Age-Related Risk of Stroke Following Ocular Motor Cranial Nerve Palsy.

BACKGROUND: This cohort study aims to examine the relationship between the occurrence of cranial nerve palsy (CNP) affecting the third, fourth, or sixth cranial nerve and the subsequent risk of stroke, with a particular focus on the modulating effect of age on this association. METHODS AND RESULTS: We established a cohort of individuals diagnosed with third, fourth, or sixth CNP who underwent national health screening within 2 years of diagnosis from 2010 to 2017. A control group was matched by sex and age at a ratio of 1:5. Participants were followed until December 31, 2019. We use multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to assess the association between ocular motor CNP and subsequent stroke stratified by age. Covariates including lifestyle, health behavior, underlying comorbidities, and Charlson comorbidity index score were also adjusted. Compared with the control group, the ocular motor CNP group had a higher risk of stroke after adjusting for potential confounders (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23 [95% CI,, 1.08-1.39]). The risk of stroke increased by 8.91 times in individuals with ocular motor CNP who were in their 30s (HR, 8.91 [95% CI, 1.63-48.66]). The risk increased by 2.49 times in those who were in their 40s, 1.78 times in those who were in their 50s, and 1.32 times in those who were in their 60s (HRs, 2.49, 1.78, and 1.32 [95% CI, 1.39-4.45, 1.31-2.42, and 1.08-1.62], respectively). However, for those who were in their 20s, 70s, or 80s, the incidence of stroke did not significantly increase. CONCLUSIONS: Our study establishes an association between ocular motor CNP and an increased risk of stroke, particularly in young adults.

Quantitative anatomical analysis of lumbar interspaces based on 3D CT imaging: optimized segment selection for lumbar puncture in different age groups.

BACKGROUND: Optimal lumbar puncture segment selection remains controversial. This study aims to analyze anatomical differences among L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 segments across age groups and provide quantitative evidence for optimized selection. METHODS: 80 cases of CT images were collected with patients aged 10-80 years old. Threedimensional models containing L3-S1 vertebrae, dural sac, and nerve roots were reconstructed. Computer simulation determined the optimal puncture angles for the L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 segments. The effective dural sac area (ALDS), traversing nerve root area (ATNR), and area of the lumbar inter-laminar space (ALILS) were measured. Puncture efficacy ratio (ALDS/ALILS) and nerve injury risk ratio (ATNR/ALILS) were calculated. Cases were divided into four groups: A (10-20 years), B (21-40 years), C (41-60 years), and D (61-80 years). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. RESULTS: 1) ALDS was similar among segments; 2) ATNR was greatest at L5-S1; 3) ALILS was greatest at L5-S1; 4) Puncture efficacy ratio was highest at L3-4 and lowest at L5-S1; 5) Nerve injury risk was highest at L5-S1. In group D, L5-S1 ALDS was larger than L3-4 and L4-5. ALDS decreased after age 40. Age variations were minimal across parameters. CONCLUSION: The comprehensive analysis demonstrated L3-4 as the optimal first-choice segment for ages 10-60 years, conferring maximal efficacy and safety. L5-S1 can serve as an alternative option for ages 61-80 years when upper interspaces narrow. This study provides quantitative imaging evidence supporting age-specific, optimized lumbar puncture segment selection.

Do the Age of Implantation, the Widths of Internal Acoustic Canal and Bony Cochlear Nerve Canal Affect the Auditory Performance of Primary School Children with Bilateral Cochlear Implants?

Objective: To reveal the correlation between implantation age, the internal acoustic canal (IAC) width, bony cochlear nerve canal (BCNC) width, and auditory performance in primary school children with bilateral cochlear implantation (CI). Methods: Preoperative IAC and BCNC widths of 57 pre-lingually deaf children aged 7-11 years who had previously undergone bilateral CI in our institution were reviewed and cut-off values were calculated. Twenty-four patients who had additional problems and could not attend school and those who refused to participate in the study were excluded. The remaining 33 were invited to the hospital, and their speech perception tests, and language development scores were analyzed (16 of 33 patients had been operated on before the age of 24 months). Results: The cut-off values calculated from the 114 ears of 57 patients were 3.86 mm for IAC width and 1.56 mm for BCNC width. The auditory performances of the 33 patients after CI were not significantly different in the narrow and normal width groups. However, speech perception test results, and language development scores of patients implanted before the age of 24 months were significantly higher. Conclusion: There are some studies showing that children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss have narrower IAC and BCNC widths. However, we concluded that the widths of the IAC and the bone cochlear nerve canal did not affect auditory performance. We found that implantation age is the single most important determinant of speech-language development after CI.

Does age determine the lightness and darkness of tooth shades? A retrospective study.

The study aimed to analyze whether age determines the lightness and darkness of tooth shades. The demand for esthetics has soared to a next level progressively in many developing countries including India; the importance provided to match the tooth shade creates a great difference in the satisfactory outcome of the patient in the field of dentistry. Therefore, this particular study analyzed the differences in tooth shade values based on age factor among the Indian population. 238 individual's case sheets with the age between 18 and 65 years. 18-30 years of age were considered as group 1 (young adults), 31-45 years in group 2 (middle age), and above 45 years in group 3 (older age). The clinical intraoral pictures of the patients which were taken prior to the treatment were obtained and the shade of any one of the upper permanent central incisors was assessed using the Vitapan 3D-Master shade guide, especially the middle portion of the facial surface of the incisors. The collected data were imported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 17 (IBM Corporation). Chi-square test was used to assess the significance. From the data, 17.2% showed A1 shade, 35.2% A2 shade, 7.5% A3 shade, 5% A4 shade, 7.1% B1 shade, 15.9% B2 shade, 7.1% B3 shade, 3.3% B4 shade, and 1.1% C1 shade. The individuals under the category of above 45 years showed darker tooth shade compared to young adults and middle age population (Chi-square test, P < 0.001). Significant association was established with darker tooth shades by increasing age and vice versa. The older age population showed a higher correlation for dark shade between teeth. The aging process significantly affects the teeth color. Hence, as a dentist, it is important to know about the distribution of tooth shade and its association with age to get an outcome with adequate patient satisfaction.

Glycosylated Hemoglobin as an Age-Specific Predictor and Risk Marker of Colorectal Adenomas in Non-Diabetic Adults.

Background: Diabetes is a risk factor for colorectal neoplasms. The association between the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the risk of colorectal adenomas (CRAs) in non-diabetic adults needs to be investigated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on non-diabetic adults with normal HbA1c level who underwent colonoscopy between January 2010 and December 2016 during health check-ups in our hospital in China. The association between HbA1c level and CRAs was assessed by multiple logistic regression models stratified by age group (<40, ≥40 and <50, and ≥50 years old). The age group-specified thresholds for HbA1c on elevated risk of CRAs were estimated using the piecewise logistic regression. Results: Among the 2,764 subjects, 445 (16.1%) had CRA. The prevalence of CRA varied across the three age groups. A higher HbA1c level was found to be significantly associated with increased CRA risk in the 40-50 years group (odds ratio [OR]=1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-2.78, p=0.035) after adjusting for other related factors, while this association was borderline significant among the 50 years and older group (OR=1.57, 95% CI 0.97-2.54, p=0.067). Based on the piecewise logistic regression analysis results, the thresholds for HbA1c on elevated risk of CRA were 5.44% for the 40-50 years group and 4.81% for the 50 years and older group, respectively. Conclusions: Higher levels of HbA1c, even within the normal range, were associated with elevated CRA risk among non-diabetic adults. The threshold effects of HbA1c on the risk of CRA varied across different age groups, and early screening colonoscopy might be needed for individuals in their 40s and with HbA1c levels ≥5.44%.

Impact of age and menopausal stage on serum anti-Müllerian hormone levels in middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between age, menopausal stage and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in middle-aged women. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the serum AMH levels of 288 healthy women aged 40-55 years (divided into age groups: 40-44, 45-49 and 50-55 years) were evaluated. Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 criteria were used to categorize these women into menopausal stages: late reproductive, menopausal transition and early postmenopausal stages. The impact of age, menopausal stage and hormone replacement therapy on serum AMH levels was analyzed using multi-factor analysis of variance. Effects of body mass index, smoking status and oral contraceptive use were simultaneously considered. RESULTS: The median AMH level was 0.140 ng/ml. Log-AMH levels varied according to age group (variance = 20.113, F = 88.538, p < 0.001) and menopausal stage (variance = 5.543, F = 24.501, p < 0.001). An exponential model defined as AMH = 227,421.757 × e(-0.301 × age) was fit to describe the decline in AMH level with age. The 5th-95th percentiles of the AMH levels ranged from less than 0.020 to 3.150, less than 0.020 to 1.944 and less than 0.020 to 0.030 ng/ml in the aforementioned menopausal stages, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age and menopausal stage were associated with AMH levels; age had a greater impact on AMH than menopausal stage in middle-aged women.

Epidemiological characteristics of patients with tibial pilon fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the epidemiological characteristics of inpatients with tibial pilon fracture in The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2016 to 2019.Methods:The data of all the patients who had been hospitalized for pilon fracture from January 2016 to December 2019 in The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University were collected using the medical image computer archiving and transmission system and the medical record query system. The patients' age, gender, occupation, residence, season, cause of injury, Rüedi-Allg?wer classification, and AO classification were analyzed.Results:A total of 234 inpatients with tibial pilon fracture were collected, including 179 males and 55 females, with a ratio of male to female of 3.3∶ 1. The prevalence age ranged from 41 to 50 years in male patients (31.3%, 56/179) and from 51 to 60 years in female patients (25.5%, 14/55). In the 234 patients, farmers (101 cases, 43.2%), rural area (166 cases, 70.9%) and spring season (77 cases, 32.9%) accounted for a higher proportion. The proportions of high-altitude falling (41.0%, 96/234) and high-energy injury (61.5%, 144/234) were the highest. Of the 234 patients by the Rüedi-Allg?wer classification, 23 (9.8%) had type Ⅰ fracture, 90 (38.5%) type Ⅱ fracture, and 121 (51.7%) type Ⅲ fracture, with type Ⅲ fracture prevalent in males (58.1%, 104/179) and type Ⅱ fracture prevalent in females (16.4%, 9/55). Of the 234 patients by the AO classification, 131 (56.0%) had type 43B fracture and 103 (44.0%) type 43C fracture, with a higher proportion of type 43B fractures in women (67.3%, 37/55) than in men (52.5%, 94/179). In type 43B fractures, type 43B3 (43.5%, 57/131) and type 43B3.3 (75.4%, 43/57) were the most common; in type 43C fractures, type 43C3 (74.8%, 77/103) and type 43C3.3 (51.9%, 40/77) were the most common.Conclusions:In the recent 4 years in The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, pilon fractures increased year by year and occurred more frequently in spring. They were more common in farmers and in the rural areas. They prevailed in the patients aged from 41 to 50 years. The Rüedi-Allg?wer type Ⅲ fractures and the AO type 43B fractures were the most common.

[Anticoagulant therapy in cancer patients with atrial fibrillation. Considering age factor.]

The current issue of the choice of anticoagulant therapy of atrial fibrillation (AF) in cancer patients is considered. It is noted that the difficulty of choosing an anticoagulant in malignancies is largely determined by age-related factors, such as comorbid cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders common for in elderly patients. Current data on the risk assessment of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications of AF in cancer patients in the aspect of age presented. During and after cancer treatment, the risk of developing AF can increase, also in connection with the age-associated pathology. Possible reasons of it are discussed. The choice of different anticoagulants groups in patients treated with anticancer therapy, including direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) is considered. According to available data from observational studies, it is the DOAC that is a promising, relatively safe and effective choice for cancer patients with AF, and therefore their use should be actively studied in randomized trials, considering the factor of age. It is particularly noted that solving this problem requires the interdisciplinary involvement of cardiologists, oncologists, and sometimes, geriatrics, to individualize treatment for each case and to offer the most effective therapy.

The characteristics of acute necrotizing pancreatitis in different age stages: An MRI study.

PURPOSE: To study the characteristics of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) in different age stages and their correlations with the clinical outcomes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHOD: MRI of 716 patients with acute pancreatitis was retrospectively reviewed to assess the incidence and characteristics of ANP. On MRI, ANP was classified into three subtypes: extrapancreatic necrosis (EPN) alone, pancreatic necrosis (PN) alone and combined necrosis. The extent of necrosis was also quantified on MRI. All patients were divided into three age groups, that is, young,middle-aged and elderly groups, and these characteristics of ANP were compared among the three age groups. The endpoints of patients' clinical outcome were compared among different age groups and different characteristics of ANP. RESULTS: Of the 716 patients, 129(18 %) were identified as ANP on MRI. The prevalence of ANP in the elderly group was the highest (28.9 %, p < 0.05). The patients in the middle-age and the elderly groups exhibited a higher risk of combined necrosis (56.9 %, 55.8 %; respectively), and elderly patients more frequently had extensive extrapancreatic involvement compared with young patients (65.9 % vs 21.4 %; p = 0.004); however, PN alone was more common in young patients. These characteristics of ANP were significantly bound up with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Different subtypes of ANP have different outcomes. More importantly, age needs to be considered as a factor of special concern in development of ANP.

Hysterectomy-corrected cervical cancer mortality rates in Denmark during 2002-2015: A registry-based cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to describe the cervical cancer mortality rates after correcting for hysterectomy and to evaluate trends over calendar time and by age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using data from nationwide registries, we calculated uncorrected and hysterectomy-corrected cervical cancer mortality rates among women age ≥20 years in Denmark during 2002-2015. We calculated hysterectomy-corrected rates by subtracting post-hysterectomy person-years from the denominator, unless hysterectomy was performed due to cervical cancer. RESULTS: The age-standardized hysterectomy-corrected cervical cancer mortality rate of 5.8/100 000 was 18.4% higher than the corresponding uncorrected rate. The hysterectomy-corrected cervical cancer mortality rate increased significantly with age, particularly in women aged 65+ (annual percent change +4.57), peaking at 26.1/100 000 person-years in women aged ≥85. The hysterectomy-corrected cervical cancer mortality declined significantly over calendar time, from 6.3/100 000 person-years in 2002 to 4.5/100 000 person-years in 2015 (annual percent change -0.22). This was mainly due to a significant decline in women aged 60 years and older, from 20.4/100 000 person-years in 2003 to 9.3/100 000 person-years in 2015 (annual percent change -0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of cervical cancer increased significantly by age, particularly among women aged 65 years and older for whom routine cervical cancer screening is not recommended. Understanding reasons for the high mortality rate in older women is critical, as this may help identify interventions needed to ensure a continued decline in cervical cancer mortality in older Danish women.

Evaluation of the factors associated with sublingual varices: a descriptive clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Age is considered as an important factor for the development of sublingual varices (SV). It has been suggested that some other conditions such as gender, systemic diseases, smoking, denture wearing may play a role in aetiology. However, there are a limited number of studies investigating these associations. This study was perform to evaluate association between SV and the conditions which are described as possible risk factors previously. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 691 patients (470 females, 221 males) who attended for comprehensive clinical examination were included in the study. Age, gender, systemic health, venous varix of the lower extremities, smoking status, denture wearing were recorded during the history taking. SV were classified into two categories: stage 0 (few or none visible) and stage 1 (moderate or severe). Tongue photographs were taken from a group of these patients. For the evalu- ation of intra-observer reliability, 60 photographs of tongue were re-evaluated by the same observer. Intra-observer reliability was evaluated using Kappa statistics. Pearson c2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to assess SV in relation to each variable, and variables showing associations with p < 0.05 were selected for the multivariable analysis, then logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS: Kappa value of intra-observer reliability was 0.91. SV were significantly associated with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, p = 0.000), hypertension (OR = 2.3, p = 0.007) and denture wearing (OR = 2.17, p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SV is associated with hypertension and denture wearing as well as aging. More detailed studies are needed to prove causative relations between SV and systemic diseases.

Effect of age factors on health-related quality of life in patients with lower rectal cancer after sphincter-saving surgery: A 1-year longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To examine age-related factors influencing health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) among patients with lower rectal cancer during the 12-month period after sphincter-saving surgery (SSS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this 1-year longitudinal study, 137 patients (120 patients completed, and 82 aged ≥60 years) answered the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaire (EORTC-C30/CR38) assessing their HR-QOL and related factors during the 12 months after SSS. RESULTS: No significant differences in HR-QOL were found before surgery. Only among those aged ≥60 years, global health status/QOL and cognitive functioning showed a significant decrease one month after surgery. At one month after SSS, the role functioning of groups <60 years old (which is negatively related to defecation problems, insomnia, and financial difficulties) was lower compared to those aged ≥60 years; and role functioning was significantly related to global health status/QOL. Six months after SSS, the global health status/QOL had recovered. In both groups, global health status/QOL was related to role and social functioning. Among participants aged <60 years, global health status/QOL was significantly related to emotional functioning, which is related to future perspective. Among participants aged ≥60 years only, global health status/QOL was significantly related to cognitive functioning; pain, financial difficulties, and defecation problems negatively influenced HR-QOL. Symptoms specific after SSS: defecation problems (in both group), micturition problems (only ≥60 years), and sexual problems (only<60 years) influenced HR-QOL. CONCLUSION: Health care providers should assess the influence of age-related factors during the early post-operative period after SSS to improve HR-QOL.

Risk factors and etiology in young adults with ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective To investigate the risk factors and etiology in young adults with ischemic stroke.Methods From June 2014 to June 2017,consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke aged from 18 to 45 years and admitted to the Department of Neurology,the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu were collected retrospectively.The demographic data,vascular risk factors,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score,location of infarction,and etiological subtypes were documented.They were divided into either a male group or a female group according to the gender,and they were divided into 2 age groups of 18-35 years and 36-45 years.Results A total of 103 young adults with ischemic stroke were enrolled during the study.Among them,the proportion of men was higher than that of women (73.8％ vs.26.2％).The most common 5 risk factors were smoking,abnormal lipid metabolism,drinking alcohol,hypertension,and large atherosclerosis,respectively.The proportions of abnormal glucose metabolism (37.2％ vs.11.8％),hypertension (46.5％ vs.11.8％),and large artery atherosclerosis (37.2％ vs.11.8％) in the age group of 36-45 years were significantly higher than those in the age group of 18-35 years (all P＜0.05).The proportions of smoking (67.1％ vs.14.8％) and drinking alcohol (51.3％ vs.18.5％) in the male group were significantly higher than those in the female group (all P＜ 0.05).In the etiological aspect,the proportion of cryptogenic stroke in the age group of 18-35 years was significantly higher than that in the age group of 36-45 years (47.1％ vs.15.1％;P=0.006),while the proportion of the large artery atherosclerotic stroke was significantly lower than that in the age group of 36-45 years (11.8％vs.41.9％;P =0.019).There were no significant differences in the etiological subtypes between different sex groups.Conclusion The distribution of risk factors and etiological subtypes in young patients with ischemic stroke have some differences in different gender and age groups.Some common modifiable risk factors (such as smoking,drinking,abnormal lipid metabolism,etc.) still account for a higher proportion in young adults with ischemic stroke.

Patients' Age Rather Than Model of End-Stage Liver Disease Score Predicts Survival After Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score is the standard tool for prioritizing patients awaiting liver transplantation. There is currently no definite high cutoff score reflecting disease severity that might exclude patients from transplantation. Furthermore, the age limit that used to disqualify patients from eligibility to transplantation was recently withdrawn in several countries. AIMS: The aims of this study were to assess the effects of MELD score and age at time of transplantation on patients' short- and long-term survival. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective single-center study on a cohort of patients transplanted for the first time due to non-fulminant liver failure. RESULTS: Four hundred and seventeen patients (mean age 50.2 years, 63% males) who underwent liver transplantation for the first time were included. Both higher patients' and donors' age were significantly associated with increased long-term mortality (p = 0.007, 95% CI 1.006-1.038 for patient age, p = 0.02, 95% CI 1.002-1.023 for donor age). Patients' age remained significantly associated with survival at 1 year post-transplantation, as well. We found no association between higher MELD score at transplantation and long-term mortality (p = 0.189, 95% CI 0.99-1.051) irrespective of patients' age. Specifically, when patients were divided according to their MELD score at transplantation (MELD < 15, MELD 15-25 and MELD > 25), no significant differences in long-term survival were detected between these three subgroups. Results did not differ significantly in a subgroup analysis of patients without hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' and donors' age rather than patients' MELD score at transplantation determine survival following liver transplantation.

Effects of aging on midgastric transverse band and gastric emptying / 中华老年医学杂志

Objectives To explore the effects of aging on midgastric transverse band(MTB)and gastric emptying.Methods In our prospective study,57 healthy volunteer were divided into young, middle and old-age groups.After taking test meal labeled by 99mTc-iethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid(99mTc-DTPA), the pictures were collected using double probe single photon emission computed tomography(SPECT).Stomach in each frame of the pictures was divided into proximal, midgastric transverse band(MTB)and distal parts.And half gastric emptying time,gastric remnant rate at 90 min, areas of different gastric parts were tested and calculated respectively.Results Half gastric emptying time of whole stomach was(43.24± 11.87)min,(42.07 ± + 9.31)min and(45.81 ± 10.73)min in young,middle and old-age groups, respectively, with P＞0.05.Among young, middle and oldage groups, half gastric emptying time was(38.09 ± 10.26)min,(37.33 ± 9.28)min and(26.74 ± 12.07)min in proximal stomach, and it was(38.35 ± 12.96)min,(37.73 ± 7.46)min and(46.41 ± 10.74)min in distal stomach,respectively.The half gastric emptying time was significantly reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach in old-age group(both P＜0.05).The gastric nuclide remnant rate at 90min in total stomach was(30.38 ± 19.32)％,(29.03 ± 10.36)％ and(31.92 ± 13.47)％ ,in young, middle and old-age groups, respectively, with P＞0.05.This rate in proximal stomach was(25.01 ± 12.35)％,(26.36± 15.29)％ and(19.54±8.47)％ among three group, respectively.The rate in proximal stomach was(42.25 ± 12.36)％,(41.56 ±± 9.33)％ and(56.05 ± 11.72)％ among three group,respectively.The gastric remnant rate at 90min was reduced in proximal stomach and was increased in distal stomach significantly in old-age group(both P＜0.05).Compared with young and middle-age group,the old-age group showed no difference in areas of total stomach in all the time, while the areas were reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach significantly from 30 min to 90 min(all P＜0.05).Total stomach versus proximal and distal stomach showed no difference in count/pixel ratio in all time,while a count/pixel ratio was reduced in proximal stomach and increased in distal stomach significantly from 30 min to 90 min(both P＜ 0.05).Both areas and count/pixel ratio of MTB at 60 min and 90 min were significantly increased in old-age group(both P＜0.05).Conclusions The total gastric emptying is not delayed along with aging, while the gastric emptying is increased in proximal stomach and reduced in distal stomach in the elderly.This abnormity of intragastric distribution of food might be related with larger area of midgastric transverse band.

Impact of old age on clinical and angiographic characteristics of coronary artery spasm as assessed by acetylcholine provocation test.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and other risk factors have been well known as important factors of variant angina or coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, clinical features related to age on coronary artery spasm have been rarely evaluated. METHODS: We evaluated 3155 consecutive patients with insignificant coronary artery lesion. Patients underwent Acetylcholine (Ach) provocation test for induction of CAS. CAS was defined as > 70% luminal narrowing of coronary arteries during Ach provocation test. The results of Ach provocation test were compared among age groups; < 45 years (Group 1), 45-54 years (Group 2), 55-64 years (Group 3), and ≥ 65 years (Group 4). RESULTS: Older patients had higher incidence of hypertension, diabetes, but lower incidence rate of current smoking, male sex compared with younger patients. Positive Ach provocation test finding was frequently showed with aging (47.36% vs. 58.3% vs. 62.6% vs. 61.5%; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that age, male, and myocardial bridge were independent predictors of CAS induced by Ach provocation test. CONCLUSION: Our present study showed that old age was independent predictor for Ach-induced significant coronary artery spasm.

Effects of age factors on pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine during combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effects of age factors on the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine during combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block in patients.Methods Twenty patients of both sexes,aged ≥ 18 yr,weighing 50-75 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective lower extremity surgery,were divided into 2 groups (n=10 each) according to age:young and middle-aged group (18-59 yr) and elderly group (≥ 60 yr).Combined lumbar plexus-sciatic never block was performed using an ultrasonic instrument and a nerve stimulator.Lumbar plexus block was performed with 0.5％ ropivacaine 30 ml.Sciatic never block was performed with 2％ lidocaine 10 ml plus 0.75％ ropivacaine 10 ml.Before administration and at 5,10,15,20,30,45,60,120,180 and 360 min after administration,blood samples were collected from the radial artery for determination of the blood concentration of ropivacaine by high-performance liquid chromatography.The area under the concentrationtime curve,maximum concentration (Cmax),time to C terminal elimination half-life and clearance were calculated.Results Compared with young and middle-aged group,the blood concentration of ropivacaine was significantly decreased at 5-45 min after administration,the Cmax was significantly decreased,terminal elimination half-life was significantly prolonged (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in area under the concentration-time curve,the time to C and clearance in elderly group (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Age factors can affect the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine during combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block,and both absorption and metabolism of ropivacaine are slower in elderly patients than in young and middle-aged patients.

Effect of Acupuncture plus Medication on Pregnancy RateAfter IVF in Different Age Groups / 上海针灸杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Chinese medication and acupuncture-moxibustion plus Western medication on the pregnancy rate after in-vitro-fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in different age groups.MethodTotally 810 eligible patients enrolled between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2013 from the Reproduction and Infertility Department were categorized into 3 groups according to the age, respectively 20-29 years old, 30-39 years old, and 40-49 years old. The pregnancy rates of the three groups were compared, and the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET after the treatment of the integrated treatment of Chinese and Western medicine was also statistically analyzed.ResultThe pregnancy rate was 54.3% in the group of 20-29 years old, versus 46.4% in the group of 30-39 years old and 26.0% in the group of 40-49 years old, and the total pregnancy rate of IVF-ET was 47.2%. ConclusionThe younger, the higher the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET, and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine following the assisted reproductive technique can enhance the pregnancy rate of IVF-ET.

Effect of age on the association between normal thyroid hormone level and coronary artery disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of age on the association between normal thyroid hormone level and coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods A total of 1163 euthyroid patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) from January 2013 to June 2014 were enrolled and categorized into 2 groups:the young and middle-aged group (＜60 years,n=602) and the elderly group (≥60 years,n=561),and each group was sub grouped into the CAD and non-CAD group according to CAG.Height,body weight,and levels of serum lipid,fasting blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,free triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were measured.Results In the youth and middle-aged group,309 patients (51.3％) were diagnosed as CAD,and there was no significant difference in the levels of FT3,FT4 and TSH between CAD and non-CAD patients [(5.3±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.3±0.5)mmol/L,(11.8 ±1.9)mmol/L vs.(11.8±1.8) mmol/L,(2.0±1.1) mIU/L vs.(2.0±1.0)mIU/L,all P＞0.05].In the elderly group,357 patients (63.6％) were diagnosed as CAD,and the FT3 level was lower in the CAD patients than in the non-CAD patients[(5.1±0.6)mmol/L vs.(5.2±0.5) mmol/L,P＜0.01].Logistic regression demonstrated that FT3 was an independent influencing factor for CAD in elderly patients (OR=0.564,P＜0.01).Conclusions The association between normal thyroid hormones levels and CAD varies along with age.Thyroid hormones have no relationships with CAD in the young and middle-aged people.The decline of FT3 level may increase the risk of CAD in the elderly.