Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; epidemiology ; virology ; Virus Diseases ; epidemiology

AIM To investigate the effect of fenofibrate and simvastatin on the serum free fatty acids of alcoholic fatty liver in rats. METHODS The rat model of alcoholic fatty liver was reproduced by chronic ethanol ingestion plus olive oil diet. The model rats were divided into three groups as follows: finofibrate treatment group(finofibrate 80 mg?kg -1 po, once a day),simvastatin treatment group (simvastatin 4 mg?kg -1 po, once a day)and control group without either above-mentioned treatment. Experimental rats were treated for four weeks and then sacrificed for blood sampling. Serum free fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. RESULTS Fenofibrate significantly ameliorated the decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids induced by ethanol [oleic acid:(38.212?7.788) ?g?L -1 vs (31.620?6.142) ?g?L -1,linoleic acid:(37.269?8.065) ?g?L -1 vs (30.254?9.063) ?g?L -1,arachidonic acid:(11.646?2.601) ?g?L -1 vs (9.012?1.236) ?g?L -1] accompanied by the improvement of the fat infiltration of the liver, but demonstrated no effect on the increase in serum saturated fatty acids by ethanol. In the contrast, simvastatin can aggravate the decrease in polyunsatrurated fatty acids and significantly increase the levels of satrurated fatty acids in serum induced by ethanol along with the pathological aggravation of alcoholic fatty liver. CONCLUSION The results of present study revealed that fenofibrate and simvastatin exerted different effect on the serum free fatty acids of alcoholic fatty liver. Polyunsatrurated fatty acids in the serum play an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment response of alcoholic fatty liver.

OBJECTIVE To study the clinic feature and cause of misdiagnosis of early stage syphilis and evaluate the significance of histopathology in the diagnosis of the disease. METHODS Totally 1 200 early syphilis cases were analyzed.The serologic test for syphilis was performed.Thirty five of them were performed with histopathological examination. RESULTS The primary syphilis was found to be commonly misdiagnosed as chancroid,genital herpes,scabies nodules and ulcus vulvae acutum.For secondary syphilis,macular syphilide and maculopapular syphilide were easily misdiagnosed as pityriasis rosea or dermatitis.The papulosquamous syphilide was commonly misdiagnosed as psoriasis.The condyloma latum was commonly misdiagnosed as condyloma acuminatum. CONCLUSIONS The serologic test is important in diagnosis of primary syphilis.The histopathologic test plays a role in diagnosis of primary syphilis,condyloma latum and papulosquamous syphilide,but of limited value in diagnosis of macular syphilide.

Objective To examine the association between CYP1A1 polymorphisms (MspI and Ile/Val) and esophageal cancer (EC) by systematically reviewing the risk of the original studies. Methods Data from 16 papers (8 for MspI, 14 for Ile/Val) regarding case-control studies on the association of cytochrome P450 polymorphisms and risk of esophageal cancer was analyzed by dominant model (variant genotype vs. wild-type genotype) through meta-analysis. Stratified analysis was carried out according to the pathological types. Results In systematical analysis, CYP1A1 MspI variant genotype (TC+CC) had no association with EC risk (OR=1.17,95%CI: 0.82-1.66). Similar results were observed in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma(ESCC) (OR=1.17,95%CI: 0.82-1.69) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) (OR=1.39,95% CI: 0.67-2.09). Individuals with the CYP1A1 Ile/Val variant genotype (Ile/Val + Val/Val) had an increased risk for EC, when comparing with wild type (Iie/Iie ), with an OR of 1.39 (95 %CI: 1.07-1.80). CYP1A1 Ile/Val variant genotype could increase the risk of ESCC (OR=1.43,95%CI:1.07-1.91) but no significant association was found with EAC (OR=1.20,95%CI:0.62-2.30). Conclusion CYP1A1 gene polymorphism Ile/Val might have played a role in the development of ESCC but CYP1A1 MspI polymorphism might not be associated with the susceptibility of EC.

Objective To understand epidemiological characteristics of self -reported acute gastroenteritis in Hangzhou -Jiaxing -Huzhou area in Zhejiang Province.Methods According to the population capacity,the household interview was conducted among families selected by multi stage sampling method from July 2010 to June 2011,and one person who was approaching birthday in every family was selected for investigation, including symptoms and treatment of acute gastroenteritis.Results Totally 9 548 people were investigated.The monthly prevalence of acute gastroenteritis among the surveyed population was 2.95% and the incidence was 0.39 per person year.It was estimated that there would be 5.875 6 million cases of acute gastroenteritis occurred during this year in the area.Logistic regression analysis showed that monthly prevalence in female was higher than in male.The monthly prevalence reached the high level in July and August.The monthly prevalence in preschool children was the highest.The monthly prevalence in rural population was higher than that in the urban population.Besides,the monthly prevalence in those of family number ≥3 was higher than that of family number less than 3.Totally,56.38% of the cases visited docter,and 54.67% of the cases took antibiotics;13.48%reported work absence and 2.13% reported school absence due to the illness.Conclusion The disease burden of acute gastroenteritis could be heavy in Hangzhou -Jiaxing -Huzhou area.Gender,education,season,residence and the size of family may have some effects on the occurrence of acute gastroenteritis.

Objective To investigate the distribution of ghitathione-S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) genes polymorphisms in Chinese population and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases of Jilin province. Methods Articles about GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes polymorphisms published before 2009 in China were searched. The study population was obtained from fourteen counties (or districts) of Jilin province, which included all cases from November, 2007 to May, 2008, totally 1120. The genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were detected by multiplex PCR technique. Results The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 'null' genotypes and combination M1-T1 'null' genotype acquired from systematic review were 54.2%, 46.8% and 26.2%, respectively, in Chinese Hans they were 53.4%, 44.9% and 25.5%, and in our research they are 57.2%, 20.4% and 13.7%, respectively. No significant differences between the frequencies of males and females as well as among that of different age groups were observed(P>0.05). The frequency of GSTM1 'null' genotype in our research is slightly higher than that in systematic review (P=0.016) , and the frequencies of GSTT1 'null' genotype and combination M1-T1 'null' genotype and are significantly lower than those in systematic review (both P<0.001). Conclusion The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTTI 'null' genotypes were different among ethnics. The statistical difference between systematic review and our research may due to our large sample size and mostly Soutbern people in previous studies.

Serum sclerostin is positively associated with serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration. Our preliminary studies confirmed that Qing'e formula (QEF) could effectively increase serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), but the effect of supplementation with QEF on serum sclerostin is unknown. This study investigated the effects of supplementation of QEF on serum sclerostin levels in patients with PMOP. Totally 120 outpatients and inpatients with PMOP treated in our hospital between January and October 2012 were randomly divided into QEF+calcium group, alfacalcidol+calcium group, and placebo+calcium group (n=40 each), with a follow-up period of 2 years. The serum levels of sclerostin, 25 hydroxyvitamin D, and bone turnover markers (β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP) at baseline and at the 6th month, 1st year, 1.5th year, and 2nd year after treatment were measured. The results showed that the levels of circulating sclerostin were increased significantly at the 6th month after treatment in QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group as compared with placebo+calcium group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the former two groups (P>0.05). The levels of β-CTX, N-MID and T-PINP in serum were decreased in both QEF+calcium group and alfacalcidol+calcium group at the 6th month after treatment, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). But the levels were significantly lower than that in placebo+calcium group (P<0.05). These results suggest that the mechanism by which QEF modulates bone metabolism in patients with PMOP might be related with the effect of QEF in increasing sclerostin expression. Our findings provide a scientific rationale for using QEF as an effective drug to prevent bone loss in PMOP.
Biomarkers ; blood ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Calcium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroxycholecalciferols ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; blood ; drug therapy ; Proteins ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Vitamin D ; analogs & derivatives ; blood

The function of the transplanted heart will be affected by acute allograft rejection, chronic rejection, high blood pressure and so on, which may induce the reconstruction of the left ventricle and the increase of left ventricular mass (LVM), and eventually lead to left ventricular hypertrophy that will significantly affect the prognosis of heart transplantation (HT). The purpose of this study was to dynamically monitor the changes of left ventricular geometric patterns after HT using two-dimensional echocardiography and to understand the remodeling process and its possible influencing factors. The left ventricular internal diameter, interventricular septal wall thickness, posterior wall thickness at end diastole were measured and the relative wall thickness (RWT), left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index were calculated respectively in 34 HT patients and 34 healthy volunteers by two-dimensional echocardiography. The type of left ventricular geometry was identified based on the echocardiographic determination of LVM index (LVMI) and RWT. The HT patients were divided into three groups according to the time length after surgery: A (3 months postoperatively), B (6 months postoperatively) and C (12 months postoperatively). We compared the parameters of left ventricle between HT group and normal control group, and explored the risk factors causing the increase of LVM. The results showed that 4 patients (16%) in group A had concentric remodeling. Nine patients (34.62%) in group B had reconstruction, including 5 cases of concentric remodeling, 2 cases of concentric hypertrophy and 2 cases of eccentric hypertrophy. The hypertrophy incidence rate was 15.4% in group B. 15 patients (62.5%) had reconstruction in group C, including 9 cases of concentric remodeling, 5 cases of concentric hypertrophy, and 1 case of eccentric hypertrophy. The prevalence of hypertrophy was 25%. Multivariate analysis showed that hypertension and acute rejection history were the risk factors that resulted in left ventricular hypertrophy. It is concluded that the left ventricular remodeling occurs following cardiac transplantation at an early stage and the incidence of left ventricular hypertrophy increases with survival time. In this study, the one-year prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was 25% after surgery. Hypertension and acute rejection history are risk factors that can predict the left ventricular hypertrophy.
Adult ; Cardiomegaly ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Ventricular Remodeling

The formalin test is a commonly used animal model of acute and tonic pain. However, the molecular targets of formaldehyde (FA, the main ingredient of the formalin solution) on primary nociceptor cells remain controversial. In this report, the effects of FA on electrophysiologically-identified primary nociceptor cells were evaluated in vitro and the roles of the vanilloid receptor TRPV1 in FA-produced activation of primary nociceptors were also examined at both cellular and behavioral levels. Of 92 acutely dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells recorded by current patch-clamp technique, 34% were discharged by FA application with the mean onset latencies of the first action potential (AP) being (367.34+/-32.96) s. All the FA-sensitive cells were identified as nociceptor cells by their distinguishable features of AP including longer duration, existence of a hump (a shoulder or inflection) on the repolarizing phase, and longer after-hyperpolarization of APs. Co-application of capsazepine (CPZ), a competitive antagonist of TRPV1 receptors, could block FA-evoked firing with partial inhibition on the membrane depolarization of all cells tested. Of another 160 cells examined by confocal calcium imaging, 32% were shown to respond to FA with an intracellular Ca(2+) rise. Of 51 FA-sensitive cells, 67% were suppressed by CPZ, suggesting partial involvement of TRPV1 in mediation of the FA-evoked intracellular Ca(2+) rise. Under voltage-clamp mode, 41% of DRG cells were evoked to give rise to inward current with the remaining 59% being unchanged. In separate experiments on the other 56 FA-sensitive cells, concentration-dependent increase in the FA-evoked current amplitude was demonstrated. In comparison with controls, the FA-evoked inward current could be significantly suppressed by CPZ that was further enhanced by HC-030031, a TRPA1 selective antagonist. Finally, local effects of CPZ were confirmed in the formalin test and it was shown that the formalin-induced paw flinches were strongly suppressed by CPZ in phase 1 but with phase 2 being significantly suppressed only during 25-55 min. It is therefore concluded that FA can directly activate a subpopulation of primary nociceptor cells and the FA-induced AP discharges are likely to contribute mainly to phase 1, but not phase 2 of the formalin-induced nociception. The activation of primary nociceptor cells by FA is likely to be mediated, at least in part, through TRPV1 and/or TRPA1 receptors.
Acetanilides ; pharmacology ; Action Potentials ; Animals ; Capsaicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Formaldehyde ; pharmacology ; Ganglia, Spinal ; physiology ; Nociceptors ; physiology ; Pain ; physiopathology ; Pain Measurement ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Purines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; TRPV Cation Channels ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 12 secreting form (ADAM12-S) as a maternal serum marker in second trimester screening for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome, DS), and to develop an appropriate prenatal DS screening protocol.

METHODSSerum samples were collected from 53 pregnant women carrying a trisomy 21 fetus and 621 pregnant women with matched gestational age and weight carrying a healthy fetus. ADAM12-S concentrations were determined with a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA). Curve fitting by weighted regression and other statistical methods were conducted, and the model was optimized for prenatal trisomy 21 screening program in second trimester. ADAM12-S alone or in combination with other two- or three-combination test was selected as a serum marker for prenatal second-trimester screening of trisomy 21 by calculation of detection rate (DR) and false positive rate (FPR).

RESULTSBy comparison, the median multiple of the median (MoM) value of ADAM12-S in DS pregnancy group was higher than that of the control group (P< 0.01). When FPR = 5%, the DR of ADAM12-S was 28.3%, and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 5.66 and 0.75, respectively. The DR of three-combination test of ADAM12-S, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) has increased to 52.80% from 39.62% of the conventional two-combination test (AFP and free β-HCG). For women with a risk between 1/300 and 1/1000 by two-combination test for DS, the DR has increased from 39.62% to 47.12%, but FPR only increased by 0.8% after adding ADAM12-S as a maternal serum marker.

CONCLUSIONConsidering the increased DR of pregnancies with a risk between 1/300 and 1/1000 in second trimester, ADAM12-S may provide a feasible maternal serum maker when combined with AFP and free β-HCG. The cost-effectiveness ratio is reasonable.

ADAM Proteins ; blood ; ADAM12 Protein ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Disintegrins ; blood ; Down Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; enzymology ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods