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Biomedical subjects

Mei Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Mei Wang.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Ultrastructural and immunoelectron microscopic study on light chain deposition diseases and primary amyloidosis of the kidney].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of electron microscopy (EM) and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) in the diagnosis of light chain deposition diseases (LCDD) and primary amyloidosis (AL) of the kidney. METHODS Renal biopsy specimens collected in our hospital from Jan. 1994 to Feb. 2002 were studied by EM, and ultrastructural immunogold labeling for light chains (kappa, Lambda) were made on the cases suggested of LCDD and early stage AL in the preliminary diagnosis. RESULTS: Six cases were diagnosed as LCDD, and punctate, granular, electron-dense material was identified in the outside of tubular basement membrane (TBM), inner layer of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and vascular walls by EM. Two of which showed interrupted segmental localization of granular material in subendothelial areas of GBM. The granular material was labeled by monotypical light chains (4 cases of kappa chain, 2 cases of Lambda chain). Thirty-six cases were diagnosed as AL. EM revealed fibrillary material distributed in glomerular mesangium, GBM and vascular walls; 15 of them showed segmental distribution of fibrils in mesangium and/or GBM, and were further studied by IEM labeling for light chains. The fibrillary material was labeled by monotypical light chains (4 cases of kappa chain, 11 cases of Lambda chain). CONCLUSION The diagnosis of renal LCDD and early stage of AL depended on EM, IEM is a unique diagnostic tool in early stage of LCDD and AL.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[A 3-amino acid deletion of apolipoprotein E found in 3 Chinese lipoprotein glomerulopathy patients].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the mutation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene so as to investigate the pathogenesis of lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG). METHODS: Restriction fragment length polymorphism methods was used to analyze the apoE genotypes of three Chinese patients with LPG and 3 of their relatives. Automated DNA sequencing was performed upon their apoE genes. RESULTS: A 9-bp deletion in exon 4 of apoE, resulting in a 3-amino acid deletion (residues 142-144-0) was identified. CONCLUSION: A 3-amino acid deletion of apoE has been discovered which is associated with LPG.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Peak early diastolic mitral annulus velocity by tissue Doppler imaging adds independent and incremental prognostic value.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to ascertain if left ventricular mitral annulus velocities measured by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) are more powerful predictors of outcome compared with clinical data and standard Doppler-echocardiographic parameters. BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler imaging of basal or mitral annulus velocities provides rapid assessment of ventricular long axis function. But it is not known if TDI-derived velocities in systole and diastole add incremental value and are superior to the standard Doppler-echocardiographic measurements as a predictor of outcome. METHODS: The study population consisted of 518 subjects, 353 with cardiac disease and 165 normal subjects who had full Doppler two-dimensional-echocardiographic studies with measurement of mitral inflow velocities in early and late diastole, E-wave deceleration time (DT), peak systolic mitral annular velocity (Sm) early and late diastolic mitral annular velocity (Em and Am) by TDI, early diastolic flow propagation velocity, and standard chamber dimensions. All subjects were followed up for two years. The end point was cardiac death. RESULTS: Tissue Doppler imaging mitral annulus systolic and diastolic velocities were all significantly lower in the non-survivors (all p < 0.05) as was DT (p = 0.024). In the Cox model the best predictors of mortality were Em, Sm, Am, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, and left atrial diameter in systole (LADs). By backward stepwise analysis Em and LADs were the strongest predictors. After forcing the TDI measurements into the covariate model with clinical and mitral DT <0.16 s, Em provided significant incremental value for predicting cardiac mortality (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Mitral annulus velocity measured by TDI in early diastole gives incremental predictive power for cardiac mortality compared to clinical data and standard echocardiographic measurements. This easily available measurement adds significant value in the clinical management of cardiac patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Value of radiotherapy after radical surgery for esophageal carcinoma: a report of 495 patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite three decades of debate, no conclusion has been reached concerning the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy for resected esophageal carcinoma. From 1986 through 1997, a prospective randomized study was carried out with 495 patients in an attempt to define the value of this therapeutic modality. METHODS: A total of 495 patients with esophageal cancer who had undergone radical resection were randomized by the envelope method into a surgery-alone group (S) of 275 patients and a surgery plus radiotherapy group (S + R) of 220 patients. Radiation treatment was started 3 to 4 weeks after the operation. The portals encompassed the entire mediastinum and bilateral supraclavicular areas. A midplane dose of 50 to 60 Gy in 25 to 30 fractions was delivered over 5 to 6 weeks. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 31.7% for the S group and 41.3% (p = 0.4474) for the S + R group. The 5-year survival rates of patients who were lymph node positive were 14.7% and 29.2% (p = 0.0698), respectively. Five-year survival rates of stage III patients were 13.1% and 35.1% (p = 0.0027), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative prophylactic radiotherapy improved the 5-year survival rate in esophageal cancer patients with positive lymph node metastases and in patients with stage III disease compared with similar patients who did not receive radiation therapy. These results were almost significant for patients with positive lymph node metastases and highly significant for patients with stage III disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling in relation to ACE and angiotensinogen genes genotypes in Chinese dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphisms of the angiotensinogen (AGT) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genes are associated with increased risk of hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive subjects. However, the extent to which these polymorphisms are related to LVH and remodeling in dialysis patients remains unknown. METHODS: Two hundred and forty-six end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on peritoneal dialysis and 183 control subjects, all of Chinese origin, were genotyped for the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) and the AGT M235T gene polymorphisms. Left ventricular mass index (LVMi) and relative wall thickness were measured using echocardiography. RESULTS: Prevalence of ACE DD and AGT TT genotype was 14% and 83%, respectively, in ESRD patients and did not differ significantly from controls. A total percentage of 95% of our patients had LVH (171 with concentric and 63 with eccentric hypertrophy). Adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, duration of dialysis, diabetes, renal diagnosis, hematocrit, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, dialysis urea clearance, residual glomerular filtration rate, and use of converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, AGT TT genotype remained independently associated with greater LVMi (coefficient = 28.73; 95% CI, 5.72 to 51.75; P = 0.015) and relative wall thickness (coefficient = 0.072; 95% CI, 0.022 to 0.122; P = 0.005) than MT/MM genotypes. LVMi and relative wall thickness did not differ significantly among patients with DD, DI, and II genotypes. No statistical significant interaction was noted between ACE and AGT gene polymorphism in relation to LVMi and relative wall thickness. CONCLUSION: Polymorphism of the AGT M235T gene but not ACE I/D gene is associated with greater LVMi and relative wall thickness, indicating more concentric LVH, in Chinese peritoneal dialysis patients. Possible synergistic effects between AGT and ACE gene polymorphism require further evaluation in a larger population.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Important factors other than dialysis adequacy associated with inadequate dietary protein and energy intakes in patients receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Anorexia that results in inadequate nutrient intake is considered one of the most important causes of malnutrition in dialysis patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine factors other than dialysis adequacy that are associated with inadequate protein and energy intakes in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. DESIGN: Dietary protein and energy intakes were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire in 266 patients, and factors other than dialysis adequacy that are potentially associated with reductions in energy and protein intakes were examined. RESULTS: Only 39% of the patients had protein intakes > or = 1.2 g x kg(- 1) x d(- 1), and 26% had energy intakes > or = 126 kJ x kg(- 1) x d(- 1). Other than having a greater total urea clearance and glomerular filtration rate, patients with protein intakes > or = 1.2, as opposed to < 1.2, g x kg(- 1) x d(- 1) had lower high-sensitive C-reactive protein concentrations and fewer complications with volume overload (29% compared with 46%; P = 0.006). Patients with energy intakes > or = 126, as opposed to < 126, kJ x kg(- 1) x d(- 1) were younger, had lower high-sensitive C-reactive protein concentrations, and had a lower prevalence of diabetes (P = 0.006), atherosclerotic vascular disease (P = 0.020), and history of volume overload (P = 0.013). Multiple regression analysis showed that other than increasing age, diabetes, and total urea clearance, having a history of volume overload was independently associated with a 0.22-g x kg(- 1) x d(- 1)decrease in protein (P = 0.001) and a 13.07-kJ x kg(- 1) x d(- 1) decrease in energy intake (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: An important yet unrecognized association was observed between a history of volume overload and dietary intake in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

14-3-3 isoforms and pattern formation during barley microspore embryogenesis.

The members of the 14-3-3 isoform family have been shown to be developmentally regulated during animal embryogenesis, where they take part in cell differentiation processes. 14-3-3 isoform-specific expression patterns were studied in plant embryogenic processes, using barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) microspore embryogenesis as a model system. After embryogenesis induction by stress, microspores with enlarged morphology showed higher viability than non-enlarged ones. Following microspore culture, cell division was only observed among the enlarged microspores. Western blot and immunolocalization of three barley 14-3-3 isoforms, 14-3-3A, 14-3-3B and 14-3-3C were carried out using isoform-specific antibodies. The level of 14-3-3C protein was higher in enlarged microspores than in non-enlarged ones. A processed form of 14-3-3A was associated with the death pathway of the non-enlarged microspores. In the early embryogenesis stage, 14-3-3 subcellular localization differed among dividing and non-dividing microspores and the microspore-derived multicellular structures showed a polarized expression pattern of 14-3-3C and a higher 14-3-3A signal in epidermis primordia. In the late embryogenesis stage, 14-3-3C was specifically expressed underneath the L(1) layer of the shoot apical meristem and in the scutellum of embryo-like structures (ELSs). 14-3-3C was also expressed in the scutellum and underneath the L(1) layer of the shoot apical meristem of 21 d after pollination (DAP) zygotic embryos. These results reveal that 14-3-3A processing and 14-3-3C isoform tissue-specific expression are closely related to cell fate and initiation of specific cell type differentiation, providing a new insight into the study of 14-3-3 proteins in plant embryogenesis.

14-3-3 Proteins↗
PubMed2003

Despite in vitro increase in cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations, intracarotid nitroprusside fails to augment cerebral blood flow of healthy baboons.

BACKGROUND: During cerebral angiography, intracarotid infusion of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), an endothelium-independent nitric oxide donor, fails to increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) of human subjects. A confounding effect of intracranial pathology or that of radiocontrast could not be ruled out in these experiments. The authors hypothesized that, if nitric oxide was a significant regulator of CBF of primates, then intracarotid SNP will augment CBF of baboons. METHODS: In studies, CBF (intraarterial (133)Xe technique) was measured in healthy baboons during isoflurane anesthesia at (1) baseline and during (2) induced hypertension with intravenous phenylephrine, (3) concurrent infusions of intravenous phenylephrine and intracarotid SNP, and (4) intracarotid verapamil (positive control drug). In studies, the authors measured tissue cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by radioimmunoassay after incubating vascular rings obtained from freshly killed baboons (1) with increasing concentrations of SNP and (2) after SNP exposure following preincubation with the radiocontrast agent, iohexhol. RESULTS: In the studies, coinfusion of intravenous phenylephrine and intracarotid SNP did not increase CBF. However, intracarotid verapamil significantly increased CBF (from 26 +/- 7 to 43 +/- 11 ml x 100 g(-1) x min(-1); P < 0.0001) without a change in mean arterial pressure. In the studies, incubation of intracranial arterial rings in SNP resulted in dose-dependent increases in cGMP concentrations. A similar increase in cGMP content was evident despite iohexhol preincubation. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these results suggest that, in healthy baboons, intracarotid SNP does not decrease arteriolar resistance, although SNP could affect proximal arterial tone, as demonstrated by the increase in cGMP content of these vessels.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Comparison of intracarotid and intravenous propofol for electrocerebral silence in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: The high lipid solubility that permits rapid transfer across the blood-brain barrier makes propofol attractive for intracarotid injection. The authors hypothesized that intracarotid injection produces electrocerebral silence at a fraction of the intravenous dose and with less adverse systemic and cerebrovascular side effects. METHODS: The authors compared the systemic and cerebrovascular effects of intracarotid and intravenous propofol during transient (10 s) and sustained (1 h) electrocerebral silence in anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits. Hemispheric electrocerebral activity, mean arterial blood pressure, ipsilateral and contralateral cerebral blood flow, tympanic temperature, and end-tidal carbon dioxide were continuously monitored in these animals. Changes in outcome variables were analyzed at four time points: at baseline, during electrical silence, during burst suppression, and after recovery of electrocerebral activity. Propofol (1%) was injected as intracarotid (0.1 ml) or intravenous (0.5 ml) boluses. RESULTS: Intracarotid propofol produced electrocerebral silence at one fifth (sustained silence) to one tenth (transient silence) of the intravenous dose. Compared with baseline values, the mean arterial pressure and ipsilateral cerebral blood flow remained unchanged or decreased transiently during electrocerebral silence with intracarotid propofol. In contrast, intravenous propofol resulted in systemic hypotension and a decrease in ipsilateral cerebral blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: Intracarotid propofol resulted in electrocerebral silence at a fraction of the intravenous dose that was not associated with systemic hypotension or a sustained decrease in the cerebral blood flow. Intracarotid propofol could be potentially useful for providing electrocerebral silence when cerebral perfusion is at risk.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2003

Cardiac valve calcification as an important predictor for all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients: a prospective study.

Calcification complications are frequent among long-term dialysis patients. However, the prognostic implication of cardiac valve calcification in this population is not known. This study aimed to determine if cardiac valve calcification predicts mortality in long-term dialysis patients. Baseline echocardiography was performed in 192 patients (mean +/- SD age, 55 +/- 12 yr) on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (mean +/- SD duration of dialysis, 39 +/- 31 mo) to screen for calcification of the aortic valve, mitral valve, or both. Valvular calcification was present in 62 patients. During the mean follow-up of 17.9 mo (range, 0.6 to 33.9 mo), 46 deaths (50% of cardiovascular causes) were observed. Overall 1-yr survival was 70% and 93% for patients with and without valvular calcification (P < 0.0001, log-rank test). Cardiovascular mortality was 22% and 3% for patients with and without valvular calcification (P < 0.0001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that cardiac valve calcification was predictive of an increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 2.50; 95% CI, 1.32 to 4.76; P = 0.005) and cardiovascular death (HR 5.39; 95% CI, 2.16 to 13.48; P = 0.0003) independent of age, male gender, dialysis duration, C-reactive protein, diabetes, and atherosclerotic vascular disease. Eighty-nine percent of patients with both valvular calcification and atherosclerotic vascular disease, 23% of patients with valvular calcification only, 21% of patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease only, and 13% of patients with neither complication died at 1-yr (P < 0.0005). The cardiovascular death rate was 85% for patients with both complications, 13% for patients with valvular calcification only, 14% for patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease only, and 5% for those with neither complication (P < 0.0005). The number of calcified valves was associated with all-cause mortality (P < 0.0005) and cardiovascular death (P < 0.0005). One-year all-cause mortality was 57% for patients with both aortic and mitral valves calcified, 40% for those with either valve calcified, and 15% for those with neither valve calcified. In conclusion, cardiac valve calcification is a powerful predictor for mortality and cardiovascular deaths in long-term dialysis patients. Valvular calcification by itself has similar prognostic importance as the presence of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Its coexistence with other atherosclerotic complications indicates more severe disease and has the worst outcome.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Is a single time point C-reactive protein predictive of outcome in peritoneal dialysis patients?

C-reactive protein is the prototype marker of inflammation and has been shown to predict mortality in hemodialysis patients. However, it remains uncertain as to whether a single C-reactive protein level has similar prognostic significance in peritoneal dialysis patients. A single high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level was measured in 246 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients without active infections at study baseline together with indices of dialysis adequacy, echocardiographic parameters (left ventricular mass index, left ventricular dimensions, and ejection fraction), nutrition markers (serum albumin, dietary intake, and subjective global assessment) and biochemical parameters (hemoglobin, lipids, calcium, and phosphate). The cohort was then followed-up prospectively for a median of 24 mo (range, 2 to 34 mo), and outcomes were studied in relation to these parameters. Fifty-nine patients died (36 from cardiovascular causes) during the follow-up period. The median hs-CRP level was 2.84 mg/L (range, 0.20 to 94.24 mg/L). Patients were stratified into tertiles according to baseline hs-CRP, namely those with hs-CRP < or = 1.26 mg/L, 1.27 to 5.54 mg/L, and > or = 5.55 mg/L. Those with higher hs-CRP were significantly older (P < 0.001), had greater body mass index (P < 0.001), higher prevalence of coronary artery disease (P = 0.003), and greater left ventricular mass index (P < 0.001). One-year overall mortality was 3.9% (lower) versus 8.8% (middle) versus 21.3% (upper tertile) (P < 0.0001). Cardiovascular death rate was 2.7% (lower) versus 5.2% (middle) versus 16.2% (upper tertile) (P < 0.0001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that every 1 mg/L increase in hs-CRP was independently predictive of higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.04; P = 0.002) and cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.05; P = 0.001) in peritoneal dialysis patients. Other significant predictors for all-cause mortality included age (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10), gender (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.90), atherosclerotic vascular disease (HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.46 to 4.80), left ventricular mass index (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.01) and residual GFR (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.75). Age (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10), history of heart failure (HR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.36 to 8.08), atherosclerotic vascular disease (HR, 3.20; 95% CI, 1.43 to 7.13), and residual GFR (HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.86) were also independently predictive of cardiovascular mortality. In conclusion, a single, random hs-CRP level has significant and independent prognostic value in PD patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

What risks are Chinese people concerned about?

The aim of this study is to investigate public perceived risk on various issues in present-day China. Two surveys were conducted in urban China in 1996 and 1998. In the first survey, risk perceptions of different occupational groups are compared. Gender differences within each occupational group are also analyzed. In the second survey, participants with diverse employment status were recruited. The overall risk rankings of both surveys indicate great concern with risks that threaten national stability and economic development, and less concern with high-technology risk such as threat from a nuclear power plant. It is also found that employees from high-profit firms are more concerned about macroscopic catastrophic risks, whereas laid-off workers and employees from money-losing enterprises are more concerned about daily life or self-concerned risks. The importance of actual exposure to risk, mass media coverage, culture, and psychometric dimensions are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The acute cerebrovascular effects of intracarotid adenosine in nonhuman primates.

UNLABELLED: In this study we sought to determine the acute cerebrovascular effects of intracarotid adenosine by using real-time cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurements in nonhuman primates. The internal carotid arteries of healthy anesthetized baboons were transfemorally cannulated. Changes in CBF were continuously measured at baseline and with 6 increasing doses of adenosine (0.002 to 1.5 mg/min) by use of an intraparenchymal thermal diffusion (TD) probe. Each infusion lasted 5 min. At baseline and at the largest dose of adenosine, CBF was also determined by the intraarterial (133)Xe technique. TD measurements revealed a dose-dependent increase in CBF from 32 +/- 6 mL x l00 g(-1) x min(-1) at baseline to 90 +/- 38 mL x l00 g(-1) x min(-1) with the largest dose of adenosine (n = 5; P < 0.0001). A similar magnitude of increase in CBF was also observed with (133)Xe CBF measurements. No significant increases in intracranial pressure or adverse systemic hemodynamic side effects were observed during adenosine infusion. The increase in CBF after adenosine lasted only for the duration of drug infusion. In conclusion, the transient cerebrovascular effects of intracarotid adenosine make it suitable for a trial of intraarterial vasodilator therapy and for controlled manipulation of cerebrovascular resistance. IMPLICATIONS: Using a real-time cerebral blood flow (CBF) measurement technique, we evaluated the acute cerebrovascular effects of intracarotid adenosine in anesthetized baboons. The increase in CBF lasted only for the duration of the adenosine infusion. Adenosine might be a suitable drug for trial as an intraarterial vasodilator for the treatment of cerebral vasospasm.

Adenosine↗
PubMed2003

Sleep and neurobehavioral characteristics of 5- to 7-year-old children with parentally reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the hypothesis that domains of neurobehavioral function would be selectively affected by sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Therefore, we assessed potential relationships between objectively measured sleep disturbances and neurobehavioral function in children with reported symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and also determined the incidence of snoring and other sleep problems in 5- to 7-year-old children in the local community and potential relationships to parental snoring and passive smoking. METHODS: Parents of 5- to 7-year-old children in public schools were surveyed about their child's sleeping habits using a validated questionnaire. The questionnaire also asked whether they believed their child to be hyperactive or have ADHD. Children with reported symptoms of ADHD and control children were randomly selected and invited to the Sleep Medicine Center for an overnight polysomnographic assessment and a battery of neurocognitive tests. RESULTS: The questionnaire response rate was 47.6% (n = 5728). Frequent and loud snoring was reported for 673 children (11.7%). Similarly, 418 (7.3%) children were reported to have hyperactivity/ADHD, 313 (76.5%) of which were boys. Eighty-three children with parentally reported symptoms of ADHD were invited for full evaluation at the Sleep Medicine Center together with 34 control children. After assessment with the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, 44 children were designated as having "significant" symptoms of ADHD, 27 as "mild," and 39 designated as "none" (controls). Overnight polysomnography indicated that obstructive sleep apnea was present in 5% of those with significant ADHD symptoms, 26% of those with mild symptoms, and 5% of those with no symptoms. In the cohort, no sleep variable accounted for more than a negligible proportion of the variance in domains of neurobehavioral function. CONCLUSIONS: An unusually high prevalence of snoring was identified among a group of children designated as showing mild symptoms of ADHD based on the Conners' ADHD index identified from a community sample. However, whereas SDB is not more likely to occur among children with significant ADHD symptoms, it is significantly highly prevalent among children with mild hyperactive behaviors. Sleep studies further revealed that rapid eye movement disturbances are more likely to occur in children with significant symptoms, and they seem to impose significant but mild effects on daytime neurobehavioral functioning. We conclude that in children with significant symptoms of ADHD, the prevalence of SDB is not different from that of the general pediatric population and that rapid eye movement sleep in these children is disturbed and may contribute to the severity of their behavioral manifestations. Furthermore, SDB can lead to mild ADHD-like behaviors that can be readily misperceived and potentially delay the diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2003

[Study on subcretin in 8 minorities of Yunnan province].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of subcretins in 8 minorities of Yunnan province and to provide scientific basis for public health policy-making, as well as for prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. METHODS: Four thousand two hundred and twenty-two minority school children aged 8-12 years selected from 29 schools in 8 minority counties were measured by Combined Raven's Test in China (CRT-C(2)) and Jinyi Psychomotor test Battery (JPB). RESULTS: Average of intelligence quotient (IQ) on 4,222 children was 91 +/- 19. Among 277 pupils with IQ between 55 - 69, 119 of them showed abnormal on JPB test and 5.4% of the children was found to have Goiter under ultrasonography. Median level of urinary iodine was 466.9 microg/L, and the qualified rate of iodized salt was 94.9%. CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence rate of subcretin was 2.8%.

Child↗
PubMed2003

An auxology-based growth hormone program: update on the Australian experience.

In 1988, new guidelines for growth hormone (GH) usage emphasizing auxological criteria were adopted in Australia. Currently, 1,250 children with the following diagnoses are being treated: idiopathic GH deficiency (IGHD), 23.4%; malignancy-related GHD, 7.9%; Turner's syndrome, 12.1%; nonendocrine disorders, 22.2%; idiopathic short stature, 26.0%; endocrine disorders, 3.2%; unknown, 5.3%. At onset of GH therapy, mean age remained lowest in patients with IGHD (8.6 years); mean height SDS was unchanged over time in all groups (-2.8 to -3.3); mean GH doses were lowest for patients with idiopathic and malignancy-related GHD (0.15-0.16 mg/kg/week) and highest for the Turner's syndrome group (0.22 mg/kg/week). Children with GHD demonstrated the best final height outcome (mean final height SDS -1.0 +/- 1.1 for boys and -1.4 +/- 1.2 for girls; improvements of 2.0 SDS for both genders). Mean final height SDS for the other etiologies were similar: -2 in malignancy-related GHD (no improvement), -2.3 in nonendocrine disorders (improvement of 0.7), -1.8 in idiopathic short stature (improvement of 1.1), and -2.3 for Turner's syndrome (improvement of 0.9). In 1993-94, when more stringent entry and exit criteria were introduced, patient numbers and expenditure were halved and have remained unchanged (US dollars 9-10 M per year). The use of auxology-based criteria continues to make possible rational, effective, and economical use of GH therapy in short children in Australia.

Age Determination by Skeleton↗
PubMed2003

[The clinicopathological features of early renal amyloidosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological manifestations of early renal amyloidosis (AL) and its diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Fifteen cases with early renal amyloidosis admitted from 1994 to 2001 were collected from the hospital, and their clinical and pathological features were reviewed. Of them, the initial diagnoses were not made by depending findings from the light microscopy (LM) and immunofluorescense (IF), but confirmed by electron microscopy (EM) afterwards. Immuno-electron microscopy (IEM) were applied for amyloidosis typing. RESULTS: Most patients of early renal AL were in the middle to old age. Nephrotic syndrome was the most prominent symptoms and signs accompanying with rare microscopic hematuria and hypertension. Most of them had a normal renal function. Pathological examinations of renal biopsies using LM and IF showed mild mesangial proliferation and mild thickening of glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Immunoglobulins and complements were negative or only scanty in certain cases, but in all cases there was a light chain protein deposition homogeously. There were 4 cases of minimal change glomerulopathy, 5 cases of mild mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, 5 cases of stage I membranous nephropathy, and 1 case of cast nephropathy diagnosed with LM. The amyloid fibrils (diameter 8 - 10 nm) were randomly distributed in the mesangium, along GBM and at the arteriolar wall under EM. Additionally, Congo red staining was positive. IEM demonstrated that amyloid fibrils labeled with colloid gold was combined with a kind of light chain protein which was confirmed as the light chain type of AL. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of early renal AL was occasionally neglected by depending only findings of LM and LF. However, special amyloid fibrils can be detected using EM. EM observation is an indispensable technique for the diagnosis of early renal AL and the typing of AL may further be determined by using IEM.

Adult↗