Objective To investigate the effects of host factors and hepatitis B virus (HBV) factors on interferon treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Methods Polymerase chain reaction sequence specific primers (PCR SSP) technology was used to determine human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DR and DQ alleles in 32 patients with CHB. Serum HBV DNA level was quantified by a PCR assay with a low limit of detection of 1000 copies/ml. HBV genotypes, precore(A 1896 ) and core promoter(T 1762 A 1764 ) mutations was determined by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR RFLP) analysis. Results The frequency of HLA DRB1*14 allele was higher in 10 responders to IFN treatment than in 22 non responders(20.0% v.s. 2.3%, relative risk(RR)=10.750, P =0.030); whereas that of HLA DQB1*07 is lower(10.0% v.s. 38.6%, RR=0.176, P =0.022). Pretreatment serum HBV DNA level in 10 responders was lower than that in 22 non responders (6.71?1.06 v.s. 7.59?0.56log 10 copies/ml, P =0.030). Patients with HBV genotype B infection had a higher response rate to IFN than those with HBV genotype C infection(53.8% v.s. 15.8%, P =0.049). Pretreatment serum ALT level, presences of A 1896 mutation and T 1762 A 1764 mutations had no difference between responders and non responders. Logistic multivariate analysis identified low pretreatment HBV DNA level(RR=0.212, P =0.034), presence of A 1896 mutation(RR=0.063, P =0.049) and HLA DQB1*07(RR=13.358, P =0.045) as independent factors associated with IFN antiviral response. Conclusions Low load of pretreatment serum HBV DNA and T 1762 A 1764 mutation in HBV genome or HBV of genotype B are associated with the response rate to IFN treatment in patients with CHB.

Objective To analyze the gene expression of pathogenic factors in vaginal secretions of patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis by using Oligo chips. Methods RNA was extracted from vaginal secretions of 10 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and 3 asymptomatic carriers, and hybridized with oligonuscreened followed by a bioinformatic analysis. Results Comparing with the asymptomatic carriers, the patients showed a higher expression of 44 genes and lower expression of 17 genes. Of these differentially expressed (TLR) 4, HWP1, SAP2, SAP5, LIP4, EFG1 and CPH1 were highly expressed in more than 80% of the secretion samples from patients with an average ratio of 4.013, while LIP6 and WH11 were lowly expressed in more IFN-γ and TLR4 were associated with native immunity, HWP1 associated with hyphal adhesion and formation, SAP2, SAP5, LIP4 and LIP6 associated with extracellular hydrolysis, and EFG1, CPH1 and WH11 associated with phenotypic switching. Conclusions Both the host adaptive immunity deficiency and increased virulence of Candida species are involved in the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis, and TLR4 possibly plays a certain role in the local immunity of patients with this entity.

Objective To assess the status of knowledge,attitude and behaviors on brucellosis among key population of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps,so as to provide a basis for specially carrying out health education and behavioral intervention.Methods According to the geographical distribution in Xinjiang,using the method of multistage stratified sampling to select farm households,herdsman,veterinary,and meat processing personnel over 9 years old from eight divisions (South Xinjiang:1,2 division and Northern Xinjiang 6,7,8,9,10 division) and so on as the research object from March 2013 to December 2015.Adopt self-designed questionnaire to carry out a face to face and household investigation.Results Totally 11 098 brucellosis key persons of eight divisions were investigated,and the total awareness rate was 83.61％ (92 794/110 980),with the First Division (75.78％,10 769/14 210) and the Sixth Division (66.45％,10 154/15 280) lower than the total awareness rate (x2 =52.8,288.1,all P＜ 0.01).The knowledge of brucellosis increased with the education level of the participants (x2 linear =6 245.3,P ＜ 0.01).There were significant differences in the knowledge of brucellosis among different nationalities (x2 =6 912.8,P＜ 0.01),and the Uygur (56.73％,3 909/6 890) and Hui (57.93％,2 850/4 920) were obviously lower than that in the Han (87.27％,78 932/90450).The awareness of different age groups was different (x2 =407.1,P ＜ 0.01),the ＞ 60 age group (74.63％,3 515/4 710) was the lowest.Different occupations were also different (x2 =675.5,P ＜ 0.01),and the farm households (81227％,4 4228/54 420) were lower,the veterinary was the highest (94.86％,2 438/2 570).Conclusions The brucellosis awareness rate of Xinjiang Corps region has reached the level of the epidemic areas,but ethnic minorities,the elderly and occupational population are still relatively low.We should take further measures to strengthen health education so as to improve the protection consciousness of local residents.

Objective To analyze epidemiological characteristics of brucellosis in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and to provide evidences for control and prevention of the disease.Methods Retrospective study method was used to collect the epidemic characteristics of cases and serological surveillance of brucellosis data in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps from 2013 to 2017,the time,region,population distribution characteristics and laboratory test results of the disease were analyzed.Results In 2013-2017,the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps reported a total of 3 287 cases of brucellosis,with an average annual incidence of 24.02/100 000,and no death case was reported.During the period,the incidence was 21.11/100 000,29.73/100 000,26.68/100 000,20.10/100 000 and 19.23/100 000,which showed a decline trend in general (linear x2 =23.67,P ＜ 0.01).The largest cumulative numbers of reported cases of the Corps were in five divisions,they were the Eighth Division with 599 cases,the Sixth Division with 470 cases,the Fourth Division with 366 cases,the Tenth Division with 320 cases and the Ninth Division with 313 cases,and they accounted for 62.91％ (2 068/3 287) of the total number of cases in the whole Corps.Brucellosis occurred in each month of the year,the number of cases reported from March to August accounted for 72.59％ (2 386/3 287),the peak incidence occurred in May and June,showing obvious seasonal fluctuation.Of all reported cases,74.78％ (2 458/3 287) were men,and 25.22％ (829/3 287) were women,38.97％ (1 281/3 287) were at the ages of 40-49 years,farmer was the highest occupation which accounted for 47.52％ (1 562/3 287).Totally 24 120 blood samples were collected from high-risk occupation during the period and 457 samples were positive for Brucella antibody,with an average positive rate of 1.89％,of the positive cases,52.30％ (239/457) had symptoms of brucellosis.Conclusions On the whole,the epidemic of brucellosis in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps is declining year by year.But as the epidemic slowly expands,all departments should strengthen joint prevention and control measures,control and eliminate the source of infection.At the same time,we should strengthen the propaganda,education and behavior intervention for high-risk occupational groups.

Objective To analyze the impact of reduction of iodine content in iodine salt on iodine nutrition level among children and pregnant women in Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (hereinafter referred to as the Corps).Methods In 2011 (before adjusting),the population proportional probability sampling (PPS) method was used to select 30 round fields in the Corps,one primary school was selected in each round field,and 40 children aged 8-10 years old (half males and half females) were taken from each primary school,to collect salt samples from their homes,salt iodine level was determined and thyroid examination was performed;among those 40 children,12 children (half males and half females) were selected,and urine samples were collected to test urine iodine level;at the same time,10 pregnant women were selected from the school location,and their urine samples were collected to test urine iodine level.In 2015 (after adjusting),in 14 divisions of the Corps,one round field was selected in each division from each of five directions of east,west,south,north and middle.Four company teams were selected in each round field,and 15 salt samples of households were collected in each company team,salt iodine was detected.One team primary school was selected in each round field,40 children aged 8-10 years old (half males and half females) were taken from each primary school,urine samples were collected to detect urine iodine level,and thyroid examination was performed;20 pregnant women were taken from each round field,and urine samples were collected to detect urine iodine level.A comparative analysis of iodine nutritional status in children and pregnant women in 2011 and 2015 was conducted.Goiter was examined by B-ultrasonography;salt iodine was detected by direct titration;urine iodine was detected by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry (WS/T 107-2006).Results A total of 1 195 and 4 215 salt samples were collected in 2011 and 2015,the medians of salt iodine were 32.3 and 28.2 mg/kg,respectively;the goiter rates of children were 3.4％ (42/1 220) and 1.0％ (26/2 552),respectively,both were below national standards (5.0％);the medians of urine iodine of children were 235.3 and 217.9 μg/L,respectively,both were more than the appropriate level;the medians of urine iodine of pregnant women were 183.0 and 157.7 μg/L,respectively,both were at appropriate level.Conclusion The reduction of salt iodization has no significant effect on iodine nutritional status in children and pregnant women,the iodine nutrition levels of children and pregnant women are good.

Objective To understand the current situation of iodine deficiency disorders of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps,in order to provide evidence for establishing prevention and control strategies.Methods According to their sub-area positions of east,west,south,north and center,5 units were extracted in each division via the random sampling method,4 companies were sampled in each chosen unit,15 households were selected in each chosen company to detect salt iodine content in 2015;and 1 elementary school was sampled in each chosen unit,40 students aged 8-10 were selected to collect their urine samples in each school to test urinary iodine and determine the goiter.Twenty pregnant women were randomly selected in each unit to test urinary iodine.Salt iodine was tested using direct titration,urinary iodine was determined using arsenic osmium catalytic spectrophotometry,thyroid was examinated using B-ultrasound.Results Totally 3 915 edible salt samples were monitored.The mean of salt iodine was (27.8 ± 5.5) mg/kg,with 99.1％ (3 880/3 915) iodized salt coverage rate,93.2％ (3 617/3 880) iodized salt qualified rate and 92.4％ (3 617/3 915) qualified iodized salt consumption rate.The goiter rate was 1.0％ (26/2 552) and the median of urinary iodine was 217.9 μg/L of 2 552 children aged 8-10,urinary iodine of southern region and northern region was 212.1 and 222.1 μg/L,respectively.The median of urinary iodine of 1 233 pregnant women was 157.7 μg/L.Conclusion The iodine nutrition level of key groups have already reached the national standard for eliminating iodine deficiency disorders,we should pay more attention to lower level urinary iodine of pregnant women.