Calcitriol combined with high-calcium and high-phosphorus diet induces vascular calcification model in chronic kidney disease rats.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant complication arising from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Vascular calcification is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Reducing vascular calcification is therefore critical to reducing mortality in CKD patients. HYPOTHESIS: This study aims to establish a vascular calcification model in rats with CKD by administering subcutaneous injections of calcitriol in combination with a high-calcium and high-phosphorus diet. METHODS: The rats were divided into the CKD vascular calcification model group (subtotal nephrectomy+ [SNx+]) and the sham-operated control group (subtotal nephrectomy- [SNx-]). The rats in the SNx(+) group were administered high-calcium and high-phosphorus feeds following a 5/6 nephrectomy. Calcitriol (1 µg/kg, three times a week) was injected subcutaneously at weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12 after the operation. Measurements of body weight, urine, serum biochemical indicators and vascular calcification level were conducted in rats. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the SNx(-) group, rats in the SNx(+) group experienced an increase in 24-h urine output, urinary phosphorus, and urinary microprotein excretion, along with the development of severe anemia. Additionally, there was a notable elevation in serum phosphorus, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), and intact parathyroid hormone levels, accompanied by severe hypoproteinemia at week 12. (2) The results of micro-compuyed tomography (µCT) and alizarin S staining of the thoracic aorta demonstrated an increase in vascular calcification in the SNx(+) group. (3) The expression levels of vascular calcification-related proteins were increased. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of calcitriol combined with a high-calcium and high-phosphorus diet was found to induce vascular calcification in CKD rats, leading to a disturbance in mineral metabolism. Vascular calcification was effectively induced in CKD rats after 12 weeks of modeling, thereby presenting a novel approach for establishing a vascular calcification model in CKD rats, helping to elucidate this clinical condition and its underlying molecular mechanisms.

Effects of intra-aortic balloon pump on in-hospital outcomes and 1-year mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock.

BACKGROUND: The role of intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) in cardiogenic shock complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still a subject of intense debate. In this study, we aim to investigate the effect of IABP on the clinical outcomes of patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-IV 2.2, 6017 AMI patients were subtracted, and 250 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock undergoing PCI were analyzed. In-hospital outcomes (death, 24-hour urine volumes, length of ICU stays, and length of hospital stays) and 1-year mortality were compared between IABP and control during the hospital course and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: An IABP was implanted in 30.8% (77/250) of patients with infarct-related cardiogenic shock undergoing PCI. IABP patients had higher levels of Troponin T (3.94 [0.73-11.85] ng/ml vs. 1.99 [0.55-5.75] ng/ml, p-value = 0.02). IABP patients have a longer length of ICU and hospital stays (124 [63-212] hours vs. 83 [43-163] hours, p-value = 0.005; 250 [128-435] hours vs. 170 [86-294] hours, p-value = 0.009). IABP use was not associated with lower in-hospital mortality (33.8% vs. 33.0%, p-value = 0.90) and increased 24-hour urine volumes (2100 [1455-3208] ml vs. 1915 [1110-2815] ml, p-value = 0.25). In addition, 1-year mortality was not different between the IABP and the control group (48.1% vs. 48.0%; hazard ratio 1.04, 95% CI 0.70-1.54, p-value = 0.851). CONCLUSION: IABP may be associated with longer ICU and hospital stays but not better short-and long-term clinical prognosis.

Establishment and validation of serum lipid-based nomogram for predicting the risk of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the value of combined serum lipids with clinical symptoms to diagnose prostate cancer (PCa), and to develop and validate a Nomogram and prediction model to better select patients at risk of PCa for prostate biopsy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 548 patients who underwent prostate biopsies as a result of high serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or irregular digital rectal examinations (DRE) was conducted. The enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the training groups (n = 384, 70%) and validation groups (n = 164, 30%). To identify independent variables for PCa, serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL, LDL, apoA-1, and apoB) were taken into account in the multivariable logistic regression analyses of the training group, and established predictive models. After that, we evaluated prediction models with clinical markers using decision curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Based on training group data, a Nomogram was developed to predict PCa. RESULTS: 210 (54.70%) of the patients in the training group were diagnosed with PCa. Multivariate regression analysis showed that total PSA, f/tPSA, PSA density (PSAD), TG, LDL, DRE, and TRUS were independent risk predictors of PCa. A prediction model utilizing a Nomogram was constructed with a cut-off value of 0.502. The training and validation groups achieved area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.846 and 0.814 respectively. According to the decision curve analysis (DCA), the prediction model yielded optimal overall net benefits in both the training and validation groups, which is better than the optimal net benefit of PSA alone. After comparing our developed prediction model with two domestic models and PCPT-RC, we found that our prediction model exhibited significantly superior predictive performance. Furthermore, in comparison with clinical indicators, our Nomogram's ability to predict prostate cancer showed good estimation, suggesting its potential as a reliable tool for prognostication. CONCLUSIONS: The prediction model and Nomogram, which utilize both blood lipid levels and clinical signs, demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting the risk of prostate cancer, and consequently can guide the selection of appropriate diagnostic strategies for each patient in a more personalized manner.

Treatment of berberine alleviates diabetic nephropathy by reducing iron overload and inhibiting oxidative stress.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become one of the major fatal factors in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to elucidate the function and mechanism by which berberine exerts renoprotective effects in DN. In this work, we first demonstrated that urinary iron concentration, serum ferritin and hepcidin levels were increased and total antioxidant capacity was significantly decreased in DN rats, while these changes could be partially reversed by berberine treatment. Berberine treatment also alleviated DN-induced changes in the expression of proteins involved in iron transport or iron uptake. In addition, berberine treatment also partially blocked the expression of renal fibrosis markers induced by DN, including MMP2, MMP9, TIMP3, ß-arrestin-1, and TGF-ß1. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that berberine may exert renoprotective effects by ameliorating iron overload and oxidative stress and reducing DN.

Identifying stage-associated hub genes in bladder cancer via weighted gene co-expression network and robust rank aggregation analyses.

BACKGROUND: Bladder cancer (BC) is among the most frequent cancers globally. Although substantial efforts have been put to understand its pathogenesis, its underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. METHODS: The robust rank aggregation approach was adopted to integrate 4 eligible bladder urothelial carcinoma microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. Differentially expressed gene sets were identified between tumor samples and equivalent healthy samples. We constructed gene co-expression networks using weighted gene co-expression network to explore the alleged relationship between BC clinical characteristics and gene sets, as well as to identify hub genes. We also incorporated the weighted gene co-expression network and robust rank aggregation to screen differentially expressed genes. RESULTS: CDH11, COL6A3, EDNRA, and SERPINF1 were selected from the key module and validated. Based on the results, significant downregulation of the hub genes occurred during the early stages of BC. Moreover, receiver operating characteristics curves and Kaplan-Meier plots showed that the genes exhibited favorable diagnostic and prognostic value for BC. Based on gene set enrichment analysis for single hub gene, all the genes were closely linked to BC cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: These results offer unique insight into the pathogenesis of BC and recognize CDH11, COL6A3, EDNRA, and SERPINF1 as potential biomarkers with diagnostic and prognostic roles in BC.

Predictive value of the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT: It has been reported that inflammation and immune system are related to prostate cancer. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as well as the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), have already been proposed as new indices to help diagnose prostate cancer (PCa). However, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) with regard to PCa has rarely been mentioned.To investigate the capability of the MLR to predict PCa.Patients who were pathologically diagnosed with PCa in our hospital and healthy control subjects who conformed to the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patient data were recorded, including age, complete blood counts, blood biochemistry, and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The differences in these data between the groups were analyzed and the diagnostic value of the MLR was compared with PSA.Our study included a total of 100 patients with PCa and 103 healthy control subjects. Patients with PCa presented with a significantly higher NLR, MLR, and PLR compared to control subjects. However, the hemoglobin and lymphocyte levels were lower (P < .05) in PCa patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of PSA and ratio of free/total serum prostate-specific antigen were 0.899 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.857-0.942) and 0.872 (95% CI: 0.818-0.926), respectively, while the AUC of the MLR was 0.852 (95% CI: 0.798-0.906), which was higher than that of the NLR, PLR, and any other blood parameters. Additionally, the optimal cut-off value of the MLR for PCa was 0.264, with a specificity of 87.4% and a sensitivity of 72.0%. An evaluation of the diagnostic value of MLR + PSA gave an AUC of 0.936 (95% CI: 0.902-0.970). However, the AUC of MLR + PSA + f/tPSA was 0.996 (95% CI: 0.991-1.000). The diagnostic value of MLR + NLR + PSA gave an AUC of 0.945 (95% CI: 0.913-0.977), and the specificity is 0.971.PSA remains the most important diagnostic indicator. MLR combined with PSA and f/tPSA has the higher predictive value than PSA. It suggests that MLR may be another good predictive indicator of PCa. It can help reduce the clinical false positive rate.

The Effectiveness of Preoperative Correction Techniques in Improving Nasal Deformity in Children With Unilateral Complete Cleft Lip and Palate.

OBJECTIVE: Unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) is associated with apparent nasal deformities before the cheilorrhaphy. The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative correction techniques are effective in the treatment of nasal deformities in infant with unilateral UCCLP used by the systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database (CBM) until January 31, 2019, to identify studies that compared the effectiveness of preoperative correction techniques in the treatment of nasal deformities in infant with UCCLP. Two authors individually extracted the data and performed the quality assessments. The height of nasal columella, the width of the affected side nasal ala and the inclination of the nasal columella were evaluated. RESULTS: Seven articles were incorporated into the systematic review, and 5 (274 participants) in the meta-analysis according to the inclusion criteria. The preoperative correction could increase the height of nasal columella in children with UCCLP [SMD: 2.64 mm; 95% confidence intervals (CI); (1.35 mm, 3.94 mm); P < 0.0001]. Moreover, the preoperative correction resulted in reduced width of the affected side nasal ala [SMD: -5.14 mm; 95% CI; (-8.96 mm, -1.31 mm); P = 0.008]; However, the evidence was insufficient to determine a significant effect on the inclination of the nasal columella [SMD: -3.48 degrees; 95% CI; (-7.56 degrees, 0.59 degrees); P = 0.09]. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative correction for children with UCCLP can increase the height of nasal columella, reduce the width of the affected side nasal ala, improve the nasal symmetry, and reduce nasal deformity, however, no significant effect could be observed for the inclination of the nasal columella.

[Diagnosis and treatment of congenital submandibular duct dilatation].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features and treatments of congenital submandibular duct dilatation. METHODS: Seven children with congenital submandibular duct dilatation from January 2008 to March 2018 were included in this study, whose average age was 5 months and 22 days. The clinical manifestations are unilateral swelling of the mouth floor. All seven children underwent sublingual gland resection, submandibular gland dilatation catheter resection, and catheter reroute under general anesthesia. Intraoperatively, the orifice of the submandibular gland was constricted and part of the catheter was dilated. RESULTS: All seven patients had good healing without swelling or cyst formation. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital submandibular duct dilatation occurs at a young age. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent further expansion of the catheter and avoid gland atrophy, feeding difficulty, and breathing obstruction. Simultaneous excision of the sublingual gland can avoid the formation of postoperative sublingual cyst.

Synergistic effects of reduced graphene oxide with freeze drying tuned interfacial structure on performance of transparent and flexible supercapacitors.

Transparent and flexible supercapacitors (TFSCs) could diversify the future wearable electronics owing to the fascinating optoelectronic and electrochemical performances. Herein, we report symmetric TFSCs assembled by reduced graphene oxide (rGO)@Ag nanowire/poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) transparent electrodes for capacitive storage, in which the interfacial structure of rGO film can be tuned by a facile freeze drying technique. The enlarged interlayer spacing of rGO film deteriorated the electronic migration derived from the loose layer structure, whereas about 33-52% of the areal capacitance of TFSCs was boosted as compared with the ones without freeze drying at the same transmittance. It is concluded that the enlarged inter-distance of rGO film could facilitate diffusion and transport of ions in the electrolyte, furthermore, the expanded rGO film could provide more interface to accommodate more ions for storage. The simulation results also confirmed the lower diffusion barrier and larger band gap of rGO with larger interlayer distance. The mechanically robust TFSCs exhibit the maximum energy density of 89.2 nWh cm-2, and the maximum power density of 4.63 µW cm-2 with remaining energy density of 41.1 nWh cm-2, as well as 3000 cyclic stability, demonstrating an efficient strategy toward high performance TFSCs.

Predicting Nocturnal Hypoglycemia from Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data with Extended Prediction Horizon.

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is a serious complication of insulin-treated diabetes, which commonly goes undetected. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices have enabled prediction of impending nocturnal hypoglycemia, however, prior efforts have been limited to a short prediction horizon (~ 30 minutes). To this end, a nocturnal hypoglycemia prediction model with a 6-hour horizon (midnight-6 am) was developed using a random forest machine- learning model based on data from 10,000 users with more than 1 million nights of CGM data. The model demonstrated an overall nighttime hypoglycemia prediction performance of ROC AUC = 0.84, with AUC = 0.90 for early night (midnight-3 am) and AUC = 0.75 for late night (prediction at midnight, looking at 3-6 am window). While instabilities and the absence of late-night blood glucose patterns introduce predictability challenges, this 6-hour horizon model demonstrates good performance in predicting nocturnal hypoglycemia. Additional study and specific patient-specific features will provide refinements that further ensure safe overnight management of glycemia.

Percolating Film of Pillared Graphene Layer Integrated with Silver Nanowire Network for Transparent and Flexible Supercapacitors.

Transparent and flexible supercapacitors (TFSCs) are viable power sources for next-generation wearable electronics. The ingenious design of the transparent electrode determines the performance of TFSCs. A percolating film of a pillared graphene layer integrated with a silver nanowire network as the transparent electrode was prepared, by which TFSC devices exhibit a significantly improved performance contrastively. Under the condition of the same transmittance, about 27-72% improvement in the areal capacitance can be achieved. On the one hand, the pillars of carbon nanotube (CNT) were distributed in the graphene layer uniformly, enlarging the inner distance of adjacent graphene layers and providing an open structure for extra ion transport and storage of TFSCs. On the other hand, the introduced CNT could facilitate the electron transport at the direction perpendicular to the graphene basal plane, enhancing the electronic conductivity of the graphene layer. More importantly, the formed percolating film ensures an efficient transport of electron along with the silver nanowire when it encounters the obstacle within the graphene layer, resulting in a highly conductive electrode. The TFSC device with a good compatibility indicates a reliable practicability, which provides a facile route toward the design of high-performance TFSCs.

[Logistic regression analysis of risk factors of serious complications related with double-J ureteral stenting following percutaneous nephrolithotomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of the serious complications related with double-J ureteral stent placement following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). METHODS: Clinical data were reviewed for 272 patients treated with PCNL and indwelling double-J stents between January, 2014 and April, 2016. The risk factors of serious complications were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Serious complications of double-J ureteral stenting occurred in 63 patients (23.1%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the ureter abnormalities (ß=1.735, P=0.000, OR=5.670), stent indwelling duration (ß=1.206, P=0.028, OR=3.340), gender (ß=0.895, P=0.016, OR=2.446), preoperative urinary tract infection (ß=0.849, P=0.020 , OR=2.338) and stent size (ß=0.847, P=0.011, OR=2.333) were all risk factors of serious complications related with the procedure. CONCLUSION: Male patients are exposed to a higher risk of serious complications following PCNL. Effective management of urinary tract infection and choice of appropriate stent size in cases of ureteral abnormalities help to reduce these complications. The double-J stent should be withdrawn as soon as possible in patients with good postoperative recovery.

Variation trends of the postoperative outcomes for unilateral cleft lip patients by modified Mohler and Tennison-Randall cheiloplasties.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative variation trends of unilateral cleft lip by stages, and to analyze influential factors of nasolabial symmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 145 patients with unilateral cleft lip were treated by the modified Mohler or Tennison-Randall technique, and received routine anti-scarring treatment postoperatively. Photogrammetry was applied to respectively measure 5 indices by stages preoperatively, the first week (1 w), the third month (3 m), the sixth month (6 m), and the first year (1 y) postoperatively. Then we calculated the symmetry ratio and drew line charts. Student t tests were used for any group differences; linear regression analysis was used to examine which postoperative stage correlated best with the preoperative stage; cluster analysis was used to classify the severity of the cleft according to preoperative SRsn-cphi, which was used to predict the operative difficulty and to select an appropriate technique. RESULTS: The Mohler technique yielded a more symmetric result. With the Tennison-Randall technique, the alar base was more lateral and downward, and the lip height on cleft side seemed longer. A stable effect emerged around 1 year after surgery with both techniques. Conspicuous scars appeared at 3 months, most scars gradually fade at 6 months, and the total evolution took around 1 year. Scars from the Mohler technique fluctuated across a larger range. Preoperative SRsn-cphi of the two techniques had statistical significance and was adopted as the basis for cluster analysis. The critical value was 0.670. The Mohler technique attained an almost identical effect in each interval, whereas the Tennison-Randall technique was better in the interval that SRsn-cphi <0.670. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative SRsn-cphi can be the evaluation index of severity; the modified Mohler technique is more broadly applicable to differences in severity than is the Tennison-Randall technique.

A modified Mohler technique for patients with unilateral cleft lip based on geometric principles--A primary report.

OBJECTIVE: The Mohler technique is one of the most popular methods to repair unilateral cleft lip (UCL) among the modified Millard methods, but it is still imperfect. We successfully designed a modified Mohler method based on geometric principles and observed its clinical effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Photogrammetry was performed in 56 patients who underwent UCL repair with the new technique. The symmetry ratios were assessed for sn-cphi, cphi-sbal, ch-sbal, ch-cphi, and vh preoperatively and 1 week after surgery, and were also compared with values in healthy control individuals. RESULTS: Preoperatively, all distances on the cleft side were shorter to different degrees. One week after surgery, results showed well-healed wounds with full, symmetric, and continuous vermilion. On the cleft side, the sn-cphi was 6.13% longer than the non-cleft, and the others were shorter (cphi-sbal: 5.904%; ch-sbal: 1.760%; ch-cphi: 6.234%). The symmetry ratios had differences of significance between preoperative values and those 1 week after surgery (p = 0.000, respectively). Moreover, the vermilion height on the cleft side was 1.026% thicker. When compared with the matched control group, with the exception of SRcphi-sbal (p = 0.072) and SRch-sbal (p = 0.139), there were significant differences (p = 0.000, respectively). All distances in the matched control group were not absolutely symmetric. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Mohler technique seems widely applicable, marking accurate, and less flexible.

Effective retropulsion and centralization of the severely malpositioned premaxilla in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate: a novel modified presurgical nasoalveolar molding device with retraction screw.

PURPOSE: A novel, modified presurgical nasoalveolar molding (MPNAM) device with retraction screw was designed and used in patients with bilateral complete cleft lip and palate (BCCLP) to rapidly retract and centralize the protuberant and malpositioned premaxilla and correct the nasolabial and palatal deformities. The orthopedic effects and possible complications were evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nine patients with BCCLP who met the inclusion criteria were selected. After the maxillary model was obtained, the new MPNAM device with retraction screw was designed and worn until cheilorrhaphy. Changes in local deformities and complications were observed continuously, and the orthopedic effect was evaluated. RESULTS: All patients quickly adapted to the MPNAM appliance, and the treatment was finished after 5-8 return visits. The columella was significantly prolonged, the nasal tip was elevated, and the collapsed nasal dome was obviously improved. Simultaneously, the premaxilla was rapidly retracted and rotated, and gradually centralized; the clefts were gradually reduced and closed, and a nearly normal dental arch was formed. Although there were some complications, the orthopedic treatment was continued until cheiloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: The MPNAM device with retraction screw can simultaneously correct nasolabial and palatal deformities and also rapidly retract and centralize the premaxilla.

[Effective evaluation of presurgical nasoalveolar molding devices in the treatment of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the orthopedic effect of presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) devices on the palatal deformities in unilateral complete cleft lip and palate (UCCLP) patients. METHODS: Three groups with 19 patients each were studied. All samples in groups A and B were non-syndromic UCCLP children. Group A was treated with PNAM prior to operation. Group B was untreated prior to operation. Samples in group C were normally developed nose and lip palate infants aged three months. The orthotopic palate photos before and after PNAM treatment for group A, as well as pre-operative photos of groups B and group C, were taken and measured. All statistics were analyzed using SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: PNAM treatment significantly increased the AW, AC, and PA of UCCLP patients (P < 0.05), whereas CPW, CWA, CWAS, CWAH, PMD, and CA significantly decreased (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed with the cases in group C (P < 0.05). The AW, CPW, CA, and PA of the patients in group B significantly increased compared with the cases in group A before PNAM treatment (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis of variance indicated that TW had no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PNAM treatment is a non-surgical early treatment for the effective improvement of palatal primary deformities in UCCLP patients.

Performance analysis of ultrahigh-speed vitreous cutter system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate flow rates and duty cycle for different sizes of ultra-high-speed pneumatic vitreous cutters. METHODS: A precision balance measured the mass of water and vitreous removed from a vial. Porcine vitreous was obtained within 12 hours of killed at a local slaughterhouse and kept at 4 °C. Twenty-, 23- and 25-gauge (n = 3 of each gauge) pneumatic cutters were tested at 0 (water), 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, and 5,000 cuts per minute with aspiration levels of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 mmHg. Frame-by-frame analysis of high-speed video was used to determine the duty cycle. RESULTS: Larger gauge cutters associated with higher aspiration levels produced greater vitreous and water flow rates (P < 0.05). As the cut rate increased, the vitreous flow rate increased (maximum flow at 5,000 cuts per minute) and the water flow rate decreased (P < 0.05). The duty cycle of the new-generation cutters decreased as cut speeds increased, using all 3 gauges (P < 0.001). Vitreous flow rates averaged 10 times less than water flow rates using the same cutter at the same settings. CONCLUSION: Ultra-high-speed vitreous cutters produce consistent vitreous and water flow rates across the tested range of cuts per minute and aspiration levels.