OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of 54G/C polymorphism of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c gene (SREBP-1c) on serum lipid ratios and their response to high-carbohydrate/low-fat (HC/LF) diet in healthy youth.

METHODSAfter a regular diet for 7 days of wash-out, 56 healthy youth (22.89 +/- 1.80 yrs) were given HC/LF diet for 6 days. The regular diet contained 54% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 31% fat of the total energy. The HC/LF diet contained 70% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 15% fat of the total energy. The serum lipids and glucose were measured on the 1st, 8th and 14th days. The ratios of TG/HDL-C, log (TG/HDL-C), TC/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C were calculated. The 54G/C polymorphism of SREBP-1c gene was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSNo significant difference was found in lipid ratios and glucose at baseline and after regular diet in subjects with different genotypes in either the whole studied population or in males or females only. However, after HC/LF diet, LDL-C/HDL-C was significantly lower in females carrying the C allele than those of GG homozygotes (P< 0.05). Compared with those before HC/LF diet, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C were significantly decreased in all the subjects (P< 0.05). When gender was taken into account, significant increase of TG/HDL-C and log(TG/HDL-C) was found only in females with GG genotype (P< 0.05). All the subjects experienced significant decrease of TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C regardless of their genders and genotypes (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe 54G/C polymorphism of SREBP-1c gene can influence the response of TG/HDL-C and log(TG/HDL-C) to HC/LF diet in females. The C allele may be a protective factor to prevent the increase of TG induced by HC/LF diet in females.

Adult ; Dietary Carbohydrates ; pharmacology ; Dietary Fats ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Health ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sex Characteristics ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic application of molecular detection of enterovirus type 71 (EV71) infection using post-mortem paraffin-embedded tissue.

METHODSTwo autopsy cases of EV71 infection were studied by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the viral RNA in paraffin-embedded tissue samples.

RESULTSCharacteristic features of acute encephalitis were seen in the brain, with most prominent lesions found in the brain stem in both cases. Inflammatory cells were largely CD68-positive microglia with a few CD15-positive neutrophils in the areas of neuronal necrosis. The 5'-untranslated region of EV71 was detected in the medulla by RT-PCR using paraffin-embedded tissues of both cases. Sequencing analysis of the RT-PCR products showed 100% homology to the EV71 strain, recently submitted to the GenBank database from Fuyang, Anhui province.

CONCLUSIONSMolecular detection of EV71 can be performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from fatally infected patients. Timely and accurate diagnosis of the infection by such molecular approach is crucial for the proper clinical and public health intervention.

5' Untranslated Regions ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Autopsy ; Brain ; metabolism ; Encephalitis ; metabolism ; virology ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lewis X Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, RNA

Objective To study the change of baseline clinical characteristics including prehospital delayed time(PDT),modes of transportation and treatment for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)in the past 3 years.Methods We used the same questionnaire to accurately collect and retrospectively analyze the data regarding clinical characteristics of all 1004 patients with AMI,who consecutively presented to the Emergency Unit and Emergency Intensive Care Unit(EICU)of Beijing Anzhen Hospital from March 12th 2004 to March 11th 2007.According to the time of onset of the disease,all patients were divided into 3 groups:group A(from Mar.12th 2004 tO Mar.11th 2005),group B(Mar.12th 2005 to Mar 11th 2006)and group C(Mar.12th 2006 to Mar.11th 2007).Clinieal characteristics and treatment were compared.Results There were significant differences in the number of patients with histories of stroke,coronary artery disease or smoking among the three groups(P＜0.05).No obvious differences in the median of PDT were found among the three groups(P＞0.05).More patients accepted reperfusive therapy in group C compared to group A(P＜0.05),although the mortality rates of AMI among these 3 years were similar.Conclusion Though more people started to have accepted reperfusion therapy,mortality failed to show an obvious decrease.Subject as how tO shorten the PDT called for further study.

BACKGROUNDGender is one of the risk factors accounting for the high prevalence of adolescent myopia. Considerable research results have shown that myopia incidence of female is higher than that of male. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between ocular parameters and serum estrogen level and to investigate the vision changes along with estrogen change in menstrual cycle of adolescent females.

METHODSA total of 120 young females aged between 15 and 16 years, diagnosed with myopia were recruited. Spherical lens, cylindrical lens, axis, interpupillary distance (IPD), and vision in each tested eye of the same subject were measured by automatic optometry and comprehensive optometry, with repetition of all measurements in the menstrual cycle of the 2 nd or 3 rd days, 14 th days, and 28 th days, respectively. Serum estradiol (E 2 ) levels were assayed by chemiluminescence immunoassay at the same three times points of the menstrual cycle mentioned above.

RESULTSIn young females with myopia, the spherical lens showed a statistically significant difference among all different time in menstrual cycle (all P < 0.0001). The cylindrical lens, axis, and IPD were changed significantly during the menstrual cycle (P < 0.05). The vision of the three different time points in menstrual cycle had a significant difference (χ2 = 6.35, P = 0.042). The vision during the 14 th and 28 th day was higher compared to that on the 2 nd or 3 rd days (P = 0.021). Serum E 2 levels were significantly different at different time points in menstrual cycle (P < 0.05). E 2 levels reached its maximum value on the 14 th day and the minimum value on the 2 nd or 3 rd day.

CONCLUSIONSIn adolescent females, the spherical lens and other related ocular parameters vary sensitively with different levels of E 2 in menstrual cycle. Vision in late menstrual stage is significantly higher than that in premenstrual stage.

Adolescent ; Estradiol ; blood ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Menstrual Cycle ; blood ; Myopia ; blood ; Progesterone ; blood

Objective To study the natural history of HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users (IDUs) detected in late 1989 in the study area and the factors related to survival of these IDUs infected with HIV. Methods 196 injecting drug users first detected during August and December, 1989 were observed in Ruili county, Yunnan province. Data gathered from the 20-year follow-up program was collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results After 20 years' follow-up period, 90.3% of the 196 IDUs with HIV infection died, 5.1% of them were still alive, and 4.6% were lost. The crude pre-AIDS mortality rate was 98.1/1000 person-years, and the AIDS mortality rate was 54.9/1000 person-years. Malaria, septicemia were the main causes of death among the natural diseases whereas overdose and accidental causes were the principal causes related to those non-disease deaths.The median survival time from sero-conversion to death was 8.6 years (95%CI: 7.6-9.7). The median survival time from sero-conversion to death due to AIDS was 11.3 years (95%CI: 10.3-12.8) with the incubation time as around 10.3 years. People older than 30 years at seroconversion and length of drug usage were associated with shorter survival time, with hazards ratios as 1.9 and 0.7, respectively.Conclusion A high pre-AIDS mortality was observed among IDUs. Both the median survival time from sero-conversion to death and the HIV incubation period were shorter than that observed in the developed countries. Age of HIV infection seemed to have a strong effect on survival.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical spectrum, geographic location of human H7N9 avian influenza as well as the characteristics of population at high risk of infection, in order to develop strategies for the prevention and control of the infection. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics on the 6 confirmed human cases in Zhejiang were also analyzed.

METHODSReal-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of human H7N9 avian influenza infection, from pharyngeal swabs of the patients and their close contacts. Face to face interview and descriptive method were used to collect related clinical and epidemiological data. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSSix confirmed cases were distributed in Hangzhou and Huzhou cities. The 6 confirmed human cases, including 5 males and 1 female were all confirmed with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection, with an average age as 60.83 years (with median as 64.50 years). Cough was the most common initial symptom to be noticed. The clinical manifestations would include fever, dizziness, pain of muscles, coughing, expectoration and short of breath. All the X-ray chest films showed severe pneumonia, and 5 of them having had other chronic diseases. None of the cases admitted to have had a history of exposure to ill/death avians. However, all of the cases had been frequently exposed to the agricultural-byproduct-trading-markets where the positive rate of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus in environmental specimens was up to 43.21%. 32 of the 375 close contacts (8.53%) to the 6 cases appeared abnormal symptoms, but no positive result related to novel influenza A (H7N9) virus nucleic acid was detected from their throat swabs.

CONCLUSIONAcute infection on the respiratory system seemed the main clinical manifestation. Elderly men, especially those with chronic diseases were under high risk of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. The source of infection might be associated with the exposure to poultry. There was still lack of evidence to confirm the route of person to person transmission on H7N9 avian influenza.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical data and gene mutations in 3 Chinese patients with tyrosinemia type I, and to explore the correlation between genotypes and phenotypes.

METHODSThree patients suspected with tyrosinemia I were tested by tandem mass spectrometry for the level of tyrosine, phenylalanine and succinylacetone in the blood, and by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the level of succinylacetone and organic acid in their urine. With the diagnosis established, the FAH gene was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing.

RESULTSTwo patients had acute onset of the disease, while another had subacute onset of the disease, with features including hepatomegaly and remarkably increased tyrosine and succinylacetone in the blood. Five mutations were detected in the FAH gene, which included c.455G>A (W152X), c.520C>T (R174X), c.974_976delCGAinsGC, c.1027 G>A (G343R) and c.1100 G>A (W367X), among which c.455G>A (W152X), c.974_976delCGAinsGC and c.1100 G>A (W367X) were not reported previously.

CONCLUSIONTyrosinemia type I may be effectively diagnosed with the level of tyrosine and succinylacetone by tandem mass spectrometry and succinylacetone in the urine by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Detection of underlying mutations mutations will be helpful for genetic counseling and further research.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrolases ; genetics ; Infant ; Male ; Mutation ; Tyrosinemias ; diagnosis ; genetics

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid on intestinal barrier functions in rats with dampness obstructing spleen-stomach syndrome and primarily explore the mechanism. The rat model of dampness obstructing spleen-stomach syndrome was established, and then the modeled rats were randomly divided into the model control group, Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid high and low dose groups, and natural recovery group according to gender and body weight, with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were taken as blank control group. After each group received the corresponding treatment for 7 days, rat serum was isolated. D-lactic acid content was detected by the MTT method, and diamine oxidase(DAO) activity was detected by the rate method. Colon tissues of the rats were isolated to detect Na~+-K~+-ATPase activity and Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-ATPase activity by phosphate determination method, glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity was detected by spectrophotometry, catalase(CAT) activity was detected by ammonium molybdate, superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity was detected by hydroxylamine, the expression of occludin protein and ZO-1 protein was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression levels of occludin protein and ZO-1 protein were detected by Western blot. RESULTS:: showed that low dose Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid could improve the body weight, diet, stool and urine state of rats with dampness obstructing spleen-stomach syndrome obviously. The D-lactic acid content and the DAO activity in the serum of rats with dampness obstructing spleen-stomach syndrome were reduced obviously. The activities of Na~+-K~+-ATPase, Ca~(2+)-Mg~(2+)-ATPase, GSH-Px, CAT and SOD in rat colon tissues were increased obviously. The occludin proteins and ZO-1 protein expression levels in rat colon tissues were raised obviously. The differences in the above indexes between Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid group and the model control group were statistically significant(P<0.05). Huoxiang Zhengqi Oral Liquid could effectively restore the intestinal barrier function in rats with dampness obstructing spleen-stomach syndrome and its mechanism may be related to the repair of intestinal mechanical barrier function.
Animals ; Colon ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Rats ; Spleen ; Stomach

OBJECTIVE: Anger attacks have been observed in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), often triggered by obsessional triggers. However, few studies have reported the clinical characteristics and correlates of anger attacks among Chinese patients with OCD. METHODS: A total of 90 adults with a primary diagnosis of OCD, ranging from 15 to 78 years old, participated in the study. Participants were administered the Rage Outbursts and Anger Rating Scale (ROARS), Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale-Second Edition, and Brown Assessment of Beliefs Scale by a trained clinician. Patients completed the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. RESULTS: A total of 31.3% of participants reported anger outbursts in the past week, and ROARS scores had no significant correlation with age, duration of illness, OCD severity, depression, or stress. However, ROARS scores were negatively related to education level, and positively related to obsessing symptoms and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that anger attacks are relatively common in Chinese patients with OCD. The severity of anger attacks is related to educational level, obsessing symptoms, and anxiety, which may be a latent variable reflecting executive functioning and emotion regulation skills.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Anger ; China ; Depression/complications* ; Emotions ; Executive Function ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/psychology* ; Regression Analysis ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stress, Psychological ; Young Adult