Arch Med Sci
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Few large-scale investigations on genotype (GT) distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Hunan Province, China, are reported. ⋯ HCV GT1 was the most predominant HCV genotype in Hunan Province, and GT6 and GT3 accounted for a significant percentage, especially in young patients. The HCV distribution pattern was more similar to those of the regions in south China.
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Few reports have mentioned the effect of etomidate on the aortas of insulin-resistant (IR) rats. In this study, we investigated the effect of etomidate on isolated IR aortas of rats, and explored its underlying mechanism. ⋯ Insulin resistance increased etomidate-induced relaxation in rat aortas. Etomidate causes vasodilation in IR rat aortas via both endothelium-dependent and independent ways; impaired NO-mediated relaxation was disrupted and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel-mediated relaxation may be involved in the endothelium-dependent relaxation of etomidate in IR rats.
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The aim of this study was to assess quality of life among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated as outpatients. The specific question was: does the quality of life of RA patients depend on demographic variables and clinical variables? ⋯ The study results may be helpful for further health-related studies on quality of life among RA studies and in making therapeutic decisions concerning quality of life improvement.
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Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycaemia causing changes in plasma lipoproteins, which leads to insulin resistance, secretion defects or both. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of 2-dodecyl-6-methoxy-cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (DMDD) isolated from Averrhoa carambola L. roots to lower hyperglycaemia and to investigate its potential mechanism in diabetic mice. ⋯ DMDD possessed hypoglycaemic activity due to its potential mechanism involving PPARγ-mediated adipocyte endocrine regulation.