To explore the effect of magnitude and duration on the performance of Cumulative Sum (CUSUM),with simulation method used on the subject after the insertion of 11 outbreak events into baseline data with Poisson distribution.Sensitivity fluctuated from 9.1％ to 100.0％ with specificities higher than 98.6％.Sensitivity was significantly correlated with magnitude,and increased along with the increase of magnitude.However,no significant correlation was observed between sensitivity and duration.A magnitude which was at least 2.6 times higher than that of the mean daily baseline could result in the sensitivity of 100.0％.Time-lag would be improved along with the increase of magnitude.Time between onset and detection of an outbreak was no longer than one day when magnitude was more than 1.8 of the mean daily baseline.In summary,the performance of CUSUM was influenced by magnitude,but not by duration.CUSUM had the advantage of good time-lag and high sensitivity when the outbreak magnitude was more than 2.4 time over the baseline data.

Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP)is a common hereditary blinding eye disease in ophthalmology.Current researches documented that RP may have the common pathophysiologic basis to Alzheimer disease and chronic neurodegenerative disease.Understanding this mechanism will offer a new therapeutic target for RP.Objective The purpose of the present study was to investigate the roles of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5)/P25 activation in the apoptosis of retinal neural cells of RCS rats.Methods Eighteen SPF RCS rats and 18 RCS-rdy+ rats were randomized into 17-,25-and 35-day groups respectively and 6 rats for each.The rats were sacrificed at corresponding time points and retinal hemogenete was prepared.Expressions of CdkS,P35,P25 and tau phosphorylation in the retinas were detected by Western blot,and the kinase activity of Cdk5/P25 was analyzed by quantitative colorimetric assay.Results The expressing level of P35 protein(A340) in the retinas of 17-day-old RCS rats was near that of 17-day-old RCS-rdy+ rats(t =0.52,P＞0.05).In 25-and 35-day-old RCS rats,the expressing levels of P35 protein were 2.20±0.48 and 1.23±0.14,which were higher than those of RCS-rdy+ rats(1.43±0.13 and 0.93±0.10),showing significant differences between them(t =3.78,4.28,P＜0.05).The expression of P25 was undetectable at postnatal 17 days in RCS rats and RCS-rdy+ rats,but it showed significantly higher in RCS rats(0.300±0.003 and 0.230±0.004) than that in RCS-rdy+ rats(0.040±0.004 and 0.070±0.004) at postnatal 25 days and 35 days(t=121.81,77.51,P＜0.01).No significant difference was found in the expression of Cdk5 in RCS rats and RCS-rdy+ rats at different ages (t =-0.60,0.19,1.62,P＞ 0.05).The kinase activity of Cdk5/P25 did not show significantly different between RCS and RCS-rdy+ rats at postnatal 17 days(t =0.19,P＞0.05),but significantly higher kinase activity of Cdk5/P25 was seen in RCS rats (0.0058 ±0.0005 and 0.0056±0.0004) than that in RCS-rdy+ rats(0.0038±0.0003 and 0.0032 ±0.0007) at postnatal 25 days and 35 days (t =8.07,5.97,P＜ 0.01).No expression of tau phosphorylation was detected in RCS rats at postnatal 17 days,but significantly higher tau phosphorylation level was seen in RCS rats at postnatal 25 days and 35 days(1.80±0.22 and 1.23±0.17),which were significant different in comparison with RCS-rdy+ rats at postnatal 25 days and 35 days(1.60 ±0.20 and 1.04 ±0.12)(t=4.71,3.17,P＜0.05).Conclusions The Cdk5/P25 kinase activity shows a consistent trend with theexpressions of P25 and tau phosphorylation in the RCS rats,indicating that the upregulation of P25 induces the enhance of enzyme activity of Cdk5,which phosphorylate its substrates to result in more apoptosis of retinal neural cells.

Objective To explore the residual undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in embryoid bodies. Methods Mouse R1 and Oct-4-GFP transgenic ESCs were firstly cultured in suspension to form embryoid bodies (EBs). Twenty days later, EBs were digested into single cells and then re-plated in standard ESC culture condition. The morphology of residual undifferentiated cells in EBs was observed, and surface makers and in vitro redifferentiation potency of residual cells were examined by flow cytometry and immunofluoreseent staining. The residual cells were expanded and subcutaneously injected into nude mice, and the specimens were harvested from the injection site for histological analysis 6 weeks after injection. Results There were residual undifferentiated ESCs in EBs differentiated for 20 days, which displayed clonal morphology and expressed undifferentiated cell markers of ESCs, including SSEA1, CD31, CD9 and Oct-4. The cells could be differentiated to form EBs again, and could be re-expanded from secondary EBs. The residual cells were able to form teratoma at the injection site, and mature endoderm, mesoderm and ectoderm tissues could be found in teratoma tissues. Conclusion There are residual undifferentiated ESCs after differentiation of ESCs into EBs. The residual ESCs can differentiate again in vitro and in vivo, and can residue again in the in vitro differentiation.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Artemisia rupestris.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by column chromatography on silical gel and sephadex LH - 20. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis.

RESULT8 compounds have isolated from this plant, and the structures of them have identified as rupestonic acid (1), chrysosplenetin B (2), artemetin (3), herniarin (4), isokaempferide (5), vanillic acid (6), kaempferol 3, 3', 4'-trimethyl ether (7) and ermanine (8).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 2-8 have been isolated from this plant for the first time.

Artemisia ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Umbelliferones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Analgesics, Opioid ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Meperidine ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

China ; Cost of Illness ; Demography ; Female ; Humans ; Maternal Mortality ; Poverty Areas

OBJECTIVETo explore the function of Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK in MMT-induced apoptosis in PC-3M cells.

METHODSAfter incubation of PC-3M cells with 1 mmol/L MMT, the activity of Caspase-3 was examined. The influence on cells viability of Z-DEVD-FMK, a Caspase-3-specific peptide inhibitor, was also examined. Western blot was used to examine the change of p38 MAPK. The effect on cells viability and Caspase-3 activity of SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, were also examined.

RESULTSThe activity of Caspase-3 increased significantly in MMT-induced apoptosis in PC-3M cells /9P < 0.01), and Z-DEVD-FMK could protect cells from apoptosis (P < 0.01). In this course, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK could be observed. SB203580 inhibited Caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05) and prevented PC-3M cells from MMT-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCaspase-3 and p38 MAPK are involved in MMT-induced PC-3M cells apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase Inhibitors ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Male ; Organometallic Compounds ; toxicity ; Phosphorylation ; Prostate ; cytology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEAnalyzing the relationships between peripheral blood CD4+ CD25hi regulatory T (Treg) cells and peripheral blood immune status or plasma HIV-lviral load in HIV-infected individuals,so as to determine whether Treg were related to the progression of HIV-infected disease.

METHODS116 HIV-infected patients in different stages and 21 healthy control individuals were included in this study. The CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts were determined by a standard 4-color flow cytometry technique. The Treg cells were examined with 3-color immune staining flow cytometry. The plasma HIV-1 viral load was detected by real time PCR.

RESULTSThe frequencies of Treg cells decreased in HIV-infected individuals with high CD4+ T cell counts( > 300/microl) compared with normal controls. With the progression of disease the frequencies of Treg cells were raised gradually, until were increased in HIV-infected individuals with low levels of CD4+ T cell counts ( < 100/microl). In addition, the frequencies of Treg cells were inversely related to CD4+ T cell counts and CD4+ /CD8+ ratio, data showed a statistically significant (respectively, r = -0.564, P < 0.001; r = -0.377, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the proportions of Treg cells were closely related to plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load (r = 0.514, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONCD4 CD25hi Treg cells should be a kind of important cells participating the immunopathogenesis of AIDS. It may play different roles in different stages of HIV-infected disease. The exact mechanism of Treg cells in the progression of the HIV-infected disease needs to be investigate further.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Progression ; Female ; HIV Infections ; immunology ; pathology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Viral Load

Objective To reveal the characteristics and stability of the system through the analyzing the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome via the syndromic surveillance system which was established during the Shanghai World Expo in Pudong New District and provide references for the development and operation optimization on this Mass Gatherings Surveillance Systems.Methods Data used was from the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome collected from Pudong New District Syndromic Surveillance System,through May 1 to October 31,2010.On the basis of description of data characteristics,correlation analyses were conducted,when compared to the surveillance data of respiratory-feverous syndrome and Pudong influenza-like illness (ILI) used as reference.Comparison of variances on the surveillance data and the report lag time of the earlier and later surveillance periods were also carried out to evaluate the quality and stability of data.Results Reports on the respiratory-feverous syndrome showed a peak in late September with day-of-week effects and holiday effects.Correlation between respiratory-feverous syndrome and ILI was the strongest in the same day (r=0.596,P＜0.05).In the earlier surveillance period from 2010-05-01 to 2010-07-31,the correlation between respiratory-feverous syndrome and ILI was not obvious (r=-0.058,P＞0.05) ; however,the two-time series showed consistent trend with the correlation coefficient as 0.798 (P＜0.05),in the later period from 2010-08-01 to 2010-10-31.In addition,variability of the surveillance data on respiratory-feverous syndrome was less in the later period than in the earlier one,with quality of the report on relatcd data better in the later period.Analyses on the correlations of reference sequence,variability and quality of report indicated that the stability of the later surveillance period was better than the earlier one.Conclusion Only with the operation of syndromic surveillance system for a certain period of time,could data in the system maintain stability.Surveillance data showed both day-of-week effects and holiday effects,suggesting that there was a need to choose early warning models with short baseline data.

Background Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a monogenic inheritance and blinding disease of fundus oculi.There is not an effective therapeutic method now.Objective This work was to identify the mutations of RP1 gene in Chinese RP patients in Ningxia area and to explore the potential interactions in the pathogenesis of RP.Methods The periphery blood of 3-5 ml was collected from 110 individuals with RP(35 ADRP and 75SRP)and 100 normal controls in Ningxia area.Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing were used to screening the sequence alterations in the entire coding region and splice sites of RP1 gene.Multivariate analysis and two web-based programs( PolyPhen and SIFT) were used to analyze the results.Results Eleven mutation locus were detected in the exon 4 of RP1 gene including two novel sequence variants:p.Lys1152Lys without a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =9.12 P＜0.01 ),but c.* 247A＞C with a higher mutation rate in comparison with normal control group(x2 =12.77,P＜0.01 ) and c.* 247A＞C mutation was thought to be correlated with RP( r=1.11,P＜0.05 ).The other ten mutation locus were reported as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).The mutation rate of p.Gln1725Gln was found to be higher in the RP patients than the normal controls (x2 =42.09,P＜0.01 ),but no the significant correlation was seen between the pathogenesis of RP and mutation of p.Gln1725Gln(r=1.74,P＞0.05).p.Lys1152Lys mutation was found in only 1 patient.Three SNPs( p.Arg872His,Ala1670Thr,Ser1691Pro) were always occurred in the same 83 RP patient and the relevance ratio was higher than controls ( P＜0.01 ).The age of night blindness on patients with concurrent three mutations was (30.54± 13.68 ) years,and the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.50 ± 0.38.The age of night blindness on patients without concurrent three mutations was(21.06± 16.24) years,and the BCVA was 0.40 ±0.33 and were higher than controls ( t =2.11,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions In this study,the prevalence of RP1 mutations among the RP patients in Ningxia population was lower than other populations (＜ 1％ ).The alliance of SNPs (p.Arg872His、p.Ala1670Thr、p.Ser1691Pro) may play a protective role on RP patients and reduce the frequency of mutatiaon in RP1 gene.