ABSTRACT Purpose Targeted biopsy (TB) combined with systematic biopsy (SB) is an optimized mode of prostate biopsy but can often lead to oversampling and overdiagnosis accompanied by potential biopsy-related complications and patient discomfort. Here, we attempted to reasonably stratify the patient population based on multi-parameter indicators with the aim of avoiding unnecessary SB. Methods In total, 340 biopsy-naïve men with suspected lesions, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 20 ng/mL and prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) ≥ 3 enrolled for study underwent both TB and SB. The primary outcome was to determine independent predictors for a valid diagnosis, assuming that only TB was performed and SB omitted (defined as mono-TB), taking TB + SB as the reference standard. The secondary outcomes were exploration of the predictive factors of mono-TB and TB + SB in detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Results The mean PSA density (PSAD) of patient group was 0.27 ng/mL/mL. Multiparametric MRI PI-RADS scores were 3-5 in 146 (42.94%), 105 (30.88%), and 89 (26.18%) cases, respectively. PCa and csPCa were detected in 178/340 (52.35%) and 162/340 (47.65%) patients, respectively. Overall, 116/178 (65.17%) patients diagnosed with PCa displayed pathological consistencies between mono-TB and TB + SB modes. PSAD and PI-RADS were independent predictors of valid diagnosis using mono-TB. Conclusions PSAD combined with PI-RADS showed utility in guiding optimization of the prostate biopsy mode. Higher PSAD and PI-RADS values were associated with greater confidence in implementing mono-TB and safely omitting SB, thus effectively balancing the benefits and risks.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) in treating renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with unilateral urinary obstruction (UUO). Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, UUO, UUO + enalapril, and UUO + AKF-PD groups. All rats, except sham, underwent left urethral obstruction surgery to establish the animal model. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after surgery, and serum was collected for renal function examination. Kidneys were collected to observe pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess collagen I (Col I) protein expression, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling staining to observe the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. The expression of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. AKF-PD showed no significant effect on renal function in UUO rats. The pathological changes were alleviated significantly after enalapril or AKF-PD treatment, but with no significant differences between the two groups. Col I protein was overexpressed in the UUO group, which was inhibited by both enalapril and AKF-PD. The number of apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells was much higher in the UUO group, and AKF-PD significantly inhibited epithelial cells apoptosis. The expression of FADD, Apaf-1, and CHOP proteins was significantly upregulated in the UUO group and downregulated by enalapril and AKF-PD. In conclusion, AKF-PD improved renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats with UUO.

Objective of the article was to assess the coupling effects of zeolite (Z0, 0 t ha-1; Z0.9 and Z0.22, 10 t ha-1 in different diameter of 0.45-0.9 mm and 0.17-0.22 mm) and Nitrogen (N0, N52.5, N105, N157.5 kg ha-1) application on N use, leaf area index (LAI) and rice grain yield in 2014 and 2015. Results showed that both Z0.9 and Z0.22 at N105 and N157.5 application rates could greatly enhance the biomass, dry weight of root, LAI and N uptake. However, at initial tillering stage of rice, Z decreased N content in plant for its high absorption capacity and hence lowered biomass and N uptake. The highest value of N recovery efficiency (NRE) and N use efficiency (NUE) was obtained from N105Z0.22. Z input contributed to higher NRE and NUE. At N157.5 application rate, Z0.9 and Z0.22 significantly increased rice grain yield by 14.6% and 15.3%, respectively. However, Z mattered little to rice grain yield at N0 and N52.5. There was no significant difference in rice grain yield between Z0.22 and Z0.9. Z0.22 and Z0.9 clearly increased the 1000-grain weight. N application significantly lowered unfilled grain percentage and 1000-grain weight.

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a variação no gene UBASH3A com a doença tiroidiana autoimune e características clínicas na população chinesa Han. Sujeitos e métodos: Um total de 667 pacientes com DTAI (417 com DG e 250 com TH) e 301 controles saudáveis foi genotipado para dois polimorfismos de nucleotídeo simples (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A, usando-se a plataforma MALDI-TOF-MS (Ionização/Dessorção de Matriz Assistida por Laser – Tempo de Voo/Espectrômetro de Massa). Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as frequências genotípicas e alélicas dos dois SNPs nos grupos controle e DTAI, DG e TH. Não houve diferenças significativas entre as frequências alélicas dos dois SNPs em pacientes com DG com ou sem olftalmopatia. Não houve diferenças significativas nas distribuições de haplótipos no grupo controle e nos grupos DTAI, DG e TH. Conclusão: Os SNPs rs11203203 e rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A podem não estar associados a pacientes com DTAI na população chinesa Han.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate UBASH3A gene variation association with autoimmune thyroid disease and clinical features in a Chinese Han population. Subjects and methods: A total of 667 AITD patients (417 GD and 250 HT) and 301 healthy controls were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 of UBASH3A gene, utilizing the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform. Results: Between the control group and AITD, GD and HT group, no statistically significant difference was observed in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the two SNPs. There was no significant difference in allelic frequencies of the two SNPs between GD with and without ophthalmopathy. There was no significant difference in haplotype distributions between the control group and AITD, GD or HT group. Conclusion: Rs11203203 and rs3788013 in UBASH3A gene may not be associated with AITD patients in Chinese Han population.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is considered to be mediated mainly by Th1 cells, but it is not known whether Graves’ disease (GD) is associated with Th1 or Th2 predominance. Th17 cells, a novel subset of Th cells, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune disorders. In the present study, the expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ was investigated in patients with HT or GD. mRNA expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 43 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and in thyroid tissues from 40 AITD patients were measured by real-time qRT-PCR. The protein expression of IL-17A and IL-23p19 was examined by immunohistochemistry in thyroid tissues from 28 AITD patients. The mRNA levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ were higher in both PBMC and thyroid tissues of HT patients than in controls (mRNA levels are reported as the cytokine/β-actin ratio: IL-17 = 13.58- and 2.88-fold change and IFN-γ = 16.54- and 2.74-fold change, respectively, P < 0.05). Also, the mRNA levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ did not differ significantly in GD patients (P > 0.05). The high protein expression of IL-17A (IOD = 15.17 ± 4.8) and IL-23p19 (IOD = 16.84 ± 7.87) in HT was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.05). The similar high levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ suggest a mixed response of Th17 and Th1 in HT, where both cells may play important roles in the destruction procedure by cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the burden of enteric fever through trends in morbidity and mortality, bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance in Guangxi, a southern, subtropical, coastal province of China with a disproportionally large burden of enteric fever. METHODS: Data on morbidity and mortality caused by enteric fever between 1994 and 2004 were extracted from the Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory-based surveillance and outbreak investigations were integrated with reports of notifiable infectious diseases to estimate the bacterial species-specific incidence of enteric fever. To adjust for underreporting, survey data were collected from three prefectures that represent the hyper-, moderate- and low-endemic regions of Guangxi province. FINDINGS: In Guangxi province, enteric fever incidence rate varied over the study period, with a peak of 13.5 cases per 100000 population in 1995 and a low of 6.5 in 2003. The disease occurred most frequently during the summer and autumn months and in the group aged 10-49 years. The incidence of enteric fever varied by region within Guangxi province. During the 11-year period covered by the study, 61 outbreaks of enteric fever were reported, and Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA) became the predominant causative agent in the province. CONCLUSION: Prospective studies may provide a better understanding of the reason for the shifting epidemiology of enteric fever in Guangxi province. Given the emergence of resistance to first- and second-line antimicrobials for the treatment of enteric fever, a bivalent vaccine against both SPA and S. typhi would facilitate for disease control.

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la carga de fiebre tifoidea mediante las tendencias de morbilidad y mortalidad, las especies bacterianas y la resistencia a los antibióticos en Guangxi, una provincia costera y subtropical del Sur de China, con una carga de fiebre tifoidea desproporcionalmente elevada. MÉTODOS: Los datos sobre morbilidad y mortalidad causadas por la fiebre tifoidea entre 1994 y 2004 se recogieron en el Centro de control y prevención de enfermedades de Guangxi. Con el fin de estimar la incidencia específica de la fiebre tifoidea para cada una de las especies bacterianas se incorporaron informes de enfermedades infecciosas de declaración obligatoria a la vigilancia basada en pruebas analíticas y las investigaciones de los brotes epidémicos. Para el ajuste de los subregistros se recopilaron los datos del estudio procedentes de tres prefecturas representantes de las regiones hiperendémicas, mesoendémicas e hipoendémicas de la provincia de Guangxi. RESULTADOS: La tasa de incidencia de la fiebre tifoidea en la provincia de Guangxi varió a lo largo del estudio, registrando un pico máximo de 13,5 casos por cada 100 000 habitantes en 1995 y un mínimo de 6,5 en 2003. La enfermedad tuvo una mayor incidencia durante los meses de verano y otoño, así como en el grupo de edad comprendido entre 10 y 49 años. La incidencia de la fiebre tifoidea varió según las regiones dentro de la misma provincia de Guangxi. Durante los 11 años que duró el estudio se declararon 61 brotes epidémicos de fiebre tifoidea, siendo la Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA) el agente causal predominante en la provincia. CONCLUSIÓN: Los estudios prospectivos pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la causa de los datos epidemiológicos cambiantes de la fiebre tifoidea en la provincia de Guangxi. Una vacuna bivalente contra SPA y S. typhi facilitaría el control de la enfermedad, teniendo en cuenta la aparición de resistencias a los antibióticos de primera y segunda línea para el tratamiento de la fiebre tifoidea.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer le fardeau que représente la fièvre typhoïde au travers des tendances de morbidité et de mortalité, des espèces bactériennes et de la résistance antimicrobienne dans le Guangxi, une province subtropicale côtière du sud de la Chine présentant un fardeau anormalement important de fièvre typhoïde. MÉTHODES: Les données de morbidité et de mortalité causées par la fièvre typhoïde entre 1994 et 2004 ont été obtenues auprès du Centre de contrôle et de prévention des maladies du Guangxi. La surveillance en laboratoire et les enquêtes sur les résurgences ont été intégrées aux rapports des maladies infectieuses à déclaration obligatoire pour permettre d'estimer l'incidence spécifique d'espèces bactériennes de la fièvre typhoïde. Afin de compenser les sous-déclarations, les données du sondage ont été recueillies auprès de trois préfectures caractéristiques des régions hyper, modérément et faiblement endémiques de la province du Guangxi. RÉSULTATS: Dans la province du Guangxi, le taux d'incidence de la fièvre typhoïde a varié au cours de la période d'étude, avec un pic de 13,5 cas par 100 000 habitants en 1995 et un minimum de 6,5 en 2003. La maladie est fréquemment survenue pendant les mois d'été et d'automne, et dans la tranche d'âge 10-49 ans. L'incidence de la fièvre typhoïde a varié de région en région dans la province du Guangxi. Pendant la période de 11 ans couverte par l'étude, 61 résurgences de fièvre typhoïde ont été rapportées, et l'agent causatif prédominant dans la province était Salmonella paratyphi A (SPA). CONCLUSION: De futures études devraient fournir une meilleure compréhension de la raison de la variabilité épidémiologique de la fièvre typhoïde dans la province du Guangxi. Étant donné l'apparition de résistance aux première et deuxième lignes de traitements antimicrobiens de la fièvre typhoïde, un vaccin bivalent contre SPA et S. typhi faciliterait le contrôle de la maladie.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the burden of bacillary dysentery in China, its cross-regional variations, trends in morbidity and mortality, the causative bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance patterns. METHODS: We extracted and integrated governmental statistics and relevant medical literature published from 1991 to 2000. Data were also collected from one general hospital each for the six provinces and Jin-an district, Shanghai, representative of six geographical regions and a modern city. FINDINGS: In 2000, 0.8-1.7 million episodes of bacillary dysentery occurred of which 0.5 to 0.7 million were treated at health-care facilities and 0.15-0.20 million patients were hospitalized. The highest morbidity and mortality rates were among the youngest and oldest age groups. Bacillary dysentery peaked during the summer months. The major causative species was Shigella flexneri (86%) and the predominant S. flexneri serotype was 2a (80%). About 74-80% of Shigella isolates remained susceptible to fluorinated quinolones. CONCLUSION: We conclude that while morbidity and mortality due to bacillary dysentery has decreased considerably in China in the past decade due to increasing access to affordable health care and antibiotics, a considerable burden exists among the youngest and oldest age groups and in regions with low economic development. We suggest that while a vaccine would be effective for short- and medium-term control of bacillary dysentery, improved water supply, sanitation, and hygiene are likely to be required for long-term control.

OBJETIVO: Decidimos determinar la carga de disentería bacilar en China, las diferencias interregionales en ese sentido, las tendencias de la morbilidad y la mortalidad, las especies bacterianas causantes, y la distribución de la resistencia a los antimicrobianos. MÉTODOS: Procedimos a extraer e integrar estadísticas gubernamentales y publicaciones médicas relacionadas aparecidas entre 1991 y 2000. También obtuvimos datos de un hospital general de cada una de las seis provincias consideradar y del distrito de Jin-an, Shanghai, como información representativa de seis regiones geográficas y una ciudad moderna. RESULTADOS: En 2000 se produjeron entre 0,8 y 1,7 millones de episodios de disentería bacilar, de los cuales 0,5 - 0,7 millones fueron tratados en establecimientos de salud, y 0,15 - 0,20 millones fueron hospitalizados. Las mayores tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad fueron las registradas entre los grupos más jóvenes y en las personas mayores. La disentería bacilar alcanzó la máxima cota en los meses de verano. La principal especie causante fue Shigella flexneri (86%), con la variante 2a como serotipo predominante (80%). Aproximadamente un 74% - 80% de las colonias de Shigella seguían siendo vulnerables a las quinolonas fluoradas. CONCLUSIÓN: Aunque la morbimortalidad por disentería bacilar ha disminuido considerablemente en China durante el último decenio, gracias al mayor acceso a la atención sanitaria y los antibióticos, sigue habiendo una carga considerable de la enfermedad entre los grupos más jóvenes y de mayor edad, así como en las regiones con bajo desarrollo económico. En nuestra opinión, aunque una vacuna sería una opción eficaz para controlar la disentería bacilar a corto y medio plazo, todo control a largo plazo exigirá probablemente mejoras del abastecimiento de agua, el saneamiento y la higiene.

OBJECTIF: L'étude visait à déterminer la charge de dysenterie bacillaire en Chine, les variations interrégionales, les tendances de la morbidité et de la mortalité, les agents étiologiques bactériens et les schémas de résistance aux antimicrobiens. MÉTHODES: Les statistiques publiques et les documents médicaux pertinents publiés de 1991 à 2000 ont été extraits et pris en compte dans l'étude. On a également recueilli des données auprès d'un hôpital général de chacune des six provinces considérées et du district de Jin an à Shanghai, ces hôpitaux étant représentatifs de six régions géographiques et d'une ville moderne. RÉSULTATS: En 2000, 0,8 à 1,7 million d'épisodes de dysenterie bacillaire on été enregistrés, dont 0,5 à 0,7 million ont été traités dans des établissements de soins et 150 000 à 200 000 ont donné lieu à des hospitalisations. Les taux de morbidité et de mortalité les plus élevés ont été relevés parmi les classes d'âge correspondant aux plus jeunes et aux plus âgés. La dysenterie bacillaire a atteint un pic au cours des mois d'été. Le principal agent étiologique était Shigella flexneri (86 %) et le sérotype prédominant de S. flexneri était le sérotype 2a (80 %). De 74 % à 80 % des isolements de Shigella étaient sensibles aux quinolones fluorés. CONCLUSION: Malgré une baisse considérable de la morbidité et de la mortalité dues à la dysenterie bacillaire en Chine au cours de la dernière décennie, imputable à l'amélioration de l'accès à des soins de santé et à des antibiotiques à des prix abordables, une importante charge de morbidité subsiste chez les classes d'âge extrêmes et dans les régions faiblement développées sur le plan économique. Si un vaccin constituerait un moyen efficace à court et à moyen terme pour lutter contre la dysenterie bacillaire, il est probable que la lutte à long terme contre cette maladie exige une amélioration de l'approvisionnement en eau, des installations d'assainissement et de l'hygiène.