The effects of cyclosporine A (CsA) on Angiontensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ )-induced protein contents, c-fos protein levels and cytosolic Ca2+ level ([Ca2+ ]i) in cultured cardiomyocytes of neonatal rats were observed. Total protein contents were determined by Bradford method. The expression of c-fos protein was detected by Western blot. [Ca2+ ]i labeled with fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM was measured under a laser scanning confocal microscope. The results revealed that as compared with control, the total protein contents were increased in cardiomyocytes treated with Ang Ⅱ (10-7 mol/L), which could be inhibited by CsA in a dose-dependent manner. It was found that Ang Ⅱ could increase the c-fos protein expression, which could be inhibited by CsA in a dose-dependent manner.Ang Ⅱ induced the [Ca2+ ]i elevation in cardiomyocytes. CsA did not influence the resting intracellular Ca2+ , but inhibited significantly the Ang Ⅱ-induced [Ca2+ ]i elevation. It was concluded that CsA can suppress the Ang Ⅱ-induced c-fos protein expression and [Ca2+ ]i elevation in single cardiomyocyte, which might play a role in the prevention of Ang Ⅱ -induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by CsA.

OBJECTIVE Congenital aural atresia repair is difficult owing to unpredictable anatomy. Benefits may be gained from image-guided surgery(IGS) . its exact role and surgery indication were def ined. METHODS From 2001 to 2004,36 ears with bony type C(Schuknecht classification) congenital atresia were performed. In the IGS group(n=18) ,repair surgery was performed with IGS,while in the control group(Non-IGS,n=18) ,similar intervention was applied without IGS. IGS group:aged from 12-29 years,follow-up from 6 months to 1 year. Non-IGS group:aged from 10-27 years,follow-up from 6 months to 3 years. Intra-and post-operative clinical and audiometric findings were compared. RESULTS All of the patients had congenital bony aural atresia,ossicles malformation,tympanic cavity hypoplasia and facial nerve malformation. IGS revealed a malformed horizontal semicircular canal hidden in the bony atresia plate during the operation while computed tomography(CT) did not show preoperatively. IGS computed tomography images correlated well with intra-operative findings,gave the surgeon more securityand reduced operative time(2 hours and 24 minutes) by 25 minutes. The prepare time increased 20 minutes(15-30 minutes) ,but total time decreased 5 minutes in IGS group. The registration accuracy was 0.6-1.3 mm,average 0.84 mm,which was suitable for the otologic surgery. There were 1 case in IGS group and 3 cases in Non-IGS group happened local aural restenosis after operation. But there were no facial nerve paralysis and hearing injury happened in both groups,and all of the patients got the satisfactory hearing after the hearing reconstruction(the air-bone gap with an average of IGS is 31.8dB,Non-IGS is 30.5dB) . CONCLUSION In our estimation,IGS is valuable for type C congenital aural atresia repair. It serves as an educational tool and a guide both for the experienced and inexperienced surgeons in critical situations where anatomical landmarks are distorted and approach is limited. There is no statistically significant between two groups on hearing improvement after operation.

Livestock husbandry is vital to economy of the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China. However, there have been few surveys of the distribution of ixodid ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne pathogens affecting domestic animals at these locations. In this study, 3,916 adult ixodid ticks infesting domestic animals were collected from 23 sampling sites during 2012-2016. Ticks were identified to species based on morphology, and the identification was confirmed based on mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA sequences. Ten tick species belonging to 4 genera were identified, including Rhipicephalus turanicus, Hyalomma anatolicum, Rh. bursa, H. asiaticum asiaticum, and Rh. sanguineus. DNA sequences of Rickettsia spp. (spotted fever group) and Anaplasma spp. were detected in these ticks. Phylogenetic analyses revealed possible existence of undescribed Babesia spp. and Borrelia spp. This study illustrates potential threat to domestic animals and humans from tick-borne pathogens.

ObjectiveTo investigate a cluster epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） infections in a school in Longchuan County， Yunnan Province， and further guide the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the border area. MethodsAccording to the Protocol on Prevention and Control of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia （8th Edition）， an epidemiological investigation was performed on all COVID-19 cases to collect the information on demographics， onset， diagnosis and treatment， prognosis， and epidemiological history. Close contacts were also tracked to determine the transmission chains. ResultsIn this cluster epidemic， a total of 37 COVID-19 cases were identified， including 32 females and 5 males aged from 13 to 25 years， who were 35 students and 2 teachers. The student cases were found in four classes of two grades. Furthermore， gene sequencing showed that all cases had been infected with delta variants， belonging to the same transmission chain that was not related to the previous epidemics in Dehong Prefecture. In additionally， a total of 2 127 close contacts were found. After 21 days of centralized quarantine for medical observation， all close contacts tested negative for SARS-CoV-2. In the COVID-19 cases， only one case remained positive for SARS-CoV-2， while the other 36 cases were successfully treated and became negative. ConclusionThis school cluster is caused by the border villagers who contacted the water polluted with SARS-CoV-2. It warrants more strict management of students from border villages and their belongings to prevent similar epidemics in school settings.