Surveillance results of the plague in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the results of plague surveillance in Qinghai Province from 2011 to 2020, master the epidemic situation in recent years, and provide scientific basis for prevention and control of the plague in the future.Methods:The human plague epidemic data (from the human case database of Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control) and animal plague epidemic data (from plague monitoring data and plague focus survey data of Qinghai Province) from 2011 to 2020 were collected and analyzed with descriptive epidemiological methods, including human plague epidemic, animal plague epidemic regional distribution, host animal monitoring results, pathogenic monitoring results and serological monitoring results.Results:From 2011 to 2020, there was a human plague epidemic in Qinghai Province, which was infected due to the infection of a middle finger of the right hand that was accidentally scratched when peeling marmots, and Yersinia pestis was isolated from heart, liver, lung, lymph node puncture fluid, tracheal secretion and throat swab samples of the deceased. There were 16 animal plague epidemics and endemic areas were distributed in Haixi Prefecture, Yushu Prefecture and Haibei Prefecture, among which the animal plague epidemic was the most prevalent in Haixi Prefecture, with 13 outbreaks in recent 10 years. According to the monitoring of host animals, the main host animal was the Himalayan marmot, with an average density of 0.07/hm 2. Pathgenic monitoring showed that 31 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated, of which 27 strains were isolated from Haixi Prefecture. The host animals of Yersinia pestis were mainly Himalayan marmot, accounting for 77.42% (24/31) of the total. Serological monitoring showed that 66 plague F1 antibody positive sera were detected, of which 43 were dog positive sera; the Himalayan marmot took the second place, 20. Conclusion:From 2011 to 2020, the animal plague in Qinghai Province has continued for many years, with some areas showing an active trend, and the overall situation of plague prevention and control is severe.

The value of right-hand rule in determining left-right axis in fetal MRI / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of right-hand rule in determining left-right axis and fetal situs in prenatal MRI.Methods:The prenatal MRI data of 254 fetuses were included retrospectively in West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University from December 2017 to February 2021, which were followed by clear postpartum diagnosis. Fetal left-right axis and situs (orientation of gastric vacuole, liver and heart) were determined by the same radiologist blindly using general experience and right-hand rule respectively, meanwhile, results and time of each case were recorded. The right-hand rule was described in detail below: use your right hand to make a fist, and with thumb outstretched; the fetal head was represented by your right fist, the forearm represented the fetal body, the dorsal side of your fist represented the fetal occiput and spine column, the palm side represented the fetal belly, and your four fingers represented the fetal face, then the left side of fetus was exactly the direction your thumb pointing to. The postpartum imaging was used as the gold standard for situs anomalies. The time to determine the fetal left-right axis was compared using paired t test for statistical analysis. Results:Four fetuses were found situs anomalies in postpartum imaging. There were 1 missed case and 1 misdiagnosed case when using general experience to determine fetal situs, neither missed case nor misdiagnosis were present when using right-hand rule. The average time of using general experience or right-hand rule to determine the fetal left-right axis and situs were (35±6)s and (24±9)s respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=20.65, P<0.001). Conclusions:The right-hand rule is an accurate and efficient method for determining left-right axis and situs in prenatal MRI, which can effectively reduce missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of situs anomalies, especially in situs inversus totalis.

Research Progress on Automatic Assessment of Bone Age / 法医学杂志

Bone age is an important indicator of human growth and development, which can objectively reflect the growth level and maturity of individuals. Traditional manual bone age assessment usually compares the X-ray of the left wrist with the reference standard to obtain the corresponding bone age. This method is time-consuming and its results vary with different observers. In recent years, with the continuous development of computer science, bone age assessment has began to change from traditional manual assessment to automatic assessment. Although there has already been numerous researches on automatic bone age assessment, most of them are still in the experimental stage. This paper reviews related research and progress on automatic bone age assessment at home and abroad in recent years, in order to provide reference and research ideas for relevant researchers.

Effects of direct-acting antiviral agents on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C / 中华传染病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) therapy on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and their subset of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.@*Methods@#A total of 32 treatment-naive CHC patients and 16 healthy controls were recruited at Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from June 2016 to June 2017. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were separated from the peripheral blood of patients with CHC before DAA therapy, at four weeks after DAA therapy, at 12 weeks after DAA therapy and 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy. The frequencies of MDSC and M-MDSC were detected by the flow cytometer. The t test, U test and chi-square test was employed to analyze the data.@*Results@#All the 32 treatment-naive patients achieved the rapid virological response and no virological breakthrough was observed. Before DAA therapy, the frequency of MDSC in CHC patients was 2.18%, which was higher than healthy individuals (0.60%; Z=-4.593, P<0.01), and positively correlated with the plasma levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA (r=0.688, P<0.01) and aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.735, P<0.01). After four weeks of DAA therapy, the frequency of MDSC decreased significantly to 1.07%, with no statistical significance compared to the controls (Z=-1.221, P>0.05). However, at 12 weeks after DAA therapy, the MDSC frequency increased, with statically significance compared to the controls (1.64% vs 0.60%, Z=-3.117, P=0.002). At 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy, the MDSC frequency had decreased to 1.29% again, with no statistical significance compared to the controls (Z=-1.387, P=0.664). The changes of M-MDSC frequency were slightly different. Before DAA therapy, the frequency of M-MDSC in CHC patients was higher compared to healthy controls (1.66% vs 0.81%, Z=-2.745, P<0.01). The frequencies of M-MDSC were 0.91%, 1.09% and 1.10% at four, 12 weeks after DAA and 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant compared to the controls (Z=-0.589, -1.028 and -0.486, respectively, all P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Immune status of the peripheral MDSC and M-MDSC can return to normal after DAA therapy in CHC patients.

Effects of direct-acting antiviral agents on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in patients with chronic hepatitis C / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAA) therapy on the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and their subset of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (M-MDSC) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.Methods A total of 32 treatment-naive CHC patients and 16 healthy controls were recruited at Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from June 2016 to June 2017.The peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) were separated from the peripheral blood of patients with CHC before DAA therapy , at four weeks after DAA therapy , at 12 weeks after DAA therapy and 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy.The frequencies of MDSC and M-MDSC were detected by the flow cytometer.The t test, U test and chi-square test was employed to analyze the data.Results All the 32 treatment-naive patients achieved the rapid virological response and no virological breakthrough was observed . Before DAA therapy, the frequency of MDSC in CHC patients was 2.18%, which was higher than healthy individuals (0.60%; Z＝-4.593, P＜0.01), and positively correlated with the plasma levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA (r＝0.688, P＜0.01) and aspartate aminotransferase (r＝0.735, P＜0.01).After four weeks of DAA therapy, the frequency of MDSC decreased significantly to 1.07%, with no statistical significance compared to the controls ( Z＝-1.221, P＞0.05).However, at 12 weeks after DAA therapy , the MDSC frequency increased , with statically significance compared to the controls (1.64%vs 0.60%, Z＝-3.117, P＝0.002).At 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy , the MDSC frequency had decreased to 1.29%again, with no statistical significance compared to the controls ( Z ＝-1.387, P ＝0.664).The changes of M-MDSC frequency were slightly different.Before DAA therapy, the frequency of M-MDSC in CHC patients was higher compared to healthy controls (1.66%vs 0.81%, Z＝-2.745, P＜0.01).The frequencies of M-MDSC were 0.91%, 1.09% and 1.10% at four, 12 weeks after DAA and 12 weeks after the end of DAA therapy , respectively.The differences were not statistically significant compared to the controls (Z＝-0.589,-1.028 and -0.486, respectively, all P＞0.05).Conclusion Immune status of the peripheral MDSC and M-MDSC can return to normal after DAA therapy in CHC patients.

Advances in treatment of myocardial infarction by mesenchymal stem cell transplantation / 生物医学工程学杂志

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)is a kind of non hematopoietic stem cell from the mesoderm, which can self renew, proliferate and perform multilineage differentiation. Due to the characteristics of acquiring easily and low immunogenicity, it has become the main cell for myocardial infarction. In this article, the biology and the immunology of the MSCs is reviewed, the safety and the validity of the therapy on myocardial infarction with MSCs and the HGF/MSCs is introduced. And furthermore, it also explains the possible mechanism and the problems of how to improve the cardial function.

Comparison among different concentrations of nonionic iodinated contrast media in hysterosalpingography / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To compare the image quality and adverse effects among different concentrations of nonionic iodinated con-trast media in hysterosalpingography (HSG).Methods 99 female infertile patients were recruited in this study for HSG and were averagely divided into Group A,B and C.The application of contrast media were as follows:iomeprol injection(400 mg I/mL)for Group A,iopamidol injection (370mg I/mL)for Group B,iohexol injection(300 mg I/mL)for Group C.The image quality was in-dependently evaluated by two doctors using a 3-point scale (1 -3 score)and adverse effects were recorded.Results (1 )Scores of image quality:all images met diagnostic desire with (2.55±0.5 1)score in Group A,(2.42±0.50)score in Group B,(2.21±0.42) score in Group C.There were statistically significant differences among goups(H =7.790,P =0.022).Kappa values were 0.693 in Group A,0.687 in Group B,0.672 in Group C.(2)Adverse effects:4 cases in Group A(12.12%),3 cases in Group B(9.09%), 2 cases in Group C(6.06%),which showed no statistically significant differences(χ2 = 0.733,P =0.693).Conclusion The three kinds of concentrations of nonionic iodinated contrast media can all be applied in HSG.The higher of iodinated concentration,the better of image contrast.

Study on severity and prognosis of acute subdural hematoma in patients by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and S-100B pro-tein / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the evaluation value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) combined with S-100B protein in the severity and prognosis in patients with acute subdural hematoma ( ASDH).Methods Eighty cases of ASDH patients and 20 cases of healthy check-up were selected.MRS was used to test NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Glx /Cr in thalamus and corpus callosum.The blood S-100B protein was detected in 72 h after injury.The relationships of those MRS detection indices with glasgow coma scale ( GCS) and glasgow prognostic score ( GOS) for 2 months after injury were analyzed .Results MRS detection in-dex and the S100B protein in ASDH were compared between each group relative to normal control group , all difference had statistical significance ( P <0.05).As aggravating the severity of traumatic brain injury , Cho/Cr, Glx/Cr ratio, and S-100B protein concentra-tion were elevated , and NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr were reduced .All differences were statistically significant among poor recovery , good recovery, and normal control groups ( P <0.05).For patients with traumatic brain injury, there were worse prognosis, the higher ra-tios of Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr, higher concentration of S-100B protein, and lower ratios of NAA/Cho and of NAA/Cr.GCS score and GOS scores were negatively correlated with Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr ratios of corpus callosum , and were positively correlated with NAA/Cho, NAA/Cr ratios of corpus callosum .S-100B protein was positively correlated with Cho/Cr and Glx/Cr, and was negatively correlated with NAA/Cho and NAA/Cr.MRS combined S-100B can improve the prognosis of patients with up to the accuracy of 81%.Conclu-sions MRS detection in the early stage after injury of ASDH patients has important value in assessment of the severity of the injury and its prognosis , the accuracy of assessment of prognosis is improved with a combination of MRS detection and blood S -100 B protein meas-urement.

Study on correlations between CT perfusion parameters and tumor angiogenesis of cervical cancer / 生物医学工程学杂志

This study was aimed to analyze the correlation between CT perfusion parameters, e. g. perfusion (PF), blood volume (BV), peak enhancement image (PEI), time to peak (TTP), and the microvessel density (MVD) of cervical cancer. CT perfusion scans were carried out in 31 patients with cervical cancer. After their surgical resections, we obtained 31 cases of cervical cancer specimens, and 15 cases of adjacent normal cervical specimens as control group, then these 46 specimens were used in MVD detection through immunohistochemical CD34 staining. The MVDs of the tumor group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the former seems to increase with the clinical stages with a positive correlation. The PF and PEI values have positive correlations with corresponding MVD values. The PF value of squamous carcinoma group has correlation with corresponding MVD value. The PF and PEI values of poorly differentiated group have correlations with corresponding MVD values. The PF, PEI and BV values of II-III stage group are positively correlated with corresponding MVD values. The PF value of lymph metastasis or non-lymph metastasis group both have correlations with corresponding MVD values. We found that CT perfusion parameters were positively correlated with corresponding MVD values in cervical cancer. Our results suggest that CT perfusion is a new method which could reflect tumor angiogenesis, histological malignant grade, invasion, and clinical stage. It will help us determine the tumor staging and prognosis.

Repair of circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn using combined abdominal axial pattern flaps / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the method for repairing circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Six patients with circumferential wound in the wrist region after high-voltage electrical burn were admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to December 2011. After debridement, wounds in the wrist were repaired with combined abdominal axial pattern flaps. The wound of wrist on the flexor aspect was repaired with paraumbilical flap carrying a portion of rectus abdominis that filled the wound cavity of the wrist on the flexor aspect. The wound of wrist on the dorsal aspect was repaired with lower abdominal flap. Pedicle division was performed 4 - 5 weeks post surgery. Some donor sites were sutured directly, and the others were closed by skin grafting after the suture of anterior sheath.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three flaps survived. Liquefaction necrosis of tissue was observed under two flaps, and they were healed after debridement. Radial artery embolism of wrist occurred in one flap when pedicle division was performed 5 weeks post surgery, and it was healed by a transplantation of a segment of the great saphenous vein to reconstruct radial artery right after debridement. Patients were followed up for 6 - 12 months, and satisfactory appearance and function of the flaps were observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is a feasible option to repair circumferential wound in the wrist region due to high-voltage electrical burn by using paraumbilical flap carrying a portion of rectus abdominis muscle combined with lower abdominal flap.</p>

Large-area burns with pandrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and respiratory failure / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Infection due to pandrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PDRPA) has become a challenge in clinical practice. The aim of this research was to summarize the treatment of large-area burns (60% - 80%) with PDRPA infection and respiratory failure in our hospital over the last two years, and to explore a feasible treatment protocol for such patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the treatment of five patients with large-area burns accompanied by PDRPA infection and respiratory failure transferred to our hospital from burn units in hospitals in other Chinese cities from January 2008 to February 2010. Before PDRPA infection occurred, all five patients had open wounds with large areas of granulation because of the failure of surgery and dissolving of scar tissue; they had also undergone long-term administration of carbapenems. This therapy included ventilatory support, rigorous repair of wounds, and combined antibiotic therapy targeted at drug-resistance mechanisms, including carbapenems, ciprofloxacin, macrolide antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four patients recovered from burns and one died after therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>First, compromised immunity caused by delayed healing of burn wounds in patients with large-area burns and long-term administration of carbapenems may be the important factors in the initiation and progression of PDRPA infection. Second, if targeted at drug-resistance mechanisms, combined antibiotic therapy using carbapenems, ciprofloxacin, macrolide antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors could effectively control PDRPA infection. Third, although patients with large-area burns suffered respiratory failure and had high risks from anesthesia and surgery, only aggressive skin grafting with ventilatory support could control the infection and save lives. Patients may not be able to tolerate a long surgical procedure, so the duration of surgery should be minimized, and the frequency of surgery increased.</p>

Application of collagen hydrogel in cartilage tissue engineering / 中国骨伤

Articular osteocartilage injury caused by trauma or bone disease is very common in clinical practices,the proportion of cartilage defects reached 40.31%. As the low self healing abilities of articular cartilage, the technology of tissue engineering becomes a new method to treat articular cartilage injuries with regenerative medicine. Scaffolds can be divided into preformed and hydrogel scaffolds according to properties. The traditional graft of pre-formed scaffold will bring the secondary injury to the cartilage around the defect, and the loose graft intergration with the defect surface is still a problem. Repairing irregular articular cartilage defects with ideal biomimic materials on the basis of avoiding secondary damage will become a main issue. The method of minimally invasive injecting, biomimics, and in situ remodeling brings hope to articular cartilage repairing. Below is a summary of the international and domestics reference data of recent years on collagen hydrogel in cartilage tissue engineering.

The application of multi-slice CT angiography in the diagnosis and treatment of intracranial aneurysm / 国际脑血管病杂志

The development of the imaging technology enables diagnostic methods of detect intracranial aneurysms diversified. In recent years, the diagnosis of aneurysms was confirmed by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) which was regarded as the "gold standards". However, CT angiography (CTA), which appears as a fast, non-invasive, and easily achievable examination, is becoming as a new option in clinic. With the development of the CT facility and upgrade of the workstation software, CTA is more widely used in both diagnosing and treating intracranial aneurysm. This article reviews the sensitivity and specificity of CTA in the detection of intracranial aneurysms, and systematically analyzes its advantages and disadvantages as well as its development, imaging methods.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of cell free dermal substitutes using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide method / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The cytotoxicity of dermal substitutes may be increased by the very processes used to deplete the cells. The present research aimed to investigate the method for monitoring the cytotoxicity of cell-free dermal substitutes using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cytotoxicity of four dermal substitutes was evaluated using the MTT method according to the standards set by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA). Swine acellular dermal matrix (SADM) and goat acellular dermal matrix (GADM) were produced using a repeated freeze-thaw method. Human dermal matrix glutaraldehyde composite (HADM-G) and SADM cross-linked with glutaraldehyde (SADM-G) were produced using conventional methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cytotoxicity of all dermal substitutes ranged from Grade 0 to Grade 1, meeting the standards of the Chinese FDA. The OD(490) of both SADM and GADM was higher than that of either HADM-G or SADM-G (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Dermal substitutes produced by the freeze-thaw method are less cytotoxic than those produced using conventional methods.</p>

Comparison among three standards of TW2 to skeletal age determination in children with central precocious puberty / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To discuss the diagnostic value of English, Chinese and Japanese standards of TW2 to skeletal age assessment of children with central precocious puberty (CPP), then to confirm the normal thresholds.@*METHODS@#Sixty one children as patient group were definitely assured CPP. The control group had 67 children. Among them, 61 were normal children, another 6 children as a special control group. Left hand-wrist X-ray radiographs were retrospectively analyzed by two doctors separately and their skeletal ages were assessed with the three standards of TW2 method. The differences between skeletal age and chronological age were analyzed with ROC in SPSS 13.0.@*RESULTS@#(1) The skeletal age results showed kappa value is 0.776 deduced by two clinical doctors(u = 16.128, P < 0.05). (2) There were no statistic differences for the areas under ROC curves among three methods. (3) d > or = 1.15 years in TW2, d > or = 1.25 years in TW2-CHN and d > or = 0.65 years in TW2-JP were more susceptive and specific points.@*CONCLUSION@#TW2, TW2-CHN and TW2-JP provided a higher value for the diagnosis of skeletal age in unhealthy children, and TW2-CHN is highest value for Chinese children.

Analysis on the imaging features of AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Pulmonary fungal infection is one type of the common opportunistic infections in AIDS patients. The disease is hard to diagnose because of its complicated imaging features. The objective of this study was to investigate the imaging performance characteristics of pulmonary fungal infection in AIDS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-one patients with AIDS complicated with pulmonary fungal infection and 56 patients of non-AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection were examined by CT scans and high-resolution CT scans. The contrast enhanced scans were performed in patients with the mass or suspected enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Results were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The most common fungal infection in the two groups of patients was Candida albicans. The infection rates were 54.8% (28 cases) in the group (AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection) and 58.3% (32 cases) in another group (non-AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection). In the two groups, the difference in diffuse distribution and the difference in incidence of affected upper and lower lobes in the bilateral lung fields were statistically significant. The differences in patchy or large consolidation shadow, cavitas, enlarged lymph nodes in mediastinum and pleural effusion were also significant when comparing the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The lesion in most of AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection tends to exhibit diffuse distribution, patchy or large consolidation shadow covering a more extensive region. The differences between AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection and non-AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection are statistically significant in lesion location and complicated imaging features. The most common fungal infection in AIDS patients is Candida albicans.</p>

Quantification of type I and III collagen content in normal human skin in different age groups / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To quantify the content of type I, III collagen and their ratio in normal human skin of different age, and to explore the regulation of changes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The normal human skin specimens were obtained from 6 spontaneously aborted fetus and 56 burn patients of different ages, including infants (newborn -3 years), pre-school group ( > 3, < or =7 years), adolescent group ( >7, < or = 18 years), youth and middle age group ( > 18, < or = 50 years), and elderly group ( > 50 years), were studied. The total collagen content were determined by hydroxyproline method. The contents of type I, Ill collagen and their ratio were examined by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total collagen content decreased along with increase in age, and it was highest in fetus [(543 +/- 13) microg/g]. The ratio between type I and Ill collagen increased along with increase in age. The content of type III collagen was highest in fetus [(278 +/- 7) microg/g], and it decreased along with increase in age. The content of type I collagen content was [(265 +/- 7) microg/g] in fetus, and it was increased slightly in infant and pre-school groups, then decreased along with advance in age.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decomposition of type III collagen in normal human skin may exceed its synthesis after birth immediately, leading to its reduction. Synthesis of type I collagen in normal human skin is dominant before 8 years old, and it shows an opposite tendency afterwards.</p>

A sero-epidemiologic survey on human plague in source of three rivers area Qinghai from 2005 to 2007 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To explore the characteristics of human plague using a sero-epidemiologic method in the source of the three rivers area in Qinghai for possible plague control strategies. Methods Investigate human plague sero-epidemiologically in the source of 4 counties in the three rivers area in Qinghai. The human serum would be tested to confirm the sew-positive rate for plague F1 antibody using indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA). Results A total of 2508 local participants were tested in 4 counties, the overall plague sero-positive rate was 2.31%(58/2508). This represents a statistically significant difference with 4 counties(X2=19.30,P<0.01). The sew-positive rate for males and females were 2.54% (32/1261) and 2.09% (26/1247), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between males and females(X2= 0.65,P 0.05). The sero-positive rate in herdsman, cadre, Tibetan, Hart nationalities were 3.54% (44/1243), 6.47% (11 / 170), 2.40% (56/2335) and 1.47% (2/136), respectively. The sero- positive rate increased with age. The highest titre for human plague serum antibody was 1 : 640. Conclusion There were occult infections of plague in the population on source of three rivers area in Qinghai. Sero-epidemiologic data revealed that the human plague sero-positive rate was closely correlated with the local animal plague.

TW systems in estimation of carpal bone age and their potential applications in diagnosis of idiopathic precocious puberty in Chinese girls / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare three assessment methods (TW2, TW2CH, and TW3) for carpal bone age and their potential applications in diagnosis of idiopathic precocious puberty (IPP) in Chinese girls.@*METHODS@#Fifty-five (55) girls with IPP and 83 normal girls as control group were selected in this study. The X-ray films of the left hand-wrist taken at their first visit were analyzed retrospectively. Three assessment methods were used to estimate the carpal bone age with single-blinded method and percentiles were set at 5 different decision thresholds (1)>97th percentile, (2)>90 th percentile, (3)>75th percentile, (4)>50 th percentile, and (5)< or =50th percentile.@*RESULTS@#All of the three methods showed similar high sensitivity and specificity at the threshold above 90th percentile.@*CONCLUSION@#Our data indicate that all of the three methods for estimation of the carpal bone age are useful in diagnosis of IPP. TW2CH and TW3 methods appear to be superior to TW2 method.

Identification of a Pair of Toxin-antitoxin (TA) Gene in the Chromosome of Cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 / 微生物学通报

Chromosomally encoded toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems are thought to result in growth arrest and eventual cell death upon exposure to environmental stress in E. coli. In the chromosome of cyanobacteria Synechocystis sp. PCC6803, the genetic organization of a 360 bp open reading frame (ORF), slr0664, and another small ORF of 256 bp, ssr1114, is similar to that of TA system. The predicted protein encoded by slr0664 is homologous to RelE, but neither homologue of ssr1114 nor ssr1114-encoding protein was found in TA system. To see whether slr0664 encodes a toxin protein, ssr1114 encodes an antitoxin, an expressing plasmid containing promoter Plac and PBAD, was constructed. In this construct, Both slr0664 and ssr1114 were controlled by Plac and PBAD, respectively. Expression of slr0664 in Escherichia coli results in the inhi-bition of bacterial growth, the expression of ssr1114 neutralize the toxicity of slr0664 expression. These re-sults show that slr0664 is toxin gene and ssr1114 is antitoxin gene, both ssr1114 and slr0664 constitute achromosomal TA system in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803.