Objective To evaluate the correlating clinical factors of coronary artery calcification score(CACS).Methods 141 patients suspected of coronary artery disease were included.They underwent multi-slice row computed tomography,pulse wave velocity ( PWV ),UCG and blood biochemistry within a period of 3 months.The subjects were divided into three groups according to CAC score:A(CACS =0-10),B ( CACS = 11-400),C ( CACS > 400).Results CACS was significantly associated with age,history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.It was also associated with the presence of mitral annular calcification and aortic valve calcification,low ankel brachial pressure index(ABI) and high mean artery pressure(MAP) as well as high values of brachial ankel PWV (baPWV) and Upstroke time (UT).Muhifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of aortic valve calcification and mitral annular calcification,the history of diabetes mellitus and high value of UT were independently correlated with severe coronary artery calcification.Conclusions Aortic valve calcification,mitral annular calcification,history of diabetes mellitus,high value of UT were independently correlated with severe coronary artery calcification.Measurement of PWV and UCG should be performed before muhi-slicerow computed tomography,because the assessment of coronary artery lumen narrowing with multi-slice row computed tomography can not be carried out accurately in the presence of severe coronary artery calcification.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effect ofZishen decoction combined with standard treatment of western medicine for for stage IV diabetic nephropathy with Qi and Yin deficiency.MethodsA total of 112 patients with stage IV diabetic nephropathy and Qi and Yin deficiency were randomized to thestandard treatment and the combined treatment groups, 56 in each. The standard treatment group received conventional treatment, including blood glucose controlling, antihypertensive, blood lipid regulating and diet controlling. The combined treatment group receivedZishen decoction on the basis of conventional treatment. All the patients were treated for 3 months. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), total cholesterol (TG), triacylglycerol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured by an automatic chemistry analyzer. The urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsCompared with the standard treatment group, the SCr (53.51 ± 18.12μmol/Lvs. 62.66 ± 21.14μmol/L;t=2.459,P<0.05), UAER(100.73±84.24μg/minvs. 156.24 ± 96.38μg/min;t=3.245,P<0.05), TG(1.73±0.22 mmol/Lvs. 2.06 ± 0.21 mmol/L;t=8.112,P<0.01), TC(4.56 ± 0.62 mmol/Lvs. 5.10 ±0.31 mmol/L;t=5.830, P<0.01), LDL-C (2.42 ± 1.05 mmol/Lvs. 3.31 ± 0.81 mmol/L;t=5.022,P<0.01) in the combined treatment group decreased significantly, and the HDL-C (1.67 ± 0.33 mmol/Lvs. 1.36 ± 0.41 mmol/L;t=4.460,P<0.01) increased significantly. ConclusionZishen decoction on the basis of conventional treatment can improve the SCr and UAER, and regulate the blood lipid in the patients with stage IV diabetic nephropathy and Qi-Yin deficiency.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the self-made Zishen decoction combined with conventional western medicine therapy and health education on the patients with early diabetic nephropathy. Methods The 112 patients with DN were randomly assigned to 2 groups (each group 56 patients) at a ratio of 1:1. The control group was treated with control of glucose, blood pressure, lipid, and diet therapy, and the treatment group was with self-made prescription of invigorating the kidney and health education based on the control group treatment. All patients were treated for 6 months. The SF-36 scale was used to assess the quality of life, and the clinical effect was determined based on the blood biochemical indexes. Results Total clinical effect of the treatment group was 85.7%(48/56), and the control group was 67.9%(38/56) (χ2=4.057, P=0.044). Compared with the control group after treatment for 6 months, the physical condition (72.17 ± 13.41 vs. 64.59 ± 11.83, t=3.172), social function (64.58 ± 14.54 vs. 58.94 ± 14.62, t=2.047), physical role function (55.82 ± 10.11 vs. 47.46 ± 10.18, t=4.360), emotional role function (60.43 ± 10.20 vs. 56.04 ± 11.44, t=2.143), energy (69.86 ± 11.43 vs. 62.47 ± 11.12, t=3.468), general health status (68.57 ± 11.25 vs. 62.45 ± 11.78, t=2.812) of the treatment group were significantly improved (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusion The self-made Zishen decoction and health education combined with conventional western medicine can improve the clinical effect and quality of life of patients with DN.

