Naturally occurring mutations in surface proteins of Hepatitis B virus(HBV)usually result in altered hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)secretion efficiency.In the present study,we reported two conserved residues,M75 and M103 with respect to HBsAg,mutations of which not only attenuated HBsAg secretion(M75 only),but also suppressed HBV genome replication without compromising the overlapping p-gene product.We also found M75 and M103 can initiate truncated surface protein(TSPs)synthesis upon over-expression of full-length surface proteins,which may possibly contribute to HBV genome replication.However,attempts to rescue replicationdefective HBV mutant by co-expression of TSPs initiated from M75 or M103 were unsuccessful,which indicated surface proteins rather than the putative TSPs were involved in regulation of HBV genome replication.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical outcome of one stage posteroanterior decompression and bone implant in the treatment of severe lower cervical spinal bony canal stenosis. Methods The study involved 29 patients with severe lower cervical spinal bony canal stenosis treated with one stage posteroanterior decompression and bone implant from April 2006 to March 2009. There were 11 patients with old fractures, seven with posterior longitudinal ligament ossification and 11 with cervical disc calcification. The course of disease ranged from 2 months to 3.2 years, average 1.4 years. The nerve function was rated as grade B in two patients, grade C in 19 and grade D in eight according to Frankel scale. The average Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 9.8. ResultsAll patients were followed up for 7-28 months (average 15.2 months), which showed bony fusion five months after operation, with fusion rate of 100％. The Frankel grade was increased for average 1.2 grades and the nervous symptoms alleviated remarkably. Mean postoperative JOA score was 13.8 and increased for mean 4.0, with mean amehoration rate of 55.6％. ConclusionsOne stage posteroanterior decompression and bone implant is a safe and effective method for treatment of lower cervical spinal bony canal stenosis, when the intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring can assure the operative safety.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery

Objective　To study the significance of alteration of concentration of endothelins(ET) and calcitonin gene related protein(CGRP) in bile in patients with acute choiangitis of severe type(ACST). Methods　The concentration of ET and CGRP were detected by radioimmunoassay in 55 cases of ACST at openation time, and 7th, 14th day after operation. Results　Compared with the control group, the concentration of ET in bile in patients with ACST was significantly higher at operation time(P<0.01～0.001). The concentration of ET in bile also showed significant difference at operation time between the 2 groups with different ACST severity(P<0.05). The concentration of ET in bile gradually reduced after operations. Compared with the control group, the concentration of CGRP in bile was signficantly lower at operation time(P<0.01). CGRP in bile gradually rose after operation. Conclusions　The ET in bile has some effect on the ACST pathologic alterations. The content of ET in bile is related to the severity of ACST. The disturbance of the balance between bile ET and CGRP may contribute to the pathologic process of liver and bile duct injury in ACST.

BACKGROUND:Half-ring sulcated external fixator is a bone external fixation device.Its structure is relatively simple,with multi-plane fixed,and small occupying space.So far,there are few experimental reports about construction of tibial defect model by it in large animals.OBJECTIVE:To validate the practicality and repeatability of half-ring sulcated external fixator in establishing tibial defect models in goats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:The randomized controlled observation was performed at the Animal Laboratory of the Third Military Medical University from March 2005 to February 2007.MATERIALS:Nine healthy adult(Animal Center of Third Military Medical University);Half-ring sulcated external fixator,made by Professor Li of the Third Military Medical University;Osseous pin,ψ2.5 mm,Shanghai Medicai Instruments Co.,Ltd.METHODS:After animals were anesthetized,two needles were threaded in the same plane of cancellous bone about 1.5-2.0 cm above the superior articular surface of the tibia,named group 1.The angle between the two needles was 40°.One needle was threaded at the place of 3.0 to 5.0 cm under the group 1 and parallel with optional needle of the group 1,named group 2.Needles of group 4 were threaded at the cancellous bone that was 2.0 cm from the joint surface of inferior extremity of the tibia.One needle was threaded at the place of 3.0 to 5.0 cm from group 4 and parallel with optional needle of the group 4.The included angle between these two needles of group 2 and group 3 was 60°.There were totally 6 needles.Tibia was fixed by half-ring sulcated external fixator.According to the length of the tibia from X-ray,tibia and periosteum were amputated by wire saw between the two needles in the middle and inferior segment of the tibia to make segmental bone and periosteal defects of 20 percent of tibia.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:①Postoperative general state of the animals and effect of half-ring sulcated external fixator.②Self-repair of bone defects by X-ray and Lane-Sandhu scoring standards.RESULTS:Of the 9 selected goats,1 died of postoperative infection,and 1 developed pinhole infection and supplemented.All the others survived and were included in final analysis.The goats were awake within 2-6 hours after surgery and able to stand up to eat.The loosening nuts were screwed up.No external fixation failure or loosening was found.No skin was necrotic.Injured limb could touch the ground in 2 days,but could not bear load until 2 weeks.The goats could walk in three weeks with a slight limp,then moved freely without claudication in four weeks after the operation.At the 5th week after operation,the radiographs showed little periosteal reaction.At the 10th week after operation,sclerosis was found in the fracture ends,and medullary cavity started to close.Fifteen weeks after operation,the medullary cavity closed and periosteal reaction did not aggravate.Inaddition.Lane score was 0 at any time point.No bone formation was found in the histological examination at 5,10 and 15 weeks after operation,and Lane score was 0 at any time point.CONCLUSION:The goat model established in goat tibia with 20%defects by the half-ring sulcated external fixator shows no bone healing after 15 weeks by X-ray or histological exanimation,indicating this is a practical and repetitive method to establish animal models of large segmental defect for bone tissue engineering.

Adult ; Antidotes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Parathion ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; drug therapy ; Pralidoxime Compounds ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

To cultivate applied capability of bioengineering students, five aspects should be done: optimization of experiment teaching system, reformation of experiment teaching mode, intensifying management of experiment teaching, increase of new experiments related tightly to scientific research, and training students’ self-study capability.

Objective:To explore the association between dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DβH), norepinephrine transporter (NET) gene polymorphisms and panic disorder(PD).Methods:The structured clinical interview for the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders fourth edition (DSM-Ⅳ) axis Ⅰ disorders was administered by trained clinical psychiatrist, 139 patients with PD(PD group) and 196 healthy controls(control group) were enrolled in the study.Single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) genotyping was performed using an improved multiplex ligation detection reaction technique.SPSS 16.0 and PLINK softwares were used to compare the allele frequency and genotype distribution.Results:(1)Compared with control group, PD group carried more G allele(76.3% vs 68.4%) and fewer A allele(23.7% vs 31.6%) in NET rs5569, and the difference was significant(χ 2=4.986, OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.95, P<0.05). However, the correlation was no longer significant after adjusting for Bonferroni’s multiple testing( P>0.05). (2)The additive model of NET rs5569 showed a association with PD ( OR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.96, P<0.05). And the recessive model of DβH rs1611114 showed a association with PD( OR=0.42, 95% CI: 0.18-0.96, P<0.05). However, these correlations were no longer significant after adjusting for Bonferroni's multiple testing( P>0.05). (3)No matter allele or genotype, there were no significant differences in DβH (rs129882, rs1611114, rs1611115) and NET (rs2242446, rs28386840) gene polymorphisms between panic disorder group and control group(all P>0.05). Conclusion:The present study indicates that there is no significant association of DβH and NET gene polymorphisms with PD.

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of pulse transit time (PTT) in children with sleep disordered breathing(SDB).

METHODSForty eight randomly selected snorers (2 - 13 years) with SDB were examined by PSG and PTT in the same time. Data obtained were analyzed by different technicians respectively. Statistics and analysis of the data were performed.

RESULTSApnea hypopnea index (AHI), obstructive apnea index (OAI), the lowest oxygen and micro-arousal index were obtained by PSG and PTT. The results was described as M [25 percentile; 75 percentile]: 4.9[1.3;10.1], 4.6[1.5;11.8]; 1.2[0.7;4.9], 1.3[0.6;5.0]; 0.93[0.85;0.95], 0.93[0.84;0.95]; 14.5[12.6;16.4], 26.0[17.4;30.6]. The difference of AHI, OAI, and the lowest oxygen were not significant (P > 0.05), while the PTT arousal index detection rate was higher than PSG (Z = -5.19, P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and determination of degree of patient's condition (P > 0.05). PTT could identify upper airway resistance syndrome in children without OASHS.

CONCLUSIONSBoth methods can be used to diagnose SDB. However, PTT is easy to use and suitable for the diagnosis of SDB in children, especially for UARS.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polysomnography ; Pulse ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo search for a safe and convenient surgical method for management of urethral disruption.

METHODSWe performed urethral realignment for 18 cases of posterior urethral disruption and 4 cases of ruptured bulbous urethra using the urethral guidance probe following bladder puncture stoma.

RESULTSUrethral realignment was accomplished in 21 of the cases, 18 under epidural and 3 under local anesthesia, with the mean blood loss of 20 ml and the average operation time of 18 minutes. Open surgery was necessitated in 1 case due to the complication of bladder rupture. Routine postoperative urethral dilation extended for 3 months, and all the cases were followed up for 3 to 24 months. The maximum urine flow rate was 15-22 ml/s in 13 cases and 10-14 ml/s in 7. One case received urethral anastomosis 3 months later because of urethrostenosis.

CONCLUSIONSUrethral realignment with the urethral guidance probe is a safe, convenient and effective surgical strategy for the management of urethral disruption.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethra ; injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult