An assessment of population-based screening guidelines versus clinical prediction rules for chlamydia and gonorrhea case finding

IntroductionMuch remains to be learned regarding the epistemology and utility of guidelines and clinical prediction rules (CPR), as well as the extent to which knowledge about risk at a population level might be pertinent to any given patient in terms of case finding accuracy. In the current paper, we offer an empirical examination that juxtaposes population-based guidelines and CPR for sexual health decision-making.Materials and methodsWe analyzed electronic medical records from asymptomatic patient visits involving tests for chlamydia or gonorrhea between 2000 and 2012 at nine publicly funded STI clinics in British Columbia to compare the case-finding accuracy for infection risk under two scenarios: (1) if the population had been screened using the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) screening guidelines for chlamydia and gonorrhea; or (2) if the population has been screened using a CPR. Performance metrics evaluated included the area under the ROC curve (AUC).ResultsIn total, 35,818 individuals met the study inclusion criteria. The overall infection rate was 3.0%. Using the PHAC guidelines, the discriminatory performance of using any versus no risk factors and counts of risk factors were: AUC = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.54–0.56 and AUC = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.63–0.66, respectively. The model used to derive the CPR demonstrated good discrimination (AUC = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.71–0.74).ConclusionsThe current paper provides empirical evidence that demonstrates that population-based guidelines may not necessarily be a perfect fit for application at the individual level. Thus, we recommend risk estimation algorithms for use in sexual health services and programs.     

First molecular detection of Anaplasma species in cattle from Kyrgyzstan; molecular identification of human pathogenic novel genotype Anaplasma capra and Anaplasma phagocytophilum related strain

Anaplasmosis is a rickettsial infection with significant effects on human and animal health, and the discovery of new species or genotypes with zoonotic potential in recent years has increased this importance. The aim of this study was to provide the first assessment of the molecular etiology and prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis in Kyrgyzstan (specifically in the Chuy, Talas, Djalal-Abad, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions). The prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis was determined as 1.7% (6/358). PCR and partial DNA sequencing results of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene revealed that Anaplasma centrale, A. phagocytophilum like-1, and the human pathogenic novel genotype A. capra are circulating in cattle herds in Kyrgyzstan. Six DNA nucleotide sequences obtained in this study were deposited in GenBank under the following accession numbers: A. centrale (MW672117, MW672118, MW672119, MW672120), A. phagocytophilum (MW672121), and A. capra (MW672115).     

Vaxvec: The first web-based recombinant vaccine vector database and its data analysis

A recombinant vector vaccine uses an attenuated virus, bacterium, or parasite as the carrier to express a heterologous antigen(s). Many recombinant vaccine vectors and related vaccines have been developed and extensively investigated. To compare and better understand recombinant vectors and vaccines, we have generated Vaxvec (http://www.violinet.org/vaxvec), the first web-based database that stores various recombinant vaccine vectors and those experimentally verified vaccines that use these vectors. Vaxvec has now included 59 vaccine vectors that have been used in 196 recombinant vector vaccines against 66 pathogens and cancers. These vectors are classified to 41 viral vectors, 15 bacterial vectors, 1 parasitic vector, and 1 fungal vector. The most commonly used viral vaccine vectors are double-stranded DNA viruses, including herpesviruses, adenoviruses, and poxviruses. For example, Vaxvec includes 63 poxvirus-based recombinant vaccines for over 20 pathogens and cancers. Vaxvec collects 30 recombinant vector influenza vaccines that use 17 recombinant vectors and were experimentally tested in 7 animal models. In addition, over 60 protective antigens used in recombinant vector vaccines are annotated and analyzed. User-friendly web-interfaces are available for querying various data in Vaxvec. To support data exchange, the information of vaccine vectors, vaccines, and related information is stored in the Vaccine Ontology (VO). Vaxvec is a timely and vital source of vaccine vector database and facilitates efficient vaccine vector research and development.     

Rabies Virus Neutralizing Activity,Safety, and Immunogenicity of Recombinant Human Rabies Antibody Compared with Human Rabies Immunoglobulin in Healthy Adults

ObjectivePreliminary assessment of rabies virus neutralizing activity, safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant human rabies antibody (NM57) compared with human rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) in Chinese healthy adults.MethodsSubjects were randomly (1:1:1) allocated to Groups A (20 IU/kg NM57), B (40 IU/kg NM57), or C (20 IU/kg HRIG). One injection was given on the day of enrollment. Blood samples were collected on days –7 to 0 (pre-injection), 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. Adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs (SAEs) were recorded over a period of 42 days after injection.ResultsAll 60 subjects developed detectable rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (RVNAs) (> 0.05 IU /mL) on days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42. The RVNA levels peaked on day 3 in all three groups, with a geometric mean concentration (GMC) of 0.2139 IU/mL in Group A, 0.3660 IU/mL in Group B, and 0.1994 IU/mL in Group C. At each follow-up point, the GMC in Group B was significantly higher than that in Groups A and C. The areas under the antibody concentration curve over 0–14 days and 0–42 days in Group B were significantly larger than those in Groups A and C. Fifteen AEs were reported. Except for one grade 2 myalgia in Group C, the other 14 were all grade 1. No SAEs were observed.ConclusionThe rabies virus neutralizing activity of 40 IU/kg NM57 was superior to that of 20 IU/kg NM57 and 20 IU/kg HRIG, and the rabies virus neutralizing activity of 20 IU/kg NM57 and 20 IU/kg HRIG were similar. Safety was comparable between NM57 and HRIG.     

河北省家蝇属昆虫区系分析

目的调查研究河北省家蝇属昆虫的种类、分布及区系特征。方法采用昆虫分类学原理和方法。结果在河北省发现家蝇属昆虫17种。结论河北省家蝇属昆虫种数约占该属全国已知种数的62．96％。     

中国城市地区0~5岁儿童养育实践相关因素分析

目的 了解我国城市地区0~5岁儿童养育实践情况及其影响因素,为促进我国儿童早期发展、开展父母积极养育指导和服务提供依据。方法 2017年8-12月在我国14省15个城市4 515名0~5岁的儿童家长中进行自填式问卷调查,采用父母养育与家庭适应量表（PAFAS）评价父母对儿童的养育实践情况,包括养育一致性、强迫性、鼓励性和亲子关系以及父母的情绪适应、家庭关系和相互协助等多个维度,通过单因素分析和多重线性回归探索儿童个体、父母和家庭因素对父母养育实践的影响。结果 我国城市地区0~5岁儿童的父母在PAFAS量表中的总得分为21.00（15.00~28.00）分,该得分的变化与儿童年龄、独生子女、分娩方式、父亲文化程度、家长育儿信心、家长情绪、家庭年收入、家庭结构以及寻求专业支持等因素有关,提示我国儿童养育实践情况存在较大差异并受多种因素影响。结论 我国城市地区0~5岁儿童养育实践整体情况良好,养育实践与儿童个体、父母和家庭环境等多种因素有关,关注多重因素的影响有利于提高父母养育技能的培训效果,更好地促进儿童早期发展。     

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0098181 inhibits metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma by activating the Hippo signaling pathway via interaction with eEF2

Introduction and ObjectivesThe development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a multi-step process that accumulates genetic and epigenetic alterations, including changes in circular RNA (circRNA). This study aimed to understand the alterations in circRNA expression in HCC development and metastasis and to explore the biological functions of circRNA.Materials and MethodsTen pairs of adjacent chronic hepatitis tissues and HCC tissues from patients without venous metastases, and ten HCC tissues from patients with venous metastases were analyzed using human circRNA microarrays. Differentially expressed circRNAs were then validated by quantitative real-time PCR. In vitro and in vivo assays were performed to assess the roles of the circRNA in HCC progression. RNA pull-down assay, mass spectrometry analysis, and RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation were conducted to explore the protein partners of the circRNA.ResultsCircRNA microarrays revealed that the expression patterns of circRNAs across the three groups were significantly different. Among these, hsa_circ_0098181 was validated to be lowly expressed and associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. Ectopic expression of hsa_circ_0098181 delayed HCC metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0098181 sequestered eukaryotic translation elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and dissociated eEF2 from filamentous actin (F-actin) to prevent F-actin formation, which blocked activation of the Hippo signaling pathway. In addition, the RNA binding protein Quaking-5 bound directly to hsa_circ_0098181 and induced its biogenesis.ConclusionsOur study reveals changes in circRNA expression from chronic hepatitis, primary HCC, to metastatic HCC. Further, the QKI5-hsa_circ_0098181-eEF2-Hippo signaling pathway exerts a regulatory role in HCC.     

2010年天津市河北区部分人群乙型肝炎病毒血清学调查

[目的]了解人群乙肝病毒感染/免疫状况,评价实施乙肝疫苗接种措施的效果。[方法]2010年,在天津市河北区采用多阶段抽样方法,抽取4个调查点,对178名1～59岁常住人口进行血清乙肝病毒感染指标检测。[结果]检测178人,HBsAg阳性率为1.12%,抗-HBs阳性率为52.25%,抗-HBc阳性率为10.11%,HBV感染率为10.11%。上述4项指标,男性与女性的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);抗-HBs阳性率,有随着年龄的升高而下降的趋势(P<0.01),抗-HBc阳性率和HBV感染率,均为≥30岁高于<30岁(P<0.05)。有乙肝疫苗免疫史者与无免疫史者比较,抗-HBs阳性率前者高于后者(P<0.01),HBsAg阳性率、抗-HBc阳性率、HBV感染率,2组的差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。[结论]河北区一般人群HBV感染率较低。     

石家庄市2001-2010年流行性乙型脑炎流行特征分析

目的通过分析石家庄市2001-2010年发生的流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)个案,探索其流行特征、发病强度与蚊虫间的关系,为科学防控乙脑疫情提供依据。方法 2001-2010年,采取专病被动监测、疑似脑炎/脑膜炎症状主动监测相结合的方法监测乙脑疫情,回顾分析河北省、石家庄市疾病预防控制中心实验室共同确认的ELISA检测乙脑IgM阳性病例;使用捕蚊管或电动捕蚊器捕获蚊虫等方法于5-10月对媒介蚊虫种类与密度进行监测。结果累计报告乙脑病例75例,死亡2例,年平均发病率、病死率分别为0.08/10万和0.26%。男女性别之比为1.78:1,有5～15岁和≥40岁年龄组2个发病高峰,常住居民与流动人口比为2.57:1。一年四季均有病例发生,但以8-10月为主。淡色库蚊和三带喙库蚊是石家庄市的主要传播媒介,分别占当地蚊虫种类的54.07%和32.83%,乙脑疫情与同期媒介蚊虫密度有相关性(rs=0.5506,P=0.000)。24h内诊断为乙脑的比例为28.95%。结论石家庄市乙脑疫情呈现波动性缓慢上升,流动人口病例逐年增加的趋势;加强疑似脑炎、脑膜炎患者的流行病学、病原学监测对乙脑防治有重要意义;加强疫苗接种为主的综合措施是乙脑的防控策略。