BACKGROUND: Posterior internal fixation and fusion system is a main method for chronic back pain caused by intervertebral disc degeneration, but more postoperative adverse reactions occur. Dynamic stabilization system can reduce adjacent-segment degeneration, and theoretically, repair intervertebral disc degeneration.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of K-rod dynamic stabilization system in the repair of lumbar degenerative diseases.METHODS/DESIGN: We conducted a prospective, single-center, self-controlled, clinical trial at the Orthopedic Hospital of Shenyang, China. Sixty-seven patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were enrolled, and treated with K-rod dynamic stabilization system. All patients were followed for 2 years. The primary outcome was the changes in the Oswestry dysfunction index scores at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were the ratio of height vertebral space to body and lumbar lordotic angle at baseline, 3, 12 and 24 hours postoperatively; the visual analogue scale scores for back pain and morphological changes in the lumbar vertebrae on x-ray preoperatively and 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery; the incidence of adverse reactions at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively.This trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT03214042). The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Orthopedic Hospital of Shenyang. All protocols will be performed in accordance with the Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects in the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was provided by each patient after they indicated that they fully understood the treatment plan.DISCUSSION: This trial was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of K-rod dynamic stabilization system for lumbar degenerative diseases, thus providing reference for its clinical application. Partial results demonstrated that the Oswestry Dysfunction Index and Visual Analogue Scale scores at 24 months postoperatively were significantly improved (P < 0.01), but the ratio of height vertebral space to body and lumbar lordotic angle did not differ significantly at different time points (P > 0.01). These results suggest that K-rod dynamic stabilization system can alleviate pain and improve lumbar function in the patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods Long-term follow up of 48 SLE patients with autologous stem cell transplantation were studied. All patients were followed up for 10 years. Among the patients, 24 cases were treated with purified CD34+ cells transplantation and 24 cases were treated with non-CD34+ cell transplantation. Comparison between groups was performed by x2 test. Results Among 5 dead patients, 4 died of transplantation related complications including 3 cases treated with CD34+ transplantion. The survival rate of those patients with more than 10 years duration of lupus was 90%(43/48). Among 43 patients, 7 had disease flare, 6 were treated with non-CD34+ cell transplantation. Eight patients went to college, 26 returned to normal life and 4 of them had children. Conclusion The long-term effect of SLE treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is good. The recurrence of CD34+ transplant patients is lower than those treated with non-CD34+ transplantation. The quality of life in SLE patients treated with transplantation is better than those treated with conventional therapy.

BACKGROUND: Infusion of hemopoietic stem cell from donors can promote the chimeric formation and induce specific immunologic tolerance in the allograft recipients. However, the pretreatment for cell transplantation has great toxicity to recipients. So immunosuppressant combined bone marrow infusion is introduced to anti graft versus host reaction. OBJECTIVE: Based on microchimerism, to study the security and associativity of chimera formation induced by kidney-bone marrow transplantation and immunologic tolerance.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The contrast observation was performed at the department of urinary surgery, The Third People's Hospital of Zhengzhou City from January 1998 to December 2005.PARTICIPANTS: According to ABO/Rh blood type and HLA matching, 96 female patients with chronic renal failure and waiting for kidney transplantation were divided into 2 groups, In the combination group, patients received kidney combined bone marrow transplantation; the other uremia patients received the other kidney of cadavers were served as control group. The donors were 48 healthy males. METHODS: Bone marrow of donors was collected simultaneously with kidney obtain and preserved with cryoprotectant at -198 ℃ in nitrogen canister. After kidney transplantation, large dose of anti-human lymphocyte immune globulin were used for 2 weeks, then (0.9-2.5)×10~8/kg mononuclearcell was reinfused. PCR-SRY was used to identify donor derived cell-chimerism. Lymphocyte subgroup of recipients was determined by blood test; and interleukin 10 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; in addition, the mass concentration of tumor necrosis factor α and tumor necrosis factor β was detected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Chimerism, lymphocyte subsets and cytokines were detected at various time points following transplantation. Simultaneously, the transplantation results and complication status of recipients were observed. RESULTS: The positive rate of chimera in the combination group was greater than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The 3-year follow-up showed that incidence differences of acute rejection between recipients with positive chimera and recipients with negative chimera had significance (13%, 35%, P < 0.05). There was no graft versus host disease occurred in the combination group. CONCLUSION: Kidney-bone marrow transplantation can augment chimerism in early postoperative period, and significantly reduce the rate of acute rejection, which is safe and beneficia1to induce specific immunologic tolerance in the renal allograft recipients.

Objective To evaluate the diagnosis of proximal vas deferens and epididymis with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in healthy adult canines. Methods Six healthy male adult dogs were dissected to expose unilateral vas deferens. CEUS was performed after injecting ultrasound contrast agents into vas deferens by catheter. X ray angiography was taken after injecting compound meglumine diatrizoate. The image features of CEUS and X ray angiography were displayed by CEUS. Results Under CEUS, inguinal segment of proximal vas deferens were straight and symmetrical in diameter, scrotal segment of vas deferens were tortuous,and the tail of epididymis were speckled which enhanced shaped as a comma. The inguinal and scrotal segment of vas deferens section was display well by X-ray angiography.Conclusions CEUS is a new method in proximal vas deferens and tail of epididymis examination. It can provide guidance for the disease diagnosis of seminal vesicle and ductal system.

Objective To explore the feasibility and curative effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) fibrinolytic therapy in order to cure radiation-induced brachial plexopathy (RIBP) and to discuss the principle, indication and precautions. Methods The treatment was taken on 16 cases that had a definite clinical diagnosis and we took a systematic examination to make sure that there was no recurrence or metastasis of the tumor.Brachial plexus and tender area block was taken once a week by injection of mixture of hyaluronidase, hexadecadrol, Vitamine B12 and lidocaine. The therapy was applied for 6 to 12 weeks. Results All the patients were followed up for a period of 0.5 to 10 years. Four cases had an evident alleviation of the symptoms and got a function resumption of hands; 5 cases had an alleviation of pain and improvement of sensation and the progress of illness were terminated, but motor function didn't have improvement; 7 cases had a continued aggravation of the symptoms. All the cases found improvement in electromyography. Concluslon The aim of fibrinolytic therapy is to dissolve the extra ECM such as hyaluronic acid around nerves in order to achieve a new homeostasis. It can relieve the conglutination and entrapment at nerve inside and outside, reduce the pressure of neuraxon and create an availing condition for the regenesis of nerve and the regain of function.

Objective:To explore and compare the value of radiomic features based on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and CT in distinguishing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods:Pretreatment 18F-FDG PET/CT images and EGFR gene status of 114 patients (64 males and 50 females, aged range: 35-84 (average age: 61) years) with primary lung adenocarcinoma between January 2017 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected. The volume of interest was drawn manually slice by slice, then the features were extracted by the LIFEx software. The parameters were screened by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method for 200 times, and ten-fold cross-validation was used to select the best tuning parameter λ. Three models, namely M PET, M CT, M PET+ CT, were constructed by binary logistic stepwise regression. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated and the corresponding area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated. The AUCs of three models were compared by Delong test. Results:Totally, 53.51%(61/114) patients were with wild type EGFR and 46.49%(53/114) patients had EGFR mutation. There were 3, 3, 7 parameters selected to form M PET, M CT, M PET+ CT, respectively. The AUCs for M PET, M CT, M PET+ CT were 0.730, 0.752 and 0.866 respectively. When the cut-off values were 0.427, 0.522, 0.378 for M PET, M CT and M PET+ CT, the Youden index were up to the maximum as 0.420, 0.405, 0.630, with sensitivities of 83.0%(44/53), 58.5%(31/53), 92.5%(49/53), specificities of 59.0%(36/61), 82.0%(50/61), 70.5%(43/61) and accuracies of 70.2%(80/114), 71.1%(81/114), 80.7%(92/114), respectively. There was no significant difference between AUC of M PET and M CT ( z=-0.320, P>0.05). The differences of AUCs between M PET+ CT and M PET, M PET+ CT and M CT were statistically significant ( z values: 2.963, 2.523, both P<0.05). Conclusions:PET, CT and PET+ CT radiomic features are all associated with EGFR gene expression in lung adenocarcinoma. M PET+ CT has the highest predictive efficiency.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Xiaoyu-Jiangzhi capsules on blood lipid, carotid artery atherosclerosis (CAA) and plaque in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE -/-) mice. Methods:The ApoE -/- mice were fed with high-fat food to establish carotid atherosclerosis model. The ApoE -/- mice were randomly by weight divided into model group, Atorvastatin group, low- and high-dose Xiaoyu-Jiangzhi capsules group. The C57BL/6cnc mice were used as control group and fed with normal diet. The Atorvastatin group was given atorvastatin suspension 1.3 mg/kg, low and high dose groups were given Xiaoyu-Jiangzhi capsule suspension 325 and 975 mg/kg, and the control group and model group were given equal volume of distilled water. The mice were gavaged with 0.1 ml/10 g body weight, once a day, and the weight of mice was recorded weekly. After 12 weeks of continuous intragastric administration, the blood lipid and liver /body weight index of the mice were measured. Carotid arteries were sliced to conduct oil red O staining and VG staining for the pathological analysis. Results:After 12 weeks of drug administration, the weight of mice in the high-dose group was significantly lower than the model group. The level of TC (25.92 ± 4.21 mmol/L vs. 30.39 ± 4.67 mmol/L) and LDL-C (7.97 ± 2.14 mmol/L vs. 10.26 ± 1.97 mmol/L) in the high-dose group significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the level of HDL-C in the low and high-dose group significantly increased ( P<0.05). The pathological results showed that after 12 weeks of administration, the carotid artery lipid deposition blockage rate in the Atorvastatin group and the high dose group were significantly smaller than the model group( P<0.05), and no vascular plaque has been formed. Conclusion:The Xiaoyu-Jiangzhi capsules could reduce LDL-C, increase HDL-C levels, reduce the constriction of arterial stenosis and slow down the formation process of carotid plaque.

Objective To study the predictive validity of fidgety general movement assessment in pre-term twins and multiplets for motor development outcomes.Methods A total of 53 pre-term twins or multiplets delivered between July 2011 and February 2016 participated in this study.They were assessed using a general movements (GM) assessment and participated in the follow-up program until one year old.The motor development outcomes of the infants at one year old were determined according to clinical diagnoses and the Peabody developmental motor scale number two (PDMS-2) evaluation.The predictive validity of fidgety general movement assessment for motor development outcomes was calculated against the standard motor development of infants at one year old.Results There were 53 twins or multiplets who accepted the GM assessment of fidgety movement period.Of these,43 were assessed as normal (NF) and ten (19％) as lacking a normal level of fidgety movement (F-).All 53 cases were followed-up for the motor development outcome.Forty-three cases (81.1％) were assessed as normal at one year old,while ten (18.9％) were assessed as abnormal.All ten had cerebral palsy,and no motor development retardation was found.The predictive value of F-for cerebral palsy was 90.0％ in terms of sensitivity,97.7％ in terms of specificity,90.0％ in positive predictive value,and 97.7％ in terms of negative predictive value.Conclusions Among pre-term twins or multiplets,the fidgety general movement assessment can be a useful early indicator of motor development difficulties.

Objective To explore the diagnostic and score value of ultrasound on hemophiliac arthropathy referring to MRI on the diagnosis and score of hemophiliac arthropathy Methods The ultrasound and MRI examinations were performed on 42 joints of 42 hemophilia patients 14 knees 14 ankles and 14 elbows The consistency of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection and score of joint diseases was compared Finally inter-and intra-observer agreement of ultrasound scoring system were tested Results The consistency of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging was excellent κ=0 763-0 896 P < 0 001 in the detection of early soft tissue lesions effusion or hemarthrosis synovial hypertrophy hemosiderin excellent κ=0 793 P <0 001 in the detection of cartilage loss poor κ=0 133 P = 0 132 in the detection of erosions and poor κ= 0 100 P = 0 137 in the detection of subchondral cysts The consistency of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging was good to excellentκ=0 684-0 833 P < 0 001 in the score of early soft tissue lesions effusion or hemarthrosis synovial hypertrophy and hemosiderin and poor to good κ=0 145 -0 635 P <0 001 in the score of advanced osteochondral lesions cartilage loss and bone erosions The inter-observer agreement was good to excellent κ=0 676-0 870 P <0 001 for early soft tissue lesions and moderate to excellent κ=0 421- 0 75 1 P < 0 001 for advanced osteochondral lesions The intra-observer agreement was good to excellent κ=0 705-0 885 P <0 001 for early soft tissue lesions and moderate to good κ=0 532 -0 732 P <0 001 for advanced osteochondral lesions Conclusions Ultrasound plays an important role in detecting early soft tissue changes effusion or hemarthrosis synovial hypertrophy hemosiderin and cartilage loss which helps follow-up and guide clinical treatment.

accumulation and endothelial dysfunction are associated with insulin resistance.