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.

Considering the present condition of nuclear medicine experiment teaching and management model,this paper proposes some reform measures:reforming teaching model,adjusting teaching content,enhancing lab management.

We investigated the genetic diversity and evolution of the M gene of human influenza A viruses in Hangzhou (Zhejiang province, China) from 2009 to 2013, including subtypes of A(H1N1) pdm09 strains and seasonal A(H3N2) strains. Subtypes of analyzed viruses were identified by cell culture and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, followed by cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the M gene. Assessment of 5675 throat swabs revealed a positive rate for the influenza virus of 20.46%, and 827 cases were diagnosed as. infections due to influenza A viruses. Seventy-six influenza-A strains were selected randomly from nine stages during six phases of a virus epidemic. Sequences of the M gene showed high homology among six epidemics with identities of amino-acid sequences of 98.98-100%. All strains contained the adamantine-resistant mutation S31N in its M2 protein. Two of the A(H1N1)pdm09 strains had double mutants of V27A/S31N or V271/S31N. One of the seasonal A(H3N2) viruses had another form of double-mutant R45H/S31N. Evolutionary rate of the M gene was much lower than that of the HA gene and NA gene. Compared with A(H3N2) strains, higher positive pressure on the M1 and M2 proteins of A(H1N1) pdm09 viruses was observed. Separate analyses of M1 and M2 proteins revealed very different selection pressures. Knowledge of the genetic diversity and evolution of the M gene of human influenza-A viruses will be valuable for the control and prevention of diseases.
Amino Acid Substitution ; China ; epidemiology ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Selection, Genetic ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Chromatography, Gas ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; chemistry ; Phosphines ; analysis ; blood ; poisoning

Objective To investigate the relationship between the serum SRC-3 levels and the bone loss severity in postmenopausal women. Methods Fifty-eight PMW with osteopenia or osteoporosis and nineteen healthy PMW were enrolled in this study from June 2012 to September 2013. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were observed by DXA Lunar Prodigy Vision. The levels of serum SRC-3 were detected by ELISA. The diagnosis value was evaluated by the ROC curves analysis. Results The levels of serum SRC-3 were significant higher in the normal group than those in the osteopenia or the osteoporosis groups (P<0.001 for both), no statistical significance was found between the osteopenia and the osteoporosis group(P=0.056). The levels of serum SRC-3 were negatively correlated with the BMD diagnosis grading (r=-0.543, P < 0.001). By using the ROC curve analysis, the serum level of SRC-3 for PMW with osteoporosis and osteopenia were found to be 0.297 ng/mL and 0.347 ng/mL, respectively. The levels of serum SRC-3 were positively associated with BMI (r=0.395, P<0.001) and LS-BMD (r=0.503,P<0.001) in the postmenopausal women. Conclusion SRC-3 might be an useful index to reflect the severity of lumbar spine bone loss.

Objective To investigate the instant clinical efficacy of intra-arterial infusion of fasudil combined with routine anti-vasospasm for symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (SCVS). Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to ruptured aneurysm, who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from May 2010 and February 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. The lesions included Fisher gradeⅡ(n=2), gradeⅢ (n=16) and gradeⅣ (n=3). Endovascular embolization of the aneurysm was carried out within 48 hours after the confirmation of the diagnosis with total cerebral DSA;no bleeding occurred during the operation and routine anti-vasospasm therapy was given. Within 4-9 days after the onset of the disease, all 21 patients presented SCVS. Half dose systemic heparinization, superselective intra-arterial infusion of fasudil (30 mg fasudil+250 ml saline, lasting for 30 min) were adopted. Reexamination of angiography performed at 15 min after fasudil infusion was employed, and the results were evaluated with NIHSS score by comparing the preoperative findings. Results Imaging examination performed after the treatment showed that significant improvement was obtained in 15 patients and no obvious changes in 6 patients. Clinical symptoms were remarkably improved in 11 patients, partially improved in 4 patients and remained unchanged in 6 patients. The mean NIHSS score was improved from preoperative 28.6 to postoperative 21.2. Conclusion For the treatment of symptomatic cerebral vasospasm, superselective intra-arterial infusion of fasudil is effective and safe, and it has good clinical application value.

Objective:To clone and express the Staphylococcus aureus Efb(extracellular fibrinogen-binding protein) protein in Escherichia coli, to purify the expression product and prepare its functional antibody and to detect the functions of Efb protein for further studies on S.aureus infection.Methods: Efb gene was amplified by PCR using S.aureus NCTC-8325 genome DNA as template and cloned into the recombinant expression vectors pET28a. E.coli BL21(DE3) with the plasmid was induced with IPTG for protein production. The protein was purified by Ni~(2+) affinity chromatography. The function of Efb protein was determined by complement activity assay and inhibition ELISA.The polyclonal antibodies were prepared by immunizing the animals. Results: The purified recombinant Efb was obtained, which could inhibit the CH50 and AH50 effectively. The functional poly-antibodies of Efb were prepared.Conclusion:Efb could inhibit the classical pathway and alternative pathway of complement activation, and the antibodies against to Efb could block the inhibition of the classical pathway of complement activation induced by Efb.

Sal-like 4 (SALL4) is a transcription factor that helps to maintain self-renewal and pluripotency of stem cells. This gene is expressed in the human fetal liver, but is silent in the healthy adult liver. It has been reported that SALL4 has a diagnostic value in a variety of solid tumors. These characteristics make SALL4 a possible tumor biomarker for liver cancer. This article reviews the recent advances in the role of SALL4 in the development, progression, metastasis, and other biological processes of primary liver cancer, as well as its role in predicting the prognosis of primary liver cancer. We believe that with further studies, SALL4 and related microRNAs may become new markers for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evaluation of primary liver cancer.

Portopulmonary hypertension (POPH) refers to the increase in pulmonary artery pressure on the basis of portal hypertension, which may lead to progressive right ventricular failure and death with disease progression. POPH has a low incidence rate and is often neglected by clinicians due to a lack of symptoms or the presence of non-specific symptoms in the early stage. This article summarizes the research advances in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of POPH in recent years, introduces the noninvasive detection methods currently available for POPH diagnosis, and explores the selection of appropriate treatment methods based on the severity and individualized conditions of patients with POPH, so as to improve the understanding of this disease among clinicians.

Adult ; Burns, Inhalation ; diagnostic imaging ; Explosions ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography