Objective To analyze the present situation of technical efficiency in TCM hospitals throughout the country, discuss the influencing factors causing inefficiency and propose corresponding suggestions. Methods The technical efficiency in 60 TCM hospitals in the country was analyzed using the stochastic frontier cost model for panel data and the influencing factors causing inefficiency were discussed using the multiple stepwise regression method. Results The average technical inefficiency was 22.59% and inefficiency showed an upward trend as the areas shifted from the eastern through the middle to the western regions. Five factors, including the utility rate of beds and the proportion of health technicians among the entire hospital staff, were statistically significant so far as the effect on the increase of the overall cost was concerned. Conclusion The stochastic frontier cost model for panel data is the best method for evaluating the technical efficiency in TCM hospitals. On the basis of the above analysis, suggestions for strengthening scientific management, improving the utility rate of resources and reducing unnecessary waste are put forward.

Objective To investigate the expression of apolipoprotein M in rats after renal transplantation and its role and action mechanism in acute rejection (AR).Methods The kidney transplantation model in rats were established.Male SD and Wistar rats were used as donors,and Wistar rats as recipients.Three groups were designated:control group (syngeneic transplantation,n =24,recipients were treated with normal saline i.p.); AR group (allogeneic transplantation,n =24,recipients were treated with normal saline i.p.); PDTC group [allogeneic transplantation,n =24,recipients were treated with NF-κB inhibitor-pyrrolidine dithiocarbamat (PDTC) i.p.].The renal grafts were drawn at day 1,3,5 and 7 post-transplantation,and the expression levels of NF-κB P65 and apoM protein were detected by using Western blotting,and those of apoM,perforin and granzyme B mRNA were by using real-time PCR.The correlation of apoM and NF-κB,apoM and perforin,and apoM and granzyme B was respectively analyzed.Results As compared with control group,the expression levels of apoM,perforin and granzyme B mRNA in AR and PDTC groups were dramatically up-regulated at each time point (P＜0.01),and those in PDTC group were significantly lower than those in AR group (P＜0.01).The expression levels of apoM and NF-κB protein in AR group were both distinctly higher than those in control group (P＜0.01),and those in PDTC group were markedly lower than those in AR group (P＜0.01).A significantly positive correlation was found between the expression of apoM and NF-κB protein (r =0.469,P＜0.05).And the expression of apoM mRNA was positively correlated to perforin and granzyme B mRNA (r =0.731,P＜0.01 ; r =0.514,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of apoM is obviously up-regulated in renal grafts of rats,which may take part in the pathogenesis of AR via NF-κB.

Objective To investigate the correlation betw een visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and long-term stroke recurrence in patients w ith ischemic stroke. Methods Consecutive patients w ith first-ever acute ischemic stroke w ere registered. The demographic and clinical data w ere documented. The patients w ere follow ed up every month after discharge. Visit-to-visit blood pressure w as measured, and its mean value and blood pressure variability parameters w ere calculated.A 12-month follow-up period w as completed and the recurrent stroke events w ere documented.Univariate analysis w as used to compare the demographic and clinical data in the recurrent and non-recurrent groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis w as used to identify the correlation betw een visit-to-visit blood pressure variability and stroke recurrence. Results A total of 556 patients completed the follow-up, including 62 (11.2%) w ith recurrent stroke. The standard deviation (16.5 ±4.7 mmHg vs.13.4 ±4.2 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa; t=1.953, P=0.042) and coefficient of variation (11.9 ±3.1 vs.9.8 ±2.4; t=2.287, P=0.001) of visit-to-visit systolic blood pressure in the recurrent group w ere significantly higher than those in the non-recurrent group.Multivariable logistic regression analysis show ed that visit-to-visit coefficient of variation of systolic pressure w as independently associated w ith stroke recurrence (odds ratio 1.305,95% confidence interval 1.004-7.491;P=0.017). Conclusion The visit-to-visit blood pressure variability w as independently associated w ith long-term stroke recurrence in patients w ith acute ischemic stroke.