Association of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genetic polymorphisms with serum lipid profile： meta-analysis of mendelian randomisation studies

Background Alcohol dehydrogenase （ADH） and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 （ALDH2） are the key en- zymes for alcohol metabolism. Several genetic studies have investigated the association between ADH and ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms and serum lipid profile （SLP）, however, the results were inconsistent. Methods Fourteen articles involving 27,917 participants were included in this meta-analysis. Weighted mean difference （WMD） and 95% confidence intervals （CIs） were presented using random effects model. Publication bias was evaluated by funnel plot and Begg＇s test. In addition, to further explore the heterogeneity, subgroup analysis were performed. Results Overall, there was no association between ADH genetic polymorphisms and SLP with no regard for drinking status. However, compared with ALDH2 wild homozygous genotype, ALDH2 mutant genotypes were associated with significant decrease in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL- C） （WMD -1.80 mg/dL, 95% CI -1.88 to -1.72, P 〈 0.001） and total cholesterol （TC） levels （WMD -1.]0 mg/dL, 95% CI -1.59 to -0.62, P 〈 0.001）, and significant increase in serum low density lipoprotein choles- terol （LDL-C） level （WMD 0.30 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.43, P 〈 0.001）. Although there was no significant difference in serum triglyceride level in the overall population, subgroup analysis revealed that compared with ALDH2 ＊ 1 wild homozygote, ALDH2 ＊ 2 allele displayed a significant difference in serum triglyceride level between the female and male （female： WMD 1.69 mg/dl, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.30, P 〈 0.001; male： WMD -6.42 mg/dL, 95% CI -12.15 to -0.68, P = 0.028）. Conclusion ADH genetic polymorphism has no association with SLP, regardless of sex category and drinking status. ALDH2 genetic polymorphism has slight association with HDL-C, LDL-C and TC levels and sex-specific association with serum triglyceride level. Whether or not the association between ADH2 genetic polymorphisms and SLP is resulted from alcohol con-sumption nee     

The effect of iron on the biodistribution of bone scanning agents in humans

Nine patients with chronic iron overload, resulting from either repeated transfusions or hemochromatosis, had bone scans that were characterized by a reduction of bony uptake, marked increase in renal activity, and a significant increase in soft-tissue accumulation of 99mTc-labeled bone-seeking agents. These findings were supported by semiquantitative computer analysis. The probable mechanisms of altered biodistribution and the possible role of serum ferritin are discussed. The importance of realizing the effect of excess iron on skeletal scintigraphy is further emphasized by the results of bone scanning in another patient in whom acute iron overload following infusion of iron-dextran resulted in excessive blood pool labeling.     

Ablating the Imperceptible: A Novel Application of Para‐Hisian Pacing

In some elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, especially in combination with heart failure, a rate control strategy may be preferred. When pharmacological therapy is ineffective or not tolerated, it is reasonable to perform atrioventricular (AV) node ablation with ventricular pacing. We describe a case in which this approach was necessary for management. However, the presence of periprocedural, drug‐induced AV block just before ablation provided a unique and challenging circumstance. We discuss the steps taken to ensure a successful procedure.     

五子衍宗复方总多糖抗细胞氧化应激损伤和细胞凋亡的研究

目的 对具有肝脏保护作用的中药五子衍宗复方进行分离,考察五子衍宗复方提取物中总多糖抗氧化应激损伤和细胞凋亡的活性.方法 本实验对中药五子衍宗复方的原药材用50%乙醇提取后,通过水提醇沉得到总多糖.利用t -BHP染毒HepG2细胞建立氧化应激损伤模型,检测不同浓度五子衍宗复方总多糖对细胞活力、细胞内活性氧组ROS、脂质...     

澳门特别行政区初三学生的睡眠质量、睡眠模式与抑郁、焦虑情绪

目的:了解澳门特别行政区初三年级学生的睡眠质量、模式与抑郁、焦虑情绪的关系。方法:抽取澳门535名初中三年级学生,用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)评估睡眠质量,爱泼沃斯思睡量表(ESS)以及清晨型和夜晚型量表(MEQ)调查白天思睡与睡眠模式,用贝克抑郁量表(BDI)、状态-特质焦虑量表(STAI)调查抑郁、焦虑状况。结果:PSQI和ESS得分分别为(5.2±2.6)和(8.4±4.7),女生PSQI[(5.5±2.5)vs.(4.8±2.6)]和ESS[(8.9±4.6)vs.(8.0±4.8)]得分高于男生(均P0.05)。MEQ平均得分(13.3±3.1),女生得分低于男生[(12.8±3.0)vs.(13.7±3.2),P0.01]。学生周末和假日的总睡眠时间长于平日总睡眠时间[(608±106)min,(605±109)min vs.(457±75)min],女生周末[(628±110)min vs.(590±97)min]和假期[(631±109)min vs.(581±103)min]平均睡眠时间长于男生(均P0.01)。BDI和STAI得分分别为(13.5±10.3)、(78.9±17)。睡眠质量差和白天思睡者MEQ得分、上学日睡眠时间低于睡眠质量好和无白天思睡者MEQ得分,而睡眠质量差和白天思睡者BDI得分高于睡眠质量好和无白天思睡者BDI得分(均P0.05)。PSQI分别与ESS、BDI,以及STAI中的TAI分呈正相关(r=0.27、0.37、0.12,均P0.05),而与M EQ和上学日总睡眠时间呈负相关(r=-0.30、-0.30,均P0.05)。结论:睡眠质量差和白天思睡在澳门初三学生中较为普遍,他们在上学日的平均睡眠时间不足,但在周末和假日则延长睡眠时间以作补充,其中女生更易出现上述睡眠模式。大部分学生有轻度抑郁,睡眠质量差可能与其抑郁、焦虑状况相关。     

Acute intoxications in two university hospitals in Burkina Faso

Introduction

Acute intoxications become more and more a serious problem in developing countries. However, epidemiologic data are very scarce in these countries.

Objective

To describe the characteristics of acute intoxications in two University Hospitals of Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso).

Methods

All cases admitted to the emergency services of the two sole University Hospitals of Ouagadougou from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, were included. We analysed the medical records for demographical and etiological characteristics of the acute poisoned-patients.

Results

Acute poisoned-patients (436) represented 1.9% of the patients admitted to these services. The majority of acute poisoned-patients were pre-school children followed by young adults. Accidental intoxications (70.8%) were more common than intentional (28.9) and suicidal attempts (0.3%). Among poisoned-patients, female patients represented a great majority. Pharmaceuticals were the most common cause of acute intoxication, followed by chemicals, animals'' toxins, food, alcohol and addictive drugs.

Conclusion

Our study revealed that pharmaceuticals were the most common cause of acute intoxications. The great majority of poisoned-patients were young. Female patients were the major poisoned-patients. Most admissions in the emergency services due to acute intoxications resulted from accidental poisoning.     

Low-dose HCG may improve pregnancy rates and lower OHSS in antagonist cycles: a meta-analysis

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) may substitute FSH to complete follicular growth in IVF cycles. This may be useful in the prevention of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Relevant studies were identified on Medline. To evaluate outcomes, a meta-analysis of low-dose HCG-supplemented IVF cycles versus non-supplemented ones was performed with data from 435 patients undergoing IVF who were administered low-dose HCG in various agonist and antagonist protocols and from 597 conservatively treated patients who served, as control subjects. Using these published data, a decision analysis evaluated four different management strategies. Effectiveness and economic outcomes were assessed by FSH consumption, clinical pregnancy and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Clinical pregnancy and ovarian hyperstimulation were the main outcome measures. Nine trials published in 2002–2007 were included. From the prospective studies, in the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist group, a trend for significance in clinical pregnancy rate was evident (odds ratio [OR], 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–2.42). Ovarian hyperstimulation was less significant in the antagonist low-dose HCG protocol compared with the non-supplemented agonist protocol (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.09–0.96). Less FSH was consumed in the low-dose HCG group but this difference was not statistically significant. Low-dose HCG supplementation may improve pregnancy rates in antagonist protocols. Overall, low-dose HCG-supplemented protocols are a cost-effective strategy.