OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between expression of CD96 and CD123 and prognosis of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome(MDS).

METHODSEight-nine MDS patients(MDS group) and 20 persons without hematologic disease as controls(Control group) were enrolled. The patients were grouped by the risk. All participants received bone marrow biopsy. Mononuclear cells were extracted, CD34CD38CD123and CD34CD38CD96cells were counted by using flow cytometry. Expressions of 2 type cells in control group, MDS group and its subgroups were analyzed.

RESULTSThe proportion of CD34cells and CD34CD38cells in mononuclear cells of patients in MDS group was higher than in control group (P<0.05). The proportions of CD34CD38CD123cells and CD34CD38CD96cells in CD34CD38cells were significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05) and the proportion increased with the risk. In the low-and middle-risk group, the rates of complete remission(CR) and partial remission(PR) of patients with CD123and CD96were higher than those in patients with CD123and CD96; in the middle-2 and high risk patients, the PR of patients with CD123was higher than that in patients with CD123(P<0.05). The CR rate of patients with CD96was higher than that of patients with CD96(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe differentiation of CD34cells in bone marrow of MDS patients is abnormal, and the high expression of CD123 and CD96 cells existes. These findings may partially explain the cause of hematopoietic stem cell malignant clone in MDS patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in isolated perfused rat heart and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSAn ischemia-reperfusion (IR) model was prepared using isolated rat hearts perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution were randomly divided into control group, 2.5 µmol/L KN-93 group, IR (induced by ischemia for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min) group and KN-93+IR group. The myocardial performance was evaluated by assessing the left ventricular pressure. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and cTnI content in the coronary flow and the infarct size were determined to evaluate the myocardial injury. The phosphorylation of CaMKII (p-CaMKII) and PLN (p-PLN) and oxidation of CaMKII (ox--CaMKII) were measured with Western blotting. The activity of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, KN-93 treatment at 2.5 µmol/L produced no significant effects on cardiac function or performance in rat hearts without IR injury. Myocardial IR injury significantly decreased myocardial performance and mitochondrial SOD activity in the perfused hearts (P<0.01) and caused significantly increased infarct size, LDH activity, cTnI content, expressions of p-CaMKII, ox-CaMKII and p-PLN, and also increased mitochondrial MDA content (P<0.01). KN-93 treatment at 2.5 µmol/L administered before ischemia and before reperfusion markedly attenuated such changes induced by ischemia and reperfusion (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCaMKII participates in myocardial IR injury in isolated rat heart, and inhibiting CaMKII can alleviate myocardial injury by relieving mitochondrial oxidation stress.

BackgroundPostmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome (MetS) have increased cardiovascular morbidity and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD). The various protective effects of astragalus membranaceus (AM) have been described in previous studies. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of AM on diastolic function in postmenopausal hypertensive women with MetS.

MethodsThis was a prospective, randomized controlled study. The postmenopausal hypertensive patients with MetS were enrolled from Lanzhou University Second Hospital from March 2014 to April 2015. Patients were divided into three groups: control group (received conventional medical treatment), AM Group 1 (received AM capsules at 5 g/d additionally), and AM Group 2 (received AM capsules at 10 g/d additionally). Echocardiographic and clinical characteristics were evaluated before and 12 months after treatment. Quantitative data were analyzed using unpaired t-test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis.

ResultsA total of 154 patients were subjected to final analysis. In the AM Group 2, significant improvements were noted in diastolic function 12 months after treatment than those of the control group, including the early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E'; 0.065 ± 0.007 m/s vs. 0.061 ± 0.008 m/s, P = 0.014), the ratio of the early diastolic mitral peak flow velocity to the late diastolic mitral peak flow velocity (E/A; 0.81 ± 0.05 vs. 0.80 ± 0.06, P = 0.012), the ratio of E' to the late diastolic mitral annular velocity (E'/A'; 0.56 ± 0.12 vs. 0.51 ± 0.13, P = 0.048), and the ratio of the early diastolic mitral peak flow velocity (E) to E' (E/E'; 10.70 ± 1.30 vs. 11.37 ± 1.73, P = 0.031). After treatment, E/E' (10.70 ± 1.30 vs. 11.24 ± 1.56, P = 0.021), deceleration time (DT; 261.49 ± 44.41 ms vs. 268.74 ± 53.87 ms, P = 0.046), and E'/A' (0.56 ± 0.12 vs. 0.52 ± 0.13, P = 0.019) values improved more significantly than those of AM Group 2 before treatment. Besides, waist circumference was positively correlated with E' (r = 0.472; P = 0.003) and E'/A' (r = 0.321; P = 0.047). In addition, the waist-to-hip ratio was a significant predictor of DT (r = 0.276; P = 0.041), E' (r = -0.590; P < 0.001), E/E' (r = 0.454; P = 0.004), and E'/A' (r = -0.377; P = 0.018).

ConclusionsConventional medical plus AM therapy improved diastolic function. Moreover, WC and WHR might be risk factors for LVDD.

Chinese Clinical Trial RegisterChiCTR-TRC-11001747. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=7798.

OBJECTIVETo examine the association of genetic variants with characteristic symptoms of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODSA matched case-control study was performed to investigate the association between common variants in four genes (CDKAL1, GLIS3, GRK5, and TCF7L2) and symptoms of T2DM. Symptoms were examined with questionnaire for 710 subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cell by salting-out procedure. Genotyping was carried out by direct sequencing of the unpurified polymerase chain reaction products.

RESULTMost of the T2DM patients pressented characteristic symptoms, such as feeling weak in limbs (P =0.0057), hand tremor (P =0.0208), bradymasesis (P =0.0234), and polyuria (P =0.0051). Some of the T2DM patients shared characteristic symptoms, such as desire for cold drinks (P =0.0304), polyphagia (P =0.0051), and furred tongue (P =0.028). The impaired glucose regulation (IGR) cases took only one characteristic symptom of frequent micturition (P =0.0422). GLIS3 rs7034200 and GRK5 rs10886471 were significantly associated with increased T2DM risk (GLIS3 rs7034200 under dominant model: P=0.0307; GRK5 rs10886471 under recessive model: P=0.0092). However, only the rs10886471 polymorphism in GRK5 showed a significant effect on both differentiated symptoms and T2DM risk. The C-allele was involved in both dampness-heat encumbering Pi (Spleen) syndrome (P =0.047) and qi-yin deficiency syndrome (P =0.002) via increased GRK5 expression.

CONCLUSIONSBoth T2DM and IGR exhibited its corresponding characteristic symptoms. The variants of GRK5 were involved with both qi-yin deficiency syndrome and dampness-heat encumbering Pi syndrome.

Background:Studies on the association between spicy food intake and cancer risk have reported inconsistent results. We quantitatively assessed this association by conducting a meta-analysis based on evidence from case-control studies.

Methods:PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched for eligible publications. Combined odds ratios (OR s) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random- or fixed-effects model. The methodological quality of the included articles was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). All data were analyzed using STATA 11.0 software (version 11.0; StataCorp., College Station, TX, USA). Subgroup analyses were also performed with stratification by region, sex, number of cases, cancer subtype, source of the control group, and NOS score.

Results:A total 39 studies from 28 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis (7884 patients with cancer and 10,142 controls). Comparison of the highest versus lowest exposure category in each study revealed a significant OR of 1.76 (95% CI = 1.35-2.29) in spite of significant heterogeneity (P < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, this positive correlation was still found for gastric cancer, different regions, different numbers of cases, different sources of the control group, and high-quality articles (NOS score of ≥ 7). However, no statistically significant association was observed for women, esophageal cancer, gallbladder cancer, or low-quality articles (NOS score of <7). No evidence of publication bias was found.

Conclusions:Evidence from case-control studies suggested that a higher level of spicy food intake may be associated with an increased incidence of cancer despite significant heterogeneity. More studies are warranted to clarify our understanding of the association between high spicy food intake and the risk of cancer.

BACKGROUNDCurrent treatments for scoliosis have some defects and complications. To study spinal deformities and test novel scoliosis treatments, many animal models of scoliosis have been developed. These models applied a single load to the spine and could not precisely modulate the spinal growth in different dimensions. In this study, we applied posterior tethering in various directions with the application of nickel-titanium (NT) coil springs in dog's spine to modulate spinal growth in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes and create a scoliosis model possess curves that mimic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) three dimensionally.

METHODSScoliosis was surgically induced in eight 8-week-old female dogs (weight: 1.95-2.30 kg) using bone screws and NT coil springs. The deformity was induced through the placement of posterior NT coil springs that tethered the spine by bone screw fixation. All dogs were monitored with serial radiographs to document changes in deformities.

RESULTSAll experimental animals developed scoliotic curves convex to the left in the lumbar segment. The mean coronal Cobb angle was 18.0° immediately postoperatively and 54.5° at 22 weeks. The mean lordosis increased from 6.2° postoperatively to 35.0° at final follow-up. Apical axial rotation increased from 4.5° postoperatively to 31.2° at 22 weeks.

CONCLUSIONSWith the application of NT springs in dogs that allowed posterior tethering in various directions, lumbar spinal deformity was achieved in three planes: coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes. Notably, the lumbar spine in surgically treated dogs developed lordoscoliosis with obvious rotation and the curves mimic AIS three dimensionally well. This method allows lumbar scoliosis to develop without deep dissection of muscle and maintains the essential anatomical elements along the spinal curve. Moreover, the spinal growth modulation technique could yield information that would provide a basis for developing novel early-stage treatments for children with scoliosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of serum vitamin D [25-(OH)D] level with the severity and treatment in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

METHODSA total of 50 children with newly-diagnosed HSP between January and December, 2015 were enrolled as HSP group, and 49 healthy children were enrolled as control group. Fasting serum samples were collected, and ELISA was used to measure serum 25-(OH)Dlevel. According to the serum 25-(OH)Dlevel, the HSP group were further divided into normal group (>20 ng/mL) (n=9), insufficiency group (15-20 ng/mL) (n=15), deficiency group (≤15 ng/mL) (n=25), and severe deficiency group (≤5 ng/mL) (n=1). The general data, clinical manifestations, hormone therapy, course of disease before admission, and length of hospital stay were compared between groups.

RESULTSThe HSP group had a significantly lower serum 25-(OH)Dlevel than the control group (16±6 ng/mL vs 29±5 ng/mL; P<0.01). Compared with the normal and insufficiency groups, the deficiency and severe deficiency groups had significant increases in the incidence rate of renal involvement, rate of hormone application, and median length of hospital stay (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in course of disease before admission (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSChildren with HSP have a low serum 25-(OH)Dlevel, and such children may have a high risk of renal involvement, a high rate of hormone application, and a prolonged length of hospital stay. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation is helpful to the treatment of HSP and can shorten the course of disease in children with HSP.

Child ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

OBJECTIVETo calculate the volume of occult blood loss after unicompartment knee arthroplasty(UKA), and analyze its influential factors by comparing with total knee arthroplasty.

METHODSA retrospective study of 130 cases from July 2012 to July 2015 were enrolled, of which and 65 cases were UKA, and 65 cases were TKA. In UKA group there were 27 males and 38 females, and the mean age was (62.3±4.3) years old (ranged, 50 to 82 years old). There were 14 cases older than 70 years old, while 51 cases among 50 to 70 years old. The mean Body mass index (BMI) was (23.9±2.6) kg/m²(ranged, 18.3 to 30.1 kg/m²). In TKA group there were 23 males and 42 females, and the mean age was (67.4±4.9) years old (ranged, 57 to 81 years old). There were 34 cases older than 70 years old, while 31 cases among 50 to 70 years old. The mean BMI was (25.6±2.3) kg/m²(ranged, 20.6 to 33.1 kg/m²). Hidden blood loss was calculated according to Gross equation, and the differences between the two groups including different ages and genders were observed subsequently. The differences of red blood cell change between two groups were observed dynamically postoperatively.

RESULTSPostoperative hidden blood loss was (375.25±168.09) ml, HSS score was 87.11±5.39 in UKA group. Hidden blood loss was (898.81±221.47) ml, HSS score was 82.23±3.08 in TKA group. The differences between the two groups were significant. There were no significant differences in ages and genders. There were no significant relationship between hidden blood loss and HSS score or BMI, while the differences of red blood cell change were significant on the second day, the 4th day and the 5th day. There was no allogenic blood transfusion in UKA group, while 3 patients with transfusion in TKA group.

CONCLUSIONSHidden blood loss is part of total blood loss after UKA, and the volume in UKA is less than that in TKA. It could be compensated by the body and rarely affect the knee function. The hidden blood is not a risk factor of transfusion.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the status and risk factors for the misdiagnosis of femoral head osteonecrosis, providing the basis for accurate diagnosis of osteonecrosis of femoral head.

METHODSThe data of 314 hospitalized patients were collected from March 2015 to March 2016, and the risk factors for osteonecrosis of femoral head were analyzed by Logistic regression model. Misdiagnosis was defined that the diagnosis given on the first time was different from that on the second time or that given by expert group with the same symptoms and signs. The general data, predisposing factors, time of onset, hospital visits, clinical manifestations, X-ray film of hip joint, MRI and other data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSTotal 127 patients experienced misdiagnosis (up to 40.8%). Among them, the patients with osteonecrosis of femoral head misdiagnosed as other diseases accounted for 77.2% and the patients with other diseases misdiagnosed osteonecrosis of femoral head accounted for 22.8%. Statistical analysis showed that the predisposing factors, history of glucocorticoid and alcohol intake, diseased lower limb, pained lower limb, hidden disease attack, the level of first reception hospital and expert were significantly related with the misdiagnosis of femoral head osteonecrosis based on the logistic regression model (<0.05) . The relationship between misdiagnosis and gender, age, primary disease taking glucocorticoid, approach and time of glucocorticoid use, the type of alcohol, drinking time had no statistical significance(>0.05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that the hidden disease attack(OR=3.059) and level of first reception expert(OR=2.778) were the high risk factors associated with the misdiagnosis in which the femoral head necrosis was misdiagnosed as other diseases(<0.01), and glucocorticoid intake history was the low risk factors(OR=0.387)(<0.05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of first reception expert (OR=3.573) was the high risk factor associated with the misdiagnosis in which the other diseases were misdiagnosed as necrosis of femoral head.

CONCLUSIONSMisdiagnosis rate of femoral head necrosis is high. Hidden disease attack and low level of first reception expert are the high risk factors associated with the misdiagnosis in which the femoral head necrosis was misdiagnosed as other diseases, however, glucocorticoid intake history is the protective factor of misdiagnosis. Low level of first reception expert is the high risk factor associated with the misdiagnosis in which other diseases were misdiagnosed as necrosis of femoral head.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics of peripheral blood, immune phenotypes, fusion genes and cytogenetics of patients with t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia(AML) through the retrospective analysis of 586 patients with t(8;21) AML from 15 blood disease research centers in Northern area of China.

METHODSThe factors affecting prognosis of patients with t(8;21) AML were investigated by using univariate and multivariate COX regression.

RESULTSThe immune type of t(8;21) AML patients was mainly with HLA-DR, CD117, CD34, MPO, CD38, CD13and CD33(>95%), part of them with CD19and CD56; the most common accompanied mutation of t(8;21) AML patients was C-KIT mutation (37.8%); in addition to t(8;21) ectopic, the most common chromosomal abnormality was sex chromosome deletions (38.9%). The univariate analysis revealed a significant survival superiority of OS and PFS in t(8;21) AML patients of WBC≤3.5×10/L without C-KIT mutation, the newly diagnosed ones achieved HSCT(P<0.05), only survival superiority on OS in t(8;21) AML patients with extramedullary infiltration and CD19 positive; the results of multivariate analysis showed a significant survival superiority on OS and PFS in t(8;21) AML patients with WBC≤3.5×10/L(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe clinical features of t(8;21) AML patients in China are similar to those in other countries, WBC≤3.5×10/L is a good prognostic factor while the C-KIT mutation is a poor one in t(8;21) AML patients.