BACKGROUND:Compared with hydroxyapatite materials and other nano-hydroxyapatite composites, carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites have been significantly improved in the mechanical strength, toughness, elastic modulus and other aspects. It can be used for repairing bone defects of loading parts. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biocompatibility of carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites in bone tissues. METHODS:Eight Bama mini pigs were taken to establish models of thoracic vertebral defects and implanted with carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites. At 8, 16 and 24 weeks after implantation,the animals were sacrificed, respectively, for bone mineral density detection and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Blood samples for kidney and liver function tests were taken before and 1 and 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining of bone samples showed that the materials could bond with the bone defect interface without rejection, and could induce osteogenesis of chondrocytes. At 8 weeks after surgery, the broken ends of cancelous bone closed and the composite material was wrapped by granulation tissues. At 16 weeks after surgery, granulation tissues were organized and new bone developed directly from fibroblast cels. The new bone tissues were nearly fused with the end of cancelous bone. At 24 weeks after surgery, new bone tissue became mature lamelar bone, and the end of cancelous bone was connected tightly with the composite material. Bone mineral density of the implanted vertebra showed an increase trend at 8, 16 and 24 weeks after implantation. Over time, the bone mass was increased. The liver and kidney function tests showed that there was no significant difference before and after implantation. It is preliminarily believed that the carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite has excelent histocompatibility and bioactivity without hepatic toxicity and nephritic toxicity.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciensin can cause infections and the building related ill-health syndrome among newborns, infants and other immunocompromised populations by polluting hospital disinfectants, such as alcohol 75%, moisture housing and food. In this article, we reviewed the prevalence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in environment, food and intrahospital infection, the toxicology by describing its toxicity in mammalian cells, the physicoehemical characteristics by analyzing its special structure of bacterial spores. Its pathogenicity through animal model of disease was discussed as well.(J Glin Pediatr,2010,28(2) :190-192)

ObjectiveFollow-up of the clinical outcome of prosthetic disc nucleus replacement on patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods16 patients with lumar intervertebral disc herniation were implanted prosthetic disc nucleus from June to August 2003, including 10 males and 6 females. The operation levels were at L4-5 in 10 patients and L5～S1 in 6 patients. All patients were followed up from 28 to 32 months (averaged 30 months). The contents include pain, physical examination, Short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire investigation, Visual Analogue Scales(VAS) and Present Pain Intensity(PPI), X-ray and MRI examination, etc. ResultsAfter surgery, 16 patients experienced clinical symptom relief, the displacement of PDN in 1 case and dislocation in 1case, the height of intervertebral space becoming narrower in 5 cases and endplate subsiding in 1 case. ConclusionProsthetic disc nucleus replacement acquired satisfactory after operation, but some complication may occurre in long-term.

Objective To investigate the effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems of school-aged children in Shanghai. Methods A total of 4 108 school-aged children from 10 primary schools of Shanghai were enrolled by multi-stage cluster sampling and surveyed by questionnaires. The information of television-watching and computer-using, family and personal condition was investigated by self-prepared questionnaire, and the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was employed to survey the sleep behaviors of children. The effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis. Results The percentage of children who watched television≥2 h per day was 4.1% during weekdays, and that came to 49.2% during weekends. In terms of frequency of computer-using, most children reported "rarely" (88.2%, 0-1 time/week), followed by "often" (11.0%, 2-4 times/ week) and "usually" (0.8%, 5-7 times/week). With the age increase, the percentages of children who watched television≥2 h per day and those who "often" used computer gradually increased. It was revealed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis that television-watching and computer-using were not only positively correlated with later bedtime, later wake time and shorter sleep duration but also significantly associated with sleep problems such as bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep duration disorder, sleep anxiety and parasomnia. Conclusion Television-watching and computer-using exert influences on sleep behaviors of sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems. Concerns about the potential negative effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep behaviors may help to promote healthy sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.

Objective To evaluate the predictability of MSCT perfusion in the restorability of renal function of hydronephrotie kidneys with unilateral partial ureteric obstructed rabbit model as to explore a method to predict the restorability of renal function of hydronephrotic kidneys and to investigate the changes of MSCT perfusion parameters during the course of the restore of renal function.Methods Establish a unilateral partial ureteric obstructed rabbits hydronephrotie model.Hydronephrotie rabbits were grouped as control,2,4 and 8 week(G_2w,G_4w and G_8w)after obstruction and the later 3 groups of rabbits were reared for further 4 weeks after the obstruction was released.MSCT perfusion scanning was performed and the specimen was made into histological slices with HE staining.Results BF and BV value of renal cortex and medulla of G_2w after obstruction [(864?32)ml?100 g~(-1)?min~(-1),(19.5?0.9)ml/100 g (cortex ); (182.1?7.5)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(8.37?0.51)ml/100g(medulla)]was released restored in substance and approached that of control[(899?63)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(21.6 + 1.4)ml/100 g (cortex);(193.5?16.5 )ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(8.50?0.54 )ml/100 g (medulla)]while there was no significant restore in that of G_4w and G_8w after obstruction[(525?15)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(12.8? 0.6)ml/100g (G_4 w);(512?10)ml?100g~(-1)?min~(-1),(9.4?1.0)ml/100 g (G_8w)] was released. Histologically,there was a positive correlation between the duration of obstruction and the seriousness of pathologic changes.Conclusion MSCT perfusion can provide information not only morphologically but also about renal perfusion of hydronephrotic kidneys.

Objective:To explore the status of adolescents'empathy and its related factors.Methods:Totally 1460 students from part of middle schools and vocational schools in Huainan City and Wenzhou City were surveyed,1159 (613 males,546 females) valid samples obtained.Subjects'empathy,family function and class environment were separately assessed with Interpersonal Reactivity Index-C(IRI-C),Family Assessment Device(FAD) and the questionnaire of My Class.Results:IRI-C scores were higher in gifts than in boys [total empathy,(55-± 12) vs.(51 ± 11),P ＜ 0.05].Vocational school students' IRI-C scores were lower than junior school students' [total empathy,(50 ± 11) vs.(54 ± 11),P ＜ 0.001],and lower than high school students' [total empathy,(50 ± 11) vs.(54 ± 11),P ＜ 0.05].Competition scores and classmates scores were positively associated with emotional empathy scores (β =0.11,0.13,P ＜ 0.001).The role scores were positively associated with the scores of emotional empathy(β =0.14,P ＜ 0.001).Problem solving scores were negatively associated with cognitive empathy and total empathy scores (β =-0.22,-5.20,P ＜ 0.001).Classmates scores were positively associated with cognitive empathy and total empathy scores (β =0.18,5.76,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion:It suggests that girls' empathy may be better than boys'.Vocational school students'empathy may be worse than junior school students'and high school students Good relationship with classmates,efficient solutions to the problems and moderate competition may be favorable factors for adolescents' empathy.

Objective To evaluate the dose distribution in clinical target volume (CTV) and organs-at-risk (OARs) in three dimension therapy plans in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue receiving postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or conventional radiotherapy (CRT) by dosimetric study. Methods Thirty-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue were divided into CRT group(n=17) and IMRT group(n=18). All patients underwent head-and-neck immobilization with a thermoplastic mask and planning CT scan, and target volume and OARs were contoured. Dose calculation and plan optimization were performed. All three dimension plans passed quality assurance before treatment. The dosimetry of therapy plans with IMRT or CRT in target volume and OARs dose distribution was compared by dose-volume histogram (DVH), conformity index (CI) and homogeneous index (HI). Results There were significant differences in D95 (isodose line to cover 95 percent target volume), CI, HI, minimum dose and maximum dose in CTV of therapy plans between patients with IMRT and CRT(P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in mean dose of CTV(P > 0.05). The radiation dose on salivary glands (both parotid glands and contralateral submandibular gland) in patients with IMRT was significantly lower than that in patients with CRT(P < 0.01). Conclusion Compared with dose distribution of CRT plans, there are more advantages in improving dose distribution at the target volume and sparing salivary glands in IMRT therapy plans in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue.

Background: Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency is the most common creatine deficiency syndrome, of which the final diagnosis relies on mutation in the X-linked CRTR gene. To date, more than 90 mutations in the SLC6A8 gene have been reported. This paper discusses a novel mutation detected via the thorough sequencing of all the X-chromosome-specific exons investigated in a four and a half year old boy with an intellectual disability, speech and language delay and motor disturbance. Methods: A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were carried out, the creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine were checked and all exons were sequenced. Results: A detailed clinical investigation revealed a reduction in the cerebral creatine levels in the brain by the MRS, elevated creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine and signal abnormalities in the left frontal cortex of the brain by the MRI. A novel change was identified in the heterozygosity of the exon 10: c.1395-c.1401 deletion. Conclusion: The use of a combination of powerful new technologies, such as thorough exome-nextgeneration sequencing and a brain MRS, should be considered, in order to determine any neurometabolic diseases, especially when the signal abnormalities in the brain MRI cannot be explained by any other factors. This mutation results most likely in a dysfunction of the creatine transport and synthesis, hence causing central nervous system symptoms.
Carrier Proteins

Objective To evaluate the value of NT-proBNP in predicting weaning outcomes of the patients with mechanical ventilation by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve. Method The data of patients after the weaning of mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in the intensive care unit,from July 2008 to January 2010, were retrospective reviewed. All patients were divided into the success group and failure group as per the outcomes of weaning. Demographics and the serum NT-proBNP levels measured before weaning were compared between two groups with Student t -test and Chi-square test. The ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the value of serum NT-proBNP in predicting outcomes after weaning. Results A total of 160 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study, and there were 106 cases in success group and 54 cases in failure group.Compared with the failure group, the patients of success group were younger (63.17 ± 17.00 vs. 71.28 ± 12.56,t = 2.063,P =0.024), and no difference in gender (χ2 = 0.06, P ＞ 0.05). The NT-proBNP levels of failure group were significantly higher than those of success group (Lg NT-proBNP 2.80 ± 0.72 vs. 3.75 ± 0.56, t =2.351,P =0.014). The area under cure (AUC) of the ROC cure of NT-proBNPto predict the failure of weaning was 0.855 ±0.036 (95%CI0.784 ～ 0.925) when the cut-off level of NT-proBNP was 3635.5 pg/mL. And, this NT-proBNP level had a followed predictive efficiency in weaning outcome (Youden's index: 0. 60, accuracy:82.5%, sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 84.7%, positive likelihood ratio: 4.90, negative likelihood ratio:0.295,Kappa value: 0.62). Conclusions The levels of NT-proBNP before weaning have predictive value in weaning outcome, and it may be used as one of the screening indicators for weaning.

Objective To understand health literacy levels in elderly people aged 60 years and above in Hunan, and explore factors related to health literacy.Methods Hunan residents aged 60 years and above were randomly recruited by the multistage stratified cluster sampling method.A total of 611 elderly people from 13 counties of Hunan were included in the study, which was conducted through questionnaires.Results The median health literacy score for elderly people aged 60 years and above was 51.00 (4-90), and it was lower than that for people under 60 years old, which was 56.00.Single factor analysis found that education level, occupation, number of family members, and household income each had an influence on health literacy scores (H=59.526, 20.609, 17.214, and 50.749, respectively;P=0.000, 0.002, 0.001 and 0.000, respectively).The number of people with basic health literacy accounted for 10.6％ (65/611) of the total.Multiple logistic regression analysis found that chronic disease was a factor affecting basic health literacy.Compared with elderly people without chronic diseases, a higher percentage of people with basic health literacy was among elderly people with chronic diseases (OR =1.870, 95％ CI: 1.037-3.373).Conclusions The health literacy level is lower in elderly people aged 60 years and above than those under 60 years old in Hunan.Only 10.6％ (65/611) of them show basic health literacy.Education level, occupation, number of family members, and household income are the factors related to health literacy.Health education about healthy lifestyle and behavior as well as chronic disease prevention and control should be increased in order to improve the health literacy level in elderly people.