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.

For a long time, macrolides have been the first choice for the antibacterial treatment for pertussis.However, in the past decade, resistance to macrolide antimicrobials has been common in clinically isolated Bordetella pertussis in China, which is in contradiction with the recommended macrolide treatment.Therefore, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is suggested as the first choice for antibacterial treatment for pertussis in China, with a dosage determined according to age and body weight, lasting 14 days.If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, full-dose and full-course β-lactam antimicrobials may be used, of which the effects should be assessed carefully.The impact of other antibacterial drugs, such as quinolones and tetracyclines, on the elimination of Bordetella pertussis should also be evaluated as soon as possible to treat adult pertussis and potential cases caused by drug-resistant bacteria in future.

Objective:To determine the erythromycin resistance of Bordetella pertussis isolates and their ptxP1 and ptxP3 phenotypic composition and compare clinical manifestations of children with pertussis caused by the two types of strains. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study, the pertussis cases diagnosed using bacterial culture from January 2019 to December 2022 in Beijing Children′s Hospital and the First People′s Hospital of Wuhu were collected.Any suspected Bordetella pertussis colonies were identified by the slide agglutination test.The susceptibility of isolates to erythromycin was detected by the E-test and K-B test.The ptxP gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to determine its genotype. t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were use to statistical analysis. Results:A total of 192 strains of Bordetella pertussis were identified, including 188 (97.9%) erythromycin-resistant strains.Among the 188 strains, 30.3%(57/188) belonged to the ptxP1 genotype and 69.7%(131/188) belonged to the ptxP3 genotype.In children aged below 1 year old, the incidence of paroxysmal cough caused by infection with the ptxP3 strain was higher than that with the ptxP1 strain (57.1% vs.29.4%, P<0.05), and children infected with the ptxP3 strain were more likely to develop apnea or asphyxia (23.8% vs.17.6%), post-tussive vomiting (44.4% vs.32.4%), whooping cough (72.0% vs.50.0%) and pneumonia or bronchitis (85.7% vs.73.5%) compared to those infected with the ptxP1 strain, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). In children aged 1 year old and above, the white blood cell count of children infected with the ptxP1 strain was higher than that of infections with the ptxP3 strain [13.5(9.9, 24.5)×10 9/L, 10.3 (7.0, 16.4)×10 9/L, P<0.05], and children infected with the ptxP1 strain were more likely to contract other pathogen infections than those infected with the ptxP3 strain (17.4% vs.4.4%, P>0.05). Conclusions:ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant Bordetella pertussis has become the main pathogen of pertussis.Infants with pertussis caused by the ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant strain show more significant manifestations and a higher possibility of severe symptoms than those infected with the ptxP1 erythromycin-resistant strain.

Pertussis is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection.Although childhood vaccination has been widely practiced, it does not result in lifelong immunity.On December 21, 2022, aiming to meet the challenge of pertussis epidemic in the world, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control published laboratory diagnosis and molecular surveillance of Bordetella pertussis, which describes in detail the protocols for laboratory diagnosis and molecular technology for pertussis, and it is worthwhile to study and learn from healthcare professionals and technicians engaged in the field of diagnosis and treatment of pertussis disease in China.This article introduces and interprets the main contents of the document.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

Objective: To assess the associations of indoor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) from outdoor and indoor sources with heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of Beijing. Methods: A total of 40 male patients in a stable stage of COPD were recruited from a hospital in a panel study in Beijing with 5 consecutive days of measurement for each subject. General information and disease history of the participants from questionnaires were obtained prior to the study. HR and HRV were repeatedly examined using dynamic electrocardiograph. HRV included standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences between adjacent NN intervals (rMSSD), total power (TP) power in the low-frequency band (LF) and the high-frequency band (HF). Iron was used as tracer element to separate indoor-originated PM_2.5 and outdoor-originated PM_2.5. Mixed-effect models were applied to assess the associations of outdoor-originated PM_2.5 or indoor-originated PM_2.5 and health effects. Results: The P₅₀ (P₂₅, P₇₅) values of daily indoor PM_2.5, indoor-originated PM_2.5 and outdoor-originated PM_2.5 were 50.9 (26.8, 122.7), 16.0 (1.9, 43.7) and 27.3 (13.5, 61.8) μg/m³, respectively. The mean±SD of concentrations of real-time indoor PM_2.5, indoor-originated PM_2.5 and outdoor-originated PM₂.5 were (61.5±58.8), (25.3±39.1) and (36.2±42.7) μg/m³, respectively. Compared with outdoor-originated PM_2.5, indoor-originated PM_2.5 had significant associations with HRV and HR. Each 10 μg/m³ increase at 4 h indoor-originated PM_2.5 and outdoor-originated PM_2.5 moving average was associated with 3.4% (95%CI: -4.7%, -2.1%) and 0.6% (95%CI: -2.0%, -0.8%) reduction in TP (P<0.001). Each 10 μg/m³ increase at 12 h indoor-originated PM_2.5 moving average was associated with 7.6% (95%CI: -10.1%, -5.1%), 4.7% (95%CI: -6.7%, -2.7%), 3.3% (95%CI: -4.2%,-2.4%) and 3.0% (95%CI: -4.5%, -1.5%) reduction in HF, LF, SDNN and rMSSD, respectively. Each 10 μg/m³ increase at 12 h outdoor-originated PM_2.5 moving average was associated with 0.7% (95%CI: -2.7%, -1.4%), 0.2% (95%CI: -1.9%, 1.4%), 0.7% (95%CI: -1.4%, -0.1%) and 0.2% (95%CI: -1.3%, 0.9%) reduction in HF, LF, SDNN and rMSSD, respectively (P<0.001). Each 10 μg/m³ increase at 8 h indoor-originated PM_2.5 and outdoor-originated PM_2.5 moving average was associated with 0.7% (95%CI: 0.4%, 1.0%) and 0.4% (95%CI: 0.2%, 0.6%) increase in HR. Conclusion Exposure to indoor-originated PM_2.5 was more strongly associations with HRV indices and HR compared with outdoor-originated PM_2.5 in male COPD patients.

Objective To investigate the correlation of the 1896 and 1899 mutations of hepatitis B virus (HBV)with the conversion of e antigen in serum and the progression of the disease. Methods 238 serum samples from the patients with HBsAg positive for over six months and HBV-DNA copy number > 5.0 × 102 IU/mL were collected,and the sequence analysis was used to analyze the nucleotide sequences of the 1896 and 1899 sites in the pre-C region of HBV. At the same time,the relevant clinical data and the expressions of HBeAg were collected,followed by Spearman correlation analysis and chi square test with SPSS 20.0. Results Both 1896 and 1899 sites in the pre-C region of HBV were mutated,and the base G was A,which was closely related to the expression of e antigen(P<0.05). Both G1896A and G1899A promoted the e antigen serological conversion ,and the e antigen serological conversion of G1899A was higher than that of G1896A. G1899A was associated with HBV related disease progression (correlation coefficient 0.280,P < 0.05),especially with the incurrence of HCC. Conclusions G1896A and G1899A in the pre-C region of HBV can promote the serological conversion of e antigen.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of a healthcare-associated infection(HAI) outbreak due to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) in an intensive care unit(ICU), and provide basis for the prevention and control of HAI.Methods Epidemiological investigation and environmental hygiene monitoring methods were adopted to investigate patients who had pulmonary infection after they were admitted to the ICU of a hospital in April 1-26, 2015, risk factors were analyzed and corresponding preventive control measures were taken.Results A total of 15 cases of extensively drug-resistant AB(XDR-AB) healthcare-associated lower respiratory tract infection occurred.15 strains of AB were isolated from 15 patients.No.1, 3, 4, 5, No.6, 7, 8, 9, and No.10, 11 patients were detected AB with the same antimicrobial susceptibility testing results respectively;occurrence time of infection was relatively centralized.A total of 43 specimens from environmental surface and hands of health care workers(HCWs) were collected, detection rates of AB from bedside cabinet, monitor button, and hands of HCWs were 100.00%(1/1), 75.00%(6/8), and 66.67%(4/6)respectively.AB were not detected from specimens of treatment table, infusion pump button, and doctors' nasal swabs.By late May 2015, there were no new such cases in ICU.Conclusion This AB HAI may be spread through environmental surface and hands of HCWs in ICU, AB isolated from patients is extensively antimicrobial resistant, active treatment of patients and strict disinfection and isolation measures can effectively control further prevalence.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of early intervention of second-line treatment for advanced breast cancer patients who experienced elevated tumor marker without any evidence for progress on imaging after effective first-line treatment. Methods We recruited 42 metastatic breast cancer patients experiencing elevated tumor marker (CEA or CA-153) meanwhile, who had merely increased tumor markers again in regular review after effective first-line treatment. Patients were divided into two groups: 20 patients in treatment group were given second-line treatment (palliative chemotherapy); 22 patients in observation group insisted on regular follow-up without any changing of treatment strategy. We mainly evaluated PFSmarker , which was defined as the time between tumor markers increase and disease progression. Results CEA and CA-153 in patients with advanced breast cancer showed a tendency to decrease after first-line chemotherapy , which can be reduced again by second-line treatment while increased in regular review , and the observation group continued to rise until disease progressed. The PFSmarker in treatment group was 13.65 (6 ~ 24) months while that of the observation group was 8.18 (3 ~ 15) months. The difference of PFS between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05) and the median time to disease progression in treatment group was significantly longer than that in observation group. Conclusions Early intervention of second-line treatment for advanced breast cancer patients who only experienced elevated tumor marker after effective first-line treatment could slow down disease progression and improve the quality of life.

Objective To investigate perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis in thyroid operation at all levels of hospitals in a province.Methods From January 1 ,2011 to December 31 ,2013,all kinds of thyroid operation in a province were conducted targeted monitor,investigated results were analyzed.Results A total of 1 304 cases of thy-roid operation were investigated,1 294 (99.23%)were elective operation;duration of operation of 1 051 cases (80.60%)were ≤2 hours;antimicrobial use rate was 96.70%;196 patients (15.45%)were administered 30 mi-nutes before operation,887 patients (70.34%)used antimicrobial agents for >48 hours;19.53% of patients used the first generation cephalosporins and clindamycin.Conclusion There are some problems in antimicrobial use in thyroid operation in this province,such as inappropriate choice of antimicrobial agents,improper administration time,long time use of antimicrobial agents,and use antimicrobial agents without indications.Management of anti-microbial agents should be strengthened,so as to promote the rational use of antimicrobial agents.