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Highly polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) is transiently expressed specifically in newly generated cells, and is important for cell migration and neurite outgrowth. Developmental lead (Pb) exposure has been considered to affect the expression of PSA-NCAM, which contributes to the neurotoxicity of Pb exposure. However, the effect of maternal low-level Pb exposure on the expression of PSA-NCAM in neonatal rat pups has not been reported. In the present study, female Wistar rats were exposed to vehicle or different dosages of lead chloride (0.5-4mM PbCl2) 2 weeks before and during pregnancy. This exposure protocol resulted in neonatal rat pups blood Pb levels up to 12.12+/-0.38 microg/dl, and hippocampal Pb levels up to 9.22+/-0.81 microg/g at postnatal day 1 (PND 1). Immunohistochemistry analysis and Western blot analysis revealed that the expressions of PSA-NCAM and NCAM in the hippocampi of neonatal rat pups at PND 1 were significantly reduced by the maternal low-level Pb exposures. Furthermore, the mRNA levels of NCAM and polysialyltransferases (STX and PST), measured by the fluorescent real-time quantitative RT-PCR, dosage-dependently and significantly decreased by 13.26-37.62%, 25.17-59.67%, and 10.78-47.81%, respectively. In addition, the sialyltransferase activity in neonatal rat pups was significantly reduced by 6.23-32.50% in the presence of the low-level Pb exposure, too. Taken together, these results suggest that maternal low-level Pb exposure reduces the expression of PSA-NCAM, NCAM, and the activity of sialyltransferase in the hippocampi of neonatal rat pups, which might contribute to the learning and memory impairments in the developmental pups following maternal low-level Pb exposure.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main cause of cervical cancer. Blending multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and multiplex hybridization to liquid bead microarray (LBMA), we detected and identified 25 common HPV genotypes using type-specific primers for HPV E6 and E7 genes in cervical lesions of northern Chinese patients. Of the 511 cervical samples, 349 (68.3%) were found to be HPV positive by HPV-LBMA. The distribution was 22 HPV positive of 100 in the control group (22%), 41 of 80 with chronic cervicitis (51%), 80 of 99 with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) I (81%), 46 of 56 with CIN II (82%), 67 of 74 with CIN III (90%), and 93 of 102 with invasive cervical carcinoma (91%). HPV-16 was the most frequent genotype in the CIN and cervical cancer groups. The most common genotypes were HPV-16 (28%), HPV-58 (14%), HPV-52 (14%), HPV-18 (8%), and HPV-33 (7%) in the CIN group, and HPV-16 (63%), HPV-52 (9%), HPV-18 (7%), HPV-58 (7%), and HPV-33 (5%) in the cervical cancer group. HPV-LBMA found multiple genotypes in 1 of 22 control (4%), 64 of 193 CIN (33%), and 22 of 93 cervical cancer (24%). The HPV-LBMA results were compatible with those of PCR and DNA sequencing. HPV-LBMA is a simple, high-throughput method that provides useful information on viral genotype and multiple HPV infections in cervical lesions. In northern China, the most common high-risk HPV genotypes seem to be HPV types 16, 58, 52, 18, and 33. Genetic information on HPV in cervical specimens could provide particular benefits in the management of cervical lesions.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy-safety balance of the isopropanolic extract of Actaea (=Cimicifuga) racemosa (iCR, Remifemin) in comparison with tibolone in Chinese women with climacteric complaints., Method: The randomized, double-blind, controlled 3-month study in 5 centers of 3 cities in China enrolled 244 menopausal patients aged 40-60 years and with a Kupperman Menopause Index (KMI)>or=15. The participants were assigned to either iCR corresponding to 40 mg crude drug/day (N=122) or tibolone 2.5mg/day (N=122) orally. The primary endpoint was the combination of the Mann-Whitney values (MWV) of the KMI and the frequency of adverse events (benefit-risk balance) at end of treatment (MWV>0.5 shows superiority; MWV>0.36 shows non-inferiority)., Results: KMI decreased from 24.7+/-6.1 to 11.2+/-6.2 and 7.7+/-5.8 (iCR) and to 11.2+/-7.2 and 7.5+/-6.8 (tibolone) at 4 and 12 weeks. This remarkable and clinically relevant improvement was similar in both treatment groups (MWV=0.47; 95% CI=0.39-0.54; p(non-inferiority)=0.002) showing statistical significant non-inferiority of iCR to tibolone. The KMI-responder rate was similar in both groups (84% and 85%). The safety evaluation showed for both groups a good safety and tolerability profile, however, there is a significant lower incidence of adverse events (p<0.0001) in favor of the herbal treatment. None of the postmenopausal iCR patients experienced vaginal bleeding in contrast to tibolone (17 cases). Breast and abdominal pain as well as leukorrhea was mostly observed in the tibolone group (p=0.015, p=0.008, p=0.002). No serious adverse event was observed in the iCR-group, however, two occurred in the tibolone-group. The benefit-risk balance for iCR was significantly (p=0.01) superior to tibolone (MWV=0.56; 95% confidence interval [0.51-0.62])., Conclusion: The efficacy of iCR (medicinal product Remifemin) is as good as tibolone for the treatment of climacteric complaints, even for moderate to severe symptoms, whereby iCR is clearly superior regarding the safety profile. This iCR containing medicinal product is an excellent option for treatment of climacteric complaints which has now for the first time been verified in Asian women.

Objective: To explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a study population from a developing country., Participants and Methods: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (as most recently defined by the International Diabetes Federation) and CKD (defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate of < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and/or albuminuria) was determined in 2310 study participants (age > or =40 years) from Beijing, China, between May 12 and December 7, 2004. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and CKD was then analyzed., Results: Participants with metabolic syndrome had a higher prevalence of CKD (15.4% vs 8.3%; P<.001) than those without the syndrome. As the number of metabolic syndrome traits increased, so did the prevalence of CKD. Strong unadjusted and adjusted associations were observed between metabolic syndrome and CKD. For participants without hypertension and diabetes, metabolic syndrome was also associated with CKD (odds ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.94)., Conclusions: In these 2310 Chinese study participants aged 40 years and older, metabolic syndrome was associated with CKD.

Background: Increased carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) predicts future vascular events in the general population. However, the relationship between IMT and chronic kidney disease (CKD) seldom was tested in subjects with early-stage CKD., Study Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting & Participants: 1,046 residents in 1 district of Beijing participated in the study., Outcomes & Measurements: Carotid artery IMT was measured by means of high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the modified Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation based on data for Chinese patients with CKD. Albuminuria was evaluated by means of urinary albumin-creatinine ratio on a morning spot urine sample., Results: Compared with subjects with eGFR greater than 90 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (>1.50 mL/s/1.73 m(2)), subjects with eGFR of 60 to 89 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (1.00 to 1.49 mL/s/1.73 m(2)) and 30 to 59 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (0.50 to 0.99 mL/s/1.73 m(2)) had higher mean IMT (0.74 +/- 0.27 versus 0.82 +/- 0.30 versus 0.94 +/- 0.38 mm; P < 0.001). IMTs of subjects with albuminuria tended to be higher than the mean value (0.79 +/- 0.29 versus 0.93 +/- 0.38 mm; P < 0.001). eGFR and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio significantly correlated with IMT in univariable analysis, but not after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors., Limitations: Selection bias and low prevalence of CKD might affect the strength of the study., Conclusions: In this Chinese population older than 40 years, carotid artery IMT was significantly higher in subjects with early-stage CKD. The greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors in patients with CKD appeared to account for the higher carotid artery IMT.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health problem, while data from developing countries are limited. We sought to investigate the epidemiological features of kidney damage in metropolis-residing Chinese adults (>40 years old), and to determine the associated factors of CKD., Methods: Two thousand three hundred and fifty-three residents in one district of Beijing were interviewed and tested for albuminuria, reduced renal function, haematuria and pyuria. The associations between demographic characteristics, health characteristics and indicators of kidney damage were examined., Results: Albuminuria was detected in 6.2% of subjects; reduced renal function was found in 5.2% of subjects; haematuria was found in 0.8% and non-infective pyuria was found in 0.09%. Approximately, 11.3% (95% confidence interval: 10.0-12.8%) of subjects had at least one indicator of kidney damage. The awareness rate of CKD was only 7.2%. Systolic blood pressure and diabetes were independently associated with albuminuria. Age, diastolic blood pressure, hypercholesteraemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and hyperuricaemia were independently associated with reduced renal function., Conclusions: This is the first report on the prevalence of CKD in a community-based population within a developing country, determined using protocols recommended by kidney disease improving global outcomes (KDIGO). The prevalence of CKD in our population was close to the levels observed in developed countries, and the spectrum of CKD and associated factors were similar to developed countries. Results from this study suggest that strategies aimed at an intervention of hypertension and other metabolic disorders might prove effective in controlling the pandemic of CKD in China, as well as other developing countries.

Based on the theory of ecological footprint this paper analyzed the ecological economic system in Funing County in the view of demands of economic system to natural resource and supply of ecosystem for natural resources. It was proposed that the concept of ecological deficit (ecological remainder) per ten thousands yuan GDP be used to evaluate development of ecological economic system. With a synthesis appraisement to the ecological economic system using entire-array-polygon method combined with Ulanowicz development ability and with ecological deficit (ecological remainder) per ten thousands yuan GDP, it provides a theoretical base for reconstructing and managing of demonstration eco-region.

The degree of arterial stiffness is correlated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases and it is a powerful predictor for morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that arterial stiffness reduction is associated with an improvement in survival. Reduction of arterial stiffness by pharmacological drugs varies according to the drugs and doses used and duration of treatment. This effect on the arteries differs among the various classes of drugs and among individual drugs in the same class. Quantification of the stiffness and other properties of the arterial wall can be used to monitor the responses to therapy in individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. These measures can then be used as surrogate markers for the risk of clinical events. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is associated with an important decrease in cardiovascular risk. Findings from clinical trials support the hypothesis that the protective effects of RAS inhibition are partly independent from blood pressure reduction and related to several mechanisms including vascular protective effects. The aim of the TRanscend Arterial stiffNess Substudy (TRANS) is to assess the effect of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), telmisartan, on the arterial stiffness in a subgroup of patients from the Telmisartan Randomized Assessment Study in aCE iNtolerant subjects with cardiovascular Disease (TRANSCEND) trial. The TRANSCEND trial is an international, multicenter, randomized double blind placebo controlled trial oftelmisartan that enrolled patients at high risk for cardiovascular events. Some clinical baseline data of the TRANS substudy are reported. When completed, the results of the TRANS substudy will show whether the beneficial effects of treatment with telmisartan on cardiovascular outcome may be related to an improvement in arterial stiffness.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most serious complications of kidney disease, yet studies of CVD in early stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asian patients are very limited. Therefore, this study determined the prevalence and the spectrum of CVD in individuals with early-stage CKD and compared them with data of individuals without CKD. Compared with individuals with estimated GFR (eGFR) >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2, the prevalence of myocardial infarction, stroke, and total CVD of individuals with eGFR 60 to 89 ml/min per 1.73 m2 was increased by 91.4, 71.7, and 67.6%, respectively. For individuals with eGFR 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2, the percentage was 105.2, 289.1, and 200.7%, respectively. For each eGFR category, stroke was more prevalent than myocardial infarction. Compared with individuals with eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2, participants with eGFR 60 to 89 and 30 to 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2 tended to have more cardiovascular risk factors, and there were strong unadjusted and adjusted associations between CVD with different stages of eGFR (eGFR >90 ml/min per 1.73 m2 as reference). This is the first report on the prevalence and the spectrum of CVD in early stages of CKD in a community-based Chinese population. The spectrum of CVD in this Chinese population is different from reports of Western countries. Individuals with subtle decreased renal function seem much more likely to have multiple cardiovascular risk factors and have higher prevalence of CVD than those without CKD.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to document the characteristic sonographic findings of clonorchiasis for the diagnosis of active infection in an endemic area., Methods: In a village in northeastern China, residents underwent fecal examinations for detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs. Shortly thereafter, residents were examined with abdominal sonography. An experienced radiologist performed the sonographic examinations and analyzed the findings. Subjects whose fecal examinations were positive for eggs were considered to have active clonorchiasis; those whose examinations were negative for eggs were used as control subjects. The distinguishing sonographic features of active clonorchiasis were identified by stepwise logistic regression analysis., Results: The study population comprised 457 subjects; fecal examinations revealed C. sinensis eggs in 316 and no eggs in 141. Four sonographic findings distinguished subjects with active clonorchiasis from control subjects: increased periductal echogenicity (p < 0.001; R = 0.11; sensitivity, 35%; specificity, 91%), floating echogenic foci in the gallbladder (p < 0.001; R = 0.09; sensitivity, 28%; specificity, 94%), diffuse dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts (p < 0.01; R = 0.03; sensitivity, 67%; specificity, 48%), and gallbladder distention (p < 0.05; R = 0.02; sensitivity, 3%; specificity, 100%), in decreasing order of significance. Among these 4 sonographic findings, increased periductal echogenicity and floating echogenic foci in the gallbladder were more significantly associated with active infection than were the other 2., Conclusions: Increased periductal echogenicity and floating echogenic foci in the gallbladder were identified as the 2 most significant findings for the sonographic diagnosis of active C. sinensis infection., (Copyright 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: To establish a new diagnostic method for Down's syndrome using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)., Methods: DNA extracted from five healthy individuals and five Down's syndrome patients was amplified in six specific tetranucleotide repeat loci on chromosome 21 using PCR. An accurate diagnosis was made by analyzing allelic distribution at each locus., Results: All Down's syndrome patients were identified as having at least two loci with three alleles, while none of the healthy individuals had three alleles. In addition, when two alleles were identified for a particular locus in the Down's syndrome samples, it was more likely that the intensity ratio between the two alleles was close to 2:1., Conclusion: The molecular method can provide a fast, accurate, and economical alternation for the traditional cytogenetic diagnostic method for Down's syndrome.