Increased urinary angiotensinogen precedes the onset of albuminuria in normotensive type 2 diabetic patients

It was previously reported that intrarenal renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) was employed as a special index of the intrarenal RAS status and enhanced significantly at a very early stage of chronic kidney disease and type 1 diabetes. On the basis of these findings, the present study was performed to test the hypothesis that UAGT levels are increase even before the development of DN in type 2 diabetic patients without hypertension. 102 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 18 healthy volunteers were studied cross-sectionally. Clinical data were collected and morning spot urine samples were obtained from all participants. UAGT levels were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As a result, UAGT to creatinine ratio (UAGT/Cr) was significantly enhanced in T2DM patients before the appearance of urinary albumin (UALB) and further increased to a greater degree in albuminuric patients. UAGT/Cr levels were positively correlated with Log (UALB to creatinine ratio) and diastolic blood pressure, but negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate. These data indicate that elevated UAGT levels precede the onset of albuminuria in normotensive T2DM patients. UAGT might potentially serve as an early marker to determine intrarenal RAS activity and predict progressive kidney disease in T2DM patients without hypertension.     

冠状动脉支架术治疗48例冠心病临床疗效分析

目的探讨冠状动脉支架术治疗冠心病的临床效果。方法对48例冠心病患者行冠状动脉支架术,并进行2年随访,了解治疗效果。结果 48例接受冠状动脉支架手术治疗的患者中46例患者心绞痛症状得到有效缓解,复发时间延长,治疗有效,有效率95.83%。2例患者治疗无效。结论冠状动脉支架术对于冠心病患者的心绞痛症状有很好的缓解作用,且手术的安全性较高。     

Pregnancy and myelodysplastic syndrome: an analysis of the clinical characteristics,maternal and fetal outcomes

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, management, maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 pregnant women with MDS between June 1998 and January 2013. The clinical data were summarized. These patients were divided into poor outcome group and control group, and regression analysis was conducted to find the risk factors for maternal and fetal outcomes.

Results: Five patients developed premature birth, five patients developed postpartum hemorrhage, one patient developed postpartum acute cardiac failure and one patient developed postpartum cerebral infarction. Twenty out of the 25 patients underwent complete follow-up and 17 newborns were normal during follow-up. The regression analysis shows anemia and gestational hypertension are the primary risk factors for poor outcomes, whereas age, first onset of hematological disease, WBC count and platelet count are not significantly associated with the outcomes.

Discussion: Anemia and gestational hypertension may be the primary risk factors for poor maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant patients with MDS. To avoid maternal and neonatal complications, a minimum of hemoglobin level >70?g/L, platelet count >30?×?10⁹/L and WBC count >3?×?10⁹/L, are recommended. Close monitoring on blood routine, maternal complications and active supportive treatment are recommended.     

Association Study of Matrix Metalloproteinases Gene Polymorphisms with Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: Association of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) gene polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis is controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to clarify this dispute.

Methods: We systematically searched the electronic PUBMED, EMBASE and CNKI databases for research articles about MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9) gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up to January 2015. According to the heterogeneity, fixed-effects or random-effects models were used to calculate crude odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).

Results: A total of 11 articles involving 2143 cases and 2049 controls were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were observed between MMP-1-1607 1G/2G polymorphism and RA. Stratification by ethnicity, no significant associations were observed in Caucasian populations. Similarly, no significant associations were observed between MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms and RA in overall and Caucasian populations, respectively. However, a weak association was found between MMP-2-1306 C/T polymorphism and RA (C vs. T, OR?=?0.813, 95%CI?=?0.694–0.953, p?=?0.010) in overall populations.

Conclusions: The present meta-analysis suggests that MMP-1-1607 1G/2G, MMP-3-1171 5A/6A, MMP-9-1562 C/T polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility of RA, but MMP-2 -1306 C/T is weakly associated with susceptibility to RA. Further studies with more sample size are needed for definitive conclusions.     

Cutaneous nodular fasciitis with genetic analysis: a case series

Nodular fasciitis is a benign self‐limited myofibroblastic neoplasm, which usually involves the upper extremities and trunk of young patients. These tumors have been shown to harbor a translocation involving the MYH9 and USP6 genes, leading to overexpression of the latter. We report seven cases of nodular fasciitis with cutaneous presentations. All cases involved the dermis, with six involving the superficial subcutis, and one auricular tumor extending into cartilage. All cases showed USP6 rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization; in two of three cases, the characteristic MYH9‐USP6 fusion was shown by RT‐PCR. All patients underwent conservative resection. Nodular fasciitis is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that can occasionally present in superficial locations and is sometimes mistaken for a malignant process. Molecular testing can be useful to distinguish this entity from other cutaneous spindle cell tumors.     

The functional and prognostic implications of regulatory T cells in colorectal carcinoma

One of the cornerstones for the immune system is the discovery of T-regulatory cells (Treg), which play an essential role in maintaining self regulation of the immune response to foreign threats. However, they may also interfere with the immune response to tumoral cells, for which reason much effort has been put into characterizing the molecular makeup of this T cell population. It has been shown that Tregs are increased in the peripheral blood of patients with many cancer types, and also enriched in the tumor sites. However, the significance of this phenomenon on prognosis is controversial, especially in colorectal carcinoma, one of the most common cancers worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related death. This literature review focuses on characterization of the Treg cells in colorectal cancer patients and its implications on the prognosis of this disease. In the end, the potential therapeutic strategies aimed at Treg modification are discussed.