[First report of invasive Pomacea snails in Shandong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the species of invasive Pomacea snails that were discovered for the first time in Shandong Province. METHODS: Pomacea snails samples were collected in the field of Jining City, Shandong Province on October 2021 for morphological identification. Pomacea snails were randomly sampled and genomic DNA was extracted from foot muscle tissues of Pomacea snails for multiplex PCR amplification. The PCR amplification product was sequenced. Then, the sequence was aligned and a phylogenetic tree was created using the software MegAlign 7.1.0. In addition, Angiostongylus cantonensis infection was detected in Pomacea snails with the lung microscopy. RESULTS: A total of 104 living Pomacea snails were collected, and all were characterized as Pomacea spp. based on morphological features. Of 12 randomly selected adult Pomacea snails, multiplex PCR assay and sequencing identified eleven snails as P. canaliculata and one as P. maculata. No A. cantonensis infection was detected in 104 Pomacea snails. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of invasive Pomacea snails in Shandong Province, where P. canaliculata and P. maculata are found.

[Surveillance of Enterobius vermicularis infections among children in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and changing trend of Enterobius vermicularis infections among children in Shandong Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the adjustment and development of the enterobiasis control strategy. METHODS: Soil-borne nematodiasis surveillance sites were assigned in 51 counties (districts, cities) in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, and the E. vermicularis infections were detected using a modified Kato-Katz technique and the cellophane tape method among children at ages of 3 to 9 years living in these surveillance sites. The epidemiological profiles of E. vermicularis-infected children were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 5 060 children at ages of 3 to 9 years were detected in 51 soil-borne nematodiasis surveillance sites in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, and the overall prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 2.23%. The annual prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 3.99% (26/651), 1.70% (14/824), 0.96% (8/837), 2.90% (45/1 552) and 1.67% (20/1 196) from 2016 to 2020, respectively, with a significant difference detected among years (χ2 = 21.455, P < 0.01). The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 1.25% (15/1 198), 1.85% (14/755), 3.18% (84/2 640) and 0 (0/467) among children from central, eastern, southern and northern Shandong Province (χ2 = 27.326, P < 0.01). In addition, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of E. vermicularis infections between male (1.98%, 56/2 831) and female children (2.56%, 57/2 229) (χ2 = 1.916, P > 0.05); however, there was age-specific prevalence of E. vermicularis infections among children (χ2 = 16.448, P < 0.05), with the greatest prevalence detected among children at ages of 6 years (3.18%, 25/786), and the lowest prevalence seen among children at ages of 3 years (0.75%, 6/800). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections remained at a medium level among children at ages of 3 to 9 years in Shandong Province from 2016 to 2020, with region-specific prevalence found across the province. An integrated strategy is required for enterobiasis control.

[Analysis of drug - resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province in 2015 and 2016].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the drug-resistant gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province. METHODS: From 2015 to 2016, blood samples were collected from imported P. falciparum malaria patients returning from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, and genome DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted. The drug-resistant Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum were amplified using a PCR assay, followed by DNA sequencing, and the sequences were aligned. RESULTS: The target fragments of all 5 drug-resistant genes of P. falciparum were successfully amplified and sequenced. There were 72.8%, 18.6%, and 8.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfcrt gene, respectively, and all mutant haplotypes were CVIET (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 20.0%, 61.4% and 18.6% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfmdr1 gene, respectively, and the mutant haplotypes mainly included YF and NF (the underlines indicate the mutation sites). There were 1.4%, 98.6%, and 0 of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhfr gene, respectively, and AIRNI was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). There were 1.4%, 94.3%, and 4.3% of P. falciparum parasites carrying the wild-, mutant-, and mixed-type Pfdhps gene, respectively, and SGKAA was the predominant mutant haplotype (the underline indicates the mutation site). The complete drug-resistant IRNGE genotype consisted of 8.6% of the Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes, and the K13 gene A578S mutation occurred in 1.4% of the parasite samples. CONCLUSIONS: There are mutations in the Pfcrt, Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, and K13 genes of P. falciparum imported from Equatorial Guinea to Shandong Province, with a low frequency in the Pfcrt gene mutation and a high frequency in the Pfmdr1, Pfdhfr, and Pfdhps gene mutations, and the K13 gene A578S mutation is detected in the parasite samples.

[Quality of malaria blood smears from fever patients in Zibo City, Shandong Province from 2011 to 2018].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the quality of malaria blood smears from fever patients in Zibo City from 2011 to 2018, so as to provide the scientific evidence for the development of the malaria post-elimination surveillance strategy. METHODS: All negative malaria blood smears from fever patients reexamined in the municipal microscopic examination station and all positive blood smears in Zibo City during the period from 2011 to 2018 were reexamined, and the blood smear preparation, dyeing, cleanliness and reexamination results were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2 141 negative malaria blood smears and 39 positive blood smears were re-reviewed by the municipal microscopic examination station of Zibo City from 2011 to 2018, with a 99.44% qualification rate of negative blood smears preparation, a 97.62% qualification rate of dyeing, a 93.65% qualification rate of cleanliness, and a 100% consistence with the re-review, and no missing diagnosis was found. A total of 39 positive blood smears were re-reviewed, with a 46.15% qualification rate of blood smears preparation, a 61.54% qualification rate of dyeing, a 76.92% qualification rate of cleanliness, and a 97.44% consistence with the re-review, and a blood smear mistaking the Plasmodium species was found. There were significant differences in the qualification rate of blood smears preparation and dyeing among all districts (counties) in Zibo City (all P values < 0.05), and no significant difference was detected in the qualification rate of blood smear cleanliness (χ2 = 13.72, P >0.05), while significant differences were seen in the qualification rate of blood smears preparation, dyeing and cleanliness each year from 2011 to 2018 (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of malaria blood smears is high in all districts of Zibo City; however, the quality of city-level blood smears remains to be improved. Further actions to improve the training of grassroots microscopic examinations and quality control of malaria blood smears are required to ensure the capability of microscopic examinations of Plasmodium during the malaria post-elimination stage.

[Epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria in Shandong province, 2017-2018].

Objective: To understand epidemiological characteristics of imported cases of malaria in Shandong province and provide scientific basis for timely adjustment of prevention and control measures. Methods: The incidence data of malaria, case investigation data and case review data by Shandong Provincial Reference Laboratory for Malaria Diagnosis from 2017 to 2018 were collected. Software SPSS 18.0 was used for statistical analysis and software QGIS 2.18 was used for mapping. Results: A total of 442 imported cases of malaria were reported in Shandong from 2017 to 2018, and the main infection source was in Africa (97.96%, 433/442). All the 17 prefectures in Shandong reported imported malaria cases, mainly in Jining (88 cases), Yantai (65 cases), Weihai (46 cases), Qingdao (44 cases) and Dezhou (42 cases), accounting for 64.48% (285/442). The cases were distributed in 77.37%(106/137) of counties of the province. The cases were reported in every month without seasonal characteristics. The median (M) of time interval between onset and the first medical care seeking was 2 days, and the interquartile range (IQR) was 3 days. The M of time interval between the first medical care seeking and final diagnosis was 0 day, and the IQR was 3 days. The proportion of medical care seeking on onset day was only 27.83% (123/442). Only 69.68% (308/442) of cases were diagnosed with malaria in the first medical care seeking, and the diagnostic accuracy of medical institutions below the county level was lower than other medical institutions (all P<0.01). Only 51.13% (226/442) of cases were diagnosed with malaria in the first medical care seeking, the differences in the rates among medical institutions at different levels were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: The imported malaria in Shandong was characterized by a large number of cases, multiple infection sources and wide area distribution during 2017-2018. The awareness of timely medical care seeking in the cases was low, meanwhile the awareness and ability of malaria diagnosis and treatment in primary medical institutions were still inadequate. It is necessary to adjust the prevention and control measures accordingly.

[Application of a new type of angle-adjustable osteotomy guide in closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of fast and accurate osteotomy using a new angle adjustable osteotomy guide (AAOG) in closing wedge distal femoral osteotomy(CWDFO). Methods: The clinical data of 14 patients (17 knees) with valgus knee treated with CWDFO at Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Orthopedics, Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to July 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 3 males and 11 females, aging (41.4±16.4) years (range: 18 to 56 years). The body mass index was (23.5±3.5) kg/m(2) (range: 18.1 to 28.9 kg/m(2)). The guide pins were placed with the assistance of the self-designed AAOG. Before the surgery, Solidworks software was used to calculate the correction angle and the osteotomy radius accurately. The osteotomy guide was adjusted according to these two parameters. During the surgery, the adjusted osteotomy guide was placed to the surface of bone closely and the guide pins were drilled into the bone through the guide holes. The position of the guide pins was confirmed under fluoroscopy. The osteotomy was finished under guide of pins and fixed with Tomofix plate (Synthes). The times and duration of placement of the guide pins, the times of X-ray examination, the planned and actual thickness of the osteotomy wedge, the top and bottom area of the osteotomy wedge, the posterior distal femoral angle(PDFA), the correction of the weight line, and the American Knee Society Score(AKSS) and Tegner scores were collected and compared by paired t test or Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test. Healing time after osteotomy and complications were recorded. Results: The guide pins were successfully placed once in 10 knees, adjusted once in 5 knees and twice in 2 knees. The time spent in placing all the 6 pins was 82.4 seconds (range: 51 to 125 seconds), and the times of X-ray examination was 1.5 times (range: 1 to 5 times). The top and bottom areas of the osteotomy wedge were (5.52±0.52)cm(2) and (5.36±0.49)cm(2). PDFA was (85.2±2.6)° preoperatively and (85.5±1.4)° postoperatively (t=-0.401, P>0.05). The thickness of the osteotomy was (11.3±1.9)mm according to the preoperative plan, and the actual thickness was (8.1±1.7)mm. All the patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery and AKSS and Tegner scores improved significantly (all P<0.05). The correction of the weight lines was within the ideal range. Fractures of the hinge point occurred in 3 knees. All of the osseous healing without complications. Conclusion: The new osteotomy guide helps to place the guide pins rapidly and precisely according to the preoperative planning, which should be widely used in clinical applications with promising outcomes.

Effect of a training course on the diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia by narrow-band imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of narrow-band imaging training for differentiating between benign and malignant vocal fold leukoplakia. METHOD: Thirty cases of vocal fold leukoplakia were selected. RESULTS: Narrow-band imaging endoscopy training had a significant positive effect on the specificity of the differential diagnosis of vocal fold leukoplakia. In addition, the consistency of diagnostic typing of vocal fold leukoplakia by narrow-band imaging improved to 'moderate agreement' following the combination of types I and II and the combination of types IV, V and VI in the typing of vocal fold leukoplakia. CONCLUSION: The narrow-band imaging training course may improve the ability of laryngologists to diagnose vocal fold leukoplakia. The new endoscopic diagnostic classification by narrow-band imaging needs to be further simplified to facilitate clinical application.

[Effects of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase contents in Culex pipiens pallens].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of low temperature on trehalose and trehalase levels in Culex pipiens pallens. METHODS: The fourth instar larvae and female adult mosquitoes of Cx. pipiens pallens were exposed at 4 ℃ for 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 h and 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 h, respectively. Then, the trehalose and trehalase contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in mosquitoes. RESULTS: The contents of trehalose and trehalase significantly increased in the larval and female adult mosquitoes post-exposure to low temperature. The changing trend of trehalose levels was consistent in the larval and female adult mosquitoes, and the highest levels were (2.458 8 ± 0.379 2) mg/g and (2.825 7 ± 0.211 1) mg/g 3 h post-exposure to low temperature, respectively. The trehalose and trehalase levels fluctuated greatly within the first 6 h post-exposure to low temperature. Following adaptation for a period of time, the trehalose and trehalase levels remained at a relatively high level. CONCLUSIONS: Low temperature may induce the production of trehalose and trehalase in Cx. pipiens pallens, and the trehalose and trehalase may play an important role in the improvement of the cold resistance.

[The progress of narrow band imaging endoscopy in diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia].

SummaryThe appearances of vocal cord leukoplakia are largely identical in the macroscopic examination even though the pathological character may differ. This makes it difficult for physicians to evaluate the extent of dysplasia of vocal cord leukoplakia and detect the occurrence of canceration using the conventional laryngoscopy, which might result in overtreatment or undertreatment of vocal cord leukoplakia in different patients. Therefore, an accurate preoperative assessment of the pathological character of vocal cord leukoplakia shows clinical significance in the selection of an appropriate treatment plan and predicting the prognosis of a patient. Recent studies have found that narrow band imaging（NBI） endoscopy can facilitate the early and differential diagnosis of head and neck cancers by observing the intraepithelial papillary capillary loop（IPCL） patterns at the mucosal surfaces. In this paper, the recent progress of NBI endoscopy in the diagnosis of vocal cord leukoplakia is reviewed.

MiR-129-5p is downregulated in breast cancer cells partly due to promoter H3K27m3 modification and regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and multi-drug resistance.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we firstly studied whether H3K27me3 modification is a mechanism of miR-129-5p downregulation in breast cancer and further investigated the functional role of miR-129-5p in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in multi-drug resistance (MDR) of the cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunoprecipitation (IP) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay were performed to detect the association among SOX4, EZH2 and H3K27me3 and their enrichment in the promoter region of miR-129-2. Western blot and immunofluorescent staining were performed to detect the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers. MTT assay was applied to test drug sensitivity. RESULTS: Enforced EZH2 and SOX4 expression resulted in suppressed miR-129-5p level in MCF-7 cells. There was an interaction among SOX4, EZH2 and H3K27me3 modification and they were significantly enriched in the region upstream of transcription start of miR-129-2. MCF-7 cells transfected with miR-129-5p mimics had significantly suppressed SOX4 expression. MCF-7 cells with miR-129-5p overexpression had significantly restored E-cadherin expression and suppressed N-cadherin and Vimentin expression. The drug sensitivity assay showed that miR-129-5p substantially reduced IC50 of ADM, VCR and PTX in MCF-7/ADM cells CONCLUSIONS: There is a reciprocal regulation between miR-129-5p and SOX4 via the SOX4/EZH2 complex mediated H3K27me3 modification in breast cancer cells. MiR-129-5p is an important miRNA modulating EMT and MDR in breast cancer cells.

Clinical measurement of antibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AchR), SOD and LPO in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) before and after thymectomy.

The antibodies against acetylcholine receptor AchR and levels of SOD and LPO were measured in 11 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), and the results were compared with normal controls and patients with diseases other than MG. The results showed that the antibodies against AchR were higher as compared with other groups before and after operation. The post-operative level of antibodies was obviously lower than the pre-operative value. An slight increase in SOD and significant decrease in mean value of LPO after surgery were noted. The possible mechanism was discussed.

Rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm into the lung with formation of pseudoaneurysm: diagnosis and treatment.

Three patients with rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm into the lung with formation of pseudoaneurysm were admitted to our hospital in 1991, of whom, 2 had ascending aortic aneurysms which ruptured into the right upper pulmonary lobe, and another one had descending aortic aneurysm rupturing into the left upper lobe. All 3 cases were misdiagnosed as having pulmonary carcinoma or mediastinal tumor by the other hospital as well as by us. Correct diagnosis was made by aortography or at exploratory thoracotomy. Our preliminary experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease are presented in this paper.

Octopamine selectively modifies the slow component of sensory adaptation in an insect mechanoreceptor.

The effects of octopamine were studied on the dynamic behavior of the sensory neuron in the cockroach femoral tactile spine. The neuron is a rapidly adapting mechanoreceptor in which adaptation occurs by elevation of the threshold for action potential encoding. The threshold follows increases or decreases of membrane potential, with a delay that involves two separate exponential components. Previous evidence has associated the slow component with sodium pumping and the fast component with sodium channel inactivation. Octopamine reversibly raised the resting threshold and increased but slowed the slow component. These data indicate that octopamine has specific effects on membrane-ionic processes in insect sensory neurons.

[Therapeutic effects of epimeric glycyrrhizic acids on hepatic injury in rats].

The effects of the epimeric glycyrrhizic acids (GA), 18 alpha-form and 18 beta-form, on D-galactosamine (Gal)-induced acute liver injury and fulminating hepatic failure (FHF) in rats were studied. In rats of acute liver injury, extensive liver parenchymal cell damage was observed by the elevation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and confirmed by significant histopathological changes 24 and 48 h after ip Gal 450 mg.kg-1. Moreover, marked elevation in the liver putrescine levels occurred along with that of serum ALT. The spermidine and spermine levels did not alter significantly. GA 18 alpha-form 300 mg.kg-1 ip suppressed the elevation of serum ALT and liver putrescine levels, and improved all the histopathologic features. On the other hand, GA 18 beta-form 300 mg.kg-1, which exhibited inhibitory effects 24 h after ip Gal, showed no action 48 h after ip Gal. The ALT levels in the serum from GA 18 alpha-form, 18 beta-form, vs control groups after 24 h were 70 +/- 24 (P < 0.01) and 78 +/- 42 (P < 0.01) vs 155 +/- 57, and after 48 h were 74 +/- 25 (P < 0.01) and 258 +/- 99 (P > 0.05) vs 293 +/- 110. The putrescine contents (nmol.g-1) in the liver from GA 18 alpha-form, 18 beta-form, vs control after 24 h were 34 +/- 9 (P < 0.01) and 51 +/- 12 (P < 0.01) vs 139 +/- 29, and after 48 h were 16 +/- 3 (P < 0.01) and 150 +/- 11 (P > 0.05) vs 156 +/- 23.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Surgical treatment of double-chamber right ventricle and its associated anomalies.

A report on the results of surgical treatment of 5 cases of DCRV and its associated anomaly was presented in this paper. No definite diagnosis of DCRV was made prior to operation. It was found that 2 cases had DCRV as an isolated anomaly, another 2 had the disease associated with VSD, and the remaining 1 had DCRV with right ventricle to left atrium cannulation. Muscular membrane septum type was found in 3 cases, and muscular bundle type in 2.4 cases diagnosed as having DCRV or DCRV with other heart anomalies during operation were treated properly and discharged fully recovered. 1 case died of acute heart insufficiency. Pathologic anatomy and physiology, associated anomalies of DCRV, and some experience with the operative approach were discussed in this article.

Protective action of selenium and manganese on xanthine and xanthine oxidase induced oxidative damage to cultured heart cells.

Ventricular myocytes from neonatal Wistar rats were cultured with 80% Dulbecoo's modified Eagle medium and 20% fetal bovine serum. An appropriate amount of xanthine and xanthine oxidase was added to the culture medium to increase the content of free radicals in cardiac cells. Variation in action potential and input impedance of cardiac myocytes indicated the oxidative damage to the membrane. The ultrastructure of heart cells, characteristically the myofilaments and mitochondria, was damaged. Electron spin resonance measurement demonstrated that xanthine and xanthine oxidase elevated the free radical content, while selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn) reduced the free radicals in cultured heart cells. Supplementation of 0.173 microgram/ml Se and 0.1 microgram/ml Mn into the culture medium separately or simultaneously antagonized the damage induced by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. The possible mechanism might be the production of superoxide anion free radical leading to free radical damage to cardiac cells. Se and Mn might play a role as scavengers through glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase respectively and thus protect cardiac cells from free radical damage.

[Evolution of autologous graft interface in rats: experimental study].

With purpose to study the evolution of autologous venous graft interface, an experimental model utilizing an autologous venous patch to repair an infrarenal abdominal aortic defect in rats was developed. A small piece of both the jugular vein and the aorta were first excised. After implantation and reestablishment of blood flow, the animals were subsequently sacrificed in groups of 3 at the following intervals: 10 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days and 90 days. All the patches and adjacent aortae were collected and studied using scanning electron microscopy, with the following results: 1) the endothelial lining of both the autologous vein patch and the adjacent aorta is destroyed before implantation due to operative manipulation; 2) after blood flow reestablishment, the patch and adjacent aortic interfaces are reactive to platelets and other blood cells; 3) New endothelial lining begins to appear from the 7th day after implantation, but the regeneration is not complete at 3 months. From the model, it is deducted that the endothelial repair of autologous venous patch and its adjacent aorta involves a very slow process.