ObjectiveFollow-up of the clinical outcome of prosthetic disc nucleus replacement on patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Methods16 patients with lumar intervertebral disc herniation were implanted prosthetic disc nucleus from June to August 2003, including 10 males and 6 females. The operation levels were at L4-5 in 10 patients and L5～S1 in 6 patients. All patients were followed up from 28 to 32 months (averaged 30 months). The contents include pain, physical examination, Short-form of McGill Pain Questionnaire investigation, Visual Analogue Scales(VAS) and Present Pain Intensity(PPI), X-ray and MRI examination, etc. ResultsAfter surgery, 16 patients experienced clinical symptom relief, the displacement of PDN in 1 case and dislocation in 1case, the height of intervertebral space becoming narrower in 5 cases and endplate subsiding in 1 case. ConclusionProsthetic disc nucleus replacement acquired satisfactory after operation, but some complication may occurre in long-term.

BACKGROUND:Compared with hydroxyapatite materials and other nano-hydroxyapatite composites, carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites have been significantly improved in the mechanical strength, toughness, elastic modulus and other aspects. It can be used for repairing bone defects of loading parts. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biocompatibility of carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites in bone tissues. METHODS:Eight Bama mini pigs were taken to establish models of thoracic vertebral defects and implanted with carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composites. At 8, 16 and 24 weeks after implantation,the animals were sacrificed, respectively, for bone mineral density detection and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Blood samples for kidney and liver function tests were taken before and 1 and 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Hematoxylin-eosin staining of bone samples showed that the materials could bond with the bone defect interface without rejection, and could induce osteogenesis of chondrocytes. At 8 weeks after surgery, the broken ends of cancelous bone closed and the composite material was wrapped by granulation tissues. At 16 weeks after surgery, granulation tissues were organized and new bone developed directly from fibroblast cels. The new bone tissues were nearly fused with the end of cancelous bone. At 24 weeks after surgery, new bone tissue became mature lamelar bone, and the end of cancelous bone was connected tightly with the composite material. Bone mineral density of the implanted vertebra showed an increase trend at 8, 16 and 24 weeks after implantation. Over time, the bone mass was increased. The liver and kidney function tests showed that there was no significant difference before and after implantation. It is preliminarily believed that the carbon fiber-reinforced nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 composite has excelent histocompatibility and bioactivity without hepatic toxicity and nephritic toxicity.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciensin can cause infections and the building related ill-health syndrome among newborns, infants and other immunocompromised populations by polluting hospital disinfectants, such as alcohol 75%, moisture housing and food. In this article, we reviewed the prevalence of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in environment, food and intrahospital infection, the toxicology by describing its toxicity in mammalian cells, the physicoehemical characteristics by analyzing its special structure of bacterial spores. Its pathogenicity through animal model of disease was discussed as well.(J Glin Pediatr,2010,28(2) :190-192)

Objective To investigate the effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems of school-aged children in Shanghai. Methods A total of 4 108 school-aged children from 10 primary schools of Shanghai were enrolled by multi-stage cluster sampling and surveyed by questionnaires. The information of television-watching and computer-using, family and personal condition was investigated by self-prepared questionnaire, and the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was employed to survey the sleep behaviors of children. The effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis. Results The percentage of children who watched television≥2 h per day was 4.1% during weekdays, and that came to 49.2% during weekends. In terms of frequency of computer-using, most children reported "rarely" (88.2%, 0-1 time/week), followed by "often" (11.0%, 2-4 times/ week) and "usually" (0.8%, 5-7 times/week). With the age increase, the percentages of children who watched television≥2 h per day and those who "often" used computer gradually increased. It was revealed by multiple linear regression analysis and Logistic regression analysis that television-watching and computer-using were not only positively correlated with later bedtime, later wake time and shorter sleep duration but also significantly associated with sleep problems such as bedtime resistance, sleep onset delay, sleep duration disorder, sleep anxiety and parasomnia. Conclusion Television-watching and computer-using exert influences on sleep behaviors of sleep/wake patterns, sleep duration and sleep problems. Concerns about the potential negative effects of television-watching and computer-using on sleep behaviors may help to promote healthy sleep patterns and improve sleep quality.

Objective To evaluate the value of NT-proBNP in predicting weaning outcomes of the patients with mechanical ventilation by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve. Method The data of patients after the weaning of mechanical ventilation and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) in the intensive care unit,from July 2008 to January 2010, were retrospective reviewed. All patients were divided into the success group and failure group as per the outcomes of weaning. Demographics and the serum NT-proBNP levels measured before weaning were compared between two groups with Student t -test and Chi-square test. The ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the value of serum NT-proBNP in predicting outcomes after weaning. Results A total of 160 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study, and there were 106 cases in success group and 54 cases in failure group.Compared with the failure group, the patients of success group were younger (63.17 ± 17.00 vs. 71.28 ± 12.56,t = 2.063,P =0.024), and no difference in gender (χ2 = 0.06, P ＞ 0.05). The NT-proBNP levels of failure group were significantly higher than those of success group (Lg NT-proBNP 2.80 ± 0.72 vs. 3.75 ± 0.56, t =2.351,P =0.014). The area under cure (AUC) of the ROC cure of NT-proBNPto predict the failure of weaning was 0.855 ±0.036 (95%CI0.784 ～ 0.925) when the cut-off level of NT-proBNP was 3635.5 pg/mL. And, this NT-proBNP level had a followed predictive efficiency in weaning outcome (Youden's index: 0. 60, accuracy:82.5%, sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 84.7%, positive likelihood ratio: 4.90, negative likelihood ratio:0.295,Kappa value: 0.62). Conclusions The levels of NT-proBNP before weaning have predictive value in weaning outcome, and it may be used as one of the screening indicators for weaning.

OBJECTIVETo understand the real world, the use of ultra- treatment Shuxuetong injection on liver and kidney functions are affected.

METHODThe 18 hospitals of the country's HIS data sources from which to choose to use Shuxuetong injection, between the ages of 18 to 80 years, using Shuxuetong and the first seven days after discontinuation of at least 7 days has once aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase, or creatinine or blood urea nitrogen were measured value as a research object, the number of days of medication is based on more than 14 days, divided into treatment group and the normal course of super-group to reach the normal range of physical and chemical indicators 200% of the upper limit is defined as abnormal. Using the propensity score method, balance the known confounding factors, differences in the occurrence of abnormal renal function and compared between the two groups.

RESULTThe treatment group and the normal course of super-group, resulting in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatinine, urea nitrogen equally likely targets abnormal changes, no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONBased on the available data did not find "super treatment using Shuxuetong damage the liver and kidney function" the situation, but the clinical disease lasts insist on the principle can not be arbitrarily extended treatment to prevent long-term medication.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alanine Transaminase ; metabolism ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; metabolism ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the real world Shuxuetong injection suspicious allergic factors.

METHODNational 18 hospitals of the hospital information system using Shuxuetong data, using design methods retrospective nested case-control, and contrast using Shuxuetong after the occurrence of allergic reactions in patients with non-allergic patients differences in age, gender, admission illness, allergies, etc.

RESULTBased on available data, indicate suspicious allergies affect Shuxuetong factors may be hospitalized illness, solvent, single dose, concomitant medications.

CONCLUSIONWhen using Shuxuetong for critically ill patients should use caution and pay attention to solvents, dose, combination therapy of choice clinically. Conclusions of this study need further study to be verified.

Case-Control Studies ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Injections ; Male ; Retrospective Studies

A new steroid with a long cross-conjugation structure, 15a-hydroxy-(22E, 24R)-ergosta-3, 5, 8 (14), 22-tetraen-7-one (1), was isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus aculeatus. Its structure was established by the extensive spectroscopic analyses, and its cytotoxicities against P388, HL-60, and PC-3 cell lines were measured in vitro.
Animals ; Aspergillus ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; Cholestenones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Molecular Structure ; Seawater ; microbiology

Objective To evaluate the dose distribution in clinical target volume (CTV) and organs-at-risk (OARs) in three dimension therapy plans in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue receiving postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or conventional radiotherapy (CRT) by dosimetric study. Methods Thirty-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue were divided into CRT group(n=17) and IMRT group(n=18). All patients underwent head-and-neck immobilization with a thermoplastic mask and planning CT scan, and target volume and OARs were contoured. Dose calculation and plan optimization were performed. All three dimension plans passed quality assurance before treatment. The dosimetry of therapy plans with IMRT or CRT in target volume and OARs dose distribution was compared by dose-volume histogram (DVH), conformity index (CI) and homogeneous index (HI). Results There were significant differences in D95 (isodose line to cover 95 percent target volume), CI, HI, minimum dose and maximum dose in CTV of therapy plans between patients with IMRT and CRT(P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in mean dose of CTV(P > 0.05). The radiation dose on salivary glands (both parotid glands and contralateral submandibular gland) in patients with IMRT was significantly lower than that in patients with CRT(P < 0.01). Conclusion Compared with dose distribution of CRT plans, there are more advantages in improving dose distribution at the target volume and sparing salivary glands in IMRT therapy plans in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of tongue.

Background: Creatine transporter (CRTR) deficiency is the most common creatine deficiency syndrome, of which the final diagnosis relies on mutation in the X-linked CRTR gene. To date, more than 90 mutations in the SLC6A8 gene have been reported. This paper discusses a novel mutation detected via the thorough sequencing of all the X-chromosome-specific exons investigated in a four and a half year old boy with an intellectual disability, speech and language delay and motor disturbance. Methods: A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) were carried out, the creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine were checked and all exons were sequenced. Results: A detailed clinical investigation revealed a reduction in the cerebral creatine levels in the brain by the MRS, elevated creatine and creatinine concentrations in the urine and signal abnormalities in the left frontal cortex of the brain by the MRI. A novel change was identified in the heterozygosity of the exon 10: c.1395-c.1401 deletion. Conclusion: The use of a combination of powerful new technologies, such as thorough exome-nextgeneration sequencing and a brain MRS, should be considered, in order to determine any neurometabolic diseases, especially when the signal abnormalities in the brain MRI cannot be explained by any other factors. This mutation results most likely in a dysfunction of the creatine transport and synthesis, hence causing central nervous system symptoms.
Carrier Proteins