Objective To explore current status of health-related productivity loss and its risk factors among nurses.Methods Stanford presenteeism scale (SPS-6) and self-designed questionnaire were used to investigate current status of health-related productivity loss and its risk factors among 1122 nurses working in a tertiary hospital in Changchun city.Results Compared with hired nurses,age and work seniority of permanent nurses were significantly higher(Z =-19.49,-19.28 ;P ＜0.05).The average score of SPS-6 of all the participants was 20.05 ± 4.37.The score of SPS-6 of married nurses was significantly lower than other nurses (Z =-3.52,P ＜ 0.05) ; and the score of SPS-6 of nurses less than 30 years old was significantly higher than those above 30 years old (Z =-2.49,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences between the SPS-6 score of education degree and department.(Z =-1.37,x2 =0.58 ; P ＞0.05).The result of GLM showed that employment status and work seniority were independent risk factors of health-related productivity loss among nurses.The scores of SPS-6 of permanent nurses was significantly lower than hired nursed (x2 =4.48,P ＜ 0.05),and those who had worked for less than 3 years showed significantly higher score of SPS-6 than those who had worked longer (x2 =12.89,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Health-related productivity loss do exist among nurses.Improving health management may help to reduce this loss of productivity.

Objective To investigate the effects of aquatic Taiji Quan on balance function of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury. Methods From March to December, 2015, 30 patients with incomplete spinal cord injury received aquatic Taiji Quan exercise based on rou-tine rehabilitation, 30 minutes every day, five times a week for five weeks. They were assessed with Berg Balance Scale (BBS) before and after exercise. Dynamic balance function and static balance function were also assessed with Active Balancer assessment. Results The BBS score significantly improved after exercise (t=-9.652, P<0.001). The track length and area of gravity movement with eyes open and closed decreased (t>3.528, Z>-2.590, P<0.01). No improvement was observed in the deflection center displacement of X and Y axes (P>0.05). The dynamic stability limit range enlarged (t=-4.516, P<0.01), and the time to target significantly shortened (t=4.530, P<0.001). Conclusion Aquatic Taiji Quan can improve the balance function of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.

To knock out β-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene and insert human lactoferrin (hLF) coding sequence at BLG locus of goat, the transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) mediated recombination was used to edit the BLG gene of goat fetal fibroblast, then as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. We designed a pair of specific plasmid TALEN-3-L/R for goat BLG exon III recognition sites, and BLC14-TK vector containing a negative selection gene HSV-TK, was used for the knock in of hLF gene. TALENs plasmids were transfected into the goat fetal fibroblast cells, and the cells were screened three days by 2 μg/mL puromycin. DNA cleavage activities of cells were verified by PCR amplification and DNA production sequencing. Then, targeting vector BLC14-TK and plasmids TALEN-3-L/R were co-transfected into goat fetal fibroblasts, both 700 μg/mL G418 and 2 μg/mL GCV were simultaneously used to screen G418-resistant cells. Detections of integration and recombination were implemented to obtain cells with hLF gene site-specific integration. We chose targeting cells as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The mutagenicity of TALEN-3-L/R was between 25% and 30%. A total of 335 reconstructed embryos with 6 BLG-/hLF+ targeting cell lines were transferred into 16 recipient goats. There were 9 pregnancies confirmed by ultrasound on day 30 to 35 (pregnancy rate of 39.1%), and one of 50-day-old fetus with BLG-/hLF+ was achieved. These results provide the basis for hLF gene knock-in at BLG locus of goat and cultivating transgenic goat of low allergens and rich hLF in the milk.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Goats ; genetics ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; genetics ; Lactoglobulins ; genetics ; Milk ; chemistry ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Plasmids ; Pregnancy ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo prove analgesia and sedative effect of adjuvant anesthesia with magnetic auricular point-sticking on abdominal gynecological operation and its effect on postoperative recovery of body function.

METHODSNinety-two patients with abdominal gynecological operation were randomly divided into 3 groups. The auricular point-sticking group (APS group, n=31) was pasted and pressed by plasters with magnetic beads at bilateral Shenmen, Pizhixia (subcortex), Zigong (uterus) and Penqiang (pelvic cavity), etc. the night before operation. The placebo group (n=31) was pasted by plasters without magnetic beads. The blank group (n=30) was given no intervention. The mental and gastrointestinal functional changes before and 3 days after the operation were observed.

RESULTSAs compared with those in the control group and the blank group, the postoperative score of Self rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) was less (25.5 +/- 0.81 vs. 28.9 +/- 3.19, 28.3 +/- 2.36, both P < 0.01), with lower-dose of Innovar [(2.5 + 1.1) mL vs. (3.4 + 1.8) mL, (3.2 + 1.6) mL, both P < 0.05], earlier exsufflation after the operation [(34.2 + 12.1) h vs. (46.3 + 10.9) h, (43.2 + 14.8) h, both P < 0.01] and higher level serum of beta-endorphin before and after the operation in the APS group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe magnetic auricular point-sticking has sedative, analgesic and function-regulating effects on the abdominal gynecological operation.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adjuvants, Anesthesia ; administration & dosage ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Postoperative Period ; Recovery of Function ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDUrethral reconstruction for both congenital and acquired etiologies remains a challenge for most urologic surgeons. Tissue engineering has been proposed as a strategy for urethral reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a naturally derived extracellular matrix substitute developed for urethral reconstruction would be suitable for urethral repair in an animal model.

METHODSA urethral segmental defect was created in 20 male rabbits. The urethral extracellular matrix, obtained and processed from rabbit urethral tissue, was trimmed and transplanted to repair the urethral defect. Then, the regenerated segment was studied histologically by haematoxylin-eosin staining and Van Gieson staining at 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 24 weeks postoperation. Retrograde urethrography was used to evaluate the function of the regenerated urethras of 4 rabbits 10 and 24 weeks after the operation. The urodynamics of 4 rabbits from the experimental group and control group I were assessed and compared. In addition, 4 experimental group rabbits were examined by a urethroscope 24 weeks after the operation.

RESULTSAt 10 days after operation, epithelial cells had migrated from each side, and small vessels were observed in the extracellular matrix. The matrix and adjacent areas of the host tissue were infiltrated with inflammatory cells. The epithelium covered the extracellular matrix fully at 3 weeks postoperation. Well-formed smooth-muscle cells were first confirmed after 6 weeks, at which point the inflammatory cells had disappeared. At 24 weeks postoperation, the regenerated tissue was equivalent to the normal urethra. Urethrography and urodynamic evaluations showed that there was no difference between normal tissue and regenerated tissue.

CONCLUSIONSUrethral extracellular matrix appears to be a useful material for urethral repair in rabbits. The matrix can be processed easily and has good characteristics for tissue handling and urethral function.

Animals ; Extracellular Matrix ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Urethra ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) in preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rats and explore the mechanisms.

METHODSSixty SD rats were randomized into 4 equal groups, including a blank control group, adhesion model group, and high-, moderate-, and low-dose STS-treated groups, and were subjected to injuries of the parietal peritoneum and cecum to induce peritoneal adhesions, followed by intraperitoneal administration of saline and STS at the doses of 20, 10, and 5 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days, respectively. Another 15 untreated rats served as the blank control group. The adhesion scores in each group were recorded after the treatments; the activity of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) in peritoneal lavage fluid was measured, tPA/PAI-1 protein ratio in the peritoneal tissue was determined by ELISA, and the expressions of TGF-β1 and collagen I were detected by immunohistochemistry. The anastomotic healing model was used to assess the impact of STS on wound healing.

RESULTSIntraperitoneal administration of STS effectively prevented peritoneal adhesion without affecting anastomotic healing in the rats. Compared with the adhesion model group, the STS-treated groups showed increased peritoneal lavage fluid tPA activity and tPA/PAI-1 ratio in the ischemic tissues with lowered TGF-β1 and collagen I expressions in the ischemic tissues.

CONCLUSIONSIntraperitoneal administration of STS can prevent peritoneal adhesion and enhance local fibrinolysis in rats, and these effects may be mediated by TGF-β signaling pathway.

Animals ; Cecum ; injuries ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Fibrinolysis ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Peritoneum ; injuries ; pathology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Adhesions ; prevention & control ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

The objective of this study was to explore the useful value of circulating galactomannan (GM) for early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. All 141 patients were classified as 103 patients of clinical and possible diagnosis, and 38 non-Aspergillus patients. 209 serum samples for the detection of GM by Platelia Aspergillus were collected before anti-fungal vaccine therapy. ELISA method was used in detection of GM. The results showed that (1) the sensitivity of 87.5%, specificity of 81.6%, positive prediction of 66.7% and negative prediction of 93.9% were determined by using cut-off value. According to the result of ELISA, the clinical diagnosed patients was up to 48, while the possible diagnosed patients were 55. (2) Among 62 patients with consecutive examinations of serum samples, 50 patients were successfully diagnosed and treated, while 12 patients died. A progressive reduction of GM level was found in survivors, however, the patients of poor prognosis showed higher antigen titres. It is concluded that GM test has more significance for earlier diagnosis of aspergillosis, the concentration of GM is related to prognosis of disease.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspergillosis ; diagnosis ; Aspergillus ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between two single nucleotide polymorphisms located in the promoter of transforming growth factor-β1 receptor 2 (TGFBR2) gene and hypertension in Han Chinese population.

METHODSThe subjects were recruited from the population of cluster sampling survey for essential hypertension (EH) in two townships of Yixing city, Jiangsu province in 2009. Overall, 2012 patients with hypertension and 2116 age (± 2 years) and sex-matched unrelated controls were selected. Epidemiological data, physical measurements results and serum glucose and lipid biomarker were collected and detected. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis were applied and two tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tagSNP) in 5' upstream of TGFBR2 gene (rs6785358, -3779A/G; rs764522, -1444C/G) were selected for genotyping and analyzing for the association with hypertension.

RESULTSThe frequencies of AA, AG, GG in case and control of rs6785358 were 1455 (72.3%), 517 (25.7%), 40 (2.0%) and 1582 (74.8%), 490 (23.2%), 43 (2.0%) respectively, and CC, CG, GG of rs764522 were 1524 (75.7%), 464 (23.1%), 24 (1.2%) and 1654 (78.2%), 436 (20.6%), 26 (1.2%) respectively. SNP rs764522 was significantly associated with EH and OR (95%CI) were 1.17 (1.01 - 1.36) (P < 0.05) in dominant model after adjustment for confounding factors such as age, sex, glucose, lipids, smoking and alcohol drinking. Further stratification analysis by age, sex, smoking and alcohol drinking indicated that individuals carrying G allele (CG/GG genotype) of SNP rs764522 had higher susceptibility to EH than CC genotype (OR = 1.21, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.45) (P < 0.05) in ≥ 55 years group. No statistical significance was detected in the distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies for SNP rs6785358 between cases and controls (P > 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed that no significant frequency difference of haplotype structured by rs6785358 and rs764522 was found between cases and controls (P > 0.05), and no significant blood pressure change was found between genotype variations of rs6785358 and rs764522 (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNP rs764522 of TGFBR2 gene is associated with increased risk of EH in elderly Han Chinese population.

Aged ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of circulating galactomannan (GM) screening for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of invasive aspergillosis (IA).

METHODSSerum samples from 141 IA patients for the detection of GM by Platelia Aspergillus (Bia-Rad) were collected before and after systematic anti-fungal therapy.

RESULTS(1) An increase in the clinical diagnosis rate of IA was obtained on the result of GM detection. The GM positivity appeared (10+/-4.1) (8-15) d before positive sputum culture, while (12.6+/-5.7) (6-22) d before the CT positive image. (2) Among the 62 patients with consecutive serum samples, 50 were success in treatment and 12 died. A progressive decrease of GM level was found in the former group, while the rising antigen titres were found in the latter.

CONCLUSIONCompared with other diagnostic test, GM test has an obvious advantage of higher positivity and earlier result. The anti-fungal effectiveness can be estimated by dynamic detection of serum GM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aspergillosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mannans ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect and mechanism of Huatuo Zaizao extractum (HTZZ) on focal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) blood-brain barrier injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion.

METHODSixty healthy male adult Sprague-Dawley rats was randomly divided into the sham operation group, the MCAO model group, the Tanakan (20 mg x kg(-1)) group, and high, middle and low-dose HTZZ groups (5, 2.5, 1.25 g x kg(-1)), with 10 in each group and single-dose duodenal administration. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was adopted to establish the rat focal I/R model. After ischemia for 90 min and reperfusion for 24 h, the pathological injury at the ischemia side was observed by HE staining. The blood-brain barrier structure was observed under transmission electron microscope. Expressions of G protein-coupled receptor kinases 2 (GRK2), matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 were detected by western blotting technique.

RESULTAfter 90 min MCAO/24 h reperfusion, penumbra cerebral cortical micro-vessels showed edema, mitochondrial injury, vacuolation, membrane injury and reduction. Along with the changes, sub-cells of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in cortical penumbra brain tissues transferred from cytoplasm to membrane, with increase in expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. HTZZ could effectively recover cerebral micro-vascular endothelial edemaand blood-brain barrier ultrastructure injury induced by I/R, reduce expression of functional (membrane coupling) GRK2, and inhibit expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

CONCLUSIONCell membrane coupling GRK2 may be the effective target of Huatuo Zaizao extractum.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; injuries ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Microvessels ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; metabolism ; physiopathology