Objective Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is widely used as a simple noninvasive measure of arterial stiffness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of baPWV as a predictor of the carotid artery atherosclerosis in the elderly. Methods A total of 721 elderly participants (mean±SD age, 70.3 5.6years) were enrolled in the current study. All participant underwent both baPWV measurement and B-mode ultrasound for the intima-media thickness. Carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) was defined as the present of carotid plaque or and/or intima media thickness for at least 1.1 mm. Results A multivariate logistic regression analysis reveals that age, sex, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, smoking and LDL-C level showed a significant correlation with the presence of CAS. The odds ratios of CAS associated with a 500cm/s increase of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity were 2.378 [95% confidence interval, 1.36 to 4.00, P<0.05], 3.733 [95% confidence interval, 1.729 to 8.058, P<0.01], 4.438 [95% confidence interval, 1.659 to 11.803, P<0.01]. The baPWV significantly correlated with IMT by bivariate correlation analysis (r=0.39; p=0.001). After adjusting for factors influencing, baPWV all the same correlated with IMT (r=0.35; p=0.001).Conclusion These results indicate that brachial-ankle PWV is an independent predictor of CAS in the elderly.It also means that the direct measurement of arterial stiffness by this simple method may be of great help for the evaluation of carotid artherosclerosis, at least in the elderly.

Backgroud Numerous studies have confirmed the effectiveness of slowing the progression of atherosclerosis by blood pressure (Bp)control in patients with hypertension and several studies also showed the efficacy of intensive glycemic control in decreasing progression of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, few studies have compared the relative importance of glycemic vs. Bp control in patients with diabetes and hypertension. We aimed to investigate the association between Bp and glycemic control and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in older patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Methods In a cross-sectional study, B-mode high-resolution ultrasonography of the carotid artery was performed in 670 subjects (508 males and 162 females) aged 60 years or over who had self-reported hypertension and diabetes but no history of coronary heart disease or stroke. Subjects were categorized by their systolic blood pressure: tight control, < 130 mmHg; usual control, 130-139 mmHg; or uncontrolled, > 140 mmHg, and by their hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) level: tight control, < 6.5%; usual control, 6.5%-7.5%; or uncontrolled, > 7.5%, respectively. Results The mean CIMT was 8.20±0.11 mm, and carotid plaque was found in 52.5% (352/670) subjects. Overall, 62.1% of the subjects had subclinical carotid atherosclerosis, defined as having either carotid plaque or elevated CIMT (≥ 1.1 mm). The mean CIMT was significantly different between Bp control categories (7.60 ± 0.09 mm, 7.90 ± 0.08 mm, and 8.60±0.12 nun, respectively, P = 0.03) but not between glycemic control categories (8.20 ± 0.10 ram, 8.1 ± 0.08 mm, and 8.40 ± 0.14 mm, respectively, P = 0.13) using ANCOVA analysis. Multivariable logistic regression adjusting for potential confounding factors showed that usual or uncontrolled Bp control were associated with having carotid plaque (OR = 1.08 and OR = 1.42, respectively), or elevated CIMT [Odd ratio (OR) = 1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)1.04-2.24, and OR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.36-2.96, respectively compared to tight Bp control; but did not show glycemic control as independent predictor of either having carotid plaque or elevated CIMT. Conclusions In older patients with hypertension and diabetes, blood pressure control, but not glycemic control is associated with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Objective To explore the mechanism of ginsenoside-Rh2(G-Rh2) on inhibition of glioma by identifying differential proteins with proteomic technique. Methods The total proteins were extracted from SHG-44 cells treated with 32 ?mol?L-1 G-Rh2 for 72 h and the cells in control group,then were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.Only spots with a fold change equal or above 1.5 and P

Objective:To investigate the preventive and protective effects of Schisandrin B in the mice of Alzheimer's disease (AD),and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:Fifty Balb/c mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,pasitive control group,low dose of Schisandrin B group(0.1 g·kg-1)and high dose of Schisandrin B group(0.5 g·kg-1);there were 10 mice in each group.Step-through test was conducted after last administration to detect the latencies and number of errors of the mice in various groups,and the brain tissue was taken.Congo red staining was to detect the morphology changes of cells and neuronal amyloidosis in brain tissue of the mice.The levels of ROS in brain tissue of the mice were tested by Flow Cytometry.The contents of MDA,the levels of LDH,and the activities of CAT,GSH-Px and SOD in brain tissue of the mice were tested by biochemical method.Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of signaling pathway proteins Nrf2 and Keap1 in brain tissue of the mice.Results:Compared with model group,the latencies of the mice in low and high dose of Schisandrin B groups were increased (P<0.01) and the number of errors in step-through tests was decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The Congo red staining results showed that compared with model group,the neuronal amyloidosis in brain tissue of the mice in Schisandrin B groups was decreased significantly.Compared with model group,the levels of ROS,LDH and the contents of MDA in brain tissue of the mice in low and high doses of Schisandrin B groups were decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the activities of CAT,SOD and GSH-Px were increased (P<0.01).Compared with low dose of Schisandrin B group,the content of MDA and the activities of SOD and GSH-Px in brain tissue of the mice in high dose of Schisandrin B group were increased (P<0.001).Compared with model group,the expression level of Nrf2 protein in brain tissue of the mice in low dose of Schisandrin B group was increased (P<0.01),while the expression level of Nrf2 protein in brain tissue of the mice in high dose of Schisandrin B group was decreased (P<0.01);the expression levels of Keap1 protein in brain tissue of the mice in low and high doses of Schisandrin B groups was decreased (P<0.01).Conclusion:Schisandrin B could decrease the level of peroxidation in brain tissue of the mice and reduce the oxidative damage and improve the memory function of the AD mice.The mechanism is related to the activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway which improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Objective To compare the distribution of KCNJ11 polymorphisms between elderly Chinese population with and without hypertension. Methods We examined the mutation of KCNJ11 gene by directly sequencing. Data for the present study were obtained from 250 hypertensive subjects (60 to 83 years old) as well as 250 normotensive subjects (60 to 86 years old). Results We found nine different mutations in KCNJ11, including six novel mutations (I131M, L147I, L147V, L147L, Q235H, G245C). None of the novel mutations were found in the normotensive subjects, and all the residues were conserved in other species. These sequence variants in Chinese population indicate the diversity of the human library and the complexity of hypertension. Conclusions The consistent finding of our present study provided a basis for the development of new strategies to diagnosis and treat hypertension in the elderly.

Semisupervisedmakesfulluseoflargeamountsofunlabeledsamplestomakeuptheinsufficiency of labeled samples. Since it is difficult to obtain a large number of accurate labeled samples and it is a good way for modeling by using a small amount of labeled samples or a large number of inaccurate samples, we proposed a new method named as semi-supervised partial least squares ( SS-PLS) to optimize model based on semi supervised learning. We used 211 samples of tobacco near infrared spectrum and sensory evaluation for modeling and used SS-PLS method to optimize tobacco sensory evaluation model. In the optimized model, the coefficient of determination ( R2 ) can reach up to 90%, the ratio of performance to deviation ( RPD) can reach up to 3 . 0 , and the standard error of cross validation and the standard error of prediction ( SECV and SEP) are below 1. 0. We divided the original sensory evaluation and SS-PLS optimized data into three grades of excellent, medium and poor in accordance with the fixed threshold, the result using projection model of based on principal component and Fisher criterion ( PPF ) shows that the classification of SS-PLS optimized data is better than the original sensory evaluation data. The SS-PLS method can solve the data representation problem of using small sample set for modeling and provides a new chemometrics method for near infrared spectroscopy modeling in case of obtaining a large number of accurately labeled samples is difficult.

Overt gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is one of the noncardiac complications in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Identification of patients at increased risk of overt GIB could aid in targeting more aggressive treatment,and lead to improved outcomes.The aim of this study is to determine the frequency,risk factors,and prognostic significance of overt GIB in patients with AMI.Methods A retrospective review of the medical records of 1443 patients admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital with AMI was conducted.Charts were reviewed for clinical characteristics,possible precipitating factors and complications.Patients were categorized as having or not having overt GIB(GIB associated with hemodynamic changes or the need for transfusions).Results Twenty nine (2.0%) patients developed overt GIB within 30 days after AMI.Patients with overt GIB had higher 30-day mortality rate than those without (44.8% vs.9.9%,P ＜ 0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed major determinants of in-hospital overt GIB secondary to AMI were gender of female (odds ratio 2.41,95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 5.37),age=75 years (odds ratio 1.58,95% CI 1.13 to 2.20),prior history of AMI (odds ratio 2.28,95% CI 1.17 to 4.88),pneumonia (odds ratio 3.47,95% CI 1.50 to 8.03) and anemia at admission (odds ratio 2.37,95% CI 1.04 to 5.37).Conclusions In patients with AMI,overt GIB is associated with higher in-hospital mortality,and female sex,older age,prior AMI,pneumonia and anemia at admission are predictors of overt GIB during hospitalization.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:195-198)

Objective:To investigate gender measurement invariance of the Perceived Social Support Scale(PSSS)in people aged 50 years and older.Methods:A total of 1013 adults(50-96 years old)in Beijing, Hunan and Shandong were tested by using PSSS.The measurement invariance of PSSS between middle-aged and elderly males and females was analyzed.Differences in PSSS total scores and subscale scores between males and females were examined.Results:The equivalence test results of each item in the questionnaire met the requirements of the metrology(△CFI≥0.010, △TLI≥0.010, △RSMEA≤0.015), indicating that the hypotheses of morphological equivalence, weak equivalence, strong equivalence and strict equivalence of PSSS were all valid in the middle-aged and elderly population regardless of gender.In addition, middle-aged and elderly females had higher scores in family support, support from friends, support from other people and perceived social support than their male counterparts( P<0.05). Conclusions:PSSS has cross-gender equivalence in middle-aged and elderly people.Thus, differences in PSSS can reflect the perceived social support level in middle-aged and elderly people of different genders.

Objective:Through literature search,this paper aims to understand the current situation of social trust mechanism and the research progress of trust evaluation methods,and thus to provide theoretical reference for further researches.Methods:Using the literature search method,this paper sorted out,analyzed and concluded the domestic and foreign literatures and information about social trust mechanism and trust evaluation.Results:The domestic research on social trust mechanism could be mainly divided into two parts,while the foreign research path was different and mainly related to the field of electronic commerce,government departments,medical behavior,and so on.Evaluation methods in doctor-patient trust mainly included trust scale evaluation and trust model.Conclusion:There is a certain development of the domestic researches on social trust mechanism and evaluation,but still need further improvement.The limitation of doctor-patient trust evaluation is prominent and efforts should be made to research on the improvement measures of medical social trust mechanism.

Objective:To evaluate regulatory effects of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and human papillomavirus type 2 (HPV2) E2 protein on the differentiation of an immortalized human keratinocyte line HaCaT and a normal human epidermal keratinocyte line NHEK.Methods:In both HaCaT and NHEK cells, HPV2 E2-stably transfected cell lines (HPV2 E2-transfected groups) were established by using the lentivirus transfection method, wide-type FGFR3-overexpressing cells (FGFR3-WT transfected groups) and FGFR3-K650E mutant-overexpressing cells (FGFR3-K650E transfected groups) were constructed by using the plasmid transfection method, and cells transfected with blank vectors served as control groups (blank vector control groups). Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of HPV2 E2, and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of HPV2 E2, FGFR3, and keratinocyte differentiation markers including loricrin, filaggrin, as well as involucrin. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was conducted to observe the spatial localization of HPV2 E2 and FGFR3 in HaCaT cells. Statistical analysis was carried out by using two-independent-sample t test for the comparison between two groups, one-way analysis of variance for the comparison among multiple groups, and Dunnett t-test for multiple comparisons. Results:The HPV2 E2-stably transfected cell lines were successfully constructed, and the expression of HPV2 E2 FLAG protein was significantly higher in the HPV2 E2-transfected groups than in the blank vector control groups in both HaCaT and NHEK cells ( t = 13.71, 25.91, respectively, both P < 0.001) ; both FGFR3-WT and FGFR3-K650E were successfully overexpressed in both HaCaT and NHEK cells, and the FGFR3 protein expression was significantly higher in the FGFR3-WT transfected groups and the FGFR3-K650E transfected groups than in the blank vector control groups ( F = 473.90, 579.90, respectively, both P < 0.001). In both HaCaT and NHEK cells, the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers including loricrin, filaggrin, and involucrin was significantly upregulated in the HPV2 E2-transfected groups, the FGFR3-WT transfected groups, and the FGFR3-K650E transfected groups than in the blank vector control groups (all P < 0.05). In the HPV2 E2-stably transfected HaCaT and NHEK cells, the expression of loricrin, filaggrin, and involucrin was significantly down-regulated in the HPV2 E2 + FGFR3-WT transfected groups and the HPV2 E2 + FGFR3-K650E transfected groups than in the HPV2 E2 + blank vector groups (all P < 0.05). Laser scanning confocal microscopy showed the spatial co-localization of HPV2 E2 and FGFR3 in the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm of HaCaT cells. Conclusion:HPV2 E2 and FGFR3 could both induce the differentiation of HaCaT and NHEK cells, while FGFR3 could inhibit HPV2 E2-induced differentiation trend of HaCaT and NHEK cells, which may be related to the cellular spatial co-localization of HPV2 E2 and FGFR3.