Animals ; Macaca mulatta ; Optic Disk ; Glaucoma ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma

Objective:To investigate the current status of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in China, and to provide supporting data and reference for the development of endoscopic treatment.Methods:In this study, initiated by the Liver Health Consortium in China (CHESS), a questionnaire was designed and distributed online to investigate the basic condition of endoscopic treatment for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension in 2022 in China. Questions included annual number and indication of endoscopic procedures, adherence to guideline for preventing esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB), management and timing of emergent EGVB, management of gastric and isolated varices, and improvement of endoscopic treatment. Proportions of hospitals concerning therapeutic choices to all participant hospitals were calculated. Guideline adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals were compared by using Chi-square test.Results:A total of 836 hospitals from 31 provinces (anotomous regions and municipalities) participated in the survey. According to the survey, the control of acute EGVB (49.3%, 412/836) and the prevention of recurrent bleeding (38.3%, 320/836) were major indications of endoscopic treatment. For primary [non-selective β-blocker (NSBB) or endoscopic therapies] and secondary prophylaxis (NSBB and endoscopic therapies) of EGVB, adherence to domestic guideline was 72.5% (606/836) and 39.2% (328/836), respectively. There were significant differences in the adherence between secondary and tertiary hospitals in primary prophylaxis of EGVB [71.0% (495/697) VS 79.9% (111/139), χ2=4.11, P=0.033] and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB [41.6% (290/697) VS 27.3% (38/139), χ2=9.31, P=0.002]. A total of 78.2% (654/836) hospitals preferred endoscopic therapies treating acute EGVB, and endoscopic therapy was more likely to be the first choice for treating acute EGVB in tertiary hospitals (82.6%, 576/697) than secondary hospitals [56.1% (78/139), χ2=46.33, P<0.001]. The optimal timing was usually within 12 hours (48.5%, 317/654) and 12-24 hours (36.9%, 241/654) after the bleeding. Regarding the management of gastroesophageal varices type 2 and isolated gastric varices type 1, most hospitals used cyanoacrylate injection in combination with sclerotherapy [48.2% (403/836) and 29.9% (250/836), respectively], but substantial proportions of hospitals preferred clip-assisted therapies [12.4% (104/836) and 26.4% (221/836), respectively]. Improving the skills of endoscopic doctors (84.2%, 704/836), and enhancing the precision of pre-procedure evaluation and quality of multidisciplinary team (78.9%, 660/836) were considered urgent needs in the development of endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:A variety of endoscopic treatments for gastroesophageal varices in portal hypertension are implemented nationwide. Participant hospitals are active to perform emergent endoscopy for acute EGVB, but are inadequate in following recommendations regarding primary and secondary prophylaxis of EGVB. Moreover, the selection of endoscopic procedures for gastric varices differs greatly among hospitals.

Objective To compare the value of Child-Pugh score, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, MELD combined with serum sodium concentration (MELD-Na) score, CLIF Consortium Acute Decompensation (CLIF-C AD) score, and Freiburg index of post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) survival (FIPS) score in predicting the survival of patients undergoing TIPS. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 447 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TIPS in several hospitals in southwest China, among whom there were 306 patients in the survival group and 62 in the death group. The scores of the above five models were calculated, and a survival analysis was performed based on these models. The independent samples t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups, and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups; the Pearson chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; a multivariate Cox regression analysis was used for correction analysis of known influencing factors with statistical significance which were not included in the scoring models; the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate the discriminatory ability of each model in identifying risks in the surgical population, and the log-rank test was used for analysis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), C-index at different time points, and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive ability of each scoring model. Results Compared with the death group, the survival group had significantly lower age ( Z =2.884, P < 0.05), higher albumin ( t =3.577, P < 0.05), and Na + ( Z =-3.756, P < 0.05) and significantly lower proportion of patients with alcoholic cirrhosis ( χ 2 =22.674, P < 0.05), aspartate aminotransferase ( Z =2.141, P < 0.05), prothrombin time ( Z =2.486, P < 0.05), international normalized ratio ( Z =2.429, P < 0.05), total bilirubin ( Z =3.754, P < 0.05), severity of ascites ( χ 2 =14.186, P < 0.05), and scores of the five models (all P < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that all scoring models effectively stratified the prognostic risk of the patients undergoing TIPS. Comparison of the C-index of each scoring model at different time points showed that Child-Pugh score had the strongest ability in predicting postoperative survival, followed by MELD-Na score, MELD score, and CLIF-C AD score, and FIPS score had a relatively poor predictive ability; in addition, the prediction efficiency of each score gradually decreased over time. Child-Pugh score had the largest AUC of 0.832 in predicting 1-year survival rate after surgery, and MELD-Na score had the largest AUC of 0.726 in predicting 3-year survival rate after surgery, but FIPS score had a poor ability in predicting 1- and 3-year survival rates. Conclusion All five scoring models can predict the survival of patients with liver cirrhosis after TIPS and can provide effective stratification of prognostic risk for such patients. Child-Pugh score has a better ability in predicting short-term survival, while MELD-Na score has a better ability in predicting long-term survival, but FIPS score has a relatively poor predictive ability in predicting both short-term and long-term survival.

Squamosa promoter binding protein-like (SPL) family is a group of important transcription factors involved in the regulation of plant growth and development and the response to environmental stress, but there are few studies in perennial fruit trees such as citrus. In this study, Ziyang Xiangcheng (Citrus junos Sib.ex Tanaka), an important rootstock of Citrus, was used as the material for analysis. Based on plantTFDB transcription factor database and sweet orange genome database, 15 SPL family members were genome-widely identified and cloned from Ziyang Xiangcheng, and named CjSPL1-CjSPL15. Sequence analysis showed that the open reading frame (ORF) length of CjSPLs ranged from 393 bp to 2 865 bp, encoding 130-954 amino acids. Phylogenetic tree divided 15 CjSPLs into 9 subfamilies. Gene structure and conserved domain analysis predicted 20 different conserved motifs and SBP basic domains. Analysis of cis-acting promoter elements predicted 20 different promoter elements, including those related to plant growth and development, abiotic stress and secondary metabolites. The expression patterns of CjSPLs under drought, salt and low temperature stresses were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), and many CjSPLs were significantly up-regulated after stress treatment. This study provides a reference for further study on the function of SPL family transcription factors in citrus and other fruit trees.
Phylogeny ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Multigene Family ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and metabolic safety of long-term treatment with ethinyl oestradiol/cyproteroneand desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSWomen with PCOSfrom West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University enrolled between September, 2011 and August, 2013 were randomlyallocated to receive either ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets (Group A, =355) or desogestrel/ethinyl oestradiol tablets(Group B, =357) for a prospective observation period of 6 months. Women with insulin resistance also received metformin. Atbaseline, 3 months, and 6 months, the patients were evaluated for menstruation, acne score, body mass index (BMI), waist-tohip ratio (WHR), plasma levels of sex hormones, fasting blood glucose (FPG), HOMA-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), serum lipid, ovarian volume, and the number of ovarian follicles.

RESULTSAll the patients had a regular menstrual cycle aftertreatments. Testosterone level, acne score, LH/FSH, ovarian volume, and the number of follicles decreased significantly afterthe treatments without significant differences between the two groups. Significant increases were noted in TG, TCh, LDL, HDL, and AIP, and HDL level in group A as compared with group B ( < 0.001). FPG decreased in both groups, and wassignificantly lower in group B at 6 months ( < 0.05). BMI and WHR decreased in all the patients with insulin resistance aftercombination treatment with metformin ( < 0.05), but increased significantly in patients without insulin resistance ( < 0.05). Ingroup A, HOMA- IR significantly increased in patientswithout insulin resistance at 3 months ( < 0.05), whereas asignificant increase was not observed until 6 months ingroup B ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth ethinyl oestradiol/cyproterone tablets and desogestrel/ethinyl oestradioltablets can relieve the symptoms of PCOS, but it isadvisable to assess the risk of cardiovascular diseasebefore the treatments.

Objective To explore the effects of angled abutments on the anterior maxilla implant restoration. Methods We analyzed the biomechanical properties of implants of different sizes (Φ3.5 mm,4.0 mm and 4.5 mm in diameter;L11.5 mm and L13 mm in length)after connecting different angled abutments (0°,10°,20°,and 30°) using finite element method.Results The stresses and strains of loading parts of restorations increased and their distribution became more concentrated as the angle of abutment increased.Cortical bone of Φ3 .5 implants with smaller angle (10°or less)andΦ4.0 implants with abutments had the risk of overpassing the bone elastic threshold when the angle approached 30°.However,the cortical bone elastic deformation was within a safe range at all angles inΦ4.5 group.Conclusion We should consider the diameter of the implant when selecting angled abutments.The angled abutments are not suitable for small diameter implants.The bite force should be under control when needed. The larger angled abutments can be applied in the standard and major diameter implants and it is necessary to avoid occlusal overloading.

Objective:To study the influences of angled abutments connected with small diameter implants in anterior maxilla restora-tion.Methods:Simulation models of angled abutment with small diameter restoration in anterior maxilla were established,the biome-chanical properties of the models were studied by finite element method(FEM)analysis.Results:Following the increase of the abut-ment angle,the stress and strain of all parts increased linearly and more concentrated,while appropriate prosthetic crown could share some load.Cortical bone elastic deformation exceeded the threshold when the abutment angle was bigger than 8 °.Conclusion:With abutment angle increase,stresses and strains will increase and will be more concentrated,which is unfavorable for load conduction.Ap-propriate crown can reduce the adverse effects of angled abutment.Angled abutment should not be used for d 3.5 implant.

This paper is aimed to analyze the correlation between serum free testosterone (FT) and total testosterone (TT) to acquire a cutoff about using total testosterone to diagnose hyperandrogenism in Chengdu females. We investigated 1854 women by cluster sampling method, detected their serum FT levels and TT levels, scored relative items, analyzed the correlation and made the ROC curve to get a cutoff of TT levels. Serum FT had a linear correlation with serum TT (r = 0.597, r2 = 0.356, P < 0.001). The cutoff value was 0.635 ng/mL. The specificity and sensitivity were 76.3% and 77.24%, respectively. No correlation found between serum FT and Ferriman-Gallway Score (P = 0.392). Positive correlations were seen between serum FT and Plewig-Kligman Score (r = 0.137, P < 0.001), serum TT and Ferriman-Gallway Score (r = 0.069, P = 0.003) and serum TT and Plewig-Kligman Score (r = 0.092, P < 0.001). There is a linear correlation between serum FT and TT. We can diagnose hyperandrogenism according to the serum TT cutoff value (0.635 ng/mL). Its clinical symptoms are not paralleled with the biochemical test results.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Sampling Studies ; Testosterone ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSOral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 336 patients with PCOS, and the serum levels triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and testosterone were measured.

RESULTSThe total incidence of MS was 18.8% in these 336 patients with PCOS. The incidence of MS increased with percent body fat (%BF) and lipid accumulation product (LAP) in patients with PCOS. The patients at child-bearing age appeared to have a higher incidence of MS than those in puberty. The muscle distribution coefficient, age, body mass index, and the metabolic parameters were all higher in patients with MS than in those without MS. The bilateral lower limb muscle strength were lower in patients with MS than in those without, but the level of testosterone showed no significant difference between them.

CONCLUSIONThe risk of MS increases with BF%, age and LAP in patients with PCOS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Metabolic Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; Obesity ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

The present paper is aimed to investigate the correlation between the fat mass and the bone mass, and to investigate the effect of leptin on bone metabolism in female ovariectomic rats. Forty Wistar female rats, 6-month-old, were randomly divided into the sham surgical (Sham) group and ovariectomic (OVX) group. The body weight, the fat mass inside the abdominal cavity, the bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by DEXA method, and the concentration of leptin was measured by ELISA after operation. The Rats' body mass in ovariectomized group increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the fat mass in abdominal cavity was not increased obviously in ovariectomized group (P = 0.499). The concentration of leptin was no difference between the two groups (P = 0.166). Bone mineral content (BMC)/weight in ovariectomized group was decreased significantly than the sham group (P = 0. 003). The weight at 8th week post-operation was negative correlation with BMC/weight in Sham group and was positive with BMD in OVX group. The fat mass and the leptin concentration were negative correlation with BMC/ weight in Sham group. It was concluded that the fat mass and the leptin were raleted to the BMC/weight.
Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Female ; Leptin ; blood ; Osteoporosis ; etiology ; Ovariectomy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar