Objective To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome ( MS) in women who had gone through natural menopause, and to provide basic data for developing effective prevention and intervention of metabolic syndrome in Taixing area Jiangsu province. Methods A cluster sample of natural postmenopausal women aged 45 to 64 years were sampled and assessed by questionnaires, physical measurements, and biochemical tests; and analyzed according to the International Diabetes Federation ( IDF, 2005) diagnostic criteria for MS. Results The crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 35. 25% and the standardized prevalence rate was 31. 47% after age being adjusted. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was increased with age ( P < 0. 01). The constituent ratio of the combinations of 3, 4, and 5 components in MS was 21. 45% , 10. 73% , and 3. 07% , respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among older women after menopause is high and increasing with aging. Public education should be strengthened to improve the quality of life in postmenopausal women and prevention and intervention should be adopted earlier as well.

OBJECTIVE To detect the expression of the Glucocorticoid receptor-?(GR-?)mRNA in nasal polyp and normal nasal mucosa and investigate the route of nasal drug administration in patients of nasal polyp. METHODS The expression of GR-?mRNA in 101 samples of nasal polyps and 31samples of normal nasal mucosa was examined by using Fluorescent quantitative PCR .RESULTS The level of GR-?mRNA in normal nasal mucosa(135.4? 5.25)?104 copy /?g were significantly higher than that in nasal polyps(23.5?12.1)?104 copy/?g . CONCLUSION Because of the low expression of GR-?mRNA in nasal polyps,the route of nasal drug administration in patients with nasal polyps may be in the part of normal mucosa,not in the mucosa of nasal polyps of the nasal cavity.

Identification of genetic risk factors is the hotspot of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Through candidate gene approach and genome-wide association studies (GWAS), some genes were preliminary identified. To review AIS related genes,and construct the gene network map of AIS gene. We searched on NCBI PubMed and Web of Science database using search terms "adolescent idiopathic scoliosis" and "gene", to classify induction genes. We then constructed gene diagram using string-db. We found 35 AIS genes relating to connective tissue, nervous system active substances, melatonin synthesis and metabolism, puberty and growth, and genes whose function is unknown. Gene diagram shows that a network relationship between gene and other genes,in which IL6, ESR1, ESR2, VDR, TGFB1, IGF1 gene may as the key gene about AIS' genetic mechanism. Two sites of 3 GWAS results outside the network, it is suggesting new pathway that need to be explored. The study about AIS susceptibility gene is still preliminary, requiring in-depth research to identify the new networks.
Adolescent ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; genetics ; Matrilin Proteins ; genetics ; Scoliosis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; methods ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Humans ; Osteoarthritis ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo carry out expert survey for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome characteristics of different clinical types of coronary artery disease (CAD).

METHODSBy using Delphi method, we carried out two rounds of nationwide expert surveys for modern TCM characteristics of syndrome elements and syndrome types of CAD.

RESULTSBased on expert consensus, qi deficiency, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, qi deficiency blood stasis, and intermingled phlegm and blood stasis are common TCM syndromes for different clinical types of CAD. Of them, qi stagnation, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, heat accumulation, cold coagulation, yang deficiency, deficiency of both qi and yang were more often seen in patients with unstable angina than in those with stable angina. Qi deficiency, yin deficiency, and deficiency of both qi and yin were less seen. We could see more excess syndrome and less deficiency syndrome (such as qi deficiency, yin deficiency, etc.) in acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) than acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Qi deficiency, blood stasis, water retention, yang deficiency, phlegm turbidity, yin deficiency, Xin-qi deficiency, and qi deficiency blood stasis induced water retention are the most common TCM syndrome types of CAD heart failure (HF). Blood deficiency, yin deficiency, heat accumulation, deficiency of both Xin and Pi, deficiency of both qi and blood, deficiency of both qi and yin, yin deficiency and fire hyperactivity were more often seen in CAD arrhythmias.

CONCLUSIONSTCM syndrome distributions of different clinical types of CAD have common laws and individual characteristics. Results based on the expert consensus supplied evidence and support for clinical diagnosis and treatment of CAD.

Angina Pectoris ; Angina, Unstable ; China ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Coronary Disease ; diagnosis ; Data Collection ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Qi ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; diagnosis ; Yin Deficiency ; diagnosis

AIMPoly (methoxypolyethyleneglycol cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (PEG-PHDCA) and PHDCA niosomes were prepared and the influence of the PEG chain length on the niosomes physicochemical characteristics, complement consumption and phagocytic uptake were studied.

METHODSThe physicochemical parameters of PEG-PHDCA niosomes were characterized in terms of particle size, zeta aqueous layer thickness. The relationship between physicochemical characteristics and in vitro complement consumption and phagocytic uptake was further illustrated.

RESULTSExperimental results showed that PEG10,000-PHDCA had most loose structure and least PEG surface density among three groups. Configuration simulation through fixed aqueous layer thickness confirmed that PEG folding and less flexibility of the PEG chains of PEG10,000-PHDCA niosomes were accountable for its poor stealth effects. Compared with PEG2,000-PHDCA, PEG5,000-PHDCA showed a thicker fixed aqueous layer (FALT) of 4.20 nm, less negative zeta potential of -10.03 mV, and enhanced PEG surface density of 0.49 PEG x nm(-2), leading to the best effects of reduction of complement consumption and phagocytic uptake.

CONCLUSIONExcessive chain length of PEG was not necessary for stealth effects of PEG-PHDCA niosomes. PEG5,000-PHDCA niosomes had best effects on evading complement consumption and subsequent phagocytic uptake.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Camptothecin ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacokinetics ; Complement System Proteins ; metabolism ; Cyanoacrylates ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Male ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Phagocytosis ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Surface Properties

OBJECTIVEPrevious studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) plays key roles in a number of biological processes, including vasorelaxation, inflammation, apoptosis, ischemia/reperfusion and oxidative stress, which are involved in the pathogenesis of myocarditis. This study aimed to examine the expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase(CSE)/H2S pathway in mice with viral myocarditis.

METHODSSix-week-old inbred male mice were randomly assigned to control (n=25) and myocarditis group (n=30). The myocarditis and the control groups were inoculated intraperitoneally with 0.1 mL 10-5.69TCID50/mL CVB3 or vehicle (PBS) alone respectively. Ten mice were sacrificed 4 and 10 days after injection. Blood and heart specimens were harvested for measuring the content of serum H2S and the H2S production rates in cardiac tissues. Heart sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Immunohistochemisty was used to detect the CSE protein expression in the heart.

RESULTSIn the myocarditis group, the serum H2S content and H2S production rates in cardiac tissues were significantly higher than those in the control group 4 and 10 days after injection (P<0.05). The expression of CSE protein in the heart in the myocarditis group was also significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCSE and its downstream production H2S increase in mice with acute viral myocarditis. The increased expression of CSE/H2S pathway might be involved in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis.

Animals ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; etiology ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; analysis ; Enterovirus B, Human ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; etiology

Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Nestin ; metabolism ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Temporal Lobe ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study organochlorine pesticide and heavy metal residuals of Chrysanthemum morifolium.

METHODThe contents of organochlorine pesticide residuals was determined by chromatography, Cu, Pb, Cd was determined by AAS, and As, Hg was determined by AFS.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe contents of organochlorine pesticide and heavy metals residuals are up to "Green Trade Standards of Importing & Exporting Medicinal plants & Preprations" (MOFTEC, 2001), but the contents are different among four cultivars clearly.

Cadmium ; analysis ; China ; Chrysanthemum ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Copper ; analysis ; DDT ; analysis ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lead ; analysis ; Lindane ; analysis ; Mercury ; analysis ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo clone, express and identify the mecA fragment which encoded penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) from methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolated from patients by gene recombination method.

METHODSAccording to the sequence of mecA gene recorded in GenBank, the primer of mecA fragment which encoded amino acids 25 - 668 of PBP2a was designed. Then the mecA fragment was amplified by PCR and cloned into pQE30 plasmid. After being identified by enzyme digestion and sequencing, the recombinant plasmid was transferred into E. coli M15 [pREP4], and then its expression was induced by 1 mmol/L Isopropy-beta-D-Thiogalactoside (IPTG). The expression product was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, protein sequencing and mass spectroscopy.

RESULTSThe recombinant pQE30- mecA had been successfully constructed. The result of sequencing showed that the mecA fragment had 1932 bases, including 9 bases undergoing mutation. After being induced for 6 hours by IPTG, the soluble protein in M15 (pQE30- mecA), with a relative molecular weight of 74 x 10(3), was found by SDS-PAGE. The soluble protein had been confirmed to be PBP2a after identification.

CONCLUSIONThe soluble PBP2a of MRSA isolated from patients is expressed successfully by gene recombinant technology.

Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Methicillin Resistance ; genetics ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peptide Synthases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids