Objective To investigate the epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in five rural counties of eastern China and analyze the biological,demographic and social risk factors.Methods Subjects of this study were all the diagnosed TB patients registered in the five study sites in Shandong Province,Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province during one year of 2008- 2009.Questionnaire interview was conducted in all the subjects to acquire the socio-demographic and clinical information.Sputum samples were collected for culturing and isolating of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) strains.All the M.TB isolates were further tested for the susceptibility to first-line drugs including rifampin,isoniazid,ethambutol and strepomycin by proportion method.Mantel-Haenszel chi-square test,Fisher's exact test,ANOVA and nonconditional Logistic regression modeling were applied for data analysis.Results Among the total 380 M.TB isolates,105 were resistant to at least one of the first-line drugs.The total drug resistant TB prevalence was 27.6％.Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was observed in 8.4％ of newly treated TB patients,whereas it was 23.3％in previously treated TB patients.After adjusted by county,gender and age of the subjects,multivariate analysis showed that previous treatment history (OR=3.900,95％CI: 1.737-8.704),tuberculosis cavity (OR - 1.987,95 ％ CI: 1.001 - 3.942) were independent factors influencing the occurrence of MDR-TB.Conclusions The prevalence of drug resistant TB in rural area of eastern China is relatively low compared with the average level in China,while it is still higher than the global average level.The present study highlights that TB patients with previous treatment history,cavitaryTB are correlated with MDR-TB,and elderly patients are at high risk of MDR-TB.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its risk factors in Chinese elderly persons.Methods All of the people who underwent physical examination and treatment in the geriatric department of Beijing Hospital during January 2004 to January 2007 were included in the study.Age, body height, body mass index and blood pressure were recorded.Bloody urine was ascertained by phase-contrast microscope, and urine protein was measured by dipstick test.The hemoglobulin, serum eretinine, blood urea nitrogen, blood lipid and serum uric acid were measured by autobiochemical analyzer.HbsAg was checked by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated by Crockeroft-Gauh equation and abbreviated MDRD equation.Binary logistic regression analysis was used to test the risk factors for proteinuria and CKD.Results The prevalence of proteinuria was 4.9% in 1082 elderly persons.And 47.23% of the elderly suffered from decreased renal function.The morbidity of CKD was 48.43%.Binary logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes(OR= 2.257) and microscopic hematuria(OR=5.324) were the risk factors of proteinuria (both P<0.05).And the risk factors for CKD were hypertension(OR= 1.459), coronary arth'erosclerotic heart disease(OR=3.290), chronic obstructive lung diseases(OR=2.094), malignant tumor(OR=2.072), hyperuricemia(OR= 1.928),anemia(OR=8.122)and hematuria( OR= 1.604) (all P<0.05).Conclusions The morbidity of CKD in Chinese elderly persons was 48.43%.And the related risk factors were diabetes,hypertension, hyperuricemia, coronary artherosclerotic heart disease and chronic obstructive lung disease.

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OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

The wild resources of Dendrobium officinale in Anhui province were studied by textural research, data collection, interview survey and regional survey, in order to investigate the resources distribution and ecological characters and provide the reference for Anhui Dendrobium industry. In this paper, a part of producing areas of wild D. officinale in Anhui province was selected to analyze the ecological characters. As a result, we find that the wild resources of D. officinale in Anhui distributed only sporadic and the conditions of growth environment were harsh. Our findings may provide some suggestions on wild resources protection and artificial cultivation in suitable environments because the wild resources of D. officinale in Anhui are decreasing rapidly and facing an endangered situation.
China ; Dendrobium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; supply & distribution ; Ecological and Environmental Phenomena

Objective To investigate the expression of Scinderin(SCIN myoprotein) in breast cancer tissues and adjacent tissues,and to explore the relationship between the expression of Scinderin and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer as well as the clinical factors.Methods Immunohistochemical staining method was used to detect the expression of SCIN in 120 cases of breast carcinoma and 30 adjacent tissues.The relation between SCIN expression in breast cancer tissue and molecular subtypes,pathologic stage,age,tumor size,lymph node metastasis was analyzed.Results SCIN expression level in breast cancer tissue was lower than in the tissues adjacent to carcinoma (6.06±3.32 vs 7.77±3.32,P＜0.05).SCIN expression was associated with breast cancer molecular subtypes (P＜0.05),and it was irrelevant with age,tumor size,histological grade,lymph node metastasis,or clinical stage (P＞0.05).Conclusions The expression of SCIN in breast cancer tissues was lower than in the adjacent tissues.It is associated with breast cancer molecular subtypes.SCIN could become the protein markers of breast cancer molecular targeted therapy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the synthetical index for diagnosing schistosomiasis with ultrasound and to assess the prevalence rate with the index.

METHODSUltrasound indexes of schistosomiasis Japonicum were analyzed by principal component analysis, and the synthetical indexes were assessed by ROC curve.

RESULTSAmong the abnormal rates of the 6 indexes, the lowest was 1.6% comparing with the highest of 59.5%. Significant difference was noficed among the abnormal rates (chi(2) = 631.1, P < 0.01). The individual correlation of the six indexes to each other as will as with age distribution was significant (P < 0.05). The three principal components reflected the degree of pathological changes on liver and spleen. The first principal component was the factor reflecting the degree of liver pathological changes, and the second and third principal components reflected the degree of pathological changes on spleen. The synthetical index D(1) = 0.047X(1) + 0.428X(2) + 1.247X(3) + 0.095X(4) + 0.002X(5) + 0.213X(6) - 12.837 was found by adding the three weight principal components, and it's area under the ROC curve was 0.957. When -1.70 was taken as the critical value, the abnormal rate of population was 66.3%, close to the resident's actual prevalence rate 66.9%.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonography was considered as a method which could rapidly assessing the resident's prevalence rate in the endemic areas of schisitosomiasis Japonicum, and could also provide powerful information for development of strategy on chemotherapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Principal Component Analysis ; ROC Curve ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo analyze the impact of depletion of the twin arginine translocation (TAT) system on virulence and physiology of Yersinia enterocolitica for a better understanding of its pathogenicity.

METHODSWe constructed a DeltatatC::SpR mutant of Yersinia enterocolitica by P1 phage mediated transduction using Escherichia coli K-12 DeltatatC::SpR strain as a donor.

RESULTSA P1-mediated genetic material transfer was found between the two species of enterobacteria, indicating a great potential of acquisition of antibiotic resistance in emergency of a new threatening pathogen by genetic material exchanges. Periplasmic trimethylamine N-oxidase reductase activity was detected in the wild type Y. enterocolitica strain and translocation of this enzyme was completely abolished by the DeltatatC::SpR mutation. In addition, the DeltatatC::SpR mutation showed a pleiotropic effect on the metabolism of Y. enterocolitica. However, the tat mutation did not seem to affect the mobility and virulence of Y. enterocolitica under the conditions used.

CONCLUSIONUnlike other pathogenic bacteria studied, the TAT system of Y. enterocolitica might play an important role in the pathogenic process, which is distinct from other pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7.

Drug Resistance, Microbial ; genetics ; Genes, Bacterial ; Mutation ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; metabolism ; Transduction, Genetic ; Virulence ; Yersinia enterocolitica ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo introduce the experience in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) combined with concomitant valve operation.

METHODSFrom 1998 to 2002, forty-five patients (38 men and 7 women) with coronary artery lesion and valve diseases underwent myocardial revascularization combined with concomitant valve operation. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (42 to 75 years). Heart function was Class II (NYHA) in 7 patients, Class III in 30, Class IV in 8. The value of ejection fraction was 0.32 to 0.50. Thirty patients had mitral valve lesion, 7 aortic lesion, and 8 both lesions. Seventeen patients had single-vessel diseases, 20 double-vessel diseases, 8 triple -vessel diseases, and 8 left main artery lesion. After cardiac arrest by cold blood cardioplegia under moderate cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), distal anastomosis of the saphenous vein (SV) to the target vessels were firstly performed and followed by valve replacement (32 patients) or plasty (2). The left internal mammary artery (LIMA) was grafted to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) before aortic unclamping. Proximal anastomosis of the SV to the aorta was finally finished on beating heart. The mean bypass time was 173.5 min and the mean duration of aortic cross-clamping time was 112.6 min.

RESULTSNo mortality occurred during hospitalization and all patients were discharged 9.2 days after operation. Cardiac function of all patients was improved to Class I-II and no patient died during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSCABG combined with valve surgery can be safely performed with good results.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Valve Diseases ; complications ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

We developed a method for detecting encephalitis and meningitis virus by using multiplex PCR combined with invasive reaction and a chromogenic reaction catalyzed by gold nanoparticles.Primers were designed based on the conservative regions of encephalitis and meningitis virus (Eastern equine encephalitis virus,EEEV;Western equine encephalomyelitis virus,WEEV;West Nile virus,WNV;Nipah virus,NiPA;Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV).Multiplex PCR system,invasive reaction and a chromogenic reaction catalyzed by gold nanoparticles were established to detect different encephalitis and meningitis virus in one reaction.Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV),St Louis encephalitis virus (StLEV),Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Dengue virus(DV) were used to test its specificity.Quantitative RNA transcribed in vitro and PCR fragments were used to assess its sensitivity.Clinical specimens collected from JEV patients were detected by this method.A method for detecting encephalitis and meningitis virus by using multiplex PCR,invasive reaction and a chromogenic reaction catalyzed by gold nanoparticles were successfully established.This method can detect targeted pathogens specifically,and it has no cross reaction with TBEV,StLEV,CHIKV and DV.The detecting limitation for different targets was 103 copies/μL.Clinical samples were positive for JEV nucleic acids for above assay.The method presented here has characteristic of high specificity,sensitivity and throughput.The results can be observed by visual inspection.This method has broad application prospects in pathogen detection.