Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging and histological hoof wall assessment of 3-year-old Quarter Horses

BACKGROUND

Few noninvasive methods are available for equine hoof wall evaluation. The highly organised wall structures and composition of proteoglycans and collagens may make this region amenable to quantitative MRI (qMRI) techniques of T1ρ and T2 mapping to identify pathology related to proteoglycan content and collagen organisation respectively.

OBJECTIVE

To establish normative T1ρ and T2 values of the equine hoof wall of 3-year-old Quarter Horses with histological comparison.

STUDY DESIGN

Cadaveric anatomical study.

METHODS

Six cadaveric left thoracic feet from 3-year-old racing Quarter Horses with no reported lameness were evaluated using T1ρ and T2 mapping. Mapping was performed at six regions of interest at the toe of each hoof including proximal and distal regions of the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium. Histology was evaluated for standard hoof morphology and proteoglycan staining.

RESULTS

T2 values of the stratum lamellatum and corium were similar (42.9 [95% CI: 41.6-44.2] ms and 44 [95% CI: 42.7-45.3] ms respectively), but both were significantly different to the inner epidermis (35.8 [95% CI: 34.5-37.1] ms, P<0.001). T1ρ values for the inner epidermis, stratum lamellatum and corium were significantly different (25.1 [95% CI: 23.1-27.1] ms, 44.4 [95% CI: 42.4-46.4] ms and 50.1 [95% CI: 48.1-52.1] ms, respectively, P<0.001). Histology demonstrated normal organised morphology. Proteoglycan staining was only visible in the stratum lamellatum and corium.

MAIN LIMITATIONS

Cadaveric study with frozen samples used.

CONCLUSIONS

Variation of qMRI metrics through the depth of the equine hoof wall was found. Although the highly ordered environment of collagen may contribute to T2 values, there was lack of evidence to support proteoglycan content as a major contributor of T1ρ values. It is possible T1ρ values had a greater dependence on total water content as the lowest values were seen in the epidermis. Additional research using qMRI is needed to determine mapping values in different disease states.

Seven Novel and Three Known Mutations in FOXL2 in 10 Chinese Families with Blepharophimosis Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Blepharophimosis syndrome (BPES) is characterized by eyelid malformation with occasional premature ovarian failure. Mutations in FOXL2 underlie a fraction of BPES cases.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate the genetic basis of BPES in 26 Chinese families that included 78 patients.

METHODS

We performed ophthalmological examinations on each family member. We used Sanger sequencing to screen FOXL2 exons and their flanking sequences. We also performed bioinformatics studies, structural modeling and pathogenicity evaluations on all identified variations. Literature was reviewed and genotype-phenotype correlation analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The patients had typical manifestations of BPES. Ten mutations were identified in ten of the twenty-six families. Among these, seven were novel mutations. These included the six truncating mutations, p.Glu69*, p.Gly256Glyfs*14, p.Ala14Serfs*135, p.Pro333Profs*200, p.Pro290Leufs*70, and p.Pro157Profs*91, and one missense mutation, p.Tyr59Cys. The mutations were scattered within the gene, and no mutational hotspots were found. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis showed that frameshift or nonsense mutations were correlated with type I BPES, while in-frame or missense mutations were associated with type II BPES.

CONCLUSION

We report the largest BPES cohort in China thus far as well as seven novel mutations in FOXL2. The identification of novel mutations has not only expanded the mutational spectrum of the gene (which is valuable for mutation detection-based screening) but also suggests that most mutations within the Chinese population may not have been characterized yet.

Decreased Expression of TIM-3 on Th17 Cells Associated with Ophthalmopathy in Patients with Graves' Disease

Purpose:

Thyroid-associated Ophthalmopathy (TAO) is one of the most common orbital immunological diseases in adults. CD4+ helper T (Th) cells play important roles in the pathogenesis of TAO. But the mechanisms regulating CD4+ T cell activity is unclear. This study examines T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3) expression in helper T cell type 1 (Th1), Th17, and regulatory T cells in sufferers of TAO.

Methods:

Participants were divided into 3 groups: patients with TAO, patients with Graves’ disease but without orbitopathy (GD), and healthy control patients (HC). Peripheral blood samples were collected for each patient in the designated group. Flow cytometry methods assessed the frequency of Th1 (CD4+IFN-γ+), Th17 (CD4+IL-17+), regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25hiCD127lo), and TIM-3 protein expression. Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) measured the magnitude of TIM-3 expression and the percentage of TIM-3+ cells for each patient.

Results:

Compared to the GD group, TAO patients possessed higher frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood samples. The percentage of TIM-3+ Th1 and Th17 cells was significantly lower in the TAO patients than the GD group. Across all patients sampled, TIM-3+ cell percentage negatively correlated with Th1 cell frequency. Th1 and Th17 cells exhibited significantly decreased expression of TIM-3 in TAO patients compared to healthy controls. Regulatory T cells showed little TIM-3 expression and we observed no significant differences in frequency between groups.

Conclusion:

These results suggest a role for TIM-3 in the regulation of Th1 and Th17 cells and the pathogenesis of Graves’ ophthalmopathy.

Alpha1,2-fucosyl transferase gene, the key enzyme of Lewis y synthesis, promotes Taxol resistance of ovarian carcinoma through apoptosis-related proteins

We aimed to investigate the role of FUT1 gene in Taxol resistance and to explore its mechanism in epithelial ovarian cancer. Three ovarian cancer cell lines, ES-2, SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 were selected from epithelial ovarian cancer in this experiment. Western blot was used to validate the protein expression level of FUT1 and the apoptosis proteins. The expression level of the corresponding carrier was validated by RT-PCR. Transfection and isolation of stable transfectants were carried out to establish the cell line models. The different concentrations of Taxol on the inhibition of cell growth rate was measured by MTT, in which Taxol resistance profiling in ovarian cancer cells was determined by IC50 data. Flow cytometry was conducted to compare cell apoptosis ability. Caspase-3 activity and the apoptosis proteins were measured by colorimetry and western blot, respectively, to further compare the cell apoptosis ability in different groups. To demonstrate the inhibition of miR-FUT1 combined with Taxol therapy against ovarian cancer, xenograft assay was carried out for the in vivo effect. The western blot results indicate that FUT1 is expressed in all of the ovarian cancer cells with different expression level: ES-2 > SK-OV-3 > OVCAR-3. Besides, FUT1 siRNA was used in the maximum expression of FUT1 cell line ES-2, or over-expression plasmid was used in the minimum expression of FUT1 cell line OVCAR-3, to establish stable expression cell lines. After the treatment with Taxol, the inhibition rate of Taxol was obviously decreased with the established cell model above, and the IC50 level was significantly increased in the FUT1 over-expression + Taxol group (p Keywords: FUT1, Lewis y, Taxol resistance, ovarian cancer, apoptosis.

A novel therapy, using Ghrelin with pegylated G-CSF, inhibits brain hemorrhage from ionizing radiation or combined radiation injury

Medical treatment becomes challenging when complicated injuries arise from secondary reactive metabolic and inflammatory products induced by initial acute ionizing radiation injury (RI) or when combined with subsequent trauma insult(s) (CI). With such detrimental effects on many organs, CI exacerbates the severity of primary injuries and decreases survival. Previously, in a novel study, we reported that ghrelin therapy significantly improved survival after CI. This study aimed to investigate whether brain hemorrhage induced by RI and CI could be inhibited by ghrelin therapy with pegylated G-CSF (i.e., Neulasta®, an FDA-approved drug). B6D2F1 female mice were exposed to 9.5 Gy 60Co-γ-radiation followed by 15% total-skin surface wound. Several endpoints were measured at several days. Brain hemorrhage and platelet depletion were observed in RI and CI mice. Brain hemorrhage severity was significantly higher in CI mice than in RI mice. Ghrelin therapy with pegylated G-CSF reduced the severity in brains of both RI and CI mice. RI and CI did not alter PARP and NF-κB but did significantly reduce PGC-1α and ghrelin receptors; the therapy, however, was able to partially recover ghrelin receptors. RI and CI significantly increased IL-6, KC, Eotaxin, G-CSF, MIP-2, MCP-1, MIP-1α, but significantly decreased IL-2, IL-9, IL-10, MIG, IFN-γ, and PDGF-bb; the therapy inhibited these changes. RI and CI significantly reduced platelet numbers, cellular ATP levels, NRF1/2, and AKT phosphorylation. The therapy significantly mitigated these CI-induced changes and reduced p53-mdm2 mediated caspase-3 activation. Our data are the first to support the view that Ghrelin therapy with pegylated G-CSF is potentially a novel therapy for treating brain hemorrhage after RI and CI.

[Effect of cyclophosphamide on ovarian function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in childbearing age]

Objective: Serum anti Müllerian hormone (AMH) was used to evaluate the effect of cyclophosphamide (CTX) on ovarian function in female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A total of 121 female patients who were 18-50 years old with normal menstruation were selected. Among them, 54 patients were treated with CTX as the study group and the remaining 67 cases as the control group. Before and after treatment for 6 months, the clinical characteristics, menstruation and AMH level of all patients were recorded and detected. At the same time, the method of using CTX and the cumulative measurement are recorded. Results: (1) Before treatment, there was no significant difference in AMH and mean age, duration of disease and SLEDAI score between the CTX treatment group and the control group. The renal injury in the CTX treatment group (44.4%) was higher than that of the control group (34.3%), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). (2) After 6 months of treatment, the AMH of group CTX decreased from (2.39±1.58) μg/L to (1.56±1.42) μg/L, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). But there was no significant change in the control group. In 54 cases of CTX treatment group, 23 cases (42.6%) had different degree of menstrual abnormalities, while 67 cases had only 8 cases (11.9%) in the control group. Moreover, the AMH level of 31 cases with abnormal menstruation was (0.95±0.59) μg/L, which was significantly lower than that of the other 90 normal cases (2.36±1.58) μg/L. (3) In 54 cases of CTX treatment group, the cumulative dose of CTX was less than 3 g in 14 cases, 33 cases of 3-6 g, 7 cases greater than 6 g. AMH was all were lower than those before treatment. But there was a statistical difference between the 3 g group and 3-6 g group before treatment, and there were statistical differences between the groups. Conclusion: CTX can damage ovarian function in women of childbearing age SLE. Low dose intravenous CTX may have less damage. Serum AMH can be used to monitor ovarian function in patients with SLE and to guide individualized treatment.

Prenatal Maternal Depressive Symptoms Predict Early Infant Health Concerns

INTRODUCTION

Recent research suggests that health disparities among low-SES and ethnic minority populations may originate from prenatal and early life exposures. Postpartum maternal depressive symptoms have been linked to poorer infant physical health, yet prenatal depressive symptoms not been thoroughly examined in relation to infant health.

METHODS

In a prospective study of low-income Mexican American mothers and their infants, women (N = 322, median age 27.23, IQR = 22.01-32.54) completed surveys during pregnancy (median gestation 39.50, IQR = 38.71-40.14 weeks) and 12 weeks after birth. We investigated (1) if prenatal depressive symptoms predicted infant physical health concerns at 12 weeks of age, (2) whether these associations occurred above and beyond concurrent depressive symptoms, and (3) if birth weight, gestational age, and breastfeeding were mediators of prenatal depression predicting subsequent infant health.

RESULTS

Higher prenatal depressive symptoms were associated with more infant physical health concerns at 12 weeks (p < .001), after accounting for 12-week maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, gestational age, and birth weight. Twelve-week maternal depressive symptoms were concurrently associated with more infant health concerns (p < .01). Birth weight, gestational age, and breastfeeding were not associated with maternal depression or infant health concerns.

DISCUSSION

Results establish a link between prenatal depressive symptoms and an elevated risk of poor health evident shortly after birth. These findings underscore the importance of the prenatal period as a possible sensitive period for infants' health, and the need for effective interventions for depression during pregnancy to mitigate potentially teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and reduce risks for later health concerns.

[The effect of nutrition intervention on the body composition and blood glucose in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with overweight and obesity]

Objective: To study the effect of nutrition intervention on the body composition and blood glucose in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with overweight and obesity. Methods: A total of 84 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with overweight and obesity were selected from the department of endocrinology in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from April 2015 to December 2016. Basic information and body composition of these patients were collected and measured. Also the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to investigate the dietary status in the past month, and calculate the intake of energy, three major nutrients and dietary fiber. All patients received nutrition intervention by nutritionist for three months as requested by Diabetes guidelines. After 3-month intervention, blood glucose, body composition and dietary status were examined again. Relevant indicators of patients were compared before and after the intervention. All patients were divided into three groups according to the degree of body mass index (BMI)'s change: <5%, 5%-10% and >10%. The differences of body weight, muscle, body fat rate, visceral fat index and blood glucose level among three groups were quantified. Results: There were 53 male patients with age (41.5±8.9) years and HbA1c (7.5±0.4)%, and 31 female patients with age (40.1±8.5) years with HbA1c (7.6±0.5)%. The intake of energy, carbohydrate and fat of patients were significantly decreased (P<0.05) and dietary fiber was significantly increased (P<0.05) after nutrition intervention. The body weight, muscle mass, fat mass and visceral fat index were also significantly decreased (P<0.05). The average decrease of fat was about 2.8 kg accounting for 73.7% (2.8 kg/3.8 kg) of the total weight loss. The body fat rate decreased from (31.2±3.1)% to (28.8±3.2)% (P<0.05). The fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose were both decreased significantly after intervention (P<0.05). Among three BMI decreased groups, there was no significant difference in body weight and muscle mass (P>0.05), but a significant difference in body fat rate and visceral fat index (P<0.05). The body fat rate, visceral fat index, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose had more decreases with the greater amount of weight loss (P<0.05). Conclusion: The three-month nutrition intervention could change the dietary habit and components of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by reducing the blood glucose, body fat rate and visceral fat index significantly. The degree of reduced BMI is positively related to the decrease of fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose.

Prevalence of BRCA1/2 large genomic rearrangements in Chinese women with sporadic triple-negative or familial breast cancer

The prevalence of BRCA1/2 large genomic rearrangements (LGRs) and their underlying mechanisms have not been fully evaluated in Chinese women with breast cancer. In this study, we determined the prevalence of BRCA1/2 LGRs in 834 patients with familial breast cancer (FBC) and 660 patients with sporadic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who were negative for BRCA1/2 small-range mutations using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification method. We found that 20 index patients (2.4%) in the FBC group carried a BRCA1 or BRCA2 LGR, and the frequencies of BRCA1 and BRCA2 LGRs were 1.6% and 0.8%, respectively. Seven index patients (1.1%) carried a BRCA1 LGR in 660 sporadic TNBC patients, whereas no BRCA2 LGRs were found in these patients. Among the BRCA1/2 LGRs, 48.1% (13/27) were novel, and the breakpoints of the majority of the LGRs were identified. ΨBRCA1-mediated homologous recombination (HR) and Alu-mediated HR/non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) accounted for 40% and 30% of the BRCA1 LGRs, respectively. Alu-mediated HR accounted for 71.4% of the BRCA2 LGRs, and the remaining one-third was generated through Long interspersed nuclear elements (LINE)-mediated NHEJ. Our findings suggest that both FBC patients and sporadic TNBC patients should be tested for BRCA1/2 LGRs.

Clinical research on one-third dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

OBJECTIVE

To observe the curative effect and safety of one-third dose Verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients (68 eyes) treated in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2016 were selected in this study, and they were diagnosed with chronic CSC via fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Besides, patients were treated with one-third conventional dose Verteporfin PDT. The subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), superior, inferior, nasal and temporal choroidal thickness at 1.5 mm away from macula central fovea, central choroidal capillary layer thickness, photoreceptor layer thickness, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid absorption, FFA and ICGA manifestations and complications of patients were observed and recorded before treatment and at 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

After PDT via one-third conventional dose of Verteporfin, patients were followed up for 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The SFCT of affected eyes was changed from (381.23 ± 83.29) μm before treatment to (385.31 ± 90.89) μm, (369.59 ± 75.60) μm and (374.08 ± 102.81) μm successively, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Central choroidal capillary layer thickness and superior, inferior, nasal and temporal choroidal thickness at 1.5 mm away from macula central fovea (SCT1.5mm, ICT1.5mm, NCT1.5mm and TCT1.5mm) were significantly decreased at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after treatment compared with those before treatment (p < 0.001). With the passage of time after treatment, the photoreceptor layer thickness of affected eyes was increased gradually, and the difference was statistically significant (F = 268.8, p < 0.0001). After PDT, BCVA had a statistically significant difference compared with that before treatment (p = 36.16, p < 0.001); BCVA at 3 months after treatment had no statistically significant difference compared with that at 6 months after treatment (p > 0.05). At 6 months after treatment, the subretinal fluid in 63 eyes (92.6%) completely subsided, and a little subretinal fluid was retained in 5 eyes (7.4%). FFA and ICGA showed the choroidal vessel dilatation in affected eyes after treatment and significantly improved moderate-advanced high fluorescein leakage compared with that before treatment. There were no obvious complications in the body and fundus during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

One-third dose Verteporfin PDT can improve BCVA, stop or reduce the choroidal vasodilatation and leakage, accelerate the absorption of serous subretinal fluid, and help the recovery of photoreceptor layer of patients with chronic CSC, which is safe and reliable.

[Long-term follow-up of C(1)-C(2) pedicle screw fixation for pediatric atlantoaxial dislocation]

Objective: To investigate the clinical curative effect of C(1)-C(2) pedicle screw fixation for pediatric atlantoaxial dislocation after a long-term follow-up. Methods: From March 2005 to April 2011, a total of 12 male and 9 female patients were included, with age from 3 to 9 years old (mean, 6.1 years old). Among them, 14 cases (67%) had typeⅠinstability atlantoaxial dislocation, 7 cases (33%) had type Ⅱ reducible atlantoaxial dislocation. All 21 pediatric patients with atlantoaxial dislocation underwent posterior pedicle screw fixations. Frankel Grade was used to evaluate function before and after treatment. Furthermore, the information of C(1)-C(2) bony fusion, cervical spine alignment, angle of sagittal curvature, and instability of the subaxial spine were collected from all patients preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and during follow-up period. Results: All 21 patients had regular follow-up with an average duration of 96.4 months (range, 65 to 127 months). All children had good bony fusion within 6 months after treatment. There were 9 patients with lordotic alignment and 12 patients with straight alignment before surgery. After surgery, there were 12 patients with lordotic alignment and 9 patients with straight alignment. At the time of the last follow-up, 17 patients had lordotic alignment and 4 patients had straight alignment. No difference was found between pre- and post-operation (P=0.354). The same result was found between post-operation and last follow-up (P=0.095). Neither kyphotic nor swan-neck deformity was found in any of the 21 patients. The mean angle of sagittal curvature decreased from 31.7°±4.3°preoperatively to 15.5°±2.5°postoperatively (P<0.001). The mean angle of sagittal curvature increased from 15.5°±2.5°postoperatively to 19.1°±2.7°at the final follow-up (P=0.343). No spinal deformities or subaxial instabilities were found. Of the four patients with preoperative neurological defects, Frankel Grade was significantly improved at 3 months follow-up compared with pretreatment values. None of the patients experienced worsening neurological symptoms or injury to the vertebral artery. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that C(1)-C(2) pedicle screw fixation could achieve satisfactory clinical effects for the management of pediatric atlantoaxial dislocation with long-term follow-up.

Quantifying Collaboration with a Co-Creative Drawing Agent

This article describes a new technique for quantifying creative collaboration and applies it to the user study evaluation of a co-creative drawing agent. We present a cognitive framework called creative sense-making that provides a new method to visualize and quantify the interaction dynamics of creative collaboration, for example, the rhythm of interaction, style of turn taking, and the manner in which participants are mutually making sense of a situation. The creative sense-making framework includes a qualitative coding technique, interaction coding software, an analysis method, and the cognitive theory behind these applications. This framework and analysis method are applied to empirical studies of the Drawing Apprentice collaborative sketching system to compare human collaboration with a co-creative AI agent vs. a Wizard of Oz setup. The analysis demonstrates how the proposed technique can be used to analyze interaction data using continuous functions (e.g., integrations and moving averages) to measure and evaluate how collaborations unfold through time.

[Survey of HIV-1 drug resistance threshold in Shandong Province in 2013-2015]

Objective: To survey the prevalence of drug resistant HIV-1 in Shandong province in 2013-2015. Methods: WHO truncated sequential sampling technique was adopted by using 77 and 53 samples of newly diagnosed as HIV-1 positive and aged 16-25 years in Shandong province in 2013 and 2015. RNA was prepared and HIV-1 pol region was amplified by RT-PCR and nested PCR. Pol genetic mutation associated with drug resistance was analyzed. Results: The success rates for sequence acquisition of the survey were 100% (77/77) and 94% (50/53) in 2013 and 2015, and the main subtype was CRF01_AE. A total of 2 surveillance drug-resistance mutation(SDRMs) and 3 SDRMs were found by analyzing the 47 sequences each year, sampled in 2013 and 2015, indicating that the prevalence of drug resistant HIV-1 stains was low in 2013, and moderate in 2015. A total of 5 individuals with drug resistant HIV-1 stains found in this study were mainly infected by homosexual transmission (3 cases), and the other two samples were different: one was infected by heterosexual transmission, the other was infected by IDU. The subtype was CRF01_AE (2 cases) , CRF07_BC (2 cases) and B (1 case) . SDRMs for protease inhibitor (PIs), nucleotide HIV-reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTIs) and non-NRTI (NNRTIs) were all found in the individuals with drug resistant HIV-1 stains. Conclusion: CRF01_AE were the main HIV-1 subtypes of recently reported HIV-infected individuals in Shandong province, and the HIV-1 drug resistant strains transmission was catalogued as at low and moderate prevalence level in 2013 and 2015.

[Resting state fMRI study of emotional network in patients with postconcussion syndrome]

Objective: To discuss functional connectivity changes in the emotional network of patients with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) and their clinical significance by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods: Twenty-seven patients with PCS were recruited from the Department of Neurosurgery of Anhui provincial hospital affiliated to Anhui medical university from October 2015 to April 2016, and 27 healthy subjects were recruited as the controls. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and The Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) were used to evaluate the emotional state of two groups of subjects. All fMRI data were preprocessed after RS-fMRI scanning, the left and right amygdala were selected as region of interest (ROI) to make functional connectivity (FC) calculation with the whole brain and then the results were did statistical analysis in order to obtain the altered brain areas of amygdala and whole brain functional connectivity in the PCS patient, to understand the functional changes of emotional network. Results: HAMA and HAMD scores of PCS group and the health controls had significant statistical difference (HAMA: the PCS group 9.8±1.5, the health controls 4.5±1.2, P=0.044; HAMD: the PCS group 12±1.2, the health controls was 4.2±1.5, P=0.024). Compared with the health controls, the left amygdala in PCS patients showed decreased FC with left insula, left putamen, left anterior cingulate gyrus, left inferior orbital frontal gyrus, left medial superior frontal gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, left superior temporal pole, bilateral supramarginal gyrus et al, on the contrary with the increased FC with right superior orbital frontal gyrus, right middle frontal lobe, right orbital frontal lobe, right middle frontal gyrus. The right amygdala in PCS patients showed decreased FC with bilateral putamen, right inferior orbital frontal gyrus, left insula, bilateral precuneus, bilateral superior temporal pole, right superior temporal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus et al. Similarly, it had the increased FC with the left middle occipital lobe and the left superior occipital lobe. Conclusion: Abnormal emotional network function of PCS patients in resting state, which may be one of the reasons that lead to emotional and cognitive dysfunction in PCS patients.

[Factors related to syphilis and other infections among female drug users in Shandong women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center in 2015]

Objective: To analyze the prevalence of HIV, syphilis and related factors among female drug users in Shandong women's compulsory drug rehabilitation center(SWCDRC). Methods: During May 2015, we used a cluster sampling method for drug users in SWCDRC, with a questionnaire and serological testing. We included respondents who volunteered to take part in this study, had clear histories of drug abuse, and had no symptoms of psychosis or current drug use; 451 women participated. The questionnaire addressed socio-demographic information and the participants' health knowledge, including AIDS knowledge, behavioral information, drug use, and STD treatment. We also drew 5 ml blood from each subject for serological tests of HIV and syphilis. Chi-square test was used to compare syphilis antibody positive rate among drug users who had different characteristics. Multi-factor unconditioned logistic regression model was used to explore related factors about syphilis infection of women drug users. Results: Subjects' mean age was(27.25±7.06)years. Of the 451 women, 33.5%(151/451)tested positive for syphilis and 2.2%(10/451)for HIV. The rate of syphilis antibody(SAb)positive whether providing commercial server, providing: 47.2%(25/53); no providing: 31.6%(125/396); χ²=5.12, P=0.024. The SAb ⁺ rate from whether having temporary sexual behavior, having: 47.4%(91/192); no having: 23.6%(60/254); χ²=27.6, P<0.001. The SAb⁺ rate of subjects who tested positive for herpes simplex virus-2(HSV-2)was 39.4%(128/325); for those who tested negative it was 18.3%(23/126); χ²=18.2, P<0.001. The SAb⁺ rate by frequency of drug use was ≥3 times a week: 36.9%(106/287);<3 times per week: 27.3%(42/154); χ²=4.20, P=0.041. Compared with subjects who were unmarried, divorced, or widowed drug users, the OR(95% CI)for SAb⁺ among subjects who cohabited with a partner was 2.19(1.36- 3.51). Compared with subjects who had not been having temporary sexual behavior, the OR(95%CI)for SAb⁺ among subjects who had been having temporary sexual behavior was 2.59(1.65-4.05). Compared with HSV-2^- subjects, the OR(95%CI)for SAb⁺ among subjects who were HSV-2⁺ was 2.69(1.57-4.59). Conclusion: HIV and syphilis infection rate among female drug users in SWCDRC were significantly higher than in the general population. Subjects who had provided commercial server in the previous 12 months, had temporary sexual behavior in the previous 12 months, were HSV-2⁺, used drugs ≥3 times per week or cohabitated with a partner had higher syphilis prevalence.