An Age-Specific Serum Thyrotropin Reference Range for the Diagnosis of Thyroid Diseases in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

The fact that serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels increase with age may influence the diagnosis of thyroid diseases in older adults. This study aimed to establish an age-specific serum TSH reference range, examine the prevalence of thyroid diseases in older adults ≥65 years, and analyze the risk factors. A cross-sectional study of adult populations in 10 cities in China was conducted from 2010 to 2011.

Utility of the JT Peak Interval and the JT Area in Determining the Proarrhythmic Potential of QT-Shortening Agents.

Drug-induced long QT increases the risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmia known as (TdP). Many biomarkers have been used to predict TdP. At present, however, there are few biomarkers for arrhythmias induced by QT-shortening drugs.

Clinical analysis of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 in patients with in-stent restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention.

In-stent restenosis (ISR) is the most common complication associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Although some studies have reported an association between lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and ISR, not enough clinical validation data are available to support this link. Here, we report our cross-sectional study aimed at exploring the feasibility of LOX-1 as a biomarker for the prognostic diagnosis of patients undergoing PCI.

[Discussion on the standard of clinical genetic testing report and the consensus of gene testing industry].

The widespread application of next generation sequencing (NGS) in clinical settings has enabled testing, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic diseases. However, many issues have arisen in the meanwhile. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of standards for reporting genetic test results across different service providers.

The expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 and its interaction with dendritic marker microtubule-associated protein-2 after status epilepticus.

Objective: Acute seizures induced dendritic formation and synaptogenesis promotes aberrant circuitry development and further aggravates underlying conditions towards chronic epilepsy. The G protein-coupled receptor kinase-5 (GRK5) served as a key modulator in neurogenesis and the establishment of functional neuronal circuitry. This included dendritic development, as its dysfunction could cause different central nervous system disorders, including Alzheimer's disease.

Icotinib versus whole-brain irradiation in patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer and multiple brain metastases (BRAIN): a multicentre, phase 3, open-label, parallel, randomised controlled trial.

Background: For patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and multiple brain metastases, whole-brain irradiation (WBI) is a standard-of-care treatment, but its effects on neurocognition are complex and concerning. We compared the efficacy of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), icotinib, versus WBI with or without chemotherapy in a phase 3 trial of patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC and multiple brain metastases.

Methods: We did a multicentre, open-label, parallel randomised controlled trial (BRAIN) at 17 hospitals in China.

Therapeutic effect of minimally invasive interventional treatment of brain hematoma.

To investigate the therapeutic effect of minimally invasive interventional treatment of brain hematoma, 128 patients with brain hematoma were randomly divided into two groups, including observation group (64 cases) and control group (64 cases). The observation group was performed with minimally invasive interventional therapy and drug conservative therapy was used in the control group. Clinical curative effect, treatment of neural function defect score, and quality of life score were recorded.

Modulation of membrane phosphoinositide dynamics by the phosphatidylinositide 4-kinase activity of the Legionella LepB effector.

Legionella pneumophila, the causative bacterium for Legionnaires' disease, hijacks host membrane trafficking for the maturation of the Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV). The LCV membrane mainly contains PtdIns4P, which is important for anchoring many secreted Legionella effectors onto the LCV. Here, we identify a cryptic functional domain (LepB_NTD) preceding the well-characterized RabGAP domain in the Legionella Dot/Icm type IV secretion system effector LepB.

Primary Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Kidney on FDG PET/CT.

A 28-year-old woman presented gradually worsening intermittent right groin pain for 10 months. FDG PET/CT was performed to evaluate the suspected renal malignancy. The images demonstrated a large hypermetabolic tumor occupying the entire right kidney.

Iodine Status and Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders After Introduction of Mandatory Universal Salt Iodization for 16 Years in China: A Cross-Sectional Study in 10 Cities.

Background: The goal of eliminating iodine deficiency worldwide was successfully achieved in China after the implementation of a mandatory universal salt iodization program for the last 16 years. Thus, China has been assessed as a country with more than adequate iodine levels. This survey aimed to investigate the current iodine status in China and the effects of an increased iodine intake on the spectrum and prevalence of thyroid disorders.

The association of metabolic syndrome with left ventricular mass and geometry in community-based hypertensive patients among Han Chinese.

Background: The association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is controversial. The objective of our study was to investigate the influence of MS on LV mass and geometry in community-based hypertensive patients among Han Chinese.

Materials And Methods: This study included 1733 metabolic syndrome patients according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) definition and 2373 non-MS hypertension patients.

High-density lipoprotein of patients with breast cancer complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus promotes cancer cells adhesion to vascular endothelium via ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 upregulation.

Adhesion of disseminating tumor cells to vascular endothelium is a pivotal starting point in the metastasis cascade. We have shown previously that diabetic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has the capability of promoting breast cancer metastasis, and this report summarizes our more recent work studying the role of abnormal HDL in facilitating the adhesion of the circulating tumor cells to the endothelium. This is an initiating step in breast cancer metastasis, and this work assesses the role of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in this process.

Clinicopathological features of primary hepatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a report of seven cases and a literature review.

We studied the imaging and histopathological features of primary hepatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in order to explore the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and treatment. Immunolabelling was performed in seven cases of primary hepatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma using histological and immunohistochemical techniques. The clinical manifestations; imaging, histopathological, and immunohistochemical features; treatment; and prognosis of primary hepatic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma were observed and analyzed in light of the relevant literature.

Efficacy of acarbose and metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients stratified by HbA1c levels.

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the therapeutic efficacy of acarbose and metformin is correlated with baseline HbA1c levels in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Data for 711 subjects were retrieved from the MARCH (Metformin and AcaRbose in Chinese as initial Hypoglycemic treatment) trial database and reviewed retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to baseline HbA1c levels (<7%, 7%-8%, and >8%) and the results for these three groups were compared between acarbose and metformin treatments.

A multi-institutional survey on the practice of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided pseudocyst drainage in the Asian EUS group.

Background: There is a lack of consensus on how endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided pseudocyst drainage should be performed. This survey was carried out amongst members of the Asian Endoscopic Ultrasonography Group (AEG) to describe their practices in performing this procedure.

Methods: This was an Asia wide multi-institutional survey amongst members of the Asian EUS group conducted between November and December 2013.

Epidermal growth factor receptor and AKT1 gene copy numbers by multi-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization impact on prognosis in breast cancer.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway aberrations play significant roles in breast cancer occurrence and development. However, the status of EGFR and AKT1 gene copy numbers remains unclear. In this study, we showed that the rates of EGFR and AKT1 gene copy number alterations were associated with the prognosis of breast cancer.

A 50% vs 30% dose of verteporfin (photodynamic therapy) for acute central serous chorioretinopathy: one-year results of a randomized clinical trial.

Importance: A randomized clinical trial is needed to evaluate what is the best photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocol to use for acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of a 50% dose of verteporfin (a method of PDT) with the efficacy and safety of a 30% dose for acute central serous chorioretinopathy.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter, noninferiority, double-masked, randomized, controlled, clinical trial in which 131 patients (131 eyes) with acute central serous chorioretinopathy for less than 6 months were recruited with a follow-up of 12 months from university-based ophthalmology practices.

[Assay of adiponectin, leptin, true insulin and ghrelin levels in preterm human milk, and its relationship with infants growth].

Objective: To understand adiponectin, leptin, insulin and ghrelin levels in preterm colostrum and mature milk and their influence on the growth and development of the premature infant.

Method: The study subjects were divided into two groups: preterm group and control group. Specimens of colostrum and mature milk on 42nd day after delivery were collected, the general situation of maternal and infants growth parameters at birth and at postnatal 42 days were recorded.

A robust and real-time vascular intervention simulation based on Kirchhoff elastic rod.

A virtual reality (VR) based vascular intervention simulation system is introduced in this paper, which helps trainees develop surgical skills and experience complications in safety remote from patients. The system simulates interventional radiology procedures, in which flexible tipped guidewires are employed to advance diagnostic or therapeutic catheters into vascular anatomy of a patient. A real-time physically-based modeling approach ground on Kirchhoff elastic rod is proposed to simulate complicated behaviors of guidewires and catheters.

Multi-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect cell cycle gene copy number aberrations in young breast cancer patients.

Breast cancer is a disease of cell cycle, and the dysfunction of cell cycle checkpoints plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. We employed multi-gene fluorescence in situ hybridization (M-FISH) to investigate gene copy number aberrations (CNAs) of 4 genes (Rb1, CHEK2, c-Myc, CCND1) that are involved in the regulation of cell cycle, in order to analyze the impact of gene aberrations on prognosis in the young breast cancer patients. Gene copy number aberrations of these 4 genes were more frequently observed in young breast cancer patients when compared with the older group.

Endovascular stent-graft treatment for a traumatic vertebrovertebral arteriovenous fistula with pseudoaneurysm.

The rarely occurring vertebrovertebral arteriovenous fistula (VVAVF) is characterized by abnormal direct communications between the vertebral artery or its branches and the neighboring venous system. We present our experience using a stent graft to occlude a chronic, traumatic VVAVF. A 40-year-old woman with dizziness and loud bruits from the occiput underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which revealed a VVAVF with pseudoaneurysm at the C5-C6 level, with retrograde flow from the right vertebral artery.