Objective To investigate the relationship between abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and outcomes in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods One hundred and seventy MHD patients in the dialysis center of the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from June 2014 and October 2014 were enrolled prospectively. Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) was measured using AAC score (AACS) by abdominal lateral plain radiography. According to the AACS, the patients were divided into mild AAC (AACS<5) group and severe AAC (AACS≥5) group for comparison, and Kaplan?Meier analysis was used to compare their survival rates. Multivariable COX regression models were used to determine the risk factors of all?cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality in MHD patients. Results Severe AAC (AACS≥5) was present in 28.2%(48/170) patients. The median follow?up duration was 25.6 (22.0, 26.0) months. During the follow?up, 6 patients (4.9%) in AACS<5 group and 14 patients (29.2%) in AACS≥5 group died. Kaplan?Meier analysis showed that patients in AACS≥5 group had higher all?cause mortality rate and cardiovascular disease mortality rate as compared with patients in AACS<5 group (χ2=9.746 ,P=0.002; χ2=9.697 ,P=0.002). Multivariate COX regression analysis demonstrated that high AACS (HR=4.373, 95%CI 1.562?7.246, P=0.005) and hypoproteinemia (HR=0.886, 95%CI 0.797?0.985, P=0.025) were independent risk factors for all?cause mortality, while hypoproteinemia (HR=0.829, 95%CI 0.718?0.956, P=0.010) and low 1,25(OH)D3 (HR=0.769, 95% CI 0.627 ? 0.944, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease mortality. Conclusions AAC is significantly associated with overall survival in MHD patients. To further evaluate the relationship between AAC and outcomes in MHD patients, multi?center and long term follow up studies of large sample size are necessary.

Objective To explore the protocol that induced marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiating into islet-secreting cells in vitro and to provide new clues for the sources of islet transplantation.Methods Using a defined culture medium and technique for transdifferentiation, MSCs from adult SD rats were guided into specific insulin-secreting cells. The expressions of nestin and islet-specific hormones and proteins, such as insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1 (Pdx-1) were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining before and after induction. The expressions of pancreatic islet cell differentiation-related transcripts, such as nestin, insulin 1, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2), Isl-1, Pdx-1, Pax-4 and Pax-6 were detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). In addition, the quantity of insulin secretion was examined using radioimmunoassay. Results Five hours after induction, (44.6±7.3)% of differentiated MSCs expressed nestin and it increased to (61.8±8.4)% 24 hs after induction, but the expression of nestin almost disappeared at day 14. In the meantime, islet-like cellular clusters appeared after day 14 and became more apparent by day 28. Differentiated cells were found to be immunoreactive to insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and Pdx-1, and expressed insulin 1, GLUT 2, GK, Isl-1, PDX-1, Pax-4, Pax-6 mRNA. In addition, the results of cumulative quantities of insulin of 24 hs and the stimulation index showed that differentiated cells were able to produce insulin at higher levels, and displayed glucose-dependent insulin release in vitro. Conclusions Adult rat MSCs can be differentiated into insulin-secreting cells in vitro. This approach might lead to widespread cell replacement therapy for Type 1 diabetes.

Objective In order to investigate the relationship between hearing loss and diabetic peripheral neuropathy( DPN ) via comparing the pure tone thresholds and vibration perception threshold(VPT) in type 2 diabetic patients and control person without diabetes. Methods 173 subjects including 138 type 2 diabetic patients(DM)and 35 non-diabetes controls were examined for VPT and hearing threshold. Nerve conducting velocity ( NCV )including sensory nerve conducting velocity( SCV )and motorial nerve conducting velocity( MCV )of diabetic patients were determined. The participants were divided into three groups: control group (n = 35 ), DM group without peripheral neuropathy( non-PN group, n = 74 ), and DM group complicated with peripheral neuropathy (PN group,n = 64 ). The clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters , the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss ( SNHL),pure tone threshold, and VPT were compared among three groups. At last, the relationship between hearing thresholds and NCV were analyzed. Results The incidence of hearing impairment of sensorineural type was 29.69% in PN group, which was significantly higher than that of non-PN group( 17.57% )and control group( 17. 14% ). There was significant differences in age, duration of diabetes, glycolated hemoglobin (HbA1c), glycolated serum albumin ( GA), Fasting blood glucose( FPG), 2h postprandial blood glucose( PPG), VPT, and hearing threshold among the three groups( all P＜0. 05 ). The value of hearing threshold increased significantly( all P＜0. 05 ) in 3 VPT subgroups with VPT≤ 15 V, VPT 16-25 V, and VPT ＞25 V. The Spearman correlation analysis showed median NCV was negatively correlated with hearing threshold on 1.00, 2.00, 4. 00, and 8. 00 kHz ( All P ＜ 0. 05 ). The logistic regression analysis indicated that the age( regression coefficient =0. 088, P＜0. 01 ) was the independent risk factor of SNHL, median nerve MCV ( regression coefficient = -0. 135, P = 0. 046 ) was the important influencing factor of SNHL. Conclusion Diabetic patients are more likely to suffer from impaired middle-frequency and high-frequency hearing, DPN in patients is often complicated with hearing impairment. Age and median nerve MCV were major risk factors of SNHL in diabetic patients.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diet ; Glutarates ; metabolism ; urine ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Riboflavin ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA-HOTAIR in prostate cancer cells and its effects on the growth and metastasis of the cells.

METHODSUsing quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), we determined the relative expression of HOTAIR in the normal human prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-I and prostate cancer cell lines PC-3 and DU145. We detected the effects of HOTAIR on the cell cycle and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells by RNA interference, flow cytometry, and Transwell mitration assay.

RESULTSThe expressions of HOTAIR in the PC3 and DU145 cells were increased 3.2 and 5.7 times, respectively, as compared with that in the normal RWPE-1 cells. After si-HOTAIR interference, the prostate cancer cells were arrested in the G2 phase and downregulated in the G1 phase. The invasive ability of the prostate cancer cells was evidently inhibited, with the inhibition rates of 32% and 44% of the PC3 cells and 43% and 34% of the DU145 cells for si-HOTAIR1 and si-HOTAIR2, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIncRNA HOTAIR is highly expressed in prostate cancer, which is associated with the growth and invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. HOTAIR is potentially a novel marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer.

Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Division ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; G1 Phase ; G2 Phase ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Long Noncoding ; metabolism ; RNA, Untranslated ; metabolism

Objective To study the effect of balloon dilatation therapy on dysphagia caused by cricopharyn- geal achalasia.Methods Ten cases of dysphagia were diagnosed as cricopharyngeal achalasia by videofluoroscopic swallowing study(VFSS).A 14~* urethral catheter was inserted into the esophagus and an amount of water was injec- ted into the balloon of the urethral catheter to make it turgid.Then the catheter was pulled upwards and passed through the stricture of esophagus to dilatate the cricopbarygeus muscle.Meanwhile,low frequency electrical stimula- tion was used and combined with functional training of the organs related to deglutition and ingestion.The results be- fore and after the treatment were evaluated.Results After 19.7 times of dilatation therapy,the content of water in- jected into the balloon was increased from 2.65?0.91 ml to 8.20?0.92 ml.Cricopharyngeal achalasia was alle- viated significantly(P

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Lianyungang.Methods:A total of 612 patients admitted to the second people′s Hospital of Lianyungang City because of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in 2019 were selected as subjects. Sputum or pharyngeal swabs were collected to extract nucleic acids, and 13-fold nucleic acids of respiratory pathogens were detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis. SPSS statistical software and GraphPad5.0 statistical mapping software were used for statistical analysis.Results:The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the adult group was 82.0% in winter, 48.4% in spring, 28.0% in autumn, 20.0% in summer, χ 2=38.473, P=0.000. The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was significantly different in different seasons, among which the physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in winter was the highest. The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the juvenile group was 86.0% in spring, 76.2% in winter, 71.3% in summer and 66.7% in autumn, χ 2=7.946, P=0.047 . The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was calculated according to gender grouping. The comparison of nucleic acid positive rate between adult group and juvenile group in different seasons: 86.0% vs 48.4% in spring, χ 2=19.436, P=0.000; 71.3% vs 20.0% in summer, χ 2=22.180, P=0.000; 66.7% vs 28.0% in autumn, χ 2=13.485, P=0.000; 76.2% vs 82.0% in winter, χ 2=0.758, P=0.384. Except in winter, the detection rate of nucleic acid of pathogens in the juvenile group was significantly higher than that in the adult group. Conclusions:The nucleic acid detection rate and etiological distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens are different in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in different seasons and different age groups. 13 kinds of multiple detection methods of respiratory pathogens can provide favorable laboratory data support for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical CAP patients.

To evaluate the effect of Hexue mingmu tablets on traumatic hyphema caused by blunt ocular trauma.
●METHODS: Totally 150 patients of traumatic hyphema were divided into seven types by using ultrasound biomicroscopy combining with anterior segment abnormalities, each type was randomly classified as trial group and control group. The trial group was administered Hexue mingmu tablets, control group was treated by hemocoagulase.
●RESULTS: The absorbing time of trial group was shorter than that of the control group. And there was statistical significance between the two groups (P<0. 05).
● CONCLUSlON: Hexue mingmu tablets is an effective medicine to treat traumatic hyphema. Ultrasound biomicroscopy can be used as a routine examination method in traumatic hyphema.

Objective:Taking Chongyang county of Hubei Province as an example, the paper describes the in-tegration of the maternal and child health ( MCH) and family planning ( FP) service system and analyses the key ele-ments to provide reference for promoting integration. Methods: qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaire were used to collect data. The software QSR Nvivo 8. 0 and SPSS 17. 0 were used for qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Results:Based on the correct understanding of integration, Chongyang implements the supporting policies actively, maintains the original compensation mode unchanged, follows the principle of“no reducing headcounts and no downsizing” strictly, promotes the merger of institutions rapidly, adjusts the service contents and methods reasona-bly, and integrates the maternal and child and family planning information platform. Conclusion:The correct concept of integration, appropriate staffing, and stable funding in Chongyang provide rich experiences for future research. However, there is room for improvement in staffing, incentive mechanisms, service content, and forms.