Objective To investigate the changes and correlative factors of natural killer(NK)cells and T lymphocyte subpopulations levels in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE).Methods Peripheral blood samples were collected from 50 neonates with HIE.The percentages of NK cell(CD3~-CD_(16)~+CD_(56)~+) and T lymphocyte subpopulations including CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+ and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio were determined by Flow Cytometr(FCM).Meanwhile,20 healthy neonates were served as controls.Results (Le)-vels of NK cell,CD3~+,CD4~+,CD8~+ and CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio in neonates with HIE were significantly lower than those in control group(all P0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that there were negative correlation between the NK cell,CD3~+,CD4~+,CD4~+/CD8~+ ratio and stages of HIE(all P0.05). Linearregression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between NK cell and gestationalages((P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes and the clinical significance of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB (GPBB) levels in neonates with asphyxia complicated by myocardial injury.

METHODSSixty-four neonates with asphyxia (39 mild, 25 severe) were enrolled. Of the 64 neonates, 30 had myocardial injury and 34 did not develop myocardial injury. Twenty-five healthy neonates served as a control group. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB were measured using ELISA. Myocardial enzymes and cardiac troponin I were stimultaneously measured, and electrocardiography and chest radiographs were obtained.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB in neonates with myocardial injury were significantly higher than those in neonates without myocardial injury and in the control group (P<0.01). The neonates with severe asphyxia had significantly increased plasma NT-proBNP and GPBB concentrations compared to those with mild asphyxia and the control group (P<0.01). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that plasma NT-proBNP level was positively correlated with plasma GPBB level in neonates with asphyxia. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP and GPBB were also positively correlated with plasma levels of CK-MB, CK and LDH (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBoth NT-proBNP and GPBB can be used as biomarkers of myocardial injury in neonates with asphyxia. The measurement of plasma NT-proBNP and GPBB levels was useful in early identification of myocardial injury and severity evaluation in neonates with asphyxia.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; blood ; Cardiomyopathies ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Glycogen Phosphorylase ; blood ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Peptide Fragments ; blood

Objective To study the effects of coal burning related endemic fluorosis on body development and intelligence levels of fluorosic children in Zhijin county.Methods One hundred and seventy-six fluorosic children and 50 healthy(without fluorostic teeth) children aging 7-12 years who were sampled in cluster sampling were examined for urine fluorosis,physical examination and intelligence tests in Zhijin county,with coal burning pollution related fluorosis.Results Physical development of sick children and the children in control group were in low levels. The intelligence levels and the leves of urine fluorosis in study group were lower than those in control group and there was a significant difference(P

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphism Fokand vitamin D deficiency rickets in children between 1 to 3 years old, and to explore the significance of hereditary factors in the development of vitamin D deficiency rickets.

METHODSSixty-two children with vitamin D deficiency rickets and 60 healthy children as a control group were enrolled. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were measured using ELISA. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) genetic analysis method was used. A restriction fragment length polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphism Fok I was tested. The frequencies of the vitamin D receptor genotype and allele were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSSerum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels in the rickets group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( 9.1+/-4.1 ng/mL vs 16.1+/-6.9 ng/mL; P<0.05 ). FF genotype in the vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphism Fok I was more common in the rickets group than in the control group (53% vs 25%; P<0.05). F allele frequency in the rickets group was significantly higher than that in the control group (73% vs 57%; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a correlation between vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphism Fok I and vitamin D deficiency rickets. This suggests that vitamin D receptor genetic polymorphism might play an important role in determining susceptibility to development of vitamin D deficiency rickets.

Calcifediol ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Rickets ; blood ; genetics

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of obesity and sleep disorders and the association between them among children in Lanzhou, China. METHODS: The stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 3 283 primary school students in four districts of Lanzhou of Gansu province. Physical examination and sleep questionnaire were conducted to screen out the children who met the criteria for sleep disorders or obesity as subjects. Among the 3 283 children, 200 healthy children without sleep disorders or obesity were enrolled as the control group. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of obesity among the 3 283 children was 5.76% (189/3 283). Among these 189 obese children, 80 (42.3%) had sleep disorders. The prevalence rate of sleep disorders was 16.24% (533/3 283), and the prevalence rate of obesity among the children with sleep disorders was 24.6% (131/533). Snoring was the most common sleep disorder in obese children. The prevalence rate of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome was 45% (36/80) among obese children with sleep disorders. The obese children had a significantly higher prevalence rate of sleep disorders than the children with normal body weight [42.3% (80/189) vs 20% (40/200), P<0.01]. CONCLUSIONS There is a close relationship between obesity and sleep disorders in children in Lanzhou, China.
Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Humans ; Obesity ; complications ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; complications ; Snoring

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relation between the clinical outcome and the integrity of the facets after a lumbar operation,and to provide a reference for choosing operative method and clinical prognosis. METHODS: Forty-three patients with complete data underwent uni-segment discectomy were enrolled. There were 3 surgical interventions: open-window discectomy, full or semi-laminectomy. Groups were divided based on the integrity of the facets after the operation, and the clinical symptoms and signs were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back (JOA) scores at 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: Preoperative JOA scores were not significantly different among the groups (P>0.05). Compared with the facet intact group at 24-month follow-up,JOA scores were descended statistically in total uni-facetectomy group and total uni-facetectomy plus partial opposite facetectomy group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Keeping facets integrated plays an important role in achieving good clinical results,and the damage of facet should be avoided in the lumbar operation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Laminectomy ; methods ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Zygapophyseal Joint ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo analyze the allele frequencies of 7 short tandem repeat (STR) loci (D12S1718, D12S1675, D12S358, D12S367, D12S1638, D12S1646 and D12S1682) on chromosome 12 among Kashing-Beck disease (KBD) patients and the control population living in the KBD areas and non-KBD area.

METHODSEDTA-blood specimens were collected from 102 unrelated individuals of Chinese Han population in Shaanxi province including 29 KBD patients,30 controls living in the KBD area and 43 living in the non-KBD area. DNA samples were extracted using the Wizard Genomic DNA purification kit (http://www. Promega. com) and were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The PCR products were analyzed by ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer.

RESULTS(1) In KBD patients group, the allele number for 7 STR loci were 4,7,7,8,5,5 and 7, the genotype number were 5,12,13,11,10,9 and 13; (2) In the control population living in KBD area, the allele number for 7 STR loci were 4,9,7,6,6,6 and 8,t he genotype number were 5,10,12,14,12,9 and 13;(3) In the control population living in the non-KBD area, the allele number for 7 STR loci were 7,9,7,7,5,8 and 11, the genotype number were 9,16, 17,16,12,15 and 20;(4) Compared with the allele frequencies among three groups, there were significant differences between KBD patients and the controls living in the KBD area (D12S367: P = 0.034; D12S1638: P = 0.041) and the controls living in the non-KBD area (D12S367: P = 0. 029; D12S1638: P= 0 .028) in the D12S367 and D12S1638 loci; (5) There were significant differences among KBD patients (P = 0.036), controls living in the KBD area (P = 0.039) and controls living in the non-KBD area in the D12S1646.

CONCLUSIONThere was significant difference between KBD patients and the controls in the D12S367 and D12S1638 loci.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 12 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Loci ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; genetics ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential association of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene +1444C/T polymorphism with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the detection of CRP +1444C/T genotypes in 192 patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis and 197 healthy controls. Serum high sensitivity-CRP (hs-CRP) levels were measured by routine method.

RESULTSNo TT genotype was detected in this study. Patients with >70% stenosis had higher CC genotype compared with those with <70% stenosis after adjusting for major cerebrovascular risk factors (OR: 2.958; 95% CI: 1.198 - 7.305; P=0.019). CRP levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Subgroup analysis according to clinical characteristics (single or double stenosis; >70% or <70% stenosis) did not show difference in CRP levels. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of CT genotype between patients and controls, or between single and double stenosis (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe CRP +1444 CC genotype is a risk factor for >70% carotid artery stenosis. The serum CRP level is associated with the presence of carotid stenosis. However, it is not associated with the number and severity of stenosis.

Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carotid Stenosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUNDThe nocturnal nondipping and elevated morning blood pressure (BP) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) have not yet been well investigated in Chinese patients. This study aimed to describe the BP profile, and to elucidate the relationships between daytime BP and nighttime BP, and between evening BP and morning BP in patients with OSAS.

METHODSTwenty teaching hospital sleep centers in China were organized by the Chinese Medical Association to participate in this study and 2297 patients were recruited between January 2004 and April 2006. BP assessments were made at four time points (daytime, evening, nighttime and morning) and polysomnography (PSG) was performed and subjects were classified into four groups by their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): control, n = 213 with AHI < 5; mild, n = 420 with AHI ≥ 5 and < 15; moderate, n = 460 with AHI ≥ 15 and < 30; and severe, n = 1204 with AHI ≥ 30. SPSS 11.5 software package was used for statistical analysis and figure drawing.

RESULTSAll the average daytime, nighttime, evening and morning BPs were positively correlated with AHI and negatively correlated with nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation. The ratios of nighttime/daytime and morning/evening average BP were positively correlated with AHI. The ratio of nighttime/daytime systolic BP became a "reversed BP dipping" pattern until the classification reached severe, while the ratio of nighttime/daytime diastolic BP became reversed at moderate. Similarly, the ratio of morning/evening diastolic BP becomes reversed even at mild.

CONCLUSIONSOSAS may result in higher BP levels at all four time points. The ratios of nighttime/daytime and morning/evening BP increase with increased AHI. The increasing of diastolic BP, which is inclined to rise more quickly, is not parallel with increasing systolic BP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anthropometry ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDEpidemiologic studies have shown an independent and definite association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypertension. This study aimed to define the association between daytime blood pressure and severity of OSA in Chinese population in mainland of China.

METHODSTwenty university hospital sleep centers in mainland of China were invited by the Chinese Medical Association (CMA) to participate in this epidemiologic study and 2297 consecutive patients (aged 18 - 85 years; 1981 males and 316 females) referred to these twenty sleep centers for evaluation of OSA between January 2004 and April 2006 were prospectively enrolled. Nocturnal polysomnography was performed in each patient, and disease severity was assessed based on the apneahypopnea index (AHI). These patients were classfied into four groups: nonapneic control (control, n = 257) with AHI < or = 5 episodes/hour; mild sleep apnea (mild, n = 402) with AHI > 5 and < or = 15 episodes/hour; moderate sleep apnea (moderate, n = 460) with AHI > 15 and < or = 30 episodes/hour and severe sleep apnea (severe, n = 1178) with AHI > 30 episodes/hour. Daytime blood pressure measurements were performed under standardized conditions in each patient at 10 a.m. in office on the day of referring to sleep centers for getting average value. All the patients were requested to quit medications related to blood pressure for three days before the day of assessing.

RESULTSBoth daytime systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure values were significantly related to AHI positively (r = 0.201 and 0.276, respectively; both P values < 0.001) and to nadir nocturnal oxygen saturation negatively (r = -0.215 and -0.277, respectively; both P values < 0.001), which were the parameters of OSA severity. In two special designed mean plots, means of daytime systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased gradually with increasing AHI. Beyond AHI of 61 - 65, this increasing trend reached a plateau.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that OSA severity was associated with daytime blood pressure until AHI of 61 - 65, providing evidence for early OSA management, especially in OSA patients with concomitant hypertension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; pathology ; Young Adult