Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis in middle-aged and elderly population in the community of Foshan city,Guangdong province. Methods Subjects from residential communities were chosen through Cluster sampling method. Physical data and history were collected. Serum fasting glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations were tested with venous blood samples. Intracranial artery stenosis was diagnosed by transcranial Doppler(TCD). Data was analyzed by the software SPSS 18.0.Results 1405 subjects met the inclusive criteria, among which 163(11.6%)were found one(7.4%)or more(4.2%)stenotic arteries, and the standardized rate was 10.3%. 9.89% of the SICA, and 3.05%, 2.29%, 1.59%, 1.38%, 0.89% of basilar artery, middle cerebral artery, anterior lerebral artery,vertebral artery, posterior cerebral artery were found stenotic respectively. Data from the age-stratified analysis showed that the prevalence in these above 70(27.8%)was significantly higher than that under age 70(7.5%)(P=0.000). Single factor and logistic regression analysis demonstrated the history of diabetes mellitus and elevated systolic pressure present were significantly different between stenofic group and the non-stenotic group(P=0.000, P=0.000), which were the independent risk factors of asymptomatic stenosis of intracranial arteries(OR= 2.362,95%CI:1.194-4.674; OR= 1.024,95%CI:1.016-1.031). Conclusion Comparatively high prevalence of asymptomatic intracranial artery stenosis in middle-aged and aged community population was found in the Southern part of China,especially among the age group above 70. History of diabetes and elevated systolic pressure seemed to be the independent risk factors of asymptomatic stenosis of intracranial arteries.

Objective To explore the genetic interactions between angiotensin-convertingenzyme (ACE) I/D and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotypes in middlecerebral artery stenosis (MCAS) among the asymptomatic residents in Foshan area of China. MethodsUsing a cluster sampling method, 2500 subjects were randomly selected from the residential communitiesof Rongqi town of Foshan area, Guangdong Province. By means of epidemiological questionnaire survey,physical examination, examination of the biochemical markers and transcraniai color Doppler (TCD), 897eligible subjects (306 males and 591 females) were selected from this population and subsequentlydivided into MCAS group and control group according to the TCD results. ACE and METHFR genepolymorphism analyses were conducted using amplified fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chainreaction (AFLP-PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Chi-square test, t test, Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. ResultsGender, age, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and Ⅱ+CC genotype distribution in the subjects with MCAS weresignificantly different from those in the control subjects. Logistic regression analysis identified age andACE Ⅱ+ MTHFR CC genotype as the independent factors that affected MCAS. Conclusion There aregenetic interactions between ACE I/D and MTHFR C677T genotypes, and the ACE Ⅱ+MTHFR CCgenotype is an independent genetic factor for protection against MCAS in the asymptomatic residents inFoshan area of China.

OBJECTIVETo study the features of hypertension and vessel endothelium functional parameter in people living at the community level as well as the risk factors of hypertension. Differences of angiotensin II (Ang II ), prostacyclin (PGI2) and nitric oxide (NO) among normal group and three hypertension groups were also studied.

METHODSBy cluster sampling, 1134 adult Han people were selected from the residential communities. Medical history was documented and measurements of body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were performed. Serum NO levels were determined by cadmium reduction method while plasma Ang II and PGI2 concentration were determined by radioimmunoassay. SPSS 13.0 was used for data analysis.

RESULTSThe total ratio of hypertension from people living at the community was 44.5%, with the standardized prevalence of hypertension as 15.3%. With the increase of age, the prevalence of hypertension also increased. Overweight and obesity seemed to be independent risk factors for hypertension. History of smoking and drinking and gender did not enter the logistic equation for hypertension. The amount of plasma Ang II concentration of the three hypertension groups was significantly lower than that in the normal group while the lowest group appeared to from the one that hypertension was under control. The NO and PGI2 levels of the two groups whose hypertension had been known were significantly higher than in the normal group while the difference between the group whose hypertension had not been measured and the normal group was not found.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of hypertension had been increasing. Control of body weight seemed to be a useful way for prevention of hypertension. We assumed that the negative feedback regulation of renin-angiotonin-aldosterone system in hypertension patient still existed which called for the research on the mechanism of hypertension.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Angiotensin II ; analysis ; Cluster Analysis ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; Epoprostenol ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDThe genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) includes sequences encoding the putative protein X4 (ORF8, ORF7a), consisting of 122 amino acids. The deduced sequence contains a probable cleaved signal peptide sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane helix, indicating that protein X4 is likely to be a type I membrane protein. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether the protein X4 was expressed and its essential function in the process of SARS-CoV infection.

METHODSThe prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein X4-expressing plasmids were constructed. Recombinant soluble protein X4 was purified from E. coli using ion exchange chromatography, and the preparation was injected into chicken for rising specific polyclonal antibodies. The expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells and lung tissues from patients with SARS was performed using immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry technique. The preliminary function of protein X4 was evaluated by treatment with and over-expression of protein X4 in cell lines. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV particles.

RESULTSWe expressed and purified soluble recombinant protein X4 from E.coli, and generated specific antibodies against protein X4. Western blot proved that the protein X4 was not assembled in the SARS-CoV particles. Indirect immunofluorescence assays revealed that the expression of protein X4 was detected at 8 hours after infection in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. It was also detected in the lung tissues from patients with SARS. Treatment with and overexpression of protein X4 inhibited the growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells as determined by cell counting and MTT assays.

CONCLUSIONThe results provide the evidence of protein X4 expression following SARS-CoV infection, and may facilitate further investigation of the immunopathological mechanism of SARS.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; BALB 3T3 Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Growth Inhibitors ; analysis ; physiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; SARS Virus ; chemistry ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Viral Structural Proteins ; analysis ; physiology

Objective:To discuss the efficacy of Bushen Huoxue decoction for recovery in patients with intra uterine adhesions （IUA） after trans cervical resection adhesions （TCRA） operation， and to investigate its effect on fibrosis factor. Method:The 110 patients were randomly divided into two groups by random number table （55 cases for control group and 55 cases for observation group）. The patients in both groups got TCRA， and after the operation， they got estradiol valerate tablets+progesterone capsules. The patients in control group additionally got Jinfengwan before meals， 10 g/time， 2 times/day. Patients in observation additionally got syndrome differentiation and treatment by Bushen Huoxuetang， 1 dose/day. The treatment course was 3 months in both groups， and 6 months' follow-up was recorded. Before and after treatment， menstrual volume， period and cycle were recorded. During the follow-up， pregnancy， ectopic pregnancy and abortion were also recorded. Endoscopy and vagina color Doppler ultrasound were conducted to detect endometrial thickness， uterine volume， resistance index （RI）， pulsation index （PI） and blood flow index （FI）. Scores of IUA and syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis were graded. At the 6^th months after treatment， rate of intrauterine re-adhesion was recorded. Levels of transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， connective tissue growth factor （CTGF）， matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 （TIMP-1）， platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF）， insulin-like growth factor-1 （IGF-1） and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9） were detected， and safety was evaluated. Result:Total effective rate of clinical efficacy was 96.36% （53/55） in observation group， higher than 83.64% （46/55） in control group （χ²=4.959， P<0.05）. Recovery rate of menstrual volume， period and cycle were 92.73% （51/55）， 90.91% （50/55）， and 94.55% （52/55） in observation group， higher than 72.73% （40/55）， 76.36% （42/55）， and 76.36% （42/55） in control group（χ²=7.698，χ²=4.245，χ²=7.313，P<0.05， P<0.01）. During the follow-up， rate of intrauterine re-adhesions was 23.64% （13/55） in observation group， lower than 43.64% （24/55） in control group （χ²=4.927，P<0.05）. Pregnancy rate was 45.45% （25/55）， higher than 25.45% （14/55） in control group（χ²=4.807，P<0.05）. Score of syndrome of kidney deficiency and blood stasis and IUA scores in observation group were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）. Endometrial thickness， uterine volume， and FI were higher than those in control group （P<0.01）. Levels of RI， PI， TGF-β₁， CTGF， PDGF， IGF-1 and TIMP-1 were lower than those in control group （P<0.01）， while level of MMP-9 was higher than that in control group （P<0.01）. No adverse reactions related to traditional Chinese medicine were found. Conclusion:Bushen Huoxue decoction can promote the recovery of menstruation， increase the thickness of endometrium， improve the blood circulation of uterus， regulate the expression of fibrogenic factors in vivo， prevent and treat intrauterine adhesions， reduce the rate of intrauterine re-adhesions， and improve the rate of pregnancy， with a good comprehensive effect and high safety for clinical use.

BACKGROUND: LY01005 (Goserelin acetate sustained-release microsphere injection) is a modified gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist injected monthly. This phase III trial study aimed to evaluated the efficacy and safety of LY01005 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial across 49 sites in China. This study included 290 patients with prostate cancer who received either LY01005 or goserelin implants every 28 days for three injections. The primary efficacy endpoints were the percentage of patients with testosterone suppression ≤50 ng/dL at day 29 and the cumulative probability of testosterone ≤50 ng/dL from day 29 to 85. Non-inferiority was prespecified at a margin of -10%. Secondary endpoints included significant castration (≤20 ng/dL), testosterone surge within 72 h following repeated dosing, and changes in luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and prostate specific antigen levels. RESULTS: On day 29, in the LY01005 and goserelin implant groups, testosterone concentrations fell below medical-castration levels in 99.3% (142/143) and 100% (140/140) of patients, respectively, with a difference of -0.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], -3.9% to 2.0%) between the two groups. The cumulative probabilities of maintaining castration from days 29 to 85 were 99.3% and 97.8%, respectively, with a between-group difference of 1.5% (95% CI, -1.3% to 4.4%). Both results met the criterion for non-inferiority. Secondary endpoints were similar between groups. Both treatments were well-tolerated. LY01005 was associated with fewer injection-site reactions than the goserelin implant (0% vs . 1.4% [2/145]). CONCLUSION: LY01005 is as effective as goserelin implants in reducing testosterone to castration levels, with a similar safety profile. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04563936.
Humans ; Male ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal/therapeutic use* ; East Asian People ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/agonists* ; Goserelin/therapeutic use* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Testosterone