ObjectiveTo explore the changes of the levels of cytokines in patients with first-episode depression and the effect on the levels of cytokines after the treatment with duloxetine.MethodsThe serum levels of interleukin 1 ( IL-1 ),interleukin 6 ( IL-6 ),tumor necrosis factor-alpha ( TNF-αt ),interleukin4 ( IL-4 ),interleukin10(IL-10) were measured in 38 patients with depression before and after duloxetine treatment by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).HAMD score were assessed at pre- treatment and post-treatment to assess curative effect.The control group was 30 healthy individuals.All data were statisticaly analyzed by SPSS.ResultsBefore treatment,the HAMD score and the levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1 in first-episode depressant patients were remarkablely higher than those in the control group( IL-6:( 10.66 ± 3.12 ) pg/ml vs (2.72 ± 0.91 ) pg/ml ;TNF-α:(77.49 ±3.12) pg/ml vs (37.48 ±5.87) pg/ml; IL-1:(39.09 ± 3.77 ) pg/ml vs ( 10.31 ± 1.05 ) pg/ml ),the levels of serum IL-4 and IL-10 in first-episode depressant patients were remarkablely lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01 ).The HAMD score and the levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1 in post-treatment were remarkablely lower than pre-treatment (P ＜ 0.05 ),but which were still higher than the control group(P＜ 0.05 ).The levels of serum IL-4 and IL-10 in post-treatment were remarkablely increased than pre-treatment(P＜0.05).The levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α,IL-1 were positively correlated with the HAMD score( r =0.667,0.486,0.727,P ＜0.01 ),but the levels of serum IL-4 and IL-10 were negatively correlated with the HAMD scorae ( r=-0.433,-0.269,P＜0.05,P＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe first-episode depressant patients show immune disorder induced by cytokines.Anti-depressant activity of duloxetine may participate in the regulation of cytokines and Th1/Th2 unbalance.

Objective To investigate the impact of high plasma LDL-C level with or without metabolic syndrome(MS) on the incidence of stroke in Chinese adults. Methods Totally 42 626 subjects (25 -75 years old) from Chinese National Health and Nutrition Survey in 2002 were stratified four groups based on plasma LDL-C level: < 2. 00 mmol/L group, 2. 00 -2. 50 mmol/L group, 2. 51 -3.31 mmol/L group, and ≥ 3.32 mmol/L group. The prevalence of MS (with 2005 International Diabetes Federation criteria) and stroke and the risk factors of stroke were compared among the four groups. Results ( 1 ) The prevalence of MS and stroke increased with rising of LDL-C level. The prevalence of MS in LDL-C≥3. 32 mmol/L group increased 2. 5 times (7, 9% vs 20. 1% ) as compared with that in LDL-C < 2. 00 mmol/L group and the prevalence of stroke increased 4. 2 times(0. 5% vs 2. 1% ), all P <0. 01. (2) In subjects with similar LDL-C level, the prevalence of stroke was significantly higher in a subgroup with MS than that without (P <0. 01 ). (3) After adjustment for age, sex and smoking, logistic regression analysis showed that both LDL-C level and MS were positively associated with the development of stroke; the odds ratio (OR) was 2. 35 and 3. 15 ( P < 0. 0001 ), respectively. (4) Compared with the subgroup of LDL-C < 2. 00 mmol/L without MS, OR for stroke in the subgroups of LDL-C 2. 00 -2. 50 mmol/L, 2. 51 -3. 31 mmol/L, and ≥ 3. 32 mmol / L without MS was 1.03, 1. 89, and 2.08, whereas the OR for stroke in the subgroups with MS and similar level of LDL-C was 4. 38, 5.23 and 6. 15 ; this indicated that the risk of stroke in subjects with MS increased by 3 - 4 times compared with subjects without ( P < 0. 0001 ). Conclusion Both high LDL-C level and MS are independent risk factors of stroke, but the risk of stroke will be further increased in the presence of high LDL-C level plus MS. It is suggested that combined intervention therapy of LDL-C and MS will play an important role in the prevention of stroke.

AIM:To explore the effect of Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4)-Notch signaling pathway blockade on the development of Thelper 17(Th17) cells in the asthmatic mice.METHODS:Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group, asthma group, normal saline group, anti-Dll4 antibody group, and immunoglobulin G group.The protein expression of Dll4 was detected by immunohistochemical staining.The proportion of Th17 cells in mouse spleen isolated CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The protein expression of Th17 transcription factor retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) was determined by Western blot.The serum level of interleukin (IL)-17 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS:The expression of Dll4 in the lung tissues from asthma group significantly increased as compared with anti-Dll4 antibody group.The proportion of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells was significantly down-regulated, and the protein expression of RORγt in the lung tissues was significantly reduced in anti-Dll4 antibody group compared with asthma group (P<0.05).Moreover, the serum level of IL-17 in anti-Dll4 antibody group was significantly reduced compared with asthma group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The blockade of Dll4-Notch signaling pathway inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells in asthmatic mice.

Objective: To analyze the drinking practice of people in China. Method: The data of 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey was used for this study. 159 117 subjects aged 15 years and over were involved. The information on drinking practice was collected using interview-administrated questionnaire. Results: The overall current drinking rate of people in China was 21.0%, 39.6% for male and 4.5% for female, respectively. The current drinking rates in urban and rural areas were 20.9% and 21.0%, respectively. The 45 to 59 years age group reached the highest. The rate of onset age of drinking younger than 18 years old was 8.8% in current drinkers. 39.9% male and 29.5% female current drinkers drank at least once a day. Distilled spirits was the first choice for 50.3% current drinkers. 58.2% male drinkers and 77.3% female drinkers consumed 100-150g and 50-100g distilled spirits, respectively. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking has become a public health problem in China, it is necessary to carry out further surveys to reveal the influencing factors.

Objective To assess effectiveness of implementation of non-pharmaceutical treatment in a standardized community-based hypertension management program in China.MethodsA protocol of standardized community-based hypertension management was developed based on current guidelines for prevention and treatment of hypertension in China.Physicians in community health-care service centers at the grassroots across China were trained in a standardized way using this protocol during 2005 to 2008,and then the trainees were required to manage hypertensive patients according to the protocol.Hypertensive patients eligible for criteria of inclusion and under management for more than one year were analyzed to observe changes in their behavioral risk factors,pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatment,and effectiveness of blood pressure lowering.ResultsBy the end of 2008,a total of 29 411 hypertensive patients had been managed for one year according to the protocol and 20 077 patients with complete data (47.1％ for male)with mean age of 61±11 years were eligible for analysis.After standardized management of one year,prevalence of smoking,alcohol drinking and proportion of patients who preferred salty diet decreased from 17.7 percent,18.1 percent and 32.8 percent to 8.9 percent,8.7 percent and 15.8 percent,respectively(P＜0.01).Srstolic blood pressure(BP)decreased by 11.6[95％confidence interval(CI)10.8-12.4]mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),13.7(95％CI 13.3-14.1)mm Hg and 15.2(95％CI14.8-15.6)mmHg in the patients with non-pharmaceutical therapy,pharmaceutical therapy and both,respectively；and diastolic BP decreased by 7.5(95％CI6.9-8.1)mm Hg,8.3(95％CI8.1-8.5)mmHg and 8.0(95％CI7.8-8.2)mm Hg in the three groups,respectively.During the one-year period of management,proportion of the patients with appropriate non-pharmaceutical therapy increased continuously.By the end of one-year management,59.5 percent of smoked patients were required to quit their smoking,55.5 percent of alcohol drinkers were required to limit their drinking,52.3 percent of overweight and obese patients were required to reduce their weight and 47.3 percent of patients with physical exercises less than three times a week were required to increase their regular physical activity.However,certain proportion of the patients with risk factors did not receive appropriate non-pharmaceutical therapy.Conclusion Guideline-oriented hypertension management succeeded in lifestyle changes among the patients,but it is a gradual process to its full implementation.

Objective: To understand the gender disparity and influencing factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) at secondary hospitals in China. Methods: A total of 5525 in-hospital STEMI patients from 99 secondary hospitals of 15 provinces or autonomous regions between 2011-09 to 2014-06 were recruited including 1649 female and 3876 male. The in-hospital mortalities were compared between 2 genders and the relevant inlfuencing factors were studied by multiple Logistic regression analysis. Results: There were about 29.8% female and 70.2% male STEMI patients were studied. The in-hospital mortalities in female and male were 13.2% and 5.9%,P<0.01; gender disparity was obviously existing regardless of age, history of MI, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The mortality in female was higher than male even without diseases history and cardiovascular risk factors. Compared with male gender, female patients were usually having elder age and likely complicated with cardiovascular risk factors; they were with lower incidence to receive ECG, drug therapy and thrombolysis within 10 minutes of admission. With adjusted confounding factors, multiple regression analysis presented that female STEMI patients had the higher mortality than male (OR:1.7, 95% CI:1.4-2.0). Conclusion: The in-hospital mortality for STEMI patients was higher in female than male at secondary hospitals in China. Female patients were usually having elder age, complicated with more cardiovascular risk factors, while with less chances to receive ECG, drug therapy and thrombolysis within 10 minutes of admission.

Objective: To analyze the current status of anticoagulant therapy for in-hospital patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) at county hospitals of China and to explore the relationship between anticoagulant therapy and clinical outcomes in real medical environment. Methods: 99 county hospitals from15 provinces of China were selected for this prospective registry study and 12373 eligible ACS patients without interventional therapy admitted from 2011-09 to 2014-06 were enrolled. The basic condition, previous history, initial assessment, anticoagulants (unfractionated heparin/low molecular weight heparin) application, severe bleeding events and in-hospital mortality were collected in all patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between anticoagulant therapy and clinical outcomes including in-hospital mortality, severe bleeding events and combined endpoints; meanwhile, possible confounders were adjusted. Results: A total of 9985/12373 ACS patients received anticoagulant therapy and 2388 did not. Anticoagulant therapy was conducted in 92.7% (4237/4570) patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 90.8% (1639/1805) with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and 68.5% (4109/5998) with unstable angina (UA); there were differences by regions and genders,P<0.01and no difference by age. Multivariable analysis indicated that anticoagulant therapy decreased the risk of in-hospital mortality in ACS patients at 53% (OR= 0.47, 95% CI 0.36-0.62), such reduction in STEMI patients was at 55% (OR=0.45, 95% CI 0.32-0.64), in NSTEMI patients was at 58% (OR=0.42, 95% CI 0.24-0.75); while it had no real effect in UA patients,P>0.05. Meanwhile, it did not increase the risk of severe bleeding events in ACS patients,P>0.05. Conclusion: Anticoagulant therapy has been widely used in STEMI and NSTEMI patients at county hospitals of China and obviously decreased the in-hospital mortality; while the application rate was relatively low in UA patients. The general safety of anticoagulant therapy has been good in ACS patients.

Objective To establish and evaluate a method for rapid and sensitive S.xylosus detection using qPCR(real-time quantitative PCR).Methods A gehM gene fragment was selected as the target for S.xylosus.A set of specific primers was synthesized and a qPCR method was established to detect S.xylosus.A S.xylosus standard strain and other non-target strains were chosen for analysis.DNA of S.xylosus was diluted 10-fold to determine its sensitivity.Clinical samples were tested,and positive products were sequenced.The result were compared with those of bacterial culture.Results S.xylosus had a specific amplification curve,whereas other non-S.xylosus species did not,indicating that the primers were specific for S.xylosus.Sensitivity was 100 fg/μL DNA.Repeatability within and between groups was less than 3％.A total of 60 clinical samples were analyzed,of which five samples had a typical S curve.qPCR products were sequenced and BLAST searched.The similarity of the gene sequences was 99.63％,indicating that the sample was positive for the S.xylosus gehM gene with a positivity rate of 8.3％.However,the positivity rate of bacterial culture was 6.7％.The positivity rate of qPCR was slightly higher than that of the culture.Conclusions The established qPCR method is rapid with high sensitivity and specificity,and can be used to detect S.xylosus.

Objective:To explore a multimodal perioperative analgesia plan for patients undergoing microvascular decompression surgery for trigeminal neuralgia.Methods:Eighty patients who underwent microvascular decompression surgery for trigeminal neuralgia admitted to the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from April 2017 to April 2019 were randomly divided into a nerve block group (group A) and a control group (group C) using a random number table method, with 40 patients in each group. The group A underwent surgical block of the lateral occipital and auricular nerves under ultrasound guidance before induction, with 3 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine used at each site. The group C did not undergo nerve block. Both groups received intravenous injections of midazolam, sufentanil, cisatracurium, etomidate, and lidocaine for anesthesia induction, followed by tracheal intubation and maintenance of anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. After surgery, an analgesic pump was connected. The total amount of intraoperative use of sufentanil and remifentanil in both groups was recorded, as well as the pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and postoperative anesthesia related complications at 2, 6, 24, and 48 hours after surgery.Resultsl:The total amount of sufentanil and remifentanil used during surgery in the group A was less than that in the group C (all P<0.05). The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the group A patients was lower than that in the group C ( P<0.05), and the nausea and vomiting score was also lower than that in the group C ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of other postoperative complications (all P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups at 6 hours after surgery ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Occipital and auricular nerve blockade can reduce the amount of opioid drugs used during microvascular decompression surgery in patients with trigeminal neuralgia, thereby reducing the incidence of nausea and vomiting. The postoperative analgesic effect is good.

The microbiological quality of laboratory animals is crucial for the validity and reproducibility of scientific research data,as well as human health and animal welfare.Currently,individual ventilation cages(IVC)have become the mainstream feeding system for rodent laboratory animals.The most commonly used pathogen monitoring method for this feeding system is soiled bedding sentinels(SBS).This method monitors the microbial carrying status of mouse colony through indirect contact and delayed feedback.It can effectively monitor pathogens transmitted via the fecal-oral route,such as mouse hepatitis virus and reovirus.However,this method has difficulty detecting pathogens mainly transmitted through aerosols or direct contact,such as Sendai virus and Pasteurella pneumotropica.The exhaust air dust(EAD)-PCR monitoring method involves swab sampling in the IVC exhaust ducts to monitor the corresponding racks of the ducts;swab sampling before the prefiltration of the host to monitor the entire IVC rack;and EAD collection device sampling to monitor all racks connected to the same host.Different IVC manufacturers have developed corresponding EAD collection devices for their respective IVC systems,making operations convenient and standardization easy.Compared with the SBS method,the EAD-PCR method significantly improves detection rate and timeliness,with the fastest detection possible after one week of exposure.It can serve as a supplement or replacement for the SBS method.Currently,increasing evidence supports that EAD-PCR testing is a more reliable,sensitive,and cost-effective monitoring method,and is more beneficial to animal welfare.This article reviews the application progress of these two methods for monitoring pathogens,analyzes the existing limitations of the EAD-PCR method,and proposes solutions based on its implementation in our laboratory and examination units.The EAD-PCR method helps reduce the number of live sentinel animals used in pathogen monitoring,in order to better maintain the"3Rs"principle of laboratory animal welfare.