Case report: A relatively rare adverse event caused by carbetocin- placenta interception.

Placenta interception is extremely rare, and herein, we report the case of a 33-year-old woman with placenta interception during cesarean section caused by carbetocin, which was intravenously injected immediately after delivery of the infant to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. There was no sign of placental separation in the third stage of labor. A protuberance with gross subserous blood vessels in the left fundus of the uterus was detected and was misdiagnosed as placental accreta. The patient was transferred to the district referral hospital to manage the protuberance after stitching up the incision. On opening the original incision in the tertiary hospital, the protuberance disappeared, and the placenta was found in the lower segment of the uterus cavity. The intercepted placenta showed a spontaneous resolution from the uterine wall and was removed intact. This case report details the typical presentation of placenta interception to make obstetricians aware of the possibility that carbetocin might lead to this adverse event.

Clinical implications and biological features of a novel postoperative recurrent HCC classification: A multi-centre study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The multiplicity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence patterns is the most important determinant of patients' postsurgical survival. A systematic HCC recurrence classification is needed to help prevent and treat postoperative HCC recurrence in the era of precision medicine. METHODS: A total of 1319 patients with recurrent HCC from four hospitals were enrolled and divided into a development cohort (n = 916), internal validation cohort (n = 225) and external validation cohort (n = 178). A comprehensive study of patients' clinicopathological factors and biological features was conducted. RESULTS: Four subtypes of recurrence were identified, which integrated recurrence features, survival, effects on systemic and liver function and potential therapeutics after recurrence: type I (solitary-intrahepatic oligorecurrence); type II (multi-intrahepatic oligorecurrence); type III (progression recurrence) and type IV (hyper-progression recurrence). Type III~IV recurrence indicated exceptionally poor prognosis. Subsequently, two nomogram models were established for type III~IV recurrence prediction, and both demonstrated excellent predictive performance and applicability of pre and postoperative strategy formulation. Multiple biological analyses revealed that HCC cases with type III~IV recurrence were characterized by enrichment in p53 mutations, CCND1 amplification, high proliferation/metastasis potential, inactive metabolism and immune exhaustion features. Over-expression of high mobility group protein 2 (HMGA2) enhanced the highly malignant behaviour of HCC through multiple molecular pathways, making it a potential prognostic predictor and therapeutic target. CONCLUSIONS: This 'recurrent HCC classification' has important potential value in identifying patients with surgical benefit, predicting postsurgical survival and guiding treatment strategies. Multidimensional biological insights also increased knowledge of factors associated with HCC recurrence.

Effect of rTMS combined with CBT on alcohol craving and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) on the cognitive function and alcohol craving in patients with alcohol dependence.Methods:From March 2019 to September 2021, a total of 150 patients with alcohol dependence were enrolled and randomly divided into rTMS treatment group (rTMS+ sham CBT, n=41), CBT treatment group (CBT+ sham rTMS, n=34), rTMS+ CBT treatment group( n=36) and control group (sham rTMS+ sham CBT, n=39). At baseline (before treatment), 2nd week, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, alcohol dependence scale (ADS) was used to evaluate the degree of alcohol dependence, the obsessive compulsive drinking scale (OCDS) was used to assess patients' drinking craving, and Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA) was used to assess the overall cognitive level of patients.SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used to compare the differences of ADS, OCDS and MoCA scale scores of the four groups by repeated measure ANOVA and simple effect analysis. Results:(1)The patients in the four groups were evaluated with ADS scale at baseline, 12th week and 24th week respectively.The interaction of group×time( F=1.279, P=0.279) and the main effect of group were not significant ( F=0.882, P=0.454), and the main effect of time was significant ( F=12.925, P<0.001) .Further simple effect analysis showed that the ADS score of rTMS+ CBT group was lower than that of baseline(14.48±5.70, 10.00±6.51) ( P=0.01) at 24th week.(2)Patients in the four groups were assessed with OCDs scale at baseline, 2nd week, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, and the interaction of group×time was significant ( F=2.015, P=0.042). Further simple effect analysis showed that the OCDs scores of rTMS group and rTMS+ CBT group at each follow-up time node were lower than those at baseline period (all P<0.05). (3)Patients in the four groups were assessed with MoCA scale at baseline, 8th week, 12th week and 24th week, and the interaction of group×time was not significant ( F=1.660, P=0.106), and the main effect of group and the main effect of time were significant ( F=2.964, P=0.038; F=14.239, P<0.001). Further simple effect analysis showed that the score of MoCA scale in CBT group at the 24th week was higher than that at baseline (21.73±5.81, 24.60±3.98)( P=0.029), the score of MoCA scale in rTMS+ CBT group at the 24th week was higher than that at the 8th week (23.50±6.01, 25.95±2.87) ( P=0.006), and the score of MoCA scale in rTMS group at the 12th week was higher than that in control group (22.08±6.64, 26.64±2.46)( P=0.009). Conclusion:rTMS combined with CBT can be effective in improving alcohol craving and cognitive function in patients with alcohol dependence, and has a good long-term effect.

Correlations of MIF polymorphism and serum levels of MIF with glucocorticoid sensitivity of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene polymorphism (-173G/C) and glucocorticoid sensitivity in sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). METHODS: A total of 120 patients with SSNHL were divided into a glucocorticoid-sensitive group and a glucocorticoid-resistant group. A group of 93 healthy individuals served as the control group. Serum MIF levels of the participants were measured and MIF genotyping was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of the MIF -173C allele was significantly higher in glucocorticoid-sensitive patients than in glucocorticoid-resistant patients. Serum MIF levels were significantly higher in SSNHL patients than in healthy controls, and higher in the glucocorticoid-sensitive group than in the glucocorticoid-resistant group of SSNHL patients, which was unexpected. Compared with patients with the GG genotype, patients with the -173C allele (GC and CC genotypes) had significantly higher levels of serum MIF and superoxide dismutase activity and lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and malondialdehyde. CONCLUSION: The MIF -173G/C polymorphism is associated with glucocorticoid sensitivity in SSNHL patients. The C allele can result in higher MIF production, reduced oxidative stress, and greater glucocorticoid sensitivity.

CUL4A expression is associated with tumor stage and prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Cullin 4A (CUL4A) is a protein of E3 ubiquitin ligase with many cellular processes. CUL4A could regulate cell cycle, development, apoptosis, and genome instability. This study aimed to analyze the expression of CUL4A in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues and the associations of CUL4A expression with prognostic significance. A total of 115 NPC patients were collected to assess the protein expression of CUL4A by immunohistochemistry, so as to analyze the relationships between CUL4A expression and clinicopathological and prognostic parameters. All patients were followed-up until death or 5 years. The results showed that high expression of CUL4A was significantly associated with larger primary tumor size (P = .026), higher nodal status (P = .013), more distant metastasis (P = .020), and higher TNM stage (P = .005). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that patients with higher CUL4A expression had significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (both P < .001). In multivariate Cox analysis, CUL4A is an independent prognostic factor for OS (P = .016; hazard ratio [HR] = 2.770, 95% CI: 1.208-6.351) and PFS (P = .022; HR = 2.311, 95% CI: 1.126-4.743). In conclusion, high expression of CUL4A was associated with advanced disease status of NPC, and might serve as an independent prognostic factor.

Correction: Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Reduces Mortality in Elderly Patients with Moderate to Severe Obstructive Severe Sleep Apnea: A Cohort Study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127775.].

MIF protects against oxygen-glucose deprivation-induced ototoxicity in HEI-OC1 cochlear cells by enhancement of Akt-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway.

Ischemia and oxidative stress play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and serves an important role in hearing function. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of MIF on oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced ototoxicity and to elucidate its molecular mechanism. In HEI-OC1 auditory cells, OGD reduced cell viability and increased supernatant lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and MIF in a time-dependent manner. However, the reduced cell viability exerted by OGD was attenuated by antioxidant and MIF. Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that MIF could activate NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and real-time PCR showed increased mRNA expressions of Nrf2 and two Nrf2-responsive genes, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). MIF also suppressed oxidative stress induced by OGD, as demonstrated by decreased MDA and increased GSH in cellular supernatant. Inhibition of Nrf2 using siRNA suppressed HO-1 protein expression, the protective effect on OGD-induced injury and decrease in oxidative stress by MIF. Moreover, MIF prevented OGD-induced reduction of Akt1 phosphorylation at Ser473. LY294002, an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt signaling, attenuated the enhancement of Nrf2 protein and protective effect of MIF in OGD-treated cochlear cells. We demonstrate that MIF protects cochlear cells against OGD-induced injury through activation of Akt-Nrf2-HO-1 pathway.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Treatment Reduces Mortality in Elderly Patients with Moderate to Severe Obstructive Severe Sleep Apnea: A Cohort Study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is much more prevalent in older people than in middle-aged or young populations, and has been associated with cardiovascular disease. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the first-line therapy for OSA, but its long-term clinical benefit in the elderly is unclear. Here, we carried out a prospective cohort study to explore the survival rate and incidence of cardiovascular events in elderly patients with moderate to severe OSA who did or did not receive CPAP treatment. The study included 130 patients (104 male, 26 female; mean age: 77.8 ± 6.2 years) who were followed up for a mean of 5 ± 2.54 years (range, 1-8 years). Thirty-six patients received CPAP and 88 had no CPAP. The results showed that mortality in the untreated group (21.6%) was significantly higher than in the CPAP group (5.6%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival rate in the CPAP group was 94.4%, which was markedly higher than the rate of 78.4% in the untreated group. The incidence of cardiovascular events was 13.9% in the CPAP group and 55.7% in the untreated group. The present study provides evidence that CPAP can reduce mortality in older patients with moderate to severe OSA, and lead to a good long-term prognosis. The study also indicates that death in older OSA patients is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Predictive value of serum bone sialoprotein and prostate-specific antigen doubling time in patients with bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum bone sialoprotein (BSP) and prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) in patients with bone metastasis (BM) from prostate cancer (PC). A total of 116 patients with PC, 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 120 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. PC patients were divided into bone metastasis (BM) group (n=56) and non-bone metastasis (NBM) group (n=60). Serum BSP was detected by Sandwich ELISA. Severity of bone pain was evaluated using visual analogue score (VAS). Serum f-PSA and t-PSA levels were measured by using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). PSADT was calculated according to the formula: PSADT=lg(2)/[log(PSA2)-log(PSA1)]. The mean serum BSP level in PC patients with BM was significantly higher than in PC patients without BM, BPH patients and controls (P<0.001 for all). Pearson's analysis showed that serum BSP level was positively correlated with VAS in PC patients with BM (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that BSP discriminated patients with BM from those without BM at the cutoff value of 33.26 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were 78.21% and 79.28%, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of PSADT was 131 days, with sensitivity of 85.69% and specificity of 85.36%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that subjects with higher BSP levels/shorter PSADT had a shorter BM-free period than those with lower BSP levels/longer PSADT. Serum BSP and PSADT are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of BM from PC, and can be regarded as independent factors for predicting the prognosis of BM from PC. Combined determination of BSP and PSADT can improve accuracy and positive rate of BM from PC significantly.

Predictive value of serum bone sialoprotein and prostate-specific antigen doubling time in patients with bone metastasis of prostate cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum bone sialoprotein (BSP) and prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) in patients with bone metastasis (BM) from prostate cancer (PC). A total of 116 patients with PC, 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 120 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. PC patients were divided into bone metastasis (BM) group (n=56) and non-bone metastasis (NBM) group (n=60). Serum BSP was detected by Sandwich ELISA. Severity of bone pain was evaluated using visual analogue score (VAS). Serum f-PSA and t-PSA levels were measured by using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). PSADT was calculated according to the formula: PSADT=lg(2)/[log(PSA2)-log(PSA1)]. The mean serum BSP level in PC patients with BM was significantly higher than in PC patients without BM, BPH patients and controls (P<0.001 for all). Pearson's analysis showed that serum BSP level was positively correlated with VAS in PC patients with BM (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that BSP discriminated patients with BM from those without BM at the cutoff value of 33.26 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were 78.21% and 79.28%, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of PSADT was 131 days, with sensitivity of 85.69% and specificity of 85.36%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that subjects with higher BSP levels/shorter PSADT had a shorter BM-free period than those with lower BSP levels/longer PSADT. Serum BSP and PSADT are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of BM from PC, and can be regarded as independent factors for predicting the prognosis of BM from PC. Combined determination of BSP and PSADT can improve accuracy and positive rate of BM from PC significantly.

Predictive value of serum bone sialoprotein and prostate-specific antigen doubling time in patients with bone metastasis of prostate cancer / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum bone sialoprotein (BSP) and prostate-specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) in patients with bone metastasis (BM) from prostate cancer (PC). A total of 116 patients with PC, 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 120 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. PC patients were divided into bone metastasis (BM) group (n=56) and non-bone metastasis (NBM) group (n=60). Serum BSP was detected by Sandwich ELISA. Severity of bone pain was evaluated using visual analogue score (VAS). Serum f-PSA and t-PSA levels were measured by using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). PSADT was calculated according to the formula: PSADT=lg(2)/[log(PSA2)-log(PSA1)]. The mean serum BSP level in PC patients with BM was significantly higher than in PC patients without BM, BPH patients and controls (P<0.001 for all). Pearson's analysis showed that serum BSP level was positively correlated with VAS in PC patients with BM (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis demonstrated that BSP discriminated patients with BM from those without BM at the cutoff value of 33.26 ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity were 78.21% and 79.28%, respectively. The optimal cutoff value of PSADT was 131 days, with sensitivity of 85.69% and specificity of 85.36%. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that subjects with higher BSP levels/shorter PSADT had a shorter BM-free period than those with lower BSP levels/longer PSADT. Serum BSP and PSADT are useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of BM from PC, and can be regarded as independent factors for predicting the prognosis of BM from PC. Combined determination of BSP and PSADT can improve accuracy and positive rate of BM from PC significantly.

Preparation and biodistribution of 188Re-labeled folate conjugated human serum albumin magnetic cisplatin nanoparticles (188Re-folate-CDDP/HSA MNPs) in vivo.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop intraperitoneal hyperthermic therapy based on magnetic fluid hyperthermia, nanoparticle-wrapped cisplatin chemotherapy, and magnetic particles of albumin. In addition, to combine the multiple-killing effects of hyperthermal targeting therapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, the albumin-nanoparticle surfaces were linked with radionuclide (188)Re-labeled folic acid ligand ((188)Re-folate-CDDP/HSA). METHODS: Human serum albumin was labeled with (188)Re using the pre-tin method. Reaction time and optimal conditions of labeling were investigated. The particles were intravenously injected into mice, which were sacrificed at different time points. Radioactivity per gram of tissue of percent injected dose (% ID/g) was measured in vital organs. The biodistribution of (188)Re-folate-CDDP/HAS magnetic nanoparticles was assessed. RESULTS: Optimal conditions for (188)Re-labeled folate-conjugated albumin combined with cisplatin magnetic nanoparticles were: 0.1 mL of sodium gluconate solution (0.3 mol/L), 0.1 mL of concentrated hydrochloric acid with dissolved stannous chloride (10 mg/mL), 0.04 mL of acetic acid buffer solution (pH 5, 0.2 mol/L), 30 mg of folate-conjugated albumin combined with cisplatin magnetic nanoparticles, and (188)ReO(4) eluent (0.1 mL). The rate of (188)Re-folate-CDDP-HSA magnetic nanoparticle formation exceeded 90%, and radiochemical purity exceeded 95%. The overall labeling rate was 83% in calf serum at 37°C. The major uptake tissues were the liver, kidney, intestine, and tumor after the (188)Re-folate-CDDP/HSA magnetic nanoparticles were injected into nude mice. Uptake of (188)Re-folate-CDDP/HSA magnetic nanoparticles increased gradually after injection, peaked at 8 hours with a value of 8.83 ± 1.71, and slowly decreased over 24 hours in vivo. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that (188)Re-folate-CDDP/HSA magnetic nanoparticles can be used in radionuclide-targeted cancer therapy. Surface-modified albumin nanoparticles with folic acid ligand-labeled radionuclide ((188)Re) were successfully prepared, laying the foundation for a triple-killing effect of thermotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

[Control effect of parasitic Metaphycus parasaissetiae on host Parasaissetia nigra].

A laboratory test was conducted to study the control effect of parasitic Metaphycus parasaissetiae on its host Parasaissetia nigra. The functional reactions of the parasitism conformed to the Holling Type II Equation, but the parameters of the functional reactions varied with temperature. Taking the ratio of instant attack rate to preying time (a/T(h)) as an evaluation index, the preying efficiency at 30 degrees C was the highest, with a/T(h) being 23.4211. There was a stronger interference effect in the functional reactions of the parasitism within M. parasaissetiae populations. With the increase of the population density, the amounts of parasitism decreased gradually. Hassell Equation (E = QP(-m)) could describe the relationships between the searching efficiency of M. parasaissetiae and its population density much precisely within the range of 21 degrees C - 33 degrees C. The interference increased with temperature within the range of 21 degrees C - 27 degrees C, and the interference coefficient reached the highest (0.6626) at 27 degrees C. When the temperature was raised to 30 and 33 degrees C, the interference coefficient decreased to 0.6161 and 0.5916, respectively. In the prophase of egg-laying, the parasitized P. nigra could be entirely controlled by M. parasaissetiae. However, when a few larvae were crawling out, the control effect was declined to 81.4%.

[Investigation on long-term efficacy of CPAP treatment for the elderly with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for the elderly with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: Case control study was performed among 106 elderly with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). They were divided into treatment group (n=34) and control group (n=72), based on whether they underwent long-term CPAP treatment or not. The long-term efficacy of CPAP treatment was evaluated by long-term clinical observation. RESULTS: The incidence of cardiovascular events was 12% (4/34) in treatment group and 47% (34/72) in control group (P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that after controlling the factors of age, sex, body mass index, apnea hypopnea index and previous diseases, failing to receive CPAP treatment was the independent risk factor for cardiovascular events (chi2=17.0, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP treatment for moderate-severe OSAS could reduce cardiovascular and neurovascular events risk for elderly patients with OSAS.

[Effects of acute cerebral ischemia on cerebral perfusion: quantitative evaluation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) in a canine model of acute cerebral ischemia. METHODS: Cerebral perfusion was assessed in 6 dogs subjected to craniotomy with CEU at the time of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after occlusion of the left common carotid artery (LCCA). The microvascular volume (A) and blood flow velocity (beta) in the brain were measured from the time-versus-acoustic intensity plots, and the value of Axbeta were calculated. 99mTc-ECD brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on the day before the experiment and at 120 min after LCCA occlusion. The radioactive counts on both sides of the cerebral cortex were calculated. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between Axbeta from CEU and volume of the blood flow of the CCA from Doppler flowmetry. A, beta and Axbeta values varied significantly between the different time points (P>0.001). The ipsilateral hemisphere showed a low-perfusion state while the contralateral hemisphere showed a high-perfusion state immediately after the occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: The changes of beta is the main regulation mechanism during acute cerebral ischemia in dogs.

Effects of acute cerebral ischemia on cerebral perfusion: quantitative evaluation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound in dogs / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) with real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) in a canine model of acute cerebral ischemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cerebral perfusion was assessed in 6 dogs subjected to craniotomy with CEU at the time of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after occlusion of the left common carotid artery (LCCA). The microvascular volume (A) and blood flow velocity (beta) in the brain were measured from the time-versus-acoustic intensity plots, and the value of Axbeta were calculated. 99mTc-ECD brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed on the day before the experiment and at 120 min after LCCA occlusion. The radioactive counts on both sides of the cerebral cortex were calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant correlation was found between Axbeta from CEU and volume of the blood flow of the CCA from Doppler flowmetry. A, beta and Axbeta values varied significantly between the different time points (P>0.001). The ipsilateral hemisphere showed a low-perfusion state while the contralateral hemisphere showed a high-perfusion state immediately after the occlusion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The changes of beta is the main regulation mechanism during acute cerebral ischemia in dogs.</p>

[Effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on blood lipid and blood glucose in elderly hypertensive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on blood lipid and blood glucose in elderly hypertensive patients. METHOD: a One hundred and seven elderly hypertensive patients received examinations by polysomnography and according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into four groups, namely uncomplicated hypertension group (n=23) and 3 hypertension groups with mild (n=31), moderate (n=29) and severe (n=24) OSAS. The fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Apo-A, and Apo-B of these patients were measured. RESULTS: aCompared with the non-OSAS patients, all the OSAS patients showed increased fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL and TC/HDL, and the increments were statistically significant in severe OSAS patients (P<0.05). The level of HDL was lowered in the OSAS groups, showing significant difference between severe OSAS group and the non-OSAS group (P<0.05). Apo-A level was lowered and Apo-B increased in the OSAS groups, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OSAS may produce harmful affect on the blood glucose and blood lipids in elderly hypertensive patients.

Clinical significance of cervical vertebral flexion and extension spatial alignment changes.

STUDY DESIGN: Radiographic review. OBJECTIVE: To study changes in alignment and curvature of the cervical vertebral column in the sagittal plane, and to provide references for the orthopedic treatment of cervical kyphosis. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: There are few reports analyzing changes of the vertebral body itself or changes in their relationships between separate vertebrae. To understand cervical vertebrae and curvature dynamic variation patterns in the sagittal plane and provide a theoretical reference for orthopedic correction of cervical kyphosis, we measured spatial position and alignment of the cervical vertebrae on sagittal plane films of various postures. METHOD: Blind repeated measures design analysis of sagittal view standard lateral, hyper flexion, and hyper extension cervical spine of 60 healthy subjects measuring spatial alignment angle of C2 to C7 vertebral bodies in the sagittal plain ( angleA), C2 to C7 inferior terminal lamina tilt angle of ( angleB), and segmental intervertebral space angles C2/3 to C6/7 ( angleC) calculating flexion and extension amplitude changes in angleA, angleB, and angleC. Cervical curve apex was determined using Borden's method to compare change and distribution characteristics. RESULTS.: Segmental angleA is a positive mean value that increases from C2 to C7 when in the upright position. In hyper extension, mean angleA value decreases with gradual amplitude decrease from C2 to C7; however, a gradual overall increasing pattern is observed for mean angleA from C2 to C7. In hyper flexion, segmental angleA mean value increases with gradual amplitude decrease from C2 to C7, whereas with decreasing angular measurements from C2 to C7. angleB follows similar change regularities as angleA with a larger mean value than angleA. During maximum extension and maximum flexion, angleD is equal to angleE. For example: C2 angleD = C2 variable angleA; C2 angleE angle(C3 variable angleA + C2/3 variable angleC); and C2 angleD = C2 angleE. Cervical spine curve apex is mainly distributed between C4 and C5 on standard, hyper extension and hyper flexion lateral view. CONCLUSION: Dynamic cervical curvature changes based on a central apex, stems from vertebral rotation and displacement in the sagittal plane. Our study reveals variation patterns of dynamic cervical spine sagittal alignment and curvature, providing vertebral spatial alignment value as reference for orthopedic cervical kyphosis corrective surgery.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome on blood lipid and blood glucose in elderly hypertensive patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) on blood lipid and blood glucose in elderly hypertensive patients.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>a One hundred and seven elderly hypertensive patients received examinations by polysomnography and according to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the patients were divided into four groups, namely uncomplicated hypertension group (n=23) and 3 hypertension groups with mild (n=31), moderate (n=29) and severe (n=24) OSAS. The fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Apo-A, and Apo-B of these patients were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>aCompared with the non-OSAS patients, all the OSAS patients showed increased fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose, HbA1c, TC, TG, LDL and TC/HDL, and the increments were statistically significant in severe OSAS patients (P<0.05). The level of HDL was lowered in the OSAS groups, showing significant difference between severe OSAS group and the non-OSAS group (P<0.05). Apo-A level was lowered and Apo-B increased in the OSAS groups, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>OSAS may produce harmful affect on the blood glucose and blood lipids in elderly hypertensive patients.</p>

Superconductivity in the PbO-type structure alpha-FeSe.

The recent discovery of superconductivity with relatively high transition temperature (Tc) in the layered iron-based quaternary oxypnictides La[O(1-x)F(x)] FeAs by Kamihara et al. [Kamihara Y, Watanabe T, Hirano M, Hosono H (2008) Iron-based layered superconductor La[O1-xFx] FeAs (x = 0.05-0.12) with Tc = 26 K. J Am Chem Soc 130:3296-3297.] was a real surprise and has generated tremendous interest. Although superconductivity exists in alloy that contains the element Fe, LaOMPn (with M = Fe, Ni; and Pn = P and As) is the first system where Fe plays the key role to the occurrence of superconductivity. LaOMPn has a layered crystal structure with an Fe-based plane. It is quite natural to search whether there exists other Fe based planar compounds that exhibit superconductivity. Here, we report the observation of superconductivity with zero-resistance transition temperature at 8 K in the PbO-type alpha-FeSe compound. A key observation is that the clean superconducting phase exists only in those samples prepared with intentional Se deficiency. FeSe, compared with LaOFeAs, is less toxic and much easier to handle. What is truly striking is that this compound has the same, perhaps simpler, planar crystal sublattice as the layered oxypnictides. Therefore, this result provides an opportunity to better understand the underlying mechanism of superconductivity in this class of unconventional superconductors.