Effect of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on Tim3 expression in spleen natural killer cells of mice / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on Tim3 expression and its co-expression with immune checkpoint molecules 2B4 and LAG3 in spleen natural killer (NK) cells of mice.@*METHODS@#C57BL/6 mice, each weighing (20 ± 2) g, were randomly divided into a high-dose infection group (15 mice), a low-dose infection group (13 mice), and a control group (11 mice). Mice in the high- and low-dose infection groups were inoculated with 2 000 and 50 Echinococcus multilocularis protoscolices via the hepatic portal vein, while animals in the control group was injected with an equivalent amount of physiological saline via the hepatic portal vein. Mouse spleen cells were harvested 12 and 24 weeks post-infection, and Tim3 expression and its co-expression with 2B4 and LAG3 in NK cells were detected using flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#There were significant differences in the proportions of Tim3 expression (F = 13.559, P < 0.001) and Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression (F = 12.465, P < 0.001) in mouse spleen NK cells among groups 12 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis, and the proportion of Tim3 expression was significantly higher in mouse spleen NK cells in the low-dose infection group [(23.84 ± 2.28)%] than in the high-dose infection group [(15.72 ± 3.67)%] and the control group [(16.14 ± 3.83)%] (both P values < 0.01), while the proportion of Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression was significantly higher in mouse spleen NK cells in the low-dose infection group [(22.20 ± 2.13)%] than in the high-dose infection group [(14.17 ± 3.81)%] and the control group [(15.20 ± 3.77)%] (both P values < 0.01). There were significant differences in the proportions of Tim3 expression (F = 5.243, P < 0.05) and Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression (F = 4.659, P < 0.05) in mouse spleen NK cells among groups 24 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis infection, and the proportions of Tim3 expression and Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression were significantly lower in mouse spleen NK cells in the high-dose infection group [(20.55 ± 7.04)% and (20.98 ± 7.12)%] than in the control group [(31.38 ± 3.19)% and (31.25 ± 3.06)%] (both P values < 0.05), and there were no significantly difference between the proportions of Tim3 expression and Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression in splenic NK cells in the low-dose infection group [(26.80 ± 6.47)% and (26.48 ± 6.48)%] and the control group (both P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportions of Tim3 and LAG3 co-expression in mouse spleen NK cells among groups 12 (F = 2.283, P > 0.05) and 24 weeks post-infection (F = 0.375, P > 0.05). In the low-dose infection group, there were no significant differences in the proportions of Tim3 expression or Tim3 and 2B4 co-expression in mouse spleen NK cells 12 (t = -1.137, P > 0.05) or 24 weeks post-infection (t = -1.658, P > 0.05), and the proportion of Tim3 and LAG3 co-expression increased in mouse spleen NK cells 24 weeks post-infection relative to 12 weeks post-infection (t = -5.261, P < 0.01). In the highdose infection group, there was no significant difference in the proportion of Tim3 expression in mouse spleen NK cells 12 and 24 weeks post-infection (t = -1.546, P > 0.05); however, the proportions of Tim3 co-expression with 2B4 and LAG3 increased in mouse splenic NK cells 24 weeks post-infection relative to 12 weeks post-infection (t = -2.425 and -4.745, both P values < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Tim3 expression and Tim3 co-expression with LAG3 and 2B4 on spleen NK cells is affected by doses of E. multilocularis infection and disease stages, and present different phenotypes during the course of alveolar echinococcosis. NK cells tend to form an immunosuppressive phenotype with the progression of E. multilocularis infection, which facilitates immune escape and chronic parasitism of E. multilocularis.

A review on the research progress related to ambient air pollution and depression / 中华流行病学杂志

It is reported that depression has caused heavy disease burden across the world, with an possible association between ambient air pollution and depressive symptoms. In this paper, we reviewed relative literature in this field and summarized the research events on association between ambient air pollution and depression, both in China and abroad and found that the results of the existed studies were inconsistent, with most studies showing that there existed a positive correlation between the exposure of air pollution and depression, but few studies showing the negative correlation or no correlation between the two.

Associations of obesity and physical activity with cognition in people aged 50 and above in Shanghai / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the associations of obesity and physical activity with cognition in the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2009 to June 2010 among people aged ≥50 years selected through multistage random cluster sampling in Shanghai. The subjects' body weight, body height, waist circumference and hip circumference were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR), and the data on self-reported physical activity level were collected through questionnaire survey. A comprehensive battery of cognitive tests was conducted to assess subjects' cognitive functions, including verbal recall, forward digit span (FDS), backward digit span (BDS), and verbal fluency (VF). General linear model was used to examine the associations of BMI, WHR and physical activity with cognition. Results: A total of 7 913 participants were included, with a median age of 60 years. Age, sex, education level, income level, BMI, WHR and physical activity level were significantly associated with cognitive scores in univariate analysis. After adjusted for age, sex, education level and income level, BMI was no longer significantly associated with cognitive scores in all cognitive functions (all P>0.01). WHR was significantly associated with VF score (P<0.01). Abdominally obese participants had lower VF score than non-abdominally obese participants (P<0.01). Physical activity level was significantly associated with all cognitive functions (P<0.01). Compared with participants with moderate physical activity level, participants with low physical activity level had lower scores in all cognitive functions (P<0.01). Conclusion: Abdominal obesity and low physical activity level were negatively associated with cognition level in the elderly, suggesting that waist circumference control and physical activity might help maintain cognition in the elderly.

Spatial distribution characteristics of tuberculosis and its visualization in Qinghai province, 2014-2016 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of tuberculosis (TB) and identify the clustering areas in Qinghai province from 2014 to 2016, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of TB. Methods: The data of pulmonary TB cases confirmed by clinical and laboratory diagnosis in Qinghai during this period were collected from National Disease Reporting Information System. The visualization of annual reported incidence, three-dimensional trend analysis and local Getis-Ord G(i)(*) spatial autocorrelation analysis of TB were performed by using software ArcGIS 10.2.2, and global Moran's I spatial autocorrelation analysis were analyzed by using software OpenGeoDa 1.2.0 to describe and analyze the spatial distribution characteristics and high incidence areas of TB in Qinghai from 2014 to 2016. Results: A total of 20 609 pulmonary TB cases were reported in Qinghai during this period. The reported incidences were 101.16/100 000, 123.26/100 000 and 128.70/100 000 respectively, an increasing trend with year was observed (trend χ(2)=187.21, P<0.001). The three-dimensional trend analysis showed that the TB incidence increased from northern area to southern area, and up-arch trend from the east to the west. Global Moran's I spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that annual reported TB incidence in different areas had moderate spatial clustering (Moran's I values were 0.631 3, 0.605 4, and 0.587 3, P<0.001). And local G(i)(*) analysis showed that there were some areas with high TB incidences, such as 10 counties of Yushu and Guoluo prefectures (Gande, Banma and Dari counties, etc., located in the southwest of Qinghai), and some areas with low TB incidences, such as Huangzhong county, Chengdong district and Chengbei district of Xining city and Dachaidan county of Haixi prefecture, and the reported TB incidences in the remaining areas were moderate. Conclusion: The annual reported TB incidence increased year by year in Qinghai from 2014 to 2016. The distribution of TB cases showed obvious spatial clustering, and Yushu and Guoluo prefectures were the key areas in TB prevention and control. In addition, the spatial clustering analysis could provide the important evidence for the development of TB prevention and control measures in Qinghai.

Study on unprotected anal intercourse behavior in HIV-positive men who have sex with men in the context of knowing their HIV infection status in Chengdu / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To identify related factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in the context of knowing their HIV infection status. Methods: HIV positive MSM who known that they had been infected with HIV for more than 6 months and accepted follow up services were recruited by convenience sampling method in Chengdu 2015. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect their information, such as demographic characteristics, antiviral therapy and sexual behavior characteristics etc. Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 330 HIV- positive MSM were recruited, 201 eligible MSM were interviewed. The prevalence of UAI in recent six months was 18.41% (37/201). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the number of anal intercourse with male ≥3 in last month (OR=6.22, 95%CI: 1.88-20.56), low education level (OR=7.29, 95%CI: 1.36-39.16), married, divorced or widowed status (OR=4.65, 95%CI: 1.13-19.17), homosexual cohabitation (OR=3.32, 95%CI: 1.01-10.95) were the risk factors related with UAI among the HIV-positive MSM. Conclusion: Frequent homosexual anal intercourse, low education level, married, divorced or widowed status and homosexual cohabitation might be the risk factors related with UAI in HIV-positive MSM in Chengdu.

Spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hepatitis E in Shanghai, 2006-2016 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the epidemiologic characteristics and spatial-temporal distribution of hepatitis E in Shanghai between 2006 and 2016. Methods: The reported incidence of hepatitis E and health facilities' information between 2006 and 2016 were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The geographic information were from Shanghai Surveying and Mapping Institute. The map scale was 1∶750 000. Global and local autocorrelation, and spatial-temporal detection methods were applied to determine the spatial-temporal characteristics of hepatitis E. Software ArcGIS 10.1 was used to analyze global and local spatial auto correlation of hepatitis E spatial clusters. Software SaTScan 9.4.4 was used to conduct scan for exploring the areas of hepatitis E temporal spatial clusters. Results: A total of 6 048 cases of hepatitis E were reported in Shanghai during 2006-2016. The average incidence was 2.14/100 000. Spatial auto correlation analysis indicated that there was significant spatial positive correlations and spatial-temporal clustering of hepatitis E in Shanghai, and the "high-high cluster" was mainly located in the downtown of the city. Conclusion: Understanding the spatial-temporal clustering areas of hepatitis E cases in Shanghai from 2006 to 2016 is important to the reasonable allocation of public health resources and effective prevention and control of hepatitis E.

Source tracing of the Yersinia pestis strains isolated from Heqing county, Yunnan province in 2017 / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the genotype of the Yersinia (Y.) pestis strains isolated from Heqing county, Yunnan province in 2017 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of plague in this area. Methods: Ten Y. pestis strains isolated from Heqing were typed by the detections of different region (DFR) and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) as well as multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). And the results were compared with those of the 93 Y. pestis strains from the adjacent plague foci of Heqing obtained from the established database for clustering analysis. Results: The results showed that Heqing strains had the same type of DFR (Genomovar 05) and CRISPRs (Cluster Ca7, Type 22) with isolates from the plague focus in Lijiang. Heqing strains and Lijiang strains were in the same cluster in MST and only VNTR loci N2117 and M23 of Heqing strains were different from that of Lijiang strains. Conclusion: The Y. pestis strains isolated from Heqing in 2017 were highly homogenous with the strains isolated from wild rodents in plague focus in Lijiang, and Heqing plague might be the result of further southward spread of Lijiang plague.

Subjective well-being feelings and related factors in people aged 50 years or older in Shanghai: Based on Day Reconstruction Method / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the subjective well-being feelings of people aged ≥50 years in Shanghai by using the Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) and explore the related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from October 2009 to June 2010 among people aged ≥50 years selected through multistage random cluster sampling in Shanghai. DRM was used to assess participants' subjective well-being by net effect and U-index. Univariate and multivariate linear regression models were used to explore the related factors. Results: A total of 8 075 participants were included, with average age of 63.1 years. The mean net effect value was 1.24 (95%CI:1.15-1.33), and the mean U-index was 1.55% (95%CI:1.10%-1.99%). After adjusted for demographic factors, univariate liner regression model indicated that age, education level, marital status, family wealth, residence, self-rated health status, WHODAS score and prevalence of chronic disease were associated with subjective well-being, and multivariate liner regression model indicated that higher WHODAS score was associated with lower net effect value (P<0.05). Conclusion: The subjective well-being feelings of people aged ≥50 years in Shanghai might be associated with age, education level, marital status, family wealth, residence, self-rated health status and WHODAS score. Enhanced social support and appropriate social security system might facilitate the improvement of the subjective well-being of the elderly.

Prospective-triggered high-pitch spiral versus sequential dual-source CT coronary angiography: comparison of image quality and radiation dose

Background: prospectively electrocardiography [ECG]-triggered high-pitch spiral coronary computed tomography angiography [CCTA] is a unique scan mode for dual -source CT [DSCT]. Our reports aim to compare image quality and radiation dose of CCTA using high-pitch spiral or sequential acquisition mode in patients with low and stable heart rates

Materials and Methods: patients with low and stable heart rates [HR] [HR >/= 70 beats per minute [bpm]; heart rate variability [HRV] < 10 bpm] were randomly assigned to high-pitch spiral mode [group A; n = 80] or sequential acquisition mode [group B; n = 80]. Image quality scores, image noise, effective radiation dose and influencing factors on image quality were assessed

Results: mean image quality scores were 1.51 +/- 0.32 and 1.70 +/- 0.38 for groups A and B [P < 0.05], respectively. Image noises of the two groups were 19.05 +/- 4.70 Hu and 27.21 +/- 8.88 Hu [P < 0.05]. Contrast media cost in-group A was lower than group B [P < 0.05]. No statistical difference was found in the rate of diagnostic patients between the two groups [P = 0.416]. The estimated radiation dose of group A was 26.0% reduced compared with group B [0.74 +/- 0.34 mSv vs. 1.00 +/- 0.48 mSv, P < 0.05]

Conclusion: in patients with regular and low heart rates, the prospectively high-pitch spiral acquisition mode can reduce radiation dose and contrast media cost while maintaining image quality compared with the prospectively sequential mode

Transcription repression of a CCAAT-binding transcription factor CBF/HSP70 by p53

NF-Y transcription factor binds to CCAAT boxes on promoters of cell cycle regulatory genes such as cdc2, cyclin B, cdc25C, and cyclin A. We previously reported that the DNA binding activity of NF-Y is regulated by p53-p21-cdk2 pathway. CBF/HSP70 was originally identified as a transcription factor binding to the CCAAT box on the hsp70 promoter and mediates transcription repression of hsp70 pro- moter by p53. Recently it was demonstrated that CBF/HSP70 interacts and cooperates with NF-Y. In this study, we found that p53 represses the transcription of CBF/HSP70. Since transactivation ability of NF-Y is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, we examined the transcription of CBF/HSP70 during the cell cycle. After synchronization of a human bladder carcinoma cell lacking functional p53 at early S phase, we infect the cells with adenovirus encoding p53. Cells infected with control virus progressed to S and G2 after release from the arrest. In contrast, cells expressing p53 enter S and G2 phases, but arrest at G2/M. The expression of CBF/HSP70 was induced at S/G2 phase in cells infected with a control virus, but kept to be repressed in cells expressing p53. Thus, these results suggest that p53 suppresses the expression of cell cycle regulatory genes though inhibiting both CCAAT binding factors, CBF/HSP70 and NF-Y.