Objective To observe the seroreversion of serological tests for syphilis in neonates born to mothers with syphilis and to evaluate the influence of antisyphilitic treatment on the time of seroreversion in uninfected neonates.Methods A total of 115 neonates born to mothers with syphilis were recruited in this study,and underwent toluidine red unheated serum test (TRUST),Treponema pallidum particle assay (TPPA)and 19S IgM-TPPA at birth.Follow up was scheduled at 1,3,6,9,12,18 and 24 months of age,and cancelled as soon as both TRUST and TPPA became negative during the 24 months.Both TRUST and TPPA were carried out at each follow-up visit.Kaplan-Meiter survival analysis and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were conducted to assess these data by using SPSS 13.0 software.Results At birth,TPPA was positive in all (100％) of the neonates,TRUST in 97 neonates (84.3％) with the titer ranging from 1 ∶ 1 to 1 ∶ 256,19S IgM-TPPA in 3 neonates who were diagnosed with congenital syphilis (CS).CS was ruled out in the other 112 neonates with negative 19S IgM-TPPA after follow up.Of the 3 neonates with CS,all became negative for TRUST within 12-18 months after birth,2 remained positive for TPPA at 24 months of age,1 remained positive for TPPA at 20 months of age,and all were still followed at the time of this writing.The cumulative seroreversion rate was 82.2％,98.9％ and 100％for TRUST at 0-3,4-6 and 7-9 months of age,respectively in 90 uninfected neonates,3.1％,30.2％,85.4％ and 100％ for TPPA at 0-3,4-6,7-9 and 10-12 months of age,respectively in 96 uninfected neonates.Of 16 neonates who missed some follow-up visits,all turned negative for TRUST and TPPA within 15 months after birth.As far as the TP-seropositive uninfected neonates were concerned,no statistical differences were observed in the seroreversion time of TRUST or TPPA between neonates receiving antisyphilitic treatment and those without antisyphilitic treatment (x2 =0.54,2.41,respectively,both P ＞ 0.05).The seroreversion of TRUST occurred earlier than that of TPPA (Z =10.45,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Most uninfected neonates born to syphilitic mothers turn negative for TRUST within 6 months after birth,and for TPPA within 12 months.And the seroreversion of TRUST usually occurs earlier than that of TPPA.Antisyphilitic treatment shows no significant influence on the seroreversion time of TRUST or TPPA in these seropositive uninfected infants.

Objective To observe the efficacy of Mimics finite element analysis software in the gasserian ganglion radiofrequency treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods 180 cases with primary trigeminal neuralgia and VAS score ≥8 were randomly divided into 2 groups (n = 90 each): CT group (group C) and Mimics group (group M). The preoperative skull CT image of the foramen of cranial base could be analyzed in group C. The preoperative cranial CT image could be reconstructed and analyzed by Mimics finite element analysis software in group M. The puncturing success rate, complications rate and the outcomes between two groups were recorded. Results The puncturing success rates were 100% in group M and 92% in group C (P < 0.05). 6 cases with hematoma and 1 case, which were stabbed into the oral cavity were found in group C. No puncture complication was found in group G. There was no statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.05). The VAS score was 1.6 ± 0.3 in group C and 1.3 ± 0.4 in group G, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05) between them. Conclusions The Mimics finite element analysis software could improve the success rate of basicranial foramen ovale puncture and reduce the occurrence rate of puncture complications. Therefore , it could be safely applied to the treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia by gasserian ganglion radio frequency.

Objective To evaluate the effects of regional seawater immersion on the pain behavior and its secondary neuropathological change in the rats model of skin/muscle incision and retraction (SMIR). Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups (16 each): the model control group (only to set up SMIR model, Group MC), normal saline immersion group (to set up SMIR model and the incision immersed with normal saline, Group NS), seawater immersion group (to set up SMIR model and the incision immersed with seawater, Group SW). Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) was measured 1d before and 1d, 3d, 5d, 7d, 14d, 21d and 28d after operation, respectively. At 3d and 28d after the operation, 8 rats were randomly selected from each group, ipsilateral saphenous nerves were taken from 4 rats for HE staining, and dorsal root ganglion of ipsilateral L3/L4 were taken from another 4 rats for ultrastructural observation by electron microscopy. Results Compared with the other two groups, MWT values in Group SW significantly reduced at every observation time and remained significantly lower than the basic level at 28d. There were no differences in MWT values between Group MC and Group NS, and the MWT values of the two groups at 28d were comparable with preoperative basic level. The HE staining of Group SW showed saphenous nerves were injured, while of Group MC and Group NS were normal. A large number of vacuolar mitochondrion and autophagosomes were observed in dorsal root ganglion of Group SW and few swelling mitochondrion was found in the other two groups. Conclusions Regional seawater immersion can aggravate the pain evoked by SMIR and may result in chronic pain. Peripheral nerve injury, ultrastructure changes of dorsal root ganglion neurons in rats caused by regional seawater immersion may be involved in the mechanism of the change of pain behavior.

Objective To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures based on infection source control in Hanchuan City marshland and lake endemic regions . Methods The data of comprehensive schistosomiasis control in Hanchuan City from 2004 to 2013 were collected and the change trends of the Oncomelania hupensis snail status and the in?fection situation of human and livestock were analyzed to evaluate the control effect. Results After the implementation of the comprehensive measures the infection rates of residents and cattle decreased from 6.38%and 8.11%in 2004 to 0.16%and 0 in 2013 respectively. There were no acute schistosomiasis patients since 2007 no new infection cases since 2011 and no infected snails since 2012. Compared with 2004 the occurrence rate of frames with living snails and the average density of living snails decreased by 56.78%and 68.35% respectively but the snail area and susceptible area increased by 0.62%and 7.10% respec?tively. In 2013 all the 367 endemic villages in 26 townships reached the criteria of transmission controlled. Conclusions The comprehensive schistosomiasis control measures based on infection source control can control the schistosomiasis transmission effectively in marshland and lake endemic regions. When consolidating the achievement the snail area in inner embankment should be compressed to prevent the schistosome re?infection in human and livestock.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of a discrete nano-hydroxyapatite crystal (nano-HAp) on lymphatic leukemia P388 behavior by in vivo techniques.

METHODSA nano-HAp was prepared by a neutralization reaction of 0.1 mol calcium hydroxide suspension and 0.06 mol phosphoric acid solutions at room temperature over pH7. The various doses of the nano-HAp only and the nano-HAp mixture with cyclophosphamide (CY) were injected into mice inoculated with solid tumor lymphatic leukemia P388 and dispersed into PRMI 1640 media harvested the leukemia P388 cells. Sixty P388 BALB/C mice were randomly grouped; 36 of them were used as nano-HAp treated groups and 24 mice as the control groups. The leukemia growth in the mice was examined morphologically, histopathologically and under a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

RESULTSThe nano-HAp was identified as a hydroxyapatite by an X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology and sizes were observed under a TEM. The tissue growth inhibition ratio (weight%) of solid lymphatic leukemia P388 bearing mice treated with nano-HAp at doses 35 mg/kg, 53 mg/kg and nano-HAp (53 mg/kg) combined with CY (35 mg/kg) in 3 consecutive days via intraperitineal injections were 14.95%, 32.67% and 60.45% respectively. Apoptosis of P388 cell cocultured with nano-HAp was confirmed by TEM.

CONCLUSIONSThe tissue growth restriction of solid tumor lymphatic leukemia P388 was greater after an injection of nano-HAp only or nano-HAp mixed with CY than that obtained after injection with physiological saline solution as a control (P < 0.01), and the tissue growth restriction of solid tumor after an injection of nano-HAp combined with CY was greater than that obtained after nano-HAp or CY injection only (P < 0.01).

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; pharmacology ; Calcium Hydroxide ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; pathology ; Durapatite ; pharmacology ; Female ; Leukemia P388 ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo obtain isolated human metapneumovirus (HMPV) strains from clinical specimens collected from infants and children in Beijing and to promote the investigation on this important respiratory pathogen.

METHODClinical specimens including throat swabs from outpatients and nasopharyngeal aspirates from hospitalized children were collected from infants and children visited the affiliated children's hospital for acute respiratory infections during May 2008 to April 2009. HMPV positive specimens identified by RT-PCR and/or direct immunofluorescent assay with monoclonal antibody against HMPV were inoculated to LLC-MK(2) cells and incubated at 37°C and 33°C, respectively. The replication of the virus in the cells was detected by direct immunofluorescent assay followed by RT-PCR. The genotypes of the isolated virus strains were identified by RT-PCR.

RESULTOut of 1092 clinical specimens, 81 were HMPV positive by RT-PCR, the positive rate was 7.4% (81/1092). Among these positive specimens, 33 were inoculated to LLC-MK(2) cells and the replication of HMPV was revealed by antigen detection and RT-PCR from 5 out of these 33 inoculates. These isolated viruses could be passed in LLC-MK(2) cells and were not cross-reacted with other common respiratory viruses, such as ADV, RSV and Parainfluenza viruses 1/2/3 by monoclonal antibodies against these viruses in direct immunofluorescent assay. The HMPV was more likely to be isolated from fresh specimens within 24 hours after the collection of specimens which were not frozen. Four of the 5 isolated strains were identified as genotype A and 1 as genotype B. Unlike other respiratory viruses, these isolated HMPV did not show specific CPE in cell culture and the replication of the virus was identified by antigen detection and RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONHMPV of both genotypes were isolated from infants and children with acute respiratory infections in Beijing which will accelerate the investigation of this important virus.

Acute Disease ; Child ; China ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Metapneumovirus ; isolation & purification ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology

OBJECTIVETo assess the genetic damage of human B lymphocyte cell line induced by 14 nm and 280 nm carbon black (CB) particles with micronucleus assay (CBMN), comet assay and hprt gene mutation test in vitro.

METHODSThe genetic damage of human B lymphocyte cells exposed to 14 nm and 280 nm CB particles at the doses of 0, 128, 256, 384 and 512 microg/ml for 24 h and 48 h was detected using above three genotoxic assays. Micronucleus (MN) assay, comet assay, hprt gene mutation test were used to detect the genetic damage of human B lymphocyte cells induced by CB. Micronucleus rate (MNR), micronucleated cell rate (MCR), nuclear buds (Buds), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs), nuclear division index (NDI) and numbers of apoptotic cells served as indexes of CBMN assay; the percentage of DNA in the tail (% tail DNA) and the olive tail moment (OTM) were used as DNA damage indicators of comet assay; the hprt gene mutation frequency (Mf-hprt) served as the index of hprt gene mutation test.

RESULTSThe % tail DNA, OTM in 14 nm CB group at the doses of 384 and 512 microg/ml for 48 h were 8.23% +/- 0.19%, 11.23% +/- 0.42% and 3.72 +/- 0.08, 4.90 +/- 0.18, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in control (5.10% +/- 0.08% and 2.22 +/- 0.03) (P < 0.01). The apoptotic cell rates in 14 nm CB group at the doses of 384 and 512 microg/ml for 48 h were 4.67 +/- 0.33 and 5.33 +/- 0.33, respectively, which were significantly higher than in control (0.00 +/- 0.00) (P < 0.05). The results of Mf-hprt were negative.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic damage of human B lymphocyte cells exposed to 14 nm CB particles for 48 h could be detected. But the similar effects didn't appear in 280 nm CB group.

B-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Humans ; Micronucleus Tests ; Mutation Rate ; Soot ; toxicity

OBJECTIVEThe main causes of death in children aged 0 - 4 were accidental suffocation and drowning which had a significant relation with parents' lack of prevention knowledge and effective measures. By comparing parents' acknowledge and behavior in preventing accidental suffocation and drowning and the mortality rate of accidental suffocation and drowning after intervening with those before the intervening, evaluation was made on intervening efficacy of health education.

METHODSSix counties in north Jiangsu were involved in the survey. Two townships drawn from each county were divided into the intervened group and the controlled group. Health education was carried out in the intervened group for one year in 2000. Twenty to 30 parents of infants and children aged 1 - 4 drawn randomly from every township in the intervened group were taken as investigation subjects before and after intervening, and a questionnaire was made for them to answer. Meanwhile, the mortality rates of accidental suffocation and drowning were measured.

RESULTSFollowed by health education for a year, the parents' opinion about whether unintentional injury can be avoided or not has changed from 18.8% to 20.5% to 1.8% - 2.9%, and parents' knowledge about how to give first aid in spot has increased from 11.1% - 13.5% to 41.1% - 56.8%. The parents' behavior that not sleeping with their infants in the same beds and not tying infants in a candle with blanket, and setting up fence beside pools and rivers has increased by 75.7%, 61.5% and 61.2%, respectively, while their relative knowledge has increased by 212.7% and 194.3%. In the intervened group, the mortality rates of infants' accidental suffocation per 100,000 has fallen from 487.8 to 71.2, dropped by 85.4%; and the mortality rates of drowning in children aged 1 - 4 per 100,000 has fallen from 60.0 to 36.2, dropped by 39.7%. In comparison, in the controlled group, the mortality rates of infants' accidental suffocation per 100,000 has fallen from 344.1 to 276.4, dropped by 19.7%; and the mortality rates of drowning in children aged 1 - 4 per 100,000 has increased by 26.3%, from 51.7 to 65.3.

CONCLUSIONHealth education to parents is an effective intervening measure for prevention of accidental suffocation and drowning. The goal of health education should be to change inadequate behavior and dangerous environment in which unintentional injury is easily happened. The intervening measures that not sleeping with their infants in the same beds and not tying infants in a candle with blanket, and putting up fence beside pools and rivers are feasible and practicable.

Accident Prevention ; Asphyxia ; prevention & control ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Drowning ; prevention & control ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parenting ; Parents ; education ; Suburban Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the effects of p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)-α protein on the apoptosis and fibrosis of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high glucose.Methods HPMCs were induced by 50mmol/L D type glucose or mannitol for 72 hours respectively,flow cytometry was employed to detect the rate of apoptotic cells,and theexpression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting.The untreated HPMCs were transfected with Lenti-PUMA-α,and the treated cells were transfected with shRNA-PUMA-α,the number of apoptotic cells and the expression levels of apoptosis-and fibrosis-related proteins were detected with the methods mentioned above.Results Flow cytometry showed that the rate of apoptotic HPMCs increased after being induced by high glucose for 72 hours,and Western blotting revealed that the expression levels of pro-apoptotic and pro-fibrotic related proteins increased,but the arrestins of apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins decreased.Up-regulation of PUMA-α promoted apoptosis and fibrosis,while down-regulation of PUMA-α alleviated apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs.Conclusion High glucose may accelerate apoptosis and fibrosis of HPMCs by up-regulating the expression of PUMA-α.

OBJECTIVETo find out the status of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in children under 14 years old with acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) in Guangzhou, analyze the epidemiology and clinical characteristics among the hMPV-infected children, and provide some basis for research of hMPV.

METHODSAll 521 throat and pharyngeal swabs were collected among the children with acute respiratory tract infections in outpatient departments and those admitted to the wards from September 2006 to August 2008. Then total nucleic acid was extracted from respiratory specimens. The 213 nucleosides of nucleoprotein gene were detected by RT-PCR and 16 strong positive samples were picked to compare with the sequence of hMPV in GenBank after the sequence of the amplification products were determined. Then applied statistical analysis to the data of the collected patients.

RESULTSAll 521 samples were detected by RT-PCR, and confirmed that N gene was positive in 39 samples with a detection rate of 7.49%, and the peak time was in October and April. The 16 amplification products were compared by using the analysis of gene sequence. The nucleocapsid protein (N) gene similarity to BJ1897 of Beijing was up to 99%, and to AY550156 of Thailand was up to 97%, genotype B was the most common genotype.

CONCLUSIONThere existed hMPV infection in children acute respiratory system diseases in Guangzhou areas, in which the children under the age of 6 years were accounted for the main group, however there was no difference in gender. The main symptoms of the patients with hMPV infection were high fever and cough symptom of catarrh. Co-infections other than respiratory virus with hMPV were detected as 41.03% of positive samples.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Metapneumovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; virology