[A sub-cohort study design of the maternal and infant microbes in China National Birth Cohort].

The importance of gut microbes to human health has gradually attracted attention. With the use of animal models, it has been revealed that maternal microbes during pregnancy could influence their children's health outcomes through shaping their microbial composition and regulating the development of their metabolic and immune system. However, the physiological mechanism of the human body is more complex and is affected by the interaction of multiple factors. The research results obtained from animal models are often inconsistent with human studies. At present, the influence of maternal intestinal microbes during pregnancy on the microbial colonization in their offspring and on a series of children's health outcomes is still unclear. Establishing a sub-cohort to detect the microbiome of the women across pregnancy and of their offspring, and further to integrate with variety of environmental and behavioral exposures can better provide reliable support for the research on the mechanism of children's health and diseases. This paper briefly introduces the research objectives, content, progress, strength and limitations of the sub-cohort study.

[Evaluation of the diagnostic efficiency of three anti-Echinococcus antibody-based assays for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of three Chinese commercial anti-Echinococcus antibody-based assays for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis. METHODS: A total of 142 sera from cystic echinococcosis patients, 89 sera from alveolar echinococcosis and 39 sera from healthy controls were sampled, and detected by kits A (ELISA), B (ELISA) and C (colloidal gold immunoassay). The routine blood testing results and biochemical parameters were compared between the cystic and alveolar echinococcosis patients, and the associations of the absorbance (A value) of the serum specific antibody detected by A and B kits with the routine blood testing results and biochemical parameters were examined in echinococcosis patients. In addition, the performance of these three assays for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the cystic and alveolar echinococcosis patients in terms of the median white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), monocyte count (MONO), basophil count (BASO), alanine aminotransferase concentration (ALT), aspirate aminotransferase concentration (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) (all P values > 0.05), and higher median lymphocyte count (LYM) and albumin levels (ALB) were detected in cystic echinococcosis patients than in alveolar echinococcosis patients (both P values < 0.05), while the median eosinophil count (EOS) was greater in the alveolar echinococcosis patients than in the cystic echinococcosis patients (P < 0.01). The A value of the serum specific antibody detected by kit A showed a linear positive correlation with WBC (rs = 0.153, P < 0.05) and EOS (rs = 0.174, P < 0.05), and a linear negative correlation with TBIL (rs = -0.134, P < 0.05) and IBIL (rs = -0.146, P < 0.05), while the A value of the serum specific antibody detected by kit B showed a linear positive correlation with WBC (rs = 0.257, P < 0.01), NEU (rs = 0.203, P < 0.01), MONO (rs = 0.159, P < 0.05), EOS (rs = 0.330, P < 0.01), ALT (rs = 0.171, P < 0.01) and AST (rs = 0.160, P < 0.05), and a linear negative correlation with ALB (rs = -0.168, P < 0.05). The overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity, Youden's index and Kappa value of A, B and C kits were 86.30%, 69.63% and 91.48%; 84.42%, 64.94% and 92.21%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; 0.82, 0.62 and 0.79; and 0.600, 0.337 and 0.750 for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, respectively. The overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index of A, B and C kits were 84.54%, 64.64% and 71.82%; 80.99%, 55.63% and 68.31%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; and 0.78, 0.53 and 0.56 for the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis, respectively, while the overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index of A, B and C kits were 92.19%, 85.16% and 85.16%; 89.89%, 79.78% and 84.27%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; and 0.87, 0.77 and 0.72 for the diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. The C kit showed cross-reactions in the serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis. There were no significant difference in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) between A and B kits for the diagnosis of echinococcosis (0.970 vs. 0.948, Z = 1.618, P > 0.05), and there was a high agreement between A and B kits in the diagnosis of echinococcosis (Kappa = 0.585, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The three commercial anti-Echinococcus antibody-based kits exhibit a higher serodiagnostic efficiency for alveolar echinococcosis than for cystic echinococcosis. The A kit shows a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, and has a relatively stable diagnostic performance and fewer influencing factors, which is suitable for the pre-surgical preliminary diagnosis and post-surgical follow-up monitoring of serum anti-Echinococcus antibody, while the C kit shows a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, and is easy to perform and high in reporting rate, which is feasible for initial screening of echinococcosis.

[Phylogenetic analysis of Echinococcus granulosus genotypes based on the GenBank database].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the sequences of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (Cox1) gene of various Echinococcus granulosus genotypes that are currently recorded in the GenBank database, so as to investigate the genetic variation and differentiation of the E. granulosus genotypes across the world. METHODS: The sequences of the Cox1 gene of various E. granulosus genotypes that are currently recorded in the GenBank database were collected, and the same sequences of the Cox1 gene identified from a region were excluded. The mutation sites among the Cox1 gene sequences were identified and a phylogenetic tree was created based on the Cox1 gene. RESULTS: Transversion mutation was the predominant type of mutation in the Cox1 gene of E. granulosus. The same Cox1 gene sequence was found in E. granulosus G1, G6 and G7 genotypes isolated from various geographical locations across the world, with the corresponding GenBank accession numbers of KY766891, MH300971 and MH301007, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that E. granulosus G10 genotype had a remarkable geographical aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: E. granulosus G1, G6 and G7 genotypes have primitive Cox1 gene sequences. There is a geographical aggregation of the E. granulosus G10 genotype in the phylogenetic tree, which has a tendency towards reproductive isolation.

[Progress of researches on the development of non-benzimidazoles for the treatment of echinococcosis].

The long-term use of benzimidazoles for the treatment of echinococcosis may cause multiple adverse reactions and low compliance. A search for novel agents, as an alternative of benzimidazoles, is therefore of great significance for the treatment of echinococcosis. This review focuses on the progress of researches on non-benzimidazoles for the clinical treatment of echinococcosis, including anti-parasitic agents, anti-proliferative agents and plant extracts, so as to provide insights into the further development of non-benzimidazoles.

MicroRNA-486-5p inhibits ovarian granulosa cell proliferation and participates in the development of PCOS via targeting MST4.

OBJECTIVE: To explore whether microRNA-486-5p affected the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells by targeting MST4 (silk/threonine protein kinase 4), thereby promoting the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The level of microRNA-486-5p in PCOS tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After microRNA-486-5p up-regulation in KNG cells, the mRNA and protein level of related genes was examined using qRT-PCR and western blot assay, respectively. Meanwhile, cell proliferation and cell cycle were analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. After insulin treatment of KNG cells, expressions of microRNA-486-5p and MST4, cell proliferation as well as cell cycle, were detected by qRT-PCR, CCK-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Furthermore, cell proliferation and cycle situation were examined after simultaneous up-regulation of MST4 and microRNA-486-5p in vitro. RESULTS: MicroRNA-486-5p expression in PCOS tissues was significantly lower than that of normal tissues. In KNG cells, up-regulation of microRNA-486-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cell cycle. The levels of cycle-associated proteins including CDK2 and CCNB1 decreased significantly. The results of dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that microRNA-486-5p could bind to MST4. After up-regulating microRNA-486-5p, both the mRNA and protein levels of MST4 decreased remarkably. MST4 expression was found significantly elevated in PCOS tissues as well. After overexpression of MST4, cell proliferation was enhanced, cell cycle was promoted, and expressions of cycle-related proteins increased. After treatment with different concentrations of insulin in KNG cells, the expression level of microRNA-486-5p decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. However, opposite results were observed in MST4 level. Meanwhile, the proliferation ability and cell cycle of insulin-treated cells were significantly enhanced. In addition, the inhibitory effect of microRNA-486-5p on cell proliferation and cell cycle could be partially reversed by simultaneous up-regulation of MST4 and microRNA-486-5p. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-486-5p can bind to MST4 in a targeted manner and inhibit the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells, thereby inhibiting the development of PCOS.

MiR-93-5p promotes cervical cancer progression by targeting THBS2/MMPS signal pathway.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p) on the development of cervical cancer (CC), and to explore the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-93-5p in CC tissues and cells was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Online prediction software and Luciferase reporter assay were used to evaluate the possible target of miR-93-5p. Furthermore, the effects of miR-93-5p on siHa cells were determined by Western blot, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), scratch-wound and transwell assays, respectively. RESULTS: In our study, miR-93-5p was found highly expressed in CC tissues and cells. Thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) was predicted and experimentally verified as a direct target of miR-93-5p. Subsequent experiments showed that decreased expression of THBS2 resulting from miR-93-5p up-regulation could significantly promote the proliferation, invasion and migration of siHa cells. At the same time, miR-93-5p remarkably increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), whereas decreased the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM). CONCLUSIONS: Our research discovered the promotion function of miR-93-5p on CC by targeting THBS2/Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) signaling pathway. We revealed that miR-93-5p might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of CC.

[Hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis co-infections: a report of 3 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and surgical treatment of co-infection with hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into the diagnosis and treatment of these patients. METHODS: The clinical data of patients with co-infections of hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital between 2017 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Three patients were diagnosed with co-infection of hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis. One patient was diagnosed by preoperative CT scan, and confirmed intraoperatively. The other two cases were diagnosed as cystic echinococcosis by preoperative color ultrasonography and imaging examinations, and were definitively diagnosed as co-infection of hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis by intraoperative examination of the lesion morphology and postoperative pathology. Two patients were given radical surgery, and another case was given removal of the internal capsule and subtotal excision of the outer capsule of Echinococcus granulous in the liver following exploration. CONCLUSIONS: Co-infection with hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis is easy for missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis prior to operation, and the definitive diagnosis may be made by means of imaging examinations combined with postoperative pathology. The surgery is relatively complicated and difficult for patients with co-infection of hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, and individualized surgical treatment regimen should be employed for patients with various types of infections.

[Study on the molecular phylogeny of Echinococcus multilocularis in Qinghai Province].

OBJECTIVE: To amplify and sequence Coxl and Nadl genes in Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province, and to create phylogenetic trees and molecular clocks, so as to provide evidence for estimating the evolutionary relationships and origins of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province. METHODS: Twenty-two post-surgical specimens of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were sampled from Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital in 2017. The Coxl and Nadl genes were amplified from E. multilocularis samples and sequenced. Then, the gene sequences were aligned to the Coxl and Nadl genes of Echinococcus species in GenBank database. The intra-species variation was observed, and the phylogenetic tree and molecular clock were created. RESULTS: All E. multilocularis samples shared more than 99% genetic homology with the sequences of Coxl and Nadl genes from the E. multilocularis Asian strain in the GenBank database. A total of 6 genotypes were identified, including 2 isolates that had no 100% homology with the sequences of known genes in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed remarkable clustering of the E. multilocularis samples with the E. multilocularis Asian strain, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province were estimated to date back to 94 000 years ago by the molecular clock. CONCLUSIONS: The present study characterizes 6 E. multilocularis genotypes in Qinghai Province, including 2 novel genotypes. Asian strain is the predominant strain of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province date back to 94 000 years ago.

[Application value of Revolution CT combining three-dimensional visualization technique in precision resection of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of Revolution CT combining three -dimensional visualization technique in the precision resection of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. METHODS: Totally 12 patients with surgical treatment and pathologically confirmed hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent the Revolution CT plain and enhancement scan before surgery, and the 0.625 millimeter scan data were obtained. The DICOM format data were imported into MI-3DVS for three-dimensional reconstruction, simulated cutting, volume measurement, and surgical planning. RESULTS: The data of 12 patients were reconstructed successfully, and the sizes and locations of the lesions as well as the hepatic vascular systems were clearly displayed. The liver volume, hydatid volume, simulated resection volume, and residual liver ratio were measured accurately. The average whole liver volume and the lesion volume of the 11 surgical treated patients were (2 429.8 ± 335.9) mL and (919.6 ± 262.8) mL respectively. The average actually removed volume was highly associated with the average simulated resection volume (r = 0.979, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Revolution CT combining three-dimensional visualization technique can achieve accurate diagnosis as well as optimal surgical planning before operation, which is of great value for the precision resection of difficult hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

[Present situation and progress of comprehensive treatments for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis].

Alveolar echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis that severely damages human health. Currently, radical surgical resection is the first choice for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. For the advanced hepatic echinococcosis patients with refractory radical resection, the palliative surgery combined with chemotherapy, liver transplantation, drug therapy, and radiofrequency microwave ablation may provide comprehensive tools. This article reviews the current situation and progress of comprehensive treatments for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

[Safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm].

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter closure of ruptured sinus of Valsava aneurysm(RSVA). Methods: A total of 33 RSVA patients underwent transcatheter closure from January 2006 to March 2017 in our hospital were included in this retrospective study. The RSVA was diagnosed by echocardiography.Different type of occluders were applied for transcatheter closure based on the aortography results. All the patients were followed up after the procedure. Results: The patients were (37.6±12.1) years old,and the male patients accounted for 78.8%(26 cases).RSVA from right coronary sinus was found in 25 patients,and draining chamber was right atrium in 13 cases, right ventricle in 12 cases. RSVA from noncoronary sinus was diagnosed in 8 patients,and the draining chamber was right atrium. Aortography defined the narrowest diameter at the rupture site was (6.4±1.7)mm. The ratio of Qp/Qs was 2.2±0.5,and the mean pressure of pulmonary artery was 24.0(21.2,33.7)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). One patient developed serious occluder related aortic regurgitation and underwent surgery, transcatheter closure was successfully performed in 32 patients. The success rate of transcatheter closure was 97.0%. Two types of device were used in the study including small-waist double-disk ventricular septal defect(VSD) occluders in 20 cases and patent ductus arteriosus(PDA) occluders in 12 cases. During a median follow-up of 73.5(28.3,89.5) months, there were no infective endocarditis, residual shunt, thrombosis, device displacement,serious aortic regurgitation, serious arrhythmia or death.At the last follow-up, the left atrial diameter((37.4±6.5) mm vs. (41.5±5.3)mm,P<0.01),right atrial diameter((42.4±3.0) mm vs. (48.5±6.0)mm,P<0.01), right ventricular diameter((22.2±3.8) mm vs. (27.7±7.2)mm,P<0.01) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter((51.3±4.9) mm vs.(55.0±4.3)mm,P<0.01)measured by echocardiography were all smaller than pre-procedural level. Conclusion: Transcatheter closure of RVSA is a safe and effective strategy and associated with a good long-term outcome.

Soil Nematode Abundances were Increased by an Incremental Nutrient Input in a Paddy-upland Rotation System.

To study the effect of fertilization on soil nematode communities in a paddy-upland rotation system, an ongoing thirty-three years long-term fertilizer experiment is conducted which includes seven treatments; an unfertilized treatment (control), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) fertilizer treatments (N, NP, NPK) and organic manure (M) combined with chemical fertilizer treatments (MN, MNP, and MNPK). The soil nematode community structure and crop yields were determined in 2012 and 2013. Overall total nematode abundance was increased by an incremental nutrient input both in the rice and wheat fields. Total number of nematode was 1.25 - 2.37 times greater in the rice field and was 1.08 - 2.97 times greater in wheat field in the fertilization treatments than in the unfertilized treatment. Soil free-living nematode abundances was significantly (P < 0.001) increased in organic manure combined with chemical fertilizer treatments in rice field. Fungi-feeders and plant-feeding nematodes abundances were not significantly different among treatments in rice and wheat fields. Omnivorous and predatory nematodes were the most dominant groups in the present study. Omnivores, predators and Prodorylaimus abundances were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in organic manure combined with NPK fertilizer treatments than in chemical fertilizer alone and unfertilized treatments both in rice and wheat fields. Stepwise regressions revealed that soil free-living nematodes were significant predictors of rice grain yields (R 2 = 0.56, P < 0.001) and omnivorous and predatory nematodes were significant predictors of the wheat grain yield (R 2 = 0.89, P < 0.001). Therefore, long-term application of organic manure combined with chemical fertilizer could increase nematode abundances and crop yields. Organic manure combined with chemical fertilizer application was recommended in agricultural ecosystem.

The correlation between children's status asthmatics and interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the correlation between children's status asthmatics and interstitial lung disease (ILD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We continuously selected 20 cases of children's status asthmatics combined with ILD (group A), 20 cases of pure status asthmatics (group B), 20 cases of pure ILD (group C) and 20 cases of healthy children (group D). We measured Th1/Th2 by flow cytometry as well as the level of expression of hs-CRP, IL-7 cytokines (TSLP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and anti-Jo-1 antibody by ELISA method. RESULTS: Th1 and Th1/Th2 of groups A and B were significantly lower than those of group C and D. Th2 was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of groups C and D. The level of expression of hs-CRP, TSLP, MCP-1 and anti-Jo-1 antibody in the groups A and B were all significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of groups C and D. There were differences of the above index of the comparison between groups A and B, but no difference between groups C and D. CONCLUSIONS: Children's status asthmatics and ILD may correlate with the abnormal expression of Th1/Th2, hs-CRP, TSLP, MCP-1 and anti-Jo-1 antibody.

[Therapeutic effect of severe thrombocytopenia in patients underwent transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus occlusion].

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of severe thrombocytopenia in patients underwent transcatheter patent ductus arteriosus occlusion. Methods: Clinical data of 80 pure patent ductus arteriosus patients who underwent interventional occlusion between February 2011 and November 2014 in General Hospital of Shenyang Military Region were retrospective analyzed.A bolus of heparin calcium (80 U/kg) was administered by intravenous injection during the procedure.Blood test was conducted in all patients before and after the procedure.The patients with both platelet reduction rate ≥ 5% and platelet count <100×109/L(severe thrombocytopenia) were treated by following strategies: bed rest, avoidance of activities, intensive control of blood pressure through sodium nitroprusside administration, and inhibition of presumed immunological reaction by glucocorticoids and human immunoglobulin administration.Follow-up ended in May 2015. Results: (1) A total of 54 cases (67.5%) were diagnosed as thrombocytopenia in second days after the procedure.The reduction rate of platelet in 41 out of 54 patients was equal or more than 5% on the second day, and the diameter of occludes were equal or more than 14 mm in 35 out of these 54 patients.Severe thrombocytopenia occurred in 14 patients and the occluder diameter was ≥ 14 mm in these 14 patients.Severe thrombocytopenia did not occur in patients with occlude diameter <14 mm or with reduction rate of platelet <5%.(2) A total of 14 severe thrombocytopenia patients were treated.No bleeding events occurred in hospital and during the whole follow-up period.The the lowest value of platelet count of patients was seen on the 4.5 (3.8, 6.0) days post the procedure.The lowest numbers were 16.5 (7.5, 37.3)×109/L.The platelet count of patients restored to more than 30×109/L on the 8.0 (4.8, 9.5) days and restore to more than 100×109/L on the 12.0 (9.8, 39.3) days post procedure.The average hospitalization day of the patients were 15.5 (11.8, 21.5) days.The platelet counts of severe thrombocytopenia patients were normal during the end of follow up (median 3.8 (1.0, 4.9) years). Conclusion: The patients with very severe thrombocytopenia after transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus are associated with a benign outcome in case of timely and proper treatment.

[Survey on fungi contamination and natural occurrence of mycotoxins in 94 corn feed ingredients collected from China].

Objective: To investigate fungi contamination and the natural occurrence of mycotoxins in corn feed ingredients collected from China. Methods: A total of 94 corn feed ingredient samples were collected from 8 Chinese provinces(i.e., Anhui, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and Shandong)in February 2014. A tandem ultra-performance liquid chromatographymass spectrometry method was used for simultaneous detection of twelve kinds of mycotoxins, including aflatoxin(AF), type A and type B tricothecenes, and zearalenone(ZEN). Contaminated fungi were also identified and counted. Results: AF was detected in 36.2%(34/94)of samples; the concentration of AFB1 was the highest in the four AFs with the range: 0.3~181.3 µg/kg; and then followed by AFB2(range: 1.0-74.3 µg/kg). There were 7 samples(7.5%)with AFB1 concentrations higher than the tolerance limit of 50 µg/kg. The concentration of type A tricothecenes in all samples was lower(0.1-10.5 µg/kg). DON had the most serious contamination than other kind of type B tricothecenes(range: 0.7-606.6 µg/kg; median: 66.3 µg/kg). The DON concentration in all samples was below the tolerance limit of 1 000 µg/kg. ZEN was detected in 76.6%(72/ 94)of samples(median: 36.9 µg/kg), with 3 samples having ZEN concentrations higher than the tolerance limit of 500 µg/kg. The survey on fungi contamination showed that all samples were contaminated by fungi(range: 5.0-1.4×105 CFU/g). There were 18 and 3 samples with quantities of fungi higher than the tolerance and forbidden limits, respectively. The Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma and Mucor genuses were the predominant fungi in corn feed ingredients, with detection rates of 71.3%(67), 60.6%(57), 71.3%(67), 27.7%(26), and 24.5%(23), respectively. The detection rate of Fusarium moniliforme, 73.4%(69/94)was higher than that of Aspergillus flavus, 41.5%(39/94). Conclusion: In this survey, the corn feed ingredients were not seriously contaminated by AF and type A tricothecenes but mainly contaminated by type B trichothecenes, including DON and its derivatives, as well as ZEN. They were also contaminated by fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium.

Echinococcus infections in Chinese dogs: a comparison of coproantigen kits.

Coproantigen test kits for Echinococcus spp. worms in dogs, designed for commercial use, were obtained from three different Chinese producers, and were compared with a laboratory kit using reagents from New Zealand. None of the three producers would provide details of their test validation. From a known set of dog faeces obtained at necropsy from infected and uninfected dogs, and from faeces collected from dogs necropsied in the field, results differed between the kits. For field material, the Tiankang kit showed the best specificity but lacked sensitivity. The Combined kit showed best sensitivity but lacked specificity. Results for the Haitai kit were intermediate. With samples from experimentally infected dogs, both the Haitai and Combined kits lacked sensitivity. Kits will need to be validated by the user before they can be relied on to predict progress in Echinococcus spp. control in China or in other countries.

Screening for preeclampsia pathogenesis related genes.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that severely threatens the health of the mother and infant, yet the mechanism of pathogenesis remains unclear. In this article, gene array technology was applied to identify the genes related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and to explore the regulatory effect of epigenetic modification by on these genes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Placental tissue of preeclampsia patients was collected, and DNA methylation arrays and gene expression microarrays were used to identify the genes. The effect of methylation on the regulation of genes related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia was also investigated. RESULTS: The expression levels of more than ten genes were found to be significantly altered in the placental tissue of patients with preeclampsia as measured by gene expression microarray. This study also identified more than ten genes with notable changes in expression level as well as methylation level. The gene expression of CUEDC1 and DHX34 were verified in this study and the findings were consistent with previous reports. CONCLUSIONS: Our research indicates that the occurrence of preeclampsia is correlates closely with differences in the expression of specific genes, which may be regulated through methylation.

Study on energy transfer and energy migration of Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2:Dy3+ phosphor films.

Being a kind of rare-earth-metal silicate with oxidapatite structure, Ca2R8(SiO4)6O2 (R = Y, Gd, La) is a promising material doped with rare earth, and widely used as phosphors. In this thesis, Ca2Gd8(SiO4)6O2:Dy3+ films were prepared by the sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting films. AFM study indicated that the phosphor films consisted of 120 nm homogeneous particles. By combining the model of Burshtein for donor-donor migration and the V-F-B model for donor-acceptor energy transfer, the experimental luminescence decay curve of 6P(J) state of Gd3+ was re-simulated. It is found that concentration quenching of Gd3+ can be due to the result of the joint action of donor-donor (Gd3+-Gd3+) energy migration and donor-acceptor (Gd3+-Dy3+) energy transfer.

Endoscopic ultrasonography in esophageal tuberculosis.

Esophageal tuberculosis is so rarely seen that it is difficult to identify by conventional endoscopy and computed tomography (CT), and is frequently misdiagnosed and inappropriately treated. To date, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the context of esophageal tuberculosis has only been sketchily described in a few case reports. In the present report we summarize and analyze four cases with regard to the EUS features of the lesions of esophageal tuberculosis. These features included heterogeneous or homogeneous hypoechoic masses in the esophageal wall, incrassation, interruption of esophageal adventitia, and mediastinal lymphadenitis. Most of the masses in the esophageal wall had hyperechoic spots and strips in the parenchyma. The esophageal lesions usually involved or had conglutinated with the enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

Plasma caffeine metabolite ratio (17X/137X) in vivo associated with G-2964A and C734A polymorphisms of human CYP1A2.

Either G-2964 or A734 in the human CYP1A2 gene was confirmed to be associated with high inducible enzyme activity in smokers, but not in nonsmokers. In this study, for the first time, we observed an association between phenotypes and genotypes of CYP1A2 with respect to the two genetic polymorphisms in 163 healthy Chinese volunteers living in Qidong. The ratio of plasma 17X/137X at 6 h after oral administration of 300 mg caffeine was employed in CYP1A2 phenotyping analysis, while genotyping analysis was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The allele frequencies of A at -2964 and A at 734 in 139 non-smoking subjects were 0.25 and 0.67, respectively. The A/A-2964C/C734, G/A-2964C/C734 or A/A-2964C/A734 genotype that was thought to have lower inducibility/activity of CYP1A2 than the other genotypes did not exist in the tested Chinese subjects. The ratio of 17X/137X was 0.46 +/- 0.26 in G/G-2964A/A734 genotypes (n = 22) and 0.36 +/- 0.19 in non-G/G-2964A/A734 (n = 117). In addition, there was significant difference between them (P = 0.036). A similar result was also achieved in 24 smokers. Since Qidong is a special region with particularly high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in China, the association of phenotypes with genotypes of CYP1A2 in the Qidong population might result from some inducible environmental factors such as those of cigarettes in smokers.