[Analysis of fast-growing culturable bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China].

Objective: To obtain the diversity and abundance of fast-growing bacteria in the surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China, different cultivation methods were employed. This study also aims to provide a reference for isolating bacterial samples from seawater sources and preventing marine-derived pathogens. Methods: Based on the principles of taxonomic design, surface seawater samples were collected from six locations along the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China in March, June, October, and December 2021. Then, bacterial enrichment was performed based on traditional cultivation methods for Salmonella, Vibrio, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Actinomycetes, and general marine bacteria. After that, bacterial species identification was conducted by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Results: A total of 1 151 fast-growing cultivable bacteria belonging to 66 genera and 213 species were identified using five different culture protocols. In different cultivation protocols, Bacillus and Klebsiella demonstrated extensive discriminatory advantages and ranked among the top genera in terms of abundance. Protocol 1 had Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter as dominant genera. Pathogenic bacteria detected by protocol 1 included Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, with 37 and 29 strains respectively, while Salmonella enterica was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Proteus, Enterococcus, and Providencia were the dominant genera in protocol 2, and Proteus mirabilis was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 66 isolates. Vibrio cholerae was uniquely detected with six isolates at a higher abundance. Klebsiella, Escherichia, and Acinetobacter were the dominant genera in protocol 3, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 53 isolates, while Acinetobacter nosocomialis was uniquely detected with seven isolates. Vibrio and Pseudoalteromonas were the dominant genera in protocol 4, and they showed advantages in isolating and cultivating Marine-derived Vibrio. Exiguobacterium, Staphylococcus, and Bacillus were the dominant genera in protocol 5. Bacillus cereus and Lactococcus lactis were the most abundant pathogenic bacteria detected with 20 and 15 isolates, respectively, while Lactococcus lactis was uniquely detected at higher abundance. Metagenomic sequencing showed that Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly dominant with a gene abundance of 51.11%, followed by Alcanivorax sp. at 12.57%. Conclusion: The surface water of the northeast coast of Hainan Island in China exhibits a rich diversity of bacteria, with Klebsiella pneumoniae being highly abundant in the studied area. Different cultivation methods demonstrate distinct selective advantages in culturing bacterial genera and pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize cultivation conditions for specific marine bacteria.

Hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the HMGB1/RAGE signaling pathway by upregulating Mir-107 expression in human osteoarthritic chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA (miRNA)107 expression is downregulated but high mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) are upregulated in osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. We investigated mir-107/HMGB-1 signaling in OA after hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment. DESIGN: MiR-107 mimic was transfected and the HMGB-1 was analyzed in OA chondrocytes. MiRNA targets were identified using bioinformatics and a luciferase reporter assay. After HBO treatment, the mRNA or protein levels of HMGB-1, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4, and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were evaluated. The secreted HMGB-1 and matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) levels were quantified. Finally, we detected the HMGB-1 and iNOS expression in rabbit cartilage defects. RESULTS: Overexpression of miR-107 suppressed HMGB-1 expression in OA chondrocytes. The 3'UTR of HMGB-1 mRNA contained a 'seed-matched-sequence' for miR-107. MiR-107 was induced by HBO and a marked suppression of HMGB-1 was observed simultaneously in OA chondrocytes. Knockdown of miR-107 upregulated HMGB-1 expression in hyperoxic cells. HBO downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of HMGB-1, RAGE, TLR2, TLR4, and iNOS, and the secretion of HMGB-1. HBO decreased the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, downregulated the phosphorylation of MAPK, and significantly decreased the secretion of MMPs. Morphological and immunohistochemical observation demonstrated that HBO markedly enhanced cartilage repair and the area stained positive for HMGB-1 and iNOS tended to be lower in the HBO group. CONCLUSIONS: HBO inhibits HMGB-1/RAGE signaling related pathways by upregulating miR-107 expression in human OA chondrocytes.

[Different care models and symptom progression of Alzheimer's disease in China].

Objective: To compare the differences of cognitive function, daily living ability and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with sporadic type of Alzheimer's disease (AD) under different care modes, and find the most favorable care mode for delaying the progress of disease. Methods: One hundred and twenty cases of AD patients were divided into three groups: Spouse Care Group, Adult Child Care Group and Nursing Home Group. Medical history collection and scale evaluation were carried out by trained specialists on 3 groups of patients and caregivers. Assessment included socio-demographic data, including name, gender, age, course of the disease, the year of education and the way of care, Mini mental state examination (MMSE), Activity of Daily Living (ADL), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive section (ADAS-Cog), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the Relevant Outcome Scale for Alzheimer's disease (ROSA). All the evaluations were completed upon enrollment. The differences in cognitive function, daily living ability and neuropsychiatric symptoms were compared among the three groups. Results: There was no significant difference in age, gender, education duration and course of disease between the three groups (P>0.05). The MMSE average scores of Spouse Care Group, Adult Child Care Group and Nursing Home Group were 19±7, 15±6, 13±7 respectively. The ADAS-Cog median scores of Spouse Care Group, Adult Child Care Group and Nursing Home Group were 17.32(9.78, 26.50), 30.00(16.10, 38.55), 33.15 (16.28, 50.68). The NPI median total scores of Spouse Care Group, Adult Child Care Group and Nursing Home Group were 5.00(1.00, 13.00), 9.00(4.00, 20.00), 19.50(8.50, 28.50) respectively. The ADL average scores of Spouse Care Group, Adult Child Care Group and Nursing Home Group were 21±9, 25±9, 35±11. The difference of MMSE, ADAS-Cog, ADL and NPI was statistically significant among the three groups (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in care burden among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: The AD patients with spouse care tend to suffer from mild diseases severitys, no matter in terms of cognitive function, daily living ability or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Close, familiar and comprehensive care plays an important role in delaying the progress of AD.

[Efficacy and tolerance of Memantine monotherapy and combination therapy with Reinhartdt And Sea Cucumber Capsule on agitation in moderate to severe Alzheimer disease].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and tolerance of Memantine combined Reinhartdt And Sea Cucumber Capsule (R.S.C) on treating agitation in patients with moderate-severe Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight moderate-sever AD patients from Sep.2013 to Sep.2014 in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: group of Memantine combined R. S.C and group of single Memantine. Then Mini-Mental Sate Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were used to evaluate cognition symptom, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and agitation symptom at the baseline and the end of 24 weeks.The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used to assess adverse reaction and tolerance.At last, the data was analyzed by chi-square test, t-test and covariance test. Result: At the terminal of experience, the total NPI scores and agitation factor decreased markedly in both of the two groups (P<0.05). Among the patients who had agitation symptom at the baseline, the total NPI scores and agitation factor (18±5, 3.7±2.6) in group of Memantine combined R. S.C were notably lower than those in the group of single Memantine (21±6, 5.3±2.5) (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction between the two groups had no significant difference (combined treatment group was 27.7%, single treatment group was 23.2%). One patient dropped out because of skin allergy, and most adverse reactions were tolerant. Conclusions: Both two groups are effective in agitation and BPSD, and Memantine combined R. S.C is better than single treatment.R.S.C dose not aggravate adverse reaction and can be well tolerated.

[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and birth defects].

Birth defects are one of the most common adverse birth outcomes, which create a heavy economic burden to the country, society and family. And they are also one of the biggest problems facing public health today. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of toxic pollutants existing in the environment widely, resulting from incomplete organic matter combustion, and can be taken into the body through various ways including the digestive tract, respiratory tract and so on. Recent researches suggest that the exposure of PAHs may be associated with various birth defects, while the special mechanism isn't very clear. This paper is a review of the relationship between PAHs and birth defects from the aspects of epidemiological data, experimental evidence on animals, which indicates that exposure of PAHs during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects including congenital heart defects, neural tube defects and cleft lip/plate. Furthermore, we explored the possible mechanism, including oxidative stress, oxidative damage and the changes of signal transduction pathway in order to provide some recommendations and suggestions on the future work.

[Analysis of myopia and axial length changes and relevant factors of children aged 7 to 14 years in Wenzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and features of myopia in children aged 7 to 14 years. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 2 226 children (2 226 eyes) aged 7 to 14 years were selected from school during June 2012 and January 2015. Refraction was measured by fast cycloplegic retinoscopy. SPSS16.0 was used to analyze the data. Ocular refractive parameters, including axial length (AL), corneal power, anterior chamber depth, and white to white, were measured by IOLMaster (version 5.0, Carl Zeiss, Germany). Only the right eyes were included in the analysis. RESULTS: (1) The incidence of myopia in children increased with age. The incidence of myopia in female children was higher than male children with the same age. The overall incidence of myopia in female children was higher than male children (χ(2)=4.284, P=0.036). The average AL was (23.53±1.12) mm in male children and (23.44±1.08) mm in female children, and there was no statistically significant difference (t=1.502, P=0.134). (2) The change of refractive parameters was as follows. The AL elongated with age ,the average AL located in (22.84±0.87) to (24.49±1.19) mm(F=10.076, P<0.001) . The anterior chamber became deepened with age,the average ACD located in (3.28±0.16) to (3.67±0.24) mm (F=8.059, P<0.001). The white to white reduced slightly with age, the average WTW located in (12.30 ± 0.35) to (12.16 ± 0.54) mm,although there was no significant difference (F=0.469, P=0.857). There was no difference in the corneal power with age ,the average corneal power located in (43.05±1.31) to (43.74±1.20) D(F=0.440, P=0.877). The values of AL, anterior chamber depth in the myopia group were greater than the emmetropia group with the same age (P<0.05). (3) Correlation factor analysis of AL was as follows. Mixed effects model displayed that the age, height, and body weight were related to eye axis. The regression equation of AL was: AL=19.120 4+0.124 2×A+0.019 6×H+ 0.015 3×W. The AL was positively correlated with the body height (r=0.527, P< 0.01) and weight (r=0.47, P< 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Among children aged 7 to 14 years, the incidence of myopia, AL, and anterior chamber depth increase with age. During the period of rapid physical development, the refraction and AL should be monitored. The prevalence of myopia is relatively high in girls, which may be associated with outdoor activity. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 514-519).

[Analysis of the influence factors of school-age children's refractive status].

Objective: To analyze the influence of the eye biological parameters, height, and weight on the school-age children's refractive status. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 1 656 children (1 656 eyes), aged from 7 to 14 years, were selected from 8 schools in Wenzhou during June 2012 and June 2013. The height and weight of each child were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The eye biological parameters, including axial length (AL), corneal power (C=1/CR), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and white to white (WTW), were measured by IOLMaster (version 5.0, Carl Zeiss, Germany), and the AL/CR was calculated. Refraction was measured by fast cycloplegic retinoscopy, and the spherical equivalent (SE) was calculated. Only right eyes were included in the analysis. SPSS16.0 was used to analyze the data. The correlations of the equivalent spherical power, the eye biological parameters, height, weight, and BMI were evaluated. Linear regression analysis was used for the SE, AL, and AL/CR. Results: The prevalence of myopia in 7- to 14-year-old school-age children was 50.2% on the average, 48.4% in boys, and 51.7% in girls. The average SE was (-1.07±1.74) D. With adjustment of the age, gender, urban and rural areas, there was an association between the SE and AL, AL/CR, ACD, height and weight. The correlation coefficient was -0.663, -0.730, -0.416, -0.365, and -0.281, respectively (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between the SE and WTW, corneal power and BMI. Regarding the different refractive statuses, there was a stronger correlation between the SE and AL, AL/CR in children with hyperopia, moderate myopia or high myopia than those with emmetropia or mild myopia (P< 0.01). In the older children, the correlation between the SE and AL, AL/CR was stronger. Linear regression analysis showed SE= 26.55-9.11·AL/CR and 23.0-1.02·AL. Conclusions: There was an association between the SE and AL, AL/CR, ACD, height and weight in school-age children. In children with hyperopia, moderate myopia, high myopia or at an older age, the correlation was more significant between the SE and AL, AL/CR. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52:831-835).

Tunable deep-subwavelength superscattering using graphene monolayers.

In this Letter, we theoretically propose for the first time that graphene monolayers can be used for superscatterer designs. We show that the scattering cross-section of the bare deep-subwavelength dielectric cylinder is markedly enhanced by six orders of magnitude due to the excitation of the first-order resonance of graphene plamons. By utilizing the tunability of the plasmonic resonance through tuning graphene's chemical potential, the graphene superscatterer works in a wide range of frequencies from several terahertz to tens of terahertz.

[Analysis on personal protection in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis and influencing factor in China].

Objective: To understand the current status of personal protection in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis in China and provide evidence for the evaluation of implementation of National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan (2016-2020). Methods: Four counties in Shanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region were selected to conduct a questionnaire survey in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis from December 2019 to July 2020 by using cross-sectional survey methods. Results: A total of 2 384 persons at high risk for brucellosis were surveyed, and the standardized utilization rate of personal protective equipment (PPE) was 20.13% (480/2 384). The utilization rate of glove, mask, rubber shoe, and work cloth were 38.26% (912/2 384), 31.80% (758/2 384), 32.01% (763/2 384) and 30.87% (736/2 384),respectively. There were significant differences in the utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of the four types of PPE among populations in different age, occupation, educational level and area groups (all P<0.001). The utilization rate and standardized utilization rate of PPE were lower in people over 60 years old, women, farmers, and those with lower educational level. The results of multivariate analysis showed that occupation and area were the influencing factors for the standardized utilization of PPE, the standardized utilization rates of PPE were higher in herdsmen and veterinarians. The standardized utilization rate of PPE in Yanggao County and Huocheng County was significantly higher than that in Zuoyun County and Hunyuan County. Conclusions: The utilization rate of the four types of PPE in occupational population at high risk for brucellosis was not high in China, and the standardized utilization rate was low, lower than the requirement in National Brucellosis Prevention and Control Plan, and there were significant differences among different areas. It is urgent to distribute PPE to occupational population at high risk for brucellosis and carry out health education about PPE utilization. Meanwhile, it is necessary to strengthen information exchange or sharing among different areas.

Coronary revascularization in lung transplant recipients with concomitant coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is not uncommon among lung transplant candidates. Several small, single-center series have suggested that short-term outcomes are acceptable in selected patients who undergo coronary revascularization prior to, or concomitant with, lung transplantation. Our objective was to evaluate perioperative and intermediate-term outcomes in this patient population at our institution. We performed a retrospective, observational cohort analysis of 898 lung transplant recipients between 1997 and 2010. Pediatric, multivisceral, lobar or repeat transplantations were excluded, resulting in 791 patients for comparative analysis, of which 49 (median age 62, 79.6% bilateral transplant) underwent concurrent coronary artery bypass and 38 (median age 64, 63.2% bilateral transplant) received preoperative percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Perioperative mortality, overall unadjusted survival and adjusted hazard ratio for cumulative risk of death were similar among both revascularization groups as well as controls. The rate of postoperative major adverse cardiac events was also similar among groups; however, concurrent coronary artery bypass was associated with longer postoperative length of stay, more time in the intensive care unit and more postoperative days requiring ventilator support. These results suggest that patients with CAD need not be excluded from lung transplantation. Preferential consideration should be given to preoperative PCI when feasible.

[Assessment of intensity of seasonal influenza activity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, 2019-2021].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of moving epidemic method (MEM) in the assessment of seasonal influenza (influenza) activity intensity from the perspective of urban agglomeration, assess influenza activity intensity in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from 2019 to 2021 and evaluate the reliability of surveillance data and the effectiveness of the MEM model application. Methods: The weekly reported incidence rate (IR) of influenza and the percentage of influenza-like illness (ILI%) from 2011-2021 in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region were collected to establish MEM models respectively. The model fitting effect and the reliability of the two data were evaluated for the purpose of establishing an optimal model to assess the influenza activity intensity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from 2019-2021. A cross-validation procedure was used to evaluate the performance of the models by calculating the Youden's index, sensitivity and specificity. Results: The MEM model fitted with weekly ILI% had a higher Youden's index compared with the model fitted with weekly IR at both Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region level and provincial level. The MEM model based on ILI% showed that the epidemic threshold in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region during 2019-2020 was 4.42%, the post-epidemic threshold was 4.66%, with medium, high and very high intensity thresholds as 5.38%, 7.22% and 7.84%, respectively. The influenza season during 2019-2020 had 10 weeks (week 50 of 2019 to week 7 of 2020). The influenza season started in week 50 of 2019, and the intensity fluctuated above and below medium epidemic level for six consecutive weeks. The high intensity was observed in week 4 of 2020, the threshold of very high intensity was excessed in week 5, and the intensity gradually declined and became lower than the threshold at the end of the influenza season in week 8. The epidemic threshold was 4.29% and the post-epidemic threshold was 4.35% during 2020-2021. Influenza activity level never excessed the epidemic threshold throughout the year, and no epidemic period emerged. Conclusions: The MEM model could be applied in the assessment of influenza activity intensity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the use of ILI% to assess influenza activity intensity in this region was more reliable than IR data. Influenza activity intensity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region was higher during 2019-2020 but significantly lower in 2020-2021.

In the face of chronic aspiration, prolonged ischemic time exacerbates obliterative bronchiolitis in rat pulmonary allografts.

Aspiration of gastric fluid into the lung mediates the development of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) in orthotopic WKY-to-F344 rat pulmonary transplants that have been subjected to immunosuppression with cyclosporine. However, the contribution of ischemic time to this process remains unknown. In this study, the effect of long (n = 16) and short (n = 12) ischemic times (average of 6 h and of 73 min, respectively) on rat lung transplants receiving aspiration of gastric fluid was assessed. Long ischemic times (LIT) led to significantly (p < 0.05) greater development of OB (ratio of OB lesions/total airways = 0.45 ± 0.07, mean ± standard error) compared to short ischemic times (ratio = 0.19 ± 0.05). However, the development of OB was dependent on aspiration, as controls receiving aspiration with normal saline showed little development of OB, regardless of ischemic time (p < 0.05). These data suggest that LIT, while insufficient by itself to lead to OB, works synergistically with aspiration of gastric fluid to exacerbate the development of OB.

Negative thermal quenching of photoluminescence in zinc oxide nanowire-core/graphene-shell complexes.

Graphene is an atomic thin two-dimensional semimetal whereas ZnO is a direct wide band gap semiconductor with a strong light-emitting ability. In this paper, we report on photoluminescence (PL) of ZnO-nanowires (NWs)-core/Graphene-shell heterostructures, which shows a negative thermal quenching (NTQ) behavior both for the near band-edge and deep level emission. The abnormal PL behavior was understood through the charging and discharging processes between ZnO NWs and graphene. The NTQ properties are most possibly induced by the unique rapidly increasing density of states of graphene as a function of Fermi level, which promises a higher quantum tunneling probability between graphene and ZnO at a raised temperature.

[Influence factors of poor efficacy after flap repair operation in patients with pressure ulcers].

Objective: To investigate the influence factors of poor efficacy after flap repair operation in patients with pressure ulcers. Methods: The retrospective case series study was conducted. From January 2011 to June 2021, 125 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ pressure ulcers treated in Hainan General Hospital met the inclusion criteria. There were 82 males and 43 females, aged 15-90 (57±20) years. According to the postoperative effects, the patients were divided into poor efficacy group (47 cases) and good efficacy group (78 cases). The clinical data of patients in the two groups were collected, including the age, gender, location, stage, size, and bone exposure of pressure ulcers, preoperative microorganism culture results of wound exudate sample, whether combined with osteomyelitis, diabetes, lower limb paroxysmal myospasm, and gatism or not, the number of surgical debridement combined with negative-pressure wound therapy, type of surgical flap, postoperative position, and preoperative albumin, leukocyte, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hemoglobin. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test. The binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen the independent risk factors influencing the poor efficacy after flap repair operation in 125 patients with stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ pressure ulcers. Results: The ratio of patients with lower limb paroxysmal myospasm in poor efficacy group was 22/47, which was significantly higher than 3/78 in good efficacy group (χ2=33.83, P<0.01). The preoperative hemoglobin level of patients in poor efficacy group was (102±17) g/L, which was significantly lower than (113±20) g/L in good efficacy group (t=-3.24, P<0.01). The preoperative CRP level of patients was 39.1 (14.1, 91.6) mg/L in poor efficacy group, which was significantly higher than 15.3 (6.6, 42.0) mg/L in good efficacy group (Z=-3.04, P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in other indexes between patients in the two groups (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, lower limb paroxysmal myospasm, and preoperative hemoglobin level were the independent risk factors for poor efficacy after flap repair operation in patients with pressure ulcers (with odds ratios of 1.03, 40.69, and 0.97, 95% confidence intervals of 1.00-1.06, 9.18-180.39, and 0.95-1.00, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Poor efficacy after flap repair operation in patients with pressure ulcers is affected by many factors, among which the age, lower limb paroxysmal myospasm, and preoperative hemoglobin level are the independent risk factors.

[Medical costs of brucellosis patients in Datong of Shanxi province, 2017-2019].

Objective: To explore the medical costs and influencing factors of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis in Datong of Shanxi province. Methods: Information on demographics, medical visits, and costs of patients diagnosed with Brucellosis between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, were collected. Health care utilization and medical costs were analyzed from different genders, age groups, underlying diseases, clinical stages, and comorbidities. Results: A total of 2 289 patients (1 715 outpatient and 574 inpatient cases) were included in the analysis. 72.0% (1 649/2 289) were male, with an average age of (49.6±15.5) years; age between 45-59 years was the dominant group (36.2%,829/2 289). The mean age of inpatients (51.4±16.0) was higher than that of outpatients (49.0±15.2)(Z=-4.01, P<0.001). The average number of outpatient visits per outpatient was (1.6±1.5) times. The duration of hospitalization was (14.6±9.9) and (20.8±11.4) days for patients with central nervous system complications and (16.6±9.5) days for vascular system complications. Of the inpatients, 51.0% (293/574) had underlying diseases, and 30.3% (174/574) had endocrine and metabolic diseases. 54.0% (310/574) of inpatients were diagnosed with acute Brucellosis, and 46.0% (264/574) were diagnosed with chronic Brucellosis. A total of 64.3% (369/574) of inpatients had complications, 30.3% (174/574) of digestive system complications, followed by skeletal system complications (29.1%, 167/574). Among outpatients, age significantly affected medical costs (P<0.001). For inpatients, age and complications and treatment effect were influential factors (P<0.05). Patients with the combined skeletal system and central nervous system complications had significantly higher medical costs (P<0.001). Conclusions: The medical costs for outpatient cases of Brucellosis were moderate. However, the economic burden was higher for inpatients, especially those with skeletal and neurological complications. Early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cases were essential to avoid chronic Brucellosis and its complications and reduce medical costs.

Study of gastric fluid induced cytokine and chemokine expression in airway smooth muscle cells and airway remodeling.

Asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disease. Chronic aspiration by gastric fluid in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is considered a primary inflammatory factor exacerbating or predisposing patients to asthma. Airway smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are considered an important component in airway remodeling. To investigate the role of gastric fluid in airway SMC inflammation and airway remodeling, we examined gastric fluid-induced cytokine and chemokine profiles, airway SMC migration and matrix metalloproteinase expression in rat primary rat airway SMCs. The T helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokines interleukin 4, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor 2 (TNF-α) and the chemokines, lipopolysaccharide-induced CXC chemokine (LIX/CXCL5), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 2 (CINC-2), CINC-3, fractalkine, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and vascular endothelial growth factor were induced by gastric fluid in primary cultured rat airway SMCs. Migration of rat airway SMCs was enhanced by gastric fluid and conditioned medium. The migration of rat airway SMCs enhanced by gastric fluid was associated with actin polymerization and activation of focal adhesion kinase. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 expressions in airway SMCs was enhanced by gastric fluid and conditioned medium. The results suggest potential mechanisms by which gastric fluid aspiration might influence SMC-mediated airway remodeling.

Unexpected optical response of single ZnO nanowires probed using controllable electrical contacts.

Relying on combined electron-beam lithography and lift-off methods Au/Ti bilayer electrical contacts were attached to individual ZnO nanowires (NWs) that were grown by a vapor phase deposition method. Reliable Schottky-type as well as ohmic contacts were obtained depending on whether or not an ion milling process was used. The response of the ZnO NWs to ultraviolet light was found to be sensitive to the type of contacts. The intrinsic electronic properties of the ZnO NWs were studied in a field-effect transistor configuration. The transfer characteristics, including gate threshold voltage, hysteresis and operational mode, were demonstrated to unexpectedly respond to visible light. The origin of this effect could be accounted for by the presence of point defects in the ZnO NWs.

Phosphorus doped Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O nanowire arrays.

We demonstrate the growth of phosphorus doped Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O nanowire (NW) using pulsed laser deposition. For the first time, p-type Zn(0.92)Mg(0.08)O:P NWs are likely obtained in reference to atomic force microscopy based piezoelectric output measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the transport property between the NWs and a n-type ZnO film. A shallow acceptor level of approximately 140 meV is identified by temperature-dependent photoluminescence. A piezoelectric output of 60 mV on average has been received using the doped NWs. Besides a control on NW aspect ratio and density, band gap engineering has also been achieved by alloying with Mg to a content of x = 0.23. The alloyed NWs with controllable conductivity type have potential application in high-efficiency all-ZnO NWs based LED, high-output ZnO nanogenerator, and other optical or electrical devices.

Concanavalin A alters synaptic specificity between cultured Aplysia neurons.

Factors that regulate synaptic specificity were investigated with Aplysia buccal and bag cell neurons in primary cell culture. In the presence of fetal calf serum electrical synapses are formed between buccal-buccal or bag-bag cell pairs, but not between buccal-bag cell pairs. Instead, buccal neurons make inhibitory chemical synapses on bag cells. However, in the presence of nanomolar concentrations of the lectin concanavalin A this pattern changes, such that more than 75 percent of buccal-bag pairs exhibit electrical synapses and the frequency of occurrence of buccal-bag chemical synapses is reduced. Such changes in synaptic specificity may be important in determining the types of synapses formed during neuronal development and neurite regeneration.

Identifying individual n- and p-type ZnO nanowires by the output voltage sign of piezoelectric nanogenerator.

Based on a comparative study between the piezoelectric outputs of n-type nanowires (NWs) and n-core/p-shell NWs along with the previous study (Lu et al 2009 Nano. Lett. 9 1223), we demonstrate a one-step technique for identifying the conductivity type of individual ZnO nanowires (NWs) based on the output of a piezoelectric nanogenerator without destroying the sample. A negative piezoelectric output voltage indicates an NW is n-type and it appears after the tip scans across the center of the NW, while a positive output voltage reveals p-type conductivity and it appears before the tip scans across the central line of the NW. This atomic force microscopy based technique is reliable for statistically mapping the majority carrier type in ZnO NWs arrays. The technique may also be applied to other wurtzite semiconductors, such as GaN, CdS and ZnS.