Objective To determine the levels and significance of Krebs von den lungen-6(KL-6), pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), SP-D and interleukin (IL)-6 in patients with connective tissue disease interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD). Methods The serum KL-6, SP-A, SP-D and IL-6 in all subjects were detected and the imaging and pulmonary function were recorded t test, χ2 test, non-parametric test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results ① The levels of serum KL-6, SP-A, SP-D, IL-6 in the CTD-ILD group [551.4 (428.2, 883.5) U/ml, 938.4(435.2, 2324.7) pg/ml, 90.7 (80.7, 100.3) ng/ml and 30.4 (22.9, 41.7) pg/ml; P all<0.05] was significantly higher than that in the CTD group [192.9 (139.2, 266.2) U/ml; 458.0 (372.6, 529.0) pg/ml; 80.0 (71.2, 98.3) ng/ml; 18.6 (4.9, 31.0) pg/ml, Z=-5.383, -3.76, -2.123,-3.903, P all <0.05]; and higher than healthy controls (n=30) [183.2(141.9, 216.6) U/ml; 229.0(162.0, 248.0) pg/ml;50.8(26.1, 96.4) ng/ml;7.1(3.7, 8.7) pg/ml, Z=-5.801,-8.13, 2.272, 3.266;P all<0.05].②The levels of KL-6 in pulmonary HRCT for active ILD group was significantly higher than the non-active ILD group [998.5 (640.3, 1293.3) U/ml vs 565.0(434.0, 799.5) U/ml, Z=2.182, P=0.023], there was no statistical difference in the levels of SP-A, SP-D, IL-6 between the 2 groups. ③ Spearman correlation analysis showed that KL-6 was negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC%);SP-D, IL-6 and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO %). ④ Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that KL-6 [OR=1.017, P=0.002, 95%CI (1.006, 1.028)], SP-A [OR=1.023, P=0.009, 95%CI (1.006, 1.041)], SP-D [OR=1.175, P=0.009, 95%CI (1.075, 1.264)], IL-6[OR=1.213, P=0.001, 95%CI(1.088, 1.354)] were the risk factors for ILD. Conclusion Serum KL-6, SP-A, SP-D and IL-6 are significantly increased and correlate with CTD-ILD. KL-6 is related to the pulmonary inflammatory disease and vital capacity, while SP-D and IL-6 are related to diffusion function.

Objective To analyse the relative factors of the linear growth velocity(GV)in girls with central precocious puberty(CPP)during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog(GnRHa)therapy,and to investigate the factors affecting the height gain during two-year GnRHa treatment.Methods In 86 girls aged (8.04?1.28)years with CPP treated with GnRHa for more than 2 years,the data including target height,age of onset,pubertal course,chronological age,bone age,linear GV,serum estradiol level and mature index of vaginal smear were analyzed,then the correlations and stepwise regression were performed.Results During GnRHa therapy,GV decreased year by year.The GV in the second year(GV_(2nd))was negatively correlated with the age of onset,bone age(BA_0,BA_2)and chronologic age(CA_0,CA_2)at the onset and by the end of the first year of GnRHa therapy(r=-0.37,-0.59,-0.57,-0.51 and-0.52,respectively,all P

The aim of this study is to investigate the critical factor affecting the properties of PLGA microspheres fabricated by a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion technique with BSA as a model protein. Prior to encapsulation, the BSA microparticles were fabricated by a modified freezing-induced phase separation method. The microparticles were subsequently encapsulated into PLGA microspheres by S/O/W emulsion method, then Motic BA200 biological microscope, confocal laser scanning microscope, scanning electron microscope were used to observe the structure of S/O/W emulsion and PLGA microspheres. The protein content extracted or released from BSA microspheres was measured by Bradford protein assay method. It was found that NaCl added in the outer aqueous phase effectively suppressed material exchange between the inner and outer phase of S/O/W emulsion. Then, the structure and permeability of obtained microspheres were influenced. As a result, with the increase of NaCl concentration in the outer aqueous phase, the encapsulation efficiency of microspheres significantly increased from 60% to more than 85%, the burst release of microspheres reduced from 70% to 20%, and the particle size decreased from 103 microm to 62 microm. Furthermore, the rehydration of encapsulated protein was also retarded and then integrity of BSA was successfully protected during encapsulation process. In vitro release test showed that BSA released from PLGA microspheres in a sustained manner for more than 30 days.
Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Compounding ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microspheres ; Oils ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Serum Albumin, Bovine ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Sodium Chloride ; chemistry ; Water

Objective To investigate the situation of normal blood pressure and prevalence and risk factors of prehypertension in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population ≥35 years old of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.Methods Random samples were used to analyze the incidence of normal blood pressure and prehypertension in 3 nationalities based on data from Han, Uygur and Hazakh residents living in 7 areas (Urumqi,Ke lamayi, Fukang, the Turfan Basin locality, Hetian locality, Altay locality,and Yili Hazakh autonomous prefecture) in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.Results A total of 16 460 subjects were selected with cluster sampling, and eligible data of 14 618 subjects were actually analyzed in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population ≥35 years old of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.Incidence of normal blood pressure was 24.9% and the prevalence of prehypertension was 34.24% (35.6% fro male and 31.5% for female, P<0.01) in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population ≥35 years old in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.The prevalence of prehypertension was 37.34%, 32.95% and 30.62% in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population, respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension decreased with increasing age in Han and Uygur population ≥45 years old, and in Hazakh population≥35 years old (all P<0.05).Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertriglyceridemia≥1.7 mmol/L, age≥45 years old, fasting plasma glucose≥7.0 mmol/L and body mass index≥24.0 kg/m2 were risk factors while the female was a protective factor of prehypertension. Conclusion The people with normal blood pressure is few and the prevalence of prehypertension is high in Han, Uygur and Hazakh population ≥35 years old of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and it is associated with many risk factors.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical manifestations of germinoma in children with precocious puberty and to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum levels of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hcG) combined with detections of β-hcG in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

METHODTwelve male children with germinomas confirmed by pathology from Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2009, aged from 4.2 to 10.2 years, were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into two groups according to tumor locations: intracranial group and non-intracranial group. Levels of β-hcG in serum as well as in CSF were detected before the initiation of therapy. Age and gender matched 5 children undergoing lumbar puncture for other diseases were set as control group for the determinations of β-hcG in CSF. Levels of β-hcG and testosterone in serum and CSF were compared between intracranial group and non-intracranial group, and levels of β-hcG in CSF were compared between non-intracranial group and control group.

RESULTThe 12 children showed elevated serum levels of testosterone: 10.43 (1.70-254.00) µg/L, 11 children had testicular volume > 4 ml, while response to LHRH stimulation tests were low; 6 children had gynecomastia. Serum levels of β-hcG were elevated in both intracranial and non-intracranial group and no significant differences were found between groups 63.75 (8.50-309.50) IU/L vs. 59.00 (25.10-71.77) IU/L, P = 0.644. No correlations were found between serum levels of β-hcG and ages, tumor locations, and courses of the patients. Levels of β-hcG in CSF were significantly higher in intracranial group than that in non-intracranial group 488.99 (17.30-1048.53) IU/L vs. 1.20 (1.20-1.50) IU/L, P = 0.009. Children with non-intracranial germinomas had similar levels of β-hcG in CSF as that in control group (P = 0.571).

CONCLUSIONThe main clinical manifestations in boys suffered from germinoma included pseudo-precocious puberty, disproportionate testicular volume and gynecomastia. Detection of serum levels of β-hcG combined with β-hcG levels in CSF may be useful for determination of the locations of germinomas in children with precocious puberty.

Brain Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human ; blood ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Germinoma ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; complications ; diagnosis ; Puberty, Precocious ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the polymorphism of the thromboxane synthase gene and Uigur patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in Xinjiang.

METHODSThree hundred and fifteen patients with MI and 218 healthy control subjects were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The serum thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in all subjects was detected with radioimmunoassay kit.

RESULTSThe genotype distributions of the MI group and control group were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (Chi-square=0.375,0.029, P>0.05). The frequencies of CC and TC were 0.933 and 0.067 in MI group while they were 0.977 and 0.023 in controls. There was significant difference in frequencies of the TC genotype and T allele but no difference in frequencies of CC genotype between controls and MI cases. There was significant difference in serum TXB2 level between the MI and control group (P<0.05), and between individuals of the TC and CC genotypes (P<0.05). The serum TXB2 level in the MI cases with TC genotype was increased compared with that of other genotypes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe TC genotype and T allele of thromboxane synthase gene might be risk factors of MI in Uigur population in Xinjiang, which might result from the increased serum TXB2 level.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation, Missense ; Myocardial Infarction ; blood ; enzymology ; ethnology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood ; Thromboxane-A Synthase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the polymorphism of thromboxane synthase gene (CYP5A1) and myocardial infarction (MI) of Uigur nationality patients in Xinjiang.

METHODSRs10487667 site polymorphism in CYP5A1 gene of 318 patients with MI (MI group) and 232 healthy control subjects (control group) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The serum thromboxane B(2)(TXB(2)) concentration was also detected in all subjects. The relationship of multiple factors and myocardial infarction was evaluated comprehensively by non-condition logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe frequencies of CYP5A1 gene Rs10487667 site polymorphism in MI group and control group were: GG type 0.204 (65/318) and 0.155 (36/232), GT type 0.553 (176/318) and 0.466 (106/232), TT type 0.242 (77/318) and 0.379 (88/232), respectively. There was significant difference in frequencies of GG genotype (χ(2) = 12.193, P = 0.002) between two groups and G allele frequency in MI group (0.481 (306/636)) was significant higher than control group (0.388 (180/464)) (χ(2) = 9.449, P = 0.021), but no difference in frequencies of GT and TT genotypes (χ(2) = 0.699, P > 0.05)between controls and MI cases. There was significant difference in serum TXB(2) level between MI ((184.3 ± 34.7) pg/ml) and control ((124.3 ± 28.1) pg/ml) groups (t = 5.503, P = 0.034). In the case and control group, the serum TXB(2) level of the person with GT + GG genotype ((164.21 ± 22.56) and (134.26 ± 19.83) pg/ml)) was significant higher than those of TT genotypes ((113.67 ± 54.23) and (98.54 ± 13.11) pg/ml) (t values were 5.433 and 5.108, respectively, both P values < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the T allele of the CYP5A1 gene was one independent risk factor of MI (OR = 1.673, 95%CI: 1.020 - 2.156) after adjustment of risk factors.

CONCLUSIONRs10487667 polymorphism in CYP5A1 gene might be a risk factor of MI in Uigur population in Xinjiang, which maybe related with the significant high serum TXB(2) level.

Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Thromboxane B2 ; blood ; Thromboxane-A Synthase ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the pattern of pubertal development in healthy Cantonese schoolgirls.

METHODFrom 1992 to 2001, 311 normal Cantonese schoolgirls, ages from 6.25 to 8.83 yrs (7.24 +/- 0.38) at baseline, were followed up until they reached their final adult height (age 15.72 +/- 0.84 yrs, n = 238). Annual physical examinations including height and weight measurement were performed. From the 3rd visit, pubertal maturations (breast and pubic hair development) were also assessed annually until they were 14.5 years. Age of menarche was recorded.

RESULT(1) Median age at the entry of puberty (age at reaching B2) was 9.83 years (9.33-10.33). Median age at initiation of pubic hair development (PH2) was 10.67 (9.92-11.38) years. Menarche occurred at (12.35 +/- 1.30) years. The age at reaching B2, age at reaching PH2 and age of menarche were all later than that observed in the cross-section study performed in 2003, Guangzhou, China. Peak height velocity (PHV) was reached at (10.52 +/- 1.07) years, 1.00 (0.50-1.50) years after B2 was reached. Interval between "age at onset of breast development" and "age at menarche" was 2.92 (2.08-3.67) years. Duration of pubertal growth (defined as the time from age at B2 to age at which adult height was attained) was (4.80 +/- 0.85) years. (2) Average final adult height (FAH) was (158.74 +/- 5.74) cm. As compared with the cross-section studies held in Guangzhou, China, the FAH in our study was higher than that observed in 1985 but was lower than that observed in 2003. (3) Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the age reaching B2 was an independent factor associated with the age of menarche. (4) Durations of breast stages, interval between B2 and menarche and duration of pubertal growth were similar to that reported in the longitudinal studies in the United Kingdom (1969), Senegal (1995-2000), the United States (1986-1996).

CONCLUSIONIn healthy Cantonese schoolgirls, the timing of sexual maturation was in a trend of decline in the past 20 years, however it may have no significant impacts on the tempo of pubertal development and FAH.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Development ; Body Height ; Body Weight ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Puberty ; Sexual Maturation ; Students

UNLABELLEDIt has been proved that to analyze the factors that determine responsiveness to rhGH and to develop growth prediction models can help doctors to individualize the treatment and maximize the effect.

OBJECTIVESTo set up and validate the predictive models of growth responses to rhGH treatment in the first year in prepubertal short stature children with various GH secretary statuses.

METHODSGrowth responses to rhGH treatment in the first year, height velocities (HV) and increases in height SDS (DeltaHtSDS), in 62 prepubertal short stature children with various GH secretary statuses were analyzed retrospectively. There were 27 patients with complete growth hormone deficiency (cGHD), 23 with partial GHD (pGHD) and 12 with idiopathic short stature (ISS) in the model group. According to the peak GH value in GH provocative test, the group of pGHD was divided into pGHD-1 (5 - 6.9 microg/L, 12 patients) and pGHD-2 (7 - 9.9 microg/L, 11 patients). All the cases in model group were used for setting up Model-total and the cases of growth hormone deficiency for Model-GHD. Predictive models, including Model-GHD and Model-total, to HV and DeltaHtSDS were set up by the way of multiple regression analysis, based on the results of simple correlation analysis. Other 14 children were included according to the same criteria with the model group, the validation group. The validation group was analyzed prospectively. The actual growth responses were compared with the predicted values calculated by different models so that the predictive models could be validated.

RESULTSThe simple correlation analysis showed that HV and DeltaHtSDS in the first year were negatively correlated with the same group factors at baseline: chronological age, bone age, height SDS, differences between the height SDS and the target height SDS, peak value in GH provocative test and IGF-1SDS. All the 4 predictive models were found to be significant at a level of P < 0.05, R(2) ranged from 0.244 to 0.519. The two models predicted HV and Model-GHD for DeltaHtSDS were proved to be validated. The observed and predicted responses positively and significantly correlated with each other, r value ranged from 0.753 to 0.996. And there was no significant difference between them when tested by paired t test.

CONCLUSIONSThe availability of the predictive model will help to individualize the growth hormone treatment in prepubertal short stature children with various growth hormone secretary status.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; drug therapy ; Growth Hormone ; deficiency ; metabolism ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Statistical ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of combined use of stanazolol (ST) on the final adult height (FAH) in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) and apparently decreased linear growth during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) therapy.

METHODSixty-three girls with ICPP and decreased velocity of growth of height (HV<4 cm/yr) during GnRHa therapy were divided into 3 groups based on the following types of interventions:group 1 (n = 20), GnRHa+ST [25-30 µg/(kg·d) every 3-month followed by 3-month discontinuation], group 2 (n = 21), GnRHa+recombinant human growth hormone [rhGH, 1-1.1 U/(kg·w)], group 3 (n = 22), GnRHa alone.HV, the advancement of bone age (BA) for chronological age (CA) (ΔBA/ΔCA) and FAH were compared among groups.

RESULT(1)Total duration of ST combination therapy was (12.22 ± 3.62) months, while total duration of combination of rhGH was (13.22 ± 6.80) months. (2)HV increased significantly in both group 1 [ (2.79 ± 0.60) cm/yr vs. (6.27 ± 1.98) cm/yr, P < 0.01] and in group 2 [(2.80 ± 0.50) cm/yr vs. (6.25 ± 1.98) cm/yr, P < 0.01] during combined therapy, but maintained at low levels in group 3 [(3.95 ± 1.10) cm/yr vs. (3.34 ± 0.95) cm/yr, P > 0.05].No significant differences of ΔBA/ΔCA were found among the three groups [0.25(0.11∼0.28), 0.22(0.15∼0.31),0.19(0.10∼0.32), P > 0.05]. (3)FAH was significantly higher than predicted adult height (PAH) before combined therapy, as well as higher than target height (THt) in both group 1 [(156.25 ± 2.90) cm vs. (150.78 ± 3.70) cm, P < 0.01, (156.25 ± 2.90) cm vs. (153.94 ± 2.62) cm, P < 0.01], and in group2 [ (157.33 ± 4.69) cm vs. (152.61 ± 3.92) cm, P < 0.01, (157.33 ± 4.69) cm vs. (154.39 ± 4.72) cm, P = 0.01].In group 3, FAH was similar to PAH [(153.88 ± 2.6) cm vs. (152.54 ± 5.86) cm, P > 0.05], and was less than THt [(153.88 ± 2.6) cm vs. (155.60 ± 4.52) cm, P = 0.02]. (4)In girls treated with ST, no hirsutism, clitorism or hoarse voice was recorded.No polycystic ovary syndrome was found by B-mode ultrasound.

CONCLUSIONIntermittent combined use of low dose ST therapy can increase HV and thus improve FAH in girls with ICPP and apparently decreased linear growth during GnRHa therapy.

Body Height ; drug effects ; Bone Development ; Child ; Child Development ; drug effects ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Growth Disorders ; drug therapy ; Human Growth Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Puberty, Precocious ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Stanozolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome