AIMTo explore the change of number working memory ability in healthy young adults, a continuous 3-back number working memory task were performed for an hour and 12 Blocks according to different COMT genotypes of young adults.

METHODS18 different genotype subjects were chosen from 112 healthy young adults, P3 event-related potentials was utilized to observe the relationship between this COMT polymorphism and cortical physiology in a continuous working memory task.

RESULTSSubjects bearing the Val/Val homozygote had significantly higher mean P3 amplitudes than Val/Met heterozygote (P < 0.01), however, no significant differences in comparison to Met/Met homozygote.

CONCLUSIONVal/Met Heterozygote subjects are associated with the poorest performance of working memory. There is a relationship between COMT genotype and P3 visual event-related potentials evoked from 3-back task.

Adult ; Brain ; enzymology ; physiology ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Event-Related Potentials, P300 ; genetics ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Memory, Short-Term ; physiology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy between puncture assisted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot versus freehand puncture in vertebroplaty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture(OVCF) of the upper thoracic vertebra.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 19 patients (20 vertebral bodies) with OVCF of the upper thoracic vertebra who had been treated at Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital from January 2018 to March 2019 by robotic vertebroplasty (robot group) and of another 21 counterpart patients (21 vertebral bodies) who had been treated by conventional vertebroplasty from January 2016 to December 2017 (freehand group). Puncture was conducted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot in the robotic vertebroplasty but freehand in the conventional vertebroplasty. The robot group had 5 males and 14 females, aged from 62 to 88 years; the freehand group had 6 males and 15 females, aged from 64 to 83 years. The 2 groups were compared in terms of operation time, bone cement volume, postoperative complications (cement leakage, infection and embolism), visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), anterior height (AH) and kyphosis angulation (KA) of the injured vertebra at day 1 and last follow-up after surgery.Results:The 2 groups were comparable because there were no significant differences between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05). Vertebroplasty via unilateral puncture approach was completed uneventfully in the 19 patients (20 vertebral bodies) in the robot group and in the 21 patients (21 vertebral bodies) in the freehand group. The 40 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.3 month). The operation time [(37.9±8.2) min], bone cement volume [(2.3±0.9) mL] and rate of cement leakage (10.0%, 2/20) in the robot group were all significantly less or lower than those in the freehand group [(46.2±9.4) min, (4.2±1.3) mL and 42.9% (9/21)] ( P<0.05). No infection or embolism was observed in either group. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in VAS, ODI, AH or KA of the injured vertebra at day 1 or last follow-up after surgery ( P>0.05). Conclusion:In vertebroplaty for OVCF of the upper thoracic vertebra, compared with conventional freehand puncture, puncture assisted by a "TINAVI" orthopaedic robot can lead to satisfactory clinical efficacy because it reduces operation time, volume of bone cement injection, and thus incidence of bone cement leakage.

Following contents were reviewed in this article: More and more experimental studies related with chronic uratic nephropathy were carried out in recent years. In most of these studies, the animal models were established mainly from viewpoints of gene recombination, urinary uric acid inhibition and blood uric acid production promoting. TCM showed good effects in lowering blood uric acid, regulating levels of cytokines and postponing interstitial fibrosis. However, further studies on Chinese herbs and their extracts is necessary.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hyperuricemia ; blood ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Mice ; Phytotherapy ; Purines ; metabolism ; Rats ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of the common antivirals, including adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), pegylated-interferon alpha-2a (peg-IFN) and lamivudine (LAM), used as combination therapies to treat chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with positivity for the hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) harboring the ADV-resistance mutation, rtN236T, and to explore the factors associated with curative outcome.

METHODSSixty-five adult CHB patients (age range: 20-60 years) who were unresponsive to ADV therapy (HBeAg-positive; HBV DNA >or= 10(5) copies/ml), LAM-naive, and tested positive for the rtN236T HBV mutation were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into two treatment groups: Group A (n = 33), who were administered ADV (10 mg/day, orally) plus peg-IFN (180 microg/week, subcutaneous injection) for 48 weeks; and Group B (n = 32 patients), who received the ADV plus LAM (100 mg/day, orally) for 48 weeks followed by continued LAM treatment for an additional 24 weeks. Pre- (baseline), during and post-treatment measurements of HBV viral loads and hepatitis B markers were made by quantitative PCR and electrochemiluminescence assays, respectively. All patients underwent liver biopsies to determine the histological activity index (HAI) and treatment response regarding inflammation and fibrosis stage. The rates of virological response (VR), HBeAg-negativity, HBeAg seroconversion, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization were calculated, and the significance of differences between groups were assessed by Student's t-test and Chi2 test.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between the two groups in regards to sex, age, or baseline levels of HBV DNA, ALT, and total bilirubin (P > 0.05). At weeks 24 and 48 of treatment and 24 after treatment end, group A showed significantly higher (vs. group B, P < 0.05) rates of reduced HBV DNA viral loads (81.8%, 90.9%, and 75.8% vs. 53.1%, 56.2%, and 59.4%), VR (48.5%, 60.6%, and 42.4% vs. 31.3%, 34.4%, and 31.3%), HBeAg-negativity (39.4%, 60.6%, and 54.5% vs. 12.5%, 37.5%, and 37.5%), HBeAg seroconversion (27.3%, 54.5%, and 48.5% vs. 6.3%, 15.6%, and 18.8%), and ALT normalization (72.7%, 84.8%, and 78.8% vs. 46.9%, 56.3%, and 46.9%). After 48 weeks of treatment, group A showed significantly improved HAI (vs. group B, P < 0.05). With the exception of treatment-related increased creatinine (P < 0.05), group A showed significantly higher rates of adverse reactions; although, none was serious enough to threaten patient safety or necessitate early termination of the treatment regimen. Twenty-four weeks after treatment completion, five patients had HBV viral loads of >or= 2log10 copies/ml and four had < or= 500 copies/ml, and ALT was normalized in 28 patients. The four patients in group A with HBV DNA < or= 500 copies/ml and elevated ALT during treatment did not show HBeAg seroconversion.

CONCLUSIONPeg-IFN plus ADV combination therapy produced better outcomes than the ADV plus LAM combination therapy in regards to HBV viral loads, VR rate, HBeAg-negative rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, ALT normalization rate, and HAI, but was associated with a higher rate of adverse reactions (none of which were severe). Lack of HBeAg seroconversion was associated with higher virus load and ALT levels.

Adenine ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lamivudine ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Organophosphonates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To analyze the efficacy of the combination of MALDI-TOF and immunoadsorption to detect new biomarkers for lupus. Methods Twenty lupus patients at active stage (SLE group), 10 SLE patients in remission (SLE control group), 10 RA patients and 10 PSS patients (other rheumatic disease control group) and 20 healthy volunteers (healthy control group) were enrolled. The serum samples before and after immunoadsorption from SLE group and those from the control groups were co-incubated with activated chitosan copper derivative nano material. The adsorbed nano material was spotted onto the matrix used in MALDI-TOF for analysis by the Axima-CFR plus MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results MALDI-TOF MS screening showed that three potential protein biomarkers of mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio 3136, 3264, 3326 were found to be very specific for lupus patients: All of them were expressed before immunoadsorption in high quantity and none of them could be detected both after immunoadsorption and in all the three control groups. None of them (<10 000) were in the molecular weight range of the biomarkers used nowadays such as auto antibodies and complement (>50 000). Conclusion The combination of MALDI-TOF and immunoadsorption is effective in the detection of new serum protein biomarkers for lupus and it may be helpful in the screening of SLE patients at active stage from healthy people.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of integrative Chinese and Western medicine in treating mid-advanced crescentic nephritis (MACN).

METHODSThirty-two patients, their diagnosis was confirmed as MACN by renal biopsy, were divided, adopting randomized, controlled method, into two groups, the treated group and the control group, they were all, excepting one, treated with impact therapy of methyl-prednisolone followed with oral intake of prednisone, to part of them cyclophosphamide or mycophenolate mofetil was given in addition, to those with hypo-hemoglobin (< 90 g/L), subcutaneous injection of erythropoietin was administered. Decoction of Qingre Huoxue recipe (QHR), consisted of oldenlandia herb 30 g, honey-suckle stem 30 g, violet herb 30 g, red peony root 15 g, rehmannia root 15 g, solomonseal rhizome 15 g, asiabell root 30 g, red sage root 30 g, prepared rhubarb 12 g and giant-hyssop herb 12 g, were additionally given one dose per day to patients in the treated group. The renal function, improvement of anemia and immunosuppressive agents needed in patients were observed after 3 months treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, renal function was improved in both groups, but the effect in the treated group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Anemia was partially alleviated in the two groups with no significant difference. The dosage of glucocorticoids used in the treated group was obviously lesser than that used in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIntegrative Chinese and western medicine could treat crescentic nephritis to obtain good effect, and reduce the quantity of glucocorticoid necessity for treatment.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerulonephritis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Glomerulus ; physiopathology ; Kidney Tubules ; physiopathology ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy

We conducted a prospective study of erectile dysfunction (ED) after urethral reconstructive surgery, using the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), the Sexual Life Quality Questionnaire (SLQQ) and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QoLQ). Between January 2003 and July 2007, 125 male patients with urethral strictures underwent urethroplasty, and pre- and post-surgery erectile function was assessed using these three questionnaires. A formula to predict the probability of ED after urethroplasty was derived. At 3 months post-operatively, there was a significant decrease in IIEF-5 (16.57 +/- 7.98) and SLQQ scores (28.71 +/- 14.84) compared with pre-operative scores (P < 0.05). However, the IIEF-5 scores rebounded at 6 months post-operatively (17.22 +/- 8.41). Logistical regression analysis showed that the location of the urethral stricture, the recurrence of strictures and the choice of surgical technique were predictive of the post-operative occurrence of ED. This study identified the clinical risk factors for ED after urethroplasty. Posterior urethral stricture and end-to-end anastomosis were found to have a strong relationship with erectile function. The logistical model derived in this study may be applied to clinical decision algorithms for patients with urethral strictures.
Adult ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Self-Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urethra ; pathology ; surgery ; Urethral Stricture ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the applicability of the polymorphic marker closely linked with beta-globin gene for the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in couples at risk of having child with beta-thalassemia.

METHODSSingle cell multiplex nested PCR which coamplifies the beta-globin gene and the closely linked polymorphic marker, HumTHO1 gene, was applied in six clinical PGD cycles for four couples with beta-thalassemia.

RESULTSIn six clinical PGD cycles, a total of 44 embryos were biopsied and 44 blastomeres were obtained. Forty-one blastomeres were amplified and thirty-five embryos were given definite diagnoses. Fourteen embryos were transferred back to the uterus of the patients and one pregnancy went on well and ended with one live healthy birth, which confirmed the results of PGD. The average amplification efficiency of single blastomere was 89.7% and the average allele drop-out(ADO) rate was 14.4%. The coamplification of HumTHO1 could help to detect the existence of ADO and contamination.

CONCLUSIONThis is the first report on unaffected pregnancy resulting from PGD using multiplex nested PCR in China. The simultaneous amplification of polymorphic marker closely linked to beta-globin gene(HumTHO1) could help to resist the risk of misdiagnosis in PGD caused by ADO and contamination.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods ; beta-Globins ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo summarize the electroclinical characteristics of myoclonic atonic epilepsy (MAE) in children.

METHODThe clinical data, video electroencephalogram (EEG) and simultaneous electromyography (EMG) of MAE patients were analyzed. The treatment and its effects were followed up.

RESULTIn 47 MAE patients, 25 had a history of febrile seizures (FS), 20 had a family history of FS or epilepsy. All patients had a normal development before the illness. The age of afebrile seizure onset was between 1.4 years to 5.8 years. The first seizure was generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) in 41 patients (87.2%). All patients had multiple seizure types, including 47 GTCS (97.9%), 34 myoclonic atonic seizures (72.3%), 47 myoclonic seizures (100%), 32 atonic seizures (68.1%), 36 atypical absences (76.6%) and 3 tonic seizures (6.4%). EEG backgrounds were slow or parietal θ rhythm, interictal EEG showed 1-4 Hz (predominant 2-3 Hz) generalized spike and wave or poly spike and wave discharges in all cases. Seizures were controlled by antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in 41 patients (87.2%). Valproate was used in 37. Lamotrigine was used in 26. Mild mental retardation was observed in 10 children after the onset of the illness.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical features of MAE included the following: the development was normal before the onset of the illness; the onset of seizure type was often GTCS. All patients had multiple generalized seizure types. Myoclonic atonic seizure was its characteristic seizure type. EEG showed generalized discharges. Early diagnosis and rational choice of AEDs are important for getting a better prognosis.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsies, Myoclonic ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Epilepsy, Generalized ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of HLA haploidentical peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) for patients with β thalassemia major.

METHODSSixteen patients with β thalassemia major received HLA haploidentical PBSCT from parents. Two conditioning regimens were used. Regimen A was adopted before December 2007, which consisted of fludarabine (total 150 mg/m²), busulfex (total 520 mg/m²), cyclophosphamide (CTX, total 100 mg/kg), antithymocyte globulin (ATG, total 10 mg/kg) and total body irradiation of 3 Gy. Regimen B was adopted after December 2007, which consisted of fludarabine (total 240 mg/m²), busulfex (total 520 mg/m²), CTX (total 100 mg/kg), and ATG (total 10 mg/kg). Combination of cyclosporin (CsA), methotrexate (MTX) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were used for prophylaxis of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).

RESULTSOf 16 patients, 14 (87.5%) had sustained engraftment. The median days of neutrophil exceeding 0.5 × 10⁹/L and platelet exceeding 20 × 10⁹/L were 13 days (range 10 - 17 days) and 15 days (range 14 - 20 days) after PBSCT, respectively. Complete chimerism was achieved in all the 14 patients at one month after PBSCT. One patient lost his graft with autologous reconstitution 52 days after transplantation. Four patients had grade II-IV acute GVHD and one patient had chronic extensive GVHD. In the 49-month median follow-up duration, 13 of 16 patients were alive in disease-free situation.

CONCLUSIONHLA haploidentical PBSCT, which could provide stable and sustained engraftment for thalassemia major patients with no HLA identical donor, is a promising treatment strategy.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Haploidy ; Humans ; Male ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Tissue Donors ; beta-Thalassemia ; therapy