OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic window concentration of tacrolimus(FK506) suitable for Chinese renal transplant recipients. METHODS: The whole blood valley concentration level in 56 renal transplant recipients 12h after oral administration with FK506 was determined by MEIA (Microparticle Enzyme Immunization). The rejections and the renal toxic reaction were observed as well. RESULTS: The recommended therapeutic window concentration of FK506 for Chinese renal transplant recipients were the following: 9～14?g/L during the first month; 8～12?g/L during the second to the third month; 6～10?g/L during the fourth to the sixth month; 4～6?g/L during the seventh to the twelfth month. CONCLUSION: FK506 has a satisfactory immune suppression effect while reducing incidences of rejections and renal toxic reactions if used within the above therapeutic window concentration.

OBJECTIVE:To study the therapeutic window of peak blood concentration at different time in domestic renal transplant recipients2h after administration with cyclosporine A(CsA).METHODS:The valley bottom levels(C 0 )and the peak levels(C 2 )were determined simultaneously by fluorescence polarization immunoassay(FPIA)in92patients2h after oral administration with CsA,the rejection and the hepatic and renal drug toxicities were observed.RESULTS:The recommended therapeutic window concentration of CsA(C 2 )in Chinese renal transplant recipients was1000～1300?g/L within the first month,950～1250?g/L within the second to third month,900～1100?g/L within the fourth to sixth month,750～1000?g/L within the seventh to twelfth month,600～800?g/L from the twelfth month after renal transplantation.CONCLUSION:Within the above therapeutic window concentration range,CsA is of ideal immuno-suppressive action meanwhile it can less rejection and minimize the hepatic and renal drug toxicities.

0.05),the toxi?cation rate of the low dose group was lower than that of the routine group(P0.05),the effective concentration of the low dose digoxin group was significantly lower than the routine group(P

0.05), respectively; the costs were 640.50yuan and 1 151.21yuan, respectively; the cost-effectiveness ratios were 7.01 and 12.28, respectively; the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Group B versus Group A was 220.1. CONCLUSION: The sequential therapy of levofloxacin is preferable in the treatment of lower respiratory infection.

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH-1) gene mutation in a family with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).Methods The clinical features of this family were collected and their peripheral blood samples were screened for mutation in GCH-1 gene using PCR and DNA direct sequencing.Results The clinical features among each patient in this family were different.But all affected family members had quite a good response to levodopa treatment without significant adverse reactions.DNA test showed an AT deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene in 5 affected members and 1 asymptomatic immediate family member.Conclusions Clinical heterogeneity is an important characteristic of DRD and clinical symptoms vary intra-families.Same gene type may cause different phenotype and not all carriers are patients.The deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene should be considered as a pathogenic mutation for DRD.

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of nNOS and ultrastructural changes in the penile tissue of rats with prolactinoma-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSWe established the model of prolactinoma in 20 male Westar rats by peritoneal injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and treated the control rats with normal saline (n = 10) or sterilized arachis oil (n = 10). After 8 weeks, we performed the apomorphine test and measured the weight of the pituitary gland and the levels of serum prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T) to confirm the successful construction of the prolactinoma-induced ED model. Then we determined the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue by immunohistochemistry and examined the ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernosum under the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe prolactinoma-induced ED model was successfully established in 15 rats. The weight of the pituitary gland was significantly increased in the rats treated with DES as compared with the normal saline and sterilized arachis oil controls ([46.7 ± 15.5] vs [11.7 ± 2.4] and [12.4 ± 2.3] mg, both P < 0.05). The level of serum PRL was markedly higher while that of T remarkably lower in the former than in the latter two groups ([1,744.9 ± 304.5] vs [11.5 ± 2.4] and [10.6 ± 1.9] ng/ml, both P < 0.0l; [1.54 ± 0.46] vs [3.11 ± 1.08] and [3.04 ± 1.11] ng/ml, both P < 0.05). The rate of penile erection was significantly reduced in the prolactinoma-induced ED model rats in comparison with the normal saline and arachis oil controls (16.7% vs 100% and 87.5%, both P < 0.05), and so was the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue (0.024 ± 0.011 vs 0.066 ± 0.019 and 0.058 ± 0.021, both P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy manifested significant ultrastructural changes in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the cavernous tissue in the prolactinoma-induced ED models.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernous tissue and the reduced expression of nNOS in penile tissue may be the most important mechanisms of prolactinoma-induced ED in rats.

Animals ; Apomorphine ; Carcinogens ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; ultrastructure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; complications ; Prolactin ; blood ; Prolactinoma ; chemically induced ; complications ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo describe the prevalence of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms in patients with some neurological diseases in the general hospitals of major cities in China.

METHODSA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in four big cities in China in 2004. 1197 eligible subjects with Stroke, Parkinson's disease and Epilepsy were recruited from the outpatient or inpatient departments within three months. Face-to-face interview was used in data collection together with the self-completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale for depressive and/or anxiety symptom, were screened. Subjects getting a HAD score of 9 and above were further assessed for depressive and/or anxiety disorders with Hamilton anxiety scales and Hamilton depression scales by the licensed psychologists or psychiatrists.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of "self-scaled" depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were 19.5%, 24.1% and 21.9% respectively in patients with stroke, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Among cases with "self-scaled" depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, the prevalence rates of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were 50.8%, 73.1% and 38.6% respectively; less than 17% of subjects had obtained a diagnosis of depressive disorders and had been treated but only 4% of the subjects having obtained a diagnosis of anxiety disorders and been treated prior to the study. The sex specific prevalence varied over the somatic diseases. In patients with Parkinson's disease, the prevalence of "self-scaled" anxiety symptom was significantly higher in females than in males (21.1% vs. 12.2%; chi2 = 5. 679, P = 0.017),and the total prevalence of "self-scaled" depressive and/or anxiety symptoms was also higher in female (30.3% vs. 20.5%; chi2 = 4.978, P = 0.026); in patients with stroke while the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in female was higher than that in male (52.2% vs. 20.0%; chi2 = 6.009, P = 0.014), and a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in female patients with epilepsy was also reported (32.4% vs. 13.6%; chi2 = 4.108, P = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONIt was of great importance to remind the healthcare providers and health policy makers that high prevalence of depressive and/or anxiety symptoms was found in patients with somatic diseases but with low percentages of previous diagnosis or treatment in the departments of neurology at the general hospitals in urban China.

Anxiety ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nervous System Diseases ; psychology ; Prevalence ; Urban Population

Objective To explore the impact of chronic complications of type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM)on quality of life(QOL)among T2DM outpatients in urban China.Methods A cross.Sectional study was carried Out in 1524 T2DM outpatients recruited from 15 hospitals in 4 major cities of China.Questionnaire interviews were used to collect data on general characters and complications of T2DM.SF-36 questionnaire(version 1)was used and self-completed by patients under the help from interviewers for those having difficulties in reading.T test,one-way ANOVA and generalized linear model were used to explore the association between complications of T2DM and quality of life.Results Complication Was a significant predictor leading to poorer SF-36 subscale scores(decreased by 4.68-16.06 scores)and two summary scores (PCS,MCS).The scores of role-physical subscale(decreased by 22.45％)and role-emotionsl subscale(decreased by 16.28％)decreased much more than the other subscales in patients with complication.Overall,QOI Was reduced by 11.02％in patients with complication.The QoL had a gradual decrease with the increasing number of complications.The average scores descended from 2.82 to 10.33 in the eight subscales with the increase of one complication.Conclusion Having complication or multiple complications seemed to be predietors of poor QOL among T2DM outpatients.

While receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) ,traditional left ventricular lead implantation may fail due to anatomical abnormality of heart vein ,poor left ventricular pacing threshold ,lead dislocation and ra-dial nerve stimulation etc .So left ventricular quadripolar leads rise in response to the proper time and condition .The present article made a brief review on research progress of application of left ventricular quadripolar leads in clinic .

The epidemiological survey of prevalence of NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) and IGT(impaired glucose tolerance)was conducted among 9450 residents aged 25～70 in some areas of Hubei Province, China. The results show that NIDDM and IGT prevalences are 2.62% and 4.48%, respectively. There is no significant difference between male and female (P>0.05). The NIDDM prevalence in cities is slightly higher than that in countryside, but the difference is not significant (P>0.05). However, the IGT prevalence in city is significantly higher than that in countryside (P<0.01). The prevalence of both NIDDM and IGT is increasing along with the age of the population. It is also significantly related to the family history of NIDDM, hypertension, and high body mass index (BMI). By using stepwise logistic regression to analyse the risk factors of NIDDM, age (OR=1.86),BMI(OR=2.69), family history (OR=2.84) and hypertension (OR=2.23) entered the model (significance level is α=0.05).