Objective To master of the characteristics of development and variation in plague natural foci of Marmota sibirica, and to analyze the plague monitoring results from 2004 to 2008. Methods From May to September every year, we monitored plague in Manzhouli, Chenbaerhuqi, Xinbaerhuzuoqi, Xinbaerhuyouqi,Ewenkeqi and Yakeshi city. The monitored area was 20 000 - 40 000 hm2 in every county. The density of Marmota,ground squirrel and moonlighting rats was surveyed by path method, one-day bow-clip method and a clamp was placed every five meters, respectively. The classification and identification of ectoparasite fleas were done by using low power lens. The fleas in the ground squirrel hole were collected by flannel rubber stick, then classified and identified. According to National Standard of Plague Diagnostic Criteria(GB 15991-1995), the collected rats and fleas were detected by isolation and cultured Yersinia pestis, the serums of collected rats were tested by indirect hemagglutination test. Results In five years, the density of Marmota and ground squirrel was 0.010/hm2 and 0.602/hm2, respectively. The capture rate of moonlighting rats was 2.69％ (258/9600). The flea infection rate of Marmota was 17.54％(10/57) and the fleas index was 2.54. The fleas infection rate of ground squirrel was 28.40％(213/750) and the fleas index was 1.01. Flea infection rat of ground squirrel hole was 5.60％(46/822) and the fleas index was 0.17. The total number of various hosts of Yersinia pestis detected was 1351, the groups number of the variety of cultured fleas was 127, and the pathogen test results were negative. The number of serum tested was 1064, positive number was 43, and the detection rate was 4.04％(43/1064). The highest positive titer was 1 : 1280. Other than 2006, the remaining four years were found positive for blood clotting material; positive serum was found in a total of three regions, they were Manzhouli, Xinbaerhuzuoqi, and Xinbaerhuyouqi; and 30, 12 and 1 copies of hemagglutination-positive sera were detected. Conclusions The epidemic of plague natural foci of Marmota sibirica is in a active state, and gradually expands the scope. We must continue to strengthen the inspection of the bacteria, bearing in mind the replacement of the region's main host, make every effort to prevent and control of human plague.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of health related quality of life(HR-QOL) in Chinese patients with early Parkinson' s disease(PD), to identify the motor and non-motor factors that are associated with a poorer quality of life in patients with early PD. Methods All 391 patients with early PD were identified in a clinical-based study. Motor functions were measured by Unified Parkinson' s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Hoehn-Yabr Scale. Non-motor variables were assessed by Center of Epidemiological Survey Depression Scale (CES-D) for depressive symptoms, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep disturbance, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) for fatigue, Alzheimer' s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Sections (ADAS-Cng) for cognitive function, and Constipation Severity Scale for constipation. HR-QOL was measured by SF-36. Motor and non-motor variables were collected at the baseline assessment of a clinical trial and determined during a structured interview and by clinical examination by movement disorder specialists. The results were compared with those in healthy elderly people. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine which variables were strongly associated with lower levels of quality of life. Results Patients with early PD had a lower score on all dimensions of SF-36, except bodily pain dimension. Motor factors, particular physical disability and disease severity, contributed to decreased HR-QOL, but to a lesser extent. The motor score of the UPDRS (23. 8±11.8), Hoehn-Yahr stage(2. 0± 0.7), together with the rigidity score (4.4 ± 3.1), only accounted for 18.9 % (R2=0. 189) of the variance of SF-36 total score. The variables that most strongly predicted a low total SF-36 score were non-motor factors, particularly depressive symptoms, sleep disorders and fatigue. When the CES-D, FSS, and PSQI score were included in the model, the R2 increased from 0. 189 to 0.617, indicating that 61.7% of the variance in HR-QOL could be explained if additional CES-D, FSS and PSQI scores were known. Depressive symptoms, as measured by CES-D, had an overwhelming impact on HR-QOL. When CES-D score was included, the R2 change was 0.433, which indicated that additional 43.3% of the variability in HR-QOL could be explained by adding depressive symptoms. Conclusions PD has a substantial impact on HR-QOL, even if in its early stage. Depressive symptoms, sleep disorders and fatigue correlated strongly with lower quality of life. Depressive symptoms appeared to be the strongest determinant of HR-QOL in early PD patients. Every effort should be made to recognize and treat these conditions, thus improving all aspects of PD and giving these patients as good a quality of life as possible.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the change of the neuronal restricted silencing factor (NRSF) gene as well as the NRSF regulation genes in beta-mercaptoethanol induction of the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to neurons, and to discuss the function of NRSF in neural induction of the MSCs and the mechanism of the differentiation from MSCs to neurons.

METHODWe used beta-mercaptoethanol, serum-free DMEM, and dimethyl sulfoxide to induce rat MSCs to differentiate to neurons, and then analyzed the changes of the expressions of NRSF gene and NRSF-regulated genes through real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe rat MSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells. The induced neuron marker, neuron-specific enolase, was positive. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of NRSF gene remarkably declined. The expressions of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor, type 3, synaptosomal-associated protein 25, L1 cell adhesion molecular,neuronal pentraxin receptor in the NRSF-regulated genes also increased at varied extents.

CONCLUSIONSThe differentiation from MSCs to neurons is relevant with the decline of NRSF expression and the increase of the expressions of NRSF-regulated genes. The NRSF may be the key gene during the differentiation from MSCs to neurons.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To explore the HIV epidemic and related factors among MSM in Jilin province.Methods During the implementation of sentinel surveillance program from 2010 to 2015,continuous cross-sectional studies were conducted to monitor the awareness of AIDS,sexual behavior,HIV and syphilis positive rates,with the sample size no less than 400 in each surveillance site.Results From 2010 to 2015,a total of 7 823 MSM were involved in this study.The overall HIV prevalence among MSM was 5.4％ (42/7 823),with an increasing trend during 2010 and 2015 (Trend testx2=110.023,P＜0.001).The rates of awareness on AIDS were higher than 90.0％.The proportion of consistent condom use was 27.0％ (2 112/7 823) in the last 6 months,and significant differences were found in these years (x 2=234.038,P＜0.001).Results from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the HIV infection related risk factors among MSM in Jilin province would include:residency from other provinces (aOR=1.797,95％ CI:1.185-2.726),recruitment through internet (aOR=1.717,95％CI:1.332-2.215),diagnosed of having sexually transmitted diseases in the previous year (aOR=1.893,95％CI:1.356-2.643) and positive testing on syphilis (aOR=4.309,95％CI:3.097-5.995).And consistent condom uses in the last 6 months (aOR=0.387,95％CI:0.143-0.557),tested HIV in the last year (aOR=0.632,95％CI:0.375-0.891) were preventive factors.Conclusions HIV prevalence was increasing among MSM in Jilin province,but both the proportion of consistent condom use and the former HIV testing rate were at a low level.Aggressive measurement including consistent condom use and periodical HIV testing among MSM was warranted.

Objective: To investigate the optimal strategy for immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in bone metastasis specimens from breast cancer. Methods: Twenty-eight bone metastases specimens from breast cancers were divided into three groups and subjected to different decalcifying agents (group A-10% nitrate, group B-EDTA decalcification, and group C-imported decalcifying solution RapidCal). The effects of those on HE and IHC staining for Ki-67, ER, PR, GATA3, RANK, RANKL, HER2 and HER2 FISH results were assessed. Results: There were no significant differences among three groups in HE morphology and IHC staining. Antigen content in the RapidCal group were all intact; the EDTA group showed a similar staining rate, which was better than the nitrate group (P<0.05). Nitrate group showed marked reduction in nuclear Ki-67 staining, but the loss of cytoplasmic antigens (RANK, RANKL) was less than cell membrane antigen (HER2). For FISH, the RapidCal group and EDTA group showed same results, concordant with IHC staining results. The expression of HER2 protein in the nitric acid group was significantly decreased and chromosome 17 labelling was lost (P<0.05). Conclusions RapidCal treated bone metastases specimens from breast cancer show excellent sample quality in morphological, IHC and FISH results compared with traditional decalcifying agents. Owing to the longer time of EDTA decalcification, the new decalcifying agent RapidCal plays an important role in quality control and clinical application.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.Methods Nine patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were enrolled in this study.Patients were given cyclophosphamide and granu- locyte colony-stimulating factor(G-CSF)as the mobilization regimen.Urine was alkalinized and hydrolyzed to protect the function of the heart,liver and kidney of the patients.A CS3000 Plus blood cell separator was used to collect peripheral blood stem cells,which were preserved in liquid nitrogen.Two to five days before the administration of the stem cells,the patients were pretreated with intravenous injection of cyclophos- phamide (50 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 4 consecutive days and antithymocyte globulin (ATG,2.5 mg?kg~(-1)?day~1) for 3 consecutive days.Granulocytes were recoverd by G-CSF stimulation.Then,the peripheral blood stem cells were reinfused.Therapeutic effect was evaluated by assessment of alteration of clinical manifestation (skin erythema),levels of proteinuria and antoantibodies,hematopoietic reconstitution and occurrence of transplantation related complications.Results After transplantation,all patients had been successfully en- grafted.The time for peripheral leucocyte count to reach 1.0?10~9/L was 7～15d;the time for platelets to reach 20?10~9/L was 0～21 d.The skin erythema resolved in all patients;proteinuria decreased to normal level and the autoantibodies became negative in most of the patients.Serum sickness-like response occurred in all patients,renal and heart failure in 1 patient,hemorrhagic cystitis in 3 patients,psychiatric disorders in 1 patient,candidal infection in 1 patient.Conclusion One-year follow up suggests that autologous stem cell transplantation is markedly effective and relatively safe for systemic lupus erythematosus.However,the duration of remission remains to be investigated in a long-term follow up study.