OBJECTIVETo investigate the epidemiological characteristics and patterns of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis wounds in order to provide reliable data for further clinical research.

METHODSRecords of patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis wounds hospitalized from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, nationality, family background, Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, primary lesion, and history of injury.

RESULTSTuberculosis wounds were found in 235 patients among 5 863 patients with extra-pulmonary tuberculosis, accounting for 4.0%. Among the patients with tuberculosis wounds, there were 139 male and 96 female, and the ratio of male to female was 1.4: 1.0. The age of patients ranged from 1 to 87 (37 +/- 18) years old, and the highest incidence occurred in patients older than 15 and younger than or equal to 30 years old (100 cases, accounting for 42.6%). Most patients with tuberculosis wounds were Han, and only 11 patients were minorities, accounting for 4.7%. Tuberculosis wounds were more prevalent in rural areas (163 cases, accounting for 69.4%), with a smaller number in urban areas (72 cases, accounting for 30.6%). The BCG vaccination rate was 13.6%. The main primary lesions were lymph node infection (112 cases, accounting for 47.7%), among which involvement of cervical lymph nodes accounted for the highest ratio ( 99 cases, accounting for 88.4%). Twenty-one patients had the traffic accident etc. injury history recently, among which 19 were male and 2 were female.

CONCLUSIONSTuberculosis wound, with certain incidence, was more frequently found among young adults from rural areas. The BCG vaccination rate was low among the patients and the main primary lesion was tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; statistics & numerical data ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Rural Population ; Tuberculosis ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; epidemiology ; Urban Population ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of rhubarb and stewed rhubarb samples shows that the determined samples clearly clustered in to two groups, indicating that the processing procedures caused changes in the composition and/or content of components in rhubarb. Ten components were identified by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and references, which intensity declined in rhubarb after processing. Targeted metabolomics analysis of rhubarb and stewed rhubarb samples indicated that aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin and physcion were detected with lower intensity in stewed rhubarb samples than in rhubarb samples. Metabolomics analysis of rhubarb and stewed rhubarb indicated the various components of rhubarb changed after processing.
Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Food Handling ; methods ; Food Preservation ; methods ; Metabolomics ; methods ; Multivariate Analysis ; Principal Component Analysis ; Rheum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: Objective　To understand the changes of newly emerging and re-emerging snail areas in Anhui from 2017 to 2021 and analyze its related influencing factors, so as to provide scientific basis for formulating snail control strategies. 　　Methods　According to the historical snail survey data, the information of newly emerging and re-emerging snails from 2017 to 2021 were collected, the causes for the formation of newly emerging and re-emerging snails flourish environments were investigated and analyzed retrospectively. Results During 2017-2021, in Anhui, the area with newly emerging snails was respectively 840.41 hm2, 559.14 hm2 (66.53%) in lake and marshland areas and 281.27 hm2 (33.47%) in hilly areas; the area of re-emerging snails was respectively 1 176.87 hm2, 669.39 hm2 (56.88%) in lake and marshland areas and 507.48 hm2 (43.12%) in hilly and mountainous areas. The sum of newly emerging snail area in Chizhou, Anqing and Wuhu accounted for 89.35% of all, the sum of re-emerging snail area accounted for 88.82%. In 2021, the areas with newly emerging and re-emerging snails peaked at 611.52 hm2 and 976.84 hm2, respectively. The newly emerging and re-emerging snail habitats were mainly distributed in the transmission interruption areas, accounting for 65.54% and 84.30%, respectively. The newly emerging and re-emerging snail habitats were mainly found in fluvial marsh, accounting for 65.54% and 52.12%, respectively. In recent 5 years, the longest time interval of re-emerging snails was more than 50 years. The main causes of newly emerging snails were natural factors such as flood disaster and snail drift along river system. Natural factors, such as flood disaster and snail drift along river system, were the main reasons for the newly emerging snail habitats, accounting for 71.44% and 21.75%, respectively. Human factors, such as soil extraction from snail habitats, construction of water conservancy facilities, farmland abandonment and seedling transplanting, could also lead to the newly emerging snail habitats. Flood disaster was the main cause of re-emerging snail habitats, accounting for 72.29%. In addition, the re-emerging snail habitats were caused by historical snail residue, soil collection in snail habitats for construction projects, land abandonment, seedling transplanting, prohibition of snail control in ecological protection areas, and construction of water conservancy facilities. Conclusions　Flood disaster is an important factor for snail newly emerging and re-emerging. Human factors such as engineering construction and seedling transplanting are also easy to cause snail newly emerging and re-emerging. In order to timely detect and deal with newly emerging and re-emerging snail habitats and prevent snail diffusion, it is necessary to investigate snail distribution after flood disaster, the routine monitoring of historical snail habitats should be strengthened; in engineering construction and seedling transplanting, the disposal of soil with snails should be done well.

Pregnane X receptor (PXR), a member of nuclear receptor superfamily, plays an important role in xenobiotic and endogenous metabolism, endocrine balance, and cell proliferation, etc. Previous study has shown that pregnenolone 16α-carbonitrile (PCN), a mouse PXR agonist, could induce liver enlargement. And we found that the change in hepatocytes exhibits regional distribution characteristics: hepatocyte enlargement occurs around the central vein (CV) area, while hepatocyte proliferation occurs around the portal vein (PV) area. In this study, the dynamic changes of hepatocytes during PXR-induced liver enlargement were determined. Serum and liver samples from male C57BL/6 mice were collected for biochemical and pathological analysis after PCN treatment for 1, 2, 3, 5 days, respectively. The animal experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Sun Yat-Sen University. The results showed that with the increase in the PCN treatment days, the feature of this regional change of hepatocyte around the CV and PV areas became more and more obvious. At the same time, the factors related to hepatocyte enlargement, such as the expression of PXR downstream genes and the hepatic content of triglyceride (TG), has gradually increased. The upregulation of proliferation-related proteins and downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitor proteins were observed in the early stage of PCN treatment, suggesting that hepatocyte proliferation occurs earlier than hepatocyte enlargement during PXR-induced liver enlargement. This study reveals the dynamic change of hepatocytes during PXR-induced liver enlargement and provides a new insight in liver enlargement promoted via PXR activation.

Objective To evaluate the automatic synthesis of 18F-labeled cyclic RGD peptide c(RGDyK)and its biological distribution in the tumor-bearing mice. Methods N-succinimidyl-4-18 F-fluorobenzoate (18F-SFB) was automatically synthesized and then re-dissolved in acetonitrile (MeCN). The cyclic RGD peptide c(RGDyK) was mixed with an hydrous DMSO and N, N-diisopropyl ethylamine (DIPEA). 18F-FBRGD was obtained by the reaction of peptide solution with 18 F-SFB. The final product was purified by HPLC gradient separation system and solid-phase extraction method. The biodistribution study and competition test of N-4-18F- fluorobenzoyl-RGD (18F-FB-RGD) in the tumor-bearing mice was performed. Results The labeling yield of 18 F-FB-RGD was (33.6 ± 3.5)%. The synthesis time was 110 min. The radiochemical purity was more than 98%. The tumor uptake of 18F-FB-RGD was (3.43 ±0.15), (2.61 ±0.14), (2.11 ±0.13), and (1.79 ±0.18) %ID/g, respectively, at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection. The ratio of tumor to muscle activity ranged from 4.26 ±0.69 to 5.80 ±0.78. The tumor uptake decreased dramatically after RGD blockage. The uptake was (0.46 ±0.21) %ID/g and (2.87 ±0.59) %ID/g in the blocked and unblocked mice, respectively, at 60 min after blockage. Conclusions 18 F-FB-RGD can be automatically synthesized and it may become a promising tumor imaging agent.

Objective To investigate the imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods From 2007 Aug.to 2009 Nov.,22 patients( 10 males,12 females) with sarcoidosis,confirmed by pathological study and clinical follow-up,underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging.The imaging patterns of intrathoracic and extrathoracic lesions were analyzed.The patterns were classified as the typical or atypical ( symmetrical or asymmetrical FDG accumulation and enlargement of hilar lymph nodes) based on PET and CT separately.Nonparametric McNemar test,independent t-test and Fisher exact test were applied for statistical analysis.Results For typical pattern vs atypical pattem identification,PET was significantly different from CT ( 18 and 4 vs 12 and 10,P =0.031 ).In those with atypical pattern demonstrated by CT alone at hilar region,PET showed either symmetrical or asymmetrical accumulation of FDG.Except for mediastinal lymph nodes involvement,lung parenchyma was the second common site ( 19/22,86.4％ ),followed by lymph nodes at abdomen and (or) pelvis ( 12/22,54.5％ ).Conclusion The imaging characteristics of both intra- and extrathoracic sarcoidosis on 18F-FDG PET/CT may be helpful for the diagnosis of atypical sarcoidosis on CT image alone.

OBJECTIVETo assess the features of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in patients with benign pulmonary nodules.

METHODSFrom October 1998 to July 2004, 47 patients with benign pulmonary nodules were imaged with FDG-positron emission tomography (PET). Diagnoses were confirmed by surgery. FDG-PET data was analyzed by visual method and semi-quantitive method. When pulmonary nodules with abnormal FDG intake appeared in PET scans confirmed by visual method, their maximum and mean standard uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean) and SUV of normal lung (SUVlung) were measured using semiquantitative method.

RESULTSTwenty-one cases showed nothing abnormal in PET scans, including 17 calcification and fibrosis, 2 hamartomas and 2 sclerosing hemangiomas. 26 pulmonary nodules were detected by FDG-PET (17 active tuberculous, 6 inflammatory pseudotumors, 3 cryptococcosis). FDG uptake of these 26 nodules was higher than that of normal lung (SUVmax, SUVmean and SUVlung were 3.04 +/- 1.65, 2.48 +/- 1.35 and 0.40 +/- 0.07, respectively, P < 0.001). Correlations were not found between FDG uptake and nodule size or SUV of normal lung or age or blood glucose level in these 26 patients (P > 0.05). SUV in 9 cases (9/26, 35%) were beyond 2.5.

CONCLUSIONSSome benign pulmonary nodules were FDG avid.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; pharmacokinetics ; Retrospective Studies ; Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo observe the change of lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium as well as morphology of heart tissue in rats who were long-time exposed to moxa smoke with different concentrations in order to provide reference for safety assessment of moxa smoke on cardiovascular system.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group, a low-concentration group, a median-concentration group and a high-concentration group, 42 rats in each one. The rats were exposed to moxa smoke with concentration of 0%, 10%, 40% and 70%, respectively, for 20 min per day. After continuous intervention for six months, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied to measure the level of low density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-r) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in blood serum in each group; the slices of heart tissue were stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining method to observe morphology change of heart tissue.

RESULTS(1) After the intervention of moxa smoke, the levels of LDL-r and ICAM-1 in the low-concentration group were not statistically different from those in the control group (both P > 0.05); the level of LDL-r in the median-concentration group was significantly increased, which was statistically different from that in the control group [(3.87 +/- 0.27) mg/mL vs (2.12 +/- 0.13) mg/mL, P < 0.01], however, the content of ICAM-1 was not obviously changed; although the level of LDL-r in the high-concentration group was presented with an escalating trend, it was not statistically different from that in the control group (P > 0.05) while the level of ICAM-1 was obviously increased (P < 0.01). (2) Under the light microscope, the abnormalities of cardiac muscle fibers and myocardial cell in each group were not been observed.

CONCLUSIONThe long-time intervention of low-concentration moxa smoke has no significant effects on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelium of rats, indicating that clinical application of low-concentration moxa smoke is relatively safe. The long-time intervention of moderate-concentration moxa smoke could significantly increase the clearance rate of cholesterol, implying the beneficial regulation of moxa smoke on lipid metabolism. The high-concentration moxa smoke could induce certain damage to vascular endothelium but its mechanism is in need of further research. The pathologic change of heart tissue could not be induced by moxa smoke with any concentration.

Animals ; Heart ; anatomy & histology ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipid Metabolism ; Male ; Moxibustion ; adverse effects ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, LDL ; metabolism ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of RhoA/Rho kinase signal pathway on TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.

METHODSThe 4th generation of primary cultured human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml). The expression of alpha-SMA was detected after treatment with TGF-beta1, for 0, 3, 6, and 24 h. The expression of alpha-SMA was also detected after treatment with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml). Then the human dermal fibroblasts (4th generation) were stimulated with TGF-beta1, (10 ng/ml) after being treated with the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway inhibitor Y-27632 (10 umol/ml). The fibroblasts were treated with nothing as sham control, or with Y-27632 (10 umol/L) only as negative control group, or with TGF-beta1 (10 ng/ml) only as positive control group. The expression of alpha-SMA was detected in all the groups. Protein expression was analyzed with ANOVA statistical method.

RESULTSalpha-SMA expression in fibroblasts with 10 ng/ml TGF-beta1 stimulation for 0, 3, 6, 24 h was 1.0, 1.9 0.2, 2.1 +/- 0. 1, 3. 1 +/- 0.1, respectively. Alpha-SMA expression in 24 h group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (n = 4, P < 0.05). alpha-SMA expression in human dermal fibroblasts after stimulation with different concentration of TGF-beta1 (0, 2, 10, 50 ng/ml) was 1.0, 1.4 +/- 0.2, 3.2 + 0.1, 3.1 +/- 0.2, respectively. alpha-SMA expression in 10 ng/ ml group was significantly higher than that in 2 ng/ml group and control group (n = 4, P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in alpha-SMA expression between 10 ng/ml group and 50 ng/ml group (n = 4, P > 0.05). With both Y-27632 (10 micromol/L) and TGF-beta1 stimulation, the cell phenotype differentiation was inhibited. Alpha-SMA expression in experimental group (1.2 +/- 0.2) was significantly reduced, when compared with that in positive control group (2.9 +/- 0.1) (n = 5, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (n = 5, P > 0.05) in alpha-SMA expression between control group (1.0) and negative control group (1.1 +/- 0.1).

CONCLUSIONSRhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway should be involved in TGF-beta1-induced phenotypic differentiation of human dermal fibroblasts.

Actins ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Male ; Signal Transduction ; Skin ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism ; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the outbreak patterns of acute schistosomiasis in Anhui province in 2003.

METHODSThe criteria of emergency event for schistosomiasis issued by the Ministry of Health were applled in this study. Epidemiological data of acute schistosomiasis outbreak in Anhui province in 2003 were collected, checked and analyzed.

RESULTSIn 2003, there were 6 episodes of acute schistosomiasis outbreaks in Anhui which had met the criteria of being emergency events, issued by the Ministry of Health. The preplanning was initiated in 5 outbreaks to respond to the outbreaks of acute schistosomiasis. All of the acute schistosomiasis cases received timing treatment, except those misdiagnosed cases coming from the non-endemic areas. There were no deaths or follow-up cases during the outbreaks. Health education, preventive treatment for people living in high risk villages were conducted in order to timely control the epidemics of schistosomiasis.

CONCLUSIONThe implementation of preplanning has played an important role in early cases-finding, timing report and response to the outbreaks of acute schistosomiasis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Cattle ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Disease Reservoirs ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Snails ; parasitology