OBJECTIVETo analyze the distribution of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) genotype and its association with the blood pressure profiles in Guangzhou rural population.

METHODSThis study was conducted among 680 rural residents aged 40-70 years (including 314 men and 366 women) from 3 villages in an rural area of Guangzhou. The blood pressures of the subjects were measured and blood samples were collected for genotype analysis using polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing of the MMP-3 gene promoter region to detect the 5 adenines (5A)/6 adenines (6A) polymorphisms.

RESULTSThe frequencies of MMP-3 genotypes 6A/6A, 5A/5A, and 5A/6A were 82.6%, 1.8% and 15.6% among these residents, respectively. The distribution of MMP-3 genotypes and allele frequencies showed no significant gender- or age-related variations. The men with different genotypes (6A/6A vs 5A/6A+5A/5A) did not show significant differences in blood pressure levels, whereas the women with 5A/6A+5A/5A genotypes had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than those with a 6A/6A genotype. The allele 5A was highly frequent in the hypertensive residents as compared with the normotensive residents.

CONCLUSIONSThe 6A homozygote is the predominant genotype of MMP-3 in Guangzhou rural population, which has a significantly lower proportion of 5A homozygote than the Western populations. The 5A allele is associated with a high risk of hypertension especially in women and may affect both systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Alleles ; Blood Pressure ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Sex Distribution

Objective To explore the role of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) regulatory T cells (Tregs) and inter-leukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), IL-17 in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN) by detecting the levels of IL-10, IL-6, TGF-β, IL-17, CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) Tregs in the peripheral blood of patients with active and inactive LN. Methods Three-colour flow cytometry was used to quantitatively measure proportions of Treg cells, the levels of TGF-β, IL-17 were detected by ELISA, and the levels of IL-10, IL-6 in the peripheral blood were detected by Cytometric Bead Array System. Results ① Compared with the inactive LN and the normal controls (P<0.01), the level of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) Tregs from patients with active LN was lower(P<0.01). When compared with the normal controls, the level of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) Tregs from LN inactive patients had no significant difference (P>0.05). ② Compared with patients with inactive LN, the levels of IL-10, IL-6 was higher (P<0.01) in patients with active LN. ③ Compared with the patients with inactive LN and the normal controls, the levels of TGF-β, IL-17 was not significantly different (P>0.05). ④ The level of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) T cell was correlated negatively with the levels of IL-10, IL-6 and SLEDAI (P<0.05), and was not correlated with C3 and C4. ⑤ SLEDAI was correlated positively with the levels of IL-10 and IL-6 (P<0.01). SLEDAI and the level of IL-10 were correlated negatively with C3 and C4 (P<0.01 for both). ⑥ The level of CD4~+CD25~+CD127~(lo) Tregs from LN was not correlated with TGF-β and IL-17. ⑦ TGF-β was correlated positively with the level of IL-17. Conclusion ① The level changes of Tregs and IL-10, IL-6, TGF-β in the peripheral blood of LN can be used as the indicators for the activity status of lupus nephritis. ② Tregs and IL-10, IL-6 in the peripheral blood of LN patients is negatively correlated. ③ The glucocorticoid hormone is helpful to elevate the level of Tregs but decrease IL-17. T cell level can vary in different body status, different microenvironmental and immune status.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between gastrointestinal disorders (GID) and core symptoms or behavioral problems among the children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) . Method: Totally 328 children with ASD and 202 normal controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study from August 2013 to October 2016. The information about the gastrointestinal disorders, behavioral and emotional problems was collected by using questionnaires. Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to assess the core symptoms of the children with ASD. Neurodevelopmental status was evaluated with Gesell Developmental Scale (GDS). These variables were analyzed by using student's t-test and chi-square test. Result: The prevalence of GID was significantly higher in the children with ASD than in the normally developing children (49.4% (162/328) vs.25.7% (52/202), χ²=29.039, P=0.000), especially the symptoms of constipation (33.2% (109/328) vs. 13.9% (28/202)), diarrhea (9.5%(31/328) vs. 1.5% (3/202)), nausea and vomiting (9.5% (31/328) vs. 3.5% (7/202)), and foul defecation (16.5% (54/328) vs. 5.0% (10/202)) (all P<0.05). Among the ASD children, the prevalence of GID was similar between male and female (46.7% (133/285) vs. 46.5%(20/43), χ²=0.006, P=0.938), as well as among all age groups (χ²=1.907, P=0.862). There was no significant difference in scores of GDS in the ASD children with or without GID (all P>0.05). Compared with ASD children without GID (n=166), the ASD children with GID (n=162) got higher scores in the "Body and Object Use" of ABC scale ( (16.4±9.3) vs. (12.3±6.7) scores, t=2.258, P=0.028), and had more emotional problems (63.6% (103/162) vs. 49.4% (82/166), χ²=6.707, P=0.010). Moreover, the score of behavior problems questionnaire was higher in the ASD children with GID ( (35.3±16.8) vs. (16.1±13.6) scores, t=5.748, P=0.000). Conclusion Children with ASD have higher risk of GID than the normal developing children. While the stereotyped behaviors, problem behaviors and emotional problems are severer in the ASD children with GID. Hence, it is important to provide comprehensive treatment and management for these groups of children.

OBJECTIVETo monitor the incidence change of acute coronary heart events in the all-ages farmers in Panyu District, Guangzhou City during 1991-2001 and 2010-2011.

METHODSThe surveillance on the same defined population as that from the PRC-USA cooperative epidemiologic project on the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases 30-year ago was carried out in Panyu, Guangzhou in 1991-2001 and 2010-2011. The crude incidence of acute coronary events and the age-standardized incidence rate were calculated by the year, gender and age, and standardized with the world standard population age distribution. Incidences at the two different periods were compared. The annual average changing rate of the incidence was obtained by the regression analysis methods.

RESULTSIn the 11 consecutive years of 1991-2001, a upward trend on the incidence of acute coronary events among the farmers in women in Panyu District was found (P < 0.05). The incidence of the acute coronary events in the year of 2010-2011 was significantly higher than that in the year of 1991 to 2001 [34.06 per 100 000 (age-adjusted rate as 28.50 per 100 000) versus 16.14 per 100 000 (age-adjusted rate as 16.57 per 100 000), P < 0.05]. The age-adjusted rate increased by 83.04%. Peak incidence of acute coronary events in males was noticed in 75-79 age group, and in 80-84 age group in females. Comparing to the period of 1991-2001, the largest incidence increases appeared in the age groups of 35-39 and 75-79 years in males, while in the age groups of 50-54 and 65-69 years in females. Up to 47.37% (36/76) events occurred on the age group older than 75 years, raised by 40.44% comparing to that in 1991-2001 (33.73%, 56/166).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of acute coronary events among farmers in Panyu District is at middle or low level of China but there is an increasing trend in acute coronary incidence from 1991 to 2011. Our results suggest that the prevention and treatment on acute coronary syndrome should be strengthened, and especially on the age group with the largest increase of disease incidence.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; Sentinel Surveillance

Objective:To survey on the status quo of the role cognition and job burnout among family doctor team members in Shenzhen Futian district.Methods:A survey on the role cognition and job burnout of family doctor members was conducted in October 2022. One family doctor team was randomly selected from each of the 92 community health service centers in Futian district of Shenzhen city, and all members of the selected family doctor teams were included in the survey. The Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey was used in the study, and the influencing factors of role cognition and job burnout, as well as the impact of role cognition on job burnout were analyzed.Results:A total of 361 family doctor team members were included in the survey, The scores of the Role Ambiguity and Role Conflict Scale were (35.25±5.21) and (27.03±13.73), respectively. In the Occupational Burnout Scale, the scores of Emotional Exhaustion, Dehumanization, and Personal Achievement Scale were (17.89±6.82), (6.51±2.54), and (30.95±5.70), respectively. There were significant differences in role ambiguity and job burnout among family doctor team members with different ages, professions, and years of work ( P<0.05). Team members aged≤30, general practitioners, and working time ≤5 years had higher scores for role ambiguity, emotional exhaustion, dehumanization, and lower personal achievement ( P<0.05). The score of role ambiguity was negatively correlated with the degree of emotional exhaustion and dehumanization ( r=-0.544, -0.352), and positively correlated with personal achievement ( r=0.473). The score of role conflict was positively correlated with the degree of emotional exhaustion and dehumanization ( r=0.352, 0.376), and negatively correlated with personal achievement ( r=-0.440). Regression analysis showed that the role cognition was significantly associated with the emotional exhaustion, dehumanization, and personal achievement ( F=10.28-85.12, P<0.01). Conclusion:Active and effective measures should be taken to improve the role cognition and reduce job burnout of family doctor team members in primary health care institutions.

OBJECTIVETo observe and summarize the morphologic features that may suggest submucosal invasive adenocarcinoma in colorectal mucosa biopsy specimens.

METHODSThe study cohort included 432 colorectal biopsy specimens were obtained from 2006 to 2012. All the cases had radical surgery. Basing on the pathologic diagnoses, the cases were divided into 366 invasive adenocarcinoma (IAC) and 66 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasms (HGIN). These two groups were compared.

RESULTSIn the IAC group, the percentage of tumor forming cribriform structures, acute angle-shaped glands, diffuse carcinoma cell proliferation was 61.2% (224/366) , 33.8% (124/366) and 7.4% (27/366) , respectively. In the HGIN group, cribriform gland structures appeared in 6.0% (4/66) of the cases, while no acute angle-shaped gland or diffuse carcinoma cell proliferation was detected. The difference of these three characteristics in the two group was statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Glandular branching was detected in 89.9% (329/366) of IAC cases and 66.7% (44/66) of HGIN cases; this difference was not significant. There was no difference in cellular atypia between the two groups. Interstitial fibrosis was detected more frequently in the IAC group (85.5%, 313/366 in IAC versus 0 in HGIN, P < 0.01). In biopsy specimens of IAC, a few cases showed neoplastic glands in close contact with large lymphatics, adipose tissue, and ganglion.

CONCLUSIONSIn colorectal biopsy specimen, the five features that suggest submucosal invasion of the neoplastic glands including the formation of cribriform structure, angular gland, diffuse carcinoma cells, interstitial fibrosis and neoplastic glands in close contact with the thick-walled vessels.

Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma in Situ ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness