Objective:To explore the efficacy of a flat ground exoskeleton robot in improving the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods:Fifty-eight stroke survivors with mobility difficulties were randomly divided into a robot group ( n=29) and a control group ( n=29). In addition to routine rehabilitation, the control group received conventional walking training, while the robot group underwent exoskeleton robot-assisted gait training. The 30-minute training sessions were held twice a day, 5 days per week for 5 weeks. Before as well as after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, everyone′s walking ability was tested using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and functional ambulation scale (FAC). General lower limb motor function was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity assessment (FMA-LE). Moreover, gait analysis was conducted before and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results:After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, the average 6MWT times of both groups were significantly better than before the treatment, with the improvement of the robot group significantly greater than that of the control group after 2 weeks. After 2 and 4 weeks the average FMA-LE and FAC scores of both groups had improved significantly compared with before treatment. After 4 weeks the stride frequency and gait cycle of both groups had improved significantly.Conclusions:Exoskeleton robot-assisted gait training can improve walking ability and lower limb motor function of stroke survivors about as well as conventional walking training.

The parahippocampal gyrus-orbitofrontal cortex (PHG-OFC) circuit in humans is homologous to the postrhinal cortex (POR)-ventral lateral orbitofrontal cortex (vlOFC) circuit in rodents. Both are associated with visuospatial malfunctions in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we explored the relationship between an impaired POR-vlOFC circuit and visuospatial memory deficits through retrograde tracing and in vivo local field potential recordings in 5XFAD mice, and investigated alterations of the PHG-OFC circuit by multi-domain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients on the AD spectrum. We demonstrated that an impaired glutamatergic POR-vlOFC circuit resulted in deficient visuospatial memory in 5XFAD mice. Moreover, MRI measurements of the PHG-OFC circuit had an accuracy of 77.33% for the classification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment converters versus non-converters. Thus, the PHG-OFC circuit explains the neuroanatomical basis of visuospatial memory deficits in AD, thereby providing a potential predictor for AD progression and a promising interventional approach for AD.

Objective:To analyse the effects of meteorological factors on plague epidemic in Himalayana marmot plague natural foci in Subei and Sunan counties of Gansu Province. Methods:The surveillance data of plague from 1973 to 2016 in Himalayan marmot foci of Subei and Sunan counties (from Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and the meteorological factors (rainfall, temperature, relative humidity) of current, preceding first, second and third years (the first, second and third years before the reference year, from China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System) were collected. In order to build generalized additive model (GAM), the positive rate of plague was used as dependent variable while meteorological factors of the current, preceding first, second and third years were used as independent variables. The influence of meteorological factors on plague was quantitatively analyzed by using R2.3.2 software. Results:In 2006 - 2016, compared with 1974 - 1983, the average temperature in Subei rose by 0.99 ℃, the average relative humidity rose by 3.55%RH, and the average rainfall rose by 12.16 mm; in Sunan County, the average temperature rose by 1.00 ℃, the average relative humidity rose by 2.01%RH, and the average rainfall rose by 14.60 mm. From 1973 to 2016, 11 cases of human plague with 7 cases of dead (12 cases of attack) occurred in the investigated district. The average rainfall of the preceding third year of Subei rose every 1.00 mm within a certain range, the animal plague occurred rose by 0.40%. The average relative humidity of preceding second year of Subei rose every 1.00%RH within a certain range, animal plague occurred rose by 11.66%. The average rainfall of the preceding first year of Sunan rose every 1.00 mm within a certain range, the animal plague occurred rose by 1.32%. The average relative humidity of preceding third year of Sunan rose every 1.00%RH within a certain range, animal plague occurred rose by 11.96%. The average temperature of the preceding second year of Subei, Sunan rose every 1.00 ℃ within a certain range, animal plague rose 73.17%, 70.18%, respectively.Conclusions:The occurrence and prevalence of plague in Himalayana marmot are closely related to meteorological factors, and the temperature within a certain range (but not continuously) not only promotes the epidemic of plague, but also has a lag effect. In addition, the effects of different types of climate in the same foci on the prevalence of animal plague vary.

Objective To explore the correlation between childhood obesity and adult metabolic diseases. Methods A total of 3 542 people who underwent physical examination in the General Hospital of Fuming from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected as research subjects. They were divided into childhood obesity group and control group according to the childhood body mass index (BMI). Single factor and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed on relevant factors that may affect adult metabolic diseases by comparing clinical data with laboratory parameters. Results A total of 113 adult patients with metabolic diseases were found in the control group, with an incidence rate of 4.56%. In the childhood obesity group, 322 adult patients with metabolic diseases were found, with an incidence rate of 30.32%. The incidence of adult metabolic diseases in the childhood obesity group was significantly higher than that of the control group, while the HDL-C level in the childhood obesity group was significantly lower than that in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the gender and childhood obesity were significantly correlated to adult metabolic diseases (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the childhood obesity was an independent risk factor for adult metabolic diseases (P<0.05). Conclusion There was a difference in the incidence of adult metabolic diseases and laboratory indicators in the adulthood between childhood obese patients and childhood non-obese patients. Childhood obesity is an independent risk factor for adult metabolic diseases.

Objective:To study the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) loci polymorphism of Yersinia pestis and its area distribution in Gansu province. Methods:A total of 203 strains of Yersinia pestis isolated from 1962 to 2014 were selected for the culture and extraction of DNA. Three pairs of CRISPR primers were used to amplify the strain DNA by PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced. The groups and genotypes of strains were determined according to the spacer and spacer arrangement of CRISPR loci in the strain. Cluster analysis was done by using the software BioNumerics 5.10. Results:A total of 16 spacers, including 9 species of YPa loci, 4 species of YPb loci and 3 species of YPc loci, were found in the 203 strains of Yersinia pestis. A new spacer of a1′ was found. The 203 strains were divided into 5 CRISPR genotypes and classified into 5 CRISPR clusters (Cb2, Ca7, Ca7′, CaΔ5′ and Ca35′). Each cluster showed significant area-specific characteristics, Cb2 was mainly distributed in Huining country and Pingchuan district, Ca7 was mainly found in Aksai Kazak autonomous country, Ca7′ was mainly found in Xiahe country, Ca35′ was mainly found in Subei Mongolia autonomous county and Yumen city and CaΔ5′ was mainly distributed in Sunan Yugur autonomous county. Conclusions:The strains from different plague foci in Gansu were distinguished by CRISPR, all kinds of clusters showed the obvious area specific characteristics. It is important to study the evolution of Yersinia pestis in Gansu and trace the molecular biology origin of human plague.

Objective To compare the clinical effects of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) combined with different bone graft materials, including Bio-Gene, Bone3 and Bio-Oss, in the treatment of periodontal intra-bony defects. Methods Eighteen patients with chronic periodontitis with periodontal intra-bony defects were randomly divided into the Bio-Gene group, the Bone3 group and Bio-Oss group. After periodontal debridement, periodontal bone grafting combined with GTR surgery was performed in all patients. The clinical and radiographic parameters of patients were collected before surgery, suture removal (2 weeks after surgery), and 6 months after surgery, including periodontal exploration depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (GR), and residual alveolar bone height (RBH). Results The wounds healed well in all patients when the suture was removed. The stage Ⅰ healing was obtained without infection or wound dehiscence, and the postoperative discomfort was acceptable. At 6 months after periodontal bone grafting combined with GTR treatment, the PD and CAL indexes in the three groups were significantly improved compared with those before surgery (all P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in PD and CAL between the three groups (all P>0.05). Imaging results showed that new bone formation was observed in the original bone defect area in all three groups after 6 months of the treatment, the bone density was similar to the surrounding bone tissue. Besides, the RBH％increased significantly compared with that before the treatment (all P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in RBH％among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Bio-Gene, Bone3 and Bio-Oss are all reliable bone graft materials for the treatment of alveolar bone defects caused by periodontitis, which can significantly improve the osteogenesis effect.

Objective: To investigate the correlation of meteorological factors with the numbers of marmots and parasitic fleas in the plague foci of Himalayan marmot in Subei County and Sunan County of Gansu Province. Methods: The surveillance data(from Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention) of natural plague foci of Subei, Sunan of Himalayan marmot from 1982 to 2016 and the meteorological factors data (from China Meteorological Data Sharing Service Network) such as annual average temperature, rainfall and relative humidity during the same period were collected. The correlation between marmot density, body flea index and meteorological factors were analyzed by SAS 9.3 software. Based on the meteorological data as an independent variable in current year and previous 1, 2, and 3 years (relative to previous 1, 2, and 3 years as the reference), the marmot density as the dependent variable, the time series semiparametric generalized additive model (GAM) was established to quantitatively study the nonlinear effect of meteorological factors on the marmot density by R2.3.2 software. Results: From 1982 to 2016, the marmot density in Subei County of Gansu Province was 0.29-6.63 per hectare, and the body flea index range was 0.04-4.56; the marmot density in Sunan County of Gansu Province was 1.22-7.92 per hectare, and the body flea index range was 0.06-0.42. In Subei County, the marmot density was correlated with the previous 1 year rainfall and relative humidity, respectively (r= 0.43, 0.36, P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with the average temperature of the year and the previous 1, 3 years (r=-0.58,-0.55,-0.41, P < 0.05). In Sunan County, the marmot density was correlated with the relative humidity of the year and the previous 1 year rainfall and relative humidity, respectively (r= 0.36, 0.57, 0.43, P < 0.05). In Subei County, the body flea index was negatively correlated with the average temperature of the year and the previous 1, 2, 3 years, respectively(r=-0.57,-0.43,-0.31,-0.37, P < 0.05). In Sunan County, there was a negative correlation between the body flea index and the average temperature of the year and the previous 1, 2, 3 years (r=-0.71,-0.46,-0.38,-0.40, P < 0.05). After controlling other influencing factors, the results of the GAM showed that for every 1 mm increase in rainfall of the year in Subei County, the marmot density increased 0.93%; for every 1% increase in relative humidity of the previous 3 year in Subei County, the marmot density increased 25.34%; for every 1 mm increase in rainfall of the previous 3 year in Sunan County, the marmot density increased 1.69%. Conclusions The numbers of marmots in the plague foci of Himalayan marmot in Subei County and Sunan County of Gansu Province are closely related to rainfall and relative humidity, and the influence has different hysteresis effects. Surface temperature is a important factor affecting the population of parasitic fleas.

Objective To analyze the relationship between meteorological variables and the prevalence of marmot plague in the Himalayan marmot foci of Subei County,Gansu Province.Methods The surveillance data (from Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention) on human plague,the meteorological factors (average rainfall,temperature,relative humidity) data (from China Meteorological Data Sharing Service Network) of the current and preceding (relative to current year as a reference) first,second and third years and meteorological factors data of the current and preceding first,second and third months in Subei of Himalayan marmot foci from 1973 to 2014 were collected.The association of positive rate of plague bacteriological detection and meteorological factors was evaluated by using SAS 9.3 software.The influence of meteorological factors on the epidemic of marmot plague was analyzed by the logistic regression analysis.Results From 1973 to 2014,6 human plague cases with 5 dead cases occurred in Subei County.The positive rate of plague bacteriological detection was positively correlated with the average relative humidity of current year and the average temperature of preceding first year (r =0.366,0.385,P ＜ 0.05),and it was negatively correlated with the average relative humidity of preceding third year (r =-0.304,P ＜ 0.05);the positive rate of plague bacteriological detection was positively correlated with the average rainfall of preceding first month (r =0.212,P ＜ 0.05),and it was negatively correlated with the average relative humidity of preceding second and third months (r =-0.196,-0.201,P ＜ 0.05).The risk factor of animal plague epidemic in marmot foci in Subei County was average temperature of current month [odds ratio (OR) =1.304,95％ confidence intervals (CI):1.195-1.422],and the protective factor was average relative humidity of preceding third month (OR =0.960,95％CI:0.932-0.988).Conclusions The prevalence of marmot plague is closely associated with meteorological factors in the natural plague foci of Subei County of Gansu Province.The temperature not only plays a role in promoting the prevalence of plague,but also has a lagging effect.Therefore,the meteorological factors can be considered as a reference of the plague prevalence in Himalayan marmot plague foci.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of type Ⅳ collagen A2 (COL4A2) of extracellular matrix and integrin β3 (ITGB3) in prostate cancer (PC) of tumor microenvironment.Methods The specimens were collected and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was used to detect the expression levels of COL4A2 and ITGB3 in human prostate cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues.The expression levels were analyzed and clinically diagnosed in PC patients.The correlation between the eigenlogical features was further analyzed by Pearson statistical method.Results The expression levels of COL4A2 and ITGB3 in prostate cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues [immunoreactive score (IRS):COL4A2:prostate cancer tissues =4.39 ± 1.16,adjacent normal tissues =3.02 ± 1.20 (P ＜ 0.01);ITGB3:prostate cancer tissue =5.46 ± 0.99,adjacent normal tissues =3.85 ± 0.96 (P＜0.01)],both expressions were consistent with the pathological stage of PC (P ＜0.05).The Gleason scores increased(P ＜ 0.05) and the expression of both was positively correlated in prostate cancer (Pearson r =0.206,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion COL4A2 and ITGB3 were up-regulated in prostate cancer and were associated with the staging of tumor tissues.The later the staging,the higher the expression of both,suggesting that they might play an important role in the malignant progression of PCa.Csmbined defection might help to identify Helps to judge the degree of malignancy,invasion and metastasis of PC.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of type Ⅳ collagen A2 (COL4A2) of extracellular matrix and integrin β3 (ITGB3) in prostate cancer (PC) of tumor microenvironment.Methods The specimens were collected and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was used to detect the expression levels of COL4A2 and ITGB3 in human prostate cancer tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues.The expression levels were analyzed and clinically diagnosed in PC patients.The correlation between the eigenlogical features was further analyzed by Pearson statistical method.Results The expression levels of COL4A2 and ITGB3 in prostate cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues [immunoreactive score (IRS):COL4A2:prostate cancer tissues =4.39 ± 1.16,adjacent normal tissues =3.02 ± 1.20 (P ＜ 0.01);ITGB3:prostate cancer tissue =5.46 ± 0.99,adjacent normal tissues =3.85 ± 0.96 (P＜0.01)],both expressions were consistent with the pathological stage of PC (P ＜0.05).The Gleason scores increased(P ＜ 0.05) and the expression of both was positively correlated in prostate cancer (Pearson r =0.206,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion COL4A2 and ITGB3 were up-regulated in prostate cancer and were associated with the staging of tumor tissues.The later the staging,the higher the expression of both,suggesting that they might play an important role in the malignant progression of PCa.Csmbined defection might help to identify Helps to judge the degree of malignancy,invasion and metastasis of PC.