Objective:To investigate polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1 and -DQB1 genes in Bai ethnic group in Dali,Yunnan province.Methods:Polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) were used to determine HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles in 124 unrelated healthy Bai ethnic individuals living in Eryuan County of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture,Yunnan province.Results:Among all the 21 DRB1 alleles and 15 DQB1 alleles were identified,the predominant alleles were DRB1*1202(26.61%),DRB1*0901(13.89%) and DRB1*0803(9.92%) on DRB1 locus and DQB1*0301(31.45%),DQB1*0601(10.08%),DQB1*0401(8.06%)and DQB1*0502(8.06%)on DQB1 locus.The most common haplotypes were DRB1*1202-DQB1*0301(20.08%)and DRB1*0803-DQB1*0601(7.19%).Conclusion:The phylogenetic tree constructed according to the HLA-DRB1,-DQB1 allele frequencies of Bais with those of other 10 populations suggests that the Bai ethnic group belongs to the southern group of China,but it keeps genetic distance from others and the HLA genes exhibits a unique profile.This study would provide HLA polymorphism information of Bai for the future investigation on the disease related to the genetic polymorphism.

Africa ; epidemiology ; Asia, Southeastern ; epidemiology ; Carcinoma ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Middle East ; epidemiology ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; virology

Objective:To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) trajectories in children and adolescents and subclinical renal damage (SRD) in adulthood.Methods:4 623 participants aged 6-18 years old were recruited from the ongoing cohort of Hanzhong adolescent hypertension study in 1987, and the subjects were followed up in 1989, 1992, 1995, 2005, 2013 and 2017, respectively. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify distinct BMI trajectories in longitudinal analysis. Generalized linear model was applied to examine the association between different BMI trajectories and SRD incidence in adulthood.Results:A total of 2 678 subjects from childhood to adulthood were enrolled in this study. All subjects were divided into three groups according to three distinct BMI trajectories: low-increasing BMI group ( n=1 017), moderate-increasing BMI group ( n=1 353), and high-increasing BMI group ( n=308). Over follow up for 30 years, a total of 248 participants (9.3%) developed SRD. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) in low to high-increasing BMI group was 0.9(0.6, 1.4), 1.0(0.7, 1.7), 1.6(0.8, 3.2), respectively ( P trend<0.001), and estimated glomerular filtration rate was 98.5(87.6, 111.6) , 96.2(86.4, 109.7), 95.3 (87.5, 125.0) ml·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1, respectively ( P trend=0.025). The generalized linear model analysis showed that uACR was increased linearly from low to high-increasing BMI group [ β=3.16(95% CI 1.02-5.31), Ptrend=0.004]. There was no correlation or linear trend between BMI trajectory and estimated glomerular filtration rate [ β=-2.30(95% CI-5.18-0.57), Ptrend=0.117]. Compared with the low-increasing BMI group, the high-increasing BMI group had greater odds of experiencing SRD in adulthood after adjusting for multiple confounders such as age, gender, medical history and lifestyle ( OR=2.83, 95% CI 1.84-4.36, Ptrend<0.001). Conclusions:Higher BMI trajectorie is correlated with higher level of uACR and risk of SRD in middle age. Identifying long-term BMI trajectorie from early age may assist in predicting individuals′ renal function in later life.

BACKGROUNDThe clinical behavior and management of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) are very different from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). By comparing the clinical and ultrasonographic features between the two tumors, we proposed to provide more possibilities for recognizing PDTC before treatment.

METHODSThe data of 13 PDTCs and 39 age- and gender-matched PTCs in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 2003 and September 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical and ultrasonic features between the two groups were compared.

RESULTSThe frequencies of family history of carcinoma, complication with other thyroid lesions, lymph node metastases, recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, and distant metastases were higher in PDTCs (30.8%, 61.6%, 69.2%, 23.1%, and 46.2%, respectively) than those in PTCs (2.6%, 23.1%, 25.6%, 2.6%, and 2.6%, respectively) (P < 0.05). The mortality rate of PDTCs was greatly higher than PTCs (P < 0.01). Conventional ultrasound showed that the size of PDTCs was larger than that of PTCs (3.1 ± 1.9 cm vs. 1.7 ± 1.0 cm). Clear margins and rich and/or irregular blood flow were found in 92.3% of PDTCs, which differed substantially from PTCs (51.7% and 53.8%, respectively) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPDTC is more aggressive and its mortality rate is higher than PTCs. Accordingly, more attention should be given to suspicious thyroid cancer nodules that show large size, regular shape, and rich blood flow signals on ultrasound to exclude the possibility of PDTCs.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Ultrasonography

Objective: To investigate patients' perception of service quality at hospitals in nine Chinese cities and propose some measures for improvement. Methods: The ServQual scale method was used in a survey involving patients at outpatient and in-patient facilities in Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Nanning, Guilin and Laibin of Guangxi, Honghezhou of Yunnan, Wulumuqi of Xinjiang and Zhongshan of Guangdong. The data collected were entered and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, factor analyses, reliability analyses, productmoment correlations, independent-sample t-tests, One-way ANOVA and regression analyses. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value for the factor analysis of the scale was 0.979. The Cronbach's α for the reliability analysis was 0.978. All the Pearson correlation coefficients were positive and statistically significant. Visitors to out-patient facilities reported more positive perception than visitors to in-patient facilities on tangibles (t = 4.168, P < 0.001) and reliability (t = 1.979, P < 0.05). Patients of 60 years of age and above reported more positive perception than those between 40 and 49 on reliability (F = 3.311, P = 0.010), assurances (F = 2.751, P < 0.05) and empathy (F = 4.009, P = 0.003). For the five dimensions of the scale, patients in Laibin, Guangxi reported the most positive perceived service quality, followed by patients in Shanghai. On the other hand, patients in Chongqing and Nanning and Guilin of Guangxi reported relatively poor perceptions of service quality. Standardized regression coefficients showed statistically significant (P < 0.001) positive values for all ServQual dimensions. Empathy (β = 0.267) and reliability (β = 0.239) most strongly predicted perception of service quality. Conclusions: Chinese patients perceived service quality as satisfactory. Hospitals in various regions of China should enhance their awareness and ability to serve their patients.

【Objective】 To explore the relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and hypertension based on the Hanzhong adolescent hypertension cohort. 【Methods】 A total of 361 young individuals with normal renal function， aged 32 to 41 years old， were taken as the research subjects. We collected or measured data including general characteristics， blood pressure （BP）， height， weight， pulse rate， and biochemistry indexes such as fasting glucose， blood lipid and plasma hs-CRP. The concentration of plasma adiponectin was determined by ELISA method. Binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between plasma adiponectin and hypertension. 【Results】 The plasma adiponectin level in patients with hypertension was significantly lower than that in normotensive patients ［3.56 （2.57-5.02）） μg/mL vs. 4.82 （3.19-6.89） μg/mL， P=0.012］. Partial correlation analysis showed a weak correlation of plasma adiponectin level with systolic BP and diastolic BP （r=-0.155， P=0.003 and r=-0.144， P=0.006）. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as age， BMI， and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein， the risk of hypertension was 2.46 times higher in patients with plasma adiponectin in the lowest gender-specific tertile than those in the highest tertile （OR=2.46， 95% CI: 1.22-4.99）. 【Conclusion】 Hypoaponectinemia is an independent risk factor for hypertension in young individuals with normal renal function.

【Objective】 To explore the effects of dietary salt intake on serum and urinary levels through the chronic salt loading intervention. 【Methods】 Eighty adults （18 to 65 years old） were screened from two villages in Liquan and Lantian counties to participate in a 2-week chronic salt intervention， including a 3-day baseline survey， a 7-day low-salt diet， and a 7-day high-salt diet. Uromodulin levels in serum and urine were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） kits. According to the baseline blood pressure levels， all subjects were divided into normotensive and hypertensive groups. Pearson or Spearman correlation analyzed the associations of 24 h urinary sodium excretions with serum and urinary levels of uromodulin. 【Results】 At the baseline， serum uromodulin in hypertensive subjects was significantly lower than that in normotensive subjects （26.7±9.9 vs. 57.9±9.7 ng/mL， P=0.033）. Serum uromodulin levels were significantly lower on a high-salt diet than on a baseline diet ［（54.9±8.8 vs. 28.3±4.5） ng/mL， P=0.007］. In addition， daily urinary excretions of uromodulin were lower on a high-salt diet ［（28.4±6.6） ng/mL］ than on a baseline diet ［（282.1±70.0） ng/mL］ and on a low-salt diet ［（154.1±21.3） ng/mL］. The 24 h urinary sodium excretions were inversely correlated with urinary uromodulin excretions （r=-0.40， P<0.001） on both low-salt and high-salt diets， but not correlated with serum uromodulin levels. 【Conclusion】 Variations in dietary salt intake significantly affect plasma and urine uromodulin levels.

【Objective】 Corin, a transmembrane serine protease that can cleave atrial natriuretic peptide precursor (pro-ANP) into atrial natriuretic peptide with smaller bioactive molecules, participates in the pathophysiological process of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of Corin gene variation with blood pressure responses to sodium and potassium dietary interventions. 【Methods】 In 2004, we recruited 514 participants from 124 families in 7 villages of Baoji, Shaanxi Province, China. All the subjects received a 3-day normal diet, a 7-day low-salt diet, a 7-day high-salt diet, and finally a 7-day high-salt and potassium supplementation. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Corin gene were selected for final analysis. 【Results】 SNPs rs12509275 were significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to low-salt diet, while rs3749584 was associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to low-salt diet.SNP rs3749584 and rs10517195 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt diet. In addition,rs17654278 were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) response to high-salt and potassium supplementation, rs2271037 was significantly correlated with DBP responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation, and rs4695253, rs12509275, rs2351783, rs36090894 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt and potassium supplementation. 【Conclusion】 Corin gene polymorphisms were associated with blood pressure response to sodium and potassium, suggesting that Corin gene may be involved in pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

【Objective】 Dyslipidemia has shown to be associated with cardiovascular, metabolic and renal diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between residual cholesterol and the risk of subclinical renal damage (SRD). 【Methods】 A total of 2 342 participants were recruited from the previously established Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort. According to estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatine ratio(uACR), the subjects were divided into SRD group and non-SRD group. The associations of residual cholesterol with eGFR, uACR, and the risk of SRD were analyzed by multiple linear and Logistic regression analyses. 【Results】 Residual cholesterol was positively correlated with uACR(r=0.081, P<0.001) but negatively correlated with eGFR (r=-0.091, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that residual cholesterol was an influencing factor of uACR (β=0.075, P<0.001) and eGFR (β=-0.027, P<0.001) after adjustment for gender, age, smoke, alcohol, exercise, BMI, hypertension, diabetes and serum uric acid. In addition, Logistic regression analysis revealed that residual cholesterol was significantly associated with the risk of SRD independently of potential confounders [OR(95% CI)=1.387 (1.113-1.728), P<0.001]. Further subgroup analysis showed that residual cholesterol was significantly associated with the risk of SRD in women but not in men. 【Conclusion】 Residual cholesterol is a contributing factor in the risk of subclinical renal damage with gender-specific association.

【Objective】 4-like protein with down-regulated expression and development in neural precursor cells (NEDD4L) plays an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation and sodium homeostasis by regulating epithelial sodium channel protein. In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship of NEDD4L gene polymorphisms with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake. 【Methods】 In 2004, 514 subjects from 124 families in Meixian County, Shaanxi Province, were recruited to establish a salt-sensitive hypertension study cohort. All the subjects received a 3-day baseline survey, a 7-day low-salt diet, a 7-day high-salt diet, and finally a 7-day high-salt and potassium supplementation. Their BP was measured and peripheral blood samples were collected at different intervention periods. The 14 gene polymorphisms of NEDD4L gene were genotyped and analyzed by MassARRAY platform. 【Results】 BP decreased on a low-salt diet, and significantly increased on a high-salt diet, and decreased again after potassium supplementation. NEDD4L SNPs rs74408486 were significantly associated with systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure responses to the low-salt diet. SNPs rs292449 and rs2288775 were significantly associated with pulse pressure response to the high-salt diet. In addition, SNPs rs563283 and rs292449 were significantly associated with diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation diet. 【Conclusion】 NEDD4L gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with BP responses to sodium and potassium intake, suggesting that NEDD4L gene may be involved in the development of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.