A Genetic Susceptibility Study of Lung Cancer Risk Potentially Associated with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Inhalation Exposure.

To establish a genetic susceptibility assessment model of lung cancer risk potentially associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inhalation exposure among non-smokers in China, a total of 143 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 143 cancer-free individuals were recruited. Sixty-eight genetic polymorphisms in 10 pathways related to PAH metabolism and tumorigenesis were selected and examined. It was observed that 3 genetic polymorphisms, along with 10 additional genetic polymorphisms via gene-gene interactions, significantly influenced lung cancer risk potentially associated with PAH inhalation exposure. Most polymorphisms were associated with PAH metabolism. According to the established genetic susceptibility score (GSS), lung cancer risk increased with a rise in the GSS level, thereby indicating a positive dose-response relationship.

Heat transfer and friction characteristics of the microfluidic heat sink with variously-shaped ribs for chip cooling.

This paper experimentally and numerically investigated the heat transfer and friction characteristics of microfluidic heat sinks with variously-shaped micro-ribs, i.e., rectangular, triangular and semicircular ribs. The micro-ribs were fabricated on the sidewalls of microfluidic channels by a surface-micromachining micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) process and used as turbulators to improve the heat transfer rate of the microfluidic heat sink. The results indicate that the utilizing of micro-ribs provides a better heat transfer rate, but also increases the pressure drop penalty for microchannels. Furthermore, the heat transfer and friction characteristics of the microchannels are strongly affected by the rib shape. In comparison, the triangular ribbed microchannel possesses the highest Nusselt number and friction factor among the three rib types.

Community-wide survey of physicians' knowledge of cholesterol management.

BACKGROUND: An elevated serum lipid is one of the major risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). Physicians' awareness contributes to successful adoption of practice guidelines. Community medical centers are the primary defense against chronic disease. This study aimed to investigate community physicians' awareness of cholesterol guidelines and their utilization. METHODS: Six hundred and one community physicians were randomly selected from four different regions, and completed a confidential and semi-structured questionnaire. Four hundred and ninety-one completed the questionnaire, and 486 valid questionnaires were available. RESULTS: The physicians' fundamental knowledge of lipids was astonishingly poor, while the awareness of cholesterol guidelines was low. Only 24% and 14% of the physicians reported the right optimal low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level for CHD and diabetes patients respectively. More than half of the physicians (55.8%) mistakenly considered elevated transaminases to be the lethal side effect of statins. More than half of the physicians (51.9%) would give up statin treatment in the case of transaminase elevation. CONCLUSION: Educational interventions to improve cholesterol knowledge and to publicize standard treatment are needed among Chinese community physicians.

[Prevalence of dyslipidemia and borderline dyslipidemia and other risk factors of coronary heart disease in residents from Beijing communities].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and borderline dyslipidemia and other coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors in residents from Beijing communities. METHODS: Resident samples were selected by random cluster multistage method. Serum lipid level and CHD factors were obtained through questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical analysis during June 2007 to August 2007 from 10 054 residents. RESULTS: Age- and sex-adjusted standardized prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia, and triglyceridemia were 9.3%, 2.56%, 18.79% and 16.84%, respectively. Incidence of borderline hypercholesterolemia was 23.96%. Incidence of dyslipidemia and borderline dyslipidemia was 31.23% and 23.30% respectively, 71.17% residents have at least 1 CHD major risk factor and 20.23% residents were in borderline CHD risks. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obese was 41.57%, 11.08%, 35.81% and 22.89%, respectively. The odds ratio for dyslipidemia (95% confidence interval) in residents having 1 borderline CHD risk factor (RF), 2 RF, and 3 RF versus none RF was 1.668, (95%CI: 1.319 - 2.110), 2.537 (95%CI: 1.989 - 3.235), and 3.203 (95%CI: 2.007 - 5.114). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dyslipidemia of residents from Beijing communities is higher the average level of China (25.1%). Over 1 out of 5 residents were in increased risk for borderline dyslipidemia or CHD risks. Intensive control of dyslipidemia and CHD risk factors are warranted in Beijing residents.

[The smoking status of patients with acute coronary syndrome and effect of simple intervention on smoking cessation.].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the abstinence rate and relapse rate of smoker with ACS after discharged from hospital, to evaluate the effect of simple smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: 150 smokers with ACS were collected and was divided into simple intervention group (n = 87) and control group (n = 63), respectively, followed up for 6 months. 2 months, 6 months abstinence rate, relapse rate were compared between two groups, logistic regression model was used to analyzed the relevant factors for relapse. RESULTS: The smoking rate in patients with ACS was 31.14%, 6-month continuous abstinence rate and 6-month relapse rate was 64.6%, 36.4%, respectively. 6-month continuous abstinence rate and relapse rate between simple quit-smoking intervention group and control group showed no difference. Nicotine dependence score more than 4 points can be used as predictor of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking rate and the abstinence rate of smoker with ACS is higher than the general population, simple quit-smoking intervention do not increase the success rate of quit-smoking, indicated the need to strengthen the intervention in patients with ACS and smoking.

