Changing trend of incidence and mortality of stomach cancer during 2010-2016 in Henan Province, China / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To estimate stomach cancer incidence and mortality in Henan, 2016 and analyze the trend of stomach cancer incidence and mortality from 2010 to 2016. Methods: Stomach cancer related data in 2016 was extracted from Henan cancer registration and follow-up system. All data were qualified in validity, reliability and completeness according to the Guideline on Cancer Registration in China and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/IACR). The incidence and mortality of stomach cancer were estimated by areas, gender and age based on the quality data and the registered population data of Henan province in 2016. The epidemic trend of stomach cancer was also been evaluated based on the age-standardized incidence and mortality by Chinese population (ASR China) from 2010 to 2016. Results: In 2016, the estimated incident cases of stomach cancer were 44 311. The incidence was 41.07/100 000, ASR China was 30.17/100 000, ASR by world population (ASR world) was 30.36/100 000, and the cumulative incidence rate was 3.84%. The incidences of male and female were 55.65/100 000 and 25.35/100 000, respectively. Meanwhile, 32 927 people died of stomach cancer in Henan. The mortality was 30.52/100 000, ASR China was 21.45/100 000, ASR world was 21.54/100 000, and the cumulative mortality was 2.53%. From 2010 to 2016, both the ASR China for incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in Henan showed a steady downward trend. In rural, the ASR China for incidence and mortality decreased rapidly, while the stable trend was observed in urban. Nevertheless, the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in rural were still higher than those in urban. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in Henan province showed steadily declining trend from 2010 to 2016, and the geographical distribution difference between rural and urban areas was gradually narrowing. However, the disease burden was still high in 2016.

Changing trend of incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer during 2010-2016 in Henan Province, China / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in 2016 and their changing trend during 2010-2016 according to the cancer registration data in Henan province. Methods: The data quality including completeness, validity, and reliability of local registries which submitted the cancer registration data of 2016 were assessed according to the criteria of Guideline on Cancer Registration in China and IARC/IACR. Esophageal cancer cases (ICD10: C15) were extracted from the database, and the incidence and mortality stratified by gender, age, and areas (urban/rural) were calculated, the incidence and mortality of provincial cancer were estimated combined with provincial population data. China's 2000 census population and Segi's population were used to calculate the age-standardized rate. Joinpoint model was used to estimate the changing trend of age standardized incidence and mortality along with the calendar year. Results: Approximately 40.10 thousand new esophageal cancer cases were diagnosed in Henan in 2016, accounting for 13.46% of all new cancer cases, and it ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude incidence of esophageal cancer was 37.21/100 000 with an age-standardized incidence rate by China standard population (ASIRC) of 26.74/100 000 and an age-standardized incidence rate by world standard population (ASIRW) of 27.12/100 000. The incidence of esophageal cancer in males was higher than that in females, with the ASIRC of 34.53/100 000 and 19.19/100 000, respectively. It was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASIRC of 28.13/100 000 and 20.90/100 000, respectively. About 29.30 thousand deaths of esophageal cancer in Henan in 2016, accounting for 15.61% of all cancer deaths in Henan, which ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude mortality rate was 27.14/100 000 with an age-standardized mortality rate by China standard population (ASMRC) of 18.74/100 000 and an age-standardized mortality rate by world standard population (ASMRW) of 18.78/100 000. The mortality in males was higher than that in females, with the ASMRC of 24.78/100 000 and 13.12/100 000, respectively. It was also higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASMRC of 19.48/100 000 and 15.73/100 000, respectively. The ASIRC and ASMRC were declining with annual percent change (APC) of 3.12% (APC=-3.12%; 95%CI: -5.30%, -0.90%; P=0.015) and 2.47% (APC=-2.47%; 95%CI: -4.70%, -0.20%; P=0.039) during 2010-2016. However, the significant declining trend was only observed in rural areas in Henan, and the changing trend was same between males and females. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are declining since 2010, however, the disease burden remains large in Henan. Therefore, comprehensive prevention and control efforts should be strengthened according to its epidemic characteristics and risk factors.

Ethical Issues of Medical Artificial Intelligence / 中国医学科学院学报

As an important branch of artificial intelligence,the emerging medical artificial intelligence(MAI)is facing many ethical issues.MAI may offer the optimal diagnosis and treatment for patients but may also bring adverse effects on society and human beings.This article discusses the ethical problems caused by MAI and elucidates its development in a direction that meets ethical principles and requirements.

Multidisciplinary Prevention and Control of Cervical Cancer:Application and Prospects / 中国医学科学院学报

Cervical cancer is the second most common malignant tumor in women worldwide.The burden of cervical cancer is particularly heavy in less developed countries as the malignancy brings huge pain to the patients and their family members and causes huge losses to social development and global health.However,cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease.While screening and human papillomavirus vaccination in developed countries have remarkably lowered the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer,there is still a far way to go to achieve the prevention and treatment of this disease.The multidisciplinary prevention and control programs slightly differ in different countries due to diverse economic and health conditions.The general principle is to vaccinate the young females and to implement a comprehensive strategy including human papillomavirus vaccine vaccination,screening,early diagnosis,and early treatment in adults.

Impact of childhood sexual abuse on risky sexual behaviors among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To explore the experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou, and to evaluate its impact on risky sexual behaviors in adulthood. Methods A non-probability sampling method was used to recruit MSM aged 18 years and over in Guangzhou. Sociodemographic characteristics, experience of CSA and risky sexual behaviors during the past 6 months were collected using an electronic questionnaire. 2 tests were used to compare the prevalence of CSA and risky sexual behaviors during the past 6 months among different sociodemographic characteristics. Logistic regressions were performed to assess the impact of CSA on risky sexual behaviors. Results Overall, 976 MSM were included with an average age of (28.35±6.83) years old. Nearly one-third (26.95%, 263/976) of MSM experienced CSA. Participants having multiple sexual partners (MSP) and unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) during the past 6 months accounted for 61.68% (602/976) and 47.95% (468/976), respectively. After adjusting age, ethnicity, household registration, local residence time, marital status, education, employment status, monthly income and sexual orientation, the results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that MSM who experienced CSA were likely to have MSP during the past 6 months (aOR=1.62; 95%CI: 1.19-2.22) than those did not experience CSA. But the association between UAI and CSA was not statistically significant. Conclusions The prevalence of CSA among MSM in Guangzhou is high. CSA can substantially increase the risk of risky sexual behaviors in adulthood. Intervention to reduce the risk of sexual risk behaviors may need to be tailored for MSM who experienced CSA.

Association between sexual sensation seeking and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To evaluate the association between sexual sensation seeking (SSS) and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou. Methods MSM aged 18 and over were recruited in Zhitong Charity from June 2017 to April 2018. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and SSS were collected using an electronic questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association between SSS and sexual risk behaviors. Results A total of 500 MSM were included in the current study. The mean age of the participants was (27.77±5.96) years old. The multiple logistic regression analyses showed that MSM with high SSS scores were more likely to engage in multiple sexual partners (OR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.40-2.30,P<0.001), one-night stand (OR=2.11, 95% CI: 1.44-3.09,P<0.001), and unprotected anal intercourse (OR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.16-2.50,P=0.007) than those with low SSS scores. Conclusions High SSS is associated with an increased risk of sexual risk behavior among MSM in Guangzhou. The behavior intervention strategy should be tailored for MSM with high SSS to improve the effectiveness to reduce sexual risk behaviors.

Correlates of Condom-use Self-efficacy on the EPPM-based Integrated Model among Chinese College Students / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the predictors of condom-use self-efficacy in Chinese college students according to the extended parallel process model (EPPM)-based integrated model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 3,081 college students were anonymously surveyed through self-administered questionnaires in Guangzhou and Harbin, China. A structural equation model was applied to assess the integrated model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the participants, 1,387 (46.7%) were male, 1,586 (53.3%) were female, and the average age was 18.6 years. The final integrated model was acceptable. Apart from the direct effect (r = 0.23), perceived severity had two indirect effects on condom-use self-efficacy through the attitude to HIV education (r = 0.40) and intention to engage in premarital sex (r = -0.16), respectively. However, the perceived susceptibility mediated through the intention to engage in premarital sex (intent-to-premarital-sex) had a poor indirect impact on condom-use self-efficacy (total effect was -0.06). Furthermore, attitude toward HIV health education (r = 0.49) and intent-to-premarital-sex (r = -0.31) had a strong direct effect on condom-use self-efficacy. In addition, male students perceived higher susceptibility, stronger intent-to-premarital-sex, and lower condom-use self-efficacy than female students.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The integrated model may be used to assess the determinants of condom-use self-efficacy among Chinese college students. Future research should focus on raising the severity perception, HIV-risk-reduction motivation, and the premarital abstinence intention among college students. Furthermore, considering the gender differences observed in the present survey, single-sex HIV education is required in school-based HIV/sex intervention.</p>

Clinical study of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin for cervical ripening of qi and blood deficiency type of pregnant women / 中国中药杂志

To study preliminarily the effect of Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin in promoting cervical ripening of full-term pregnancy women who were in the deficiency of qi and blood type through the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). 180 patients that met the inclusion criteria of the study were randomly divided into three groups: the control group(oxytocin group), the treatment group (Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin group), the blank control group (expected and observation group). Cervical maturity score (Bishop score), vaginal and cervical secretions fetal fibronectin (FFN), the result of induced labor, the result of mother and baby were observed in each group before and after treatment. The result comes out that the cervical Bishop score of pregnant women for treatment group were significantly higher than the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The FFN of pregnant women for the treatment group were significantly different from the control group and blank control group after treatment (P < 0.05). The pregnancy outcome of the three groups: the labor rate and rate of vaginal delivery of the treatment group were higher than the other two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The cesarean section rate of the treatment group was significantly lower than the other two groups, the difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.05). The three groups did not appear the phenomenon of neonatal asphyxia. Jiawei Bazhen decoction combined with oxytocin is effective in producing cervical ripening and induce labor. It is convenient, safe and reliable, for it is no obvious adverse effects on mother and fetus, but effective in reducing the rate of cesarean section, and playing a positive role in promoting natural delivery.

Study on mechanism of thyroid cytotoxicity of ammonium perchlorate / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of thyroid cytotoxicity mechanism of ammonium perchlorate (AP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thyroid cells were cultured in vitro to a certain stage and then exposed to AP (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 mmol/L) in culture solution; the cultured cells and supernatant were collected. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay; cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry; the concentration of thyroglobulin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and so on were measured by colorimetry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cells exposed to 60 mmol/L AP for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h had cell viabilities of 74.93%, 42.26%, 2.66%, and 0.99%, respectively, and the cells exposed to 40 mmol/L AP for 24, 48, and 72 h had cell viabilities of 73.15%, 30.91%, and 3.03%, respectively, all significantly lower than that of the control group (100%)(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The overall apoptosis rate of all AP-exposed cells was significantly higher than that of the control group; the cells exposed to 20, 40, and 60 mmol/L AP had early apoptosis rates of 15.70%, 15.84%, and 16.96%, respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group (9.54%)(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); the cells exposed to 60 mmol/L AP had a late apoptosis rate of 16.54%, significantly higher than that of the control group (6.11%)(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The cells exposed to 40 mmol/L AP had a significantly higher LDH activity than the control group (0.70 U/ml vs 0.55 U/ml, P < 0.01). The cells exposed to 5 mmol/L AP had a significantly higher MDA level than the control group (1.08 mmol/L vs 2.36 mmol/L, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AP can markedly change the cell morphology and decrease the cell viability of thyroid cells, which may be because AP inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell apoptosis, and destroys cell membranes. However, AP does not result in significant oxidative damage to thyroid cells.</p>

Cost-effectiveness analysis of HIV testing strategy in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the cost effectiveness of HIV testing strategy in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the HIV test strategy costs and the number of HIV patients found in Guangzhou, following aspects were calculated as the total cost of HIV testing strategy in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 of Guangzhou, the cost of finding each HIV patient, and the cost of obtaining one quality adjusted life year (QALY) using Markov model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total HIV test strategy costs increased from 11 106.98 thousand Yuan to 25 105.58 thousand Yuan, and 4599 HIV positive patients were found due to this strategy. The cost-effectiveness of HIV testing were different in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou. The lowest cost-effectiveness ratio of HIV testing strategy was 11 810 Yuan per HIV positive patient, the highest was 23 510 Yuan, and the average was 16 070 Yuan. According to the Markov model result, 7.2855 QALYs could be gained per HIV patient on average via HIV testing strategy in 113 hospitals in Guangzhou, and the cost of obtaining one QALY was 2210 Yuan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cost effectiveness ratio of HIV testing strategy in hospitals in Guangzhou was significantly lower than the standard of WHO recommended, and it was cost-effective to carry out the HIV testing strategy in Guangzhou.</p>

Study on the infectious risk model of AIDS among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To develop a human immune-deficiency virus (HIV) infection risk appraisal model suitable for men who has sex with men (MSM) in Guangzhou,and to provide tools for follow-up the outcomes on health education and behavior intervention.Methods A cros-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou from 2008 to 2010.Based on the HIV surveillance data,the main risk factors of HIV infection among MSM were screened by means of logistic regression.Degree on relative risk was transformed into risk scores by adopting the statistics models.Individual risk scores,group risk scores and individual infection risk in comparison with usual MSM groups could then be calculated according to the rate of exposure on those risk factors appeared in data from the surveillance programs.Results Risk factors related to HIV infection among MSM and the quantitative assessment standard (risk scores and risk scores table of population groups) for those factors were set up by multiple logistic regression,including age,location of registered residence,monthly income,major location for finding their sexual partners,HIV testing in the past year,age when having the first sexual intercourse,rate of condom use in the past six months,symptoms related to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and syphilis in particular.The average risk score of population was 6.06,with risk scores for HIV positive and negative as 3.10 and 18.08 respectively (P＜ 0.001 ).The rates of H IV infection for different score groups were 0.9％,2.0％,7.0％,14.4％ and 33.3％,respectively.The sensitivity and specificity on the prediction of scores were 54.4％ and 75.4％ respectively,with the accuracy rate as 74.2％.Conclusion HIV infection risk model could be used to quantify and classify the individual' s infectious status and related factors among MSM more directly and effectively,so as to help the individuals to identify their high-risk behaviors as well as lifestyles.We felt that it could also serve as an important tool used for personalized HIV health education and behavior intervention programs.

Effectiveness of intervention services provided by social workers in methadone maintenance treatment clinics / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effectiveness of psychosocial services provided by social workers in reducing dropout rate and increasing treatment dosage in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) users.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May in 2009 to April in 2010, 300 MMT users were recruited from three MMT clinics in Guangzhou, and were randomly allocated into the intervention group and the control groups. The control group (152 cases) received standard MMT services while the intervention group (148 cases) received additional services provided by social workers. Methadone dosage, dropout rate, perceptions toward MMT etc. were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 1-month dropout rate of the control and intervention groups were 19.7% (30/152) and 6.8% (10/148) (P < 0.05) respectively; the 6-month dropout rate of the control and intervention groups were 75.5% (115/152) and 50.7% (75/148) (P < 0.05) respectively. The intervention group had higher average treatment dosage than the control group ((56.0 ± 21.2) vs (64.4 ± 23.1) ml/d, (58.0 ± 24.0) vs (66.1 ± 26.6) ml/d, P < 0.05). At 1-month and 6-month, the intervention group had higher scores of MMT-related perception ((1.26 ± 0.68) vs (1.84 ± 0.95), (1.55 ± 0.83) vs (2.44 ± 1.23), P < 0.05), self-efficacy of maintenance ((3.68 ± 1.33) vs (4.20 ± 1.05), (3.80 ± 1.38) vs (4.43 ± 0.79), P < 0.05) and satisfaction toward MMT((4.08 ± 0.54) vs (4.15 ± 0.60), (4.01 ± 0.67) vs (4.31 ± 0.64), P < 0.05) as compared to the control group. The reverse was true for the score of negative experiences ((1.05 ± 0.86) vs (0.96 ± 0.92), (1.46 ± 0.87) vs (1.11 ± 1.07), P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The psychosocial interventions provided by social workers were effective in reducing dropout rate, increasing treatment dosage and improving cognitions of MMT users.</p>

Follow-up and outcome as well as the related biological factors on the cases with indeterminate HIV antibody level / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the follow-up visit, outcome and auxiliary diagnosis method on the cases with indeterminate antibody level measured by Western blotting as well as the related biological factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cases with indeterminate result were followed up according to the National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS (2009) and samples were collected for HIV antibody detection, p24 antigen and nucleic acid were detected as a supplementary diagnosis at the same time. The samples were also be detected for HBV, HCV, TP, HTLV-I/II, ANA, and AFP, and the results were compared to that of screened positive and confirmed negative cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 73 were followed up successfully and taken a second HIV test, 25 cases were tested positive and 48 were tested negative for HIV during the follow-up period. For the 25 HIV positive cases, the HIV seroconversion rate was 100.00% at any time point when the interval between the first and returning detection was longer than 1 week. The major Western blotting bands for the cases with indeterminate result were p24 and gp160 and it was different between HIV positive and negative cases in Western blotting band profiles. The consistency and sensitivity of nucleic acid detection were higher than 90.00%, and were higher than that of p24 antigen (69.09% (38/55) and 27.27% (6/22)) (χ(2)(consistency) = 6.875, χ(2)(sensitivity) = 18.893, P < 0.05). The positive rates of ANA and AFP of indeterminate cases excluded from HIV infection were 20.83% (10/28) and 6.25% (3/48) and higher than that of screened positive and confirmed negative cases (0.00%), the difference had statistic significance (χ(2)(ANA) = 19.430, χ(2)(AFP) = 5.520, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is critical to get timely diagnosis for the indeterminate cases according to the new national guideline for detection of HIV/AIDS. Nucleic acid detection has higher application value as auxiliary diagnosis for HIV infection than p24 antigen. The increased levels of ANA and AFP may be the factors resulting in the nonspecific indeterminate results.</p>

Investigation of HIV and syphilis infection and AIDS-related behaviors among money boys, in Guangzhou, China / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the HIV and syphilis infection and AIDS-related behaviors among money boys (MB) in Guangzhou.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 152 subjects were recruited from MB gathering place (clubs, parks, Internet etc.) by a local NGO. Of which, 151 individuals completed the investigation and blood sample collection. An anonymous face to face interview were used to obtain data of AIDS-related behavior, knowledge and attitudes. Venous blood samples were collected for HIV and syphilis antibody test. χ(2) test were used to compare the characteristics of HIV and syphilis infection subjects and P < 0.05 was counted as significant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HIV and current syphilis infection rate were 11.3% (17/151) and 19.9% (30/151), respectively. Among the subjects, 47.0% (71/151) had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with commercial male sex partners, 43.7% (66/151) had UAI with non-commercial male sex partners in the past six month. 85.4% (129/151) were aware of AIDS-related knowledge, while 34.4% (52/151) thought they have no risk of HIV infection, 24.5% (37/151) didn't know the prevalence of HIV among MSM in China, and 55.0% (83/151) had no idea of HIV prevalence or thought HIV prevalence was not serious at all among MB. MB who had experienced sex after drunk/used drugs had higher proportion of syphilis infection (33.3% vs 16.5%; χ(2) = 4.26, P = 0.039), and who had ever been experiencing condom broken during sex had much higher syphilis infection rate than those didn't (36.7% vs 15.7%; χ(2) = 6.64, P = 0.010). A multi-Logistics regression analysis showed that subjects had ever been experiencing condom broke during sex in the past six month were associated with syphilis infection (χ(2) = 6.24, P = 0.012; OR = 3.11, 95%CI = 1.28 - 7.57).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Money boys have high prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection. They are lack of perception of HIV risk and active in unsafe sex behavior.</p>

A study of reliability and validity of appraisal questionnaire (Chinese language version) of human immunodeficiency virus positive persons / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the Chinese language version of the appraisal questionnaire (AQ) for HIV/AIDS (HIV positive persons).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The scale was translated and adapted into Chinese and then reversely translated into English. The internal consistency reliability, structural validity, differential validity and predictive validity were evaluated by prevalence study in the city of Guangzhou.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cronbach's alpha coefficient achieved a value ranged from 0.530 to 0.886, with satisfied predicted validity. The regression equation accounted for 24.4% of variance in anxiety, and all factors of cognition accounted for 11.4% of variance, among all factors, only factor one had significant influence on anxiety (t=3.838, P<0.001); the regression equation accounted for 38.6% of variance in depression, and all factors of cognition accounted for 26.0% of variance. Factor I and factor II had significant influence on depression (t=5.707, P<0.001; t = -2.876, P<0.01). The results of differential validity suggested the mean scores of factor III were lower in the group with lower education level and monthly salary. Meanwhile, the persons with monthly salary under 300 yuan RMB had higher mean score of factor I, and the persons with lower academic degree had lower mean score of factor II. The principal-components factor analysis yielded three factors with common factor larger than 1.0, which were threat, challenge and controllability; and the three factors accounted for 62.23% of the total variance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The AQ Chinese version attained satisfactory reliability and validity. Even considering some essential explanatory words for the Chinese version, the scale might be attempted to use in the population with HIV in our country.</p>

Study on the dynamic prevalence of serum antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus in employees from wild animal market in Guangzhou / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the dynamic trend of specific antibody against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-CoV in serum collected at various periods among employees in Guangzhou Xinyuan animal market.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Volunteers from employees of the animal market were recruited and their serum specific antibody against SARS-CoV were determined by enzyme linked immunesorbent assay (ELISA) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive SARS-CoV specific IgG antibody was found 25.61% (n = 328), 13.03% (n = 238), 12.59% (n = 135), 5.04% (n = 139) and 9.43% (n = 53) among volunteers, which were sampled in May 2003, Dec. 2003, Jan. 2004, July 2004 and June 2005 respectively. No specific IgM antibody was found in all of those samples. Among 129 samples which were tested twice or more, 97 were all negative, 18 all positive, 13 changed from positive to negative but only one sample from negative to positive. When the volunteers were divided by the duration of their working experiences as short-term or long-term, those who had worked at animal market for less than or more then 6 months when being tested, the positive rate for long-term employees were relatively constant, however, all of the persons employed after January 2004, when the palm civets and raccoon dogs were culled from the market, were tested negative.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of specific antibody against SARS-CoV in employees of the animal market were somehow related with the presence or absence of palm civet. No serum was tested positive for persons who were employed after palm civets and raccoon dogs were culled from market. This data indicated that the SARS-CoV might have been from the palm civets and raccoon dog, and the animal market seemed to serve as one of the sources of infection.</p>

Differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into neural stem cells in vitro / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To explore a kind of simple and high efficient approach to differentiate human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)into neural stem cells(NSCs).Methods hESCs were cultured in bacterial culture dish filled with serum free medium to gain embryoid bodies.Then the mature embryoid bodies grew in the special medium including B27 and noggin by adherent culture to differentiate into NSCs. Results The hESCs kept floating in the bacterial culture dish and growing all the time and then formed mature embryoid bodies 7 to 10 days later.The embryoid bodies could be differentiated into highly pure (96.4%)nestin positive cells.And these cells were differentiated into all kinds of neural cells if cultured further.Conclusions This kind of method is less time-consuming,cheaper,and more efficient than those of the results in literatures reported.It affords very good source of seed cells for cell transplantation therapy in the future.

The effects of 4 laboratory test kits in early detecting of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the 4 test kits on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) gene, antigen and antibody for early diagnose of SARS patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect SARS-CoV IgG, IgM and N protein and fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (F-PCR) kit was used to detect SARS-CoV RNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 162 serum samples, 90.2% (55/61) became N protein positive in 1 - 5 days and 92.8% (13/14) became positive IgM and IgG in 15 - 18 days after the onset of disease, respectively. On 82 gorgling samples, the positive rates of F-PCR were 56.3% (14/24) in 1 - 5 days and 71.4% (10/14) in 6 - 9 days after the onset.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Other than F-PCR, N protein had good effect in the early detection on dubious patients which could lead to effective prevention and control of the epidemic.</p>

Surveillance on severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus in animals at a live animal market of Guangzhou in 2004 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) like virus in animals at a live animal market of Guanzhou in 2004 before and after culling of wild animal action taken by the local authority, in order to predict the re-emerging of SARS from animal originals in this region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Animals at live animal market were sampled for rectal and throat swabs in triplicate. A single step realtime reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic kit was performed for screening SARS-CoV like virus, the manual nested RT- PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for confirmation. Only specimens which tested positive for both of the N and P genes by nested RT-PCR were scored as positive.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 31 animals sampled in January 5 2004 before culling of wild animals at Guangdong Province, including 20 cats (Felis catus), 5 red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and 6 Lesser rice field rats (Rattus losea), 8 (25.8%) animals were tested positive for SARS-CoV like virus by RT-PCR methods, of which 4 cats, 3 red fox and one Lesser rice field rats were included. However, two weeks after culling of animals and disinfection of the market were implemented, in 119 animals sampled in January 20 2004, including 6 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), 13 cats, 46 red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), 13 spotbill duck (Anas platyrhynchos), 10 greylag goose (Anser anser), 31 Chinese francolin (Franclinus pintadeanus), only rectal swab from one greylag goose was tested positive for SARS-CoV like virus. Furthermore, in 102 animals that including 14 greylag gooses, 3 cats, 5 rabbits, 9 spotbill duck (Anaspoecilorhyncha), 2 Chinese francolin (Franclinus pintadeanus), 8 common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), 6 pigeons, 9 Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), 19 wild boar (Sus scrofa), 16 Lesser rice field rats, 5 dogs, 1 mink (Mustela vison), 3 goats, 2 green peafowl (Pavo muticus) sampled in April, May, June, July, August and November, only rectal swab from one pig was tested positive. However, of 12 and 10 palm civets sampled in November and December including five of which had been at the live animals market for 2 days, none of them was tested positive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This findings revealed that animals being sampled in April, May, June, July, August and November of 2004, only one rectal swab from a pig was tested positive as SARS-CoV like virus, much lower than the results from the previous year, suggesting that the possibility of re-emerging of human infection from animal origins is low for the winter of 2004-2005.</p>

Analysis on the risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndromes coronavirus infection in workers from animal markets / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possible risk factors of severe acute respiratory syndromes coronavirus (SARS-CoV) infection in workers from animal markets.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Self-designed questionnaires were used and serum samples were tested. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Results from simple factor logistic regression analysis showed that jobs which dealing with domestic livestock, wild livestock, wild animals, aquatics were related to risk factors of SARS-CoV infection. Results from multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that jobs that dealing with wild livestock and poultry were important risk factors with OR 12.28 and 0.41.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Job that dealing with palm civets was the main risk factor of SARS-CoV infection in animal market workers.</p>