OBJECTIVETo detect the clinical value of the ECT bone scan in evaluating of the situation of infection control after hip knee arthroplasty.

METHODSThe clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 62 patients, including 34 males and 28 females with an average age of 68.8 years old ranging from 65 to 74 years. The results of ECT bone scan, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein were used to assess periprosthetic infection. The patients with positive ECT and ESR on CRP were considered to have periprosthetic infection; however, the patients with two or more negative, indexes were considered to have no infection.

RESULTSThe sensitivity, specificity, accurate rate of ECT were 75.0%, 88.9%, 87.1% respectively; ESR 50.0%, 72.2%, 69.4%; CRP 62.5%, 81.4%, 79.0%. The combination of the three methods were 87.5%, 96.3% and 95.2%,

CONCLUSIONCompared with ESR and CRP, ECT is a more effective way in the diagnosis of periprosthetic infection, which has great value and is worth popularizing.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; adverse effects ; Blood Sedimentation ; Bone and Bones ; diagnostic imaging ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Prosthesis-Related Infections ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Emission-Computed ; methods

Objective To determine the sensitivity and specificity of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP antibodies) in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Method A total of 1018healthy donors, 212 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 435 patients with other connective tissue disease were recruited to this study. Anti-CCP antibodies and IgM-rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined by ELISA according to manufacturer instructions, with a cut-off of 20U. Result The frequency of positive anti-CCP antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 48.1% (n = 102 ), higher than healthy donors (2.6%,n = 26) and patients with other connective tissue diseases (3.7%, n = 16). The specificity of anti-CCP antibodies is 97.4%. The titer of anti-CCP antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (429. 7 U) is much higher than that in healthy donors (29. 3 U ) and patients with other connective tissue diseases (36. 5 U). The frequency of positive IgM-RF in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is 94. 3% whilst only21.5% in healthy donors. The false positivity rate of IgM-RF is higher than anti-CCP antibody. Conclusion Anti-CCP antibodies is a highly specific autoantibody in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To compare the values of automated breast volume scanner(ABVS) and conventional ultrasound(US) in the diagnosis of breast microcalcifications.Methods Sixty-eight cases of patients with breast microcalcifications 71 lesions were found by mammography,which were also examined by ABVS and US.The detection rate of microcalcifications under different background which have masses or not by the two methods were compared respectively,and the detection rate in the different pathological types of breast were also compared.All the cases were confirmed with histopathology.Results Sixty-five cases with breast microcalcifications were detected by ABVS and 55 cases detected by US,respectively.The detection rate of ABVS was significantly higher than that of US (91.5％ vs 77.5％,x2 =5.379,P =0.020).Forty-four cases of microcalcifications were found within the masses,but the other 27 cases without mass.The detection rate of microcalcifications within the masses had no siginificant difference between ABVS and US (97.7％ vs 93.2％,x2 =0.262,P =0.609),but ABVS was significantly higher than US (81.5％ vs 51.9％,x2 =5.333,P =0.021) in the detection rate of microcalcifications without the masses.The detection rate of ABVS in microcalcifications for those patients with invasive ductal carcinoma,were found the same as US (both 100％).However,the detection rate of microcalcifications by ABVS was much higher than US (94.1 ％ vs 58.8％,P =0.039) in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.Conclusions ABVS can improve the detection rate of microcalcifications,especially without mass.The microcalcifications distribution can be observed in the coronal plane of ABVS,which increases the detection rate of ultrasound in the diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effects of Rigidfix cross pins combined with Intrafix pins for the reconstruction of anterior or posterior cruciate ligament under arthroscopy.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to June 2010,34 patients with anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries were divided into two groups : group A and group B. There were 24 patients in group A, including 19 males and 5 females,with an average age of (31.83±9.57) years old. The patients in group A were treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under arthroscopy; Rigidfix cross pins and Intrafix pins were used to fix femoral and tibial side respectively. Among the 10 patients in group B, 8 patients were male and 2 patients were female, with an average age of (27.20+7.59) years old. The patients in group B were treated with posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under arthroscope; Intrafix pins and Rigidifix cross pins were used to fix femoral and tibial side sepectively. The drawer test and Lachaman test were used to evaluate postoperative knee stability. All the patients were followed up at least 18 months. Lysholm and Tegner knee scores were used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects.

RESULTSAll the 34 patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 18 to 26 months,with an average of (20.79±2.39) months. All the patients obtained good pain relief and knee stability. In group A,Lysholm scores significantly increased from 43.04±7.57 preoperatively to 85.41±4.68, 92.50±3.05, and 93.45±2.57 at 6,12, and 18 months postoperatively; Tegner scores significantly increased from 2.62±0.92 preoperatively to 7.45±1.14, 8.58±0.77, and 8.95±0.55 at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. In group B,Lysholm scores significantly increased from 46.20±8.27 preoperatively to 86.40±5.14,90.40±2.67,and 92.00±3.85 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively ;Tegner scores significantly increased from 2.00±0.66 preoperatively to 7.10±0.99, 8.60±0.84, and 8.80±0.42 at 6,12, and 18 months postoperatively. There were no differences in Lysholm and Tegner scores between group A and B at different times during follow-up. Lysholm scores of all patients significantly increased from 43.97±7.79 preoperatively to 85.70±4.76,91.88±3.06,and 93.02±3.01 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively. Tegner scores of all patients significantly increased from 2.44±0.89 preoperatively to 7.35±1.09, 8.58±0.78, and 8.91±0.51 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively. During the follow-up period,there were no serious immunological rejection and complications.

CONCLUSIONReconstruction of anterior or posterior cruciate ligament under arthroscopy with Rigidfix cross pins and Intrafix pins fixation is feasible therapy for anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries, and the fixation is rigid. The therapy restores knee stability and provides a satisfactory short-term results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Bone Nails ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the dynamic expression of TGF-beta1/Smad protein in rats with liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), to study mechanism of TGF-beta1/Smad signaling and the relationship between its transduction and liver fibrosis.

METHODSFifty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups: normal control group and model group. Experimental liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl4. After six weeks and nine weeks, histopathological changes and degrees of fibrosis were observed by optical microscopy. Meanwhile, the expression of TGF-beta1, TP3R-I, Smad2/3 and Smad7 proteins was detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS(1) Pathological observation of hepatic specimens: hepatic tissue of model group rat had inflammation and fibrosis in different degrees. By comparing with the degrees of inflammation and fibrosis model groups were more severe than normal control group (P < 0.05). (2) Changes of protein levels about TGF-beta1/Smad: the expressions of TGF-beta1, TbetaR-I, Smad2/3 and Smad7 in rat hepatic tissue were detected with immunohistochemistry techniques. The expressions of the four items in model group were higher than those of normal control group (P < 0.01). In fibrosis model group, there exist considerable positive correlations among expressions of TGF-beta1, TbetaR-I, Smad2/3, Smad7 and degrees of fibrosis in livers (P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere is close relation between the level of TGF-beta1, TbetaR-I, Smad2/3, Smad7 and the different liver fibrosis grades due to CCl4. The up regulation of TGF-beta1, TbetaR- I, Smad2/3 and Smad7 in liver tissue is involved in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; adverse effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smad2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad3 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Adolescent ; Adult ; Automobile Driving ; China ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Noise, Occupational ; adverse effects ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; Stress, Psychological ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Vibration ; adverse effects

Objective To analyze sonographic characteristics of the automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) in non-mass-like breast carcinoma.Methods 49 patients with non-mass-like breast carcinoma were confirmed by pathology after operation.All of the patients underwent ABVS,the sonographic characteristics of internal echo and microcalcifications in the lesions,the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane and surrounding change were analyzed.All the lesions were assessed by breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS).Results In 49 patients with non-mass-like breast carcinoma,27(55.10％) cases were ductal carcinoma in situ,21 (42.86％) cases were infitrating ductal carcinoma,and 1 (2.04％) case were infitrating lobular carcinoma.The findings of ABVS:43 (87.76 ％) lesions appeared as segmental hypoechoic areas,41 (83.67％) lesions appeared as scattered or clustered microcalcifications,6(12.24％) lesions appeared as the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane,and 1 (2.04％) lesion appeared as pachyderma and subcutaneous dropsy.Microcalcifications in ductal carcinoma in situ appeared more than that in infitrating ductal carcinoma (85.19 ％ vs 80.95 ％,P =0.715) ;the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane of infitrating ductal carcinoma were higher than that of ductal carcinoma in situ(19.05％ vs 7.41％,P =0.383),but there were no significant difference in those between ductal carcinoma in situ with infitrating ductal carcinoma(P ＞0.05).All the cases were assessed according to BI-RADS,including 4a-5 category 44 cases,0-2 category 5 cases.The coincidence rate in diagnosis of ABVS were 89.80％.Conclusions The ABVS features of non-mass-like breast carcinoma are characteristic.Segmental hypoechoic areas,microcalcifications and the retraction phenomenon in coronal plane are important for the diagnosis of non-mass-like breast carcinoma,ABVS can improve the detect ability and decrease the missed diagnosis of non-mass-like breast carcinoma.

Aim The effects of midazolam on the whole-cell sodium currents in rat sympathetic neurons were studied to explore the mechanisms where by midazolam mediates hypotension. Methods Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed on enzymatically isolated rat superior cervical sympathetic neurons. Results Midazolam dose-dependently blocked the whole-cell sodium currents evoked by a voltage step to 0 mV from a holding potential of -80 mV with a mean drug concentration required to produce 50% current inhibition (IC50) values of 18.35 ?mol?L-1; Clinically relevant concentration of midazolam(0.3 ?mol?L-1) reduced sodium peak currents by 19.98%(P

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of the automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) in the diagnosis of ductal carcinomain situ(DCIS).MethodsSixty-seven patients who were diagnosed as DCIS by histopathology from December, 2010 to December, 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Their image results and detection rates of mammography, conventional ultrasound and ABVS were analyzed and compared by Nonparametric Cochran'sQ test, and the further comparison were performed between groups by McNemar test.ResultsThe cases diagnosed as mass (with or without microcalcifications) by mammography, conventional ultrasound and ABVS were 13 (19%), 22 (33%) and 25 (37%), respectively. The detection rates of conventional ultrasound and ABVS were higher than mammography, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=7.11, 10.08, bothP<0.05). However, the detection rate of mass between conventional ultrasound and ABVS were not statistically different (P>0.05). The cases diagnosed as simple microcalcification or associated with microcalcification by mammography, conventional ultrasound and ABVS were 42 (63%), 30 (45%) and 39 (58%), respectively. The detection rates of simple microcalcification or associated with microcalcifications by mammography and ABVS were higher than conventional ultrasound, and the differences were statistically significant (χ2=8.64, 5.82, bothP<0.05). However, the detection rate of simple microcalcification or associated with microcalcifications between conventional ultrasound and ABVS were not statistically different (P>0.05). The detection rates of DCIS by mammography, conventional ultrasound and ABVS were 84%, 70% and 91%. The detection rates of DCIS by mammography and ABVS were higher than conventional ultrasound, and the differences were statistically significant. But the rate between mammography and ABVS showed no statistical significance.ConclusionsABVS can improve the ultronic detection rate of breast DCIS. Its detection rate is similar with mammography performance.

Objective To determine the correlation between mouse maerophage metalloelastase (MME)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression involved in angiogenesis of colon cancer.Methods A eDNA fragment coding for domainsⅠandⅡof MME was transfected into murine CT-26 colon cancer cells that were MME deficient.The enzymatic activity of recombinant MME was confirmed by cleavage of native substrate in vitro.An orthotopic implantation model was established by using MME-transfected cells and control cells.Tumor samples were subjected to in situ hybridization (ISH)and immunohistochemical staining(IHC)to detect expressions of MME and VEGF.The microvessel counting was used to assess angiogenesis of murine colon tumors.Results It was demon- strated that the tumor growth was significantly inhibited in MME-transfected group compared with pcDNA3.1 transfected and nontransfected groups(P＜0.001).It was also found that,compared with pcDNA3.1-transfected and nontransfected groups,the microvessel formation in MME transfected group was significantly reduced(P＜0.001).The expression of VEGF mRNA and protein was significantly lower in MME-transfected group than those in the controls,as demonstrated by ISH(MME-transfected group versus pcDNAa.1-transfected group,P=0.028;and versus nontransfected group,P=0.003) and by IHC(MME-transfected group versus pcDNA3.1-transfected group,P=0.025;and versus non- transfected group,P=0.008).Conclusions The MME gene transfected into murine colon cancer cells can effectively suppress the growth of orthotopic tumors by inhibition of vaseularity.Both MME and VEGF gene expression is highly associated with the vascularity of tumors,which may depend on a hal- ance between MME and VEGF expression.