Coronary artery calcifications (CAC) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It has been revealed that this condition can be automatically quantified through computerize tomographic (CT) scan contained in radiotherapy plan for patients with breast cancer, with which, physicians can identify the patients with increased risk of CVD after radiotherapy prematurely and take intervention measures in advance. In this article, the current literature and research progress on the correlation between CAC and cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy were reviewed, expecting to provide a strategy to reduce the CVD risk in patients with breast cancer after radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE To study the in vitro transdermal characteristics of Tibetan new drugs hereinafter referred to as Zhengrutie cataplasm, and to evaluate the safety of skin medication by using different species of animals(guinea pigs, New Zealand rabbits). METHODS The improved vertical Franz diffusion cell method was used for in vitro transdermal testand the skin of Bama miniature pig was used as the permeation barrier. The cumulative permeation amount and rate of geniposide methyl ester and 8-O-acetyl geniposide methyl ester, borneol and camphor in the receiving medium were determined by HPLC and GC, respectively, to investigate the in vitro transdermal characteristics of Zhengrutie cataplasm. Buehler test was used to study the sensitization of Zhengrutie cataplasm on guinea pig skin. Observed the skin irritation after single or multiple application of Zhengrutie cataplasm on intact and damaged skin of New Zealand rabbits. RESULTS The cumulative permeation amount of the sum of geniposide methyl ester and 8-O-acetyl geniposide methyl ester, borneol and camphor within 24 h were 14.14, 348.21, 490.97 μg·cm-2, respectively. The cumulative permeation amount were 6.2%, 10.2% and 15.3%, respectively. The average permeation amount were 0.59, 14.51 and 20.46 μg·cm-2·h-1. No allergic reaction to guinea pig skin, no irritation to intact skin of New Zealand rabbits, mild irritation to damaged skin. CONCLUSION The in vitro transdermal performance of Zhengrutie cataplasm is good. The in vitro transdermal process conforms to the zero-order kinetic equation. It has no irritation and sensitization effect on the skin of guinea pigs and New Zealand rabbits. It is safe and reliable for skin external use and has good clinical application value.

Chondroma/surgery* ; Humans ; Liver ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery*

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate long-term survivals and toxicities of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic area, evaluating the role of chemotherapy in stage II patients. Materials and Methods: Totally 187 patients with newly diagnosed NPC and restaged American Joint Committee on Cancer/ International Union Against Cancer 8th T1-2N0-1M0 were retrospectively recruited. All received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)±chemotherapy (CT) from 2001 to 2010. Results: With 15.7-year median follow-up, 10-year locoregional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were 93.3%, 93.5%, 92.9% and 88.2%, respectively. Multivariable analyses showed cervical lymph nodes positive and pre-treatment prognostic nutritional index ≥ 52.0 could independently predict DMFS (p=0.036 and p=0.011), DSS (p=0.014 and p=0.026), and OS (p=0.002 and p < 0.001); Charlson comorbidity index < 3 points could predict DSS (p=0.011); age > 45 years (p=0.002) and pre-treatment lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 240 U/L (p < 0.001) predicted OS. No grade 4 late toxicity happened; grade 3 late toxicities included subcutaneous fibrosis (4.3%), deafness or otitis (4.8%), skin dystrophy (2.1%), and xerostomia (1.1%). No differences on survivals were shown between IMRT+CT vs. IMRT alone in stage II patients, even in T2N1M0 (p > 0.05). Unsurprising, patients in IMRT+CT had more acute gastrointestinal reaction, myelosuppression, mucositis, late ear toxicity, and cranial nerve injury (all p < 0.05) than IMRT alone group. Conclusion Superior tumor control and satisfying long-term outcomes could be achieved with IMRT in early-stage NPC with mild late toxicities. As CT would bring more toxicities, it should be carefully performed to stage II patients.

Objective To explore and analyze the risk factors of type 2 diabetes with kidney disease in Nanchong, Sichuan. Methods A retrospective analysis of 192 cases of type 2diabetic nephropathy (study group) and 224 cases of simple type 2 diabetes (control group) in Nanchong area was conducted. The general data and laboratory test results of the two groups were compared, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors. Results In this study, there were a total of 353 patients with type 2diabetes complicated with kidney disease, and the incidence rate was 13.46%. The proportion of smoking and drinking, BMI, fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, creatinine and blood uric acid in the diabetic nephropathy group were higher than those in the simple diabetes group. The course of disease in the diabetic nephropathy group was longer than that in the simple diabetes group. Course of diabetes, smoking-history, BMI, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, and serum uric acid were independent risk factors for type 2 diabetic kidney disease. Conclusion The occurrence and development of diabetic kidney disease is the result of the interaction of multiple factors such as the disease course, smoking, obesity, poor blood glucose control, total cholesterol and serum uric acid. Early detection and control of risk factors can delay the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

Tetracarbon organic acids are important platform chemicals that are widely used in the food, chemical, medicine, material industries and agriculture. Compared with the traditional petrochemical process, the production of tetracarbon organic acids by microbial fermentation is more promising due to milder reaction conditions, greener process and better environmental compatibility. This review summarizes the biosynthetic pathways and metabolic mechanisms for the production of tetracarbon organic acids, and illustrates recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives in the production of tetracarbon organic acids by naturally selected or purposefully engineered strains.
Acids ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Fermentation ; Metabolic Engineering ; Organic Chemicals

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the perioperative electrolyte imbalance in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: Retrospective case analysis was used in this study. Patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery under general anesthesia at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January to April 2018 were selected through electronic medical records system. Blood gas analysis during surgery must be carried out in the enrolled patients. Patients with excessive fluid infusion, critical conditions or patients who had been enrolled in other clinical trials were excluded. A total of 999 patients were enrolled. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative concentrations of serum sodium, potassium and calcium were collected by the last biochemical examination before surgery, arterial blood gas analysis within 1 h after anesthesia and another biochemical examination within 24 hours after surgery respectively. The type and incidence of electrolyte imbalance were then analyzed, and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors. RESULTS: In the 999 patients, 683 cases were male (63.9%) and 361 cases were female(36.1%), with an average age of (56.9±14.6) years old. Fifty-eight patients (5.8%) underwent emergency surgery and 941 patients (94.2%) underwent elective surgery; Sixty-two patients were treated with laxatives at least 3 times and 115 patients were treated with enema at least 3 times before operation. The incidence of hypokalemia was 49.6%(496/999) intraoperatively and decreased to 15.2%(152/999) postoperatively. No hyperkalemia cases were found. The incidence of hypocalcemia was 53.8%(537/999) intraoperatively and increased to 79.7% (796/999) postoperatively. The incidence of hypokalemia in ileus patients was 33.3%(17/51) before surgery, which was higher than that in patients with colorectal cancer [12.3%(86/703)], patients with gastric cancer [7.8%(8/104)] and patients with other gastrointestinal diseases[10.6%(15/141)] (all P<0.05). Similarly, the preoperative and intraoperative incidence of hyponatremia in ileus patients were both 15.7%(8/51), which were higher than those in patients with colorectal cancer [3.0% (21/703) and 2.3% (16/703)] and patients with gastric cancer [2.9%(3/104) and 1.9%(2/104)]. The incidence of hypocalcemia in ileus patients was 31.4%(16/51) preoperatively, which were also higher than those in patients with colorectal cancer [7.4%(52/703)] and patients with gastric cancer [8.7%(9/104)] (all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that ileus and emergency surgery were risk factors for patients with preoperative electrolyte imbalance; preoperative electrolyte imbalance was a risk factor for intraoperative electrolyte imbalance; intraoperative electrolyte imbalance was a risk factor for postoperative electrolyte imbalance; preoperative electrolyte imbalance was a risk factor for postoperative imbalance of sodium and potassium. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of electrolyte imbalance is high in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery, especially hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. It is necessary to recognize the electrolyte abnormality timely and give active intervention and correction.
Adult ; Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; Electrolytes ; Female ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Ileus ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Objective To study the features of anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia in CT images.Methods Clinical datas and CT images of 85 patients with acute pancreatitis were collected,the anatomical delamination features of the adult posterior renal fascia were observed and recorded.Results (1) 23 cases showed anatomical delamination of the left posterior renal fascia, 9 cases showed anatomical delamination of the right posterior renal fascia, and 8 cases showed anatomical delamination of bilateral posterior renal fascia.(2) The features of anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia were detected in the whole posterior renal fascia or in the lateral part of the posterior renal fascia.Anatomical delamination was detected in the whole left posterior renal fascia in 6 cases, and was detected in the lateral part of the left posterior renal fascia in 17 cases.Anatomical delamination was detected in the whole right posterior renal fascia in 4 cases and in the lateral part of the right posterior renal fascia in 5 cases.Anatomical delamination of the whole part in the bilateral posterior renal fascia were detected in 4 cases and pure delamination of the lateral part in the both sides were 4 cases.Conclusion CT images can show the anatomical delamination of the posterior renal fascia which has two types.The anatomical delamination of bilateral posterior renal fascia is not always the same.

Objective To investigate the clinical features of Parkinson disease (PD)with constipation.Methods From October 2013 to August 2015,a total of 204 PD patients were consecutively recruited from the Departments of Geriatrics and Neurology,Beijing Tiantan Hospital,Capital Medical University,and were evaluated by Rome Ⅲ diagnostic criteria for functional constipation and other related scales of motor symptoms(MS)and non-motor symptoms(NMS),the activity of daily living(ADL)and quality of life.Results Overall,131 of 204(64.2％)PD patients with constipation were assigned to the PD-C group and 73 of 204 (35.8％)PD patients without constipation were assigned to the PD-NC group.In the PD-C group,38 of 131(29％)PD patients had constipation before motor symptoms occurred.The mean age and age of onset in the PD-C group were significantly older than those in the PD-NC group (64.13 ± 9.67 vs.58.35 ± 11.37;60.07 ± 10.46 vs.55.10±12.97;F=2.287,4.948;t=3.827,-2.788;P＜0.01 for both).Meanwhile,compared with the PD-NC group,the PD-C group was associated with dramatically longer disease duration (2.25,range:1.00-5.00 vs.2.00,range:1.00-3.13;Z =-2.254;P ＜ 0.05),increased scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Ⅲ (26.00 scores,range:18.00 37.50 vs.19.00,range:12.50-31.00;Z =-2.349,P ＜ 0.05),more advanced stages on the Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) scale (2.00 stage,range:1.50-2.50 vs.1.50,range:1.00-2.50;Z=-2.334,P＜0.05),higher total numbers of NMS(11.00,range:6.00-15.00 vs.6.00,range:3.00-11.00;Z=-3.715,P＜0.05),and higher numbers of NMS occurring before and after MS(before,2.00,range:0.00-4.00 vs.1.00,range:0.00-2.00;after,8.00,range:3.00-14.00 vs.5.00,range:2.00-9.50;Z =-2.612,-2.630,respectively;P＜0.05 for both).Additionally,there were significant differences between the groups in the scores of the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD),the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA),the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI),the scales for outcomes in Parkinson disease-autonomic (SCOPA-AUT),the Fatigue severity scale (FSS),the Apathy scale,the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scale,the UPDRS Ⅱ and ADL Scale,and the PDQL-39 (all P＜0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that age,SCOPA-AUT,HAMA and HAMD were risk factors for PD-C(OR=1.091,1.107,1.10 and 1.080;P＜0.05 for all).Conclusions PD patients have a high incidence of constipation,and more than a quarter of patients have constipation before MS occurs.Meanwhile,PD patients with constipation are usually associated with old age and late age of onset,long disease duration,severe MS,frequent and severe NMS,bad cognition,emotional state and sleep,severe fatigue,and apathy.Moreover,advanced age,autonomic dysfunction,anxiety and depression increase the risk of PD with constipation.Constipation has a serious negative impact on the activity of daily living and quality of life in PD patients.

Objective To study the computed tomography(CT)manifestations of involvement of bridging septa in the perirenal space(BSPS)during acute pancreatitis(AP)and its correlation with extrapancreatic inflam-mation on abdominal computed tomography(EPICT)score. Methods 106 patients with acute pancreatitis were included in this study. Emphasis was placed on CT findings of BSPS and the EPICT score in all the patients. Results The EPICT score was 4 to 7 in 67 patients,and the EPICT score was 0 to 3 in 39 patients. BSPS involve-ment was shown in all the patients. The left or right BSPS involved in 102 patients and 98 patients,respectively. Thickening of the BSPS was shown as strip shadow with slightly higher density and hazy border;fluid collection of the BSPS was shown as liquid density with hazy border. The involvement of BSPS showed a statistically significant association with the EPICT score in the AP patients(r=0. 703,P<0.01). Conclusion BSPS involved by acute pancreatitis is shown as a strip shadow with slightly higher density or as liquid density with hazy border on CT images, reflecting the severity of the acute pancreatitis.