The process of intervertebral disc degeneration,which could result in intervertebral disc structural and functional change,is a chronic one with multiple factors.The pathophysiologic process is still not completely find out.More and more research reports manifest that certain gene polymorphism also lead to increased risk of intervertebral disc degeneration except environmental factors.Discussions about related genetic factors and their pathophysiological role in the process of degeneration could have a further understanding to disease development.Elucidating genetic components which are associated with degeneration could not only provide insights into the mechanism of the process,but also have clinical significance for early diagnosis and prevention.In order to have a thorough understanding of functional role played by different genes,this paper summarize polymorphism and disease correlation by selecting 15 genes after reviewed the related literature published in recent years.Genetic polymorphisms in 15 genes have been analyzed in association with intervertebral disc degeneration,including aggrecan,collagen Types Ⅰ,Ⅸ and Ⅺ,fibronectin,HAPLN 1,CILP,MMP-1,2 and 3,PARK2,IL-1,6 and VDR.Each genetic polymorphism codes for a protein which has a functional role in the pathogenesis of disease.Among the 15 genes analyzed,polymorphisms in aggrecan,Type Ⅸ collagen,MMP3,IL1,IL6 and VDR show the most promise as functional variants.Genetic studies are necessary for understanding the mechanism of the degeneration.Relevant genetic information could be used as a predictive model for determining individuals' risk for intervertebral disc degeneration eventually.

Objective To discuss the effective treatments for fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle in children.Methods Twenty-five children with fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle treated from January 2008 to June 2011 were studied,including 18 males and 7 females at age of 7-14 years (mean,11.4 years).There were 7 cases accompanied with elbow joint dislocation and 2 lateral humeral epicondyle fracture.Patients were assigned to medial elbow approach to open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable rods (Group A,n =13) and open reduction and percutaneous K-wire fixation (Group B,n =12) according to the random number table.A plaster support was applied after surgery.Functional training was initiated 2-3 weeks after operation for Group A and 4-6 weeks after adequate callus formation for Group B.Moreover,follow-up was performed at regular intervals.Results All patients were followed up for 6-41 months (mean,22 months).Mean healing time was 3.8 weeks (range,3-5 weeks) in Group A and 5.6 weeks (range,4-8 weeks) in Group B.At postoperative 6 months,Bede elbow performance score was (93.7 ± 3.3) points in Group A with 10 excellent and 3 good results and (85.3 ±6.3) points in Group B with 3 excellent,7 good,and2 fair results (t=-4.24,P＜0.05).Conclusion Open reduction and internal fixation with absorbable rods gains advantages of rigid immobilization,functional recovery and minor complication and hence is effective for treatment of medial humeral epicondyle fracture in children.

Objective To evaluate the value of 3.0T dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)quantitative parameters for the diagnosis,pathological classification,clinical staging and lymph node status of cervical cancer.Methods The DCE-MRI data of 41 cases with cervical cancer and 1 5 cases with normal cervix were analyzed retrospectively.The quantitative parameters including Ktrans,Kepand Ve were obtained by Siemens Tissue 4D software.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 22.0.Results The Ktransand Kepvalues of cervical cancer group were significantly higher than normal cervix group(P<0.001),and there was no statistical difference in Vevalue between the two groups(P>0.05).The Ktransvalue of squamous carcinoma was significantly higher than adenocarcinoma(P<0.05),while Kep and Vevalues showed no statistical differences(P>0.05).The Ktransvalue of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)for early cervical cancer was significantly lower than that for advanced cervical cancer(P<0.05),while Kepand Vevalues showed no statistical differences (P>0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in Ktrans,Kepand Vevalues between cervical cancer with or without lymph node metastasis(P>0.05).Conclusion The quantitative parameters of 3.0T DCE-MRI can be used for the diagnosis, pathological classification and clinical staging of cervical cancer,and it is also of great significance for the rational formulation of the clinical treatment plan.

Objective:To study the clinical effect of the minimally invasive treatment of calcaneal fractures by closed reduction using calcaneal plastic reduction forceps combined with threaded-pin external fixation.Methods:Clinical data of 16 patients with unilateral calcaneal fractures admitted to Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University from January 2015 to December 2017, including 14 males and 2 females, with a unilateral calcaneal fracture were analyzed retrospectively. The Bohler angle, Gissane angle, and calcaneal width, height and length were measured before and after the operation. The ankle function was evaluated according to the AOFAS score at 6 and 12 months after the operation.Results:The Bohler angle, Gissane angle, width, height and length 3 d and 6 months after operation were significantly better than before operation: (28.82 ± 1.72)° and (25.84 ± 1.96)° vs. (16.71 ± 2.74)°, (120.92 ± 3.85)° and (119.65 ± 3.84)° vs. (103.63 ± 4.62)°, (35.23 ± 1.94) and (36.51 ± 2.01) mm vs. (39.52 ± 1.26) mm, (48.52 ± 2.16) and (48.86 ± 1.98) mm vs. (46.94 ± 2.48) mm, (71.23 ± 2.49) and (70.94 ± 2.36) mm vs. (67.53 ± 2.53) mm, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05); there were no statistical difference in those indexes before 6 months after operation and 3 d after operation ( P>0.05). The average AOFAS score 12 months after operation was significantly higher than 6 months after operation (80.6 scores vs. 60.1 scores), there was statistical difference ( P<0.01). At the final follow-up, the AOFAS score was excellent, good, moderate, and poor in 11 cases, 3 cases, 1 case and 1 case. The average AOFAS score was 60.1 at 6 months after the operation and 80.6 at 12 months after the operation, which was significantly higher than the average AOFAS score at 6 months after the operation ( P < 0.01). At the final follow-up, the AOFAS score was excellent, good, moderate, and poor in 11 cases, 3 cases, 1 case and 1 case, respectively. Conclusions:The application of closed reduction using calcaneal plastic reduction forceps combined with threaded-pin external fixation is effective for the treatment of displaced calcaneal fractures, with a simple procedure, minimal trauma, fewer skin and soft tissue complications, and satisfactory clinical results.