Objective:To investigate the effect of early intervention on intelligent development of the premature infants. Method:62 premature infants were randomly assigned to the intervention group and the control group. The early intervention began from the birth of the infants to their 2 years old.Result:At the age of one and two, the mental development index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control.Conclusion:Early intervention can improve intelligent development of premature infants.

Objective To explore the reliability and validity of poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) rods and pedicle screw system for lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods Sixty-three patients,including 23 men and 40 women with the mean age of 56.2±5.1 years (range,35-75 years),treated by PEEK rods pedicle screw system from September 2012 to March 2013 were retrospectively recruited.Fusion procedure were performed in 10 patients,with 2 cases at L3,4,5 cases at L4,5,3 cases at L5S1; nonfusion procedure were performed in 17 patients,with 4 cases at L3,4,10 cases at L4,5,3 cases at L5S1; hybrid procedure were performed in 36 patients,with 22 case fusion at L4,5 and nonfusion at L3,4,with 2 cases fusion at L3,4 and nonfusion at L4,5,with 12 cases fusion at L5S1 and nonfusion at L4,5.Clinical effects were evaluated via Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score and Oswestry disfunction index (ODI) at 3 months,6 months and 24 months postoperatively.Disc heights were measured by disc height index on lateral lumbar radiograph.Range of motion (ROM) was measured by extension-flexion lumbar X-ray.Three-dimensional CT reconstruction was achieved to observe the integrity of PEEK rods at the final follow-up.Results The mean follow-up were 23.4±3.3 months.The mean operation time were 110±17 min in the fusion group,98±22 min in the non-fusion group and 121±25 min in the hybrid group.The mean blood loss were 270±85 ml in the fusion group,255±72 ml in the non-fusion group and 316±80 ml in the hybrid group.The JOA score improved from 10.5±2.6 preoperatively to 24.0±3.1 at the final follow-up in the fusion group,from 10.3±2.2 to 24.3±3.4 in the non-fusion group and from 11.1±2.3 to 23.9±3.3 in the hybrid group (P＜0.05).The ODI decreased from 51.8％±10.3％ preoperatively to 14.1％±3.7％ at the final follow-up in the fusion group,from 52.2％±11.1％ to 13.2％±3.2％ in the non-fusion group and from 53.4％±9.2％ to 13.8％±2.5％ in the hybrid group.There was no significantly statistical difference in the disc height index at 3 months,6 months and 24 months postoperatively compared with that at preoperative.The ROM decreased from 8.8°±1.8° preoperatively to 2.2°±0.3° at the final follow-up (P＜0.05).One case demonstrated cage migration at one month follow-up,bony fusion in situ at 3 months follow-up,and the patient had no related symptoms during the follow-up.No screw loosening or breakage and rods breakage was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion PEEK rods and pedicle screw system for lumbar degenerative diseases by fusion,non-fusion and hybrid procedure can achieve considerable clinical outcome with low complication rate.

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

METHODSThirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and an electroacupuncture group. The single prolonged stress (SPS) method was used to set up the PTSD models in latter two groups. After SPS Stimulation, EA group was treated with 2Hz electroacupuncture at Baihui (GV 20) and Zusanli (ST 36) for 30 min, once a day for a week. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immuno-histochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of nNOS in the hippocampus of rats in the each group.

RESULTS(1) The nNOS mRNA expression in hippocampus in model group was higher than that in normal group (P < 0.05). But the expression in EA group was lower significantly than that in model group (P < 0.05). (2) The nNOS protein expression in hippocampus CA1 and CA3 in model group was higher than that in normal group (P < 0.05). But after electroacupuncture treatment, its expression in EA group was lower significantly than that in model group (P < 0.05). The nNOS protein expression in hippocampal CA2 had no difference among all three groups.

CONCLUSIONThe elevated nNOS expression in hippocampus may be involved in the pathological process of PTSD. Electroacupuncture play a down-regulation effects in the hippocampal nNOS expression, which may be one mechanism of electroacupuncture for treatment of PTSD.

Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Humans ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; enzymology ; genetics ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the genotoxicity of components of diesel engine exhausts with ethanol-diesel blending fuel. To provide scientific arguments to find more economical and less polluted fuels.

METHODSAmes test, comet assay and GC-MS technique were used to test the genotoxicity and 16 kinds of PAHs on diesel engine exhausts with different proportions of ethanol (E0, E5, E10, E20).

RESULTSBoth Ames test and comet assay were positive. It shows that diesel engine exhausts can lead to mutation and DNA damage, especially in pure diesel oil. But the content of 16 kinds of PAHs and DNA damage level decreased in exhausts of E5. With the increase of ethanol proportion in diesel oil, the content of 16 kinds of PAHs and DNA damage level increased.

CONCLUSIONCompared with pure diesel oil and high proportion of ethanol fuel, E5 can reduce the genotoxicity and the brake specific exhausts of PAHs.

Air Pollutants ; toxicity ; Air Pollution ; Carbon Monoxide ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Ethanol ; toxicity ; Gasoline ; toxicity ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Particulate Matter ; Vehicle Emissions ; toxicity

Objective To demonstrate lower limb angiography results of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in diabetics and evaluate one-year curative effect after interventional therapy. Methods Lower limb angiography results and the efficiency of interventional therapy for 44 limbs with PAD in 38 diabetics were retrospectively analyzed. Post-treatment clinical manifestations, signs and ankle-brachial-index (ABI) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months were compared with those before treatment. Clinical evaluation was divided into four grades: apparent, effective, ineffective and deterioration. Efficiency =(apparent + effective ) / total cases ÷ 100%. ABI was compared using analysis of variance. Results Lower limb angiography revealed multi-branch lesions, with multi-segmental stenoses or obstructions.Lesions involved both above- and below-the-knee arteries in 25 limbs (56. 8% ), only above-the-knee arteries in 3 limbs (6. 8% ) and only below-the-knee arteries in 16 limbs (36. 4% ). In the limbs only with below-the-knee arterial lesions, the involved artery branches were one in one limb (2. 3% ), two in six limbs ( 13. 6% ) and three in nine limbs ( 20. 5% ), respectively. The technical success rate of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was 91.4% ( 53/58 ) for diseased below-the-knee arteries. Among the 12 cases with foot and ankle ulcers, ulcers healed within 3 months in 9 cases; however, the other three cases suffered below-the-ankle (in one case) or below-the-knee amputation (in two cases) within 6 months. Four cases with gangrene suffered below-the-knee amputation within one month after PTA. The amputation rate was 15. 9% (7/44). At 1 week, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after PTA, the effective rates were 79. 6%(35/44), 83.3% (30/36), 85.7% (24/28), 85.0% (17/20) and 81.3% ( 13/16), respectively; ABI values were 0. 86 ± 0. 10, 0. 85 ± 0. 10, 0. 83 ± 0. 11, 0. 79 ± 0. 12 and 0. 75 ± 0. 12, respectively.Compared with pre-PTA ABI value (0. 53 ±0. 20), post-PTA ABI value was significant higher (F=35.79,P ＜ 0. 05 ). However, ABI value began to decline from the 6th month after PTA. Conclusions In diabetics, PAD always involves both above- and below-the-knee arteries. PTA is a feasible and effective revascularization therapy, which could improve the clinical signs and symptoms of lower limb ischemia in diabetics with PAD. The clinical effect is satisfactory during short-term follow-up.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anatomical distribution of acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity,and compare different therapeutic methods including anticoagulation alone,thrombolysis through dorsal vein and interventional therapy.MethodsThe clinical data,venography and therapies of 204 acute DVT patients were retrospectively studied According to the distribution,DVT were classified into three types including peripheral,central and mixed types.According to the difference of the therapeutic method,each type of DVT was divided into three groups,Group A (37 patients) anticoagulation alone:Group B(55 patients) thrombolysis through dorsal vein:and Group C( 112 patients) interventional therapy.The results of different kind of treatment method in each type of DVT were evaluated before the patients were discharged and the Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.Results There were 132 patients with DVT in the left lower extremity,62 in right lower extremity,and 10 in both extremities.The complication of pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred in 4,5 and 2 cases respectively,and the morbidity was 3.0％,8.1％ and 20.0％ ( x2 = 6.494,P = 0.039 ) respectively.There was significant statistical difference among them.There were 23 cases of peripheral type of DVT,48 central type and 133 mixed type.The complication of PE were observed in 2,5 and 4 cases respectively in each type.The morbidity was 8.7％,10.4％ and 3.0％ respectively ( x2 = 4.350,P = 0.114 ).There were no statistical significance among them.In the 23 cases of peripheral type DVTs,2 of 5 in group A and 11 of 18 in group B had excellent therapeutic response.In the 48 cases of central type of DVTs,1 of 10 in group A,2 of 5 in in group B and 26 of 33 in group C had excellent therapeutic response.There were statistically significant differences among groups A,B and C ( x2 = 16.157,P =0.000).In the 133 cases of mixed type DVTs,1 of 22 in group A,10 of 32 in group B and 65 of 79 in group C had excellent therapeutic response.There were statistically significant differences among group A,B and C ( 1,10,65 cases,x2 = 53.993,P =0.000).ConclusionsThe incidence of acute DVT involving the left lower extremity was higher than that involving the right one,and the majority of cases was of the mixed type.The treatment of choice for the central and mixed types was interventional therapy.Analysis of anatomical distribution of deep venous thrombosis can guide treatment planning.

BACKGROUNDPostoperative preablative stimulated thyroglobulin (ps-Tg) has been evaluated in predicting prognosis and success of ablation regarding differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC); however, its relationship with recurrence risk and radioiodine decision-making remains uncertain, especially in Chinese DTC patients. We aimed to evaluate the association between ps-Tg and recurrence risk stratification in DTC, to provide incremental values for ps-Tg in postoperative assessment and radioiodine management.

METHODSSeven hundred and seven patients with DTC were included; low-risk (L; n = 90), intermediate-risk (I; n = 283), and high-risk (H; n = 334, 117 with distant metastasis [M1]) patients were divided according to recurrence risk stratification. The M1 group was further analyzed regarding evidence of metastasis. Cut-off values of ps-Tg were obtained using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTSPatients with more advanced disease at initial risk stratification were more likely to have higher ps-Tg levels (I vs. L: P < 0.05; H vs. I: P < 0.001; H vs. L: P < 0.001). The corresponding cut-off value of ps-Tg for distinguishing sensitivity and specificity in each of the two groups was 2.95 ng/ml (I vs. L: 61.5%, 63.3%), 29.5 ng/ml (H vs. I: 41.9%, 92.6%), 47.1 ng/ml (M1 vs. M0 in the H group: 79.5%, 88.9%) and 47.1 ng/ml (M1 vs. M0 in all patients: 79.5%, 93.7%). With the cut-off value at 47.1 ng/ml, ps-Tg was the only factor that could be used to identify distant metastases, and consequently if measured before radioiodine therapy would prevent 10.26% of patients with M1 from undertreatment.

CONCLUSIONSPs-Tg, as an ongoing reassessment marker, favors differential recurrence risk grading and provides incremental values for radioiodine treatment decision-making.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Iodine Radioisotopes ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; radiotherapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical curative effect of the modified Halo pelvic frame and surgery for the treatment of severe scoliosis with rigidity.

METHODSFrom January 2004 to May 2010,50 patients with severe scoliosis patients with rigidity were treated in our hospital. Twenty-three patients were male and 27 patients were female, with a mean age of 10.8 years old, ranging from 4 to 16 years. Twenty-four patients were congenital scoliosis and 26 patiens were idiopathic scoliosis. The mean body height were (152.1 +/- 11.1) cm and the average Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis were (91.8 +/- 14.5) degrees and (69.5 +/- 14.0) degrees respectively. All the patients were treated with three-stages modified Halo pelvic traction, the second stage anterior release and the third stage posterior correction. The amount of correction was determined by measuring the change of body height, the Cobb angles and correction rate of scoliosis as well as kyphosis before and after the operation.

RESULTSThe mean body height were correct to (158.5 +/- 10.5) cm. The average Cobb angle of scoliosis were correct to (30.8 +/- 7.9) degrees. The average Cobb angle of kyphosis were correct to (31.6 +/- 10.1) degrees. After the first stage, the average Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis were changed with the mean of (30.4 +/- 6.6)% correction and (22.3 +/- 5.2)% respectively; after the second stage, the average Cobb angle of scoliosis and kyphosis were changed with the mean (26.7 -/+ 5.1)% correction and (21.2 -/+ 6.0)% respectively; the third stage, above data were (33.7 -/+ 7.2)% and (27.1 +/- 5.3)%. Correction rate of scoliosis and kyphosis were (66.5 +/- 7.2)% and (55.1 +/- 6.4)% respectively by the modified Halo pelvic frame traction and surgery. Body height, the Cobb angles and correction rate of scoliosis and kyphosis on radiographs were different in all stages (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONOperative complications of severe scoliosis with rigidity can be reduced and better deformity correction and trunk balance achieved by the modified Halo pelvic frame traction and surgery.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the correlation between environmental selenium(Se) levels and cognitive ability among rural elderly population, and the effect of Se on cognitive skill of the elderly. Methods Two study sites(Zichuan district and Gaomi city of Shandong) with different environmental Se levels were selected according to rural elderly people ≥ 65 years were extracted by stratified random sampling method in each site. A retrospective survey was carried out using dietary intake questionnaire for the elderly for the past 1 year, and their daily total Se intake was calculated. Questionnaire was also used to obtain cognitive skill information in the elderly people. The Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Word List Learning Test, the Indiana University (IU) Story Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test, and the IU Token Test were applied to assess the cognitive ability. Se level in these samples was analyzed. Correlation between the Se levels of environment and those of human body were analyzed statistically. Results There were 0.163), (0.405 ± 0.086)]mg/kg and nail Se[(147.44 ± 17.42), (117.38 ± 22.48)μg/L]between the two groups (U = 31.59, 25.00, 23.67, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were positive correlation among the nail Se, environmental Se and Se in all subjects(r = 0.51,0.46, 0.60, all P ＜ 0.01 ). The differences of the CSID total score, the CERAD Word List Learning Test, the CERAD Word List Recall Test and the IU Story Recall Test between the two sites were statistically significant(F = 2.56, 9.18, 7.48, 4.42, all P ＜ 0.05), excluding the Indiana University Story Recall Test.After eliminating possible confounding factors, the Se levels and the CSID total score, the IU Story Recall Test, the Animal Fluency Test and the IU Story Token Test had a significantly positive correlation (r = 0.076, 0.138, 0.042,0.107, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ), excluding the CERAD Word List Learning Test. Conclusions This study supports the hypothesis that a life long low Se level is associated with lower cognitive ability. The cognitive abilities in the elderly population lived in areas with high environmental selenium levels are significantly higher than that of the elderly lived in areas with low environmental selenium levels.

PURPOSE: Because previous studies have reported depleted antioxidant capacity in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), prevention of free radical production has gained importance in antifibrotic treatment strategies for CP. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid on oxidative capacity and pancreatic damage in experimental CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CP was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by infusion of dibutyltin dichloride (DBTC) into the tail vein. Ascorbic acid was given intraperitoneally at a daily dose of 10mg/kg body weight. The treatment groups were as follows: group 1, DBTC plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline; group 2, DBTC plus intraperitoneal ascorbic acid; group 3, solvent plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline; group 4, no operation plus intraperitoneal physiologic saline. Each group contained 15 animals. Treatment was started after CP was established. After 4 weeks of treatment, serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, pancreatic tissue oxidative stress was analyzed, and the degree of pancreatic damage was determined. RESULTS: Ascorbic acid treatment markedly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in pancreatic tissue (p < 0.01 for both). Significant serum hyaluronic acid and laminin reductions were observed in group 2 as compared with group 1 (p < 0.05). However, the serum hyaluronic acid and laminin levels remained elevated when compared with those of groups 3 and 4 (p < 0.05). Histopathologic scores were also lower in animals with CP that underwent ascorbic acid-treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ascorbic acid treatment alleviated the degree of oxidative stress and pancreatic damage in rat CP. Antioxidant treatment might be considered a potential option to improve the pathologic process in CP.
Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology ; Ascorbic Acid/*pharmacology ; Hyaluronic Acid/blood ; Laminin/blood ; Male ; Organotin Compounds ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Pancreas/*drug effects/pathology ; Pancreatic Diseases/blood/chemically induced/*prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley