Investigation and prognostic analysis of chronic disease co-morbidity in the elderly population / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the investigation of co-morbidity etiology and prognosis analysis of chronic diseases in the elderly population. Methods The data of 1 475 elderly patients who were seen and treated in Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were screened to analyze their disease status, co-morbidity combinations and patterns, co-morbidity influencing factors, and prognosis. Results The top four prevalence rates among 1 475 elderly patients with chronic diseases were hypertension 555 (37.63%), gastric or gastrointestinal diseases 445 (30.17%), arthritis or rheumatism 427 (28.95%), and diabetes 329 (26.58%). 1034 co-morbidities were found in 1475 elderly patients with chronic diseases, with a co-morbidity rate of 70.10%. The binary disease combination accounted for 58.41% and the ternary disease combination accounted for 41.59%. Female, age >70 years, family history of chronic diseases, overweight/obesity, daily physical inactivity, history of alcohol/smoking, poor sleep quality, and poor dietary habits were the independent influencing factors for co-morbidity in elderly patients with chronic diseases (ORfemale=2.413, ORage ≥ 70=1.670, ORhistory of alcohol consumptionfamily history of chronic diseases=2.846, ORhistory of alcohol consumptionoverweight/obesity=2.570, ORdaily inactivity=1.802, ORhistory of alcohol consumption=3.543, ORhistory of smoking=1.784, ORpoor sleep quality=2.128, ORunhealthy dietary habits=2.085, all P2primary exacerbation/emergency readmission=10.726, χ2new chronic disease=5.873 , all P<0.05). Conclusion Gender, age, chronic disease history, BMI, and lifestyle habits are important factors influencing co-morbidity in elderly patients with chronic diseases, and patients with co-morbidity have a relatively poor prognosis.

Effect of Zhenwu Decoction on electrical remodeling of cardiomyocytes in heart failure via I_(to)/Kv channels / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Zhenwu Decoction in the treatment of heart failure by regulating electrical remodeling through the transient outward potassium current(I_(to))/voltage-gated potassium(Kv) channels. Five normal SD rats were intragastrically administered with Zhenwu Decoction granules to prepare drug-containing serum, and another seven normal SD rats received an equal amount of distilled water to prepare blank serum. H9c2 cardiomyocytes underwent conventional passage and were treated with angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) for 24 h. Subsequently, 2%, 4%, and 8% drug-containing serum, simvastatin(SIM), and BaCl_2 were used to interfere in H9c2 cardiomyocytes for 24 h. The cells were divided into a control group [N, 10% blank serum + 90% high-glucose DMEM(DMEM-H)], a model group(M, AngⅡ + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a low-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z1, AngⅡ + 2% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 8% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a medium-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z2, AngⅡ + 4% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoc-tion + 6% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), a high-dose Zhenwu Decoction-containing serum group(Z3, AngⅡ + 8% drug-containing serum of Zhenwu Decoction + 2% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), an inducer group(YD, AngⅡ + SIM + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H), and an inhibitor group(YZ, AngⅡ + BaCl_2 + 10% blank serum + 90% DMEM-H). The content of ANP in cell extracts of each group was detected by ELISA. The relative mRNA expression levels of ANP, Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The protein expression of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2 was detected by Western blot. I_(to) was detected by the whole cell patch-clamp technique. The results showed that Zhenwu Decoction at low, medium, and high doses could effectively reduce the surface area of cardiomyocytes. Compared with the M group, the Z1, Z2, Z3, and YD groups showed decreased ANP content and mRNA level, increased protein and mRNA expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3, DPP6, and KChIP2, and decreased protein and mRNA expression of Kv1.4, and the aforementioned changes were the most notable in the Z3 group. Compared with the N group, the Z1, Z2, and Z3 groups showed significantly increased peak current and current density of I_(to). The results indicate that Zhenwu Decoction can regulate myocardial remodeling and electrical remodeling by improving the expression trend of Kv1.4, Kv4.2, Kv4.3, KChIP2, and DPP6 proteins and inducing I_(to) to regulate Kv channels, which may be one of the mechanisms of Zhenwu Decoction in treating heart failure and related arrhythmias.

Soluble growth stimulating gene 2 protein and prealbumin correlates with prognosis in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease with refractory heart failure / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To study the clinical significance of early detection of soluble growth stimulating gene 2 protein (sST2) and prealbumin (PAB) in patients with chronic pulmonary heart disease (CPHD) complicated with refractory heart failure.Methods:From September 2017 to June 2019, 112 CPHD patients complicated with refractory heart failure were admitted to Hengshui People's Hospital. The selected patients met the revised guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2013 revision) and the cardiac function grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ according to the grading criteria of the New York Cardiology Society. Cardiogenic shock, severe liver and kidney dysfunction, malignant tumors, anemia, and autoimmune diseases were excluded. Patients were divided into the high PAB group (≥200 mg/L) and the low PAB group (<200 mg/L) according to the PAB level on admission. The pulmonary artery systolic blood pressure (PASP), pulmonary artery mean pressure (MPAP), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were observed in the two groups before and after the treatment. PAB, total bilirubin (TBIL), hypersensitive C reactive protein (hs-CPR), N-terminal B type brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and sST2 levels were detected. Measurement data were expressed in terms of mean ± standard deviation, the counting data were compared using χ 2 test. Correlation analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation test. Results:There were 40 cases in the high PAB group and 72 cases in the low PAB group. There were no statistically significant differences in general data between the high PAB and low PAB groups ( P>0.05). Hospitalization time was significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05). Before the treatment, there were no significant differences in PASP, MPAP, NT-proBNP and LVEF between the two groups ( P>0.05). High sST2 was significantly different between the two groups ( P<0.05). After the treatment, PASP, MPAP, NT-proBNP and sST2 were decreased in both groups, and the improvement was more obvious in the high PAB group than in the low PAB group, with statistical significance ( P<0.05). Before the treatment, the levels of TBIL and hs-CPR were not statistically different between the high PAB and low PAB groups ( P>0.05). However, the levels of TBIL and hs-CPR were beyond the normal range. After the treatment, TBIL and hs-CPR were decreased in both groups, and there was statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that PAB was negatively correlated with sST2 ( r=-0.778, P=0.001). There was a positive correlation between cardiac function and sST2 ( r=0.569, P=0.034), hospitalization time ( r=0.572, P=0.033) in patients with refractory heart failure. The higher the sST2 of CPHD with refractory heart failure, the longer the patient hospitalization time, and the more serious the heart failure was. The area under the combined ROC curve of PAB and sST2 was 0.756. CPHD patients with refractory heart failure had the greatest predictive value. Conclusion:The combined test of sST2 and PAB can evaluate the condition and outcome of CPHD patients with refractory heart failure, and guide the clinic.

Relationship between peripheral blood thyroxine levels and cardiac function in patients with chronic heart failure / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood thyroxine levels and cardiac function in elderly patients with chronic heart failure.Methods Seventy patients with chronic heart failure admitted into our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were enrolled as the study group,and 70 healthy subjects were collected as the control group.Left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)and serum thyroxine levels were measured in both groups.Results LVEF,serum levels of total triiodothyronine(TT3)and total thyroxine(TT4)were lower in the study group than in the control group[(37.3±2.4)％ vs.(58.5 ± 5.3) ％,(87.4 ± 8.7) mmol/L vs.(120.8±10.4) mmol/L,(8.6±1.7)mmol/L vs.(10.1 ± 1.3)mmol/L,t =30.486,20.609 and 5.864,P =0.000].LVEF,TT3 and TT4 in patients with grade lⅡ 、grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ Cardiac insufficiency were [(42.3±2.2)％、(37.9± 1.0)％ and(31.8±1.5)％,(104.2± 15.4) mmol/L、(89.7±4.6) mmol/L and(72.0±7.2)mmol/L,(9.3± 1.8)mmol/L、(8.8± 1.3) mmol/L and (8.1 ± 0.9) mmol/L]respectively.Serum levels of TT3 and TT4 and LVEF steadily declined as cardiac dysfunction grew more severe in patients with chronic heart failure(P =0.000).Conclusions Patients with chronic cardiac insufficiency are often combined with euthyroid sick syndrome,and serum levels of TT3 and TT4 can indicate the degree of abnormal cardiac systolic function.Therefore,low serum levels of T3 and T4 can be used as indicators for poor prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure.

Quantitative detection of the KRAS gene mutation in circulating tumor DNA for patients with colorectal cancer / 基础医学与临床

Objective To establish a liquid biopsy technique of KRAS gene G12D mutation and to assess its diagnostic value. Methods KRAS G12D mutation was analyzed by ddPCR in plasma DNA from 52 colorectal cancer patients and compared that of to 80 healthy subjects. KRAS gene sequencing in cancerous tissue of colorectal cancer patient being set as a golden standard, we evaluated the accuracy of ddPCR and analyzed the correlation between G12D mutation rate, plasma concentration;and their clinical manifestations in CRC. Results ddPCR indicated that KRAS G12D mutation rate and concentration(26.92％, 81.5 copies/mL) in the plasma samples of colorectal cancer patients were significantly higher than that of healthy subjects (8.75％, 16 copies/mL). Colorectal cancer patients with highly differentiated adenocarcinoma showed a significantly higher number of mutant copies than medium and low differentiated adenocarcinoma(P＜0.05);M2 patients had a significantly higher number of mutant copies than N1 and NO patients (P＜0.05);The concordance rate of KRAS gene mutation between cancerous tissue and plasma ctDNA was 87.50％ in CRC.Conclusions ddPCR is a fast, noninvasive and accurate method for plasma testing of ctDNA, and the test results could be used to monitor the course of the disease and as clinical guidelines.

The clinical effects of Atorvastatin versus Simvastatin on levels of serum lipid, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and ventricular remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndrome / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of Atorvastatin and Simvastatin on serum levels of lipid,high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs CRP)and ventricular remodeling in patients with acute coronary syndromes(ACS).Methods In this prospective study,96 patients with acute coronary syndrome were admitted in our hospital from December 2014 to September 2016.In the prospectively study,they were randomized into Atorvastatin group(Atorvastatin 20 mg daily,n =48) and Simvastatin group(Simvastatin 40 mg daily,n=48),and serum levels of hs CRP,lipids and changes in myocardial function were detected and compared between two groups before and after treatment.Results The serum levels of hs-CRP and lipids were significantly lower in Atorvastatin group than in Simvastatin group at 8 weeks after treatment(P＜0.05).At the end of the treatment,the levels of left ventricular reject fraction and left ventricular end-diastolic volume index were improved (all P ＜ 0.05) in two groups,but significantly higher in Atorvastatin group [(44.8 ± 6.3) ％ and (62.7 ± 10.4)] than in Simvastatin group [(48.9 ± 6.9) ％ and (67.9 ± 10.5) respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Simvastatin and Atorvastatin can effectively promote the decrease in levels of blood lipids and inflammatory reaction,and help to improve the myocardial function in patients with acute coronary syndrome,but Atorvastatin effects are more significant.

Clinical Observation of Shensong Yangxin Capsules Combined with Edaravone in the Treatment of Cere-brovascular Disease Complicated with Cerebrocardiac Syndrome / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic efficacy and safety of Shensong yangxin capsules combined with edaravone in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease complicated with cerebrocardiac syndrome(CCS). METHODS:A total of 128 cerebrovas-cular disease patients with CCS were randomly divided into control group (64 cases) and observation group (64 cases). Control group received routine treatment,observation group was additionally given Shensong yangxin capsule 1.6 g orally,3 times a day+Edaravone injection 30 mg added into 0.9% Sodium chloride solution 250 mL intravenously,2 times a day. Treatment courses of 2 groups lasted for 10 d. Clinical efficacies of 2 groups were observed,and MDA,SOD,catecholamine(NE,E,DA)levels,cT-nI,NIHSS scores,correlation of cTnI level with NIHSS score were also observed before and after treatment. The occurrence of ADR was recorded. RESULTS:Total response rate of nervous system and electrocardio gram in observation group were significant-ly higher than control group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in MDA,SOD,NE,E,DA,cTnI levels or NIHSS scores between 2 groups(P>0.05). After treatment,MDA,NE,E,DA,cTnI levels and NIHSS scores of 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group;SOD of 2 groups were significantly higher than before,and the observation group was significantly higher than the antrol group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). cTnI level was positively correlated with NIHSS score (r=0.956,P=0.001). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR between 2 groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on rou-tine treatment,Shensong yangxin capsules combined with edaravone can significantly improve therapeutic efficacy of cerebrovascu-lar disease patients with CCS,and improve the levels of catecholamine,MDA and SOD without increasing the occurrence of ADR.

Establishing the diagnostic model of SCC in cervical cancer by using Logistic regression combined with CHAID analysis of decision tree / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between serum tumor markers and cervical cancer by using Logistic regression, and to further establish the diagnosis model of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) in cervical cancer by using chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) analysis of decision tree.Methods Total of 581 cases of cervical cancer,342 cases of cervical benign diseases and 341 cases of healthy controls who detected tumor markers in Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang during 2010-2013, were retrospectively studied.The test results of carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), SCC, and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) were reviewed.The Logistic regression were firstly used in screening the related tumor markers of cervical cancer, and then the CHAID method of decision tree was used in determining the values of the related tumor markers on the diagnosis of cervical cancer.The SCC elevated cases of uterine disease from January 2014 to December 2014 were collected to verify the diagnostic value of SCC in cervical cancer patients.Results Logistic regression analysis showed that among the 5 tumor markers which might be associated with cervical cancer, SCC was the only one which had statistical significance between cervical cancer and cervical benign diseases (Wald x2 =22.120,P =0.000), the OR and its 95％ CI was 1.900 (1.454-2.483).With the SCC numerical increases, the proportion of patients with cervical cancer also gradually increased, when SCC ＞ 2.20 μg/L, the positive predictive value was 94.7％.In 284 cases of SCC higher than 2.20 μg/L who considered as uterus related diseases, there were 270 cases (95.1％) who were eventually confirmed as cervical cancer.Conclusion There was a good diagnostic value of SCC for cervical cancer patients.

Efficacy of hair removal by laser in different skin type and its complications / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To explore the effect and complication of diode laser and long-pulsed alexandrite laser for hair removal in different skin type.Methods A total of 1061 patients (1741 sites) were divided into 2 groups by skin type:one group were treated with diode laser,with wave length of 810 nm,and pulse width of 400 ms,with 12 mm × 10 mm spot size; another group were treated with long-pulsed alexandrite laser,with wave length of 755 nm,of pulse width of 20 ms,with 12.5 mm spot size,50-60 days intermitted between each treatment.Results The effect of hair removal by two lasers in different skin type was without divergence,but to darker skin,complication was lower when treated by diode laser.Conclusions The effect of hair removal by two lasers in different skin type is similar,but diode laser on hair removal is much safer to dark skin.

Characteristics and risk factors of nosocomial infections in VLBWI / 现代临床护理

Objective To explore the characteristics of nosocomial infection and its related factors among those very low birth weight infant(VLBWI)for coming up with appropriate preventive measures.Methods Fifty-eight infants with birth weight of 1500 g or below in the hospital from January to June in 2012 were studied actively and retrospectively about their nosocomial infection and related risk factors.Results Thirty-five cases of nosocomial infection occurred among the 58 infants with a prevalence of 60.34%. The mainly pathogenic bacteria was Gram-positive bacteria(88.47%)and mostly,infections presented with lung infections(82.90%) within 21 days after birth.The risk factors included mechanical ventilation,PICC,Apga score<7,fluconazole administration and premature rupture of membranes of VLBWI.Conclusion VLBWI are prone to nosocomial infections,mostly lung infection on day 21 after birth.Management should be strengthened within 3 weeks after birth of VLBWI to minimize infections.Reduction of invasive procedures on children and antibiotic use is particularly important.On the other hand,strengthening the health care in the perinatal period and reducing the incidence of preterm birth cannot be ignored.

An analysis of medical complaints from 278 hospitalized patients / 重庆医学

Objective To analyse the causes of medical complaints ,seek methods to prevent medical disputes .Methods All medical complaints were collected and analyzed retrospectively in 2011 .Results In 278 medical complaints ,there were 161 (57 .91% ) complaints by telephone ,101 (36 .33% ) complaints by hospital electronic touch screen ,16 (5 .76% ) complaints by E-mail;the top three complaint departments were vasculocardiology department 33(11 .87% ) ,department of gynaecology and obstet-rics 29(10 .43% ) ,urology department 26(9 .35% ) ,respectively ;the top three complaint reason were poor doctor-patient communi-cation 101(36 .33% ) ,poor service level 69(24 .82% ) and ward disadvantaged 45(16 .19% ) ,respectively .Conclusion Prevention of medical complaints of the most important measures is to improve the skill of doctor-patient communication and technical level of medical staff .Furthermore ,hospital should strengthen the construction of infrastructure .

Expression of Eag1 K(+) channel in prostate cancer and its significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of the Eag1 K( +) channel in the prostate cancer (PCa) tissue, its correlation with the development and progression of PCa, and whether it could be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of the Eag1 K(+) channel in the normal peritumoral tissue of androgen-dependent PCa (ADPCa) (group A) and androgen-independent PCa (AIPCa) (group B) as well as in the tumorous tissue of ADPCa (group C) and AIPCa (group D).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The relative coefficients of the mRNA expression of the Eag1 K(+) channel were 0.265 +/- 0.413, 0.167 +/- 0.511, 2.673 +/- 2.988 and 2.815 +/- 2.901 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, increased significantly in the latter two groups (P < 0.05). The positive rates of the protein expression of the Eag1 K (+) channel were significantly higher in groups C (88.9%) and D (86.7%) than in A (7.4%) and B (6.7%) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Eag1 K(+) channel might be involved in the pathophysiological processes of PCa, and is expected to be a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.</p>

Association of HLA-G 14bp gene polymorphisms and plasma sHLA-G level with susceptibility to EV71 infection in children / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Explore the relationship between the HLA-G 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and the infection of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) for children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We genotyped HLA-G 14bp insertion/deletion polymorphism of 125 severe HFMD children infected with EV71 and 133 normal controls by PCR-PAGE;detected the plasma sHLA-G level of 66 heavy type and 15 critical type and 133 normal controls by ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Frequencies of the genotype 14 bp - / - ,14 bp + / - and 14 bp + / + were 49.6% , 42.4% and 8.0% for the severe HFMD children infected with EV71, and 34.6%, 48.9% and 16.5% for the normal controls, respectively. A significant difference was observed for the frequencies of the HLA-G 14bp genotype between the two groups(chi2 = 7.850, P = 0.020). And for the allele frequencies. The plasma sHLA-G levels in heavy type were dramatically higher than that in normal controls (Z = -9.692, P = 0.000). The plasma sHLA-G levels in children with critical HFMD were dramatically higher than that with heavy type (Z = -2.420, P = 0.016).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There was a relationship between the HLA-G 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and the susceptibility to the severe HFMD children infected with EV71 and the plasma sHLA-G might be considered as a index for auxiliary diagnosis the severe HFMD infected with EV71.</p>

Clinical features of seven patients with special syndrome of post-epileptic dysfunction / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features of post-epileptic dysfunction. Methods The clinical data of 7 patients with special syndromes of post-epileptic dysfunction were retrospectively analyzed and related literatures were reviewed. Results Six patients with post-epileptic dysfunction experienced status epilepticus and 5 patients had brain structural lesions among these 7 patients. Post-epileptic dysfunction had different syndromes, including post-epileptic paralysis, post-epileptic aphasia, cognitive disorder, gaze palsy and hemianopsia. The duration of dysfunction could last for 3 months. Conclusion The great majority of patients with post-epileptic dysfunction experience status epilepticus and have brain structural lesions. Post-epileptic dysfunction includes various different syndromes and can last from several days to 3 months with good prognosis.

Short - and long -term efficacies of microvascular decompression on elderly patients with constitutional hemifacial spasm / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy of microvascular decompression on elderly patients with constitutional hemifacial spasm (HFS) in short- and long-terms. Methods Eighty-six elderly patients with HFS and 430 non-elderly patients with HFS, admitted to our hospital from June 2000 to June 2005, were selected in our study; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and their shortand long-term efficacies were compared. Results The total effective rate was not significantly different between elderly patients (96.6%, 81/86) and non-elderly group (97.9%, 421/430, P>0.05). Early complications appeared in 12.8% of the elderly patients (11/86) and 9.1% of the non-elderly group (39/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rate in elderly group was 2.3% (2/86) and non-elderly group was 1.1% (5/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Rate of long-term complications in elderly group was 12.8% (11/86), and that of non-elderly group was 9.1% (39/430); no obvious difference was noted between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Conclusion The short- and long-term efficacies of microvascular decompression on HFS were equivalent between elderly and non-elderly patients; although several negative factors might cause surgical difficulty and increased risk in the elderly patients, as long as appropriate measures and skills are taken, the efficacy and safety of the surgery can be ensured.

Prevention and treatment of the complications caused by long-pulsed alexandrite laser on hair removal / 中华医学美学美容杂志

Objective To investigate the causes and treatment methods of complications induced by the long-pulsed alexandrite laser on hair removal. Methods A total of 2 562 patients (3 279 sites) with unwanted hairs were treated by the long-pulsed alexandrite laser. Wave length was 755 nm. With 20 msec pulse width. 12. 5 mm spot size, 12. 0-16. 5 J/cm2 treatment energy, and 50-60 days intermitted between each treatment. Results There were 242 patients with complications such as erythema, eruption, blister, bulla, hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation, and scar. Conclusion The long-pulsed alexandrite laser on hair removal is effective and safe, and the correct procedures of treatment can reduce the complications.

Clinical predictability of the waist-to-hip ratio in assessing the risk factors of cardiovascular disease among public servants in Shijiazhuang city / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To assess the clinical predictability of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among female civil servants who had experienced risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Methods Data was gathered from 4153 female civil servants aged 21-91 y working at universities who were enrolled in health screening centre at the Second Hospital Attached to Hebei Medical University, in 2006. WHR quartiles were determined as: <0.80, 0.80-<0.84, 0.84-<0.90 and ≥0.90. Subjects were placed into high-risk categories for cardiovascular disease on the basis of national health reference on range norms of protocol including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Results Participants had an increased likelihood of hypertension (systolic blood pressure) , dyslipidemia (elevated triacylglycerol and descending HDL-C) and diabetes mellitus at WHR≥0.84. All aforementioned variables had a significant odds ratio at WHR ≥0.84. This trend was further persisted after adjustment had been made on smoking, age, and BMI. Descended HDL-C was observed at the 0.80≤WHR<0.84 when compared with WHR< 0.80. Conclusion These data indicated an upward shift in the critical threshold for WHR to ≥0.84. Above which point, there was an elevation of risk factors on cardiovascular diseases among all the female civil servants. The trend persisted regardless of smoking, BMI <or ≥28 and at what age group, among the civil servants population.

Characterization of growth and proliferation in a telomerase-immortalized ameloblastoma cell line / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish and characterize the cell line of ameloblastoma (AM) by transfection with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Primary cultures of AM cells were infected with a retroviral vector encoding hTERT. Infected cells were selected and checked by immunocytochemistry (ICC), in vitro proliferation, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), senescence associated beta galactosidase staining (SA-beta-Gal staining), telomerase activity assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to the uninfected cells, which arrested at the population doublings (PDL) of 6, the infected cells were more active in proliferation and reached 65 PDL to date. ICC confirmed the epithelial origin of the infected cells based on positive pan-cytokeratin and negative vimentin expression. There was no senescent signal in infected cells but not in uninfected cells. hTERT mRNA and telomerase activity were detected stably in infected cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The infected AM cells were immortalized after transfection with hTERT and can serve as a genetically defined model for AM study.</p>

Detection of adenoviruses in feces of infants with diarrhea by Real-time PCR / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective A Real-time PCR method was established to study the infection of adenovirus (Ad) in infants with sporadic diarrhea in Wenzhou. Methods According to hexon gene of adenovirus, one prime pair was designed as universal primes and applied to detect adenovirus DNA by Real-time PCR. It was also compared with immunochromatographic assay. 157 fecal specimens from diarrhea infants were tested while positive specimens were sequenced and identified by isolate culture and restriction endonucleases. Results A rapid and specific Real-time PCR assay for detection adenovirns was set up. The positive rates of adenovirns in fecal specimens by immunochromatographic assay and Real-time PCR were 1.91% (3/157) and 3.18% (5/157), respectively. Out of the 154 specimens with negative result from immunochromatographic assay, 2 showed positive by Real-time PCR. 5 positive specimens, identified by Real-time PCR, were sequenced as Ad3 (3/157, 1.91% ) and Ad7 (2/157, 1.27% ). 2 of the 5 positive specimens were proved to be Ad3 by cell culture and restriction endonucleases.Conclusion Real-time PCR combined with sequence analysis seemed more sensitive and specific so could be used for identifying types of adenovirus in clinical specimens. Ad3 and Ad7 were important pathogens which caused infant sporadic diarrhea in Wenzhou during February and April in 2008.

Experimental varicocele affects the ipsilateral testis in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of experimental varicocele (EV) on the ipsilateral testis in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in male SD rats, the control rats subjected to sham operation, and the testes of the EV models and controls were extirpated 6, 12, and 18 weeks later. Johnson's score, ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules, intratesticular testosterone concentration (ITC) and germ cell apoptotic index (AI) of each left testis were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Johnson's scores were (6.92 +/- 0.52), (4.83 +/- 0.41) and (2.95 +/- 0.26), ITCswere (6.32 +/- 0.85), (5.17 +/- 0.76) and (4.11 +/- 0.69) and AIs were (5.32 +/- 1.23), (15.21 +/- 0.97) and (21.13 +/- 1.12) respectively in the 6 w , 12 w and 18 w EV groups, significantly lower than in the corresponding control groups, (9.56 +/- 0.35, 9.63 +/- 0.31, 9.39 +/- 0.46), (9.64 +/- 1.23, 9.38 +/- 0.69, 9.73 +/- 0.49) and (3.21 +/- 1.15, 3.43 +/- 1.21, 3.61 +/- 1. 15) (P < 0.05), the former two showing a gradual decline while the latter a significant elevation with the increasing duration of varicocele. The damage to the ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules was aggravated with the prolonging of varicocele.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EV can cause a progressive decline of ITC, dyszoospermia and increased AI of germ cells.</p>