[Epidemiologic characteristics of major risk factors of coronary heart disease in residents from Beijing communities in different age groups].

OBJECTIVE: To study the difference in prevalence of major risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) in resident from Beijing communities in different age groups so as to offer suggestions for prevention of CHD in Beijing. METHODS: The samples were selected by random cluster multistage method. Serum lipid level and CHD factors were determined through questionnaire, physical examination and biochemical detection for 10 054 subjects in Beijing communities during June 2007 to August 2007. According to age, the subjects were divided into 3 groups: 20 - 44 yr group, 45 - 59 yr group and > or = 60 yr group. RESULTS: After age and sex standardization the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking and obesity was 9.30%, 41.57%, 10.18%, 35.81% and 22.89% respectively. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and diabetes showed an rising trend with advancing age (trend chi(2): 15.6, 31.7 and 18.0, all P < 0.001). The group of 45 - 59 yr had the highest prevalence in smoking and obesity 28% and 25.27% respectively. Over 30% in the groups of 45 - 59 yr and > or = 60 yr were in the borderline of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension and over 40% were overweight. After age and sex standardization, 67.15% of community residents had at least 1 CHD risk factor, 21.37% and 8.50% 2 or over 3 CHD risk factors. As compared with group 20 - 44 yr, the odds ratio (95%CI) for clustering of CHD risk factors in groups 45 - 59 yr and > or = 60 yr were 2.63 (95%CI 2.371 - 2.924) and 4.3 (95%CI 3.764 - 4.913) respectively. The odds ratio (95%CI) for clustering of CHD risk factors for male vs female was 4.392 (95%CI 3.938 - 4.899). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CHD major risk factors of Beijing community residents is high. Groups of 45 - 59 yr and > or = 60 yr have a higher prevalence and clustering of CHD major risk factors than 20 - 44 yr group. So these age groups deserve a higher priority of comprehensive prevention and control strategies of CHD.

[Prognostic value of point of care B-type natriuretic peptide testing and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prognostic value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and GRACE score in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: A total of 246 patients with chest pain to hospital time < 24 hours were followed up to 30 days. Admission plasma B-type natriuretic peptide was measured by point-of-care. Endpoints included death, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia and new onset of congestive heart failure. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate prognostic value of BNP and GRACE score. The logistic regression models were used to assess the prognostic contribution of BNP level and GRACE score. RESULTS: The mean age was (67.6 +/- 12.0) years (61.8% males) and ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was diagnosed in 135 patients (54.9%). During the follow up, 34 endpoints (13.8%) were recorded including 9 deaths (3.7%). The systolic blood pressure [(121 +/- 29) mm Hg vs. (130 +/- 23) mm Hg, P = 0.034; 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa] was significantly lower while the heart rate and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group. TNI and CRP levels were similar between the two groups. The BNP level at admission (median 883.5 ng/L vs. 216.5 ng/L) and GRACE score (median 164.5 vs. 142.0) were significantly higher in the endpoints group than in non-endpoints group (all P < 0.05). The prognostic criteria for BNP level (area under cure, 0.704) was 194.5 ng/L determined by ROC (P = 0.043). For GRACE score, the predictive value for endpoints was 0.742 (P = 0.003) and the cut-off point was 158. In the logistic regression model, BNP concentration (> 194.5 ng/L, OR = 3.174) and GRACE score (> 158, OR = 4.031) were independent predictors of endpoints in patients with ACS. CONCLUSION: Both BNP level at admission and GRACE score were independent predictors for endpoints at 30 days in patients with ACS.

Obesity criteria for identifying metabolic risks.

Criteria of obesity in the Chinese population with multiple metabolic risk factors remains unclear. The objective was to determine the best anthropometrical measurements with regard to the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to propose optimal cut-off values. Between April and August, 2007, 3,704 men and 6,392 women aged 18-85 years were recruited from four community centers. Medical examinations included measurement of weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, fasting blood triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), glucose concentrations, and blood pressure (BP). Body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR), WC and waist to stature ratio (WSR) were calculated. Four metabolic risk factors were examined: 1) high BP; 2) high levels of TG; 3) low levels of HDL-C; 4) impaired glucose tolerance. The relationships between studied indices and risk factors were analyzed using partial correlation analyses, analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, and Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The optimal cut-off values of each obesity index were calculated using ROC analysis respectively. All obesity indices were positively associated with metabolic risk factors. Area under curve (AUC) of WC was the largest for >or= 2 risk factors after adjustment for age in both genders. Optimal cut-off points for WC were 89 cm in men, and 80.5cm, 82.5cm, and 89.5cm in < 40-yr, 40-60-yr, and > 60-yr women respectively. Waist circumference is best associated with metabolic risk factors among the studied indices in Chinese adults. Indices of abdominal obesity for older age groups tend to be higher than younger age groups in women.