Although current epidemiological studies have not demonstrated that there is an association between serum cholesterol concentration and stroke, the effect of statins has been confirmed in the high-risk (mainly coronary heart disease, diabetes or hypertension) and advanced-age populations in the primary prevention studies. Statins have a good safety profile, and they do not increase the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. The effect of statins in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke remains to be confirmed by the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) Study.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of repairing soft-tissue defects of the fifth phalange and the back of hand with ulnar palmar artery perforator flaps from the little finger.Methods Based on anatomic dissection,the fifth phalange ulnar palmar artery perforator flaps were created and transferred to repair soft-tissue defects at the little finger and the back of hand in 15 cases.Types of injury were stamping injury in 5 cases,planer injury in 4 cases,mechanical crash injury in 3 cases,blast injury in 2 cases,and cicatrical contracture following electric burn in 1 case.Injury involved in the palmar aspect near the middle segment of fifth phalange in 4 cases,dorsal aspect near the middle segment of fifth phalange in 6 cases,ulnar mesiodistal of the back of hand in 3 cases,and distal ulnar palmar aspect of hands in 2 cases.There were 6 patients wounded in left hands and 9 patients wounded in right hands.Results All flaps survived and all wounds healed by first intention.At the follow-up of 2-18 months,the flaps resurfaced the soft-tissue defects with good color and texture match and the maintenance of contour and function of donor and recipient sites were satisfactory.Conclusion The fifth phalange ulnar palmar artery perforator flap,as it has advantages of constant perforator vessels,rich blood supply and good texture and can be operated safely and easily,is considered an ideal treatment choice in repairing softtissue defects of the fifth phalange and the back of hand.

Objective This is the first study to explore clinical application value of serum Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) detection in diagnosis of heptocellular carcinoma (HCC) by magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.Methods The level of serum DKK-1 and AFP in 205 cases of HCC,40 cases of liver cirrhosis,and 200 cases of healthy control were quantitatively detected by Magnetic solid phase chemiluminescent immunoassay.The area under ROC curve,sensitivity and specificity of DKK-1 and AFP for diagnosing HCC were calculated.Results The serum level of DKK-1 in HCC group was significantly higher than those of the liver cirrhosis group and healthy control group (P<0.01).DKK-1 maintained diagnostic sensitivity for patients with HCC who were alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) negative (66.3%).ROC curves showed optimum diagnostic cut-off value was 2.4 ng/mL,area under curve (AUC) was 0.822 (95% CI:0.783-0.856),sensitivity 65.9%,and specificity 87.5%).Moreover,measurement of DKK1 and AFP together improved diagnostic accuracy for HCC versus all controls compared with either test alone [AUC 0.915,95%CI:0.886-0.940),sensitivity 81.5 %(P<0.05)].Conclusion Serum DKK-1 detection has an important clinical value for diagnosis of HCC,especially for HCC with AFP negative.The combined detection of serum DKK-1 and AFP can greatly increase sensitivity and accuracy for diagnosing HCC.

Objective To detect the positive rates of antibodies against avian influenza virus (AIV) subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 among people in poultry occupations in Guangdong province and to analyze the transmission of various subtypes of AIV from poultry to human contacts for the prevention and control of novel AIV infection in human beings.Methods Serum specimens were collected from 1066 peo-ple in poultry occupations ( occupational group) and 205 people not in poultry occupations ( non-occupational group) in 10 cities of Guangdong province.The inactivated AIV strains, isolated from poultry or environment of Guangdong province, were used as antigens to detect antibodies against AIV subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 by using the hemagglutination inhibition ( HI) assay.Results The positive rates of antibodies against AIV subtypes H5, H6, H7 and H9 carried by people from the occupational group were respectively 0.44%, 0%, 0.30%and 0.30%in 2013 and 1.08%, 0.0%, 0.0%and 0.27%in 2014.Only the anti-H9 anti-bodies were detected in serum samples collected form people in the non-occupational group in 2013 with a positive rate of 0.95%.No significant differences with the positive rates of anti-AIV antibodies were found between the occupational group and the non-occupational group.However, the geometric mean titer ( GMT) of anti-AVI antibodies in people from the occupational group was higher than that of the non-occupational group.Conclusion Although a grand spread of AIV from avian to human is not likely to happen yet, con-tacting with poultry is the risk factor for AIV infection in Guangdong population.A long-term surveillance of anti-AIV antibodies in serum should be strengthened among people in poultry occupations for the timely pre-vention and control of novel AIV outbreak.

