Air Pollution ; prevention & control ; Epidemiologic Research Design

Objective To investigate the diagnostic significance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for suspected choledocholithiasis in non-cholangiectasis. Methods EUS was performed on 33 patients with cholecystolithiasis, whose common bile duct diameters were less than 8 mm, with one of the histories of acute pancreatitis, obstructive jaundice or recurrent biliary colic, but without common bile duct stone (CBDS). The results were compared with surgical or ERCP findings. Results Twenty cases in 33 were diagnosed ascholedocholithiasis by EUS. Sixteen of the 20 cases were confirmed as CBDS with further operation or ERCP. Compared with the results of surgery or ERCP, the sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction value and negative prediction value of EUS for choledocholithiasis were 100% , 76. 5% , 80% and 100% respectively. Conclusion EUS is of high diagnostic significance for suspected choledocholithiasis in non-cholangiectasis.

Objective To determine the serum level of chernokine CCL27 in patients with psoriasis vulgaris,and to analyse its clinical relevance.Methods A total of 61 patients(40 in progressive stage and 21 in stable stage)with psoriasis vulgaris,with an average disease duration of 37.97±14.34 years,were included in this study.Appropriate thempy was given to these patients.Serum samples were collected from the patients before and after therapy,as well as from 45 healthy human controls.ELISA was applied to examine the serum concentration of CCL27.Clinical severity of psoriasis vulgaris was assessed by psoriasis area and severity index(PASI)score.Results Serum level of CCL27 was 670.02±262.15 ng/L in psoriatic patients,compared to 373.10±92.84 ng/L in the controls(t=8.18.P＜0.01).Increased serum level of CCL27 was observed in patients with progressive psoriasis vulgaris compared to those with stable psoriasis (799.94±214.54 ng/L vs 422.57±135.53 ng/L,t=8.39,P＜0.01).After 8 weeks of therapy,a significant decrease was noticed in the serum level of CCL27 in patients who experienced≥70%reduction in PASI score(t=9.95,P＜0.01).but not in those experiencing a PASI reduction of＜70%(t=1.84,P＞0.05).The serum level of CCL27 was positively correlated with PASI score(r=0.58,P＜0.01).Conclusions The serum level of CCL27 is significantly elevated in patients with psoriasis vulgaris,and it is correlated with the disease severity.

Objective ① To investigate the level of the vitamin D endocrine system in peripheral relationships with bone mineral density (BMD) and the disease activity respectively. Methods The level of the 25-hydroxylate vitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)D3] in plasma from 43 SLE patients and 44 normal controls were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene expression was determinied by real-time PCR in peripheral blood. BMD measurements in the lumbar spine (L1-4) and left proximal femur (femoral neck) were performed using dual X-ray absorptiometry before treatment. The relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the bone mass were studied. We also discussed the relationship between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity. Results The levels of 25OHD3 and 1,25 (OH)2D3 were lower in the initial SLE patients than normal controls (P<0.01, P<0.01). The expressions of VDR gene were significantly increased in initial SLE compared with normal controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients had significantly lower BMD values, and higher frequency of osteopenia (35%) at both sites of measurement compared with matched healthy controls (P<0.01). The initial SLE patients were divided into two groups by BMD, abnormal group and normal group. There were no differences in 25OHD3, 1,25 (OH)D3 and VDR gene expression (P0.05). There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and BMD in initial SLE patients. There was no correlation between the vitamin D endocrine system and the disease activity either. Conclusion Vitamin D endocrine system may play an important role in SLE, but the level of VDR gene is not correlated with BMD and disease activity.

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibits renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT),and to determine whether Smurf2 expression induced by TGF-β1 can be reversed by HGF in normal rat kidney epithelial cells (NRK-52E).Methods Using rat NRK-52E cell line as an in vitro system,NRK-52E cells were incubated with 5 μg/L TGF-β1 for 0-24 h.Part of cells were pretreated with 20 μg/L HGF for 30 min or not,then incubated with or without 5 μg/L TGF-β1 for 1 h or 48 h.The other cells were transfected with pFlag-Smurf2 or Smurf2 siRNA for 24 h,then treated with or without 20 μg/L HGF for 24 h.The expressions of Smurf2,SnoN,E-cadherin,alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) were detected by Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence staining assays.Results Compared to normal control,TGF-β1 could rapidly induce Smurf2 protein expression in a short time (P＜0.01).Meanwhile,the expressions of FN and α-SMA were significantly induced,and the expression of E-cadherin was reduced in NRK-52E cells by TGF-β1.In contrast,in the NRK-52E cells pretreated with HGF,HGF could obviously inhibit Smurf2 expression induced by TGF-β1,and reversed the down-regulation of SnoN (P＜0.01) and E-cadherin (P＜0.05),the up-regulation of α-SMA (P＜0.01) and FN (P＜0.01) induced by TGF-β1.Moreover,overexpression of Smurf2 in NRK-52E cells could partly inhibit the up-regulation of SnoN protein by HGF,while down-regulation of Smurf2 could up-regulate the expression of SnoN induced by HGF.Conclusions HGF can abolish EMT induced by TGF-β1 in renal tubular epithelial cells through down-regulating Smurf2 expression and suppressing ubiquitin-proteasome dependent degradation of SnoN.

A 43-year-old male with no past medical history presented with acute onset palpitations, chest pain and diaphoresis. Electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I was elevated at 87 ng/L at presentation and rose further to 1874 ng/L 8 hours later. Invasive coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of the left circumflex artery, which was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy with mild systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated features consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with regional fibrosis. Of note, focal delayed enhancement was seen in the anterolateral papillary muscle.

A 43-year-old male with no past medical history presented with acute onset palpitations, chest pain and diaphoresis. Electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I was elevated at 87 ng/L at presentation and rose further to 1874 ng/L 8 hours later. Invasive coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of the left circumflex artery, which was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy with mild systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated features consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with regional fibrosis. Of note, focal delayed enhancement was seen in the anterolateral papillary muscle.

A 43-year-old male with no past medical history presented with acute onset palpitations, chest pain and diaphoresis. Electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I was elevated at 87 ng/L at presentation and rose further to 1874 ng/L 8 hours later. Invasive coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of the left circumflex artery, which was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy with mild systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated features consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with regional fibrosis. Of note, focal delayed enhancement was seen in the anterolateral papillary muscle.

A 43-year-old male with no past medical history presented with acute onset palpitations, chest pain and diaphoresis. Electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin I was elevated at 87 ng/L at presentation and rose further to 1874 ng/L 8 hours later. Invasive coronary angiography revealed significant stenosis of the left circumflex artery, which was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Transthoracic echocardiography showed severe left ventricular hypertrophy with mild systolic anterior motion of the anterior mitral leaflet. Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated features consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with regional fibrosis. Of note, focal delayed enhancement was seen in the anterolateral papillary muscle.