Dissecting yield-associated loci in super hybrid rice by resequencing recombinant inbred lines and improving parental genome sequences.

The growing world population and shrinkage of arable land demand yield improvement of rice, one of the most important staple crops. To elucidate the genetic basis of yield and uncover its associated loci in rice, we resequenced the core recombinant inbred lines of Liang-You-Pei-Jiu, the widely cultivated super hybrid rice, and constructed a high-resolution linkage map. We detected 43 yield-associated quantitative trait loci, of which 20 are unique. Based on the high-density physical map, the genome sequences of paternal variety 93-11 and maternal cultivar PA64s of Liang-You-Pei-Jiu were significantly improved. The large recombinant inbred line population combined with plentiful high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms and insertions/deletions between parental genomes allowed us to fine-map two quantitative trait loci, qSN8 and qSPB1, and to identify days to heading8 and lax panicle1 as candidate genes, respectively. The quantitative trait locus qSN8 was further confirmed to be days to heading8 by a complementation test. Our study provided an ideal platform for molecular breeding by targeting and dissecting yield-associated loci in rice.

Alcohol-induced severe acute pancreatitis followed by hemolytic uremic syndrome managed with continuous renal replacement therapy.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury in patients with acute pancreatitis carries a poor prognosis. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is characterized by non-immune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure caused by platelet thrombi in the microcirculation of the kidney, and though rare in adults it is associated with high mortality and a high rate of chronic renal failure. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report a case of alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis in a 38-year-old Chinese female complicated by HUS. Her renal function progressively deteriorated in 2 days, and daily continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) was thus performed for a total of 13 treatments. She also received intermittent transfusions of fresh frozen plasma. Her renal failure was successfully managed, with subsequent return of normal renal function. She was discharged 1 month after admission and follow-up at 3 months revealed normal urea and creatinine. CONCLUSION: CRRT was shown to be useful for the treatment of HUS following acute pancreatitis. Prior case reports and our case should remind clinicians that HUS is a possible complication of acute pancreatitis. This study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and prompt initiation of CRRT to prevent mortality and improve outcomes.

Therapeutic effects of ginsenosides on osteoporosis for novel drug applications.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease with a high incidence rate worldwide. Its main features are decreased bone mass, increased bone fragility and deterioration of bone microstructure. It is caused by an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. Ginsenoside is a safe and effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) usually extracted from ginseng plants, having various therapeutic effects, of which the effect against osteoporosis has been extensively studied. We searched a total of 44 relevant articles with using keywords including osteoporosis, ginsenosides, bone mesenchymal cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and bone remodeling, all of which investigated the cellular mechanisms of different types of ginsenosides affecting the activity of bone remodeling by mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts and osteoclasts to counteract osteoporosis. This review describes the different types of ginsenosides used to treat osteoporosis from different perspectives, providing a solid theoretical basis for future clinical applications.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy for upper ureteral calculi: a report of 1171 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical outcomes and values of transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy. METHODS: A total of 1171 patients with upper ureteral calculi were recruited during September 1999 to February 2012. The etiologies included impacted calculi (n = 1100), non-impacted calculi (n = 71), multiple ureteral calculi (n = 51) and combined small calculi in unilateral kidney (n = 139). Maximum diameter of calculi was 1.5 (0.8-2.6) cm. All patients underwent transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy and double J stent was implanted intraoperatively. RESULTS: Two cases were converted into open operation. Calculi moving up into pelvis occurred in 27 cases. And 25 cases converted into laparoscopic pyelolithotomy and stones were removed successfully. Two cases received extra extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy postoperatively. The remaining 1142 cases were treated successfully with an operative duration of 56.1 (26-160) min and an estimated volume of blood loss at 45.2 (10-250) ml. The period of drainage tube was 3.1 (1-7) days. Postoperative hospitalization stay was 4.8 (3-9) days. One patient suffered urine leakage and healed at Day 6 days post-operation. Ten cases suffered D-J stent bladder non-arrival or retraction and double J stents were extracted by ureteroscopy. One case suffered paralytic ileus and recovered 7 days later. Another case suffered severe hematuria. No intestine or adjacent viscera injury was observed. The follow-up period of 827 cases was 7.3 (24-108) months. Among 12 cases of ureteral stricture, ureteral dilation (n = 7) and ureteral anastomosis (n = 3) were performed. For 5 cases of renal atrophy, 3 underwent nephrectomy because of recurrent lumbago or persistent urinary infection. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy has the advantages of minimal morbidity, little postoperative discomfort and high stone clearance rate over open surgery. It should be widely adopted for the patients with upper ureteral impacted calculi.

Differential distribution shifts in two subregions of East Asian subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests-a case of Magnoliaceae.

Aim: East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) are composed of western and eastern subregions with different topographical and environmental conditions. The distribution shifts over time of plants in the two subregions are predicted to be different, but the difference has seldom been investigated. Methods: Potential distributions of 53 Magnoliaceae species (22 in the western and 31 in the eastern subregion) during the last glacial maximum (LGM), present, and the 2070s were predicted using MaxEnt based on 58 environmental variables. The changes in the distribution range size and centroid over time were analyzed. Species-level potential habitats were overlaid to uncover species diversity distribution, and the distributions over time were overlaid to discover long-term refugia. Results: At present, the potential distributions are significantly larger than those shown by the occurrence points. During the LGM, 20/22 species in the western subregion experienced increases in range size through downwards and southward migrations, while decreases in range size in the eastern subregion (27/31 species) were accompanied by northward and eastward migrations. In the future, range size declines and northward shifts will both be found; northwestward shifts will exist in most (20/22 species) species in the western subregion, while both northwest- and northeastward shifts will occur in the eastern subregion. The diversity hotspots experienced a slight southward shift in the past and upwards to the mountain region in the future in the western subregion; in the eastern subregion, shrinks occurred in eastern China in the past and shrinks were shown in all regions in the future. Long-term refugia-preserving diversity was found in the mountains across the entire EBLFs region. Main conclusions: Significant differences in distribution shifts from past to present and similar distribution shifts from present to future are revealed in the two subregions. Species diversity in both subregions experienced no significant shifts from past to future, and Magnoliaceae plants could be preserved in mountainous regions throughout the EBLFs.

[Professor HAN Wei's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen for adolescent depressive disorder].

Professor HAN Wei 's clinical experience of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen (promoting yang and regaining consciousness) for adolescent depressive disorder is introduced. It is believed that the internal causes of adolescent depressive disorder are mostly emotional and physical factors, while the external causes are mainly social factors, and yang-qi stagnation and emotional disorder are the key pathogenesis. The key of acupuncture and moxibustion with Tongyang Xingshen is warming and regulating the governor vessel. The governor vessel acupoints at head, neck and back are selected. At head, Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (GV 24+) are selected; at neck, Fengfu (GV 16) and Dazhui (GV 14) are selected; at back, Taodao (GV 13), Shenzhu (GV 12), Shendao (GV 11), Zhiyang (GV 9) and Jinsuo (GV 8) are selected. The combination of disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation should be highly valued, and the moxibustion with Tongyang and acupuncture with Xingshen should be used simultaneously, and the strong stimulation is suggested.

[Acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction for stroke-associated pneumonia with phlegm-heat obstructing lung and its effect on cellular immune function].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) with phlegm-heat obstructing lung, and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients of SAP with phlegm-heat obstructing lung were randomly divided into a combination group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off), a Chinese medication group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off) and an acupuncture group (33 cases, 1 case dropped off). On the basis of routine basic treatment, the patients in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Tiantu (CV 22), Feishu (BL 13), Taiyuan (LU 9), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc., once a day, with an interval of 1 day after continuous 6-day treatment; the patients in the Chinese medication group were treated with Qingfei Qutan decoction, 1 dose per day; the patients in the combination group were treated with acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction. Two weeks were taken as a course of treatment, and two courses of treatment were given. Before and after treatment, the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), inflammatory indexes (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [NLR], procalcitonin [PCT], C-reactive protein [CRP]), cellular immune function (CD+3, CD+4, CD+8 and CD+4/CD+8) were compared in the 3 groups. The clearance of pathogenic bacteria after treatment was observed in the 3 groups. The clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the CPIS scores, NLR, PCT, CRP and CD+8 in the each group were lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), while the levels of CD+3, CD+4, CD+4/CD+8 were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The above indexes in the combination group were better than those in the acupuncture group and the Chinese medication group (P<0.05), and the above indexes in the Chinese medication group were better than those in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the clearance rate of pathogenic bacteria among three groups (P>0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate was 65.6% (21/32) in the combination group, which was higher than 43.8% (14/32) in the Chinese medication group and 18.8% (6/32) in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). The cured and markedly effective rate in the Chinese medication group was higher than that in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture combined with Qingfei Qutan decoction could effectively improve the clinical symptoms of SAP patients with phlegm-heat obstructing lung, and the mechanism may be related to enhancing the cellular immune function and reducing the level of inflammatory reaction.

Evolutionary history of a desert perennial Arnebia szechenyi (Boraginaceae): Intraspecific divergence, regional expansion and asymmetric gene flow.

The complex interactions of historical, geological and climatic events on plant evolution have been an important research focus for many years. However, the role of desert formation and expansion in shaping the genetic structures and demographic histories of plants occurring in arid areas has not been well explored. In the present study, we investigated the phylogeography of Arnebia szechenyi, a desert herb showing a near-circular distribution surrounding the Tengger Desert in Northwest China. We measured genetic diversity of populations using three maternally inherited chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments and seven bi-paternally inherited nuclear DNA (nDNA) loci that were sequenced from individuals collected from 16 natural populations across its range and modelled current and historical potential habitats of the species. Our data indicated a considerably high level of genetic variation within A. szechenyi and noteworthy asymmetry in historical migration from the east to the west. Moreover, two nuclear genetic groups of populations were revealed, corresponding to the two geographic regions separated by the Tengger Desert. However, analysis of cpDNA data did not show significant geographic structure. The most plausible explanation for the discrepancy between our findings based on cpDNA and nDNA data is that A. szechenyi populations experienced long periods of geographic isolation followed by range expansion, which would have promoted generalized recombination of the nuclear genome. Our findings further highlight the important role that the Tengger Desert, together with the Helan Mountains, has played in the evolution of desert plants and the preservation of biodiversity in arid Northwest China.

Insights Into the Significance of the Chinense Loess Plateau for Preserving Biodiversity From the Phylogeography of Speranskia tuberculata (Euphorbiaceae).

The significance of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) in maintaining biodiversity for northern China has rarely been shown, as previous phylogeographic studies are mostly woody species and they have revealed that Quaternary refugia are mainly located in mountain regions. We selected a drought-enduring endemic herb, Speranskia tuberculata (Euphorbiaceae), to determine its glacial refugia and postglacial demographic history. To this end, we sampled 423 individuals from 38 populations covering its entire geographic distribution. Three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments, two low-copy nuclear genes, and six nuclear microsatellites (nSSRs) were used and supplemented with ecological niche modeling (ENM) to infer the phylogeographic history of this species. Populations with private haplotypes and high haplotype diversity of cpDNA are mainly located in the CLP or scattered around northeastern China and the coastal region. Spatial expansion, detected using a neutrality test and mismatch distribution, may have resulted in a widely distributed ancestral cpDNA haplotype, especially outside of the CLP. For nuclear DNA, private haplotypes are also distributed mainly in the CLP. In nSSRs, STRUCTURE clustering identified two genetic clusters, which are distributed in the west (western cluster) and east (eastern cluster), respectively. Many populations belonged, with little to no admixture, to the western cluster while (hardly) pure populations of the eastern cluster were barely found. Genetic differentiation is significantly correlated with geographic distance, although genetic diversity is uniformly distributed. ENM suggests that the distribution of S. tuberculata has recently expanded northwards from the southern CLP, whereas it has experienced habitat loss in the south. Thus, S. tuberculata populations probably survived the last glacial maximum (LGM) in the southern CLP and experienced post-glacial expansion. Wind-dispersed pollen could bring the majority of genotypes to the front during spatial expansion, resulting in uniformly distributed genetic diversity. Based on evidence from molecular data and vegetation and climate changes since the LGM, we conclude that drought-enduring species, especially herbaceous species, are likely to have persisted in the CLP during the LGM and to have experienced expansion to other regions in northern China.

Personalized Three-Dimensional Printed Anterior Titanium Plate to Treat Double-Column Acetabular Fractures: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of a personalized three-dimensional (3D) printed dynamic anterior plate-screw system for the quadrilateral area (DAPSQ) titanium plate and a traditional DAPSQ reconstruction plate in the treatment of double-column acetabular fractures. METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study. From May 2014 to January 2018, 43 patients with double-column acetabular fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Among these, 20 cases were fixed with a 3D printed DAPSQ plate (3D printed group) and 23 cases were fixed with a DAPSQ reconstruction plate (control group). The 3D printed group comprised 15 men and 5 women, with an average age of 50.1 ± 8.2 years. The control group comprised 16 men and 7 women, with an average age of 51.0 ± 8.6 years. The evaluation index included the surgical data (i.e. blood loss, operating time, duration of hospital stay, and intraoperative and postoperative complications), position and length of implants, reduction quality, hip function, and related complications. The reduction quality was evaluated using the Matta scoring standard and hip function was evaluated using the modified Merle d'Aubigné score. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean postoperative follow up was 35.2 months in the 3D printed group and 36.9 months in the control group. There were no significant group differences in demographic data between the two groups. The position and length of the 3D printed implants were generally in accord with preoperative planning using a 3D pelvic model. Patients in the 3D printed group had significantly shorter operation time (223.2 vs 260.5 min, P < 0.05) and less intraoperative blood loss (930.4 vs 1426.1 mL, P < 0.05) compared to the control group. Anatomic, imperfect, and poor reduction was obtained in 13, 5, and 2 cases in the 3D printed group, respectively, and was obtained in 12, 8, and 3 cases in the control group. The modified Merle d'Aubigné scores were excellent in 11 cases, good in seven cases, and fair in two cases in the 3D printed group. They were excellent in 11 cases, good in eight cases, fair in three cases, and poor in one case in the control group. The reduction quality and hip function did not differ within the groups (P > 0.05). The general complication rate in the 3D printed group and the control group was 15% and 26.1%, respectively, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Use of a personalized 3D printed DAPSQ plate has potential advantages in reducing the operation time and blood loss during the treatment of double-column acetabular fractures.

Shi's Yi-Qi Bu-Shen Tong-Luo decoction combined with manipulation in the management of wrist stiffness after distal radius fracture: Study protocol clinical trial (SPIRIT Compliant).

INTRODUCTION: Wrist stiffness is a common sequela of distal radial fractures. Manipulation is generally used and effective, but problems exist, such as intense pain, swelling during the process of manipulation and long treatment period. Therefore, a combinative therapeutic strategy is necessary to benefit rehabilitation after distal radius fracture. Shi's Yi-Qi Bu-Shen Tong-Luo decoction (BTD) combined with wrist manipulation has been used in the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Huangpu Branch in last few decades. BTD has potential therapeutic effects on rehabilitation after distal radius fracture, which should be evaluated by rigorous clinical trial. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will be conducted to determine the efficiency of BTD in relief of wrist stiffness and pain and function rehabilitation. A total of 80 wrist stiffness patients with or without pain and edema will be enrolled, and treated with wrist manipulation plus BTD or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure is the Cooney wrist score. The second outcome measures include pain numerical rating scale, patient rated wrist evaluation, 36-item short form health survey questionnaire, and side effects. DISCUSSION: Although BTD has shown effects on rehabilitation after distal radius fracture in the Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Huangpu Branch for decades, the universality of this efficacy needs evaluated. The results of this trial will provide a convincing evidence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2000029260, January 19, 2020.

Self-assembly and lithium storage performance of a nanoscale polyoxometalate based on the {MnTa18} cluster.

A nanosized Ta/W mixed addendum polyoxometalate (Cs12K3H7[MnTa18Si6W54O231]·61H2O) based on the unprecedented {MnTa18} cluster was fabricated successfully under hydrothermal conditions. An excellent electrochemical performance of this compound was found in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as an anode material. The discharge capacity was 829.9 mA h g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1 in the first cycle and stable at 428.4 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles, which suggests the potential application of this new compound in LIBs.

Tai Chi on bone mineral density of postmenopausal osteoporosis: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a clinically common metabolic disease, especially in postmenopausal women. Tai Chi might be beneficial in osteoporosis patients. This study will be performed to examine the effects of Tai Chi on bone mineral density of postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS: We will search the electronical databases and hand-searching journals or reference lists. The study screening and data extraction will be carried out by 2 investigators independently. The primary outcome is bone mineral density (lumbar spine, Ward's triangle, trochanter, proximal femur, femoral neck, or total hip). Secondary outcomes are pain score, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and adverse effects. Review Manager V.5.3 software will be used to compute the data. RESULTS: The results of the study will provide a reliable evidence to assess the effects of Tai Chi on bone mineral density of postmenopausal osteoporosis. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of our systematic review will answer whether Tai Chi is an effective intervention to improve bone mineral density of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

The prognostic value of miRNA-18a-5p in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its function via the miRNA-18a-5p/HIF1A/PVT1 pathway.

Purpose Clear cell renal cell carcinoma(ccRCC) is the most common type of renal cell carcinoma. While it is curable when detected at an early stage, some patients presented with advanced disease have poor prognosis. We aimed to identify key genes and miRNAs associated with clinical prognosis in ccRCC. Methods The microarray datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were analyzed by using GEO2R. Then, Functional enrichment analysis was performed using the DAVID. A retrospective series of 254 ccRCC patients with complete clinical information was included in this study. Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate cox regression analysis were used for prognostic analysis. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were designed to evaluate the migration and invasion ability of ccRCC cell lines. Results miRNA-18a was identified to be related with prognosis of ccRCC by using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate cox regression analysis demonstrated that the prognostic value of miRNA-18a was independent of clinical features. Further studies showed that up-regulation of miRNA-18a had a positive effect on migration and invasion of ccRCC cells. The target gene (HIF1A) of the miRNA-18a was predicted by using the miRPathDB database. The transcription factors of DEGs were identified by using the i-cisTarget. Luckily, HIF1A was found to be one of the transcription factors of DEGs. Among these DEGs, PVT1 may be regulated by HIF1A and be related with prognosis of ccRCC. Finally, validation of miRNA18a/HIF1A/PVT1 pathway was checked via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay in both cell lines and clinical tumor samples. Conclusion Our research revealed that miRNA18a/HIF1A/PVT1 pathway might play a crucial role in ccRCC progression, providing novel insights into understanding of ccRCC molecular mechanisms. Importantly, miRNA-18a could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic targets for ccRCC patients.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic modified lymph node dissection for clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and short-term clinical effect of transperitoneal laparoscopic modified retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (LmRPLND) in the management of clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors. METHODS: From October 2004 to July 2006, 7 patients aged 26-36 (mean 30) years underwent LmRPLND with modified unilateral template dissection for clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors, which were 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm to 6.5 cm x 4.5 cm x 3.0 cm in size, 3 cases on the left and 4 on the right, all diagnosed by ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) and chest X-ray and confirmed by biopsy following radical orchiectomy. Those with positive lymph nodes received 3 courses of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Success was achieved in all the 7 cases, the operative time ranging from 120 to 210 min (mean 160 min), blood loss from 50 to 200 ml (mean 150 ml), and with no blood transfusion. The drainage tubes were removed 1-2 days after surgery. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.5 days. The follow-up lasted 6-32 (mean 14) months, which revealed normal erection and ejaculation in all the patients, but no major postoperative complications. Pathologically, lymph nodes were negative in 6 cases and positive (1/18) in 1. Normal results were obtained in HCG and AFP tests as well as in retroperitoneal ultrasound and chest X-ray examinations. The patient with positive lymph nodes was treated by adjuvant chemotherapy for 3 courses and found free of malignancy during a 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: LmRPLND is a safe and minimally invasive treatment option for patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular carcinoma. With fewer complications and faster recovery, it appears to be a desirable substitute for the open procedure.

A novel Ta/W mixed-addendum polyoxometalate with photocatalytic properties.

An unprecedented polytantalotungstate (POTT), Cs12.5K4.5H[Ta12Si4W37O158]·25H2O (1), based on the {SiW9Ta3O40}7- cluster was hydrothermally synthesized. A photocatalytic study revealed that 1 exhibits significant photocatalytic water splitting activity.

Two nanoscale Nb containing polyoxometalates based on {P2W15Nb3O62} clusters and chromium cations.

Two novel mixed-addenda Nb/W polyoxometalates are successfully fabricated, and investigated as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. For the Cs5K4{Cr3(H2O)12[P2W15Nb3O62]2}·60H2O sample, a reversible capacity (466.6 mA h g-1) and stable cycle performance are obtained.

ACE inhibitors and the risk of fractures: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on the risk of fractures. All the included articleswere retrieved from MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database. Trial eligibility and methodological quality were assessed before data extraction. Relative risk (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to assess the effect. Six case-control studies with11,387,668 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. A small but significant risk effect on fractures was shown in the overall analysis of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor users compared with nonusers (Pooled RR 1.27; 95% CI 1.01-1.60), although a relatively high heterogeneity was found across studies. In the stratified analysis, therewas no statistically significant association in the subgroups of hip fracture (Pooled RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.73-1.76) and the study quality (Pooled RR 1.13; 95% CI 0.89-1.44), while the over 65-year-old angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor users showed a stronger risk effect on fractures (Pooled RR 2.06; 95% CI 1.53-3.17). Moreover, age was found to be contributed a large part of the high heterogeneity across the included studies. This study demonstrated that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors might have a small but significant risk effect on fractures, especially for the over 65-year-old users. These results should be interpreted with caution as the relatively high heterogeneity across studies. Additional multiple observational studies and high quality data from randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

High-pressure balloon dilation for male anterior urethral stricture: single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: We retrospectively reviewed the urethral stricture cases treated in our tertiary center, and assessed the safety and feasibility of the high-pressure balloon dilation (HPBD) technique for anterior urethral stricture. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2012, a total of 31 patients with anterior urethral strictures underwent HPBD at our center, while another 25 cases were treated by direct vision internal urethrotomy (DVIU). Patient demographics, stricture characteristics, surgical techniques, and operative outcomes were assessed and compared between the two groups. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was applied to evaluate the stricture-free rate for the two surgical techniques. RESULTS: The operation time was much shorter for the HPBD procedure than for the DVIU ((13.19±2.68) min vs. (18.44±3.29) min, P<0.01). For the HPBD group, the major postoperative complications as urethral bleeding and urinary tract infection (UTI) were less frequently encountered than those in DVIU (urethral bleeding: 2/31 vs. 8/25, P=0.017; UTI: 1/31 vs. 6/25 P=0.037). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there was no significant difference in stricture-free rate at 36 months between the two groups (P=0.21, hazard ratio (HR)=0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34 to 1.26). However, there was a significantly higher stricture-free survival in the HPBD group at 12 months (P=0.02, HR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.87), which indicated that the stricture recurrence could be delayed by using the HPBD technique. CONCLUSIONS: HPBD was effective and safe and it could be considered as an alternative treatment modality for anterior urethral stricture disease.

[Effects of Acupuncture Stimulation on Dynamic Changes of Cerebral TNF-α and C-reaction Protein Levels in Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of "Tong Du Tiao Shen" (Governor-Vessel-Dredging and Mental Activity Regulating) acupuncture method on dynamic changes of cerebral TNF-α and C-reaction protein (CRP) levels in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CI/R) rats, so as to master the optimal time point of acupuncture therapy for cerebral infarction. Methods A total of 72 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control, sham-operation, model and acupuncture groups which were further divided into 6 h, 24 h and 48 h subgroups (n 6 in each subgroup) . The CI/R model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Acupuncture stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Dazhui" (GV 14) was conducted for 30 min. Neurological deficit symptoms were assessed with the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score and TNF-α and CRP contents in the brain tissue were detected using double sandwich ABC-ELISA method. RESULTS: In comparison with the model group, the Zea-Longa neurological deficit score was significantly decreased in the acupuncture group (P<0. 01). Cerebral TNF-α and CRP levels at time-points of 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after CI/R were significantly increased in the model group than in both control and sham groups (P<0. 01). In the acupuncture group, cerebral TNF-α and CRP levels were obviously lower than those of the model group (P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 20, GV 16 and GV 14 can relieve neurological deficit function in CI/R rats, which may be related to its function in suppressing TNF-α and CRP levels.