Objective To investigate the effects of sodium butyrate on the activity of RAW264.7 cells and the osteoclast differentiation.Methods The RAW264.7 cells were treated by sodium butyrate at concentrations of 0,0.25,0.50,1.00,2.00,3.00,4.00 and 5.00 mmol/L,with 3 double pores for each concentration.The cytotoxicity of sodium butyrate on RAW264.7 cells was detected by a CCK-8 kit.The effects of sodium butyrate (0,0.25,0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L) on apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells were detected by Hoechst33342 staining.RAW264.7 cells were induced into osteoclasts by osteoclast differentiation factors.The experiment was carried out in 2 groups (n =3).After induced maturation,the experimental group was treated with 1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate and the control medium was added only with the same volume of solvent.The number of osteoclasts and the area of bone resorption were observed and compared.The differentiation of RAW264.7 cells was detected by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining.Western blotting was used to detect the effects of sodium butyrate (0,0.25,0.50 and 1.00 mmol/L) on NF-κB-related signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells.Results Compared with the group of 0 mmol/L sodium butyrate,the activity of cells treated with 1.00,2.00,3.00,4.00 and 5.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate for 24 h was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Treatment with 1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate for 24 h induced apoptosis.The number of osteoclasts in the control group and the experimental group were 9.33 ± 2.08 and 4.67 ± 1.16,respectively,showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =3.395,P =0.027).The percentages of bone resorption area in the control group and the experimental group were 52.43％ ± 5.38％ and 14.28％ ± 2.72％,respectively,also showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (t =10.970,P ＜ 0.001).Western blot results showed that,compared with other concentrations of sodium butyrate,treatment with 1 mmol/L sodium butyrate on RAW264.7 cells for 24 h led to an increase in the expression levels of cytoplasmic p65,B lymphoma-2 associated X protein and cleaved-caspase 3 and the acetylation of Histone H3 but a decrease in the phosphorylation level of α/β subunit of NF-κB kinase.Conclusions With the increased concentration of sodium butyratecan,the activity of NF-κB may be suppressed and the number of apoptotic cells may increase.1.00 mmol/L sodium butyrate can reduce osteoclast formation and bone resorption area.

Objective To explore the effects of ApoC3 gene on the severity of hypertriglyceridemiainduced acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice AP model was induced by cerulein intraperitoneal injection,and ApoC3 transgenetic mice and C57BL/6J mice injected by normal saline solution in equal volume served as control group.Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were detected,and the pathological changes of the pancreas were observed.RT PCR method was used to examine the changes of the inflammatory factor including IL-1β,IL-6,α-SMA and TNF-α mRNA levels,which reflected the severity of the inflammation.Results Serum triglyceride and cholesterol were higher in ApoC3 transgenetic mice than in C57BL/6J mice [(3.434 ± 0.931) mmol/L vs (0.766 ± 0.120) mmol/L,(2.553 ±0.178) mmol/L vs (1.996 ± 0.080) mmol/L],and the differences were statistically different (P ＜ 0.05).The pathological changes of the pancreas were more severe in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J AP mice,and the IL-1β,IL-6 and α-SMA mRNA levels in the pancreatic tissue were obviously higher in ApoC3 transgenetic AP mice than in C57BL/6J mice (1.72 ± 0.07vs 0.78 ± 0.09,1.58 ± 0.09vs 0.87 ±0.04,0.83 ± 0.05vs 0.44 ± 0.04),and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05),while there was no statistical difference on TNF-αmRNA level (0.70 ± 0.09vs 0.65 ± 0.08,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions ApoC3 gene could aggravate the severity of the inflammation in hypertriglyceridemia-induced AP.

IL-34 can promote osteoclast differentiation and activation, which may contribute to steroidinduced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Animal model was constructed in both BALB/c and IL-34 deficient mice to detect the relative expression of inflammation cytokines. Micro-CT was utilized to reveal the internal structure. In vitro differentiated osteoclast was induced by culturing bone marrow-derived macrophages with IL-34 conditioned medium or M-CSF. The relative expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, osteoclast marker genes, and relevant pathways molecules was detected with quantitative real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Up-regulated IL-34 expression could be detected in the serum of ONFH patients and femoral heads of ONFH mice. IL-34 deficient mice showed the resistance to ONFH induction with the up-regulated trabecular number, trabecular thickness, bone value fraction, and down-regulated trabecular separation. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12, IL-2, and IL-17A, showed diminished expression in IL-34 deficient ONFH induced mice. IL-34 alone or works in coordination with M-CSF to promote osteoclastogenesis and activate ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways. These data demonstrate that IL-34 can promote the differentiation of osteoclast through ERK, STAT3, and non-canonical NF-κB pathways to aggravate steroid-induced ONFH, and IL-34 can be considered as a treatment target.

Objective To provide scientific evidence to identify and confirm severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) by laboratory detection.Methods Multiple clinical specimens were collected serially and systematically from the 4 suspected SARS patients, which occurred between Dec.2003 to Jan.2004 in Guangdong Province. The samples were tested by serologic and molecular methods.Results IgM or IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV were detectable after 6—8 days of the onset in four patients. The four-fold or greater rising in antibodies was clearly detected in three of the four patients, while the fourth patient’s seroconversion was from negative to positive. The results analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA), immunoflourescence assay (IFA), and neutralization test were highly correlated. SARS-CoV RNA was just detected in 3 throat swab specimens from case 1 by real-time PCR. M, N and S genes were amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from the positive samples. Sequencing results showed that they were SARS-CoV gene segments, and most closely matched SARS-CoV gene sequences were isolated from civet cats in Guangdong Province. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV was not isolated from any samples of the 4 patients.Conclusion Based on these results, the 4 reported cases were laboratorily confirmed as SARS cases.

Objective    To analyze the effect of microecological preparation on digestive tract complications and nutritional status after esophageal cancer surgery. Methods    A total of 146 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2017 to June 2019 were selected. There were 91 males and 55 females, aged 65 (61.9±8.2) years. They were randomly divided into two groups (an observation group and a control group, n=73 in each group) according to whether microecological preparation was given when they could take food one week after the surgery. Nutritional status and the incidence of gastrointestinal complications including anorexia, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (≥3 times per day) in the first month after operation were compared between the two groups. Results    The incidence of anorexia, nausea, diarrhea (≥3 times per day), anastomotic fistula and stenosis in the observation group was lower and the index of nutritional status was higher than those in the control group within one month after the operation (all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in acid reflux, vomiting, lung infection and incision infection between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion    Microecological preparation can regulate gastrointestinal microecological balance, improve nutritional status, reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal complications and accelerate the postoperative rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVETo understand the transmission mode of human infection with avian influenza A (H7N9) virus.

METHODSField epidemiological investigation was conducted for a family clustering of human infection with H7N9 virus in Hengxian county, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in February 2014. Two patients and their 82 close contacts were surveyed. The samples collected from the patients, environments and poultry were tested by using real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), and the samples from patients were used for virus isolation. The samples from 5 close contacts were tested with RT-PCR. The clinical data, exposure histories of the patients and the detection results of the isolates and their homology were analyzed.

RESULTSPatient A became ill 4 days after her last exposure to poultry in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, and returned to her hometown in Hengxian 2 days after onset. Patient B was patient A's 5 years old son, who had no known exposure to poultry but slept with patient A for 4 days. He developed symptoms 4 days after last contact with his mother. Two strains of H7N9 virus were isolated from the two patients. The 2 isolates were highly homogenous (almost 100%) indicated by gene sequencing and phylogenetic tree. None of the other 81 close contacts developed symptoms of H7N9 virus infection.

CONCLUSIONPatients B was infected through close contact with patient A, indicating that avian H7N9 virus can spread from person to person, but the transmissibility is limited and non-sustainable.

Animals ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cluster Analysis ; Contact Tracing ; Family ; Female ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; transmission ; virology ; Male ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; virology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sleep