Comparison of protective effects of alprostadil with Salvia miltiorrhiza against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate the effects of alprostadil and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and related underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: A myocardial IRI model was established in Wistar rats via surgical ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by loosening of the occlusion. The rats were divided into four groups: saline, sham, alprostadil, and S. miltiorrhiza. Rats in the saline and sham groups were injected with normal saline by tail vein once daily for 10 consecutive days. Rats in the S. miltiorrhiza and alprostadil groups were injected with S. miltiorrhiza extract (20 µg/kg) or alprostadil. Histological differences in myocardial tissues between rats in the sham group and in the myocardial IRI model were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. India ink perfusion was used to quantify the number of capillary microvessels. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine serum expression levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM), soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM), CD11b and CD18. RESULTS: The alprostadil and S. miltiorrhiza groups had significantly higher numbers of microvessels than the saline group. Serum sICAM and sVCAM expression was significantly reduced in the alprostadil and S. miltiorrhiza groups. Meanwhile, sICAM and sVCAM in the alprostadil group were markedly lower than in the S. miltiorrhiza group. Moreover, the alprostadil group had markedly lower mRNA expression of CD11b and CD18, which were clearly lower than in the S. miltiorrhiza group. CONCLUSION: Alprostadil may have cardioprotective effects for myocardial IRI, with down-regulated expression of sICAM, sVCAM, CD11b, and CD18.

[Prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in married women of reproductive age in the rural area of Shandong province and its risk factors].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis of married women of reproductive age in the rural area of Shandong province and its affecting factors, with an aim to provide references for setting up preventing measures for this disease. METHODS: A stratified, population-based, cluster sampling method was employed. The epidemiological investigation on bacterial vaginosis of married women of reproductive age was carried out at four sampling fields. RESULTS: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 6.64%. The main risk factors included: lacked of personal bathtub and towel; did not use sterilized paper on menstrual phase; had no knowledge that gonorrhea, syphilis, AIDS, and trichomonal vaginitis can be transmitted through sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in married women of reproductive age in Shandong rural area is high, which correlates with the lower education level, limited health knowledge, and unhealthy behavior.

A community-based investigation on restless legs syndrome in a town in China.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a town in China and to explore potential factors correlated with the severity of the disease. METHODS: Face-to-face home interviews were conducted among a random sample of 2101 residents in one town in China, all aged 16 years and above. An individual questionnaire was administered to all participants to obtain a diagnosis of RLS and other information. An additional questionnaire was then handed out to each patient diagnosed with RLS to collect information on RLS severity and potential factors correlating with RLS severity. RESULTS: The prevalence of RLS in the studied population was 7.2%. The prevalence in women was significantly higher than in men and increased with age. Diabetes mellitus, anemia, arthritis, and varicose veins were also associated with RLS. Among the 152 patients, 21.7% were classified as having severe RLS. Multiple correlation analysis reveals that RLS severity was positively correlated with longer disease duration, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and level of work-related physical activity, but negatively correlated with level of leisure time physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: RLS is common in the studied population. Lifestyle factors may be associated with RLS severity.

[Study on the prevalence of low reproductive tract infection diseases and related risk factors among married women of bearing-age in rural area of Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of child-bearing age women with reproductive tract infection (RTI) and related risk factors in the rural area of Shandong so as to develop measurements on prevention. METHODS: Four communities were randomly selected based on economic levels and a baseline investigation on RTI was carried out. RESULTS: A total prevalence rate of RTI was 47.57% with breakdown for four communities-Zhucheng, Zhangqiu, Daiyue and Wudi as 53.91%, 41.49%, 48.37%, 44.88% respectively. Nearly 60% of women at child-bearing age were ignorant on sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Risk factors of RTI would include incorrect perineum cleanout, bad habit of sexual intercourse and low education level of the husbands. CONCLUSION: High prevalence of RTI was associated with low level of education, lack of awareness on STD related hygiene and low rate of seeing doctor for RTI disorder in those women. The results of this study would benefit to the development of intervention measurement of RTI.