BACKGROUND: The artificial disc requires a height, a width, and a shape as much as possible to be similar to the original intervertebral disc in order to perfectly distribute the load. At present, most of the data are from foreign countries or measured using X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, but there are some shortcomings. OBJECTIVE: To diagnose the spinal disease and provide data for the design of a native lumbar disc device by measuring the normal lumbar intervertebral disc using computer tomography (CT). METHODS: A total of 2 235 patients who underwent lumbar CT examination in Liuzhou Worker's Hospital from January 2012 to May 2017 were collected and analyzed. There were 62 cases, including 45 males and 17 females, after being strictly met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. From the age of 20, they were divided into four groups: 20-30, 31-40, 41-50 and more than 50 years old. The range was from L1to S1. The measurement index include intervertebral disc anteroposterior diameter, transerverse diameter, disc volume, sagittal anterior, middle and posterior height, coronal left and right height, and interverterbral angle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In terms of age, there was a statistically significant difference in measurement indexes between L1/2, L2/3 and L3/4(P < 0.05). Therefore, the factor of age should be taken into account. However, there was no statistically significant difference between L4/5and L5/S1segments (P > 0.05). (2) There was a statistical difference between the anterior and middle height of the sagittal position in L4/5and L5/S1(P < 0.05). (3) There were statistical differences between the angles of L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1intervertebral space (P <0.05), but the difference of angle between L4/5and L5/S1was the most. (4) There was no statistical difference in the height between the left and right sides of the coronal position (P > 0.05). (5) There was statistical difference between the anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the disc on the adjacent cross section (P < 0.05). (6) The results showed that the lower the segment, the smaller the statistical difference between each group. It is indicated that the age difference should be considered on the L1/2, L2/3, and L3/4segments in the design of lumbar disc or interbody fusion. The lumbar artificial intervertebral disc can be placed in the middle or side. The artificial disc should be designed into the wedge shape instead of a rectangle. These will provide a good anatomical basis for the design of domestic lumbar artificial intervertebral discs.

OBJECTIVETo report the diagnosis and treatment experience of pediatric gastric cancer.

METHODSClinicopathological data of a girl with gastric carcinoma in December 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. The literatures were reviewed. The disease onset, clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of the patient with gastric carcinoma were studied.

RESULTSThe patient was a 12-year-old girl, and the tumor was located in greater curvature. The girl underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical total gastrectomy (D2). Pathological examination showed gastric ulcerative signet-ring cell cancer (pT4N0M0, stage II b). The outcome at the recent follow up was satisfactory. Literature review demonstrated 15 cases of pediatric gastric carcinoma, of whom 7 were boys and 8 girls. Their average age was 12.7 years (2.5-17.8 years). Tumor locations included cardia (n=5), gastric body (n=1), gastric antrum or stomach corner (n=4), gastric antrum and gastric body (n=1), and unknown (n=4). Histology showed signet-ring cell cancer in 4 patients, poorly differentiated in 6, moderate to poorly differentiated and moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma in 2. Operation was performed in 11 cases and perioperative chemotherapy in 8 cases. Nine patients had follow-up. Four patients died within 6 months and other 4 patients survived for 6 months to one year. The survival time of one patient who underwent radical surgery and perioperative chemotherapy was 102 months.

CONCLUSIONSPediatric gastric carcinoma is extremely rare. It is highly malignant and associated with poor prognosis. Radical surgery is the most important treatment. Perioperative chemotherapy may improve the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of operative time on laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D2 lymph node dissection and the influencing factors of operative time.

METHODSClinical data of 332 patients with gastric cancer undergoing LADG with D2 lymph node dissection from January 2007 to December 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. The average operative time was (205±56) minutes. Operative indices and postoperative recovery were compared between patients with operative time≥205 min (long-time group) and operative time<205 min (short-time group).

RESULTSThe mean blood loss [(81.0±65.7) ml vs. (65.8±55.0) ml], time to ambulation [(3.1±1.7) d vs. (2.3±1.2) d], time to first flatus [(3.8±1.1) d vs. (3.2±1.3) d], postoperative hospital stay [(14.2±6.3) d vs. (12.5±7.0) d], and postoperative complication [16.0% (19/119) vs. 8.5% (18/213)] between long-time group and short-time group were significantly different (all P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in transfused patients, time to resume soft diet, and mortality (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that BMI (P<0.01), lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and surgeon experience (P<0.01) were independent risk factors for operation time.

CONCLUSIONSurgeons who have limited experience in LADG with D2 lymph node dissection should operate on patients with low BMI and less lymph node metastasis in order to reduce postoperative complications.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility and safety of extraluminal laparoscopic wedge resection(ELWR) surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in the stomach.

METHODSThe clinical data of 31 patients with gastric GIST undergoing ELWR from July 2007 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThere were 19 males and 12 females with a mean age of 65.5 years old. Locations of the tumor included fundus of the stomach (n=22) and anterior wall (n=9). The mean diameter was (3.3±1.5) cm (range 1.5 to 5 cm). All the procedures were performed successfully without conversion to open operation. The mean operative time of ELWR was (54.1±6.2) min (range 45 to 65 min), the mean intraoperative blood loss was (35.2±10.5) ml (range 15 to 55 ml), the mean recovery time was (1.5±0.2) d (range 3 to 6 d) and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (4.5±1.0) d. No patient experienced complications postoperatively. The entire cohort were followed up for 4 to 48 months (mean 18.8 months) and no recurrence or metastasis was found.

CONCLUSIONELWR for gastric GIST is technically feasible and safe.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; surgery ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of microRNA-183 (miR-183) and Ezrin protein in stage II( gastric cancer (GC).

METHODSSpecimens of stage II( GC and paracancer tissues (5 cm away from the tumor tissues) were collected from 72 patients. Real-time PCR was used to detect the miR-183 expression. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the Ezrin protein expression in the tumor tissue. The associations of miR-183 expression with the clinicopathologic features of stage II( GC and Ezrin expression were analyzed.

RESULTSmiR-183 expression was lower in stage II( gastric cancer tissues compared with the paracancer tissues samples(median relative expression, 0.676 vs. 1.000, P<0.05). Low expression of miR-183 was significantly associated with histological differentiation(0.429 vs. 0.907, P<0.05), lymph node metastasis(0.507 vs. 0.908, P<0.05). The survival was shorter in patient with low expression of miR-183(63.0±4.0) as compared to those with high expression of miR-183(75.2±3.8)(P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the expression of miR-183 and Ezrin(r=-0.272, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSmiR-183 is down-regulated in stage II( GC, and associated with the differentiation, metastasis, and prognosis. Ezrin is a potential regulatory protein of miR-183.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of gastric cancer in young patients (YGC) in order to improve the treatment outcome of YGC.

METHODSClinical data of 63 YGC patients (40 years of age and less) who underwent surgery from January 2004 to December 2006 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 654 older gastric cancer patients (OGC, above 40 years) during the same period patients were selected and compared to the YGC patients.

RESULTSThe proportions of female patients, patients with a family history or with undifferentiated tumor in YGC were significantly higher than OGC (all P<0.05). The curative resection rate of YGC patients was 61.9% (39/63), significantly lower than that of OGC (93.1%, 595/654, P<0.01). A total of 653 (91.1%) patients were followed up, with a period of time of 1 to 84 months. The 5-year survival rates for YGC and OGC patients were 40.5% and 55.6% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Cox proportional hazards model showed that the depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, and radical surgery were the independent factors associated with the prognosis of YGC (all P<0.05). The stratified analysis showed that the 5-year survival rates for YGC and OGC patients undergoing radical surgery were 63.2% and 56.7% respectively and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The 5-year survival rates for YGC and OGC patients undergoing palliative surgery were 4.2% and 22.2% respectively and the difference was statistically significan t(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGastric cancer in young patients is highly malignant, with lower rate of curative resection and poorer prognosis. The long-term outcome of YGC is similar to that of OGC if radical resection is possible.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the chemical constituents of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. F.

METHODSVarious column chromatographies with silica gel were used for the isolation and purification. The structures of compounds were established on the basis of its IR, MS, UV, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and HRMS, 1H-1H COSY, 1H-13C COSY and NOESY.

RESULTSFour diterpenoids were isolated: 16-hydroxytriptolide (I), triptolidenol (II), tripdiolide (III), 2-epitripdiolide (IV).

CONCLUSIONCompound IV is a new diterpenoid.

Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

RHD gene has different alternative transcripts. This study was aimed to construct expression vector of normal mRNA, DEL9 and DEL89 transcripts from RHD gene. Total RNA was extracted from Rh(D) positive umbilical blood cells of newborn. Intact RhD cDNA, DEL9 and DEL89 transcripts were obtained by one-step and two-step RT-PCR, respectively. The obtained products were cloned into pCR4 TOPO sequencing vector for choosing the right transcript. RHD gene was amplified again from the sequencing plasmid DNA, and then subcloned into pcDNA3.1/V5-His TOPO expression vector; DEL9 and DEL89 were cloned into the expression vector directly. Gene sequence and direction were identified by sequencing. The results showed that the sequence and direction of target genes were right, thus these 3 different expression vectors were correctly constructed. It is concluded that expression vector is constructed from different transcripts of RHD gene, which lays a foundation for further exploring the membranous protein expression of Rh(D) antigen.
Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To provide medication references for children with new cryptococcal meningitis with nephrotic syndrome.Methods The clinical pharmacists participate in formulation of treatment plans,and monitor the curative effect of anti-infective treatment,intracranial pressure depressing,and nephrotic syndrome treatment during therapy.They should adjust the usage and dosage of nephrotoxic drugs by monitoring patients' renal function and electrolyte condition,and propose individualized drug administration advices according to patients' conditions and adverse reactions.Results and conclusion The anti-cryptococcus treatment was effective,the nephrotic syndrome was stable,the symptoms of intracranial hypertension were improved,hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia were corrected,and the renal function impairment was not aggravated.The clinical pharmacists' combining of pharmaceutical theory with clinical practice received clinicians'recognition,and promoted children's medication safety and rational drug use.

Objective To explore the role of clinical pharmacists in the pharmacological monitoring of children with severe juvenile dermatomyositis.Methods Clinical pharmacists participated in the formulation of treatment plans for a child with severe juvenile myositis.We monitored the curative effect of juvenile dermatomyositis treatment and anti-infec-tive treatment during therapy.We also monitored the condition of patient's liver function,renal function,electrolyte and infection,and proposed individualized drug administration advices according to patient's conditions.Results and conclusion The patient's condition was stable.The juvenile dermatomyositis treatment and anti-cryptococcus treatment were effective.Isotonic dehydration,hypocalcemia and hypokalemia were corrected.Liver function and renal function impairment were not aggravated.Clinical pharmacists participated in formulation of individualized treatment,and provided pharmaceutical care for children and medical workers,and promoted the safety,effectiveness and rationality of clinical therapy.