Ornithine aspartate and naloxone combined therapy for hepatic encephalopathy affects cognitive function, prognosis, and neuropeptide levels / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the potential effects on cognitive function, prognosis, and neuropeptide levels of patients in response to combination therapy with ornithine aspartate plus naloxone for hepatic encephalopathy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four consecutive patients diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy were randomly divided into two equal groups. The control group (n = 42) received traditional medical treatment, and the research group (n = 42) received the traditional medical treatment as well as the combination therapy with ornithine aspartate plus naloxone. The supplemental treatment was comprised of daily intravenous injection of 10-15 g ornithine aspartate in 250 ml of 5% glucose plus intravenous drip of 3 mg naloxone in 100 ml of 5% glucose, and was given in 7-day cycles for one or two cycles. The cognitive function of patients was assessed by Hasegawa Intelligence Scale (HDS) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) questionnaires. The effective rate and time duration from coma to consciousness were recorded. Changes in blood ammonia level, markers of liver function, and neuropeptide levels were measured by standard biochemical assays. Intergroup differences were assessed by the Chi-squared test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The HDS and MMSE scores of the research group were significantly higher than those of the control group after therapy. The effective rate, time duration from coma to consciousness, blood ammonia, the liver function markers alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase and total bilirubin, and the neuropeptides arginine vasopressin and beta-endorphin were remarkably improved after treatment in the research group, as compared with that in the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Supplementing the traditional treatment for hepatic encephalopathy with ornithine aspartate plus naloxone combination therapy provides better therapeutic outcome than traditional treatment alone.</p>

Relationship between pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV infection: a meta-analysis / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection in high risk populations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A computerized literature searching had been carried out in PubMed, EMbase, Ovid, Web of Science, Science Direct, Wanfang, Tsinghua Tongfang database and related websites to collect relevant papers (from establishment to June 2012) with the key words of pre-exposure prophylaxis, HIV, AIDS, high risk populations, relative risk, reduction. All randomized controlled trials (RCT) papers about using single or compound antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) orally or topically before HIV exposure or during HIV exposure in high risk populations were enrolled. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 10.0 to calculate the pooled RR value (95%CI). Consistency test was performed and publication bias was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Finally 5 RCT papers were enrolled, including 10 271 persons who were at high risk of HIV infection. The number of the experimental group was 5929, among which 116(1.96%) became infected. The number of the control group was 4342, among which 201(4.63%) became infected. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95%CI was 0.49 (0.39 - 0.61), P < 0.05, indicating that the persons in experimental group had a 0.49 times lower risk of HIV infected, as compared with the control group. Publication bias analysis revealed a symmetry funnel plot. The fail-safe number was 825.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PrEP was an effective and safe protection measure to reduce HIV infection in high risk populations.</p>

Plasma lipid level and incidence of dyslipidemia in workers of Chongqing enterprises and institutions / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the plasma lipid level and distribution of dyslipidemia in workers of Chongqing enterprises and institutions.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By using cluster sampling method, 20 000 workers of Chongqing enterprises and institutions aged 18 to 60 were selected as target population from January to October, 2009. We conducted questionnaire survey, physical and laboratory examinations including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Workers were divided into 18 - 29 years old group, 30 - 39 years old group, 40 - 49 years old group and 50 - 60 years old group. Characteristic and distribution of dyslipidemia were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly different in various age group (all P < 0.01). TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in the 30 years and over groups were all significantly higher than in the under 30 years old group(all P < 0.01). The TG levels in the 40 - 49 years old group and the 50 - 60 years old group were similar (P > 0.05). After adjusting for age, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in males were all significantly higher than in females (all P < 0.01). The incidence of dyslipidemia in this population was 35.01% and significantly higher in males than that of females (58.27% vs. 11.01%, P < 0.01). The incidence of dyslipidemia increased with aging (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The prevalence of dyslipidemia is high in Chongqing enterprises and institutions. The incidence of dyslipidemia is higher in males than in females and higher among the 30 years and over workers than that of under 30 years old workers.</p>

Acceptability and influencing factors of pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in Guangxi / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent the transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangxi, China.Methods Snow-balling methods were used to recruit 650 MSM in Guangxi. Questionnaires and interview were administrated to these 650 men, using a self-designed questionnaire and face to face interviews to collect information on HIV-related risk behaviors, knowledge and acceptability of PrEP.effective, safe and free of charge', 597 (91.9%) of the 650 MSM claimed that they would accept it,who refused to use it, most of them said that were afraid of the side-effect and doubted on the effectiveness of PrEP. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that those who had found partners through friends (OR=6.21, P=0.020) and those who would advise his friend to use PrEP (OR=39.32, P=0.000) were more likely to accept PrEP. Those who thought they could protect themselves from HIV infection (OR=0.32, P=0.010) or not having sex with the ones who refused to use a condom (OR=0.34, P=0.010) were less likely to accept PrEP. Conclusion Effectiveness, safety and cost seemed to be the main influential factors related to the acceptability of PrEP. Peer education might improve the acceptability of PrEP.

Acceptability and influencing factors on pre-exposure prophylaxis programs among female sex workers in Guangxi, China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)program on prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Guangxi of China.Methods A cross-sectional survey using convenience sampling was administered among 405 FSWs in Nanning,Liuzhou and Beihai cities of Guangxi,China.Self-designed questionnaire,face to face interviews were used to collect HIV-related risk behaviors,knowledge and acceptability of PrEP.Results After an introduction on PrEP,presuming that it was effective,safe and free of charge,85.9％ of the 405 FSWs said they would use it.Data from logistic regression analysis showed that significant factors of intent to use PrEP would include the followings:workplace (OR=2.256,P=0.009),monthly income (OR=0.257,P=0.004),family closeness (OR＝0.338,P＝0.012),knowledge on HIV/AIDS (OR＝2.802,P=0.028),HIV/AIDS risk was introduced from a strange client (OR＝0.363,P＝0.049),whether the gatekeeper ordering the use of condom (OR＝0.432,P=0.010),whether consistent using condom with clients (OR＝3.010,P＝0.002),whether ever using drugs to prevent STD infection (OR=3.570,P=0.049) etc.Conclusion Awareness on HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-protection seemed the main influential factors while health education might promote the acceptability of PrEP.

Influencing factors on behavior related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers based on the Structural Equation Model / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the influencing factors on behavior related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers under Structural Equation Model (SEM).Methods In Chongqing,Sichuan,Guangxi,Xinjiang provinces,1613 female commercial sex workers were participated in a questionnaire survey.Factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers were analyzed based on SEM.Results Influencing factors on behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers would include social status,knowledge on AIDS,risk through self-evaluation,condom use,frequency of sexual services etc.GFI,AGFI,RMR were 0.9952,0.9898 and 0.0115 respectively.Conclusion Social status,knowledge on AIDS,risk through self-evaluation,condom use and frequency of sexual services were affecting the behaviors related to HIV testing among female commercial sex workers.

Utility of waist-to-height ratio in detecting central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular risk among normal weight adults / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To detect central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular disease risk factors by waist-to-height ratio (WHR) among normal weight adults in Chongqing area.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 20 000 participants aged 18 - 59 from one hour economic cycle of Chongqing area were selected by group sampling method. We measured the height, waist circumference (WC), body weight, blood pressure, blood lipid and blood sugar. Body Mass Index (BMI) and WHR were computed. We analyzed the differences of the correlated indexes between non-central obesity group (WHR < 0.5) and central obesity group (WHR ≥ 0.5) of those had normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI (kg/m(2)) < 24). And we used logistic regression method to analyze the relation between central obesity and related adverse cardiovascular risk factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 11 612 normal weight subjects, 1801 (15.51%) participants were normal weight central obesity. Of non-central obesity group and central obesity group, the levels of waist WC were (73.71 ± 5.91) and (84.47 ± 4.58) cm (F = 328.74, P < 0.01); diastolic blood pressure levels were (72.85 ± 10.30) and (78.22 ± 11.90) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa, F = 23.62, P < 0.01); triglyceride levels were (1.22 ± 0.95), (1.97 ± 1.91) mmol/L (F = 114.70, P < 0.01); total cholesterol levels were (4.66 ± 0.84) and (5.04 ± 0.92) mmol/L (F = 13.10, P < 0.01); high density lipoprotein levels were (1.41 ± 0.31), (1.25 ± 0.29) mmol/L (F = 29.44, P < 0.01); low density lipoprotein levels were (2.65 ± 0.74) and (3.03 ± 0.77) mmol/L (F = 9.98, P < 0.01); glycemia levels were (4.94 ± 0.82) and (5.25 ± 1.37) mmol/L (F = 47.21, P < 0.01). The results of the logistic regression analysis showed the central obesity normal weight group was 1.28 (1.02 - 1.60), 1.49 (1.20 - 1.84), 2.24 (1.92 - 2.60), 1.77 (1.53 - 2.05), 1.58 (1.15 - 2.16) and 1.31 (1.06 - 1.63) times more likely than the normal group to have significantly elevated levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and blood glucose.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>WHR can effectively reflect the normal weight central obesity and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease;the adverse cardiovascular disease risk was high among normal weight central obesity adults.</p>

A single factor analysis of the prognosis of 301 hepatitis failure cases and a study of a scoring system on their prognostic assessment / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To analyze the factors related to prognosis of hepatitis failure and to determine the factors which significantly affect it, and to build a scoring system for assessment of the prognosis of hepatitis failure and also to examine its efficacy for clinical use.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data from 301 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The correlated degree between those single factors and prognosis of hepatitis failure was explored by logistic regression analysis. Independent risk factors of prognosis and those correlated coefficients, which were from logistic regression analysis, were used to build a scoring system. This system was used in analyzing the clinical data of 275 patients to examine its efficacy of the prognostic assessment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The factors that significantly affected the prognosis of hepatitis failure included age, clinical typing, hepatic coma, total bilirubin, and others (P < 0.01). Some factors, including PTA, blood urea, sodium and hepatic coma, were independent risk factors of prognosis. The scoring system built gave different scores between the effective treatment group and ineffective treatment group with statistical significance (P < 0.01). When the score was less than 40, the probability of a recovery was 76.9%; when the score was 40 to 80, the probability of a recovery was only 12.5%. When the score was more than 80, the probability of a recovery dropped to 0%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The factors, including PTA, blood urea and sodium and hepatic coma, are important in building a scoring system to assess the prognosis of hepatitis failure. The scoring system we built is very effective in evaluating the prognosis of hepatitis failure.</p>

The analysis of injured and poisoned patients during the construction of urbanization and industrialization from 1998 to 2002 / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the causes of injury and poisoning during construction of urbanization and industrialization and to explore proper measures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of the patients with injury and poisoning during construction of urbanization and industrialization treated in out hospital from 1998 to 2002 were retrospectively analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of discharged patients of injury and poisoning accounted for 29.2% of the total number (49800) of discharged patients in the corresponding period in our hospital, which was greater than that of other city and county hospitals, and accounted for 94.3% of the total number (15,411) of discharged patients of the Surgery Department in the corresponding period in our hospital. Injuries caused by motor vehicle traffic accidents, cutting and piercing instruments or objects, homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons and accidental falls held 78.9%. The number of the inpatients in 2002 increased by 83.3% compared with that of 1998, the number of injured and poisoned inpatients increased by 76.1% and these patients aged mainly at age of 15-39 years, holding 80.1%. In a year, the peak period of trauma patients was in summer because of hot weather; the fewest in February for the floating people went home for Spring Festival holidays.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>During construction of rural urbanization and industrialization, injuries and poisoning increase evidently and are the main tasks of surgical management. So to raise its treatment level and therapeutic effect is a key point.</p>