OBJECTIVETo investigate the penile erectile function of hospitalized male patients with cardiovascular diseases, the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in this cohort, and the relationship of ED with cardiovascular diseases and its risk factors.

METHODSUsing a self-designed questionnaire, we conducted an investigation among the hospitalized patients in the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases of the First and Second Affiliated Hospitals of Xi'an Jiaotong University. We measured their body height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure, obtained their personal data, past history, metabolic indexes, and erectile function scores by IIEF-5, and analyzed the risk factors of ED using univariate and multivariate logistic regression and OR analyses.

RESULTSTotally, 225 valid questionnaires were included in this investigation, which showed a 66.7% incidence of ED, 15.8% mild, 27.0% mild to moderate, 17.6% moderate, and 6.3% severe. The incident rates of ED in the 18-35 yr, 36-49 yr, 50-65 yr, and > 65 yr age groups were 13.6%, 39.1%, 89.2%, and 91.2%, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis manifested that the risk factors of ED in the patients with cardiovascular diseases included age (OR = 3.122, 95% CI 2.040-4.779), smoking (OR = 1.768, 95% CI 1.209-2.584), BMI (OR = 1.261, 95% CI 1.114-1.427), total cholesterol (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.339-2.340), TC/HDL (OR =1.715, 95% CI 1.349-2.181), hypertension (OR = 1.717, 95% CI 1.110-2.658), and coronary heart disease (OR = 2.235, 95% CI 1.169-4.275), while multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk factors to be age (OR = 4.99, 95% CI 2.264-10.998), financial condition, (OR = 2.804, 95% CI 1.127-6.976), smoking (OR = 2.109, 95% CI 1.179-3.772), BMI (OR = 1.414, 95% CI 1.136-1.760), and TC/HDL (OR = 2.001, 95% CI 1.016-3.943).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of ED is high in hospitalized patients with cardiovascular diseases and rises with the increase of age. Age, smoking, financial condition, BMI, and TC/HDL are the risk factors of both ED and cardiovascular diseases, and financial condition is closely associated with ED.

Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; complications ; Erectile Dysfunction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Imidazoles ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrimidines ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

Objective To study antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes of extended spectrum ?-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC ?-lactamase-producing Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from specimens of respiratory tract in children.Methods Bacterial isolates were identified by API or VITEK32. Agar dilution was used for antibiotic susceptibility test,and ESBLs and AmpC were detected by confirmatory test recommended by CLSI/NCCLS and by 3-aminophenylboronic acid (APB) disk potentiation test, respectively.Microarray was used to determine the genotypes of ESBLs and AmpC ?-lactamases.Genotypes of Klebsiella oxytoca were determined by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC)- PCR.Results ESBLs were positive in 129 out of 165 isolates (78.2%).Both ESBLs and AmpC ?- lactamases were positive in 16 out of 165 isolates (9.7%).AmpC ?-lactamase alone producer was not detected in term of phenotype and genotype.CTX-M was the most common type of ESBLs and DHA was the only type of AmpC ?-lactamase in these isolates.Most antibiotic resistant strains of Klebsiella oxytoca possessed the same genotype by ERIC-PCR.Although all strains were susceptible to carbpenem,Klebsiella oxytoca with ?-lactamases were more resistant to other antibiotic agents than those without ?- lactamases.Conclusions There is high prevalence of ESBLs production among Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from children in Urumqi.The main genotypes of ESBLs and AmpC ?-lactamases are CTX-M and DHA.

The NSP2 gene of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)S1 strain was partly amplified and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-6P-1 and a fusion protein GST-tNSP2 with molecular weight of 50 kDa was expressed in E.coli. The purified GST-tNSP2 protein showed a strong reaction with the PRRSV-positive sera in Western blot assay. Balb/c mice were immunized with the purified protein, and the splenocytes of the immunized mice were fused with murine myeloma cells SP2/0. After subcloning by 3 times, two hybridoma clones which produced McAbs steadily were screened by ELISA, named 3H3 and 2B5. They all reacted strongly with the PRRSV S1 infected Marc-145 cells in IFA, but not with the PRRSV SY0608 strain. Both of the McAbs belong to IgG1 isotype, and their light chains belong ? type. The expressed GST-tNSP2 protein and McAbs could be used for identification of PRRSV isolates and functional analysis of NSP2.

The fermentation of Bacillus cereus DLSL-2 was investigated through single-factor test. The optimized fermentation conditions are: temperature 30℃,initial pH 7.0,250 r/min. Uniform design was used in shaking flask to optimize the fermentation medium of bacillus cereus . The most suitable medium was identified as follows:4.88% defated soybean power ,1.45% maize starch, 0.106% K 2HPO 4, 1.78% yeasts extract, 5.6% inoculum. the optimized medium allowed the B.cereus biomass concentration to be increased from 3.2?109 cfu/mL to 7.1?109 cfu/mL.

OBJECTIVEThe study was to verify the feasibility of an improved method using reverse flow island flap nourished by the sural nerve nutrition vessel to repair severe frostbite of feet.

METHODSAt the proximal end of the principal flap, an auxiliary triangular skin flap of 6.5 - 7 cm in length was designed in order to cover the pedicle of the principal flap. This operation was performed on 13 patients (21 feet) with frostbite.

RESULTSAll the flaps survived well. Postoperative follow-up for 5 - 18 months demonstrated satisfactory results in all the cases. No ulcer happened.

CONCLUSIONSThe method is helpful to prevent constriction of the pedicle and ensure blood supply of the flap. It is an ideal treatment for severe frostbite of feet.

Adult ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Frostbite ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; innervation ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) in causing the precocious puberty.

METHODSThe blood samples were collected from 79 cases of precocious puberty patients and 42 cases of normal children. The concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2, bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p, p'-DDE) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in blood serum samples were measured by using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The volume of uterus and ovary, the bone density, and the content of estradiol (E(2)) in serum were determined at the same time. The contents of EEDs in blood serums of precocious puberty and the indices of the target organs were analyzed by using of correlation and regression.

RESULTSIn normal control group, p, p'-DDE was detected in all the blood samples (14.93 - 40.39 ng/ml), but 4-NP and DEHP were detected in some samples (ND -6.77 ng/ml, ND -17.61 ng/ml). The levels of 4-NP, p, p'-DDE and DEHP in blood serum in precocious puberty group were notably increased than that in control group (P < 0.01). In precocious puberty group, there was a positive correlations between the 4-NP in volume of uterus and the volume of ovary and the density of bone (r = 0.394, 0.286, 0.237, P < 0.01); p, p'-DDE and volume of uterus also showed a the positive correlation (r = 0.306, P < 0.01). The influencing extent of 4-NP was 1.3 times to that of the p, p'-DDE.

CONCLUSIONThe normal children and the children with precocious puberty should be all contaminated by EEDs, and the later be exposured to more EEDs. There might exist a close relationship between EEDs and the precocious puberty, and EEDs should be an important factor in causing the disease. Different kinds of EEDs might have different influencing extents to the target organs.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene ; blood ; Endocrine Disruptors ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood

BACKGROUND:Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)measurement is capable of detecting very early cerebral circulatory disorders accurately and assessing the time-window and the possibility of reversible brain function after reperfusion at various post-ischemia time points.OBJECTIVE: To establish the swine model of ischemic stroke, to assess the time-window of reversible ischemia and to evaluate the significance of SPECT cerebral ischemia-perfusion imaging on predicting very early time window.DESIGN: Randomized, controlled and experimental study.SETTING: Neurological department of a municipal hospital.MATERIALS: From January to August 2002, it was completed at the Laboratory Animal Research Center of Qingdao Municipal Hospital. Twelve 4 months old domestic swine (Sus scrofa), males and females and weighing 8-10 kg, were selected and fed with conventional method.INTERVENTIONS: Twelve swine pigs were divided into block group and reperfusion group, 6 in each group. In all the pigs, common carotid artery in one lateral was blocked by a clamp. Animals in block group sacrificed at 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 hour respectively. In perfusion group, clamps were removed at 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 hour respectively, and then the animals were killed 24 hours later. Before sacrifice, all the animals underwent SPECT examination, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurement and CT scan. After sacrifice, 1 mm3 brain tissues were taken from each lobe and were stained by HE staining. Then light microscope and electron microscope were used to study the histological changes.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SPECT and brain CT scan were used to investigate the cytological changes in brain tissues after various length of ischemiaRESULTS: Twelve swine pigs entered the statistical analysis procedure.By using light microscope and electron microscope, it was found that at 5 hour after operation, neurons in operational side were a little swelled, with swelled mitochondria, a mitochondria crests loss and a progressive plasma loss in a few neurons. While in those with clamps removed within 4 hours after turn off, brain tissue structures were mainly restored.CONCLUSION: SPECT is capable of detecting ischemic brain injury immediately. It is proved by histological evidence that a more-than-5-hour ischemia will cause irreversible changes in neurons.

Objective:To analyze the effects of espO gene knockout on the biological characteristics of enterhemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Methods:Two-step methods mediated by the suicide plasmid pCVD442-Δ espO and plasmid pTrc99a were used to construct the espO gene-deleted strain (Δ espO) and the complemented mutant (CΔ espO), respectively. HeLa cells were infected with different EHEC strains to analyze the biological functions and lethal effects of espO gene during infection. Results:PCR, electrophoresis and gene sequencing showed that the Δ espO and CΔ espO mutants were successfully constructed. Compared with the wild-type strain, neither the Δ espO nor CΔ espO mutant showed significant difference in growth rate, indicating that the espO gene had no influence on the growth and replication of EHEC. Furthermore, EspO could activate the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF)-induced NF-κB signaling pathway, while the effector protein NleB could inhibit the process. EspO could not inhibit the death of HeLa cells induced by TNF or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) after EHEC infection. Conclusions:In this study, we successfully constructed the espO gene-deleted and complemented mutants of EHEC and preliminarily analyzed the interaction between espO gene and host cells and the effects of espO gene on cell apoptosis during infection, which provided reference for further research on the in vitro biochemical activity and in vivo pathogenic roles of EspO.

Objective:To express the EMCV 3AB gene by prokaryotic expression systerm,and prepare monoclonal antibodies against it. Method: NSP 3AB gene of Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) was amplified and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-6P-1 and a recombinant protein 3AB with high antigenicity was expressed in E.coli. Balb / c mice were immunized by purified recombinant 3AB protein of inclusion-body, and the splenocytes of the immunized mice were fused with murine myeloma cells to produce hybridoma cell line. Results: After subcloning by 3 times, one strain of hybridoma cell line steadily secreting antibodies of 3AB protein was obtained, named 2D12. The McAb belongs to IgG1/?. The McAb and was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) and Western blot. Conclusion: These results can provide a potential value for structural and functional studies of EMCV-3AB and early diagnosis of Encephalomyocarditis virus infection.

Background and Objectives: Stroke is the most common neurological disease in China and regulation of lipid levels is important for secondary prevention. This study aimed to investigate the practice of lipid lowering agents immediately after and one month following ischemic stroke in China, and to determine the factors affecting the practice. Methods: A total of 857 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled from 11 hospitals in the Qingdao area, Northern China. Data pertaining to the patients’ demographic, clinical data, and treatment before and after the stroke were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with the treatment at two time points: at the acute stage and at one month follow-up. Results: The frequency of lipid lowering therapy was 50.3% (431/857) at acute stage and 41.5% (306/738) at one month. Lipid lowering therapy at acute stage was independently and positively associated with a history of hyperlipidemia((P=0.002, OR (95%CI): 3.784 (1.610-8.898)) and excess alcohol consumption (P=0.005, OR (95%CI): 1.928 (1.214-3.062)), partial anterior circulation infarct classifi cation (P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 1.974 (1.370-2.767)), and low-density lipoprotein levels ((P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 1.426 (1.170-1.739)). Lipid lowering therapy at one month follow-up was independently and positively associated with lipid lowering therapy at acute stage ((P=0.000, OR (95%CI): 18.275 (11.476- 29.101)), and negatively with the Modifi ed Rankin Scale ≥4 at follow-up ((P=0.030, OR (95%CI): 0.568 (0.341-0.948)). Conclusions: Lipid lowering therapy was found to be used in about half of patients during acute and early secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in the Qingdao area of Northern China. There should be more education efforts to the health care professionals and public to increase its use.