New therapy with XLQ® to suppress chronic prostatitis through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities.

Chronic prostatitis is a common urological disease. The etiology of this disease and effective therapy for its treatment are yet to be elucidated. We investigated the functions of XLQ® in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis using a complete Freund's adjuvant-induced rat model. Prostates and blood samples were collected for further evaluation after oral gavage with XLQ ® or a vehicle for 4 weeks. The results showed that XLQ ® significantly decreased the prostate index, ameliorated the histopathologic changes, and reduced CD3+ and CD45+ cell infiltration in the prostate stroma. Further study showed that XLQ ® suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. XLQ ® showed a strong antioxidant capacity by enhancing the activities of antioxidative enzymes (e.g., total superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde). Moreover, XLQ ® can suppress the activation of nuclear factor-κB and P38-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. In summary, XLQ ® has affirmative effects on chronic prostatitis, which could be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capacities. On the basis of these results, XLQ ® can be developed as an effective and safe therapy for chronic prostatitis.

Assessment of the diagnostic value of a urinary adipsin rapid strip test for pre-eclampsia: A prospective multicenter study.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical value of the rapid strip test of urinary adipsin for the quick diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: In a multicenter diagnostic test study, we studied the diagnostic accuracy of the rapid strip test of urinary adipsin in women presenting with pre-eclampsia. A total of 204 pre-eclampsia patients and 254 healthy pregnant women were recruited for this study, respectively. The rapid strip test of urinary adipsin was used to detect the adipsin in the urine of each patient. RESULTS: The diagnostic value of the rapid strip test of urinary adipsin for pre-eclampsia was demonstrated by its high sensitivity and specificity (95.10% and 97.64%, respectively). The diagnostic accuracy was 96.51%. The consistency analysis showed that the kappa value was 0.93 compared with the gold standard diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. CONCLUSION: The rapid strip test of urinary adipsin is a non-invasive test for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia with high sensitivity and specificity. It could help the quick diagnosis of pre-eclampsia in clinical practice greatly.

Association between polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene and osteoarthritis susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease of the joints. Genetic factors may play a role in its development, and polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor alpha gene (ERα) have been associated with OA. However, previous studies into this relationship have reported inconsistent results, so we aimed to systematically review the association between ERα polymorphisms and OA susceptibility. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, CBM, and PubMed databases, and Google scholar, and identified 11 eligible studies that examined the association between ERα polymorphisms and OA susceptibility. We carried out a meta-analysis of these studies based on ERα XbaI (rs9340799) and PvuII (rs2234693) genotypes. RESULTS: Seventeen comparisons involving 10 European and seven Asian populations of 5,325 OA patients and 10,834 controls were included in the study. The ERα XbaI polymorphism were significantly associated with OA in Europeans (AA vs. AG + GG: OR = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.34, P = 0.03; AG vs. AA + GG: OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.75-0.99, P = 0.04) but not in Asian populations. No association was found between OA and the ERα PvuII polymorphism in any population (C vs. T, OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.93-1.03, P = 0.37; CC vs. TT + CT, OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.89-1.06, P = 0.55; CT vs. CC + TT, OR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.92-1.06, P = 0.75; TT vs. CC + CT, OR = 1.01, 95% CI =0.92-1.12, P = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that there may be a weak relationship between the ERα XbaI polymorphism and OA in Europeans but not Asians, and that the ERα PvuII polymorphism was not associated with OA in either population. However, large well-designed studies are necessary to confirm these results in more homogeneous populations.

[Influence of neonatal diseases and treatments on the development of cerebral palsy in preterm infant].

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the risk factors of cerebral palsy development in preterm infants. METHODS: This study included 203 preterm infants (gestation age < 37 weeks) diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and 220 preterm infants without cerebral palsy or any other severe neurological disorders during April 2005 to August 2011. The risk factors in the development of cerebral palsy, including the diseases of premature infants and the treatments in neonatal period, were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic analysis for the risk factors associated with cerebral palsy in neonatal period found significant differences in the occurrence of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL, OR = 39.87, P < 0.05), hypoxia-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE, OR = 4.24, P < 0.05), hypoglycemia of neonatal (OR = 2.18, P < 0.05), neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (OR = 1.72, P < 0.05), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP, OR = 0.21, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The factors including PLV, HIE, hypoglycemia, and neonatal jaundice may increase the risk in the development of CP in preterm infant, while CPAP may decrease the risk of cerebral palsy.

[Application of amplitutude integrated electroencephalography for early diagnosis of brain injury in premature infants].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in preterm infants with brain injury. METHODS: This study included 62 cerebral damage infants with 28-36 weeks gestational age (GA), and another 51 normal infants in control group, aEEG recording was performed to each infant during the first 48 h of life, the duration of each recording was at least 2 h. The features of aEEG, such as continuity(Co), sleep-wake cycling (Cy) and amplitude of the lower border (LB), were evaluated by semiquantitative analysis and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All the aEEG features were found having significantly lower values in brain injuries group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression of aEEG features to the presence of brain injury revealed that only Cy was significantly correlated to the outcome (OR = 0.217, P < 0.05). ROC curve demonstrated Cy of the best sensitivity and specificity with 0.769 AUC. Co, LB yielded 0.677, 0.602 AUC respectively. Correlation analysis of GA to Co, Cy, LB and total score showed significantly correlated, the correlation coefficient for Co, Cy, LB and total scores were 0.546, 0.488, 0.536, 0.588 respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Cy in the initial aEEG is predictive for brain injury in premature infants with 28-36 weeks GA. The older the GA at birth, the more mature the aEEG pattern in premature neonates.

Traumatic oculomotor nerve palsy treated with transnasal endoscopic decompression through the optic strut.

Objective: To present a surgical treatment regimen of transnasal endoscopic decompression through the optic strut for traumatic oculomotor nerve palsy based on the anatomical study of the superior orbital fissure and the oculomotor nerve fissure segment. Methods: The bone structure of the oculomotor nerve fissure segment and the important bone anatomical landmarks of the lateral wall of the sphenoidal sinus were identified on a dried skull and a cadaveric head, respectively, using a nasal endoscope, and a surgical plan was determined. Decompression was conducted on the orbital apex, the superior orbital fissure, the optic canal and the optic strut of the two patients in sequence, after which the degree and range of decompression were identified by three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT). Results: The oculomotor nerve had a close correlation with the lateral surface of the optic strut. The transnasal endoscope was employed to identify the lateral optic-carotid recess (LOCR), as well as the positions of the optic nerve, internal carotid artery (ICA), and superior orbital fissure, collectively called the "optic strut triangle". The surgical plans for decompression of the orbital apex, superior orbital fissure, optic canal, and optic strut and the necessity of optic strut drilling were determined, and the surgical procedures for safe drilling of the optic strut were elaborated. After surgery, the two patients had significantly improved symptoms, without complications. In addition, their postoperative CT showed that the medial margin of the superior orbital fissure was fully decompressed. Conclusion: The optic strut triangle is a crucial anatomical landmark in the decompression of the oculomotor nerve, and optic strut drilling is necessary for such decompression. For patients with traumatic oculomotor nerve palsy and fractures of the medial wall of the superior orbital fissure on CT, the oculomotor nerve fissure segment can be decompressed in an effective, complete and safe manner as per the surgical plan of decompressing the orbital apex, superior orbital fissure, optic canal and optic strut in turn under a transnasal endoscope, conducive to the recovery of neurological function of patients.

Retraction of "Anticancer Effect of Rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ Agonist against Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Lung Carcinogenesis".

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b04357.].

Anticancer Effect of Rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ Agonist against Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Lung Carcinogenesis.

Multiple effects on cancer cells are exerted by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). Recent studies have shown that rosiglitazone, a synthetic PPAR-γ ligand, inhibits the growth of cells. This research was designed to assess the impact of rosiglitazone on diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced lung carcinogenesis in Wistar rats and to study the underlying molecular mechanism. A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were separated into four groups as follows: group 1 is known as a control. Group 2 is known as the DENA group (150 mg/kg, i.p.). Group 3 and group 4 denote DENA-induced rats treated with 5 and 10 mg/kg rosiglitazone, respectively. Lipid peroxidation, various antioxidant enzymes, histological perceptions, and caspase-3, Bcl2, and Bax gene expression were measured in lung tissues. Rosiglitazone treatment reverted the DENA-induced changes in the expression of these genes, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress. However, blotting analysis discovered reduced caspase-3 and BAX expressions and elevated Bcl-2 expression in DENA-induced rats. The expression of such proteins causing DENA lung cancer was restored by rosiglitazone therapy.

Growth in syphilis-exposed and -unexposed uninfected children from birth to 18 months of age in China: a longitudinal study.

Early infant growth and development has attracted worldwide attention. Although numerous studies have demonstrated that maternal syphilis increases the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and congenital syphilis, the subsequent growth pattern and morbidity of syphilis-exposed uninfected infants are less understood. We conducted a longitudinal study to compare the growth pattern and disease distribution of syphilis-exposed and syphilis-unexposed uninfected children, and World Health Organization (WHO) reference standards from birth to 18 months of age. We obtained data from a prospective cohort study in three representative regions of Zhejiang Province in China. A total of 333 syphilis-uninfected children born to women with syphilis were recruited at birth and matched with 333 syphilis-uninfected children born to women without syphilis during pregnancy. Children were followed-up by medical staff every 3 months until 18 months of age. The mixed-effects model was used to compare changes in growth patterns and influencing factors between the two groups. Mean weight, length, and head circumference of children, as well as disease prevalence, were similar between the groups. Multilevel analysis indicated that, after controlling confounders, growth velocities were comparable in both weight and length measures from birth to 18 months old between the two groups; however, low birth weight had a negative impact on weight gain in both groups. There was no significant negative association between syphilis exposure and early growth and health in children, under 18 months in a setting with universal coverage of therapeutic interventions for maternal syphilis. These findings may contribute to improving prevention efforts for mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, such as early screening for syphilis in pregnant women, universal coverage of treatment, and interventions for exposed children. Children with low birth weight should be given priority as this is a risk factor for weight gain.

[Curcumin suppresses cigarette smoke extract-induced oxidative stress through PPARγ/ NF-κB pathway in human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of curcumin against cigarette smoke extract (CSE)- induced oxidative stress in human bronchial epithelial cells and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Human bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE was treated for 24 h with curcumin, CSE, CSE + curcumin, and CSE + curcumin with transfection by a short hairpin RNA targeting PPARγ (shPPARγ). MTT assay was used to observe the changes in the cell viability after the treatments. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), iNOS and PPARγ in the cells, and the protein expressions of iNOS, PPARγ and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: The treatments did not cause significant changes in the cell viability. Exposure to CSE for 24 h significantly lowered PPARγ expression and increased TNF-α and iNOS expressions and phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 in the cells. The effects of CSE were significantly suppressed by curcumin, but transfection of the cells with shRNA-PPARγ obviously abrogated the suppressive effects of curcumin. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin suppresses CSE-induced oxidative stress and inflammation via the PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway in 16HBE cells, suggesting the potential of curcumin in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Extent of Lung Involvement and Serum Cryptococcal Antigen Test in Non-Human Immunodeficiency Virus Adult Patients with Pulmonary Cryptococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Serum cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) test is the most used noninvasive method to detect cryptococcal infection. However, false-negative CrAg test is not uncommon in clinical practice. Then, the aim of this study was to investigate the factors associated with false-negative CrAg test among non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adult patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis and its clinical features. METHODS: One hundred and fourteen non-HIV adult patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis, proven by biopsy, were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 85 patients were enrolled; 56 were CrAg positive (CrAg+ group) and 29 were negative (CrAg- group). It was a cross-sectional study. Then, baseline characteristics, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and chest radiological findings were reviewed and analyzed. Chi-square test was used to analyze categorical variable. Odds ratio (OR) was used to measure correlation. Student's t- test was obtained to analyze continuous variable. RESULTS: No difference in baseline characteristics, underlying diseases, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings were found between two groups (P > 0.05 in all). Nevertheless, diffuse extent lesion was 82.1% in CrAg+ group and 10.3% in CrAg- group (χ2 = 40.34, P < 0.001; OR = 39.87). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with limited pulmonary involvement, a negative serum CrAg does not preclude the diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. However, among patients with extensive pulmonary involvement, serum CrAg is a useful diagnostic tool for pulmonary cryptococcosis. Furthermore, we also noticed that the untypical and mild presentations with extensive pulmonary lesion might be the features of pulmonary cryptococcosis, which needs further investigation.

[Epidemiological analysis of the maternal mortality surveillance data (1996-2000) in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological attributes of maternal mortality in China from 1996 to 2000 and its variance between urban and rural areas. METHODS: The data were collected through a population-based epidemiological survey by the national maternal mortality surveillance network, which covered about 80 million people in 31 jurisdictions in China. RESULTS: There were 1704 maternal deaths being reported from 1996 to 2000 by the surveillance network, among which 341 were in urban areas and 1363 in rural areas. In the urban reported deaths, 69.9% happened in those who had completed junior high schools and 74.5% happened in plain areas. In the rural reported deaths, 73.3% happened in those who had only completed primary schools and 65.1% happened in mountain areas. Of the total reported deaths, 76.8% deaths occurred in postpartum, 40% gave birth at home, and 28.9% received no prenatal care at all. By contrast, in the rural areas, homed deliveries were accounted for 58.5% of the reported death; 35.5% died at home; 33.1% were attended by untrained midwives 31.8% had no prenatal care. CONCLUSION: Poor education, geographic remoteness, insufficient prenatal care, and lower hospitalization rate are main factors contributing to maternal mortality in China.

[Clinical pilot study on the rhinitis due to laryngopharyngeal reflux].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relevance between nasal symptoms and laryngopharyngeal reflux disease in patients with allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Thirty patients of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease were diagnosed in ENT outpatient department in our hospital. All patients have symptoms of sneeze, nasal discharge as chief complaint and they responded no effect for other normal treatment for nasal-sinusitis at least three months. Orally before meals, a dose of 5 mg Mosapride citrate each time, three times a day for 7 days. Orally before meals, a dose of 20 mg Esomeprazole each time, two times a. day for 2-3 months. Nasal spray, one spray of azelastine hydrochloride once, two times a day for 2 month. RESULT: Laryngopharyngeal reflux symptom scores at four time points (the first visit, post treatment 15 days, 45 days, 75 days) were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. There is a significant difference in four time points. CONCLUSION: Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease has a strong association with allergic rhinitis. Patients who has allergic rhinitis nasal symptoms as chief complaint must be exclude, the laryngopharyngeal reflux disease first.

[Distribution and drug sensitivity test of bacteria of patients on chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution and drug sensitivity test of bacteria of patients on chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps. METHOD: The purulent discharges were collected from sinus of 175 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps during endoscopic sinus surgery. The results of germiculture and drug sensitivity test were analyzed. RESULT: From 175 specimens, 118 (67%) showed positive results in germiculture. Among them, 79 strains of gram positive bacteria and 39 strains of gram negative bacteria were detected. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus were the most common pathogens in gram positive bacteria. The most common pathogens of gram negative bacteria were P. Aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae. The sensitive antibiotic on gram positive bacteria were amikacin, Daptomycin, Linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, cefuroxime, respectively. The sensitive antibiotics on Gram negative bacteria were amikacin, Cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem, ceftazidime ceftazidime, aztreonam, levofloxacin, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bacterial infection was common happened in the sinus cavity of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with or without nasal polyps. Gram positive bacteria were the main pathogenic bacteria and gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria have great differences in the sensitivity of antibiotics. For patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, the using of antibiotics should depend on the drug sensitivity test.

[Analysis of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading death cause in China from 1996 to 2000].

OBJECTIVE: To study the trend of under 5 years old children mortality and the leading cause of the deaths in China from 1996 to 2000. METHODS: The data presented in this report were obtained from the national child mortality surveillance network, including 116 counties (cities) throughout China. The target population was all children under 5 years old in the monitored areas whose mothers or fathers had resided in the area for at least one year. The data were collected and reported by health workers at the three-level network. RESULTS: The neonatal mortality rate (NMR), infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 years old mortality rate (U(5)MR) in China dropped to 22.8, 32.2, 39.7 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 24.0, 36.0, 45.0 respectively in 1996), which declined 5.0%, 10.6%, 11.8% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. In urban areas, NMR, IMR and U(5)MR dropped to 9.5, 11.8, 13.8 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 12.2, 14.8, 16.9 respectively in 1996), which declined 22.1%, 20.3%, 18.3% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. In rural areas, NMR, IMR and U(5)MR dropped to 25.8, 37.0, 45.7 per 1,000 live births in 2000, respectively (they were 26.7, 40.9, 51.4 respectively in 1996), which declined 3.4%, 9.5%, 11.1% from 1996 to 2000, respectively. There was a steady decline in the U(5)MR due to diarrhea, pneumonia, neural tube defects and drowning in China. CONCLUSION: In urban/rural areas, the overall decline in NMR, IMR and U(5)MR from 1996 to 2000 was spectacular. Especially the U(5)MR due to avoidable deaths such as pneumonia and diarrhea was dropped markedly in rural areas.

[Secular trends of hypospadias in Chinese perinatals].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the secular trends in the prevalence rate of hypospadias in Chinese perinatals and explore its possible influencing factors. METHODS: Data were taken from Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network, a hospital-based congenital anomalies registry system. All live or still births at or beyond 28 weeks of gestation were assessed within 7 days after delivery in the period from 1987 to 2001. RESULTS: 1999 cases of hypospadias were identified among 3,769,464 male births, the crude prevalence rate being 5.30 per 10,000 births. And an increasing secular trend was observed both in urban and rural areas. In recent years, an increase in rate of hypospadias was found in coastal provinces and inland provinces, but not in remote border provinces. Faster increase was seen in urban areas and coastal areas, compared with that in rural areas and inland areas respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of hypospadias in Chinese perinatals from 1987 to 2001 showed an upward tendency.

[The anatomic study of tragal cartilage and its clinical application in ear surgery].

OBJECTIVE: Dissecting adult cadaver's tragal cartilage and researching its clinical application in ear surgery. METHOD: Dissect the bilateral tragal cartilage of 22 adult cadavers immersed in formalin (both of male and female are 11). Measure and compute the average value of the length, width, thickness and area. Summarize autologous tragal cartilage's clinical application in ear surgery. RESULT: The statistic values of male tragal cartilage were: length (22.55 ± 0.89) mm, width (19.00 ± 1.09) mm, thickness (1.04 ± 0.09) mm, and area (315.70 ± 32.57) mm2. The statistic values of female respectively were (19.36 ± 0.86) mm, (15.73 ± 0.69) mm, (0.93 ± 0.06) mm, and (229.64 ± 13.97) mm2. Tragal cartilages were utilized in 419 middle ear surgeries in my department, including tympanoplasty(type I 189 cases, type II and III 116 cases), atticotomy (65 cases), and the repair of the lateral skull base (3 cases). The postoperative effect was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: Tragal cartilage is in the operation region, which is convenient to be harvested and shaped. Hence, the donor can satisfy the requirement of general ear surgery and it is suitable for widely application in ear surgery.

[Clinical features of 3798 perinatals suffering from syndromic neural tube defects].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the patterns and associated malformations in neural tube defects (NTDs) cases. METHODS: From 1987 to 1995, hospital-based cluster sampling method was adopted for collecting data. During that period all live or still births with 28 weeks of gestation or more were assessed within 7 days after delivery. RESULTS: Three thousand seven hundred and ninety eight syndromic NTDs were identified, among which anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele were 997, 2394 and 407 respectively. 51.3% associated abnormalities of NTDs appeared in muscle and skeletal system, 19.6% in face, ear and neck, and 9.3% in urinary-genital system. Congenital talipes equinovarus, cleft lip with cleft palate, gastroschisis, talipes valgus, undescended testicle were frequently combined with NTDs. The most frequent association in schisis type of NTDs was NTDs accompanied by cleft lip with or without cleft palate (67.5%), followed by anencephaly with cleft palate (8.3%) and anencephaly with omphalocele (6.6%). Of all syndromic NTDs, the rate of low birth weight was 36.9%, of perinatal mortality was 71.2% and the ratio 33.1% patients were diagnosed prenatally. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one third of NTDs may be associated with other system's malformation. Syndromic NTDs has a high perinatal mortality rate and a poor prognosis.

[Analysis of maternal mortality in China from 1996 to 2000].

OBJECTIVE: To study the trend and characteristics of maternal mortality in China from 1996 to 2000. METHODS: Population-based epidemiological survey in 116 monitoring units in China were used. RESULTS: Maternal mortality in China dropped by 17.1% from 63.9 per 100,000 live births in 1996 to 53.0 in 2000, in rural area dropped by 22.2% from 86.4 per 100,000 live births to 67.2, and in urban area only 1.0% from 29.2 per 100 000 live births to 28.9, the leading causes of maternal mortality in China are hemorrhage, preeolampsia/eclampsia and amniotic fluid embolism the maternal mortality due to hemorrhage in national level and rural level has declined by 33.8%, 34.9% respectively. CONCLUSION: The maternal mortality appears a declined trend on both the national and rural levels in China from 1996 to 2000, the maternal mortality due to hemorrhage dose also, bur the maternal mortality in urban area keeps unstable.

[Dynamic monitoring of neural tube defects in China during 1996 to 2000].

OBJECTIVE: The database from Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Network was used to describe the epidemiological features and secular trends of neural tube defects (NTDs) prevalence during Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2000, including anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele. METHODS: Data were collected with hospital-based cluster sampling method. During the period, all live or still births with 28 weeks or more of gestation were assessed within seven days after delivery. RESULTS: There were 2 873 case with NTDs identified from 2 281 616 births, with an overall prevalence rate of 12.95 per 10,000 births. And, the prevalence rates of anencephaly, spina bifida and encephalocele were 5.02 per 10,000, 6.30 per 10,000 and 1.64 per 10,000, respectively. Significant falls in overall prevalence rates of NTDs and of anencephaly were observed. The prevalence rates of NTDs were 9.75 per 10,000 and 15.96 per 10,000 in male and female births, respectively, 7.76 per 10,000 and 25.20 per 10,000 in the urban and rural areas, respectively, and 19.90 per 10,000 and 5.81 per 10,000 in north and south China, respectively. The prevalence was higher in the groups with maternal age of less than 20 years and more than 30 years than in those other maternal ages. Preterm babies and babies with low birth weight accounted for 50.9% and 50.6% of perinatal babies with NTDs, respectively, with a perinatal mortality of 77.8%. CONCLUSIONS: In China, the occurrence of NTDs was higher in female births than in male births, higher in the rural than in the urban, and higher in the north than in the south. Annual prevalence rate of NTDs in China presented a declining trend, but still higher than that in the other countries at the same time period. Babies with NTDs were in poor birth quality, higher perinatal mortality and poor prognosis. Effective preventive measures and prenatal diagnosis should be strengthened to reduce the occurrences of neural tube defects.