18～60岁健康人群肺炎链球菌IgG抗体水平调查

目的了解18~60岁健康人群肺炎链球菌IgG抗体水平,为肺炎链球菌性疾病的预防与控制提供参考依据。方法选取甘肃、宁夏健康献浆员为调查对象,分为18~30、31~40、41~50、51~60岁4个年龄组,共调查347人。采用WHO推荐的标准化酶联免疫吸附试验检测12种肺炎链球菌血清型IgG抗体水平,并计算IgG抗体阳性率和几何平均浓度(Geometric mean concentration,GMC)。结果质控血清QC907的IgG抗体浓度均值与参考值之间的误差百分数均未超过±40%,测定值符合其参考值范围,各血清型抗体浓度检测结果的CV均30%。347份血清样品肺炎链球菌IgG抗体总阳性率为64.8%~96.0%,GMC为0.37~2.24μg/m L。不同血清型间IgG抗体GMC差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。不同年龄组同种血清型IgG抗体阳性率及GMC均无统计学意义(P0.05)。除19F型外,不同地区同种血清型IgG抗体阳性率均有统计学意义(P0.05);除4、7F、14和18C型外,不同地区同种血清型IgG抗体GMC间差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 18~60岁健康人群肺炎链球菌IgG抗体水平普遍较高,对肺炎链球菌主要流行血清型均具有一定的保护力。     

Strength characteristics of a healthy urban adult population

A random sample of 778 subjects representing ages 25, 35, 45 and 55 years were studied for the amount of habitual physical activity, their anthropometric structure, vertical jumping height, trunk extension and flexion torques and dynamic endurance fitness of trunk extension and flexion. The proportion of subjects who were habitually physically active did not change systematically with age. The highest number of physically inactive subjects was found in men and women in the 35-year age group. The results in all the tests used to assess the strength characteristics were statistically significant when related to sex (P less than 0.001) and in all, except the relative maximal isometric torque of trunk extension, when related to age (P less than 0.001). Everyday physical activity was related to the variation in vertical jumping height (P less than 0.001), as well to the dynamic endurance fitness (P less than 0.001) of trunk extension and flexion. The decline in vertical jumping height and dynamic endurance fitness of trunk extension and flexion fitness was found to start at earlier ages than that of relative maximal isometric trunk extension and flexion torques. Dynamic endurance fitness of trunk flexion showed a more pronounced decline with age than trunk extension fitness.     

2～59岁健康人群接种ACYW135群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗的免疫原性观察

目的评价ACYW135群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗在2～59岁健康人群中的免疫原性。方法 2～59岁健康人群接种者随机抽样(n=60),接种一剂四价脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗。采集接种前和接种后1个月血清,采用体外杀菌试验(Serum bactericidal assay,SBA)检测血清中抗A、C、Y、W135群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度。结果免疫前、后血清抗A群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度GMTs(95%CI)分别为1241(736,2091)和7559(5520,10351)(P<0.05);抗C群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度GMTs(95%CI)分别为4(9,21)和4787(2947,7775)(P<0.05);抗W135群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度GMTs(95%CI)分别为16(9,28)和368(162,883)(P<0.05);抗Y群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度GMTs(95%CI)分别为120(58,246)和1373(687,2745)(P<0.05)。免疫前和免疫后血清抗A群脑膜炎球菌的杀菌滴度≥128的比例分别为87(77.4,95.1)%和100(83.2,100)%;抗C群脑膜炎球菌的比例分别为17(8.3,28.5)%和97(88.5,99.6)%;抗W135群脑膜炎球菌的比例分别为13(5.9,24.6)%和68(55.0,79.7)%;抗Y群脑膜炎球菌的比例分别为57(43.2,69.4)%和85(73.4,92.9)%。免疫后较免疫前抗A群、C群、W135群和Y群脑膜炎球菌杀菌抗体滴度≥4倍升高的比例分别为50(27.2,72.8)%、97(88.5,99.6)%、62(43.2,73.9)%和55(41.6,67.9)%。结论虽然免疫前人群由于地方和国家免疫计划的实施已具有较高水平的抗A群脑膜炎球菌的血清杀菌滴度,但接种ACYW135群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗后可以使其保护水平进一步提高,并使人群对C群、W135群和Y群脑膜炎球菌的低水平杀菌抗体滴度均显著升高达到保护水平,证明ACYW135群脑膜炎球菌多糖疫苗在2～59岁健康人群中具有比较好的免疫原性。     

X chromosome inactivation pattern in elderly women over 70 years of age

In the present study we have analyzed X chromosome inactivation patterns in 40 women aged from 74 to 85 years (mean age 78 years). The control group was 36 women (mean age 30 years). The most common AR-assay was used to determine X-inactivation patterns (the study of methylation patterns of HpaII site in human androgen receptor gene (HUMARA) by quantative PCR). The age dependence of X-inactivation was not observed. We have detected skewed X-inactivation in three women among 40 (7.5%) elderly women comparing to two women among 36 (5.5%) women from control group. The difference was not found to be statistically significant. We made a suggestion that higher incidence of skewed X-inactivation in elderly women revealed by previous studies could occur due to some experimental ambiguities as heterogeneity of the group studied; inclusion of women having relatives with genetic abnormalities associated with skewed X-inactivation patterns; the difference of X chromosome inactivation skewing determination. We conclude that present study does not show X chromosome inactivation to be age dependent.     

Multi-indicator survey on children's nutrition in Croatia (MICS) (up to 5 years of age)

Multi-Indicator Survey (MICS) on children in Croatia was supported by UNICEF's Zagreb Office. The purpose of this research was to establish the present situation in terms of breastfeeding, nutrition and prevention of the most significant health problems in primary health care i.e. acute respiratory and diarrhoeal diseases in children (ARI/CDD), and the level of knowledge. The survey for MICS in Croatia included altogether 370 segments, and from each 40 households were selected. This resulted in 14,800 households being selected for the final sample. 1563 (or 10.6%) of households selected had children under 5 years of age. In the whole sample there were altogether 1937 children under 5 years of age. Having summarized all relevant data, several general conclusions and assumptions may be drawn. The breast-feeding rate is very low, and therefore unsatisfactory. At the age of 4 months, more than 50% of all mothers have already stopped breast-feeding their infants, and only 20% of infants were breast-fed after the age of 6 months. We noticed an unfavourable trend towards a decrease in the rate of breast-feeding in war areas. The was has negatively affected breast-feeding. The prevalence of feeding using diluted cow's milk during the first six months is very high (30% in the first, and 60% in the second six months). On the basis of this research, further activities should be planned.     

Hypovitaminosis D in a normal, apparently healthy urban European population

Serum 25 OH Vitamin D (25 OH D) concentrations generally vary with latitude, season, and the composition of the population studied. There is a growing recognition that rather than a seasonal specific decline in serum 25 OH Vitamin D, a significant proportion of the population may exhibit asymtomatic subclinical Vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency has been described in populations at risk, such as nursing home residents and the homebound elderly. We assessed a population of normal, apparently healthy volunteers at a single European urban center for 25 OH Vitamin D sufficiency. Serum 25 OH D concentrations were determined using an automated LIAISON((R)) 25 OH Vitamin D assay. For the purposes of this study, Vitamin D insufficiency was defined as a serum 25 OH Vitamin D concentration of <15 ng/mL. Of the total population (n = 126) 34% exhibited 25 OH Vitamin D concentrations of <15 ng/ml. The mean +/- S.D. serum 25 OH Vitamin D concentration among the total, sufficient, and insufficient populations was 19.4 +/- 7.7, 23.6 +/- 6.4, and 12.1 +/- 2.3 ng/mL. From these data, we conclude that 25 OH Vitamin D insufficiency is more common than previously thought, and is not restricted to high-risk groups.     

Haematological and metabolic profiles associated with age and sex in giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) (Gmelin 1789) broodstock

This study characterized selected peripheral blood (PB) haematological parameters, liver, serum and muscle metabolic features in 3- and 5-year-old male and female giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) broodstock reared indoor at 16°C. Sex and age did not affect PB total cell count and haematocrit values. Nonetheless, higher erythrocytes in 5-year-old fish, elevated thrombocyte and lymphocyte counts in 3-year-old fish indicate age-specific cellular regulation. Higher thrombocyte counts in female fish suggest sex-specific regulation. At a metabolic level, liver abundance for long chain saturated fatty acids (FAs) was higher in males, whereas females had elevated levels of polyunsaturated FAs. Essential and non-essential amino acids (AAs) in liver and serum were also elevated in females compared to males. These findings suggest differential allocation of FAs and AAs to reflect requirements for gonadal, development and provisioning. Similarly, age significantly resulted in higher liver and serum abundances of some non-essential AAs in 3-year-olds compared to 5-year-old fish, suggesting higher metabolism in younger fish. Overall, results enhance our understanding of sex- and age-based differences in fish haematology, muscle, liver, and serum metabolite profiles in healthy G. argenteus. Future studies should carefully consider potential age- and sex-specific differences in metabolic responses.     

Serum nitric oxide metabolite levels in a general healthy population: relation to sex and age

This study aims at determining serum nitrite/nitrate (NO(x)) levels in healthy subjects within the framework of a population-based study. NO(x) concentration was measured in 3505 subjects aged >/=20 years. Subjects with diabetes, renal dysfunction, those undergoing treatment for dyslipidemia and hypertension, were excluded; also excluded were smokers, pregnant women, and subjects with cardiovascular and infectious diseases or cancer; leaving 1983 (667 men, 1316 women) asymptomatic non-smoking subjects for the analysis. NO(x) concentrations were determined in serum and compared in different age groups. Mean+/-SE of NO(x) concentration was 24.8+/-0.02 and 24.4+/-0.01 micromol/l in men and women respectively. Men aged 20-29 years had significantly higher NO(x) levels compared to corresponding women (25.1+/-0.03 vs. 22.7+/-0.02). Serum NO(x) concentration peaked at 50-59 years in both genders. Comparison between lower and upper quartiles of NO(x) levels was performed in both genders. Women with high serum NO(x) were older and had significantly higher body mass index and fasting plasma glucose. The results of this study determine the normal levels of serum NO(x) concentrations in asymptomatic non-smoker subjects; also show that serum NO(x) concentrations indicate sex and age differences in these subjects.     

Measurement of age and population age structure in the blowfly,Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

For field samples of the blowfly Lucilia sericata (Meigen), the degree of wing abrasion, corrected for individual size, was shown to give a useful estimate of age, by calibration against a known measure of chronological age, the fluorescence of pteridines in the head capsule. In more extensive field studies, therefore, wing fray was used to indicate the likely ovarian cycle of each female, after which the length of the most advanced egg follicle was used to give a more precise estimate of age within this cycle. Using these two complementary techniques, the ages of 806 female L. sericata, from two farms in the south-west of England, were estimated over a complete field season in 1996. Analysis of median age of these females revealed distinct peaks and troughs over time. The observed periods of low median age corresponded with predicted periods of high adult emergence; the periods of increasing and high median age corresponded with the predicted senescence of the L. sericata population. Hence, by analysis of population age structure, this study supports the view that fluctuations in abundance of L. sericata, observed in the field, represent the emergence and senescence of relatively discrete generations of adults.     

Factors related to inbreeding components from isonymy in an urban population: Aranjuez (Spain)

An isonymic analysis has been carried out using a sample of 1529 reconstituted families residing during 1870-1964 in Aranjuez, an urban area situated south of Madrid, Spain. The random, non-random and total-components inbreeding coefficients from isonymy were obtained and the various combinations of surnames compared in order to infer the patri- or matrilocal pattern of residence. Throughout the period studied the random component of inbreeding (F(r)) has not changed, in contrast to the non-random component (F(n)), thus suggesting the latter could be responsible for the reduction of total inbreeding. Using several methodological approaches (biplot analysis, alpha, nu and percentage of immigrants) the predominance of the immigration of grooms was interpreted in terms of Aranjuez as a matrilocal pattern of residence. From this study it can also be concluded that surnames provided by reconstituted families are good estimators of inbreeding and migration.     

Endoscopy of the upper segment of the digestive tract in patients over 70 years of age (preliminary retrospective analysis of indications and results)

Sixty three individuals aged over 70 years were included into the preliminary analysis of both indications to and the results of endoscopic examinations of the GI upper portion. Most frequently, the indications included abdominal pain and dyspeptic symptoms. The first endoscopic examination revealed normal macroscopic picture in only 14% of the examined patients. Peptic ulcers were most frequent pathology. Indications and the results of endoscopic examinations do not differ from those in the younger age groups.     

Soft tissue facial profile of normal dental and skeletal subjects in Croatian population aged 12 to 15 years

This study was carried out on 40 lateral cephalograms of Croatian subjects aged 12 to 15 years with dental and skeletal class I. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the means and standard deviations of the soft tissue parameters in the sample of Croatian population exhibiting dental and skeletal class I and to find the correlations between investigated parameters. The investigation included a total of 11 variables of which 4 were angular and 7 linear. Linear and angular measurements were made to the nearest 0.5 mm or 0.5 degree with dial calipers and a standard protractor with 0.5 degree increments. Data from this investigation could serve to determine the norms of 11 soft tissue variables for Croatian population with dental and skeletal class I, and to define craniofacial morphology of the soft tissue profile in patients with normal occlusion. Significant correlations were found between thickness of upper and lower lip, and between the distance of upper and lower lip to the Ricketts esthetic line, and Holdaway angle.