OBJECTIVETo analyze current stroke prevention measures for elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical records of elderly patients with atrial fibrillation treated in our hospital within the recent 5 years. The distribution of high risk factors for different age levels was studied, and the incidence of stroke and complications such as hemorrhage were compared between patients treated with warfarin and aspirin therapy.

RESULTSCompared with patients of 65 to 75 years old, the incidence of complications with other high risk factors was increased in advanced age group (over 75 years). Of these patients, 19.0% were treated with warfarin and 73.4% with aspirin. Compared with the aspirin group, stroke incidence was decreased significantly in warfarin group, which had simultaneously increased nonfatal hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONWarfarin can be more effective than aspirin for stroke prevention in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, but in clinical practice, the usage rate of warfarin still remains low with insufficient monitoring.

Aged ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Aspirin ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Fibrillation ; complications ; drug therapy ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome ; Warfarin ; therapeutic use

This article was aimed to study the chemical constituents of the petroleum ether fraction of Liparis nervosa.Chemicalcompoundswereisolatedandpurifiedthroughvariouschromatographytechniques.The accurate structures of chemical compounds were confirmed with spectral data and literatures. The results showed that7chemicalconstituentswereisolatedfromthepetroleumetherfractionofLiparis nervosa,whichwere moscatin (1), batatasin Ⅲ (2), bergapten (3), isoimpinellin (4), xanthotoxin (5), imperatorin (6) and β-sitosterol (7). It was concluded that chemical constituents 3-7 were isolated from this genus for the first time. And chemical constituents 1-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective To investigate the role of pre-chemotherapy hemoglobin and platelet levels in the effect of chemotherapy and prognostic outcome in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO) stage Ⅰ b2 - Ⅱb cervical cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy.Methods From January 1999 to December 2010,111 patients with FIGO stage Ⅰ b2 - Ⅱ b who underwent chemosurgical treatment at the department of obstetrics and gynecology in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed.The median age of patients was 42 years (range:21 -68 years).The median level of prechemotherapy hemoglobin and platelet levels was 127 g/L and 266 ×109/L,respectively.Chemotherapy response was evaluated according to the WHO criteria,including complete response (CR),partial response (PR),arable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD).Patients who achieved CR or PR were defined as responder.Rates of clinical response were compared with the clinicalpathological variables using chi-square test.Multiple logistic regression was carried out to evaluate the relationship among the probability of achieving an optimal clinical response and the variables.The log-rank test was used to compare the homogeneity of progression-free survival and overall survival functions across strata defined by categories of prognostic variables.The Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the significance of potential prognostic factors for progression-free survival and overall survival.Results All patients received one to three cycles of chemotherapy.After the neoadjuvant chemotherapy,9 patients achieved CR,77 patients PR,23 patients SD, 2 patients PD.The overall response rate was 77.5％(86/111).By univariate analysis,the clinical response rate was associated with tumor grade( P =0.026),deep cervical stromal invasion ( P =0.029 ) and positive lymph nodes ( P =0.048 ).By multiple logistic regression,deep cervical stromal invasion ( P =0.015 ) and positive lymph nodes ( P =0.031 ) were independent predictors of optimal clinical response.By log-rank test,5-year overall survival rate and 5-year progression-free survival rate were associated with lymph nodes metastases status and lymphovascular invasion ( P =0.000),but not with hemoglobin and platelet levels( P ＞ 0.05 ).By Cox regression model,lymph nodes metastases status and lymph-vascular space involvement ( P ＜ 0.01 ) were independently prognostic factors of 5-year overall survival rate and 5-year progression-free survival rate.Conclusion Pretreatment hemoglobin and platelet levels were neither predictors of clinical response to chemotherapy nor prognostic factors.

Adult ; Appendiceal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; immunology ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; analysis ; Receptors, Complement 3b ; analysis

BACKGROUNDChronic heart failure (CHF) and diabetes mellitus portend high morbidity and mortality because of an interrelated pathophysiologic process. This large cohort study aimed to analyze the prevalence, clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of patients with CHF and diabetes.

METHODSA total of 1119 patients with NYHA functional class II - IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 45% between January 1995 and May 2009 were recruited. Clinical variables, biochemical and echocardiographic measurements were retrospectively reviewed, and composite major cardiac events (MCE) including death, heart transplantation, and refractory heart failure requiring multiple hospitalizations were recorded.

RESULTSThe prevalence of CHF with diabetes was progressively increased with time (16.9% in 1995 - 1999; 20.4% in 2000 - 2004, and 29.1% in 2005 - 2009) and age (18.5% in < 60 years, 26.6% in 60 - 80 years, and 26.6% in > 80 years). Compared with CHF patients without diabetes, those with diabetes had worse cardiac function, more abnormal biochemical changes, and higher mortality. Treatment with glucose-lowering agents significantly improved LVEF and decreased MCE. An elevated serum HbA1c level was associated with large left ventricular end-systolic diameter (P < 0.05), decreased LVEF (P < 0.01) and reduced survival (P < 0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjustment for confounding factors, NYHA functional class (OR 2.65, 95%CI 1.14 - 6.16, P = 0.024) and HbA1c level >or= 7% (OR 2.78, 95%CI 1.00 - 7.68, P = 0.049) were independent risk factors for adverse outcomes in CHF patients with diabetes.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of CHF with diabetes was increasing during past decades, and patients with CHF and diabetes had worse clinical profiles and prognosis. Aggressive anti-CHF and diabetes therapies are needed to improve overall outcomes for these patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Complications ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; analysis ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo analyze the impact of attack frequency as well as therapy strategies on outcome of patients with vasovagal syncope (VVS).

METHODSA total of 159 patients (aged from 15 - 59 years old) with VVS were included in this study. Patients were divided into low frequency (< 3) group (n = 95) and high (≥ 3) frequency group (n = 64) according to the attack frequency in the past 5 years at the primary survey. Patients received one of the three therapies: no treatment, physical therapy, and comprehensive treatment. All cases were followed up with telephone or outpatient visit for 24 months.

RESULTSIncidence of syncope was significantly higher in the high frequency group and in the low frequency group [40.6% (26/64) vs. 11.6% (11/95), P < 0.01]. The overall improvement rate was significantly higher in the low frequency group than that of high frequency group (P < 0.01). Improvement rate was significantly higher in the physical therapy subgroup and the comprehensive treatment subgroup than no treatment subgroup for patients with low attack frequency [81.8% (27/33) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P < 0.05; 82.2% (37/45) vs. 47.1% (8/17), P < 0.05], and in comprehensive treatment subgroup than in physical therapy subgroups observed between and [62.2% (28/45) vs. 31.6% (6/19), P < 0.05] for patients with high attack frequency.

CONCLUSIONOutcome is related to previous attack frequency for patients with VVS, physical therapy is effective for reducing the recurrence rate of syncope in VVS patients with low attack frequency while physical therapy combined with pharmacotherapy should be applied for VVS patients with high attack frequency to improve outcome.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Prognosis ; Syncope, Vasovagal ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo survey the sleep habits (bedtime, wake time), sleep duration, and sleep problems in school-age children of China.

METHODFrom November to December, 2005, a total of 19,299 school-age children from 55 elementary schools of 9 cities entered the study by a cross-sectional survey. A parent-administered questionnaire and the Chinese version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were applied to investigate children's sociodemographic characteristics and sleep behaviors, respectively.

RESULTSThe mean sleep duration was 9 hours and 10 minutes (9:10, SD:48 min) during the weekdays and 9:48 (SD: 63 min) during the weekends. In about 71.4% and 41.8% school-aged children the sleep duration per day did not reach the lowest criterion of 10 hours recommended by the Ministry of Education of China during weekdays and weekends, respectively. Sleep problems were common with prevalence ranging from 14.5% for sleep-disordered breathing to 75.3% for daytime sleepiness. Parasomnia (chi(2) = 13.76, P < 0.01) and sleep-disordered breathing (chi(2) = 119.83, P < 0.01) were more prevalent in boys than in girls; however, sleep anxiety was more prevalent in girls than in boys (chi(2) = 19.42, P < 0.01). Except for night waking, other types of sleep problems were significantly associated with age.

CONCLUSIONSInadequate sleep duration and sleep problems prevail among school-age children, which indicates that children's sleep health may be a major public health concern in China.

Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep ; Sleep Stages ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; epidemiology ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

Objective:To construct the expression vector of the fusion protein of human serum albumin (HSA) and thymopentin (TP5) and to express it in Pichia pastoris,and to elucidate the biological activity of fusion protein.Methods:The HSA-TP5 fusion gene was constructed by gene recombination and transfected into Pichia pastoris to construct the eukaryotic expression system of HSA-TP5.The recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid of PPICZα-HSA-TP5 was obtained by agarose gel electrophoresis and purification reagent.The two step fermentation method was used to ferment gene engineering bacteria of HSA-TP5 in high density,and the fermentation supernatant protein was precipitated and concentrated;the purified fusion protein was obtained by cation exchange chromatography and hydrophobic chromatography and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.The effect of the fusion protein on the proliferation of lymphocytes was detected by MTT assay.Results:The HSA target gene fragment with length of 1 845 bp was achieved by PCR method.The HSA-TP5-pPICZαC fusion plasmid was identified by restriction endonuclease digestion,and the fragment length was 707 bp.The sequence analysis showed that the HSA and TP5 sequences of the target genes were identical with the gene sequences reported in GenBank and were fused by forward fusion.PCR method confirmed that the eukaryotic recombinant plasmid PPICZ αC-HSA-TP5 was integrated into the yeast genome,and compared with control group,the target gene PCR product length was found to be 1 860 bp.SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the expression level of HSA-TP5 fusion protein was gradually increased with the induction time within 72 h.HSA-TP5 fusion protein was purified by cation exchange chromatography and AKTA multifunctional protein purification system.The MTT assay results showed that HSA-TP5 fusion protein was consistent with TP5 protein in promoting lymphocyte proliferation activity.Conclusion:HSA-TP5 fusion protein can be obtained by constructing the eukaryotic expression system of Pichia pastoris and owns the biological activity.

Autopsy by forensic pathologist is a main mean currently to determine the cause of sudden unexpected death. Retinal examination is important but seldom performed during a forensic autopsy for various reasons. The value of retina examination has not been recognized. With invention of ophthalmic endoscopy and its subsequent application in postmortem retina examination, it has proved to be useful adjunct to determine the cause of death and to estimate the postmortem interval.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Craniocerebral Trauma/pathology* ; Decompression Sickness/pathology* ; Female ; Forensic Pathology/methods* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmoscopy ; Retina/pathology* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/pathology* ; Syndrome ; Vitreous Hemorrhage/pathology*

Individual response to drugs, toxicants, environmental chemicals and allergens varies with genotype. Some respond well to these substances without significant consequences, while others may respond strongly with severe consequences and even death. Toxicogenetics and toxicogenomics as well as pharmacogenetics explain the genetic basis for the variations of individual response to toxicants by sequencing the human genome and large-scale identification of genome polymorphism. The new disciplines will provide a new route for forensic specialists to determine the cause of death.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics* ; Drug Hypersensitivity/genetics* ; Forensic Medicine ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics* ; Genome, Human ; Humans ; Pharmacogenetics/trends* ; Pharmacokinetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Toxicogenetics/trends*