Epidemiologic Methods ; Humans ; Population Surveillance ; Public Health

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Staff ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; Phosgene ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; etiology ; Young Adult

Objective:Temperature keeping is vital in the long distance transportation of red blood cell suspensions in military affairs and emergency.This study aimed to develop a composite phase change material to be used for preserving blood in long time transporation without electricity.Methods: The n-tetradecane was adsorbed to the pore structure of silica aerogel through the capillarity and hydrophobicity of silica aerogel.The efficiency of the phase change material was detected by differential scanning calorimetry.Results: The specific surface area and the adsorption capacity were 863.59 m2/g and 9.16,respectively.The phase change temperature was 5.47℃ and phase change latent heat was 180J/g.Conclusion: The n-tetradecane /silica aerogel composite phase change material could be used for blood preservation.

Objective To report the development of clinical symptoms in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia(adPEO).Methods Electromyologram and muscle biopsy were performed in the proband and 4 family members with the disease.Results The proband was a 57 year-old woman,who developed bilateral ptosis after the age of 30,external ophthalmoplegia after the age of 35 years old,weakness of extremities at the age of 37 years old and bulb palsy with palmus at the age of 47 years old.In the family there were 20 male and female members from five generations.All of them complained about bilateral ptosis between 26—33 years old,external ophthalmoplegia(12/15)and weakness of all extremities(14/15)between 35—45,facial and masticatory weakness(9/9)as well as dysphagia(8/9)between 44—60,accompanied with heart lesions(4/7)after 50 years old.Some patients died due to cardiac impairment.Electromyologram showed myopathic abnormalities in the examined patients. The main myopathological changes were ragged red fibers,cytochrome c oxidase negative fibers and ragged blue fibers in succinate dehydrogenase staining.Conclusions The adPEO started from extra-ocular muscles to limbs,finally facial and bulbar muscles.Heart lesions were presented in late stage and lead to death in some members.The developing process of symptoms suggested that we should pay more attention to cardiac manifestations in this disease.

Objective To assess retinal arteriole stenosis in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) and to evaluate the relationship between retinal arteriole stenosis with cranial MRI changes and clinical features. Methods Sixteen CADASIL patients (mean age was (43.4±8.1)years, mean duration was(4.7±3.4)years)and sixteen age matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and modified Rankin scale scoring were performed in 16 patients. Cranial MRl with Coulthard scores was assessed on CADASIL patients as well. Retinal examinations for arteriole stenosis were done for each subject. Bivariate correlations (Kendall's tau-b) were used to assess the relationship among the grade of retinal stenosis, MMSE, modified Rankin seale, cranial MRI with Coulthard scores and age. Results Retinal arteriole stenosis presented in 15 cases. in whom 4 cases showed mild arterio-venous nicking. while it only presented in 2 controls. Grade 0.Ⅰ, and Ⅲ of retinal arteriole stenosis are noted in 1/16,4/16,7/16 and 4/16cases respectively. Coulthard scores of cerebral MRl were 6.0.19.0.25.1 and 29.8 respectively from Grade 0 toⅢ of retinal arteriole stenosis. The correlation coefficient of retinal arteriole stenosis and cranial MRI scores was 0.743(P＜0.001＝,MMSE-0.429(P＜0.05＝,modified Rankin scale 0.437(P＞0.05).and age 0.299(P＞0.05).Conclusion Retinal arteriole stenosis is significantly correlated with lesion in cranial MRI and dementia.

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels (Kir) are a special subset of potassium selective ion channels which pass potassium more easily into rather than out of the cell. These channels mediate a variety of cellular functions, including control of membrane resting potential, maintenance of potassium homeostasis and regulation of cellular metabolism. Given the existence of fifteen Kir genes in mammals, current genetic studies using mutant animals that lack a single channel may have missed many important physiological functions of these channels due to gene redundancy. This issue can be circumvented by using a simple model organism like Drosophila, whose genome encodes only 3 Kir proteins. The sophisticated genetic approaches of Drosophila may also provide powerful tools to identify additional regulation mechanisms of Kir channels. Here we provide an overview of the progress made in elucidating the function of Drosophila Kir channels. The knowledge of Drosophila Kir channels may lead us to uncover novel functions and regulation mechanisms of human Kir channels and help on pathological studies of related diseases.
Animals ; Drosophila ; physiology ; Membrane Potentials ; Potassium ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk factor of hypertension in China.

METHODSThe results of 24 case-control studies from 1989 to 2001 were analyzed by Meta-analysis method in this study. Random effect model (D-L method) and fix effect model (M-H method) were applied for data processing.

RESULTSThe pooled OR values (95% CI) of drinking, smoking, over-intake of salt, family history of hypertension, quickness to temper and overweight were 1.194 (1.184-1.203), 1.100 (1.096-1.104), 1.165 (1.157-1.173), 2.662 (2.550-2.779), 2.524 (1.902-3.348), 1.616 (1.600-1.633), respectively.

CONCLUSIONDrinking alcohol, smoking, over-intake of salt, family history of hypertension, quickness to temper and overweight were the important risk factors of hypertension in China.

Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; Body Weight ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Family Health ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVESurgery to reshape the nose with an implant has been a regular procedure for enhancing a patient's appearance and self-confidence. The purpose of this study was to establish a three-dimensional surgical simulation system. which can provide the patients with realistic prediction of their own postoperative appearance in computer and specifically produce a nose implant for an individual patient.

METHODSPreoperative CT data and image-processing techniques were employed to generate a three dimensional template of the papatient' s face. Three-dimensional morphing processes were then applied to predict and compare the outcome of plastic procedures on a patient-specific nose surface, according to the patient' s expectation. By comparing and revising the changes before and after simulation, digital prototypes of the nose implants could be generated. The templates to create custom-made silicone implants were than produced by a computer controlled device.

RESULTSAccurately regeneration of 3-D images and realistic operative simulations could be achieved with this system. The implants produced exactly conformed to the results of simulation. No curving and reshaping were needed during operating. The clinical results extremely matched with the simulations.

CONCLUSIONThe system enhances surgeon-patient communication and facilitates preoperative planning. It is especially desirable for implant surgery with less guesswork of size, contour, and orientation of the implant. The best chance of optimal results could be achieved.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Nose ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

0.05),but a significant difference at weeks 4,8,and 12 between two groups(P

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.