Summary of a Symposium on Natriuretic and Digitalis-Like Factors

An international symposium on natriuretic and digitalis-like factors was convened for the first time since 1992. Topics discussed included structures and biosynthesis of endogenous digitalis-like factors (EDLF), biologic activities, physiology function and role of EDLF in hypertension, and novel natriuretic factors. Progress was reported in determining the exact structure of an isomer of ouabain isolated from bovine hypothalamus. Evidence was presented supporting the existence of a second mammalian EDLF that resembles steroids found in toads (bufodienolides). Support for endogenous synthesis of mammalian EDLF was also presented. Mammalian EDLF were reported to have effects which are different from those possessed by digitalis like steroids derived from plants. New evidence was presented implicating EDLF in various forms of hypertension in humans and animal models. Finally, several unique natriuretic factors that do not inhibit Na, K ATPase and that appear to play a role in mammalian volume regulation were discussed     

军队中老年人血脂影响因素的调查分析及健康指导

目的探讨军队中老年人血脂异常及其影响因素,从而有针对性地做好健康指导。方法选择驻京军队参加健康体检者1860例,根据年龄分为:老年前期组(357例),老年组(1060例),高龄组(443例),对各组血脂异常及影响因素进行分析。结果与老年组男性比较,老年前期组男性低HDL-C、高舒张压、饮酒、吸烟、缺乏运动的检出率明显增高,高收缩压、高空腹血糖、高2 h餐后血糖(2 h PG)、超重/肥胖的检出率明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);高龄组男性高收缩压、缺乏运动的检出率明显增高,高TG、高舒张压、高2 h PG、超重/肥胖、饮酒、吸烟的检出率明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。与老年组女性比较,老年前期组女性缺乏运动的检出率明显增高,高TG、高收缩压、高2 h PG、超重/肥胖、吸烟的检出率明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);高龄组女性与老年组女性各指标检出率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论中老年人血脂异常问题必须引起高度重视,医务人员要积极进行健康指导,促进中老年人群自我保健能力和疾病预防意识的同步提高。     

6426例高血压住院患者的增龄性变化和并存疾病分析

目的 探讨高血压与年龄及并存疾病的关系. 方法 对我院2005年5月至2009年5月住院的6426例高血压患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,按年龄分为青年组(18～44岁)312例、中年组(45～59岁)1529例、老年组(60～79岁)3847例及高龄组(80～99岁)738例,分析高血压患者占同年龄组住院患者的比例及并存疾病情况. 结果 6426例高血压患者中,男3438例(53.5%),女2988例(46.5%);年龄18～99岁,平均(66.3±12.1)岁,其中青年组312例(4.8%),中年组1529例(23.8%),老年组3847例(59.9%),高龄组738例(11.5%);同期18岁以上住院患者共25 504例,其中青年组11 208例,中年组5389例,老年组7596例,高龄组1311例.高血压患者占同年龄组住院患者的比例依次为2.78%、28.37%、50.65%及56.3%;青、中年组高血压患者比例男性明显高于女性,而老年组及高龄组男、女比例差异无统计学意义;6426例高血压患者并存糖尿病2069例(32.2%),高脂血症1508例(23.5%),睡眠呼吸暂停综合征105例(1.6%),冠心病1061例(16.5%),心功能不全904例(14.1%),脑卒中2353例(36.6%),肾功能不全678例(10.6%). 结论 高血压患病率随增龄而增加.高血压尤其是老年高血压其相关危险因素有群集现象,糖尿病、高脂血症、睡眠呼吸暂停综合征等相关疾病既是高血压发病的危险因素,同时又加重了高血压对心、脑、肾等重要靶器官的损害,而引起严重的心脑血管事件.因此,高血压治疗除积极降压达标外,应加强综合治疗以防止或延缓并发症的发生.     

Age and sex differences in right colon cancer

In a prospective study of 402 colorectal cancer patients, 133 patients (46 men and 87 women) presented with right colon cancer. There was no significant difference between men and women in right colon cancer incidence. Common presenting features were abdominal pain, weight loss, and anemia. Ninety-one patients underwent resection with curative intent. There were significantly fewer Dukes' A tumors in the right colon cancer series (P<0.05). Significantly more women in the right colon cancer group were over 70 years old (P<0.05). The findings of peritoneal metastases and poorly differentiated lesions at initial surgery also were associated significantly with women who had right colon cancer (P<0.05). This study confirms previous reports of more advanced tumors in the right colon. The need for age, sex, and subsite differences to be taken into account when assessing treatment outcomes or survival is emphasized. Supported by the Auckland Division of the Cancer Society of New Zealand.     

Age and sex distribution of patients with colorectal cancer

A retrospective review of 922 colorectal cancer patients was undertaken to determine whether the nonuniform anatomic distribution of colorectal cancer was influenced by age and/or sex. The mean age of patients with right colon lesions (71.2 years) was significantly higher than for either patients with left colon lesions (68.2 years) or rectal lesions (65.6 years). Further analysis disclosed that patients with proximal tumors were older than patients with distal tumors primarily because of the later presentation of females with cecal or ascending colon cancers. Comparison of the anatomic distribution of tumors in patient groups above and below the age of 70 revealed that right colon cancers accounted for a greater percentage of colorectal tumors in the older patient group than in the younger patient group. These findings support the roles played by both age and sex in influencing colorectal cancer location. Furthermore, these data provide a plausible explanation for the increasing incidence of proximal colonic lesions Presented at the Annual Residents' Night, New York Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, New York, New York, March 10, 1988.     

吸烟与卒中和卒中亚型的关系

吸烟是卒中的主要危险因素之一.主动吸烟和被动吸烟均会增高卒中风险,而戒烟后卒中风险可能会降低,甚至与非吸烟者无显著差异.吸烟人群因年龄、性别、吸烟量、烟龄和地区的不同,其卒中和各卒中亚型的风险也存在差异.     

Risk and protective factors for disturbed eating in adolescent girls – aspects of perfectionism and attitudes to eating and weight

The aim of this study was to longitudinally examine the role of personal standards, self‐evaluation, perceived benefits of thinness and attitudes to eating and weight in the development of healthy versus disturbed eating in adolescent girls. In a longitudinal study, girls who participated in two assessments, four to five years apart, were divided into three groups according to the attitudes to eating that they manifested at the second evaluation: those with disturbed eating patterns (DE‐group, n = 49), those with intermediate concerns about eating (IE‐group, n = 260) and those with healthy eating attitudes (HE‐group, n = 120). Variables concerning attitudes to eating and weight and physical self‐evaluation emerged as risk factors, whereas personal standards or self‐evaluation in general did not. Protective factors were a low BMI, healthy eating attitudes, an accepting attitude towards body size and a positive self‐evaluation, particularly with regard to physical and psychological characteristics. The results of this study contribute to the understanding of early risk and protective factors for eating disturbances in girls. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

The role of human factors in the design and development of an insulin pump

This article discusses human factors (HF) processes and how they are applied during the development of a medical device to minimize the risk that the user interface design could lead to patient errors, adverse events, and product recalls. This process is best defined as "prevention through design." The HF design process is exemplified by three distinct phases: (1) preliminary analysis, (2) formative design evaluation and modification, and (3) design validation. Additional benefits of employing HF principles during medical device development are briefly reviewed, including reduced patient risk by eliminating design flaws, increased patient adherence through the reduction in the complexity of therapeutic regimes, and reduced likelihood for product recalls.     

静息心率与高血压发病风险的关系及性别、年龄对其的修饰效应

目的探讨我国农村地区成年人群静息心率与高血压发病风险的关系及性别、年龄对其的修饰效应。方法该研究为队列研究。于2007年7月至2008年8月在河南省新安县选取2个镇为研究现场,以自然村为单位采用整群随机抽样的方法抽取调查村庄,进行基线调查。根据标准入选常住居民20194人。于2013年7月至2014年10月对入选者进行随访,最终完成随访者17265人。排除基线高血压患者、基线静息心率资料缺失者、随访期间死亡者、随访时高血压诊断资料缺失者以及诊断为妊娠高血压者,最终共10212人纳入该研究。基线和随访调查均包含问卷调查(人口统计学资料、行为危险因素、疾病史及用药史等)、人体测量(身高、体重、静息心率及血压测量)、空腹血糖以及脂质谱检测。按照静息心率的四分位数值将研究对象分为4组,即Q1组、Q2组、Q3组和Q4组。既往无高血压病史,随访期间收缩压≥140 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)和/或舒张压≥90 mmHg,或正在服用降压药物定义为新发高血压。以基线静息心率为自变量,以随访与基线的血压差值为因变量,采用多重线性回归分析静息心率与血压差值的关系。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析静息心率与高血压发病风险的关联强度[即比值比(OR)及其95%可信区间(CI)]。然后采用公式计算高血压发病风险,即计算其相对危险度(RR)。该研究还针对性别(男性和女性)和年龄(<60岁和≥60岁)进行了亚组分析。结果研究平均随访6.0年,新发高血压病例累计2059例,其中男性839例。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,在总人群中校正了潜在混杂因素后,静息心率每增加5次/min,高血压发病风险的RR值为1.04(95%CI 1.01~1.08,P<0.05)。校正潜在混杂因素后,在女性人群中静息心率每增加5次/min,收缩压差值增加0.18 mmHg(95%CI 0.01~0.36 mmHg,P=0.046),同时高血压发病风险增加(RR=1.07,95%CI 1.03~1.11,P<0.05)。在女性人群中,Q3组(静息心率76~82次/min)和Q4组(静息心率>82次/min)高血压发病风险均高于Q1组(静息心率<70次/min),RR值分别为1.39(95%CI 1.18~1.63,P<0.05)和1.22(95%CI 1.02~1.45,P<0.05)。在男性人群中,无论<60岁组还是≥60岁组,静息心率加快均不增加高血压发病风险(P均>0.05)。而<60岁组的女性静息心率加快则高血压发病风险增加(RR=1.05,95%CI 1.01~1.10,P<0.05),≥60岁组的女性静息心率加快高血压的发病风险则更高(RR=1.14,95%CI 1.04~1.25,P<0.05)。结论对于我国农村地区成年人群而言,静息心率与高血压发病风险具有一定的关联,且具有性别差异。静息心率较快的女性人群高血压发病风险更高,且以老年女性为甚。     

Association of functional thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) with conventional cardiovascular risk factors and its correlation with other hemostatic factors in a Spanish population

Our aim was to determine the associations of functional thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels in plasma with conventional cardiovascular risk factors, sex and age, and possible correlations with other hemostatic factors in a Spanish population. We included 303 individuals from a Spanish population. Hemostatic factors such as von Willebrand Factor, VII ag, VIIIc, XIc, XIIc, APCR, protein S, protein C, antithrombin, fibrinogen, and t-PA antigen were assayed. The functional TAFI assay was based on the activation of plasma TAFI with thrombin-thrombomodulin, and the measure of TAFIa activity on the hippuryl-Arg substrate. There were no statistical differences in mean values of functional TAFI among the various female age groups or among the different male age groups, with or without cardiovascular risk factors. Only women younger than 30 years of age showed lower levels of functional TAFI compared to older women. No differences were found among men of different ages. Adjusted for sex and age, hemostatic factors did not show a correlation with functional TAFI levels in plasma. Women with hypercholesterolemia showed higher levels of TAFI; other conventional cardiovascular risk factors did not modify functional TAFI levels either in men or in women. We also found no correlation of functional TAFI levels related to any other hemostatic factors.     

Role of Ouabain-Like Factors and Na-K-Atpase Inhibitors in Hypertension — Some Old and Recent Findings

Three lines of evidence led to our suggestion in 1976 that sodium pump inhibitors are involved in volume expanded hypertension. These were 1) pressor activity of low renin hypertensive blood 2) natriuretic and sodium pump inhibiting activities of volume expanded blood and 3) potassium vasoactivity which was blocked by ouabain and suppressed potassium vasodilatation, myocardial Na-K-ATPase, and artery, vein and WBC sodium pumps in low renin hypertension. This led to bioassay of plasma from acutely volume expanded dogs and from dogs with one-kidney, one wrapped hypertension for sodium pump inhibiting activity that acts on arteries. Positive results were reported in 1980. The assay was also positive in rats with one-kidney, one clip and reduced renal mass hypertension (but not in rats with spontaneous or salt sensitive hypertension) and in humans with acute volume expansion and low renin essential hypertension (but not in humans with normal renin hypertension). Thus the inhibitor which acts on the sodium pump in arteries appears to be present only in low renin hypertension     

Cholangiocarcinoma:principles and current trends

BACKGROUND:Cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)is a lethal cancer of the biliary epithelium,originating from the liver(intrahepatic),at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts(hilar)or in the extrahepatic bile ducts.It is a rare malignancy associated with poor prognosis.DATA SOURCES:We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE database for relevant articles published from 1989 to 2008.The search terms used were related to cholangiocarcinoma and its treatment.Although no language restrictions were imposed initially,for the...     

Increased prevalence of risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the US Hispanic CF population

Hispanic ethnicity is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In order to compare the prevalence of risk factors for morbidity and mortality between the Hispanic CF population and the non‐Hispanic CF population, we performed a cross‐sectional study of patients in the 2004 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Patient Registry. Among 22,714 CF patients, 1,511 were identified as ethnic Hispanic. Hispanic patients were diagnosed earlier (2.8 vs. 3.3 years, P = 0.005) and acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa at a younger age (6.6 years vs. 10 years, P < 0.001). FEV₁ was lower for Hispanic patients (81.5% vs. 87% predicted for those under 18 years old [P < 0.001] and 2.1 L vs. 2.3 L for those 18 years and older [P = 0.01]). Hispanic patients had similar or better nutritional status. Hispanic patients were more likely to be diagnosed with liver disease (OR 1.31 [1.1, 1.56]) but less likely to be diagnosed with depression (OR 0.53 [0.39, 0.68]), bone and joint disease (OR 0.55 [0.41, 0.71]), or CF‐related diabetes (OR 0.53 [0.43, 0.62]). Hispanic patients had lower median income by zip code ($41,930 vs. $47,341; P < 0.001), a higher rate of government insurance (55.2% vs. 32.0%; P < 0.001), and greater percentage of mothers with less than a high school education (26.7% vs. 6.5%; P < 0.001). We conclude that there is an increased prevalence of important risk factors for morbidity and mortality in the Hispanic CF population. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:594–601. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Improving outcomes of cord blood transplantation: HLA matching, cell dose and other graft- and transplantation-related factors

The use of unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) as an alternative source of haematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) has been widely used for patients lacking a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) matched donor. One of the disadvantages of using UCB is the limited number of haematopoietic stem cells and, consequently, delayed engraftment and increased risk of early mortality. Many approaches have been investigated in the attempt to improve engraftment and survival. Among those, studies analysing prognostic factors related to patients, disease, donor and transplantation have been performed. Variable factors have been identified, such as factors related to donor choice (HLA, cell dose and others) and transplantation (conditioning and graft- versus -host disease prophylaxis regimens). This review will focus on the interactions between HLA, cell dose and other modifiable factors related to the UCB unit selection and transplantation that may improve outcomes after UCB transplantation.     

广东省嗜人按蚊分布同自然地理、社会经济的关系

目的　通过对嗜人按蚊分布区的自然地理因素和社会经济因素进行调查 ,描述广东省嗜人按蚊分布与自然地理和社会经济的关系。方法　选择若干个存在嗜人按蚊的自然村 ,调查每个村的自然环境、地形地貌、水体状况、土壤特征、气象因子、耕作制度和社会经济环境等 6 8项因素 ;各指标量化后输入计算机 ,用SPSS8.0 /forwindows统计软件包进行制表和数据分析。结果　广东省嗜人按蚊分布于珠江三角洲地区 ,11个存在嗜人按蚊的市 (县 ) ,自北纬 2 5°以南 ,东经 113°到东经 115°之间 ,沟溪 (渠 )是当前我省嗜人按蚊区最重要的水体类型 ;水体的水质清澈 (95 % ) ,遮阴良好 (95 % )。每亩耕地的农药使用量为 2 .3kg ,甘蔗和香蕉少用或不用农药。结论　嗜人按蚊在广东呈点、片状分布 ,以低山丘陵区为主 ,并喜分布于酸性土质 ;其主要孳生地是遮阴良好的沟溪、甘蔗地和香蕉地 ;嗜人按蚊区的气候以温暖湿润、阳光充沛为特点 ;流行区居民人均收入低 ,经济状况不佳 ,主要耕种甘蔗、香蕉、双季稻等农作物 ;水稻田农药使用量较甘蔗、香蕉、双季稻等经济作物为大 ,后者受杀虫剂影响较小 ,嗜人按蚊种群密度较高。     

Postpartum weight retention and its association with socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates: A cross-sectional hospital-based preliminary survey in India

Background and aimsPostpartum weight retention can predispose women to an elevated risk of obesity and associated complications. The study aims to assess the magnitude of postpartum weight retention and its association with socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in February and March 2022 via telephonic interviews. Convenience sampling technique was used for recruiting postpartum women in first three months, four to six months and beyond six months post-delivery (date of delivery January 2021 to January 2022). Chi² test and regression analysis were employed to study the association of socio-demographic and obstetrics correlates with postpartum weight retention.ResultsThe final sample comprised 505 postpartum women with a mean age of 29 ± 4 years. The mean postpartum weight retention was 4.96 ± 3.64 kg, 5.38 ± 3.93 kg and 5.80 ± 3.95 kg in the first three months, four to six months and beyond six months post-delivery respectively. In the first three months, socio-economic status and gestational weight gain were associated with weight retention (p < 0.05). In four-six months, type of family, education qualification, and gestational weight gain were associated with weight retention (p < 0.05). Beyond six months post-delivery, gestational weight gain was associated with postpartum weight retention (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe findings provide preliminary data on the magnitude of weight retention in Indian postpartum women. Postpartum women are at an increased risk of weight retention with the overall shift to a higher body mass index category as compared to the pre-pregnancy period. It is crucial to timely screen women at risk and implement weight management strategies.     

Non-linear relationships between cognitive function and alcohol consumption in young, middle-aged and older adults: the PATH Through Life Project

AIMS: To investigate associations, including non-linear relationships, between cognitive function and alcohol consumption, testing for moderating effects of age and gender and for differences across outcome measures. Design Cross-sectional general population samples of three age cohorts. Setting Canberra and Queanbeyan, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: The total sample of 7485 consisted of 2404 men and women aged 20-24 years, 2530 aged 40-44 years, and 2551 aged 60-64 years, selected from the electoral rolls. Measurements Self-report data using hand-held computers provided weekly alcohol consumption from the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) frequency, quantity and binge-drinking items, and socio-demographic factors. Spot-the-Word, digits backwards, the Symbol-Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), immediate recall and reaction-time tests were conducted by trained interviewers. FINDINGS: Findings varied across dependent variables, but there was a general tendency for light drinkers (up to 20/10 g alcohol per day in men/women, respectively) to perform better than abstainers, occasional drinkers or those drinking at hazardous/harmful levels (>40/20 g per day in men/women). Poorer performance of hazardous/harmful drinkers was seen only in men, whereas that of abstainers was evident in both sexes but was stronger in women. After adjustment for education and race, male hazardous/harmful drinkers no longer performed significantly less well than light drinkers, whereas male and female abstainers and occasional drinkers still did so. CONCLUSIONS: Abstainers have poorer cognitive function than light drinkers and further investigation is needed to determine what factors contribute to this.     

吸烟与卒中和卒中亚型的关系

吸烟是卒中的主要危险因素之一.主动吸烟和被动吸烟均会增高卒中风险,而戒烟后卒中风险可能会降低,甚至与非吸烟者无显著差异.吸烟人群因年龄、性别、吸烟量、烟龄和地区的不同,其卒中和各卒中亚型的风险也存在差异.

Abstract：

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for stroke. Both active and passive smoking may increase the risks of stroke, and the risks of stroke may decrease after smoking cessation, even no significant difference with non-smokers. Because of the different age, sex, smoking quantity, years of smoking, and regions of the smoking popuation, their strokes and the risks of all stroke subtypes are also different.