· AIM:To investigate the prevalence of juvenile myopia and factors affecting its occurrence in Linxia Prefecture.· METHODS:Totally 8 683 juvenile students who were 6-18 years old were extracted as respondent with stratified cluster sampling method.The eyesight,diopter and axial length were detected,and the gender,age,ethnicity,eye behavior were collected by self-made questionnaire.· RESULTS:The prevalence of myopia was 42.80％.The myopic rates of all ethnic groups were as follows:Tibetan Nationality:59.05％,Han Nationality:46.71％,Dongxiang Nationality:46.36％,Tu Nationality:45.24％,Sala Nationality:41.30％,Baoan nationality:40.61％,Hui Nationality:31.97％.Myopia rate between each ethnic groups had statistical difference (x2 =44.08,P=0.007).Multivariate analyses revealed that outdoor activities during the break was the protect factor for myopia;age,using electronic products on weekends and holidays,using the same lighting in room while studying were risk factors for myopia.· CONCLUSION:The prevalence of myopia increase with age in Linxia.The prevalence in different ethnic groups is different.Education department and family should make joint efforts to increase the outdoor time,improve the environment for teenagers to reduce the occurrence and development of myopia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protection effects of electroacupuncture on injury of lipid peroxidation induced by liver ischemia in septic rats.

METHODSForty-eight male SD rats were subjected to sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and were randomly divided into a Sham operation group (group A), a CLP model group (group B), a CLP model plus electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) group (group C), a CLP model plus electroacupuncture at the shame acupoint (group D), a vagotomy plus CLP model group (group E) and CLP model plus electroacupuncture group after vagotomy (group F), 8 rats in each group. CLP was performed in group E and group F after the abdominal vagotomy. Bilateral "Zusanli"(ST 36) points and the shame acupoint were electroacupunctured (2 mA, 2/100 Hz) for 1 hour in group C, group F and group D, respectively. The hepatic blood flow (HBF) was detected by a laser-Doppler flowmetry at 6 h after CLP. The plasma activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was also determined and specimens of liver were harvested for evaluation of malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and assessment of the rate of water content.

RESULTSThe blood flow of the liver was (56.97 +/- 11.95) U in group C which was significantly lower than (80.12 +/- 19.57) U in group A but higher than (42.61 +/- 10.97) U in group B, (44.53 +/- 9.23) U in group D, (30.05 +/- 4.46) U in group E and (30.46 +/- 6.38) U in group F (all P < 0.05) 6 h after CLP. Meanwhile, the levels of MDA, XOD, ALT and the rates of water content in liver in group C were all significantly higher than those in group A, but lower than those in the other four groups (all P < 0.05). The levels of MDA, XOD, ALT and the rates of water content in liver in group E and group F were all significantly higher than those in group D (all P < 0.05), while the blood flow of the liver lower than that in group D (P < 0.05), and with no significant differences in all above measurements between group E and group F (all P > 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture at "Zusanli" (ST 36) can promote hepatic blood flow, inhibit lipid peroxidation and alleviate hepatic edema and dysfunction in septic rats, which might be related with the completeness of cranial nerve.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver Circulation ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Xanthine Oxidase ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe lung functional status could be displayed on lung perfusion images. With the images, the radiotherapy plans of lung cancer could be guided to more optimized. This study aimed to assess quantitatively the impact of incorporating functional lung imaging into 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSTen patients with NSCLC who had undergone radiotherapy were included in this study. Before radiotherapy, each patient underwent CT simulation and lung perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The SPECT images were registered with simulation planning CT and used to contour functional lung (lung-F) and non-functional lung (lung-NF). Two 3DCRT plans and two IMRT plans were designed and compared in each patient: two anatomic plans using simulation CT alone and two functional plans using SPECT-CT in addition to the simulation CT. Dosimetric parameters of the four types of plans were compared in terms of tumor coverage and avoidance of normal tissues. Total radiation dose was set at 66 Gy (2 Gy x 33 fractions).

RESULTSIn incorporating perfusion information in 3DCRT and IMRT planning, the reductions on average in the mean doses to the functional lung in the functional plan were 168 cGy and 89 cGy, respectively, compared with those in the anatomic plans. The median reductions in the percentage of volume irradiated with > 5 Gy, > 10 Gy, > 20 Gy, > 30 Gy and > 40 Gy for functional lung in the functional plans were 6.50%, 10.21%, 14.02%, 22.30% and 23.46% in 3DCRT planning, respectively, and 3.05%, 15.52%, 14.16%, 4.87%, and 3.33% in IMRT planning, respectively. No greater degree of sparing of the functional lung was achieved in functional IMRT than in 3DCRT.

CONCLUSIONFunction-guided 3DCRT and IMRT plannings both appear to be effective in preserving functional lung in NSCLC patients.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Radiography ; Radiotherapy, Conformal ; methods ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; methods ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the association of polymorphisms in folate metabolism genes, methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) gene and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, with complex congenital abnormalities and to further investigate its association with complex congenital abnormalities derived from three germ layers.

METHODSA total of 250 cases of birth defects (with complex congenital abnormalities including congenital heart disease, neural tube defects, and craniofacial anomalies) in Shanxi Province, China were included in the study. MTRR single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs1801394) and MTHFR SNP (rs1801133) were genotyped by the SNaPshot method, and the genotyping results were compared with those of controls (n=420).

RESULTSSNPs rs1801394 and rs1801133 were associated with multiple birth defects. For the recessive model, individuals with GG genotype at rs1801394 and CC genotype at rs1801133 had a relatively low risk of developing birth defects, so the two genotypes were protective factors against birth defects. The homozygous recessive genotype at rs1801133, which served as a protective factor, was associated with ectoderm- or endoderm-derived complex congenital abnormalities, while the homozygous recessive genotype at rs1801394, which served as a protective factor, was associated with ectoderm-, mesoderm- or endoderm-derived complex congenital abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONSAmong the Chinese population in Shanxi Province, the SNPs in folate metabolism genes (MTRR and MTHFR) are associated with complex congenital abnormalities and related to ectoderm, mesoderm or endoderm development.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Congenital Abnormalities ; genetics ; Ferredoxin-NADP Reductase ; genetics ; Genotype ; Germ Layers ; embryology ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanism of TFE (total flavone of epimedium) in the treatment of osteoporosis, and then provide experimental evidence for modernization and further development of TFE as an traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODSSixty healthy female SD rats with aged 4 months were randomly divided into three groups (including control group in which rats received sham surgery, OVX group in which ovariectomized rats didn't give any medicine after the removal of ovaries and TFE group in which ovariectomized rats administrated TFE), 20 rats in each group. Compared bone mineral density (BMD) between before operation and at 4th week after operation in order to verify the establishment of osteoporotic model (criteria: BMD decreased more than 20% at 4th week after operation). The rats in TEF group were administrated total flavone of epimedium(concentration 30 mg/ml, 10 ml/kg, qd) orally for 4 weeks. After this, killed rats to harvest the lower part of the femur and detected BMD again. Applying the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique (RT-PCR) to detect expression of OPG, OPGL mRNA in bone tissue.

RESULTS(1) At 4th week after ovariectomy, the mean BMD of lumbar vertebra in TFE group fell to (0.084 +/- 0.020) g/cm2. Administrated with TFE for 4 weeks,the BMD increased to (0.112 +/- 0.009) g/cm2. There was significant improvement compare with the OVX group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared between OVX group and TFE group, The OPG mRNA expression of TFE group obviously enhanced. There was significant difference in statistics (P < 0.05). However,the promotion for OPGL mRNA expression were detected between OVX group and TFE group,there was no significant difference in statistics (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study showed that TFE could inhibit differentiation and maturation of osteoclast through enhancing OPG mRNA expression, accordingly,to treat osteoporosis.

Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epimedium ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavones ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Osteoprotegerin ; genetics ; Ovariectomy ; RANK Ligand ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the occupational stressors and modifiers of pediatricians and nurses in order to find the measurements for control of the job stress.

METHODS427 pediatricians and nurses working in five hospitals of a city served as subjects. Of them, the staff in section of pharmacy and toll offices in each hospital mentioned above served as control group. The General Job Stress Questionnaire was used to investigate the job stress by self-assessment.

RESULTSThe scores of job demand, job risk, drug using, daily job stress, positive feelings, patient A behavior, physical environment and feeling balance in pediatricians and nurses were higher than those of control group, but the scores of job-person conflict, environmental control, technology utility, mental health, responsibility on things were lower than those of control group (P<0.05). The points of job future, job locus of control, self-esteem, job satisfaction, job load variance, depression in nurses were higher than those of pediatricians, and non-work activities, job risk and daily life stress were lower than those of doctors (P<0.05). The main affecting factors on job strain of pediatric staff included job monotony, higher job demand, more non-work job, lower job control, more job risk, job future ambiguous, poorer social support, lower job locus control and lower self-esteem.

CONCLUSIONThe stress degree of pediatric staff is higher than that of controls. The pediatricians have more job stress than that of nurses. The main stressors of pediatric staff are job monotony, higher job demand, more non-worker activity, lower job control, higher job risk and ambiguous job future. The main modifiers are good social support, external job locus of control and higher self-esteem.

Adult ; Burnout, Professional ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Staff, Hospital ; psychology ; Nursing Staff, Hospital ; psychology ; Pediatrics ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

To evaluate the relationship between p27Kip1 low expression in breast cancer and its prognostic implication in breast carcinoma patients. Methods All data that were associated with the study of the relationship between p27Kip1 and the prognosis for breast cancer was pooled from Cochrane library, PubMed, Embase and Medlinebase. The outcome was measured using the risk ratio (RR). Data pooling was performed by RevMan 4. 2. Results 6457 patients from 20 studies were included in this meta-analysis. RR estimate of overall survival (OS) for patients with low level p27Kip1 was 2.07 [1.66,2.60] (P<0.01). For disease free survival (DFS), the pooled RR was 1.27 [1.10,1.47] (P<0.05). The combined RR estimate of relapse free survival (RFS) for patients with low level of p27Kip1 was 1.49 [0.92, 2.42] (P >0.05). In patients with lymph node negative breast carcinoma, the combined RR for OS and RFS were 1.98 [1.34,2.91] (P <0.01) and 1.28 [0.45,3.65] (P > 0.05), respectively. Among the patients with lymph node positive breast carcinoma, the combined RR for OS and RFS was 1.92 [1.31, 2.82] (P=0.0009) and 1.35 [0.96,1.89] (P>0.05) respectively. Conclusions Low level of p27Kip1 appears to be an independent prognostic factor to OS and DFS of breast cancer patients but not to RFS. Additional studies with large patient number and widely accepted practical methods are required to derive the precise prognostic significance of p27Kip1 expression in breast cancer patients.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo determine the prevalence of beta-fibrinogen gene -455G/A, -148C/T polymorphisms in Chinese Han population and to investigate whether they were associated with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).

METHODSThe subjects consisted of 101 patients with PTE and 101 healthy controls matched with age and sex, from the same geographic area. All patients were diagnosed by high probability of lung ventilation/perfusion scan and/or multi-slice CT pulmonary angiography as well as medical history and clinical manifestations. Genome DNA was extracted from whole blood using KI-phenol-chloroform. Genotypes and allele frequencies of fibrinogen beta gene -455G/A, -148C/T polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Restriction enzyme HaeIII and HindIII digestion were used for detecting -455G/A, -148C/T polymorphisms respectively.

RESULTSRegarding fibrinogen beta gene -455G/A and -148C/, the allele frequencies G and A of fibrinogen beta -455 in the controls were 0.931, 0.069 while C and T of -148 were 0.777, 0.223 respectively, which were in good agreement with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was significant difference of -455G/A genotype frequencies distribution of AA, GA, GG between cases and in controls respectively, but no significant difference was found in the -148C/T polymorphisms. The frequencies of mutation allele -455A were 0.193, 0.169 in cases and in controls with P < 0.05 but there was no statistically significant difference of -148T allele. The presence of A allele of fibrinogen beta -455 was found to be a greater risk factor in cases than in controls. The odds ratio (OR) of GA and GA + AA were 3.723 (1.786 - 7.759), 3.749 (1.842 - 7.630), respectively. When compared with GG genotype, the P value was 0.0001.

CONCLUSIONThere was a complete linkage disequilibrium between fibrinogen beta -148C/T and -455G/A found. The frequencies of -455A, alleles in PTE disease were apparently higher than that of healthy adults but there was no difference in -148T alleles.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Odds Ratio ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pulmonary Embolism ; genetics ; Risk Factors

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encodes the rapid component of the cardiac delayed rectifier K+ current, which has an important effect on both proarrhythmia and antiarrhythmia. To investigate the effect of sophocarpine (SC) on HERG channel stably expressing in human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK293) cells, whole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record HERG current and kinetic curves. As the result, it was found that SC inhibited HERG current in a concentration-dependent manner (10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1)). At 0 mV, 10, 30, 100, and 300 micromol x L(-1) SC respectively inhibited IHERG by Istep ( 10.7 +/- 2.8)% , (11.3 +/- 5.5)% , (47.0 +/- 2.3)% and (53.7 +/- 2.5)% , and Itail (1.1 +/- 3.0)%, (17.1 +/- 3.3)%, (32.7 +/- 1.9)% (P < 0.05, n = 12) and (56.0 +/- 2.4)% (P < 0.05, n = 13). The time constants of inactivation, recovery from inactivation and onset of inactivation were accelerated. SC did not change other channel kinetics (activation and deactivation). It is concluded that SC inhibited the transfected HERG channels by influencing the inactivation state, which is the probable anti-arrhythmic mechanism.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Kidney ; cytology ; Kinetics ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo analyze the molecular characteristics and genetic correlations of Vibrio cholerae isolates in Hainan in 2008, so as to provide pathogenic proof to diagnose the plague.

METHODSSeventy six cholera strains were isolated from this cholera epidemic.69 strains were obtained from patients, 7 were isolated from external environment, among which, one was from patient's toilet, one from water sample, three were isolated from fish pond near patient's home, one came from swab of the patient vomit on the ground of health center and one from swab of kitchen knife from Hainan University canteen respectively. With conventional aetiological methods, pulse-field gel electrophoresis was conducted and the patterns of the 76 isolates were analyzed. The PFGE image was analyzed using BioNumerics (Version4.0, Applied Maths BVBA, Belium). Image bands were identified and similarity coefficient was automatically generated.

RESULTSSeventy six strains were isolated from Vibrio cholerae outbreaks in Hainan in 2008.5 PFGE patterns of patient's isolates in June were the same, sharing a similarity coefficient of 100%. 70 PFGE patterns of patients and water in October and November were completely same, the similarity coefficient being 100%. But they were not same as that of June. 1 PFGE pattern of isolate from the sample in Hainan University was different, only sharing a similarity coefficient of 79.7%, which showed no correlation with the outbreak.

CONCLUSIONDifferent outbreaks of Vibrio cholera occurred in Hainan in 2008. The epidemic in October and November at different counties was one outbreak. The pollution of water in environment was an important factor for outbreak.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholera ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; methods ; Humans ; Vibrio cholerae ; classification ; isolation & purification