Investigations of clinical characteristics and inflammatory markers of febrile seizures induced by coronavirus infection

@#The study of children who experienced with febrile seizures(FS) as a result of COVID-19 infection to gain insight into the clinical characteristics and prognosis of neurological damage, with the aim of improving prevention, diagnosis, and the treatment of neurological complications. This study investigated the clinical features of 53 children with FS who were admitted to Sanya Women and Children’s Hospital from December 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023. The results indicated that the duration of convulsion in the case and control group was 7.90±8.91 and 2.67±1.23 (minutes) respectively. The analysis reveals that convulsions occurred within 24 hours in 39 cases (95.12%) of the case group, and in 8 cases (66.7%) of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Additionally, the case group presented lower counts of WBC and NEU compared to the control group (p<0.05). The findings indicate that convulsions manifest at earlier stages of COVID-19 in children and the last longer than in the control group. It is therefore crucial for healthcare workers to remain attentive to patients with COVID-19 who report fever within 24 hours, and act promptly to implement preventive measures, particularly in cases of prolonged fever. It is essential to integrate the clinical manifestation, particularly convulsions, and the continuous numerical changes of inflammatory factors to assess COVID-19 linked with febrile seizures. In addition, larger-scale multi-center and systematic research are necessary to aid clinicians in monitoring neuropathological signals and biological targets, enabling more equitable diagnosis and treatment plans.

Primary uterine angiosarcoma: A case report in China with the literature review

Primary uterine angiosarcoma is a very rare malignant tumor in the female genital tract and only 23 cases have been previously reported in the literature. It is often clinically misrecognized as another disease due to its low incidence. In this report, we present a new case of a 78-year-old woman diagnosed on histopathologic observation and immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, available studies are collected and reviewed to summarize the clinical and pathological characteristics of primary uterine angiosarcoma to remind gynecologists and pathologists of this rare disease when they encounter such cases.

Induced maturation of hepatic progenitor cells in vitro

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a potential cell source for liver cell transplantation but do not function like mature liver cells. We sought an effective and reliable method to induce HPC maturation. An immortalized HP14.5 albumin promoter-driven Gaussian luciferase (ALB-GLuc) cell line was established from HPCs isolated from fetal mouse liver of post coitus day 14.5 mice to investigate the effect of induction factors on ALB promoter. HP14.5 parental cells were cultured in DMEM with different combinations of 2% horse serum (HS), 0.1 µM dexamethasone (DEX), 10 ng/mL hepatic growth factor (HGF), and/or 20 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). Trypan blue and crystal violet staining were used to assess cell proliferation with different induction conditions. Expression of hepatic markers was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Glycogen storage and metabolism were detected by periodic acid-Schiff and indocyanine green (ICG) staining. GLuc activity indicated ALB expression. The combination of 2% HS+0.1 µM Dex+10 ng/mL HGF+20 ng/mL FGF4 induced the highest ALB-GLuc activity. Cell proliferation decreased in 2% HS but increased by adding FGF4. Upon induction, and consistent with hepatocyte development, DLK, AFP, and CK19 expression decreased, while ALB, CK18, and UGT1A expression increased. The maturity markers tyrosine aminotransferase and apolipoprotein B were detected at days 3 and 6 post-induction, respectively. ICG uptake and glycogen synthesis were detectable at day 6 and increased over time. Therefore, we demonstrated that HPCs were induced to differentiate into functional mature hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting that factor-treated HPCs may be further explored as a means of liver cell transplantation.

A School Outbreak of Shigella sonnei Infection in China: Clinical Features, Antibiotic Susceptibility and Molecular Epidemiology.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of infection, and the antibiotic susceptibility of epidemic strains, and investigate plasmid maps and integrons of the isolates from an outbreak of Shigella sonnei infection at an elementary school in southwest China. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: An elementary school and five hospitals in Chengdu in southwest China. Results: There were 1,134 students in the school. 937 (82.6%) students had signs and symptoms. Of the 568 (60.6%, 568/937) hospitalized students, 93.3% 86.8%, 72.4%, and 28.9% of the hospitalized patients had diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain, and vomiting, respectively. S. sonnei strains were isolated from the stool samples of 36.0% (337/937) students. All of the outbreak isolates had the same high-level antimicrobial resistance and plasmid profiles, which were different from that of sporadic strains. All the outbreak S. sonnei isolates were positive for the integrin gene and contained class 2 integron; however, two outbreak isolates contained class 1 and class 2 integrons. Conclusions: Diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain were the three most common clinical manifestations observed in patients infected with S. sonnei. High-level antibiotic resistance was observed among Shigella species.

Effect of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells

This study was designed to investigate the effect of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSC). The cell line HSC-T6 (1.25 x 10(5) cells/mL) was incubated with curcumin and HSC proliferation was detected by a methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric assay. HSC apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope and agarose gel electrophoresis. HSC proliferation was significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner (10.6 to 63.5 percent) after incubation with 20-100 ìM curcumin, compared with a control group. At 20, 40, and 60 ìM, after 24 h of incubation, curcumin was associated with a significant increase in the number of HSC in the G2/M phase, and a significant decrease in cell numbers in the S phase (P < 0.05). At these concentrations, curcumin was also associated with an increase in the apoptosis index of 15.3 ± 1.9, 26.7 ± 2.8, and 37.6 ± 4.4 percent, respectively, compared to control (1.9 ± 0.6 percent, P < 0.01). At 40 ìM, the curcumin-induced apoptosis index at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h of incubation was 12.0 ± 2.4, 26.7 ± 3.5, 33.8 ± 1.8, and 49.3 ± 1.6 percent, respectively (P < 0.01). In conclusion, curcumin inhibits the in vitro proliferation of HSCs in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and also induces apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The in vivo effect of curcumin on HSCs requires further investigation.

Field assessment of recombinant Schistosoma japonicum 26 kDa glutathione S-transferase in Chinese water buffaloes.

We have shown previously that anti-fecundity immunity can be induced experimentally against recombinant 26 kDa glutathione S-transferase (reSjc26GST) in Chinese water buffaloes (Bos buffelus), important reservoir hosts for Schistosoma japonicum in China. In the field study described here, we immunized buffaloes with reSjc26GST to induce protective immunity against S. japonicum and to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling schistosomiasis japonica. We selected two villages as test and control groups in inside-embankment areas endemic for schistosomiasis japonica. The buffaloes in the test village were vaccinated with reSjc26GST, whereas those in the control village were not. The indicators of the effect of the vaccine included the generation of specific IgG antibodies in the vaccinated buffaloes, changes in the prevalence and infection intensity in buffaloes and village children, changes in the density of infected snails, and changes in the infectivity of water bodies (assessed by sentinel mice) in transmission areas adjacent to both villages. Twenty months after vaccination, the infection rate of buffaloes in the test village was decreased by 60.4% (from an initial prevalence of 13.5% to 5.4%), and 67.9% when compared with that in the control village (initial prevalence of 16.7%). However, the infection rate in village children remained unchanged. The density of infected snails decreased by 71.4%, from 0.0049/0.11 m2 to 0.0014/0.11m2 in the high transmission area outside the embankment in the test village. There was no change in the infectivity of the water body transmission areas between the test and control villages. The levels of specific antibodies to reSjc26GST showed a continuous increase after vaccination. These results indicate that protective immunity was induced and maintained in buffaloes after vaccination with reSjc26GST. The vaccine could thus play a significant role in reducing S. japonicum transmission caused by water buffaloes in the Lake region of China.

Ultrastructural observations on cercaria of Schistosoma japonicum.

The present paper describes the ultrastructure of the surface topography, head organ, tegument, musculature, glandular system, primary alimentary tract and flame cells of the Chinese mainland strain of Schistosoma japonicum cercaria, as visualized with both scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The results not only illustrate the morphological features of the cercarial surface and its internal structure reflecting an adaptation to the aqueous habitat but also reveal the correlation between the morphological structure and physiological function.

Strain complex of Schistosoma japonicum in the mainland of China.

The present paper deals with studies on the characteristics of Schistosoma japonicum isolated from five localities in the mainland of China. The following items were observed and compared including morphometric data, susceptibility of six mammalian hosts, prepatent period, compatibility between larvae and snail hosts, size of hepatic granuloma produced by eggs, immunoreactions in experimental animals, sensitivity to praziquantel, SDS-PAGE protein pattern and its antigenicity analysis, DNA hybridization and genetic variation and differentiation by analysis with multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. By means of these multidisciplinary methods, from morphological to molecular level, the following conclusions may be drawn from our results. The evidence indicates firstly that S. japonicum in the mainland of China comprises a strain complex with several components of geographically distributed strains. At least four distinct strains exist, ie Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan and Anhui-Hubei. Characteristics of each strain are distinct and the results of these studies lead to discussion on the problem of the intraspecific and interstrain differentiation of S. japonicum in the mainland of China.

The Hoeppli phenomenon in schistosomiasis japonica: historical findings and additional investigation in bovines.

The present paper deals with a buried knowledge of the early findings of the Hoeppli phenomenon in cattle infected with Schistosoma japonicum together with a revised list of bovines and other mammalian species in which this phenomenon has been found. It was noted that the percentage of the mature-egg granulomas with positive Hoeppli phenomena varied with the species of bovines, ie, higher positive percentage in the more susceptible cattle than in the less susceptible buffalos. The radiating filaments in fringes of the phenomenon were also stronger in cattle than in buffalos.

Sensitivity of different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum from China to praziquantel.

Groups of C57BL inbred mice infected with each of the 4 different isolates, (Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan) of Schistosoma japonicum from the mainland of China were treated with praziquantel (PZQ) and the parasiticidal effects were compared. Worm reduction rate was recorded to assess systematically the sensitivity of 4 different isolates to PZQ in the mouse. Three dosage-levels of PZQ, ie 150, 230 and 310 mg/kg body weight in single doses were used. The worm development rates of control groups infected with schistosomes from Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan were 75.5, 81.8, 81.5, and 83.0%, respectively. At the dosage-level of 150 mg/kg, the worm reduction rates for the 4 different isolates were 36.0, 33.9, 25.5 and 35.6%, respectively. At the dosage-level of 230 mg/kg, the rates were 47.1, 46.0, 38.1 and 47.7%, while at the dosage-level of 310 mg/kg, they were 59.3, 58.6, 50.8 and 61.7%, respectively. The results indicated that the worm reduction rate of the Sichuan isolate was lower than that of the other three isolates, however, the differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that schistosomes of Anhui, Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan isolates bear resemblance in drug response.

Parasitological and histopathological studies on rhesus monkeys infected with Chinese mainland strain of Schistosoma japonicum.

Fifteen rhesus monkeys were infected by cutaneous exposure each with 200 or 300 cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum. The dynamic distribution of schistosomula in the skin showed that 77-90% of them were found in the connective tissue, while 10-23% migrated in the hair follicles and sebaceous glands at different time intervals after cercarial penetration. Dead schistosomula recovered from the skin varied from 8.7% to 28.7%. The average rate of adult worm recovery was 74.4% and 61.3% in the 6th and 15th weeks of infection, thereafter the rate decreased to 32.3% and 9.0% in the 19th and 42nd weeks, respectively. The mean length of mature pair-worms was 13.2 +/- 2.3 mm in male and 18.0 +/- 1.9 mm in female 6 weeks of worm age. Afterwards the body length of females and their sexual gland diminished markedly. The mean prepatent period was 35.0 +/- 0.6 days. The average size of mature eggs in the feces was 86.6 +/- 5.4 x 64.3 +/- 3.6 microns, and the peak of eggs passage in the feces occurred between 7th and 15th weeks after infection, later on the number of eggs markedly decreased. Skin reaction to the primary infection was slight. The pathological changes observed in liver were chiefly cellular infiltration of portal spaces and the lesions produced by egg granulomas. The mean volume of single-egg granulomas of the productive stage in liver was 22.7 +/- 10.5 mm3 x 10(-3). The most intensive damages in the gastro-intestinal tract were observed in the large intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Nervous system of Clonorchis sinensis as revealed by acetylcholinesterase activity.

The gross neuroanatomy of Clonorchis sinensis has been revealed by the localization of acetylcholinesterase, well known to be associated with the nervous system. The central nervous system is composed of two cerebral ganglia situated postero-dorsally to the pharynx and connected by a transverse commissure. These ganglia give off four pairs of nerves anteriorly and three pairs posteriorly. The anterior nerves contribute to the pharynx and to the formation of the circum-oral ring located in the oral sucker. The posterior nerves, of which the postero-ventral nerve cords are the most prominent, contribute to the innervation of the acetabulum, the gut, the reproductive organs and the excretory bladder. All the posterior nerve cords are connected by a number of transverse connections throughout their course forming a complicated nerve net. At least two types of nerve cells, bipolar and multipolar ones, were observed.

Compatibility between Oncomelania hupensis and different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in China.

Oncomelania hupensis from six localities were used for infection with different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in the mainland of China, ie Anhui in the east, Hubei in the center, Guangxi in the south, Sichuan in the West, Yunnan in the southwest and Fujian in the southeast. Snails from Anhui and Hubei were readily infected with the local isolate of S. japonicum and cross infection also took place readily between the snails and the schistosomes from these two places. Snails from Sichuan and Yunnan were refractory to infection with schistosome isolates from Hubei and Anhui, but the isolates from Sichuan and Yunnan were able to develop in snails from Hubei and Anhui. Though the Guangxi isolate developed readily in both Anhui and Guangxi snails, the average precercarial period in the former was significantly longer than in the latter. None of the other snails from Sichuan, Yunnan and Fujian became infected. On the other hand, snails from Guangxi infected with Anhui parasites also had a longer precercarial period than that in Anhui snails. Snails from Fujian were readily infected with the isolates from Anhui and Yunnan. The present results suggest that there might be different geographic strains of S. japonicum and their Oncomelania snail hosts in the mainland of China.

Characteristics of different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum from China in the final hosts.

The present paper deals with the susceptibility of common laboratory animals, such as mouse, rat, hamster, jird, rabbit and rhesus monkey, to infection with different isolates of Schistosoma japonicum in the mainland of China under laboratory conditions. With the exception of the rat, all the animals under study were permissive hosts for different isolates though their worm recovery rates varied. The mean body length of pair-worms of the Yunnan isolate was considerably smaller than that of the Anhui, Hubei, Guangxi and Sichuan isolates, and the percentage of male specimens with 7 testes in the Yunnan isolate was also significantly less than that in the other 4 isolates. Judging from the egg index (width/length x 100), the eggs of the Sichuan isolate were broad and short in shape, giving a high index; those of Guangxi and Hubei isolates were oblong, giving the lowest index; the other two isolates from Yunnan and Anhui, lay between these two extremes. The mean prepatent periods were longer in mice, hamsters and rhesus monkeys infected with Yunnan and Guangxi isolates, than those with Sichuan isolate. A dendrogram of the 5 isolates of S. japonicum was constructed on the basis of similarity coefficients by means of fuzzy cluster analysis on the biological characters mentioned above. Our results provide evidence of the existence of different strains of S. japonicum in the mainland of China as shown by comparative studies of their characteristics in the final hosts.