The Effect of Autologous Platelet-Rich Gel on the Dynamic Changes of the Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 Expression in the Diabetic Chronic Refractory Cutaneous Ulcers

Aim. To investigate the dynamic changes on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous ulcers after the autologous platelet-rich gel (APG) treatment. Methods. The study was developed at the Diabetic Foot Care Centre, West China Hospital. The granulation tissues from the target wounds were taken before and within 15 days after APG application. The expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 as well as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the granulation tissue was detected by q TR-PCR and IHC. The relationship between the expression level of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 and their ratio and that of TGF-β1 was analyzed. Results. The expression of MMP-2 (P < 0.05) was suppressed, and the expression of TIMP-2 (P < 0.05) was promoted, while the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 (P < 0.05) was decreased after APG treatments. The expression of TGF-β1 had negative correlation with the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 (P < 0.05) and positive correlation with the expression of TIMP-2 (P < 0.05). Conclusions. APG treatment may suppress the expression of MMP-2, promoting that of the TIMP-2 in the diabetic chronic refractory cutaneous wounds. TGF-β1 may be related to these effects

Randomized trials published in some Chinese journals: how many are randomized?

Abstract Background The approximately 1100 medical journals now active in China are publishing a rapidly increasing number of research reports, including many studies identified by their authors as randomized controlled trials. It has been noticed that these reports mostly present positive results, and their quality and authenticity have consequently been called into question. We investigated the adequacy of randomization of clinical trials published in recent years in China to determine how many of them met acceptable standards for allocating participants to treatment groups. Methods The China National Knowledge Infrastructure electronic database was searched for reports of randomized controlled trials on 20 common diseases published from January 1994 to June 2005. From this sample, a subset of trials that appeared to have used randomization methods was selected. Twenty-one investigators trained in the relevant knowledge, communication skills and quality control issues interviewed the original authors of these trials about the participant randomization methods and related quality-control features of their trials. Results From an initial sample of 37,313 articles identified in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, we found 3137 apparent randomized controlled trials. Of these, 1452 were studies of conventional medicine (published in 411 journals) and 1685 were studies of traditional Chinese medicine (published in 352 journals). Interviews with the authors of 2235 of these reports revealed that only 207 studies adhered to accepted methodology for randomization and could on those grounds be deemed authentic randomized controlled trials (6.8%, 95% confidence interval 5.9–7.7). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of authenticity between randomized controlled trials of traditional interventions and those of conventional interventions. Randomized controlled trials conducted at hospitals affiliated to medical universities were more likely to be authentic than trials conducted at level 3 and level 2 hospitals (relative risk 1.58, 95% confidence interval 1.18–2.13, and relative risk 14.42, 95% confidence interval 9.40–22.10, respectively). The likelihood of authenticity was higher in level 3 hospitals than in level 2 hospitals (relative risk 9.32, 95% confidence interval 5.83–14.89). All randomized controlled trials of pre-market drug clinical trial were authentic by our criteria. Of the trials conducted at university-affiliated hospitals, 56.3% were authentic (95% confidence interval 32.0–81.0). Conclusion Most reports of randomized controlled trials published in some Chinese journals lacked an adequate description of randomization. Similarly, most so called 'randomized controlled trials' were not real randomized controlled trials owing toa lack of adequate understanding on the part of the authors of rigorous clinical trial design. All randomized controlled trials of pre-market drug clinical trial included in this research were authentic. Randomized controlled trials conducted by authors in high level hospitals, especially in hospitals affiliated to medical universities had a higher rate of authenticity. That so many non-randomized controlled trials were published as randomized controlled trials reflected the fact that peer review needs to be improved and a good practice guide for peer review including how to identify the authenticity of the study urgently needs to be developed.</p

Effects of COVID-19 vaccination on human fertility: a post-pandemic literature review

AbstractAlthough vaccination with the Coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine is important and effective in the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the public expressed concerns regarding the adverse effects of vaccine on fertility. Some reviews have focused on it, they have been unable to collect sufficient research data because of the earlier publication period. As relevant evidence has gradually increased, we reviewed these studies from the perspectives of males, females with or without pregnancy, and different vaccine types. The results suggest that although males may experience fluctuations in semen parameters within their physiological ranges after receiving the vaccine, it has not yet reached a level of influence on the partner’s pregnancy probability. As to female without pregnancy, it is believed that vaccination will not affect fertility; however, more research is needed to explore the short-term impact. Vaccination during any trimester is considered safe in pregnant women

Forest plotsof the effects of metabolic surgery on: (A) total cholesterol and (B) triglyceride.

<p>CI = confidence interval; IV = inverse variance; SD = standard deviation.</p

Forest plotsof the effects of metabolic surgery on: (A) C-peptide and (B) HOMA-IR.

<p>CI = confidence interval;HOMA-IR = homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance; IV = inverse variance; SD = standard deviation.</p

Baseline characteristics of the included studies.

<p>BAGUA = one anastomosis gastric bypass;BMI = body mass index; BPD = biliopancreatic diversion; FBG: fasting blood glucose; DJB = duodenojejunalbypass; HOMA-IR: homeostatic model of insulin resistance; M/F = male/female; LII-DSG = laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy; LMGB = laparoscopic mini gastric bypass;PP = postprandial blood glucose; RYGB = roux-en-Y gastric bypass; TC = total cholesterol; TG = triglyceride</p><p>Baseline characteristics of the included studies.</p

Bariatric Surgery for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with BMI <30 kg/m²: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<div><p>Background and Objective</p><p>The role of bariatric surgery in non-obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains unclear, and its use in clinical practice is controversial. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to investigate the metabolic changes after surgical treatment in diabetic patients with body mass index (BMI) <30 kg/m².</p><p>Methods</p><p>We conducted a comprehensive search in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE and the Cochrane Library of published articles from January 2000 to April 2013 reporting the clinical outcome changes in various metabolic outcomes in diabetic patients with BMI <30 kg/m².</p><p>Results</p><p>Ten prospective studies including 290 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Bariatric surgery led to an overall 2.79 kg/m² [95%CI 2.05~3.53, P<0.00001] reduction in BMI, a 1.88%[95%CI 1.32~2.43, P<0.00001] reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin, a 3.70 mmol/L [95%CI, 1.93~5.47, P<0.00001] reduction in fasting blood glucose, a 6.69 mmol/L [95%CI, 2.29~11.08, P=0.003] reduction in postprandial glucose, anda 3.37 [95%CI 0.55~6.18, P=0.02] reduction in homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). After surgical treatment, 76.2% of the patients were insulin free, and 61.8% patients were off medication. In total, 90(42.4%), 10(37%) and 34(37.2%) patients had post-surgical HbA1c levels of <6%,<6.5% and<7%, respectively. No deaths were observed in the included studies, and the major complication rate was 6.2%.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Based on the currently available data, bariatric surgery might improve glycemic control and weight loss in a very limited range with a doubled surgical complication rate in drug-refractory T2DM patients with BMI <30 kg/m². It remains too premature to suggest bariatric surgery for non-obese T2DM patients.</p></div