However, little is known about its role in the Chinese population. This study sought to assess the prevalence of NAFLD and its association with hypoadiponectinaemia in middle-aged and elderly Chinese.\n\nMaterial

and methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in an urban Shanghai sample of 2201 participants age 50 years to 83 years (973 men, 1228 women). Hepatic ultrasonographic examination was performed for all participants. Serum www.selleckchem.com/products/bindarit.html adiponectin concentrations were measured by ELISA methods.\n\nResults: The prevalence of NAFLD was 19.8% (16.0% in men, 22.8% in women). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in female than in male subjects (p < 0.001). Serum adiponectin levels were significantly lower in NAFLD subjects than those in control subjects (p < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD progressively increased with declining adiponectin levels (p(for) (trend) < 0.001). The participants in the lowest adiponectin quartile had a significantly increased risk for acquiring NAFLD (OR = 2.31, 95% CI 1.72-3.15) after adjustment for potential confounders.\n\nConclusions:

Population-based screening suggests that NAFLD is highly prevalent in middle-aged and elderly people in Shanghai, particularly among women. Serum adiponectin level is negatively associated with NAFLD independently of potential cofounders, indicating that hypoadiponectinaemia may contribute to the development of NAFLD.”
“Objectives: To provide an overview of the development

www.selleckchem.com/products/sc79.html of health technology assessment (HTA) in Germany since the 1990s.\n\nMethods: Analysis of key documents (e.g. literature, laws, and other official documentation) and personal experiences.\n\nResults: Health technology assessment (HTA) entered the political agenda in Germany only in the mid-1990s, basically as the result of a top-down approach toward more efficiency in health AZD5153 care, but with a strong impetus of an evidence-based medicine movement. Accordingly, HTA became part of several healthcare reform laws since 1997, which led to the establishment of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) and the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) in 2004. This tandem construction aims at using evidence in decision-making processes for coverage and other decisions.\n\nConclusions: These developments have led to a considerable impact of HTA in Germany. In addition, a broad spectrum of activities at universities and in other organizations, such as the German Institute for Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI), can be observed that contribute to both teaching and research in HTA. German researchers in the field of HTA are actively involved in international projects, such as EUNetHTA, and contribute to scientific conferences and journals.”
“Acceptable fertility using cryopreserved ram sperm is currently only achieved using laparoscopic intrauterine insemination.