Spatial structure of rodent populations and infection patterns of hantavirus in seven villages of Shandong Province from February 2006 to January 2007 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is endemic in Junan county, Shandong Province, China. We conducted geographic information system (GIS)-based spatial analysis with the objective of estimating the spatial distribution of rodent populations and their hantavirus infection patterns, to describe the spatial relationships of hantavirus strains in small ecological areas and to identify key areas in endemic areas of HFRS for future public health planning and resource allocation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rodent sampling was conducted in seven villages in Junan county from February 2006 to January 2007 using field epidemiological surveillance. Dynamics of hantavirus infection and population densities in rodents were investigated. Spatial statistical techniques including Ripley' L index and nearest neighbour hierarchical (NNH) clustering analysis were conducted to reveal the spatial structure of rodent populations in seven villages. Phylogenetic analysis and two-dimensional minimal spanning tree (2-D MST) models were employed to describe the spatial relationship of hantavirus strains.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Data showed that Mus musculus was the most common species in our study area, followed by Rattus norvegicus. Ripley's L index and NNH analysis showed that the spatial distribution of all captured rodents, Mus musculus and Rattus norvegicus in seven villages were clustered and there were hotspot areas of rodent distribution. The branches of 2-D MSTs had similar topologies to those of corresponding phylogenetic trees, and hantavirus strains exhibited obvious connective traces in seven villages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results contribute to the understanding of the spatial distribution of rodent populations and hantavirus infection patterns in small areas, and identify priority areas within the epidemic areas for the development of a better prevention strategy against hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in a small ecological area.</p>

Study on the incidence and spatiotemporal dynamic variation of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Shandong province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence and spatiotemporal dynamic variation of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Shandong province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to surveillance data on HFRS epidemics and host animals, a 'contour area multifractal model' was estimated on the HFRS' incidence and multi-analysis model was applied to study spatiotemporal dynamic variation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The process could be classified into 5 periods: 1st period (1974-1981) when HFRS was in completely natural focal state in Shandong, and the nature of focus was typical Apodemus type. 2nd period (1982-1986) indicated the process of expanding and merging of the Apodemus type focus in the southeastern part of Linyi district and the Rattus type focus was in the southern part of Jining city. 3rd period (1987-1990) indicated that through the expanding and merging of the two epidemic focuses,one mixed focus dominated by the Apodemus type had been formed in the hilly area of the southern and middle part of Shandong while another one dominated by the Rattus type in the Yellow River valley of the northwestern part of Shandong. 4th period (1991-1993) showed that the process of the spatial pattern of the mixed focus dominated by the Rattus type in Shandong. 5th period (1994-2004) referred to the spatial pattern of the mixed focus dominated by the Rattus became stabilized.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Evolution of the characteristics of HFRS focus in Shandong province experienced the following three processes: the simple Apodemus type and the simple Rattus type were seen separately to the mixed foci with the Apodemus type dominant and the Rattus dominant type coexisted and merged to the stable state of the mixed focus with Rattus as the dominant one.</p>

Meta analysis for relationship between exposure of free silicon dioxide and lung tumor / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Meta-analysis is applied to process a systematic, comprehensive evaluation on the relationship between silica exposure and lung cancer in order to provide scientific evidences for controlling measures and offer a case for EBOM.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to established entrance standards, the collected original articles on silica exposure and lung cancer were classified and put in order, then fixed effects model and random effects model were used which suited to analyze occupational epidemiology and occupational tumor materials, and their correlation intensity were analyzed. First, combined SMR and 95% CI values for case-control study and cohort study were calculated respectively. Then all case-control studies and cohort studies were combined according to different study designs, mixed factors adjusted and stratification analysis processed, and their SMR and 95% CI calculated respectively. In order to lessen bias or errors, fail safe number was calculated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>When combining all the cohort study and all the case-control study respectively, corresponding combination SMR(cohort) = 1.93, 95% CI is 0.55 - 6.92; SMR case = 1.73, 95% CI is 1.01 - 2.99; SMR(sum) = 2.19, 95% CI is 1.45 - 3.31. Statistical test showed a statistically significant relationship lied between silica exposure and lung cancer, with P < 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Middle intensity relation is drawn between silica exposure and lung cancer incidence at worksite. This result is consistent with a lot of public reports.</p>

Meta-analysis on the relationship of chlamydia pneumonia infection and coronary heart disease / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the relationship of chlamydia pneumonia (CP) infection and coronary heart disease (CHD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Studies published before 2004 that had reported on correlations between CHD and CP were collected. Studies were sorted into four sorts according to different testing methods. We determined to use either fixed effect model or random effect model according to the result of heterogeneity test. Meta-analysis was done by RevMan 4.2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 29 studies were included into the review. The odd ratio (OR) to review all literature enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), dot-immunogdd filtration assay (DIGFA), and micro-immunofluorescence (MIF) was 4.00 (3.07, 5.22), 2.86 (1.89, 4.32), 14.89 (1.46, 151.57), and 4.46 (3.15, 6.32).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CP infection is associated with CHD, CP infection may be one of the risk factors of CHD.</p>

Spatial genetic structure of two HIV-I-resistant polymorphisms (CCR2-64 I and SDF1-3'A) alleles in population of Shandong Province, China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the spatial genetic structure of two HIV-I-resistant polymorphisms (CCR2-64 I and SDF1-3'A) alleles in the population of Shandong Province, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the techniques of spatial stratified sampling and spatial statistics, the spatial genetic structure of the locus (CCR2-64 I and SDF1-3'A), which was shown to be important co-receptor for HIV infection, was quantified from the populations of 36 sampled counties of Shandong Province, and a total of 3147 and 3172 samples were taken for testing CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A respectively from individuals without known history of HIV-I infection and AIDS symptoms.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were significantly spatial genetic structures of the two alleles at different spatial distance classes on the scale of populations, but on the scale of individuals, no spatial structure was found in either the whole area of Shandong Province or the area of each sampled county. Although the change of frequencies of the two alleles with geographic locations in Shandong Province both showed gradual increase trends, their changing directions were inverse. The frequency of CCR2-64I allele gradually increased from the southwest to the northeast, while the frequency of SDF1-3'A allele gradually increased from the northeast to the southwest. However the RH to AIDS of combined types of their different genotypes did not represent obvious geographic diversity on the whole area of the Province.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The frequency of allele usually has some spatial genetic structures or spatial autocorrelation with different spatial distance classes, but the genotypes of individuals have random distribution in the same geographic area. Evaluating spatial distribution of the genetic susceptibility of HIV (AIDS) to CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A alleles, should focus on the frequencies of combined genotypes of CCR2 and SDF1 based on the two-locus genotypes of each individual rather than the frequencies of CCR2-64I and SDF1-3'A alleles.</p>

The use of Meta-analysis in the evaluation on diagnostic tests / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce Meta-analysis in evaluating diagnostic tests.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Adjusted SROC method was used in assessing 7 diagnostic tests on fatty liver.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pooled sensitivity and specificity of type B ultrasonography were 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-0.92] and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.96) respectively while the Q value was 0.90 by adjusted SROC method. The results indicated that the diagnostic value of type B ultrasonography were high, thus could be regarded as an effective method for fatty liver diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Meta-analysis on evaluating diagnostic tests could be used to assess the diagnostic test to increase the power of conclusion, and to improves its reliability.</p>

Alpha-blockers and bioflavonoids in men with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (NIH-IIIa): a prospective, placebo-controlled trial / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The National Institutes of Health (NIH) category IIIa chronic prostatitis syndromes (non bacterial chronic prostatitis) were common disorders but with few effective therapies. Alpha-blockers and bioflavonoids had recently been reported in randomized controlled trials to improve the symptom of these disorders in a significant proportion of men. The aim of this study was to confirm these findings in a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled trial.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five men with category IIIa chronic non bacterial protatitis were randomized into three groups as follows: (1) placebo; (2) phenoxybenzamine-hydrochloride:10 mg two times a day for one month; (3) flavoxate HCI-neptumus: 200 mg three times a day for one month. The NIH chronic prostatitis symptom score was used to grade symptoms at the beginning and conclusion of the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients in three groups completed the study except three dropout patients in placebo group because of sever symptoms. The three groups were similar in age, duration of symptoms and initial symptom score. Patients taking placebo had a mean improvement in NIH-CPSI from 21.85 to 19.55 (not significant), while the phenoxybenzamine-hydrochloride group had a mean improvement from 21.95 to 13.75 (P < 0.01), and those taking flavoxate HCI-neptumus had a mean improvement from 21.75 to 16.95 (P < 0.05). The decrease in NIH-CPSI was associated with significant improvement in patients' clinical manifestations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Therapy with alpha-blockers was well tolerated with significant symptomatic improvement in most men having chronic non-bacterial chronic protatitis while the bioflavonoids group had no significant improvement. Mechanism of both medicines needs further study.</p>

Imaging diagnosis for fatty liver: a systematic review / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To systematically assess imaging diagnostic tests for fatty liver and provide a decision-making basis for clinical diagnosis and screening.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Electronic searches were conducted on the Chinese Biomedical Database, PubMed, and EMBASE, combining with manually searching of Chinese literature. All searches were completed until November 2002. All studies which evaluated imaging diagnostic test of human fatty liver were included. Data of diagnostic accuracy in the included studies were extracted, and methodological quality of the studies was assessed independently by two reviewers according to the established quality standard. Quantitative analysis or qualitative description were performed based on available data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 13 studies that met the eligibility criteria, 10 studies evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of B-mode ultrasound, 3 studies evaluated contrast-enhanced (helical) CT. To assess 7 diagnostic test studies for fatty liver that used liver biopsy as reference test: the pooled sensitivity of B-mode ultrasound was 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.87-0.92), specificity was 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.92-0.96) and the Q value was 0.90 by adjusted SROC method. To assess 2 diagnostic test studies for fatty liver that used CT as reference test: the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and Q value were 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.89-0.96), 0.88 (95% confidence interval 0.84-0.92), and 0.90 respectively by adjusted SROC method.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>B-mode ultrasound method can be regarded as an effective method for fatty liver diagnosis and screening. The methodologic quality of diagnostic test needs to be improved.</p>

The application of Weibull parameter model to survival analysis of glioma / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the factors affecting the survival and to predict the survival time of glioma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Graph method was applied to fit the type of probability distribution of patients' postoperative survival time. As one suitable model, Weibull regression model tested by residual analysis was used to identify prognostic factors for postoperative survival and to predict patients' post-operative survival time.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In multivariate analysis of Weibull regression model, following characteristics showed significant influence on postoperative survival time including: sex, age, epilepsy, type of glioma, density of glioma, type of surgery, times of surgery and mode of postoperative therapy. According to predictive value, patients were clustered into three groups. The survival probability of one year for the first group was less than 50% and that of five years for the second group about 50%, for the third group around 80%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sex, age, epilepsy, type of glioma, density of glioma, type of surgery, times of surgery and mode of postoperative therapy were important risk factors and Weibull regression model might help to predict patients' postoperative survival time.</p>

Study of X-irradiation to enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord of rat / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore whether X-irradiation can enhance the functional and structural recovery of the injured spinal cord of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy Sprague-Dawley rats received spinal cord injury by clip compression at the T2 level were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group received X-irradiation at 14 days after injury, the control group did not receive X-irradiation. The functional tests were performed at day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 after irradiation including open field movement, inclined plane and pain withdrawal test. All injured rats were sacrificed at 43 days after injury and the injured spinal cords were taken out for histological tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-two rats met the experimental requirements among 70 injured rats, 32 rats in experimental group and 30 rats in control group. Statistically significant difference was achieved between two groups in open field movement and inclined plane (P < 0.01), but not for the pain withdrawal test. The edema and necrosis area of injured spinal cords of experimental group were less than those in control group, and the number of axons of experimental group were more than those in control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>X-irradiation can enhance the functional recovery by improving and restoring structural integrity of the injured spinal cord.</p>

The study of biological properties of gliomas / 中国医学科学院学报

In order to explore the new methods of biological treatment of human gliomas, this project is to study the biological properties of gliomas from four different aspects, the results show that there is a IL-6 autocrine loop in human gliomas and the growth of gliomas will be inhibited when the autocrine loop is broken. There is a magnificent predominant expression of Th2 cytokines in human gliomas and human glioma cells, the switching of Th2 to Th1 can inhibit the proliferation of glioma cells. The dosage of 100 micrograms/ml of erythromycin is the best of therapeutic effect. Angiostatin can not only inhibit the vascular endothelial growth, but also have the inhibitory role on the growth of glioma cells in vivo. The above studies have provided some new ideas and will be very helpful for the treatment of glioma patients.

Meta-analysis of the relationship between smoking and stomach cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the risk of stomach cancer associated with cigarette smoking.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Meta-analysis was used to make formal summary statements about the relationship between smoking and stomach cancer. The results of the studies were analyzed by studied type(case-control study and cohort study) and gender(male and female). Homogeneity showed that random effect model should be selected to calculate the pooling relative risk (RR) and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (95%CI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total pooling RR(95%CI) was 2.14(1.12-4.06), while the total pooling RRs (95%CI) of male and female smoking with stomach cancer were 1.70 (1.34-2.14) and 1.83 (0.10-33.09), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for stomach cancer. Male smoking can increase risk of stomach cancer, however, the relationship between female smoking and stomach cancer should be studied further.</p>

Meta-analysis of assisted music therapy for chronic schizophrenia / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of assisted music therapy for chronic schizophrenia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>11 articles including 603 chronic schizophrenia patients were meta-analyzed using fixed effect model or random effect model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>6 randomized controlled trials were synthesized, showing that the difference was significant in statistics between experimental group (patients with music and drugs therapy) and control group (patients with drugs therapy only). Both the scores of SANS and BPRS for the control group were higher than those for the experimental group (SANS, d = 0.68; 95%CI: 0.46-0.90 and BPRS, d = 0.44; 95%CI: 0.06-0.82). In addition, the scores of both SANS and BPRS for the pre-test were higher than those for the post-test (SANS, d = 1.17; 95%CI: 0.02-2.32 and BPRS, d = 2.05; 95%CI: 0.28-3.82).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The short-term effect of assisted music therapy is positive for chronic schizophrenia, but the long-term effect is still to be further studied.</p>