To evaluate the prognostic value of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: A total of 1952 AMI patients were retrospectively studied. Based on medical history and HbA1c level, the patients were divided into 4 groups: Diabetes mellitus (DM) group, the patients with known DM or taking hypoglycemic drugs, n=492, Newly diagnosed DM group, MD was diagnosed during hospital stay and HbA1c≥6.5%, n=128, Pre-DM group, HbA1c 5.7%-6.4%, n=783 and Non-DM group, HbA1c<5.7%, n=549. The patients were followed-up for 25.6 months, prognostic differences during hospital stay and follow-up period were assessed by single- and multi-factor analysis. Results: The in-hospital mortality in DM group, Newly diagnosed DM group, Pre-DM group and Non-DM group were 4.88%, 3.91%, 3.96% and 2.91% respectively, P=0.435. As HbA1c level increasing, the incidences of all-cause mortality, non-fatal MI and re-hospitalization were elevating, while the differences among groups were similar. The incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in above 4 groups were 39.84%, 35.94%, 33.97% and 27.87% respectively, P=0.001. Compared with Non-DM group, MACE incidences in the other 3 groups were as OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.05-1.69, OR=1.45, 95% CI 0.97-2.18 and OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.32-2.22 respectively, Ptrend<0.001; with adjusted baseline parameters, Ptrend=0.008. Conclusion: In our research, MACE incidence was increasing upon HbA1c level elevating in AMI patients and it was not related to in-hospital death. HbA1c level should be screened in AMI patients, lifestyle and drug intervention could be used as necessity.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacies of electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training versus electroacupuncture alone in treating lumbar intervertebral disc herniation and evaluate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training. Method Seventy-two patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 36 cases and a control group of 36 cases. The control group received electroacupuncture at Huatuo jiaji(Ex-B2) points. In addition to electroacupuncture, the treatment group received lumbodorsal muscle stretch training according to the outcome (forward flexion and backward extension) obtained using the Turgunmed testing and evaluating system. Isokinetic muscle strength and the activity were measured and the ODI lumbago score and the VAS pain score were recorded before and after treatment. Result There were statistically significant differences in isokinetic muscle strength and the VAS pain score (P<0.01,P<0.05) but no in the activity and the ODI lumbago score (P>0.05) between the treatment and control groups. Conclusion Electroacupuncture plus rehabilitation training is more effective than electroacupuncture alone in improving isokinetic muscle strength and the VAS pain score in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

BACKGROUND:The morphological structure of nanofiber scaffold which fabricated by electrospinning technique is similar to the natural extracelular matrix, which provides a good microenvironment for cel growth and proliferation, and can also enhance cel adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the biocompatibility of double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold and human periodontal ligament cels. METHODS: Electrospinning technique was used to prepare double layers poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold. The toxicity of different concentrations of (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold extracts to human periodontal ligament cels was evaluated by MTT assay. The double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold was co-cultured with human periodontal ligament cels. The cel adhesive capacity in early stage was determined by MTT assay. The growth of cels on the scaffold was observed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Different concentrations of double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold extracts did not create any toxicity to human periodontal ligament cels. After co-culture for 2, 6, 24 hours, human periodontal ligament cels were poorly adherent onto the double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold. After 7 days of co-culture, human periodontal ligament cels adhered wel on the loose surface of scaffold, maintained the original shape, stretched wel, and interconnected processes were observed; on the dense surface of the scaffold, multi-layer cels were observed. The cels showed fusiform or polygonal appearance and were connected together. These results demonstrate that the double-layer poly(L-lactic acid) electrospun nanofiber scaffold has good biocompatibility with human periodontal ligament cels.

BACKGROUND:Our previous studies have shown that the poly(hydroxybutyrate- co-hydroxyvalerate) - sol-gel bioactive glass (PHBV-SGBG) has good biocompatibility and promote bone tissue repair, but its specific role in periodontal tissue regeneration has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the periodontal regenerative effects of a PHBV-SGBG scaffold in beagle dogs. METHODS:Alveolar bone defects (5 mm×5 mm) were surgicaly created bilateraly at the buccal side of the mandibular third and fourth premolars of four beagle dogs. PHBV-SGBG scaffold was randomly filed in the defects as experimental group and nothing was put into the contralateral as control group. Histological and scanning electron microscopy observations, cone-beam CT evaluation and the Ca/P concentration ratio analysis were processed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After surgery, the height of the regenerated tissue increased with time in both groups, and the regenerated tissue height in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). At 12 weeks after surgery, the Ca/P concentration ratio of the experiment group was close to that in the normal tissue (P > 0.05), but higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05); the histological observation showed that the regenerated tissue of the experimental group was close to the normal tissue, and the regenerated tissue of the control group tended to be mature, with a smal amount of new blood vessels. Under the scanning electron microscope, no scaffold structure was visible in the experimental group with the presence of bone lacuna at 8 weeks after surgery, while in the control group, there was no bone lacuna and obvious osteoblasts; at 12 weeks after surgery, the structure of the regenerated tissue of experimental group was more regular and close to the normal tissue with no remarkable osteoblasts, and in the control group, the regenerated tissue was disordered, with several cavity. These results show that the PHBV-SGBG scaffold can enhance periodontal bone regeneration effectively.

[Objective] The biocompatibility between SGBG/PHBV and human PDLC were investigated to provide a basis for the choice of the scaff material of periodontal tissue engineering.[Methods] Human PDLC were cultured using tissue-explant technique.Seeding on 96 wells plate,9 wells for one group,Four different concentrations (100％,75％,50％,25％,0％) of maceration extract of SGBG/PHBV were added into the culture plantsafter 48-h cell seeding,the grades of the cytotoxicity of SGBG/PHBV was evaluated by MTT assay.Human PDLC cultured in vitro were collected and seeded on the three-dimensional scaffolds of SGBG/PH-BV,the cellular morphology and cell growth on the scaffolds were observed and photographed by scanning electronic microscope.HumanPDLC seeded on the three-dimensional scaffolds of SGBG/PHBV in the experimental group,and human PDLC seeded by DMEM in the control group,after 12-,24-,and 48-h cell seeding,got 27 simples for each group,and the affection of the SGBG/PHBV on cell secretory function was observed by spectrophotometry which assayed the biochemical indexes ALP in supinate.[Results] The grades of the cytotoxicity of SGBG/PHBV were 0 and 1.It was displayed that human PDLC adhered and proliferated well on the scaffold of SGBG/PHBV under the scanning electronic microscope.The significant difference of ALP in supinate between the experimental group and the control group (P ＜ 0.05).[Conclusions] SGBG/PHBV had no cytotoxicity to human PDLC.SGBG/PHBV is potential to further study as the scaffolds of periodontal tissue engineering since it displayed the satisfactory biocompatibility with human PDLC.

Objective:To investigate the expressions of Smad2 and Smad4 in breast carcinoma tissue,and to analyze their relationships with oncogenesis and development of breast carcinoma and significances.Methods:Fifty-three samples of breast ductal carcinoma tissue and 50 samples of surrounding normal tissue were selected.The expression levels of Smad2 and Smad4 in cancer tissue and surrounding normal tissue were detected with immunohistochemical S-P method,and the relationships between the expression levels of Smad2 and Smad4 and the clinicopathologic parameters of breast carcinoma were evaluated.Results:The expression level of Smad2 protein in the breast carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in the surrounding normal tissue (z = - 2.08,P <0.05);the expression level of Smad4 protein in breast carcinoma tissue was lower than that in the surrounding normal tissue (z= - 5.01,P < 0.01).In breast carcinoma tissue,the Smad2 and Smad4 expressions were not significantly correlated with age (r=0.035,P >0.05;r=-0.077,P >0.05),tumor size (r= 0.128,P >0.05;r=0.133,P >0.05),lymph node invasion (r =0.163,P >0.05;r =0.006 P >0.05),distant metastasis (r =0.113,P >0.05;r = 0.126,P > 0.05),ER expression (r = 0.056,P > 0.05;r = 0.047,P > 0.05) and PR expression (r=0.129,P >0.05;r=0.107,P >0.05).However,the expression levels of Smad2 and Smad4 were negatively correlated with the expression of HER2 (r = - 0.388,P < 0.01;r = - 0.360,P < 0.01 ) and pathological grade (r = - 0.331,P < 0.05;r = - 0.388,P < 0.01 ).The expression of Smad2 was positively correlated to the expression of Smad4 in breast carcinoma (r=-0.83,P <0.01).Conclusion:The expressions of Smad2 and Smad4 may play an important role in the development of breast carcinoma,and they may be used as the potential biological markers for evaluating the degree of malignancy and prognosis of breast carcinoma.

Objective To review and summarize the experiences of transcatheter closure of left ventricular-right atrium communication,and discuss the feasibility of interventional therapy for this kind of cardiac abnormalitis.Methods 22 patients who suffered from left ventricular-right atrium communication underwent transcatheter interventional therapy with ventricular septal defect(VSD) occluder.The operating procedures were performed as like as the transcatheter closure of VSD:established the pathway from femoral artery to femoral vein through left ventricle,VSD,right atrium (or from left ventricle to right atrial through the communication) and inferior vena cava,then inserted the polysheath from femoral vein,introduced by the pathway to left ventricle,and implanted VSD occluder through the polysheath to close the shunt.Results The operation succeeded in 21 patients.The cardiac murmur was disappeared in all patients,and there was no residual shunt or aortic regurgitation that conformed by postoperative ventriculography and echocardiography in follow up phase,and the tricuspid regurgitation was lessened than preoperative.The operation abort in 1 patient because of aortic regurgitation after implanting occluder.Conclusions Transcatheter closure of left ventricular-right atrium communication is feasible as the selected occluder is accordant,and atrioventricular block,aortic regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation can be avoided.

BACKGROUND:At present, col agen as a material in periodontal tissue engineering has some disadvantages such as poor mechanical strength and rapid degradation speed. Col agen combined with chitosan can improve above-mentioned problems.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biocompatibility of a novel chitosan-col agen scaffold in vitro.
METHODS:Cytotoxicity of the extract of chitosan-col agen scaffold in different concentrations (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%) was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Human periodontal ligament cel s at 4-6 passages were cocultured with the chitosan-col agen scaffold. Cel growth on the scaffold was observed. Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity were detected in periodontal ligament cel s before and after coculture.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The novel chitosan-col agen scaffold was made up of double layers with one dense layer and another loose layer. The grade of the cytotoxicity of the scaffold was from 0 to 1. Scanning electron microscope and histological observation demonstrated that cel s grew wel on the chitosan-col agen scaffold;the dense layer could prevent cel s to migrate into the scaffold. There were no significant differences in alkaline phosphatase activity in human periodontal ligament cel s before and 24 hours after combined culture (P>0.05). Alkaline phosphatase activity in human periodontal ligament cel s was greatly higher at 48 and 72 hours after combined culture compared with that before culture (P<0.05). Above results indicated that the novel chitosan-col agen scaffold has a good biocompatibility and barrier function, and potential as a scaffold for periodontal tissue engineering.

Aim To evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of total phenylpropanoid glycoside extracted from Ligustrum robustum(Roxb.)Blume(CNTG)and its mecha-nisms.Methods The 60 hamsters were randomly divided into six groups,namely the control group,the model group,the positive control group(fenofibrate,150 mg·kg-1),the high(1 200 mg·kg-1),medium(600 mg·kg-1)and low(300 mg·kg-1)doses of CNTG groups.Only the control group was given control diet and other groups received high-fat diet.The changes of serum lipid were measured and analyzed in 1st week to ensure the successful establishment of the model.The drugs were administered daily for four weeks and the concentrations of lipids were determined in the 2nd week,3rd week and 4th week respectively.Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to assay the mRNA and protein expression of related signaling enzymes and proteins.Results Compared with the model group,the concentrations of serum TG,TC,LDL-C(P<0.05,P<0.01)and hepatic TG,TC(P<0.01)were effectively reduced in hamsters in CNTG-treated groups.Mechanism research found that CNTG increased the levels of phospho-AMPKα,LKB1 and phospho-LKB1 in liver(P<0.05).Conclusion CNTG prevents hyperlipidemia via activation of hepatic LKB1-AMPK pathway.