Objective To investigate the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of ventricular outflow tract septum on the left ventricular structure and function in experimental canine.Methods Healthy experimental dogs were used for this study.RFA of the myocardium at ventricular outflow tract septum was performed.Before RFA,thoracic ultrasound examination was used to determine the width of left ventricular outflow tract,the systolic interventricular septum thickness,left ventricular ejection fraction,etc.The ultrasound examination was performed immediately after RFA to check the above indexes.Ultrasound examination was employed one and 3 months after RFA to record the above indexes of the survived dogs,and pathological examination was made.Results Among the 10 experimental dogs,successful RFA was achieved in 9,and one dog died of ventricular fibrillation.In one dog RFA was successfully accomplished,but it died of respiratory inhibition due to over-deep anesthesia.Immediate success rate of surgery was 80％,eight dogs survived to the scheduled follow-up time point.The width of left ventricular outflow tract and the systolic interventricular septum thickness determined immediately after RFA as well as one and three months after RFA in the survived dogs were significantly different from the preoperative data (P＜0.05).Histopathologically,striking microscopic changes could be observed.No obvious changes in ECG and blood pressure were seen.Conclusion The results of this study indicate that RFA of ventricular outflow tract septum in experimental dogs is safe and effective,which provides useful parameters and experimental basis for further animal experiments and clinical trials.

Recently the incidence of female infertility is on the rise. The variable and complicated cause of infertility makes it difficult to diagnose in clinical practise. The relationship between vaginal flora and host immune system plays a vital role in female physiological function. Vaginal microbiota dysbiosis may be related to all kinds of infertility, such as tube infertility, endometriosis, anovulatory infertility and idiopathic infertility. In other words, vaginal microbiota dysbiosis may take part in the infertile process. For now the mechanism is far from clear. Some scientists suppose that Lactobacillus deficiency, chronic inflamation and low estrogen level might get involved in this pathophysiological progression, which needs to be studied in the furture.

OBJECTIVETo clone and identify one novel regeneration related gene H(3) (CA854305) from the differential expression genes library we had set up before.

METHODSUse the method of Northern blot to detect the different expressions of the novel gene under different situations, employ the technique of in silico cloning to scan the span of the novel gene, and analyze their sequences. Also we used reverse transcription PCR to validate the largest open reading frame.

RESULTSNorthern blotting results of H(3) (CA854305) showed that the transplanted group had more efficient and extensive expression than untreated and uninjured groups 5 days after spinal cord injury, while the untreated group had more extensive expression than uninjured group. It implied that H(3) might have some relationship with nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. From the results of in silico cloning we got a longest contig of 1635 bp and an largest open reading frame of 542 bp from 49 to 591 bp correspondent with the Cozak rules. Reverse transcription PCR validated the largest open reading frame sequence primarily.

CONCLUSIONSWe got the sequence of novel gene H(3) which might be one of the regenerationjrelated genes. Key words:Gene library; Genes; Nerve regeneration; Spinal cord injuries.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Library ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo prospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra in the treatment of type A thoracolumbar fractures using Sextant system in the retrospective non-randomized case-control study.

METHODSA total of 38 consecutive non-randomized patients with type A thoracolumbar fractures, which had been stabilized posteriorly from December 2006 to March 2009, were examined retrospectively more than 9 months after surgery. Twenty-one patients had been treated conventionally with open pedicle screw fixation (OPSF) and 17 patients received minimally invasive treatment with Sextant percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (SPPSF). As a method of evaluation, the incision size, the intraoperation and postoperative volume of blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospital stay, blood transfusion, the radiological assessment of the sagittal Cobb;s angle, vertebral body angle and vertebral body height were recorded and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8-24 months (average 11.6 months). There were significant differences in the incision size, surgical blood loss, surgical draining loss, operation time, hospital stay after operation, blood transfusion, the proportion of antalgic supplement and postoperative incisional VAS between the two groups (P less than 0.05). Mean preoperative kyphotic deformity was 16.0 degree and improved by 9.3 degree after surgery in OPSF group, but 15.2 degree and 10.3 degree respectively in SPPSF group. Mean preoperative angle of the fractured vertebral body was 15.9 degree and improved by 7.9 degree after surgery in OPSF group, but 14.9 degree and 6.6 degree respectively in SPPSF group. Mean anterior vertebral body height (% of normal) was 67.3% before surgery and 95.8% after surgery, but 69.1% and 90.1% respectively in SPPSF group. Mean posterior vertebral body height (% of normal) was 93.3% before surgery and 99.5% after surgery, but 88.9% and 93.3% respectively in SPPSF group. Among the patients whose 9-month follow-up films were available, 3.0 degree of kyphosis correction was lost in OPSF group, but 3.2 degree in SPPSF group. And 1.0 degree of the angle of the fractured vertebral body correction was lost in OPSF group, but 1.5 degree in SPPSF group. Then 3.0% of the anterior vertebral body height correction was lost in OPSF group, but 2.2% in SPPSF group. And 3.0% of the posterior vertebral body height correction was lost in OPSF group, but 2.5% in SPPSF group. The sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and anterior height of the fractured vertebra were all significantly different in each group before and after operation (P less than 0.05). There were no significant differences in the postoperative sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and the improvement of the vertebral body height and the kyphotic deformity correction between OPSF and SPPSF groups (P larger than 0.05), but there was significant difference in the postoperative anterior height of the fractured vertebra between the two groups (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the pedicle of fractured vertebra using Sextant system is a good minimally-invasive surgical therapeutic choice for patients with type A thoracolumbar fracture except for that the SPPSF has a little insufficiency in resuming the anterior height of the fractured vertebra compared with OPSF.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery

Objective: To explore the changes of gut microbiota in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) model rats and to study the possible role of gut microbiota in the pathological progress of PCOS. Methods: Six-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group and experimental group (n=10 per group). Subcutaneous injection with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in 0.2 mL phosphate buffer saline (PBS) was adopted to establish PCOS model rats, while the control group rats were subcutaneously injected with the same amount of PBS. After treatment for 4 weeks, the estrous cycle, ovarian weight and morphology were detected. The change of relative abundance of gut microbiota was detected with high-throughput Illumina sequencing technique. Results: Ovarian weight in experimental group was lower than that in control group (P=0.010). The estrous cycle was disrupted and ovarian morphology was greatly changed with enlarged follicles and polycystic ovaries, indicating successful PCOS rat model induced by DHEA. Relative abundance of gut microbiota was significantly altered in genus level, with enrichment of genus Alloprevotella (P=0.040) and Parasutterella (P=0.009) in experimental group. Several kinds of microbial taxa, such as Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Burkholderiale, Elusimicrobia, Elusimicrobiales, Elusimicrobiaceae, and microbial genera Elusimicrobium, Parasutterella and Allobaculum, were remarkably enriched in experimental group, while the abundance of Psychrobacter, Odoribacter and Moraxellaceae were reduced compared with control group revealed by LEfSe analysis (LDA≥2.0). Conclusion: The gut microbiota in PCOS model rats is greatly changed compared with that of control group. Many kinds of microbial taxa varies significantly in abundance, suggesting there might be close association between gut microbiota and occurrence and development of PCOS.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and anti-VEGF on the expression of fracture healing-related factors and observe pathological changes at fractured sites.

METHODSFracture models were established in 105 New Zealand white rabbits and they were randomly divided into control group, VEGF group and anti-VEGF group. The relevant factors expression at fractured sites was assayed and pathological changes were observed in decalcified samples at 8, 24, 72 hours and 1,3,5,8 weeks after fracture.

RESULTSAfter application of VEGF, the expression of BMP appeared earlier and expression time lasted longer. On the contrary, anti-VEGF completely inhibited the expression of BMP. The fractured sites were filled with fibrous callus, cartilaginous callus and bony callus at the 3rd week and woven bone was constructed at the 5th week. Fracture healing was accomplished at the 8th week in VEGF group. In anti-VEGF polyclonal antibody group, cellular necrosis increased at early period. Continuous focal necrosis was seen in the fractured sites from the 1st week to 5th week. Vascularization reduced obviously at the 3rd week.

CONCLUSIONSFracture healing is a result of mutual regulation and coordination among many factors. VEGF may be an important factor in fracture healing.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Fracture Healing ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Radius Fractures ; physiopathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the change of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase (CK) in patients undergoing microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy.

METHODSForty-four patients with single level lumbar disk herniation were treated, either by MED (Group A, n equal to 22) or open discectomy (Group B, n equal to 22). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before surgery and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The pain severity of incision was evaluated by visual analog scale after operation and the clinical outcome was evaluated by Oswestry disability index. Statistical comparison was performed by the analysis of variance and Student's t test.

RESULTSThe data showed that patients in Group A had a less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05), shorter operating length (P < 0.05), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) and less postoperative pain of incision than those in Group B. Serum levels of IL-6 (mean, 31.60 ng/L +/- 9.88 ng/L vs 39.16 ng/L +/- 11.14 ng/L, P < 0.05) and CK (mean, 167.91 U/L +/- 51.85 U/L vs 401.55 U/L +/- 108.86 U/L, P < 0.05) all get to the peak at 24 hours after operation and Group A with the response statistically less than Group B. Serum level of CRP peaked at 24 hours in Group A (mean, 12.68 mg/L +/- 7.10 mg/L vs 20.82 mg/L +/- 8.79 mg/L, P less than 0.05)and peaked at 48 hours after surgery in Group B (mean, 10.77 mg/L +/- 5.25 mg/L vs 29.95 mg/L +/- 14.85 mg/L, P < 0.05). The clinical outcomes of both groups were the same at 6 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONSBoth MED and open discectomy have made good clinical outcomes, however, the less change of IL-6, CRP and CK after operation proves that MED procedure is less traumatic to patients than open discectomy.

Adult ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods