OBJECTIVES: Prediabetes is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the exact mechanism of prediabetes-related brain diseases has not been fully elucidated. The brain structure of patients with prediabetes has been damaged to varying degrees, and these changes may affect the topological characteristics of large-scale brain networks. The structural covariance of connected gray matter has been demonstrated valuable in inferring large-scale structural brain networks. The alterations of gray matter structural covariance networks in prediabetes remain unclear. This study aims to examine the topological features and robustness of gray matter structural covariance networks in prediabetes. METHODS: A total of 48 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 23 patients with prediabetes (the PD group) and 25 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (the Ctr group). All subjects' high-resolution 3D T₁ images of the brain were collected by a 3.0 Tesla MR machine. Mini-mental state examination was used to evaluate the cognitive status of each subject. We calculated the gray matter volume of 116 brain regions with automated anatomical labeling (AAL) template, and constructed gray matter structural covariance networks by thresholding interregional structural correlation matrices as well as graph theoretical analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) in conjunction with permutation testing was employed for testing the differences in network measures, which included small world parameter (Sigma), normalized clustering coefficient (Gamma), normalized path length (Lambda), global efficiency, characteristic path length, local efficiency, mean clustering coefficient, and network robustness parameters. RESULTS: The network in both groups followed small-world characteristics, showing that Sigma was greater than 1, the Lambda was much higher than 1, and Gamma was close to 1. Compared with the Ctr group, the network of the PD group showed increased Sigma, Lambda, and Gamma across a range of network sparsity. The Gamma of the PD group was significantly higher than that in the Ctr group in the network sparsity range of 0.12-0.16, but there was no difference between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). The grey matter network showed an increased characteristic path length and a decreased global efficiency in the PD group, but AUC analysis showed that there was no significant difference between groups (all P>0.05). For the network separation measures, the local efficiency and mean clustering coefficient of the gray matter network in the PD group were significantly increased and AUC analysis also confirmed it (P=0.001 and P=0.004, respectively). In addition, network robustness analysis showed that the grey matter network of the PD group was more vulnerable to random damage (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prediabetic gray matter network shows an increased average clustering coefficient and local efficiency, and is more vulnerable to random damage than the healthy control, suggesting that the topological characteristics of the prediabetes grey matter covariant network have changed (network separation enhanced and network robustness reduced), which may provide new insights into the brain damage relevant to the disease.
Humans ; Gray Matter/diagnostic imaging* ; Prediabetic State ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Cerebral Cortex ; Brain

The parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) participates in regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism and multiple organ growth,and plays an important role in the processes of malignant tumor bone metastasis and hypercalcemia.Currently,more and more researches have confirmed that PTHrP can be secreted by a variety of types of tumor cells.PTHrP participates in regulating tumor cell proliferation and invasion,and it is closely related to the prognosis of patients,which provides a new target of cancer treatment.

Objective To study the relationship between VEGF-C,CD34 expression and thyroid papillary tumor tissue by combining assays of VEGF-C and CD34 in thyroid tumor tissue.Methods The expression of VEGF-C and CD34 were dectected by immunohistochemistry in 61 cases(thyroid papillary cancer 38.thyroid adenoma 23).Results VEGF-C level in thyroid papillary cancer(38.24±19.58)were significantly hisher than that in thyroid adenoma(16.49±9.25,P<0.01);CD34 in thyroid papillary cancer (23.68 ±9.07)/HP were higher than that in thyroid adenoma(18.70±6.34,t=4.9889,P<0.01).We found a significant relationship between the VEGF-C expression and cancerometastasis or tumor size(P<0.01;P<0.05).There was also a relationship between the CD34 expression and cancerometastasis or tumor size or age (P<0.01 or P<0.05).There Was positive relationship between the expression of VEGF-C and CD34(r=0.46.P<0.01).Conclusion It is suggested that combined detections of VEGF-C and CD34 may have important reference value on the differential diagnosis between thyroid papillary tumor tissue.

Objective To observe insulin synthesis and secretion in INS-1 under high glucose, and to clarify the effect of PTH1R. Methods After successful construction of recombinant PTH1R-siRNA vectors in INS-1 cell, insulin secretion and intracellular insulin content of control group, siPTH1R-Negative control group, PTHrP group, and siPTH1R group under 25 mmol/L glucose were measured by radioimmunoassay in INS-1 cell. Intracellular calcium were detected by Fluo-3/AM and the capability of glucose transport was calculated by assaying the uptake of [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose in cells.Results Compared with control group, and siPTH1R-NC group, PTHrP group showed increased capability of insulin secretion; PTHrP group had higher intracellular insulin levels than others; PTHrP group showed increased intracellular calcium; the uptake of [3H]-2-deoxy-D-glucose under high glucose after 48h of PTHrP group was increased(all P＜0.01). Conclusion There is a close relationship between PTH1R activation and insulin secretion and synthesis, PTH1R activation may be one of the protective mechanisms in maintaining function of β-cell under high glucose.

Objective To determine the serum levels of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (TREM-1), analyse its relationship with inflammatory factors, and explore its clinical values. Methods Serum concentrations of TREM-1, TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-1β in 19 patients with early acute pancreatitis (AP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay and the relationship among them was analyzed, and it was compared with those of 20 normal controls. Results In patients with early AP, serum levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β and TREM-1 were (52.26±12.98) pg/ml, (20.18±9.81) pg/ml, (35.57 ± 13.34) pg/ml and (83.09 ± 32.49) pg/ml;while they were (18.69 ± 6.42) pg/ml, (9.81 ± 4.80) pg/ml, (14.94 ± 5.16) pg/ml and (8.44±8.42) pg/ml in control group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01). TREM-1 was positively correlated with other inflammatory factors in patients with early AP, and it had a sensitivity of 77.8%, specificity of 70.0% for prognosis prediction, which was better than TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β. Conclusions TREM-1 may influence the leveLs of inflammatory factors and to some extent predict the early prognosis of AP.

Objective To study whether eicosapentaenoate can decrease the apoptosis effects in-duced by palmitic acid in INS-1 or not. Methods Based on different condition, there were four groups in this study, including control group , EPA group, palmitic acid group, combination of EPA and palmitic acid group. The grow curve was detected by MTT, and the expressions of bax were detected by Western blot.Cell apoptosis was detected by caspase-3. ROS was detected by CM2H2DCFDA kit after 48h. Result The grow curve of combination of EPA and palmitic acid group was higher than that in plamitic group[24 h :(37.33±1.15)OD vs (30. 79 ± 1.55 )OD, P < 0. 01 ;48 h:(31.50 ± 1.56)OD vs (23.94 ± 1.10)OD, P<0. 01] . Caspase-3 activity and ROS and the expression of bax and SREBP1c in combination of palmitic acid and T0901317 group were lower than those in palmitic acid group[(3566. 67 ± 305.51 )OD vs (4233. 33 ±416. 33)OD]. Conclusion EPA can inhibit apoptosis in INS-1 induced by palmitic acid.

To study the effect of losartan on high glucose up-regulated expression of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and its type 1 receptor (PTH1R) in NRK-52E cells. The expression of PTHrP and PTH1R were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in control group (0 mmol/L glucose) ,normal glucose group (5 mmol/ L glucose) ,moderately high glucose group (16.7 mmol/L glucose) ,high glucose group (25 mmol/L glucose) ,and after intervention by 10 μmol/L losartan for 72 h (only Western blot). The expression of PTHrP and PTH1R were up-regulated by high glucose (PTHrP mRNA : 0. 66 ± 0.08, 0. 84 ± 0. 13,1.57 ± 0. 15, and 1.73 ± 0.21 ; PTHrP protein :0.63±0.12,0.68±0.06,1.02±0. 11, and 1.04±0.08 ; PTH1R mRNA :0.26±0. 08,0.28±0.07,2.35± 0. 10,and 2.47±0. 05 ; PTH1R protein:0. 88±0. 05,0. 87±0. 10, 1.05±0. 11, and 1.12±0. 09) ,and losartan inhibited the effects of high glucose (PTHrP 0.74±0. 15, PTH1R 0.98±0.06, both P<0.01). The results suggest that losartan could inhibit the expression of FTHrP and PTH1R induced by high glucose in NRK-52E.

Objective To study the relationship between fragile histidine traid (FHIT), pituitary tumor transforming gene-1 (PTTG-1) in thyroid tumor tissue. Methods The expression of FHIT and PTTG-1 were detected by immunohistocbemistry in 96 eases (56 carcinoma,40 adenoma). Results Compared with thyroid adenoma, the expression of FHIT decreased (P <0.01) ,PTTG-1 increased in thyroid carcinoma(P <0.01). The expression of FHIT is different in thyroid carcinoma in eancerometastasis to non-cancerometastasis (P < 0. 01), prognosis index (≥65) and prognosis index(< 65) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) ; There also was statistically significant differences between the expression of PTTG in thyroid carcinoma (P <0.05 and P <0.01). Conclusion FHIT and FTTG-1 may be an important reference significance in the differentiation of benign and malignant thyroid tumor tissue, and may serve as useful prognostic markers.

OBJECTIVE To build up an integrated,flexible,real-time backward management system for recycling medical appliance.METHODS The radiofrequency identification technique(RFID) information management technology was adopted.RESULTS Exertion of RFID information management technology in Central Sterile Supply Department(CSSD) not only promoted its work more effectively,correctly and feasibly,but also guaranteed the quality of recycling medical appliance.CONCLUSIONS The RFID information management technology applying in CSSD,could control the whole process of managing recycling medical appliance backward completely,and gain the legal witness and humanity management.

OBJECTIVE To explore the management methods of sterilization and supply department for the control of hospital infection. METHODS Since 2005, strict infection management system in all aspects by the sterilization and supply department has been taken including renewable medical equipment from recycle to distribution, sterile disposable medical equipment from acceptance to distribution, and the district environment and self-protection of its own staff in the sterilization and supply department and so on. RESULTS Hospital infections had not occurred as a result of sterilized supply for three years. CONCLUSIONS Since strict control and management system is carrying out, measures are effective, and good results have been achieved, which provide important guarantees for effectively controlling infection and medical safety.