Brittleness of gallstones to lithotripsy: effect of physicochemical and ultrastructural characteristics

Abstract. Why some gallstones do not fragment easily to lithotripsy is unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine gallstone factors associated with resistance to fragmentation. Seventy-six cholesterol rich gallstones were subjected to physical evaluation, in vitro computed tomography, chemical analysis by infra red spectroscopy, and ultrastructural studies (of 26 matched stones) by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. In vitro lithotripsy was performed with the Siemens Lithostar Plus machine at a constant energy level. Of 76 stones, 33 required > 1000 shocks for effective fragmentation (largest diameter ≤ 5 mm); they had significantly higher maximum diameter ( P <0·001), volume ( P <0·001), weight ( P <0·001) and lower stone density distribution (SDD) index ( P <0·05) and lower calcium bilirubinate content ( P <0·001) than those requiring ≤1000 shocks. Large (> 15 mm; P <0·05), round stones ( P <0·02) and gallstones with SDD index of <50 HU ( P <0·05) were more difficult to fragment. Clinical application of these parameters may help in better selection of patients for this non-surgical mode of therapy for gallstones.     

Serum lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoprotein E phenotypes in relatives of patients with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia

Abstract. Eighty-six relatives of nineteen probands with type III hyperlipoproteinaemia were studied to determine the occurrence of hyperlipidaemia and to investigate the relation between apo E phenotypes, the occurrence of hyperlipidaemia, and the composition of the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. Thirty-nine relatives were hyperlipidaemic: four type IIa or IIb, nine type III and twenty-six type IV. The predisposition for hyperlipidaemia was independent of the apo E phenotype.
Hyperlipidaemic relatives with apo E phenotype E2/2 had a significantly ( P < 0·01) higher VLDL-cholesterol/VLDL-triglycerides ratio (1·26 ± 0·35 n = 9) than those heterozygous for apo E allele ɛ2 (0·66 ± 0·12, n = 23) or without apo E allele ɛ2 (0·69 ± 0·11, n = 7). Normolipidaemic homozygous apo E-2 relatives had also a significantly ( P < 0·05) higher ratio (0.97 ± 0·19, n = 6) than those heterozygous for (0·77 ± 0·19, n = 31) or without the apo E allele ɛ2 (0·74 ± 0·13, n = 10). Thus, both hyper- and normolipidaemic apo E2 homozygotes have higher concentrations of VLDL remnants than the subjects heterozygous or without allele ɛ2.     

Anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels are reduced in women with hypertension

Background  Previous studies have suggested that hypertension may be associated with increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Increased in vitro oxidizability of LDL or elevated titers of anti-oxidized LDL antibodies have been shown in subjects with essential hypertension. However, the relationship between oxidized LDL and hypertension is equivocal. We examined the association between hypertension and levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies in a group of women from the general population.
Materials and methods  The study included 619 women classified according to their blood pressure values. IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the women were classified as being above or below the 50th percentile.
Results  Hypertension was present in 54·3% of the women. These women had significantly lower levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies than the normotensive women (0·280 ± 0·117 vs. 0·336 ± 0·125, P  <   0·001). Both systolic and the diastolic blood pressures showed a significant negative correlation with the levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies ( r  = −0·204, P  <   0·001; r  = −0·225, P  <   0·001, respectively). Women with IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels above the 50th percentile had a lower prevalence of hypertension than those with IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels below the 50th percentile (40·2% vs. 59·8%) ( P  <   0·001).
Conclusions  Women with hypertension had lower levels of IgG anti-oxidized LDL antibodies than normotensive women.     

