Seasonal variation in bacterial population and their correlation with physico‐chemical factors in the riverine system

Significant positive correlation between physico‐chemical factors and different bacterial populations were studied. Higher values of heterotrophic bacteria (HT), total coliform (TC), faecal coliform (FC) or faecal streptococci (FS) and the occurrence of E. coll, Streptococcus faecalis, Clostridium welchii ( C. perfringens), Aerobactor aerogens and A. cloacae at downstream point (Station II) indicated the degree of sewage and human waste pollution in the riverine system. The concentration of TC and FS at Station II was more than the prescribed permissible limits of ISI and WHO. Hence, the results show that river water has been deteriorating considerably due to high pollutional load and may pose a great risk to human health if consumed directly from the source.     

A common FGFR3 mutation functions as a diagnostic marker for achondroplasia-group disorders in the Japanese population

Recent DNA studies performed by several groups have detected mutations of the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) in patients with achondroplasia-group disorders, including achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH), and thanatophoric dysplasia (TD). For this study, we analyzed theFGFR3 gene in 31 Japanese patients with typical ACH, four with HCH, three with a condition intermediate between ACH and HCH (ACH/HCH-intermediate), and one with TD. Of the 31 typical ACH patients, 29 showed a G1138 to A transition and the other two a G1138 to C transversion, both resulting in a common Gly380Arg substitution in the transmembrane domain of FGFR3. The one TD and the four HCH patients did not display any mutations in the transmembrane domain of FGFR3. Of the three ACH/HCH-intermediate cases, one patient showed the Gly380Arg substitution and one did not, and further analysis of the second patient revealed the presence of Asn540Lys substitution. The first patient was, therefore, genotypically diagnosed as ACH and the second as HCH. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA analysis in the remaining ACH/HCH-intermediate patient indicated an unequal ratio of mutant to normal PCR products, possibly representing a somatic mosaic for the Gly380Arg mutation. Analysis of the common FGFR3 mutation thus appears to help in the molecular diagnosis of patients with achondroplasia-group disorders.     

上海市外来人员肺结核病分布与临床特征

目的：了解上海市外来人口中肺结核病人的分布和临床特征。方法：对1996年1～12月全市外来人口活动性肺结核病报告登记资料进行分析。结果：外来人员肺结核病人总数达2279人，青壮年占总病例65％以上；男性病例为主；主要来源于江苏、浙江、安徽、四川、江西等省；登记病人来沪暂居地主要集中在市区及城乡地区，外来人口结核病管理重点在市区及城乡地区。病人分型以Ⅲ型为主。查痰率仅60．1％，但排菌率高达40％。外来人。的病例发现工作及治疗管理难度较大，目前登记病例规则化疗仅占10．4％。结论：有必要通过有关部门的共同协作，拟定切实可行的外来人口结核病管理办法。     

社区人群空腹血糖受损对估算肾小球滤过率的影响研究

背景 估算肾小球滤过率(eGFR)是反映慢性肾脏病严重程度的量化指标之一。研究表明糖尿病前期血糖升高可增加慢性肾脏病风险,但对eGFR直接影响报道较少。目的 探讨社区人群中空腹血糖(FPG)受损患者血糖水平对eGFR的影响。方法 选择2020年1—12月于南昌大学第二附属医院体检中心体检的人群,收集一般资料与临床资料(包括既往史、性别、年龄、体质指数、血压、尿酸、血脂、FPG、尿常规、血肌酐),经相应纳入标准与排除标准筛选,最终纳入28 601例受试者。根据FPG水平将受试者分为FPG升高组(5.6 mmol/L≤FPG<7.0mmol/L)、FPG正常组(3.9 mmol/L≤FPG<5.6 mmol/L),比较两组一般资料与临床资料。为明确FPG对e GFR影响,采用个案匹配控制对两组受试者进行多因素(性别、年龄、平均动脉压、尿酸、总胆固醇、体质指数)匹配,采用Mann-Whitney U秩和检验比较匹配后两组一般资料。采用Spearman秩相关检验分析FPG与eGFR在FPG升高组、FPG正常组及匹配后FPG升高组、FPG正常组间的相关性。结果 共获得FPG正常组患者...     

Evaluation of theophylline pharmacokinetics in a pediatric population using mixed effects models

Routine clinical pharmacokinetic data collected prospectively from pediatric patients receiving theophylline were analyzed using the NONMEM (nonlinear mixed effects model) digital computer program. A total of 314 measured serum theophylline concentrations (STCs) were obtained from 84 hospitalized patients ranging in age from 4 months to 15.2 years with the majority of patients between the ages of 1 and 8 years. Fifty-six percent were male. The race/ethnicity distribution was 71.4% Latin, 15.5% black, 11.9% Caucasian, and 1.2% (one subject) Pakistani. Of the total number of observed STCs, 16.2% reflected some degree of outpatient dosing. The pharmacokinetic model used was a one-compartment open model with either zero-order or first-order absorption and first-order elimination. Age was the most important determinant of theophylline clearance (Cl);weight was inferior to age and did not statistically improve the model (p>0.005when combined with age. Total Clincreased by 10%/year over the age range of 1 to 15 years of age. Black race and male gender were associated with higher Clvalues: for a given age, Clwas 34% higher for blacks than the reference population composed of the remaining patients, and Clfor males was 25% higher than that for females. The volume of distribution (Vdfor the population was estimated to be 0.62 L/kg. The interindividual variability in Cland Vdexpressed as coefficients of variation were 19 and 28%, respectively. The residual intraindividual error variance corresponded to a standard deviation of 2.8 g/ml. The STCs that represented some degree of outpatient dosing were 21 % lower than those reflecting only inpatient dosing. Alternate models that include weight as a determinant of theophylline clearance are also provided. The NONMEM method of determining population pharmacokinetics is well suited to the pediatric population since it does not require a large number of STCs per patient. In this study a mean of only 3.7 STCs per patient were utilized to provide information which should prove useful in the design and adjustment of theophylline dosage regimens in children.     

HLA-B44 subtyping in a Spanish population: further evidence of Caucasian population diversity

HLA-B44 is the most frequent HLA-B allele in Caucasian populations. Several B44 subtypes, B*4402-B*4406, have been identified in individuals with this ethnic origin. Mismatches among B44 subtypes have been described as major targets for allogeneic responses in bone marrow transplantation. We have developed a PCR-SSO method, based on a B12- specific DNA amplification of exon 2 through exon 3 and subsequent non radioactive hybridization with eight probes, which allow us to discriminate all B12 homozygous combinations. We applied this method to determine the frequency of B44 subtypes in a Spanish population, as well as their HLA-A.-C.-DRB1,-DRB3/DRB4/DRB5.-DQA1 and -DQB1 associated haplotypes. A total of 141 healthy unrelated Spanish individuals and 31 B44-bearing haplotypes were investigated. Four B44 alleles were identified, B*4402 (33%), B*4403 (66%), B*4404 (0.7%), and B*4405 (0.7%). Haplotype analysis showed a clear differentiated distribution pattern for the two major B44 subtypes. B*4402 is associated with Cw5 (11/13) and A2 antigens (10/13). In contrast, B*4403 is mainly found together with DRB1*0701 (14/16). An inverted B*4402/B*4403 frequency in comparison with other European and North American Caucasian populations, revealed the existence of an extended haplotype diversity between populations of the same ethnic origin. Apart from anthropological studies, high resolution typing for HLA class I antigens presenting molecular polymorphism will be of great relevance in unrelated bone marrow transplantation.     

Estimates of global research productivity in virology

The quantity and quality of published research in the field of Virology by different world regions was estimated in this study. Using the PubMed database, articles from journals included in the "Virology" category of the "Journal Citation Reports" database of the Institute for Scientific Information for the period 1995-2003 were retrieved. The world was divided into nine regions based on geographic, economic, and scientific criteria. Data on the country of origin of the research was available for 33,425 out of 33,712 articles (99.2% of all articles from the included journals). USA exceeds all other world regions in research production for the period studied (42% of total articles), with Western Europe ranking second (35.7%). The mean impact factor in articles published in Virology journals was highest for the USA (4.60), while it was 3.90 for Western Europe and 3.22 for the rest of the world (seven regions combined). USA and Canada ranked first in research productivity when both gross national income per capita (GNIPC) and population were taken into account. The results of this analysis show a distressing fact; the absolute and relative production of research in the field of Virology by the developing regions is very low, although viral diseases cause considerable morbidity and mortality in these areas. It is evident from this study that developing regions need more help from the developed regions to enhance research infrastructure.