OBJECTIVE: To learn the prevalence of abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women, and to explore the optimal body composition indices to predict the abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 181 participants were recruited from postmenopausal women who came to Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital for health examination between July 2006 and August 2007. They were 41-60 years of age, and there were 1-9 years since menopause. Their clinical and biochemical parameters were measured, including body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter, blood pressure, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, fasting,plasma glucose, fasting insulin and body fat. The prevalence of the abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women was investigated. The correlations between body composition indices and the components of metabolic syndrome were analyzed by partial correlation analysis independent of age, years since postmenopause and the level of estradiol. The body composition indices to predict the abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women were explored. RESULTS: ①The prevalence of central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 80 cm), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride ≥1.7 mmol/L), low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (high density lipopretein-cholesterol < 1.29 mmol/L), hypertension (systolic pressure ≥ 130 mm Hg or diastolic pressure ≥ 85 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa) and high fasting glucose (fasting plasma glucose ≥ 5.6 mmol/L)was 48.1%, 31.5%, 16.6%, 38.7% and 50.3%, respectively. ②Through partial correlation analysis, body composition indices (body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, sagittal abdominal diameter, and body fat) had a positive correlation with triglyceride, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and fasting plasma glucose, while a negative correlation with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, independent of age, years since postmenopause and the level of estradiol.③Body composition indices and critical value of them used to predict the abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women were as follows: hypertriglyceridemia: body mass index ≥ 24.845 kg/m~2; low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol: sagittal abdominal diameter ≥ 18.85 cm; hypertension: body mass index ≥ 23.33 kg/m~2; high fasting glucose: sagittal abdominal diameter ≥ 18.10 cm or body fat ≥ 36.515%. CONCLUSION: Central obesity and high fasting glucose are the most common metabolic disorders in postmenopausal women. Obesity is an independent risk factor of metabolic syndrome for postmenopausal women. Body composition indices and their critical values to predict the abnormal components of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women are found.

Fragility fracture caused by osteoporosis affects the health of the elderly. The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) advocate that the fracture liaison service (FLS) can improve the detection rate, treatment rate and compliance of patients with fragility fractures, and hence to reduce the incidence of secondary fractures. Currently, there are different models of FLS available globally, appropriate management is the key to effective implementation of FLS projects.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical therapeutic effects on intractable facial paralysis among acupuncture, acupoint catgut embedding and PDS embedding.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-nine patients of intractable facial paralysis were randomized into an acupuncture group, a catgut embedding group and a PDS embedding group, 93 cases in each one. Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yuyao (EX-HN 4), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Xuanlu (GB 5), Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Quanliao (SI 18), Qianzheng (Extra), Xiaguan (ST 7) and Fengchi (GB 20) on the affected side and bilateral Hegu (LI 4) and Zusanli (ST 36) were selected in the three groups. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to those acupoints, once every two days; 10 treatments made one session; the successive three sessions were required. In the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group, catgut and PDS were embedded separately, once every 10 days; 3 treatments made one session and the successive two sessions were required. The therapeutic cycle was 2 months in the three groups. The therapeutic results were analyzed statistically 2 months later. The scores of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system and the facial nerve electroneurography (ENoG) were used for the efficacy assessment before and after treatment in the three groups.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the score of Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system was improved apparently after treatment as compared with that before treatment in any of the three groups (all P < 0.05). The score in either of the embedding groups was better than that in the acupuncture group (both P < 0.05). The difference was not significant between the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group (P > 0.05). After treatment, ENoG wave ampli tude values in the frontal muscle and orbicularisoris muscle on the affected side were improved as compared with those before treatment in the three groups (all P < 0.05). Those in the catgut embedding group and the PDS embedding group were better than those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), and had no significant difference as compared with those on the healthy side (P > 0.05). In the acupuncture group, ENoG wave amplitudes on the affected side were lower than those on the healthy side (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture, catgut embedding and PDS embedding at acupoints all achieve the therapeutic effects on intractable facial paralysis. However, the acupoint embedding therapy presents more advantages on the recovery of facial nerve function. The efficacy is similar between the catgut embedding and the PDS embedding.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Facial Paralysis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Adolescent ; Atrial Appendage ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial ; diagnosis ; Tachycardia, Sinus ; diagnosis

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Garlic ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Pharyngitis ; therapy ; Young Adult

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Budesonide ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; drug effects ; pathology ; Inflammation ; pathology ; physiopathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory System ; pathology

Background The extraocular muscles (EOMs) Pulley is considered as the functional origins of the recti EOMs,it is determinants of ocular motility.Objective The structure of the connective tissue around EOMs in cat was studied,and the role of EOMs Pulley to ocular movement was investigated.Methods Five adult cats were involved.The gross anatomy of an orbit in each cat was observed.The other orbit was processed with paraffin imbedding and coronal serial sections.A murine monocolonal antibody to α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was used to show smooth muscle,while Masson trichrome stain was used to show muscle and collagen,and Weigert stain to show elastin.Results An encircling ring of collagen circled EOM was thin and connected to the orbital layer of muscle fiber loosely.Less elastin fibers and little smooth muscle cells were embedded in the collagen ring and connective band.Collagen ring around medial rectus and the connective band between medial rectus and inferior rectus was not more significantly developed than other bands.Conclusions The connective tissue around EOMs in cat may be related to its function of ocular movement,which is not developed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Neuron Disease ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThis review aims to identify the dimensional structure of the shortened dentine hypersensitivity experience questionnaire (DHEQ-15) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

METHODSThe Chinese language version of DHEQ-15 was applied to 210 patients with dentine hypersensitivity aged 18-70 years old. The three-dimensional construct was confirmed by CFA.

RESULTSAll the questionnaires were fully completed. The item "Because of the sensations, I take longer to finish a meal than others" was the most frequently reported by the parents. The modified three-factor model is suitable for the data. The chi-square fit statistics/degree of freedom was 2.213, the goodness-of-fit index was 0.905, the adjusted goodness-of-fit index was 0.872, the normed fit index was 0.845, the incremental fit index was 0.962, the Tucker-Lewis index was 0.969, the comparative fit index was 0.977, and the root mean square error of approximation was 0.068.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings generally support the three-dimensional construct of the DHEQ-15. Thus, DHEQ-15 can be used as a valid instrument in patients with dentine hypersensitivity in China.

The structure, reaction mechanism and molecular biology of Leuconostoc mesnteroides dextransucrase are reviewed.