Objective To evaluate the risk of plague occurrence via surveying and analyzing indoor rat density and flea index in natural villages having previous plague experience. Methods During August to September 2007, 30 natural villages experiencing previous plague were selected based on the surveillance data, and then all households were coded with numbers and 20 households in each village were randomly selected via computer. Cages and sticky papers were set in 600 selected households to capture rats and fleas. Rat density, flea prevalence, flea index and median were estimated. Results One hundred thirty-three Rattus flavipectus and 33 Suncus murinus were caught and averaged rat density was 2.8 rats per one hundred cage. nights (166/6000), the median was 5 rats each village. One hundred and one mice infected fleas, flea prevalence on rats was 60.8% (101/166), 296 Xenopsylla cheopis and 48 Leptopsylla segnis were collected. Rat flea index was 2.1 fleas per rat (344/166). A total of 315 dissociated flea was caught, average dissociated flea index was 0.026 fleas per sticky paper (315/11888). The median was 5.5 dissociated fleas per village. Of dissociated fleas, Ctenocephalides felis felis (205) and Xenopsylla cheopis (103) accounted for 97.8% (308/315). The proportion for species of the rat flea and the dissociated flea was different(Fisher test: P < 0.01). The rat flea was significantly associated with the rat density(r = 0.68, P < 0.01), but the dissociated flea was significantly associated with neither the rat density(r = -yield than fried wheat batter(χ2 = 5.59, P < 0.05). Conclusions In these villages having previous plague experience of Lianghe County, Rattusflavipectus was dominant species of indoor rats, Xenopsylla cheopis and Ctenocephalides felis felis were dominant species of rat flea and dissociated flea, respectively. Mengsong, Bangdu, and Tangjiatun village had potential risk of plague emergence.

·AIM: To study the effect of an intravitreal injection of angiostatin on vascular leakage in the retina and iris of oxygen-induced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).·METHODS: Brown Norway rats at postnatal day 7 (P7) were exposed to hyperoxia (750mL/L O2 )for 5 days (P7-12) and then returned to normoxia to induce retinopathy. Angiostatin was reconstituted in sterile Phosphate Buffered Saline(PBS) and diluted to desired different concentrations. Angiostatin solution was injected into the vitreous of the right eye of the ROP rats at P14 and the age-matched normal rats through pars plana using a glass capillary, and the left eye received the same volume of sterile PBS as the control. Vascular permeability was quantified at 1, 2 and 3 days after the injection by measuring albumin leakage from blood vessels into the retina and iris using the Evans blue method and normalized by total protein concentrations. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retina was evaluated using the Western Blot analysis and immuno-histochemistry 24 hours following the injection.·RESULTS: ROP rats showed significant increases of vascular permeability in the retina and iris (P<0.01). Angio-statin reduces vascular permeability in a dose-dependent manner in the retina of ROP rats. The reduction showed a time course trend. [Angiostatin injection reduced retinal vascular permeability by approximately 1.5 and 2-fold at P15 (P<0.05) and P16 (P<0.01), respectively.] Angiostatin injection significantly reduced VEGF levels in the retina of ROP rats but did not affect retinal VEGF levels in normal rats.·CONCLUSION: Angiostatin significantly decreases pa-thological vascular permeability in the retina and iris of ROP rats but not in normal rats. Angiostatin down-regulates VEGF expression in retina of ROP rats. These results suggest that angiostatin may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of ROP and other diseases with vascular leakage.

Objective To monitor the quality changes of iodized salt and analyze its impact factor in Chongqing between 2001 and 2009. Methods Salt samples were collected according to the east, west, south,north and center locations in iodized salt production, wholesale and household sectors. Two units in iodized salt production and wholesale segment were sampled from north, south, east and west places and only 1 unit was sampled from the central place. Nine samples were collected every month in each place. If the place had less than 9 units, and then taken all the units. About resident household, 2 townships were sampled from north, south, east and west places, and 1 township was sampled from the central place, then 20 samples were collected from each township. Iodine content was detected by oxidation-reduction assay. The index of mean iodine, qualified rate from factories and wholesale, coverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt in residents were calculated.Significance was analyzed by trend test, analysis of variance and X2 test. Results The qualified rate of iodized salt from the manufacturers was 92.9%(13/14) in 2001 and the rate was 100.0% each year from 2002 to 2009. The qualified rates of iodized salt from the wholesale were 88.7%(282/318) - 99.8%(431/432). The rates of 2001 and 2002 were lower than that of other years(X2 = 4.98 - 45.69, all P< 0.05 or < 0.01). The coverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt in residents were 94.2% (11 154/11 841 ) - 98.9% ( 14 061/14 217), 83.5% (9 887/11 841 ) -95.8% (13 449/14 039), respectively. The rates showed an increasing tendency (F = 9.27, 26.39, all P < 0.05).The districts(counties) with qualified iodized salt consumption rate > 90% kept increasing. The mean iodine from the manufacturers and wholesale were 29.71 - 36.25, and 31.26 - 36.13 mg/kg, respectively. The iodine level showed a descending trend(F = 35.45, 140.59, all P < 0.01 ). The mean iodine level from the inhabitants were 28.84 - 30.98 mg/kg which remained stable (F = 3.05, P > 0.05 ). The iodine level from manufacturers, wholesale to inhabitants showed an descending trend(F = 38.46 - 671.23, all P < 0.01 ). Conclusions The surveillance results of iodized salt shows an increasing tendency in quality of iodized salt, eoverage rate and taking rate of qualified iodized salt. Factors that affect the quality of iodized salt is that the enterprise does not add iodine to salt strictly by the standard.

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence and distribution characteristics of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 - 12 in Wushan and Fengjie counties of Chongqing and to provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.MethodsTwenty townships(towns) in Fengjie county and 18 in Wushan county were selected as survey points by random cluster sampling in 2010.Dental fluorosis of all the children aged 8 - 12 was examined with Dean index.The detection rate of children's dental fluorosis,defect rate and dental fluorosis index were compared between the two counties.Results Totally 38 209 children aged 8 - 12 were investigated.The total detection rate of dental fluorosis was 43.09％( 16 466/38 209) in the two counties.The detection rates of dental fluorosis in Wushan and Fengjie were 48.98％ (9397/19 186)and 37.16％(7069/19 023),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant(x2 =544.03,P ＜ 0.01 ).Total detection rates of dental fluorosis of the five age groups(8,9,10,11,and 12-year-old age groups) were 32.52％(2157/6632),40.07％(2672/6668),43.67％(3420/7831 ),46.01％ (3861/8391) and 50.14％ (4356/8687),respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =510.50,P ＜ 0.01),Dental fluorosis indexes in Wushan and Fengjie were 0.713 and 0.485,respectively.Defect rates of dental fluorosis in Wushan and Fengjie were 4.05％ (777/19 186) and 1.57％(298/19 023),respectively.Conclusions The total detection rate of dental fluorosis of the two counties is still high,which gradually increases with age.Wushan is still an endemic area of dental fluorosis,and Fengjie is at the edge of the

Objective To construct and express the recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 of Schistosoma japonicum(Sj) in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Methods Total RNA was extracted from Sj adult worms by ultrasound-breaking, Sj26GST and Sj32 antigen gene was respectively amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA; Sj26GST-Sj32 fusion gene obtained with gene splicing by overlap extension(SOEing) was cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET28α and transformed into Escherichia coli BL2 (DE3) to construct pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32;BL21 (pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32) was induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranosid (IPTG), and the expressed products were analyzed and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electropheresis (SDS-PAGE)and Western blotting. Results The 1991 bp Sj26GST-Sj32 fusion gene was successfully amplified by gene SOEing and cloned into pET28α by restriction analysis and PCR identification, the recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 was successfully constructed; the relative molecular mass of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 69 × 103 by SDS-PAGE, and the amount of the expressed protein was 25% of the total bacterial proteins; the fusion protein could be recognized by sera from rabbits infected with Sj by Western blotting.Conclusions The recombinant plasmid pET28α-Sj26GST-Sj32 is successfully constructed and highly expressed in Escherichia coli in fused form with His-tag, and the expressed fusion protein shows specific antigenicity.

Objective To construct and express the recombinant plasmid pET32α-Sj26GST of Schistosoma japonicum(sj)in Escherichia coli(E.coli)B121(DE3).Methods The total RNA was extracted from sj adult worms by ultrasound-breaking,Sj26GST antigen gene was amplified by RT-PCR from the total RNA,then cloned into prokaryotic expression plasmid pET32α(+) and transformed into E.coli B12(DE3)to construct pET32α-Sj26GST;BL21(pET32α-Sj26GST)WaS induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranosid(IPTG),and the expressed products were analyzed and identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.Results The 676 bp Sj26GST gene was successfully amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pET32α(+)by restriction analysis and PCR identification,the recombinant plasmid pET32α-Sj26GST was successfully constructed;the relative molecular mass of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 49×103 by SDS-PAGE,and the amount of the expressed protein was 24%of the total bacterial proteins;the fusion protein could be recognized by sera from rabbits infected with sj by Western blot.Conclusions The recombinant plasmid pET32α-Sj26GST is successfully constructed and highly expressed in E.coli in fused form with Trx-tag and His-tag,and the expressed fusion protein shows specific antigenicity.

Antigens, Neoplasm ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Melanoma-Specific Antigens ; Melanosis ; complications ; congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; complications ; congenital ; metabolism ; pathology ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Skin ; metabolism ; pathology

The researches reported in this article are focused on the autofluorescent signal collection of colorectal tissues by laser induced autofluorescent diagnostic system, and on the signal processing by power spectra and networks methods, Pretty good clinical diagnostic sensitivity and specificity are acquired. These may serve as a foundation on which to develop a system for diagnosis of colorecal cancer.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Lasers ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods

Objective To analyze the characteristics of urinary iodine and edible iodized salt,and to provide suitable iodine concentration in iodized salt.Methods Sample testing was carried out to detect iodine concentration in marketed salt and child urine before salt iodization (1994).After salt iodization (2001-2010),sample testing was carried out to detect salt iodine level in manufacture,market(2001-2010) and resident household(1997-2010).Urine of children aged 8 to 10 were sampled by PPS method from 1997 to 2005.In 2009,urinary iodine of 20 children was determined in each of 5 schools,which were sampled from 5 counties located at North,South,East,West and center of Chongqing.Based on the urinary iodine and salt iodine levels before salt iodization,the relationship of urinary iodine and consumption of iodized salt was calculated.Suitable iodine concentration in iodized salt was put forward.x2 test and trend analyze approach(F-test) were used for statistical analysis.Results Before salt iodization,salt iodine level was not tested in 204 edible salt samples; the median of urinary iodine was 53.14 μg/L in 1374 children.After salt iodization,form 2001 to 2010,the average iodine levels in manufacture and wholesale salt were between 29.72-36.25 mg/kg and 30.65-36.13 mg/kg,respectively,both of them decreased significantly(F =35.35,140.59,all P ＜ 0.01),and show a downward trend.Batch quality passing rate of industry iodized salt was 100％ except in 2001,which was 92.86％.Batch quality passing rate of market iodized salt were between 88.68％-99.77％,specifically in 2001 (88.68％),in 2002(92.57％) and in 2003 (96.22％).There was no significant difference in other years (all P ＞ 0.05).The median of urinary iodine were between 238.80-328.00 μg/L,more than 35％ fall into ＞ 300 μg/L; while salt iodine increased 1 mg/kg,urinary iodine increased 5.51 μg/L-7.40 μg/L; The medium of urinary iodine of children were between 140.05-383.00 μg/L in 40 counties or districts in 2009.Reducing the iodine concentration in edible iodized salt to 20 mg/kg,the median of urinary iodine can be kept at 163.34 μg/L to 201.14 μg/L.Conclusions Iodine in iodized salt is above sufficient in Chongqing.Salt iodine should be reduced to 20 mg/kg,which will meet various population's need.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution characteristics of non-iodized salt at household level based on geographic information system (GIS) in Chongqing.Methods The database of non-iodized salt at county level from 2001 to 2010 was established in Chongqing.By using GIS technology,the spatial distribution and spatial autocorrelation were analyzed by ArcGIS 9.3 software.Results The rate of non-iodized salt was fluctuated between 2.35％-5.78％ during 2001-2006 and the rate was reduced to less than 2.00％ after 2007.The result of spatial autocorrelation analysis on non-iodized salt from 2001 to 2006 indicated that Moran's Ⅰindex was 0.145578,0.078801,0.108033,0.091957,0.127749,0.214302,respectively(Z value was 3.066275,1.977321,2.541619,2.309972,2.900446,3.874203,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The spatial distribution of non-iodized salt had marked spatial cluster through Chongqing region from 2001 to 2006.The result of local spatial autocorrelation analysis from 2001 to 2006 indicated that Fengdu and Fuling were two high-risk areas(all P ＜ 0.05).Dianjiang,Yubei,Jiangbei,Wulong and Banan were also confirmed as high-risk areas in 2001,2005 and 2006(all P ＜ 0.05).The results also indicated that the distribution of non-iodized salt in the seven high-risk areas was positively correlated.The result of spatial autocorrelation analysis on non-iodized salt from 2007 to 2010 indicated that Moran's Ⅰ index was 0.018361,0.016186,0.040769,-0.059691,respectively (Z value was 1.093310,0.787361,1.071811,-0.583820,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).The spatial distribution of non-iodized salt was at random on the whole from 2007 to 2010.However,there were four local high-risk areas.The distribution in Fengdu and Dianjiang was positively correlated,while that in Jiangjin and Shizhu was negatively correlated.Conclusions The distribution of non-iodized salt at households level in Chongqing is changed from spatial distribution before 2006 to random distribution after 2007,but there are high value areas,which should be taken as the focus of monitoring.