Abstract: Objective　To study the characteristics and diagnostic efficacy of Rose-Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT), standard-tube agglutination test (SAT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Methods　A total of 489 suspected brucellosis patients with complete records, who admitted to Xing'anmeng People's Hospital from March 2020 to May 2021, were selected as the subjects. The diagnostic value of SAT, RBPT and ELISA for brucellosis was analyzed with exposure history + clinical symptoms + serological test/brucellosis isolation and culture as the gold standard. Results　Of the 489 suspected patients, 183 (37.42%) were diagnosed with brucellosis, while 234 (47.85%), 148 (30.27%) and 195 (39.88%) were positive by RBPT, ELISA and SAT, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of RBPT in the diagnosis of brucellosis were 95.08%, 80.39%, 74.36%, 96.47%, and 85.89%, respectively; the values of the above parameters for ELISA were 78.69%, 98.69%, 97.30%, 88.56%, and 91.21%, respectively; those values of SAT were 98.36%, 95.10%, 92.31%, 98.98%, and 96.32%, respectively. The sensitivity of RBPT was significantly higher than ELISA, but the specificity and accuracy were significantly lower than ELISA (all P<0.05). The sensitivity and accuracy of SAT diagnosis were significantly higher than ELISA, but the specificity was significantly lower than ELISA (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference between SAT and RBPT in the sensitivity of diagnosis, but the specificity and accuracy were significantly higher than those of RBPT (P<0.05). Conclusion　RBPT and SAT have high sensitivity in diagnosis of brucellosis, while ELISA has high specificity in diagnosis. RBPT with high sensitivity and convenient operation can be used for primary screening in field detection, and then the other two methods can be used for rechecking, so as to further improve the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis of brucellosis.

Objective To further control the indications and to improve the effect of intra-esophageal metallic stents.Methods 83 metallic stents were be planted into esophageal through endoscopy and under X-ray TV guiding using two kinds of stent meterials in 72 cases with benign or maligant stenosis(esophageal,cardiac orifice).Results The operation of planting stents was successful in all patients and the effect of treatment of esophageal stenosis with stents covered by dacron kint membrane was best.The clinical symptoms and food intaking ablities of all patients were improved.Conclusion Home-made nitinol stents can be plant in treatment of malighent esophageal stenosis.It should be first choice for the patients without indications of surgery or after operation.

Abstract: Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics, prevention and control strategies, measures and the effects achieved of malaria in Huangshi City from 1951 to 2021, and to offer a reference for further strengthening malaria eradication and control successes. Methods　Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to assess the prevalence, measurements, and impacts of malaria in different time periods based on data for malaria control in Huangshi City from 1951 to 2021, and we created "semi-log" line graphs and charts to display the prevalence of disease and the effort done in prior years in terms of prevention and control. Results　Between 1951 and 2021, 527 780 cases of malaria were recorded in Huangshi, with an average annual incidence rate of 40.07/10 000. The prevention and control of malaria has gone through four stages, namely, the high prevalence of malaria stage (1951-1979), the basic elimination stage (1980-1999), the consolidation stage (2000-2010), and the eradication stage (2011-2021). Different strategies and measures have been adopted in different epidemic periods. During the high epidemic period, great efforts have been made to carry out general surveys and treatments, and strengthen the management of symptomatic patients; during the eradication stage, prominent and classified prevention and control strategies were adopted. When the incidence rate dropped to below 1/10 000, the main measures adopted were malaria monitoring, including timely discovery and standardization of infectious sources, disposal of epidemic points, management of migrant population malaria and vector monitoring. Through active prevention and control, remarkable results were achieved, and the incidence rate of malaria fell to below 1/10 000 in 1989, reaching the level of "basic elimination of malaria" issued by the Ministry in 1999, and passed the provincial malaria elimination acceptance in 2015. In recent years, with the increasing labor exports and foreign exchanges, imported malaria has been on the rise. African countries are the main sources of imported malaria, and the main species is P.falciparum. Conclusions　Malaria was once one of the main infectious diseases endangering the health of people in Huangshi City. The preventive and control methods and procedures adopted in different epidemic periods are effective. Currently, we have entered the consolidation phase of malaria elimination, with the focus of work being to monitor, report, and timely and effectively respond to imported malaria cases, thus reducing the risk of local transmission.

We revisited the "Xiao Chaihu Decoction event (XCHDE)" occurred in late 1980s in Japan and the Bupleuri Radix related adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports in China After careful review, comparison, analysis and evaluation, we think the interstitial pneumonitis, drug induced Liver injury (DILI) and other severe adverse drug envents (ADEs) including death happened in Japan is probably results from multiple factors, including combinatory use of XCHDE with interferon, Kampo usage under modern medicine theory guidance, and use of XCHD on the basis of disease diagnosis instead of traditional Chinese syndrome complex differentiation. There are less ADE case reports related to XCHD preparation in China compared to Japan, mostly manifest with hypersensitivity responses of skin and perfuse perspiration. The symptoms of Radix Bupleuri injection related ADEs mainly manifest hypersensitivity-like response, 2 cases of intravenous infusion instead of intramuscular injection developed hypokalemia and renal failure. One case died from severe hypersensitivity shock. In Chinese literatures, there is no report of the interstitial pneumonitis and DILI associated with XCHDG in Japan. So far, there is no voluntary monitoring data and large sample clinical research data available. The author elaborated the classification of "reevaluation" and clarified "re-evaluation upon events" included the reaction to the suspected safety and efficacy events. Based on the current status of the clinical research on the Radix Bupleuri preparations, the author points out that post-marketing "re-evaluation upon suspected event" is not only a necessity of continuous evaluation of the safety, efficacy of drugs, it is also a necessity for providing objective clinical research data to share with the international and domestic drug administrations in the risk-benefit evaluation. It is also the unavoidable pathway to culture and push the excellent species and famous brands of TCM to the international market, in that it enhances the pharmaceutical manufactures the ability to control enterprise risk and eliminate the negative impact on traditional Chinese medicine. With the widely used and ADR report concentrated Radix Bupleuri injection as an example, the author provide a new approach to post-marketing clinical research.
Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Product Surveillance, Postmarketing ; methods ; Safety

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of esophageal mucosa injury in children with reflux esophagitis (RE).

METHODSEsophageal mucosal samples from 36 children with RE (7 months to 16 years of age) were obtained by gastroscopy. The parameters of oxidative stress, including the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in the esophageal mucosa as well as the protein content of the esophageal mucosa, were measured. Twenty children (3 to 16 years of age) without esophageal mucosal injury by gastroscopy served as controls.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in the protein content of the esophageal mucosa between the RE and the control groups. The content of MDA in the RE group (15.36+/- 16.67 nmol/mg) was significantly higher than that in the control group (7.51+/- 6.17 nmol/mg) (P<0.01). The activity of T-SOD in the RE group (30.43+/- 35.09 U/mg) was statistically lower than that in the control group (56.34+/- 51.73 U/mg) (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in GSH and NO contents between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe MDA content increases and the SOD content decreases in the esophageal mucosa in children with RE. This suggests that oxidative stress seems to be an important mediator in generation of esophageal mucosal injury.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; complications ; metabolism ; Esophagus ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; analysis ; Mucous Membrane ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the evaluation of trabecular bone structure in mandibular condyle and to investigate the distribution of the trabecular bone structure within mandibular condyle.

METHODSEighty condyles from 40 healthy young volunteers (aged 20-32) were scanned by CBCT. A coronoid image was acquired of each condyle and divided into 8 regions where regions of interest were specified. After CBCT images were binarized, four morphological parameters including bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number and trabecular separation were computed.

RESULTSAll parameters were significantly different between the superior zone and middle/inferior zone of the condyle (P < 0.05). Superior zone showed the largest bone volume fraction (52.2%), the highest trabecular number (1.33 mm(-1)), the thinnest trabecular thickness (393.48 microm), and the smallest trabecular separation (361.59 microm). Inferior zone showed the smallest bone volume fraction (49.64%). These results were not significantly different between bilateral sides of the condyles (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTrabecular bone structure was inhomogeneous within the condyle, but symmetrical between bilateral sides of the condyles. CBCT combined with image processing is a feasible tool in evaluating trabecular bone structure of human mandibular condyle.

Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the value of multiple Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) antibody detection by protein array in the diagnosis of H.pylori infection in children.

METHODSBiopsy specimens obtained by gastroscopy from 120 children with digestive system symptoms were detected by rapid urease test (RUT) and modified Giemsa staining. Positivity in both RUT and Giemsa staining was the "gold criterion" of H.pylori infection. Serum samples of these patients were obtained and the antibodies against cytotoxin associated gene A protein (CagA), vacuolating toxin A (VacA), urease, heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) and RdxA (nitroreductase) were detected by protein array technique.

