Objective To evaluate the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the attitudes toward obese persons (ATOP) scale among college nursing students. Methods A Chinese version of ATOP was obtained by forward translation, synthesis, back translation, and culture adjusting; the content validity was examined by expert committee review. A total of 407 valid questionnaires of Chinese ATOP were completed by a convenient sample of college nursing students. The psychometric properties of ATOP were examined by content validity index (CVI) for content validity, critical ratio (CR) for item analysis, factor analysis for construct validity and Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency reliability. Additionally, the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) for test-retest reliability was tested in 20 nursing students after a two-week interval. Results The mean CVI of the Chinese version of ATOP was 0. 97. The final Chinese version comprised 12 items and reflected 3 dimensions; different personalities, social difficulties and self-esteem, which explained 52. 45% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis further supported this three-dimension structure (��2 = 93. 75, df =51,��2/df=l. 84, RMSEA = 0. 06, NNFI = 0. 91, CFI = 0. 93, IFI=0. 93, GFI = 0. 93, AGFI=0. 89). The criterion-related validity was confirmed by the positive correlation between the total scores for ATOP and its subscale scores and the scores for internal weight locus of control. The internal consistency reliability evaluated by Cronbach's alpha was 0. 59-0. 71 for the three subscales and the whole scale. The test-retest reliability across two weeks ranged from 0. 52 to 0. 83. There was a weak negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the self-esteem score. Nursing students who perceived themselves as overweight scored lower in the self-esteem factor and higher in the factor of different personality than those who did not. Conclusion The Chinese version of ATOP has satisfactory validity and acceptable reliability in measuring the attitudes toward obese persons, and can be used to evaluate the attitude of nursing students toward obesity.

Adult ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; etiology ; Blood Sedimentation ; Celiac Artery ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Inferior ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; etiology ; Takayasu Arteritis ; blood ; complications

Objective: To investigate the growth inhibition and apoptosis induction effect of vitamin E succinate (VES) on human colon cancer cells and to analyze the modulation of apoptosis-mediator Fas expression in this process. Methods: Human colon cancer cell line LS174T was treated with VES for 12 h, 24 h and 48 h at the concentrations of 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 20mg/L. 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazo-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT) assay was employed to detect the inhibitory effect of VES on the growth of colon cancer cells. Flow cytometry was then used to analyze the cell cycle of the colon cancer cells after being treated with VES and the apoptotic rate was calculated at the same time. To find out whether the Fas protein expression was modulated in this process, Western blotting assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the Fas protein level in whole cell lystates and on cell surface. Results: VES exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of human colon cancer cells in a doseand time-dependent manner. After being treated with VES at 5 mg/L, 10 mg/L and 20 mg/L for 48 h, the apoptotic rate of LS174T cells rose from 0.90% to 15.9%, 46.7% and 64.5%, respectively. Fas neutralizing antibody can significantly block VES-induced apoptosis. After the administration of VES, total Fas protein in whole-cell extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. The flow cytometry showed that the mean fluorescence intensity rose from 5.43 to 9.88, 13.21 and 18.0 after being treated with VES. Conclusion: VES can induce significant growth inhibition and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells. The modulation of Fas expression is one of the mechanisms involved in this process and may be related to the upregulation of Fas molecule on the cancer cell surface.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the recent results of CAS performed by vascular surgeons to treat extracranial carotid occlusive disease (ECOD) retrospectively in a single medical center.

METHODSForty-eight carotid arteries underwent CAS. Procedures were transfemoral. The postoperative follow-up was separated to 2 periods (30 d). The mortality and all kinds of complications were analyzed.

RESULTS91.7% of them were men; 8.3% were women; mean age was (70.6 +/- 5.9) years. Preoperative asymptomatic cases were 37.5%; symptomatic cases were 62.5%. Mean internal carotid artery diameter stenosis was (71.2 +/- 14.8)%. 43.8% patients had single preoperative risk factors; two or more of these risk factors were present in 47.9%. In 33.3% cases the contralateral carotid artery had 50% or greater stenosis or was completely occluded. Technical success was achieved in 100%. There were no death, no major or minor stroke but 4.2% TIA. Carotid sinus compression syndrome occurred in 18.8% of patients. At follow-up > 30 days, there had been 4.2% instances of in-stent recurrent stenosis great than 50%, noted by color doppler ultrasound scanning. No stent deformity happened.

CONCLUSIONCAS can be preformed safely enough in patients with ECOD at high CEA risk, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Aged ; Angioplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the morphology and functional character of blood-spleen barrier (BSB) and establish the concept of BSB.

METHODSThirty healthy Wistar rats were studied. Ten rats were injected with 1.5 ml mixed fluid of India ink and physiological saline through the tail vein. Histological changes of the spleen in all animals were observed with light and electron microscopy, including HE, Foot, Masson staining and immunohistochemistry of CD68 and CD34.

RESULTSMost of the carbon particles were within the splenic sinuses in marginal zone but not in the white pulp after 6 h. There was a characteristic distribution of the macrophagocytes, vessel endothelial cell, reticular tissue and collagen fiber in the BSB.

CONCLUSIONSBSB, surrounding the white pulp, is composed of macrophagocytes, marginal-sinus-endothelial cells and their basement membrane, the reticular tissue (reticular cells and reticular fibers) and collagen fibers. The role of BSB is to keep the microenvironment of white pulp stable. It becomes mature while the formation of germinal center of the white pulp. The permeability of BSB changes during its development.

Animals ; Basement Membrane ; ultrastructure ; Endothelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Macrophages ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reticulocytes ; ultrastructure ; Spleen ; blood supply ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of C. morifolium on the chemical constituents.

METHODChemical constituents of four cultivars cultivated with the same conditions were compared in three types of index: chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and volatile oil.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONWith different cultivars and processing methods, the contents of chlorogenic acid, flavonoid and volatile oil extracted from C. morifolium vary great extent.

Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Flowers ; chemistry ; genetics ; Hot Temperature ; Oils, Volatile ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Quality Control ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo describe observation of security and availability of covering left subclavian artery during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in follow-up.

METHODSFrom December 2007 to December 2008, 111 consecutive patients received stent grafts to treat lesions involving thoracic aorta. According to the covering of left subclavian artery, four groups including total covering (TC), less-than 50% covering (LTC), more-than 50% covering (MTC) and non-covering (NC) were formed. Difference of blood pressure between two upper extremities was required before TEVAR and 1st, 3rd, 5th, 30th day after TEVAR. Patients were evaluated postoperatively and at follow-up for stroke as well as symptoms of paraplegia, hemiparalysis or left upper extremity claudication.

RESULTSFifty-five (49.6%), 18 (16.2%), 7 (6.3%) and 31 (27.9%) cases were divided into TC, LTC, MTC and NC groups, respectively. Difference of blood pressure between TC and the 3 latter groups were significantly different (P<0.01). Complications appeared as followed during one week after TEVAR: 13 patients in dizziness, among which 5 patients suffered from amaurosis and spotted vision, and 7 patients in left upper extremity claudication. No stroke, paraplegia or hemiparalysis in TC. Thoracic aortic lesions were successfully excluded in all patients.

CONCLUSIONSIntentional coverage of left subclavian artery to obtain an adequate proximal landing zone during TEVAR is safe and well-tolerated. But it may be managed expectantly with some exceptions for further lasting efficacy.

Aorta, Thoracic ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Stents ; Subclavian Artery ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the curative effect of surgical treatment for renal stenosis.

METHODSEighty cases from November 1997 to August 2008 were reviewed, including 53 males and 27 females, aged from 9 to 80 years old. There are 42 atherosclerosis, 23 Takayasu arteritis and 11 fibrodysplasia patients. Surgical procedures included aorto-renal bypass for 13 cases, autogenous renal transplantation for 5 cases, nephrectomy for 1 case, renal endarterectomy for 1 case, lesion resection and reconstruction for 1 case, balloon angioplasty for 14 cases, and stent implantation 48 cases.

RESULTSThere were 1 mortality peri-operation. During follow-up (1 to 129 months), 2 among 63 patients died. Significant decline of blood pressure [(135.7 +/- 15.8)/(80.1 +/- 8.5) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (149.8 +/- 18.3)/(88 +/- 13.6) mm Hg, P < 0.01] and totally 65.6% effective rate were observed. Atherosclerosis, Takayasu arteritis and fibrodysplasia group all presented positive anti-hypertension results with 50%, 73.3% and 100% effective rate respectively (P < 0.05). The creatine level also underwent significant decrease [(112.7 +/- 53.6) micromol/L vs. (131.7 +/- 91.7) micromol/L, P < 0.05], mainly in atherosclerosis group [(127.2 +/- 56.6) micromol/L vs. (138.0 +/- 87.0) micromol/L, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment of renal stenosis can achieve improvement in hypertension and renal function. Endovascular stent and angioplasty are the first choices for atherosclerotic and fibrodysplasia patients respectively, while open surgery is better for Takayasu arteritis ones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; surgery ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged