Objective To study the related influencing factors involving in vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) and changing characteristics of hemodynamics of VBD. Methods Outpatients and inpatients with posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) underwent brain MRA from June 2008 to September 2009 were chosen; 116 patients met the standard of VBD were selected as VBD group and other 130 patients without VBD were as control group. The univariate analysis and multiple factor analysis were applied to study the correlation of hypertension,smoking,diabetes,low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and intracranial vascular variation with VBD.Transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were applied to observe the hemodynamic changes and arteriosclerosis of these patients.Results Univariate analysis indicated that statistical significance on intracranial vascular variation,hypertension and smoking was noted between the VBD group and the control group (x2=13.530,P=0.000; x2=8.539,P=0.003; x2=3.959,P=0.047),while no statistical significance in diabetes and LDL was obtained between the 2 groups (x2=0.451,P=0.519; x2=0.220,P=0.881).Multiple factors analysis showed that VBD could be obviously related to intracranial vascular variation (OR=21.732, 95％CI:3.02-5.94),hypertension (OR=5.173,95％CI:1.23-3.05) and smoking (OR=3.145,95％CI:1.86-4.85).According to TCD,peak velocity (Vp),mean velocity (Vm) in the VBD group were significantly lower than those in the control group,but pulsatility index (PI) and resistant index (RI) in the VBD group were statistically higher (P＜0.05).DSA showed that the blood flow length of the VBD group was obviously shorter than that of the control group in the same time with statistical significance (P＜0.05). Conclusion Vascular variation,smoking and hypertension are related to VBD; and VBD leads to slow blood flow and aggravated arteriosclerosis,which may result in high incidence of stroke.

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes between two suturing methods using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone and suturing anchors for the treatment of complete rupture of the deltoid ligament.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to January 2013, 58 hospitalized patients with ankle fracture combined with complete rupture of the deltoid ligament were treated with suturing using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone or suturing anchors. There were 29 patients who received suturing treatments using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone (Group A), including 18 males and 11 females, with an average age of (39.76 +/- 11.81) years old. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, 12 patients had supination external rotation (SER) injuries with IV degree, 5 patients had pronation external rotation (PER) injuries with III degree, 10 patients had PER injuries with IV degrss, and 2 patients had pronation abduction injuries with III degree. There were 29 patients who received treatments with suturing using anchors (Group B), including 14 males and 15 females, with an average age of (41.79 +/- 13.28) years old. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification,9 patients had SER injuries with IV degree, 6 patients had PER injuries with III degree,13 patients had PER injuries with IV degree, and 1 patient had pronation abduction injuries with III degree. All the patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, as well as reconstruction of deltoid ligaments to restore the stability of the medial ankle structures. The clinical examination, imaging evaluation, American society for ankle surgery (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the clinical results after operation, and the results of the two groups were compared and analyzed statistically.

RESULTSThe follow-up duration of the 58 patients ranged from 23 to 40 months,with an average of 27.3 months. All the patients had fracture union, and the mean healing time was 12.3 weeks (ranged, 10 to 17 weeks). There were no incision complications and ankle instability. There were no significant differences between two groups in AOFAS (P=0.666) and the VAS (P=0.905).

CONCLUSIONTreatments of complete rupture of the deltiod ligaments with the two suturing methods get similar good clinical effects, but the suturing using non absorbable materials through drilling the bone has several advantages such as reducing the financial burden of patients, saving social medical resources and avoiding the shortcoming in difficult removal of anchor suture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankle Fractures ; surgery ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Lateral Ligament, Ankle ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Wires ; Combined Modality Therapy ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo access the efficacy of posterior short-segment fixation for single level thoracolumbar burst fractures without spinal injury using CYL-pedicle screw.

METHODSFrom September 2007 to December 2009, 74 cases who underwent posterior short-segment fixation for single level thoracolumbar burst fractures (Denis burst fracture type A, B, C) without spinal injury were analyzed retrospectively. There were 53 male and 21 female, mean age was (39 ± 15) years. Neither of them treated with direct decompression, grafting or fusion. Changes in the anterior vertebral height ratio, vertebral wedge angle, Cobb angle, regional angle were measured preoperatively, postoperatively, before implant removal, and at final follow-up to find the statistic difference. Pain status and work status were evaluated using Denis criterion. The incidence of incision infection, screw breakage, iatrogenic spinal injury were recorded as well.

RESULTSThe time of follow-up was (20 ± 11) months, no significant change was noted in anterior vertebral height ratio and vertebral wedge angle (P > 0.05). A significant loss was noted in Cobb angle and regional angle, which were 9.8° ± 5.1° and 9.1° ± 4.8° respectively (t = 2.48 and 3.41, P < 0.05). Comparing with the patients with Cobb angle > 20°, the patients with Cobb angle ≤ 20° had better pain scale rate (χ(2) = 4.16, P = 0.04) and work scale rate (χ(2) = 24.34, P < 0.01). There were incision infection in 1 case, screw breakage in 1, screw loose in 1, and no iatrogenic spinal injury.

CONCLUSIONSCYL-pedicle screw could be successfully used in posterior short-segment fixation for single level thoracolumbar burst fractures without spinal injury based on radiographic and clinic outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of preoperative use of viable Bifidobacterium supplement on the intestinal flora, immune status, inflammatory response and prognosis of patients undergoing colorectal cancer resection.

METHODSSixty patients with colorectal cancer were randomized into treatment group (n=30) and control group (n=30). Patients in the treatment group received oral viable Bifidobacterium with routine enteral nutrition and patients in the control group received routine enteral nutrition alone. The intestinal flora of stool was analyzed and stool SIgA, serum IgG, IgM, IgA, IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were detected.

RESULTSPostoperative Bifidobacterium/E.coli (B/E) ratio in the treatment group decreased significantly as compared to the preoperative ratio (2.01+/-0.36 vs 26.53+/-4.22, P<0.05). However, the ratios remained above one. Both preoperative and postoperative B/E ratios in the control group (0.72+/-0.14, 0.02+/-0.06) were significantly lower than those in the treatment group (P<0.05). Indexes of immunity and inflammation were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). At day 9 after operation, stool SIgA was higher in the treatment group, while serum IgG, IgM, IgA, IL-6, CRP in the treatment group were lower (P<0.05). Postoperative septic complications in the treatment group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05), but other complications and hospital stay were comparable.

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with colorectal cancer, supplementation of viable Bifidobacterium before surgery can improve bacterial dysbiosis and immunity, and can reconstruct the balance of intestinal flora, and reduce infection complication of surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies ; blood ; Bifidobacterium ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; immunology ; microbiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Probiotics ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the optimum technology of extracting bioactive component named geniposidic acid in Eucommia Ulmiodes by orthogonal test.

METHODAn orthogonal test table L16(4(5)) was used with the factors of extracting time, temperature, times, ethanol consistency and the ratio of solid to liquid. The content of geniposideic acid was determined by RP-HPLC.

RESULTThe optimum technology was: temperature 50 degrees C, time 1 h, once, consistency 80%, and the ratio of solid and liquid 1:12. Under the condition, the best material of Eucommia Ulmiodes for extracting geniposidic acid was chosen.

CONCLUSIONThe technology can provide some theoretic advice for industry.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ethanol ; Eucommiaceae ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Temperature ; Time

OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemiological, clinical and etiological characteristics of an Echovirus type 6 meningitis outbreak in Jinzhai county, Liu'an city in Anhui, and to find out the proper way in controlling the aseptic meningitis outbreak.

METHODSA surveillance system for aseptic meningitis was established in Jinzhai to confirm the case definition. Stool or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens from some cases were collected for entero-viruses isolation and identification. Case-control study was conducted. The case group involved patients while the controls would include: patients' classmate with same gender and the age difference was not over one year. Neutralization antibody in serum specimens were collected and tested in cases and in healthy people.

RESULTS105 cases were distributed in 17 of the 30 towns in Jinzhai county while 41.0% of the cases were in Banzhuyuan town with an incidence rate of 203/10(5). Cases were clustered by school and classroom with age ranging from 3 to 15 years old and the highest as 10.9/10(5) in the 6 to 10 group. The incidence in males was 24.2/10(5) compared to 8.4/10(5) in females. The main clinic characteristics of cases were: fever, headache and vomiting. Echovirus type 6 from 25 of the 72 CSF samples (35%) was isolated. When comparing the cases group with control group, the OR of drinking home-made beverages was 4.1 (95% CI: 1.4-12.0), especially the beverages sacked by plastic bag: 3.3 (95% CI: 1.3-8.8). 6 out of 7 workers engaging in producing home-made beverages were detected to have carried Echovirus type 6 from their stool specimens. The Echovirus type 6 neutralization antibody positive rate in cases (73.5%) was significantly higher than that in 100 healthy people (46.0%) (X2 = 12. 526, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONThis episode of meningitis outbreak was caused by Echovirus type 6. The proportion of drinking home-made beverages, especially the beverages sacked by plastic bag in cases group was higher than in control group.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Echovirus 6, Human ; pathogenicity ; Echovirus Infections ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meningitis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; pathology ; virology ; Prejudice

OBJECTIVETo determine the safety and efficacy of local administration of lentivirus-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in murine air pouch model.

METHODSFrom May 2007 to April 2008 a siRNA targeting TNF-alpha and a missense siRNA were designed, and recombine lentivirus which coexpressed the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a marker gene was constructed. Air pouches were established and stimulated by Ti-6Al-4V particles. Pouches were divided into 3 groups randomly. Lentivirus-mediated siRNA targeting TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha group) or lentivirus-mediated missense siRNA (MS group), or virus-free saline (control group) were injected into pouches respectively. Pouch membrane, peripheral blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, lung and brain were harvested at 28 d after transfection, and assayed for markers of inflammation using histological, molecular, immunological techniques and Xenogen in vivo imaging system (IVIS) 50 vivo bioluminescent assay system.

RESULTSXenogen IVIS 50 vivo image revealed strong expression of GFP localized in pouch areas and no expression in other parts of mice both in TNF-alpha group and MS group at 4 weeks after transfection, while no expression of GFP was found in control group. By RT-PCR and ELISA, the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-alpha in TNF-alpha group decreased by 81.6% and 82.6% respectively compared to control group (P < 0.01), and decreased by 78.9% and 84.0% respectively compared to MS group (P < 0.01), whereas TNF-alpha level in peripheral blood, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, lung and brain remained invariant (P > 0.05). Less inflammatory responses (thinner pouch membrane and decreased cellular infiltration) were observed in TNF-alpha group.

CONCLUSIONEfficient local delivery of lentivirus-mediated siRNA targeting TNF-alpha into modified murine air pouch can inhibit debris-induced inflammation effectively, with no systemic adverse effects.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Inflammation ; therapy ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Transfection ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the intra-and inter-rater reliability of MyotonPRO for Achilles tendon properties measured. Methods Twenty healthy subjects were recruited to measure Achilles tendon properties using a novel hand-held Myoton-PRO device by two testers, one of the testers re-tested five days later. The reliability was assessed using in-tra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis, and minimum detectable changes (MDC) was calculated. The Achilles tendon properties of the dominant or non-dominant leg was compared. The correlation between body mass and Achilles tendon properties was examined. Results The intra-rater reliabilities of Achilles tendon properties were ICCleft=0.884 and ICCright=0.904; the inter-rater reli-abilities were ICCleft=0.883 and ICCright=0.945. The MDC was 36.64 N/m. Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement. There was no significant difference in Achilles tendon properties between dominant and non-domi-nant legs (t<1.236, P>0.05). The body mass positively correlated with Achilles tendon properties (r>0.477, P<0.05). Conclusion The intra-and inter-rater reliabilities of MyotonPRO were good in measuring Achilles tendon properties in healthy subjects. No significant difference was found between dominant and non-dominant legs. The body mass positively correlated with Achilles tendon properties in healthy subjects.

This study examined the effect of Notch-1 signaling on malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs). BCSCs were enriched by using serum-free medium and knocked out of Notch-1 by using a lentiviral vector. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the Notch-1 expression levels in breast cancer cell lines and BCSCs, and flow cytometry to detect the proportion of BCSCs in BCSC spheres. The BCSC self-renewal, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity were examined by the tumor microsphere-forming assay and transwell assay and after xenotransplantation. The results showed that the Notch-1 silencing reduced the number of BCSC spheres, the proportion of BCSCs, and the number of cells penetrating through the transwell membrane. It also decreased the size of tumors that were implanted in the nude mice. These results suggest that Notch-1 signaling is intimately linked to the behaviors of BCSCs. Blocking Notch-1 signaling can inhibit the malignant behaviors of BCSCs, which may provide a promising therapeutical approach for breast cancer.