Association between Serum Alkaline Phosphatase and Carotid Atherosclerosis in a Chinese Population: A Community-based Cross-sectional Study

Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and common carotid intima media thickness(IMT), carotid plaque, and extracranial carotid artery stenosis(ECAS). Methods A total of 3,237 participants aged ≥ 40 years were recruited from Jidong community in 2013-2014. Participants were divided into five quintile groups based on their serum ALP levels. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed using ultrasound. Abnormal IMT, carotid plaque, and ECAS were defined as IMT > 0.9 mm, IMT > 1.5 mm, and ≥ 50% stenosis in at least one extracranial carotid artery, respectively. Results Common carotid IMT values and the prevalence of carotid plaque increased across serum ALP quintiles. Higher ALP quintiles were correlated with an increased risk of abnormal IMT [fourth quintile: odds ratio(OR) 1.78, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.13-2.82, P = 0.0135;fifth quintile: OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.15-2.87, P = 0.0110] and ECAS compared to the lowest quintile(fifth quintile: OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.97, P = 0.0106). The association between ALP and prevalence of carotid plaque became insignificant after adjustment for confounders. Conclusion Serum ALP levels were independently associated with abnormal common carotid IMT and ECAS. These conclusions need to be further corroborated in future prospective cohort studies.

Exploration of computerized image processing in underexposed and overexposed X-rays of bones and joints

Objective: To study the effective computerized image processing of underexposed and overexposed X-rays of bones and joints. Methods: Ninety-nine conventional X-ray images (82 were overexposed and 17 were underexposed),scanned by an UMAX Astra 4000U Scanner, were converted into digital images on the basis of their analog images. A computerized imaging processing program consisting of five functional modules such as Contrast Stretch, Fast Flourier Transform (FFT), Image Smoothing Modules, Inverse Fast Flourier Transform (IFFT) and Nonlinear Transform performed image contrast stretch and smoothing. Three senior doctors from hospital image sections made their evaluation of all the processed images. Results: Of 82 overexposed films, 71 met the clinical requirements after image processing, and 11 were unable to be applied to clinical diagnosis, accounting for 87% and 13% respectively. Of the other 17 underexposed X-ray images, 11 met the clinical requirements while 6 were not, making a percentage of 64 and 35. Conclusion: Image contrast stretch and smoothing processing are significantly effective on conventional X-ray images which were inappropriately exposed, and can avoid more X-ray radiation caused by handling of radiological photograph again. This method can decrease hospital cost and provide acute and effective X-ray examinations for the treatment and cure for critical patients.

Provenance of the lower Es2 in the Shanghe area of the Huimin sag

The provenance of the lower Es2 in the Shanghe area was determined from an approach incorporating analysis, elemental ratios,paleocurrent direction,the typomorphic characteristics of detritus and the distribution of conglomerate and gritstone in the peripheral basin.Typical elemental ratios characteristic of the sedimentary area were compared with those from the source areas as abstracted from sediments of the Huimin sag using cluster analysis.The results show that the distribution pattern focuses on Mg/Mn,Fe/K,Al/Na,Ba/Mn and Al/Mg.Mg/Mn is the highest ratio,from 25 to 45.This is similar to the pattern from the Precambrian.Furthermore,paleocurrent direction was used to determine provenance by examining the distribution of gritstone and the seismic progradational reflections.The research results indicate that the provenance is to the northwest in the Precambrian strata where the sand grain size is rough.To the east there is siltstone,fine sandstone and mudstone.This is significant for the exploration of oil and gas within the study area.

Bibliometric analysis of literature regarding ostomy research based on the Web of Science database

Objective： To analyze the literature status and research hotspots of Science Citation Index （SCI）-related ostomy in the world and to provide references for scientific research and clinical work in the stoma care field. Methods： Based on the Web of Science core database and its own analysis function, HistCite analysis software and Excel were used to study the published research about ostomy patients. Results： A total of 1,262 articles were published between 1910 and 2016 with the authors from 48 countries and regions, 1,347 research institutions, published in 321 journals, with 4,048 first authors and coauthors; globally, there was a trend of slow growth in the number of authors every year. The study in the USA was absolutely in the lead position, and Canada and Turkey were more active. China＇s circulation volume was the 15th in the world. The periodical that published most often was the Journal of Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing. The most interdisciplinary surgical studies were surgery and nursing, where these should be considered important. The most prolific author in the field was ＂Grant＂, and the highest cited article was entitled as ＂Living with a stoma： a review of the literature＂. Conclusions： The related research of global stoma is constantly developing. The research hotspot is nursing before and after stoma surgery. China and the USA are leading countries in research. They should follow the recent trend to improve the depth and breadth of the research in the field.

Value of left ventricular regional ejection fraction determined by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography in diagnosis of aneurysm： compared with left ventriculography

Background Regional ejection fraction （EFR） measured by real-time three-dimensional echocardiography （RT-3DE） provides a novel method for quantifying left-ventricular （LV） regional systolic function. We aimed to explore the diagnostic value of regional ejection fraction （EFR） derived from RT-3DE in detecting LV aneurysms in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods Thirty-eight patients with myocardial infarction were prospectively enrolled and underwent electrocardiography （ECG）, two-dimensional echocardiography （2-DE）, RT-3DE and left ventriculography （LVG）. Subjects with a negative EFR in at least one segment on RT-3DE were considered as having a ventricular aneurysm. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, Youden＇s index, and positive and negative predictive values of ECG, 2-DE and RT-3DE in determining LV aneurysm with detection by LVG. Results On LVG an LV aneurysm was diagnosed in 16 （42.1%） patients. The sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 86.4% for ECG, 81.2% and 95.4% for 2-DE, and 100.0% and 90.9% for RT-3DE in diagnosing LV aneurysm. Youden＇s indexes for ECG, 2-DE and RT-3DE were 0.49, 0.77 and 0.91, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 76.9% and 76.0% for ECG, 92.9% and 87.5% for 2-DE, and 88.9% and 100.0% for RT-3DE. Conclusions RT-3DE-derived EFR provides a novel, reliable index in the diagnosis of LV aneurysm and has excellent sensitivity and specificity.

miR-718和EGR3参与调控肝癌细胞系的恶性表型的研（英文）

目的:研究mi R-718和早期生长反应蛋白3(EGR3)在肝癌细胞系Hep G2及SMMC-7721中对细胞恶性行为的作用。创新点:首次在肝癌细胞系Hep G2和SMMC-7721中发现miR-718作为抑癌基因及EGR3作为促癌基因起到调控肿瘤恶性行为的作用。方法:采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)方法构建mi R-718和EGR3的过表达及敲降质粒,并采用实时定量PCR(q RT-PCR)方法验证质粒有效性;采用MTT法和克隆形成实验检测肝癌细胞系HepG 2和SMMC-7721的生长增殖能力;采用Transwell迁移侵袭实验检测肝癌细胞系Hep G2和SMMC-7721的迁移和侵袭能力;采用增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)荧光报告载体实验验证miR-718的靶基因;采用qR T-PCR和蛋白质印迹(Western blot)检测相关基因表达水平的变化。结论:mi R-718在肝癌细胞系HepG 2和SMMC-7721中起到抑癌基因的作用;EGR3在肝癌细胞系Hep G2和SMMC-7721中起到促癌基因的作用;miR-718是通过靶定EGR3 m RNA 3'UTR下调EGR3的表达起到抑癌基因的作用。

Association of hemoglobin with arterial stiffness evaluated by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity among Chinese adults

Objective: Increased hemoglobin (Hb) levels are known to be associated with increased cardiovascular events and mortalities. Therefore, we assumed that high Hb levels were associated with arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a simple and noninvasive method for measuring arterial stiffness to assess cardiovascular disease in general populations. Accordingly, we conducted a cross-sectional study to explore the association of Hb with PWV. Methods: A total of 6642 adults aged 54.5 ± 11.2 years undergoing physical examinations were enrolled, 71.7% of whom were males. Arterial stiffness was evaluated by carotid-femoral PWV (cfPWV). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine the relationship between Hb and increased cfPWV. Results: In this study, the mean Hb (per 10 g/L increase) was 144.7 ± 13.9 g/L, and the mean cfPWV was 15.1 ± 3.1 m/s. cfPWV was significantly higher in high hemoglobin groups >15.4 g/L (Quartile 4) than in the lowest hemoglobin group (Quartile 1 < 13.6 g/L;P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Hb positively correlated with cfPWV (β= 0.16, P < 0.01). Univariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that Hb was associated with increased cfPWV, with an odd ratio (OR) of 1.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-1.54). After adjusting for potential confounders, Hb and the highest Hb quartile group were also independently associated with increased cfPWV, with a fully adjusted OR of 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02-1.20) and 1.45 (95% CI, 1.01-2.08), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that Hb levels significantly correlate with increased cfPWV.