Association of diabetes with cardiovascular calcification and all-cause mortality in end-stage renal disease in the early stages of hemodialysis: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The main goal of this study was to examine how diabetes, cardiovascular calcification characteristics and other risk factors affect mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in the early stages of hemodialysis.

Methods: A total of 285 ESRD patients in the early stages of hemodialysis were enrolled in this research, including 101 patients with diabetes. Survival time was monitored, and general data, biochemical results, cardiac ultrasound calcification of valvular tissue, and thoracic CT calcification of the coronary artery and thoracic aorta were recorded.

Clinical features of and risk factors for normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease in hospitalized patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Background: Normoalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (NADKD) is a newly defined DKD, the clinical features and pathogenesis for which are still being understood. This study aimed to investigate the features and risk factors for NADKD in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted.

20(S)-Protopanaxadiol-Induced Apoptosis in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line through the Inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

20(S)-Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is one of the major active metabolites of ginseng. It has been reported that 20(S)-PPD shows a broad spectrum of antitumor effects. Our research study aims were to investigate whether apoptosis of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells could be induced by 20(S)-PPD by targeting the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Protein kinase B/Mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) signal pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Role of TGF-β1 in human colorectal cancer and effects after cantharidinate intervention.

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) were investigated in human colorectal cancer, and the influence of cantharidinate in inhibiting TGF-β1 expression was explored. Relationships among TGF-β1 and sex, age, tumor size, tumor location, tumor stage were also analyzed. H and E and immunohistochemistry staining were employed to assess colorectal cancer and TGF-β1 expression, respectively.

[Effect of plasma glucose on the vascular endothelial function and analysis of relevant factors].

Objective: To compare the flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) among the newly diagnosed impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and the normal controls (NC) and to analyze relevant factors under different glucose levels.

Methods: The study included IGT (n=34), DM1 (n=52), DM2 (n=33) and NC (n=25). Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), fasting insulin (FINS), 2-hour postprandial insulin (PINS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) were determined in all participants.

[Diagnostic value of procalcitonin in ventilator associated pneumonia].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) quantification in ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: Sixty-one patients on ventilators were divided into VAP group and non-VAP group depending on whether the patients developed VAP in 7 days or not. The PCT levels were determined with the method of semi-solid phase immunoassay before and 7 days after instillation of mechanical ventilation in these patients.