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Hakka and Chaoshanese are two unique Han populations residing in southern China but with northern Han (NH) cultural traditions and linguistic influences. Although most of historical records indicate that both populations migrated from northern China in the last two thousand years, no consensus on their origins has been reached so far. To shed more light on the origins of Hakka and Chaoshanese, mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of 170 Hakka from Meizhou and 102 Chaoshanese from Chaoshan area, Guangdong Province, were analyzed. Our results show that some southern Chinese predominant haplogroups, e.g. B, F, and M7, have relatively high frequencies in both populations. Although median network analyses show that Hakka/Chaoshanese share some haplotypes with NH, interpopulation comparison reveals that both populations show closer affinity with southern Han (SH) populations than with NH. In consideration of previous results from nuclear gene (including Y chromosome) research, it is likely that matrilineal landscapes of both Hakka and Chaoshanese have largely been shaped by the local people during their migration southward and/or later colonization in southern China, and factors such as cultural assimilation, patrilocality, and even sex-bias in the immigrants might have played important roles during the process.

To investigate the correlation between 18F-FDG standard uptake value (SUV) and expression of GLUT1, MVD and Ki67 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Thirty-three patients with non-small cell lung cancer received preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT examination and underwent surgery. The expression of GLUT1, MVD and Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemstry. The correlation between the SUV of 18F-FDG PET-CT and the immunohistochemical results of the three above mentioned parameters was analyzed.Of the 33 NSCLC patients, 21 were in stage I, 4 in stage II and 8 in stage IIIa. Positive expression of GLUT1 was found in 22 cases (66.7%, 12 adenocarcinomas and 10 squamous cell carcinomas), and negative expression in 11 cases (10 adenocarcinomas and 1 squamous cell carcinoma). Twenty-four patients (72.7%) showed positive expression of Ki67 (13 adenocarcinomas and 11 squamous cell carcinomas), and other 9 (adenocarcinomas) had negative expression. The positive expression rate of CD34 in this series was 100.0% with a mean MVD of 12.6 +/- 2.9.SUV of 18F-FDG PET-CT is linearly correlated with the expression of GLUT1, but not with the expression of Ki67 or MVD. The expression of GLUT1, Ki67 and CD34 is not correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis.

To observe whether the community-based management for patients with hypertension can reduce the incidence of stroke.Sample of this study included 36 863 people aged 35 years or more who came from a cohort consisting three communities from Tiantan Hospital, Puren Hospital and the Gymnasium Road Hospital in Beijing, based on the surveys on the Integrated Community Intervention Measures of Cerebro-vascular Diseases. Some patients with hypertension in this cohort were followed up and under management. First-ever stroke was considered as the end-point event.In both groups diagnosed as borderline hypertension or definite hypertension group, the rates of management and control showed an annual increase. The management rate for women was higher, but the control rate was lower (P0.05) than that for men. In the third year of this study, the control rate was nearly 18%. With the qualification of control rate, the risk factors of overall stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke reduced gradually, and the qualification of control rate showed more effects on hemorrhagic stroke. The qualification of control rate in the three years could cause the risk factors of total stroke, ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke to reduce by 25.7%, 19.1%, 27.4%, respectively. When comparing with blood pressure level at160/95 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), the level of140/90 mm Hg could reduce the risk factors as: 12.3% to total stroke, 12.8% to ischemic stroke and 14.9% to hemorrhagic stroke.Programs as long-term followed-up and management for patients with hypertension, and control the blood pressure at low level etc. could significantly reduce the incidence of stroke.

To evaluate the effect of a long-term community-based intervention program on risk factors of stroke among people with different risk factors.In 1987,2 geographically separated communities with 10 000 registered residents of each, were selected as either intervention or control communities in Beijing and Changsha. A cohort containing 2700 subjects at the age of 35 years or older,and free of stroke were sampled from each community. The baseline survey was conducted to screen the subjects at high risk for intervention and there were 5319 and 5506 subjects enrolled in intervention and control cohorts,respectively. Then,a program for controlling the risk factors of stroke was initiated in the intervention cohort and health education was provided to the whole intervention community. A follow-up survey was conducted in 1999. The information on incidence and mortality of stroke was collected.Comparing with the control cohort, the risk of incidence and mortality of stroke decreased by 22 % ( HR = 0.78,95 % CI:0. 66-0.92) and 73 % (HR = 0.27,95 % CI:0. 17-0.42) in intervention cohort. The risks of stroke were lower in intervention cohort than in control cohort among almost all of the sub-groups with or without risk factors of stroke except for being male,current smokers and current alcohol drinkers. The risk of death caused by stroke decreased significantly in those with or without the risk factors of stroke.The long-term community intervention on the risk factors of stroke could effectively reduce the risk of incidence and mortality of stroke among people with or without the risk factors of stroke. More attention should be paid to the males and those who smoke or drink alcohol.

