Objective: To explore the impact of renal function injury on diagnostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with heart failure (HF).
Methods: A total of 420 patients with cardiovascular disease at (50-75) years of age were divided into 2 groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): Control group, the patients with normal cardiac function, LVEF≥40%,n=232 and HF group, LVEF<40%,n=188. According to estimated glomerular ifltration rate (eGFR), each group contained 4 subgroups by Normal renal function (eGFR≥90 ml/min·1.73m2), Mild renal injury (90>eGFR≥60 ml/min·1.73m2), Moderate renal injury (60>eGFR≥30 ml/min·1.73m2) and Severe renal injury (eGFR<30 ml/min·1.73m2). The changes of NT-proBNP level at different subgroups were observed and the optimal cut-off values of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis were measured.
Results: Compared with Control group, HF group had increased blood level of NT-proBNP,P<0.05; NT-proBNP level was negatively related to eGFR (in all patients:r=-0.664, in Control group:r=-0.686 and in HF group:r=-0.721,P<0.05). Within Control group, NT-proBNP level was similar between Normal renal function and Mild renal injury subgroups,P>0.05, while it was much higher in Moderate and Severe renal injury subgroups than Normal renal function subgroup,P<0.05. Within HF group, Severe renal injury subgroup had increased NT-proBNP level than other subgroups,P<0.05. The best cut-off value of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis in patients with normal or mild renal injury was 1070 pg/mL (sensitivity: 91.8% and speciifcity 72.6%); with moderate renal injury was 7121 pg/mL (sensitivity: 80.2% and speciifcity: 89.7%); with severe renal injury was 33344 pg/mL (sensitivity: 83.3% and speciifcity: 80%).
Conclusion: Moderate to severe renal function injury could increase circulating level of NT-proBNP and therefore, the cut-off value of NT-proBNP for HF diagnosis should be elevated accordingly in patients of HF combing renal injury.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the prevalence of chronic low back pain(CLBP)in cold plateau region in young men and the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA) on X-ray plain film.Methods Questionnaire, clinical findings, physical status and LLA measurement were obtained in 163 cases of different occupational young men.The relation between CLBP,body mass index(BMI) and LLA were studied.There were 77 cases of tankmen,54 cases of artillerists,32 cases of local resident(age 17~28 years). Results In 163 young men ,there were 63 cases with CLBP ( 38.8% ) . CLBP in tankmen was more frequency ( 47.0% ) than that in artillerists and local resident (P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and western medicine in treatment of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)combined with respiratory failure,TCM syndromes of spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness by comparison between the integrated therapy and simple western therapy in treatment of the disease. Methods 160 patients with AECOPD combined with respiratory failure,spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome in the intensive care units(ICU)of Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University of TCM and other four hospitals were randomly allocated into two groups in this double-blinded,multicenter,prospective,randomized,controlled trial. In the control group (78 cases),western medicine and placebo were given to the patients,and in the treatment group(82 cases), conventional western medicine plus fei-shuai mistura 25 mL were administered,four times per day,the therapeutic course lasting for 2 weeks in both groups. The all-cause mortality,respiratory failure-cause mortality,improvement of modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)Dyspnea Scale grades,6 minutes walk distance(6MWD),the forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC)were observed in the 28 days after the end of treatment. Results In the comparisons between the control and treatment groups,there were no statistical significant differences in the all-cause mortality〔54.87%(45/82)vs. 64.10%(50/78)〕and the cases of FEV1/FVC(both P>0.05)in the 28 days after the end of treatment;the 28 day respiratory failure-cause mortality was significantly decreased〔19.51%(16/82)vs. 33.33%(26/78),P<0.05〕,the number of patients with mMRC Dyspnea Scale grades (1-2)was obviously increased(22 cases vs. 7 cases,P<0.05),and the number of patients with 6 MWD grades (4-6)was markedly enhanced in the treatment group(21 cases vs. 8 cases,P<0.05). Conclusions The integrated TCM and western medicine has better therapeutic results in improvement of the patients' degree of dyspnea, 6 MWD and respiratory failure mortality than simple treatment with western therapy for treatment of patients with AECOPD combined with respiratory failure, spleen-kidney-yang deficiency and phlegm-dampness syndrome. However,in regard to the effect on pulmonary function and all cause mortality,the integrated therapy for treatment of such patients in short term has no significant effect.

In order to investigate the protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by using immunohistochemical staining after 3 h cerebral ischemia followed by 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h reperfusion respectively in rats treated with or without hypoxic preconditioning before cerebral ischemia. In addition,the apoptosis of neural cells and the behavioral scores for neurological functions recovery were evaluated by TUNEL staining and "crawvling method", respectively. Compared with control group (cerebral ischemia-reperfusion without hypoxic preconditioning), the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly increased, but that of Bax decreased in the hypoxic preconditioning group (cerebral ischemiareperfusion with hypoxic preconditioning), both P＜0. 05. The pre-treatment with hypoxic preconditioning could reduce the apoptosis of neural cells and promote the neurological function recovery as compared to control group. It was suggested that hypoxic preconditioning may have protective effects on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the apoptosis of neural cells, increase the expression of Bcl-2 and decrease the expression of Bax.

Objective To study the findings of 256‐slice CT angiography in atherosclerosis of the intracranial carotid arteary . Methods 402 cases of atherosclerotic lesions in the neck and brain were collected from 2013 to 2014 in our hospital ,in which there were 274 cases of male and 128 cases female .All patients underwent 256‐slice CT angiography of the head and neck .The incidence of atherosclerosis involvement in the intracranial carotid artery was analysed .The characteristics of carotid plaque on different sexes , age(≤60 years and >60 years) and location (right and left ) were observed .The length and property of plaque ,and stenostic rate of the artery were measured respectively .Results There were 164 cases (40 .80% ) of intracranial carotid artery athrosclerosis in 402 cases of atherosclerotic lesions of the neck and brain ,in which the incident rate of male was 38 .32% and female 46 .09% (χ2 =2 .182 ,P=0 .140) .The incident rate of >60 years group was more than that of ≤60 years group (χ2 <31 .105 ,P<0 .001)for both sexes . There were no differences on lesion location (right or left)for different sexes or age groups (χ2 <0 .035 ,P>0 .088) .And there were also no differences on lesion length (≤10 mm ,11-20 mm ,>20 mm) for different sexes or age groups (χ2 <0 .027 ,P>0 .091) . Calcified plaques were seen the most (79 .81% ) ,mixed plaques were seen more (15 .46% ) ,and lipid plaques (1 .58% ) and fibrous plaques (3 .15% ) were seen less .The mixed plaques were more seen on >60 years group than that on ≤60 years group for male pa‐tients (χ2 =12 .204 ,P=0 .001) ,but no other difference was found for plaque property in other different sexes or age groups .Mild stenosis of the corated artery was found in 54 .57% lesions ,moderate stenosis in 39 .75% and severe stenosis in 5 .68% ,and there were no any difference in different sexes or age groups (χ2 <2 .062 ,P>0 .151) .Conclusion CT angiography of the head and neck is of important significance for diagnosis of atherosclerosis in the intracranial carotid artery .

Objective To investigate the influence of breast pure mucinous carcinoma size on sonographic characteristics and diagnostic accuracy.Methods Sonographic characteristics of 101 breast pure mucinous carcinoma in 1 00 patients were analyzed retrospectively.All lesions were divided into three groups according to maximum diameter at ultrasound.These were group Ⅰ with lesions less than 20 mm,group Ⅱwith lesions greater than or equal 20 mm,less than 40 mm,and group Ⅲ with lesions greater than or equal 40 mm.The relationship between lesions size and ultrasound parameters were analyzed.Results There were 38 lesions in group Ⅰ,52 lesions in group Ⅱ and 1 1 lesions in group Ⅲ.The patients age in group Ⅲwere older than that in group Ⅰ(F=3.442,P =0.036).Among these sonographic appearances,only shape (χ2=9.813,P =0.005)and blood flow (χ2=27.952,P =0.000)indicated significant differences.The accuracy of ultrasound diagnosis of breast cancer was 85.1%,the smaller the lesions were,the higher misdiagnosis rate the lesions were.Conclusions With lesions size increased,the lobular and internal blood flow of pure mucinous carcinoma increased.More smaller the lesions were,more higher misdiagnosis rate of lesions were.

OBJECTIVETo explore genetic mutation and clinical treatment for a patient with globozoospermia.

METHODSHistomorphology of the sperms was studied by Wright-Giemsa staining and transmission electron microscopy. Potential mutation of the DPY19L2 gene was detected by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSWright-Giemsa staining showed that all spermatozoa from the patient were round-headed and lacked the acrosome, with the nuclei of sperm head stained in dark and full. Transmission electron microscopy revealed large round sperm heads, with an even layer of unit membrane surrounding the nuclei and dispersed cytoplasmic vacuoles but no acrosomal structure. The patient has harbored a homozygous deletion of the DPY19L2 gene. With intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, fertilization rate of the oocytes has reached 28.6%, which resulted in a successful pregnancy. A healthy male was born.

CONCLUSIONThe homozygous deletion of DPY19L2 probably underlies the globozoospermia in this case, for which ICSI has provided an effective treatment. However, there is still a risk of low oocyte fertilization rate or fertilization failure. Further studies are required.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Teratozoospermia ; genetics

Primary female urethral adenocarcinoma is rare. This paper reports a case of primary urethral mucinous adenocarcinoma complicated with signet ring cell carcinoma. The patient underwent urethral tumor resection in another hospital. Postoperative examination indicated that the tumor remained, and the tumor was completely removed after urethral tumor resection. After 11 months of follow-up, there was no tumor residue or recurrence.

Objective: Many studies have shown that respiratory syncytial virus persistent infection may be the main cause of chronic respiratory pathology. However, the mechanism is unclear. Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conduction regulator (CFTR) is an apical membrane chloride channel, which is very important for the regulation of epithelial fluid, chloride ion, and bicarbonate transport. CFTR dysfunction will lead to changes in bronchial secretions and impair mucus clearance, which is related to airway inflammation. In our previous study, we observed the down-regulation of CFTR in airway epithelial cells in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infected mouse model. In this study, we further investigated the expression and function of CFTR by constructing an airway epithelial cell model of RSV persistent infection. Methods: 16HBE14o- cells were infected with RSV at 0.01 multiplicity of infection (MOI). The expression of CFTR was detected by real-time RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. The intracellular chloride concentration was measured by N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxyquinolium bromide (MQAE) and the chloride current was measured by whole-cell patch clamp recording. Results:16HBE14o-cells infected with RSV were survived to successive passages of the third generation (G3), while the expression and function of CFTR was progressively decreased upon RSV infection from the first generation (G1) to G3. Exposure of 16HBE14o-cells to RSV led to the gradual increase of TGF-β1 as well as phosphorylation of Smad2 following progressive RSV infection. Disruption of TGF-β1 signaling by SB431542 prevented Smad2 phosphorylation and rescued the expression of CFTR. Conclusion:RSV infection can lead to defective CFTR function in airway epithelial cells, which may be mediated via activation of TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the association of smoking and smoking cessation with glycemic control in male patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods From December 2013 to January 2014, a total of 7763 male patients with type 2 diabetes, who received national basic public health service in Changshu county of Suzhou city, Huai'an and Qinghe districts of Huai'an city, Jiangsu province, were recruited by cluster sampling. Questionnaire survey and anthropometric measurements were conducted, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were measured. Multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association of smoking and smoking cessation with glycemic control. Results The prevalence of current smoking was 45.5%in male patients with type 2 diabetes. The levels of FPG and HbA1c increased with number of cigarettes smoked per day compared with non-smokers (P<0.001). Among patients with drug treatment, the average increase of HbA1c level in current smokers with smoking duration ≥30 years and smoking index ≥40 pack-years were 0.27% (95%CI: 0.05%-0.49%) and 0.38% (95%CI: 0.23%-0.53%),respectively. FPG and HbA1c level decreased obviously with smoking cessation years among former smokers (P<0.05). Among the patients receiving no drug treatment, no dose-response relationships were observed between smoking duration, smoking cessation years and levels of FPG and HbA1c. Conclusion Cigarette smoking was negatively related with glycemic control in male type 2 diabetes patients, especially in patients with drug treatment. Smoking cessation may be beneficial for glycemic control. Smoking cessation should be encouraged for diabetes patients as early as possible.