The role of TNF-α and NFkß in an experimental model of intestinal carcinogenesis with 1, 2-dimethyhydrazine

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the potential of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and factor nuclear kappa B (NF-κB) as colorectal cancer (CRC) biomarkers in an experimental model of intestinal carcinogenesis with 1,2-dimethyhydrazine (1,2-DMH). Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: sham and 1,2-DMH. First, 1,2-DMH (20 mg/kg/week) was administered for 15 consecutive weeks. In the 25th week, proctocolectomy was conducted. Histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression of TNF-α and NF-κB were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism. The location of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis' test. For analyses with two groups with parametric data, the t-test was used; for non-parametric data, the Mann-Whitney's test was used. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The number of ACF and macroscopic lesions was significantly higher (p < 0.5) in the 1,2-DMH group compared to the sham group, and most ACF were concentrated in the distal segment of the colon. There was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.5) in protein and gene expression of TNF-α and NF-κB in the 1,2-DMH group compared to the sham group. Conclusions: Our results provide supportive evidence that TNF-α and NF-κB pathways are strongly involved in CRC development in rats and might be used as early biomarkers of CRC pathogenesis in experimental studies.

Analysis of plague monitoring results in natural focus of Marmota sibirica plague in Hulunbuir Plateau from 2009 to 2020 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the plague monitoring results of Marmota sibirica plague natural focus in Hulunbuir Plateau, and to study the characteristics of development and variation of the plague focus. Methods:From 2009 to 2020, monitoring was conducted in Manzhouli City, Prairie Chenbarhu Banner, Xin Barag Left Banner, and Xin Barag Right Banner from May to September each year. The one-day bow-clip method was used to investigate the density of the Spermophilus dauricus, and the 5-meter clamp method was used to investigate other small rodents. The classification and identification of ectoparasite fleas were done by using low power microscope. According to "Diagnostic Criteria for Plague" (WS 279-2008), the detectable materials of rats and fleas were tested, and Yersinia pestis was isolated and cultured. The serums of collected rats were detected by indirect hemagglutination test. Results:From 2009 to 2020, the average density of dauricus in Marmota sibirica plague natural focus of Hulunbuir Plateau was 0.45/hm 2, and the capture rate of other small rodents was 1.25% (787/63 091). A total of 9 species, 8 genera and 4 families of rodents were captured. The total flea infection rate of Spermophilus dauricus was 28.37% (1 945/6 856) and the fleas index was 1.04. A total of 3 species, 3 genera and 2 families of fleas were collected. A total of 6 674 Spermophilus dauricus were dissected and 6 787 fleas were cultured in 2 537 groups. The Yersinia pestis test was negative. A total of 6 795 serum samples from Spermophilus dauricus were detected, of which 11 were positive with a positive detection rate of 0.16%. The highest titer of positive serum was 1∶1 280. Indirect hemagglutination test positive materials were found for 5 consecutive years from 2010 to 2014; the positive serums were found in Manzhouli City and Xin Barag Right Banner. Conclusions:The Yersinia pestis antibady positive serum of Spermophilus dauricus has been detected in Marmota sibirica plague focus of Hulunbuir Plateau for many years, which is worthy of high vigilance. In the future, continuous surveillance should be carried out, bacterial detection should be strengthened, possible plague outbreaks should be detected in time, and various plague prevention and control should be done well.

Phenotype and genotyping of Yersinia pestis in China / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To study the phenotype and genotype distribution of Yersinia pestis ( Y. pestis) in different natural foci of plague in China, so as to provide scientific basis for plague prevention and control. Methods:A total of 2 184 strains of Y. pestis isolated from different time periods, regions, hosts and vectors in 11 plague natural foci of China since 1943 were selected for biochemical type identification, glycolysis test, virulence factor test [capsule antigen (F1), pesticin Ⅰ (Pst Ⅰ), virulence antigen factor (VWa), pigmentation factor (Pgm)], different region (DFR) typing and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) typing. Results:There were 16 biochemical types of Y. pestis in the natural foci of plague in China, and each biochemical type showed obvious regional distribution in each foci. Most strains were positive for ass hide glue glycolysis (89.79%, 1 961/2 184), maltose (80.13%, 1 750/2 184), glycerol (94.23%, 2 058/2 184), and denitrification (82.78%, 1 808/2 184), and negative for rhamnose (88.78%, 1 939/2 184) and melibiose (85.62%, 1 870/2 184). Virulence factor test results showed that 99.95% (2 183/2 184) of Y. pestis were F1 positive; 99.73% (2 178/2 184) of Y. pestis can produce Pst Ⅰ; 73.31% (1 601/2 184) of Y. pestis were VWa positive and 26.69% (583/2 184) were VWa negative; Pgm positive strains accounted for 72.62% (1 586/2 184), Pgm negative strains accounted for 21.52% (470/2 184), and Pgm mixed type strains accounted for 5.86% (128/2 184). According to DFR typing results, there were 52 genotypes in 2 184 strains of Y. pestis, of which 19 were major genotypes and 33 were minor genotypes. CRISPR typing revealed 16 major genotypes, of which 7 were newly discovered. Conclusion:The phenotypes and genotypes of Y. pestis in various natural foci of plague in China are diverse and have geographical distribution characteristics.

Characteristics of natural foci and spatial distribution of mosquitoes and ticks in Yadong County, Tibet Autonomous Region / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the characteristics of natural foci and the spatial distribution of mosquitoes and ticks in Yadong County, Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet for short).Methods:The eco-geographical characteristics, demographic information, agricultural and animal husbandry data of the natural foci in Yadong County, Tibet were collected from the Yadong County 2020 statistical yearbook, vector data were collected from the Yadong County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the data of the meteorological station in Yadong County from 2010 to 2021 were collected from the World Weather Network. In July 2021, a total of 20 mosquito and tick sampling points were selected for field investigation according to the distribution characteristics of vegetation and animal husbandry of Yadong County. The light trap method was used to trap mosquitoes, and the manual inspection and flag dragging method were used to catch ticks. The spatial distribution characteristics of mosquitoes and ticks were analyzed.Results:The natural epidemic foci in Yadong County, Tibet, were high in the north and low in the south, with an elevation difference of about 5 000 m. It was rich in water resources, and the average runoff of Yadong River was 20.1 m 3/s. The climate in the north was cold and dry, and the south was mild and humid. From 2010 to 2021, the annual average station air pressure in Yadong County was 452.8 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa), the maximum monthly average temperature, precipitation and relative humidity of air were 8.7 ℃, 134.5 mm and 81.3%, respectively, all in July. A total of 6 897 diptera insects were attracted by the light trap method, all of which were non-blood-sucking mosquitoes. The total density was 163.77 pieces/(lamp·h), the dominant population was Muscaridae, accounting for 89.69% (6 186/6 897). In different sampling areas, Xiayadong Township collected the most mosquitoes, accounting for 67.17% (4 633/6 897); the others were Yadong County and Shangyadong Township, accounting for 27.36% (1 887/6 897) and 5.47% (377/6 897), respectively. A total 2 014 host animals were examined, and 23 parasitic ticks were caught, of which 20 were of the genus Ixodes and 3 were of the genus Haemophilus. No free ticks were caught in all ticks sampling points. Conclusions:The climate and ecological environment of the natural foci in Yadong County, Tibet have obvious vertical gradient. Mosquitoes and ticks are active, but the density is not high, the density of mosquitoes is generally high in the south and low in the north.

Pathogenesis and staging treatment for non-specific low back pain based on the meridian sinew theory / 中国针灸

Based on the physiological and pathological characteristics of meridian sinew theory, the staging treatment of non-specific low back pain (NLBP) is explored to provide the reference of clinical practice. The twelve meridian sinews of the human body communicate with the bones and joints of the whole body, which governs the movement, body protection and defense, and meridian regulation. Physiologically, the meridian sinew maintains the functions of the lumbar region. In pathology, the meridian sinew may encounter stasis and pain, contraction and spasm or "transverse collateral" formation. According to the pathological staging of meridian sinew disorders, the progress of NLBP is divided into 3 phases and the corresponding treatments are provided. Mild stimulation and rapid analgesia is suggested to promote tissue repair at the early phase; muscle spasm is relieved to adjust muscular status at the middle phase; and the "cord-like" muscle foci is removed at the later phase of the disease.

More microinvasive foci in larger tumours of breast ductal carcinoma in situ

INTRODUCTION@#Microinvasion (Mi) is often thought to be an interim stage between ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and invasive ductal carcinoma. This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of Mi on survival and assess its correlations with clinicopathological parameters, prognosis and molecular markers.@*METHODS@#The number of Mi foci in a cohort of 66 DCIS-Mi cases was assessed from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Disease-free survival, clinicopathological parameters and biomarker expression were correlated with the number of Mi foci.@*RESULTS@#Higher numbers of Mi foci were found in larger tumours (P = 0.031).@*CONCLUSION@#Greater extent of DCIS is associated with multifocal Mi.

Fetal echocardiography audit in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria

Delayed detection of congenital heart diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) contributes to the poor outcome of infants with cardiac anomalies. Fetal echocardiography (FE) can detect heart defects in-utero as early as the 18th gestational week (GA), giving parents and medical professionals time to prepare for the baby's delivery and appropriate treatment. University College Hospital, Nigeria, is one of the few centres in Nigeria where FE is performed. Objectives: To examine the indications for referral for FE and the diagnoses made in our first four years of performing FE. Methods: FE was performed in the antenatal clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, using the GE Voluson P6 machine with a 2-6-RS probe. Demographic information was obtained from the antenatal clinic records of the women who had FE using a semi-structured questionnaire. FE diagnoses were retrieved from the FE register. Results: A total of 129 women whose records were available were studied. The mean age of the women was 31.7±5.5 years. Forty-two women (32.6%) were referred because of echogenic foci, making this the most common indication for FE. Twenty-nine (22.5%) fetuses had structural heart defects, the most common being Ventricular Septal Defect. Conclusion: There is a need for Obstetricians and Paediatricians to be aware of the indications for fetal echocardiography and refer women appropriately

Anticarcinogenic activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves is attributed to the presence of phenolics compounds and the activation of endogenous antioxidant system / Actividad anticancerígena del extracto metanólico de hojas de Melastoma malabathricum atribuida a la presencia de compuestos fenólicos y a la activación del sistema antioxidante endógeno

Melastoma malabathricum (M. malabathricum) extracts have been reported to exert various pharmacological activities including antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities. The objective of the present study was to determine the anticarcinogenic activity of its methanol extract (MEMM) against the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced early colon carcinogenesis in rats. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6) namely normal control, negative control, and treatment (50, 250 or 500 mg/kg of MEMM) groups. Colon tissues were harvested for histopathological analysis and endogenous antioxidant system determination. MEMM was also subjected to HPLC analysis. Findings showed that MEMM significantly (p<0.05) reversed the AOM-induced carcinogenicity by: i) reducing the formation of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in colon tissues, and; ii) enhancing the endogenous antioxidant activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase). Moreover, various phenolics has been identified in MEMM. In conclusion, MEMM exerts the in vivo anticarcinogenic activity via the activation of endogenous antioxidant system and synergistic action of phenolics.

Se ha informado que los extractos de Melastoma malabathricum (M. malabathricum) ejercen diversas actividades farmacológicas, incluidas actividades antioxidantes, antiinflamatorias y antiproliferativas. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la actividad anticancerígena de su extracto de metanol (MEMM) contra la carcinogénesis de colon temprana inducida por azoximetano (AOM) en ratas. Las ratas se asignaron al azar a cinco grupos (n=6), a saber, los grupos de control normal, control negativo y tratamiento (50, 250 o 500 mg/kg de MEMM). Tejidos de colon fueron recolectados para análisis histopatológico y determinación del sistema antioxidante endógeno. MEMM también se sometió a análisis de HPLC. Los hallazgos mostraron que MEMM invirtió significativamente (p<0.05) la carcinogenicidad inducida por AOM al: i) reducir la formación de focos de criptas aberrantes (ACF) en los tejidos del colon, y; ii) potenciar la actividad antioxidante endógena (catalasa, superóxido dismutasa y glutatión peroxidasa). Además, se han identificado varios fenólicos en MEMM. En conclusión, MEMM ejerce la actividad anticancerígena in vivo mediante la activación del sistema antioxidante endógeno y la acción sinérgica de los fenólicos.

Investigation on the infection of spotted fever group Rickettsiae and Rickettsia mooseri of wild rodents in the field of plague foci in Western Yunnan / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the infection of spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) and Rickettsia mooseri ( R.mooseri) of wild rodents in the field of plague foci in Western Yunnan. Methods:The DNA of liver samples of 2 512 wild rodents captured from the plague foci in Lianghe County, Jianchuan County and Yulong County in Western Yunnan from 2015 to 2016 was extracted by magnetic bead method, and the heat shock protein groEL gene primers were used for nested PCR amplification. Gene sequence splicing and Blast homology comparison were performed using DNAStar 7.1 software and GenBank of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) of the United States, respectively, and DNAStar 7.1 and MEGA 6.0 softwares were used to construct phylogenetic trees.Results:The wild rodents infected with SFGR were Mus pahari, Rattus steini, Crocidura attenuata and Suncus murinus (one for each), with a total infection rate of 0.16% (4/2 512); no R.mooseri infection was detected. The SFGR infection rates of wild rodents in the plague foci of Lianghe County and Jianchuan County were 0.49% (3/611) and 0.10% (1/1 029), respectively; no SFGR infection was detected in the wild rodents in the plague foci of Yulong County. The homology analysis showed that the homology between SFGR positive samples and reference sequences was 95.45%-100.00%; some of the groEL gene sequences were highly similar among the four positive samples, and the homology was 89.60%-97.40%. Sequence evolution analysis showed that the sequences of three SFGR positive samples from the plague focus in Lianghe County were clustered in the same branch, and the homology reached 94.40%-97.40%; one positive sample sequence from the plague focus in Jianchuan County was clustered in one branch. Conclusion:SFGR infection rate of wild rodents in the field of plague foci in Western Yunnan is low, and no R.mooseri infection is found.

Hepatitis E virus infection and gene polymorphism in murine-shaped animals of plague foci in Yunnan Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To learn about the infection and gene polymorphisms of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in murine-shaped animals of plague foci in Yunnan Province.Methods:From July to August 2019, around 16 natural villages (4 in Mile City, 6 in Mangshi and 6 in Lianghe County), which were the foci of domestic plague in Yunnan Province, the murine-shaped animals were captured by the night-time method. The liver RNA was extracted, and the target gene of rat HEV was detected by one-step real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the positive rate of rat HEV was calculated. The rat HEV positive samples were amplified by PCR for further clone sequencing, and the resulting sequences were compared with the HEV sequences registered in the GenBank and a phylogenetic tree was constructed by using MegAlign and MEGA 7.0.Results:A total of 491 murine-shaped animals were captured from 3 orders, 5 families, 8 genera, 15 species, and the positive rate of rat HEV was 4.89% (24/491). Among them, the positive rate of Rattus tanezumi and Niviventer fulvescens was 9.39% (23/245) and 1/3, respectively; and other species were negative. There was a statistically significant difference in the positive rate of rat HEV between different habitats ( P = 0.014), and the positive rate of rat HEV in the habitats near the dwellings was higher than that in other habitats ( P < 0.05). The sequence comparison analysis showed that the gene sequence of P018 from Lianghe County was 100.0% homologous to the MG813927.1 sequence of the first patient with rat HEV in Hongkong, and it was clustered into the same branch with the sequences of MG813927.1 and LC549185.1 from rat, was the type HEV C. G024 from Mangshi shared a low homology (20.7% - 31.5%) with other virus strains, and it was clustered into the same branch with a HEV sequence from an avian (AY535004.1). Conclusions:Rat HEV is prevalent in murine-shaped animals of plague foci of Yunnan Province, and there may be gene polymorphisms of rat HEV. In addition, the difference infection rate may be related to the habitats.

Research progress of hyperreflective foci in OCT images in retinal and central nervous system diseases / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Microglial activation is one of the main pathogenic factors to cause retinal neuroinflammation. Recently, with the advancement of retinal imaging technologies, hyperreflective foci(HRF), as a novel biomarker in optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging, have received more attention in retinal neuroinflammation. Current research demonstrated that HRF are the aggregates mainly derived from the activated microglia in retina or mononuclear phagocyte-macrophage from the blood. HRF were defined as discrete and well-circumscribed hyperreflective dot-shaped lesions with the maximum diameter between 20-50μm in retina and choroid imaged with OCT. Under pathological conditions, the number of HRF increases significantly. Under pathological condations, the number of HRF was obviously increased, which might be related to the severity of some retinal diseases. However, the research on the source and function of HRF is still in its infancy. This review is aimed to describe the basic characteristics of HRF and their roles in both retinal inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. HRF are expected to be a potential and novel biomarker of inflammation for early diagnosis and prognosis of neuroinflammation in both retinal and central nervous system diseases.

