Objective To investigate the clinical effect ofKudiezi injection combined with rosuvastatin on patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI).Methods A total of 90 patients with ACI patients of Department of Neurology of our hospital, from March 2015 to June 2016, were randomly divided into treatment group Ⅰ, treatment group Ⅱ and the control group, 30 in each group. The control group was given atorvastatin, the treatment group Ⅰ received rosuvastatin, and the treatment group Ⅱ was adopted Kudiezi injection combined with rosuvastatin. The curative effect was observed, and blood lipid and coagulation function were compared, and daily life ability and nerve function were recorded.Results The curative ratein treatment group Ⅱ (96.7%)was significantly better than that in treatment group Ⅰ (76.7%) and the control group (73.3%) (χ2=6.537,P<0.05). Total cholesterol,three acyl glycerin,low density lipoprotein in treatment group Ⅱ (4.03 ± 0.83 mmol/L, 1.68 ± 0.46 mmol/L, 2.37 ± 0.48 mmol/Lvs. 4.61 ± 0.89 mmol/L, 2.02 ± 0.81 mmol/L, 2.74 ± 0.68 mmol/L and 5.42 ± 0.75 mmol/L, 2.38 ± 0.67 mmol/L, 3.11 ± 0.81 mmol/L) were significantly lower than those in treatment group Ⅰ and the control group (F=21.538, 8.585, 9.092,P<0.05), and those in treatment group Ⅰ was significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).The fibrinogen (2.48 ± 0.37 g/Lvs.2.81 ± 0.46 g/L, 2.95 ± 0.51 g/L), platelet counts[(125.27 ± 11.88)×109vs.(132.13 ± 13.55)×109 and (133.83 ± 13.91)×109] and prothrombin time (17.52 ± 1.94 svs.(16.14 ± 1.62 s, 15.34 ± 1.18 s) in treatment group Ⅱ were significantly lower and higher than those in treatment group Ⅰ and control group (F=8.592, 3.571, 14.139,P<0.05). The scores of Barthel index (85.63 ± 4.10 vs.81.83 ± 3.92, 79.23 ± 4.81) and NIHSS (3.57 ± 1.17 vs. 4.63 ± 1.22, 5.57 ± 1.33) intreatment group Ⅱ were significantly higher and lower than those in treatment group Ⅰand the control group (F=16.873, 19.550,P<0.05), those in treatment group Ⅰ was significantly higher and lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).ConclusionsKudiezi injection combined with rosuvastatin could improve curative effect ,reduce blood lipid, improve coagulation function, improve quality of life and promote recovery of nerve function in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Objective To evaluate the role of interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the spinal cord in the maintenance of arthritic pain (AP) in rats.Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 6-8 weeks,weighing 200-300 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table: control group (group C, n=6);AP group (n=9);phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group (n=6);IL-12 antibody group (n =6).AP was induced by injecting 50 μl of complete Freund' s adjuvant into the ankle joint cavity of the left hindpaw of rats anesthetized with isoflurane.Goat anti-rat IL-12 antibody 1.50 μg (20 μl) was intrathecally injected on 9 days after establishment of the model in group IL-12 antibody, while 0.01 mol/L PBS (20 μl) was administered in group PBS.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold to yon Frey filament stimulation (MWT) was measured before establishment of the model (baseline) and on 9 and 10 days after establishment of the model.The rats were sacrificed after the last measurement of pain threshold, and the L4 6 segments of the spinal cord were obtained for detection of IL-12 expression in the spinal dorsal horn (by immunofluorescence) , and the co-expression of IL-12 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (an astrocyte marker) was examined simultaneously in group AP.Results Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the expression of IL-12 was up-regulated on 9 and 10 days after establishment of the model in AP, PBS and IL-12 antibody groups.Compared with group AP, the MWT was significantly increased at 10 days after establishment of the model, and the expression of IL-12 was down-regulated in group IL-12 antibody, and no significant change was found in the MWT at 10 days after establishment of the model and expression of IL-12 in group PBS.IL-12 was co-expressed with glial fibrillary acidic protein in group AP.Conclusion IL-12 in the spinal cord is involved in the maintenance of AP in rats.

ObjectiveTo report the results of preventive control program of severe thalassemias in Zhuhai City of Guangdong Province from 1998 to 2010.MethodsAs the guide centre of marriage and childbearing and the greatest maternity hospital in Zhuhai City of Guangdong Province,Zhuhai Municipal Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital constructed the genetic screening network for thalassemias testing and referred for follow-up and for genetic counseling.The couples for premarital medical examination or regular healthcare examination in pregnancy were enrolled to this preventive control program.A conventional strategy of screening for heterozygote was used to identify the α- and β-thalassemia traits in women and their spouses according to the standard procedures of hematological phenotype analysis which was recommended by Thalassemia International Federation (T IF).Then those suspected couples at risk were diagnosed for α- and β-thalassemia by PCR-based DNA assays.The couples at risk for severe thalassemias were counseled and offered prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy in case of an affected fetus in the rights of consent and of option voluntarily.ResultsFrom January 1998 to December 2010,85 522 brides and grooms-to-be for premarital screening and 41 503 pregnant women in addition to 14 141 partners for prenatal screening were recorded,the covering rates of premarital screening and prenatal screening in the city were 92.698％ (from 1998 to 2003) and 27.667％ (from 2004 to 2010),respectively.Totally 10 726 cases were found to be the carriers of thalassemias,with 7393 for o-thalassemia (5.237％,7 393/141 166) and 3333 for β-thalassemia (2.361％,3 333/141 166).A total of 257 couples at-risk for severe thalassemias were detected including 190 for α-thalassemia and 67 for β-thalassemia.Among them,251 (97.7％,251/257) couples were performed prenatal diagnosis.During the preventive control program,a total of 72 fetuses with severe thalassemias including hemoglobin H disease were voluntarily terminated.In Zhuhai City,the average annual birth rate of fetuses with severe thalassemia was declined by 32.9％ (49/149).ConclusionsThis study has reduced effectively birth rate of perinatal infants with severe thalassemias in Zhuhai City by genetic screening and prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia in the large population of 13 years.Our summary comes out of technical proposals for prenatal screening and diagnosis,which could be take example by preventative control of thalassemia in other regions of China where are prevalent.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of noninvasive monitoring technique in intracranial hemorrhage and secondary brain edema after operation for traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods A retrospective case-series analysis was done on 196 TBI patients (128 males and 68 females,aged 18-60 years old,median age 36.5 years old) admitted from January 2014 to December 2015 and treated surgically with simultaneous implantation of intracranial pressure (ICP) probe.There were 89 patients with Glasgow coma score (GCS) 6-8 points and 107 with GCS 9-12 points.The values of ICP were recorded.The changes of cerebral electrical impedance (CEI) were monitored in all patients through the BORN-BE noninvasive monitor.Results The disturbance factor of the BORN-BE noninvasive monitor in brain edema in the cerebral stage exhibited a strongly positive correlation with ICP (R =0.954,R2 =0.910,P ＜ 0.05).All the rebleeding occurred within 24 hours after operation in the study.The disturbance factor showed a significant reduction in the bleeding side,which exhibited a strongly negative correlation with the volume of cerebral hemorrhage (R =-0.982,R2 =0.964,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion After operation for TBI,the ICE changes from dynamic noninvasive monitor can reflect the severity of brain edema digitally,indicating that the postoperative rebleeding and its volume may play an important role in selection of optimal treatment.

Objective:To compare the survival and prognostic factors of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) in female patients, aged≥50 years, diagnosed with node-negative breast cancer (≤ 3 cm in size).Methods:Clinical data of eligible early breast cancer patients between 2010 and 2015 were obtained from the SEER database. Patients were divided into the IORT and PORT groups according to the radiotherapy record and propensity score matching (PSM) was subsequently conducted. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) between two groups and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors of clinical prognosis.Results:7 068 patients were included after PSM. The median follow-up time was 32.0 months. The 5-year OS rates in the IORT and PORT groups were 96.8% and 93.8%, respectively. Univariate Cox analysis showed that radiotherapy, age, histological grade, T stage, estrogen receptor (ER) status and progesterone receptor (PR) status were the independent risk factors for OS, and histological grade, T stage, ER status, PR status and chemotherapy were the independent risk factors for BCSS. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that patients who received IORT had better OS than PORT counterparts ( P=0.020). Besides, patients aged≥60 years obtained worse OS than those aged<60 years ( P=0.003). Patients with T 2 stage or ER-negative tumors had worse OS than those with T 1 stage tumors ( P<0.001) or ER-positive tumors ( P=0.001). Patients with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ tumors achieved worse BCSS ( P=0.004). Subgroup analysis showed that IORT yielded better OS for elderly patients (≥60 years), grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ tumors, infiltrating duct carcinoma, T 2 stage tumors, ER-positive tumors, PR-positive tumors and patients without chemotherapy. Conclusions:IORT may bring benefit for highly selected patients with low risk of recurrence, which is not inferior to PORT in terms of short-term survival. Prospective studies with longer follow-up time are needed to confirm the findings.

OBJECTIVETo develop a simple, rapid, accurate, and cost-effective single-0tube multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, which could be used for molecular screening and prenatal diagnosis, for detection of three commonest deletional alpha-thalassemias (-- (SEA), -alpha (3.7) and -alpha (4.2)) in Chinese population.

METHODSFour groups of primers were designed on the basis of gap-PCR, and the PCR reaction condition was optimized systematically with the purpose of amplifying effectively specific DNA fragments that are indicative of the respective genotypes of these three deletional alpha thalassemias. In addition, a pair of primers was designed to amplify LIS1 3' untranslated region (UTR) fragment for use as a separate control for amplification running. A total of 72 blood and prenatal archival DNA samples with various known alpha thalassemia genes or normal alpha globin gene sequence that had been confirmed by Southern blotting analysis or DNA sequencing were collected to test the specificity of this assay by blind analysis. In addition, DNA samples from nine couples at high risk of alpha thalassemia were also analyzed to evaluate the reliability of this technique in prenatal implementation.

RESULTSHomozygote, heterozygote and double heterozygote of the three commonest deletional alpha thalassemias were well detected simultaneously by this established method. For normal allele, a 2.4 kb amplified band as a systematic control and an alpha (2) gene-specific amplicon of 1.8 kb were produced. Besides the two amplified fragments of normal allele, it was found that a 1.3 kb, a 2.0 kb or a 1.6 kb amplified band could be simultaneously shown for representing --(SEA), -alpha (3.7) and -alpha (4.2) alleles, respectively, in the heterozygous states. In a blind test, this technique accurately detected 100% of the DNA samples previously characterized by Southern blotting or DNA sequencing, and it was successfully applied to prenatal diagnosis of alpha thalassemia in nine at-risk families.

CONCLUSIONThe single-tube multiplex PCR protocol presented in this study is easy-to-handle, rapid, reliable and is cost-effective for detecting --(SEA), -alpha (3.7) and -alpha (4.2) chromosomes, and it is suitable for large-scale population screening and for rapid molecular genotyping in clinics.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; alpha-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; genetics

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.

Extrathyroidal extension of thyroid cancer has been an important adverse factor affecting the prognosis of patients. According to the latest NCCN (National Comprehensive Cancer Network) guidelines, extrathyroidal extension is the surgical guide fortotal thyroidectomy in newly diagnosed patients, and its incidence in differentiated thyroid cancer is 5%-34%, belonging to T3-T4 stage.In the eighth edition of thyroid cancer AJCC staging, the T3 stage was first divided into T3a (tumor>4 cm and limited to the thyroid) and T3b (gross extrathyroidal extension invading only strap muscles from a tumor of any size), and the "minimal extrathyroidal extension(tumor invasion intoperithyroidal soft tissue or strap muscle invasion)"of the seventh edition was removed from the T stage and changed to the gross extrathyroidal extension invading only strap muscles, but there is still much controversy. It can be seen that different degrees of "extrathyroidal extension" have significant differences in the survival and prognosis of thyroid cancer. This article reviews the latest research progress of extrathyroidal extension, and discusses the significance and clinical research progress of it.

Both immunosuppressants and antibiotics (ABX) are indispensable for transplant patients. However, the former increases the risk of new-onset diabetes, whereas the latter impacts intestinal microbiota (IM). It is still unclear whether and how the interaction between immunosuppressants and ABX alters the IM and thus leads to glucose metabolism disorders. This study examined the alterations of glucose and lipid metabolism and IM in mice exposed to tacrolimus (TAC) with or without ABX. We found that ABX further aggravated TAC-induced glucose tolerance and increased insulin secretion. Combined treatment resulted in exacerbated lipid accumulation in the liver. TAC-altered microbial community was further amplified by ABX administration, as characterized by reductions in phylum Firmicutes, family Lachnospiraceae, and genus Coprococcus. Analyses based on the metagenomic profiles revealed that ABX augmented the effect of TAC on microbial metabolic function mostly related to lipid metabolism. The altered components of gut microbiome and predicted microbial functional profiles showed significant correlation with hepatic lipid accumulation and glucose disorders. In conclusion, ABX aggravated the effect of TAC on the microbiome and its metabolic capacities, which might contribute to hepatic lipid accumulation and glucose disorders. These findings suggest that the ABX-altered microbiome can amplify the diabetogenic effect of TAC and could be a novel therapeutic target for patients.