Adult ; Female ; Gas Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quinuclidines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To discuss the strategy and intervention measures of the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)control in coastal salt.producing areas so as to shoot the problem of non-iodized salt causing IDD.Methods Accordinng to different areas,periods and crowds,eomplicatd measures and strategies were taken such as supply of iodized salt to peopie in special need while universalizaion of iodized salt,health promotion,private salt factory censu8 and close.iodized salt quality monitoring and promotion of technology of iodized salt producion in Xiamen, where the probiem of non-iodized salt Was serious since 1995.Results Iodized salt manufactured Was qualified in a increased rate from 89.50% in 1995 to 96.17% in 1997,stablized at 99.00%since 2000.Qualified iodized salt sold in the shops waft increased from 87.33%in 1996 to 96.33%in 1998.Popularization covered by iodized salt in urban areas increaased from 0.92%in 1 995 to 100.00%in 2000,and it Was increased from 0 to 99.00%in suburban area8 and increased from 0 to 89.00%in rural areas.Since 2001 iodized salt covered up 93.00%of the people.The rate of child goitre in urban,suburban and rural areas respectively Wag 16.44%(228/1387), 20.57%(266/1293) and 24.93%(651/2611).Moreover,beginning from 1996,it reduced tO below of 5.00%respectively in 1999,2001 and 2005.The median of urinary iodine of children in urban,suburban and rural areas respectively was 137.50, 102.12,94.66 μg/L in 1995,since 1997 it reached 100.00μg/L and kept at 120.00μg/L In 2007 the median of urinarv iedine of children respectively was 271.10,240.40,198.10μg/L in urban,suburban and rural areas.The pereentage of awareness of IDD knowledge was 74.00%(444/600)in students in 1997 and reached 95.00% since 2000.Conclusion The paRern of eliminating iodine deficiency dis ease in Xiamen has successful established,which works efficiently and sets an example for iodized salt supplement in non-iodized salt areas and continually eliminating the iodine deficiency disease.

Adult ; Coronary Aneurysm ; complications ; Endocarditis, Bacterial ; complications ; Fistula ; complications ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most common and fatal infections in non-AIDS immunocompromised patients, which is difficult to diagnose by traditional morphologic methods. This study evaluated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA in sputum and bronchioalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) for diagnosing PCP.

METHODSSputum and BALF specimens from two groups were collected: one group (PCP group) included 20 patients definitely diagnosed of PCP by Gomori methenamine silver (GMS) stains of BALF; the other group (non-PCP group) included 40 patients. Each specimen was examined by GMS stains and PCR assays.

RESULTSGMS stains of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), GMS stains of sputum in PCP group were 35% positive (7/20); GMS stains of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), GMS stains of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). PCR assays of BALF in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20), PCR assays of sputum in PCP group were 100% positive (20/20); PCR assays of BALF in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40), PCR assays of sputum in non-PCP group were 100% negative (40/40). Sensitivity and specificity of PCR assays of sputum and BALF were both 100%; positive and negative predictive values were also both 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe diagnostic value of PCR assays of Pneumocystis jirovecii mitochondrial large subunits ribosomal RNA on sputum and BALF for pneumocystis pneumonia are both high and equivalent.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnosis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sputum ; chemistry

Objective To assess the value of detecting sympathetic skin response (SSR) in the diagnosis of autonomic dysfunction in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods SSR measurement was performed in 47 PD patients and 20 healthy control subjects and the results were compared. The SSR was also comparatively analyzed between patients with and those without autonomic dysfimction. Results Compared with the healthy controls, the PD patients showed significantly lowered mean amplitude (2.56±1.47 vs 1.87±0.26, P<0.05) and prolonged latency (1.42±0.29 vs 1.55± 0.18, P<0.05) of the SSR in the upper limbs, with also lowered mean amplitude (0.76±0.39 vs 0.49±0.21, P<0.05) and prolonged latency (2.04±0.27 vs 2.13±0.16, P<0.05) in the lower limbs. Compared with the PD patients without autonomic dysfunction, those having autonomic dysfunction showed significantly lowered mean amplitude (1.89±0.33 vs 1.75±0.21, P<0.05) and prolonged latency (1.53±0.15 vs 1.56±0.17, P<0.05) of SSR in the upper limbs and lowered mean amplitude (0.51±0.17 vs 0.46±0.20,P<0.05) and prolonged latency (2.08±0.24 vs 2.17±0.18, P<0.05) in the lower limbs. Conclusion The results of SSR measurements are consistent with the clinical manifestations of the PD patients. SSR can be of value in the diagnosis of autonomic nerve dysfunction in PD.

BACKGROUNDDifferential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT) and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.

METHODSA retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT (M:F, 21:14; mean age (64.5 ± 10.6) years) and 23 gastrocnemius hematoma (M:F, 16:7; mean age (75.4 ± 11.8) years) patients with bilateral/unilateral lower limb pain was conducted between January 2006 and September 2012. Characteristics and the morphology of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasonography of the lower limb deep vein, great saphenous vein, calf muscles, skin, and soft tissue were examined.

RESULTSICMVT hypoechoic signals were characterized by long, tube-like masses on longitudinal sections and oval masses on transverse sections, with apparent muscle thrombosis boundaries, distal and proximal venous connections, and, often, lower limb DVT. Gastrocnemius hematoma hypoechoic signals were characterized by large volumes, enhanced posterior hematoma echo, hyperechoic muscle boundaries, no hematoma blood flow, and no DVT, and clear differences in trauma/exercise- and oral anticoagulant-induced hematomas were readily apparent. According to the measurement, the ratio of long diameter/transverse diameter (D/T) in ICMVT patients was about less than 2.0, whereas in gastrocnemius hematoma patients the ratio was more than 2.0. Early stage isoechoic and hypoechoic signals were detected with gradually increasing ovular anechoic areas. Partial muscle fibers in the hematoma due to muscle fractures were apparent.

CONCLUSIONHigh-frequency color Doppler ultrasound was found to be a sensitive and reliable method for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma due to trauma and exercise or prolonged oral anticoagulant use.

Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thrombosis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of content of minor elements and its biological implication in apoptotic processes. METHODS: The content of minor elements of apoptotic cells from breast cancer induced by anti-cancer drugs was quantitatively analysed with synchronous radiation X-ray fluorescence. RESULTS: Seven kinds of minor elements including Ti, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga and Ge as well as five major elements P, S, Ca, Cl and K were detected in the apoptotic and control cells. The content of elements Zn and P in apoptotic cells after 48 h treatment with taxol and colchicine was significantly increased higher than that in the control cells P<0.05). The content of element Fe in 48 h treatment with taxol was significantly decreased lower than that in the control cells P<0.05). The same trend of change of elements was observed during the process of apoptotic cells death induced with VP-16 or cycloheximide. CONCLUSION: This results suggest that the elements Zn, Fe and P should be involved in apoptosis induced by anti-cancer drugs.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Pneumocystis carinii ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; diagnostic imaging ; immunology ; physiopathology ; Radiography ; Remission, Spontaneous

OBJECTIVETo improve the respiratory isolation policy for patients with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

METHODSAll consecutive patients with suspicion of having pulmonary TB when seeking health care at the County TB dispensary of the Center of Disease Control and Prevention received face to face interview.

RESULTSA Classification model was constructed with a sensitivity of 90.9% and specificity of 90.2%, while predictive factors of culture-proven pulmonary TB among smear negativecases were soakage in Chest X-ray exam (77.0% vs. 4.4%; P<0.0001), bilateral lung's abnormal (1.6% vs. 19.4%; P<0.0001) and reaction of tuberculin skin testing (0.0% vs. 2.6%; P=0.014).

CONCLUSIONSoakage, bilateral lung's abnormal and positive reaction of tuberculin skin testing were important predictors to prognosticate culture positive diagnosis. The model had been proved to have promising sensitivity and specificity in the rural population covered by NTP-DOTs.

Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Patient Isolation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tuberculin Test ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; classification ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of long-term exposure to carbon disulfide (SC(2)) on cardiovascular system of workers.

METHODSThe concentrations of CS(2) were detected in the representative workshops with different exposure levels. The indicators related to cardiovascular system were tested in 633 workers occupationally exposed to CS(2), which included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood routine (blood RT), cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG) and so on. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe exposure concentration of CS(2) for 389 workers was less than or equal to 5 mg/m(3), which for other 244 workers was higher than 5 mg/m(3). The maximum exposure concentration of CS(2) was 15.73 mg/m(3). There were no significant effects of CS(2) on the electrocardiogram, red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelet, TCHO and TG of workers. However, the positive effects of CS(2) on blood pressure and negative effects of CS(2) on hemoglobin were found. The rates of high TCHO, TG and hypertension in male workers were significantly higher than those in female workers (P < 0.05). The rates of high TCHO, hypertension and sinus arrhythmia in older workers (≤ 30 years old) were significantly higher than those in young workers (> 30 years old) (P < 0.05). The rate of sinus arrhythmia in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly higher than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly lower than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant effects of CS(2) exposure on the indexes of cardiovascular system of workers.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult