Objective To investigate the serum level of placental growth factor (PLGF) and explore its relationship with left ventricular structure and function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.Methods Seventy-two non-dialysis CKD patients and sixteen age-and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study.Serum PLGF level was measured by ELISA.Cardiac structure and function were assessed by two dimensional echocardiography.Results (1)The serum level of PLGF in CKD patients[3.32(2.97,19.77) ng/L] was significantly higher compared to the healthy controls [2.33(2.27,2.49) ng/L] (P ＜ 0.01).It progressively increased with the decline of renal function (P＜ 0.05/6).(2)The interventricular septum (IVS),left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) was significantly higher while the ejection fraction was significantly lower in CKD patients.(3)The serum PLGF level was higher in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) than those without LVH [19.05(3.31,21.05) ng/L vs 2.99(2.60,3.32) ng/L,P ＜ 0.05].The prevalence of LVH in the group above median PLGF level was significantly higher than that in the group below the median PLGF level (70％ vs 18％,P ＜ 0.01).(4)PLGF level was positively correlated with left ventricular mass index (LVMI),systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,24 h urine protein,Scr,UA,BUN,iPTH,the history of high blood pressure and was negatively correlated with LVEF,hemoglobin,albumin,eGFR (P ＜ 0.05).Multiple regression results showed that UA,Scr,LVEF,Hb were associated with PLGF level independently (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions CKD patients have elevated level of PLGF.It has a relationship with cardiac structure and function.It may participate in the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between blood pressure and related cognitive function with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in the elderly community residents in Beijing.

METHODSA selected sample of 60 years old and over from the communities was randomized ascertained to a longitudinal study in Beijing. The baseline data was produced in 1993, in which blood pressure, MMSE and a multidisciplinary questionnaire were involved. 4 years later in 1997, a similar procedure was repeated in 2079 elderly people whose MMSE scores were normal during the baseline study.

RESULTSThe mean systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and MMSE score were 141.77 +/- 24.94 mm Hg, 81.76 +/- 12.08 mm Hg and 25.65 +/- 3.59 in baseline. The MMSE score was 23.24 +/- 5.63 in the follow-up study. Significant decline in cognition was defined as a decrease of 4 score and over during the 4-years study. The proportion of significant decline in cognition in the follow-up was larger when the systolic blood pressure or diastolic blood pressure having an increase in baseline data. Further stratified observation showed that factors as elderly with elevated blood pressure, under 75 years old from rural areas without diabetes mellitus or antihypertensive medication were more commonly seen in the ones with significant cognition decline. Increased incidence of cognitive decline was found in those with increased level of hypertension. This association was also seen in systolic blood pressure after adjustment of heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONSIn the 4-year longitudinal study, cognitive dysfunction might cause elevated baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the elderly people whose baseline MMSE scores were normal.

Aged ; Blood Pressure ; China ; epidemiology ; Cognition Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Residence Characteristics

BACKGROUND: Long-term use of flexible denture prosthesis will increase the incidence of caries and periodontal disease, and partial denture stomatitis. The addition of fluoride in the prosthesis material can prevent and reduce the incidence of these diseases. Currently, increasing research addresses the addition of fluoride into dental materials at home and abroad, but little is reported on the addition of sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2(PO3)F into flexible denture materials and on the relevant mechanical performance.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the mechanical properties of flexible denture materials containing different fluoride concentrations.METHODS: Totally 180 elastic denture samples were made at the three different sizes of 80 mm×51 mm×1 mm (n=60), 20 mm×5 mm×5 mm (n=60), 25 mm×2 mm×2 mm (n=60). Then, elastic denture samples containing Na2(PO3)F 0 (control), 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% were prepared in each size groups. The tensile strength, flexural strength and Shore A hardness of the samples were tested.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: When the mass ratio of fluoride was up to 10%, the tensile strength and flexural strength reduced a little (P > 0.05). When the mass ratio of fluoride was up to 15%, the tensile strength and flexural strength were significantly lower than those of non-fluoride samples (P < 0.05). When the mass ratio of fluoride was up to 20%, the tensile strength, flexural strength and Shore A hardness were significantly lower than those of non-fluoride samples (P < 0.05). To conclude, Na2(PO3)F content has a significant effect on the tensile strength, flexural strength and Shore A hardness, and 10% is the best proportion of Na2(PO3)F. The mechanical properties of fluoride-containing flexible denture materials will be changed if the mass ratio of fluoride is higher than 10%.

