OBJECTIVE: Neuroendocrine cervical carcinoma is a rare subtype of cervical cancer. These tumors exhibit an aggressive behavior with early regional lymph node and distant metastases. The purpose of our study was to describe five cases of neuroendocrine cervical-vaginal carcinoma and to discuss the potential of the 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan for the detection of this rare malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five cases of cervical-vaginal neuroendocrine tumor were retrospectively collected, during a two year (from September 2009 to August 2011) period in our hospital. The clinical staging distributions were International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB2 (1 of 5), stage IIA (3 of 5) and stage IVA (1 of 5). RESULTS: Two cases (cases 1 and 4) were restaged after 18F-FDG PET/CT scan in the initial staging process. Post-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT scans, in three patients, revealed positive findings for tumor recurrence or lymph node metastases. Two patients (cases 2 and 3) died of tumor within two years. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET/CT scan is a useful tool in cervical-vaginal neuroendocrine tumor. In its initial staging, the 18F-FDG PET/CT scan may help assess the possible nodal involvement or early hematogeneous spreading. We can also use the 18F-FDG PET/CT to detect local recurrence and to evaluate the treatment response after clinical manipulation.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine/pathology/*radionuclide imaging/therapy ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/*diagnostic use ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Radiopharmaceuticals/*diagnostic use ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology/*radionuclide imaging/therapy ; Vaginal Neoplasms/pathology/*radionuclide imaging/therapy

Objective: To evaluate the randomness and representativeness of respondent- driven sampling (RDS) tool in conducting the investigation in MSM population, in Beijing, 2017. Methods: RDS tool was used to recruit MSM population for a face-to-face interview with structured questionnaire and serological tests. Results: A total of 600 MSM people were sampled and interviewed. The median number of personal network of seeds was 10, which was higher than other MSM people recruited. The numbers of recruitments by wave presented a skewed positive distribution and the highest number was in the fourth wave. It was also dramatically varied from different seeds. Three seeds had the longest chains and had recruited 184, 113 and 92 MSM people, respectively. In contrast, five seeds recruited less than 10 MSM people. Two college students were the most non-generative seeds and each recruited only 1 MSM person. After five to nine waves of sampling, the major demographic characteristics reached equilibrium. Both convergence and bottleneck plots of major demographic characteristics reached convergence, although the plots on marriage and education did not. The homophiles of characteristics were all closed to 1, except for education. The HIV positive rate appeared as 7.9% (95%CI: 4.4%-11.4%) . Conclusions: Results from this study showed that RDS could be used as a feasible sampling method for the study on MSM population with major demographic characteristics reached equilibrium. The process of recruitment appeared controllable and reasonable, showing that this could represent the MSM population in Beijing, in some degree.
Beijing/epidemiology* ; HIV Infections/epidemiology* ; Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Outcome Assessment, Health Care/statistics & numerical data* ; Patient Selection ; Prevalence ; Sampling Studies ; Sexual and Gender Minorities ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To understand the prevalence of major human parasitic diseases and related factors in Henan province. Methods: This stratified sampling survey was carried out according to the requirement of national survey protocol of major human parasitic diseases, 2014-2015. The prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths infection, taeniasis and intestinal protozoiasis were surveyed in 104 sites selected from 35 counties (districts) and the prevalence of clonorchiasis was surveyed in 62 sites selected from 37 townships. In each survey spot, 250 persons were surveyed. A total of 26 866 persons and 15 893 persons were surveyed. Modified Kato-Katz thick smear was used to detect the eggs of intestinal helminthes. Tube fecal culture was used to identify the species of hookworm. The Enterobius eggs were detected in children aged 3 to 6 years by using adhesive tape. The cyst and trophozoite of intestinal protozoa were examined with physiological saline direct smear method and iodine stain method. Results: The overall infestation rate of intestinal parasites was2.02% in Henan, and the worm infection rate was higher than protozoa infection rate. Fourteen kinds of intestinal parasites were found, including nematode (5 species), trematode (2 species), and protozoan (7 species). The infection rate of Enterobius vermicularis was highest, and Qinba Mountain ecological area had the highest infestation rate of intestinal parasites in 4 ecological areas of Henan. There was no significant difference in intestinal parasite infection rate between males and females (χ(2)=3.630, P=0.057), and the differences in intestinal parasite infection rate among different age groups had significance (χ(2)=124.783, P=0.000 1). The infection rate reached the peak in age group ≤9 years and the major parasite was Enterobius vermicularis. Furthermore the overall human infection rate of parasite showed a downward trend with the increase of educational level of the people (χ(2)=70.969, P=0.000 1), the differences had significance (χ(2)=120.118, P=0.000 1). For different populations, the infection rate of intestinal parasites was highest among preschool children. The infection of intestinal helminth was mainly mild, only 2 severe cases were detected. The infection rate of Clonorchis sinensis in urban residents was only 0.006%. Logistic regression analysis showed that being preschool children (χ(2)=15.765, P=0.000 1) and drinking well water (χ(2)=45.589, P=0.000 1) were the risk factors for intestinal parasite infection, and annual income per capita of farmers was the protective factor against intestinal parasite infection. The infection rates of protozoa and intestinal parasites decreased sharply compared with the results of previous two surveys, and the rate of intestinal helminth infection also dropped sharply compared with the second survey. The numbers of protozoa, helminth and intestinal parasites detected in this survey were all less than the numbers found in the previous two surveys. Conclusions: Compared the results of three surveys in Henan, the infection rate of protozoa and intestinal parasites showed a downward trend. The prevention and treatment of Enterobius vermicularis infection in children should be the key point of parasitic disease control in the future.
Animals ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Clonorchiasis/epidemiology* ; Farmers ; Feces/parasitology* ; Female ; Helminthiasis/epidemiology* ; Helminths ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/parasitology* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Soil Microbiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Taeniasis/epidemiology* ; Trematode Infections/parasitology* ; Urban Population ; Water Wells

OBJECTIVESThe objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of submandibular gland neoplasia in an Asian population with a Western population and to evaluate the accuracy of fi ne needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and computed tomography (CT) scan in the study of submandibular gland pathologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODSWe conducted a 10-year retrospective review of 101 submandibular mass excisions. Data on the demographic profi le of patients, clinical features, correlation of fi ne needle aspiration cytology, CT scans and histology and morbidities related to surgery were collected.

RESULTSThe prevalence of submandibular gland neoplasia was 27.1%. Most (78.9%) of these were benign. FNAC and CT scans were accurate for benign neoplasia. However, the accuracy of FNAC and CT scans for sialadenitis without sialolithiasis was low.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of submandibular gland malignancy was lower in the Asian population. FNAC and CT scans were accurate for benign neoplasia of the submandibular gland.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Child ; European Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prevalence ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Submandibular Gland Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Immunotherapy, primarily headed by immune checkpoint inhibitors, has become a standard, first-line therapeutic methodin treatment for patients with melanoma. Combination immunotherapy, that is the combination of programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor, further enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy, improved the objective response rate, and extended both the overall and progressionfree survival of patients in the past years. Therefore, combination immunotherapy has also become a new direction for the treatment of melanoma. Meanwhile, the anti-tumor effects and clinical outcomes of combination immunotherapy in other types of tumors are also encouraging. Combination immunotherapy offers a new treatment option for patients, but there are still many issues that need to be further discussed. In order to maximize the benefit of patients, more large-scale clinical researches are needed to answer the questions which may strongly affect the clinical decisions, such as, how to optimize the regimens of combination therapy, how to identify the appropriate treatment population, and how to balance the risk-benefit ratio of patients.

To determine whether the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) mediated protein kinase signal transduction pathway is involved in the pyrogenic action of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in rats. Methods Corticotropin releasing hormone, 2', 3 '-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) and adenosine-3', 5' (cyclic) monophosphorothionate, Rp-lsomer (Rp-cAMPS), were administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). The colonic temperature was measured using a thermistor, and the content of cAMP in the hypothalamus was determined by radioimmunoassay. Hypethalemic incubation was used to assess the effects of CRH on the content of cAMP in the hypothalamus in vitro. Results Microinjection (i.c.v.) of CRH (2.5 μg, 5.0 μg and 10 μg) caused increases in colonic temperature and the hypothalemus cAMP level in conscious rats. CRH increased hypothalemus cAMP level in vitro. The pyrogenic effects of CRH were abolished or markedly inhibited by prior injection (i. c. v. ) of an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, DDA (30 μg), or an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase, Rp-cAMPS (15 μg). Conclusion cAMP mediates the pyrogenic action of centrally administered of CRH in rats, and protein kinase A may play an important role in the central CRH-induced fever. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase signal transduction pathway may be involved in the central mechanisms of the pyrogenic action of CRH in rats.

Objective To investigate if low dose total body irradiation (TBI, 6.0- 9.0 Gy) combined with intensified chemotherapy followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation results in better survival in children with refractory leukemia or solid tumors. Methods Twenty-one children with malignant tumors were included in this study. There were 14 males and 7 females aged 3.5- 12 years. Underlying disease included high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, CR1 in 3 children and CR2 in 5 children), acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML, 9 children), non Hodgkin' s lymphoma stage Ⅳ (2 children), and neuroblastoma stage Ⅳ (2 children). The peripheral hematopoietic stem cells were collected six to eleven months after complete response, mobilized with high dose chemotherapy alone or combined with GM-CSF or G-CSF. The conditioning regimen consisted of chemotherapy with two to three combinations of the following drugs: cyclophosphamide, arabinosylcytosine, McNU, etopside, and Idarubicin on the basis of TBI (6.0-9.0Gy). A mean of (1.8 ± 0.5) × 108/kg autologous mononuclear cells were transplanted. The patients were followed up after transplantation. Results Severe bone marrow suppression occurred in all patients around day + 7. Peripheral white blood cell count decreased to 0 in all patients at day + 4.8 ± 2.9, and platelet count decreased to less than 20× 109/L at day + 9.0 ± 2.6. Successful engraftment was achieved in 21 patients, but four died of infection at day + 17, + 20, + 31 and + 67, respectively. Recovery of white blood cell (WBC) to 10 × 109/L, absolute neutrophil count to 0.5 × 109/L, platelet count to 20 × 109/L occurred on 21 ± 12, 26± 13, and 27 ± 10 days, respectively. During the follow up period, three patients relapsed at + 5 months, + 1.5 years, and + 2 years 10 months, respectively. One patient died of intracranial hemorrhage at +8 months. Thirteen patients had event-free survival for 2 - 12 years, with a mean of 6.7±3.4 years. Conclusion Our preliminary data suggest that myeloablative therapy with low dose TBI (6.0 - 9.0 Gy) combined with intensified chemotherapy followed by autologous paripheral blood stem cell transplantation might be associated with favorable results in children with refractory leukemia or solid tumors.

Objective: To investigate the infection pattern and etiological characteristics of a case of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H7N9) virus and provide evidence for the prevention and control of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Methods: Epidemiological investigation was conducted to explore the case's exposure history, infection route and disease progression. Samples collected from the patient, environments and poultry were tested by using real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Virus isolation, genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted for positive samples. Results: The case had no live poultry contact history, but had a history of pulled chicken processing without taking protection measure in an unventilated kitchen before the onset. Samples collected from the patient's lower respiratory tract, the remaining frozen chicken meat and the live poultry market were all influenza A (H7N9) virus positive. The isolated viruses from these positive samples were highly homogenous. An insertion which lead to the addition of multiple basic amino acid residues (PEVPKRKRTAR/GL) was found at the HA cleavage site, suggesting that this virus might be highly pathogenic. Conclusions: Live poultry processing without protection measure is an important infection mode of "poultry to human" transmission of avian influenza viruses. Due to the limitation of protection measures in live poultry markets in Guangzhou, it is necessary to promote the standardized large scale poultry farming, the complete restriction of live poultry sales and centralized poultry slaughtering as well as ice fresh sale.
Animals ; Chickens ; China ; Commerce ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype/pathogenicity* ; Influenza in Birds/virology* ; Influenza, Human/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Poultry/virology* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Zoonoses

OBJECTIVE：To summarize the current output research status of collaboration between clinical pharmacists and physicians in China ，and to provide reference for comprehensively understanding the development trend of relevant research and the collaborative value of clinical pharmacists and physicians. METHODS ：Literature analysis was used to sort out the general characteristics，the indexes and results of output related researches ，and investigate the focuses and results of collaboration output indexes from 3 dimensions，such as time ，hospital level and disease type /situation. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS ：In the aspect of focuses，the number of output related researches in China had decreased in recent years ，among which tertiary hospitals conducted more related researches ；secondary hospitals had few related researches and a limited perspective on evaluating outputs. On the whole，the current researches paid more attention to t he use of antibiotics in bacterial in fection. Most of the research sites were inpatient departments ，and most of the research designs were historical controlled parallel trials and single arm trials. In addition，the three output measurement indexes of safety ， cpulucyxia@163.com effectiveness and economy develop diversely ， scientifically and comprehensively. Ho wever，at the present ，little attention was paid to complex and dif ficult measurement indexes ，such as“cognitive level of patients ”“recurrence rate ”improvement in “quality of life ”“cost-effectiveness/benefit analysis of clinical pharmaceutical care ”. In aspect of research result ，most of the existing researches could prove that the collaboration can significantly improve medication safety ，effectiveness and economy ；the proportion of “significantly improved ”results of most indicators had been stable or had increased stage by stage. However ，there were still a small number of researches that had not carried out statistical test on the results before and after collaboration. In the future ，relevant researchers still need to strengthen the research on outpatient pharmaceutical care ，randomized controlled trials and multi disease and multi situation ，and should scientifically and reasonably select output measurement indicators and pay attention to the application of statistical methods ，so as to further expand the focus of research and comprehensively explore the value of collaboration between clinical pharmacists and physicians.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of super-antigen (SAg) of group A Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), isolated from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. Methods: Throat swab specimens from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections were collected and tested for GAS. Eleven currently known SAg genes including SpeA, speC, speG, speH, speI, speJ, speK, speL, speM, smeZ and ssa were tested by real-time PCR while M protein genes (emm genes) were amplified and sequenced by PCR. Results: A total of 377 GAS were isolated from 6 801 throat swab specimens, with the positive rate as 5.5%. There were obvious changes noticed among speC, speG, speH and speK in three years. A total of 45 SAg genes profiles were observed, according to the SAgs inclusion. There were significant differences appeared in the frequencies among two of the highest SAg genes profiles between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=38.196, P<0.001; χ(2)=72.310, P<0.001). There also appeared significant differences in the frequencies of speA, speH, speI and speJ between emm1 and emm12 strains (χ(2)=146.154, P<0.001; χ(2)=52.31, P<0.001; χ(2)=58.43, P<0.001; χ(2)=144.70, P<0.001). Conclusions: Obvious changes were noticed among SAg genes including speC, speG, speH and speK from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. SAg genes including speA, speH, speI and speJ appeared to be associated with the emm 1 and emm 12 strains. More kinds of SAg genes profiles were isolated form GAS but with no significant differences seen in the main SAg genes profiles, during the epidemic period.
Antigens, Bacterial/genetics* ; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins ; Bacterial Proteins ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Exotoxins ; Female ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; Pharyngitis/microbiology* ; Pharynx/microbiology* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/microbiology* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scarlet Fever/microbiology* ; Streptococcal Infections ; Streptococcus pyogenes/isolation & purification* ; Superantigens/genetics*