Objective To investigate the relationship between carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and pulse pressure index (PPI) in elderly hypertensive patients.PPI was defined as 24 h mean pulse pressure(PP)/24 h mean SBP.Methods One hundred and three elderly hypertensive patients were categorized by PPI level:group A (PPI

AIM: To evaluate the safety of the laser peripheral iridoplasty ( LPIP ) for the early-stage chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma ( ECPACG) .
METHODS:Sixty-five eyes of 36 patients with ECPACG received LPIP. At preoperative and postoperative, patients were examined with intraocular pressure ( IOP ) , anterior chamber, optical coherence tomography ( OCT) , visual acuity, visual field, fundus and complications. The mean follow-up was 18. 2±6. 7mo (ranged 12~24mo).
RESULTS: The preoperative average IOP were 23. 8±5.6mmHg, postoperative 1wk, 1, 3, 6, 12mo and in the last follow-up time the average IOP were 18. 7±3. 8, 17. 9±3. 2, 17. 6±3. 5, 18. 4±3. 7, 18. 6±3. 7, and 18. 6±7. 8mmHg. There was statistical difference comparing with preoperative (P<0. 05, decreasing average 6. 5±3. 1mmHg compared with the preoperative, the difference was statistically significant (t=5. 32, P<0. 05). Postoperative 1wk, 1, 3, 6mo, the trabecular-iris angle ( TIA500 ) and the angle opening distance at 500μm ( AOD500 ) had the statistical difference comparing with preoperative ( P <0.05). At Postoperative 1a and the last follow-up time, the TIA500 and AOD500 did not have statistical difference comparing with preoperative (P>0. 05). The postoperative visual acuity, visual field, fundus had not changed. There were no complications found.
CONCLUSION:LPIP is safe, and has the short time effect in the treatment of ECPACG. With elapse of time, the effect of LPIP is weakened. We can repeat the treatment.

The polymorphism and thermostability of nirmatrelvir, the main antiviral component of the oral COVID-19 treatment drug, were studied. Four polymorphs of nirmatrelvir were prepared by recrystallization methods. Among them, Form 1 and nirmatrelvir methyl tert-butyl ether solvate (Form 2) had been reported in the literature, while nirmatrelvir isobutyl acetate solvate (NMTW-IBAC) and nirmatrelvir ethyl acetate solvate (NMTW-EA) are two new solvates. The crystal structures were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The thermostability of polymorphism and crystalline transformation were also investigated by combining Hirshfeld surface analysis and interaction energy analysis. The results showed that nirmatrelvir Form 1 belongs orthorhombic crystal system with the space group P2₁2₁2₁ and one nirmatrelvir molecule included in the asymmetric unit, which has the same crystal structure as nirmatrelvir Form 4 reported in the literature. Owing to its larger thermal expansion, the differences in crystallographic parameters obtained at different temperatures were found between Form 1 and Form 4. Three solvates of nirmatrelvir belonged to the iso-structural with monoclinic crystal system and the space group P2₁, in which the asymmetric unit contains one nirmatrelvir molecule and one solvent molecule. The thermal analysis results showed that nirmatrelvir Form 1 was a solvent-free crystal form with the best thermal stability and the strongest intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Among the three solvates, NMTW-EA has the worst thermal stability and the weakest hydrogen bonding interaction between the nirmatrelvir molecule and the solvent molecule. The energy framework of nirmatrelvir solvates showed that the closer the arrangement between solvent and nirmatrelvir molecules, the greater the total interaction energy between solvent and nirmatrelvir molecules. The phase transition studies of the three solvates showed that NMTW-IBAC and NMTW-EA were transformed into amorphous after desolvation, respectively, while Form 2 undergoes oiling during desolvation. The research provides theoretical guidance for the analysis, identification and quality control of nirmatrelvir polymorphs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the classification, incidence and influential factors of severe complications occurred in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and how to deal with them.

METHODSOne thousand and one hundred two patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps treated by ESS were analyzed.

RESULTSTwenty-one patients had severe complications. The types of complication included intraorbital hematoma (n=3), medial rectus injury (n=2), blindness (n=1), intracranial, hematoma (n=1), cerebrospinal rhinorrhea (n=3), nasolacrimal duct injury (n=3), nasal septum perforation (n=2), hemorrhage (n=2), thrombosis in legs (n=2) and asthma (n=2). The total incidence of severe complications was 1.91% (21/1102), most of which were complications in orbit (0.54%) and cranium (0.36%). The extent of the lesion, the surgical history of the patients, the technique and experience of the surgeons were the most important influential factors to severe complications.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough there are many influential factors to severe complications in ESS, subjective factors are the more important, especial, the technique and the experience of the surgeon.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Endoscopy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications ; Rhinitis ; surgery ; Sinusitis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor, in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and investigate its effect on serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3).

METHODSForty-eight patients with AS received etanercept 25 mg twice a week for a treatment course of 12 weeks. The patients' symptoms, signs, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and side effects were observed before and after the treatment. The serum levels of MMP-3 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSAll the patients completed the treatment. The degree of spinal pain and pain at night, the duration of morning stiffness, the finger-to-floor distance, BASDAI and BASFI were significantly improved after the treatment (P<0.05). Etanercept treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum MMP-3 level in the AS patients to 31.22-/+10.26 ng/ml as compared with the level before treatment (46.17-/+25.74 ng/ml, P<0.05). The reduction of serum MMP-3 was positively correlated to decrement of ESR and CRP (r=0.397 and 0.474, respectively, P<0.05). The most common adverse events of etanercept included injection site reaction and upper respiratory infection.

CONCLUSIONEtanercept treatment has obvious therapeutic effects on AS without serious adverse effects. MMP-3 may be a potentially useful indicator to assess the effect of anti-TNF-alpha treatment in AS patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Etanercept ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Young Adult

Objective To understand the current situation and influencing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism in junior middle school students in Yanqing District, Beijing. Methods With the mothod of stratified cluster random sampling, the questionnaire, physical examination and fasting capillary blood glucose were conducted in 2 493 students from 4 junior high schools. Results The prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and abnormal glucose metabolism were 2.5%, 11.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism varied significantly among different ages, grades, regions, obesity, central obesity and hypertension (all P<0.05); Unconditional multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that urban, centripetal obesity, and hypertension were positively associated with the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism in middle school students in Yanqing District; daily breakfast was negatively associated with the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism. Conclusion The prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism is high among junior middle school students, urban, central obesity, high blood pressure and daily breakfast are influencing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism in Yanqing District of Beijing.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of total flavonoids of Rhododendra simsii (TFR) on improving cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its relationship with STIM/Orai-regulated operational Ca2+influx (SOCE) pathway. METHODS Oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) PC12 cells were used to simulate CIRI in vitro, and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration and apoptosis rate of PC12 cells were detected by laser confocal microscope and flow cytometry, respectively. The regulation of STIM/Orai on SOCE was analyzed by STIM/Orai gene silencing and STIM/Orai gene overexpression. The CIRI model was established by MCAO in SD rats. The activities of inflammatory cyto?kines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-αin serum were detected by ELISA. The pathological changes of ischemic brain tissue and the infarction of rat brain tissue were detected by HE staining and TTC staining. The protein and mRNA expression levels of STIM1, STIM2, Orai1, caspase-3 and PKB in brain tissue were detected by Western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. RESULTS The results of in vitro experiment showed that the fluorescence intensity of Ca2+ and apoptosis rate in PC12 cells treated with TFR were significantly lower than those in OGD/R group, and this trend was enhanced by SOCE antagonist 2-APB. STIM1/STIM2/Orai1 gene silencing significantly reduced apoptosis and Ca2+overload in OGD/R model, while TFR combined with overexpression of STIM1/STIM2/Orai1 aggravated apoptosis and Ca2+overload. In the in vivo experiment, TFR significantly reduced the brain histopathological damage, infarction of brain tissue, the contents of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum in MCAO rats and down-regulated the expression of STIM1, STIM2, Orai1 and caspase-3 protein and mRNA in the brain tissue, and up-regulated the expression of PKB. The above effects were enhanced by the addition of 2-APB. CONCLUSION The above results indicate that TFR may reduce the contents of inflammatory factors and apoptosis, decrease Ca2+ overload and ameliorate brain injury by inhibiting SOCE pathway mediated by STIM and Orai, suggesting that it has a protective effect against subacute CIRI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the health care status of female workers exposed to occupational hazards in Haidian district of Beijing and improve the labor protection of female workers.

METHODSA questionnaire provided by National Center for Women and Children's Health of Chinese CDC was used in the survey conducted to collect information about health care status of female workers in 141 factories with occupational hazards including chemical poisons and physical factors (noise, libration, microwave, high frequency and low temperature).

RESULTS141 factories were investigated, including 53 state-owned enterprises, 21 collective enterprises, 46 joint-stock enterprises, and 21 non-public enterprises. 12 251 female workers were surveyed, 10.19% (1249/12 251) of whom were exposed to occupational hazards. Of 141 factories studied, 16.31% (23/141) had no labor protection management organization.27.66% (39/141) did not provide pre-employment physical examination service to female workers.48.94% (69/141) didn't establish labor protection system for female workers in menstrual period. While, 21.28% (30/141) of the studied institutes deducted some salaries in the pregnancy, and 32.62% (46/141) deducted their wages during the puerperal period. 2.13% (3/141) arranged female workers in the posts which are forbidden by law (continuous heavy work load operation).9.93% (14/141) arranged pregnant female workers on the post forbidden by law.31.91% (45/141) and 33.33% (47/141) would deduct the time of prenatal medical examination and lactation from their working hours, respectively.39.01% (55/141) didn't afford the cost of fertility. 68.09% (96/141) had annual gynecological examination.45 factories were collected occupational examination reports, accounted for 31.91% (45/141). No female workers were found suffering from occupational disease. Of the 1865 occupational hazard factor monitoring points in 34 factories, there were 155 monitoring points, which were all noise monitoring points, did not meet the standard.

CONCLUSIONThe current health-care status of female workers is not optimistic. It is necessary to consistently improve health care legislations, establish coordinated management mechanism and strengthen the publicity of policy to protect female workers.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Women's Health Services ; Work Capacity Evaluation ; Workplace

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to study the effect of the improved partial denture treatment in the rehabilitation of patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).

METHODSTwenty middle-aged and old patients suffering from osteoarthrosis were treated with the improved partial denture treatment. These patients were followed up during the partial denture treatment and after the rehabilitation. Both the clinical symptoms and Fricton's craniomandibular index were used to evaluate the clinical effects. Data were analyzed using SPSS17.0.

RESULTSThe effective rate reached 100% when the patients wore partial dentures for 1 month. All of the 20 patients were comfortable with temporomandibular joint, and they expressed ultimate satisfaction with the denture. The Fricton indexes of 20 patients decreased significantly after the treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPartial denture treatment is an ideal method in rehabilitation for patients with TMD (osteoarthrosis) and dentition defect.

This study was designed to comprehensively characterize and identify the chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine Psoraleae Fructus by establishing an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) method in combination with in-house library. The chromatographic separation conditions(stationary phase, column temperature, mobile phase, and elution gradient) and key MS monitoring parameters(capillary voltage, nozzle voltage, and fragmentor) were sequentially optimized via single-factor experiments. A BEH C_(18) column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm) was finally adopted, with the mobile phase consisting of 0.1% formic acid in water(A) and acetonitrile(B) at the flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and column temperature of 30 ℃. Auto MS/MS was utilized for data acquisition in both positive and negative ion modes. By comparison with reference compounds, analysis of the MS~2 fragments, in-house library retrieval and literature research, 83 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized from Psoraleae Fructus, including 58 flavonoids, 11 coumarins, 4 terpenoid phenols, and 10 others. Sixteen of them were identified by comparison with reference compounds, and ten compounds may have not been reported from Psoraleae Fructus. This study achieved a rapid qualitative analysis on the chemical components in Psoraleae Fructus, which provided useful reference for elucidating its material basis and promoting the quality control.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Cell Cycle ; Coumarins