AMOS-PCR and MLVA were carried out to identify the Brucella strains isolated in Fujian province, which were classified as B. melitensis biovar 2 or 3 by conventional microbiological tests. All these 3 isolates were identified to be B. melitensis by AMOS-PCR. The genetic patterns obtained by MLVA were queried in the Brucella 2007 database and clustered with B. melitensis strains. It is evident that these two molecular assays may be used as the assistant tools in the identification of Brucella strains.

Objective To observe the features of temporal macular thinning and its value for the diagnosis of Alport syndrome (AS) in young patients.Methods Eighty-one young patients with AS (81 eyes) from Peking University First Hospital during January 2016 and July 2017 were included in this study.There were 67 males (67 eyes) and 14 females (14 eyes),the aged from 3 to 17 years,with the mean age of 9.6 years.Among 81 patients (81 eyes),there were 64 patients with X-linked AS (XLAS,including 53 males and 11 females),17 patients with autosomal recessive AS (ARAS,including 14 males and 3 females).One hundred healthy subjects aged 4 to 17 years were included as controls.Clinical data were retrospectively evaluated,including visual acuity,slit-lamp microscopy,dilated fundus photography,and OCT.Retinal thickness was measured with an OCT scan and the temporal thinning index (TTI) was calculated as stated in a previous study.The TTI values of each group was compared by One-way ANOVA or independent sample t test.The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness for AS.Results The TTI of the control group,XLAS and ARAS patients were 6.46 ± 1.58,10.93 ± 3.77,12.14± 4.05,respectively.Compared with the control group,the TTI value of males were larger in the XLAS and ARAS group (F=45.056,P＜0.001),the TTI value of females were larger in the ARAS group (F=26.541,P＜0.001).The difference of TTI value in females was significant between the XLAS and ARAS groups (F=26.541,P＜0.001).In males,the area under the ROC curve was 0.896 (95％CI 0.837-0.955,P＜0.001).The optimal cutoff value of the TTI was determined as 9.47,with a sensitivity of 73.1％ and a specificity of 100％.Conclusions TTI is a common ocular finding in young patients with AS.In males,a TTI ＞ 9.47 may differentiate AS from normal males.

Objective To explore the baseline echocardiographic characteristics and the time course and recovery of left ventricular systolic function in patients with tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Methods Fif-teen patients received radiofrequency cather ablation for tachycardiarrhymias from November 2012 to April 2017 were screened in this study.All 15 patients were examined by intracardiac electrophysiology and treated by RFCA under the guidance of three dimensional mapping system.All Patients received transthoracic echocardiography for 3-month follow-up.Levels of NT-proBNP before and after the ablation were compared. Results Successful abla-tion was performed in 14 of 15 patients. There was significant improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (35.33 ± 6.11 vs. 57.93 ± 9.38%;P < 0.001). The LVEDD after treatment had significant differences(55.47 ± 8.06 vs.49.87 ± 8.99 P<0.001)after 3-month follow-up;the LAD after treatment decreased significantly(38.87 ± 3.27 mm vs. 35.20 ± 2.46;P < 0.001)and the levels of NT-proBNP decreased after ablation from 3 474.07 ± 3 400.59 pg/mL to 497.33 ± 437.84 pg/mL(P = 0.005). Conclusions Restoration of left ventricular systolic func-tion and reversal of LV remodeling can be achieved with successful elimination of tachycardia in the majority of pa-tients.NT-proBNP level elevates in subjects with TCM and decreases sharply after ablation.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for positive margins after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions, and to follow up the recurrence.Methods:The endoscopic, clinical and pathological data of 489 patients with early gastric cancer or precancerous lesions treated by ESD in Fujian Provincial Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. They were categorized into a negative group (371 cases), a low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN)-positive group (79 cases), and a high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) or cancer-positive group (39 cases) according to the different margins. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for positive margins, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test to compare the risk of recurrence in different margin groups, and the Cox proportional risk regression model to explore the associated factors that caused recurrence in those with positive margins.Results:In the 489 patients, the positive resection margin rate was 24.1% (118/489), of which HGIN or cancer accounted for 33.1% (39/118). LGIN-positive margin was more likely to occur for lesions larger than 10 cm 2 ( OR=1.58, 95% CI: 1.13-2.08, P=0.033), in the presence of ulcers ( OR=2.92, 95% CI: 1.37-4.54, P=0.012) and for 1-2 years of ESD experience [ OR=1.69 (1-2 years VS 5-6 years), 95% CI: 1.51-1.94, P=0.026]. Those located in the upper 1/3 of the stomach [ OR=3.64 (upper 1/3 VS lower 1/3), 95% CI: 1.27-5.50 P=0.010] and submucosal infiltration (SM1 VS M1+M2: OR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.04-5.72, P=0.028; SM2 VS M1+M2: OR=6.08, 95% CI: 1.31-12.75, P=0.002) were high risk factors for HGIN/cancer-positive margin. Postoperative follow-up was completed in 337 patients, with a median follow-up time of 26.0 (22) months. The overall cumulative recurrence was 5.3% (18/337), 2.1% (5/239) in the negative margin group, 8.3% (6/72) in the LGIN-positive margin group, and 26.9% (7/26) in the HGIN/cancer-positive group, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups ( P<0.05). Risk factors for recurrence in the positive margin group included positive basal margins ( HR=5.17, 95% CI: 1.47-14.09, P=0.011) and SM1 invasion ( HR=4.82, 95% CI: 1.38-14.77, P=0.013). Conclusion:Positive margins after ESD for early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions are related to lesion location, size, presence of ulceration, depth of infiltration, and endoscopists' experience. The overall risk of recurrence is higher in those with positive margins than in those with negative margins. Additional treatments need to be considered comprehensively for those with submucosal invasion and positive basal margins.

Objective:To assess the differences in multidimensional clinical manifestations between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) matching the Rome Ⅲ criteria but not matching Rome Ⅳ and IBS patients matching the Rome Ⅳ criteria, among patients diagnosed with IBS according to Rome Ⅲ criteria.Methods:From November 2016 to October 2017, a total of 472 IBS patients admitted to six hospitals were selected, which included Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (139 cases), Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine of Zhejiang University (95 cases), the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University (96 cases), the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (90 cases), the People′s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (20 cases), and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University (32 cases). The 472 IBS patients were divided into the group that matching the Rome Ⅳ criteria (Rome Ⅳ group), and the group that matching the Rome Ⅲ criteria but not matching the Rome Ⅳ criteria (Rome Ⅲ group). The basic characteristics (IBS course, post-infectious IBS, history of smoking or drinking, etc.), abdominal symptoms, and defecation-related symptoms of two groups were compared and analyzed by face-to-face questionnaires. Multi-dimensional clinical manifestations assessment was completed by questionnaires, which included gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), irritable bowel syndrome-severity scoring system (IBS-SSS), irritable bowel syndrome-quality of life (IBS-QOL), and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Independent sample t-test, rank sum test, and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were 344 patients (72.9%) in Rome Ⅳ group and 128 patients (27.1%) in Rome Ⅲ group. The IBS course of patients in Rome Ⅳ group was longer than that in Rome Ⅲ group (3.0 years (7.0 years) vs. 2.0 years (5.7 years)), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.73, P=0.006). The GSRS scores of loose stools and abdominal pain of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group were higher than those in Rome Ⅲ group, and the GSRS scores of increased exhaust and abdominal distension of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group were lower than those in Rome Ⅲ group (3.0(2.0) vs. 2.0(4.0), 3.0(2.0) vs.1.0(2.0), 1.5(3.0) vs. 2.0(3.0), 1.0 (3.0) vs. 2.0(3.0)), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.48, -9.90, -2.11 and -2.06, P=0.013, <0.001, =0.035 and =0.040). The proportions of fatigue and dizziness of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group were higher than those in Rome Ⅲ group (58.4% (201/344) vs. 43.0% (55/128), 30.8% (106/344) vs. 29.7% (38/128)), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=8.37 and 12.36, P=0.004 and <0.001). The scores of anxiety and depression subscales of the HADS of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group were higher than those in Rome Ⅲ group (6.5 (6.8) vs. 6.0 (6.0), 5.0 (6.0) vs. 3.0 (5.0)), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.58 and -2.40, P=0.010 and 0.017). The scores of IBS-SSS scale, abdominal pain severity, abdominal pain frequency, and impact on quality of life of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group were all higher than those in Rome Ⅲ group (249.5 (108.0) vs. 177.0 (111.8), 50.0 (25.0) vs. 20.0 (30.0), 50.0 (70.0) vs. 10.0 (30.0), 66.0 (42.0) vs. 42.5 (34.0)), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-7.79, -9.64, -10.65 and -2.48, P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001 and =0.013). The score of IBS-QOL for behavioral disorder of IBS patients in Rome Ⅳ group was lower than that in Rome Ⅲ group (74.5±21.6 vs. 79.2±17.7), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-2.22, P=0.027). Conclusion:The clinical symptoms of patients mathching the Rome Ⅳ criteria are more typical and severe, as compared with those of IBS patients matching the Rome Ⅲ criteria but not matching the Rome Ⅳ criteria.

Objective To investigate the distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, so as to provide insights into assessment of the visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk and formulation of visceral leishmaniasis control measures. Methods A total of 12 natural villages were sampled from Shilou County, Lishi District, Lanxian County, Linxian County and Wenshui County in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province from June to September, 2023, and sandflies were captured using light traps from 7 breeding habitats, including farmers’ houses, sheep pens, cattle pens, chicken coops, pig pens, mule and horse pens, and loess-cave dwellings. Following morphological identification of the sandfly species, the distribution of sandflies and the seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density were analyzed. In addition, the Leishmania was detected in sandflies using a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Results A total of 2 831 sandflies were captured with 156 light traps in Lüliang City from June to September, 2023, including 2 638 female sandflies (93.18%) and 193 male sandflies (6.82%), and the average density was 16.91 sandflies/(light-night). The seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density all appeared a unimodal distribution in all survey sites, and the sandfly density peaked in July and then declined rapidly. Among all types of breeding habitats, the greatest sandfly density was found in sheep pens [39.04 sandflies/(light-night)]. In addition, 4.08% (2/49) of the sandfly samples were tested positive for Leishmania nucleic acid as revealed by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay. Conclusions Sandflies were widely distributed in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province in 2023, and the peak of the sandfly density was observed in July, which had a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. Intensified surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis and sandfly vectors is required and targeted vector control is recommended.

OBJECTIVE: To design and construct a graphene oxide (GO)/silver nitrate (Ag₃PO₄)/chitosan (CS) composite coating for rapidly killing bacteria and preventing postoperative infection in implant surgery. METHODS: GO/Ag₃PO₄ composites were prepared by ion exchange method, and CS and GO/Ag₃PO₄ composites were deposited on medical titanium (Ti) sheets successively. The morphology, physical image, photothermal and photocatalytic ability, antibacterial ability, and adhesion to the matrix of the materials were characterized. RESULTS: The GO/Ag₃PO₄ composites were successfully prepared by ion exchange method and the heterogeneous structure of GO/Ag₃PO₄ was proved by morphology phase test. The heterogeneous structure formed by Ag₃PO₄ and GO reduced the band gap from 1.79 eV to 1.39 eV which could be excited by 808 nm near-infrared light. The photothermal and photocatalytic experiments proved that the GO/Ag₃PO₄/CS coating had excellent photothermal and photodynamic properties. In vitro antibacterial experiments showed that the antibacterial rate of the GO/Ag₃PO₄/CS composite coating against Staphylococcus aureus reached 99.81% after 20 minutes irradiation with 808 nm near-infrared light. At the same time, the composite coating had excellent light stability, which could provide stable and sustained antibacterial effect. CONCLUSION GO/Ag₃PO₄/CS coating can be excited by 808 nm near infrared light to produce reactive oxygen species, which has excellent antibacterial activity under light.
Chitosan ; Silver Nitrate ; Titanium ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Coloring Agents