Objective To evaluate the effects of the schistosomiasis control mode(“Hubei mode”)that includes“compre-hensive measures in a whole endemic county”,“co-action of Health Ministry and Province”and“replacing cattle with machine”in Hubei Province. Methods The data of schistosomiasis control in Hubei Province from 2008 to 2012 were collected and a data-base including the annual schistosome infections of human and cattle,acute schistosome infection,outbreak of schistosomiasis en-demic,schistosome infected Oncomelania hupensis snails,and other prevention indicators was established and analyzed by using SPSS. Results Compared with 2008,in 2012,the infection rates declined by 64.91%and 88.63%in human and cattle respec-tively. The area with snails decreased from 5 423.85 hm2 in 2008 to zero. There were no acute schistosomiasis patients and out-break of schistosomiasis endemic. Conclusion The schistosomiasis control mode(“Hubei mode”)is effective significantly.

Objective To evaluate shell vials of MHV,a combination of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK),human epidermoid cancer cells (Hep-2) and African green monkey kidney cells (Vero),and conventional cell culture in detecting influenza viruses and enterovirus from fresh clinical specimens.Methods Specimens from patients with influenza-like illness and children with hand-foot-mouth disease were inoculated with both shell vials of MHV and MDCK/Vero.Then cytopathological effect (CPE) was examined daily.Influenza viruses and enteroviruses were detected by multiple reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (mRT-PCR).Results CPE of MDCK/Vero cells were stronger than the shell vials of MHV.The isolation rate of influenza virus by MHV was 24.6％ (34/138) and that by MDCK was 28.3％ (39/138),which was not significantly different (x2 =1.92,P＞0.05).That of enterovirus by MHV was 28.1％ (9/32) and that by Vero was 37.5％ (12/32),which was not significantly different (x2 =3.00.P＞0.05).Conclusions CPE in MDCK/Vero cells are easier to be observed than the shell vials of MHV.However,the shell vials of MHV are appropriate in public health emergencies,which can be used for isolation of influenza viruses and enterovirus in patients with respiratory symptoms.

Objective To analyze the VP1 and VP4 genetic region of enterovirus 71 (EV71)isolated from severe cases and mild cases with hanD-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Shanghai in 2011.Methods Five EV71 strains isolated from severe cases and five EV71 strains from mild cases in 2011 were included.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was used to amplify and sequence the VP1 and VP4 genes of EV71,and then the sequencing results were compared with those of A,B,C genotype reference EV71 strains from GenBank by nucleotide alignment,amino acid alignment and phylogenetic tree analyses.Results The homogeneity between EV71 strains from severe cases and mild cases was 96.0％-98.1％ and 93.7％-99.5％ for VP1 and VP4 nucleotide sequences,respectively.The VP1 nucleotide sequences of 5 strains isolated from severe cases and 5 strains from mild cases in Shanghai shared 86.9％-98.2％ and 87.4％ 98.5％ identity with genotype C,respectively,while the homogeneity of VP4 nucleotide sequence was 85.5％-100.0％and 84.5％-99.5％,respectively.In addition,compared with the Fuyang EV71 strains (representative of C4 subtype),the strains from mild and severe cases shared homogeneity of 97.0％-98.2％ and 97.9％-98.5％ for VP1 gene,respectively,96.1％-100.0％ and 97.1％-99.5％ for VP4 gene,respectively.Among 3 strains isolated from severe cases,mutations at the residue 282 in the VP1 protein (N→S) and residue 7 in the VP4 protein (T→A) were discovered simultaneously.Conclusions The 10 EV71 strains isolated from severe and mild cases in Shanghai belong to subgenogroup C4.Among 3 strains isolated from severe cases,mutations at the residue 282 in the VP1 protein (N→S) and residue 7 in the VP4 protein(T→A) are discovered simultaneously.

BACKGROUND: Nanosphere, an ideal nonviral gene delivery vector, is not excellence of immunogenicity and oncogenicity. Nanotechnology and gene interference are used to block hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) expression in esophageal squamous carcinoma tissue and decrease tolerance of malignant cells to chemotherapeutics. Theoretically, they become effective methods to inhibit malignant cell growth of esophageal squamous carcinoma. OBJECTIVE: To study the inhibitory effect of small interference RNA targeting HIF-1α (siRNA-HIF-1α) nanospheres on human esophageal squamous cancer TE-1 cell growth. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Based on in vitro cultured esophageal squamous cancer TE-1 cells, a completely randomized controlled study was performed at the Central Laboratory, the Third Hospital Affiliated to Sun Yat-sen University from January 2007 to December 2008. MATERIALS: siRNA-HIF-1α was synthesized by Shanghai Bioengineering Company; siRNA-HIF-1α nanospheres were prepared using solvent evaporation technique; human esophageal squamous cancer TE cell strain was provided by Shanghai Cell Bank of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS: TE-1 cells cultured in vitro were assigned into four groups: saline, gene-free nanospheres, siRNA-HIF-1α, and siRNA-HIF-1α nanospheres groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HIF-1α mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR; HIF-1α protein expression was detected by Western blot; apoptosis of TE-1 cells was determined by flow cytometry; TE-1 cell growth was examined by MTT. RESULTS: At 72 hours after treatment, both HIF-1α mRNA expression and HIF-1α protein expression in the siRNA-HIF-1α nanospheres group were significantly less than other three groups (P < 0.01), but apoptotic rate was significantly greater than other three groups (P < 0.01). TE-1 cell growth was remarkably inhibited in the siRNA-HIF-1α nanospheres group, which was significantly different compared with other three groups (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: siRNA-HIF-1α nanospheres can specifically reduce both HIF-1α mRNA and HIF-1α protein expressions in esophageal squamous carcinoma TE-1 cells, significantly increase tumor cell apoptosis, and remarkably inhibit TE-1 cell growth.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of yisui shengxue granule (YSG) in children with betathalassemia.

METHODSThe changes of hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBC), reticulocyte (Ret) and fetal hemoglobin (HbF) of 20 children with beta-thalassemia were measured before and after treatment. The effect of YSG on gene expression in myelo-karyocytes in 3 selected children treated effectively by YSG was determined by using DDRT-PCR.

RESULTSThe hematologic parameters were significantly enhanced and the ferritin gene expression declined after treatment respectively, as compared with those before treatment, the difference were significant (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYSG could improve the clinical symptoms of children with beta-thalassemia. One of its therapeutic mechanisms may be its action in decreasing ferritin gene expression so as to effectively relieve the accumulation of iron in body.

Base Sequence ; Child ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Ferritins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phytotherapy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; drug therapy ; genetics

PURPOSE: Details of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in mainland China are lacking. To improve disease control and reduce economic burden, a large sample survey among this patient population is indispensable. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of such patients.METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation in 29 hospitals of 29 regions in mainland China during the period 2013 to 2014. Demographic features, pre-admission conditions, exacerbation details, and outcomes were summarized. Risk factors for exacerbation severity were analyzed.RESULTS: There were 3,240 asthmatic patients included in this study (57.7% females, 42.3% males). Only 28.0% used daily controller medications; 1,287 (39.7%) patients were not currently on inhaled corticosteroids. Acute upper airway infection was the most common trigger of exacerbation (42.3%). Patients with severe to life-threatening exacerbation tended to have a longer disease course, a smoking history, and had comorbidities such as hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and food allergy. The multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, comorbidities of hypertension, COPD, and food allergy were independent risk factors for more severe exacerbation. The number of patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation varied with seasons, peaking in March and September. Eight patients died during the study period (mortality 0.25%).CONCLUSIONS: Despite enhanced education on asthma self-management in China during recent years, few patients were using daily controller medications before the onset of their exacerbation, indicating that more educational efforts and considerations are needed. The findings of this study may improve our understanding of hospital admission for asthma exacerbation in mainland China and provide evidence for decision-making.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Asthma ; China ; Comorbidity ; Disease Progression ; Education ; Female ; Food Hypersensitivity ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inpatients ; Medication Adherence ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seasons ; Self Care ; Smoke ; Smoking