Objective To study whether clinical variables could be used to predict the presence of esophageal varices(EV). Methods One hundred and twenty-six patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Upper endoscopy was performed to identify the EV. The spleen vein (SV), portal vein(PV), spleen index(SI), ascites was determined by ultrasenography. Platelct count(Pt), prothrombin time(PT) and liver function was determined. Results Ninety-five patients with EV, and 42 patients with severe EV. Patients with EV had significant larger SI and lower Pt. Pt and SI were predictive factors for the presence of EV. When SI≥66.9 cm2 and Pt≤89.0×109/L, they had a positive predictive value of 97.4% and 96.5%, and a negative predictive value of 55.4% and 59.8%, respectively. SI was the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. When SI≥82.6 cm2, it had a positive and negative predictive value of 89.2% and 75.4%. Conclusions Pt and SI are predictive factors for the presence of EV. SI is the only predictive factor for the presence of severe EV. Non-invasive factors SI and Pt can be used to predict the EV in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND:In osteoarthritis cartilage degeneration, connective tissue growth factors as the important effector molecules play an important role in chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Clinical application of diacerein for the treatment of osteoarthritis has achieved good effect, but the exact mechanism of the treatment is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of different concentrations of diacerein on the expression of connective tissue growth factor in the articular cartilage induced with interleukin-1βin vitro. METHODS: Chondrocytes of Sprague Dawley rats were culturedin vitro, and then the chondrocytes were induced with recombinant human interleukin-1β to prepare the osteoarthritis model. Rats in the normal control group received no treatment; rats in the model group were treated with recombinant human interleukin-1β; rats in the experimental group were treated with different concentrations of diacerein+10 μg/L recombinant human interleukin-1β. The proliferation of chondrocytes was observed withMTT assay, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of connective tissue growth factor. The experiments above were repeated for three times. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The MTT assay results showed that compared with the normal control group, the diacerein could promote the proliferation activity of chondrocytes, and more significant in the concentration of 10-5 mol/L (P < 0.01); the proliferation capacity of chondrocytes in the experimental group was decreased after induced with interleukin-1β (P < 0.05), but when compared with the normal control group, the diacerein with the concentrations of 10-4 mol/L and 10-5 mol/L could promote the MTT proliferation capacity of chondrocytes with or without interleukin-1β (P < 0.05). Western blot results showed that interleukin-1β could reduce the expression of connective tissue growth factor (P< 0.01), and 10-5 mol/L diacerein could significantly promote the expression of connective tissue growth factor induced with interleukin-1β, and the effect was significantly higher than that in the model group (P < 0.01). Diacerein can promote expression of connective tissue growth factor induced with interleukin-1β, it may be one the mechanism of diacerein for promoting chondrocytes differentiation and proliferation and the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Objective To explore the influence of monosialoglycans ganglioside(GM1) on dynamic changes of plasma BDNF and NSE in the treatment of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods According to the digital table,82 children with HIE were randomly divided into study group and control group, 41 cases in each group.The study group was given GM1 treatment,the control group was given routine treatment.The BDNF and NSE levels after birth 1,7,14 d of the two groups were detected.Results The BDNF levels in the study group at 7,14 days were higher than those in the control group[(1 823.3±286.2)pg/mL vs (1 368.3±229.2)pg/mL,t=3.07,P<0.01;(958.3±89.3)pg/mL vs (863.2±88.6)pg/mL,t=2.03,P<0.05].The NSE levels of moderate and severe children in the study group at 7 days were lower than those in the control group[(9.55±3.32)ng/L vs (14.31±2.52)ng/L,(20.22±3.63)ng/L vs (32.05±5.73)ng/L,t=5.32,4.69,all P<0.05].The incidence rate of complication in the study group was 4.88%,which was lower than 19.51% in the control group,the difference was statistically significant(x2=4.10,P<0.05).Conclusion GM1 in the treatment of HIE can achieve significant effect,and the plasma BDNF and NSE levels increase and decrease rapidly.

Objective To evaluate the biocompatibility,immunology and physiologic features of encapsulated Newborn Porcine Islets(NPI) in the liver of the recipient dogs with type I diabetes.Methods Type I diabetic dogs were perfused with 400 000-600 000 encapsulated NPI(group A,n = 15)or unencapsulated NPI(group B,n = 15)through the hepatic artery without immunosuppressive treatment.Liver function and CD4/CD8 in the recipients were measured before and after the transplantation.The livers from all NPI recipient dogs were analyzed by histopathology 6 months after transplantation(Tx).Results Insulin dose administrated to group A was reduced gradually within one week after Tx,from 22 u before Tx to 5 u after Tx,exogenous insulin required for group B was decreased from 24 u to 10 u.However,2 to 3 weeks after Tx,the insulin dose given to group B returned to the original level before Tx.In contrast,the amount of insulin administrated to group A was continually reduced to 8 u.Moreover,CD4+ cells in the blood of group B recipients were higher than that before Tx,whereas no significant alteration of CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells in the blood of group A after Tx.All NPI recipient dogs demonstrated a normal function and structure of the liver after Tx.Conclusion Microcapsulated NPI has a good biocompatibility in recipients livers providing prolong-ation of xenograft survival,and correcting the hyperglycemia of diabetic canines.(J Intervent Radiol,2006,15: 607-610)

Objective:To observe expression and diversity of glycogen synthase (GSK)-3 and ribosome S6 protein kinase (P70S6K) in skeletal muscle of insulin resistance (IR) rat induced by high fat food and to approach the effect and significance of GSK-3 and P70S6K in IR occurrence.Methods:Forty Wistar rats aged four-week were randomly divided into normal control, high-glucose, high-fat and high-fat high-glucose groups. 8 weeks after feeding, insulin sensitivity of the rats was evaluated by hyperinsulinism euglycaemic clamps technique (ring clamp experiment), GSK-3 and P70S6K in rat skeletal muscle were measured by Western blot and epididymis fat pad weight, blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), cholesterin (TC), free fatty acids (FFAs) and hsCRP levels were also determined.Results:IR was induced, body weight (P

0.05);but the levels of OPN in stageⅢ(84.0% and 88.0%)were significantly higher than those of stageⅡ(P

Objective To survey the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in adults of urban inhabitants of Shanghai. Methods Of 9376 adults aged 30 years and over, 1137 whose capillary blood glucose concentrations≥6. 7mmol/L 2 hours after 100g steam-bread meal underwent to OGTT and measurement of height.body weight and WHR. WHO (1985) standard was used as diagnostic criteria, the results were compared with those diagnosed with ADA (1997) criteria. Results According to WHO criteria,the prevalence rates of DM was 4. 16 %,and the prevalence rate of IGT was 4. 26%. But according to ADA(1997) criteria, the prevalence rate of DM was 4. 76%. The prevalence rate of DM and IGT were significantly increased with increasing age in those aged over 40. The prevalence rates of DM and IGT were much higher in patients with BMI≥25 than in those with BMI

Objective To study the effects of lovastatin in the therapy of primary hypercholesterolemia on insulin sensitivity,vascular endothelial function and microcirculation in patients with coronary heart disease.Methods Forty-five patients,diagnosed as coronary heart disease and primary hypercholesterolemia,were treated by lovastatin for 8 weeks.Serum lipids,fasting plasma glucose (FPG),fasting insulin(FINS),nitric oxide(NO),endothelin(ET),6-keto-prostacyclin F 1?(6-keto-PGF 1?),thromboxane B 2(TXB 2) and nail-fold microcirculation (NFM) were measured and the score value of NFM and insulin sensitivity(IS) index were calculated in treatment group before and after 4-week and 8-week treatment with lovastatin.Forty healthy persons were taken as control.Results In treatment group,ET,TXB 2,and the score value of NFM were higher and NO,6-keto-PGF 1? and IS index were lower than those in control group.After 4-week lovastatin treatment,compared with baseline value,ET,TXB 2,and the score value of NFM significantly decreased,which were 63.19?18.72 vs 53.16?15.23 (P

Objective To evaluate the value of preoperative spiral CT (SCT) scanning in the diagnosis and staging of middle-late stage rectal carcinoma. Methods The results of SCT scanning of 34 patients with middle-late stage rectal carcinomas were compared with the pathological examination results and the findings of surgical operation. Results SCT could display the manifestations of middle-late stage rectal carcinoma, such as rectal wall thickening, local tumor mass, tumor invasion of rectal circumference, narrow rectal cava, lymph node enlarging (diameter≥10mm) and tumor distant metastasis. According to Duke's staging, the overall accuracy of SCT staging was 70.6%, and for the stages B1, B2, C, and D the sensitivity was 83.3%, 50%, 66.7%, 78.5%, and the specificity was 62.5%, 44.4%, 57.1%, 100%, respectively. According to TNM staging, the overall accuracy of SCT was 73.5%, and for the stages T2, T3, T4 the sensitivity was 85.7%, 61.5%, 78.6%, and the specificity was 54.5%, 66.7%, 100%, respectively. Conclusion Preoperative SCT could display the invasive range of middle-late stage rectal carcinoma and the tumor lymph nodes metastasis, especially distant metastasis, and had a definite diagnostic value.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors influencing the pregnancy outcomes of artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID), improve the pregnancy rate, and evaluate the safety of the offspring.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 7,761 cycles of AID for 5,109 infertile couples performed between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2013 in the Center of Reproductive Medicine of Shenyang No 204 Hospital, the outcomes of pregnancy, and the incidence of birth defects.

RESULTSTotally, 2 252 clinical pregnancies were achieved by AID, in which the pregnancy rate per cycle was 29. 02% and the cumulative pregnancy rate was 44. 08%. The clinical pregnancy rate was remarkably higher in the females of ≤ 35 years than in those of > 35 years old (30.31% vs 20.18%, P < 0.01), in the women with < 5-year infertility than in those with > 5-year infertility (30.83% vs 28.16%, P < 0.01), and in the patients of the ovarian stimulation group than in those of the natural cycle group (33.22% vs 28.68%, P < 0.01) The clinical pregnancy rate was the highest in the first treatment cycle (29.87%), with statistically significant difference from the fourth cycle (23.61%) (P < 0.05), but not between the other cycles (P > 0.05). There were 28 cases of birth defects in the offspring (1.40%), including 6 cases (21.43%) involving the cardiovascular system, 4 (14.29%) involving the musculoskeletal system, 3 (10.71%) involving the urogenital system, 3 (10.71%) involving the central nervous system, 2 cases (7.14%) of cleft lip and palate, 2 (7.14%) involving the respiratory system, 2 (7.14%) involving the gastrointestinal digestive system, and other anomalies.

CONCLUSIONFemale age, infertility duration, and ovarian stimulation treatment are important factors influencing the clinical pregnancy rate of AID. Artificial insemination with cryopreserved donor sperm does not increase the incidence of birth defects, which is considered as a relatively safe technique of assisted reproduction.

Adult ; Cryopreservation ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility ; Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous ; methods ; Male ; Maternal Age ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Preservation ; methods ; Spermatozoa ; Time Factors