Two Mn(II)-Bridged Silverton-Type [UMo12O42]8- Polyoxometalates with Catalytic Activity for the Synthesis of Pyrazoles.

Two Mn(II)-bridged Silverton-type {UMo12O42}-based polyoxomolybdates with different three-dimensional structures, Na6(H2O)12[Mn(UMo12O42)] (NaMn) and (NH4)2[K2Na6(µ4-O)2(H2O)1.2Mn(UMo12O42)]·4.6H2O (KMn), were hydrothermally synthesized and further characterized, demonstrating a feasible strategy for the assembly of Silverton-type polyoxomolybdates. Additionally, NaMn is demonstrated to be a good heterogeneous catalyst in the condensation cyclization reaction of hydrazines and 1,3-diketones, and a range of valuable pyrazoles were produced in up to 99% yield.

Two Different Three-Dimensional Uranium-Containing Polymolybdates Based on Zn(II) for the Heterogeneous Catalytic Construction of C-N Bond.

The introduction of transition metal (TM) ions into polyoxometalates (POMs) cannot only bring about interesting structural diversities but also enable changes in properties. However, TM-containing Silverton-type polyoxomolybdates are still lacking in terms of structural diversity and application development. Herein, two Zn(II)-containing Silverton-type {UMo12O42}-based polyoxomolybdates, H1.89Na4.11(H2O)9Zn[UMo12O42]·4.5H2O (Zn-1) and H1.8Na4.2(H2O)12Zn[UMo12O42] (Zn-2) were hydrothermally synthesized, demonstrating a practical strategy to assembly of TM-containing Silverton-type POMs. Zn-1 is proven to be an excellent and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst in cross-dehydrogenation coupling of 1,4-naphthoquinones with amines reactions, and a series of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones with potential medicinal value have been constructed.

Three Polyoxometalate-Based Ag-Organic Compounds as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Synthesis of Benzimidazoles.

Three new POM-based compounds, with formulae [Na0.63Ag3(Htba)2.37(tba)0.63(H2O)2(PMo12O40)]·4H2O (Ag3PMo), [Ag4(Htba)4(H2O)2(PMo12O40)](NO3)·H2O (Ag4PMo), and [Ag3(Htba)2(tba)(PW12O40)0.5](NO3)0.5·13H2O (Ag3PW), were prepared with a 3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (Htba) ligand, Keggin-type anions ([PMo12O40]3-/[PW12O40]3-), and a silver ion (Ag+). The structural features of these compounds are particularly different from the multinuclear subunits, which are [Ag3(tba)3] clusters in Ag3PMo, [Ag4(tba)3] chains in Ag4PMo, and [Ag3(tba)3]2 clusters in Ag3PW, connected by multidonor atom tba ligands and Ag+ ions. Meanwhile, in these compounds, polyanions act as polydentate ligands to link adjacent Ag-tba metal-organic units and expand their spatial dimensions. These compounds, as heterogeneous catalysts, exhibit high stability and excellent catalytic activity to construct benzimidazoles. Ag3PMo could efficiently catalyze the condensation of benzene-1,2-diamines and benzaldehydes and produce benzimidazoles in good yields. In addition, Ag3PMo could be reused up to 7 times and was suitable for gram-scale reactions.

Two-Fold Interpenetrated Binuclear Nickel Metal-Organic Framework as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for N-Heterocycle Synthesis.

A binuclear Ni(II)-based metal-organic framework {[Ni2(btb)1.333(H2O)3.578(py)1.422]·(DMF)(H2O)3.25}n (Nibtb) was solvothermally synthesized (H3btb = 1,3,5-tri(4-carboxylphenyl)benzene, py = pyridine, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). Nibtb shows a rare 2-fold interpenetrating (3,4)-connected 3D network with a point symbol of (83)4(86)3 based on binuclear Ni(II) clusters. Nibtb as a heterogeneous catalyst combines the high stability of MOFs and excellent catalytic activity of nickel, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity for the synthesis of benzimidazoles and pyrazoles under mild conditions. Moreover, the catalyst can be easily separated and reused for seven successive cycles and maintains high catalytic activity.

Copper-Containing Polyoxometalate-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks as Heterogeneous Catalysts for the Synthesis of N-Heterocycles.

Three new polyoxometalate-based metal-organic frameworks (POMOFs) [Cu4(µ3-OH)2(tba)3(H2O)5(SiW12O40)0.5](H2SiW12O40)0.5·2.5H2O (CuSiW), [Cu3(µ3-OH)(tba)3(Htba)(H2O)2(HPMo12O40)]·7H2O (CuPMo), and [Cu4(µ3-OH)2(tba)3(H2O)3(PW12O40)0.5]2(PW12O40)·0.5H2O (CuPW) were constructed using multinuclear copper clusters, 3-(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzoic acid (Htba), and Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs). Different POMs regulate the formation of different multinuclear copper clusters ("boat" tetranuclear clusters in CuSiW, trinuclear clusters in CuPMo, and "chair" tetranuclear clusters in CuPW) and different topological structures of CuSiW, CuPMo, and CuPW (3-connected two-dimensional (2D) network for CuSiW, 4-connected 2D network for CuPMo, and (4,6)-connected three-dimensional network for CuPW). CuSiW, CuPMo, and CuPW as heterogeneous catalysts combine the high stability of MOFs in polar solvents and excellent catalytic activity of POMs and could be used for the synthesis of nitrogen-heterocycle compounds. The condensation cyclization reactions of 2-aminophenols/benzenesulfonyl hydrazines with 1,3-diketones produce benzoazoles and pyrazoles in good to excellent yields under the catalysis of CuPMo. Moreover, the catalyst could be reused at least for 7 runs, and this protocol was suitable for gram-scale reactions.

Emergence of ciprofloxacin heteroresistance in foodborne Salmonella enterica serovar Agona.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial heteroresistance has been increasingly identified as an important phenomenon for many antibiotic/bacterium combinations. OBJECTIVES: To investigate ciprofloxacin heteroresistance in Salmonella and characterize mechanisms contributing to ciprofloxacin heteroresistance. METHODS: Ciprofloxacin-heteroresistant Salmonella were identified by population analysis profiling (PAP). Target mutations and the presence of PMQR genes were detected using PCR and sequencing. Expression of acrB, acrF and qnrS was conducted by quantitative RT-PCR. Competition ability and virulence were also compared using pyrosequencing, blue/white screening, adhesion and invasion assays and a Galleria model. Two subpopulations were whole-genome sequenced using Oxford Nanopore and Illumina platforms. RESULTS: PAP identified one Salmonella from food that yielded a subpopulation demonstrating heteroresistance to ciprofloxacin at a low frequency (10-9 to 10-7). WGS and PFGE analyses confirmed that the two subpopulations were isogenic, with six SNPs and two small deletions distinguishing the resistant from the susceptible. Both subpopulations possessed a T57S substitution in ParC and carried qnrS. The resistant subpopulation was distinguished by overexpression of acrB and acrF, a deletion within rsxC and altered expression of soxS. The resistant population had a competitive advantage against the parental population when grown in the presence of bile salts but was attenuated in the adhesion and invasion of human intestinal cells. CONCLUSIONS: We determined that heteroresistance resulted from a combination of mutations in fluoroquinolone target genes and overexpression of efflux pumps associated with a deletion in rsxC. This study warns that ciprofloxacin heteroresistance exists in Salmonella in the food chain and highlights the necessity for careful interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility.

[Preparation optimization of extract of Moringa oleifera leaves and its immune regulation effect on immunosuppressed mice].

With total flavonoid content and dry extract yield as the observation indexes, the optimal extraction conditions of Moringa oleifera leaves were determined by using single factor test and orthogonal test, and cyclophosphamide modeling method was used to establish immunosuppressed mice models, so as to investigate the effects of M. oleifera leaves extract on immune regulation in mice. The results showed that the optimal preparation conditions were as follows: extraction with 70% ethanol, material-liquid ratio 1:15, extraction temperature 80 °C, three times, 1.5 hours for each time. Under these conditions, the content of total flavonoids from M. oleifera leaves was 15.64 mg·g⁻¹, which can significantly enhance macrophage phagocytosis and immune organ index, promote the synthesis of serum immunoglobulin IgG and hemolysin, and decrease AST activity, with regulation effect on immune dysfunction.

Validation of a Chinese Version of the Geriatric Anxiety Scale Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Mainland China.

The Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) was developed as an international screening instrument for anxiety in older adults. The aims of the present study were to translate the GAS into Chinese and to subsequently evaluate the preliminary psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the GAS (GAS-C) among community-dwelling Chinese older adults. The translation of the GAS into Chinese was developed through a translation and back translation process. A sample of 206 community-dwelling older adults (51.9 % men, Mean age = 70.70 years, SD = 8.15 years) completed the GAS-C, the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to examine the factor structure of the GAS-C. Internal consistency and convergent validity were used to evaluate the psychometric properties of the translated measure. The factor analyses were in support of a unidimensional factor model of the GAS-C in this Chinese sample, and the item-total correlations for all 25 items ranged from 0.40 to 0.83. The internal consistency for the GAS-C total score was excellent (α = 0.92). The GAS-C total score were significantly and strongly correlated with the BAI (r = 0.86), the GDS (r = 0.78) and the PSQI (r = 0.63), which indicated good convergent validity of the GAS-C. The GAS-C appears to be a reliable and valid screening instrument to assess anxiety symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in mainland China.

Folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and methionine intakes and risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Chinese adults: a matched case-control study.

Many studies have suggested that folate-related one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients may play a role in certain cancer risks, but few studies have assessed their associations with the risk for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we investigated the association between four folate-related one-carbon metabolism-related nutrients (folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and methionine) and NPC risk in Chinese adults. A total of 600 patients newly diagnosed (within 3 months) with NPC were individually matched with 600 hospital-based controls by age, sex and household type (urban v. rural). Folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and methionine intakes were measured using a validated seventy-eight-item FFQ. A higher dietary folate or vitamin B6 intake was associated with a lower NPC risk after adjusting for potential confounders. The adjusted OR of NPC for quartiles 2-4 (v. 1) were 0·66 (95% CI 0·48, 0·91), 0·52 (95% CI 0·37, 0·74) and 0·34 (95% CI 0·23, 0·50) (P(trend)<0·001) for folate and 0·72 (95% CI 0·52, 1·00), 0·55 (95% CI 0·39, 0·78) and 0·44 (95% CI 0·30, 0·63) (P(trend)<0·001) for vitamin B6. No significant association with NPC risk was observed for dietary vitamin B12 or methionine intake. The risk for NPC with dietary folate intake was more evident in the participants who were not exposed to toxic substances than in those who were exposed (P(interaction)=0·014). This study suggests that dietary folate and vitamin B6 may be protective for NPC in a high-risk population.

Triptolide inhibits TGF-ß1 induced proliferation and migration of rat airway smooth muscle cells by suppressing NF-κB but not ERK1/2.

BACKGROUND: Airway remodeling contributes to increased mortality in asthma. We have reported that triptolide can inhibit airway remodeling in a mouse asthma model. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of triptolide on airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) proliferation, migration and the possible mechanism. METHODS: Rat airway smooth muscle cells were cultured and made synchronized, then pretreated with different concentrations of triptolide before stimulated by TGF-ß1. Cell proliferation was evaluated by cell counting and MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to study the influence of triptolide on cell cycle. Migration was measured by Transwell analysis. Signal proteins (NF-κB p65 and ERK1/2) were detected by western blotting analysis. LDH releasing test and flow cytometry analysis of apoptosis were also performed to explore the potential cytotoxic or pro-apoptotic effects of triptolide. RESULTS: Triptolide significantly inhibited TGF-ß1 induced ASMC proliferation and migration (p<0.05). The cell cycle was blocked at G1/S-interphase by triptolide dose dependently. Western blotting analysis showed TGF-ß1 induced NF-κB p65 phosphorylation was inhibited by triptolide pretreatment, but ERK1/2 was not affected. No cytotoxic or pro-apoptotic effects were detected under the concentration of triptolide we used. CONCLUSIONS: Triptolide may function as an inhibitor of asthma airway remodeling by suppressing ASMCs proliferation and migration through inactivation of NF-κB pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Unprecedented application of flexible bis(pyridyl-tetrazole) ligands to construct helix/loop subunits to modify polyoxometalate anions.

By introducing the unprecedented and flexible isomeric bis(pyridyl-tetrazole) ligands into a polyoxometalates (POMs) system, three POM-based compounds, {Ag2(4-bptzb)2(H2O)2[H2PMo12O40]2}·4-bptzb·5H2O (1), [Ag4(3-bptzb)2(PMo(V)Mo(VI)11O40)]·2H2O (2), and Ag3(3-bptzb)2.5(H2O)2[H3P2W18O62] (3) [4-bptzb = 1,4-bis(5-(4-pyridyl)tetrazolyl)butane and 3-bptzb =1,4-bis(5-(3-pyridyl)tetrazolyl)butane], were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibits a dimeric structure constructed from two Keggin [PMo12O40](3-) anions and a binuclear [Ag2(trans-4-bptzb)2](2+) subunit in which the trans-4-bptzb acts as a bidentate bridging ligand with one tetrazolyl group. In 2, the 3-bptzb acts as a tetradentate bridging ligand with the tetrazolyl and pyridyl groups linking Ag(I) ions to generate a 3D metal-organic framework (MOF), which contains charming meso-helix chains. The Keggin anions acting as bidentate inorganic ligands reside in the distorted tetragonal channels of the MOF. In compound 3, the 3-bptzb adopts versatile coordination modes linking Ag(I) ions to first construct loop connecting loop 1D chains, which are linked by {Ag[P2W18O62]}n zigzag chains to form a scarce hamburger-style 2D sheet. These adjacent sheets are further fused by 3-bptzb ligands to construct a 3D framework. The influences of isomeric bptzb ligands and POMs on the construction of Ag-bptzb subunits and the whole structures of the title compounds are discussed. The electrochemical behaviors and electrocatalytic activities of compounds 2 and 3 and their corresponding parent POMs as well as the fluorescent properties of the title compounds have been studied in detail. In addition, the photocatalytic activities of compounds 2 and 3 and their corresponding parent POMs for decomposition of methylene blue, rhodamine B, and methyl orange under UV irradiation have also been investigated.

Exploring aromatic components differences and composition regularity of 5 kinds of these 4 aroma types Phoenix Dancong tea based on GC-MS.

Different aromatic components do indeed give different tea flavors. There is still little research on whether there is a certain regularity in the combination and content of aromatic components in different aroma types of Phoenix Dancong (PDC) tea. This potential regularity may be a key factor in unraveling the relationship between reproduction and evolution in PDC tea. Here, the 5 kinds of these 4 aroma types PDC tea (Zhuye, Tuofu, Jianghuaxiang, Juduo, Yashixiang) were used as research materials in this study, the headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the aromatic components of these PDC teas. The results showed a total of 36 aromatic components identified in this study. When conducting cluster analysis, it was found that similarity degree arrangement sequence of 5 PDC teas was Juduo, Tuofu, Yashixiang, Zhuye and Jianghuaxiang. Among these aromatic components, the 7,9-Di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione, the 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 3-methyl-2-(2-pentenyl)-,(Z)-, the 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol, the 3,7-dimethyl-1,5,7-Octatrien-3-ol, and the 2-Furanmethanol,5-ethenyltetrahydro-.alpha.,.alpha.,5-trimethyl-,cis- are common to 5 PDC teas. This study aims to elucidate the similarities in the aromatic components of 5 PDC teas, revealing the major aroma-endowed substances of various aroma, and providing theoretical reference for further exploring the relationship between aroma type discrimination, variety selection, and evolution of PDC teas.

A New Species of Scymnus (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae) from Pakistan with Mitochondrial Genome and Its Phylogenetic Implications.

In this study, a new species of the subgenus Pullus belonging to the Scymnus genus from Pakistan, Scymnus (Pullus) cardi sp. nov., was described and illustrated, with information on its distribution, host plants, and prey. Additionally, the completed mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the new species using high-throughput sequencing technology was obtained. The genome contains the typical 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNAs, and 22 transfer RNAs) and a non-coding control region, and is arranged in the same order as that of the putative ancestor of beetles. The AT content of the mitogenome is approximately 85.1%, with AT skew and GC skew of 0.05 and -0.43, respectively. The calculated values of relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) determine that the codon UUA (L) has the highest frequency. Furthermore, we explored the phylogenetic relationship among 59 representatives of the Coccinellidae using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods, the results of which strongly support the monophyly of Coccinellinae. The phylogenetic results positioned Scymnus (Pullus) cardi in a well-supported clade with Scymnus (Pullus) loewii and Scymnus (Pullus) rubricaudus within the genus Scymnus and the tribe Scymnini. The mitochondrial sequence of S. (P.) cardi will contribute to the mitochondrial genome database and provide helpful information for the identification and phylogeny of Coccinellidae.

Effectiveness of fecal DNA syndecan-2 methylation testing for detection of colorectal cancer in a high-risk Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent and life-threatening malignancies worldwide. Syndecan-2 methylation (mSDC2) testing has emerged as a widely used biomarker for early detection of CRC in stool and serum samples. Cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent and life-threatening malignancies worldwide. mSDC2 testing has emerged as a widely used biomarker for early detection of CRC in stool and serum samples. AIM: To validate the effectiveness of fecal DNA mSDC2 testing in the detection of CRC among a high-risk Chinese population to provide evidence-based data for the development of diagnostic and/or screening guidelines for CRC in China. METHODS: A high-risk Chinese cohort consisting of 1130 individuals aged 40-79 years was selected for evaluation via fecal mSDC2 testing. Sensitivity and specificity for CRC, advanced adenoma (AA) and advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) were determined. High-risk factors for the incidence of colorectal lesions were determined and a logistic regression model was constructed to reflect the efficacy of the test. RESULTS: A total of 1035 high-risk individuals were included in this study according to established criteria. Among them, 16 suffered from CRC (1.55%), 65 from AA (6.28%) and 189 from non-AAs (18.26%); 150 patients were diagnosed with polyps (14.49%). Diagnoses were established based upon colonoscopic and pathological examinations. Sensitivities of the mSDC2 test for CRC and AA were 87.50% and 40.00%, respectively; specificities were 95.61% for other groups. Positive predictive values of the mSDC2 test for CRC, AA and ACN were 16.09%, 29.89% and 45.98%, respectively; the negative predictive value for CRC was 99.79%. After adjusting for other high-risk covariates, mSDC2 test positivity was found to be a significant risk factor for the occurrence of ACN (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings confirmed that offering fecal mSDC2 testing and colonoscopy in combination for CRC screening is effective for earlier detection of malignant colorectal lesions in a high-risk Chinese population.

[Prenatal diagnosis and clinical counseling for fetal chromosomal reciprocal translocations].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effect of fetal chromosomal reciprocal translocation in order to optimize procedures for prenatal diagnosis and clinical counseling. METHODS: Conventional G-banding karyotype analysis was performed on 7901 amniotic fluid samples. For fetuses found to have carried a reciprocal translocation, karyotypes of their parents were checked. Fetuses with de novo translocations also underwent microarray analysis to exclude small deletions, and were subjected to prenatal ultrasound monitoring till birth and one year follow-up. Those with de novo translocations were followed till 3 years old. RESULTS: A total of 24 fetal reciprocal translocations have been identified, which gave a detection rate of 0.30%. Analysis of parental karyotypes has found reciprocal translocations in 17 cases, including 9 maternal and 8 paternal cases. The remaining 4 were of de novo mutations, for which parental examination was refused in three cases. For fetuses with inherited translocations, prenatal ultrasound monitoring and follow-up results were all normal. For those with de novo translocations, although gene chip analysis has failed to detect copy number variations (CNVs), prenatal ultrasound and follow-up results had found three with abnormal outcome. These included 1 case with reciprocal translocation involving the X chromosome and an autosome. CONCLUSION: For prenatally detected reciprocal chromosome translocations, parental origin should be traced. Gene chip analysis can help to exclude small deletions and duplications. However, ultrasound monitoring and follow-up after birth are equally important. Based on comprehensive analysis of the results of combined testing, accurate counseling can be provided.

[Study on sensitivity of climatic factors on influenza A (H1N1) based on classification and regression tree and wavelet analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the periodicity of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) in Changsha in year 2009 and its correlation with sensitive climatic factors. METHODS: The information of 5439 cases of influenza A (H1N1) and synchronous meteorological data during the period between May 22th and December 31st in year 2009 (223 days in total) in Changsha city were collected. The classification and regression tree (CART) was employed to screen the sensitive climatic factors on influenza A (H1N1); meanwhile, cross wavelet transform and wavelet coherence analysis were applied to assess and compare the periodicity of the pandemic disease and its association with the time-lag phase features of the sensitive climatic factors. RESULTS: The results of CART indicated that the daily minimum temperature and daily absolute humidity were the sensitive climatic factors for the popularity of influenza A (H1N1) in Changsha. The peak of the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) was in the period between October and December (Median (M) = 44.00 cases per day), simultaneously the daily minimum temperature (M = 13°C) and daily absolute humidity (M = 6.69 g/m(3)) were relatively low. The results of wavelet analysis demonstrated that a period of 16 days was found in the epidemic threshold in Changsha, while the daily minimum temperature and daily absolute humidity were the relatively sensitive climatic factors. The number of daily reported patients was statistically relevant to the daily minimum temperature and daily absolute humidity. The frequency domain was mostly in the period of (16 ± 2) days. In the initial stage of the disease (from August 9th and September 8th), a 6-day lag was found between the incidence and the daily minimum temperature. In the peak period of the disease, the daily minimum temperature and daily absolute humidity were negatively relevant to the incidence of the disease. CONCLUSION: In the pandemic period, the incidence of influenza A (H1N1) showed periodic features; and the sensitive climatic factors did have a "driving effect" on the incidence of influenza A (H1N1).

[Study on the influence of landscape elements regarding on the transmission of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Changsha].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of landscape elements on the transmission of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Changsha. METHODS: A total of 327 cases of HFRS diagnosed between year 2005 - 2009 were recruited in the study. Based on the demographic data, meteorological data and the data of second national land survey during the same period, a GIS landscape elements database of HFRS at the township scale of Changsha was established. Spatial-temporal cluster analysis methods were adopted to explore the influence of landscape elements on the spatial-temporal distribution of HFRS in Changsha during the year of 2005 - 2009. RESULTS: The annual incidences of HFRS in Changsha between year 2005 - 2009 were 1.16/100 000 (70 cases), 0.95/100 000 (58 cases), 1.40/100 000(87 cases), 0.75/100 000(47 cases) and 1.02/100 000(65 cases) respectively. The results of poisson regression model analysis of principal component showed that the incidence of HFRS was positively correlated with farmland area (M = 29.00 km2) and urban and rural area (M = 6.12 km2; incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.27 - 1.41); but negatively correlated with forestland area (M = 39.00 km2; IRR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.55 - 0.81) and garden plot area (M = 0.99 km2; IRR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63 - 0.86). A significant cluster of the spatial-temporal distribution of HFRS cases was found in the study. The primary cluster (28.9 N, 113.37 E, radius at 22.22 km, RR = 5.23, log likelihood ratio (LLR) = 51.61, P <0.01, 67 cases of HFRS and incidence at 4.4/100 000) was found between year 2006 and 2007; and the secondary cluster (28.2 N, 113.6 E, RR = 10.77, LLR = 16.01, P < 0.01, 11 cases of HFRS and the incidence at 10.6/100 000) was found between year 2008 and 2009. CONCLUSION: The landscape elements were found to be closely related to the prevalence and transmission of HFRS.

Prostate Health Index (phi) and its derivatives predict Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy among patients with low-risk prostate cancer.

To analyze the performance of the Prostate Health Index (phi) and its derivatives for predicting Gleason score (GS) upgrading between prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy (RP) in the Chinese population, an observational, prospective RP cohort consisting of 351 patients from two medical centers was established from January 2017 to September 2020. Pathological reclassification was determined by the Gleason Grade Group (GG). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and logistic regression (LR) models were used to evaluate the predictive performance of predictors. In clinically low-risk patients with biopsy GG ≤2, phi (odds ratio [OR] = 1.80, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.14-2.82, P = 0.01) and its derivative phi density (PHID; OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.30-4.20, P = 0.005) were significantly associated with upgrading to GG ≥3 after RP, and the results were confirmed by multivariable analysis. Similar results were observed in patients with biopsy GG of 1 for the prediction of upgrading to RP GG≥2. Compared to the base model (AUC = 0.59), addition of the phi or PHID could provide additional predictive value for GS upgrading in low-risk patients (AUC = 0.69 and 0.71, respectively, both P < 0.05). In conclusion, phi and PHID could predict GS upgrading after RP in clinically low-risk patients.

[The warning model and influence of climatic changes on hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Changsha city].

OBJECTIVE: To realize the influence of climatic changes on the transmission of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), and to explore the adoption of climatic factors in warning HFRS. METHODS: A total of 2171 cases of HFRS and the synchronous climatic data in Changsha from 2000 to 2009 were collected to a climate-based forecasting model for HFRS transmission. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was employed to explore the variation trend of the annual incidence of HFRS. Cross-correlations analysis was then adopted to assess the time-lag period between the climatic factors, including monthly average temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and Multivariate Elño-Southern Oscillation Index (MEI) and the monthly HFRS cases. Finally the time-series Poisson regression model was constructed to analyze the influence of different climatic factors on the HFRS transmission. RESULTS: The annual incidence of HFRS in Changsha between 2000 - 2009 was 13.09/100 000 (755 cases), 9.92/100 000 (578 cases), 5.02/100 000 (294 cases), 2.55/100 000 (150 cases), 1.13/100 000 (67 cases), 1.16/100 000 (70 cases), 0.95/100 000 (58 cases), 1.40/100 000 (87 cases), 0.75/100 000 (47 cases) and 1.02/100 000 (65 cases), respectively. The incidence showed a decline during these years (Z = -5.78, P < 0.01). The results of Poisson regression model indicated that the monthly average temperature (18.00°C, r = 0.26, P < 0.01, 1-month lag period; IRR = 1.02, 95%CI: 1.00 - 1.03, P < 0.01), relative humidity (75.50%, r = 0.62, P < 0.01, 3-month lag period; IRR = 1.03, 95%CI: 1.02 - 1.04, P < 0.01), rainfall (112.40 mm, r = 0.25, P < 0.01, 6-month lag period; IRR = 1.01, 95CI: 1.01 - 1.02, P = 0.02), and MEI (r = 0.31, P < 0.01, 3-month lag period; IRR = 0.77, 95CI: 0.67 - 0.88, P < 0.01) were closely associated with monthly HFRS cases (18.10 cases). CONCLUSION: Climate factors significantly influence the incidence of HFRS. If the influence of variable-autocorrelation, seasonality, and long-term trend were controlled, the accuracy of forecasting by the time-series Poisson regression model in Changsha would be comparatively high, and we could forecast the incidence of HFRS in advance.

Contribution of Different Mechanisms to Ciprofloxacin Resistance in Salmonella spp.

Development of fluoroquinolone resistance can involve several mechanisms that include chromosomal mutations in genes (gyrAB and parCE) encoding the target bacterial topoisomerase enzymes, increased expression of the AcrAB-TolC efflux system, and acquisition of transmissible quinolone-resistance genes. In this study, 176 Salmonella isolates from animals with a broad range of ciprofloxacin MICs were collected to analyze the contribution of these different mechanisms to different phenotypes. All isolates were classified according to their ciprofloxacin susceptibility pattern into five groups as follows: highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), intermediate (I), reduced susceptibility (RS), and susceptible (S). We found that the ParC T57S substitution was common in strains exhibiting lowest MICs of ciprofloxacin while increased MICs depended on the type of GyrA mutation. The ParC T57S substitution appeared to incur little cost to bacterial fitness on its own. The presence of PMQR genes represented an route for resistance development in the absence of target-site mutations. Switching of the plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) gene location from a plasmid to the chromosome was observed and resulted in decreased ciprofloxacin susceptibility; this also correlated with increased fitness and a stable resistance phenotype. The overexpression of AcrAB-TolC played an important role in isolates with small decreases in susceptibility and expression was upregulated by MarA more often than by RamA. This study increases our understanding of the relative importance of several resistance mechanisms in the development of fluoroquinolone resistance in Salmonella from the food chain.