Chigger mites are parasites of rodents and other vertebrates, invertebrates, and other arthropods, and are the only vectors of scrub typhus, in addition to other zoonoses. Therefore, investigating their distribution, diversity, and seasonal abundance is important for public health. Rodent surveillance was conducted at 6 districts in Shandong Province, northern China (114–112°E, 34–38°N), from January to December 2011. Overall, 225/286 (78.7%) rodents captured were infested with chigger mites. A total of 451 chigger mites were identified as belonging to 5 most commonly collected species and 3 genera in 1 family. Leptotrombidium scutellare and Leptotrombidium intermedia were the most commonly collected chigger mites. L. scutellare (66.2%, 36.7%, and 49.0%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Apodemus agrarius, Rattus norvegicus, and Microtus fortis, respectively, whereas L. intermedia (61.5% and 63.2%) was the most frequently collected chigger mite from Cricetulus triton and Mus musculus, respectively. This study demonstrated a relatively high prevalence of chigger mites that varied seasonally in Shandong Province, China.
Animals ; Arthropods ; Arvicolinae ; China* ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Humans ; Invertebrates ; Mice ; Mites* ; Murinae ; Neptune ; Parasites ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Rats ; Rodentia* ; Scrub Typhus ; Seasons ; Trombiculidae* ; Vertebrates ; Zoonoses

We sought to identify common key regulators and build a gene-metabolite network in different nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) phenotypes. We used a high-fat diet (HFD), a methionine-choline-deficient diet (MCDD) and streptozocin (STZ) to establish nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and NAFL+type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rat models, respectively. Transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses were performed in rat livers and serum. A functional network-based regulation model was constructed using Cytoscape with information derived from transcriptomics and metabolomics. The results revealed that 96 genes, 17 liver metabolites and 4 serum metabolites consistently changed in different NAFLD phenotypes (>2-fold, P<0.05). Gene-metabolite network analysis identified ccl2 and jun as hubs with the largest connections to other genes, which were mainly involved in tumor necrosis factor, P53, nuclear factor-kappa B, chemokine, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. The specifically regulated genes and metabolites in different NAFLD phenotypes constructed their own networks, which were mainly involved in the lipid and fatty acid metabolism in HFD models, the inflammatory and immune response in MCDD models, and the AMPK signaling pathway and response to insulin in HFD+STZ models. Our study identified networks showing the general and specific characteristics in different NAFLD phenotypes, complementing the genetic and metabolic features in NAFLD with hepatic and extra-hepatic manifestations.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Complement System Proteins ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Insulin ; Liver ; Metabolism ; Metabolomics ; Models, Animal ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* ; Peroxisomes ; Phenotype ; Rats ; Streptozocin ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) on the formation of granulocyte-monocyte colony forming unit (CFU-GM) and megakaryocyte colony forming unit (CFU-MK) and its anti-apoptotic effect on CHRF cells.

METHODSThe CFU-GM and CFU-MK of murine and human bone marrow cells were cultured in vitro by using plasma clot culture system. The anti-apoptotic effect of PDGF-BB on CHRF cells and its mechanism were clarified by flow cytometry.

RESULTSPDGF-BB 0-100 ng/ml stimulated the proliferation of murine and human CFU-GM and CFU-MK in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal stimulation effect was obtained at 50 ng/ml of PDGF-BB (P<0.01). Furthermore, PDGF-BB had an anti-apoptotic effect on CHRF cells as shown by the flow cytometry with AnnexinV/PI double staining, Caspase-3 expression and JC-1 detection (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPDGF-BB significantly stimulates the proliferation of CFU-GM and CFU-MK in vitro, and has an anti-apoptotic effect on CHRF cells.

This study aimed to analyze the analgesic effect and related central mechanisms of CQ prescription on cancer invasion induced mirror image pain (CIIMIP)in model mice.In the study, male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into normal group, operation control group (injected with 0.2 mL inactivated S180 sarcoma cell sap), model group (injected with 0.2 mL S180 sarcoma cell sap on the right leg near the greater trochanter of femur) and CQ prescription low dose group (intraperitoneally injected with CQ prescription 100 mg•kg⁻¹ on the basis of model mice), CQ prescription middle dose group (intraperitoneally injected with CQ prescription 150 mg•kg⁻¹ on the basis of model mice), and CQ prescription high dose group (intraperitoneally injected with CQ prescription 200 mg•kg⁻¹ on the basis of model mice). Mechanical withdraw threshold (MWT) of the mirror image lateral hind paws were evaluated by Von Frey hairs before modeling and after surgery. The levels of glutamate (Glu), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine (Gly), and taurine (Tau) in the L3-L5 spinal cord were measured by the high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD); AimPlex detection technology with multiple factors was used to detect the levels of regulated on activation in normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-3) in the L3-L5 spinal cord. Then we observed the influence of GABAa receptor antagonist (Bicuculline) on analgesic effect of CQ prescription.The results indicated that CQ prescription could remarkably increase MWT of model mice(P<0.01, P<0.05), decrease the level of Glu(P<0.01, P<0.05), improve the levels of GABA, Gly, Tau(P<0.01, P<0.05), lower the ratio of Glu/GABA(P<0.01, P<0.05), and reduce the levels of RANTES, MCP-3(P<0.05) in the L3-L5 spinal cord, and GABAa receptor antagonist significantly blocked the analgesic effect of CQ prescription at two time points(P<0.05).This study showed that CQ prescription had significant analgesic effect on CIIMIP model mice, and its mechanism was associated with regulating the balance between excitability amino acid(EAA) and inhibitory amino acid (IAA) transmitters in central nervous system, partially activating GABAa receptor, and reducing the release of RANTES and MCP-3 in the spinal cord.

OBJECTIVETo screen fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAOD) in newborns in Zhejiang province.

METHODSA total of 1 861 262 newborns were screened for FAOD in Neonatal Screening Center of Zhejiang Province during January 2009 and December 2016. The blood samples from newborns were screened by tandem mass spectrometry, and diagnosis of FAOD was confirmed by urine organic acid measurement combined with genetic analysis. The prognosis and follow-up of patients with FAOD were also evaluated.

RESULTSOf 1 861 262 newborns screened, 121 cases of FAOD were diagnosed. Among 121 cases of FAOD, primary carnitine deficiency (PCD) was the most common type (=78, 64.5%), which was followed by short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (SCADD,=27, 22.3%), medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (=5, 4.1%), multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD,=4, 3.3%), very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (=3, 2.5%), carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅰ deficiency(=2, 1.7%)and carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ⅱ deficiency (CPTⅡD,=2, 1.7%). During 2-82 month follow-up, 15 patients were lost, 4 were dead (1 PCD, 1 MADD, and 2 CPTⅡD), and the remaining 102 subjects had normal intelligence and physical development without any clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSPCD and SCADD are the most common FAODs in newborns in Zhejiang province. Most of FAOD patients are asymptomatic, and have normal growth and development after early intervention and management.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the result and follow-up data of screening for newborn amino acid metabolic disorders in Zhejiang province.

METHODSA total of 1 861 262 newborns were screened for amino acid metabolic disorders during January 2009 and December 2016 in Zhejiang province. The screening results and the follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOne hundred and sixty four cases were diagnosed as amino acid metabolic disorders with a prevalence of 1:11 349, including 83 with hyperphenylalaninaemia (1:22 400), 29 with neonatal intrahepatic cholestasis caused by citrin deficiency (1:64 138), 16 with methionine S-adenosyltransferase deficiency (1:116 250), 9 with maple syrup urine disease (1:206 667), 8 with argininemia (1:232 500), 7 with citrullinemia type Ⅰ (1:265 700), 6 with hyperprolinemia type Ⅰ (1:310 000), and 2 with carbamylphosphate synthetase Ⅰ deficiency(1:930 000). In addition, ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, cystathionine β-synthase deficiency, argininosucoinate aciduria and tyrosinemia type Ⅰ were detected in one patient for each, respectively. Two patients had developmental delay, 7 patients were dead, and 2 cases of maple syrup urine disease were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSHyperphenylalaninaemia is the most common amino acid metabolic disease in newborns in Zhejiang province. Patients with amino acid metabolic disorders identified in newborn screening program can have chance for normal growth development by intervention.

The study illustrate the inner correlation between global DNA methylation variation and different birth weights. Infant birth weight was used to identify cases and controls. Cord blood and placentas were collected. We performed DNA methylation profiling of bisulphite-converted DNA. We have identified many differentially methylated CpG sites in experimental groups; these sites involved in hundreds of signalings. Among these, more than ten pathways were referred to the glucose and lipid metabolism. Methylation changes in the insulin-signaling pathway (ISP), adipocytokine signaling pathway (ASP) and MAPK signaling pathway are involved in the fetal programming of diabetes..
Birth Weight ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; physiology ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Organ Size ; Placenta ; anatomy & histology ; Pregnancy ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDThe location of facial port-wine stain (PWS) may be helpful for predicting some associated anomalies; high glaucoma incidence is found in patients with eyes close to PWS-affected areas (V1, ophthalmic branch area of the trigeminal nerve). This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of glaucoma in V1-affected PWS.

METHODSA total of 569 patients with V1 area-affected PWS were reviewed in the study. The large series was based on the referral system between the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Department of Ophthalmology. All patients were screened for glaucoma with assessments of intraocular pressure, cup-to-disc ratio, corneal diameter (only for infants), and axial length.

RESULTSOf the 569 patients, 110 (19.3%) patients had glaucoma. Among the patients, 18.1% (76/420) had early-onset glaucoma (under 4-year-old group). In the 4 to 18-year-old age group, 29.3% (29/99) of the patients had glaucoma. Compared with right lateral and bilateral PWS, left-sided PWS had a lower risk of glaucoma in this study (odds ratio = 0.432 [95% confidence interval, 0.264-0.706], P = 0.01). The under 4-year-old group showed a slight predominance of males (61.8%) in glaucoma.

CONCLUSIONSHigh glaucoma incidence was observed in patients with eyes close to PWS. More attention should be paid to glaucoma screening for right lateral and bilateral PWS patients. The predominance of males in Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) early-onset glaucoma patients might be due to the limitation of the case number; however, it might also provide us a new clue of potential relationship between SWS and PCG.

Objective To summarize our experiences in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of male breast cancer(MBC).Methods The clinical date of 24 MBC patients treated in our hospital from January 2006 to December 2012 were retrospective analyzed.Results The average age of these 24 patients was(55.7±2.1) years.All the patients received surgical treatment,and the surgical procedures were simple excision of breast lesion in 6 patients,breast resection alone in 5 patients,and modified radical mastectomy in 13 patients(bilateral in 1 case).The pathological diagnoses included invasive ductal carcinoma in 18 cases,papillary carcinoma in 4 cases,mucinous adenocarcinoma in 1 case,and malignant solitary fibrous tumor in 1 case.Twenty patients received chemotherapy,7 received radiotherapy,and 15 received endocrine therapy after operation.The 5-year survival rate was 54.2%.Conclusions The incidence of MBC is low.This malignancy is mainly seen in elderly individuals,with relatively long disease course,poor prognosis,and high risk of metastasis.MBC is mainly treated by surgery,and adjuvant chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and endocrine therapy may be applied,if appropriate,after the operation.

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children (CSSNHL) is consistently increasing. However, the pathology and prognosis of CSSNHL are still poorly understood. This retrospective study evaluated clinical characteristics and possible associated factors of CSSNHL.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six CSSNHL patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Institute of Otolaryngology at Chinese PLA General Hospital between July 2008 and August 2015 were included in this study. These patients were analyzed for clinical characteristics, audiological characteristics, laboratory examinations, and prognostic factors.

RESULTSAmong the 136 patients (151 ears), 121 patients (121 ears, 80.1%) were diagnosed with unilaterally CSSNHL, and 15 patients (30 ears, 19.9%) with bilateral CSSNHL. The complete recovery rate of CSSNHL was 9.3%, and the overall recovery rate was 37.7%. We found that initial degree of hearing loss, onset of treatment, tinnitus, the ascending type audiogram, gender, side of hearing loss, the recorded auditory brainstem response (ABR), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) had prognostic significance. Age, ear fullness, and vertigo had no significant correlation with recovery. Furthermore, the relevant blood tests showed 30.8% of the children had abnormal white blood cell (WBC) counts, 22.1% had elevated homocysteine levels, 65.8% had high alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 33.8% had high IgE antibody levels, and 86.1% had positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibodies.

CONCLUSIONSCSSNHL commonly occurs unilaterally and results in severe hearing loss. Initial severe hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss are negative prognostic factors for hearing recovery, while positive prognostic factors include tinnitus, gender, the ascending type audiogram, early treatment, identifiable ABR waves, and DPOAEs. Age, vertigo, and ear fullness are not correlated with the recovery. Some serologic indicators, including the level of WBC, platelet, homocysteine, ALP, positive CMV IgG antibody, fibrinogen, and some immunologic indicators, are closely related to CSSNHL.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; blood ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Retrospective Studies