Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; complications ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Powders

OBJECTIVETo test the reliability and the validity of Comprehensive Work Ability Index (CWAI) scales.

METHODSFor evaluating the reliability and validity of CWAI scales, 1959 subjects employed in various kinds of occupations were selected with the random cluster sampling method. 245 subjects of them were retested at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks in order to assess the test-retest reliability. The sample for criterion validity consisted of 86 subjects. The inter-item consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient, Spearman-Brown coefficient, theta coefficient and Omega coefficient), test-retest reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient) and Pearson correlation were calculated to assess the reliability of CWAI scales. Pearson correlation analysis, and factor analysis were used to assess the validity of CWAI scales.

RESULTSThe reliability analysis showed that CWAI was significantly correlated with the item scores (P < 0.01), and most of the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.30. Generally speaking, Cronbach's alpha coefficients (ranging from 0.701 to 0.808), theta coefficient (ranging from 0.703 to 0.845) and Omega coefficient (ranging from 0.802 to 0.942) and Spearman-Brown coefficient (0.860) conformed to the requirements of psychometric study. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ranging from 0.597 to 0.897) suggested that the test-retest consistency was good at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks. In point of the theoretic concept and development method, the content validity of CWAI scales was satisfactory. The intra-class correlation coefficient for the concurrent validity was 0.650 (P < 0.01) when WAI scales were taken as the criterion. Factor analysis revealed that when eight common factors were drawn from the 17 items of CWAI scales, the cumulative variance of eigenvalues amounted to 71.894%. Each item had communality over 0.60 and its factor loading (0.538 approximately 0.948) attached to the relevant common factor was over 0.40. The common factors with higher factor loading were basically consistent with the theoretic concept of CWAI scales.

CONCLUSIONCWAI scales are reliable and valid.

Humans ; Professional Competence ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo compile the instrument of comprehensive work ability evaluation-Comprehensive Work Ability Index (CWAI) scales.

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-eight employees were selected with the random cluster sampling method from a factory. On the basis of the work ability theory, CWAI scales, a self-rating scales on work ability, was developed according to the standardized processes of scales compilation. Item differentiation analysis, principal component analysis and factor analysis as well as intra-item reliability were used for selecting the item of CWAI scales.

RESULTSWork ability was assessed with a comprehensive work ability index, which was a comprehensive indicator constructed on the basis of the responses to the scales. It was derived as the sum of the five items including self-rating work ability domain, physiological domain (disease, sick leave etc.), psychological domain (work satisfaction, mental state etc.), social functions dominant (social support, social flexibility etc.) and work ability prediction domain.

CONCLUSIONCWAI scales correspond with the theoretical structure. However, the reliability and validity of CWAI scales must be assessed before the formal application.

Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Principal Component Analysis ; Professional Competence ; Psychometrics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

To investigate formation mechanism of secologanic acid sulfonates in sulfur-fumigated buds of Lonicera japonica, secologanic acid was enriched and purified from the sun-dried buds of L. japonica by various column chromatography on macroporus resin HPD-100, silica gel and ODS. The stimulation experiments of sulfur-fumigation process were carried out using secologanic acid reacted with SO2 in the aqueous solution. The reaction mechanism could be involved in the esterification or addition reaction. The present investigation provides substantial evidences for interpreting formation pathway of secologanic acid sulfonates in sulfur-fumigated buds of L. japonica.
Alkanesulfonates ; chemistry ; Carboxylic Acids ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flowers ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Models, Chemical ; Molecular Structure ; Sulfur ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Sulfur Dioxide ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

This study aims to investigate the serotype distribution of non-polio enterovirus (NPEV) isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) during 2011-2012 in Hebei Province, China and to analyze the relationship between these viruses and AFP. NPEV strains were isolated from the stool specimens from AFP cases in Hebei using human rhabdomyosarcoma cells (RD) and the mouse cell line expressing the gene for the human cellular receptor for poliovirus (L20B) according to the WHO requirements. The nucleotide sequence of VP1 region was determined, and the serotypes of NPEV were identified by molecular typing. The results showed that among the 82 strains of NPEV isolated from the AFP cases during 2011-2012, 42 isolates (55.3%) were identified as human enterovirus A (HEV-A), which were classified into 4 serotypes, 34 (44.7%) as human enterovirus B (HEV-B), which were classified into 13 serotypes, 2 as adenovirus, and 4 were untyped; human enteroviruses C and D were not found in these cases. Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) was the main type of HEV-A, accounting for 85.7% of all HEV-A strains. HEV-A, especially EV-A71, was predominant among the NPEV strains isolated from AFP patients during 2011-2012 in Hebei Province.
Acute Disease ; China ; epidemiology ; Enterovirus ; classification ; physiology ; Humans ; Paralysis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Seasons ; Serotyping

As a part of the project for the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 edition), the quality standard of Sophora flavescens root extract was investigated and established. According to the methods described in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 edition), the water and ash inspections were carried out. The marker components trifolirhizin, sophoraflavanone G, oxymatrine and oxysophocarpine in the samples were identified by qualitative TLC. The determination of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine was conducted by HPLC and the total flavonoids were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry, using sophoraflavanone G as reference substance. The results indicated the spots on the plate were clear with good resolution and the contents of oxymatrine, matrine, oxysophocarpine and sophocarpine in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.87% - 11.1%, 0.970% - 4.33%, 1.30% - 2.59% and 0.260% - 1.14%, respectively. The total flavoids in the 13 batches of the samples were 3.88% - 7.93%. In the study, the validated methods were reproducible and the established quality standard was feasible, which could be used for the quality control of S. flavescens root extract and related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Sophora ; chemistry

Objective To explore epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC)antigens that are potentially useful for cancer early detection and therapy.Methods A high quality cDNA library derived from ascites tumor cells of EOC patients(3 cases of serous EOC,1 case of mucinous EOC,and 1 case of endometrial carcinoma of ovary)was constructed,and the method of combining serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries(SEREX)and suppression subtractive hybridization(SSH)was used for screening cDNA library.All of the positive clones were sequenced and bioinformatics analysis with BLAST software in GenBank was performed.Serological mini-arrays of recombinant tumor antigens(SMARTA)was used to investigate the prevalence of autoantibodies to these antigens in both 96 ovarian cancer patients and 96 cancer-free controls.Results Fifty-five positive clones encoding different antigenic genes of EOC recognized by IgG and(or)IgM were obtained.It showed that these 55 clones derived from 45 distinct genes and these genes could be grouped into 6 classes as following according to homology with known expressed sequence tag(EST):(1)known ovarian carcinoma related genes:BARD1,et al;(2)homologous genes with other tumors:TM4SF1,et al;(3)homologous genes with special tissues:ILF3,FXR1,et al;(4) homologous genes with special function:TIZ,C1 D,et al;(5)embryo originating genes:PKHD1,et al; (6)novel genes:OV-189,et al.SMARTA results showed that the positive ratio of five EOC antigens TM4SF1(28% vs 9%),CID(21% vs 6%),BARD1(23% vs 5%),FXR1(23% vs 8%),OV-189 (31% vs 13%)which reacting with their IgG autoantibodies,three antigens TIZ(26% vs 8%),FXR1 (28% vs 11%),and OV-189(18% vs 7%)which reacting with their IgM autoantibodies in patients was higher than in controls(P

Objective To prepare the 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA)and investigate its value as a gene imaging agent in tumor bearing mice and early diagnosis in tumor.Methods Survivin mRNA antisense PNA and mismatch PNA were synthesized.Four amino acids (Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly) and Aba (4-aminobutyric acid) were linked to the 5' end of PNA.Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly served as a chelating moiety for strong chelation of 99Tcm and Aba acted as a spacer to minimize the steric hindrance.PNAs were labeled with 99Tcm by the ligand-exchange method.The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were measured by HPLC and ITLC methods.There were five BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung carcinoma ( A549 ) in each of antisense PNA and mismatch PNA groups.Gene imaging of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense and mismatch PNAs were performed at 1,2 and 4 h post the injection,respectively,and the T/NT ratio was measured by the method of ROI.The statistical comparisons of average values were performed with the two-group t-test for independent sample by SPSS 13.0.Results The product kept stable in vitro.The labeling efficiency of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was (95.48 ±1.92)％ and more than 85％ after the incubation for24 h in serum.The radiochemical purity was ＞ 95％.The labeling efficiency of mismatch PNA was similar to the antisense PNA.99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was especially uptaken by tumor lesion,and its accumulation reached the top at 4 h post the injection.T/NT ratios at 1,2,and 4 h were 2.70 ± 0.28,3.44 ± 0.35,4.21 ± 0.63,respectively.In the comparison,the T/NT ratio of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA mismatch PNA at 4 h (3.12 ±0.50) was significantly lower (t =2.918,P =0.019).Conclusions 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA has high labeling efficiency,good stability and no need of purification.Its characteristic of especial uptake by tumor lesion provides the potential value in early diagnosis of tumor.

Microsatellite instability(MSI)was defined according to the frequency of positive findings in a panel of MSI markers.High frequency MSI(MSI-H)was the phenotype in which repeat sequences were extraordinarily unstable, and was considered to be the bona fide phenotype of DNA mismatch repair defection. However base substitutions in some well studied oncogenes or tumor suppressors were reported to be uncommon in MSI-H tumors. To explore this obvious contradiction, the relationship between MSI and KRAS gene mutations were studied in a panel of 76 human colorectal carcinomas, the whole exon of MLH1 and MSH2 were sequenced for MSI-H tumors. KRAS gene mutation was confirmed by similar frequencies in tumors of different MSI status. Intriguingly, all of the KRAS mutant MSI-H tumors harbored sequence alterations in MLH1gene, which was a key player in DNA mismatch repair system. This implied that in MSI-H tumors carrying MMR mutations, KRAS mutation were frequently and almost exclusively occurred. Furthermore, these MMR mutants were uniformly carrying a unique "modification" + "jumping" type MSI, which was different to MSI-H tumors without MLH1 or MSH2 gene mutations. This study shaded lights on the heterogeneity of MSI-H tumors, and implied the connection between "modification" type MSI and DNA mismatch defection.

OBJECTIVETo explore the change in the distensibility of large arteries and its influencing factors in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSAutomatic measuring system for pulse wave velocity (PWV) was applied to examine carotid-femoral PWV as an index reflecting distensibility of large arteries. 118 hypertensive patients aged 64 - 83 (mean age 67.12 +/- 10.26) years were included in the study. Of them, 87 were males and 31 were females.

RESULTSPWV of 118 hypertensive patients increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). Multivariate regressive analysis demonstrated that age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with PWV (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONHypertension of the elderly could cause reduction of distensibility of large arteries. Age and systolic blood pressure had the close relationship with distensibility of large arteries in elderly patients with essential hypertension.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Carotid Arteries ; physiopathology ; Elasticity ; Female ; Femoral Artery ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulse