Search

Introduction: Chronic schizophrenia has a course of 5 years or more and has a widespread abnormalities in brain functional connectivity. This study aimed to find characteristic functional and structural changes in a long illness duration chronic schizophrenia (10 years or more)., Methods: Thirty-six patients with a long illness duration chronic schizophrenia and 38 healthy controls were analyzed by independent component analysis of brain network functional connectivity. Correlation analysis with clinical duration was performed on six resting state networks: auditory network, default mode network, dorsal attention network, fronto-parietal network, somatomotor network, and visual network., Results: The differences in the resting state network between the two groups revealed that patients exhibited enhanced inter-network connections between default mode network and multiple brain networks, while the inter-network connections between somatomotor network, default mode network and visual network were reduced. In patients, functional connectivity of Cuneus_L was negatively correlated with illness duration. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve of functional connectivity showed that changes in Thalamus_L, Rectus_L, Frontal_Mid_R, and Cerebelum_9_L may indicate a longer illness duration chronic schizophrenia., Discussion: In our study, we also confirmed that the course of disease is significantly associated with specific brain regions, and the changes in specific brain regions may indicate that chronic schizophrenia has a course of 10 years or more., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Bai, Luo, Peng, Sun, Gao, Hao, Tong, He, Luo, Liang and Yang.)

There are three main classes of actin nucleation factors: Arp2/3 complexes, Spire and Formin. Spire assembles microfilaments by nucleating stable longitudinal tetramers and binding actin to the growing end of the microfilament. As early as 1999, Wellington et al. identified Spire as an actin nucleating agent, however, over the years, most studies have focused on Arp2/3 and Formin proteins; there has been relatively less research on Spire as a member of the actin nucleating factors. Recent studies have shown that Spire is involved in the vesicular transport through the synthesis of actin and plays an important role in neural development. In this paper, we reviewed the structure, expression and function of Spire, and its association with disease in order to identify meaningful potential directions for studies on Spire.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a global health concern with varying levels and trends across countries and regions. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies., Methods: Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study, we examine IBD incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates in 198 countries from 1990 to 2019. To assess changes in the burden of IBD, estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC) were calculated, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used to predict the future 30-year trends of IBD., Results: In 2019, there were 405,000 new IBD cases globally (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 361,000 to 457,000), with 41,000 deaths (95% UI 35,000 to 45,000) and 1.62million DALYs (95% UI 1.36-1.92million). The global age-standardized incidence rate in 2019 was 4.97 per 100,000 person-years (95% UI 4.43 to 5.59), with a mortality rate of 0.54 (95% UI 0.46 to 0.59) and DALYs rate of 20.15 (95% UI 16.86 to 23.71). From 1990 to 2019, EAPC values for incidence, mortality, and DALYs rates were - 0.60 (95% UI - 0.73 to - 0.48), - 0.69 (95% UI - 0.81 to - 0.57), and - 1.04 (95% UI - 1.06 to - 1.01), respectively. Overall, the burden of IBD has shown a slow decline in recent years. In SDI stratification, regions with higher initial SDI (high-income North America and Central Europe) witnessed decreasing incidence and mortality rates with increasing SDI, while regions with lower initial SDI (South Asia, Oceania, and Latin America) experienced a rapid rise in incidence but a decrease in mortality with increasing SDI. Predictions using a Bayesian model showed lower new cases and deaths from 2020 to 2050 than reference values, while the slope of the predicted incidence-time curve closely paralleled that of the 2019 data., Conclusion: Increasing cases, deaths, and DALYs highlight the sustained burden of IBD on public health. Developed countries have stabilized or declining incidence rates but face high prevalence and societal burden. Emerging and developing countries experience rising incidence. Understanding these changes aids policymakers in effectively addressing IBD challenges in different regions and economic contexts., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Limited endoscopic sphincterotomy with large balloon dilation (ES-LBD) and endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation (EPLBD) have been proven safe and effective for removal of bile duct stones. However, the long-term outcomes are not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of EPLBD (12-15 mm) with or without limited sphincterotomy for removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones., Methods: Patients with EPLBD or ES-LBD referred for the removal of bile-duct stones between June 2008 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Complete stone clearance, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related adverse events, and late biliary complications during long-term follow-up were analyzed., Results: Basic patient characteristics were not significantly different between the groups that underwent EPLBD (n = 168) and ES-LBD (n = 57). EPLBD compared with ES-LBD resulted in similar outcomes in terms of overall successful stone removal (99.4% vs. 100%, P = 1.00) and ERCP-related adverse events (7.7% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.77). The mean duration of the follow-up were 113.6 months and 106.7 months for patients with EPLBD and ES-LBD, respectively (P = 0.13). There was no significant difference between EPLBD and ES-LBD in the incidence of stone recurrence [20 (11.9%) vs. 9 (15.8%); P = 0.49]. Multivariate analysis showed that a diameter of CBD ≥ 15 mm (OR = 3.001; 95% CI: 1.357-6.640; P = 0.007) was an independent risk factor for stone recurrence., Conclusions: The application of a large balloon (12-15 mm) via EPLBD is an effective and safe alternative to ES-LBD for extraction of large CBD stones. Endoscopic sphincterotomy prior to EPLBD may be unnecessary. A diameter of CBD ≥ 15 mm is a risk factor of stone recurrence., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

This study aims to establish a method for the component content determination and fingerprint evaluation of Mori Cortex, fried Mori Cortex and its standard decoction, and to reveal the quality transfer law among the three based on transfer rate, extraction rate, and fingerprint similarity.Fifteen representative batches of Mori Cortex decoction pieces were collected to prepare fried Mori Cortex and its standard decoction.UPLC-PDA was employed to establish the content determination method and fingerprint.The established UPLC method and fingerprint could be applied to the detection of Mori Cortex, fried Mori Cortex and its standard decoction.The UPLC fingerprints of the 15 batches of Mori Cortex and fried Mori Cortex had good similarity(>0.9) and the same common peaks.However, only one characteristic peak(mulberroside A) could be observed in the fingerprint of fried Mori Cortex standard decoction, which indicated that the corresponding components of other common peaks in the fingerprint of Mori Cortex had low content in the water extract.The extraction rates of mulberroside A from Mori Cortex, fried Mori Cortex and its standard decoction were 1.49%-2.00%, 1.62%-2.27% and 0.75%-1.29%, respectively.Mulberroside A showed the transfer rate of 103.7%-116.3% from Mori Cortex to fried Mori Cortex and 45.7%-56.9% from fried Mori Cortex to its standard decoction.The extraction rates of the 15 batches of fried Mori Cortex standard decoctions were 14.7%-19.5%.All the above indicators were within±30% of the mean value.This study established a method for the determination of mulberroside A content and fingerprint of Mori Cortex, fried Mori Cortex and its standard decoction, and clarified the quality transfer law among the three.It established the method for quality evaluation of Mori Cortex and fried Mori Cortex and can provide reference for the whole-process quality control in the preparation of the agents containing fried Mori Cortex.

Purpose: Elongation factor Tu GTP-binding domain containing 2 (EFTUD2) is an essential constituent of U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and plays a crucial role in spliceosome activation and cancer. The mechanism of EFTUD2 on carcinogenesis and development of liver cancer still need further study., Methods: Bioinformatic analysis was performed to find differential expressed genes and related pathways. Western blotting and quantitative PCR assays were used to verify the EFTUD2 expression in HCC cell lines and tumor tissues of liver cancer patients. Transfection of shRNAs in SKHEP1 and Huh7 cell lines was conducted to explore the mechanisms of EFTUD2 in HCC. CCK-8 method, colony formation, and cell cycle detection kit were used to detect the proliferation. A tumor model in nude mice was used to explore the role of EFTUD2 in liver cancer in vivo., Results: Based on the tumor tissues and para-tumor tissues in our HCC patients, we identified EFTUD2 as highly expressed in HCC tissues (P < 0.001). Bioinformatic analysis from the TCGA database also supported this biological phenomenon (P = 1.911e-17). Furtherly, the results of clinical specimens and TCGA data suggested that higher EFTUD2 expression levels correlated with high histologic grades, high pathological grades, and poor survival prognoses in HCC patients. And knockdown of EFTUD2 suppressed cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro. In vivo, knockdown of EFTUD2 constrained the tumor growing and expansion derived from SKHEP1 cells and induced a decrease in the tumor volume and tumor weight resected from nude mice. Furthermore, RNA sequencing based on EFTUD2 knockdown revealed that EFTUD2 affected target genes concerned with the cell cycle. Flow cytometric analyses in the SKHEP1 cell model revealed that knockdown significantly suppressed cell cycle course and caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. CyclinD1 proteins were also inhibited by knocking down of EFTUD2., Conclusion: EFTUD2 is markedly overexpressed in HCC tumor tissues. High EFTUD2 expression in HCC patients is associated with clinical features. Moreover, we confirmed that EFTUD2 shows a pivotal role in HCC cell proliferation and cell cycle course and could be a possible therapeutic avenue in HCC through disturbing EFTUD2., (© 2021. Federación de Sociedades Españolas de Oncología (FESEO).)

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of measles outbreaks in China from 2016 to 2020 and related outbreak investigations and response performances. Methods: The information about the incidence of measles outbreaks, the investigation and response of measles outbreaks in 31 provinces from 2016 to 2020 were collected from Measles Surveillance System, and the incidence of suspected measles outbreaks detected through sporadic case finding during the same period according to the measles outbreak definition was analyzed. Results: From 2016 to 2020, a total of 344 measles outbreaks were reported nationwide, involving 1 886 measles cases. The median of intervals between the first case onsets and reported outbreaks ranged from 4 to 10 days, the median of the numbers of involved cases ranged from 2 to 3, and the median of the duration of the epidemic ranged from 8 to 13 days, and some outbreaks had long durations of 65,44,28,63 and 13 days. The top three provinces with high number of reported outbreaks were Gansu, Beijing and Shandong. Among the reported outbreaks, 115 occurred in communities/villages, accounting for the highest proportion. The genotype identification results indicated that all the outbreaks in 2016 were caused by measles virus H1, and the proportion of the outbreaks caused by measles virus H1 decreased year by year since then, which was 88.57% (31/35) in 2017, 85.00% (17/20) in 2018 and 15.79% (3/19) in 2019 respectively. There was no outbreak caused by measles H1 reported in 2020, the 4 isolates all belonged to genotype D8. Active case findings were conducted in local medical institutions for 313 outbreaks, and measles-containing vaccine coverage surveys were conducted for 266 outbreaks. From 2016 to 2020, a total of 919 suspected measles outbreaks were detected nationwide, involving 4 212 measles cases. The top three provinces with suspected measles outbreaks were Xinjiang, Gansu and Sichuan. The suspected measles outbreaks also mainly occurred in communities/villages (493). Conclusions: The number, scale and duration of measles outbreaks were gradually decreasing, the measles outbreaks at the community level can not be ignored, and the local H1 genotypes tend to be gradually replaced by other genotypes. Improving the sensitivity of outbreak surveillance, promoting vaccination, expanding the vaccine coverage, timely and effective response to the outbreaks are the focus of measles elimination in China in the future.

Background: Swallowed topical steroids are a mainstay drug therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), studies have demonstrated good histologic response, but with enormous discrepancy in clinical and endoscopic improvement. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of topical steroids in EoE in histological, clinical and endoscopic improvement., Methods: Several databases were searched from inception to August 1, 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing topical steroids with placebo for EoE in the short-term. The outcomes of interest mainly included basic characteristics of the studies, histologic, clinical, endoscopic response rate and adverse events. The results were pooled together using Reviewer Manager 5.3.5 software, and inconsistency was quantified using I 2 statistics., Results: Nine studies were eventually selected. The results showed that topical steroids were effective in inducing histologic response compared with placebo for both complete (OR 35.82, 95% CI 14.98-85.64, P<0.0001; I 2 =0, P=0.72) and partial response (OR 28.44, 95% CI 8.56-94.47, P<0.0001; I 2 =70%, P=0.0009). Moreover, topical steroids were useful in gaining clinical response (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.14-5.60, P=0.02; I 2 =60%, P=0.02) and endoscopic response (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.47-8.36, P=0.005; I 2 =0, P=0.57). Generally, topical steroids are well tolerated. The most common adverse events are infections and infestations (59 cases)., Conclusion: Topical steroids were effective in inducing histological, clinical and endoscopic response in the short-term, and the adverse events were almost tolerable; however, we should interpret the result of clinical and endoscopic response with caution., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants. Although a variety of managements are available for ROP, the efficacy is still unsatisfied. Studies have suggested that laser therapy (LT) may benefit ROP. However, no systematic review has addressed this topic. Thus, this systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of LT for ROP., Methods: A comprehensive literature search will be performed from electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, AMED, Cochrane Library, WorldSciNet, Science online, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure) and other sources. The time is from the database construction to the present. Two investigators will independently carry out literature selection, data extraction and quality assessment. We will utilize RevMan 5.3 software for statistical analysis. Data synthesis will be conducted either as a narrative summary or meta-analysis. Statistical heterogeneity will be appraised using I test. If heterogeneity is low, pooled estimates will be calculated using a fixed-effects model. Otherwise, we will utilize a random-effects model to pool the data., Results: This study will provide up-to-date evidence on the efficacy and safety of LT for ROP, which may help to assess whether LT is effective and safe for ROP., Conclusion: This study will provide helpful evidence to determine whether or not LT is effective and safe for ROP, which may benefit both patients and clinicians., Study Registration: osf.io/3tmnf.

Objective: To investigate the dairy product intake during pregnancy in Southwest China and to explore its relationship with neonatal birth body mass., Methods: A prospective study was conducted to select healthy singleton pregnant women at 8-14 weeks of gestation in a maternal and fetal health care institution in Chengdu City. Dairy product consumption during the first, second, third trimester of pregnancy were collected by 24-hour dietary recalls at 8-14 weeks, 24-28 weeks and 32-36 weeks of pregnancy, respectively, and the total milk intake and milk consumption rate were calculated. According to the dietary guidelines for Chinese pregnant women (2016), the recommended amount of milk (300 g/d) was used as the standard to calculate the compliance rate. The respondents were divided into three groups: no dairy consumption group, insufficient dairy consumption group and suitable dairy consumption group. The gestational age at delivery and neonatal birth body mass were collected by the hospital information system. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between milk intake during pregnancy and neonatal birth body mass., Results: A total of 962 pregnant women were included. The average milk intake in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy were 125.0 (0, 236.1) g/d, 208.3 (0, 284.7) g/d and 250.0 (150.0, 416.7) g/d, respectively, with the compliance rates of 12.6%, 33.2% and 48.4%, respectively. The average neonatal birth body mass was (3 225.0±399.8) g. The incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) was 8.3% and 3.9%, respectively. Compared with no dairy consumption group in the second trimester of pregnancy, the risk of SGA was lower in suitable dairy consumption group (odds ratio ( OR )=0.786, 95% confidence interval ( CI ): 0.385-0.976). Compared with no dairy consumption group in the third trimester of pregnancy, the risk of SGA was lower in insufficient dairy consumption group and suitable dairy consumption group ( OR =0.672, 95% CI : 0.477-0.821 and OR =0.497, 95% CI : 0.116-0.807, respectively). No association was observed between milk intake in the first trimester and neonatal birth body mass, and milk intake in the second and third trimester of pregnancy was not associated with the risk of LGA., Conclusion: Insufficient milk intake of pregnant women is a significant problem in southwest China and needs to be improved. Milk intake during pregnancy is associated with neonatal birth body mass, and increased milk intake in the second and third trimester of pregnancy may reduce the risk of SGA., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Science Edition).)

Background: The purpose of this study is to raise nonjudgmental awareness and attention to current experience of high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) for the treatment of neonatal meconium aspiration syndrome (NMAS)., Methods: We will comprehensively search literature from the databases of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, WorldSciNet, PsycINFO, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from inception until July 1, 2019 without language limitation. We will also handle searching the bibliographies of all relevant studies found for unpublished literatures. Statistical analysis will be conducted using RevMan 5.3 software., Results: The outcomes include function inhaled oxygen concentration, oxygenation index, arterial oxygen tension/alveolar arterial oxygen tension, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, transcutaneous arterial oxygen saturation, duration of hospitalization, and adverse events., Conclusion: This study will provide an exhaustive view of HFOV for treating infants with NMAS., Prospero Registration Number: PROSPERO CRD42019140520.

Background: Growing industrialization of China exposes its labor population to the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of MSDs in a modern industrial region of Beijing., Methods: A cross-sectional study included 1415 employees in six industrial companies was conducted between January 2018 and May 2018 in Fangshan district, Beijng, China. Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to collect the information about MSDs. Demographic factors, lifestyle factors, health and medical factors, and work-related factors were collected as independent variables. Descriptive statistics, the chi-squared (χ) test, and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze data., Results: Among 1415 participants, 498 reported MSDs. The regions involved were the neck (25.16%), shoulders (17.17%), and upper back (13.29%). There was a significant statistical difference between frontline industrial workers and other staff in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms involving the shoulders (χ = 4.33, P = 0.037), wrists and hands (χ = 8.90, P = 0.003), and ankles and feet (χ = 12.88, P < 0.001). Increased age (P = 0.005, OR = 1.63; P = 0.001, OR = 2.33), a high or a low salary (P < 0.001, OR = 0.49; P < 0.001, OR = 0.30), night-shift (P = 0.027, OR = 1.46), two-week-history of illness and treatment (P = 0.004, OR = 5.60; P = 0.013, OR = 4.19), concurrent chronic diseases (P = 0.001, OR = 3.45; P = 0.092, OR = 7.81), limited access to health information (P = 0.004, OR = 0.49), and negative attitude towards seeking healthcare (P = 0.010, OR = 1.77; P = 0.009, OR = 2.75) were associated with MSDs in frontline workers. Female gender (P < 0.001, OR = 2.30), high education (P = 0.001, OR = 1.96), no exercises (P = 0.027, OR = 0.59), night-shift (P = 0.017, OR = 1.98), concurrent chronic diseases (P = 0.002, OR = 3.73; P = 0.020, OR = 13.42), limited access to health information (P = 0.013, OR = 0.53), far distance to medical institution (P = 0.009, OR = 1.83), and negative propensity (P = 0.009, OR = 1.94; P = 0.014, OR = 2.74) were associated with MSDs in other staffs., Conclusions: The prevalence of MSDs among industrial employees has changed. Frontline workers had different prevalence and risk factors for MSDs compared with other employees. Negative propensity to healthcare, limited ways to obtain health knowledge, and concomitant chronic diseases were associated with MSDs. Surprisingly, highly educated and high-income employees had a higher risk of MSDs.

Background: The goal of polio eradication is to complete elimination and containment of all wild, vaccine-related and Sabin polioviruses. Vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) surveillance in China from 2001-2013 is summarized in this report, which has important implications for the global polio eradication initiative., Methods: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases and their contacts with VDPVs isolated from fecal specimens were identified in our AFP surveillance system or by field investigation. Epidemiological and laboratory information for these children were analyzed and the reasons for the VDPV outbreak was explored., Results: VDPVs were isolated from a total of 49 children in more than two-thirds of Chinese provinces from 2001-2013, including 15 VDPV cases, 15 non-polio AFP cases and 19 contacts of AFP cases or healthy subjects. A total of 3 circulating VDPVs (cVDPVs) outbreaks were reported in China, resulting in 6 cVDPVs cases who had not been vaccinated with oral attenuated poliomyelitis vaccine. Among the 4 immunodeficiency-associated VDPVs (iVDPVs) cases, the longest duration of virus excretion was about 20 months. In addition, one imported VDPV case from Myanmar was detected in Yunnan Province., Conclusions: Until all wild, vaccine-related and Sabin polioviruses are eradicated in the world, high quality routine immunization and sensitive AFP surveillance should be maintained, focusing efforts on underserved populations in high risk areas.

Dioscorea opposita is an edible and medicinal plant available in many areas of China. This study aimed to assess in vitro immune potentials of a water-soluble polysaccharide extract from D. opposita planted in Henan Province, China. In vitro effects of the extract on three immune cells (macrophages, natural killer cells and splenocytes) from mice and secretion of eight immune-related molecules in macrophages and splenocytes were evaluated. In total, the extract exhibited a dose-dependent manner on these immunological responses. The extract at dose level of 50μg/ml enhanced respective splenocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, and natural killer cell activity by 150%, 18% and 47%, increased secretion of interleukin-2 and interferon-γ (from 41.4 and 24.6 pg/ml to 48.8 and 91.5 pg/ml, respectively) but decreased secretion of interleukin-4 (from 38.9 to 27.9 pg/ml) in splenocytes. The extract at the same dose level also stimulated inducible nitric oxide synthase and lysozyme in macrophages, and enhanced secretion of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (from 26.6, 73.4 and 39.6 pg/ml to 60.2, 131.0 and 144.7 pg/ml, respectively). It is concluded that water-soluble polysaccharides from D. opposita have immune potentials to the body, via activating immune cells and regulating the secretion of immune-related molecules.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family members are inhibitors of cytokine signaling pathways and key regulators of immunological homeostasis. They have been extensively studied in mammalian models, but systematic analyses of SOCS in fish are limited. In the current study, a total of eight SOCS genes from tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) were characterized. All eight CsSOCS exhibit conserved structures of SOCS and were phylogenetically grouped together with the respective SCOS members known in mammalian and teleost species. Under normal physiological conditions, the expressions of the eight CsSOCS genes were detected at varied levels in nine major tissues, with most CsSOCS highly expressed in kidney. Following challenge with intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens, the majority of CsSOCS genes exhibited distinctly different expression profiles in a time-, tissue-, and pathogen-dependent manner. In general, intracellular pathogen caused wider and higher levels of CsSOCS expressions than extracellular pathogen. These results suggest that different members of SOCSs in teleost may play different roles in the infection processes of different bacterial pathogens., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: As one of the only two isoforms of the eukaryotic initiation factor (EIF)5A family, EIF5A2 plays an important role in tumour progression and prognosis evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate EIF5A2 expression in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I-II cervical cancer and to evaluate its clinical significance., Methods and Results: The mRNA and protein expression levels of EIF5A2 were analysed in 20 tissue samples of FIGO stage I-II cervical cancer and paired surrounding non-tumour cervical tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine EIF5A2 protein expression in paraffin-embedded tissues from 314 patients with cervical cancer. The mRNA and protein expression levels of EIF5A2 were significantly elevated in tumour tissues. The increased EIF5A2 expression was correlated with higher FIGO stage (P < 0.001), deep cervical stromal invasion (P = 0.026), lymphovascular space involvement (P = 0.002), pelvic lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001) and postoperative recurrence (P < 0.001) in patients with cervical cancer. Patients with tumours showing high EIF5A2 expression had a poorer survival time than those with normal EIF5A2 expression, especially the patients with negative pelvic lymph nodes and FIGO stage II. In addition, multivariate Cox analysis showed that high EIF5A2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival [hazard ratio 1.949; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.116-3.404; P = 0.019] and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 1.980; 95% CI 1.189-3.297; P = 0.009)., Conclusions: EIF5A2 overexpression may contribute to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Therefore, EIF5A2 could be a novel potential prognostic marker for FIGO stage I-II cervical cancer., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To detect the spatial features of measles in China by means of spatial statistical analysis., Methods: Data of prefecture-level measles cases and incidence from 2005 to 2014 were collected from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. Information collected from the system included demographic characteristics, spatial distribution information, and diagnostic reports. Cases of unconfirmed measles and those with unknown address were ruled out. Cases from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign countries were not included in this study. Maps were obtained from geographical boundary data at prefecture level from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and demographic data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Based on different measures of measles elimination, we divided the data from 2005 to 2014 into three stages: stage 1 (2005-2008), stage 2 (2009-2012), and stage 3 (2013-2014). ArcGIS software was used to describe the spatial distribution and for global and local spatial autocorrelation analysis., Results: The total number of confirmed measles cases reported in the system was 650 222, with average incidence 0.46/100 000. The highest reported incidence was in 2008 (9.95/100 000) and the lowest in 2012 (0.46/100 000). Average incidences for stages 1, 2, and 3 were 8.87/100 000, 1.99/100 000 and 2.96/100 000, respectively. Global Moran's I coefficients from 2005 to 2014 were 0.31, 0.08, 0.36, 0.56, 0.26, 0.48, 0.34, 0.20, 0.29 and 0.52, respectively; all were significant (P<0.05). Average incidences for high-high (H-H) clusters in 2005-2008, 2009-2012, and 2013-2014 were 33.02/100 000, 7.06/100 000, 11.91/100 000, respectively. Western China had high-value clustering consistently throughout all three periods; however, the number of prefectures covered by high-value clusters and discrepancy in the incidence between western and eastern regions were low. Northeast and northern China had H-H clustering in stages 2 and 3., Conclusion: In this study, measles incidence was spatially autocorrelated at the prefecture level from 2005 to 2014. Although China has made great progress in the elimination of measles, H-H clusters were consistently present. A need remains in China for targeted measles prevention and control measures.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of mumps in China from 2004 to 2013., Methods: Data of mump cases occurring between 2004 and 2013 were gathered from the national notifiable disease reporting system in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan); only cases classified as "final card" , laboratory confirmed, or clinical diagnosis were included. Descriptive epidemiology techniques were used to analyze features of sex, age, trends over time, and geography., Results: Average incidence of mumps between 2004 to 2013 was 24.20/100 000. Peaks were in 2011 and 2012, with incidence 33.9/100 000 (454 385/1.340 million) and 35.6/100 000 (479 518/1.347 million). Two seasonal peaks occurred regularly in years, one from April to July in the first year, and the other from November to January in the next year. During the study period, provinces with the highest incidence were Ningxia, Tibet, Xinjiang, and Guangxi; incidences were 72.1/100 000 (4 425/6.13 million), 48.5/100 000 (1 396/3 million), 51.7/100 000 (10 887/21.04 million), and 40.8/100 000 (19 179/46.99 million), respectively. Guangdong (28 078), Sichuan (21 924), Guangxi (21 616), and Zhejiang (20 000) provinces reported the highest number of mumps cases. Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai showed a consistently low incidence. Mumps cases occurred primarily among children aged 5-9 years, with incidence ranging from 118.2/100 000 to 281.4/100 000. In 2004-2008, the peak age was 6-8 years (174.1/100 000) and in 2009-2013, peak age was 5-7 years (234.5/100 000)., Conclusion: The highest incidences of mumps in China were reported in 2011 and 2012, with children of school age constituting the majority of cases.

Chemokines are a large, diverse group of small cytokines that can be classified into several families, including the CC chemokine family, which plays a pivotal role in host defense by inducing leukocyte chemotaxis under physiological and inflammatory conditions. Here we studied 9 CC chemokines from half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). Phylogenetic analysis divided these chemokines into four groups. The tissue specific expression patterns of the 9 chemokines under normal physiological conditions varied much, with most chemokines highly expressed in immune organs, while some other chemokines showing high expression levels in non-immune organs. In addition, the 9 chemokines exhibited similar or distinctly different expression profiles in response to the challenge of virus and intracellular and extracellular bacterial pathogens. These results indicate that in tongue sole, CC chemokines may be involved in different immune responses as homeostatic or inflammatory chemokines., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Patient-controlled sedation (PCS) has been suggested as an alternative method for sedative colonoscopy. However, as any new techniques, PCS introduction as a potential alternative to traditional intravenous sedation (IVS) has brought about challenges. To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages between PCS and IVS more comprehensively, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature., Methods: Several databases were searched from inception to 1 April, 2015, for trials comparing PCS with IVS for colonoscopy. The outcomes of interest included time for cecal intubation, rate of complete colonoscopy, dose of sedative drugs used, pain scores, recovery time, complications. Inconsistency was quantified using I (2) statistics., Results: In all, 12 trials were finally selected (1091 patients, with 545 in the PCS group, and 546 in the IVS group). The total propofol used, time for cecal intubation, rate of complete colonoscopy and pain score had no statistical difference between the two groups. However, PCS showed a reduction in the recovery time, incidence of oxygen desaturation and hypotension. The rates of other complications and patients' willingness to repeat the same sedation had no statistical difference between the two groups., Conclusion: PCS is as feasible and effective as traditional IVS for colonoscopy, and there is a tendency that PCS shows its superiority in recovery time, incidence for oxygen saturation and hypotension.

Background: During August 2011-February 2012, an outbreak of type Π circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPVs) occurred in Sichuan Province, China., Methods: A field investigation of the outbreak was conducted to characterize outbreak isolates and to guide emergency response. Sequence analysis of poliovirus capsid protein VP1 was performed to determine the viral propagation, and a coverage survey was carried out for risk assessment., Results: One clinical compatible polio case and three VDPV cases were determined in Ngawa County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. Case patients were unimmunized children, 0.8-1 years old. Genetic sequencing showed that the isolates diverged from the VP1 region of the type Π Sabin strain by 5-12 nucleotides (nt) and shared the same 5 nt VP1 substitutions, which indicate single lineage of cVDPVs. Of the 7 acute flaccid paralysis cases (all>6 months) reported in Ngawa Prefecture in 2011, 4 (57.1%) cases (including 2 polio cases) did not receive oral attenuated poliovirus vaccine. Supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were conducted in February-May, 2012, and the strain has not been isolated since., Conclusion: High coverage of routine immunization should be maintained among children until WPV transmission is globally eradicated. Risk assessments should be conducted regularly to pinpoint high risk areas or subpopulations, with SIAs developed if necessary.