ObjectiveTo investigate the iodine nutritional status of pregnant women,newborn heel blood thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) level and their relationship with urinary iodine(UI) level during pregnancy in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New Area of Shanghai.Methods A total of 993 urinary samples(the first,second and third trimesters of pregnancy were 200 people,respectively),breast feeding(193 people) and non-pregnant women (200 people) in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New area were collected from Apr 2009 to Dec 2010.Two hundred copies of neonatal heel blood samples were collected.Median of UI was measured by arsenic-cerium catalysis.TSH in neonatal heel blood was analyzed 72 h after birth by time resolved fluoroisnmunoassay(TRFIA).ResultsMedian UI of all pregnant women was 161.35 μg/L,and that in third trimesters of pregnancy( 126.35 μg/L) was lower than that of the first,the second,the breast feeding and non-pregnant women (178.80,180.50,167.90,163.40 μg/L,all P＜ 0.05).The percentage of UI level less than 150 μg/L in the third trimester[57.5％(115/200) ] was higher than that of the first[39.0％(78/200) ],the second[39.5％(79/200) ],the breast feeding [ 16.6％ (32/193) ] and non-pregnant women [ 23.0％ (46/200) ],respectively (all P ＜ 0.05).The percentage of UI level higher than 300 μg/L in the first [9.0％(18/200)],the second[8.0％(16/200) ] and the third trimester [ 5.0％ ( 10/200 ) ] of pregnancy was lower than that of the breast feeding [ 20.2％ (39/193) ] and nonpregnant [20.5％(41/200) ] women,respectively(all P ＜ 0.05).The level of neonatal heel blood TSH was(2.92 ± 1.83)mU/L,the range was 0.01 - 9.76 mU/L,11.0％(22/200) of the neonates heel blood TSH level(5 mU/L)exceeded the ratio of World Health Organization (WHO) standard ( ＜ 3％ ) suitable for iodine nutrition.Conclusions The overall level of iodine nutrition among pregnant women in Zhoupu and Kangqiao districts of Pudong New Area of Shanghai is in the appropriate range,but the pregnant women in the third trimester is in mild iodine deficiencies,and the neonates in these districts may be prone to iodine deficiency.Monitoring of iodine nutrition of pregnant women should be strengthened and iodine supplementation should be done scientifically.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) concentration and insulin sensitivity in the visceral adipose tissue of young obese Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSTwenty-four SD rats which had been weaned 3 weeks before were randomly divided into two groups (n=12 each) to receive a high-fat and normal diet. The weight and abdominal circumference (AC) of each rat were measured, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) in blood from the angular vein were measured after 12 hours of fasting and blood glucose (BG) and insulin (INS) levels in blood from the angular vein were measured at 60 and 120 minutes after intraperitoneal injection of 50% glucose (2 g/kg). The rats were sacrificed, and their liver and visceral adipose tissue were weighed. The vaspin concentration of the visceral adipose tissue in each rat was measured using ELISA. Correlation analysis was performed on the vaspin concentration and other indices.

RESULTSCompared with the normal diet group, the high-fat diet group showed significantly higher weight, AC, weight of visceral adipose tissue, FPG, FINS, 120 minute INS level, vaspin concentration, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and homeostasis model assessment of β cell function (HOMA-β) (P<0.05) Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) was significantly lower (P<0.01). Vaspin concentration was positively correlated with visceral adipose tissue and liver weight, AC, 120 minute INS level, FPG, FINS, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β (P<0.05), and negatively correlated with ISI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh expression of vaspin is associated with insulin resistance in young obese SD rats. Vaspin is presumably an adipocytokine that can increase insulin sensitivity, promote insulin secretion by islet β-cells and improve glucose tolerance, and it may be involved in insulin resistance and the disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism.

Animals ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; chemistry ; Male ; Obesity ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serpins ; analysis ; physiology

Background: There have been few reports of mutations in the beta-myosin heavy chain(MYH7)gene in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),which is associated with sudden cardiac death caused by HCM.This study aimed to screen the mutation sites in the sarcomeric gene MYH7 in Chinese patients with HCM.We also p1anned to analyze the pathogenicity of the mutation site as well as its significance in clinical and forensic medicine.Methods: From January 2006 to June 2017,autopsy cases were collected from the Department of Pathology,the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.The experiment was to detect MYH7 gene status in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 18 independent autopsy cases who suffered HCM related sudden death(fatal HCM)and 20 cases without cardiomyopathy.Common mutation exon fragments of MYH7 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction.The end-of-deoxygenation method and gene cloning method were further performed to analyze the mutation sites.Homologous comparison among mutant sites was conducted using BLAST online database.Results:The 1336th nucleotide of MYH7 gene at exon 14 was converted from T to G in one HCM case,resulting in the conversion of threonine(Thr)at position 446 to proline(Pro).In another case,the 1402th nucleotide at exon 14 was converted from T to C,resulting in the conversion of phenylalanine(Phe)at position 468 to leucine(Leu).Homologous comparison results showed that the two amino acid residues of Thr446 and Phe468 are highly conserved among different species.Conclusions: Our results showed fatal HCM harbored mutations of Thr446Pro and Phe468Leu in the MYH7 gene.It is significant for clinical and forensic medicine to further explore the functions and detailed mechanisms of these mutations.

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)in a children's hospital,and provide basis for the prevention and control of MRSA infection in children. Methods Children who admitted to a children's hospital from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed retrospectively,clinical data of children,isolation of pathogens,types of specimens,and healthcare-associated infection(HAI)status were analyzed.Results From 2011 to 2015,a total of 911 children isolated Staphylococcus aureus (SA,1108 positive specimens),494 of whom isolated MRSA (599 positive specimens),54.23% of children isolated MRSA(isolation rate of specimens was 54.06%);there was no significant difference in the isolation rate of MRSA between children of different genders(P > 0.05);isolation rate of MRSA in different age groups was statistically significant(P <0.05).Isolation rates of MRSA from blood,puncture fluid,secretion,and pus were 68.97%,66.00%,55.81%, and 54.47% respectively.Isolation rate of SA and MRSA increased from 0.61% and 21.74% in 2011 to 1.40%and 75.59% in 2015 respectively,difference were both significant(both P <0.05).Incidence of SA and MRSA in-creased from 0.198% in 2011 to 2.697% and 2.119% in 2015 respectively,both showed an upward trend year by year(both P <0.05).Conclusion Isolation rate of MRSA and incidence of HAI in this children's hospital increased year by year,it is necessary to intensify management,use antimicrobial agents scientifically and rationally,timelyperform disinfection and isolation,so as to curb the emergence and spread of MRSA in hospital settings.

Objective To study the effect of open management on the hospital infective among chronic schizophrenics.Methods Retrospective analysis was used,the data of 200 patients in opening management group and 200 patients in closing management group between 2006 and 2010 from Shanhai Mental Health Center were analyzed.Results No significant difference of hospital infection rate was found between opening group and closing group in 2006 (x2 =3.438,P =0.064).But the difference between the two groups from 2007 year to 2010 year was statistically significant (x2 =8.619,11.458,9.911,8.842 ; P ＜ 0.05).As for the distribution of infective parts,the proportion of respiratory tract infection in closing group was significantly higher than that in opening group,and the difference was statistically significant during the five years between the two groups (x2 =5.163,6.081,6.383,5.530,7.063 ; P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The open-management might effectively decrease the hospital infection among chronic schizophrenics.

The study was aimed to examine the B cell activating factor promoter polymorphism of the TNF family (BAFF)-871 C/T in patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and to explore its correlation with ITP and the relationship between the blood platelet count of newly diagnosed patients with ITP and genotypes of BAFF-871 C/T polymorphisms. Alleles specific polymerase chain reaction (ASP-PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to identify polymorphisms -871 C/T of BAFF promotor in 133 ITP patients and 117 healthy controls, and determine the genotype of subjects. Meantime, the frequency of genotype and alleles were analyzed. The results indicated that out of 133 patients with ITP, 33.1% patients exhibited C/C, 42.1% patients were heterozygous C/T, and 24.8% patients were homozygous T/T. The corresponding frequencies in 117 healthy controls were 55.6% C/C, 33.3% C/T and 11.1% T/T. The allele frequency of T in ITP patients and healthy controls were 45.9% and 27.4% respectively. There was significant difference in the BAFF-871 C/T genotypic frequency between the ITP patients and healthy controls (p < 0.05). The allele frequency of T in ITP patients was higher than that in healthy controls. There was no significant difference in the blood platelet counts between the various genotype (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the polymorphism -871 C/T of BAFF promoter is correlated with the pathogenesis of ITP. However, there is no significant difference in blood platelet counts between the various genotype, so the polymorphism -871 C/T of BAFF promoter can not be referred as the analysis index for evaluating the severity of ITP.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the polymorphisms of B cell activating factor (BAFF) gene and the plasma levels of BAFF in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and to investigate their roles in the pathogenesis of ITP.

METHODSAlleles specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to identify polymorphisms -871C/T of BAFF promotor in 133 ITP patients and 117 healthy controls. The plasma levels of BAFF were assayed by ELISA.

RESULTSIn ITP group, the frequency of C/C, C/T and T/T was 33.1%, 42.1% and 24.8%, respectively, the corresponding frequency in control group was 55.6%, 33.3% and 11.1%, respectively. The allele frequency of T in ITP and control groups was 45.9% and 27.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference in the BAFF -871C/T genotypic frequency between the ITP and control groups (P < 0.05). BAFF antigen in untreated ITP, treated patients and controls was 875.86 pg/ml, 502.59 pg/ml and 736.88 pg/ml, respectively, being also a significant difference among the three groups (P < 0.05). BAFF antigen in homozygous T/T was higher than that in homozygous C/C and heterozygous C/T, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOver expression of BAFF may be a risk factor for ITP patients. There is a correlation of the BAFF promotor polymorphism -871C/T with ITP, but the polymorphism does not affect the expression of BAFF.

B-Cell Activating Factor ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; immunology

BACKGROUNDHemodynamic evaluation is crucial for the management of patients with pulmonary hypertention. Clinicians often prefer a rapid and non-invasive method. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of transthoracic echocardiography for the measurements of hemodynamic parameters in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSA prospective single-center study was conducted among 42 patients with pulmonary hypertension caused by different diseases. Transthoracic echocardiography and right-heart catheterization were performed within 24 hours. Pulmonary artery systolic, diastolic and mean pressure (PASP, PADP and PAMP), cardiac output (CO), and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were measured by both methods. A linear correlation and a Bland-Altman analysis were performed to compare the two groups of hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTSA good correlation was found between invasive and non-invasive measurements for PASP (r = 0.96), PADP (r = 0.85), PAMP (r = 0.88), CO (r = 0.82), and PCWP (r = 0.81). Further agreement analysis done by the Bland-Altman method showed that bias and a 95% confidence interval for PASP, PADP, and CO were clinically acceptable while great discrepancies existed for PAMP and PCWP.

CONCLUSIONSThe non-invasive measurements by PASP, PADP, and CO in patients with pulmonary hypertension correlate well with the invasive determinations. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was inappropriate for estimating PCWP and PAMP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Output ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

OBJECTIVETo explore the existence of vasculogenic mimicry (VM) in ovarian carcinoma and its correlationship with the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of the tumor.

METHODSA total of 84 ovarian carcinoma cases were collected with complete clinical and prognostic data. CD31 immunohistochemistry and PAS special stain were used to investigate VM in the tumor tissue. Immunohistochemical staining of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and Vimentin were used to explore the pathogenesis of VM.

RESULTSTotally 36 of 84 cases exhibited evidence of VM. FIGO classification, pathologic grades and histological types were significantly different between the VM and non-VM groups. Expression of VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin and beta-catenin were higher in the VM group than in the non-VM group. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that cases of the VM group had a lower survival rate than that of the non-VM group (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONSVasculogenic mimicry exists in ovarian carcinoma. Ovarian carcinomas with a high grade malignancy have a high incidence of VM formation, a higher incidence of metastases and a lower survival rate. High expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 may contribute to the formation of VM in the ovarian cancer.

Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESponsored by the Subspecialty Group of Neonatology of Pediatric Society, China Medical Association, more than 10 large-scale hospitals participated in the near two-year multicenter investigation for Brain Injuries in Premature Infants in China. The present study presents the follow-up results of 147 premature infants with brain injuries from 6 Third Class A Level hospitals.

METHODSAll premature infants with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) diagnosed in the early neonatal period in the 6 hospitals were followed-up between January 2005 and August 2006. Based on the synthetic results of physical development, examination of nervous system, intelligence tests and cranial ultrasound, the premature infants with brain injuries were classified as normal development, marginal development and retarded development.

RESULTSOne hundred and forty-seven premature infants with brain injuries from the 6 hospitals consisted of 141 cases of IVH and 36 cases of PVL (30 cases having IVH and PVL). Based on the synthetic follow-up results, 51.4% of premature infants with brain injuries were generally assessed as normal development, 38.4% as marginal development and 10.7% as retarded development. Among them, delayed growth in head circumference, height and weight was 13.4%; the occurrence frequency of cerebral paralysis (CP) was 7.1% in PVL grade I, 28.6% in PVL grade II and 100% in PVL grade III; 12.7% showed retarded development of intelligence; and 30% presented post-injurious changes on cranial sonography.

CONCLUSIONSThe data of the multicenter follow-up can basically reflect the short-term prognosis of premature infants with brain injuries in major big cities of China. About 10% of them have retarded physical, motor-and mental developments. The long-term regular follow-up study is expected for more premature infants with brain injuries, and behavioral sequelae of brain injuries which may occur in peri-school age and adolescence should be paid particularly close attention.

Cerebral Hemorrhage ; complications ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Palsy ; etiology ; Echoencephalography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intelligence ; Leukomalacia, Periventricular ; complications ; physiopathology