Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Male ; Maze Learning ; radiation effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVE To observe the curative effect of Jieminqufeng decoction to the rats with allergic rhinitis. METHODS Fourty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. There were Jieminqufeng decoction group (A),cetirizine group (B),model control group(C) and normal control group (D). The rats with allergic rhinitis were established with ovalbumin. The behavioral changes of the rats were observed. The histological and cellular morphological changes were studied with light microscope and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS The model control (C) group had typical symptoms of allergic rhinitis. By light microscope and transmission electron microscope,a lot of eosinophilic granulocytes were found in nasal mucosa. The mucosal cells were lost or destroyed. However,the histological and cellular morphological changes of nasal mucosa in Group A,B were similar to that in Group D. CONCLUSION The Jieminqufeng decoction is an effective drug to treatment of allergic rhinitis. It can decrease the aggregation and activation of eosinophilic granulocytes,lessen inflammatory reaction and block up the allergy.

Objective: To study the diagnosis， treatm ent and outcome of infants in patients with hyperthyroidism in pregnancy. Methods: The levels of T3，T4，TSH，FT3，FT4 in 40 cases of hyperthyroid gravida and control group were measured before delivery, the r oute of delivery and the outcome of infants were studied, and the neonatal thyroid f unctions were evaluated by the levels of T3，T4，TSH in cord serum samples . Results: The levels of T3，T4，FT3，FT4 in non-treatm ent group were higher than that of treatment group and control(P<0.01); an i ncreased rate of forceps and cesarean in hyperthyroid gravida was seen compared with that in control group, about 90%(36/40); the body weights of infants in no n-treatment group were lower than that in treatment and control group. There wa s a case of neonatal hyperthyroidism in non-treatment group. Conclusion : Hyperthyroidism should be diagnosed and treated earlier and there is little side effects on the outcome of infants.

0.05).There were more polycystic ovary (PCO) and (or) polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients,more basal antra] follicles,longer duration of Gn stimulation (range 16-33 days),higher Gn dose,lower serum peak estradiol (E_2) level,fewer oocytes,fewer embryos transferred,in group 1 compared with group 2 (P

Evidence-based medicine remains the best paradigm for medical practice. However, evidence alone is not decisions; decisions must also consider resources available and the values of people. Evidence shows that most of those treated with blood pressure-lowering, cholesterol-lowering, glucose-lowering and anti-cancer drugs do not benefit from preventing severe complications such as cardiovascular events and deaths. This implies that diagnosis and treatment in modern medicine in many circumstances is imprecise. It has become a dream to identify and treat only those few who can respond to the treatment. Precision medicine has thus come into being. Precision medicine is however not a new idea and cannot rely solely on gene sequencing as it was initially proposed. Neither is the large cohort and multi-factorial approach a new idea; in fact it has been used widely since 1950s. Since its very beginning, medicine has never stopped in searching for more precise diagnostic and therapeutic methods and already made achievements at various levels of our understanding and knowledge, such as vaccine, blood transfusion, imaging, and cataract surgery. Genetic biotechnology is not the only path to precision but merely a new method. Most genes are found only weakly associated with disease and are thus unlikely to lead to great improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic precision. The traditional multi-factorial approach by embracing big data and incorporating genetic factors is probably the most realistic way ahead for precision medicine. Big data boasts of possession of the total population and large sample size and claims correlation can displace causation. They are serious misleading concepts. Science has never had to observe the totality in order to draw a valid conclusion; a large sample size is required only when the anticipated effect is small and clinically less meaningful; emphasis on correlation over causation is equivalent to rejection of the scientific principles and methods in epidemiology and a call to give up the assurance for validity in scientific research, which will inevitably lead to futile interventions. Furthermore, in proving the effectiveness of intervention, analyses of real-world big data cannot displace the role of randomized controlled trial. We expressed doubts and critiques in this article on precision medicine and big data, merely hoping to stimulate discussing on the true potentials of precision medicine and big data.
Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Precision Medicine

Background：In November 2012, an outbreak of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections affecting students at a boarding school in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China) was detected.Methods：A case was defined as any student or staff notified with MRSA infection from 25 October 2012 to 5 July 2013 with the clinical isolate being of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV or V and positive for Panton-Valentine leukocidin gene. We conducted field investigations, advised on control measures and enhanced surveillance for skin and soft tissue infections at the school. Decolonization therapies were offered to all cases and contacts, and carrier screening was conducted.Results：There were five cases; two (40%) were hospitalized and three (60%) required surgical treatments. Initial screening comprised 240 students and 81 staff members. Overall, four cases (80%) plus eight other students (3.3%) were carriers, with eight of 12 (66.7%) from the same dormitory. All staff members screened negative. After intensified control measures, the number of students screened positive for CA-MRSA decreased from nine to one with no more cases identified in the school.Conclusion：Identification of carriers, decolonization therapy, monitoring of cases and contacts and strengthening of environmental and personal hygiene were control measures that helped contain this CA-MRSA outbreak in a boarding school in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (China).

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of Pishen Bingbu Recipe (PBR) in treating patients with sympathetic cervical spondylosis (SCS) of qi-blood deficient syndrome type and its impact on heart rate variability (HRV).

METHODSFifty patients were randomized into the control group and the treatment group equally. Both were treated with mecobalamin, vitamin B1, neurotropin, and occipital - jaw band traction in the sitting posture, but to patients in the treatment group, PBR was given additionally. The course of treatment was 60 days. Therapeutic effect and changes of HRV indexes were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in the treatment group, 5 patients (20%) were clinically cured, treatment was markedly effective in 12 patients (48%), effective in 7 (28%) and ineffective in 1 (4%), while the corresponding data in the control group were 2 (8%), 4 (16%), 18 (72%) and 1 (4%) respectively, demonstrating the efficacy in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P <0.05). Before treatment, the HRV indexes in the two groups were insignificantly different respectively (P >0.05). But after treatment, difference between groups was observed in terms of either time domain or frequency domain. Those of time domain were: standard deviation of NN intervals (SDNN, ms) 133.41 +/- 8.61 vs 115.61 +/- 13.49, average standard deviation of 5 min NN intervals (SDANN, ms) 126.90 +/- 9.99 vs 106.20 +/- 8.84, HRV trigonometric index (HRVTI) 35.10 +/- 4.48 vs 25.51 +/- 2.24; and those of frequency domain: low frequency (LF, ms2) 379.90 +/- 159.07 vs 477.70 +/- 396.91 high frequency (HF, ms2) 157.10 +/- 28.18 vs 122.10 +/- 101.90, and LF/HF ratio 2.37 +/- 0.52 vs 4.27 +/- 2.84. All were superior in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPBR shows evidently clinical efficacy on SCS, it can significantly improve the functional activities of sympathetic nerve in patients.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spondylosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) gene polymorphism and alcoholic liver disease, and investigate the genetic pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD).

METHODSPCR, restriction endonuclease and electrophoresis were used, to detect the genotypes and alleles frequencies of ALDH gene in patients in the control group, alcohol dependent group and ALD group, and each group contained 20 patients.

RESULTSThe frequencies of ALDH2*1 and ALDH2*2 allele had statistic significance between control group and ALD group (x2=4.80, P<0.05), and no statistic significance between control group and alcohol dependent group. ALDH2*1/*1 was predominant in alcohol dependent group and ALD group, while ALDH2*2/*2 was not detected.

CONCLUSIONSThe gene polymorphism of ALDH is close to ALD. The allele of ALDH2*2 may be a negative risk factor for the developing of ALD

Adult ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Alleles ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the scene-trait coping style of military rescuers in Wenchuan earthquake in an effort to provide scientific evidences for mental intervention program for Chinese military personnel.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, a total of 151 military rescuers and 331 control servicemen were administered the military personnel scene-trait coping style scale (MPSTCSS).

RESULTSAll active coping factor scores, and passive coping factor scores of affection, health and economy in the rescuer group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The 21-above age subgroup, the 3-year plus service subgroup, and the officer subgroup had significantly higher active coping factor scores on military tasks, military experience and personal development than those of the 21-below age subgroup, 3-year minus service subgroup and the soldier subgroup, respectively (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe earthquake relief servicemen can cope with stressful situations better than control group by taking active coping style. The officers, servicemen older than 21 years, and servicemen with more service duration than 3 years could usually take active coping style.

Adaptation, Psychological ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Humans ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Stress, Psychological

OBJECTIVE1) To estimate annual direct medical costs of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke attributable to hypertension among Chinese adults aged 35-74 years in China, 2) to analyze the correlation between the hypertension awareness and hypertension treatment rate.

METHODS2003 National Health Services Survey (n = 93 018) was used to derive direct medical costs including costs for outpatient visits, physician services, inpatient stays, rehabilitation services, nurses fees, and medications. The medical costs of CHD and stroke attributable to hypertension were estimated by multiplying population attributable risk proportion by corresponding disease costs. Using 2002 National Nutrition and Health Survey (n = 148 804), the prevalence of hypertension awareness and hypertension treatment rate in 132 survey sites were calculated. Correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the two variables.

RESULTSThe direct medical costs of hypertension, CHD and stroke were 20.2, 15.7 and 24.3 billion Yuan, respectively. The medical costs attributable to hypertension were estimated at 19.1 billion Yuan (RMB), accounting for 47.7% of the total medical costs of the two chronic diseases. The prevalence of hypertension awareness is highly correlated with hypertension treatment rate (r = 0.9777, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe economic burden of CHD and stroke attributable to hypertension is very high, reaching about 50% of the total medical costs of the two diseases. The prevalence of hypertension awareness could be used as an important indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of hypertension prevention and control at community level.

China ; Coronary Disease ; economics ; etiology ; Cost of Illness ; Data Collection ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; Stroke ; economics ; etiology