Objective To investigate the correlation of serum levels of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and andomen?tin-1 with ischemic stroke and carotid artery stenosis. Methods Healthy adult (n=50) were selected as the control group while ischemic stroke patients with different degrees of carotid artery stenosis (n=143) were enrolled as the disease group. According to the ultrasonic Doppler performance, these ischemic stroke patients were divided into three groups:mild steno?sis group (carotid artery stenosis was normal or less than 50%, n=67), moderate stenosis group (carotid artery stenosis was 50%to 70%, n=45), severe stenosis group (carotid artery stenosis was 70%to total occlusion, n=31). BMI index, hyperten?sion, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and fasting blood glucose (FPG) were detected by Automatic biochemical analyzer and serum levels of RBP4 and omentin-1 were measured by ELISA. Results Hypertensive population in carotid artery stenosis group was larger than that in control group (P<0.05). Serum TC, TG, LDL, FPG and RBP4 levels were significantly higher while omentin-1 level decreased remarkably in disease group than those in the control group (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that TC and RBP4 were the risk factors of ischemic stroke with carotid artery stenosis, while omentin-1 was a protective factor. Conclusion RBP4 is a risk factor for ischemic stroke with carotid artery stenosis and omentin-1 is a protective factor.

Objective To detect the in vitro effect of the traditional Chinese medicine on the tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Methods Supernatant (1^5 ml) of different doses of the traditional Chinese medicine (Changqing capsule) was collected by normal saline immersion and 2^5?10+4 Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were added in each paste well for 8 hours. Spiramycin, pyrimethamine and azithromycin in different doses were used as controls. Normal saline was used as negative control. Mice were inoculated with drug-treated tachyzoites intraperitoneally or intragastrically. The normal mice were subcultured after 8 days for 3 generations. Results The incident number of the infected mice was significantly different among groups with different drugs and doses: 2/60, 16/60, 10/60 and 10/60 in the groups of Changqing capsule, spiramycin, pyrimethamine and azithromycin respectively (P

A 10-year follow-up case of aldosterone and cortisol-secreting adrenocortical carcinoma, a rare disease presenting as an adrenal space-occupying lesion accompanied with hypertension and hypokalemia was reported, and the medical record was investigated in detail. Through case presentation and literature review, it was noted that patients with adrenocortical carcinoma presented a difference in clinical manifestations, pathology, and biological behaviors. This paper may help clinicians enhance their understanding of adrenocortical carcinoma. Especially significant adrenal space-occupying lesions highly suspicious of recurrence and producing different types of endocrine hormones should be paid more attention.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of intracranial infection caused by Mycobacterium lentiflavum. Methods:The clinical data of a patient with intracranial infection caused by Mycobacterium lentiflavum admitted to Tianjin Haihe Hospital in May 2023 were collected. Meanwhile relevant literatures in databases were searched. Only 1 English literature (1 patient) was obtained. The clinical characteristics of this patient and the case reported in the literature were analyzed and summarized. Results:Totally 2 patients, including this case, and the patient with meningoencephalitis caused by Mycobacterium lentiflavum reported in the literature, both are females, 42 and 55 years old respectively, both manifested a chronic course, without fever, and presented progressive headache and cognitive impairment. Clinical manifestations also included abnormal mental behavior, limb weakness, and seizure. At the early stage, only intracranial pressure increased, and cerebrospinal fluid tests were negative. As the disease aggravated, there was an elevation of cerebrospinal fluid cells and protein, with normal levels of glucose and chloride. Using brain tissue obtained by biopsy for polymerase chain reaction or next-generation sequencing examination, the pathogenic microorganism was confirmed, which made accurate diagnosis possible. Antibiotic treatment had good efficacy, with a long treatment course and a good prognosis. Conclusions:Central nervous system infection caused by Mycobacterium lentiflavum is very rare, and a chronic disease course makes diagnosis very difficult. The treatment effect is significant, and the prognosis is excellent.

OBJECTIVETo assess the impact of stomach cancer on the Chinese population by epidemiological analysis of its mortality distribution.

METHODS1990-1992 data on stomach cancer mortality collected by sampling survey involved one tenth of the total Chinese population.

RESULTSThe crude mortality rate of stomach cancer in China was 25.2 per 10(5) (32.8 per 10(5) for males and 17.0 per 10(5) for females), which comprised 23.2% of the total cancer deaths from 1990 to 1992, making stomach cancer the leading cause of cancer death. The stomach cancer mortality rate of males was 1.9 times of that of females. The Chinese mortality rates of stomach cancer adjusted by the world population were 40.8 per 10(5) and 18.6 per 10(5) of males and females, which were 4.2-7.9 (of males) and 3.8-8.0 (of females) times of those in the developed countries. Age-adjusted mortality rates of stomach cancer in China have distinct geographical difference: form the lowest 2.5 per 10(5) to the highest 153.0 per 10(5) in the 263 surveyed localities, 15.3 per 10(5) in urban areas and 24.4 per 10(5) in rural areas giving a difference of 1.9 times.

CONCLUSIONThe prevention and treatment of stomach cancer in China, especially in the countryside and the under-developed areas in the northwest, should be a long-term focus in control of cancers of the digestive system. Urgent measures for prevention and early detection of stomach cancer should be taken.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Sex Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality