Bupleurum polysaccharides ameliorated renal injury in diabetic mice associated with suppression of HMGB1-TLR4 signaling / 中国天然药物

Bupleurum polysaccharides (BPs) is isolated from Bupleurum smithii var. parvifolium, a key traditional Chinese medicine. The study was to investigate the effects of BPs on diabetic kidney injury. After two intraperitoneal injections of streptozotozin (STZ) 100 mg·kg, renal injury in diabetic mice was induced and BPs was orally administrated at dosages of 30 and 60 mg·kg·d. The STZ injected mice developed renal function damage, renal inflammation and fibrosis known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD). BPs significantly reduced serum creatinine level and urinary albumin excretion rate, with the attenuated swelling of kidneys. BPs treatment obviously alleviated the pathological damage of renal tissue. The progression of renal injury in BPs treated mice was inhibited with less expression of type IV collagen (Col IV), fibronectin (FN) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The inhibition of inflammation in kidney was associated with the reduced level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). BPs administration suppressed the over-expression of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) with lowered activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in renal tissue of diabetic mice. Oral administration of BPs effectively prevented the development ofrenal injury in diabetic mice. This study suggested that the protection provided by BPs might affect through the interruption of HMGB1-TLR4 pathway, leading to the inhibition of renal inflammation and fibrotic process.

Expression of SRD5A1 and its prognostic role in prostate cancer: Analysis based on the data-mining of ONCOMINE / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To explore the expression of I-5α-reductase (SRD5A1)and its prognostic role in prostate cancer .</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data about SRD5A1 were retrieved from the ONCOMINE database and the role of SRD5A1 in prostate cancer was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 992 studies of different types relevant to the expression of SRD5A1 were identified in the ONCOMINE database. The SRD5A1 expression was statistically significant in 239 of the studies, overexpressed in 157 (11 in prostate cancer) and underexpressed in the other 82 (3 in prostate cancer). Eighteen of the studies, with 1 068 samples, addressed the expression of SRD5A1 in prostate cancer and normal tissues, which was significantly higher in the former than in the latter tissue (P<0.05). In 3 of the studies, the SRD5A1 expression was high in primary prostate cancer and increased with its metastasis (P<0.0 5). Two of the studies with prognostic data showed a higher rate of postoperative biochemical recurrence and a higher total mortality rate in the patients with a high than in those with a low expression of SRD5A1 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SRD5A1 is highly expressed in prostate cancer, especially in metastatic and castration-resistant prostate cancer and its expression is associated with the prognosis of prostate cancer, which may be an important target of medication for prostate cancer.</p>

Saponins from roots of Securidaca inappendiculata with cytotoxic activities / 中国中药杂志

Seven acylated triterpene saponins were isolated from the roots of Securidaca inappendiculata by means of various chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, MPLC, preparative HPLC, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified as securioside A(1), securioside B(2), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-4-O-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-β-D-fucopyranosyl ester(3), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3) ] -4-O-[(E/Z)-3, 4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-β-D-fucopyranosyl ester(3/4), 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin 28-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-4-O-[(E)-3,4-dimethoxycinnamoyl]-β-D-fucopyranosyl ester(5), polygalasa- ponin XLV(6), and polygalasaponin XLVI (7) on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and physicochemical properties. Among them, compounds 5-7 were isolated from the plants in genus Securidaca for the first time and compounds 3, 3/4 were isolated from the species for the first time. The cytotoxicity assay showed that compounds 2, 3/4, 5 have moderate cytotoxic activities against Lewis lung carcinoma LLC cells with IC50 values of 41.10, 38.17, and 48.92 µmol · L(-1), respectively; compound 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against human breast cancer MCF-7 cells with an IC50 value of 47.93 µmol · L(-1).

3D versus 2D laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the outcomes and complications of 3D versus 2D laparoscopic radical prostatectomy ( LRP) in the treatment of prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively reviewed 18 cases of prostate cancer treated by 3D LRP and another 32 by 2D LRP. We compared the general data, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage time and hospital stay, Gleason scores, and incidence of complications between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the operations were successful and none was transferred to open surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in terms of age, body mass index, Gleason scores, and clinical stages. However, compared with the 2D LRP group, the 3D LRP group showed significantly shorter operation time ([180.2 ± 69.1] vs [118.3 ± 55.1] min, P < 0.01), less blood loss ([236.5 ± 60.6] vs [89.1 ± 35.2] ml, P < 0.01), less postoperative drainage time ([7.1 ± 1.1] vs [5.3 ± 2.1] d, P < 0.01), shorter postoperative hospital stay ([20.2 ± 5.5] vs [14.4 ± 7.2] d, P < 0.01), and lower incidence of perioperative complications (3.1% vs 0, P < 0.01). The incisal margin was pathologically negative in both groups and urinary incontinence was found in neither at 6 months after surgery (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>3D LRP, with its advantages of shorter operative time, faster recovery, and better outcomes than 2D LRP in the treatment of prostate cancer, deserves general application in lower-level hospitals.</p>

Relationship between cognitive flexible, depression and eating attitude in middle school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship among cognitive flexibility, depression and eating attitude of adolescents and the influencing factors of eating attitude.@*Methods@#A total of 1 231 subjects were assessed using general information questionnaire, Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale 11 item(KADS-11), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), Eating Attitude Test 26(EAT-26). Data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, univariate linear regression, spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression.@*Results@#There were significant differences in EAT 26 among adolescents between genders and between those with or without depression(P<0.01). Statistically significant differences were observed in CFI, flexible control and KADS 11 among adolescents with or without eating disorders(P<0.01). The scores of EAT 26 was negatively correlated with CFI (r=-0.19, P<0.01) and flexible control(r=-0.23, P<0.01). And there was a significant positive correlation between EAT 26 and KADS 11(r=0.23, P<0.01). Female(OR=2.40, 95%CI=1.87-3.23), depression (OR=1.76, 95%CI=1.35-2.29) and poor flexible control (OR=1.94, 95%CI=1.48-2.54) were risk factors for eating disorders.@*Conclusion@#Female, individuals with depressive symptoms or with poor flexible control ability are more likely to have eating disorders which need more attention.

Investigation on the risk factors for reported rising of measles incidence during November, 2011 to February, 2012, in some areas of Hubei province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To identify the risk factors for reported sudden rise of measles incidence in November,2011,in some areas of Hubei province.Methods We analyzed all measles patients reported in the measles surveillance system from November 2011 to February 2012 in two prefectures with highest attack rates and their vaccination history by reviewing vaccination records.We interviewed patients' parents by telephone to obtain the history of visiting health care within 7 to 21 days before onset.We also used case-crossover study to estimate the relative risk (RR) of hospital acquired infection and to compare the exposure to health care between 7-21 days before onset to 37-51 days before onset among measles patients.Results Totally 140 patients were reported in the two prefectures.Reported measles incidence rates among the population aged ＜8 m (69/100 000) and 8 m to 17 m (72/100 000) were higher than other age groups (rang from 0 to 5.8 per 100 000).Among the population aged 8 m to 17 m,estimated vaccination coverage was lower than 75％,and it was lower than 90％ among those aged 18 m to 3 yrs.During 7-21 days before onset,58％(29/50) of the patients had an exposure to health care settings,compared to 14％ (7/50) of patients during 37 to 51 days before onset (MH RR=5.4,95％ confidence interval=2.1-14.0).Conclusion Under the condition of measles vaccination coverage lower than 95％,iatrogenic infection was a risk factor for measles in Hubei.

An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by poisonous Boletus mushroom in Sichuan, China, 2012 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To identify the source of infection and risk factors and to provide control measures regarding an outbreak of gastroenteritis involving 30 villagers.Who attended the same wedding party held on March 5th,2012,a survey was carried out.Methods Case was defined as having onset of vomiting,nausea,stomachache or diarrhea among the attendees of a wedding party.We randomly selected and interviewed 140 from 470 attendees on their symptoms and food exposures at the wedding.We compared food-specific attack rates (AR) for gastroenteritis in a retrospective cohort study.The leftover foods were tested for Salmonella,Shigella,and Staphylococcus aureus.The leftover Boletus mushrooms were examined and species determined by the Kunming Institute of Botany,Chinese Academy of Sciences.Results Of the 140 attendees 61％ (85) developed gastroenteritis.Case-attendees had vomiting (94％),nausea (89％),stomachache (53 ％),and diarrhea (51％).The AR among attendees who ate Boletus mushroom was 69％ (81/118),compared to 18％ (4/22) of those who did not (RR＝3.8,95％ CI:1.5-9.2).When comparing the ARs between the attendees on consumption of other foods,data did not show statistically significant differences.Among the 7 species of Boletus identified from the leftover mushrooms,3 (B.venenatus,B.sinicus and B.magnificus) were toxic.Store keepers bought dried or fresh mushrooms from local villagers who had picked up them from the mountains.Salmonella,Shigella,and Staphylococcus aureus tests on those leftover food showed negative results.Conclusion Poisonous Boletus mushroom contributed to this outbreak.We recommended that education should be targeted on mushroom-pickers regarding how to recognize the poisonous mushrooms.Regulations and laws should also be developed to facilitate the necessary process.

Investigation on the prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus and cervical cancer among adult women, in Shenzhen / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of high risk human papillomavirus (HPV) genital infection and cervical cancer in adult women from Shenzhen.Methods Cluster sampling was used to investigate the prevalence of HPV infection and cervical cancer from women aged 20-59 years old living in Luohu,Futian,Nanshan,Longgang and Baoan districts in Shenzhen from April 2006 to April 2010.All women were detected for liquid-based cytology test (LCT) or Thinprep cytologic test (TCT)and high-risk HPV-DNA test with hybrid capture Ⅱ (HC-Ⅱ ).All women with ≥ASC-US by cytology and/or a positive HC- Ⅱ test were asked to return for colposcopy and four-quadrant biopsy.Endocervical curettage was performed.Pathological finding were used as the gold standard of the diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.Results 10 210 women were involved in the study and 10 017 of them having completed data.The overall positive rate of high-risk HPV-DNA was 16.29％.HPV positive rates in 20-,30-,35-,40-,45-,50-59 age groups were 17.37％,15.59％,16.33％,14.74％,17.16％ and 17.98％,respectively.The curve of HPV infection rates in different age groups appeared a ‘W' shape.HPV infection rates in the 25-years-olds and 50-59 year-olds groups were significantly higher than the other age groups (x2=4.50,P=0.03 ).The overall prevalence rate of cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN) was 7.52％,of which the prevalence rates of low-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN Ⅰ) was 5.32％ high-grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ ) was 2.21％,cervical cancer was 0.12％.The prevalence of CIN Ⅰ was significantly higher than the CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ (x2=134.15,P＜0.001 ).The prevalence of cervical cancer in 45- age group was 0.12％,the highest.HPV infection rates increased with the grades of cervical lesions including women without CIN as 44.31％,in CIN Ⅰ as 70.73％,in CIN Ⅱ as 86.73％,and in CIN Ⅲ as 96.75％ and in cancer as 100.00％.The HPV infection rates were different in districts (x2=17.81,P=0.03 ),with Futian and Luohu higher than those of Nanshan,Longgang and Baoan district.The prevalence rate of CIN in Baoan was lower than other districts.The CIN prevalence rates were not significantly different among the other districts of Shenzhen (x2=4.84,P=0.18).Conclusion The prevalence of cervical cancer was low in adult women living in Shenzhen,with cervical lesions still in the early stage.Prevention of HPV infection and treatment of CIN were the key points for the prevention of cervical cancer.

The use of antiviral drugs in treating novel influenza A(H1N1)inpatients in Suzhou city,Jiangsu province,China,2009-2010 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the use of antiviral drugs in treating the hospitalized patients of novel influence A(H1N1)in Suzhou city during the 2009-2010 influenza pandemic,so as to make the proper use of antiviral drugs during influenza epidemics.Methods We selected 3municipal hospitals and reviewed the medieal records of hospimlized patients suffered from novel influence A(H1N1)during June 2009 to March 2010,to gather antiviral use and other related information.Results 98%(222/226)of the hospitalized patients received antiviral treatment.Among them,92%(205/222)were given the neuraminidase inhibitor oseitamivir.However,only 18% of the patients who received oseltamivir were given the treatment within 2 days after the onset of the illness.Amantadine and rimantadinc were not used for any of the hospitalized patients.Through interview on the physicians,we identified that delay in seeing care,misdiagnosis,delay in laboratory diagnosis were factors affecting the timely use of oseltamivir.Conclusion The majority of the hospitalized patients suffered from novel influence A(H1N1)in the three municipal hospitals received oseltamivir treatment.However,in most occasions the drug was not used timely.Techniques of rapid detection and diagnosis for novel influenza A(H1N1)virus should be developed,and the diagnostic capabilities of the physicians improved,to increase the effectiveness of these antiviral drugs.

Compliance on hand-hygiene among healthcare providers working at secondary and tertiary general hospitals in Chengdu / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the compliance on hand-hygiene and related factors among healthcare providers working at secondary and tertiary hospitals in Chengdu.Methods On-site observations regarding hand-hygiene compliance and facilities were conducted in 6 hospitals in Chengdu.Doctors and nurses were asked and recorded about their knowledge regarding hand hygiene.Results Of 1535 activities where hand-hygiene was deemed necessary,under observating healthcare providers would perform hand-hygiene procedures 17.8％ of the time (12.8％ of the time before touching a patient,21.0％ of the time before touching objects around a patient,27.3％ of the time after touching a patient,and 31.5％ of the time after removing gloves).Only 2.2％ of the treating rooms were equipped with foot-operated or automatic faucets; of these only 24.5％ had soap or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer,and 6.3％ had paper towel or other hand-drying equipments.92.8％ of the healthcare providers knew of the six-step method on hand-washing.More than 90.0％ of the healthcare providers knew that both palm and back of the hands as well as the front and back of the fingers should be washed.However,only 22.8％ knew that the hand-washing procedure should last ≥15 seconds.Rates on hand hygiene among chief or more senior physicians (14.6％),attending physicians (9.2％) and junior doctors (15.6％),nurses in chief (25.0％),senior nurses (26.3％) and junior nurses (20.5％) showed no significant differences (P＞0.05).Similarly,scores on related knowledge between chief or senior physicians (12.4 ± 3.2),attending physicians (13.6 ± 3.3) and junior doctors ( 13.4 ± 2.9),nurses in charge ( 15.2 ± 2.0),senior nurses ( 14.8 ± 2.1 ) and junior nurses (14.3 ± 2.6) also showed no significant differences (P＞0.05).Rate on hand hygiene among nurses (22.7％) was significantly higher than that of the doctors ( 13.6％ ).Rate of hand hygiene among 50-59 years old healthcare providers (7.4％) was significantly lower than those of all the other age groups ( 17.1％-25.0％ ) ; rate of female health care providers ( 19.5％ ) was significantly higher than that of males ( 13.8％ ).Similarly,the nurse' s knowledge score ( 14.7 ± 2.3) was significantly higher than that of the doctors ( 13.2 ± 3.1 ).Among 50-59 years old healthcare providers,the rate was ( 12.2 ± 3.8) significantly lower than that of 20-29 ( 14.0 ± 2.6),30-39 ( 14.3 ± 2.9) and 40-49 year olds ( 13.8 ± 2.7).Again,the knowledge score of females ( 14.5 ± 2.5 ) was significantly higher than that of males (12.7 ± 3.2) (P＜0.05).Conclusion The high-level knowledge on hand-hygiene among healthcare providers in this area did not translate into good practices.Also,most of the hospitals had poor hand-hygiene equipments.We recommend that training and periodic monitoring be conducted,and hand-hygiene equipment be improved to facilitate hand-hygiene practices among healthcare providers.

A hepatitis A outbreak caused by contaminated well water in a primary school of Jiangxi province, China, 2009 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective A hepatitis A outbreak in a primary school was reported by Gan County Center for Disease Control and Province (CDC) and an investigation was conducted to identify the possible source of infection and risk factors for transmission.Methods A probable case was defined as having onset of jaundice (yellow urine,sclera or skin) or a 2-fold increase in Alanine aminotransferase with 2 or more,of the followings symptoms:anorexia,disgust of oil,abdominal pain,nausea,fatigue,vomiting,in students and staff of the primary school between 1 November 2008 and 14 February 2009.A confirmed case was IgM positive for hepatitis A,added on a probable case.We searched for cases through reviewing medical records in the township hospital and village clinics and conducting symptom screening among students or teachers.We also conducted a case-control study to compare the exposure histories of 19 cases and 53 anti-HAV-IgM negative controls randomly selected from those asymptomatic students in the same grade.Results 21 cases from all the students was identified,with the attack rate as 3.5％.The epidemic curve showed the two peaks of the outbreak were 28 days apart,both indicating that they were related to the exposure of the source of origin.74％of the case-students drank the unboiled Well B water,compared to 42％ of control-students (OR=4.0,95％CI:1.1-15).The total bacterial count was 600 cfu/ml and the total coliform was 23 MPN/100 ml in one sample collected from the well water.Conclusion This hepatitis A outbreak was caused by drinking contaminated water in Well B.We recommended that all the schools should use chlorinated municipal pipe water.Public health authorities should strengthen the supervision of quality of water in schools.

Coronary spasm, a pathogenic trigger of vulnerable plaque rupture / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This coronary artery spasm review aimed to explore the most possible pathogenic trigger mechanism of vulnerable plaque rupture.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>Data used in this coronary artery spasm review were mainly from Medline and Pubmed in English.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>These reports from major review on coronary artery spasm. and these research included coronary artery conception, pathogenesis of spasm, mechanisms of plaque rupture, epidemiological evidence, clinical manifestation and the relationship between coronary artery spasm and vulnerable plaque rupture.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Coronary artery spasm is somehow related to the presence of atherosclerotic intima disease in the coronary artery. However, chronic low-grade inflammation causes coronary vessel smooth muscle cell hypersensitivity, which can directely cause coronary artery spasm. Myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death may be initiated by a sudden intense localized contraction of coronary artery smooth muscle.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Coronary artery spasm may be one trigger that can initiate and exacerbate vulnerable plaque rupture.</p>

Comparision of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with unstable angina between with and without significant coronary artery plaques / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Inflammation within vulnerable coronary plaques may cause unstable angina by promoting rupture and erosion. C-reactive protein (CRP) is the most reliable and accessible test method for clinical use for identifying coronary artery disease event. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is highly over-expressed in the vulnerable regions of a plaque. Our aim was to evaluate the plasma levels of MMP-9 and hsCRP in subjects with both unstable angina and coronary plaques, as well as in those with unstable angina without coronary plaques.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with newly diagnosed unstable angina pectoris from clinical presentation and ECG, who were undergoing coronary angiography from April 2007 to April 2009, were included in this study. A total of 170 subjects were enrolled in the study. Before angiography, the baseline clinical data (mainly including conventional risk factors) was collected. These patients were divided into two groups, a non-plaque group (G1) which included 55 patients with no significant stenosis or less than 20% stenosis in at least one of the major coronary artery branches, and a plaque group (G2) which included 115 patients with at least one of the major coronary artery branches unstable angina pectoris with at least 50% stenosis of one major coronary artery. The patients presenting with calcified nodules of a major coronary artery were excluded from this study. We examined the serum levels of MMP-9 for all cases by multi-effect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant difference in the serum levels of MMP-9 between the two groups (P < 0.001). The percentage of patients with hypertension, diabetes and current smokers were significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.034, P = 0.031, and P = 0.044 respectively). The univariate Logistic regression analyses of risk factors showed that smoking was the main risk factor for angina in the non-plaque group with the OR being 1.95 (95%CI 1.02 - 3.75). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus were negatively related with the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with the ORs being 0.50, and 0.36, respectively (95%CI 0.26 - 0.96 and 0.14 - 0.94). The MMP-9 level was negatively related to the occurrence of angina in the non-plaque group with an OR of 0.59 (95%CI 0.47 - 0.81).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a significantly difference in MMP-9 levels between the plaque and non-plaque groups. Current smoking has a significant influence on unstable angina patients without documented plaques. The serum MMP-9 level may be a significant biomarker which can help differentiate patients with unstable angina with plaques from those with unstable angina but without plaques.</p>

A norovirus-borne outbreak caused by contaminated bottled spring water in a school, Zhejiang province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study a local hospital reported acute gastroenteritis in a boarding school on its source of infection, mode of transmission and risk factors of the infection. Methods A suspected case was defined as who had developed diarrhea (≥3 times/day) or vomiting among teachers or students of the school, during April 19-30, 2010. A confirmed case was from a probable case plus tested positive for norovirus in stool specimens by using RT-PCR. Stool specimens of cases and environmental specimens were collected for laboratory diagnosis. In a ease-control study, we compared exposures to sources of bottled water, consumption of bottled water, and hygienic habits of 220 probable or confirmed cases from April 21-23 in the peak of the outbreak, together with another 220 controls, with frequency-matched by school grade. Results 20.3% of the 1536 students but none of the teachers developed the disease. 98.6% of the cases (n=217) and 85.5% (n=188) of the controls had drunk bottled water in the classroom (ORM-H= 12.3,95%CI: 3.7-40.9). 47.9% (n= 104)of the cases and 41.5% (n=78)of the controls had drunk unboiled bottled water in classroom (ORM-H=3.8,95%CI: 1.5-9.6). 47.9% (n=104) of the cases and 48.4% (n=91) of the controls had drunk bottled mixed water (boiled and unboiled) in the classroom (ORM-H=2.8, 95%CI: 1.1-7.0).Stool specimens from 3 cases and one bottle of uncovered bottled water in classroom showed positive of having norovirus genotype Ⅱ. Coliforms was cultured much higher rates than standard deviations in the bottled water. The factory making the bottled water was not licensed or having strict disinfection facilities. Conclusion Bottled spring water contaminated by norovirus was responsible for this outbreak.

Proliferation, migration and apoptosis activities of endothelial progenitor cells in acute coronary syndrome / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There are numerous articles on the endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in different disease conditions. However, the functional properties of EPCs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are still uncertain. Here we aimed to study the number and functions of EPCs in ACS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients were enrolled with admitted ACS (n = 25) and another 25 gender-, age-, atherosclerotic risk factors-matched stable coronary artery disease (CAD) controls. EPCs were defined as CD34(+)/CD133(+)/VEGFR-2(+) and quantified by flow cytometry. Moreover, functional properties of EPCs including colony-forming unit (CFU), proliferation, migration as well as apoptosis were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was detected in all patients as well.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two groups had similar medication and clinical characteristics on admission. The EPCs in ACS patients were more than 2.6 times that in stable CAD subjects (15.6 ± 2.7 vs. 6.0 ± 0.8/100 000 events, P < 0.01). CFU was not statistically different between the two groups (10.8 ± 2.9 vs. 8.2 ± 1.8, number/well, P > 0.05). Furthermore, EPCs isolated from ACS patients were significantly impaired in their proliferation (0.498 ± 0.035 vs. 0.895 ± 0.067, OD value, P < 0.01) and migration capacity (20.5 ± 3.4 vs. 30.7 ± 4.3, number/well, P < 0.01) compared with controls. Moreover, the apoptosis cell in cultured EPCs was drastically increased in ACS group ((18.3 ± 2.1)% vs. (7.8 ± 0.4)%, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with ACS exhibited apparently increased circulating EPCs as well as cultured apoptosis percentage together with a remarkable impairment of proliferation and migration activities compared with stable CAD subjects.</p>

An outbreak of gastroenteritis caused by contaminated well water in a village, Henan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To identify the cause and mode of transmission of a gastroenteritis outbreak in a village, Henan province. Methods Gastroenteritis patients were identified through family visits, interviewing the village doctors and reviewing diagnosis and prescription records at the village health clinic. Cases were defined as onset of one of the four symptoms from the village resident during July 20 to August 12,2010. The symptoms would include diarrhea ( ≥ 3 times/day), abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to assess the association between drinking raw well water or eating noodles rinsed by raw well water and gastroenteritis. Stools or vomits of the ease-patients and the well water samples were tested for bacterial pathogens. Results Data for 60 case-patients were collected. All cases occurred in the northern part of the village. Persons who used water from a public well in the northern part of the village had an attack rate of 55%, which was 3.5 times of those who did not use the well water (16%) (RR=3.5,95%CI: 1.2-10). Results from the retrospective cohort study showed that drinking un-boiled water from the well was a risk factor (RR=1.7,95%CI: 1.3-2.3). Laboratory testing showed that total coliform and E. coli both greatly exceeded the limit considered safe for drinking, indicating there was fecal contamination in the well water. No bacterial pathogens were detected in the patients' stools or vomits. Conclusion The outbreak was mainly caused by drinking contaminated water from the public well in the northern part of the village.

Study on the score criteria of severe hand, foot and mouth disease cases / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the score criteria of severe hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases and to provide evidence for unified criteria and treatment on severe HFMD cases.Methods All severe cases and partial mild cases reported by two designated hospitals of HFMD in Fuyang during March to June, 2008 were scored by the methods of criteria constructed in advance.ROC curve was adopted to evaluate the score criteria and the gold standard was defined according to ICU, intubation and clinical outcomes, etc. Sensitivity, specificity and Youden' s index were used to determine the division scores on critical, severe and mild cases. Results 97% of the cases (34 cases) were scored less than 6 points. 88% of cases (24 cases) who were intubated or mechanical ventilated had the scores of 6 points or higher. 79% of deaths (11 cases) were scored 10 points or higher. The area of receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83-0.98)between severe and mild cases and the area of ROC curve was 0.95 (95%CI: 0.92-0.98) between critical and severe, mild cases. When comprehensively considering the sensitivity and specificity,severe cases were best judged when score was 4 points (sensitivity, specificity and Youden' s index were 0.94, 0.68 and 0.62 respectively). When score was 6 points, critical cases were judged very well (sensitivity, specificity and Youden' s index were 0.92, 0.84 and 0.76 respectively). Conclusion Score criteria could be quantified to determine the degree of seriousness and with high-value for diagnosis on HFMD.

Outbreak of cholera associated with consumption of soft-shelled turtles, Sichuan province, China, 2009 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective Vibrio cholera was extremely rare in Sichuan province (no cases in 2008). Any outbreak could indicate contamination through the food supply system. In July 2009, a hospital reported a cluster of 7 diarrhea patients; all attended the same banquet. One patient was confirmed to have Vibrio cholera (O139). We conducted this investigation to identify the source of this possible cholera outbreak. Methods We defined a suspect case as any banquet attendee with diarrhea ( ≥3 times/day). A confirmed case was a suspect case with a positive Vibrio cholera culture. We took stool samples or rectal swabs from all attendees for cholera culture and interviewed 272 banquet attendees about foods they ate at the banquet and kitchen workers about food preparation. Results 7.1% (24/337) of attendees developed cases within an average of 65 hours after eating. Three meals were served. All patients had the lunch whereas no patients only ate breakfast and/or dinner. Of 180 attendees who ate turtle meat 12% were case-patients, compared to 3.3% of 92 attendees who did not (RR=3.6,95%CI: 1.1-12). Of the 150 attendees who ate peanuts 13% were cases compared to 4.1%of 122 attendees who did not eat peanuts (RR=3.1,95%CI: 1.2-8.0). During preparation, the same utensil was used for fresh turtle meat and peanuts without washing in-between the process. Turtle meat and peanuts were stored for ＞ 16 hours at room temperature after cooking before consumption. All 33 turtles originated from commercial production in another province. Conclusion This outbreak was likely caused by poor food handling of commercially produced turtles. We proposed that to improve microbiologic monitoring of aquatic food animals, and raise the awareness of good handling practices at mass gathering in rural China.

Non-airborne transmission during outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 among tour group members, China, June 2009 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective During June 2-8, 2009, 11 cases of the novel influenza A (H1N1)occurred in Sichuan Province, China. We investigated this outbreak to identify the source of infection,mode of transmission and risk factors for infection. Methods The primary case, a U.S. citizen,developed disease on June 2. From June 3 to 5, she joined Tour Group A for a trip to Jiuzhaigou. We telephoned passengers of the three flights on which the primary case had traveled in China, and members of Tour Group A. We asked whether they had any influenza-like symptoms during May 27 to June 12. Health authorities placed passengers whose seats were within three rows of the primary case on flights and members of Tour Group A on medical observation, and isolated individuals if they developed symptoms. We used real-time RT-PCR to test the throat swabs from symptomatic persons for the novel influenza virus and defined a confirmed case as one with influenza-like symptoms and laboratory confirmation. A retrospective cohort investigation to identify the risk factors for infection was conducted. We interviewed all members of Tour Group A about their detailed contact history with the primary case. Results During June 5 to 6, 9 (30%) of the primary case' s 30 fellow tour group members developed disease, compared with none of her 87 fellow passengers to Jiuzhaigou and 1 of her 87 fellow passengers on the returning trip (when several of the members of Tour Group A were symptomatic). 56% of the tourists who had talked with the primary case in close range ( ＜2 m) for ≥2 minutes developed disease, whereas none of the 14 other tour group members developed disease (RR= ∞; exact 95%CI: 2.0- ∞ ). Having conversed with the primary case for ≥ 10 minutes (vs. 2-9 minutes) increased the risk by almost five fold (RR=4.8, exact 95%CI: 1.3-180). Conversely, other kinds of contact, such as dining at the same table, receiving chewing gum from the primary case and sharing bus rides or planes with the primary case played no roles during this outbreak. Conclusion This novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak was caused by an imported case, and transmitted mainly via droplet transmission when the primary case was talking with her fellow tourists during a tour. These findings highlight the importance of preventing droplet transmission during a pandemic.

Clinical significance of liver function and autoantibodies in patients with acute or chronic drug-induced liver injury / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical significance of liver function and autoantibodies in patients with acute or chronic drug-induced liver injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>51 patients with drug-induced liver injury were divided into acute drug induced liver injury group and chronic drug induced liver injury group, liver function and autoantibodies were compared between these two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no significant difference (P more than 0.05) in alanine aminotransferase [(412.1+/-387.5) U/L and (376.0+/-319.7) U/L], aspartate aminotransferase [(352.5+/-457.9) U/L and (198.8+/-142.7) U/L], total bilirubin [(109.7+/-104.80)micromol/L and(102.4+/-135.7)micromol/L], direct bilirubin [(66.4+/-73.3)micromol/L and (61.2+/-72.1)micromol/L], alkaline phosphatase [(133.4+/-50.1) U/L and (147.4+/-97.3) U/L], gamma-glutamyltransferase [(139.9+/-134.1) U/L and (180.6+/-227.9) U/L], and albumin [(41.3+/-4.9) g/L and (39.8+/-5.3)g/L] between these two groups, however, the level of globulin [(25.1+/-5.3) g/L and (28.6+/-5.1) g/L] was significantly different between these two groups (P less than 0.05). The titers of Anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and smooth muscle antibody (SMA) were less than or equal to 1:320 in patients with acute drug induced liver injury. The titers of ANA, antimitochondrial antibody (AMA), and SMA were more than or equal to 1:320 in most of the patients with chronic drug induced liver injury.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Liver function has no value in the diagnosis of acute or chronic drug induced liver injury. High titer autoantibodies are found in patients with chronic drug induced liver injury.</p>