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Objective:To construct a conceptual framework of burnout among primary caregivers of stroke patients based on grounded theory.Methods:According to the characteristics of age, gender, relationship with patients, length of care and other characteristics of purpose sampling method, from December 2021 to March 2022, 31 primary caregivers of stroke patients were selected for semi-structured interviews in two second-class hospitals, a first-class hospitals and a community health service station in Wuzhong city and Yinchuan city. The data were analyzed in procedural grounded theory method.Results:A total of 29 primary categories and 9 secondary categories were formed. The conceptual framework of burnout among primary caregivers of stroke patients was finally established, which consisted of four main categories (role burnout, physical burnout, psychological burnout and social burnout) and a core category (burnout of primary caregivers of stroke patients).Conclusions:The conceptual framework of burnout among primary caregivers of stroke patients constructed in this study elaborates the connotation of burnout of primary caregivers of stroke patients from four aspects, which can provide a basis for the development of assessment tools and the formulation of intervention measures in the future.
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Objective To develop an intelligent recognition model based on deep learning algorithms of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images, and to preliminarily explore the value of this model for remote identification, monitoring and management of cattle, a source of Schistosoma japonicum infection. Methods Oncomelania hupensis snail-infested marshlands around the Poyang Lake area were selected as the study area. Image datasets of the study area were captured by aerial photography with UAV and subjected to augmentation. Cattle in the sample database were annotated with the annotation software VGG Image Annotator to create the morphological recognition labels for cattle. A model was created for intelligent recognition of livestock based on deep learning-based Mask R-convolutional neural network (CNN) algorithms. The performance of the model for cattle recognition was evaluated with accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score and mean precision. Results A total of 200 original UAV images were obtained, and 410 images were yielded following data augmentation. A total of 2 860 training samples of cattle recognition were labeled. The created deep learning-based Mask R-CNN model converged following 200 iterations, with an accuracy of 88.01%, precision of 92.33%, recall of 94.06%, F1 score of 93.19%, and mean precision of 92.27%, and the model was effective to detect and segment the morphological features of cattle. Conclusion The deep learning-based Mask R-CNN model is highly accurate for recognition of cattle based on UAV images, which is feasible for remote intelligent recognition, monitoring, and management of the source of S. japonicum infection.
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Objective:To investigate gender differences in arterial velocity pulse index(AVI), which is an indicator of vascular stiffness, across various age groups.Additionally, the study will also examine the risk factors associated with AVI.Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 4311 patients with an average age of 57.8±12.8 years at Jiading Branch of Shanghai First People's Hospital between August 2020 and September 2021.Patients were divided into three groups based on age: young(<45 years old, n=755), middle-aged(45-59 years old, n=1260), and elderly(≥60 years old, n=2 296). The AVI of the subject was obtained using the cuff oscillation wave method.The subject's AVI was acquired using the cuff oscillation wave.High AVI, indicating arteriosclerosis, was defined as AVI≥33.The subjects were then divided into two groups: the high AVI group(122 cases)and the normal AVI group(4 189 cases).Results:The ankle-brachial index(AVI)was found to be 12.8±3.7, 17.5±5.7, and 19.8±6.5 in the young, middle-aged, and elderly groups, respectively.The study revealed that AVI increased with age( Ftrend=767.819, P<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of high AVI in middle-aged women was found to be(2.8% or 20/722), which was higher than that in men 0.9%(5/538)in the same age group.This difference was statistically significant( χ2=5.371, P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicate that being overweight, having a higher height, and a pulse rate greater than 80 BPM are protective factors in preventing a high incidence of AVI.The odds ratios( OR)with 95% confidence intervals( CI)for these factors were 0.468(0.317-0.690), 0.926(0.895-0.958), and 0.143(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P-value less than 0.01.On the other hand, old age, systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or higher, and diastolic blood pressure of 90 mmHg or higher were identified as risk factors for AVI.The ORs with 95% CIs for these factors were 2.119(1.322-3.396), 6.652(4.136-10.699), and 1.580(1.026-2.432), respectively, all with a P- value less than 0.05l. Conclusions:Arterial stiffness, as measured by the ankle-brachial index(ABI), tends to increase with age.In middle-aged subjects, women have a higher incidence of high ABI than men.Independent risk factors for high ABI include age and increased blood pressure, while factors such as overweight and height may affect the measured value of ABI.
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Enormous studies have corroborated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) extensively participate in crucial physiological processes such as metabolism and immunity, and are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, nervous system disorders, nephropathy, and other diseases. The application of lncRNAs as biomarkers or intervention targets can provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This paper has focused on the emerging research into lncRNAs as pharmacological targets and has reviewed the transition of lncRNAs from the role of disease coding to acting as drug candidates, including the current status and progress in preclinical research. Cutting-edge strategies for lncRNA modulation have been summarized, including the sources of lncRNA-related drugs, such as genetic technology and small-molecule compounds, and related delivery methods. The current progress of clinical trials of lncRNA-targeting drugs is also discussed. This information will form a latest updated reference for research and development of lncRNA-based drugs.
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Objective To investigate the necessity of several issues of vascular ultrasound referring to the formulation of Chinese expert consensuses for Chinese ultrasound doctors. Methods Ultrasound doctors or related professional doctors in hospitals at all levels over the country were taken as the research object, using the questionnaires survey by WeChat on the mobile phone to investigate and analyze whether expert consensus should be established on several problems of carotid vascular ultrasonography. The questions involved in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of carotid artery plaques ( Q1 -Q3 ) , the evaluation of ultrasonography for the vulnerable plaques ( Q4 and Q5 ) , the diagnostic criteria of carotid stenosis (Q6-Q8) , and the abnormal development and course of the carotid artery ( Q9 -Q11). The R x C contingency table chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation of Kendall's tau-b classification variables. Results All 3 658 valid questionnaires were collected from various physicians at all levels of hospitals in 34 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. The response rate of the questionnaire has some differences in the regional division, hospital level, and professional title. Among them, the highest responding rates were in east China, at the top three hospitals, and from the attending physicians, with the rates of 43. 44% (1 589/3 658) , 45. 90% ( 1 679/3 658) and 41. 53% (1 519/ 3 658), respectively. The cumulative response rates for the necessary consensus from Ql to Qll were 81.00% (2 963/3 658), 91.94% (3 363/3 658), 85. 24% (3 118/3 658), 96.61% (3 534/3 658), 87.64% (3 206/3 658), 92.62% (3 388/3 658), 86.80% (3 175/3 658), 90.08% (3 295/3 658), 84.53% (3 092/3 658) , 95.02% (3 476/3 658), and 89.99% (3 292/3 658), respectively. Q1, Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 were negatively correlated with geographic divisions (r= -0.032, -0.032, -0.030, -0.031, and -0.030, all P <0.05), while Q3, Q7, and Q9, were negatively correlated with occupations (r= -0.030, -0.033, and -0.040, all P< 0.05), Q3, Q8, and Q9, Q10 were negatively correlated with hospital grades (r= -0.039, -0.042, and -0.053, -0.035, all P<0.05). Ql, Q4, Q6, Q7, Q8, and Q10 were negatively correlated with doctors' titles (r = -0.079, -0.032, -0.035, -0.030, -0.030, and -0.052, all P < 0. 05). Conclusions Several problems of carotid artery ultrasound need expert consensus. The urgency of expert consensus is related to the region, hospital level, and doctor title level. Expert consensus is conducive to eliminating the cognitive differences between different levels of ultrasound physicians, unifying standards, standardizing reports, and achieving quality control.
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Objective@#To evaluate the clinical value of high-risk factors in combination with stratification method in predicting the clinical prognosis of patients diagnosed with N2-3M0 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).@*Methods@#A total of 226 N2-3M0 NPC patients who underwent IMRT from November 2013 to May 2015 were enrolled in this study. The relationship between tumor volume, cervical metastatic lymph node characteristics (necrosis and fusion) and T and N staging was analyzed. The high-risk factors that affected the survival were identified. The value of high-risk factors combined with stratification method in predicting the clinical prognosis was assessed.@*Results@#N3 staging, Vn≥47.15cm3 and lymph node fusion (LNF) were the high-risk factors for distant metastasis in patients with stage N2-3M0 NPC. All patients were classified into the low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk and extremely high-risk groups according to high-risk factors. For patients in the low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk and extremely high-risk groups, the 3-year overall survival rates were 84.2%, 76.7%, 58.7% and 36.4%(all P<0.001), 87.3%, 85.2%, 54.5% and 12.1% for the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates (all P<0.001), 76.8%, 74.3%, 49.2% and 12.1%for the progression-free survival (PFS) rates (all P<0.001), and 89.2%, 88.5%, 91.5% and 88.3% for the loco-regional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS) rates (P=0.914), respectively. The risk stratification method showed the best curve separation for DMFS compared to the Vn, N staging and LNF classification groups (all P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#High-risk factors in combination with stratification method has the highest clinical value in predicting the clinical prognosis of N2-3M0 NPC patients.
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Objective To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion ( SWD ) technique ,and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters . Methods Forty‐five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group ( ≥50 years old) and younger group ( ＜50 years old) according to the age . T he carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole ,axial elastic modulus ( SWER ) and viscous index ( SWDR ) were obtained . T he pulse wave velocity ( PWV ) ,a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator . T he difference of SWE R ,SWDR and PWV were compared between two groups ; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis ,respectively . Results ① Compared with the younger group ,the carotid PWV increased ,w hile SWE R and SWDR decreased in the elder group ( all P ＜0 .05) . ②In all subjects ,SWER was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .256 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) . In the elder group ,SWER was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝ －0 .357 , P ＜ 0 .05 ) ,and SWDR was negatively correlated with PWV ( r ＝ －0 .393 , P ＜0 .05 ) . In the younger group ,SWDR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure ( r ＝0 .366 , P ＜0 .05) . Conclusions Compared with the elder group ,the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people ,and it is correlated with PWV . SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity ,and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics .
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Objective@#To detect the viscoelasticity of carotid artery in healthy volunteers using ultrasonic shear wave dispersion (SWD) technique, and explore the feasibility and influencing factors for SWD parameters.@*Methods@#Forty-five healthy volunteers were recruited and divided into elder group (≥50 years old) and younger group (<50 years old) according to the age. The carotid arteries were examined by SWD at systole, axial elastic modulus (SWER) and viscous index (SWDR) were obtained. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), a carotid artery circumferential elastic parameter was obtained and considered as the reference indicator. The difference of SWER, SWDR and PWV were compared between two groups; and the correlation between them were analyzed by Pearson analysis, respectively.@*Results@#①Compared with the younger group, the carotid PWV increased, while SWER and SWDR decreased in the elder group(all P<0.05). ②In all subjects, SWER was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.256, P<0.05). In the elder group, SWER was negatively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=-0.357, P<0.05), and SWDR was negatively correlated with PWV (r=-0.393, P<0.05). In the younger group, SWDR was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r=0.366, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#Compared with the elder group, the carotid viscoelasticity was higher in young people, and it is correlated with PWV. SWD can evaluate carotid viscoelasticity, and contribute to better understanding of its tissue characteristics.
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Aim of this research work is to observe and analyze the clinical effect of total thyroidectomy combined with radioactive iodine in thyroid cancer treatment. The 120 thyroid cancer patients treated in our hospital were enrolled as study subjects and assigned to study group [treated with total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine] and reference group [treated with conventional total thyroidectomy]. The overall treatment efficacy was compared between the two groups. Comparison of overall treatment efficacy of the two groups showed that the study group has superior results to the reference group [P<0.05]. Comparison of incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in the two groups revealed no significant differences, P>0.05. However, in life quality assessment, the study group was significantly superior to the reference groupin terms of physiological function, psychological function, social function, and overall life quality scores, P<0.05. Total thyroidectomy combined with radioactive iodine can well improve the overall treatment efficiency and enable patients to have higher quality of life at the same time
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Objective To investigate ultrahistopathological features of symmetrical acrokeratoderma.Methods Biopsy specimens were obtained from skin lesions and perilesional normalappearing skin of 6 patients with symmetrical acrokeratoderma,as well as from normal skin of 3 healthy volunteers.Then,these skin specimens were subjected to transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Results TEM showed obviously thickened stratum corneum,irregular morphology of keratinocytes and discontinuous cornified envelope.Aggregation and abnormal arrangement of keratin filaments occurred in all epidermal layers.Many vacuoles of different sizes were observed in the transitional zone between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum.Hypogranulosis,abnormal shape and different sizes of keratohyalin granules,and reduction of membrane-coating granules were found in the stratum granulosum.Increased melanocytes with a large number of stage Ⅳ melanosomes in the cytoplasm were observed in the basal layers.Moreover,there was infiltration of a few lymphocytes in the superficial dermis.Perilesional normal-appearing skin tissues showed similar but milder ultrastructural changes.Conclusion Abnormal metabolism of keratins,epidermal differentiation complex proteins and lipids may exist in skin lesions of symmetrical acrokeratoderma,which may contribute to epidermal thickening and impairment of skin barrier function.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral ulcer protective agent in the prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) radiotherapy and its effect upon serum inflammatory factors.Methods A total of 90 patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma presenting with grade I oral mucositis caused by radiotherapy in our hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups.In the experimental group,oral ulcer protective agent was given,and Kangfuxin gargle was administered in the control group.The incidence time and degree of radioactive oral mucositis,visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score,serum levels of CRP,TGF-β1,IL-6 and T lymphocyte subsets were statistically compared between two groups by independent-sample t-test.Results At 4 and 6 weeks after corresponding treatment,the incidence of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ oral mucositis in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.018,0.021,0.027,0.014)).In the experimental group,the incidence of moderate and severe pain assessed by VAS was significantly lower compared with that in the control group (P=0.019,0.025);After corresponding treatment,the CRP levels in both groups were down-regulated and the CRP level in the experimental group was considerably lower than that in the control group (P=0.013).The levels of TGF-β1 and IL-6 in the control group were significantly increased (P=0.015、0.021),whereas dramatically declined in the experimental group (P=0.012,0.019).CD3(+),CD4 (+),CD8(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) were remarkably elevated in two groups,and more significant increase was observed in the experimental group (P=0.024,0.036,0.029,0.017).Conclusions Oral ulcer protective agent can effectively inhibit the progression of oral mucosal injury,shorten the healing time and relieve the pain of oral mucosal injury in patients with NPC.,which is worthy of clinical application.
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Objective To detecte the neovascularizations in carotid plaques using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and explore the relationship between the neovascularizations and the peripheral leukocytes in the patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods Sixty-two patients with large artery atherosclerosis cerebral infarction were selected as cerebral infarction group;and 54 age-and gender-matched patients with atherosclerosis and without cerebral cerebrovascular events were recruited control group.The dominant carotid artery plaques were performed by CEUS,the peak of time-intensity curve(TIC-P) and the mean of time-intensity curve (TIC-M) were measured by off-line quantitative analysis.The peak (FC-P), time to peak (FC-TP),sharpness (FC-S) and under the curve area (FC-AUC) were obtained from fitting curves of time-intensity. The correlations between parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and leukocyte counts were analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results ①In the cerebral infarction group, the total leukocytes and neutrophils were higher than those in the control group,while the number of lymphocytes was lower than that of the control group(all P <0.05). ②In the cerebral infarction group,the TIC-P and TIC-M values were greater than those in the control group ( P < 0.05).Compared with the control group,the FC-P,FC-S and FC-AUC values in the cerebral infarction group were increased (all P <0.05). ③There was a negative correlation between PIG-P,TIC-M of FC-P and lymphocytes( r = -0.291,-0.263 and -0.270;all P <0.05).FC-S and FC-AUC were positively correlated with neutrophils ( r =0.261,0.298;all P < 0.05). Conclusions Carotid plaque neovascularizations is related to peripheral leukocyte count.CEUS help us know more the vulnerability of plaque.
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Objective To observe the correlation between CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques and leukocytes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods Sixty-two patients with large artery atherosclerosis stroke (LAAS group) confirmed by CT or MRI were enrolled,while 54 patients in the same period of hospitalization,age and gender-matched,no history of cardiovascular events with atherosclerosis were taken as control group.The correlation between CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques and leukocytes in two groups were compared.Multiple linear regression model was built and the risk factors of CEUS quantitative parameters were analyzed.Results The total leukocytes count,neutrophils count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in LAAS group were higher,while the lymphocytes count was lower than those in control group (all P＜0.05).CEUS parameters,including timeqntensity curve (TIC) peak (TIC-P),mean (TIC-M),fitting curve (FC) peak (FC-P),sharpness (FC-S) and area under the curve (FC-AUC) of carotid plaques were higher than those in control group (all P＜0.05),while neutrophils count and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio were positively correlated with FC-AUC (r=0.298 and 0.739,respectively;all P＜0.05).Total leukocytes count was independent risk factor of TIC-P,and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio was independent risk factor of FC-AUC (all P＜0.05).Conclusion CEUS quantitative parameters of carotid plaques related to leukocytes count.Increased leukocytes or neutrophil/ lymphocyte ratio might rise vulnerability of plaques.
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Objective To study the change rules with age in morphologic properties of common carotid artery,and to discuss its aging process after kidney transplantation.Methods Thirty-one patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) supported by hemodialysis,31 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and 84 control subjects were offered an ultrasound of carotid artery.The carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) and common carotid artery diameter (CCAD) of right carotid arteries were measured by ultrasonic frequency tracking.The tends for slope of CIMT and CCAD with age were analyzed by linear regression analysis.Results Compared with KTR group and control group,ESRD group had significantly thicker CIMT and wider CCAD,but there was no significant difference between KTR group and control group.The linear regression showed the development of CIMT were positively associated with age (P＜0.05).Compared with KTR group and ESRD group respectively,the slope of CIMT with age (unstandardized coefficients b) in control group was greater (Z=1.417,P =0.006;Z =2.223,P＜0.001).There was no significant difference between KTR group and ESRD group (Z =1.038,P =0.723).The development of CCAD were also positively associated with age (P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the slope of CCAD with age in ESRD group was less (Z =1.677,P =0.002).Conclusions After successful kidney transplantation,some morphologic properties of carotid artery are improved and resume the normal aging process.
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Objective To analyze the relation between carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the shear rate (SR),and to explore the effect of SR on IMT in the patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)and the kidney transplant recipients (KTR).Methods From March 2014 to December 2015,31 KTR and 31 patients with ESRD supported by hemodialysis and 84 control subjects underwent an carotid ultrasound in Shanghai General Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University.Bilateral carotid IMT and SR were measured.The differences of IMT and SR in three groups were compared by single factor analysis of variance.SNK-q test was used to compare the two groups.The correlation between SR and bilateral IMT was analyzed by linear regression analysis in healthy control group,ESRD group and KTR group.Results On the right,in ESRD,KTR and control group,the IMTs were (561.9± 147.7) μm,(480.5±90.3) μtm and (529.7±131.80) μtm respectively.Compared with KTR and control group,the IMT on right was thickest in ESRD,but there was no significant difference between KTR and control group in right IMT.On the left,the IMTs were (517.5± 164.7) μm,(506.7± 126.3) μm and (467.0± 106.4) μm in control group,ESRD and KTR,respectively.Among groups,there was no significant difference.On the right,the SRs were (134.01 ±56.4) s-1,(133.4±43.7) s-1 and (175.8±68.3) s-1 in ESRD,KTR and control group,respectively.In ESRD and KTR groups,the SR of the right carotid artery was less than that of the control group,and had significant difference (q=3.133,P=0.002;q=3.470,P ＜ 0.001).There was no significant difference in right SR between ESRD and KTR.On the left,the SRs were (146.3±55.9) s-1,(138.5±43.8) s-1 and (154.7±60.8) s-1 in ESRD,KTR and control group,respectively,and had no significant difference.There was linear negative correlation between SR and IMT in healthy control group,ESRD group and KTR group,respectively (right:r=-0.384,-0.082,-0.454;left:r=-0.572,0.223,-0.276,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The IMT was thickened in ESRD group,but got thinning after successful kidney transplantation.The SR played a vital role in this alteration of IMT.
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Objective To understand the current prevalence of clonorchiasis in Jiangxi Province. Methods A survey was performed according to the scheme of the 3rd Principal Human Parasites of Jiangxi Province. Based on the ecological regions,a stratified cluster sampling method was applied by the economic and geographic situation. In rural areas,the investigation of C. si?nensis was carried out together with the soil?transmitted helminths investigation,and in the urban areas,the random cluster sam?pling method was applied for the C. sinensis investigation. There were 92 survey sites from 32 counties. The eggs of C. sinensis in stool were examined by Kato?Katz technique,and health knowledge was also investigated by questionnaires in some people at the same time. Results A total of 23 606 sample residents were investigated,and 138 were found infected with C. sinensis, with the infection rate of 0.58%. Light infection was found in most of them. Totally 124 C. sinensis infected persons focused in Xinfeng County,and only a few of infected people scattered in the other counties. In Xinfeng County,851 residents were investi?gated. Among them,the infected people were found in all the age groups except the 0?year age group. The highest infection rate appeared in the 70? years group(24.00%). The male infection rate was 20.29%,which was higher than that of the female (6.25%),showing a statistically significant difference(P<0.01). The infection rate was highest in the population who received high school or technical secondary school education(31.48%). For the occupation distribution,the infection rate was highest in public officers(39.39%). The questionnaire survey showed that the infection rate in the populations in Xinfeng County who had the history of eating raw fish or raw shrimp was 33.15%. Conclusions The distribution of C. sinensis infection presents a region?al aggregation in Xinfeng County,but in other areas,the distribution is sporadic. It is necessary to continue to carry out the para?sitic disease screening,and in Xinfeng County,it is necessary to strengthen the comprehensive prevention and control interven?tion.
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Objective To explore the cut?off value of the indirect haemagglutination test(IHA)method for schistosomiasis japonica diagnosis in different endemic areas. Methods Totally 55 nature villages of the lake?type endemic counties,Yugan and Xinzi,in Poyang Lake Region of Jiangxi Province were chosen as the study fields,and all the villagers over 5 years old were parallelly examined by Kato?Katz method+miracidial hatching test and IHA method. The detection data were analyzed by the correlation analysis,and the threshold values of the IHA method in different endemic areas were decided by the receiver operat?ing characteristic(ROC)curve. Results The positive rate of stool examinations of the villagers was correlated with the distribu?tion trend of the antibody level of whole population(r=0.588,P0.05). The antibody level of stool?negative population during the period of 2008 to 2011 detect?ed by IHA method dropped year by year,and the annual difference was statistically significant(F=3.650,P0.05). When the positive rates were5%,the specificity of diagnosis could be improved when 1∶80,1∶20 and 1∶10 were used as the cut?off val? ues of IHA correspondingly. Conclusion The different threshold values for diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica should be con?sidered while using IHA method to screen out patients in different endemic areas.
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Objective To explore the immune mechanism of negative results of immune tests of schistosomiasis japonica pa?tients. Methods Totally 142 schistosomiasis patients(positive stool examinations)of Poyang Lake region were tested by ELI?SA method,and the ROC curve was applied to determine the high and low response of the patients. The levels of cellular immu?nity and cytokines of high and low responders were compared. Results Totally eight schistosomiasis patients were found as low responders. Besides SWAP?IgA(t= -1.588,P > 0.1),the levels of isotype antibodies were significantly lower in the low re?sponders compared with those in the high responders(t = -14.517 to -2.866,all P 0.05)compared with those in the high responders. The differences of IFN?γ and IL?10 between the high and low responders were both not significant(t= -2.426 to 0.216,all P >0.05). Conclusions There is a significant difference between the high and low responders only in the levels of isotype antibod?ies. One of the reasons of low response in the immune tests is the much lower antibody level after the antigen?antibody compound is completely formulated.
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Objective To design and develop new types of health education materials which are suitable for fishermen and boatmen in endemic areas of marshland and lake regions,and to observe their application effects. Methods A total of 292 adult fishmen and boatmen who lived in Houshan Village,Yugan County,the schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake Re?gion,were selected randomly and investigated by questionnaires to understand the status of their knowledge,attitudes,practic?es on schistosomiasis control as well as the channels for getting information on schistosomiasis control and the materials that they were willing to accept. Then the information and materials suitable for the target population were developed together by the re?searchers and the volunteers of the villagers through focus group discussions,personal interviews and the Delphi method. Re?sults A series of participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control targeted to the fishmen and boatmen were developed,including 2 live posters,2 picture puzzles,2 short opusculums and one song about schistosomiasis control. The field application showed that 98.97%,84.38%,78.35% and 80.93% of the participants considered those materials had scientificity, intelligibility,interestingness and practicability,respectively. Conclusion The participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control is suitable for fishmen and boatmen,which can be used for reference by other endemic areas in marsh?land and lake regions.
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Objective To measure the longitudinal elastic modulus in patients with acute ischemic stroke by shear wave elasotography(SWE),and to study its feasibility and related factors.Methods There were 1 79 cases with acute ischemic stroke (AIS)including 103 cases with large artery atherosclerosis and 76 cases with lacunar infarction classified according to the TOAST classification.There were 168 age and sex-matched cases as control group.Pulse wave velocity (PWV ) of bilateral carotid was measured by radiofrequency ultrasound.The 20 areas of superficial walls of bilateral carotid artery were analyzed by SWE,and the average values of longitudinal average elastic modulus (MEmean ),the maximum elastic modulus (MEmax )and minimum elastic modulus (MEmin )were calculated.The independent factors of MEmean were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis.Results ①Compared with control group, PWV in patients with AIS was increased (P <0.05).②The MEmax and MEmean of carotid artery in patients with AIS were more than those in the control group (P <0.05).③Age,systolic blood pressure,PWV and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were positively related to MEmean (r =0.221 ,0.1 74,0.776 and 0.1 73,respectively,P <0.05 ),and were independent factors for MEmean .Conclusions SWE can evaluated the arterial stiffness using longitudinal elastic modulus of carotid.Age,systolic blood pressure,PWV and LDL were independent factors for longitudinal elastic modulus.