Objective To analyze the data collected from surveillance sites in Shanxi province in epidemiological investigations during 2004 - 2008 and understand the influence of such factors as rat density and vectorial quantities on plague epidemic intensity, thus provide some scientific basis for plague control and prevention. Methods To collect the data of surveillance during 2004 - 2008 in the 12 counties of plague surveillance by retrospective method. Sort and analyze the collected data according to the requirement of operational scheme for plague surveillance-calculate the rat density of spermophilus dauricus, meriones meridianus and the small rodents, and the flea index and the flea infection ratio of body flea, burrow track, cave. The results of serological tests were analyzed at the same time. Results As showed in the results, the mean density of spermophilus dauricus was 1.12 merely in each hectare, and that of meriones meridianus and small rodents were 7.42%(2130/28 700) and 8.03%(3886/48 400), respectively. The flea infection rate of spermophilus dauricus and meriones meridianas were 25.78% ( 1933/7497 ) and 44.19% (2028/4598), respectively;the flea index of spermophilus dauricus and meriones meridianus were 0.59 and 1.84, respectively. The number of nests excavated with flea for spermophilus dauricus was 70, and the numbers of nests and flea were 362 and 333, respectively. The flea infection rate was 19.34 % (70/362), and the flea index was 0.92. The number of nests excavated with flea for meriones meridianus was 34, and the numbers of nests and flea were 177 and 124, respectively. The flea infection rate was 19.21%(34/177), and the flea index was 0.70. The number of caves explored for spermophilus dauricus was 7171,and the number of burrows with flea was 62, so the flea infection rate was 0.86%(62/7171 ), and the flea index was 0.01. Conclusions With a relatively high density and large quantity and considering the epidemic features of animal plague in periphery provinces in recent years, plague may still happen and spread in Shanxi province diespite the negative results of all those serological tests, by means of importing from other provinces.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Nimodipine on the hemorrheology and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) in the patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) and to explore the mechanism.Methods50 cases with VBI were divided into Nimodipine group (25 cases) and routine therapy group (25 cases). The hemorrheology and BAEP were measured before the treatment and 1 month later.ResultsThe blood viscosity,including the whole blood viscosity shear value, plasma viscosity and blood fat of patients with VBI was increased. The total abnormity rate of BAEP was 76%. The main abnormity was brainstem type. The hemorrheology and the function of nerve conduction were improved distinctly (P<0.05) after treatment. Compared with the routine therapy group, the level of plasma viscosity was decreased markedly (P<0.05) in Nimodipine group, and peak latency of V wave, interpeak latency of III-V and I-V were also improved significantly (P<0.05).Conclusions Nimodipine can improve the hemorrheology and the function of nerve conduction in patients with VBI.

Objective To compare two methods 3D flash and diffusion-weighted images(DWI)in reconstructing the brain surface anatomy,and to evaluate their displaying ability,advantages,limitations and clinical application.Methods Thrity normal cases were prospectively examined with 3 D flash sequence and echo-planar DWI.Three-dimensional images were acquired with volume-rendering on workstation.Brain surface structures were evaluated and scored by a group of doctors.Results Main structures of brain surface were clearly displayed on three-dimensional images based on 3D flash sequence.Average scores were all above 2.50.For images based on DWI,precentral gyrus,postcentral gyrus,superior parietal lobule, superior frontal gyrus,precentral sulcus,central sulcus,postcentral sulcus,intraparietal sulcus and superior frontal sulcus were best shown with average scores between 2.60-2.75,However,supramarginal gyrus, angular gyurs,middle frontal gyrus,inferior frontal gyrus,superior temporal gyrus,lateral sulcus,inferior frontal sulcus could not be well shown,with average scores between 1.67-2.48.Middle temporal gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus,superior temporal sulcus and inferior temporal sulcus can only get scores from 0.88 to 1.27.Scores of images based on 3D flash were much higher than that based on DWI with distinct differentiations,P values were all below 0.01.Conclusion Three-dimensional images based on 3D flash can really display brain surface structures.It is very useful for anatomic researches.Three-dimensional reconstruction of brain surface based on DWI is a worthy technique to display brain surface anatomy, especially for frontal and parietal structures.

The envelope gene of ADOL-4817 strain of avian leukosis viru s subgroup J (ALV-J) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and clo ned into TA vector. The sequence analysis results showed that the envelope gene is composed of 1?746 bp, 1?554 bp of which could be translated into 517 amino acids for gp85 and gp37. The molecular weight of envelope protein is 57.7kD. T here are 15 potential glycosylation sites in the envelope protein, 13 of which i s located in gp85. Analysis of sequences of envelope gene indicate that ADOL -4817 showed high degree of sequence identity to other ALV-J strains, and m ost close ly related to the like-envelope gene of endogenous virus EAV-HP but divergent from these of other ALV subgroup A-E . These data support the hypothesis that envelope gene of avian leukosis virus subgroup J maybe acquired by recombination with expressed sequences.

OBJECTIVETo explore mechanisms of acupuncture in treatment of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

METHODSForty cases of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) were divided into an acupuncture group and a routine treatment group, 20 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated by routine treatment plus acupuncture. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) before treatment and 2 weeks after treatment were determined to investigate the effects of acupuncture on blood flow velocity and brain electrophysiology in the patient of VBI.

RESULTSBefore treatment, the blood velocity of vertebral artery and vertebrobasilar artery at bilateral sides in the patient of VBI decreased as compared with the control group, and the abnormal rate of TCD was 75.0% (30/40) and the abnormal rate of BAEP was 70.0% (28/40), characterized with brainstem abnormality type; after treatment, the blood velocity in the two groups was improved and the abnormal rate of TCD was 47.5% (19/40), and the abnormal rate of BEAP was 45.0% (18/40). The nerve conduction of the two groups was improved, the peak latency of V wave and interpeak latency of III-V and I -V in the acupuncture group were improved significantly as compared with the routine treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can improve the blood velocity of vertebrobasilar artery and the nerve conduction function of brainstem in the patient of vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

Objective To express the plasminogen activator(Pla) of Yersinia pestis and one of its gene fragments,and to detect their immunological reactivity.Methods The pla gene and its specific gene fragment pla-c were amplified by PCR using the EV76 strain as a template.PCR products were then ligated with the plasmid pET32a (+).The recombinant plasmids pET32a (+)-pla and pET32a (+)-pla-c were subsequently trausformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3).The expressed products were purified by HIS affinity chromatography,and their immunological reactivity was detected by Western blotting.Results The recombinant Pla(52.8 × 103) was expressed as inclusion bodies,and the recombinant Pla-c protein (24.0 × 103) was expressed in the soluble form.These two recombinant proteins reacted with anti-Yersinia pestis EV76 rabbit sera.Conclusions The recombinant Pla and its specific fragments have displayed immunological reactivity,and can be served as an alternative diagnosis method for Yersinia pestis.

Brain ; abnormalities ; Cerebral Cortex ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nervous System Malformations ; diagnosis ; Prognosis

Objective To explore the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) treatment on the brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) serum levels in depressive patients.Methods Sixty-eight unipolar depressions treated with venlafaxine were randomly assigned to the real rTMS group(n =34)and the sham rTMS group(n =34),which were accepted the real or the shame rTMS treatment on the left dorsolateral prefrontal lobes respectively.The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and BDNF serum was assayed before and after 4 weeks' treatment.Results 1) A significant increase of serum BDNF((12.2 ± 1.3) μg/L vs (5.6 ± 0.8) μg/L,t=-9.167,P=0.000;(11.4 ± 1.5)μg/L vs (6.0± 1.0)μg/L,t=-7.421,P=0.000)and a significant decline of HAMD((11.6 ± 1.7) score vs (32.6 ± 2.5) score,t =14.654,P =0.000 ; (4.2 ± 2.8) score vs (31.8 ± 3.2)score,t=12.089,P =0.000) were found after the treatment in the real and the shame group,and the real group changed more significantly than the shame group ((6.7 ± 0.8) μg/L vs (5.1 ± l.2) μg/L,t =2.690,P =0.009 ; (21.0 ± 2.1) score vs (17.6 ± 2.6) score,t =2.693,P =0.000).2) A negative correlation was found between the serum BDNF levels and the HAM D scores before the treatment(r =-0.530,P=0.003; r =-0.490,P =0.004),and a positive correlation between changes of BDNF levels and HAMD scores changes(r =0.439,P =0.006 ; r =0.454,P =0.005).Conclusion The rTMS treatment can increase serum BDNF levels in depressive patients.

Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Thoracic Injuries ; complications

OBJECTIVETo study the origin pre-treating and processing integration techniques of Paeonia Radix Alba.

METHODDifferent processing integration techniques were adopted and compared with traditional processing techniques to determine drying rate, aqueous extracts and peoniflori content.

RESULTHalf-dry slices baked at 100 degrees C for 20 min and steamed at 100 degrees C for 10 min had the highest peoniflori contents. Half-dry slices baked at 100 degrees C for 20 min had the highest content of aqueous extracts. Products processed with conventional method and sulfur-fumigation had the lowest content of aqueous extracts.

CONCLUSIONThe origin processing integration techniques of Paeonia Radix Alba lose less active ingredients than conventional processing methods.