Parental diabetes in Taiwanese diabetic women with and without previous gestational diabetes

Background    Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is reported to be associated with maternal but not paternal diabetes. This study examined the relative contribution of maternal and paternal diabetes among type 2 diabetic women with and without a GDM history.
Materials and methods    A total of 48 502 type 2 diabetic women from a national sample were interviewed by telephone. Among them, 510 reported a GDM history. Parental diabetes was compared between patients with and without a GDM history considering the confounding effects of age, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, duration of diabetes and insulin use.
Results    Patients with a GDM history were younger in age, had younger age of onset, longer duration of diabetes, slightly lower body mass index, higher prevalence of insulin use and lower prevalence of hypertension, but smoking rates were similar. The percentages of parental diabetes of nil, mother only, father only and both father and mother for those without a GDM history were 76·2, 15·2, 5·8 and 2·8%, respectively; and were 47·8, 26·8, 17·5 and 7·9%, respectively, for those with a GDM history ( P  < 0·001). The adjusted odds ratios for patients with versus without a GDM history for parental diabetes of nil, mother only, father only, and both father and mother were 1·000, 1·210 (0·948–1·544), 1·783 (1·341–2·371) and 2·094 (1·440–3·045), respectively.
Conclusions    Although maternal diabetes is more commonly seen, the disproportionately higher paternal diabetes in patients with a GDM history suggests an important role for paternal diabetes on the development of GDM into type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Growth hormone and changes in energy balance in growth hormone deficient adults

Background  Adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) have an adverse body composition with an increased prevalence of obesity. It is not known whether growth hormone replacement (GHR) results in alterations in energy intake (EI) and/or energy expenditure (EE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of GHR on EI and EE.
Materials and methods  Nineteen hypopituitary adults (14 males, 5 females, mean age 46·2 years) with severe GHD (peak GH response to glucagon ≤ 9 mU L⁻¹) were studied. All patients self-injected recombinant human GH starting with 0·3 mg s.c. daily. The following were measured before and following 6 months of stable maintenance of GHR: food intake during a test meal, appetite ratings, resting EE (indirect calorimetry) and voluntary physical activity (accelerometry).
Results  GHR nearly doubled voluntary physical activity (mean activity units 3319 vs. 1881, P  = 0·007) and improved quality of life score (mean score 9·1 vs. 16·5, P  < 0·0001). Subjects reported higher fasting hunger ratings (mean 64·8 vs. 49·6, P  = 0·02) but ad libitum energy intake remained unchanged. Eating behavioural traits were favourably altered with lower disinhibition (mean 6·0 vs. 7·2, P  = 0·02) and lower susceptibility to hunger ratings (4·6 vs. 6·8, P  = 0·001) after GHR. Additionally, GHR did not result in significant changes in resting EE, body weight and body mass index.
Conclusions  GHR in AGHD significantly improves voluntary physical activity and quality of life. Following GHR, subjects experience greater 'state' (physiological) hunger, reductions in eating disinhibition and hunger susceptibility, but no effects on calorie intake or macronutrient choice were detected.     

On investigation of markers that may influence alloantibody responses to HPA-1a

In > 99% of cases, HPA-1a antibody production during pregnancy is associated with maternal DRB3*0101 positivity. However, only 35% of HPA-1a neg/DRB3*0101 women produce antibodies (Ab). This study attempted to identify additional genetic marker(s) that may better predict anti-HPA-1a production in these women.
Seventy-eight DRB3*0101 pos HPA-1a neg, women (40 HPA-1a Ab pos, 38 Ab neg) with HPA-1a pos infants, were typed for HLA-DRB1*, -B3*, -B4*, -B5*. Results were compared with those from 83 DRB3*0101 pos normal donors. SNaPshot™ was used to test for a polymorphism of the TNF-α locus.
The frequency of DRB1*15 was significantly lower in Ab pos mothers (1/40) compared to controls (16/83; P  = 0·03), but not compared to Ab neg mothers (6/38; P  = 0·07). DRB1*12 was found only in Ab neg mothers (5/38) (controls 0/83; P  = 0·02). A study of TNF-α genotype ( n  = 30, Ab pos; Ab neg; controls) found no difference between the mothers' groups, or mothers and controls.
Presence of DRB1*15 or DRB1*12 may lower the likelihood of HPA-1a Ab production. Raised frequency of DRB4* was seen in mothers with affected neonates (13/22) (unaffected, Ab pos 3/11; P  = 0·02). DRB4* may increase the odds of HPA-1a alloimmunization. Three NAITP cases due to anti-HPA-1a have been reported (2 local, 1 published), involving mothers DRB3*0101 neg, but DRB4* pos. TNF-α genotype may not predict anti-HPA-1a production in these women. Studies with larger groups would establish the value of these markers in defining women at high risk of HPA-1a alloimmunization.     

College Women Who Had Sexual Intercourse When They Were Underage Minors (13–15): Age of Their Male Partners,Relation to Current Adjustment,and Statutory Rape Implications

In a survey of 1,439 female college students, 24% reported that they had what they considered consensual sexual intercourse between ages 13 and 15 (2% at age 13, 7% at age 14, and 15% at age 15). Contrary to the impression left by studies of teenage mothers, the majority of their male sexual partners were not substantially older than them but instead were more typically somewhat older (2–4 years apart) or similar aged (less than 2 years apart). The percentage of much older partners (5 or more years older) was 31% for those who had intercourse at age 13, 17% for those who had intercourse at age 14, and 13% for those who had intercourse at age 15. Women who had intercourse at age 13 endorsed more current symptoms of psychological distress than those who first had intercourse at age 14 or 15. There were no significant differences between the groups in current levels of sexual satisfaction. Partner's age difference was not significantly associated with current levels of either psychological distress or sexual satisfaction. The implications of these results were discussed in light of recent calls in the United States for more strict and rigorous enforcement of statutory rape laws.     

Distal renal tubular dysfunction: a common feature in calcium stone formers

Abstract. Distal renal tubular acidosis has been reported as an uncommon cause of urinary calcium stone disease. However, this defect appears to be more frequent when appropriate tests are performed systematically. Twenty-nine patients with recurrent calcium stones have been separated into three groups: normocalciuric (group A), renal hypercalciuric (group B) and absorptive hypercalciuric (group C). Distal tubular functions were investigated by the (urine-blood) pCO₂ gradient and by an ammonium chloride test. (Urine–blood) pCO₂ gradient was (mean pL SEM), 3·33 pL 0·59 in group A, 2·95 pL 0·34 in group B and 3·31 pL 0·58 kPa in group C. All these values differ significantly from those observed in controls (4·11 pL 0·28 kPa; P < 0·05). After 3 days of ammonium chloride loading, ammonium excretion averaged 54·7 pL 4·2 in group A, 54·4 pL 4·3 in group B and 64·3 pL 5·5 μmol min^-1 in group C. Values obtained in the first two groups were significantly lower than that achieved by control subjects (76·4 pL 14·9 μmol min^-1). It is concluded that tubular dysfunctions defined as impairments in hydrogen ion secretion and ammonium excretion after an acid challenge are a common feature of the urinary calcium stone disease and play a contributory role in its pathogenesis.     

云南省红河州某哈尼族聚居地区人群艾滋病病毒感染状况及危险因素认知调查分析

目的了解红河州哈尼族聚居地区人群艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染状况、艾滋病相关知识知晓情况及面临的危险因素,为在该人群中开展艾滋病防治工作提供科学依据。方法对15～49岁哈尼族人群进行问卷调查,收集社会人口学、艾滋病相关知识、性行为等信息;采集7 ml静脉血检测HIV、梅毒螺旋体和Ⅱ型单纯疱疹病毒感染。结果 1001名哈尼族村民中有小学及小学以下文化程度者占61.0%;仅有32.8%的村民听说过艾滋病,3种艾滋病传播途径的正确回答率34.2%,日常生活是否传播艾滋病的正确回答率为9.8%,有关艾滋病传播途径的问题正确回答率18.2%,艾滋病相关知识全部正确回答率8.8%。41.7%的村民有外出务工史,71.4%的村民外出务工期间有过配偶外性伴。HIV阳性率0.6%,梅毒阳性率2.9%,Ⅱ型单纯疱疹阳性率43.7%。结论哈尼族村民受教育程度低下,艾滋病防治知识整体知晓率低,获得艾滋病相关知识的途径有限、普遍存在多性伴习俗,外出务工者是哈尼族聚居地区传播艾滋病的主要桥梁人群。制定针对哈尼族人群预防艾滋病传播健康教育和防治干预措施十分必要。     

