Seroprevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in southeastern China and analysis of risk factors.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) has been prevalent for some time in China and it was first identified in 2010. However, the seroprevalence of SFTSV in the general population in southeastern China and risk factors associated with the infection are currently unclear. Blood samples were collected from seven counties across Zhejiang province and tested for the presence of SFTSV-specific IgG antibodies by ELISA. A total of 1380 blood samples were collected of which 5·51% were seropositive for SFTSV with seroprevalence varying significantly between sites. Seroprevalence of SFTSV in people who were family members of the patient, lived in the same village as the patient, or lived in a different village than the patient varied significantly. There was significant difference in seroprevalence between participants who bred domestic animals and participants who did not. Domestic animals are probably potential reservoir hosts and contact with domestic animals may be a transmission route of SFTSV.

Overexpression of ECM1 contributes to migration and invasion in cholangiocarcinoma cell.

Although the expression of extracellular matrix protein-1 (ECM1) has been documented in several tumor models, the function of ECM1 has remained unclear. In this study, expression of ECM1 was detected by real time PCR and immunohistochemistry. The role and mechanism of ECM1 overexpression in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells were assessed by wound-healing, matrigel invasion assay and Western blotting. Expression of ECM1 was significantly elevated in CCA tissues than that in adjacent noncancerous, cholangitis and normal bile duct tissues. Its overexpression was associated with poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, poor prognosis, and the level of CA199, MMP-9, estrogen receptor. Knockdown of ECM1 suppressed migration and invasion of CCA cells. Using PI3K or IKK inhibitor reduced the level of phospho-Akt or phospho-IκBα as well as ECM1. Taken together, overexpression of ECM1 may contribute to CCA initiation and progression through promoting migration and invasion of CCA cells, its overexpression was associated with Akt/NF-κB signaling axis.

[An analysis of metablic organic acid of anaerobes by gas chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of measurement of metablic organic acid of anaerobic bacteria by gas chromatography for the identification of anaerobes. METHODS: The metablic organic acid of 60 strains of 6 species of oral residential anaerobes were tested by gas chromatography qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: It was found that the types and quantities of metablic organic acid of all anaerobes but two strains of lactobacillus were coincident with the standard of identification of anaerobes,and the total coincidence was 97.67%. CONCLUSION: The anaerobes could be identified accurately and quickly by gas chromatography.

[The measurement of growth curve and generation time of lactobacillus]

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this test was to understand the growth pattern of lactobacillus for the research of its cariogenicity. METHODS: The growth quantity of lactobacillus which was culture in a constant condition was measured periodically by spectrophotometry and flora counting,and its growth curve and generation time were measured. RESULTS: It was found that the logarithmic phase of lactobacillus was 6-16 hours after it was cultured.And its generatin time was 54 minutes. CONCLUSIN: The growth curve of lactobacillus was in accordance with streptococcus mutan.

[The effect of PH on the growth of lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutan]

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to understand the effect of pH of culture media on the growth of lactobacillus and streptococcus mutan.METHODS: In this study the growth of two bacteria in differential pH culture media was measured by spectrophotometry. RESULTS: It was found that the growth of the bacteria was equal when the pH of the culture media was 6.2. CONCLUSION: This pH should be selected for the culture media which is used for the analysis of the cariogenicity of the two bacteria.

Human dural thickness measured by ultrasonographic method: reflection of intracranial pressure.

We measured changes in dural thickness to estimate intracranial pressure. The dural thickness on magnetic resonance imaging with contrast enhancement was compared in a hydrocephalic patient before and after shunt operation. Dural thickness also was measured directly using a micrometer at craniotomy for aneurysmal clipping in 11 patients. A small ultrasound probe (5 MHz) was held against the temporal scalp of 10 volunteers to extract convoluted interference echoes from the dura mater using a computer--based system for fast Fourier transform-Cepstrum analysis and maximum entropy analysis. The degree of intracranial pressure in the supine position was varied in the volunteers with transient neck compression. The enhanced dural thickness of the patient with hydrocephalus, barely visualized before shunt operation, increased after surgery. Dural thickness measurements obtained ultrasonographically in the supine position were similar to direct measurements of thickness. Changes in dural thickness on ultrasonography reflect changes in intracranial pressure.