Objective: In comparison with thrombus aspiration, to study the safety and effcacy of precise intracoronary retrograde thrombolysis during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Methods: A total of 123 consecutive patients with acute STEMI received primary PCI in our hospital from 2014-01 to 2015-12 were enrolled.The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: RT group, the patients received precise intracoronary retrograde thrombolysis (RT),n=60 and TA group, the patients received thrombus aspiration (TA),n=63, among them, 3 patients with failed TA were excluded. Primary end points included occurrence rates of no-lfow after PCI and ST-segment resolution (STR)≥50% at (60-90) min after PCI; primary safety end points included occurrence rates of in-hospital stroke and TIMI-hemorrhage events.
Results:①Compared with TA group, RT group showed decreased no-lfow rate after PCI (1.7% vs 15.0%),P=0.008 and increased rate of STR≥50% after PCI (65.0% vs 45.0%),P=0.028, improved LVEF by echocardiography (50.7±8.6) % vs (46.7±8.3)%,P=0.011. The in-hospital MACE occurrence rate was similar between 2 groups,P>0.05.②No in-hospital stroke or TIMI-hemorrhage events occurred in neither group.
Conclusion: Intracoronary retrograde precise thrombolysis had the similar safety to thrombus aspiration during primary PCI in patients with acute STEMI, it may reduce no-relfow rate and improve left ventricular function after PCI.

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of the chloride channel dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) on the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells in the mouse.

METHODSTM4 Sertoli cells were cultured and treated with CFTR(inh)-172 at the concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L for 48 hours. Then the cytotoxicity of CFT(inh)-172 was assessed by CCK-8 assay, the expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub in the TM4 Sertoli cells detected by immunofluorescence assay, and those of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin determined by qPCR.

RESULTSCFTR(inh)-172 produced cytotoxicity to the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration of 20 μmol/L. The expressions of F-actin and Ac-tub were decreased gradually in the TM4 Sertoli cells with the prolonging of treatment time and increasing concentration of CFTR(inh)-172 (P < 0.05). The results of qPCR showed that different concentrations of CFTR(inh)-172 worked no significant influence on the mRNA expressions of N-cadherin, vimentin and vinculin in the Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThe CFTR chloride channel plays an important role in maintaining the normal cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells. The reduced function and expression of the CFTR chloride channel may affect the function of Sertoli cells and consequently spermatogenesis of the testis.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Chloride Channels ; physiology ; Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Cytoskeleton ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Spermatogenesis ; Thiazolidines ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

Objective: To compare the efifcacy of direct and pre-dilated atherectomy (RA) for treating the patients with calciifed coronary lesions. Methods: A total of 137 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients received RA treatment in our hospital from 2010-04 to 2014-09 were retrospectively studied. The ischemic related lesions were all deifned as calciifed coronary lesions. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Direct RA group,n=81 and Pre-dilated RA group, the patients received balloon dilatation followed by RA,n=56. The procedural features, complications, in-hospital and 1 year occurrence rates of major cardiaccerebral vascular events (MACCE) were compared between 2 groups. Results: Compared with Pre-dilated RA group, Direct RA group had the less pre-stent balloon application,P=0.000 and the higher maximum post-dilatationpressure,P=0.004; lower rate of in-operative complication (14.8% vs 32.1%),P=0.016; higher rate of acute lumen gain (128.52±75.77) % vs (77.12±27.01) %,P=0.004; lower MACCE occurrencerate(7.3% vs 23.6%) at 1 year period,P=0.006.Cox regression analysis presented that the following indexes were related to MACCE occurrence within 1 year of RA treatment: balloon dilatation before RA (HR=8.166, 95% CI 1.872-35.614,P=0.005), left main disease (HR=13.649, 95% CI 2.983-62.440,P=0.001), minimum post-operative lumen area (HR=0.583, 95% CI 0.378-0.879,P=0.010), post-dilatation (HR=0.066, 95% CI 0.013-0.332,P=0.001) and EF>40% (HR=0.019, 95% CI 0.002-0.158, P=0.000). Conclusion: Direct RA had the lower MACCE occurrence rate at 1 year period, this might be related to less operative complication and the optimal lumen gain.

Objective To assess pertinent indicators of elderly-friendly city, so as to provide the basis for carrying out the related work. Methods There were 1 500 elderly people aged at and above 60 years old that were surveyed via questionnaires and structured interviews. Results The core indicators:79.8%reported that their neighborhood was convenient for walking;90.3% reported that bus, under-ground and taxi in Shanghai were suitable for all types of people ( including the physically handicapped, the blind, and the deaf);94.8%reported that there was no difficulty in the payment of housing;96.0%reported that the community had good atmosphere of respecting for the elderly; 56 .8% participated in community volunteer activities;6.7%participated in paid work;53.5%participated in social and cultural activities;99 .7% reported that they could obtain information on health and social services from the community;71.2%reported that they could obtain services for free or below market price when necessary at home.Some core indicators had obvious differences among different genders, age groups, culture, marital status, household types, income sources and income levels.Supplementary and optional indicators:98.6%thought there should be at least one item of house facilities for home-based care for the aged, while 75.6%thought there should be at least four items.26.3% reported to have participated in community team activities.55.2%reported to have participated at least one education or training project during the past one year.90.5% self-reported of good health conditions. Conclusion There is high coverage of barrier-free facility construction, good atmosphere of respecting for the elderly in the community, wide coverage of home-based care for the aged.The elderly people, to some extent, are involved in community activities and various types of training.However, there are still improvements of participation of the elderly in decision-making of local policies, and of senile transformation of the houses the elderly.At the same time, economic, social, demographical, cultural and other factors should be paid close attention to.

BACKGROUNDUrolithiasis in pediatric population is a serious problem with the incidence increased these years. In the management of larger stones (diameters >2 cm), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is considered to be the gold standard. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of mini-PCNL under total ultrasonography in patients aged <3 years.

METHODSWe reviewed 68 patients (80 renal units) aged <3 years between August 2006 and December 2014 in Peking University People's Hospital and Beijing Tsinghua Changung Hospital, including 36 renal units with a single stone, 6 with staghorn stones, 14 with upper ureteral stones, and 24 with multiple stones. The mean age of the patients was 24.2 months (range 6-36 months), and the mean maximum stone diameter was 19.2 mm (range 10-35 mm). The puncture site selection and tract dilation were guided by Doppler ultrasonography solely. All procedures were performed using 12-16 Fr tracts. Stones were fragmented using pneumatic lithotripsy and a holmium laser with an 8/9.8 Fr rigid ureteroscope.

RESULTSFifty-six patients with unilateral stones underwent a single session procedure, and 12 patients with bilateral stones underwent two procedures. The mean time to establish access was 2.8 min (range 1.8-5.0 min), the mean operative time was 36.5 min (range 20-88 min), the mean decrease in hemoglobin concentration was 8.9 g/L (2-15 g/L), and the stone-free rate (SFR) at hospital discharge was 94.0%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.1 days (range 3-13 days). Postprocedure complications included fever (>38.5°C) in five patients and reactive pleural effusion in one patient. Blood loss requiring transfusion, sepsis, adjacent organ injury, and kidney loss were not observed.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that ultrasound-guided mini-PCNL is feasible and safe in patients aged <3 years, without major complications or radiation exposure.

Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Calculi ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; methods ; Ureteral Calculi ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Calculi ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; methods ; Staghorn Calculi ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine the synergistic effect of recombinant human high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) in human umbilic vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and explore the role of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signal transduction in cytokine release.

METHODSHUVECs were incubated with recombinant HMGB1 (0-75 ng/ml) for 24 h and the culture medium supernatant was harvested for detection of IL-8 and MCP-1 with LiquiChip system. At 0, 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h after stimulation with 15 ng/ml HMGB1 or 15 ng/ml HMGB1 plus 10 ng/ml LPS, the levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 in the HUVECs were examined. To test the effect of MAPK inhibitors, HUVCs were pretreated with the inhibitors SB203580 (20 mol/L), PD98059 (20 mol/L), and JNK inhibitor II (50 nmol/L) 1 h before HMGB1 and LPS stimulation.

RESULTSThe levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 were significantly increased in the HUVECs stimulated with HMGB1 protein at the concentrations of 3, 15 and 75 ng/ml in comparison with the control levels (P<0.01). Since 3-6 h after the stimulation with HMGB1, the levels of IL-8 and MCP-1 began to increase gradually, and steadily increased at 12 and 24 h, all significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01). Stimulation of the HUVECs with LPS (10 ng

CONCLUSIONHMGB1 protein can activate HUVECs to produce the chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. HMGB1 also acts synergistically with LPS to induce IL-8 and MCP-1 release, which might play an important role in the development of sepsis. MAPK signal transduction plays an important role in HMGB1 and LPS-induced IL-8 and MCP-1 release.

Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2 ; blood ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; HMGB1 Protein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; blood ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Time Factors