OBJECTIVETo explore risk factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in men in order to provide a theoretical basis for developing more effective NAFLD prevention and control strategies.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-two male patients (37.3+/-11.4 years old) hospitalized with NAFLD at the Dongnan Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University between January 2009 and December 2010 were enrolled in the study, along with 23 age-matched healthy men (34.4+/-16.7 years old) to serve as the control group. The correlation(s) of body mass index (BMI; overweight defined as more than or equal to 22.717 kg/m2), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; central obesity defined as more than or equal to 0.866), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) with NAFLD was analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to select proper thresholds for classification.

RESULTSBMI, WC, WHR, FPG, TG, and TC were significantly different between the cases and controls (P less than 0.01). BMI, WC, WHR, TG and TC were identified as risk factors of NAFLD in these male cases (P less than 0.01). Relative to WC, TG and TC, both BMI and WHR had significant predictive value for NAFLD (odds ratio (OR) = 10.819 and 10.588, respectively). In addition, BMI had the highest diagnostic value for the prediction of NAFLD (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.931) followed by WHR (AUC = 0.879).

CONCLUSIONBMI, WC, WHR, TG, and TC are risk factors of NAFLD in Chinese men. BMI and WHR are effective anthroposomatology indices of NAFLD and may be useful factors on which to base future prevention and early diagnosis strategies for NAFLD in males.

Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Male ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Risk Factors ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects of Ping-tang Recipe (, PTR) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSForty male SD rats were included in the study. Ten rats were fed on normal diet as normal control, and thirty rats were fed on HFD for 8 weeks to induce obesity, followed with low dose (0.42 g/kg) or high dose (0.84 g/kg) of PTR or vehicle for 8 weeks with 10 animals for each group. Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test. Hepatic steatosis was measured by immunohistochemistry. Liver lipid metabolic genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, while AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression was examined by Western blot.

RESULTSRats fed on HFD developed abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and NAFLD. PTR treatment reduced visceral fat (peri-epididymal and peri-renal) accumulation, improved glucose metabolism, and attenuated hepatic steatosis. The expressions of the key lipolytic regulating genes, including peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PRAR-γ) and α (PRAR-α), were up-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while the expressions of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) were down-regulated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, PTR activated AMPK and promoted acetyl-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation in the liver.

CONCLUSIONSPTR improves insulin resistance and reverse hepatic steatosis in the rat model of HFD-induced obesity through promotion of lipolysis and reduction of lipogenesis, which involves the AMPK signaling pathway, thus representing a new therapeutic intervention for obesity related insulin resistance and NAFLD.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; complications ; prevention & control ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; drug effects ; pathology ; Lipogenesis ; drug effects ; Lipolysis ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

Objective To assess the relationship between the BMI and the brain DAT, and the influence of BMI on the brain SPECT imaging with 99Tcm-TRODAT-1. Methods MRI and 99Tcm-TRODAT-1SPECT imaging were performed in 31 healthy volunteers(16 males and 15 females), and then the three-dimensional reconstruction of SPECT images were completed. Based on the MRI images, right striatum (RST) and the left striatum (LST) were drawn as ROI on the 4 most clearly consecutive transverse slices.The cerebellum (CB) was taken as the background reference area and the corresponding uptake ratios of ST/CB, LST/CB and RST/CB were calculated. The Pearson correlation tests for radio-uptake ratios (ST/CB, LST/CB, RST/CB), BMI and age were performed, Then multiple linear regression analysis using ST/CB as dependent variable and BMI and age as independent variables was performed. SPSS 15.0 was used in data analysis. Results The ST imaging was symmetrical. The radioactivity was higher in the ST front area than that of the back area. The average uptake ratios of ST/CB, LST/CB, RST/CB were 1.71±0.16,1.70 ± 0. 16 and 1.72±0.17 respectively, in which the three ratios of the female were 1.74 ± 0. 18, 1.71±0. 19 and 1.76 ± 0. 19 respectively and those of the male were 1.68 t 0. 14, 1.68 ± 0. 13 and 1.69± 0.15respectively. ST/CB, LST/CB and RST/CB were negatively correlated with patients'BMI (r = -0. 53,-0.57,-0.47, all P＜0.05). The ST/CB was negatively correlated with patients' age(r=-0.39, P=0. 03). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BMI was significant independent variable (β=-0.53, t= -3.36, P=0. 002). Conclusions TheSTDAT,evel may decrease as patients' BMI and age increase. Females' DAT level is slightly higher than males'. For ST DAT imaging, age, gender and BMI should be all taken into consideration.

