Objective The aim of this article is to discuss the relation between serum uric acid and prehypertension, and to evaluate the influence of age, obesity, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipids in Chinese adults. Methods All the 14 451 non-hypertensive samples were analyzed for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), FPG, lipids and serum uric acid. Results The serum uric acid levels were stratified by quintiles, after adjustment for relevant factors, OR values of prehypertcnsion increased with the elevated uric acid levels. Serum uric acid level was 200-380 μmol/L, it had a linear relationship with the risk of prehypertension, 200 μmol/L as a turning point for this linear relationship, FPG could affect their correlation (P ＜ 0.0001 ). Conclusions Serum uric acid was associated with prehypertension, independent of metabolic risk factors. The associations were not significant in old individuals. FPG may modify the associations.

The interactions between genetic variations and dietary factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus have attracted some attention. Several studies revealed that dietary carbohydrate quality and quantity and increased dietary fat intake might interact with genetic variations of type 2 diabetes mellitus and increase risk of this disease. Genome-wide association studies suggest that genetic variance may modulate the association between dietary pattern and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The understanding of anatomical structures and their adjacent relationship is the founda-tion and key to the development of surgical skills and clinical thinking. In clinical teaching for residents and graduate students , we took the advantage of donor operations in organ transplantation and showed abdominal anal operations anatomical features and relationships through different view angles and compre-hensive ways. This new teaching approach was designed in accordance with processes of organ donation, procurement and back-table operation. The main contents included anatomy of abdominal wall layers, rela-tionships among abdominal organs, locations and courses of important structure, as well as medical human-istic education. In the context of organ donation becoming more and more popular and standardized after the cardiac death of Chinese citizens, this teaching approach is worth exploring.

The relationship between serum uric acid(SUA) and hypertension was investigated and the interactions of SUA with metabolic risk factors was assessed. Blood pressure and biomarkers features were evaluated for all the8 415 individuals from a community-based health examination survey in Xuzhou, and the statistical analysis was made. Raised blood pressure was associated with increased SUA concentration(P＜0.01). Age and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) significantly interacted with SUA(P for interaction=0.012 and 0.001, respectively). There is significant association between SUA and hypertension, which may be affected by age and HDL-C levels.

ObjectiveTo examine the relation between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG),then evaluate the modification effects of age,BMI,hypertension and lipids in Chinese adults.Methods5099 cases from a community-based health examination survey in Xuzhou,Jiangsu prownce,China,were enrolled in this study.Blood pressure,weight,height,waist circumference,neck circumference,body fat ratio and determination of fasting glucose,lipidsand pulse wave velocity were measured in all cases.IFG was defined as 6.1 mmol/L≤FBG ＜7.0 mmol/L.ResultsThe odds ratios (OR,95％ CI ) of IFG across increasing variable of cf-PWV were 1.00,1.07(0.83 - 1.39),1.20( 1.08 -1.34),1.13(1.04 - 1.23),1.14(1.05 - 1.25) ( Pfor trend ＜0.01).Age and neck circumference levels significantly interacted with cf-PWV in relation to IFG risk ( P ＜0.01 ).ConclusionsThe present data indicate serum cf-PWV concentration was associated with the risk of IFG,and the association was modified by age and neck circumference levels.

Led by Zheng Shusen, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) from Zhejiang University, the first multi-center cooperation project of liver transplantation for metastatic liver cancer in China, gathering 28 liver transplantation centers nationwide, was launched in Shanghai. All participating experts conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions regarding four topics including inclusion criteria of liver transplantation for metastatic liver cancer, the risk assessment and prognostic evaluation of liver transplantation for metastatic liver cancer, perioperative medication of liver transplantation for metastatic liver cancer, and the implementation details of multi-center cooperation project. Questionnaires were distributed to reach consensus and pinpoint the directions, aiming to carry out high-quality and standardized clinical researches on liver transplantation for metastatic liver cancer in China.

BACKGROUNDRepair of large bone defects remains a challenge for clinicians. The present study investigated the ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or periosteum-loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to promote new bone formation within rabbit ulnar segmental bone defects.

METHODSRabbit bone marrow-derived MSCs (passage 3) were seeded onto porous PLGA scaffolds. Forty segmental bone defects, each 15 mm in length, were created in the rabbit ulna, from which periosteum was obtained. Bone defects were treated with either PLGA alone (group A), PLGA + MSCs (group B), periosteum-wrapped PLGA (group C) or periosteum-wrapped PLGA/MSCs (group D). At 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery, samples were detected by gross observation, radiological examination (X-ray and micro-CT) and histological analyses.

