Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of acromegaly patients who have discordant growth hormone(GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) levels and evaluate impact of different GH cut-offs on discordance rate.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 66 acromegaly patients treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from November 2017 to March 2023. Patients were categorized based on the nadir GH(GHn) and IGF-1 levels at the last follow-up into four groups: controlled, high GH, high IGF-1, and active. Clinical and metabolic parameters were compared across these groups, and impact of different GHn and fasting growth hormone(GHf) cut-offs on discordance rate was evaluated.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed among groups in age, duration of follow-up, imaging characteristics(all P>0.05). High IGF-1 group had higher fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for β cell function compared to controlled and high GH group(all P<0.05), while these parameters did not differ between high GH and controlled group. High IGF-1 group had higher carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide compared to controlled and high GH group, but differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). These parameters also did not differ between high GH and controlled group. Discordance rate was not significantly different when GHn cut-offs was 1.0 μg/L or 0.4 μg/L(30.3% vs 21.3%, P=0.146). Compared to 2.5 μg/L, discordance rate was lower when GHf cut-off was 1.0 μg/L(39.4% vs 24.3%, P=0.041). Conclusion:The discordance rate in treated acromegaly patients during follow-up is approximately 30%. Different GH measurement timings and cut-offs significantly impact discordance rate. Patients with normal GH and elevated IGF-1 levels are at potential risk of active disease, and require closer follow-up. This study provides a valuable reference for treatment of patients with discordant GH and IGF-1 levels.

With persistent breakthrough and maturity of surgical procedures and postoperative immunosuppressive therapy, the survival rate of liver transplant recipients and grafts has been significantly increased. The shortage of donor liver has become the main obstacle for clinical development of liver transplantation. How to expand the source of donor liver has become an urgent issue. Groundbreaking progresses have been made in the use of common marginal donor livers in clinical liver transplantation, such as elderly donor liver, steatosis donor liver, viral hepatitis donor liver and liver from donation after cardiac death. Nevertheless, multiple restrictions still exist regarding the use of marginal donor liver. Consequently, the definition of marginal donor liver and research progress in the application of common marginal donor livers were reviewed, and the opportunities and challenges of mariginal donoor liver were illustrated, aiming to provide reference for expanding the donor pool for clinical liver transplantation and bringing benefits to more patients with end-stage liver disease.

Hospital evaluation is a powerful tool for standardizing behavior and ensuring quality, which plays a positive role in improving medical services and hospital management. Establishing an evaluation system for world-class, high-quality and high-level hospitals with Chinese characteristics is an important basis for promoting the high-quality development of public hospitals and moving towards the construction of high-level hospitals. Based on the review of relevant policies and the current domestic and foreign mainstream hospital evaluation system, combined with the practical experience of public hospitals in the high-quality development in China, such as multi-campus management, discipline construction, scientific research innovation, talent construction, management innovation, cultural construction, radiation influence at home and abroad, the author tentatively explored the construction of high-quality and high-level hospital evaluation system from seven aspects of medical quality. It is expected to play a goal-oriented role in promoting the construction of " Chinese characteristics, world-class" hospitals.

[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) knockdown on the proliferation and migration of colon cancer RKO cells induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods: RKO cells were treated with MSCs conditioned medium (MSC-CM) or control medium (Control-CM), respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration ability was tested by Transwell chamber assay. The proteins expression of Ki-67, MMP-2/9, CD44 and CD133 was detected by Western blotting. Then, the expression of SphK1 in RKO cells was suppressed by targeted gene lentivirus shRNA vector transfection. The effects of SphK1 knockdown on the proliferation, migration and protein expressions of Ki-67, MMP-2/9, CD44 and CD133 of RKO cells induced by MSC-CM were observed. Results: The RKO cells proliferation was promoted by MSC-CM in a time-dependent manner; moreover (P<0.05), the migration ability of cells was significantly enhanced after being treated with MSC-CM(P<0.01). In addition, MSC-CM significantly increased the protein expressions of Ki-67, MMP-2/9, CD44 and CD133(all P<0.05 or P<0.01). Lentiviral ShRNA vector transfection could significantly inhibit the expression of SphK1. Down-regulation of SphK1 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and protein expressions of Ki-67, MMP-2/9, CD44 and CD133 of RKO cells induced by MSC-CM(all P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion: MSC-CM promotes the proliferation and migration of colon cancer RKO cells. Down-regulation of SphK1 reverses the cell proliferation and migration induced by MSC-CM via inhibiting the expression of MMP-2/9, CD44 and CD133.

Objective To observe the protective effects of carnosic acid on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in acute ocular hypertension rats model.Methods Sixty male SPF SD rats (8-12 weeks) were randomly assigned to normal control group,carnosic-acid treated group and model control group with 20 rats for each group.The acute ocular hypertension animal model was induced by the perfusion of normal saline solution into anterior chamber of eyes to elevate the intraocular pressure (IOP) to 110 mmHg for 60 minutes in the rats of the carnosic-acid treated group and model control group,and then the carnosic-acid (dissolving in DMSO) was intraperitoneally injected for consecutive 7 days in the carnosic-acid treated group,and only DMSO was injected in the same way in the model control group.The rates were sacrificed 2 weeks after experiment and retinal sections were prepared for histopathological and apoptotic retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) examination by hemotoxylin & eosin staining and TUNEL staining,and immunofluorescence was employed to examine the survival cell number of RGCs.This study protocol was approved by the Ethic Committee for Experimental Animal of Three Gorges University.Results The retinal morphology and structure were clear in the normal control group.The edema of retinal tissue,loosely arranged RGCs and swollen nucleus were seen in the model control group.In the carnosic-acid treated group,the retinal morphology and structure were regular.The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was (32.96±1.63),(58.96± 1.57) and (50.11±2.37)μm,and the apoptotic cell number was (6.92±2.96),(29.85±6.40) and (14.69± 2.98)/field,and the survived cell number was (2 363.17± 148.45),(1 308.67 ±106.02) and (1 614.17 ±96.39) / 0.235 mm2 in the normal control group,model control group and carnosic-acid treated group,respectively,with significant differences among the groups (F =339.284,81.583,122.68,all at P＜0.01).Compared with the normal control group,the RNFL thickness was thickened,the number of apoptotic RGCs was much more and the number of survived RGCs was decreased in the model control group,with significant differences (all at P＜0.01).In the carnosic-acid treated group,the RNFL thickness was thinner,the number of apoptotic RGCs was reduced and the number of survived RGCs was increased in comparison with the normal control group,with significant differences (all at P＜0.01).Conclusions Carnosic-acid plays a protective effect on RGCs by inhibiting the cell apoptosis in acute ocular hypertension rats.

OBJECTIVE To explore the significance of intraoperative auditory monitoring(IAMA) in surgery of acoustic neuroma and to compare the value of auditory brainstem response(ABR) and cochlear nerve action potential(CNAP) in auditory monitoring.METHODS Retrospective analysis of 12 cases of acoustic neuroma from January 2016 to December 2016 was performed.All patients have a practical hearing(AAO-HNS,grade class a,b),the ABR waveform can be elicited,wave v differentiation,All tumors were removed via posterior sigmoid sinus approach.RESULTS ABR waveform of all patients were prolonged with different degrees of change(0.68±0.41) ms compared with the preoperative data.Amplitude of CNAP diverse in different individuals,with an average prolong compared to the data before operation(0.25±0.16) ms.In all 12 cases,8 (66.7％) patients remained usable hearing after the operation,4 cases(33.3％) failed to have a usable hearing.Among these 4 patients,3 showed disappearance of wave v,1 patient showed wave v latency prolong in the ABR,meanwhile,2 patients showed P1 dissapear,2 patients showed P1 latency prolong in CNAP.The intraoperative auditory monitoring could play a role in preventing the hearing damage in the procedure.Drilling,noise,surgical nerve stretch or thermal injury may cause the hearing damage.A 5 minutes pause could get some degree of regain,with the amplitude rise again.CONCLUSION A combination use of the ABR and CNAP monitoring has a certain significance in surgery of acoustic neuroma.ABR waveform is stable and reliable,but costs longer time;CNAP stack quickly and improve monitoring sensitivity,but waveform varies.Vibration and noise caused by drilling,nerve stretch during operation and heat damage can be monitored timely.Combined use of ABR and CNAP monitoring can enhance the auditory preservation rate during acoustic neuroma surgery.

Objective To investigate the effects of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) on the expression of EDA+ FN in granulation tissues of human diabetic foot wounds.Methods Forty patients with diabetic foot wounds fitting the inclusion criteria,admitted from Jan.2014 to Jun.2016,were randomly and equally apportioned to receive either NPWT or conventional gauze therapy (control) for 14 days.Granulated tissue biopsies were collected before (0 day) and after (14 day) treatment in both groups.All biopsies were subdivided into two parts.One part was preserved in 4％ paraformaldehyde for immunocytochemical staining of EDA+FN,and the other part was stored at-80 ℃ for Western blotting and PCR analysis of EDA+FN.Results The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the mean area density of EDA+ FN increased in both NPWT group and control group at day 14 relative to day 0,but the change value of mean area density was higher in NPWT group than in control group (P＜0.01).Western blotting showed that the relative protein levels of EDA+FN increased in both NPWT group and control group at day 14 relative to day 0,but the change value of relative protein levels of EDA+FN was higher in NPWT group than in control group (P＜0.01).The real time PCR analysis demonstrated that the relative mRNA levels of EDA+ FN increased in both NPWT group and control group at day 14 relative to day 0,but the change value of relative mRNA levels of EDA+ FN was higher in NPWT group than in control group (P＜0.01).The results demonstrated the higher protein and mRNA levels of EDA+FN in NPWT group than that in control group.Conclusion NPWT obviously enhances EDA+FN expression in granulation tissue of diabetic foot wound,as a result promotes wound healing.

BACKGROUND:Compared with bone marrow and autologous peripheral blood stem cells, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are characterized as more primitive, more powerful amplification and lower immunogenicity, no ethical problems, which are more important to the elderly patients with diabetes mel itus. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in the treatment of the elderly patients with diabetic lower limb vascular disease. METHODS:Fifty-six elderly patients with diabetic lower limb vascular disease were randomly divided into observation group and control group. The control group was treated with conventional therapy, while the observation group was treated with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Observation group showed a higher efficiency than the control group, with significant difference (P<0.05). After treatment, foot skin temperature, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, and ankle brachial index were al improved in both two groups, and the ankle brachial index showed a better value in the observation group (P<0.05). There were no significant adverse reactions in the two groups. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation is a simple, safe and effective therapy for the elderly patients with diabetic lower limb vascular disease, with better short-term curative effect.

Objective To observe the protein and mRNA expression of LOX-1,eNOS and PPARγ in type 2 diabetic rat aorta,and to investigate the effect of rosiglitazone intervention.Methods Totally 80 Wistar rats (7-week-old male) were randomized into the control group,high fat diet group,diabetic group,and rosiglitazone treatment group (n=20 each).Type 2 diabetes model was developed by intraperitoneal injection with a low dose of streptozotocin,and rats in rosiglization treatment group were treated with rosiglitazone by intragastric administration.After treatment with rosiglitazone for 6 and 12 weeks,animals were sacrificed.Aorta were collected for detecting the protein and mRNA expressions of LOX-1,eNOS and PPARγ,and the differences in expression levels were compared among groups.Results After 6 and 12 weeks,the protein expressions of LOX-1 were up-regulated in diabetic group and rosiglitazone treatment group as compared with control group and high fat diet group (all P＜ 0.01).The protein expression of LOX-1 was down-regulated in rosiglitazone treatment group as compared with diabetic group (P ＜ 0.05).The aorta protein expressions of LOX-1 in high diet group,diabetes group and rosiglitazone treatment group were upregulated after 12 weeks as compared with 6 weeks (all P＜0.01).After 6 and 12 weeks,the aorta protein expressions of eNOS were down-regulated and PPARγ were up-regulated in high fat diet group,diabetic group and rosiglitazone treatment group as compared with control group (all P＜0.01)The aorta protein expression of eNOS was down-regulated and PPARγwas up-regulated in diabetes group as compared with high fat diet group and rosiglitazone treatment group (all P＜0.01).The aorta protein expressions of eNOS in diabetes group and rosiglitazone treatment group were downregulated after 12 weeks as compared with 6 weeks (all P＜0.01).After 6 and 12 weeks,the aorta mRNA expressions of LOX-1 and PPARγ were up-regulated,but the mRNA expressions of eNOS were down-regulated in high fat diet group,diabetes group and rosiglitazone treatment group as compared with control group (all P＜0.05).The aorta mRNA expressions of LOX-1 and PPARγ were up-regulated,but the mRNA expressions of eNOS were down-regulated in diabetes group and rosiglitazone treatment group as compared with high fat diet group (all P＜0.05).The aorta mRNA expressions of LOX-1 and PPARγ were down-regulated,but the mRNA expressions of eNOS were upregulated in rosiglitazone treatment group as compared to diabetic group (all P＜0.01).Conclusions Both hyperglycemia and hyper-lipoproteinemia can induce early coronary atherosclerosis in rats with the abnormal protein and mRNA expressions of LOX-1,eNOS and PPARγ in rat aorta,and the abnormal expressions are more obvious in hyperglycemia combined with hyperlipoproteinemia.Thiazolidinediones can reverse the above abnormal expressions in diabetic rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors of metabolic syndrome ( MS ) in obese subjects.Methods A seven-year follow-up study was conducted in 413 simple obese subjects and 196 subjects with normal body weight who were recruited from community residents during physical examination in 2000.There was a 7 years follow-up.Anthropometrics,blood pressure,lipid profile,fasting blood glucose,and 2 h blood glucose after glucose loading were measured.Endothelium-dependent dilatation (EDD) test was also performed.Results Among 553 of 609 subjects who were followed up in 2007,there were 381 simple obese subjects ( simple obese group) and 172 normal weight subjects( normal weight group).Seven-year cumulative incidence of MS was 35.17％ in simple obese group and 8.14％ in normal weight group.In simple obese group,subjects with MS showed greater or higher levels of waist circumference( WC ),waist-hip ratio ( WHR ),triglyceride ( TG ),fasting plasma glucose ( FPG ),fasting insulin (FINS),and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) (all P＜0.05 ),and also decreased EDD( P＜0.05 ) as compared with those without MS.WC,WHR,and FINS were higher( all P＜0.05 ) and EDD was lower( P＜0.05 ) in subjects with MS of normal weight group than those without MS.Logistic analysis showed that the male gender,WC,WHR,FPG,HOMA-IR,and EDD were major risk factors of MS.Conclusion Central obesity,insulin resistance,and endothelial dysfunction are important independent risk factors for development of MS.