Objective To analyse the high-dose dexamethasone suppression test(HDDST)-related differences in the clinical and biochemical features of the patients with Cushing's disease Methods Cases were drawn from 60 consecutive patients with Cushing's disease,who were then divided into two groups according to the response to the HDDST.The clinical and biochemical features between two groups were compared.Results(1) Of the 60 patients with Cushing's disease,23.3%(14/60)of patients(group A)did not yield results of suppression with the HDDST,and the others(group B)did.No difference was found in the age[(33.8?10.4 vs 36.2?11.2)years]and duration of illness[(2.1?1.6 vs 3.9?3.1)years]between two groups.(2)In clinical features,the patients in group A were more likely to have edema of lower limbs(64.3% vs 32.6%),hypokalemia (71.4% vs 28.3%),secondary diabetes(57.1% vs 26.1%)and purple striae(85.7% vs 54.3%,all P

Objective To identify the factors that influence the prognosis and particularly the survival of patients with corpus callosal gliomas. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data was conducted involving 60 patients with corpus callosal gliomas treated between January, 1995 and December, 2007. All the patients underwent surgical tumor resection with postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model were used to evaluate the possible prognostic factors including the patients' gender, age, preoperative Karnofsky performance status (KPS), tumor locations, preoperative epilepsy, histological grade, enhancement pattern on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), extent of surgical resection, and tumor size. Results Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that age, preoperative KPS score, and histological grade had significant influences on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival time of the patients. The tumor location had a significant impact on the overall survival time of the patients, but did not obviously affect the PFS. Multivariate analysis with the Cox regression model indicated that age, histological grade, and extent of surgical tumor resection significantly influenced the overall survival time of the patients, and age and histological grade of the tumor significantly affected the PFS. Conclusion A younger age, lower pathological grade and radical surgical resection of the tumor are the protective prognostic factors in patients with corpus callosal gliomas, while gender, tumor size, tumor location, and KPS score before operation have no prognostic significance.

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of lateral crural skin flap nourished by cutaneous branches of peroneal artery and its clinical application as vascularized skin flap transfer.

METHODSIn 20 cadavers specimen with 40 lower limbs, the cutaneous branches of the peroneal artery were dissected and their measurements were recorded. In the other 30 adult legs, their perforating points of the cutaneous arteries of peroneal artery were detected with supersonic Doppler flow meter. With the aid of anatomic and supersonic Doppler flow meter study, vascularized transfer of lateral crural skin flap pedicled by cutaneous branches of peroneal artery were successfully performed in 21 clinical cases.

RESULTSIn altogether 40 legs studied, 140 cutaneous branches were found. One to seven branches were found on one specimen, the average was 3.5 branches, in one leg was a high perforating skin branch. The perforating points of the cutaneous branches were mostly (76% cases) appeared within 7 - 21 cm length below the protruding point of head of fibula. The external diameter of the thickest cutaneous branch of each leg was (1 .4 - 2.9) mm, (1.8 +/- 0.4) mm, while the external diameters of two vena concomitants were (3.0 +/- 0.5) mm and (2.4 +/- 0.4) mm. 145 artery perforating points in 30 legs were detected by Doppler, with an average points of 4.8. The skin flaps taken in the 21 clinical cases were 5.0 cm x 3.5 cm - 28 cm x 11 cm in size. All the transferred free flaps survived uneventfully.

CONCLUSIONSThe lateral crural skin flap is nourished by a variable number of cutaneous branches of peroneal artery. The main branch can meet the demand of microvascular anastomosis. The free transfer of lateral crural flap by anastomosis of cutaneous branch of peroneal artery is superior to lateral skin flap transfer by anastomosis of main trunk of peroneal artery with the merit of simple procedure, minimal trauma and more physiological circulation established.

Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans ; Leg ; blood supply ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic variations of the six transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 4 gene (STEAP4) in Chinese Uygur patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to analyze the association of the representative genetic variations of STEAP4 gene with MetS in the population.

