Bone scan using 99m Tc-MDP is the most accurate and reliable method for the early detection of fracture, andgive the most accurate in formation about the healing process of fractured bone. Recent days, the medicolegalproblem about the injured time is frequently provoked in vertebral fracture patient by trauma. The authorsanalyzed the bone scan of vertebral fracture patients from March to Dec. 1983. The authors obtained results asfollows: 1. The minimum time for a fracture to return to normal on a bone scan was 4 month in cervical spine. 2.It was 12 month in thoracic spine. 3. It was 6 month in lumbar spine. 4. Surrounding soft tissue injury was healedwithin 10 days after trauma in our cases. 5. Focal hot uptake is persisted in case of callus deposition on plainfilm, although very small in amount. 6. Healing time is delayed in case of severely compressed vertebral body,belowed the half than normal height. 7. With bone scan it is possible to differentiate the fresh fracture from oldhealed, impossible by plain film. 8. Healing time is delayed in old age.
Bony Callus ; Humans ; Methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Spine

AIM:To establish an effective method for purification and culture of human cumulus cells(CCs) in vitro,and to compare the characteristics between CCs and mural granulosa cells(MGCs).METHODS:Follicular fluid and cumulus complex from the patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection were collected.CCs were mechanically cut from cumulus complex and then directly inoculated on a Petri dish, and MGCs were obtained from follicular fluid through density gradient centrifugation.The expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSHR)was determined by immunofluorescence.The cell growth curves were measured by CCK-8 assay.The secretion of estrogen was detected by ELISA.RESULTS:After incubated for 24 h, the adherence of CCs was observed.CCs and MGCs had similar growth characteristics and FSHR expression.The similar cell growth curves were observed by CCK-8 assay and the results of ELISA showed that they had comparable secretion of estrogen.CONCLUSION:Direct culture of CCs mechanically cutting from cumulus complex is an effective method.CCs had similar growth characteristics,growth curves and secretion of estro-gen to MGCs cultured in vitro and could be a substitutive source of granulosa cell subsets.

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with diabetes. The cumulative impact of both diseases synergistically increases risk of adverse events. However, present population analysis is predominantly conducted with reference to non-NAFLD individuals and has not yet examined the impact of prediabetes. Hence, we sought to conduct a retrospective analysis on the impact of diabetic status in NAFLD patients, referencing non-diabetic NAFLD individuals. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2018 was used. Hepatic steatosis was defined with United States Fatty Liver Index (US-FLI) and FLI at a cut-off of 30 and 60 respectively, in absence of substantial alcohol use. A multivariate generalized linear model was used for risk ratios of binary outcomes while survival analysis was conducted with Cox regression and Fine Gray model for competing risk. Results: Of 32,234 patients, 28.92% were identified to have NAFLD. 36.04%, 38.32% and 25.63% were non-diabetic, prediabetic and diabetic respectively. Diabetic NAFLD significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, chronic kidney disease, all-cause and CVD mortality compared to non-diabetic NAFLD. However, prediabetic NAFLD only significantly increased the risk of CVD and did not result in a higher risk of mortality. Conclusions Given the increased risk of adverse outcomes, this study highlights the importance of regular diabetes screening in NAFLD and adoption of prompt lifestyle modifications to reduce disease progression. Facing high cardiovascular burden, prediabetic and diabetic NAFLD individuals can benefit from early cardiovascular referrals to reduce risk of CVD events and mortality.

Aim To study the effect of normal glucose tolerance fecal microbiota transplantation ( FMT) on the gut microbiota in mice with insulin resistance(IR) and its correlation with FGF21 , and to explore the possible mechanisms of gut microbiota affecting IR.Methods After the establishment of IR model with high-fat diet feeding, 30 successful IR model mice were randomly divided into three groups; insulin resistance ( IR ) group, IR + metformin( Met) group, and IR + glucose tolerance normal fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)group, and blank control(Control) group, with 10 mice in each group.After eight weeks of administration, the body mass and fasting blood glucose of mice at 8th week were recorded, then the number of target bacteria in fecal samples and the mRNA expression levels of FGF21 and its receptors in liver, colon and ileum tissues were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR( RT-qPCR).Results ® Compared with control group, the body mass and fasting blood glucose increased in IR group mice, while the mRNA expression levels of FGF21/p-Klolho/FGFRl/FGFR4 in liver, colon and ileum tissues were down-regulated.The levels of Bacteroules and R.sarlorii were reduced in fecal samples, and the levels of P.distasonis, M.schaedleri and R.gnavus increased.These indices were reverted by Met and FMT treatment.(2) The expression of FGF21 was negatively correlated with FBG, P.distasonis , M.schaedleri and R.gnavus, and positively correlated with Bacteroides and B.sartorii.Conclusions FMT can increase the expression level of FGF21 and regulate gut microbiota, and the two are closely related , which may be one of the important mechanisms of FMT in improving insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVETo get mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from hepatitis B patient and to valuate the safety and quality after long-term culture in vitro.

METHODSThe cells obtained directly from bone marrow and cultured in Mesen Pro medium supplemented with FGF, and the morphology of MSCs was observed. Surface antigens of the MSCs were analyzed by flow-cytometry. The bacteria, virus, endotoxin and residual serum of cell suspension were detected. The MSCs and perpheral blood T lymphocytes were co-cultured in 48 well plates for 72 h and the T lymphocyte proliferation was measured by using MTT reduction method and the effect of MSCs on T lymphocyte transformation stimulated by PHA was also observed. The oncogenicity of MSCs was verified by the tumorigenesis test in sofo agar. The genetic stability of MSCs was examined by karyotype analysis.

RESULTThe MSCs from hepatitis B patient could be passaged to many generations and had strong abilities of proliferation. They expressed stem cell-surface antigens and maintained normal karyotype, prevented the pollution of bacteria and viruses, inhibited the immune response of allogenic T lymphocytes and no oncogenicity found.

CONCLUSIONThe MSCs have proliferative potentials, can be passaged in long-term cultures in Mesen Pro medium without oncogenicity, can maintain normal karyotype, can inhibit the immune response of T lymphocytes and can alleviate the grafe-versus diseases. The MSCs can be served as a new type of cells in cell and gene therapy.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Quality Control ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology

INTRODUCTIONThis is the fi rst prospective study done locally to determine the effectiveness of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy in the healing of chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAn electronic vacuum pump was used to apply controlled negative pressure evenly across the wound surface. Changes in wound dimension, presence of wound granulation and infection status of diabetic foot ulcers in 11 consecutive patients with diabetes were followed over the course of VAC therapy.

RESULTSHealing was achieved in all wounds. Nine wounds were closed by split-skin grafting and 2 by secondary closure. The average length of treatment with VAC therapy was 23.3 days. Ten wounds showed reduction in wound size. All wounds were satisfactorily granulated and cleared of bacterial infection at the end of VAC therapy.

CONCLUSIONSVAC therapy was useful in the treatment of diabetic foot infection and ulcers, which after debridement, may present with exposed tendon, fascia and/or bone. These included ray amputation wounds, wounds post-debridement for necrotising fasciitis, wounds post-drainage for abscess, a heel ulcer and a sole ulcer. It was able to prepare ulcers well for closure via split-skin grafting or secondary closure in good time. This reduced cost of VAC therapy, as therapy was not prolonged to attain greater reduction in wound area. VAC therapy also provides a sterile, more controlled resting environment to large, exudating wound surfaces. Large diabetic foot ulcers were thus made more manageable.

Adult ; Debridement ; Diabetic Foot ; classification ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Wound Healing

Background/Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. While existing studies have examined cardiac remodeling in NAFLD, there has been less emphasis on the development of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke. We sought to conduct a meta-analysis to quantify the prevalence, risk factors, and degree of risk increment of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke in NAFLD. Methods: Embase and Medline were searched for articles relating to NAFLD, carotid atherosclerosis, and stroke. Proportional data was analysed using a generalized linear mixed model. Pairwise meta-analysis was conducted to obtain odds ratio or weighted mean difference for comparison between patients with and without NAFLD. Results: From pooled analysis of 30 studies involving 7,951 patients with NAFLD, 35.02% (95% confidence interval [CI], 27.36–43.53%) had carotid atherosclerosis with an odds ratio of 3.20 (95% CI, 2.37–4.32; P<0.0001). Pooled analysis of 25,839 patients with NAFLD found the prevalence of stroke to be 5.04% (95% CI, 2.74–9.09%) with an odds ratio of 1.88 (95% CI, 1.23–2.88; P=0.02) compared to non-NAFLD. The degree of steatosis assessed by ultrasonography in NAFLD was closely associated with risk of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke. Older age significantly increased the risk of developing carotid atherosclerosis, but not stroke in NAFLD. Conclusions This meta-analysis shows that a stepwise increment of steatosis of NAFLD can significantly increase the risk of carotid atherosclerosis and stroke development in NAFLD. Patients more than a third sufferred from carotid atherosclerosis and routine assessment of carotid atherosclerosis is quintessential in NAFLD.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive accuracy of the combined panels of serum human tissue kallikreins (hKs) and CA-125 for the detection of epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: Serum specimens collected from 5 Indonesian centers and 1 Vietnamese center were analyzed for CA-125, hK6, and hK10 levels. A total of 375 specimens from patients presenting with ovarian tumors, which include 156 benign cysts, 172 epithelial ovarian cancers (stage I/II, n=72; stage III/IV, n=100), 36 germ cell tumors and 11 borderline tumors, were included in the study analysis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to determine the cutoffs for age, CA-125, hK6, and hK10. Sensitivity, specificity, negative, and positive predictive values were determined for various combinations of the biomarkers. RESULTS: The levels of hK6 and hK10 were significantly elevated in ovarian cancer cases compared to benign cysts. Combination of 3 markers, age/CA-125/hk6 or CA-125/hk6/hk10, showed improved specificity (100%) and positive predictive value (100%) for prediction of ovarian cancer, when compared to the performance of single markers having 80-92% specificity and 74-87% positive predictive value. Four-marker combination, age/CA-125/hK6/hK10 also showed 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value, although it demonstrated low sensitivity (11.9%) and negative predictive value (52.8%). CONCLUSION: The combination of human tissue kallikreins and CA-125 showed potential for improving prediction of epithelial ovarian cancer in patients presenting with ovarian tumors.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tissue Kallikreins ; Biomarkers, Tumor

INTRODUCTIONThis paper presents the results of a community survey on urinary abnormalities which covered 1/80th of the population of Singapore in 1975. These findings were compared with the data from the Singapore National Service Registrants in 1974 as well as data from a recent survey in Singapore and that of other Asian and Western countries.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe study covered 18,000 persons aged 15 years and above, representing a sampling fraction of 1/80th of the population. A total of 16,808 respondents attended the field examination centres, of whom 16,497 had their urine sample tested representing 92.7% of the sample population.

RESULTSIn the dipstick urine testing at the field examination centres, 769 subjects (4.6%) were found to have urinary abnormalities. Two hundred and eighty-two (36.7%) of these 769 subjects were found to have urinary abnormalities based on urine microscopy constituting a prevalence of 1.71%. The prevalence of proteinuria was 0.63% and for both haematuria and proteinuria was 0.73%. The prevalence for hypertension was 0.43% and renal insufficiency was 0.1%.

DISCUSSIONThe consensus is that routine screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the general population is not cost effective as the yield is too low. Whilst, most studies showed that screening of the general population was not cost effective, it has been suggested that screening for targeted groups of subjects could help to identify certain risk groups who may benefit from early intervention to prevent or retard the progression of CKD.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of urinary abnormalities in Singapore has remained the same, now and three decades ago.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hematuria ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Proteinuria ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Risk Assessment ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Apart from clinical, histological and biochemical indices, genomics are now being employed to unravel the pathogenetic mechanisms in the disease progression of IgA nephritis (IgAN). The results of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism have been controversial. Those patients with the DD genotype seem to have a poorer prognosis. However, with high dose angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy, the ACE gene polymorphism status of a patient may no longer be a matter for concern as those with the DD genotype would also respond favourably to high dose ARB therapy. Association studies with gene sequencing and haplotypes have suggested that multiple genes are involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Some workers have reported a synergistic effect in the combined analysis of AGT-M235T and ACE I/D polymorphism. With the use of deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) microarray, tens of thousands of gene expressions genome-wide can be examined together simultaneously. A locus of familial IgAN has been described with strong evidence of linkage to IgAN1 on chromosome 6q22-23. Two other loci were reported at 4q26-31 and 17q12-22. DNA microarray techniques could also help in the identification of specific pathogenic genes that are up- or down-regulated and this may allow genome wide analyses of these genes and their role in the pathogenesis and progression of IgAN. Recently, using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) more loci for disease susceptibility for IgAN have been identified at 17p13, 8p23, 22q12, 1q32 and 6p21.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; Disease Progression ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Genomics ; methods ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide