[Differences in risk factors of diabetic foot in the patients in South and North China].

Objective: To investigate the differences on the diabetic foot problems and its risk factors in south and north of China.

Methods: Patients with foot problems were surveyed from January 1 to December 31, 2004 in 14 teaching hospitals located in different cities in China, including demographic data, present and past history of the foot problems and peripheral artery disease (PAD), the classification of the foot ulcers based on the Wagner' system, control of the hyperglycemia and lipids disorder, medical cost in hospital and the diabetic complications. All the patients were divided into two groups due to their geographical data, south and north.

[A multicenter survey on the diabetic foot and its neuropathy in China].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of diabetic foot with neuropathy and its related factors.

Methods: 530 out- and in-patients in 14 grade A class 3 comprehensive hospitals in China with foot problems were surveyed. 337 of the 500 patients (63.

[The medical cost of diabetic patients with foot problems due to peripheral artery disease].

Objective: To investigate the medical cost of diabetic patients with foot problems and peripheral artery disease.

Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients with foot problems admitted into the endocrinology departments of 14 teaching hospitals from Jan. 1 to Dec.

Carboxymethyl-chitosan protects rabbit chondrocytes from interleukin-1beta-induced apoptosis.

Chondrocyte apoptosis is important in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Chitosan is a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible glycosaminoglycan. In this study, the effects of carboxymethyl-chitosan (CM-chitosan), a soluble derivative of chitosan, on chondrocyte apoptosis were investigated.