Animals ; Hindlimb ; blood supply ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Lung Injury ; metabolism ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders to support further investigation on such cases. METHODS: One hundred and five archives of drowning victims with psychiatric disorders from January 2010 to June 2014 in Harbor Public Security Subbureau, Shanghai Public Security Bureau were reviewed. The decedents' general information, autopsy findings, case investigation data and disease histories were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 105 cases, 104 were suicides. Most decedents were poorly educated. Most suicides occurred in warm climate, and the corpses were usually found within 2 days. Most decedents had no suicide history and notes, but had abnormal mental or behavior changes before suicide. Depression, depression status and schizophrenia were the main types of psychiatric disorders, and only 9 decedents had received regular therapies before their deaths. CONCLUSION Mental disorder is a high risk factor in the drowning victims. Guardians should be aware of psychotic abnormal behaviors, especially during warm climate seasons.
China/epidemiology* ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Depressive Disorder/epidemiology* ; Drowning/psychology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders/psychology* ; Psychotic Disorders ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia ; Seasons ; Suicide/statistics & numerical data*

Objective To explore the changes of plasma angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ) and cardiac function,and the curative effect of children with acute viral myocarditis (VMC) treated with captopril(CAP).Methods Concentrations of plasma AngⅡ were measured with radio-immunity and cardiac function was detected by Doppler echocardiography for the VMC group (n=60) before and after treatment [the CAP group (n=30), the routine group (n=30) and the control group (n=30)].Results 1. The level of plasma AngⅡ significantly increased and the contractive and diastolic function obviously declined in children with acute VMC. There was a significant difference between VMC group and control group, with a significant correlation between the level of AngⅡand the contractive diastolic function.2. Compared with the level before treatment, the level of AngⅡ decreased and the contractive function obviously ameliorated in two groups; the diastolic function obviously ameliorated in the CAP group and did not ameliorate in the routine group after treatment. In CAP group the level of AngⅡ and the cardiac function significantly improved; there were statistical differences between the two groups after treatment.Conclusions 1.The increase of the plasma AngⅡ was an important factor for decrements of the contractive and diastolic function in acute viral myocarditis.2.It could decrease the concentration of plasma AngⅡ and ameliorate cardiac function in children with acute VMC treated with captopril,which was an effective therapy for acute VMC.

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to examine the impact of the antioxidant metallothionein (MT) on cardiac contractile, intracellular Ca(2+) function and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice.

METHODSWeight and age matched adult male FVB and cardiac-specific MT-overexpressing transgenic mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4 mg/kg Escherichia Coli LPS dissolved in sterile saline or an equivalent volume of pathogen-free saline (control groups). Six hours following LPS or saline injection, cardiac geometry and function were evaluated in anesthetized mice using the 2-D guided M-mode echocardiography. Mechanical and intracellular Ca(2+) properties were examined in hearts. Cell shortening and relengthening were assessed using the following indices: peak shortening (PS)-indicative of the amplitude a cell can shorten during contraction; maximal velocities of cell shortening and relengthening (± dl/dt)-indicative of peak ventricular contractility; time-to-PS (TPS)-indicative of systolic duration; time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90))-indicative of diastolic duration (90% rather 100% relengthening was used to avoid noisy signal at baseline concentration). The 360 nm excitation scan was repeated at the end of the protocol and qualitative changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration were inferred from the ratio of fura-2 fluorescence intensity (FFI) at two wavelengths (360/380). Fluorescence decay time was measured as an indicator of the intracellular Ca(2+) clearing rate. Glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio and ROS generation were detected as the markers of oxidative stress.

RESULTSHeart rate was increased while EF was reduced in LPS-FVB mice and heart rate was reduced and EF increased in MT-LPS transgenic mice [(528 ± 72) beats/min vs (557 ± 69) beats/min, (66 ± 14)% vs (42 ± 10)%, P < 0.05]. Cardiomyocytes from the LPS treated FVB mice displayed significantly reduced peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dl/dt) associated with prolonged time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90)), these effects were attenuated in cardiomyocytes from the MT-LPS mice [PS(5 ± 1.1)% vs (7.2 ± 0.8)%, dl/dt(160 ± 15) µm/s vs (212 ± 36) µm/s, -dl/dt (175 ± 32) µm/s vs (208 ± 29) µm/s, TR(90) (0.24 ± 0.03)s vs (0.19 ± 0.02)s, P < 0.05]. LPS treated mice showed significantly reduced peak intracellular Ca(2+) and electrically-stimulated rise in intracellular Ca(2+) as well as prolonged intracellular Ca(2+) decay rate without affecting the basal intracellular Ca(2+) levels, again, these effects were significantly attenuated in MT-LPS transgenic mice. Metallothionein overexpression also ablated oxidative stress [reduced ROS generation and increased glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio, ROS (0.35 ± 0.08) A/µg protein vs (0.24 ± 0.03) A/µg protein]. GSH/GSSG 2.1 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.4, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSIONMT overexpression improved cardiac function and ablated oxidative stress in LPS treated mice.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Metallothionein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Mice, Transgenic ; Myocardial Contraction ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Sepsis ; metabolism ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the associated risk factors, clinical characteristics and laboratory abnormalities of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver.

METHODSThe data of type 2 diabetes cases with fatty liver were collected in our hospital. 63 cases of type 2 diabetes without fatty liver were selected randomly as control during the same period. The associated variables were analyzed by using logistic regression model. The clinical data and liver function were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThe proportion of obesity and hyperlipidemia was higher in type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver than without fatty liver. Body mass index (BMI) (OR: 4.392) was positive correlation to fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. In contrast, insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (OR: 0.000) and regular insulin treatment (OR: 0.058) were negative correlation to it. The abnormal frequencies of aspartate aminotransferase (AST, 16.0%), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, 25.2%), the ratio of AST/ALT less than 1 (52.8%) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT, 31.9%) of type 2 diabetes patients with fatty liver were significantly higher than those without fatty liver (3.2%, 6.4%, 36.5% and 11.1% respectively).

CONCLUSIONObesity and insulin resistance might increase the risk of fatty liver in the patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients of type 2 diabetes with fatty liver show higher serum lipid level and more obvious damages of liver function than those without fatty liver

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; complications ; Insulin Resistance ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; blood ; complications ; Risk Factors

Abnormalities, Multiple ; epidemiology ; Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of p38MAPK expression in a rat model of Alzheimer disease (AD).

METHODSSeventy-two adult SD rats were randomized equally into 4 groups, and a single-dose injection of Abeta25-35 (dementia group), normal saline (saline group), SB203580 (inhibitor group), or DMSO (inhibitor control group) was administered into the lateral cerebral ventricle. Y-maze tast was performed to evaluate the behavioral changes of the rats after the injections, and on days 4, 7 and 14 after the injection, p38MAPK expression in the hippocampal CA1 area was measured by means of immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSOn days 7 and 14 following Abeta25-35 injection, the training times, error number and total reaction time were significantly higher in dementia group than in saline group (P<0.05), but all these indices were significantly lowered in the inhibitor group as compared with the dementia group (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed obvious p38 expression in the dementia group 4 days after Abeta25-35 injection, which increased significantly with the passage of time (P<0.01). The gray scale in the inhibitor group was significantly higher than that in the dementia group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONp38MAPK activation in the hippocampal CA1 area is an event that persists during the entire course of Abeta25-35-induced AD in rats, and the inhibitor SB203580 prevents p38MAPK expression and improves the learning and memory abilities of the rats.

Alzheimer Disease ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Animals ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Peptide Fragments ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; biosynthesis

BACKGROUNDSoft tissue rheumatism is a group of common rheumatic disorders reported in many countries. For investigating the prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism in different population in China, we carried out a population study in Shantou rural and Taiyuan urban area.

METHODSSamples of 3915 adults in an urban area of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and 2350 in a rural area of Shantou, Guangdong Province were surveyed. Modified International League of Association for Rheumatology (ILAR)-Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology (APLAR) Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented as screening tool. The positive responders were then all examined by rheumatologists.

RESULTSPrevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism was 2.0% in Taiyuan, and 5.3% in Shantou. Rotator cuff (shoulder) tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and digital flexor tenosynovitis (trigger finger) were the commonly seen soft tissue rheumatism in both areas. Tatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and De Quervain's tenosynovitis were more commonly seen in Shantou than that in Taiyuan. Only 1 case of fibromyalgia was found in Taiyuan and 2 cases in Shantou. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism varied with age, sex and occupation.

CONCLUSIONSSoft tissue rheumatism is common in Taiyuan and Shantou, China. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism was quite different with different geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions; and varying with age, sex, and occupation. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is low in the present survey.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Bursitis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; Sex Distribution ; Tendinopathy ; epidemiology ; Tenosynovitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the surgical indications, approaches and the clinical results of the total spondylectomy and instrumentation reconstruction in the treatment of cervical spinal tumor.

METHODSFrom October 1998 to October 2003, 39 patients with lower cervical bone tumors, including 34 cases with primary tumor and 5 cases with metastatic tumor, were admitted and operated on with total spondylectomy. The patients underwent anteroposterior total spondylectomy including anterior cervical plating, titanium mesh reconstruction and posterior instrumentation based on the location of tumor lesions in the lower cervical spine. One vertebral level total spondylectomy was performed in 29 cases, two level in 7 cases and three level in 3 cases.

RESULTSThe postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. A majority of patients achieved good results postoperatively. Nineteen cases had complete relief of neurological status. One patient died of multiple metastases and systemic failure 24 months later. One case with malignant neurilemmoma developed local recurrence one year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONAnteroposterior total spondylectomy and reconstruction can reduce local recurrence, improve neurological function and increase operation therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, the technique of cervical total spondylectomy carries relatively greater risks and should be more attention to the operation indication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDSince knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is one of the common diseases, identification of its associated risk factors is of preventive significance. This investigation was designed to investigate the prevalence of KOA in Taiyuan, and identify the associated risk factors of KOA.

METHODSA population sample was surveyed of 2188 adults aged from 35 to 64 years, living in 6-story buildings without elevators. The protocol of Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented. The data on knee pain and KOA were collected and analyzed. Variables such as sex, age, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), education level, and smoking history, were included in binary logistic regression model for further analysis.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of knee pain and KOA were 13.6% and 10.9%, respectively, significantly higher than those in Shantou of south China and similar to those in Beijing of north China. The prevalence of KOA was significantly higher in women than in men (18.3% versus 8.7% and 15.1% versus 6.3%), with a tendency of increase with age. The prevalence was increased more obviously in women after 40 years old and in men after 45 years old. BMI in KOA group was significantly higher than that in non-KOA group. Binary Logistic regression revealed that age, sex, and BMI were significantly associated with KOA, whereas no significant correlation was seen between KOA and other factors such as climbing stairs, WC, time length of occupation service, education level, smoking history and religious belief.

CONCLUSIONGeography, age, sex, and BMI might be the risk factors of KOA, but climbing stairs, WC, time length of occupation service, education level, smoking history and religious belief are not correlated with KOA. Prevention of KOA should be initiated before the middle-age, especially in female adults, and weight control is necessary. Other factors might also contribute to the development of KOA, but further study is needed to elucidate the role of these factors.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Age Factors ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Educational Status ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; complications ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Pain ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects