Influenza vaccine effectiveness against laboratory confirmed influenza in Greece during the 2013–2014 season: A test-negative study

BackgroundIn 2013–2014 Greece experienced a resurgence of severe influenza cases, coincidental with a shift to H1N1pdm09 predominance. We sought to estimate Vaccine Effectiveness (VE) for this season using available surveillance data from hospitals (including both inpatients and outpatients).MethodsSwab samples were sent by hospital physicians to one of three laboratories, covering the entire country, to be tested for influenza using RT-PCR. The test-negative design was employed, with patients testing positive serving as cases and those testing negative serving as controls. VE was estimated using logistic regression, adjusted for age group, sex, region and calendar time, with further adjustment for unknown vaccination status using inverse response propensity weights. Additional age group stratified estimates and subgroup estimates of VE against H1N1pdm09 and H3N2 were calculated.ResultsOut of 1310 patients with known vaccination status, 124 (9.5%) were vaccinated, and 543 patients (41.5%) tested positive for influenza. Adjusted VE was 34.5% (95% CI: 4.1–55.3%) against any influenza, and 56.7% (95% CI: 22.8–75.7%) against H1N1pdm09. VE estimates appeared to be higher for people aged 60 and older, while in those under 60 there was limited evidence of effectiveness. Isolated circulating strains were genetically close to the vaccine strain, with limited evidence of antigenic drift.ConclusionsThese results suggest a moderate protective effect of the 2013–2014 influenza vaccine, mainly against H1N1pdm09 and in people aged 60 and over. Vaccine coverage was very low in Greece, even among groups targeted for vaccination, and substantial efforts should be made to improve it. VE can and should be routinely monitored, and the results taken into account when deciding on influenza vaccine composition for next season.     

离子色谱法测定实验动物环境空气中的氨

目的 建立一种用抑制电导离子色谱仪测定实验动物环境空气中氨的方法。方法 以稀硫酸作为吸收液采集空气中的氨,使氨在吸收液中转化为铵离子,选用抑制型电导检测器,CS12A阳离子分析柱,以甲磺酸作为淋洗液,通过测定吸收液中的铵离子的含量来计算空气中氨的浓度。结果 铵离子在0~1.00 μg/mL范围内具有良好的线性(r=0.9991),方法精密度高(RSD<6.38%),最低检出浓度为0.012 mg/m³,方法的平均回收率98.8%。结论 该法操作简便,无干扰离子影响,可作为实验动物环境空气中氨的测定方法。     

实验动物品系数据库的建立

目的基于国内外部分实验动物数据库和文献,收集整理世界上现有的200多种共计26 000多个品系的实验动物数据,建立关系型检索数据库,使其成为世界上最大最全的实验动物品系数据库。方法构建基于My SQL数据库软件的中小型数据库,建立检索界面、录入界面和数据库接口。结果本文建立了实验动物品系数据库,已经收录小鼠品系数据21 596条;大鼠品系数据2062条;猴品系数据13条;地鼠品系数据2条;犬品系数据5条;兔品系数据5条。以后会逐步完善数据,实现实验动物品系数据库的定期更新。讨论该数据库的建立方便我国科研人员查阅和使用国内外实验动物品系资源,为引进欧美日等发达国家的实验动物品系资源提供链接。     

细菌性角膜溃疡误诊原因及预后分析

目的研究细菌性角膜溃疡的特点,分析引起误诊的原因,探讨影响患者预后的相关因素。方法回顾性分析。以2011年1月至2013年12月间山东省眼科医院收治的83例(83只眼)确诊为细菌性角膜溃疡的患者作为研究对象。通过统计患者误诊疾病、发病诱因、眼部临床表现、就诊医院、所行辅助检查等,分析误诊原因。通过统计不同确诊时间的患者药物、手术治疗的情况,分析误诊患者确诊前病程与其预后的关系。结果 83例患者的发病诱因中49例有各种角膜外伤史,包括植物性外伤22例(占26.5%)。42例患者眼部临床表现为病史迁延、病灶边界不清,伴类似伪足或类似卫星灶、类似内皮斑等。33例患者于首诊医院误诊,误诊疾病分别为真菌性角膜炎28例(占33.7%)、病毒性角膜炎5例(占6.0%)。首诊医院为省市级医院的误诊率为29.3%,县级及以下医院的误诊率为50.0%。省市级医院行角膜刮片及培养者占70.7%,刮片阳性率27.6%。县级及以下医院行实验室检查者仅占30.1%,刮片阳性率15.4%。预后:误诊患者中确诊前病程≤2周者药物治愈6例(占30.0%),行角膜病灶切除治愈4例(占20.0%),行角膜移植治愈10例(50.0%),总治愈率100%。病程大于2周者,药物治愈2例(占15.4%),行角膜病灶切除治愈3例(占23.1%),行角膜移植治愈6例(46.1%),行眼内容剜除2例(占15.4%),总治愈率84.6%。结论目前细菌性角膜溃疡的误诊率仍较高,普及严格、规范的实验室检测结合其他辅助检查能有效降低误诊率。早确诊、早治疗有助于改善误诊患者预后。     

The development and validation of methods for evaluating the immune system in preweaning piglets

The preweaning piglet has been found to be a valuable research model for testing ingredients used in infant formula. As part of the safety assessment, the neonates' immune system is an important component that has to be evaluated. In this study three concurrent strategies were developed to assess immune system status. The methods included (1) immunophenotying to assess circulating innate immune cell populations, (2) monitoring of circulating cytokines, particularly in response to a positive control agent, and (3) monitoring of localized gastrointestinal tissue cytokines using immunohistochemistry (IHC), particularly in response to a positive control agent. All assays were validated using white papers and regulatory guidance within a GLP environment. To validate the assays precision, accuracy and sample stability were evaluated as needed using a fit for purpose approach. In addition animals were treated with proinflammtory substances to detect a positive versus negative signal. In conclusion, these three methods were confirmed to be robust assays to evaluate the immune system and GIT-specific immune responses of preweaning piglets.     

医学类高校微生物实验室的安全管理

医学高校微生物实验室的安全管理十分重要,加强微生物实验室的安全管理,应从实验室的建章立制、安全管理教育、培训、日常管理方面着手,使学生树立起安全防范意识,遵守安全制度,养成良好的学习习惯。     

Electrical and contractile consequences of Na+ or Ca2+ gradient reduction in cultured heart cells

The normal electrical and contractile activity of cultured neonatal rat ventricular cells is characterized and compared to activity seen in low [Ca²⁺]₀ and low [Na⁺]₀ solutions. In 0 Ca²⁺/0.5 mm EGTA solutions electrical activity is altered: the maximum diastolic potential (m.d.p.), maximum rate of rise ($\text{+}\text{V}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}$), and overshoot (o.s.) are reduced, while duration is increased. Low [Ca²⁺]₀ activity is insensitive to TTX and blocked by La³⁺. In low [Na⁺]₀ solutions electrical activity is generally absent; when present $\text{+}\text{V}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>max</mtext>}}$ and o.s. are decreased while duration is increased. Low [Na⁺]₀ activity is blocked by La³⁺. These data suggest the presence of one La³⁺-sensitive slow inward current channel. The absence of spontaneous electrical activity in low [Na⁺]₀ solutions suggests an inhibition of automaticity. To determine if this inhibition is due to a reduction of the Na⁺ gradient, drugs which raise [Na⁺]_i were examined. Both monensin (a Na⁺ ionophore) and ouabain inhibit the occurrence of spontaneous action potentials (cells respond to stimulation) indicating a dependence of pacemaker activity on a normal Na⁺ gradient. During Na⁺ gradient reduction, asynchronous subcellular contractile activity occurs independent of membrane potential fluctuation. This asynchronous activity is inhibited by La³⁺ or when Ca²⁺₀ is absent, but continues in the presence of verapamil (normal activity is blocked by all three conditions). The Na⁺Ca²⁺ exchange system is unaffected by verapamil but blocked by La³⁺, while both these drugs block the slow inward current. These data indicate that the Na⁺Ca²⁺ exchange system can directly supply Ca²⁺ (independent of electrical activity at the membrane) to intracellular sites that support contractile activity.     

A pathophysiologic approach to diagnosis of malabsorption.

Most patients with malabsorption do not have “textbook” symptoms; they often complain of a variety of more subtle manifestations including excessively large or sticky stools, abdominal discomfort or the consequences of a specific nutritional deficiency. Suspicion of malabsorption demands confirmation by determination of fecal fat content since most diseases affecting intestinal absorption alter lipid assimilation. If steatorrhea is present, an abdominal plain film and barium meal x-ray film, xylose absorption test and a Schilling test with appropriate subsequent administration of intrinsic factor, antibiotics and pancreatic enzymes will suggest whether the defect is in intraluminal digestion of triglyceride or in a mucosal process. An etiologic diagnosis should be approached by a consideration of the possible defects in the intraluminal and mucosal events of lipid absorption and the use of selected tests.Patients with carbohydrate malabsorption usually do not have steatorrhea, but complain of watery diarrhea, cramps and excessive flatus. Although the diagnosis is usually made by the appropriate carbohydrate tolerance test, both the breath hydrogen test and assay of mucosal biopsy material for disaccharidases are more accurate.