OBJECTIVETo approach the clinical curative effect of treatment of the disease of vertebral column by the arc-track private lock pedicle orthopedics fixation system (ALPF II).

METHODSEighty-six cases were treated by useing ALPF II. The average age of the cases was 36.8 years (range from 18 to 69 years),the male was 39 cases and the female was 37 cases. The results were evaluated and all the cases were followed-up.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed-up for 9 to 30 months. The amelioration of patients nerve function,spinal motion, low back pain and leg pain was 94.1%, 65.9%, 92.1% and 87.4% respectively. The height of anterior and posterior border after operation were improved greatly than that before operation (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The X-ray films showed that the angle of kyphosis was also improved significantly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTo treat spinal column disease, ALPF II is a kind of operation safety simple, easy control, reset good, curative effect credibility, the complications little of treatment method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between beta-catenin and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expression and development/biologic behavior of human colorectal cancer.

METHODSImmunohistochemical study for beta-catenin and MMP-7 was carried out on colorectal adenoma-carcinoma tissue microarrays and results analyzed.

RESULTSThe nuclear beta-catenin expression rate was 35.9% in adenoma with malignant transformation, significantly higher than that in adenoma (16.7%) and carcinoma (19.7%) (both P < 0.05). The cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin expression rate in adenoma with severe dysplasia was significantly higher than that in adenoma with mild dysplasia (both P < 0.05). The nuclear beta-catenin expression rate in adenocarcinomas of the ulcerative type, with lymph node metastasis and in the late tumor stages were all significantly higher than that in adenocarcinomas of the polypoid type, with negative lymph node and in the early tumor stages (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The MMP-7 expression rate in adenocarcinoma (69.2%) was significantly higher than that in normal colorectal mucosa (15.0%), adenoma (35.0%) and adenoma with malignant transformation (46.2%, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The MMP-7 expression rate in ulcerative type adenocarcinoma with lymph node metastasis and in late tumor stages was significantly higher than that in polypoid type adenocarcinoma with negative lymph node and in early tumor stages (all P < 0.05). The cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin expression was thus in positive correlation with the expression of MMP-7 (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe cytoplasmic and nuclear beta-catenin expression, probably an early event, was related to the development of colorectal cancer. beta-catenin may enhance the degradative function of the target gene MMP-7 through nuclear translocation and may further facilitate local invasion and metastasis by the colorectal cancer cells.

Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Nucleus ; metabolism ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytoplasm ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 7 ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Precancerous Conditions ; metabolism ; pathology ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of distribution of pulse pressure (PP) in Chinese population and its relationship to major cardiovascular diseases in them.

METHODSData from the Third National Blood Pressure Survey involved 882,681 subjects aged over 18 in 1991 were reanalysed for the relationship between PP and risks of major cardiovascular diseases, with t-test, chi2 test and logistic regression model. PP is defined as the difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

RESULTS(1) Overall mean PP was (44.61 +/- 13.59) mm Hg for the subjects aged over 18, higher in men [(44.92 +/- 12.72) mmHg] than that in women [(44.34 +/- 14.32) mmHg]. PP increased progressively with age, and its increase accelerated significantly at age over 50 but higher in women than in men. Proportion of the subjects with PP equal to or greater than 60 mmHg was more in those aged 60 or over than that in younger ones. (2) Prevalence of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) increased with PP and age, whether in the normotensives, or in the hypertensives or in the isolated systolic hypertensives. (3) Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that risks of stroke in the subjects with PP of (45-59) mmHg, (60-74) mmHg and over 75 mmHg were 1.9, 3.5 and 5 times as in those with PP less than 45 mm Hg, respectively, adjusted for other risk factors, and their risks of myocardial infarction (MI) were 1.2, 1.5 and 1.7 times, respectively. Furthermore, PP was significantly and independently related to the risks of stroke and MI, even adjusted for systolic and diastolic pressures.

CONCLUSIONSPrevalence of stroke and MI increased with the breadth of PP and age. Broader PP may be an important and independent predictor of risks of stroke and MI, especially in the aged people.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Pressure ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the baseline data of outpatient clinical subjects with vertigo and study on the clinical characteristics of vertigo.

METHODThe questionnaires and clinical tests data of 3432 patients complained vertigo were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAll the patients received interview and vestibular function test. These patients aged 4-89 years with an average age of (40 +/- 18.6) years. Among them 1513 (44.09%) were male and 1919 (55.91%) were female, with a male:female ratio of 1:1.27. Vertigo patients increased according to age and reached its peak in the 41-60 years among all patients. The incidence might increase along with the increase of education level in urban populations. The onset of vertigo might correlate with the careers but differed among different populations.

CONCLUSIONSVertigo attacks patients in all age spans, but vertigo is highly prevalent in the population aged 41-60 years. The onset of vertigo is related to many different factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vertigo ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Vestibular Function Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of Tei index and the sensitivity of left versus right ventricular Tei index in evaluating the fetal cardiac function in pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome in the third trimester.

METHODSFetal echocardiograms were performed in 30 women with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) syndrome and 55 with normal pregnancy of the third trimester. Tei index was obtained by calculating the ratio of the isovolumic time (isovolumic contraction and relaxation time) to the ejection time of the left and right ventricle. Comparisons of the Tei index were made between the PIH group and control group, and also between the left and right ventricles in each group.

RESULTSSignificant difference was found in the left and right ventricular Tei index between PIH group and control group. No difference was noted between the left and right ventricular Tei index in the PIH group.

CONCLUSIONSTei index is a useful indicator in evaluating fetal global cardiac function, for which purpose the left ventricular Tei index can be as sensitive as the right ventricular Tei index.

Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Right ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of ricin temperature response gel on breast cancer and its regulatory effect on immune function in rats.

METHODSRicin was purified by chromatography and identified by immunoblotting. The rat subcutaneously transplanted breast cancer model was established. Forty model rats with a tumor diameter of about 3.0 cm were subjected to the study. They were randomized into four groups equally: the model group and three treated groups (blank gel, ricin, ricin-gel) were administered with blank gel, ricin, and ricin temperature response gel via percutaneous intratumor injection, respectively. The tumor was isolated 10 days later for the estimation of tumor inhibition rate (TIR) by weighing, pathologic examination, and detection of tumor apoptosis-associated genes bcl-2 and bax with semiquantitative RT-PCR. Also, peripheral blood was obtained to test T-lymphocyte subsets, the killing function of lymphocytes, and the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). The outcomes were compared between groups.

RESULTSThe TIR in the ricin-gel group was 61.8%, with the pathologic examination showing extensive tumor tissue necrosis. Compared with the model group, after ricin temperature response gel treatment, bcl-2 expression was down-regulated, bax expression was up-regulated, CD4+ lymphocytes and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in peripheral blood were increased, the killing function of lymphocytes was enhanced, and the contents of TNF-α and IL-2 were elevated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntratumor injection of ricin temperature-responsive gel showed significant antitumor effect on breast cancer and could enhance the immune function in the tumor-bearing rat.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Gels ; therapeutic use ; Immunohistochemistry ; Immunomodulation ; drug effects ; Injections, Intralesional ; Interleukin-2 ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Ricin ; administration & dosage ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Temperature ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; immunology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThe research aimed to investigate the entophytic fungal community of Cynanchum Komarrovii, including the biodiversity in different organs and the correlations with ecological environment. Endophytic fungi with patent bioactivity were also rapidly screened.

METHODPDA medium was used to isolate and purify the endophytic fungi from C. komarovii living in Shaanxi and Ningxia district, respectively. The strains were identified based on the morphological characteristics of the fungi and similarity of 5.8S gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. Pyriculaia oryzae model was applied to preliminarily screen the active fungi.

RESULTNinety-four strains of endophytic fungi were isolated and identified to 9 species, 13 genera, 9 families and 6 orders, among them, 47 strains were from the plants living in Ningxia. And then, 5 of them were isolated from roots, 14 from branches, and 28 from leaves. They were identified belonging to 8 species, 9 genera, 5 families and 4 orders. Additionally, 47 strains were from the plants living in Shaanxi. 16 were isolated from the roots, 18 from branches, 13 from leaves. They were identified belonging to 5 species, 8 genera, 6 families and 4 orders. By preliminary screening, 18 strains of endophytes completely inhibited the germination of conidium, which showed a potential bioactivity for these fungi. Both N4 and S17 strains had stronger growth inhibition effect.

CONCLUSIONEndophytic fungi from desert plant C. komarovii have the feature of diversity. Different geographical environment and type of organizations lead to the significant difference on the quantity and the species composition. Most of fungi in Ningxia C. komarovii distribute in leaves. However, most of those in Shaanxi C. komarovii distribute in stems and leaves. It also indicated that endophytes from C. komarovii had a strong antifungal activity.

Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Biodiversity ; China ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; pharmacology ; Cynanchum ; microbiology ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Desert Climate ; Endophytes ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genetic Variation ; Magnaporthe ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; microbiology ; Plant Roots ; microbiology ; Plant Stems ; microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S ; genetics ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo identify independent risk factors for myocardial infarction (MI) in Chinese men and to develop a model to predict risk profile of an individual suffering MI.

METHODSStudy sample included 5 137 men aged 45.2 +/- 7.8 years who came from a cohort in Beijing Capital Steel and Iron Company, based on the three surveys on coronary heart disease conducted in 1974, 1979 and 1980, respectively. Demographic data and other risk factors, such as life style, medical history, blood pressure, total serum cholesterol level (TC), etc. were collected according to the same protocol in 1980. All the participants were followed up for MI in an average period of 20.84 years until 2001.

RESULTS(1) There were 122 cases with MI identified during the period of follow-up, with an incidence of MI 117.4 per 100 000 person-years. Age of more than 50, smoking, higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) levels, higher TC all were identified as important risk factors of MI. (2) Incidence of MI increased with TC. An increment of 0.52 mmol/L of TC significantly increased relative risk of MI by approximately 40% after adjusted for age, blood pressure and smoking. (3) An increment of 20 mm Hg in SBP or 10 mm Hg in DBP associated with a 40% increase in incidence of MI, adjusting for age, TC and smoking. (4) Smoking was the most risky factors for MI. Smokers had 2.3 times risk of MI, after as compared to non-smokers (or its incidence increased by 137%), after adjusting for blood pressure, TC and age, etc. (5) Incidence of MI increased by 20% with increment of five-year of age in those aged over 50 (P < 0.05), after adjusting for blood pressure, TC and smoking. And, (6) finally, based on multivariate logistic and Cox regression analyses, a model containing several risk factors, such as age, blood pressure, TC and smoking, was developed to predict individual's risk for afflicting MI.

CONCLUSIONSResults of this prospective study showed several established risk factors for MI, including age, blood pressure, TC and smoking all as independent predictors of MI in Chinese men. It is clear and rational that intervention and modification of those traditional risk factors can lead to a decrease in coronary events in Chinese population.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Iron ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Infarction ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Steel ; Triglycerides ; blood

Objective To study the changes of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the rural community population after intervention. Methods The Beijing Fangshan cardiovascular prevention program was a community-based comprehensive intervention study which was launched from 1991 and ended in 2000 in five communities including three as intervention communities (IC) and two as control communities (CC) in Fangshan, Beijing suburb. The intervention measures were focused on health education and hypertension control. The changes of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in IC and CC were analyzed using random sample in the year 1991, 1995 and 1999, respectively. The risk factors include systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP), body mass index(BMI), serum total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL), smoking, and drinking. Results From the year 1991 to 1999, the risk factors of cardiovascular disease such as SBP, DBP, smoking rate and drinking rate were reduced in the population of IC. For male in IC, the decline of SBP, DBP, smoking rate, and drinking rate were 1.6 mmHg, 1.1 mmHg, 14. 5% ( P ＜ 0. 01) and 3.7%, respectively. For female of IC, SBP and DBP declined 4.8 mmHg ( P＜0.01) and 3.2 mmHg ( P ＜0. 01), respectively. SBP, DBP and smoking rate in the population of CC had a little reduction while BMI, TC and TG increased in both IC and CC. During the period of 1991 to 1999, most cardiovascular risk factors in the population of IC had net reduction compared to that of CC. Conclusions Except for BMI and lipids, rural community intervention, as focused on health education and hypertension control, has resulted in the reduction of most risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and effectiveness of worksite-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and control program in urban population of China.

METHODSWorksite-based intervention program was implemented 110 000 employees at Capital Iron and Steel Company of Beijing (CISC) focusing on primary prevention for CVD and control of hypertension. Intervention components comprised of infrastructure setting-up, health education and health promotion, professional training, detection and management of hypertensive patients, and reasonably readjusting their diet structure focusing on salt intake reduction, reducing their overweight, quitting smoking, and restricting alcohol consumption in high-risk population. Changes in level of risk factors, incidence and mortality of stroke and coronary events and their trend were evaluated between the intervention group at CISC and eight simultaneously parallel reference groups in other provinces outside Beijing with population surveillance data.

RESULTSMajor risk factors for CVD, including blood pressure, body mass index and serum cholesterol level, decreased relatively in intervention population at CISC during 1974 to 1998, while those in majority of eight parallel reference groups at different provinces of China significantly increased at the same time. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by 0.8 mm Hg and 4 mm Hg in average for men and women, respectively, and their diastolic blood pressure (DBP) remained the same as baseline for both men and women at CISC, while SBP increased by (2 - 11) mm Hg and (6 - 8) mm Hg in average for men and women, respectively in reference groups, and DBP increased by (2 - 6) mm Hg in average for men in five of eight reference groups, and by (3 - 6) mm Hg for women in four of eight reference groups. Serum level of cholesterol decreased by 0.26 mmol/L in women and slightly increased for men at CISC, and increased by (0.35 - 0.97) mmol/L for men and (0.29 - 1.05) mmol/L for women in all reference groups. Prevalence of overweight increased by 58.7% for men and 11.3% for women at CISC and increased by one to 22 folds in eight reference groups. Awareness of health knowledge improved significantly with an average net reduction of SBP/DBP of (2.5/2.2) mm Hg in the enforced intervention group at CISC than that in general intervention groups. Incidence and mortality rates of stroke decreased by 54.7% and 74.3%, respectively in intervention group at CSIC, but those of coronary events slowly increased with fluctuation.

CONCLUSIONWorksite-based comprehensive intervention for CVD prevention and control was feasible and cost-effective in decreasing risk factors for CVD, incidence and mortality rate of stroke in population of urban areas of China.

Adult ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; prevention & control ; Feasibility Studies ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Health Education ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Hypertension ; prevention & control ; Male ; Metallurgy ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Sodium, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Stroke ; prevention & control ; Weight Loss