The objective of this study was to elucidate the association of various risk factors with dengue cases reported in Lundu district, Sarawak, by analyzing the interaction between environmental, entomological, socio-demographic factors. Besides conventional entomological, serological and house surveys, this study also used GIS technology to generate geographic and environmental data on Aedes albopictus and dengue transmission. Seven villages were chosen based on the high number of dengue cases reported. A total of 551 households were surveyed. An overall description of the socio-demographic background and basic facilities was presented together with entomological and geographical profiles. For serological and ovitrap studies, systematic random sampling was used. Serological tests indicated that 23.7% of the 215 samples had a history of dengue, either recent or previous infections. Two samples (0.9%) were confirmed by IgM ELISA and 49 samples (22.8%) had IgG responses. A total of 32,838 Aedes albopictus eggs were collected in 56 days of trapping. Cluster sampling was also done to determine whether any of the risk factors (entomological or geographical) were influenced by geographical location. These clusters were defined as border villages with East Kalimantan and roadside villages along Lundu/Biawas trunk road. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 10.01. Descriptive analysis using frequency, means, and median were used. To determine the association between variables and dengue cases reported, and to describe the differences between the two clusters of villages, two-sample t-test, and Pearson's Chi-Square were used. Accurate maps were produced with overlay and density function, which facilitates the map visualization and report generating phases. This study also highlights the use of differential Global Positioning System in mapping sites of 1m accuracy. Analysis of the data revealed there are significant differences in clusters of villages attributable to container density, house density, distance of the house from the main road, and number of Ae. albopictus eggs from ovitraps set indoor, outdoor and in dumping sites (Person's Chi-Square = 6.111, df = 1, p < 0.01). Further analysis using t-test showed that house density, container density, indoor mosquitoes egg count, outdoor mosquitoes egg count, and dumping sites mosquitoes egg count were higher at the roadside villages compared to border villages. A number of potential risk factors including those generated from GIS were investigated. None of the factors investigated in this study were associated with the dengue cases reported.
Dengue ; seconds ; physical density ; Risk Factors ; Analysis of substances

Objective To investigate the relationship among Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, serum gastrin level and colorectal carcinoma. Methods Fasting serum samples from 47 consecutive patients with colorectal carcinoma and 30 demoographically matched colonoscopy-negative controls were detected for serum gastrin levels and IgG antibodies against Hp (Hp IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Some of them accepted 14C urease breath test and/or rapid urease test after undergoing endoscopy. Hp infection was affirmed when at least two of the three tests were positive. Results The Hp infection incidence was significantly higher in patients with eoloreetal carcinoma (61.7%, 29/47) as compared with controls (36.7%, 11/30) (P<0.05). The Hp infection incidence in distal distribution of carcinoma was higher than that in controls, and in female carcinoma was higher than that in female controls(P <0.05). Mean fasting serum gas-trin levels were significantly higher in patients with coloreetal carcinoma[(139.7±53.3 ) ng/L]than those in controls [(89.5±26.1 ) ng/L] (P < 0.01 ). There was a significant association between hypergastrinemia and distal distribution of carcinoma. Conclusion Increasing serum gastrin levels, higher Hp infection incidence has a positive relationship with colorectal carcinoma.

Intensifying the continuing education of doctors in hospitals at primary level is one of the important measures for increasing their specialized skills and improving the condition of primary care.In recent years,following the trend of national medical reform,the Fourth Military Medical University (FMMU) has made full use of its advantages to provide training for civilian doctors in hospitals at primary level.In the training,with the reform measures of ‘ four focuses' and ‘ five combinations',FMMU actively advanced teaching reform to make innovations in curriculum system and teaching methods,which was approved by teachers and students.These measures were very effective,which in turn greatly enhanced the ability of the doctors and training quality.This practice obviously pushed forward development of primary-level medical and health-care service in Shanxi province.

The highly virulent PRRSV isolate strain HN-1/06 was cultivated on Marc-145. To study the viral entry mechanisms, the GP5 gene of PRRSV isolate was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into pcDNA3.0 to generate the expressing plasmid pcDNA-GP5. pcDNA-GP5 was transfected into 293T by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. Analysis of flow cytometry confirmed that the GP5 proteins were expressed in surface of the 293T cells. Then 293T cells were transfected with pcDNA-GP5, pHIT60 and pHIT111 plasmids to generate pseudotyping virus. The pseudotyping virus supernatant was harvested 48 hours post-transfection and was detected by Western blotting and infection assay. Western blotting indicated that the GP5 glycoproteins were incorporated into the retroviral pseudotyped virus. Infection assay showed that the pseudotyped virus infected 293T and Mark-145 cell. The pseudotyped virus could be used to further study infectious mechanism of PRRSV.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Leukemia Virus, Murine ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Swine ; Transfection ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Virion ; genetics ; metabolism

Seven compounds were isolated from the leaves of Panax japonicus var. major by chromatographic methods including silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated by their physical and chemical properties and spectral data analysis as 5, 7-dihydroxy-8-methoxyl flavone (1), ginsenoside Rs2 (2), quinquenoside R1 (3), ginsenoside Rs1 (4), notoginsenoside Fe (5), ginsenoside Rd2 (6) and gypenosiden IX (7). Among them, compound 1 was obtained from the Panax genus for the first time, and compounds 2-7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ginsenosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) in treating non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients on quality of life with gemcitabine (GEM) plus cisplatin (GP) regimen.

METHODSThirty-four patients were ready to receive GP regimen chemotherapy for treating NSCLC disease, according to lot-drawing, they were divided into SFI pre-treatment group (18 cases) and SFI post-treatment group (16 cases). SFI pre-treatment group: During the first treatment course, chemotherapy was begun with SFI 60 ml, intravenous dripping on the 3rd day, once daily, consecutively for 10 days; on the 1st day, GP regimen (GEM 1250 mg/m(2), intravenous dripping, on the 1st and 8th day; cisplatin 70 mg/m(2) on the 2nd day; 21 days as one cycle) was carried out; in the second treatment course GP regimen was merely given to serve as the self-control. SFI post-treatment group: the medicament sequence order was reversed from that of pre-treatment group. Using dual international quality of life (QOL) scores, the effect of SFI on the patients' QOL was observed through randomized self pre- and post-crossover control.

RESULTSThe QOL in the 34 patients after being treated by SFI in combination with GP chemotherapy regimen in one group, and GP chemotherapy regimen alone in the other, was improved in different degrees, with significant difference (P < 0.01); comparison of SFI combined with GP chemotherapy regimen with GP chemotherapy alone showed that QOL in patients was significantly different (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFI could improve QOL in patients with NSCLC who were treated with GP regimen.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Cross-Over Studies ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Shenfu Injection (SHF) on the quality of life of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemotherapy.

METHODSA total of 133 patients with NSCLC receiving at least two cycles of chemotherapy with taxol plus cisplatin (TP)/vinorelbine plus cisplatin (NP) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) were randomized into SHF pre-treatment group (with SHF given only in the first cycle) and SHF post-treatment group (with SHF given only in the second cycle). The Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC) were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients after the treatments.

RESULTSBoth of the groups showed improved quality of life after the treatments (P<0.01), but the improvements were more obvious in SHF pre-treatment group (P<0.05). SHF showed favorable effects in relieving such adverse effects as fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea associated with the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSHF can improve the quality of life in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapies.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; prevention & control ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Vomiting ; prevention & control

Objective To evaluate the optimized efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block combined with oxycodone in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.Methods Ninety patients of both sexes,aged 22-45 yr,weighing 45-75 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ,scheduled for elective living donor kidney transplantation,were divided into 3 groups (n =30 each) using a random number table:blank control group (group C),TAP block group (group TAP) and TAP block combined with oxycodone group (group TAP+O).Ultrasound-guided lateral approach to TAP block was performed on the operated side with the mixture (20 ml) of 0.375％ ropivacaine and 5 rng dexamethasone at 30 min before induction of anesthesia in TAP and TAP+O groups.Anesthesia was induced by injecting midazolam,target-controlled infusion of remifentanil and propofol and injecting cisatracurium.The patients were mechanically ventilated after placement of the laryngeal mask airway,and the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide was maintained at 35-45 mmHg.Propofol and remifentanil were intravenously injected and sevoflurane was inhaled to maintain anesthesia,and cis-atracurium was intermittently injected to maintain muscle relaxation.Narcotrend value was maintained at 37-46 during operation.Oxycodone 0.1 mg/kg was intravenously injected at 20 min before the end of surgery in group TAP+O.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was performed with sufentanil 1.5 μg/kg in 100 ml of normal saline at the end of surgery,the PCIA pump was set up to deliver a 2 ml bolus dose,a 20 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1.5 ml/h,and visual analog scale score was maintained ≤4.The consumption of intraoperative remifentanil and effective pressing times of PCIA within 24 h after surgery were recorded.Blood samples were collected at 1 day before surgery and 2 and 5 days after surgery from the median cubital vein for determination of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (Cr) concentrations in serum.The occurrence of nausea and vomiting,dizziness and headache,respiratory depression and TAP block-related complications (hematoma at puncture site,injury to abdominal organs,local anesthetic intoxication) was recorded within 24 h after surgery.Results Compared with group C,the consumption of intraoperative remifentanil was significantly reduced,the effective pressing times of PCIA within 24 h after surgery were decreased,and the concentrations of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in serum were decreased at 2 days after surgery in TAP and TAP+O groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group TAP,the effective pressing times of PCIA within 24 h after surgery were significartly decreased,the concentrations of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in serum were decreased at 2 days after surgery,and no significant change was found in the consumption of intraoperative remifentanil in group TAP+O (P＞0.05).TAP block-related complications were not found in TAP and TAP+O groups (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting or dizziness and headache among three groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion TAP block combined with oxycodone can reduce the intraoperative consumption of opioids,inhibit postoperative hyperalgesia and be helpful for early recovery of transplanted kidney function in patients undergoing kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The cardiomyocyte apoptosis is considered as one of major contributions to cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Numerous studies find that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in a variety of biological functions. However, the role of circ_0068655 in MI and human induced pluripotent stem-derived cardiomyocytes (HCMs) remains unknown. METHODS: The expression of circ_0068655, miR-498, and PRKC apoptosis WT1 regulator (PAWR) in human MI heart tissues and hypoxia subjected HCMs was evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of circ_0068655 on hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and cell migration in HCMs were evaluated with qRT-PCR, cell viability, cell death ELISA (POD), and Caspase-3 activity assay, and Trans-well assay, respectively. Furthermore, luciferase assay, qRT-PCR, biotin-labeled miRNA pulldown assay, and Western blot were employed in the functional studies. RESULTS: We found that the expression of circ_0068655 and PAWR was enhanced in MI patients and hypoxia subjected HCMs; by contrast, the expression of miR-498 decreased. Inhibited expression of circ_0068655 in HMCs counteracted hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and impaired cell migration, in sharp contrast to circ_0068655 knockdown. We identified that circ_0068655 sponged an endogenous miR-498 to sequester and inhibit its activity, leading to the increased PAWR expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that the expression of circ_0068655 can promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the modulation of miR-498-PAWR axis in vitro, which highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic value of circ_0068655 in patients with MI.

BACKGROUND: The cardiomyocyte apoptosis is considered as one of major contributions to cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Numerous studies find that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in a variety of biological functions. However, the role of circ_0068655 in MI and human induced pluripotent stem-derived cardiomyocytes (HCMs) remains unknown. METHODS: The expression of circ_0068655, miR-498, and PRKC apoptosis WT1 regulator (PAWR) in human MI heart tissues and hypoxia subjected HCMs was evaluated with qRT-PCR and Western blot. The effects of circ_0068655 on hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and cell migration in HCMs were evaluated with qRT-PCR, cell viability, cell death ELISA (POD), and Caspase-3 activity assay, and Trans-well assay, respectively. Furthermore, luciferase assay, qRT-PCR, biotin-labeled miRNA pulldown assay, and Western blot were employed in the functional studies. RESULTS: We found that the expression of circ_0068655 and PAWR was enhanced in MI patients and hypoxia subjected HCMs; by contrast, the expression of miR-498 decreased. Inhibited expression of circ_0068655 in HMCs counteracted hypoxia-induced apoptotic death and impaired cell migration, in sharp contrast to circ_0068655 knockdown. We identified that circ_0068655 sponged an endogenous miR-498 to sequester and inhibit its activity, leading to the increased PAWR expression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal that the expression of circ_0068655 can promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the modulation of miR-498-PAWR axis in vitro, which highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic value of circ_0068655 in patients with MI.