【Objective】 To analyze the dynamics of specific SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in blood donors in Fuzhou area after receiving booster doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and breakthrough infections, and to provide evidence for the timing of the collection of specific immune plasma or convalescent plasma and the subsequent vaccine doses. 【Methods】 A total of 109 volunteers who received the first booster dose of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and 102 volunteers who experienced breakthrough infections were recruited at Fujian Blood Center from October to November 2021. Blood samples were collected at eight time points: 14 (11, 20) days before the booster dose (Time0), 14 (10, 23) days after the booster dose (Time1), 53 (45.5, 61) days after the booster dose (Time2), 88 (78, 101.5) days after the booster dose (Time3), 124 (112.5, 138.5) days after the booster dose (Time4), 158 (146, 174) days after the booster dose (Time5), 194 (179.5, 214) days after the booster dose (Time6) and within one month after the breakthrough infection (Time7). Serum SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies were detected using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. The dynamics of antibody levels were analyzed and the effects of age, gender, weight, BMI, blood type and smoking on antibody levels were also analyzed. 【Results】 The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was 53.2% (58/109) at Time0, 100% (109/109) at Time1, and 95.4% (104/109) at Time6. The antibody levels were significantly higher at Time1 and Time6 than at Time0 (P<0.001). The highest level was observed at Time1, followed by a gradual decrease until Time2-Time6, which were 89.9% (9.74/10.84), 77.7% (8.42/10.84), 68.3% (7.4/10.84), 59.4% (6.44/10.84), and 53.9% (5.84/10.84) of the peak value at Time1 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IgG antibody levels among different gender, weight, BMI, age, blood type and smoker or non-smoker at the same time points (P values all >0.05). The IgG antibody level at Time7 was 2.07 times than that at Time1 (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in IgG antibody levels between asymptomatic groups and symptomatic groups and also between fever-free groups and fever groups (P values all >0.05). The IgG antibody level in breakthrough infection group was significantly higher than that in non-breakthrough infection group (P<0.001). 【Conclusion】 Booster doses of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine and breakthrough infections can stimulate stronger immune responses in the body. It is recommended to collect specific immune plasma or convalescent plasma within one month after breakthrough infections or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccine for special purposes. The timing of subsequent vaccine doses should be based on the dynamics of antibody levels. It is necessary to continuously monitor antibody levels to provide evidence for subsequent vaccine doses.

To design a treatment plan for patients with epididymal obstruction, we explored the potential impact of factors such as body mass index (BMI) and age on the surgical outcomes of vasoepididymostomy (VE). In this retrospective study, 181 patients diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia (OA) due to epididymal obstruction between September 2014 and September 2017 were reviewed. All patients underwent single-armed microsurgical intussusception VEs with longitudinal two-suture placement performed by a single surgeon (KH) in a single hospital (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Six factors that could possibly influence the patency rates were analyzed, including BMI, age, mode of anastomosis, site of anastomosis, and sperm motility and quantity in the intraoperative epididymal fluid. Single-factor outcome analysis was performed via Chi-square test and multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. A total of 159 (87.8%, 159/181) patients were followed up. The follow-up time (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 27.7 ± 9.3 months, ranging from 12 months to 48 months. The overall patency rate was 73.0% (116/159). The multivariable analysis revealed that BMI and age significantly influenced the patency rate (P = 0.008 and 0.028, respectively). Younger age (≤28 years; odds ratio [OR] = 3.531, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.397-8.924) and lower BMI score (<26.0 kg m^-2; OR = 2.352, 95% CI: 1.095-5.054) appeared to be associated with a higher patency rate. BMI and age were independent factors affecting the outcomes of microsurgical VEs depending on surgical expertise and the use of advanced technology.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Body Mass Index ; Epididymis/surgery* ; Vas Deferens/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sperm Motility ; Microsurgery ; Surgeons ; Vasovasostomy

Although rare, antihistamines can cause adverse effects, including drug-induced eruptions or anaphylaxis. A 4-year-old child visited the pediatric department of a hospital for skin eruptions after administration of antihistamines, (e.g., ucerax [hydroxyzine] or leptizine [levocetirizine]), for cholinergic rashes; he did not have pruritus. Skin prick, intradermal, and drug provocation tests were performed to determine the relationship between the antihistamines and eruptions. Levocetirizine induced wheals in the skin prick test and a rash in the oral drug provocation test. In contrast, ketotifen induced no reaction in the skin prick test but showed a positive reaction in the oral provocation test. Our case report highlights that children can experience the same types of adverse reactions as seen in adults, and cross-reactivity between various antihistamines can occur.
Adult ; Anaphylaxis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Eruptions ; Exanthema ; Histamine Antagonists ; Humans ; Ketotifen ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Urticaria

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the distributions of the triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and total cholesterol (TC) to HDL-C ratio, and to explore their usefulness as markers of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adolescents. METHODS: We obtained data for 2,721 adolescents (1,436 boys and 1,285 girls) aged 10–18 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys from 2008 to 2010. International Diabetes Federation criteria were used to define MetS. RESULTS: There were no significant gender-related differences in TG/HDL-C or TC/HDL-C ratios. These lipid ratios showed significant associations with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and waist circumference. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve to identify MetS were 0.947 for TG/HDL-C and 0.924 for TC/HDL-C, which were higher than that of HOMA-IR (0.822). Optimal cutoff values (sensitivity, specificity) of TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios for MetS prediction were 3.3 (85.7%, 89.9%), and 3.8 (92.9%, 82.8%), respectively. Odds ratio (OR; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for MetS in adolescents with TC/HDL-C ratio above the cutoff value was 14.8 (2.8–77.4), while that for TG/HDL-C ratio about the cutoff value was 30.6 (6.0–157.6). In adolescents who had both lipid ratios above the cutoff values, the OR (95% CI) for MetS was 36.2 (7.2–186.2). CONCLUSION: TG/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratios are useful markers of metabolic syndrome with high predictive value in Korean adolescents.
Adolescent ; Cholesterol ; Dyslipidemias ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Assessment ; ROC Curve ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: Multiple virus infections may affect clinical severity. We investigated the effect of coinfection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus with other respiratory viruses on clinical severity. METHODS: Data from 634 samples of a single tertiary hospital between September 2014 and April 2015 were analyzed for clinical characteristics (fever duration and O2 need, steroid use, and ICU care) between single infection and coinfection of RSV (n=290) and influenza virus (n=74) with 16 common respiratory viruses from hospitalized children. RESULTS: The RSV coinfection group (n=109) (3.1±2.7 days) showed significantly longer fever duration than the RSV single infection group (n=181) (2.6±2.6 days) (P=0.04), while there was no difference in O2 need, steroid use or ICU care in the 2 groups. The influenza coinfection group (n=38) showed significantly higher O2 need than the influenza single infection group (n=36) (21.1% vs. 5.6%, P=0.05), while there was no difference in fever duration between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that RSV and Influenza coinfections can increase clinical severity and that the severity may be influenced by the nature of coinfecting viruses.
Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Coinfection ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Tertiary Care Centers

PURPOSE: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) in infants and children. We investigated the association of meteorological conditions and air pollution with the prevalence of RSV infection. METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 9,113 nasopharyngeal swab specimens from children under 3 years of age who were admitted to the hospital with acute LRTI were tested for RSV antigens using a direct immunofluorescence kit. Meteorological data (mean temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and relative humidity) and air pollutant levels including PM₁₀ (particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 10 µm in diameter), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) in Seoul during the study period were collected from the national monitoring system. The correlations of the monthly incidence of RSV infection with climate factors and air pollutant levels were analyzed. RESULTS: RSV infection mainly occurred between October and February, and showed the peak in November. The prevalence of RSV infection had a moderate negative correlation with mean temperature (r=−0.60, P < 0.001), a weak negative correlation with relative humidity (r=−0.26, P=0.01), and precipitation (r=−0.34, P=0.001). Regarding air pollutants, RSV activity moderately correlated with NO₂ (r=0.40, P < 0.001), SO₂ (r=0.41, P < 0.001), and CO (r=0.58, P < 0.001). In the RSV peak season in Korea (between October and February), RSV epidemics showed a weak positive correlation with relative humidity (r=0.35, P=0.03) and precipitation (r=0.38, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: Meteorological factors and air pollutant levels may be associated with RSV activity. Therefore, further nationwide large-scaled intensive evaluations to prove factors affecting RSV activity are warranted.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution* ; Carbon Monoxide ; Child* ; Climate* ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct ; Humans ; Humidity ; Incidence ; Infant ; Korea ; Meteorological Concepts ; Nitrogen Dioxide ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses* ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Sulfur Dioxide ; Wind

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics between neonates with persistent pulmonary hypertension of neonates (PPHN) with parenchymal lung disease (PLD) and those with idiopathic PPHN. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 67 neonates with gestational ages not lesser than 34⁺⁰ weeks who were born at Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital between June 1, 2005 and December 31, 2016. We excluded 10 neonates who presented with congenital anomalies (n=3), dextrocardia (n=1), triple X syndrome (n=1), death before treatment (n=1), neonatal asphyxia (n=2), and congenital diaphragmatic hernia (n=2). Neonates were categorized into 2 groups—PPHN with PLD (PLD group, those diagnosed with PLD such as respiratory distress syndrome or meconium aspiration syndrome, n=36) and idiopathic PPHN (idiopathic group, n=21). We compared the clinical characteristics, treatment, and laboratory findings between the groups. RESULTS: The PLD group neonates showed a greater requirement for positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room, higher frequency of meconium staining of amniotic fluid, and greater need for surfactant application than those belonging to the idiopathic group. In contrast, epinephrine use was more common in the idiopathic PPHN group than in the PLD group. The 1-minute Apgar score and pH observed on initial capillary blood gas analysis were lower in the PLD than in the idiopathic group. Severity scores were higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group 4–7 days after birth. CONCLUSION: In our study, an overall simplified severity score in the first week after birth was higher in the idiopathic than in the PLD group. These results were particularly statistically significant over postnatal days 4–7.
Amniotic Fluid ; Apgar Score ; Asphyxia ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Delivery Rooms ; Dextrocardia ; Epinephrine ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Lung Diseases* ; Lung* ; Meconium ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Positive-Pressure Respiration

BACKGROUNDConsiderable evidence suggests that phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) plays multiple roles in cancer metastasis; however, the molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify proteins associated with PRL-3-promoted colon cancer metastasis, by comparative proteomic analysis.

METHODSProteomes of human colon cancer LoVo cells transfected with PRL-3 gene (LoVo-PRL-3) or empty vector PAcGFP-C3 (LoVo-control) were compared using 2D gel electrophoresis. Proteins that varied significantly in concentration were selected and identified using mass spectrometry. Expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) mRNA and protein in LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells was detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting TCTP was used for silencing TCTP expression in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Functional significance of TCTP in PRL-3-promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion was investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and transwell chamber.

RESULTSSeventeen proteins displaying significant and reproducible differences between LoVo-PRL-3 and LoVo-control cells were identified. Ten proteins were upregulated and seven were downregulated in LoVo-PRL-3 cells when compared with LoVo-control cells. Eight identified proteins are associated with distinct steps of tumor metastasis: ubiquitin-like protein ISG15, interleukin-18, TCTP, serpin B5, annexin A3, macrophage-capping protein, ATP-dependent RNA helicase DDX3X, and cathepsin D. Real-time PCR and Western blotting results showed that both TCTP mRNA and protein were significantly increased in LoVo-PRL-3 cells compared to LoVo-control cells. Transfection with TCTP siRNA significantly reduced the expression of both mRNA and protein levels of TCTP in LoVo-PRL-3 cells. Knockdown of TCTP by siRNA inhibited PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of LoVo-PRL-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONOur results imply that TCTP might be a mediator of PRL-3-promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of human colon cancer cells.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To investigate the presence and genetic background of 16S rRNA methylase gene and Aminoglycoside modifying enzymes(AMEs) genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from the People's Liberation Army 98th HospitaI,Huzhou district,Zhejiang province,China.Methods 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the inpatienta between September,2005 and April,2006.6 kinds of 16S rRNA methylase gene (including armA,rmtA,rmtB,rmtC,rmtD and npmA ),6 kinds of AMEs genes [ including aac (3)-Ⅰ,sac (3)-Ⅱ,sac (6')-Ⅰ,aac (6')-Ⅱ,ant (3")-Ⅰand ant(2")-Ⅰ],intI1,intI2,intI3,mercuric reductase gene merA (merA gene were the collective genetic markers of transposona of Tn21 and Tn501 ) and tnpA ( tnpA gene were the collective genetic markers of transposons of Tn1,Tn2,Tn3 and Tn1000) were analyzed by PCR and verificated by DNA sequencing.Results In 25 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae,the positive rate of genes of rmtB,sac (3)-Ⅱ,sac (6')-Ⅰ,ant(3")-Ⅰ and intI1 were 60.0%(15/25),4.0%(1/25),48.0%(12/25),60.0%(15/25) and 96.0%(24/25),respectively.The rest 12 kinds of genes were all tested negative.The total positive rate of 6 kinds of AMEs gene was 84.0%(21/25).Conclusion There were very high positive rate on both genes of rmtB and AMEs genotypes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from inpatients,and this was the first report of the emergence of 16S rRNA methylase gene rmtB in Klebsiella pneumoniae identified in Zhejiang province,China.

OBJECTIVETo study the preventive effect of recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray against SARS and other common respiratory viral infections by serum-epidemiological method.

METHODSA randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind field trial study in populations with 14,391 persons from SARS prevalent cities or provinces in China during May-Jun, 2003 and Dec-Apr, 2004. Interferon alpha-2b was given twice per day, once 9 x 10(5) IU by nasal spray for 5 days. Serum samples were taken at 15 days after last administration. Serological tests included SARS IgG antibody and IgM antibodies against influenza B, parainfluenza virus types 1-3, adenovirus type 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus by using commercial ELISA kits.

RESULTSNo statistically significant difference in serum SARS IgG antibody positive rate was found between the interferon and control groups among 2,757 serum samples. On the other hand, after using interferon, all four respiratory viruses (parainfluenza virus types 1-3 influenza B, adenovirus types 3, 7 and respiratory syncytial virus) in interferon group had lower IgM antibody positive rates than those in control group. Among them there were statistically significant differences between the interferon and control groups for parainfluenza virus, influenza B and adenovirus. The preventive efficacy of interferon against four respiratory viruses was different, from high to low, the rank was Flu B (66.76%), parainfluenza types 1-3 (66.75%), RSV (39.61%) and adenovirus (32.86%). The average preventive efficacy was 50.27%.

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant human interferon alpha-2b for nasal spray could decrease the rates of common respiratory viruses infection in the selected population.

Administration, Intranasal ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; blood ; prevention & control ; virology ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; immunology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; blood ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult