Objective To investigate the incidence of anxiety and depression in hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease( COPD) ,and to analyze the related factors that affect the occurrence of anxiety and depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods In the observation group and control group,the anxiety and depression were assessed,and the influencing factors of the patients with depression were ana-lyzed.Results In the observation group,the patients with anxiety and depression (38.03%) were significantly more than the control group (23.08%),and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4.28,P<0.05).The multi-variate logistic regression analysis showed that sex,course of disease,degree of culture,social support and self rated health status of five variables on COPD depression effects were statistically significant ( OR=0.413,1.534,2.651, 1.673,2.442,all P <0.05).Conclusion There is higher incidence of anxiety and depression in patients with COPD.Gender,COPD duration,education,social support and self rated health status are the important factors influen-cing the anxiety and depression of the patients.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between hearing loss and acoustic neuroma(AN),the tests of pure tone audiometry,acoustic emissions impedance audiometry,audiometry brainstem response(ABR)and evoked otoacoustic emissions(EOAE)wee measured in 14 patients (16 ears)from March 1999 to December 2000.Methods:Fourteen patients (16 ears)with acoustic neuroma (8 males and 6 females,ranging in age from 21 to 72 years old)were diagnosed by CT or MRI scaning,and final confirmed by surgery and pathology.In the auditory tests ,efferent suppression test was curried out only in 4 ears with recordable emissions,promontory stimulation test (PST)was examined only in 5 ears with severe or profound deafness (hearing loss≥80dB SPL)who have no both measurable ABR and recordable EOAE.Results:It was found that 2 ears (12.5%,2/16)of the AN ears showed neural impairment,6 ears (37.5%,6/16)were cochlear impairment and 8 ears (50.0%,8/16)were cochlear-retrocochlear impairment.All of 4 tumors ears with EOAE emission have a disorders of efferent function.Conclusion:EOAE test had significant value for evaluation of the status of cochlear function (at the level of outer hair cells)in AN patients.The retrocochlear auditory nerve function of AN patients were evaluated by the tests of ABR combined PST which showed significant value.Results showed that the hearing impairment of AN have different levels of the peripheral auditory system according to auditory tests,including cochlear,eighth cranial nerve and efferent nerve level at the same or independently.

OBJECTIVETo provide a new material for producing the Rhodiolasachalinensis products, the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on callus biomass and effective compound accumulation of Rhodiolasachalinensis was studied.

METHODThe calluses-cultured in 3 L-air lift balloon type bioreactor were treated with MeJA after 20 d of bioreactor culture and the effect of MeJA concentration and treatment days on callus biomass, salidroside or polysaccharide accumulation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were investigated.

RESULTThe callus biomass was not significantly different after MeJA treatment (125) for 0-6 d but obviously decreased after 6 d treatment. The maximum salidroside or polysaccharide contents and SOD or POD activities were found after 4 d treatment of MeJA. MeJA concentration significantly affected callus biomass and effective compound accumulation, biomass decreased at MeJA concentrations higher than 125 μmol x L(-1). However, the effective compound contents were determined at higher MeJA concentration, and the highest salidroside and polysaccharide accumulation was found at 225 and 275 μmol x L(-1) MeJA, respectively and the maximum SOD and POD activities was found at 225 μmol x L(-1) MeJA. The effective compound contents in callus were compared with field-grown plants. Salidroside contents in calluses were 1.1-fold and 2. 4-fold more than in plant roots and stem or leave, respectively. Polysaccharide content in calluses were 3. 6-fold and 8.0-fold more than in plant roots and stem or leave, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSalidorside and polysaccharide in Rhodiolasachalinensiscalluses improved by MeJA treatment, 225 μmol x L(-1) MeJA and 4 d treatment were optimal. The effective compound contents in callus were obviously higher than in field-grown plants. Therefore, bioreactor culture is efficient for obtaining mass effective compounds of Rhodiolasachalinensis by culturing calluses. This method could provide an alternative material source for production of Rhodiolasachalinensis products.

Acetates ; pharmacology ; Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Cyclopentanes ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; metabolism ; Oxylipins ; pharmacology ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Phenols ; metabolism ; Polysaccharides ; metabolism ; Rhodiola ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of combined therapy of Neiyi pill (NP) and Neiyi enema (NE) on endometriosis and its effect on serum levels of endometrial antibody (EMAB) and carcinoembryonic antigen 125 (CA125).

METHODSFifty-eight cases with endometriosis were divided into 3 groups randomly, group A (n = 16) treated by NP, group B (n = 24) treated by NP and NE, and group C (n = 18) treated by danazol, all for 3 menstrual cycle with single blind method. The effect was observed and the serum levels of EMAB and CA125 were detected before and after treatment.

RESULTSComparison of the efficacy between the 3 groups showed: there was no remarkable difference between group A and B (P >0.05), both of group A and group B were superior to that of group C (P<0.05). The levels of EMAB and CA125 had no significant changes in all the three groups after treatment.

CONCLUSIONCombined therapy of NP and NE could improve the curative effect on endometriosis, and without obvious effects on serum levels of EMAB and CA125.

Administration, Rectal ; Adult ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; CA-125 Antigen ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Endometriosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Endometrium ; immunology ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Single-Blind Method ; Tablets

Objective: To investigate the impairment status of vestibular and limb peripheral nerve of patients with auditory neuropathy, improve the understanding of auditory neuropathy in general. Method: Vestibular function tests and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) examinatoin were performed on 28 young patients with auditory neuropathy which confirmed by clinical auditory tests diagnosis from March 1999 to November 2000. There were 14 males and 14 females, ranging in age from 22 to 28 years old. Results: Vestibular dysfunction was encountered in 22 of 28 (78.57%) suffering from auditory neuropathy. Limb peripheral nerve impairment was found in 11 of 28 patients (39.29%) of auditory neuropathy. The caloric responses were normal symmetric responses in 6 of 28 (21.43%,6/28), and weaken bilaterally in 20 of 28 (71.43%,20/28)respectively. On the NCV examination, both motor conduction velocity (MVC) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) were normal in 17 (60.71%,17/28), abnormal in 4 (14.29%,4/28). Four cases showed abnormal MCV and SCV. And pure MCV abnormality and pure SCV abnormality were found on 4 and 3 cases respectively. Conclusion: The pathological process affecting the auditory nerve may also affect the vestibular nerve and other peripheral nerve. This seemed possible in view of fact that auditory neuropathy may affect one nerve (mononeuropathy) or multiple nerves (polyneuropathy).

The molecular basis of variable phenotypes in P-thalassaemia patients with identical genotypes has been associated with co-inheritance of alpha-thalassaemia and persistence of HbF production in adult life. The Xmn I restriction site at -158 position of the Ggamma-gene is associated with increased expression of the Ggamma-globin gene and higher production of HbF This study aims to determine the frequency of the digammaferent genotypes of the Ggamma Xmn I polymorphism in P-thalassaemia patients in two ethnic groups in Malaysia. Molecular characterisation and frequency of the Ggamma Xmn I polymorphism were studied in fifty-eight Chinese and forty-nine beta-thalassaemia Malay patients by Xmn I digestion after DNA amplification of a 650 bp sequence. The in-house developed technique did not require further purification or concentration of amplified DNA before restriction enzyme digestion. The cheaper Seakem LE agarose was used instead of Nusieve agarose and distinct well separated bands were observed. Genotyping showed that the most frequent genotype observed in the Malaysian Chinese was homozygosity for the absence of the Xmn I site (-/-) (89.7%). In the Malays, heterozygosity of the Xmn I site (+/-) was most common (63.3%). Homozygosity for the Xmn I site (+/+) was absent in the Chinese, but was confirmed in 8.2% of the Malays. The ratio of the (+) allele (presence of the Xmn I site) to the (-) allele (absence of the Xmn I site)) was higher in the Malays (0.66) compared to the Chinese (0.05). The (+/-) and (+/+) genotypes are more commonly observed in the Malays than the Chinese in Malaysia.
Chinese People ; Thalassemia ; With frequency ; Malaysia ; seconds

This study investigated the effect of puerarin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injured with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). HUVEC were divided into three groups: a control group, a model group (H₂O₂ 400 μmol·L^-1) and a puerarin-treated group (3, 10, 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1). HUVEC were cultured with varied concentration of puerarin for 2 h and treated with H₂O₂ for another 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by a CCK-8 assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by a JC-1 fluorescent probe. A transwell chamber assay was adopted to observe cell migration ability. Mitochondrial respiratory function was measured in a two-chamber titration injection respirometer (Oxygraph-2k). The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of pyroptosis-mediated proteins, including cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), N-gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) was detected by Western blot. The results show that 400 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂ treatment for 24 h causes obvious damage to HUVEC. Compared with the model group, puerarin protected against cellular injury in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest effect at a dose of 30 and 100 μmol·L^-1. Puerarin significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function. Puerarin inhibited cell migration induced by H₂O₂, suppressed the expression of IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, and down-regulated the pyroptosis-mediated protein. These changes are statistically significant (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that puerarin has a protective effect against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage of HUVEC by inhibiting the migration of HUVEC cells. The mechanism may be related to improved mitochondrial respiratory function and inhibition of pyroptosis.

INTRODUCTIONChildhood developmental and behavioural disorders (CDABD) have been increasingly recognised in recent years. This study evaluated the profiles and outcomes of children referred for developmental and behavioural concerns to a tertiary child developmental centre in Singapore. This is the first such regional database.

METHODSBaseline information, obtained through a questionnaire, together with history at first consultation, provided information for referral, demographic and presentation profiles. Clinical formulations were then made. Definitive developmental and medical diagnoses, as well as outcomes based on clinical assessment and standardised testing, were recorded at one year post first consultation.

RESULTSOut of 1,304 referrals between January 1, 2003 and December 1, 2004, 45% were 2-4 years old and 74% were boys. The waiting time from referral to first consultation exceeded four months in 52% of children. Following clinical evaluation, 7% were found to be developmentally appropriate. The single most common presenting concern was speech and language (S&L) delay (29%). The most common clinical developmental diagnosis was autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (30%), followed by isolated S&L disorder, global developmental delay (GDD) and cognitive impairment (CI). Recommendations included S&L therapy (57%), occupational therapy (50%) and psychological/behavioural services (40%). At one year, ASD remained the most common definitive developmental diagnosis (31%), followed by S&L disorder, CI and GDD. Most were children with high-prevalence, low-moderate severity disorders who could potentially achieve fair-good prognosis with early intervention.

CONCLUSIONBetter appreciation of the profile and outcome of children with CDABD in Singapore could enable better resource planning for diagnosis and intervention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child Behavior Disorders ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Child, Preschool ; Databases, Factual ; Developmental Disabilities ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Occupational Therapy ; Psychotherapy ; Registries ; Singapore ; Speech Disorders ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Speech Therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONWe reviewed the epidemiology of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Singapore after the 2000 epidemic caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV71), with particular reference to the cyclical pattern, predominant circulating enteroviruses and impact of prevention and control measures in preschool centres.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe analysed the epidemiological data from all clinical cases and deaths of HFMD diagnosed by medical practitioners and notified to the Ministry of Health, as well as laboratory data on enteroviruses detected among HFMD patients maintained by the Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, and the Microbiology Laboratory, KK Women's and Children's Hospital from 2001 to 2007.

RESULTSThe incidence rate was highest in the 0 to 4 years old age group, with males being predominant. Three deaths were reported between January and February 2001. Nationwide epidemics occurred periodically; the predominating circulating virus was Coxsackievirus A16 (CA16) in the 2002, 2005 and 2007 epidemics, and EV71 in the 2006 epidemic. During the epidemic years between 2005 and 2007, 2 peaks were observed. The number of institutional outbreaks had increased 10-fold from 167 in 2001 to 1723 in 2007, although most of these outbreaks were rapidly brought under control with an attack rate of less than 10%.

CONCLUSIONHFMD remains an important public health problem in Singapore with the annual incidence rate per 100,000 population increasing from 125.5 in 2001 to 435.9 in 2007, despite stringent measures taken in preschool centres to prevent the transmission of infection. A high degree of vigilance should be maintained over the disease situation, in particular, surveillance of EV 71 which continues to cause severe complications and deaths in the region.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Communicable Disease Control ; methods ; Disease Outbreaks ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Young Adult