基于层次分析法的坝顶道路病险因素分析——以南四湖二级坝为例

南四湖二级坝是江苏、山东两省煤炭等货物运输重要通道,为保证二级坝工程的安全和正常运行,应对二级坝坝顶道路进行除险加固。本文在前人研究基础上,通过对坝顶道路风险因素识别,并细分不同类别,采用专家打分法与层次分析法相结合,定性定量共同分析,以期针对不同类型,提出有效加固除险坝顶道路的优化措施。

Re-searching nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)has been a focus of medical research for more than 100 years,with significant interest emerging over the last 58 years following the identification of the link between the disease and Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)infection.NPC possesses several distinctive characteristics among human cancers,notably its well-documented global epidemiology,which reveals localized high-incidence regions primarily in Southeast Asia,particularly in the Southern provinces of China near the Pearl river,as well as in Greenland and North Africa.Epidemiological data indicate a marked male predominance,early disease onset,and a nearly 100%prevalence of latent EBV infection in the tumors.Due to lack of consistent pattern of cancer-related mutations in NPC genomes and excessive DNA-methylation in the tumor cells,NPC can be considered"an epigenetic cancer".Despite extensive researches,convincing biological explanations for these unique characteristics remain elusive.Recently,suggestive evidence has been published that specific local variants of EBV may represent major high risk factors.In spite of tumor and virus specific immunity,it has not been possible to use this for improved treatment.Ongoing studies on the role of the local microflora and tumor microenvironment are essential for a comprehensive understanding of host-EBV-tumor interactions.Ultimately,this knowledge aims to enhance diagnosis,disease fractionation,treatment strategies,and potentially prevention of NPC.

Etiology of chronic pancreatitis:Has it changed in the last decade?

The evidence from recent surveys on chronic pancreatitis carried out around the world shows that alcohol remains the main factor associated with chronic pancreatitis, even if at a frequency lower than that reported previously. It has further conf irmed that heavy alcohol consumption and smoking are independent risk factors for chronic pancreatitis. Autoimmune pancreatitis accounts for 2%-4% of all forms of chronic pancreatitis, but this frequency will probably increase over the next few years. The rise in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis, especially in India, represents a black hole in recently published surveys. Despite the progress made so far regarding the possibility of establishing the hereditary forms of chronic pancreatitis and the recognition of autoimmune pancreatitis, it is possible that we are more inaccurate today than in the past in identifying the factors associated with chronic pancreatitis in our patients.

Long-term prognosis in patients continuing taking antithrombotics after peptic ulcer bleeding

AIM To investigate the long-term prognosis in peptic ulcer patients continuing taking antithrombotics after ulcer bleeding, and to determine the risk factors that influence the prognosis. METHODS All clinical data of peptic ulcer patients treated from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2014 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into either a continuing group to continue taking antithrombotic drugs after ulcer bleeding or a discontinuing group to discontinue antithrombotic drugs. The primary outcome of follow-up in peptic ulcer bleeding patients was recurrent bleeding, and secondary outcome was death or acute cardiovascular disease occurrence. The final date of follow-up was December 31, 2014. Basic demographic data, complications, and disease classifications were analyzed and compared by t- or χ2-test. The number of patients that achieved various outcomes was counted and analyzed statistically. A survival curve was drawn using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the differencewas compared using the log-rank test. COX regression multivariate analysis was applied to analyze risk factors for the prognosis of peptic ulcer patients. RESULTS A total of 167 patients were enrolled into this study. As for the baseline information, differences in age, smoking, alcohol abuse, and acute cardiovascular diseases were statistically significant between the continuing and discontinuing groups(70.8 ± 11.4 vs 62.4 ± 12.0, P < 0.001; 8(8.2%) vs 15(21.7%), P < 0.05; 65(66.3%) vs 13(18.8%), P < 0.001). At the end of the study, 18 patients had recurrent bleeding and three patients died or had acute cardiovascular disease in the continuing group, while four patients had recurrent bleeding and 15 patients died or had acute cardiovascular disease in the discontinuing group. The differences in these results were statistically significant(P = 0.022, P = 0.000). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that the incidence of recurrent bleeding was higher in patients in the continuing group, and the risk of death and developing acute cardiovascular disease was higher in patients in the discontinuing group(log-rank test, P = 0.000 for both). Furthermore, COX regression multivariate analysis revealed that the hazard ratio(HR) for recurrent bleeding was 2.986(95%CI: 067-8.356, P = 0.015) in the continuing group, while HR for death or acute cardiovascular disease was 5.216(95%CI: 1.035-26.278, P = 0.028).CONCLUSION After the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleeding, continuing antithrombotics increases the risk of recurrent bleeding events, while discontinuing antithrombotics would increase the risk of death and developing cardiovascular disease. This suggests that clinicians should comprehensively consider the use of antithrombotics after peptic ulcer bleeding.

Current understanding of coronary artery calcification

Coronary artery calcification （CAC） is highly prevalent in patients with coronary heart disease （CHD） and is associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. There are two recognized type of CAC--intimal and medial calcification, and each of them have specific risk factors. Several theories about the mechanism of vascular calcification have been put forward, and we currently believe that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process. CAC can usually be found in patients with severe CHD, and this asymptomatic phenomenon make early diagnosis of CAC important. Coronary computed tomographic angiography is the main noninvasive tool to detect calcified lesions. Measurement of coronary artery calcification by scoring is a reasonable metric for cardiovascular risk assessment in asymptomatic adults at intermediate risk. To date, effective medical treatment of CAC has not been identified. Several strategies of percutaneous coronary interven- tion have been applied to CHD patients with CAC, but with unsatisfactory results. Prognosis of CAC is still a major problem of CHD pa- tients. Thus, more details about the mechanisms of CAC need to be elucidated in order to improve the understanding and treatment of CAC.

Predictors and in-hospital prognosis of recurrent acute myocardial infarction

Objective To investigate the contributing factors and in-hospital prognosis of patients with or without recurrent acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. Methods A total of 1686 consecutive AMI patients admitted to Peking University People＇s Hospital from January 2010 to December 2015 were recruited. Their clinical characteristics were retrospectively compared between patients with or without a recurrent AMI. Then multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the predictors of recurrent myocardial infarction. Results Recurrent AMI patients were older （69.3 ± 11.5 vs. 64.7 ± 12.8 years, P 〈 0.001） and had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus （DM） （52.2% vs. 35.0%, P 〈 0.001） compared with incident AMI patients, they also had worse heart function at admission, more severe coronary disease and lower reperfusion therapy. Age （OR = 1.03, 95% CI： 1.02-1.05; P 〈 0.001）, DM （OR = 1.86, 95% CI： 1.37-2.52; P 〈 0.001） and reperfusion therapy （OR = 0.74; 95% CI： 0.52-0.89; P 〈 0.001） were independent risk factors for recurrent AMI Recurrent AMI patients had a higher in-hospital death rate （12.1% vs. 7.8%, P = 0.039） than incident AMI patients. Conclusions Recurrent AMI patients presented with more severe coronary artery conditions. Age, DM and reperfusion therapy were independent risk factors for recurrent AMI, and recurrent AM1 was related with a high risk of in-hospital death.

Etiology for Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is a multifaceted progressive irreversible condition and an inevitable part of aging,which has been found to be a contributing factor for low back pain and might cause radiculopathy,myelopathy,spinal stenosis,degenerative spondylolisthesis,and herniations.Its etiology is complex and multifactorial.Although genetics influence more dominant,the occupational and mechanical influences still persist as a major risk factor.This review emphasizes up-to-date knowledge regarding etiology of disc degeneration with special consideration on occupational,lifestyle factors,and genetic polymorphisms.

Biomarkers and potential pathogenesis of colorectal cancer-related ischemic stroke

AIM To investigate the specific biomarkers and potential pathogenesis of colorectal cancer-related ischemic stroke(CRCIS).METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on CRCIS patients(colorectal cancer patients with ischemic stroke without conventional stroke risk factors) registered at seven centers between January 2007 and December 2017. Clinical data and laboratory and imaging findings were compared with age-and sex-matched patients with colorectal cancer(CRC) without ischemic stroke that were admitted to the same hospital during the same period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the independent risk factors for CRCIS. A receiver operator characteristic curve was configured to calculate the optimal cut-off value of the products of the independent risk factors for CRCIS. RESULTS A total of 114 CRCIS patients and 114 CRC patients were included. Multiple lesions in multiple vascular territories were common in CRCIS patients(71, 62.28%). The levels of plasma D-dimer, carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA), cancer antigen 125, and neutrophil count were significantly higher in CRCIS patients than in CRC patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that plasma D-dimer levels [odds ratio(OR) = 1.002, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.001-1.003, P < 0.001], CEA levels(OR = 1.011, 95%CI: 1.006-1.015, P < 0.001), and neutrophil count levels(OR = 1.626, 95%CI: 1.268-2.087, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for CRCIS. In addition, receiver operator characteristic curve revealed that the area under curve for the products of plasma D-dimer, CEA, and neutrophil count was 0.889 ± 0.022(95%CI: 0.847-0.932, P < 0.001), and the optimal cut-off value for the product was 252.06, which was called the CRCIS Index, with a sensitivity of 86.0% and specificity of 79.8%.CONCLUSION Hypercoagulability induced by elevated CEA and neutrophils may be an important cause of CRCIS. The CRCIS index, which serves as a biomarker of CRCIS, needs further study.

Sex Hormones and Androgen Receptor:Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease in Elderly Men

Objective To investigate the variation of sex hormone and its receptor level in elderly male patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and to evaluate the correlations between CHD and sex hormone as well as sex hormone receptor. Methods Altogether 139 male CHD patients (CHD group) aged 60-92 years and 400 healthy men (control group) aged 60-90 years were included in this cross sectional study. The plasma concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS),total testosterone (TT),free testosterone (FT),estradiol (E2),sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG),luteinizing hormone (LH),and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured. The androgen receptor (AR) was tested by flow cytometry. Correlations between CHD and levels of sex hormones and AR were analyzed. Results Compared with the control group,the levels of DHEAS,TT,FT,SHBG,and the fluorescence intensity of AR in the CHD group significantly reduced (P<0.05),while the levels of FSH and E2 significantly increased (P<0.01). Age was negatively correlated with TT (r=-0.28,P=0.00) and FT (r=-0.17,P=0.01),while it was positively correlated with SHBG (r=0.14,P=0.04) and E2 (r=0.33,P=0.00). AR fluorescence intensity was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.12,P=0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that TT,SHBG,and AR were all negatively correlated with CHD (P<0.05). Conclusions Elderly male patients with CHD are found to have low levels of DHEAS,TT,FT,SHBG,and AR,while high concentrations of E2 and FSH. Low levels of TT and SHBG may be the potential risk factors of CHD in elderly men.

Crohn's disease and risk of fracture: does thyroid disease play a role?

AIM: To assess the role of thyroid disease as a risk for fractures in Crohn's patients.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1998 to 2000. The study group consisted of 210 patients with Crohn's disease. A group of 206 patients without inflammatory bowel disease served as controls. Primary outcome was thyroid disorder. Secondary outcomes included use of steroids, immunosuppressive medications, surgery and incidence of fracture.RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperthyroidism was similar in both groups. However, the prevalence of hypothyroidism was lower in Crohn's patients (3.8 % vs 8.2 %, P=0.05).Within the Crohn's group, the use of immunosuppressive agents (0 % vs11 %), steroid usage (12.5 % vs37 %), small bowel surgery (12.5 % vs 28 %) and large bowel surgery (12.5 % vs27 %) were lower in the hypothyroid subset as compared to the euthyroid subset. Seven (3.4 %) Crohn'spatients suffered fracture, all of whom were euthyroid.CONCLUSION: Thyroid disorder was not found to be associated with Crohn's disease and was not found to increase the risk for fractures. Therefore, screening for thyroid disease is not a necessary component in the management of Crohn's disease.

Association between serum homocysteine and arterial stiffness：role of anti-hypertensive drugs

To the Editor I read the article of Zhang, et al. with great interest. They investigated the association of homocysteine with arterial stiffness in Chinese community-based elderly persons. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity （PWV） was significantly higher in the high homocyteine group than in the normal one, however, there was no differences in carotid-radial PWV between the high homocyteine group and the normal one. Homocysteine levels were strongly associated with the carotidfemoral PWV even after adjustment for classical risk factors of cardiovascular disease. I congratulate the authors for this important study. However, I want to make minor criticism for this study from the methodological aspect.

Risk factors for postoperative recurrence after primary bowel resection in patients with Crohn's disease

AIM To evaluate the risk factors for postoperative recurrence after primary bowel resection in a cohort of Korean Crohn's disease(CD) patients.METHODS This study included 260 patients with no history of previous bowel surgery who underwent primary surgery for CD between January 2000 and December 2010 at Asan Medical Center(Seoul, South Korea). The median follow-up period was 101 mo.RESULTS During the follow-up period, 66 patients(25.4%) underwent a second operation for disease recurrence.At 1, 5 and 10 years after the first operation, the cumulative rate of surgical recurrence was 1.1%, 8.3% and 35.9% and clinical recurrence occurred in 1.2%, 23.6% and 68.1%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, undergoing an emergency operation was a significant risk factor for surgical recurrence-free survival(SRFS) [HR = 2.431, 95%CI: 1.394-4.240, P = 0.002], as were the presence of perianal disease after the first operation(HR = 1.715, 95%CI: 1.005-2.926, P = 0.048) and history of smoking(HR = 1.798, 95%CI: 1.088-2.969, P = 0.022). The postoperative use of antitumor necrosis factor(TNF) agents reduced SRFS risk(HR = 0.521, 95%CI: 0.300-0.904, P = 0.02).CONCLUSION History of smoking, postoperative perianal disease and undergoing an emergency operation were independent risk factors for surgical recurrence. Using anti-TNF agents may reduce surgical recurrence.

Risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis

AIM:To evaluate the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)in cirrhotic patients and to identify risk factors for the development of CIN.METHODS:We performed a retrospective review of 216 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who underwent computed tomography(CT)with intravenous contrast at the University of Rochester between the years 2000-2005.We retrospectively examined factors associated with a high risk for CIN,defined as a decrease in creatinine clearance of 25%or greater within one week after receiving contrast.RESULTS:Twenty-five percent of our patients developed CIN,and 74%of these patients had ascites seen on CT.Of the 75%of patients who did not develop CIN,only 46%had ascites.The presence of ascites was a significant risk factor for the development of CIN(P=0.0009,OR 3.38,95%CI 1.55-7.34)in multivariate analysis.Patient age,serum sodium,Model for End-stage Liver Disease score,diuretic use,and the presence of diabetes were not found to be significant risk factors for the development of CIN.Of the patients who developed CIN,11%developed chronic renal insufficiency,defined as a creatinine clearance less than baseline for 6 wk.CONCLUSION:Our results suggest that in hospitalized cirrhotic patients,especially those with ascites,the risk of CIN is substantial.

Metabolic syndrome after liver transplantation: Preventable illness or common consequence?

The metabolic syndrome is common after liver transplant being present in approximately half of recipients. It has been associated with adverse outcomes such as progression of hepatitis C and major vascular events. As the United States population ages and the rate of obesity increases, prevention of the metabolic syndrome in the post-transplant population deserves special consideration. Currently, the metabolic syndrome after transplant appears at least two times more common than observed rates in the general population. Specific guidelines for patients after transplant does not exist, therefore prevention rests upon knowledge of risk factors and the presence of modifiable elements. The current article will focus on risk factors for the development of the metabolic syndrome after transplant, will highlight potentially modifiable factors and propose potential areas for intervention. As in the non-transplant population, behavioral choices might have a major role. Opportunities exist in this regard for health prevention studies incorporating lifestyle changes. Other factors such as the need for immunosuppression, and the changing characteristics of wait listed patients are not modifiable, but are important to know in order to identify persons at higher risk. Although immunosuppression after transplant is unavoidable, the contribution of different agents to the development of components of the metabolic syndrome is also discussed. Ultimately, an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome after transplant is likely unavoidable, however, there are many opportunities to reduce the prevalence.

Extracapsular invasion as a risk factor for disease recurrence in colorectal cancer

AIM: To evaluate the presence of extracapsular invasion (ECI) in positive nodes as a predictor of disease recurrence disease in colorectal cancer. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent colorectal resection were identified for inclusion in this study, of which 46 had positive lymph nodes. Among 46 cases with stage Ⅲcolorectal cancer, 16 had ECI at positive nodes and 8 had disease recurrence. The clinical and pathological features of these cases were reviewed. RESULTS: In the univariate analysis, the number of positive lymph nodes and depth of tumor invasion were significantly associated with the presence of ECI at positive nodes. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only ECI was a predictor of recurrence. The recurrence-free interval differed significantly among patients with ECI at positive nodes.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that ECI at metastatic nodes can identify which cases are at high risk of short-term disease recurrence in colorectal cancer.

Hyperferritinemia is a risk factor for steatosis in chronic liver disease

AIM: To investigate the relationship between ferritin and steatosis in patients with chronically abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) and high ferritin level. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-four consecutive patients with hyperferritinemia (male > 300 ng/mL, female > 200 ng/mL) were evaluated; clinical, biochemical and serological data, iron status parameters, HFE gene mutations and homeostasis model assessment score were obtained. Steatosis was graded by ultrasound as absent or present. Histology was available in 53 patients only. RESULTS: Mean level of ferritin was 881 ± 77 ng/mL in men and 549 ± 82 ng/mL in women. The diagnosis was chronic hepatitis C in 53 (42.7%), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in 57 (45.9%), and cryptogenic liver damage in 14 (11.3%). None was diagnosed as hereditary hemochromatosis (HH). Hepatic siderosis on liver biopsy was present in 17 of 54 (32%) patients; grade 1 in eight and grade 2 in nine. Overall, 92 patients (74.2%) had steatosis. By logistic regression, ferritin and γ-glutamyltransferase were independent predictors of steatosis. Ferritin levels were signifi cantly related to low platelet count, steatosis and hepatitis C virus infection. CONCLUSION: In a non-obese cohort of non-alcoholic patients with chronically abnormal LFTs without HH, high serum ferritin level is a risk factor for steatosis.

Dyslipidemia： evidence of efficacy of the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in the elderly

The clinical decision to control risk factors for cardiovascular disease （CVD） in the elderly takes the followings into consideration： （1） the elderly life expectancy; （2） the elderly biological age and functional capacity; （3） the role of cardiovascular disease in the elderly group; （4） the prevalence of risk factors in the elderly; and （5） The effectiveness of treatment of risk factors in the elderly. A large number of studies showed the efficacy of secondary and primary prevention of dyslipidemia in the elderly. However, the only trial that included patients over 80 years was the Heart Protection Study （HPS）. Statins are considered the first line therapy for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）. Because lifestyle changes are very difficult to achieve, doctors in general tend to prescribe many drugs to control cardiovascular risk factors. However, healthy food consumption remains a cornerstone in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention and should be implemented by everyone.

Multicausality in fatty liver disease:Is there a rationale to distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic origin?

Apart from alcohol,there are other factors that may induce complications,which resemble alcohol-related liver disorders.In particular,obesity has been brought into focus as a risk factor for fatty liver disease.The term "non-alcoholic" fatty liver disease is commonly used to distinguish between obesity-related and alcohol-related hepatic steatosis.This review uses the epidemiological perspective to critically assess whether it is necessary and useful to differentiate between alcoholic and "nonalcoholic" fatty liver disease.The MEDLINE database was searched using the PubMed search engine,and a review of reference lists from original research and review articles was conducted.The concept to distinguish between alcoholic and "non-alcoholic" fatty liver disease is mainly based on specific pathomechanisms.This concept has,however,several limitations including the common overlap between alcohol misuse and obesityrelated metabolic disorders and the non-consideration of additional causal factors.Both entities share similar histopathological patterns.Studies demonstrating differences in clinical presentation and outcome are often biased by selection.Risk factor reduction is the main principle of prevention and treatment of both disease forms.In conclusion,alcoholic and "non-alcoholic" fatty liver diseases are one and the same disease caused by different risk factors.A shift from artificial categories to a more general approach to fatty liver disease as a multicausal disorder may optimize preventive strategies and help clinicians more effectively treat patients at the individual level.

Use of rotational atherectomy for reducing significant dissection in treating de novo femoropopliteal steno-occlusive disease after balloon angioplasty

Background Development of arterial dissection is thought to be an important key factor for bailout stenting in femoropopliteal disease. We aimed to evaluate the difference in dissection rate and outcomes between the treatment group with rotational atherectomy and with？out it. Methods From January 2011 to October 2016, we compared the angiography after balloon angioplasty （BA） of de-novo, femoropop？liteal, steno-occlusive lesions whether they were treated by rotational atherectomy prior to the BA or not. Fifty-nine lesions （8 occlusions; 3 involving popliteal segment; lesion length： 86.3 ± 66.8 mm） in 44 patients （29 males; mean age 66.9 ± 9.7 years） were enrolled for this review. Results Forty-two lesions were treated using rotational atherectomy, prior to BA while 17 were recanalized firstly by BA. Clinical and lesion characteristics were not different between the groups. However, the rate of significant arterial dissection （type C to F） was lower in the atherectomy group （88.2% vs. 42.9%; P = 0.001）. In multivariate analysis, use of the atherectomy device was the only risk factor for prevention of development of significant dissection （P = 0.013; OR = 0.12; 95% CI： 0.025？0.642）. Patients were treated either by the angioplasty alone, drug coated balloon or stent insertion. There was lower trend in target vessel revascularization and primary patency toward the atherectomy group （low rank P = 0.108 and 0.166）, however secondary patency was significantly better （low rank P = 0.001）. Conclusions Rotational atherec？tomy before BA reduced the rate of significant dissection and therefore, might be a valuable option for minimizing need of bailout stenting.

Hemorrhoids:From basic pathophysiology to clinical management

This review discusses the pathophysiology,epidemiology,risk factors,classification,clinical evaluation,and current non-operative and operative treatment of hemorrhoids.Hemorrhoids are defined as the symptomatic enlargement and distal displacement of the normal anal cushions.The most common symptom of hemorrhoids is rectal bleeding associated with bowel movement.The abnormal dilatation and distortion of the vascular channel,together with destructive changes in the supporting connective tissue within the anal cushion,is a paramount finding of hemorrhoids.It appears that the dysregulation of the vascular tone and vascular hyperplasia might play an important role in hemorrhoidal development,and could be a potential target for medical treatment.In most instances,hemorrhoids are treated conservatively,using many methods such as lifestyle modification,fiber supplement,suppositorydelivered anti-inflammatory drugs,and administration of venotonic drugs.Non-operative approaches include sclerotherapy and,preferably,rubber band ligation.An operation is indicated when non-operative approaches have failed or complications have occurred.Several surgical approaches for treating hemorrhoids have been introduced including hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy,but postoperative pain is invariable.Some of the surgical treatments potentially cause appreciable morbidity such as anal stricture and incontinence.The applications and outcomes of each treatment are thoroughly discussed.