivo study about the effects of adiponectin on the development of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the role of Zn 2+and Zn2+-coordinating glutamic acid residues ( 71Glu and 80Glu ) in the superantigenic activities of staphylococcal enterotoxin C2 ( SEC2 ) .Methods Over-lap PCR was used to amply genes encoding recombinant mutant proteins rSEC 2 ( E71A), rSEC2 (E80A) and rSEC2 (E71A/E80A).The mutant proteins were expressed in E.coli BL21 (DE3) and puri-fied by affinity chromatography .The differences of biological activities between rSEC 2 and its mutants were compared in vitro.The effects of Zn 2+on the superantigenic activities of rSEC 2 were evaluated by analyzing the proliferation of splenic lymphocytes in the presence or absence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ( EDTA) .Results The substitution of glutamic acid residue at position 71 and 80 by alanine residue had no significant effects on the superantigenic activities and the conformational stability of rSEC 2 mutants.How-ever, traces of Zn2+(10μmol/L) could significantly enhance rSEC2-induced proliferation of splenic lympho-cytes, and only certain amount of Zn 2+could completely restore rSEC2-induced proliferation in the presence of EDTA.Conclusion This study indicated that mutations at Zn 2+-coordinating glutamic acid residues had no significant effects on the conformational stability and the superantigenic activities of SEC 2.Zn2+might play a role in regulating the superantigenic activities of SEC 2 through some indirect ways .

Objective To determine the influence of gender on the association between serum uric acid and branchial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).Methods Cross-sectional data from 1418 adults who underwent routine laboratory tests and baPWV measurements were analyzed in a gender-specific manner.BaPWV≥ 1400 cm/s was defined as abnormality.The individuals were assigned to four groups (Q1,Q2,Q3 and Q4) according to the gender-specific quartiles of serum uric acid.The relationship between serum uric acid and the baPWV values was assessed by Spearman's correlation coefficients.In female,the relationship of serum uric acid quartiles with baPWV was evaluated by logistic regression analysis.Results In male and female,diastolic blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,triglyceride and body mass index were increased with serum uric acid level,in contrast to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.The Spearman's correlation coefficient for the relationship between serum uric acid and baPWV was 0.18 in female and-0.05 in male (P =0.16).In female,univariate logistic regression analysis showed that in comparison with group Q1,odds ratio (OR) value of baPWV abnormality of group Q4 was 2.45 (95％confidence interval (CI) 1.48 to 4.06).In multivariate logistic regression,after adjusting for creatine and estimated glomerular filtration rate,OR value of baPWV abnormality of group Q4 was 2.45 (95％ CI 1.48 to 4.06) when compared with group Q1.However,after adjustment for age and other risk factors of cardiovascular diseases,there were no significant differents in ORs among serum uric acid quartile groups.Conclusions The association between serum uric acid level and baPWV in female may depend on age and metabolic syndrome components.

ObjectiveTo explore linkage relationship between polymorphisms of (AC)n (AT)xTy and mutations in the β-globin gene in patients with mild β-thalassemia.MethodsThe subjects were 89 mild β-thalassemia patients with known mutations and 110 healthy subjects from People's Hospital of Baoan District of Shenzhen from February 2009 to July 2010.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes.Sequence of the BP1 binding site upstream of the β-globin gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction,polymorphisms of (AC)n (AT)xTy were determined by DNA sequencing.Allelic frequencies of (AC)n (AT)xTy between mild β-thalassemia patients and healthy subjects were compared using x2 test.Mutation rates between two groups were also compared using x2 test for subjects carrying same haplotype. Linkage relationship was conducted according to allelic frequencies and mutations. Results Analysis of the (AC)n(AT) xTy polymorphisms of the BP1 binding site upstream of the β-globin gene showed 9 different genotypes: (AC)2( AT)7T7,( AC)2( AT)8T5,( AC)3( AT)7T5,( AC)2( AT)9T5,( AC)2(AT)8T9,(AC)3(AT)8T5,(AC)2(AT)10T3,(AC)2(AT)7T5 and (AC)2(AT)11T3.The (AC)2(AT)7T7 and (AC)2 (AT)8T5 genotypes were common for patients with mild β-thalassemia.Allele frequencies of (AC)2(AT)7T7,(AC)3 ( AT)7T5 and ( AC)2( AT)8T9 were 38.8％ (69/178),11.8％(21/178),9.0％ ( 16/178 ) for mild β-thalassemia patients,and 24.1％ ( 53/220),5.4％ ( 12/220),3.2％(7/220)for healthy subjects, respectively, there were significant differences between mild β-thalassemia patients and healthy subjects (x2 =9.966,4.371,6.093,P ＜ 0.05 ).Allele frequency of (AC)2(AT)9T5 was 10.1％ (18/178) and 33.2％ (73/220) for mild β-thalassemia patients and healthy subjects,frequency of (AC)2 (AT)9T5 was significandy lower in mild β-thalassemia patients than in healthy subjects (x2 =29.691,P ＜0.01 ).Allele frequency of (AC)2(AT)8T5 was 25.3％ (45/178) and 29.1％(64/220) for mild β-thalassemia patients and healthy subjects,there wasn't significant difference between patients and healthy subjects (x2 =0.718,P ＞0.05).The mutation rates of codon41/42(-TTCT) and IVSⅡ-654(C→T) were 59％ (10/17) and 29％ (5/17) for mild β-thalassemia patients carrying (AC)2(AT)7T7 allele,and 29％ (4/14) and 57％ (8/14) for patients carrying ( AC)2 (AT)8T5 allele.There were not significant differences between codon41/42(-TTCT) mutation rate and IVS-Ⅱ-654(C→T) mutation rate (x2 =2.982,2.333,P ＞ 0.05 ) for mild β-thalassemia patients carrying ( AC)2 ( AT)7T7 and ( AC)2(AT)8T5 allele.ConclusionsAllele of (AC)2(AT)7T7,(AC)3(AT)7T5 and (AC)2(AT)8T9 are in linkage disequilibrium with β-thalassemia.Most mild β-thalassemia patients carrying (AC)2 (AT)7T7 allele are caused by codon41/42 (-TTCT) mutation in the β-globin gene,and IVS-Ⅱ-654 (C→T) is a major mutation for patients carrying (AC)2(AT)8T5 allele.

Objective To study the levels of senlm uric acid(UA)in normal glucose(NC),impaired glucose regulation(IGR)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and investigate its relationship with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.Method The levels of blood glucose,lipids,fasting insulin(HNS)and serum UA were measured in patients of 45 T2DM(T2DM group),20 IGR(IGR group)and 29 NC(NC group).Status of insulin resistance and insulin secretion function was evaluated by HOMA-IR and ISI.Results The levels of triglyceride(TG)and UA in T2DM group and IGR group were significantly higher than those in NC group[(3.34±8.77),(1.85±0.67),(1.26±0.38)mmoi/L and(316.71±96.20),(403.62±76.80),(325.45±94.43)mmol/L](P<0.01).HDL-C levels in T2DM group were significantly lower than those in IGR and NC group[(1.05±0.30),(1.07±0.21),(1.12±0.20)mmol/L](P<0.01).NO significant difference of FINS levels was found in the three groups.HOMA-IR level in T2DM and IGR group was higher than that in NC group(3.84,3.77,2.34)(P<0.01).ISI in T2DM and IGR group was lower than that in NC group(-4.52±0.79,-4.44±0.19,-4.03±0.58)(P<0.01).Correlation analysis indicated that the level of UA was positively related with BMI.TG and negatively related with HDL-C.Conclusion Increased UA in IGR indicates that hyperurieacidemia developes before DM.

Objective To observe the availability and safety of ventricular septal defect (VSD) occluder in infants and young children with large patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) associated with severe pulmonary hypertension.Methods Five patients (1 male and 4 fomale) of large PDA aged 5 months to 3 years,weighted from 5.1 to 15 kg,body surface area (BSA) 0.37-0.58 m2 underwent transcathter intervention with concentric VSD occluders from June 2008 to May 2009.Arterial ducta were tube-like and their diameters were 5.7 to 8.5 mm,with ulmonary vascular resistance from 4.8 to 5.7 Wood Unit,Qp/Qs 3.4-4.6.Three patients were given Bosentan after intervention.Results The large PDAs were successfully closed with VSD occluders,including 1 concentric perimembranous VSD occluder and 4 muscular VSD occluders.They all discharged 4 to 5 days with hidrosis and weight improved.Echocardiogram indicated VSD occluder was stable,no residue shunt and no stricture of left pulmonary artery and descending aorta were found.According to tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation,pulmonary arterial pressure decreased differently and returned to normal after 6 months follow-up.Conclusion VSD occluder is available and effective to close large PDA associated with severe pulmonary hypertension in inrants and young children,but more cases and long-term follow-up are necessary.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of uric acid in different occupation, age and gender groups, and changes of prevalence of hyperuricemia (HUA) and its influencing factors in healthy adults who receiving physical examination in Nanjing.Methods:The study was conducted in 107 478 subjects who received physical examination from 2012 to 2016. The prevalence of HUA in different genders and different years was compared. Subjects were divided into non-HUA and HUA groups according to serum uric acid. The differences in metabolic indicators and ages between two groups were analyzed. Uric acid levels among different occupations were evaluated. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios ( OR) of HUA. Results:The total HUA prevalence was 14.9%, in which the prevalence of HUA in men was significantly higher than that in women [20.5%(15217/74339)vs .2.5%(818/33139), P<0.01]. The prevalence of HUA in men sustained at a high level, while that in women trended to decrease during the five years. The prevalence of HUA increased with age in women (1.0%, 0.7%, 0.9%, 2.7%, 3.8% and 9.6% in subjects within 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and ≥70 age groups, respectively, Pfor trend<0.01). The percentages of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, and body mass index (BMI) in both men and women were significantly higher in HUA group than those in non-HUA group ( P≤0.01). Among all occupations, subjects in health care had the lowest levels of uric acid (298±91 μmol/L) and prevalence of HUA (10.4%), while, those in public security had the highest levels of uric acid [(342±82) μmol/L] and prevalence (16.5%). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that males, high triacylglycerol, high cholesterol, obesity and certain occupation were significantly associated with HUA. Conclusions:The prevalence of HUA in men is significantly higher than that in women. It increased with ages in women. Subjects in health occupations had the lowest levels of uric acid and HUA prevalence, while, those in public security had the highest levels among the six occupations. Obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, occupations and males are positively associated with HUA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the predictive value of serum CA125 in peritoneal metastasis, and to examine the association of CA125 with the prognosis.

METHODSClinical data of 1285 gastric cancer patients admitted to the Qilu Hospital from March 2003 to September 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum CA125 for peritoneal metastasis were analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival were compared between patients with normal serum CA125 level(≤35 μg/L) and patients with elevated serum CA125 level(>35 μg/L).

RESULTSThe specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of serum CA125 for peritoneal metastasis were 96.0%, 13.8% and 81.2%, respectively. A significantly higher incidence of peritoneal metastasis was observed in the patients with elevated serum CA125 level as compared to those with normal serum CA125 level(43.2% vs. 16.5%). CA125 was an independent predictor of peritoneal metastasis(RR=3.475, 95% CI:2.124-5.685). The 5-year overall survival rate in patients with elevated serum CA125 level was 13.5%, which was significantly lower than that of patients with normal serum CA125 level (49.8%, P<0.01). CA125 was an independent prognostic factor of gastric cancers(HR=2.049, 95%CI:1.355-2.873).

CONCLUSIONSerum CA125 is useful in predicting peritoneal metastasis and prognosis of gastric cancer, which should be used as a routine examination of gastric cancer patients.

CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Humans ; Neoplasm Staging ; Peritoneal Neoplasms ; blood ; secondary ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; Survival Rate