BACKGROUND:In clinical application, the structure of crista lambdoidalis of L5 was unclear. It needs to expose more tissue to define L5 entry point through transverse process or superior and inferior articular process. This increased the risk of trauma and iatrogenic superior intervertebral degeneration. Therefore, it is necessary to expose L5 entry point with a minimaly invasive way. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the accuracy of L5 pedicle screw insertion with the entry point of mastoid process slope by imaging. METHODS:Mastoid process was located on the base of L5 superior articular process. A cant was formed when the highest point of L5 mastoid process backward protuberance extended inwards and downwards. The cant was defined as mastoid process slope; it was lateral to pedicle medial superior side internaly, medial to transverse process root and superior to the top of crista lambdoidalis. The slope was first easily touched and exposed in lumbar posterior surgery through paraspinal muscle space approach. Fifty patients of lumbar spine disorders were treated by L5 pedicle screws fixation through the entry point of mastoid process slope. According to preoperative radiographic and CT images, pedicle screw insertion direction of the sagittal and transverse sections was calculated. The diameter of pedicle screw was 6.5 mm. The condition of intraoperative successful rate of screws placement at one time was analyzed. The accuracy of screw placement was evaluated by postoperative radiographic and CT images. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With the method of the mastoid process slope, the successful rate of screw placement at one time was 96% (96/100). Totaly 100 screws were inserted into L5. According to the criterion by Gertzbein, 95 screws (95%) totaly located in pedicles and 5 screws (5%) encroached on the pedicle from medial wal. Three (3%) out of 5 inaccurately placed screws cut out less than 2 mm of the inner wal, while 2 (2%) between 2 mm and 4 mm, without neurologic deficits. The method of mastoid process slope had a high successful rate of screw placement. Combined with preoperative X-ray films and CT images could obtain a high accuracy rate of screw insertion.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3) and myocardial fibrosis, and to clarify the role of Gal-3 in ventricular remodeling in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency.METHODS: A rabbit model of ischemic cardiac insufficiency was established by ligation of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery.The 20 rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation group and cardiac insufficiency group by random number table method.After 4 weeks of coronary artery ligation, the cardiac function was measured by cardiac echocardiogram.Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen at mRNA and protein levels in the myocardium.The serum Gal-3 contents were measured by ELISA.HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the degree of fibrosis development in myocardial tissues after infarction.RESULTS: Compared with sham operation group, the mRNA expression of Gal-3 in cardiac insufficiency group was significantly increased.At the same time, type I collagen, type III collagen and collagen type I/III ratio were also increased significantly.The protein contents of Gal-3, type I collagen and type III collagen were increased significantly.The serum Gal-3 levels were significantly increased.The pathological changes were observed in cardiac insufficiency group as the myocardial cell morphological disorder and marked hyperplasia of fibrous tissue were seen.CONCLUSION: Gal-3 aggravates myocardial fibrosis in rabbits with ischemic cardiac insufficiency, and promotes the ventricular remodeling and the occurrence of heart failure.

Objective To analyze the expression feature and function of microRNAs in exosomes secreted by leukemia cells (LCEX). Methods The mice leukemia cell line L1210 was taken as the example, and LCEXL1210 was obtained by isolating supernate of L1210 cells through density gradient centrifugation. MicroRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 were analyzed by microarray analysis, compared with miRNA from L1210 cell line, and then some of miRNAs with different expression were verified by real-time PCR and were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) database. Results The number of miRNAs identified in LCEXL1210 was 1 044, and that in L1210 cell line was 872. The number of shared miRNAs between LCEXL1210 and L1210 cell line was 732, accounting for 70.1 % of LCEXL1210 and 83.9 % of L1210 cell line, respectively, which indicated that 70 % of LCEXL1210 was derived from the parental cells. Interestingly, 312 miRNAs in LCEXL1210 were found to be underrepresented in the parental cells, indicating their specificity in LCEXL1210. Some miRNAs were significantly highly expressed in LCEXL1210 compared with those in L1210 cell line, including miR-16-1, miR-210, miR-195 and so on, which showed that miRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 were differentially expressed with those from the parental cells. Some differentially expressed miRNAs from LCEXL1210 were verified by real-time PCR, and then were analyzed by GO database, which demonstrated that these highly expressed miRNAs participated in the processes of various biological function and signal transduction. Conclusions MiRNAs isolated from LCEXL1210 show a high similarity to miRNAs isolated from L1210 cells, whereas of which one-third are specific. The highly expressed miRNAs participate in the processes of various biological function and signal transduction.

Objective To explore the expression of miRNA-181a (miR-181a) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and its effect on biological features of MM cells. Methods CD138+cells of bone marrow from 25 MM patients and 10 patients with hematological non-malignancies were purified by using immunomagnetic separation, and the expression of miR-181a in CD138+cells and MM cell lines including RPMI 8226, H929 and U266 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR. The effects of down-regulation and up-regulation of miR-181a expression on the biological characteristics of MM cells were studied with miR-181a antagomir and agomir. Results Compared with patients with hematological non-malignant diseases, the expression of miR-181a in CD138+ cells was upregulated in MM patients. Compared with CD138+ cells in hematological non-malignancies, high expressions of miR-181a were observed in RPMI 8226 and U266 myeloma cell line, while low expressions of miR-181a were observed in H929 cells. Down-regulation of miR-181a with 100 nmol/L miR-181a antagomir could inhibit the proliferation of U266 cells at 24,48 and 72 h [(67.1 ± 3.3) %vs. (50.5 ± 4.1) %, (71.5 ± 3.6) % vs. (52.3 ± 2.2) %, (78.1 ± 5.4) % vs. (69.5 ± 4.3) %, P < 0.05 respectively], whereas up-regulation of miR-181a with 100 nmol/L miR-181a agomir could significantly promote the proliferation of H929 cells at 24 h and 48 h [(21.2 ± 2.4) %vs. (38.5 ± 3.6) %, ( 61.3 ± 5.4) %vs. (82.2 ±6.9)%, P<0.01 respectively]. Cell cycle analysis showed that miR-181a antagomir made U266 cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Meanwhile, susceptibility test results indicated that the apoptosis of U266 cells induced by doxorubicin, paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil was increased when the proliferation of miR-181a expression was down-regulated with miR-181a antagomir. In migration assay, the data showed that down-regulation of miR-181a with miR-181a antagomir could inhibit the migration of U266 cells, and the proportion of migrated cells in the experimental group (62 ± 10) %was lower than that in the control group (89 ± 12) %(P< 0.05), whereas up-regulation of miR-181a with miR-181a agomir could improve the migration of H929 cells, and the proportion of migrated cells in the experimental group (242 ± 9) % was higher than that in the control group (98 ± 8)%(P<0.01). Conclusions The high expression of miR-181a expressed highly by MM cells may promote the proliferation, migration and drug resistance of myeloma cells, indicating that miR-181a could be an important prognostic biomarker candidate, and the application of gene silencing may improve the prognosis of MM.

Objective:To construct an evaluation index system for the reform of public hospital salary system and conduct empirical research, for reference in deepening the reform of public hospital salary system.Methods:Based on the building blocks of health systems and the Guiding Opinions on Pilot Work of Public Hospital Salary System Reform (Human Resources and Social Security Ministry 〔2017〕 No. 10), a preliminary index system was constructed. And the expert consultation method was used to determine the evaluation index system for public hospital salary system reform. The authors selected representative hospitals in Chaoyang district of Beijing with reform experiences of such salary system, and applied this index system for empirical research. Objective indexes were extracted from the hospital information system, which were used to evaluate relevant data before the reform (from 2016 to 2017) and after the reform (from 2018 to 2019); a questionnaire was customized based on the subjective indexes in the index system, which was used for a questionnaire survey on hospital staff, outpatient patients, and inpatients. A descriptive analysis was made on such indexes as hospital revenue and expenditure, medical expenses, salary levels, and satisfaction. The comparison of relevant data before and after the reform was conducted using one-way ANOVA. Results:This study constructed a public hospital salary system reform evaluation system, comprising 4 first-level indexes, 8 second-level indexes, and 38 third-level indexes. second-level indexes were salary level and structure, salary governance and information construction, health manpower and service provision, medical products and technology. There were 28 objective indexes and 10 subjective ones. The evaluation results of 4 representative public hospitals showed that the proportion of labor costs, hygiene materials income, treatment income, nursing income, and physician service fees to the total income increased as compared to that before the reform, with statistical significance ( P<0.05); The average medical expenses of discharged patients and the proportion of drug income (excluding traditional Chinese medicine slices) to total income decreased compared to that before the reform, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); The difference between the average medical expenses per outpatient visit and the proportion of surgical income to total income was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in salary levels among employees of different genders, seniority, and educational backgrounds ( P>0.05). On the other hand, there was a statistically significant difference in salary levels among employees of different ages, majors, professional and technical titles, and employment types ( P<0.05). The actual salary of 636 employee was only 56.26% of the expected salary, and their total score of salary satisfaction was (3.33 ± 0.86) points. The scores of public service motivation, medical service quality, and job satisfaction were (3.52 ± 0.78) points, (3.91 ± 0.77) points, and (3.72 ± 0.65) points, respectively. The satisfaction scores of outpatient and inpatient patients were (4.64 ± 0.23) and (4.82 ± 0.45), respectively. Conclusions:The evaluation system for the reform of the salary system in public hospitals constructed in this study can comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of hospital reform from a multidimensional perspective, combining quantitative and qualitative, subjective and objective aspects. It proves scientific and practical.

Objective To estimate brain grey matter volume changes and location of abnormal brain regions cerebrum in early stage of bipolar disorder I (BD),in order to provided objective basis for diagnosing early stages BD.Methods 1 7 cases of BD with duration less than 2 years and 1 7 normal controls were recruited in this study.The volumetric difference of grey matter between two groups were analyzed by using voxel-based morphometry(VBM)software.Statistical threshold was voxel> 100,P <0.001 (uncor-rected).Results Compared to the normal controls,the grey matter volume of BD patients decreased in the left dorcial anterior cingu-late cortex(ACC),left insular,right sub-genu ACC,left superior temporal cortex,bilateral hippocampus-parahippocampus-amydala and left posterior lobe of cerebellum(P <0.001).Conclusion The grey matter volume of early stage BD patients is decreased,main-ly locating in the bilateral limbic system,the superior temporal gyrus and the cerebellar cortex,which probably is the morphological appearance of pathomechanism in early stages of BD.

Objective This study aims to investigate the sex difference in the hippocampus and parahippocampus in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods We acquired T1－weighted structural MRI from 133 bipolar type I patients (60 males) and 144 normal controls (81 males). The General Linear Model was used to examine the relationship between sex and brain volumes of the hippocampus and parahippocampus, with age and intracranial volume as covariates. Results Patients showed significantly smaller volumes of the bilateral hippocampus and parahippocampus (P＜0.01). There were sex－by－diagnosis interactions in the left parahippocampus gyrus (F=6.534, P=0.044). Male patients had significant smaller volumes of the left parahippocampus gyrus compared to the male normal controls (P＜0.001) whereas the volumes were not significantly different between female patients and female normal controls (P＞0.05). Conclusion The results suggest sex difference in the left parahippocampus gyrus volume in patients with bipolar type I disorder, which deserves further investigation in the future bipolar imaging researches.

Objective To explore the relationship between cognitive function and oxidative stress biochemical markers in patients with bipolar disorder. Methods One hundred forty-six patients who met the DSM-Ⅳ bipolar disorder diagnostic criteria including 83 patients with stable phase,42 patients with manic episodes and 21 patients with depression and 115 normal controls were recruited. Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was used to assess cognitive function. Biochemical indicators were measured including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), catalase (CAT), malonaldehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and nitric oxide (NO). Results The immediate memory, speech function, attention, time-delay memory, and total score of patients in biphasic stable phase, manic phase, and depression were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01). The visual breadth scores of patients in manic and depression were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the attention scores and total scores were lower than those in the stable group (P<0.01). The delayed memory score of patients with depression was lower than that of stable group (P=0.04). The MDA level of patients with manic episode and depression was higher than that of stable group (P<0.01); the level of NO in manic, depression and control group was higher than that in stable group, and CAT level was low in the stable phase group (P<0.05). In the stable phase group, the visual breadth (r=-0.50, P=0.04), attention (r=-0.67, P<0.01), delayed memory (r=-0.61, P=0.01) were correlated with GSH-PX respectively; time-delay memory was negatively correlated with T-AOC (r=-0.54, P=0.03). The speech function of the biphasic mania phase group was negatively correlated with SOD (r=-0.46, P=0.01). The immediate memory of the biphasic depression group was positively correlated with NO (r=0.61, P=0.02); delayed memory was positively correlated with CAT (r=0.67, P=0.01); speech function (r=-0.76, P<0.01) and cognitive total score (r=-0.59, P=0.03) were negatively correlated with GSH-PX. Conclusion Patients with bipolar disorder have varying degrees of cognitive decline and oxidative stress changes, and some antioxidant enzyme systems are associated with cognitive function.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Autophagy ; Binding Sites ; Genomics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phosphorylation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To observe the expression pattern of galectin-3 in heart failure rabbits after myocardial infarction and to explore the effect of galectin-3 on myocardial fibrosis and ventricular remodeling.Methods The left anterior descending coronary arterys of the rabbits were ligatured for model preparation.Twenty male rabbits were randomly divided into control group and experimental group.The control group was treated by thoracotomy.Cardiac function were detected by cardiac uhrasonography before and after 2,4,6 weeks.Serum samples were collected and galectin-3 level of the samples were further tested with ELISA before and after 2,4,6 weeks.The expression of myocardial fibrosis was detected by Masson staining in the experimental group and the control group at 6 weeks after operation.galectin-3 and collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA level of myocardial of the infracted zone were determinated via Real-Time PCR after 6 weeks operation.Calculate the ratio of collagen Ⅰ and collagenⅢ.Left ventricular mass were analysis and left ventricular hypertrophy index was calculated.Results Compared with the control group,the EF,EDD and LVPWD of the experimental group at 2,4 and 6 weeks after operation were significantly different(P ＜ 0.01).Serum galectin-3 level of the experimental group more than control group (P ＜0.05).correlation analysis showed that serum galectin-3 level was negatively correlated with EF (r =-0.84,P =0.009),and positively correlated with EDD(r =0.905,P =0.020).The mRNA expression of galectin-3,collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were significantly increased in the experimental group(P ＜0.01).The mRNA expression of galectin-3,collagen Ⅰ and collagenⅢ were all higher in the experimental group than that in the non-infarcted area (P ＜ 0.01).The left ventricular mass and left ventricular hypertrophy index of the experimental group were significantly higher than control group (P ＜ 0.01).Under the optical microscope,the myocardial cells in the experimental group were disordered,necrosis,edema,hypertrophy and thickening of myocardial fibers.Microvascular wall thickening and visible around a large number of blue-green collagen fibers and surrounded by segmented myocardial cells,myocardial interstitial fibrosis,collagen deposition and accompanied by a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusion Galectin-3 reflects the degree of myocardial fibrosis in heart failure,and is involved in the pathophysiology of ventricular remodeling,but the mechanism remains unclear.