[Preliminary study on the expression and distribution of S100A8 and S100A9 in healthy and experimental periodontitis tissues]

Objective: To investigate the systemic expression profile of S100A8 and S100A9 in healthy and inflamed periodontal tissues. Methods: Experimental periodontitis models were established by ligations around the mandibular second molars of six beagle dogs for 12 weeks (ligation group). The mandibular second molars on the opposite side were kept clean (healthy control group). The expressions of S100A8 and S100A9 in healthy and inflamed periodontal tissues of six beagle dogs were examined by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of S100A8 and S100A9 in primary human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) from 3 subjects and human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC) from 3 other subjects were detected by immunocytochemistry. Results: After the ligation for 12 weeks, the mean probing depth of ligation group [(3.86±0.14) mm] was significantly higher than that of healthy control group [(2.11±0.28) mm] (P<0.01). Results of immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that S100A8 and S100A9 could be expressed in gingival epithelial cells and might infiltrated neutrophils in the healthy periodontium. Except for the gingival epithelial cells and neutrophils, both proteins were induced and expressed in gingival fibroblasts, periodontal ligament cells, microvascular endothelial cells and bone marrow fibroblasts under inflammatory conditions. The distribution of S100A8 and S100A9 differed in the healthy oral gingival epithelium (OGE), which becomes consistent in inflamed OGE. Additionally, the expressions of S100A8 and S100A9 were confirmed in primary hGF and hPDLC. Conclusions: Periodontal inflammation might enlarge the expression scope of S100A8 and S100A9 and enrich multiple cells with expressions of S100A8 and S100A9.

Status and influencing factors of farmers' private investment in the prevention and control of sheep brucellosis in China: A cross-sectional study

Background

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide, causing direct losses to the livestock industry and threatening human health. Little is known about the status and factors affecting farmers’ private investment in the prevention and control of sheep brucellosis in China.

Methodology/Principal findings

From April to October 2017, a cross-sectional, house-based study was conducted in 7 Chinese provinces. A total of 1037 households included in the study were analyzed. The average amount of private investment in the prevention and control of brucellosis was $0.73±0.54 per sheep. Multivariable analysis showed that factors facilitating private investment included older age of householder (OR = 1.07, 95%CI: 1.03–1.11), herd size >100 (OR = 2.49, 95%CI: 1.38–4.51), a higher percentage of income from sheep farming comparing to the total household income (OR = 1.14, 95%CI: 1.11–1.16), higher score of brucellosis knowledge (OR = 3.85, 95%CI: 1.40–10.51), actively learning related knowledge (OR = 2.98, 95%CI: 1.55–5.74), actively participating in related training courses (OR = 3.07, 95%CI: 1.52–6.18), care about other people’s attitudes (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.35–2.28), concern about the health of neighbors’ livestock (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.23–2.51). The analysis found a discouraging factor for private investment, supporting culling policy (OR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.49–0.91).

Conclusions/Significance

In addition to providing interventions related to farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and practices, guidance must be offered to help farmers understanding the importance of private investment in the prevention and control of brucellosis.

Brucellosis is one of the most common zoonoses worldwide. The disease is endemic in China and the prevention and control of brucellosis mainly depends on government investment. From the perspective of economic theory, private investment can help supplement public investment. Thus, it is important to describe the status of farmers’ private investment in brucellosis prevention and control in epidemic areas and to explore the factors influencing this investment.

[HIV infection and associated factors in men who have sex with men and also with women in Urumqi from 2010 to 2014]

Objective: To understand the demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors and the factors associated with HIV infection in men who have sex with men and also with women (MSMW) in Urumqi. Methods: According to the "National AIDS Sentinel Surveillance Protocol" , the data of MSM's demographic characteristics, sex behavior histories and serological detection results were collected through Urumqi AIDS sentinel surveillance system during 2010-2014. In MSM, those also had heterosexual behaviors were considered as MSMW. Results: Of 2 073 MSM surveyed, 216 (10.4%) were MSMW, and 115 MSMW (53.2%) were aged 30>years. Compared with MSM, MSMW were more prone to have commercial homosexual behaviors (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.35-3.21), and the condom use rate at the latest homosex was low among them (OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.40-0.85). The HIV infection rates in MSMW and MSM were 7.4% and 9.0%, respectively, the difference had no significance (χ²=0.604, P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that among the MSMW the condom use at the latest homosex (OR=0.24,95% CI: 0.09-0.71), and the number of anal sex in the past week (OR=6.63, 95% CI: 1.47-29.90) were the factors associated with HIV infection, and in MSM, the factors associated with HIV infection were non-Han nationality (OR=6.40, 95% CI:1.62-25.36), local residence time (OR=7.47, 95% CI: 1.98-28.20), using no condoms or using condoms occasionally at commercial sex (OR=6.14,95% CI:1.93-19.52). Conclusion: The HIV infection status and associated factors varied between MSMW and MSM in Urumqi. Therefore, it is necessary to take targeted AIDS prevention measures among them.

[Analysis of clinical characteristics and factors associated with short term outcomes in early term neonates]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of early term and full term neonates, and analyze the risk factors associated with short term outcomes in early term neonates. Method: Neonates with birth weight (BW) ≥2 500 g from year 2013 were analyzed retrospectively based on American Congress of Obstericians & Gynecologists (ACOG) latest definition of term infants. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, early term (gestational age 37-38 weeks) and full term(gestational age 39-40 weeks) neonates were included, whose morbidity constituent proportion was analyzed by χ(2) test or Fisher accuracy test or t test or Wilcoxon test. Risk factors associated with short term outcomes in early term population were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. Result: There were 3 002 discharged term infants being investigated, among whom 1 303 cases were included(768 males and 535 females), and 37, 38, 39 and 40 weeks' gestational age newborns were 160, 324, 450 and 369 respectively. Compared with full term neonates(n=819), early term neonates (n=484) had longer length of hospital stay (LOS)(6.0(5.0, 9.0) vs. 6.0(4.0, 8.0), Z=2.830, P=0.005), higher usage rate of intravenous antibiotics(86.4%(418/484) vs. 80.1%(656/819), χ(2)=8.009, P=0.005), higher assisted ventilation rate(9.5%(46/484) vs. 2.9%(24/819), χ(2)=25.528, P<0.01), higher pulmonary surfactant administration rate(4.3%(21/484) vs. 1.1%(9/819), χ(2)=14.006, P<0.01), as well as higher hypoglycemia incidence(3.9%(19/484) vs. 1.2%(10/819), χ(2)=10.226, P=0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in 1 min Apgar score (9(9, 10)vs. 9(9, 10), Z=0.860, P=0.390), 5 min Apgar score (10(9, 10) vs. 10(9, 10), Z=0.810, P=0.418), white blood cell count (15 (11, 21) ×10(9) /L vs.15 (11, 22) ×10(9) /L, Z=0.880, P=0.379), hemoglobin count(180 (159, 205) vs. 182 (160, 204) g/L, Z=0.560, P=0.576), or platelet count(303(234, 372) ×10(9)/L vs. 301(237, 391) ×10(9)/L, Z=0.550, P=0.584). BW between 2 500 g and 2 999 g(OR 1.69, 95% CI: 1.10-2.62, χ(2) =5.614, P=0.018), wet lung(OR=2.61, 95% CI: 1.61-4.24, χ(2)=15.023, P=0.000)and pneumonia(OR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.14-3.08, χ(2)=6.192, P=0.013) were risk factors in early term neonates' short term adverse outcomes. Conclusion: Early term newborns are still at their "immature" state, and respiratory disorders are major risk factors associated with short term outcomes. Hence, early delivery during 37-38 weeks should be avoided as possible as we can.

[Comparison of human papilloma virus infection status between men who have sex with men recruited from gay bathhouses and HIV voluntary counseling and testing clinics respectively in Urumqi]

Objective: To understand the human papilloma virus (HPV) infection status in men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from gay bathhouses and HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, and identify the associated risk factors. Methods: A total of 200 MSM aged ≥18 years were recruited by using the " snowballing" sampling method from gay bathhouses and VCT clinics in Urumqi during March-May, 2016. The MSM recruited completed questionnaires after filling in the informed consent form. The information about their demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were collected, and anal swabs were collected from them for HPV genotyping. Results: The overall HPV infection rate was 54.0%. The HPV infection rate was 66.7%(74/111) in MSM from gay bathhouses and 38.2%(34/89) in MSM from VCT clinics and the high risk type HPV infection rate was 39.6% (44/111) in MSM from gay bathhouses and 14.6% (13/89) in MSM from VCT clinics, the differences were significant (χ(2)=16.112, P<0.05; χ(2)=15.190, P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the major risk factors for HPV infection included activity in gay bathhouse (OR=3.732, 95% CI: 1.950-7.141) and anal sexual behavior (OR=2.555, 95%CI: 1.329-4.912). Conclusion: The prevalence of HPV in MSM from gay bathhouses was higher than that in MSM from VCT clinics, indicating that close attention should be paid to the behavior intervention in MSM.

Comparison of three media for transport and storage of the samples collected for detection of avian influenza virus

Detection of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) is important for diagnosis, surveillance and control of avian influenza which is of great economic and public health significance. Proper transport and storage of samples is critical for the detection when the samples cannot be detected immediately. As recommended by some international or national authoritative entities and some publications, phosphate buffered saline (PBS), PBS-glycerol and brain heart infusion broth (BHIB) are frequently used for transport and storage of the samples collected for detection of AIVs worldwide. In this study, we compared these three media for transport and storage of simulated and authentic swab and feces samples collected for detection of AIVs using virus isolation and reverse transcription-PCR. The results suggest that PBS-glycerol is superior to PBS and BHIB as the sample transport and storage media. The results also suggest that the samples collected for detection of AIVs should be detected as soon as possible because the virus concentration of the samples may decline rapidly during storage within days at 4 or -20°C.

Characterization of the hemagglutinin gene of subtype H9 avian influenza viruses isolated in 2007-2009 in China

Subtype H9 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulating in China have aroused concerns for their impact on poultry and risk to public health. In this report, three surveys of the viruses were reported, and the hemagglutinin gene of 55 strains of the viruses isolated in China in 2007-2009 was sequenced and analyzed. The results indicated that the prevalence of the viruses was rising in China, and most of the H9 AIVs circulating in the past decade in China belonged to sublineage h9.4.2. The viruses isolated in China in 2007-2009 were a little different from previous strains (genetic distances >7.1%). Meanwhile, a presumably predominant clade of the viruses circulating in China in 2007-2009 was identified. Mutation analysis suggested that the viruses have become of greater risk to public health in recent years.

Analysis of residual solvents in 2-[(18)F]FDG by GC

A gas chromatography method has been developed for the measurement of the residual acetone, ethanol and acetonitrile in 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F] fluoro-D-glucose (2-[(18)F]FDG), in accordance with the pending FDA revision on the drug. The detections limits were 0.1 ppm for all three solvents. Good precision and linearity were obtained over ranges spanning the allowable concentration levels proposed by FDA. The amounts of the three solvents in our routine 2-[(18)F]FDG products have been found well below the maximum permissible levels. The method is very amenable to quality control testing for the radiopharmaceutical.

Hair chromium levels in patients with vascular diseases

The chromium levels in the hair of patients with hyperlipemia and coronary heart disease were found to be similar to those of healthy controls (p greater than 0.2). In patients with cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral thrombosis, significantly higher hair chromium values were observed than in healthy subjects (p less than 0.001). The possible significance of these findings is discussed.