BACKGROUND:Abnormal stress is an important factor causing intervertebral disc degeneration. To establish an ideal in vivoanimal model of intervertebral disc degeneration is of great significance for in-depth study on the related pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To develop anin vivo rabbit intervertebral disc model and to investigate the relationship between continuous tensile load and intervertebral disc degeneration. METHODS:Twenty-five New Zealand white rabbits aged 6 months old were randomly divided into three groups: blank control (n=5), sham (n=10) and experimental (n=10) groups. The blank control group received no intervention, and the L4/5 segments were removed at the 1st day. The intervertebral disc assistor was used to fix the L4 and L5 vertebral bodies in the experimental and sham groups, the L4/5 segments in the experimental group were loaded 1 MPa axial tensile force, and the L4/5 segments in both two groups were then removed at 14 and 28 days. The changes of L4/5 intervetebral space height and surrounding bone substance were observed by X-ray examination, the morphological changes of the intervertebral disc were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, the cell survival was detected by nitro blue tetrazolium staining and mRNA expression levels of aggrecan, collagen type Ⅱ and SOX9 in the intervertebral disc tissues were assessed by RT-PCR at each time point. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The radiological manifestations, histological changes, cell survival and mRNA expression levels of aggrecan, collagen type Ⅱ and Sox9 showed no significant difference between the blank control and sham groups. Comparied with the blank control group, in the experimental group, the L4/5 intervertebral space was narrowed with time, the articular surface was coarse, and the upper and lower corpus vertebrae edge appeared to have lip-shaped hyperplasia; the intervertebral disc cells distributed irregularly; the nucleus pulposus was in dehydration and deflation, annulus fibrosus arranged irregularly, and the vacuoles in notochord cells tended to disappear; the expression levels of aggrecan, collagen type Ⅱ and SOX9 were markedly downregulated. These findings suggest that the in vivo rabbit model of intervertebral disc is successfully established, in which continuous mechanical tensile load is further proved to directly cause intervertebral disc degeneration.

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment of renal tuberculosis(TB). Methods This series included 52 patients with renal TB.Of them 36 cases (69%) presented with irritative symptoms.10 cases (19%) had lumbago accompanied by hematuria.6 cases (11%) had renal angina and 6(11%) painless hematuria.B-ultrasonography suggested renal TB in 20 cases and unilateral hydronephrosis in 22 cases;renogram showed that the diseased kidneys had no function in 31 cases.Urinal AFB and tuberculosis PCR(Tb-PCR) were performed in 38 cases,the results were positive in 13(34%)and 21(55%),respectively.27 cases were misdiagnosed to have calculi or inflammation.Treatments consisted of antituberculous chemotherapy in 12 cases (23%)and surgery in 40(77%). Results All of the 12 cases who received medications recovered completely.40 cases undergoing surgery were pathologically diagnosed to have renal TB;of them 5 cases developed ureteral stump syndrome. Conclusions Urine AFB and Tb-PCR remain the primary diagnostic methods before operation.When the non-functioning kidney is resected,the involved ureter should be concomitantly resected as much as possible.

AIM:Todiscusstherelationshipbetweensmallubiquitin-relatedmodifier4(SUMO4)expression and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).METHODS:The mRNA and protein levels of SUMO4 in PTC and normal thyroid tissues were determined by the methods of real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry .The relationship be-tween SUMO4 expression and clinicopathologic parameters in PTC was evaluated .RESULTS:The results showed that both the mRNA and protein levels of SUMO 4 expression in PTC were obviously higher than those in normal thyroid tissues ( P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The high level of SUMO4 expression in PTC suggests that SUMO4 plays an important role in PTC development and it is probably a molecular mechanism of PTC .

Objective To determine whether the adjustment of the pusher of GTF was useful to decrease the degree of tilting of the femoral Ginther Tulip filter (GTF) in an in vitro caval model. Methods The caval model was constructed by placement of a 25 mm × 100 mm and two 10 mm ×200 mm Dacron graft inside a transparent bifurcate glass tube. The study consisted of two groups: left straight group (GLS) (n =100) and left curved group (GLC) (n = 100). In the GLC, a 10° to 20° angle was curved on the introducer.The distance (DCH) between the caval right wall and the hook was measured. The degree of tilting (DT) was classified into 5 grades and recorded. Before and after the GTF being released, the angle (ACM1, 2)between the axis of IVC and the metal mount, the distance (DCM1) between the caval right wall and the metal mount, the angle (ACF) between the axis of IVC and the axis of the filter and the diameter of IVC (DIVC) were measured. The data were analyzed with Chi-Square test, t test, rank sum test and Pearson correlation test. Results The degree of GTF tilting in each group revealed a divergent tendency. In group LC, the apex of the filter tended to be grade Ⅲ compared in group LS (x2 value 37. 491 ,P ＜0.01).The differences of most variables between GLS and GLC were considered as statistical significance(16. 60° vs.3.05°, 20.60° vs. 3.50°, -3.90°vs. -0.40°, 2.98 mm vs. 10.40 mm, - 10.95° vs. -0.485°,13. 17 mm vs. 10.06 mm, - 1.70° vs. 0.70°, t or Z values - 12. 187, - 12. 188, -8.545, -51.834,-11. 395,9. 562, -3. 596, P ＜ 0. 01). There exist significant positive correlation between ACM1 and ACF,ACM1 - ACM2 and DCH1 - DCH2 in each group, respectively(r values 0. 978,0. 344,0. 879,0. 627 ,P ＜0. 01),while significant negative associations are detected between DCH1 and ACF in each group , ACP and ACF in group LC(r values -0.974, -0.322, -0.702,P＜0.01). Conclusion The technique of adjusting the orientation of filter pusher had minimized the incidence and extent of GTF filter tilting in vitro.

Objective To analyze the function of let-7e in the carcinogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer.Methods The microRNA let-7e expression levels in cancer tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues were detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR from 35 non-small-cell lung cancer patients,U6 RNA as an actin.Results The expression of microRNA let-7e in cancer tissues was significantly higher than adjacent normal lung tissues (10.111±6.135,P ＜ 0.0001),there was a significantly different between squamous carcinoma group (9.635±8.300) and adenocarcinoma group (10.301 ±5.228,P ＜ 0.05),independently of sex,smoking history,stage,and histologic characteristics of the tumor.Conclusion The expression of microRNA let-7e in cancerous tissues is high,microRNA let-7e should play oncogene role in process of non-small-cell lung cancer,and would be an useful biomarker.

Objective To explore the effect of empathy nursing on anxiety,depression and expectation of patients with myocardial infarction.Methods In our study,47 patients with myocardial infarction in the department of cardiology of our hospital from August 2013 to July 2014 were assigned as the control group and another 47 patients with the same disease during August 2014 to July 2015 as the study group.The control group received conventional nursing treatment and the study empathy nursing in addition to the conventional nursing.The two groups were compared in terms of anxiety,depression and expectation using Zung anxiety self rating scale (SAS),depression self rating scale (SDS) and Herth hope index (HHI).Results On admission,the patients in the two groups showed no differences in the levels of anxiety,depression and expectation (P＞0.05).After intervention,the levels of anxiety and depression in the study were significantly lower than those in the control group,but the level of expectation was higher (all P＜0.05).Conclusion Empathy nursing is effective for the relief of anxiety and depression in the patients with myocardial infarction as well as for their enhanced expectation for prognosis.

AIM: To study compatibility rationality of combination of Paeonia lacliflora and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. METHODS: The effective combination of paeoniflorin(44% purity),glycyrrhizic acid(50% purity) and liquorice flavones(52% purity),glycyrrhizic acid(50% purity) and liquorice flavones(52% purity) were respectively administered to rats.Pharmacokinetic change of these constituents in rat blood was studied. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters of these constituents in rat blood showed that the increases in AUC and C_(max) of effective combination group were more than that of glycyrrhizic acid group or that of liquorice flavones group.T_(max) of the former was extended with respect to the latters.Clearance of effective combination markedly slowed down. CONCLUSION: The effective combination of paeonia lacliflora and Glycyrrhiza uralensis have the advantage of either Paeonia lacliflora or Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevailing strains of pathogens of hospital acquired infections in ICU and their drug-resistances in order to provide treatment basis for critical and severe patients in fighting against infection.METHODS A retrospective investigation analysis was made for all the isolated bacteria as well as their drug-resistance in our hospital from Jan 2000 to Dec 2005.RESULTS Totally 869 bacterial strains were isolated which included 666 strains of G-bacteria(74.3%),and 230 strains of G+bacteria(25.7%).The G-bacteria included Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Klebsiella pneumoniase,Escherichia coli,Acinetobacter baumannii,etc,which were isolated mainly from respiratory tract.The G+ bacteria consisted of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus.Staphylococcus were mainly isolated from respiratory tract and Enterococcus from urinary tract.Bacteria were highly resistant to commonly used antimicrobials and demonstrated multi-drug resistance.The isolated rate of G+bacteria and drug resistance of G-bacteria to the commonly used antibiotics was increasing yearly.CONCLUSIONS The pathogens are mainly isolated from respiratory tract and the most are G-strains and multi-drug-resistant.The selection and use of antibiotics should be based on the results of drug-sensitivity tests.

Objective To establish a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry ( LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of creatinine-correctedsarcosine in urine for the prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.Methods It performed the method establishment and evaluation in this study.Random unrine samples were collected from 36 subjects with prostate cancer, 15 subjects with benign prostatic hyperplasia and 76 healthy people receiving medical examination.Urine samples mixed with [ 2 H3 ]-labeled sarcosine were treated by precolumn derivation using dansyl chloride, then analyzed by LC-MS/MSsystem in multiple reaction monitor ( MRM) mode.Sarcosine and creatinine were quantified by the isotope internal standard method and the standard curve was employed with a series of calibration.The limit of detection, precision and recovery were also evaluated in this study.The results of this methodology were compared with those of the enzymatic method.Results Sarcosine could be distinguished against its isomers completely. The linear equation of sarcosine was Y=2.045 6X+0.068 9, R2 =0.994.The limit of detection and limit of quantity were 8 ng/ml and 25 ng/ml respectively.The intraassay and interassay coefficients of variation were both below 6%.The recovery ratio of sarcosine ranged from 96.8%to 105.1%.The results from the ID-LC-MS method correlated with those from enzymatic method (R2 =0.815, P <0.01).Compared to enzymatic method, the average bias of sarcosine was -37.1%.Conclusions It established a LC-MS method for urinary sarcosine quantification with good specificity, sensitivity and repeatability.This method can provide a reliable platform for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

ObjectiveTo explore the cause of early death (death within 3-12 months after hemodialysis) and the related influencing factors patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of early death.Methods A retrospective matched controlled study was conducted. Fifty-one patients who underwent MHD from January 2004 to April 2014 and died within 3-12 months after hemodialysis in hemodialysis center of the 174th Chinese People's Liberation Army Hospital were included in the case group by retrospective analysis method. According to 1∶2 matched controls, 102 patients underwent hemodialysis in the same period (±2 months) and survived over 12 months were selected as control group. All patients received regular hemodialysis (dialysis 2-3 times per week), with conventional limitation of water and sodium intake, routine treatments such as control of blood pressure, treatment of anemia and disorders of calcium and phosphorus contents. Causes of short-term death were analyzed. Clinical and biochemical parameters of two groups were collected when dialysis was started, and the single factor and multiple factors logistic regression was used to analyze the related risk factors when dialysis was started. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to evaluate the value of above parameters in predicting the early death in patents with MHD.Results The main causes of early death of 51 patients with MHD were mainly cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (27 cases, 52.9%), and infections (15 cases, 29.4%). It was shown by single factor analysis that the age [odds ratio (OR) = 6.625, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 3.232-13.580,P = 0.000], diabetes (OR = 3.875, 95%CI = 0.654 - 10.622,P = 0.031), specialist intervention time before dialysis (OR = 0.349, 95%CI =0.287 - 0.572,P = 0.004), the emergence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events before dialysis (OR = 9.667, 95%CI = 4.632 - 20.174,P = 0.000), the first dialysis for emergency dialysis (OR = 3.875, 95%CI = 1.713 - 8.765, P = 0.005), blood albumin level (OR = 0.294, 95%CI = 0.068 - 0.550,P = 0.008), leukocyte count (OR = 6.286, 95%CI = 1.648 - 23.982,P = 0.026), neutrophil count (OR = 2.833, 95%CI = 1.630 - 4.923,P = 0.001) might be the factors correlating with early death. Eight independent factors were statistically significant, and their effect on the MHD patients was analyzed by logistic regression analysis inα = 0.05 level. The results showed that patients with old age (OR = 1.054, 95%CI = 1.019-1.090,P = 0.002), and the emergence of cardio-cerebrovascular events (OR = 7.469, 95%CI = 2.474 - 22.545,P = 0.000)were early death risk factors of MHD patients, and early specialist intervention before dialysis was a protective factor (OR = 0.286, 95%CI = 0.113-0.722,P = 0.008). ROC curve showed that age had moderate diagnostic value for early death of MHD [area under ROC curve (AUC) = 0.756], the cut-off value was 59.0 years old, the sensitivity was 66.7%, and the specificity was 77.5%. The diagnostic value of early specialist intervention before dialysis was relatively low (AUC = 0.367), the cut-off value was 0.875 years, the sensitivity was 39.2%, and the specificity was 33.3%.Conclusion Old age, the emergency of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events before dialysis is associated with early death, and specialist intervention ahead of dialysis can reduce the risk of early death.