[Analysis of the relationship between PI-RADS scores and the pathological results of targeted biopsy based on MRI].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores and the pathological results of transperineal magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion guided biopsy. Methods: The clinical data, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results and prostate puncture biopsies of 517 patients who were assigned to PI-RADS score of 4 or 5 and underwent transperineal magnetic resonance-ultrasound fusion guided biopsy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the PI-RADS 4 and PI-RADS 5 groups according to their PI-RADS scores and were stratified by their prostate specific antigen (PSA) values (PSA<10 ng/ml vs. PSA 10-20 ng/ml). The pathological negative rates from the biopsy, the distribution of the grade groups according to the grading system by World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP), the detection rates of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa)between the groups were compared. Results: 369 patients with a PI-RADS score of 4 and 148 patients with a PI-RADS score of 5 were included in our research. The overall detection rates of PCa and CsPCa were 77.8% (402/517) and 66.7% (345/517), respectively. In the PI-RADS 4 group, patients with prostate negative biopsies or in WHO/ISUP 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 grade groups accounted for 28.2%, 12.7%, 20.1%, 17.1%, 18.4% and 3.5%, respectively, whereas in the PI-RADS 5 group the rates were 7.4%, 6.8%, 22.3%, 22.3%, 26.4%, and 14.9%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The detection rates of PCa and CsPCa in the PI-RADS 4 group [71.8% (265/369) vs. 59.1% (218/369), P<0.001] were lower than those of the PI-RADS 5 group [92.6% (137/148) vs. 85.8% (127/148), P<0.001]. In the PI-RADS 4 group, the proportion of patients classified into WHO/ISUP 4-5 grade groups was lower than that of patients in the PI-RADS 5 group [22.0% (81/369) vs 41.2% (61/148) (P<0.001)]. The detection rates of PCa and CsPCa in the PSA<10 ng/ml stratification were less than that in the PSA 10-20 ng/ml stratification[74.1% (281/379) vs. 87.7% (121/138), P=0.001], and [60.9% (231/379) vs. 82.6% (114/138), P<0.001]. For patients with PSA<10 ng/ml, the detection rates of PCa and CsPCa in the PI-RADS 4 group were less than those in the PI-RADS5 group [70.9% (217/306) vs. 87.7% (64/73), P=0.003], and [56.2% (172/306) vs. 80.8% (59/73), P<0.001]. For those with a PSA value of 10-20 ng/ml, the detection rates of PCa and CsPCa in the PI-RADS 4 group were less than those in the PI-RADS 5 group [76.2% (48/63) vs. 97.3% (73/75), P<0.001], and [73.0% (46/63) vs. 90.7% (68/75), P=0.006]. There were statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients with prostate negative biopsy and those falling into WHO/ISUP grade groups 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (P<0.001) between the PI-RADS 4 group and the PI-RADS 5 group in both stratifications. Conclusions: In this study, the detection rates of CsPCa and PCa in the PI-RADS 4 group were less than those in the PI-RADS 5 group. With the increase of PI-RADS scores, the detection rate of high-grade PCa increased. The same results held for patients with PSA<10 ng/ml or with PSA 10-20 ng/ml.

[Study on the correlation between ceramic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Foshan City].

Objective: To study the correlation between ceramic and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and explore its related risk factors. Methods: In January 2021, five representative ceramic enterprises were selected from Chancheng District, Nanhai District, Gaoming District and Sanshui District of Foshan City. The ceramic workers who came to Chancheng Hospital of Foshan First People's Hospital for physical examination from January to October 2021 were selected as the research objects, and 525 people were included. Conduct questionnaire survey and pulmonary function test. Logistic regresion was performed to analyze the influencing facters of COPD among ceramic workers. Results: The subjects were (38.51±1.25) years old, 328 males and 197 females, and the detection rate of COPD was 9.52% (50/525). The incidence of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, chronic cough, wheezing and chest tightness, the detection rates of abnormal lung age, abnormal lung function and COPD in males were higher than those in females (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis showed that male, age, working years, smoking status and family history of COPD were the risk factors for COPD among ceramic workers (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The ceramic workers are the high risk population of COPD. We should do a good job in health education, and do a regular physical examination to find the changes of lung function in time, and prevent the occurrence of COPD as soon as possible.

Inoculation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria for the improvement of lead accumulation by Brassica juncea.

Two phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains were isolated and identified as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus YC-5a and Enterobacter agglomerans KMC-7 based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. A. calcoaceticus YC-5a is less well known as a phosphate-solubilizing plant-associated bacterium. The plant growth-promoting properties of the phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) were characterized in vitro, including their phosphate-solubilizing activities and their capabilities for producing indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores. A pot experiment was conducted to elucidate the effects of inoculating both strains on the growth and Pb uptake of Brassica juncea grown in different concentrations of Pb-contaminated soils. Inoculation with both PSB not only stimulated the growth of B. juncea, but it also influenced the accumulation of Pb in the shoots and roots of the host plant. The present study demonstrates that PSB are a valuable microbial resource that can be exploited to improve the efficiency of phytoextraction.

CURB-65 score predicted mortality in community-acquired pneumonia better than IDSA/ATS minor criteria in a low-mortality-rate setting.

The CURB-65 scoring system performs well at identifying patients with pneumonia who have a low risk of death. Whether it predicts mortality in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) better than the 2007 Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA)/American Thoracic Society (ATS) minor criteria in low-mortality-rate settings is not clear. The purpose of this study was to determine the hypothesis.A total of 1,230 adult inpatients admitted to our hospital from 2005 to 2009 for CAP were reviewed retrospectively.The hospital mortality was 1.3 %. Percentage mortality increased significantly with CURB-65 score and the increasing number of IDSA/ATS minor criteria present. The number of CURB-65 criteria or IDSA/ATS minor criteria present had significant increased odds ratios for mortality of 7.547 and 2.711, respectively. The sensitivities of a CURB-65 score of ≥ 3 and the presence of ≥ 3 minor criteria in predicting mortality was 25 % and 37.5 %, which increased to 75 % and 62.5 %, while the cut-off values reduced to ≥ 2 criteria, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for CURB-65 was greater than the corresponding area for IDSA/ATS minor criteria in predicting hospital mortality (0.915 vs. 0.805, p = 0.0091).CURB-65 score predicted hospital mortality better than IDSA/ATS minor criteria, and a CURB-65 score of ≥ 2 or the presence of ≥ 2 minor criteria might be more valuable cut-off values for "severe" CAP in a low-mortality-rate setting.

Potential number of human cases of H5N1 avian influenza in Egypt.

OBJECTIVES: H5N1 is one of the avian influenza virus subtypes that has the potential to evolve into a global pandemic that could cause millions of human deaths and great economic losses. Cases involving humans have occurred in 15 countries. Costly interventions have been used by governments and health organisations. Thus, a challenging question arises regarding how many cases of the disease may actually have been prevented as a result of such interventions. STUDY DESIGN: This paper answers such a question by applying a statistical model to the 2006-January 2009 outbreak in Egypt. Egypt was chosen as it had the highest number of human avian influenza cases outside Asia, and the second highest number in that period worldwide. METHODS: Brookmeyer and Blades' statistical model was applied. The sensitivities of the estimated number of human cases and exposure dates to the assumed incubation period, the delay in intervention and the coverage/effectiveness of the intervention were investigated. RESULTS: In the absence of intervention, it appears that the outbreak could have been approximately 1.5 times as large, but it is unlikely it would have exceeded 150 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results underscore the importance of early detection of an outbreak and intervention, together with effective public health control measures.

Inhibition of human leukemia xenograft in nude mice by adenovirus-mediated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3.

Considerable studies have demonstrated the pivotal roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in leukemia dissemination and extramedullary infiltration. Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are multifunctional proteins with MMPs inhibitory effects. However, little is known about the application of TIMPs in the treatment of leukemia. Here, we investigated the effects of TIMP-3 overexpression via adenoviral gene delivery on the in vitro growth and invasiveness of leukemic cells and the in vivo progress of K562-derived xenografts in nude mice. The in vitro invasiveness of K562 cells was markedly impaired by AdTIMP-3 infection. Moreover, TIMP-3 significantly inhibited K562-derived angiogenic factors-induced proliferation, migration and bFGF-induced tube formation of endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro, and reduced VEGF-induced gelatinases expression and activation in ECs. Although TIMP-3 overexpression had no direct effect on the growth of K562 cells in vitro, repeated intratumoral injection of AdTIMP-3 significantly inhibited the growth of K562 xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, lower microvessel density, less vessel maturity and increased apoptosis were observed in AdTIMP-3-treated K562 xenografts, suggesting the importance of antiangiogenic action of TIMP-3. These data demonstrated the potential of applying AdTIMP-3 as an effective antiangiogenic adjuvant in the treatment of leukemia progression.

Size-dependent formation enthalpy of nanocompounds.

A quantitative thermodynamic model for the size-dependent formation enthalpy of nanocompounds is proposed. The model reveals that the thermal stability of nanocompounds decreases because of the size dependence of formation enthalpy when the size of these nanostructures decreases. This stability loss is related to some general phenomena such as interface alloying of immiscible systems and phase segregation of miscible systems with reducing system sizes. The predictions from the model are in agreement with the results from density function theory calculation for MgH2, the experimental measurement of SnTe nanoparticles, and quantum chemistry consideration.

Compliance with the CURB-65 score and the consequences of non-implementation.

BACKGROUND: The CURB-65 (confusion, urea >7 mmol/l, respiratory rate ≥ 30 breaths/min, low blood pressure and age ≥ 65 years) score is a simple, well-validated tool for the assessment of severity in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). It is unknown whether it is used routinely in China. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of use of the CURB-65 score in routine hospital practice and the consequences of non-implementation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of medical records from 1230 in-patients with CAP in a Chinese medical college-affiliated hospital. RESULTS: No CAP patient underwent the CURB-65 test at admission. Based on the British Thoracic Society guidelines, the 716 (58.2%) in-patients with a CURB65 score of 0 and the 402 (32.7%) in-patients with CURB-65 score of 1 should have received ambulatory treatment, whereas the 14 (1.2%) patients with CURB65 scores of ≥ 3 should have been admitted to the critical care unit. The maximum excess total annual costs for managing CAP patients with CURB-65 scores of 0 and 1 were estimated at respectively US$94 383.12 and US$66 313.92 in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: The CURB-65 scoring tool in patients with CAP was not applied in routine hospital practice, resulting in inappropriate hospitalisation and excess costs.

Salmonellosis outbreak among factory workers--Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China, July 2004.

INTRODUCTION: During July 9--14, 2004, an outbreak of gastroenteritis occurred among workers at an electronics factory in Huizhou, Guangdong Province, China; 199 cases were reported. A case-control investigation was initiated to identify the agent and the mode of transmission. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 142 workers and food handlers and cultured for enteric pathogens. A questionnaire concerning meals and foods eaten in the factory cafeteria during July 11--13 was administered to 92 ill workers and 100 controls. RESULTS: Of approximately 2,000 workers who worked during the outbreak, 197 (10%) had illness consistent with the case definition. Salmonella enteritidis was identified from 44 (31%) of 142 stool samples collected from ill workers. Ill workers were more likely than controls to have eaten breakfast in the factory cafeteria during July 11--13. Of eight foods served at breakfast in the factory cafeteria, three were associated with illness: cake, bread (on July 12 only), and congee (i.e., rice porridge). Stratification of bread and congee exposure by cake consumption indicated that only bread eaten on July 12 was associated with gastroenteritis. The cake was baked on July 11, and a mixture that included raw eggs was poured on top; the cake was then stored at room temperature and served for breakfast on 3 consecutive days (July 11--13). The bread was stored together with the cake on July 11 and 12. No leftover food was tested. DISCUSSION: The investigation indicated that an outbreak of S. enterica serotype Enteritidis resulted from consumption of an unusual food vehicle (i.e., cake) that had been contaminated from a more typical source (i.e., raw eggs). The bread was stored at room temperature together with cake on which a mixture made from raw eggs had been poured. The bread was probably contaminated by contact with the cake. CONCLUSION: Food handlers should be instructed that intact fresh eggs can harbor S. enteritidis, foods made from eggs must be cooked, and prepared food must be stored under refrigeration.

Six new dammarane-type triterpene saponins from the leaves of Panax ginseng.

Six new minor saponins, together with known ginsenosides, were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng. The new saponins were named as ginsenoside-Rh5, -Rh6, -Rh7 -Rh8, -Rh9 and -Rg7, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence to be as follows: ginsenoside-Rh5: 3beta,6alpha,12beta,24zeta-tetrahydroxy-dammar-20(22),25-diene 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), -Rh6: 3beta,6alpha12beta,20(S)-tetrahydroxy-25-hydroperoxy-dammar-23-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), -Rh7: 3beta,7beta,12beta,20(S)-tetrahydroxy-dammar-5,24-diene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), -Rh8: 3beta,6alpha,20(S)-trihydroxy-dammar-24-ene-12-one 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), -Rh9: 3beta,6alpha,20(S)-trihydroxy-12beta,23-epoxy-dammar-24-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) and -Rg7: 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 3beta,12beta,20(S),24(R)-tetrahydroxy-dammar-25-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6).