Abnormal spontaneous brain activity in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: resting-state fMRI study

PURPOSEWe aimed to assess the abnormality of baseline spontaneous brain activity in minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) by amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and fraction ALFF (fALFF).METHODSA total of 14 MHE patients and 14 healthy controls were included in our study. Both ALFF and fALFF of functional magnetic resonance imaging were calculated for statistical analysis.RESULTSCompared with healthy controls, patients with MHE had significantly decreased ALFF in the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), left superior frontal gyrus, right precentral gyrus, left opercular part of inferior frontal gyrus, left gyrus rectus, bilateral precuneus, and the posterior lobe of right cerebellum; and they had significantly decreased fALFF in the bilateral MPFC, right middle frontal gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and the posterior lobe of left cerebellum.CONCLUSIONALFF and fALFF changes in many brain regions demonstrate abnormality of the spontaneous neuronal activity in MHE. Especially the impairment of right precuneus and left MPFC may play a critical role in manifestation of MHE. Changes of ALFF and fALFF in the precuneus and the MPFC can be used as a potential marker for MHE

Soil-transmitted helminth infections and physical fitness in school-aged Bulang children in southwest China: results from a cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: Chronic soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections have been associated with reduced physical fitness, but available evidence is limited. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to assess the feasibility of measuring children's physical fitness and to relate it to STH infections. Our study was carried out among school-aged children of the Bulang ethnic group in rural southwest People's Republic of China (P.R. China). Standardized, quality-controlled methods were employed to determine STH infections (Kato-Katz technique), haemoglobin levels, anthropometry (body weight and height) and physical fitness (20-m shuttle run test). RESULTS: A compliance of 87% suggested good acceptance of the methods used. Among 69 children with complete data records, infection prevalence of Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm were 81%, 44% and 6%, respectively. The maximum volume of oxygen that can be utilized within 1 min during exhaustive exercise (VO2 max estimate) of T. trichiura-infected children was 1.94 ml kg1 min1 lower than that of their non-infected counterparts (P = 0.005). Until exhaustion, T. trichiura-infected children had completed 6.14 20-m laps less (P = 0.004). Additionally, the mean VO2 max estimate of stunted children was lowered by 1.63 ml kg1 min1 (P = 0.002) and they completed 5.32 20-m laps less (P = 0.001) compared to children of normal stature. No significant association between stunting and infection with any STH species could be established. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of physical fitness tests in rural, resource-constraint settings is feasible. The physical fitness of children who are stunted or infected with STHs, particularly T. trichiura, is significantly impaired. We have launched a larger study and will determine the dynamics of school-aged children's physical fitness over a 7-month period after administration of anthelminthic drugs

Taxonomic revision of the cavefish genus Karstsinnectes (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), with a description of a new species from Guangxi Province, China

The blind cavefish genus Karstsinnectes, established in 2023, is the subject of taxonomic revision in the present study. Five valid species are recognized, including one new species, Karstsinnectes longzhouensis sp. nov., described from Guangxi, China, based on a combination of morphological evidence. Karstsinnectes longzhouensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners based on the presence of a lateral line, 11–12 branched pectoral fin rays, and five branched pelvic fin rays. Additionally, due to the loss of the type specimens, a neotype is designated for K. parvus. The lateral line of K. hyalinus is revised as lacking in this study. A key to all valid Karstsinnectes species is provided. Blind cavefish serve as a valuable natural framework for investigating convergent and adaptive evolutionary processes. The survival of cavefish is under significant threat due to human activities, climate change, water pollution, and invasive species. Thus, to preserve these valuable species, it is crucial to implement various conservation measures, such as habitat protection, artificial breeding, and fundamental research

Prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in dogs and cats in subtropical southern China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Clonorchiasis, caused by <it>Clonorchis sinensis</it>, is one of the major parasitic zoonoses in China, particularly in China's southern Guangdong province where the prevalence of <it>C. sinensis </it>infection in humans is high. However, little is known of the prevalence of <it>C. sinensis </it>infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats. Hence, the prevalence of <it>C. sinensis </it>infection in dogs and cats was investigated in Guangdong province, China between October 2006 and March 2008.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 503 dogs and 194 cats from 13 administrative regions in Guangdong province were examined by post-mortem examination. The worms were examined, counted, and identified to species according to existing keys and descriptions. The average prevalences of <it>C. sinensis </it>infection in dogs and cats were 20.5% and 41.8%, respectively. The infection intensities in dogs were usually light, but in cats the infection intensities were more serious. The prevalences were higher in some of the cities located in the Pearl River Delta region which is the most important endemic area in Guangdong province, but the prevalences were relatively lower in seaside cities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present investigation revealed a high prevalence of <it>C. sinensis </it>infection in its reservoir hosts dogs and cats in China's subtropical Guangdong province, which provides relevant "base-line" data for conducting control strategies and measures against clonorchiasis in this region.</p

Co-infection of HIV and intestinal parasites in rural area of China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intestinal parasite infections (IPIs) are among the most significant causes of illness and disease of socially and economically disadvantaged populations in developing countries, including rural areas of the People's Republic of China. With the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among rural Chinese populations, there is ample scope for co-infections and there have been increasing fears about their effects. However, hardly any relevant epidemiological studies have been carried out in the country. The aim of the present survey was to assess the IPI infection status among a representative sample of HIV-positive Chinese in rural Anhui province, and compare the findings with those from a cohort of non-infected individuals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case control study was carried out in a rural village of Fuyang, Anhui province, China. Stool samples of all participants were examined for the presence of intestinal parasites. Blood examination was performed for the HIV infection detection and anemia test. A questionnaire was administered to all study participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 302 HIV positive and 303 HIV negative individuals provided one stool sample for examination. The overall IPI prevalence of intestinal helminth infections among HIV positives was 4.3% (13/302) while it was 5.6% (17/303) among HIV negatives, a non-significant difference. The prevalence of protozoa infections among HIV positives was 23.2% while the rate was 25.8% among HIV negatives. The species-specific prevalences among HIV positives were as follows: 3.6% for hookworm, 0.7% for <it>Trichuris trichiura</it>, zero for <it>Ascaris lumbricoides</it>, 0.3% for <it>Clonorchis sinensis</it>, 1.3% for <it>Giardia intestinalis</it>, 16.2% for <it>Blastocystis hominis</it>, 1.7% for <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. and 8.3% for <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp.. <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. infections were significantly more prevalent among HIV positives (8.3%) compared to the HIV negative group (3.0%; <it>P</it> < 0.05). Among people infected with HIV, <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. was significantly more prevalent among males (12.6%) than females (4.4%; <it>P</it> < 0.05). According to multivariate logistic regression, the factors significantly associated with parasite infections of the people who were HIV positive included sex (male: OR = 6.70, 95% CI: 2.030, 22.114), younger age (less than 42 years old: OR = 4.148, 95% CI: 1.348, 12.761), and poor personal hygiene habits (OR = 0.324, 95% CI: 0.105, 0.994).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HIV positive individuals are more susceptible to co-infections with <it>Cryptosporidium </it>spp. than HIV negative people, particularly younger males with poor personal hygiene habits, indicating a need for targeted hygiene promotion, IPI surveillance and treatment.</p

A Google Earth-based surveillance system for schistosomiasis japonica implemented in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Due to the success of the national schistosomiasis control programme in China, transmission has been sufficiently reduced in many areas to severely limit identification of areas at risk by conventional snail surveys only. In this study, we imported Google Earth technology and a Global Positioning System (GPS) into the monitoring system for schistosomiasis surveillance of the banks of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province, China.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 45 sites were selected and the risk was assessed monthly by water exposure of sentinel mice at these sites from May to September in 2009 and 2010. The results were assembled and broadcast via the Google Earth platform.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The intensity of schistosomiasis transmission showed peaks of risk in June and September of 2009, while there was only one small peak in June in 2010 as the number of detected positive transmission sites dropped dramatically that year thanks to improved mollusciciding. River ports were found to be areas of particular risk, but ferry terminals and other centres of river-related activities were also problematic.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results confirm that the surveillance system can be rapidly updated and easily maintained, which proves the Google Earth approach to be a user-friendly, inexpensive warning system for schistosomiasis risk.</p

Impurity effect on weak anti-localization in the topological insulator Bi2Te3

We study weak anti-localization (WAL) effect in topological insulator Bi2Te3 thin films at low temperatures. Two-dimensional WAL effect associated with surface carriers is revealed in the tilted magnetic field dependence of magneto-conductance. Our data demonstrates that the observed WAL is robust against deposition of non-magnetic Au impurities on the surface of the thin films. But it is quenched by deposition of magnetic Fe impurities which destroy the pi Berry's phase of the topological surface states. The magneto-conductance data of a 5 nm Bi2Te3 film suggests that a crossover from symplectic to unitary classes is observed with the deposition of Fe impurities.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Corresponding author email address: [email protected]

Intracoronary artery retrograde thrombolysis combined with percutaneous coronary interventions for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated with diabetes mellitus: A case report and literature review

BackgroundThe management of a large thrombus burden in patients with acute myocardial infarction and diabetes is still a worldwide problem.Case presentationA 74-year-old Chinese woman presented with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Angiography revealed massive thrombus formation in the mid-segment of the right coronary artery leading to vascular occlusion. The sheared balloon was placed far from the occlusion segment and urokinase (100,000 u) was administered for intracoronary artery retrograde thrombolysis, and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade 3 blood flow was restored within 7 min. At last, one stent was accurately implanted into the culprit’s vessel. No-reflow, coronary slow flow, and reperfusion arrhythmia were not observed during this process.ConclusionIntracoronary artery retrograde thrombolysis (ICART) can be effectively and safely used in patients with STEMI along with diabetes mellitus and hypertension, even if the myocardial infarction exceeds 12 h (REST or named ICART ClinicalTrials.gov number, ChiCTR1900023849)