Progress on application of spatial epidemiology in HIV/AIDS control and prevention / 中华流行病学杂志

Spatial epidemiology focuses on the use of geographic information systems and spatial analysis to study spatial distribution and change tendency of diseases and explore the health status of specific populations. In recent years, spatial epidemiology has been applied in the field of HIV/AIDS prevention and control. This review summarizes the progress in the application of spatial epidemiology in the analysis of spatiotemporal distribution, non-monitoring area data estimation, influencing factors of AIDS and health resource allocation and utilization to provide reference for its application in the prevention and control of AIDS in the future.

Application and progress of capture-recapture method in population size estimation / 中华流行病学杂志

Capture-recapture method is an economical and straightforward method widely used in fields such as estimating population size and estimating and adjusting incidence or prevalence. This paper reviews the classical capture-recapture method and its improvement and application in population size estimation in referring the subsequent related work.

Application of Relative Quality Constant in Grade Evaluation of Codonopsis Radix Slices / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To establish the grade evaluation method for Codonopsis Radix slices based relative quality constants， in order to provide scientific theoretical basis for grading of Codonopsis Radix slices. Method:Through literature and market research，the main production areas of Codonopsis Radix slices were determined，and 67 batches of Ludangshen slices（52 batches） and Baitiaodang slices （15 batches） were collected. The appearance traits （average quality and average thickness of Codonopsis Radix slices） were observed and measured. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia （2015 edition）， the extract and the content of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulphoacid method. Then the relative quality constant was calculated，and the results of grade evaluation were evaluated through systematic cluster analysis and correlation analysis. Result:Relative quality constants of 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were between 0.32-2.97. If these samples were divided into three grades：the first-grade relative quality constants were greater than or equal to 2.08，the second grade was greater than or equal to 0.89 but less than 2.08，while the third grade was less than 0.89. The results of systematic cluster analysis showed that 67 batches of Codonopsis Radix slices were clustered into 3 categories，and the results were basically consistent with the classification. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the content of the extracts and the polysaccharide content （P<0.05）. Conclusion:This method links the extrinsic characteristics to the intrinsic quality，and objectively grade Codonopsis Radix slices， so as to provide a basis for its grade standards.

Distribution and morphology of ghrelin-immunopositive cells in the liver of the African ostrich / Distribución y morfología de las células inmunopositivas a la gregina en el hígado de avestruz africana

SUMMARY: Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, and has been found in the liver of multiple vertebrates. While ghrelin has been identified in the gastrointestinal tract of African ostrich chicks, little is known regarding its distribution in the liver of the African ostrich. In the present study, the distribution and morphological characteristics of ghrelin-immunopositive (ghrelin-ip) cells in the liver of the African ostrich were investigated using immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that the liver is divided into two sections: the capsule and the parenchyma, which comprises hepatic lobules and the hepatic portal area. The hepatic lobules include the central vein, hepatocellular cord, and the hepatic sinusoid. The hepatocellular cord is composed of hepatocytes, and Macrophagocytus stellatus (Kupffer cells) as well as endothelial cells reside within the hepatic sinusoid. ghrelin-ip cells were detected among both the Macrophagocytus stellatus and endothelial cells of the hepatic sinusoid in the African ostrich liver. In contrast, no ghrelinip cells were located within the hepatocytes or the hepatic portal area. These results clearly demonstrated the presence of ghrelin-ip cells in the liver of the African ostrich. Therefore, ghrelin may have a physiological function in the liver of the African ostrich.

RESUMEN: La ghrelina es el ligando endógeno para el receptor secretagogo de la hormona del crecimiento, y se ha encontrado en el hígado de múltiples vertebrados. A pesar que la ghrelina ha sido identificada en el tracto gastrointestinal de polluelos de avestruz africanas, poco se sabe sobre su distribución en el hígado de esta ave. En el presente estudio se investigó la distribución y características morfológicas de las células ghrelininmunopositivas (ghrelin-ip) en el hígado del avestruz africana mediante inmunohistoquímica. Nuestros resultados indican que el hígado se divide en dos secciones: la cápsula y el parénquima, que comprende los lóbulos hepáticos y el área portal hepática. Los lóbulos hepáticos incluyen la vena central, el cordón hepatocelular y el sinusoide hepático. El cordón hepatocelular está compuesto de hepatocitos y de Macrophagocytus stellatus (células de Kupffer) y las células endoteliales se localizan dentro del sinusoide hepático. Fueron detectacas células ghrelin-ip entre los Macrophagocytus stellatus y las células endoteliales del sinusoide hepático en el hígado de avestruz africana. En contraste, no se localizaron células de ghrelin-ip dentro de los hepatocitos o en el área portal hepática. Estos resultados demuestran claramente la presencia de células de ghrelin-ip en el hígado. Por lo tanto, la ghrelina puede tener una función fisiológica en el hígado de avestruz africana.

Unrelated Donor Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Combined with Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the safety and efficiency of unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cells (URD-PBSC) transplantation combined with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 49 patients received unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cells transplantation (URD-PBSCT) for treating hematologic malignancies were retrospectively evaluated, including 12 ANLL, 17 ALL, 18 CML and 2 MDS. Out of them, 22 patients received the URD-PBSCT combined with UC-MSC and 27 patients received only URD-PBSCT. The average number of infusing UC-MSC was 1.0 × 10⁶/kg in the UC-MSC+URD-PBSCT group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As compared with URD-PBSCT group, in UC-MSC+URD-PBSCT group the median recovery time of neutrophilc granulocytes was shorter (12 d vs 15 d) (P = 0.041), the incidence and severity of chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) were lower (20.0% vs 51.9%) (P = 0.026) (5.0% vs 33.3%) (P = 0.040), the incidence of CMV infection after transplantation was higher (81.8% vs 51.9%) (P = 0.028). In addition to these, the differences were not statistically significant in term of implantation level, PLT reconstitution, aGVHD, lung infection, hemorrhagic cystitis, 1-year relapse and survival between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The transplantation of URD-PBSC combined with UC-MSC is effective and safe. The speed of neutrophils reconstitution is faster. The incidence and severity of cGVHD are lower, but the attention should be paid to prevent the CMV infection.</p>

Progress in application of microbeam X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy in forensic science / 法医学杂志

Microbeam X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) spectrometry has been raised as an analytical technique of microbeam during the recent years. With its advantages of high sensitivity, small sample requirement, high testing accuracy and non-destruction, the technique is widely utilized in forensic science. This review bases on recent researches at home and abroad, describes its applications including identification of gunshot residue, visualization of fingerprints, discrimination of drug source, production process, and other material evidences of analysis in crime scene. Thanks to the advances in technology, intelligent and portable micro-XRF equipment has appeared to be applied. It is believed that it may be more popular and frequent in administration of forensic science in the near future.

Association between both triglyceride level, newly identified carotid plaque and middle-aged and elderly population, Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the association between triglyceride(TG) level and newly identified 5-year carotid plaque and to explore the prediction value of TG level on the newlyidentified carotid plaque with risk factors of traditional atherosclerosis.Methods A cohort study was adopted.The baseline survey including CVD risk factors and B-mode ultrasound of carotid artery was performed in 2002,and the second follow-up examination was performed in 2007.We evaluated 1949participants with lipid measurements and B-mode ultrasound of carotid arteries in the two surveys (with mean age as 57.9 ± 8.1 years and 39.2％ were men).The baseline TG levels were divided into four groups:group 1 (TG＜1.13 mmol/L),group 2 (TG=1.13-1.69 mmol/L),group 3 (TG=1.70-2.25 mmol/L) and group 4 (TG≥2.26 mmol/L).Newly identified carotid plaque was regarded as the indicator of progression of carotid atherosclerosis.New relationship between fasting TG levels and newly identified carotid plaque was analysed.Results Compared to newly identified carotid plaque which including different TG level groups,the incidence of newly artery plaque had significantly increased along with the increase of baseline triglyceride level (30.8％,38.8％,41.9％and 44.2％ respectively,with x2=21.22,P＜0.01 ).Compared to individuals (TG＜ 1.13 mmol/L),TG seemed a risk factor of plaque progression (P＜0.01).After adjusted for age,sex,dyslipidemia and other risk factors,high TG group (TG ≥2.26 mmol/L) appeared a significant independent predictor of newly identified carotid plaque (OR=1.37,95％ CI:1.00-1.86).When further stratifying the traditional atherosclerosis risk factors,we found that high TG group with smoking or hypertension was an independent factor of atherosclerosis progression.Conclusion With the increase of triglyceride levels,the rate of newly identified carotid plaque also increased.After adjusting age,sex,dyslipidemia and other risk factors,serum fasting TG ≥2.26 mmol/L appeared to be an independent predictor of newly developed carotid plaque.

Concentration changes of potassium and hypoxanthine in vitreous humor of swine and its application to postmortem interval estimation / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the relationship between postmortem interval (PMI) and concentration changes of components in swine vitreous humor.@*METHODS@#Ninety-six porcine eyes from swine dying from acute massive hemorrhage, being randomly divided into 24 groups, were stored in dark situation, at temperature of (15 +/- 2) degrees C and humidity of (50 +/- 5)% for 2-96 hours separately. The vitreous humor was collected. Concentrations of K+, Na+, Cl- and hypoxanthine (Hx) were analyzed by automatic biochemical analyzer and ultra performance liquid chromatograph (UPLC). The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.@*RESULTS@#Linear regression analysis showed that concentrations of vitreous K+ and Hx were positively correlated with PMI(R2=0.767 and R2 = 0.793, respectively). Binary linear regression showed a higher correlation for K+ and Hx with PMI estimation (R2 = 0.866). PMI was not significantly correlated with vitreous Na+ and Cl- concentrations.@*CONCLUSION@#Vitreous K+ and Hx concentrations can be used as the objective markers for PMI estimation. The binary linear regression functions of vitreous K+ and Hx concentrations with PMI are more accurate for estimating the PMI.

Determination of acid-resistant silicic particles in lung by micro-XRF and its application in diagnosis of drowning / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#Using microbeam X-ray fluorescence (Micro-XRF) analyzer for determination of acid-resistant silicic particles in lung, and to explore its potential application in diagnosis of drowning.@*METHODS@#Thirty two white rabbits were divided randomly into drowning group (n=12), post-mortem immersion group (n=10) and control group (n=10). Lungs and water sample were collected for determination of area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles using Micro-XRF method.@*RESULTS@#The area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles for the drowning water sample was 4.4 mm2/mL. For the lungs of drowning group, the post-mortem immersion group and the control group, the determined average values were (25.30 +/- 10.95) mm2/g, (1.68 +/- 0.63) mm2/g and (1.65 +/- 0.85) mm2/g, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the drowning group and the other two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#The area concentration of acid-resistant silicic particles in lungs may be used as an indicator of drowning. The method is highly sensitive and rapid. It provides a potential application in drowning diagnosis.

Effect of intrauterine lipopolysaccharide infusion on Toll-like receptor 4 signaling transduction pathway in lungs of perinatal rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of intrauterine infection caused by lipopolysaccharide on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway in fetal and neonatal rat lungs in order to explore immunomodulating activity of innate immunity responding to intrauterine infection and its effect on lung development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>On day 17 of pregnancy, 30 pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups: LPS group and saline group. For LPS group, LPS (10 microl, 40 microg/ml) was intrauterine injected between every two embryonic sacs of the pregnant rats, while the rats in the control group were injected with the same volume of pyrogen-free saline. Lung tissues of fetal rats and corresponding placental tissues were collected on the embryonic day 18 (E18), E20, and E22. Neonatal lung tissues were also harvested on postnatal day 1 (P1), P3, and P7. Lung sections and placental tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was performed to test mRNA expression for TLR4, myeloid differentiation 88 (MyD88) and IL-1beta, while immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate TLR4 and MyD88 expression in lung tissues. All data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and q test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Placental hematoxylin-eosin staining showed a great number of neutrophils infiltration, obvious interstitial hyperplasia and narrow capillaries in placental tissues in the LPS group which indicated that intrauterine infection occurred. However, there were no obvious inflammatory cells in the control group. (2) On E18, E20 and E22, the lung of LPS group showed no obvious pathological changes, and there were no apparent neutrophils infiltrated in alveoli, then some structural changes appeared. On P7, we found that the number of alveoli decreased, space of alveoli was larger than ever, septa thickened, but without significant constructive disorder. (3) In the LPS group, the TLR4, MyD88 and IL-1beta mRNA levels increased compared with control group, higher than control group at E20 and E22 (P < 0.05), and peaked at E22. Then the expression levels of these substances decreased slowly. (4) The result of immunohistochemistry showed that in lung tissues of the two groups at E18, there was no remarkable positive staining of TLR4 and MyD88, which mainly expressed in cytoplasm of bronchiole and alveolar epithelial cells, then positive cells increased slowly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) For perinatal rat lungs, intrauterine LPS infusion can induce an increased expression levels of TLR4 and MyD88 to a certain extent, which then returned to normal level gradually. At the same time, lung tissues showed a mild pathological change and inflammatory reaction. We propose that innate immune system of fetal lungs controls the magnitude of the LPS-induced cytokine response during the perinatal period. (2) The findings confirmed that LPS-activated signaling transduction pathway was the MyD88-dependent pathway.</p>

Lipopolysaccharide and hyperoxia induce nuclear factor-kappa B expression in human embryo lung fibroblasts in vitro / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is attributed to intrauterine inflammatory and postnatal mechanical ventilation and hyperoxia. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and hyperoxia exposure on the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) expression in human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELFs) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Either LPS (100 ng/mL) or hyperoxia (60%), or a combination of both was employed to stimulate confluent HELFs. After 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 hrs of stimulation, the nuclear translocation of two subunits p50 and p65 in HELFs was detected with immunocytochemistry. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure mRNA expression of NF-kappaB p50 and p65.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LPS or hyperoxia stimulation induced the nuclear translocation of p50 and p65 at 30 minutes of exposure. mRNA expression of NF-kappaB p50 and p65 peaked at 1 hr and then gradually decreased. A stimulation of LPS combined with hyperoxia induced the nuclear translocation of p50 and p65. NF-kappaB p50 and p65 mRNA expression peaked at 2 hrs of stimulation and then decreased slowly, but was significantly higher than that in the LPS or hyperoxia stimulation alone group 4 hrs after stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both LPS and hyperoxia exposure induced NF-kappaB activation in the HELFs in vitro. Hyperoxia combined with LPS induced a more prolonged duration of NF-kappaB activation. This suggests that the individuals who were subjected to intrauterine inflammation and postnatal hyperoxia exposure are more vulnerable to lung injury.</p>