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.

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

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

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

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of preoperatively selected gut decontamination (SGD) on intestinally derived endotoxemia(ETM) in patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing valve replacement operation with cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).

METHODSThirty patients were randomly divided into control group and SGD group. The patients in control group underwent preoperative bowel preparation, i.e, diet preparation and enema. The patients in SGD group were administrated 100 mg Tobramycin, 40 mg garlicin and 20% Lactulose for 10 ml three times per day for 3 days besides routinely preoperative bowel preparation. Bacteria cultivation and identification and Gram staining of feces in both groups were used to evaluate species of intestinal flora and their ratios. The levels of endotoxin, D-lactate, TNF-alpha and complement 3 were determined at four time points of anesthetic induction, CPB end, 2 h after CPB, 24 h after CPB. And the related clinical biochemical and clinical markers were recorded.

RESULTSAerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) ratio in post-SGD group decreased significantly as compared with that in control group and pre-SGD group (P less than 0.05). The level of D-lactate reduced significantly at time points of anesthetic induction and 2 h after CPB (P less than 0.05). Endotoxin levels of patients in both groups elevated significantly after CPB (P less than 0.05), and endotoxin levels of the patients in SGD group decreased significantly at points of CPB end (P less than 0.01) and 24 h after CPB (P less than 0.05) compared with those in control group. The levels of TNF-alpha and complement 3 were similar in both groups as well as clinical and biochemical markers.

CONCLUSIONSCPB induces endotoxemia, while the regime of SGD is an effective way to prevent endotoxemia but may not affect activation of inflammatory media and clinical outcomes.

Adult ; Allyl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Decontamination ; Disulfides ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxemia ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Preoperative Care ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; surgery ; Tobramycin ; therapeutic use

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

Objective To evaluate the use of gated SPECT in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) and the effects of percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) on myocardial perfusion.Methods 99 Tcm-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) images were performed in 31 HOCM patients before PFSMA and in 15 patients 3-7 d after PTSMA.The images in different left ventricular segments were analysed by using scores.Results In 99Tcm-MIBI images, uptake decreased at the septal regions in 12 HOCM patients (80.0%, 12/15) after PTSMA, 18F-FDG images also showed decreased uptake at the septal regions in 5 HOCM patients (33.3%, 5/15) after PTSMA.Conclusion 99Tcm-MIBI images might be an important method to evaluate PTSMA results, and 18 F-FDG images showed important value as reference.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and neuroimaging features of patients with osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS).Methods The clinical features and examination results ,including the clinical manifestations,the data of cranial MRI/CT,changes of EEG,treatment and prognosis,were analyzed in 4 patients with ODS.Results All the 4 patients had the history of hyponatraemia.The common clinical manifestations included psychiatric disorder,altered consciousness,dysphasia,dysphagia,quadriplegia and dystonia.Severe transient abnormal EEG was found in these patients,and all the brain CT scanning and CSF were negative.MRI features could only be noted 10 d after the appearing of clinical manifestations and all the first time MRI was negative in these 4 patients.Four patients were diagnosed as having extrapontine myelinolysis,showing symmetrical low T1-weighted signal and high T2-weighted signal within the pons,the basal ganglia,the thalami,the insular cortex and the hippocampal head.Three patients were also diagnosed as having central pontine myelinolysis,showing symmetrical T1 low signal and T2 high signal in the basilar part of pons; much clear imaging could be noted with the help of weighing the abnormal signals.Three patients got improvement with 1 having dystonia sequel.Conclusion ODS is correlated with chronic hyponatraemia,and both hypokalaemia and hypochloremia may be the 2 possible triggers; when they appear,quick correction is not needed.MRI features may be significantly delayed,thus,repeated imaging study is necessary.

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