Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; External Fixators ; Extremities ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin ; injuries ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To study the effects of sample digestion conditions on measurement results of urinary iodine determined by As(Ⅲ)-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry with ammonium persulfate digestion,and to promote the application of newly revised (the 2012 edition) national standard method for determination of urinary iodine.Methods According to the newly revised national standard method,various digestion conditions,such as ammonium persulfate concentration (0.8-1.3 mol/L,group interval 0.1),digestion instruments (heating block and drying oven) and standing time after digestion(0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0 and 22.0 h),were studied.The samples included 3 standard materials,which were GWB09108k,GWB09109f and GWB09110m containing iodine of (68.2 ± 9.0),(138.0 ± 10.0) and (221.0 ± 10.0) μg/L,and 5 urine samples with iodine concentration of 100-300 μg/L.Results Measurement results among the three groups of 0.9,1.0 and 1.1 mol/L ammonium persulfate digestion fluid showed no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).The digestive effect showed no significant difference between heating block and drying oven (P ＞ 0.05) except one standard material in low concentration (GBW09108k).After digestion,samples were placed 0.5-22.0 h,the measurement results between groups showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Appropriate concentrations of ammonium persulfate are from 0.9 mol/L to 1.1 mol/L.Heating block is recommended for the digestion,however,when absent,drying oven can be used alternatively.The standing times from 0.5 h to 22 h after digestion have not affected the measurement results.

Objective To explore the influence of montelukast on plasma nitric oxide in preschool children with asthma.Methods Forty-four preschool children with asthma aged 2-5 years who firstly met a criterion of asthma and treated 4 weeks with montelukast were investigated;and nitric oxide levels of plasma were inspected respectively before treatment and after treatment 1 week,4 weeks.Results The level of nitric oxide in the plasma of asthmatic children was obviously higher than that in normal control group(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and procoagulant activity of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the normal peripheral blood cells of adults.

METHODSNormal peripheral blood samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers (5 ml from each volunteer), platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes were isolated. The expression and procoagulant activity of PS on normal blood cells were identified by flow cytometry, inhibition test with lactadherin as PS probe and coagulation anticoagulant, respectively.

RESULTSThere was PS expression on a few normal blood cells (9.1%, 5.4%, 3.9% and 3.2% in platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively). The PS on these normal blood cells in vitro showed significant procoagulant activity. The plasma recalcification time was shortened by 47%, 36.5%, 25% and 12.5% by platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively; the formation of factor Xa (through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways) and thrombin was also increased by 13% - 26% by platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe PS on normal blood cells in vivo may play a crucial role in the coagulation cascade.

Adult ; Blood Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphatidylserines ; metabolism

Objectives To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)H558R in SCN5A gene and chronic Keshan disease (KSD) complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.MethodsThirty nine patients with chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and 63 geographical region matched hypertension control subjects were recruited in our study in Fuyu county,Qiqihaer city,Heilongjiang province between 2006 and 2010.H558R polymorphism in case and control groups was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and sequenced,and electrocardiography(ECG) characteristics were examined in the two groups.Case-control study analytical methods were applied to analyze the relationship between H558R and chronic KSD complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD patients complicated with hypertension.Results Subjects of genotype 558 TC in the case group had a decreased risk of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension with odds ratio of 0.288[95％ confidence interval (CI):0.104 - 0.794],and subjects of genotype TC in chronic KSD complicated hypertension patients had a decreased risk of QRS prolongation with odds ratio of 0.061 (95％CI:0.006 - 0.612).Conclusions Polymorphism H558R in SCN5A gene may be a predisposition factor of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.

Objective To clarify the clinical features,therapeutic strategy and prognosis of lipid storage myopathy (LSM).Methods The clinical data and therapeutic effects of 42 LSM patients were summarized retrospectively.All patients were followed up to evaluate their prognosis.Results Data of short-term therapeutic results of all the 42 patients were available.Thirty-three cases were placed in low- doses prednisone and 9 cases in riboflavin.All patients showed marked and quick improvement of symptoms within one month.Among thirty-two patients followed up for more than one year,26 cases had a full recovery and 6 remained to have intolerance to heavy exercise.Thirteen patients had relapses of muscle weakness in various degrees and most of which were induced by exertion,exposure to coldness and upper respiratory tract infection.In 5 patients the symptoms were recurred for more than one time.Among 13 cases with relapses, 7 had family history.Conclusions Our data suggest that LSM is a treatable disease and well responsive to low-doses prednisone.The disease tends to recur,especially in patients with family history.Glutaric aciduria type Ⅱ should be considered in LSM patients who are responsive well to riboflavin,indicating drug therapeutic strategy for LSM should be based on the etiology of the disease.

Objective To investigate the clinical,neuroimaging and myopathological features of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes(MELAS).Methods The clinical manifestations,neuroimaging and myopathological features of 31 patients with MELAS diagnosed in our Neuromuscular Center in the recent 7 years were retrospectively analyzed.A3243G point mutations were analyzed by RFLP method in 10 patients.Results ①Clinical features:There were 18 male patients and 13 female patients.The age of onset ranged from 3 to 43 years,averaging 21.9 years.The averaged duration was 4.9 years.Thirteen patients in this group had family history of maternal inheritance pattern.The main clinical manifestations included short stature(26 patients),recurrent headache and vomiting(24 patients), muscle weakness(22 patients),epileptic seizure(21 patients),cognitive decline(19 patients),visual disturbance(17 patients),sensorineural deafness(16 patients),ataxia(6 patients),psychiatric symptom (8 patients),external ophathalmoplegia(2 patients)and diabetes mellitus(9 patients).The serum CK level was slightly elevated in 6 patients,and the fasting blood lactic acid was increased in 15 of the 18 detected patients.②Neuroimaging features:The stroke-like lesions were mostly confined to cerebral cortex, including temporal lobe(24 patients),occipital lobe(21 patients),parietal lobe(12 patients)and frontal lobe(4 patients).Three patients had deep white matter involvement.Migrating stroke-like lesions were confirmed in 4 patients by repeated cranial CT/MRI examination.In addition,cerebral atrophy(17 patients)and bilateral basilar ganglion calcification(11 patients)were found.③Myopathological features: Scattered ragged red fibers(RRF)in various number were found in all the patients by MGT staining.Other founding included strongly SDH-reactive blood vessel(27 patients),COX enzyme deficiency(19 patients), and mild to moderate lipid storage in RRF(20 patients).④MtDNA analysis showed 9 patients with A3243G point mutation in all the detected 13 patients.Conclusion The clinical and neuroimaging features may offer important clue to the diagnosis of MELAS,but a definite diagnosis of MELAS relies on the myopathology and mtDNA mutation analysis.

Objective To investigate selcnium(Se) levels of environment and human body in Gaomi City and Zichuan District of Shandong. Methods Lijiaying Township in Gaomi City of Weifang City, Zhaili Township and Longquan Township in Zichuan District of Zibo City were selected. Two farming soil samples at different spot, local wheat and corn, residents nail samples from 3 to 4 families were collected in each natural village in the investigated towns. The contents of Se were detected by 2,3-diamino naphthalene fluorescence method. Results Se level of the soil, wheat, corn, and nails in Lijiaying [(0.054 ± 0.019), (0.022 ± 0.009), (0.018 ± 0.007), (0.365 ± 0.108)mg/kg] was significantly lower than that in Zhaili [(0.425 ± 0.080), (0.130 ± 0.043), (0.098 ± 0.026), (0.751 ± 0.134)mg/kg] and Longquan[(0.487 ± 0.153), (0.112 ± 0.030), (0.097 ± 0.029), (0.735 ± 0.145)mg/kg;P < 0.01]. In Lijiaying, Se was deficient in soil, wheat, corn(< 0.200, < 0.025 mg/kg), above Se deficiency diagnosis and below Se-adequate level in the nail, while in Zhaili and Longquan, the Se level in the soil (0.425, 0.487 mg/kg), wheat(0.130, 0.112 mg/kg), corn (0.098, 0.097 mg/kg), nails (0.751, 0.735 mg/kg) was adequate (≥0.400 mg/kg). Conclusions The external environment is Se-deficient in Lijiaying, Se-adequate in Longquan and Zhaili. The selenium level in human body is consistent with the external environment.

Placental site nodule as a kind of benign trophoblastic disease is rare.The features of placental site nodule are known very little. Pathological diagnosis is the gold standard, while the pathological features of atypical placental site nodule are known very little. Here we report a case of mass in uterus with atypical placental site nodule, which can supplement our knowledge of this disease.

BACKGROUNDSpine surgery using computer-assisted navigation (CAN) has been proven to result in low screw misplacement rates, low incidence of radiation exposure and excellent operative field viewing versus the conventional intraoperative image intensifier (CIII). However, as we know, few previous studies have described the learning curve of CAN in spine surgery.

METHODSWe performed two consecutive case cohort studies on pedicel screw accuracy and operative time of two spine surgeons with different experience backgrounds, A and B, in one institution during the same period. Lumbar pedicel screw cortical perforation rate and operative time of the same kind of operation using CAN were analyzed and compared using CIII for the two surgeons at initial, 6 months and 12 months of CAN usage.

RESULTSCAN spine surgery had an overall lower cortical perforation rate and less mean operative time compared with CIII for both surgeon A and B cohorts when total cases of four years were included. It missed being statistically significant, with 3.3% versus 4.7% (P = 0.191) and 125.7 versus 132.3 minutes (P = 0.428) for surgeon A and 3.6% versus 6.4% (P = 0.058), and 183.2 versus 213.2 minutes (P = 0.070) for surgeon B. In an attempt to demonstrate the learning curve, the cases after 6 months of the CAN system in each surgeon's cohort were compared. The perforation rate decreased by 2.4% (P = 0.039) and 4.3% (P = 0.003) and the operative time was reduced by 31.8 minutes (P = 0.002) and 14.4 minutes (P = 0.026) for the CAN groups of surgeons A and B, respectively. When only the cases performed after 12 months using the CAN system were considered, the perforation rate decreased by 3.9% (P = 0.006) and 5.6% (P < 0.001) and the operative time was reduced by 20.9 minutes (P < 0.001) and 40.3 minutes (P < 0.001) for the CAN groups of surgeon A and B, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIn the long run, CAN spine surgery decreased the lumbar screw cortical perforation rate and operative time. The learning curve showed a sharp drop after 6 months of using CAN that plateaued after 12 months; which was demonstrated by both perforation rate and operative time data. Careful analysis of the data showed CAN is especially useful for less experienced surgeon to reduce perforation rate and intraoperative time, although further comparative studies are anticipated.

Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Spine ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods