Objective To study the factors influencing epidemiological characteristics and virulence of Enterovirus 71 (EV71) in Guangdong province from 2008 to 2010. Methods RNA was extracted from collected samples or cultured virus , then reversing transcription into cDNA. We amplified full-length EV71-VP1 using poly-merase chain reaction technology , then conducted sequence alignment and established phylogenetic tree with MEGA software (version 5.0) to confirm the genotype of EV71. The association between severity of clinical symp-toms and sex, age, viral genotype and VP1 variation was also analyzed using Logistic regression. Results The genotype of the predominant epidemical strain was C4a in Guangdong from 2008 to 2010. However , this subtype had already differentiated into 4 subgroups (C4a1- C4a4). There was no correlation between clinical syndrome and sex or viral genotype; the severity of symptoms was negatively correlated with age: before 4 years old, varia-tion A289T can easily lead to severe cases, increasing the risk of infection (P<0.05, OR = 2.360, 95%CI:1.163~ 4.659). Conclusion The main epidemical EV71 strain is C4a1 in Guangdong province. The emerging differen-tiation and simultaneous prevalence should merit attention to strengthen relevant surveillance; and the protection of the susceptible population should be reinforced during EV71 prevalence.

Objective To present a new algorithm of real-time peak detection for pulse signals based on FPGA , which is known as the dynamic threshold with half peak detection method ( DT-HP ) .Methods With Gaussian-shaped pulse signals as the target , the method was improved from conventional methods .The FPGA detection process of the algorithm required no more than three detection parameters: the starting point , the maximum value and the pulse width .Results The algorithm solved the floating baseline and repeating detection that occur in traditional methods .Compared with the results of polynomial fitting method and flow cytometry , the difference was only 3.2% and 9.3%.Conclusion The algorithm takes less time ,RAM, and cache while allowing floating baseline detection , which can be used as an effective method for rapid detection in FPGA .

Objective To evaluate the result of revascularization for lower limb artery ischemia in elder patients. Method During Jan 2006 to Nov 2008, 262 elder patients (60 years old and up), underwent artery revascularization for lower limb arterial ischemia. Mortality, morbidity, primary patency, secondary patency and limb salvage were analyzed. Result There were a total of 323 ischemia limbs in those 262 elder patients undergoing revascalarization, among those 102 limbs underwent artery bypass, 98 limbs underwent endoluminal angioplasty with or without stenting, 67 limbs underwent embolectomy or endarterectomy, 56 limbs underwent open surgery combined with endoluminal treatment due to multiple segment lesions. Operation success rate was 94.7%. Two patients died within 30 days. Perioperative morbidity developed in 15 cases. 245 patients (93.5%) were followed-up from 1 month to 35 months. Mortality was 6.1% (15 cases), primary patency was 80.5%, secondary patency was 92.7% and limb salvage rate was 95.2%. Risk factors analysis showed that history of cardiac disease and elder ages were associated with higher mortality. Diabetes mellitus, critical ischemia and multiple segment lesions were associated with poor long term patency and limb salvage. Conclusion Lower limb ischemia is severe disease related to elder patients' death and amputation. Careful patient selection, detailed pre-operation work-up, meticulous operative technique play crucial roles for a successful arterial reconstruction.

Sorption of carbon tetrachloride (CT) by zero-valent iron (ZVI) is the rate-limiting step in the degradation of CT, so the sorption capacity of ZVI is of great importance. This experiment was aimed at enhancing the sorption of CT by ZVI and the degradation rate of CT by modification of surfactants. This study showed that ZVI modified by cationic surfactants has favorable synergistic effect on the degradation of CT. The CT degradation rate of ZVI modified by cetyl pyridinium bromide (CPB) was higher than that of the unmodified ZVI by 130%, and the CT degradation rate of ZVI modified by cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was higher than that of the unmodified ZVI by 81%. This study also showed that the best degradation effect is obtained at the near critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and that high loaded cationic surfactant does not have good synergistic effect on the degradation due to its hydrophilicity and the block in surface reduction sites. Furthermore degradation of CT by ZVI modified by nonionic surfactant has not positive effect on the degradation as the ionic surfactant and the ZVI modified by anionic surfactant has hardly any obvious effects on the degradation.
Carbon Tetrachloride ; chemistry ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Iron ; chemistry ; Surface-Active Agents ; chemistry ; Water Pollution ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between Fas ligand (FasL) and gastric cancer extensively.

METHODSThe computerized CNKI database, Wangfang database, Weipu database, Springerlink full-text periodical database and ProQuest full-text periodical database were searched. And, the literatures detecting FasL in gastric cancer with immunohistochemical method which have been published during 1990 to 2006 were also reviewed. The research hypothesis and research method of each literature were the same; the diagnosis of case and control were definite; the size of sample was also definite; the primitive data must offer the number of object whose FasL were expressed positively or offered the positive rate. Each study and its quality were also evaluated. A software Review Manager 4.2.10, was used to analyze the data. and to estimate the overall OR and its 95% CI.

RESULTSA total of 49 literatures have been reviewed. According to the selection and washing out criteria, 13 literatures were used in this Meta-analysis. In the research of gastric cancer group and normal gastric mucosa group, 10 literatures were used. Between the two groups the expression of FasL has statistical significance (OR(overall) = 14.88, 95% CI 5.34 - 41.48; P < 0.00001); In the research of different differentiation level, 8 literatures were used. Between the two groups the expression of FasL had no statistical significance (OR(overall) = 1.90, 95% CI 0.68 - 5.28; P = 0.22); In the research of different TNM staging, 5 literatures were used. Between the two groups the expression of FasL had statistical significance (OR(overall) = 2.58, 95% CI 1.05 - 6.32; P = 0.04); In the research of different Lymph node metastasis, 8 literatures were used. Between the two groups the expression of FasL has no statistical significance (OR(overall) = 1.00, 95% CI 0.45 - 2.21; P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONThe high expression of FasL is the high risk of gastric cancer, and TNM staging has some associations with gastric cancer.

Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; pathology

Aim To investigate the effect of hypercholesterolemia on L-type Ca2+(ICa-L) current and intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single ventricular myocytes of hypercholesterolemic rats.Methods 12 male wistar rats were randomly divided into two dietary groups:a group fed a normal diet(n=6)and a group fed high-cholesterol diet(n=6) for 4 weeks,respectively. The level of serum lipid was examined.Zymolytic method was used to isolate single ventricular myocytes from hypercholesterolemic and normal rats,which were loaded with Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent indicator Fluo-3/AM.[Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity(FI)was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope.Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record ICa-L.Results There was no significant influence exhibited on TG level.However, the serum total cholesterol(TC)level of hypercholesterolemic rats was much higher than that of model control group; at the test potential of 0 mV, ICa-L decreased from(-8.56?1.29)pA/pF(Control)to(-5.24?0.90) pA/pF(HC)(n=6 in each group,P

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of subintimal angioplasty in treating patients with iliac artery occlusive disease.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 13 patients with iliac artery occlusion who received subintimal wire placement followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent placement in our hospital from May 2004 to August 2006.

RESULTSInitial success was obtained in all the 13 patients with an improvement in both the symptoms and the mean ankle-brachial index of 0.55 (range: 0.39-0.94, P = 0.004) without any complication. During the follow-up (range: 3-21 months; mean: 12 months), the one-year stent patency rate reached 100%.

CONCLUSIONSubintimal angioplasty is a valuable approach to treat iliac artery occlusion with reliable efficacy and safety.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; methods ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; therapy ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation ; Female ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early and midterm outcomes of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) compared with carotid stenting (CAS) in patients with carotid artery stenosis.

METHODSA prospective randomized single-center clinical trail to compare with endarterectomy and stenting in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis of at least 50% and asymptomatic stenosis of at least 70%. From May 2004 to December 2006, there were 40 patients who agreed with the treatment were randomly assigned to undergo either CEA or CAS. The primary end point was any stroke or death within 30 d after treatment and the secondary end point was any stroke, myocardial infarction and any complications of the treatment, or death or ipsilateral stroke and carotid restenosis between 1 month and 18 months, and the cost-effectiveness of both groups were analyzed retrospectively as well.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences of the characteristics in the two groups. Twenty cases in CEA group underwent 23 endarterectomies (3 cases had bilateral CEA, respectively), in which 9 carotid shunt (39.1%) and 12 patching (52.2%) were used. Twenty cases in CAS group underwent 23 stents (3 cases had bilateral CSA, respectively), in which 21 emboli-protection devices (91.3%) were used. There was no significant difference in 30 d neurological complications (4.3% vs. 8.7%), acute myocardial infarction (4.3% vs. 0), and wound hematoma (8.7% vs. 0) between CEA and CAS, respectively. There was no ipsilateral transient ischemic attack or carotid restenosis at 18 months in each group. The average cost of hospitalization was (16 450.95 +/- 6188.76) vs. (70 130.15 +/- 11 999.02) RMB in CEA and CAS, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe early and midterm outcomes are no significant difference between CEA and CAS, but in China, the cost of hospitalization in CAS is much higher than that of CEA.

Aged ; Carotid Stenosis ; therapy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo summarize lessons learned from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in China during the spring of 2004.

METHODSData of SARS cases were officially reported by Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC) and Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (APCDC) and results of epidemiological investigations were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSThree generations of 11 cases of SARS were identified during the outbreak. Initial two cases were most likely to be infected in Diarrhea Virus Laboratory of National Institute of Virology, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and main mode of transmission was direct contact with SARS patients. Delay in detecting initial case resulted in spread of the illness at hospitals and communities with two generations of secondary cases.

CONCLUSIONSSARS outbreak in 2004 has yielded following lessons for public health globally. (1) Lab bio-safety programs should be made and should be strictly abided by. Studies in highly pathogenic viruses such as SARS coronavirus should be utmost cautious. (2) Management systems of occupational exposure to virus and disease surveillance need to be strengthened to take all risk factors into account so as to detect potential patients with infectious disease as early as possible.

China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on lymph nodes retrieval in locally advanced mid-low rectal carcinoma.

METHODSData collected from 120 patients with locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer (T2-4 and/or N1-2M0) treated from January 2005 to June 2008 was investigated. The patients were divided into two groups: the study group (n=54) was treated with neoadjuvant therapy (preoperative radiation with a total dosage of 50 Gy and synchronous 5-Fu-based chemotherapy) followed by radical tumor resection 4-6 weeks after;the control group (n=66) underwent primary surgery without neoadjuvant therapy. The clinical stage was evaluated before and after neoadjuvant therapy. The total lymph nodes yields, as well as the tumor-positive lymph nodes of each resected specimen was compared between the two groups statistically.

RESULTSClinical downstage was achieved in 30 cases (56%) in study group after neoadjuvant therapy. The number of total lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes harvested from each resected specimen in the control group were 14+/-7 and 2.2+/-3.7, meanwhile those were 9+/-6 and 0.7+/-2.4 in study group, which were all significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy can downstage the tumor and reduce the retrieval rate of total lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes in locally advanced rectal cancer. It is necessary to retrieve as many lymph nodes as possible for it has some prognostic significance for the patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult