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Lin-Li Xiang,1,* Qian-Qian Wan,2,* Yi-Min Wang,1 Shao-Jun He,3 Wen-Juan Xu,3 Mei Ding,1,4 Jin-Jin Zhang,1,4 Yuan-Li Sun,1,4 Xiang Dong,1,4 Ying Zhou,5 Yu-Bao Cui,6 Ya-Dong Gao1,4 1Department of Allergology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Rheumatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 4Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Allergy and Immunology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Pediatrics Laboratory, The Affiliated Wuxi Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People’s Republic of China; 6Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ya-Dong Gao, Department of Allergology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Donoghue Road 169, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China, Email gaoyadong@whu.edu.cnBackground: Increased proliferation and hypertrophy of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) contribute substantially to airway remodeling in asthma. Interleukin (IL)-13 regulates ASMC proliferation by increasing Orai1 expression, the pore-forming subunit of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). The underlying mechanisms of this effect are not fully understood.Methods: Bioinformatic analysis identified an interaction between microRNA 93– 5p (miR-93-5p) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19, and between miR-93-5p and Orai1. RNA interference was used to investigate H19 knockdown on IL-13-induced proliferation and migration of in vitro cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs). Functional relevance of H19 in airway inflammation and airway remodeling was investigated in murine models of acute and chronic asthma.Results: IL-13 concentration-dependently increased the expression of H19 and Orai1 and decreased the expression of miR-93-5p in hBSMCs. H19 knockdown partly reversed the effects of IL-13 on the expression of miR-93-5p and Orai1 and attenuated the proliferation and migration of hBSMCs promoted by IL-13. IL-13-promoted expression of Orai1 was attenuated by miR-93-5p mimic and increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor. IL-13-promoted proliferation of hBSMCs was increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor but not affected by miR-93-5p mimic, whereas IL-13-promoted migration of hBSMCs was increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor and attenuated by miR-93-5p mimic. The inhibiting effect of H19 knockdown on IL-13-induced Orai1 expression and the proliferation and migration of hBSMCs was counteracted by miR-93-5p inhibitor but only marginally or not impacted by miR-93-5p mimic. The expression of H19 and Orai1 was higher in the lungs of asthmatic mice than in control mice. In asthmatic mice, H19 siRNA reduced Orai1 expression, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition and smooth muscle mass in the lungs.Conclusion: H19 may mediate the effects of IL-13 on Orai1 expression by inhibition of miR-93-5p in hBSMCs. H19 may be a therapeutic target for airway inflammation and airway remodeling.Keywords: IL-13, Orai1, lncRNA H19, microRNA-93-5p, bronchial smooth muscle cells, asthma model

Objective Abnormal changes in immune-mediated inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). We aim to investigate the value of systemic immune inflammation indices—neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR)—to identify and evaluate the prognosis of patients with PE. Methods This study reviewed clinical records of 367 PE patients (162 with mild PE and 205 with severe PE), in addition to a control group of 172 normal pregnancies. Blood cell counts were performed at the first diagnosis of PE, and NLR and MLR were calculated by absolute cell count. Results Absolute neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts and NLR and MLR values in PE were significantly different from controls, although monocyte counts did not significantly differ between mild and severe PE. Receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis showed NLR and MLR had better diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing PE from controls [NLR area under the curve (AUC) = 0.70; MLR AUC = 0.78]. Further, NLR was the best predictor of disease severity (AUC = 0.71). Cutoff values of NLR > 4.198 or MLR > 0.325 for control and PE groups or a cutoff value of NLR > 4.182 for PE groups indicated that patients were more likely to encounter preterm delivery, have shorter admission-to-delivery interval, and develop maternal and neonatal complications. Conclusion Secondary analyses of white blood cell differential count parameters effectively evaluate the systemic inflammatory/immune state. Compared with absolute cell counts, NLR and MLR offer more effective indicators of clinical assessment, disease severity evaluation, and prognosis evaluation of PE.

Objective: Abnormal pro-inflammatory regulation of the immune system might contribute to the pathogenesis of hyperglycemia during pregnancy. We examined the correlations of neutrophil–lymphocyte ra...

Background Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes) (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and other domestic mites produce allergens that affect people worldwide. Here, the complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for group 22 allergen of D. farinae (Der f 22) from China was cloned, sequenced, and expressed successfully. Methods The cDNA encoding Der f 22 was synthesized by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), then ligated to the pCold-TF for expression in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. The purified recombinant fusion protein was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western-blotting, and tandem matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Results The full-length cDNA comprised 468 nucleotides and was 99.57% (466/468) identical with the reference sequence (GenBank: DQ643992). After the plasmid pCold-TF-Der f 22 was transformed into E. coli BL21 and expressed with the induction of IPTG, SDS-PAGE showed a specific band for the recombinant fusion protein. The recombinant fusion protein, which was purified by chromatography, bound with a His-tagged antibody by Western blotting. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the structure of the recombinant protein was identical to the predicted Der f 22 structure. The hydrophilic protein contains a signal peptide of 20 amino acids, and the mature Der f 22 consists of 135 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 14.7 kDa and theoretical isoelectric points (pI) of 6.38. Its secondary structure comprises an alpha helix (38.5%), beta-sheet (45.9%), random coils (11.85%), and beta-turns (11.1%). Conclusion This work represents the first reported full-length sequence and successful cloning of Der f 22 from D. farinae in China; bioinformatics analysis can be used to further study the allergenicity and clinical utility of the recombinant Der f 22.

A cDNA fragment encoding the S-layer protein SllB cloned from Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577 was expressed on the surface of E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and confirmed by the square lattice structure at the nanoscale level. The amplified gene fragment designed with PCR primers from a specified reference sequence (GenBank accession no. {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"AJ849550","term_id":"57863403","term_text":"AJ849550"}}AJ849550) showed a high degree of sequence identity with the known sequences for S-layer protein. The best alignment scores were seen in B. sphaericus strains JG-A12 and NCTC9602, which code for a pre-form protein with a predicted cleavage site located between the two alanine residues 31 and 32. After this signal peptide sequence was removed, the mature protein had a molecular mass of 116.2613 kDa and a theoretical pI of 5.40. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed three S-layer homology (SLH) domains in the N-terminus of the mature protein, positioned at the 1–61, 63–128 and 137–197 residues. The mature S-layer protein was composed of alpha helices (24.86%), extended strands (27.01%), and rich random coils (48.13%). Bioinformatics-driven characterization of SllB may provide scientific evidence for further application of this gene in the fields of nanobiotechnology and biomimetics in the future.

A full-length cDNA encoding house dust mite allergen Der f 7 from Dermatophagoides farina (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) from China was cloned, sequenced, and successfully expressed. A reference sequence (GenBank accession AY283292) was used to design polymerase chain reaction primers. Analysis revealed eight mismatched nucleotides in five Der f 7 cDNA clones, and the projected amino acid sequence contained six incompatible residues. These results suggest that the sequence of Der f 7 may be polymorphic. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed that the mature Der f 7 allergen had a molecular mass of approximately 21.88 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.90. Der f 7 protein secondary structure was composed of a helix (56.63%), extended strand (5.10%), and random coil (38.27%). Group 7 allergens are present in Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, and Glycyphagidae families, and homology analysis revealed a 86% similarity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree constructed of group 7 allergens from different mite species revealed that Der f 7 and Der p 7 clustered with 100% bootstrap support. Bioinformatics-driven characterization of Der f 7 allergen as conducted in this study may contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic applications for dust mite allergies.

Eighteen hundred samples of Traditional Chinese medicinal materials from a traditional medical storehouse in Huainan City, Anhui Province, China were collected and examined for mites. The results indicated 87% (1566/1800) of samples were infested with 47 species of mites belonging to 25 genera and 7 families. It is concluded that Traditional Chinese medicinal materials are severely contaminated and much more importance should be given to the protection of stored products and to the prevention of human acariasis.

Dermatophagoides farinae (Hughes) (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) and other domestic mites produce allergens that affect people worldwide. Here, the complementary DNA (cDNA) coding for group 22 allergen of D. farinae (Der f 22) from China was cloned, sequenced, and expressed successfully.The cDNA encoding Der f 22 was synthesized by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), then ligated to the pCold-TF for expression in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. The purified recombinant fusion protein was identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), Western-blotting, and tandem matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF).The full-length cDNA comprised 468 nucleotides and was 99.57% (466/468) identical with the reference sequence (GenBank: DQ643992). After the plasmid pCold-TF-Der f 22 was transformed into E. coli BL21 and expressed with the induction of IPTG, SDS-PAGE showed a specific band for the recombinant fusion protein. The recombinant fusion protein, which was purified by chromatography, bound with a His-tagged antibody by Western blotting. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry revealed that the structure of the recombinant protein was identical to the predicted Der f 22 structure. The hydrophilic protein contains a signal peptide of 20 amino acids, and the mature Der f 22 consists of 135 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 14.7 kDa and theoretical isoelectric points (pI) of 6.38. Its secondary structure comprises an alpha helix (38.5%), beta-sheet (45.9%), random coils (11.85%), and beta-turns (11.1%).This work represents the first reported full-length sequence and successful cloning of Der f 22 from D. farinae in China; bioinformatics analysis can be used to further study the allergenicity and clinical utility of the recombinant Der f 22.

Digital TV set-top box has become the best “bridge” of the transition from analog television to digital television. This article discusses the design and realization of EPG (Electronic Program Guide) system and GUI (Graphics User Interface), which is based on Linux embedded operation system and ST7109 platform supporting high-definition digital TV decoding. Firstly, this article briefly introduces the business information standard of digital TV. Secondly, the paper mainly discusses the overall system structure of digital TV set-top box. Most important is that the design of EPG system management module has been discussed, especially management of program subscription and management of Timer. Finally, the paper introduces the design of GUI, including the plan of OSD layer and realization of OSD multi-language.

A full-length cDNA encoding house dust mite allergen Der f 7 from Dermatophagoides farina (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) from China was cloned, sequenced, and successfully expressed. A reference sequence (GenBank accession AY283292) was used to design polymerase chain reaction primers. Analysis revealed eight mismatched nucleotides in five Der f 7 cDNA clones, and the projected amino acid sequence contained six incompatible residues. These results suggest that the sequence of Der f 7 may be polymorphic. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed that the mature Der f 7 allergen had a molecular mass of approximately 21.88 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.90. Der f 7 protein secondary structure was composed of a helix (56.63%), extended strand (5.10%), and random coil (38.27%). Group 7 allergens are present in Pyroglyphidae, Acaridae, and Glycyphagidae families, and homology analysis revealed a 86% similarity between Der f 7 and Der p 7. Furthermore, a phylogenetic tree constructed of group 7 allergens from different mite species revealed that Der f 7 and Der p 7 clustered with 100% bootstrap support. Bioinformatics-driven characterization of Der f 7 allergen as conducted in this study may contribute to diagnostic and therapeutic applications for dust mite allergies.

By analyzing the problem of the current monitoring system, the design solutions of the integrated remote monitoring system based on Internet / GPRS is proposed. The system is integrated multiple monitoring ways and it can monitor multiple locations simultaneously. By phone software, short message and Web browser, users can view video, temperature and humidity, smoke, infrared intrusion and other information of monitoring spots,and also can remote control through these three ways.

DiffServ model is a main model that guarantees QoS in modern-Large-scale network., On the basis of RIO-C, the paper introduces an Active Queue Management algorithm -- PFRIO that is suitable for DiffServ model. The algorithm increases the fair for bandwidth allocation and the network’s capacity to hand of sudden data flow, and improves the overall performance of DiffServ model effectively.

The dust mites, which are mostly represented by Dermatophagoides spp. (Acari: Pyroglyphidae), are the major sources of indoor allergens. Identification and characterization of these mite allergen molecules are an important step in the development of new effective diagnostic procedures and possible therapeutic strategies for allergic disorders associated with dust mites.Total RNA was extracted from Dermatophagoides farinae. The gene coding for Der f 3 was amplified by RT-PCR with the primers designed based on previous sequence published in GenBank. The target gene was cloned intermediately into pMD19-T plasmid and finally into plasmid pET28a (+), expressed in E. coli BL21 at the aid of the inducer isopropyl-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The physicochemical properties, spatial structure of the allergen were analyzed with bioinformatics software.The cDNA coding for group 3 allergen of Dermatophagoides farinae from China was cloned and expressed successfully. Sequencing analysis showed that there were nineteen mismatched nucleotides in five Der f 3 cDNA clones in comparison with the reference (GenBank Accession No. AY283291), which resulted in deduced amino acid sequence incompatibility in eleven residues. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the Der f 3 pro-protein was an extracellular hydrophobic protein, consisting of 259 amino acids with a 16 amino acid signal peptide. The protein was deduced to have three chymotrypsin active sites (53-68 AA, 108-122 AA and 205-217 AA), one N-glycosylation site, one cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation site, four protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, two casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, and five N-myristoylation sites.Der f 3 is an extracellular hydrophobic protein which possesses multiple activation and phosphorylation sites. Polymorphism may exist in the Der f 3 gene but this needs to be further confirmed in the future.

Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus and Euroglyphus maynei were used for the investigation. The cDNA fragment coding for Der f1 and Der f2 were amplified by PCR, cloned and sequenced. By bioinformatics softwares, the amino acid sequences for Der f1 and Der f2 were deduced and compared with those for the groups 1 and 2 allergens of D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei available in GenBank. Amino acid sequence similarity analysis showed that Der p1 shared 84% identical residues with Eur m1 and 83% with Der f1. Similarly, Der p2 shared 87% identical residues with Eur m2 and 68% with Der f2. In the two phylogenetic trees constructed with group 1 and 2 allergens, D. pteronyssinus was clustered with E. maynei but not with D. farinae, although D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae belong to the same genus. D. pteronyssinus should be more similar to E. maynei than to D. farinae at evolutional level, which was not consistent with the conventional taxonomical relationship based on their morphological characteristics.

"ZA-type" cages were used to capture cockroaches in 267 sites of 5 cities in Hainan. Species were identified and bacteria were isolated by routine method. 441 cockroaches were collected and identified as five species belonging to two genera, 75.3% being Periplaneta americana. More cockroaches were found in sewerage. Bacteria were detected from 82.4% of cockroaches, including Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella sp, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella sp, Bacillus proteus and sort of mycetes. Therefore, the dominant species is Periplaneta americana in Hainan, and the high bacteria-carrying behavior of cockroaches indicates its importance in disease transmission.

Chronic liver fluke disease with dyspepsia is rarely seen clinically. In this study, we assessed the etiological factors, symptoms, physical signs and diadynamic methods in a case of chronic liver fluke disease with dyspepsia.Physical examination, laboratory studies, ultrasonography and CT scan were performed before pathogen examination. The eggs of fluke found with the inverted sedimentation method were also observed under a microscopy. They were diagnosed as the eggs of Clonorchis sinensis.The patient was diagnosed as having chronic liver fluke disease, and his appetite recovered after three courses of treatment with praziquantel.Eating fresh fish and shrimp might cause liver fluke disease. The symptoms of this disease with dyspepsia can be anorexia, abdominal distention, bellyache, and loose stools.

AIM: To explore the value of avidin-biotin system enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ABC-ELISA) in diagnosis of intestinal acariasis. METHODS: Mite-specific IgG levels in serum of 48 patients with intestinal acariasis were measured with ABC-ELISA. The sensitivity of this method was compared with that of staphylococcal protein A enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (SPA-ELISA). RESULTS: The positive rate of mite-specific IgG detected with ABC-ELISA and SPA-ELISA was 89.58% (43/48) and 56.25% (27/48), respectively. The positive rate with ABC-ELISA was statistically higher than that with SPA-ELISA (χ2 = 13.50, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ABC-ELISA is an effective method for the diagnosis of intestinal acariasis.

To investigate the seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with different digestive malignant tumors.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG antibody in 374 patients with different digestive malignant tumors and 310 healthy subjects (normal control group).The seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 61.50% (230/374) and 46.77% (145/310), respectively, in patients with digestive tumors and normal controls (P0.05). The seroprevalence was 52.38% (33/63), 86.60% (84/97), 83.14% (84/101), 45.24 (19/42), 51.13% (18/35) and 44.44% (16/36), respectively in patients with carcinomas of esophagus, stomach, duodenum, rectum, colon and liver (P0.01). In patients with intestinal and diffuse type gastric cancers, the seroprevalence was 93.75% (60/64) and 72.73% (24/33), respectively (P0.05). In patients with gastric antral and cardiac cancers, the seroprevalence was 96.43% (54/56) and 73.17% (30/41), respectively (P0.05). In patients with ulcerous and proliferous type duodenal cancers, the seroprevalence of H pylori infection was 91.04% (61/67) and 52.27% (23/44), respectively (P0.05). In patients with duodenal bulb and descending cancers, the seroprevalence was 94.20% (65/69) and 45.20% (19/42), respectively (P0.05).H pylori infection is associated with occurrence and development of gastric and duodenal carcinomas. Furthermore, it is also associated with histological type and locations of gastric and duodenal carcinomas.

AIM To investigate epidemiology and pathogenic mite species of intestinal and urinary acariasis in individuals with different occupations. METHODS A total of 1994 individuals were tested in this study. History collection, skin prick test and pathogen identification were conducted. The mites were isolated from stool and urine samples by saturated saline flotation methods and sieving following centrifugation, respectively. RESULTS Among the 1994 individuals examined, responses to the skin prick test of "+++", "++", "+","+/-" and "-" were observed at frequencies of 3.96 % (79), 3.21 % (64), 2.31 % (46), 1.25 % (25) and 89.27 % (1780), respectively. A total number of 161 (8.07 %) individuals were shown to carry mites, with 92 (4.61 %) positive only for stool samples, 37 (1.86 %) positive only for urine samples and 32 (1.60 %) for both. The positive rate of mites in stool samples was 6.22 % (124/1994), being 6.84 % (78/1140) for males and 5.39 % (46/854) for females. No gender difference was observed in this study (chi(2)=1.77, P>0.05). The mites from stool samples included Acarus siro, TyroPhagus putrescentiae, Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Glycyphagus domesticus, G. ornatus, Carpoglyphus lactis and Tarsonemus granaries. The positive rate of mites in urine samples was 3.46 % (69/1994). The positive rates for male and female subjects were found to be 3.95 % (45/1140) and 2.81 % (24/854) respectively, with no gender difference observed (chi(2)=1.89, P>0.05). Mites species in urine samples included Acarus siro, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, T. longior, Aleuroglyphus ovatus, Caloglyphus berlesei, C. mycophagus, Suidasia nesbitti, Lardoglyphus konoi, Glycyphagus domesticus, Carpoglyphus lactis, Lepidoglyphus destructor, Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Euroglyphus magnei, Caloglyphus hughesi, Tarsonemus granarus and T. hominis. The species of mites in stool and urine samples were consistent with those separated from working environment. A significant difference was found among the frequencies of mite infection in individuals with different occupations (chi(2)=82.55, P

AIM: To study the clinical and epidemiological features of patients with clonorchiasis so as to provide scientific evidences for the diagnosis and prevention of clonorchiasis. METHODS: Stools from 282 subjects suspected of having clonorchiasis were examined for helminth eggs with modified Kato’s thick smear and sedimentation methods, and their sera were tested for HAV-DNA, HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, HDVRNA and HEV-RNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Clinical symptoms of patients with clonorchiasis only were analyzed, and their blood samples were tested for circulating antigen (CAg) with Dot-ELISA, esoinophilic granulocyte count, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Meanwhile, they were asked to provide data of occupation, eating habit, hygienic habit and knowledge of clonorchiasis. In addition, the ecosystem of the environment in epidemic areas was surveyed. RESULTS: Among the 282 patients, 61 (21.43%) were infected with clonorchis sinensis only, 97 (34.64%) were co-infected with clonorchis sinensis and other pathogens, 92 (32.86%) were infected with hepatitis virus only and 31 (11.07%) neither with clonorchis sinensis nor hepatitis virus. Among the 61 patients with clonorchiasis only, there were 14 (22.95%) subjects with discomfort over hepatic region or epigasfrium, 12 (19.67%) with general malaise or discomfort and inertia in total body, 6 (9.84%) with anorexia, indigestion and nausea, 4 (6.56%) with fever, dizziness and headache (6.56%), and 25 (40.98%) without any symptoms; sixty one (100%) with CAg (+), 98.33% (59/60) with eosinophilic granulocytes increased and 65.00% (39/60) with ALT increased. B-mode ultrasonography revealed 61 cases with dilated and thickened walls of intrahepatic bile duct, and blurred patchy echo acoustic image in liver. Twenty-six cases had stones in the bile duct, 39 cases had slightly enlarged liver with diffuse coarse spots in liver parenchyma. Twenty cases had enlarged gallbladder with thickened coarse wall and image of floating plagues, 9 cases had slightly enlarged spleen. By analysis of epidemiological data, we found that the ecologic environment was favorable for the epidemiology of clonorchiasis. Most patients with clonorchiasis were lack of knowledge about the disease. Their living environment, hygienic habits, eating habits and their occupations were the related factors that caused the prevalence of the disease. CONCLUSION: The clinical symptoms of clonorchiasis are non-specific, and the main evidences for diagnosis of clonorchiasis should be provided by etiologic examination, B-mode ultrasonography and clinical history. The infection of clonorchis sinensis is related to occupations, bad eating habits and lack of knowledge about prevention of the disease. Wang KX, Zhang RB, Cui YB, Tian Y, Cai R, Li CP. Clinical and epidemiological data of patients with clonorchiasis. World J Gastroenterol 2004; 10(3):446-448 http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/10/446.asp

AIM: To explore the characteristics of diarrhea caused by acaroid mites. METHODS: Acaroid mites in fresh stools of 241 patients with diarrhea were separated by flotation in saturated saline. Meanwhile, skin prick test, total IgE and mite-specific IgE were detected in all patients. RESULTS: The total positive rate of mites in stool samples of the patients was 17.01% (41/241), the positive rates of mites in male and female patients were 15.86% (23/145) and 18.75% (18/96), respectively, without significant difference (P > 0.05). The percentage of skin prick test as" +++", "++", "+", and "-" was 9.13% (22/241), 7.47% (18/241), 5.81% (14/241), 4.98% (12/241) and 72.61% (175/241), respectively. The serum levels of total IgE, mite-specific IgE in patients with and without mites in stool samples were (165.72 ± 78.55) IU/ml, (132.44 ± 26.80) IU/mL and (145.22 ± 82.47) IU/ml, (67.35 ± 45.28) IU/ml, respectively, with significant difference (P < 0.01). The positive rate of mites in stool samples in staffs working in traditional Chinese medicine storehouses or rice storehouses (experimental group) was 26.74% (23/86), which was significantly higher than that (11.61%, 18/155) in people engaged in other professions (χ2 = 8.97, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acaroid mites cause diarrhea and increase serum levels of total IgE and mite-specific IgE of patients, and the prevalence of diarrhea caused by acaroid mites is associated with occupations rather than the gender of patients.

AIM: To provide scientific evidence for prevention and controlling of blastocystosis, the infection of Blastocystis homonis and to study its clinical significance in Huainan City, Anhui Province, China. METHODS: Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools taken from 100 infants, 100 pupils, 100 middle school students and 403 patients with diarrhea was smeared and detected with method of iodine staining and hematoxylin staining. After preliminary direct microscopy, the shape and size of Blastocystis homonis were observed with high power lens. The cellular immune function of the patients with blastocystosis was detected with biotin-streptavidin (BSA). RESULTS: The positive rates of Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools taken from the infants, pupils, middle school students and the patients with diarrhea, were 1.0% (1/100), 1.0% (1/100), 0% (0/100) and 5.96% (24/403) respectively. Furthermore, the positive rates of Blastocystis homonis in the stool samples taken from the patients with mild diarrhea, intermediate diarrhea, severe diarrhea and obstinate diarrhea were 6.03% (14/232), 2.25% (2/89), 0% (0/17) and 12.31% (8/65) respectively. The positive rates of Blastocystis homonis in fresh stools of male and female patients with diarrhea were 7.52% (17/226) and 3.95% (7/177) respectively, and those of patients in urban and rural areas were 4.56% (11/241) and 8.02% (13/162) respectively. There was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). The positive rates of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ in serum of Blastocystis homonis-positive and-negative individuals were 0.64 ± 0.06, 0.44 ± 0.06, 0.28 ± 0.04 and 0.60 ± 0.05, 0.40 ± 0.05 and 0.30 ± 0.05 respectively, and the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ of the two groups were 1.53 ± 0.34 and 1.27 ± 0.22. There was significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Blastocystis hominis as an enteric pathogen in human seems not to be associated with gender and living environment, and that Blastocystis hominis is more common in stool samples of the patients with diarrhea, especially with chronic diarrhea or obstinate diarrhea. When patients with diarrhea infected by Blastocystis hominis, their cellular immune function decreases, which make it more difficult to be cured.