Objective To investigate the correlation between serum amyloid A (SAA) and disease activity (DAS28) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Forty-four patients with RA, 35 patients with systemic lupus erythe-matosus (SLE), 18 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 30 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in this study. The levels of SAA were measured by ELISA. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was measured by the Westergren method. The value of serum C reactive protein (CRP) was examined by immunonephelometry assay. The correlation between SAA and DAS 28, ESR and CRP was assessed, respectively. Results The SAA levels were significantly higher in RA group than those of SLE, OA, and HC groups (P<0.05). The serum ESR and CRP levels were both higher in RA group than those of OA and HC groups (P>0.05), but there was no significant difference between RA group and SLE group. There was positive correlation between SAA and DAS28, ESR, and CRP levels (rs=0.790, P<0.001;rs=0.674, P<0.001;rs=0.679, P=0.004), respective-ly. Conclusion SAA may be a new serological marker to assess disease activity in RA.

Objective To explore the advantages of Argus method by comparing the accuracy and timeliness of Argus and artificial methods for measuring femoral head necrosis area in MRI scanning.Methods Totally 17 patients (31 hips) were measured with Argus and artificial methods respectively for the necrosis area, and then the measuring results and time were compared, and the correlation was investigated between the results and the patients' pain degree, along with that between the results and the extent of femoral head collapse.Results The necrosis area ratios determined by Argus and artificial methods were (33.5±4.08)%and (34.6±4.06)%respectively, with no statistical difference between the ratios (P>0.05). The time consumed by artificial method was (21.3 ±3.62)min, significantly longer than (7.89 ±1.03)min by Argus method, with P<0.001. Regression analysis proved that the necrosis areas were positively correlated with the patients' pain degree, and the correlation coefficient by Argus method was 0.807 8, more than 0.740 9 by artificial method. The femoral heads of 11 cases(16 hips) collapsed in the follow-up period, the necrosis areas were positively correlated with the patients collapse level, but the correlation coefficient by Argus method was 0.783 8, more than 0.726 7 by artificial method.Conclusion Argus method gains high accuracy and timeliness when used in MRI scanning of femoral head necrosis area, and thus is worth popularizing clinically.

Introduction：Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of neonatal mortality in many developing countries and remains a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China.Methodology：Medical records of neonatal tetanus cases from 17 hospitals over a 13-year period (2000–2012) were reviewed for potential risk factors. Controls were selected from neonates with diseases other than tetanus who were admitted to the same facility during the same period. The potential risk factors of the neonatal tetanus group were compared with the control group using univariate analysis and an unconditional logistic regression model.Results：A total of 246 neonates with tetanus and 257 controls were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that having untrained birth attendants, home delivery, an unsterile method of delivery and being a migrant to Wenzhou were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery were significantly higher in the tetanus group than the control group (odds ratio: 1371.0; 95% confidence interval: 206.0, 9123.5).Conclusion：This study identified that the main risks of neonatal tetanus in cases from Wenzhou were having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery. Preventive measures directed to these risk factors may reduce the occurrence of neonatal tetanus in the studied area.

In recent years, worldwide surveys of Toxoplasma gondii infection in dogs have been reported. However, only limited surveys of T. gondii infection in police dogs have been available, including China. In the present study, we report the seroprevalence of T. gondii in police dogs in Shenyang, northeastern China. Sera from 291 police dogs were examined for T. gondii antibodies with the modified agglutination test (MAT), and 30.9% animals were tested seropositive. The results of the present study indicated a relatively high prevalence of T. gondii infection in police dogs in Shenyang, China.
Agglutination Tests/veterinary ; Animals ; Antibodies, Protozoan/*blood ; China/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma/*immunology/isolation & purification ; Toxoplasmosis, Animal/*epidemiology/parasitology

To prepare cyclosporine A (CyA) loaded block copolymer micelles and observe its release behaviors in vitro and pharmacokinetics in rats, methoxylpoly (ethylene glycol)-poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (mPEG-PLGA) was synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization of lactide and glycolide in the presence of methoxylpoly (ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as initiator. The structure of the mPEG-PLGA copolymer was confirmed with 1H NMR and FT-IR. The cyclosporine A loaded micelles (CyA-PM) were prepared by solvent evaporation method and their morphology was observed by the transmission electron microscope (TEM). The mean size and size distribution were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The release behaviors in vitro and pharmacokinetics in rats were investigated by HPLC method using cyclosporine A injection commercial agent, sandimmune, as the reference. The obtained CyA-PM showed spherical shape with the core-shell structure, the mean particle sizes are in the range of 136.1-141.9 nm. The drug loading amount and entrapment efficiency were increased and the particle size became smaller with decreasing the ratio of acetone to water. With the increasing of the amount of cyclosporine A fed the drug loading increased, entrapment efficiency decreased and the particle size had no change. CyA-PM showed significant sustained release behave in vitro compared with sandimmune and only 9.7% of encapsulated cyclosporine A was released after 12 hours, the release characteristics was well fitted with Higuchi equation (r = 0.999). The Pharmacokinetics study at equal administration dosage (5 mg x kg(-1)) in rats showed the half-life (t1/2) of CyA-PM extended and the area under concentration-time curve (AUC) increased compared to sandimmune. The results also showed that cyclosporine A concentration-time data were all in accord with two compartment model. Cyclosporine A loaded mPEG-PLGA micelles showed obviously solubility enhancement, sustained release and overcome the side effect and toxicity of sandimmune resulted from solubiling agent-polyoxyethylene castor oil (Cremophor EL) and might be developed as a novel dosage form of cyclosporine A.
Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Cyclosporine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Compounding ; Half-Life ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Micelles ; Particle Size ; Polyesters ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Polymers ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The gastrointestinal rnanifestations associated with antiphospholipid antibodies include Budd-Chiari syndroame, hepatic infarction, portal hypertension, pancreatitis, intestinal infarction, perforation, bleeding and ulceration. A 40-year old man, without prior thrombotic event, presented with severe abdominal pain for 3 days and septic shock. Multiple mesenteric venous thrombosis and colonic congestion were suggested by abdominal CT and angiography. Gastroendoscopy revealed esophageal varix and congestive gastropathy. Laboratory tests disclosed postive antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-HCV antibodies, HCV-PCR, prolonged PT, aPTT, thrombocytopenia and had no evidences of SLE and other connective tissue diseases. He was diagnosed as mutiple mesenteric thrombosis and portal hypertension associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in hepatitis C virus infection. He was improved with the antibiotics and intravenous vasopressors. He have had no other thrombotic events until one year after discharge.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Angiography ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; Colon ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Hemorrhage ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis C Antibodies ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Portal ; Infarction ; Pancreatitis ; Shock, Septic ; Thrombocytopenia ; Thrombosis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer ; Venous Thrombosis

OBJECTIVETo assess the protective effect of drinking green tea on the development of gastric, liver and esophageal cancers.

METHODSA population based study was conducted in Taixing, Jiangsu province, including 206, 204, 218 cases, respectively, and 415 population controls.

RESULTSGreen tea decreased the development of gastric cancer risk by 40%. Dose-response relationships were observed between the length of time, concentration and quantity of green tea drinking and its protective effects on gastric cancer. For individuals who drink green tea for more than 250 g per month, the risk of gastric cancer reduced about 60%. Green tea might have protective effect on liver cancer. However, no protective effect of green tea was observed on esophageal cancer.

CONCLUSIONGreen tea drinking might be a protective factor for gastric cancer. However, the protective effects of green tea on liver and esophageal cancer were not obvious.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Stomach Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; Tea ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between polymorphism of CYP17 gene and serum hormone concentrations in aged men.

METHODSEighty-three healthy men at the average age of 66.7 were divided into a < 66.7 group (n = 36) and a > 66.7 group (n = 47), and the polymorphism of CYP17 gene in the 5' promoter region was investigated by PCR using DNA from the men's peripheral blood lymphocytes. A new recognition site was created for the restriction enzyme MspA1 I by transition (T --> C) in the risk allele (A2). Three genotypes A1/A1, A1/A2, A2/A2 were established, serum sex-hormone levels measured, and mean hormone concentration evaluated in each genotype and age group.

RESULTSNo evidence was found that the testosterone (T) level, estrogen (E2) level and T/E2 ratio were associated with the genotype of CYP17 gene. There was no significant difference in T and E2 levels between the two groups, but there was a significant increase in the T/E2 ratio (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONA2 allele does not increase sex hormone levels in aged men, but the T/E, ratio was higher in the > 66.7 group than in the < 66.7 group. This may be closely associated with the mechanism of benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in aged men.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Estradiol ; blood ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase ; genetics ; Testosterone ; blood

Objective This study evaluated the effects of health education promoting therapeutic lifestyle changes in a population with dyslipidemia. Methods Patients with dyslipidemia were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the current group (CG) received conventional health guidance, the educational course (EC) group attended six lectures as part of an educational course, the phone call (PC) group received twice-monthly follow-up by telephone,and the comprehensive group(EC+PC)attended both the educational course and received follow-up telephone calls. Total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and the knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAP) score for blood lipids were compared within each group and among groups. Results A total of 214 patients were enrolled and completed the study: 62 patients in CG,49 patients in EC,56 patients in PC,and 47 patients in EC+PC.There were significant differences in the EC,PC,and EC+PC groups after the 24-week intervention. For example, pre- and post-intervention values for each group were as follows:EC group:(5.74±0.69)mmol/L and(5.14±0.87)mmol/L for TC,35.22±1.67 and 42.96±5.72 for KAP;PC group:(5.63±0.58)mmol/L and(5.22±1.07)mmol/L for TC, 34.54.±0.97and 39.41±5.03 for KAP;EC+PC group:(5.60±0.48)mmol/L and(4.00±0.79)mmol/L for TC,35.44±1.80 and 45.05±3.19 for KAP, respectively (P<0.05). The CG group showed no significant differences before and after treatment:(5.66±0.54)vs.(5.32±1.28)mmol/L for TC,34.37±0.65 vs.35.28±4.02 for KAP(P>0.05).In a comparison among the four groups,the EC and PC groups showed greater improvements than the CG group.Moreover, the EC+PC group showed statistically significant differences in the results compared with the other three groups (P< 0.05). Conclusion An educational course combined with telephone follow-up calls was more effective than a single intervention in improving blood lipids and enhancing the health awareness of patients with dyslipidemia.This combined health education model not only improves the effectiveness of treatment to some degree,but also plays a role in its supervision and management.Furthermore,it may also assist in the implementation of continuous nursing services in medical institutions.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of green tea in decreasing the risks of gastric cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer among alcohol drinkers or cigarette smokers.

METHODSA population based case-control study was conducted in Taixing, Jiangsu province.

RESULTSIn Taixing city, identified cases of stomach, liver and esophageal cancers were chosen with informed consent. The numbers were 206, 204, 218 respectively. Controls were chosen from normal population having lived in the area for longer than 10 years, also with informed consent. Green tea drinking seemed to have decreased 81%, 78%, 39% risk for the development of gastric cancer, liver cancer and esophageal cancer among alcohol drinkers. It might also have decreased 16%, 43%, 31% on the risks of developing the three kinds of cancers among cigarette smokers. Interaction assessment showed that drinking green tea could significantly decrease the risk of gastric cancer and liver cancer among alcohol drinkers, with ORs of interaction item 0.23 (95% CI: 0.10 - 0.55) and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.11 - 0.57) respectively.

CONCLUSIONHabit of drinking green tea seemed to have significant protective effects on the development of both gastric and liver cancer among alcohol drinkers while, green tea also having some protective effect on esophageal cancer among alcohol drinkers and on three kinds of cancers among cigarette smokers.

Adult ; Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Digestive System Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; etiology ; Female ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; Polyphenols ; Risk ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Tea ; chemistry