The clinical value of lung ultrasound in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants and the clinical application value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. METHODS: A total of 80 premature infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks or a birth weight of <1,500 g who were treated in our hospital from January to August 2021 were randomly divided into a bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=12) and a non-bronchopulmonary dysplasia group (n=62). The clinical data, lung ultrasound, and X-ray image characteristics of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 74 preterm infants, 12 preterm infants were diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and 62 preterm infants were determined not to have bronchopulmonary dysplasia. There were significant differences in sex, severe asphyxia, invasive mechanical ventilation, premature membrane ruptures, and intrauterine infection between the two groups (p<0.05). Lung ultrasound showed abnormal pleural lines and alveolar-interstitial syndrome in all 12 patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and vesicle inflatable signs in 3 patients. Before clinical diagnosis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 98.65, 100, 98.39, 92.31, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of X-rays in the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia were 85.14, 75.00, 87.10, 52.94, and 94.74%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic efficiency of lung ultrasound for premature bronchopulmonary dysplasia is better than that of X-rays. The application of lung ultrasound can screen patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia early for timely intervention.

Effect of psychological capital and social support on job satisfaction among workers in a natural gas field / 中国职业医学

@#To explore the effects of psychological capital social support and their interaction on job satisfaction in Methods natural gas field workers. A total of 1 473 workers from a natural gas field were selected as the research subjects ， using convenient sampling method. Job Satisfaction Questionnaire Psychological Capital Questionnaire and Social Support ， Results Scale were used to investigate the scores of job satisfaction psychological capital and social support level. The ， ， detection rates of job satisfaction psychological capital and social support in the high level group were 55.9% 52.5% and ， 48.1% respectively. The detection rates of job satisfaction of workers in the high level psychological capital group and high level （ social support group were higher than those in the low level psychological capital group and low level social support group 67.4% vs ， vs ， P ） 43.3% 71.9% 41.2% all <0.01 . The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that psychological capital ［ （CI） （ - ） and social support had positive effects on job satisfaction odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were 1.58 1.17 2.41 （ - ）， ， P ］ ， and 2.53 1.82 3.52 respectively all <0.01 . Moreover the psychological capital and social support had additive effect on ［ CI （ - ）， CI job satisfaction relative excess risk of interaction and 95% was 3.07 1.02 5.12 attributable proportion and 95% was （ - ）， CI （ - ）］， 0.48 0.35 0.61 synergy index and 95% was 2.34 1.72 3.16 but there was no multiplication interaction between （P ）Conclusion psychological capital and social support >0.05 . Psychological capital and social support can positively affect job satisfaction of natural gas workers. There is an additive interaction between psychological capital and social support on job ， satisfaction but no multiplicative interaction is found. Keywords: ； ； ； ； ； Psychological capital Social support Job satisfaction Interaction Natural gas Worker

Research progress on factors affecting bacterial adhesion on the oral implant surface / 口腔疾病防治

@#Reducing the adhesion of microorganisms and the formation of biofilms on implant surfaces can prevent peri-implant inflammation and optimize the long-term prognosis of implanted dentures. To provide theoretical support for the development of new materials or the modification of existing materials and the improvement of the success rate of implant repair, a literature review was conducted, which shows that the factors influencing bacterial adhesion on dental implant surfaces included the type of implant material, material roughness, nonspecific physical and chemical properties, the type of antibacterial coating, the components of the acquired membrane on the implant surface, the structure of the bacterial cell wall, etc. The current research direction of implant materials aims to reduce bacterial adhesion and promote bone bonding. However, there is no consensus on the physical and chemical properties of implants that meet this requirement. At present, the development trend in implant materials is guided by research of the “core microbiome” of peri-implant inflammation, based on study of the factors related to the adhesion of pathogenic microorganisms to the implant surface, which is organically combined with a variety of modification methods to change the surface-related properties of the implant materials and even to endow the implant with antibacterial properties to reduce or inhibit the adhesion of pathogenic bacteria to the implant.

Pharmacokinetic Study on Single and Multiple Administration of Gefitinib Emulsion in Rats / 中国药房

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE：To study pharmacokinetic characteristics of single dose and multiple dose administration of Gefitinib emulsion in rats. METHODS：The rats were divided into single administration group and multiple administration group. Single administration group was subdivided into Gefitinib raw medicine group（50 mg/kg，i.g.）and Gefitinib emulsion group（50 mg/kg，i.g.），with 6 rats in each group，gavage once. Multiple administration group were subdivided into Gefitinib raw medicine group （50 mg/kg）and Gefitinib emulsion group（50 mg/kg），with 8 rats in each group；they were given relevant medicine intragastricaly for consecutive 7d，once a day. 0.3 mL blood of rats in Gefitinib raw medicine group was taken before medication and 1，2，2.5， 3，3.5，3.75，4，4.25，4.5，6，8，12 and 24 h after medication；0.3 mL blood of rats in Gefitinib emulsion group was taken before medication and 2，4，6，8，9，10，11，12，13，14，16，24，36 and 48 h after administration（Multiple administration group is after 7 d of administration）. HPLC method was used to determine the plasma concentration of gefitinib in rat，and plasma concentration-time curves were drawn. Pharmacokinetic parameters were fitted by using DAS 2.0 software. RESULTS：After single administration，compared with the tmax（[ 2.67±0.75）h]，MRT0-24 h （[ 8.68±0.91）h]，MRT0- ∞ （[ 14.20±3.45）h] of Gefitinib raw medicine group，tmax （[ 8.33±4.41）h]，MRT0-48 h （[ 15.00±1.60）h]，MRT0-∞ （[ 17.60±2.66）h] of Gefitinib emulsion group were increased significantly（P＜0.05）. After multiple administration，compared with the tmax （[ 6.79±3.75）h]，AUC0-48 h （[ 41.10±8.92） mg·h/L]，Vz/F [（16.30±5.45）L/kg]，CLz/F [（0.94±0.19） L/（h·kg）]，MRT0-48 h （[ 10.10 ± 0.36） h] of Gefitinib raw medicine group，Vz/F [（44.20±30.3）L/kg]，CLz/F[（1.89± 1.56） L/（h·kg）]，MRT0-48 h （[ 16.20 ± 2.52） h] of Gefitinib emulsion group were increased significantly （P＜0.05） AUC0-48 h （[ 38.70±26.20）mg·h/L] was decreased significantly （P＜0.05），and tmax （[ 10.40±3.25）h] was increased，without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS： Compared with Gefitinib raw medicine，single and multiple administration of Gefitinib emulsion can effectively prolong the peak time，the results of this study can provide reference for new delivery system study of Gefitinib.

Application of ERCP in treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease. Methods From October 2010 to October 2016 , 27 patients who were admitted for hepatic hydatid disease underwent therapeutic ERCP pre- or post-operation, then we retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging examinations, ERCP methods and therapeutic effects in perioperative period of ERCP. Results All the 27 patients who underwent ERCP pre-or post-operations because of biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease obtained good treatment effect. There were some reasons for ERCP, 12 cases for acute suppurative cholangitis and obstructive jaundice caused by intrabiliary rupture and 7 for severe jaundice compress by large hepatic hydatid cyst, whereas 6 cases for biliary fistula and 2 for biliary stricture after operation. 6 indexes including white blood cell count (WBC), aspertate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were significantly different between 24 hours pre- and 48 hours post- ERCP (P < 0.05), all the patients were improved after operation. Conclusion ERCP which is performed at pre- or post- operation may be an effective treatment for biliary complications of hepatic hydatid disease such as acute suppurative cholangitis, biliary fistula and stricture.

Epidemic characteristics of imported falciparum malaria in Huai'an City / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the situation and epidemic characteristics of imported falciparum malaria in Huai'an City from 2010 to 2016,so as to provide the evidence for formulating the prevention and control strategies of imported falci-parum malaria in the city. Methods The epidemic data of imported falciparum malaria in Huai'an City from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed by using the descriptive epidemiological method. Results A total of 308 malaria cases were reported in Huai'an City from 2010 to 2016 with the average annual incidence of 0.88/105. A total of 240 imported falciparum malaria cases were report-ed,of which 18 cases(7.50%)developed into severe illness,and 2 severe patients died. The cases were reported in every coun-ty(district),and the incidence rates of Qingpu District and Huai'an District were higher than the city average level. The cases occurred every month,so there was no significant seasonal variation in the reporting time of the cases. Most of the patients were young men and aged 30-49 years. The occupational distribution revealed that the patients were mainly farmers,workers and mi-grant workers. The main source of infection was from African countries. The median interval from symptom appearing to definite diagnosis was 1 day,and the longest interval was 236 days. Twenty-nine cases were diagnosed within 24 hours,accounting for 12.08%. Conclusions The epidemic situation of imported falciparum malaria in Huai'an City is grim. In order to consolidate the achievements of malaria eradication,it is necessary to further improve the multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism,strengthen the management of floating population and take effective measures to reduce the risk of imported falciparum malaria.

SOD mimicAEOL-10150 improve lifespan and delay brain aging via inhibition of senescence-associated secretory phenotype in SAMR1 strain / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To observe the anti-aging effects of SOD mimicAEOL-10150 in anti-senescence accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) strain. METHODS The lifespan of SAMR1 mice were observed by subcutaneous injection AEOL-101502 mg·kg- 1 once a week. Morris water maze, new object recognition, nesting and forced swimming were used to observe the behavioral changes of animals. Lymphocyte subgroups and ROS were measured by Flow cytometry. The cytokines levels were determined by Luminex method. The number of DCX + neurons in brain tissue was observed by immunofluorescence. RESULTS The results showed that AEOL-10150 could prolong the mean lifespan of SAMR1 mice, but it had no obvious effect on maximal lifespan. What's more, AEOL-10150 could significantly improve the spatial learning memory of aged mice, but it could not increase the number of DCX+ neurons in the hypothalamic MBH and hippocampal DG regions. Then, we observed the effects of AEOL-10150 on peripheral blood lymphocyte subgroups and cytokines. We found that AEOL-10150 significantly modulated the lymphocyte subgroups and cytokine release. Especially, AEOL-10150 can dose-dependently inhibit plasma levels of SASP related inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-17. CONCLUSION The results indicate that AEOL-10150 has anti-aging effects, and the effects are closely related to modulating immunity and inhibiting SASP production.

Effects of LW-AFC, a new formula derived from Liuwei Dihuang decoction, on intestinal microbiome in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 strain, a mouse model of Alzheimer disease / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of LW-AFC, a new formula derived from Liuwei Dihuang decoction, on gut microbiota and the behavior of learning and memory of SAMP8 mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer Disease (AD), and identify the specific intestinal microbiota correlating with cognitive ability. METHODS Morris-water maze test, novel object recognition test and shuttle-box test were conducted to observe the ability of learning and memory. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA) was employed to investigate gut microbiota. RESULTS The treatment of LW- AFC improved cognitive impairments of SAMP8 mice, including spatial learning and memory ability, active avoidance response, and object recognition memory capability. Our data indicated that there were significantly 8 increased and 12 decreased operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the gut microbiota of SAMP8 mice compared with senescence accelerated mouse resistant 1 (SAMR1) strains, the control of SAMP8 mice. The treatment of LW- AFC altered 22 (16 increased and 6 decreased) OTUs in SAMP8 mice and among them, 15 OTUs could be reversed by LW-AFC treatment resulting in a microbial composition similar to that of SAMR1 mice. We further showed that there were 7 (3 negative and 4 positive correlation) OTUs significantly correlated with all the three types of cognitive abilities, at the order level, including Bacteroidales, Clostridiales, Desulfovibrionales, CW040, and two unclassified orders. LW-AFC had influences on bacterial taxa correlated with the abilities of learning and memory in SAMP8 mice and restored them to SAMR1 mice. CONCLUSION The effects of LW-AFC on improving cognitive impairments of SAMP8 mice might be via modulating intestinal microbiome and LW-AFC could be used as a potential anti-AD agent.

LW-AFC and its active components ameliorate corticosterone-induced long-term potentiation impairment in mice / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE LW- AFC is extracted from the classical traditional Chinese medicinal prescription-Liuwei Dihuang Decoction. Previous studies have showed that LW-AFC could improve learning & memory ability in amny animal models. In this study, we focused on evaluating the effect of several main active components from LW-AFC (B-B; loganin, LOG; morroniside, MOR; paeoniflorin, PF and stachyose, STA) on LTP. METHODS In vivo recording of LTP was used in this study to evaluate the effects of LW-AFC and it's active components on coticorsterone (Cort) induced LTP impairment. RESULTS The results showed that LW-AFC could ameliorate Cort-induced LTP impairment. The effect of LW-AFC was abolished when the immune function was inhibited. Single administration (ig, ip, icv) of any of the components had no effect on Cort-induced LTP impairment. Consecutively intragastric admin?istration or intraperitoneal injections (chronic administration) of B-B, LOG, MOR or PF for 7 d showed protective effect on Cort-induced LTP impairment. Intragastric administration of STA for 7 d protected LTP from impairment induced by Cort, while there was little improving effect when STA was administrated via intraperitoneal injection. In addition, when the intestinal microbiota was disrupted by applying the antibiotic cocktail, STA showed little protective effect against Cort. CONCLUSION In conclusion, LW-AFC and it' s components showed positive effects against cort induced LTP impairment, it seems that all displayed protective effects via indirectly, immune modulation might be the common pathway for all components; the exact pathways are different in each component, B-B, LOG, MOR and PF could be absorbed into the bloods tream and then modulate the peripheral immune function, while STA could not be absorbed and modulates the immune function via modulating intestinal microbiota. Further studies are needed to invesgate the underlying mechanisms and the synergetic effects of all components.

LW-AFC, a new formula derived from Liuwei Dihuang decoction, ameliorates behavioral and pathological deterioration via modulating the neuroendocrine-immune abnormalities in PrP-hAβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of LW- AFC, a new formula of the main active components extracted from Liuwei Dihuang decoction, on treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) in mouse models. METHODS After treatment LW- AFC, mice were cognitively evaluated in behavioral experiments. Neuron loss, amyloid-β(Αβ) deposition, and Αβ level were analyzed using Nissl staining, immunofluorescence, and an AlphaLISA assay, respectively. Multiplex bead analysis, a radioimmunoassay, immunochemiluminometry, and an ELISA were used to measure cytokine and hormone levels. Lymphocyte subsets were detected using flow cytometry. RESULTS LW-AFC ameliorated the cognitive impairment observed in APP/PS1 mice, including the impairment of object recognition memory, spatial learning and memory, and active and passive avoidance. In addition, LW-AFC alleviated the neuron loss in the hippocampus, suppressed Αβ deposition in the brain, and reduced the concentration of Aβ1- 42 in the hippocampus and plasma of APP/PS1 mice. LW-AFC treatment also significantly decreased the secretion of corticotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus, and adrenocorticotropic hormone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle- stimulating hormone in the pituitary. Moreover, LW-AFC increased CD8+CD28+T cells, and reduced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+T cells in the spleen lymphocytes, down- regulated interleukin(IL)- 1β, IL- 2, IL- 6, IL- 23, granulocyte- macrophage colony stimulating factor, and tumor necrosis factor-α and -β, and up-regulated IL-4 and granulocyte colony stimulating factor in the plasma of APP/PS1 mice. CONCLUSION LW-AFC ameliorated the behavioral and pathological deterioration of APP/PS1 transgenic micevia the restoration of the NIM network to a greater extent than either memantineor donepezil, which supports the use of LW-AFC as a potential agent for AD therapy.

Pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of L-3-n-butylphthalide tablet after single and multiple oral administrations in healthy Chinese volunteers

L-3-n-butylphthalide (L-NBP) is a naturally occurring antioxidant, which can be used for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of L-NBP tablets in healthy Chinese volunteers. This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-dose study. Subjects were assigned to receive a single dose of L-NBP tablet at either 80, 160, 320, or 480 mg (n=40), or multiple doses of 160 mg twice daily for 7 days (n=12). Plasma samples were analyzed with LC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters of L-NBP were calculated using non-compartmental analysis with WinNonlin software. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. All adverse events (AEs) were mild and of limited duration; AEs in this study occurred less frequently and more mildly than AEs listed for the DL-NBP soft capsule. No serious adverse event (SAE), death or withdrawal from the study was observed. In the single-dose study, Cmax was reached at about 1 h, and the mean t1/2 was approximately 13.76 h. Area under curve (AUC) and Cmax increased with dose escalation, but dose proportionality was not observed over the range of 160 to 480 mg. In the multiple-dose study, the steady-state was reached within 3 days with slight accumulation. In summary, the L-NBP tablet was well tolerated in healthy Chinese subjects. Slight accumulation appeared after repeated doses.

L-3-n-butilftalida (L-NMP) é um antioxidante natural, que pode ser utilizado para o tratamento do acidente isquêmico agudo e demência vascular. Este estudo avaliou segurança, tolerância e farmacocinética de comprimidos de L-NBP em chineses voluntários sadios. Este foi um estudo monocêntrico, randomizado, duplo cego, com controle por placebo e doses única e múltipla. Os indivíduos receberam dose única de comprimido de L-NBP de 80, 160, 320 ou 480 mg (n=40) e doses múltiplas de 160 mg duas vezes ao dia, por sete dias (n=12). Amostras de plasma foram analisadas com LC-MS/MS. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos do L-NBP foram calculados utilizando análise não compartimental, com o programa WinNonlin. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando-se o programa SPSS. Todos os eventos adversos (EAs) foram moderados e de duração limitada. EAs nesse estudo ocorreram menos frequentemente e mais moderadamente do que os EAs relacionados para cápsulas moles de DL-NBP. Não se observaram eventos adversos graves (EAG), morte ou abandono do estudo. Com dose única, atingiu-se o Cmax em cerca de 1 hora e o t1/2 médio foi de, aproximadamente, 13,76 h. A área sob a curva (ASC) e o Cmax aumentaram com o aumento da dose, mas não se observou proporcionalidade na faixa acima de 160 a 480 mg. No estudo de dose múltipla, o equilíbrio foi alcançado em três dias, com pequeno acúmulo. Em resumo, o comprimido de L-NMP foi bem tolerado em indivíduos chineses saudáveis. O acúmulo pequeno apareceu após doses repetidas.

Mid-term Follow-up of Neonatal Pleural Effusion.

Objectives: To investigate the clinical course and mid-term prognosis of neonates admitted with pleural effusion. Methods: Case records of 38 neonates admitted with pleural effusion were retrieved and analyzed. Results: 16 (42%) patients had congenital and 22 (58%) patients had acquired causes of pleural effusion. The most common causes of congenital pleural effusion and acquired pleural effusion were chylothorax (18%) and congestive heart failure (13%), respectively. Poorer outcome was observed with fetal hydrops, preterm birth (<34 weeks) and associated defects. Conclusions: Most of the neonates with pleural effusion have good outcome in the mid-term follow-up.

Effectiveness analysis of improving cooking stove to reduce fluoride in burning coal fluorosis areas in Ankang city of Shaanxi province in 2009 / 中国地方病学杂志

ObjectiveTo find out the effect of improving cooking stove to reduce fluoride in burning coal fluorosis areas in Ankang city Shaanxi province,and to provide a basis for continuing the consolidation of control measures and the elimination of the hazards of burning coal fluorosis.Methods According to the results of a census of 2001 in Ankang city on burning coal fluorosis,cluster sampling method was used in 2009,and 10％ of the diseased villages were included in the study according to the state of the disease(mild,moderate and severe) in seven counties.In each selected village 10 households were selected,and the quality of improved stoves was checked door to door,maintenance and satisfaction of the stoves were asked on the spot,and health education questionnaire was carried out among housewives.Thirty village primary schools were investigated,dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was checked by Dean method,urinary fluoride was tested by ion selective electrode,health education and knowledge questionnaire survey was curried out.Results A total of 1000 households were investigated in the seven diseased counties,and the completion rate of improved stoves was 90.00％ (900/1000);the rate of improved stoves in good condition was 87.14％ (630/723); overall use of improved stoves was 80.33％(723/900); proper use of improved stoves was 79.39％ (574/723),satisfaction rate of improved stoves was 86.89％(782/900),and self-maintenance of improved stoves was 8.00％(72/900).Total detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 23.74％(509/2144),dental fluorosis index was 0.50.Awareness of prevention knowledge among housewives and students was 65.20％ (2608/4000) and 83.36％(4518/5420),respectively.A total of 358 urine samples of children aged 8 to 12 were tested,urine fluoride ranged 0.16 - 6.35 mg/L,and geometric mean 0.79 mg/L.Conclusions The implementation of defluoridation project by improving cooking stove has achieved the goal of prevention and treatment of fluoride poisoning in burning coal fluorosis areas of Ankang city.Local residents are satisfied with the improved stoves,and most of the improved stoves are used constantly.The detection rate of dental fluorosis is less than 30％ of the control line.Some furnace are damaged,correct usage rate is not high.There is a need to further strengthen the management of the project and strengthen health education interventions to improve stove maintenance outlets,and make sustained control of the disease.

Preparation and assay of C-glucosyltransferase from roots of Pueraria lobata.

C-glucosyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.X) is one of the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of puerarin. This paper describes the methodology in purification and assay of the enzyme for the first time in Puerarin lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. C-glucosyltransferase from roots of P. lobata was extracted and partially purified by (NH4)2SO4 saturation. The effects of pH, temperature, and substrate concentration on the activity of the enzyme were investigated. The properties of the puerarin produced by C-glucosyltransferase were studied by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The peak activity of C-glucosyltransferase was detected in fraction of by 80% saturation of (NH4)2SO4 and the optimal conditions for enzymatic reaction were 35.5 μmol l-1 of isoliquiritigenin and 560 μmol l-1 of UDP-G at pH 8.1, 28oC for 1 h. Mn2+ at 1 mmol l-1 and Al3+ at 1 mmol l-1 increased the enzyme activity, while Mg2+ inhibited its activity. The enzyme activity in Nicotiana tabacum and P. lobata were detected under the above assay conditions. Higher activity was found in roots than in leaves and stems of P. lobata, while no enzyme activity was detected in leaves of N. tabacum. It was the first time that activity of C-glucosyltransferase, which transforms isoliquiritigenin to puerarin, was detected in P. lobata.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet over 4 500 meters above sea level / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine whether the polymorphisms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the susceptibility to high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in Chinese railway construction workers at Qinghai-Tibet where the altitude is over 4 500 m above sea level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was conducted including 149 HAPE patients in the construction workers and 160 healthy controls randomly recruited from their co-workers, matching the patients in ethnicity, age, sex, lifestyle, and working conditions. Three polymorphisms of eNOS gene, T-786C in promoter, 894G/T in exon 7, and 27bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) in intron 4, were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and confirmed with DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of 894T allele and heterozygous G/T of the 894G/T variant were significantly higher in HAPE patients group than in the control group (P=0.0028 and P=0.0047, respectively). However, the frequencies of the T-786C in promoter and the 27bp VNTR in intron 4 were not significantly different between the two groups. Haplotypic analysis revealed that the frequencies of two haplotypes (H3,T-T-b, b indicates 5 repeats of 27 bp VNTR; H6, C-G-a, a indicates 4 repeats of 27 bp VNTR) were significantly higher in HAPE patients (both Pü0.0001). On the contrary, the frequencies of H1 (T-G-b) and H2 (T-G-a) were lower in HAPE patients than in healthy controls (both Pü0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Two haplotypes (T-T-b and C-G-a) may be strongly associated with susceptibility to HAPE. Compared with the individual alleles of eNOS gene, the interaction of multiple genetic markers within a haplotype may be a major determinant for the susceptibility to HAPE.</p>

Relationship between alanine aminotransferase levels and metabolic syndrome in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and metabolic syndrome (MS) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 26527 subjects who received medical health checkup in our hospital from January 2005 to July 2007 were enrolled in the study. The diagnosis of fatty liver was based on ultrasound imaging. MS was defined according to the criteria of the Adult Treatment Panel III. ALT, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), height, weight, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in each subject to analyze the relationship between MS and ALT activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The prevalence of NAFLD in men (30.94%) was significantly higher than that in women (15.65%); (2) The incidence of MS in NAFLD (33.83%) was significantly greater than that in non-NAFLD (10.62%); (3) Of the 6470 subjects with NAFLD, in the age-adjusted partial correlation analysis, there were statistically significant correlations between the ALT levels and most metabolic risk factors in each sex (P<0.01), except that ALT levels had no correlation with HDL-c in women. Moreover, in the multiple stepwise regression analysis, SBP lost its significance, and WC, body mass index (BMI), age, DBP, TG and FPG were independently associated with ALT levels in both sexes (P<0.05). HDL-c remained significant and was independently related to ALT levels in men; (4) ALT levels were significantly higher in subjects with MS compared to those without MS (P<0.001). Mean ALT levels increased with the number of MS components in each sex (P<0.05 for trend).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We found a strong relationship between ALT levels and MS in NAFLD and revealed that the cluster of MS components might be the predictor for ALT elevations.</p>

Comparison of an SMS text messaging and phone reminder to improve attendance at a health promotion center: a randomized controlled trial / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of a short messaging service (SMS) text messaging and phone reminder to improve attendance rates at a health promotion center.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 1 859 participants who had scheduled appointments in the health promotion center of our hospital from April 2007 to May 2007 were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned into 3 groups: control (no reminder) group, SMS text messaging reminder group and telephone reminder group. Attendance rates and costs of interventions were collected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 1848 participants were eligible for analysis. Attendance rates of control, SMS and telephone groups were 80.5%, 87.5% and 88.3%, respectively. The attendance rates were significantly higher in SMS and telephone groups than that in the control group, with odds ratio 1.698, 95% confidence interval 1.224 to 2.316, P=0.001 in the SMS group, and odds ratio 1.829, 95% confidence interval 1.333 to 2.509, P<0.001 in the telephone group. However, there was no difference between the SMS group and the telephone group (P=0.670). The cost effectiveness analysis showed that the cost per attendance for the SMS group (0.31 Yuan) was significantly lower than that for the telephone group (0.48 Yuan).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SMS and telephone are effective reminders for improving attendance rate at a health promotion center. SMS reminder may be more cost-effective compared with the telephone reminder.</p>

Relationship between hyperuricemia and metabolic syndrome / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and hyperuricemia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 2 374 subjects who received health examination in our hospital from Jan. 2004 to Dec. 2006 were enrolled in our study. Hyperuricemia is defined as >or=7 mg/dl (in men) or >or=6.0 mg/dl (in women). Metabolic syndrome was defined using AHA/NHLBI (American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) criteria.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The overall prevalence of hyperuricemia was 13.10%. The condition was more common in men than in women (19.07% vs 3.42%). (2) Among men, uric acid concentration is statistically significantly positively correlated with waist circumference, blood pressure, and triglyceride. Uric acid is negatively correlated with serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Uric acid concentration is most strongly correlated with serum triglyceride (r=0.379) and waist circumference (r=0.297). Among women, statistically significant positive correlations were noted for the serum uric acid concentrations with waist circumference, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose. Serum triglyceride (r=0.329) and waist circumference (r=0.234) are most strongly correlated with uric acid concentrations. (3) Men with hyperuricemia had a 1.634-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome as compared with those without hyperuricemia [odds ratio (OR)=1.634, P=0.000]. Women with hyperuricemia had a 1.626-fold increased risk of metabolic syndrome (OR=1.626, P=0.000) as compared with those without hyperuricemia.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hyperuricemia is prevalent among Chinese population. Additionally, serum uric acid is positively associated with metabolic syndrome.</p>