BACKGROUNDSeveral studies have evaluated the association between polymorphisms of thymidylate synthase (TS) and cancer risk in diverse populations but with conflicting results. By pooling the relatively small samples in each study, it is possible to evaluate the association using a meta-analysis.

METHODSA comprehensive search was conducted to identify all case-control studies on TS on a 28-bp tandem repeats in 5'untranslated region (5'UTR) and a 6-bp insertion (ins) and deletion (del) mutation in 3'UTR of the gene and cancer risk. Meta-analysis was conducted using a fixed and random effect model.

RESULTSOur meta-analysis on a total of 13 307 cancer cases and 18 226 control subjects from 37 published case-control studies showed no significant association between the risk of cancer and the 5'UTR 28-bp tandem repeats polymorphism (3R/3R vs. 2R/2R: OR = 1.06, 95%CI, 0.93 - 1.20) or the 3'UTR 6-bp ins/del polymorphism (del6/del6 vs. ins6/ins6: OR = 0.93, 95%CI, 0.81 - 1.08) with significant between-study heterogeneity. In the cancer type- and ethnic subgroup-stratification analyses, we did not find any association between TS polymorphisms and cancer risk either.

CONCLUSIONTS 5'UTR 28-bp tandem repeats and 3'UTR 6-bp ins/del polymorphisms may not be associated with cancer risk.

3' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; 5' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; genetics ; Thymidylate Synthase ; genetics

Amniotic Fluid ; metabolism ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Embolism, Amniotic Fluid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Keratin-13 ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Aspiration ; metabolism ; pathology

To evaluate the significance of bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) cells with clonal gene rearrangement of the third complementary determining region of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgHCDR3) in the diagnosis, clinical staging, determination of treatment effects and prediction of relapse in B-NHL, clonal IgH gene rearrangement of BM from 46 and PB from 38 cases with B-NHL were tested by semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (SnPCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before treatment, and ten of them were tested in complete remission after treatment. Results showed that this method was applicable to detecting one clonal IgHCDR3 gene rearrangement positive cell from up to 1 000 normal cells. Specificity of detection was 97%. Clonal IgHCDR3 rearrangement was shown in all 3 cases of BM and 2 of PB specimens with morphologic involvement. The clonal IgHCDR3 was detected in 65.1% of the BM and 44.4% of the PB without morphologic involvement in untreated patients with B-NHL, independent of Ann Arbor staging and systemic symptoms. In 10 cases of B-NHL with clonal IgHCDR3 rearrangement in diagnostic tissues, the molecular marker became negative in 7 patients who entered and remained in complete remission. Two cases relapsed in whom clonal IgHCDR3 rearrangements were detected in serial samples of BM or PB after autologous PBSCT. One patient in whom clonal IgHCDR3 rearrangement was detected at 10 months post-PBSCT remained in complete remission up to now. It was concluded that clonal IgHCDR3 gene rearrangements were found in BM and PB from B-NHL patients without morphologic abnormality. Persistence of molecular marker-positive may be associated with relapse for patients in complete remission, and the patients without clonal IgHCDR3 rearrangement will be in continuous complete remission. Little is known about a few patient who was a long-term disease-free survivor despite the presence of PCR-IgH rearrangement in the marrow.

Objective To explore the effects of standardized environmental enrichment(EE)on cognitive function and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)levels in patients with post-stroke dementia.Methods A prospective study was conducted,including 80 patients with post-stroke dementia admitted to Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation,910th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese PLA from January 2021 to May 2023.Patients were randomly divided into control group,cognitive training(COG)group,aerobic exercise training(AE)group and environmental enrichment(EE)group,with 20 cases in each group.All patients received routine treatment,with COG group receiving additional cognitive function training(30 minutes each time),AE group receiving additional aerobic exercise training(30 minutes each time),and EE group receiving both aerobic exercise and cognitive function training(15 minutes of aerobic exercise training and 15 minutes of cognitive training each time).The training was conducted once a day,5 days a week,for a total of 8 weeks.The patients'mini-mental state scale(MMSE),modified Barthel index(MBI),Hamilton depression scale(HAMD),stroke-specific quality of life(SS-QOL)score and serum levels of BDNF were assessed before treatment,at 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment,respectively.Results Before treatment,there were no significant differences in general information,MMSE,MBI,HAMD,SS-QOL scores,and serum levels of BDNF among the four groups(P＞0.05).After 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,the above indicators of the four groups were improved compared with those before treatment,with all differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).Inter-group comparison showed that after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment,MMSE,MBI,SS-QOL scores,and serum BDNF levels in COG,AE and EE groups were significantly higher than those in control group,and HAMD scores were significantly lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).In addition,MMSE,MBI,SS-QOL scores and BDNF levels of group EE were better than those of other 3 groups,while HAMD scores were lower than those of other 3 groups,with all differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in above outcome indicators between COG group and AE group after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment(P＞0.05).Conclusion Standardized enrichment environment can significantly enhance cognitive function,daily living abilities of post-stroke dementia patients,alleviate depression symptoms,and improve the quality of life,which may be related to the increase in serum BDNF levels.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis in the treatment of refractory hematospermia.

METHODSUsing ureteroscopy, we treated 32 patients with refractory hematospermia by transurethral dilation of the ejaculatory duct combined with clysis of the seminal vesicle with diluent gentamicin.

RESULTSThe operation was successfully accomplished in 31 cases, with the mean operation time of 32 (26－47) minutes. The patients were followed up for 6－39 (mean 23.6) months. No complications, such as urinary incontinence and retrograde ejaculation, were found after operation. Hematospermia completely disappeared in 27 cases, was relieved in 1, and recurred in 3 after 3 months postoperatively. Those with erectile dysfunction or mental anxiety symptoms showed significantly decreased scores of IIEF-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).

CONCLUSIONSEjaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis under the ureteroscope, with its the advantages of high effectiveness and safety, minimal invasiveness, few complications, and easy operation, deserves general clinical application in the treatment of refractory hematospermia.

Dilatation ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; surgery ; Genital Diseases, Male ; Hemospermia ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Recurrence ; Seminal Vesicles ; surgery ; Ureteroscopy

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants in patients with indications for anticoagulation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients who underwent TAVR from April 2016 to February 2022 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and had indications for anticoagulation were included and divided into two groups according to the type of anticoagulants, i.e. non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and warfarin, and patients were followed up for 30 days. The primary endpoint was the combination of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, valve thrombosis, intracardiac thrombosis and major bleeding. The incidence of endpoints was compared between two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to adjust the bias of potential confounders. Results: A total of 80 patients were included. Mean age was (74.4±7.1) years, 43 (53.8%) were male. Forty-nine (61.3%) patients used NOAC, 31 used warfarin, and major indication for anticoagulants was atrial fibrillation (76/80, 95.0%). The adjusted risks of the primary endpoint (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.06-0.94, P=0.040) of NOAC were lower than that of warfarin, mainly driven by a lower risk of major bleeding (OR=0.19, 95%CI 0.04-0.92, P=0.039). Conclusions: The short-term outcome of NOAC is better than that of warfarin in patients with indications for anticoagulation after TAVR. Randomized controlled trials of large sample size with long-term follow-up are needed to further testify this finding.
Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Warfarin/therapeutic use* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Retrospective Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Stroke/epidemiology* ; Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Administration, Oral

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants in patients with indications for anticoagulation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients who underwent TAVR from April 2016 to February 2022 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and had indications for anticoagulation were included and divided into two groups according to the type of anticoagulants, i.e. non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and warfarin, and patients were followed up for 30 days. The primary endpoint was the combination of death, stroke, myocardial infarction, valve thrombosis, intracardiac thrombosis and major bleeding. The incidence of endpoints was compared between two groups, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to adjust the bias of potential confounders. Results: A total of 80 patients were included. Mean age was (74.4±7.1) years, 43 (53.8%) were male. Forty-nine (61.3%) patients used NOAC, 31 used warfarin, and major indication for anticoagulants was atrial fibrillation (76/80, 95.0%). The adjusted risks of the primary endpoint (OR=0.23, 95%CI 0.06-0.94, P=0.040) of NOAC were lower than that of warfarin, mainly driven by a lower risk of major bleeding (OR=0.19, 95%CI 0.04-0.92, P=0.039). Conclusions: The short-term outcome of NOAC is better than that of warfarin in patients with indications for anticoagulation after TAVR. Randomized controlled trials of large sample size with long-term follow-up are needed to further testify this finding.
Humans ; Male ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Anticoagulants/therapeutic use* ; Warfarin/therapeutic use* ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Retrospective Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Stroke/epidemiology* ; Atrial Fibrillation/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Administration, Oral