Objective To investigate the curative effect of methotrexate in treating systemic lupus erythema-tosus(SLE). Methods The chosen outpatients were divided into 2 groups,group A(28 cases) :MTX combined with small dosage of prednisone (prednlsone 10mg/d) ; group B (20 cuses) : medium dosage of prednisone (prednisone 30rag/d). Observation includes SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI) ,relapse while dosage of prednisone was reduced to small amount and drug side effects. Results The SLEDAI score of group A was reduced from (9.4±2.1) to (4.1±0.9) ,and group B from (8.6±2.5) to (4.0±1.0). Compared the result of before and after treatment be-twcen the two groups, the curative effect is obvious (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference of efficacy between the two groups(P>0.25). While dosage of prednisone was reduced to 10mg/d ,there were 8 cases of relapse in group B,and only 3 cases in group A during the entire observation period. The difference is significant (P<0.025). The side effect of group A is gastrointestinal reaction and for B is mainly the cushing syndrome. Conclusion MTX is an effective treatment fw the light and medium activity SLE,and can reduce the dose of prednisone, prevent long-term using large dose of prednisone which will cause side effect.

Objective To studythe cephalocaudal relationship ofabdominal aortic bifurcation relative toumbilicus and iliac crest vertex and their correlations with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age. Methods The vertical distances,cephalocaudal relationship and other related anatomic parameters of aortic bifurcation relative to umbilicus and iliac crest vertex in 108 patientswere measured by consecutive abdominal CT scanning. The correlations of the acquired data with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results Umbilicus was located at cephalad to aortic bifurcation in 67 patients(62.0%), caudal in 34(31.4%)andthe same level in 7(6.5%),with the vertical distance of(4.53 ± 17.51)mm to the aortic bifurcation. No statistically significant relationship was found between abdominal adipose tissue thickness(P>0.05) or age(P>0.05). Iliac crest vertex relative to aortic bifurcationwas located at cephalad,caudal and the same level in 31,71 and 6 patients,taking up 28.7%,65.7%and 5.6%,respectively. Its vertical distance to the bifurcation was(-6.34 ± 14.49)mm,nonrelated with abdominal adipose tissue thickness(P>0.05),but positively correlated with age(P<0.01). The difference in the cephalocaudal relationship of aortic bifurcation relative to umbilicus and iliac crest vertex was statistically significant(P<0.01). Conclusion Compared with iliac crest vertex,umbilicus is an important landmark of locating abdominal aortic terminal occlusion position in vitro because it mostly lies cephalad to aortic bifurcation in the front of the body,not easy to vary with abdominal adipose tissue thickness and age.

BACKGROUND:There is evidence that internal fixation through an anterior or posterior approach for treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis exhibits good curative effects. However, few prospective, long-term fol ow-up case control studies are reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy and safety of cobalt al oy pedicle screw implantation for treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis. METHODS/DESIGN:This is a prospective, single-center, self-control, open-label trial, which wil be performed at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, China. Eighty-four patients with severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis wil be included according to the diagnosis criteria. Among 52 patients with tuberculosis of the thoracic spine, 28 wil undergo surgery through a posterior approach, and 24 through an anterior approach. According to the Frankel Grade classification, grade C, D and E spinal cord function wil be assessed in 8, 31 and 13 patients, respectively. Surgery through a posterior and anterior approach wil be respectively performed in half of 32 patients with tuberculosis of the lumbar spine. Grade C, D and E spinal cord function wil be assessed in 7, 14 and 11 patients, respectively. The primary outcome measure of this study wil be the Cobb angle at the thoracic spine segments before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate the angle of the spine curvature at the thoracic segments. The secondary outcome measures wil be X-ray scan or MRI findings before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate vertebral fusion after internal fixation;and Frankel Grade before and 2 years after surgery, which wil be used to evaluate recovery of spinal cord function after injury. Other outcome measures wil include multiple logistic regression analysis results of the factors that influence patient's curative effects and the incidence of adverse events 2 years after surgery. The trial protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University, China and wil be performed in strict accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, formulated by the World Medical Association. Signed informed consent regarding the trial protocol wil be obtained from each participant. DISCUSSION:This study is to validate that cobalt al oy pedicle screw implantation shows precise curative effects in the treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis and to analyze through what approach, posterior or anterior, internal fixation wil be more beneficial to surgery performance. The outcomes of this study wil provide objective long-term fol ow-up evidence for internal fixation treatment of severe kyphotic deformity in spinal tuberculosis in the clinic.

To increase the effective rate of treatment of dental injuries. Self-etching adhesives, flat steel wire and resin were used to make adhesive splints and to fix the dislocated teeth. The effect of treatment was excellent.

Objective: To evaluate the treatment efficacy of reverse flaring technique applied by two rotary instruments, Hero 642 and ProTaper, on complicated molar root canal preparation. Methods: 100 molars with curved root canals (maximum curved angle ≥25 degrees) suffered from pulpitis or periapicities were randomly divided into two groups. In experimental group reverse flaring technique was applied by rotary instruments while in control group reverse flaring technique was not adopted. 50 experimental teeth with curved canals were operated with K files, Hero 642 and ProTaper in sequence. Lateral condensation obturation method was utilized in both groups. Root canal preparation and obturation efficiency were evaluated by X-ray, root canal preparation time and complication incidence (1 year follow-up rate was 95%). Results: Reverse flaring technique applied by Hero 642 and ProTaper Ni-Ti rotary instruments on complicated (curved) root canal preparation in group A demonstrated better root canal coning and smoothness, without instrument fractures, while instrument fractures occurred in control group. Significant difference was found in exact root canal obturation rate and not enough full rate, root canal smoothness and postoperative pain between two groups(P<0.05). Conclusion: Reverse flaring technique applied by Hero 642 and ProTaper NI-Ti rotary instruments indicates complementary potencies, demonstrating satisfactory root canal shape and obturation effectiveness, and lower complication incidence. Reverse flaring technique applied by Ni-Ti rotary instruments is apt for medium/severe curved root canal preparation and worthy of clinical application.

AIM: To study the interrelation between the structure and the function of artificial ribozyme M_1GS. METHODS: Ribozyme M_1GS-T_7, which targeted the mRNA segment of HCMV UL54 gene, was constructed. The secondary structure of M_1GS was simulated under different temperatures (20 ℃, 37 ℃ or 55 ℃, at which the secondary structure of M_1GS was relatively stable) and the interrelation between the secondary structure and the cleavage activity of M_1GS was analyzed under different temperature in vitro. To investigate the interrelation between the structure and the function of ribozyme M_1GS further, mM_1GS-T_7 was designed, in which some mutation sites was added, according to the result of temperature change experiment and the simulated secondary structure, showing that were the same structures at 37 ℃ as that of M_1GS-T_7 at 55 ℃. RESULTS: In temperature change experiment, the cleavage activity of M_1GS-T_7 was highest at 55 ℃. The result of mutant experiment showed that the mutant type was more active than M_1GS-T_7 at 37 ℃. CONCLUSION: The cleavage activity of M_1GS, which has some certain secondary structure, is higher than others. There is some interrelation between the structure and the function of M_1GS.

In this study, a novel tetrapeptide hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) material was synthesized, and corresponding enrichment method for glycopeptides was developed.The tetrapeptide modified silica gel materials (denoted as Poly-DAPD) were synthesized by atom-transfer radical-polymerization (ATRP) and characterized by N2 adsorption desorption and thermometer, thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS).The characterization results indicated that tetrapeptide had been successfully synthesized on silica gel.Poly-DAPD materials showed high enrichment selectivity toward fetuin glycopeptides under solid-phase extraction (SPE) mode.Comparing with commercialized ZIC-HILIC in glycopeptides enrichment of fetuin digest which mixed with 5 mole ratio of albumin bovine (BSA), the as-prepared materials showed higher selectivity in both aspects of the identified number of glycopeptides and anti-interference property.The SPE results demonstrated that the tetrapeptide-based HILIC materials could be a potential tool in large-scale glycosylation analysis.

Objective To investigate the effects of low-dose,sustained release oral theophylline on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient.Methods Fifty-six patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into two group:theophylline group (n =35) that was treated with slow-release theophylline(100 mg,twice daily),and control group (n =21) that was given with placebo.A series of parameters including lung function,quality of life scores,body mass index,airflow obstruction,dyspnea,and exercise capacity index (BODE) score,exercise tolerance,exacerbations,satisfaction with treatments and adverse effects were tested before and 12 weeks after the treatments.Results Forty two patients completed the study,25 cases in the slow-release theophylline group,and 17 cases in the placebo group.The differences of two groups before the treatment were not prominent except the age (P ＞ 0.05).After treated with slow-release theophylline,the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1),forced vital capacity (FVC) and the symptom score were slightly increased,but there were no statistically significant differences (P ＞0.05).After theophylline therapy,the quality of life score,including activity ability score,disease activity score and total score,and BODE index score were significantly decreased(P ＜0.05),but 6 minutes walk test (6 MWT) differences were no significant (P ＞0.05).The differences in pulmonary function test,the quality of life score,BODE index score and 6 minutes walk test were no significant between before and after the treatment with the placebo (P ＞ 0.05).Compared to the cases who treated with the placebo group,the patients in slow-release theophylline group reduced the frequencies of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) (3/25 vs 7/17,x2 =4.748,P ＜0.05),and increased the efficacy satisfaction (Z =-2.579,P ＜ 0.05).Slightly adverse reaction was observed in 3 cases in slow-release theophylline group,but it could relieve by oneself,and not affect the common treatment.There was no adverse reaction in the placebo group.Conclusions Low dose,sustained release oral theophylline was efficient in improvement of the quality of life scores and BODE index score.

