12 m/s group,n=70;cfPWV≤12 m/s group,n=49). Carotid atheromatous plaque was assessed by Doppler echocardiograph;blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c were measured. Results After adjustment for body mass index (BMI),sex,stroke and fasting blood glucose,logistic multivariable analysis showed that cfPWV associated with age,systolic blood pressure(SBP),pulse pressure,coronary artery disease,diabetes,carotid atheromatous plaque and hemoglobin A1c. Conclusion Arterial stiffness in elderly patients with essential hypertension was strongly positively associated with age,SBP,pulse pressure,coronary artery disease,diabetes,carotid atheromatous plaque and hemoglobin A1c.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT)and plaque extent of carotid artery with coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods 131 inpatients were divided into 3 groups,in which 54 cases of coronary heart disease group,46 cases of risk group with coronary heart disease,31 cases of control group.The carotid wall IMT,plaque length and thickness was measured by Color Doppler ultrasound.The obtained data using SPSS 17.0 software for statistical processing.ResultsCarotid intimal thickening and the incidence had no significant difference between the group of coronary heart disease and risk group with coronary heart disease risk( all P ＞ 0.05),carotid artery IMT and incidence rate between the above two groups and the control group had statistical differene( t =3.26,3.48,all P ＜ 0.05 ),and the three groups of carotid artery plaque score and plaque classification were statistically significant( F =4.28,P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionCarotid IMT and plaque formation was the independent risk factor of CHD,and it could predict the occurrence and development of CHD,especially in carotid artery plaque specificity is higher,in the primary hospital could be used as the auxiliary examination method of CHD.

The study of viruses traditionally focused on their roles as infectious agents and as tools for understanding cell biology. Recently, however, with the development of structural biology, viruses have now been receiving particular attention in nanotechnology. By chemical methods or by gene modification, viruses have been functionalized as potential building blocks for several applications, such as drug/gene delivery vehicles, advanced vaccine vehicles, and special inorganic or organic nanomaterials. Here we highlight some of the recent progresses in the medical applications of viruses.
Biomedical Research ; trends ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Nanostructures ; Nanotechnology ; trends ; Vaccines ; Viruses

Objective:To explore value of 256-slice spiral CT pulmonary artery angiography (CTPA)evaluating right heart function in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE).Methods:According to death risk assessment of APE patients, a total of 67 APE patients were divided into high risk APE group (n=41)and non-high risk APE group (n=35).CTPA was used to analyze and compare CTPA obstructive index and right heart function indexes between two groups.Correlations among CTPA obstructive index and right heart function indexes were also analyzed.Results:Compared with non-high risk APE group,there were significant rise in CTPA constructive index [8.58% vs.24.69%],percentages of straight or left protruded ventricular septum (31.46% vs.73.17%)and bronchial artery dilation (5.71% vs.24.69%);Except the supe- rior vena cava diameter,the rest right heart function parameters had difference significance in two groups,P<0.05 or<0.01. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that CTPA obstructive index was significant positively correlated with right ventricular maximal short axis (RVMSA),RV:LV,diameters of main pulmonary artery,superior vena cava and azygos (r=0.684~0.954),and significant inversely correlated with LVMSA (r=-0.786),P<0.01 all.ROC curve analysis indicated that AUCs of CTPA RV:LV (0.949)was the biggest diagnosing APE severity.Conclusion:Right heart func- tion indexes measured by multi-detector CT are accurate and practical indexes evaluating APE severity,and it possesses im- portant significance.

Objective To explore the correlation between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with prostate volume and peak flow rate in aging staff men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods A total of 180 elderly patients were randomly enrolled. They were diagnosed with BPH by rectal touch and transected ultrasound from April 2008 to December 2008. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume (PV) as well as peak flow rate (QMAX)were analyzed respectively. Results IPSS were ( 9. 1 ± 0. 7 ) scores, ( 12. 1 ± 0. 7 ) scores and (14.0±1.3) scores in 60-69 years old group, 70-79 years old group and more than 80 years old group. PV were (40. 6±1.9) ml, (42. 4±1.9) ml and (48. 7±2.8) ml in corresponding groups, and PV was elevated along with aging (F= 5. 705, 2. 983, P＜0. 05). QMAX were ( 14.7 ± 0. 6) ml/s,(14.0±0. 5) ml/s and (12.6±0.9) ml/s, and QMAX was decreased along with aging (F=2. 131, P＞0. 05). Along with aggravation of LUTS, PV (ml) increased (39. 2±18. 1 vs. 45.7±16.9 vs. 47. 9± 16. 5) and QMAX (ml/s) decreased ( 15.0 ± 4.8 vs. 13. 5 ± 5.06 vs. 11.5 ± 4. 7, F= 3. 427, 4. 742, P ＜0.05). Conclusions The LUTS of patients with BPH is aggravated with aging, at the same time, the degree of LUTS increases with PV and decreases with QMAX. If get active treatment of drugs if available, they may improve their quality of life.

Objective To explore the relationship between cognitive impairment and arterial stiffness in elderly patients. Methods A total of 142 elderly patients were enrolled. Cognitive function was assessed by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and arterial stiffness was assessed by pulse wave velocity (PWV). A full score on the MMSE was 30, and cognitive impairment was defined as a score less than 24. All subjects underwent the measurement of PWV and MMSE . The subjects were divided into 2 groups: 93 were assigned to the normal cognitive function group (MMSE score 24), and the remainders (n=49) were assigned to the cognitive impairment group (MMSE score 24). Results The PWV was significantly increased in the cognitive impairment group than in the normal cognitive function group [(13.3±2.4) m/s vs. (11.8±2.2) m/s, t=3. 775, P=0. 000]. Logistic regression analysis showed that the PWV was also independently and significantly associated with the MMSE score. Conclusions The increase of arterial stiffness is an important risk factor for impaired cognitive function in elderly patients.

BackgroundThe increasing frequency of explosive injuries has increased interest in blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). Various shock tube models have been used to study bTBI. Mild-to-moderate explosions are often overlooked because of the slow onset or mildness of the symptoms. However, heavy gas cylinders and large volume chambers in the model may increase the complexity and danger. This study sought to design a modified model to explore the effect of moderate explosion on brain injury in mice.

MethodsPathology scoring system (PSS) was used to distinguish the graded intensity by the modified model. A total of 160 mice were randomly divided into control, sham, and bTBI groups with different time points. The clinical features, imaging features, neurobehavior, and neuropathology were detected after moderate explosion. One-way analysis of variance followed by Fisher's least significant difference posttest or Dunnett's t 3-test was performed for data analyses.

ResultsPSS of mild, moderate, and severe explosion was 13.4 ± 2.2, 32.6 ± 2.7 (t = 13.92, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), and 56.6 ± 2.8 (t = 31.37, P < 0.001; vs. mild group), respectively. After moderate explosion, mice showed varied symptoms of malaise, anorexia, incontinence, apnea, or seizure. After bTBI, brain edema reached the highest peak at day 3 (82.5% ± 2.1% vs. 73.8% ± 0.6%, t = 7.76, P < 0.001), while the most serious neurological outcomes occurred at day 1 (Y-maze: 8.25 ± 2.36 vs. 20.00 ± 4.55, t = -4.59, P = 0.048; 29.58% ± 2.84% vs. 49.09% ± 11.63%, t = -3.08, P = 0.008; neurologic severity score: 2.50 ± 0.58 vs. 0.00 ± 0.00, t = 8.65, P = 0.016). We also found that apoptotic neurons (52.76% ± 1.99% vs. 1.30% ± 0.11%, t = 57.20, P < 0.001) and gliosis (2.98 ± 0.24 vs. 1.00 ± 0.00, t = 14.42, P = 0.021) in the frontal were significantly higher at day 3 post-bTBI than sham bTBI.

ConclusionsWe provide a reliable, reproducible bTBI model in mice that can produce a graded explosive waveform similar to the free-field shock wave in a controlled laboratory environment. Moderate explosion can trigger mild-to-moderate blast damage of the brain.

No abstract available.
Vitiligo*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential role of serum citrulline level in evaluating the intestinal absorptive area and capacity in patients with short bowel syndrome (SBS).

METHODSSerum citrulline concentration was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in SBS patients (n=22) and healthy controls (n=33). In SBS patients, the remnant small bowel lengths and diameters were measured by radiography, and their 5- hour urine D- xylose excretion and intestinal protein absorption were also determined. The correlationship of serum citrulline level with remnant small bowel length, surface area, protein and D- xylose absorption was analyzed. The 6 patients receiving intestinal rehabilitative therapy, serum citrulline level, protein and D- xylose absorption after therapy were also measured.

RESULTSSerum citrulline level of SBS patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls [(5.94+/- 2.65) vs [(16.87 +/- 5.97) micromol/L, P < 0.01]. In SBS patients, serum citrulline was positively correlated with remnant small bowel length and surface area (r=0.82 and r=0.86 respectively). There was also a significant correlationship of serum citrulline level with 5- hour D- xylose excretion (r=0.56) and intestinal protein absorption (r=0.48). Serum citrulline, 5- hour D- xylose excretion and intestinal protein absorption were all significantly raised in patients after rehabilitative therapy, although no correlation of increasing percentage was found among above three parameters.

CONCLUSIONSSerum citrulline concentration is positively correlated with intestinal absorptive area and capacity in SBS patients. It is a potential marker for evaluating the severity of intestinal failure and the efficacy of rehabilitative therapy in short bowel patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Citrulline ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Short Bowel Syndrome ; blood ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Xylose ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1)in patients with diabetic foot ulcer(DFU)and its correlation with inflammatory cytokines.Methods A total of 152 patients with DFU(DFU group)and 133 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM group)admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected as the study group.120 healthy people matched in age and sex were set as the control group(NC group).Pearson correlation analysis was applied to analyze the correlation between serum ICAM-1 and wagner grade in DFU patients.Results HbA1c,TG,ICAM-1,C-RP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-18,IL-1β in NC,T2DM and DFU groups gradually increased,but HDL-C gradually decreased(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum ICAM-1 was positively associated with C-RP and TNF-α,IL-6,IL-18,IL-1β and wagner grading in DFU patients(P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that ICAM-1,C-RP,HbA1c and IL-18 were the influencing factors of DFU.Conclusion High levels of serum ICAM-1 in DFU patients are closely related to inflammatory factors and Wagner grading,which helps to identify the severity of the condition.