Objective To explore the diagnostic value of 64-slice spiral CT on atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring syndrome.Methods The 48 atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring patients who were found by conventional anterior posterior and lateral X-ray film were collected.The 64-slice spiral CT volume scan and following volume restitution(V R)and multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)were underwent,and multi-directional structural morphology was displayed.Their relationship with clinical features were analyzed.Results Among 48 cases of atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring,24 cases were shown with right complete bridge[pore size(6.59±0.50)mm],36 cases with left complete bridge[pore size(6.19±0.49)mm],24 cases with right incomplete bridge and 12 cases with left incomplete bridge.Thirty cases were diagnosed as atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring syndrome,and all had the atlantoaxial joint asymmetry and vertigo of different degree when head and neck rotated.Conclusions The 64-slice spiral CT can clearly display the anatomical features of posterior bridge of atlas and measure the pore size of atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring,and it has important diagnostic value for atlas vertebral artery sulcus ring syndrome.

Objective:To analyze the correlation factors between peripapillary duodenal diverticulum (PDD) and choledochectasia by CT scan.Methods:The clinical data of 220 patients with duodenal diverticulum detected by multi-slice spiral CT scan and confirmed by gastrointestinal angiography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Dahua Hospital, Xuhui District of Shanghai City were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation of the PDD, the contact of common bile duct (CBD), length of contact and exudation with choledochectasia in patients with PDD were analyzed.Results:A total of 236 duodenal diverticulum were found in 220 patients. Among them, there were 152 PDD, 41 diverticulum located superior to the duodenal papilla, 28 diverticulum located inferior to the duodenal papilla, 3 diverticulum located lateral to the duodenal papilla, and 12 diverticulumlocated in the horizontal portion. The incidence of choledochectasia in patients with PDD contacted with CBD was significantly higher than that in patients with PDD not contacted with CBD: 59.35% (73/123) vs. 37.93% (11/29), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the incidence of choledochectasia in patients with contact length of PDD and CBD ≥1.5 cm was significantly higher than that in patients without contact of PDD and CBD and patients with contact length of PDD and CBD <1.5 cm: 82.43% (61/74) vs. 24.49% (12/49) and 37.93% (11/29), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05); the incidence of choledochectasia in PDD patients with exudation was significantly higher than that in PDD patients without exudation: 10/11 vs. 52.48% (74/141), and there was statistical difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The patients with contact length of PDD and CBD ≥1.5 cm and patients with PDD combined with exudation could be prone to choledochectasia.

Reproductive tract infection is one of the important factors of male reproduction. Polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase (PMNE) in semen, as a marker of male reproductive tract inflammation, especially recessive infection, potentially affects male fertility. The concentration of PMNE in semen is correlated significantly not only with semen white blood cell count and seminal plasma ROS level, but also with the levels of other inflammation related cytokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha. Furthermore, PMNE has a negative impact on sperm quality by decreasing sperm motility, increasing the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm and interfering with DNA integrity. PMNE inhibitors in semen can form a compound with PMNE, and the imbalanced proportions of the two may promote the development of chronic inflammation, and consequently lead to male infertility. At present, PMNE in semen is detected mainly by enzyme immunoassay, but this method still needs to be standardized, and the diagnostic standards to be unified.
Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; Male ; Semen ; enzymology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for treatment of proximal humerus fractures with PHILOS plate.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to July 2009, 22 cases of proximal humerus fractures were treated with MIPPO with PHILOS plate. According to Neer classification, 7 cases had two-part fractures, 12 had three-part fractures, and 3 had four-part fractures.

RESULTSAll the 22 cases were followed up ranging from 6 to 12 months with an average of 10 months. The functional results of the shoulder, according to Neer scores, were classified as excellent in 9 cases, good in 10 cases and fair in 3 cases, with an average score was 86.4%.

CONCLUSIONPHILOS using MIPPO shows good results for treating proximal humerus fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Shoulder Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of regenerating a whole menisci using poly-(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) scaffolds loaded with meniscal cells in rabbits undergoing total meniscectomy, and to explore its protective effect on cartilage degeneration.

METHODSA solvent casting and particulate leaching technique was employed to fabricate biodegradable PHBV scaffolds into a meniscal shape. The proliferated meniscal cells were seeded onto the polymer scaffolds, transplanted into rabbit knee joints whose lateral menisci had been removed. Eight to 18 weeks after transplantation, the rege- nerated neomenisci were evaluated by gross and histological observations. Cartilage degeneration was assessed by Mankin score.

RESULTSEighteen weeks after transplantation, the implants formed neomenisci. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of the neomenisci sections revealed regeneration of fibrocartilage. Type I collagen in the neomenisci was also proved similar to normal meniscal tissue by immunohistochemical analysis and Sirius scarlet trinitrophenol staining. Articular cartilage degeneration was observed 8 weeks after implantation. It was less severe as compared with that in total meniscectomy controls and no further degeneration was observed at 18 weeks. At that time, the regenerated neomenisci strongly resembled normal meniscal fibrocartilage in gross and histological appearance, and its mechanical property was also close to that of normal meniscus.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates the feasibility of tissue-engineering a whole meniscal structure in total meniscectomy rabbit models using biodegradable PHBV scaffolds together with cultured allogeneic meniscal cells. Cartilage degeneration is decreased. But long-term in vivo investigations on the histological structure and cartilage degeneration of the neomenisci regenerated by this method are still necessary to determine the clinical potential of this tissue engineering avenue.

Animals ; Cartilage, Articular ; Cells, Cultured ; Knee Joint ; Menisci, Tibial ; Polymers ; Regeneration ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo prepare a purified recombinant human neutrophil elastase (HNE) using genetic engineering technology, and pave the way for the preparation of the antibody to HNE and establishment of semen HNE detection methods.

METHODSHNE mRNA was obtained from human peripheral blood granulocytes with specific HNE primers, and the cDNA of HNE was cloned into the plasmid pGEX-2T to derive a recombinant plasmid pGEX-2T/HNE. After PCR identification, double-enzyme digestion and gene sequencing, the recombinant plasmid was transferred into competent Escherichia coli DH5alpha and further induced to express the recombinant fusion protein GST/HNE by isopropyl beta-D-thiosulfate galactosidase (IPTG). The recombinant fusion protein was cleaved by thrombin and further purified with glutathione agarose beads to obtain purified recombinant HNE.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid pGEX-2T/HNE was successfully prepared and transferred into E. coli DH5o; the expression of the recombinant fusion protein GST/ HNE was successfully induced by IPTG at 18 degrees C overnight; and the purified recombinant protein HNE was successfully obtained by thrombin cleavage and purification of glutathione agarose beads.

CONCLUSIONThe acquirement of purified recombinant HNE has prepared the ground for the preparation of the antibody to HNE and establishment of semen HNE detection methods.

DNA Primers ; Genetic Engineering ; Humans ; Leukocyte Elastase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Neutrophils ; enzymology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between abdominal fat volume and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome in obesity people.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to July 2010, 50 patients with BMI > 25 were prospectively selected for study from the patients who complained of snoring in the Respiratory department. The patients were divided into OSAHS group and non-OSAHS group according to the result of sleep apnea monitoring. All the patients also received full abdominal CT and the whole abdominal fat volume was measured by 3-D CT reconstruction system. SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe whole abdominal fat volume in the two groups was analyzed by T- test, which was significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.01). It showed that there was a statistical relationship between OSAHS and abdominal fat in obesity people.

CONCLUSIONIn obesity people, OSAHS has a close relationship with abdominal fat volume. The abdominal fat volume is markedly higher in OSAHS patients than that in non-OSAHS people.

Abdominal Fat ; diagnostic imaging ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; diagnostic imaging ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDAs precise positioning of ankle radiography is not possible, quantitative measurement of all syndesmotic parameters on repeated ankle X-ray films may be of little value. The purpose of this study was to provide a set of scientific and objective evaluation criteria for assessing the quality of ankle fracture reduction accurately and reliably by an intelligent combining three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT) measurement model.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to March 2011, all the thin-slice CT images of 100 cases (50 males and 50 females) with normal ankle joint scanned by 16-slice spiral CT were collected. Two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D images of ankle joints were generated by using multiple planar reconstruction (MPR) and surface shaded display (SSD) respectively. The relevant parameters about bone structures and their relationship were measured and analyzed based on 3-D topological narrow division technique and 3-D measurement techniques combining essential elements of point, line and surface.

RESULTSIn this study, the mean distance from lateral malleolus tip to talocrural articular surface, the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus to talocrural articular surface and lateral malleolus tip to the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus were (22.83 ± 1.12) mm, (12.84 ± 1.09) mm, and (61.18 ± 2.03) mm respectively in male group, and (20.16 ± 1.00) mm, (10.30 ± 1.05) mm and (53.00 ± 1.40) mm respectively in female group. The above three parameters were correlated with gender, height and weight (P < 0.05). However, the mean perpendicular distance from lateral malleolus tip to the plane through the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus, the talocrural angle, later clear space, medial clear space, and the superior clear space were (9.93 ± 0.29) mm, (10.01 ± 0.38)°, (1.94 ± 0.16) mm, (2.78 ± 0.19) mm, and (3.14 ± 0.15) mm respectively in 100 cases, were not significance correlated with gender, height and weight (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study could provide a certain amount of relevant data for the standard of injured ankle anatomical reduction and the second surgery planning after malunion. The methods of measurement are reliable, reproducible, and easy to apply in practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

In this study, the inhibitory effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC) on interleukin-17 (IL-17) production in peripheral blood T cells from patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) were investigated, in order to explore the therapeutic potential of hUCMSC in the SpA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated from patients with SpA (n = 12) and healthy subjects (n = 6). PBMNC were cultured in vitro with hUCMSC or alone. The expression of IL-17 in CD4(+) T cells or γ/δ T cells were determined in each subject group by flow cytometry. IL-17 concentrations in PBMNC culture supernatants were measured by ELISA. The results indicated that the proportion of IL-17-producing CD4(+) T cells and IL-17-producing γ/δ T cells of SpA patients were 4.5 folds and 5 folds of healthy controls [CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells (3.42 ± 0.82)% vs (0.75 ± 0.25)%, P < 0.01; CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells (0.30 ± 0.10)% vs (0.06 ± 0.02)%, P < 0.01]. After co-culture of PBMNC in patients with hUCMSC, the increased proportions of CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells and CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells in SpA patients were inhibited significantly by hUCMSC [CD3(+)CD4(+)IL-17(+) cells (3.42 ± 0.82)% vs (1.81 ± 0.59)% (P < 0.01); CD3(+)γδTCR(+)IL-17(+) cells (0.30 ± 0.10)% vs (0.16 ± 0.06)% (P < 0.01]. In response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA, 1 µg/ml), PBMNC from SpA patients secreted more IL-17 than that from healthy control [(573.95 ± 171.68) pg/ml vs (115.53 ± 40.41) pg/ml (P < 0.01)]. In the presence of hUCMSC, PBMNC of SpA patients produced less amount of IL-17 [(573.95 ± 171.68) pg/ml vs (443.20 ± 147.94) pg/ml, (P < 0.01)]. It is concluded that the IL-17 production in peripheral blood T cells from SpA patients can be inhibited by hUCMSC, which have therapeutic potential for SpA.
Humans ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Spondylarthritis ; blood ; metabolism ; therapy ; T-Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum reproductive hormones with male aging and to compare the differences in the hormone levels among different age groups or between township and rural males of the same age group.

METHODSUsing cluster and stratified sampling, we recruited 434 healthy old and middle-aged (40-69 years) males, 198 from the township and 236 from the rural communities. We determined the concentrations of serum total testosterone (tT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (fT), bio-available testosterone (Bio-T), and obtained the testosterone secretion index (TSI) and free testosterone index (fTI). Meanwhile, we included fifty-nine 20-39 years old males from the same communities in a control group.

RESULTSWith the increase of age, the serum tT levels did not change significantly, while the levels of serum LH and SHBG increased, and those of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI decreased gradually. Statistically significant differences were found among the four different age groups in all the parameters of reproductive hormones (P < 0.01), except in the serum tT level (P > 0.05). The serum tT level was not significantly correlated with aging and LH (P > 0.05). Serum LH and SHBG had a marked positive correlation with aging, and SHBG with LH (P < 0.01), while fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were negatively correlated with aging and the LH level (P < 0.01). Serum LH, TSI and fTI showed statistical differences (P < 0.05), while fT and Bio-T exhibited extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) between the township and rural males in the 40 -49 yr group, and in the same age group, the increase rates of serum LH and SHBG and reduction rates of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were higher in the rural men than in the township residents. However, the results were just the opposite in the 50 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of serum LH, SHBG, fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI changed with aging in a gradientmanner in the old and middle-aged males, but no significant changes were observed in the level of serum tT. There were statistical differences in many parameters of serum reproductive hormones among different age groups or between township and rural males.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; China ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urban Population ; Young Adult