Objective:To understand outcome of heroin addicts after abstinence and analyze the factors related to relapse. Methods:A follow-up of 149 heroin addicts in a correction camp was carried out at 6th months after their discharge. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, addiction severity and psychiatric comorbidity were compared between those who relapsed and those who remained abstinent. Results: 22.8% of the subjects were abstinent, 46.3% relapsed, 29.5% in probation or in treatment,1.3% died. Relapse was related to the presence of drug addiction in family members, lack of abstinence intention, antisocial personality disorder, lack of rehabilitation therapy, intravenous heroin use and ASI scores in heroin abuse, composite family/social and legal factors. Conclusion:The outcome of heroin dependence after correction was poor. Relapse was related to family environment, abstinence intention, the heroin addiction severity,antisocial personality disorder.

Objective Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a typical type Ⅲ hypersensitivity with a large number of immune complexes (IC) and complement deposits in the synovial tissue , but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear.This article was to explore the expression of the antigenic profile of serum ICs in RA.Methods ICs were isolated from the serum of 55 patients with RA (41 cases of anti-CCP antibody [+] and 14 cases of anti-CCP antibody [-]), 41 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and another 41 healthy controls by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, separated by immunoprecipitation, digested with trypsin in gel, and then subjected to mass spectrometry for identification.The levels of total proteins were compared among different groups using Vennny 2.1.0.The protein expression was considered to be up-regulated when the total protein level of the RA group was >2 times and down-regulated when it was <0.5 times that of the control.Further functional analysis was performed on the differential proteins in RA using the STRING software.Results Totally, 277 proteins were identified in the serum ICs of the RA patients, including 162 in the anti-CCP (+) and 248 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group.Compared with the SLE and healthy control groups, only 129 proteins were found in the RA patients, including 38 in the anti-CCP (+), 109 in the anti-CCP (-) RA group, and 18 in both the two groups.Among the proteins identified in the RA patients and healthy controls, 2 and 11 were up-regulated while 17 and 21 down-regulated in the anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (-) RA group, respectively.Conclusion More differentially expressed proteins were identified in the anti-CCP (-) than in the anti-CCP (+) RA patients.The identification of differentially expressed proteins provides a new idea and direction for the investigation of the pathogenesis and new biomarkers of RA.

Hkmophagocetic sendromk,which also is callkd hkmophagocetic lemphohistiocetosis( HFH),is a rapidle progrkssivk and lifk-thrkatkning hkmatological sestkm diskasks. Thk tepical fkaturks of thk diskask is thk kxck-ssivk activation of thk inflammatore rksponsk,mainle pkrformanck that a lot of kxckssivk activation CD8+ T cklls and macrophagks filtratkd in tissuks and organs,which can produck largk amounts of cetocinks,such as intkrfkron-γ,tumor nkcrosis factor-α,intkrlkucin-6 and intkrlkucin-18,and which kvkntualle lkd to thk inflammatore cetocinks storm and tissuk damagk. Llthough,HFH is a bknign histiocetic diskask,it can progrkss quiccle,its clinical manifkstations ark divkrsk,with high mortalite ratk. In rkcknt ekars,thk rkskarch of HFH pathogknksis and trkatmknt has bkkn wkll-rk-skarchkd bkfork. Thk latkst pathogknksis and trkatmknt ark summarizkd in this articlk.

Objective To analyze the five years change of bacterial infection adn drug resistance in PICU and to provide evidence for use of na tibiotics rationally.Methods Al the pathoeg nic bacteria from patients in PICU of our hospital from January 1 2009 to Deec mber 31 2013 were analyzed retrospectiev ly. T hey were divided into five subgroups according to differetn years.Pathogenic batc eria and drug resistance in different years wre e collected na d the changes of such bacterial infection and drug resistance were compared and summarized.Results A total of 2 201 pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from 14 361 specimens of five-year patients in PICU.The rate of gram negative bacteria in 2009 to 2013 were 83.2%,71.0%, 59.8%,58.9%, 52.5% respe ctively.The rate of gram positive bacteria in 2009 to 2013 were 16.8%, 29.0%,40.2%, 41.1%, 47.5% respectively.Top five pathogenic bacteria were staphylocco cus aureus (16.6%,366 strains),Escherichia coli (16.2%,357 strains),klebsiella pnue moniae (15.2%,334 strains), streptococ us pneumoniae (9.2%,202 strains),haemophilus influenzae (6.8%,149 strains).The infection rate of staphylococcus aureus increased year by year(6.4% to 27.0%).Drug sensitivity tets indicated that the rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases ( ESBL) positive escherichia coli and klebsiella pneumoniae were 28.3%and 38.3%,respectivle y.The rate of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) was 26.0%.Based on non-meningitis criterion,rate of penicillin resistance streptococcus pneumonia and multiple-drugresistance streptococcus pneumonia was 19.3%and 58.9%,respectively.There were no obvious changes in resistance rate of above-mentioned bacteria during the recent five years.Conclusion In the recent five years,gram negative bacteria is still the prevalent strain in PICU of our hospital,however the rate of gram positive bacteria increases year by year and staphylococcus aureus has become one of the five most common bacteria.The rate of ESBL positive escherichia coli,ESBL positive klebsiella pneumonia and MRSA has no obvious changes.Analysis of pathogenic bacteria and drug-resistance surveillance are of vital importance to guide treatments for critically ill patients and reduce drug-resistant bacterial strains.

INTRODUCTIONWe studied the epidemiological trends of enteric fevers (typhoid and paratyphoid fever) in Singapore from 1990 to 2009 and carried out a review of the current prevention and control measures.

MATERIALS AND METHODSEpidemiological records of all reported enteric fevers maintained by the Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health from 1990 to 2009 were analysed.

RESULTSA total of 2464 laboratory confirmed cases of enteric fevers (1699 cases of typhoid and 765 cases of paratyphoid) were reported. Of these, 75% were imported, mainly from India and Indonesia. There had been a significant fall in the mean annual incidence rate of indigenous enteric fevers from 4.3 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 0.26 per 100,000 population in 2009 (P <0.005) with a corresponding increase in the proportion of imported cases from 71% between 1990 and 1993 to 92% between 2006 and 2009 (P <0.0005). Imported cases involving foreign contract workers increased significantly from 12.8% between 1990 and 1993 to 40.4% between 2006 and 2009 (P <0.0005).

CONCLUSIONSingapore has experienced a marked decline in the incidence of enteric fevers that is now comparable to that of other developed countries. Continued vigilance and proactive measures that address the changing epidemiology of enteric fevers in Singapore are necessary to sustain the milestone achieved in the past 2 decades.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paratyphoid Fever ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Population Surveillance ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Typhoid Fever ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

Objective The inhibitor of differentiation 3 (Id3) is an important transcriptional regulation factor, which participates in tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis.β-catenin, as a central molecule of the Wnt signaling pathway, is critical for tumor development.This study aimed to evaluate the expressions of these two molecules and the regulatory effect of Id3 on β-catenin in different tumor cells.Methods Total RNA was extracted using the Trizol Reagent.The relative mRNA expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin in tumor cells were detected by quantitative real-timePCR(qRT-PCR).The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP/Id3 with the human Id3 gene was transfected into A549, A549/ DDP and SW-480 cells using the non-liposome-mediated method.The protein expressions of Id3 and β-catenin were determined by Western blot.Results The expression of Id3 was significantly lower in the colorectal cancer cell lines SW-480 and HT-29 than in A549 and other tumor cells (P<0.05), but remarkably higher in nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE and 5-8F cells than in other tumor cells (P<0.05).The expression of β-catenin was the highest in SW-480in comparison withother malignant tumor cells(P<0.05), and the second highest was in gastric cancer AGS and colorectal cancer HT-29 cell lines, but low in H446, A549, SPC-A-1, A549/DDP, and SK-MES-1 cell lines and extremely low or almost absent in CNE and 5-8F cells (P<0.05).After transfected with pEGFP/Id3, the cells showed a decreased volume, wrinkled membrane and absent refraction under the fluorescence microscope, which, however, were not observed in most of the cells transfected with the empty vector pEGFP.Compared with the control, the Id3/pEGFP group showed remarkably increased expressions of Id3 mRNA in the A549, A549/DDI, and SW-480 cells (1.24±0.12 vs 193.12±2.80, 1.09±0.11 vs 188.30±2.60, and 0.92±0.29 vs 19.08±0.59, P<0.01), and the expression of β-catenin was significantly down-regulated in the transfected SW-480 cells with an overexpression of Id3 (0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P<0.01), but exhibited no statistically significant differences from those in the transfected A549 and A549/DDP cells (0.98±0.07 vs 1.04±0.08 and 0.98±0.05 vs 0.32±0.03, P>0.05).Western blot showed the same results.Conclusion The expression levels of Id3 and β-catenin vary in different tumor cell lines.Anabnormally high level of β-catenin is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer, and the down-regulatedexpression of β-catenin after eogenous transfection of Id3 may provide some new ideas for target gene therapies of colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTIONWe carried out an epidemiological review of cholera in Singapore to determine its trends and the factors contributing to its occurrence.

MATERIALS AND METHODSEpidemiological data of all notified cases of cholera maintained by the Communicable Diseases Division, Ministry of Health, for the period 1992 to 2007 were collated and analysed. Case-control studies were carried out in outbreaks to determine the source of infection and mode of transmission. Linear patterns in age and ethnic distribution of cholera cases were assessed using chi2 test for trend.

RESULTSThere were a total of 210 cholera cases reported between 1992 and 2007. The incidence of cholera declined from 17 cases in 1992 to 7 cases in 2007. About a quarter of the cases were imported from endemic countries in the region. Between 76% and 95% of the reported cases were local residents. Four elderly patients with comorbidities and who sought medical treatment late died, giving a case-fatality rate of 1.9%. Vibrio cholerae 01, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, accounted for 83.8% of the cases. The vehicles of transmission identified in outbreaks included raw fi sh, undercooked seafood and iced drinks cross-contaminated with raw seafood.

CONCLUSIONWith the high standard of environmental hygiene and sanitation, a comprehensive epidemiological surveillance system and licensing and control of food establishments, cholera could not gain a foothold in Singapore despite it being situated in an endemic region. However, health education of the public on the importance of personal and food hygiene is of paramount importance in preventing foodborne outbreaks. Physicians should also maintain a high level of suspicion of cholera in patients presenting with severe gastroenteritis, especially those with a recent travel history to endemic countries.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholera ; microbiology ; mortality ; Disease Outbreaks ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Vibrio cholerae O1 ; isolation & purification ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONWe reviewed the epidemiological features of rubella in Singapore and the impact of the national immunisation programme in raising the population herd immunity against rubella, with special reference to females in the reproductive age group, and in the elimination of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS).

MATERIALS AND METHODSEpidemiological data on all reported cases of rubella and CRS were obtained from the Communicable Diseases Division and Central Claims Processing System, respectively, at the Ministry of Health. Coverage of the childhood immunisation programme against rubella was based on the immunisation data maintained by the National Immunisation Registry, Health Promotion Board. To assess the herd immunity of the population against rubella, 4 serological surveys were conducted from 1989 to 1990, in 1993, 1998 and 2004.

RESULTSThe incidence of rubella has decreased significantly from the peak of 13.3 per 100,000 population in 1996 to 1.8 per 100,000 in 2007. CRS has virtually disappeared. With more than 92% to 93% of primary school leavers and preschool children annually vaccinated against rubella since 1976 and 1990, respectively, the level of susceptibility to rubella among women in the reproductive age group has gradually decreased from 44% in 1975 to 28% in 1985, and maintained at between 10% and 20% from 1987 to 1998. A considerable proportion (15.8%) of women 18 to 44 years of age remained susceptible to rubella infection in 2004.

CONCLUSIONRubella prevention and control has been successfully implemented. However, the relatively high level of susceptibility to rubella among women in the reproductive age group continues to be of concern. More public awareness and health educational efforts are needed and every opportunity should be taken to ensure that all susceptible women are identified and protected against the infection.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Immunization ; utilization ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is approved by the the U.S.Food and Drug Administration in 2006 for female cancer prevention.There are currently three types of prophylactic HPV vaccines,and its application in developed countries can significantly reduce HPV infection rates and cervical lesion rates.In developing countries,HPV vaccination rates are low due to lack of knowledge of cervical cancer and funds.At the same time,concerns about vaccine safety have led to a reduction in vaccination rates in developed countries.Countries are facing the challenge of increasing vaccination rates.

INTRODUCTIONWe presented the findings from 2 seroprevalence studies conducted 6 years apart, so as to determine changes in the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity rate and immunity to hepatitis B virus (HBV) among Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 years, and to assess the impact of a 4-year catch-up hepatitis B immunisation programme for adolescents and young adults launched in 2001.

MATERIALS AND METHODSTwo hepatitis B seroprevalence studies (HBSS) were conducted in 1999 and 2005 based on stored blood samples collected from 4698 participants aged 18 to 69 years during the national health survey (NHS) 1998 and from 3460 participants during the NHS 2004, respectively. Serology for HBsAg, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) were tested by enzyme immunoassay in HBSS 1999 and electrochemiluminescence in HBSS 2005.

RESULTSThe overall age-standardised prevalence of HBsAg among Singapore residents aged 18 to 69 years decreased significantly from 4.0% in HBSS 1999 to 2.8% in HBSS 2005 (P = 0.002). The age-standardised prevalence of HBsAg in males (4.9% in 1999) and Chinese (4.7% in 1999) both decreased significantly to 2.7% and 2.8%, respectively in 2005. The overall age-standardised population immunity to HBV (anti-HBs >10 mIU/ml) increased from 39.7% in 1999 to 42.1% in 2005 (P = 0.019). In particular, the age-specific prevalence of anti-HBs showed a significant increase among those in the age group of 18 to 29 years from 27.9% in 1999 to 41.7% in 2005 (P <0.001) and among those in the age group of 30 to 39 years from 39.9% in 1999 to 44.7% in 2005 (P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONThere was an overall decline in the HBsAg positivity rate as well as an overall increase in population immunity to HBV. Following the 4-year catch-up immunisation programme, there was a significant increase in the immunity to HBV infection in the younger population aged 18 to 29 years.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Biomedical Research ; Confidence Intervals ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Hepatitis B ; blood ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; Humans ; Immunization Programs ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Young Adult