Objective To review the study of noninvasive imaging methods for evaluating liver fibrosis.Meth- ods The current literatures on the use of the ultrasonography,CT and MRI for the evaluation of liver fibrosis were reviewed.The principles,applications and advancement of each imaging methods were described and summarized re- spectively.The features of the newly developed imaging techniques were also discussed.Results In addition to the morphologic information,the imaging examinations can also provide functional information about the circulation sta- tus,diffusion and metabolism features of liver.The potential diagnostic value of MR elastography for liver fibrosis has been addressed.Conclusion The imaging examinations,especially the functional MRI techniques,are reliable noninvasive alternatives for the evaluation of hepatic fibrosis,with bright potentiality for clinical application.

Corynebacterium glutamicum SA001 is a mutant with lactate dehydrogenase (ldhA) deletion. In order to increase metabolic flux from isocitrate to succinate, and to improve the production of succinate under anaerobic conditions,we transducted the gene aceA coding isocitrate lyase (ICL) from Escherichia coli K12 into Corynebacterium glutamicum SA001 (SA001/pXMJ19-aceA). After 12 h aerobic induction by adding 0.8 mmol/L of IPTG, the recombinant strain was transferred to anaerobic fermentation for 16 h. Succinate reached 14.84 g/L, with a productivity of 0.83 g/(L x h). Compared to C. glutamicum SA001, the activity of ICL of the recombinant strain was increased 5.8-fold, and the succinate productivity was increased 48%. Overexpression of isocitrate lyase will increase the metabolic flux of glyoxylate bypass flowing to succinate.
Corynebacterium glutamicum ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Industrial Microbiology ; Isocitrate Lyase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Succinic Acid ; metabolism ; Transduction, Genetic

Objective To study the simple preparation method and structure of nano-hydroxyapatite/collagen composite, to investigate new substitute of repairing bone for using in tissue engineering. Methods Porous nano-hydroxyapatite was made of Ca (OH)2 and H3PO4. Collagen was drawn from fresh adult bovine tendon. The two materials were prepared into biomembrane through the glutaraldehyde and freeze-drying. The crystallite phase, micro-morphology, structure, crystallite size of the composite were examined by XRD and scanning electronic microscop (SEM). Results The results showed that the composite structure was porous and consisted of nano-hydroxyapatite (10 nm ? 50 nm - 20 nm ? 80 nm) and collagen fiber. The crystallite phases and size of the composite was similar to that of natural bone. Conclusion The porous nano-hydroxyapatite /collagen composite is expected to be an ideal substitute of repairing bone.

Objective To analyze levofloxacin resistance in Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and the sequence difference of gyrA gene in levofloxacin resistance and sensitive Hp strains. To explore the function of gyrA gene mutation in the development of levofloxacin resistance Hp strain.Methods From July 2007 to December 2008 in Department of Gastroenterology, Jinhua People hospital of Zhejiang Province, the gastric mucosa from gastroscopy biopsy of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer patients were cultured in Hp selective medium under microaerobic condition at 37 degrees for three to five days. The Hp strains were isolated and identified by oxidase test, catalase test,urease test and UreA gene detecting. The levofloxacin susceptibility was determined by E-test and then resistance and sensitive strains were screened. The genomic DNA of Hp strains was isolated. The gyrA gene was amplified by PCR and the sequences were analyzed. Results 38 clinical isolated Hp strains were passed the levofloxacin susceptibility E-test, among those the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 12 strains was over 1.0 μg/ml, the percentage of resistant strain was 31.58%, while the sensitive stains was 68.42%. The gyrA gene sequence result indicated 10 resistant strain with 261, 271 and 272 10 site mutation, 2 strains with C261A mutation, one strain with C261G mutation, two strains with G271A mutation, 2 strains with A272G mutation, 2 strains with C261A,G271T andA272G mutation, 1 strain with C261G and A272G mutation. However, no mutation sites were found in 26 sensitive strains. Conclusion The rate of levofloxacir-resistance in isolated clinical Hp strain was high. The drug-resistance was associated with 261,271 and 272. site mutation of gyrA gene.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery on postoperative pain and discomforts in patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases of mixed hemorrhoids who received Milligan-Morgan operation were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture group, a sham electroacupuncture group and a blank group, 40 cases in each one. At the same time of basic treatment, the electroacupuncture was applied at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery in the electroacupuncture group, while shallow needling without electrical stimulation at sham acupoint (1 cm next to acupoint) was applied 30 min before surgery in the sham electroacupuncture group, while no treatment was given before the surgery in the blank group. The total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation, the number of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation, the self-score of most severity pain in the first 24 h after operation and sleeping time in the night of surgery were observed.

RESULTSThe differences of the numbers of cases who received additional anesthetic in the operation had no statistical significance among the three groups (all P > 0.05), but compared with the sham electroacupuncture group and blank group, the total dose of painkillers in the first 24 h after operation was reduced in the electroacupuncture group [(2.43 +/- 1.08) tablets vs (3.23 +/- 1.33) tablets, (3.10 +/- 1.22) tablets], and the score of most severity pain was also decreased (6.65 +/- 1.00 vs 7.48 +/- 0.96, 7.25 +/- 1.19), besides, the sleeping time in the night of surgery was increased [(220.63 +/- 85.50) min vs (162.00 +/- 92.69) min, (151.50 +/- 80.01) min, all P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture at Changqiang (GV 1) and Chengshan (BL 57) 30 min before surgery has effects of preemptive analgesia on postoperative pain for patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hemorrhoids ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the present situation of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) in Henan Province,and to promote implementation of sustainable control strategies.Methods In 2011,a stratified proportion to population probability sampling (PPS) method was used to survey 1200 children aged 8 to 10 in 30 counties of the province.One primary school was selected in each chosen county.Goiter,intelligence quotient (IQ),urinary iodine and salt iodine level were studied.Meanwhile,12 families per capita salt intake was investigated.In each school,30 5th-grade students and 30 pregnant and lactating women in the school townships and adjacent neighboring townships were selected to carry out questionnaire survey on health education with unified papers.Results ①The goiter rate of children aged 8 to 10 by B ultrasound was 4.5％ (54/1201) ; the IQ of 1080 children was 107.75 ± 16.81 ; median urinary iodine level of 358 children was 201.4 μg/L.②The median of salt iodine content was 28.6 mg/kg,the coverage rate of iodized salt was 98.8％ (1186/1200),and qualified rate of iodized salt was 93.0％ (1116/1200).③The residents average daily salt intake was 10.5 g.④Average score of the questionnaire survey of 1084 5th-grade students was 4.2 points.Average score of 961 housewives was 4.4 points.Conclusions Various technical indicators show that IDD is in a sustained elimination state in Henan Province.Strengthen health education,enhance public awareness of disease prevention is still the important work ahead.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effects and operative options for the treatment of Forestier disease.

METHODSFrom June 2005 to May 2012, 8 patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease were treated through anterior approach, their clinical data were retrospective analyzed. There were 6 males and 2 females, aged from 65 to 83 years old with an average of 73 years. Among the patients, osteophytes removal was performed in 3 cases, osteophytes removal with discectomy and fusion was performed in 2 cases, osteophytes removal with corpectomy and fusion was performed in 3 cases. According to Bazaz dysphagia score to assess the improvement of the patients' symptoms before and after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months with the mean of 18.5 months. Seven cases were asymptomatic and 1 case had mild symptom in the last follow-up. Radiographs showed the space enlargement between vertebral body and trachea.

CONCLUSIONIt is effective to treat patients with progressive dysphagia due to Forestier disease through surgical method. And the operative options depend on the stability of cervical spine and the neurological symptoms of the patients.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of the over-articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy.

METHODSFrom September 2003 to April 2011, 36 patients with Pilon fractures caused by high energy were treated with the over-articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixator. There were 25 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 16 to 72 years old,with an average of 38 years old. The diagnoses of all patients were determined by conventional X-ray examination or three-dimensional spiral CT examination. The AOFAS scoring criteria was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects. The patients with comminuted fractures were treated with screw or Kirschner wire fixation without uncovering periost so as to enhance stability between fracture end and bone blocks,followed by the fixation with over-articular external fixators.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 4 to 27 months, with an average of 13 months. Thirty-two patients got wound healing at the first stage. And the bone union duration ranged from 2 to 6 months, with a mean of 3 months. According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot subjective scoring standard, 13 patients got an excellent result, 20 good and 3 fair, with an score of 88.2 +/- 3.6. Twelve patients had infections at pinhole, 5 patients had pinhole pain. One patient had the fixator broken induced by over loading, who was cured after treatment. There were no complications such as nerve or vascular injuries, or osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSIONThe over-articular external fixation combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy is an ideal method, which has such advantages as reliable fixation, simple operation, coincidence with principles of biomechanical fixation, and benefit for fracture healing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND:Endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood are an essential source to repair vascular endothelial cells damaged by various diseases.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells from peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood in vitro.
METHODS:Mononuclear cells were isolated from the umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood with density gradient centrifugation method and 6%hydroxyethyl starch precipitation combined with density gradient centrifugation method, respectively. Mononuclear cells were counted. Then the cells were implanted on the culture plate pre-paved with rat tail col agen at the concentration of 1×106/cm2, and cultured in an endothelial cellculture medium for 7 days.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Isolated and cultured endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood had similar morphological characteristics in vitro. Under the optical microscope, with the increase of culturing days, most adherent cells were changed from round to spindle-shaped. Peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells had cellcolony formation, and spindle cells from the umbilical cord blood arranged typical y in a line structure. After trypan blue staining and drawing of cellgrowth curves, the number of mononuclear cells and endothelial progenitor cells, survival rate and proliferative ability of endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood were al lower than those from the umbilical cord blood (P<0.05). At day 3 after incubation, the proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood reached the peak, and then showed a decreased tendency. Flow cytometry and Immunofluorescence staining showed that endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood could express CD34, CD133, and vascular endothelial cellfactor receptor 2. The endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and umbilical cord blood could swal ow acetylated low density lipoprotein and be combined with ulex europaeus agglutinin Ⅰ. The results confirmed that the endothelial progenitor cells from the peripheral blood and cord blood have similar biologicla characteristics, but the proliferation ability of endothelial progenitor cells from the cord blood is higher.

Objective To investigate the causes of re-fractures of non fracture vertebral body after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP).Methods 512 patients (618 vertebral bodies) treated with PKP because of osteoporosis VCFs were recruited from June 2010 to June 2014.There were 107 males (121 vertebral bodies) and 405 females (497 vertebral bodies) with the mean age of 70.38±7.59 years old (51 to 91 years).There were 406 single segment fracture and 106 double segment fractures cases,and the fracture segments were T4 to L5.The T value of the patients' bone mineral density (BMD) was from-1.0 to-5.2 SD.The clinic characteristics of all the patients including age,sex,body weight,body height,body mass index (BMI),BMD score of the spine,volume of bone cement,restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height,postoperative complications (pulmonary embolism,bone cement leakage,nerve injury),and treated vertebral level were analyzed.Results 52 patients (10.16％,52/512) experienced refractures of non fracture vertebral body after kyphoplasty,and 4 experienced re-fracture of the fracture vertebral body after kyphoplasty.The average age of the 52 patients was 71.88±7.74 years old,meanwhile,the ratio of female was 94.23％ (49/52),the mean T value of BMD-4.03±0.60 SD,the ratio of initial double segment fractures 51.92％ (27/52).In addition,among the 456 cases with no fracture,the average age was 70.21±7.56 years,the ratio of female was 77.19％ (352/456);the mean T value of BMD was-2.89±0.55 SD;the ratio of initial double segment fractures was 17.32％(79/456).The data above (age,T value of BMD and initial double segment fractures) were all with statistical significant differences.Whereas the BMI,volume of bone cement,intervertebral disc leakage and restoration rate of anterior/middle vertebral height had no significant difference between the two groups.Furthermore,in the re-fracture of non fracture vertebral body group,32 cases (61.54％,32/52) were nonadjacent fractures,and 20 (38.46％,20/52) were adjacent fractures.Conclusion Osteoporosis degree,female and initial double segment fractures were major risk factors in the development of re-fracture of non fracture vertebral body after PKP.