[Association between depression and chronic diseases among middle-aged and older Chinese adults].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between depressive symptoms and chronic diseases among middle-aged and older Chinese adults within a national investigation. METHODS: Data used in current analysis were obtained from a nationally representative, cross-sectional population-based survey of China health and retirement longitudinal study, which were conducted in 2011 using four-stage probability-proportional-to-size sampling methods. A total of 10 420 participants who were aged 45 years and above from 28 provinces in mainland China were included. Information on demographic characteristics (e.g., age, gender, education level), lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking status and drinking frequency) and chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, and stroke) were collected by well-trained interviewers at the interviewees' homes using a standardized questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item version of the center for epidemiological studies depression scale (CESD-10, which was a widely used standard tool in Chinese population, and elevated depressive symptoms were defined by a cut-off ≥10. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess the association between depressive symptoms and chronic diseases (including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, dyslipidemia and stroke), adjusting for age, gender, education level, marital status, ethnicity, place of residence, bady mass index (BMI) and other potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Among the 10 420 participants, the mean age was (59.2±9.4) years, and 48.2% of them were men. There were 3 900 (37.4%) participants who had a depression rating score of 10 or greater, indicative of elevated depressive symptoms. The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that diabetes (OR=1.230, 95%CI: 1.080-1.401), hypertension (OR=1.335, 95%CI: 1.205-1.480), heart disease (OR=1.953, 95%CI: 1.711-2.229), and stroke (OR=2.269, 95%CI: 1.704-3.020) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (P < 0.05), after full adjustment of age, gender, education level, marital status, ethnicity, residency and other potential confounders. While no significant relationship was found between dyslipidemia and depressive symptoms (P>0.05). The prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms increased parallel with the number of chronic diseases (Ptrend < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Depressive symptoms were significantly associated with chronic diseases (including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke), which suggests that psychological factors, such as depressive symptoms should be taken into consideration in the prevention and control of chronic diseases.

[Prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: a case-control study].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). Methods: A total of 301 patients admitted in Fuwai Hospital and diagnosed with HOCM were included in our study. Incidence rate and severity of PH were depicted. The study population was divided into two groups (PH group and control group), and the differences in clinical profile were elucidated. Risk factors of PH in patients with HOCM were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence of PH was 12.3% (37 cases), in which 48.6% patients (18 cases) were mild PH, 40.5% patients (15 cases) were moderate PH, and patients with severe PH accounts for 10.8% (4 cases). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female(OR=3.95, 95%CI 1.74-8.98, P=0.001), age ≥65 years(OR=3.87, 95%CI 1.16-12.97, P=0.030), history of atrial fibrillation(OR=2.76, 95%CI 1.01-7.57, P=0.049)and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation(OR=6.63, 95%CI 3.02-14.57, P=0.000)were independent risk factors of PH. Stratification according to sex showed that age ≥65 years(OR=7.79, 95%CI 1.35-47.26, P<0.05)and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation(OR=9.83, 95%CI 2.26-42.67, P<0.01)were independent risk factors of PH for male patients; while history of atrial fibrillation(OR=6.32, 95%CI 1.57-25.40, P=0.01)and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation(OR=5.23, 95%CI 1.92-14.26, P<0.01)were independent risk factors of PH for female patients. Risk factors were similar between the mild PH group and moderate to severe PH groups. Conclusion: Compared with patients without PH, HOCM patients complicated with PH were older and with higher percentage of female, and resting obstruction, history of atrial fibrillation and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation. Independent risk factors for PH in obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients are female, advanced age, history of atrial fibrillation and moderate or severe mitral regurgitation.

Elicitation and in situ adsorption enhanced secondary metabolites production of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. adventitious root fragment liquid cultures in shake flask and a modified bubble column bioreactor.

The experiments of elicitation and in situ adsorption were conducted in shake flasks and then tested in a modified bubble column bioreactor for enhancing the productions of three active metabolites in Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., triptolide, wilforgine and wilforine. Methyl jasmonate was screened out as the elicitor and the non-ionic polymeric ion-exchange resin of Amberlite(®) XAD-7 was used for in situ product removal and protecting the alkaloids from degradation in the medium. In shake flask experiments, 3.55-fold, 49.11-fold, and 10.40-fold of triptolide, wilforgine, and wilforine, respectively, could be recovered from the medium and XAD-7 resin by elicitation and in situ product removal, compared with the control. The modified 10 L bubble column bioreactor had similar productions of the three active metabolites but needed a further optimization of parameters for better growth of adventitious roots.

Expression of TRAIL, DR4, and DR5 in kidney and serum from patients receiving renal transplantation.

Renal transplantation is the best treatment of some end-stage renal diseases. Unfortunately, not every transplant is successful due to the rejection or dysfunction of the transplanted kidney. Many cytokines participate in rejection by inducing inflammation or apoptosis. In this study, the expressions of TRAIL, DR4, and DR5 in rejected renal tissue and of serum soluble TRAIL (sTRAIL) in patients with kidney rejection were investigated by immunohistochemical staining and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The results showed that the expression of TRAIL, DR4 and DR5, and serum sTRAIL levels were markedly upregulated among renal transplant patients. Since both membrane and soluble forms of TRAIL can induce apoptosis of DR4/DR5-expressing cells via recruiting FADD and caspase 8, elevated TRAIL and its receptors may participate in renal graft rejection.

The effect of tranexamic acid on cochlear blood flow in guinea pigs measured by laser Doppler flowmetry.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the vasoactive effect of tranexamic acid on the cochlear blood flow in guinea pigs. METHOD: 3 ml solution (infusion speed, 0.5 ml/min) containing different concentrations of tranexamic acid was intravenously infused into 15 guinea pigs under general anesthesia. The guinea pigs were grouped according to four levels of dosage of the medicine (470 mg/kg, n=6; 220 mg/kg, n=3; 4 mg/kg, n=3; 1 mg/kg, n=3). Before administering medicine, saline solution was administered in similar volume and speed as a control. The cochleas were surgically exposed and laser Doppler flowmetry monitored cochlear blood flow volume (CBF). The left femoral artery was cannulated to permit a transducer to monitor systemic blood pressure (BP). RESULTS: (1) Stimulatory effect of tranexamic acid on CBF was dose-dependent at concentrations of 1-470 mg/kg and, (2) the time course of changes in CBF was almost identical to that in BP following tranexamic acid administration. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that intravenous administration of tranexamic acid increases CBF due to vasomotorial mechanism effect on BP.

Histological reaction to hydroxyapatite in the middle ear of rats.

OBJECTIVE: Present study was performed to evaluate the histological response of rat middle ear mucosa following implantation of Apaceram granules, a synthetic dense hydroxyapatite [Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2], prepared from commercially available synthetic auditory ossicle, and to assess the precise histological response of the rat middle ear to implantation of Apaceram granules, by microscopic examination of mucosal tissue at various time points after implantation. METHODS: Apaceram granules were implanted in the temporal bulla of 32 rats. As control, sham surgery was performed in a group of ten rats. Bulla specimens were removed at 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after surgery in the implant and control groups, and at 90, 180 and 300 days in the implant group. Specimens were decalcified, sectioned at a thickness of 6 microm, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and Mallory's azan for histological examination of mucosal tissue. RESULTS: Evidence of inflammatory reaction was slightly greater in the implant group than in controls. Lymphocyte and macrophage counts were higher in the implant group 1 day after surgery, but decreased to similar levels by day 3, and continued to decrease thereafter, and few were observed in the implant group at 300 days. Neutrophils observed at 1 day after surgery were not evident in either group at 3 days. Gradual fibrosis development continued in both groups over all time points studied. Foreign body giant cells were never observed in either group. No bony reaction was observed in any specimen. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that Apaceram is biocompatible and suitable for reconstructive ear surgery.

[Experimental study on repair of cricoid cartilage defect with cartilage grafts in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of free cartilage fragment in repair of cricoid cartilage defect. METHOD: One-third of cricoid cartilage was cut and repaired with free thyroid cartilage fragment and pedicled cartilage in rabbits. The pathological changes of the cartilages were observed. RESULT: 1. The free thyroid cartilage fragments were absorbed in two months, and were replaced by scars. 2. The pedicled cartilage fragments were not absorbed and healed with the cricoid cartilage. 3. No evidence of growth impairment of surgery-induced cricoid cartilage was observed. CONCLUSION: In rabbits, both free cartilage fragments and pedicled cartilage fragments could repair the defect of cricoid cartilage effectively.

Long-term observation of subcutaneous tissue reaction to synthetic auditory ossicle (Bioceram) in rats.

To evaluate biocompatibility to tissue in long-term implantation, Bioceram discs made of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) were implanted subcutaneously within the interscapular region of 64 rats for six to 20 months. Histological sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the surface of the implant material were observed using light microscopy. Different cell types and the thickness of fibrous capsules surrounding the implants were examined quantitatively by light microscopy. Small numbers of macrophages (2.8 +/- 0.7%) and lymphocytes (2.7 +/- 0.9%) were observed at six months after implantation, gradually decreasing to zero at 16, 18 and 20 months. Neither neutrophils nor foreign body giant cells were seen in any specimens. The thickness of fibrous capsules surrounding the implants was closely related to the shape of the implant, but there was no significant change between six and 20 months after implantation. No change in Bioceram surfaces were observed under stereoscopic microscopy from six to 20 months after implantation. The study results indicate that Bioceram is a satisfactory biocompatible material for reconstructive surgery from the viewpoint of long-term tissue response. Present results of experiments with Bioceram are also compared to previous results with Apaceram and different tissue responses of the two materials are discussed.

Subcutaneous inflammatory reaction to a synthetic auditory ossicle (Bioceram) in rats.

Cellular response and inflammatory reaction to synthetic auditory ossicle (Bioceram) made from aluminium oxide are investigated. Local inflammatory effects are important in wound healing and in determining biocompatibility of an implant, necessitating the study of biologic effects of implants, especially inflammation and fibrous capsule formation. Bioceram discs were implanted subcutaneously in the interscapular region of rats for various periods of time, ranging from 1 day to 300 days. Histological sections 6 microns thick were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Cell types around the implants were examined quantitatively by light microscopy. Inflammatory cell reaction to Bioceram decreased rapidly within 14 days, similar to the reaction in control groups. From 30 days to 300 days after implantation, there was continuous reduction to very low levels for macrophages and lymphocytes, but fibrous connective tissue capsule around implants matured. Preliminary results suggest that Bioceram is a satisfactory biocompatible material for reconstructive surgery from the viewpoint of cellular response. We also briefly discuss the different tissue responses in light of our previous study on hydroxyapatite (Apaceram).

[Gas chromatographic and gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analyses of aromatic hydrocarbons in oils and rock extracts simultaneously by using bench-top gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer].

This article reports a successful example that an injected sample is simultaneously introduced into two fused silica capillary columns and detected separately by a flame ionization detector (FID) and an HP 5973 mass selective detector (MSD) both installed on an HP 6890 Gas Chromatograph. This GC and GC/MS analyses of aromatic hydrocarbons in oils and rock extracts were carried out by using this method and good results were achieved. This method is of great value in organic geochemistry research because it is efficient and economical.

[Study on correlation and clinical significance of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and content in 102 patients with leukemia].

Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and blood Cu/Zn SOD content were examined in 102 cases of leukemia. The results showed that the total SOD activities, Cu/Zn SOD activities and contents declined significantly in blast phase of acute leukemia, yet increased to normal levels in remission. There was a positive correlation between SOD and blood hemoglobin concentration as well as leucocyte count. It declined again when leukemia recurred and in dying patients. There was a dissociation between Cu/Zn SOD activities and contents in patients with chronic granulocytic leukemia. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, both activity and contents of SOD were normal. It was suggested that SOD plays a protective role during the occurrence and development of leukemia. SOD is a useful parameter in the differential diagnosis of leukemias and monitoring clinical course of leukemias.