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BACKGROUND: Body mass index(BMI)is a commonly used phenotype for obesity,which is determined by multiple genetic factors.OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether osteocalcin(also known as bone Gla protein,BGP)Hind Ⅲ genetic polymorphism is associated with BMI variation.METHODS: A total of 390 premenopausal women from a local population of Nanchang City were selected.Body weight and height were measured.All participants were genotyped at the BGP Hind Ⅲ locus using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The BGP genotype frequencies of HH,Hh and hh were 0.077,0.408 and 0.515,respectively.The distribution of BGP Hind Ⅲ genotypes was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(P > 0.05).The BGP Hind Ⅲ were significantly associated with BMI(P=0.002),which could explain about 5.47% of BMI variation.On average,BMI of individuals with HH genotype was the highest[(22.81±0.73)kg/m2],individuals with Hh genotype was intermediate[(21.50±0.53)kg/m2],while individuals with hh genotype was the lowest[(20.23±0.63)kg/m2].Therefore,carriers of HH and Hh genotypes had,respectively,approximately 12.75% and 6.28% higher BMI than carriers of the hh genotype.To our best knowledge,this is the first study reporting the association of BGP Hind Ⅲ genetic polymorphism and BMI in healthy premenopausal women.

50% of that before treatment; (3)Normal control group( n =10). The urinary retinol binding protein(RBP) and N acetal D amino glucosidase(NAG)were measured by ELISA. The urinary osmosis, 24 h urinary protein excretion and serum creatinine (Cr) were measured. Results: (1) The urinary RBP[(0.54?0.19) mg/L], NAG[(112.84?42.82) U/L] and osmosis [(553.62?248.91) mmol/L] in PNS patients were significantly higher than normal control group ( P

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of cognitive intervention in general cognitive function, memory ability and ability of daily life in patients with vascular dementia by systematic review. Methods The randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) comparing cognitive intervention versus general measurement in patients with vascular dementia were collected through databases, such as PubMed, Embase, JBI Library, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, APA PsyCNET, CNKI and Wanfang Data, from January 2000 to December 2017. The reviewers extracted the data and assessed the quality. And then, RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias analysis were performed using Stata 11.0 software and Begg's inspection. Results Fourteen RCTs were included. Meta-analysis showed that as compared with general measurement, cognitive training (mean difference [MD]=2.07, 95％CI: 1.29-2.86, P=0.000), cognitive stimulation (MD=1.63, 95％CI: 0.61-2.65, P=0.002) and cognitive rehabilitation (MD=3.36, 95％ CI: 1.94-4.79, P=0.000) were proved to be effective in improving the general cognitive function. The application of cognitive intervention in patients with vascular dementia could contribute to memory ability (MD=5.53, 95％CI: 1.09-9.97, P=0.010) and ability of daily life (MD=2.85, 95％CI: 0.95-4.74, P=0.000). The sensitivity analysis for studies enrolled in Meta-analysis showed that individual research results were stable, and no significant publication bias was found by Begg's inspection. Conclusion Cognitive intervention in patients with vascular dementia could contribute to their general cognitive function, memory ability and ability of daily life.