RESULTSH.pylori infection was identified according to the "gold criterion" in 60 children. Compared with the "gold criterion", the goodness of fit and the coefficient of contingency in the diagnosis of H.pylori infection of the following four groups antibody detection were all statistically significant (P<0.001): anti-Ure antibody alone, anti-Ure antibody combined with anti-CagA antibody, anti-Ure antibody combined with anti-VacA antibody and anti-Ure antibody combined with anti-CagA and anti-VacA antibody. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the detection of anti-Ure antibody combined with anti-CagA antibody for the diagnosis of H.pylori infection were 81.7%, 91.7% and 86.7%, respectively. The antibody detection showed a high positive predictive value (90.7%) and a high negative predictive value (83.3%).

CONCLUSIONSThe antibody detection by protein array, especially the detection of anti-Ure antibody combined with anti-CagA antibody, is valuable in the diagnosis of H.pylori infection.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; diagnosis ; Helicobacter pylori ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Protein Array Analysis ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUNDHuman epididymis secretory protein 4 (HE4) has been proved to be a promising novel biomarker for the detection of epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Compared with CA125, HE4 assay demonstrated an improved ability to discriminate between pelvic mass with malignant and benign disease. Though it is well known that HE4 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer, however, the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer remains unkown.

METHODSIn this study, we explored the role of HE4 in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer. We screened nine ovarian cancer cell lines for HE4 expression, and using RNA interference (RNAi), we silenced HE4 gene expression in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 ovarian cancer cell lines. We assessed the effect of HE4 gene silencing on the transformed phenotype by examining the cell cycle, apoptosis, proliferation and transwell migration/invasion in vitro.

RESULTSHE4 gene silencing induces G0/G1 arrest and blocks the progression from the G1 to S phase in CaoV3 and SKOV3.ip1 cells. HE4 knockdown also inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in SKOV3.ip1 cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONHE4 may be involved in the regulation of the cell cycle and promote ovarian cancer migration and invasion.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Progression ; Epididymal Secretory Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Gene Silencing ; physiology ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; pathology ; RNA Interference

BACKGROUNDPlatinum-based chemotherapeutics are the most common regimens for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, and genetic factors are thought to represent important determinants of drug efficacy. We prospectively assessed the status of the XPC Ala499Val and Lys939Gln gene polymorphisms and investigated whether these SNPs can predict the response to cisplatin/carboplatin-based regimens in advanced NSCLC patients in a Chinese population.

METHODSThe treatment outcomes of 96 advanced NSCLC patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy were evaluated. The polymorphic status of xeroderma pigmentosum group C (XPC) gene was genotyped by the 3-D polyacrylamide gel-based DNA microarray method.

RESULTSThe distributions of XPC Lys939Gln genotypes differed significantly between the response group (complete + partial responses) and the non-response group (stable + progressive disease; P = 0.022). The heterozygous A/C genotype carriers had a poorer response rate than the wild A/A genotype carriers in stage III (OR, 0.074; 95%CI, 0.008 - 0.704; P = 0.023). The XPC Ala499Val polymorphisms were not associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of the XPC gene, Lys939Gln, may be a predictive marker of treatment response for advanced NSCLC patients in stage III.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) may increase oxidative stress in women with PIH, and to explore the mechanisms by which PIH may increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage.

METHODSSeventy women with PIH and seventy women with uncomplicated normotensive pregnancy (UNP) whose age, nutritional conditions, levels of hemoglobin and albumin were all matched, were enrolled in a randomized controlled trial. Their plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE), and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) as well as their erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSCompared with average values of the above experimental parameters in the women with UNP, the average value of erythrocyte MDA in the women with PIH significantly increased (P<0.0001), while the average values of plasma NO, VC, VE, and beta-CAR as well as those of erythrocyte SOD, CAT, and GPX in the women with PIH significantly decreased (P<0.0005-0.0001). The findings from partial correlation analysis (controlling for age) for 70 women with PIH showed that with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), MDA value gradually increased (P<0.001), and NO, VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT, and GPX values gradually decreased (P<0.02-0.001). The findings from reliability analysis for NO, VC, VE, beta-CAR, SOD, CAT, GPX, and MDA values used to reflect increased oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with PIH showed that the reliability coefficients (alpha, 8 items) = 0.7062, P<0.0001, and the standardized item alpha = 0.9116, P<0.0001.

CONCLUSIONThe findings in the present research suggest that pregnancy-induced hypertension can increase oxidative stress and potential free radical damage in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular ; metabolism