Humans ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Translational Medical Research

Molecular Epidemiology ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; genetics

Objective To compare the biomechanical properties between the two-level fixation by im- plantation of pedicle-screws into the adjacent upper and lower vertebrae of the fractured vertebra and the three-level fixation by implantation of pedicle screws into the fractured vertebra and its adjacent upper and lower vertebrae in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods Eight fresh frozen calf spines were used in this study.Each specimen was tested in four models:intact model as the control,L1 burst fracture model,two-level fixation model, and three-level fixation model.The L1 burst fracture model was created on a biaxial material testing machine (MTS858 Bionix test system,America).During the experiment,the flexion,extension,bilateral bending and axial rotation loadings were applied to the specimens and the range of motion(ROM)was measured with a three-dimensional laser analysis apparatus and the stiffness was calculated subsequently.One-way statistical analysis was used.Results The ROMs under six different loadings in the fracture model became larger obviously(P＜0.05)and the stiffness decreased(P＜0.05).The ROMs in both fixation models were smaller than those in the other models(P＜0.01)and the stiffness increased distinctly(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in ROMs and stiffness between the two-level fixation and three-level fixation models(P＞0.05).Conclusion Two-level fixation provides similar biomechanical stability as three-level fixation does in the reconstruction of unstable thoracolumbar fractures.

score, prostate volume and peak urinary flow rate, correlate with BPH, but not with nocturia. Keeping a detailed urinary diary for the patients is beneficial for elucidating their urinary function and in decision-making of their treatment regimen.

Background and purpose: Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant neoplasm characterized by slow growth and indolent behavior, and most of the patients had metastases in diagnoses. This study was to define clinical features and assess prognostic factors of ASTS. Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2008, there were 15 patients with ASTS who received treatment and were followed up in the Department of Orthopedic Ontology of Peking University People's Hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical factors of the disease related to prognosis: gender, age, tumor size, primary tumor site, metastatic sites, local recurrence, the roles of postoperative radiotherapy and postoperative chemotherapy. Resnlts: At a follow-up from 7 to 76 months, only 2 patients had local recurrences after excision, but there was a high incidence of pulmonary metastases. Only 6 patients achieved disease free survival, 5 patients died of metastases or other complications. The five-year overall survival rates was 41.7%, and the median survival time was 42.0 months. Univariate analysis and Cox regression analysis revealed that tumor size, tumor primary site and metastases at diagnoses were prognostic factors, but not gender and age, Conclusion: Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a high grade malignant soft tissue neoplasm with frequent metastases to lung, bone or brain. Tumor size, primary tumor site and metastases at diagnoses are some of the prognostic factors. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery have no benefit to the survival in our analysis. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the best strategy for the treatment of ASPS.

Objective To investigate the prevalence rate of complications in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods 80 CP children were recruited.Their parents were interviewed for high risk factors and feeding his- tory.Each case was assessed neurologically for type of CP and diagnosed for complications.And all cases were detect- ed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the brain.Results Among 80 patients,60 cases(75%)suffered from complications,the majority patients had difficulty in taking in food,intelligence retardation,hearing impediment and vision impediment.The prevalence rate of complications with mixed CP was 85 %.MRI abnormalities of the brain were accounted for 74.5 % and periventrieular leakomalacia(PVL)was more common(45.1%).Conclusion This study suggested timely rehabiliatation and interventions must be started to significantly improve the levels of intelli- gence.And the epilepsy and nonepileptic events must be identified to avoid mistakes in diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of regulating gastrointestinal motility by elec- troacupunturing point of"Zusanli"in rabbits.Methods Thirty adult rabbits were divided into control, electrical acupuncture point of"Zusanli"and non acupuncture point groups.The blood concentrations of motilin were detected at different times(before acupuncture and 15,30,45 and 60 min after acupunc- ture).Sixty min after acupuncture,the mice were sacrificed.The acetylcholine esterase and nitric oxide synthase(NOS)in gastric and jejunum tissues were examined.The electron microscope was used to observe the vesicles of nerve ending.Results The concentrations of motilin in electrical acupuncture group was significantly increased and reached the high peak at 45min.The activities of acetylcholine es- terase was increased significantly in electrical acupuncture group compared to control group[gastric tis- sue:(15 571?2876)pinel vs(9081?801)pinel,P

Medical microbiology is basic course of medicine.In order to improve teaching quality,we employ discussing-mode education in microbiology.This education style can not only enlighten and train poly-directional thought ability,capacity of bringing forth new ideas and pioneering spirit,but draw close the distance between students and modern life science,which make microbiological course become beginning of exploring microbiology.The employment of education style of discussing microbiology new advance is effective pathway of exploring most suitable high-quality person of talent training.

Objective To develop a rapid ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/ MS) for determination of 11 sedative-hypnotics in human plasma. Methods The plasma samples were extracted with dichloromethane:n-hexane:acetoacetate (5∶4∶1). The separation was performed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3 column (2.1 mm×100 mm,1.8 μm) using the mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-0.1% ammonium solution at a flow rate of 0.2 mL?min-1 in gradient elution mode. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) via electrospray ionization (ESI) source in positive mode. Results Good linear relation was obtained over the investigated concentration range, with all correlation coefficients higher than 0.99. The limit of detection was 200 pg?mL-1 for dexzopiclone,and 10- 20 pg?mL-1 for other sedative-hypnotics. The intra- and inter-day RSD of 11 sedative-hypnotics were no more than 15.0%. The recoveries were in the range of 72.3%-108.0%, and the matrix effects were approximately 0.86- 1. 12. Conclusion The method is rapid, sensitive and reliable, and suitable for the simultaneous determination of 11 sedative-hypnotics in human plasma.

OBJECTIVEMitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) is a progressive, multisystem affected mitochondrial disease associated with a number of disease-related defective genes. MELAS has unpredictable presentations and clinical course, and it can be commonly misdiagnosed as encephalitis, cerebral infarction, or brain neoplasms. This review aimed to update the diagnosis progress in MELAS, which may provide better understanding of the disease nature and help make the right diagnosis as well.

DATA SOURCESThe data used in this review came from published peer review articles from October 1984 to October 2014, which were obtained from PubMed. The search term is "MELAS".

STUDY SELECTIONInformation selected from those reported studies is mainly based on the progress on clinical features, blood biochemistry, neuroimaging, muscle biopsy, and genetics in diagnosing MELAS.

RESULTSMELAS has a wide heterogeneity in genetics and clinical manifestations. The relationship between mutations and phenotypes remains unclear. Advanced serial functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide directional information on this disease. Muscle biopsy has meaningful value in diagnosing MELAS, which shows the presence of ragged red fibers and mosaic appearance of cytochrome oxidase negative fibers. Genetic studies have reported that approximately 80% of MELAS cases are caused by the mutation m.3243A>G of the mitochondrial transfer RNA (Leu (UUR)) gene (MT-TL1).

CONCLUSIONSMELAS involves multiple systems with variable clinical symptoms and recurrent episodes. The prognosis of MELAS patients depends on timely diagnosis. Therefore, overall diagnosis of MELAS should be based on the maternal inheritance family history, clinical manifestation, and findings from serial MRI, muscle biopsy, and genetics.