OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of the posterior C1,2 screw-rod combined with C2 unilateral translaminar screw and contralateral pedicle screw fixation and autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion in treating upper cervical instability with vertebral artery variations.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to December 2012, the clinical data of 12 patients with upper cervical instability underwent C1 lateral mass screws-C2 unilateral laminar and contralateral pedicle screws fixation combined with autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion were analyzed retrospectively. There were 8 males and 4 females with a mean age of 47.5 years (ranged, 16 to 77 years). Patients suffered from occipitocervical activity limitation of motion with pain or not, VAS was 0-7 points with an average of (3.50 +/- 2.71) points. Unilateral vertebral artery hypoplasia was demonstrated by vertebral arteriography (VAG) or CTA in all patients. Cervical X-ray and CT scans were done within 7 days after surgery in order to confirm internal fixation position. Internal fixation loosening and breakage, reduction losing, bone fusion ratio were observed during follow-up.

RESULTSNo nerves and vertebral artery injuries occurred during operation. Cervical pain obviously decreased and VAS was (0.92 +/- 0.90) points. Cervical alignment of 12 patients had well-recovered by X-ray while Atlantoaxial ventral lamina cortex of 1 case was encroached by CT scan without neurological symptom. All patients were followed up for 6 months to 3 years, no internal fixation loosening and breakage, reduction losing were found. All patients obtained bone fusion in 6-12 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONPosterior C1 lateral mass screws-C2 unilateral laminar and contralateral pedicle screws fixation combined with autogenous bicortical iliac crest graft fusion can achieve biomechanical stability and raise the successful rate of bone fusion, while avoiding the risk of vertebral artery injury and overcoming the insufficient of bone fusion during bilateral laminar screws placement as well. Posterior C1 lateral mass screws fixation is a safe and effective additional method in treating upper cervical instability with vertebral artery variations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vertebral Artery ; pathology

Objective:To investigate the defect types and reconstruction methods of maxillary defects. Methods:The database of 1 107 cases with maxillary defects in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January 1985 to December 2010 was established. There construction methods were re-viewed. The defect types were classified according to Brown classification system. Results: In the 1 107 cases, 1 104 cases could be classified according to Brown classification system. The most common type was 2a with 559 cases (50. 6%). Among all the 1 107 cases, 349 cases were reconstructed with auto-transplantation, 443 cases with prosthesis, 107 cases untreated, and 208 patients lost to the follow-up. There was a significant growing trend over time for the application of free flaps and a downward trend of prosthesis. The most popular free flaps were fibular flap (88 cases) and radial forearm flap (75 cases) . Rectus abdominis flap and anterolatreal thigh flap were fit for extensive maxillary defects. Conclusion:The most common defect type is 2a. Free flap has become the dominant option for maxillary reconstruc-tion. Free flaps could be selected according to the maxillary defect types.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation among prevertebral hyperintensity (PVH), sagittal canal diameter on MRI and neurologic function of patients after cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation.

METHODSThe clinical data of 100 patients with cervical vertebral hyperextension injury without fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed from September 2010 to December 2013. The patients were divided into PVH group and non-PVH group according to the presence of PVH on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. There were 39 patients in PVH group, including 31 males and 8 females, aged from 21 to 83 years old with an average of (58.10 ± 14.78) years; and the other 69 patients in non-PVH group, including 49 males and 12 females, aged from 32 to 77 years old with an average of (55.05 ± 10.36) years. The sagittal disc level canal diameters of subaxial cervical spine were measured on mid-sagittal magnetic resonance imaging. The age, sex, cause of injury, and the segments of spinal stenosis were recorded. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale and motor score were used to evaluate the neurological status.

RESULTSThe ASIA motor score of the group with PVH was 52.56 ± 31.97 while the ASIA motor score was 67.70 ± 22.83 in non-PVH group (P = 0.013). More patients with intramedullary hyperintensity signal on MRI were observed in the PVH group than in non-PVH group (P = 0.006). There was a significant positive correlation between ASIA motor score and sagittal disc level canal diameter of injury segment (P = 0.003). The neurological status was worse in patients with multi-level sagittal canal diameters below 8 mm.

CONCLUSIONThe PVH and the disc-level canal sagittal diameter of the injury segment are associated with neurological status. The patients with multi-level sagittal canal stenosis are vulnerable to severe cervical spinal cord injury.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; pathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, are common afflictions within the general population. Both conditions have a considerable impact on the daily health related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected individuals. Risk factors surrounding any impaired HRQoL in patients with GERD involve those of younger age, obesity, an increase in reflux symptom frequency, and overlapping FGIDs. The risk factors for subjects experiencing an overlap in FGIDs and GERD involve those who are female, younger age, cigarette smoking, non-erosive reflux disease, more GERD symptoms, and psychological performances including anxiety, somatization, and more frequent healthcareseeking behavior. The overlap of GERD and FGIDs is associated with a worsening of both physical and mental health, an increase in bothersome symptoms, impaired functional capacity, and a higher likelihood of consulting a physician. Acid secretion suppressors could offer therapeutic efficacy to some patients experiencing overlapping GERD and FGIDs.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), including irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia, are common afflictions within the general population. Both conditions have a considerable impact on the daily health related quality of life (HRQoL) of affected individuals. Risk factors surrounding any impaired HRQoL in patients with GERD involve those of younger age, obesity, an increase in reflux symptom frequency, and overlapping FGIDs. The risk factors for subjects experiencing an overlap in FGIDs and GERD involve those who are female, younger age, cigarette smoking, non-erosive reflux disease, more GERD symptoms, and psychological performances including anxiety, somatization, and more frequent healthcareseeking behavior. The overlap of GERD and FGIDs is associated with a worsening of both physical and mental health, an increase in bothersome symptoms, impaired functional capacity, and a higher likelihood of consulting a physician. Acid secretion suppressors could offer therapeutic efficacy to some patients experiencing overlapping GERD and FGIDs.

This study was purposed to detect the minimal residual disease (MRD) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by using real time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) . The Ig and TCR gene rearrangements were amplified by using 18 primer sets in B-ALL, 8 primer sets in T-ALL; the ALL-MRD levels were quantified by using RQ-PCR with SYBR green dye staining and clone specific Ig/TCR gene rearrangements as molecular markers. The results indicated that there were 8 cases showing gene rearrangements in 9 B-ALL patients, marker detection rate for all samples was 88.8%, the MRD level on day 33 during induction treatment decreased significantly. It is concluded that Ig/TCR gene rearrangements can be used as a marker to detect MRD in childhood ALL; the technique of QR-PCR with SYBR green dye staining is reliable, relatively sensitive and easy performable method which can be used in routine detection for childhood ALL.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; DNA Primers ; Female ; Gene Rearrangement ; Genes, T-Cell Receptor ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; diagnosis ; genetics

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between tea consumption and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) remains controversial. This study aimed to determine whether tea consumption has an effect on CHD risk in Chinese adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this hospital-based case-control study, 267 cases of CHD and 235 non-CHD controls were enrolled. Blood samples from all cases were examined. Cardiac function indices (left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase of the muscle or brain type), blood lipid index (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and blood coagulation function indices (fibrinogen and activated partial thromboplastin time) were recorded. Tea consumption of study participants was assessed by a specifically designed questionnaire. The baseline characteristics of the study populations were recorded, and CHD-related biomarkers were detected. Differences in baseline characteristics of the study participants were examined using t-tests for continuous variables and chi-squared tests for categorical variables. Unconditional logistic regression was used to measure the association between tea and CHD. RESULTS: There were significant differences in cardiac function indices, blood lipid index, and blood coagulation indices between CHD cases and controls (P < 0.05). We found tea consumption reduced CHD risk in female participants (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.484, 95% CI: 0.242–0.968, P = 0.0403). Regarding the type of tea consumed, the risk of CHD was reduced in women who drank partially fermented tea (adjusted OR = 0.210, 95% CI: 0.084–0.522, P = 0.0008). Analytic results for the amount of tea consumed per unit time showed CHD risk was reduced in women who consumed 1–2 cups of tea per day (adjusted OR = 0.291, 95% CI: 0.131–0.643, P = 0.0023). A tea-drinking frequency of > 6 days/week was beneficial for CHD prevention (adjusted OR = 0.183, 95% CI: 0.049–0.679, P = 0.0112). When analyzed according to the duration of tea consumption, the risk of CHD was reduced in participants who had been drinking tea for 10–20 years (adjusted OR = 0.360, 95% CI: 0.137–0.946, P = 0.0382). CONCLUSIONS: Tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of CHD in female but not male populations in Guangzhou.

Chitosan and its derivatives are extensively studied as non-viral gene delivery vectors nowadays. Polyethylene glycol-chitosan (mPEG-CS) copolymers were synthesized by oxidation of mPEG-OH and then combined mPEG-CHO with amino groups on chitosan chains. The in vitro cytotoxicity of copolymers was evaluated by MTT method. The results showed > 70% cell viability of HeLa and A549 cells after incubation with mPEG-CS copolymer from concentration 5 to 100 microg x mL(-1). The mPEG-CS copolymers with various degrees of PEG substitution were combined with DNA and the properties of mPEG-CS/DNA complexes were investigated such as nanoparticle size, zeta potential and agarose gel analysis. The best one among all these mPEG-CS copolymers was mPEG (3.55) -CS, for its capability to condense plasmid DNA was most efficient. For this reason, mPEG (3.55) -CS was picked out to mediate plasmid enhanced green fluorescence protein (pEGFP) and transfect HeLa and A549 cells. The expression of green fluorescence protein was observed by fluorescence microscope and the transfection efficiency was detected by flow cytometry. The gene expression mediated by mPEG-CS was resistant to serum, and the optimal transfection efficiency (8.1% for HeLa cells and 4.8% for A549 cells) of mPEG-CS/EGFP system was obtained under the condition of N/P 40 and 48 h transfection time. These results indicate that mPEG-CS copolymer is an efficient non-viral gene vector.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Drug Carriers ; Genetic Vectors ; chemistry ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Plasmids ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Polymers ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo standardize the establishment of a stable rat model of orthotopic liver transplantation and surgical technique of two-cuff technique for improving the operation success rate, and compare the effect of graft perfusion via the portal vein and the abdominal aorta on the graft function.

METHODSTotally 100 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation was performed in rats under microscope according to modified Kamada's two cuff technique. The rats were divided into 2 groups with the donor liver perfused through the portal vein with 10 ml cold lactated Ringer's solution, and via the abdominal aorta with 20 ml cold lactated Ringer's solution, respectively. The postoperative function recovery and pathological changes of the liver grafts were evaluated by serum ALT detection and histopathological examination. The operation success rate, 3-month survival rate of the rats and the complications were observed.

RESULTSNo significant differences was noted in the liver function, operation success rate and 3-month survival rate between the 2 groups, and histopathological examination also showed similar findings. The success rates of the two groups were 98% and 96%, with 3-month survival rate of 93.5% (29/31) and 93.3% (28/30) (P>0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe liver transplantation models with portal vein or abdominal aorta graft perfusion both serve well their respective purposes. Good microsurgical skills, standardized performance and shortened anhepatic period are the keys to improved stability and survival rate and reduced operative complications.

Animals ; Aorta, Abdominal ; surgery ; Liver ; blood supply ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; mortality ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Portal Vein ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA expressions of RASSF1A, Galectin-3 and TPO in papillary thyroid carcinoma and some other thyroid benign lesions, and evaluate their diagnostic significance.

METHODSReverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of RASSF1A, galectin-3 and TPO in the samples from 73 cases, including 23 cases with papillary thyroid cancer, 16 with nodular goiter, 29 with thyroid adenoma and 5 with Hashimoto's disease.

RESULTSA statistically significant difference in the mRNA expression of RASSF1A, Galectin-3 and TPO was observed between papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular benign lesions (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference among various kinds of benign lesions (P>0.05). A negative correlation of the expression of RASSF1A and Galectin-3 mRNA was found between thyroid benign lesions and malignant ones (P = 0.000). While the mRNA expression of RASSF1A and TPO was positively correlated between benign and malignant lesions (P = 0.028).

CONCLUSIONLoss of expression of RASSF1A and TPO mRNA but high expression of Galectin-3 mRNA in papillary thyroid carcinoma are common. Therefore, the products of these three genes may be closely related to the development of thyroid papillary carcinoma, and may be used as useful markers in differential diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma from the benign lesions. The results are more reliable if this detection method is used in combination with other techniques.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autoantigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Galectin 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Goiter, Nodular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hashimoto Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Iodide Peroxidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Iron-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult