Objectives: To compare the effect of eldecalcitol and alfacalcidol on skeletal microstructure by highresolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT). Methods: This was a substudy of a randomized, double-blind, active comparator trial. Five female osteoporotic patients with 1-year 0.75 mg/day eldecalcitol and 5 with 1-year 1.0 mg/day alfacalcidol completed HR-pQCT scans before and after treatment were enrolled. Results: Total vBMD [1.67 ± 1.06% (mean ± SD), P ¼ 0.043 versus baseline] and trabecular vBMD (2.91 ± 1.72%, P ¼ 0.043) at the radius increased in eldecalcitol group, while total, trabecular, and cortical vBMD tended to decrease in alfacalcidol group, with a significant reduction in cortical vBMD at the tibia (0.88 ± 0.62%, P ¼ 0.043). Cortical area (1.82 ± 1.92%, P ¼ 0.043) at the radius and thickness (0.87 ± 1.12%, P ¼ 0.043) at the tibia increased in eldecalcitol group, while these parameters decreased with alfacalcidol at the tibia (1.77 ± 1.72%, P ¼ 0.043 for cortical area; 1.40 ± 2.14%, P ¼ 0.042 for cortical thickness). Trabecular thickness at the radius (1.97 ± 1.93%, P ¼ 0.042) and number at the tibia (3.09 ± 3.04%, P ¼ 0.043) increased by eldecalcitol but did not increase by alfacalcidol. Trabecular separation decreased by eldecalcitol (2.22 ± 2.43%, P ¼ 0.043) but tended to increase by alfacalcidol at the tibia. Conclusions Eldecalcitol has the greater potential to improve cortical and trabecular microstructure at the peripheral bone than alfacalcidol which needs further more studies.

Objectives: To compare the effect of eldecalcitol and alfacalcidol on skeletal microstructure by highresolution peripheral QCT (HR-pQCT). Methods: This was a substudy of a randomized, double-blind, active comparator trial. Five female osteoporotic patients with 1-year 0.75 mg/day eldecalcitol and 5 with 1-year 1.0 mg/day alfacalcidol completed HR-pQCT scans before and after treatment were enrolled. Results: Total vBMD [1.67 ± 1.06% (mean ± SD), P ¼ 0.043 versus baseline] and trabecular vBMD (2.91 ± 1.72%, P ¼ 0.043) at the radius increased in eldecalcitol group, while total, trabecular, and cortical vBMD tended to decrease in alfacalcidol group, with a significant reduction in cortical vBMD at the tibia (0.88 ± 0.62%, P ¼ 0.043). Cortical area (1.82 ± 1.92%, P ¼ 0.043) at the radius and thickness (0.87 ± 1.12%, P ¼ 0.043) at the tibia increased in eldecalcitol group, while these parameters decreased with alfacalcidol at the tibia (1.77 ± 1.72%, P ¼ 0.043 for cortical area; 1.40 ± 2.14%, P ¼ 0.042 for cortical thickness). Trabecular thickness at the radius (1.97 ± 1.93%, P ¼ 0.042) and number at the tibia (3.09 ± 3.04%, P ¼ 0.043) increased by eldecalcitol but did not increase by alfacalcidol. Trabecular separation decreased by eldecalcitol (2.22 ± 2.43%, P ¼ 0.043) but tended to increase by alfacalcidol at the tibia. Conclusions Eldecalcitol has the greater potential to improve cortical and trabecular microstructure at the peripheral bone than alfacalcidol which needs further more studies.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the correlation between microRNA (miRNA) differential expression and quality of embryo. METHODS: The miRNA expression profiles of 8 blastocysts were detected by a TaqMan microRNA array, and miRNAs with a stable expression were selected. Additional blastocysts were selected, and the candidate miRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, chromosomal abnormalities of the embryos were detected by using next-generation sequencing, and the results were compared. RESULTS: The expression of mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p was higher than that of miR-145, which suggested that mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p are related to early embryo development. The expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p were significantly lower in the normal chromosome group. With the threshold values of above 9 and 3 for the relative expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p, respectively, there was no embryo without a chromosomal abnormality. CONCLUSION There is a correlation between the expression level of specific miRNA and chromosomal abnormalities of embryos, which may be used as a novel biomarker for embryo selection.

Objective: To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of four chromones in Saposhnikoviae Radix by multi-components with single marker ( QAMS) .Methods:An HPLC analysis was used to determine the contents of 4′-O-β-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol , cimifugin and sec-O-glucosylhamaudol in Saposhnikoviae Radix.Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin was chosen as the single maker.The contents of 4 chromones in 10 batches of samples were determined by both external standard method and QAMS .The reliability and feasibility of the method were evaluated by the comparison of the quantitative results between the external standard meth -od and QAMS.Results:The relative correction factor (RCF) was perfect.The results calculated by the single marker were consistent with the results from the external standard method .Conclusion:The method with single marker is accurate and feasible to evaluate the quality of Saposhnikoviae Radix.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of circumcision with the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men.

METHODSWe collected the samples from the surface of the coronal sulcus, glans penis, penile shaft and scrotum of 351 males examined for HPV infection in our hospital from January 2016 to August 2017, of whom 118 had received circumcision while the other 233 had not. We compared the incidence rate of HPV infection between the circumcision and non-circumcision groups and analyzed the association of the age of circumcision with the incidence of HPV infection.

RESULTSHPV infection was found in 135 (38.46%) of the males, 29 (24.58%) in the circumcision group and 106 (45.49%) in the non-circumcision group, significantly lower in the former than in the latter (χ² = 14.48, P < 0.01). The incidence rate of HPV infection was also remarkably lower in the males circumcised at ≤17 years (13.16% ［5/38］) than in those circumcised at >17 years of age (30.0% ［24/80］) (χ² = 3.942, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONSMale circumcision helps reduce the incidence rate of HPV infection in men and earlier surgery may achieve even better effect.

Circumcision, Male ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Penis ; virology ; Scrotum ; virology

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine Sanqi Oral Liquid, composed of Astragalus membranaceus and Panpax notoginseng, in alleviating renal injury by observing its effect on the expressions of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells in 5/6 nephrectomized rats with chronic renal failure.

METHODSA total of 102 SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: three treatment groups were administrated with high, medium and low dosage of Sanqi Oral Liquid respectively by gavage; a normal group, a 5/6 nephrectomized model group, and a group treated with coated aldehyde oxygenstarch were used as controls. Following oral administration of Sanqi Oral Liquid for 12 weeks, the general condition and renal pathological changes were observed, and the renal function, platelet count (PLT) and the expressions of CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells were determined for each group.

RESULTSThere were proliferation of mesangial matrix, renaltubularnecrosis and obvious tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the model group, and they were much milder in the treatment groups. Compared with the model group, the amounts of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and PLT in the treatment groups decreased (P<0.05 for all); and in the group administrated of medium dosage of Sanqi Oral Liquid, the expression of CD4(+) cells was up-regulated and those of CD8(+) and CD68(+) cells were down-regulated (P<0.05 for all), leading to an increased ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+)(P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSanqi Oral Liquid has a significant effect on regulating lymphocyte subsets, reducing the infiltration of macrophages in renal tissues and alleviating tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and this may be one of mechanisms of Sanqi Oral Liquid in delaying the progression of chronic kidney diseases.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solutions

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for depressive disorders in manufacturing workers and to provide a basis for developing health promotion measures at workplace.

METHODSA questionnaire survey was performed in 8085 front-line production workers from 33 manufacturing enterprises in Nanhai District of Foshan, Guangdong Province, China. The questionnaire contained a survey of demographic characteristics, the Safety Climate Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, etc. The multilevel logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate the risk factors for depressive disorders in workers.

RESULTSA total of 6260 workers completed the survey; their mean age was 31.1 ± 8.6 years, and 53.2% of them were males. The multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, and martial status, more depressive disorders were reported in the enterprises with higher score of "production safety training" than in those with lower score (OR = 1.46, 95%CI = 1.07 ∼ 1.97); fewer depressive disorders were reported in the enterprises with higher score of "colleagues concerned about production safety" than in those with lower score (OR = 0.08, 95%CI = 0.03 ∼ 0.26); the relationships of "safety warnings and precautions" and "managers concerned about production safety" with workers' depressive disorders were not statistically significant (OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.48 ∼ 1.28; OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.68 ∼ 1.72).

CONCLUSIONDepressive disorders in manufacturing workers are related to the safety climate at workplace, which indicates that a good safety climate at workplace should be created to prevent and control depressive disorders in workers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Safety ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the associations of perception of safety atmosphere at workplace, occupational safety attitude and behaviors with occupational unintentional injury among manufacturing workers.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was performed and a self-administered questionnaire was used to inquire socio-demographic characteristics, perceived safety atmosphere, occupational safety attitudes, occupational safety behaviors and occupational unintentional injuries among 10585 manufacturing workers selected from 46 enterprises in Guangdong. Structural equation modeling was applied to assess the relationship of the perception of safety atmosphere at workplace, occupational safety attitude, and occupational safety behaviors with occupational unintentional injury.

RESULTSAmong 24 pathways supposed in structural equation model, 20 pathways (except for the attitude toward occupational safety, the attitude toward managers' support, the work posture and individual protection) were significantly related to the occupational unintentional injuries. The further analysis indicated that the perceived safety atmosphere might impact the occupational unintentional injuries by the attitude toward occupational safety and occupational safety behaviors.

CONCLUSIONWorkers' perception of safety atmosphere indirectly influenced on occupational unintentional injuries through occupational safety attitudes and occupational safety behaviors.

Accidents, Occupational ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Attitude ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workplace ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEIn mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted.

METHODSAn enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors.

RESULTSFrom June 10 to August 21, 2005, 68 laboratory confirmed cases of human Streptococcus suis infections were reported. All were villagers who gave a history of direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in their backyards where slaughtering was performed. Twenty six (38%) presented with toxic shock syndrome of which 15 (58%) died. Other presentations were septicaemia or meningitis. All isolates were tested positive for genes for tuf, species-specific 16S rRNA, cps2J, mrp, ef and sly. There were 136 clinically diagnosed probable cases with similar exposure history but incomplete laboratory investigations.

CONCLUSIONAn outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections occurred in villagers after direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in Sichuan. Prohibition of slaughtering in backyards brought the outbreak to a halt. A virulent strain of the bacteria is speculated to be in circulation, and is responsible for the unusual presentation of toxic shock syndrome with high case fatality.

Animals ; Bacteremia ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Shock, Septic ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Streptococcus suis ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and investigate the influencing factors of the interferon (IFN) retreatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C relapsed after a previous IFN treatment.

METHODSA retrospective study was designed to analyze the retreatment with IFN of 60 relapsed chronic hepatitis C patients. All patients were from a randomized, opened and multi-center clinical trial about the efficacy and security of PEG-IFNalpha-2a compared to CIFNalpha-2a in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in China. There were 35 patients treated with PEG-IFNalpha-2a and 25 with CIFNalpha-2a. The main parameter to evaluate the efficacy was sustained viral response (SVR) rate. The influence of viral concentration in serum, genotype and drug categories on the responses to IFN were analyzed.

RESULTSFor all the patients, the end of treatment virus response (ETVR) and SVR rates were 55.00% and 35.00% respectively. ETVR rate of PEG-IFNalpha-2a was significantly higher than that of CIFNalpha-2a (74.29% and 28.00% respectively, P < 0.01). SVR rate of PEG-IFNalpha-2a was also markedly higher than that of CIFNalpha-2a (45.71% and 20.00% respectively, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the high and low viral load groups. Among the patients with genotype 1, ETVR and SVR rates of PEG-IFNalpha-2a (75.00%, 45.83%) were significantly higher than those of CIFNalpha-2a (22.22%, 11.11%), (P < 0.01, P < 0.05 respectively), but in patients with genotype non-1, there were no such differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSome relapsed patients were not responsive to the IFN retreatment. The efficacy of PEG-IFNalpha-2a was superior to CIFNalpha-2a. The conventional IFN was not suggested to be used in the relapsed cases with genotype 1. The viral load was not associated with the efficacy of IFN retreatment.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Interferon-beta ; Interferons ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies