Objective To investigate the relationship between chronic pharyngitis and lifestyle and obesity. Methods A total of 7 655 participants who underwent a health examination in the Navy General Hospital were recruited. These participants came from the same region and had similar occupations. Their lifestyle information data including smoking status, drinking status, and physical activity were collected. Differences of lifestyle and the prevalence of chronic pharyngitis were compared between men and women. Single-factor analysis and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the relationship of chronic pharyngitis and lifestyle and obesity. Results The proportion of smoking and drinking, the prevalence of chronic pharyngitis, levels of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose were significantly higher, and the ratio of lack of exercise and normal body weight significantly decreased, in men than those in women (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in age and LDL-C between different gender groups. The prevalence of chronic pharyngitis increased with the frequency of drinking and the increase of obesity in man and women. The prevalence of chronic pharyngitis was not statistically significant in man with smoking than that in man without smoking. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of chronic pharyngitis between females with or without smoking. The prevalence of chronic pharyngitis decreased with the increase of physical activity in both men and women (P<0.01). Higher levels of systolic blood pressure and fasting blood pressure and regular physical activity were protective factors, and obesity was a harmful factor of chronic pharyngitis in men and women. Currently, smoking and regular drinking were harmful factors of chronic pharyngitis in men but not in women. Old age and occasional alcohol consumption were risk factors for women. Conclusion There is a significant value of strengthening physical activity and maintaining normal body weight in the prevention and treatment of chronic pharyngitis. It is also important for men to quit smoking and limit drinking in the prevention and treatment of chronic pharyngitis.

Objective To evaluate medium-term results in critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients undergoing endovascularly revascularization based on concepts of angiosomes.Methods Clinical data were reviewed on 612 CLI patients who had isolated below-the-knee (BTK)lesions and were treated by endovascular technology from June 2006 to May 2012.Following the angiosome model of perfusion,286 patients (357 limbs)were treated by directly revascularizing the feeding artery.326 patients (455 limbs)were treated by revascularizing non-feeding artery to improve perfusion to ulcer indirectly.Primary endpoints included ulce-healing rate as of 3 months,amputation-free survival( AFS),freedom from major amputation (FFMA) and recurrence rate of CLI.Results During follow-up(mean,24 ± 18 months),ulce-healing rate during 3 months of direct treatment group was obviously higher than that of indirect group (82.4％ vs.66.4％,X2 =26.16,P ＜0.05).The fourth year AFS was 48％ ±5％ vs.37％ ±6％,t =3.44,P ＜0.05,and the fourth year FFMA was 73％ ±4％ vs.58％ ±3％,t =4.61,P ＜0.05.In recurrence rate of CLI,there wasn't significant difference between direct group and indirect group(42％ ±5％ vs.45％ ±6％,t =- 0.64,P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Following the angiosome model of perfusion,direct revascularizing the feeding artery of CLI patients can obviously improve ulcer-healing rate during 3 months,medium-term AFS and FFMA.

Primenopausal period syndrome is a kind of usual disease,and people's views differ in disease location,pathogenesis and treatment.We approach the disease from theory to expound that its disease location is Chong Channel and Ren Channel.We find that the imbalance of yin-yang,because of the deficiency in Chong Channnel and Ren Channel,is the source.We apply Chong Channel and Ren Channel,and we also harmonize yin-yang to cure the disease.

BACKGROUND:From the point of view of human anatomy, the load of the spine is more. When the body moves, the range of activities, and activity are relatively large. After screws were implanted in the spine, if biomechanical properties and stability are not up to the standard, it easily leads to lack of grip force of screw and screw loosening so as to increase the incidence of complications after treatment.
OBJECTIVE:To compare biomechanical properties and stability of the spine after insertion of pedicle screw and cervical vertebral screw into the spine.
METHODS:100 vertebrae under human cervical spine specimens were analyzed and randomly divided into cervical vertebral screw fixation group and pedicle screw fixation group. Cervical vertebral screws and pedicle screws were implanted in lower cervical spine specimens. Electro Force 3510 material testing machine was used to test axial pul-out force, axial pul-out strength after the fatigue loading, and fixed stability. The biomechanical properties and stability were compared after two kinds of screws were implanted in the spine.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Instantaneous pul out force and immediate pul out stiffness were significantly higher in the pedicle screw fixation group than in the cervical vertebral screw fixation group (P<0.05). (2) Fatigue pul-out strength and fatigue pul-out stiffness did not have significant differences in both groups, but statistical analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05). Fatigue pul-out strength and fatigue pul-out stiffness were significantly higher in the pedicle screw fixation group than in the cervical vertebral screw fixation group. (3) These results suggested that pedicle screw fixation after implantation in the spine provides sufficient fixation stability, has better fatigue resistance, elevates instantaneous pul-out force and fatigue pul-out strength, and presents strong stability.

Background As a main cellular component of retinal microvascular,retinal vascular endothelial cells (RVECs) play critical roles in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by proliferating,migrating and angiogenesis.Apolipoprotein A-Ⅰ (ApoA-Ⅰ) is the major apolipoprotein of high density lipoprotein.ApoA-Ⅰ is overexpressed in the retina of diabetic patients and plays different effects on RVECs upon different microenvironments,but its relationship with RVECs in high glucose environment is still not elucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of ApoA-Ⅰ on proliferation,migration,tubulogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human RVECs (hRVECs) in high glucose environment.Methods hRVECs were cultured with DMEM containing 10％ fetal bovine serum and passaged,and the cells at generation 3 to 6 were used in the study.The cells were divided into low-glucose group,low-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,and the low concentration glucose (5 mmol/L),high contration glucose (25 mmol/L)and ApoA-Ⅰ (30 μg/ml) was added separately according to grouping.The proliferation and migration rate of the cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and scratch wound test respectively.The tubulogenesis of the cells was examined by tube formation test.The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF in the cells was detected by using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot.Results The prolifative value (absorbancy) and migration rate of the cells in the high-glucose group were significantly higher than those in the low-glucose group,and those in the high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group were significantly reduced in comparion with the high-glucose group (A value:P =0.001,0.033;migration rate:P =0.001,0.010).The number of tubes in the low-glucose group,low-glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group was 7.250±2.217,9.250±2.630,19.000± 3.916 and 11.500±3.697,showing a significant difference among the groups (F=10.335,P=0.001).The number of tubes in the high-glucose group was more than that in the low-glucose group,and the number of tubes in the highglucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group was less that that in the high-glucose group (P=0.001,0.037).The relative expression levels of VEGF mRNA were 0.944 ± 0.083,1.117 ± 0.204,1.768 ± 0.164 and 1.301 ± 0.077,and those of V EGF protein were 1.000±0.130,1.217±0.152,1.871 ±0.101 and 1.609±0.087 in the low-glucose group,low-glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group,high-glucose group and high-glucose+ApoA-Ⅰ group,respectively,with significant differences among the groups (mRNA:F =18.640,P =0.001;protein:F =10.335,P =0.001),and the expressions of VEGF mRNA and protein in the high-glucose group were significantly higher than those in the low-glucose group and high glucose+ ApoA-Ⅰ group (mRNA:P=0.000,0.004;protein:P=0.000,0.029).Conclusions ApoA-Ⅰ plays inhibitory effects on the proliferation,migration and tubulogenesis of hRVECs in high glucose environment,which may be associated with the downregulation of VEGF expression.

AIM:To evaluate the repeatability of axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) obtained by A scan ultrasonography, and to compare AL and ACD obtained by A scan with those obtained by IOL Master.METHODS:Two hundred and fifty-seven cataract eyes of 170 patients were included.IOL Master and A scan were performed for each eye.Five measurements of IOL Master and 3 measurements of A scan were obtained.All the tested eyes were divided into 5 groups according to AL obtained by A scan:Group A (2129mm, 21 eyes).Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were applied to evaluate the repeatability of AL and ACD obtained by A scan.Paired t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the differences and correlations of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices, respectively.Bland-Altman plots were presented to analyze the agreements of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices.RESULTS:All the Cronbach's Alpha and ICCs of AL and ACD values were more than 0.98.The differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.11±0.08mm in Group A,-0.15±0.10mm in Group B,-0.19±0.15 mm in Group C,-0.29±0.16mm in Group D and-0.45±0.29mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).The differences of ACD values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.10±0.16mm in Group A,-0.06±0.13mm in Group B,-0.06±0.13mm in Group C,-0.19±0.10mm in Group D,-0.18±0.21mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).In all groups, the AL and ACD values obtained by A scan and IOL Master presented good correlations (all r>0.89, all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The AL and ACD values in cataract eyes obtained by A scan were repeatable.The AL and ACD values obtained by A scan were smaller than those obtained by IOL Master.With the increase of AL values, the differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master increased.

BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin, as an inorganic mineralization template, can induce hydroxyapatite crystal growth, and combined with nano-hydroxyapatite can simulate the inorganic and organic components of natural bone, which is expected to become the most ideal bone graft material. OBJECTIVE:To prepare the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite material and investigate its treatment outcomes in spinal fusion. METHODS:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite was synthesized by the co precipitation method with silk fibroin and calcium phosphate as raw materials, to simulate the structure and composition of the bone tissue. The crystal phase composition and microstructure of the composite scaffold were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. Osteoblasts were seeded onto the composite, and the cel adhesion and proliferation were observed under inverted microscope. The lumbar posterolateral spinal fusion models were established in the New Zealand rabbits, fol owed by treated with autologous bone graft (control group) and composite (composite group), respectively. The gross, radiological and histological observations of bone fusion were compared between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite appeared to be fascicular under electron microscope, the length was 200-500 nm and width was 20-30 nm. And the hydroxyapatite was about 200 nm in length and 50 nm in width. X-ray diffraction showed that the bottom of diffraction peak was wide, and the peak was not sharp. Transmission electron microscope found that cel s adhered wel onto the composite scaffold at 2 days. Scanning electron microscope showed that the polygonal, oval or conical cel s covered most of the composite scaffold holes, presented obvious mitotic phase at 5 days. The third generation of MC3T3-E cel s tended to rise at first 3 days, and then decreased. The fusion site of L5-6 transverse process was strong, and non-bony fusion occurred. At the same time, numerous new bones were visible in the composite group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed a large number of cel aggregation, abundant osteoblasts surrounding cartilage, and the bone tissues were in a regular arrangement in the composite group. Moreover, irregular trabecular bone with medul ary cavity was found in the composite material. These results suggest that the silk fibroin/nano-hydroxyapatite composite with the similar structure and composition of natural bone can achieve satisfactory fusion effect in the rabbit lumbar posterolateral fusion.

Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; Risk Assessment ; methods

BACKGROUND:Currently, surgical implant fixation is mainly applied for spinal tuberculosis. How to choose implant materials, however, is stil under discussion.OBJECTIVE:To compare the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of titanium al oy and stainless steel for rabbit spinal tuberculosis. METHODS:Thirty rabbits were chosen to prepare spinal tuberculosis models. Then, the rabbits were equivalently randomized into two groups, which underwent implant fixation with stainless steel or titanium al oy, respectively. At 30 days after implantation, biocompatibility and biomechanical properties of the two materials in the repaired region of spine were observed and detected, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In view of the biocompatibility, infection and immunological rejection could not been found in the titanium al oy group;in contrast, infection appeared in three rabbits of the stainless steel group. Flexion, extension and lateral bending displacements under the spinal loading in the titanium al oy group were significantly less than those in the stainless steel group (P<0.05);axial pul-out strength in the titanium al oy group was significantly higher than that in the stainless steel group (P<0.05);flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial compression in the titanium al oy group were significantly greater than those in the stainless steel group (P<0.05). In conclusion, titanium al oy material has good biocompatibility that can be used to restore and maintain the spinal stability.

BACKGROUND:Although the traditional surgical treatment can improve the symptoms of patients with senile osteoporotic vertebral fracture, the treatment easily produces bone graft fusion failure and pseudoarticulation formation and affects clinical effects. OBJECTIVE:To investigate biomechanical properties of anterior cervical pedicle screw and the effects on osteoporotic vertebral stability. METHODS:A total of 16 fresh cadaver cervical specimens contained 64 motion segments (C3-4, C4-5, C5-6 and C6-7). The 64 segments by the way of implantation were randomly divided into ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group and lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (32 segments per group). The mechanical properties were determined on the biomechanical testing machine for each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Biomechanics:Compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, the maximum pul-out strength, screw path length, postoperative vertebral column height, the maximum surface strain, strain maximum and the range of maximum values were increased in the lower anterior vertebral pedicle screw system group (P<0.05). (2) Results suggest that compared with the ordinary anterior locking screw fixation group, lower cervical anterior pedicle screw required larger extraction force and was more stable for osteoporotic vertebrae.