[A comparative study of voxel-based morphometry in patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar mania].

Objective: To assess volumetric abnormalities of grey matter in the brains of patients with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (mania).

Methods: 3D T1 weighted images were acquired by magnetic resonance imaging from 20 patients with paranoid schizophrenia, 20 patients with bipolar disorder (mania) and 20 control subjects. Regional deviation in gray matter volume was assessed using optimized volumetric voxel-based morphometry.

Evaluation of impact of major causes of death on life expectancy changes in China, 1990-2005.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of major causes of death on changes of life expectancy in China.

Methods: Life expectancy was calculated by standard life table techniques using mortality data from the national censuses in 1990 and 2000 and the 1% National Population Sampling Surveys in 1995 and 2005. Mortality data about the major causes of death from VR-MOH were used as reference values to estimate their death proportions of the specific age groups by sex and regions, as well as all-cause mortality and age-specific mortality rates of major causes of death.

[Brain structure abnormality as genetic endophenotype of schizophrenia].

Objective: To explore the role of genetic factors in the brain structural variation by using magnetic resonance imaging scan in schizophrenic patients and their unaffected siblings, and to provide experimental evidence for identifying endophenotype of schizophrenia.

Methods: The optimized voxel-based morphometry (OVBM) was used to process the brain magnetic resonance images in 15 first episode drug-naive schizophrenic patients, 19 unaffected siblings of the patients and 38 normal control subjects. The data were analyzed by using general linear model.

[Etiological, clinical and imaging characters of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome].

Objective: To elucidate the clinical and imaging characters of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and to discuss the etiological factors and the probable pathogenesis.

Method: Retrospective analysis of basal diseases, clinical manifestations and imaging characters of 13 PRES patients was conducted with follow-ups.

Results: The common associated diseases are various kinds of kidney disease and renal inadequacy, eclampsia of gravidity and postpartum, connective tissue disease and immunosuppressives, et al.

[Applications of molecular imaging in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque].

Atherosclerosis plaque is the underline cause of ischemic stroke and acute coronary syndrome. In this article, the applications of molecular imaging in vulnerable plaque are reviewed.

An in vivo genome wide gene expression study of circulating monocytes suggested GBP1, STAT1 and CXCL10 as novel risk genes for the differentiation of peak bone mass.

Peak bone mass (PBM) is an important determinant of osteoporosis. Circulating monocytes serve as early progenitors of osteoclasts and produce important molecules for bone metabolism. To search for genes functionally important for PBM variation, we performed a whole genome gene differential expression study of circulating monocytes in human premenopausal subjects with extremely low (N=12) vs.

[Data analysis from surveys using complex sampling methods].

To present statistical methods on appropriate data analysis from complex surveys and errors arising from ignorance of weights or design of samples. We took Chinese National Nutrition and Health Survey in 2002 as an example to analyze the prevalence of hypertension among population aged 15 and over. We used four combinations of analyses, including with or without weighting or considering sample designs.

Anti-diabetic effects of cinnamaldehyde and berberine and their impacts on retinol-binding protein 4 expression in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), as an adipocyte secreted cytokine, was recently found to be inversely correlated with expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in insulin resistance (IR) state and to have an intimate relationship with IR and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde (Cin), berberine (Ber), and metformin (Met) as well as their impacts on the RBP4-GLUT4 system.

Methods: Rat models of T2DM were established by combination of intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin and high fat diet induction.

Atherosclerosis of middle cerebral artery: evaluation with high-resolution MR imaging at 3T.

Objective: Three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (3D TOF MRA) has been wildly used in the diagnosis of intracranial artery diseases, but it only shows the arterial lumen and does not delineate the vessel wall. The aim of this study was to assess whether high resolution cross sectional magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) could compensate the limitation of 3D TOF MRA in the atherosclerotic disease of middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods: Fourty-eight suspected patients with atherosclerotic stenosis of MCA underwent 3D TOF MRA and HRMRI with a 3T scanner.

[Effect of NaFeEDTA on serum ferritin level in iron deficient epidemic population: a systematic review].

Objective: To evaluate effect of NaFeEDTA on serum ferritin level in iron deficient epidemic population.

Methods: A comprehensive literature retrieval was performed via searching electronic databases, hand searching bibliographies of books and relevant journals, collecting grey literatures, looking into conference abstracts, contacting fields experts and reviewing references and citations. Criteria from Cochrane EPOC review group were used to assess the quality of the included studies.

Proteomic analysis of circulating monocytes in Chinese premenopausal females with extremely discordant bone mineral density.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a major public health problem, mainly characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD). Circulating monocytes (CMCs) may serve as progenitors of osteoclasts and produce a wide variety of factors important to bone metabolism. However, the specific action mechanism of CMCs in the pathogenesis of OP is far from clear.

[Cost-effectiveness analysis on compound anti-hypertensive tablets for primary hypertension].

Objective: To compare the cost-effectiveness of two anti-hypertensive therapy regimens, Compound anti-hypertensive tablets and other common anti-hypertensive agents, in the treatment program of Primary Hypertension.

Methods: We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis based on a community trial. Two communities' primary hypertensive patients were enrolled to receive different therapy drugs: Compound anti-hypertensive tablets (Group A) or other common anti-hypertensive agents (Group B).

[Study on the long-term efficacy and safety of medicine named 'Beijing Hypertensive No. 0' in patients with primary hypertension].

Objective: To assess the antihypertensive effect and safety on medicine named 'Beijing Hypertensive No. 0' in a three-year treatment of primary hypertension.

Methods: A community-based intervention study was conducted.

[A comparison of life expectancy between the urban and rural residents in China, 1990-2005].

Objective: To compare the life expectancies between the urban and rural residents, and to evaluate the influence of ages and diseases on the differences in life expectancy.

Methods: Life tables, decomposition of life expectancy, the index of relative change in temporary life expectancies were used in our study.

Results: In recent years the life expectancy of rural population growth and growth rate were higher than those in the urban.

[Estimation of sampling error on data from cluster sample survey].

To clarify the necessity of applying appropriate statistical methods to calculate sampling error from data of cluster sample survey, we take a two-stage cluster sample survey developed from a population aged 15 and over as example. We use statistical methods based on the assumption of simple random samples and methods considering complex sample design to analyze our data, respectively. Through comparison, we hope to show the potential effects of using improper statistical methods to estimate sampling error on parameter estimation and hypothesis testing.

[Effect of NaFeEDTA on hemoglobin level in iron deficient population: a systematic review].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of NaFeEDTA on hemoglobin level in iron deficient population.

Methods: Comprehensive literature retrieval was performed via searching electronic databases, hand searching bibliographies of books and relevant journals, collecting grey literatures, looking into conference abstracts, contacting fields experts and reviewing references and citations. Criteria from Cochrane EPOC review group were used to assess the quality of included studies.

Anthropometric indices as the predictors of trunk obesity in Chinese young adults: receiver operating characteristic analyses.

Background: Trunk obesity has adverse health implications in adults, but valid and practical methods to correctly measure trunk obesity in China are insufficient.

Aim: This study aimed to assess the validity of anthropometric indices as screening the predictors of trunk obesity in young Chinese adults.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 1946 (853 women, 1093 men) Chinese volunteers aged 20-40 years were recruited.

Evoked membrane potential change in rat optic nerve fiber: computer simulation.

Objective: The optic nerve is a key component regarding research on visual prosthesis. Previous pharmacological and electrical studies has pinned down the main features of the mechanisms underlying the nerve impulse in the rat optic nerve, and this work proposed a mathematical model to simulate these phenomena.

Methods: The main active nodal channels: fast Na+, persistent Na+, slow K+ and a fast repolarizing K+ (A-current) were added on a double layer representation of the axon.

[Analysis on the association between two polymorphism haplotypes of lipoprotein lipase gene and serum lipids in twins of China].

Objective: To investigate the association between haplotypes of S447X and Hind III polymorphisms of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene and serum lipids in a population-based twin cohort study in China.

Methods: Twin subjects were collected based on the twin registry system of China. All twins were investigated by a standard questionnaire and physical examinations.

Whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging: technical improvement and preliminary results.

Purpose: To optimize the free-breathing whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB-DWI) protocol by using the short TI inversion-recovery diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (STIR-DWEPI) sequence and the built-in body coil. Additionally, to evaluate the feasibility of tumor screening using high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) maximum intensity projection (MIP) images.

Materials And Methods: The prescan procedure of STIR-DWEPI was modified using the data from 30 volunteers.

[Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of intraspinal enterogenous cysts].

Objective: To describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations of intraspinal enterogenous cysts, and to provide reliable information for further clinical management.

Methods: The MRI findings and related clinical data of 6 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed intraspinal enterogenous cysts were retrospectively studied.

Results: Among the 6 patients, most enterogenous cysts were oval or fusiform in shape with well-defined margins.

Association and linkage analysis of COL1A1 and AHSG gene polymorphisms with femoral neck bone geometric parameters in both Caucasian and Chinese nuclear families.

Aim: To simultaneously investigate the contribution of the alpha 1 chain of collagen type 1 (COL1A1) and alpha2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) genes to the variation of bone geometric parameters in both Caucasians and Chinese.

Methods: Six hundred and five Caucasian individuals from 157 nuclear families and 1228 Chinese subjects from 400 nuclear families were genotyped at the AHSG-SacI, COL1A1- PCOL2 and Sp1 polymorphisms using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). 5 FN bone geometric parameters were calculated based on bone mineral density and bone area of femoral neck (FN) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.