Abstract：Objective To investigate the detection methods of newly discovered leprosy cases in Hunan Province in 2013-2022, and analyze the trend of changes, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of leprosy. Methods The detailed information of newly diagnosed leprosy cases in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2022 was collected through the Leprosy Management Information System (LEPMIS), and the descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the detection methods of newly discovered leprosy cases. Results From 2013 to 2022, a total of 250 newly diagnosed leprosy cases were detected in Hunan Province, including 143 cases (57.20%) were found in outpatient clinics, 33 cases (13.20%) were found in clue investigations, 27 cases (10.80%) were notifiable-reported, 23 cases (9.20%) were self-reported, 11 cases (4.40%) were found in other ways (e.g., group survey), 9 cases (3.60%) were found in contact examinations, 2 cases (0.80%) were found in census, and 2 cases (0.80%) were found in epidemic point inspection. From 2013 to 2022, the number of cases detected in outpatient clinics showed an upward trend (rs=0.515), while the cases detected in clue investigation (rs=-0.873), notifiable-reported (rs=-0.127), self-reported (rs=-0.301), contact examination (rs=-0.363), census (rs=-0.701) and epidemic point inspection (rs=-0.701) showed a downward trend. The majority of leprosy cases with different demography characteristics and clinical characteristics were found through outpatient clinics, except that the majority of leprosy cases in children were found by contact examination (66.76%). Of 165 male cases, 92 cases (55.76%) were found in outpatient clinics and 51 out of 85 female cases (60.00%) were found in outpatient clinics. Among age groups, 113 out of 187 cases aged 15 to 60 (60.43%) and 30 out of 60 cases aged over 60 (50.00%) were found in outpatient clinics. Among patients with differentoccupations, 112 out of 208 cases of farmers (53.85%) and 31 out of 42 cases of other occupations (73.81%) were found inoutpatient clinics. Among cases with different types of leprosy, 111 out of 185 cases of multibacillary leprosy (60.00%) and 32 out of 65 cases of paucibacillary leprosy (49.23%) were found in outpatient clinics. Among cases with different numbers of skin lesions, 4 out of 8 cases of skin lesion-free leprosy (50.00%), 3 out of 9 cases of single skin lesion leprosy (33.33%), and 136 out of 233 cases of multiple skin lesions leprosy (58.37%) were found in outpatient clinics. Of 72 cases without nerve damage, 48 cases (66.67%) were found in outpatient clinics. Of 27 cases with single nerve damage, 17 cases (62.96%) were found in outpatient clinics. Of 151 cases with multiple nerve damage, 78 cases (51.66%) were found in outpatient clinics. Among patients with different levels of malformation, 58 out of 102 cases with no malformation (56.86%), 28 out of 45 cases with Grade malformation (62.22%), 35 out of 68 cases with Grade Ⅱmalformation (51.47%), and 22 out of 35 cases with other types of malformation (62.86%) were found in outpatient clinics. Conclusions Outpatient clinics is the main way to detect newlydiagnosed leprosy cases under the low prevalence of leprosy in Hunan Province, and it is an important strategy to move the early detection of leprosy cases to comprehensive medical institutions in the future.

Objective To explore the effect of psychological intervention on knee osteoarthritis patients. Methods A total of 92 OA patients were included into a one-month randomized controlled followup study, 47 of them were treated with combined psychological intervention, the other 45 cases were routinely treated. All cases were investigated on their demographic information , physiological parameters and score of the short form-36 health survey questionnaires (SF-36), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and self-rating anxiety scale (SAS). Statistics method used t-test and variance analysis. Results There was no signi-ficant difference in terms of the physiologic parameters changes between before and after treatment (P＞0.05) of the two groups. ① The SDS scores of the two groups decreased gradually after the treatment (P＜0.05),while there was remarkable descending of SDS score in patients of psychological intervention group (P＜0.05). ② The SAS scores of the two groups decreased gradually after the treatment (P＜0.05). And there was no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05). Compared with the non-intervention group, the fourfactors scores including physical function, pain, vitality and role limitations due to emotional problems of the intervention group were significantly improved (P＜0.05). Anegative correlation was observed between SDS and PF, BP, GH, VT and SF (r=-0.739-0521,P＜0.05). SAS was correlated negatively with VT and SF (r=-0.699～-0.475,P＜0.05). Conclusion Psychological intervention could ameliorate the depression of knee osteoarthritis patients. The quality of life of knee osteoarthritis patients can be improved by psychological intervention.

BACKGROUND: Learning memory disorder is one of the major manifestations of aging. The model of aging induced by D-galactose is a commonly used animal model in recent years, and long-term D-galactose exposure may cause nerve cell morphological changes in animals.OBJETCIVE: To observe spatial learning memory behavior during Dgalactose-induced aging process in order to further explore in vivo evoked long-term potentiation in hippocampus dentate gyrus and synaptic morphological changes in hippocampal CA3 region.DESIGN: Randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Anatomical Teaching and Research Secti , Shanghai Second Medical University; Department of Physiology, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine University.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Physiological Laboratory of Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine University between August 2000 and April 2001. Totally 22 male Wistar rats of 3-month birth age were included and randomized into normal group and D-galactose group with 11 rats in each group. D-galactose was produced by Shanghai No. 2 Chemical Reagent Factory, Morris water maze was home-made by the Institute of Geriatrics, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine university.METHODS: Rats were subjected to hypodermic injection of 1 mL normal saline every day in normal group, or D-galactose of 800 mg/kg daily for 6consecutive weeks in D-galactose group. Rat spatial learning memory behavior was assessed by the latency of Morris water maze; hippocampal dentate gyrus community potentials evoked by monopulse stimulation on perforating fibers were recordedin vivo; meanwhile, the amplitude of monopulse evoked potentials was determined before and after high frequency stimulation, with the amplitude before high frequency stimulation taken as baseline. Transmission electromicroscope was applied in combination with imaging analysis to observe synaptic morphology and structure in rat hippocampal CA3 region. Water labyrinth latency was compared using the variance analysis of repetitive survey design, t-test was used to compare the differences of peak potential latency of community potentials at various time points after long-term potentiation. Moreover, inducing rate of longterm potentiation was compared by χ2-test, XY-540 type biological imaging processing system was used to analyze electromicroscopic pictures, and all available data were analyzed with t-test.MAN OUTCOME MEASURES: [1] Main outcomes: Changes of Morris water maze latency, as well as inducing rate of long-term potentiation and community potentials. [2] Secondary outcomes: Synaptic morphological and structural changes in hippocampal CA3 region.RESULTS: Totally 22 rats were enrolled in this study, with no one lost during water labyrinth test, but one rat in both normal group and D-galactose group died during electrophysiological experiment. Finally 3 rats were randomly selected from each group for electromicroscopic observation. [1]Comparison of the latency for Morris water maze: In contrast with that of normal group, latency for seeking submarine platform was obviously prolonged in D-galactose group [(14.77±10.10), (51.36±12.45) s, P ＜ 0.05].[2] Comparison of evoked potential in hippocampus dentate before high frequency stimulation: The two groups did not obviously differ in community potential amplitude and community potential latency [(1.05±0.47),(0.91±0.41) mV; (5.46±2.09), (5.38±2.26) ms; P ＞ 0.05]. [3] Inducing rate of long-term potentiation in hippocampal dentate gyrus: Compared to that of normal group, inducing rate in D-galactose group obviously reduced after high frequency stimulation (80%, 20%, χ2=7.20, P ＜ 0.01). [4] Comparison of community potential ratio at different time points after high frequency stimulation: Compared to that of normal group, it was notably reduced in D-galactose group at post-stimulation 20, 30, 60 minutes, respectively (1.104±0.196, 0.919±0.162; 1.354±0.212, 0.999±0.219; 1.236±0.174,0.875±0.311; P ＜ 0.05). [5] Comparison of synaptic struc tural parameters in hippocampal CA3 region: Compared to that of normal group, postsynaptic dense bodies became thickened in hippocampal CA3 region of D-galactose group [(40.60±18.26), (26.35±8.15) nm, P ＜ 0.05], the synapse gap increased [(17.69±6.28), (26.95±5.67) nm, P ＜ 0.05] while synaptic active zone was shortened [(265.13±76.50), (229.13±90.68) nm, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Hypodermic injection of D-galactose does harm to rat spatial learning memory by reducing the long-term potentiation, inducing rate in rat hippocampal dentate gyrus, attenuating the increase of long-term potentiation-evoked potential amplitude, and even remarkably changing the synaptic ultrastructure in rat hippocampal CA3 region. It suggests that Dgalactose inhibits the long-term potentiation at hippocampal dentate gyrus and affects synaptic structure in hippocampal CA3 region, which is considered as the basis of spatial learning memory behavioral disorder.

Objective To investigate the effects of sensorimotor therapy on patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods Ninety-two patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into a treatment group and a control group by using random digits table. Both groups received conventional rehabilitation therapy, including knee isometric and isotonic contraction training, ultrashort wave diathermy as well as aerobic exercise. The treatment group was also administered with sensorimotor training, in addition to the conventional training,including the muscle strengthening and control training of quadriceps and hamstring muscle using sling exercise therapy system and on the Thera-band mattress. The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, manual muscle testing and knee range of motion as well as the Japanese Orthopedic Association knee function evaluation form were used to evaluate the patients. Results There was no statistic difference between the 2 groups before treatment, with regard to the evaluation parameters used in this study. After 2 months of treatment, both groups improved significantly (P ＜0.05),with the treatment group improved to a significantly greater extent (P ＜0.05). Conclusions Sensorimotor training in addition to the conventional rehabilitation treatment can further relieve the pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis joints arthritis and improve the function of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To study the action of aspirin, ticlopidine and cilostazol in inhibiting platelet activation in vitro. Methods Three kinds of anti platelet drugs, which inhibited the expression of fibrinogen receptor (FIB R) and P selectin (CD62P) on activated platelets surface in vitro, were analyzed by tri color flow cytometry. Results Three kinds of anti platelet drugs inhibited the expression of FIB R and CD62P on ADP activating platelet membrane surface differently. Cilostazol could inhibit the expression of FIB R and CD62P of the platelets markedly. Ticlopidine could inhibit the FIB R expression markedly, but CD62P indistinctly. Aspirin could not inhibit the expression of either FIB R and CD62P on ADP activating platelets. Conclusion Cilostazol is a strong anti platelet drug as compared with aspirin and ticlopidine. It could not only inhibit FIB R expression of activated platelets, which can prevent platelet aggregation, but also decrease the release reaction and procoagulative activities of activated platelets.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of psychological rehabilitation on dysphagia with cognitive and psychological disorders post stroke. Methods 120 stroke patients with dysphagia complicated with cognitive and psychological disorders were divided into experimental group (n=60) and control group (n=60). Both groups received neurological routine medical treatment, swallowing function rehabilitation training, feeding training and low-frequency electrical stimulation. Cognitive and psychological therapy was additionally used in the experimental group. Both groups were assessed by Kubota DrinkingWater Test, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA). Results 1 month after intervention, the score of Kubota Drinking Water Test improved significantly in both groups, and was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.001).The rate of clinical improvement was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.01). The scores of MMSE increased significantly in the experimental group (P<0.001). The scores of HAMD and HAMA decreased significantly in the experimental group (P<0.01). Only the scores of HAMA decreased in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Swallowing function rehabilitation training combined with cognitive and psychological therapy may facilitate to improve the cognitive function and psychological state and swallowing function for dysphagia with cognitive and psychological disorders post stroke.

Objective To identify the genetic mechanism of fetuses with short limbs deformity.Methods From Aug.2008 to Aug.2011,ten fetuses with obvious short limbs were found in ultrasound screening performed at 18-24 and (or) 30-32 gestational weeks and underwent artificial induced labor with the patient' consent.Amniotic fluid or cord blood of the fetuses was collected for karyotyping analysis and detection of mutation point of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3)gene by polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing.One fetus (case 3) who presented with achondrogenesis underwent sequencing of SLC26A2 and Trip11 gene meanwhile.Results Among the 10 fetuses with short limbs deformity,five cases were found during second trimester and five during third trimester.Nine cases were identified as normal karyotype and one was chimera (46,XY/45,XY,- 18).One fetus carried a rare FGFR3 mutation of c.1108G＞T (G370C) and was diagnosed as thanatophoric dysplasia at 21+3 weeks.Three fetus carried c.1138G＞A (G380R) mutation and were diagnosed as achondroplasia.These four families had low recurrent risk because no gene mutations were found in the parents.Three mothers of these four fetuses were pregnant again and had normal neonates now.No mutations were found in all gene sequencing in case 3.Conclusions Karyotyping analysis and sequencing of FGFR3 gene could find causative gene mutations and provide genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis for some fetuses with short limbs deformity.In the third trimester,achondroplasia is the most possible diagnosis when short limbs fetus is found by ultrasound.

Objective To prospectively investigate the association between serum uric acid concentration and the risk of brain infarction in Chinese adults.Methods In this prospective cohort study,a total of 95 738 participants (aged 18-98 years old) were included and were categorized into sex-specific quintiles according to serum uric acid concentration which were collected during 2006-2007 by health examinations.The study was followed up for an average of 4 years.We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and their 95％ confidence intervals (CI).Results (1) Higher concentrations of serum uric acid were associated with older age,obesity,higher blood pressure,higher serum concentrations of total cholesterol,triglycerides,and high sensitivity C-reactive protein,smoking,alcohol drinking,history of hypertension,hyperlipidemia and atrial fibrillation,and antihypertensive medication use.(2) The incidence of brain infarction for sex-specific quintiles were 0.84％ (33/3913),0.35％ (14/3985),0.44％(17/3888),0.54％ (21/3909),0.91％ (35/3860) in women (x2 =15.676,P =0.003) and 1.18％(180/15 238),1.26％ (191/15 170),1.11％ (170/15 323),1.45％ (221/15 216),1.82％ (277/15 236)in men (x2 =36.641,P =0.000).(3) After adjusting for potential confounders,including age,body mass index,blood pressure,fasting plasma glucose,total cholesterol,triglyceride,smoking,alcohol,and medical history of major chronic conditions and antihypertensive medication use,the HR (95％ CI) of brain infarction across serum uric acid quintiles were 2.06 (1.14-3.72),0.91 (0.45-1.84),1.00 (ref),1.11 (0.58-2.09),1.31(0.73-2.34) in women and 1.07 (0.86-1.34),1.02 (0.47-2.25),1.00 (ref),1.23(1.00-1.52),1.24(1.01-1.52) in men.Conclusions In this prospective cohort study,we find a U-shaped relationship between serum uric acid concentrations and brain infarction,a higher risk of developing brain infarction in association with low or high serum uric acid concentrations.Women with lowest or highest serum uric acid concentrations and men with higher serum uric acid concentrations are more likely to develop brain infarction.This probably because women have lower serum uric acid concentrations relative to men.Confirmation of our findings in larger cohorts with longer follow-up duration is warranted.

Objective To investigate the effects of a new sling exercise treatment combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate on the radiographic findings and clinical variables of patients with patellofemoral pain.Methods Seventy patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were divided into a group which was treated using a new sling exercise therapy combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate (the combined therapy group,n=34) and another which received only sodium hyaluronate injections (the control group,n=36).The patients of both groups were assessed pre-and post-treatment.The clinical assessment modalities were pain scores (using a visual analogue scale,VAS),quadriceps and hamstring strength and range of motion in the active flexion and extension of the knee.Q angles were measured supine and standing.Patellofemor tilt angle and congruence and sulcus angle were determined by CT scanning.Results After 5 weeks the average VAS pain score of the combined therapy group was significantly lower than that of the control group.Muscle strength and range of motion in the combined therapy group were both significantly higher than pro-treatment,the Q angles were significantly smaller,and the congruence and sulcus angles were significantly better.Conclusion Five weeks of practicing the new sling exercise therapy combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate can yield satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Objective To analyze the clinical,myopathological and genetic features in 5 female manifesting carriers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).Methods The age of onset of these 5 patients were from birth to 54 years old,one of which had a family history of DMD.Two patients presented with proximal weakness,one with myalgia and dilated cardiomyopathy,one with limb weakness and ventricular septal defect,and one with exercise intolerance.Serum creatine kinase concentrations were between 1 000-31 815 U/L.Muscle biopsies were performed in 4 patients.Dystrophin gene mutation analyses were carried out in 5 patients by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification.Karyotype study was done in one patient who had no dystrophin gene mutation.Results Muscle biopsy revealed markedly decreased dystrophin expression in one patient and a mosaic pattern with some fibers lacking or partially expressing dystrophin in 3 patients.Four patients were identified carrying exonic deletions of dystrophin gene and one had t(x;5) (p21 ;p14).Conclusions The clinical manifestations and myopathological changes are more compatible with Becker muscular dystrophy.Chromosome translocation can be detected in Chinese female manifesting carrier.