Association between the MCP-1 -2518 A > G (rs1024611) polymorphism and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) -2518 A > G (rs1024611) polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and diabetic nephropathy (DN) are contradictory. The present study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment and more reliable estimation of the relationship between the MCP-1 rs1024611 polymorphism and T2DM and DN risk.

METHODS

Eligible articles were retrieved from the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. The effect summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained to calculate the summary effect size. Heterogeneity was analyzed by subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Publication bias was tested using funnel plots and Egger's test.

RESULTS

In total, sixteen studies were included. Thirteen studies involving 2,363 patients with T2DM and 4,650 healthy controls found no significant association between the MCP-1 rs1024611 polymorphism and T2DM in the overall population. Ethnicity stratification found an association between the GG + GA genotype and decreased T2DM risk in Caucasians (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.93, P = 0.006; PQ = 0.372). No significant risks were found in the Asian population for any genetic models. Seven studies found an association between the GG + GA genotype and DN risk in the Asian population (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.11-1.71, P = 0.004, PQ = 0.222). No significant risks were found in the Caucasian population with any genetic models. There were no statistically significant differences in genotype distribution between patients with T2DM and DN in Asians or Caucasians. Meta-regression revealed that genotyping method was a major driver of heterogeneity in five genetic models (GG + GA vs. AA: P = 0.032; GG vs. GA + AA: P = 0.028; GG vs. AA: P = 0.035; GG vs. GA: P = 0.041; G vs. A: P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

The MCP-1 rs1024611 polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to T2DM in Caucasians and DN in Asians. Larger, well-designed cohort studies are needed in the future to verify this association.

Chronotypes and their association with sleep quality among Chinese college students of Anhui Province: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To describe the prevalence of chronotype and sleep quality among Chinese college students and explore the relationship between chronotype and sleep quality.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Four colleges and universities in Anhui, China, between November and December 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 4768 college students were recruited using a stratified, multistage, cluster sampling survey.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire 19 was used to determine the chronotype of the students and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to measure their sleep quality. The multiple logistic regression model was used to explore the potential association between chronotype and sleep quality.

RESULTS

The self-reported proportions of evening-type (E-type), neutral-type and morning-type among college students were 51.17%, 45.14% and 3.69%, respectively. The mean PSQI score was 4.97±2.82 and the prevalence of poor sleep quality was 18.2%. After adjusting the covariates by multiple logistic regression analysis, E-type was positively associated with subjective sleep quality (OR=1.671, 95% CI 1.414 to 1.975), sleep latency (OR=1.436, 95% CI 1.252 to 1.647), sleep duration (OR=2.149, 95% CI 1.506 to 3.067), habitual sleep efficiency (OR=1.702, 95% CI 1.329 to 2.180), daytime dysfunction (OR=1.602, 95% CI 1.412 to 1.818) and overall poor sleep quality (OR=1.866, 95% CI 1.586 to 2.196).

CONCLUSIONS

College students mainly exhibited E-type, and an elevated prevalence of poor sleep quality existed among these students. The E-type was positively associated with poor sleep quality.

Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric validation of the Chinese version of career success in nursing scale (CSNS)

OBJECTIVE

To translate the career success in nursing scale (CSNS) into Chinese and evaluate its psychometric properties.

BACKGROUND

A lower sense of career success seriously affects the enthusiasm of nurses and increases their turnover rate. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the career success level of nurses is necessary. However, China does not have a professional tool for assessing the career success of nurses.

METHODS

The stratified sampling method was used to recruit participants from 22 hospitals of different grades in 5 cities in China. A total of 650 and 348 subjects were selected for item analysis and reliability and validity tests, respectively, of the translated initial scale.

RESULTS

The Chinese version of the CSNS (C-CSNS) with 33 items had good psychometric properties. Cronbach's α was 0.960, split-half reliability was 0.893, and ICC within two weeks was 0.981. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 5 common factors that explained 63.73% of the total variance, and confirmatory factor analysis supported acceptable construct validity.

CONCLUSION

The C-CSNS has adequate construct validity and excellent psychometric properties and can be used for accurate assessment of nurses' career success.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

A new tool that is more suitable for the Chinese hospital nursing context is available for evaluating Chinese clinical nurses' career success. Nursing managers can formulate appropriate management strategies according to the evaluation results to assist nurses in career development planning, thereby improving their career success level.

Association of learning environment and self-directed learning ability among nursing undergraduates: a cross-sectional study using canonical correlation analysis

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the relationship between the perception of the learning environment and self-directed learning (SDL) ability among nursing undergraduates.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in December 2020 with 1096 junior and senior undergraduate nursing students (aged 16-22) from Wannan Medical College in Anhui Province, China.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The Chinese version of the Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure questionnaire and a validated Chinese version of college students' SDL ability scale were used to assess students' perceptions about their learning environment and their SDL ability. Canonical correlation analysis was performed to evaluate their correlation.

RESULTS

The total score for the learning environment was 120.60 (scoring rate: 60.30%), and the score for SDL ability was 89.25 (scoring rate: 63.75%). Analysis indicated that the first canonical correlation coefficient was 0.701 and the contribution rate was 94.26%. The perception of the learning environment was mainly determined by students' perception of learning (SPL) and academic self-perceptions (SASP), with SDL ability mainly determined by self-management ability and cooperative learning ability. SPL and SASP were positively correlated with self-management ability and cooperative learning ability. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that SPL, SASP, students' perceptions of atmosphere and students' social self-perceptions had a significant impact on SDL ability.

CONCLUSIONS

The SDL ability of nursing undergraduates was not high. SPL and SASP were positively correlated with self-management ability and cooperative learning ability. Nursing educators can improve students' SDL ability by changing their learning environment, using, for example, new student-centred teaching methods.

[Sharing the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis to achieve the goal of schistosomiasis elimination in China]

Currently, the national schistosomiasis control program of China is moving from transmission interruption to elimination, and there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards the progression of schistosomiasis elimination, including a high difficulty in shrinking snail-infested areas, unstable achievements for infectious source control, imperfect surveillance system and a reduction in schistosomiasis control and administration. Based on the core suggestions proposed in the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, recommendations on schistosomiasis surveillance system building, development of novel diagnostics, adjustment of the schistosomiasis control strategy and maintaining and improvements of the schistosomiasis control capability are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China in the new era according to the actual status of schistosomiasis control in China. Formulation of the national schistosomiasis control strategy and goal from One Health perspective, verification of transmission interruption and elimination of schistosomiasis, precision implementation of schistosomiasis control interventions with adaptations to local circumstances, development and application of highly sensitive and specific diagnostics are recommended for elimination of schistosomiasis in China. In addition, the implementation of the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis may guide the elimination of schistosomiasis in China.

[Analysis of the new WHO guideline to accelerate the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China]

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.

[Decoding the evolution of preventive chemotherapy schemes for schistosomiasis in China to improve the precise implementation of the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis]

Preventive chemotherapy is one of the pivotal interventions for the control and elimination of schistosomiasis, which is effective to reduce the morbidity and prevalence of schistosomiasis. In order to promote the United Nations' sustainable development goals and the targets set for schistosomiasis control in the Ending the neglect to attain the Sustainable Development Goals: a road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021-2030, WHO released the guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis in 2022, with major evidence-based updates of the current preventive chemotherapy strategy for schistosomiasis. In China where great success has been achieved in schistosomiasis control, the preventive chemotherapy strategy for schistosomiasis has been updated several times during the past seven decades. This article reviews the evolution of the WHO guidelines on preventive chemotherapy and Chinese national preventive chemotherapy schemes, compares the current Chinese national preventive chemotherapy scheme and the recommendations for preventive chemotherapy proposed in the 2022 WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, and proposes recommendations for preventive chemotherapy during the future implementation of the 2022 WHO guideline, so as to provide insights into schistosomiasis control among public health professionals engaging in healthcare foreign aid.

Effectiveness of seminar-case learning for use in practice teaching of statistics for undergraduates majoring in preventive medicine: a prospective cluster-randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The seminar-case learning (SCL) method is a case-oriented teaching model, with teachers and students as the main body of teaching, characterized by communication, interaction, and mutual inspiration. This study explored the effects of the SCL method versus traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) in the statistics curriculum for undergraduate students majoring in preventive medicine. Research questions were: 1) whether the scores of students in the experimental group (the SCL model) were higher than those in the control group (the LBL model); 2) whether the students' satisfaction in the experimental group was better than that in the control group; and 3) whether the self-report benefit of students in the experimental group was better than that in the control group.

METHODS

We conducted a two-armed cluster-randomized education intervention trial in practice teaching of health statistics among undergraduates majoring in preventive medicine. Two administrative classes (classes 1-4 and classes 5-8) were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to the principle of drawing lots. The students in two groups received the same statistical theory course. For the arrangement of statistical practice course, the experimental group adopted the SCL model, and the control group used the LBL model. The teaching effect was evaluated via an examination and an anonymous questionnaire survey.

RESULTS

Scores for noun explanation questions in the experimental group showed no statistical significance with that of the control group(U = 2911.0, P = 0.964). The scores of single choice, calculation, and case analysis questions, and the total scores were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Students' satisfaction with arrangements of the practice course in the experimental group (92.41%) was significantly higher than that of in the control group (77.03%), the difference was statistically significant (χ² = 7.074, P = 0.008). The self-report benefit of students in the experimental group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

As an effective method of high-quality education, the SCL model is worthy of further promotion in the practice teaching of preventive medicine.

Association of rs2910164 in miR-146a with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case-control and meta-analysis study

OBJECTIVE

Several studies have shown that miR-146a rs2910164 (C > G) is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) susceptibility, but the results are still controversial. This study is divided into two parts, and one is to explore the relationship between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and the genetic susceptibility of T2DM in Chinese Han population. Second, a meta-analysis on the basis of a larger sample size was used to determine whether this is a susceptibility gene for T2DM.

METHODS

A case-control study including 574 T2DM patients and 596 controls was used to evaluate the association of miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism with the risk of T2DM in Chinese Han People. Then, we systematically searched studies investigating the correlation between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and T2DM susceptibility published before April 2022 from PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and a meta-analysis including six studies was carried out. The results were expressed by odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

RESULTS

In a case-control study, we found that there were no statistical differences in genotype frequencies between T2DM and control group. Subgroup analysis showed that, compared with the CC genotype, CG + GG genotype was associated with a decreased risk of T2DM in the subgroup of individuals ≥ 65 years old (OR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58-0.98; P _adjusted = 0.032) and BMI < 18.5 (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03-0.89; P _adjusted = 0.037). In overall meta-analysis, significant heterogeneity was detected. No significant association between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and T2DM was observed in all genetic models under random effects models. Subgroup analysis revealed that there was a significant difference in genotype frequencies between the T2DM and control group in recessive model (CC vs. CG + GG: OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.08-2.96; P_Q = 0.307, I ² = 4.0%) and homozygote model (CC vs. GG: OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.07-3.00; P_Q = 0.216, I ² = 34.7%) in Caucasians.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study demonstrate that the miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism might have ethnicity-dependent effects in T2DM and may be related to T2DM susceptibility in Caucasians.

Quantification of peak blood flow velocity at the cardiac valve and great thoracic vessels by four-dimensional flow and two-dimensional phase-contrast MRI compared with echocardiography: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

To objectively examine the agreement and correlation between four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and traditional two-dimensional (2D) phase-contrast (PC) MRI with the reference standard of Doppler echocardiography for measuring peak blood velocity at the cardiac valve and great arteries, and to assess if 4D flow MRI offers an advantage over the traditional 2D method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature was searched systematically for studies that evaluate the degree of correlation and agreement between 4D flow MRI or 2D PC MRI and Doppler retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the peak velocity pooled bias with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) and correlation coefficient (r) for 4D flow MRI and 2D PC MRI compared with Doppler.

RESULTS

Ten studies that compared 4D flow MRI with Doppler and 12 studies that compared 2D PC MRI with Doppler were included. 4D flow MRI showed an underestimation with bias and 95% LoA of -0.09 (-0.41, 0.24) m/s (p=0.079) while 2D PC MRI showed a poorer agreement with a bias and 95% LoA of -0.25 (-0.53, 0.03), p=0.596. 4D flow MRI and 2D PC MRI showed a strong correlation with R=0.80 (95% CI 0.75, 0.84; p<0.001) and R=0.83 (95% CI 0.79, 0.87; p<0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, 4D flow MRI provides improved assessment of peak velocity when compared with traditional 2D PC MRI. 4D flow MRI can be considered an important complement or substitute to Doppler echocardiography for peak velocity assessment.

[Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the new schistosomiasis surveillance program and consolidating schistosomiasis elimination achievements.

METHODS

A total of 54 to 55 national surveillance sites and 6 risk monitoring sites were assigned in historical endemic regions of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, where the Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans, livestock, snails and wild feces were monitored. All data pertaining to the surveillance results were descriptively analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 34 530 person-time local residents receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province from 2015 to 2019, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.29% to 0.68%; however, no egg-positives were detected. During the period from 2015 to 2019, there were 62 086 person-time mobile populations receiving serological screening for S. japonicum infections in national surveillance sites of Zhejiang Province, and the seroprevalance of S. japonicum infections were 0.32% to 0.56%; additionally, there were 27 egg-positives identified, including 3 imported cases with schistosomiasis haematobia and one case with acute schistosomiasis japonica, indicating that the adjusted prevalence of Schistosoma infections were 0.01% to 0.07% among mobile populations. A total of 829 livestock were examined for S. japonicum infections, with no positives detected. There were 10.55 hm² and 2.89 hm² snail habitats found in national surveillance sites and risk monitoring sites of Zhejiang Province during the 5-year period, respectively; however, no S. japonicum infections were identified in snails. Moreover, a total of 305 wild feces were tested for S. japonicum infections, and no egg-positives were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

The schistosomiasis elimination achievement have been consolidated in Zhejiang Province; however, the risk factors of re-emerging schistosomiasis have not been completely eliminated, such as residual snails and imported schistosomiasis cases. Further surveillance and control activities of snails and the source of S. japonicum infections should be reinforced.

[Expert consensus on the strategy and measures to interrupt the transmission of schistosomiasis in China]

Since 2015 when the transmission of schistosomiasis was controlled in China, the country has been moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis, with the surveillance-response as the main interventions for schistosomiasis control. During the period of the 13th Five-Year Plan, the transmission of schistosomiasis had been interrupted in four provinces of Sichuan, Jiangsu, Yunnan and Hubei and the prevalence of schistosomiasis has been at the historically lowest level in China. As a consequence, the goal set in The 13th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China is almost achieved. However, there are multiple challenges during the stage moving towards elimination of schistosomiasis in China, including the widespread distribution of intermediate host snails and complicated snail habitats, many types of sources of Schistosoma japonicum infections and difficulty in management of bovines and sheep, unmet requirements for the current schistosomiasis control program with the currently available tools, and vulnerable control achievements. During the 14th Five-Year period, it is crucial to consolidate the schistosomiasis control achievements and gradually solve the above difficulties, and critical to provide the basis for achieving the ultimate goal of elimination of schistosomiasis in China. Based on the past experiences from the national schistosomiasis control program and the challenges for schistosomiasis elimination in China, an expert consensus has been reached pertaining to the objectives, control strategy and measures for The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China, so as to provide insights in to the development of The 14th Five-Year National Schistosomiasis Control Program in China.

