Atomic force microscopy (AFM), as a sophisticated imaging tool with nanoscale resolution, is widely used in virus research and the application of functional viral particles. To investigate single viruses by AFM in a physiologically relevant environment (liquid), an appropriate surface treatment to properly adhere the viruses to the substrate is essential. Here we discuss hydrophobic treated glass coverslips as a suitable substrate for the adhesion of single adenovirus particle (Adenovirus type 5 F35, Ad5F35) when studied with AFM in liquid. From the high resolution AFM images, the orientation of the adhered virus particles can be distinguished. Furthermore, the particles exhibit the expected height of -90 nm. This illustrates that the viruses adhere to the substrate firmly without large deformations. Hence, the described method works well on (fragile) viruses. The described experimental approach can be widely used for AFM studies in liquid of virus structure and mechanics as well as for investigating the interaction of viruses with cellular receptors.
Adenoviridae ; chemistry ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Virion ; chemistry

Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Poisoning ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose：To further assess the role of androgen receptor gene CAG polymorphism in prostate cancer. Methods:DNA from 358 patients with prostate cancer were assayed for the number of CAG repeats. The length of CAG triplets and different clinical parameters were evaluated including age, PSA, stage, grade. Results:Only significant association between age at diagnosis and the length of CAG repeats was observed(P=0.007,γ=0.114).Conclusions:It was revealed from this study that the decreased number of AR gene CAG triplets was associated with the younger patient with prostate cancer at diagnosis.

Objective: To describe the characteristics of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases via non-marital or non-commercial heterosexual transmission and to find out the relative factors in Hangzhou, from 2015 to 2017. Methods: Data were collected through the national HIV/AIDS comprehensive control and prevention data system. Study subjects would include those reported HIV/AIDS cases who were residents of Hangzhou and were infected via non-marital heterosexual transmission, between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017. Demographic characteristics and behavioral information were collected. χ(2) test was used to compare different characteristics of the non-married heterosexual transmission subjects. Logistic regression was used to assess factors that associated with non-marital but non-commercial HIV heterosexual transmission with SPSS. 20 software used to analyze statistically. Results: Non-marital HIV heterosexual transmission accounted for 38.03% (1 393/3 663) of the total new reported HIV/AIDS cases in 2015-2017. Out of the 1 393 HIV/AIDS cases, those infected through non-marital but non-commercial heterosexual transmission accounted for 50.83% (708/1 393), and those through non-martial commercial transmission was accounted for 49.17% (685/1 393). Male to female ratio was 3.51 ∶ 1 (1 084/309). Male HIV cases reported that their major way of infection was via non-marital commercial transmission (670/1 084, 61.81%), while female patients reported the way was via non-marital non-commercial (294/309, 95.1%). Results from multivariate logistic analysis showed that the related risk factors and ORs for non-marital but non-commercial transmission appeared as: female (aOR=48.25, 95%CI: 26.94- 88.44),<30 year olds (aOR=2.43, 95%CI: 1.31-4.51), 30-39 year olds (aOR=1.92, 95%CI: 1.11- 3.33), 40-49 year olds (aOR=1.80, 95%CI: 1.08-3.00), married or unmarried (vs. divorced or widowed, aOR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.10-2.24; aOR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.15-2.78), high school and above of education level (vs. primary school and under of education level, aOR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.18-2.80), administrative officers or employee (vs. farmers, aOR=2.03, 95%CI: 1.04-1.91). Number of non- marital partners less than 5 (vs. number of non-marital partners more than 5, aOR=10.65, 95%CI: 6.41-17.42). Conclusions: HIV/AIDS cases with non-marital heterosexual transmission accounted for considerable proportion regarding the HIV transmission in Hangzhou from 2015 to 2017. Differences were found in the following factors as non-marital and non-commercial heterosexual transmission with diverse gender, age, marital status, educational level and occupation among of the HIV/AIDS patients.
Female ; HIV ; HIV Infections/transmission* ; Heterosexuality ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior/psychology* ; Sexual Partners ; Single Person

Humans ; Diverticulum, Colon ; Fecal Impaction ; Hydrodynamics

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide an overview of published mathematical estimation approaches to quantify the duration of the preclinical detectable phase (PCDP) using data from cancer screening programs. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted for original studies presenting mathematical approaches using screening data. The studies were categorized by mathematical approach, data source, and assumptions made. Furthermore, estimates of the duration of the PCDP of breast and colorectal cancer were reported per study population. RESULTS: From 689 publications, 34 estimation methods were included. Five distinct types of mathematical estimation approaches were identified: prevalence-to-incidence ratio (n=8), maximum likelihood estimation (n=16), expectation-maximization algorithm (n=1), regression of observed on expected (n=6) and Bayesian Markov-chain Monte Carlo estimation (n=5). Fourteen studies used data from both screened and unscreened populations, whereas 19 studies included only information from a screened population. Estimates of the duration of the PCDP varied between 2 years and 7 years for breast cancer in the Health Insurance Plan study (annual mammography and clinical breast examinations in women aged 40-64 years) and 2 years and 5 years for colorectal cancer in the Calvados study (a guaiac fecal occult blood test in men and women aged 45-74 years). CONCLUSIONS Different types of mathematical approaches lead to different estimates of the PCDP duration. We advise researchers to use the method that matches the data available, and to use multiple methods for estimation when possible, since no method is perfect.

Clonorchiasis is one key food-borne parasitic disease in China. Owing to several years'efforts and preparation, the national clonorchiasis surveillance system in China has been established preliminarily since 2016. In this article, the necessity to establish the national clonorchiasis surveillance system is explained. Then, the structure, content and corresponding methods of the surveillance system are briefly introduced. Key points in the surveillance are summarized and the development of surveillance in future is discussed. Furthermore, the contribution of clonorchiasis surveillance in China to the world is also analyzed.
Animals ; China ; Clonorchiasis ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Foodborne Diseases ; Sentinel Surveillance

Objective: To understand the prevalence of major human parasitic diseases and related factors in Henan province. Methods: This stratified sampling survey was carried out according to the requirement of national survey protocol of major human parasitic diseases, 2014-2015. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection, taeniasis and intestinal protozoiasis were surveyed in 104 sites selected from 35 counties (districts) and the prevalence of clonorchiasis was surveyed in 62 sites selected from 37 townships. In each survey spot, 250 persons were surveyed. A total of 26 866 persons and 15 893 persons were surveyed. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was used to detect the eggs of intestinal helminthes. Tube fecal culture was used to identify the species of hookworm. The Enterobius eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years by using adhesive tape. The cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined with physiological saline direct smear method and iodine stain method. Results: The overall infestation rate of intestinal parasites was2.02% in Henan, and the worm infection rate was higher than protozoa infection rate. Fourteen kinds of intestinal parasites were found, including nematode (5 species), trematode (2 species), and protozoan (7 species). The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was highest, and Qinba Mountain ecological area had the highest infestation rate of intestinal parasites in 4 ecological areas of Henan. There was no significant difference in intestinal parasite infection rate between males and females (χ(2)=3.630, P=0.057), and the differences in intestinal parasite infection rate among different age groups had significance (χ(2)=124.783, P=0.000 1). The infection rate reached the peak in age group ≤9 years and the major parasite was Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore the overall human infection rate of parasite showed a downward trend with the increase of educational level of the people (χ(2)=70.969, P=0.000 1), the differences had significance (χ(2)=120.118, P=0.000 1). For different populations, the infection rate of intestinal parasites was highest among preschool children. The infection of intestinal helminth was mainly mild, only 2 severe cases were detected. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in urban residents was only 0.006%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being preschool children (χ(2)=15.765, P=0.000 1) and drinking well water (χ(2)=45.589, P=0.000 1) were the risk factors for intestinal parasite infection, and annual income per capita of farmers was the protective factor against intestinal parasite infection. The infection rates of protozoa and intestinal parasites decreased sharply compared with the results of previous two surveys, and the rate of intestinal helminth infection also dropped sharply compared with the second survey. The numbers of protozoa, helminth and intestinal parasites detected in this survey were all less than the numbers found in the previous two surveys. Conclusions: Compared the results of three surveys in Henan, the infection rate of protozoa and intestinal parasites showed a downward trend. The prevention and treatment of Enterobius vermicularis infection in children should be the key point of parasitic disease control in the future.
Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clonorchiasis/epidemiology* ; Farmers ; Feces/parasitology* ; Female ; Helminthiasis/epidemiology* ; Helminths ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Soil Microbiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Taeniasis/epidemiology* ; Trematode Infections/parasitology* ; Urban Population ; Water Wells

Objective: To explore the difference in intensive care unit (ICU) readmission rate between high dependency unit (HDU) and general ward for the patients with severe liver disease (SLD), and reflect the effect of HDU on SLD patientse. Methods: A clinical cohort of patients transferred out of ICU was established, and patients with severe liver disease who were transferred to HDU& general ward from July 2017 to December 2021 in the intensive care Unit of the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital were continuously enrolled. The main liver function indexes and MELD scores between the two groups were compared. Analyze the differences in severity and ICU readmission rate of SLD patients transferred to different wards, and clarify the role of HDU in the management of SLD patient. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) was used to investigate the value of MELD score in predicting the occurrence of return to ICU. Results: The level of INR, TB, ALT and MELD scores of SLD patients transferred to HDU were significantly higher than those of patients transferred to general ward (all P < 0.05). MELD > 17 was found in 70.7% of SLD patients transferred to HDU group, while MELD ≤ 17 was found in 61.9% of SLD patients in general ward group. The ICU readmission rate of all patients in this cohort was 11.4%. By MELD quartile stratification, patients with SLD whose MELD > 23 had a significantly higher ICU readmission rate (20.0%) than those with SLD whose MELD ≤ 23 (8.6%) (P = 0.020). The ICU readmission rate was 8.2% when MELD ≤ 23 in the HDU group and 9.1% when MELD > 23, showing no significant difference (P = 1.000). The ICU readmission rate was 8.8% when MELD ≤ 23 in the general ward group. ICU reentry rate increased significantly to 36.4% when MELD > 23 (P = 0.001). MELD Score predicts that the optimal cut-off value of SLD patients in general ward readmitted to ICU was 23.5. Conclusion: The high dependency unit could better admit patients with SLD who were transferred out of ICU and required step-down treatment, and significantly reduced the ICU readmission rate of patients with SLD who were transferred out of ICU with MELD > 23. The patients with SLD and MELD score > 23 are suitable to be transferred from ICU to HDU.

INTRODUCTIONThe aim of this study was to determine if racial differences exist in the rate of posterior capsule rupture (PCR) during cataract surgery in Singapore.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll intraoperative complications during cataract surgery were prospectively reported as part of a clinical audit programme. A retrospective review of all patients who sustained a PCR during cataract surgery between July 1995 and December 1998 was performed.

RESULTSOf 8230 consecutive eyes which underwent cataract surgery, 6951 (84.5%) were Chinese, 597 (7.3%) were Malay, 524 (6.4%) were Indian, and 158 (1.9%) were of other races. The overall incidence of PCR was 1.9%. The PCR rates were 1.8% [125 of 6951; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.49 to 2.11] in Chinese, 2.0% (12 of 597; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.57) in Malay, 2.7% (14 of 524; 95% CI, 1.13 to 3.56) in Indian, and 2.5% (4 of 158; 95% CI, 0.00 to 4.98) in other races. There was no statistical difference between the PCR rates (P = 0.62, chi-square test).

CONCLUSIONRacial differences in Singapore do not have an effect on the rates of PCR during cataract surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Capsulorhexis ; adverse effects ; Cataract Extraction ; adverse effects ; Eye Injuries ; ethnology ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intraoperative Complications ; epidemiology ; Lens Capsule, Crystalline ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; adverse effects ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medical Audit ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification ; adverse effects ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; ethnology ; etiology ; Singapore ; epidemiology