Assessment of foot-and-mouth disease risk areas in mainland China based spatial multi-criteria decision analysis.

BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. As a transboundary animal disease, the prevention and control of FMD are important. This study was based on spatial multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to assess FMD risk areas in mainland China. Ten risk factors were identified for constructing risk maps by scoring, and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to calculate the criteria weights of all factors. Different risk factors had different units and attributes, and fuzzy membership was used to standardize the risk factors. The weighted linear combination (WLC) and one-at-a-time (OAT) were used to obtain risk and uncertainty maps as well as to perform sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Four major risk areas were identified in mainland China, including western (parts of Xinjiang and Tibet), southern (parts of Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Sichuan and Guangdong), northern (parts of Gansu, Ningxia and Inner Mongolia), and eastern (parts of Hebei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shandong). Spring is the main season for FMD outbreaks. Risk areas were associated with the distance to previous outbreak points, grazing areas and cattle density. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that the risk map had good predictive power (AUC=0.8634). CONCLUSIONS: These results can be used to delineate FMD risk areas in mainland China, and veterinary services can adopt the targeted preventive measures and control strategies.

Systematic review of the roles of interleukins in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with high morbidity and mortality that is often accompanied by immune system disorders and local lymphocyte infiltration. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, cancer cells, stromal cells, and the numerous cytokines they produce, such as chemokines, interferons, tumor necrosis factors, and interleukins, collectively constitute the tumor microenvironment. As a main type of immune effector, interleukin plays opposing roles in regulating tumor cell progression, adhesion, and migration according to its different subtypes. Many reports have concentrated on the roles that interleukins play in HCC, but understanding them systematically remains challenging. This study reviewed the current data to comprehensively summarize the relationships between HCC progression and human interleukin gene families.

COX-2 in liver fibrosis.

As a vital inducible sensor, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in the progress of hepatic fibrogenesis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in the liver can significantly accelerate the onset and development of liver fibrosis. COX-2 overexpression triggers inflammation that is an important inducer in hepatic fibrosis. Increasing evidence indicates that COX-2 is involved in the main pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, such as inflammation, apoptosis, and cell senescence. Moreover, COX-2 expression is altered in patients and animal models with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cirrhosis. These findings suggest that COX-2 has a broad and critical role in the development of liver fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the latest advances in the regulation and signal transduction of COX-2 and its impact on liver fibrosis.

Robot-assisted training can improve the bladder and intestinal functions of paraplegic patients / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the clinical effect of training assisted by a lower limb rehabilitation robot on the bladder and intestinal function of paraplegic spinal cord injury survivors. Methods Thirty-eight paraplegic patients with spinal cord injury were divided according to their admission order into an experimental group ( n=19) and a control group (n=19). Both groups were given conventional rehabilitation training, while the experimental group was additionally provided with robot-assisted lower limb training in three stages:adaptation, training and con-solidation. It lasted 30 minutes daily, 5 days per week for 12 weeks. Before and after the training, an urodynamics examination system was used to evaluate the maximum urine flow, bladder capacity, residual urine volume, bladder pressure and detrusor pressure. Colon transit time, mean rectal pressure and intestinal function were measured using the colon transit test, a mean rectal pressure test, and the Functional Independence Measure ( FIM) scale respective-ly. Results The average bladder volume, maximum urine flow rate, average urine flow rate, detrusor pressure, bladder compliance, average rectal pressure and intestinal FIM score of the robot training group after training were all significantly better than before the training, as were the average residual urine volume and colon transit time. After the training, the average bladder volume, maximum urine flow rate, average urine flow rate, detrusor pressure, bladder compliance and average rectal pressure of the robot training group were all significantly higher than those of the control group, while the average residual urine volume and colon transit time were significantly smaller. Then, 32％ of the patients in the experimental group achieved no less than 6 points for their average FIM score, significantly higher than in the control group. Conclusion Robot-assisted lower limb training combined with comprehensive rehabilitation training can effectively improve the bladder and intestinal function of paraplegic patients after a spinal cord injury.

Spatiotemporal pattern of peste des petits ruminants and its relationship with meteorological factors in China.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a severe infectious viral disease of domestic and wild small ruminants, and it threatens food security and livelihood of farmers across the world. In China, 292 PPR cases have been reported since it was first reported in 2007. Aiming to display the spatiotemporal patterns of PPR outbreaks and to understand its relationship with meteorological factors, we conducted a direction test, directional distribution analysis, and logistic regression analysis. The results showed that the spread of disease had a significant directional spread (P<0.05). Daily average temperature (DAT) [OR 0.063 (95% CI 0.047-0.076)], daily average relative humidity (DARH) [OR 0.871 (95% CI 0.804-0.944)], and daily hours of sunshine (DHS) [OR 0.411 (95% CI 0.389-0.582)] were inversely associated with the risk of PPR outbreak, while a positive association was observed for daily average air pressure (DAAP) [OR 1.211 (95% CI 1.036-1.417). Our findings indicate that meteorological factors may be important variables for affecting PPR transmission, and should be taken into account in the future monitoring programs for PPR.

Protective function of S jcb2 DNA vaccine in mice infected with Schistosoma j aponicum / 中国人兽共患病学报

The protective effect and mechanism of Schistosoma japonicum cathepsin B (Sjcb2) DNA vaccine in the mouse model of schistosomiasis were studied through construction pcDNA3 .1 (+ ) / Sjcb2 DNA recombinant vector ,which provided effective candidate antigen for anti-schistosome vaccine .The 6-week-old female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into pcDNA3 .1(+ )/Sjcb2 DNA vaccine group ,pcDNA3 .1(+ ) plasmid group and normal saline group ,respectively .Each group was composed of 35 mice ,and 100 μg of S jcb2 plasmid DNA was injected in the hind leg quadriceps of mice once every two weeks .PCR and immunohistochemistry assay were used to detect the expression and stability of Sjcb2 gene in mice .MTT assay was used for testing the specific proliferation response of mice spleen lymphocytes .The level of Sjcb2 antibodies in mouse serum and the IFN-γand IL-4 levels in mice spleen lymphocyte culture supernatant before and after schistosome infection were assayed by ELISA .At last ,we counted load of Schistosome adult worms in mouse and eggs in liver of mouse .The results showed that the Sjcb2 gene was detected in all mice of the Sjcb2 DNA vaccine group ,and Sjcb2 gene expression was positive in the muscle cells in Sjcb2 DNA immunized mice by IHC assay .MTT assay showed that T-cell proliferation rate was in-creased significantly in S jcb2 DNA vaccinated group .ELISA results showed that the IFN-γlevels were increased significantly in the vaccinated group ,while the IL-4 levels were significantly increased after Schistosoma japonicum infection in all mice of every group .The load of worms and eggs in Sjcb2 DNA vaccinated group was reduced significantly than that of control group (P<0 .05) ,the reduction rates of adult worms and eggs were 36 .32% and 60 .61% respectively .In conclusion ,the Sjcb2 gene was stably expressed in muscle cells of mice after injection of S jcb2 recombinant plasmid ,and S jcb2 produced protective effects of anti-schistosoma infection in mice possibly by mean of regulating Th1 cell subgroups through increasing the IFN-γ level and decreasing IL-4 levels .

Study of antagonistic effect of SWA and SEA of Schistosoma japonicum in mice with type 1 diabetes / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the antagonistic effect of Schistosoma japonicum soluble adult worm antigen (SWA)and solu-ble egg antigen (SEA)in the mice with type 1 diabetes.Methods The 24 successful modeling type 1 diabetes mice were randomly divided into three groups (A,B,C group,n=8).SWA and SEA of Schistosoma japonicum were prepared.Mice in A group were immunized by abdominal subcutaneous multi-point injection SWA.Mice in B group were immunized by abdominal subcutaneous multi-point injection SEA.And mice models of C group were immunized by PBS instead of antigen through abdominal subcutaneous injection.The mice got immunization once a week,a total of four times.4 weeks later,the mice were sacrificed,and serum speci-mens were collected for the determination of serum levels of IL-4 and IFN-γby double-antibody sandwich ELISA,while pancreas tissues were collected and the pathological changes were observed.Results The serum IL-4 level of B group [(23.87 ±4.85)pg/mL]was higher than C group [(4.39 ± 0.56 )pg/mL],with significant differences (P 0.05).The islet structure of mice in B group was not intact,however,the lymphocytic infiltration in B group was less than C group,and there was no lymphocytic infiltration in pancreatic islets in B group.Compared with C group,the pancreas of mice in A group did not have significant changes,lymphocytes infiltration was still visible in islets.The number of residual islet cells de-creased,and visible minority islet structure was destroyed.Conclusion SEA of Schistosoma japonicum has certain antagonism effect on type 1 diabetes in experimental mice.Its mechanism may be the reduction of Th1 response and the enhancement of Th2 response through increasing IL-4 level and decreasing IFN-γlevel.

Analysis of construction of tutor team and the quality of graduate student education / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Quality is the lifeline of graduate education and the tutor team plays an important role in postgraduate training. To control the selection of tutors strictly, to implement the combination of openness and stability in tutor team, and to carry out academic exchanges actively are the keys to construct an excellent tutors staff and to ensure the quality of graduate student training.

To Improve the Reputation of General Universities by Stressing Discipline Characteristics / 中华医学教育探索杂志

In recent years,the course of pathogenic biology of Nanhua University has made great achievements because the discipline characteristics has been stressed.Therefore,the reputation of Nanhua University is improved with the elevation of this discipline.The development patterns of Nanhua University provide some experience for the building and development of general university.

Analysis on the Medication of Cerebral Infarction Inpatients in 8 Hospitals of Shandong Province / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To provide references for the clinical research on the optimized therapeutic regimen in the treatment of cerebral infarction. METHODS:The medication information of 1 738 cases cerebral infarction patients in 8 tertiary grade A hospitals in Shandong province between January 2003 and January 2005 was analyzed statistically. RESULTS:The majority cases were administered with dehydrants,thrombolytic,drugs that could prevent platelet from aggregation,improve cerebral circulation and cerebral metabolism,meanwhile,they were given the combined treatment,chiefly the supporting treatment,the cure rate and improvement rate were 92.69%,the mortality was 3.45%,automatic (without cure)hospital discharge rate was 2.42%,the medication was rational. CONCLUSION:Multi-application,long course of treatment,high prices,heavy economical burden were often the cases in the treatment of cerebral infarction. It is essential to conduct pharmacoeconomics study so as to the lessen patients' economical burden and obtain an optimized therapeutic regime.

Construction, identification and sequence analysis of eukaryotic expression reco mbinant plasmid contai-ning dense granules protein 8 gene from Toxoplasma gondii in BALB/c mice / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To clone the coding dense granules protein 8(GRA8) from Toxoplasma gondii RH isolate for the potential use in the development of DNA vaccination. Methods Amplifing gene fragment coding GRA8 from the genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii RH isolate by means of ploymerase chain reaction (PCR), the gene is inserted into cloning vector pUC-19 digesting with restrictive enzymes and linking react ions. The positive colon is screed on LB plates containing ampicilline and IPTG, Xgal identified by blue-white and restrictive enzyme digestion. The inserted GR A8 gene was recombined with pcDNA3.1(+) eukaryotic expression vector by digestion with restrictive enzyme and linking reactions. The positive coloe is screene d o n LB plates containing ampicillin and identified by restrictive enzymes and link ing reactions. Results The GRA8 gene with about 804 base is specifically amplified from genomic DNA of Toxoplasma GRA8/RH and pcDNA3.1(+)-GRA8 recombinant is successfull y constructed. The sequencing results showed that GRA8 gene of isolate RH and R H from genebank shares quite high homology. Conclusion The gene encoding GRA8 is amplified from genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gene isolate GRA8/RH and pcDNA3.1 (+)-GRA8 recombinant is successfully constructed.

Construction of Sjcb2 DNA Vaccine and its Expression in HeLa Cells / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

A recombinant plasmid containing cathepsin B endopeptidase of Schistosoma japonicum(Sjcb2)was constructed,indentified by PCR,restrictive enzyme,digestion and DNA sequencing,and expressed into mammalian cells.Immunochemistry examination showed that the Sjcb2 gene can be expressed in the eukaryotic system,providing a basis for the development of schistosome DNA vaccine.

Optimization of thermosensitive in situ gel system containing berberine hydrochloride for ocular use / 中草药

Objective To prepare a thermosensitive in situ gel system containing berberine hydrochloride for ocular use. Methods The in situ thermosensitive gel system of berberine hydrochloride was prepared by Poloxamer 407 (P407) and Poloxamer 188 (P188) as thermosensitive materials,the formulation was optimized by determining solution-gelation conversion temperature by using stirring method. The content of berberine hydrochloride was determined by HPLC. Results The gelation temperature of in situ thermosensitive gel containing berberine hydrochloride formulations lowered as the P407 concentration increased,as the P188 concentration increased gradually the gelation temperature initially increased to maximum and then decreased. The gelation temperature all increased after simulated tear fluid (STF) dilution. The fitted equation was established for the gelation temperature with the concentration of Poloxamer solutions after diluted by STF. An optimized formulation by Design-Expert software was freely flowing liquid at 29.7 ℃ and convert to a firm gel at 34.5 ℃ after STF diluted. Conclusion In situ thermosensitve gel system complies with the requirement for ophthalmic application and shows great potential in ocular application.

CLONING AND SEQUENCE OF PHOSPHOGLYCERATE KINASE GENE OF SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To clone and sequence the partial gene of Schistosoma japonicum phosphoglycerate kinase (SjPGK). Methods A pair of primers were designed and synthesized according to the cDNA sequence of Schistosoma mansoni phosphoglycerate kinase (SmPGK) gene. The gene fragment of SjPGK was amplified and isolated from the total RNA of S.japonicum by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The gene fragment was cloned into the cloning vector of pMD18-T, The positive clones were acquired and identified with restrictive enzymes and PCR amplification. After being sequenced with DNA auto-sequence analysis instrument,the cDNA sequence of SjPGK was searched for homologue identity with NCBI BLAST program. Results The gene encoding SjPGK was obtained and isolated by RT-PCR .The fragment of SjPGK was about 830 bp.The cDNA sequence of the phosphoglycerate kinase was highly homologous between Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum. The identity of nucleotide sequence was 85% and score 672, and the identity of amino sequence was 94% and score 473. Conclusion The partial gene of encoding SjPGK is cloned into the cloning vector of pMD18-T, which gives the basis for discovering new candidate vaccine molecular for schistosomiasis.

INDUCTION OF PROTECTIVE IMMUNITY AGAINST SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM WITH pcDNA3.1(+)/MLP NUCLEIC ACID VACCINATION / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the immune efficacy of nucleic acid vaccination in rabbits against Schistosoma japonicum with pcDNA3 1(+)/MLP(SJP) Methods The 24 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. The rabbits of experimental group were vaccinated by each quadriceps muscle of leg with pcDNA3 1(+)/MLP nucleic acid vaccination and the control group rabbits were vaccinated with pcDNA3 1(+). Each rabbit was immunized four times with 2 weeks interval. The rabbits were challenged 2 weeks after final DNA boosting by percutaneous infection with cercariae. Sixty days after infection the rabbits were sacrificed, the livers were investigated, and the worms and eggs in livers were counted. Blood sera were collected from rabbits and investigated. Results In the experimental group,the egg reduction rate was 28 10%. The rabbits of experimental group produced IgA, IgG 1, INF-?. Conclusion DNA vaccination with pcDNA3.1(+)/MLP could induce partial protective immunity against Schistosoma japonicum in rabbits.

Acquiring and analyzing of ornithine aminotransferase gene of Schistosoma japonicum / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To screen and identify the novel genes from the adult worm cDNA library of Schistosoma japonicum by the expressed sequence tags (EST) strategy.Methods The cDNA clones were selected randomly and the ESTs were obtained.The novel gene was searched for homologue identity with NCBI blast programmer.The homologue of the two sequences with a high identity was compared at amino acid and nucleotide level with the BLAST programmer,and the analysis of protein was carried out with the pcgene software. Results There was a novel gene of Schistosoma japonicum which included 1 677 bp coding for 424 amino acid residues, and it was given the accession number of sequence in Genbank(AY336497).The cDNA sequence was homologous to the known ornithine aminotransferase gene of Xenopus laevis. The identity of amino acid sequence was 66%. The academic pI was 8.52, and the antigen determinant was probably from 795 to 846 on the cDNA sequence. Conclusion EST strategy is an effective measure to discover new genes of Schistosoma japonicum. The novel gene is homologous to the ornithine aminotransferase gene of Xenopus laevis.This study is helpful to further sequential and functional search of the gene.[

Acquisition and Analysis of 149 ESTs and 18 Novel Genes of Schistosoma japonicum / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Subjective To acquire and analyze adult stage Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) expressed sequence tags and new genes from an adult S. japonicum cDNA library, and to search new vaccine candidates and drug targets. Methods A cDNA library was constructed from adult stage S. japonicum. Clones were selected randomly from the cDNA library and were se-quenced. ESTs and new genes were acquired after analysis in GenBank databases by BLAST and other programs. All ESTs and new genes were submitted to GenBank and received accession numbers. Results 149 ESTs were acquired from a total 382 clones that were randomly selected from the adult S. japonicum cDNA library. All ESTs were successfully submitted to the dbEST at Genbank. Some of them were homologous with sequences of male, female, egg, schistosomula, cercaria and miracidia of S. japonicum. 18 new genes of adult S. japonicum were acquired. Some genes were housekeeping genes and some genes might be interesting as vaccine candidates or drugs targets. Conclusions The EST straltegy is a rapid, efficient and economical method to acquire ESTs and to discover new genes of adult stage S. japonicum from cDNA libraries.[

Research on the expression of Foxp3 in model of type 1 diabetes mellitus / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the Foxp3 expression in murine model of type 1 diabetes mellitus and the effects of Foxp3 in the pathogenic mechanism of type 1 diabetes mellitus.Methods:Type 1 diabetes mellitus of mouse was induced by STZ.The Foxp3 expression in the spleen cells was detected at the mRNA level by RT-PCR and at protein level by Western blot.The percentage of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in the spleens were detected by Flow cytometry.Results:The expressing levels of Foxp3 mRNA and scurfin in the model group was higher than those of control group within the first week after induction,but the expressing level of Foxp3 mRNA and Scurfin began to decrease on day 7 and were lower than those of control group on day 30.The percentage of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in model group was similar with that of control group within the first week after induction,but after day 7,the percentage of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in model group began to get lower than contol group.Conclusion:The expressing level of Foxp3 is decreased,then the proportion of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells is decreased accordingly,which may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism in type 1 diabetes mellitus.