Objective To investigate the influencing factors on the nursing ability of caregivers who provide service for elderly Methods patients with cardiovascular disease in medical and nursing combination institutions. A total of 276 caregivers who provide service for elderly patients with cardiovascular disease in medical and nursing combination institutions in Beijing urban area were selected as research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The Chinese Caregiver Task Inventory, eHealth Results Literacy (eHL) Scale and Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale were used to investigate the nursing ability, eHL and SOC. The scores of nursing ability, eHL and SOC of the caregivers were (28.3±6.1), (17.0±5.9) and (69.0±9.4), respectively. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that caregivers who regarded the occupation as a career, had general or good subjective income, cared for disabled subjects, had a good basic knowledge of cardiovascular disease and qualified eHL had P P Conclusion relatively high nursing ability (all <0.01). The higher the SOC score, the higher the nursing ability ( <0.01). Occupational recognition, subjective income, master the basic knowledge of cardiovascular diseases, disability of nursing patients, eHL and SOC were factors affecting the nursing ability of caregivers who provide service for elderly patients with cardiovascular diseases in urban medical and nursing combination institutions.

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the changes of IGF-1,IGF-2,IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-3 in diabetes nephropathy,the relationships between IGFs,IGFBPs and ?_1-,?_2- microglobulin.Methods A total of 130 type-2 diabetic participants(male:52,female:78)aged 37~75 yeares in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled from Feb.2000 to May 2003.Serum IGF-1,IGF-2,IGF binding protein 1(IGFBP-1),IGFBP-3,creatinine(Cr),cholesterol,triglycerides,HDL,LDL,apolipoprotein B100(apoB100),apoA,HbA_1c,fasting and postprandial C-peptide,serum and urine ?_1-MG and ?_2-MG were measured.Patients were divided into clinical albuminuria(DN,n=24),microalbuminuria(MA,n=40),and normal(NOR,n=66)groups according sCr and urine Alb/Cr ratio.Results In multiple linear regression analysis,determinants of S ?_1-MG were IGF-2 、TC and age(r=0.492,P=0.0001);U ?_1-MG were IGF-2、age(r=0.307,P=0.007); S ?_2-MG were IGFBP-1、HDL and age(r=0.528,P=0.0001);U ?_2-MG were IGFBP-1、CP120 and age(r=0.407,P=0.0001);s-Cr were IGFBP-1、CP0 and age(r=0.499,P=0.0001)。Serum IGF-2 and IGFBP-1 were significantly increased in DN group[IGF-2:(889.48?65.94)?g/L vs (711.57?28.73)?g/L,P=0.03;IGFBP-1:(94.91?17.48)?g/L vs(54.81?5.04)?g/L,P=0.009].Conclusion Serum IGFBP-1 and IGF-2 are significantly increased in type 2 diabetes with nephropathy.The disorders of IGFs and lipid metabolism may contribute to the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Inner ear malformations are anomalies linking to development insults at different periods of embryogenesis,which are common causes of congenital sensorineural hearing loss. The evaluation of pediatric sensorineural hearing loss mostly depends on high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which can excellently depict the temporal bones and inner ear malformations.
Ear, Inner ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; embryology ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; congenital ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Temporal Bone ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

We are living in exciting times with many challenges and new opportunities to overcome diseases. The concept and definition of blindness and their major causes worldwide are discussed with reference to the Vision 2020 initiatives launched in 1999 for blindness prevention, with an updated summary. The peculiar problems that exists in Singapore are also presented. Yet, if the world's major causes of blindness: cataracts, onchocerciasis, trachoma, refractive errors and low vision, and childhood blindness (inherent problems of the Third and Fourth World) can be overcome with international concerted efforts by year 2020, there will emerge new causes as yet unknown. Noble as our aims may be to achieve short- and long-term targets, we have to face the continuous reality of our inability to fulfil them.
Blindness ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Global Health ; Healthy People Programs ; Humans ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymph nodes are draining region of cornea. It is believed that aqueous fluid goes through a minor pathway named uveoscleral drainage, which will allow passage of antigen-presenting cells (APC) directly to the draining lymph nodes and induce allograft rejection after keratoplasty.OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory effects of cervical lymphadenectomy in alkali induced high-risk corneal transplantation.DESIGN: A randomized controlled animal experiment.SETTING: State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in the State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology (No. 2006DA105054), Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University from May 2005 to February 2007. 144 male animals (1-2 months old) including 104 SD rats and 40 Wistar rats were provided by the animal experimental center of Sun Yat-sen University. Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were brought from BioSource International company (USA). The animal treatment in the experiment was accorded with the statement in Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) for animals.METHODS: With the SD rats as recipients, and Wistar rats as donors, all rats were subjected to corneal allografting. The recipient rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20): group A (control group) which underwent corneal transplantation; group B which was subjected to bilateral cervical lymphadenectomy; group C, corneal transplantation 21 days after the alkali burn injury; group D, cervical lymphadenectomy following group C. The immune rejection of grafts was evaluated by detecting the expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 using ELISA. The time when allograft rejection occurred was recorded and mean survival time (MST) was compared among the groups. The development of corneal inflammation and new vessels was examined by slit lamp microscope and histopathological examination.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①The development of corneal inflammation after corneal alkaline burns. ②MST of rats in each group following transplant. ③The expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ in grafts of each group. RESULTS: ①Normal rat cornea was transparent without inflammation or neovascularization. There were many inflammatory cells invading to stroma on day 3 after burn. Then, the inflammation of cornea resolved gradually 3 weeks after the burn, but corneal neovascularization reached the peak at that time. Corneal blood vessels regressed completely at the end of 8 weeks after the burn. ②The MST of group A, B, C, and D was (10.40±1.14), (46.30±9.46), (7.00±1.58), and (15.00±3.39) days, respectively. Compared with the group A, the MST of group B was significantly longer (P < 0.05), and the MST of grafts in group D was also significantly longer than group C (P < 0.05). ③The expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 proteins was absent in group B. Compared with group C, the expression of IL-2 and IFN-γ proteins in group D significantly decreased on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 after keratoplasty (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cervical lymphadenectomy therapy can effectively inhibit corneal allograft rejection in normal and high-risk corneal beds after alkali burn injury.

Objective To investigate the effects of submucosal resection by guidance under esophageal endoscopic ultrasound. Methods 79 cases ofsuspected upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors were found by endoscopic ultrasonography,transesophageal endoscopic ultra-sound showed lesions under muscularis mucosa,after informed consent,they were underwent endoscopic mucosal resection. Pathological diag-nose of the lesions were found out after resection. Results Compared with pathological results showed that endoscopic ultrasound accurately determine tumor location in the hierarchy;through endoscopic mucosal resection to remove all lesions,5 patients were found bleeding postop-erative,6 patients were found esophageal stricture,the prognosis was good after treatment. Conclusion Endoscopic ultrasonography can accu-rately determine submucosal myoma,it can be used to guide resection of submucosal myoma.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different therapeutic methods on borderline hypertension with metabolic syndrome patients. MethodsNinety borderline hypertension with metabolic syndrome patients were divided into three groups by random digits table with 30 cases: control group,conventional therapy group and intensive therapy group. The control group was given regular observation, the conventional therapy group took drug according to the disease situation; and the intensive therapy group not only formulated the aim of therapy, but also received diet control, sport therapy, healthy education and drug therapy. After 1 year's follow-up, the patients' changes were compared. ResultsAfter 1 year's follow-up,the levels of FPG, 2 h PG, 24 h mAlb and IMT were significantly increased(P ＜ 0.05 ), and the levels of other index had no significant changes (P＞ 0.05) in control group. The levels of FPG,2 h PG,TC and TG were significantly decreased and IMT was significantly increased(P ＜0.05), the levels of other index had no significant changes(P ＞ 0.05 ) in conventional therapy group. The levels of SBP, DBP, PP, FPG, 2 h PG, TC,TG,hs-CRP,24 h mAlb and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased and HDL-C, ABI were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05 ) in intensive therapy group. After treatment, the levels of ABI and H DL-C were significantly higher and SBP, DBP, PP,TG, hs-CRP, 24 h mAlb, HOMA-IR, IMT were significantly lower in intensive therapy group than those in conventional therapy group (P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05 ). ConclusionsDrug therapy is efficient in borderline hypertension with metabolic syndrome patients, and intensive therapy can obviously improve the insulin resistance, to control the developing of hypertension can delay the vascular

Objective To assess the value of MRI in diagnosis of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS).Methods MR images of 10 patients with HWWS confirmed surgically and pathologically were analyzed retrospectively.The classification of HWWS on MRI was discussed.Results The 10 patients were included 4 cases of type Ⅰ,3 cases of type Ⅱ and 3 cases of type Ⅲ.All of them were complicated with ipsilateral renal agenesis.Eight cases were complicated with didelphic uterus and double cervix,2 were complicated with complete septate uterus.Type Ⅰ showed the complete oblique vaginal septum,hematocele in the oblique septum cavity and contralateral uterine cavity.Type Ⅱ showed the oblique septum cavity was connected with main vaginal through the hole of septum.Type Ⅲ showed the oblique septum cavity was connected with main vaginal through the cervical fistula.The prognosis were good in 8 patients.One patient occured obvious dysmenorrhea postoperation and MRI reminded right ovarian endometriosis cyst.One patient occured gusty hypogastralgia,and MRI reminded pelvic inflammation.Conclusion MRI can definitely diagnose and classify HWWS,and can provide useful information in the treatment of HWWS.

Heparinases,a kind of polysaccharide lyases,can degrade heparin and heparin sulfate to low molecular weight polysaccharides.It has been noted that many bacteria have heparinases although only few of them have been purified and characterized.Heparinases I,II and III from Flavobacterium heparinum have been extensively studied for many years and been commercialized recently.Heparinases have some important applications in the industry and clinic as well as in the determination of heparin structure,which is a very important anticoagulant drug used world-widely.The recent progresses in isolation of heparinase-producing bacteria,genome mapping of heparinase homologs in sequenced bacteria and archaea genomes,purification of heparinases and the study of their biochemistry and regulation were reviewed.The recombinant expression of these enzymes as well as important applications of heparinases and their potential applications in the future will also be highlighted.

The stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of shellfish includes 30 neurons and produces pyloric rhythms. It is the common model to study central pattern generator (CPG). Regulation of pyloric rhythms not only is related to the property of single neurons in STG but also depends on the connections and property of the whole neuronal network. It has been found that transient potassium current (I(A)) and hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I(h)) exist in certain types of neurons of STG. However, roles played by these two currents in maintaining and regulating the pyloric rhythms are unknown. In the present study, in vitro electrophysiological recordings were performed on crayfish STG to examine the role played by I(A) and I(h) in regulation of pyloric rhythm. 4AP (2 mmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(A), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD (pyloric dilator) ratio, a decrease in PY (pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. ZD7288 (100 μmol/L), a specific inhibitor of I(h), caused a decrease in pyloric cycle (P < 0.01), an increase in PD ratio (P < 0.01), an increase in LP (lateral pyloric) ratio (P < 0.01), a decrease in PY ratio (P < 0.01) and delay of phases of LP and PY firing. These results indicate that I(A) and I(h) play important roles in regulating pyloric rhythms in crayfish STG.
Animals ; Astacoidea ; cytology ; Ganglia, Invertebrate ; physiology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Pylorus ; innervation