Objective To investigate the changes in eosinophil counts and the activation of microglial cells in the brain tissues of mice at different stages of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection, and to examine the role of microglia in regulating the progression of angiostrongyliasis and unravel the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-day and 25-d infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. All mice in infection groups were infected with 30 stage III A. cantonensis larvae by gavage, and animals in the control group was given an equal amount of physiological saline. Five mice were collected from each of infection groups on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice were collected from the control group on the day of oral gavage. The general and focal functional impairment was scored using the Clark scoring method to assess the degree of mouse neurological impairment. Five mice from each of infection groups were sacrificed on days 7, 14, 21 d and 25 d post-infection, and 5 mice from the control group were sacrificed on the day of oral gavage. Mouse brain tissues were sampled, and the pathological changes of brain tissues were dynamically observed using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Immunofluorescence staining with eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) was used to assess the degree of eosinophil infiltration and the counts of microglial cells in mouse brain tissues in each group, and the morphological parameters of microglial cells (skeleton analysis and fractal analysis) were quantified by using Image J software to determine the morphological changes of microglial cells. In addition, the expression of M1 microglia markers Fcγ receptor III (Fcgr3), Fcγ receptor IIb (Fcgr2b) and CD86 antigen (Cd86), M2 microglia markers Arginase 1 (Arg1), macrophage mannose receptor C-type 1 (Mrc1), chitinase-like 3 (Chil3), and phagocytosis genes myeloid cell triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2), CD68 antigen (Cd68), and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) was quantified using real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay in the mouse cerebral cortex of mice post-infection. Results A large number of A. cantonensis larvae were seen on the mouse meninges surface post-infection, and many neuronal nuclei were crumpled and deeply stained, with a large number of bleeding points in the meninges. The median Clark scores of mouse general functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 0 (interquartile range, 0.5), 6 (interquartile range, 1.0), 14 (interquartile range, 8.5) points and 20 (interquartile range, 9.0) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.45, P < 0.01), and the median Clark scores of mouse focal functional impairment were 0 (interquartile range, 0), 2 (interquartile range, 2.5), 7 (interquartile range, 3.0), 18 (interquartile range, 5.0) points and 25 (interquartile range, 6.5) points in the control group and the 7-d, 14-d, 21-d and 25-d groups, respectively (H = 22.72, P < 0.01). The mean scores of mice general and focal functional impairment were all higher in the infection groups than in the control group (all P values < 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed a significant difference in the eosinophil counts in mouse brain tissues among the five groups (F = 40.05, P < 0.000 1), and the eosinophil counts were significantly higher in mouse brain tissues in the 14-d (3.08 ± 0.78) and 21-d infection groups (5.97 ± 1.37) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.28) (both P values < 0.05). Semi-quantitative analysis of microglia immunofluorescence showed a significant difference in the counts of microglial cells among the five groups (F = 17.66, P < 0.000 1), and higher Iba1 levels were detected in mouse brain tissues in 14-d (5.75 ± 1.28), 21-d (6.23 ± 1.89) and 25-d infection groups (3.70 ± 1.30) than in the control group (1.00 ± 0.30) (all P values < 0.05). Skeleton and fractal analyses showed that the branch length [(162.04 ± 34.10) μm vs. (395.37 ± 64.11) μm; t = 5.566, P < 0.05] and fractal dimension of microglial cells (1.30 ± 0.01 vs. 1.41 ± 0.03; t = 5.266, P < 0.05) were reduced in mouse brain tissues in the 21-d infection group relative to the control group. In addition, there were significant differences among the 5 groups in terms of M1 and M2 microglia markers Fcgr3 (F = 48.34, P < 0.05), Fcgr2b (F = 55.46, P < 0.05), Cd86 (F = 24.44, P < 0.05), Arg1 (F = 31.18, P < 0.05), Mrc1 (F = 15.42, P < 0.05) and Chil3 (F = 24.41, P < 0.05), as well as phagocytosis markers Trem2 (F = 21.19, P < 0.05), Cd68 (F = 43.95, P < 0.05) and Apoe (F = 7.12, P < 0.05) in mice brain tissues. Conclusions A. cantonensis infections may induce severe pathological injuries in mouse brain tissues that are characterized by massive eosinophil infiltration and persistent activation of microglia cells, thereby resulting in progressive deterioration of neurological functions.

Objective:To observe any effects of contralateral repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the swallowing motor cortex on the swallowing and brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) of stroke survivors with dysphagia.Methods:A total of 83 stroke survivors with dysphagia were randomly divided into an ipsilesional stimulation group ( n=22), a contralesional stimulation group ( n=21), a bilateral stimulation group ( n=20), and a control group ( n=20). In addition to their conventional dysphagia training, those in the three stimulation groups received 3Hz rTMS while the control group was given fake stimulation. The treatment was administered daily for 20 minutes, 6 days a week, for 5 consecutive weeks. Before and after the treatment, swallowing function was assessed videofluoroscopically and using the Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS). The oral and pharyngeal stages of swallowing were evaluated using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS). Brain stem conduction was assessed using BAEPs. Results:After treatment the average DOSS scores of all 4 groups were significantly better than before the treatment. The average DOSS scores of the contralesional and bilateral sti-mulation groups were then significantly better than those of the other two groups. The sub-item and total VDS scores of all 4 groups had decreased significantly, but the average score of the bilateral stimulation group was significantly lower than the control group′s average. Ipsilesional stimulation significantly improved the VDS sub-item scores for the triggering of pharyngeal swallowing, laryngeal elevation, and pharyngeal transit time compared with the control group. In the contralesional stimulation group the average total score and the VDS sub-item scores for apraxia, premature bolus loss, oral transit times, the triggering of pharyngeal swallowing, vallecular residue, laryngeal elevation, coating on the pharyngeal wall, and pharyngeal transit time were significantly lower than those of the control group, on average. After the treatment the latencies of BAEP waves I, III and V and the I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak intervals had decreased significantly in all four groups, but the average latencies and intervals of the bilateral and contralesional groups were significantly shorter than those of the control group. The latencies and intervals of the bilateral stimulation group were then significantly shorter than those in the ipsilesional stimulation group on average. The average latency of wave V in the bilateral stimulation group (6.53±0.73ms) was significantly shorter than that in the contralesional stimulation group after the treatment.Conclusion:Bilateral rTMS over the swallowing motor cortex combined with conventional dysphagia training can significantly improve the swallowing of dysphagic stroke survivors.

Objective:To study the population distribution of Pomacea spp. in Shandong Province and the risk of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis in the local population, and to provide a basis for scientific prevention and control of related diseases. Methods:From July to December 2021, Yanzhou District of Jining City, Ningyang County of Taian City, and Dongying District of Dongying City were selected as surveillance sites to investigate the population and distribution range of Pomacea spp., live snail samples were collected for morphological and genetic identification, and Pomacea spp. infected with the larva of Angiostrongylus cantonensis was detected by lung test. At the same time, sentinel hospital case surveillance was carried out in Yanzhou District, Jining City, and questionnaire was used to study the local residents' awareness of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis and their personal health behaviors. Results:A total of 312 live snail samples were collected. After morphological identification, they were all Pomacea spp.. After gene sequencing, two populations of Pomacea canaliculata and Pomacea maculata were found. No positive snails infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis were found. A total of 126 patients with headache as the main neurological symptom were admitted to the sentinel hospital, but there were no monitoring cases that met the inclusion criteria. Among the survey population, 48.38% (134/277) of the respondents had heard of angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, 44.77% (124/277) knew that eating Margarya melanioides might cause angiostrongyliasis cantonensis, and 83.39% (231/277) had no related unhealthy eating behavior. Conclusion:Pomacea spp. is found and reported for the first time in Shandong Province, and there is a risk of population infection with angiostrongyliasis cantonensis.

Objective:To evaluate the associations between the renalase single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs2576178 and rs10887800 and the risk of hypertension in OSA patients. Methods:A total of 3, 570 male OSA subjects diagnosed via standard polysomnography were included in this retrospective study. We recorded anthropometric, genomic, and polysomnographic parameters and blood pressure levels. All subjects were divided into four groups based on quartiles of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). The relationships between rs2576178 and rs10887800 and the risk of hypertension were evaluated using the binary logistic regression, and haplotype analysis.Results:In the bottom AHI quartile, rs10887800 was significantly associated with the risk of hypertension according to the dominant model [odds ratio( OR)=0.691, 95% confidence interval ( CI)=0.483-0.990, P=0.044] even after adjustment for age, sex, and the body mass index. The G-A haplotype was associated with a co-effect of the two SNPs, namely, the risk of hypertension decreased ( OR=0.879, 95% CI=0.784-0.986, P=0.028). Conclusions:We find no association between single rs2576178 or rs10887800 variants with the risk of hypertension in our OSA population. But, the synergistic effect of the two polymorphisms is associated with the risk of hypertension in OSA patients.

Objective: To understand the current situation and associated factors of myopia in junior middle school students, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of myopia in junior middle school students. Methods: A total of 5 393 junior middle school students were selected from middle schools in Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Liaoning, Shandong, Shanxi provinces. The visual acuity of middle school students was examined, and the data of general population, economy, sociology and natural environment were obtained through statistical yearbook of each province. The influencing factors of myopia of middle school students were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression. Results: The results of single factor analysis showed that the myopia rate of junior high school students was different by gender, grades, parents average wage, sunshine duration, temperature, altitude, longitude and latitude(χ2=47.76，59.05，10.79，106.19，53.56，85.02，76.23，107.07，P<0.05). The results of multi factor analysis showed that gender, grade, average wage, temperature and latitude was positively associated with myopia vision; sunshine duration and longitude were negatively associated with the risk for myopia(OR=1.54，1.34，1.62，7.58，27.10，0.42，0.39，P<0.05). Conclusion The myopia of junior high school students is affected by a variety of factors, economic and social factors and natural environmental factors have an impact on the screening of sexual myopia in junior high school students. Economic and social factors and natural environmental factors should be taken into account in the formulation of myopia prevention and control measures.

The burden of schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem,especially in sub-Saharan Africa despite progress in terms of morbidity control.Successful control efforts achieved by China in the last six decades came with considerable experience and lessons that could benefit schistosomiasis control programs in other endemic countries.China's role and commitment to global health cooperation has become increasingly important;this has created a platform for partnership with developing partners for the establishment of Forum on China-Africa health cooperation which prioritizes the pursuit of global elimination target for schistosomiasis and malaria,control of HIV/AIDS,and improved access to reproductive health care.Chinese government's commitment towards achieving schistosomiasis elimination in Africa prompted the establishment of Institution-based Network on China-Africa Cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination (INCAS),by the National Institute of Parasitic Diseases to promote schistosomiasis elimination in Africa.Schistosomiasis experts from six provincial institutions and counterparts from 10 African countries participated in the first workshop on China-Africa cooperation for Schistosomiasis Elimination in Africa at Lilongwe,Malawi,in 2015.Experts at the inaugural meeting shared experiences from their national schistosomiasis control programs,as well as identified areas for collaborative synergy targeting schistosomiasis elimination in Africa.The establishment of INCAS,which comprises of 28 member-institutions from China and Africa,was proposed at this meeting.We,therefore,provide information on INCAS activities,cooperation mechanism,as well as assess the strengths,weaknesses,opportunities,and threats as we target schistosomiasis elimination in Africa using the INCAS platform.

Objective To study the effect of enhanced MK gene expression in hepatic carcinoma cells.Methods The recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-MK was transfected into SMMC 7721 cells.The mRNA and protein expression levels of MK gene in these cells were determined by real-time PCR,Western blotting and flow cytometry.The intracellular DNR accumulation of these cells was measured by flow cytometry.To investigate the effect of MK gene mediated multidrug resistance,MTT assay was employed to determine the cellular sensitivity of different chemotherapeutic drugs in MK-overexpressed SMMC 7721 cells.Results The mRNA and protein expression levels of MK gene significantly increased after the recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-MK transfected into SMMC 7721 cells,suggesting that the recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-MK can enhance the transcription of MK effectively.The DNR accumulation of MK transfected cells decreased significantly (4.06 ± 0.88,P ＜ 0.05),and IC50 of MK transfected cells to ADM/5-FU increased significantly (15 ± 3,27 ± 4,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions After the recombinant plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-MK transfected into hepatic carcinoma cells,expression of midkine increased,enhancing the resistance of hepatic carcinoma cells to chemotherapeutic drugs.

Objective To assess the risk of hyperperfusion induced intracranial hemorrhage (HICH) after carotid artery stenting (CAS) in patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis.Methods From June 2009 to June 2015,the clinical data of 210 patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis (70％-99％) treated with CAS at Department of Neurosurgery,Changhai Hospital,the Second Military Medical University,were analyzed retrospectively.Seven of them (3.3 ％) developed HICH after operation.The relationship between the clinical baseline and imaging characteristics and HICH were assessed.All patients received the evaluation of cerebral CT perfusion examination.The time to peak (TTP) index of cerebral blood flow was defined as the TTP ratio of the affected and contralateral sides,t test was used to conduct the comparison of measurement data,and Poisson test was used to conduct the comparison of the enumeration data.Results There was significant difference in the TTP index between the HICH group and non-HICH group (1.15 ± 0.10 vs.1.30 ± 0.15,t =4.461,P ＜ 0.01).The receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve analysis results suggested that the TTP index ＞ 1.22 could be used as a risk factor for predicting HICH (sensitivity 100％,specificity 75.9％).Conclusion Under the condition of prompting the preoperative TTP index ＞ 1.22,the risk of HICH may be higher after CAS in patients with severe carotid stenosis.

Objective To determine the incidence and prevalence of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and to evaluate its epidemiological situation in Hunan province.Methods Seven monitoring points were randomly selected from the province,a total of 8 311 subjects aged≥50 years were then chosen by stratified sampling.The cases counted in prevalence was defined as patients diagnosed before 24:00 o'clock August 31st,2013,and the new diagnosis for incident counting was defined as those diagnosed between 00:00 September 1st,2012 and 24:00 August 31st,2013.Results Among all 8 311 screened subjects,the number of TIA patients was 24 (288.8 per 100 000 people),the incidence of TIA was 7 (85.2 per 100 000 people).Standardized prevalence and incidence were 283.2 and 82.4 per 100 000 respectively using 2010 China census population.Among them,the standardized incidence rate of female was higher than that of male (114.8 per 100 000 person-years vs.48.8 per 100 000 person-years),and the prevalence rate of males was higher than that of female (288.2 per 100 000 people vs.273.2 per 100 000 people).Hypertension is the most important risk factor for TIA (55.2％).Conclusion The incidence and prevalence of TIA in Hunan province are higher than the national average.Hypertension is the main risk factor.

Objective To compare the clinical application effects of needle-catheter jejunostomy and nasojejunal tube feeding in the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy.Methods The study enrolled 50 patients from Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, who received the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy from May to December 2015. According to the different nutritional approaches, patients under-covered the needle-catheter jejunostomy were assigned into observation group (n=25), and patients under-covered the nasojejunal tube feeding were assigned into control group (n=25), then by the different nutrition pathway patients were given the same nutritional approaches. The cannulation how easily or comfortably, nutritional condition and incidence of postoperative recovery were compared between two groups.Results The nutrient tube withdrawal rate, nasopharyngeal discomfort rate and nausea and vomiting rate in observation group were significantly less than that in control group (Z=2.673, 5.041, 3.271;P<0.05); the value of serum protein was higher in the observation group compared with that of control group 7 days after operation (t=3.841,P<0.001); the time of enteral nutritional, length of hospital stay and the exsufflation time of anus in observation group all were better than the control group (t=-6.171, -4.246, 5.128;P<0.001). There is no significantly difference of the morbidity related to nutrient tube, the number of white cells and the total protein level between two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions The needle-catheter jejunostomy and nasojejunal feeding are both safe work and effective, but the needle-catheter jejunostomy feeding is better.