Objective To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of coronary artery calcification score(CACS)of multi-slice spiral computed tomography(MSCT)combined with carotid intima-media thickness(IMT)measure in elderly patients with coronary artery disease(CAD). Methods　CACS of MSCT,carotid IMT measure,and coronary angiography were performed in 68 patients,including 36 cases with CAD(CAD group)diagnosed by coronary angiography and 32 cases(control group)with coronary arterial stenosis(＜50% stenosis).CACS and carotid IMT were compared between two groups. Results　The coronary artery calcification score was significantly increased in CAD group compared with the control group[(349.5±86.3)vs.(74.7±25.2),t=13.670,P＜0.01],and it was increased with the severity of coronary arterial stenosis.The carotid intima-media thickness in CAD group showed significant difference with that in control group[(1.11±0.05)mm vs(0.69±0.13)mm,t=13.587,P＜0.01].In CAD group,CACS exhibited a significant positive correlation with carotid IMT(r=0.950,P＜0.01).The positive rates of CACS and carotid IMT were both 77.8% (28 cases)in CAD group and both 12.5%(4 cases)in control group,which showed significant difference between two groups(X2=28.976,P＜0.01). Conclusions　CACS of MSCT combined with carotid IMT have high sensitivity and specificity in evaluating coronary arteriaI stenosis.It can be used as a non-invasive examination to diagnose CAD in the elderly.

Objective To establish a novel chronic compressive cervical spinal cord injury rat model,to validate the chronic pathological characteristic.Methods Fifty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,including control group(n =6),acute compressive group(4 h,24 h,respectively.n =6),and chronic compressive group(4 h,12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h and 1week,respectively.n =6).Two sizes of water-absorbing polyurethane polymer sheets were implanted into C5～6 epidural space on postero-lateral side in acute and chronic compressive group respectively,to induce a consistent compression in the cord after expanded.While a laminectomy on C5～6 was performed only in control group.The neurological integrity,MRI signal change in the cords,large motoneuron number in the ventral horn,and myelin staining intensity on posterior funiculus were studied.Results In the acute group at 4-24 h,the compression was confirmed significantly on T2WI image,as well as hypointense signal change intramedullary.These changes were consisted with intramedullary bleeding,tissue necrosis.Large motoneuron number(P ＜ 0.05),rather than myelin staining intensity (P ＞ 0.05),was significantly decreased compared with the control group and chronic compressive group.BBB score was 6.0 at 24 h.In the chronic group:cord distortion with progressive compression was observed on T2WI image,but without intramedullary bleeding signal change.At 4-12 h,intramedullary edema,central canal distortion were seen in the cords.Large motoneuron number and myelin staining intensity decrement were not significant(P ＞0.05).BBB score was 20.6.At 24-72 h,central canal enlargement,venous congestion,and edema were observed.Large motoneuron number was less than that in the control group.In the compressive epicenter,nerve fiber disorganization or rupture was observed.Myelin staining intensity decreased significantly after 48 h and 72 h compression (P ＜0.05).BBB score was 19.3.At lweek,vacuolation changes were noted and large motoneuron decreased (P ＜ O.05),as well as myelin density and staining intensity (P ＜ 0.05),suggesting nerve fiber demyelination.BBB score was 17.5.In the control group,there was no neurological deficit and pathological change in the cords.Conclusion The pathology and MRI characteristic consistent with chronic compressive injury change,which proved this method is able to induce a chronic course on the rat model,and established a reliable model foundation for cervical myelopathy.

The relationship between 3 polymorphisms sites [interleulin-4 (IL-4), IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) alpha chain and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA)] and adult allergic asthma in China was studied. By using case-control method, DNA and clinical data were obtained from allergic asthmatic patients and compared with those in the control subjects. The subjects were genotyped for the IL-4 C-589T promoter polymorphism, the IL-4R alpha chain Q576R and the AICDA C8408T by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. The results showed that the IL-4 C-589T was not associated with adult allergic asthma in China. However, the IL-4R alpha chain 576R/R and AICDA 8408T/T frequency was significantly increased in allergic asthma group as compared with that in the control group [odd ratio (OR) = 3.797 and 9.127, respectively; P < 0.01)] and was correlated with the increased plasma total IgE. These data suggested that the IL-4R alpha chain 576R/R and AICDA 8408T/T genotypes confer genetic susceptibility to adult allergic asthma in China.
Alleles ; Asthma/etiology ; Asthma/*genetics ; Cytidine Deaminase/*genetics ; Immunoglobulin E/blood ; Interleukin-4/*genetics ; Phenotype ; *Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional ; Receptors, Interleukin-4/*genetics

BACKGROUND:Arthroscopic treatment of tibial eminence fracture requires tiny wire,induces less epiphyseal plate damage during operations,obtains strong fixations,alows early movement postoperatively,obviously attenuate the injuries,facilitate wound healing,and reduce complications.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biocompatibility of arthroscopic reduction and wire fixation in treatment of fresh and old tibial eminence fractures.METHODS:Twenty-five patients with fresh and old tibial eminence fractures were treated with arthroscopic reduction and wire fixation from January 2010 to April 2012 in the Second People's Hospital of Yichang City.The postoperative fracture healing time and knee function improvement in the two groups were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the fresh fracture patients,the fracture healing time was longer,Lachman test positive rate was higher in the old fracture patients than (P＜0.05),knee flexion and extension activity and Lysholm score were lower (P＜0.05).Experimental findings indicate that,arthroscopic reduction and wire fixation is a feasible clinical treatment of fresh and old tibial intercondylar eminence fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND:It is reported that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(BMSC)transplantation might be a promising treatment for liver fibrosis.But the mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To observe the hepatic stellate cells apoptosis induced by BMSC transplantation,and to study the mechanism of BMSC in treating hepatic fibrosis in vivo.METHODS:CCl_4 subcutaneous injection was performed to induce rat liver fibrosis.After 8 weeks of CCU injection,20 rats which underwent successful model establishment were randomly divided into experimental group and control group,10 in each group.The experimental group received MSC transplantation via tail vein injection,and the control group were given DMEM instead.The rats were killed and the livers were harvested at three time point,the day of MSC transplantation,3 days after transplantation,and 7 days after transplantation.The hydroxyproline content was detected by HE and Masson staining,and the expression changes of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)proteins were determined using immunohistochemistry.The apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells were determined by α-SMA and TUNEL(terminal dUTP nick-end labeling)dual-staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 8 weeks of CCU injection,the hydroxyproline content increased and histology indicated progress of liver fibrosis.At 7 days after MSC transplantation,the hydroxyproline in the liver was decreased,and the liver fibrosis was alleviated in the experimental group but aggravated in the control group.Immunohistochemistry indicated that α-SMA positive cells were increased at 8 weeks after CCU injection.At day 7 after transplantation,α-SMA positive cells in the experimental group were significantly less than control group(P ＜ 0.05).At 3 days after transplantation,the hepatic stellate cells apoptosis in the experimental group was significantly aggravated compared with control group(P ＜ 0.05).This suggested that MSC transplant was an effective treatment for liver fibrosis.MSC inducing hepatic stellate cells apoptosis may be one of the mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Although the sternohyoid muscular valves are traditionally used as reparative material for functional reconstruction after partial laryngectomy, the late-term results are not so satisfactory.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of using external layer mucoperiosteum valve of thyroid cartilage to repair the wound surface and reconstruct vocal function.DESIGN: A self-controlled observational trial using the patients as subjects.SETTING: Department of otolaryngology of a municipal hospital.PARTICIPANTS: A total of 57 patients with laryngocarcinoma were selected from the Department of Otolaryngology, Shantou Second People' s Hospital, from June 1998 to May 2004. Among them, there were 56 men and 1 woman who were aged 37 to 78 years with the average age of 60. 38 years and whose disease duration was two months to one year with the average of five months.METHODS: In the 57 patients with laryngocarcinoma, their external layer mucoperiosteum valves of thyroid cartilages in the affected side were preserved and inverted into laryngeal cavities, which were used to cover the wound surface and rebuild the vocal fold.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The final outcome indices: changes in the symtoms and function and Karnofsky scores before and after treatment. Risk indices: adverse events and side effects.RESULTS: The operations on the 57 patients were successful. The incidence of respiratory tract obstruction and hoarseness in the patients before operation was 38.9% and 98. 1%, but 1.9% and 96. 3% after treatment. Karnofsky score was 40 and 70 before and after treatment, respectively. No complications of pharyngeal stricture occurred in the near and long term.CONCLUSION: Vertical partial laryngectomy and laryngeal reconstruction with mucoperiosteum valve are easy to operate. The recovery of the wound surface is good, phonation efficacy is satisfacory, and respiratory function is not affected. The treatment has low incidence of complications and satisfactory long-term results.

Objective：To evaluate bioequivalence and relative bioavailability of domestic and imported repaglinide tablets in healthy volunteers. Methods： Twenty two healthy male volunteers were randomized into A and B groups. A single dose (4 mg) of domestic and imported repaglinide tablets were given respectively according to an open 2-way crossover study design. The washout period was 1 week. Plasma concentrations of repaglinide were determined by HPLC method. Results：The pharmacokinetic parameters of domestic and imported drugs were as follows: t1/2 were(0.86±0.24) and (0.83±0.31) h；tmax were( 0.79±0.37) and (0.75±0.41) h；cmax were (52.43±20.92) and (53.32±24.94) μg/L. AUC0-t were (79.87±36.48) and (74.95±30.57) μg*h*L-1，respectively. The relative bioavailability of domestic formulation was (106.55±16.15)%. Conclusion： The results of variance analysis and two one-side t test show that 2 formulations are of bioequivalence.

Objective To assess the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging in the pathological damage of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis on children by comparison with renal biopsy.Methods 50 cases of healthy control group as group A; 58 children with HSPN were divided into three groups according to pathological grading:Ⅰ ～ Ⅱ class (group B),Ⅲ class (group C) and Ⅳ ～ Ⅵ class (group D).ARFI was then used to measure the shear wave velocities(SWV) of renal cortex of each group,compared the differences SWV of each group.Results SWV values of children's renal cortex with HSPN were significantly higher (t =5.883,P =0.017) than those in the group A.Pairwise comparisons found that there were statistically significant differences between group D and the other three groups (P ＜0.05).According the ROC curve,the cut-off value of SWV was 2.59 m/s when the maximum area under the curve equal to 0.719,the sensitivity and specificity were 63％ and 67％.Conclusions ARFI technology can quantify the elastic properties of the kidney,which is expected as an important indicator to evaluate the pathological extent of damage of the HSPN.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequently occurring cancers. Hepadnaviral DNA integrations are considered to be essential agents which can promote the process of the hepatocarcinogenesis. More and more researches were designed to find the relationship of the two. In this study, we investigated whether HBV DNA integration occurred at sites of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), one of the most detrimental DNA damage. An 18-bp I-SceI homing endonuclease recognition site was introduced into the DNA of HepG2 cell line by stable DNA transfection, then cells were incubated in patients' serum with high HBV DNA copies and at the same time, DSBs were induced by transient expression of I-SceI after transfection of an I-SceI expression vector. By using nest PCR, the viral DNA was detected at the sites of the break. It appeared that integration occurred between part of HBV x gene and the I-SceI induced breaks. The results suggested that DSBs, as the DNA damages, may serve as potential targets for hepadnaviral DNA insertion and the integrants would lead to widespread host genome changes necessarily. It provided a new site to investigate the integration.