OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Objective: To explore the allergen map of patients with allergic diseases in northwest China, to investigate the distribution characteristics of serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) in different ages, genders, diseases and the sensitization patterns of allergens. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study, a total of 1 161 patients with confirmed respiratory allergic diseases were selected retrospectively from outpatient or inpatient department of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University and Tumor Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from June 2019 to October 2022. HAIKE ALLEOS 2000 fluorescent magnetic particle chemiluminescence method was used to quantify their serum for 12 inhaled allergen-specific IgE. Chi square test or Fisher's exact test were used for comparison between count data groups (Bonferroni correction was used for further pairwise comparison in multiple groups, two-sided P<0.05/3=0.017 considered that the difference was statistically significant). Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation of continuous numerical variables. Results: The positive detection rate of sIgE in 1 161 patients was 66.8%(776/1 161). The three highest positive rate of inhaled allergen were mugwort(599/1 161, 51.6%), French chrysanthemum(565/1 161, 48.7%) and dandelion(412/1 161, 35.5%). In different age groups, the highest positive rate of sIgE was 7-18 age group(379/513, 73.9%) while the lowest positive rate was 4-6 age group(222/370, 60.0%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=21.177, P<0.001). The sensitization peak of mugwort, French chrysanthemum, plantain, timothy, birch, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, dermatophagoides farinae, cat epithelium, dog epithelium and German cockroach appeared in 7-18 age group. In different disease groups, the highest positive rate of sIgE was allergic rhinitis with asthma group (500/717, 69.7%) while the lowest positive rate was asthma group (76/144, 52.8%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=15.563, P<0.001). In different gender groups, the positive rate of sIgE in male (503/711, 70.7%) was higher than in female (273/450, 60.7%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=12.630, P<0.001). The multiple-sensitization rate was 86.9%(674/776) and the double-sensitization rate was 16.8%(130/776) in sIgE positive patients. Pearson correlation results showed that there was an extremely strong correlation between dandelion and French chrysanthemum(r=0.93,P<0.001). There was a strong correlation between mugwort and French chrysanthemum(r=0.64,P<0.001). In the co-sensitization analysis, the number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion, plantain and timothy accounted for 25.2%(170/674)of the total number of multiple sensitization. The number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum and dandelion accounted for 58.3%(393/674)of the total number of multiple sensitization. The number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion and plantain accounted for 35.6%(240/674) of the total number of multiple sensitization. Conclusion: Mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion are the major inhaled allergens in northwest China. The positive rate of sIgE was different in different ages, diseases and genders. The multiple-sensitization rate of allergen was high and there was a certain positive correlation between pollen allergen-specific IgE pairwise, suggesting that there may exist co-sensitization or cross-reactions among allergens.
Pregnancy ; Child ; Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Allergens ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Respiratory System ; Asthma

Objective: To explore the allergen map of patients with allergic diseases in northwest China, to investigate the distribution characteristics of serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) in different ages, genders, diseases and the sensitization patterns of allergens. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study, a total of 1 161 patients with confirmed respiratory allergic diseases were selected retrospectively from outpatient or inpatient department of Gansu Provincial People's Hospital, Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University and Tumor Hospital of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from June 2019 to October 2022. HAIKE ALLEOS 2000 fluorescent magnetic particle chemiluminescence method was used to quantify their serum for 12 inhaled allergen-specific IgE. Chi square test or Fisher's exact test were used for comparison between count data groups (Bonferroni correction was used for further pairwise comparison in multiple groups, two-sided P<0.05/3=0.017 considered that the difference was statistically significant). Pearson correlation analysis was used for correlation of continuous numerical variables. Results: The positive detection rate of sIgE in 1 161 patients was 66.8%(776/1 161). The three highest positive rate of inhaled allergen were mugwort(599/1 161, 51.6%), French chrysanthemum(565/1 161, 48.7%) and dandelion(412/1 161, 35.5%). In different age groups, the highest positive rate of sIgE was 7-18 age group(379/513, 73.9%) while the lowest positive rate was 4-6 age group(222/370, 60.0%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=21.177, P<0.001). The sensitization peak of mugwort, French chrysanthemum, plantain, timothy, birch, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, dermatophagoides farinae, cat epithelium, dog epithelium and German cockroach appeared in 7-18 age group. In different disease groups, the highest positive rate of sIgE was allergic rhinitis with asthma group (500/717, 69.7%) while the lowest positive rate was asthma group (76/144, 52.8%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=15.563, P<0.001). In different gender groups, the positive rate of sIgE in male (503/711, 70.7%) was higher than in female (273/450, 60.7%), the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ²=12.630, P<0.001). The multiple-sensitization rate was 86.9%(674/776) and the double-sensitization rate was 16.8%(130/776) in sIgE positive patients. Pearson correlation results showed that there was an extremely strong correlation between dandelion and French chrysanthemum(r=0.93,P<0.001). There was a strong correlation between mugwort and French chrysanthemum(r=0.64,P<0.001). In the co-sensitization analysis, the number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion, plantain and timothy accounted for 25.2%(170/674)of the total number of multiple sensitization. The number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum and dandelion accounted for 58.3%(393/674)of the total number of multiple sensitization. The number of patients sensitized by mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion and plantain accounted for 35.6%(240/674) of the total number of multiple sensitization. Conclusion: Mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion are the major inhaled allergens in northwest China. The positive rate of sIgE was different in different ages, diseases and genders. The multiple-sensitization rate of allergen was high and there was a certain positive correlation between pollen allergen-specific IgE pairwise, suggesting that there may exist co-sensitization or cross-reactions among allergens.
Pregnancy ; Child ; Animals ; Dogs ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Allergens ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Respiratory System ; Asthma

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of levofloxacin combined with levofloxacin scheme in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)and its impact on drug-induced liver injury.Methods Pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive HBsAg were divided into treatment group and control group according to the anti-tuberculosis treatment plan.The treatment group received 2HLZE/4HLE anti-tuberculosis regimen(levofloxacin 0.6 g,twice a week+isoniazid 0.3 g,qd+ethambutol hydrochloride 0.75 g,qd+pyrazinamide 0.5 g,tid)for 6 months,and the control group received 2HRZE/4HRE anti-tuberculosis regimen(levofloxacin 0.6 g,qd+isoniazid 0.3 g,qd+ethambutol hydrochloride 0.75 g,qd+pyrazinamide 0.5 g,tid)for 6 months.The sputum smear conversion rate,liver function indicators[glutamate pyruvate transaminase(GPT),glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(GOT),serum total bilirubin(TBIL)],clinical efficacy,drug-induced liver injury,as well as the incidence of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups.Results A total of 41 patients were enrolled in the treatment group and 39 patients in the control group.After treatment,the clinical total effective rates in the treatment and control groups were 97.56％and 79.49％,which showed statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).After 4 months of treatment,the sputum smear conversion rates in the treatment group and the control group were 90.24％and 71.79％,respectively;after 6 months of treatment,the sputum smear conversion rates in the treatment group and the control group were 95.12％and 79.49％,respectively,both showing statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).After 6 months of treatment,the GPT levels in the treatment group and the control group were(87.39±17.26)and(101.49±23.48)U·L-1,the GOT levels were(97.54±19.25)and(119.63±21.57)U·L-1,and the TBIL levels were(31.53±9.35)and(38.27±9.64)μmol·L-1,respectively,all showing statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).The incidence of drug-induced liver injury in the treatment group and the control group was 19.51％and 41.03％respectively,and the time of liver injury occurrence was(12.98±2.26)and(10.23±1.95)days,both showing statistically significant differences(all P＜0.05).The total incidences of adverse reactions in the treatment group and the control group was 29.27％and 64.10％respectively,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Compared with the levofloxacin scheme,the levofloxacin combined with levofloxacin scheme can reduce the incidence and severity of drug-induced liver injury and improve the clinical treatment efficacy in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with positive HBsAg.

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) are major public health and social issues worldwide. The long-term follow-up of COVID-19 with pulmonary TB (PTB) survivors after discharge is unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively describe clinical outcomes, including sequela and recurrence at 3, 12, and 24 months after discharge, among COVID-19 with PTB survivors. Methods From January 22, 2020 to May 6, 2022, with a follow-up by August 26, 2022, a prospective, multicenter follow-up study was conducted on COVID-19 with PTB survivors after discharge in 13hospitals from four provinces in China. Clinical outcomes, including sequela, recurrence of COVID-19, and PTB survivors, were collected via telephone and face-to-face interviews at 3, 12, and 24 months after discharge. Results Thirty-two COVID-19 with PTB survivors were included. The median age was 52 (45, 59) years, and 23 (71.9％) were men. Among them, nearly two-thirds (62.5％) of the survivors were moderate, three (9.4％) were severe, and more than half (59.4％) had at least one comorbidity (PTB excluded). The proportion of COVID-19 survivors with at least one sequela symptom decreased from 40.6％ at 3 months to 15.8％ at 24 months, with anxiety having a higher proportion over a follow-up. Cough and amnesia recovered at the 12-month follow-up, while anxiety, fatigue, and trouble sleeping remained after 24 months. Additionally, one (3.1％) case presented two recurrences of PTB and no re-positive COVID-19 during the follow-up period. Conclusion The proportion of long symptoms in COVID-19 with PTB survivors decreased over time, while nearly one in six still experience persistent symptoms with a higher proportion of anxiety. The recurrence of PTB and the psychological support of COVID-19 with PTB after discharge require more attention.

Objective:To explore the main influencing factors for physical performance assessed by the short physical performance battery(SPPB)in the elderly in communities in Shanghai.Methods:A total of 500 elderly subjects from four communities in Shanghai who met the inclusion criteria with 165 males and 335 females aged 60-95 years(70.5±7.8)years were enrolled.A questionnaire was used to assess the general situation.International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form(IPAQ-SF)was used to assess physical activity(PA). The appendicular skeletal muscle mass(ASM)was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the relative skeletal muscle mass index(RSMI). The lower extremity muscle strength(quadriceps strength, QS)was measured by a hand-held dynamometer.Lower body muscle quality(LB-MQ) was ascertained by taking the ratio of strength to muscle mass for lower extremity.SPPB score was used to assess physical activity, including full tandem test, 4-meter walking speed test and five timed chair stands test.Results:The age, RSMI, ASM and quadriceps strength were higher, and the body fat content was lower in males than in females(all P<0.001). There were no significant differences in BMI, SPPB scores, LBMQ, and PA between males and females( P>0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that SPPB score was negatively correlated with age( r=-0.615, P<0.001)and body fat content( r=-0.103, P=0.022), but SPPB score was positively correlated with quadriceps strength( r=0.351, P<0.001), RSMI( r=0.134, P=0.003), LBMQ( r=0.268, P<0.001)and amount of PA( r=0.204, P<0.001), however, SPPB score had no relationship with gender( r=0.068, P=0.132). Conclusions:Aging and frailty are the main factors for the decline of physical performance in the elderly.Participating physical activity, reducing body fat, maintaining muscle mass, and especially increasing muscle quality, may be the main interventions to prevent the further deterioration of physical performance in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical, video electroencephalogram (VEEG), radiological and pathological features of 3 patients of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with amygdala enlargement (AE). METHODS: Three TLE patients with AE who were hospitalized in Peking University International Hospital were collected. The above features were retrospectively analyzed, and the amygdala volume was measured as well. RESULTS: Of all the 3 patients, 2 were females and 1 male, whose seizure onset ages varied from 21 to 40 years. Two cases presented with secondarily generalized tonicclonic seizures after falling asleep during the night. One of the 2 cases had complex partial seizures (CPSs) with episodic memory and automatism after one year, and the third one had CPSs with lip smacking and tongue wagging during the night. All the patients suffered from obvious anxious disorder. Unilateral AE by MRI was demonstrated in the 3 cases, one on the right side, and the other two on the left side. The average amygdala volume of the enlarged side and the other side were (2 123.7±131.8) mm³ and (1 276.3±156.9) mm³, respectively. Unilateral interictal epileptic discharges were ipsilateral to the AE in 2 cases, while the other patient showed bilateral interictal epileptic discharges. The ictal VEEG showed that the seizure onset zone was ipsilateral to the AE and was confined to the anterior and middle temporal regions in the 3 patients. The interictal single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was negative in 2 cases. The interictal positron emission tomography (PET) showed hypometabolism in the AE in one case. The histological pathology revealed focal cortical dysplasia in the amygdala and temporal lobe in the 3 cases, and one of the 3 cases was combined with hippocampal sclerosis. All the patients became seizure free after surgery in the half year following-up. VEEG revealed slow wave activity and occasional spike wave in the operated side. CONCLUSION AE may be one subtype of TLE. It is necessary to recognize AE in TLE with MRI-negative. For those poorly responsive to antiepileptic drugs, surgical treatment could provide a better solution. Focal cortical dysplasia may be one of the most common pathological features of TLE with AE.
Adult ; Amygdala ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporal Lobe ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the immunologic effect of probiotic FGM fermented astragalus membranaceus on brain damage mice.Methods:Astragalus membranaceus was fermented by probiotic FGM,and ethanol subsiding method was used to extract fermented astragalus polysaccharide in fermented astragalus powder.Fermented astragalus polysaccharide 200,100,50 mg/(kg · d) were intraperitoneal injected daily for 7 consecutive days.The brain damage mice model was established at 1 h after the last dose via suture ligation.Spleen index,thymus index were determined by gravimetric method.The proliferation of splenic lymphocytes was determined by MMT method.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) and interleukin 1β(IL-1β).Results:Compared with model group,the spleen index and thymus index was significantly increased in fermented astragalus polysaccharide high concentration administration group (P ＜ 0.05).Splenic lymphocyte proliferation was significantly increased (P＜0.05).The content of TNF-α and IL-1 β decreased significantly(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Probiotic FGM fermented astragalus polysaccharide has immune protective effect on brain damage mice.

This study aimed to assess the relationship of OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking C/A polymorphisms with the susceptibility to Enterovirus-71 (EV71) infection.We investigated 294 hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) Chinese children with EV71 infection (165 mild cases and 129 encephalitis cases).The improved multiplex ligation detection reaction (iMLDR) technique was used to test the genotypes.In EV71-infected patients,the CA genotype distribution (P=0.007),A allele frequency (OR 1.32,95％ CI 1.0-1.7,P=0.034)and CA+AA carriage frequency (P=0.003) of OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking were obviously elevated as compared with controls,but there were no statistically significant differences between mild cases and encephalitis cases.In EV71-infected patients,the counts of white blood cells (P=0.034) and blood glucose concentrations (P=0.042) were raised in A carriers (CA+AA).Among different genotypes of encephalitis cases,the contents of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed no significant differences.IFN-γ levels in EV71-infected patients were higher than those in controls (mild group vs.control group,P＜0.01;encephalitis group vs.control group,P＜0.001).In encephalitis cases,IFN-γ levels were reduced (P＜0.05) in A carriers compared to CC genotype,however,there were no significant differences between genotypes CA and AA (P=0.226).These findings suggest that OAS2 rs739901 5'-flanking C/A genetic polymorphisms involve the susceptibility to EV71 infection,and A allele might be a risk factor of the susceptibility to EV-71 infection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of cement distribution index on the occurrence of refracture in the adjacent segments after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

METHODSThis retrospective analysis was conducted among 143 patients who received percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture between April, 2011 and April, 2014. Of the 134 patients with complete follow-up data, 18 had adjacent segment fracture within 1 year following the surgeries (re-fracture group), and 116 patients without new fracture served as the control group. All the patients underwent X-ray examinations after the surgery and according to the position and shape, the cement in the vertebrae were classified into 5 types (I to V), and the volume-cubage index was computed based on the cement volume and vertebral cubage. Age, gender, bone mineral density (BMD), cement distribution index, volume-cubage index, and cement leakage were evaluated in the 2 groups, and the variables with significant differences between the 2 groups were analyzed in Logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSBMD was significantly lower and the rate of cement leakage was significantly higher in the re-fracture group than in the control group (P<0.05). Significant difference was found in cement distribution index between the 2 groups (P<0.05) but not in age, gender, cement volume or volume-cubage index (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that BMD, cement leakage and cement distribution index all significantly affected the occurrence of adjacent vertebral fractures following percutaneous vertebroplasty.

CONCLUSIONA low BMD, cement leakage and a low cement distribution index are all risks factor of adjacent vertebral fracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty.