从因公出访分析中国疾病预防控制中心与“一带一路”合作国家的合作趋势

目的 通过分析中国疾病预防控制中心（以下简称中国疾控中心）2005-2019年赴“一带一路”合作国家因公出访情况，研究与有关国家公共卫生合作交流现状与趋势。方法 对目的地为“一带一路”合作国家的2005-2019年中国疾控中心因公出访任务的人员职能、事由、经费来源等进行分析。结果 2005-2019年出访“一带一路”合作国家人次占所有出访的38.8%，其中2014-2019年年均占比（44.3%）显著高于2005-2013年（35.5%）（P=0.002）。赴东亚-东南亚国家最多，赴非洲国家自2014年迅速增加；出访人员职能多为传染病防控（67.5%）。出访事由中会议占70.8%；援外/海外应急占比从2005-2013年的0.6%增加至2014-2019年的24.7%，其中赴非洲国家增长最快。出访经费来源呈现外方支付比例下降，我方支付比例上升的趋势。结论 中国疾控中心因公出访“一带一路”合作国家的比例在2014年后显著增加，目的地以东亚-东南亚地区为主，出访人员职能以传染病防控为主；事由以会议为主，2014年后以援非为主的援外/海外应急大幅增长；经费来源由外方为主转变为我方为主。     

Acute GVHD: New approaches to clinical trial monitoring

Acute GVHD occurs in nearly 50% of patients receiving hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), and is the major driver of mortality. However, progress in the development of new acute GVHD therapeutics has been slow, in part due to heterogeneity in acute GVHD data collection and interpretation among centers. Herein, we first describe the methods used by the Mount Sinai Acute GVHD International Consortium (MAGIC) to standardize acute GVHD data collection and curation. We then review the utility of serum biomarkers, specifically the MAGIC Algorithm Probability (MAP) that combines two GI biomarkers (ST2 and REG3α) that has been shown to be more accurate than changes in clinical symptom severity after GVHD treatment. We then present preliminary data on the feasibility of a surrogate clinical trial endpoint that combines clinical response and MAP two weeks after treatment. This novel endpoint is an earlier and potentially better predictor of non-relapse mortality than the current gold standard of clinical response four weeks after treatment.     

Narcolepsy in Slovakia – Epidemiology,clinical and polysomnographic features,comorbid diagnoses: a case-control study

ObjectiveAn increase in the incidence of narcolepsy after the pandemic influenza with the H1N1 vaccination in 2009 resulted in an interest in narcolepsy epidemiology. The aim of the study was to examine the incidence and prevalence rates of narcolepsy and to describe the associated characteristics in Slovakia.MethodsEpidemiology data were calculated for each year from 2000 to 2017 based on records found in specialized centres. In sum, 61 narcoleptic patients were diagnosed, of which 51 (84%) had narcolepsy type 1 (NT1). Clinical data and results of polysomnography (PSG), Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-typing, hypocretin (HCRT)-1 levels and body mass index (BMI) were summarised and evaluated for NT1 and narcolepsy type2 (NT2). Later, 244 sex and age matched controls were chosen to evaluate the comorbid diagnoses.ResultsThe prevalence of narcolepsy in 2017 in Slovakia was 10.47 (CI 95% 8.26–14) cases/million inhabitants, and the mean incidence rate (2000–2017) was 0.57 (CI 95% 0.4–0.74) cases/million inhabitants.Narcoleptic patients were comorbid with arterial hypertension (17%), ischemic heart disease (8%), dyslipidaemia (18%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (10%), cardiac arrhythmia/atrial fibrillation (5%), autoimmune disorders (20%), allergy (11%), malignancy (3%), headache (15%) and mental disorders (20%). Patients with narcolepsy showed double the excess prevalence in mental disorders (OR 2.15, p < 0.05), and dyslipidaemia (OR 2.22, p < 0.05). The presence of autoimmune disorders and allergy showed a mild increase in the narcolepsy group (OR 1.46, resp. 1.63). Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) was the most frequent autoimmune disorder.ConclusionsNarcolepsy is a rare disorder in Slovakia. From the phenotype, genetic characteristics and comorbidities the disorder does not vary from other European countries.     

Use of 70- to 150-μm Radiopaque Spherical Embolics for Prostatic Artery Embolization

This retrospective report describes treatment of 21 patients who underwent prostatic artery embolization using 70- to 150-μm radiopaque microspheres for lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Seventeen patients (81%) received successful bilateral prostatic artery embolization. At a mean follow-up of 42 days (range, 25–59 days), patients showed improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (n = 11; mean = 10.6; P = .001), quality of life score (n = 17; mean = 2.0; P = .02), and International Index of Erectile Function (n = 17; mean = 9.3; P = .01). The mean prostate volume reduction was 28 mL (16.2%; P = .003). Nontarget embolization occurred twice, resulting in 1 minor adverse event of hematospermia.     

The 12th International Food Data Conference (IFDC): From food composition to better policies and programmes in nutrition and agriculture

The 12th International Food Data Conference (IFDC) was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 11 to 13 October 2017. It was organized by Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Biológica and International Network of Data System/FAO (INSIBIO and INFOODS/FAO) as a pre-conference of the 21th International Congress of Nutrition (ICN2017). The theme was “From Food Composition to Better Policies and Programmes in Nutrition and Agriculture”. A total of 152 delegates from 37 countries participated in the Conference. The programme included one keynote address, 46 oral presentations and 82 poster displays. The conference programme along with the Power Point files of the oral presentations are available on the conference website (http://www.ifdc2017.com/). The Conference was very successful, with high-quality scientific oral presentations and posters, and very satisfactory participation. The participants were able to exchange knowledge and personal experiences, and develop new ideas while discussing current research and other matters.