Lower leg lengthening has a history of more than 100 years. However, serious complications occurred in the early stage due to the immature device and technical conditions. The emergence of Ilizarov technology making limb lengthening is a kind of controlled operation. Based on the "Ilizarov effect", the results of limb regeneration and lengthening were obtained by slow, stable and continuous distraction of living tissues. The regeneration of bone and soft tissue is like limb development in children. Currently, the traditional Ilizarov external fixation is still the dominated method for leg lengthening. The Chinese Ilizarov external fixator and the lower leg Achilles tendon elastic lengthening external fixator are the representatives of domestic application. Other limb lengthening methods, including computer hexapod assisted orthopedic surgery (CHAOS), lengthening over nail (LON), lengthening and then nailing (LATN) and intramedullary nail lengthening system, have not been developed in China. Percutaneous transverse osteotomy at 5-6 cm below the tibial plateau is a common osteotomy method in China. This method can maximize the retention of periosteum and intramedullary blood circulation. Limb lengthening more than 4 cm is recommended by leg Achilles tendon elastic synchronous lengthening fixator with calcaneal wire fixation. Following the principle of tension-stress, the lengthening is carried out slowly. Further, the lengthening device is removed step by step according to the principle of dynamic adjustment of fixed stiffness.

Background Choroidal thickness is closely associated with ametropia,and to study the influence of subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) on refraction is very important for understanding the mechanism of refractive error more clearly.Objective This study was to investigate the relationship between SFCT and refraction.Methods A retrospective serial cases analysis was performed.Forty anisometrope patients were recruited in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from June 2012 to August 2012.The subjects were divided into 6-13 years group and 14-21 years group.Vision acuity was tested by the EDTRS visual acuity chart and ocular anterior segment was examined under the slit lamp microscope,and the fundus examination was performed by direct ophthalmoscope.Subjective and objective optometry was performed after pupils were dilated.EDI OCT was used to illuminate choroidal image.Ocular axial length (AL) was obtained by Lenstar 900.The difference in SFCT between myopic eyes and hyperopic eyes was compared using Student t test,and the correlations between SFCT and refraction were analyzed by Pearson linear analysis and linear regression analysis.Results The average SFCT was (307.82±88.47) μm in all the tested eyes,and the SFCT of myopic eyes and hyperopic eyes was (270.60±70.57) μm and (376.95±76.59) μm,respectively,with a significant difference between them (P =0.000).In the 6-13 years group,positive correlations were found between SFCT and diopters with the regression coefficient 18.60 and regression equation Y =18.60X +310.79 (r=0.345,F=21.110,P=0.000) as well as between SFCT and AL with the regression coefficient -31.76 and regression equation Y =-31.76X+1 039.97 (r=0.262,F=17.320,P=0.000).In the 14-21 years group,SFCT showed positive correlation with diopters,with the regression coefficient 23.38 and regression equation Y=23.38X+353.17 (r =0.430,F =27.210,P =0.000) and negative correlation with AL,with the regression coefficient-35.82 and regression equation Y =-35.82X+1 132.75 (r=0.237,F=15.650,P=0.000).Conclusions SFCT seems to be positive correlated with diopter.When the diopter shifts toward positive value,SFCT value increases,and whenever diopter increases-1 D,SFCT decreases 20 μm approximately.SFCT decreases with the increase of AL.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the roles of serum interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and soluble interleukin-2R (sIL-2R) in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C and to observe the effects of interferon (IFN) on the above- mentioned serum cytokines.

METHODSThe levels of above- mentioned cytokines were detected in 10 healthy individuals, 24 asymptomatic hepatitis virus C (HCV) carriers and 27 patients with chronic hepatitis C (before and after IFN treatment) using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe levels of the cytokines in patients with chronic hepatitis C are higher than in healthy people (P < 0.05) and in asymptomatic HCV carriers (P < 0.05). The values of the cytokines show a significant positive correlation to ALT (P < 0.05). Levels of tested cytokines decreased observably after IFN treatment (P < 0.05). The grades of the serum levels for sIL-2R and IL-10 before IFN treatment (from high to low) were categorized accordingly: non-response group > partial- response group > complete- response group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe tested cytokines co-participate in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, and can be used to evaluate the effect of IFN on the immune state of organisms. Furthermore, sIL-2R and IL-10 are important for predicting the anti-viral efficacy of IFN.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins