National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was associated with the immediate and long-term prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine whether the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale was associated with the short- and long-term prognosis of patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: A total of 247 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the hospital from April 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively selected as study subjects, and the immediate and long-term prognosis after thrombolysis was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale and divided into good prognosis group (119 cases) and poor prognosis group (128 cases) based on the effect of thrombolysis. Both groups were treated with alteplase, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale of the two groups was compared, and the factors affecting the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke were analyzed. RESULTS: After intravenous thrombolysis, 24 h, and 7 days of treatment, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale in the poor prognosis group was higher than those of patients in the good prognosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). The results of the multivariate analysis suggested that National Institute of Health Stroke Scale before treatment was an independent factor associated with the 3-month (OR: 1.068, 95%CI 1.015-1.123, p=0.011) and long-term poor prognosis (OR: 1.064, 95%CI 1.012-1.119, p=0.015) in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis after adjustment of age, gender, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumer, onset-to-door time, door-to-needle time, and imaging score. CONCLUSION: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale could be a promising indicator for the prognosis, and active intervention is needed to improve the quality of life in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Investigation of the frequency of kdr mutation of voltage-gated sodium channel in Anopheles sinensis in Yunnan Province / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To understand the kdr (knockdown resistance, kdr) gene mutation of the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) of Anopheles sinensis in Yunnan Province. Methods　From 2018 to 2019, mosquitoes were collected in Luoping County, Suijiang County, Tengchong City, Yingjiang County, Yuanjiang County and Mengla County in Yunnan Province. The collected mosquitoes were morphologically identified as Anopheles sinensis and genomic DNA was extracted by kits. The DNA templates were sequenced after PCR amplification and the sequencing results were identify as Anopheles sinensis by homology alignment in NCBI. After the ⅡS5 and ⅡS6 fragments of the sodium channels in Anopheles sinensis were amplified and sequenced, the sequencing results were multiple aligned by DNAMAN software, and the mutations were analyzed one by one with BioEdit software to determine the kdr allele types and genotypes, and the frequencies were calculated. Results This survey amplified 287 sequences, and the sequence maps showed that 1014 loci had three alleles, including wild type TTG/L (89.20%), mutant type TTT/F (9.76%) and TCG/S (1.04%). Five genotypes: homozygous wildtype L/L (85.02%), homozygous mutant F/F (6.27%) and S/S (0.35%), heterozygous mutant L/F (6.97%) and L/S (1.39%). The wild type allele TTG/L was the main allele in six sampling sites except Suijiang County. The frequency of wild type allele in Tengchong City was the highest (100.00%). That is, no mutation was detected, while the rest of counties occurred different degrees of mutation at 1014 loci. The frequency of mutant allele in Suijiang County was the highest, reaching 55.68%. Luoping County, Mengla County and Suijiang County had two mutant types. Yingjiang County and Yuanjiang County had one heterozygous mutant L/F. Conclusion　Wild type L1014 (TTG/L) is still dominant in most areas of Yunnan Province. The kdr mutation type is mainly L1014F, followed by L1014S, and the mutation frequency is lower than that in central provinces of China.

Associated factors for health-seeking behavior among the residentsin Yiwu with cough for more than three weeks / 预防医学

Objective@#To explore the determinants for health-seeking behavior of the residents after cough for more than 3 weeks in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, in order to provide reference for prevention and control of respiratory diseases.@*Methods@#A multi-stage cluster random sampling method was used to recruit the community residents aged 5 years and above in Yiwu. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted to collect demographic information, features of cough and health-seeking behaviors in the past month. The multivariate logistic regression model was employed to analyze the associated factors for health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks. @*Results@#Among 6 374 residents investigated, 152 cases had a cough for more than 3 weeks in the past month, accounting for 2.48%. They were( 45.00±21.15 ) years old, including 70 ( 46.05% ) males and 82 ( 53.95% ) females. About 58.55% ( 89 ) of them sought medical treatment. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that females ( OR=2.100, 95%CI: 1.005-4.391 ), middle school education level ( OR=0.406, 95%CI: 0.168-0.983 ), family annual income of 100 000 to 199 999 yuan ( OR=2.993, 95%CI: 1.215-7.373 ) were associated factors for health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks.@*Conclusion@#The rate of health-seeking behavior after a cough for more than 3 weeks among the residents in Yiwu is 58.55%, which is associated with gender, education level and income.

Relationship between sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury behavior among college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between sleep problems and non-suicidal self-injury behavior in Chinese college students, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of non-suicidal self-injury behavior.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey of 11 689 college students from three universities in Guangzhou were selected as the research subjects. A questionnaire survey of college students’ mental health was conducted to investigate non-suicidal self-injury behavior, sleep problems, demographic information, lifestyle, and depressive symptoms.@*Results@#In the past year, the prevalence rates of non-suicidal self-injury in college students was 7.8%. Univariate Logistic analysis showed that all sleep problems were associated with non-suicidal self-injury behavior(P<0.05). After controlling for potential confounders,including grade,gender,parents’ education level,health conditon,family income,smoking,drinking and depression,multivariate Logistic regression showed that shorter sleep time at weekend (<7 h/d), insomnia symptoms and frequent nightmares significantly increased the risk of nonsuicidal selfinjury behavior in college students (OR=1.32-3.25, P<0.05), while longer sleep time at weekdays (≥9 h/d) was an important protective factor (OR=0.60, P<0.05).@*Conclusion@#These findings indicate that short sleep time, insomnia and nightmares are important risk factors for college students’ non-suicidal self-injury behavior. Intervention and management on sleep problems can effectively reduce the occurrence of self-injury behaviors.

Treatment of patellar fractures with cable through the bone and Kirschner with a hole in the tail / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study clinical effects of a new internal fixation by using a cable through the bone and Kirschner with a hole in the tail, for the treatment of patellar fractures.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From May 2012 to July 2013, thirty-four patients with patellar fractures were treated with cable through the bone and Kirschner with a hole in the tail. All the patients had close fracture,including 12 transverse fractures and 22 comminuted fractures. There were 18 males and 16 females, ranging in age from 26 to 81 years old, with an average of (46.0 ± 3.0) years old. After open reduction, two appropriate length of Kirschner with a hole in the tail were driven into the patella as perpendicular to the fracture line or the major fragments as possible. A transverse bone tunnel was then drilled with a Kirschner at one side of the patella. Then the cable, which was successively pulled through the bone tunnel and the hole of Kirschner, was crossed in a figure-eight over the anterior of the patella, tightened and fixated by special instruments. The Kirschner was clipped off on the edge of the hole. If it was a comminuted fracture, another cable was used to fasten the patella with cerclage. Postoperative evaluation was based on Bostman.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 26 months, with a mean of (16.0 ± 2.0) months. Fractures healed in all the cases without such complications as infection, loosening of Kirschner and cable loop, and skin irritation. According to the Böstman score system, 33 cases got an excellent result, and 1 good.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cable through the bone and Kirschner with a hole in the tail is a simple, stable and effective method for the treatment of patellar fractures, especially the transverse fractures, with earlier knee exercise and fewer complications.</p>

Effects of Liquid Fertilizer Produced from Sewage Sludge by the Hydrothermal Process on the Growth of Komatsuna.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the possibility of recycling the liquid product obtained from sewage sludge by the hydrothermal treatment as a kind of organic fertilizer and its effect on the plant growth. A small scale hydrothermal treatment experiment was performed and proved that the liquid product contains high content of nitrogen and low content of micronutrients. Therefore, the liquid product has the potential to be used as a kind of liquid fertilizer. In a seed germination test, the liquid product indicated low phytotoxicity. Moreover, in a Komatsuna cultivation experiment, the liquid product showed accelerate effect to the crop yield which is not lower than the chemical fertilizer. Through the low-temperature hydrothermal treatment, the sewage sludge was converted into liquid organic material that could be used as a delayed-release nitrogen fertilizer for the growth of Komatsuna. These results indicated the possibility of establishing a comprehensive system for recycling sewage sludge into a kind of organic fertilizer.

Abnormal expression of miR-let-7b in primary biliary cirrhosis and its clinical significance / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the expression of microRNA (miR)-let-7b in peripheral blood cells of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and investigate its relationship to clinical disease parameters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Peripheral blood and serum samples were obtained for study from 60 PBC patients and 60 healthy controls. Peripheral blood cells were extracted and subjected to real-time PCR to measure miR-let-7b expression. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-18, total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured by standard biochemical assays. The relationship between miR-let-7b expression and disease parameters was assessed by Spearman's rank correlation test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PBC patients showed significantly lower expression of miR-let-7b in peripheral blood cells than healthy controls (P less than 0.001); moreover, the miR-let-7b expression level decreased in parallel to increases in disease severity (stage I > II / III > IV). In PBC patients, the miR-let-7b expression was significantly correlated with Mayo risk scores (r = -0.4930, P less than 0.001), IL-18 (r = -0.4643, P less than 0.001) and ALP (r = -4119, P less than 0.001), but not with TBIL or GGT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased expression of miR-let-7b may be associated with development and progression of PBC, and this miRNA may represent a novel target of improved diagnostic and preventive strategies for PBC.</p>

Percent body fat is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the predictive values of percent body fat (PBF) and body mass index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors, especially when PBF and BMI are conflicting. BMI was calculated by the standard formula and PBF was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A total of 3859 ambulatory adult Han Chinese subjects (2173 males and 1686 females, age range: 18-85 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases were recruited from February to September 2009. Based on BMI and PBF, they were classified into group 1 (normal BMI and PBF, N = 1961), group 2 (normal BMI, but abnormal PBF, N = 381), group 3 (abnormal BMI, but normal PBF, N = 681), and group 4 (abnormal BMI and PBF, N = 836). When age, gender, lifestyle, and family history of obesity were adjusted, PBF, but not BMI, was correlated with blood glucose and lipid levels. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cardiovascular risk factors in groups 2 and 4 were 1.88 (1.45-2.45) and 2.06 (1.26-3.35) times those in group 1, respectively, but remained unchanged in group 3 (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 0.92-1.89). Logistic regression models also demonstrated that PBF, rather than BMI, was independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, PBF, and not BMI, is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that PBF is a better predictor.

Comparison of biomedical engineering education between Southeast University (China) and American universities / 生物医学工程学杂志

Taking Duke University as an example, this article makes a comparison between the major of biomedical engineering in the Southeast University and that in American universities in term of subject direction, faculty, teaching principle and status of publishing academic papers. Through the comparison and analysis, the problems we face were explored. From the comparison and summary the future improvements in four aspects, such as strengthening the interdisciplinary among different majors, etc. so as to provide an inspiration on the future perspectives of research and teaching in biomedical engineering in China.

Cytotoxic effects of granulysin on Candida albicans / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To study the cytotoxic effects of granulysin on Candida albicans. Methods: Candida albicans were cultured with different concen trations of granulysin peptides and the colonies of Candida albicans on Sabouraud dextrose agar were calculated. Broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of granulysin and fluconazole on Candida albicans. Results: When granulysin peptides 2 and 3 (corresponding to G2 and G3 peptides) were at 20 μg/ml, the average colonies of Candida albicans decreased from 838 and 927 to 203 and 218, respectively; G1, G4 and G5 did not reduce the average colony of Candida albicans even at 40 μg/ml. Three strains of Candida albicans were sensitive to granulysin, with their MICs being 26, 22, 29 μg/ml, and their MICs to fluconazole were 4, 20 and 128 μg/ml. Conclusion: Granulysin has cytotoxic effects on Candida albicans and is one of the natural anti-fungi proteins in human body; it has a promising future for anti-fungi drug development.

Decrease of natural killer cell activity in patiens with cryptococcosis and its clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To investigate the interactions between natural killer (NK) cells and Cryptococcus neoformans(C. neoformans) in patients with cryptococcosis, so as to pave a way for treatment and prevention of cryptococcosis. Methods: The peripheral blood samples of 40 cryptococcosis patients and 40 healthy controls were collected. Expression of CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, CD18, CD19, and CD56 in patients peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) were detected by FACS. Cytotoxic activity of NK cells was analyzed by MTT using K562 cells as target cells and the influence of IFN-α and IL-2 on NK cell activity was also studied. The level of IFN-γ in the culture supernatant was assayed by ELISA and the cytotoxic activity of the supernatant was determined. The transcription levels of perforin, granzyme B and granulysin were examined by quantative real-time PCR. C. neoformans and NK cells were cocultured to investigate the inhibition of NK cells on C. neoformans. Results: Compared with that in healthy controls, CD56+ cells decreased significantly (P<0.01) in the PBMC of patients with cryptococcosis, CD8+,CD19+ and CD18+ cells increased significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the ratio of CD8+/CD28+ increased and of CD4+/CD8+ declined significantly (P<0.05). However, the levels of CD2+, CD3+ and CD4+ cells had no change. Compared with that in healthy controls, the NK cells cytotoxicity in patients with cryptococcosis decreased significantly(P<0.01), but increased when IFN-α or IL-2 was added (P<0.01). IFN-γ level in the PBMC supernatant of patients with cryptococcosis was much lower than that in healthy controls(P<0.01). Transcription of perforin, granzyme B and granulysin in PBMC of patients with cryptococcosis decreased markedly in contrast to those of healthy controls(P<0.01). The inhibitory effect of NK cells on growth of C. neoformans was significantly lower in cryptococcosis patients than that in healthy controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: The quantity and function of NK cells decrease in patients with cryptococcosis. Cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-α can upregulate the cytotoxicity of NK cells, which suggests a new way for treatment of cryptococcosis.

Expresión de p73 en relación con factores clínicos, patológicos y biológicos en tumores colorrectales / p73 expression in relation to factors clinical, pathological and biological colorectal tumors

Background: The p73 can inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis, indicating that p73 is a p53-like tumour suppressor. However, studies have shown that either loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or mutation of p73 is not a common genetic event in tumour development. Material, methods and results: Western blotting was used for confirming the specificity of the p73 antibody. p73 expression was evaluated by using immunohistochemistry in 58 normal colorectal mucosa samples, 221 primary cancers and 58 lymph node metastases. PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for determining LOH in 52 primary tumours. The results showed that the frequency and the intensity of p73 immunostaining were markedly increased from normal tissue to primary tumour and to metastasis (p < 0.05). p73 overexpression predicted a worse prognosis outcome (p = 0.03), even after adjustment for patient's sex, age, tumour stage, growth pattern, and differentiation (p = 0.01). There was no LOH in primary tumours. Conclusion: The expression of p73 protein was up-regulated during the development from the normal mucosa to primary and to metastatic tumours. Furthermore, the overexpression of p73 was a predictor of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. However, LOH of the gene was not an important factor in colorectal cancer development.

Antecedentes: La p73 puede inhibir el crecimiento celular e inducir apoptosis, lo cual indica que es un supresor de tumores, del tipo de p53. Sin embargo, los estudios demostraron que la pérdida de la heterocigotia (loss of heterozygosity, LOH) o la mutación de p73 no es un evento genético común en el desarrollo tumoral. Material, métodos y resultados: Para confirmar la especificidad del anticuerpo p73 se utilizó inmunotransferencia. Mediante inmunohistoquímica se evaluó la expresión de p73 en 58 muestras de mucosa colorrectal normal, en 221 muestras de cánceres primarios y en 58 muestras de ganglios linfáticos metastásicos. Se usó reacción en cadena de polimerasa y estudio de longitud de fragmentos de restricción para determinar LOH en 52 tumores primarios. Los resultados mostraron que la frecuencia y la intensidad de fijación de p73 aumentaron significativamente desde la evolución de tejido normal a tumores primarios y a metástasis (p < 0.05). La expresión exagerada de p73 predijo un pronóstico más desfavorable (p = 0.03) aun después del ajuste por sexo, edad, estadio tumoral, patrón de crecimiento y diferenciación (p = 0.01). No hubo LOH en tumores primarios. Conclusión: La expresión de la proteína p73 estuvo aumentada durante el pasaje de mucosa normal a tumores primarios y a metástasis. Más aun, la mayor expresión de p73 fue un factor predictivo de pronóstico desfavorable en pacientes con cáncer colorrectal. Sin embargo, la LOH del gen no fue un factor importante en la aparición de cáncer colorrectal.