Association between thrombomodulin polymorphisms and coronary artery disease risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The associations between the thrombomodulin (TM) polymorphisms and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of TM polymorphisms with CAD susceptibility using a meta-analysis approach. MATERIAL/METHODS: All eligible studies were identified through a search of PubMed, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) before February 2014. The associations between the TM polymorphisms and CAD risk was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 14 case-control studies, including 5493 cases and 8297 controls, were eventually collected. There was a significant association between TM -33G/A polymorphism and CAD risk (OR=1.61; 95% CI, 1.35-1.92; I2=15%). The TM Ala455Val polymorphism was also associated with a significantly increased CAD risk (OR=1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24; I2=0%). These results remained statistically significant when the adjusted ORs were combined. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TM-33G/A and Ala455Val polymorphisms are risk factors for CAD.

Analysis of OSAS incidence and influential factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the detection rate and influencing factors of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension. METHODS: A total of 440 patients with hypertension were selected as the research objects, all of them participated in the Berlin questionnaire survey, and the polysomnography (PSG) was performed on the patients with a high risk of OSAS. The detection rate of OSAS was analyzed, the clinical data between non-OSAS group and OSAS group were compared and stepwise linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the related influencing factors to Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) and OSAS in hypertensive patients. RESULTS: A total of 235 patients completed PSG and 196 patients were diagnosed as OSAS with the detection rate of 83.40%. The detection rate of OSAS in male patients was higher than that in females (89.04% vs.74.16%, χ2=8.025, P=0.006). The detection rates of OSAS in normal BMI group, overweight group and obesity group were 56.52%, 92.37% and 100%, respectively (χ2=36.438, P<0.001). The detection rates of OSAS in normal waistline group and central obesity group were 74.42% and 88.59% (χ2=7.539, P=0.016). The detection rates of OSAS in grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 hypertension groups were 57.47%, 98.23%, and 100%, respectively (χ2=44.623, P<0.001). BMI, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and waist circumference of OSAS group were all higher than those in non-OSAS group (P<0.05). BMI, SBP and DBP were positively correlated with AHI (P<0.05), which were independent risk factors of OSAS (OR=2.548 [95% CI: 1.449-4.327], 1.342 [95% CI: 1.214-1.965] and 1.169 [95% CI: 1.025-1.622], respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of OSAS in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension is high. High BMI, SBP, and DBP are independent risk factors of OSAS.

Effect of HIFU on endometrial receptivity and sex hormone level in uterine fibroid patients and analysis of influencing factors for its treatment rate.

Effect of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) uterine fibroid ablation on the endometrial receptivity and sex hormone level in uterine fibroid patients and the influencing factors for treatment rate were investigated. A retrospective analysis of 266 uterine fibroid patients admitted to the Department of Gynaecology in the Jining Maternity and Child Care Hospital from October 2013 to October 2016 was performed. Among them, observation group was treated with HIFU ablation (n=143), control group with myomectomy (n=123). The pulsatility index (PI) and the resistance index (RI) of the uterine arterial blood flow were measured during the luteal phase of menstruation by transvaginal ultrasonography. The serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) were detected by chemical immunofluorescence. The relationship between HIFU treatment rate and clinical pathology of uterine fibroid patients was analyzed, and univariate/multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors for HIFU treatment rate. There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative PI and RI between the two groups (P>0.05); no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative PI/RI in the same group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative and postoperative LH, FSH and E2 between the two groups (P>0.05); no significant difference between preoperative LH and postoperative LH in the same group (P>0.05), neither FSH or E2 (P>0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that fibroid location and ultrasound contrast intensity were independent influencing factors for HIFU treatment rate (P<0.05). Treatment of uterine fibroid with HIFU has no effect on the patient's endometrial receptivity and sex hormone level. Fibroid location and ultrasound contrast intensity are independent risk factors for HIFU treatment rate. This study provides guidance for the clinical optimization of treatment methods and is more conducive to the promotion of HIFU ablation therapy.

Serum STLT-1 and bilirubin levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome and correlation with prognosis.

The serum triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)-like transcription factor-1 [soluble TREM-like transcript-1 (STLT-1)] and bilirubin levels were investigated in patients with acute coronary syndrome and the correlation with prognosis. A total of 125 patients of acute coronary syndrome admitted to the Department of Cardiology in People's Hospital of Rizhao were selected, including 45 cases with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 36 cases with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 44 cases with unstable angina pectoris (UAP), while 48 subjects were enrolled as the normal control. The serum STLT-1 and bilirubin levels on admission and on the 3rd, 7th and 10th day after admission of patients in each group were respectively determined, the level changes of these two indicators in serum during the initial stage of acute coronary syndrome were analyzed, and their effects on prognosis of patients were analyzed. STLT-1 levels in groups STEMI, NSTEMI and UAP were higher than those in the normal control group, and serum levels of STLT-1 in groups STEMI and NSTEMI were higher than those in group UAP. Bilirubin levels in groups STEMI, NSTEMI and UAP were lower than those in the normal control group, and serum levels of bilirubin in groups STEMI and NSTEMI were lower than those in group UAP. The proportions of complications in patients of groups STEMI and NSTEMI were significantly higher than those in group UAP (P<0.05). The results showed that the timely and effective treatment administered to patients with acute coronary syndrome during the initial stage to reduce the level of STLT-1 in serum and enhance bilirubin to a relatively high level is conducive in ameliorating the prognosis of patients, which is of clinical significance.