BackgroundWith the increasing prevalence of dry eye and the continuous improvement of living standards,the problem of dry eye more and more get the attention of people.At present,China still lacks the large population-based epidemiological data of dry eye. Objective To investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of dry eye in a community of Huidong County of population aged 14 and over.Methods From September 2010 to January 2011,using questionnaires and examination of dry eye related,2800 people were selected randomly for cross-sectional survey.Those suspected as dry eye were examed by the SchirmerⅠtest ( S Ⅱ T),tear-film breakup time(BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(F1).Results In the 2475 questionnaire effectively,154 persons were diagnosed as dry eye,and the prevalence rate of dry eye was 6.22％,8.06％in females,4.14％in males.The prevalence rate increases with age.The S Ⅰ T and BUT decreased with increasing age.S Ⅰ T and BUT in females are less than males.Foreign body sensation is the primary complaints of patients.Logistic analysis showed that the most common risk factors in dry eye are age and gender.The system disease and eye diseases,eye fatigue and long exposure to dust are also main determinants.ConclusionsThe population prevalence rate of dry eye increased with age,the prevalence rate of dry eye in females is higher than that in males.The key factors associated with dry eye are age,gender,systemic disease and eye diseases,occupation,working environment.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) can stimulate the cholesterol efflux in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells were incubated in the medium containing various concentrations of ox-LDL ( 0 to 50 microg/mL) for 8 or 24 hours. 22(R)-Hydroxycholesterol (10 micromol/L) was exposed to preconditioned adipocytes with 25 microg/mL ox-LDL for 24 hours. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI), and liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) mRNA expression. Cholesterol efflux mediated by apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) was determined using liquid scintillator. RESULTS: Low levels (12.5-25 microg/mL) of ox-LDL could increase cholesterol efflux via the enhancement of ABCA1 pathway and SR-BI expression, whereas the higher concentration (50 microg/mL) could not. In adipocytes preincubated with 25 microg/mL ox-LDL for 24 hours, 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol could increase ABCA1 and LXRalpha mRNA and apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux, but had no effect on the SR-BI mRNA expression. CONCLUSION Low levels of ox-LDL may enhance the LXRalpha-ABCA1-apoA-I pathway in adipocytes, up-regulate SR-BI mRNA expression, and then increase the cholesterol efflux. This new effect of ox-LDL will not only make contribution to cholesterol homeostasis in adipocytes, but also be potentially atheroprotective.
3T3-L1 Cells ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; metabolism ; Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Liver X Receptors ; Mice ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; metabolism ; Scavenger Receptors, Class B ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between maternal and neonatal vitamin D status and related factors.

METHODSerum 25-(OH)D levels were measured by ELISA in 499 pregnant women at 30 - 37 weeks gestation and in cord blood of their infants born at term (37 - 42 wk gestation) in Southeastern China at 28.9°N latitude. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to explore maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels by season. Pearson linear and linear regression of partial correlation was used to analyze the relationship between maternal and neonatal 25-(OH) D levels. The multiple factors related to maternal vitamin D status was assessed by binary logistic regression.

RESULTThe levels of serum 25-(OH)D were (33.0 ± 13.4) nmol/L in mothers and (31.0 ± 12.5) nmol/L in their newborns. Serum 25-(OH)D < 50 nmol/L was shown in 88.8% of mothers and 91.2% of their neonates. Both maternal and neonatal 25-(OH)D levels varied with season (Ps = 0.000). Vitamin D level was the lowest in spring, with the 25-(OH)D concentration < 50 nmol/L in 98.6% of mothers and 99.3% of their neonates. The highest vitamin D level was presented in fall, but there were still 64.0% of mothers and 75.0% of neonates with 25-(OH)D < 50 nmol/L. Except for season, calcium-vitamin D supplement and intake of egg ≥ 600 g per week during pregnancy benefited to improve maternal vitamin D level [25-(OH)D ≥ 50 nmol/L] [OR = 2.3 (95%CI:1.0, 5.3), 3.4 (95%CI:1.2, 9.9) respectively]. There was a positive correlation between maternal and neonatal 25-(OH)D measures in the sample as a whole (r = 0.45, P = 0.000, N = 499), the correlation was of no statistical significance when maternal serum 25-(OH)D was ≤ 25 nmol/L.

CONCLUSIONHypovitaminosis D was common in late pregnant mothers and their newborns in southeastern China, especially in spring. Vitamin D supplement and intake of vitamin D-rich food were beneficial to improvement of maternal vitamin D level. There was a moderate and positive correlation between maternal and neonatal 25-(OH)D concentrations in this population. The correlation was lost when maternal serum 25-(OH)D ≤ 25 nmol/L.

Adult ; Calcium ; blood ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; blood ; Male ; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; blood ; Pregnancy Complications ; blood ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Sunlight ; Vitamin D ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; blood ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

Objective: To evaluate the value and safety of therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in elderly patients. Methods: The clinical data of 377 elderly patients with therapeutic ERCP from January 2010 to September 2017 in Changzhou First People′s Hospital of Jiangsu Province were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 34 patients (observation group) aged ≥ 90 years and 343 patients (control group) aged 75 to 89 years old. The results of ERCP examination, treatment of bile duct stones and related complications were compared between 2 groups. Results: There was no statistical difference in the success rate of ERCP between 2 groups (P>0.05). There were no statistical difference in detection rates of bile duct stones, cholangiocarcinoma and benign biliary stricture between 2 groups (P<0.05); however, the detection rates of duodenal papillary carcinoma and nipple diverticulum in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group: 11.8% (4/34) vs. 2.0% (7/343) and 38.2% (13/34) vs. 18.7% (64/343), and there were statistical differences (χ² = 10.326 and 7.294, P<0.01). There were 21 patients with bile duct stones in observation group, including 14 patients with multiple stones; there were 241 patients with bile duct stones in control group, including 188 patients with multiple stones. The maximum stone diameter, rate of in-line stent drainage and rate of extracorporeal lithotripsy in multiple stones patients of observation group were significantly higher than those in multiple stones patients of control group: (1.5 ± 0.3) cm vs. (1.2 ± 0.4) cm、9.5% (2/21) vs. 1.7% (4/241), 4.8% (1/21) vs. 0.4% (1/241), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in incidence of ERCP complications between observation group and control group: 14.7% (5/34) vs. 6.7% (23/343), P>0.05; but the incidence of cardiac accidents in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group: 5.9% (2/34) vs. 1.2% (4/343), and there was statistical difference (χ² = 4.393, P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the length of hospital stay between observation group and control group: (11.5 ± 5.0) d vs. (13.2 ± 5.8), P>0.05. Conclusions Therapeutic ERCP is an important treatment for elderly patients with biliary and pancreatic diseases. For patients over 90 years old, ERCP is safe and reliable, but it is necessary to actively pay attention to comorbidities, especially cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of niacin on the serum adiponectin concentration in hypercholesterolemia rabbit and the adiponectin concentration secreted by adipocytes in normal rabbits. METHODS: Ten male New Zealand white rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into 2 groups: (1) The high cholesterol group maintained a high cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. (2) The same cholesterol diet plus niacin (0.4g/kg*d ) were administrated for 6 weeks in the niacin group. A control group was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose from the control group was collected for adipocyte culture. Matured adipocytes were incubated with various concentrations of niacin (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0micromol/L). Adiponectin concentrations in the serum and adipocyte culture supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, rabbits in the high cholesterol group showed higher serum levels of total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), all of which were significantly reduced by niacin treatment (P<0.01),and serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly increased (P<0.01). At 8th week, the mean adiponectin concentration of rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet was significantly lower than that of the control group[(1.268+/-0.039)mg/L vs.(1.449+/-0.107)mg/L,P<0.01]. Niacin treatment significantly elevated the serum adiponectin level which was positively related to HDL-C,and negatively related to TC and LDL-C. Cell experiment in vitro indicated that niacin could significantly induce the adiponectin secretion of adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION Niacin can significantly promote the adiponectin secretion of adipocytes, suggesting that niacin probably has an ability of elevating the serum adiponectin level in addition to lipid-lowering effect.
Adipocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Adiponectin ; blood ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hypercholesterolemia ; blood ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; pharmacology ; Male ; Niacin ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of niacin on HDL-induced cholesterol efflux and LXRalpha expression in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

METHODSTwelve rabbits fed with high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: (1) high cholesterol group (n = 6): maintained high cholesterol diet for 6 weeks; (2) niacin group (n = 6): the same cholesterol diet plus niacin (0.2 g . kg(-1). d(-1)) for 6 weeks. Control group (n = 6) was fed with normal diet for 14 weeks. Subcutaneous adipose was collected for adipocyte culture. RT-PCR was used to evaluate adipocytes LXRalpha mRNA expressions. Cholesterol efflux rate was determined through measuring release of radioactivity from 3H-cholesterol prelabeled cells into medium containing HDL. The direct effect of niacin on LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression in primary rabbit adipocytes was assayed.

RESULTSHigh cholesterol diet resulted in decreased LXRalpha mRNA expressions and reduced cholesterol efflux rate in adipocytes. Six weeks of niacin treatment significantly enhanced the cholesterol efflux from adipocytes, which was related to the increased mRNA expressions of LXRalpha (r = 0.71, P < 0.05). In vitro study, niacin dose-dependently stimulated LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression in cultured adipocytes and there were positive correlations between various doses of niacin-induced cholesterol efflux and LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expression (r = 0.83 P < 0.01, r = 0.76 P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSIONLXRalpha and PPARgamma might play an important role in cholesterol efflux from adipocytes. Niacin can up-regulate LXRalpha and PPARgamma mRNA expressions and promote the cholesterol efflux in adipocytes from hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Adipocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Animals ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypercholesterolemia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Liver X Receptors ; Male ; Niacin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Orphan Nuclear Receptors ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter.

METHODSThe clinical data of two cases of synchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. In case 1, a 68-year-old man with hematuria for a month, imaging modalities revealed a right renal pelvis tumor and a right distal ureter tumor. The patient underwent nephroureterectomy and excision of the bladder cuff. Case 2, a 60-year-old man with the complaint of lower abdominal pain and left flank pain for a month, was diagnosed as left distal ureteral stone in another hospital. Ureterolithotomy was performed and a ureteral tumor was found at the lower site of the stone intraoperatively. The pathological report demonstrated SCC, and the patient was transferred to our hospital for further treatment. We found a left renal mass invading the left hemicolon during surgery, and nephroureterectomy was performed with a bladder cuff excision, left hemicolon resection, and also complete lymph node dissection. Neither of patients received adjuvant radiotherapy/chemotherapy.

RESULTSModerately differentiated SCC was reported in both of renal pelvis and ureter in case 1 and the tumor invaded the subepithelial connective tissue in the renal pelvis and superficial muscle in the ureter. In case 2, moderately differentiated SCC of the left renal pelvis with colon metastasis and poorly differentiated SCC of the ureter was reported with two retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. The two patients died from tumor recurrence and metastasis 5 and 6 months after the surgery, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSynchronous SCC of the renal pelvis and SCC of the ureter are rare and has high likeliness of early recurrence and metastasis, often with poor prognosis.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ureteral Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo determine the relationship between the serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and the risk of primary liver cancer (PLC).

METHODSFarmers aged 30 to 55 years in Long An county were recruited in this study Blood samples were collected and the sera were tested for HBsAg using Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA), and the HBsAg-positive sera were further tested for viral DNA using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The study subjects were divided into three groups. The first group was positive for both HBsAg and HBV DNA. The second group was positive for HBsAg but negative for HBV DNA. Age-, sex-, residence-matched HBsAg negative controls for group 1 and group 2 were enrolled in the third group. The cohort was followed up for four years.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HBsAg in these farmers was 14.52% (3975/27,379), and the HBV DNA positive rate in HBsAg positive subjects was 40.35% (1604/3975). The total PLC incidence rate in Group 1 and 2 was 672.45 /100,000 person-years (PY), significantly higher than that in Group3 (17.19 /100,000 PY). The relative risk (RR) was 39.123, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was 9.018-159.146. The PLC incidence rate of Group 1 (984.03/100,000 PY) was significantly higher than that of Group2 (324.38 /100,000 PY). The RR was 3.034, and the 95% CI was 1.795-5.125. Multivariate analyses of Group1 and 2 with Cox model showed that sex, age, serum HBV DNA, and family history of PLC were independent risk factors of PLC.

CONCLUSIONHBV DNA and HBsAg positive subjects have a higher chance to develop PLC than HBV DNA negative-, HBsAg positive subjects.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; epidemiology ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B ; complications ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture at different stages on pseudobulbar palsy. Methods Two hundred and forty cases of pseudobulbar palsy were divided into 4 groups according to different courses of disease, i.e. group I, the course within 10 days; group II, between 10-30 days; group III, between 1-3 months; group IV, between 3-6 months. They were treated with acupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) for 2 courses, and then their therapeutic effects were ohserved.

RESULTSThe effective rate was 100.0% in the group I, 96.7% in the group II, 83.3% in the group III and 76.7% in the group IV, with a significant difference among the 4 groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Fengchi (GB 20) at any stage has therapeutic effect on pseudohulbar paisy, hut the earlier treatments, the better the therapeutic effects.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pseudobulbar Palsy ; therapy

A patient referred to our hospital, diagnosed with left idiopathic chronic orchialgia, was evaluated with a thorough medical and psychiatric history, physical examination, scrotal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative management failed. The patient had temporary pain relief after undergoing outpatient cord block three times. Microsurgical denervation of the left spermatic cord was operated in March, 2011. A pain questionnaire was used to determine efficacy before and after operation, and complete pain relief was noted at one week after operation. The follow up period was 12 months, at the end of which the pain score was still zero. No complications, including testicular atrophy and hydrocele, occurred. Microsurgical denervation of the spermatic cord can be a minimally invasive, safe and effective management option for treatment of idiopathic chronic orchialgia.
Denervation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spermatic Cord ; surgery ; Testicular Diseases ; surgery