[Toxoplasma gondii infection in pet dogs and owners in Hangzhou].

Sixty pet feeding families were obtained by random sampling in Hangzhou. The positive rate of IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in pet owners was 3.3% (4/120). The rate in males and females was 8.6% (3/35) and 1.2% (1/85) (χ2=4.207, P<0.05). The positive rate in pet dogs was 13.3% (8/60). The positive rate in dogs fed with a raw-meat diet (33.3%, 4/12) were significantly higher than that of others (4.2%, 2/48) (χ2=6.123, P<0.05).

Trimester- and method-specific reference intervals for thyroid tests in pregnant Chinese women: methodology, euthyroid definition and iodine status can influence the setting of reference intervals.

OBJECTIVE: The importance of diagnosis and treatment of thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy has been widely recognized. We therefore established trimester- and method-specific reference intervals for thyroid testing in pregnant women according to the NACB recommended criteria. Several factors can affect the setting of reference intervals, in particular manufacturer's methodology, euthyroid definition and iodine status. DESIGN: Cross-sectional dataset analysis. SUBJECTS: Five hundred and five normal pregnant women at different stages of gestation were rigorously selected for setting reference intervals. All were healthy, iodine sufficient, euthyroid and negative for both serum thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb). MEASUREMENTS: Thyrotrophin (TSH), total and free thyroxine (TT4 and FT4), total and free triiodothyronine (TT3 and FT3) and anti-TPOAb and anti-TgAb were measured using the Bayer ADVIA Centaur system. Iodine content in drinking water, salt and urine was determined by national standard methods. The 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles were calculated as the reference intervals for thyroid hormone levels during each trimester. RESULTS: All participants had long-term consumption of iodized salt and median urinary iodine of 150-200 µg/l during each three trimester. The reference intervals for the first, second and third trimesters were, respectively, TSH 0·03-4·51, 0·05-4·50 and 0·47-4·54 mIU/l and FT4 11·8-21·0, 10·6-17·6 and 9·2-16·7 pmol/l. The manufacturer's method, euthyroid definition and iodine status may influence TSH and FT4 reference intervals. Alterations in thyroid hormone concentrations during pregnancy differed at different stage of gestation and to those of a nonpregnant state. CONCLUSIONS: The trimester- and method-based reference intervals for thyroid tests during pregnancy are clinically appropriate. Some variables should be controlled when establishing reference intervals.

Optimized Propofol Anesthesia Increases Power of Subthalamic Neuronal Activity in Patients with Parkinson's Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation.

INTRODUCTION: Propofol is a general anesthetic option for deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, its effects on STN activity and neuropsychological outcomes are controversial. The optimal propofol anesthesia for asleep DBS is unknown. This study investigated the safety and effectiveness of an optimized propofol anesthesia regimen in asleep DBS. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 68 PD patients undergoing bilateral STN-DBS surgery. All patients received local scalp anesthesia, with (asleep group, n = 35) or without (awake group, n = 33) propofol-remifentanil general anesthesia by target-controlled infusion under electroencephalogram monitoring. The primary outcome was subthalamic neuronal spiking characterization during microelectrode recording. The secondary outcomes were clinical outcomes including motor, cognition, mind, sleep, and quality of life at 6 months. RESULTS: Significantly increased delta and theta power were obtained under propofol anesthesia (awake vs. asleep group, mean ± standard deviation; delta: 31.97 ± 9.87 vs. 39.77 ± 10.56, p < 0.01; theta: 21.09 ± 5.55 vs. 24.82 ± 6.63, p = 0.01). After excluding the influence of confounding factors of age and preoperative motor scores, there was a statistically significant influence on the delta, theta, and alpha power of STN neuronal activity under different anesthesia regimens (delta: ß = 2.64, p < 0.01; theta: ß = 2.11, p < 0.01; alpha: ß = 1.42, p = 0.01). There were no differences in modified burst index, firing rate, tract numbers of microelectrode recording, and other clinical outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Optimized propofol anesthesia enhanced the delta, theta, and alpha power in STN compared with the awake technique and likely contributed to target recognition under propofol anesthesia. These results demonstrate that propofol is suitable, but needs to be optimized, for asleep STN-DBS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identification number: ChiCTR2100045942. Registered 29 April 2021-Retrospectively registered.

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of the thermal cis-trans isomerization of fluorine-substituted azobenzene derivatives.

This research was based on the quantum chemical calculations of a set of valid photoswitches of azobenzene compounds, with the aim of describing their thermal isomerization. The influences of familiar fluorine substitution and additional electron-donating groups (EDGs) and electron-withdrawing groups (EWGs) on the para-position were also systematically studied. The results show that the presence of fluorine in different ortho-positions has a distinct effect on the molecular orbital distribution of the E isomer, which realizes the purpose of splitting the n → π* transition between the E and Z isomers. On this basis, further para-substitution can allow tunability on the order of the energy level to the molecular orbitals through their influence on the conjugation pattern of the compound. It is the modification of the substituent on these positions that allows the photoisomerization to proceed under visible wavelength light surroundings. The thermal Z → E isomerization mechanism has also been analyzed, and a detailed comparison of these compounds has been made with respect to the thermal half-life τ 1/2, and the rate constants k Z-E . The results reveal that isomerization is thought to be a process of globally structural change, during which the effect of the substituents is determined by the extent of their influence on the conjugated system.

[The iodine status in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province 2010].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the iodine level in the environment and the iodine status among the general population as well as the prevalence of thyroid nodules in Hangzhou city. Relationship between the prevalence of thyroid nodules and the policy of universal salt iodization in Hangzhou was also analyzed. METHODS: Questionnaire, a 3-day weighed dietary record method, and 3 days' 24-hour dietary recall method were used to understand the iodine nutrition status and dietary intake of iodine among the general population in the city. Drinking water, edible salt and morning urine were collected to determine iodine content. All objects under survey underwent the thyroid B ultrasonic examination. Statistical analysis was done by SPSS 13.0 and SAS 9.1. RESULTS: (1) In total, 12 620 effective questionnaires were available, with 221 water samples, 12 730 urine samples, and 3593 salt samples collected. 12 515 objects underwent B ultrasonic examination, and 1848 received dietary investigation. (2) Water iodine level of Hangzhou was in the range of 0.20 - 5.99 µg/L, with the median level as 2.58 µg/L. (3) Average daily dietary intake of iodine for adult males in Hangzhou was 289.2 µg/d. The contribution of iodine intake from iodized salt was 74.4%. (4) The median of Hangzhou residents' urinary iodine was 178.80 µg/L, with the urinary iodine levels at 100 µg/L-, 200 µg/L-, < 100 µg/L, and ≥ 300 µg/L groups were 37.14%, 23.11%, 21.05%, and 18.69% respectively. Urinary iodine of pregnant women was 141.0 µg/L. (5) Incidence of thyroid nodules in females (28.6%) was higher than that of males (20.1%). The detection rate increased with age (6.4% at group 6-, 10.9% at 12-, 12.0% at 18-, 24.4% at 40-, and 38.8% at 65-); with the highest in urban area (29.8%), followed by suburbs (23.3%) and in rural area it showed the least (20.3%). Urinary iodine level was found lower among the population who had been detected with thyroid nodules (160.36 µg/L) than those among the undetected population (182.00 µg/L). CONCLUSION: Hangzhou appeared to be an area where the environmental was iodine deficient. Iodized salt was the major source of iodine intake. The iodine status among the general population seemed to be safe and suitable, but the iodine level for pregnant women was not sufficient. There was still no evidence indicating that the universal salt iodization policy in Hangzhou was associated with the prevalence of thyroid nodules.