Effects of zinc-substituted nano-hydroxyapatite coatings on bone integration with implant surfaces

Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a zinc-substituted nano-hydroxyapatite(Zn-HA) coating,applied by an electrochemical process,on implant osseointegraton in a rabbit model.Methods:A Zn-HA coating or an HA coating was deposited using an electrochemical process.Surface morphology was examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy.The crystal structure and chemical composition of the coatings were examined using an X-ray diffractometer(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR).A total of 78 implants were inserted into femurs and tibias of rabbits.After two,four,and eight weeks,femurs and tibias were retrieved and prepared for histomorphometric evaluation and removal torque(RTQ) tests.Results:Rod-like HA crystals appeared on both implant surfaces.The dimensions of the Zn-HA crystals seemed to be smaller than those of HA.XRD patterns showed that the peaks of both coatings matched well with standard HA patterns.FTIR spectra showed that both coatings consisted of HA crystals.The Zn-HA coating significantly improved the bone area within all threads after four and eight weeks(P<0.05),the bone to implant contact(BIC) at four weeks(P<0.05),and RTQ values after four and eight weeks(P<0.05).Conclusions:The study showed that an electrochemically deposited Zn-HA coating has potential for improving bone integration with an implant surface.     

Periodontal status and associated risk factors among childbearing age women in Cixi City of China

Objective:To investigate the periodontal status and associated risk factors among women of childbearing age to increase the awareness of oral health.Methods:The study was conducted on childbearing age women in Cixi,a city in Zhejiang Province in the southeast of China.A total of 754 women participated in periodontal examination while receiving prenatal care.Data of the women were collected from the Cixi Family Planning Commission and during an interview.Clinical periodontal indices,such as bleeding on probing(BOP),probing depth(PD),and clinical attachment level(CAL) were measured during the examination.Statistical analysis on subject-based data was performed.Results:The prevalence of periodontal disease among childbearing age women in Cixi was high(84.7%).A significant association was found between the disease and educational level,pregnancy,taking oral contraceptives,stress,alcohol consumption,overweight,dental visit,and teeth brushing(P<0.05).Women who suffered periodontal disease showed deep PD,obvious BOP,and clinical attachment loss.Among this population,pregnancy was closely associated with higher BOP percentage;teeth brushing no more than once per day or brushing for less than 1 min(P<0.001) after adjusting for age and stress.Conclusions:The periodontal status of childbearing age women in Cixi needs to be improved urgently.Attention towards the periodontal health should be warranted,especially for those in special statuses and with poor awareness.     

Long-term comparison of full-bed deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in treating keratoconus

Objective

To compare postoperative outcomes of full-bed deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) with penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in treating keratoconus.

Methods

Seventy-five eyes of 64 patients who received full-bed DALK and 52 eyes of 51 patients who received PK between June 2000 and August 2010 were included in this retrospective study. Full-bed DALK was performed using Yao’s hooking-detaching technique. PK was performed using a standard technique. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, visual acuity, rejection, graft survival, endothelial cell density, corneal sensation recovery, and re-innervation were compared between the two groups.

Results

A best correct visual acuity of 0.5 or better was achieved in 90.7% of eyes after full-bed DALK and in 92.3% of eyes after PK (P=0.75). By the fifth postoperative year, graft endothelial cell loss reached 34.6% in the PK group vs. 13.9% in the full-bed DALK group (P<0.001). There were no statistical differences in corneal sensitivity recovery or corneal re-innervation between the groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative microperforation occurred in seven out of 75 (9.3%) eyes with a temporally postoperative double anterior chamber in two eyes in the full-bed DALK group. Postoperative complications in the PK vs. the full-bed DALK groups respectively were: rejection (7.7% vs. 0%, P=0.015), high intraocular pressure (IOP) (46.2% vs. 1.3%, P<0.001), secondary glaucoma (9.6% vs. 0%, P=0.006), complicated cataract (19.2% vs. 0%, P<0.001), and wound dehiscence (9.6% vs. 0%, P=0.006).

Conclusions

Both full-bed DALK and PK can offer long-term satisfactory visual outcomes for keratoconus. Graft rejection, secondary glaucoma, complicated cataracts, and constant endothelial cell loss were observed in eyes only after PK.     

Streptomycin inhibits electrophysiological changes induced by stretching of chronically infarcted rat hearts

Objective

To investigate stretch-induced electrophysiological changes in chronically infarcted hearts and the effect of streptomycin (SM) on these changes in vivo.

Methods

Sixty Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: a control group (n=15), an SM group (n=15), a myocardial infarction (MI) group (n=15), and an MI+SM group (n=15). Chronic MI was obtained by ligating the left anterior descending branch (LAD) of rat hearts for eight weeks. The in vivo blockade of stretch-activated ion channels (SACs) was achieved by intramuscular injection of SM (180 mg/(kg·d)) for seven days after operation. The hearts were stretched for 5 s by occlusion of the aortic arch. Suction electrodes were placed on the anterior wall of left ventricle to record the monophasic action potential (MAP). The effect of stretching was examined by assessing the 90% monophasic action potential duration (MAPD₉₀), premature ventricular beats (PVBs), and ventricular tachycardia (VT).

Results

The MAPD₉₀ decreased during stretching in both the control (from (50.27±5.61) ms to (46.27±4.51) ms, P<0.05) and MI groups (from (65.47±6.38) ms to (57.47±5.76 ms), P<0.01). SM inhibited the decrease in MAPD₉₀ during inflation ((46.27±4.51) ms vs. (49.53±3.52) ms, P<0.05 in normal hearts; (57.47±5.76) ms vs. (61.87±5.33) ms, P<0.05 in MI hearts). The occurrence of PVBs and VT in the MI group increased compared with that in the control group (PVB: 7.93±1.66 vs. 1.80±0.86, P<0.01; VT: 7 vs. 1, P<0.05). SM decreased the occurrence of PVBs in both normal and MI hearts (0.93±0.59 vs. 1.80±0.86 in normal hearts, P<0.05; 5.40±1.18 vs. 7.93±1.66 in MI hearts, P<0.01).

Conclusions

Stretch-induced MAPD₉₀ changes and arrhythmias were observed in chronically infarcted myocardium. The use of SM in vivo decreased the incidence of PVBs but not of VT. This suggests that SACs may be involved in mechanoelectric feedback (MEF), but that there might be other mechanisms involved in causing VT in chronic MI.     

Association between mandibular posterior alveolar morphology and growth pattern in a Chinese population with normal occlusion

Objective:To investigate the relationship between growth patterns and mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology in a Chinese population with normal occlusion.Methods:Forty-five patients with normal occlusion(23 males,22 females) were included in this study.Among these patients,20 displayed the vertical growth pattern,and 20 had the horizontal growth pattern,while the remaining patients displayed the average growth pattern.All of the patients underwent dental cone beam computed tomography(CBCT),which included the region of the mandibular posterior teeth and the alveolar.A linear regression analysis and a correlation analysis between the facial height index(FHI) and the alveolar bone morphology were performed.Results:The inclination of the molars,the thickness of the cortical bone,and the height of the mandibular bone differed significantly between patients with the horizontal growth pattern and those with the vertical growth pattern(P<0.05).Significant positive correlations were found between:the FHI and the inclination of the molars;the FHI and the thickness of the cortical bone;and the FHI and the height of the mandibular bone.Conclusions:The mandibular posterior tooth-alveolar bone complex morphology may be affected by growth patterns.     

Effects of Huangqi and bear bile on recurrent parotitis in children: a new clinical approach

Objective:To evaluate the pharmacological effects of traditional Chinese medicine,bear bile capsule and Huangqi granule,on recurrent parotitis in children.Methods:In this prospective,controlled,and randomized study,a total of 151 young children were divided into three groups:Group A included massaging the children’s parotid region and melting vitamin C in their mouth daily;Group B included swallowing bear bile capsule and Huangqi granule daily;and Group C included massages and vitamin C as prescribed in Group A,and traditional Chinese medicine as prescribed in Group B.Children were treated individually for one month and then a follow-up study was conducted for 1 to 3.5 years.Analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Ridit analysis were employed for statistical analysis.Results:The recurrence rate decreased in every group,but was significantly more in Groups B and C when compared to Group A.The recurrences significantly decreased(P<0.01) in Group B and their recovery rate was as high as 63%,significantly better than those of the other groups(P<0.01).Conclusions:Huangqi and bear bile could be a novel clinical approach for treating recurrent parotitis in children.     

Serum lipids and other risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients

Objective

To investigate the association of serum lipids and other risk factors with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods

Five hundred and twenty-three type 2 diabetic patients underwent ophthalmic examination by experienced retinal specialists to assess their DR. Serum lipids, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), were measured using Roche automated clinical chemistry analyzers. The concentration of very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC) was calculated based on total cholesterol, HDLC and LDLC. Hyperlipidemia was defined as a total cholesterol concentration of 6.2 mmol/L or higher or the use of lipid-lowering medications. The association of risk factors with any DR or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) was assessed using the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), calculated from logistic regression models.

Results

In multivariate logistic regression models, hyperlipidemia (OR=2.39, 95% CI: 1.02–5.66), higher VLDLC (OR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.14–2.23), and higher triglyceride (OR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.03–1.37) were associated with increased risk of DR. A longer diabetic duration was associated with increased risk of DR (P<0.0001) and PDR (P=0.002) in a dose-response manner. Higher systolic blood pressure (P=0.02) and higher serum creatinine (P=0.01) were independently associated with increased risk of DR, and female gender was associated with increased risk of PDR (P=0.03).

Conclusions

Among Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, hyperlipidemia, higher VLDLC, and higher triglyceride were independently associated with increased risk of DR, suggesting control of serum lipids may decrease the risk of DR.     

Anterolateral minithoracotomy versus median sternotomy for mitral valve disease: a meta-analysis

Objective

Mitral valve disease tends to be treated with anterolateral minithoracotomy (ALMT) rather than median sternotomy (MS), as ALMT uses progressively smaller incisions to promote better cosmetic outcomes. This meta-analysis quantifies the effects of ALMT on surgical parameters and post-operative outcomes compared with MS.

Methods

One randomized controlled study and four case-control studies, published in English from January 1996 to January 2013, were identified and evaluated.

Results

ALMT showed a significantly longer cardiopulmonary bypass time (P=0.001) and aortic cross-clamp time (P=0.05) compared with MS. However, the benefits of ALMT were evident as demonstrated by a shorter length of hospital stay (P<0.00001). According to operative complications, the onset of new arrhythmias following ALMT decreased significantly as compared with MS (P=0.05); however, the incidence of peri-operative mortality (P=0.62), re-operation for bleeding (P=0.37), neurologic events (P=0.77), myocardial infarction (P=0.84), gastrointestinal complications (P=0.89), and renal insufficiency (P=0.67) were similar to these of MS. Long-term follow-up data were also examined, and revealed equivalent survival and freedom from mitral valve events.

Conclusions

Current clinical data suggest that ALMT is a safe and effective alternative to the conventional approach and is associated with better short-term outcomes and a trend towards longer survival.     

Systematic review of laparoscopy-assisted versus open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer

Objective

The study compared laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) with open gastrectomy (OG) in the management of advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Methods

Literature search was performed in the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases to identify control studies that compared LAG and OG for AGC. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the surgical safety and oncologic adequacy, using the random-effect model.

Results

Seven eligible studies including 815 patients were analyzed. LAG was associated with less blood loss, less use of analgesics, shorter time of flatus and periods of hospital stay, but longer time of operation. The incidence of most complications was similar between the two groups. However, LAG was associated with a lower rate of pulmonary infection (odds ratio (OR) 0.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 0.68; P<0.05). No significant differences were noted in terms of the number of harvested lymph nodes (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.165; 95% CI–2.000 to 4.311; P>0.05), overall mortality (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.10; P>0.05), cancer-related mortality (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.32 to 1.25; P>0.05), or recurrence (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.33 to 1.16; P>0.05).

Conclusions

LAG could be performed safely for AGC with adequate lymphadenectomy and has several short-term advantages compared with conventional OG. No differences were found in long-term outcomes. However, these results should be validated in large randomized controlled studies (RCTs) with sufficient follow-up.     

Early effects of oral administration of omeprazole and roxatidine on intragastric pH

Objective

The ideal medication for the treatment of acid-related diseases, e.g., peptic ulcers, stress-related gastric bleeding, functional dyspepsia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, should have a rapid onset of action to promote hemostasis and relieve the symptoms. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects on gastric acid secretion of a single oral administration of a proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole 20 mg, and an H₂-receptor antagonist, roxatidine 75 mg.

Methods

Ten Helicobacter pylori-negative male subjects participated in this randomized, two-way crossover study. Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 6 h after single oral administration of omeprazole 20 mg and roxatidine 75 mg. Each administration was separated by a 7-d washout period.

Results

During the 6-h study period, the average pH after administration of roxatidine was higher than that after administration of omeprazole (median: 4.45 vs. 2.65; P=0.0367). Also during the 6-h study period, a longer duration of maintenance at pH above 2, 5, and 6 was observed after administration of roxatidine 75 mg than after administration of omeprazole 20 mg (median: 90.6% vs. 55.2%, P=0.0284; 43.7% vs. 10.6%, P=0.0125; 40.3% vs. 3.3%, P=0.0125; respectively).

Conclusions

In Helicobacter pylori-negative healthy male subjects, oral administration of roxatidine 75 mg increased the intragastric pH more rapidly than that of omeprazole 20 mg.     

辅助生殖技术学龄前单双胎子代的认知发展存在差异么?(英文)简

Objective： To explore whether there exist differences in cognitive development between singletons and twins born after in vitro fertilization （IVF） or intracytoplasmic sperm injection （ICSI）. Methods： A total of 566 children were recruited for the study, including 388 children （singletons, n=175; twins, n=213） born after IVF and 178 children （singletons, n=87; twins, n=91 ） born after ICSI. The cognitive development was assessed using the Chinese-Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children （C-WISC）. Results： For all pre-term offspring, all the intelligence quotient （IQ） items between singletons and twins showed no significant differences no matter if they were born after IVF or ICSI. There was a significant difference in the cognitive development of IVF-conceived full-term singletons and twins. The twins born after IVF obtained significantly lower scores than the singletons in verbal IQ （containing information, picture ＆ vocabulary, arithmetic, picture completion, comprehension, and language）, performance IQ （containing maze, visual analysis, object assembly, and performance）, and full scale IQ （P〈0.05）. The cognitive development of full-term sin- gletons and twins born after ICSI did not show any significant differences. There was no significant difference between the parents of the singletons and twins in their characteristics where data were collected, including the age of the mothers, the current employment status, the educational backgrounds, and areas of residence. There were also no consistent differences in the duration of pregnancy, sex composition of the children, age, and height between sin- gletons and twins at the time of our study although there existed significant differences between the two groups in the sex composition of the full-term children born after ICSI （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： Compared to the full-term singletons born after IVF, the full-term twins have lower cognitive development. The cognitive development of full-term singletons and twins born after ICSI did not show any significant differences. For all pre-term offspring, singletons and twins born after IVF or ICSI, the results of the cognitive development showed no significant differences.     

Radiofrequency ablation versus hepatic resection for breast cancer liver metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To evaluate the comparative therapeutic efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatic resection (HR) for breast cancer liver metastases (BCLMs).

Methods

Studies that had examined the outcomes for both RFA and HR for BCLM were identified by searching the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Pooled analyzes of the overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and short-term outcomes of BCLM were performed.

Results

Patients with BCLM gained many more survival benefits from HR than from RFA with regard to the 3-year OS rate (combined odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29–0.59, P<0.001), 5-year OS rate (combined OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.32–0.46, P<0.001), 3-year DFS (combined OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.27–0.49, P<0.001), and 5-year DFS (combined OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.40–0.66, P<0.001). RFA had fewer postoperative complications (combined OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20–0.44, P<0.001) and shorter hospital stays (combined OR -9.01, 95% CI -13.49–4.54, P<0.001) than HR.

Conclusions

HR takes precedence over RFA in the treatment of patients with BCLM, considering the better survival rate. RFA gives rise to fewer complications and can be carried out with a shorter hospital stay, compared to HR. RFA should be reserved for patients who are not optimum candidates for resection.

     

Expression of MMP-9 in hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome induced by Gynura segetum

Background and objective:Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome(HSOS) is characterized by painful hepatomegaly,ascites,increased body weight,and jaundice.Gynura segetum(Compositae),a plant widely used in Chinese traditional medicine,often leads to the development of HSOS.However,the mechanism is unclear.The aim was to study the role of matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) in the onset of HSOS induced by Gynura segetum.Methods:Twenty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups.Twenty were exposed to 600 mg/kg daily Gynura segetum extract solution for three weeks;five control rats were exposed to tap water alone.Liver sections were evaluated by light microscopy with a modified scoring system.Routine transmission electron microscopy(TEM) methods were used to evaluate the ultrastructual features of fixed liver tissue,and blood samples were collected to determine liver enzyme concentrations.MMP-9 expression was assessed by both immunohistochemical staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) methods.Results:A stable and reproducible rat model of HSOS was achieved by long-term exposure to Gynura segetum extract.The treated rats presented clinical symptoms and the histopathological manifestation of HSOS,including abnormal liver enzyme concentrations(alanine aminotransferase(ALT):(84.8±13.62) vs.(167.0±72.63) U/L,P<0.05;aspartate aminotransferase(AST):(27.6±6.31) vs.(232.8±108.58) U/L,P<0.05).Hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining and TEM together revealed deposition of red blood cells,the damage and destruction of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells,collapse of hepatic sinusoids,hemorrhage of subendothelial cells,atrophy and destruction of hepatocytes,etc.Compared with controls,the expression of MMP-9 in the blood sample,the lung and liver tissues of HSOS rats was increased.Conclusions:MMP-9 may have an important role in early pathological changes of HSOS,and thus the onset of the disease.     

肝功能对意识消失时咪达唑仑血浆浓度和脑电双频谱指数的影响(英文)

研究目的:探索不同肝功能指数对镇静药咪达唑仑的敏感性以及脑电双频谱指数(BIS)的预测意识消失的影响。创新要点:明确不同肝功能状态的患者对中枢抑制药的敏感性以及BIS预测意识消失概率发生的敏感性。指导临床医生根据患者的肝功能状态合理使用中枢抑制药以及正确利用BIS预测镇定深度。研究方法:选择意识消失作为研究终点,以50%患者意识消失时的咪唑安定的浓度以及BIS值作为观察指标。重要结论:终末期肝病患者对中枢镇静药咪唑安定更敏感,该类患者在BIS预测意识消失概率发生的敏感性存在差异。     

Poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D,L</Emphasis>-lactic-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolic acid)-based artesunate nanoparticles: formulation,antimalarial and toxicity assessments

Objective

The aim of this study was to formulate polymer-based artesunate nanoparticles for malaria treatment.

Methods

Artesunate was loaded with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) by solvent evaporation from an oil-in-water single emulsion. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. In vivo antimalarial studies at 4 mg/kg were performed on Swiss male albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Hematological and hepatic toxicity assays were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated artesunate (Art-PLGA) to cell line RAW 264.7 was determined at concentrations of 7.8–1000 μg/ml.

Results

The particle size of the formulated drug was (329.3±21.7) nm and the entrapment efficiency was (38.4±10.1)%. Art-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher parasite suppression (62.6%) compared to free artesunate (58.2%, P<0.05). Platelet counts were significantly higher in controls (305 000.00±148 492.40) than in mice treated with free artesunate (139 500.00±20 506.10) or Art-PLGA (163 500.00±3535.53) (P<0.05). There was no sign of hepatic toxicity following use of the tested drugs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Art-PLGA (468.0 μg/ml) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of free artesunate (7.3 μg/ml) in the in vitro cytotoxicity assay.

Conclusions

A simple treatment of PLGA-entrapped artesunate nanoparticles with dual advantages of low toxicity and better antiplasmodial efficacy has been developed.

     

Delivering MC3T3-E1 cells into injectable calcium phosphate cement through alginate-chitosan microcapsules for bone tissue engineering

研究目的：本研究应用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微囊保护成骨细胞,接种到β-磷酸三钙/磷酸钙骨水泥（β-TCP/CPC）浆料中,使β-TCP/CPC骨修复材料具有一定的细胞活性,同时提高固化后材料的孔隙率和孔径,以最终实现提高β-TCP/CPC骨水泥的降解速度,加快成骨和骨修复。创新要点：本研究首次应用海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊包封成骨细胞与CPC浆料复合,复合后实现自动细胞释放,释放出的细胞具有良好的生物学活性。研究方法：（1）高压静电成囊法制备载小鼠成骨前体细胞（MC3T3-E1）的海藻酸钙和海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊;（2）微囊化MC3T3-E1细胞,进行体外培养,使用细胞计数试剂盒（CCK-8）检测细胞活性,并用钙黄绿素-AM（Calcein-AM）和碘化丙啶（PI）进行活死细胞双重染色;（3）微囊化MC3T3-E1细胞与β-TCP/CPC浆料复合培养后,激光共聚焦扫描显微镜和环境扫描电子显微镜观测细胞在材料上的释放、粘附,CCK-8法检测材料上细胞的活力,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）检测观察细胞的分化状况,茜素红染色观察释放细胞的矿化能力。重要结论：海藻酸钠-壳聚糖微胶囊可作为可注射磷酸钙骨水泥内部接种成骨细胞并实现细胞释放的良好载体,释放出的成骨细胞具有良好的生物学活性。     

Effects of body mass index on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a retrospective cohort study

Objective

To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the outcomes of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

In the retrospective cohort study, a total of 1074 patients with PCOS undergoing IVF between April 2010 and May 2017 in two reproductive medicine centers, respectively in eastern China (Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang Province) and in southern China (Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Liuzhou, Guangxi Province), were included. The patients were divided into four groups according to the recommended Chinese BMI cut-off points: underweight (BMI< 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5 kg/m²≤BMI<24.0 kg/m²), overweight (24.0 kg/m²≤BMI<28.0 kg/m²), and obese (BMI≥ 28.0 kg/m²). The basic characteristics of the PCOS patients, the details of IVF treatment, and the pregnancy outcomes were collected.

Main results

There were no significant differences among the normal weight, overweight, and obese PCOS patients undergoing IVF on the biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, live birth rate, or term delivery rate (P>0.05), although the overweight and obese PCOS patients required more gonadotropin (Gn) (P<0.001) as well as longer stimulation period (P<0.001), and got less retrieved oocytes (P<0.05) and fertilized oocytes (P<0.05). The underweight PCOS patients required less Gn (P<0.05) and achieved higher live birth rate and term delivery rate (P<0.05), compared with the normal weight PCOS patients.

Conclusions

High BMI had no negative effects on the outcomes of IVF in Chinese patients with PCOS; however, the conclusion may seem a little limited due to the retrospective design and the potential bias.

     

Factors underlying the association of body mass index with serum ALT in Chinese hypertensive adults without known hepatic diseases

Objective:High body mass index (BMI) is considered as the most important risk factor for elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration. This study examined an array of factors, including waist circumference (WC) and folate deficiency, which may mediate the association of BMI with serum ALT concentration in Chinese hypertensive adults without known hepatic diseases. Methods:A multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 378 patients with mild or moderate hypertension and without known hepatic diseases were recruited from five hospitals in Harbin, Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and Nanjing. Results:Of the 360 hypertensive patients with complete data in our final analysis, 13.6% had high ALT concentrations (>40 IU/L). Factors including BMI, WC, triglyceride level, and folate concentration were associated with ALT concentration in univariate analysis. Consistently higher prevalence rates of elevated ALT were observed in subjects with lower folate concentrations (≥12 vs. <12 nmol/L, 9.9% vs. 17.8%, P=0.03), with higher BMI (≥28 vs. <28 kg/m2, 21.5% vs. 11.4%, P=0.02) or higher WC (≥90 vs. <90 cm, 18.5% vs. 10.0%, P=0.02). However, in multivariate analysis, the association between BMI and ALT concentration disappeared (P=0.802 in males and 0.369 in females), while WC in females (P<0.001) and folate concentration (P=0.036 in males and 0.044 in females) remained as significant predictors for ALT concentration. Conclusions:This multicenter study demonstrated that WC and low folate concentration were important factors underlying the association between BMI and ALT concentrations in Chinese hypertensive adults without known hepatic diseases.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phyllanthus emblica</Emphasis> Linn. fruit extract potentiates the anticancer efficacy of mitomycin C and cisplatin and reduces their genotoxicity to normal cells in vitro

Objective

Fruit of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. (PE) is widely consumed as a functional food and used as a folk medicine due to its remarkable nutritional and pharmacological effects. Mitomycin C (MMC) and cisplatin (cDDP) are the most widely used forms of chemotherapeutic drug, but their clinical use is limited by their genotoxicity to normal cells. We aimed to determine whether PE has potential to reduce the genotoxicity, while improving the anticancer effect, of MMC and cDDP.

Methods

Cell proliferation was evaluated using the trypan blue exclusion assay and colony-forming assay. Genomic instability (GIN) was measured using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay.

Results

Co-treatment (72 h) with PE at 20–320 μg/ml significantly enhanced the efficacy of MMC (0.05 μg/ml) and cDDP (1 μg/ml) against Colo205 colorectal cancer cells (P<0.05), and at 80–320 μg/ml significantly decreased MMCand cDDP-induced GIN and multinucleation in normal colonic NCM460 cells (P<0.05). PE significantly decreased the mitotic index (P<0.01), blocked mitotic progression (P<0.05), and promoted apoptosis (P<0.01) in MMC- and cDDP-treated NCM460 cells, suggesting that PE-mediated inhibition of mitosis and induction of apoptosis may limit the division and survival of highly damaged cells. Also, PE was found to inhibit the clonal expansion of MMC- and cDDP-treated NCM460 cells (P<0.05) and decrease the heterogeneity of the surviving clones.

Conclusions

PE potentiates the anticancer efficacy of MMC and cDDP, while preventing their genotoxicity and inhibiting clonal expansions of unstable genomes in normal cells. These data suggest that PE has the potential to reduce the risk of secondary cancers induced by chemotherapeutics.

     

Distribution and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells after fluid resuscitation in mice with hemorrhagic shock

Objective

To investigate the distribution and differentiation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in hemorrhagic shock mice, which are resuscitated with normal saline (NS), hypertonic saline (HTS), and hydroxyethyl starch (HES).

Methods

BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control, NS, HTS, and HES resuscitation groups. Three subgroups (n=8) in each resuscitation group were marked as 2, 24, and 72 h. Flow cytometry was used to detect the MDSCs, monocytic MDSCs (M-MDSCs), and granulocytic/neutrophilic MDSCs (G-MDSCs) in peripheral blood nucleated cells (PBNCs), spleen single-cell suspension, and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNCs).

Results

The MDSCs in BMNCs among three resuscitation groups were lower 2 h after shock, in PBNCs of the HTS group were higher, and in spleen of the NS group were lower (all P<0.05 vs. control). The M-MDSC/G-MDSC ratios in PBNCs of the HTS and HES groups were lower (both P<0.05 vs. control). At 24 h, the MDSCs in PBNCs of the NS and HTS groups were higher, while the spleen MDSCs in the HTS group were higher (all P<0.05 vs. control). The M-MDSC/G-MDSC ratios were all less in PBNCs, spleen, and BMNCs of the NS and HTS groups, and were lower in BMNCs of the HES group (all P<0.05 vs. control). At 72 h, the elevated MDSCs in PBNCs were presented in the HTS and HES groups, and in spleen the augment turned up in three resuscitation groups (all P<0.05 vs. control). The inclined ratios to M-MDSC were exhibited in spleen of the NS and HTS groups, and in PBNCs of the NS group; the inclination to G-MDSC in BMNCs was shown in the HES group (all P<0.05 vs. control).

Conclusions

HTS induces the earlier elevation of MDSCs in peripheral blood and spleen, and influences its distribution and differentiation, while HES has a less effect on the distribution but a stronger impact on the differentiation of MDSCs, especially in bone marrow.