METHODSThe sequences of STEAP4 gene functional region (all exons, exon-intron boundaries and the putative promoter region, including the -1 kb 5'and 3'untranslated regions) were amplified and sequenced for patients with MetS. The representative variations were selected based on the function (missense mutation) and linkage disequilibrxium (γ² > 0.8) and genotyped with TaqMan-PCR method in 1910 general populations (682 MetS and 1228 non-MetS controls). The subjects were selected from the cross-sectional study of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia from January to February 2007 among Uygur people, a relatively isolated population with a relatively homogeneous environment, in Hextian area in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

RESULTS(1) Fourteen novel and six known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or mutations, including 2 missense mutations, were identified at the functional region of STEAP4 gene in 96 Uygur patients with MetS. The minor allele frequencies of the SNPs of STEAP4 gene in Uygur population were different from that in European and Chinese Han in Beijing area. (2) The SNP 364G/A (rs34741656, Ala122Thr) was significantly associated with MetS [dominant model P = 0.034, OR = 0.757(95%CI: 0.584-0.982) adjusted for age and gender], and was associated with fasting blood glucose (FBG) (P = 0.049) and 2-hour postprandial glucose (2HPG) (P = 0.027) levels in controls. In this SNP, the AA carriers had lower blood glucose levels compared with subjects carrying GG and GT genotypes. (3) The common haplotype H4 (rs8122/rs1981529/ rs34741656, G-A-A), may be associated with MetS (permutation P = 0.089).

CONCLUSIONSTEAP 4 genetic polymorphisms may be associated with MetS risk in Chinese Uygur population.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Metabolic Syndrome ; etiology ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

AIMA series of triazole antifungals were synthesized to search for novel triazole antifungals with more potent activity, less toxicity and broader spectrum.

METHODSNineteen 1-(1,2,4-triazolyl-1H-1-yl)-2-(2,4-diflurophenyl)-3-(4-substituted benzyl-1-piperazinyl)-2-propanols were designed and synthesized, on basis of the three dimensional structure of P450 cytochrome 14 alpha-sterol demethylase (CYP51) and their antifungal activities were also evaluated.

RESULTSAll the title compounds were first reported. Results of preliminary biological tests showed that most of the title compounds exhibited high activity against the eight common pathogenic fungi and the activities against deep fungi were higher than that against shallow fungi.

CONCLUSIONMost of the title compounds showed higher antifungal activities than Fluconazole and Terbinafine. Compound VIII-1, 10, 12, 17 showed best antifungal activity with broad antifungal spectrum and were chosen for further development.

Antifungal Agents ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; drug effects ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; drug effects ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Molecular Structure ; Triazoles ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe accurate and comprehensive assessment of glycemic control in patients with diabetes is important for optimizing glycemic management and for formulating personalized diabetic treatment schemes. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) and glycemic excursions in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSSeventy-one outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were randomly recruited from Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. Using a continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS), these patients' blood glucose levels were monitored for three consecutive days to obtain mean blood glucose (MBG) data. Intraday glycemic excursions were evaluated using the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), the largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE), standard deviation of blood glucose (SDBG) and the M-value. Interday glycemic excursion was assessed by absolute mean of daily difference (MODD). Postprandial glycemic fluctuations were evaluated using postprandial glucose excursions (PPGE) and postprandial incremental area under the curve (iAUC). Fasting venous blood samples were collected to measure serum 1,5-AG, whole-blood hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and serum glycated albumin (GA). Clinical markers of glycemia and parameters of glycemic excursions from CGMS were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate stepwise regression.

RESULTSPearson correlation analysis revealed that 1,5-AG was significantly correlated with MAGE, SDBG, M-value, LAGE, PPGE and iAUC (r values were -0.509, -0.430, -0.530, -0.462, -0.416 and -0.435, respectively, P < 0.01), especially in moderately and well-controlled patients, based on defined HbA1c levels. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between 1,5-AG and the above parameters, but not HbA1c and GA. Finally, HbA1c and GA were positively correlated with MBG and fasting blood glucose (FBG).

CONCLUSIONS1,5-AG was much better than HbA1c and GA as a marker of glycemic excursions in type 2 diabetic patients. Based on these results 1,5-AG is the best metric for assessing postprandial glucose levels in moderately and well-controlled patients, while HbA1c and GA were superior to 1,5-AG for monitoring MBG and FBG.

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Deoxyglucose ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postprandial Period ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the role of cerebrovascular hemodynamic indexes (CVHI) changing in stroke and to provide reference for stroke prevention and risk factor study.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2004, participants aged 40 years and above in two communities in Fengxian district were recruited by cluster sampling. Risk factors of stroke and CVHI were investigated and checked during baseline investigation. A total of 10 565 individuals completed the survey and met the inclusion criterion. After baseline investigation, the cohort was followed up for stroke occurrence. Relative risk (RR) of CVHI and common risk factors were estimated by cohort study design.

RESULTSAge of the cohort was (56.2 ± 11.4) years. 4444 (42.1%) were males and 6121 (57.9%) were females. Total follow-up duration was 67 885.7 person-years. A total of 195 stroke cases occurred and incidence density of stroke was 287.2 per 100 000 person-years. Stroke incidence in exposure groups of hypertension, heart disease and alcohol drinking was 3.47% (108/3118), 2.96% (21/710) and 2.50% (47/1882), respectively. The incidence in corresponding non-exposure group was 1.17% (87/7448), 1.77% (174/9855) and 1.70% (148/8683) respectively. There was significant difference between 2 groups (χ(2) value was 62.72, 4.56 and 4.94, respectively, P < 0.05). Stroke incidence in CVHI score < 25, 25 - 49, 50 - 74 and ≥ 75 groups was 9.12% (59/647), 5.68% (44/775), 2.52% (39/1545) and 0.72% (53/7403)(χ(2)trend = 273.57, P < 0.05), respectively. Incidence of stroke in 40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, ≥ 70 years age group was 0.22% (8/3565), 1.28% (43/3357), 2.71% (50/1848) and 5.88% (94/1600) (χ(2)trend = 181.48, P < 0.05), respectively. Multiple Cox regression analysis indicated that RR (95%CI) value of hypertension and cigarette smoking was 1.40(1.02 - 1.92) and 1.59(1.19 - 2.12), respectively when comparing with non-exposure group. RR (95%CI) value in CVHI score < 25, 25 - 49 and 50 - 74 points group were 6.15 (4.08 - 9.26), 4.55 (2.98 - 6.96) and 2.68 (1.75 - 4.09), respectively when comparing with the score ≥ 75 points group. RR (95%CI) value in age 50 - 59, 60 - 69 and ≥ 70 years group was 4.61 (2.16 - 9.82), 7.81 (3.67 - 16.60) and 13.49(6.44 - 28.24), respectively when comparing with below 40 years group.

CONCLUSIONCVHI score is the strong independent predictive factor and hypertension, cigarette smoking and age are the independent risk factors of stroke.

Aged ; Brain ; physiopathology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; etiology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect on promoter de-methylation, expression of ALDH1a2 gene and cell apoptosis by treated with 5-Aza-dC and TSA in five human bladder cancer cell lines.

METHODSHuman bladder cancer cell lines RT-4, 253J, 5637, BIU-87 and T24 were cultured and treated with 5-Aza-dC and(or) TSA. The expression of the ALDH1a2 gene was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The methylation status of gene promoter was determined by MSP, and the cell cycle profile was established by flow cytometry.

RESULTSALDH1a2 was silenced in five human bladder cancer cell lines. Re-expression of ALDH1a2 was detected after treated with 5-Aza-dC alone or TSA in combination. ALDH1a2 transcript was marked in each cell lines combined with 5-Aza-dC and TSA treatment which showed a synergistic effect on expression of ALDH1a2 transcript. Early apoptotic was the main mode of apoptosis and death of human bladder cancer cell lines induced by 5-Aza-dC and TSA. The percentage of early apoptotic cells was 1.4% in control group and 2.8% in TSA group, however, 20.2% in 5-Aza-dC group and 33.8% in 5-Aza-dC + TSA group, respectively. The groups of TSA, 5-Aza-dC and 5-Aza-dC + TSA were significantly different from control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAberrant methylation of ALDH1a2 gene is the main cause for gene transcriptional inactivation. Re-expression of ALDH1a2 gene and cell apoptosis are detected after either treatment with 5-Aza-dC alone or in combination with TSA.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Azacitidine ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; Retinal Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the genetic variations of six transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Xinjiang Uygur population.

METHODSA case-control study was conducted based on epidemiological investigation. A total of 1838 Uygur subjects were selected and divided into two groups: T2DM group (n=274) and control group (n=1564). All exons, flanking introns, and the promoter regions of STAMP2 gene were sequenced in 48 Uygur Xinjiang population with diabetes. Representative variations selected were genotyped by TaqMan-PCR method in all individuals.

RESULTSTen novel and 6 known variations in the STAMP2 gene were identified. The distribution of genotype rs8122 significantly differed between T2DM group and control group (P=0.05), whereas the distribution of genotypes rs1981529 and rs34741656 showed no such difference. The fasting insulin in the total cohort and homeostasis model of assessment index in females showed significant difference between these two groups (P<0.05), while the adjusted P value showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). In the male population, the different genotypes of rs8122 variation of STAMP2 gene were not significantly different (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThree polymorphisms (rs8122, rs1981529 and rs34741656) of STAMP2 gene may be not related with T2DM in Xinjiang Uygur population.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Diabetes Mellitus ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic