AIM: To study the relationship between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and apoptosis, between RSV infection and expressions of FasL, Fas, Bcl-2 and Bax. METHODS: Apoptotic cells were examined by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscope. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to detect the expressions of apoptosis-associated gene FasL, Fas, Bcl-2 and Bax in A549 cells during RSV infection. RESULTS: Apoptotic index increased at 72 h and 120 h postinfection. Apoptotic cells were detected by transmission electron microscope. High-expressions of FasL, Fas and Bax genes and low-expression of Bcl-2 gene were detected by immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis in A549 cells was induced by RSV infection. This apoptosis may be induced by up-regulating the expression of FasL, Fas, Bax genes and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 gene.

Objective To analyze hemolysin and virulence -related genes in incomplete hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus.Methods Fifty strains of incomplete hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from patients admitted in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University during 2013 and 2014, and the isolates with complete hemolytic phenotype were also collected at the same period as the control strains . All the strains were inoculated and subcultured on four kinds of sheep blood agar plates supplied by different manufacturers to compare their hemolytic phenotype .The relative mRNA expressions of hemolysin genes (hla, hlb, hlc, hld) in standard strain, complete and incomplete hemolytic phenotype strains were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and valued by 2 -△△Ct method.t test was used to compare mRNA expressions of hemolysin genes .Western blot was performed to analyze the expression of α-hemolysin.Antibiotic susceptibility test of incomplete hemolytic strains was performed using broth microdilution method.Resistant gene mecA and virulence genes pvl, tst were detected by PCR.Results The steady and hereditary incomplete hemolysis was observed in 50 strains of incomplete hemolytic Staphylococcus aureus on the sheep blood agar plates from different suppliers .Taking mRNA expression of hla, hlb, hlc, hld in standard strain as 1, the relative mRNA expressions of hemolysin genes in incomplete hemolytic strains were 0.02, 7.51, 0.06 and 0.12 respectively, there were statistical differences between standard strain and incomplete hemolytic strains (t =8.46, -56.40, 8.12 and 7.61, all P <0.05).And the expression of α-hemolysin was decreased in incomplete hemolytic strains .All the strains were identified as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).Three strains exhibited different minimum inhibitory concentrations of teicoplanin and linezolid after subcultured , but the differences had no impact on the final results of antibiotic susceptibility test .mecA, pvl and tst genes were positive in incomplete hemolytic strains . Conclusion Staphylococcus aureus with incomplete hemolytic phenotype is methicillin resistant with higher expression of β-hemolysin and lower expressions of α-hemolysin, γ-hemolysin and δ-hemolysin.It carries plv and tst virulence genes and is of high virulence .

Objective To investigate the prevalence of malnutrition in human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV )‐infected children in China , and to explore and analyze the factors associated with malnutrition .Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted by the antiretroviral treatment database of children .HIV‐infected children aged between 0 - 15 years old who initiated antiretroviral treatment were collected between January 1st , 2010 and December 31st , 2014 . Z‐score of height and weight were calculated by WHO Anthro (plus) software .Univariate and multivariate Logistic model analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with acute /chronic/mixed malnutrition .Results Baseline data of the 3 138 HIV‐infected children showed that 1 645 patients (52 .42% ) had malnutrition before antiretroviral treatment ,with acute ,chronic and mixed malnutrition of 8 .76% (275) ,39 .77% (1 248) and 3 .89% (122) ,respectively according to the type of malnutrition .Multivariate analysis showed that baseline CD4 + cell count < 200 cells/μL was the risk factor associated with acute malnutrition (aOR =2 .27 ,95% CI :1 .68 - 3 .06) ;rural settings (aOR = 1 .30 ,95% CI :1 .11 - 1 .53) ,baseline CD4 + cell count < 200 cells/μL (aOR = 1 .98 ,95% CI :1 .65 - 2 .38) ,baseline CD4 + cell count between 200 to 350 cells/μL (aOR = 1 .38 ,95% CI :1 .13 - 1 .69) and having AIDS‐related diseases (aOR = 1 .34 ,95%CI :1 .13 - 1 .59) were risk factors associated with chronic malnutrition ;and age of 11 - 15 years (aOR =2 .38 ,95% CI :1 .46 - 3 .88) ,baseline CD4 + cell count < 200 cells/μL (aOR = 4 .99 ,95% CI :3 .04 -8 .21) and having AIDS‐related diseases (aOR = 2 .45 ,95% CI :1 .65 - 3 .66) were risk factors associated with mixed malnutrition .Conclusions The prevalence of malnutrition in untreated HIV‐infected children remains high .All three types of malnutrition are associated with immunodeficiency .Early diagnosis and early treatment should be improved in HIV‐infected children through antiviral therapy to reduce the destruction of HIV to immune system .At the same time ,intensified monitoring of the nutritional status and nourishing undernourished children should be strengthened to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition .

OBJECTIVETo study the status of oral pharyngeal carriage and characteristics of Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) in healthy preschool children in Fuzhou.

METHODSSix hundred and three healthy children in two representative kindergartens in Fuzhou were studied as research subjects, and the rates of oral pharyngeal carriage of Hi were studied in four seasons. All Hi strains were serotyped and biotyped.

RESULTSThe oral pharyngeal carriage of Hi in day care nursery healthy children were 36.7% in winter, 18.0% in autumn, 12.4% in summer and 10.9% in spring respectively. Serotype Hib was preponderant in autumn (6.9%). In winter, the carriage rates of NTHi and Hib were 17.1%, 5.4% respectively. The carriage rates of other serotypes were low. Biotype VII and VIII were preponderant in autumn, spring and summer but biotype VII and VIII were decreasing evidently in winter.

CONCLUSIONThere was evident seasonal difference in the rates of oral pharyngeal carriage and type of Hi in healthy preschool children. The carriage rate of Hi strains was high in autumn and winter. Results suggested that while the inoculation of Hib-binding bacterial vaccine was expanded the study on new bacterial vaccine of Hi still needs to be augmented.

Carrier State ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Haemophilus influenzae ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Pharynx ; microbiology ; Seasons ; Serotyping

Objective To explore the relationships among subjective sense of happiness and social support, coping style in empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou. Methods A total of 225 empty-nest elderly ( convenient sampling method) were assessed by scales including happiness scale made by Memorial University of Newfoudland, perceived social support scale and trait coping style questionnaire. All data utilized descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and stepwise multipe regression analysis. Results The positive affection for empty-nest elderly acquired (4. 955 ± 2. 593) scores, negative affection (2. 600 ± 2. 865) scores, positive experience (9. 080 ± 3. 106) scores, negative experience ( 4. 322 ± 3. 025 ) scores. The knowing of social support and each dimensions had positive correlation with the subjective sense of happiness, and the same with positive response, but negative response had negative correlation with the subjective sense of happiness. Positive response and family support were positive predictive factors for subjective sense of happiness. Conclusions Social support and coping style are the important influencing factors to subjective sense of happiness for empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou.

Objective To explore the impact factors of postpartum depression.Methods A total of 257 patients from October 201 4 to April 201 5 were investigated with postpartum depression screening scale and self-designed questionnaire.The results were analyzed by statistical software.Results The total rate of postpartum depression was 1 4.4%.The education level,family relationship,newborn sex,perinatal knowledge learning,spousal relationship and delivery mode were independent factors for postpartum depression,which were statistically different between depression group and normal group (P <0.05 ).Conclusions Poor family relationship especially poor spousal relationship,low education level,lack of perinatal knowledge,female newborn and caesarean section increase the risk of postpartum depression.

BACKGROUND:Our previous study found that Modified Erxian Pill could alleviate inflammation in collagen-induced arthritis rats,but its mechanism needs to be further verified. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill,and observe the effect of the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill on pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages. METHODS:(1)Analysis of components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill:Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry was used to detect and identify Modified Erxian Pill and its components absorbed in the blood.(2)Effect of the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill on pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages:Molecular docking technology was used to initially verify the sesquiterpenoids and NLRP3 in components absorbed in the blood of Modified Erxian Pill.J774A.1 macrophages were randomly divided into blank control group,lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group,and lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill with low(2.5%),medium(5%),and high(10%)dose groups.The release of lactate dehydrogenase in the cell supernatant of each group was detected according to the kit instructions.The levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 in cell supernatant were detected in each group by ELISA.The cell membrane damage was detected by Hoechst/PI staining.The expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N protein in the cells of each group were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 32 active components of Modified Erxian Pill were identified,and 21 components entered the blood.The main components into blood included a variety of sesquiterpenoids.(2)Molecular docking results showed that 3-O-Acetyl-13-deoxyphomenone,Incensol oxide,Atractylenolide III,Rupestonic acid,and 3,7-Dihydroxy-9,11-eremophiladien-8-one had good binding activity with NLRP3.(3)Compared with the blank control group,lactate dehydrogenase activity and the expression levels of interleukin-1β and interleukin-18 were significantly increased in cell supernatant of lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group(P<0.001).Hoechst/PI staining showed that the number of PI-positive cells was significantly increased.After the intervention of lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill group,all of them showed different degrees of reduction.(4)Compared with the blank control group,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N protein expression levels were significantly increased in the lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group(P<0.05).Compared with lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate group,the protein expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and GSDMD-N were significantly decreased in the lipopolysaccharide+adenosine triphosphate+Modified Erxian Pill group(P<0.05),and had a certain dose dependence.These findings verify that the drug-containing serum of Modified Erxian Pill may inhibit the pyroptosis of J774A.1 macrophages by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of patients with severe dengue (SD) in Guangdong Province, and to improve the understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of SD in China.Methods:The clinical data, laboratory examination and etiological test results of 257 SD cases from 29 dengue fever designated hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 were respectively collected. The relevant indicators of the criteria for severe organ involvement were quantified. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the risk factors for the development of multiple organ failure in SD patients.Results:Among the 257 SD patients, age was (64.1±20.1) years old, with 65.4%(168/257) of them ≥60 years old, 142 were male and 115 were female. One hundred and fifty-two (59.1%) patients had underlying conditions, including 115(44.7%) patients with hypertension. The clinical manifestations were mainly fever (98.4%(253/257)), fatigue (70.0%(180/257)), cough or expectoration (44.4%(114/257)), lethargy or irritability (39.3%(101/257)), vomiting (30.4%(78/257)), abdominal pain or tenderness (20.6%(53/257)), hepatomegaly (2.3%(6/257)), bleeding tendency (59.5%(153/257)), and pleural effusion or ascites (43.6%(112/257)). Platelet count levels were decreased in 90.9%(231/254) of the cases, and 97.1%(234/241) of patients had normal or decreased hematocrit. The most common of severe manifestations were severe organ involvement (61.1%(157/257)), followed by severe bleeding (37.0%(95/257)) and severe plasma leakage (30.0%(77/257)). Severe organ involvements were more common in the kidney (27.6%(71/257)) and heart (26.8%(69/257)). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio ( OR)=1.051, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.004 to 1.100, P=0.035), hypertension ( OR=5.224, 95% CI 1.272 to 21.462, P=0.022), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level ( OR=1.002, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.003, P=0.001), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) ( OR=1.050, 95% CI 1.005 to 1.098, P=0.030), and international normalized ratio (INR) ( OR=4.604, 95% CI 1.601 to 13.238, P=0.005) were risk factors for the development of multiple organ failure in SD patients. The detection results of serum samples form 113 SD patients in acute phase showed that dengue virus (DENV)-1 accounted for 89.4%(101/113), DENV-2 accounted for 9.7%(11/113), and DENV-3 accounted for 0.9% (1/113). Conclusions:Elderly and those with co-existing conditions such as hypertension in SD patients in Guangdong Province are more common. Severe organ involvement such as kidney and heart is the main cause of SD. DENV-1 infection is predominant. Significant elevated levels of AST, BUN and INR may be related to a poor prognosis.

Objective:To explore the risks of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and influencing factors in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) patients with long-term combination anti-retroviral therapy (cART).Methods:The baseline data from the multi-center prospective cohort of HIV/AIDS patients who received long-term cART from 2018 to 2020 were collected. cART-naive HIV/AIDS patients were matched by age and gender using the propensity score matching (PSM) as controls. Data collection adverse events of anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs reduced model (D: A: D[R]) score, Framingham risk score (FRS) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score were used to assess the 10-year CVD risk in patients with long-term cART treatment and in cART-naive patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors related to high 10-year CVD risk.Results:A total of 301 HIV/AIDS patients received long-term cART and 300 cART-naive HIV/AIDS patients were included, with an average age of 39.8 years old. There were 490 male accounting for 81.5%. Based on the D: A: D [R] score, 4.3%(13/301) of patients in the long-term cART group had a 10-year CVD risk assessment of ≥10%, and 6.3%(19/300) of patients in the cART-naive group. Based on the FRS, 13.4%(36/269) of patients in the long-term cART group had a 10-year CVD risk assessment of ≥10%, and 10.6%(28/264) in the cART-naive group. Based on the ASCVD risk score, 10.4%(14/135) of patients in the long-term cART group had a 10-year CVD risk assessment of ≥7.5%, and 13.8%(17/123) in the cART-naive group. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of high 10-years CVD risk between the long-term cART group and the cART-naive group assessed by any of risk equations (all P>0.050). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk factors associated with 10-year CVD risk ≥10% assessed by D: A: D[R] model were age≥50 years, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and CD4 + T lymphocyte count <200×10 6 cells/L (adjusted odds ratio ( AOR)=697.48, 4 622.28, 23.11, 25.95, 27.72 and 18.25, respectively, all P<0.010). The risk factors associated with 10-year CVD risk ≥10% assessed by FRS were age≥50 years, male, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia ( AOR=53.51, 4.52, 36.93, 36.77, 6.15 and 3.84, respectively, all P<0.050). The risk factors associated with 10-year CVD risk ≥7.5% assessed by ASCVD risk score were age≥50 years, male, smoking, hypertension, diabetes ( AOR=18.48, 14.11, 14.81, 13.42 and 12.41, respectively, all P<0.050). Conclusions:Long-term cART has no significant effect on the 10-year CVD risk in HIV/AIDS patients. Higher CVD risk in HIV/AIDS patients are mainly associated with CD4 + T lymphocyte counts<200×10 6 cells/L and traditional CVD risk factors, including age≥50 years old, smoking, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Objective:To investigate the level of self-management and daily physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) of Zang and Han nationalities in Tibetan, China, and to compare the difference in daily management between T2DM patients of Zang and Han nationalities, to develop reasonable and effective chronic disease management strategies for long-term out-of-hospital management of T2DM patients of Zang nationalities.Methods:A total of 265 T2DM patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥ 7% who were admitted to the Endocrinology Ward of the Hospital of Chengdu Office of People's Government of Tibet Autonomous Region from November 2020 to April 2021 and who were from different regions of Tibet were included in this study according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The general data of all included patients were collected. Glucose and lipid metabolism-related indicators were determined. The Generalized Diabetes Self-Management Efficacy Scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) were used to evaluate patients' levels of self-management and daily physical activity.Results:The hemoglobin level in T2DM patients of Zang nationality was (154.09 ± 24.11) g/L, which was significantly higher than that in T2DM patients of Han nationality ( P < 0.05). The total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and low-density lipoprotein in T2DM patients of Zang nationality were (4.63 ± 1.41) mmol/L, (7.94 ± 2.19) mmol/L, and (2.75 ± 1.11) mmol/L, respectively, which significantly higher compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality (all P < 0.05). Compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality, T2DM patients of Zang nationality had lower self-management scores (81.40 ± 15.44) points, diet control scores (17.26 ± 4.97) points, physical exercise scores (11.67 ± 4.42) points, prevention and treatment of high and low blood sugar score (12.21 ± 5.72) points. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Moderate-intensity physical activity was a significant difference between T2DM patients of Zang and Han nationalities ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:Compared with T2DM patients of Han nationality, T2DM patients of Zang nationality have lower overall self-management levels, including diet control, physical exercise, prevention and management of high and low blood glucose, and moderate-intensity physical activity. Targeted individualized education should be carried out according to the Tibetan cultural characteristics, to further develop an intervention method and an out-of-hospital management strategy for chronic disease, which are suitable for T2DM patients of Zang nationality.