Gout is a common disease in the elderly men. The prevalence rate of gout is rising worldwide in recent years, and gout has become a serious metabolic disease threatening human health. Moreover, gout is also closely related to incidence of many diseases and symptoms such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, investigation and development of new drugs have attracted increasing attention. This paper summarizes the research advances in new agents for treatment of gout, including the uric acid reduction drugs that target the key enzymes of purine metabolism, the drugs which target the renal tubular urate transporters to lower the uric acid level, the dual inhibitors of xanthine oxidoreductase(XOR) and renal tubular urate transporters, and the uricase.

Objective To provide new ideas for establishment of prevention and control strategy for non-communicable chronic disease (NCD) that are suitable for Chinese people. Methods Sampling survey of patients with chronic disease from 14 provinces combined with literature study and researches on national statistical data were conducted to investigate the application situation and problems of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and control of NCD. Results Status of utilization and satisfaction of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and control of NCD has developed well. The main problems in the promotion and application of TCM lie in insufficient investment, lagging behind of construction of prevention and control system, insufficient professionals and ineffective heritance of practical technique. Conclusion In order to tackle these problems, relevant laws and regulations should be implemented;information management system with TCM features should be improved;construction of diversified technological innovation system should be reinforced, practical and strong technology should be promoted;construction of TCM prevention and control system for chronic diseases should be perfected.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling(SOCS)-3 and caspase-3 and their correlative significance in endometriosis.

METHODSImmunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the SOCS-3 and caspase-3 protein expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium (n = 32) of patients with endometriosis, as well as normal endometrium (n = 30) of women without endometriosis.

RESULTSSOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins were expressed in all three groups and not affected by the menstrual cycles. The expression of SOCS-3 in ectopic endometrium (5.54 ± 2.12) was significantly lower than that in eutopic (7.39 ± 1.09, P = 0.001) and control group (7.48 ± 1.26, P < 0.01), but without difference between the eutopic and control group (P = 0.756). SOCS-3 expression in ectopic and eutopic endometrium was significantly lower in III/IV stages than that in I/II stages of endometriosis (P < 0.05). Significantly lower expression of caspase-3 protein was found in ectopic (3.20 ± 1.24) and eutopic endometrium (3.88 ± 1.93) as compared with the control group (6.49 ± 1.85, P < 0.01), however ectopic and eutopic endometrium showed no significant difference (t = 1.66, P = 0.10). There was no significant difference of the expression of caspase-3 in ectopic and eutopic endometrium at different disease stages (P > 0.05). Positive correlation was found between the expression of SOCS-3 and caspase-3 proteins in ectopic endometrium (r = 0.655, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOCS-3 may be involved in the development of endometriosis through inhibition of apoptosis of ectopic endometrial cells.

Adult ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Menstrual Cycle ; Middle Aged ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein ; Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins ; metabolism ; Uterine Diseases ; metabolism ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. Method:Subjects were 12 638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening,and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. Result; Ten thouand eight hundred and forty-five of 12 638(85. 8%) were screened including 9 963(91. 9%) normal newborns and 882(8. 1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thouand four hundred and fifty (68. 7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3 395 (31. 3%) people failed. One thouand seven hundred and ninty-three (14. 2%) infants were refused to be screened.Only 2 536 (74. 7%) were re-screened on time, and 859(25. 3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65. 8%)of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6(7.6%)ca-ses were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9(11. 4%)cases were found to be severe hearing loss(7 in both ears and 2 in single ear) , 11(13. 9%)cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32. 9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss(in binaural and monaural) of 0. 5%(52/10845)and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0. 3%(29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0. 2% (22/9 963) in well infants and 3. 4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8(61. 5%)cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7. 7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. Conclusion:It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.

BACKGROUNDTumor necrosis factor-α is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to tumor necrosis factor-α. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy and safety of 5 mg/kg infliximab therapy in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

METHODSIn this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 129 patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis were randomized to the induction therapy (weeks 0, 2 and 6) with infliximab 5 mg/kg (n = 84) or placebo (n = 45), followed with infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at week 14 and week 22 in the infliximab group, and infliximab 5 mg/kg scheduled at weeks 10, 12 and 16 in the placebo group. The primary end point was the proportion of patients who achieved at least 75% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 75 response rate) from baseline at week 10.

RESULTSAt week 10, 81.0% of patients treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg) achieved a 75% or greater improvement compared with 2.2% of patients treated with placebo (P < 0.001). A significant improvement in PASI, Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), was seen from week 6 through week 14 in the infliximab group compared with the placebo group. Through week 22, PASI, PGA, DLQI were well maintained. The incidence of adverse events for the infliximab treatment group was slightly higher in comparison to the placebo treatment group during the first 10 weeks without statistical significance. However, there were 3 cases of tuberculosis that developed during the 26 weeks treatment with infliximal.

CONCLUSIONSInfliximab treatment was effective as induction and maintenance treatments for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Most drug-induced adverse events were mild to moderate, and well tolerated. Screening for tuberculosis is essential and prophylactic treatment should be given if necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; administration & dosage ; ultrastructure ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Infliximab ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis ; drug therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. METHOD: Subjects were 12,638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening, and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. RESULT: Ten thousand eight hundred and forty-five of 12,638 (85.8%) were screened including 9,963 (91.9%) normal newborns and 882 (8.1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thousand four hundred and fifty (68.7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3,395 (31.3%) people failed. One thousand seven hundred and ninety-three (14.2%) infants were refused to be screened. Only 2,536 (74.7%) were re-screened on time, and 859 (25.3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65.8%) of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6 (7.6%) cases were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9 (11.4%) cases were found to be severe hearing loss (7 in both ears and 2 in single ear), 11 (13.9%) cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32.9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss (in binaural and monaural) of 0.5% (52/10845) and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0.3% (29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0.2% (22/9,963) in well infants and 3.4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8 (61.5%) cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7.7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. CONCLUSION It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.
China ; epidemiology ; Feasibility Studies ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Prevalence ; Rural Population

BACKGROUNDAtopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic recurrent dermatitis with profound itching. Most patients have personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. Several criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of AD. Although the clinical features of childhood AD have been widely studied, there has been less large-scale study on adult/adolescent AD. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of adult/adolescent patients with chronic symmetrical eczema/AD and to propose Chinese diagnostic criteria for adult/adolescent AD.

METHODSA hospital-based study was performed. Forty-two dermatological centers participated in this study. Adult and adolescent patients (12 years and over) with chronic symmetrical eczema or AD were included in this study. Questionnaires were completed by both patients and investigators. The valid questionnaires were analyzed using EpiData 3.1 and SPSS 17.0 software.

RESULTSA total of 2662 valid questionnaires were collected (1369 male and 1293 female). Of all 2662 patients, 2062 (77.5%) patients had the disease after 12 years old, while only 600 (22.5%) patients had the disease before 12 years old, suggesting late-onset eczema/AD is common. Two thousand one hundred and thirty-nine (80.4%) patients had the disease for more than 6 months. One thousand one hundred and forty-four (43.0%) patients had a personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. One thousand five hundred and forty-eight (58.2%) patients had an elevated total serum IgE and/or eosinophilia and/or positive allergen-specific IgE. Based on these clinical and laboratory features, we proposed Chinese criteria for adult/adolescent AD. Of all 2662 patients, 60.3% were satisfied with our criteria, while only 48.2% satisfied with Hanifin Rajka criteria and 32.7% satisfied with Williams criteria, suggesting a good sensitivity of our criteria in adult/adolescent AD patients.

CONCLUSIONLate-onset of eczema or AD is common. The clinical manifestations of AD are heterogeneous. We have proposed Chinese diagnostic criteria for adolescent and adult AD, which are simple and sensitive for diagnosis of adult/adolescent AD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Eczema ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Daphnetin is quickly eliminated in rats after dosing, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro metabolism of daphnetin using rat liver S9 fractions (RLS9). The metabolites formed in RLS9 were identified and the kinetic parameters for different metabolic pathways were determined. HPLC-DAD-MS analysis showed that daphnetin was biotransformed to six metabolites, which were identified as 7 or 8 mono-glucuronide and mono-sulfate, 8-methylate, and 7-suflo-8-methylate. Methylation and glucuronidation of daphnetin exhibited the Michaelis-Menten kinetic characteristics, whereas the substrate inhibition kinetic and the two-site kinetic were observed for 8-sulfate and 7-sulfate formations. Of the 3 conjugation pathways, the intrinsic clearance rate for sulfation was highest, followed by methylation and glucuronidation. By in vitro-in vivo extrapolation of the kinetic data measured in RLS9, the hepatic clearance were estimated to be 54.9 mL·min^-1·kg^-1 which is comparable to the system clearance (58.5 mL·min^-1·kg^-1) observed in rats. In conclusions, the liver might be the main site for daphnetin metabolism in rats. Sulfation, methylation and glucuronidation are important pathways of the hepatic metabolism of daphnetin in rats.

Lipooligosacharide (LOS) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonococci, GC) is involved in the interaction of GC with host cells. Deletion of the alpha-oligosaccharide (alpha-OS) moiety of LOS (lgtF mutant) significantly impairs invasion of GC into epithelial cell lines. GC opacity (Opa) proteins, such as OpaI, mediate phagocytosis and stimulate chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils in part through interaction with members of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family, which includes CEACAM3 (CD66d), a human neutrophil specific receptor for phagocytosis of bacteria. In the present work, we examined the effects of OpaI-expressing lgtF mutant on phagocytosis by HeLa-CEACAM3 cells and chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils. The results showed that lgtF mutant even expressing OpaI completely lost the ability to promote either phagocytosis mediated by CEACAM3 interaction in HeLa cells or chemiluminescence responses in neutrophils. These data indicated that Opa proteins in the lgtF mutant, which might result from the conformational change, cannot be functional.
Antigens, Bacterial ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HeLa Cells ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; chemistry ; immunology ; Luminescent Measurements ; Mutation ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity ; Neutrophils ; immunology ; microbiology ; Phagocytosis

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to present a major challenge to public health. Vaccine development requires an understanding of the kinetics of neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: In total, 605 serum samples from 125 COVID-19 patients (from January 1 to March 14, 2020) varying in age, sex, severity of symptoms, and presence of underlying diseases were collected, and antibody titers were measured using a micro-neutralization assay with wild-type SARS-CoV-2. Results: NAbs were detectable approximately 10 days post-onset (dpo) of symptoms and peaked at approximately 20 dpo. The NAb levels were slightly higher in young males and severe cases, while no significant difference was observed for the other classifications. In follow-up cases, the NAb titer had increased or stabilized in 18 cases, whereas it had decreased in 26 cases, and in one case NAbs were undetectable at the end of our observation. Although a decreasing trend in NAb titer was observed in many cases, the NAb level was generally still protective. Conclusion We demonstrated that NAb levels vary among all categories of COVID-19 patients. Long-term studies are needed to determine the longevity and protective efficiency of NAbs induced by SARS-CoV-2.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology* ; Antibodies, Viral/immunology* ; COVID-19/immunology* ; Female ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutralization Tests ; SARS-CoV-2