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Objective:To analyze the risk factors for complications of the retromandibular approach in patients with parotid gland posterior and lower pole tumors.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 140 patients with parotid posterior lower pole tumors admitted to the Xingtai Third Hospital from October 2019 to October 2021. They were divided into two groups based on whether complications occurred: the occurrence group and the non occurrence group. General data of the two groups of patients were collected, including age, gender, course of disease, previous surgical history, number of tumors, tumor length, resection range, facial nerve dissociation, tumor site resection frequency, and fascia preservation; Single factor and logistic multivariate analysis were conducted to determine the risk factors for complications of the posterior retromandibular approach in patients with parotid gland posterior and lower pole tumors.Results:A total of 140 patients with parotid gland posterior lower pole tumors underwent retromandibular approach treatment, with complications occurring in 38 cases (27.14%), including 7 cases of temporary facial paralysis, 10 cases of facial depression, 11 cases of Frey syndrome, 2 cases of fistula, and 8 cases of sensory abnormalities of the greater auricular nerve. Through logistic multivariate analysis, it was found that the number of tumors ≥ 2 ( OR=2.856), the resection range (total resection) ( OR=2.477), the number of surgeries ≥3 ( OR=5.637), facial nerve dissociation ( OR=3.526), and lack of fascia preservation ( OR=2.551) were all risk factors for postoperative complications in patients with parotid posterior pole tumors (all P<0.05). Conclusions:In clinical practice, relevant prevention and treatment measures should be formulated for these high-risk factors to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.
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Objective:To explore the developmental characteristics of Chinese semantic and orthographic processing in normal school-age children by event-related potential (ERP) technique.Methods:Children aged 7-11 in an ordinary primary school in Changzhou were randomly selected and divided into 7-year old group ( n=21 ), 8-year old group ( n=21), 9-year old group ( n=19), 10-year old group ( n=20) and 11- year old group ( n=22) according to their age.ERP was recorded while subjects completed the Chinese character semantic activation task and pseudo word judgment task. Then the N400 and P200 amplitudes of school-age children under the conditions of semantic correlation, semantic uncorrelation and pseudo word judgment were collected, and the data were analyzed by three factors mixed design ANOVA.Data of behavioral accuracy and response time were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction was used for multiple hypothesis testing. The statistical software was SPSS 25.0. Results:(1)Behavioral results: the accuracy of semantic related and semantic unrelated tasks of children in the five groups aged 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were statistically significant ( F=15.55, 4.01, both P<0.01), and the accuracy of children in the 7-year old group was significantly lower than those in the other four groups (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of pseudo word judgment task among the five groups ( F=0.68, P=0.609). The response time of children in the five groups under semantic related and semantic unrelated tasks was significantly different ( F=3.90, 3.13, both P<0.05). The response time of the 11-year old group under semantic related tasks was significantly shorter than those of the 7-, 8- and 9-year old groups (all P<0.05). The response time of the 7-year old and 11-year old groups under semantic unrelated tasks was significantly shorter than those of the 8-, 9- and 10-year old groups (all P<0.05). (2)ERP results: N400 amplitudes of 7-, 8-, 9-, 10- and 11-year old children under semantic related tasks were significantly smaller than those under semantic unrelated tasks and pseudo word judgment tasks (all P<0.05). The N400 amplitude of the subjects gradually decreased with the increase of age, except that there was no statistical difference between the 10-year old and 11-year old groups under the semantic related task, between the 8-year old and 9-year old groups under the semantic unrelated task and the pseudo word judgment task, and between the 10-year old and 11-year old groups (all P>0.05), there were statistical differences between the other age groups (all P<0.05). P200 amplitude of semantic related task at 7-, 8-, 9- and 10-year old was significantly higher than that at semantic unrelated task (all P<0.05), and the amplitude of semantic related task at 7-, 8-, 10- and 11-year old was significantly higher than that at pseudo word judgment (all P<0.05). The amplitude of P200 gradually increased with age, and there were significant differences in pairwise comparison among other age groups ( P<0.05), except semantic related task and unrelated task among 7-, 8- and 9-year old groups, between 10- and 11-year old groups, and pseudo word task between 7- and 8- years old groups, 10- and 11- year old groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The semantic processing and orthographic processing of school-age children develop with age in a unique way. The age of 7 is an important period for cognitive development of Chinese language.The age of 8-9 may be a sensitive period for the development of brain plasticity, and the development slows down at the age of 10-11.
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Objective:To explore the development path of improving the intangible assets management, and promoting science and technology transfer of public hospitals.Methods:Analyze and summarize problems and challenges in the identification and disposal of intangible assets related to scientific and technological achievements in the process of technology transfer based on policy research, literature review and practical experience reflection.Results:So far, the identification and measurement norms of intangible assets are not operable enough. Assets evaluation remains controversial and nonstandard.Conclusions:It is recommended to improve the management systems of science and technology transfer and related financial affairs including strengthening the awareness of intangible assets protection, standardizing the management system of intangible assets and optimizing the informatization construction of financial management.
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Chronic kidney disease （CKD） has become a public health problem worldwide with renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） serving as the important pathological feature and pathological outcome of various CKD. Therefore， anti-fibrosis therapy has important practical significance for delaying the progression of CKD and improving the prognosis of CKD patients. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is a conserved signaling pathway through evolution， which plays a vital role in organ formation， tissue homeostasis， and disease progression during embryonic development. A growing body of research has confirmed that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the key signaling pathways in a variety of kidney diseases and its activation is closely related to RIF. RIF is aggravated by the specific regulation of the expression of downstream target genes， such as fibroblasts， zinc finger transcription factor 1 （Snail1）， M2 macrophages， matrix metalloproteinase-7 （MMP-7）， plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 （PAI-1）， and renin-angiotensin system（RAS）， and relieved by targeting the signaling pathways， such as Klotho， Dickkopf-related protein 1 （DKK1）， secreted frizzled-related protein 1 （Sfrp1）， and indocyanine green-001. In addition，the pathological view of RIF in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） coincides with that in western medicine. Based on the etiology and pathogenesis of TCM in the combination of deficiency and excess， TCM regulates fibrosis-promoting mediators by tonifying deficiency， eliminating turbidity， removing the toxin， resolving stasis， and treating both symptoms and root causes in a multi-target， multi-layer， and multi-pathway manner to inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and play an important role in renal protection. Therefore， this study reviewed the regulatory mechanism of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in RIF and the protective effect of targeting this signaling pathway on renal function and discussed the potential role of TCM in delaying the progression of RIF， which is expected to provide new targets and strategies for the prevention and treatment of RIF.
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OBJECTIVE@#To assess the value of DNA methylation level of HYAL2 gene as a molecular marker for differential diagnosis of malignant and benign thyroid tumors.@*METHODS@#DNA methylation of HYAL2 gene in tissue specimens of 190 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and 190 age- and gender-matched patients with benign thyroid tumors was examined by mass spectrometry, and the protein expression of HYAL2 was detected immunohistochemically for another 55 pairs of patients. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and evaluate the correlation of per 10% reduction in DNA methylation with PTC. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and the area under curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the predictive value of alterations in HYAL2 methylation.@*RESULTS@#Hypomethylation of HYAL2_CpG_3 was significantly correlated with early-stage PTC (OR=1.51, P=0.001), even in stage I cancer (OR=1.42, P=0.007). Age-stratified analysis revealed a significantly stronger correlation between increased HYAL2_CpG_ 3 methylation and early-stage PTC in patients below 50 years than in those older than 50 years (OR: 1.89 vs 1.37, P < 0.05); ROC analysis also showed a larger AUC of 0.787 in younger patients. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that patients with PTC had significantly higher protein expressions of HYAL2 than patients with benign tumors.@*CONCLUSION@#The alterations of DNA methylation level of HYAL2 gene is significantly correlated with early-stage PTC, suggesting the value of DNA methylation level as a potential biomarker for differentiation of malignant from benign thyroid tumors.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Adenoma, Oxyphilic/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism , Cell Adhesion Molecules/metabolism , DNA Methylation , GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism , Hyaluronoglucosaminidase/metabolism , Immunohistochemistry , Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
Objective:To identify the problems and explore the possible approaches for improving the internationalization of technology transfer in hospitals of China.Methods:We make the attempt to summarize the concepts and characteristics of international technology transfer, discussed existing problems and dealing strategies of boosting the internationalization of technology innovation and transformation in hospitals in combination with daily practice.Results:Of the international technology transfer in clinical hospitals in China is at the early stage, there are also a lot of space for improvement, for instance, the training of professional personnel, well-developed innovation and application ecology and the comprehensive regulatory support system.Conclusions:Clinical hospitals should enhance the transformation of scientific and technological achievements at global level. It is important to empower the technology transfer team-building, enhance the infrastructure and professional service, as well as call for more support from the national level to strengthen related policy-making.
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Objective:To explore the semantic priming processing characteristics of children with Chinese developmental dyslexia(DD).Methods:According to scores of the dyslexia checklist for Chinese children, character recognition test and Raven's standard progressive matrices (RSPM), 19 primary school students from a school in Wuqia County of Xinjiang were selected as DD group.Meanwhile, 19 children were selected as chronological-age control(CA) group matching in age and RSPM scores, and 20 children were selected as reading-level control(RL) group according to the character recognition test and RSPM scores.The amplitude of N400 of children in three groups were tested by semantic priming paradigm under the conditions of semantic related, unrelated and pseudo words.Results:The accuracy of the DD group under the conditions of irrelevant semantics((0.55±0.25) vs (0.81±0.16), P<0.05), and pseudo characters((0.43±0.27) vs (0.68±0.26), P<0.05) were significantly lower than those of CA group.There was no difference between DD group and RL group, as well as between RL group and CA group(both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the response time among the three groups of children under semantic related and unrelated conditions( F=1.23, 2.03, both P>0.05). In terms of ERP data, in semantic related condition, there was no significant difference in N400 amplitude among the three groups ( F=0.55, P>0.05). In semantic unrelated condition, the amplitude of N400 in DD group was smaller than that in CA Group((-5.92±3.70)μV vs (-9.76±3.45)μV, P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between DD group and RL Group((-5.92±3.70)μV vs (-7.41±4.02)μV, P>0.05), as well as between CA gorup and RL group.As to pseudo words condition, children in DD group had a lower amplitude of N400 than those in CA and RL groups ((-6.03±2.92)μV vs (-9.98±3.40)μV, (-8.91±3.40)μV, both P<0.05). While no significant differences were found between CA group and RL group. Conclusion:Children with Chinese DD have cognitive defects in semantic and orthographic processing.The semantic cognitive defects may caused by their low reading level, rather than their inherent defect, while the defect in orthographic processing may be their inherent defect.
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Objective To evaluate the efficiency of a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay for the detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania hupensis snails. Methods A group test was employed. Fifty Oncomelania snails were collected as a detection sample. The detection samples without infected snails were designated as negative specimens, while the detection samples that contained different numbers of infected snails were designated as positive specimens. A total of 10 negative specimens, 10 positive specimens containing 1 infected snail, 20 positive specimens containing 2 infected snails and 10 positive specimens containing 3 infected snails were assigned. Following random grouping, 40 specimens were subject to the florescent RAA assay using a blind method. The miradium shedding method served as a gold standard, and the sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index and coincidence rate of the florescent RAA assay were estimated. In addition, 20 samples consisted of 5 negative specimens and 15 positive specimens with 1, 2 and 3 infected snails respectively were grouped randomly. The same specimens were detected using the crushing method and fluorescent RAA assay with the blind method in a paired-design manner. Then, the test results were compared and analyzed. Results Florescent RAA assay detected 29 positives in the 30 specimens containing different numbers of infected snails, with a sensitivity of 96.67%, and 8 negatives in the 10 detection specimens without infected snails, with a specificity of 80.00%, showing a Youden’s index of 0.77. The coincidence rate was 100% among 10 repeated assays for a detection specimen. In addition, there was no significant difference in the detection of infected snails between the florescent RAA assay and the crushing method (χ2 = 0, P > 0.05), and the actual coincidence rates of the florescent RAA assay and crushing method were 95.00% (19/20) and 90.00% (18/20) with the real results, respectively. Conclusion Fluorescent RAA assay has a favorable efficiency for the detection of S. japonicum infections in Oncomelania snails, which shows a potential in screening of S. japonicum-infected Oncomelania snails.
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Objective To investigate the spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats in three cities of Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou along the Taihu Lake region, so as to provide technical supports for establishing a sensitive and highly effective surveillance and forecast system for schistosomiasis. Methods Snail distribution data were collected from Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities from 1950 to 2018, and the changing trend for snail habitats were described over years. In addition, the clusters of snail habitats were detected using Kernel density analysis and SaTScan space-time scan analysis. Results The number of snail habitats appeared a single-peak distribution in Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities from 1950 to 2018, which peaked in 1970 and then declined rapidly. There were 62.68% of snail habitats eliminated within 10 years after identification, of which 38.24% were eliminated at the year of identification. Kernel density analysis and SaTScan space-time scan analysis revealed that high-density clusters of snail habitats were mainly distributed in Kunshan City, Wuzhong District and Xiangcheng District from 1970 to 1980, and in Yixing City in 1990; since then, the clusters gradually shrank, and overall appeared a move from northeast to west of Taihu Lake. A total of 4 new clusters were detected after 1970, as revealed by space-time scanning of snail habitats. In current snail habitats, emerging snail habitats are mainly identified in Huqiu District (Dongzhu Town), Wuzhong District (Guangfu Town), Taicang City (Shaxi Town) and Jintan District, and re-emerging snail habitats are scattered in 7 districts. Conclusions The distribution of snail habitats are spatio-temporal aggregation in Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou cities. The monitoring and prediction of emerging and re-emerging snail habitats are the key points in the future.
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Objective:The paper aims to explore the characteristics and paths of the technology transfer in medicine, according to the approach to technology innovation conducted at Peking University Third Hospital, providing further reference for related work.Methods:The methodology adopted for this study was the analysis of data of the technology transfer of Peking University Third Hospital during the past five years, details including the patent characteristics, discipline distribution, enterprises that purchased technologies and technology transfer process were analyzed.Results:The main results showed the need to understand that the innovation of clinical medicine is often market-friendly, utility model applications accounted for a large proportion of total number of patent applications, inventors play a prominent role in introducing a technology into the marketplace, enterprises with highly participant, and operational transformation team contributes substantially to the entire technology life cycle.Conclusions:It is important that hospitals make joined efforts in promoting discipline for growth through technology innovation, accelerating intellectual property work comprehensively, and establishing a professional team for transforming scientific discoveries into innovations.
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Objective:To study the operation pattern and valuable experiences of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, to improve the performance of technology innovation and transfer in the health field in China.Methods:Analyzing the data of basic structure, operation model and historical achievements of Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft by literature review. As well as conducting summary analysis along with the status quo of innovation and transformation in the health field.Results:Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft sets up a bridge between basic research and technological innovation. By undertaking contract research mainly from industrial enterprises and offering technological research and solutions, Fraunhofer integrates resources of basic research, applied research and production innovation, breaking the barriers among actors of innovation and forming a mature and effective model of innovation and transfer.Conclusions:Technological innovation in the health field should appropriately transition to applied research, be demand-oriented and application-oriented. Only by combining the needs of clinical service and industrial technology and building an ecological aggregate can we improve the efficiency of innovation and transfer in the health field.
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Objective:This paper aims to explore the public hospitals′ coordination mechanism in an effort to response to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the Peking University Third Hospital strategy, to provide reference for technology transfer management.Methods:This paper examines strategies and measures adopted at Peking University Third Hospital during the pandemic as case studies.Results:The integrated approach for innovation, including linking scientific results to technology for utilization, the protection of intellectual property, as well as sample preparation, presents an effective way to promote technology transfer and innovation in response to COVID-19.Conclusions:It is imperative to rethink and strengthen the technology transfer system during the COVID-19 emergency. Advanced better preparation could be developed in various ways by accelerating the application of research results, focusing on the construction of professional teams for transformation, and increasing the promotion of results through multiple channels.
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Objective:To observe whether parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 can block the negative osteogenesis of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in rats and its possible signaling pathways.Methods:BMSCs from 4-week-old SD rats were isolated and cultured with whole bone marrow method. The osteogenic induction fluid, bovine serum albumin(BSA), AGEs, AGEs combined with PTH1-34 were pretreated respectively. After 7 days, realtime fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to measure alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) mRNA expression level, and the expressions of β-catenin, osterix (OSX), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and receptor for advanced glycation end products protein were examined by Western blotting. Alizarin red staining mineralized nodules and quantitative detection were performed on 21 days. After the addition of Wnt pathway specific blocker Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) (1 μg/ml) to 10 -8 mmol/L of PTH1-34, the protein expression levels of β-catenin, OSX, and RUNX2 were detected again by Western blotting. Results:AGEs significantly inhibited the expression of ALP, COL-Ⅰ mRNA, β-catenin, OSX, and RUNX2 proteins ( P<0.05). PTH1-34 inhibited AGEs after pretreatment, the expression of ALP, COL-Ⅰ mRNA, and β-catenin, OSX, RUNX2 protein were higher than those of AGEs group ( P<0.05). The mineralized nodules stained with alizarin red showed reddish brown and increased OD value was detected quantitatively in PTH1-34 group, which was higher than that of AGEs group ( P<0.05). DKK1(1 μg/ml) reduced the expression of β-catenin, OSX proteins as compared with the BSA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:PTH1-34 blocks AGEs′ negative osteogenesis to BMSCs through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.
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Objective To evaluate the value of a dynamic automatic identification system in routine miracidium hatching test with nylon gauzes. Methods Different quantities of fresh Schistosoma japonicum eggs were added to bovine fecal samples and divided into the low-infection group, medium-infection group and high-infection group, while the bovine feces without S. japonicum eggs served as negative controls. The detection efficiency and accuracy were compared between the identification system and manual detection in different groups. Results The identification system can automatically identify S. japonicum miracidium. The detection rate and efficiency of S. japonicum miracidium in bovine fecal samples were both higher by using the identification system than by manual detection. Notably in the low-infection group, the identification system had a significantly higher rate of detection of S. japonicum miracidium than manual detection (χ2 = 10.769, P = 0.002). The identification system completed the detection of bovine fecal samples in the field within 1 min. Conclusions The dynamic automatic identification system may effectively improve the detection efficiency and accuracy of routine miracidium hatching test with nylon gauzes, and it may replace manual detection to be used in the field schisotsomiasis examinations and related researches.
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Objective To assess the total factor productivity (TFP) of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into sustainable schistosomiasis control. Methods The data envelopment analysis-Malmquist index method was employed to analyze the human resources and financial investments in schistosomiasis control programs from health sectors in each schistosomiasis-endemic city of Jiangsu Province from 2005 to 2015, and assess the outputs of each schistosomiasis control project. Results The overall productive efficiency of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province showed an increasing tendency, and the mean fluctuation of annual TFP was 2.3%. The comprehensive technical efficiency, including pure efficiency and scale efficiency, appeared a steady increase with minor fluctuations, and the mean fluctuation of annual comprehensive technical efficiency was 3.8%. The growth rate of technical progress fluctuated greatly from 2005 to 2011, and showed a steady increase from 2012 to 2015, which became a major contributor to the growth of TFP. A higher growth rate of TFP was seen in Huai ‘ an and Changzhou cities, which showed a greater comprehensive technical efficiency, and a large fluctuation was observed in the growth rate of technical progress in Yancheng, Nanjing, Huai ’ an and Yangzhou cities. Conclusions There is a continuous improvement in the technical level of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province, and technical application and supervision and management capacity also show a steady increase. In addition, the application of new techniques and new strategies contributes greatly to TFP growth. In the future, the investment into new techniques and new strategies should be increased to ensure the sustainable schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province.
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Objective To develop a florescent recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay for rapid detection of Schistosoma japonicum-infected Oncomelania snails and explore the optimal method for treatment of snail samples. Methods Snail samples were divided into 3 groups, and each group consisted of 7 subgroups. There were 50 uninfected snails mixed with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 infected snails in the 6 subgroups, respectively, and the remaining subgroup contained 100 uninfected snails mixed with 1 infected snails. DNA was extracted from snails in the three groups using a genomic DNA extraction kit following snail crushing and snail shells removal, crude nucleic acid extraction assay following snail crushing and snail shells removal, and crude nucleic acid extraction assay following direct snail crushing with snail shells preserved, and subjected to florescent RAA and PCR as says. The detection results were compared between the two assays. Results A florescent RAA assay was developed, which completed the detection of S. japonicum-infected snails at 39 ℃ within 30 min. Following DNA extraction from mass snail samples with a genomic DNA extraction kit following snail crushing and snail shells removal, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was one infected snail mixed in 100 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was one infected snail mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Following DNA extraction using crude nucleic acid extraction method following snail crushing and snail shells removal, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was one infected snail mixed in 100 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was 3 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Following DNA extraction with a crude nucleic acid extraction assay following direct snail crushing with snail shells preserved, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was 10 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was 10 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Conclusions A fluorescent RAA assay that is rapid to detect S. japonicum-infected snails in mass snail samples is successfully developed, which is fast, sensitive and easy to perform. Crude nucleic acid extraction following snail crushing and snail shells removal is the optimal method for the treatment of snail samples.
