Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing. Methods: We designed a tinnitus epidemiological questionnaire. The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling methods was applied to obtain study subjects in six areas (Nanchong, Jiangjin, Fengdu, Yunyang, Suining and Ya'an), which were selected for epidemiological investigation. Home visit completion of epidemiological questionnaires was conducted. The trained investigators guided the respondents to fill in the tinnitus epidemiological questionnaires, and the epidemiological status of six areas on prevalence and risk factor was investigated. SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Sampling population were 10 289, in which 9 273 were valid questionnaires. There were 4 281 males and 4 992 females, with an average age of 47.3 years, among which 34.83% (3 230/9 273) had tinnitus. 3.99% (370/9 273) were diagnosed with bothersome tinnitus. In a multivariable logistic regression mod, the following factors were associated with onsetting of tinnitus: sleep disorder [Odds Ratio(OR)=3.74] and noise exposure(OR=1.99). The risk of disease was lowest in the age of 30-40 years old, while the risk of disease was higher for people under 30 and over 40. In another multivariable logistic regression mode, the following factors were associated with having bothersome tinnitus: older people were more likely to suffer from tinnitus, sleep disorders (OR=4.68) and noise exposure (OR=1.56). Conclusions: The prevalence of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing is about 34.83%, but most of the tinnitus is short-lived and has low loudness, which will not affect the patients. Only a small number of patients with tinnitus (3.99%) persist and affect their health and need treatment. The occurrence and exacerbation of tinnitus may be related to sleep, age, and noise exposure.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tinnitus/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVETo understand the clinical features of death from hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) and to explore the early warning index of HFMD death.

METHODSA total of 41 HFMD death cases were collected as case group in Shandong province between 2009 and 2011, and another 123 serious HFMD cases were selected as control group according to the similar gender, place of origin and hospital level, with the ratio at 1:3. We investigated the general situation, clinical treatment, past medical history, clinical symptoms and signs of the ill children, and applied the conditional logistic regression to explore early warning index of HFMD death.

RESULTSThe rate of patients who had symptoms in nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system and respiratory system were separately 90.2% (37/41), 58.5% (24/41), 53.7% (22/41) and 90.2% (37/41) in case group; and the proportions were 44.7% (55/123), 13.8% (17/123), 10.6% (13/123) and 12.2% (15/123) respectively in control group. The difference between the two groups showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 25.881, 32.791, 34.011, 86.505, P < 0.05). In case group, 37 patients had neurogenic pulmonary edema, 26 patients got encephalitis, 15 patients had respiratory and circulatory failure, 7 patients got pulmonary hemorrhage, 4 patients had multiple organ failure, 4 patients got myocarditis and 1 patient had cerebral hernia. According to multi-factor logistic regression analysis, the early warning indicators of HFMD death included neck resistance (case group: 34.1% (14/41), control group: 4.1% (5/123); OR = 7.145, 95%CI: 1.748 - 29.204), vomiting (case group: 58.5% (24/41), control group: 13.8% (17/123); OR = 5.632, 95%CI: 1.793 - 17.685) and increase of heart rate (case group: 53.7% (22/41), control group: 10.6% (14/123), OR = 6.370, 95%CI: 1.517 - 26.743).

CONCLUSIONIn the process of clinical treatment and care, we should interfere the serious HFMD patients with neck resistance, vomiting and increase of heart rate, and thereby reduce the death from HFMD.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

Objective To explore the effects of HBO preconditioning on the inflammatory reaction induced by ischemia-reperfusion following skin flap transplantation in rats.Methods Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 different groups:the sham group,the ischemia-reperfusion(IR)day 1 group,the IR day 3 group,the IR day 5 group,the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion day 1 group,the HBO+ischemiareperfusion day 3 group and the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion day 5 group.First,the abdominal pedicle skin flap model was developed and the animals were treated with HBO preconditioning.Then,levels of MMP-9 and HMGB1 were measured with ELLSA.Results The MMP-9 levels of IR d 1 and d 3 groups,the HMGB1 levels of d 1,3,5 groups were significantly higher than those of the sham group[(13.74±2.04)、(11.05±1.35)μg/L](P＜0.01).The MMP-9 level of IR d 5 group[(16.66±2.45)μg/L]was higher than that of the sham group(P＜0.05).The MMP-9 levels of the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion d 1 and d 3 groups were lower than that of the IR group on the same day(P＜0.05).The HMGB1 level of the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion d 5 group was obviously lower than that of the IR group on the same day(P＜0.01).Conclusions Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning might alleviate inflammatory reaction induced by ischemia-reperfusion through the access of decreasing the serum levels of MMP-9 and HMGB1 in rats following skin flap transplantation.

Objective To explore the effects of HBO preconditioning on the inflammatory reaction induced by ischemia-reperfusion following skin flap transplantation in rats.Methods Fifty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 different groups:the sham group,the ischemia-reperfusion(IR)day 1 group,the IR day 3 group,the IR day 5 group,the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion day 1 group,the HBO+ischemiareperfusion day 3 group and the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion day 5 group.First,the abdominal pedicle skin flap model was developed and the animals were treated with HBO preconditioning.Then,levels of MMP-9 and HMGB1 were measured with ELLSA.Results The MMP-9 levels of IR d 1 and d 3 groups,the HMGB1 levels of d 1,3,5 groups were significantly higher than those of the sham group[(13.74±2.04)、(11.05±1.35)μg/L](P＜0.01).The MMP-9 level of IR d 5 group[(16.66±2.45)μg/L]was higher than that of the sham group(P＜0.05).The MMP-9 levels of the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion d 1 and d 3 groups were lower than that of the IR group on the same day(P＜0.05).The HMGB1 level of the HBO+ischemia-reperfusion d 5 group was obviously lower than that of the IR group on the same day(P＜0.01).Conclusions Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning might alleviate inflammatory reaction induced by ischemia-reperfusion through the access of decreasing the serum levels of MMP-9 and HMGB1 in rats following skin flap transplantation.

BACKGROUNDPeripheral skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be due to the disease per se or as a result of concomitant confounding factors. Although the mechanistic basis for this functional impairment is uncertain, oxidative stress may play a role. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether local oxidative stress is associated with the reduced peripheral skeletal muscle performance in rats with emphysema.

METHODSIn situ mechanical properties of gastrocnemius were measured in Sprague-Dawley rats 5 months after intratracheal instillation of either elastase (EMP, n = 10) or normal saline (CON, n = 10). Lipofuscin inclusions, myocyte apoptosis and antioxidant enzyme activities were examined in the gastrocnemius muscle.

RESULTSLipofuscin inclusions were significantly higher in the gastrocnemius muscle of EMP compared with CON (3.2 + or - 0.4 vs. 1.7 + or - 0.4, P < 0.01). The activities of antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased in muscle homogenates of EMP as compared to CON. No significant differences were found in myocyte apoptosis between EMP and CON (1.2 + or - 0.9 vs. 1.0 + or - 0.8, P > 0.05). EMP decreased the fatigue endurance of gastrocnemius muscle (half-time to fatigue recovery: (150.0 + or - 55.4) seconds vs. (55.2 + or - 29.3) seconds, P < 0.01) and had no effect on maximal tetanic force ((467.4 + or - 36.6) g vs. (493.2 + or - 30.5) g, P > 0.05). A significantly positive correlation was found between the level of lipofuscin inclusions and the half-time to fatigue recovery of gastrocnemius muscle in EMP (r = 0.664, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLocal oxidative stress may have important functional consequences for peripheral skeletal muscle in rats with EMP.

Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Emphysema ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To establish a model of chronic periodontitis(CP) accompanied with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in SD rats and investigate the relationship between chronic periodontitis and COPD. Methods Equal gender SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, A: control group, B: CP group, C: COPD group, D: COPD with CP group (n = 10, respectively). Each group was subjected to its predesigned intervention to establish a specific disease model. After 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed. The level of alveolar bone loss, lung function measurement, and the histopathological changes of periodontal and lung tissues were examined. The serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α level was detected by enzymelinked immunoabsorbent assay kits. Results Bleeding index (BI) levels of group A and C were (0.25±0.04) and (1.30 ±0.25),respectively. Attachment loss was (0.43 ±0.02) and (0.51 ±0. 02) mm. BI levels in group B and D were significantly higher than those in group A and C. Forced expiratory volume in 0. 2 second to forced vital capital ratio(FEV0.2/FVC) values in group B, C and D were significantly lower than that in group A. Pulmonary function were worse in group D than that in group C(P＜0. 05). The levels of serum TNF-α, a sensitive indicator of both diseases, were increased in all test groups compared with the control, and increased most in group D. Conclusions The chronic periodontitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease model was established in SD rat. The chronic periodontitis may be a risk factor for promoting and inducing COPD.

Objective To observe effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the changes in proteolipid protein (PLP), PLP antigen and antibody in serum in rats with acute carbon monoxide poisoning(ACOP) and to explore the role of the immune system in ACOP and also the mechanism that might be involved in. Methods Two hundred and two rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the carbon monoxide (CO) group, the HBO group and the norrnobaric oxygen (NBO) group. The rat model of ACOP was established with static inhalation of CO. Abdominal aorta blood was collected before poisoning, the moment immediately after poisoning, 100 min, 3rd, 7th, 10th and 20th days after poisoning. Then, levels of PLP antigen and PLP antibody were measured with ELISA. Results For the CO group measured immediately after poisoning in the HBO group and NBO group, the levels of PLP antigen and antibody elevated, when they were compared with those before poisoning(P ＜0.05). The level of PLP antigen at 100 min in the HBO group was lower than that of the CO group (P ＜ 0.05 ). The levels of PLP antibody in the HBO group were lower than those of the CO group on 3rd and 7th days( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The levels of PLP antibody in the HBO group were lower than those of the NBO group on 3rd and 10th days(P ＜0.05); The levels of PLP antibody in the NBO group were lower than those in the CO group on 7th and 20th days ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Following acute carbon monoxide poisoning, levels of PLP antigen and PLP antibody increased in serum, which initiated impairment of myelin and an adaptive immunological response. Regular HBO and NBO treatment could alleviate lesion to the myelin following CO poisoning, and HBO treatment was more effective than NBO treatment.

Objective To observe effects of hyperbaric oxygen on the changes in proteolipid protein (PLP), PLP antigen and antibody in serum in rats with acute carbon monoxide poisoning(ACOP) and to explore the role of the immune system in ACOP and also the mechanism that might be involved in. Methods Two hundred and two rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the carbon monoxide (CO) group, the HBO group and the norrnobaric oxygen (NBO) group. The rat model of ACOP was established with static inhalation of CO. Abdominal aorta blood was collected before poisoning, the moment immediately after poisoning, 100 min, 3rd, 7th, 10th and 20th days after poisoning. Then, levels of PLP antigen and PLP antibody were measured with ELISA. Results For the CO group measured immediately after poisoning in the HBO group and NBO group, the levels of PLP antigen and antibody elevated, when they were compared with those before poisoning(P ＜0.05). The level of PLP antigen at 100 min in the HBO group was lower than that of the CO group (P ＜ 0.05 ). The levels of PLP antibody in the HBO group were lower than those of the CO group on 3rd and 7th days( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The levels of PLP antibody in the HBO group were lower than those of the NBO group on 3rd and 10th days(P ＜0.05); The levels of PLP antibody in the NBO group were lower than those in the CO group on 7th and 20th days ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Following acute carbon monoxide poisoning, levels of PLP antigen and PLP antibody increased in serum, which initiated impairment of myelin and an adaptive immunological response. Regular HBO and NBO treatment could alleviate lesion to the myelin following CO poisoning, and HBO treatment was more effective than NBO treatment.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of Chinese medicinal therapy for nourishing blood and softening Gan in treating senile pruritus through observing the impact of Guishen Zhiyang Recipe (GZR) on serum levels of stem cell factor (SCF) and dynorphin (DYN) in patients suffered from the disease of blood-deficiency and Gan-hyperactive syndrome type (BDGH).

METHODSSixty patients with senile pruritus were equally randomized into two groups, the patients in the treated group (33 cases) were treated by GZR, and those in the control group (28 cases) were treated by Fuyang Granule, all for 8 weeks. Changes of symptoms and skin lesions as well as blood levels of SCF and DYN were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSThree patients were rejected from the treated group. Twenty patients in the treated group were cured after treatment, the cure rate being 66.7%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (10 patients, 35.7%, P < 0.05). Levels of SCF and DYN in the treated group significantly lowered after treatment (all P < 0.01), and were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONGZR shows favorite effect in treating senile pruritus of BDGH type and it may be achieved by regulating SCF and DYN levels to improve the pruritus associated inflammatory media.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Dynorphins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pruritus ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism ; Syndrome

BACKGROUNDThe body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity (BODE) index was shown at predicting the risk of death, exacerbation and disease severity among patients with COPD, but few studies verified relationship between BODE index and health related quality of life (HRQoL) among Chinese COPD patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between BODE index and HRQoL in cross-sectional and longitudinal association analyses.

METHODSA multi-center prospective cohort study was initially conducted in 491 stable COPD patients in Beijing, China. Health status (HRQoL) was assessed by St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); the BODE index was calculated for each patient; dyspnea was assessed using the 5-grade Medical Research Council dyspnea scale. Other measurements included socio-demographic, body mass index (BMI), lung function test and 6-minute-walk test (6MWT). Patients were then followed monthly for 12 months.

RESULTSOnly 450 patients completed the 1-year follow up and were enrolled in our present analyses. Mean age was (65.2 +/- 10.6) years, men 309 (68.7%). The BODE index was categorized into 4 subgroups: 0 - 2, 3 - 4, 5 - 6 and 7 - 10. At baseline BODE index was gradually increased with baseline total SGRQ and SGRQ subscales (P trend < 0.001). For individual components of BODE index, with the decrease of airflow limitation, and 6MWD, and with the increase of Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea grade, total SGRQ and SGRQ subscales were increased correspondingly, P trend < 0.05, respectively. Similar association patterns were found between baseline BODE index and its individual components and mean SGRQ scores at the end of 1-year follow up. By multiple linear regression analyses, baseline BODE index was not only significantly associated with SGRQ score at baseline but also with SGRQ score at the end of 1-year follow up after adjustment for age, male, current smoking, betas being 0.434 and 0.378, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSBODE index is associated with SGRQ score cross-sectionally and longitudinally among stable COPD patients. BODE index might have potential to be used as a sensitive tool to assess the status of quality of life and to monitor disease progression among stable COPD patients.

Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dyspnea ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Exercise Tolerance ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Quality of Life ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires