Background:Clinical outcomes of undifferentiated arthritis (UA) are diverse,and only 40 ％ of patients with UA develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA) after 3 years.Discovering predictive markers at disease onset for further intervention is critical.Therefore,our objective was to analyze the clinical outcomes of UA and ascertain the predictors for RA development.Methods:We performed a prospective,multi-center study from January 2013 to October 2016 among Chinese patients diagnosed with UA in 22 tertiary-care hospitals.Clinical and serological parameters were obtained at recruitment.Follow-up was undertaken in all patients every 12 weeks for 2 years.Predictive factors of disease progression were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.Results:A total of 234 patients were recruited in this study,and 17 (7.3％) patients failed to follow up during the study.Among the 217 patients who completed the study,83 (38.2％) patients went into remission.UA patients who developed RA had a higher rheumatoid factor (RF)-positivity (42.9％ vs.16.8％,x2=8.228,P=0.008),anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodypositivity (66.7％ vs.10.7％,x2 =43.897,P ＜ 0.001),and double-positivity rate of RF and anti-CCP antibody (38.1％ vs.4.1％,x2 =32.131,P ＜ 0.001) than those who did not.Anti-CCP antibody but not RF was an independent predictor for RA development (hazard ratio 18.017,95％ confidence interval:5.803-55.938;P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion:As an independent predictor of RA,anti-CCP antibody should be tested at disease onset in all patients with UA.

The impact of sexual dysfunction (SD) is distressing to many male patients with pituitary adenomas which affect both physical and psychological health. The research explored to identify risk factors affecting sexual function and the prognosis of male patients with pituitary adenomas. Two hundred and fifty-four male patients, who aged between 18 and 60 (mean ± s.d.: 44.16 ± 10.14) years and diagnosed with pituitary adenomas, were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred and fifty-nine patients (62.6%) complained of SD prior to surgery. The mean International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) in patients with giant adenomas was 16.13 ± 2.51, much smaller than those with microadenomas or macroadenomas (P < 0.05). All the patients showed significant improvement in terms of erectile dysfunction (ED) following surgery (P < 0.05). In addition, complete resection achieved a higher degree of SD relief than partial resection. The incidence of SD in functioning pituitary adenomas (FPAs) was much higher than that in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) (P < 0.05). In addition, compared with NFPAs, males with prolactinomas (82.8%) had the higher prevalence of SD and significantly improvement following surgical intervention (P < 0.05). An inverse relationship was identified between decreasing testosterone levels and increasing incidence of SD before surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between 6 months and 12 months after surgery in serum testosterone level (P > 0.05). Our results indicated that surgical therapy could be optimized for improvements in SD and that testosterone levels can be used as a sensitive indicator to predict the recovery rate of sexual function in patients with pituitary adenomas following surgery and the serum testosterone level will stay stable in 6 months after surgery.
Adenoma/surgery* ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pituitary Neoplasms/surgery* ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Prolactinoma/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/etiology* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To improve the load resistance ability of students in teenager aviation schools and carry out specialized training for the body situation and shape of students.Methods We selected students from 14 teenager aviation schools and measured their height,weight,and the circumferences of necks,chests,upper-arms,waists,hips,and thighs.We compared the data of these students from different areas and the parameters were analyzed statistically by correlation analysis.Results Totally 411 students from 6 southern schools and 403 students from northern schools were investigated.Their average body height,weight and body mass index (BMI) were (172.3 ± 4.39) cm,(62.7 ± 7.3) kg,and (21.1 ± 2.23)kg/m2 respectirely.Students from northern schools were taller and heavier than those from southern schools (P ＜ 0.05).There was no difference between students from northern and southern schools in BMI.Compared with the domestic average levels of height,weight and chest circumference of teenagers aged 14 to 17,students of teenager aviation schools were higher,but there was no difference in weight or chest circumference.The average circumferences of the chest,neck,left upper-arm,right upper-arm,waist,hip,left thigh and right thigh were (83.1 ± 5.06),(34.7 ±3.07),(25.2±2.33),(25.5 ±2.30),(73.4 ±6.73),(89.7 ±5.89),(50.1 ±5.22),and (50.2 ±5.27)cm,respectively.According to the data,students from northern schools had a bigger chest circumference and thigh circumference but a smaller neck circumference and upper-arms circumference than those from southern schools (P ＜ 0.05).The correlation coefficient between BMI and the circumferences of the chest,neck,left upper-arm,right upperarm,waist,hip,left thigh and right thigh was 0.2201,0.1066,0.2466,0.2499,0.2291,0.2149,0.2299,0.2264,respectively.All of them were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.0001).Conclusion Load resistance related parameters of students in teenager aviation schools are not different from the domestic levels,which points to the urgent need for load resistance ability training for these students.Some parameters vary between areas.BMI is positively related to those load resistance parameters.Based on regional variations and regularities found in this study,specialized load resistance ability training could be made more efficient.

This study, based on the findings for Perilla resources, aimed to describe the species, distribution, importance, features, utilization and status of quantitative Perilla resources in China. This not only helps people to know well about the existing resources and researching development, but also indicates the overall distribution, selection and rational use of Perilla resource in the future. According to the output types, Perilla resources are divided into two categories: wild resources and cultivated resources; and based on its common uses, the cultivated resources are further divided into medicine resources, seed-used resources and export resources. The distribution areas of wild resources include Henan, Sichuan, Anhui, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The distribution areas of medicine resources are concentrated in Hebei, Anhui, Chongqing, Guangxi and Guangdong. Seed-used resources are mainly distributed in Gansu, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Chongqing and Yunnan. Export resource areas are mainly concentrated in coastal cities, such as Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang. For the further study, the essential oil of leaf samples from different areas were extracted by the steam distillation method and analyzed by GC-MS. The differences in essential oil chemotypes among different Perilla leaves were compared by analyzing their chemical constituents. The main 31 constituents of all samples included: perillaketone (0.93%-96.55%), perillaldehyde (0.10%-61.24%), perillene (52.15%), caryophyllene (3.22%-26.67%), and α-farnesene (2.10%-21.54%). These samples can be classified into following five chemotypes based on the synthesis pathways: PK-type, PA-type, PL-type, PP-type and EK-type. The chemotypes of wild resources included PK-type and PA-type, with PK-type as the majority. All of the five chemotypes are included in cultivated resources, with PA-type as the majority. Seed-used resources are all PK-type, and export resources are all PA-type. The P. frutescens var. frutescens include five chemotypes, with PK-type as the majority. The PK-type leaves of P. frutescens var. acuta are green, while the PA-type leaves are reddish purple. The P. fruteseens var. crispa was mainly PA type with reddish purple leaves. The differences of the main chemotypes provide a scientific basis for distinguishing between Zisu and Baisu in previous literatures. Based on the lung toxicity of PK and the traditional use of Perilla, the testing standard of essential oil and Perilla herb shall be built, and PA type is recommended to be used in traditional Chinese medicine.

BACKGROUNDData on the epidemiology of hypertension in Chinese non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in the non-dialysis CKD patients through a nationwide, multicenter study in China.

METHODSThe survey was performed in 61 tertiary hospitals in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in China (except Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan). Trained physicians collected demographic and clinical data and measured blood pressure (BP) using a standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, and/or use of antihypertensive medications. BP < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg were used as the 2 thresholds of hypertension control. In multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for sex and age, we analyzed the association between CKD stages and uncontrolled hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients.

RESULTSThe analysis included 8927 non-dialysis CKD patients. The prevalence, awareness, and treatment of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients were 67.3%, 85.8%, and 81.0%, respectively. Of hypertensive CKD patients, 33.1% and 14.1% had controlled BP to < 140/90 mmHg and < 130/80 mmHg, respectively. With successive CKD stages, the prevalence of hypertension in non-dialysis CKD patients increased, but the control of hypertension decreased (P < 0.001). When the threshold of BP < 130/80 mmHg was considered, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension in CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 stages increased 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.0 times compared with CKD 1 stage, respectively (P < 0.05). Using the threshold of < 140/90 mmHg, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased in advanced stages (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of hypertension Chinese non-dialysis CKD patients was high, and the hypertension control was suboptimal. With successive CKD stages, the risk of uncontrolled hypertension increased.

Adult ; Aged ; Awareness ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; complications

Objective To investigate the techniques and curative effects of laminoplasty via posternmedial approach in treating C1-2 instraspinal neoplasms.Methods Twenty-seven patients (15males and 12 females) with C1-2 instraspinal neoplasms,admitted to and performed laminoplasty via posternmedial approach in our hospital from January 2007 to December 2011,were chosen in our study.Their clinical data and treatment efficacy were summarized.Results Total excision was achieved in all patients,and no patient in this study died.Pathological diagnosis showed 21 having schwannoma,1 neurofibroma and 5 meningioma.Follow up for 6-48 months indicated that 1 patient could take care of himself and the other 26 patients could live normally.No cervical spine instability or tumor recurrence was found.Conclusion Posternmedial approach may be regarded as the first selection to resect C1-2instraspinal neoplasms; laminoplasty can keep the stability of spine.

Objective To investigate the curative effects of different surgical techniques on intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum.Methods Thirty five patients with intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum (21 males and 14 females),admitted to and underwent surgeries in our hospital from January 2007 to June 2012,were chosen in our study.Tumors were removed with microsurgeries (27 via suboccipital midline approach and 8 via suboccipital far lateral approach).Their clinical data and curative effects were summarized.Results Total excision was achieved in 32 patients,sub-total excision in 3 patients,and no patient in this study died.Pathological diagnosis showed 15 having schwannoma,3 having neurofibroma,14 having meningioma and 3 having hemangioblastoma.After operation,symptoms of pain in the neck and limb muscle weakness were relieved.All the patients were followed up for 3-48 months showing no cervical spine instability.Conclusion The correct choice of surgical approach and microsurgical skills are keys to remove the intradural extramedullary tumors in the foramen magnum effectively and safely.

UPLC-MS-MS system was used for the identification of arbidol metabolites in the rat feces, urine and plasma samples. The system was so powerful a way with high ability of separation and analysis, based on both chromatography and mass properties. The isotope of Br was also a good indicator for metabolites finding. There were altogether 9 metabolites detected and identified, including 2 phase I biotransformation products and 7 phase II ones. It is concluded that arbidol mainly undergo metabolic reactions such as N-demethylation, S-oxidation, glucuronidation and sulfation in rats.
Animals ; Biotransformation ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Feces ; chemistry ; Female ; Indoles ; blood ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; urine ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

This study was aimed to analyze hemoglobin F (HbF) level and single nucleotide polymorphisms at rs11886868 locus of BCL11A gene in β-thalassemia patients, and to explore correlation between them. 89 mild β-thalassemia patients with known mutations were registered, and HbF levels were determined by capillary electrophoresis. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes, fragment including rs11886868 locus in BCL11A gene was amplified by PCR, and polymorphism was determined by DNA sequencing. The results showed that 2 polymorphisms including C and T were found at rs11886868 locus in BCL11A gene among 89 mild β-thalassemia patients. HbF levels in red blood cells were (4.47 ± 3.42)% and (2.79 ± 2.21)% for β-thalassemia patients carrying C/C and C/T haplotypes, respectively. There was difference between 2 haplotype groups. It is concluded that the C and T polymorphisms are found at rs11886868 locus in the BCL11A gene for β-thalassemia patients. C polymorphism may be related to high HbF expression in red blood cells.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Fetal Hemoglobin ; metabolism ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult ; beta-Thalassemia ; blood ; genetics

This study was aimed to analyze the β-globin gene mutations in a patient with β-thalassemia minor. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells of the patient. The full-length DNA sequence coding for β-globin was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and the gene mutation was determined by DNA sequencing. The results indicated that a heterogeneous A→G mutation was found at position 129 in intron 1 of the β-thalassemia minor patient. It is concluded that the IVS-I-129(A→G) mutation is a splicing site mutation leading to a splicing error in immature messenger RNA and a protein translation error for the β-globin gene. Thus, the IVS-I-129(A→G) is a novel mutation.
Adult ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Introns ; Point Mutation ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA Splice Sites ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; genetics