Objective To evaluate the application of measurement of T2*value,width of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the ratio of the width to the midbrain diameter in diagnosing Parkinson disease (PD) in early stage with susceptibility weighted imaging ( SWI) by 3T MR. Methods 59 patients with early stage idiopathic PD patients and 59 healthy controls,ranging in same ages and gender,had been scanned with routine sequences and SWI sequences by 3T MR. T2*value,width and the ratio of the width to the midbrain diameter of SNc were measured. The results of measurement were analyzed and compared. Results (1) The T2*values, width and the ratio of the width to the midbrain diameter was decreased in homolateral side SNc of symptoms of subjects with PD compared with the healthy controls ( <0.05) . (2) There was a significant reduction in the T2*values and the ratio of the width to the midbrain diameter in contralateral side SNc symptoms of subjects with PD compared with the healthy controls (P<0.05) . There was no differences in width of SNc ( >0.05) . Conclusion Measurement of T2*value, width and the ratio of the width to the midbrain diameter of SNc with SWI is reliable to diagnose PD.

Objective To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of cerebral lesions,laboratory data and prognosis of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and evaluate the correlation of MRI findings,autoantibodies and prognosis of NPSLE.Methods Thirty-one patients with NPSLE admitted during Jan 1998 to Oct 2011 were enrolled into this study,including 2 males and 29 females.MRI characteristics of cerebral lesions,laboratory data and clinical outcomes were retrospectively analyzed.x2-test and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis.Results Cranial MRI scans on admission were abnormal in 27 (87％) of the 31 patients,among which 17 cases showed diffuse manifestations,9 cases showed focal lesions in brain and 1 case showed brain atrophy.The percentage of cases with focal lesions in the dead group (86％) was significantly higher than that of the survival group (13％) (P＜0.01),while the percentage of diffuse lesion cases was significantly lower in dead group (P＜0.01).Although the mean lesion numbers in the dead group were fewer compared with the survival group,lesion numbers in brainstem (18％) (P＜0.01) or basal ganglia (29％) (P＜0.05) were much more in the dead group.The positive rate of anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies shown in the dead group (43％) was markedly higher than that in the survival group (29％) (P＜0.05).The positive rates of ACL in cases with diffuse lesions and cases with focal lesion were higher compared with cases showing normal MR images (P＜0.01).Furthermore,the positive rate of anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL) in cases with focal lesions (56％) were higher than cases with diffuse lesion (35％) (P＜0.05).There was no correlation between the seven types of autoantibodies and lesion locations such as basal ganglia,subcortical white matter,anterior and posterior horn of lateral ventricle,semiovale center,cerebral cortex,brainstem and cerebellum.Conclusion MRI findings and autoantibodies are correlated in patients with NPSLE and both of them may be used as prognostic markers for NPSLE.Focal lesions,location of brainstem and basal ganglia on cranial MR images,positive anti-ribosomal P protein antibody may predict an unfavorable clinical outcome of NPSLE; however,the correlation between ACL and prognosis could not be determined.

In 2009,5 523 participants of She nationality living in Ningde City of Fujian province were multistage-stratified and randomly collected,and 5 080 were enrolled in analysis eventually.The TSH screening (reference range,0.3-3.0 mIU/L) revealed biochemical hyperthyroidism in 2.4％ (2.1％ of males and 2.7％ of females) and biochemical hypothyroidism in 9.7％ (7.4％ of males and 11.4％ of females) of the participants.The prevalence of positive TPOAbs was 10.8％ (7.4％ of males and 13.5％ of females).TSH values outside the normal reference range were associated with a higher prevalence of positive TPOAbs,indicating that autoimmunity seems to be an important factor in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Objective To establish a BALB/c mouse model of total hysterectomy and to investigate and analyze its characteristics and formation mechanism. Methods The control group was fed conventionally without any treatment. The mice in the model group were anesthetized and performed hysterectomy. The animals in the sham-operated group had abdominal cavity opened and only exposing the uterus. The changes of body weight were observed dynamically,and at the end of the fourth weeks. The concentration of serum estradiol was determined and histological structure of the ovaries was examined. Results The general status of all the mice after operation was good without obvious inflammation, and the incision healed completely. There was no significant difference in the body weight before operation among the mice, whereas the weight of model group mice was higher than the control group and sham-operation group at the end of the second,third and forth weeks(P< 0.05). The estradiol contents of the model group was significantly lower than that in control group and sham operation group(P< 0.01). The histological structure of ovaries in the control group and sham-operation group was normal,however the model group showed differences,such as irregular shape of the ovaries,changed number of mature follicles, loosely distributed granulosa cells, and apoptosis. Conclusions The mouse model of total hysterectomy established in our study can well simulate the clinical manifestations of ovarian dysfunction after operation, and is an ideal model for the study of complications after ovariectomy and screening of drugs.

Objective To examine the incidence ,clinical characteristics ,and risk factors for falls within two years after stroke in elderly patients. Methods A total of 365 elderly stroke patients from the Department of Neurology at the 8th Nanning People's Hospital were recruited from June 1 , 2013 to December 31 ,2014. They were divided into a fall group and a non-fall group and were followed up for two years. The incidence and clinic characteristics of falls were analyzed. The risk factors for falls were analyzed by multiple Logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 365 stroke patients included in this study ,falls were observed in 146(40.2％ )patients. The interval between the stroke and the first fall :72(49.3％ )patients had the first fall within 3 months;22(15.1％ )occurred between 4 and 6 months;20 (13.7％ )between 7 and 12 months ;17 (11.6％ )between 13 and 18 months ;and 15 (10.3％ )between 19 and 24 months.A hundred and five(71.9％ )patients fell during daytime and 41 (28.1％ )patients during night.Eighteen(12.3％ )patients had one fall ;65(44.5％ )patients fell 2 to 4 times ;60(41.1％ )patients fell 5 to 10 times ;and 3(2.1％ )patients fell over 10 times.A total of 709 falls were observed.Places of falls :102(69.9％ )falls happened indoors and 44(30.1％ )falls occurred outdoors.Circumstances of falls :27 (18.5％ )patients fell when turning over ;23 (15.8％ )fell when rising from a seating position ;4(2.7％ )patients fell when showering ;15(10.3％ )patients fell while standing ;9(6.8％ )fell when turning around ;56(38.3％ )fell while walking ;and 12(8.2％ )fell while climbing the stairs or running.The severity of falls :52(35.6％ )patients had no injury ;78(53.2％ ) suffered soft tissue injury ;16 (11.0％ )had fractures ;and 78 (53.2％ )had fear of falling.Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=2.41 ;95％ CI :1.69-3.05) ,history of falls(OR =2.85 ;95％ CI :1.46-3.81) ,history of stroke(OR=1.87 ;95％ CI :1.12-2.79) ,right hemiplegia(OR=2.37 ;95％ CI :1.62-4.59) ,left hemiplegia(OR= 2.47 ;95％ CI :1.46-4.78) ,paraplegia(OR= 2.55 ;95％ CI :1.57-4.98) ,visual impairment(OR=2.35 ;95％ CI :1.35-6.62) ,apraxia(OR=2.53 ;95％ CI :1.42-5.63) ,unilateral spatial neglect (OR=3.34 ;95％ CI :2.82-6.34) ,use of psychotropic medications (OR= 1.76 ;95％ CI :1.11-1.98) ,impaired physical mobility (OR = 1.58 ;95％ CI :1.82-2.91) ,low MMSE scale(OR = 3.42 ;95％ CI :1.38-7.41) ,low Barthel Index score(OR = 2.83 ;95％ CI :0.97-4.68) ,BBS scale<45(OR=2.48 ;95％ CI :1.27-4.18) ,TUG>15seconds(OR=3.56 ;95％ CI :1.91-5.23) ,and lack of rehabilitation therapy (OR=3.42 ;95％ CI :1.38-7.41)were independent predictors for falls(all P<0.05). Conclusions Falls are common among elderly patients within two years after stroke.Most falls happen indoors ,during daytime and while moving.Age ,history of falls ,history of stroke ,hemiplegia ,visual impairment ,apraxia ,unilateral spatial neglect ,use of psychotropic medications ,walk with a walker ,low MMSE scale ,low Barthel Index score ,BBS scale<45 ,TUG>15 seconds ,and lack of rehabilitation therapy are independent risk factors for falls after stroke.

Objective:To investigate the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors for hip fractures in patients within two years after stroke onset.Methods:A total of 332 persons with first-onset stroke from the neurology department of our hospital between 1 June 2013 and 31 December 2014 were recruited and were divided into the hip fracture group and the non-hip fracture group.Clinical characteristics were recorded.Vision was tested as normal or impaired.Patients were accessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS), Behavioral Inattention Test, Baking Tray Task, Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE), Birgitta Lindmark(BL)motor assessment scale, Berg Balance Scale(BBS), Timed Up & Go(TUG)Scale, and Stops Walking When Talking(SWWT)Scale.The clinic characteristics and risk factors for hip fractures were compared between the two groups after a 2-year follow-up.The accuracy of risk factors for fracture prediction was assessed by the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values.Results:Of 332 patients with stroke, 16 cases fractured their hips within two years after stroke onset, which corresponded to an incidence of 33‰/year(95% CI: 15‰/year-50‰/year). The 2-year mortality rate was 44%(95% CI: 25%-60%)and 48%(95% CI: 42%-54%)in patients with and without hip fractures respectively( χ2=0.036, P=0.724). The mean survival time for patients with and without hip fracture was 2.72 years(95% CI: 1.45-2.79)and 2.21 years(95% CI: 1.48-2.34)respectively.The proportions of patients with previous fractures history( χ2=16.780, P=0.041)and impaired vision( χ2=11.210, P=0.027), MMSE scale score( U=14.220, P=0.031), TUG ≥ 15 s( χ2=18.560, P=0.000)were higher, and SWWT( χ2=20.340, P=0.000)was lower in the hip fracture group than in the non-hip fracture group.The negative predictive values of previous fractures history, impaired vision, TUG and SWWT were higher than their positive predictive value.The specificities of previous fractures history, impaired vision, and SWWT were higher than their sensitivities.And the sensitivity of TUG was higher than its specificity. Conclusions:Hip fractures after stroke are common in elderly patients.Fractures often occur during daytime at home in daily activities.The previous fractures history, visual and cognitive dysfunction and impaired functional mobility are risk factors for hip fractures.We should take measures to prevent falls according to the relevant factors.Among the test scales, the timed up & go(TUG)scale could much more accurately identify patients at high risk for hip fractures.

Microbial ecosystem comprises a complex community in which bacteria interact with each other. The potential roles of the intestinal microbiome play in human health have gained considerable attention. The imbalance of gut microbial community has been looked to multiple chronic diseases. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are leading causes of morbidity worldwide and are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Recent advances have provided scientific evidence that CVD may also be attributed to gut microbiome. In this review, we highlight the complex interplay between microbes, their metabolites, and the potential influence on the generation and development of CVDs. The therapeutic potential of using intestinal microbiomes to treat CVD is also discussed. It is quite possible that gut microbes may be used for clinical treatments of CVD in the near future.