ABSTRACT
Abstract Background We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal effect of tea intake on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Genetic instruments for tea intake were obtained from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) dataset of the UK Biobank. Genetic association estimates for RA (6236 cases and 147,221 controls) and SLE (538 cases and 213,145 controls) were obtained from the FinnGen study through the IEU GWAS database. Results MR analyses using the inverse-variance weighted method showed that tea intake was not associated with risk of RA [odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation increment in genetically predicted tea intake = 0.997, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.658-1.511] and SLE (OR per standard deviation increment in genetically predicted tea intake = 0.961, 95% CI 0.299-3.092). Weighted median, weighted mode, MR-Egger, leave-one-out and multivariable MR controlling for several confounding factors including current tobacco smoking, coffee intake, and alcoholic drinks per week yielded completely consistent results. No evidence of heterogeneity and pleiotropy was found. Conclusion Our MR study did not suggest a causal effect of genetically predicted tea intake on RA and SLE.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, a number of studies have found that the dysregulation of intestinal microbes and their metabolites plays an important role in the occurrence and development of Parkinson′s disease (PD), and is closely related to the severity of PD clinical symptoms. Short-chain fatty acids are the main metabolites of intestinal microorganisms and may be involved in the pathogenesis of PD by regulating the inflammatory response, neuronal autophagy and apoptosis and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and intestinal barrier. In this paper, the research progresses on the role of short-chain fatty acids in the pathogenesis of PD are reviewed, in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of PD.
ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the long-term effect of Zhenzhu Tiaozhi capsule（FTZ） on hemoglobin A1c（HbA1c）in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） based on real-world data. Method:T2DM patients who were provided with FTZ （FTZ group） and those receiving conventional hypoglycemic drugs （control group） were extracted from the hospital information system （HIS） of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University， followed by propensity score matching （PSM） for balancing the confounding factors between groups. With HbA1c as the efficacy evaluation index， the difference in efficacy between the two groups was compared using <italic>t</italic>-test and <italic>χ</italic><sup>2</sup> test. For repeated measurement data of the same patient， the difference in efficacy and the stability of FTZ against HbA1c were analyzed by generalized estimating equation （GEE）. The factors that might affect the efficacy of FTZ against HbA1c were subjected to multivariate linear regression analysis （MLRA）， and the subgroup analyses were then conducted after the stratification of relevant factors. Result:There were 46 patients included in the FTZ group and 1 208 patients in the control group. PSM yielded 42 pairs of samples with balanced covariates between groups. As revealed by one-year observation， ① HbA1c in the FTZ group after treatment was 6.51%±1.09%. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. At the same time， the HbA1c compliance rate in the FTZ group was 73.8% after treatment. No significant difference was observed either in pre- and post-treatment comparison in the FTZ group or in its comparison with the control group. ② The GEE results showed that the post-treatment HbA1c levels in the two groups were not significantly different from each other. Moreover， the HbA1c level remained stable over treatment time. ③ MLRA and subgroup analyses results demonstrated that FTZ was more effective in patients with high baseline HbA1c ［<italic>β</italic>=-0.530，95% confidence interval（CI） -0.850～-0.209，<italic>P</italic><0.01］ or those who were complicated with hypertension （<italic>β</italic>=-0.918，95%CI -1.614～-0.222，<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:In the real world， FTZ is able to control the blood sugar， and its effect is similar to those of conventional hypoglycemic drugs. Besides， it is capable of stabilizing the blood sugar for a long time.
ABSTRACT
Glucolipid metabolic disease (GLMD), a complex of interrelated disorders in glucose and lipid metabolism, has become one of the leading chronic diseases causing public and clinical problem worldwide. As the metabolism of lipid and glucose is a highly coordinated process under both physiological and diseased conditions, the impairment in the signals corresponding to the metabolism of either lipid or glucose represents the common mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of GLMD. The liver and adipose tissue are the major metabolic organs responsible for energy utilization and storage, respectively. This review article aims to summarize the current advances in the investigation of the functional roles and the underling mechanisms of the interplay between the liver and adipose tissue in the modulation of GLMD development. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and adiponectin represent the two major hormones secreted from the liver and adipose tissues, respectively. FGF21 exerts pleiotropic effects on regulating glucose and lipid homeostasis majorly through inducing the expression and secretion of adiponectin. Therefore, FGF21-adiponectin axis functions as the key mediator for the crosstalk between the liver and adipose tissue to exert the beneficial effects on the maintenance of the homeostasis of energy consumption. The liver- and adipose tissue-derived factors with pleiotropic effects on regulating of lipid and glucose metabolism function as the key mediator for the crosstalk between these two highly active metabolic organs, thereby coordinating the initiation and development of GLMD.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the operating skills of finding and dissecting renal pedicle in retroperitoneosocpic radical nephrectomy.Methods From April 2011 to April 2015,224 patients with renal tumors were treated by retroperitoneosocpic radical nephrectomy.Along the ureteral ascending methodis used to find renal pedicle for 126 cases(the research group):First found ureter in the iliac crest,the ureter was nearest psoas major here and waseasy to find.Along the ureteral upward until to the renal pelvis and the superior border of renal pelvis is the renal pedicle.77 male and 49 female cases,Age 42 to 84 years,(56.6 ± 9.0) years old on average.Sixty-nine tumors were located in left kidney,and 59 in the right kidney.The mean diameter of renal tumor was(5.3 ± 1.1)cm.There were 25 cases of T1a N0 M0,75 T1b N0 M0,23 of T2 N0 M0,3 of T1bN1M0.Over the same period uplift in he kidney central method is used to find renal pedicle for 98 cases.64 male and 34 female cases,Age 27 to 81 years,(57.9 ± 8.3)years old on average.52 tumors were located in left kidney,and 46 in the right kidney.The mean diameter of renal tumor was (5.5 ± 1.4)cm.There were 19 cases of T1aN0M0,61 T1bN0M0,16 of T2N0M0,2 of T1bN1 M0.Results The differences were significant for Looking for renal pedicle time(2.2 ± 1.1 vs.4.5 ±2.0) min,operation time (73.7 ±67.3 vs.90.1 ±87.5)min,hemorrhage volume(69.8 ±42.7 vs.89.7 ±89.2) ml,the incidence of complications (3 vs.9) between the study group and the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The difference were not significant in postoperative hospital stay (7.5 ± 0.8 vs.7.3 ± 0.8) d,exhaust time (2.1 ± 0.6 vs.2.2 ± 0.6) d between two group.All the operations were performed successfully in the research group,with no conversion to open and transfusion.Major complications included 3 cases of vessel injury.Hemostasis was performed with metal clips and suture.In the control group,ena cava rupture in 3 cases,left lumbar veins rupture in 3 cases,retroperitoneal hematoma in 2 case,mild pulmonary embolism in 1 case.two case performed open operation owing to vena cava rupture.The vena cava rupture transit open surgery in 2 cases,and Hemostasis was performed with metal clips in 1 case of vena cava rupture and on the left side of the lumbar veins rupture was managed by suture,titanium clips and bipolar electrocautery;Retroperitoneal hematoma improved by conservative treatment;Pulmonary embolism improved by medical consultation after thrombolysis.Conclusions Retroperitoneosocpic radical nephrectomy with the method of along the ureteral ascending was safe and could quickly locate and ligate the renal pedicle,and shorten operation time,reduce postoperative complications.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of Yupingfeng Powder (YPFP) on cisplatin (DDP) induced oxidative damage of organs in hepatocellular carcinoma mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2 x10(6) Hepa1 -6 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right flank of 15 C57BL/6 mice to establish a mice model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Then the mice were randomly divided into three groups, i.e., the model group, the DDP group, and the DDP + YPFP group, 5 in each group. Mice in the DDP group and the DDP + YPFP group were intraperitoneally injected with DDP (2. 5 mg/kg), once every three day for 2 weeks. Physiological saline was intraperitoneally injected to mice in the model group. Meanwhile, YPFP water decoction (25 g/kg) was given to mice in the DDP + YPFP group by gastrogavage once daily for 2 weeks. Corresponding distilled water was given by gastrogavage to mice in the DDP group and the model group. Fourteen days later, mice were sacrificed and the tumor inhibition ratio was calculated. The weights of kidneys, livers, and lungs were weighed and the organ coefficient calculated. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the tissue were detected. The pathologic changes were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tumor weight obviously decreased in the DDP group and the DDP + YPFP group when compared with the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Obvious oxidative damage existed in the kidneys and livers after induced by DDP. Oxidative damage also existed in the lungs to some extent. YPFP could obviously decrease the content of MDA and the activities of SOD in livers (P < 0.05), and increase the activities of SOD in lungs (P < 0.01). The pathologic changes showed the same effect trend.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>YPFP could protect the organs (kidney, liver, lung) from the oxidative damage induced by DDP. Anti-oxidation is one of its mechanisms.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Metabolism , Pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cisplatin , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Pharmacology , Liver Neoplasms , Metabolism , Pathology , Malondialdehyde , Metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Oxidative Stress , Superoxide Dismutase , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Targeted therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) involves fewer screening tests and provides a variety of treatment choices for patients. Although the advantage of targeted therapy in diagnosis and therapy for ED has been recognized, the rational mode for oriented ED therapy has not been established. This study aimed to investigate targeted diagnosis and therapy for ED.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 198 patients with ED were included in the study. After intracavernosal vasoactive agent injection was given, color Doppler flow imaging was performed and penile rigidity was classified as Schramek grade 5 (10 minutes duration), grade 4 (10 minutes duration), grade 3 and grade 2, defining four patient groups as group V (143 cases), group IV (23 cases), group III (18 cases), and group II (14 cases). Appropriate and acceptable treatment was recommended to patients according to erection grade.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 198 patients with ED, the peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and resistance index in the cavernosal artery and dorsal artery and the flow velocity in the deep dorsal vein were not significantly different before injection (P > 0.05). After injection, peak systolic velocity, end diastolic velocity, and resistance index in the cavernosal artery were different among the four groups (P < 0.05). Between each two groups, the difference in resistance index was significant (P < 0.05). The statistical differences in other indexes were not significant (P > 0.05). Selective targeted therapy based on erection grade by color Doppler flow imaging improved the clinical satisfaction rate to 91.91% (182/198).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Based on the routine diagnosis of ED, blood flow indexes in the cavernosal artery are measured by color Doppler flow imaging following minimally invasive intercavernosal injection, which is combined with the Schramek grade of erection. The most appropriate and acceptable treatment is recommended according to the different groups, which improves the clinical satisfaction of treatment for ED and is an ideal model of targeted diagnosis and treatment.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Erectile Dysfunction , Diagnosis , Diagnostic Imaging , Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color , MethodsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the status of job burnout in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) doctors and explore the effect of occupational commitment on job burnout.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A test of occupational commitment and job burnout was carried out in 507 TCM doctors with occupational commitment questionnaire and Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age group of < 30 years scored lowest (2.352 +/- 0.660) in personal accomplishment compared with 30 years old group and 40 years old group [(2.136 +/- 0.704) and (2.127 +/- 0.628) respectively] (P < 0.01). The score of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization increased with educational levels. There was significantly negative correlation between job burnout and occupational commitment (P < 0.01). Occupational commitment had significant effect on job burnout (P < 0.01). Occupational trouble commitment was a major predictor for emotional exhaustion (P < 0.01). Professional self-efficacy commitment was a major predictor for depersonalization (P < 0.01). Affective commitment was a major predictor for personal accomplishment (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Occupational commitment is a good predictor for job burnout. Improving occupational commitment is an important measure to prevent job burnout.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Burnout, Professional , Psychology , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Physicians , Psychology , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possible influence of the impairment of lymph fluid on the metabolism of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the lymphedematous skin tissue.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tissue fluid was collected in lymphedematous limbs and the contralateral healthy limbs of 39 patients and HA content was measured with radioimmunoassay. The protein contents were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The HA contents in interstitial fluid of lymphedematous limb were significantly (8 fold) higher than that of normal limb. The protein concentration in the tissue fluid did not show significant differences between lymphedema and those with normal tissue.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The result suggests blockage of regional draining lymphatics may impairs breakdown of HA and the stagnation of HA in the limb may exert a deleterious effect on the interstitium.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Extracellular Fluid , Metabolism , Forearm , Hyaluronic Acid , Metabolism , Leg , Lymphedema , Metabolism , Radioimmunoassay , Skin , Metabolism , PathologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression pattern of PH20 in primary and metastatic breast cancer and its relationship to tumor metastatic potential.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Anti-PH20 antibody was synthesized by injection of conjugated human PH20 peptides into rabbits. Immunohistochemical study was performed on 53 cases of human breast cancer. Western blot was used to detect PH20 expression in 5 cases of breast cancer with available fresh tissue. Two oligonucleotide probes were prepared for in-situ hybridization using breast tissue microarray.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Normal breast tissue did not express PH20 (0/3), while 58.4% (31/53) of breast cancer cases did. The highest expression rate was found in metastatic foci in regional lymph nodes (83.3%), followed by primary breast cancer tissue in cases with lymph node secondaries (70.8%). The breast cancer cases with no any metastasis had an expression rate of 48.2%. The immunohistochemical staining results were further confirmed by Western blotting. In-situ hybridization showed PH20 RNA in 75% of the breast cancer tissue (21/28). Two of the 17 cases of normal breast tissue showed weak expression in some ductolobular units.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expression of PH20 has a positive correlation with metastatic potential in breast cancer. It is possible that PH20 may play an important role in the invasive growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells, via mechanisms such as digestion of surrounding stromal tissue and release of FGF-2.</p>