Toxoplasmosis is caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It is anopportunistic zoonosis in warm-blooded animals and humans, with a worldwide distribution. Toxoplasma gondii dense granule protein 16 (TgGRA16) can modulate some functions in host cells and is considered a significant virulent factor of the parasite. The present study reports sequence variation in TgGRA16 gene among T. gondii strains from different hosts and geographical locations, and the construction of phylogenetic relationships of these T. gondii strains based on sequences of TgGRA16, and analysis of B cell epitopes in TgGRA16. Our results showed that all TgGRA16 gene sequences were 1518 bp and the C+G contents ranged from 52.17% to 52.59%. Sequence variation in the TgGRA16 gene was 0-1.51%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TgGRA16 gene sequence could not be used to differentiate the different T. gondii genotypes. Six B cell epitopes were predicted in TgGRA16. These results indicated that TgGRA16 gene is not an ideal marker for studying genetic relationships of T. gondii isolates, but may represent a good vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis.

Objective: To explore the association between the consumption of chemical fertilizers and the risk of low birth weight (LBW), to provide references for prevention programs on LBW and to improve the birth outcomes. Methods: Stratified multivariate logistic regression method was used in this study involving 153 preterm LBW infants, 179 term LBW infants and 204 normal control infants that were randomly selected from the birth monitoring data between October 2007 and September 2012 in Pingding county, Shanxi province. Associations between the risk of LBW and maternal exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy were identified. A normal control group was set up to compare results between preterm and term LBW groups. Results: Totally, 18 749 infants were born between 2007 and 2012, with the total incidence rates of LBW as 48.5‰, preterm LBW as 19.4‰, and term LBW as 29.1‰. Concerning the case control study on preterm LBW, after adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of preterm LBW appeared 2.51 (95%CI: 1.05-5.99) times higher in villages with annual consumption of chemical fertilizer ≥100 tons than those villages that using chemical fertilizer less than 50 tons. No significant statistical associations were found between the amounts of household chemical fertilizer consumption and the risks of preterm LBW. Regarding the case control study on term LBW, after adjustment for confounding factors, in villages with ≥100 tons annual consumption of chemical fertilizers, the risk of term LBW was 4.03 (95%CI: 1.63-9.92) times of the risk in villages where the annal use of chemical fertilizers was less than 50 tons. There was no significant association between household consumption of chemical fertilizers and the risk of term LBW. Conclusions: Maternal exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy was associated with the risk of LBW. Our findings suggested that the amount of chemical fertilizer consumption in rural areas seemed also associated with the risks of other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women should avoid the chance of exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy and the consumption of chemical fertilizers should be carefully managed.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Female ; Fertilizers/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Random Allocation ; Risk Factors

Objective: To explore the relationship between abnormal expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene and methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) as well as their interaction on cervical cancerization. Methods: A total of 73 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), 113 patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅰ, n=45; CINⅡ/Ⅲ, n=68) and 60 women with normal cervix (NC) were included in the study. Real time PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expression levels of mRNA and protein about FHIT and MeCP2, respectively. The methylation status of FHIT gene CpG island was tested by methylation-specifc PCR (MSP). Kruskal-Wallis H test, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test and Spearman correlation analysis were conducted with software SPSS 20.0. The interaction was evaluated by generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) model. Results: With the deterioration of cervical lesion, the methylation rates of FHIT gene CpG island (χ(2)=18.64, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=18.08, P<0.001) increased gradually, while the expression levels of FHIT mRNA (H=27.32, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=12.65, P<0.001) and protein (H=47.10, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=29.79, P<0.001) decreased gradually. There was a negative correlation between the methylation rates of FHIT gene CpG island and the expression level of FHIT protein (r=-0.226, P<0.001). The levels of MeCP2 mRNA (H=26.19, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=11.81, P=0.001) and protein (H=69.02, P<0.001; trend χ(2)=47.44, P<0.001) increased gradually with the aggravation of cervical lesions. There was a positive correlation between the expression level of MeCP2 protein and the FHIT mRNA Ct ratio (r=0.254, P<0.001). Expression of proteins were negatively correlated between MeCP2 and FHIT (r=-0.213, P=0.001). The results analyzed by GMDR model showed that there were interactions among high MeCP2 protein expression, the CpG island methylation of FHIT and mRNA and protein expression in CINⅡ/Ⅲ group, and among high MeCP2 mRNA and protein expression, the CpG island methylation of FHIT and low mRNA and protein expression in SCC group. Conclusion: High expression of MeCP2 mRNA and protein, the CpG island methylation and low mRNA and protein expression of FHIT could increase the risk of cervical carcinogenesis, and there might be a synergistic effect on cervical carcinogenesis.
Acid Anhydride Hydrolases/metabolism* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; RNA, Messenger ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology* ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology*

Objective: To investigate the effect of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) and its interaction with human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods: The participants included 67 women with normal cervix (NC), 69 women with CINⅠ and 68 women with CINⅡ/Ⅲ in a community cohort of pathologically diagnosed women established in Jiexiu of Shanxi province, from June 2014 to June 2015. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data of the subjects and the related factors of cervical lesions. Cervical exfoliated cells and cervical tissues from biopsy or surgery were selected. The infection status of HPV16 was detected by flow-through hybridization. The protein expression levels of hnRNP K were evaluated by Western blot. SPSS 23.0 software was used to collate and analyze the data. To study the differences in demographic characteristics, related factors, hnRNP K protein and HPV16 infection among NC, CINⅠand CINⅡ/Ⅲgroups, χ(2) test, trend χ(2) test, and Kruskal-Wallis H test were conducted. Multiple comparisons of hnRNP K protein in three groups were completed by using the Bonferroni method. The OR and its 95%CI of hnRNP K, HPV16 and CIN were calculated by using the unconditional logistic regression models. Two-way interactions between hnRNP K protein and HPV16 infection on CIN were analyzed by using additive model and related indicators. Results: HPV16 infection rates were 10.4% in women with normal cervix, 14.5% in women with CINⅠ and 41.2% in women with CINⅡ/Ⅲ, respectively. The differences among three groups were significant (P<0.001). Moreover, the infection rates of HPV16 gradually increased with the increasing severity of CIN (trend χ(2)=18.512, P<0.001). The differences in protein expression of hnRNP K among three groups were significant (H=48.138, P<0.001) and the expressionincreased with the development of cervical lesionss (trend χ(2)=21.765, P<0.001). Results from the interaction analysis indicated that there were additive effects between high expression of hnRNP K protein and HPV16 in CINⅡ/Ⅲ group compared with normal group (API=0.639, 95%CI: 0.083-1.196). In contrast, no such additive effect was found in CINⅠ group. Conclusions: HPV16 infection and over-expression of hnRNP K protein were associated with the increased risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. There might be interaction between hnRNP K protein overexpression and HPV16 infection existed on the progress of CINⅡ/Ⅲ.
Case-Control Studies ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein K/metabolism* ; Human papillomavirus 16 ; Humans ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/virology* ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/virology*

Objective: To understand the distribution and trends in 30-day coronary heart disease (CHD) case fatality rate in patients hospitalized due to acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Beijing during 2007-2012. Methods: The clinical data of patients hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2012 were collected from "The Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System in Beijing" . A total of 77 943 local patients aged ≥25 years were hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing during the this period. After excluding duplicate records and validation for the completeness and accuracy of the records, the clinical characteristics of the patients and 30-day CHD case fatality rate in the patients were analyzed. Trends in 30-day CHD case fatality rate in the patients were analyzed with Poisson regression models. Results: The age-standardized average 30-day CHD case fatality rate was 9.7% in the 77 943 patients. During this period, a decreasing trend was observed in 30-day CHD case fatality rate after adjusting for age and gender (P<0.001). The age-standardized 30-day CHD case fatality rate decreased by 16.0%, from 10.8% in 2007 to 9.0% in 2012. The decreases of 30-day CHD case fatality rates were noted in both men and women, whereas 30-day CHD case fatality rate was higher in women (14.1%) than in men (7.6%) after adjusting for age. During this period, the proportion of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) decreased, while the proportion of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) increased with year. A significant decline (20.1%) in 30-day case fatality rate of STEMI was found, but no decline was found for 30-day mortality rate of NSTEMI. Conclusion: A decreasing trend in 30-day CHD case fatality rate was observed in the patients aged ≥25 years and hospitalized due to AMI in Beijing during 2007-2012, indicating the improvement in short-term prognosis of patients hospitalized due to AMI. Our findings highlight the urgent need to improve the treatment for woman and NSTEMI patients.
Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/mortality* ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization/trends* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction/mortality* ; Prognosis ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors

Objective: Through analyzing the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis A and E and the situation of vaccination, to promote the recommendation profile on Hepatitis E vaccination program, in China. Methods: Three phases of time span were divided as 2004-2007, 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, with age groups divided as <20, 20-29, 30-39 and ≥40. Incidence rates in both different phases and age groups were compared. Numbers of Hepatitis A and E vaccines released and used, were described. Results: Between 2004 and 2015, a declining trend in the reported incidence of hepatitis A (t=-12.15, P<0.001), but an increasing trend in hepatitis E (t=6.63, P<0.001) were noticed. The mean number of hepatitis A cases declined from 6 515 to 1 986 between 2004 and 2007 while the number of hepatitis E cases increased from 1 491 to 2 277 between 2012 and 2015. The peaks of hepatitis E appeared persistent annually, in March. The incidence of hepatitis A declined in three regions, with the western region (3.46/100 000) much higher than the eastern (1.13/100 000) or central regions (1.14/100 000) (χ(2)=32 630, P<0.01). The incidence of hepatitis E increased both in the central (1.74/100 000) and western regions (1.58/100 000), but more in the eastern region (2.66/100 000) (χ(2)=6 009, P<0.01). Incidence of hepatitis A declined in all age groups and declined by 84.36% among the 0-19 group. However, the incidence of hepatitis E showed an increasing trend among the ≥20 group. Incidence rates appeared higher in the older age groups. The coverage of hepatitis A vaccine increased from 62.05% to 93.54%, but with a negative association seen between the coverage of Hepatitis A vaccine and the incidence (F=10.69, χ(2)<0.05). Conclusion: The incidence of Hepatitis A declined sharply in China while hepatitis E was still increasing from 2004 to 2015, calling for the expansion on the coverage of Hepatitis E vaccine in the whole population.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Health Care Surveys ; Hepatitis A/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis A Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Hepatitis E/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Immunization/statistics & numerical data* ; Immunization Programs ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Population Surveillance ; Vaccination/statistics & numerical data* ; Young Adult

Humans ; Amyloidosis/pathology*

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Shandong province during 2010-2016 and provide references for developing prevention and control measures. Methods: Based on the data of Infectious Disease Reporting Information System in China, the incidence and temporal-spatial distribution of HFRS in Shandong from 2010 to 2016 were analyzed by spatial autocorrelation and space-time scan statistics. Results: A total of 9 114 HFRS cases were reported in Shandong during this period. The cases were mainly distributed in age group 30-70 years, and the male to female ratio of the cases was 2.63 ∶ 1. Most cases were farmers. The higher incidence rate was reported in southeastern Shandong, while the lower incidence rate was reported in northwestern Shandong. Among the epidemic periods, the highest incidence rate was 1.87/100 000 in 2013. The results of spatial autocorrelation and space-time scanning indicated that the high-high clusters of HFRS were concentrated in southeastern Shandong and then spread to central Shandong. The cluster mainly occurred from the end of 2011 to the first half of 2015. Both the incidence rate and the cluster decreased in 2016. Conclusions: The epidemic and cluster of HFRS still existed in Shandong from 2010 to 2016. The key areas for the prevention and control of HFRS were in southeastern and central Shandong.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Female ; Hantaan virus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome/virology* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Seasons ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Young Adult

Objective: To explore the relationship between male sexual function and daily exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) at a reproductive center in Taiyuan. Methods: Male patients who were seeking treatment of infertility due to problems caused by either of the spouse were selected from the Shanxi reproductive center between September 2014 and April 2015. Information on general characteristics, sexual function and fasting venous blood samples were collected. Total scores of sexual function were evaluated by Delphi expert scoring method. Levels of serum BPA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Data was analyzed by Spearman rank correlation, rank sum test, multivariate logistic regression analysis and χ(2) trend test. Relationship between BPA and sexual function was presented as OR and corresponding 95%CI. Results: Among the 353 participants, 45.0% was defined as sexual dysfunction with low sexual desire (47.3%) as the major reason. BPA was detected in all the 353 patients, with a range of concentration as 0.38-21.93 ng/ml and an average as 5.79 ng/ml. Results from the Spearman rank correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlations between serum BPA and sexual function, sexual desire, erectile ability and ejaculation intensity, while serum BPA was positively correlated with premature ejaculation. According to the four percentile of BPA concentration (ng/ml), the subjects were divided into four groups. Compared with the low concentration group (0.38-3.79 ng/ml), the risk of sexual dysfunction significantly increased in the groups with higher BPA levels. Particularly, in the highest BPA group (8.68-21.93 ng/ml), more obvious effects were seen on sexual dysfunction (OR=1.55, 95%CI:1.00-3.23), reduced sexual desire (OR=4.75, 95%CI: 2.44-9.22), reduced erection ability (OR=2.40, 95%CI: 1.18-4.88), reduced ejaculation intensity (OR=2.53, 95%CI: 1.25-5.16) and premature ejaculation (OR=1.95, 95%CI: 1.02-3.72). Conclusion: Low sexual desire appeared as the main type of male sexual dysfunction, the exposure to higher levels of BPA in daily life might lead to male sexual dysfunction.
Benzhydryl Compounds/toxicity* ; Ejaculation/drug effects* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Erectile Dysfunction/chemically induced* ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Phenols/toxicity*