Alteration of GABAergic neurons and abnormality of NKCC1/KCC2 in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type â ¡ lesions.

BACKGROUND: The current conclusions of molecular genetics still cannot satisfactorily explain the pathogenesis of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) and the reason for drug resistance. The interneurons of GABA deserve attention. To observe the distribution and changes of GABAergic neurons and to explore the expression of cation chloride cotransporter NKCC1/KCC2 in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II lesions is a highly significant job. METHODS: The expressions of GAD67(a marker of active GABAergic neuron), NKCC1 and KCC2 were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunohistochemistry double staining in 10 cases of FCD Ⅱa and 10 cases of FCD Ⅱb. The number of GAD67 positive neurons was counted, and the average absorbance (IA) of NKCC1 positive expression was measured, using Image Pro-Plus7.0 software. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The density of GABAergic neuron in focal dysplastic regions was significantly lower than that in the histologically "normal" cerebral cortex, regions from the same specimen (p < 0.0001, t-test). Compared to the NKCC1 staining intensity of neurons in the control group (measuring 1000 cells each), the IA value of dysmorphic neurons was significantly increased (p < 0.05, t'-test Cochran & Cox method). Intracytoplasmic concentration of KCC2 was evident in dysmorphic neurons but not in the other mature neurons. Most of the balloon cells were negative for NKCC1, except for few balloon cells showing sparse colored particles. The expression of KCC2 was negative in all balloon cells. CONCLUSIONS: The changes in the expression of NKCC1 and KCC2 may indicate that dysmorphic neurons were in a state similar to that of immature neurons. This state may be related to the abnormal electrophysiology of epilepsy. The difference between the number of GAD67 positive cells in the lesion site and the remote site of the same case may be an evaluation index of the effectiveness of surgery.

[Epidemic situation and control strategy of malaria in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemic situation of malaria and explore the targeted control strategy in Guangxi from 2011 to 2018. METHODS: The malaria surveillance data were collected in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, and a descriptive method was employed to analyze the epidemiological features of the malaria cases. RESULTS: A total of 2 944 malaria cases were reported in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2018, including a case with local infection (0.03%) and 2 943 imported cases (99.97%). There were 2 933 cases (99.63%) positive for Plasmodium confirmed by laboratory testing, including 2 166 cases (73.86%) with P. falciparum malaria, 388 cases (13.23%) with P. ovale malaria, 276 cases (9.41%) with P. vivax malaria, 40 cases (1.36%) with P. malariae malaria and 62 cases (2.11%) with mixed infections, and 11 clinically diagnosed cases (0.37%). The malaria cases were distributed in 91 counties (districts) of 14 cities in Guangxi, with the largest number of cases found in Nanning City (2 515 cases, 85.43%). The malaria cases were originated from 29 countries in Africa (94.67%), 7 countries in Southeast Asia (5.10%), one country in South America (0.07%), 2 countries in South Asia and China (0.10%). In African countries, most malaria cases were from Ghana (1 947 cases, 66.13%), and in Southeast Asian countries, most cases were from Myanmar (75 cases, 2.55%). Most malaria cases were young men, and 2 899 cases (98.13%) were male, while 2 583 cases (87.74%) were at ages of 20 to 49 years. Gold washing and mining was the predominant occupation (2 561 cases, 86.99%), and the malaria cases were reported in each month across the year, with the largest number of cases detected in June (665 cases, 22.59%), while no season-specific distribution was found. There were 1 431 cases (48.61%) reported by disease control and prevention institutions, 1 511 cases (51.30%) reported by medical institutions, and 2 cases (0.07%) reported by inspection and quarantine institutions. During the period from 2011 to 2018, there were 6 deaths of imported malaria cases in Guangxi, and no secondary cases were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemic situation of local malaria has been effectively controlled in Guangxi; however, there is a great challenge for the management of overseas imported malaria. Strengthening the monitoring and management of migrant labors is the key to consolidate the achievements of malaria elimination.

[Analysis of imported malaria epidemic situation and implication for prevention and control strategy in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the epidemic characteristics of the imported malaria cases in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2014, so as to assess the transmission risk and explore the prevention and control strategy. METHODS: The data of the malaria epidemic situation in the network direct report system of Guangxi in 2014 and the annual report of malaria epidemic situation in 14 cities were collected. The epidemiological information of the imported malaria cases was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 184 malaria patients were reported in Guangxi in 2014, with a descent rate of 85.29% when compared to that in 2013 (1 251 cases), and the incidence rate was 0.35/100 000. All the cases were imported from abroad, and four species of Plasmodium were found in their blood samples. The number of falciparum malaria cases was the most (49.46%), followed by the ovale malaria cases (32.07%). All the cases were distributed in 32 counties (districts) of 11 cities, and 65.76% of them were distributed in Shanglin County. Most of the cases were male (98.37%), and those aged in 20-49 years accounted for 87.50%. The imported cases came from 14 countries of Africa (86.41%) and 2 countries of Southeast Asia (13.59%), in which, 48.37% of the cases were imported from Garner. The main occupation of the cases in abroad was gold mining work (86.96%). The cases were reported all the year around, with no obvious seasonality. The interval time of back home to attack of the patients with tertian malaria and ovale malaria was longer. CONCLUSIONS: Africa and Southeast Asia is the main source of imported malaria cases in Guangxi, and the migrant workers returning home may have the risk of malaria recurrence, which should be paid enough attention to.

[Cost-benefit analysis of comprehensive parasitic disease control project in Rongxian County, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-benefit of comprehensive parasitic disease control project in Rongxian County of Guangxi, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategy of soil-transmitted nematode. METHODS: The data of the overall input and output for soil-transmitted nematode control were collected from 2007 to 2009, and the cost-benefit was analyzed. RESULTS: The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematode dropped from 30.10% in 2007 to 12.30% in 2009. The overall cost of soil -transmitted nematode control was 969 185.6 Yuan from 2007 to 2009. The direct benefits arising from avoiding the incidence of the disease for populations reached 88.415 million Yuan in three years. The ratio of benefit-cost was 91:1. CONCLUSIONS: The soil -transmitted nematode infection brings a heavy financial burden on both the patients and society. The implementation of comprehensive control measures can effectively control the prevalence of the diseases and produce good social and economic benefits.

Construction and characterization of a novel maltose inducible expression vector in Bacillus subtilis.

A maltose-inducible expression vector in Bacillus subtilis has been developed and characterized. The vector permitted beta-galactosidase expression at a high level (maximum activity, 8.16 U/ml) when induced and its expression was markedly repressed by glucose. Using this vector, we successfully expressed the other two genes, bioA and vgb. This thus provided a potential expression system for cloned genes in B. subtilis.