Objective To explore the feasibility of evaluating the lung function by MSCT in emphysema.Methods The MSCT scan and pulmonary function tests(PFF)were respectively performed in 147 receptors within one week.They were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A(120 receptors), including normal,mild,moderate and severe abnormal pulmonary function based on the PFT,for comparing the correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT pulmonary function and PFT and settingup the primary grade criteria of abnormal pulmonary function in emphysema,group B(27 receptors)for evaluating the diagnostic accuracy in group A.The total lung was respectively scanned at the full inspiration and full expiration with MSCT.The pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT were measured with Siemens Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software.Results There was correlation between pulmonary quantitative indexes of MSCT and PFF.The Piex/in_(-910)showed best correlation with FEV_1%(r=-0.905,P

Objective To evaluate the association of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA),diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the ABCD2 score assessments with secondary cerebral infarction after transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods Intracranial vascular MRA,cranial DWI and ABCD2 score were retrospectively analyzed in 162 cases with TIA.The impact of TIA on survival time was assessed using the univariate Kaplan-Meier curve by Log-rank test.Hazard ratio (HR) and 95 ％ confidence interval (CI) of secondary cerebral infarction after TIA predicted by MRA,DWI and ABCD2 score were analyzed by Cox multivariable regression.Results Among the 162 patients with first attack of TIA,86 cases (53.1 ％) developed cerebral infarction within 90 d,of which 22 cases (13.6％) developed secondary cerebral infarction within 0 7 d,27 cases (16.7％) within 8～30d and 37 cases (22.8％) within 31-90 d.Single factor analysis by Kaplan-Meier curve showed that moderate to severe intracranial vascular stenosis diagnosed by MRA,positive DWI and moderate to high ABCD2 score were obviously related to cerebral infarction after first attack of TIA (all P＜0.001 or 0.01).Cox multifactor risk model indicated that age ≥70 y,moderate to severe intracranial vascular stenosis,positive DWI,moderate to high ABCD2 score were the risk factors for secondary cerebral infarction within 90 d after TIA (HR=1.782,2.245,1.964,1.204,95％CI:1.171-2.256,1.627 3.097,1.273-3.031,1.050-1.381,respectively,P＜0.05,0.01 or 0.001).Conclusions Intracranial artery stenosis examination may be more valuable than DWI and ABCD2 score in evaluating the outcome of TIA.

OBJECTIVETo observe clinical effects of posterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex for the treatment of upper lumbar burst fractures.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to March 2013,23 patients with upper lumbar burst fractures (Denis B type) were treated by posterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex. There were 18 males and 5 females aged from 26 to 64 years old with an average of 45.7 years old. Twelve patients were caused by falling down, 5 cases were caused by traffic accident, 4 cases were the bruise injury caused by heavy object and 2 cases were caused by other injury. Fourteen patients were L1 fracture and 9 patients were L2 fracture. Thirteen patients were combined with nerve injuries (degree D according to ASIA classification). Internal fixation were removed from 12 to 20 months with an average of 14.3 months. JOA scores and imaging changes were recorded and compared at different time points.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 18 to 24 months with an average of 20.4 months. Thirteen patients with nerve injuries were completely recovered at 3 to 6 months after operation. JOA score at 1 year after operation was 20.63 ± 0.92, and 20.38 ± 1.06 at 3 months after removal of internal fixation,which were improved obviously than 9.90 ± 2.73 at 3 months after operation. (P > 0.05) Anterior height of injured vertebrae, vertebral body angle and local Cobb angle was (95.0 ± 0.53)%, (2.78 ± 1.36) and (2.43 ± 1.52) °respectively, and improved obviously than that of before operation (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance in JOA scores at 3 months after removal of internal fixation and 1 year after operation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONposterior short-segment fixation with undermining decompress by posterior ligament complex for the treatment of upper lumbar burst fractures has advantages of minimally invasive, could effective recover vertebrae height, maintain stability of spine, decrease low back pain. It is a safe and effective operative method.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI)in detecting experimentally induced testicular ischemia. Methods Thirty healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned into 6 groups. There were 5 rabbits in each of the following experimental groups: ( 1 ) Normal control, (2) Sham-operated, (3) ischemia of 3 h group, (4) ischemia of 6 h group, (5) ischemia of 12 h group, (6) ischemia of 24 h group. In all experiment groups, the right testis served as the internal control while the left testis served as the experimental side. DCE-MRI for each animal lasts about 10 minutes. Signal enhanced ratios (SERs) of ROI for both sides of each group were calculated by a computer, and parameters of SERs of 30 s, 75 s, 120 s and maximal SER were used for statistical analysis.Time intensity curves (TICs) were made for two sides of each group via Excel 2003 software and classified into 4 types. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the differences of SERs between left and right testis by two independent Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Results In group I and 2, significant enhancement was observed on both testes of 10 rabbits. The enhancement decreased gradually with the elongation of ischemia in torsion groups. Three cases of type Ⅰ and 2 cases of type Ⅱ were observed in group 1,5 cases of type Ⅰ in group two, 2 cases of type Ⅰ and 3 cases of type Ⅱ b in group three, 2 cases of type Ⅰ and 2 cases of type Ⅱ b in group four, 5 cases of type Ⅱ b in group five and 5 cases of type Ⅲ in group six were noticed in the left testes. And in TICs of right testes, all cases showed TICs of type Ⅰ except 2 cases of type Ⅱ a in group six. In four torsion groups, the values for SER75 of the left side were 0. 084%, 0. 076%, 0.164% and 0.065%, while the right side were 0.255%, 0.410%, 0.586% and 0.302% (P ＜0.05). The values for SER120 in group three, five and six were 0.221% , 0.158% and 0.059% for the left side, and 0.405%,0.522% and 0.207% for the right side(P ＜0.05). The values for MSER in group three, five and six were 0.217% ,0.164% and 0.072% for the left side, and 0.405%, 0.586% and 0.302% for the right side(P ＜0.05). Conclusion DCE-MRI technique may be useful in the diagnosis of testicular torsion, which shows potential in the clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the lung pixel indexes of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) and pulmonary function test (PFT), and to explore the CT features of histograms of lung attenuation.

METHODSMSCT scan and pulmonary function test (PFT) were separately performed in 127 subjects within one week. The total lung was scanned with MSCT at full inspiration, full expiration, and normal respiration. The lung pixel indexes were measured by Pulmo pulmonary quantitative software. These indexes include PI(-910Huin), PI(-960HUEX), PI(-910Huin), PI(-960Huex), PI(-910(Hun), PI(-960Hun), PI(910Huex/in), and the histograms of lung attenuation.

RESULTSCorrelation existed between all the lung pixel indexes of MSCT and PFT. PI(-910Huex/in showed the best correlation with FEV1/FVC (r = 0.901, P < 0.01). Three distribution patterns were found in the histograms of lung attenuation of total lung, including double-peak distribution (n = 28), similar normal distribution (n = 81), and partial distribution (n = 18).

CONCLUSIONThe lung pixel indexes of MSCT have significant correlation with PFT and can be used to assess the pulmonary function.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of neutralizing anti-interferon-alpha antibodies (NA) in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with recombinant interferon-alpha(rIFN-alpha).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-one patients (128 male and 53 female) with histological proven chronic hepatitis B were treated with 5 MU recombinant interferon-alpha 1b (rIFN-alpha 1b) subcutaneously thrice weekly for 6 to 37 (median 10) months. For each patient, Specific detection of serum HBV DNA level with fluorescent-quantitative PCR, HBeAg with enzymoimmunoassay and NA with an antiviral neutralizing biological assay were performed during therapy.

RESULTSNA was found in 61 (33.7%) of 181 patients. At the end of treatment, complete-response was achieved in 17 (27.9%) of 61 patients with NA and in 54 (45.0%) of 120 patients without NA, respectively (chi2=4.979). For NA positive patients, the complete-response rate was significantly lower in those who had not achieved partial-response prior to or at the same time as NA occurred than in those who did (3.8%, 1/26, vs. 45.7%, 16/35, chi2 = 7.457). Moreover, it was lower in patients who either had 20pg/ml of serum HBV DNA or above or HBV DNA had being reduced by less than 60% recent 3 months, but higher in those who had less than 20pg/ml of HBV DNA and HBV DNA had being reduced by 60% or above (20.0%, 9/45, vs. 56.3%, 9/16, chi2 = 11.009).

CONCLUSIONNA may negate the antiviral effects of rIFN-alpha in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with rIFN-alpha, especially if they appear before partial-response or at the occasion at which serum HBV DNA level was not below 20pg/ml or HBV DNA had being reduced by less than 60% recent 3 months.

Antibodies ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the behavior problems of children aged 3 to 5 years in Changsha and to compare the differences of the results detected by the norm of Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) in Chinese and American urban children.

METHODSA total of 854 children aged 3 to 5 years were randomly sampled from 5 districts in Changsha City and their parents completed the Conners PSQ.

RESULTSThe assessment by the norm of PSQ in American urban children demonstrated that the average prevalence of behavior problems was 20.4%, with 28.1% for boys and 12.4% for girls. There were significant differences between boys and girls (P<0.01). The factor score of anxiety in girls was markedly higher than that in boys (P<0.01). Learning and psychosomatic problems were the main problems in the children. The prevalences of conduct problems and impulse-restlessness, and abnormal restlessness index detected by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were higher than those detected by the American norm. The prevalences of conduct problems and psychosomatic problems in boys by the norm of PSQ in Chinese urban children were significantly lower than those detected by the American norm, while the total prevalence of behavior problems was higher than that detected by American norm. There was a poor consistency in the assessment results of most factors of the PSQ and the total prevalence of behavior problems detected by the Chinese and American norms (KappP<0.4).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of behavior problems especially learning problems and psychosomatic problems in children aged 3 to 5 years is higher in Changsha. The consistency of assessment results is poor between the norms of China and America. It is recommended to use the China norm of PSQ in Chinese children aged 3 to 5 years because the Chinese norm is in line with China's national conditions and cultural background.

Child Behavior Disorders ; diagnosis ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; United States ; Urban Health

OBJECTIVETo study the causes of poorer antiviral response to neutralizing anti-interferon-alpha antibodies (NA) in male chronic hepatitis B patients treated with recombinant interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha).

METHODSTwo hundred sixty-nine patients (198 males and 71 females) with histologically proven chronic hepatitis B were treated with 5 MU recombinant interferon-alpha 1b (rIFN-alpha 1b) subcutaneously thrice weekly for 6-37 (median 10.0) months. For each patient, serum HBV DNA levels were detected with fluorescent-quantitative PCR, HBeAg with enzymoimmunoassay, and NA with an antiviral neutralizing biological assay during therapy.

RESULTSNA was found in 70 (35.4%) of the 198 males and in 15 (21.1%) of the 71 females during treatment (x2 = 4.894, P = 0.027). At the end of treatment combined-response was achieved in 21 (24.7%) of the 85 NA-positive patients and in 100 (54.3%) of the 184 NA-negative cases (x2 = 20.642). Stratification analysis by NA showed that combined-response rate was significantly lower in males than in females (18.6%, 13/70 vs. 53.3%, 8/15, x2 = 8.024) among NA-positive patients while it was similar in males and in females (50.8%, 65/128, vs. 62.5%, 35/56, x2 = 2.156) among NA-negative patients. In stratification analysis by gender, it was significantly lower in NA-positive patients than in NA-negative ones (18.6%, 13/70 vs. 53.3%, 8/15, x2 = 8.024) among males but there was no significant difference between combined-response rates among females.

CONCLUSIONThe poorer antiviral response to recombinant interferon-alpha in male chronic hepatitis B patients than in female patients is related to the neutralizing anti-interferon antibodies.

Antibodies ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Interferon Type I ; immunology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Neutralization Tests ; Recombinant Proteins ; Sex Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of lemon peel extracts (LPE) on the activity of lactate dehydrogenase and sucrase of Streptococcus mutans (Sm).

METHODSAfter serial dilution with trypticase soy broth (TSB) medium containing 2% glucose, LPE was used as the experimental group, and TSB without LPE as the control group. Sm was added to each group, which was then cultured for 6, 18, 24 and 48 hours in the anaerobic tank. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was measured with the method of oxidation of reduction coenzymeIand the pH value of the culture solution was also detected. The activity of the sucrose was determined with the method of coloration of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid.

RESULTSThe activity of LDH, sucrase and the changes of solution pH were decreased with the increase of the concentration of LPE (P < 0.01). The activity of LDH were declined from (0.8025 ± 0.0913) × 10(3) U/L to (0.2099 ± 0.0283) × 10(3) U/L; the activity of sucrase were declined from (-0.0107 ± 0.0003) × 10(3) U/L to (-0.0078 ± 0.0002) × 10(3) U/L; the ΔpH were declined from (2.8067 ± 0.0404) to (2.5033 ± 0.0416) (24 h results). The differences were significant between experimental groups and the control group (P < 0.01), and there were also significant differences among experimental groups with different LPE concentration (P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect of acid generation and lactate dehydrogenas' activity of Sm were positively correlated (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSLPE can inhibit the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, sucrase and the acid production capacity of the Sm in a dose dependent manner. The inhibitory effects in logarithmic phase is stronger than that in other phases of growth cycle.

Citrus ; chemistry ; Glucose ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Streptococcus mutans ; enzymology ; Sucrase ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed