Disinfection ; Escherichia coli ; isolation & purification ; Hospitals ; Medical Waste ; Sewage ; Waste Products ; Water Microbiology

Objective: To investigate the rates on prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in population older than 15 years of age in Beijing, 2013-2014. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Beijing between 2013-2014. Stratified multistage random sampling method was used to select representative sample of 13 057 Chinese individuals aged over 15 years, from the general population. Blood pressure was measured for three readings at sitting position after resting for at least five minutes with an average reading recorded. A standardized structured questionnaire was developed to collect history of hypertension and antihypertensive treatment. Results: A total of 4 663 community residents aged over 15 years were hypertensive among the 13 057 individuals, with the standardized prevalence rate as 32.7%, in Beijing area. The age-standardized prevalence rates of hypertension appeared 34.6% in men and 30.8% in women. The age-and sexstandardized prevalence of hypertension rates were 33.3% in urban and 24.6% in rural areas. The prevalence of hypertension increased with age and appeared higher in men than in women, in urban than in rural residents. Among the hypertensive patients, rates of awareness, treatment and control were 66.8%, 64.6% and 31.6%, respectively. Conclusion: High prevalence of hypertension with low rates on awareness and treatment and control, appeared in the general population of Beijing. Related strategies should be developed regarding prevention, control and management of hypertension, to reduce the burden of this disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Asian People/statistics & numerical data* ; Awareness ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Determination ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension/epidemiology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Sex Distribution ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: In-depth understanding of endoscopic anatomy of the skull base is the cornerstone of the development of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. The purpose of this study is to explore the anatomical landmarks of the clivus for endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery. METHOD: Eight silicon-injected adult cadaveric heads (16 sides) were dissected performing endoscopic endonasal approach. The clivus and adjacent structures were exposed; and their anatomy shown in detail. High-quality pictures were produced. RESULT: The clivus was subdivided into the upper, the middle and the lower clivus. Extracranial soft tissue landmarks and bony landmarks were presented. Intradural landmarks of the upper clivus were the interpeduncular cistern, posterior cerebral artery, posterior communicating artery, superior cerebellar artery, cranial nerve III and cerebral peduncle; intradural landmarks of the middle clivus were the prepontine cistern, basilar artery, cranial nerve VI and pons; intradural landmarks of lower clivus were premedullary cistern, vertebral artery, cranial nerve XI and medulla oblongata. Surgical routes to the clivus were the upper clivus approach, middle clivus approach, lower clivus approach and panclival approach. CONCLUSION An understanding of the complex anatomy of the clivus is paramount for surgically dealing with the disease involved clivus and adjacent region.
Adult ; Cadaver ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Nose ; Skull Base

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to investigate the release of TNF-alpha mRNA in two lung cancer cell lines in vitro and the regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA expression by ionizing radiation.

METHODSTwo lung cancer cell lines (A549 and NCI-H596) were investigated for their TNF-alpha mRNA expression before and after exposure to different irradiation doses (2, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 Gy) and at different time intervals (1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours after irradiation). The TNF-alpha mRNA expression was quantified by fluorescence-based real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Colony formation assays were performed after irradiation with a dose of 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy to determine the clonogenic survival.

RESULTSDependent on the dose given, irradiation was found to cause increasing induction of TNF-alpha mRNA expression of NCI-H596 cells, reaching maximal level after 40 Gy irradiation, which was 83 times higher than that of normal controls. On the other hand, dependent on the time after irradiation, TNF-alpha mRNA expression of NCI-H596 and A549 cells was increased, reaching maximal level at 6h for NCI-H596 cells, which was 568 times higher than that of normal control cells. TNF-alpha mRNA expression of A549 cells was increased to maximum at 1 h after irradiation and was 136 times higher than that of control cells. Colony formation efficiency (number of colonies divided by the number of inoculated cells) of unirradiated control A549 and NCI-H596 cells was 0.37-0.45 and 0.12-0.24, respectively. The survival fraction (SF) of A549 cells was 47.3% +/- 9.0% at 2 Gy, 18.0% +/- 3.0% at 4 Gy, 6.0% +/- 2.0% at 6 Gy, 1.4% +/- 0.3% at 8 Gy. The SF of NCI-H596 cells was 55.2% +/- 51.0% at 2 Gy, 15.9% +/- 9.2% at 4 Gy, 3.5% +/- 1.7% at 6 Gy; 0.9% +/- 0.6% at 8 Gy. The curves of TNF-alpha expression of the two tumor cell lines were nearly identical, therefore the radiosensitivity of these cell lines was similar. Statistically there was no significant difference for D(0) and D(q) (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe two lung cancer cell lines studied express TNF-alpha following irradiation in a time- and irradiation dose-dependent manner. Radiation-induced TNF-alpha production of tumor cells may be of paramount importance not only for tumor behaviour, but also in respect to potential damage to normal tissues and the clinical status of the host.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Radiation Dosage ; Radiography ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the preemptive analgesia efficacy between two cycloxygenase-2 inhibitors, rofecoxib and etoricoxib in the ambulatory uterine evacuation patients.

METHODSIn this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial 60 patients were randomly divided into three groups and received a single dose of placebo, rofecoxib 50 mg, or etoricoxib 120 mg, respectively, before operation. Patient's visual analogue score (VAS) was rated postoperatively at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min, time-to-discharge, 6 h and 24 h. Fentanyl (in post-anesthesia care unit) and paracetamol (at home) were supplementary analgesics and the dosage was also recorded. Patient's satisfaction score was rated at 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTSEtoricoxib 120 mg and rofecoxib 50 mg were significantly superior to placebo at 6 h postoperatively (P < 0.05) while there was no significant differences of VAS at other time points. The amounts of Fentanyl used in post-anesthesia care unit were similar in three groups, but paracetamol taken at home was much less in rofecoxib group and etoricoxib group than in placebo group (P < 0.01). Compared to rofecoxib, etoricoxib provided better pain relief after discharge (P < 0.05). The overall pain management satisfaction score was significantly higher in etoricoxib group (96 +/- 7) than in other groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPreemptive rofecoxib 50 mg and etoricoxib 120 mg may significantly decrease VAS at 6 h postoperatively, and reduce the usage of analgesics in ambulatory uterine evacuation patients. Etoricoxib 120 mg offeres better pain relief at home compared with rofecoxib 50 mg.

Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; Acetaminophen ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic ; therapeutic use ; Analgesics, Opioid ; therapeutic use ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fentanyl ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lactones ; therapeutic use ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; Pyridines ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; therapeutic use

There has been a conscious effort to address osteoporosis in the aging population. As bisphosphonate and intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy become more widely prescribed to treat osteoporosis, it is important to understand their effects on other physiologic processes, particularly the impact on spinal fusion. Despite early animal model studies and more recent clinical studies, the impact of these medications on spinal fusion is not fully understood. Previous animal studies suggest that bisphosphonate therapy resulted in inhibition of fusion mass with impeded maturity and an unknown effect on biomechanical strength. Prior animal studies demonstrate an improved fusion rate and fusion mass microstructure with the use of intermittent PTH. The purpose of this study was to determine if bisphosphonates and intermittent PTH treatment have impact on human spinal fusion. A systematic review of the literature published between 1980 and 2015 was conducted using major electronic databases. Studies reporting outcomes of human subjects undergoing 1, 2, or 3-level spinal fusion while receiving bisphosphonates and/or intermittent PTH treatment were included. The results of relevant human studies were analyzed for consensus on the effects of these medications in regards to spinal fusion. There were nine human studies evaluating the impact of these medications on spinal fusion. Improved fusion rates were noted in patients receiving bisphosphonates compared to control groups, and greater fusion rates in patients receiving PTH compared to control groups. Prior studies involving animal models found an improved fusion rate and fusion mass microstructure with the use of intermittent PTH. No significant complications were demonstrated in any study included in the analysis. Bisphosphonate use in humans may not be a deterrent to spinal fusion. Intermittent parathyroid use has shown early promise to increase fusion mass in both animal and human studies but further studies are needed to support routine use.
Aging ; Animals ; Consensus ; Diphosphonates ; Humans* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Models, Animal ; Osteoporosis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Spinal Fusion*

Objective: To understand the characteristics of HIV infected persons without long term disease progress [also known as long term non-progressors (LTNPs)], and related factors in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Guangxi). Methods: Data of persons living with HIV and receiving no antiretroviral therapy in Guangxi by the end of 2016 were collected from the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention information system of China. Results: By the end of 2016, there were 313 LTNPs in Guangxi, accounting for 2.3% of those being reported for more than 10 years, 5.4% of those being reported for more than 10 years and surviving, and 26.6% of those being reported for more than 10 years, surviving and receiving no antiretroviral therapy. Among the LTNPs, 87.2%(273) were men, 94.9% (297) were aged ≤ 40 years, 32.3% (101) were farmers, 55.6% (174) were single, divorced or widowed, 69.3% (217) were of Han ethnic group, 68.1% (213) were injecting drug users, and 52.1% (163) were from custody facilities. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that factors associated with delayed disease progression included age ≤40 years (compared with age >40 years, aOR=1.55, 95%CI: 1.31-3.12) and injection drug use (compared with sexual transmission, aOR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.10-1.74). Conclusions: A number of LTNPs existed in HIV-infected individuals in Guangxi. Further research are needed to identify the related factors, and it is necessary to conduct large sample size studies on host immunology, genetics and the virology of HIV to explore the related mechanism.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; China/epidemiology* ; Drug Users/statistics & numerical data* ; Ethnicity/statistics & numerical data* ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Male ; Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUNDEpidemiological study showed that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) in older people, especially male subjects, which suggested that angiotensin II may have a detrimental effect on bone. Therefore, blocking its effect may have a beneficial effect on bone health.

METHODSSix-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were used. Animals of each model were randomly assigned to the following four groups: Group 1, SHAM operated+vehicle; Group 2, orchidectomy (ORX)+vehicle; Group 3, ORX+low-dose losartan (10 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)); and Group 4, ORX+high-dose losartan (25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)). Blood pressure was recorded weekly. SHAM and ORX operations were performed, followed by daily losartan and vehicle treatment from day 4 after operation for 16 weeks. Serum and 24-hour urine samples were collected for measurement of bone turnover markers before euthanasia and then the left femur was collected for measurements of BMD and microarchitecture before mechanical test.

