Objective To determine the current prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) among adult residents in Chinese developed areas.Methods The clinical data of 6614 adult residents,including 4051 women,from Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces from China Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Study (2007-2008) were analyzed.Age and sex standardized prevalences of MS were calculated according to the criteria of Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS),US National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel Ⅲ (ATP Ⅲ),International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Joint Interim Statement (JIS),respectively.Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors of MS.Results Age and sex standardized prevalences of MS were 17.88％ (CDS),28.50％ (ATP Ⅲ),21.99％ (IDF) and 31.50％ (JIS),respectively.The prevalences of residents with at least one metabolic abnormality were 67.86％ (CDS) 79.56％ (ATP Ⅲ),79.62％ (IDF) and 80.74％ (JIS),respectively.MS was more common in female than in male by the ATPⅢ and IDF criterion (ATPⅢ:30.63％ vs 26.45％,P ＜0.01 ; IDF:26.04％ vs 17.91％,P ＜ 0.01),while the prevalence was higher in male by CDS criteria (15.94％ vs 19.87％,P ＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the MS prevalence between the rural and the urban residents.Kappa test showed ATP Ⅲ and JIS criteria were most homogenous (κ =0.95,P ＜ 0.01).The risk factors for MS by the logistic regression model were male,older age,lower degree of education,family history of hypertension and obesity,drinker as well as uncontrolled diet.Conclusion The prevalence of MS is high in the adult residents of Chinese developed areas (Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces),whatever diagnostic criterion was used.Effective measures should be taken to control the modifiable MS risk factors.

In order to improve the traditional teaching of microbiology experiments a new microbiology experiment curriculum system is to be established with the cultivating creative ability as central contents by adjusting teaching contents, reforming teaching system, enriching teaching methods, strengthening construc- tion of teacher. This will help them to improve their ability of thinking independently and creatively as well as their practicing ability.

Objective To develop a microtitration plate en zyme immunoassay to differentiate Candida albicans from Candida dubliniensis isolates using two specific probes s imultaneously.Methods The fun-gus-specific universal primers derived from the internal transcribed s pacer region of fungal rDNA were labeled with biotin,while the C.albicans or C.dubliniensis specific capture probes were coated on the microplates.Genomic DNA purified from the two species was amplified by PCR.The biotinylated p roducts were captured by the probes coated on the microplates.The A 405 value was finally determined by the c olorimetric assay.Results The two species of Candida could be detected specifically.Out of 108clinical isolates originally identified as C.albicans on the basis of germtube formation,two isolates were positive for C.dubliniensis and negative for C.albicans.The other106isolates were positive for C.albicans and negative for C.dubliniensis.Conclusions Two-specific-probe hybridization method is rapid and re liable for differentiating C.albicans from C.dubliniensis.

Background Oscillatory potentials (OPs) of scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) plays an important role in the evaluation of visual function in multiple retinal diseases.However,the origin of OPs is uncompletely clear.It is essential to analyze the time domain and frequency domain components for the further study of OPs.Objective The present study was to investigate the change characteristics of frequency spectrum of scotopic OPs with age and stimulating intensity.Methods RCS-rdy+-p+rats with the ages of 21,25,32,35,37,46,60,90 days were selected iu this study and 3 rats for each.Scotopic flash ERG were recorded from all the rats with RETI-scan system.Gold-foil ring cornea recording electrode was used as the recording electrode and the steel needle electrode was used as the reference and earth electrode during the record.The intensity of stimulating light was set at-20,-10,-5,0 and 5 dB respectively.Data were output into the computer and processed by the software Matlab7.0.Results The principle frequency corresponding to maximum amplitude component was 80-120 Hz in the various ages of rats under the different stimulating conditions above.With the increase of the intensity of stimulating light,high frequency component (200-250 Hz) began to appear and the amplitudes showed a gradually raise upon the intensity of light.The major component was subdivided into two peaks at 0 dB stimulation.Further,the age affected the major frequency peak with the maximum value at 60-day-old rats and the minimum value at 25-day-old rats.Also,the pass-band width of main amplitude appeared to be maximal at 60-day-old rats and minimal at 25-day-old rats.Conclusions OPs in Rcsrdy+-p+ rats are influenced by stimulating intensity and agc.Stimulating intensity affects the amplitude and age lead to the change of distribution of primary frequency of OPs.It is possible to know the influences of the degeneration of rods and be helpful to diagnosis this kind of disease.

Objective To investigate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) / heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in reduction of acute kidney injury following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) by hydrogen-rich saline in rats.Methods Thirty-two healthy adult male SpragueDawley rats,weighing 220-250 g,were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n =8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),OLT group,hydrogen-rich saline group (HS group),and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) group.Laparotomy was performed,and the related blood vessels were isolated in group S.The model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established in OLT,HS and ATRA groups.Normal saline and hydrogen-rich saline 6 ml/kg were injected through the inferior vena cava at 5 min before the portal vein was clamped in OLT and HS groups,respectively.In group ATRA,Nrf2 inhibitor ATRA 7 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 2 consecutive days,the model of orthotopic autologous liver transplantation was established at 16 h after the last injection of ATRA,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group HS.At 6 h of reperfusion,blood samples were collected for determination of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN),creatinine (Cr),interleukin10 (1L-10) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations.After blood sampling,the lungs were removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,expression of HO-1,Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA (by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction),and HO-1 protein expression in lung tissues (by Western blot) and for microscopic examination.The damage to the renal tubules was scored.Results Compared with group S,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,and the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA,and Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group OLT (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group OLT,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly decreased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were increased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were decreased,the SOD activity was increased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mR-NA was up-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was down-regulated in group HS (P＜0.05).Compared with group HS,the serum BUN,Cr and TNF-α concentrations were significantly increased,the serum IL-10 concentrations were decreased,the MDA content and renal tubular damage score were increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA was down-regulated,and the expression of Bax mRNA was up-regulated in group ATRA (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen-rich saline reduces acute kidney injury following OLT is probably associated with activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the myocardial injury in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation.Methods Forty patients (AHA classification grade A or B),aged 40-64 yr,with a body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2,scheduled for live donor liver transplantation,were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n =20 each):control group (group C) and ulinastatin group (group U).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,sufentanil,and cisatracurium besilate.The patients were tracheal intubated and mechanically ventilated.Ulinastatin 300 000 IU in 100 ml of normal saline was infused intravenously over 30 min after anesthesia induction and then the infusion was repeated at 4 h interval until the end of operation in group U,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.Blood samples were taken from the central vein immediately before skin incision (T0,baseline),at 30 min of anhepatic phase (T1),at 30 min of neohepatic phase (T2),and at 0,4 and 24 h after operation (T3-5) for determination of the concentrations of serum cardiac troponin Ⅰ (cTnI),creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).The changing rates of cTnI and CK-MB at T1-5 were calculated.The use of cardiovascular drugs and cardiovsscular accidents were recorded during operation.Results The serum cTnI,CK-MB and NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher at T2-5 than at T0 in the two groups ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group C,the serum cTnI,CK- MB and NT-proBNP concentrations at T2-5 were significantly deceased in group U ( P ＜ 0.05).The maximal changing rates of cTnI,CK-MB and NT-proBNP concentrations were 4.71 ± 1.62,6.85 ± 1.53 and 4.96 ± 1.23 respectively in group C,decreased to 3.26 ± 1.51,4.56 ± 1.62 and 3.67 ± 1.02 respectively in group U.There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular accidents and the use of dopamine between the two groups.Conclusion Intravenous infusion of ulinastatin can attenuate the myocardial injury to some extent in patients undergoing live donor liver transplantation.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of sibutramine (Reductile )in Chinese obese patients. Methods Obese adults (BMI 27～45 kg/m 2) in six research centers received sibutamine 10 mg or placebo one tablet each day with a controlled-energy diet for 24 weeks by randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Results For intent-to-treat analysis, 125 sibutramine-treated subjects and 126 placebo-treated subjects were evaluated. After 24 weeks, sibutramine-treated patients lost more weight (6.52?3.95)kg than placebo-treated patients (3.18?3.59)kg(P

Objective To construct the RNA interference eukaryotic expression vector targeting human centromere protein-I (CENP-I) and to observe its effect on the growth of human embryo kidney 293 cells (HEK 293). Methods The expression vectors of pGenesil-1/CENP-I-siRNA-1. pGenesil-1/CENP-I-siRNA-2 and pGenesil-1/CENP-I-siRNA-3 were constructed by gene recombination and then were transfected into the HEK293 cells by liposome. The expressions of CENP-I at the protein and mRNA levels were detected by Western blotting and fluorescence quality PCR (FQ-PCR). The effective vector and the best transfection time were selected. The growth and the cell cycle of the transfected cells were assessed by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Giemsa was used to stain the transfected cells to calculate the mitotic index. Results Sequence-specific siRNAs targeting CENP-I significantly down-regulated the expression of CENP-I in HEK293 cells. The recombinant plasmid of pGenesil-1/CENP-I-siRNA-3 was the effective vector. After transfecting for 72 h the best inhibited efficiency was achieved. In CENP-I-siRNA transfected cells,the rate of cell growth was decreased markedly. Cells at G 2/M phase and the mitotic index were increased conspicuous compared with the cells transfected with the blank vector or untransfected. Conclusion Down-regulation of CENP-I in HEK293 cells by sequence specific siRNA delays the cell growth and postpones the cell division.

Objectives To investigate the clinical features,prognosis and risk factors of patients with cryptococcal meningitis.Methods Totally 146 patients with cryptococcal meningitis who were hospitalized in Huashan Hospital from January 2000 to December 2006 were enrolled in this study.The clinical data including diagnosis and misdiagnosis,experimental and etiology tests,treat- ments and prognosis from all the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among the 146 patients enrolled in the study,78 patients(53.4%)had concomitant diseases.The misdiagnosis rate of all patients was 72.6%(106/146).The positive rate of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)India ink smear was 59.6%(87/106),while 43.2%(63/146)cases of cryptococcus neoformans culture in CSF was positive.The positive rate of Latex agglutination test(LAT)was 91.7%(134/146)in CSF among all patients.The treatments were as follows:combination of Amphotericin B(AmpB)or its lipid formula- tions with flucytosine(5-FC)(98 cases),including combination with Fluconazole initally(62 cases), single therapy of Fluconazole(13 cases).Ommaya implanted for lateral cerebral ventricle drainage(53 cases)and AmpB intrathecal injection(53 cases).The average dose of AmpB is 3.06 g.The course of treatment lasted from 12 weeks to 20 months.There were 104 patients(71.2%)cured,27(18.5%) improved,15(10.3%)died and 34(23.3%)relapsed.Conclusions High misdiagnosis rate is common in patients with cryptococcal meningitis.Immunodeficiency is the major risk factor for cryp- tococcal meningitis.CSF LAT is the most sensitive diagnostic test.Early diagnosis,combination of AmpB with 5-FC antifungal therapy and control of acute intracranial hypertension are the keys to im- prove prognosis of cryptococcal meningitis.

Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) on dendritic cells(DCs) derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) of chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients and to explore the mechanism of sustained infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Methods Twenty CHB patients were randomly screened in the study,and ten healthy persons were recruited as controls.The monocytes isolated from peripheral blood of candidates were incubated with recombinant human granuloeyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) and rhIL-4 to induce the DCs generation and proliferation.Then the phenotype of DCs was identified by micro- scope.The expressions of the phenotypes[histocompatibility leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DR,CD80, CD86,CD83]of immature and mature DCs were measured by flow cytometer.Furthermore,the ex- pression of TLR3 on mature DCs(mDC) and immature DCs(imDC) was determined by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis respectively.Results As for healthy volunteers,the expressions of CD80, CD86,HLA-DR and CD83 on DCs at the 7th day,which were(82.35?8.67)%,(79.61?10.08)%, (92.79?8.48)% and (83.76?5.47)% respectively,were significantly higher than those at the 5th day which were(28.31?8.79) %,(31.17?11.23)%,(27.61?10.28)% and (23.46?11.53)% respec- tively(P0.05).The expression of TLR3 on imDC was significantly higher than that on mDC at control group (P0.05).And the expression of TLR3 on imDC in CHB patients group was significantly lower than that of control group(P