OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence and distribution of Tourette syndrome (TS).

METHODSNine thousand, seven hundred and forty-two children and juveniles aged 7 - 16 years in Wenzhou were studied, using cluster random sampling method.

RESULTSThe prevalence of TS among school-age children was estimated to be 0.43% (0.74% for males and 0.07% for females). The prevalence of male children and juveniles was higher than that of female children and juveniles (chi(2) = 25.09, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 10.95, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.38 - 35.46). The highest prevalence of TS was between 9 - 10 years old. The mean age at onset of TS was 7.7 +/- 2.7 years, with 45.2% of them among 6 - 7 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis and rates of misdiagnosis and misclassification of the syndromes were 78.6%, 42.9% and 23.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONTourette syndrome had been a common disease of children and juveniles in Wenzhou area. The disease was correlated with age and sex, often misdiagnosed and misclassified. Physicians and as well as general publics should be trained to identify the cases.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tourette Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological features of tic disorders (TD) among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area.

METHODSStratified cluster sampling was carried out to investigate TD in 9742 schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years old in Wenzhou.

RESULTSThe average prevalence rate of TD among school-age children was 104/10 000 (166/10 000 for males, 29/10 000 for females). There was a significantly higher prevalence rate for males than that for females (chi(2) = 43.96, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 5.7, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.20 - 10.30). The prevalence rates of clinical subtypes in males was significantly higher than that of females while pupils was significantly higher than that in high school students (chi(2) = 11.33, P < 0.01, prevalence ratio = 2.2, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 1.37 - 3.43). Prevalence rate of transient tic disorders (TTD), chronic motor vocal tic disorder (CMVTD), tourette syndrome (TS) were 34/10 000, 27/10 000 and 43/10 000 respectively with the highest among 9-10 years old group. The mean onset age of TD was 8.5 +/- 2.8 years. The peak of onset was among 6-10 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis of the disorders was 69.3% and the median in delayed diagnosis was 1.0 year.

CONCLUSIONTD is a common disease with high rate of misdiagnoses among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area. Physicians and population should be trained to identify the syndromes and to practice correct diagnosis and effective treatment as early as possible.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tic Disorders ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Tourette Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the possible role of hTERT and c-myc in endometrial carcinogenesis.

METHODSThe expression of hTERT and c-myc mRNA was examined by in situ hybridization of endometrial samples from 14 cases with simple hyperplasia, 10 with complex hyperplasia, 8 with atypical hyperplasia and 42 with endometrioid carcinoma.

RESULTSExpression of hTERT was demonstrated in samples with simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma at frequencies of 2/14, 4/8, 8/10 and 39/42 (92.9%), respectively. The prevalence and intensity of the hTERT signal was greater in the carcinomas and lesions with atypical hyperplasia than those with simple or complex hyperplasia (P < 0.05). The expression of c-myc was demonstrated in samples with simple hyperplasia, complex hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia and carcinoma at frequencies of 3/14, 1/8, 5/10 and 23/42 (54.8%), respectively. The frequency of c-myc expression was higher in carcinomas and hyperplastic lesions with atypia than those in lesions with simple or complex hyperplasia without atypia (P < 0.05). The expression of hTERT was shown to be correlated with the level of differentiation (P < 0.05), while the c-myc expression appeared to be associated with the depth of myometrial invasion (P < 0.05). The expression levels of hTERT and c-myc were not found to be correlated with each other in the tissues examined (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of hTERT and c-myc may be involved in the progression from the endometrial aypical hyperplasia to invasive carcinoma. The correlation between hTERT and c-myc in endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma are not found.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Genes, myc ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; genetics ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the correlation between regional blood perfusion and biological features of breast cancer. Methods Spiral CT technique was applied to quantitatively detect the central and marginal blood perfusion, including blood flow ( BF ) , blood volume ( BV) and permeability of surface (PS). Results The central and marginal blood perfusion of breast cancer were significantly higher than that of normal breast tissues. The marginal blood perfusion was higher than central blood perfusion. The regional blood perfusion of breast cancer varied with tumor size, clinical stage and histological grading. Conclusion The regional blood perfusion correlates with biological markers in breast cancer and can be used to evaluate the biological characteristics as a noninvasive marker before neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for the primary and secondary school students with abnormal angle of trunk rotation for the prevention. Methods: The students of Grade Four to Nine in Jiashan County of Zhejiang Province were selected by cluster sampling method. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect social demographic data, diet behaviors, physical activities, reading and writing habits. The angle of trunk rotation was measured by scoliometer. Logistic regression model was used to investigate the influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation. Results: This study included 2 942 schoolchildren, with 1 582 ( 53.78% ) boys and 1 360 ( 46.23% ) girls. The incidence rate of abnormal angle of trunk rotation was 7.82%. The incidence rate of abnormal angle of trunk rotation in girls was 10.74%, which was higher than 5.31% in boys ( P<0.05 ). Grade ( OR=1.485, 95%CI: 1.058-2.085 ), gender ( OR=2.084, 95%CI: 1.536-2.828 ), frequency of eating fresh vegetables in the past week ( OR=0.749, 95%CI: 0.633-0.887 ) and watching electronic screen in the dark ( OR=1.188, 95%CI: 1.002-1.408 ) were the influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in primary and secondary school students. Grade ( OR=2.664, 95%CI: 1.481-4.791 ) and watching electronic screen in the dark ( OR=1.325, 95%CI: 1.030-1.704 ) were influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in boys. Frequency of eating fresh vegetables in the past week ( OR=0.714, 95%CI: 0.574-0.887 ) and uncorrected eyesight less than 5.0 ( OR=1.795, 95%CI: 1.164-2.767 ) were influencing factors for abnormal angle of trunk rotation in girls. Conclusion The abnormal angle of trunk rotation in primary and secondary school students is related to gender, grade, reading and writing behaviors as well as diets; and the influencing factors are different in male and female students.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible influencing factors of pulmonary dysfunction in coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).

METHODSA total of 141 patients with CWP and 200 control miners with similar exposure histories but without apparent pulmonary disease or inflammation were interviewed with the detailed questionnaires (including histories of coal dust-exposure, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, protective mask uses, et al). Lung function examinations were performed at the same time. Predicted formula of lung function index were established by the local healthy residents characters and the pulmonary dysfunction was classified by the ratios between tested and predicted values.

RESULTSAll parameters of lung function were significantly lower in CWP cases when compared with that of control miners and the healthy controls (P < 0.05). The main types of pulmonary dysfunction were restrictive and mixed ventilation disorders in CWP patients. The factors such as the category of CWP, the mask worn, the smoking quantity and exposure to coal mine dust were included in the unconditional logistic regression model.

CONCLUSIONSThe category of CWP, the usage of mask, the smoking and long duration exposure to coal mine dust may be the main possible influencing factors of pulmonary dysfunction of CWP. Influencing factor analyses were given to inform choice of pertinence preventive measures.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Ventilation ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo evaluate their long-term outcome and the efficacy and economic significance of antiviral drugs by investigating the long-term health-related quality of life (HQL) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSThe HQL of 101 CHB patients with biopsy-proven 6 to 18 years ago and 105 persons of general population as control was studied with revised SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTSThe HQL in CHB patients was lower than that in general population in physical functioning, role physical, general health, mental health, and specific symptoms (mu > or = 2.10, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe long-term HQL in chronic hepatitis B patients is poor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; economics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

AIMTo study the bioactive constituents from Anthopleura pacifica.

METHODSCompounds were separated by Pyricularia oryzae bioassay-guided fractionation method with a combination of multi-chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined on the basis of spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

RESULTSA portion showing activity against P. oryzae was obtained and from the portion four compounds were identified as N-hydroxyethyl-N-tetradecanoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8(E)-dienine (a), N-hydroxyethyl-N-(9Z-hexadecenoyl)-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4 (E), 8 (E)-dienine (b), N-hydroxyethyl-N-hexadecanoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8 (E)-dienine (c) and N-hydroxyethyl-N-(13Z-docosenoyl-(2S,3R)-octadecasphinga-4(E), 8(E)-dienine(d).

CONCLUSIONAll the four compounds are new ceramides.

Animals ; Biological Assay ; Ceramides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cnidarian Venoms ; chemistry ; Mitosporic Fungi ; drug effects ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Sea Anemones ; chemistry

Animals ; Liver Cirrhosis ; enzymology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinases, Secreted ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

BACKGROUNDThe control of blindness in children is a high priority within the VISION 2020 initiative. To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children from Shanghai Blind Children School (SBCS) can provide useful information on childhood blindness in Shanghai.

METHODSA cross-sectional investigation of students in SBCS was conducted in May 2010. The World Health Organization/Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) eye examination record system for children with low vision and blindness was used. The results were further compared with the findings of two previous investigation studies conducted in 1986 and 2004, respectively in SBCS.

RESULTSOf the 146 children observed, 80 children (54.8%) were blind (best corrected best visual acuity less than 0.05), 27 children (18.5%) had severe visual impairment (best corrected visual acuity less than 0.1 but better than or equal to 0.05), and 34 children (23.3%) had moderate visual impairment (best corrected visual acuity less than 0.3 but better than or equal to 0.1). The major affected anatomic sites in the 107 children with severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) were retina (47.7%), whole globe (16.8%), optic nerve (13.1%) and lens (9.3%). The leading causes of SVI/BL were retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, 25.2%), followed by retinal dystrophy (15.9%), optic nerve atrophy (9.3%) and microphthalmos (9.3%). The two leading etiologic categories of SVI/BL were perinatal/neonatal (36.4%) and congenital/hereditary groups (29.0%). The leading cause of moderate visual impairment was aphakia after cataract surgery (congenital cataract, 44.1%). Compared with the findings in two previous investigations in SBCS, the proportion of ROP in visual impairing diseases increased, while the proportion of disorders of the lens (cataract and aphakia) significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONSThe leading cause of childhood blindness in SBCS nowadays is ROP. It is projected that without improvement in perinatal medical care that ROP will continue to be a major cause of childhood blindness.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; complications ; Vision Disorders ; etiology