Clinical features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant infection in children: an analysis of 201 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical features of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant infection.@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical data of 201 children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were hospitalized and diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in Quanzhou First Hospital from March 14 to April 7, 2022. Among the 201 children, there were 34 children with asymptomatic infection and 167 with symptomatic infection. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical features, results of experimental examinations, and outcome.@*RESULTS@#Of all the 201 children, 161 (80.1%) had a history of exposure to COVID-19 patients and 132 (65.7%) had a history of COVID-19 vaccination. Among the 167 children with symptomatic infections, 151 had mild COVID-19 and 16 had common COVID-19, with no severe infection or death. Among the 101 children who underwent chest CT examination, 16 had ground glass changes and 20 had nodular or linear opacities. The mean time to nucleic acid clearance was (14±4) days for the 201 children with Omicron variant infection, and the symptomatic infection group had a significantly longer time than the asymptomatic infection group [(15±4) days vs (11±4) days, P<0.05]. The group vaccinated with one or two doses of COVID-19 vaccine had a significantly higher positive rate of IgG than the group without vaccination (P<0.05). The proportions of children with increased blood lymphocyte count in the symptomatic infection group was significantly lower than that in the asymptomatic infection group (P<0.05). Compared with the asymptomatic infection group, the symptomatic infection group had significantly higher proportions of children with increased interleukin-6, increased fibrinogen, and increased D-dimer (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Most of the children with Omicron variant infection have clinical symptoms, which are generally mild. The children with symptomatic infection are often accompanied by decreased or normal blood lymphocyte count and increased levels of interleukin-6, fibrinogen, and D-dimer, with a relatively long time to nucleic acid clearance. Some of them had ground glass changes on chest CT.

Effect of Asiaticoside on Expression of Th17/Treg Cells in DBA/1 Mice with Collagen-Induced Arthritis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of asiaticoside （AC） on the expression of T helper 17 （Th17） cells and regulatory T （Treg） cells in DBA/1 mice with collagen-induced arthritis （CIA）. MethodMale SPF DBA/1 mice were randomized into six groups according to body weight： control group， CIA group， methotrexate group （MTX group， ip， 0.5 mg·kg-1）， and AC low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （ig， 5， 15， 45 mg·kg-1， respectively）. Modeling was performed in rats other than the control group. To be specific， they were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on the first day and with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant on the 21st day. Administration began on the day of the second immunization， once a day for 28 days. On the 49th day， related tissues were collected. Then， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the joints. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of interleukin-17 （IL-17） and forkhead box protein-3 （FoxP3）， the markers of Th17 and Treg cells， respectively， immunofluorescence double staining the expression of IL-17 and FoxP3 in CD4+T cells of mouse joint tissue， and flow cytometry the proportions of Th17 and Treg cells in mouse lymph nodes. ResultCompared with the control group， CIA group demonstrated joint disorder， damage of articular cartilage and bone， severe bone erosion （P<0.01）， increase in stained CD4 and IL-17 and the integral absorbance （IA） （P<0.01）， decrease in stained FoxP3 and the IA （P<0.01）， rise of Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.01）， elevation of Th17 expression in mouse lymph nodes （P<0.01）， and reduction in Treg expression （P<0.01）. Compared with CIA group， MTX group and three AC groups showed normal joints， alleviated bone erosion and damage， intact and smooth joint surface， and decrease in stained IL-17 and IA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and MTX group and AC medium-dose and high-dose groups registered decrease in stained CD4 and IA （P<0.01） and reduction in Th17/Treg ratio （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， AC medium-dose and high-dose groups showed rise in stained FoxP3 and IA （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the lymph nodes of mice， decrease in expression of Th17 cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） and the increase in expression of Treg cells （P<0.05， P<0.01） were observed in all the three AC group. ConclusionAC can regulate Th17/Treg balance by inhibiting the expression of Th17 cells and promoting the expression of Treg cells in CIA mice.

Effect of Fangji Huangqitang on Function of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the effects of Fangji Huangqitang（FJHQT） on migration， adhesion，invasion and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） induced by vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Method:HUVECs were induced by VEGF （20 μg·L^-1） <italic>in vitro</italic>. The effects of FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） on HUVECs were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium（MTT）， scratch repair， transwell migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation. Protein in HUVECs was extracted and protein expression levels of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 （p-JAK1） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with control group， VEGF （20 μg·L^-1） can increase the proliferation， scratch repair， transwell migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation of HUVECs cells （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， compared with VEGF group， FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） ，there is no significant effect on the proliferation of HUVECs induced by VEGF for 24 hours， but it can significantly reduce the scratch repair， migration， adhesion， invasion and tube formation of HUVECs induced by VEGF within 24 hours （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with blank group， VEGF could induce abnormal elevation of p-JAK1 in HUVECs （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while FJHQT （0.25，0.5，1 g·L^-1） could significantly reduce the expression levels of p-JAK1 （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:FJHQT can inhibit the migration， adhesion and invasion of HUVECs， the mechanism may be related to JAK1.

Effect of Fangji Huangqitang on DBA/1 Mice Collagen Induced Arthritis and Synovial Angiogenesis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the effect of Fangji Huangqitang （FJHQT） on collagen induced arthritis （CIA） and synovial angiogenesis in DBA/1 mice. Method:DBA/1 mice were randomly divided into normal group， CIA group and FJHQT group. DBA/1 mice in CIA group and FJHQT group were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant on the first day， and DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant on the 21^st day to establish CIA model. On the day of the second immunization， the drug was given by gavage once a day for 28 days. On the 22^nd day， the arthritis score and other symptoms of CIA mice were observed. On the 49^th day， Hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining was carried out to observe the angiogenesis in the synovium of CIA mice， the expression of vascular endothelial cell marker platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 （CD31） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in the synovium of CIA mice were detected. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to detect the mature and immature vessels in the synovium of CIA mice. And the microvascular growth of the rat thoracic aortic ring was induced by VEGF （20 μg·L^-1）. The effects of FJHQT （0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1） at different concentrations were observed under microscope. Result:Compared with the normal group， the inflammation， joints， red and swelling of the inflammatory joints of the CIA group were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The scores of clinical arthritis， the incidence rate， synovial inflammation and angiogenesis were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The density of blood vessels， the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF， the number of immature vessels in synovial membrane were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. And compared with the CIA group， the inflammation， joint swelling， and malformation of the FJHQT group were significantly improved， the clinical arthritis score， incidence rate， synovial inflammation and angiogenesis were significantly reduced （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The vascular density， the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF， and the number of immature blood vessels in synovial membrane were significantly increased （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with blank group， VEGF could significantly induce the growth of microvasculature in rat thoracic aortic ring （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with VEGF group， FJHQT（0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1） could significantly inhibit the formation of microvasculature in rat thoracic aortic ring （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Conclusion:FJHQT can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms and condition of CIA mice， reduce the clinical arthritis score and incidence rate，and inhibit the synovial angiogenesis of CIA mice joints and VEGF induced microvascular formation in rat thoracic aortic rings.

Analysis of cervical instability and clinical characteristics in treatment-naive rheumatoid arthritis patients / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To study the proportion of cervical spine instability in treatment-naive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, to investigate the associated neck symptoms, and to analyze the clinical characteristics in treatment-naive RA patients and treated RA patients.@*METHODS@#RA patients who underwent cervical spine X-ray imaging from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University Shenzhen Hospital from August 2015 to October 2019 and had clinical records of medication administration were included. Clinical and laboratory data including cervical symptoms and X-ray imaging data of cervical spine were collected. The constituent ratio of cervical spine instability in treatment-naive RA patients was statistically analyzed. The clinical data and laboratory data were analyzed by t-test, u-test and chi square to explore the clinical characteristics of the treatment-naive RA patients with cervical instability.@*RESULTS@#Of the 408 RA patients, 105 patients were treatment-naive. Of the 105 treatment-naive patients, 82.9% (87/105) were female, with an average age of (52±14) years, the median duration of the disease was 24 months, the shortest history was 2 weeks, and the longest history was 30 years. 28.6% (30/105) of the treatment-naive RA patients showed cervical spine instability. The prevalence of cervical instability was 13.6% in the treatment-naive RA patients with disease duration less than 24 months. Among them, there were no significant differences in neck symptoms between cervical spine instability group and none cervical spine instability group. The patients with cervical spine instability had a longer duration of disease [60 (18, 180) months vs.16 (8, 51) months], a higher proportion of peripheral joint deformity (63.3%vs.21.3%), and a lower hemoglobin [(106.90±21.61) g/L vs. (115.77±14.69) g/L]. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of cervical instability in the treatment-naive RA patients compared with treated RA patients. Among the RA patients with cervical instability, there was no statistically significant difference in the composition of each type between the patients with treatment-naive RA and patients with treated RA, except for a shorter duration of disease [120.0 (72.0, 240.0) months vs. 60.0 (27.0, 167.5) months].@*CONCLUSION@#28.6% of treatment-naive RA patients showed cervical spine instability. Cervical instability was also common in RA patients with a duration less than 24 months. There was no significant correlation between cervical instability and neck symptoms. Patients with cervical spine instability had a long-term disease, a higher proportion of peripheral joint deformity and a lower hemoglobin. Controlling the condition of RA early may help to control the progression of cervical involvement in patients with RA.

The mediating role of depression symptoms in childhood abuse and cyberbullying among college students / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective Analyze the correlation of depression between the childhood abuse behavior and adulthood cyberbullying behavior, so as to discuss and provide evidences for preventing the cyberbullying behavior of college students. Methods A total of 4 040 college students were surveyed after multistage stratified cluster random sampling from 6 universities in Shanxi Province of China by using childhood trauma questionnaire, self-rating depression scale and cyberbullying scale. Results In the three dimensions of cyberbullying, cyber-verbal bullying behavior, identity concealing behavior and cyber-forgery fraud behavior, male students and only child students scored higher than that of female students and non-only child students (all P<0.001). There was a positive correlation between childhood abuse, adult depression and cyberbullying (all P<0.001). The mediation effect results showed that depression symptoms of college students were mediating between childhood abuse experience and cyberbullying behavior (the mediation effect result was 0.090, P<0.001), the mediation effect contributed 12.16% to the total effect, the mediation model fitting index were 2/df=39.96，RMSEA=0.101，CFI=0.948，TLI=0.924，SRMR=0.043. Conclusions Childhood abuse experience and adulthood depression are closely related to the implementation of cyberbullying behavior in college, and depression plays part of mediating role in predicting the implementation of cyberbullying behavior in college students who has childhood abuse experience.

Effect of sustained intensive therapy with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs in rheumatoid arthritis: a 5-year real-world consecutive study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Intensive therapy with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) has been reported to improve the outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, real-world study on the effect of intensive therapy on RA sustained remission is still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the outcome of sustained intensive DMARD therapy (SUIT) for RA in a real-world 5-year consecutive cohort.@*METHODS@#Based on a consecutive cohort of 610 out-patients with RA, remission of RA was assessed in 541 patients from 2012 to 2017, by dividing into SUIT, non-SUIT, and intermittent SUIT (Int-SUIT) groups. Changes in the disease activity scores were evaluated by 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), 28-joint disease activity score based on C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), and clinical deep remission criteria (CliDR). Cumulative remission rates between different groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and predictive factors of sustained remission were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#The remission rates of the SUIT group decreased from 12.0% (65/541) to 5.6% (20/359) based on DAS28-ESR, from 14.0% (76/541) to 7.2% (26/359) based on DAS28-CRP, and from 8.5% (46/541) to 3.1% (11/359) based on CliDR, respectively, with a gradually decreasing trend during the 5 years. The SUIT regimen led to a significantly higher cumulative remission rate than non-SUIT regimen based on DAS28-ESR (39.7% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.001), DAS28-CRP (42.0% vs. 19.6%, P = 0.001), and CliDR (24.5% vs. 8.7%, P = 0.001). The cumulative remission rates of patients treated with SUIT regimen were significantly higher than those treated with Int-SUIT regimen based on DAS28-ESR (39.7% vs. 25.7%, P = 0.043) and CliDR (24.5% vs. 14.2%, P = 0.047), but there was no significant difference between the two groups based on DAS28-CRP (42.0% vs. 27.4%, P = 0.066). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of SUIT regimen was an independent favorable predictor according to different remission definitions (for DAS28-ESR: odds ratio [OR], 2.215, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.271-3.861, P = 0.005; for DAS28-CRP: OR, 1.520, 95% CI: 1.345-1.783, P = 0.002; for CliDR: OR, 1.525, 95% CI: 1.314-1.875, P = 0.013).@*CONCLUSION@#Sustained intensive treatment of RA is an optimal strategy in daily practice and will lead to an increased remission rate.

Effect of Ermiaosan on M1/M2 Polarization of Bone Marrow Derived-macrophages / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effect of Ermiaosan（EMS） on the polarization of M1 by lipopolysaccharide（LPS）+interferon(IFN)-γ and M2 induced by interleukin(IL)-4+IL-13 in rat bone marrow-derived macrophages. Method:Macrophages from rat bone marrow were extracted in vitro, stimulated by macrophage colony stimulating factor(M-CSF), induced to macrophages (marked by F4/80), stimulated by LPS+IFN-γ and induced to polarize to M1，while stimulated by IL-4+IL-13 and induced to polarize to M2. After adding different concentrations of EMS (0.2，0.4，0.8 g·L-1), the phenotypes of M1 and M2 were detected by immunofluorescence, and the effect of EMS on M1(marked by CD68 and iNOS)/M2(marked by CD206 and Arginase) polarization of macrophages from rat bone marrow was detected. Result:Compared with control group, LPS + IFN-γ could increase the polarization of M1 (P<0.01)，while IL-4+IL-13 could increase the polarization of M2 (P<0.01); compared with LPS+IFN-γ/IL-4+IL-13 group, EMS (0.2，0.4，0.8 g·L-1) could inhibit the polarization of M1 induced by LPS+IFN -γ for 24 hours (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on polarization of M2 induced by IL-4+IL-13. Conclusion:EMS can inhibit M1 polarization induced by LPS+IFN - γ, but has no effect on M2 polarization induced by IL-4+IL-13.

Population distribution and clinical characteristics in rheumatoid arthritis patients with cervical spine instability / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the population distribution of cervical spine instability in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to analyze the clinical characteristics in RA patients with cervical spine instability.@*METHODS@#A total of 439 RA patients who had completed cervical spine X-ray examination from Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of Peking University Shenzhen Hospital and Peking University Third Hospital from August 2015 to March 2019 were enrolled. The clinical data, laboratory data and cervical radiographic data were collected and analyzed by t-test, rank sum test and Chi-square test to clarify the clinical characteristics in the RA patients with cervical spine instability.@*RESULTS@#Of the 439 RA patients, 80.9% (355/439) were female, with an average age of (52.9±13.9) years, a median duration of the disease was 60 months, the shortest history was 2 weeks, and the longest history was up to 46 years. 29.6% (130/439) of the RA patients showed cervical spine instability. Among them, 20 RA patients were complicated with two different types of cervical instability, the atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) accounted for 24.6% (108/439), the vertical subluxation (VS) accounted for 7.3% (32/439) and the subluxial subluxations (SAS) accounted for 2.3% (10/439). The patients with cervical spine instability had a longer duration of disease [120 (36, 240) months vs. 48 (12, 120) months], a higher proportion of peripheral joint deformity (56.9% vs. 29.9%), and a higher visual analog scale (VAS) measuring general health score (4.89±2.49 vs. 3.93±2.38), a lower hemoglobin [(111.31±19.44) g/L vs. (115.56±16.60) g/L] and a higher positive rate of anti-cyclic citrullina-ted peptide (CCP) antibody (90.8% vs. 76.6%). There were no significant differences in gender, age, number of swollen joints, number of tenderness joints, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor level, 28-joint disease activity score, positive rate of anti keratin antibody, duration of glucocorticoid use and duration of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs use between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In the study, 29.6% of the RA patients showed cervical spine instability. RA patients with cervical spine instability had a long-term disease, a higher proportion of peripheral joint deformity, a higher VAS measuring general health score, a lower hemoglobin and a higher positive rate of anti-CCP antibody.

Effect of Ermiaosan on Function of Human Fibroblast Synovial Cells Induced by TNF-α / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To study the effects of Ermiaosan on migration, adhesion and invasion of human fibroblast-liked synovial cells(FLS) and explore its mechanism. Method::Using the human FLS as the research object, the nontoxic concentration of FLS.FLS was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay for the follow-up experiment. The transwell migration, adhesion and transwell invasion test were used to detect the migration and adhesion of the different concentration of Ermiaosan on FLS, respectively. The expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta of FLS supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Protein in FLS was extracted and protein expression levels of phosphorylated Janus kinase 1 (p-JAK1), p-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1) and p-STAT6 were detected by Western blot. Result::Compared with control group, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α (20 μg·L-1) increased the proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion and the secretion of IL-1β of FLS (P<0.01). Ermiaosan(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 mg·L-1) had no significant effect on the proliferation of FLS induced by TNF-α for 24 h. Within 24 h, the migration, adhesion, invasion, invasion, and secretion of IL-1β of FLS cells induced by TNF-α were also decreased significantly(P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the blank group, TNF-α could induce abnormal elevation of p-JAK1, p-STAT1 and p-STAT6 in FLS (P<0.01), while Ermiaosan of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g·L-1 could significantly reduce the expression levels of p-JAK1, p-STAT1 and p-STAT6 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Ermiaosan can inhibit the migration, adhesion and invasion of FLS, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the secretion of IL-1β, the mechanism may be related to JAK/STAT pathway.

In vitro suppressive effect of angelica polysaccharide on human cytomegalovirus-induced apoptosis via direct infection in CHRF-288-11 cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of study was to investigate the in vitro suppressive effect of angelica polysaccharide (APS) on human cytomegalovirus-induced apoptosis via direct infection in CHRF-288-11 cells. HCMV AD169 directly infected CHRF-288-11 were cultured in vitro, APS in different doses were added on day 3 after the infection of virus. Cells of every group were collected at different time points. HCMV DNA of cells were detected by using polymerase chain reaction and the apoptotic cells were examined by using Hoechst staining, MTT assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry. The results showed that the APS to some extent inhibited the apoptosis of CHRF cells infected by HCMV in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of HCMV IEA in CHRF-288-11 cells was found by PCR amplification. Morphology observation, flow cytometry assay and DNA fragmentation assay revealed the existence of apoptosis. With the dose decrease of APS added to the infected CHRF cells, the percentage of apoptotic cells increased. It is concluded that the HCMV AD169 can infect CHRF cells directly in vitro and decrease cell viability. HCMV AD169 infection increases the apoptosis of CHRF cells in time-dependent manner. When APS was added to the CHRF cells infected by HCMV AD169 in vitro, the viability of CHRF cells increase, which indicated that APS to some extent protects the CHRF cells infected by HCMV. APS suppresses the cytomegalovirus-induced apoptosis in CHRF cells directly infected in vitro in dose-dependent manner.

Human cytomegalovirus induces apoptosis of human promyelocytic leukemic cells via direct infection in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

The study was purposed to investigate the proliferation and the suppression effect of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) on human promyelocyte cell line HL-60, and to study whether hCMV can induce apoptosis of HL-60 via direct infection in vitro and its mechanism. Promyelocyte cell line HL-60 and hCMV AD169 strain were co-cultured. PCR was used to detect the direct infection of HL-60 cells by hCMV IEA expression. The apoptosis cells were analyzed by morphologic observation, DNA ladder formation, flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI stain. The results indicated that hCMV AD169 suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of HL-60 cells in vitro significantly (P < 0.05). The suppression was dose-dependent. hCMV DNA was successfully detected in HL-60 cells of viral infection groups by PCR. The apoptotic cells were confirmed by morphologic observation and DNA ladder formation. The results of flow cytometry showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells increased along with the increase of hCMV titer and the time after infection. It is concluded that the promyelocyte can be infected directly by hCMV AD169 strain. hCMV AD169 strain inhibited the differentiation and proliferation of promyelocyte. The apoptosis of HL-60 cells can be induced by hCMV infection. With the increase of viral infectious titer and the time after infection, the percentage of apoptotic cells also increase and produce in dose-dependent and time- dependent manner. Induced apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms of granulocytopenia induced by hCMV infection.

Study on the associated risk factors of rheumatic pain: a ILAR-China, WHO COPCORD Shantou study / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To validate the difference on the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms between north and south parts of the country and to study the associated risk factors of rheumatic complaints in Shantou city, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total number of 10 638 people at above 16 years of age from four samples, were surveyed in 1987, 1992, 1995, and 1999. Protocol of International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR)-China collaborative study or WHO-ILAR community oriented program for control of rheumatic disease(COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented. Data on related rheumatic symptoms were collected and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints had been increasing in Shantou area during the last decade (in 1987 11.6%, 1992 12.5%, 1995 16.0% and 1999 19.8%) but still lower than that seen in Beijing, China in 1987(40.0%). Rheumatic symptoms were more prevalent in females than in males, in elderly than in young people with most frequently involved site happened in low back area, followed by knee and neck. Lumbar pain was more frequent among rural residents, while neck pain was more prevalent in urban school students. Prevalence of knee pain was significantly higher in people living in multi-storey buildings without elevator than those living in single-storey houses. The peak values of Bone Mineral Density in Shantou population were (0.839 +/- 0.085) g/cm2 in men, and (0.723 +/- 0.064) g/cm2 in women, significantly higher than that reported in 13 other provinces and cities including Beijing. The sense of seeking for medical help was higher in population with higher prevalence of rheumatic symptoms than that in lower complaints group. However, no significant difference was found in the rates of disability among the different populations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints was lower in Shantou than that in Beijing. Socio-economic status, environment, sex, age, occupation, ergonomics, bone mineral density, and awareness of seeking medical care might have been the associated risk factors to the prevalence of rheumatic complaints.</p>

Human cytomegalovirus aggravates apoptosis of human megakaryocytes via direct infection in vitro / 中国实验血液学杂志

The megakaryocyte and platelet lineage may be one of the major sites of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection. However, whether HCMV aggravates apoptosis in normal megakaryocytes was not well investigated. Megakaryocytic cell line CHRF-288-11 and HCMV AD 169 strain were co-cultured in this study. PCR was used to detect the direct infection of the cells by HCMV IEA expression. The apoptotic cells were analyzed by morphologic observation, DNA ladder formation, annexin V/PI and PI assay with flow cytometry. The results showed that HCMV significantly inhibited the growth of CHRF cells in three different concentrations of viral infection groups (10(-3), 10(-2), 10(-1)). The viability levels in each infection groups were 77%, 73% and 68% respectively after incubation for 7 days, compared with 98% in the control group. Using annexin V/PI with flow cytometry, it was shown that the percentages of apoptotic cells viral infection in groups (10(-3), 10(-2), 10(-1)) were (21.3 +/- 2.49)%, (25.8 +/- 3.65)% and (31.4 +/- 3.91)% at 7 days after infection, while the control was (3.68 +/- 1.47)%. The apoptotic cells were further confirmed by morphologic observation and DNA ladder formation. Furthermore, PCR detection also showed the direct infection by identification of HCMV IEA expression in CHRF cells. This study suggested that HCMV could directly infect megakaryocytes and aggravated apoptosis in HCMV-infected megakaryocytes.

Clinical investigation on the treatment of HCMV hepatitis in children / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effective therapeutic method of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) hepatitis in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five children with HCMV hepatitis were randomly assigned to a treated group (n=13) or a control group (n=12). Both groups were treated with prednisone, glucurone, luminal and Xiaoyanlidanpian. But the treated group was given ganciclovir (GCV) + intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in addition. Each infant of the two groups was checked for blood routine, liver function and HCMV copy numbers on admission and before discharge. They were seen at the third, sixth and ninth month after discharge. On each visit blood specimens were collected for HCMV copy numbers (fluorescence quantitative PCR, FQ-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The viral load of the treated group decreased significantly. A significant difference in viral copy numbers was found between the two groups on admission, discharge, and third, sixth and ninth month after discharge (P less than 0.001). The number of HCMV DNA copy fell to 10(3) copies/ml on discharge while that of the control group fell to the same level after the third month. The differences between the two groups in the length of hospitalization, time of initial jaundice disappearance and complete disappearance were statistically significant (P less than 0.05). The need for transfusion in the treated group was significantly less than that in the control group (chi-square=4.012, P less than 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combination of GCV with a high dosage of IVIG to treat HCMV active infection could decrease viral load remarkably; The duration of disease, severity of symptoms, degree of anemia and the need for blood transfusion were reduced. No adverse effects related to the combination of GCV with IVIG therapy were observed.</p>

Effect of human cytomegalovirus on hematopoietic system / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism and the suppression effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) on hematopoietic system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semi-solid culture system was used to observe the effect of HCMV AD169 strain on colony forming unit granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM), CFU-erythroid (CFU-E), CFU-multipotent (CFU-Mix) and CFU-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK) growth. The techniques of in situ polymerase chain reaction (IS-PCR) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to demonstrate the existence of HCMV DNA in the colony cells of cultured CFU-GM, CFU-Mix, CFU-MK and CFU-E, respectively. The immediate early antigen (IEA) mRNA in CFU-MK and late antigen (LA) mRNA in CFU-E were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HCMV early protein P52 was detected with immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HCMV AD169 suppressed the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-MK in vitro significantly (P < 0.05). The suppression was dose-dependent. HCMV DNA was successfully detected in CFU-GM, CFU-Mix, CFU-MK colony cells from viral infection groups by IS-PCR, and was detected in CFU-E by PCR, while it was negative in blank control or mock control groups. CFU-MK colony cells expressed HCMV IEA mRNA with the size of 340 bp in virus infection groups of 10(3) plague forming unit (PFU), 10(4) PFU and 10(5) PFU, respectively. The HCMV LA mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and was 263 bp long in positive control group of HCMV-infected human embryonic fibroblasts. The expression of HCMV LA mRNA in CFU-E was negative. The early protein P52 of HCMV in 10(4) PFU group was also identified by immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HCMV AD169 strains inhibited the differentiation and proliferation of CFU-GM, CFU-E, CFU-Mix and CFU-MK by the infection of the hematopoietic progenitors. HCMV might cause the suppression of hematopoiesis by direct infection, which is thought to be one of the reasons of HCMV infection associated with thrombocytopenia, neutropenia and anemia.</p>