ABSTRACT
A dispute about the decreasing-price problem of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has recently arisen. This article analyzes the statistical data of 1995-2011 in China, the results showed that the main responsibility of expensive health care has no direct relationship with the drug price. The price index of TCM rose significantly slower than the medicine prices, the production margins of TCM affected by the material prices has been diminishing since 1995, continuous price reduction will further depress profits of the TCM industry. Considering the pros and cons of raw materials vary greatly in price, decreasing medicine price behavior will force enterprises to use inferior materials in order to maintain corporate profits. The results have the guiding meaning to medicine price management.
Subject(s)
Humans , Commerce , Economics , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Health Care Sector , Economics , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , EconomicsABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to examine the associations between depression and inflammatory markers in patients admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction. Inflammatory cytokines, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] were assessed in a group of 75 depressed participants [score of >/= 12] and compared to a control group of 75 nondepressed participants [score < 12], all who had been admitted to the hospital for myocardial infarction. The presence of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depressive Symptoms Inventory II Scale [BDI-II]. Depressed myocardial infarction participants had significantly greater levels of TNF-alpha [t = 2.070, P < 0.05] compared with control myocardial infarction participants. The BDI-II score was positively correlated with TNF-alpha levels [r = 0.222, P < 0.05]. These results indicate that the presence of depressive symptoms is positively associated with TNF-alpha levels among patients who have suffered from myocardial infarction
ABSTRACT
Pooled literatures showed that the induced abortion in China faces many problems:the number of induced abortion remains large; most cases are young and nulliparity women; the frequency of abortion is high; and the interval between one and another abortion is short. Health promotion strategies should be applied to address these problems. It is important to increase the population's awareness of contraception,especially among nulliparity and migrant populations. Routine and effective contraceptive methods should be recommended and emphasized during induced abortion and delivery to lower the rate of induced abortion.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Abortion, Induced , ChinaABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) may play an important role in host's immune response to mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection. This study was to investigate the association of TNF-alpha gene polymorphism with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among patients with coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study was conducted in 113 patients with confirmed CWP complicated with pulmonary TB and 113 non-TB controls with CWP. They were matched in gender, age, job, and stage of pneumoconiosis. All participants were interviewed with questionnaires and their blood specimens were collected for genetic determination with informed consent. The TNF-alpha gene polymorphism was determined with polymerase chain reaction of restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Frequency of genotypes was assessed for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability. Factors influencing the association of individual susceptibility with pulmonary TB were evaluated with logistic regression analysis. Gene-environment interaction was evaluated by a multiplicative model with combined OR. All data were analyzed using SAS version 8.2 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference in frequency of the TNF-alpha-308 genotype was found between CWP complicated with pulmonary TB and non-TB controls (chi2 = 5.44, P = 0.07). But difference in frequency of the TNF-alpha-308 A allele was identified between them (chi2 = 5.14, P = 0.02). No significant difference in frequencies of the TNF-alpha-238 genotype and allele (P = 0.23 and P = 0.09, respectively) was found between cases and controls either, with combined (GG and AA) OR of 3.96 (95% confidence interval of 1.30-12.09) at the -308 locus of the TNF-alpha gene, as compared to combination of the TNF-alpha-238 GG and TNF-alpha-308 GG genotypes. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of the TNF-alpha-238 GG and TNF-alpha-308 GA genotypes was 1.98 (95% CI of 1.06-3.71) for risk for pulmonary TB in patients with CWP. There was a synergic interaction between the TNF-alpha-308 GG genotype and body mass index (OR = 4.92), as well as an interaction between the TNF-alpha-308 GG genotype and history of BCG immunization or history of TB exposure. And, the interaction of the TNF-alpha-238 GG genotype and history of BCG immunization or TB exposure with risk for pulmonary TB in them was also indicated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TNF-alpha-308 A allele is associated with an elevated risk for pulmonary TB, whereas TNF-alpha-238 A allele was otherwise.</p>