Objective To investigate the situation of flea species and distribution in the natural foci of plague in Baotou and provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of the disease.Method Flea specimens collected over the years and literature recordings were analyzed systematically.Results A total of 5 families,19 genera and 39 fleas were recorded,and 9 of them could be naturally infected with plague bacteria (Nosopsyllus laeviceps,Xenopsylla conformis,Neopsylla pleskei,Citellophilus tesquorum,Neopsylla bidentatiformis,Leptopsylla pavlovskii,Ophthalmopsylla praefecta,Rhadinopsylla insolita and Frontopsylla luculenta).There were 34 fleas in the north area,and 14 of them were regional fleas; there were 25 species in south area,and 5 were regional fleas.Conclusion Flea distribution in Baotou City has obvious regional characteristics,and these fleas can be naturally infected by the plague.

Objective To investigate the expression of STAT3 signaling pathway genes including Survivin and COX-2 in cholangiocarcinoma,as well as the relationship between expression of these genes and prognosis of patients with cholangiocarcinoma.Methods The tumor and normal tissue samples were respectively collected from 43 patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 12 patients with intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones or hepatic duct injury in the Affiliated Provincial Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2007 to July 2012.The expression of STAT3,phosphorylated-STAT3 (p-STAT3),Survivin and COX-2 were examined using immunohistochemistry,and the relationship between the expression of these genes and the clinical pathological features and prognosis of patients with cholangiocarcinoma was analyzed.Patients were followed-up through outpatient examination and telephone interview until March 2014.Categorical data were analyzed using the chi-square test.Correlation analysis was done by Spearman's method.The survival curve was generated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and the survival analysis was conducted using the log-rank test.Results The positive expression rates of STAT3,p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 in the tumor samples were 69.8％ (30/43),65.1％ (28/43),72.1％ (31/43),79.1％ (34/43),respectively,which were compared with 41.7％ (5/12),8.3％ (1/12),16.7％ (2/12) and 41.7％ (5/12) in the normal tissue samples,showing a significant difference for the last 3 indexes (x2=12.136,9.811,4.679,P ＜ 0.05).Overexpression of p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 protein was correlated with lymph node metastasis (x2 =14.700,5.959,4.075,P ＜ 0.05).Overexpression of p-STAT3 was also related to neural invasion (x2=10.384,P ＜ 0.05).Expression of Survival and COX-2 protein was not associated with lymph invasion (x2=2.718,3.024,P ＞ 0.05).Expression of p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 was however not associated with gender,age and tumor location,differentiation and diameter (x2=0.148,0.720,1.835,1.040,0.236 ; 0.001,0.009,0.029,1.863,0.197 ; 0.433,0.686,0.002,2.974,0.029,P ＞ 0.05).Expression of Survivin and COX-2 protein was positively correlated to p-STAT3 protein (r =0.524,0.583,P ＜ 0.05).All the 43 patients were followed up for 6-60 months.Among the 17 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma,the median survival time was 7,9,9 months for patients with positive expression of p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 protein,compared with 18,11 and 11 months for patients with negative expression of these proteins.The survival rates of the patients with positive and negative expression of p-STAT3 protein were 33.3％ and 68.6％,respectively,with a statistical significance for p-STAT3 protein (x2=12.916,P ＜ 0.05).Of the remaining 26 patients with common bile duct carcinoma,the median survival time was 9,10 and 9 months for patients with positive expression of p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 protein,compared with 20,20 and 20 months for patients with negative expression of these proteins.The survival rates of the patients with positive expression of p-STAT3,Survivin and COX-2 protein were 20.8％,9.4％ and 8.5％,which were lower than 37.5％,37.5％ and 50.0％ of patients with the negative expression of these proteins,with a statically significance for all the 3 proteins (x2=12.787,6.245,11.161,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The p-STAT3,Survivin,COX-2 proteins are highly expressed in the cholangiocarcinoma and the expression levels of these proteins are positively correlated.The survivin and COX-2 may be the downstream genes of STAT signaling pathway,which are involved in the progression and prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective:To study the effect of alum on immune response in mice induced by HBoV1 VP2 VLPs.Methods:BABL/c mice were randomly divided into VLPs experimental group, alum adjuvant experimental group, PBS control group and alum adjuvant control group,the experimental group mice were intramuscular immunization with HBoV1 VP2 VLPs and HBoV1 VP2 VLPs added alum,control group mice were immunization with alum or PBS buffer,then to study the effect of alum on immune response in mice induced by HBoV1 VP2 VLPs by cellular and humoral immune strength.Results: Alum adjuvant decreased cellular immune response induced by HBoV1 VP2 VLPs(P<0.001),enhance the HBoV1 VP2 VLPs immuned serum IgG titer(P<0.05)and IgG activity(P<0.01).Conclusion:Alum adjuvant can enhance humoral immune response induced by HBoV1 VP2 VLPs,but weaken cellular immune response induced by HBoV1 VP2 VLPs,when HBoV1 VP2 VLPs used as a prophylactic vaccine it should add alum adjuvant,when used as a therapeutic vaccine,it should not add alum adjuvant.

Objective To investigate the performance of left ventricular torsion (LVtor) or twist with cardiac dysfunction patients by speckle tracking imaging (STI). Methods Standard left ventricular short-axis views images were acquired by rountine two-dimensional echocardiography in thirty-two healthy humans and twenty-four patients with cardiac dysfunction. LVtor angle,left ventricular rotation (LVrot) angle,the peak value and time of LVtor and LVrot were measured respectively. The data were compared and analyzed between the two groups. Results Compared with normal group,the peak of LVtor and LVrot angle was decreased in cardiac dysfunction group at both apical and basal planes (P<0.05). The peak time of LVtor in patients with cardiac dysfunction was delayed (P<0.05). The peak time of clockwise rotation at the apical level segments was longer than control group (P<0.05). Conclusions There is a temporal sequence difference of left ventricular rotation between basal and apical planes during left ventricular contraction and decreased LVtor has been demonstrated to influence left ventricular function.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between left ventricular function and arterial stiffness of left femoral artery in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic disease (LEAD).Methods Thirty-three patients with LEAD and 37 healthy subjects (control group) were enrolled in this study.The intima-media thickness (IMT),diameter and parameters of arterial stiffness [dispensability coefficient (DC),compliance coefficient (CC),stiffness α,stiffness β,pulse wave velocity (PWVβ) ]were measured by ultrasonography with the technology of QIMT and QAS.The thickness of the interventricular septum (IVSd),end-diastolic left ventricular diameter (LVDd) and left ventricular mass (LVM),and parameters of the left ventriculsr function (EF,E/A,E'/A',E/E' and Tei index) were measured by echocardiography.These parameters were compared between two groups.Correlations between the parameters of the arterial stiffness and those of the cardiac function were evaluated by Pearson correlative analysis.Results ①The IVSd,LVM and E/E' ratio were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05).There were no significant differences in EF,E/A,E'/A',and Tei index between two groups ( P ＞0.05).②The IMT,α,β,PWVβ of left femoral artery were significantly higher in LEAD group than those in control group,while DC and CC were significantly lower in LEAD group than those in control group ( P ＜0.05).③The E/E' ratio,one of the parameters representing the left ventricular diastolic function,was correlated negatively with CC and positively with α,β,and PWVβ ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01 ).The E'/A' ratio was correlated positively with DC and CC,and negatively with α,β,and PWVβ ( P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01 ).Both EF and Tei index were not significantly correlated with the above parameters of arterial stiffness ( P ＞0.05).Conclusions Patients with LEAD have thickened femoral IMT,higher arterial stiffness of left femoral artery,as well as impaired left ventricular function.There is a close correlation between the atherosclerosis of the femoral artery and the early left vcntricular dysfunction.

Objective To understand the current prevalence of clonorchiasis in Jiangxi Province. Methods A survey was performed according to the scheme of the 3rd Principal Human Parasites of Jiangxi Province. Based on the ecological regions,a stratified cluster sampling method was applied by the economic and geographic situation. In rural areas,the investigation of C. si?nensis was carried out together with the soil?transmitted helminths investigation,and in the urban areas,the random cluster sam?pling method was applied for the C. sinensis investigation. There were 92 survey sites from 32 counties. The eggs of C. sinensis in stool were examined by Kato?Katz technique,and health knowledge was also investigated by questionnaires in some people at the same time. Results A total of 23 606 sample residents were investigated,and 138 were found infected with C. sinensis, with the infection rate of 0.58%. Light infection was found in most of them. Totally 124 C. sinensis infected persons focused in Xinfeng County,and only a few of infected people scattered in the other counties. In Xinfeng County,851 residents were investi?gated. Among them,the infected people were found in all the age groups except the 0?year age group. The highest infection rate appeared in the 70? years group(24.00%). The male infection rate was 20.29%,which was higher than that of the female (6.25%),showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). The infection rate was highest in the population who received high school or technical secondary school education(31.48%). For the occupation distribution,the infection rate was highest in public officers(39.39%). The questionnaire survey showed that the infection rate in the populations in Xinfeng County who had the history of eating raw fish or raw shrimp was 33.15%. Conclusions The distribution of C. sinensis infection presents a region?al aggregation in Xinfeng County,but in other areas,the distribution is sporadic. It is necessary to continue to carry out the para?sitic disease screening,and in Xinfeng County,it is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control interven?tion.

Objective To explore the impact and change regularity of Oncomelania hupensis snails and vegetation in the marshlands of Poyang Lake caused by the impoundment of the Three Gorges Project. Methods By using the methods of stratified systematic sampling and pinpoint navigation,the succession of vegetation was observed and the distribution of O. hupensis snails was investigated in a period of 8 years on 4 typical marshlands in Poyang Lake. The regularity of changes in vegetation and O. hu-pensis snails was analyzed on the marshlands at high,medium and low elevations,respectively. Results After the impoundment of Three Gorges Project,the average flooding days of these 4 marshlands in 2004 and in 2008 were reduced of 74.8 and 65.8 days compared with those in 2002,the year just before the impoundment of the project,respectively. The change of spatial distribution pattern and the succession of dominant species of vegetation on the marshlands of Poyang Lake have taken place since 2005,and several vegetations showed a trend of moving toward the center of the lake. The hygrophilous vegetation has degenerated and gradu-ally been replaced by mesophily meadow in the marshland area above 14 m elevation. Carex,Phalaris arundinacea and Polygo-num appeared in large area and expanded slowly towards the center of the lake on the marshland below 14 m elevation. O. hupensis snails were mostly found under the Carex association. The tendency of decreasing in density of snails and of migration of snail habi-tats towards low terrain was observed. Conclusions The impoundment of Three Gorges Project has had a significant impact on hy-drological regimes,and a new succession of vegetation has taken place in the marshlands of Poyang Lake. O. hupensis snails and the mesophily vegetation show a trend of migrating slowly to the areas of low elevation in the marshlands.

Objective To evaluate the association between the left carotid arterial stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function in patients with lower extremity atherosclerosis (AS).Methods ①A total of 32 patients with AS and 34 control objects were enrolled.The carotid arterial stiffness parameters:compliance coefficient (CC),distensibility coefficient (DC),stiffness parameter (α,β),pulse wave velocity β (PWVβ) were measured by using quality arterial stiffness(QAS) technology.And the values were compared between the two groups.②The parameters of left ventricular (LV) structure and function:LV end-diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSd),LV end-diastolic diameter (LVDd),LV end-diastolic wall thickness (PWd),LV ejection fraction (EF),systolic velocity (s'),early-diastolic velocity (e'),Tei index and E/e' ratio were measured by using two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler.These parameters were compared between the two groups.The association between the carotid arterial stiffness parameters and LV function parameters were analyzed by correlative analysis.Results ①Compared with the control group,the DC and CC were lower,and α,β,PWVβ,IMT were higer than the control group,with statistically significant differences(P ＜0.05).②The IVSd,Tei index and E/e'was significantly higher in the AS group than those in the control group.And the PWd,s',e' were lower than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in EF between the two groups (P ＞0.05).③The e' was correlated positively with DC and CC (r =0.39,0.36,P ＜0.01),and negatively with α,β,and PWVβ (r =-0.42,-0.42,-0.49,P ＜0.01).Tei index was correlated negatively with DC and CC (r =-0.50,-0.52,P ＜0.01),and positively with α,β,and PWVβ (r =0.58,0.58,0.62,P ＜0.01).The E/e' was correlated regatively with CC (r =-0.27,P ＜0.05),and positively with PWVβ (r =0.28,P ＜0.05).There were no significant correlation between s',EF and the stiffness parameters of carotid artery (P＞0.05).Conclusions In patients with AS,the left carotid artery stiffness increases and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function are impaired.The carotid artery stiffness and left ventricular diastolic function is correlated.Changes in carotid artery stiffness reflect the change in left ventricular diastolic function.

Objective To explore the relationship between the vegetation and space distribution of Oncomelania snails in Poyang Lake region,so as to get better understanding of the habitats of Oncomelania snails by using remote sensing technology.Methods The marshlands close to schistosomiasis endemic villages in Poyang Lake region were selected,and the traditional methods were used to investigate the situation of vegetation and Oncomelania snails.The longitude and latitude of investigation spots were recorded by GPS,and the field survey data were vectored by using ArcGIS software.The geometric calibration and unsupervised classification were made on TM satellite images of low-flow period of spring by using PCI 9.0.And then,the relationship between space distribution of snail habitats and vegetation was analyzed through superposing the filed data and satellite images.Results The vegetation in marshlands of Poyang Lake region can be differentiated as three types,in which the single dominant vegetation area was mainly breeding place of Oncomelania snails,and wet vegetation type and hybrid weed type were snail seldom breeding areas.Conclusions The distribution roles of vegetation in marshland are closely related to the habitats of snails,presenting a flaky and bandy distribution.The habitats of Oncomelania snails can be quickly understood by remote sensing technology.

Objective: To investigate the association between body mass index ( BMI ) and mortality risk among older Chinese based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study ( CHARLS ). Methods: The demographic features, BMI, prevalence of chronic diseases and mortality among the elderly at ages of 60 years and greater were captured from the CHARLS database from 2011 to 2018. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine the association between BMI and the risk of death. Results: Totally 6 023 subjects were enrolled, including 3 006 men ( 50.09% ) and 3 017 women ( 49.91% ), and 68.69% of the participants ( 4 137 subjects ) were at ages of 60 to 69 years. There were 637 subjects ( 10.58% ) with underweight, 1 544 ( 25.63% ) with overweight, and 557 ( 9.25% ) with obesity. During the follow-up period ( 35 091 person-years ), 1 035 subjects died. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed an increased risk of mortality among the underweight elderly ( HR=1.496, 95%CI: 1.261-1.775 ) and a reduced risk of mortality among the obese elderly ( HR=0.671, 95%CI: 0.511-0.881 ) relative to the elderly with normal weight, after adjustment for age, gender, smoking, household registration, administration of anti-diabetic drugs, administration of anti-dyslipidemia drugs, and administration of anti-hypertensive drugs. Conclusion It is found that the risk of mortality among the Chinese elderly correlatives with BMI through the analysis of CHARLS data.