Summary In this review, we examine the current status of stroke epidemiology, prevention, and management strategies in mainland China. The main findings suggested that total age-adjusted incidence of first-ever stroke in China is not very different from that in developed countries. Stroke incidence, mortality, and prevalence varied widely among different regions within China, with a noticeable north–south gradient. The proportion of intracerebral haemorrhage was high and reached 55% in one city. Hypertension is the most important risk factor for stroke. The mass approach combined with a high-risk approach for stroke prevention showed encouraging effects, and various unconventional local therapeutic traditions are commonly used to treat stroke in China. Several national guidelines on stroke prevention and treatment have been developed. Because of methodological limitations in the epidemiology studies, data are unreliable in terms of making any firm conclusions. Up-to-date, well-designed, and well-done epidemiological studies and therapeutic trials in China are urgently needed.

To investigate the diagnosis,treatment and requirement of epilepsy patients in some urban communities in China, and to provide the evidence of searching for effective treatment and management on epilepsy under the China's context.A face-to-face survey were conducted in 3 urban communities in Shanghai, Beijing and Changsha, respectively. The questions in the questionniare were general information, hospital visit, treatment, the level and way of getting on the knowledge of epilepsy, as well as the current obstacles and needs.Most of the patients selected the regular hospitals (90.8%) and the departments (92.3%) for their epielspy diagnosis and treatment. They used AEDs modo dictu (77.4%), and had controlled the seizures quite well (82.6%). A small part of patients still could not deeply understand the basic knowledge on epilepsy (13.5%). They ignored to follow up the drug concentration (45.8%) in blood and the blood biocheminstry indicators (43.9%). Some patients went to private clinics (12.9%) and used lay people remedies (7.7%). Longtime waiting (36.8%), inconvenient traffic (23.2%), and high expenses (22.6%) were the main problems influencing the timely treatment. The main obstacles of the patients were employment (47.2%), marriage (29.9%), psychological conditions (44.4%) and interpersonal relationship (29.9%). The main requirements were the effectiveness (87.0%) and cheap AEDs (40.9%) as well as the convenience of hospital visit (37.0%).It is very important to emphasize knowledge and publicity/education on epilepsy as well as the psychological treatment according to the requirements of patients.

To explore the relationship between metabolic syndrome and stroke in Chinese people.Data were presented for 23080 men and 25553 women aged more than 15 years old from National Nutrition and Health Survey, 2002. Metabolic syndrome definition was recommended by the CDS.The metabolic syndrome was significantly related with stroke( OR = 5.998,95% C14.799 - 7.496) in univariate logistic analysis, after being adjusted for age, sex, area, education, physical activity smoking and drinking, the relationship still exists between the metabolic syndrome and stroke( OR = 3.114,95 % CI ,2.432 - 3.987) . Among the component conditions, hypertension was the most leading factor associated with stroke. And individual with more components has more possibility to be affiliated with stroke (P0.0001).The metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with stroke in Chinese people, the metabolic syndrome and its' components should be prevented to avoid the prevalence of stroke in Chinese.

To demonstrate the application of Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY) as an aid in health outcome measures to evaluate the epilepsy disease burden in rural China and to provide Chinese data to achieve a better understanding of disease burden due to epilepsy.The DALY is the sum of the number of years of survival with disability (Years Lived with Disability, YLD) and the number of years lost because of premature mortality (Years of Life Lost, YLL). We calculated the YLD based on the prevalence survey of epilepsy among 66,393 people sampled in Heilongjiang, Henan, Jiangsu, Ningxia, Shanghai, and Shanxi provinces in 2000. The epilepsy mortality data from Chinese literature provided the YLL due to epilepsy. We applied sensitivity analysis to evaluate the influence of uncertainty on the epilepsy mortality value and disability weight in the study.In 2000, epilepsy caused 1.83 and 2.48 DALY lost per 1,000 population in Henan and Ningxia province, which had the lowest and the highest DALY lost among the six study areas. Overall, epilepsy caused 1.41 YLLs and 0.67 YLDs per 1,000 population; thus the DALYs lost because of epilepsy was 2.08 per 1,000 population, representing the epilepsy disease burden in rural China.The DALY measure, which includes the extent of disability from epilepsy, provides a useful tool for the epilepsy disease burden assessment. The disease burden of epilepsy in China is considered higher than previous estimations.

To evaluate the efficacy of phenobarbital in treatment of patients with convulsive forms of epilepsy in rural areas and to develop a suitable relevant model for rural China.A demonstration protocol was conducted in the rural areas of 8 counties from 6 provinces and municipality in China, Heilongjiang, Ningxia, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanxi, and Shanghai from December 2001 to June 2004. Epidemiological investigation of the prevalence and treatment gap of epilepsy was carried out. Patients with convulsive forms of epilepsy thus screened underwent treatment of phenobarbital. Physicians of township hospitals received short-term training to be in charge of the treatment and regular follow-up of the patients.A total of 2455 patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures in these 6 rural areas were screened and entered the treatment group. 347 patients (26.2%) had been seizure-free during the period of these 2 years, 415 patients (31.3%) had their seizure frequencies decreased by75% as compared with those during the period of 6 months before treatment, and the conditions of 26.1% of the patients did not change or even became worse. About 26.1% of the patients had mild side effects, 3.7% had moderate side effects, and only 0.3% had severe side effects when the dosage of phenobarbital in the first 3 months was increased. 597 patients (24.3%) withdrew from the treatment group because of various reasons.This protocol was suitable to the rural areas of China. The trained physicians are capable of fulfilling the task to treat the patients with epilepsy. Phenobarbital is an effective drug for most patients with convulsive seizures and has no severe side effect.

To observe the bone specimen of SANFH (steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head) and the effect of Gufuhuo decoction on local apoptosis of SANFH.Model rabbits of necrosis of femoral head, made by intragluteal injection with prednisone acetate, were killed after 6 weeks to study the apoptosis by means of TUNEL.A great number of faded osteocytes and osteoblasts existed in specimen of SANFH. There was significant difference in apoptosis indexes between model and control group, Gufuhuo decoction and Xianlinggubao group (P0.05).In the course of SANFH, the necrosis results from the interaction of apoptosis and necrosis of steroid-induced osteocytes and osteoblasts. Gufuhuo decoction has some effects on improving apoptosis and necrosis of SANFH.

Clinical manifestations, outcomes, prognostic indicators, and clinico-epidemiological subgroups were described based on the information of 71 patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), who were identified from a prospective survey in Harbin, China during a 1-year period from 1 October 1997 to 30 September 1998. GBS diagnoses of the patients were validated by senior neurologists and most patients were followed up for 6 months after onset. Antecedent events, mainly respiratory infections, were found in 55 (78%) patients during the month before onset. The clinical features, like motor weakness as initial symptoms (82%) and tendon areflexia or hyporeflexia (100%), are similar to those reported from other populations. However, the proportion (70%) of patients reaching to nadir less than 7 days after onset was rather high. Intravenous human immunoglobulin and/or plasmapheresis were used in 45% of the patients and steroids in 58%. At 6 months after onset, 82% of the patients could walk without aid, 46% of the patients had no any residual signs. Four (6%) patients died within 1 month due to respiratory failure. Three subgroups with different clinico-epidemiological characteristics were identified by using cluster analysis. In conclusion, GBS patients in Harbin, China were younger, had shorter time to nadir, frequently preceded by a respiratory infection, and often treated with steroids. Clinical and epidemiological differences of GBS might exist between various populations.

To evaluate the community-based intervention on reduction of hypertension and stroke in different age groups and subtypes hypertension.In 6 cities, 2 geographically separated communities with a registered population about 10 000 of each were selected as either intervention or control communities. A cohort containing 2 700 subjects, 35 years or older, and free of stroke were sampled from each community. The baseline survey was conducted to screen the subjects for intervention. In each city, a program for control of hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes was initiated in the intervention cohort and health education was provided to the whole intervention community. A follow-up survey was conducted 3 years later.Within 3 years, the prevalence of hypertension increased in both intervention and control cohorts, as well as in the middle and elderly cohorts, especially in the middle aged in control group. Among hypertensives in the intervention cohort, the rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension got improved. The incidence of stroke was 29% lower (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.58 - 0.87) and mortality of stroke was 40% lower (HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.86) in the intervention cohort than the control cohort. The intervention was most effective in reduction of stroke for those with isolated systolic hypertension and combined systolic and diastolic hypertension (All P0.05). Meanwhile, all-cause mortality was 11% lower (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78 - 0.99) in the intervention cohort than in the control cohort.The community-based intervention was effective in controlling the development of hypertension and stroke, while the elderly people benefit more than the middle aged people from the intervention.

To investigate the mRNA expression of Clara cell secretory protein (CCSP) and the Clara cell number in airways of rat asthma remodel.A rat asthma model was established by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin (OA). The mRNA expression of CCSP in the lung tissue, the CCSP level in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the thickness of the airways and the number of Clara cells in bronchioles were determined by RT-PCR, image analysis system, dot immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry methods.There was a progressive decline in CCSP mRNA expression in the lung tissue of rat asthma model group (0.53 +/- 0.07 and 0.49 +/- 0.03, respectively, after 1 week and 2 weeks of challenge) as compared to that of control group (0.67 +/- 0.04). The CCSP levels in BALF of asthma model group (47.00 +/- 6.58 and 45.95 +/- 3.20, respectively, after 1 week and 2 weeks of challenge) were significantly decreased than that of control group (63.08 +/- 2.84, P0.01). The ratio(%) of Clara cells was also reduced after challenge. The WAt/Pbm, WAi/Pbm, and WAm/Pbm were significantly increased 2 weeks after OA challenge and were negatively correlated with the level of CCSP and its mRNA expression.The Clara cells and CCSP may participate in the pathogenesis of asthma in the rat asthma remodel.

To design and manufacture a reliable spine phantom used in the cross calibration and quality control of dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).A hydroxyapatite quality control phantom was designed and made through three steps: solid water, bone phantom material and integration, then evaluated the phantom on four different types of DXA machines made by LUNAR company.Among the four DXA densitometers, the Expert fan beam densitometer had the biggest accuracy errors of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content(BMC) and area values while the other three one narrow fan beam (Prodigy) and two pencil beam densitometers-had small errors. Of the three indexes measured by all the machines, BMD error was the smallest (-15.4%-11.5%), with the Prodigy's BMD was most outstanding. BMD errors at the higher density ends were small, tend to be positive values while the errors at the lower ends were big, tend to be negative. In cross calibration, giving consideration to the differences between the both ends, it is better to use the regression equation to correct. The base line of precision error derived by scanning the phantom once a day for consecutive 25 days was better than that derived by scanning the phantom 25 times consecutively on the same day. As to precision error, the coefficient of variation (CV) of scanning-25 times-a day was the smallest (0.0043) while the CV of 12 adults measurements was the biggest (0.0078).This phantom can be used in the quality control and cross-calibration of different types of DXA machines.

To evaluate the effects of community intervention on risk factors of cerebrovascular disease.With cluster sampling, 2,586 and 2,723 women and men aged 35 to 74 were selected randomly as intervention cohort and control cohort, respectively, from about 300 thousand community population in Beijing, Shanghai and Changsha, during 1997 to 2000. Their blood pressure, levels of blood lipid, body mass index (BMI) were measured and status of smoking and alcohol consumption were surveyed as indices of evaluation. Health education for smoking quit, alcohol consumption restriction and reinforced treatment for diabetic and hypertensive patients were implemented in the intervention communities. And, 2,544 and 2,533 persons in the two cohorts responded three years after intervention, and then all the indices mentioned above were measure again for them.Average reduction in systolic blood pressure by 3.21 mm Hg and serum level of total cholesterol by 0.58 mmol/L was achieved in intervention cohort after intervention, but with 0.48 mmol/L increase in triglyceride. Average blood levels of both high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose increased in the two cohorts after intervention, but with 0.30 mmol/L net increase of blood glucose in control cohort. There was no significant difference in average increase of HDL-C between the two cohorts. BMI increased by 0.56 in control cohort, and no significant change in intervention cohort. Proportion of smoking decreased by 5.4% in men and 2.4% in women of intervention cohort, and no change in control cohort.Level of risk factors for cerebrovascular disease reduced significantly with community intervention.

To probe the of Gufuhuotang effect on hemorheology and lipid metabolism of hormonal necrosis of femoral head.32 male rabbits of New Zealand were divided at random into pathological pattern group, normal control group, low-dosage of Gufuhuotang group and high-dosage group; models of osteocyte necrosis of head of femur were made with intragluteal injection of hydroprednisone acetate; the rabbits were observed weekly and killed 6 weeks later and HE pathological section was made to observe hemorheology index and blood-liquid content, and then analysis and comparison were made.Gufuhuotang could obviously decrease total blood low-shear viscosity, plasma viscosity, hemacocrit, serum cholesterol and triglyceride contents; under light microscope empty bone lacunas of femoral head were less, fat cells of medullary cavity were less and relatively small, and bone trabecula was sparse with no break.Gufuhuotang has a distinct preventive and curative effect on rabbits' hormonal necrosis of femoral head.

We describe the age- and sex-specific incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) in Harbin, China, based on the information from a prospective survey among a well-defined large population during one year. A network of physicians reported incident patients with a GBS diagnosis from a general population of 5.4 million inhabitants in Harbin, China, during the period from 1 October 1997 to 30 September 1998. Each reported patient was examined by senior neurologists and the GBS diagnosis was validated according to standard diagnostic criteria. All GBS patients were followed-up for six months after onset. Admission registers at all hospitals in Harbin were also checked afterwards for screening patients with a GBS diagnosis who might have been missed. During the study period, 79 patients with a GBS diagnosis were reported. After validation, the GBS diagnosis was confirmed in 70 patients. Another GBS patient was found through the screening of admission registers at hospitals. Among them, 36 GBS patients were residents in Harbin and the other 35 patients were from geographical areas out of Harbin. The GBS incidence, age-adjusted to the European standard population, was 0.66 (95 % CI 0.46–0.91) per 100,000 person-years, with a male to female ratio of 1.4. The highest GBS incidence was found in the youngest age-group and the incidence among the elderly was remarkably lower than those reported from other populations in Western countries. Possible explanations for the distinct pattern of age-specific incidence of GBS are discussed. Further studies are needed.

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been proposed to result from the interaction of aging and environment in susceptible individuals. Defective metabolism of debrisoquine, inherited as an autosomal recessive, has been associated with this susceptibility. In 35 PD patients and 19 age-matched controls, no significant differences in debrisoquine metabolism were found, although a trend to impaired metabolism was noted in patients with disease onset less than or equal to 40. Foci of PD patients were associated with rural living and well water drinking, or rural living coupled with market gardening or wood pulp mills. In a questionnaire survey, patients with PD onset less than or equal to age 47 were significantly more likely to have lived in rural areas and to have drunk well water than those with onset greater than or equal to age 54 (p less than or equal to 0.01). Because of population mobility in North America, a case-control study designed to test environmental, occupational, dietary and other proposed risk factors for PD was conducted in China, where the population is more stationary and the environment more stable. No significant differences in incidences of head trauma, smoking or childhood measles were found between patients and controls.

Background Archaeological studies have revealed a series of cultural changes around the Last Glacial Maximum in East Asia; whether these changes left any signatures in the gene pool of East Asians remains poorly indicated. To achieve deeper insights into the demographic history of modern humans in East Asia around the Last Glacial Maximum, we extensively analyzed mitochondrial DNA haplogroup M9a'b, a specific haplogroup that was suggested to have some potential for tracing the migration around the Last Glacial Maximum in East Eurasia. Results A total of 837 M9a'b mitochondrial DNAs (583 from the literature, while the remaining 254 were newly collected in this study) pinpointed from over 28,000 subjects residing across East Eurasia were studied here. Fifty-nine representative samples were further selected for total mitochondrial DNA sequencing so we could better understand the phylogeny within M9a'b. Based on the updated phylogeny, an extensive phylogeographic analysis was carried out to reveal the differentiation of haplogroup M9a'b and to reconstruct the dispersal histories. Conclusions Our results indicated that southern China and/or Southeast Asia likely served as the source of some post-Last Glacial Maximum dispersal(s). The detailed dissection of haplogroup M9a'b revealed the existence of an inland dispersal in mainland East Asia during the post-glacial period. It was this dispersal that expanded not only to western China but also to northeast India and the south Himalaya region. A similar phylogeographic distribution pattern was also observed for haplogroup F1c, thus substantiating our proposition. This inland post-glacial dispersal was in agreement with the spread of the Mesolithic culture originating in South China and northern Vietnam.