Polymorphisms in the neurokinin-2 receptor gene are associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced cough

Background and objective:  Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can induce chronic cough in many patients. Genetic variations in the neurokinin 2 receptor gene (NK2R) are significantly associated with cough sensitivity to capsaicin.
Methods:  This study assessed the relationship between genetic polymorphisms in the NK2R gene and chronic cough in 91 patients taking ACE inhibitors. Patients included in the study did not have chest abnormalities, postnasal drip, gastroesophageal reflux or a recent history of upper respiratory infection.
Results:  We detected two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NK2R gene (i.e., Gly231Glu and Arg375His). The allelic frequencies at amino acid 231 were 36·3% for Gly/Gly, 49·5% for Gly/Glu and 14·3% for Glu/Glu. The allelic frequencies at amino acid 375 were 74·7% for Arg/Arg, 24·2% for Arg/His and 1·1% for His/His. The prevalence of chronic cough in patients with the amino acid 231 genotype was 33·3% in Gly/Gly homozygotes, 24·4% in Gly/Glu heterozygotes and 0% in Glu/Glu homozygotes. There was a statistically significant association between chronic cough and the Glu/Glu allele ( P  = 0·028) when the data were analyzed with a recessive model. In addition, there was a significant inverse linear association between the number of Glu231 alleles and ACE inhibitor-related cough ( P  =   0·026). The prevalence of chronic cough in patients with the amino acid 375 genotype was 22·1% in Arg/Arg homozygotes, 31·8% in Arg/His heterozygotes and 0% in His/His homozygotes, although none of these association were statistically significant.
Conclusion:  Our findings indicate that the Gly231Glu polymorphism is associated with a lower prevalence of ACE inhibitor-related cough.     

The relationship of serum total sialic acid with serum acute phase proteins and lipoprotein (a) in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia

Abstract. Total serum sialic acid (TSA), recently shown to be a cardiovascular risk factor, was measured in 15 patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia (fasting triglyceride > 2·3 mmol l^-1) and 15 age and sex matched normal control subjects.
To test the hypothesis that serum TSA is related in some way to serum acute phase proteins we also measured five acute phase proteins, namely alpha-1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein (AGP), alpha-2-macroglobulin (AMG), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin (HAP) in both groups.
Of note was the significantly elevated serum TSA in the severely hypertriglyceridaemic group as compared to normal subjects. Serum TSA being 71·9 ± 11·7 mg dl^-1 and 59·6 ± 10·2 mg dl^-1 respectively ( P < 0·01 Mann-Whitney test).
Serum CRP was significantly elevated in the type IV patients as compared to controls (6·4 ± 4·5 mg l^-1 vs. 3·3 ± 1·9 mg l^-1 P <0·05 Mann Whitney test) as was serum AMG (2·1 ± 0·89 g l^-1 vs. 1·5 ± 0·53 g l^-1 P < 0·05 Mann Whitney test).
There was no correlation between serum TSA and lipoprotein (a) in either the normal or severely hypertriglyceridaemic subjects. We suggest that serum TSA could in part be related to hypertriglyceridaemia and serum acute phase proteins but that its property as a cardiovascular risk factor is not related to serum lipoprotein (a) concentrations.     

Increased production of platelet thromboxane B2 in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Relationship to vascular complications

Abstract. Platelet thromboxane B₂ production was studied in forty-seven non-insulin-dependent diabetics by incubating platelets with increasing concentrations of arachidonic acid. In comparison with thirty-two healthy subjects, diabetics showed increased thromboxane B₂ production at 0·7 mmol/l (mean: 236 pmol/10⁸ platelets, SEM 201–277; v. 135, 105–174; P < 0·05) and at 1·0 mmol/l (673, 613–739; v. 405, 377–486, P < 0·01) but not at 0·5 mmol/l. Patients were subdivided according to the presence or absence of vascular complications. Patients without microangiopathy showed significantly greater thromboxane B₂ production than healthy subjects at all the arachidonic-acid concentrations ( P < 0·02 or less). Patients with microangiopathy had platelet thromboxane production similar to that observed in healthy subjects at all the arachidonic-acid concentrations ( P > 0·30) but significantly lower than that of non-microangiopathic patients at 0·5 ( P < 0·01) and at 0·7 mmol/l arachidonic acid ( P < 0·05). These results indicate that non-insulin-dependent diabetics have increased production of platelet thromboxane B₂ only when they do not have microvascular complications.     

Seeking clues for a positive diagnosis of the irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract. Despite its high prevalence the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) lacks acceptable pathophysio-logical markers and its diagnosis largely depends on the exclusion of underlying organic disease. Systemic acid-base balance, serum electrolytes and the composition of faecal water (electrolytes and organic anions), were studied in thirty-eight diarrhoeal patients out of a series of ninety-three consecutive IBS patients. Only patients with diarrhoea as the predominant symptom were included in the study to evaluate whether this subgroup could provide the clue for a positive diagnosis of the syndrome. Serum electrolytes and systemic acid–base balance were within the normal range. Faecal electrolytes were also normal (Na 26·6 pL 19·3 SD; K 66·8 pL 28·3; Cl 19·1 pL 15·2 mEq l^-1), despite the finding of a moderately increased 24-h faecal output. The K: Na ratio was also within the normal range. These data are in agreement with the lack of systemic changes observed in IBS patients even with profuse or longstanding diarrhoea. Both faecal short chain fatty acids and lactic acid were increased in patients vs. controls, but a considerable overlap with normal values was observed (131·4 pL 62·6 SD vs. 108·5 pL 58·3 mEq l^-1). Only lactic acid concentration was significantly higher than in controls (1·3 pL 1·2 vs. 0·5 pL 0·2). Despite these findings it is concluded that the subgroup of IBS patients with diarrhoea also appears to lack a pathophysiological marker and does not provide clues for a positive diagnosis of this syndrome.     

Effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, prostaglandins F2α and I2, on isolated coeliac and basilar arteries of alloxan-diabetic dogs

Abstract. The effects of prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors PGF_2α and PGI₂ on the tone of isolated basilar and coeliac arteries were studied in healthy and alloxan-diabetic dogs. PGF_2α (1 μmol l^-1) produced a significantly higher tone in diabetic basilar arteries (1·15 ± 0·16 mN) than in normal cerebral vessels (0·7 + 0·10 mN). By contrast, the contractile responses of normal and diabetic coeliac arteries to PGF_2α did not differ. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin (3 μmol l^-1) and suprofen (0·58 μmol l^-1) potentiated the PGF_2α-evoked contractions in all of the vessels studied. The percent potentiation was greater (50–60%) in the basilar arteries from alloxan-treated dogs than in normal basilar vessels (22–30%). There was not such a difference between diabetic and normal coeliac arteries. Prostacyclin produced a concentration-related relaxation in the presence of indomethacin or indomethacin + PGF_2α. The relaxant potencies of PGI₂ were similar in the vessels from metabolically healthy and diabetic dogs. The IC₅₀ values for PGI₂ were 11·6 ± 1·3 and 11·8 ± 1·8 nmol l^-1 in normal and diabetic basilar arteries, respectively; they were 25·4 ± 3·2 and 26·2 ± 3·9 nmol l^-1 in control and alloxan-treated coeliac vessels. These results indicate that normal and diabetic vessels may have differential reactivity to cyclooxygenase inhibitors, this difference being dependent on the vascular region.     

浙江省三门县性病门诊男性患者艾滋病病毒感染和知晓率调查

目的了解性病门诊男性患者HIV感染情况以及相关知识知晓率。方法利用浙江省三门县2009-2013年艾滋病哨点监测中性病门诊男性就诊者人群调查和血清学检测数据进行分析,共调查1862人并采集血样1862份。结果性病门诊男性就诊者以在婚为主,占76.05%,年龄集中在20~49岁,占所有调查人数的87.17%;艾滋病知识总知晓率为75.94%,绝大多数就诊者未接受过相关的艾滋病预防服务;最近3个月与暗娼发生性行为的比例为61.38%,最近3个月与临时性伴性行为发生率为36.17%,"最近1年被诊断患性病"的比例为45.98%。2009-2013年不同年份之间与暗娼、临时性伴发生率以及曾患性病率差异均具有统计学意义(P0.001);HIV抗体检测共发现10名阳性感染者,2009-2013年阳性检出率呈逐年升高趋势,趋势检验显示差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论浙江省三门县性病门诊男性就诊者HIV抗体检出率呈逐年升高趋势,而该人群艾滋病相关知识知晓率较低,接受相关预防服务的比例偏低,与暗娼和临时性伴发生性行为的比例较高。疾病预防控制部门和医疗机构应相互配合,利用性病门诊在就诊者就医时提供高效的艾滋病预防知识宣传和干预服务。     

2005年广西壮族自治区艾滋病危险行为监测结果分析

目的 了解目标人群中有关艾滋病性病的行为、知识及态度的现状,为初步评价世界银行贷款广西卫生九项目艾滋病性病子项目(卫九项目)的实施效果提供依据.方法 按照行为监测方案在20个市(县)对吸毒人群、暗娼、脆弱人群和青年学生等进行调查.结果 (1)最近6个月,吸毒者共用注射器的比例为45.6%,29.6%的人有多性伴行为,与非固定性伴发生性行为时每次都使用安全套的比例仅为9.6%;(2)暗娼在过去一个月提供商业性性服务时,每次均使用安全套的比例仅为39.1%,最近一次商业性性行为的安全套使用比例为87.0%;(3)脆弱人群调查结果显示他们初次性行为对象是商业性性伴的比例为9.2%;在最近3个月内,42.4%的被调查者其性伴是商业性伴或非固定性伴,从未使用过安全套的比例为34.7%;(4)各类人群的艾滋病知晓率普遍提高,特别是暗娼和青年学生的知晓率提高较为显著,但对于艾滋病的非传播途径的知晓率仍相对较低.结论 要加强艾滋病非传播途径知识等反歧视宣传教育,并针对各类人群的不同特点开展有针对性的宣教,同时还要加大干预工作的力度,切实使目标人群改变其艾滋病感染的危险行为,减少艾滋病的传播.     

Effect of parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and growth hormone on cAMP content of growth cartilage in experimental uraemia

Abstract. The response of proximal tibial growth cartilage cAMP content to different hormonal stimuli, i.e. parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and somatotropic hormone was evaluated in rats with bilateral or subtotal nephrectomy. In uraemic rats, basal cAMP content of growth cartilage was unchanged. Administration of 1–34 PTH in vivo or incubation of growth cartilage with 1–34 PTH in vitro caused a significantly smaller increment of cAMP in uraemic rats (40 IU PTH in vivo : 11·4±1·01 pmol cAMP/mg protein; controls 24·0±2·55; P <0·001). This finding implies PTH resistance. Diminished cAMP response in uraemic animals was not changed by pretreatment with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or parathyroidectomy. The increment of cAMP content of growth cartilage of uraemic animals was significantly ( P <0·01) greater after in vivo administration of 10 IU calcitonin (46·1±4·89 pmol/mg protein; control: 29·0±3·99) or incubation of cartilage with calcitonin in vitro . This finding implies overresponsiveness to calcitonin. Neither in acute nor in chronic uraemia, STH caused a significant change of cartilage cAMP or cGMP content, but STH stimulated ³H-thymidine incorporation into chondrocytes of rats with 5 days uraemia (solvent 2·98±0·51 times 10³ cpm per cartilage; STH 5·08±0·34; P <0·05) and caused significant improvement of longitudinal growth of rats with 20 days uraemia.     

Comparison of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, ADH2, and ALDH2 genes involved in alcohol metabolism in Koreans and four other ethnic groups

Background and objectives:  Recent studies of the genetics of alcoholism have considered genetic factors in alcohol metabolism and have identified functional polymorphisms in genes encoding enzymes involved in ethanol metabolism. The aim of this study was to estimate the genotype and allele frequencies of polymorphisms of three major ethanol-metabolizing enzymes (ADH2, ALDH2 and CYP2E1) in Koreans and to compare them with those of other ethnic groups.
Methods:  We chose three polymorphisms, ADH2 (*2), ALDH2 (*2) and CYP2E1 (c2), which are most likely to affect alcohol metabolism. To evaluate the allele frequencies of these single-nucleotide polymorphisms, 342 healthy Korean volunteers were recruited. Each genotype was determined by the TaqMan or SNaPshot method with genomic DNA extracted from peripheral leucocytes. We compared these allele frequencies with those of other ethnic groups registered on the International HapMap database.
Results and discussion:  The allele frequencies in Koreans were 80·3% for the ADH2 (*2), 13·9% for ALDH2 (*2), and 20·9% for CYP2E1 (c2). Other Asians, including Japanese and Chinese populations, show similar frequencies (Japanese, 73·9%, 22·7%, and 20·5% respectively and Chinese, 76·7%, 15·6%, and 28·9% respectively), whereas African and European groups have quite different frequencies (Europeans, 0%, 0%, and 5·1% respectively and African, 0%, 0%, and 0% respectively).
Conclusion:  Our current observations provide data on the prevalence of polymorphisms of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes, which should be useful in assessing the comparative susceptibility of different populations to diseases related to ethanol consumption.     

2010—2013年北京监测哨点不同性别青年学生感染艾滋病相关危险行为特征分析

目的探讨不同性别青年学生在艾滋病流行危险特征上的异同点,提高今后在该群体中开展艾滋病防治干预的针对性。方法收集2010—2013年连续开展监测的国家级青年学生艾滋病哨点的监测数据。北京青年学生哨点监测是在每年监测期内,采用分阶段整群抽样方法开展监测,每个哨点每年监测样本为800名。结果 2010—2013年男、女两性青年学生有性行为的比例分别为15.1%和12.0%,男性高于女性(χ2=12.9,P0.01),男女两性有性经历的比例均呈逐年增高趋势(男性趋势χ2=7.6,P0.01;女性趋势χ2=10.0,P0.01);在有性行为的青年学生中,女性有固定性伴(配偶或同居的异性朋友)的比例为76.2%,高于男性的53.4%(χ2=48.6,P0.01),女生有固定性伴的比例有逐年增高趋势(趋势χ2=10.0,P0.01);男性有临时性行为的比例高于女性(χ2=19.3,P0.01),分别为19.0%和10.5%;女生临时性行为比例有逐年下降趋势(趋势χ2=6.6,P0.01);男性有商业性性行为的比例高于女性(χ2=11.3,P0.01),分别为3.2%和0.4%;男女两性青年学生最近1年做过艾滋病检测的比例均有逐年下降趋势(男性趋势χ2=10.8,P0.01;女性趋势χ2=6.2,P0.01)。结论不同性别青年学生在感染艾滋病的危险行为上存在着差异,建议将健康教育进行分级,分为公共课和针对不同性别特点的特色课。将生活技能培训、增强青年在性行为中的协商能力和同性性行为的安全性讨论放到特色课中进行,以提高校园健康教育的针对性和有效性。     

Study of the pharmacokinetics of cefpirome sulphate in the elderly

Objective: To determine the appropriate method of administration of the cephem antibiotic cefpirome sulphate in elderly patients. Method: We studied cefpirome's pharmacokinetics in patients with urinary tract infections. Patients received cefpirome sulphate 0·5 g by intravenous drip infusion over 30 mins. Results: Patients with a creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) of 80 ml/min had an AUC of 96·7 μg·h/ml and a T _1/2 of 2·36 h, whereas those with Ccr of 40–80 ml/min had an AUC of 172·0 μg·h/ml and a T _1/2 of 3·45 h and those with Ccr of < 40 ml/min had an AUC of 152 μg·h/ml and a T _1/2 of 4·86 h. Conclusion: These results indicate that decreased kidney function can cause increases in the AUC and T _1/2 of cefpirome. Thus in elderly patients and perhaps also in other patients with decreased kidney function, cefpirome should be administered at an initial dose of 0·5 g.