Microwave Ablation versus Surgical Resection for US-detected Multifocal T1N0M0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A 10-Center Study.

Background Microwave ablation (MWA) is currently under preliminary investigation for the treatment of multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and has shown promising treatment efficacy. Compared with surgical resection (SR), MWA is minimally invasive and could preserve thyroid function. However, a comparative analysis between MWA and SR is warranted to draw definitive conclusions. Purpose To compare MWA and SR for preoperative US-detected T1N0M0 multifocal PTC in terms of overall and 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival rates and complication rates. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 775 patients with preoperative US-detected T1N0M0 multifocal PTC treated with MWA or SR across 10 centers between May 2015 and December 2021 were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed for patients in the MWA and SR groups, followed by comparisons between the two groups. The primary outcomes were overall and 1-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates and complication rates. Results After PSM, 229 patients (median age, 44 years [IQR 36.5-50.5 years]; 179 female) in the MWA group and 453 patients (median age, 45 years [IQR 37-53 years]; 367 female) in the SR group were observed for a median of 20 months (range, 12-74 months) and 26 months (range, 12-64 months), respectively. MWA resulted in less blood loss, shorter incision length, and shorter procedure and hospitalization durations (all P < .001). There was no evidence of differences in overall and 1-, 3-, or 5-year PFS rates (all P > .05) between MWA and SR (5-year rate, 77.2% vs 83.1%; P = .36) groups. Permanent hoarseness (2.2%, P = .05) and hypoparathyroidism (4.0%, P = .005) were encountered only in the SR group. Conclusion There was no evidence of a significant difference in PFS rates between MWA and SR for US-detected multifocal T1N0M0 PTC, and MWA resulted in fewer complications. Therefore, MWA is a feasible option for selected patients with multifocal T1N0M0 PTC. © RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Georgiades in this issue.

Association between serum complements and kidney function in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Objective: We aimed to explore the association between serum complements and kidney function of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in Chinese patients. Methods: This is a retrospective study involving 2,441 participants. DKD was diagnosed according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) categories. Participants were classified as stages G1-G5 by KDIGO glomerular filtration rate (GFR) categories. Effect sizes are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: After balancing age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), serum triglyceride (TG), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) between the G2-G5 and control groups, per 0.1 g/L increment in serum complement C3 was significantly associated with a 27.8% reduced risk of DKD at G5 stage (OR, 95% CI, P: 0.722, 0.616-0.847, <0.001) relative to the G1 stage. Conversely, per 0.1 g/L increment in serum complement C4 was associated with an 83.0-177.6% increased risk of G2-G5 stage (P<0.001). Serum complement C1q was not statistically significant compared to controls at all stages prior to or after propensity score matching. Conclusions: Our results indicate that high concentrations of serum C4 were associated with the significantly elevated risk of kidney function deterioration across all stages, and reduced serum C3 levels with an increased risk of DKD stage G5.

Coagulation Function and Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Real-World Observational Study.

Objectives: Type 2 diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes, may exhibit a complex interrelation with coagulation function. This study is aimed at elucidating the association between coagulation function and DKD. Methods: This was a real-world observational study conducted in Beijing, involving 2,703 participants. All patients with diabetes were classified into two groups, viz., DKD and non-DKD groups. Effect magnitudes are denoted as odds ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). To mitigate potential bias in group comparisons, we employed propensity score matching (PSM). Results: After adjusting for variables such as age, gender, systolic blood pressure (SBP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), c-reactive protein (CRP), platelet (PLT), and serum albumin (sALB), it was discerned that fibrinogen (FIB) (OR, 95% CI, P: 1.565, 1.289-1.901, <0.001) and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) (1.203, 1.077-1.344, 0.001) were significantly correlated with an increased risk of DKD. To facilitate clinical applications, a nomogram prediction model was established, demonstrating commendable accuracy for DKD prediction. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that elevated levels of FIB and FDP serve as potential risk indicators for DKD, and coagulation function may play an important role in the occurrence and development of DKD.

Association between anemia-related biomarkers and the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: The study aimed to examine the association of three anemia-related biomarkers with the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: This study included 127 PD patients. The total Kt/V urea (Kt/V) was calculated according to the Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) guidelines. All patients were classified into two groups based on Kt/V, viz., adequate (Kt/V ≥1.7) and inadequate (Kt/V <1.7) groups. Effect sizes are expressed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, and PD duration, 20 g/L increment in hemoglobin (Hgb) was observed to significantly reduce the risk of inadequate PD by 19% (OR; 95% CI; P: 0.81; 0.70 to 0.95; 0.009), 5 g/L increment in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) by 7% (0.93; 0.88 to 0.98; 0.009), and 5% increment in transferrin saturation (TS) by 23% (0.77; 0.64 to 0.94; 0.012). The gender-specific nomogram model was constructed by incorporating three significant anemia-related biomarkers and convenient influencing factors, and the prediction accuracy was good (concordance index (C-index): 0.686 for men and 0.825 for women). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the deterioration of three anemia-related biomarkers (Hgb, MCHC, and TS) can precipitate the development of inadequate PD in Chinese patients with CKD.

[Influencing Factors and Prediction Model of Performance of Needle Visualization in Fine Needle Aspiration of Thyroid Nodules].

Objective To investigate the influencing factors and establish a model predicting the performance of needle visualization in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules. Methods This study prospectively included 175 patients who underwent FNA of thyroid nodules in the Department of Ultrasound in China-Japan Friendship Hospital and compared the display of the needle tips in the examination of 199 thyroid nodules before and after the application of needle visualization.We recorded the location,the positional relationship with thyroid capsule,ultrasonic characteristics,and the distribution of the soft tissue strip structure at the puncture site of the nodules with unclear needle tips display before using needle visualization.Furthermore,according to the thyroid imaging reporting and data system proposed by the American College of Radiology,we graded the risk of the nodules.Lasso-Logistic regression was employed to screen out the factors influencing the performance of needle visualization and establish a nomogram for prediction. Results The needle tips were not clearly displayed in the examination of 135 (67.8%) and 53 (26.6%) nodules before and after the application of needle visualization,respectively,which showed a significant difference (P<0.001).Based on the positional relationship between the nodule and capsule,anteroposterior/transverse diameter (A/T) ratio,blood supply,and the distribution of subcutaneous strip structure at the puncture site,a nomogram was established to predict the probability of unclear display of the needle tips after application of needle visualization.The C-index of the prediction model was 0.75 (95%CI=0.67-0.84) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.72.The calibration curve confirmed the appreciable reliability of the prediction model,with the C-index of 0.70 in internal validation. Conclusions Needle visualization can improve the display of the needle tip in ultrasound-guided FNA of thyroid nodules.The nomogram established based on ultrasound features such as the positional relationship between the nodule and capsule,A/T ratio,blood supply,and the distribution of subcutaneous strip structure at the puncture site can predict whether needle visualization is suitable for the examination of nodules.

Association between thyroid hormones and diabetic kidney disease in Chinese adults.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the association between thyroid hormones and different stages of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in Chinese adults. METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving 2,832 participants. DKD was diagnosed and classified according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) categories. Effect sizes are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: After propensity score matching (PSM) on age, gender, hypertension, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG) and duration of diabetes, per 0.2 pg/mL increment in serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) was significantly associated with 13%, 22% and 37% reduced risk of moderate-risk (OR, 95% CI, P: 0.87, 0.70-0.87, < 0.001), high-risk (0.78, 0.70-0.87, < 0.001) and very-high-risk (0.63, 0.55-0.72, < 0.001) DKD stages relative to the low-risk DKD stage, respectively. After PSM analyses, serum FT4 and TSH showed no statistical significance in risk estimates for all DKD stages. To facilitate clinical application, a nomogram prediction model was established for the moderate-risk, high-risk and very-high-risk DKD stages, with decent accuracy. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that high concentrations of serum FT3 were associated with the significantly reduced risk of having moderate-risk to very-high-risk DKD stages.

Microwave Ablation versus Surgical Resection for Solitary T1N0M0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Background Microwave ablation (MWA) has attracted interest as a minimally invasive treatment for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, comparisons between MWA and surgical resection (SR) in the management of T1N0M0 PTC are rare. Purpose To compare the technical effectiveness, disease progression, and complications of MWA and SR for solitary T1N0M0 PTC. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was conducted in a single center. A total of 1029 patients with T1N0M0 PTC treated with either MWA or SR from January 2015 to May 2021 were studied and divided into two groups according to treatment modality. Propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to control for confounding factors. Disease progression was analyzed in T1N0M0 PTCs as well as T1a and T1b subgroups by using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results A total of 404 patients (mean age, 43 years ± 12 [SD]; 289 women; 337 with T1a PTC) underwent MWA, and 625 (mean age, 46 years ± 12; 495 women; 521 with T1a PTC) underwent SR. During the follow-up (median, 25 months; IQR, 7-61 months), there was no evidence of differences regarding disease progression in T1N0M0 (4.0% vs 4.0%; P = .97), T1a (3.4% vs 3.8%; P = .89), or T1b PTCs (6.8% vs 5.0%; P = .72). Compared with SR, MWA resulted in less blood loss (2 mL vs 10 mL) and a shorter procedure time (23 minutes vs 72 minutes) (both P < .001). The rate of major complications was 5.4% (19 of 350 patients) in the MWA group and 6.3% (22 of 350 patients) in the SR group (P = .75). Permanent hoarseness only occurred in the SR group (1.7%; P = .03). Conclusion For T1a and T1b solitary T1N0M0 papillary thyroid carcinomas, there was no evidence of differences regarding disease progression and major complications between microwave ablation and surgical resection. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by vanSonnenberg and Simeone in this issue.

[Spatial variability of soil water content in field of Guanzhong Plain, Northwest China]. / å ³ä¸­å¹³åŽŸç”°é—´åœŸå£¤å«æ°´é‡çš„ç©ºé—´å˜å¼‚æ€§.

To clarify the spatial variability of soil water content at field scale, a reasonable sampling method was established to support precision irrigation in the field. Soil samples were collected from Caoxinzhuang experimental area in Yangling District, Shaanxi Province at seven different dates. The spatial variation of soil water content in different soil layers of 0-60 cm were analyzed with classical statistics and geostatistics methods. The results showed that spatial distribution of soil water content in field scale was weak and moderate. When soil water content was within the range of 11.7%-20.1%, soil water content was negatively correlated with spatial variability. Sampling interval signifi-cantly affected the calculation accuracy of the spatial variability of soil water content. The coefficient of variation of soil water content between the east-west direction spacing of 27 m and the north-south direction spacing of 9 m was about 3.3% higher than the east-west direction spacing of 9 m and the north-south direction spacing of 18 m. With increasing sampling density, the contour change of soil water content distribution increased, and the number of grids with the least spatial variability of soil water content at the field scale was 21 points. When the sampling spacing was 18 m in the east-west direction, 9 m in the north-south direction, soil water content at field scale had a high spatial distribution correlation with soil water content in the middle position being 3%-5% higher than the surrounding. Our results provided reference for reasonable sampling of soil water content in the Guanzhong Plain and could guide the precision irrigation in agriculture.

Yield and gas exchange of greenhouse tomato at different nitrogen levels under aerated irrigation.

Significant global warming increases over the last century have resulted in recent research focused on practices to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Agricultural management practices, such as nitrogen (N) fertilization and aerated irrigation (AI), have significantly increased crop yields by improving soil water and fertilizer availability, and have been widely adopted in recent years. However, the interactive impact of different growing seasons and management practices in the greenhouse on GHG emissions is unclear. This greenhouse study was conducted during Spring and Autumn cultivation periods in Yangling, China with five N application rates (0, 50, 150, 200,250 kg ha-1) and two irrigation methods (AI and conventional irrigation [CK]). The results indicated that AI and N application both increased tomato yield, but also increased soil CO2 and N2O emissions. The temperature was 4 °C higher during Spring cultivation than during Autumn cultivation, which significantly (P < 0.05) increased soil emissions of CO2, N2O, and net GHG by 10.6%, 43.8%, and 12.3%, respectively. However, the yield in Spring cultivation only increased by 5.1% (P > 0.05). Thus, among the selectable cultivation seasons, the cooler season (Autumn) along with AI and 200 kg N ha-1, was recommended to farmers to avoid adverse effects of a warming environment. AI and 150 kg N ha-1 in Spring cultivation could be recommended as an alternative measure to local farmers. Our results suggest that in a future warmer climate, reducing nitrogen fertilizer rate in conjunction with the use of AI will remain important practices for maintaining crop yield while reducing soil net GHG emissions. There is an urgent need to transform current management practices to offset the negative impacts of climate change.

[Effects of aerated irrigation on CO2 and N2O emission from protected melon soils under different nitrogen application levels]. / åŠ æ°”çŒæº‰å¯¹ä¸åŒæ–½æ°®æ°´å¹³çš„è®¾æ–½ç”œç“œåœŸå£¤CO2和N2O排放的影响.

To reveal the effects of coupling nitrogen (N) application and aerated irrigation on soil CO2 and N2O emission, and their relationship with soil temperature and moisture, an experiment was conducted in greenhouse melon fields by using the method of static chamber/gas chromatography to determine the CO2 and N2O emissions of different nitrogen rates under aerated irrigation. There were two irrigation factors (AI: aerated irrigation; CK: conventional irrigation) and three N levels (N1: 0; N2: 150 kg·hm-2, the traditional nitrogen application rate was 2/3; N3: 225 kg·hm-2, traditional nitrogen application rate). The results showed that soil CO2 and N2O emissions in AI treatment were higher than those in CK, but no significant difference was observed between the two irrigation methods. Under the same irrigation method, soil CO2 and N2O emission significantly increased with the increases of N application rate, indicating that N application was the main influencing factor for CO2 and N2O emissions. There were significant positive relationships between soil N2O emissions and soil temperature and water filled pore space (WFPS) under the AI treatment. Soil CO2 emission were positively correlated with soil temperature. When N application reduced to N2 rate under AI treatment, the yield was increased by 6.9% and the greenhouse warming potential was reduced from 9544.82 kg·hm-2 to 9340.72 kg·hm-2. Thus, it is feasible to reduce the amount of N fertilizer under AI treatment to mitigate greenhouse gas emission in agricultural production systems.

Association of HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR15 Polymorphisms with Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease under genetic control. Growing evidences support the genetic predisposition of HLA-DRB1 gene polymorphisms to SLE, yet the results are not often reproducible. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of two polymorphisms of HLA-DRB1 gene (HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR15) with the risk of SLE via a comprehensive meta-analysis. METHODS: This study complied with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Case-control studies on HLA-DRB1 and SLE were searched from PubMed, Elsevier Science, Springer Link, Medline, and Cochrane Library database as of June 2018. Analysis was based on the random-effects model using STATA software version 14.0. RESULTS: A total of 23 studies were retained for analysis, including 5261 cases and 9838 controls. Overall analysis revealed that HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR15 polymorphisms were associated with the significant risk of SLE (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.316-1.934, P = 0.129 and OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.334-2.112, P = 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that for both HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR15 polymorphisms, ethnicity was a possible source of heterogeneity. Specifically, HLA-DR3 polymorphism was not associated with SLE in White populations (OR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.320-1.960, P = 0.522) and HLA-DR15 polymorphism in East Asian populations (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.248-2.173, P = 0.001). In addition, source of control was another possible source for both HLA-DR3 and HLA-DR15 polymorphisms, with observable significance for HLA-DR3 in only population-based studies (OR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.370-1.990, P = 0.244) and for HLA-DR15 in both population-based and hospital-based studies (OR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.078-1.760, P = 0.123 and OR: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.738-2.490, P = 0.881, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: HLA-DRB1 gene may be a SLE-susceptibility gene, and it shows evident ethnic heterogeneity. Further prospective validations across multiple ethnical groups are warranted.

Significance of NLDA, the commixed index of inflammation, immune responses, hemostasis, and nutrition, for predicting metastatic non-small cell lung cancer prognosis and metastases.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to take a comprehensive review of the hematological indexes and discover a novel, comprehensive, and economical index for prognostic prediction. RESULTS: The predictive prognostic model revealed that an elevated value of NLDA (NLDA = neutrophil count/lymphocyte count × D-dimer count/albumin) was an independent risk factor for one-year adverse prognosis (hazard ratio = 3.038; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.959-4.712; P < 0.001). The C-indexes of internal and external validation in nomogram were 0.738 (95% CI, 0.686-0.79) and 0.731 (95% CI, 0.631-0.831), respectively. The areas under the curves of the NLDA values in retrospective and prospective studies were 0.700 (95% CI, 0.631-0.769; P < 0.001) and 0.692 (95% CI, 0.535-0.822; P = 0.005), respectively. The cut-off value of NLDA was 0.15. NLDA was positively associated with M stage (P = 0.032), organ metastasis counts (P = 0.006), liver metastases (P = 0.019), and vertebrae metastases (P = 0.013). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective and prospective study. The clinicopathological characteristics and hematological parameters of stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients were analyzed retrospectively and prospectively to establish a valid predictive prognostic model. The primary endpoint was the 1-year overall survival. The predictive prognostic model was established and validated by Cox Regression and nomogram. The cut-off and predictive prognostic values of the novel indexes were calculated through the receiver operating characteristic curves. The chi-square test was used to explore the correlation between the new prognostic hematological index and metastatic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, NLDA, a new, comprehensive and economic parameter, was found to be an independent adverse prognostic factor for stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patients, and was positively associated with organ metastases.

Silencing of osterix expression by siRNA inhibits aldosterone­induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in mice.

The process of vascular calcification shares numerous similarities with that of skeletal mineralization and involves the deposition of hydroxyapatite crystals in arteries and cardiac valves. However, the underlying cellular mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Microarray analysis in the present study demonstrated that greater than 2,000 genes were upregulated during the calcification of murine vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), of which osterix (OSX) and integrin­binding sialoprotein (IBSP) were the most significantly differentially expressed genes. Following the validation of increased OSX and IBSP expression by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction in calcifying murine VSMCs induced by aldosterone. Subsequent to transfection with siRNA­OSX, results indicated that OSX may inhibit calcification of VSMCs via IBSP. It was suggested that the increased OSX expression in calcifying VSMCs may reflect the well­established prenatal role of OSX. A full understanding of the importance of OSX in this pathological process would improve understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular calcification.

[Effect of biochar addition on soil evaporation.] / 生物炭对土壤水分蒸发的影响.

In order to determine the rational amount of biochar application and its effect on soil hydrological processes in arid area, soil column experiments were conducted in the laboratory using three biochar additions (5%, 10% and 15%) and four different biochar types (d<0.25 mm bamboo charcoal, 0.25 mm

[Influences of micro-irrigation and subsoiling before planting on enzyme activity in soil rhizosphere and summer maize yield.] / å¾®çŒä¸Žæ’­å‰æ·±æ¾å¯¹æ ¹é™ åœŸå£¤é ¶æ´»æ€§å’Œå¤çŽ‰ç±³äº§é‡çš„å½±å“.

In order to explore the influences of micro-irrigation and subsoiling before planting on enzyme activity in soil rhizosphere and summer maize yield, an orthogonal experiment was carried out with three factors of micro-irrigation method, irrigation depth, and subsoiling depth. The factor of irrigation method included surface drip irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation, and moistube-irrigation; three levels of irrigation depth were obtained by controlling the lower limit of soil water content to 50%, 65%, and 80% of field holding capacity, respectively; and three depths of deep subsoiling were 20, 40, and 60 cm. The results showed that the activities of catalase and urease increased first and then decreased, while the activity of phosphatase followed an opposite trend in the growth season of summer maize. Compared with surface drip irrigation and moistube-irrigation, subsurface drip irrigation increased the average soil moisture of 0-80 cm layer by 6.3% and 1.8% in the growth season, respectively. Subsurface drip irrigation could significantly increase soil urease activity, roots volume, and yield of summer maize. With the increase of irrigation level, soil phosphatase activity decreased first and then increased, while urease activity and yield increased first and then decreased. The average soil moisture and root volume all increased in the growth season of summer maize. The increments of yield and root volume from subsoiling of 40 to 20 cm were greater than those from 60 to 40 cm. The highest enzyme activity was obtained with the treatment of subsoiling of 40 cm. In terms of improving water resource use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, and crop yield, the best management strategy of summer maize was the combination of subsurface drip irrigation, controlling the lower limit of soil water content to 65% of field holding capacity, and 40 cm subsoiling before planting.

Apocynin attenuates oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis in angiotensin II-induced cardiac diastolic dysfunction in mice.

AIM: To investigate whether apocynin, a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, produced cardioproteictive effects in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously infused Ang II for 4 weeks to mimic cardiac remodeling and fibrosis. Concomitantly the mice were administered apocynin (100 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) or/and the aldosterone receptor blocker eplerenone (200 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1)) via gavage for 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate were measured, and transthoracic echocardiography was performed. For in vitro study, cardiac fibroblasts were treated with Ang II (10(-7) mol/L) in the presence of apocynin (10(-5) mol/L) or/and eplerenone (10(-5) mol/L). Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to quantify the expression levels of NADPH oxidase and osteopontin (OPN) proteins in the cells. RESULTS: Both apocynin and eplerenone significantly decreased SBP, and markedly improved diastolic dysfunction in Ang II-induced hypertensive mice, accompanied with ameliorated oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis. In the Ang II-treated cardiac fibroblasts, the expression levels of NOX4 and OPN proteins were markedly upregulated. Both Apocynin and eplerenone significantly suppressed the increased expression levels of NOX4 and OPN proteins in the Ang II-treated cells. In all the experiments, apocynin and eplerenone produced comparable effects. Co-administration of the two agents did not produce synergic effects. CONCLUSION: Apocynin produces cardioproteictive effects comparable to those of eplerenone. The beneficial effects of apocynin on myocardial oxidative stress and cardiac fibrosis might be mediated partly through a pathway involving NADPH oxidase and OPN.

A meta-analysis of apolipoprotein E gene ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism for gallbladder stone disease.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between apolipoprotein (Apo) E gene polymorphisms and gallbladder stone disease (GSD) across ethnic populations; however, the results are often inconsistent. This meta-analysis aims to comprehensively evaluate the influence of a common ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism in Apo E gene on the risk of gallbladder stone disease. METHOD: Data were analyzed using the RevMan software (V5.1) and a random-effects model was applied irrespective of between-study heterogeneity. Publication bias was weighed using the fail-safe number. RESULTS: There were 17 study populations totaling 1773 cases and 2751 controls for ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism of Apo E gene. Overall comparison of alleles ε2 with ε3 in all study populations yielded a 16% decreased risk for GSD (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.68-1.05; P=0.31; I(2) =13%), and comparison of alleles ε4 with ε3 yielded a 25% increased risk (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.97-1.61; P=0.0003; I(2) =63%). Subgroup analysis by study design indicated that the magnitude of association in hospital-based studies was largely significantly strengthened for ε4 allelic model (odds ratio [OR]  =1.46; 95% CI: 1.05-2.02; p=0.0007; I(2) =65%). Subgroup analysis by age of controls indicated a remarkably significant elevation in the magnitude of association in age >50 subgroups in ε4 allelic model (OR=1.50; 95% CI: 1.03-2.19; p=0.0009; I(2) =72%). Moreover, subgroup analysis by cases gender indicated a reduction in the magnitude of association in male<30% studies for E2/2 genotypic model (OR=0.32; 95% CI: 0.07-1.49; p=0.16; I(2) =45%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that Apo E gene ε4 allele is a risk factor of gallbladder stone disease, especially in elder people and Chinese population.

Reduced serum levels of vasostatin-2, an anti-inflammatory peptide derived from chromogranin A, are associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

AIMS: We here investigated the endothelial effects of the chromogranin A-derived peptide vasostatin-2 and its relation to coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the impact of recombinant vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 on tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)-, angiotensin II-, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human arterial endothelial cells. Vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 levels were examined in coronary endarterectomy specimens (n= 23), atherosclerotic aortas (n= 16), non-significant-atherosclerotic internal mammary arteries (n= 30), and non-atherosclerotic aortas (n= 10), as well as in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from severe CAD patients (n= 50) and healthy volunteers (n= 21). Serum levels of vasostatin-2 were analysed in 968 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography. Vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2 concentration-dependently inhibited TNFα-, angiotensin II-, and oxLDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules; and attenuated TNFα-induced adhesion of U937 monocytes to endothelial cells. Vasostatin-2 levels were significantly decreased in endarterectomy samples and atherosclerotic aortas compared with non-atherosclerotic internal mammary arteries and aortas, as well as in PBMCs of severe CAD patients compared with healthy controls (all P< 0.05). Serum vasostatin-2 levels were significantly lower in CAD patients (diameter stenosis ≥ 50%, n= 554) than in controls (normal arteries or diameter stenosis <30%, n= 281) (P< 0.001). Its concentrations correlated with the number of diseased coronary arteries and Syntax score in CAD patients (all P< 0.05). At multivariable regression analysis, decreased vasostatin-2 levels remained associated with CAD when other variables were taken into account. CONCLUSION: Vasostatin-2 has anti-inflammatory properties and is decreased in atherosclerotic plaque specimens and in PBMC of CAD patients. Decreased serum vasostatin-2 levels are associated with the presence and severity of CAD.

[Effects of rhizosphere soil permeability on water and nutrient uptake by maize].

Aimed to better understand the significance of soil microenvironment in crop growth, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of rhizosphere soil permeability on the water and nutrient uptake by maize. Under three irrigation levels (600, 400, and 200 ml per pot), three treatments of soil aeration (no tube aeration as the control, tube aeration every two days, and tube aeration every four days) were installed, and the physiological indices of maize were measured. Under the same irrigation levels, soil aeration increased the plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll contents, promoted nutrient adsorption and increased root vitality markedly. At elongation stage, treatment tube aeration every four days had the highest root vitality (8.24 mg x g(-1) x h(-1)) under the irrigation level 600 ml per pot, being significantly higher (66.7%) than that (4.94 mg x g(-1) x h(-1)) of the control. Soil aeration had no significant effects on the transpiration rate of maize, indicating that rhizosphere soil aeration could raise water and nutrient use efficiency, and improve maize growth.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet over 4 500 meters above sea level / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine whether the polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet where the altitude is over 4 500 m above sea level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was conducted including 149 HAPE patients in the construction workers and 160 healthy controls randomly recruited from their co-workers, matching the patients in ethnicity, age, sex, lifestyle, and working conditions. Three polymorphisms of eNOS gene, T-786C in promoter, 894G/T in exon 7, and 27bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 4, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of 894T allele and heterozygous G/T of the 894G/T variant were significantly higher in HAPE patients group than in the control group (P=0.0028 and P=0.0047, respectively). However, the frequencies of the T-786C in promoter and the 27bp VNTR in intron 4 were not significantly different between the two groups. Haplotypic analysis revealed that the frequencies of two haplotypes (H3,T-T-b, b indicates 5 repeats of 27 bp VNTR; H6, C-G-a, a indicates 4 repeats of 27 bp VNTR) were significantly higher in HAPE patients (both Pü0.0001). On the contrary, the frequencies of H1 (T-G-b) and H2 (T-G-a) were lower in HAPE patients than in healthy controls (both Pü0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Two haplotypes (T-T-b and C-G-a) may be strongly associated with susceptibility to HAPE. Compared with the individual alleles of eNOS gene, the interaction of multiple genetic markers within a haplotype may be a major determinant for the susceptibility to HAPE.</p>