Objective To discuss the clinical value of ~(18)F-FDG PET-CT fusion imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma after transcatheter arterial chemoembolizationTACE)with lipiodol. Methods 15 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma diameter 4～10 cm) were investigated with ~(18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging within three months after TACE. The findings of imaging were compared with the results of anteriography and clinical follow-up.Results After TACE, regions of absent~(18)F-FDG uptakes could be found in all 15 patients. Increased ~(18)F-FDG uptakes could be found in liver of 11 cases. The other 4 patients had no increased~(18)F-FDG uptakes in liver. The regions of increased ~(18)F-FDG uptakes were residual viable tumor confirmed by anteriography and clinical follow-up , and most of them locate around region of absent ~(18) F-FDG uptakes.~(18)F-FDG PET-CT fusion imaging showed that there were no correlation between increased ~(18)F-FDG uptakes and lipiodol dense distribution. After another TACE given or radiotherapy based on ~(18)F-FDG PET-CT fusion imaging, the areas of increased ~(18)F-FDG uptakes reduced or disappeared. In 4 patients without Increased ~(18)F-FDG uptakes ,DSA showed that there were still viable tumor in the peripheral zone of tumor.Conclusion Residual viable tumor can still be found in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE.~(18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging can characterize and locate the most residual viable tumor, monitor response and be a guide in following therapy, but some viable tumor can not be found by ~(18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging.

Objective To observe the efficacy of total ankle replacement in treatment of osteoarthritis of ankle joint.Methods Between October 1999 and October 2006,42 patients with ankle osteoarthritis were admitted in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.All the patients met surgical indications and were performed total ankle replacement with S.T.A.R.system ( Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement) (Waldemar Link,Hamburg,Germany).The pain in patients,motion and function of joint were evaluated pre- and post-operatively according to Kofoed scoring system,and the efficacy was evaluated with the Mayo'evaluation criteria of total ankle replacement.Results According to Kofoed scoring system,the postoperative situation was obviously superior to the preoperative in pain,motion and function of joint(P ＜ 0.05 ),and the excellent and good rate was 90.32％.While,the excellent and good rate was 87.5％with the Mayo' evaluation criteria of total ankle replacement.Conclusion Total ankle replacement,which can relieve pain,restore ankle function and improve ankle activity,provides another effective method for the patients who need ankle arthrodesis.

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes which play an important role in the neutralization of toxic compounds and eradication of electrophilic carcinogens. Genetic polymorphisms within the genes encoding for GSTs may therefore cause variations in their enzyme activity, which may in turn influence the interindividual susceptibility to cancers. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 264 cases and 317 controls in a Chinese population. Genotyping was performed by using multiplex PCR (for GSTT1 and GSTM1) and PCR-RFLP (for GSTP1) methods. The association between the polymorphic genotypes and CRC risk was evaluated by deriving odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using unconditional logistic regression analysis. Our results showed that individuals with GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotypes exhibited a higher risk of CRC (GSTT1, OR,1.66; 95% CI, 1.20-2.31, P=0.003; GSTM1, OR,1.57; 95% CI,1.13-2.18, P=0.007), while no association was observed for GSTP1 (P(heterozygous)=0.790 or P(variant)=0.261). Furthermore, individuals who simultaneously carried the null genotypes for both GSTT1 and GSTM1 showed a stronger risk association (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.33-2.85; P<0.001). In conclusion, the GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms, but not GSTP1, may modulate the CRC risk among Chinese.
Aged ; Alleles ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*enzymology/*genetics/pathology ; Female ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi/*genetics ; Glutathione Transferase/*genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Risk

Background and Objectives: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) participate in vascular repair and predict cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between EPCs and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Methods: and Results: Patients (age 67±9.41 years) suffering from AAAs (aortic diameters 58.09±11.24 mm) were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients received endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 14 days after surgery from patients with aortic aneurysms. Samples were also obtained from age-matched control subjects. Circulating EPCs were defined as those cells that were double positive for CD34 and CD309. Rat models of AAA formation were generated by the peri-adventitial elastase application of either saline solution (control; n=10), or porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE; n=14). The aortas were analyzed using an ultrasonic video system and immunohistochemistry. The levels of CD34＋/CD309＋ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations were measured by flow cytometry. The baseline numbers of circulating EPCs (CD34＋/CD309＋) in the peripheral blood were significantly smaller in AAA patients compared with control subjects. The number of EPCs doubled by the 14th day after EVAR. A total of 78.57% of rats in the PPE group (11/14) formed AAAs (dilation ratio ＞150%). The numbers of EPCs from defined AAA rats were significantly decreased compared with the control group. Conclusions EPC levels may be useful for monitoring abdominal aorta aneurysms and rise after EVAR in patients with aortic aneurysms, and might contribute to the rapid endothelialization of vessels.

Objective:To compare the mechanical properties between our self-designed axially controlled compression spinal rod (ACCSR) and conventional spinal rod (CSR) for lumbar spondylolysis (LS).Methods:This study selected 36 ACCSRs (the ACCSR group) and 36 CSRs (the CSR group), both of which were in a diameter of 6.0 mm and manufactured in the same batch. They were subjected respectively to biomechanical tests of spinal rod and pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system. In spinal rod tests: the stiffness and yield load of the spinal rods were calculated using four-point bending tests ( n=7) and comparisons were made between the 2 groups; spinal rod fatigue tests ( n=8) recorded the successful compression loads after 2.5 million cycles of loading and compared them with the maximum force at the isthmus of a normal adult's unilateral lumbar spine (198.72 N). In tests of the pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system, the axial compression tests ( n=7) measured the axial gripping capacity, the axial torsion tests ( n=7) the torsional gripping capacity, and the lateral compression tests ( n=7) the stiffness and yield load of pedicle screws in the 2 groups respectively. Results:The stiffness [(1,543.37±61.41) N/mm] and yield load [1,338.57 (1,282.00, 1,353.80) N] of ACCSR group were significantly smaller than those of CSR group [(3,797.63±156.15) N/mm and 4,059.95 (3,813.80, 4,090.89) N] ( P<0.05). The spinal rod fatigue tests showed that the respective loads of CSR and ACCSR passing the 2.5 million fatigue tests were 640.00 N and 320.00 N, both larger than the maximum force at the unilateral lumbar isthmus of a normal adult (198.72 N). There were no significant differences between the ACCSR group and the CSR group in the axial gripping capacity and torsional gripping capacity, as well as in stiffness and yield load of screws between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In fixation of LS, although the yield load, stiffness and fatigue resistance of ACCSR are inferior to those of CSR, the biomechanical properties of the two sets of pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system are comparable. The fatigue resistance of ACCSR can meet the stress requirements of the normal human isthmus.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of occupational hazards in automobile manufacturing enterprises in Shandong Province.Methods:From February to May 2019, the convenience sampling method was adopted to conduct on-site occupational health surveys with 20 automobile manufacturing enterprises in Shandong Province as the survey subjects, to detect the occupational hazard factors in the workplaces and individual exposure levels, and to analyze the occupational health check results of operators.Results:There were 13 small-sized, 4 medium-sized and 3 large-sized enterprises among the 20 automobile manufacturing enterprises. The detection results of benzene and toluene in the workplaces met the occupational exposure limits, and the detection results of welding fumes, manganese and its compounds, and xylene exceed the occupational exposure limits. The maximum short-term exposure concentration ( CSTE) of welding fume in the air of workplaces was 24.23 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 11.0% (16/146) . The maximum time-weighted average concentration ( CTWA) of welding fume of operators is 10.60 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 11.0% (8/73) . The maximum CSTE of manganese and its compounds in the air of workplaces was 0.879 mg/m 3, and the of manganese and its compounds of operators was 0.175 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 5.7% (4/70) . The maximum xylene CSTE in the air of workplaces was 230.00 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 3.9% (2/51) . The maximum xylene CTWA of operators was 70.40 mg/m 3, the over-standard rate was 3.6% (1/28) . Among the 4775 workers exposed to occupational hazards, 38 (0.80%) were suspected of electric welder's pneumoconiosis, 27 (0.57%) were suspected of manganese poisoning and 31 (0.65%) were suspected of chronic low-concentration benzene and benzene series poisoning. The detection rates of suspected occupational diseases among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises were relatively high, 2.86% (30/1048) and 4.51% (51/1132) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rates of suspected occupational diseases among the operators of different scale automobile manufacturers ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The exposure levels of electric welding fumes, manganese and its compounds in welding jobs and xylene exposure levels in spray painting jobsin Shandong Province's automobile manufacturing enterprises are more serious. The supervision and management of occupational hygiene should be strengthened, the working environment should be improved, and the health of welding and painting workers should be protected.

Background and Objectives: The influence of pre-intervention coronary physiologic status on outcomes post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not well known. We sought to investigate the prognostic implications of pre-PCI fractional flow reserve (FFR) combined with post-PCI FFR. Methods: A total of 1,479 PCI patients with pre-and post-PCI FFR data were analyzed. The patients were classified according to the median values of pre-PCI FFR (0.71) and post-PCI FFR (0.88). The primary outcome was target vessel failure (TVF) at 2 years. Results: The risk of TVF was higher in the low pre-PCI FFR group than in the high pre-PCI FFR group (hazard ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–2.87; p=0.011). In 4 group comparisons, the cumulative incidences of TVF at 2 years were 3.8%, 4.1%, 4.8%, and 10.2% in the high pre-/high post-, low pre-/high post-, high pre-/low post-, and low pre-/low post-PCI FFR groups, respectively. The risk of TVF was the highest in the low pre-/low post-PCI FFR group among the groups (p values for comparisons <0.05). In addition, the high pre-/low post-PCI FFR group presented a comparable risk of TVF with the high post-PCI FFR groups (p values for comparison >0.05). When the prognostic value of the post-PCI FFR was evaluated according to the pre-PCI FFR, the risk of TVF significantly decreased with an increase in postPCI FFR in the low pre-PCI FFR group, but not in the high pre-PCI FFR group. Conclusions Pre-PCI FFR was associated with clinical outcomes after PCI, and the prognostic value of post-PCI FFR differed according to the pre-PCI FFR.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of occupational hazards in automobile manufacturing enterprises in Shandong Province.Methods:From February to May 2019, the convenience sampling method was adopted to conduct on-site occupational health surveys with 20 automobile manufacturing enterprises in Shandong Province as the survey subjects, to detect the occupational hazard factors in the workplaces and individual exposure levels, and to analyze the occupational health check results of operators.Results:There were 13 small-sized, 4 medium-sized and 3 large-sized enterprises among the 20 automobile manufacturing enterprises. The detection results of benzene and toluene in the workplaces met the occupational exposure limits, and the detection results of welding fumes, manganese and its compounds, and xylene exceed the occupational exposure limits. The maximum short-term exposure concentration ( CSTE) of welding fume in the air of workplaces was 24.23 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 11.0% (16/146) . The maximum time-weighted average concentration ( CTWA) of welding fume of operators is 10.60 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 11.0% (8/73) . The maximum CSTE of manganese and its compounds in the air of workplaces was 0.879 mg/m 3, and the of manganese and its compounds of operators was 0.175 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 5.7% (4/70) . The maximum xylene CSTE in the air of workplaces was 230.00 mg/m 3, and the over-standard rate was 3.9% (2/51) . The maximum xylene CTWA of operators was 70.40 mg/m 3, the over-standard rate was 3.6% (1/28) . Among the 4775 workers exposed to occupational hazards, 38 (0.80%) were suspected of electric welder's pneumoconiosis, 27 (0.57%) were suspected of manganese poisoning and 31 (0.65%) were suspected of chronic low-concentration benzene and benzene series poisoning. The detection rates of suspected occupational diseases among workers in small and medium-sized enterprises were relatively high, 2.86% (30/1048) and 4.51% (51/1132) respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the detection rates of suspected occupational diseases among the operators of different scale automobile manufacturers ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The exposure levels of electric welding fumes, manganese and its compounds in welding jobs and xylene exposure levels in spray painting jobsin Shandong Province's automobile manufacturing enterprises are more serious. The supervision and management of occupational hygiene should be strengthened, the working environment should be improved, and the health of welding and painting workers should be protected.

Periodontitis is a common chronic infectious oral disease, which is characterized by gingival inflammation,pocket formation, alveolar bone loss and tooth mobility. Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, whose pathological features in skin lesions are excessive proliferation of epidermal cells, parakeratosis of the derma, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. Both periodontitis and psoriasis are closely related to the interleukin(IL)-23/helper T cell 17(Th17)/IL-17 axis in their immunopathological mechanisms. The risk factors of psoriasis include smoking, vitamin D deficiency, obesity, emotional stress, etc, of which most factors are also common risk factors of periodontitis. The present article reviews the research advances in the interaction of the two diseases and their possible common mechanisms from three aspects, i.e. clinical study, IL-23/Th17/IL-17 pathway and common risk factors, which may be helpful to provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

With the transition of the medical model from the traditional biomedical model to the biopsychosocial one, there is a growing trend and requirement for oral operations that prioritize comfort, pain management, minimally invasive techniques, and visualization. Consequently, demands for comfortable dental treatments among individuals are increasing. However, initial periodontal therapy is often accompanied by pain, and patients′ reactions to pain range from nervousness to dental fear, such as irritability, hyperventilation, even nausea, vomiting, and refusal to cooperate, which make the implementation of initial periodontal therapy difficult or even impossible. This article will focus on three key steps: firstly, the preparation of the clinic, the acquisition of patients′ trust and the implementation of preventive sedation before treatment; secondly, the use of comfort operation and nursing, psychological intervention measures, local anesthesia, and sedation techniques during treatment; thirdly, the health education and follow-up after treatment. By addressing these aspects, we aim to clarify how to perform comfortable initial periodontal therapy step by step.