RESULTSGroup D, comprising both periosteum and MSCs, showed better bone quality, higher X-ray scores and a greater amount of bone volume compared with the other three groups at each time point (P < 0.05). No significant differences in radiological scores and amount of bone volume were found between groups B and C (P > 0.05), both of which were significantly higher than group A (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSImplanted MSCs combined with periosteum have a synergistic effect on segmental bone regeneration and that periosteum plays a critical role in the process. Fabrication of angiogenic and osteogenic cellular constructs or tissue-engineered periosteum will have broad applications in bone tissue engineering.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Periosteum ; cytology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Artemisia rupestris.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silical gel and sephadex LH - 20. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULT8 compounds have isolated from this plant, and the structures of them have identified as rupestonic acid (1), chrysosplenetin B (2), artemetin (3), herniarin (4), isokaempferide (5), vanillic acid (6), kaempferol 3, 3', 4'-trimethyl ether (7) and ermanine (8).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 2-8 have been isolated from this plant for the first time.

Artemisia ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Umbelliferones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To observe the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects of Dilmang Heji(DHHJ),a compound traditional Chinese medicinal preparation,in patients with multiple sclerosis(MS)and explore the possible mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods Forty MS patients were randomized into prednisone treatment and prednisone+DHHJ group for the corresponding treatments.Another 20 surgical patients without immune or inflammatory diseases undergoing lumbar anesthesia served as the control group.Glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and S100B levels in the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)and the peripheral blood of these subjects were detected using ennzynle-linked immtmosorbent assay(ELISA), and the numbers 0f CD4+ and CD8+ cells were detected by flow cytometry.The ambulation index(AD,expanded disability status scale(EDSS)and 9-hole PEG test (9HPT)were used to assess the patients'clinical symptoms.All the patients were followed up for3 years to record the number of times of MS relapse. Results GFAP and S100B levels in the CSF were significantly higher in the MS patients than in the healthy subjects,but lower in MS patients treatedwith prednisone plus DHHJ thanin those with prednisone treatment only(P<0.05).In the MS patients,AI and 9HPT scores were correlated to the GFAP and S100B levels in the CSF.Irednisone plus DHHJ treatment was associated with significantly reduced MS relapse in comparison with prednisone treatment alone(P<0.05).Before the treatment,the MS patients showed increased CD4+ cell number and decreased CD8+ cell number especially in the CSF;atter the treaRnents,the CD4+ ceils decreased and CD8+ cells increased,and this effect was stronger with prednisone plus DHHJ treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions DHHJ produces anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting glial cell activation and modulating immune balance in MS,thus alleviating the symptoms of MS and reducing MS relapse.DHHJ may provide anideal adjuvanttherapy for MS.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and treatment of multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

METHODSA retrospective survey was carried out in 648 patients with PTC who underwent surgery from January 1997 to December 2006. One hundred and sixty-eight cases of the patients presented with multiple tumor masses (> or = 2). The risk factors, including sex of the patients, age at diagnosis, family history of thyroid tumor, multiplicity and bilaterality of tumor, extra-thyroidal extension, lymph node involvement and other were analyzed between solitary PTC and multifocal PTC group.

RESULTSThe mean age of the patients was 42 years (range, 14 - 78 years), included 49 male and 119 female. Tumor foci were found in both thyroid lobes in 117 cases (69.6%). Patients with multifocal PTC were characterized by a higher ratio of male (P = 0.004), family history of thyroid tumor (P = 0.031), neck lymph node metastasis (P = 0.008) and extra-thyroidal extension (P = 0.001). However, solitary PTC tended to be with a higher rate of benign goiters in pathologic examination. In multifocal PTC group, male, neck lymphadenectasis, > or = 3 tumor masses or bilaterality of tumor tended to presented with larger tumor, more neck lymph node metastasis and extra-thyroidal extension; And a less malignant tumor in the cases detected with benign goiters in histological examination. By the end of 2007, 164 cases (97.6%) completed follow-up with a mean period of 46.1 months (range, 2 - 127 months), 5 died in the meantime. One patient has been followed-up for 16 months for suspect of lung metastases by chest X-ray. Recurrence occurred in 8 patients and were re-resected, 2 in remnant thyroid and 6 in neck lymph nodes. The overall 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate was 98.2%, 97.4%, 96.5% and 96.5%, respectively. American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage was associated with prognosis significantly (chi(2) = 168.832, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSMultifocus is one of the clinical features of PTC and is more malignant than solitary PTC. Total thyroidectomy with central compartment neck dissection could be standard treatment. Lateral nodal dissection is not necessary except for the cases with lymph node metastasis. AJCC stage is still the best prognostic factor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; Young Adult