A liver CT based nomogram to preoperatively predict lung metastasis secondary to hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

Purpose: To develop a nomogram based on liver CT and clinical features to preoperatively predict lung metastasis (LM) secondary to hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).

Methods: A total of 291 consecutive HAE patients from Institution A undergoing preoperative abdominal contrast-enhanced CT and chest unenhanced CT were retrospectively reviewed, and were randomly divided into the training and internal validation sets at the 7:3 ratio. 82 consecutive patients from Institution B were enrolled as an external validation set.

Metabolite Bioanalysis in Drug Development: Recommendations from the IQ Consortium Metabolite Bioanalysis Working Group.

The intent of this perspective is to share the recommendations of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development Metabolite Bioanalysis Working Group on the fit-for-purpose metabolite bioanalysis in support of drug development and registration. This report summarizes the considerations for the trigger, timing, and rigor of bioanalysis in the various assessments to address unique challenges due to metabolites, with respect to efficacy and safety, which may arise during drug development from investigational new drug (IND) enabling studies, and phase I, phase II, and phase III clinical trials to regulatory submission. The recommended approaches ensure that important drug metabolites are identified in a timely manner and properly characterized for efficient drug development.

Electrochemical regeneration of granular activated carbon using an AQS (9,10- anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid)/PPy modified graphite plate cathode.

In the present study, we investigate the regeneration efficiency of Rhodamine B (RhB)-saturated granular activated carbon (GAC) in an electrochemical regeneration system by using a 9,10-anthraquinone-2-sulfonic acid/polypyrrole modified graphite plate (AQS/PPy-GP) cathode. The response surface methodology based on the Box-Behnken design (RSM-BBD) approach was used to optimize regeneration parameters, whereby the optimum condition of the independent variables was as follows: applied current = 155 mA, concentration of supporting electrolyte = 0.13 M, and regeneration time = 7 h.

Abnormal expression and clinical value analysis of long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 in children with severe pneumonia complicated with respiratory failure.

Objective: Severe pneumonia occurs commonly in children and is the main cause of clinical infant mortality. This study tested the expression pattern of long noncoding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2) in the serum of children with severe pneumonia and explored its clinical values.

Methods: Serum levels of CASC2 were detected in 145 children with severe pneumonia.

Human Mobility Associated With Risk of Schistosoma japonicum Infection in Sichuan, China.

Urbanization increases human mobility in ways that can alter the transmission of classically rural, vector-borne diseases like schistosomiasis. The impact of human mobility on individual-level Schistosoma risk is poorly characterized. Travel outside endemic areas may protect against infection by reducing exposure opportunities, whereas travel to other endemic regions may increase risk.

Identification of key non-coding RNAs and transcription factors regulators and their potential drugs for steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.

Steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head (SINFH) is a femoral head necrotic disease caused by prolonged use of hormones. The detailed pathogenesis has not been fully demonstrated. In this study, we employed the bioinformatics approach to probe the roles of SINFH inhibitors.

[Effect of dhfr gene overexpression on ethanol-induced abnormal cardiovascular development in zebrafish embryos].

Objective: To study the effect of dhfr gene overexpression on ethanol-induced abnormal cardiac and vascular development in zebrafish embryos and underlying mechanisms.

Methods: dhfr mRNA was transcribed in vitro and microinjected into zebrafish fertilized eggs to induce the overexpression of dhfr gene, and the efficiency of overexpression was verified. Wild-type zebrafish were divided into a control group, an ethanol group, and an ethanol+dhfr overexpression group (microinjection of 6 nL dhfr mRNA).

Folic acid supplement rescues ethanol-induced developmental defects in the zebrafish embryos.

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FASD) describes a range of birth defects. Mechanisms of FASD-associated defects are not well understood. It has great significance to investigate whether nutrient supplements like folic acid (FA) can effectively rescue ethanol-induced defects.

Analysis of the effect of tibial torsion on tibial osteotomy in knee arthroplasty using a three-dimensional computed tomography-based modelling technique.

Background: Extramedullary systems are commonly used in knee arthroplasty, with the rod location being determined from the tibial torsion line during surgery. The traditional method for tibial torsion measurement is not in accordance with clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate proximal and distal tibial torsion using 3-dimensional (3D) computed technology to establish a new evaluation method, as well as to investigate the association between tibial torsion and postoperative alignment deviation.

Memory T Cell Proliferation before Hepatitis C Virus Therapy Predicts Antiviral Immune Responses and Treatment Success.

The contribution of the host immune system to the efficacy of new anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) drugs is unclear. We undertook a longitudinal prospective study of 33 individuals with chronic HCV treated with combination pegylated IFN-α, ribavirin, and telaprevir/boceprevir. We characterized innate and adaptive immune cells to determine whether kinetics of the host response could predict sustained virologic response (SVR).

IL-21 Therapy Controls Immune Activation and Maintains Antiviral CD8 T Cell Responses in Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replicate during acute infection in lymphocytes of the gastrointestinal tract, before disseminating systemically. Localized replication and associated loss of gut-resident CD4 T cells occur regardless of the portal of entry of the virus (e.g.

Genetic Evidence of Contemporary Dispersal of the Intermediate Snail Host of Schistosoma japonicum: Movement of an NTD Host Is Facilitated by Land Use and Landscape Connectivity.

Background: While the dispersal of hosts and vectors-through active or passive movement-is known to facilitate the spread and re-emergence of certain infectious diseases, little is known about the movement ecology of Oncomelania spp., intermediate snail host of the parasite Schistosoma japonicum, and its consequences for the spread of schistosomiasis in East and Southeast Asia. In China, despite intense control programs aimed at preventing schistosomiasis transmission, there is evidence in recent years of re-emergence and persistence of infection in some areas, as well as an increase in the spatial extent of the snail host.

[Surveillance results of paragonimiasis endemic in regular surveillance sites in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2013].

Objective: To understand the endemic situation and impact factors of paragonimiasis in Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for its control work.

Methods: Four administrative villages from Xuanhan County, Kaijiang County, Pengzhou City and Yucheng District of Ya'an City were selected as regular surveillance sites. In the surveillance sites, ELISA was applied to test the infection situation of residents, questionnaire surveys were performed simultaneously; and water crabs were collected to detect the metacercariae of Paragonimus.

Persistent effects of early infant diet and associated microbiota on the juvenile immune system.

Early infant diet has significant impacts on the gut microbiota and developing immune system. We previously showed that breast-fed and formula-fed rhesus macaques develop significantly different gut microbial communities, which in turn are associated with different immune systems in infancy. Breast-fed animals manifested greater T cell activation and proliferation and harbored robust pools of T helper 17 (TH17) cells.

Abundant Rodent Furan-Derived Urinary Metabolites Are Associated with Tobacco Smoke Exposure in Humans.

Furan, a possible human carcinogen, is found in heat treated foods and tobacco smoke. Previous studies have shown that humans are capable of converting furan to its reactive metabolite, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA), and therefore may be susceptible to furan toxicity. Human risk assessment of furan exposure has been stymied because of the lack of mechanism-based exposure biomarkers.

[Changes of schistosomiasis endemic situation in Sichuan Province and impact on schistosomiasis transmission in Three Gorges Reservoir area after construction of Three Gorges Reservoir].

Objective: To understand the changes of schistosomiasis endemic situation in Sichuan Province, the upstream of Yangtze River basin, and the impact on schistosomiasis transmission in Three Gorges Reservoir area after the construction of Three Gorges Reservoir.

Methods: The annual reports of the schistosomiasis endemic situation in Sichuan Province from 2000-2012, the data of the schistosomiasis surveillance sites in Sichuan Province from 2001-2012, the data of the schistosomiasis sampling survey in Sichuan Province in 2001, and the relevant reference of Three Gorges Reservoir were collected. The schistosomiasis prevalence in human and cattle, and Oncomelania hupensis snail status were investigated.

Breast-fed and bottle-fed infant rhesus macaques develop distinct gut microbiotas and immune systems.

Diet has a strong influence on the intestinal microbiota in both humans and animal models. It is well established that microbial colonization is required for normal development of the immune system and that specific microbial constituents prompt the differentiation or expansion of certain immune cell subsets. Nonetheless, it has been unclear how profoundly diet might shape the primate immune system or how durable the influence might be.

[Mid-term evaluation on schistosomiasis control effect in Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control in Lushan earthquake-stricken areas in Sichuan Province, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate measures for schistosomiasis prevention and control.

Methods: According to the data of historical schistosomiasis prevalence, 5 villages were selected as research sites and field investigations were conducted.

Results: The average density of Oncomelania hupensis snails was 0.

Effects of ion mobility and positron fraction on solitary waves in weak relativistic electron-positron-ion plasma.

The effects of ion mobility and positron fraction on the solitary waves of the laser field envelope and the potential of the electrostatic field in weak relativistic electron-positron-ion plasma are investigated. The parameter region for the existence of solitary waves is obtained analytically, and a reasonable choice of parameters is clarified. Both cases of mobile and immobile ions are considered.

[Risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission in earthquake-stricken areas after the Lushan Earthquake in Sichuan Province on April 20, 2013].

Objective: To assess the impact of the "4 x 20" Lushan Earthquake on the risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Lushan and Tianquan counties, so as to provide the evidence for formulating appropriate measures for schistosomiasis prevention and control.

Methods: Based on a comprehensive literature review, an analysis of schistosomiasis monitoring data in the earthquake affected counties, and a field investigation, a rapid assessment on the impact of the earthquake on schistosomiasis was conducted.

Results: Lushan and Tianquan counties were two endemic areas of schistosomiasis with high transmission level in history, especially Lushan County where Oncomelania snail distribution/density was the highest in Sichuan Province.

Modeling the combined influence of host dispersal and waterborne fate and transport on pathogen spread in complex landscapes.

Environmental models, often applied to questions on the fate and transport of chemical hazards, have recently become important in tracing certain environmental pathogens to their upstream sources of contamination. These tools, such as first order decay models applied to contaminants in surface waters, offer promise for quantifying the fate and transport of pathogens with multiple environmental stages and/or multiple hosts, in addition to those pathogens whose environmental stages are entirely waterborne. Here we consider the fate and transport capabilities of the human schistosome Schistosoma japonicum, which exhibits two waterborne stages and is carried by an amphibious intermediate snail host.

Synthesis of -labelled oxidized metabolites of the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo[]pyrene.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[]pyrene (BP), are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that are implicated in causing lung cancer. BP is a component of tobacco smoke that is transformed enzymatically to active forms that interact with DNA. We reported previously development of a sensitive stable isotope dilution LC/MS method for analysis of BP metabolites.

p53 Mutagenesis by benzo[a]pyrene derived radical cations.

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), a major human carcinogen in combustion products such as cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust, is metabolically activated into DNA-reactive metabolites via three different enzymatic pathways. The pathways are the anti-(+)-benzo[a]pyrene 7,8-diol 9,10-epoxide pathway (P450/epoxide hydrolase catalyzed) (B[a]PDE), the benzo[a]pyrene o-quinone pathway (aldo ketose reductase (AKR) catalyzed) and the B[a]P radical cation pathway (P450 peroxidase catalyzed). We used a yeast p53 mutagenesis system to assess mutagenesis by B[a]P radical cations.