Endocarditis, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Pregnancy

Purpose There is no agreement for contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules. This paper aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of the conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thyroid nodule by meta analysis. Materials and Methods Literature search was performed in PubMed, CNKI and Wanfang databases to identify relevant English and Chinese literatures by using pathological results as the gold standard from January 1990 to September 2014. The quality of each selected study was evaluated by QUADAS. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and the corresponding 95% CI were calculated. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC), area under curve (AUC) and the Q* index were also calculated. Results A total of 14 literatures (1970 nodules) were included, the pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity of conventional ultrasonography were 0.74 and 0.70; those of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were 0.86 and 0.82. The AUC by using the two methods were 0.84 and 0.93, respectively, and the Q* index were 0.77 and 0.86, respectively. Conclusion In the diagnosis of thyroid nodule, the accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is better than conventional ultrasound; however, both of them have high clinical value in the diagnosis of thyroid nodule, thus they are helpful in avoidance of unnecessary surgical treatment in patients with thyroid disease.

Objective To investigate the association of serum angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) with myocardial reperfusion in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A total of 103 consecutive STEMI patients who received primary PCI were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to ST-segment resolution (STR) at 2 h after PCI:STR ≥ 50%group (n=69) and STR<50%group (n=34). Serum concentrations of Ang-1, Ang-2 and Ang-2 to Ang-1 ratios (Ang-2/Ang-1) before and immediately after PCI, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h after PCI were compared. Predictors of poor STR were identiifed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results The patients with STR≥50%had significant higher serum Ang-1 levels (P < 0.05) and lower Ang-2/Ang-1 ratios (P < 0.01) from before PCI to 6 h after PCI than those with STR < 50%;Ang-1 and Ang-2/Ang-1 at 24 h after PCI, and Ang-2 at all time points were not signiifcantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, Ang-2/Ang-1 before PCI was independently associated with STR < 50%;Other independent predictors were pain to balloon time, infarct related artery (LAD), and TIMI flow grade<Ⅲafter PCI. Conclusions Higher Ang-2/Ang-1 is an independent predictor of poor myocardial reperfusion in STEMI patients after PCI.

AIM: To investigate the effects of oxysterols on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression in vascular smooth muscle cells. METHODS: Rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with cholesterol, Triol and 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH), respectively. Slot blot was used to detect the mRNA expression level of TIMP-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs); meanwhile the protein expression level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was detected by immunohistology. RESULTS: Triol and 25-OH inhibited the expression of TIMP-1 compared with control and cholesterol, but have no effect on expression of MMP-9. CONCLUSION: Both Triol and 25-OH downregulated TIMP-1 expression in VSMCs .

AIM: To investigate the apoptosis of endothelial cells (EC) induced by oxysterols and to examine the effect of amlodipine on the apoptosis induced by oxysterols.METHODS: Light microscope, electron microscope, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptosis of EC.RESULTS: The characteristic morphological features of apoptosis were observed under light and electron microscope; DNA electrophoresis showed"DNA Ladder"; Flow cytometry showed the sub-G1 peak, apoptotic rate is 32.25% and 23.04% in Triol-treated and 25-OH-treated groups, respectively. While treated EC with amlodipine at the same time, the apoptotic rate decreased significantly. CONCLUSION: Both Triol and 25-OH can induce apoptosis of EC, which can be inhibited by amlodipine.

Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Proctectomy ; Rectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Rectum/surgery* ; Transanal Endoscopic Surgery

Objective To investigate the prevalence of nutritional risk,undemutrition,overweight/obesi-ty,and apphcation of nutrition support in departments of neurology in 3 metropolitan hospitals in Beijing. Methods Adult patients in the departments of neurology from 3 metropolitan hospitals in Beijing were consecutively en-rolled from March 2005 to March 2006.Nutritional Risk Screening 2002(NRS2002)score≥3 was defined a8 nu-tritian risk,while body mass index(BMI)<18.5 ks/m2 as undemutrition.NRS2002 was performed on the next morning of admission and nutritional support evaluation was performed on the 14th day of admission or discharge day.The relationship between nutrition risk and nutrition support was analyzed.Results A total of 753 patients were enrolled.NRS2002 scoring results were obtained in 461 patients.The prevalence of undemutrition was 4.2%and nutritional risk Was 21.2%.Among them 292 cases in undemutrition category were estimated by semm albu-min<30g/L without accurate BML If the cases without accurate BMl were excluded,the prevalence of undemutri-tion was 5.4%and nutritional risk Was 10.8%.Twenty-three patients(14.4%)with NRS2002≥3 received nutrition support.Thirteen patients(2.2%)with NRS2002<3 received nutrition support.The average PN:EN ratio Wag 1:2.Conclusions A large proportion of inpatients were at nutritional risk or undemutrition in the de-partments of neurology in metropolitan hospitals in Beijing.The application of nutrition support Wag somehow inap-propriate in these patients.Evidence-based guidelines are required to improve this situation

Objective To study the effect of transfection of livin antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (Livin ASODN) on Livin mRNA and Livin protein expression and proliferation of QBC939 cells.Methods Livin ASODN was transfected into cell line QBC939 by LipofectamineTM 2000. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the ASODN transfected cells and to calculate the rate of transfection.to measure Livin mRNA and Livin protein expression by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry and con-focal laser scanning microscopy after the transfection. Changes in cell proliferation were detected by MTT. Results The highest efficiency was at 24 hours after 500 nmol/L Livin ASODN transfection.The results of MTT showed that the inhibition of cell proliferation of QBC939 cells was most obvious at 60 hours after Livin ASODN transfection (P<0. 05). The level of Livin mRNA and Livin protein expression in the ASODN group was obviously lower than that in the control group (P<0. 05).Conclusion The transfection of Livin ASODN inhibited Livin gene and Livin protein expression, and obviously inhibited the proliferation and depressed the vitality of QBC939 cells.

AIM: To investigate the role of angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and Tie2 receptor in angiogenesis after myocardial infarction through detecting their mRNA expression in normal and infracted myocardium. METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical Department of Peking University from April 2006 to April 2007. Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into acute myocardial infarction model group and sham-operation group. The myocardial infarction model was established in the rats of model group through the ligation of left anterior descending artery, while the rats in sham operation group were braided of the left anterior descending artery without ligation. Five rats in both groups were executed at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after model establishment. RNA was extracted from the same site of left anterior wall, and the polymerase chain reaction was used to semiquantitatively analyze the Ang1 and Tie2 receptor mRNA expression with GAPDH gene as internal control; meanwhile, the immunohistochemistry was used to detect vascular density in and around infarction area. All the treatments for animals were accorded with the animal ethical standards. RESULTS: All 40 rats were included in the final analysis. Both Ang1 and Tie2 receptor were expressed in normal myocardium. In the 28 days after myocardial infarction, Ang1 expression kept at almost the same level without changing, but Tie2 receptor expression was slightly elevated at 3 days, reached peak value at 7 days, and returned to the baseline value at 14 days. The vascular density increased both infarction and peri-infarction area at 7 days after acute myocardial infarction, and did not change with time. CONCLUSION: Tie2 receptor expression is elevated and coincided with angiogenesis after myocardial infarction. It may play a role in the development and stabilization of the blood vessel after myocardial infarction.

Objective To investigate the status quo of new allocated nurses to master relevant knowledge of blood specimen collection.Methods 197 new allocated nurses and young nurses within 5 working-years were included and the new allocated nurses accepted knowledge training of blood specimen collection.Differences in training effect between nurses with different work experience and education background were analyzed.Results Average score of new allocated nurses before training was lower than young nurses,while after training,there was no difference between them.The training score of new allocated nurses did not correlate with their background before and after training.Conclusions In order to improve the quality of testing and prompt development of new nurses,the department of clinical nursing should strengthen the relevant training about knowledge of blood specimen collection in new allocated nurses.