Long-term outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus medical therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been widely used for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with overweight or obesity. However, the long-term outcomes of RYGB versus medical therapy have not been well compared.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of RYGB versus medical therapy for patients with T2D.

Emerging Role of Pericytes and Their Secretome in the Heart.

Pericytes, as mural cells covering microvascular capillaries, play an essential role in vascular remodeling and maintaining vascular functions and blood flow. Pericytes are crucial participants in the physiological and pathological processes of cardiovascular disease. They actively interact with endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), fibroblasts, and other cells via the mechanisms involved in the secretome.

Histone Acetyltransferase p300 Inhibitor Improves Coronary Flow Reserve in SIRT3 (Sirtuin 3) Knockout Mice.

Background Coronary microvascular dysfunction is common in patients of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) reflects coronary microvascular function and is a powerful independent index of coronary microvascular dysfunction and heart failure. Our previous studies showed that knockout of SIRT3 (Sirtuin 3) decreased CFR and caused a diastolic dysfunction.

Outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in elderly patients.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the short- and longterm outcomes of elderly and middle-aged patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Methods: From January 2010 to February 2017, a total of 75 patients with gastric cancer aged ≥70 years (elderly group) underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy, and their short- and long-term outcomes were compared with those of 197 patients with gastric cancer aged 60-69 years (middleaged group) who underwent also laparoscopic gastrectomy during the same period.

Results: With respect to the patients' preoperative baseline characteristics, the elderly group had a higher Charlson comorbidity index score, rate of previous abdominal operations, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification score compared to middle-aged patient group.

Comparative study of surgical knots using a domestically produced Chinese surgical robot, laparoscope, or barehanded approach.

Background: We conducted a comparative analysis of the first domestically produced Chinese surgical robot, 'MicroHand', laparoscopic, and barehanded approaches in tying surgical knots.

Methods: Four surgeons performed square or triple knots individually using the three approaches and documented the operational time, circumference, the bearable tension and action trajectory for each knot.

Results: MicroHand took more time than the barehanded method but nearly the same as with the laparoscope.

Increasing patients' ability to identify their physicians with a photo album: a prospective study.

Objectives: Patients in teaching hospitals often encounter difficulty in correctly identifying their physicians. We hypothesized that a photo album of physicians might increase the ability of patients to correctly identify their physicians and hence conducted this study to test the hypothesis.

Design: A prospective study was conducted.

[Mechanism research progress of bariatric surgery for type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus experience a complete and comfirm diabetic remission after bariatric surgery. Although weight-loss, reduction of food intake and other factors may play important roles in diabetic resolution after bariatric surgery, the major mechanism is the change in gastrointestinal hormones. Further research is essential to better understand these mechanisms and bariatric surgery may ultimately become a major tool in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive method of solid tissue ablation therapy. However, only a few studies have reported the effect of HIFU for unresectable pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits, survival time and complications associated with the use of HIFU ablation in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Multivariate analysis of molecular indicators for postoperative liver metastasis in colorectal cancer cases.

Aims: To explore the relationship between various molecular makers and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Method: Using immunohistochemistry, protein expression of CEA, nm23, c-met, MMP2, COX- 2, VEGF, EGFR, and CD44 was assessed in 80 CRC cases. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to analyze the relationship between these indicators and CRC liver metastasis.

Effects of linear-polarized near-infrared light irradiation on chronic pain.

In order to study the efficacy of linear-polarized near-infrared light irradiation (LPNIR) on relieving chronic pain in conjunction with nerve block (NB) or local block (LB), a 3-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the pre- and post-therapy pain intensity. Visual analogue scales (VASs) were measured in all patients before and 6 months after therapy visiting the pain clinic during the period of August 2007 to January 2008. A total of 52 patients with either shoulder periarthritis or myofascial pain syndrome or lateral epicondylitis were randomly assigned into two groups by drawing lots.

Characteristics of functionalized nano-hydroxyapatite and internalization by human epithelial cell.

Hydroxyapatite is the main inorganic component of biological bone and tooth enamel, and synthetic hydroxyapatite has been widely used as biomaterials. In this study, a facile method has been developed for the fabrication of arginine-functionalized and europium-doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Arg-Eu-HAP). The synthesized nanoparticles characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared, and Zeta potential analyzer.

Biological properties of carbon/carbon implant composites with unique manufacturing processes.

The goal was to manufacture carbon/carbon (C/C) composites through a unique procedure with improved biocompatibility and reduced debris release. C/C composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition, and their biological properties were analyzed. With regard to mechanical properties, compressive strength/modulus was 219.

[Effect of anti-ICOS monoclonal antibody combined with low-dose CsA on chronic rejection of heart grafts in rats].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of anti-inducible costimulator monoclonal antibody (anti-ICOS-Ab) combined with low-dose cyclosporine (CsA) on the survival quality and chronic rejection of heart allografts in rats.

Methods: The rats' heterotopic cardiac transplantation model was established by Ono's method. The recipient rats were randomly divided into an isotransplantation control group and an allotransplantation experiment group.

[In vitro and in vivo studies on hydroxyapatite nanoparticles as a novel vector for inner ear gene therapy].

Objective: To assess the possibility of hydroxyapatite (HAT) nanoparticles as a gene vector for inner ear gene transfection.

Methods: The HAT nanoparticles were prepared by the precipitation hydrothermal technique. DNA binding test under series of pH values and HAT concentrations were carried out by means of DNA electrophoresis to show the DNA binding and protective effect of the HAT nanoparticles.

Endoscopic variceal ligation combined with Hassab's procedure in preventing the recurrence of esophageal varices.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with Hassab's procedure in the prevention of variceal recurrence.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-five patients with esophageal varices were randomized to receive EVL alone, Hassab's procedure alone or a combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure for variceal eradication. Ultrasonographic venous network images were recorded by an esophageal microprobe before and after the EVL or Hassab's procedure.

Preoperative risk factor analysis in orthotopic liver transplantation with pretransplant artificial liver support therapy.

Aim: To assess the value of pre-transplant artificial liver support in reducing the pre-operative risk factors relating to early mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: Fifty adult patients with various stages and various etiologies undergoing OLT procedures were treated with molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS) as preoperative liver support therapy. The study included two parts, the first one is to evaluate the medical effectiveness of single MARS treatment with some clinical and laboratory parameters, which were supposed to be the therapeutical pre-transplant risk factors, the second part is to study the patients undergoing OLT using the regression analysis on preoperative risk factors relating to early mortality (30 d) after OLT.

Drug resistance of infectious pathogens after liver transplantation.

Background: Infection in liver recipients is related to high risk of transplantation failure and mortality. Infectious agents isolated from 55 liver recipients from January 2003 through June 2005 were studied to improve the anti-infectious therapy.

Methods: Pathogens were isolated from routine culture.

[Biotoxicology and biodynamics of silica nanoparticle].

Objective: To investigate the toxicology and biodynamics of silica nanoparticle.

Methods: The silica nanoparticles were injected into mice through tail vein, and the mice were amphimixised, the urine was collected in different time, variations of pathology in organs and tissues of the mice were detected. At the same time, the silica nanoparticles' distribution in the tissues was observed through electron microscope.

[Pathogenic characters of infected bacteria after liver transplantation].

Objective: To analyze the main pathogens of infection after the liver transplantation and their antibiotic resistant patterns.

Methods: The main pathogens of infection after the liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Using 3-dimensional tests, ESBLs (extended-spectrum beta-lactamase), and AmpC were detected among the Gram negative bacilli.

[Preoperation risk factor analysis in orthotopic liver transplantation with pre-transplant artificial liver support therapy].

Objectives: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is an accepted therapy for selected patients with advanced liver diseases. However, the early mortality rate after OLT remains relatively high due to the poor selection of candidates with various serious conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the value of pretransplantation artificial liver support treatment in reducing the pre-operation risk factors relating to early mortality after OLT.