Associated risk factors of knee osteoarthritis: a population survey in Taiyuan, China

Background Since knee osteoarthritis （KOA） is one of the common diseases, identification of its associated risk factors is of preventive significance. This investigation was designed to investigate the prevalence of KOA in Taiyuan, and identify the associated risk factors of KOA. Methods A population sample was surveyed of 2188 adults aged from 35 to 64 years, living in 6-story buildings without elevators. The protocol of Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology （APLAR） Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases （COPCORD） core questionnaire was implemented. The data on knee pain and KOA were collected and analyzed. Variables such as sex, age, body mass index （BMI）, waist circumference （WC）, education level, and smoking history, were included in binary logistic regression model for further analysis. Results The prevalence rates of knee pain and KOA were 13.6% and 10.9%, respectively, significantly higher than those in Shantou of south China and similar to those in Beijing of north China. The prevalence of KOA was significantly higher in women than in men （18.3% versus 8.7% and 15.1% versus 6.3%）, with a tendency of increase with age. The prevalence was increased more obviously in women after 40 years old and in men after 45 years old. BMI in KOA group was significantly higher than that in non-KOA group. Binary Logistic regression revealed that age, sex, and BMI were significantly associated with KOA, whereas no significant correlation was seen between KOA and other factors such as climbing stairs, WC, time length of occupation service, education level, smoking history and religious belief. Conclusion Geography, age, sex, and BMI might be the risk factors of KOA, but climbing stairs, WC, time length of occupation service, education level, smoking history and religious belief are not correlated with KOA. Prevention of KOA should be initiated before the middle-age, especially in female adults, and weight control is necessary. Other factors might also contribute to the development of KOA, but further study is needed to elucidate the role of these factors.     

PREVALENCE OF IMPAIRED GLUCOSE REGULATION IN THE POPULATION OF TIANJIN

Objective To investigate the prevalence of impaired glucose regulation （IGR） in the population of Tianjin.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tianjin from June to September in 2005. The multi-phasic stratified cluster sampling method was adopted. Totally, 21454 people were selected as survey sample. Information on risk factors was collected through face-to-face questionnaire interview. Fasting capillary whole blood glucose level and other clinical indexes were tested.
Results The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose （IFG） in the population was 5.61% （5.32% in male, 5.89% in female）. The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance （IGT） was 2.91% （2.59% in male, 3.20% in female） in whole population, and the prevalence of female was significantly higher than that of male （P = 0.04）. The prevalences of IFG and IGT increased with the increasing of age. And the prevalences were also influenced by the profession, educational level, and income level.
Conclusion The prevalences oflGT and IFG in Tianjin are similar to those in the other big cities of China.     

Influencing factors analysis of among middle aged and old aged spontaneous knee joint osteoarthritis pople in Xi＇an

Objective： To explore the prevalence rate of knee joint osteoarthritis and its pathogenetic features among the middle-aged and old aged people in the urban and rural area of Xi＇an. Methods： From May to October 2005, 1 538 Han nationality above 40 years in Xi＇an were investigated according to stratified and cluster random sampling. The same questionnaire was delivered to subjects who had been given normotopia and lateral position radiographic examination in both knees. Excluded from etiological arthritis, some subjects with clinical symptoms and a radiographic grade （beyond Kellgren ＆ Lawrence grade Ⅱ ） were finally diagnosed as spontaneous knee joint osteoarthritis. All analyses were performed with SPSS 13.0 and t test, U test. Single factor analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze dates. Results： The total prevalence of spontaneous knee joint osteoarthritis was 12. 1% with 2.5% and 2.1% for right and left knees, respectively. The prevalence of knee joint osteoarthritis in women was 2.5 times of that in men （17.2% vs 6.8%, P=0. 000）. the osteophyte prevalence in women was 2.3 times of that in men （26.5% vs 11. 4%, P=0. 000）. The prevalence of knee joint osteoarthritis and osteophyte increased with the growth of age. So did the symptomatic knee, except for the age group of 56- 60 years and 66-70 years. The prevalence of symptomatic knee joint for urban area was significantly higher than that for rural area （56. 3% vs 45. 3%, P=0. 003）. In women, the prevalence of knee joint osteoarthritis increased significantly with the increasing of body mass index, which had not been observed in men. Female and obesity are the risk factors for osteoarthritis, but bean and its products and meat could prevent the osteoarthritis. Conclusion： Old age, female and obesity serve as risk factors for knee joint osteoarthritis.     

PREVALENCE OF IMPAIRED GLUCOSE REGULATION IN THE POPULATION OF TIANJIN

Objective To investigate the prevalence of impaired glucose regulation (IGR) in the population of Tianjin. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tianjin from June to September in 2005. The multi-phasic stratified cluster sampling method was adopted. Totally, 21 454 people were selected as survey sample. Information on risk factors was collected through face-to-face questionnaire interview. Fasting capillary whole blood glucose level and other clinical indexes were tested. Results The prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in the population was 5.61% (5.32% in male, 5.89% in female). The prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was 2.91% (2.59% in male, 3.20% in female) in whole population, and the prevalence of female was significantly higher than that of male (P = 0.04). The prevalences of IFG and IGT increased with the increasing of age. And the prevalences were also influenced by the profession, educational level, and income level. Conclusion The prevalences of IGT and IFG in Tianjin are similar to those in the other big cities of China.     

Twenty-year trends in major cardiovascular risk factors in hospitalized patients with acute myocardial infarction in Beijing

Background Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolaemia and current smoking are the strongest modifiable cardiovascular risk factors for acute myocardial infarction （AMI）. We examined their changing trends over the last 20 years. Methods The clinical data of 3498 patients hospitalized in Peking University People＇s Hospital with AMI from 1991 to 2010 were used. Information was collected regarding to patients＇ demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors （hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia and current smoking）. To assess trends over time in the prevalence of risk factors, we categorized patients into four groups （1991 to 1995, 1996 to 2000, 2001 to 2005 and 2006 to 2010）. Results Highly significant increases were observed in the prevalence of hypertension from 40.8% to 55.6% for males and from 58.0% to 69.0% for females; and diabetes mellitus from 12.9% to 30.8% for males and from 23.0% to 42.3% for females. Similarly, the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia decreased from 53.1% to 30.7% for males and from 57.0% to 44.0% for females. The prevalence of current smoking decreased in females from 29.0% to 11.1%, but remained unchanged in males. In addition, the proportion of patients with more than three modifiable risk factors increased from 19.0% to 27.1% and the age at onset of AMI extended to younger as well as older individuals. Conclusions The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus are still increasing in patients with AMI in Beijing and although the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and current smoking decreased, high clustering of risk factors were commonly present. These adverse trends show a compelling need for more effective management of cardiovascular risk factors.     

Risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in elderly Chinese population in Shenyang of China

Objective The paper aims to evaluate the risk factors for age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) in elderly Chinese population in Shenyang,a northeast city of China.Methods A case‐control study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for the prevalence of AMD.Ninety three AMD patients diagnosed by a complete ophthalmic examination were recruited as cases from the outpatient departments of two eye hospitals in Shenyang,while 108 normal subjects of similar age and sex were recruited as controls.A questi...     

Sleep disorders and its related risk factors in patients undergoing chronic peritoneal dialysis

Background The prevalence of sleep disorders has been shown to be high in patients with chronic dialysis patients and may contribute to impaired quality of life and higher mortality in this population.However,there are few data on the relationship of sleep disorders and their risk factors in chronic dialysis patients.The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of sleep disorders and their risk factors in chronic dialysis patients.Methods A total of 42 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis （CAPD） patients were involved in this cross-sectional study.Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）.Restless legs syndrome （RLS） was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group.And depression was assessed by Hamilton depression scale.General information and laboratory data were collected.Results The prevalence of sleep disorders was 47.6％ in the CAPD patients.According to the PSQI,the 42 CAPD patients were divided into sleep disturbance group and non-sleep disorders group.There were no significant differences in age,gender,dialysis duration,hemoglobin,serum creatinine,urea nitrogen,β2-microglobulin,parathyroid hormone,calcium,and phosphorus between CAPD patients with sleep disorders and those without sleep disorders.But the level of serum albumin （AIb） in CAPD patients with sleep disorders was significantly lower than that in CAPD patients without sleep disorders （31.3±1.4 vs.34.3±3.7,t=3.603,P=0.001）.And the prevalence of RLS and depression was significantly higher than that in CAPD patients without sleep disorders （RLS：11/22 vs.1/20,x2=10.395,P=0.001; depression：7/22 vs.1/20,x2=4.886,P=0.027）.In CAPD patients with RLS,the prevalence of sleep disorders was significantly higher than that in CAPD patients without RLS （11/22 vs.11/30,x2=10.395,P=0.001）.And in CAPD patients with depression,the prevalence of sleep disorders was significantly higher than that in CAPD patients without depression （7/8 vs.15/34,x2=4.886,P=0.027）.In CAPD patients,bivariate correlation analysis showed that sleep disorders was negatively correlated with serum AIb （r=-0.606,P=0.000） and positively correlated with RLS （r=0.497,P=0.001） and depression （r=0.341,P=0.029）.Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio of RLS,depression,and low serum AIb was 22.900,42.209,and 0.597,respectively.Conclusions The prevalence of sleep disorders was relatively high in CAPD patients.RLS,depression,and low serum AIb were the risk factors for CAPD patients with sleep disorders.     

A Case—Contrl Study of Dietary Factors in Patients with Lung Cancer

A case-control study was designed to investigate association of dietary factors with the risk of lung cancer in Sichuan,China.The cases consisted of 135 patients with preinvasive lung cancer which had been confirmed with histopathology,fiber bronchoscope,CT and X-ray film in three provincial hospitals in the recent one year.Controls were healthy subjects who went to one of these hospitals for health check-up;patients with pulmonary diseases was exluded.Controls were matched to cases for sex and age with a ratio of 1:1.Nutrient intakes, the eating habit and other relevant factors were investigated.The data analyzed with the conditional logistic regression model indicated,that dietary beta-carotene intakes had a significantly inverse association with the risk of lung cancer.Vitamin Chad a less significantly inverse association with the risk.Association of protein,fat,energy,retinol intakes of dietbalance index with the risk was not significant.Association of tea,alcohol,garlic or mushroom,respectively,with the risk was also not observed.Consumption of more processed foods and deep-fried foods were found to be risk factors.Smoking and air pollution from coal burning stoves were also observed as independent risk factors of lung cancer in the present study.The mental stress incidence in the case was significantly higher than that in the control.     

Trachoma rapid assessment in Shandong province of China

Background This research aims at identifying relative interventions on trachoma and testing the effectiveness of control measures adopted by assessing its prevalence and related risk factors in Shandong province of China. Methods Trachoma rapid assessment （TRA） was conducted in 6 sub-districts selected from Shandong province based on primary high risk assessment. Active trachoma in children aged 1-9 years and environmental risk factors of trachoma （unclean faces, absence of running water, and absence of flush toilets） were assessed （TRA 1）. Control measures were taken in endemic areas. A second TRA （TRA 2） was conducted after 12 months in the same 6 districts and findings of the two TRAs were compared. Results In TRA 1, we found trachoma in 3 sub-districts and the detection rate was 4% （95% CI： 0.39%-11.12%）, 6% （95% CI： 1.18%-14.17%）, and 6% （95% CI： 1.18%-14.17%） respectively. We could not find trachoma cases in TRA 2. Research data supports that children living with environmental risk factors face an increased risk to active trachoma. However, we could not find statistical evidence for this association, which may be caused by the limited data on prevalence. Conclusions This research indicates that the TRA methodology is easy to assess trachoma and its related risk factors. Based on the results of this study, we have already achieved the goal of ＂elimination of trachoma＂ in Shandong province, as the detection rate of trachomatous infiamation follicular/trachomatous inflammation intense in 1-9-year-old children was less than 5%. Chln Med J 2014;127（14）：2668-2671     

Increasing trend of prevalence of infertility in Beijing

Background Infertility is one of the most important and underappreciated reproductive health problems in developing countries.However,epidemiological data in the Chinese population are still sparse.The aim of the present study was to determine the current prevalence and prevalence trend of infertility in Beijing,and to identify the risk factors associated with infertility.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing in 2012.A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 12 448 couples of whom the female partners were born between 1955 and 1985.All subjects were interviewed face to face.Infertility was defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.Results Of the 12 448 couples,12 342 （99.1%） answered the questions appropriately.The prevalence of infertility was 4.2% （3.1% as primary and 1.1% as secondary infertility）.An increase in the prevalence of infertility according to the age of the female partner was found：1.3% infertility for married females born in the 1950s and 11.4% for married females born in the 1980s.The increase was found in both urban and suburban areas.In addition,a Logistic regression showed that for the female partner,higher education levels,an older age at first marriage,adverse occupational conditions,mental labor and pre-pregnancy contraception after marriage were all significantly associated with a higher risk of infertility.Conclusion The prevalence of infertility has increased significantly among couples in Beijing,possibly because of an interaction among multiple factors.     

Saffron （Crocus sativus L.） and major depressive disorder： a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Due to safety concerns and side effects of many antidepressant medications, herbal psychopharmacology research has increased, and herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular as alternatives to prescribed medications for the treatment of major depressive disorder （MDD）. Of these, accumulating trials reveal positive effects of the spice saffron （Crocus sativus L.） for the treatment of depression. A comprehensive and statistical review of the clinical trials examining the effects of saffron for treatment of MDD is warranted. OBJECTIVE： The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials examining the effects of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression among participants with MDD. SEARCH STRATEGY： We conducted electronic and non-electronic searches to identify all relevant randomized, double-blind controlled trials. Reference lists of all retrieved articles were searched for relevant studies. INCLUSION CRITERIA： The criteria for study selection included the following： （1） adults （aged 18 and older） with symptoms of depression, （2） randomized controlled trial, （3） effects of saffron supplementation on depressive symptoms examined, and （4） study had either a placebo control or antidepressant comparison group. DATA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS： Using random effects modeling procedures, we calculated weighted mean effect sizes separately for the saffron supplementation vs placebo control groups, and for the saffron supplementation vs antidepressant groups. The methodological quality of all studies was assessed using the Jadad score. The computer software Comprehensive Meta- analysis 2 was used to analyze the data. RESULTS： Based on our pre-specified criteria, five randomized controlled trials （n = 2 placebo controlled trials, n = 3 antidepressant controlled trials） were included in our review. A large effect size was found for saffron supplementation vs placebo control in treating depressive symptoms （M ES = 1.62, P 〈 0.001）, revealing that saffron supplementation significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to the placebo control. A null effect size was evidenced between saffron supplementation and the antidepressant groups （M ES = -0.15） indicating that both treatments were similarly effective in reducing depression symptoms. The mean Jadad score was 5 indicating high quality of trials. CONCLUSION： Findings from clinical trials conducted to date indicate that saffron supplementation can improve symptoms of depression in adults with MDD. Larger clinical trials, conducted by research teams outside of Iran, with long-term follow-ups are needed before firm conclusions can be made regarding saffron＇s efficacy and safety for treating depressive symptoms.     

Association between intervertebral disc degeneration and disturbances of blood supply to the vertebrae

Low back pain is a common public health problem in western industrialized societies and the world as well.Studies indicate that the prevalence rate ranges to 35%, with around 10% of patients from 12% becoming chronically disabled. It also places an enormous economic burden on society. Although the exact cause of low back pain has yet to be defined, intervertebral disc degeneration is considered a major source of it. Since patients with degenerative discs are often asymptomatic, the mechanisms of it are still unclear.     

Relevance of muscle biopsy for diagnosing multifocal motor neuropathy

Multifocal motor neuropathy （MMN） is a rare,.focal,inflammatory,demyelinating disease of the peripheral nerves with pure motor involvementJ MMN is clinically characterized by slowly progressive,asymmetric,distal,upper limb predominant weakness,in the absence of sensory disturbances） Weakness is usually multifocal and connected to a distinct motor nerve,such as the musculocutaneous nerve resulting in biceps weakness,the posterior interosseus nerve resulting in finger drop,the median,ulnar,or radial nerve resulting in dexterity problems or grip weakness,or the peroneal nerve resulting in a foot drop.Onset of clinical manifestations is between 20 and 50 years of age.The prevalence of MMN is reported as 1-2 per 100 000.2 MMN is three times more frequent in men as compared to women.     

Chinese herbal medicine Xinfeng Capsule in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis： study protocol of a multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Rheumatoid arthritis （RA）, as a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. Effective treatment for RA is not yet available because current research does not have a clear understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Xinfeng Capsule, a patent Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the treatment of RA in recent years. Despite its reported clinical efficacy, there are no large-sample, multicenter, randomized trials that support the use of Xinfeng Capsule for RA. Therefore, we designed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng Capsule in the treatment of RA. METHODS AND DESIGN： This is a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial on the treatment of RA. The participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group at a ratio of 1：1. Participants in the experimental group will receive Xinfeng Capsule and a pharmaceutical placebo （imitation leflunomide）. The control group will receive leflunomide and an herbal placebo （imitation Xinfeng Capsule）. The American College of Rheumatology （ACR） Criteria for RA will be used to measure the efficacy of the Xinfeng Capsule. The primary outcome measure will be the percentage of study participants who achieve an ACR 20% response rate （ACR20）, which will be measured every 4 weeks after randomization. Secondary outcomes will include the ACR50 and ACR70 responses, the side effects of the medications, the Disease Activity Score 28, RA biomarkers, quality of life, and X-rays of the hands and wrists. The first four of the secondary outcomes will be measured every 4 weeks and the others will be measured at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. DISCUSSION： The result of this trial will help to evaluate whether Xinfeng Capsule is effective and safe in the treatment of RA. TRIAL REGISTRATION： This trial has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. The identifier is N CT01774877.     

痘苗病毒天坛株的减毒与其作为疫苗载体研究进展

1痘苗病毒天坛株的历史天花是人类历史上最可怕的传染病之一。天花由天花病毒（variola virus）引起,人是该病毒的惟一宿主。人感染天花病毒后的死亡率达到30%~40%[1]。世界上公认的对天花最早的准确记录来自中国,晋代药学家葛洪于公元430年左右,在《肘后备急方》中对天花有清楚的描述[1]。     

WHO西太区与世界中医药学会联合会中医名词术语国际标准比较研究：八纲辨证（三）

The Chinese characters 寒 and 热, 虚, and 实 are quite common concepts in Chinese language. However in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）, they are used as four principles in syndrome differentiation. In terms of translation, 寒 and 热 are very easy to understand and can be simply translated as ＂cold＂ and ＂heat＂. But the transla- tion of 虚 and 实 used to be a problem. For a quite long time in translation practice,     

Gene expression profiles of ERCC1, TYMS, RRM1, TUBB3 and EGFR in tumor tissue from non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background Personalized medicine becomes essential in lung cancer treatment, however lung-cancer-related gene expression profiles in Chinese patients remain unknown. In this study, the correlation of gene expression profiles and clinical characteristics in non-small-cell lung cancer （NSCLC） was investigated. Methods Seventy-six Chinese patients with NSCLC were enrolled in the study to investigate mRNA expression profiles of excision repair cross complement group 1 （ERCC1）, thymidylate synthetase （TYMS）, ribonucleotide reductase （RRM1）, class Ill 13-tubulin （TUBB3）, and epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） genes and their correlation with patient clinical characteristics. A novel liquidchip technology was used to detect mRNA expression levels in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor pathology samples. The relationships between gene expression and clinical characteristics were assessed using the Mann-Whitney test. Results ERCC1 mRNA levels were higher in tumors from patients with metastatic disease than patients with non- metastatic disease （P=-0.021）, and higher in adenocarcinomas than squamous cell carcinomas （P=0.006）. Increased TUBB3 mRNA expression levels were found in patients with performance status （PS） 1 in comparison with PS 0 （P=0.049）, with poorly differentiated tumors in comparison with tumors that were moderately and well differentiated （P 〈0.000 1）, and with advanced stage in comparison with early stage disease （P 〈0.000 1）. Conclusions ERCC1 mRNA levels were higher in metastatic adenocarcinoma NSCLC; TUBB3 mRNA levels were significantly higher in poorly differentiated tumors and in advanced stage NSCLC, which indicates the poor prognosis.