PURPOSE: The serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factors-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) and growth hormone (GH) are related to body composition, function and metabolism, and are influenced by the aging process. This study was to investigate the influence of gender on serum concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and GH in middle and old age subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty healthy volunteers (male 35, female 25, 36-70 years) were divided into < or = 50 and > 50 years groups, based on gender. Women > 50 years were post-menopause. IGF-I, IGFBP-3, and GH were determined by immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: IGF-I was shown to be negatively correlated with age (women r = -0.62, p < 0.001; men r = -0.38, p < 0.05), whereas there was no correlation between IGF-I and GH values. Women > 50 years showed a significant reduction in IGF-I values than women < or = 50 years (p < 0.01). Women > 50 years showed smaller IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratios (0.177998 +/- 0.039404) than men of same age group (0.228326 +/- 0.050979, p < 0.01) and women < or = 50 years (0.247667 +/- 0.069411, p < 0.01). Age was shown to positively correlate with GH/IGF-I (r = 0.49, p < 0.05) and GH/IGFBP-3 ratios (r = 0.40, p < 0.05) in women. CONCLUSIONS: The influence of aging on serum concentrations of IGF-I is more remarkable in women than in men. Menopause causes reduction of IGF-I/IGFBP-3 molar ratio. Women have the trend of progressive hypoactivity of GH to stimulate IGF-I and IGFBP-3 secretions with age.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aging/*physiology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Human Growth Hormone/*blood ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/*blood ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/*metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo determine glycyrrhetinic acid concentration in rat plasma and concentration of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) in rat serum after oral administration by LC-MS/MS and the flame atomic absorption method, and analyze the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the six elements in serum.

RESULTA similar variation trend between the concentration of glycyrrhetinic acid in plasma and that of Na, Cu elements in serum after oral administration of glycyrrhetinic acid was observed. Glycyrrhetinic acid in plasma at 2 h after administration reached the peak. Meanwhile, the concentration of Na and Cu at 4 h after the administration of glycyrrhetinic acid exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.05). Moreover, an increasing glycyrrhetinic acid dosage could result in the accumulation of Cu and Na in rat serum. Compared with the control group, the concentration of Cu and Na in the the glycyrrhetinic acid administration group with doses of 200 and 400 mg x kg(-1) revealed a significant increase (P < 0.05). However, glycyrrhetinic acid did not exhibit the great impact on the concentration of other elements in serum.

CONCLUSIONThis study focuses on the effect of oral administration of glycyrrhetinic acid on six metal elements in rat serum and provides an experimental basis for the adverse effect of glycyrrhetinic acid in clinical-applications.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Female ; Glycyrrhetinic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Metals ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDTo study the relationship of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and T cell lymphoma.

METHODSSixty cases of T cell lymphomas were examined for the presence of EBV using in situ hybridization for EBV encoded RNA (EBERs).

RESULTSEBERs were detected in tumor cells in 37(69.8%) of 53 cases with peripheral T cell lymphoma, but in none of seven cases of precursor T lymphoblastic lymphoma. The total detected EBERs were 37(61.6%) in 60 cases of T cell lymphomas. By Revised European-American Lymphoma(REAL) classification, EBERs were detected in 2/2 angioimmuno-blastic T cell lymphoma,17/18 angiocentric lymphoma, 4/6 anaplastic large cell lymphoma and 14/27 peripheral T cell lymphoma, unspecified (51.9%). The frequency of EBERs among the extranodal peripheral T cell lymphoma was higher than the nodal (P less than 0.01) there was no significant correlation with the sex, age and clinical stage.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that high incidence of EBV was observed in peripheral T cell lymphoma, with predilection for angiocentric lymphoma and extranodal presentation.

Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological features of tic disorders (TD) among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area.

METHODSStratified cluster sampling was carried out to investigate TD in 9742 schoolchildren aged 7 to 16 years old in Wenzhou.

RESULTSThe average prevalence rate of TD among school-age children was 104/10 000 (166/10 000 for males, 29/10 000 for females). There was a significantly higher prevalence rate for males than that for females (chi(2) = 43.96, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 5.7, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.20 - 10.30). The prevalence rates of clinical subtypes in males was significantly higher than that of females while pupils was significantly higher than that in high school students (chi(2) = 11.33, P < 0.01, prevalence ratio = 2.2, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 1.37 - 3.43). Prevalence rate of transient tic disorders (TTD), chronic motor vocal tic disorder (CMVTD), tourette syndrome (TS) were 34/10 000, 27/10 000 and 43/10 000 respectively with the highest among 9-10 years old group. The mean onset age of TD was 8.5 +/- 2.8 years. The peak of onset was among 6-10 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis of the disorders was 69.3% and the median in delayed diagnosis was 1.0 year.

CONCLUSIONTD is a common disease with high rate of misdiagnoses among schoolchildren in Wenzhou area. Physicians and population should be trained to identify the syndromes and to practice correct diagnosis and effective treatment as early as possible.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tic Disorders ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Tourette Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence and distribution of Tourette syndrome (TS).

METHODSNine thousand, seven hundred and forty-two children and juveniles aged 7 - 16 years in Wenzhou were studied, using cluster random sampling method.

RESULTSThe prevalence of TS among school-age children was estimated to be 0.43% (0.74% for males and 0.07% for females). The prevalence of male children and juveniles was higher than that of female children and juveniles (chi(2) = 25.09, P < 0.001, prevalence ratio = 10.95, prevalence ratio 95% CI: 3.38 - 35.46). The highest prevalence of TS was between 9 - 10 years old. The mean age at onset of TS was 7.7 +/- 2.7 years, with 45.2% of them among 6 - 7 year olds. The rate of delayed diagnosis and rates of misdiagnosis and misclassification of the syndromes were 78.6%, 42.9% and 23.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONTourette syndrome had been a common disease of children and juveniles in Wenzhou area. The disease was correlated with age and sex, often misdiagnosed and misclassified. Physicians and as well as general publics should be trained to identify the cases.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Tourette Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

Objective To investigate the presence and genetic background of 16S rRNA methylase gene and Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes(AMEs) genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from the People's Liberation Army 98th HospitaI,Huzhou district,Zhejiang province,China.Methods 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the inpatienta between September,2005 and April,2006.6 kinds of 16S rRNA methylase gene (including armA,rmtA,rmtB,rmtC,rmtD and npmA ),6 kinds of AMEs genes [ including aac (3)-Ⅰ,sac (3)-Ⅱ,sac (6')-Ⅰ,aac (6')-Ⅱ,ant (3")-Ⅰand ant(2")-Ⅰ],intI1,intI2,intI3,mercuric reductase gene merA (merA gene were the collective genetic markers of transposona of Tn21 and Tn501 ) and tnpA ( tnpA gene were the collective genetic markers of transposons of Tn1,Tn2,Tn3 and Tn1000) were analyzed by PCR and verificated by DNA sequencing.Results In 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae,the positive rate of genes of rmtB,sac (3)-Ⅱ,sac (6')-Ⅰ,ant(3")-Ⅰ and intI1 were 60.0%(15/25),4.0%(1/25),48.0%(12/25),60.0%(15/25) and 96.0%(24/25),respectively.The rest 12 kinds of genes were all tested negative.The total positive rate of 6 kinds of AMEs gene was 84.0%(21/25).Conclusion There were very high positive rate on both genes of rmtB and AMEs genotypes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from inpatients,and this was the first report of the emergence of 16S rRNA methylase gene rmtB in Klebsiella pneumoniae identified in Zhejiang province,China.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the validity and reliability of the Occupational Stress Scale (OSS) for Chinese offshore oil platform workers.

METHODSA 51-item self-administered questionnaire developed in the light of Cooper's questionnaire and company's special situation was used to investigate 561 subjects.

RESULTS51 occupational stress items relating to offshore oil production were subjected to factor analysis, and nine latent factors were identified, which explained 62.5% of the total variance. According to the contents described by the items included in each factor, they were respectively defined as: "the interface between job and family/social life (factor 1)", "career and achievement (factor 2)", "safety (factor 3)", "management problem and relationship with others at work (factor 4)", "physical factors of workplace (factor 5)", "platform living environment (factor 6)", "role in management (factor 7)", "ergonomics (factor 8)" and "organization structure (factor 9)". Significant difference in the score of five factors was observed among 12 different job categories by analysis of variance. After adjusting for potential confounding factors (age, educational level), hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that the score of the OSS was significantly and positively correlated with the poor mental health of the workers (P < 0.01). The consistent test between OSS and each factor showed that Cronbach's alpha were 0.72 - 0.91.

CONCLUSIONThe OSS is a valid and reliable tool for measuring occupational stress, and can be used to explore occupational stress and its influence on health and safety problems in offshore oil workers.

Adult ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; diagnosis ; Petroleum ; Stress, Psychological ; diagnosis

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism

Background/Aims: Obstacles exist in facilitating hepatitis C virus (HCV) care cascade. To increase timely and accurate diagnosis, disease awareness and accessibility, in-hospital HCV reflex testing followed by automatic appointments and a late call-back strategy (R.N.A. model) was applied. We aimed to compare the HCV treatment rate of patients treated with this strategy compared to those without. Methods: One hundred and twenty-five anti-HCV seropositive patients who adopted the R.N.A. model in 2020 and another 1,396 controls treated in 2019 were enrolled to compare the gaps in accurate HCV RNA diagnosis to final treatment allocation. Results: The HCV RNA testing rate was significantly higher in patients who received reflex testing than in those without reflex testing (100% vs. 84.8%, P<0.001). When patients were stratified according to the referring outpatient department, a significant improvement in the HCV RNA testing rate was particularly noted in patients from non-hepatology departments (100% vs. 23.3%, P<0.001). The treatment rate in HCV RNA seropositive patients was 83% (83/100) after the adoption of the R.N.A. model, among whom 96.1% and 73.9% of patients were from the hepatology and non-hepatology departments, respectively. Compared to subjects without R.N.A. model application, a significant improvement in the treatment rate was observed for patients from non-hepatology departments (73.9% vs. 27.8%, P=0.001). The application of the R.N.A. model significantly increased the in-hospital HCV treatment uptake from 6.4% to 73.9% for patients from non-hepatology departments (P<0.001). Conclusions The care cascade increased the treatment uptake and set up a model for enhancing in-hospital HCV elimination.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is essential to develop a reliable predictive serum biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD). The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (αSyn) and up-regulated expression of Rab35 participate in the etiology of PD. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a useful predictive biomarker for PD. METHODS: Serum levels of αSyn or Rab35 were determined in serum samples from 59 sporadic PD patients, 19 progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) patients, 20 multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients, and 60 normal controls (NC). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated to determine the diagnostic accuracy of αSyn or/and Rab35 in discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients. RESULTS: The levels of αSyn and Rab35 were increased in PD patients. The serum level of Rab35 was positively correlated with that of αSyn in PD patients. Compared to analyzing αSyn or Rab35 alone, the combined analysis of αSyn and Rab35 produced a larger area under the ROC curve and performed better in discriminating PD patients from NC, MSA patients, or PSP patients. When age was dichotomized at 55, 60, 65, or 70 years, the combined assessment of αSyn and Rab35 for classifying PD was better in the group below the cutoff age than in the group above the cutoff age. CONCLUSIONS: Combined assessment of serum αSyn and Rab35 is a better biomarker for discriminating PD patients from NC or atypical parkinsonian patients, and is a useful predictive biomarker for younger sporadic PD patients.
alpha-Synuclein ; Humans ; Multiple System Atrophy ; Parkinson Disease ; ROC Curve ; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive