epidemic aspects ; Papua New Guinea ; Malaria

BACKGROUND:A variety of cel growth factors are involved in skeletal muscle regeneration; moreover, these factors cooperate with each other to promote muscle repair and regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To explore the synergy mechanism of a variety of cel growth factors in promoting damage repair. METHODS:By using literature survey, Wanfang, CNKI and PubMed databases were searched for articles related to exercise-induced muscle damage and repair using the keywords of “cel growth factor; skeletal muscle damage;repair; fibroblast growth factor” in Chinese and English, respectively. Research achievements related to exercise-induced muscle damage, molecular biological characteristics of cel growth factors and skeletal muscle injury repair are discussed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Basic fibroblast growth factor plays a basic biological role to promote cel proliferation and angiogenesis, which is the strongest cytokine known to promote cel growth and reflects a very important role in skeletal muscle repair. Epidermal growth factor is synthesized by monocytes and ectodermal cels, which is prominent to stimulate the division and proliferation of a variety of tissues and cels, enhance cel movement, division and synthesis of interstitial protein. Insulin-like growth factors are a family of insulin-like growth factor 1-related and insulin-like growth factor 2-related peptides, which can promote muscle protein synthesis, promote muscle cel proliferation and differentiation, and participate in skeletal muscle regeneration and repair, thereby accelerating wound healing of the muscles. Neurotrophic factor is a kind of trace soluble substances around sensory neurons and produced by neuron-targeted cels, which can specificaly promote neuronal growth and maintenance, and promote skeletal muscle repair. But studies on the synergy mechanism of a variety of cel growth factors in the repair of exercise-induced muscle damage are just at the initial stage, and further research is necessary.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA) on melanin content,activity and protein expression of tyrosinase,mRNA expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD) in A375 cells irradiated with ultraviolet B(UVB).MethodsCultured A375 cells were classified into 6 groups:ATRA+UVB group treated with ATRA after UVB irradiation,hydroquinone+UVB group treated with hydroquinone after UVB irradiation,UVB group and ATRA group treated with UVB irradiation and ATRA respectively,negative control group receiving no treatment.Melanin content and tyrosinase activity were determined by NaOH solubilization assay and dopa-oxidation assay respectively at 24,48 and 72 hours after the addition of ATRA into medium.Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of tyrosinase,and real-time quantitative PCR to measure the mRNA expressions of tyrosinase and Cu/Zn SOD in A375 cells after 24-hour culture with ATRA.ResultsThe melanin content and tyrosinase activity decreased in UVB-irradiated cells after being treated with ATRA for 24,48 and 72 hours.The protein (gray scale) and mRNA (2-△△Ct value) expression levels of tyrosinase were 0.72 ± 0.070 and 1.400 ± 0.135 respectively at 24 hours after UVB irradiation,decreased to 0.42 ± 0.056(P ＜0.01) and 0.810 ± 0.062(P ＜ 0.01 ) respectively after additional treatment with ATRA.The mRNA expression level of Cu/Zn SOD was 0.323 ± 0.066 in A375 cells at 24 hours after UVB irradiation,and increased to 0.625 ±0.103 (P ＜ 0.01 ) after additional treatment with ATRA.ConclusionATRA can suppress UVB-induced increase in melanin synthesis and elevate Cu/Zn SOD level in A375 cells,likely through tyrosinase pathway.

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Objective:To generate rabbit-anti B16 melanocyte polyclonal antibodies and study the effect on melanocyte proliferation.Methods:Rabbits was immunized with B16 melanocytes to produce rabbit anti-B16 melanocyte polyclonal antibody(pAb).The titer of the antiserum was then detected using the tube agglutination assay;The antiserum was purified through the G protein affinity chromatograph,and the molecular weight of the purified Ab was identifed through SDS-PAGE.The effect of purified IgG on B16 melanocytes proliferation was detected using MTT assay.Results:The titer of the antiserum reaches 1∶1 280;SDS-PAGE shows that the heavy chain molecular weight of the purified IgG is 66.2 kD;MTT assay shows that the IgG fraction inhibited the proliferation of B16 melanocytes with signifancent difference when compared to none IgG or no purified antiserum.Conclusion:The rabbit anti-B16 melanocytes pAb with high titer is preparated successfully.The purified IgG can inhibit proliferation of B16 melanocytes.It could be useful in studying the effect of this antibody on melanocyte growth and pigment metabolism,it also be useful in studying the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the etiology and risk factors of undifferentiated fever in a cluster of patients in Western Province, Solomon Islands, May 2014.

METHODS: An outbreak investigation with a case control study was conducted. A case was defined as an inpatient in one hospital in Western Province, Solomon Islands with high fever (> 38.5 °C) and a negative malaria microscopy test admitted between 1 and 31 May 2014. Asymptomatic controls matched with the cases residentially were recruited in a ratio of 1:2. Serum samples from the subjects were tested for rickettsial infections using indirect micro-immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTS: Nine cases met the outbreak case definition. All cases were male. An eschar was noted in five cases (55%), and one developed pneumonitis. We did not identify any environmental factors associated with illness. Serum samples of all five follow-up cases (100%) had strong-positive IgG responses to scrub typhus. All but one control (10%) had a moderate response against scrub typhus. Four controls had low levels of antibodies against spotted fever group rickettsia, and only one had a low-level response to typhus group rickettsia.

DISCUSSION: This outbreak represents the first laboratory-confirmed outbreak of scrub typhus in the Western Province of Solomon Islands. The results suggest that rickettsial infections are more common than currently recognized as a cause of an acute febrile illness. A revised clinical case definition for rickettsial infections and treatment guidelines were developed and shared with provincial health staff for better surveillance and response to future outbreaks of a similar kind.

ObjectiveTo observe the treatment effects in 48 cases of advanced lung cancer patients,with the immune therapy of the dendritic cells loading of tumor autologous antigen (DCTAA) combining with the cells induced factor of the killer cells(CIK)from the matched umbilical cord blood cells.MethodsThe peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC)from the matched umbilical cord blood cells was seperated,and induced to CIK and DC with some cytokines in vitro, such as CD3McAb, IL-2, IFN-γ IL-1α, etc. After 12 to 15 days, the amplified CIK cells obtained were obtained, with the strict quality control, infused the CIK cells to the patients body back in six times,about(5-8)×109 CIK cells in each time.In the fifth day of the cultivation,DETAA cells were loaded and DCTAA cells were collected in the eighth day,and then hypodermic injection was done. The patient' s general situation after the immune treatment was observed, such as the size of the tumors, clinical symptom score, the quality of life and immune indexes. Karnofsky score, weight, toxic side effects and the patient's survival were also studied.ResultsIn the 48 cases with the DCTAA-CIK treatment, complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR)was 37 cases, the overall remission rate was 77.1％. The improvement rate of clinical symptom scores was from 78.9 ％ to 84.7 ％, the increasing rate of Karnofsky score was 89.6 ％ (43/48). 1-year survival reached to 80.6 ％. There were significant difference in little toxic side effects(P ＜ 0.01). The proportion of CD3, CD4 and NK cells in peripheral blood cells increased significantly (P ＜ 0.01) after DCTAA-CIK cells treatment[(42.21±6.12)％, (24.42±3.01)％, 0.99±0.34, (24.98±3.02) ％; (71.58±7.64) ％, (37.25±2.13) ％, 1.62±0.45, (35.23±4.11) ％](t = 6.34, 5.67, 0.25, 4.43, P ＜0.01).ConclusionThe DCTAA-CIK immune therapy is benefit for advanced lung cancer,not only improve the immune function but also ameliorate the clinical symptoms.

Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under age 5 worldwide, with rotavirus being the main etiology. In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) was introduced as one of the national notifiable diseases in 2004. We retrospectively reviewed the aggregate (n = 117 277) and case-based (n = 67 755) AWD surveillance data from 2009 to 2013 reported weekly from 1115 health facilities nationwide. Rotavirus rapid test data from all eight sentinel sites in Vientiane Capital in 2013 were also collected for analysis. The incidence of AWD ranged between 215 and 476 cases per 100 000 population and increased from 2009 to 2012 when it levelled off. The most affected age group was children under 5 who were about seven to nine times more likely to have AWD than the rest of the population (P < 0.0001). In children under 5, 74.8% of the cases were aged 0-24 months and AWD was 1.28 times more common in males (P < 0.0001). Among the 230 stool specimens tested in children under 5 in 2013, 109 (47.4%) tested positive for rotavirus. The increased AWD incidence over the study period may reflect a true increase in AWD or an improved sensitivity of the system. We recommend new mothers breastfeed up to two years after birth, which is known to reduce AWD morbidity and mortality in young children. We also recommend conducting rotavirus disease burden and cost-effectiveness studies to explore the benefits of introduction of rotavirus vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo understand the syphilis infection and its high risk factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from different channels.

METHODSSupported by the China-Gates Foundation HIV program from July to December 2011, we cooperated with community based organizations to conduct syphilis testing intervention among MSM from 14 cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Harbin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Xi'an, Nanjing, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Changsha, Kunming, and Guangzhou) and one province (Hainan province). Participants were recruited from different channels by the staff of local CBOs, Demographic (e.g. age, marital status, and education) and behavioral (e.g. condom use and sexual partners) data were collected using anonymous questionnaires. Blood samples were also collected to test for syphilis. A total of 34 100 MSM participated in the survey. Participants were excluded from data analysis (1 399, 4.1%) if they did not receive syphilis tests or they completed less than 80.00% of the key questions in the survey. Chi-square tests were used to understand the socio-demographic and behavioral differences between each group. Results of syphilis tests were also compared. Logistic regression models were used to test the statistical significance of these differences.

RESULTSA total of 32 701 MSM were enrolled and received syphilis testing. The average age of participates was 30.96 ± 9.57. And among them, 2 284 cases (7.0%) were recruited from gay bathhouses, 4 774 (14.6%) from gay bars, 6 266 (19.2%) from the internet, 1 997 (6.1%) from the parks/toilets and 17 380 (53.1%) from other channels. MSM recruited from the bathhouses had the highest syphilis infection rate than other 4 groups: gaybars (4.5%, 216/4 774), internet (6.7%, 422/6 266), parks/toilets (8.3%, 166/1 997), other channels (6.4%, 1 103/17 380) (χ² = 164.58, P < 0.001). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being > 20 years of age (P < 0.001), having more than 2 homosexual partners in recent 3 months (8.0% (1 408/17 714), OR (95% CI) = 1.44 (1.04-1.98)), having no sex with females in past 3 months (6.8% (1 446/21 276), OR (95% CI) = 1.25 (1.07-1.46)), and not using condom at last anal sex (8.0% (769/9 668), OR (95% CI) = 1.13 (1.03-1.25)) were associated with a higher probability of being infected with syphilis. Whereas MSM married (7.2% (456/6 305), OR (95% CI) = 0.84 (0.73-0.98)), having a college or a higher education (5.3% (829/15 684), OR (95% CI) = 0.60 (0.53-0.67)), being local residents (6.5% (1 843/28 185), OR (95% CI) = 0.73 (0.61-0.87)) and living in the local province of project cities (6.6% (170/2 593), OR (95% CI) = 0.67 (0.53-0.85)) were protective factors.

CONCLUSIONMSM who were recruited from gay bathhouses have a higher rate of syphilis infection than those in channels relatively. They are older, with low education levels and high-risk sexual behaviors. Tailored interventions are required in the future, especially for MSM from gay bathhouses.

Adult ; China ; Condoms ; Demography ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Safe Sex ; Sexual Behavior ; Sexual Partners ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syphilis ; Universities

Objective To investigate the clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of infantile diabetes.Methods The clinical data of 27 infants with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) admitted to our hospital from Apr.2014 to Jun.2016 were retrospectively analyzed.SPSS16.0 statistical software was used to carry out t test and chisquare test on relevant data.Results The onset age of diabetes in infants and young children was 1 year to 3 years and 7 months.There were 15 males and 12 females.The onset season was mainly in winter and spring.The fasting blood glucose in cesarean section was significantly higher than that in natural production group (P＜0.05).12 cases(44.44％) were complicated with respiratory infections before the onset of the disease,including 6 cases of pathogenic detection of viruses,mainly Coxsackie virus.Among them,14 cases were admitted to hospital with polydipsia and polyuria,6 cases had fever,cough and mental retardation,7 cases had elevated blood glucose,16 cases (62.50％) and 6 cases of women with diabetic ketoacidosis (37.50％).The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis in male diabetic patients was higher than that in females (62.50％ vs 37.50％,x2=6.49,P＜0.05).With abnormal liver function and dyslipidemia in 2 cases;myocardial enzyme abnormality in 7 cases;abnormal thyroid function in 10 cases;26 cases of electrolyte abnormality,mainly hyponatremia;2 cases of positive anti-insulin antibody and 5 cases of positive glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody.Before admission,13 (35.14％) cases were misdiagnosed,6 cases were misdiagnosed as bronchopneumonia,3 cases were misdiagnosed as central nervous system infection,3 cases were sepsis and 1 case was myocarditis.All patients were treated with insulin.After 7 to 10 days of treatment,the patient's condition improved and continued to be treated at home.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of infantile T1DM onset are not typical,and it is easy to be associated with ketoacidosis.Infection may be one of the important causes of diabetic ketoacidosis.When the child has an infection and the blood sugar level is high,attention should be paid to the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis,to avoid misdiagnosis.