Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease ,which is still endemic in western China .An earthquake struck south-western China on May 12th ,2008 ,which affected Longnan City of Gansu Province considerably .The objective of this survey is to determine the effect of the Wenchuan earthquake on the Kala-azar epidemic in Longnan City .In this study ,VL cases were collected from 2005 to 2013 and diagnosed on positive test for anti-rK39IgG antibodies by the Kala-azar Detect rK39 dip-stick (InBios ,USA) .The incidence rates were calculated among various counties of Longnan City with SPSS 19 .0 soft-ware .The epidemiological characteristics of the disease were analyzed before and after the Wenchuan earthquake .From 2005 to 2013 ,there were 825 VL cases in Longnan City ,with an annual incidence of 3 .36/100 000 and a significantly higher incidence in males than that in females (P＜ 0 .001) .All age groups were affected .During this period ,there was an obvious upward trend from 2005 to 2008 ,and a distinct downward tendency since 2010 .The incidences of VL between 2008 and 2010 were sig-nificantly different with that in other years (P＜0 .01) .Results revealed that VL was widespread in Longnan City ,which was likely exacerbated by the earthquake in 2008 .Earthquake created diverse natural environment and social circumstances ,w hich may contribute to the spread of the VL epidemic .Together ,our data strongly suggest that the epidemic of VL should be close-ly monitored after earthquake .

OBJECTIVETo assess clinical therapeutic effect and safety of acupuncture combined with fuxiting on depression.

METHODSFifty-three cases of depression were divided into an observation group (n = 30) treated by acupuncture combined with fuxiting and a control group treated by fuxiting. Their clinical therapeutic effects were assessed by HAMD, HAMA and CGI, and adverse effects by TESS.

RESULTSAfter treatment of 6 weeks, the total effective rate was 80.0% in the observation group and 69.6% in the control group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in scores of HAMD and HAMA before and after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The adverse effect in the observation group was less and milder than that in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined fuxiting has good therapeutic effect on depression with less and mild adverse effects.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depression ; therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans

Background The proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells is a primary link during angiogenesis.Studies showed that heat shock protein B6 (HspB6) promotes the secretion of multiple angiogenesis-related factors and therefore leads to neovascularization.Understanding the effects of neutralizing HspB6 antibody on the biological behavior of human choroidal vascular endothelial cells has an important significance in the target treatment of choroidal neovacularization diseases.Objective This study was to address the role and mechanism of neutralizing HspB6 antibody in tube formation of human choroidal vascular endothelial cells.Methods Human choroidal vascular endothelial cell line was normally cultured and harvested for total RNA extraction.Expressions of HspB6 mRNA and protein in human choroidal vascular endothelial cells were detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry (FCM).The cells were seeded on 96-well plate covered with matrigel at the density of 2×104/hole.Then the neutralizing HspB6 antibody at the concentration of 100 μg/Land 500 μg/L was added into the medium respectively,and the control cells were set without the addition of HspB6 antibody.The number of capillary tubes was calculated 12 hours after culture by three-dimensional matrigel assay.In addition,0,50,100,500 μg/L of neutralizing HspB6 antibody were added into the cell medium separately for 24hours,cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was employed to assay the inhibitory rate(IR) of the cells.Transwell test was used to count the cell number across chamber membrane for the evaluation of migration ability of the cells.The apoptosis of the cells was assayed by FCM.Results Both HspB6 mRNA and protein were expressed on human choroidal vascular endothelial cells.The number of capillary tube formation of human choroidal vascular endothelial cells was (67.25±5.75),(60.39±6.41) and (39.76±10.73) /field in the 0,100 and 500 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 antibody groups,with significant difference among them (F =10.210,P =0.012),and the tube number was significantly less in the 500 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 antibody group compared with 0 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 group (P =0.005).The IR of neutralizing HspB6 antibody to the cellular proliferation and migration was enhanced with the increases of concentration and time lapse(Fconcentration =7.485,P =0.002 ; Ftime =16.684,P =0.001).The number of the cells through Transwell chamber membrane was 14.0 ± 2.5,11.1 ± 0.8,6.6 ± 0.1,6.7 ± 0.2 in the 0,50,100,500 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 antibody group respectively,and that in the 100 μg/L and 500 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 antibody group was lessened in comparison with the 0 μg/L neutralizing HspB6 antibody group(both at P=0.000).The apoptosis rate of the cells was (22.73 ± 2.53)％ in the neutralizing HspB6 antibody group,which was significantly lower than (13.33±2.08) ％ of the control group (t=4.967,P=0.008).Conclusions Neutralizing HspB6 antibody inhibits capillary tube formation of human choroidal endothelial cells in vitro in dose-and timedependent manner,probably through suppressing the proliferation and migration and promoting the apoptosis of choroidal endothelial cells.

BACKGROUNDTo develop a capturing-ELISA for the detection of anti-HCMV-IgM antibody in serum.

METHODSThe anti-HCMV-IgM antibody was detected in 68 patients with HCMV infection by the capturing-ELISA, and the results were compared with those of indirect ELISA.

RESULTSThe specificity and sensitivity of the capturing-ELISA were shown to be significantly higher than those of indirect ELISA, and its results were not affected by RF factor.

CONCLUSIONThe capturing ELISA is specific, sensitive, convenient and reliable method which may be feasible for clinical use.

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Cytomegalovirus ; immunology ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; immunology ; virology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between bacterial biofilm and acute otitis media by observing the feature of bacterial biofilm formation in middle-ear mucosa in the rat model of acute otitis media and to study the possibility of application this rat model in bacterial biofilm research.

METHODSA total of 30 healthy, male SD rats were studied, 24 animals served as experimental group were bilaterally injected with 50 µl of Streptococcus pneumoniae suspension (1 × 10(8) CFU/ml) via a transbullar approach into the middle ear cavity after anesthesia and six animals were bilaterally inoculated equivalent saline account for control group. At day 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 after inoculation, bilateral middle-ear mucosal specimens were collected from three infected animals and one control animal for scanning electron microscopy (SME). Membranoid substance attached the bilateral middle ear mucosa were collected under the microscope from the other one infected animals, which were prepared for confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) with immunofluorescence in situ labeling technique and light microscopy using Gram staining.

RESULTSAt the early stage of infection (1 day, 3 days), lots of bacterial adhesion, permanent planting in the local regions of the middle ear cavity and microcolonies formation were found, with mixed phagocytic cells, showing a primary bacterial biofilms formation. In the middle term of infection (5 days, 7 days), mature bacterial biofilm scattered on the mucosal surface, formed characteristic three-dimensional structure of "mushroom-shaped" towers. At the late inflammatory period (10 days, 14 days), the bacterial biofilms presented signs of recession. CLSM with FITC-ConA and PI double staining in situ labeling and light microscopy using Gram staining indicated that bacteria and polysaccharide matrix within the biofilms were viable.

CONCLUSIONSThese preliminary findings provide evidence that bacterial biofilms form at the early phase of acute middle ear infection and it may be an important factor in the development of recurrent or persistent otitis media. The rat model of AOM established in this study may be an ideal animal model facilitating the bacterial biofilms research.

Animals ; Biofilms ; growth & development ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ear, Middle ; microbiology ; Male ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; microbiology ; Pneumococcal Infections ; microbiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the pharmaphylogenetic of medicinal plants of Isopyroideae (Ranunculaceae).

METHODComprehensively analyze the correlation between phylogeny, chemical constituents and pharmaceutical aspects of Isopyroideae plants, based on chemical, pharmaceutical (both ethnopharmacologic and pharmacological) information, linking with different plant systems of Ranunculaceae.

RESULTPlants from Aquilegia mainly contain flavonoids constituents while the major chemical constituents of Isopyrum are bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Chemical characteristics also support that this taxon should be separated from Thalictrodeae, and constituted an independent subfamily, namely, Isopyroideae.

Anti-Infective Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Benzylisoquinolines ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Ranunculaceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of simultaneously combined pelvic floor dynamic MRI and pelvic organography in diagnosing female pelvic floor disorders and search for the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

METHODSThirty women with pelvic floor disorders received pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography including cystourethrography, peritoneography, vaginography and defecography. Clinical diagnostic value was compared between this two methods.

RESULTSThe diagnostic accuracy of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organograph for cystocele,anorectal junction abnormal descent, pelvic floor hernia,uterocervical prolapse was 100%, 95.2 %, 86.7%, 85.7% respectively. Rectocele and prolapse of rectal were diagnosed by pelvic organograph in 12 and 28 cases respectively, while only 6 and 0 cases were diagnosed by pelvic floor dynamic MRI respectively. The mean examining time of pelvic floor dynamic MRI and simultaneously combined pelvic organography was (16 +/- 3)min, (34 +/- 9)min respectively (P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPelvic floor dynamic MRI combined with defecography is the best imaging model for diagnosing pelvic floor disorders.

Adult ; Aged ; Encopresis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor ; physiopathology ; Pelvis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cost-benefit for the Influenza Type A H1N1 Virus (Influenzae H1N1) vaccination in Shanghai primary and junior schools.

METHODSA semi-experiment study was selected to evaluate the cost-benefit for Influenza H1N1 vaccination in primary and junior schools in 6 districts of Shanghai, including 414 636 students in total. According to the voluntary principle, the students were divided into the vaccinated group (233 445 students) and control group (181 191 students). The information of vaccine cost was collected from CDC in 19 districts in Shanghai by questionnaire; and the information of medical treatment cost was collected from questionnaire and abstracts of retrospective medical records, which included 31 mild cases and 15 severe cases. The cost-benefit analysis was conducted by health economic evaluation.

RESULTSIn total, there were 414 636 students enrolled in this study; while 233 445 (56.3%) students were in the vaccinated group and 181 191 in the control group. The attack rate in vaccinated group and control group was 0.61% (1433/233 445) and 1.76% (3166/181 191) respectively. The protection ratio was 65.34% ((1.76 - 0.61)/1.76) in the vaccinated group. The average cost of Influenza H1N1 was 36.81 yuan/person; and the average cost of medical treatment was (358.3 ± 243.6) yuan/mild case and (49 188.4 ± 99 917.3) yuan/severe case. The total benefit of vaccination in schools was 19 155 566.3 yuan, and the net benefit was 10 560 673.7 yuan. Therefore, the benefit-cost ratio was 2.24:1.

CONCLUSIONInfluenza H1N1 vaccine could protect the students from Influenza H1N1 infection, and the cost-benefit analysis showed that the intervention strategy was worth trying.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; immunology ; Influenza Vaccines ; economics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; economics ; prevention & control ; Schools ; Students

Dexamethasone ; adverse effects ; Femur Head Necrosis ; chemically induced ; etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiration Disorders ; etiology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDRelapses occur frequently in patients with lupus nephritis. Renal biopsy is the gold standard for assessing renal activity and hence guiding the treatment. Whether repeat renal biopsy is helpful during flares of lupus nephritis remains inconclusive. In the present study, we retrospectively reviewed the patients with lupus nephritis who had more than one renal biopsy with the hope to find the clinical value of repeat biopsy.

METHODSPatients who had a diagnosis of lupus nephritis and two or more renal biopsies were selected from the database of the patient pathology registration at this renal division. Renal biopsy was evaluated according to the International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) classification of lupus nephritis. The pathological patterns and treatment regimens were analyzed after a repeat biopsy.

RESULTSWe identified 44 systemic lupus erythematosus patients with serial renal biopsies. In total, there were 94 renal biopsies. Overall, the pathological transition occurred in 64% instances according to the ISN/RPS class. When the transition was analyzed according to proliferative, membranous or mix lesions, it showed different profile: 35% in patients with proliferative lesion, 23.5% patients with mix lesions, 100% in patients with pure membranous lesion. The pathological transition could not be predicted by any clinical characteristics. After the repeat renal biopsy, 34% of patients had a change in their treatment regimens.

CONCLUSIONSThe pathological conversion was very prevalent in patients with lupus nephritis. However, the transitions became less prevalent when they were analyzed according to pure membranous, proliferative, and mix lesion. Repeat biopsy might be helpful to avoid unnecessary increased immunosuppression therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lupus Nephritis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male