Analysis of epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 clusters in Chenzhou， Hunan Province / 上海预防医学

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of 8 clusters of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） in Chenzhou City， and provide scientific basis for epidemic prevention and control. Methods:Descriptive epidemiological analysis was conducted for 8 COVID-19 clusters， comparing and analyzing the differences of infection rates among close contacts within and outside the family， and emphatically describing two typical cases. Results:8 COVID-19 clusters were reported in Chenzhou with a total of 31 cases from January to February， 2020. The main source of infection of the family index cases was Hubei Province. Cough symptoms were observed in 67.74% of the cases， followed by fever （54.84%）. The infection rate of close contacts within the family （55.00%） was higher than that outside the family （2.56%）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ2=28.177， P<0.001）. The infection rate of spouse of the family index cases was 85.71%， higher than that of parents （77.78%）， other family members （44.44%） and children （40.00%）， and the difference was not statistically significant （χ2=6.004， P=0.120）. Two typical cases suggested that both COVID-19 pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients have the potential to excrete the virus from the body and become sources of infection. Conclusion:Effective family prevention and control measures and early sampling and screening of people in key epidemic areas are conducive to early detection， early isolation and early treatment of infected people， so as to avoid the occurrence and spread of family clusters.

Rapid colorimetric detection of COVID-19 coronavirus using a reverse tran-scriptional loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) diagnostic plat-form: iLACO

The recent outbreak of a novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (also known as 2019-nCoV) threatens global health, given serious cause for concern. SARS-CoV-2 is a human-to-human pathogen that caused fever, severe respiratory disease and pneumonia (known as COVID-19). By press time, more than 70,000 infected people had been confirmed worldwide. SARS-CoV-2 is very similar to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus broke out 17 years ago. However, it has increased transmissibility as compared with the SARS-CoV, e.g. very often infected individuals without any symptoms could still transfer the virus to others. It is thus urgent to develop a rapid, accurate and onsite diagnosis methods in order to effectively identify these early infects, treat them on time and control the disease spreading. Here we developed an isothermal LAMP based method-iLACO (isothermal LAMP based method for COVID-19) to amplify a fragment of the ORF1ab gene using 6 primers. We assured the species-specificity of iLACO by comparing the sequences of 11 related viruses by BLAST (including 7 similar coronaviruses, 2 influenza viruses and 2 normal coronaviruses). The sensitivity is comparable to Taqman based qPCR detection method, detecting synthesized RNA equivalent to 10 copies of 2019-nCoV virus. Reaction time varied from 15-40 minutes, depending on the loading of virus in the collected samples. The accuracy, simplicity and versatility of the new developed method suggests that iLACO assays can be conveniently applied with for 2019-nCoV threat control, even in those cases where specialized molecular biology equipment is not available.

GAAD: A Gene and Autoimmiune Disease Association Database / 基因组蛋白质组与生物信息学报·英文版

Autoimmune diseases (ADs) arise from an abnormal immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. More than a hundred of ADs have been described in the literature so far. Although their etiology remains largely unclear, various types of ADs tend to share more associated genes with other types of ADs than with non-AD types. Here we present GAAD, a gene and AD association database. In GAAD, we collected 44,762 associations between 49 ADs and 4249 genes from public databases and MEDLINE documents. We manually verified the associations to ensure the quality and credibility. We reconstructed and recapitulated the relationships among ADs using their shared genes, which further validated the quality of our data. We also provided a list of significantly co-occurring gene pairs among ADs; with embedded tools, users can query gene co-occurrences and construct customized co-occurrence network with genes of interest. To make GAAD more straightforward to experimental biologists and medical scientists, we extracted additional information describing the associations through text mining, including the putative diagnostic value of the associations, type and position of gene polymorphisms, expression changes of implicated genes, as well as the phenotypical consequences, and grouped the associations accordingly. GAAD is freely available at http://gaad.medgenius.info.

Cefoxitin plus levofloxacin for prevention of severe infection after transrectal prostate biopsy / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To evaluate the effect of cefoxitin prophylactic in reducing the incidence of severe infection after transrectal prostate biopsy (TRPB).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This retrospective study included 155 cases of TRPB with a 5-day administration of oral levofloxacin at 200 mg bid (the control group) and another 167 cases with a 3-day administration of oral levofloxacin at the same dose plus intravenous cefoxitin at 2.0 g 2 hours before TRPB (the experimental group) according to the distribution characteristics of drug-resistance bacteria in our department. The patients of the control and experimental groups were aged (68.68 ± 8.12) and (68.72 ± 7.51) years, with PSA levels of (19.78 ± 21.57) and (21.15 ± 42.63) μg/L, involving (11.68 ± 1.44) and (11.77±1.02) biopsy cores, respectively. Comparisons were made between the two groups of patients in the incidence rate of severe infection, which was defined as lower urinary track symptoms plus the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) within 7 days after TRPB.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence rate of postoperative severe infection was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control (0.6% ［1/167］ vs 5.8% ［9/155］, P < 0.05). Blood cultures revealed positive E-coli strains in 6 cases in the control group, including 5 ESBL-positive and 4 quinolone-resistant and amikacin-sensitive cases, all sensitive to cefoxitin, cefoperazone/sulbactam and imipenem. The only one case of severe infection was shown to be negative in blood culture.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Preoperative intravenous administration of cefoxitin according to the specific distribution characteristics of drug-resistance bacteria can significantly reduce the incidence of severe infection after TRPB.</p>

Chinese herbal medicine Yougui Pill reduces exogenous glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in anterior pituitary cells.

Long-term glucocorticoid use may result in sustained suppression of one or more secreted components from the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, and often results in apoptosis. Yougui Pill (YGP), a 10-component traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been shown to be clinically effective for glucocorticoid-induced suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized that YGP would exert an anti-apoptosis effect on dexamethasone-treated anterior pituitary cells. In vivo experiments showed that YGP significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells, down-regulated mRNA expression of cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9, and up-regulated mRNA expression of Bcl-2. These findings suggest that YGP reduced glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis in rat anterior pituitary cells by regulating the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.

Higher 17α-hydroxyprogesterone levels aggravated the severity of male adolescent acne in Northeast China.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between serum hormone levels and adolescent acne is not fully clarified. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between levels of androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), testosterone, estradiol and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) with adolescent acne in Northeast China. METHODS: A transversal study included 242 acne cases and 188 controls. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. RESULTS: Androstenedione and testosterone levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in the cases than in the control group. In males, the difference in 17-OHP levels was statistically significant (p < 0.0001), as well as between mild and severe acne cases (p = 0.002). The estradiol level was significantly different (p < 0.0001) between cases and controls in females. CONCLUSION: Higher androstenedione and testosterone levels are significant risk factors in the occurrence of adolescent acne. A higher 17-OHP level aggravates the severity of male adolescent acne, while a higher estradiol level protects females against the onset of adolescent acne.

Baicalein inhibits DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice by modulating proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation.

Baicalein, one of the four major flavanoids extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has been shown to exert chemopreventive effect against several cancers, including skin cancer. However, the precise mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the chemopreventive activity of baicalein against 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-mediated skin tumorigenesis in C57BL/6 mice. We found that topical treatment with baicalein resulted in a significant inhibitory effect on DMBA/TPA-mediated tumor promotion. Furthermore, we observed that baicalein suppressed cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in DMBA/TPA-mediated group. Additionally, pretreatment with baicalein inhibited the production of inflammatory cells in DMBA/TPA-induced skin/tumors. Further experiments showed that baicalein reduced TPA-induced skin hyperplasia as well as infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the dermis. In conclusion, our data suggest that baicalein inhibits DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumorigenesis by suppressing proliferation and inflammation and promoting apoptosis.

Contributions of medical practitioners of Xin'an area on acupuncture theory / 中国针灸

Contributions of Xin'an medical school and physicians to acupuncture theory were introduced in the article. Academic theories or characteristics of several physicians of Xin'an school such as YANG Xuan-cao, WU Kun, WANG Ji, WU Yi-ding, ZHENG Mei-jian and XU Chun-fu, et al were sorted out. Contributions of inheriting and illustrations on acupuncture theory were analyzed so as to expound its significance and value on modern acupucture clinic.

Analysis of the monitoring results of iodized salt consumed by residents in Chenzhou city of Hunan province from 2008 to 2011 / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To understand and master the situation of residents consumption of iodized salt in Chenzhou city of Hunan province,to identify problems and take appropriate interventions to ensure the residents consumption of qualified iodized salt,and to provide a scientific basis for elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD).Methods According to the National Iodized Salt Monitoring Program (Amendment) and the Evaluation Scheme for Elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders at the County Level,the monitoring counties,towns and villages were selected in Chenzhou city from 2008 to 2011,the content of iodine in salt was detected using direct titration.The data was analyzed by SPSS 17.0 and Excel 2003.Results A total of 12700 salt samples were tested from 2008 to 2011.The iodized salt coverage rate,the qualified rate of iodized salt,the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and the rate of non-iodized salt was 99.19％ (12597/12700),96.33％ (12135/12597),95.55％(12135/12700) and 0.81％ (103/12700),respectively.There were significant differences between each year from 2008 to 2011 (x2 =13.99、42.35、48.45、13.99,P all ＜ 0.01).The coefficient of variation was 21.19％.The median and average of iodine content in salt samples was 32.2 mg/kg and 31.9 mg/kg,respectively.Compared with the median and average of iodized salt content,there was no significant difference between each year from 2008 to 2011 (t =2.941,P ＞ 0.05),while there was significant difference among the 11 counties(t =2.983,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The goal of eliminating IDD has realized in the city of Chenzhou since 2010.To consolidate the IDD control results,surveillance should be strengthened in future.

Controlled release of transforming growth factor-beta receptor kinase inhibitor from thermosensitive Chitosan-based hydrogel: application for prevention of capsular contracture / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Capsular contracture has become the most common complication associated with breast implant. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is well known for a prominent role in fibrotic diseases. Due to the critical role of TGF-β in pathogenesis of capsular formation, we utilized thermosensitive C/GP hydrogel to controlled release of TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor (SD208) and investigated their effects on capsular contracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vitro degradation and drug release of C/GP hydrogel were performed. Twenty-four rabbits underwent subpanniculus implantation with 30 ml smooth silicone implants and were randomly divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 received saline solution; Group 2 received SD208; Group 3 received SD208-C/GP; Group 4 received C/GP. At 8 weeks, the samples of capsular tissues were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistological staining. The mRNA expression of collagen III and TGF-β1 was detected by RT-PCR assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>C/GP hydrogel could be applied as an ideal drug delivery vehicle which supported the controlled release of SD208. SD208-C/GP treatment showed a significant reduction in capsule thickness with fewer vessels. The histological findings confirmed that the lower amounts of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts infiltrate in SD208-C/GP group. In contrast, typical capsules with more vessel predominance were developed in control group. We did not observe the same inhibitory effect of SD208 or C/GP treatment on capsular contracture. Moreover, SD208-C/GP therapy yielded an evident down-regulation of collagen III and TGF-β1 mRNA expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study demonstrated that controlled release of TGF-β receptor kinase inhibitor from thermosensitive C/GP hydrogel could significantly prevent capsule formation after mammary implants.</p>

Contrast study of full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the minimally invasive efficacy and surgical outcome of full-endoscopic discectomy via interlaminar approach for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2008 to February 2009, 56 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Full endoscopic discectomy (FED) group included 16 males and 12 females, the age was 20 - 51 years with a mean (36 ± 8) years, and the course of disease was 18 - 120 d with a mean (68 ± 26) days. There was L(5)-S(1) LDH in 22 and L(4-5) LDH in 6. Headlamp-assisted mini-open discectomy (HAMOD) group, there were 17 males and 11 females. The age was 17-53 years with an average age of (35 ± 9) years, the course of disease was 19 - 110 d with an average (66 ± 24) days, and the herniated disc located at L(5)-S(1) in 15 cases, and L(4-5) in 13 cases. Perioperative parameters (operation time, bleeding volume and length of hospital stay), complications and VAS of leg and back pain (preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and final follow-up) were statistically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up in both groups, and the average follow-up time of full endoscopic was 1.8 years, and headlamp assisted mini-open was 1.7 years. The average operation time in full endoscopic group was (71 ± 30) min and the headlamp group was (60 ± 12) min, which there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no measurable bleeding in full endoscopic group, and the headlamp group was (59 ± 10) ml. The average hospital days in full endoscopic group was (5.7 ± 1.4) days, and the headlamp group was (12.3 ± 3.0) days, there was statistically significant difference in both groups (P < 0.01). The complication rate in full endoscopic group was 7.1%, and in headlamp group was 10.7%, without statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no recurrent case in either group. With regard to VAS of back pain and leg pain, statistically significant difference was found in each group between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, but not between 3 months postoperatively and at final follow-up. With regard to the final follow-up VAS, there was no statistical difference in leg pain between full endoscopic and headlamp group (P > 0.05). However, there was statistical significance in VAS back pain between the two groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared to the headlamp assisted mini-open technique, the full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can achieve similar clinical outcomes with advantage of less iatrogenic trauma and sooner rehabilitation.</p>

Repair of circular scar in the forearm by expanded double-pedicle omega-shaped flap at the rear flank of bottom-waist / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the method for repairing the circular scar in the forearm.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Large expander (400-600 ml) were implanted subcutaneously at the rear flank of bottom-waist in the way of overlapping or continued expansion. After expansion was completed, the horizontal opened omega-shaped flap was formed by advancement of expanded skin with the two pedicles at the two sides. Then the forearm was tunneled under flap with the wound covered by flap. The pedicles were cut off at the third stage.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>From April 1998 to June 2009, 8 cases were treated with no flap necrosis. The patients were followed up for 1 to 3 years with good flap color and thickness. Flap sensory was partially recovered. Linear atrophic scar was left in the donor sites.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>It is feasible to repair forearm circular scar by expanded double-pedicle omega-shaped flap at the rear flank of bottom-waist.</p>

A Chinese experience of fractional ultrapulsed CO2laser for skin rejuvenation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The ablative fractional CO2 laser has been successfully used in treating photoaged skin in the Caucasian population. However, its application in Asian skin has not been widely reported. The purpose of this study is to observe the efficacy and safety of the protocol 'ActiveFX' for photodamaged facial skin in Chinese patients. METHODS: A non-sequential fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser with specific settings is used in addition to a new computer pattern generator (CPG). Twenty patients received a single-session, single-pass, ablative fractional treatment on a split face. The patients were evaluated at baseline, and 1 and 3 months (M1, M3) after the treatment using a quartile grading scale. They were also asked to assess their overall satisfaction using a 4-point scale. The improvement of the coarse wrinkles was also quantitatively analyzed with a 3D in vivo imaging system. RESULTS: At M1 and M3, the blinded investigator rated global improvement as 2.8 ± 0.95 and 3.00 ± 0.73, which was consistent with the patients' assessment (2.55 ± 0.83 at M1 and 3.15 ± 0.88 at M3). The roughness analysis (Rz) demonstrated a significant decrease in periorbital wrinkles (p < 0.0001). Minimal and reversible adverse side effects and rapid healing were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Non-sequential fractional ultrapulsed CO2 laser resurfacing (ActiveFX) is considered an excellent treatment modality for photodamaged Chinese facial skin.

Impact of rhG-CSF on Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 expression in CD4+ T cells of donor peripheral blood / 中国实验血液学杂志

CD4+ T cells mainly interact with Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) to regulate immune function through Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of recombinant human granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) mobilization on S1P1 expression in CD4+ T cells of donor's peripheral blood. The CD4+T cells of peripheral blood were isolated by magnetic beads from 17 allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) donors before and at fourth day of mobilization with rhG-CSF. The S1P1 expression was detected by real time quantitative PCR in the RNA extracted from CD4+ T cells collected before and after rhG-CSF mobilization. The results showed that the expression of S1P1 was found in CD4+ cells before and after rhG-CSF mobilization, but the expression level of SIP1 in CD4+ cells after rhG-CSF mobilization was significantly lower than that before rhG-CSF mobilization (p<0.01). It is concluded that the mobilization with rhG-CSF obviously down-regulates the expression of S1P1 in CD4+ T cells of donor's peripheral blood.

The application of external fixation for the treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fractures after total knee replacement.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2005 to July 2007, 7 cases of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement were treated with external fixation included 4 males and 3 females with an average age of 71 years ranging from 55 to 85 years. The fracture healing were observed and the knee function were evaluated by the HSS scoring.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed-up for 6 to 23 months with an average of 12.5 months. The fracture healing time was from 6 to 12 weeks after operation (averaged 8.5 weeks). During the followed-up period, there were no infection and loosening, only one case occurred nail crossing delayed healing of skin. The HSS knee score was (60.6 +/- 16.0) before treatment and (77.6 +/- 11.6) after treatment according to HSS knee score criteria, the results were excellent in 2 cases, good in 4, and fair in 1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Application of external fixation for treatment of supracondylar femoral fracture after total knee replacement, especially in poor physical condition, high age patients is a more appropriate treatment.</p>

Protective effects of green tea extracts on photoaging and photommunosuppression.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate whether the sunscreen-containing 2-5% green tea extracts (GTEs) protect ultraviolet irradiation (UVR)-induced photoaging and photoimmunosuppression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty volunteers were exposed to repetitive solar-simulated UVR (ssUVR) on the upper back at a dosage of 1.5 minimal erythema doses (MED) per day for four consecutive days. Thirty minutes before each UVR and 6, 24, and 48 h after the last UV exposure, the products containing vehicle, and 2-5% GTEs were applied onto five sites on the dorsal skin, respectively. The skin biopsies were obtained 72 h after the last UVR. The thickness of the stratum corneum and epidermis was measured under the microscope and the expression of cytokeratins (CK)-5/6, CK16, metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, and the CD1a(+) Langerhans cells (LCs) were determined using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Our results showed that UVR substantially induced cutaneous erythema, thickening of the epidermis, overexpression of CK5/6, CK16, MMP-2, MMP-9, and depletion of CD1a(+) LCs. The sunscreens containing different concentrations of GTEs conferred significant protection against the photoaging and photoimmunology-related biological events. Interestingly, the protective effects were not parallel to the concentrations of GTEs, with 2% and 3% GTEs showing the most efficacious photoprotection. CONCLUSIONS: GTEs-containing sunscreens have potential photoprotective effects on UVR-induced photoaging and photoimmunosuppression.