Prevalence and distribution of soil-transmitted helminthiases among Orang Asli children living in peripheral Selangor, Malaysia

Soil-transmitted helminthiases are a public health problem in rural communities. A cross-sectional study of the prevalence and distribution of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm was conducted in 281 Orang Asli children (aborigines) aged between 2 and 15 years, from 8 Orang Asli villages in Selangor, Malaysia. All the children were infected with soil-transmitted helminthes, with 26.3% of the children infected either with A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura or hookworm and 72.6% having mixed infection. The overall prevalences of A. lumbricoides, T. trichiura and hookworm were 61.9, 98.2 and 37.0%, respectively. Approximately 19.0, 26.0 and 3.0% of the children had severe infection of ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection, respectively. The prevalences and mean egg per gram (epg) counts for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura were not significantly dependent on age, therefore age-dependent convexity was not seen in this study. However, the results of this study reveal an age-dependent prevalence and mean epg count in children with hookworm infection. We conclude that ascariasis, trichuriasis and hookworm infection are still prevalent and therefore a public health concern in Orang Asli communities. Severe ascariasis and trichuriasis may lead to other health and medical problems.     

Synergistic Effects of Pr6O11 and Co3O4 on Electrical and Microstructure Features of ZnO-BaTiO3 Varistor Ceramics

This paper investigated the effects of Pr₆O₁₁ and Co₃O₄ on the electrical properties of ZnO-BaTiO₃ varistor ceramics. The Pr₆O₁₁ doping has a notable influence on the characteristics of the nonlinear coefficient, varistor voltage, and leakage current where the values varied from 2.29 to 2.69, 12.36 to 68.36 V/mm and 599.33 to 548.16 µA/cm², respectively. The nonlinear varistor coefficient of 5.50 to 7.15 and the varistor voltage of 7.38 to 8.10 V/mm was also influenced by the use of Co₃O₄ as a dopant. When the amount of Co₃O₄ was above 0.5 wt.%, the leakage current increased from 202.41 to 302.71 μA/cm². The varistor ceramics with 1.5 wt.% Pr₆O₁₁ shows good nonlinear electrical performance at higher breakdown voltage and reduced the leakage current of the ceramic materials. Besides, the varistor sample that was doped with 0.5 wt.% Co₃O₄ was able to enhance the nonlinear electrical properties at low breakdown voltage with a smaller value of leakage current.     

Socio-economic determinants of drugged driving--a register-based study

Aims To examine the associations between socio‐economic characteristics and driving under the influence of drugs (DUID), and to elaborate determinants of drugged driving. Design A register‐based case–control study. Setting Finland. Participants Cases (n = 5859) apprehended by the police and suspected of DUID during 1993–2006 and controls (n = 74 809) drawn from the general Finnish population. Measurements The effects of parents' and own education, urbanization of municipality, socio‐economic position (SEP), main activity, income, marital status and living arrangements on DUID were estimated using logistic regression analysis. The analyses were conducted separately for men and women, age groups of under 45 years and aged 45 or over, and for substance groups of benzodiazepines only, benzodiazepines with alcohol, amphetamines and cannabinoids. Findings Low education, unemployment, disability pension, being divorced and living alone were the strongest individual predictors of DUID in all substance groups. Illicit drug users were more disadvantaged compared to those in the benzodiazepines groups. Contrary to other substance and age groups, higher educational level and higher SEP were associated with DUID among benzodiazepine users aged 45 or over. Conclusions A disadvantaged social background is a significant predictor of driving while under the influence of drugs for all substance use groups in Finland. The gradient is greater for amphetamines and cannabinoids than benzodiazepines.     

Effects of repeated Chlamydia pneumoniae inoculations on aortic lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in C57BL/6J mice

Chlamydia pneumoniae is a common respiratory tract pathogen, and persistent infections have been associated with atherosclerosis. We studied the effects of repeated chlamydial inoculations on the inflammatory response and on aortic lipid accumulation in C57BL/6J mice. Mice fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% cholesterol were infected three or six times with C. pneumoniae every fourth week. Sera and lungs were analyzed for inflammatory responses, lung tissues were tested for the presence of C. pneumoniae DNA and RNA, and intimal lipid accumulation in the aortic sinus was quantified. High levels of chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) immunoglobulin G2c subclass antibodies were detected in all of the infected mice, and a positive and statistically significant correlation was found between these antibodies and autoantibodies against mouse Hsp60. Both Hsp60 antibody levels correlated with the severity of lung tissue inflammation. The cholesterol supplement in the diet had no effect on serum cholesterol levels. Significantly larger intimal lipid lesions were seen in the mouse group infected six times (6,542 mum(2)) than in the control group (1,376 mum(2); P = 0.034). In conclusion, repeated inoculations increased aortic sinus lipid accumulation in normocholesterolemic mice. The correlation between the antibodies to mouse and chlamydial Hsp60 proteins and their association with lung inflammation further support the theory of the development of an autoimmune response against heat shock proteins after repeated chlamydial infections.     

Body Fat Distribution and Its Association with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescent Iranian Girls

Objective

The relationships between body fat distribution, lipid profile and blood pressure, have not been studied extensively in young population. This study was designed to evaluate the association between measures of adiposity and established cardiovascular risk factors in adolescent girls.

Methods

A total of 477 adolescent girls aged 15 to 18 years were recruited from Mashhad high schools. Socio-demographic characteristics were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric assessments, blood pressure measurement and biochemical assessment were performed. Total and regional fat mass were determined by bio-impedance analysis. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were assessed in relation to body fat measures with adjustment for confounder factors including age and family socioeconomic status.

Findings

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 14.6% and 3.4% respectively; 16% of study population had greater fat mass compared to its ideal distribution. The majority of cardiovascular risk factors, especially systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride concentration, CRP and fasting blood sugar were significantly higher in group with a high body fat when compared to those with normal and low values. All anthropometric indices showed significant correlation with fat mass, fat free mass, total and regional body fat percent (P<0.001). After adjustment for age and family socioeconomic status, a high fat mass especially, truncal fat, was positively associated with triglyceride and blood pressure.

Conclusion

Adiposity, especially truncal adiposity, which can be assessed by simple measures such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) may predispose adolescent girls for demonstration of metabolic abnormalities and consequently cardiovascular diseases.     

Pathogenicity of fowl adenovirus in specific pathogen free chicken embryos

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH) associated with fowl adenovirus (FAdV) infection has a worldwide distribution. The aim of the present study was to determine the pathogenicity of Malaysian FAdV serotype 9 (UPM04217) in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated chicken embryos. FAdV (titre 10(5.8)/ml) was inoculated into SPF embryonated chicken eggs (0.1 ml per egg) via the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). There was 100% embryo mortality within 4-11 days post infection (dpi). The gross and microscopical lesions of the embryo were confined to the liver and were noted at 5, 7, 9 and 11 dpi. The liver was pale with multifocal areas of necrosis, fibrosis and haemorrhage. Microscopically, there was moderate to severe congestion and haemorrhage and severe and diffuse hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, with intranuclear inclusion bodies (INIBs) and associated inflammation. Haemorrhage, congestion, degeneration, necrosis and hyperplasia of the CAM with INIBs were observed at 5, 7, 9 and 11 dpi. Varying degrees of congestion, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis were also observed in the yolk sac, kidney, spleen, heart and bursa of Fabricius. Ultrastructurally, numerous viral particles in the nucleus of hepatocytes were recorded at 7, 9 and 11 dpi, whereas at 5 dpi, fine granular and filamentous INIBs were observed. The INIBs in the CAM were present either as fine granular filamentous structures or as large viral inclusions. FAdV (UPM04217) is therefore highly pathogenic to SPF chicken embryos and the embryonic liver should be used for isolation and propagation of the virus.     

前列腺增生组织中TGF β1和b-FGF的表达及其意义

目的 探讨TGFβ1和b-FGF在前列腺增生形成过程中的作用.方法 采用免疫组织化学Maxvision二步法检测61例前列腺增生(BPH)和15例正常前列腺组织中TGFβ1和b-FGF的表达.结果 TGFβ1主要定位于前列腺上皮细胞浆、间质细胞浆内,呈棕黄色颗粒,上皮细胞阳性率45.90%,间质细胞阳性率24.59%,总阳性率为52.46%,正常前列腺中上皮细胞阳性率为13.33%,间质细胞阳性率6.67%,总阳性率为20.00%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);b-FGF定位于前列腺间质细胞浆内,部分上皮细胞浆阳性,呈棕黄色颗粒,上皮细胞阳性率为26.23%,间质细胞阳性率为75.41%,总阳性率为75.41%,正常前列腺中上皮细胞阳性率为0%,间质细胞阳性率为13.33%,总阳性率为13.33%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).在腺体增生为主和间质增生为主两组间,TGFβB1和b-FGF表达差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 TGFβ1和b-FGF是促进BPH的重要因素,TGFβ 1和b-FGF主要与前列腺间质增生有关.     

离体肝切除和自体肝移植术治疗终末期肝多房棘球蚴病的住院医疗费用分析

收集2010-2018年新疆医科大学第一附属医院因终末期肝多房棘球蚴病实施离体肝切除和自体肝移植术(ELRA)治疗的患者人口学信息和相关临床病历资料数据,根据ELRA术前是否接受相应的诊疗分为6个组,无相关病史(A组)、抗虫化疗史(B组)、抗虫化疗+药物保肝史(C组)、穿刺或内镜减黄+药物保肝史(D组)、肝血管介入治疗+抗虫化疗史(E组)、肝切除+抗虫化疗史(F组)。采用Mann-Whinty检验比较分析各组之间医疗费用差异。共82例患者接受ELRA手术,男、女性别比为39:43,平均年龄(36.1±11.8)岁,主要民族有藏族、哈萨克族和汉族,患者主要来自新疆、西藏和四川。肝多房棘球蚴病患者接受ELRA治疗的医疗费用主要包括西药费、检查类费、材料费、手术费和特殊材料费等。82例患者平均总费用为(241 155.0±119 746.5)元,其中西药费占比最高(41.1%),其次是检查费(15.7%)、材料费(13.4%)、手术费(9.6%)、特殊材料费(7.5%)。C、D组总费用高于其他4组(P<0.01);西药费、检查费、护理费和治疗费C、D组高于其他4组(P<0.05);特殊材料费、血费、抢救费和床位费C、D组高于A组(P<0.05)。术前无相关病史者总体费用和各项费用均比有其他相关病史者低;术前有黄疸/肝功能不全因素可增加总体费用及大部分子项费用。     

Sequence and phylogenetic analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site of Newcastle disease virus field isolates from Iran

Nine Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolates from Newcastle disease (ND) outbreaks in different regions of Iran were characterized at molecular level. Sequence analysis revealed that the isolates shared two pairs of arginine and a phenylalanine at the N-terminus of the fusion (F) protein cleavage site similarly to other velogenic isolates of NDV characterized earlier. Eight of the nine isolates had the same amino acid sequence as VOL95, a Russian NDV isolate from 1995. However, one isolate, MK13 showed 5 amino acid substitutions, of which 3 have been reported for other velogenic NDV isolates. These results suggest that the origin of the outbreaks of ND in different parts of Iran in 1995-1998 is VOL95.