Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. It is very important to explore the biomarkers for the early prediction of preeclampsia. Some peptides released from placenta, such as soluble Flt-1 and placenta growth factor (PlGF), have been revealed for definite prospects of application. Meanwhile, the recent advances in proteomics, metabolomics and microRNA shed light on searching of new biomarkers for preeclampsia prediction.

Background Many eye diseases such as central retinal artery occlusion,glaucoma and ischemic optic neuropathy,etc.lead to retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) and furthmore visual functional damage.It is neeessary to study the treatment of RIRI.Objective This study was to observe and discuss the influence of aminoguanidine on the retina morphological changes and its mechanism after RIRI.Methods Eighty clean healthy male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into normal injury group,RIRI group and aminoguanidine (AG)treated group.The model of RIRI was established by infusing saline solution into the anterior chamber to elevate intraocular pressure (IOP) in both RIRI group and AG group.AG was intraperitoneally injected in the models of the AG group,and normal saline solution was used at the same method in tbe normal group and the RIRI group.The fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA) were pertormed on the rabbits at the moment of retina ischemia and 6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion.The parts of rabbits were sacrificed 1,6,24 and 72 hours after reperfusion,followed by the enucleation of the eyeballs.Retinal section was prepared for TUNEL examination to evaluate the apoptosis of retinal cells.Nitric oxide (NO) concentration in retina was detected with nitrate reductase,and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by colorimetric detection.The use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The fundus photography and FFA showed that the retinal edema was more mild,and the percentage of vascular occlusion was lower in the AG treatment group than that in RIRI group and the amount and area of fluorescein leakage were also smaller than the treatment group.The numbers of TUNEL positive cells in the AG treatment group were less than those in the RIRI model group at 1,6,24 and 72 hours after experiment (F分组 =2762.37,P =0.00 ; F时间 =894.24,P =0.00).Numbers of TUNEL positive cells between adjacent time points were significantly different in both RIRI model group and AG treatment group (RIRI group:q =24.475,36.591,-20.37,P＜0.05;AG group:q =20.94,16.79,-6.92,P＜0.05),with the peak value at 24 hours after experiment.NO contents were significantly higher in the RIRI model group compared to AG group at various time points(q =3.84,4.01,8.91,3.75,P＜0.05),and those between adjacent time points showed significant differences (RIRI group:q=4.77,13.403,-10.29,P＜0.05;AG group:q=4.55,9.05,-5.08,P＜0.05).iNOS activity was significantly elevated in the RIRI model group compared with AG group(q=-3.74,-4.94,-6.53,-3.98,P＜0.05),and obvious differences also were seen between the adjacent time points in both two groups(RIRI group:q =8.43,6.71,-6.39,P＜0.05 ;AG group:q =4.16,5.08,-3.93,P＜0.05).Conclusions Aminoguanidine can protect the retinal function and morpbology from oxidative stress damage after RIRI by reducing the NO level and inhibiting the iNOS activity in retina.

Adult ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the application value of morphology assessment of sperm from fresh semen in routine in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODSWe analyzed the morphology of the sperm from fresh or optimized semen samples and, based on the sperm morphology of the raw semen, allocated 908 IVF cycles due to the pure tubal factor to different groups: morphologically normal sperm (MNS) ≤ 4%, > 4% - ≤ 15%, and > 15% in Trial 1 and MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, > 2% - ≤ 3%, and > 3%-- ≤ 4% in Trial 2. We compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, -blastocyst formation, and pregnancy among different groups.

RESULTSThe total fertilization rate was significantly lower in the MNS ≤ 4% than in the MNS > 4% - ≤ 15% and >15% groups (74.40% vs 78.61% and 80.03%, P < 0.01). Compared with the MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, and > 2% - ≤ 3% groups, the MNS > 3% - ≤ 4% group showed remarkably increased rates of 2PN normal fertilization (77.23%, 78.97% and 78.99% vs 85.47%, P < 0.01), cleavage (95.71%, 96.01% and 97.27% vs 98.73%, P < 0.05), and blastocyst formation (53.85%, 49.01% and 49.55% vs 63.41%, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of clinical pregnancy, implantation, early abortion, live birth, or malformation at birth among different groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMNS ≤ 4% affected the total rate of fertilization while MNS ≤ 3% reduced the rate of normal fertilization in IVF. However, even MNS ≤ 1% did not result in fertilization disorder or failure. Therefore, teratozoospermia alone was not an indicator of ICSI and sperm mor- phology assessment had no obvious value for predicting the rates of embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, and live birth in IVF.

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

Pu-erh tea has been used for thousands of years to treat metabolic diseases.Recognized in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic,a compendium kept by the first traditional Chinese practitioners,it is still highly valued for its hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic effects.This review reports the processing and bioactive components of pu-erh tea.Recent human and animal studies of pu-erh tea and its potential therapeutic mechanisms have also been summarized.The interaction of liver and gut microbiome regulates the pu-erh tea biotransformation and endogenous metabolism,and thus contributes to the health benefits.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the hereditary medullary thyroid carcinoma (HMTC) and the sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (SMTC).

METHODSThe clinical data of 78 patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma who underwent surgery in our hospital between July 1980 and May 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSOf these 78 patients, there were 23 HMTC cases and 55 SMTC cases. The HMTC group was significantly younger age of onset [(36.4±13.5) years vs. (46.6±11.2) years, P<0.01] and a lower pre/post-operative serum calcitonin levels [(850.4±110.20) ng/L vs. (1450.4±118.3) ng/L, P<0.01 and (410.8±133.2) ng/L vs. (1585.4±129.5) ng/L, P<0.01] than the SMTC group. In addition, the mean tumor diameter was also significantly smaller in the HMTC group (14.3 mm vs. 21.0 mm in SMTC group, P<0.05). Tumor multifocality was seen in a significantly higher proportion of HMTC cases compared with the SMTC cases (56.6% vs. 29.1%, P<0.05). The overall 10-year survival was 100% in HMTC group and 80.2% in SMTC group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONHMTC has a better prognosis than SMTC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Young Adult

Using whole cell patch clamp, the effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) on the current L-type calcium channel (I(Ca.L)) were observed in guinea pig isolated ventricular myocytes under simulated ischemia condition, which was realized through hypoxia, glucose deficiency, high lactic acid and acidosis. The results showed that, under the condition of simulated ischemia, the peak of I(Ca.L) was reduced with maximal activation potential at 0 mV. Administration of Ang II (100 nmol/L) enhanced the peak of I(Ca.L) during ischemia and shifted the maximal activation potential to -10 mV. The possible mechanism of these effects is discussed.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; cytology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques

OBJECTIVETo determine the safety and efficacy of total percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair using the Perclose ProGlide suture-mediated closure system.

METHODSFrom May 2008 to April 2010, 36 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients were undergone total percutaneous endovascular repair. There were 30 male and 6 female patients with a mean age of 68 years. Endografts used included 3 Endurant endografts, 13 Talent endografts, and 20 Zenith endografts. Prior to insertion of the introducer sheath, two ProGlides were pre-set to 18 to 24 F access sites and one to 14 to 16 F access sites. At last, suture the arteriotomy by tying down knots of the ProGlide following removal of the sheath. Technical success, complications, and procedure and access closure times were evaluated. Follow-up protocol consisted of computed tomography angiograms performed at 3, 6, 9, 12 months, and annually thereafter.

RESULTSTwenty patients were operated under local anesthesia and 16 patients under general anesthesia. A total of 68 femoral arteries were closed with 128 devices. Thirty-eight vessels were with 2 devices, while 8 arteries required 3 devices and 2 arteries required 4 devices for hemostasis and an additional 20 vessels only required a single device. Sixty-three (63/68, 92.6%) vessels were closed successfully. Two vessels converted to open closure. Three vessels complicated with hematomas without surgical procedure. The mean follow-up was (12±3) months. There was one asymptomatic femoral artery dissection 3 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONSTotal percutaneous endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is safe and effective. But it should be performed at hybrid operating room where can convert to open procedure if necessary.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of body composition in females patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related lipodystrophy (LD) syndrome (HIV-LD).

METHODSTotally 25 female patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2002 to December 2009 were divided into LD group and non-LD group based on the existence of LD. All these patients were receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). In addition, 12 healthy women were set as the controls. Total and regional body composition were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry in all three groups.

RESULTSThe fat mass (FM) was correlated negatively with the duration of HAART (r=-0.431, P=0.029). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FM had positive correlation with weight and negative correlation with lean mass (LM) (r = - 0. 973, P =0. 000). Total, trunk and leg FM were significantly lower in LD patients than that in controls (P <0.05).Meanwhile, total, trunk and leg bone mineral contents were statistically lower in LD patients than that in controls (P <0. 05). Lumbar bone mineral density of LD patients was lower than that of non-LD patients and controls, and there was significant difference between LD patients and controls (P = 0. 001). LM of LD patients was higher than that of non-LD patients but without statistical difference (P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSThe peripheral and central FM and bone mineral contents remarkably decrease in female patients with HIV-LD. How-ever, HIV-LD patients tend to have higher LM than non-LD patients. .

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Body Composition ; physiology ; Bone Density ; physiology ; Female ; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome ; metabolism ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo review the experience of hybrid conventional open and endovascular treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA), and evaluate the immediate and long term outcomes.

METHODSFrom September 1998 to October 2008, 15 TAAA patients were treated by hybrid-procedures. The mean patient age was 58.7 years (ranged from 44 to 72 years). The aneurysms were Crawford type I in 2, type II in 8, type III in 2, type IV in 3. The median aneurysms diameter was (67.5 +/- 7.5) mm (ranged from 55 to 82 mm). Patients were followed up before dismissal, 3, 6, 12 months later, and annually thereafter.

RESULTSTwo patients were antegrade revascularization, the others were retrograde revascularization. Mean operation time was (8.1 +/- 1.4) h (ranged from 6.8 to 12.7 h), mean blood loss was (956.7 +/- 80.1) ml (ranged from 750 to 3,000 ml). Two patients died during perioperative time, no paraplegia. During follow up revealed shrinkage of aneurysm, no graft migration and paraplegia, but 1 died for acute myocardial infarct.

CONCLUSIONSHybrid treatment is a safe and effective option for treatment of TAAA. Immediate and mid-term outcomes are favorable, but long-term surveillance is indefinite.

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome