Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is one of major candidate genes with genetic susceptibility to stroke. However, its correlation with stroke remains controversial. The relationship between gene polymorphism and stroke also cannot be determined. A specific branch in the ACE phylogenic tree may replace the insertion/deletion polymorphic site as a risk marker of stroke for association study.

Objective To investigate the influence of participation of healthcare-associated infection (HAI)man-agement department in ward round presided over by hospital director on hand hygiene compliance of health care workers (HCWs)in a basic-level hospital.Methods Implementation of hand hygiene in January-June 2012 (control group :HAI management department didn’t participate ward round)and January-June 2013 (trial group :HAI management department participated ward round)were investigated,the compliance of hand hygiene of two groups of HCWs and consumption of hand hygiene products of each department were compared.Results HAI case rate in trail group was significantly lower than control group (1.49% vs 2.01% )(χ2= 4.31,P<0.05);HCWs’hand hy-giene compliance rate was significantly higher than control group (71 . 56% [3 249/4 540 ]vs 44. 00% [1 914/4 350]),hand hygiene compliance rates in nurses were higher than doctors of both groups(χ2= 151.30,179.92, respectively,bothP<0.001),hand hygiene compliance rate in trial group from high to low was department of pedi-atrics,obstetrics and gynecology,surgery,and internal medicine. The consumption of rapid hand disinfectant of trail group and control group was 5.38mL/bed-day and 1.88 mL/bed-day respectively,the consumption of hand sanitizer was 11.51 mL/bed-day and 7.03 mL/bed-day respectively.Conclusion Hand hygiene checked during the ward round presided over by hospital director can improve HCWs’hand hygiene compliance,reduce the incidence of HAI,and ensure medical safety.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis. Methods By cluster sampling, adult Han people were recruited from residential communities. Medical history was documented and body height, body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and blood pressure were measured. Venous blood samples were collected to determine serum fasting glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. Intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis was diagnosed with transcranial Doppler. The SPSS 11.0 software package was used for data analysis. Results Among 1035 people conforming to the inclusion criteria, intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis was found in 58 (5.6%), 17 with left VA stenosis, 23 with right VA stenosis and 30 with BA stenosis.Univariate analysis showed that subjects with diabetes mellitus had a significantly higher prevalence ( 10. 3% ) of intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis (χ2 = 6. 221, P = 0. 013 ) and the mean systolic blood pressure (( 131.1 ± 25.5) mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0. 133 kPa) in the subjects with stenosis was significantly higher than those without (3.2%, ( 124. 1 ± 21.6) mm Hg) (t = 2. 228, P = 0. 026). Logistic regression indicated that diabetes mellitus and systolic blood pressure were independent risk factors for intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis ( diabetes mellitus: OR = 3. 305, P = 0. 023; elevated systolic blood pressure 1 mm Hg: OR = 1. 012, P =0. 047). Conclusions This study demonstrated a considerably high prevalence of intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis in a southern Chinese population. Diabetes mellitus and systolic blood pressure play potent roles in intracranial vertebrobasilar artery stenosis.