Objective To understand the Oncomelania hupensis snail distribution in the working areas of Yangtze River hy?drologic agencies located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in 2016,so as to provide the evidence for assess?ing the risk of schistosome infection of hydrological workers and establishing the control strategies. Methods The suspicious en?vironments with O. hupensis snails in the above working areas were selected as study areas,and the snail situation was surveyed by the system sampling method combined with the environmental sampling method. The survey data were collected and analyzed statistically. Results Totally 19 working areas from 17 hydrological agencies were selected as the investigation sites,among which,10 working areas from 9 agencies were found with O. hupensis snail distribution. The constituent ratio of the areas with snails reached to 38.81%of the investigation areas,the occurrence rate of frames with snails was 3.08%,and the average densi?ty of living snails was 0.07/0.1 m2. By comparison,the average density of living snails and occurrence rate of frames with snails in hydrological agencies under the jurisdiction of the Middle Reaches Administrative Bureau were the most serious among three administrative bureaus of the Yangtze River Water Resources Commission. Conclusions There are various degrees of O. hupen?sis breeding in the working areas of hydrological agencies located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River ,and the hydrological workers are facing with the risk of schistosome infection.

Objective To explore the spatial-temporal characteristics and changing regularities of Schistosoma japonicum in-fections among human from 2004 to 2011. Methods The township level spatial databases of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2011 were established,and the related spatial analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0,ArcGIS 10.1 and SaTScan 7.03. Results The schistosome infection rate among human in Hunan Province sharply decreased from 3.0％in 2004 to 0.8％in 2011. However,the rate among residents in parts of some townships in 2011 was still hovering at a higher level (P90=2.12％),and the higher rate was distributed along the Oncomelania hupensis snail ridden areas outside embankment. The auto-correlation analysis showed that the global Moran's I for schistosome infection rate among human was 0.34 to 0.53 from 2004 to 2011,and was higher than the expected value(Z>8.71,P<0.05). The local G statistics indicated that the positive hotspot high-high clustering areas were mainly near the coast of Dongting Lake from 2004 to 2011,and the number of townships with schistosomiasis endemic in the clustering areas reached 30 to 70. The spatial scan analysis showed that the number of townships in the clustering areas ran up to 145 to 183 from 2004 to 2011. Conclusions The schistosome infection rate among human de-creased significantly in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2011. However,the rate in parts of some townships still remains at a com-paratively high level,and there are positive spatial correlation and spatial agglomerations in the schistosome infection rate among human,suggesting that the prevention and control work on schistosomiasis in these areas should be strengthened in the fu-ture.

Objective To investigate the roles of cytokines and non-bioartificial liver in mechanism and clinical treatment of severe hepatitis.Methods Serum IL-2,IL-6,TGF?_1,TNF-?,sFas,IFN-?levels of severe hepatitis patients before and after treatment with non-bioartificial liver were detected and compared.Results Serum IL-2 and IFN-?levels in severe hepatitis group before treatment were obviously lower than those of normal control group(P

Objective In order to assess the structure damage of hip joint in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a new radiograph-based scoring method was developed according to the radiological characteristics of hip involvement in AS, as well referring to prior existing scoring indexes. Methods A new scoring method consti-tuted of erosion, sclerosis and joint space narrowing was developed, pelvis anterior-posterior plain films acquired from patients with AS at baseline and follow-up were collected and assessed by two physicians who were trained in image reading by radiologists. All films were scored independently and blindly. Intra- and inter-reader reliability were assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), the feasibility of this new scoring method was assessed by the mean time acquired to score a plain (two hips), its ability to detect the change of structure damage was assessed by the comparison of score differences between baseline and different follow-ups. The date were analyzed by paired-t test or nonparametric tests. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or nonparametric tests were utilized for the comparison of means of quantitative variables among the three groups, while Chi-square test for rates of categorical variables. Results No statistically significant differences existed in demographic data and suspected risk factors among the three groups at baseline (P>0.05). Intra-observer reliability was good (0.84 and 0.89), as well as the inter-observer reliability (0.72), the mean time needed to score was (33 ±10) seconds. Score changes were not statistically significant in the groups with follow-up duration of 1-2 and 3-4 years, but in the group of over 5 years, baseline/final scores assessed by the two observers were (6.0±2.7/7.5±3.7) and (5.6±2.1/7.1±3.6), respectively, both changes were statistically significant (t=2.86, Z=-2.99; P<0.01). Conclusion This new method is not only reproducible and easy to operate in clinic practice, but also can tell the changes of hip joint structure damage in the interval of over 5 years, further validation is requeired to demonstrate its discriminability in large populations.

Objective The aim of this study was to set up a large,longitudinal and prospective database to compare the clinical manifestations in human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive and negative patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS) based on real-world evidence in Chinese population.Methods A total of 897 outpatients with confirmed AS were recruited consecutively by smart management system for spondyloarthritis (SMSP) from April 13,2016 to June 6,2017 in Chinese PLA General Hospital from 30 provinces and autonomous regions.801 patients with HLA-B27 data were included in the analysis.Demographic and clinical parameters including Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI),Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI),ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (ASDAS),arthritis,enthesitis,Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared between HLA-B27 positive and negative groups.Results A total of 801 patients were included in the analysis with an average age of (30.7± 8.8) years.There were 659 males and 142 females and HLA-B27 was present in 88.0％(705/801).Males were significantly more in HLA-B27 positive patients [83.3％ (587/705) vs.75.0％ (72/96);P=0.047].The average age at disease onset was (22.3 ±7.6)years in HLA-B27 positive patients and (24.4 + 8.7) years in HLA-B27 negative ones (P=0.028).There was significant difference in diagnose delay between two groups [14.3(2.5,43.6)months in HLA-B27 positive patients vs.20.3(5.0,67.4) months in HLA-B27 negative ones,P=0.041].Anterior uveitis was found to be significantly more common in HLA-B24 positive patients [18.9％ (133/705) vs.7.3％ (7/96),P=0.005],and knee involvement less common in HLA-B27 positive patients [4.0％ (27/682) vs.10.0％(9/90),P=0.010],conversely.CRP[6.5(3.0,16.4)mg/L vs.3.5(1.6,12.3)mg/L] and ESR[11.0(4.0,24.0)mrn/1h vs.7.0(3.0,16.0)mm/1h] were significantly higher in HLA-B27 positive patients(P=0.005,0.013,respectively).But no differences in BASDAI,ASDAS,BASFI and BASMI were obtained between two groups.Conclusions HLA-B27 positive patients had a higher proportion of males,a younger age of onset and a greater risk for occurrence of anterior uveitis,suggesting a poorer prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and the risk of incident hypertension among population in rural areas of China. Methods: The Community Intervention of Metabolic Syndrome in China & Chinese Family Health Study (CIMIC) was conducted in 2007-2008. Data on PA, smoking, drinking, blood pressure and other variables were obtained at baseline. Then the follow-up study of incident hypertension was performed during 2012-2015. A total of 41 457 participants aged ≥18 years and free from hypertension at baseline were included in the final analyses. PA was calculated as metabolic equivalent (MET) for each participant. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the relationship of PA with incident hypertension according to the quartiles of PA. Results: A total of 6 780 participants developed hypertension during an average follow up of 5.8 years. The annual incidence of hypertension was 2.80%. Compared to participants in the first quartile of PA, HR (95%CI) of incident hypertension decreased with the level of PA of 0.92 (0.86, 0.99), 0.72 (0.67, 0.77) and 0.70 (0.65, 0.75) for the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quartile, respectively (P_trend<0.001). In subgroup analyses, compared to the first quartile, hazards of hypertension among normotensive participants (systolic blood pressure less than 120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and diastolic blood pressure less than 80 mm Hg) in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quartile were 0.82 (0.70, 0.95), 0.73 (0.63, 0.85) and 0.78 (0.67, 0.90), respectively (P_trend=0.002). Among participants with prehypertension (systolic blood pressure from 120 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure from 80 to 89 mmHg), similar trend for the relationship of PA and incident hypertension was also found with HR (95%CI) of 0.94 (0.87, 1.01), 0.71 (0.65, 0.77) and 0.66 (0.61, 0.71) for the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th quartile, respectively (P_trend<0.001). Conclusion There was linear trend association between PA and incident hypertension. Increased PA in daily life may be a protective factor against hypertension.

The widespread application of next generation sequencing (NGS) in clinical settings has enabled testing, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of genetic diseases. However, many issues have arisen in the meanwhile. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of standards for reporting genetic test results across different service providers. The First Forum on Standards and Specifications for Clinical Genetic Testing was held to address the issue in Shenzhen, China, on October 28, 2017. Participants, including geneticists, clinicians, and representatives of genetic testing service providers, discussed problems of clinical genetic testing services across in China and shared opinions on principles, challenges, and standards for reporting clinical genetic test results. Here we summarize expert opinions presented at the seminar and report the consensus, which will serve as a basis for the development of standards and guidelines for reporting of clinical genetic testing results, in order to promote the standardization and regulation of genetic testing services in China.

Background Papillary thyroid cancer is the result of a variety of pathogenic factors. The prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer varies greatly in different regions, and the disease is more harmful to women. Objective This study aims to explore the relationship between reproductive factors and papillary thyroid cancer, and to provide basic data for prevention and control of the disease. Methods A 1∶1 age (±3 years) matched case-control study was conducted in 331 pairs of newly confirmed papillary thyroid cancer cases and controls from two hospitals in Shanghai from November 2012 to December 2013. Comparisons were made in the history of menstruation, pregnancy, gynecological and breast diseases, and other variables between the two groups. Results The results of univariate analysis indicated that the proportions of education below bachelor degree, married, and mainly manual workers in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); the proportion of those with a family history of thyroid diseases in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05); the proportions of the cases with irregular menstruation (77.34%), a history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs (24.77%), a history of benign gynecological diseases (31.72%), and a history of gynecological surgery (9.67%) were significantly higher than the proportions in the control group (P<0.05). After adjusting potential confounding factors such as history of CT examination, age, kinds of family salt, total iodine intake every day, education level, occupation, marital status, body mass index, and family history of thyroid diseases, the results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that irregular menstruation (OR=1.767, 95%CI: 1.122-2.782; P=0.014), surgical menopause (OR=12.787, 95%CI: 3.202-51.057; P<0.001), pregnancy >1 time (OR =2.490, 95%CI: 1.196-5.184; P=0.015), and the history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs (OR=2.389, 95%CI: 1.338-4.268; P=0.003) were the risk factors of papillary thyroid cancer. Conclusion Irregular menstruation, surgical menopause, history of pregnancy, and history of using oral contraceptive or hormone drugs might be the risk factors of papillary thyroid cancer. To reduce the incidence of papillary thyroid cancer, strengthened health education and rational use of contraceptives are recommended.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of blood arsenic concentration (BAC) with clinical effect and safety of arsenic-containing Qinghuang Powder (, QHP) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: Totally 163 patients with MDS were orally treated with QHP for 2 courses of treatment, 3 months as 1 course. The BACs of patients were detected by atomic fluorescence spectrophotometry at 1, 3, and 6 months during the treatment, and the effective rate, hematological improvement and safety in patients after treatment with QHP were analyzed. RESULTS: After 2 courses of treatment, the total effective rate was 89.6% (146/163), with 31.3% (51/163) of hematological improvement and 58.3% (95/163) of stable disease. The hemoglobin increased from 73.48 ± 19.30 g/L to 80.39 ± 26.56 g/L (P<0.05), the absolute neutrophil count increased from 0.81 ± 0.48 × 10/L to 1.08 ± 0.62 × 10/L (P<0.05), and no significant changes were observed in platelet counts (P>0.05). Among 46 patients previously depended on blood transfusion, 28.3% (13/46) completely got rid of blood transfusion and 21.7% (10/46) reduced the volume of blood transfusion by more than 50% after treatment. The BACs were significantly increased in patients treated for 1 month with 32.17 ± 18.04 μ g/L (P<0.05), 3 months with 33.56 ± 15.28 μ g/L (P<0.05), and 6 months with 36.78 ± 11.92 μ g/L (P<0.05), respectively, as compared with those before treatment (4.08 ± 2.11 μ g/L). There were no significant differences of BACs among the patients treated for 1, 3 and 6 months (P>0.05). The adverse reactions of digestive tract during the treatment were mild abdominal pain and diarrhea in 14 cases (8.6%), and no patients discontinued the treatment. The BACs of patients with gastrointestinal adverse reactions were significantly lower than those without gastrointestinal adverse reactions (22.39 ± 10.38 vs. 37.89 ± 11.84, μ g/L, P<0.05). The BACs of patients with clinical effect were significantly higher than those failed to treatment (40.41 ± 11.69 vs. 23.84 ± 12.03, μ g/L, P<0.05). CONCLUSION QHP was effective and safe in the treatment of patients with MDS and the effect was associated with BACs of patients.

BACKGROUND: Dysfunction of the gap junction channel protein connexin 43 (Cx43) contributes to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Cx43 can be regulated by small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification. Protein inhibitor of activated STAT Y (PIASy) is an E3 SUMO ligase for its target proteins. However, whether Cx43 is a target protein of PIASy and whether Cx43 SUMOylation plays a role in I/R-induced arrhythmias are largely unknown. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with PIASy short hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) using recombinant adeno-associated virus subtype 9 (rAAV9). Two weeks later, the rats were subjected to 45 min of left coronary artery occlusion followed by 2 h reperfusion. Electrocardiogram was recorded to assess arrhythmias. Rat ventricular tissues were collected for molecular biological measurements. RESULTS: Following 45 min of ischemia, QRS duration and QTc intervals statistically significantly increased, but these values decreased after transfecting PIASy shRNA. PIASy downregulation ameliorated ventricular arrhythmias induced by myocardial I/R, as evidenced by the decreased incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, and reduced arrythmia score. In addition, myocardial I/R statistically significantly induced PIASy expression and Cx43 SUMOylation, accompanied by reduced Cx43 phosphorylation and plakophilin 2 (PKP2) expression. Moreover, PIASy downregulation remarkably reduced Cx43 SUMOylation, accompanied by increased Cx43 phosphorylation and PKP2 expression after I/R. CONCLUSION PIASy downregulation inhibited Cx43 SUMOylation and increased PKP2 expression, thereby improving ventricular arrhythmias in ischemic/reperfused rats heart.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/metabolism* ; Connexin 43/genetics* ; Sumoylation ; Down-Regulation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/drug therapy* ; Myocardial Ischemia/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism*