Search

Few studies explore the associations between body fat percentage (BFP) prediction and evaluation indicators for Chinese with normal-weight obesity. We aimed to explore convenient and cost-free BFP evaluation indicators to routinely monitor BFP status in Chinese patients with normal-weight obesity. Participants (N = 164) were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) and BFP: normal-weight lean, normal-weight obese, and overweight and obese. Differences in body composition and circumference were compared to examine the relationship between BFP and circumference, determine a simple evaluation indicator reflecting BFP, and identify cutoff values for normal-weight obesity circumference. Significant differences in body composition and circumference were observed among the three groups. The correlation between thigh/height, hip/height, (hip + waist)/height, and BFP was stronger than that with BMI. The (hip + waist)/height ratio was the indicator most reflective of BFP (95% confidence interval: 3.004−9.018, p = 0.013), and a ratio above 1.115 (95% confidence interval: 0.936−0.992, p < 0.001) was predictive of normal-weight obesity. Furthermore, we suggest that the upper value for a normal BMI in Chinese individuals be lowered to 23.4 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval: 0.984−0.999, p < 0.001). The (hip + waist)/height ratio can be used with body mass index for a more accurate evaluations of BFP abnormalities and health risks.

Background: The clinical characteristics and disease course in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing decompensated cirrhosis has not been described so far., Methods: In this case series, we report three patients with confirmed COVID-19 and pre-existing decompensated cirrhosis from three hospitals in Hubei, the epicenter of the outbreak in China., Result: Patient 1 was a 53-year-old man with hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and ascites. Though receiving intensive support, he died of irreversible multiple organ dysfunction syndrome 48 days after the onset of the illness. Patient 2 was a 75-year-old woman with a history of schistosomiasis-related cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and ascites. Her family members requested that invasive rescue measures not be undertaken, and she died of acute respiratory distress syndrome 40 days after presenting with COVID-19 infection. Patient 3 was an 87-year-old man with alcohol-related cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and esophageal variceal hemorrhage. He was discharged from the hospital 29 days after illness onset., Conclusion: The case series raise the possibility that decompensated cirrhosis may be a risk factor for a poor outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Background: Various differences between China and Japan in approaches to medical treatment have been noted, but a few studies have examined differences in medical decision-making, especially in neonatal care. The aim of this study was to clarify these differences by means of a questionnaire., Methods: The subjects were physicians on the staff of NICUs in China and Japan. The study questionnaire consisted of three parts dealing with the general characteristics of the participants, questions about treatment strategies for hypothetical, critically ill infants, and general questions about the treatment of foreign patients. The Likert scale was used to assess the treatment strategies and the results were analyzed statistically. Subgroup analysis by age, sex, and medical and NICU experience was also performed., Results: The proportion of respondents in the Chinese and Japanese groups was 26/26 (100%) and 26/31 (84%), respectively. There was a significant difference between the Chinese and Japanese groups for 8 of 75 questions; Chinese physicians chose the positive treatment or examination options for these eight questions unlike their Japanese counterparts. The responses of the younger, less experienced physicians in both countries were more similar to each other, and more positive than those of their older, more experienced colleagues., Conclusion: Chinese physicians showed a more positive attitude toward examination and treatment, whereas Japanese physicians showed a more cautious attitude.

Mutations in p53 tumor suppressor gene were examined in 44 Chinese patients with rectal cancer, including 22 cases with advanced schistosomiasis japonica and 22 cases without schistosomiasis. In schistosomal rectal cancer (SRC), 13 mutations were found in 10 cases, which included 11 base-pair substitutions and two deletions. Of 11 base substitutions, nine were transitions and two were transversions and seven of them were located at CpG dinucleotides. In non-schistosomal rectal cancer (NSRC), 13 mutations were found in nine cases, all of which were base-pair substitutions. Of 13 substitutions, 10 were transitions and three were transversions and three of them were located at CpG dinucleotides. The proportion of base-pair substitutions at CpG dinucleotides was higher in SRC patients than in NSRC patients, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.054). Point mutation was frequent at codon 248 in SRC. A higher frequency of arginine missense mutations was observed in SRC than in NSRC. These observations suggest that the mutations in SRC are the result of genotoxic agents produced endogenously through the course of schistosomiasis japonica.