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Objective:To investigate the relationship between the number of epithelial progenitor cells(EPCs)in peripheral blood and blood parameter values in order to clarify the relationship between peripheral blood EPCs and the length of survival in elderly individuals aged 75 and beyond.Methods:Analysis was conducted on 114 individuals ≥75 years recruited from the Department of Geriatrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in 2008.Clinical data were collected with December 31, 2020 as the end of the follow-up.Associations between peripheral blood EPC numbers, blood parameter values and all-cause mortality were analyzed.Results:In low and high EPC groups based on orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), D-Dimer was found to be a potential classification marker[the variable importance in projection(VIP)=4.750], out of a panel of blood tests.Blood parameters such as red blood cells(RBC), hemoglobin(HGB), hematocrit(HCT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and D-Dimer showed statistically significant differences between groups with different levels of EPCs(all P<0.05). Blood EPC numbers were positively correlated with RBC, HGB and HCT and negatively correlated with GGT and D-Dimer in older individuals( r=0.364, 0.343, 0.336, -0.312, -0.312, P<0.05 for all). The number of circulating EPCs had a significant positive correlation with survival time in older individuals( r=0.234, P=0.017). Based on the data of the long-term(12-years)follow-up, Logistic regression analysis suggested that the number of EPCs, age, and HCT were associated with all-cause mortality events in older individuals( OR=0.971, 1.585, 1.231, P=0.013, 0.012, 0.029). Conclusions:EPCs in the peripheral circulation may be involved in the progression of various conditions such as anemia, cardiac, hepatic and renal injury, and coagulation.The number of circulating EPCs may influence the survival of elderly individuals ≥75 years.Age and HCT may be risk factors for all-cause mortality events, whereas the number of EPCs may be a protective factor.
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Objective To discuss the surgical characteristics,safety and perioperative management of carotid stent angioplasty (CSA) for the treatment of severe carotid artery stenosis (＞85％).Methods From December 2011 to May 2016,a total of 25 patients with carotid artery stenosis (＞85％) were treated with CSA.According to the stenotic characteristics of the lesion,distal cerebral protection device was employed in performing CSA.During the operation,attention was paid to individualized and detailed surgical management and perioperative management program;the revascularization and the dropping-off of thrombus in cerebral protection device were under close observation,while effort was made to control the occurrence of complications.The patients were followed up for one year to observe the occurrence of ischemic cerebrovascular events.Results The cerebral protection device was successfully deployed after it passed over the severe carotid artery stenosis.After balloon pre-dilation the stent was deployed,and the stent showed satisfactory shape.North America Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Testing (NASCET) showed that the average degree of carotid artery stenosis was decreased from preoperative (91.0±3.1)％ to postoperative (21.0±5.1)％.The protective umbrella was successfully retrieved in all patients,and deciduous tissue fragments were observed in 6 retrieved protective umbrellas.During the perioperative period no severe complications,such as cerebral hemorrhage,cerebral infarction,hyper-perfusion syndrome or death,were observed.All the 25 patients were followed up for one year,and no transient ischemic attack,stroke or death occurred.Conclusion In treating severe carotid artery stenosis with CSA,in order to ensure a successful surgery and patient's safety the following points are very important:in-operative individualized and detailed management,perioperative preventive measures,and use of appropriate cerebral protection device.
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Objective To investigate the role of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy (DNP) and the correlation of NGF level with,sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and duration of DNP.MethodsThe 41 patients with DNP,35 diabetics without DNP and 33 healthy controls were enrolled.And the serum level of NGF was measured with ELISA,the SNCV of left medial nerve,ulnar nerve,peroneal nerve and tibial nerve were measured too. Then the correlation analysis was completed. ResultsThe serum level of NGF was significantly lower in DNP patients [(665.18±188.32) ng/L] than in healthy controls [(976.44±159.07)ng/L] and in diabetics without DNP [(943.32±167.33) ng/L,F=9.316,P<0.001].The NGF level of DNP patients was positively correlated with SNCV of left medial nerve (r=0.810,P<0.001 ),left peroneal nerve (r=0.760,P<0.001) and duration of DNP (r=0.542,P<0.001).Conclusions The serum level of NGF is lower in DNP patients than in healthy controls.The decrease of the production of NGF may play a role in the pathogenesis of DNP.
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Objective To examine the suscepribility of the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)in IL-1 gene in Chinese Han population to ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods An correlation analysis was performed in a case-control cohort of 162 AS cases, 58 patients with other autoimmune diseases and 162 controls. Four SNPs located in the IL-1 gene (rs16944, rs3811058, rs419598, rs315952) were examined by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP). Results The frequencies of allele C at position rs16944, rs3811058, rs419598 significantly increased in AS cases VS controls, so did their genotype frequencies (50% vs 36.3%, 57.9% vs 52.8%, 45.7% vs 12.3%, P＜0.05). The SNPs of these sites significantly influenced the prevalence of AS. Conclusion We discover that SNPs of IL-1 gene Rs16944, Rs419598, Rs3811058 is closely related to the occurrence of AS.