Objective:To analyze the risk factors for the development of moderate to severe liver fibrosis in male metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients.Methods:In this study, a single-center retrospective study was conducted to select 414 male patients with MetS who were diagnosed by physical examination at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2022 to November 2023. The patients were classified into MetS with no/slight hepatic fibrosis group (MetS F0-1 group, 294 cases) and MetS with moderate to severe hepatic fibrosis group (MetS F2-4 group, 120 cases) according to the results of liver hardness test. The independent risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe liver fibrosis in male MetS patients were explored by univariate and multivariate analyses of whether they had diabetes, and the levels of body mass index (BMI), serum glutamate aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glutamyltransferase (GGT), and uric acid.Results:Compared with the MetS F0-1 group, theMets F2-4 group had the characteristics of high obesity rate, high diabetes rate and high serum ALT, AST. GGT and uric acid levels (all P<0.05). One-way regression analysis revealed that those with diabetes mellitus ( OR=2.891, 95% CI: 1.627-5.138), high BMI ( OR=1.276, 95% CI: 1.191-1.368), high level of serum ALT ( OR=1.024, 95% CI: 1.015-1.034), AST ( OR=1.052, 95% CI: 1.032-1.072), GGT ( OR=1.011, 95% CI: 1.005-1.016) and uric acid ( OR=1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.006) were the risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe hepatic fibrosis in male patients with MetS, whereas a multifactorial regression analysis found that the presence of diabetes ( OR=5.561, 95% CI: 2.706-11.428), high BMI ( OR=1.271, 95% CI: 1.177-1.372) and high serum uric acid ( OR=1.004, 95% CI: 1.001-1.007) were the independent risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe hepatic fibrosis in male MetS patients. Conclusion:Diabetes, high BMI and high level of serum uric acid are independent risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe hepatic fibrosis in male patients with MetS.

Objective:To evaluate the acute effects of different foot-strike patterns of running on knee cartilage in amateur marathon runners using the T 2* mapping technique. Methods:From November 2021 to February 2022, 29 amateur marathon runners were recruited in Hangzhou. The gait analysis was performed to determine their landing patterns, then the runners were divided into the fore-foot strike (FFS) group (11 cases) and the rear-foot strike (RFS) group (18 cases). The MRI of the knee joint of the dominant leg was performed before and 30 min after running, and the volume, thickness, and T 2* value of each division of knee cartilage were measured. Independent samples t-tests were used to compare the differences in baseline data before running between the groups, and paired samples t-tests were used to compare the differences before and after running within the groups. Results:The difference in knee cartilage volume and thickness between the FFS and RFS groups before running was not statistically significant ( P>0.05), and the T 2* value of the femur medial posterior in the RFS group was higher than that of the FFS group ( t=-2.47, P=0.020). Compared with pre-running, cartilage thickness of the tibia lateral posterior decreased in the FFS group after running ( t=-2.96, P=0.016), and cartilage thickness of the tibia lateral posterior and patella lateral central decreased in the RFS group ( t=-3.25, -3.02, P=0.004, 0.007). Cartilage volume of the tibia lateral posterior decreased in the FFS group after running ( t=-2.58, P=0.030), and the cartilage volume of the patella lateral central decreased in the RFS group ( t=-2.74, P=0.013). The differences in T 2* values of cartilage in each region before and after running were not statistically significant in the FFS group ( P>0.05), whereas in the RFS group, the cartilage T 2* values in the femur medial posterior, femoral trochanter central, femoral trochanter lateral, femur lateral central, tibia lateral anterior, tibia medial posterior, tibia medial central, and tibia medial anterior decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:After running, FFS showed changes in morphology and biochemical composition only in some subregions of tibial cartilage, whereas most of the femoral cartilage, patellar cartilage, and tibial cartilage regions were altered by RFS. The RFS pattern introduces greater acute changes in cartilage in the knee joint.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) on arrhythmia during acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in rats. Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. Ten rats were randomly selected as the blank group, and the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 15 rats in each group. Before modeling, rats in the EA group received one session of EA intervention at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min; the other groups were treated with the same grasping and anesthesia for 30 min without intervention. PowerLab physiological recorder was used to record electrocardiograph within 30 min of infarction. After the experiment, cardiac tissue and serum were collected from rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myocardial tissue in the ventricular infarction area of rats in each group. The expression of Cx43 protein in the myocardium of each group was detected by Western blotting (WB). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue and the serum content of endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF) in rats. Results: There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia score between the EA group and the model group, but the total duration and average duration of arrhythmia in the EA group were decreased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that compared with the blank group, myocardial cells in the model group were disorganized and seriously damaged. The pathological changes in the EA group were similar to those in the model group, but the damage was relatively minor. The results of WB showed that compared with the blank group, the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue of the model group was decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Cx43 expression in the EA group was increased (P<0.01); compared with the blank group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in myocardial tissue of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the EA group was increased (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum EDLF content in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the EDLF content in the EA group was decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA at Neiguan (PC6) can delay and reduce the onset of arrhythmia during myocardial infarction in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue, improvement of the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue, and increase in the content of serum EDLF.

OBJECTIVE To establish an modified model of osteonecrosis in the rat and observe the clinical, pathological and imaging manifestations dynamically. METHODS Healthy male SD rats were divided into 5 groups randomly, including the control group (N, 8 rats), and radiation groups (a, b, c and d, 6 rats each group). For radiation groups, the left mandible of each rat was irradiated at doses of 7.0 Gy for 5 fractions, other rats were sham irradiated, serving as control groups.7 days after irradiation, the left mandibular molars of all rats were extracted. The radiation groups rats were sacrificed at 7, 14, 21, 28 days after irradiation randomly, the 2 rats in control group were sacrificed respectively. All the rats' mandibles were taken and examined by clinical manifestation and Micro-CT and histology methods. The data was analyzed with SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS In clinical observation, ulcers were seen in the irradiated site at the 7th day, after then, alopecia, occlusion disorder, and pus discharged from buccal side were seen. Weight loss rightly after radiation and weight gain were seen at the 14th day. In pathological observation, marrow cavity changed first. Many adipose cell was first seen at the 7th day, and inflammations, necrosis, and fibrosis were found in medulla in the irradiated groups after that. Significant increment of empty lacunae and decrement of osteocytes were observed in all irradiated groups at the 7th day. Necrotic bone of the irradiated mandible was only found at the 28th day. Lack of new bone formation within the socket was seen in the Micro-CT three-dimensional at 28th day, and there are no more changes at the early-stage in this model. CONCLUSION An modified rat model of osteoradionecrosis was successfully established, which can shorten experimental period, and this model early stage and deserved to be further researched. Can be used to observe clinical, pathological and imaging magnification, which play a basic role in the protection in early stage and deserved to be further researched.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect and the prospect of Infliximab in treatment of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)-resistant Kawasaki disease (KD) patients.Methods Clinical features,inflammatory markers and coronary changes were observed in 2 cases of IVIG-resistant KD patients hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital,who were treated effectively by Infliximab.Relevant researches on the mechanism and progress of the Infliximab treatment for IVIG-resistant KD in the last 10 years were reviewed at the same time.Results Two KD patients hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital had been treated with 2 g/kg IVIG for 2 times and followed by methylprednisolone treatment.However,fever and other clinical manifestations occurred again after 2 days and 6 days when temperature returned normal.They both defervesced and all the symptoms were improved after 1 dose of Infliximab (5 mg/kg) by laboratory examinations.Four published literatures of the basic research and 9 retrospective or prospective clinical researches of Infliximab treatment of KD showed that Infliximab alleviated the inflammatory level in the KD patients significantly.Complete remission was up to 72.73％-92.11％.Those KD patients defervesced within 12 h,with dramatic improvement of symptoms and signs.Arthralgia also disappeared in the patients with arthritis.Only 1 case was complicated with hepatitis in the acute phase and cholecystitis in recovery time.A phase 3 randomised,double-blinded,placebo-controlled trial had been done to assess the addition of Infliximab to the standard therapy.Conclusions Infliximab is a feasible choice for IVIG-resistant KD patients.Efficacy and safety of Infliximab for KD treatment have been proved in the literature.However,Infliximab for KD treatment has not been indicated in the drug instruction,so the informed consent from the guardians and Ethics Committee is needed.

Objective:To investigate the role of anaphylatoxin C 5 a in patients with asthma .Methods:A prospective study was performed between September 2006 and February 2007.A total of 33 patients with acute exacerbation of asthma and 13 healthy subjects were recruited into the study .The patients with acute exacerbation of asthma were also studied when they returned to the remission state .Levels of lung function, levels of C5a in induced sputum and cell differential count in induced sputum were determined . Results:The level of C5 a in induced sputum was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma [0.85(0.68-2.13) μg/L] than that in patients with stable asthma [0.45(0.26-0.88)μg/L, Z=-2.193, P=0.013];Sputum C5a levels in stable asthma patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls [0.14(0.06-0.45) μg/L, Z=-2.141, P=0.015].The level of C5a in patients with severe exacerbation [2.21(1.27 -9.0) μg/L] was significantly higher than those in patients with mild exacerbation [0.34(0.17-0.63) μg/L] and moderate exacerbation [0.85(0.55-1.67) μg/L,χ2 =12.330, P=0.001].The level of C5a in induced sputum was positively correlated with the number of total cells count (r=0.797, P=0.004), neutrophils (r=0.504, P=0.032) and macrophages ( r =0.424, P=0.036 ) in acute exacerbation of asthma .Conclusion: C5a levels in induced sputum could be identified as an important prognostic biomarker , which involved in asthma ’ s pathogenesis .

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of anaphylatoxin C3a in induced sputum in patients with asthma. Methods The patients with acute exacerbation of asthma treated at our department between September, 2006 and February, 2007 were included in the study. The demographic data, medical history, levels of lung function and C3a levels in induced sputum were assessed. Results A total of 33 patients were included in the study. The level of C3a in induced sputum was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma (2.24 ng/ml, range 1.68-5.58 ng/ml) than that in patients with asthma remission (0.7 ng/ml, range 0.24-2.31 ng/ml, P<0.05). Sputum C3a levels in the remission patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (0.12 ng/ml, range 0.07-0.39 ng/ml, P<0.05). The levels of C3a in patients with severe exacerbation (4.69 ng/ml, range 2.69-6.59 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in patients with mild exacerbation (0.25 ng/ml, range 0.09-0.40 ng/ml) and moderate exacerbation (2.21 ng/ml, range 1.16-3.41 ng/ml) (P<0.01), and were significantly higher in patients with moderate exacerbation than in those in mild exacerbation (P<0.01). The level of C3a in induced sputum was positively correlated with the number of total cell count (r=0.718, P<0.05), eosinophils (r=0.495, P<0.05) and macrophages (r=0.600, P<0.05) in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma. Conclusion Induced sputum C3a level can serve as an important clinical biomarker for clinical asthma management.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of anaphylatoxin C3a in induced sputum in patients with asthma. Methods The patients with acute exacerbation of asthma treated at our department between September, 2006 and February, 2007 were included in the study. The demographic data, medical history, levels of lung function and C3a levels in induced sputum were assessed. Results A total of 33 patients were included in the study. The level of C3a in induced sputum was significantly higher in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma (2.24 ng/ml, range 1.68-5.58 ng/ml) than that in patients with asthma remission (0.7 ng/ml, range 0.24-2.31 ng/ml, P<0.05). Sputum C3a levels in the remission patients were significantly higher than those in the healthy controls (0.12 ng/ml, range 0.07-0.39 ng/ml, P<0.05). The levels of C3a in patients with severe exacerbation (4.69 ng/ml, range 2.69-6.59 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those in patients with mild exacerbation (0.25 ng/ml, range 0.09-0.40 ng/ml) and moderate exacerbation (2.21 ng/ml, range 1.16-3.41 ng/ml) (P<0.01), and were significantly higher in patients with moderate exacerbation than in those in mild exacerbation (P<0.01). The level of C3a in induced sputum was positively correlated with the number of total cell count (r=0.718, P<0.05), eosinophils (r=0.495, P<0.05) and macrophages (r=0.600, P<0.05) in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma. Conclusion Induced sputum C3a level can serve as an important clinical biomarker for clinical asthma management.

Background: It is unknown if medication-overuse headache, clinically similar to chronic tension-type headache, has pre-attentive problems which may be related to pain or substance abuse. Methods: Auditory frequency deviance elicited mismatch negativity was recorded from 22 patients with chronic tension-type headache, 26 with medication-overuse headache from underlying chronic tension-type headache and 41 healthy volunteers as controls. Their depression and anxiety scores were noted. Results: There were no signifi cant differences in the N1 latency or amplitude to both standard and deviant stimuli for the different groups. However, the latency and amplitude of mismatch negativity were signifi cantly shortened and reduced at Fz, Cz, and Pz in medication-overuse headache as compared to chronic tension-type headache and normal subjects. Anxiety levels were elevated in chronic tensiontype headache and medication-overuse headache subjects compared to healthy controls but were not correlated with mismatch negativity latency or amplitude in a given group. Conclusions: In medication-overuse headache subjects, the shortened mismatch negativity latency indicates quick involuntary attention switching to auditory change, while its reduced amplitude indicates poor accuracy in discriminating early stimuli, which may be related to medication overuse rather than to the head pain experienced.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Chronic tension-type headache (a primary headache disorder) and cervicogenic headache (a secondary headache disorder that is attributable to upper cervical spine pathology) share similar clinical manifestations, but their associated personality traits may differ. We evaluated the personality differences between sufferers of chronic tension-type headache and cervicogenic headache. METHODS: We administered the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) to 18 patients suffering from chronic tension-type headache, 19 suffering from cervicogenic headache, and 26 healthy volunteers. Depressive trends were measured with the Plutchik-van-Praag Depression Inventory (PVP). RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, the chronic tension-type headache group scored significantly higher on ZKPQ Neuroticism-Anxiety and on the PVP, while the cervicogenic headache group scored significantly lower on SSS Thrill and Adventure Seeking. In addition, the total SSS score was significantly lower in the cervicogenic headache group than in both the chronic tension-type headache group and the healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that higher scores for neuroticism-anxiety and depression were associated with chronic tension-type headache, while lower sensation-seeking scores were associated with cervicogenic headache.
Depression ; Headache ; Headache Disorders, Secondary ; Humans ; Male ; Post-Traumatic Headache ; Spine ; Stress, Psychological ; Tension-Type Headache ; Surveys and Questionnaires