ABSTRACT
Objective To compare the effectiveness of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay and microscopic examinations for detection of Schistosoma japonicum infections in Oncomelania hupensis in transmission-interrupted regions, so as to provide insights into the optimization of snail surveillance tools in these regions. Methods Four hilly schistosomiasis-endemic villages where transmission interruption was achieved were selected in Heqing County of Yunnan Province as the study villages, including Xinzhuang and Gule villages in hilly regions and Lianyi and Yitou villages in dam regions. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling combined with environmental sampling in July 2018. All captured snails were identified for S. japonicum infections using microscopy. In addition, 10 to 20 snails were randomly sampled from each snail habitat following microscopy, numbered according to environments and subjected to LAMP assay. The positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was compared among villages. Results A total of 7 949 living snails were captured from 83 snail habitats in 4 villages, and no S. japonicum infection was detected in snails. There were 226 mixed samples containing 1 786 snails subjected to LAMP assay, and positive LAMP assay was found in 3 mixed samples from 3 snail habitats in 2 dam villages. The positive rates of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails were comparable between Lianyi Village (one setting) and Yitou Village (2 set tings) (5.89% vs. 14.29%, P = 0.344). However, the overall positive rate of settings with S. japonicum-infected snails was significantly higher in dam villages (9.67%, 3/31) than in hilly villages (0) (P = 0.048). Conclusions LAMP assay is more sensitive to detect S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis than conventional microcopy method, which may serve as a supplementary method for detection of S. japonicum infections in O. hupensis in high-risk snail habitats in hilly transmission-interrupted regions.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the changes of serum progranulin in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the relevant clinical significance. Methods The clinical data were subjected to cross-sectional analysis. Totally 116 T2DM patients were randomly selected and assigned to the NAFLD group (n=68) and non-NAFLD group (n=48). The levels of serum progranulin, glycosylated hemoglobin Alc (Hb Ale), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, AKP), uric acid (UA), lipids (TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C), fasting blood-glucose (FBG), and fasting insulin (FINS) were assessed. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. The height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. The multiple stepwise regression analysis was used to detect the association of progranulin with the above metabolic parameters. The logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing NAFLD in patients with T2DM. Results (1) Compared with non-NAFLD group, the levels of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR and serum FINS, HOMA-IR, TG, ALT, and AST were significantly higher in the NAFLD group (P<0. 05), While the level of HDL-C was significantly lower (P<0. 05) in NAFLD group. (2) Serum levels of progranulin were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than in those with non-NAFLD (P<0. 01). (3) Multiple stepwise regression analysis suggested that BMI, HOMA-IR and TG were the independent factors influencing serum progranulin level. (4) Logistic regression analysis showed that progranulin, BMI and ALT were the independent risk factors influencing NAFLD in T2DM patients. Conclusion Serum progranulin level is increased in T2DM patients combined with NAFLD. High level of progranulin is an independent risk factor for the presence of NAFLD in T2DM patients. Progranulin might be an important serological marker of NAFLD in T2DM patients.
ABSTRACT
In this paper, miRNAs features were briefly introduced and agreeable points were discussed from 4 aspects: organs relationship, syndrome research, Chinese medical pathogeneses, and actions of Chinese herbs. miRNAs, as information media for organs interrelation, was believed to explain Chinese medical pathogeneses and reveal partial molecular mechanisms of Chinese medicine. miRNAs in the body fluid could be taken as one of biological bases of syndromes.