Sixty patients with ulcerative colitis (UC),including 28 males and 32 females were enrolled in the study.Color Doppler ultrasonographic scans were performed and the disease activity was estimated base on the Sourtherland score index (DAI).On the sonography the colon with active inflammatory disease showed bowel wall thickening,alteration of layers structure or even discrimination and increased vascular signals.Using DAI as the gold standard,the sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value and accurate rate for ultrasonography in assessment of UC activity were 90.0％ (36/40),75.0％ ( 15/20),87.8％ (36/41),78.9％ (15/19),85.0％ (51/60),respectively.In conclusion,Color Doppler ultrasonography provides a convenient technique for assessment of bowel involvement and inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis with high sensitivity and accuracy.

Objective To investigate the infection of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in host animals and inapparent infection of HFRS in general population in Dongting Lake areas after floods. Methods The night trapping method was used to capture rodents. The immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the hantavirus (HV) antigens and antibodies in rodents lung and in the serum of general population. Nonconditional logistic regression was applied to analyze risk factors for inapparent infection with HV. Results In flood region,draw-near flood region and new migration region,rodent density was 6.95%,6.28%, and 8.67%, respectively, and the virus-carrying rate in rodents was 15.07%,9.25%, and 4.47%, respectively. The virus-carrying rat index was the highest in flood region (0.10). Apodemus agrarius was the dominant species. The standardized positive rate of HV antibody in general population from above mentioned regions was 4.49%, 3.11%, and 3.13%, respectively. There was no significant difference among different age or gender groups. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that people who were involved in construction of water conservancy facilities in winter or practice of rat extermination at home were the principal factors related to inapparent infection with HV. Conclusion The virus-carrying rate in main host animals of HV in the 3 regions is high, whereas the positive rate of HV antibody is low in general population. Comprehensive measures should be taken to prevent and control HFRS, such as reinforcing surveillance of HFRS, strengthening deratization, and preventive inoculation.

Abstract: Objective To screen out a more universally applicable culture medium for the isolation and culturing of pathogenic fungi through comparing the performance of various universal fungal culture media, to optimize the fungal culturomics technique, and to better apply it to the culturomics research of pathogenic fungi. Methods Multiple common fungal culture media Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), modified Dixon (mDixon), modified LeemingNotman agar (MLNA), etc., and a new pan-fungal medium (PF) were used to culture 40 strains of common pathogenic fungi to determine the growth states of strains under different conditions. Based on that, PF, SDA, PDA, mDixon and MLNA, a total of 5 culture media, were used to isolate and culture a simulated sample (suspension of Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus), 10 human samples (4 fecal samples and 6 vaginal secretion samples) and 3 environmental samples. Results The positive growth rates of 40 strains of pathogenic fungi in the 7 media were as follows: PDA 95.0% (38/40), SDA 95.0% (38/40), BHI 95.0% (38/40), YPD 90.0% (36/40), mDixon 95.0% (38/40), MLNA 87.5% (35/40), PF 100.0% (40/40). For the simulated samples, PF could effectively promote the self-limited growth of filamentous fungi, performing better in isolation and culture. For the human samples and environmental samples, PF showed the same versatility as SDA and PDA. Conclusions In the isolation and culturing of pathogenic fungi, PF medium can effectively isolate and culture most fungal species. Meanwhile, PF can make the fast-growing fungi show self-limited growth and clear edges, and not easy to cross-contamination, which indicates it is conducive to the isolation and identification of single colonies. PF medium outperforms other common media in isolating strains from unknown samples in culturomics, which illustrates PF medium can be effectively used for the study of fungal culturomics.

Objective To assess the disease severity and prognosis value by observing the kinetic change of serum procalcitonin(PCT),PCT clearance rate(PCT-C) and Δsequential organ failure assessment (ΔSOFA) score in the patients with septic shock.Methods A single-center observational study was conduc-ted.A total of 274 patients with septic shock admitted into intensive care unit of Hunan Province Children′s Hospital from July 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled.The patients were divided into survival group(n=178) and nonsurvival group(n=96)according to the therapeutic outcome on day 28.The PCT and SOFA scores were estimated within 24 hours when septic shock was diagnosed.PCT-C and ΔSOFA were examined on day 2,day 3,day 5,day 7,day 9 after the septic shock was diagnosed.The diagnostic and predictive per-formance of PCT,PCT-C and ΔSOFA score were assessed by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Results There were no statistical differences on serum concentrations of PCT at 24 hour,48 hour, 72 hour between two groups.But PCT-C in survival group on day 2,day 3,day 5,day 7,day 9 were signifi-cant higher than those of nonsurvival group.The area under the ROC curve were 0.800(95%CI 0.69~0.91, P=0.000)for PCT-C on day 9,0.980(95%CI 0.78 ~0.95,P<0.000)for ΔSOFA on day 9 and 0.779 (95%CI 0.66 ~0.89,P <0.001)for SOFA score when septic shock was diagnosed. A ROC analysis identified a PCT-C on day 9 more than 38.98%(sensitivity:78.90%,specificity:66.80%) as the most accurate cut-off in predicting death.A ROC analysis identified ΔSOFA score on day 9 less than -0.5(sensi-tivity:89.10%,specificity:91.50%) as the most accurate cut-off in predicting death. Conclusion The increased levels of PCT in patients with septic shock were associated with the poor control of infection and may indicate the deterioration of septic shock,it also can reflect the activity of infection in time. Keeping observing the dynamic change of PCT and analyzing PCT-C are more useful.The PCT-C levels and ΔSOFA score may provide evidence of disease progression and be helpful in risk stratification in patients with septic shock,and lower level of PCT-C and ΔSOFA score may accompany serious infection and predict poor prognosis.

We have made a biomechanical evaluation of titanium mesh with anterior plate fixation in anterior cervical decompression. Six fresh cervical spine specimens (C3-7) of young cadavers were used in the biomechanical test. Subtotal vertebrectomy was performed on C5, C5-6 and C4-6. We accomplished two constructions: (1) bone graft; (2) titanium mesh with anterior plate fixation. Then their biomechanic stabilities were tested in all groups and compared with those of intact specimens. We found that titanium mesh with anterior plate fixation improved the stability of the unstable spine, showing a significant difference when compared with that of the intact group (P < 0.05). The anterior cervical interbody fusion by bone graft and the titanium mesh implantation is stabler than the intact cervical sample, and the stability decreases with the increase in number of cervical segment.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cadaver ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Stress, Mechanical ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo understand the risks and associated factors of HIV transmission by sharing syringes among HIV-positive drug users.

METHODThe survey was conducted among HIV-positive injecting drug users (IDUs-HIV+) who received HIV counseling, testing and treatment in Changsha city Infectious Disease Hospital and Hengyang city No.3 People's Hospital from July 2012 to May 2013 to understand their socio-demographic characteristics, HIV prevalence and syringe sharing. A total of 503 IDUs-HIV+ were involved in and provided the contact list of 2 460 drug users who had the syringe sharing experience over one month with IDUs-HIV+. 420 IDUs-HIV+ among 503 were defined as infection sources due to sharing syringe with at least one drug user. Among them, 234 HIV-negative persons were in control group, and 186 HIV-positive were in cased group. A total of 1 220 drug users were followed up among 2 460 and defined as vulnerable population. The HIV transmission rate was calculated based on the HIV prevalence among vulnerable population. Based on the result of HIV transmission to vulnerable population from 420 infection sources, case-control study and the multivariate logistic regression analysis were adopted to explore the associated factors of HIV transmission among IDUs-HIV+.

RESULTSAs the sources of HIV transmission, 420 IDUs-HIV+ had an average duration of (4.5 ± 1.2) years for drug use. As a susceptible population, 1 220 drug users sharing syringes with the 420 IDUs-HIV+ had an average duration of (1.1 ± 0.5) years for drug use. There were 238 HIV-positive persons among 1 220 vulnerable drug users, with a transmission rate of 0.57. In the case-control study, the proportion of male subjects was 87.1% (162/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (77.8%, 182/234). The proportion of subjects who received support after knowing their HIV infection status was 51.1% (95/186) in the case group, which was lower than that in the control group (79.5%, 186/234). The proportion of subjects sharing syringes every time of using drugs was 47.8% (89/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (36.8%, 86/234). The proportion of subjects having AIDS awareness was 21.0% (39/186) in the case group, which was lower than that in the control group (64.5%, 151/234); the proportion of subjects having close contact with HIV-positive persons for more than 106 days was 60.2% (112/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (31.6%, 74/234). The proportion of subjects maintaining the original drug use method after being infected with HIV was 50.5% (94/186) in the case group, which was higher than that in the control group (16.7%, 39/234) (all P values < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to analyse high correlate factors of HIV transmission by sources of transmission, and the AIDS awareness, duration of contact between sources of transmission and vulnerable population, access to support following confirmed HIV infection were protective factors, OR (95% CI) values were 0.155 (0.104-0.262), 0.170 (0.106-0.253), and 0.306 (0.189-0.450), respectively; while the frequency of syringe sharing and continuous drug use after being infected with HIV were risk factors, and the OR (95% CI) values were 3.06 (1.77-5.29), and 3.54 (2.16-5.80), respectively.

CONCLUSIONHIV transmission by IDUs-HIV+ might be contained by raising AIDS awareness, providing comprehensive psychological support, conducting needle exchange and methadone maintenance treatment and reducing syringe sharing.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Drug Users ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; Needle Sharing ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Substance Abuse, Intravenous

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change and impact factors of craving for heroin in patients after 6 month methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). METHODS: The questionnaire of craving for heroin was used to measure the level of craving for heroin when patients just entered the study and were treated for 6 months. The influence of MMT on craving in patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The total score and score for other factors decreased except the factor "self-control" after MMT. The craving for high dose patients decreased significantly after 6 month treatment (P<0.05). The degree of craving for heroin in males and females all decreased after MMT, but no significant difference was shown (P>0.05). The craving degree for heroin in patients with long drug use was higher than that of patients with short drug use. After the treatment, the improvement of craving was more significant for the long drug users. CONCLUSION MMT can decline the craving for heroin in drug users. Dosage for methadone and gender may be the risk factors of craving change.
Adult ; China ; Female ; Heroin Dependence ; drug therapy ; psychology ; rehabilitation ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone ; therapeutic use ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Objective:To explore the status and influencing factors of stigma in patients with pituitary adenoma.Methods:From January 2020 to May 2021, a total of 106 patients with pituitary adenoma in the Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People 's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were selected using the convenience sampling method. Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness, Medical Coping Style Questionnaire and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale were used to investigate them. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the influencing factors of stigma in patients with pituitary adenoma. Results:Among 106 patients with pituitary adenoma, 87 (82.08%) had stigma. The stigma score of patients with pituitary adenoma was (2.58±0.61) . Binary Logistic regression analysis results showed that family monthly income, coping style and mental elasticity were the influencing factors of stigma in patients with pituitary adenoma ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Stigma is common in patients with pituitary adenoma. Medical staff should take targeted intervention measures according to the influencing factors of stigma in patients with pituitary adenoma, so as to help patients reduce stigma.

Background and objective Isoliquiritigenin(ISL)is an important pharmacological constituent of Glycyrrhiza glabra,which possesses a range of physiological and pharmacological activities,as well as significant antitumor ac-tivity,and can be used as a potential drug for targeted cancer therapy.LINC01503 is an oncogene,which has been closely asso-ciated with the malignant biological processes of many cancers.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ISL on the proliferation,apoptosis,invasion and migration oflung squamous carcinoma cells by regulating LINC01503.Methods Plasma was collected from lung squamous carcinoma patients and healthy individuals treated at Tangshan People's Hospital from Janu-ary 2021 to December 2022.The expression of LINC01503 in lung squamous carcinoma plasma,tissues and cells was detected by real-time quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Lung squamous carcinoma cells were treated with different concentrations of ISL for 24 h,and LINC01503 expression was detected by qRT-PCR.The cells were treated in groups:si-NC group,si-LINC01503 group,DMSO(0.1％dimethyl sulfone)group,ISL group,pc DNA3.1(+)-NC group,pc DNA3.1(+)-LINC01503 group,ISL+pc DNA3.1(+)-NC group and ISL+pc DNA3.1(+)-LINC01503 groups.CCK-8 assay,clone formation assay,flow cytometry,Transwell assay and scratch assay were used to explore the effect of LINC01503 on the functional phenotype of lung squamous carcinoma cells.Results Fluorescence in situ hybridization results showed that the average fluorescence intensity of LINC01503 in tissue microarrays of lung squamous carcinoma patients was higher than that in paracancerous tissues(P＜0.05).The expression of LINC01503 in the plasma of patients with lung squamous carcinoma was higher than that in the plasma of healthy individuals(P＜0.05).Knockdown of LINC01503 inhibited the proliferation,invasion and migration of lung squamous carcinoma cells and promoted apoptosis(P＜0.05).ISL inhibited the proliferation,invasion,migration and promoted apoptosis of lung squamous carcinoma cells(P＜0.05).Overexpression of LINC01503 followed by intervention with ISL reversed the promotional effect of overexpression of LINC01503 on the proliferation,invasion and migration of lung squamous carcinoma cells as well as the inhibitory effect on apoptosis(P＜0.05).Conclusion LINC01503 was highly expressed in lung squamous carcinoma,and LINC01503 could promote the proliferation,invasion and migra-tion of lung squamous carcinoma cells and inhibit the apoptosis,ISL could inhibit the proliferation,invasion and migration of lung squamous carcinoma cells and promote apoptosis of lung squamous carcinoma cells by regulating the expression of LINC01503.