Synovial Fluid Eotaxin-1 Levels May Reflect Disease Progression in Primary Knee Osteoarthritis Among Elderly Han Chinese: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: The CC chemokine family member eotaxin-1, also named chemokine C-C motif ligand 11 (CCL11), has been detected in knee osteoarthritis (OA) and could induce breakdown of cartilage matrix. This study was performed to investigate the plasma and synovial fluid eotaxin-1 levels with the disease progression in elderly Han Chinese with primary knee OA. DESIGN: A total of 143 elderly primary knee OA patients and 135 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was performed to evaluate the clinical severity. The radiographic severity was assessed by Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grading. Plasma and synovial fluid (SF) eotaxin-1 levels were explored using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The SF levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were also examined. RESULTS: Elevated plasma eotaxin-1 levels were found in knee OA patients compared with healthy controls. Eotaxin-1 levels in SF of knee OA patients with K-L grade 4 were significantly elevated compared with those with K-L grades 2 and 3. Meanwhile, knee OA patients with K-L grade 3 had significantly increased SF levels of eotaxin-1 compared with those with K-L grade 2. Plasma eotaxin-1 levels in different K-L grading did not reach significant difference. Eotaxin-1 levels in SF of knee OA patients were significantly associated with disease severity evaluated by KL grading criteria. In addition, eotaxin-1 levels in SF were positively related to clinical severity illustrated by WOMAC as well as biochemical markers MMP-3 and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Eotaxin-1 levels in SF instead of plasma, were independently and positively related to the disease severity in elderly knee OA patients. The inhibition of eotaxin-1 and its related signaling pathways may serve as a novel therapeutic approach for OA progression.

Diversity and recombination of human parechovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Guangzhou, China.

Human parechovirus (HPeV), a member of Picornaviridae family, is a widespread pathogen causing a wide spectrum of diseases. Like other picornaviruses, HPeV genome recombination has been detected. A total of 322 fecal samples were collected from children outpatients in Guangzhou, China, including 42 (13.0%, 42/322) HPeV-positive samples detected in most of the infected children less than two years old. Seven HPeV genotypes (HPeV1, HPeV3, HPeV4, HPeV5, HPeV6, HPeV8 and HPeV14) were detected, among which, HPeV14, a rare genotype, was reported for the first time in children with acute gastroenteritis in China. This study revealed recombination events in eight samples. Clinical profiles did not yield statistical significance between children with HPeV infection alone and cases without pathogens detected. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that HPeV circulated in Guangzhou, China is diverse genetically, which provided evidence of recombination in HPeV in China.

High prevalence of thalassemia in migrant populations in Guangdong Province, China.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of thalassemia and to analyze the need for public health services for migrant populations in different cities in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 21 cities of Guangdong Province. Twenty-three types of a- and ß-globin gene mutations were detected in a total of 14,230 pregnant women and 14,249 husbands. RESULTS: There was a 16.45% prevalence of thalassemia among the 28,479 individuals, and the prevalences of α-, ß-, and combined α-/ß- thalassemia were 12.03%, 3.80%, and 0.63%, respectively. Compared with the native city residents in the province, the migrants from within the province and the immigrants from outside the province had lower prevalences of thalassemia, but the prevalence values were >11%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence values for thalassemia gene mutations were high in all three population groups studied in Guangdong Province. The results indicate that all segments of the Guangdong population should be screened for thalassemia.

A humoral immunity survey following the 2012 influenza season after the pH1N1 pandemic in Guangzhou, China.

According to pathogenic surveillance data during the first half of 2012, the H3N2 influenza virus was prevalent in Guangdong, China, but no pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) virus was detected. This study aimed to measure the seroprevalence of pH1N1 and H3N2 infection following the influenza epidemic in 2012. We collected serum samples by stratified random sampling in a cross-sectional survey from August, 2012 to October, 2012. Antibody titers against H3N2, pH1N1, and influenza B antigens were measured by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay, and age-specific seroprevalence and non-immunity were calculated. A total of 566 serum samples were collected from subjects who had not received an influenza vaccination. The seroprevalence of H3N2, pH1N1, and influenza B were 61.7%, 31.3%, and 40.4%, respectively, while non-immunity was calculated to be 9.2%, 40.6%, and 27.0%, respectively. The highest recorded seroprevalence was 86.0% for H3N2 in the 6-15 year age group, while the lowest was 14.6% for pH1N1 in the 60+ age group. Non-immunity fractions were 44.4% and 53.5% in the 0-6 and 60+ age groups, respectively. In conclusion, the seroprevalence of pH1N1 remained below 50% in all age groups following the 2012 influenza season. These data suggest that vaccination against pH1N1 antigens should be conducted, especially in the older age groups, before the next influenza season.

Association between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and autoimmune diseases susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Published data on the rs2910164 in microRNA-146a (miR-146a) are shown to be associated with increased or decreased autoimmune diseases risk. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically summarize the possible. A meta-analysis including 11 studies with 3042 controls and 2197 cases was performed for genotypes CC (recessive effect), CC+CG (dominant effect) and C allele in fixed or random-effects models based on between-study heterogeneity. Overall, no significant association between miR-146a G/C rs2910164 polymorphism and autoimmune diseases risk was found in all genetic models when all studies were pooled into the meta-analysis. SLE (OR=0.99, 95% CI: 0.90-1.10), RA (OR=0.98, 95% CI: 0.85-1.14) did not yield statistical significance as for C allele pooled studies. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, still no significant association was detected in all genetic models. Our meta-analysis suggests that there is no association between miR-146a G/C rs2910164 polymorphism and the development of autoimmune diseases.

[Protective effects of resveratrol on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory toxicity in primary cortical astrocyte cultures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol in primary cortical astrocyte cultures stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the underlying mechanism of this protective effect. METHODS: The astrocytes were cultured in the presence of resveratrol at different concentrations for 12 h followed by stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for another 24 h. Lactate dehydrogenas (LDH) leakage volumes were detected, the cytotoxicity of resveratrol was examined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), the release of NO was measured by Griess reaction, and the expression levels of TNF-α and iNOS were measured using ELISA and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS: The purity of the astrocytes cultured in vitro was (95.49∓1.86)%. LPS treatment increased LDH leakage and reduced the survival rate of the astrocytes, resulting also in significantly increased NO and TNF-α release and iNOS protein expressions. Within the concentration range of 5-50 µmol/L, resveratrol effectively improved the survival rate of the astrocytes and decreased LDH leakage with a dose-response relationship. Only 25 and 50 µmol/L resveratrol produced obvious inhibitory effect on NO and TNF-α release and iNOS expression, while 5 µmol/L resveratrol had no such effects. CONCLUSION: High concentration of resveratrol can inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators and improve the inflammation injury induced by LPS in astrocytes, the mechanism of which may involve the inhibition of iNOS/NO expression pathway.

[Detection and genotype analysis of sapovirus associated with sporadic diarrhea in Shenzhen in 2009].

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an epidemiological and genotype analysis of sapovirus (SaV) associated with sporadic diarrhea in Shenzhen in the year 2009. METHODS: A total of 852 fecal samples were collected from sporadic cases of diarrhea in Shenzhen in 2009 and detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the primers of SLV5317/5749. The PCR products were analyzed with 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and sequenced to construct the phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: Sixteen samples were found positive for SaV, with a positivity rate of 1.88%. Sequence analysis identified 8 isolates as SaV GI genotype (including 3 SaV GI.1 and 5 SaV GI.2), 7 as SaV GIV genotype, and 1 as GII genotype. CONCLUSIONS: SaV infection is present in Shenzhen with GI as the predominant genotype. This is the first report of SaV GIV strains in China, which differs from the strains of Anhui-A141 and Beijing-CHN99/BJ360, suggesting the genotypic variety of SaV infection in China.

[Association of CCR5, CCR2 and SDF1 gene polymorphisms with HIV-1 infection in Chinese population: a meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of CCR5δ32, CCR2-64I and SDFl-3 A gene polymorphisms with HIV-1-infection in Chinese population. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to identify case-control studies of CCR5δ32, CCR2-64I and SDFl-3 A polymorphisms from the literatures. RESULTS: Fourteen studies of CCR5δ32 were found, involving a total of 1607 cases and 1632 controls. Compared with the wild-type homozygote wt/wt, the pooled odds ratios (95%CI) of wt/mt, mt/mt, and wt/mt+mt/mt genotypes of CCR5δ32 gene polymorphisms were 1.156 (0.808, 1.654), 0.997 (0.198, 5.022), and 1.149 (0.808, 1.634), respectively. Twelve studies of CCR2-64I were identified, including 1415 cases and 1239 controls. Compared with the wild-type homozygote wt/wt, the pooled odds ratios (95%CI) of wt/mt, mt/mt, and wt/mt+mt/mt genotypes of CCR2-64I gene polymorphisms were 1.005 (0.844, 1.197), 1.191 (0.808, 1.754), and 1.028 (0.870, 1.214), respectively. Ten studies of SDFl-3 A were found, involving 1179 cases and 1003 controls. Compared with the wild-type homozygote wt/wt, the pooled odds ratios (95%CI) of wt/mt, mt/mt, and wt/mt + mt/mt genotypes of SDF1-3 A gene polymorphisms were 1.010 (0.830, 1.228), 1.188 (0.860, 1.643), and 1.038 (0.861, 1.250). CONCLUSION: CCR5δ32, CCR2-64I and SDFl-3 A gene polymorphisms do not show strong correlations to HIV-1-infection in Chinese population. These 3 genes may not have protective effect against HIV-1 infection in Chinese population, suggesting the susceptibility of Chinese population to the infection.

[Inhibitory effect of resveratrol against enterovirus type 71 in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the inhibitory effect of resveratrol against the cytopathogenicity of enterovirus type 71. METHODS: The cytotoxicity of resveratrol on Vero cells was detected using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). The antiviral activity of resveratrol in different stages of infection, with ribavirin as the control, was evaluated by determining the virus inhibition rate, medium effective concentration (IC(50)), and selection index (SI). RESULTS: Resveratrol was nonpoisonous to Vero cells with an median toxic concentration (TC50) of 307.6 mmol/L. Resveratrol produced an obvious inhibitory effect against enterovirus type 71 only before the cell infection by the virus (IC(50)=20.2 mmol/L , SI=15.2), and once the cells were infected, resveratrol no longer had such antiviral effect. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol may offer some protection against enterovirus type 71 in vitro.

Effect of resveratrol on gliotransmitter levels and p38 activities in cultured astrocytes.

Accumulating evidence suggests that resveratrol may have beneficial effects against traumatic brain injury. However, its effect on the regulation of extracellular levels of gliotransmitter and on the activation of p38 MAPK in astrocytes is still unknown. We have examined whether resveratrol regulates extracellular levels of gliotransmitter as well as the activation of p38 MAPK in cultured astrocytes before and after stretch injury. The extracellular levels of glutamate, D-/L-serine and D-serine were apparently reduced by 100 µM resveratrol in control astrocyte cultures. The dramatic increase of glutamate and D-serine release induced by stretch injury was also clearly inhibited by resveratrol. Resveratrol mediates this response by reduction of release through inhibition of extracellular calcium influx and increment of gliotransmitter uptake through enhancement of amino acid transporter expressed in the membrane of astrocyte. In addition, resveratrol definitely reduced the activation of p38 MAPK in cultured astrocytes following stretch injury. AMPA receptor is involved in the activation of p38 following injury. Conversely, the levels of glutamine and glycine were not obviously affected by resveratrol before and after injury. Intracellular levels of glutamate and D-serine are not apparently changed by stretch injury. Collectively, our data suggest that resveratrol might play an important role in protection of the nervous system after injury by decreasing the extracellular levels of gliotransmitter and inhibiting activation of p38 MAPK following injury.

[Computer-assisted screening system for individualized treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a computer-assisted screening system for individualized treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: The clinical data of the diabetic patients were retrospectively analyzed, and the regression equation for the affecting factors and therapeutic effect was established. With computer-aided programming, a computer-assisted screening system was established. RESULTS: A computer-assisted screening system for individualized treatment type 2 diabetes was established, which showed a concordance rate was 98% in clinical verification. CONCLUSION: Using epidemiological methods and assistance by computer technique, a computer-assisted screening system for individualized prescription can be established for selecting therapeutic regimen for type 2 diabetes.

[Establishment of an artificial neural network model for analysis of the influence of climate factors on the density of Aedes albopictus].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a model for predicting the density of Aedes albopictus based on the climate factors. METHODS: The data of Aedes albopictus density and climate changes from 1995 to 2001 in Guangzhou were collected and analyzed. The predicting model for Aedes albopictus density was established using the Artificial Neural Network Toolbox of Matlab 7.0 software package. The climate factors used to establish the model included the average monthly pressure, evaporation capacity, relative humidity, sunshine hour, temperature, wind speed, and precipitation, and the established model was tested and verified. RESULTS: The BP network model was established according to data of mosquito density and climate factors. After training the neural network for 25 times, the error of performance decreased from 0.305 539 to 2.937 51x10(-14). Verification of the model with the data of mosquito density showed a concordance rate of prediction of 80%. CONCLUSION: The neural network model based on the climate factors is effective for predicting Aedes albopictus density.

[An analysis of the characteristics and etiology of hand, foot and mouth disease in a Guangzhou sentinel hospital from May to December, 2008].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics and etiology of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a sentinel hospital of Guangzhou. METHODS: The epidemiological data and clinical specimens were collected from May to December, 2008 for virological investigations (viral isolation, RT-PCR and molecular identification) and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 309 clinical cases were reported, and the incidence was the highest in 2-4-year-old children, among whom only 15 developed complications, with human enterovirus 71 (HEV71) as the main pathogen (64.7%). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that ten Guangzhou EV71 isolates belonged to Cluster C4a. CONCLUSION: HFMD is an important infectious disease in children resulting from infections by HEV71 as the main pathogen in 2008, and the Guangzhou C4a strains co-evolved with the isolates from other provinces in China and the neighboring countries.

[Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Laribacter hongkongensis and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from patients with diarrhea in Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Laribacter hongkongensis (LH) and their drug resistance in diarrhea patients in Guangzhou. METHODS: We detected 646 fecal cases collected between Sep 2008 and Oct 2009 from the out-patient and emergency departments in a hospital. EC enriched culture medium was used for enrichment. MAC- and CMAC-specific culture media were used to isolate ETEC and LH from the specimens. The biochemical agents API20NE and API20E were employed for biochemical identification, and PCR was used for genetic identification. K-B disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: No LH was detected in the total 646 patients, and 38 patients were positive for ETEC, with a detection rate of 6%. Antibiotics resistance test showed that 38 strains of ETEC had a high resistance rate to penicillin, tetracycline and sulfa, but remained sensitive to cephalosporins. CONCLUSIONS: LH may have a low prevalence in Guangzhou. The incidence of diarrhea caused by ETEC tends to decrease as compared with that a decade ago, and further multi-center survey is needed for confirmation. Consumption of aquatic products may be one of the major risk factors for ETEC infection. Cephalosporins can be used for ETEC-induced diarrhea.

Surveillance and risk factors of norovirus gastroenteritis among children in a southern city of China in the fall-winter seasons of 2003-2006.

AIM: Noroviruses (NoVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis but knowledge on the disease burden and epidemiology in children in the developing countries remains limited. In this study, we performed a surveillance of NoV gastroenteritis in children of China to address some of the questions. METHODS: Faecal specimens from children (<5 years of age) at outpatient clinics of the Nan Fang Hospital in Guangzhou, China during the fall-winter seasons in 2003-2006 were tested for rotaviruses (RVs) and NoVs. A questionnaire on clinical records and hygiene habits was collected from each patient. RESULTS: Among 957 stool specimens tested, 488 (51%) specimens were positive for RVs. NoVs were detected in 112 (24%) of the 469 RV negative specimens. The Genogroup II (GII), particularly GII-4, viruses were predominant. No significant difference of clinical symptoms, hospitalisation and patient care expenses were found between children infected with NoVs and RVs. Consumption of uncooked food is a risk for NoV infection. Contact with diarrhoea patients is a suspected risk factor. Cutting nails frequently is a protective factor against NoV infection. CONCLUSIONS: NoVs are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children which need special attention of patient care at the clinics in addition to RVs. The awareness of those risk factors may help future disease control and prevention.

[Identification and genotyping of oncogenic type of human papillomavirus in paraffin-embedded cervical cancer samples in Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and genotyping in patients with cervical cancer in Guangzhou in the last 3 decades. METHODS: HPV L1 gene fragment in paraffin-embedded cervical cancer samples was amplified by HPV-specific PCR with consensus primers, and typing of HPV strains was performed on the basis of sequence analysis of the PCR products. RESULTS: The positivity rates of HPV DNA was 26.2% in the 99 cases of cervical cancer. Five HPV genotypes were identified including HPV16, 18, 33, 52 and 58. CONCLUSION: HPV16, 58 and 33 are the most common genotypes of HPV, accounting for over 88.4% in the total infected cases, suggesting that the HPV genotypes closely related to cervical cancer is more centralized in Guangzhou.

[Development of the lung cancer diagnostic system].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a lung cancer diagnosis system. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted in 1883 patients with primary lung cancer or benign pulmonary diseases (pneumonia, tuberculosis, or pneumonia pseudotumor). SPSS11.5 software was used for data processing. For the relevant factors, a non-factor Logistic regression analysis was used followed by establishment of the regression model. Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 system development platform and VB.Net corresponding language were used to develop the lung cancer diagnosis system. RESULTS: The non-factor multi-factor regression model showed a goodness-of-fit (R2) of the model of 0.806, with a diagnostic accuracy for benign lung diseases of 92.8%, a diagnostic accuracy for lung cancer of 89.0%, and an overall accuracy of 90.8%. CONCLUSION: The model system for early clinical diagnosis of lung cancer has been established.

[Antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antimicrobial resistance of clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas matophilia (SMA) and the mechanisms of their drug resistance. METHODS: Disc diffusion method (NCCLS) was used to detect the resistant patterns of 88 initial SMA isolates resistant to 12 antibiotics isolated from a local hospital in the past 4 years. PCR was used to detect the 7 aminoglycosides modifying enzymes genes (AME) against amikacin and gentamicin. Metal-beta-lactamases (MBLs) were screened by synergic method, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) were detected by double-disk synergy test. RESULTS: The resistance rates of the SMA isolates were 0%-9.7% to minocycline, 12.5%-22.6% to ticarcillin-clavulanic acid, 12.5%-28.6% to levofloxacin, 18.8%-33.3% to doxycycline, 18.8%-40% to sulfamethoxazole compound, 50%-65.7% to ciprofloxacin, 50%-66.7% to cehazindme, 54.8%-66.7% to amikacin, 75%-100% to gentamicin, 81.3%-100% to piperacillin, 87.5%-100% to aztreonam and 93.5%-100% to imipenem. Aac(3)-I and ant(4')-II were not detected in these strains. The positive rates of the other 5 AME genes of aac(3)-II, ant(2'')-I, aac(6')-I, aac(3)-III, aac(3)-IV were 2.3%, 5.7%, 8%, 10%, and 10%, respectively. SMA strains producing ESBLs were found at the rate of 38.6%; 25% of the strains were MBL-producing, and 13.6% produced both ESBLs and MBLs. CONCLUSION: Most of the SMAs we isolated are multidrug-resistant through various mechanisms. The choice of antibiotics should be made according to the susceptibility results.

[Application of Excel programs of Fisher exact probability test for medical data].

OBJECTIVE: To accomplish the computation of Fisher exact probability test for fourfold table data in Excel. METHOD: The computing program of exact probability method for medical data in fourfold table design was edited by employing the IF statement and the relevant functions, such as SUM, FACT, DSUM, etc in Excel. The computational results are compared and evaluated according to the case studies. RESULTS: The output of Fisher Exact Probability was generated and presented correctly following the input of four numerical values into the computation program in the setting of Excel. The parametric outcomes are in agreement with those produced by SAS and SPSS, in the combination tables containing the P value, two-tailed cumulative P value, left-tailed P-value, right-tailed P-value, Chi2 values and P values both for direct Chi-squared test and corrected Chi-squared test. CONCLUSIONS: Direct Chi-squared test, corrected Chi-squared test combined with Fisher Exact Probability test for fourfold table data can be conveniently, rapidly, and accurately accomplished in Excel.

[Effects of resveratrol on the release of Glu and Gln in cultured rat astrocytes with stretch injury].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of resveratrol on amino acid release in cultured astrocytes with stretch injury and explore its possible mechanism for central nervous system protection. METHODS: Cultured rat astrocytes were treated with different concentrations of resveratrol for 12 h and the subsequent changes in Glu and Gln release and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) leakage were examined after stretch injury. RESULTS: High-performance liquid chromatography showed that stretch injury increased Glu release from the astrocytes (P<0.05), and at the concentration of 1 micromol/L, resveratrol further increased Glu release (P<0.05), whereas at 100 micromol/L, resveratrol obviously inhibit Glu release (P<0.05). LDH leakage increased significantly after stretch injury of the astrocytes (P<0.05), and resveratrol acted to further increase LDH leakage at 1 micromol/L but inhibited LDH leakage at 100 micromol/L (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol can inhibit the release of Glu and LDH leakage from rat astrocytes to protect the cells from stretch injury.