Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan detection for invasive fungal infection (IFI) in neonates. Methods Eighty-seven neonates who were suspected to be IFI cases in neonatal intensive care unit from May 2008 to January 2010 were enrolled into this study. All subjects had infection symptoms, while did no react to the antibiotics treatment. The diagnosis of IFI was made according to Invasive pulmonary fungal infection diagnostic criteria of children set by Subspecialty Group of Respiratory Diseases, the Society of Pediatrics, Chinese Medical Association and Invasive fungal infection diagnostic criteria for critical patients set by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese Medical Association. Circulating (1-3)-β-D-glucan levels were determined with GKT-5M set kinetic fungus detection kit. Levels of (1-3)-Β-D-glucan in IFI group and that in the control group were compared; optimal cut-off value was established with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve; and the sensitivity and specificity at the cut-off value of 20.0 pg/ml and optimal cut-off value were calculated and compared. Results Among the 87 suspected cases, 59 cases were not diagnosed as IFI and 28 cases were diagnosed as IFI finally. Five patients were confirmed to be IFI; seven cases were clinically diagnosed and 16 cases were still suspected IFI. Among the five confirmed cases, four cases were blood culture positive for Candida parapsilosis, one case Candida albicans positive and two cases both cerebrospinal fluid culture and blood culture positive for Candida albicans. The median levels of (1-3)-β-D-glucan of patients diagnosed as IFI (n=28) was 131.6 pg/ml(18.6-9999.0 pg/ml), which was higher than that of the patients without IFI (8.5 pg/ml, 5.0-34.6 pg/ml)(Z=-5.064, P<0.05). Area under ROC curve was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.725-0.886, P<0.05). The sensitivity (96.43% vs 69.49%) and specificity (72.22% vs 84.21%) for (1-3)-β-D-glucan were different as 20.0 pg/ml and 53.7 pg/ml were used as the cut-off values for diagnosing IFI. Conclusions (1-3)-β-D-glucan level could be used to diagnose IFI of neonates, but further studies are needed to evaluate false-positive rates and its cut-off value in IFI diagnosis.

Objective To evaluate the value of bypass graft in the treatment of critical lower limb ischemia with distal single outflow artery.Methods Forty-nine lower limbs in 42 patients with single outflow artery were collected and underwent arterial bypass graft.The operation methods included femoropopliteal artificial graft to single outflow artery with autograftand popliteal artery to calf vessel and so on.The results were analyzed finally.Results All of 42 patients,postoperative grafts occlusion occured in 1 case,the occlusion rate was 2.4％(1/42) and the success rate was 97.6％(41/42),1 case died of respiratory failure 4 d postoperatively,the mortality was 2.4％(1/42).The patency rate of graft was 100.0％(41/41) on discharge.Healing rate of foot ulcer was 33.3％ (11/33).Conclusions It's difficult to reconstruct blood flow for critical ischemic limb with single outflow artery,but good result is still expected by distal lower limb bypass graft.Distal bypass can provide a better nutritional support for the healing of foot ulcer and result in a lower limb salvage or lowering of amputation level.

ObjectiveTo study the efficacy and safety of early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for patients with acute biliary pancreatitis.Methods420 patients who were admitted to our hospital for management of acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into early endoscopic therapy group (n=218 patients) and conservative therapy group (n=202 patients).The durations for complete disappearance of abdominal pain,decrease in serum and urine amylase levels to normal,liver function recovery time,white blood cell recovery time,and the mean duration and costs of hospitalizations were analyzed.ResultsIn the ERCP group,all patients received EST.The stones in 172 patients with choledocholithiasis were removed with dormia baskets or balloon catheters.In 20 patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis,endoscopic pancreatic duct stents were inserted for drainage.The durations of complete disappearance of abdominal pain,decrease of serum and urine amylase values to normal,white blood cell recovery time,liver function recovery time,cost of hospitalization and duration of hospitalization were significantly shorter in the early ERCP group than the control group.The mortalities in the ERCP and the control groups were 8.0％ and 22.2％,respectively.Conclusions Early endoscopic management for patients with acute biliary pancreatitis was not only safe and efficacious,but the management helped to identify the underlying causes of pancreatitis and reduced the duration of hospital stay and expenses.

Objective To explore the therapeutic strategy and clinical value of intraoperative chole-dochoscopy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy for refractory intrahepatic bile duct stones.Methods Liver pa-renchyma,intrahepatic bile duct and bile duct stones were explored under direct vision and intraoperative choledochoscope in 1 1 cases of refractory intrahepatic bile duct stones.Electrohydraulic lithotripsy and lithot-omy were performed to remove the stones and protect the liver parenchyma.If the stones could not be re-moved once,a secondary lithotripsy and lithotomy was performed through the fistula tract.Results All re-fractory calculi were crushed after one or two procedures and the clearance rate were 100%.No complica-tions occurred.Ten patients were followed up from 1 to 3 years except one.Three cases revealed recurrent stone during follow-up due to withdrawal of ursodeoxycholic acid capsules in 1 to 2 years.Seven others showed no stone recurrence within follow-up time.Conclusion Intraoperative choledochoscopy and electro-hydraulic lithotripsy is an easy technique and can effectively protect the liver parenchyma.The life quality of patients can be improved with low surgical risk and postoperative complications.

Objective To investigate the correlation of plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level with echocardiographic indicators and P wave terminal force of lead V 1 (PtfV1) in the patients with hypertension and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF) .Methods Fifty‐six outpatients and inpatients with hypertension were divided into the PAF group (n=26) and the sinusrhythm group (n=30) .Thirty age‐matched and gender‐matched healthy volunteers were taken as the control group . The plasma NT‐proBNP level was determined .Left ventricular enddiastolic diameter (LVEDD) ,left atrial diameter(LAD) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were examined by echocardiography .the 12‐lead electrocardiogram was routinely performed Pt‐fV1 was calculated .Results The plasma NT‐proBNP level in the PAF group was higher than that in the sinusrhythm group and the control group ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05) .The plasma NT‐proBNP level in the PAF group was de‐creased significantly after successful cardioversion .The plasma NT‐proBNP level in the PAF group was positively correlated with LVEDD(r=0 .543 ,P<0 .05) and LAD (r=0 .606 ,P<0 .01) .The plasma NT‐proBNP level was negatively correlated with LVEF (r= -0 .750 ,P<0 .01) and positively correlated with the PtfV 1 absolute value (r= 0 .513 ,P< 0 .01) .Conclusion The plasma NT‐proBNP level can better reflect the heart structure and function in the patients with atrial fibrillation .Detecting the plasma NT‐proBNP level combined with echocardiographic indicators and PtfV 1 is conducive to comprehensively assess the heart function in the patients with hypertension and PAF .

Objective To investigate the ultrasonographic and pathological changes of peripheral pulmonary lesions in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) complicated with Penicillium marneffei pneumonia (PMP) and their clinical significance.Methods The ultrasonographic and pathological data of peripheral pulmonary lesions in 31 cases of AIDS complicated with PMP who were diagnosed in Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning were retrospectively reviewed.Results Among 31 cases of PMP,20 cases (64.5％) showed star-like diffuse sonogram,7 cases (22.6％) low solid echo and 4 cases (12.9 ％) black hole-like sonogram in ultrasonographic changes of peripheral pulmonary lesions.In pathological examination,Penicillium marneffei were seen in all samples:periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) and periodic acid-Schiff diastase stain (PAS-D) were all positive.Twenty four cases (77.4％) mainly showed infiltration of inflammatory cells,and 7 cases (22.6 ％) mainly showed necrosis and fibrous hyperplasia.Among 20 patients with star like diffuse sonogram,19 were mainly infiltration of inflammatory cells in pathological changes,and 19 were CD4+ T lymphocyte counts of 100-200/μL.Among 4 patients with black hole-like sonogram,all were necrosis in the central and hyperplasia in the peripheral in pathological changes,and CD4-T lymohocyte counts were all＜50/μL.Conclusions In AIDS patients complicated with PMP,ultrasonographic features were probably correlated with pathological changes in biopsy tissues and CD4-T lymphocyte counts.

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation in repair of single segment of thoracolumbar fracture can overcome quadrilateral effect, get better biomechanical properties, meanwhile, it also can provide three-point fixation, reduce suspension effect, and reduce the formation of kyphosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and incidence of complications of the percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:Totaly 36 patients with single segment thoracolumbar fractures treated by percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation were enroled. A total of 36 vertebral bodies were treated: T11=5, T12=8, L1=17, L2=6. The visual analog scale scores before treatment and at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, the Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment, the Cobb angle before treatment, the first day and at the 12th month after treatment were compared and observed. The incidence of complications was recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual analog scale scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment was significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.001). The Oswestry disability indexes before treatment, at the first week and at the 12th month after treatment were significantly lower those that before treatment (P < 0.001).The Cobb angle before treatment, at the first day and at the 12th month after treatment was significantly smaler than that before treatment (P < 0.001). Only three (8%) patients had complications, including pedicle screw penetrating pedicle into the spinal canal, pedicle screws loosing and the infection in puncture site. These results suggest that percutaneous pedicle screw internal fixation for treatment of single segment thoracolumbar fractures can correct kyphosis, improve the thoracolumbar motion, quickly relieve patient’s back pain, and the incidence of complications is low.

Objective To analyze the genomic sequences of Cryptococcus neoformans var grubii strains of two genotypes with different virulence and to screen out the virulence-associated genes. Methods A clinical strain (IFM56800) with the strongest virulence and an environmental strain (IFM56731) with the weakest virulence were screened out for whole genome sequencing analysis. The results of sequencing analy-sis were comprehensively analyzed by using the method of comparative genomics. Genetic variations were ex-tensively screened by using the strategies of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms ( nsSNPs), nonsense SNPs and the insertions or deletions ( InDels) causing frameshift mutations. The filtered genes were sequenced in 20 experimental strains. The whole RNAs were extracted and then the full-length cDNAs were sequenced by using the rapid amplification of 5′ and 3′ cDNA ends (RACE) method. Results By whole genome sequencing, valid data with high coverage (127 times and 111 times) was obtained in both the environmental strain IFM56731 and the clinical strain IFM56800. The data of InDels and SNPs were statisti-cally analyzed, respectively. Six genes were chosen for further analysis based on the strategies of nonsense SNPs and the InDels causing frameshift mutations. The six genes were amplified and sequenced in all of the experimental strains, three of which were further analyzed with cDNA sequencing. Ultimately, the location and structure of CNAG_01032 gene were determined. The predicted nonsense mutation locus was verified to present in the actual mRNA. Conclusion The strategies of nonsense SNPs and the InDels causing frame-shift mutations showed high-efficiency in screening potential virulence-associated genes. The CNAG_01032 gene was screened out as a novel virulence-associated gene.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of plasma NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide guided therapy of β1-blocker to patients with moderate and severe heart failure.Methods A total of 1 95 patients with moderate and severe heart failure were ran-domized to the clinical group and the BNP group.The use of β1-blocker was guided by monitoring clinical representation and the changes of BNP values respectively.The duration of initiative use ofβ1-blocker,the recurrence of heart failure,the mortality due to heart failure and the mean dosage ofβ1-blocker were observed and analysed.Results Compared with the clinical group,the time of initiative use ofβ1-blocker was significantly shorter in NT-proBNP group[(5.89±1.76)d vs .(7.03±2.08)d,P <0.01].The mean dosage ofβ1-blocker is significantly higher in BNP group than that in clinical group[(47.65 ± 13.09 )mg/d vs .(35.08 ± 1 1.08) mg/d,P <0.01].The recurrence and mortality of heart failure were similar in two groups(P >0.05).Conclusion NT-proBNP-guided therapy ofβ1-blocker might contribute to early use and tolerance of higher dosage ofβ1-blocker in patients with NYHA Ⅲ-Ⅳ class heart function,with no extra adverse event.