Extraction, separation, and in vitro dissolution of HgS micro & nano-particles from Mongolian medicine Menken Usu / 中草药

Objective To study the extraction, separation, and in vitro dissolution method of HgS micro & nano-particles from Mongolian medicine Menken Usu. Methods The Soxhlet extraction method was used to investigate the sulfur from Menken Usu effectively, and the optimum time of extraction was determined by investigating the influence of different extraction time on the extraction rate of sulfur in the Menken Usu. Then, the mercuric sulfide particles were separated by differential centrifugation. The mercuric sulfide micro & nano-particles with different particle sizes can be obtained by controlling the concentration of PVP, molar ratio, centrifuge speed, and other factors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to analyze the morphology and composition of the particles. Using dithizone colorimetric method to determine and compare the dissolution of HgS particles with different sizes, Menken Usu original herbs, and Menken Usu-18 in simulated human gastric and small intestinal. Results The SEM results showed that the obtained six mercuric sulfide particle samples have a uniform size distribution: Uniform size were 2 000-4 000, 800-2 000, 200-800, 80-200, 50-80, and 20-50 nm. The main components in the extracted samples were α-HgS and β-HgS. As the particle size of HgS gradually became smaller, the dissolution of mercury was increased, which indicated that the size of HgS particle was inversely related to the dissolution of mercury. At the same time, the dissolution of mercury is also affected by sulfur, pH, and compounds. Conclusion This is a simple and efficient method for the separation of mercuric sulfide particles, and provides the basis for the pharmacokinetics and pharmacological study of mercuric sulfide nanoparticles with different particle size.

Diagnostic value of combining detection of human epididymis protein 4 and CA125 in patients with malignant ovarian carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical value of combination of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), CA125 and the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) in diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To detect the serum concentration of HE4 using ELISA and CA125 using ECL in patients of ovarian carcinoma group (n = 119), borderline ovarian tumor group (n = 36), benign ovarian neoplasm group (n = 96) and female healthy control group (n = 53). The ROMA based on the serum level of CA125, HE4 and a woman's menopausal status was used to calculate the predicted probability (PP) and diagnostic results of ovarian cancers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the cut-off value was 67.3 pmol/L (the AUC was 0.906, the sensitivity was 80.7% and specificity was 94.6%). The serum levels of HE4 and CA125 in the ovarian carcinoma group were significantly higher than that in the borderline ovarian tumor group, benign ovarian neoplasm group and female healthy control group (P < 0.01). The serum levels of CA125 and HE4 showed statistically no significant difference between the borderline ovarian tumor group and benign ovarian neoplasm group (P > 0.05). The levels of HE4 and CA125 were reduced significantly in ovarian patients after surgery therapy (P < 0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of HE4 + CA125 combination was 92.7% and 72.5%. The ROMA that can classify patients into high and low risk groups was established as 9.3% in premenopausal and 27.3% in postmenopausal women.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HE4 is a helpful biomarker for ovarian carcinoma diagnosis. Biomarker combination of HE4 and CA125, and applying of the ROMA are helpful to improve the accuracy in diagnosis of ovarian cancers.</p>

Proportions and correlates of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases from 2005 through 2009 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To determine the proportions and correlates of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases from 2005 through 2009 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province. Methods All available serum samples of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases during 2005-2009 period in Dehong prefecture, were tested using the BED HIV incidence capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA). Results A total of 9367 HIV/AIDS cases were newly reported in 2005through 2009, of whom 7252 (77.4%) were tested with BED-CEIA. Among the tested, 954 (13.2%)were positive for BED-CEIA and were regarded as recent HIV infections. The proportion of recent HIV infection among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases was 11.21% in 2005, 11.87% in 2006, 17.55%in 2007, 13.22% in 2008, and 12.22% in 2009. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in 2009 was significantly higher among females, those aged 11-19 years, and internal residents outside of Dehong prefecture,but significantly lower among immigrants who were mostly from Myanmar, than local residents.Conclusion From 2005 to 2009, the proportion of recent HIV infections among newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Dehong prefecture in Yunnan province was fluctuating slightly. Future research is needed to examine its long-term and secular trend. Such proportion was significantly different by different sociodemographic characteristics.

A dynamic analysis on incidence and trend of HIV-1 epidemics among Intravenous Drug Users, attendants at the STD clinics and pregnant women in Yunnan province, China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective BED-CEIA assay was used in HIV/AIDS surveillance sentinel sites to identify recent HIV-1 infection, to estimate HIV-1 incidence and to understand the epidemic trends in Yunnan province. Methods Serum specimens were collected from IDUs in sentinel sites, attendants in STD clinics and pregnant women under a cross sectional study from 2000 to 2007. Specimens confirmed as HIV-1 positive were tested with BED-CEIA to find resent HIV-1 infection, then the annual HIV-1 incidence for each group was calculated and the trends of HIV-1 incidence observed. Results 144 780 serum specimens were collected and 4932 of them were confirmed as HIV-1 positive. 4678 positive specimens were tested with BED-CEIA and 723 ont of them were identified as recent infections. Specimens from the two years were combined for testing. The average HIV-1 prevalence among IDUs was 18.2 %-26.9 % from 2000 to 2007 and the annual incidence were 14.65%, 6.21%, 4.06%, 2.23% respectively. The average HIV-1 prevalence among attendants in STD clinics was 1.6 %-3.2 % and the annual incidence rates were 1.46 %, 0.76 %, 0.52 %, 0.33 % respectively. The average HIV-1 prevalence among pregnant women was 0.2%-0.5% and the annual incidence rates were 0.16%, 0.11%, 0.10%, 0.09% respectively. Conclusion HIV-1incidence rates among IDUs, STDs and pregnant women showed a steady decease.

Drug resistance among recent HIV-1 infected men who have sex with men in Chongqing municipality of China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To evaluate the situation of HIV prevalence,incidence and drug resistance(DR)among recent HIV infected men who have sex with men(MSM)during the year of 2006.Methods A transect investigation was conducted through snowballing to recruite volunteers.HIV infected status was confirmed by ELISA and Western Blot(WB),the recent infected within 155 days were confirmed by BED-Capture ELISA Assay(BED-CEIA),which based on the principle that characteristics of the initial HIV antibody response in recent infections differs from those of established or long-term infections either by antibody titer,proportion,specificity,isotype or avidity.Bayer Trugene was applied to PCR the target sequence of HIV pol gene,and the sequences were analyzed to detect the prevalence of HIV gene mutation.Furthemore.HIV antiretroviral drug resistance among MSM was evaluated.The results were analyzed through three methods:Trugene DR 3.7 IVD(2006/07/27)Guidelines 1 1.0(2005/12/15)provided byBayer company,Stanford HIVdb and Gen02pheno.Results The prevalence and incidence of HIV among MSM were 10.4%and 7.98% PY,by three methods.There was only 1 sample found to have occurred resistant Drimary mutation which could be inferred that the average DR ratio was 4.55%(1/22).Conclusion The incidence and prevalence of MSM in Chongqing were notable,and the mutation rate stands at a low level when comparing to researches conducted in developed countries.Secondary mutations appeared frequently,suggesting that more research need to be conducted to understand how HIV was transmitting among the carriers.

Study on the drug resistance situation among recently infected HIV-I patients in Dehong / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the HIV-1 drug resistance (DR) situation among newly infected persons in Dehong.Methods 1048 HIV-1 positive blood samples from July to December in 2006 from Dehong prefecture of Yunnan,were collected.HIV drug resistance were tested using TruGene in newly infected people that were distinguished with BED-CEIA,while the subtype were determined with phylogenetic analysis using a set of reference sequences available on the Los Alamos Database.Results Of sixty-four successfully analyzed samples,drug resistance mutations were detected in 4 samples with the resistance rate as 6.25%.Minor mutation in PR region such as M36I/V,L63P and H69K appeared frequently and the rates were 81.25%,70.31%and 65.63%respectively.The predominantly prevalent strains were seen as C/CRF07_BC/08_BC(65.63%,42/64) in this study.Conclusion The prevalence of genotypic drug resistances in HIV-1 recent infections in Dehong prefecture appeared to be at moderate level.Drug-resistance surveillance program among HIV-1 infections should be continued and strengthened.

Detection of recent HIV-1 infections among men who have sex with men in Beijing during 2005 - 2006 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Men who have sex with men (MSM) have become one of the most risky populations for HIV infection in China. Though several cross-sectional sero-prevalence studies have been conducted, the annual HIV incidence remains unknown in this population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We applied IgG-capture BED-enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to define the recent HIV-1 infections among MSM in Beijing in the years 2005 and 2006 and the annual HIV incidence was estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall, 1067 MSM samples were collected, including 526 samples in the year 2005 and 541 in 2006. In 2005, of 17 HIV seropositive samples, 7 were identified as recent HIV-1 infections and the estimated HIV infection incidence was 2.9% per year (95% CI, 0.8% - 5.0%). In 2006, of 26 HIV seropositive samples, 9 were identified as recent HIV-1 infections and the estimated annual incidence was 3.6% (95% CI, 1.3% - 5.9%), which was 0.7% higher than that in 2005. Individuals engaging in male group sexual intercourse (5.17% vs 0.87%, P = 0.019) and having receptive anal sexual intercourse more than five times (2.79% vs 0.33%, P = 0.047) in the past 6 months significantly increase the risk of being infected by HIV-1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A high level of annual HIV-1 infection incidence was observed among MSM in Beijing for the consecutive years 2005 and 2006 with a continuous increasing trend. The rising incidence and related high risk behavior among MSM alarmed the health authorities and calls for more effective intervention strategies among this population.</p>

Screening for consecutive patient population with suspected CAD by 64-slice CT coronary angiography / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the screening for consecutive patient population with suspected Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAD) by noninvasive 64-slice computed tomographic coronary angiography.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>2082 consecutive symptomatic subjects (1218 males, 868 female, with, mean age of 58.2 years old) with suspected CAD underwent MSCT studies. And 218 patients underwent coronary angiography within 7 days. Invasive coronary angiography was taken as golden standard for calculations of diagnostic accuracy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 2082 subjects, 2063 (99.1%) were assessable, the mean examination duration was 4 minutes. Compared with CAG, the sensitivity of CTA to diagnose significant stenosis was 97.4%, specificity 90.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) 91.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) 96.8%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sixty-four-MSCT is accurate, convenient, noninvasive, safe means to coronary angiography with economic benefit. Thus, it can be considered as a valuable noninvasive screening technique.</p>

Application of BED-CEIA to estimate the human immunodeficiency virus prevalence among injecting drug users in Chongqing municipality / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To estimate the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevalence of injecting drug users (IDUs) in Chongqing city.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To apply BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (CEIA) which was based on the principle of HIV-antibody varies as the disease progress, in order to estimate both the HIV incidence and prevalence of IDUs from two IDUs surveillance sites in Chongqing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the research period, 4711 serum samples were tested by ELISA and 130 were HIV-1 positive, confirmed by Western blot. The prevalence of IDUs surveillance site A from 1999 to 2006 were 0.73%, 2.02%, 1.54%, 2.96% and 2.80%, and the incidence rates were 0.57%, 0.93%, 0,1.24% and 1.68% respectively. The prevalence of IDUs surveillance site B appeared to be 4.21%, 9.96%, 8.13%, and the incidence rates were 0.95%, 1.04% and 0.90% respectively, from 2004 to 2006.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Many of the IDUs HIV carriers in Chongqing had been infected for long time, and the incidence rates among them were steady, keeping at the same level for 1-2 years. Promotion on intervention for IDUs had produced certain effects but more attention still needs to be paid.</p>

Study on the prevalence of depression and its risk factors among high school students in Nanjing / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the prevalence of depression and its major risk factors among high school students in Nanjing, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A population-based cross sectional study was conducted between October 2004 and December 2004. 168 classes from 56 schools were randomly selected in thirteen administrative districts/counties of Nanjing, China. Data from a total number of 7161 eligible students including 71.0% from junior high school and 29.0% from senior high school students with 49.4% boys and 50.6% girls. Among them 47.6% from urban and 52.4% from rural area. The response rate was 92.5%.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The overall prevalence of depression was 14.8% in this sample which was higher in boys (16.4%) than in girls (13.0%). There was no significant difference between junior and senior high school students (14.6% vs. 15.4%) or between age groups and urban rural residence. The identified major risk factors would include: lack of interest on learning, unmet academic achievements, lack of self-estimated capability of competence, too much burden on learning, lack of close friends, badving relation with friends/relatives, indifferent attitude towards friends/relatives, status of parents employment, and family structure.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of depression was 14.8%, which was close to the figure in Asian-American high school students. More attention should be paid on the issue of mental health in high school students under the rapid transition of society, economy, life style and ideas in China.</p>

Clinical application of 64-slice spiral CT pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism / 第二军医大学学报

Objective:To evaluate the clinical application of 64-slice spiral computer tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)in diagnosis of pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods:Sixty-two patients suspected of PE were examined by 64-slice spiral CTPA.The image findings combined with their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Twenty-four of the 62 patients were confirmed to have PE by clinical data,laboratory examination and follow-up examination.64-slice spiral CTPA discovered 152 involved branches in the 24 PE patients,including 4 branches in left and right pulmonary trunk,52 in lobar pulmonary arteries,82 in segmental pulmonary arteries,and 14 in subsegmental arteries.Four types of PE were detected in our group,including eccentric filling defect in 58 branches,central filling defect in 49 branches,total occlusion of the pulmonary arteries in 21 branches,and mural embolism of host artery in 24 branches.The diagnosis accuracy of 64-slice spiral CTPA in the present group of patients was 100%,with no missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.Besides,64-slice spiral CTPA could reflect the location,morphology,involvement and degrees of PE.Conclusion:64-slice spiral CTPA is a rapid,accurate and non-invasive diagnostic approach for PE.It is the first choice in clinical screening of PE and may serve as a gold standard for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.