Objective:To evaluate postoperative biochemical and clinical remission rates in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism and analyze related influencing factors.Methods:A total of 406 patients of primary aldosteronism with confirmed subtyping, who underwent adrenalectomy and completed follow-up in the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to March 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical and biochemical data were recorded. Postoperative clinical and biochemical outcomes were assessed according to Primary Aldosteronism Surgery Outcome(PASO) consensus.Results:Complete biochemical success was achieved in 391(96.31%) of 406 primary aldosteronism patients, while partial and absent biochemical success in only 4(0.99%) and 11(2.71%) primary aldosteronism patients; Complete clinical success was seen in 217(53.45%) patients, and partial clinical success in 189(46.55%) patients. Compared to the partial clinical success group, the complete clinical success group was younger, had a greater proportion of women, a smaller body mass index, a shorter duration of hypertension, a smaller daily defined dose value for antihypertensive medication, a higher estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), and a lower proportion of family history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Multifactorial logistic regression analysis further showed that gender( OR=2.49, 95% CI 1.42-4.35, P=0.001), body mass index( OR=1.16, 95% CI 1.05-1.28, P=0.003), antihypertensive drug daily defined dose( OR=1.83, 95% CI 1.37-2.44, P<0.001), family history of hypertension( OR=2.16, 95% CI 1.22-3.83, P=0.008), history of diabetes( OR=2.47, 95% CI 1.15-5.29, P=0.021), and eGFR( OR=0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P=0.001) were independent factors influencing clinical prognosis of primary aldosteronism. Conclusion:The postoperative complete biochemical success is higher in patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism, but only about half of all patients achieve complete clinical success.

Objective:To investigate the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) by seated saline suppression test (SSST) based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent SSST for suspected PA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2018 to March 2022 were evaluated. Briefly, 300 patients with PA and 119 with essential hypertension (EH) were included. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) after SSST was determined by LC-MS/MS. Primary aldosteronism confirmatory testing (PACT) score was used as the reference standard for diagnosis of PA, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore the cut-off value.Results:The average age of the PA group was (50.8±10.5) years, and males accounted for 53.00% ( n=159); the average age of the EH group was (49.4±11.2) years, and males accounted for 26.89% ( n=32). The area under the ROC curve of PAC post-SSST was 0.819 (95% CI 0.775-0.862). When 40 pg/ml (110.8 pmol/L) was selected as the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of PA, the sensitivity was 83.67% (95% CI 78.88%-87.56%) and specificity was 60.50% (95% CI 51.10%-69.21%). Thus, 95.09% (155/163) of patients with unilateral PA could be identified. Conclusion:PAC after SSST determined by LC-MS/MS has high efficacy for diagnosis of PA, and 40 pg/ml is recommended as the appropriate cut-off value.

Humans ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; East Asian People ; Psoriasis/epidemiology* ; Arthritis, Psoriatic/epidemiology* ; Registries ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective    To establish the gene-based esophageal cancer (ESCA) risk score prediction models via whole transcriptome analysis to provide ideas and basis for improving ESCA treatment strategies and patient prognosis. Methods    RNA sequencing data of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and adjacent tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The edgeR method was used to screen out the differential genes between ESCA tissue and normal tissue, and the key genes affecting the survival status of ESCC and EAC patients were initially identified through univariate Cox regression analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to further screen genes and establish ESCC and EAC risk score prediction models. Results    The risk score prediction models were the independent prognostic factors for ESCA, and the risk score was significantly related to the survival status of patients. In ESCC, the risk score was related to T stage. In EAC, the risk score was related to lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis and clinical stage. The constructed nomogram based on risk score showed good predictive ability. In ESCC, the risk score was related to tumor immune cell infiltration and the expression of immune checkpoint genes. However, this feature was not obvious in EAC. Conclusion 聽 聽The ESCC and EAC risk score prediction models have shown good predictive capabilities, which provide certain inspiration and basis for optimizing the management of ESCA and improving the prognosis of patients.

Objective:To evaluate and summarize the best evidence for exercise intervention in patients with hypertension, and to provide the basis for clinical medical workers to manage hypertension.Methods:We searched UpToDate, BMJ Best Practice, the Cochrane Library, the International Guideline Collaborative Network to collect guidelines, systematic evaluation, and evidence summary. The retrieval time was from database establishment to June 1st 2022. Two researchers independently conducted literature quality evaluation and extracted evidence from the included literature.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, including 10 guidelines, 1 expert consensus and 2 Meta analysis. A total of 23 pieces of best evidence were collected, mainly involving 8 aspects, including exercise principles, exercise assessment, exercise environment, pre-exercise preparation, exercise program, post-exercise collation, tracking and review, exercise compliance.Conclusions:Exercise has a positive effect on improving blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The suggestions summarized in this study can be tried to guide clinical practice.

Objective:To explore the proportion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in primary aldosteronism (PA) in Chinese population and compare the clinical characteristics between PA patients with OSA and those without.Methods:A total of 96 patients diagnosed with PA from September 2015 to November 2018 were recruited in this study. OSA was screened by cardio-respiratory polygraphy. According to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into PA with OSA group (AHI ≥5 times) and PA without OSA group (AHI<5 times).Results:Among all patients (96), 69 (71.9%) were with OSA, among them 22 patients (22.9%) were with mild OSA, 17 patients (17.7%) were with moderate OSA and 30 patients (31.3%) were with severe OSA. Compared with the patients without OSA, the patients with OSA were elder, and had higher levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), creatinine (CR) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) ( P<0.05), but lower concentrations of plasma aldosterone (PAC), supine aldosterone renin concentration ratio(ARR) and the PAC after the diagnosis test ( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analyses showed that BMI, WC, HC, CR and HbA1c were positively correlated with AHI ( P<0.05), while high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), supine-PAC and saline infusion test(SIT)-post PAC were negatively correlated with AHI ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The proportion of OSA in PA patients is relatively high (71.9%). Metabolic abnormalities are more common in PA patients with OSA, indicating that screening for OSA should be carried out routinely in PA patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in aplastic anemia (AA)patients with iron overload.

METHODSA single arm, multi- center, prospective, open- label study was conducted to evaluate absolute change in serum ferritin (SF)from baseline to 12 months of deferasirox administration, initially at a dose of 20 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), and the safety in 64 AA patients with iron overload.

RESULTSAll patients started their deferasirox treatment with a daily dose of 20 mg · kg(-1) ·d(-1). The mean actual dose was (18.6±3.60) mg · kg(-1)·d(-1). The median SF decreased from 4 924 (2 718- 6 765)μg/L at baseline (n=64) to 3 036 (1 474- 5 551)μg/L at 12 months (n=23) with the percentage change from baseline as 38%. A median SF decrease of 651 (126-2 125)μg/L was observed at the end of study in 23 patients who completed 12 months' treatment, the median SF level decreased by 1 167(580-4 806)μg/L [5 271(3 420-8 278)μg/L at baseline; 3 036(1 474-5 551)μg/L after 12 months' treatment; the percentage change from baseline as 42% ] after 12 months of deferasirox treatment. The most common adverse events (AEs) were increased serum creatinine levels (40.98%), gastrointestinal discomfort (40.98%), elevated liver transaminase (ALT: 21.31%; AST: 13.11%)and proteinuria (24.59%). The increased serum creatinine levels were reversible and non-progressive. Of 38 patients with concomitant cyclosporine use, 12(31.8%)patients had two consecutive values >ULN, 10(26.3%)patients had two consecutive values >1.33 baseline values, but only 1(2.6%)patient's serum creatinine increased more than 1.33 baseline values and exceeded ULN. For both AST and ALT, no patients experienced two post- baseline values >5 ×ULN or >10 × ULN during the whole study. In AA patients with low baseline PLT count (less than 50 × 10(9)/L), there was no decrease for median PLT level during 12 months' treatment period.

CONCLUSIONSAA patients with iron overload could achieve satisfactory efficacy of iron chelation by deferasirox treatment. The drug was well tolerated with a clinically manageable safety profile and no major adverse events.

Anemia, Aplastic ; drug therapy ; Benzoates ; therapeutic use ; Blood Transfusion ; China ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Iron ; blood ; Iron Chelating Agents ; therapeutic use ; Iron Overload ; drug therapy ; Liver ; Prospective Studies ; Triazoles ; therapeutic use

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of small endoscopic sphincterotomy combined large-bal-loon dilation in treatment of common bile duct stones 1.0~2.5 cm in diameter. Methods 426 patients with large common bile duct (CBD) stones 1.0~2.5 cm in size were reviewed in our hospital between June 2010 and June 2014. They were randomized underwent small endoscopic sphincterotomy combined large-balloon dilation (SESPLBD) (n=218) or endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) ( n= 208) for lithotripsy. The therapeutic outcome and complications were reviewed and compared. Results SESPLBD had higher complete duct clearance in one session (95.41 % vs. 93.75%), but there was no statistical significant difference. Bleeding was much less occurred in SESPLBD than in EST (2.29 % vs. 7.69 %, P= 0.025), especially when the stones were bigger than 1.5 cm in diameter. Mechanical lithotripsy was performed less in SESPLBD (13.76%vs 25.96 %, P=0.002), especially when the stones were 1.5 ~2.0 cm in diameter. There was no statistical significant difference in the incidence rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis (9.17 % vs. 6.73 %,P = 0.452), hyperamylasemia (19.72 % vs. 18.27 %,P = 0.796), perforation and death. Conclusions SESPLBD could be a safe method for large bile duct stones 1.0~2.5 cm in size. Compared with routine EST, it had less bleeding rate and mechanical lithotripsy requirement without increasing the incidence rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis or hyperamylasemia.

BACKGROUND:Cirrhosis is a long-term consequence of chronic hepatic injury, which has no effective therapy. Mesenchymal stem cels have been shown to play a potential role in the treatment of liver fibrosis/cirrhosis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cels on CCl4 induced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis in rats. METHODS:A CCl4-induced liver fibrotic/cirrhotic rat model was used, and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cels were injectedvia the tail vein after modeling. Liver biochemical profile was measured by Beckman Coulter analyzer. Histopathological changes were assessed by Sirius red staining. The expressions of colagen type I, colagen type III, matrix metaloproteinases-2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloproteinases-2 protein and mRNA in liver tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Liver biochemical profile indicated the transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cels could improve the liver function of rats with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. After cel transplantation, except 1-week cel transplantation group, the expressions of the matrix metaloproteinases-2 mRNA and protein were significantly increased, while the expressions of colagen type I, colagen type III and tissue inhibitor of matrix metaloproteinases-2 mRNA and protein significantly decreased, compared with the corresponding model groups. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cels play a role in the treatment of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis through upregulating the expression of matrix metaloproteinases-2 and lowering the expression of inhibitor of matrix metaloproteinases-2. With the continued presence of pathogenic factors, human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cel transplantation cannot reverse liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, and only delay the process of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)gene and apolipoprotein (Apo) B gene mutation in a Chinese family with familial hypercholesterolemia(FH) and give the kindrids clinical check-ups. Methods After physical examination, the kindreds underwent ECG and ultrasound checks. Blood samples were tested for lipid profiles. The promoter and all eighteen exons of LDLR gene were investigated by using PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis in combination with DNA sequence analysis. The results were compared with the normal sequences in GenBank and FH database ( www. ucl. ac. uk/fh ) to find mutations. In addition, the apolipoprotein B100 gene for known mutations (R3500Q,R3531C,R3501W and R3480W)that cause familial defective ApoB100 (FDB)was also tested using the same method. Results A novel homozygous G ＞ A mutation at the 1581 bp of exon 10 was detected in the proband and his siblings. It caused a substitution of amimo acid Glu to Gly at codon 496. A novel heterozygous G ＞A mutation at the 1581 bp of exon 10 was detected in his parents. No mutations of R3500Q,R3531C,R3501W and R3480W of ApoB100 were observed. ECGs were normal. Atherosclerosis were found in all family members by ultrasound checks. Conclusions The homozygous G ＞ A mutation at the 1581 bp of exon 10 was first determined in our country. The change of amino acid Glu to Gly is responsible for FH of the family. The type of the gene mutation was not found in the FH database( www. ucl.ac. uk/ih). It's a new type of LDLR mutation.