The purpose of this paper is to outline the progress of gadolinium chelates used as extracllular, liver-specific, RES-specific, blood-pool and other tissue-specific contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on the basis of summing up the relevant research papers. Because of its safety and efficacy, the new development of tissue-specific contrast agent is the trend in the research of gadolinium chelates used as contrast agents for MRI.

Objective To investigate the differences of perfectionism in undergraduates with different background. Methods Stratified-random sampling was used to recruit 1 298 undergraduates from two colleges in Chongqing,and Chinese Frost multidimensional perfectionism scale (CFMPS) was applied to survey their perfectionism. Totally 1 245 questionaires were taken back and the response rate was 95.9%. Results There was significant difference of CFMPS score among those who were only child or not in their family (P=0.009),of different performance records (P=0.008) and different mother’s education background (P=0.001). Conclusion Perfectionism is a stable personality,and shows some significant differences among the undergraduates with different background.

HLA-B Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; genetics ; Humans ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; genetics

BACKGROUND:Lycium barbarum polysaccharide, the main active component of leaves of lycium barbarum, has a remarkable therapeutic effect on osteoporosis in adult ovariectomized female rats.
OBJECTIVE:To explore effects of leaves ofLycium barbarum on serum estradiol and bone estrogen receptor expressions in adult oxariectomized female rats.
METHODS: Thirty-two 6-month-od female rats were randomized into sham-surgery, model, and treatment groups, respectively. Rat models of postmenopausal osteoporosis were induced by ovariotomy folowed by oraly administration of water solution of leaves ofLycium barbarum (500 or 1 000 mg/kg) or distiled water once daily for consecutive 12 weeks in treatment and model groups, respectively. Serum estradiol level was detected by radiation immunoassaymethod. Estrogen receptor α, β immunoreactivities in bone tissue were determined by immunohistochemical staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Serum estradiol level in the model group was significantly decreased compared with the sham-surgery group (P < 0.01), but that was significantly increased in the treatment groups, particularly at high dose, compared with the model group (P< 0.01). Estrogen receptor α, βimmunoreactivities were weaker in the model group than the sham-surgery group (P < 0.01), and those were stronger in the treatment groups than the model group (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that leaves of Lycium barbarum treat osteoporosis through enhancing serum estradiol and estrogen receptor expressions in adult ovariectomized rats.

Objective To report a case presented with atypical clinical and radiological appearance in the early stage and finally pathologically confirmed as chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids ( CLIPPERS) , aiming to improve the understanding of the disorder. Methods The clinical, imaging, laboratory and pathological features as well as treatment and prognosis of a pathologically confirmed CLIPPERS patient with repeated relapsing-remitting course and stepwise progression in nine years were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were five relapsing-remitting processes in total clinical course of nine years. The clinical and radiological appearance was atypical in the early stage. At the first attack, the patient presented with fever, headache, altered consciousness and epileptic seizure. In the following courses, the patient presented with ataxia, blurred vision and limb weakness. Brain MRI (2006-2009) showed multiple abnormal signals including supratentorial white matter, pons and cerebellum with patchy gadolinium enhancement. Treatment with steroids resulted in a favorable clinical and radiological improvement. The symptoms of this attack included limb weakness, blurred vision, dysdipsia and dysarthria. Physical examination showed cognitive dysfunction, multiple cranial nerves injuries and bilateral pyramidal signs. Brain MRI showed multiple abnormal signals involved pons and cerebellum predominantly as well as supratentorial white matter with punctate gadolinium enhancement peppering the pons and cerebellum. A characteristic predominantly T lymphocytic perivascular infiltration was seen on brain biopsy. Both the imaging and histological findings were consistent with the CLIPPERS features. High-dose steroids treatment was given and obvious clinical and radiological improvements were observed. After discharge, steroids were reduced slowly combined with the use of immunosuppressant to avoid relapse of the disorder. Conclusions There is heterogeneity in clinical manifestations of CLIPPERS with repeated relapsing-remitting course and imaging presentations are sometimes atypical in the early stage, which leads to the misdiagonsis and missed diagnosis. Distinctive pathology is the “gold standard” for definite diagnosis. The nosological position of CLIPPERS is still unclear. Repeated relapse-remitting leads to secondary cerebral atrophy and degeneration, with the risk of progressing to primary central nervous system lymphoma. Early and vigorous steroids treatment with continuing maintenance immunotherapy results in the decreased relapse and best long-term prognosis. The neurologist should strengthen the understanding of CLIPPERS for early correct diagnosis and treatment aiming to reduce the functional disability.

Objective: To probe into the relation of nutritional status with serum lipids levels in children. Methods: The levels of serum lipids, dietary intakes and physical indices were investigated for 316 children aged 7～11 years in Beijing Chao Yang District. Results: 36.21% of energy was from fat. Of 60.1% children the daily intakes of cholesterol were equal to or more than 300 mg. The intakes of cholesterol were positively associated with TC and apoB levels. Energy percentage from carbohydrate was also positively related with HDL C level. On the other hand, the levels of TC, HDL C and apoAI in cholesterol high intake group were more than control group. The TC, TG, LDL C, apoB and Lp(a) levels in overweight/obese children were more than normal and underweight children, and the lipids levels increased with overweight degree. In boys the waist hip ratios were positively associated with TC, TG, LDL C and apoB levels, negatively with HDL C level. Conclusion: Overweight/obesity (especially abdominal obesity) and unreasonable diet were related closely with dyslipidemia in children. It could be used in early diagnosis for high risk children of dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: MyoD gene is one of family members of muscle transcription factors. Transfection MyoD gene can switch on the procedure of differentiation of muscles, and transit non-muscle cells into muscle cells.The MyoD gene only expresses in skeletal muscles. Based on the same contractive structure in myocardial cells and skeletal muscle cells, it is imagined that the conversion from exogenous MyoD gene-induced fibroblast in local myocardium into skeletal muscle cells that had contractive function may become another method in the treatment of congestive heart failure on clinic.OBJECTIVE: To construct and identify a recombinant adenoviral vector carrying MyoD gene for further studies on the recovery function of MyoD gene in myocardial injury.DESIGN: Single sample experiment.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, Nanjing Medical University between September 2004 and September 2005. MyoD gene and non-replicating form expressive vector of adenovirus were taken as research materials.METHODS: MyoD cDNA fragments were extracted from plasmids pEMSV-MyoD with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR was used to clone the whole-length gene of MyoD. After adding CACC sequence at 5' end, MyoD gene was cloned by orient topology into transfer ventor, pENTR/D-TOPO. Objective gene was transferred into adenoviral expression vector DNA via pENTR/D-TOPO vector. The recombinant adenoviral vectors transfected into HEK293A cells by using lipofectamine were packaged and amplified.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation of PCR and DNA sequencing were used for confirming the size of segment and correctness of rank of MyoD cDNA and detecting the titre of virus.RESULTS: MyoD recombinant adenovirus contained target segment with precise length confirmed by PCR and DNA sequence that was correct. The titre of virus was 1.3×1011 pfu/mL.CONCLUSION: The recombinant adenoviral vector carrying MyoD gene is constructed successfully.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of the content of lentil lectin-reactive alphafetoprotein-L3(AFP-L3)in early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods According to the content of alpha.fetoprotein(AFP)and AFP-L3 before the treatment,97 patients with early-stage HCC were divided into group A(AFP＞20 μg/L & AFP-L3＜15%,n=29),group B(15%≤AFP-13≤50% & 20 μg/L≤AFP≤200 μg/L,n=16),group C(AFP-13＞50%& AFP＞200 μg/L,n=13),group D(AFP-L3＞50% & 20 μg/L≤AFP≤200 μg/L,n=24)and group E(15%≤AFP-L3≤50%& AFP＞200 μg/L,n=15).The degree of tumor differentiation,the 1-,2-,3-year survival rates and tumor-free survival rates of the patients were analyzed.Results The degree of tumor differentiation.3-year survival rate and tumor-free survival rate of patients in group A were significantly higher than those in the other 4 groups(χ2=21.051,10.043,4.450,6.977,25.566,P＜0.05).The degree of tumor differentiation,1-,2-,3-year survival rates and tumor-free survival rates of the patients in group C and D were significantly lower than those in other 3 groups(χ2=7.938,3.488,9.085.P＜0.05).Conclusions The increase of AFP-L3 content is closely related to poorly differentiated HCC and bad prognosis.especially when the AFP Ievel is low.The detection of AFP-L3 content before and after operation is beneficial to the evaluation of the prognosis of HCC patients.

BACKGROUND:Heart valve surgery combined with coronary artery bypass grafting has been gradual y used for treatment of coronary heart disease combined with cardiac valve disease.
OBJECTIVE:To retrospectively summarize the experience of combined coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular procedure.
METHODS:Total y 51 patients who underwent combined heart valve surgery and coronary artery bypass grafting were retrospectively analyzed, including 10 cases with aortic valve replacement, 14 cases with mitral valve replacement, eight cases with mitral valve replacement combined with tricuspid annuloplasty, four cases with aortic valve and mitral valve replacement, three cases with aortic valve and mitral valve replacement combined with tricuspid annuloplasty, seven cases with mitral valvuloplasty, and five cases with mitral valvuloplasty combined with tricuspid annuloplasty.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Biovalve replacement was performed in nine patients, mechanical valves replacement in 31 cases, mitral valvuloplasty in 11 cases and tricuspid annuloplasty in 16 cases. There were total y 109 bypass graft vessels, and the average number of coronary artery bypass grafts was (1.92±0.73) branches. Four cases died within 30 days postoperatively, and 47 patients were successful y discharged from the hospital. Forty-five of 47 discharging patients were fol owed for 3-48 months. One case died of cerebral infarction within 6 months postoperatively, and another case died of cardiac dysfunction over 1 year after operation. The heart function of 45 survival patients was significantly improved. The comprehensive analysis showed that improving the heart function preoperatively, strengthening myocardial protection, shortening operation and myocardial ischemia time, and complete revascularization are the key factors for successful operation.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy,operative essentials and indications of hybrid spinal fusion surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods From August 2008 to December 2011,thirty-eight patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent hybrid spinal fusion surgery in our hospital.There were 27 males and 11 females,aged from 33 to 70 years (average,51 years).A total of 86 segments were treated (fusion 48 vs.non-fusion 38).Twenty-eight patients underwent a two-level surgery,and ten patients received a three-level surgery.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pre-and post-operative neurological function and pain,respectively.The pre-and post-operative range of motion of the cervical spine was measured according to Xrays.Moreover,the surgical complications were recorded and analyzed.Results Thirty-seven patients were followed up for 15 to 55 months (average,29.1 months).The improvement of neurological function was obtained in 36 patients.The JOA score was improved from preoperative 10.5±1.57 to 14.3±1.97 at final follow-up,with an improvement rate of 58.46％,and the results were excellent in 16 cases,fair in 20 cases and poor in 1 case.The VAS was improved from preoperative 7.3±1.04 to 3.2±1.41 at final follow-up.The Cobb angle changed from preoperative 25°±3.21°to 20°±2.56°at final follow-up.After operation,the neurological function was not restored in 1 case; hoarseness and bucking occurred in 2 cases; sore throat occurred in 22 cases; anterior displacement of prosthesis (PCM) occurred in 3 cases.Other patients had no complications,such as displacement,loosening and heterotopic ossification.Conclusion In hybrid spinal fusion surgery,the lesions segments are decompressed fully,the severely degenerative segments are fused,and the motion of the non-fusion segments is reserved.As a result,not only the stability of the cervical spine is achieved,but also an obvious improvement of symptoms and a satisfactory short-term efficacy can be obtained.Therefore,this method is an alternative procedure for cervical spondylosis myelopathy.