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Biomedical subjects

A Ren

Publications and source records attributed to A Ren.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina: effects of pH, ionic strength, humic acid and chelating resin on kinetic dissociation study.

The effects of pH (pH=2-12), ionic strength (0.01-2 mol/l NaNO(3)) and humic acid on the sorption and complexation of Eu(III) on alumina were investigated by using batch techniques. The experiments were carried out at room temperature and under ambient conditions. The results indicate that the sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is strongly influenced by humic acid. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina is significantly dependent on pH values and independent of ionic strength. The sorption of Eu(III) on alumina may be attributed to surface complexation. The species of Eu(III) on HA-alumina colloids is dominated by both HA and alumina, and the addition sequences of HA or Eu(III) to the ternary system do not influence the sorption of Eu(III) to HA-coated alumina. Kinetic dissociation of Eu(III) from bare and HA-coated alumina was also studied by using the chelating resin. The result was discussed by a pseudo-first-order kinetics model.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

An international comparison of the involvement of epidemiology in the most frequently cited publications in the field of clinical medicine.

The objectivity, validity and credibility of research in clinical medicine can be enhanced by the appropriate involvement of epidemiology. However, the overall contribution of epidemiology to clinical research, either as a methodology or as a resource for research, has been poorly quantified. We therefore assessed the involvement of epidemiology in influential publications in the field of clinical medicine, and made an international comparison on a quantitative basis. The 500 most frequently cited papers published during 1981-96 in the field of clinical medicine in the US, the UK, and Japan were compared in terms of epidemiological involvement using predetermined criteria. The three criteria were based on the indexing of relevant MeSH keywords, publication types, or the departmental affiliations of the authors. For all three criteria, the proportion of clinical papers with epidemiological involvement was the highest in the US, followed by the UK, whereas it was the lowest in Japan. The difference was almost four-fold between the US and Japan. There was also an increasing trend of epidemiological involvement in publications of clinical medicine over the years, which was more apparent in the US than in either the UK or Japan. These findings may reflect inter-country differences in resources as well as in the stance towards evidence-based health sciences.

Bibliometrics↗
PubMed2001

[Safety and immunogenicity of a new inactivated hepatitis A vaccine].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a new inactivated hepatitis A virus (HAV) vaccine. METHODS: In a randomized controlled trail thirty-one HAV-seronegative adults were enrolled and randomly assigned to either study group or control group. Subjects in the study group were given 1000 units of the new inactivated HAV vaccine, with a booster at 3 months. Subjects in the control group were given 720 ELISA units Havrix, produced by SmithKline Beecham Biologicals, with a subsequent dose at 3 months. Local and systematic reactions and serum response to the vaccines were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mild local reactions were noted in one subject from the study group and two from the control group after primary vaccination. Mild systematic reactions were reported in two subjects from each group after primary vaccination and in one subject from the study group after booster vaccination. Seroconversion rates were 94%, 100%, and 100% in the study group at 1, 3, and 4 (1 month after booster) month, respectively. The corresponding figures were 73%, 80% and 100% in the control group. Geometric mean antibody titers were 139.2 mIU/ml, 137.7 mIU/ml, and 1 066.7 mIU/ml at 1, 3, and 4 months,respectively, in the study group,and 104.3 mIU/ml, 111.3 mIU/ml, and 760.7 mIU/ml in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The new inactivated hepatitis A vaccine was safe and highly immunogenic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Dynamic changes of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute infection and the effect of Chinese herbal medicine intervention].

OBJECTIVE: To study the dynamic changes of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute infection and to explore the effect of 912 compound, a Chinese herbal preparation for intervention. METHODS: Forty patients with acute infection were randomly divided into 2 groups, 20 in the 912 group and 20 in the control group, and the levels of plasma endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including soluble TNF-RI, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured before and after treatment by using limulus reagent stroma azo-colored quantitative method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The level of LPS increased at the early stage of acute infection, the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were all elevated in various degrees, particularly obvious in IL-6, sTNF-RI, IL-4 and IL-10 and the elevations of the two were basically parallel. The TNF alpha, IL-6 and sTNF-RI were positively related with APACHE III scoring. The levels of LPS and inflammatory cytokines reduced to a different extent in accord with the improvement of condition after treatment, the levels of LPS, TNF alpha, IL-6 and IL-10 lowered more significantly in the 912 group than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LPS, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the acute infection process, they were important indexes for evaluating severity of infectious diseases. The Chinese herbal preparation 912 compound could reduce the blood levels of LPS, TNF alpha, IL-6, IL-10 and prevent the decrease of sTNF-RI so as to promote the recovery of patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[The relationship between arteriolar pathological changes and brain hemorrhage in primary hypertension cases].

This study was intended to elucidate the relationship between arteriolar pathological changes and encephalorrhagia in the cases of primary hypertension. Gross anatomy and histology of brain were observed in autopsy of 45 cases of primary hypertension. Forty cases of arteriolar hyalinization including 26 cases of brain hemorrhage were found in those 45 cases of primary hypertension. The hyalinized arterioles were divided to two types. One is characterized by the narrow lumen of terminal arterioles, the other by the dilatant lumen of proximal arterioles. Hemorrhage always occurred in the latter type. Besides these changes, 3 cases of acute necrosis and 5 cases of atherosclerosis in arterioles were related to hemorrhage. These data suggest that brain hemorrhage of primary hypertension mainly occur in dilated and hyalinized arterioles, and some cases are probably related to acute necrosis or atheroscleromatous atrerioles.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Clinical observation on treatment of bile regurgitational gastritis with danwei capsule].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therpeutic effect of Danwei capsule in treating bile regurgitational gastritis. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-four patients with bile regurgitational gastritis were divided into two groups. Danwei capsule was used in therapeutic group and Motilium was used in control group. RESULTS: The total effective rate in therapeutic group was 92.59%, and 71.70% in control group (P < 0.01). The improvement in symptoms, physical findings and bile regurgitation in therapeutic group was better than that of control. CONCLUSION: Curative effect of Danwei capsule was better than that of Motilium, which should be used widely.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Pathological morphology of arterioles and main visceal organs in primary hypertension--an analysis of 45 autopsies].

The autopsy materials of 45 cases of primary hypertension were studied retrospectively. The arteriolar lesions were reviewed. The arterioles < 100 microns in diameter were defined as distal arterioles; those > or = 100 microns and < 300 microns in diameter were proximal arterioles. The lesions of arteriolar wall were categorized as plasma infiltration and hyaline degeneration, and according to seriousness, the latter was divided into three degrees: I, II and III. The results revealed that (1) the arteriolar lesions in different areas of the body were at different stages of seriousness; (2) the changes in the distal arterioles were earlier than those in the proximal ones; in brain, the proximal arterioles dilated first, and then occurred the hyline degeneration; (3) hyaline degeneration took place early in the abdominal organs such as kidney, liver and pancreas, but relatively late in brain; (4) different parts of an organ were at different stages of seriousness; and (5) the lesions in different organs led to different consequences. The pathogenesis of arteriolar sclerosis in primary hypertension was also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Occupational lung diseases and global occupational health on the Net.

Occupational lung disease is a major area of concern in occupational health, exhibiting a diverse panorama across countries. While pneumoconiosis is deemed to be the most common occupational disease in many developing countries, emphasis is shifting towards asbestos-related lung diseases and occupational asthma in industrialized countries. Following the Occupational Health for All strategies set forth by the World Health Organization, we propose that a model system based upon the Global Health Network can serve as an effective vehicle towards the prevention of occupational lung diseases on a global scale. It has the potential to: (1) enhance transmission of data and collaboration with the primary health care system in disease surveillance; (2) strengthen research and information transfer and (3) promote education and training at all levels of prevention, with a possible application to the interpretation of chest radiograms.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1998

[Pathological analysis of 180 cases of cerebrovascular disorder in autopsy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ratio of each kind of causes in 180 cases of cerebrovascular disorder(CVD) in autopsy. RESULTS: In 180 cases of CVD in autopsy: (1)125 (69%) belong to brain hemorrhage including hypertension 36 cases(20%), vascular malformation 28 cases(16%), hemopoitic diseases and blood coagulation disturbances 23 cases(13%), congenital aneurysm and brain tumor 9 cases(5%) each separately. (2) 55 cases (31%) are due to brain infarction, main of them are caused by embolism 29 cases (16%) and thrombosis 17 cases(10%). Thrombosis related to atherosclerosis has 5 cases(3%). CONCLUSION: In CVD in autopsy, brain hemorrhage is more than infarction, the ratio of them is 2.3:1. More than 50% of cases is due to hypertension and vascular malformation. In infarction, embolism is more than thrombosis, the ratio of them is 1.7:1. Vascular malformation is more than congenital aneurysm, the ratio of them is 3:1.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Health status, health habits, utilization behaviour and health care utilization in an actively employed Japanese population.

Healthcare utilization data from 1 February 1986 to 31 January 1992 for 18,601 local public service employees were analysed in relation to data on their perceived health status, health habits, health care utilization behaviour and health-related worries which were obtained from a questionnaire survey conducted in 1988. The results showed health care utilization behaviour as defined by the questionnaire responses to be the most important predictor of health care utilization as defined by claim rate and group utilization rate, followed by perceived health status and certain health habits (ie caring about sleep, food and diet, watching body weight). Health-related worries, when used as a group variable, were not an independent predictor of utilization. The co-existence of 'active' utilization behaviour or the above-mentioned health habits with fair/poor perceived health status was associated with the highest health care utilization. The implication of these findings is that if utilization behaviour modification is incorporated into various worksite health programmes that aim at improving employee health and containing health care utilization and costs, greater reduction can be achieved in employee health care utilization and costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Health-related worries, perceived health status, and health care utilization.

This study examines the association of health-related worries (over cancers, diabetes, work-related stress, heart attack, obesity, general physical fitness, and/or other health conditions) and perceived health status (excellent, good, fair or poor) to the utilization of health care services for 19, 139 Japanese local public service employees. Data on health-related worries and health status were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire survey in 1988 and analyzed in relation to the subsequent 12-month utilization of health care. Results showed that perceived health status was associated with the utilization for almost all medical conditions and so was worry over a specific condition and the subsequent utilization of health care services. The implication of these findings is that measures targeting the relief of an employee's health-related worries, through either health consultation or other health programs, may contribute to the reduction of an employee's health care utilization and costs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Comprehensive periodic health examination: impact on health care utilisation and costs in a working population in Japan.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To examine the impact of a comprehensive periodic health examination programme on health care utilisation and costs in a working population. DESIGN: A cohort method was used to observe the trends in health care utilisation and costs for a group of local government employees from 1 February 1986 until 31 January 1992, during which time (in 1988) a comprehensive periodic health examination programme had been introduced. Health care utilisation was measured by a claim rate per employee (number of claims in a year divided by number of employees) and a utilisation rate per 100 employees (number of employees who submitted at least one claim in a year divided by number of employees x 100). Health care costs were measured by claim costs per employee (total cost of claims divided by number of employees). National and prefectural changes in per capita health care costs were used for the adjustment of claim costs. Internal comparisons were made in relation to the intensiveness of the periodic health examinations administered before the introduction of the comprehensive programme. SETTING: Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19,146 local government employees (12,455 men, 6691 women) who worked in small cities, towns, and villages in Fukuoka Prefecture throughout the study period participated. MAIN RESULTS: Both the claim and utilisation rates showed an increase in 1988 when the comprehensive programme was introduced. After adjustment for the national changes in per capita health care costs and the aging effect of the study participants, substantial increases in claim costs were noted after introduction of the comprehensive programme. The programme had a greater but short term effect of increasing the health care utilisation of those who had received less intensive periodic health examinations before 1988, but no similar effect on claim costs was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive programme had some role in increasing health care utilisation and costs. Its effect on costs was confirmed when the general population or another population was used as a reference. When comparisons were made internally, the comprehensive programme was seen to have had a greater but short term effect of increasing the utilisation of those who had previously received less intensive health examinations to equalise the health care utilisation and costs within the study population.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Hospital use behaviors and associated costs in a health insurance organization, Japan.

Physicians are known to play an important role in the rise of health care costs. But patients--the other side of the chain of health care systems--have been given little attention. The present study utilized the outpatient claims (in the belief that the outpatient hospital visits are mainly decided by the patients) from a health insurance organization in Japan (the Fukuoka Prefecture public service mutual aid association for government employees who serve in small cities, towns, and villages) to analyze the employee behaviors in the use of hospital care and the costs associated with these behaviors. Number of diseases diagnosed for an employee, number of claims an employee submitted for one disease, number of hospitals an employee visited, number of claims an employee had from one hospital, and the total number of claims an employee submitted were used to describe the hospital use behaviors. Results showed that some employees exhibited unusual behaviors, characterized by having an extremely large number of diseases diagnosed, visiting a large number of different hospitals, having a large number of claims, etc. Higher medical expenditures were associated with such behaviors. The findings of this study suggest that the patients' role in the rise of health care costs cannot be ignored, and cost-containment strategies targeting modification of patient behaviors in the use of hospital care may prove to be very useful.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Dietary factors and esophageal cancer: a case-control study].

A hospital-based case-control study of 112 patients with esophageal cancer was conducted to explore the association of dietary factors with cancer of the esophagus. Each case was matched to one non-cancerous patient from surgical department in the hospital of the same sex, age (+/- 5 years), occupation (farmer or nonfarmer), and residence as control. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the consumption of moldy grains (odds ratio (OR), 4.08), pickled vegetables (OR, 2.57), tea drinking habit (OR, 5.65), and hot food consumption (OR, 2.53) were significant risk factors for esophageal cancer. Intake of eggs (OR, 0.30) and higher proportion of flour and rice in the grain ration (greater than 30% vs. less than or equal to 30%) (OR, 0.43) were protective factors. Relations between factors were also discussed in the paper.

Adult↗