Objective To explore the diagnostic value of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with 16-slice spiral CT.Methods Forty patients with AAA were examinated with 16-slice spiral CT. Multiplanar reformation (MPR), maximal intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) were performed in all cases.Results Forty patients with AAA included seven cases of cystiform, twenty-three cases of shuttle and ten cases of shuttle-cystiform aneurysm. There were three cases of multiple abdominal aortic aneurysm. There was one case of pseudoaneurysm after the rupture of true aneurysm. MPR definitely revealed the site, modality and extent of aortic disease and demonstrated the mural thrombus in the aneurysm. The calcifications of abdominal aortic aneurysm’s wall or in mural thrombus were well depicted by MIP. VR definitely showed the relationship between aneurysm and arterial branches with three-dimension form.Conclusion 16-slice spiral CT is the optimal imaging technique in diagnosing, following up pre-and post-operation of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

360 min,the risk of no-reflow phenomenon was decreased in patients with SOTB≤360 min(OR=0.2,95% CI:0.0-1.0,P=0.045).(2) Obesity was identified as an independent risk factor for peak concentration of CK-MB(?=117.3,95% CI:12.1-222.6,P=0.029).(3) Age(above 60 years old),obesity,and preprocedural Killip classification were identified as independent risk factors for postprocedural LVEF.Old age(?=-6,95% CI:-9.7--2.2,P=0.002) and obesity(?=-3.8,95% CI:-7.6--0.1,P=0.044)were associated with low LVEF but preprocedural cardiac function of Killip Class Ⅰ was associated with high LVEF(?=4.9,95% CI:0.4～9.4,P=0.033).(4) Preprocedural Killip classification and multivessel disease were independent predictors for major adverse cardiac event in the follow-up period.The risk of major adverse cardiac event during follow-up decreased in patients with preprocedural Killip class I compared with patients with Killip class Ⅱ~Ⅳ(OR=0.1,95% CI:0.0-0.7,P=0.022),but the risk increased in patients with multivessel disease compared with those who had single vessel disease(OR=10.5,95% CI:1.1-99.4,P=0.041).Conclusion The clinical outcomes and prognosis of patients with AMI treated with primary PCI were associated with a variety of risk factors including age,obesity,multivessel disease,and preprocedural cardiac function.In addition,SOTB was related to postprocedural TIMI flow in patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI.

Objective To investigate the relationship of serum uric acid level to the risk of coronary artery disease in young adults.Methods One hundred and fifty six young adults(≤45 years) hospitalized in Peking University First Hosipital during January 2005 to April 2008 were divided into coronary heart disease(CHD) group(96 cases) and control group(60 cases),according to coronary angiography.The CHD group was then sub-divided into 3 groups: single-vessel group(n=55),double-vessel group(n=21) and multi-vessel group(n=20).The relationship of serum uric acid level to the risk of CHD was analyzed.Results The serum uric acid level in CHD group was higher than that in control group(347.3?77.8 ?mol/L vs 306.1?76.6 ?mol/L,P

Objective To investigate epidemiological characteristics of Salmonella infection in children with infectious diarrhea in Zhuhai City from 2009 to 2014 .Methods Isolation ,culturing ,biochemical identification and serotyping of Salmonella were carried out in strains isolated from stool specimens of 4 395 children with infectious diarrhea in inpatient and outpatient settings in Zhuhai Municipal Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital from 2009 to 2014 ,and data were statistically analysed .Results A total of 546 strains of Salmonella was isolated(the overall isolation rate was 12 .42% ) and 30 serotypes were identified .Among children with Salmonella infection ,those under 3 years old accounted for 93 .22% .There was no statistically significant difference of isolation rate between male and female children with infectious diarrhea(P<0 .05) .June and July were peak period of Salmonella infection ,and the isolation rate was 16 .40% and 16 .09% respectively .Isolates of Salmonella typhimurium ,Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella stanley account for 50 .92% ,13 .55% and 10 .26% respectively ,which were dominant serotypes .Conclusion Salmonella is the main pathogenic bacteria in children with infectious diarrhea in Zhuhai area ,and Salmonella typhimurium is the main serotype .The infec‐tion of Salmonella might be correlated with children′s age and climate change .

Objective To investigate the radiographic features and surgical approach of severe fixed cervical kyphosis.Methods Seventeen cases of severe fixed cervical kyphosis from January 2007 to January 2012 were studied retrospectively.There were 8 males and 9 females,with an average age of 49.7 years.The etiologies were 3 cases of infection,3 cases of degeneration,3 cases of neurofibromatosis,3 cases of prior laminectomy,2 cases of idiopathic,2 cases of trauma and 1 case of neuromuscular disease.The average length of kyphosis was 4.3 ± 1.2 segments.All patients complained of severe neck pain (visual analogue scale,VAS,7.6±1.5) or progressive cervical kyphosis.There were 4 cases with myelopathy,2 with radiculopathy,3 with difficulty of forward gaze and 1 with difficulty of swallowing.All patients were underwent dynamic flexion-extension radiographs and traction views.CT scans were carried out to identify the sites of fixed kyphosis.Continuous traction was performed after general anesthesia,and the surgical approach was decided according to spinal cord compression,length of kyphosis and the cause of fixed kyphosis.Surgical outcomes were assessed in terms of correction of Cobb angle and Odom criteria.Results All patients were followed-up for 2 to 5 years.According to the CT scans,the sites of fixed kyphosis were identified:anterior bony ankylosis in 7 cases,posterior in 6 cases and both anterior and posterior in 4 cases.The surgical approach were as following:anterior only in 4 cases,posterior only in 2 cases,anterior-posterior in 5 cases,posterior-anterior in 3 cases,anterior-posterior-anterior in 1 case and posterior-anterior-posterior in 2 cases.The Cobb angle was corrected from 49.3°± 14.6° preoperation to 2.1 °±6.8° at the latest follow-up,with an average correction of 47.2°.According to Odom criteria,there were 7 excellent outcome,8 good,2 fair and none poor outcome.Revision surgery was performed in 1 case due to proximal junctional kyphosis.At the latest follow-up,bony fusion was found in all patients.Conclusion CT scan is helpful in identifying the cause of fixed kyphosis.The surgical approach of fixed cervical kyphosis is decided by spinal cord compression,length of kyphosis and cause of fixed kyphosis.Anterior approach is suitable for anterior ankylosis,posterior approach for posterior ankylosis,combined approach for both anterior and posterior ankylosis.

Gene expression exhibits temporal and spatial patterns to response environmental changes and growth cycle. Gene expression is under strict control at different levels among which control at transcription level is the predominant mode, especially in prokaryotes. In this review, we summarized the new developments of methods used in transcriptional studies, including modifications and improvements of the classic methods, such as gel-shift assay, DNA foot printing, and in vivo reporter system. In addition, we introduced examples to apply new methods, such as surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to characterize protein-DNA, ligand-protein, and ligand-protein-DNA interactions. The collection of these methods and their application could guide and accelerate relevant studies.
Calorimetry ; DNA Footprinting ; Gene Expression ; Ligands ; Proteins ; Surface Plasmon Resonance ; Transcription, Genetic

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of MMP-3 in knee joint synovium of different stage in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Methods MMP-3 protein were detected by immunohistochemical method in knee synovial tissues from 90 OA patients (the OA group) and OA group was divided into 3 subgroups according to Kellgren and LawrenceX-ray diagnosing standards: the gradeⅠ(n = 30), gradeⅡ (n = 30) and grade Ⅲ subgroups (n = 30). 30 patients were enrolled as control group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of MMP-3 protein in the tissue. Results The expression level of MMP-3 protein in OA group was significantly higher that in the normal synovium (P < 0.05). There existed significant difference in the expression of MMP-3 protein between the grade Ⅲ subgroup and the gradeⅠ, or Ⅱsubgroups (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP-3 protein related positively to the severity of OA (r = 0.912, P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of MMP-3 protein related closely to the pathogenic mechanism of OA. It may serve as an important indicator of early diagnosis and the activity of OA.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with transpedicular interbody bone grafting for the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.MethodsA total of 20 patients with thoracolumbar fractures (type A,load sharing ≥7,without neurological deficit) underwent percutaneous pedicle screw fixation of Sextant systems combined with transpedicular interbody bone grafting were retrospectively studied.The perioperative parameters,radiographic and clinical outcomes were compared with another 20 patients underwent traditional short-segment pedicle screw fixation combined with transpedicular interbody bone grafting.All patients were followed up for at least 2 years after surgery.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the two groups in sex,age,injury to operation interval,and load sharing scores.However,there were significant differences between the two groups in operating time and blood loss(P＜0.05).The vertebral body height and kyphosis angle were corrected significantly after surgery (P＜O.05),however,the recovery of the vertebral body height and kypbosis angle were reduced significantly one year after surgery in both groups (P＜0.05).At the final follow-up,there were no significant progressive losses of the recovery of the vertebral body height and kyphosis angle,as compared with that of one year after surgery in two groups.There were no significant differences in radiographic parameters and the clinical outcomes between the two groups,even though less radiographic correction and better clinical outcomes were found in percutaneous techniques.ConclusionShort-segment pedicle screw fixation with transpedicular grafting remains a reliable surgical method for the treatment of severe thoracolumbar fractures without neurological deficit.Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation proved to be an effective method with the advantages of minimal invasiveness and less blood loss.

Objective To evaluate the expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase 14(MMP-14) in osteoar-thritis(OA) patients in synovium and synovial fluid of knee joint .Methods Semi-quantitative RT-PCR were used to detect the ex-pression of MMP-14 mRNA in 32 case of OA (experimental group)and 26 non-OA patients(control group)synovium ;protein level expression of MMP-14 in synovial fluid were analyzed by ELISA .Results The expression of MMP-14 mRNA in experimental group synovium of knee joint was significantly increased compared with control group (P<0 .05);but the protein level of MMP-14 was low in experimental group synovial fluid compared with control group (P<0 .05) .Conclusion The expression of MMP-14 is increased in OA patients synovium and maybe promote the progress of OA directly ;the protein level of MMP-14 is decreased in OA synovial fluid ,indicated the function of MMP-14 in OA synoviocyte indirectly .

Objective To investigate the correlation between sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters in different types of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS).Methods Standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the whole spine including hip joints were carried out in 70 volunteers without spinal deformity and 110 patients with DLS.The following parameters were measured:thoracic kyphosis (TK),thoracolumbar kyphosis (TL),lumbar lordosis (LL),sagittal vertical axis (SVA),pelvic incidence (PI),pelvic tilt (PT) and sacral slope (SS).According to the sagittal spinal alignment,the patients with DLS were classified into 3 types:type Ⅰ (45 cases),type Ⅱ (48 cases) and type Ⅲ (17 cases).The sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters were compared between control group and different types of DLS group,and the relationship between the sagittal spinal parameters and pelvic parameters in different groups were also investigated.Results PI in type Ⅲ patients was lower than those in other groups; PT in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients was higher than those in controls and type Ⅰ patients,and there was a significant difference between type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients; SS in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients was lower than those in controls and type Ⅰ patients,and there was no significant difference between type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients.Sagittal spinal imbalance was found in 17.8％ of type Ⅱ patients and 29.4％ of type Ⅲ patients.There were significant correlations in sagittal spinal parameters,pelvic parameters and spinopelvic parameters in controls and type Ⅰ patients.However,in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,the correlations in sagittal spinal parameters and spinopelvic parameters decreased,even disappeared,though significant correlations were still found in pelvic parameters.In any group,SVA showed a significant correlation with LL and PT,especially with PT.Conclusion The sagittal spinal alignment has a ladder-like change in patients with DLS,and the correlations in pelvic parameters and spinopelvic parameters also change in type Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,for whom the sagittal spinal imbalance is more likely to occur.