Objective To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of an outbreak of tsutsugamushi disease in Taizhou region of Jiangsu Province,and to clarify new changes of endemic focus of tsutsugamushi disease in Jiangsu Province.Methods The definition of tsutsugamushi infected cases was determined,field epidemiological investigation with analysis of clinical features and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results to diagnose tsutsugamushi disease were combined.Some of the positive samples were conducted genotyping by amplification and sequencing.Results The outbreak occurred from October to November,2011.The endemic focus located on the plain with humid climate and abundant rainfall.Fifteen cases of tsutsugamushi disease were found,including 6 PCR confirmed cases,5 clinically diagnosed cases,and 4 suspected cases.The main clinical symptoms were fever in 15 cases,skin rash in 14 cases,lymphadenectasis in 3 cases,skin eschar or ulcer in 12 cases,and liver dysfunction in 3 cases.None of the patients developed severe complications,and all recovered rapidly after the treatment.Comparing the sequencing results of positive samples with standard strains,the homology of base sequences was 99.00％ with that of Kawasaki.Conclusions The outbreak of tsutsugamushi disease in Jiangsu Province in 2011 is of autumn type in transitional endemic focus,and the pathogen is Kawasaki Orientia tsutsugamushi.

BACKGROUNDRecent clinical and preclinical studies have suggested that deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be used as a tool to enhance cognitive functions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of DBS at three separate targets in the Papez circuit, including the anterior nucleus of thalamus (ANT), the entorhinal cortex (EC), and the fornix (FX), on cognitive behaviors in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model.

METHODSForty-eight rats were subjected to an intrahippocampal injection of amyloid peptides 1-42 to induce an AD model. Rats were divided into six groups: DBS and sham DBS groups of ANT, EC, and FX. Spatial learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM). Recognition memory was investigated by the novel object recognition memory test (NORM). Locomotor and anxiety-related behaviors were detected by the open field test (OF). By using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), behavior differences between the six groups were analyzed.

RESULTSIn the MWM, the ANT, EC, and FX DBS groups performed differently in terms of the time spent in the platform zone (F(2,23) = 6.04, P < 0.01), the frequency of platform crossing (F(2,23) = 11.53, P < 0.001), and the percent time spent within the platform quadrant (F(2,23) = 6.29, P < 0.01). In the NORM, the EC and FX DBS groups spent more time with the novel object, although the ANT DBS group did not (F(2,23) = 10.03, P < 0.001). In the OF, all of the groups showed a similar total distance moved (F (1,42) = 1.14, P = 0.29) and relative time spent in the center (F(2,42) = 0.56, P = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONSOur results demonstrated that DBS of the EC and FX facilitated hippocampus-dependent spatial memory more prominently than ANT DBS. In addition, hippocampus-independent recognition memory was enhanced by EC and FX DBS. None of the targets showed side-effects of anxiety or locomotor behaviors.

Alzheimer Disease ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Animals ; Anterior Thalamic Nuclei ; physiology ; Deep Brain Stimulation ; methods ; Entorhinal Cortex ; physiology ; Fornix, Brain ; physiology ; Male ; Memory ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spatial Learning ; physiology

This study aims to establish the occupational exposure limit (OEL) in the air for workplace of warfarin based on the available toxicological studies and field investigations by using questionnaire and air monitoring. The clinical therapeutic dose was used as lowest observed effect level (LOEL), and no observed effect level (NOEL) was achieved by using a safety factor. The highest concentration of warfarin monitored in the worksite of centrifuge washing, drying and packing were 0.029 mg/m3, 0.051 mg/m3 respectively, which did not exceed the OEL 0.1 mg/m3 recommended by NIOSH and ACGIH. Considering its feasibility for enforcement and protection for workers, we recommend OEL 0.1 mg/m3 of warfarin in China.
Anticoagulants ; toxicity ; China ; Humans ; Occupational Exposure ; standards ; Risk Factors ; Warfarin ; toxicity

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of different doses of microwave on the proliferative activity and cell cycle of cultured epithelial cells of rabbit lens, and to investigate the limit tolerant of microwave exposure.

METHODSCultured epithelial cells of rabbit lens were exposed to microwave radiation with frequency of 2,450 MHz and power density of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 mW/cm(2) for 8 h in vitro. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of lens epithelial cells, the proliferative activity and cell cycle were measured by MTT assay and PI fluorescent staining.

RESULTS8 h after radiation, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mW/cm(2) microwave could decrease the proliferation of lens epithelial cells, make the cells disordered arrangement, shrinkage, detachment, and inhibit the synthesis of cell DNA. The percentage of G(0)/G(1) phase cells were 71.95% +/- 2.12%, 75.68% +/- 3.35% and 82.40% +/- 8.68% respectively, which were higher than that in control group (61.68% +/- 5.76%, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The percentage of S phase cells were 19.32% +/- 3.07%, 16.08% +/- 4.91% and 12.98% +/- 8.08% respectively, which were lower than that in control group (28.05% +/- 5.12%, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). No obvious changes could be detected in 0.10, 0.25 mW/cm(2) microwave groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMicrowave exceeding 0.50 mW/cm(2) may make injury to lens epithelial cells after 8 hour radiation, which may be related to the effect of microwave radiation on cell cycle.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Microwaves ; Rabbits

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. The estimated global incidence of NAFLD is 47 cases per 1,000 population and is higher among males than females. The estimated global prevalence of NAFLD among adults is 32% and is higher among males (40%) compared to females (26%). The global prevalence of NAFLD has increased over time, from 26% in studies from 2005 or earlier to 38% in studies from 2016 or beyond. The prevalence of NAFLD varies substantially by world region, contributed by differing rates of obesity, and genetic and socioeconomic factors. The prevalence of NAFLD exceeds 40% in the Americas and South-East Asia. The prevalence of NAFLD is projected to increase significantly in multiple world regions by 2030 if current trends are left unchecked. In this review, we discuss trends in the global incidence and prevalence of NAFLD and discuss future projections.

OBJECTIVETo test the hypothesis whether polymorphism in estrogen-metabolizing genes, COMT and CYP17, impacts on the risk of breast cancer among Chinese women.

METHODSCOMT (Val158Met) and CYP17 (T1931C) polymorphisms were detected by PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 250 breast cancer patients and 250 frequency-matched normal controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTSCOMT Met/Met genotype was found in 10.4% of breast cancer patients, which was significantly higher (P = 0.03) than that in controls (5.2%). Women with Met/Met genotype showed 2-fold increased risk for breast cancer (adjusted OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1 - 4.5) compared with those with Val/Val or Val/Met genotypes. Stratified analysis showed that the elevated risk of breast cancer, associating with the COMT Met/Met genotype, was evident only among premenopausal women (adjusted OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.2 - 17.3) but not among postmenopausal women (adjusted OR 1.3, 95% CI 0.5 - 3.5). There was no significant difference in the distribution of CYP17 genotypes between breast cancer patients and the control subjects (P = 0.83).

CONCLUSIONThe allele encoding for low activity COMT, but not CYP17, may be a genetic risk factor for breast cancer among Chinese women.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for determining brodifacoum in workplace air by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

METHODSBrodifacoum in workplace air was collected with a polytetrafluoroethylene filter and desorbed by mixed solution of methanol and dichloromethane (20:80, V:V), and was then separated using an ODS column and determined by an ultraviolet detector; retention time was used for identification, and peak area was used for quantification.

RESULTSThe concentration of brodifacoum showed a linear relationship with peak area within 0.2∼10.0 µg/ml; the elution efficiency was 91.6%∼95.1%; the detection limit was 0.08 µg/ml (injection volume: 20 µl eluate); the minimum detectable concentration was 0.000 67 mg/m(3) (calculated by 240 L air sample).

CONCLUSIONThis HPLC method is convenient and simple for air collection and sample preparation and meets the methodological requirements. Therefore, this method can be used for the determination of brodifacoum in workplace air.

4-Hydroxycoumarins ; analysis ; Air ; analysis ; Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between early lymphocyte count (lymphocyte count on day 30, LC30) post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and transplant prognosis in leukemia patients.

METHODSThe data from 124 consecutive patients undergoing allo-HSCT for leukemia from January 2003 to April 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. LC30 post-allo-HSCT correlated with 5-year overall survival (OS), 5-year relapse rate (RR), 5-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM), accumulative rate of acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) and chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) was studied.

RESULTSUnivariate analysis indicated that patients with LC30 ≥ 0.40×10(9)/L had higher 5-year OS than those with LC30 < 0.40×10(9)/L \[(62.2 ± 5.8)% vs (37.0 ± 8.6)%, P = 0.003\], lower 5-year RR\[(13.9 ± 4.7)% vs (32.0 ± 8.4)%, P = 0.027\], lower 5-year NRM \[(31.3 ± 5.8)% vs (45.0 ± 9.3)%, P = 0.048)\], and higher cGVHD cumulative incidence \[(82.9 ± 4.6)% vs (62.7 ± 11.1)%, P = 0.042)\]. Multivariate analysis also suggested that LC30 was associated with 5-year OS, 5-year RR, 5-year NRM, and cGVHD cumulative incidence. At the same time disease risk stratification was associated with prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSEarly lymphocyte count (LC30) post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in leukemia is highly associated with prognosis, which can be the independent prognosis index after allo-HSCT in leukemia and can identify a group of patients who might be suitable candidates for early interventions treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Leukemia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

To explore the hematopoiesis inhibition mechanisms of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), the effects of IFN-gamma on the expression of the cyclin D in the umbilical cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were observed. In the experiments the CD34(+) cells were isolated from the cord blood with MIDI-MACS system; semi-solid methylcellulose culture technique was used to measure the formation of CFU-GM; the expression levels of cyclin D isoforms were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, after the hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were incubated with IFN-gamma. The results indicated that IFN-gamma could inhibit the formation of CFU-GM and down-regulate the expression of cyclin D2 and cyclin D3 at the mRNA level. It is concluded that the IFN-gamma could inhibit the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells and down-regulate the expression of cyclin D, that may be one mechanism underlying the hematopoietic inhibition of IFN-gamma.
Cyclin D ; Cyclins ; genetics ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; G1 Phase ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Protein Isoforms ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

Objective:Effect of gut microbiota on human health has become a hotspot in recent years with the emergence of new microbial technology.B.bifidum is a traditional probiotics and has been widely used in food and medicine.But the metabolism and function of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 has not been well documented.To investigate colonization and growth of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine,fecal B.bifidum concentrations were analyzed by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.Methods:Female C57BL/6 mice were orally gavaged with eigher a single dose of 1 × 109 CFU B.bifidum ATCC 29521 or continuous doses of 1 × 109/day for 3 weeks.Feces were collected at 0,2,4,6,8,10,12,16,20,24 h and at 10,7,14,21,24,28 d,respectively.Total DNA was isolated from the feces using the Qiagen DNA stool extraction kit according to the manufacturer's instructions.The linear standard curve was established by each dilution degrees of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 and their corresponding CT values.The curve equation was y =0.1835x + 9.0628 and R2 was 0.9994.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice feces were calculated by substituted CT values obtained by RT-PCR into the curve equation.Results:The curves of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 concentration rose at first and then reduced gradually.In single dose group,the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 began to increase at 4h after oral gavage,reaching its peak 6.0 × 107 CFU/g at 10h and then decreased gradually.The biggest drop occurred at the period between 12 h and 16 h after B.bifidum treatment.In successive administration group,the concentration rose at the highest rate in the first week when it achieved 2.0 × 107CFU/g and kept on inceasing to 1.0 × 108CFU/g in the next week.However,the concentration did not rose up significantly in the third week.It means that the concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 in mice intestine reached platform in the second week after oral gavage.The concentration of B.bifidum ATCC 29521 significantly decreased at 24h and one week after B.bifidum treatment course in two group repectively and was still higher than baseline before oral gavage.Conclusion:Once the B.bifidum ATCC 29521 supplement was discontinued,the concentration fell down in short time.B.bifidum ATCC 29521 could not sustain colonization and growth in mice intestine without external supplement.It is necessary to provide daily supplemention for at least two weeks and to keep on in order to maintain sufficient concentration.