Body composition and metabolic syndrome in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Background: In recent years, the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients has gradually increased. Insulin resistance in T1DM deserves attention. It is necessary to clarify the relationship between body composition, metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in T1DM to guide clinical treatment and intervention.

A population-based characterization study of anti-mitochondrial M2 antibodies and its consistency with anti-mitochondrial antibodies.

Objective: This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anti-mitochondrial antibody subtype M2 (AMA-M2) and assess its consistency with AMA in a general population.

Methods: A total of 8954 volunteers were included to screen AMA-M2 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sera with AMA-M2 >50 RU/mL were further tested for AMA using an indirect immunofluorescence assay.

Characteristics of regulatory T-cell function in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C coinfection.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) affect the pathogenesis and disease progression of chronic viral hepatitis. This study evaluated the frequency and function of Tregs in patients with chronic HBV/HCV coinfection. Seventy-four untreated HBV/HCV co-infected patients were enrolled in this study.

Administrative and Claims Data Help Predict Patient Mortality in Intensive Care Units by Logistic Regression: A Nationwide Database Study.

Background: Increasing attention has been paid to the predictive power of different prognostic scoring systems for decades. In this study, we compared the abilities of three commonly used scoring systems to predict short-term and long-term mortalities, with the intention of building a better prediction model for critically ill patients. We used the data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan, which included information on patient age, comorbidities, and presence of organ failure to build a new prediction model for short-term and long-term mortalities.

Metagenome-wide association study of the alterations in the intestinal microbiome composition of ankylosing spondylitis patients and the effect of traditional and herbal treatment.

. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a systemic progressive disease with an unknown etiology that may be related to the gut microbiome. Therefore, a more thorough understanding of its pathogenesis is necessary for directing future therapy.

Regulatory T Cell Function Modulated After Successful Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Patients.

Backgrounds: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) affect the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection.

Aims: This study evaluated the function of Tregs in CHC patients receiving the standard direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) treatment.

Methods: CHC patients (n = 20) who received DAA treatment, clinical data, and function of Tregs were checked at baseline, Week 4, end of treatment (EOT), and 12 weeks after EOT (SVR 12).

Automated tongue diagnosis on the smartphone and its applications.

Tongue features are important objective basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment in both western medicine and Chinese medicine. The need for continuous monitoring of health conditions inspires us to develop an automatic tongue diagnosis system based on built-in sensors of smartphones. However, tongue images taken by smartphone are quite different in color due to various lighting conditions, and it consequently affects the diagnosis especially when we use the appearance of tongue fur to infer health conditions.

Role of gut microbiome in ankylosing spondylitis: an analysis of studies in literature.

Objective: Gut microbiome is considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We conducted a comprehensive literature review in this area to facilitate future research.

Methods: We searched all literature in the PubMed database from inception to July 2016.

Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv decoction inhibits osteogenic differentiation of rat fibroblasts by regulating connexin 43.

Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv (BQZ) decoction is a traditional Chinese medicinal compound widely used for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the mechanisms underlying effects of BQZ remain largely unknown. Osteoblast differentiation of fibroblasts plays an important role in heterotopic ossification (HO) of AS, and connexin 43 (Cx43) is crucially involved in the osteoblast differentiation of fibroblasts.

Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis With a Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv Decoction: A Case Report With a 3-year Follow-up.

Context • Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a refractory rheumatic disease, characterized by sacroiliitis and structural damage, and over decades, it can lead to joint fusion, frequently followed by significant spinal deformity and disability. However, to date, no method has been found to be effective in relieving or blocking structural damage to joints. Objective • The study intended to show that a decoction of Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv (BQZ), a therapy used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), can provide an alternative treatment for AS patients.

Safe limits of contrast vary with hydration volume for prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy after coronary angiography among patients with a relatively low risk of contrast-induced nephropathy.

Background: Few studies have investigated the safe limits of contrast to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) based on hydration data. We aimed to investigate the relative safe maximum contrast volume adjusted for hydration volume in a population with a relatively low risk of CIN.

Methods And Results: The ratios of contrast volume-to-creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) and hydration volume to body weight (HV/W) were determined in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Preprocedural N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is similar to the Mehran contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) score in predicting CIN following elective coronary angiography.

Background: N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been associated with important risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). However, few studies have investigated the predictive value of NT-proBNP itself. This study investigated whether levels of preprocedural NT-proBNP could predict CIN after elective coronary angiography as effectively as the Mehran CIN score.

LDL cholesterol as a novel risk factor for contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and increased vasoconstriction, which are involved in the development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). However, whether LDL-C is an independent risk factor of CI-AKI in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 3236 consecutive patients undergoing PCI between January 2010 and September 2012.

Development of contrast-induced acute kidney injury after elective contrast media exposure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: effect of albuminuria.

Background: The influence of albuminuria and urinary pH on the development of contrast-induced acute kidney disease (CI-AKI) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) after elective coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is unknown.

Methods: CI-AKI was defined as an increase in serum creatinine >26.4 µmol/L or ≥50% of baseline value within 48 hours after contrast media exposure.

Anti-inflammatory activity of extracts of Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv decoction, a Chinese medicinal formula, in M1-polarized RAW264.7.

Background: Bushen-Qiangdu-Zhilv Decoction (BQZ) is one of famous traditional Chinese medical formula for treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the mechanisms underlying effects of BQZ remains unknown. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1, play an important role in AS.

Traditional Chinese medicine versus western medicine as used in China in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, single-blind, 24-week study.

This study is designed to compare the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with western medicine (WM) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This is a 24-week, randomized, multicenter, single-blind study comparing TCM with WM (as used in China) carried out between June 2002 and December 2004 in nine research centers in China, involving 489 patients. Patients were randomized to receive TCM (n = 247), MTX and SSZ (n = 242).

[The relationship between hyperuricemia and contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hyperuricemia and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: A total of 446 consecutive patients with CKD undergoing PCI in Guangdong general hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into hyperuricemic group (n = 205) and normouricemic group (n = 241).

Predictive value of GRACE risk scores for contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction before undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objectives: Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is a well-known serious complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and may cause increased morbidity and mortality. We aim to identify the predictive value of Global Registry for Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk scores for CI-AKI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before primary PCI, allowing pre-procedural decisions regarding prevention therapy for CI-AKI.

Methods: We enrolled 251 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI.

[Association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and contrast-induced nephropathy after primary percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To explore the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with ST-segment elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) .

Methods: A total of 220 STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI from Guangdong general hospital were recruited. Patients were divided into four groups according to the quartile of hs-CRP (Q1 group:hs-CRP < 6.

The extraarticular symptoms influence ACR response in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with biomedicine: a single-blind, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial in 194 patients.

Objective: The extraarticular symptoms are important in the pattern differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the present study is designed in an attempt to find the associations between the extraarticular symptoms and American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Response in 194 cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with biomedicine.

Methods: The data were obtained from a randomized clinical trial. One hundred ninety-four RA patients were treated with the biomedical therapy (diclofenec, methotrexate and sulfasalazine).

[Comparative study on characteristics of Chinese and Western medicine for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis regarding cartilage erosion related blood biochemical and immunological factors].

Objective: To analyse the cartilage erosion related blood biochemical and immune factors in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to explore the special influences of Chinese medicine (CM) and Western medicine (WM) on these factors.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-seven patients, with confirmed diagnosis of active RA, were randomly assigned to the WM group (194 patients) and the CM group (203 patients). The WM applied covered non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents and slow acting medicine; and the CM given included basic remedy and syndrome differentiating medication.

[Principal factor analysis of symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and their correlations with efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine].

Objective: To explore the correlations between symptom-based principal factors of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine or Western medicine on RA after factor analysis of RA symptoms.

Methods: Four hundred and thirteen RA patients from 9 clinical centers were included in the clinical trial. They were randomly divided into Western medicine (WM) treated group with 204 cases and traditional Chinese medicine (CM) treated group with 209 cases.

[Exploration on relationship between platelet count and efficacy of Chinese medicine and Western medicine in treating rheumatoid arthritis patients].

Objective: To explore the correlationship between platelet count and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) or Western medicine (WM) in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: A total of 356 patients with confirmed diagnosis of active RA from 9 clinical centers were randomly assigned to the TCM group (184 cases) and the WM group (172 cases). The TCM group was treated with basic therapy (administration of glucosidorum tripterygll totorum and Yishen Juanbi Pill) and TCM syndrome differentiation dependent treatment, while the WM group was treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs.

[Predictive role of diagnostic information in treatment efficacy of rheumatoid arthritis based on neural network model analysis].

Objective: To analyze the indications of the therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with neural network model analysis.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety-seven patients were included in the clinical trial from 9 clinical centers. They were randomly divided into Western medicine (WM) treated group, 194 cases; and traditional Chinese herbal medicine (CM) treated group, 203 cases.

[Correlations between diagnostic information and therapeutic efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis analyzed with decision tree model].

Objective: To explore the correlations between diagnostic information and therapeutic efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with decision tree model analysis.

Methods: Three hundred and ninety seven patients came from 9 clinical centers were randomly divided into the Western medicine (WM) group (n=194) treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and slow-acting antirheumatic drug and the Chinese medicine (CM) group (n=203) with basic therapy and syndrome-differentiation dependant TCM treatment. TCM and WM diagnostic information were collected.