OBJECTIVETo explore the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and its risk factors in rural area in the southern part of Hubei province and to provide evidence for prevention and treatment.

METHODSUsing uniform scheme, procedures and questionnaire, a multistage survey for 1883 people in rural area in southern part of Hubei province was performed, and physical examinations and lung function tests were conducted for every participant.

RESULTSIn this survey, 186 COPD cases were identified with a overall prevalence of 9.88%. The prevalence for male was 13.68% while in female it was 6.46%. The prevalence was higher in males than in females (chi2 = 27.48, P< 0.001) and higher with the increase of age (chi2 = 79.22, P<0.001). Factors associated with COPD were identified in one-way variance model as follows: sex, age, smoking, time for cooking, using biomass fuels for in-door cooking, family history, frequent cough before age 14, low body index and having house remodelling in the last five years. Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sex (OR= 1.3010), age (OR = 1.8506), smoking (OR= 3.0118), cooking time (OR= 1.7651), family history (OR = 1.5278), frequent cough before age 14 (OR = 2.8965) were risk factors.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of COPD in the southern part of Hubei province was high, suggesting that comprehensive intervention measures should be taken.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Rural Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Chemical constituents of ethyl acetate extract of Illicium burmanicum were isolated and purified by various chromatographic methods,including Silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, C18 reverse-phased silica gel, Preparative TLC and Preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectral analysis including NMR and MS data. Fourteen compounds were separated from I. burmanicum and their structures were identified as 7S,8R-erythro-4,7,9,9'-tetrahydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan (1), 7R,8R-threo-4,7, 9,9'-tetrahydroxy-3,3 '-dimethoxy-8-O-4'-neolignan(2) ,polystachyol(3), (-) -massoniresinol(4), angustanoic acid F (5), trans-sobrerol(6), (3S,6R) -6,7-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydrolinalool (7), (3S, 6S) -6,7-dihydroxy-6,7-dihydrolinalool (8), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-allyl-phenol (9), 3,5-dihydroxy4-hydroxy benzaldehyde (10), 3-hydroxy4-methoxybenzaldehyde (11), methyl vanillate (12), shikimic acid ethylester (13) and beta-sitosrerol (14). Except compound 14, the rest thirteen compounds were separated from this plant for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Illicium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Objective To investigate the differences in pressure wave reflections and central blood pressure between brachial BP classification and the effect of antihypertensive drugs. Method In 1371chronically treated hypertensive subjects aged 33 -87 years [679 males and 692 females, mean age (47.2 ± 11.5 ) years], radial arterial augmentation index ( rAI ) and central systolic blood pressure were measured using an automated tonometric method. Results rA1 gradually increased from the subgroup with the lower blood pressure to the higher blood pressure ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), for each given brachial value, central systolic blood pressure was lower than the corresponding brachial pressure( P ＜0. 01 ). In multivariable linear regression models analysis revealed that the application of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ([β =-0. 09, P ＜ 0. 05 ) , ATI receptor blockade ( β =-0. 07, P =0. 01 ), calcium channel blocker( [β =-0. 12,P ＜ 0. 01 ) and diuretic ( β =0. 14, P =0. 04 ) were independent determinants of rAI. Central SBP significantly correlated to the application of ACEI( β =- 0. 07, P =0. 02 ), ARB ( β =- 0. 08, P =0. 01 )and CCB( β =-0. 15, P ＜0. 05 ). Conclusions In chronically treated hypertensive individuals, tight blood pressure control would be effective in reducing the reflection wave and central BP. Antihypertensive treatment strategies with more beneficial effects on arterial properties are needed.

OBJECTIVETo study the surgical reconstruction of secondary fracture deformities of the nasal-orbital ethmoid area.

METHODSTypical bicoronal and subciliary incisions or the adjacent scar incision were employed to expose the fractured area. The flattened nasal bone was narrowed by curved osteotomy along the medial orbital rims and trimed with a bur. 2-3 pieces of cranial outer table were used to reconstruct the nasal framework, which were fixed to the frontal bone with mini-plates. After the medial orbital wall and orbital floor were exposed, the herniated orbital contents were released and reduced to the orbital cavity. The fractured orbital walls were repaired precisely with autogenous cranial outer table or Medpor. The medial canthal tendons were anchored superior-posteriorly to the lacrimal fossa with transnasal wires.

RESULTSFrom December 1996 to December 2001, 34 cases of severe nasal-orbital ethmoid fracture deformities were repaired with this technique. Of them, 12 cases had combined orbital-zygomatic fracture, 4 cases had fontal sinus fracture, 1 case had Le Fort II and 1 case had Le Fort III fracture. All the patients recovered well and their facial appearance improved greatly.

CONCLUSIONSThe key points for surgical reconstruction of the periorbital post-fracture deformities are narrowing the flattened nasal root by curved osteotomy, the nasal framework reconstruction with autogenous bone graft, the orbital wall repair to correct enophthalmos, and most importantly, the medial canthal tendon reduction and canthal plasty.

Adolescent ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Enophthalmos ; surgery ; Ethmoid Bone ; injuries ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; injuries ; Nose Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Orbit ; surgery ; Orbital Fractures ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Paranasal Sinuses ; injuries ; surgery ; Polyethylenes ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skull Fractures ; etiology ; surgery ; Tendons ; surgery

Objective The augmentation index (AI) derived from central arteries is generally defined as an index of augmentation of central blood pressure in systole derived from the return of pressure waves reflected from the periphery and is an index of arterial stiffness. There is controversy with respect to how to affect AI. Methods In a cross-sectional study of 4985 subjects (2417 men and 2568 women) aged 18-96 years (50.94± 14.73 years,mean±SD) ,AI was measured in the left radial artery using tonometry Colin HEM-9000AI. Results Among the subjects, 39.4% were diagnosed as hypertensive, 11.2% as diabetes mellitus, and 48.7% as hyperlipidemia. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that age, diastolic blood pressure, smoking, heart rate, height, waist circumference and fasting blood glucose were independent determinants of radial AI in women; while in men, it was also determined by total cholesterol. Radial AI was significantly higher in women than in men [(83.18± 12.36)% vs. (71.93±15.22)%, P<0.01]. Conclusion Our findings indicate that AI is determined by arterial stiffness, distance to the reflection point and reflection coefficient. It is necessary to take into account these confounding factors when assessing AI is used as an index for atherosclerosis.

Objective To observe apelin and its receptor (APJ) expressions in human osteoblasts and evaluate the effect of apelin on osteoblasts.Methods The expressions of apelin and APJ in human osteoblasts were tested by RT-PCR and Western blot.After human osteoblasts were treated with apelin,cell proliferation was measured by [~3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.Cell function was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity,the secreted osteocalcin level and typeⅠcollagen production .The activation of signaling cascades was tested by Western blot.Small-interfering RNA (siRNA) to blockade APJ was applied to observe effects of apelin on cell proliferation and the activation of signaling cascades.Results Both apelin and APJ were expressed in human osteoblasts.Apelin increased the proliferation and did not show the influences on ALP activity, osteocalcin secretion and type I collagen production in human osteoblasts.Apelin induced activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) downstream effector (Akt),but not mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) such as c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK),p38 and ERK1/2 in human osteoblasts.Suppression of APJ with siRNA or LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) abolished the apelin-induced cell proliferation and the activation of Akt.Conclusion Human osteoblasts express apelin and APJ.Apelin stimulates the proliferation of human osteoblast via APJ/PI3K/Akt pathway,but has no effect on osteoblast differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of Ca(2+) on the apoptosis induced by hyperthermia in neonate rat hippocampal neurons to provide the applicative evidence of dantrolene for preventing brain injuries.

METHODSDantrolene, Ca(2+) specific blocking agent, was used in the hyperthermia-induced apoptosis of primary hippocampal neurons in vitro to observe its effect on the apoptosis, fluorescent intensity, and dynamic change of Ca(2+) by flowcytometry and laser confocal microscopy.

RESULTSThe rate of apoptosis was decreased significantly after hyperthermia treatment by dantrolene sodium. The intracellular Ca(2+) fluorescent intensity in 42 degrees C treatment group (107.35 +/- 6.0) was significantly lower than that in control group (159.12 +/- 33.8). The concentration of Ca(2+) began to decrease 20 approximately 25 s after adding dantrolene sodium, and reached the lowest level about 50 s later, and then kept lower than the basal level.

CONCLUSIONDantrolene sodium has an important protective effect on hippocampal neurons apoptosis induced by hyperthermia and may have some applicative value of preventing heat-induced brain injury.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dantrolene ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of ulinastatin on coagulation in children who underwent open-heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

METHODSFifty children who underwent open-heart surgery for ventricular septal defect were randomly divided into two groups: ulinastatin treatment and control. Before CPB, ulinastatin (1.0×10(4) U/kg) was added to CPB priming fluid only in the ulinastatin treatment group. Activated partial thromboplasin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen and international normalized ratio (INR) were measured both before and at 1 hr, 6 hrs and 24 hrs after CPB.

RESULTSThe PT in the ulinastatin group was more prolonged than in the control group at 1 hr after CPB (18.7 ± 0.7 s vs 15.5 ± 0.5 s) and 6 hrs after CPB (17.5 ± 0.6 s vs 15.0 ± 0.6 s). The APTT in the ulinatatin group was also significantly more prolonged than in the control group at 6 hrs after CPB (38.7 ± 3.1 s vs 35.3 ± 3.1 s) and 24 hrs after CPB (34.2 ± 3.0 s vs 31.1 ± 2.6 s).

CONCLUSIONSUlinastatin may prolong PT and APTT after CPB, and thus affects coagulation in children.

Blood Coagulation ; drug effects ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Prothrombin Time ; Trypsin Inhibitors ; pharmacology

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the associations and related factors between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and arterial system and augmentation index (AI) measured on different sites in a healthy population. Methods All subjects were selected from a local community investigation study which included 5116 people living in Haidian District or Daxing District, Beijing, China. A total of 729 healthy subjects [age 17-85 years, mean (39.2 ± 12.2 )years, 413 men] were included in this study. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity ( CF-PWV), carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (CR-PWV) and carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity (CA-PWV) were measured using Complior. Pulse wave analysis at the right radial artery was measured and AI was calculated using SphygmoCor device. Results CF-PWV correlated significantly with CR-PWV or CA-PWV (all P ＜0. 01 ) by both Pearson and Partial Correlation analysis adjusted by age,body mass index, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic pressure and heart rate. There was no significant correlation between AI and CR-PWV (r = -0. 072, P = 0. 053 ) and between AI and CR-PWV ( r = 0. 024, P = 0. 528 ), AI and CA-PWV ( r = 0. 068, P = 0. 070 ) while AI was significantly correlated with CF-PWV ( r = 0. 110, P = 0. 003 ). Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that age, systolic blood pressure and heart rate were positively while female gender was negatively correlated with CF-PWV. CRPWV was positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and negatively correlated with pulse pressure and female gender (R2 =0. 155). CA-PWV was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and age while negatively correlated with pulse pressure and female gender. Multiple stepwise regression analysis also demonstrated that AI was positively correlated with age, diastolic blood pressure, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and female gender, and negatively correlated with heart rate, height and serum creatinine level (R2 = 0. 536). Conclusions CA-PWV, covering carotid-femoral arterial segment, could partially represent CF-PWV as an indicator of large arterial stiffness. CR-PWV mainly reflects peripheral muscular arterial stiffness and is not suitable to be used interchangeably with CF-PWV or CA-PWV. Component of blood pressure (systolic, diastolic or pulse pressure) may have different influences on CF-PWV, CA-PWV or CRPWV. AI is affected by multiple factors and poorly correlated with PWV and is not a good indicator for arterial stiffness.