Objective To explore the MRI features of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD) for providing early evidence in differential diagnosis. Methods The MRI features of 24 patients with MSA, 30 patients with PD and 30 healthy people as controls were retrospectively analyzed. Abnormal intensity in MRI included the hot-cross bun sign and the slitlike changes. The atrophies of brain included cerebellar, middle cerebellar peduncles, medulla oblongata and pon. Cerebral ventricle dilatation included fourth ventricle and cisterna pontis. The midbrain area, pons area and middle cerebellar peduncles width were measured. Results All patients with MSA had at least one of the features observed on MR images, and there were some differences in the subtypes of MSA. The high sensitive features were the atrophies of middle cerebellar peduncles (79.2%), the atrophies of pons (79.2%) and the hot-cross bun sign (75.0%). The parameters with high specificity and high positive predictive value were hot-cross bun sign (both 100%), the slit-like sign (both 100%), the atrophies of middle cerebellar peduncles (93.3% and 90.1%), and the atrophies of pons (96.7% and 95.0%). MSA group had the statistically significantly decreased values of pons area, midbrain area and middle cerebellar peduncles width [(288. 7±75. 4) mm2, (127.8±25.8) mm2 and (10. 7±2.8) mm, respectively], as compared with PD group [(477. 5 ± 54. 3) mm2, (145.9±21.6) mm2 and (16.2±1.3) mm, respectively] and healthy group [(454. 5±36. 8) mm2 , (146.4±17.4) mm2 and (16.7±1.2) mm, respectively] (all P ＜0. 05). Conclusions The routine MRI is helpful in differential diagnosis between MSA and PD and has some values in diagnosing the subtypes of MSA.

BACKGROUND:Under different induction conditions,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into the mesodermal tissues such as osteoblasts,chondroblasts,muscle cells,adipocytes and so on.OBJECTIVE:To verify the effect on repairing the rabbit articular cartilage injury using bone marrow mesenchymal stern cells (MSCs)induced by tissue engineering method.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Randomized controlled animal experiment was performed in the Clinical Center Laboratory of Shenyang Medical College between May 2005 and December 2007.MATERIALS:Twenty health New Zealand rabbits,irrespective of genders,aged 2-3 months,were used.METHODS:①Rabbit bone marrow MSCs were cultured in vitro,experiment group was cultured for one week withdexamethasone,basic fibroblast growth factor and vitamin C,then for additional 3 weeks with transforming growth factor-β instead of basic fibroblast growth factor;calls without inductors served as controls;②Twenty rabbits were used to establish knee articular cartilage defect models,which were then divided into three groups at random. Experiment group (n=5) was transplanted with the induced bone marrow MSCs;control group with the non-induced cells;blank control group with saline. At 2,4,6,8 weeks postoperation,two rabbits in the experiment group were killed,while one animal in control group and blank control group was killed for the index determination.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Cell morphology. ②Alkaline phosphatase activities.③General observation. ④X-ray observation.⑤Histological observation.RESULTS:①The morphology of the induced bone marrow MSCs was changed,from long fusiform to polygon,which was similar to cartilage calls-like morphology.②After the bone marrow MSCs were induced for 4 weeks,the alkaline phosphatase activities were obviously enhanced(P＜0.05).③Eight weeks after transplantation,the specimens in the experiment group exhibited smooth surface and unclear outlines with surrounding cartilage;X-ray results showed joint space broadened,subchondral bone sack was improved;histological slices observation revealed similarity with normal chondrocytes.CONCLUSION:Autologous MSCs transplantation can repair articular cartilage injury.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum hepcidin level and iron, mineral metabolism in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Seventy-five MHD patients were selected. The serum hepcidin, serum iron and mineral metabolism indexes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent double antibody sandwich method, and their correlation was analyzed. Results The level of serum hepcidin in 75 MHD patients was 87- 264 μg/L. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to serum hepcidin level. In group A, the serum hepcidin level of 26 cases was＜120 μg/L; in group B, the serum hepcidin level of 24 cases was 120- 200 μg/L; in group C, the serum hepcidin level of 25 cases was>200 μg/L. There were no significant differences in age, gender, albumin and serum calcium among 3 groups (P > 0.05). The levels of ferritin, transferrin saturation (TS), serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased in the 3 groups as the hepcidin level increased, while hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and 25 hydroxy vitamin D decreased significantly, and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05). The Pearson correlation analysis result showed that serum hepcidin was positively correlated with ferritin, PTH, serum phosphorus (r = 0.862, 0.536 and 0.320; P＜0.01); and serum hepcidin was negative correlation with serum iron, TIBC, hemoglobin, 25 hydroxy vitamin D (r=-0.358,-0.270,-0.284 and-0.614; P＜0.01); but there was no correlation between serum hepcidin and albumin and serum calcium (r=0.018 and-0.005, P＞0.05). Conclusions The serum hepcidin level in MHD patients is closely related to iron and mineral metabolism.

Clinical data of 26 patients with proton pump inhibitor dependent gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who underwent anti-reflux mucosectomy (ARMS) in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from July 2017 to December 2020 were reviewed, and the GERD questionnaire (GERD-Q) score, the short-form reflux-qual (RQS) score, esophageal motility and 24 h esophageal pH parameters before and after ARMS were compared. With a median follow-up period of 18.4 months (6-27 months), 23 (88.5%) patients reported symptomatic improvement and 15 (57.7%) patients discontinued the use of proton pump inhibitors. After ARMS, the mean scores of GERD-Q (6.23 VS 13.19, P=0.004) and RQS (26.67 VS 10.98, P<0.001) were significantly improved, the mean DeMeester score (10.69 VS 53.15, P<0.001), the mean acid exposure time percentage (3.56% VS 9.92%, P<0.001) and the mean number of acid reflux episodes (36.9 VS 139.9, P=0.001) were lower, and the mean rest pressure at lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (25.19 mmHg VS 13.63 mmHg, P<0.001) and the mean distal contractile integral (1 819.15 mmHg·s·cm VS 1 007.67 mmHg·s·cm, P<0.001) were significantly increased compared with those before surgery. ARMS has significant short-term efficacy in the treatment of proton pump inhibitor dependent GERD, which can effectively improve reflux symptoms and life quality of patients, and strengthen the rest pressure of LES and peristalsis of the esophageal body.

Objective:To analyze the clinical value and predictive difference of serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) and serum autophagy-related protein p62 levels in the short-term prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:Clinical data of admitted cases to our hospital from October 2018 to April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Simultaneously, there were 32 cases with HBV-related ACLF in group A, 65 cases with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis in group B and C (Child-Pugh Class A, 34 cases as B group, and Child-Pugh B/C class, 31 cases as group C), and another 30 healthy subjects served as the control group (group D). The serum GP73 and p62 levels of the four selected groups were measured. ACLF group patients were followed up for 3 months to analyze the prognosis of the patients. The serum GP73 and p62 levels of patients who died and survived during hospitalization were compared. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t-test, and Pearson’s correlation analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to analyze the predictive value of GP73 and p62 levels in surviving patients.Results:GP73 levels in the four groups A, B, C and D were (284.30 ± 70.55) ng/ml, (125.33 ± 20.57) ng/ml, (159.82 ± 31.20) ng/ml, and (45.46 ± 10.22) ng/ml, respectively. The p62 levels were (1.30 ± 0.35) ng/ml, (2.88 ± 0.58) ng/ml, (2.02 ± 0.545) ng/ml, and (4.68 ± 1.03) ng/ml, respectively. GP73 detection value was significantly higher in group A than the other three groups ( P < 0.05). Group D had significantly lower value than the other three groups ( P < 0.05), and group C had significantly higher value than group B ( P < 0.05). The detection value of p62 in group A was significantly lower than the other three groups ( P < 0.05). Group D had significantly higher value than the other three groups ( P < 0.05), and group B had slightly higher value than group C, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between GP73 and p62 ( r = -0.695, P < 0.001). Survived patients GP73 level in the ACLF group was significantly lower than dead patients [(212.17 ± 22.47) ng/ml and (340.08 ± 32.91) ng/ml, t = 12.493, P < 0.05], and p62 level was significantly higher than dead patients [(1.46 ± 0.28) ng/ml and (1.18 ± 0.35) ng/ml, t = 2.445, P < 0.05]. According to the ROC curve analysis results, the area under the curve (AUC) of GP73 was 0.865, the AUC of p62 was 0.750, and the combined AUC of the both was 0.968. Conclusion:Both GP73 and p62 have a certain predictive value for the short-term prognosis of HBV-related ACLF patients, but the combination of the two indicators has a higher predictive value.

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng between 2015 and 2020. Methods Clinical data of 8,578 medical check-ups at Physical Examination Center of ou hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively selected. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the last 5 years was recorded, and Logistic regression was utilized to identify the risk factors for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Results The overall prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng was 14.57% in 2015-2020. The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was higher in men than in women (16.99% vs 10.98%) and highest in the 40-59 age group (18.76%). No statistical difference was reported in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) between groups (P>0.05), while statistical difference was found in diabetes, hypertension, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, weekly exercise frequency, daily vegetable intake, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and uric acid (UA) between two groups (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis denoted that BMI (OR=2.794, 95% CI: 1.745-4.550), waist circumference (OR=2.586, 95% CI: 1.585-4.299), diabetes (OR=0.644, 95% CI: 1.425-2.781), hypertension (OR=1.479, 95% CI: 1.121-2.290), weekly exercise ≥6h (OR=0.617, 95% CI: 0.519-0.709), daily vegetable intake ≥300g (OR=0.590, 95% CI: 0.467-0.652), TG (OR=1.481, 95% CI: 1.122-1.996), TC (OR=1.562, 95% CI:1.143-2.135), LDL-C (OR=1.440, 95% CI: 1.139-2.048), HDL-C (OR=0.656 , 95% CI: 0.587-0.783) , ALT (OR=1.591, 95% CI: 1.056-2.183), and UA (OR=1.412, 95% CI: 1.009-1.887) were risk factors for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (P<0.05) . Conclusion The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Jincheng City from 2015 to 2020 is 14.57%, the prevalence of males is higher than that of females, and the prevalence rate is the highest in the 40-59 age group. Moreover , diabetes mellitus , hypertension , BMI , waist circumference , weekly exercise , daily vegetable intake , serum TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, ALT, and UA are all associated with the risk of the disease.