一起癔症集体性发作的调查

1994年3～6月,本县溶溪初中发生了一起癔症性集体发作,发病24人,延续时间3个多月.现将调查情况报告如下;一、发病过程1994年3月12日上午8时20分,溶溪初中一(3)班女生许某、吕某突然感到头晕、(口恶)心、腹痛而哭,同班的三位女生上前扶劝,不一会,这三位女生亦出现同样症状.

疑心引出魔鬼

一所山区小学住校学生中曾经发生一起集体“怕鬼”事件。 事情经过是这样的:一天晚上,一位徐姓女学生因受了委屈而哭泣不止。这时她想起有人说看见这“鬼”而感到十分害怕,随之自己也似乎看到了“鬼”,继而“昏倒”了。与她一起睡在窗口床位的另一位肖姓女同学目睹此情,因紧张害怕也哭泣而“昏倒”。两人均被送入附近医院治疗,约一小时后好转。医生对此未作明确解释。第二天,校内出现各种议论,不少人怀疑有“鬼”。到晚上,

Evidence for the involvement of infectious agents in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease

Many advances have been made in the understanding of Crohn’s disease (CD) pathogenesis during the last decade. CD is currently seen as a predominantly T-lym-phocyte-driven disease characterized by the presence of a complex cocktail of interacting cytokines, chemokines and other mediators produced by a variety of cell types. Prevailing theories of CD pathogenesis suggest that patients’ T-lymphocytes are inappropriately activated in the setting of an immune imbalance, which is itself caused by an unfortunate confluence of genetic and en- vironmental factors. The T-cell response then leads to the chronic inflammation characteristic for the disease. Various environmental factors may play a role in the development of CD, but microbes are most consistently implied. This theory is based on epidemiological, clinico- pathological, genetic and experimental evidence. Despite the abundance of arguments for the implication of bac-teria in the aetiopathogenesis of CD, the precise role of bacteria in this disease still remains elusive. Three not necessarily mutually exclusive theories have been pro- posed: (1) an unidentified persistent pathogen; (2) an abnormally permeable mucosal barrier leading to exces-sive bacterial translocation; and (3) a breakdown in the balance between putative "protective" versus "harmful" intestinal bacteria ("dysbiosis"). At present, one cannot exclude with certainty any of these three proposed hy-potheses; they may all apply to CD to a certain extent.

Sclerosing cholangitis following severe trauma: Description of a remarkable disease entity with emphasis on possible pathophysiologic mechanisms

MM： Persistent cholestasis is a rare complication of severe trauma or infections. Little is known about the possible pathomechanisms and the clinical course.METHODS： Secondary sclerosing cholangitis was diagnosed in five patients with persistent jaundice after severe trauma （one burn injury, three accidents, one power current injury）. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed with regard to possible trigger mechanisms for cholestasis, and the clinical course was recorded.RESULTS： Diagnosis of secondary sclerosing cholangitis was based in all patients on the primary sclerosing cholangitis （PSC）-Iike destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts at cholangiography after exclusion of PSC. In four patients, arterial hypotension with subsequent ischemia may have caused the bile duct damage, whereas in the case of power current injury direct thermal damage was assumed to be the trigger mechanism. The course of secondary liver fibrosis was rapidly progressive and proceeded to liver cirrhosis in all four patients with a follow-up 〉2 years. Therapeutic possibilities were limited.CONCLUSION： Posttraumatic sderosing cholangitis is a rare but rapidly progressive disease, probably caused by ischemia of the intrahepatic bile ducts via the peribiliary capillary plexus due to arterial hypotension.Gastroenterologists should be aware of this disease in patients with persistent cholestasis after severe trauma.

Hygiene hypothesis in inflammatory bowel disease: A criticalreview of the literature

The hygiene hypothesis is thought to be a significant contributor to the growing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) around the world, although the evidence for specific factors that underlie the hygiene hypothesis in IBD is unclear. We aimed to systematically review the literature to determine which hygiene-related factors are associated with the development of IBD. Publications identified from a broad based MEDLINE and Current Contents search between 1966 and 2007 on key terms relevant to the 'hygiene hypothesis' and IBD including H pylori exposure, helminths, cold chain hypothesis, measles infection and vaccination, antibiotic use, breastfeeding, family size, sibship, urban upbringing, day care attendance and domestic hygiene were reviewed. The literature suggests that the hygiene hypothesis and its association with decreased microbial exposure in childhood probably plays an important role in the development of IBD, although the strength of the supporting data for each of the factors varies considerably. The most promising factors that may potentially be associated with development of IBD include H pylori exposure, helminths, breastfeeding and sibship. However, the vast majority of studies in this area are plagued by serious methodological shortcomings, particularly the reliance on retrospective recall of information making it difficult to truly ascertain the importance of a 'hygiene hypothesis' in IBD. The 'hygiene hypothesis' in IBD is an important area of research that may give clues to the aetiology of this disease. Directions for future research are recommended.

Inhibitory effects of saikosaponin-d on CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrogenesis in rats

AIM： To investigate the suppressive effect of saikosaponin-d （SSd） on hepatic fibrosis in rats induced by CCh injections in combination with alcohol and high fat, low protein feeding and its relationship with the expression of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukins-6 （IL-6）. METHODS： Hepatic fibrosis models were induced by subcutaneous injection of CCh at a dosage of 3 mL/kg in rats. At the same time, rats in treatment groups were injected intraperitoneally with SSd at different doses （1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg） once daily for 6 wk in combination with CCh, while the control group received olive oil instead of CCh. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized and killed （except for 8 rats which died during the experiment; 2 from the model group, 3 in high-dose group, 1 in medium-dose group and 2 in lowdose group）. Hernatoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Van Gieson staining were used to examine the changes in liver pathology. The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, triglyeride （TG）, albumin （ALB）, globulin （GLB）, hyaluronic acid （HA） and larninin （LN） in serum and the content of hydroxyproline （HYP） in liver were measured by biochemical examinations and radioimmuneoassay, respectively. In addition, the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in liver homogenate was evaluated by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and the levels of NF-κBp65 and I-κBa in liver tissue were analyzed by Western blotting. RESULTS： Both histological examination and Van Gieson staining demonstrated that SSd could attenuate the area and extent of necrosis and reduce the scores of liver fibrosis. Similarly, the levels of ALT, TG, GLB, HA, and LN in serum, and the contents of HYP, TNF-α and IL-6 in liver were all significantly increased in model group in comparison with those in control group. Whereas, the treatment with SScl markedly reduced all the above parameters compared with the model group, especially in the medium group （ALT： 412 ± 94.5 IU/L vs 113.76 ± 14.91 IU/L, TG： 0.95 ± 0.16 mmol/L vs 0.51 ± 0.06 mmol/L, GLB： 35.62 ± 3.28 g/L vs 24.82 ± 2.73 g/L, HA： 42.15 ± 8.25 ng/mL vs 19.83 ± 3.12 ng/mL, LN： 27.56 ± 4.21 ng/mL vs 13.78 ± 2.57 ng/mL, HYP： 27.32 ± 4.32 ug/mg vs 16.20 ± 3.12 ug/mg, TNF-a： 4.38 ± 0.76 ng/L vs 1.94 ± 0.27 ng/L, IL-6：28.24 ± 6.37 pg/g vs 12.72 ± 5.26 pg/g, respectively, P 〈 0.01）. SSd also decreased ALB in serum （28.49 ± 4.93 g/L vs 37.51 ± 3.17 g/L, P 〈 0.05）. Moreover, the expression of NF-KB p65 in the liver of treated groups was lower than that in model groups while the expression of I-κBa was higher in treated group than in model group （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of NF-κBp65 and TNF-a had a positive correlation with the level of HA in serum of rats after treatment with CCh （r = 0.862, P 〈 0.01; r = 0.928, P 〈 0.01, respectively）. CONCLUSION： SSd attenuates CCh-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, which may be related to its effects of hepato-protective and anti-inflammation properties, the down-regulation of liver TNF-a, IL-6 and NF-κBp65 expression and the increased I-κBa activity in liver.

A Macaca mulatta model of fulminant hepatic failure

AIM:To establish an appropriate primate model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).METHODS:We have,for the first time,established a large animal model of FHF in Macaca mulatta by intraperitoneal infusion of amatoxin and endotoxin.Clinical features,biochemical indexes,histopathology and iconography were examined to dynamically investigate the progress and outcome of the animal model.RESULTS:Our results showed that the enzymes and serum bilirubin were markedly increased and the enzyme-bilirubin segregation emerged 36 h after toxin administration.Coagulation activity was significantly decreased.Gradually deteriorated parenchymal abnormality was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography at 48 h.The liver biopsy showed marked hepatocyte steatosis and massive parenchymal necrosis at 36 h and 49 h,respectively.The autopsy showed typical yellow atrophy of the liver.Hepatic encephalopathy of the models was also confirmed by hepatic coma,MRI and pathological changes of cerebral edema.The lethal effects of the extrahepatic organ dysfunction were ruled out by their biochemical indices,imaging and histopathology.CONCLUSION:We have established an appropriate large primate model of FHF,which is closely similar to clinic cases,and can be used for investigation of the mechanism of FHF and for evaluation of potential medical therapies.

Prevalence and Pathology of Fasciola Species in Slaughtered Cattle

Studies on the prevalence and pathology of Fasciola specie were carried out in nine abattoirs in Ilorin, capital city of Kwara State, Nigeria. The research was conducted during the period August, 2006 - May, 2007. Of the 63,649 cattles examined at the various abattoirs which are lpata, Sango, Oloje, Baboko, Oke-oyi, Iporin, Panada, Oke-ose and Marafa, 1,434 representing 25.2% were infected with Fasciola species while 114 representing 6.5% were condemned. Iporin slaughter slab had the highest prevalence of 3.6%, followed by panada with 3.4% and Ipata having the least prevalence of 1.6%. Similarly analysis of data on monthly basis showed that March had the highest prevalence of 2.8%, followed by April with 2.6% and December with the least prevalence of 1.8%. Overall infestation was 22.7% while overall condemnation was 6.5%. There was a significant difference （X^2 = 23.7, P 〈 0.05） in the monthly infestation rate. Also, there was no significant difference （X^2 = 10.7, P 〉 0.05） between the infection rate and condemnation among the various abattoirs. The factors responsible for the prevalence of Fasciola specie and pathology of infection are highlighted.

Unexplainable development of a hydatid cyst

Echinococcosis is a cyclozoonosis characterized by cystic lesions usually situated inside or outside the liver. We discuss the case of a 77-year-old woman with a recurrent hydatidosis with a cyst arising from the liver, growing through the lateral right abdomen wall, and reaching the subcutaneous tissue of the lumbar region. In the literature, rare subcutaneous or muscular Iocalizations of hydatid cysts are described, however, there is no mention of a cyst growing over the abdominal wall muscles, shaped like an hourglass, partially in the liver and partially in the subcutaneous tissue, as in our case. We have not found any pathogenetic explanation for this growth pattern which is not typical of the biological behaviour of a hydatid cyst.

学龄期的群体癔病

1991年11月20日在Halifax医学中心先后收治 19名学龄期患儿,其中16名来自同班(全班同学27 名)3名为邻班学生。主诉均为恶心、眩晕、乏力等。 学校教师提示病因源于同日上午九时,小量清洁 剂被用来清洗一小块被钢笔水污染的地毯,溢出一些 轻微的气味,中午脏地毯处又倒了少量酸。下午1时40 分首批学生发病,表现恶心、眩晕,救护车送至地区急 诊室。不久,另9名同学又出现相似症状。

RNA-binding proteins in neurological diseases

Emerging studies support that RNA-binding proteins （RBPs） play critical roles in human biology and pathogenesis. RBPs are essential players in RNA processing and metabolism, including pre-mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, transport, surveillance, mRNA localization, mRNA stability control, translational control and editing of various types of RNAs. Aberrant expression of and mutations in RBP genes affect various steps of RNA processing, altering target gene function. RBPs have been associ- ated with various diseases, including neurological diseases. Here, we mainly focus on selected RNA-binding proteins including Nova-i/Nova-2, HuR/HuB/HuC/HuD, TDP-43, Fus, Rbfoxl/Rbfox2, QKI and FMRP, discussing their function and roles in human diseases.

Mathematical modeling approach to the transmission dynamics of pine wilt disease with saturated incidence rate

The present paper investigates the dynamics of pine wilt disease with saturated incidence rate. The proposed model is stable both locally and globally. The local stability of the disease-free equilibrium is determined by the basic reproduction R0. The disease-free equilibrium is stable locally and globally whenever R0〈 1. If R0 〉 1, then the endemic state is stable both locally and globally. Further, a brief discussion with conclusion on the numerical results of the proposed model is presented.

Heart failure research in China： current status and future direction

Heart failure is a major public health problem worldwide. Despite advances in the therapy and care of heart failure, morbidity and mortality remain persistently high. Recent years have witnessed major breakthroughs in the investigations of pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment of heart failure in China. It is noteworthy that the continuing and growing support from funding agencies in China including the National Natural Science Foundation of China has yielded substantial effects on the basic and clinical research in heart failure in the last decade. In this review, we provide an update on the current status of heart failure research, both basic and translational/clinical, in China, including funding and publications. We also discuss the future challenges and possible strategies in improving our understanding and management of heart failure in China.

Biochar for Sustainable Soil Health:A Review of Prospects and Concerns

Biochar as a soil amendment is confronted with the challenge that it must benefit soil health as it can be by no means separated from soils once it is added. The available literature even though sparse and mostly based on short-term studies has been encouraging and the trend obtained so far has raised many hopes. Biochar has been reported to positively impact an array of soil processes ranging from benefiting soil biology, controlling soil-borne pathogens, enhancing nitrogen fixation, improving soil physical and chemical properties,decreasing nitrate(NO-3) leaching and nitrous oxide(N2O) emission to remediation of contaminated soils. However, very little biochar is still utilized as soil amendment mainly because these benefits are yet to be quantified, and also the mechanisms by which the soil health is improved are poorly understood. Due to the infancy of research regarding this subject, there are still more questions than answers. The future research efforts must focus on carrying out long-term experiments and uncover the mechanisms underlying these processes so that key concerns surrounding the use of biochar are addressed before its large scale application is recommended.

A note on an age-of-infection SVIR model with nonlinear incidence

In this paper, nonlinear incidence rate is incorporated into an age-of-infection SVIR epidemiological model. By the method of Lyapunov functionals, it is shown that the basic reproduction number R0 of the model is a threshold parameter in the sense that if R0 〈 1, the disease dies out, while if R0〉1, the disease persists.

Epidemiology of traffic crash mortality in west of Iran in a 9 year period

Purpose： In Iran, the most common cause of injuries and the second leading cause of deaths are traffic accidents, and those problems impose a substantial financial burden on the society. This study aims to determine traffic accident mortality trends and their epidemiologic characteristics in the Kermanshah province, west of lran. Methods： In a cross sectional study, road traffic fatality data from 2004 to 2013 were analyzed to determine the epidemiological pattern of traffic accident mortality. Trend assessment was performed to ascertain the decreasing or increasing status. Chi-square and one-way analysis of variance （ANOVA） tests, as well as Poisson regression were used to determine the significance of the data in time. Data were analyzed using Excel and statistical package of SPSS version 19. Results： Out of 5110 people that died in traffic accidents, 4024 （78.7%） were males. The state of accidents indicated that 404 （43.8%） female pedestrians died as a result of car crashes, and 1330 （41.4%） males died because of car collisions. 1554 （31.9%） deaths happened to pedestrians and 1556 （32.1%） to vehicle drivers, and the rest belonged to vehicle passengers. Head trauma was the cause of death for as much as 3400 （69.9%） cases. Fatal crashes in which pedestrians were involved mostly occurred between the hours 13：00 to 15：00, while the time for vehicle drivers was between 16：00 to 18：00. 2882 people （59.1%） died before reaching to health care facilities. Traffic crash mortality trend for pedestrians follows a linear pattern with a gentle downward slope, but the trend shows various swings when it comes to vehicle drivers. Conclusion： The number of traffic crash deaths from 2004 to 2013 indicates a decreasing trend in two groups of road users： vehicle drivers and car occupants. This can be due to some interventions such as modification of traffic rules and enhancement of police control which has been implemented in recent years. Moreover, more attention should be paid to promote the optimal health care services to save the lives of the injured from traffic accidents.