Objective To explore the multiple risk factors for family lifestyle of children with congenital heart defects (CHDs) in Shaanxi Province, China. children and their parents. The univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the influence of risk factors related to parents' lifestyle on CHDs. Results Several possible risk factors were found for CHDs, including fever (OR=4.465, P=0.017), pesticides contact (OR=2.234, P=0.083), passive smoking during pregnancy (OR=20.529, P=0.007) and father's smoking (OR=3.342, P=0.005); fever (OR=2.428, P=0.012) and passive smoking during pregnancy (OR=1.201, P=0.037) were also correlated with ventricular sepal defect (VSD). Conclusion Fever, pesticides contact and passive smoking are associated with CHDs during pregnancy. We should focus our attention on health care during pregnancy to avoid the above-mentioned risk factors and call on parents to hold on to a good healthy lifestyle.

BACKGROUNDDiabetic nephropathy is a major cause of renal failure in diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been known that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers have a renal protective effect. This study aimed to investigate whether treatment with angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan, could modify renal hemodynamic variables and vascular structural properties, then attenuate renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM rats.

METHODSDM was induced in male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of STZ. The rats were then randomized to a DM group and an olmesartan treatment (OLM + DM) group. The normal group (non-DM) were administered only citrate buffer. At the end of the 14th week, blood glucose, kidney weight/body weight and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio were determined. Further, the flow-pressure and pressure-glomerular filtration rate (GFR) relationships were determined for maximally vasodilated, perfused kidneys. From the relationship, 3 indices of vascular structural properties were estimated: slope of flow-pressure (minimal renal vascular resistance, reflecting overall luminal dimensions of preglomerular and postglomerular vasculature), slope of pressure-GFR (glomerular filtration capacity against pressure) and threshold pressure for beginning filtration at pressure-GFR (preglomerular to postglomerular vascular resistance ratio). Kidneys were then perfusion fixed for histological analysis. The renal histopathology was observed by light microscopy.

RESULTSThe body weight of DM rats was lower than that of non-DM rats. Blood glucose, kidney weight/body weight, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio were significantly greater in DM rats than in non-DM rats. The parameters such as kidney weight/body weight, urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio in OLM + DM rats had dramatically decreased compared with those in DM rats. However, the treatment with olmesartan had no effect on blood glucose levels. The slope of flow-pressure relationship was greater in DM rats than that in non-DM rats (P < 0.05). But the slope of the pressure-GFR relationship was lower in DM rats than that in non-DM rats (P < 0.05) with the x-intercept of the line similar between the two groups. The slope of the flow-pressure relationship was decreased in DM rats group treated with olmesartan (P < 0.05). Moreover, olmesartan significantly increased the slope of the pressure-GFR relationship in DM rats (P < 0.05). The x-intercept of the pressure-GFR relationship reduced following olmesartan in DM rats.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment with olmesartan reduced urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio independent of blood glucose and increased average renal vessel lumen diameter in the perfused kidneys of STZ-induced DM rats, predominantly in preglomerular vessels, and then improved renal excretory capability. These findings were consistent with remodeling of the preglomerular vasculature in our hisological measurements.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; prevention & control ; Hemodynamics ; drug effects ; Imidazoles ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tetrazoles

BACKGROUNDAs the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing, prevention of the disease should be considered as a crucial objective in the near future. Several studies have shown angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may contribute to the prevention of new-onset type 2 diabetes. This study was conducted to determine if ARBs as monotherapy or combination therapy may experience a decreased incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes and prevent cardiovascular events.

METHODSRelevant experimental and clinical studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1969 to May 30, 2011) to extract a consensus of trial data involving the effect of ARBs on prevention of new-onset type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events. Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials versus placebo/routine therapy. A random-effects model was utilized. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.

RESULTSEleven trials were identified, including 82 738 patients. ARBs prevented new-onset type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 0.8 (95%CI 0.76, 0.85)). Regardless of indication for use, essential hypertension (seven trials), impaired glucose tolerance (one trial), cardiocerebrovascular disease (two trials) or heart failure (one trial), reductions in new-onset type 2 diabetes were maintained (0.75 (0.69, 0.82), 0.85 (0.78, 0.92), 0.80 (0.76, 0.85) and 0.80 (0.64, 0.99), respectively). No statistical heterogeneity was observed for any evaluation. However, ARBs did not significantly reduce the odds of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and heart failure versus control therapy among all of these studies. But ARBs did reduce the odds of cardiac death and heart failure among the heart failure study versus control therapy.

CONCLUSIONARBs have significant ability to reduce risk of developing new-onset type 2 diabetes but does not improve cardiovascular outcomes over the study follow-up periods among all of included studies.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hypertension ; prevention & control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo observe the intervention effect of acupuncture on early onset of selec- tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in treating depressive disorder, and to study its effect on ser- um 5-HT and unbalanced inflammatory cytokines secreted by TH1/TH2.

METHODSTotally 90 patients with depressive disorder were randomly assigned to the drug control group (as the control group, 45 cases) and the acupuncture combined drug treatment group (as the treatment group, 45 cases). All patients were treated for 4 consecutive weeks. Another 45 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. The effect of acupuncture on early onset of SSRls in treating acute phase depressive disorder pa- tients was evaluated by HAMD score in the control group and the treatment group before treatment,and at weekends of the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week after treatment. Besides, their serum levels of 5-HT, IL-1β and IL-6 (secreted by TH1), and IL-4 and IL-10 (secreted by TH2) were detected before treatment and after treatment at the weekend of the 4th week.

RESULTSCompared with the healthy control group,serum lev- els of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 decreased in the two drug-treated groups before treatment (P < 0.01); serum levels of IL-1β and IL-6 increased (P <0.01). Compared with before treatment in the same group, HAMD score decreased in the control group at weekends of the 2nd and the 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01); HAMD scores decreased in the treatment group at weekends of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd,and 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01); serum levels of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 increased,serum levels of IL-1β and IL- 6 decreased in the two drug-treated groups after treatment (all P < 0.01). Compared with the control group at the same time point,HAMD scores decreased in the treatment group at weekends of the 1st, 2nd,3rd,and 4th week after treatment (P < 0.01),serum levels of 5-HT, IL-4, and IL-10 increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), serum levels of IL-6 decreased (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture could accelerate early onset of SSRIs in treating acute phase depressive disorder, and effectively regulate serum 5-HT levels and inflammatory cytokines secreted by TH1/TH2.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Cytokines ; Depressive Disorder ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; therapeutic use

Background As the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing,prevention of the disease should be considered as a crucial objective in the near future.Several studies have shown angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may contribute to the prevention of new-onset type 2 diabetes.This study was conducted to determine if ARBs as monotherapy or combination therapy may experience a decreased incidence of new-onset type 2 diabetes and prevent cardiovascular events.Methods Relevant experimental and clinical studies were identified by searching MEDLINE (1969 to May 30,2011) to extract a consensus of trial data involving the effect of ARBs on prevention of new-onset type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events.Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials versus placebo/routine therapy.A random-effects model was utilized.Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted.Results Eleven trials were identified,including 82738 patients.ARBs prevented new-onset type 2 diabetes (odds ratio 0.8 (95％ CI 0.76,0.85)).Regardless of indication for use,essential hypertension (seven trials),impaired glucose tolerance (one trial),cardiocerebrovascular disease (two trials) or heart failure (one trial),reductions in new-onset type 2 diabetes were maintained (0.75 (0.69,0.82),0.85 (0.78,0.92),0.80 (0.76,0.85) and 0.80 (0.64,0.99),respectively).No statistical heterogeneity was observed for any evaluation.However,ARBs did not significantly reduce the odds of all-cause mortality,myocardial infarction and heart failure versus control therapy among all of these studies.But ARBs did reduce the odds of cardiac death and heart failure among the heart failure study versus control therapy.Conclusion ARBs have significant ability to reduce risk of developing new-onset type 2 diabetes but does not improve cardiovascular outcomes over the study follow-up periods among all of included studies.

OBJECTIVESTo explore the effects of endotoxemia on gluconeogenesis in livers and kidneys during acute hepatic failure.

METHODTwenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (6 rats in each group) and all of them were injected intraperitoneally with solutions: group I with normal saline, group II with 400 mg/kg of D-galactosamine (D-GaLN), group III with 400 mg/kg of D-GaLN plus 50 microg/kg lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and group IV with 400 mg/kg of D-GaLN plus 500 microg/kg LPS. At 6 hours after the administration of different solutions intraperitoneally, blood samples were collected to examine blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. Realtime PCR was used to study the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the livers and kidneys.

RESULTSNo endotoxemia developed in group I or group II but it was evident in group III and group IV. The level of endotoxemia in group IV was higher than in group III (8.05+/-0.43, 3.50+/-2.25, P<0.05). After 6 hours of administration of LPS in group IV, hypoglycemia appeared, and blood glucose was normal in the other three groups. BUN and serum creatinine were all normal in the four groups, except that blood urea nitrogen was elevated in group IV. The mRNA of PEPCK in livers decreased gradually in all the four groups (2.54+/-1.32 vs 1.87+/-0.15 vs 0.91+/-0.13 vs 0.44+/-0.42, P<0.05). In the kidneys there was no change in the expression of PEPCK in group I and group II (0.75+/-0.03 and 0.77+/-0.04, P>0.05), but it increased in group III (0.75+/-0.03 vs 1.63+/-0.86, P<0.05), and decreased in group IV (0.75+/-0.03 vs 0.13+/-0.07, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONDuring acute hepatic failure severe endotoxemia would damage the function of gluconeogenesis in livers and kidneys by inhibiting transcription of PEPCK and this can induce hypoglycemia.

Animals ; Endotoxemia ; metabolism ; Gluconeogenesis ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Failure, Acute ; metabolism ; Male ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (GTP) ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To construct a eukaryotic expression vector for expressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) recombinant HBsAg-EGFP fusion protein and obtain a stable transfocted Chang Liver cell line. Methods The coding region of HBsAg gene of HBV was amplified by PCR and was digested by BamH I/EcoR I. This fragment was inserted into pEGFPN1 with T4 ligase and transformed E-coli TG1. The positive recombinant plasmid was selected, then the recombinant plasmid was transfocted into Chang Liver cell by Lipofectamine 2000 cells containing stable transformants were selected by the ability of resistance to G418 and isolated with a limited dilution. The stable transfected cell line expressing high level HBsAg-EGFP fusion protein was obtained. Results The eukaryotic expression vector named pEGFPN1-HBsAg was successfully constructed and the stable transfected Chang Liver celI line could express pEGFPN1-HBsAg fusion protein was obtained. Conclusion The stable transfected Chang Liver cell line could express pEGFPN1-HBsAg fusion protein, could be used to screen the proteins differentially expressed in HBsAg expression Chang Liver cells, which brought some new clues for studying the potential molecular mechanism of HBsAg protein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of environmental factors, daily lifestyle, psycho-social factors and the interactions between environmental factors and chemokines genes on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSCase-control study was carried out and environmental factors for SLE were analyzed by univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression. Interactions between environmental factors and chemokines polymorphism contributing to systemic lupus erythematosus were also analyzed by logistic regression model.

RESULTSThere were nineteen factors associated with SLE when univariate unconditional logistic regression was used. However, when multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used, only five factors showed having impacts on the disease, in which drinking well water (OR=0.099) was protective factor for SLE, and multiple drug allergy (OR=8.174), over-exposure to sunshine (OR=18.339), taking antibiotics (OR=9.630) and oral contraceptives were risk factors for SLE. When unconditional logistic regression model was used, results showed that there was interaction between eating irritable food and -2518MCP-1G/G genotype (OR=4.387). No interaction between environmental factors was found that contributing to SLE in this study.

CONCLUSIONMany environmental factors were related to SLE, and there was an interaction between -2518MCP-1G/G genotype and eating irritable food.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the prognostic significance of a new grading and scoring system (based on the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification) in stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma, as compared with the WHO grading system.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic characteristics of 125 patients with stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma primarily treated by surgical resection were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were classified according to the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification and graded into three prognostic groups based on the new classification, the Sica scoring system and the WHO grading system, respectively. The differences in prognosis of the three groups were analyzed.

RESULTSThere was a statistically significant correlation between the new grading system and the WHO grading system (P = 0.000). Both of them showed negative correlation with overall survival. The new scoring system however better correlated with disease recurrence and/or metastasis (P = 0.855, P = 0.073 versus P = 0.011). According to univariate Log-rank test, the prognosis correlated with tumor size (P = 0.004), clinical stage (P = 0.000), the WHO grading (P = 0.020), the new grading system (P = 0.000), the new scoring system (P = 0.000), vascular invasion (P = 0.021), and recurrence and/or metastasis (P = 0.000). The Cox regression analysis demonstrated that clinical stage (P = 0.014), the new grading system (P = 0.047), the new scoring system (P = 0.043), and recurrence and/or metastasis (P = 0.018) were significantly independent poor prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSThe new grading and scoring system shows good correlation with the WHO grading system. Compared with the WHO grading system, the new scoring system based on the new IASLC/ATS/ERS classification provides valuable information in categorizing stage I pulmonary adenocarcinoma cases with different risks of disease recurrence, tumor metastasis and prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; pathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma in Situ ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; classification ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; methods ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Research Design ; Retrospective Studies ; Societies, Medical ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study clinic character of liver failure complicated with bacterium and fungous infection.

METHODSThe patients with liver failure complicated with bacterial and fungous infection who were treated in our hospital from January 1986 to June 2006 were studied. All patients had clinical manifestation and positive of bacterium. The data were statistical analysis.

RESULTS507 patients diagnosed with fungous infection were found from January 1986 to June 2006 in which 132 patients were diagnosed with bacterial and fungous infection. There were 85 patients (64.39%) with chronic severe hepatitis and 40 patients (30.3%) with decompensation cirrhosis. Bacterial infection happened in 153 cases in which the rate of nosocomial infections was 54.90%. 204 bacterial strains were separated in which 143 strains (70.10%) were gram-negative bacterium and 61 (29.90%) strains were gram-positive bacterium. The main sites of bacterial infection were abdominal cavity (122 cases) and lung (30 cases). Fungous infection happened in 143 cases in which the rate of nosocomial infections was 86.71%. 155 fungous strains were separated in which 90 strains (58.06%) were Candida albicans, 17 strains (10.97%) were Aspergillus fumigatus and 25 (16.13%) strains were non-Candida albicans. The main sites of fouguns infection were lung (94 cases) and mouth (53 cases). 84 patients (63.64%) were ineffective and died after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe patients with decompensation cirrhosis and chronic severe liver hepatitis were easy to be infected by bacterial and fungous. the rate of fungous nosocomial infections is higher than that of bacterium. The prognosis is bad in patients who had secondary fungous infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; microbiology ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Female ; Fungi ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycoses ; complications ; microbiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult