Objective · To investigate association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] level and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and explore its value in clinical practice for early screening and prevention of DPN. Methods · A total of 188 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, including 100cases with DPN and 88 cases without. Clinical data was collected and serum levels of 25(OH)D3, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood lipids and hepatic and renal functions were determined in all patients. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate relationship between each index and 25(OH)D3, and Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis of risk factors for DPN. Results · The median of serum 25(OH)D3 level was significantly lower in the patients with DPN (34.95 nmol/L) than that of the patients without DPN (52.6 nmol/L)(P<0.01). Spearmancorrelation analysis showed that there existed a negative correlation between the level of 25(OH)D3 and age, HbA1c and fasting blood glucose (r=-0.37, -0.53, and -0.29, respectively, P<0.01). The multiple Logistical regression analysis revealed that the 25(OH)D3 level was an independent risk factor for DPN. The odds ratio of serum 25(OH)D3 was 15.5 (OR=15.50, 95% CI=2.00 ~ 119.62) for the lowest quartile versus the highest quartile. Conclusion · The decreased level of 25(OH)D3 may increase risks for the occurrence of DPN in the elders with type 2 diabetes mellitus and monitoring the level of 25(OH)D3 contributes to early detection of DPN.

Objective To analyze the correlation between MRI features and pathological characterization of ovarian thecoma-fibro-ma.Methods MRI manifestations of 21 patients with ovarian thecoma-fibroma proved by pathological diagnosis were analyzed retro-spectively and compared with pathologic findings.Results The 21 cases involved 22 lesions (one patient had bilateral masses of the-cofibroma),including 13 fibrothecoma,4 thecofibroma and 5 fibroma.All lesions presented with well-defined margin,and cystic changes were found in 1 5 cases,7 lesions were solid masses ,1 9 lesions were round or oval masses ,2 lesions were lobulated mas-ses,and 1 lesion was irregular mass.The diameters of tumor ranged from 3.4 to 18.5 cm with mean diameter of 8.9 cm.On MR images,all lesions showed isointense or slight hypointense on T1 WI.On T2 WI,most tumors showed isointense or slight hypoin-tense,along with hyperintense cystic areas in 1 5 lesions,patchy slight hyperintense edema areas in 4 lesions,and homogeneous isointense or slight hypointense in 3 lesions.After contrast enhancement,all lesions demonstrated mild-to-moderate enhancement and delayed progressive enhancement slightly.13 cases associated with varied degrees of pelvic effusion,1 case with thickening of endometrium,and 1 case with endometrial carcinoma.Two patients had a higher level of CA125.Postoperative pathology demon-strated that all lesion were benign.Conclusion The MRI findings of the ovarian thecoma-fibroma are considerably characteristic and indirectly reflect pathology of tumor,thus beneficial to the correct diagnosis of tumor with relevant clinical information.

Objective To evaluate the value of dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging (DSC)in evaluation of brain tumor after operation.Methods 41 cases with brain tumors verified histologically,including 8 cases of high-grade gliomas,16 of low-grade gliomas,7 of metastases and 10 of meningiomas underwent DSC examination.All the cases at 3.0T MR unit.All primitive data were sent to ADW4.3 workstation for post-processing.The mean maximal rCBV and rCBF ratios of tumors,1 cm and 2 cm regions of peri-tumor were obtained respectively.The relativity of MR perfusion parameters(rCBV and rCBF)between diferent tumors were statistically evaluated by using Pearson correlative analysis.Results In the　solid region of tumors,rCBV and rCBF were statistically significant differences (P<0.05)between low-grade gliomas and the other three groups of tumors; in 1 cm region of peri-tumor between high-grade gliomas and the other three groups,and between low-grade gliomas and metastases,between the solid region and both regions of 1 cm and 2 cm peri-tumors at the same tumor were all of statistically significant differences(P<0.05),between 1 cm and 2 cm region of peri-tumors at high-grade gliomas and metastases,the rCBV and rCBF were also of statistically significant differences.Pearson correlative analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between the mean maximal rCBV and rCBF　ratios at the same region in the same tumor's group.Conclusion DSC is very valuable in evaluation of the histopathological grade and the differentiation of brain tumor.

In this study, CD133+ subpopulations were isolated from 41 primary colorectal cancer tissues, the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of the cells were examined without in vitro expansion, and then compared to those of cell lines. The detection of CD133 in colorectal cancer tissues, isolation of CD133+ and CD133- epithelial subpopulations, Ki-67/DNA multiparameter assay and cell volume analysis were flow cytometrically conducted. The results showed that Ki-67 expression was correlated with CD133 level in primary cancer tissues, while cell cycle G2/M phase distribution or clinicopathological characteristics was not. In addition, the CD133+ cells showed larger cell volume and higher Ki-67 expression as compared with CD133- cells. But there was no statistically significant difference in G(2)/M phase distribution between the two subpopulations. Our results demonstrated that the CD133+ subpopulation in colorectal cancer tissue contained more actively cycling and proliferating cells, which was not correlated to clinicopathological factors but might contribute to tumor progression and poor clinical outcome.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) negative pressure suction combined with Masquelet technique in the treatment of open comminuted fractures of limbs.Methods:120 patients with open comminuted fractures of limbs who received treatment in Rongjun Hospital of Zhejiang Province from June 2017 to June 2020 were included in this study. All of them underwent treatment by VSD negative pressure suction combined with Masquelet technique. The changes in rehabilitation indices, inflammatory factors and quality of life relative to before surgery and Visual Analogue Scale score before and 1 and 3 months after surgery were determined.Results:All 120 patients were included in the final analysis. Granulation tissue growth time was (10.53 ± 2.39) days. Infection control time was (14.32 ± 3.24) days. Wound closure time was (10.87 ± 2.84) days. Fracture healing time was (9.57 ± 1.84) weeks. The VAS score at 1 and 3 months after surgery was (3.21 ± 1.58) points and (1.45 ± 0.76) points, respectively, which was significantly decreased compared with before surgery [(8.23 ± 1.52) points, t = 25.082, 43.704, both P < 0.05]. The VAS score at 3 months after surgery was lower than that at 1 month after surgery ( t = 10.996, P < 0.05). Serum tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels at 1 and 3 months after surgery were significantly decreased compared with before surgery ( t = 14.798, 29.598, 30.599, 47.970, 17.161, 31.587, all P < 0.05). Serum tumor necrosis factor-α, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels at 3 months after surgery were significantly lower than those at 1 month after surgery ( t = 14.401, 21.218, 17.513, all P < 0.05). The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF score at 1 and 3 months after surgery were significantly increased compared with before surgery ( t = 17.803, 36.482, both P < 0.05). The World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF score at 3 months after surgery was significantly higher than that at 1 month after surgery ( t = 10.488, P < 0.05). Conclusion:VSD negative pressure suction combined with Masquelet technique for the treatment of open comminuted fractures of limbs exhibits good efficacy, can alleviate pain, reduce inflammatory reactions, improve quality of life, and thereby is of important clinical value.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of early versus delayed open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of tibial pilon fracture. Methods:Sixty patients with tibial pilon fractures admitted to Zhejiang Veteran Hospital from May 2018 to May 2021 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into a control group and a study group ( n = 30/group) using the coin-tossing method. Patients in the control group underwent early reduction and internal fixation within 3 days after injury. Patients in the study group underwent delayed reduction and internal fixation during 7-14 days after injury. The time to bone fracture healing and the time to independent weight-bearing walking were recorded. At 3 and 6 months after surgery, the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score, Visual Analogue Scale score, clinical efficacy, and incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results:The time to bone fracture healing and the time to independent weight-bearing walking in the study group were (8.23 ± 0.63) weeks and (11.77 ± 0.82) weeks, respectively, which were significantly shorter than (9.57 ± 0.86) weeks and (13.40 ± 0.93) weeks in the control group ( t = 6.87, 7.21, both P < 0.001). At 3 months after surgery, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the Visual Analogue Scale score in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( t = 6.69, 5.16, both P < 0.001). Overall excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (86.6% vs. 63.3%, χ2 = 4.35, P = 0.037). At 6 months after surgery, there were no significant differences in American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score and Visual Analogue Scale score between the two groups ( t = 0.96, 1.12, P = 0.339, 0.267). At 6 months after surgery, there was no significant difference in the overall excellent and good rate of clinical efficacy between the study and control groups (96.6% vs. 90.0%, χ2 = 0.26, P = 0.605). The incidence of complications in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group (3.3% vs. 26.6%, χ2 = 4.70, P = 0.030). Conclusion:Delayed open reduction and internal fixation after reducing injury to the soft tissue of the affected limbs can effectively shorten the rehabilitation cycle of tibial pilon fracture, increase short-term efficacy, and decrease the risk of postoperative complications.

Objective To establish a Real-time quantitative PCR method (qPCR) for the detection of diatom UPA barcoding genes and evaluate its application in the drowning diagnosis. Methods The homologous sequences of diatoms UPA gene was obtained by Blast from GeneBank, based on which the universal primers for diatoms were designed. DNA were extracted from 2 common human symbiotic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium longum), 3 species of planktonic bacteria, 15 species of planktonic algae, tissue samples (lung, liver and kidney) from human cadavers (28 drowning victims, 1 victims by non-drowning in the water, 3 victims deaths on land) in 32 cases. The specificity, sensitivity and repeatability of the designed primers were tested. The positive rates of diatoms detection in the drowning cases were calculated. The results of the real-time quantitative method were evaluated comparatively by Microwave Digestion-Vacuum Filtration-Automated Scanning Electron Microscopy (MD-VF-Auto SEM) and PCR-Capillary Electrophoresis (PCR-CE). Results The results showed that the primers UPA99 had strong specificity for the diatomaceae (Synedra radians, Navicula sp., Melosira varians, Cyclotella sp. and Nitzschia sp.) DNA. The melting curve of the amplified product was smooth; the peak was narrow; the melting temperature was (87±1)℃. The sensitivity of qPCR method was 1.56×10-5ng/μL with the detection range of 1.56×102ng/mL~1.56×10-5ng/μL, in contrast with the PCR-CE method (1.56×10-3ng/μL). This real-time PCR method showed high repeatability and stability with the coefficient of variation less than 2%. The detection rate of lung, liver and kidney was 89.3%, 71.4% and 64.3% respectively. Conclusion The established qPCR method, based on the universal primers designed for diatom UPA gene, has high specificity, high sensitivity and good repeatability. With a promising prospect for application, qPCR is suitable for drowning diagnosis.

In this study, CD133+ subpopulations were isolated from 41 primary colorectal cancer tissues, the proliferation and cell cycle distribution of the cells were examined without in vitro expansion, and then compared to those of cell lines. The detection of CD133 in colorectal cancer tissues, isolation of CD133+ and CD133- epithelial subpopulations, Ki-67/DNA multiparameter assay and cell volume analysis were flow cytometrically conducted. The results showed that Ki-67 expression was correlated with CD133 level in primary cancer tissues, while cell cycle G2/M phase distribution or clinicopathological characteristics was not. In addition, the CD133+ cells showed larger cell volume and higher Ki-67 expression as compared with CD133- cells. But there was no statistically significant difference in G(2)/M phase distribution between the two subpopulations. Our results demonstrated that the CD133+ subpopulation in colorectal cancer tissue contained more actively cycling and proliferating cells, which was not correlated to clinicopathological factors but might contribute to tumor progression and poor clinical outcome.
AC133 Antigen ; Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Prognosis

Objective:To access the feasibility and efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic debridement (PED) combined with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF) in the treatment of lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis.Methods:49 patients (male 29, female 20), aged 51.2±13.9 years (range 19-81 years), who were diagnosed with lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis and received PED with PPSF in Orthopedic Department, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital and Zhuhai People's Hospital from January 2014 to March 2017, were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were operated in the prone position with the infected locus thoroughly debrided, vertebrae fixed and clinical outcomes were assessed by observing the changes of complaining symptoms, laboratory parameters, clinical functional scores (American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale, AIS; visual analog scale, VAS; Oswestry disability index, ODI) and imaging studies during perioperative and follow-up stages.Results:The mean operative time was 110.1±19.8 min (80-165 min), with intra-operative blood loss 47.8±20.6 ml (range 20-120 ml). All patients reported relief of back pain. Causative pathogens were identified in 36 of 49 biopsy specimens, with staphylococcal bacteria being the most prevalent strain (accounting for 50.0%). During 3-12 months' follow-up, 95.9% (47/49) patients' infection was well-controlled. At 3 month post-operative, C-reactive protein declined from 62.1±37.2 mg/L to 7.5±5.8 mg/L, white blood cell declined from (14.2±3.9)×10 9/L to (6.2±1.1)×10 9/L, ESR declined from 90.3±37.4 mm/1 h to 16.9±7.2 mm/1 h, and the values at 3 months post-operative had significant difference compared with values at pre-operative ( t=10.15, P<0.001; t=13.49, P<0.001; t=13.82, P<0.001). Spontaneous fusion was observed among 56.8% (21/37) of the patients during long-term radiological follow-ups (more than 1.5 years). At the last follow-up, the VAS declined from 7.4±0.6 points pre-operative to 0.5±0.3 post-operative, ODI declined from 78.2%±9.1% pre-operative to 14.0%±8.6% post-operative, and the values at the last follow-up had significant difference compared with values at pre-operative ( t=72.00, P<0.001; t=35.89, P<0.001). There were 38 cases of AIS E, and 11 cases of AIS D at pre-operative, while 43 cases of AIS E and 6 cases of AIS D. However, there were 11 patients developed post-operative complications, among whom 2 with recurrent infection, 2 with secondary neurological impairment. Conclusion:PED combined with PPSF effectively eliminated infected locus, stabilized the affected vertebrae, improved patients' clinical outcomes with small trauma, thereby offering an alternative for the treatment of lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

OBJECTIVEDust sample mass gain is too smaller to satisfy the limit of detection (LOD) even in most cases during dust sampling at workplaces nowdays, especially for respirable fraction. Therefore, it is aimed to solve the problem by increasing sample load with high flow rate samplers.

METHODSIn A and B two shipyards respirable welding fume was sampled by high flow rate cyclone samplers of FSP-10 (10 L/min) for 2-2.5 hours and normal flow rate FSP-2 (2 L/min) for 3-4 hours with a stratigy of parallele sampling at the same workpalce, in order to compare their mass gain, coincidence rate with LOD, and airborn dust concentration.

RESULTSSample mass gain of 0.97±0.40 mg and 1.61±0.86 mg respectively in the two factories by FSP-10 was significantly higher than that of 0.29±0.12 mg and 0.51±0.27 mg by FSP-2 (t-test, P<0.05 in both cases) , increasing herewith the coincidence rate with LOD from 26.8% (when sampling with FSP-2, calculated together with samples of the two factories) to 89.7%. However there was no significant difference in dust concentrations by the two different samplers, 0.53±1.88 vs 0.73±1.61 mg/m(3) by FSP-2 and FSP-10 in the shipyard A and 1.14±1.78 vs 1.01±1.63 mg/m(3) in the factory B (t-test, P>0.05 in every case) . In addtion, sample loading by FSP-2 was found to be correlated to sampling time (R(2)=0.7906, y=0.002 6x) , therefore, it has to sample for ≥192.3 min to meet the LOD (0.5 mg) in case of normal flow rate.

CONCLUSIONBy using of high flow rate cyclone FSP-10 the problem of LOD could be solved, along with increased sample mass and similar respirable dust concentration by the two samplers. Some techincal improvements of FSP-10 and increasing of LOD coincidence rate by other methods was also disscussed.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Construction Industry ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; instrumentation ; Occupational Exposure ; Ships ; Workplace