Objective To investigate change of chemokine mRNA and protein in the patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)complicated infection.Methods Fourty-eight patients with DM complicated infection were studied.Expression of mRNA and protein of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and interleukin 8 (IL-8)were measured by FQ-PCR,RT-PCR and ELISA.The relationship between hs-CRP,PMNL,IL-8 and MCP-1 were analyzed.Results Expression of mRNA and protein of MCP-1 and IL-8 were increased in the DM patients complicated infection.MCP-1 mRNA(mesured by FQ-PCR)was positively correlated with the protein(IL-8 r = 0.33;MCP-1 r = 0.88;P

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in MRI.

METHODSThe clinical data of 144 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation underwent nonsurgical or surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 91 patients in the nonsurgical group, including 55 males and 36 females, ranging in age from 20 to 68 years old with an average of (43.37±12.48) years; and there were 53 patients in the surgical group, including 28 males and 25 females, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years old with an average of (42.98±12.95) years. JOA scores (29 scores) were used to evaluate clinical manifestation (including subjective symptoms, objective findings, limitation of daily activities and bladder function) and outcomes. The parameters related to spinal canal and dural sac dimensions (including spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac cross-sectional area) in the initial axial T2-weighted MRI were measured, and odds ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, odds ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter and area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal were calculated. Then, the differences of all parameters between two groups, and the correlations with initial JOA scores were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) All patients were followed up from 1 to 3 years with an average of 2.1 years. JOA scores before treatment were 16.27±2.96 in nonsurgical group and 12.64±3.30 in surgical group, there was statistically significant difference (t=6.319, P<0.01). At final follow-up time, there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores (25.41±2.22 vs 25.76±2.29), improvement rate [(72.95±12.54)% vs (76.80±9.45)%], and the excellent and good rate (84.91% vs 78.02%) between two groups (P>0.05). But, the relapse rate of nonsurgical group was higher than surgical group (14.29% vs 5.67%). (2) Spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac area, the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter in surgical group were smaller than that of nonsurgical group, but the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal was larger, and there were statistically significant differences between two groups (P<0.01). (3) The initial JOA scores showed significantly positive correlation with spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, and canal and dural sac area (P<0.01); also presented positive correlation with the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter (P<0.05); but there was a significantly negative correlation between initial JOA scores and the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal.

CONCLUSIONBoth nonsurgical and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can obtain good effect, but the recurrence rate of non-surgical treatment is higher. Preoperative MRI measurement parameters of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions has certain value for the treatment selection of lumbar disc herniation, but further refinement and validation is still required.

Adult ; Aged ; Dura Mater ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; pathology ; therapy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Canal ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the value of differential diagnosis between benign and malignant thyroid lesions by susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI).Methods 53 patients with 20 malignant thyroid lesions and 71 benign thyroid lesions confirmed by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.All cases received conventional MRI and SWI preoperatively.Location,volume,SWI parameters including signal to noise ratio(SNR),contrast noise ratio(CNR)and intratumor susceptibility hypointensity (ITSHIA)datas in benign and malignant lesions were compared and analyzed.Results There was no statistical significance between benign and malignant thyroid lesions in the location,volume,SNR and CNR(χ2 or t =0.014,0.286,0.927,1.169;P =0.907,0.778,0.368,0.259 respectively).The maximum diameter (1.90 mm±0.32 mm),degree of maximum diameter(1.33±0.47),frequence(1.40±0.20)and area ratio(1.09±0.28)for benign thyroid lesions were less than those for malignant lesions(3.39 mm±0.79 mm,2.25±0.44,1.40±0.68,1.70±0.47)respectively (t or Z =12.629,5.788,3.41 5,5.795;P =0.000,0.000,0.001,0.000).Conclusion SWI semiquantitative assessment of pathlogical vascularity is useful in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid lesions.

G (E165E) in exon 1 of KRT6A gene, were found in this patient. Conclusions A novel single nucleotide polymorphism of KRT16 gene which can result in the change of amino acid sequence is firstly reported and some known single nucleotide polymorphisms in KRT16 and KRT6A genes are also found in this study.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).

CONCLUSIONIn patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy,a minimally invasive surgery, in treating gastric submucosa lesion.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 63 patients [34 women and 29 men, aged (52.8±18.1) years (range:14 to 78 years)] who had undergone laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy with preserving cardia and pylorus for gastric submucosal tumor in the past 6 years. All of the patients were followed up for 2-69 months (average 35 months). The clinicopathological data, surgical approaches, and follow-up results were analyzed.

RESULTSThe surgery was successfully performed in all these 63 patients, among whom 61 were assisted by endoscopy. The most common symptom was dyspepsia. The mean distance from the lesions locating at fundus or antrum to cardia or pylorus was(2.9±1.1)cm. The minimum distance from tumor edge to cardia was 1cm. The diseases included gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=54), carcinoid tumors (n=3), ectopic pancreas (n=2), lipoma (n=2), and leiomyoma (n=2). The tumor size ranged from 0.8 to 8.2cm, with 44 lesions (69.8%) less than 2cm. Forty-five lesions(71.4%) were located at fundus, 12 (19.0%) at body, and 6 (9.6%) at antrum. No recurrence or death was noted during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSLaparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy is feasible for treating gastric submucosal tumor. Endoscopy is useful for intraoperative localization and supporting, and therefore is especially helpful for preserving cardia and pylorus.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between vasoactive factors and plaque morphology in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODSIntravascular ultrasound (IVUS) were performed and 7 serum vasoactive factors (sPE, tPA, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, sVCAM-1 and sCD40L) were measured through cytometric bead array, serum hs-CRP, HCY, glucose and lipid level were also determined in consecutively enrolled 56 patients with ACS. The changes of bio-factors were compared between vulnerable plaque and non-vulnerable plaque groups, AMI and UA patients, and patients with or without plaque rupture.

RESULTSBiomarkers were similar between patients with unstable angina pectoris and AMI. hs-CRP [(18.9 +/- 4.9) mg/l vs. (5.8 +/- 3.6) mg/L)] and IL-6 [19.5 pg/ml (9.2 - 44.6 pg/ml) vs. 5.3 pg/ml (2.3 - 13.4 pg/ml)] were significantly higher in the group of vulnerable plaque (P < 0.05) compared to non-vulnerable plaques group. sCD40L [(474 +/- 126) pg/ml vs. (238 +/- 35) pg/ml], sPE [(107.2 +/- 39.9) microg/ml vs. (49.1 +/- 5.6) microg/ml] and MCP-1 [(132 +/- 18) pg/ml vs. (127 +/- 13) pg/ml] were significantly increased in the plaque rupture group than that in non-plaque rupture group (all P < 0.05). Increasing of sCD40L, MCP-1, sPE and TC were independent risk factors for plaque rupture.

CONCLUSIONSIL-6 and hs-CRP are biomarkers for vulnerable plaques and diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. sCD40L, MCP-1 and sPE may serve as the potential markers predicting plaque rupture in patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; P-Selectin ; blood

Human gut microbiota plays a key role in the development of obesity. Intestinal flora can regulate energy absorption and nutrition metabolism, increasing the energy harvesting from diet. Alteration of gut flora produces excessive lipopolysaccharide, which, when absorbed into the blood, can induce inflammatory reactions and promote the high-fat diet-associated obesity and metabolic syndrome. Intestinal flora increase visceral fat deposition by lowering the expression of Fiaf in intestinal mucosa. Different immune status also affects the intestinal flora.The gut microbiota is hypothesized to be an environmental factor that contributes to obesity; by interacting with factors such as host and diet, it adjusts the energy metabolism. Antibiotics or probiotics may alter the composition of intestinal microflora and improve the metabolic syndrome, and thus provides new treatment options.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; microbiology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; etiology ; Mice ; Obesity ; microbiology ; therapy ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

Iodine, an essential component of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland, is widely but unevenly distributed in the earth's environment. Great difference exists in the iodine nutritional status of populations residing in different region. Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess can injure the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency tigers endemic goiter, cretinism, and hyperthyroidism, while iodine excess can result in high iodine goiter, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism; also, iodine deficiency or excess may affect the histological type of thyroid cancer. In 1996, China began to implement the universal salt iodization policy, which has basically eliminated the iodine deficiency disorders nationwide; however, it also caused the changes in the spectra of other thyroid diseases including iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, and papillary thyroid carcinoma. Individualized iodine nutritional status assessment for the populations, particularly those with thyroid diseases, will be beneficial.
China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; deficiency ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; adverse effects ; Thyroid Diseases ; epidemiology ; etiology

Bariatric surgery is an effective way to achieve long-term weight reduction in severely obese patients. This article illuminates the indications, procedures, complications, and results of bariatric surgery for severe obesity.
Bariatric Surgery ; methods ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Gastroplasty ; methods ; Humans ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery