Potential clinical biomarkers and perspectives in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiovascular complication and the leading cause of death in diabetic patients. Patients typically do not experience any symptoms and have normal systolic and diastolic cardiac functions in the early stages of DCM. Because the majority of cardiac tissue has already been destroyed by the time DCM is detected, research must be conducted on biomarkers for early DCM, early diagnosis of DCM patients, and early symptomatic management to minimize mortality rates among DCM patients. Most of the existing implemented clinical markers are not very specific for DCM, especially in the early stages of DCM. Recent studies have shown that a number of new novel markers, such as galactin-3 (Gal-3), adiponectin (APN), and irisin, have significant changes in the clinical course of the various stages of DCM, suggesting that we may have a positive effect on the identification of DCM. As a summary of the current state of knowledge regarding DCM biomarkers, this review aims to inspire new ideas for identifying clinical markers and related pathophysiologic mechanisms that could be used in the early diagnosis and treatment of DCM.

The analysis of expression of CCK and IP3 receptors in gallstones patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is correlated with gallbladder diseases. This study aimed to investigate the expression of CCK and IP3 receptors in patients with gallbladder stones and T2DM and its correlation with the hypomotility of the gallbladder. METHODOLOGY: 26 patients with gallstones and T2DM (Group 1) and 24 gallstones patients without T2DM (Group 2) were enrolled in this study. The emptying function of the gallbladder was measured by ultrasonography. The activity of CCK-R was analyzed by radioligand method and the IP3-R antibody was used to detect the IP3-R from patients in both groups. RESULTS: Gallbladder ejection volume (EV) ((11.6±5.1) ml3 vs (21.5±7.8) ml3) and gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF2)(%)((17.2±11.3) ml3 vs (52.8±12.9) ml3) were significantly lower (P<0.01) in patients with gallstones and T2DM. The amount of CCK-R and the activity of CCK-R in Group 1 were significantly lower than that in Group 2 (P<0.01). And IP3-R in Group 1 was much lower than that in Group 2, as well (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of CCK-R and IP3-R in gallstones patients with T2DM was much lower in such patients, leading to impaired gallbladder emptying function and the formation of gallstones.

[Application of transbronchial needle aspiration in the bronchial submucosa].

BACKGROUND: To explore the applicable value of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in the bronchial submucosa. METHODS: TBNA biopsy was performed in 76 cases of pulmonary diseases, which had no endoscopically visible pathologic change. The results of TBNA were compared with that of brushing for cytological examination. RESULTS: The correct diagnosis of the pulmonary diseases was 85.5% (65/76) for TBNA and 55.3%(42/76) for brushing cytology, and the correct diagnosis of lung cancer was 78.0%(39/50) for TBNA, 38.0% (19/50) for brushing cytology. Slight bleeding at the penestrated site was observed in 52 patients and there were no other severe complications. CONCLUSIONS: TBNA is a safe, simple and effective method in clinical application and could be used widely.