Percutaneous kyphoplasty assisted by three dimensional printing percutaneous guide plate for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To verify the safety of three dimensional printing percutaneous guide plate assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs).@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 60 patients with OVCFs treated by PKP from November 2020 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 36 females, aged from 72 to 86 years old with an average of (76.5±7.9) years. Routine percutaneous kyphoplasty was performed in 30 cases (conventional group) and three dimensional printing percutaneous guide plate assisted PKP was performed in 30 cases (guide plate group). Intraoperative pedicle puncture time (puncture needle to posterior vertebral body edge) and number of fluoroscopy, total operation time, total number of fluoroscopy, amount of bone cement injection, and complication (spinal canal leakage of bone cement) were observed. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and the anterior edge compression rate of the injured vertebra were compared before operation and 3 days after operation between two groups.@*RESULTS@#All 60 patients were successfully operated without complication of spinal canal leakage of bone cement. In the guide plate group, the pedicle puncture time was(10.23±3.15) min and the number of fluoroscopy was(4.77±1.07) times, the total operation time was (33.83±4.21) min, the total number of fluoroscopy was(12.27±2.61) times;and in the conventional group, the pedicle puncture time was (22.83±3.09) min and the number of fluoroscopy was (10.93±1.62) times, the total operation time was(44.33±3.57) min, the total number of fluoroscopy was(19.20±2.67) times. There were statistically significant differences in the pedicle puncture time, intraoperative number of fluoroscopy, the total operation time, and the total number of fluoroscopy between the two groups(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in amount of bone cement injection between the two groups(P>0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS and the anterior edge compression rate of the injured vertebra at 3 days after operation between two groups(P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Three dimensional printing percutaneous guide plate assisted percutaneous kyphoplasty is safe and reliable, which can reduce the number of fluoroscopy, shorten the operation time, and decrease the radiation exposure of patients and medical staff, and conforms to the concept of precise orthopaedic management.

Advances in the study of postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis / 中华外科杂志

Postpancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (PPAP) is an acute inflammation of the remnant pancreas in the early postoperative period caused by a variety of factors. With the progress of related research,PPAP has been confirmed as an independent risk factor for many severe complications such as postoperative pancreatic fistula. In some cases, it progresses to necrotizing PPAP, increasing the risk of mortality. Currently, the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery has standardized and graded PPAP as an independent complication, taking into account factors including serum amylase, radiological features, and clinical impact. This review summarizes how the concept of PPAP was proposed, as well as the latest progress in the research related to its etiology, prognosis, prevention, and treatment. However, given the large heterogeneity of relevant studies and the fact that they were mostly retrospective, in the future, it is necessary to place more emphasis on PPAP and elucidate the problems through more standardized studies to optimize strategies for the prevention and management of complications after pancreatic surgery.

Uniportal thoracoscopic thorough debridement for tubercular empyema with abscess of the chest wall / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the feasibility and technical considerations of thorough debridement using uniportal thoracoscopic surgery for tuberculous empyema complicated by chest wall tuberculosis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 38 patients who underwent comprehensive uniportal thoracoscopy debridement for empyema complicated by chest wall tuberculosis in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, from March 2019 to August 2021. There were 23 males and 15 females, aged (M(IQR)) 30 (25) years (range: 18 to 78 years). The patients were cleared of chest wall tuberculosis under general anesthesia and underwent an incision through the intercostal sinus, followed by the whole fiberboard decortication method. Chest tube drainage was used for pleural cavity disease and negative pressure drainage for chest wall tuberculosis with SB tube, and without muscle flap filling and pressure bandaging. If there was no air leakage, the chest tube was removed first, followed by the removal of the SB tube after 2 to 7 days if there was no obvious residual cavity on the CT scan. The patients were followed up in outpatient clinics and by telephone until October 2022. Results: The operation time was 2.0 (1.5) h (range: 1 to 5 h), and blood loss during the operation was 100 (175) ml (range: 100 to 1 200 ml). The most common postoperative complication was prolonged air leak, with an incidence rate of 81.6% (31/38). The postoperative drainage time of the chest tube was 14 (12) days (range: 2 to 31 days) and the postoperative drainage time of the SB tube was 21 (14) days (range: 4 to 40 days). The follow-up time was 25 (11) months (range: 13 to 42 months). All patients had primary healing of their incisions and there was no tuberculosis recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Uniportal thoracoscopic thorough debridement combined with postoperative standardized antituberculosis treatment is safe and feasible for the treatment of tuberculous empyema with chest wall tuberculosis, which could achieve a good long-term recovery effect.

Recent progress on dissolution and absorption of amorphous solid dispersions / 药学学报

The amorphous solid dispersion is one of the most effective formulation approaches to enhance the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the amorphous drugs tend to crystallize during storage or dissolution due to inadequate formulations, preparation techniques, storage and dissolution conditions, thus negating their advantages. Meanwhile, it is often difficult to establish in vitro-in vivo correlation for amorphous solid dispersions owing to the difference between dissolution media and physiological environments and between the apparent concentration and membrane transport flux, the dynamic process of the in vivo absorption, which put great challenges to the development of amorphous solid dispersion products. This review covers the recent progress on the mechanistic study of the in vitro dissolution and in vivo absorption of amorphous solid dispersions, aiming to provide guidance for the formulation development of poorly soluble drugs.

Bioinformatics Analysis of the Influence of Coronavirus Infection on Hematopoietic System and Potential Intervention Drugs and Their Significance for COVID-19 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze and predict the effect of coronavirus infection on hematopoietic system and potential intervention drugs, and explore their significance for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).@*METHODS@#The gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was used to screen the whole genome expression data related with coronavirus infection. The R language package was used for differential expression analysis and KEGG/GO enrichment analysis. The core genes were screened by PPI network analysis using STRING online analysis website. Then the self-developed apparent precision therapy prediction platform (EpiMed) was used to analyze diseases, drugs and related target genes.@*RESULTS@#A database in accordance with the criteria was found, which was derived from SARS coronavirus. A total of 3606 differential genes were screened, including 2148 expression up-regulated genes and 1458 expression down-regulated genes. GO enrichment mainly related with viral infection, hematopoietic regulation, cell chemotaxis, platelet granule content secretion, immune activation, acute inflammation, etc. KEGG enrichment mainly related with hematopoietic function, coagulation cascade reaction, acute inflammation, immune reaction, etc. Ten core genes such as PTPRC, ICAM1, TIMP1, CXCR5, IL-1B, MYC, CR2, FSTL1, SOX1 and COL3A1 were screened by protein interaction network analysis. Ten drugs with potential intervention effects, including glucocorticoid, TNF-α inhibitor, salvia miltiorrhiza, sirolimus, licorice, red peony, famciclovir, cyclosporine A, houttuynia cordata, fluvastatin, etc. were screened by EpiMed plotform.@*CONCLUSION@#SARS coronavirus infection can affect the hematopoietic system by changing the expression of a series of genes. The potential intervention drugs screened on these grounds are of useful reference significance for the basic and clinical research of COVID-19.

Application of the artificial intelligence-rapid whole-genome sequencing diagnostic system in the neonatal/pediatric intensive care unit / 中国当代儿科杂志

Pediatric patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have a high incidence rate of genetic diseases, and early rapid etiological diagnosis and targeted interventions can help to reduce mortality or improve prognosis. Whole-genome sequencing covers more comprehensive information including point mutation, copy number, and structural and rearrangement variations in the intron region and has become one of the powerful diagnostic tools for genetic diseases. Sequencing data require highly professional judgment and interpretation and are returned for clinical application after several weeks, which cannot meet the need for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases in children. This article introduces the clinical application of rapid whole-genome sequencing in the NICU/PICU and briefly describes related techniques of artificial intelligence-rapid whole-genome sequencing diagnostic system, a rapid high-throughput automated platform for the diagnosis of genetic diseases. The diagnostic system introduces artificial intelligence into the processing of data after whole-genome sequencing and can solve the problems of long time and professional interpretation required for routine genome sequencing and provide a rapid diagnostic regimen for critically ill children suspected of genetic diseases within 24 hours, and therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.

Secukinumab provided significant and sustained improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis: results from the 52-week, Phase III China-centric study, MEASURE 5 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Secukinumab demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) through 5 years in pivotal Phase III studies. Here, we present efficacy and safety results (52-week) of secukinumab in patients with AS from the MEASURE 5 study.@*METHODS@#MEASURE 5 was a 52-week, Phase III, China-centric study. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg or placebo weekly for the first five doses and then once every 4 weeks (q4w). All placebo patients switched to secukinumab 150 mg q4w starting at Week 16. Primary endpoint was Assessments of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) 20 at Week 16. Randomization was stratified by region (China vs. non-China).@*RESULTS@#Of 458 patients (secukinumab 150 mg, N = 305; placebo, N = 153) randomized, 327 (71.4%) were from China and 131 (28.6%) were not from China. Of these, 97.7% and 97.4% patients completed Week 16 and 91.1% and 95.3% (placebo-secukinumab) patients completed Week 52 of treatment. The primary endpoint was met; secukinumab significantly improved ASAS20 response at Week 16 vs. placebo (58.4% vs. 36.6%; P < 0.0001); corresponding rate in the Chinese population was 56.0% vs. 38.5% (P < 0.01). All secondary efficacy endpoints significantly improved with secukinumab 150 mg in the overall population at Week 16; responses were maintained with a trend toward increased efficacy from Week 16 to 52. No new or unexpected safety signals were reported up to Week 52.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Secukinumab 150 mg demonstrated rapid and significant improvement in signs and symptoms of AS. Secukinumab was well tolerated and the safety profile was consistent with previous reports. Efficacy and safety results were comparable between the overall and Chinese populations.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02896127; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02896127?term=NCT02896127&draw=2&rank=1.

Exploration of omics mechanism and drug prediction of coronavirus-induced heart failure based on clinical bioinformatics / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: Present study investigated the mechanism of heart failure associated with coronavirus infection and predicted potential effective therapeutic drugs against heart failure associated with coronavirus infection. Methods: Coronavirus and heart failure were searched in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and omics data were selected to meet experimental requirements. Differentially expressed genes were analyzed using the Limma package in R language to screen for differentially expressed genes. The two sets of differential genes were introduced into the R language cluster Profiler package for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto gene and genome encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. Two sets of intersections were taken. A protein interaction network was constructed for all differentially expressed genes using STRING database and core genes were screened. Finally, the apparently accurate treatment prediction platform (EpiMed) independently developed by the team was used to predict the therapeutic drug. Results: The GSE59185 coronavirus data set was searched and screened in the GEO database, and divided into wt group, ΔE group, Δ3 group, Δ5 group according to different subtypes, and compared with control group. After the difference analysis, 191 up-regulated genes and 18 down-regulated genes were defined. The GEO126062 heart failure data set was retrieved and screened from the GEO database. A total of 495 differentially expressed genes were screened, of which 165 were up-regulated and 330 were down-regulated. Correlation analysis of differentially expressed genes between coronavirus and heart failure was performed. After cross processing, there were 20 GO entries, which were mainly enriched in virus response, virus defense response, type Ⅰ interferon response, γ interferon regulation, innate immune response regulation, negative regulation of virus life cycle, replication regulation of viral genome, etc. There were 5 KEGG pathways, mainly interacting with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, interleukin (IL)-17 signaling pathway, cytokine and receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, human giant cells viral infection related. All differentially expressed genes were introduced into the STRING online analysis website for protein interaction network analysis, and core genes such as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, IL-10, IL17, TNF, interferon regulatory factor 9, 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase 1, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, radical s-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2, c-x-c motif chemokine ligand 10, caspase 3 and other genes were screened. The drugs predicted by EpiMed's apparent precision treatment prediction platform for disease-drug association analysis were mainly TNF-α inhibitors, resveratrol, ritonavir, paeony, retinoic acid, forsythia, and houttuynia cordata. Conclusions: The abnormal activation of multiple inflammatory pathways may be the cause of heart failure in patients after coronavirus infection. Resveratrol, ritonavir, retinoic acid, amaranth, forsythia, houttuynia may have therapeutic effects. Future basic and clinical research is warranted to validate present results and hypothesis.

Protective effect of Schisandra chinensis total lignans on acute alcoholic-induced liver injury related to inhibiting CYP2E1 activation and activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway

ABSTRACT Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., Schisandraceae, is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine used mainly as a recipe for hepatoprotection. Modern researches have revealed that the hepatoprotection is related to its lignans and crude polysaccharide. In this study, we examined the effect and mechanism of S. chinensis total lignans on the liver injury induced by alcoholic. S. chinensis total lignans were extracted with ethanol extraction. The liver index, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in serum of the rat culture supernatant were examined. The malondialdehyde level and superoxide dismutase activities in serum and liver tissue, and triacylglyceride content in liver tissue were tested. Western blot was conducted to determine cytochrome P450 2E1 expression in liver tissue of rats. The results showed that S. chinensis total lignans administration significantly inhibited alcohol-induced liver injury. In exploring the underlying mechanisms of S. chinensis total lignans action, we found that it significantly decreased Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), Glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level in livers/serum and inhibited the gene expression level of CYP2E1 in rat livers. The Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene expression and Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein nuclear transfer increased significantly, and significantly increased the expression of downstream target gene and protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Glutamate--cysteine ligase regulatory subunit (GCLM), NAD(P)H:quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Moreover, S. chinensis total lignans decreased production of pro-inflammatory markers including Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6). In conclusion, these results suggested that the inhibition of alcohol-induced liver injury by S. chinensis total lignans is associated with its ability to inhibiting CYP2E1 activation and activating the Nrf2/Antioxidant response element(ARE) signaling pathway.

Bioinformatics analysis of genes related to poor prognosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To screen genes associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore the clinical significance of these genes.@*METHODS@#The proper expression profile data of HCC was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by differential expression analysis. The DAVID and String database were used for function enrichment analysis and to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network respectively. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Cox Proportional Hazard Model were used for prognosis analysis of the DEGs.@*RESULTS@#A eligible human HCC data set (GSE84402) met the requirements. A total of 1141 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 720 up-regulated and 421 down-regulated genes. The results of function enrichment analysis and PPI network performed that CDK1、CDC6、CCNA2、CHEK1、CENPE 、PIK3R1、RACGAP1、BIRC5、KIF11 and CYP2B6 were prognosis key genes. And the prognosis analysis showed that the expressions of CDC6、PIK3R1、KIF11 and RACGAP1 were increased, and the expression of CENPE was decreased, which was closely related to prognosis of HCC.@*CONCLUSION@#CDC6、CENPE、PIK3R1、KIF11 and RACGAP1 may be closely related to poor prognosis of HCC, and can be used as molecular biomarkers for future research of HCC prognosis.

Analysis of Unfavorable Prognosis Gene Markers in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia by Multiomics / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the molecular markers associated with occurrence, development and poor prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by using the data of GEO and TCGA database, as well as multiomics analysis.@*METHODS@#The transcriptome data meeting requirements were down-loaded from GEO database, the differentially expressed genes were screened by using the R language limma package, and the GO function enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway analysis were performed for differentially expressed genes, at the same time, the protein interaction network was contracted by using STRING database and cytoscape software to screen out the hub gene, then the prognosis analysis was carried out for hub gene by combination with the clinical information affected in TCGA database.@*RESULTS@#620 differentially expressed genes were screened out, among which 162 differentially expressed genes were up-regulated, and 458 differentially expressed genes were down-regulated. Based on the results of GO functional enrichment, the KEGG pathway enrichment and protein interaction network, CXCL4, CXCR4, CXCR1, CXCR2, CCL5 and JUN were selected as hub genes. The survival analysis showed that the high expression of CXCL4, CXCR1, and CCL5 was a risk factor for poor prognosis of patiants.@*CONCLUSION@#CXCL4, CXCR1 and CCL5 can be used as biomarkers for the occurrence and development of AML, which relateds with the unfavorable prognosis and can provide a basis for further study.

Prognosis-related miRNA bioinformatics screening of lung adenocarcinoma and its clinical significance / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prognosis-related miRNA histological features and clinical significance of lung adenocarcinoma.@*METHODS@#Using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data, the miRNA expression profile data of human lung adenocarcinoma were searched for differential analysis, and the prognosis-related miRNAs were screened by Cox risk regression model. The targeted miRNAs were predicted by mirwalk analysis platform, KEGG functional enrichment analysis, and finally, predict the function of prognosis-related miRNAs.@*RESULTS@#A total of 46 differential miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma were screened, including 19 up-regulated and 27 down-regulated. Six prognostic-related miRNAs were screened by Cox survival analysis, namely hsa-mir-21, hsa-mir-142, hsa-mir-200a high expression, hsa-mir-101, hsa-let-7c, hsa-mir-378e low expression, hsa-mir-21 and hsa-mir-378e were associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, and the survival time was shortened significantly (<0.05, AUC=0.618). KEGG analysis showed that the above prognosis-related miRNA targeting regulatory genes were related with immune response pathways, miRNA and cancer pathways, metabolic pathways and so on.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Hsa-mir-21 and hsa-mir-378e are associated with poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma, and may be used as a molecular marker for prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma after further clinical verification.

Target Blood Pressure in Patients with Diabetes: Asian Perspective

Recently, the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) blood pressure (BP) trial enrolled 4733 participants with type 2 diabetes and randomized them to a target systolic blood pressure (SBP) of less than 120 mm Hg or 140 mm Hg. Despite the significant difference in the achieved SBP, there was no significant difference in the incidence of primary outcomes. Based on this evidence, the target SBP for diabetics has been revised in the majority of major guidelines. However, there is a steeper association between SBP and stroke in Asians than other ethnicities, with stroke being the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality. This suggests that target BP in the Asian region should be tailored towards prevention of stroke. In the ACCORD study, the intensive BP treatment was associated with significant reductions in both total stroke and non-fatal stroke. The results from the ACCORD study are supported by a subgroup analysis from the ONgoing Telmisartan Alone and in combination with Ramipril Global Endpoint Trial (ONTARGET) study, which showed that, in diabetic patients, the risk of stroke continues to decrease to a SBP value of 115 mm Hg with no evidence of J curve. As diabetes is highly associated with underlying coronary artery disease, there is a justified concern for adverse effects resulting from too much lowering of BP. In a post hoc analysis of 6400 diabetic subjects enrolled in the International Verapamil SR-Trandolapril (INVEST) study, subjects with SBP of less than 110 mm Hg were associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality. In the ONTARGET study, at any levels of achieved SBP, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) below 67 mm Hg was associated with increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes. As such, a prudent approach would be to target a SBP of 130–140 mm Hg and DBP of above 60 mm Hg in diabetics with coronary artery disease. In conclusion, hypertension, in association with diabetes, has been found to be significantly correlated with an elevated risk for cardiovascular events. As the association between stroke and BP is stronger in Asians, compared to other ethnicities, consideration should be given for a target BP of 130/80 mm Hg in Asians.

Outbreak of dengue Fever in central China, 2013 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

In 2013, the first dengue fever (DF) outbreak in central China was reported in the central of Henan province, northern temperate regions, although they have been sequentially recorded in Southern China. 106 suspected DF cases were reported and 73 patients were confirmed dengue virus type 3 (DEN-3) infections. 62/392 (15.8%) local health persons showed DEN antibodies positive. To this day Henan is the northernmost province in China which has been reported about outbreak of DF and what is important is that it warns us the endemic range of DF has been expanded geographically in China.

Genome sequences of coxsackievirus B5 isolated from viral encephalitis patients in Henan province, 2011 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the complete genome sequences of two coxsackievirus B5 (CVB5) isolated in Henan province, 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Specimens were collected from viral encephalitis patients and followed by viral isolation on them. RNA were extracted from positive isolates and the amplified products were sequenced. The full-length genomes of them were acquired by assembling the fragments, using DNAStar 5.01 software while phylogenetic analysis were performed with Mega 5.05 and other software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The genomes RNA of 03001N and 17Y showed 7408 bp and 7404 bp long, and the 5'- and 3'-untranslated regions were 747 bp, 743 bp and 103 bp, 103 bp, respectively. BLAST analysis of these two isolates, based on the complete genome, showed 97% identity, with both of them having the highest similarity(98%, 99%)to the CVB5 strain isolated from Henan in 2010 rather than other CVB5 strains. Coding regions of both isolates were 6558 bp, code for a polyprotein of 2185 amino acids (aa) and both of them showed 99% amino acid identity. Phylogenetic tree in VP1 region showed that the two isolates belonged to the same clade with other strains isolated from all over the country in the past years, except for some CVB5 strains isolated from Henan and Shandong province in 2009 that formed the other cluster.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It seemed that more than one group of CVB5 were circulating in Henan province and these two isolates appeared the main epidemic strains circulating in the past years.</p>

Analysis of the epidemic characteristics of fever and thrombocytopenia syndrome in Henan province, 2007 - 2011 / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of fever thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome (FTLS) in Henan province, China in 2007 - 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from specific surveillance system for FTLS in Henan and Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention were used to collect the information of the cases.Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the surveillance data during 2007 - 2011. Patients' sera were collected to detect new bunyavirus using fluorescent RT-PCR and virus isolation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During 2007 - 2011, 1021 FTLS cases were reported in Henan province. The fatality rate was 2.25%with 23 deaths. The cases reported in Xinyang city were 1007, accounting for 98.75%.Cases were mainly occurred between April and October, accounting for 96.47% (985/1021). Epidemic peak was May to July, accounting for 59.16% (604/1021). The second peak occurred in September, accounting for 12.05% (123/1021). The age of the cases ranged from 1 to 88 years old with the median age of 59. Sex ratio (male:female) was 1:1.50 (408:613). In all cases, 93.73% (957/1021) were farmers. In 465 patients' sera, the positive rate of new bunyavirus was 69.25% (322/465) using fluorescent RT-PCR. In 164 patients' sera, 67 strains of new bunyavirus were isolated with isolation rate of 40.85% (67/164).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FTLS in Henan province is caused mainly by the new bunyavirus and has certain regional and seasonal characteristics. Most cases are female older farmers.</p>

Analysis on the diagnosis and treatment of a cluster of cases infected by new bunyavirus / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics, experience of diagnosis and treatment of cases infected by new bunyavirus, which occurred in Henan province in 2010.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical characteristics and effect of diagnosis and treatment of 5 cases were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological method. Blood specimens were detected by RT-PCR and pathogen separation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCR testing was positive for all 5 cases. New bunyavirus were isolated from 2 cases. In 5 cases, fever (5/5), the whole body aches (5/5), fatigue (5/5), anorexia (5/5), nausea (5/5), the chills (4/5), cough (4/5), expectoration (4/5), vomiting (3/5), conjunctival hyperemia (3/5); Leukocyte reduction (5/5), thrombocytopenia (5/5), elevated alanine aminotransferase (4/5), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (4/5), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (5/5), creatine kinase elevations (4/5), urinary protein (3/5). By symptomatic and supportive treatment and prophylactic antibiotics, the first case died and the other 4 cases were cured. The average course of disease was 15.4 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cases infected by new bunyavirus have complicated clinical feature and multiple organ damage. If symptomatic treatment is in time, prognosis will be good.</p>

Establishment of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of IgG antibody against new bunyavirus / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for detection of IgG antibodies against new bunyavirus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antigen slides were prepared with 5 new bunyavirus strains isolated using Africa green monkey kidney (Vero) cells. Specificity and sensitivity evaluation of IFA were carried out by optimizing working conditions of IFA. Using established IFA, serum samples from both acute and recovery phases were tested for 126 cases with fever thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome in Xinyang, Henan province in 2007 - 2011. The results were compared with detections by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The new bunyavirus stable immunofluorescence specific WZ69 strain was selected to prepare antigen slides of IFA. The optimum conditions of IFA were: optimum dilution for primary antibody (serum) and secondary antibody (isosulfocyanic acid fluorescence marked goat anti-human IgG antibody) was 1:40 and 1:150 respectively. The optimum dilution for Evans blue in secondary antibody was 1:20 000. Among the 126 patients, 96 paired serum specimens were tested positive to the new bunyavirus and 30 patients were tested negative to the virus. The positive rate of antibodies was 76.19%. There was no significant difference in results between IFA and RT-PCR (72.22% (91/126)) (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The IFA has high sensitivity and specificity with easy operation. It can be used in detecting the new bunyavirus infection in patients with fever, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome.</p>

Culture, isolation and identification of new bunyavirus in African green monkey kidney(Vero) cells / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To culture, isolate and identify new bunyavirus in Vero cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Samples of 164 new bunyavirus positive by real time RT-PCR detection and well preserved serum specimens were selected from cases of fever, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia syndrome (FTLS) in Xinyang, Henan province in 2009 - 2011. These sera were cultured in Vero cell line and new bunyavirus were detected by observing cytopathic effect (CPE), Real-time RT-PCR, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and thin-section electron microscopy observation. A total of 10 positive PCR products were selected randomly for sequencing and the results were compared with sequence in Genbank.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 164 FTLS serum specimens cultured in Vero cell line, no special CPE were observed and 67 strains (40.85%) were positive detected by Real-time RT-PCR. Nucleic acid similarity of 10 specimens were 97.8% - 100% and there's also a high similarity (> 99%) between specimens and new bunyavirus isolates (Accession No. HQ141600.1). Among 67 positive strains, 58 of them showed specific fluorescence particles by IFA. The viral particles were observed to be spheres with a diameter of 80 - 100 nm by electron microscopy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Vero cell line is suitable for culture, isolation and identification of new bunyavirus.</p>

Suicidal ideation in medical students: who is at risk?

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Suicide is one of the most tragic problems medical schools are facing today. It is an issue that has not escaped medical schools in either developing or developed nations. To combat this trend, medical educators require efficient and effective strategies for the immediate identification of students who are at an elevated risk of harming themselves.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>National Yang Ming University medical students were surveyed on various demographic, academic, personal, and extracurricular subjects as well as assessed for suicidal ideation. In addition, students completed the Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ, a translated and modified version of the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ), and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ, a translated and modified version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies' Depression Scale, CES-D).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of suicidal ideation was significantly higher in second year students as opposed to fi rst year students (P <0.01). Students of lower socioeconomic status (P = 0.04), with non-inflammatory joint pain (P = 0.02), with headache (P = 0.047), with sleep disorders (P = 0.04), who scored as depressed on the TDQ (P <0.01), and/or who scored abnormally on the CHQ (P <0.01) were all significantly more likely to have experienced suicidal ideation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>A number of groups at high risk for suicidal ideation, and thus in greater need of support, were identified. Suicide intervention programmes and depression counselling should target older students and students of lower socioeconomic status. Students presenting to university clinics with non-inflammatory joint pain, headache, and/or sleep disorders should be evaluated for suicidal tendencies. The TDQ and CHQ are potentially valuable screening tests for early detection of potential suicidal students.</p>