Aged ; Cross Infection ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Pneumonia, Bacterial ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas Infections ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; classification ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate the daily total fluoride intake in relating to the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in two villages in Jiangsu Province,in order to provide the scientific evidences for the control and prevention of endemic fluorosis.Methods Adults sampled from a high-fluoride Village,Wamiao,and a low-fluoride Village,Xinhuai,were surveyed in this study according to the fluoride concentration in their household shallow well.The average daily total fluoride intake from difierent sources and the skeletal fluorosis were investigated in each subject.Then the subjects from two villages were allocated into five subgroups(＜2.00,2.00～,3.00～,4.00～,≥5.00 mg/d),the relation fluoride intake and prevalence of osteofluorosis was analyzed.Results The prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in Wamiao Village was 31.06%(41/132),but no skeletal fluorosis case(0/35)was found in Xinhuai Village.According to the daily total fluoride intake,subjects with higher daily total fluoride intake tended to associated with a higher prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in a significant dose-response relationship(regression equation:y=2.624-6.855x+3.424x2:r=0.997).The benchmark dose lower limitation of daily total fluoride intake with 95% confidencewas 2.50 mg/d calculated according to this dose-response relationship,the reference dose(RfD)was 2.50 mg/d.In Wamiao Village a significant difference was also found between daily total fluoride intake in 41 subjects[(5.09±1.20)mg/d]with X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis and in 91 subjects[(3.08±1.12)mg/d]without X-ray detectable skeletal fluorosis(t=-9.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions These findings indicate that the daily total fluoride intake has a significant dose-response relationship with the prevalence of skeletal fluorosis in an endemic fluorosis area associated with high-fluoride drinking water;and the RfD in this study was lower than that in the national standard of"Chinese hygienic standard for daily total fluoride intake(WS/T 87-1996)"(3.50 mg/d).

Objective:To evaluate the association between RUNX3 expression and Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)-associated precancerous gastric lesions.Methods: A population-based study was conducted in Linqu County,Shandong Province,a high-risk area of gastric cancer in China.RUNX3 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry analysis in 1 026 H.pylori infected subjects with different gastric lesions.Results: Among 1 026 subjects,359(35.0%,359/1 026) was positive.The prevalence rates of RUNX3 expression decreased steadily with severity of gastric lesions,65.6%(40/61) among those with superficial gastritis /normal(SG/N),and 22.4%(60/268) among those with dysplasia(DYS)(P

OBJECTIVEOccult hepatitis B infection of voluntary blood donors has been plagued in the serum screening. Determined the OBI through the highly sensitive detection methods Nest-PCR among the blood donors, and then learned occult HBV infection and analysed the genotypes of this area.

METHODS10 080 serums of donors were determined respectively by the imported Abbott HBsAg kit and Beijing Wantai anti-HBc and anti-HBs reagents, obtained the gene and detected DNA sequences by the high sensitive Nest-PCR method.

RESULTSAmong 10 080 cases of unpaid blood donors, 108 cases were detected HBsAg positively by Abbott sensitivity kit (positive rate of 1.07%), 767 cases were anti-HBc single - positive (positive rate of 7.67%). 25 patients screened blood donors who tested negative for serum HBsAg and positive for HBV DNA in the 10 080 cases. Occult HBV infection incidence rate was 0.25%. 12 cases were HBV genotype C (48%), 13 cases were genotype B (52%), and no other genotypes. Genotype B has no statistically significant difference to genotype C (P > 0.05). Sequence analysis showed that 5 patients in the HBsAg epitope "a" (aa124 - aa147) have mutation (20%).

CONCLUSIONThe high proportion of occult hepatitis B infected among voluntary blood donors in our country. Also genotype and mutation was differences in different regions.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Donors ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVEHirschsprung's disease (HD), one of the most common causes resulting in lower intestinal obstruction in children, is prone to be misdiagnosed or to be missed from diagnosis because of its atypical clinical symptoms and inconspicuous morphological findings by barium enema X-ray. Recently, this situation has been largely ameliorated by increased comprehension of anorectal kinetics and improvement of instrument for measurement of anorectal pressure. By now, anorectal manometry (ARMM) has been regarded as a routine means for functional assessment and diagnosis for anorectal disease. Nevertheless, the accuracy rate of diagnosis of HD in neonate by ARMM remains to be elucidated. In this study the clinical evaluation of anorectal manometry as an early diagnostic method for neonates with Hirschsprung's disease was appraised.

