[Application and research progress of optical coherence tomography angiography in central nervous system diseases].

Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new vascular imaging technology based on high-resolution optical coherence tomography image analysis. It can scan the moving red blood cells in blood vessels for three-dimensional imaging of human retinal and choroidal vessels. Since the close connection of vascular endothelial cells of the blood-retinal barrier is similar to that of the blood-brain barrier, the role of OCTA in the research of pathogenesis and course monitoring of a variety of central system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis and optic neuromyelitis has been widely discussed. This article reviews the application and progress of OCTA in central nervous system diseases.

A non-PCR SPR platform using RNase H to detect MicroRNA 29a-3p from throat swabs of human subjects with influenza A virus H1N1 infection.

As in all RNA viruses, influenza viruses change and mutate constantly because their RNA polymerase has no proofreading ability. This poses a serious threat to public health nowadays. In addition, traditional pathogen-based detection methods may not be able to report an infection from an unknown type or a subtype of virus if its nucleotide sequence is not known. Because of these factors, targeting host microRNA signatures may be an alternative to classify infections and distinguish types of pathogens as microRNAs are produced in humans shortly after infection. Although this approach is in its infant stage, there is an urgent need to develop a rapid reporter assay for microRNA for disease control and prevention. As a proof of concept, we report herein for the first time a non-PCR MARS (MicroRNA-RNase-SPR) assay to detect the microRNA miR-29a-3p from human subjects infected with influenza virus H1N1 by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In our MARS assay, RNase H is employed to specifically hydrolyze the RNA probes immobilized on the gold surface where they hybridize with its cognate target cDNAs miR-29a-3p, where it was formed from reverse transcription with mature miR-29a-3p specific stem-looped primers. After the digestion of the RNA probe by RNase H, the intact cDNA was released from the RNA-DNA hybrid and bound to a new RNA probe for another enzymatic reaction cycle to amplify signals. With assay optimization, the detection limit of our MARS assay for miR-29a-3p was found to be 1 nM, and this new assay could be completed within 1 hour without thermal cycling. This non-PCR assay with high selectivity for mature microRNA provides a new platform for rapid disease diagnosis, quarantine and disease control.

Application value of multislice spiral computed tomography angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation.

This study aims to investigate the accuracy and value of multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. Two hundred seventy-three kidney transplantation donors underwent preoperative MSCT scanning. Two doctors determined the running direction and variation of the renal artery through joint analysis of the preoperative original MSCT image and the recombination image using the blind reading method, compared the imaging results with the intraoperative results, and evaluated the accuracy and application value of MSCT angiography in the evaluation of renal artery variation in living donor kidney transplantation. CT angiography (CTA) can better show the renal artery and its variation. A total of 52 accessory renal arteries were found in the 273 kidney transplant operations, whereas 55 accessory renal arteries were found in preoperative MSCT. Four accessory renal arteries indicated in the MSCT were not found during the operation, and one accessory renal artery found during the operation was not indicated in the preoperative MSCT. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MSCT in the diagnosis of accessory renal arteries were 98.1, 98.2, 92.7, 99.5, and 98.2%, respectively. MSCT angiography can sensitively and accurately show the renal artery and its variation in living donor kidney transplantation, and has important clinical value for the formulation of the operative scheme before the transplantation.

Promotive effect of comprehensive management on achieving blood glucose control in senile type 2 diabetics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the control of blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and its influencing factors, in elderly type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients undergoing comprehensive management. After years of comprehensive prevention of and control measures for diabetes, elderly T2DM patients who were receiving long-term health care were comprehensively evaluated through an annual physical examination. In addition to routine health examination, the patients were required to undergo HbA1c measurement. Among 688 patients, 652 were men and 36 were women, with a mean age of 78.2 ± 9.1 years. The average HbA1c was 6.6 ± 0.9%. A total of 50.6% of the patients had HbA1c <6.5%, whereas 76.3% had HbA1c <7.0%. Among all patients, 77.1, 46.4, 66.1, 67.8, 36.3, and 57.4% achieved the target total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) levels, respectively. The duration of disease and type of treatment, as well as the LDL, HDL, TG, BMI, and blood pressure levels, were significantly associated with HbA1c control. No patient was admitted because of ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma in 10 years. Approximately half of the T2DM patients achieved the target HbA1c level. The more effective blood glucose control observed in our study compared with previous studies can be attributed to the effective monitoring of medical conditions and comprehensive management of patients.

PTEN expression in U251 glioma cells enhances their sensitivity to ionizing radiation by suppressing DNA repair capacity.

OBJECTIVE: Mutations in phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), a tumor suppressor gene, lead to altered sensitivity to drugs and radiation in various types of cancer. Restoring PTEN expression in tumor cells can increase radiosensitivity by inhibiting the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Thus, determining the mechanism of action of this protein may lead to novel therapeutic strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we transduced U251 cells with a lentiviral vector expressing PTEN to examine the mechanism of radiosensitization. Specifically, we examined the formation of radiation-induced DNA DSBs and apoptosis, as well as the expression of several proteins involved in repairing DSBs (p53, ataxia-telangiectasia mutated, DNA-dependent protein kinase C, Ku70-80). RESULTS: Our results showed that PTEN transduction sensitized U251 cells to X-rays, increasing the number of DSBs per cell and fraction of cells undergoing apoptosis. Additionally, the average size of γH2AX nuclear foci was increased following irradiation. These findings were accompanied by a PTEN-dependent irradiation-independent increase in p53 levels and decrease in phosphorylated Ku70/80 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that PTEN affects radiosensitivity by reducing DSB repair and by enhancing the p53 pathway, leading to increased apoptosis.

Association between proton pump inhibitors and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has been reported to be associated with liver damage and might possibly be carcinogenic. AIMS: We examined whether long-term PPI use increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients without viral hepatitis B or C. METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study in a cohort of patients without viral hepatitis in Taiwan from 2000 to 2013. In total, 29 473 HCC cases and 294 508 matched controls were included. Moreover, we identified prescriptions for PPI and durations between the PPI index date and cancer diagnosis date (or the corresponding date in controls). RESULTS: The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for HCC associated with PPI use was 2.86 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.69-3.04). Considering the use of PPIs determined according to cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) subgroups, a dose-response effect was observed in patients exposed to 29-180, 181-240, 241-300, and 300+ cDDDs of PPIs. The AORs were 2.74 (95% CI, 2.57-2.93), 2.98 (95% CI, 2.50-3.56), 3.23 (95% CI, 2.59-4.02), and 3.43 (95% CI, 2.94-4.00) in the 29-180, 181-240, 241-300, and 300+ cDDD groups, respectively, compared with the 0-28 cDDD group. A sensitivity analysis revealed a consistent association between PPI use and the risk of HCC in subpopulations stratified by risk factors associated with HCC. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study demonstrated that PPIs might increase the risk of HCC.

Genetic basis of type 2 diabetes--recommendations based on meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Despite intensive effort to understand the genetic basis of type 2 diabetes, only a few genes responsible for relatively rare monogenic and syndromic subsets of diabetes are known; however, gene(s) responsible for genetic predispositions to common type 2 diabetes are unknown. The current study was obtained a better understanding of the genetic architecture of type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature search was performed and the extracted data was analyzed. The proportion of variance explained by validated genetic factors for a range of metabolic quantitative traits was analyzed. RESULTS: A fully elucidated landscape of type 2 diabetes genetics may well depict perhaps a hundred or more common variants individually with low impact on disease. CONCLUSIONS: Every individual harbors a combination of different risk alleles and only special compilations of these variants in combination with other genetic and non-genetic components will likely lead to disease.

Diabetes mellitus and dementia - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus and dementia, two of the most common disorders in the elderly, are posing a tremendous burden on public health in the society. Moreover, the absolute number and the proportion of older people who are affected by diabetes, borderline diabetes and dementia are expected to further increase over the next few decades. The aim of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between type 2 diabetes and dementia by performing a meta-analysis of published cross-sectional and prospective studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature search was performed and the extracted data was analyzed. RESULTS: Our findings highlight the need to detect borderline diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes in order to effectively prevent dementia, as previous studies have shown that prediabetes and diabetes could be improved by interventions addressed towards lifestyle changes and antidiabetic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: As far as clinical practice is concerned, it is important to bear in mind that prevention, timely diagnosis, and the optimum treatment of diabetes and borderline diabetes may help to reduce the occurrence of dementia.

The impact of PSA testing frequency on prostate cancer incidence and treatment in older men.

To quantify the downstream impact of PSA testing on cancer characteristics and utilization of cancer therapies among men aged 70 or older, we utilized patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004-2005 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER)-Medicare and their Medicare claims before their cancer diagnosis during 2000-2005. Among men in the highest testing group (4-6 PSA tests), 75% were diagnosed with low- or intermediate-risk of disease, but 77% received treatments within 180 days of cancer diagnosis. More than 45% of newly diagnosed patients in 2004-2005 had 4-6 PSA tests before their cancer diagnosis during 2000-2005. Men in the high testing group were 3.57 times more likely to receive cancer treatments (either surgery, radiation or hormonal therapy) when compared with men who had no previous PSA testing during the same time period. Among men aged 75+ diagnosed with low-risk cancer, men in the high testing group were 78% more likely to receive treatment than those who had no previous PSA testing. In conclusion, given the lack of evidence of effective treatment for elderly patients diagnosed with low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer and our inability to distinguish indolent from aggressive cancer, more frequent PSA testing among elderly population may exacerbate the risk of overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Genetic diversity of avian infectious bronchitis coronavirus strains isolated in China between 1995 and 2004.

Twenty-six avian infectious bronchitis (IB) viruses (IBV) were isolated from outbreaks in chickens in China between 1995 and 2004. They were characterized by comparison with twenty-six Chinese reference strains and five other IBV strains. Chinese IBVs, which were mainly nephropathogenic, were placed into seven genotypes. Fourteen Chinese IBV isolates were placed in genotype I, having small evolutionary distances from each other. Genotype II included 6 strains that were isolated in the 1990s in China. Genotype III consisted of eight Chinese isolates that showed close relationship with Korean IBV isolates. Another eight IBV isolates clustered in genotype IV and showed larger evolutionary distances. The Massachusetts serotype was present in China in 1990s and was in a separate genotype. Two isolates, HN99 and CK/CH/LHN/00I, which might be a reisolation of vaccine strains, clustered into genotype VI. Four Chinese IBV isolates formed another genotype and showed larger evolutionary distances from other Chinese IBV genotypes (genotype VII). IBVs in same genotypes showed more than 90% amino acid sequence similarities, whereas most of the viruses in different genotypes showed less than 90%. The results showed that IBVs in China came from genetic changes both in IBV populations that existed before the advent of vaccination and in the viruses that were introduced through live vaccines. IBVs showing various genetic differences are cocirculating in China.