Objective To understand the infected strains and prevalence of brucellosis in occupational population in Tacheng and Kashgar regions,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Methods In September 2015,blood samples from occupational population (including herders,semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral,veterinarians) and non-occupational population (including students and cadres) were collected to detect Brucellaspecific antibody and bacterial nucleic acids by rose bengal plate test (RBPT),serological standard tube agglutination test (SAT) and PCR methods,respectively.The positive products of PCR were sent to Shanghai Sangon Biotechnology Co.,LTD.Then the sequence results were retrieved online using the basic alignment search tool (BLAST) in GenBank web page and uploaded to NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information).Results A total of 546 blood samples were tested,including 300 males,aged (55-± 15) years old,and 246 females,aged (54 ± 12) years old.The positive rates were 17.58％ (96/546) and 6.78％ (37/546) in 546 blood samples by serological method and genetic markers targeting omp22 and omp2,respectively.The positive rates were statistically significant (x2 =29.8,P ＜ 0.05).Additionally,based on BLAST analysis of outer membrane protein omp22 and omp2 genes,the positive products were identified as Brucella abortus,and the sequence similarity was 100.00％ (253/253,863/863 bp) to Brucella abortus strain Wisconsin genome assembly,chromosome (LT651712).Conclusions Brucellosis has a high infection rate in the occupational population of some animal husbandry-based groups in Xinjiang.The infection strain is abortive species Brucella,and health education for the occupational population and prevention of brucellosis should be strengthened to reduce the infection rate.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of nutritional and fluid status measured by bioelectrical impedance methods for the prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). Methods Patients with severe AKI received CRRT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2016 to September 2018 were enrolled, and divided into death group and survival group according to 28-day survival. Cox regression was used to analyze the association between 28-day survival and lean tissue index (LTI), fat tissue index (FTI), the ratio of extracellular water (ECW) and body cell mass (BCM) (ECW/BCM), and overhydration (OH), respectively. Results A total of 156 patients were included, including 101 males and 55 females. The age was (62.7 ± 15.4) years, with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of 9.9±3.9. The 28-day mortality rate was 46.2％. The pre-CRRT OH values in the 28-day survival group and death group were 2.95(1.80, 5.50) L and 4.20(2.95, 5.70) L(P=0.016), and ECW/BCM values were 1.00(0.76, 1.18) and 1.07(0.88, 1.25) (P=0.033), respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that pre-CRRT high OH values (HR=1.08, 95％CI 1.00-1.17, P=0.040) and high ECW/BCM values (HR=3.02, 95％CI 1.46-6.22, P=0.003) were associated with 28-day death. The changes of OH values (HR=0.83, 95％CI 0.72-0.95, P=0.008) and ECW/BCM values (HR=6.79, 95％CI 1.72-26.82, P=0.006) between pre - CRRT and the 7th day after CRRT initiation were significantly associated with 28-day mortality in patients who survived 7 days after CRRT initiation. After adjusting for age, gender, and SOFA scores, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the high OH value (HR=1.16, 95％CI 1.06-1.27, P=0.002) and the high ECW/BCM value (HR=2.80, 95％CI 1.30-6.06, P=0.003) before CRRT, the change of OH value (HR=0.82, 95％CI 0.72-0.95, P=0.008) and ECW/BCM value (HR=2.79, 95％CI 1.30-5.98, P=0.009) between the 7th day after CRRT initiation and pre-CRRT, were independently associated with 28-day death, while LTI (HR=0.93, 95％CI 0.86-1.02, P=0.113) and FTI (HR=0.98, 95％ CI 0.92-1.04, P=0.475) before CRRT were uncorrelated with 28-day death. Conclusions In bioelectrical impedance analysis, the high OH value and high ECW/BCM value before CRRT are associated with 28-day mortality in patients with AKI, while the nutritional indicators LTI and FTI before CRRT are not significantly related. The correction of fluid overload by CRRT within 7 days may reduce the risk of 28-day mortality.

Objective To analyze the etiological characteristics of human Brucella strains isolated, and to improve the precision in control and prevention of brucellosis. Methods In 2016, blood samples were collected from patients in Jingyuan County Gansu Province, and tested via the Rose-Bengal Plate Agglutination Test (RBPT) and the tube agglutination test methods,and serological positive blood samples were inoculated to bidirectional blood culture bottle for culturing, and further identified by traditional biological classification method and the Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis, Brucella ovis, and Brucella suis species-specific PCR (AMOS-PCR). Multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat sequence analysis (MLVA) -16 was used to detect molecular typing and do cluster analysis. Results The isolated strain was identified by the traditional biological classification method, bacteria could grow in thionine and reddened dye, A and M factors agglutination tests were positive, Bk2phage treatment of bacterial strain cracking, but Tb, Wb phages were not cracked. AMOS-PCR amplification result showed a 731 bp band, which was a strain of Brucella melitensis. The results of MLVA-16 showed that there was a difference in the number of repeats on some Variaable Number of Tandem Repeat(VNTR)sites of the isolated strain. Clustering analysis showed that, the isolated strain was clusted into the same clade with the clustering of Brucella melitensis type 3 from GS-201605 in Gansu. And the clustering was similar compared with that of Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian and Yunnan. Conclusion Human brucellosis is a inputting transmission in Gansu Province, there is a genetic variation of genotype 3 sheep Brucella between Gansu Province and other domestic provinces.

Objective To identify the Brucella strains isolated from sheep blood in Jingyuan County Gansu Province,and to provide scientific basis for Brucellosis control and prevention.Methods In 2016,blood samples from suspected cases of sheep were collected in the home of Brucellosis patient of Jingyuan County,and cultured with vaccination double blood bottles via the enrichment method,and the Brucella strains isolated from sheep were identified by traditional bio-typing,genus specific Brucella surface protein 31 PCR (BSCP31-PCR) and Brucella abortus,Brucella melitensis,Brucella ovis,Brucella suis species-specific PCR (AMOS-PCR),respectively.Results The isolated strain was identified using the traditional biological classification method,bacteria could grow in thionine and fuchsin dyes,A and M factors serum agglutination tests were positive,Bk2 phage lysis test was positive,but Tb and Wb phage lysis tests were negative;and the results of BSCP31-PCR of tested strain was 223 bp band same to Brucella;the results of AMOS-PCR was 731 bp band same to Brucella melitensis.Conclusion Conventional bio-typing test assisted with molecular techniques has confirmed that the isolated Brucella strain from sheep blood is Brucella melitensis type 3 in Jingyuan County Gansu Province.

The aim of this study is to develop a rapid and accurately species typing method for Brucella isolates by using High Resolution Melting (HRM ) analysis .Six pairs of primers were used according to the reference for the sequence of pur‐pose gene .Nineteen biotypes of six species Brucella standard strains were identified by PCR‐HRM analysis and this analysis was used to detect the 35 clinical isolates .Results showed Brucella amplified specific melting curves were different from con‐trasted strains with primer Bspp .The six species Brucella standard strains have own characteristic curve shape from each oth‐ers by PCR‐HRM analysis with five pairs of primers .Thirty‐five clinical isolates of Brucella have entirely consistent with PCR‐HRM curve shape with Brucella melitensis standard strains .So ,PCR‐HRM analysis methods can accurately identify Brucella strains ,especially clinical isolated Brucella melitensis ,and may be used in clinical microbiology laboratories .

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to explore the secular trends of overweight and obesity prevalence between 2007 and 2011 in children and adolescents in Guangzhou.

METHODSThe data of physical examination was collected from the routine measurements carried out by the Health Care Facilities of Primary and Secondary schools between 2007 and 2011. Random stratified cluster sampling was conducted, all the students aged 5-18 years old form 19 primary and secondary schools from 4 districts (Tianhe district, Yuexiu district, Baiyun district and Haizhu district) were included in this survey, including 27 944 students in 2007 and 38 284 students in 2011. Body mass index reference norm established by Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) and the WHO cut-off criteria were employed for overweight and obesity screening, and the trend was analyzed.

RESULTSPrevalence of obesity in children and adolescents (7-18 years old) significantly increased from 5.96% (1 553/26 055) in 2007 to 6.56% (2 339/35 664) in 2011, and the difference showed statistical significance (χ(2) = 9.195, P < 0.05). Overweight and obesity was more common in boys (overweight: 13.25% (1 766/13 329) in 2007 and 13.87% (2 559/18 451) in 2011; obesity: 7.82% (1 042/13 329) in 2007 and 8.63% (1 592/18 451) in 2011) than in girls (overweight: 7.43% (946/12 726) in 2007 and 8.17% (1 406/17 213) in 2011; obesity: 4.11% (523/12 726) in 2007 and 4.48% (771/17 213) in 2011), and the difference showed statistical significance (overweight:χ(2) = 236.123 in 2007 and χ(2) = 292.892 in 2011; obesity:χ(2) = 158.533 in 2007 and χ(2) = 247.794 in 2011. All P values < 0.05). Further analysis found that significant increases occurred in boys aged 16 and 17 years old and in girls aged 12 years old (boy: 16 years old,χ(2) = 6.820, P < 0.05. 17 years old, χ(2) = 4.893, P < 0.05. girl: 12 years old,χ(2) = 5.921, P < 0.05).

RESULTSof Join-point regression showed that for boys less than 10 years old the prevalence increased with age increasing (in 2007, APC = 3.75; in 2011, APC = 1.76), while over 10 years old the prevalence decreased with age increasing (in 2007, 10-18 years old's APC = -18.58; in 2011, 10-18 years old's APC = -15.95). While for girls the prevalence of obesity increased with age increasing between 7-9 years old (APC = 12.16), decreased with age increasing through 9 to 18 years old (APC = -17.23) in 2007. The prevalence decreased with age increasing for girls in 2011 (APC = -4.66).

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of obesity is high and still increasing in children and adolescents in Guangzhou, and it is higher in boys than in girls. It is more likely to become obesity at 10 years for boys, and for girls the prevalence decrease with age increasing.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence

Objective To investigate the changes of clinical and laboratory manifestations of rheumatic fever (RF) in recent ten years by reviewing the medical data of 315 patients with RF. Methods Three hundred and fifteen in-patients and out-patients with RF during 1985-1995 (group A) and 1997-2007(group B) were selected. Their manifestations were compared. Results Male/female ratio was about 1:2. Carditis and polyarthritis were common manifestations. Compared with group A, the rate of low-grade fever and carditis increased and the rate of heart failure, positive rate of C reaction protein and antistreptolysin O decreased in group B. In group B, 61.4% patients fulfilled the updated Jones diagnostic criteria. 76.2% fulfilled the 2002-2003 WHO criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of peripheral blood lymphocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) for the diagnosis of rheumatic carditis was 79.1% and 71.4% respectively. That of the anti-streptococcal group A polysaccharide (ASP) antibodies was 70.3% and 70% respectively. Five to ten years follow-up clinical data were available for 35 cases since Dec. 1997. The recurrent rate of RF was 62.8%. Only 1/3 cases received regular secondary prevention. Recurrence rate of patients with regular secondary prevention was significantly lower than that of patients without regular secondary prevention. Conclusion Mild earditis has been increasing during last ten years. PCA and ASP are valuable tests for diagnosing rheumatic carditis. More emphasis should be paid to atypical cases, early diagnosis and regular secondary prevention in order to improve prognosis.

Objective To investigate the autophagy and the expression of its related genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.Methods Patients with newly onset or recently-diagnosed SLE (n=20) were enrolled.RA patients (n=10) and healthy blood donors (n=10) were used as controls.PBMCs from all subjects were immediately isolated by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation.And then monocytes were removed by wall sticking method.The morphology was observed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Beclin 1 and microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 (MAPLC3) were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR respectively.Results TEM showed autophagic phenomenon in PBMCs from active SLE.On the mRNA level,expression of Beclin 1 and LC3 was significantly increased in fresh isolated SLE cells as compared with RA or healthy donor's PBMCs.Conclusion Based on these results,we can conclude that autophagy occurs in active SLE and the expression of its related genes is significantly higher in active SLE than in RA or normal controls.The enhanced autophagy may indicate its role in the pathogenesis of SLE.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a kind of autoantibody which is routinely used as a factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to evaluate disease activity and severity.But in clinical practice, it occurs frequently that RF values do not decrease according to clinical improvement in RA patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rheumatoid factor (RF) and activity or disease severity of RA.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized cross-sectional study was performed in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University during September 2006 and September 2007.PARTICIPANTS: Seventy-six patients,65 females and 11 males,mean age of (44±13) years,with RA diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA were included in this study. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with active RA were randomly recruited and assessed for functional status,radiographic change,joint pain,morning stiffness, tender joint count (TJC), tender joint score (TJS), swollen joint count (SJC), swollen joint score (SJS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP),RF,and hemoglobin. The method of Pearson correlation or Spearman rank correlation was performed for assessing the association between RF and these indices separately, normally distributed data for Pearson correlation, nonnormally distributed data for Spearman rank correlation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Correlation of RF with above mentioned factors. RESULTS: None of the correlation coefficients between RF and indices including age,disease duration, functional status,radiographic change,joint pain, morning stiffness, TJC,TJS,SJC,SJS,HAQ,ESR,CRP,hemoglobin were significant (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION: No associations between RF and activity or severity of RA are studied.

Objective To further investigate the effect of sinomenine (SIN) on TNF-α-induced VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods HUVECs were isolated from freshly collected umbilical cords. Positive control samples were stimulated with TNF-α, but free of SIN. Negative control samples were treated in the same way, but without TNF-α and SIN. Experimental samples were co-cultured with TNF-α and SIN at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mol/L), or TNF-α and dexamethasone (Dex) at concentration of 1.0×10-6 mol/L, or TNF-α with Dex (at concentration of 1.0×10-6mol/L) and SIN at different concentrations (0,25, 0.5, and 1.0 mmol/L) (co-treated groups). VCAM-1 expression was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Results SIN inhibited expression of VCAM-1 in TNF-α-induced HUVECs, the best effect was shown in the 1.0 mmol/L SIN treated group. VCAM-1 decreased more markedly in the co-treated groups. Conclusion SIN inhibits TNF-α-induced VCAM-1 expression on HUVECs in vitro, and SIN maybe synergistic with Dex in inhibiting TNF-α-induced VCAM-1 expression on HUVECs in vitro.