Objective To identify the histological features as well as factors influencing the course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus ( HBV)-infected patients with persistently normal alanine amino-transferase (ALT) levels (PNAL). Methods Ninety-eight HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected patients with PNAL who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were recruited from October 2003 to March 2008. The ALT level, HBV markers, HBV DNA level and liver histological changes were detected. Comparison of means was done by t test and single factor analysis of variance. Nonparametric statistics was done by Marm-Whitey U test and Kruskal-Wallis test. Analysis of independent risk factor was done using Logistic model. The dianostic value of ALT level to significant liver histological changes was evaluated by receiver performance curve. Results Twenty-two point four percent and 17.3% of subjects had the histological activity index (HAI)≥4and fibrosis (F) score≥3 respectively. Subgroup analysis showed that subjects with ALT＞0.50 × upper limit of normal (ULN) had a significantly higher rate of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 than those with ALT≤0.50×ULN (HAI≥4:36.4% vs 11.1%, χ2 =8.881, P=0.003;F score≥3:27.3% vs 9.3%, χ2 =5.487, P= 0.019, respectively), and older subjects (more than 45 years old) had a higher proportion of HAI ≥4 than the younger (33.3% vs 13.4%, χ2 =4.923, P=0.027). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a decade increase in age was the independent predictor of HAI≥4 (OR=2.410, P=0.023).Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that 87.0% and 90.7% of subjects with ALT＜0.50× ULN had histological changes of HAI＜4 and F score＜3 respectively. The proportions of HAI≥4 and F score≥3 in subjects with HBV DNA＜1×104 copy/mL were 14.9% and 12.8%, respectively. Conclusions Significant histological changes may be present in part of the subjects with persistently normal ALT and different HBV DNA levels, so that liver biopsy is very important, especially in those with age ＞45 years.Half time the ULN may serve as an appropriate cutoff value of normal ALT level for managing Chinese HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-int'ected patients.

The paper aims at the current problem of medical resource shortage,builds the self-service platform for disease diagnosis based on Spark by taking advantage of cloud computing,big data and other technologies,introduces the overall architecture and functional modules of the platform and tests the platform,in order to achieve disease diagnosis,recommendation of therapeutic schemes and disease prediction.

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether Candida albicans-native phospholipomannan (PLM) induce an inflammation response through Toll-like receptor(TLRé2 in human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) cells.

METHODSHuman THP-1 monocytes were challenged with PLM in vitro. The mRNA expressions of TLR2, TLR4, proinflammatory cytokine [interleukin(IL)-6], and chemokine (IL-8) were assayed by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The secretions of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of TLR2 was analyzed with Western blot.

RESULTSPLM increased the mRNA expressions and secretions of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6) and chemokines (IL-8) in THP-1 cells (all P=0.0000). PLM up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 (P=0.0000), whereas the mRNA level of TLR4 was not altered. PLM hydrolyzed with β-D-mannoside manno hydrolase failed to induce gene and protein expressions of TLR2, IL-6, and IL-8. Anti-TLRS-neutralizing antibody blocked the PLM-induced secretions of IL-6 and IL-8 in THP-1 cells (P = 0.0003, P = 0.0010).

CONCLUSIONCanidada albicans-native PLM may contribute to the inflammatory responses during Candida infection in a TLR2-dependent manner.

Candida albicans ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Glycolipids ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-8 ; metabolism ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; immunology ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical results of percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation for the treatment of calcaneal fractures, and to compare therapeutic effects between close reduction hollow screw internal fixation and open reduction plate internal fixation.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to May 2010, 53 patients with calcaneal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups, 25 patients in group A (PR group) treated with percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation, including 17 males and 8 females, with an average age of (39.4 +/- 9.9) years. While 28 patients in group B (OR group) treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation, including 18 males and 10 females, with an average age of (38.6 +/- 10.2) years. According to Sanders classification, there were 18 patients with type II fractures, 29 patients with type III and 6 type IV. In both groups, operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications and radiology were recorded. Functional recovery was evaluated by Maryland score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from nine months to thirty-five months (averaged 20.4 months). There were no significant differences in sex, age, fracture type, fracture classification, initial Böhler angle, or late complications between the two groups. But significant difference can be seen between operative time, blood loss, and skin complications (in group A no nonunion and skin complications occurred, but subtalar posttraumatic arthritis occurred in 1 case; in group B, 3 patients had complications of skin necrosis, 1 patient suffered from a delayed union due to large defect filled with artificial bone, and 1 patient got subtalar posttraumatic arthritis). No difference were found in the latest X-ray film. According to Maryland score, in group A, 8 got an excellent result and 12 good. In group B, 10 got an excellent and 14 good. There were no significant differences between the two groups in Margland score.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that in comparison with open reduction, percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation minimizes complications and achieves good results. Further study of this technique is needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Calcaneus ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore operative method in the treatment of syndesmosis injury of ankle fractures.

METHODSTwenty-four patients with ankle fractures and syndesmosis diastasis were treated with shape memory fracture staples, including 10 males and 14 females ranging in age from 19 to 71 years, with an average of 43 years. All patients were diagnosised with history, body examination and image data and were operated according to classification of Lauge-Hansen.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 28 months with an average of 16 months, and all fractures healed, with a mean time 9.2 (8 to 14) weeks. Only one case had radiological and clinical manifestations of traumatic arthritis, but no breakage of shape memory fracture staple in all cases. Sixteen patients got excellent results, good in 5, fair in 2, poor in 1.

CONCLUSIONShape memory staple fixation for the treatment of syndesmosis diastasis in ankle fractures not only can perseve the physical motion of ankles, but also be remove earlier before weight bearing.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Fractures ; Ankle Injuries ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Professor LUO Cai-gui's experience of acupuncture at acupoint "Baliao" with twisting manipulation for treatment of low back pain is introduced. This method has significant efficacy on improving low back pain and numbness of lower extremities, which is characterized with short-time manipulation, quick de-qi and long effective time. The acupuncture methods, manipulations, precautions, etc. are elaborated in details. A typical case is added.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged

[Objective]To study the relationship between bridging septa thickening in the perinephric space and split renal function in acute unilateral upper urinary tract obstruction.[Methods]50 patients with acute unilateral upper urinary tract obstruction by calculus were analyzed retrospectively. According to the images of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT)scanning,all cases were divided into thickened bridging septa group(n=25)and normal bridging septa group (n=25),The CT values of renal cortical in the plain(CTp)and renal cortical enhancing(CTe)phase were measured, the difference of increasement value(CTe-CTp)and the CT value ratio of the ipsilateral and opposite in renal cortical phase was analyzed by independent sample T test.[Results]The CT increasement value of bridging septa thickening and normal group were(103±30)HU and(128±24)HU respectively,the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.01);and CTac/CTuc were 0.81±0.13 and 0.96±0.06 respectively(P<0.01).[Conclusion]Thickening of bridging septa in the perinephric space with acute unilateral upper urinary tract obstruction will weaken the enhancement of renal cortical,and increased the likelihood of split renal function impairing.

OBJECTIVE: To accumulate experience for dated forensic matter analysis, for example, Mummy. METHODS: DNA are extracted by methods of phenol-chloroform and are purified by Wizard DNA clean-up system. The STRs locus are ampolification with Promega Powerplus 16 system. The mtDNA hypervariable region 1 (HV1) is amplificated by '3 pair primers'. The products were sequenced with 377 DNA sequencer. RESULTS: The STRs locus very distinctness and mtDNA sequence is correct. CONCLUSION It is a valuable method for special forensic matters.
Base Sequence ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats/genetics* ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mummies ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods*

Objective To assess the efficacy and adverse-event profile of monotherapy oradd-on therapy with topiramate in elderly patients with epilepsy. Methods A multicenter, prospective,open-label, observational study of topiramate, for either monotherapy or add-on therapy, was performedamong 119 elderly patients with epilepsy in the Outpatient Department of Neurology of 52 generalhospitals in China. After the baseline evaluation, topiramate was given at the target dose of 200 mg/dayover an 8-week titration period. In the subsequent 12-week maintenance period, the topiramate dose wasadjusted (200-300 mg) according to the clinical results. The patients were followed up for 6 months, withmonthly visits and regular physical, neurological and laboratory examinations. Results After themaintenance period, 106 patients (89.1%) showed a seizure frequency reduction by 50% or greater fromthe baseline, among whom 65 patients(93.8%)received the monotherapy and 54(83.8%) had the add-ontherapy. Topiramate monotherapy and add-on therapy resulted in a complete seizure control in over 50%of the patients with various types of seizure. In patients with disease course less than 1 year, between 1and 3 years, between 4 and 6 years, and over 6 years, topiramate monotherapy resulted in seizurereduction by 92.86%, 91.67%, 100%, and 94.44%, and the add-on therapy reduced the seizure by80.00%, 85.71%, 70.00%, and 86.36%, respectively. When combined with carbamazepine, valproatesodium, phenytoin, phenol barbital, and diazepam, the total effective rate oftopiramate was 79.41%,87.50%, 85.71%, 0%, and 80.00%, respectively. Topiramate, especially in monotherapy, caused onlymild or moderate adverse effects. Conclusion Topiramate is effective and safe for either monotherapyor add-on therapy of epilepsy in elderly patients. The types of epilepsy, disease course, or the drugs usedin the add-on therapy do no obviously affect the efficacy of topiramate for seizure control.

The transmembrane protein (TM) encoded by gp37 gene plays a critical role when virus fusion with cell membrane occurs. Several highly conserved regions in TM are important targets for antivirus studies. Studies on structure and function of TM will provide basic information for anti-retrovirus, especially for avian leukosis virus. In the study, gp37 gene was amplified by PCR from the Chinese strain ALV-J-WS0701. The gp37 gene was cloned into pMD18-T vector, and was sequenced. Then, pFast-BacHTb-gp37 vector was constructed and expressed by baculovirus expression vector system. The expression product of gp37 gene was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay and Western blot. The results showed that positive green fluorescence was present in sf9 cells infected with recombinant virus and a protein band with a molecular weight of 21kD was present in Western blot. It is concluded that gp37 gene was expressed in sf9 cells infected with recombinant virus successfully.
Animals ; Avian Leukosis ; virology ; Avian Leukosis Virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line ; Chickens ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression ; Spodoptera ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism