Objective To study the X-ray findings and evaluate the value of X-ray in diagnosis of stress fracture of the pubic ramus. Methods The X-ray findings of 66 cases (18 males and 48 females, ranging in age from 18-21 years, mean age 19.6 years) with stress fracture of the pubic ramus were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-five cases were military recruits undergoing basic training, and 11 army veterans were undergoing intensive goose step training. Results Sixty-two cases had stress fractures of the inferior pubic ramus including right-sided in 26, left-sided in 30, and bilateral in 6. Four had ipsilateral inferior and superior pubic rami fractures. With 2 weeks after onset, the radiographs were normal in 3 cases. The 66 cases had either a slight transverse fissure (34 cases) or a small dense callus (65 cases) or both during the examination period of 4 weeks to 8 months. Then the calcium resorbed at the margins of the fracture and at the same time the callus increased and surrounded the bone. Finally, the resorptive zone disappeared and the callus became homogeneous. This callus formation persisted for several months and disappeared gradually. Conclusion X-ray examination is the first imaging method of choice for detecting stress fracture of the pubic ramus. With combining clinical data, correct diagnosis can be made in the majority.

The gut-brain axis (GBA) is a nerve-endocrine mediated bidirectional communication system between the gut and brain, which links the cognition and emotion in brain to peripheral intestinal function. In recent years, many researches have showed that colonized intestinal microbiota plays an important role in the communication between gut and brain. On one hand, microbiota can influence the development and function of brain via GBA. On the other hand, brain can also change the composition of gut microbiota. These findings gradually become a novel medical research highlight, i.e. the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This paper reviews the interaction between gut microbiota and brain via GBA in order to provide supports for studying functions of gastrointestinal tract and brain, as well as the treatment of related diseases.