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

BACKGROUND: To quantify changes of left ventricular (LV) torsion in patients' pre and post kidney transplantation. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 48 patients who received kidney transplantation for end stage renal disease and without myocardial infarction. The rotation, twist and torsion of LV were studied pre and post kidney transplantation (6 months post transplantation) using velocity vector imaging by echocardiography. The data is expressed as mean +/- standard deviation and compared by paired t-test at the p < 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: Six months post kidney transplantation, left ventricular ejection fraction (from 40.33 +/- 11.42 to 61.00 +/- 13.68%), ratio of mitral early and late diastolic filling velocity (from 1.04 +/- 0.57 to 1.21 +/- 0.52), rotation of basal LV (from 4.48 +/- 2.66 to 5.65 +/- 2.64 degree), rotation of apical LV (from 4.27 +/- 3.08 to 5.50 +/- 4.25 degree), LV twist (8.75 +/- 4.45 to 11.14 +/- 5.25 degree) and torsion (from 1.06 +/- 0.54 to 1.33 +/- 0.61 degree/cm) were increased significantly (p < 0.05). Interventricular septum thickness (from 11.67 +/- 2.39 to 9.67 +/- 0.48 mm), left ventricular mass index (from 104.00 +/- 16.47 to 95.50 +/- 21.44 g/m2), systolic blood pressure (from 143.50 +/- 34.99 to 121.50 +/- 7.09 mmHg), serum blood urea nitrogen (from 42.40 +/- 7.98 to 30.43 +/- 13.85 mg/dL) and creatinine (from 4.53 +/- 1.96 to 2.73 +/- 2.57 mg/dL) were decreased significantly (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation in end stage renal disease without myocardial infarction results in improvement in left ventricular structure, function and myocardial mechanics as detected by echocardiography and velocity vector imaging. Velocity vector imaging provided valuable information for detection and follow-up of cardiac abnormalities in patients with end stage renal disease.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Mechanics ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke Volume

Sepsis is a common disease in critical patients, which may lead to myocardial damage, thereby aggravating the severity of the patients' condition, and causing adverse prognosis. How to detect sepsis with myocardial injury as early as possible, and use corresponding treatment measures on time are essential. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), myoglobin (Mb), MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and other traditional cardiac markers are easily affected by the complications of other critical diseases, thus the diagnostic value of those markers for myocardial injury of sepsis is reduced. In recent years, there have been some studies on heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP), microRNA (miRNA), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell-1 (sTREM-1), high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), histone and other new biomarkers of myocardial injury in septic patients. This article reviewed the value of these unconventional cardiac markers in the diagnosis of sepsis-induced myocardial injury, with the hope to provide some help for clinic.
Biomarkers ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Myoglobin ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Sepsis ; Troponin I

Objective: To explore the survival factors and construct a prognostic index (PI) for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: From January 2004 to June 2016, a total of 634 patients with pathologically confirmed OSCC were recruited in a hospital of Fujian. The clinical and follow-up data of all the patients with pathologically confirmed OSCC were collected to identify the factors influencing the prognosis of OSCC. All the patients were randomly divided into two groups: modeling group (modeling dataset, n=318) and validation group (validation dataset, n=316). Randomization was carried out by using computer-generated random numbers. In the modeling dataset, survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of prognosis factors. An PI for OSCC patients prognostic prediction model was developed based on β value of each significant variable obtained from the multivariate Cox regression model. Using the tertile analysis, patients were divided into high-risk group, moderate-risk group, and low-risk group according to the PI, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell's c-statistic (C index) were used to evaluated the model's predictability. Results: Results from the multivariate Cox regression model indicated that aged ≥55 years (HR=2.22, 95%CI: 1.45-3.39), poor oral hygiene (HR=2.12, 95%CI: 1.27-3.54), first diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (HR=5.78, 95%CI: 3.60-9.27), TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ (stage Ⅰ as reference) (HR=2.43, 95%CI: 1.10-5.37) and poor differentiation (well differentiation as reference) (HR=2.53, 95%CI: 1.60-4.01) were the risk factors influencing the prognosis of OSCC. The PI model had a high predictability in modeling group and validation group (AIC and C index were 1 205.80, 0.700 2 and 1 150.47, 0.737 3). Conclusion: Age, poor oral hygiene, first diagnosis of lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and histological grade were factors associated with the prognosis of OSCC, and the PI model has a certain significance in the clinical treatment of OSCC.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/therapy* ; China/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms/therapy* ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To understand the prevalence of HIV infection and its influencing factors in the premarital physical examination population in Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province, 2017. Methods The data of people receiving premarital medical examination was collected, the demographic characteristics was described and the related factors was analyzed by Logistic regression. Results There were 21 875 participants receiving premarital medical examination in Dehong. 98(0.45%) participants were confirmed positive for HIV and male infection rate was 0.47% (52/10 955) and female was 0.42% (46/10 920). Among the 98 patients, 20 patients were infected in the first time, and main route was sexual transmission accounting for 81.63% (80/98). Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that age, ethnicity and drug use were the influencing factors for premarital couples infecting HIV. The risk of HIV infection in 31-40 and 41-50 years old group was higher than the people under 25 years old group(OR=3.78, 95% CI：1.81-7.89, P<0.001；OR=3.95, 95% CI：1.72-9.08, P=0.001). The infection risk of Dai and Jingpo ethnic group was higher than that of the Han ethnic(OR=1.86, 95% CI：1.06-3.29, P=0.031；OR=3.25, 95% CI：1.81-5.84, P<0.001). The risk of infection among drug users was much higher than non-drug users (OR=926.76, 95% CI：271.65-3 161.71, P<0.001). Conclusion Age, ethnicity, and drug use are influencing factors of HIV infection among premarital couples. Targeted measures need to be taken against risk factors. HIV infection is mainly transmitted by sexual transmission. It can be effectively detected and controlled through premarital medical examination.

Humans ; Lung ; Pneumoconiosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective: To investigate the second or third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety on small-for-gestational-age infants. Methods: This study was based on Ma'anshan Birth Cohort Study (MABC), with 3 040 maternal-singleton pairs finally selected for data analysis, from May 2013 to September 2014. The psychological state of pregnancy was evaluated according to a self-developed 'anxiety scale for gestation'. Small-for-gestational-age was defined as 'having birth weight below the 10(th) percentile at a particular gestational week', while large-for-gestational-age infants was defined as 'having birth weight above the 90(th) percentile'. Birth weight between the 10(th) and 90(th) percentile was classified as appropriate-for-gestational age infants. χ(2) test was used to compare the distribution of characteristics in pregnancy among three groups with different birth weights. Multivariate logistic regression models were conducted to evaluate the associations between third trimester pregnancy- related anxiety and birth weight. Results: The incidence rates of small- and large-gestational-age infants were 9.6% and 16.6%, respectively. Difference between women with only one of the second or third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety syndromes and small-for-gestational-age infants showed no statistical significance. Women with both second and third trimester pregnancy-related anxieties might increase the risk of small-for-gestational-age infants (OR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.04-1.87). However, there was no significant difference between pregnancy-related anxiety and large-for- gestational-age infants (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 0.81-1.35) noticed. Conclusion: Women with second and third trimester pregnancy-related anxiety appeared a risk factor for small-for-gestational-age infants.
Anxiety/psychology* ; Birth Weight ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/psychology* ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third/psychology*

Objective: To describe the study design, the characteristics of participants as well as the pedigrees included in the baseline survey of Fujian Tulou Family Cohort Study. Methods: Fujian Tulou Family Cohort Study was a prospective open cohort study with a biological sample bank. A baseline survey was conducted in Tulou areas of Nanjing county in Fujian province from 2015 to 2018, including questionnaire survey, physical and biochemical indicators examinations, and blood sample collection in adults aged ≥18 years. In addition, family relationship of the participants was also recorded. The pedigree information of the juveniles under 18 years old were also collected. Results: The baseline survey included 2 727 individuals in two clans, of whom 2 373 (87.0%) were adults, and 2 126 participants completed questionnaires, physical examinations and biochemical tests. The average age of the 2 126 participants was (57.9±13.3) years, with 39.4% being males. The current smoking rates in male and female participants were 41.2% and 2.1%, respectively. The corresponding rates of current alcohol consumption were 19.0% and 2.6%. For common chronic diseases, the prevalence rates were 51.3% for hypertension, 9.7% for diabetes and 26.7% for hyperlipemia according to the self-reported disease diagnoses, health examination results and biochemical examination results in class Ⅱ or Ⅲ hospitals. Based on the family relationship information and genealogical data, 710 pedigrees were finally identified, consisting of 5 087 family members. The numbers of five, four, three, and two generations pedigrees were 3, 88, 238 and 381, respectively. The pairs of the first to the fifth degree relatives were 12 039, 2 662, 1 511, 202 and 31, respectively. Conclusion: The establishment of Fujian Tulou Family Cohort provides valuable resources for exploring the genetic risk factors, environmental risk factors and gene-environment interactions contributing to the risk of common chronic diseases.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Chronic Disease/ethnology* ; Cohort Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus/ethnology* ; Family Health ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/ethnology* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias/ethnology* ; Hypertension/ethnology* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To study the willingness and influence factors related to "centralized slaughtering, fresh poultry listing and marketing" strategy, among the household chefs, and provide reference for government to adjust and optimize the strategy on avian influenza prevention. Methods: According to the geographical characteristics and regional functions, 6 'monitoring stations' were selected from 12 residential districts of Guangzhou, respectively. Another 21 meat markets which selling live poultry, were selected in each station and 5 household chefs of each market were invited to attend a face to face interview. Basic information, personal cognitive, willingness and influencing factors to the policy were under study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used. Results: A total of 664 household chefs underwent the survey and results showed that the rate of support to the "centralized slaughtering, fresh poultry listing and marketing" strategy was 44.6% (296/664). Results from the multi-factor logistic regression showed that those household chefs who were males (OR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.156-2.264, P=0.005), having received higher education (OR=1.814, 95% CI: 1.296-2.539, P=0.001), or believing that the existence of live poultry stalls was related to the transmission of avian influenza (OR=1.918, 95% CI: 1.341-2.743, P<0.001) were factors at higher risk. These household chefs also intended to avoid the use of live poultry stalls (OR=1.666, 95%CI: 1.203-2.309, P=0.002) and accept the "centralized slaughtering, fresh poultry listing and marketing" strategy. Conclusion: Detailed study on this subject and, setting up pilot project in some areas as well as prioritizing the education programs for household chefs seemed helpful to the implementation of the 'freezing-fresh poultry' policy.
Animals ; Attitude to Health ; China ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; Influenza in Birds ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Male ; Marketing ; Meat-Packing Industry ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pilot Projects ; Poultry/virology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To investigate the relationship of thallium exposure and outcomes of births. Methods: A total of 3 236 mothers who had visited in Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Health-Care Hospital between May 2013 and September 2014 were included in this study and their thallium concentrations measured from samples of maternal and umbilical cord blood by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results were correlated and evaluated with birth outcomes of the infants, using the multiple linear regression method. Results: The median (P(25)-P(75)) of thallium levels in first trimester, second trimester and umbilical cord blood were 61.7 (50.8-77.0), 60.3 (50.8-75.2) and 38.5 (33.6-44.1) ng/L, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, the thallium levels showed an inversely significant association with birth head circumference (unstandardized β coefficient=-0.41, 95%CI: -0.76- -0.06) in the first trimester blood, and associated with reduced birth length (unstandardized β coefficient=-0.65, 95%CI: -1.25- -0.05) in umbilical cord blood. However, there appeared no significantly associations with birth weight, length and head circumference (P>0.05) in second trimester. On stratification by sex, in girls but not in boys, the thallium levels were adversely associated with birth head circumference (unstandardized β coefficient=-0.53, 95%CI: -1.05--0.01) in the first trimester and were associated with decreased birth weight (unstandardized β coefficient=-277.08, 95%CI: -485.13- -69.03) and length (unstandardized β coefficient=-1.39, 95%CI: -2.26- -0.53) in umbilical cord blood thallium. Conclusions: Thallium exposure appeared a gender difference in newborn birth outcomes. In the first trimester, it was negatively associated with the birth head circumference, in the umbilical cord blood, and reduced birth weight and length in girls.
Adult ; Birth Weight ; Environmental Pollutants/blood* ; Female ; Fetal Blood/metabolism* ; Fetus/metabolism* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Maternal Exposure ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome/epidemiology* ; Thallium/blood*