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Objective:To observe the effects of acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)on the expression levels of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),and nitric oxide(NO)of NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway in L5 spinal nerve root of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)model rats and explore the mechanism of acupuncture in LDH treatment.Methods:Forty specific-pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group,a model group,acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture group 2,with 10 rats in each group.The non-compression nucleus protrusion model was made by puncturing L4-L5 spinous process space and injecting autologous nucleus suspension.Acupuncture at bilateral Shenshu(BL23),Dachangshu(BL25),and Weizhong(BL40)was carried out in acupuncture group 1,and acupuncture at bilateral Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)in acupuncture group 2.All rats were treated with balanced reinforcing and reducing needling manipulations,and the needles were retained for 30 min/time with one episode of needling manipulation every 10 min,once a day,14 times in total.The threshold value of paw withdrawal pain was measured by a thermal stimulation pain instrument;the serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The pathomorphological changes of spinal nerve roots were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect iNOS mRNA expression in spinal nerve roots;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression in spinal nerve roots was detected by the immunofluorescence method.Results:Compared with the sham operation group,the threshold of paw withdrawal pain in the model group was decreased,and the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO were increased;HE staining showed many degenerated and dissolved Schwann cells in spinal nerve roots with vacuolar changes;meanwhile,the expression levels of NF-κB and iNOS proteins,and the iNOS mRNA in spinal nerve roots were increased.Compared with the model group,the paw withdrawal pain thresholds in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were increased,and the increase in acupuncture group 2 was greater(P<0.05);the expression levels of serum NF-κB,iNOS,and NO in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01);the vacuolar changes of spinal nerve roots,and the degeneration and lysis of Schwann cells in acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,which were more obvious in acupuncture group 2;the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression and the iNOS mRNA expression levels in spinal nerve roots of acupuncture group 1 and acupuncture group 2 were decreased,especially in acupuncture group 2(P<0.01).Conclusion:Acupuncture at Houxi(SI3)and Huantiao(GB30)can improve the morphology of spinal nerve roots,inhibit the NF-κB and iNOS protein expression levels in spinal nerve roots and the serum NO level,and relieve the pain caused by inflammation of spinal nerve roots,which may be one of the mechanisms of acupuncture in LDH treatment.
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DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that forms an important regulation mechanism of gene expression in organisms across kingdoms. Aberrant patterns of DNA methylation can lead to plant developmental abnormalities. In this article, we briefly discuss DNA methylation in plants and summarize its functions and biological roles in regulating gene expression and maintaining genomic stability, plant development, as well as plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. We intended to provide a concise reference for further understanding of the mechanism of DNA methylation and potential applications of epigenetic manipulation for crop improvement.
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Crop Production , DNA Methylation , Epigenesis, Genetic , Gene Expression Regulation, Plant , Genomic Instability , Plants , Genetics , Research , Stress, PhysiologicalABSTRACT
Objective@#To compare the outcomes of gastrectomy with either wedge resection of the pancreas or pancreaticosplenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) invading pancreas.@*Methods@#From May 2005 to December 2015, a total of 64 patients with AEG invading pancreas underwent gastrectomy with either wedge resection of pancreas (n=25) or pancreaticosplenectomy (n=39) at Department of Thoracic Surgery, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University. There were 53 males and 11 females, with a mean age of 60.2 years (range: 39 to 77 years). According to the AJCC esophageal cancer staging system, 8th edition, there were 27 patients in phase T4N0M0, 18 in phase T4bN1M0, 9 in phase T4bN2M0 and 10 in phase T4bN3M0. Follow-up was carried out every 6 months. The t-test for the measurement data and the χ2 test, Fisher exact test or Wilcoxon ran-sum test for the enumeration data were used between the two groups. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using the Log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was undertaken using the Cox proportional hazard model (forward stepwise regression).@*Results@#In 39 patients who underwent pancreaticosplenectomy, incision infection occurred in 5 patients, anastomotic leak, peritoneal infection, lung infarction each occurred in 1 patient. There was 1 respiratory failure and 1 peritoneal infection in 25 patients undergoing wedge resection of the pancreas. There were no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the 2 groups (8/39 vs. 2/25, P=0.292), and no postoperative death in the study. Fifty-seven patients were followed up, with a follow-up rate of 89.1%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 32.3% in patients who underwent simultaneous gastrectomy and pancreaticosplenectomy, compared to 0 in those who underwent gastrectomy and wedge resection of the pancreas (χ2=4.484, P=0.034). The 5-year overall survival rate for patients who undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy was 32.3%, compared to 17.2% in whom underwent surgery alone (χ2=4.186, P=0.041).@*Conclusions@#Survival benefit from R0 resection by simultaneous gastrectomy and pancreaticosplenectomy for AEG invading the pancreas can be achieved. Adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary for these patients.
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BACKGROUND@#Bronchopulmonary carcinoid (BPC) is a rare neuroendocrine tumor, the clinical studies on treatment and prognostic factors of BPC are somewhat controversial. Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of surgery on BPC, and to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the survival of BPC.@*METHODS@#We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with BPC admitted to the Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 2000 and December 2017. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of patients and to map the survival curve. Then the effects of different factors like pathological classification, gender, age, on prognosis were compared by univariate analysis and multivariate analysis was made by Cox proportional hazard model.@*RESULTS@#A total of 98 patients had a diagnosis of BPC were included in the study. There were 41 patients with typical carcinoid (TC) and 57 patients with atypical carcinoid (AC). The 1-yr, 5-yr, and 10-yr overall survival rates of BPC were 96.9%, 80.0% and 73.6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed age (P=0.000,1), smoking history (P=0.005), pathological subtype (P<0.000,1), T stage (P=0.000,2), TNM stage (P<0.000,1) were the prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that age (P=0.005) and tumor stage (P=0.017) were independent prognostic factors.@*CONCLUSIONS@#BPC occurred more in middle-aged men. Surgery is the main treatment for lung cancer, and the overall prognosis is good. Age and TNM stage were independent risk factors for long-term survival after lung cancer surgery.
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Objective To assess the performance of PET-CT in pulmonary carcinoid and to evaluate the efficacy of lymph node metastasis.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 33 patients with primary pulmonary carcinoid in our center between November 2008 and March 2017.The results of PET-CT were analysed and the relationship among pathological sub-type, tumor size and SUVmax was compared.Results Thirty-three patients had a diagnosis of carcinoid tumor, typical in 10 patients and atypical in 23 patients.The major axis of the tumor was positively correlated with the SUVmax value (P<0.001), and the mean SUVmax of the atypical carcinoid was higher than that of the typical carcinoid(11.27 vs 3.54).The major axis of the tumor was controlled.One-way covariance analysis suggested that the pathological subtype was related to SUVmax(P=0.012).Overall, PET-CT had a sensitivity of 66.7％(95％CI: 12.5％-98.2％) and specificity of 90.9％(95％CI:83. 0％-95.5％).Conclusion Atypical carcinoids showed higher SUVmax than typical carcinoids, but the PET-CT perform-ance of lung carcinoids is not specific.There was a high specificity in evaluating lymph node metastasis.
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A fitting method of calculating local helix parameters of proteins based on dual quaternions registration fitting (DQRFit) is proposed in this paper. First, the C and N atom coordinates of each residue in the protein structure data are extracted. Then the unregistered data and reference data are constructed using the sliding windows. The square sum of the distance of the data points before and after registration is regarded as an optimization goal. We calculate the optimal rotation matrix and the translation vector using the dual quaternion registration algorithm, and get the helix parameters of the secondary structure which contain the number of residues per turn( ), helix radius( )and helix pitch( ). Furthermore, we can achieve the fitting of three-helix parameters of , , simultaneously with the dual quaternion registration, and can adjust the sliding windows to adapt to different error levels. Compared with the traditional helix fitting method, DQRFit has some advantages such as low computational complexity, strong anti-interference, and high fitting accuracy. It is proven that the precision of proposed DQRFit for α helix detection is comparable to that of the dictionary of secondary structure of proteins (DSSP), and is better than that of other traditional methods. This is of great significance for the protein structure classification and functional prediction, drug design, protein structure visualization and other fields in the future.
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Objective To investigate the changes and related factors of maternal thyroid autoantibodies during early pregnancy. Methods Urinary iodine concentration( UIC) , serum thyroid stimulating hormone( TSH) , free thyroxine ( FT4 ) , thyroid-peroxidase antibody ( TPOAb ) , thyroglobulin antibody ( TgAb ) concentrations were determined in 7 190 women during early pregnancy in an iodine-sufficient region of China. Results The prevalence of TPOAb positivity and TgAb positivity were 8. 7% and 12. 0% respectively. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism increased significantly in group of thyroid antibody positivity. The prevalence of TPOAb positivity and TgAb positivity presented a U-shaped curve, ranging from mild iodine deficiency to iodine excess, especially increased significantly in the group with UIC<100 μg/L. Conclusion Prevalence of thyroid antibodies positivity became higher during early pregnancy. The positive thyroid autoantibodies during pregnancy were significantly associated with maternal hypothyroidism. Both iodine excess and iodine deficiency are risk factors of positive thyroid antibodies.
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Objective To compare the curative effect between minimal invasive internal fixation with Mast Quadrant and tra -ditional open internal fixation for treating thoracolumbar fractures .Methods A total of 46 cases suffered thoracolumbar fractures were randomly divided into the minimally invasive group (MQ) and the traditional open group (TO) ,the patients in MQ group re-ceived minimally invasive pedicle internal fixation under Mast Quadrant minimal invasive channel ;the patients in TO group received pedicle internal fixation under traditional open channel .Perioperative related indicators ,imaging indicators and improvements of low back pain were recorded and statistically compared respectively .Results The different of the volume of blood loss ,operation time and length of incision and postoperative volume of drainage between the two groups were statistically significant (P 0 .05) .Conclusion Compared with traditional open operation ,minimally invasive pedicle internal fixation under Mast Quadrant minimal invasive chan-nel has the advantage of more simple operation ,less intraoperative bleeding and postoperative pain less invasive ,fast recovery and short hospitalization stay .
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Objective To understand the current management situation of hand hygiene (HH)among health care workers(HCWs)in stomatology medical institutions in Zunyi,and provide basis for the scientific management of HH.Methods In October-December 2014,the on-site observation and questionnaire survey were adopted to investigate current management situation of HH in 127 stomatology medical institutions in Zunyi.Results The rates of qualified installation of sink,faucet,detergent,alcohol-based hand rub,and hand-drying facilities were 60.63%, 11 .02%,92.13%,22.05%,and 37.80% respectively.Except detergent and sink,the installation of other HH supplies in stomatology medical institutions in Zunyi were not ideal.The correct rate of HH among HCWs was 33.07%(42/127),qualified rates of HH methods among HCWs in departments of stomatology,comprehensive out-patient departments, stomatological clinics,and teeth-cleaning clinics were 50.00%,23.08%,23.53%,and 0 respectively.Conclusion HH facilities are not perfect in primary stomatology medical institutions in Zunyi,health ad-ministrative departments’supervision on HCWs’HH is inadequate,the awareness rate of HH knowledge and com-pliance to HH among HCWs are both low.
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Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules including glucose regulated protein (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase-12 in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats and explore its mechanisms.Methods Rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC) and diabetes mellitus group (DM) that were induced by intraperitoneal injection of Streptozocin after 4 weeks of high-fat chow feeding.Sciatic nerves were isolated for three times at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after induction of diabetes.The expressions of GRP78, CHOP,and caspase-12 were detected with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses.The morphology of sciatic nerve was investigated with electron microscope.Results With the extension of the course, demyelinating and axonal injury appeared in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats.The expressions of GRP78 mRNA and protein in DM group were significantly higher than NC group at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after induction of diabetes(P ＜0.05, P ＜0.01).The expressions of CHOP mRNA and protein in DM group were significantly higher than NC group at 8 weeks and 12 weeks after induction of diabetes (P ＜ 0.05).The expressions of caspase-12 mRNA and protein in DM group were significantly higher than NC group at 8 weeks after induction of diabetes(P ＜ 0.05, P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Endoplasmic reticulum stress-related molecules (GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-12) contributed to the peripheral nerve injury of diabetic rats, and displayed dynamic changes.
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Objective To discuss the clinical features and treatment measures on patients with medium volume of supratentorial hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage in the elderly.Methods The clinical data of 57 patients with medium volume of supratentorial hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage aged ≥ 70 years were analyzed retrospectively.Results All of 57 patients,15 cases accepted medical treatment,42 cases were treated with minimally invasive operation for 1-26 (4.6 ± 6.5) h after onset.Three cases died in hospital,7 cases were transferred or gave up,6 cases lived as plant,8 cases were severely maimed,11 cases were moderately maimed,22 cases [38.6％(22/57)] recovered favorably.The main clinical characteristics of elderly patients:long history of hypertension,blood pressure fluctuation; atypical symptoms of increased intracranial pressure; more complications such as arrhythmia and pulmonary infection; most of family members of patients were pessimistic to treatment.Conclusions All factors should be thought over about the treatment of elderly patients with medium volume of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.Individual treatment is reasonable.Do not emphasize on early operation,minimally invasive operation can be helpful for patients.
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This study examined the corneal permeability of topical eye drop solutions added with various corneal penetrating accelerators and gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the random digits table: Gd-DTPA group, in which the rabbits received 23.45% Gd-DTPA; hyaluronic acid group, in which 23.45% Gd-DTPA plus 0.2% hyaluronic acid was administered; azone group, in which 23.45% Gd-DTPA with 0.2% azone was given. Fifty microliters of the eye drops was instilled into the conjunctive sac every 5 min, for a total of 6 applications in each group. Contrast medium signals in the cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber, and vitreous body were scanned successively by MRI. The morphology and cell density of the corneal endothelium were examined before and 24 h after the treatment. The results showed that the residence time of Gd-DTPA in the conjunctival sac in the hyaluronic acid and azone groups was longer than that in the Gd-DTPA group. The signals in the anterior chamber of the Gd-DTPA and hyaluronic acid groups were increased slightly, and those in the azone group strengthened sharply. The signal intensity continuously rose over 80 min before reaching plateau. The strengthening rate of signals in the anterior chamber was 19.63% in the Gd-DTPA group, 53.42% in the sodium hyaluronate group, and 226.94% in the azone group. No signal was detected in the posterior chamber or vitreous body in all the 3 groups. Corneal morphology and cell density did not show any significant changes after the treatment in all the 3 groups. It was concluded that azone can significantly improve the corneal permeability of drugs that are similar to Gd-DTPA in molecular weight and molecular size, and MRI is a noninvasive technique that can dynamically detect eye drop metabolism in real time.
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Animals , Female , Male , Rabbits , Azepines , Pharmacokinetics , Contrast Media , Pharmacokinetics , Cornea , Metabolism , Gadolinium DTPA , Pharmacokinetics , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Ophthalmic Solutions , PermeabilityABSTRACT
This study examined the corneal permeability of topical eye drop solutions added with various corneal penetrating accelerators and gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the random digits table: Gd-DTPA group, in which the rabbits received 23.45% Gd-DTPA; hyaluronic acid group, in which 23.45% Gd-DTPA plus 0.2% hyaluronic acid was administered; azone group, in which 23.45% Gd-DTPA with 0.2% azone was given. Fifty microliters of the eye drops was instilled into the conjunctive sac every 5 min, for a total of 6 applications in each group. Contrast medium signals in the cornea, anterior chamber, posterior chamber, and vitreous body were scanned successively by MRI. The morphology and cell density of the corneal endothelium were examined before and 24 h after the treatment. The results showed that the residence time of Gd-DTPA in the conjunctival sac in the hyaluronic acid and azone groups was longer than that in the Gd-DTPA group. The signals in the anterior chamber of the Gd-DTPA and hyaluronic acid groups were increased slightly, and those in the azone group strengthened sharply. The signal intensity continuously rose over 80 min before reaching plateau. The strengthening rate of signals in the anterior chamber was 19.63% in the Gd-DTPA group, 53.42% in the sodium hyaluronate group, and 226.94% in the azone group. No signal was detected in the posterior chamber or vitreous body in all the 3 groups. Corneal morphology and cell density did not show any significant changes after the treatment in all the 3 groups. It was concluded that azone can significantly improve the corneal permeability of drugs that are similar to Gd-DTPA in molecular weight and molecular size, and MRI is a noninvasive technique that can dynamically detect eye drop metabolism in real time.
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Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of glycosaminoglycans(GAGs)on diabetes mellitus with early nephropathy in order to find a new therapeutic approach to diabetic nephropathy. Methods 60 cases of type 2 diabetic nephropathy(albuminuria:30 to 300mg/24h,male/female:38/22,ages:43-70 years old, course of disease:1-30 years)without hypertension were selected. Some indexes were analyzed before and after administration of regular therapy in routine group or glycosaminoglycans group. The elderly group and non elderly group of diabetes nephropathy were compared. When the metabolism is stable, the levels of endothelin (ET), Netricoxide (NO)and urinary albumin excretion rate(UAER)were measured. Results After three months treatment, the levels of UAER were decreased significantly in both GAGs group and routine group(P＜0.01).After three months, UAER was decreased step by step, and there was no difference between the two groups. The levels of UAER had no change in regular group and there was significant difference between this group and the other two groups. In GAGs group, the levels of whole blood viscosity of medium shear rate 1,whole blood viscosity of medium sheer rate 2,whole blood viscosity of low shear rate were declined and serum NO increased significantly; that of plasma viscosity, whole blood reduced viscosity, ET were all decreased to some degree. Conclusion GAGs has the therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients with microalbuminuria because of decreasing UAER and reversing the development of DN. The benefit was positively correlated with the time of taking glycosaminoglycans.
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Objective To investigate effects of hypertensive agents on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF)and prognosis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). Method Thirty patients withFILCH were divided into group A,B and C according to mean arterial pressure(MAP) with various ranges of <10%, 10 ～ 20%, and > 20%, respectively. Patients of three groups were checked with single photon emissioncomputed tomography (SPECT),and computerized tomography of head successively, 24 hours, 3 ～ 5 days, and 12～ 15 days after admission for the assessment of therapeutic effects. The rtes of the decrease in rCBF compared be-twecn groups were analyzed with t test. Neurologic function defect scale, activities of living scale and number of re-bleeding compared between two groups were analyzed by X2 test, respectively. Results There were statisticallysignificant differences in the rate of the decrease in rCBF. The neurologic function defect scale and activities of liv-ing scale at 24 hours, 3 ～ 5 days, and 12 ～ 15 days after admission compared between group C and group A, andbetween group C and group B showed significant differences ( P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differ-enees in rebleeding during acute phase of HICH between group A and group B or group C (P < 0.05).Conclusions If the systolic blood pressure is above 185mmHg or diastolic blood pressure over 95mmHg,it is ra-tional and safe to lower the MAP by about 15% with hypotensive gents so as to minimize the impact on regionalcerebral blood flow.
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Objective:To explore the suitable management model on diabetic patients in communities and improvethe effect of treatment.Methods:All subjects were randomly divided into two groups,118 in control and 102 in treatment.Thecontrol group was treated with western medicine,and the treatment group was treated with western medicine and Chinese herb asdrinking.The following items were observed:the variation of human body basic parameter,blood glucose,scores of symptoms inTCM and quality of life.Results:Blood pressure and blood glucose descended in the treatment group after intervention (P
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Objective:To test the effects of roxithromycin(RM) on TNF? and IL-6 release from periodontal ligment fibroblasts(PDLCs) stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS).Methods:PDLCs of passage 4~8 were cultured with RM at 2,20 and 200 ?g/ml respectively with 10 ?g/ml of LPS.The control cells were cultured with culture medium only.The cultures were continued for 3,6,12 and 24 hours respectively.ELISA method was used to measure TNF-? and IL-6 released into the culture medium from PDLCs in the different groups.Results:LPS increased both TNF-? and IL-6 release from PDLCs at all the time points(P
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Objective To clarify malaria infection and the incidence in first Chinese medical team of United Nation peacekeeping mission in Democratic Republic of Congo and evaluate the effect of prevention measures so that provide reference for studying on malaria prevention and the precautionary measures for the follow-up personnel in Africa. Methods 43 cases (male 30, female 13) were observed between Apr. and Dec. 2003 when they were deployed in D.R.of Congo. Eliminating mosquito was used to decrease the density, including the usage of driving mosquito machine, killing mosquito lamp and chlorine cyanogens chrysanthemum ester, ”Prevent malaria-3”and COTECXIN as the precautionary medicines. Plasmodiums in blood were checked periodically. The cases with positive result of blood test and without clinical symptom was considered as infection, otherwise as disease with symptom appeared. Results The density of mosquito in house decreased. 3 cases (male 2, female 1) suffering from malaria, the incidence was 6.98%. Plasmodium was found in 39 individuals (male 26, female 13), the infection rate was 90.70%. The incidence was the lowest compared with contingents from other countries. Conclusion It was effective that these measures taken by reducing mosquito density and ”Prevent malaria-3”and COTECXIN usage in Chinese medical team during peacekeeping mission .