Association between antiplatelet medication and cerebral microbleeds in stroke-free population

BACKGROUND Cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)may increase the risk of future intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke.However,It is unclear whether antiplatelet medication is associated with CMBs.This study aimed to investigate the association between antiplatelet medication and CMBs in a community-based stroke-free population.METHODS In this cross-sectional study,stroke-free participants aged 18-85 years were recruited from a community in Beijing,China.Demographic,clinical,and antiplatelet medication data were collected through a questionnaire,and all participants underwent blood tests and brain magnetic resonance imaging at 3.0T.The presence,count,and location of CMBs were evaluated using susceptibility-weighted imaging.The association between antiplatelet medication and the presence of CMBs was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression.The associations between antiplatelet medication and CMBs by location(lobar,deep brain or infratentorial,and mixed regions)were also analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.A linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the association between antiplatelet medication and the log-transformed number of CMBs.RESULTS Of the 544 participants(mean age:58.65±13.66 years,217 males),119 participants(21.88%)had CMBs,and 64 participants(11.76%)used antiplatelet medication.Antiplatelet medication was found to be associated with CMBs at any location[odds ratio(OR)=2.39,95%CI:1.24-4.58]and lobar region(OR=2.83,95%CI:1.36-5.86),but not with the number of CMBs(β=0.14,95%CI:-0.21-0.48).Among antiplatelet medications,aspirin use was found to be associated with any CMB(OR=3.17,95%CI:1.49-6.72)and lobar CMBs(OR=3.61,95%CI:1.57-8.26).CONCLUSIONS Antiplatelet medication was associated with CMBs in stroke-free participants,particularly lobar CMBs.Among antiplatelet medications,aspirin use was associated with any CMB and lobar CMBs.Our findings suggest that it might be essential to optimize the management of antiplatelet medication in the stroke-free population with a higher burden of vascular risk factors to reduce the potential risk of CMBs.

A Case-control Study on Children with Guillain-barre Syndrome in North China

To explore the risk factors for Guillain-barre syndrome. Methods Case-control study design was used in 51 cases of Guillain-barre syndrome,and 51 matched controls.All of the 51 cases in this study had been examined by electrophysiology. Serum IgG antibodies specific for C. jejuni were determined in all the subjects by ELISA. Each case and control were interviewed using an ad hoc questionnaire, including his/her demographic information,onset of the illness, their personal hygiene and so on. Results The study showed that Guillain-barre syndrome was associated with a few factors, such as polio vaccine immunization before onset of illness (OR=7.27), no hand washing after defecation and before meals (OR=6.15). Infection of C. jejuni was strongly associated with the illness (OR=9.5,P<0.001). Conclusion It is suggested that occurrence of Guillain-barre syndrome may correlate to infection of C. jejuni and poor personal hygiene in children.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Retrospect and Lessons of 2004 Outbreak in China

Objective To summarize lessons learned from an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome （SARS） in China during the spring of 2004. Methods Data of SARS cases were officially reported by Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention （BCDC） and Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention （APCDC） and results of epidemiological investigations were collected and analyzed. Results Three generations of 11 cases of SARS were identified during the outbreak, Initial two cases were most likely to be infected in Diarrhea Virus Laboratory of National Institute of Virology, China Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and main mode of transmission was direct contact with SARS patients, Delay in detecting initial case resulted in spread of the illness at hospitals and communities with two generations of secondary cases, Conclusions SARS outbreak in 2004 has yielded following lessons for public health globally. （1） Lab bio-safety programs should be made and should be strictly abided by, Studies in highly pathogenic viruses such as SARS coronavirus should be utmost cautious, （2） Management systems of occupational exposure to virus and disease surveillance need to be strengthened to take all risk factors into account so as to detect potential patients with infectious disease as early as possible.

Possible Association of ACE Gene I/D Polymorphism With Blood Pressure——Lowering Response to Hydrochlorothiazide

Objective To explore the association between polymorphism in the ACE I/D gene and blood pressure-lowering response to hydrochlorothiazide （HCTZ） in 829 patients. Methods HCTZ 12.5 mg was taken once a day for six weeks. The blood pressure reduction and ratio reaching target blood pressure were compared in different ACE genotype groups. Results The reduction in SBP of patients carrying DD was greater than that in other groups carrying II or ID （12.2 mmHg versus 5.4 mmHg, 12.2 mmHg versus 4.4 mmHg, respectively, P〈0.05）. The reduction in MAP of patients carrying DD was also greater than that in other groups carrying II or ID （6.9 mmHg versus 3.9 mmHg, 6.9 mmHg versus 3.6 mmHg, respectively, P〈0.05）. The ratio reaching target blood pressure in DD groups was significantly higher than that in II or ID groups （P〈0.05）. The pre-treatment SBP, DD genotype, aldosterone levels entered the multi-linear regression model significantly and might affect the reduction of SBP. The pre-treatment DBP, aldosterone levels, DD genotype entered the multi-linear regression model significantly and might affect the reduction of DBP. The pre-treatment MAP, DD genotype, aldosterone levels entered the multi-linear regression model significantly and might affect the reduction of MAP. Conclusion ACE genotyping is associated with blood pressure-lowering response to HCTZ. Specific genotypes might be associated with the response to specific antihypertensive treatment.

Case Fatality Rate of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes in Beijing

To describe the case fatality rate of SARS in Beijing. Methods Data of SARS cases notified from Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention （BCDC） and supplemented by other channels were collected. The data were analyzed by rate calculation. Results The case fatality rate of SARS in Beijing was 7.66%, and had an ascending trend while the age of cases was getting older, and a descending trend while the epidemic developmem. The case fatality rate in Beijing was lower than that in other main epidemic countries or regions. Conclusions The risk of death increases with the increment of age of SARS patients. Beijing is successful in controlling and treating SARS.