Objective To retrospectively evaluate and analyze the clinical effect of posterior pedicle subtraction osteotomy in treating chronic, posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis. Methods Nineteen patients (11 males and 8 females) with chronic, posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis were corrected surgically. The patients were at age range of 29-61 years (mean 42 years). Preoperative kyphosis Cobb angle ranged from 31° to 63° (mean 47°) and trauma history ranged from 8 months to 63 months (mean 29 months). All patients were treated with pedicle subtraction osteotomy according to the size of Cobb angle, extent of spinal stenosis and source of compression. Results Sagittal alignment was improved to average 40.2°, with a correction rate of 85.8%. Two patients developed postoperative leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Among them, one was combined with encephalic infection and cured with active treatment, and the other developed postoperative wound infection, which were treated conservatively with antibiotics and local wound care. There were no other severe complications. The average follow-up period was 15 months (range 6-41 months). At the last follow-up, clinical symptoms and neurological function were improved significantly. Neither loss of correction nor failure of internal fixators was observed. X-ray and dynamic X-ray films showed a 100% fusion in all patients. Conclusions The single-stage posterior pedicle subtraction osteotomy is a safe and effective procedure for correction of posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis. It is possible and safe to obtain a correction within 55° on single segment by this technique.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The clinical data of 117 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from January 2016 to June 2017 in Anhui No.2 Provincial People′s Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. According to the eGFR level, the patients were divided into 3 groups: eGFR ≥ 90 ml/(min·1.73 m²) in 68 cases (DM0 group), eGFR 60 to 89 ml/(min·1.73 m²) in 33 cases (DM1 group), and eGFR<60 ml/(min·1.73 m²) in 16 cases (DM2 group). In addition, 30 healthy people in the same period were selected as control group (NC group), eGFR ≥ 90 ml/(min·1.73 m²). The systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood routine, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA₁c), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid were recorded; and the NLR was calculated. The influencing factors of eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus were analyzed, and the relationship between NLR and eGFR was evaluated. Results: Compared with that in NC group and DM0 group, the eGFR in DM1 group and DM2 group was significantly lower: (75.12 ± 8.14) and (46.31 ± 13.25) ml/(min·1.73 m²) vs. (114.17 ± 12.21) and (113.21 ± 12.04) ml/(min·1.73 m²), the NLR was significantly higher: 2.50 ± 1.16 and 2.75 ± 1.39 vs. 1.53 ± 0.22 and 1.83 ± 0.65, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Compared with that in DM1 group, the eGFR in DM2 group was significantly lower, the NLR was significantly higher, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in NLR and eGFR between DM0 group and NC group (P>0.05). Correlation analysis result showed that NLR, age, course of disease, systolic blood pressure, TC, HDL-C, urea nitrogen, creatinine and uric acid were negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.415, -0.555, -0.491, -0.432, -0.259, -0.237, -0.584, -0.840 and -0.261; P < 0.05); gender, diastolic pressure, HbA₁c, TG and LDL-C were not correlated with eGFR (P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis result showed that NLR, age, TC, creatinine and systolic blood pressure were independent risk factors of eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P<0.01 or < 0.05). Conclusions There is a close relationship between the increase of NLR and the decrease of eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Monitoring NLR is helpful to understand the changes of eGFR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein(AD7C-NTP)and olfactory function in the differentiation of three types of dementia,and to evaluate their clinical application value.Methods Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)and Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)were applied to evaluate cognitive function of all subjects with Alzheimer disease(AD),frontotemporal dementia (FTLD),or mixed dementia (MD).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the expression levels of AD7c-NTP in urine.T&T test method was applied to detect the olfactory function.Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the correlation of urine AD7c NTP with MMSE and MoCA scores.Results There was no significant difference in the demographic profile (except age)among three types of dementia of AD,FTLD and MD(F =4.05,P =0.02).Among the three dementia groups,the mean age of the MD group was highest.The statistically significant difference in MMSE scores was found among the three groups(F 3.79,P=0.03),while there was no significant difference inMoCAand NPI scores among the three dementia groups.The levels of the urine AD7c-NTP were different among the three dementia groups,but without statistical significance(H 1.25,P =0.53).Additionally,the FTLD group had the highest urine AD7c NTP level.Spearman rank correlation analysis showed no correlation of AD7c-NTP with MMSE and MoCA(r =0.18,P =0.25;r =0.14,P =0.39,respectively).No differences in olfactory function of the recognition domain(H =3.40,P=0.18)and in the detection domain(H =2.07,P=0.36)were found among three dementia groups of AD,FTLD and MD.Conclusions The level of urine AD7c-NTP is not of clinical significance in differentiating three types of dementia,and it is not correlated with the MMSE and MoCA scores.This study fails to find the clinical value of olfactory function test for distinguishing three types of dementia.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for cognitive impairment 3 months after an ischemic stroke and their predictive value.Methods:A retrospective case-control study considered the records of 856 elderly patients who had survived an ischemic stroke. All had been evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA). They were divided according to their MoCA scores into a group without cognitive impairment (the PSNCI group) and an impaired (PSCI) group. The subjects′ demographic and clinical laboratory data were compiled. All had been assessed using the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the Barthel Index (BI), and the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD). Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were evaluated and a receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve was computed.Results:There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender distribution, age, hypertension and heart disease history, family history of dementia and education level. Moreover, significant differences were observed in the groups′ average total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), urinary neurofilament protein (AD7c-NTP), NIHSS scores, BIs and ADL scores. Logistic regression showed that a history of heart disease, urinary AD7C-NTP level and HAMD score were significant independent predictors of cognitive impairment 3 months after a stroke. A high BI was an independent protective factor. The area under the ROC curve for urinary AD7C-NTP was the largest (0.875) and had significant predictive value with a cut-off value of 2.43, sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 0.75.Conclusion:Age, sex, education, smoking, drinking, body mass index, a history of heart disease or stroke, a family history of dementia and elevated AD7C-NTP, TC or TG are risk factors for cognitive impairment after a stroke. A high BI suggests a better prognosis. Urinary AD7c-NTP is a useful predictor of PSCI 3 months after a stroke.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and structural and functional cardiac changes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)complicated with atrial fibrillation(AF)in elderly patients.Methods:As a cross-sectional study, 835 patients with HFpEF aged ≥60 years admitted to the Department of Geriatric Cardiovascular Medicine of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between April 2009 and December 2020 were divided into an HFpEF+ AF group(267 cases)and an HFpEF group(568 cases)according to whether they had AF in addition to HFpEF, and their cardiac structure and function were evaluated.The optimal cutoff point of the ratio of the peak early diastolic velocity(E)to the maximum early diastolic velocity(e')of the mitral annulus(E/e')was analysed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The HFpEF+ AF group was divided into two subgroups, E/e'>11 and E/e'≤11, and differences in their clinical presentation, cardiac structural and function, and the relationship between the left and right heart were compared.Results:Compared with the HFpEF group, the left atrial volume index(LAVi)was larger[(60.0±23.3)ml/m 2vs.(43.9±19.0)ml/m 2, t=10.130, P<0.01]and the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF), mitral annular septal systolic velocity(s' S)and E/e' were smaller than in the HFpEF+ AF group(all P<0.01), whereas the right ventricular diameter(RVD), right atrial diameter(RAD)and area(RAA), tricuspid regurgitation velocity(TRv), and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure(PASP)in the HFpEF+ AF group were all greater than those in the HFpEF group(all P<0.05).In the E/e'>11 subgroup of HFpEF+ AF, the prevalence of hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes were higher, AF courses were shorter, and the decline of s' was more severe(all P<0.05).Furthermore, E/e' was independently correlated with LAVi, as was LAVi with PASP( t=2.114, 1.963, P=0.034, 0.042).The above-mentioned features were similar to those in the HFpEF group.The E/e'≤11 subgroup had a higher proportion of women, longer duration of AF than the E/e'>11 subgroup(median: 5 years vs.1 year, P=0.003), more noticeable enlargement of the right ventricle and right atrium, higher TRv and PASP( P<0.05). Conclusions:In elderly patients with HFpEF complicated with AF, the left atrial volume is increased further, and left ventricular systolic function and right heart morphology show serious deterioration, suggesting there might be two phenotypes of HFpEF+ AF with different pathophysiological mechanisms.