METHODSForty-two HD patients defined by pathological study of rectal tissue obtained via rectal mucous membrane biopsy or operation were recruited in this study. ARMM was performed in liquid transmission using PC polygraph high rate gastrointestinal dynamical detection system (PC Polygraf HR, CTD-synectics, Sweden), with 4-lumen catheter with which a small 5-cm-long balloon was connected at the terminus. All children were positioned on their left side or back during the procedure and the pressure transducers were placed in the mid-axillary line level. The results of ARMM performed before operation or biopsy were compared with the results of barium enema X-ray testing. The decrease of internal anal sphincter pressure as rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) was measured based on the fluctuation curve of pressure detected. HD was defined when no decrease of anal catheter pressure was detected after insufflation (RAIR positive), and suspected HD state was assessed with the presentation of incomplete relaxation or positive/negative results coexisted (RAIR abnormal) in canal.

RESULTSThirty patients (71.43%) were diagnosed as HD by ARMM including 18 patients who showed negative response to RAIR and 12 patients whose response was abnormal. While barium enema examinations were carried out in all the 45 patients, the results showed 5 HD patients and 14 suspected HD patients, giving an overall diagnostic accuracy of 45.24%. There were also 16 patients with positive ARMM response and negative barium enema findings together, and 5 patients with negative ARMM results and positive barium enema findings at the same time. There was a significant difference between the two diagnostic methods (chi(m)(2) = 4.76, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAnorectal manometry seems to be a more reliable method for diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease in neonate than barium enema X-ray. Because ARMM is a simple, safe and non-invasive method, it can be used as a screening test of choice in neonates with clinically suspected HD. But for final diagnosis, it is reasonable to combine ARMM with other diagnostic methods in HD patients.

Anal Canal ; physiopathology ; Barium Sulfate ; Enema ; Hirschsprung Disease ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Manometry ; Rectum ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) methylation and expression, and precancerous gastric lesions.

METHODSMethylation status of COX-2 was evaluated by quantitative denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in 1201 subjects with different gastric lesions. COX-2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection status was determined by 13C-urea breath test (13 C-UBT).

RESULTSThe percent of COX-2 methylation was increased steadily with the severity of gastric lesions, showing 10.6% of which with superficial gastritis/chronic atrophic gastritis (SG/CAG), 11.8% with intestinal metaplasia (IM) and 13.8% with indefinite dysplasia/dysplasia (Ind DYS/DYS) (chi2 = 8.312, P = 0.016). Stratified analysis indicated that the percents of COX-2 methylation in subjects with H pylori negative still increased with the severity of gastric lesions,of 8.8% in SG/CAG, 10.6% in IM and 14.1% in Ind DYS/DYS (chi2 = 6.629, P= 0.036). Moreover,the methylated proportion of COX-2 was negatively associated with the expression in gastric lesions, from 13.3% with mild expression to 7.6% with strong expression (chi2 = 10.400, P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that COX-2 methylation was significantly associated with precancerous gastric lesions and H pylori infection, suggesting that promoter methylation of COX-2 might play an important role in the progression of gastric lesions.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; pathology ; Helicobacter Infections ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Stomach Diseases ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; pathology

BACKGROUNDT-cell receptor (TCR) plays an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was reported that immunization of animals with TCR peptide derived from the pathogenic cells could prevent autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate whether vaccination with a synthetic peptide from the hypervariable region of TCR V(beta) 8.3, an experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU)-associated gene, was able to prevent the disease.

METHODSEAU was induced in Lewis rats by immunization with IRBP R16 peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The clinical and histological appearances were scored. Delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation were detected. Cytokine levels of aqueous humour, supernatants of cells from spleen and draining lymph nodes were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Gene expression of TCR V(beta) 8.3 on CD(4)(+) T cells was examined by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTSAfter vaccination, the intraocular inflammation was significantly mitigated, antigen specific DTH and lymphocyte proliferation responses were suppressed, interleukin (IL)-2 in aqueous humour, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-2 produced by the spleen and draining lymph node cells were significantly decreased, whereas the production of IL-4 and IL-10 were increased. The response of draining lymph node cells to TCR V(beta) 8.3 peptide was enhanced after vaccination. Inoculation with CFA alone did not affect the severity of EAU and the above parameters. The suppression of EAU was much stronger in the group of four fold inoculations than the group of two fold inoculations. The expression of TCR V(beta) 8.3 gene was significantly reduced in the group of fourfold inoculations.

CONCLUSIONVaccination with the synthetic TCR V(beta) 8.3 peptide could remarkably inhibit the development of EAU.

Animals ; Autoimmune Diseases ; prevention & control ; Cytokines ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor beta ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta ; immunology ; Retinitis ; prevention & control ; Retinol-Binding Proteins ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Uveitis ; prevention & control ; Vaccination

OBJECTIVETo determine the distributions of six Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-specific antibodies in a high-risk population of gastric cancer (GC) and explore the relationship between Hp virulence factors and precancerous gastric lesions.

METHODSBased on the two intervention trials conducted in Linqu County, the seropositivities for CagA, VacA, GroEL, UreA, HcpC and GGT were assessed by recombinant immunoassay (recomLine) in 623 participants with H. pylori infection determined by (13)C-urea breath test ((13)C-UBT) and/or enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSIn a total of 623 participants were detected by recomLine analysis, of which 594 were Hp-positive. The seropositivities rates of CagA, VacA, GroEL, UreA, HcpC and GGT were 84.0%, 38.2%, 66.7%, 17.7%, 58.8% and 42.8%, respectively. A total of 523 participants were determined as type I infection of Hp, accounting for 88.1%. Compared with superficial gastritis (SG), the infection rate of Hp type I was higher in the chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this population-based study suggest that the virulence factors of Hp may be related to the development of GC in a Chinese high-risk population. The recomLine analysis may serve as a tool for identification of Hp strains and prediction of high-risk population of GC.

Adult ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Female ; Gastritis ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections ; blood ; immunology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; immunology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the significance of gastric acid reflux in children with reflux esophagitis (RE).

METHODSTwenty-four-hour esophageal pH monitoring and gastroscopy were performed in 180 children suffered from vomiting. The relationship between RE, non-esophagitis (NE), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was analyzed.

RESULTSSixty-five of the 180 patients were confirmed as having RE by endoscopy. Among them, the number of cases with grades I, II and III RE according to the diagnostic criteria by endoscopy was 37, 19 and 9 cases, respectively, while the other 115 cases were diagnosed as NE. The positive rate of acid reflux in RE group was 58.5% (38/65), while it was 42.6% (49/115) in NE group (chi(2) = 4.179, P < 0.05). All parameters of acid reflux in RE group except for the episode of reflux and the number of reflux longer than 5 min were significantly higher than those in NE group. None of the parameters of acid reflux except for Boix-Ochoa score in grade III RE patients was significantly higher than that in both grade II and grade I RE cases. However, the difference in acid reflux parameter between grade I and grade II RE patients had not reached statistical significance. The results also showed that the positive rate of pathological acid reflux was 48.3% (87/180). Among them, 38 cases were RE, while other 49 cases were NERD. The difference in acid reflux between these two groups was not significant.

CONCLUSIONSGastric acid reflux may play a major role in the development of RE in children, but may not be a sole pathogenic factor. The degree of acid reflux is not closely correspondent to the severity of RE. Acid reflux may not completely contribute to RE. Gastroscopy is very important for patients with reflux symptom.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Esophagoscopy ; Female ; Gastric Acid ; secretion ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; complications ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo investigate the associations of serum gastrin-17 (G-17) concentration with helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.

METHODSA (13)C-urea breath and ELISA test to determine the Helicobacter pylori status and to detect the serum gastrin concentration was conducted in 242 villagers in Linqu of Shandong Province, a high gastric cancer prevalence area in China.

RESULTSOf 242 subjects, 65 of 111 were found Hp-positive in males (58.56%), compared with 65 of 131 in females (49.62%) (chi(2) = 1.932, P = 0.165). The statistical difference was not observed among different age groups (chi(2) = 4.185, P = 0.123). The average level of G-17 among 242 subjects was (24.43 +/- 25.46) pmol/L and it was statistically higher in females (29.87 +/- 28.18) pmol/L than that in males (18.01 +/- 20.11) pmol/L (Z = -3.618, P < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference found among age groups (chi(2) = 1.948, P = 0.378). The G-17 level in Hp-negative group (35.50 +/- 30.92) pmol/L was observed significantly higher than in Hp-positive group (14.90 +/- 13.79) pmol/L (Z = 5.368, P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONThe G-17 concentration was found higher in Hp-negative subjects than in Hp-positive subjects, and higher in female than in male, but no difference was found among age groups.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gastrins ; blood ; Helicobacter Infections ; blood ; epidemiology ; Helicobacter pylori ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies