Genetically predicted serum ferritin mediates the association between inflammatory cytokines and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: Investigating the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and identifying and quantifying the role of serum ferritin as a potential mediator.

Methods: Genetic summary statistics were derived from open genome-wide association study (GWAS) databases. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the relationship between inflammatory cytokines (8,293 individuals) and NAFLD (8,434 cases, 770,180 controls).

[Effect of triptolide on the expression of RANTES in the renal tissue of diabetic nephropathy rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of triptolide (TPL) on the renal tissue of diabetic rats and its possible mechanisms.

Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into the normal control group (as the normal group), the diabetic model group (the model group), the low dose TPL treatment group (the low dose TPL group, TPL 0.2 mg/kg by gastrogavage), the high dose TPL treatment group (the high dose TPL group, TPL 0.

Influence of auricular plaster therapy on sleeping structure in OSAS patients.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of auricular plaster therapy for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and the influence on sleeping structure.

Methods: 45 OSAS patients were randomly divided into a treatment group of 30 cases and a control group of 15 cases for comparison of the changes in parameters of respiration and sleep at night.

Results: The auricular plaster therapy significantly improved the hypoventilation index, respiratory disturbance index and other respiratory parameters as well as the sleeping parameters such as the time and rate of sleep at stage I and II, and the waking time and rate.

[The change and significance of the cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the change of exercise cardiopulmonary function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: Thirty OSAHS patients and 18 normal healthy adults (control group) were studied by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). The results including maximal oxygen uptake percent predicted (Vo(2)max% predicted), oxygen uptake to work rate (Vo(2)/WR), oxygen pulse percent predicted (Vo(2)/HRmax% predicted), anaerobic threshold to maximal oxygen uptake (AT/Vo(2)max), breathing reserve (V(E)max/MVV) and ventilatory equivalents for carbon dioxide (V(E)/V(CO2)) were compared between two groups.

[The change and significance of coagulation activity in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats].

Objective: To investigate the role of coagulation activity of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis.

Methods: Fourty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, 24 rats in each group. In the bleomycin (BLM) group, the lung fibrosis model was made by tracheal instillation of bleomycin A(5) (BLMA(5), 5 mg/kg).

[Changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism].

Objective: To explore the changes of the platelet function and serum anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

Methods: Forty-eight patients with PTE diagnosed by spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) were included as the trial group, while 20 person in which PTE was excluded served as the control group. P-selectin, and GPIIb/IIIa expressed on platelets were measured by flow cytometry, and plasma TXB(2), 6-Keto-PGF1alpha, vWF, D-dimer and serum ACA were measured by ELISA and the changes of these parameters were compared 1 week later.

[Detection of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha and anticardiolipin antibody in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To observe the changes of thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha (6-K-PGF1alpha) and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) before and after institution of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).

Methods: Sixty cases of OSAHS confirmed by polysomnography (PSG) were selected as the trial group, and 20 normal donors without OSAHS were recruited as the control group. Nineteen patients with severe OSAHS were treated by nCPAP.

[Clinical observation on effect of auricular acupoint pressing in treating sleep apnea syndrome].

Objective: To study the clinical effect and mechanism of auricular acupoint pressing (AAP) in treating sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

Methods: Forty-five patients with SAS were randomly divided in to the AAP group (30 patients) and the control group (15 patients) to observe the changes of clinical symptoms, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index (AI), hypopnea index (HI) and minimum blood oxygen saturation (mSaO2) in night before and after treatment by multiple channel polysomnography (PSG).

Results: Clinical symptoms were significantly alleviated in the AAP group after treatment, with improvement in various parameters monitored by PSG (P < 0.