CRISPR genotyping of Yersinia pestis in the plague natural foci of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the genotypes of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) of Yersinia pestis ( Y. pestis) and it's regional distribution in the plague natural foci of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods:In this study, 1 004 strains of Y. pestis isolated from different hosts and vectors in different regions from 1954 to 2011 were selected as experimental objects, which preserved in Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control, and DNA of Y. pestis was extracted by traditional phenol-chloroform method. Three CRISPR loci (YPa, YPb and YPc) were amplified by PCR and sequenced, respectively, and the CRISPR sequences were compared with the CRISPRDictionary database recently reported in the literature to identify CRISPR spacer. For the spacer discovered for the first time at each CRISPR locus, Blast sequence alignment was performed in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database to speculate the source of gene sequence. Genotyping of Y. pestis from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was performed based on the polymorphism of CRISPR spacer array. Results:A total of 53 spacers were found in 1 004 strains of Y. pestis, of which 6 spacers were newly discovered, namely a105, a106, a107, b51, b52 and c14. The 1 004 strains of Y. pestis were divided into 10 groups with 44 different CRISPR genotypes, and 15 new genotypes were found. The dominant genotypes of Y. pestis were G26-a1', G7, G22, G24-a1', G22-a1', G9 and G26-a1'a60 in Himalayan Marmot plague natural foci, and G37-a6' in Qinghai Microtinae plague natural foci. Conclusion:The CRISPR genotypes of Y. pestis in the plague natural foci of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are high diverse and have significant regional distribution characteristics.

The epidemic situation and influencing factors of plague in the foci of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia Plateau / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the epidemic situation of plague among animals in the foci of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia Plateau, and to find out key influencing factors affecting the epidemic of the plague, and to provide theoretical basis for the prediction, early warning and risk assessment of the plague. Methods:The monitoring data including gerbils density, gerbils body flea index, plague epidemic intensity, etc., as well as environmental data including temperature, precipitation and El Ni?o activity (Southern Oscillation Index, SOI) from 19 banners (counties, cities and districts) in Ulanqab Plateau area, the foci of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia Plateau were selected. The methods of correlation analysis, structural equation model and rank correlation were used to analyze the epidemic and key influencing factors of plague among animals in the foci. Results:The plague epidemic cycle in the foci of Meriones unguiculatus in Inner Mongolia Plateau was 5 to 10 years. The correlation analysis results showed that all the factors had influence on each other. Structural equation model screened out that the main influencing factors of plague epidemic were SOI, gerbils density and temperature. SOI had a negative effect on plague epidemic intensity (-0.022) and temperature (-0.029), while gerbils density had a positive effect on plague epidemic intensity (0.014), and temperature had a negative effect on plague epidemic intensity (-0.065). In rank correlation, when the gerbils density was at a high value, the probability of high plague epidemic intensity in that year was 4/9; when SOI was at a low value, the probability was 5/9; when the temperature was at a low value, the probability was 5/9. When the plague epidemic intensity was at a high value in that year, the probability of the plague epidemic intensity being high in the following year was 5/8; when the gerbils density was at a high value in that year, the probability was 4/9; when SOI was at a low value in that year, the probability was 4/9. Conclusion:Climate and biological factors can affect prevalence of plague, and countermeasures should be taken in advance to prevent plague outbreaks when El Ni?o phenomenon, low temperature, high density of gerbils, and high previous-year prevalence of plague appear.

The status in the mechanism and significance of the hyperreflective foci in macular edema by optical coherence tomography / 中华眼底病杂志

Macular edema is an important cause of visual impairment in many eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion and uveitis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides high-resolution image of retinal microstructures in a non-contact and rapid manner, which greatly improves the ability of diagnosis and follow-up to macular edema patients. OCT has been widely used in the clinical detection of patients with macular edema. No matter what the cause of macular edema is, it can be observed in OCT images that there are spot-like deposits with strong reflection signals in the retina, which are mostly distributed discretely or partially convergent, and are called hyperreflective foci. At present, the nature or source of hyperreflective foci is not clear, however, may involve the destruction of the blood retina barrier, retinal inflammatory reaction, neurocellular degeneration, and so on. These mechanisms are also the key physiological mechanisms in the development of macular edema. The clinical research on hyperreflective foci provides a new direction for understanding the pathogenesis of macular edema and predicting the prognosis of macular edema. The distribution and quantity characteristics of hyperreflective foci may be an important biological marker to predict the prognosis of macular edema.nosis of macular edema. foci provides a new direction for understanding the pathogenesis of macular edema and predicting the prognosis of macular edema. The distribution and quantity characteristics of HRF may be an important biological marker to predict the prognosis of macular edema.

Analysis on the investigation results of plague natural foci in Yulong County of Yunnan Province in 2017 / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate and determine the epidemic scope of plague natural foci in Yulong County of Yunnan Province, and to assess its epidemic risk, so as to providing basis for monitoring, prevention and control of plague.Methods:In 2017, 2 - 3 natural villages were selected from 8 villages and towns in Yulong County according to geographical landscape, altitude, population and area. During October and November, small mammal hosts and their parasitic fleas were captured by the night trap (cage) method, Yersinia pestis was isolated from host animal organs, and plague F1 antigen and antibody were detected by colloidal gold test. Plague specific antigen was detected by reverse indirect hemagglutination test (RIHA) in self-dead small mammals. Animal serum from dogs, cats and mice were collected for detection of plague F1 antibody by indirect hemagglutination test (IHA). Results:A total of 1 019 host animals including self-dead small mammals were collected, belonging to 22 species, 12 genera, 6 families, 4 orders. Among them, 1 016 small mammals were captured by tools and 996 were outdoors, with the capture rate of 25.28% (996/3 940). The dominant species of small mammals outdoors were Apodemus chevrieri, Rattus (R.) rattus, Eothenomys miletus and Crocidura attenuate, which accounted for 30.32% (302/996), 22.09% (220/996), 17.37% (173/996) and 12.35% (123/996). The common species were Niviventer confucianus, R.nitidus and R.norvegicus, which accounted for 8.13% (81/996), 4.02% (40/996) and 1.81% (18/996). A total of 20 small mammals of 9 species were captured indoors in the residential area, and the capture rate was 1.11% (20/ 1 800). The dominant species were R.norvegicus, R.nitidus and Mus musculus, which accounted for 30.00% (6/20), 25.00% (5/20) and 10.00% (2/20). Eighteen small mammals of 8 species were infected with 67 parasitic fleas, belonging to 5 species, 5 genera, 3 families. The total flea infection rate was 1.77% (18/1 019) and the total flea index was 0.070. Among them, 49 parasitic fleas from 4 small mammals of 3 species were collected indoors. The flea infection rate was 19.05% (4/21) and the flea index was 2.333. Leptopsylla segnis had the highest flea infection rate of 9.52% (2/21) and flea index of 0.571. Ctenocephalides felis had the highest flea index of 1.571 and flea infection rate of 4.76% (1/21). They were the main flea species on the body surface of small mammals in residential areas. There were 14 small mammals infected with parasitic fleas outdoors, and 18 fleas in 5 species were collected with flea infection rate of 1.40% (14/998) and flea index of 0.018. Among them, Leptopsylla segnis had the highest flea infection rate was 0.50% (5/998) and the flea index was 0.005. The flea infection rate of Neopsylla specialis specialis was 0.40% (4/998), and the flea index was 0.004. Ctenophthalmus quadratus had the highest flea index of 0.007, and the flea infection rate ranked the third with 0.30% (3/998). The flea infection rate and flea index of Frontopsylla spadix spadix were the lowest, which were 0.20% (2/998) and 0.002, respectively. Ctenophthalmus quadratus, Leptopsylla segnis and Neopsylla specialis specialis were the dominant parasitic fleas on the surface of outdoor small mammals. A total of 419 indicator animal sera were collected, including 402 dog sera. One of them was positive by IHA, with a positive rate of 0.25% (1/402). Seventeen serum samples were collected from cats and mice, and IHA test results were negative. Yersinia pestis was isolated and cultured from the organs of small mammals and the detection of Yersinia pestis by colloidal gold test was negative. RIHA test of self-dead small mammals was negative. Conclusion:A plague indicator animal positive spot is newly found in the plague natural foci in Yulong County, and the plague epidemic monitoring, prevention and control in this region should be strengthened.

Contents of 12 soil metal elements in the plague high incidence area and resting area in the plague natural foci of Qingnan region of Qinghai Province / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To investigate the contents of soil metal elements in the plague high incidence area and resting area in the plague natural foci of Qingnan region in Qinghai Province, and to compare and analyze the differences of the contents of soil metal elements between the two areas.Methods:A total of 69 soil samples were collected from 11 sites in the plague high incidence area (Yushu Prefecture) and resting area (Guoluo Prefecture) in Qingnan region, including 39 samples from high incidence area and 30 samples from resting area. The contents of 12 soil metal elements, such as iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn), were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and SPSS 20.0 software was used for Spearman correlation and other statistical analysis.Results:The contents of Fe and Ca in the soil of the plague natural foci of Qingnan region were relatively high. The contents of 12 soil metal elements in the high incidence area were significantly higher than those in the resting area ( P < 0.01 or < 0.05). There were statistical significant differences in the contents of Mg, Ca, Ba, Mn, Pb and Zn in the soil among the sample plots of the plague high incidence area ( P < 0.01 or < 0.05). There were statistical significant differences in the contents of Fe, Mg, Ca, Rb and Ti in the soil among the sample plots of the plague resting area ( P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Except for Mg and Ca, Fe was positively correlated with other metal elements in the high incidence area and resting area ( P < 0.01 or < 0.05), and Fe was strongly positively correlated with Rb, Ti and V ( r = 0.780 - 0.838). Mg was only positively correlated with Ca in the high incidence area and resting area ( P < 0.01). Ca was negatively correlated with Mn, Pb, Rb, Ti, V and Zn in the high incidence area, and with Rb and Zn in the resting area ( P < 0.01 or < 0.05). The rest of the metal elements were mostly positively correlated in the high incidence area and resting area. Conclusions:The contents of Fe and Ca are rich in the plague natural foci of Qingnan region in Qinghai Province. There are correlations among most soil metal elements in the high incidence area and resting area. The correlation between the contents of soil metal elements in the plague natural foci and the epidemic of plague is worth further exploring.

The value of focal echogenicity types in diagnosing different thyroid nodules / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the applicational value of identifying different types of echogenic foci and distinguishing the lesions between benign and malignant lesions in histopathology classification.Methods:The detailed clinical data of 223 patients (264 thyroid nodules) with echogenic foci in preoperative ultrasound from October 2018 to December 2019 in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed. The echogenic foci were categorized as big comet-tail artifact, small comet-tail artifact, microcalcification, coarse calcification, peripheral calcification and eggshell calcification. At the same time, other ultrasonographic features were included in order to comparatively analyze with postoperative pathological findings. Independent samples t test and univariate chi-square test were performed to obtain meaningful information of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), serum free triiodothyronine (FT 3), serum free thyroxine (FT 4), aspect ratio, composition, margin, echo type, echogenic foci; Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen out the independent influence factors in order to forecast malignant lesions. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the ralationships between the clinical indicators and the pathologic results of thyroid lesions. Results:Among the 264 lesions, there were 219(83.0%) malignant nodules and 45(17.0%) benign nodules. For malignant lesions, except for big comet-tail artifact, other types of echogenic foci were all founded, including 152(69.4%) microcalcification, 41(18.7%) small comet-tail artifact, 17(7.8%) coarse calcification, 7(3.2%) peripheral calcification, 2(0.9%) eggshell calcification. While in benign lesions, there were 13(28.9%) microcalcification, 9(20.0%) coarse calcification, 8(17.8%) peripheral calcification, 6(13.3%) small comet-tail artifact, 6(13.3%) big comet-tail artifact, 3(6.7%) eggshell calcification with all echogenic foci types included. Univariate analysis showed that differences between benign and malignant lesions regarding age, serum FT 4, aspect ratio, composition, margin, echo type, echogenic foci were statistically significant (all P<0.05), Logistic regression analysis indicated that age, serum FT 4, hypoechoic, solid, small comet-tail artifact and microcalcification were independent influence factors for malignancy( OR=0.946, 0.026, 47.656, 9.032, 7.925, 12.767; all P<0.05), age and serum FT 4 were correlated with the pathologic results of thyroid lesions ( rs=-0.259, -0.156; all P<0.05). Conclusions:It is highly suggestive of malignancy when the thyroid lesions are solid, hypoechoic, and echogenic foci type is small comet-tail artifact or microcalcification.

Etiology of Yersinia pestis in a plague natural foci of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau / 中华地方病学杂志

Objective:To analyze the pathogenic characteristics of Yersinia pestis in a plague natural foci in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Methods:In this study, 1 378 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from different regions, hosts and vectors in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau from 1954 to 2016 were taken as the research objects. Phenotypic characteristics, plasmid spectrum and genotype of the strains were studied by using conventional techniques and molecular biological techniques. The etiology and geographical distribution of the plague were studied. Results:There were 6 biochemical types of Yersinia pestis in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, namely Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Qilian Mountain, Gangdis Mountain, Kunlun Mountain A, Kunlun Mountain B and Chuanqing Plateau. This study found that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau type strain was not only distributed in north Tibet Plateau, but also distributed in south Tibet, and the distribution of Gangdis Mountain type strain extended to south Tibet. Four virulence factors (capsule antigen, yersinin, virulence antigen and pigmentation factor) were found in 79.97% (1 102/1 378) Yersinia pestis. The results also showed that there were 12 kinds of plasmids carried by Yersinia pestis strains in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which constituted 17 kinds of plasmid spectrum. There were 3 kinds of the largest plasmids with taxonomic properties, forming their respective relatively independent distribution areas. The study of different regions (DFR) type showed that 5, 8, 14, 19, 32 and 44 of 1 378 strains were the main genotypes, and the main genome types had obvious geographical distribution. Conclusions:All the tested strains have the characteristics of plague pathogen in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The polymorphism of the main hosts, vectors and the ecological landscape of plague geography in the plague foci in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau may lead to the diversity of biochemical characters, plasmid spectrum and geno types of Yersinia pestis.

A Study of Radiological Appearances of Septic Pulmonary Embolism in Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography Thorax

Introduction:Septic embolism, though dangerous and life threatening thenumber of cases reported are seldom. To diagnose septicembolism clinic-radiological correlation is must. Studyaimed to depict various radiological appearances of septicthromboembolism according to there frequency of occurenceand using clinical history to strengthen the suspicion of SPEin patients as SPE have grave prognosis if not detected early.Material and methods: Study was done in the GovernmentMedical College Surat including the subjects of clinicallysuspected septic pulmonary thromboembolism and studyingthe radiological pattern of their presentation during the year2018-2019.Results: In this study the most common radiologicalpresentation is feeding vessel sign seen in (90%) of patientsCT, the most common cause is liver abscess constituting (40%)of cases, the most common primary cause in the patients withcomplications and mortality is pneumonia and most commonsequelae is acute respiratory failure constituting (66%) ofmortality and most common chronic ailment association isdiabetes mellitus seen in (60%) of patients.Conclusion: Septic pulmonary embolism is life threateningbut diagnosis is difficult as there are no specific clinicalcomplaints and radiological features but for benefit of patientquick diagnosis and management must be started as it has highmortality rate. SPE should be considered in the differentialdiagnosis of patients presenting extrapulmonary infectivefocus, respiratory symptoms, and parenchymal pulmonarynodules on imaging studies of the chest.

Choroidal hyper-reflective foci and vascularity in retinal dystrophy

Purpose: To investigate choroidal hyper-reflective foci (HRF) in subjects with retinal dystrophy [Stargardt's disease (SGD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP)] and their association with demographics, visual acuity, choroidal thickness (CT), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI). Methods: Single center retrospective study of subjects with previously diagnosed SGD or RP. Swept-source optical coherence tomography images were analyzed for the presence of choroidal HRFs and CVI using previously validated automated algorithm. A Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between the number of HRF and various baseline parameters including age, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and other optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters (CT, choroidal area, and CVI) were evaluated in these subjects. Results: This study included 46 eyes (23 subjects) and 55 eyes (28 subjects) with previously diagnosed RP and SGD, respectively. In the RP group, the mean number of HRFs was 247.9 � 57.1 and mean CVI was 0.56 � 0.04. In SGD group, mean HRF was 192.5 � 44.3 and mean CVI was 0.41 � 0.04. Mean HRF was significantly greater in the RP group (0.02), however, the mean CVI was not statistically different. In RP, mean HRF were correlated only with CVI (r = 0.49; P = 0.001), however, in SGD, it correlated with only choroidal area (r = 0.27; P = 0.04). Conclusion: Choroidal HRF were present in both RP and SGD subjects with more HRFs in those with RP. These HRFs were associated with alteration in choroidal vascularity, which further adds into the pathogenesis of these diseases.