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of low-dose and sustained release oral theophylline on the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.Methods Thirty four patients with stable COPD were randomly divided into two groups:theophylline group (n =18) was treated with slow-release theophylline (100 mg,twice daily),and placebo group (n =16) was given with placebo.Healthy non-smokers (n =12) were taken as control.The course of treatment was 12 weeks both of theophylline group and placebo group.The percentages of Neu/Leu and Mφ/Leu in sputum were detected before and after treatment and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-17,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-et) were detected with enzyme linked immunosobent assay (ELISA).Results (1) Compared to pretreatment with theophylline group,the Neu/Leu was increased [(89 ±4.14)％ vs (83.4 ±6.98)％,P ＜0.05] and the Mφ/Leu was decreased [(6.4 ± 4.11) ％ vs (12.3 ± 6.96) ％,P ＜ 0.05] in the post-treated theophylline group.No significant changes in both Neu/Leu and Mφ/Leu were observed before and after placebo-treatment (P ＞ 0.05).(2) Compared to the control group,the concentrations of TNF-α,IL-8,and IL-17 in the sputum supernatant were significantly increased in both pretreatment and posttreatment with the theophylline or the placebo.Sputum TNF-α,IL-8,and IL-17 levels were significantly decreased in COPD patients who were given theophylline.Compared to pre-treatment with placebo group,the IL-8 and IL-17 levels were significantly increased in the post-treated placebo group (P ＜0.01).There was no significant change in TNF~ level between before and after treatment with the placebo.(3) The concentrations of IL-17,IL-8,and TNF-α in the sputum supernatant were positively correlated with the Neu/Leu counts (r =0.471,0.652,0.466,respectively,all P ＜0.01),negatively correlated with the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1 ％) (r =-0.516,-0.652,-0.496,respectively,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Low-dose and sustained-release oral theophylline was efficient in improving airway inflammatory cells and inflammatory mediators,which plays an anti-inflammatory effect.

BACKGROUND: During the repair of thoracolumbar fracture, pedicle screw fixation is a commonly used treatment method. In the process of fixation, the different approaches can be used. OBJECTIVE: To compare effect and biocompatibility of pedicle screw by percutaneous approach, posterior median approach, and intervertebral space approach for thoracolumbar fracture. METHODS: 118 cases of thoracolumbar fracture were included after pedicle screw fixation. Al patients were divided into three groups according to the approach: posterior median approach group (38 cases), intervertebral space approach group (40 cases) and percutaneous approach group (40 cases). After 12 months of folow-up, perioperative conditions, pain score, vertebral height of anterior border, kyphosis correction effect, adverse events and biological compatibility were compared among three groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Operation time, intraoperative bleeding and time in bed after surgery were shorter or less in the percutaneous approach and intervertebral space approach groups than in the posterior median approach group. Postoperative drainage was better in percutaneous approach and intervertebral space approach groups than in the posterior median approach group (alP < 0.05). Except drainage in the percutaneous approach and intervertebral space approach groups, no significant difference in other indicators was found. (2) Patients received imaging examination at different time points. The percentage of anterior vertebral height and kyphosis were significantly improved immediately after treatment and in final folow-up (alP < 0.05). No significant difference was detected before treatment, immediately after treatment and in final folow-up. (3) Visual Analogue score was identical before treatment. Visual analogue score was lower in the percutaneous approach and intervertebral space approach groups than in the posterior median approach group at 24 hours and 3 days after treatment and in final folow-up (alP < 0.05). No significant difference was detectable at 24 hours and 3 days after treatment and in final folow-up between the percutaneous approach and intervertebral space approach groups. (4) No rejection or wound non-healing was seen at 12 months after treatment. Some patients suffered from mild low back pain, which was improved by active symptomatic treatment. (5) These findings suggest that intervertebral space approach percutaneous approach obtained satisfactory outcomes compared with posterior median approach for treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures, and good biocompatibility was found.