Rapid and precise detection of cancers via label-free SERS and deep learning.

Early, express, and reliable detection of cancer can provide a favorable prognosis and decrease mortality. Tumor biomarkers have been proven to be closely related to tumor occurrence and development. Conventional tumor biomarker detection based on genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic methods is time and equipment-consuming and always needs a specific target marker. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), as a non-invasive ultrasensitive and label-free vibrational spectroscopy technique, can detect cancer-related biomedical changes in biofluids. In this paper, 110 serum samples were collected from 30 healthy controls and 80 cancer patients (including 30 bladder cancer (BC), 30 adrenal cancer (AC), and 20 acute myeloid leukemia (AML)). One microliter of blood serum was mixed with 1 µl silver colloid and then was air-dried for SERS measurements. After spectral data augmentation, one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) was proposed for precise and rapid identification of healthy and three different cancers with high accuracy of 98.27%. After gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM) based spectral interpretation, the contributions of SERS peaks corresponding to biochemical substances indicated the most potential biomarkers, i.e., L-tyrosine in bladder cancer; acetoacetate and riboflavin in adrenal cancer and phospholipids, amide-I, and α-Helix in acute myeloid leukemia, which might provide an insight into the mechanism of intelligent diagnosis of different cancers based on label-free serum SERS. The integration of label-free SERS and deep learning has great potential for the rapid, reliable, and non-invasive detection of cancers, which may significantly improve the precise diagnosis in clinical practice.

Evaluation of the immunization effectiveness of bOPV booster immunization and IPV revaccination.

To provide a basis for further optimization of the polio sequential immunization schedule, this study evaluated the effectiveness of booster immunization with one dose of bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine (bOPV) at 48 months of age after different primary polio immunization schedules. At 48 months of age, one dose of bOPV was administered, and their poliovirus types 1-3 (PV1, PV2, and PV3, respectively)-specific neutralizing antibody levels were determined. Participants found to be negative for any type of PV-specific neutralizing antibody at 24, 36, or 48 months of age were re-vaccinated with inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The 439 subjects who received a bOPV booster immunization at the age of 48 months had lower PV2-specific antibody levels compared with those who received IPV. One dose of IPV during basic polio immunization induced the lowest PV2-specific antibody levels. On the basis of our findings, to ensure that no less than 70% of the vaccinated have protection efficiency, we recommend the following: if basic immunization was conducted with 1IPV + 2bOPV (especially Sabin strain-based IPV), a booster immunization with IPV is recommended at 36 months of age, whereas if basic immunization was conducted with 2IPV + 1bOPV, a booster immunization with IPV is recommended at 48 months of age. A sequential immunization schedule of 2IPV + 1bOPV + 1IPV can not only maintain high levels of antibody against PV1 and PV3 but also increases immunity to PV2 and induces early intestinal mucosal immunity, with relatively good safety. Thus, this may be the best sequential immunization schedule for polio in countries or regions at high risk for polio.

[Microbial Community Structure of Activated Sludge for Total Nitrogen Upgrading Project].

The activated sludge of a biochemical unit (WLK_OD) and an advanced denitrification unit (WLK_AD) were collected from a municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), in which the TN concentration of effluent was less than 1.5 mg·L-1, and their microbial community structure and function profiles were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing. The microorganisms in WLK_AD had lower evenness compared with that in WLK_OD, which was attributed to environmental selection. Furthermore, PCoA revealed that different incoming wastewaters had an impact on microbial community structure. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria (70.11%) was enriched in WLK_AD. At the genus level, Thauera, Flavobacterium, Hydrogenophaga, and Zoogloea served as distinct-dominant denitrifying bacteria in WLK_AD; however, Trichococcus (3.50%) and Terrimonas (1.10%) were enriched in WLK_OD. Through the comparison between groups (P<0.05), the biomarkers detected in each WWTP were different. Furthermore, the results of the co-occurrence network showed that the bacteria from module I had a higher proportion in WLK_AD; the bacteria from module II had a higher proportion in WLK_OD, and they were common microorganisms in WWTPs, implying that wastewater environments drpve the differences in the microbial community structure. Among the types of environmental parameters, the removal efficiency of COD and TN had the greatest impact on the microbial community by the RDA. The removal efficiency of COD was positively correlated with the dominant bacteria from WLK_OD, such as Saccharibacteria, Thermomarinilinea, Terrimonas, and Comamonas; the removal efficiency of TN was positively correlated with the denitrifying bacteria from WLK_AD, such as Dokdonella, Thauera, Flavobacterium, and Zoogloea. WLK_AD was enriched with Novosphingobium, Dokdonella, Thauera, and Sphingomonas, which synergistically removed TN, leading to the TN of the effluent being less than 1.5 mg·L-1. Moreover, based on the results of function prediction, WLK_AD had a higher proportion of genes that could code the denitrification enzymes.

Evaluation of left ventricular function by treadmill exercise stress echocardiography combined with layer-specific strain technique in essential hypertension patients.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of treadmill exercise stress echocardiography (TESE) combined with left ventricular (LV) layer-specific strain (LSS) in subclinical myocardial and reserve function of hypertensive patients. A total of 55 hypertensive patients and 51 controls were evaluated during rest and exercise. Two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) and LSS technique was used to measure longitudinal and circumferential strains at rest and peak exercise, strain difference characteristics were then evaluated. Compared to the control subjects, both longitudinal and circumferential LSS showed different degrees of reduction in hypertensive group, which was more pronounced at peak exercise. The global longitudinal endocardium strain (GLSendo) at rest was 24.4% ± 1.5% in the control group versus 20.4% ± 2.3% in the hypertensive group, while the difference was more obvious at peak state (control vs. hypertensive group, 30.8% ± 2.8% and 22.8% ± 2.9%, respectively). In particular, endocardial strain under exercise can be used as a sensitive indicator where the LV contractile reserve (CR) function of the three layers are all impaired. TESE combined with LSS might increase diagnostic accuracy of myocardial performance in hypertension patients.

Ergosterol depletion under bifonazole treatment induces cell membrane damage and triggers a ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptosis in Penicillium expansum.

Penicillium expansum is the causal agent of blue mold in harvested fruits and vegetables during storage and distribution, causing serious economic loss. In this study we seek the action modes of bifonazole against this pathogen. Bifonazole exhibited strong antifungal activity against P. expansum by inhibiting ergosterol synthesis. The ergosterol depletion caused damage to the cell structure and especially cell membrane integrity as observed by SEM and TEM. With increased unsaturated fatty acids contents, the cell membrane viscosity decreases and can no longer effectively maintain the cytoplasm, which ultimately decreases extracellular conductivity, changes intracellular pH and ion homeostasis. Exposure of hyphal cells to bifonazole shows that mitochondrial respiration is inhibited and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels-including H2O2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) - are significantly increased. The functional impairment of mitochondria and cell membrane eventually cause cell death through intrinsic apoptosis and necroptosis.

Metabolomic mechanism and pharmacodynamic material basis of Buxue Yimu pills in the treatment of anaemia in women of reproductive age.

Objective: To explore the pharmacological basis and mechanism of Buxue Yimu pills (BYP) in the treatment of anaemia in women from the perspective of metabolomics and network analysis. Materials and Methods: Forty-six women of reproductive age with haemoglobin 70-110 g/L were recruited. Blood samples were collected before and after 4 weeks of oral BYP treatment to assess the changes in haemoglobin, coagulation function, and iron metabolism indices. An integrated analysis of metabolomics (liquid chromatography mass spectrometry) and network analysis was performed to identify the potential pharmacodynamic mechanisms of BYP. Results: After BYP treatment, the haemoglobin level of patients significantly increased from 93.67 ± 9.77 g/L to 109.28 ± 12.62 g/L (p < 0.01), while no significant changes were found in iron metabolism and coagulation-related indicators. A total of 22 differential metabolites were identified after metabolomics analysis, which were mainly related to the inhibition of inflammation and oxidative stress. Integrating pharmacodynamics and metabolomics, a network of drug-active components-targets-metabolic pathways-metabolomics was established. Acetylcholinesterase, phospholipase A2 group IIA, and phospholipase A2 group IVA may be the most promising therapeutic targets. Conclusion: BYP can inhibit inflammation and oxidative stress as well as promote haematopoiesis, potentially improving anaemia.

Is polycystic ovary syndrome appropriately diagnosed by obstetricians and gynaecologists across China: a nationwide survey.

BACKGROUND: To describe the diagnostic criteria used and their application accuracy in the practice of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) caring among obstetricians and gynaecologists across China. METHODS: This was an Online cross-sectional survey of Obstetricians and gynecologists involved in PCOS caring conducted via the largest continuing education platform of obstetrics and gynecology across China from September 2019 to November 2019. RESULTS: A total of 2,328 respondents were eligible for the final analysis. Of these, 94.5 % were general obstetricians and gynaecologists (Ge-ObGyn), and 5.5 % were reproductive endocrinologists (Re-ObGyn). Overall, the most frequently used criteria were the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AE-PCOS) criteria (48.2 %), followed by the Rotterdam criteria (35.7 %) and NIH criteria (12.1 %). Of the respondents, 31.3 % used their diagnostic criteria in their clinical practice. More respondents who chose the Rotterdam criteria could accurately apply the diagnostic criteria than those who chose the AE-PCOS criteria (41.2 % vs. 32.1 %, P < 0.001). Compared with Ge-ObGyn, Re-ObGyn were less likely to use the AE-PCOS criteria (adjusted odds ratio, 0.513; 95 % CI, 0.328-0.802; P < 0.05) and 1.492 times more likely to accurately use their criteria (95 % CI, 1.014-2.196; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Less than one-third of obstetricians and gynaecologists across China could accurately use the diagnostic criteria they choose to diagnose PCOS. There is an urgent need to train obstetricians and gynaecologists on PCOS diagnosis in an effort to improve the medical care quality of patients with PCOS.

Clinical-Grade Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Ameliorate the Progression of Osteoarthritis in a Rat Model.

Mesenchymalstem cell (MSC)-based therapy is being increasingly explored in preclinical and clinical studies as a regenerative method for treating osteoarthritis (OA). However, the use of primary MSCs is hampered by a number of limitations, including donor heterogeneity and inconsistent cell quality. Here, we tested the therapeutic potential of embryonic stem cell-derived MSCs (ES-MSCs) in anOA rat model. ES-MSCs were generated and identified by morphology, trilineage differentiation and flow cytometry. Sprague Dawley rats were treated with either a single dose (106 cells/rat) of ES-MSCs or with three doses spaced one week apart for each dose, starting at four weeks after anterior cruciate ligament transectionto induce OA. Cartilage quality was evaluated at 6 and 10 weeks after treatment with behavioral analysis, macroscopic examination, and histology. At sixweeks after treatment, the groups treated with both single and repeated doses of ES-MSCs had significantly better modified Mankin scores and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) macroscopic scores in the femoral condyle compared to the control group. At 10 weeks after treatment, the repeated doses group had a significantly better ICRS macroscopic scores in the femoral condyle compared to the single dose and control groups. Histological analysis also showed more proteoglycan and less cartilage loss, along with lower Mankin scores in the repeated doses group. In conclusion, treatment with multiple injections of ES-MSCs can ameliorate OA in a rat model. TheES-MSCs have potential to be considered as a regenerative therapy for OA, and can provide an infinite cellular source.

Ethnic discordance in serum anti-Müllerian hormone in healthy women: a population study from China and Europe.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Chinese women are known to have an earlier age of natural menopause than their European counterparts, but whether they also have a lower functional ovarian reserve is unknown. This study was designed to assess whether there are ethnic differences in anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in women of reproductive age. DESIGN: Women in China and Europe with regular menstrual cycles, not on hormonal contraception and with no medical history of note, were recruited to provide a day 2-5 early follicular phase sample. AMH concentration was determined using the Roche Elecsys assay. Decline in AMH was modelled with linear, quadratic and quadratic with interaction on age equations to assess the impact of ethnicity. RESULTS: A total of 887 European and 461 Chinese women participated in the study. Despite the Chinese population being slightly younger (34.1 ± 8.4 years) than their European counterparts (34.8±8.9 years), their median AMH was lower, at 1.87 ng/ml (interquartile range [IQR] 0.28-3.64) compared with 2.11 ng/ml (IQR 0.73-3.96), with evidence of increasing discordance from age 25 years. In all regression models of the age-related decline in AMH, there was evidence of a difference between Chinese and European women. Although AMH was 28.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 18.2-36.7%) lower in the Chinese population at age 30, this decline increased to 79.4% (95% CI 75.4- 82.9%) at age 45. CONCLUSIONS: There were independent effects of age and ethnicity on serum AMH concentrations, with Chinese women having a substantially lower AMH in adult life than their European counterparts from age 25 onwards.

[Investigation on human intestinal parasitic diseases in ecological regions of Qinba Mountains in Henan Province in 2015].

OBJECTIVE: To understand and analyze the epidemic status of human intestinal parasitic diseases in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province, so as to provide the evidence for the control of the diseases in this region. METHODS: According to the methods of National Survey Scheme on Major Human Parasitic Diseases, 26 survey spots were selected in 8 counties (cities) in ecological regions of Qinba Mountains in Henan Province in 2015. After collecting the human fecal samples, the eggs of intestinal helminthes were detected with the modified Kato-Katz thick smear method, the species of Ancylostoma of the hookworm egg-positive samples were identified with the tube fecal culture method, the eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were detected by using the adhesive tape method in children aged 3 to 6 years, and the cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined by iodine staining. The infections of intestinal parasites in different populations and the related influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 6 706 residents were recruited in this study, 8 kinds of parasites were found including 3 species of helminthes and 5 species of protozoans. The overall infection rate of intestinal parasites was 3.39%, covering 2.92% for helminthes and 0.49% for protozoans. The infection rate of E. vermicularis in children aged 3 to 6 years was 3.93%. The 3 identified helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides, E. vermicularis, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum, with the highest infection rate of E. vermicularis (2.68%, χ2 = 306.362, P < 0.05). The 5 identified protozoans were Entamoeba hartmani, E. coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis hominis, and the infection rate of E. nana was the highest (χ2 = 23.842, P < 0.05). Among the 8 counties (cities), the highest infection rate of helminthes, mainly with Enterobius infection, existed in Ruyang County, and the infection rate of protozoans in Xin'an County was the highest, mainly with E. nana infection. There was a significant difference in the infection rates of helminthes and protozoans among the 8 counties (cities) (helminthes: χ2 = 357.525, P < 0.05; protozoans: χ2 = 38.795, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the helminth infection rate between males and females ( χ2 = 0.034, P > 0.05), but the protozoan infection rate of the males was higher than that of the females ( χ2 = 12.946, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of the 0-9 years old group was the highest ( χ2 = 62.600, P < 0.05), up to 6.60%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. There was no significant difference in the infection rate of intestinal parasites among nationalities ( χ2 = 0.212, P > 0.05). The helminth infection rate of preschool children was the highest and up to 8.43%, mainly with E. vermicularis infection. The infection of A. lumbricoides was mainly happened among farmers, with the infection rate of 0.31%. There was a significant difference in the helminth infection rate among different occupations (χ2 = 84.333, P < 0.05). The intestinal parasites infection rate of the illiterate population was the highest and up to 7.63%, there was a significant difference among the populations with different educational levels (χ2 = 72.013, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of plain areas was higher than that of valley and hill ( χ2 = 11.690, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people with low-income was the highest and up to 10.32% (χ2 = 244.999, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people with middle-income was the highest, who had the annual per capita net income of 6 000 to 7 999 Yuan ( χ2 = 24.749, P < 0.05). The helminth infection rate of people drinking well water was much higher than that of people drinking tap water (χ2 = 62.255, P < 0.05). The protozoan infection rate of people without insect repellent was higher than that of people with insect repellent (χ2 = 5.235, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The infection rates of human intestinal parasites in the ecological region of the Qinba Mountains in Henan Province have decreased sharply. E. vermicularis infection in children should be the main point of prevention and treatment of parasitic diseases in the future.

[Current situation of human resources of parasitic disease control and prevention organizations in Henan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the current status of human resources of parasitic disease control and prevention organizations in Henan Province, so as to provide the reference for promoting the integrative ability of the prevention and control of parasitic diseases in Henan Province. METHODS: The questionnaires were designed and the method of census was adopted. The information, such as the amounts, majors, education background, technical titles, working years, and turnover in each parasitic disease control and prevention organization was collected by the centers for disease control and prevention (CDCs) at all levels. The data were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 179 CDCs were investigated, in which only 19.0% (34/179) had the independent parasitic diseases control institution (department) . There were only 258 full-time staffs working on parasitic disease control and prevention in the whole province, in which only 61.9% (159/258) were health professionals. Those with junior college degree or below in the health professionals accounted for 60.3% (96/159) . Most of them (42.1%) had over 20 years of experience, but 57.9% (92/159) of their technical post titles were at primary level or below. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of the health professionals is low in the parasitic disease control and prevention organizations in Henan Province. The human resource construction for parasitic disease control and prevention at all levels should be strengthened.

Two dopamine D2-like receptor genes from the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and their evolutionary history in metazoan.

Dopamine is widely distributed in metazoans and is implicated in many physiological functions. Dopaminergic signaling is mediated through two classes of dopamine receptors, D1-like and D2-like. Phylogeny analysis reveals that, the dopamine receptors probably appeared ahead of the cnidarian divergence, two distinct classes of dopamine receptors likely formed prior to the separation of deuterostomes and protostomes, and INDRs probably split from its ancestor before the emergence of nematodes. Two D2-like genes are closely linked on the same scaffold, and the chromosome region around D2-like gene loci show colinearity among different species within Lepidoptera. These indicate two D2-like and their adjunction genes are likely Lepidoptera-specific orthologs, and occur by gene duplication event taken place after Lepidoptera ancestor split from the common ancestor of Lepidoptera and Diptera. In silkworm, two D2-like genes were expressed in examined tissues, and encoded BmDop2R2 having all the features of D2-like receptors and BmDop2R1 being a truncated variant without the region of N-terminal to TM II. Only dopamine distinctly lowered cAMP levels in BmDop2R2-expressing cells, whereas all tested amines for BmDop2R1 had not markedly effect in pharmacological test. These suggest there is functional difference between the two genes, which are likely resulted from subfunctionalization of gene duplication.

[Monitoring results of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in national surveillance site of Huaiyang County in Henan Province, 2006-2015].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemic situation of soil-transmitted nematodiasis in the national surveillance site in Henan Province. METHODS: Over 1 000 fecal samples from inhabitants in Huaiyang County of Henan Province, which was a national surveillance site, were collected each year from 2006 to 2015, the eggs of soil-transmitted nematodes and other intestinal helminths were examined by Kato-Kats technique. The cellophane swab method was used to detect Enterobius vermicularis eggs in children aged 3 to 12 years. In addition, the soil samples were collected from vegetable fields, lavatories, courtyards and kitchens of 10 families randomly selected in each year to examine Ascaris eggs by a modified saturated sodium nitrate floatation method. RESULTS: From 2006 to 2015, 10 419 persons were investigated, and the eggs of five species of intestinal helminths, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, hookworm, E. vermicularis, and Trichostrongylus orientalis, were detected, The average infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in residents in Huaiyang County was 3.69%. The intensity of infection was mild and a family clustering was obvious. Both the infection rates of E. vermicularis in children and soil-transmitted nematodes in villagers had no significant differences between different genders (both P＞0.05). The infection rates of soil-transmitted nematodes, A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis all reached the highest in the age group of 1-10 years. For different education back-ground, the people with primary school education had the highest infection rate, and the infection rate showed a decreasing trend with the increase of the educational level. The infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in the national surveillance site in Henan Province showed a decreasing trend from 2006 to 2015. Unfertilized and fertilized A. lumbricoides eggs were detected in the soil samples, but the positive rate was very low. CONCLUSIONS: In the recent 10 years, the infection rate of soil-transmitted nematodes in the national surveillance site in Henan Province shows a decreasing trend and maintains at a low level. The infection shows a family clustering. The children, especially those aged 3-9 years are the main infected population, and E. vermicularis infection is the key point of prevention and control.

[Survey and analysis of epidemic status of principal human parasitosis in ecological region of Huaiyang hills of Henan Province in 2015].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemic status of principal human parasitosis in the ecological region of Huaiyang hills of Henan Province. METHODS: According to the scheme of The 3rd National Survey of Principal Human Parasites made by National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, the survey was performed based on the ecological regions. The stratified cluster sampling was made combined with the economic and geographical conditions. The infections of intestinal helminths and protozoans in permanent residents were respectively detected by Kato-Kats technique and iodine solution. Trichuris trichiura infection was detected by the cellophane swab method in children aged 3 to 6 years. RESULTS: Totally 6 710 residents in 26 survey spots from 9 counties were detected, in which 528 children aged 3 to 6 years were detected for T. trichiura infection. Eleven kinds of parasites were found in this survey, including 5 species of helminthes and 6 species of protozoans. The infection rates of overall parasites, helminthes and protozoans were respectively 1.65%, 1.07% and 0.61%. The infection rate of T. trichiura in the children aged 3 to 6 years was 3.79%. Only 0.10 percent of the infections were co-infection, and all were infected by 2 kinds of parasites. The principal parasites in this district were Ascaris lumbricoides (0.31%), Blastocystis hominis (0.28%) and hookworm (0.27%). The T. trichiura infection rate among children was 3.79% by the cellophane swab method. The infections of protozoans were found in all age groups. In the group aged 9 years and below, the maximum kinds of parasites were found. CONCLUSIONS: The infection rates of principal human parasites in Huaiyang hilly ecological region of Henan have decreased sharply, but more efforts still should be paid on the prevention and control of parasitosis in children.

Integrated analysis of chromosome copy number variation and gene expression in cervical carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to explore chromosomal copy number variations (CNV) and transcript expression and to examine pathways in cervical pathogenesis using genome-wide high resolution microarrays. METHODS: Genome-wide chromosomal CNVs were investigated in 6 cervical cancer cell lines by Human Genome CGH Microarray Kit (4x44K). Gene expression profiles in cervical cancer cell lines, primary cervical carcinoma and normal cervical epithelium tissues were also studied using the Whole Human Genome Microarray Kit (4x44K). RESULTS: Fifty common chromosomal CNVs were identified in the cervical cancer cell lines. Correlation analysis revealed that gene up-regulation or down-regulation is significantly correlated with genomic amplification (P=0.009) or deletion (P=0.006) events. Expression profiles were identified through cluster analysis. Gene annotation analysis pinpointed cell cycle pathways was significantly (P=1.15E-08) affected in cervical cancer. Common CNVs were associated with cervical cancer. CONCLUSION: Chromosomal CNVs may contribute to their transcript expression in cervical cancer.

[Geographical features of malaria in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the geographical features of malaria in Yunnan Province, so as to provide the reference for malaria elimination. METHODS: The data of malaria in Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2015 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Totally 2 586 malaria cases were reported in Yunnan Province from 2012 to 2015, in which 274 (10.60%) were local cases and 2 311 (89.37%) were abroad imported, and one (0.03%) was domestic imported. The imported malaria cases and local cases were analyzed according to the sources and locations respectively, and the arithmetic means of the numbers of imported and local cases were 96.29 and 10.96 respectively, the standard deviations of the numbers of imported and local cases were 421.18 and 19.12 respectively, and the difference of the means was not significant (Z = - 0.326, P > 0.10). Both the imported and local malaria cases could be clustered into five sections by the number of 5. The Herfendal-Hirshman indexes of the imported and local malaria cases were 8 121 and 1 598 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference of the distribution between the imported and local malaria cases, and they should be attaching equal importance. The non-uniform degree of imported cases is higher than that of the local cases, while both of them could be divided into five major clusters in the prevention and control work.

[Analysis of polymorphism of Pfhrp2 gene in Plasmodium falciparum from falciparum malaria patients in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the polymorphism of histidine rich protein 2 (HRP II) gene in Plasmodium falciparum (Pfhrp2) from falciparum malaria patients in Yunnan Province, so as to lay the foundation for studying the defection of antigen genes of Plasmodium. METHODS: The filter paper blood samples and related information of falciparum malaria cases reported were obtained in Yunnan Province from August 2012 to September 2015. Under the guidance of the specific primers, the exon2 regions in Pfhrp2 gene in P. falciparum from DNA samples were amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. The sequences of exon2 region in Pfhrp2 gene were blasted by comparing with the reference sequences AY816237, AY816240, and AY816301. Next, the polymorphism of the sequence in exon2 region of Pfhrp2 gene was analyzed by MEGA 5.04 software. The conserved sites and genetic distances between sequences were calculated by using the software as well, and the clustering tree was drawn according to the genetic distances between the amino acid sequences. RESULTS: A total of 218 bloods samples from the falciparum malaria cases in 15 prefectures of Yunnan Province were collected, and the sources of infection included Yunnan, Africa and Myanmar. The PCR results showed that the exon2 regions in Pfhrp2 genes of 155 samples were positive by amplification and their products were sequenced successfully. The sequence analysis showed that the length range of the amino acid residues of exon2 region in Pfhrp2 gene was from 115 aa to 298 aa, the average length was 239.7 aa. There was no statistically significance among the means of the amino acid residues of the isolates from Africa (239.9 aa), Myanmar (239.5 aa) and Yunnan (241.6 aa) (F = 0.025, P > 0.05). All the 155 amino acid sequences ended with type 12 repeat, 98.1% (152/155) of them started with type 1 repeat and 1.9% (3/155) of them started with type 2. Type 2 presented most frequently repeat in all the sequences and the average repeat times were 12.9. The homologous locus of the DNA sequences in exon2 regions of the 155 Pfhrp2 genes was 894 bp, among which the conservative sites accounted for 20.6% (186/894), and the variable sites for 78.2% (699/ 894). The genetic distances between the sequences of Africa isolates ranged from 0 to 0.741, and those of the Myanmar and Yunnan isolates were 0-0.948 and 0-0.750, respectively. The cluster analysis showed that all the 155 sequences clustered into 3 categories on genetic distances between amino acid sequences according to the size of the amino acid sequence length. At the same level, the sequences had approximate lengths and amino acid repeat types. CONCLUSIONS: The sequence of exon2 region in Pfhrp2 gene of P. falciparum from falciparum malaria cases in Yunnan Province is highly polymorphic, the P. falciparum isolates are clustered mainly according to the size of the amino acid sequence of exon2 region in Pfhrp2 gene.

[Nest habitat quality evaluation for the oriental great reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) in Baiyangdian Wetland].

The Baiyangdian Wetland Natural Reserve is an important breeding habitat for oriental great reed warbler (OGRWs), Acrocephalus orientalis, in North China Plain. We investigated the nesting sites of OGRWs by line transect method during June-July, 2011, and 112 nests were found out in total. The ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA) was applied in nesting habitat suitability assessment for OGRWs in Baiyangdian. The results showed that OGRWs in this reserve preferred nesting in dry land reed landscapes, which located at relatively high altitudes and away from anthropocentric disturbance. In 2011, the suitable and the most suitable nesting habitats of OGRWs in this reserve were 2474.69 hm2 and 1131.19 hm2, accounting 7.6% and 3.5% of the total reserve area, respectively. The most suitable nesting habitats shaped a circle-like structure, and they all clustered together around Damai and Shaoche core area, which located in the east part of the reserve. In order to protect the nesting habitats for OGRWs within Baiyangdian wetland reserve, it was suggested that the functional zone should be reorganized, and that the Damai and Shaoche core area should be integrated into one. This new core area would be bigger and more concentrated, at the same time the buffer zone should also be established appropriately, so as to protect the natural landscapes in this reserve as much as possible.

Analysis of risk factors of acute ischemic stroke for different ethnic groups in Changde.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to explore the risk factors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for different ethnic groups in Changde city (a multi-ethnic residence inhabited mainly by Han and Tujia), Hunan Province, China. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A multicenter study was performed and the demography data, etiology data and clinical features of 5338 AIS patients from 17 hospitals in Changde city were collected from January 2011 through December 2011. MAIN MEASURES: Student's t-test and Chi2-test were used to compare the differences between the Han and Tujia ethnic group in the AIS. RESULTS: In Changde, the incidence of AIS in the Tujia ethnic group was higher than that in the Han ethnic group (233.14 per million vs. 84.38 million, respectively). We found statistically significant differences between the Tujia and Han ethnicities in demographic, etiology and clinical data (eg, sex, living environment, diet, smoking, payment methods, cerebral hemorrhage and transient ischemic attack [P < .05]). In addition, compared with the Han population, the Tujia patients had a higher rate of the incidence of the anterior circulation infarction, partial anterior circulation infarction, lacunar infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that lifestyle choices (eg, diet, smoking cigarettes), location, family heritage, and sex are associated with AIS and is useful for informing AIS rates and treatment for AIS.