[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of primary aldosteronism associated with subclinical Cushing syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) associated with subclinical Cushing syndrome (SCS). Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in China. Patients with PA were included between January 2014 and December 2022. According to the results of 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test, the patients were divided into the PA group and PA associated with SCS (PA/SCS) group. The demographic information, hormone levels, and follow-up results were analyzed. Independent sample t-test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for data comparison. Results: A total of 489 PA patients were enrolled in this study, of which 109 had PA/SCS (22.3%). Patients with SCS were on average older (54.4±10.7 vs. 47.4±11.0, P<0.001); had a larger proportion of women (69.7%, 76/109 vs. 57.4%, 218/380; P=0.020); and a longer duration of hypertension [96 (36, 180) vs. 60 (12, 120) months, P=0.001] than patients without SCS. There were 215 and 51 patients in the PA group and PA/SCS group, who completed adrenalectomy and follow-up, respectively. The remission rate of autonomous cortisol secretion in the PA/SCS group was 85.3% (29/34). There was no significant difference in the remission rate of autonomous aldosterone secretion among patients between the PA/SCS and PA group (94.1%, 48/51 vs. 94.4%, 203/215; P=1.000), while the clinical remission rate in the PA/SCS group was lower than that in the PA group (39.2%, 20/51 vs. 61.9%, 133/215; P=0.003). Conclusions: SCS is common in PA patients (22.3%), and the clinical remission rate is low. Screening using the 1-mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test is recommended for all patients with PA.

[Study of appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism by seated saline suppression test based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry].

Objective: To investigate the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA) by seated saline suppression test (SSST) based on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients who underwent SSST for suspected PA in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2018 to March 2022 were evaluated. Briefly, 300 patients with PA and 119 with essential hypertension (EH) were included. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) after SSST was determined by LC-MS/MS. Primary aldosteronism confirmatory testing (PACT) score was used as the reference standard for diagnosis of PA, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore the cut-off value. Results: The average age of the PA group was (50.8±10.5) years, and males accounted for 53.00% (n=159); the average age of the EH group was (49.4±11.2) years, and males accounted for 26.89% (n=32). The area under the ROC curve of PAC post-SSST was 0.819 (95%CI 0.775-0.862). When 40 pg/ml (110.8 pmol/L) was selected as the appropriate cut-off for diagnosis of PA, the sensitivity was 83.67% (95%CI 78.88%-87.56%) and specificity was 60.50% (95%CI 51.10%-69.21%). Thus, 95.09% (155/163) of patients with unilateral PA could be identified. Conclusion: PAC after SSST determined by LC-MS/MS has high efficacy for diagnosis of PA, and 40 pg/ml is recommended as the appropriate cut-off value.

[Analysis of allergen-specific IgE in children with atopic dermatitis from 2021 to 2023 in a hospital of pediatric in Tianjin City].

Objective: To explore the distribution of allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) for children with atopic dermatitis in Tianjin City and provide the evidences of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze the children who were suspected of atopic dermatitis and tested for serum sIgE in the Tianjin Children's Hospital from March 2021 to February 2023. Using first detection results only, a total of 1 841 serum samples were tested for twenty common allergens. The method was the enzyme-linked immune capture assay. The allergen epidemiological characteristics were statistically analyzed by Chi square test based on the children's characteristics and factors such as different sexes, ages and seasons by the mass data. Results: Among the 1 841 cases, the results showed that 1 247 (67.73%) were sensitized to at least 1 allergen-sIgE, comprising to 49.86% (918/1 841) to food allergen-sIgE and 47.96% (883/1 841) to aeroallergen-sIgE. The top three food allergens-sIgE were egg 32.10% (591/1 841), milk 25.91% (477/1 841) and wheat flour 14.61% (269/1 841); the top three positive rates of aeroallergens-sIgE were house dust 24.33% (448/1 841), alternaria 20.59% (379/1 841) and dermatophagoides farinae 14.83% (273/1 841). The positive rates of food allergens-sIgE were the highest in the 1-3 years old group (64.11%, 434/677) (χ2=122.854, P<0.001), while the positive rates of aeroallergens-sIgE were higher in the 11-14 years old group (71.26%, 62/87) (χ2=134.968, P<0.001). No seasonal difference was revealed in the overall positive rate of food allergen-sIgE and aeroallergen-sIgE (χ2=4.047, P=0.256; χ2=7.549, P=0.056). The positive rates of soybean-sIgE and milk-sIgE were the highest in summer (χ2=11.329, P=0.010; χ2=28.720, P<0.001), whereas alternaria-sIgE and mugwort-sIgE were the highest in summer and autumn, respectively (χ2=8.462, P=0.037; χ2=10.641, P=0.014). Among the 1 841 cases, 32.21% were sensitized to three or more allergens-sIgE. The sIgE concentration levels of egg, milk and house dust were mainly level 1 to 2, and the proportions of level 3 and above were all under 15%; although the positive rates of crab, shrimp, and peanut were low, the proportions of grade 3 and above were all beyond 30%. Children sensitized to alternaria, dermatophagoides farinae, mugwort, and cat dander had higher sIgE concentration levels, which were 68.07%, 49.45%, 56.57% and 47.83% respectively. Conclusions: This study can reflect the epidemic characteristics of allergen-sIgE in children with atopic dermatitis in Tianjin region to a certain extent. Allergen-sIgE positivity in patients differed by age, and there were seasonal differences and grade distribution differences in the positive rates of some allergens-sIgE. It is necessary to reasonably avoid the high-risk allergens according to the epidemiological characteristics and clinical symptoms, which provide valuable information for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis.

[Distribution characteristics of plasma renin concentration in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma].

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of plasma renin concentration (PRC) in patients with aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and its impact on diagnosis. Methods: In this retrospective case series, clinical data from 200 patients with APA (80 men and 120 women; mean age 45.6 years) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to January 2022 were evaluated. PRC was determined by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. The distribution characteristics of PRC were analyzed, and 8.2 mU/L was used as the low renin cutoff to evaluate whether renin was suppressed. Results: The median PRC was 1.6 mU/L (range, 0.4-41.5 mU/L). There were 116 patients with APA with PRC of ≤2 mU/L, 41 patients with 28.2 mU/L) in 8.0% (16/200) of the patients with APA. And PRC was not suppressed in 2.5% (5/200) of the patients with APA, resulting in a primary aldosteronism negative screening outcome. Conclusions: Although most patients with APA have low PRC, there are a small number (8%) of patients whose PRC has not been fully suppressed, which can lead to missed diagnoses during primary aldosteronism screening. While primary aldosteronism is highly suspected, further investigations are required to determine the diagnosis, even if PRC is not fully suppressed at screening.

[Establishment and validation of a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic aldosteronism].

Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the collected clinical and biochemical data of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) including 249 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA) and 107 patients with IHA, who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to November 2022. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured by chemiluminescence. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select the key predictors of IHA, and a nomogram-based scoring model was developed. The model was validated in another external independent cohort of patients with PA including 62 patients with UPA and 43 patients with IHA, who were diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. An independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the training cohort, in comparison with the UPA group, the IHA group showed a higher serum potassium level [M(Q1, Q3), 3.4 (3.1, 3.8) mmol/L vs. 2.7 (2.1, 3.1) mmol/L] and higher PRC [4.0 (2.1, 8.2) mU/L vs. 1.5 (0.6, 3.4) mU/L] and a lower PAC post-saline infusion test (SIT) [305 (222, 416) pmol/L vs. 720 (443, 1 136) pmol/L] and a lower rate of unilateral adrenal nodules [33.6% (36/107) vs. 81.1% (202/249)]; the intergroup differences in these measurements were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Serum potassium level, PRC, PAC post-SIT, and the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules showed similar performance in the IHA group in the validation cohort. After stepwise regression analysis for all significant variables in the training cohort, a scoring model based on a nomogram was constructed, and the predictive parameters included the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules, serum potassium concentration, PAC post-SIT, and PRC in the standing position. When the total score was ≥14, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.90 in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 0.56 and specificity of 1.00 in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The nomogram was used to successfully develop a model for prediction of IHA that could facilitate selection of patients with IHA who required medication directly.

[Re-evaluation of the diagnostic value and optimal cutoff point of captopril challenge test in diagnosis of primary aldosteronism].

Objective: The aim of the present study was to re-evaluate the diagnostic value and optimal cutoff point of captopril challenge test (CCT) in diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: This is a retrospective study. All patients with a high risk for PA underwent screening test, and then proceeded to CCT and fludrocortisone suppression test (FST) on different days. The FST was used as a reference standard for PA. The plasma renin concentration (PRC) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured with an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. Random number method was performed in the patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA), in order to make the proportion of the analyzed UPA in PA was 35%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to compare diagnostic accuracy. Results: A total of 543 patients with 400 PA patients and 143 essential hypertension (EH) patients were enrolled. The diagnostic value of post-CCT PAC was significantly higher than that of the post-CCT plasma aldosterone-renin ratio (ARR), and that of the PAC suppression percentage, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUCROC) was 0.86 (0.83, 0.89) for PAC, 0.78 (0.74, 0.82) for ARR, and 0.62 (0.56, 0.67) for the PAC suppression percentage (all P<0.01), respectively. The optimal cutoff point of post-CCT PAC for PA was 110 ng/L, in which the sensitivity and specificity were 73.25% and 79.02%, respectively. The diagnostic efficiency of post-CCT PAC was not improved either in combination with PAC suppression percentage or in combination with post-CCT ARR. Conclusions: CCT is a useful test for the confirmation of PA. PAC level of 110 ng/L at 2 h after 50 mg of captopril is recommended as an optimal cutoff point for the diagnosis of PA.

[Associations between gene polymorphisms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and the susceptibility to hepatitis B virus related liver cirrhosis].

To investigate the associations between gene polymorphisms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and liver cirrhosis (LC) after hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A case-control study was conducted in 243 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBV-LC, case group) and 486 HBV-infected subjects without LC (non-LC, control group) collected from January 2018 to September 2020 at the Changsha Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanhua University. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of STAT3 gene, including rs4796793C>G, rs2293152C>G, and rs1053004T>C were selected through literature and biological information database, and the genotypes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR). The distribution differences of STAT3 SNPs genotypes between the two groups were compared using Chi-square test and haplotype analysis was conducted by Shesis online. The proportion of HBV C genotype in HBV-LC patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (80.91% vs. 70.79%, χ2=7.109, P=0.008), while the logarithm of ALT was significantly lower than that of the control group (1.78±0.43 vs. 1.95±0.54, t=3.801, P=0.000). The genotypes distributions of rs4796793, rs2293152, and rs1053004 were not significantly different between HBV-LC and non-LC in overall analysis and stratified analysis by gender (χ²=2.610, 1.505, 0.586, 2.653, 2.685, 1.583, 0.351, 5.388, 0.339, respectively, P>0.05 for each). Among the subjects infected with HBV genotype C, rs1053004 CC (vs. TT) significantly increased the risk of HBV-LC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.91]. Among the HBV-infected subjects with HBeAg negative, rs4796793 GG genotype (vs. CC) and G allele (vs. C) significantly increased the risks of HBV-LC (OR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.11-4.23; OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.06-1.97, respectively). Haplotypes analysis showed that the frequency of haplotype C-G-T composed of rs4796793, rs2293152, and rs1053004 was significantly lower in HBV-LC than that in the control group (non-LC) (27.3% vs. 35.6%, χ²=9.949, P = 0.001). The correlation between STAT3 and HBV-LC is different in HBV-infected subjects with different infection status. The HBV-infected subjects carrying haplotype rs4796793C-rs2293152G-rs1053004T of STAT3 gene have significantly decreased risk of LC.

[Clinical outcomes of different irradiation ranges in definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy for esophageal cancer].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic efficacy and safety of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) and involved field irradiation (IFI) in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for esophageal cancer, screen the patients suitable to undergo ENI radiotherapy and provide evidences for individual treatment of esophageal cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 924 patients with esophageal cancer who received definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy in our hospital from January 2006 to December 2015. Among them, 272 patients received ENI and the other 652 patients received IFI. The clinicopathologic characteristics of 272 cases in ENI group and 652 cases in IFI group, who were recruited according to the balance of propensity score matching method, were compared. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 1-year, 3-years and 5-years local-regional failure-free survival (LRFFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates. The univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic factors were also determined by Cox proportional hazard model and Long-rank test. Results: The clinicopathologic characteristics of these two group were not significantly different (P>0.05). The median follow-up time was 85.9 months and the follow-up rate was 95.9%. The 1-year, 3-years, 5-years PFS rates of the ENI groups were 65.3%, 31.7%, 18.4%, respectively, higher than 54.0%, 20.9%, 12.7% of the IFI group (P=0.001). The 1-year, 3-years, 5-years OS rates of the ENI groups were 79.0%, 43.7%, 24.9%, respectively, higher than 75.0%, 31.8%, 17.2% of the IFI group (P=0.003). In multivariate analysis, the sex, tumor volume, N stage and radiation field were independent factors for PFS and OS (P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with male, age≤66 year, cervical and upper-thoracic location, tumor length≤6 cm, T1-2 stage, N0-1 stage, Ⅰ-Ⅱ stage, tumor volume≤50 cm(3), dosage>60 Gy and≤2 cycles of chemotherapy in the ENI group had a better survival rate than those in the IFI group (P<0.05). The total failure rate, local-regional failure rate in ENI group were significantly lower than those of IFI group (P=0.001, P=0.004). The incidence of bone marrow depression≥ grade 2 and 3 in ENI group was higher than that of the IFI group (P<0.05). However, the incidences of radioactive esophagitis≥ grade 3, radioactive pneumonia and late adverse reactions were not significantly different between these two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with IFI, ENI can significantly improve the long-term survival for young, early TN stage and cervical/upper-thoracic esophageal cancer patients underwent chemotherapy.

[Prevalence and clinical characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea in patients with primary hyperaldosteronism].

Objective: To explore the proportion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in primary aldosteronism (PA) in Chinese population and compare the clinical characteristics between PA patients with OSA and those without. Methods: A total of 96 patients diagnosed with PA from September 2015 to November 2018 were recruited in this study. OSA was screened by cardio-respiratory polygraphy. According to the apnea hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into PA with OSA group (AHI ≥5 times) and PA without OSA group (AHI<5 times). Results: Among all patients (96), 69 (71.9%) were with OSA, among them 22 patients (22.9%) were with mild OSA, 17 patients (17.7%) were with moderate OSA and 30 patients (31.3%) were with severe OSA. Compared with the patients without OSA, the patients with OSA were elder, and had higher levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), creatinine (CR) and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (P<0.05), but lower concentrations of plasma aldosterone (PAC), supine aldosterone renin concentration ratio(ARR) and the PAC after the diagnosis test (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analyses showed that BMI, WC, HC, CR and HbA1c were positively correlated with AHI (P<0.05), while high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C), supine-PAC and saline infusion test(SIT)-post PAC were negatively correlated with AHI (P<0.05). Conclusions: The proportion of OSA in PA patients is relatively high (71.9%). Metabolic abnormalities are more common in PA patients with OSA, indicating that screening for OSA should be carried out routinely in PA patients.

A haplotype variant of Hu sheep follicle-stimulating hormone receptor promoter region decreases transcriptional activity.

In sheep, increased expression of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the ovary is a common feature of ewes that carry the prolific allele. In this study, we demonstrated that polymorphisms in the core promoter of the FSHR gene are associated with the reproductive performance of Hu sheep and are involved in the transcriptional activity of FSHR. An approximately 1.5-kb region of the 5' flanking sequence of the Hu sheep FSHR gene was isolated and characterized, and its core promoter was located in the 5' regulatory region, from nucleotides -580 to -342. Four variants (c.-518T>C, c.-466C>T, c.-414A>G and c.-365C>T) were detected in this region, and six genotypes and three haplotypes were found in the Hu sheep population (n = 245). An association analysis revealed that these polymorphisms are associated with the litter size of Hu ewes. Furthermore, a luciferase assay showed that the T-C-A-C- and C-T-G-T-type core promoters have higher transcriptional activity than does the T-C-G-C type. Notably, the putative binding site for the transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) was present at the A allele of nucleotide -414, but YY1 can significantly increase the transcriptional activity of the FSHR core promoter, which contains three different haplotypes. Taken together, our results establish that these variants might be involved in regulating the transcriptional activity of FSHR and litter size in Hu ewes and may provide a novel candidate marker for marker-assisted selection in sheep breeding.

[Analysis of measles immunity level and serological susceptibility among Yunnan residents aged ≥20 years].

Objective: To evaluate the population immunity to measles and explore the factors associated with measles susceptibility in Yunnan residents aged ≥20 years. Methods: 2 689 residents aged ≥20 years were selected by multistage stratified systematic randomized sampling in 252 villages of 42 counties in Yunnan Province between June and September in 2015. Each subject was surveyed by the same questionnaire, including general information, measles contained vaccine history, measles history, and 5 ml blood sample of each subject was collected. Serum IgG antibodies against measles virus were measured by ELISA. Positive was defined as the antibody concentration ≥250 mU/ml, and negative as <250 mU/ml. Non-conditional logistic regression model was used analyze the factors associated with measles susceptibility in adults. Results: Among 2 689 subjects, 1 214 were males (45.15%), and the overall positive rate of measles IgG antibody was 89.77%. Compared with subjects from the region where economic development was low, subjects from the region where economic development was moderate were likely to be susceptible to measles virus (OR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.33-2.47). Four age groups had higher risk of being susceptible to measles virus (compared with ≥40 years: 20-24 years old, OR=2.04, 95%CI: 1.26-3.31; 25-29 years old, OR=3.72, 95%CI: 2.37-5.86; 30-34 years old, OR=1.94, 95%CI: 1.22-3.09; 35-39 years old, OR=1.81, 95%CI: 1.07-3.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that the serological susceptibility in adults (20-39 years), especially adults from the regions where the economic development was moderate, should be concerned. The additional vaccination strategy targeting young adults is important for reducing the risk of measles infection.

[The efficacy and safety of insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in insulin-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes: results of a Chinese cohort from a multinational randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of insulin degludec (IDeg) with those of insulin glargine (IGlar) in insulin-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: This was a 26-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target trial in 560 Chinese subjects with T2DM (men/women: 274/263, mean age 56 years, mean diabetes duration 7 years) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Subjects were randomized 2∶1 to once-daily IDeg (373 subjects) or IGlar(187 subjects), both in combination with metformin. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) after 26 weeks. Results: Mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2% in both groups to 6.9% in IDeg and 7.0% in IGlar, respectively. Estimated treatment difference (ETD) of IDeg-IGlar in change from baseline was -0.10% points (95%CI-0.25-0.05). The proportion of subjects achieving HbA1c<7.0% was 56.3%and 49.7% with IDeg and IGlar, respectively [estimated odds ratio of IDeg/IGlar: 1.26(95%CI 0.88-1.82)]. Numerically lower rateof overall confirmed hypoglycaemia and statistically significantly lower nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia were associated with IDeg compared with IGlar, respectively [estimated rateratio of IDeg/IGlar 0.69(95%CI 0.46-1.03), and 0.43(95%CI 0.19-0.97)]. No differences in other safety parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusions: IDeg was non-inferior to IGlar in terms of glycaemic control, and was associated with a statistically significantly lower rate of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia. IDeg is considered to be suitable for initiating insulin therapy in Chinese T2DM patients on OADs requiring intensified treatment. Clinical trail registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01849289.

[Analysis of infection and drug-resistance in 6 107 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Chengdu area].

Objective: To analyze the infection and drug resistance of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, in order to provide useful references for prevention and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Methods: A total of 6 107 suspected cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, including lymph node, pleural, peritoneal, meningeal, urinary tract, and bone tuberculosis, were collected retrospectively from January 2013 to December 2015 in Public Health Clinical Center of Chengdu. There were 4 033 male and 2 074 female patients, and the average age was 37 years.The epidemiological data, infection and drug resistance were analyzed statistically. Results: There were 21 036 cases of mycobacterial culture from January 2013 to December 2015, of which 7 119 were positive(33.8%). Extrapulmonary tuberculosis was found in 6 107 cases, of which 896 were positive, accounting for 12.6% of the positive cases(896/7 119). Culture-positive cases of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis showed a rising trend from 2013 to 2015 (n=174, 310, 421, respectively), and the annual average increasing rate was over 50%.Cases were distributed at younger ages (21-40 years), with an average age of 34 years.There were more male patients, with a male to female ratio of 2.1∶1. The most common site of extrapulmonary tuberculosis was the bone(62/243, 25.5%), followed by lymph node(283/1 297, 21.8%), pleural(289/1 840, 15.7%), urinary tract(63/452, 13.9%), peritoneum(41/303, 13.5%), meningeal(156/1 915, 8.1%)and other types of tuberculosis(2/57, 3.5%). Drug sensitivity test of 896 extrapulmonary tuberculosis strains showed that the resistance rate (from high to low) was in the order of isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, capreomycin and ethambutol. Multidrug-resistant(MDR)and extremely-drug resistant (XDR) rate was 9.7 %(87/896)and 2.0%(17/896)respectively. Conclusions: Cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis sent for bacterial culture and the positive rate showed a rising trend by years in Chengdu area.The drug resistance level was higher than that reported both in China and abroad.The prevention and treatment of extrapulmonary tuberculosis should be strengthened in this area.

Baicalein attenuates hypertrophic scar formation via inhibition of the transforming growth factor-ß/Smad2/3 signalling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars (HPSs) are characterized by excessive fibrosis associated with aberrant function of fibroblasts. Currently no satisfactory treatment has been developed. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of baicalein on HPSs and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Baicalein was administered intradermally (10 µmol L(-1) in 100 µL sterile saline plus 10% dimethylsulfoxide) to mechanical-load-induced scars in mice once a day for 14 or 28 days. Histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed to evaluate scar hypertrophy and the function of fibroblasts. Human HPS-derived fibroblasts (HSFs) were determined by immunofluorescence study, collagen gel contraction assay and wound-healing assay. Also, protein expression of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signalling pathway was detected using Western blotting. Lastly, a molecular docking study and kinase binding assay were conducted in search of the potential interaction between baicalein and activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)5. RESULTS: Baicalein treatment significantly attenuated HPS formation and collagen deposition in a mechanical-load-induced mouse model. Baicalein also inhibited the proliferation and activation of fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, baicalein impaired the contractile and migration ability of HSFs. Protein expression investigation revealed that baicalein had an inhibitory effect on TGF-ß/Smad2/3 signalling. Such bioactivity of baicalein may result from its selective binding to the ATP-binding pocket of ALK5, as suggested by the molecular docking study and kinase binding assay. CONCLUSIONS: Baicalein could serve as a promising agent for treatment of HPSs and a selective ALK5 inhibitor.

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin versus metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: a randomized, open-label, prospective study (VISION).

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of combination of vildagliptin and metformin therapy with metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) inadequately controlled with low-dose metformin. METHODS: In this 24-week prospective, randomized, multicentre, open-label study, patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin ≤1000 mg daily were divided 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 into four prespecified subgroups based on age and body mass index (BMI). Patients in each subgroup were randomized 5 : 1 to receive either vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) plus metformin [500 mg twice daily; vildagliptin and low-dose metformin (VLDM) group] or metformin uptitration [1000 mg twice daily; high-dose metformin (HDM) group]. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline at week 24. The key secondary endpoints included percentage of patients achieving target HbA1c without adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events and mean change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: A total of 3084 patients were randomized. HbA1c reduction of 0.54% at week 24 in the VLDM group was non-inferior and statistically superior compared with 0.40% in the HDM group (P < 0.0001). VLDM's non-inferiority to HDM was confirmed in the four subgroups and its superiority was shown for all subgroups (p < 0.05) except for the subgroup of patients aged <60 years with a BMI of ≥24 kg/m(2) . Compared with HDM, VLDM significantly increased the percentage of patients achieving HbA1c ≤6.5% and HbA1c ≤6.5% without GI events. FPG levels in the VLDM group were lower at week 24 numerically than in the HDM group. The two treatment arms had similar safety profiles. CONCLUSIONS: VLDM was non-inferior and statistically superior to HDM in glycaemic control in Chinese patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with low-dose metformin.