Blood levels of adrenomedullin on admission predict outcomes after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Increased plasma adrenomedullin level has been associated with critical illness. This study aimed to investigate the correlations of plasma adrenomedullin concentration with 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage. One hundred fourteen patients and 112 healthy controls were recruited. Relationships of plasma adrenomedullin concentrations with early neurological deterioration, 3-month mortality and unfavorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score >2) were evaluated. Plasma adrenomedullin concentrations were increased in patients than in healthy individuals and were highly associated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores. A multivariate analysis selected plasma adrenomedullin concentration as an independent predictor for 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed plasma adrenomedullin concentration predicted 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration with high area under curves. The predictive value of adrenomedullin was similar to that of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. In a combined logistic-regression model, adrenomedullin did not improve the predictive value of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Thus, elevated plasma adrenomedullin concentration is highly associated with 3-month clinical outcomes and early neurological deterioration of patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

[Benefits of promoting male circumcision among the general population in the high HIV prevalence areas of Guangxi Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of promoting male circumcision among the general population in the high HIV prevalence areas of Guangxi Province. METHODS: We interviewed 590 male residents from Hezhou and Qinzhou areas of Guangxi Province and conducted intervention using male circumcision promotion materials and various methods. If the subjects were willing and had no contraindication, they were referred to the appointed hospitals to receive circumcision. We conducted follow-up visits at 6 and 9 months after intervention for the changes in the subjects' knowledge, attitude and practice related to male circumcision. RESULTS: The male circumcision knowledge, willingness and operation rate were significantly improved after intervention (P < 0.05), but with no significant difference between the two follow-up visits (P > 0.05). The number of those who knew that phimosis and redundant prepuce were the reasons for circumcision increased from 66.1% at baseline to 81.9% and 79.8% at the two follow-up visits; those who knew that circumcision could prevent AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases increased from 28.0% to 77.4% and 78.6%; those who knew that surgical complications could be pain, bleeding and infection increased from 29.5%, 19.3% and 39.3% to 72.5%, 58.2% and 59.4% at the first follow-up and 75.0%, 57.0% and 63.0% at the second; those who were willing to receive circumcision increased from 35.3% at baseline to 59.6% and 61.3% at the two follow-up visits; and the rate of surgery increased from zero to 12.7% and 16.1%. CONCLUSION: The promotion of male circumcision among the general population in the high HIV prevalence areas of Guangxi Province significantly improved their knowledge, attitude and practice related to AIDS prevention. And the promotion activities should focus on the publicity of AIDS knowledge, risks of phimosis and redundant prepuce, and safety of circumcision.

One-hour after-school exercise ameliorates central adiposity and lipids in overweight Chinese adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents was increasing during the past few decades. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of after-school exercise with or without diet restriction on total and central obesity, fitness level, and metabolic profile in overweight Chinese adolescents. METHODS: A ten-week weight loss trial was performed using a 2 × 2 block design (exercise × diet). Ninety-three overweight adolescents (average age: (13.6 ± 0.7) years; body mass index (BMI): 22.4 - 34.1 kg/m(2)) were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) diet (D); 2) exercise (EX); 3) diet plus exercise (DEX); and 4) overweight control (C). Caloric intake recipes were enacted based on individual age and corresponding ideal body weight. One-hour after-school exercise was performed once per day, four days per week for ten weeks. Changes of anthropometry, body composition, aerobic fitness, and metabolic biomarkers were determined. RESULTS: Groups D, EX and DEX had a significant decrease in BMI (P < 0.01) after the intervention. The percentage of body and truncal fat, and waist circumference were independently reduced by exercise (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), but not diet. The decrease in body fat percentage was positively related with the exercise compliance (r = 0.34, P = 0.01). Exercise decreased truncal fat percentage and waist circumference, suggesting a reduction of central adiposity, but did not significantly affect body weight and BMI. Exercise significantly reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.037), which was positively correlated with decreases of truncal fat percentage (r = 0.222, P = 0.048). No significant effects of interventions on insulin sensitivity, early insulin release index, and aerobic fitness were observed. CONCLUSION: At least twice a week of one-hour after-school exercise significantly attenuated central adiposity and had a significant impact on lipid profiles in overweight Chinese adolescents.

[Effect of different levels of environmental oxygen on the biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among oxygen concentration, quorum sensing system, type secretion system, and biofilm production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. METHODS: A total of 23 clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were cultured at different levels of environmental oxygen for three days. Then biofilm mass and alginate were quantified. The expression levels of LasI and RhlI were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The secretion of exoenzyme S was examined by Western blot. RESULTS: Both the biofilm mass (R=0.455, P=0.000) and alginate (R=0.367, P=0.000) were positively correlated with oxygen concentration. Real time PCR showed that the expression levels of LasI and RhlI were not significantly correlated with oxygen concentration (R=0.025, P=0.794; R=-0.044, P=0.653), the production of biofilm (R=0.001, P=0.990; R=0.011, P=0.909), or alginate(R=0.029, P=0.770; R=0.193, P=0.064). Western blot showed that the optimal oxygen concentration range for exoenzyme S secretion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ranged 10% to 30%. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxia can promote the production of biofilm and alginate by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las/Rhl system may not participate in biofilm production at the early stage due to the low bacteria amount. The increased production of biofilm may inhibit the expression of Type Secretion system and thus inhibit bacterial virulence.