RESULTSUrine deoxypyridinoline/urine creatinine (DPD/Cr) ratio was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY. BMD and microarchitecture parameters also showed bone deterioration in SHR. After ORX, serum osteocalcin concentration decreased and urine DPD/Cr ratio increased significantly accompanied by a significant decrease in cortical and trabecular BMD and cortical bone thickness in both WKY and SHR. High-dose losartan significantly increased DPD in urine in both SHR and WKY. Apart from marginal favorable changes in bone architecture in WKY treated with high-dose losartan, losartan did not show significant effect on BMD, bone area, bone microarchitecture, and mechanical properties in both SHR and WKY.

CONCLUSIONAngiotensin II type I receptor blocker losartan was not able to demonstrate significant effect on ORX-induced bone deterioration in both hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; pathology ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Systole ; drug effects

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a nationwide private insurance database. Chi-square analysis and linear regression models were utilized for outcome measures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate any relationship between lumbar degenerative disc disease, diabetes, obesity and smoking tobacco. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Diabetes, obesity, and smoking tobacco are comorbid conditions known to individually have effect on degenerative disc disease. Most studies have only been on a small populous scale. No study has yet to investigate the combination of these conditions within a large patient cohort nor have they reviewed the combination of these conditions on degenerative disc disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of insurance billing codes within the nationwide Humana insurance database was performed, using PearlDiver software (PearlDiver, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN, USA), to identify trends among patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease with and without the associated comorbidities of obesity, diabetes, and/or smoking tobacco. Patients billed for a comorbidity diagnosis on the same patient record as the lumbar disc degenerative disease diagnosis were compared over time to patients billed for lumbar disc degenerative disease without a comorbidity. There were no sources of funding for this manuscript and no conflicts of interest. RESULTS: The total number and prevalence of patients (per 10,000) within the database diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease increased by 241.4% and 130.3%, respectively. The subsets of patients within this population who were concurrently diagnosed with either obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, or a combination thereof, was significantly higher than patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease alone (p <0.05 for all). The number of patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease and smoking rose significantly more than patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease and either diabetes or obesity (p <0.05). The number of patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease, smoking and obesity rose significantly more than the number of patients diagnosed with lumbar disc degenerative disease and any other comorbidity alone or combination of comorbidities (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes, obesity and cigarette smoking each are significantly associated with an increased diagnosis of lumbar degenerative disc disease. The combination of smoking and obesity had a synergistic effect on increased rates of lumbar degenerative disc disease. Patient education and preventative care is a vital goal in prevention of degenerative disc disease within the general population.
Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Insurance ; Linear Models ; Obesity* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Education as Topic ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking* ; Spine* ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Products* ; Tobacco Use

OBJECTIVETo identify the landmarks of transpterygoid approach and to report its application in a series of cases.

METHODSTwo silicon-injected adult cadaveric heads(4 sides) were dissected by performing an endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach after CT scanning for imaging guidance. High-quality pictures were obtained. This approach was used to treat twelve patients with skull base lesions including 3 spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, 2 neurofibromas and 2 Schwannomas involving the pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa, 1 dermoid cyst involving the middle fossa and infratemporal fossa, 1 invasive fungal sinusitis invading the middle fossa base, 1 basal cell adenoma in the upper parapharyngeal space, 1 chondrosarcoma in the parasellar region and 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma. Clinical records were reviewed.

RESULTSIn terms of approach dissection, important landmarks, such as the sphenopalatine foramen and artery, vidian canal and nerve, foramen rotundum and maxillary branch of trigeminal nerve, foramen ovale and mandibular branch of trigeminal nerve, as well as pterygoid segment of Eustachian tube were identified. In terms of clinical data, three patients with spontaneous CSF leak underwent repair. Six patients with benign lesions underwent complete tumor resection. In the patient with invasive fungal disease, thorough debridement was undertaken and antifungal drug was administered for one month. For these benign skull base lesions, there was no recurrence during the follow-up period. In the patient with chondrosarcoma, most of the tumor was removed in the first operation, and was followed by two endoscopic operations because of fast growth of the tumor. Final control was achieved with chemotherapy and radiation. In the patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma, tumor recurred five years after surgery, and was reoperated.

CONCLUSIONAn understanding of the landmarks of the transpterygoid approach is paramount for surgically dealing with disease located within and adjacent to the region of the pterygoid process of the sphenoid bone. The endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach is feasible and safe in selected patients with skull base lesions.

Adult ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak ; surgery ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; pathology ; Dissection ; Endoscopy ; Eustachian Tube ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Nasal Cavity ; surgery ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Orbit ; anatomy & histology ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Pterygopalatine Fossa ; pathology ; Skull Base ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; surgery ; Sphenoid Bone ; anatomy & histology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Trigeminal Nerve ; anatomy & histology