Objective To observe the expression of HBV-DNA and whether there were copy of HBV in the umbilical cord tissues of the died fetus delivered from puerpera with hepatitis virus B. Methods 40 cases such died fetus were collected by routine autopsy to obtain umbilical cord tissues.And using in situ molecular hybridization technique detected HBV-DNA. Results For the umbilical cord tissues, there were 40%(16/40) cases detected out HBV-DNA.HBV-DNA mainly localization in the surface of the umbilical cord vessel and in the cytoplasma of the cord vessel's endothelial cells. They were not in the cord vessel's endothelial cells nuclei. Conclusions There were HBV replication in the umbilical cord tissues of the died fetus. But the expression of HBV-DNA in the umbilical cord tissues of the died fetus is not related with the HBV replication status in the pregnant woman veins.

BackgroundIdiopathic epiretinal membranes(ERMs) is a common eye disease condition that leads to progressive decline of visual acuity. Studying the risk factors relating to this disease will shed light on its pathogenesis and allow opthalmologists to screen the affected individuals among the high-risk population and prepare for prevention and management strategies. ObjectiveThis survey was to investigate the risk factors of idiopathic ERMs in the population undergoing routine health check-ups. MethodsThe clinical data of idiopathic ERMs was obtained from the population of routine health check-ups in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2009 to October 2010. The examination outcomes were compared between the individuals with and without idiopathic ERMs. The demographic and clinical factors associated with idiopathic ERMs were analyzed and assessed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Result A total of 27 400 people were included in the survey and idiopathic ERMs were diagnosed in 76 cases. No obvious eye complaint was obtained from the idiopathic ERMs. The number of people affected with idiopathic ERMs was 12 ( 12/11 659 ) in the below 40 years group, 21 (21/4595) in the 51-60 years group and 32 (32/2544) in the over 60 years group. Hypertension, diabetes, diedyslipidemia, renal function insufficiency ,and cataract were found in 42％ ,5％ ,66％ ,6％ and 8％ of the patients, respectively. The univariate logistic regression analyses revealed that significant correlations were found between age,hypertension,hyperlipidemia and history of cataract( P＜0. 01 ). Multivariate regression models showed that the risk of idiopathic ERMs increased in age of 51-60( OR=2. 5,95％ CI:1. 2-5.4,P=0.02) and over 60 years( OR =7.3,95％ CI:3.4-15.6 ,P＜0.01 ) and patients suffering from hyperlipidemia ( OR--2. 1,95％ CI:1. 3-3.5, P＜0. 01 ). ConclusionsOver the age of 50 years and hyperlipidemia are primary risk factors of idiopathic ERM.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of adenosine triphosphate ( ATP ) bioluminescence test on quality monitoring of flexible endoscope reprocessing. Methods The patient-used gastroscopes were randomly assigned to two groups after standard reprocessing by one nurse. The group A were assessed by ATP test followed by microbiological surveillance test after cleaning and disinfection; and the gastroscopes in group B were tested in a reverse order. The biological load after endoscopic cleaning and disinfection were compared between ATP test and microbiological surveillance, and the correlation of the two tests on quality assessing of endoscopic cleanliness and disinfection were analyzed. Results A total of 51 samples were valid. The qualified rate of cleaning was 45. 1％ ( 23/51) detected by ATP test, and the qualified rate of disinfection was 92. 2％ ( 47/51) detected by microbiological surveillance. There was no statistical difference in cleaning qualification rate ( 50. 0％ VS 40. 0％,χ2=0. 515, P=0. 473) and disinfection qualification rate ( 96. 2％ VS 88. 0％,χ2=0. 316, P=0. 574) between the two groups. The logarithmic value of relative light unit ( RLU) of ATP test after cleaning was higher than the value after disinfection ( 1. 68 ± 0. 50 VS 0. 88 ±0. 49, t=2. 335,P=0. 024) . For gastroscopes disinfected appropriately, the RLU logarithmic value of ATP test after cleaning ( t=2. 505, P=0. 016) and disinfection ( t=2. 485, P=0. 016) were lower than that of disqualification. The correlation between the value of ATP test and the colony forming units of microbiological surveillance after cleaning was not statistically significant ( r=0. 199, P=0. 171 ) , but there was a low correlation between the two monitoring results after disinfection (r=0. 391, P=0. 005). There was a low correlation between the value of ATP test after cleaning and the colony forming units of microbiological surveillance after disinfection ( r=0. 301, P=0. 032) . Conclusion ATP bioluminescence test can be used to evaluate the trend of endoscopic biological load change and the quality of flexible endoscope reprocessing.

INTRODUCTIONComplementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is garnering increasing interest and acceptance among the general population. Although usage is thought to be widespread among paediatric cancer patients, local studies have not been done. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and predictors of CAM usage in paediatric cancer patients in a single institution.

MATERIALS AND METHODSParents of 73 paediatric cancer patients treated at KK Women's & Children's Hospital completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data about the types of CAM therapies used, motivations for use, adverse effects, costs and discussion of usage with the patient's physician were obtained. General perceptions towards CAM and conventional medicine were explored. A subsequent telephone survey enquired about spirituality, benefits of CAM use and overall satisfaction with the therapies.

RESULTSTwo-thirds of patients used at least 1 CAM treatment, mainly as supportive adjuncts to conventional cancer treatment. Dietary changes, health supplements, herbal tea and bird's nest were the most common therapies used. Few patients (8.1%) consulted a CAM practitioner. Positive predictors of CAM usage included being of Chinese race, the practice of Buddhism or Taoism, the use of CAM prior to diagnosis, perception of CAM effectiveness and dissatisfaction with conventional treatment. Significantly, 55.1% of the parents had not discussed their CAM usage with their child's physician.

CONCLUSIONSA substantial proportion of paediatric cancer patients utilises CAM therapies, often without their physician's knowledge. Healthcare providers need to remain cognisant of the potential implications of CAM usage in order to proactively counsel patients. This would ensure that conventional therapy remains uncompromised.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Medical Oncology ; methods ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Patient Satisfaction ; Pediatrics ; methods ; Prevalence ; Singapore ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study DNA damage, Bcl-2 and Bax expression, and ultrastructure change in spermatogenic cell of mice by cadmium exposure.

METHODSTwenty-four male mice were divided into 4 groups: 3 groups treated with cadmium chloride of 1, 5, 10 micromol x kg(-1) x d(-1) i.p. respectively for 5 days, and one normal saline control group. The DNA damage of spermatogenic cell by single-cell gel electrophoresis technology was detected. The expression positive rate of Bcl-2, Bax protein in spermatogenic cell by the immunohistochemical method was assayed, and the ultrastructural change of spermatogenic cell by the transmission electron microscope was observed.

RESULTSDNA damage rates of of spermatogenic cell in 1, 5, 10 micromol/kg cadmium chloride groups were higher than that of normal group (P < 0.001). Bcl-2 protein expression positive rates were lower than that of normal group (P < 0.001). Bax protein positive expression rate in 5 micromol/kg group was higher than those in normal group, and 1, 10 micromol/kg groups. The ultrastructure of karyotis, karyotheca, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum in three treated groups had different degree of damage and the degree of ultrastructural change was increasing with rising concentration of cadmium.

CONCLUSIONCadmium exposure will cause the DNA break, Bcl-2 and Bax protein abnormal expression and ultrastructural change in spermatogenic cell.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cadmium Chloride ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the usefulness of new microspincolumn method for the measurement of a1pha-fetoprotein variant AFP-L3 in differentiation of benign and malignant liver disease and the warming for liver cancer.

METHODSAFP-L3 was isolated by using microspincolumn coupled with lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), AFP and AFP-L3 were determined with chemiluminescent immunoassay, the proportion of AFP-L3 levels AFP-L3(%) were calculated, and the relationship between the elevated AFP-L3(%) levels and benign and malignant liver disease was analyzed.

RESULTSThe levels of AFP-L3(%) in serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher than those in the patients with other liver diseases (P < 0.001). Taking AFP-L3(%) >or= 10% as the diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity for diagnosis of liver cancer was 90.9%.

CONCLUSIONDetection of AFP-L3 seemed to be of clinical value in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma; it may be especially important for identifying patients with hepatocellular carcinoma whose a1pha-fetoprotein level is low.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; blood ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Luminescent Measurements ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; analysis

Objective To explore the clinical value of Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive alphafetoprotein in the differentiation diagnosis between benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Alpha-fetoprotein variants from 300 patients with liver diseases were isolated with micro-spin column equipped lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA). The AFP and AFP-L3 were detected by the electrochemical luminescence (ECL) method, and the proportions of AFP-L3 were calculated. Results The positive rates of AFP-L3 of HCC patients and chronic liver disease patients were 95% and 64% respectively, there were significant difference in two groups (x2 = 134.72, P ＜ 0. 01 ),the HCC incidence rates of AFP-L3 positive and negative chronic liver disease patients showed significant difference(x2 = 80. 158, P ＜ 0.01 ). there were no correlations between the proportion of AFP-L3 and AFP consistency(r = 0.046,P ＞0.05). Conclusions The detection of AFP-L3 by micro-spin column assay show great clinical value in the differentiation diagnosis of benign and malignant liver diseases, as well as the early warning of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its associated risk factors in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study in Nanjing, China, in the period between January 2008 and December 2009. METHODS: Patients with type 2 diabetes under the care by Jiangsu Province Official Hospital, Nanjing, China were invited for assessment. CKD was defined as the presence of albuminuria or estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Albuminuria was defined as urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio > or =30 mg/g. RESULTS: We recruited 1,521 urban Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age, 63.9+/-12.0 years). The frequency of CKD and albuminuria was 31.0% and 28.9%, respectively. After adjusted by age and sex, hypertension, anemia and duration of diabetes were significantly associated with CKD with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) being 1.93 (1.28 to 2.93), 1.70 (1.09 to 2.64), and 1.03 (1.00 to 1.06), respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, CKD was common in the urban Nanjing Chinese with type 2 diabetes. Strategies to prevent or delay progression of kidney disease in diabetes should be carried out at the early disease course of type 2 diabetes.
Albuminuria ; Anemia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Diseases ; Odds Ratio ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The application of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for the diagnosis of diabetes is currently under extensive discussion. In this study, we explored the validity of using HbA1c as a screening and diagnostic test in Chinese subjects recruited in Nanjing, China. METHODS: In total, 497 subjects (361 men and 136 women) with fasting plasma glucose (PG) > or = 5.6 mmol/L were recruited to undergo the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HbA1c test. Plasma lipid, uric acid, and blood pressure were also measured. RESULTS: Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, the optimal cutoff point of HbA1c related to diabetes diagnosed by the OGTT was 6.3%, with a sensitivity and specificity of 79.6% and 82.2%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.87 (95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 0.92). A HbA1c level of 6.5% had a sensitivity and specificity of 62.7% and 93.5%, respectively. When comparing the HbA1c > or = 6.5% or OGTT methods for diagnosing diabetes, the former group had significantly higher HbA1c levels and lower levels of fasting and 2-hour PG than the latter group. No significant difference was observed in the other metabolism indexes between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HbA1c > or = 6.5% has reasonably good specificity for diagnosing diabetes in Chinese subjects, which is in concordance with the American Diabetes Association recommendations.
Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; *Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biological Markers/blood ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; China/epidemiology ; *Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/standards ; *Chromatography, Ion Exchange/standards ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood/*diagnosis/ethnology ; Fasting/blood ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test/standards ; Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated/*analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods/standards ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Reference Standards ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity