Objective To analyze the security and effectiveness of the accurate resection and reconstruction of pelvic tumor with computer navigation and to evaluate the feasibility of pelvic ring structure and mechanics reconstruction using finite element analysis.Methors From December 2008 to June 2010,tumor resections assisted by computer navigation technology and pelvic reconstructions with assembly prosthesis designed by finite element analysis were performed in 12 patients with internal hemi-pelvic malignant tumors.There were 8 male and 4 female patients,with the average age of 39.7 years(range,25-53).The malignant tumors involved chondrosarcoma(4 cases),osteosarcoma(2),Ewing sarcoma(2),malignant fibrohistiocytoma(1),and metastatic tumor(3,in which including renal cell carcinoma 1 case,thyroid carcinoma 1,and breast carcinoma 1).According to Enneking staging classification,there were 1 case in Ⅰ A,2 cases in ⅠB,2 cases in Ⅱ A.and 4 cases in Ⅱ B.The local recurrence of tumor and functional results were followed up postoperatively.Results There were no nerves,vessels and pelvic organs injuries intra-operatively.The postoperative X-rays showed that the excised regions were proper to the preoperative schedule and en bloc resections were performed in all patients.All assembly prostheses were in satisfactory position.and the screw fixation was accordance with the finite element biomechanical analysis.All the cases were followed up for average 18.2 months (range,8-26).There were 1 case with local recurrence and pulmonary metastasis,1 case with deep infection,and 1 case with deep vein thrombosis.No prosthesis dislocation,loosening,breaking,and limb length discrepancy occurred in all patients.The average MSTS93 functional score was 70%in all patients at 6 months,and 68 % in 6 patients at 20 months follow.up.Conclusion The resection and reconstruction of pelvic tumor assisted by computer navigation is a safe and effective procedure.The finite element analysis can provide accurate biomechanical guidance to the reconstruction of pelvic ring.

Objective To construct two DNA vaccines based on two glycoprotein antigen segments of Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever virus (XHFV) and to evaluate the immune responses in BALB/c mice following vaccination.Methods Two recombinant expression plasmids pVAX1-GcⅠand pVAX1-Gc Ⅱ were constructed by inserting XHFV YL04057 strain Gc Ⅰ (1 229-1 349 aa) and Gc Ⅱ (1 443-1 566 aa) fragments into the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX1 and then were identify by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing analysis.The recombinant expression plasmids were transfected into mice by hydrodynamics-based transfection.Immune responses induced in mice were evaluated by testing the proliferation of T cells with MTT,measuring serum antibody level with ELISA and detecting cytokines in the supernatant of spleen cell culture with ELISA kit.Results The recombinant expression plasmids were successfully constructed as indicated by the results of restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing analysis.Expression of Gc Ⅰ and Gc Ⅱ genes in mice liver tissues was detected.Antibody titers in mice immunized with pVAX1-GcⅠor pVAX1-Gc Ⅱ were higher than those in mice immunized with pVAX1.Compared with pVAX1,pVAX1-Gc Ⅱ significantly enhanced the proliferation of splenic T lymphocytes and the expression of IFN-γ (P<0.01).Conclusion The constructed two DNA vaccines for XHFV can induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.pVAX1-Gc Ⅱ is better than pVAX1-GcⅠin immunogenicity and protective efficacy,suggesting that it can be used as a promising candidate for the development of DNA vaccine for XHFV.

Objective To investigate the effects of a novel |3 titanium fixation with high strength and low elastic modulus on bone healing of osteoporotic fracture and its effects on stress shielding.Methods Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were oophorectomized before establishment of femur fracture model.The fracture of left femur was stabilized by titanium alloy pin with high elastic modulus (110 Gpa,high elasticity modulus group) and the fracture of right femur by titanium alloy pin with low elastic modu-lus (30 Gpa, low elasticity modulus group).Six and 12 weeks later, the bone volume (BV) , total vol-ume (TV) and bone volume fraction (BVF) were detected by Micro-CT, and the maximum load was de-tected by biomechanical test.The effects of two titanium alloy pins on formation of bony calluses and me-chanical properties of bones were compared.Results Compared with the low elasticity modulus group, more collagen and bony callus, thicker bone trabeculae and more regular lamellar bone were found in the high elasticity modulus group.In low elasticity modulus group, TV (ROI1) was increased obvious-ly at week 6, with no statistical differences in BV (ROI 1), BV (ROI 2) and maximum load between two groups (P < 0.05).TV and BV in region ROI 1 in the low elasticity modulus group were significantly higher than that in high elasticity modulus group (P < 0.05) , while BV in region ROI 2 in low elasticity modulus group was significantly higher than that in high elasticity modulus group at week 12 postoperative-ly (P<0.05).Biomechnical test indicated that the maximum load in low elasticity modulus group was higher than that in high elasticity modulus group.Conclusions The novel B titanium alloy with high strength and low elastic modulus helps reduce effects of stress shielding, diminish bone resorption, in-crease the fibrous callus formation at the initial phase and improve the quality of bone healing at the later phase.

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of different surface microtopograph of Ti-Nb-Zr-Sn alloy on the biological behavior and soft tissue integration of rabbits' lacertus fibroblast. The lacertus fibroblasts of Achilles tendon of rabbits were cultured and inoculated on the surface of smooth Ti-flake (control group), and on the surface of sand blast, microgrooves, thread Ti-flakes respectively (3 treatment groups). The cell's growth ratio and attaching status were examined by MTT test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The rabbits' lacertus fibroblasts proliferated regularly on the surface of Ti-flakes, and most results of their inter-group comparison showed statistically significant difference (P<0.05), thus indicating the different effects of different surface microtopographs on cell's proliferation; By SEM, the cells were noted to have no obvious directivity on smooth surface; they attached irregularly on the sand blast surface. But in the other two groups, they were oriented regularly along the texture. The cells were almost shuttle-like on the four kinds of surface except for a part of irregular cells on the sand blast surface, and there were plentiful cell-cell junctions. Under high power lens, we found cells with limpid microvilli in the experiment samples. Owing to the cell's fast proliferation and regular attachment in the experiment, we concluded that the regular microgrooved surface was more suitable for meeting the requirement of the soft tissues' physiological function.
Achilles Tendon ; cytology ; Alloys ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Rabbits ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

Objective To express and purify two domains GcⅠand GcⅡof Xinjiang hemorrhagic fever virus (XHFV) glycoprotein, and to study its immunogenicity and the effects on immune response in mice. Methods The prokaryotic expression plasmids of pET28a-GcⅠand pET32a-GcⅡwere constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21, respectively. The expression and purification conditions of rGcⅠand rGcⅡproteins were optimized. The antigenicity of the fusion protein was detected by Western Blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BALB/c mice were immunized by protein immunization and DNA priming-protein boosting. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, including pVAX1-GcⅠ+rGcⅠgroup, pVAX1-GcⅡ+rGcⅡgroup, rGcⅠgroup, rGcⅡgroup and saline group (control group) with 7 mice in each group. The serum antibody titer of mice was detected by indirect ELISA, and the immune effect was evaluated by spleen T lymphocyte proliferation assay and cytokine content determination. Results The fusion proteins rGcⅠand rGcⅡwere purified and obtained, which could react with positive serum of sheep and had good antigenicity. After three immunizations, the IgG levels in the serum of each experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.001). The serum antibody titers of the experimental groups were reached above 1:12800. Among them, the concentration of Th2 type cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the spleen cell culture supernatant of rGcⅡ[(79.97±7.47) ng/L] and pVAX1-GcⅡ+rGcⅡgroup [(61.43±9.27) ng/L] was significantly higher than (24.29±3.81) ng/L of the control group, respectively (all P<0.01). The highest mass concentration [(42.46 ±2.60) ng/L] of Th1 type cytokine interferon-γ(IFN-γ) was observed in the pVAX1-GcⅡ+rGcⅡ group, which was significantly higher than (20.33±1.67) ng/L of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). That showed a significant antigen-specific splenic T lymphocyte proliferation (P<0.001). Conclusions The purified recombinant proteins rGcⅠand rGcⅡhave good immunogenicity, which can make the immune system T lymphocytes tend to Th2 response, and pVAX1-GcⅡ combined with recombinant protein GcⅡ can induce better antigen-specific immune effect. And pVAX1-GcⅡ combined with recombinant protein GcⅡis expected to be used as vaccine candidates for the prevention and control of XHFV.

Objective: To investigate the value of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT in differentiation of noninvasive and malignant pancreatic cystic lesions (PCL). Methods: A total of 125 PCL patients (66 males, 59 females, age range: 13-83 years), who had pathology or typical imaging performance with ≥12 months follow-up between August 2010 and December 2015, were enrolled in this retrospective study. The diagnostic effects of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT were calculated. The size, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), delayed SUV_max and retention index (RI) of noninvasive and malignant PCL were analyzed. The results of pathological examination and follow-up were used as the gold standard, and Mann-Whitney u test was used to analyze the data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of SUV_max, delayed SUV_max and RI were drawn and compared. Results: A total of 132 PCL were found in 125 patients, including 71 malignant PCL and 61 noninvasive PCL. The size, SUV_max, delayed SUV_max, RI of noninvasive and malignant PLC were 2.2 (1.4, 3.8) cm vs 3.9 (3.0, 5.0) cm, 1.5 (1.2, 1.8) vs 6.4 (4.4, 9.3), 1.5 (1.2, 1.9) vs 6.4 (5.4, 11.7), -6.3%(-19.4%, 5.6%) vs 17.5%(7.6%, 29.4%), respectively. All parameters were significantly different between 2 groups (z values: from -9.267 to -4.904, all P<0.05). The area under curve (AUC) and cut-off value of SUV_max were 0.969 and 2.5, and the corresponding accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) were 92.4%(122/132), 93.0%(66/71), 91.8%(56/61), 93.0%(66/71), 91.8%(56/61), respectively. The AUC and cut-off value of delayed SUV_max were 0.969 and 2.7, and the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV were 94.3%(99/105), 96.7%(58/60), 91.1%(41/45), 93.5%(58/62), 95.3%(41/43), respectively. ROC curves of SUV_max and delayed SUV_max were not significantly different (z=1.799, P>0.05). Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT has good performance in differentiation of noninvasive and malignant PCL, but the delayed scan cannot further improve the efficacy of differential diagnosis.

Background/Aims: Anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) autoantibody is the main biomarker of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). We aimed to find a new cutoff value of anti-PLA2R for patients with IMN and to explore the relevance between this antibody and baseline clinical parameters. Methods: A total of 670 subjects including 374 IMN cases and 296 non-IMN controls were included between January 2017 and January 2020. All clinical parameters were collected at the time of renal biopsy. The levels of anti-PLA2R were detected by a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The optimal cutoff value was calculated by a receiver operating characteristic curve and compared in diagnostic efficiency. Results: The optimal cutoff value of anti-PLA2R for IMN was 7.45 RU/mL with the highest Youden index, and the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 80.75%, 97.97%, 98.05% and 80.11%, respectively. Anti-PLA2R levels in IMN patients demonstrated a significant positive correlation with serum creatinine and 24-hour urinary protein, while they showed a negative correlation with serum albumin and estimated glomerular filtration rate. Conclusions The recommended cutoff value of anti-PLA2R is 7.45 RU/mL using ELISA detection for distinguishing IMN from non-IMN nephropathy. The level of anti-PLA2R is related to baseline renal function in IMN. This new threshold can improve the diagnostic efficiency and facilitate early diagnosis of IMN.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the different brain oxygen metabolism statuses in preeclampsia using magnetic resonance imaging and investigate the factors that affect cerebral oxygen metabolism in preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine women with preeclampsia (mean age 32.4 years; range, 18–44 years), 22 pregnant healthy controls (PHCs) (mean age 30.7 years; range, 23–40 years), and 40 non-pregnant healthy controls (NPHCs) (mean age 32.5 years; range, 20–42 years) were included in this study. Brain oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) values were computed using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) plus quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent magnitude-based OEF mapping (QSM + quantitative blood oxygen level-dependent imaging or QQ) obtained with a 1.5-T scanner. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to investigate the differences in OEF values in the brain regions among the groups. Results: Among the three groups, the average OEF values were significantly different in multiple brain areas, including the parahippocampus, multiple gyri of the frontal lobe, calcarine, cuneus, and precuneus (all P-values were less than 0.05, after correcting for multiple comparisons). The average OEF values of the preeclampsia group were higher than those of the PHC and NPHC groups. The bilateral superior frontal gyrus/bilateral medial superior frontal gyrus had the largest size of the aforementioned brain regions, and the OEF values in this area were 24.2 ± 4.6, 21.3 ± 2.4, and 20.6 ± 2.8 in the preeclampsia, PHC, and NPHC groups, respectively. In addition, the OEF values showed no significant differences between NPHC and PHC. Correlation analysis revealed that the OEF values of some brain regions (mainly involving the frontal, occipital, and temporal gyrus) were positively correlated with age, gestational week, body mass index, and mean blood pressure in the preeclampsia group (r = 0.361–0.812). Conclusion Using whole-brain VBM analysis, we found that patients with preeclampsia had higher OEF values than controls.

OBJECTIVETo conduct a clinical trial of ketogenic diet (KD) in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) and evaluate its safety and feasibility by measuring blood ketone bodies and blood glucose levels.

METHODTen patients with acute SCI were recruited in the trial during the period from May, 2012 to October, 2013. The patients received a standard KD after fasting for 48 h. The levels of blood ketone, blood glucose and uric ketone were tested daily, and routine blood examination, electrolytes, liver and kidney function, body mass index (BMI), sensory and motor function, and adverse reactions were monitored weekly to assess the safety and feasibility of KD.

RESULTSKD treatment lasted for a mean of 12.9 days (4 to 29 days) in these patients. In all the patients, blood ketone level increased during the fasting and maintained a level above 2.0 mmol/L after taking KD, while the uric ketone level ranged from +++ to ++++. The blood glucose level was in the normal range during KD. Except for blood chloride level and BMI, routine blood test results, electrolytes, liver and kidney function showed no significant changes after KD. No significant changes were observed in the sensation of light touch and pinprick. The average motor ASIA score increased from 33.3 to 35.1 after KD. Gastrointestinal dysfunction (diarrhea, nausea, poor appetite, gastric pain, and abdominal distension) was recorded in 5 patients, hypoglycemia occurred in one patient early after KD, and one patient experienced urticaria during KD. All the adverse reactions were relieved after symptomatic treatments.

CONCLUSIONThis preliminary clinical trial demonstrated that KD could increase ketone bodies level and maintain a normal blood glucose level, suggesting its safety and feasibility in patients with acute SCI.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Diet, Ketogenic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; diet therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult