Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and spatial-temporal clustering trend of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for scarlet fever prevention and control. Methods The incidence data of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 were analyzed. Descriptive analysis, seasonal index method and Joinpoint 5.2.0 software were used to analyze epidemiological characteristics. Spatial-temporal clustering was assessed with SaTScan 10.2.5 software. Results The average annual incidence of scarlet fever in Nantong from 2009 to 2023 was 6.54/100 000. The overall morbidity rate of scarlet fever in Nantong had an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with an average annual percentage change of 14.55% (t=3.36，P<0.05). The cases mainly occurred during late spring to early summer and late autumn to early winter. Students, preschool children and scattered children were the main scarlet fever population. The average annual incidence of males was significantly higher than that of females (χ²=7.00, P<0.05). Rugao City, Chongchuan District and Tongzhou District were identified as high-incidence areas, accounting for 76.51% of all reported cases. Spatial-temporal scan analysis indicated that Rugao City and Chongchuan District were primary cluster areas, spanning from 2015 to 2021 (RR=3.77, LLR=1 308.07, P<0.05). Conclusion The number of reported cases of scarlet fever in Nantong City from 2009 to 2023 shows epidemic and spatial clustering, mainly concentrated in the central urban area and adjacent counties (cities). It is necessary to strengthen health education and disease surveillance in high-incidence areas, as well as in key institutions and key populations before epidemic peaks.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and incidence trend of mumps in Nantong City from 2016 to 2023, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control. Methods Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on monthly mumps incidence data in Nantong City from 2016 to 2023, and a SARIMA model was constructed to predict the incidence trend. Results A total of 3 928 mumps cases were reported in Nantong City from 2016 to 2023, with an average annual incidence rate of 6.36/100 000. Cases predominantly occurred during April–July and September–December, showing seasonal peaks. The male-to-female ratio was 1.43:1. The cases were concentrated in individuals aged ≤15 years (85.57%), primarily students, children in childcare settings, and scattered children (88.31%). The optimal model constructed by the SPSS Expert Modeler was SARIMA(1,0,0)(0,1,1)₁₂, predicting an epidemic peak of mumps in Nantong City from September to November in the second half of 2024. Conclusion From 2016 to 2023, mumps incidence in Nantong City has shown an overall downward trend with a seasonal bimodal distribution. Males had higher incidence rates than females, and cases were predominantly students, kindergartens and scattered children, highlighting the need to strengthen mumps prevention in schools and childcare institutions. The SARIMA model is suitable for short to medium term prediction of mumps in Nantong City. A minor peak is predicted to occur in the second half of 2024 (September–November). It is necessary to strengthen the epidemic surveillance of mumps and vaccination of age-eligible children.

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms of interleukin 23 receptor (IL-23R) gene and Keshan disease (KD) in Northwest Chinese Han population.Methods A total of 285 Chinese Han subjects from Huangling,Shaanxi,including 79 KD patients (case group) and 206 control subjects (control group) were involved in this study.Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood.The polymorphism of genetic variation was genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF).All sample groups were tested for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium using goodness-of-fit x2 test.Differences in genotype distribution between two groups were compared by x2 test.Logistic regression analysis was applied to detect association using age as a confounding factor.Results The gene frequency distribution of IL-23R gene rs10889677 in case group and control group conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (x2 =0.254,P ＞ 0.05).Correlation analysis results:the difference of genotype frequency of IL-23R gene rs10889677 in case group (CC,CA,AA were 6.3％,36.7％,57.0％,respectively) and control group (CC,CA,AA were 5.3％,43.2％,51.5％,respectively) was not statistically significant (x2 =1.008,P ＞ 0.05).After age adjustment,there was no significant difference in genotype frequency of IL-23R gene rs10889677 (x2sdj =0.669,P ＞ 0.05) between two groups.Conclusion There is no correlation between IL-23R gene rs10889677 and KD in Northwest Chinese Han population.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between IL-1 gene polymorphisms and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Methods: We searched published full-text from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang to collect case-control study on IL-1 gene polymorphisms with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Eight articles, including 10 case-control studies were included in our study. All analyses were performed using the Stata version 12.0 software. Results: The IL-1RA (+2018) TC or CC variant genotypes were associated with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.11-2.46) . In further stratified analyses, the IL-1RA (+2018) TC or CC variant genotypes were associated with an increased silicosis risk (OR=2.07, 95%CI: 1.45-2.95) , which were also associated with increased coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk in Caucasians (OR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.22-2.47) . No significant association between IL-1β (+3953) , IL-1β (-511) , IL-1α (+4845) and coal workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk was found either in the overall study or in the stratified analysis. Conclusion These findings suggested that IL-1RA (+2018) may modify coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis susceptibility. Further replication studies with large sample sizes are warranted to re-evaluate the relationship between IL-1RA (+2018) and coal workers’ pneumoconiosis and silicosis risk.

Objective To investigate the clinical diagnostic value and pathogenesis of serum protein identification in Keshan disease (KD).Methods A total of 65 chronic KD patients were selected as the patient group in KD endemic areas,while 29 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (the DCM group),62 healthy cases from KD endemic areas (control 1 group) and 28 healthy cases from non-endemic areas (control 2 group) were selected as controls.Liquid chip time of flight mass spectrometry (ClinProtTM MALDI-TOF-MS) was used to determine the expression of proteins/peptide peaks.ClinProTools 2.2 software was used to analyze the protein profiles to determine differentially expressed proteins/peptide peaks.The Genetic Algorithm (GA),QuickClassifer Algorithm (QC) and Supervised Neural Network Algorithm (SNN) methods were used to screen marker proteins.Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry technique (MALDI-TOF/TOF) was also used as a secondary mass spectrometry to identify differentially expressed peptides.Results Between the KD and control 1 groups,34 differentially expressed proteins/peptides and 5 marker proteins were identified,while 52 differentially expressed proteins/peptides and 5 marker proteins were identified between the KD and control 2 groups,and there were 67 differentially expressed proteins/peptides and 5 marker proteins between the KD and DCM groups.During secondary mass spectrometry,two peptides for mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) 2 079 and 1 465 were obtained,peptide of matching β-globin showed low expression while peptide of matching fibrinogen showed high expression in the KD patients.Conclusions Serum marker proteins can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and differentiation of KD.β-globin and fibrinogen play an important role in the development of KD myocardial injury.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To observe the effect of high glucose on the protein expression of calreticulin ( CRT) and its association with cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiomyocytes.METHODS: AC-16 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal glucose group, high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA group and isotonic con-trol group.The cell apoptotic rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential level, respiratory enzyme activity, and protein expression of CRT were observed.RESULTS: Compared with the cardiomyocytes in normal glucose group, the apoptotic rate and ROS production of cardiomyocytes increased in high glucose group, accompanying with the decreases in the mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activitiy of the respiratory chain.The protein expression of CRT was significantly increased in high glucose group.However, compared with high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA decreased the expression of CRT and attenuated the damage of mitochondria, but CRT siRNA did not reduce the ROS level in cardiomyocytes.CONCLUSION:High glucose brings about CRT over-expression to induce mito-chondrial injury, thus increasing myocardial apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) on calreticulin (CRT) expression and its association with mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes.

METHODSPrimary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into CRT siRNA group, control siRNA group, control group, Ang II+ CRT siRNA group, Ang II+ control siRNA group and Ang II group. The cell surface area, protein synthesis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential level, enzyme activities, and CRT expression were observed.

RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, the cell surface area and protein synthesis rate were both increased and mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activities decreased in Ang II groups. CRT expression was significantly down-regulated in Ang II+ CRT siRNA group with increased cell surface area, protein synthesis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activities as compared with those in Ang II+ control siRNA group.

CONCLUSIONAng II up-regulates CRT expression to induce mitochondrial injury, which may be an important mechanism of myocardial hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Calreticulin ; metabolism ; Cardiomegaly ; Cells, Cultured ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Mitochondria ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; pathology ; Protein Biosynthesis ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Rats

Objective To know the eutrophic state of Fenhe 1 reservoir. Methods The eutrophic level of Fenhe reservoir 1 was evaluated through measuring transparence,the total concentration of nitrogen(TN),phosphorus(TP),chlorophyll-a level(Chla) and the total count of the algal cells and calculating water TLI(∑). Results Water transparence in low water period was higher than that in common water period,TN concentration in low water period was higher than that in common water period,and it obviously exceeded the related standard limit in Surface Water Environment Quality Standard (GB3838—2002); TP concertration in common water period and low water period did not exceed the limit; Chla level was low;TLI(∑) in common water period and low water period was lower than 50. The total count of the algal cells was 1.67?106/L in low water period,which was much more than that(9.5?104/L) in the common water period. Conclusion Fenhe reservoir 1 is in mesotropher state.

Objective To construct an expression vector directed by hU_(6)snRNA promoter for synthesizing small RNA and to identify its functional activity in the gastric carcinoma cells——SGC-7901.Methods Using human genomic DNA as template,U_(6) snRNA promoter was obtained by PCR method,and then cloned into PUC19 vector to produce the recombinant plasmid PUC-hU_6-extra,which was sequenced and then transfected into gastric carcinoma cell——SGC-7901 with liposome.The effect of expression directed by U_6 promoter was detected by RT-PCR method,and the cell proliferation curve analysis was performed by stained dye.Results The hU_6 snRNA promoter with the first 27 nucleotides followed were successfully cloned into PUC19 plasmid.The recombinant vector could efficiently transcribe small RNA molecules and exerted no effect on cell proliferation in SGC-7901 cells in vitro.Conclusion We have successfully constructed the recombinant PUC-hU_6-extra plasmid vector that can efficiently transcribe small RNA molecules directed by hU_6 snRNA promoter in the gastric carcinoma cells——SGC-7901.

0.05); the level of leptin in cord blood were (6.79?4.59)?g/L and (16.30?11.61)?g/L ( P