BACKGROUND: Incidence rate of cervical osteoarthritis in the middleaged and elderly is high. Some researches on risk factor causing cervical osteoarthritis have been performed abroad, but most of the factors are being discussed.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurring cervical osteoarthritis risk factors in the middle-aged and elderly from different regions of China and provide evidences for prevention and intervention of cervical osteoarthritis in community.DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.SETTING: Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Health, together with Second Hospital of Xi'an Jiantong University, Institute of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Shanghai Huadong Hospital, Nanfang Hospital, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University.PARTICIPANTS: The investigation was conducted from July to August2005. On the basis of stratified multi-stage cluster sampling method, 6 218formal registered permanent residents of over 40 years old from Xi'an,Shijiazhuang, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Harbin and Chengdu were enrolled.They all agreed to join the investigation voluntarily. There were 2 916males of 40-94 years and 3 302 females of 40-86 years.METHODS: Questionnaire investigation of epidemiology of cervical osteoarthritis was performed in the testees, and radiograph was used in the persons with clinical symptom. The basic sample unit was neighborhood committee (city) and village committee (countryside). Sampling method:Taking each city as a whole, composed of two levels, namely city and countryside, in the first phase the persons were extracted from district (county),in the second phase from sub-district (countryside), in the third phase from neighborhood committee (village eommittee). Diagnosis standard of cervical osteoarthritis was positive clinical symptom and 2 grade or above of radiograph Kellgren & Lawrence grading. The content of questionnaire contained 6 aspects: general condition, history of present illness, history of past illness, physical check-up, radiographs and disease diagnosis, totally94 questions and 141 variation indexes. Influential factors of prevalence rate of cervical osteoarthritis were analyzed using multifactor non-conditional Logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio (OR) was used for expressing index of strength of relationship between disease and exposures. If OR ＞ 1,it was indicated that there was positive correlation between disease occurrence and exposures. If OR ＜ 1, it was suggested that there was negative correlation between disease occurrence and exposures.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence rate of cervical osteoarthritis in each city and OR.RESULTS: Totally 6 218 investigational subjects were included in the result analysis, without drop out. ①Total prevalence rate of cervical osteoarthritis in population of 40 years or above from 6 domestic cities was23.6%. There was significnat difference of prevalence rate in each city (P＜0.01). ②Result of Logistic regression analysis: Age (OR=1.010-1.058),defecation with squat ting pot (OR =1.024-1.997) and history of hypertension (OR =1.815-3.078) were common risk factor in most areas. In northern area the common risk factor compos ed of daily stair climbing or grade climbing (OR =1.018-1.020), while drinking colored wine (OR=3.451, Xi'an), history of osteoarthri tis of father (OR =2.491, Xi'an), history of diabetes (OR =5.013, Shijiazhuang), history of osteoarthritis of mother (OR =2.045, Shanghai), smoking (OR =6.857, Guangzhou), age of starting drinking (OR =3.044, Guangzhou) and full-time athletic sports (OR=9.020, Harbin), etc. emerged in different areas.CONCLUSION: The onset of cervical osteoarthritis has the same risk factor in 6 domestic areas, and main risk factor in different areas has certain differences, which can provide reference data for the prevention and cure of cervical osteoarthritis for the future and reduce waster of medical resources.

Objective To explore the fire prevention management to ensure the operating of the data room in the hospital. Methods The hidden risks in the fire prevention of the data room were pointed out in auto fire fighting system,precision air-conditioning equipment, UPS and battery pack, compatibilization and expansion, high-voltage power supply circuit, lightningproof grounding and etc.It's indicated that the maintenance staff had deficiency in mastering related knowledge on gas fire-extinguishing system.Results The maintenance had to be strengthened for the auto fire fighting system,precision air-conditioning equipment,UPS and battery pack,and the detection should be reinforced for the high-voltage power supply circuit and lightningproof grounding system. It's suggested that standardized construction be executed during data room compatibilization and expansion,corresponding management system be established,and the knowledge be mastered on the composition,operation and announcements.Conclusion The fire prevention management of the data room is enhanced in the hospital,and the hidden risks are eliminated for fire fighting.

OBJECTIVETo study the immunoregulation effects of Tiaomian No. 3 (TM3) for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) caused by shortage of blocking antibodies.

METHODSTotally 61 patients with RSA caused by shortage of blocking antibodies were randomly assigned to the treatment group (31 cases) and the control group (30 cases) by lot method. Patients in the treatment group were treated with TM3, while those in the control group were treated with active immunotherapy using lymphocytes of their spouses. The therapeutic course for all was 3 months. Another 10 healthy females in the same age ranges were recruited as the healthy control group. The blocking antibodies (Ab1), anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2), T-lymphocyte cell subsets (CD4 and CD8), serum interleukin 10 (IL-10), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels were determined before and after treatment.

RESULTS(1) After treatment the positive conversion rate of Ab1 and/or Ab2 was 87.1% (27/31) in the treatment group and 86.7% (26/30) in the control group, showing no statistical difference (P > 0.05). (2) In the two groups, CD4 decreased and CD8 increased. The CD4/CD8 ratio was in the normal level after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). (3) In the two groups, IL-10 and M-CSF levels were higher after treatment, showing statistical difference when compared with before treatment (P < 0.05). (4) The 1-year conception rate was 58.1% (18/31) in the treatment group, significantly higher than that in the control group (46.7%, 14/30, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTM3 could promote the positive conversion rate of Ab1, promote the production of IL-10 and M-CSF cytokines, thus strengthening the protection for fetus by the mother and the normal maintenance for pregnancy. The 1-year successful pregnancy rate obviously increased in the treatment group.

Abortion, Habitual ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic ; Antibodies, Blocking ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Immunotherapy, Active ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic aberrations of ocular extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type occurring in patients from southern China.

METHODSFifty seven paraffin-embedded ocular MALT lymphoma specimens from patients in southern China were studied by interphase fluorescence-in-situ hybridization (FISH) for genetic aberrations including t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, t(1;14)(p22;q32)/IgH-bcl-10, t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 and bcl-6/FOXP1 gene translocations.

RESULTSAmongst the 57 cases studied, 9 cases (15.8%) showed chromosome translocations, including 4 cases (7.0%) of t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1, 1 case (1.8%) of bcl-6 gene-related chromosome translocation and 3 cases (5.3%) of IgH-unknown translocation partner. FISH revealed 17 cases (29.8%) with 3 copies of bcl-6 gene, 21 cases (36.8%) with 3 copies of MALT1 gene and 12 cases (21.1%) with 3 copies of both genes.

CONCLUSIONSThe MALT lymphoma-associated chromosome translocations t(11;18)(q21;q21)/API2-MALT1 and t(14;18) (q32;q21)/IgH-MALT1 are demonstrated in ocular MALT lymphomas of southern Chinese patients. The prevalence is significantly different from that reported in northern Chinese and northern American patients, indicating a geographic heterogeneity in the MALT lymphoma-associated genetic aberrations. The presence of 3 copies of bcl-6 and MALT1 genes is the commonest genetic abnormalities observed in ocular MALT lymphomas, suggesting a possible role in MALT lymphomagenesis.

Caspases ; genetics ; metabolism ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 14 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Eye Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Translocation 1 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6 ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic efficacy of three clinical staging systems: the Chinese system (CS), CLIP scores, and TNM for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS107 cases diagnosed as HCC between January 2000 and October 2003 were retrospectively analyzed. Their clinical stages were decided on the basis of data in CLIP or Chinese staging system when the HCC diagnosis had been confirmed. Fifty-three of the 107 patients underwent surgical resection. The TNM stage was therefore determined according to surgico-pathological results. The survival of those patients with respective to different stages were analyzed and compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and Log rank method.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up after treatment. The 3-year survival rate in the CS Ia, Ib and CLIP 0 group were 100%. The 1- and 2-year survival rates of CS IIIa group was 68% and 51%, respectively. The 1-year survival in CS IIIb group was only 20.9%. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rate in patients with a CLIP score beyond 4 was 57.1%, 49.9%, and 33.5%, respectively. In patients treated with surgical resection, the CS Ia group and TNM I group had a 3-year survival rate of 100%. The 1- and 3-year survival rate in CS IIb were 83.3% and 75.0%, in TNM III group 93.7% and 77.5%.

CONCLUSIONThe CLIP system may provide accurate prediction of prognosis based on early clinical features. The CS system is comparably efficient in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients, particularly in patients with severe cirrhosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo observe serum TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in silicosis patients and workers exposed to silica dust to study the role of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in the development of silicosis.

METHODSOne hundred non-exposed workers were selected as control group, 200 workers exposed to silica dust for more than 1 year as exposed group, 32 suspected silicosis patients (originally diagnosed as 0+) as observing group, 130 silicosis patients were as silicosis group. Serum TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in each group were determined with ELISA.

RESULTSSerum TNF-alpha in exposed group [(47.86 +/- 16.52) pg/ml], observing group [(109.11 +/- 31.08) pg/ml], silicosis group [(216.35 +/- 51.03) pg/ml] were significantly higher than that in control group [(6.90 +/- 2.24) pg/ml] (P < 0.01); Silicosis group and observing group were also higher than exposed group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with control group [(23.28 +/- 12.24) pg/ml] and exposed group [(29.31 +/- 14.52) pg/ml], serum TGF-beta1 in silicosis group was much higher (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTGF-beta1, and TNF-alpha were essential in the development of silicosis, so the detection of TGF-beta1 and TNF-alpha in peripheral blood was very useful for occupational health surveillance and early diagnosis of silicosis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Silicosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the role of insular cortex in amygdala-kindled seizures in rats.Methods Forty-eight healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group (n=8),sham-operated group (n=8) and amygdala-kindled group (n=32); no treatment was performed in the blank control group,and only implantation of electrodes was performed in the sham-operated group; implantation of electrodes and electrophotoluminescence were performed in the amygdala-kindled group to induce amygdala-kindled seizure models.Rats in the amygdala-kindled group was divided into 4sub-groups (n=8) at different times after the kindling (1,3,6 and 12 h).Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry staining were employed to investigate the altered mRNA and protein expressions of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) in the hippocampus and insula of the rat brain.Results As compared with that in the blank control group and sham-operated group,Arc mRNA expression in the amygdala-kindled sub-groups increased at 1 h after the kindling (P＜0.05),peaked at 3 h after the kindling (P＜0.05),and returned to basic level at 6 h after the kindling (P＞0.05).As compared with that in the blank control group and sham-operated group,Arc protein expression in the amygdala-kindled sub-groups increased at 3 h after the kindling,(P＜0.05),peaked at 6 h after the kindling (P＜0.05),and returned to basic level at 12 h after the kindling (P＞0.05).No significant difference on mRNA and protein expressions of Arc was noted between the sham-operated group and blank control group (P＞0.05).Conclusion Insular cortex,the amygdala and the hippocampus form a focus complex,which participates in the occurrence of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Long-term repeated regular blood donation may result in the loss and deficiency of iron. Epidemiological studies have indicated that blood donation frequency, demographical characteristics, and genetic factors are associated with iron deficiency. Our review summarizes the progress in research of etiology of iron deficiency in blood donors and intervention measures to provide evidence for the health management of non-remunerated blood donors in China.
Blood Donors ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron ; Iron Deficiencies ; Risk Factors

With the progress of globalization, the public health emergencies represented by major infectious diseases have become a major challenge for the public health management in China. The article briefly describes the emergency response capability assessment tools in China, and introduces two emergency response assessment tools with complete content structure and wide application in the world. Then the advantages and disadvantages of the tools are compared and discussed in order to provide reference for improvement of the assessment tools for public health emergency response capability in China.
China ; Disaster Planning ; Humans ; Public Health ; Public Health Administration

Next-generation sequencing has revolutionized family-based association tests for rare variants. As the lower power of genome wide association study for detecting casual rare variants, methods aggregating effects of multiple variants have been proposed, such as burden tests and variance component tests. This paper summarizes the methods of rare variants association test that can be applied for family data, introduces their principles, characteristics and applicable conditions and discusses the shortcomings and the improvement of the present methods.
Computer Simulation ; Family Relations ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Variation ; Genome-Wide Association Study/methods* ; Humans