[Surveillance and control strategy of imported schistosomiasis mansoni: an expert consensus]

In 1980s, Biomphalaria straminea, an intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni, was found in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China, and currently, this snail has colonized in Shenzhen City and spread to peripheral cities involving of Dongguan and Huizhou. Since imported cases infected with S. mamoni have been reported from time to time in China, Mainland China is facing the potential risk of transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni. With the deepening of the opening-up policy, notably the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, there is an increase in the risk of transmission of schistosomiasis mansoni in Mainland China. Increasing the understanding on schistosomiasis mansoni, improving the awareness toward schistosomiasis mansoni prevention and control, and identifying, reporting and managing imported cases with S. mansoni infection or pathogen carriers, are of particular importance to prevent the development of entire life cycle of S. mansoni and the resultant schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in China. To protect public health, a consensus has been reached pertaining to the surveillance and control strategy of imported schistosomiasis mansoni by Chinese infectious disease experts and parasitologists, with aims to improve the awareness and capability for the diagnosis, treatment and control of imported schistosomiasis mansoni among Chinese disease control and prevention institutions and medical institutions, and decrease and even eliminate the risk of schistosomiasis mansoni transmission in China.

Effect of branched chain amino acids on perioperative temperature, glucose level and fat metabolism in patients with gastrointestinal tumors

This study aimed to investigate the effect of branched chain amino acids (BCCAs) on perioperative temperature, glucose and fat metabolism in patients with gastrointestinal tumors. Fifty-six patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups of 28 patients each: an experimental and a control group. During surgery, the experimental group received 5.64mL·Kg-1·h-1(4KJ·Kg-1·h-1) of BCCAs intravenously, through an infusion pump, and the control group received an equal volume of NaCl 0.9%. Vital signs were continuously monitored during the operation. Nasopharynx temperature levels of glucose, insulin, free fatty acid and ketone bodies in the blood were determined 30 min before anesthesia (t 0), after anesthesia and before surgery (t 1), 30 min after the start of surgery (t 2), 2 h after start of surgery (t 3) and 1 h after the end of surgery (T4). Patients’ shivering intensity (Wrench grading) and pain degree [Visual analogue scale (VAS)]) were estimated 1 h after the endotracheal tube was removed. Nasopharynx temperature was decreased (p less than 0.05) in both groups after anesthesia induction, while 1 h after the tube was removed it was higher in the experimental group than the control group (p less than 0.05); compared with pre-surgery values, blood glucose levels were increased during surgery in both groups, but the experimental group had a lower increasing trend compared to the control group, though without statistical significance (p>0.05). Insulin levels were significantly different between the two groups at all time-points during surgery (p less than 0.05). However, the rising trend of the experimental group was more dramatic during the period from t 0 to t 3. One hour after surgery (t 4), the insulin levels varied, but still at higher levels than pre-surgery, with a significant difference (p less than 0.05); levels of free fatty acids had a downward trend in both groups, and levels in the experimental group continued to decline until 1 h after surgery. Patients who received branched chain amino acids had less temperature decrease during surgery. Moreover, blood glucose levels were not increased, which limits fat mobilization and leads to production of ketone bodies, reduces the shivering and its intensity after surgery.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on stress reactions and cellular immune function of patients in perioperative period following radial resection for rectal carcinoma

The study aimed to assess the effects and the further mechanism of action of dexmedetomidine with regard to stress reactions and cellular immune function of patients during the perioperative period following radical resection for rectal carcinoma. A total of 36 patients with rectal carcinoma were selected for radical resection under general anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups, namely an experimental and a control group. In the experimental group (dexmedetomidine group) 1 μg/ kg/bw dexmedetomidine was injected intravenously 10 min prior to the induction of general anesthesia, and then infusion was carried out at a rate of 0.2 μg·kg-1·h-1 for 30 min prior to the end of surgery. With regard to the control group, the same amount of normal saline (NS) was infused with the same method as the experimental group. Controlled intravenous analgesia was conducted following surgery to all of the patients. Regarding the effect of dexmedetomidine on the reaction of stress, a decrease of VAS scores was noted in the experimental group following extubation compared with the control group (P less than 0.05). Furthermore, a significant decrease in the consumption of morphine in the first 24 h was observed that was accompanied by a decrease of plasma cortisol levels at 6 and 24 h following surgery compared with the control group. The levels of IFN-γ/IL-10 in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group (P less than 0.05). The percentages of CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ cells in the experimental group were increased compared with those of the control group (P less than 0.05). By infusing dexmedetomidine continuously, stress reactions during the perioperative period were significantly decreased, whereas the analgesic effects of opioid were increased.

Exposure to bisphenol A and the development of asthma: A systematic review of cohort studies

BACKGROUND

There is conflicting evidence about the association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and childhood asthma risk. We aimed to review the epidemiological literature on the relationship between prenatal or postnatal exposure to BPA and the risk of childhood asthma/wheeze.

METHODS

The PubMed database was systematically searched, and additional studies were found by searching reference lists of relevant articles.

RESULTS

Six studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Three studies found that prenatal BPA exposure is associated with an increased risk of childhood wheeze, while another study reported a reduced risk of wheeze. Regarding the postnatal BPA exposure, three studies demonstrated an increased risk of childhood asthma/wheeze.

CONCLUSIONS

The mean prenatal BPA was associated with the risk of childhood wheeze/asthma. Besides, the influence of BPA exposure during the second trimester of pregnancy on the prevalence of childhood wheeze was marked. Further studies are urgently needed to explore the underlying mechanism about adverse effect of BPA exposure on childhood wheeze/asthma.

[Studies on immunological reaction of the antiserum of recombinant secreted protein from Ancylostoma caninum]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the immunological reaction of the antiserum of recombinant secreted protein from Ancylostoma caninum with antigens of various species hookworms at different developmental stages.

METHODS

SDS-PAGE and ELIB technique were employed in the study.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The protein component of Ac-rAsp-1 was 45 kDa, its immune serum can recognize the antigens of Ac-L3 and Ac-rAsp-1 protein, but not react to the antigens of Ad-A, Ad-L3, Na-A, Ac-A, Nb-A and Ac-rAsp-2 protein. The protein component of Ac-rAsp-2 was 24 kDa, its immune serum can recognize the antigens of Ad-A, Ad-L3, Na-A, Ac-A, Ac-L3 and Ac-rAsp-2 protein, but not react to the antigens of Nb-A and Ac-rAsp-1 protein.

[Longitudinal observation on the control of intestinal helminthiasis]

OBJECTIVE

To search suitable measure for rapid control intestinal helminthiasis and long-term strengthen efficacy.

METHODS

The treatment was taken in egg-positive population of intestinal helminthiasis in 1986-1988. The treatment was carried out only in the selected population in 1989-1992. No measure was taken in 1993-2000.

RESULTS

(1) The prevalence rate of hookworm, Ascaris and Trichuris decreased to 3.2%, 37.3% and 3.5% respectively after administration of albendazole twice a year for 3 years. (2) The prevalence rate of hookworm continued to decrease to 0.5% after treatment on selected population. (3) The prevalence rate and the intensity of hookworm has been less than 1% and 10/LPG for 8 years. No hookworm larvae had been isolated from the soil.

CONCLUSION

The hookworm transmission was effectively controlled in the study site.

Genetic analysis of the capsid region of astroviruses

Eight serotypes of human astroviruses (HAstV-1 to HAstV-8) have been described. To date, the entire genomes of HAstV-1 and HAstV-2 as well as the ORF2 sequences of HAstV-1-6 and 8 have been reported. In this study, the ORF2 sequences of seventeen strains of HAstVs originating from different countries were determined, as well as the sequence ORF2 of one porcine astrovirus (PAstV) strain. Afterwards, comparison of the capsid protein precursors encoded by ORF2 of 46 strains of HAstVs, PAstV, and feline astrovirus (FAstV) was carried out. A phylogenetic tree showed eight genogroups of HAstVs that corresponded exactly to the serotypes. HAstV-3 and 7 were the most closely related, whereas HAstVs, FAstV, and PAstV segregated from each other. Compared to a PAstV, a FAstV is closer to HAstVs. Furthermore, the capsid protein precursors were divided into four regions (after amino acid residues 424, 688, and 776, respectively) based on sequence identity. Region I was the most conserved, and FAstV was very close in identity to HAstVs. Two amino acid motifs in region I were predicted to contain the common antigenic epitopes. Region II was relatively variable. Deletions and insertions were characteristic of region III, and region IV was relatively conserved. To our knowledge, this is the first comparative sequence analysis of the capsid protein precursors of eight serotypes of HAstVs as well as two animal astroviruses (FAstV and PAstV).

[Studies on separation and identification of Rhizoma coptidis brugs based on microemulsion thin-layer chromatography]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the use of microemulsion TLC for the separation and identification of Rhizoma Coptidis drugs.

METHOD

Thirteen Rhizoma Coptidis drugs were separated and identified with six kinds of SDS/n-C4H9OH/n-C7H16/H2O microemulsions as mobile phase on polyamide film. Effects of microemulsions on separation were investigated.

RESULTS

The best mobile phase was the O/W microemulsion(containing 75% water). Compared with general mobile phases, the separation and detection could be improved and the test conditions were more tolerant.

CONCLUSION

This new method is simple, accurate and efficient for the separation and identification of Rhizoma Coptidis drugs.

[Discussion of the treatment of Formocresol (FC-ZOE) and Glutaradehyde (GA-ZOE) for pulpitis and periapical disease on primary teeth]

This study was discussed of the treatment of FC-ZOE and GA-ZOE for pulpitis and periapical disease on primary teeth.The post-operation observation was from 18 to 24 months.The result demostrated that the treatment for pulpitis is good,but for periapical disease is not satisfying. Ga-ZOE is effective as a fixing agent of devitalization for gangrenous root canal,and it was ineffective as an aseptic agent for infective root canal.FC-ZOE was disadvantage as a filling agent of root canal.

[Application of low temperature demineralization and frozen section technique in the immunochemistry study of dental pulp]

The purpose of the study was to explore experiment method by means of periodate-lysine-parafoemaldehyde fixative,EDTA low temperature demineralization and frozen section technique.The results showed the technique suit either completely to immunohistochemical study of the pulp matrix and of the cell surface expression that was weaker antigenicity,or to enzyme histochemical staining of the dental pulp.

Studies on the control of hookworm and other soil-transmitted helminthiases in farmers in Zhejiang Province, China

Different periodic selective chemotherapeutic schemes were used to control hookworm and other soil-transmitted helminthiases in eight villages in five counties in Zhejiang Province, China, 1985-1988. The results showed that the prevalence rates of hookworm, ascariasis, and trichuriasis decreased from 35.0-74.4%, 47.0-.76% and 22.9-47.5% to 3.2-15.8%, 9.9-47.8%, and 3.5-31.2%, respectively, using pyrantel pamoate (10 mg/kg for 1-2 days) or albendazole (400 mg for 1-2 days, once or twice a year for 2-3 years). The eggs per gram of feces of hookworm and Trichuris trichiura also dropped markedly after control. Moreover, the mean hemoglobin levels of sampled populations increased after several treatments. The authors recommend periodic selective chemotherapy as the main method to control soil-transmitted helminthiases, especially hookworm infections.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis with shield ulcer--a case report

This 9-year-old boy had a three-year history of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. A shield ulcer developed in the superior part of the cornea. The shield ulcer is a rare manifestation of the disease. Although the cause of shield ulcer is unknown, the association of shield ulcer with large papillae suggests a mechanical cause. The symptoms of itching and mucous discharge were relieved after medications with topical steroid and cromolyn sodium, but the large shield ulcer was persistent. The vernal ulcer was treated with a 72 hours collagen shield. The ulcer healed rapidly within 5 days, leaving a corneal opacity about the level of Bowman's layer.

[Program for the computerized control of a regional system of cadaveric kidneys exchange developed for the São Paulo Interior Transplante]

Authors present a computer software developed to control the regional cadaver kidney exchange program in the state of São Paulo (Interior Transplante), and capable of two distinct routines: 1) management of the data bank concerning the enrolled recipients, and 2) selection of patients that are HLA compatible with a given donor, and final selection of kidney recipients based on the following 4 criteria in addition to HLA compatibility: time in waiting list, panel, age, and logistic factors. The software has been in use for one year and has proved to be extremely useful when compared to the previously used method which involved a standard card file.

The study of ocular hypotensive effect of 6-hydroxyethoxy-2-benzothiazole sulfonamide: a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor

A newly synthesized topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, 6-hydroxyethoxy-2-benzothiazole sulfonamide (6-HS), was administered systemically and topically to alpha-chymotrypsin-induced glaucoma rabbits to evaluate its ocular hypotensive effect. A significant IOP lowering effect was observed after topical application of 50 microL of 3% 6-HS gel, but a dose of 50 microL of 3% 6-HS suspension failed to reduce IOP. The maximal magnitude of reduced IOP after topical gel instillation was 24.4%, very close to the result obtained following intravenous injection of 6 mg/kg of 6-HS (23.3%). However, the blood levels of 6-HS after topical instillation with 3% 6-HS gel was much lower than that following 6 mg/kg of 6-HS injected intravenously (less than 5%). Since a lower dose of 6-HS (1 mg/Kg) administered intravenously did not cause a significant drop in IOP, it is reasonable to deduct that the ocular hypotensive effect of 6-HS applied topically can then be attributed to the inhibition of intraocular carbonic anhydrase activity. It was also noted that a larger dose of intravenous administration of 6-HS (20 mg/Kg) had a more profound IOP and blood pressure reducing effect with moderate metabolic acidosis.

Amino acid concentrations in serum and aqueous humor from subjects with extreme myopia or senile cataract

With an amino acid analyzer, we measured amino acids and related compounds in serum and aqueous humor from normal Chinese and some patients with extreme myopia or senile cataracts. Forty peaks were well resolved, and their areas were used to quantify each compound. In the myopic patients, glutamate, alpha-aminoadipate, and methionine concentrations in serum were 10-fold those in the normal subjects. Values for most of the other amino acids and related compounds were also higher in myopic patients' sera. In the cataract patients, concentrations of most of these compounds were lower in serum but higher in aqueous humor than for the normal subjects. Tryptophan was present in significant amounts in sera from the normal subjects, but was not detectable in the senile-cataract patients. The ratio of amino acid concentration in aqueous humor to that in the serum (Ch/Cs) was higher in the cataract patients than in normal subjects for almost all of the compounds we measured.

Amino acid concentrations in serum and aqueous humor from subjects with extreme myopia or senile cataract

With an amino acid analyzer, we measured amino acids and related compounds in serum and aqueous humor from normal Chinese and some patients with extreme myopia or senile cataracts. Forty peaks were well resolved, and their areas were used to quantify each compound. In the myopic patients, glutamate, alpha-aminoadipate, and methionine concentrations in serum were 10-fold those in the normal subjects. Values for most of the other amino acids and related compounds were also higher in myopic patients' sera. In the cataract patients, concentrations of most of these compounds were lower in serum but higher in aqueous humor than for the normal subjects. Tryptophan was present in significant amounts in sera from the normal subjects, but was not detectable in the senile-cataract patients. The ratio of amino acid concentration in aqueous humor to that in the serum (Ch/Cs) was higher in the cataract patients than in normal subjects for almost all of the compounds we measured.

Serum ornithine levels in some ocular disorders

The fact that Chinese have a high occurrence of myopia and the toxicity of ornithine to retinal epithelial cells raised our interest to investigate the serum ornithine levels in high myopic patients. After analyzing several hundred patients, no significant difference in the serum ornithine level was found between Chinese and non-Chinese. However, patients with various ocular disorders did show higher ornithine levels. Serum citrulline levels in myobes and non-Chinese groups were decreased. The significance of these findings needs further investigation.

A mouse macrophage-like cell line (MMC-1) and its biological characteristics--scanning electron microscopic observation

The surface characteristics and EA-rosette with opsonized chicken erythrocytes by mouse macrophage-like cell line (MMC-1) were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of the cell surface were characteristics of macrophage.