Objective To explore the relationship between wild rodent plague and human in wild rodent plague foci of the northwestern area in Yunnan to probe the possible transmission mechanism of wild rodent plague to human. Methods Data of component ratio of rodents and fleas was collected in different areas from 1985 - 1995. Activities and habits of residents regarding the way they keep cats and dogs and parasitic fleas and free fleas indoor were investigated, the dog serum was collected for detecting F1 antibody. Results Eothenomys miletus were main rodents in farmland and shrub, accounting for 48.00% (4753/9902) and 54.50% (4282/7857), Apodemus chevrieri were main rodents in garden, being 50.47% (1332/2639). The component ratio of Neopsylla specialis specialis was 13.31%(229/1720), 12.31%(1678/13 739) and 10.87%(957/8802) respectively in garden, farmland and shrub, higher than in indoor. The component ratio of Frantcpsylla spodix was 39.88% (686/1720), the highest in garden. Thirty-two per cent (32/100) of residents kept cats,in which 63% (20/32) with cat fleas, 68% (68/100) of villages kept dogs, in which 76%(52/68) with fleas. Eighteen parasitic fleas were caught from 43 dogs with a flea index of 0.119 and a rate for fleas of 11.63%, 7 pulex were collected from 17 indoor. Forty-three blood serum samples were obtained from dogs, among which 3 were positive blood serum. Conclusions Residents touch affected animals or media in different situations. The possibility of transmission for wild rodent plague to human exists in loci in a chain of wild rodent plague → fleas or predation → homebred animal plague (cats or dogs) →touching or respiratory → human.

Proteomics plays important roles in Chinese medicine research at post-genomics era. Its research idea and methods are beneficial for elucidating some elemental features of Chinese medicine. At present, Chinese medicine proteomic studies are mainly focusing on the syndromatology and medical herbal pharmacology. However, there are still some problems, the most important matter was that most of the results were merely the superficial delineations. Further research should put emphasize on the unremitting and penetrating study of proteomics, molecular biology and bioinformatics integrally for illuminating Chinese medicine theory deeply to promote the modernization of Chinese medicine research.
Computational Biology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Proteomics ; Research

OBJECTIVETo obtain the functional information of AY358935 gene.

METHODSThe properties, subcellular location, and structure of AY358935 protein, and the expression profile of AY358935 gene were analyzed by bioinformatics software and the biological functions of the gene were predicted. AY358935 expression was detected by Western blot analysis in early virus infection.

RESULTSAY358935 was evolutionally conserved. The human AY358935 protein had an amino acid similarity of 74%, 60%, 38% and 33% with its counterpart in horses, mice, zebrafish and Xenopus laevis, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that AY358935 protein was located likely in the mitochondria. There was a N-terminal signal peptide and single transmembrane structure in AY358935 protein, which contained several phosphorylation sites. The secondary structure mainly comprised of alpha helices and random coils. AY358935 was ubiquitously expressed in normal tissues and carcinomas and regulated by the expression of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase. AY358935 protein expression was obviously upregulated in cells 2 h after infection by vesicular stomatitis virus.

CONCLUSIONAs a predicted secretary protein with a small molecular weight, AY358935 might have important functions in cellular proliferation and anti-viral innate immune regulation.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11 ; genetics ; Computational Biology ; methods ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Software ; Vesicular Stomatitis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donors.

METHODSTwo cases of live-donor underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in May and August 2008 respectively and both were followed up.

RESULTIn two cases the operation time was 130, 10 min; blood loss was 50 ml; warm ischemic time was 30 s and 2 min; the length of artery was 4.0 cm and 3.5 cm; the length of vein was 3.0 cm. The grafted kidneys started to produce urine at 30 s and 10 s after blood supply. Renal function of donor returned to normal after two days. The donors were discharged at 7th day after the operation. Renal function of recipient was normal after 3 days.

CONCLUSIONTransperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donor is a safe and effective procedure, which provides kidney with satisfactory blood vessels and ureter for graft.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Laparoscopy ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Peritoneum ; surgery ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this article was to clarify the optimal management concerning transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPSs) and surgical shunting in treating portal hypertension.

METHODSAll databases, including CBM, CNKI, WFPD, Medline, EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane up to February 2014, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TIPS with surgical shunting. Four RCTs, which were extracted by two independent investigators and were evaluated in postoperative complications, mortality, 2- and 5-year survival, hospital stay, operating time and hospitalization charges.

RESULTSThe morbidity in variceal rehemorrhage was significantly higher in TIPS than in surgical shunts (odds ratio [OR] = 7.45, 95% confidence interval[CI]: (3.93-14.15), P < 0.00001), the same outcomes were seen in shunt stenosis (OR = 20.01, 95% CI: (6.67-59.99), P < 0.000001) and in hepatic encephalopathy (OR = 2.50, 95% CI: (1.63-3.84), P < 0.0001). Significantly better 2-year survival (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: (0.44-0.98), P = 0.04) and 5-year survival (OR = 0.44; 95% CI: (0.30-0.66), P < 0.00001) were seen in patients undergoing surgical shunting compared with TIPS.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with TIPS, postoperative complications and survival after surgical shunting were superior for patients with portal hypertension. Application of surgical shunting was recommended for patients rather than TIPS.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; surgery ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; adverse effects ; Portasystemic Shunt, Transjugular Intrahepatic ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple rapid and sensitive nested RT-PCR method for detection of SARS coronavirus RNA by designing the specific primers for SARS and optimizing the parameters for PCR.

METHODSPrimers and fluorescent probes were designed according to the sequences of SARS coronavirus genes available from GenBank. The optimization of the parameters for PCR was performed in PE 7700 thermal cycle. The 36 serum samples and 40 mouthwash of SARS patients and 80 samples of healthy people were tested.

RESULTSThe positive rate of patient serum and mouthwash was 33.6%, (12/36) and 67.5%, (27/40), respectively, while the positive rate of healthy people was zero (0/160).

CONCLUSIONThe simple nested RT-PCR method was a rapid, efficient and sensitive one for SARS early diagnosis.

Bodily Secretions ; virology ; DNA Primers ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; genetics ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; blood ; diagnosis ; virology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the recent results of CAS performed by vascular surgeons to treat extracranial carotid occlusive disease (ECOD) retrospectively in a single medical center.

METHODSForty-eight carotid arteries underwent CAS. Procedures were transfemoral. The postoperative follow-up was separated to 2 periods (30 d). The mortality and all kinds of complications were analyzed.

RESULTS91.7% of them were men; 8.3% were women; mean age was (70.6 +/- 5.9) years. Preoperative asymptomatic cases were 37.5%; symptomatic cases were 62.5%. Mean internal carotid artery diameter stenosis was (71.2 +/- 14.8)%. 43.8% patients had single preoperative risk factors; two or more of these risk factors were present in 47.9%. In 33.3% cases the contralateral carotid artery had 50% or greater stenosis or was completely occluded. Technical success was achieved in 100%. There were no death, no major or minor stroke but 4.2% TIA. Carotid sinus compression syndrome occurred in 18.8% of patients. At follow-up > 30 days, there had been 4.2% instances of in-stent recurrent stenosis great than 50%, noted by color doppler ultrasound scanning. No stent deformity happened.

CONCLUSIONCAS can be preformed safely enough in patients with ECOD at high CEA risk, with lower perioperative morbidity and mortality.

Aged ; Angioplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; surgery ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDElectrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a real-time bedside monitoring tool, which can reflect dynamic regional lung ventilation. The aim of the present study was to monitor regional gas distribution in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) during positive-end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration using EIT.

METHODSEighteen ARDS patients under mechanical ventilation in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January to April in 2014 were included in this prospective observational study. After recruitment maneuvers (RMs), decremental PEEP titration was performed from 20 cmH 2 O to 5 cmH 2 O in steps of 3 cmH 2 O every 5-10 min. Regional over-distension and recruitment were monitored with EIT.

RESULTSAfter RMs, patient with arterial blood oxygen partial pressure (PaO 2) + carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO 2 ) >400 mmHg with 100% of fractional inspired oxygen concentration were defined as RM responders. Thirteen ARDS patients was diagnosed as responders whose PaO 2 + PaCO 2 were higher than nonresponders (419 ± 44 mmHg vs. 170 ± 73 mmHg, P < 0.0001). In responders, PEEP mainly increased recruited pixels in dependent regions and over-distended pixels in nondependent regions. PEEP alleviated global inhomogeneity of tidal volume and end-expiratory lung volume. PEEP levels without significant alveolar derecruitment and over-distension were identified individually.

CONCLUSIONSAfter RMs, PEEP titration significantly affected regional gas distribution in lung, which could be monitored with EIT. EIT has the potential to optimize PEEP titration.

Aged ; Electric Impedance ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positive-Pressure Respiration ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; diagnosis ; Tomography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) on the proliferation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) in infected wound, and to explore its possible mechanism.

METHODSFull-thickness skin wounds each with area of 1 cm x 1 cm were produced on the back of 40 C57 BL/6 mice, and then they were contaminated with wild type PA strains PAO1 marked with target gene of bacterial luciferase luxCDABE (PAO1-lux), they were dressed for 24 hours to reproduce PA infection model. Then mice were divided into experiment [E, with treatment of VSD (pressure value at -16.625 kPa)] and control (C, with treatment of conventional dressing change) groups according to the random number table, with 20 mice in each group. The fluorescence intensity of PAO1-lux and blood flow in wound was respectively measured by in vivo optical imaging system and laser Doppler perfusion imager before treatment and at post treatment hour (PTH) 24. The expression levels of IL-1beta and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in wound edge were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR before treatment and at PTH 24. The specimens of wound edge tissue were collected for observation of pathological change at PTH 24. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSThere were no obvious difference in fluorescence intensity of PAO1-lux and blood flow in wound between E and C groups before treatment (with t value respectively 0.03, 0.50, P values all above 0.05). The fluorescence intensity of PAOl-lux and blood flow in wound in E group at PTH 24 [(2.69 +/- 0.75) photons x s(-1) x cm(-2) x sr(-1) and (96 +/- 9) PU] was respectively lower and higher than that inC group [(5.18 +/- 0.96) photons x s(-1) cm x (-2) x sr(-1) and (70 +/- 11) PU, with t value respectively 3.54, 3.13, P values all below 0.05]. The expression levels of IL-1beta and VEGF mRNA in both groups before treatment were similar (with t value respectively 0.19, 0.07, P values all above 0.05). The expression levels of IL-1beta and VEGF mRNA in E group at PTH 24 was respectively 4.72 +/- 0.37, 2.68 +/- 0.39, all markedly higher than those in C group (2.24 +/- 0.50, 1.22 +/- 0.13, with t value respectively 6.90, 6.12, P values all equal to 0.00). The number of inflammatory cell infiltrating the wound edge in E group at PTH 24 was increased by nearly 77% as compared with that in C group.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with conventional dressing change, VSD can reduce the amount of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in full-thickness skin defect wound at the early stage, it may be related with an increase in blood flow and number of inflammatory cells in wound tissue, promoting expression of IL-1beta and VEGF mRNA.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Pseudomonas Infections ; therapy ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cost effectiveness of conservative treatment, percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)and percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP)for elderly osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF).

METHODSThe clinical data of 152 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures, collected in the orthopedic department of 309th Hospital of PLA from October 2013 to July 2014, was retrospectively analyzed. According to the therapeutic methods, the patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into conservative treatment group (51 cases), percutaneous vertebroplasty group (50 cases) and percutaneous kyphoplasty group(51 cases). The average medical cost (C) in hospital period and 1 year after discharging, and the treatment effect (E) according to standard of "cure" (VAS score less than or equal to 2) or "improvement" (VAS score was 3 to 8) was recorded. Then the C/E value indicated the cost effectiveness in different standards.

RESULTSThe average hospitalization days of the PVP and PKP group was 3 to 5 days with an average of(3.4±0.6) days. The conservative group was 12 to 15 days with an average of (14.0±0.6) days. During the hospitalization period, the cost effectiveness of the conservative group, PVP group and PKP group were RMB 1 253.88, 935.75, 983.99 yuan, respectively, according to the standard of "cure". The PVP group was superior to the PKP group and the latter was superior to the conservative group. If "improvement" was used as the standard of evaluation, the results were RMB 97.80, 449.16, 501.84 yuan, respectively, suggesting that the conservative group was better than the PVP group and the latter was better than the PKP group. After hospital discharge, the cost effectiveness of the conservative group, PVP group and PKP group were RMB 3 834.05, 1 878.41 and 1 916.11 yuan, respectively, according to the standard of "cure". The PVP group was superior to the PKP group and the latter exceeded the conservative group.

CONCLUSIONSThe study showed that the PVP was the best choice at the evaluation criterion of "cure", while taking "improvement" as the evaluation criterion, the conservative treatment was the best one. Either way, the PVP was the best choice after hospital discharge.