[Analysis of occupational health input-output of a iron mine in Hebei province].

Objective: To explore the relationship between input and output of occupational health funds, and to provide basis for relevant departments to make decisions. Methods: In September 2018, a state-owned iron ore in Hebei Province (mining history of more than 10 years, which can represent the general type of iron ore) was selected as the research object. Through the investigation and collection of enterprise general situation, occupational health input, loss and output related indicators, the iron mine occupational health expenditure input-output table and model were established, and the digital relationship between the investment and output was solved by MATLAB software. Results: The labor consumption in the departments of underground mining, open pit mining, crushing and rock discharging, transportation, tailings and mineral processing (taking labor wages as reference) were 756.46, 1.281.78, 987.61, 1 570.71, 50.956 and 18.9116 million yuan/year respectively. The output value of each sector is 11 207.19, 18 989.95, 15 176.40, 25 294.00, 7.704.94 and 280.1797 million yuan/year respectively. The ratio of health input to total output was 0.004 5, and the ratio of occupational health input to output was 1/0.046. Conclusion: The input-output table model of occupational health in iron mine can reflect the relationship between input and output of occupational health funds. The input situation of the coal mine is poor, and the input does not bring obvious occupational health benefits.

[Impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on anxiety among the elderly in community].

Objective: To compare the prevalence of anxiety among old people before and during the COVID-19 epidemic in China, and to provide scientific evidence for psychological intervention of the elderly during public health emergencies. Methods: In 2019, the National Psychological Care Project for the Elderly was launched, covering 818 communities across the country, and 188 407 subjects received psychological assessment. In April and May 2020, a convenient sample of 6 467 aged 65 and above subjects were followed up on the anxiety status and its influencing factors during the epidemic period by using structurized questionnaire. Data collection and management were carried out using the national elderly psychological care project data collection platform. McNemar test was used to compare the difference of the prevalence of anxiety among elderly before (October 2019 to January 23, 2020) and during the epidemic (April-May 2020). The difference of the prevalence of anxiety among elderly with different characteristics was compared by chi square test. The influencing factors of anxiety before and during the epidemic situation were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms in the elderly population was 4.95% (95%CI: 4.42%-5.48%) before the outbreak of COVID-19, and 10.10% (95%CI: 9.36%-10.83%) during the epidemic which was twice as high as before the outbreak. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of anxiety symptoms before the outbreak were with one underlying disease (OR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.05-2.37), with two or more underlying diseases (OR=3.10, 95%CI: 2.13-4.51), and the protective factors were with hobbies, good relationship between children, good relationship with spouse, positive aging attitude and good psychological resilience (all P<0.05). The risk factors of developing anxiety symptoms during the epidemic were living in rural areas (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.42-2.20), participating in social activities regularly (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.02-1.48), having a good relationship with friends (OR=1.42, 95%CI: 1.11-1.82) and were quarantined or people around were quarantined for medical observation (OR=2.80, 95% CI: 1.90-4.13). Conclusion: The COVID-19 epidemic leads to a double increase in anxiety among the elderly. We should pay more attention to the psychological state of the elderly in rural area and who is being quarantined or people around being quarantined for medical observation.

Synthesized prevention and control of one decade for mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and determinants associated with congenital syphilis and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Shenzhen, South China.

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effectiveness of an intervention program on mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of syphilis and investigate determinants of congenital syphilis (CS) and adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). The Shenzhen local government initiated an intervention program of MTCT of syphilis in 2001. Based on this program, maternal and paternal factors associated with CS and APOs among syphilitic women were investigated from 2007 to 2012 by a prospective cohort study. From 2002 to 2012, 2,441,237 pregnant women were screened and screening coverage reached 97.2 % in 2012. In the background of continuing growth of CS in China, CS in Shenzhen significantly decreased from 109.3 cases in 2002 to 9.9 cases in 2012 per 100,000 live births. Maternal education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]CS = 0.65; aORAPOs = 0.79) and history of syphilis (aORCS = 0.28; aORAPOs = 0.61), as well as paternal age (aORCS = 0.62; aORAPOs = 0.86) and education (aORCS = 0.66; aORAPOs = 0.86) were negatively associated with CS and APOs, but maternal unmarried status (aORCS = 1.95; aORAPOs = 2.61), inadequate antenatal care (ANC) (aORCS = 3.61; aORAPOs = 1.79), more sexual partners (aORCS = 1.51; aORAPOs = 1.39), every week of delay in treatment (aORCS = 2.82; aORAPOs = 1.27), higher baseline titers of nontreponemal antibodies (aORCS = 5.65; aORAPOs = 1.47), early syphilis (aORCS = 23.24; aORAPOs = 26.95), and non-penicillin treatment (aORCS = 3.00; aORAPOs = 2.16), as well as paternal history of cocaine use (aORCS = 2.70; aORAPOs = 2.44) and positive (aORCS = 4.14; aORAPOs = 1.50) or unknown (aORCS = 2.37; aORAPOs = 2.06) status of syphilis increased the risk of CS and APOs. Condom use (aOR = 0.70) decreased MTCT of syphilis. A ten-year program consisting of screening and treatment, early ANC, health education, partners tracking, detection, and treatment, follow-up visits, and information management is an effective means to block MTCT of syphilis. Maternal and paternal factors constituted two separate profiles associated with MTCT of syphilis.

miRNA expression analysis of the sheep follicle during the prerecruitment, dominant, and mature stages of development under FSH stimulation.

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) has been widely reported to influence ovarian follicular development, and miRNAs play a significant role in mammalian follicular development by regulating their target genes. Therefore, it is of interest to explore the roles of miRNAs in sheep follicular development during FSH stimulation. In the current study, we constructed miRNA expression profiles of small follicles (SFs, prerecruitment stage), medium follicles (MFs, dominance stage), and large follicles (LFs, maturation stage). Three and 50 significant differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were identified in the MF vs. SF and LF vs. SF comparisons, respectively, and none were identified in the LF vs. MF comparison. Oar-miR-10a was significantly downregulated in MFs compared with SFs. In LFs compared with SFs, miR-212-3p, miR-212-5p and miR-202-5p were significantly upregulated, and miR-27a-3p, miR-181a-5p, miR-204-5p, and miR-182-5p were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, we predicted the target genes of significant DEMs and performed functional enrichment analyses of these target genes. Analyses of KEGG pathways and GO terms showed that the putative target genes were significantly enriched in ovarian steroidogenesis, glutathione metabolism, positive regulation of cell differentiation, positive regulation of cell development, and cellular response to oxygen-containing compounds. Analyses of miRNA-gene regulatory networks suggested that miR-181a-5p-CYP11A1, (miR-27a-3p and miR-129-5p)-LDLR, (miR-212-3p and miR-212-5p)-EFNA5, (miR-181a-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-27a-3p)-INHBA, and miR-182-5p-SOD2 might be involved in follicular development. The present study provides basic data and suggests research directions for further exploration of the roles of miRNAs in sheep follicular development under FSH stimulation.

Injury-related fatalities in China: an under-recognised public-health problem.

The May 2008 earthquake in Wenchuan drew attention to the important but largely unrecognised public-health problem of injury-related mortality and morbidity in China. Injuries account for more than 10% of all deaths and more than 30% of all potentially productive years of life lost due to premature mortality in China. Traffic-related injuries (mainly among cyclists and pedestrians), suicide, drowning, and falls account for 79% of all injury deaths. Rural injury death rates are double those of urban rates and male rates are double those of female rates. Despite an 81% increase in the traffic-related mortality from 1987 to 2006-associated with rapid motorisation-the overall injury mortality decreased by 17%, largely due to a surprising (and unexplained) 57% reduction in the suicide rate. Low-cost prevention measures that are most likely to produce large reductions in injury deaths include enforcement of laws for drinking and driving and for seat belt and helmet use, restriction of access to the most potent pesticides, and teaching children to swim. China needs to improve monitoring of fatal and non-fatal injuries, promote intersectoral collaboration, build institutional capacities, and, most importantly, mobilise community support and political will for investment in prevention.

An animal model for studying endoscopic ultrasound changes of early chronic pancreatitis with histologic correlation: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Due to the difficulty in obtaining pancreatic tissue for histology in humans, we developed an animal model for studying endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) changes of early chronic pancreatitis. This report on the animal model describes the serial changes of early chronic pancreatitis by EUS and correlates results with histology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four 60 - 80-lb dogs were used in the study. Pancreatic EUS was performed to provide baseline images prior to any procedure. At laparotomy, a guide wire was passed into the pancreatic duct, and a 5-Fr pancreatic stent was introduced over the wire into the pancreatic duct. Animals were divided into two survival groups - 2 weeks and 4 weeks. In each group, EUS examination was performed under anesthesia to image the pancreas and then followed by euthanasia. Sequential pancreatic sections were taken from the head, body, and tail of the pancreas. EUS findings were correlated with histologic results with respect to degree of fibrosis, inflammation, and edema. RESULTS: At baseline EUS, the pancreas appeared homogeneous with only a few echogenic septations and echogenic margins of the main pancreatic duct. At 2 and 4 weeks poststenting, EUS images showed the following changes: lobularity, hyper and hypoechoic foci, increased echogenic septations, visible pancreatic duct side branches, and irregular margins of the main pancreatic duct. CONCLUSIONS: The dog model for chronic pancreatitis appears to be a promising method for studying sequential changes of chronic pancreatitis by EUS and correlating results with histology.

Increasing tuberculosis case detection through intensive referral and tracing in Hunan, China.

OBJECTIVE: To explore a feasible approach to increase case finding of tuberculosis (TB) through intensive referral and tracing of TB suspects and patients. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in three Chinese cities. A strategic referral and tracing system was developed for the local situation in Hunan, China. Data from a 1-year monitoring of referral, tracing and diagnosis of TB suspects/cases were used to assess outcomes. RESULTS: Among 126 public general hospitals and clinics in 38 project counties, the 124 (98.4%) health facilities that participated referred an average of 10 TB suspects and cases to the TB dispensary every month. A total of 6364 suspects and 5759 cases were referred. Compared to the previous year, the number of TB suspects increased by 102.1%, from 25 719 to 51 967; the referral of TB suspects increased five-fold; 10 596 new smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases were identified; and the notification of new smear-positive PTB increased by 112.9%, from 27.1/100 000 before the project year to 57.7/100 000, a significantly higher percentage than that of non-project areas, which had a notification rate of 38.8/100 000. CONCLUSION: Intensive referral and tracing of TB suspects/patients is a feasible and effective method of increasing case finding. Strengthening administrative interventions and incentives is essential to achieve project objectives.

The proteinase-activated receptor 2 is involved in nociception.

The proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed on a subset of primary afferent neurons and may participate in the neurogenic component of inflammation. We hypothesized that this receptor may also play a role in neuronal sensitization and contribute to the pathogenesis of pain in inflammatory conditions such as pancreatitis. Using a specific proteinase-activated receptor 2 activating peptide, we found evidence of such sensitization in vitro in the form of enhanced capsaicin- and KCl-evoked release of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a marker for nociceptive signaling. We then demonstrated that injection of the proteinase-activated receptor 2 activating peptide into the pancreatic duct can activate and sensitize pancreas-specific afferent neurons in vivo, as measured by Fos expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. These observations suggest that proteinase-activated receptor 2 contributes to nociceptive signaling and may provide a novel link between inflammation and pain.

Detection of HCV in bile duct epithelium by laser capture microdissection (LCM).

Chronic hepatitis C affects 0.3 to 1.5% of the general population worldwide. The estimated total number of newly acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is 28,000 in the USA, with 10,000 deaths each year resulting from HCV-associated chronic liver disease. Histological examination of liver tissue from chronic HCV infection shows lymphoid aggregates or follicles in the portal triads, focal fatty change and lobular inflammation. Hepatitis-associated bile duct lesion (HBL) is seen in 5 - 91% of the cases. While the morphological spectrum of HBL has been well described, its pathogenesis in hepatitis C is not known. To this date, evidence supports both the direct injury and immune-mediated mechanisms, but to what extent these mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of HBL in chronic hepatitis C remains unclear. Our study showed the presence of HCV in the bile duct epithelium of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, using the laser capture microdissection technique. These results will enhance our diagnostic capabilities and treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection.

Antiapoptotic and antioxidant effects of rosmarinic acid in astrocytes.

The protective effects of rosmarinic acid (RA), a polyphenolic compound, on apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in astrocytes were studied. Pretreating cells with RA significantly increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis rate induced by H2O2. The antiapoptotic effect of RA was further confirmed by increase of mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of caspase-3 activity. RA also attenuated cellular oxidative stress by decreasing the amount of reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde. Results clearly show that RA was able to attenuate H2O2-induced cell injury by its antiapoptotic and antioxidant activity.

Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the M and S genome segments of two Puumala virus isolates from Russia.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is caused by viruses in the Hantavirus genus, family Bunyaviridae. Three serologically distinct hantaviruses, Hantaan, Seoul and Puumala viruses, are known to cause HFRS. We report here, for the first time, gene sequences of two human Puumala virus isolates, P360 and K27, obtained in an HFRS endemic region of the former Soviet Union. We compared the nucleotide sequences and the derived amino acid sequences of their gene products to a Puumala virus isolate from rodents.

Antigenic and molecular characterization of hantavirus isolates from China.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is caused by certain viruses in the genus Hantavirus, family Bunyaviridae, and is a major public health problem in China. By using molecular and serological tests, we characterized 15 hantaviruses isolated either from patients with HFRS or from rodents captured in endemic areas of China. By cross plaque-reduction neutralization tests performed with rabbit immune sera, we identified two serologically distinct groups of viruses, comprised of those related to Hantaan virus, and those related to Seoul virus. To study the genetic relationships among these viruses, we amplified a 330 base pair region of the medium (M) genome segment of each isolate by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and compared the nucleotide sequences to those of other, well-characterized hantaviruses. In addition, we PCR-amplified and analyzed the entire coding region of the small (S) genome segment of each isolate by restriction enzyme digestion with a battery of enzymes. The results of our genetic analyses of both the M and S segments of these isolates confirmed our serological data, indicating that Hantaan and Seoul viruses co-circulate in endemic disease regions of China. We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on multiple alignment of the partial M segment sequences. The resulting dendrogram distinguished three genetic subtypes of Hantaan viruses and one type of Seoul virus.

Pirital virus (Arenaviridae) infection in the syrian golden hamster, Mesocricetus auratus: a new animal model for arenaviral hemorrhagic fever.

Adult Syrian golden hamsters inoculated intraperitoneally with Pirital virus, a recently discovered member of the Tacaribe complex of New World arenaviruses, developed a progressively severe, fatal illness with many of the pathologic features observed in fatal human cases of Lassa fever and other arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers. Most of the animals became moribund by Day 5 and were dead by Day 7 after inoculation. The most consistent histopathologic changes included interstitial pneumonitis, splenic lymphoid depletion and necrosis, and multifocal hepatic necrosis without significant inflammatory cell infiltration. The liver changes ranged from single cell death by apoptosis to coagulative necrosis of clusters of hepatocytes. Immunohistochemical studies of the liver demonstrated the presence and accumulation ot Pirital virus antigen within hepatocytes as well as Kupffer cells. An in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay showed progressively increasing apoptotic activity in the liver of infected hamsters. A human hepatoblastoma cell line (Hep G2/C3A) inoculated with Pirital virus also developed progressive cell destruction and accumulation of viral antigen, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence. Results of this pilot study suggest that the Pirital virus-hamster model is a very promising new small animal model for studying the pathogenesis of arenavirus infections, particularly, the mechanism of direct virus-induced hepatic injury. It may also be useful for testingantiviral agents for treatment of arenaviral hemorrhagic fevers.

Isolation of a strain of a Hantaan virus from a fatal case of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Slovenia.

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) has been serologically confirmed in Slovenia during the last seven years. There is evidence that three hantaviruses (Hantaan, Puumala, and a newly described form termed Dobrava) circulate simultaneously in this area. Recently, a hantavirus was isolated from the urine and brain tissue of a fatal case of HFRS. Positive immunofluorescent reactions with reference human sera and monoclonal antibodies were first recognized after the second cell culture passage. Extensive cross-reactivity between our isolate and prototype Hantaan virus, strain 76-118, and Hantaan-like isolates from the former Yugoslavia, Fojnica and Plitvice, was revealed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with specific rat antisera. The reaction pattern of the isolate was similar to the prototype Hantaan virus by indirect immunofluorescent assay with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. Furthermore, the specificity of the isolates was confirmed by analysis of polymerase chain reaction products of this virus with five restriction endonucleases. This appears to be the first isolation of a strain of prototype Hantaan virus from a fatal case of HFRS in Europe.

Benign papillary mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis.

We report a case of benign mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis in a 69-year-old man who presented with a 4-month history of scrotal swelling. A polypoid pedunculated nodule, 1.5 cm in diameter, was found near the head of the right epididymis. Histologically, the tumor exhibited features characteristic of a well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma. The mesothelial origin of this tumor was further supported by immunohistochemical analysis. The tumor cells exhibited nuclear p53 protein accumulation, despite the benign histologic findings and a 3-year uneventful follow-up after resection. A polymerase chain reaction analysis for simian virus 40 DNA was negative. The papillary configuration seen in this tumor is uncommon for this site, inasmuch as benign mesotheliomas of the tunica vaginalis testis usually exhibit an adenomatous pattern. One should be aware of this pattern, and benignity should be mentioned in the pathologic report to prevent overtreatment. In addition, positive p53 immunohistochemical staining should not be taken automatically as evidence for malignancy in this type of lesion.

Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas with papillary features: a diagnostic pitfall on fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is an uncommon neoplasm that occasionally exhibits papillary differentiation. The cytomorphologic structure of pancreatic serous cystadenoma has been rarely described, and, to our knowledge, such papillary morphologic structure has never been reported on fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination. We present a case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas in a 77-year-old woman. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a well-demarcated solid/cystic mass in the midbody of the pancreas, suggestive of solid pseudopapillary tumor. Aspiration cytologic examination, performed under endoscopic ultrasound guidance, showed a predominantly papillary epithelial neoplasm consistent with the radiologic impression. Gross and histologic examination of the excised specimen revealed a pancreatic serous cystadenoma with multifocal papillae. This case illustrates the cytomorphologic structure of serous cystadenoma that presents with prominent papillary differentiation on aspiration cytologic examination. The unusual cytologic appearance of this tumor introduces significant diagnostic challenges to the pathologist. Serous cystadenoma must be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasms with papillary morphologic structure as evaluated by fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination.

The ultrastructural diversity of scrapie-associated fibrils isolated from experimental scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Several different samples of scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF) were extracted in identical fashion from the brains of golden Syrian hamsters infected with the 263K strain of scrapie agent and NIH Swiss mice infected with the Fujisaki strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent. Based on a total of over 500 measurements in individual fibrils in different extracts, hamster fibrils were more abundant, thicker and had better defined substructure than mouse fibrils. Hamster protofibrils were usually either twisted helically or in parallel arrays, whereas mouse protofibrils were often twisted, occasionally parallel, or could not be morphologically defined. Thus, SAF preparations from scrapie-affected hamsters can be ultrastructurally distinguished from those of CJD-affected mice, an observation that presumably reflects differences in their respective host-encoded amyloid protein subunits.

Serological characterization of a hantavirus from Hubei, China.

Hantavirus HV114, isolated from urine of a patient during epidemic of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in China, was subjected to a detailed serological characterization using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), neutralization test and indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay (IFA). It has been found that HV114 is antigenically similar to the hantavirus A9 strain isolated in China and to the Hantaan 76-118 virus (HTNV 76-118), but different from the hantaviruses isolated from Apodemus agrarius in the region endemic for HFRS.

[Secondary metabolites of Gliocladium sp., a growth accelerating fungus for Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl].

OBJECTIVE: To study the secondary metabolites of fungus Gliocladium sp. that helps accelerate the growth of A. roxburghii. METHOD: Compoud isolation by chromatography and structure elucidation by chemical and spectral analyses. RESULTS: Five compounds were obtained and elucidated as: 8(E)-N-(2'-hydroxypalmityl)-1-O-beta-gly-copyranosyl-3-hydroxyl-9-methyl-2- octodecanine-4, 8-diene (I), N-(2'-hydroxytetracosanoyl)-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-octodecanine(II), 7, 22-diene-3-hydroxy-6,9-epidioxyergosta(III), ergostol(IV) and alpha-palmitin(V). CONCLUSION: I, II, III were obtained from Gliocladium sp. for the first time.