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Objective To develop a florescent recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay for rapid detection of Schistosoma japonicum-infected Oncomelania snails and explore the optimal method for treatment of snail samples. Methods Snail samples were divided into 3 groups, and each group consisted of 7 subgroups. There were 50 uninfected snails mixed with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 infected snails in the 6 subgroups, respectively, and the remaining subgroup contained 100 uninfected snails mixed with 1 infected snails. DNA was extracted from snails in the three groups using a genomic DNA extraction kit following snail crushing and snail shells removal, crude nucleic acid extraction assay following snail crushing and snail shells removal, and crude nucleic acid extraction assay following direct snail crushing with snail shells preserved, and subjected to florescent RAA and PCR as says. The detection results were compared between the two assays. Results A florescent RAA assay was developed, which completed the detection of S. japonicum-infected snails at 39 ℃ within 30 min. Following DNA extraction from mass snail samples with a genomic DNA extraction kit following snail crushing and snail shells removal, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was one infected snail mixed in 100 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was one infected snail mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Following DNA extraction using crude nucleic acid extraction method following snail crushing and snail shells removal, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was one infected snail mixed in 100 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was 3 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Following DNA extraction with a crude nucleic acid extraction assay following direct snail crushing with snail shells preserved, the lowest detection limit of the florescent RAA assay was 10 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails, while the lowest detection limit of PCR assay was 10 infected snails mixed in 50 uninfected snails. Conclusions A fluorescent RAA assay that is rapid to detect S. japonicum-infected snails in mass snail samples is successfully developed, which is fast, sensitive and easy to perform. Crude nucleic acid extraction following snail crushing and snail shells removal is the optimal method for the treatment of snail samples.
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Objective To evaluate the value of a dynamic automatic identification system in routine miracidium hatching test with nylon gauzes. Methods Different quantities of fresh Schistosoma japonicum eggs were added to bovine fecal samples and divided into the low-infection group, medium-infection group and high-infection group, while the bovine feces without S. japonicum eggs served as negative controls. The detection efficiency and accuracy were compared between the identification system and manual detection in different groups. Results The identification system can automatically identify S. japonicum miracidium. The detection rate and efficiency of S. japonicum miracidium in bovine fecal samples were both higher by using the identification system than by manual detection. Notably in the low-infection group, the identification system had a significantly higher rate of detection of S. japonicum miracidium than manual detection (χ2 = 10.769, P = 0.002). The identification system completed the detection of bovine fecal samples in the field within 1 min. Conclusions The dynamic automatic identification system may effectively improve the detection efficiency and accuracy of routine miracidium hatching test with nylon gauzes, and it may replace manual detection to be used in the field schisotsomiasis examinations and related researches.
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Objective To assess the total factor productivity (TFP) of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into sustainable schistosomiasis control. Methods The data envelopment analysis-Malmquist index method was employed to analyze the human resources and financial investments in schistosomiasis control programs from health sectors in each schistosomiasis-endemic city of Jiangsu Province from 2005 to 2015, and assess the outputs of each schistosomiasis control project. Results The overall productive efficiency of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province showed an increasing tendency, and the mean fluctuation of annual TFP was 2.3%. The comprehensive technical efficiency, including pure efficiency and scale efficiency, appeared a steady increase with minor fluctuations, and the mean fluctuation of annual comprehensive technical efficiency was 3.8%. The growth rate of technical progress fluctuated greatly from 2005 to 2011, and showed a steady increase from 2012 to 2015, which became a major contributor to the growth of TFP. A higher growth rate of TFP was seen in Huai ‘ an and Changzhou cities, which showed a greater comprehensive technical efficiency, and a large fluctuation was observed in the growth rate of technical progress in Yancheng, Nanjing, Huai ’ an and Yangzhou cities. Conclusions There is a continuous improvement in the technical level of schistosomiasis control programs in Jiangsu Province, and technical application and supervision and management capacity also show a steady increase. In addition, the application of new techniques and new strategies contributes greatly to TFP growth. In the future, the investment into new techniques and new strategies should be increased to ensure the sustainable schistosomiasis control in Jiangsu Province.
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Exosomes are a group of membraneous vesicles generated and released by multi-vesicular bodies or cell membranes in a variety of cell types. Acting as important messages between cells, they participate in almost every physiological and pathological process of living organisms. Exosomes contain specific proteins, mRNA, miRNAs, etc. and mediate intercellular communications, signal transductions and gene expressions effectively. Exosomes are involved in the formation of hepatic fibrosis, which is the typical liver pathological change in the progression of schistosomiasis and is caused by the liver repair and (or) regeneration involving inflammation stimulated by exosomes, activated hepatic stellate cells and other related pathways in reaction to the parasite infection. Exosomes could serve as new markers for schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis diagnosis and potential targets for its treatment. This paper briefly reviews the latest development of studies on the regulatory roles of exosomes in schistosomiasis hepatic fibrosis, so as to provide ideas for searching new treatment targets of the disease.