Determination of Clinical Cut-Off Values for Serum Cystatin C Levels to Predict Ischemic Stroke Risk

Background: The association between cystatin C and risk of ischemic stroke is inconsistent and the cut-off values of cystatin C are diverse in different articles. We aimed to investigate the association between cystatin C levels and the development of ischemic stroke and to explore the clinical cut-off values of serum cystatin C levels for ischemic stroke. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 7658 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study who were free of cardiovascular diseases and cancer at baseline. A decision-tree model was used to find reasonable cut-off values for cystatin C levels. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between different levels of cystatin C and the risk of ischemic stroke. Results: The whole cohort was divided into the following 3 groups according to the decision tree: group-low (<.901 mg/L), group-moderate (.901～1.235 mg/L), and group-high (>1.235 mg/L). After 4 years of follow-up, we identified 156 cases of ischemic stroke. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of ischemic stroke were 1.637 (1.048-2.556) for group-moderate and 2.326 (1.285-4.210) for group-high) compared with the low group of cystatin C. Subgroup analyses showed that the association between cystatin C levels and the incidence of ischemic stroke was more pronounced in males or old people than in females or young people. Conclusions: We found 2 suitable cut-off values for serum cystatin C levels and found that high levels of cystatin C were associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke.     

Sun Burn Incidence and Knowledge of Greek Elementary and High School Children about Sun Protection

Introduction: Overexposure to sun radiation and particularly its accumulation during childhood andadolescence is a significant risk factor for skin cancer development. The sun burn is particularly important. Aim:To estimate sun burn incidence in young pupils in a coastal area of Greece. Materials and Methods: Two surveyswere conducted in a school population in the same district in Greece, over different periods of time, in youngpeople 9 to 18 years old (n=2 977). Anonymous questionnaires were completed. Levels of significance were twotailedand statistical significance was set at p=0.05. SPSS 17.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results:From the individual characteristics of the participants it was shown that the majority of them had dark hairand fair skin, whereas a significant percentage reported the existence of moles on face and their body (83.4% vs68.1%). The sun burn incidence was high in adolescents and the younger pupils (41.9% vs 55.6%). The youngeraged children who were living in an urban area had significantly higher rates of sun burn than those living insemi-urban areas (33.8% vs 24.8%, p=0.020). As far as the knowledge of pupils about the risks of sun radiationit was shown that the elementary school pupils had better knowledge than those at high school. Finally, thosewith better knowledge had the fewer sun burns (Mean 2.83 SD 0.87, p<0.001). Conclusions: The contributionof knowledge to the decrease of sun burn incidence is important as long as this is continuous. Therefore, theeducation should concern not only children but also teachers and parents in the context of continuous andsystematic programs of health education.     

太阳病三篇——张仲景创作《伤寒论》的大纲之四

太阳病分为三篇,上篇、中篇、下篇。是张仲景创作《伤寒论》的大纲之四。     

试析孙思邈饮食养生观

文章对孙思邈《备急千金要方》、《千金翼方》中有关饮食养生的内容进行了总结,从饮食基本原则和五脏饮食宜忌两个方面探讨了孙思邈的饮食养生观。指出孙氏的饮食基本原则可以概括为:四宜、二少、四忌;五脏饮食宜忌可以概括为:慎五味不偏嗜、洞析五脏所宜,调平五脏两个方面。作者认为孙氏饮食养生观简便易行,适用性强,对于今天之饮食养生不无指导意义。