Eye-movement Patterns of Chinese Children with Developmental Dyslexia during the Stroop Test

Objective To compare the eye-movement patterns of Chinese children with developmental dyslexia(DD children) with those of non-dyslexic children as they perform the Stroop Color and Word Test(SCWT), and to explore the relationship between their eye-movement patterns and interference effect. Methods An EyeLink II was used to record the eye-movement parameters of 32 DD children and 37 non-dyslexic children as they performed the SCWT. The independent samples t-test and repeated measures were used to analyze behavioral and eye-movement parameters. Results Compared to the control group, Chinese DD children presented lower accuracy(F = 8.488), slower response time(F = 25.306), and larger interference effect(t = 2.29); Chinese DD children also exhibited lower frequency of fixations(F = 6.069), greater numbers of saccades(F = 7.914) and fixations(F = 5.272), and shorter mean saccade distance(F = 4.03). All behavioral and eye-movement parameters differed significantly among the three tasks in the SCWT. There was significant interaction between groups and tasks in accuracy(F = 5.844), and marginally significant interaction in response time(F = 3.040). Chinese DD children tended to have lower accuracy and longer response time than the control group in the 'color-word naming' task. Conclusion Compared to non-dyslexic children, Chinese DD children are subject to a stronger interference effect. When performing the SCWT, Chinese DD children exhibit abnormal eye-movement patterns, namely shorter mean saccade distance, lower frequency of fixations, and more fixations and saccades. These abnormal eye movements may be relatively stable oculomotor patterns of DD children performing visual processing, and not influenced by impaired interference effect.     

Normal blood D-dimer concentrations： do they exclude pulmonary embolism？

Background Although pulmonary embolism （PE） with normal blood D-dimer （DD） concentrations is considered rare,in practice the incidence may be greater than is generally believed.Overlooking PE is potentially dangerous.The aim of this study was to explore the incidence and clinical features of PE with normal DD concentrations.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of 29 patients with PE and normal DD concentrations from the past seven years.We here compare relevant clinical characteristics of these patients with those of patients with PE and abnormal DD concentrations.We evaluated the probabilities of differences by computing pretest probability scores （Wells score and revised Geneva score）.Results The frequency of normal DD concentrations in patients with PE was 4％.Previous episode（s） of PE were more common in patients with normal DD concentrations than in those with abnormal DD concentrations （P=0.001）.Fever,tachycardia,and tachypnea occurred less frequently in the former group （P＜0.05） and time between onset of symptoms and DD testing was longer （P=0.001）.The diagnosis of PE was delayed in 22 of the 29 cases.Nineteen and seven cases with normal DD concentrations were classified according to pretest scores as intermediate and low risk,respectively.Conclusions PE with normal DD concentrations is uncommon.Although most diagnoses of PE are ruled out by normal DD values,a small number of cases with PE are missed.A combination of pretest probability score and normal DD concentration increases the probability of making the correct diagnosis,but cannot completely exclude patients with suspected PE.When the clinical manifestations cannot be otherwise explained,clinicians should be alert to the possibility of PE with normal DD concentrations in patients with previous episode（s） of PE or a long interval between onset of symptoms and DD testing.     

Picture perception in Chinese dyslexic children: an eye-movement study

Background Currently, whether or not there is visuospatial impairments in Chinese dyslexic children is still a matter of discussion. The relatively recent application of an eye-tracking paradigm may offer an opportunity to address this issue. In China, in comparison with reading studies, there have not been nearly as many eye movement studies dealing with nonreading tasks such as picture identification and whether Chinese children with dyslexia have a picture processing deficit is not clear. The purposes of the present study were to determine whether or not there is visuospatial impairments in Chinese dyslexic children. Moreover, we attempted to discuss whether or not the abnormal eye movement pattern that dyslexic subjects show during reading of text appropriate for their age is a consequence of their linguistic difficulties. Methods An eye-link II High-Speed Eye Tracker was used to track the series of eye-movement of 19 Chinese dyslexic children and 19 Chinese normal children. All of the subjects were presented with three pictures for this eye-tracking task and 6 relative eye-movement parameters, first fixation duration, average fixation duration, average saccade amplitude, mean saccade distance, fixation frequency and saccade frequency were recorded for analysis. Results Analyzing the relative parameter among three pictures, except for the fixation frequency and the saccade frequency, other eye-movement parameters were significantly different among the three pictures （P 〈0.05）. Among the three pictures, the first fixation duration was longer, and the average fixation duration, the average saccade amplitude and the mean saccade distance were shorter from picture 2 to picture 3. Comparing all eye-movement parameter between the two groups, the scores of average saccade amplitude （P=-0.017） and the mean saccade distance （P=0.02） were less in the dyslexia group than in the normal group （P 〈0.05）, other parameters were the same in the two different groups （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions The characteristics of the pictures can significantly influence the visuospatial cognitive processing capability of the Chinese children. There is a detectable disability for the Chinese dyslexic children in the visuospatial cognitive processing： their saccade amplitude and mean saccade distance are shorter, which may be interpreted as specific for their reading disability.     

Differentiation of neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis in a cohort from the mainland of China

Background Although there were criteria for diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica （NMO） and multiple sclerosis （MS）,it is still difficult to differentiate NMO from MS,due to the overlapping clinical manifestations.Therefore it is necessary to characterize clinical features of NMO and MS patients in the mainland of China,to simplify the process of disease diagnosis,and to identify criteria for the differential diagnosis of NMO and MS.Methods A total of 138 Chinese Han patients from the mainland of China including 73 NMO,60 MS and 5 MS-like patients with positive NMO-IgG were included in the study.Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively and the results of clinical examination,laboratory experiments,magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and evoked potentials （EPs） were compared between NMO and MS patients.In addition,the relationship between the NMO-IgG serologic status and clinical characteristics were analyzed.Results Compared with MS patients （1.3∶ 1.0）,more female prevalence was observed in NMO patients （4.2∶ 1.0; P=0.003）.There were also statistically significant differences in visual EPs,oligoclonal bands,brainstem lesions in MRI and longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions （LESCLs） between NMO and MS patients.Brainstem lesions observed in brain MRI were found in 17.9% of MS patients,over 3.7 times higher than in NMO patients （4.8%,P=0.024）.When stratified NMO patients by NMO-IgG,LESCLs were found in 42.1% of NMO-IgG-negative NMO patients,over 3.5 times higher than in NMO-IgG-positive patients （11.9%,P=0.008）.Statistical difference was also observed in CD4＋/CD8＋ ratios between NMO-IgG-positive and-negative NMO patients.Conclusions Comprehensive analysis of MRI,laboratory and EPs data can facilitate differential diagnosis of MS and NMO.In addition,the combination of LESCLs and brain MRI findings failing to satisfy MRI criteria for MS is highly sensitive and specific for NMO.     

Cross-sectional investigation of visual impairing diseases in Shanghai blind children school

Background  The control of blindness in children is a high priority within the VISION 2020 initiative. To determine the causes of severe visual impairment and blindness in children from Shanghai Blind Children School (SBCS) can provide useful information on childhood blindness in Shanghai.

Methods  A cross-sectional investigation of students in SBCS was conducted in May 2010. The World Health Organization/Prevention of Blindness (WHO/PBL) eye examination record system for children with low vision and blindness was used. The results were further compared with the findings of two previous investigation studies conducted in 1986 and 2004, respectively in SBCS.

Results  Of the 146 children observed, 80 children (54.8%) were blind (best corrected best visual acuity less than 0.05), 27 children (18.5%) had severe visual impairment (best corrected visual acuity less than 0.1 but better than or equal to 0.05), and 34 children (23.3%) had moderate visual impairment (best corrected visual acuity less than 0.3 but better than or equal to 0.1). The major affected anatomic sites in the 107 children with severe visual impairment and blindness (SVI/BL) were retina (47.7%), whole globe (16.8%), optic nerve (13.1%) and lens (9.3%). The leading causes of SVI/BL were retinopathy of prematurity (ROP, 25.2%), followed by retinal dystrophy (15.9%), optic nerve atrophy (9.3%) and microphthalmos (9.3%). The two leading etiologic categories of SVI/BL were perinatal/neonatal (36.4%) and congenital/hereditary groups (29.0%). The leading cause of moderate visual impairment was aphakia after cataract surgery (congenital cataract, 44.1%). Compared with the findings in two previous investigations in SBCS, the proportion of ROP in visual impairing diseases increased, while the proportion of disorders of the lens (cataract and aphakia) significantly decreased.

Conclusions  The leading cause of childhood blindness in SBCS nowadays is ROP. It is projected that without improvement in perinatal medical care that ROP will continue to be a major cause of childhood blindness.

     

Association between the interleukin-13 gene and development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in southern Chinese Han population: a case-control study

Background Interleukin-13 （IL-13） has been implicated to be responsible for recruitment of inflammatory cells from the blood to the lung,regulation of matrix metalloproteinase and induction of mucin production and secretion in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）.We determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and investigated its association with common polymorphisms of IL-13 gene in a case-control study.Methods We genotyped 160 cases and 175 control subjects in a local hospital using Mass-ArrayTM Technology Platform then tested the association of four SNPs in IL-13 （rs1295685,rs1800925,rs1881457,rs20541） with COPD,and then determined plasma IL-13 levels in patients with COPD and controls.Results Association was found between IL-13 gene SNPs （rs20541 and rs1800925） and an increased risk of COPD.By linkage disequilibrium （LD） analysis,two blocks （rs1881457 and rs1800925; rs20541 and rs1295685） were found.The risk of COPD was found associated with the IL-13 gene polymorphism among southern Chinese Han population.Plasma IL-13 level was increased in COPD patients compared with controls.Conclusions The polymorphism of the IL-13 gene is associated with an increased risk of COPD in southern Chinese Han population.Plasma IL-13 levels were found elevated in patients with COPD.     

Screening of pathogenic genes in Chinese patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Background Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy （ARVC） is a heritable cardiac disease predominantly caused by mutations in desmosomal protein genes. Previous genetic analyses of the Chinese ARVC population are limited to small size and restriction to a single gene. This study was aimed to investigate the genotype in a large series of Chinese patients with ARVC through comprehensively screening nine ARVC-causing genes. Methods A total of 100 unrelated ARVC patients and 300 age, gender and ethnicity matched healthy controls were genetically tested with multiplexing targeted resequencing for nine previously reported ARVC-causing genes, including plakophilin-2, desmoplakin, desmoglein-2, desmocollin-2, plakoglobin, transforming growth factor beta-3, transmembrane protein 43, desmin and Lamin A/C. Results Fifty-nine mutations were identified in 64% of the patients, among which, 93% were located in desmosomal protein genes. Plakophilin-2 mutations accounted for 54% of the total and 58% of the desmosomal mutations, with a truncating mutation type making up about 2/3 of the plakophilin-2 mutations. Only four mutations were found in nondesmosomal genes; two in transmembrane protein 43 and two in transforming growth factor beta-3. Two of them （one of each gene） appeared as single missense mutations. No mutation was identified in desmin or Lamin A/C. Multiple mutations were found in 23% of the patients, with plakophilin-2 being found in 57% of the multi-mutation carriers. Conclusions Plakophilin-2 was the most common gene mutation that was identified in Chinese ARVC patients. Nondesmosomal genes should be added to desmosomal protein genes when performing molecular genetic screening in patients with suspected ARVC.     

Morel-Lavallee lesion

Objective To review current knowledge of the Morel-Lavallee lesion （MLL） to help clinicians become familiar with this entity.Familiarization may decrease missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses.It could also help steer the clinician to the proper treatment choice.Data sources A search was performed via PubMed and EMBASE from 1966 to July 2013 using the following keywords：Morel-Lavallee lesion,closed degloving injury,concealed degloving injury,Morel-Lavallee effusion,Morel-Lavallee hematoma,posttraumatic pseudocyst,posttraumatic soft tissue cyst.Study selection Chinese and English language literatures relevant to the subject were collected.Their references were also reviewed.Results Morel-Lavallee lesion is a relatively rare condition involving a closed degloving injury.It is characterized by a filled cystic cavity created by separation of the subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia.Apart from the classic location over the region of the greater trochanter,MLLs have been described in other parts of the body.The natural history of MLL has not yet been established.The lesion may decrease in volume,remain stable,enlarge progressively or show a recurrent pattern.Diagnosis of MLL was often missed or delayed.Ultrasonography,computed tomography,and magnetic resonance imaging have great value in the diagnosis of MLL.Treatment of MLL has included compression,local aspiration,open debridement,and sclerodesis.No standard treatment has been established.Conclusions A diagnosis of MLL should be suspected when a soft,fluctuant area of skin or chronic recurrent fluid collection is found in a region exposed to a previous shear injury.Clinicians and radiologists should be aware of both the acute and chronic appearances to make the correct diagnosis.Treatment decisions should base on association with fractures,the condition of the lesion,symptom and desire of the patient.     

Value of a virtual hepatic segment model in assisting in the ultrasonic localization of intrahepatic lesions

Background During scanning of the right hypochondrium and right intercostal regions with an ultrasonic transducer,several ultrasonic images of oblique sections are obtained.It is still a challenge for ultrasonography to divide these nonconventional sections into an accurate hepatic segmentation pattern.The aim of this research was to investigate the value of the virtual hepatic segment model （VHSM） in assisting the ultrasonic localization of space-occupying hepatic lesions.Methods VHSM was constructed via 3D reconstruction according to the first Chinese visible human dataset.Preoperative ultrasonography,contrast-enhanced CT scan and VHSM techniques were performed in 100 patients with spaceoccupying focal lesions in the liver parenchyma for segmental localization.The results of these three techniques were compared with the operative findings.Results VHSM was successfully detected on 2D sectional images by 3D reconstruction through surface rendering and volume rendering.The model could simulate ultrasonic directions to conduct a virtual dissection on any section plane,and fine liver segmentation could be displayed in any virtual plane.In 100 patients,there were 112 liver space-occupying focal lesions distributed in 148 liver segmentations.Regarding the positioning accuracies for lesions of different sizes and the lesion segmental distribution accuracies estimated using the three methods mentioned above,ultrasonography exhibited a significantly lower accuracy than VHSM for the segmental localization of lesions （P ＜0.05）,and contrast-enhanced CT was not significantly different from ultrasonography plus VHSM （P ＞0.05）.Conclusion VHSM increased the accuracy of ultrasonic localization of space-occupying hepatic lesions,particularly in hepatic hypovascular regions.     

Feasibility and value of quantitative dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging in the evaluation of sinonasal tumors

Background Quantitative dynamic contrast enhancement MR imaging （DCE-MRI）,used to measure properties of tissue microvasculature and tumor angiogenesis,is a promising method for distinguishing benign and malignant tumors and characterizing tumor response to antiangiogenic treatment.The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of quantitative parameters derived from clinically used DCE-MRI for distinguishing benign from malignant tumors in the sinonasal area,which may be potentially useful for prediction and monitoring of treatment response to chemoradiotherapy of sinonasal tumors.Methods One hundred and forty-three patients with sinonasal tumors,including 78 malignant tumors and 65 benign tumors and tumor-like lesions,underwent clinically used DCE-MRI.Parametric maps were obtained for quantitative parameters including Ktrans,kep and ve.Two radiologists reviewed these maps and measured Ktrans,kep and ve in the tumor tissue.Data were analyzed using independent T-test or Mann-Whitney U test analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves.Results Ktrans,kep and ve showed significant differences between benign and malignant tumors in the sinonasal area （P=-0.000 1）.The accuracy of Ktrans,kep and ve in differentiation between benign and malignant sinonasal tumors were 72.0％,76.2％ and 67.1％,respectively.There were significant differences in kep and ve between malignant epithelial sinonasal tumors and lymphomas （P ＜0.05）.Using a ve value of 0.213 as the threshold value differentiated malignant epithelial tumors from lymphomas with an accuracy of 78.3％,sensitivity of 88.2％,specificity of 68.0％,positive predictive value of 66.7％,and negative predictive value of 90.9％.However,no significant difference in Ktrans and kep was found between malignant epithelial and non-epithelial tumors in the sinonasal area （P ＞0.05）.Conclusions It is feasible that quantitative parameters of tumors can be derived from clinically used DCE-MRI in the sinonasal region.Preliminary findings suggest an     

Prevalence of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures and related factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background Osteoporosis and vertebral factures are well recognized features in patients with ankylosing spondylitis （AS）.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in patients with AS.Methods Fifty-nine AS patients and 40 healthy controls were enrolled.Bone mineral density （BMD） was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry （DEXA） at posterior-anterior （PA） lumbar,lateral lumbar and hip regions.Thoracic and lumbar X-rays were obtained for morphometric measurements.Clinical,biological and radiological statuses were evaluated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index （BASDAI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index （BASMI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index （BASFI）,Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Index-total （BASRI-t）,erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and the C-reactive protein levels.Results Osteoporosis was present in 32% of patients and 5% of controls according to lateral vertebral BMD measurements.Fracture was present in 31% of patients.The effect of some clinical and laboratory parameters on BMD status and vertebral fractures was analyzed in the patient group.Osteoporosis in lateral lumbar DEXA was associated with higher BASMI,BASFI,BASRI-t scores and ESR level.Low hip BMD was associated with low BMI and high BASFI and BASRI-t scores.Vertebral fractures were associated with advanced age,longer disease duration,longer duration since diagnosis,higher BASMI and BASRI-t scores,higher ESR level,reduced femoral and lateral lumbar BMD.Logistic regression analysis revealed that only BASRI-t score was significantly associated with low lateral spinal BMD and BMI and BASFI score were independently associated with low hip BMD.The presence of compression fractures was independently associated with BASRI-t score and low lateral lumbar BMD.Conclusions Osteoporosis and vertebral fractures in AS seem to be related to the extent of radiological involvement.A low lateral lumbar BMD     

Clinical features and imaging findings in pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis: report of two cases and a pooled analysis

Background  Pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis (PCH) is a rare disease and no Chinese case has been reported yet. The disease is often misdiagnosed and its clinical characteristics are incompletely described. The aim of this study was to describe two Chinese cases and to clarify the clinical and radiographic parameters of patients with PCH.

Methods  Two PCH cases were presented and other cases were searched from the English literature. All available clinical and radiographic data were collected from 62 literature reported PCH cases. A pooled analysis of total 64 cases was made.

Results  Dyspnea and hemoptysis were the most common clinical symptoms of PCH. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was found in 78% of the reported cases. PCH typically showed characteristic diffuse or patchy ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and/or multiple ill-defined centrilobular nodules in the computed tomography.

Conclusions  The diagnosis of PCH requires a high clinical suspicion. However, both clinical presentations and radiographic studies often provide clues to the diagnosis, which may prompt early lung biopsy for a definite diagnosis.

     

Cancer immunoinformatics： a new assistant tool for malignant diseaseresearch

Objective To introduce the recent developments in cancer immunoinformatics with an emphasis on the latest trends andfuture direction.     

Bioresorbable scaffolds for coronary artery disease： current status andfuture prospective

Objective To update the current status of bioresorbable scaffold, highlights the potential future prospective of innovativebioresorbable scaffold technology.     

Preoperative serum alkaline phosphatase: a predictive factor for early hypocalcaemia following parathyroidectomy of primary hyperparathyroidism

Background Postoperative hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications following parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism （PHPT）. The aim of this study was to analyze the predictive value of biochemical parameters as indicators for episodes of hypocalcemia in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for PHPT. Methods The patients with PHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy between February 2004 and February 2014 were studied retrospectively at a single medical center. The patients were divided into biochemical, clinical, and no postoperative hypocalcemia groups, based on different clinical manifestations, Potential risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia were identified and investigated by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results Of the 139 cases, 25 patients （18.0%） were diagnosed with postoperative hypocalcemia according to the traditional criterion. Univariate analysis revealed only alkaline phosphatase （ALP） and the small area under the curve （AUG） of receiver operating characteristics （ROC） curve for ALP demonstrates low accuracy in predicting the occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia. Based on new criteria, 22 patients were added to the postoperative hypocalcemia group and similar biochemical parameters were compared. The serum ALP was a significant independent risk factor for postoperative hypocalcemia （P=0.000） and its AUC of ROC curve was 0.783. The optimal cutoff point was 269 U/L and the sensitivity and specificity for prediction were 89.2% and 64.3%, respectively. Conclusions The risk of postoperative hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy should be emphasized for patients with typical symptoms of hypocalcemia despite their serum calcium level is in normal or a little higher range. Serum ALP is a predictive factor for the occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia.     

Immune system modifications and feto-maternal immune tolerance

Objective This review aimed at understanding pregnancy-induced changes in the maternal immune response and mechanisms for the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance.Data sources Articles cited in this review were obtained from PubMed in English from 2000 to 2014,and the search string included keywords such as feto-maternal tolerance,dendritic cells,macrophage,T regulatory cells,natural killer cells,cytokines and hormone.Study selection Articles regarding altered maternal immune response,including the proliferation and differentiation of the altered cells,and the production of cytokines and regulation of hormones in the feto-maternal interface were retrieved,reviewed and analyzed.Results The changes in immune cells and cytokines in the local uterine microenvironment and peripheral blood are correlated with the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance.The endocrine system regulates the maternal immune system,promoting modifications during pregnancy.In these regulatory networks,every factor is indispensible for others.Conclusions The integration and balance of these immune factors during pregnancy give rise to an environment that enables the fetus to escape rejection by the maternal immune system.This progress is complicated,and needs more comprehensive exploration and explanation.     

Changes of atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone in children with postural tachycardia syndrome and orthostatic hypertension: a case control study

Background The abnormal blood volume regulation is one of the most important pathogenesis in postural tachycardia syndrome in children.This study was designed to investigate the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone levels in postural tachycardia syndrome children,and their associations with the changes in heart rate and blood pressure in head-up test.Methods Twenty-one postural tachycardia syndrome patients （（12±2） years） and 26 healthy children （（12±1） years） were included.According to blood pressure changes in head-up test,the postural tachycardia syndrome patients were divided into two subgroups：postural tachycardia syndrome with orthostatic hypertension and postural tachycardia syndrome without orthostatic hypertension.The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level in postural tachycardia syndrome patients was higher than the control （P=0.004）,whereas the difference in plasma antidiuretic hormone level between postural tachycardia syndrome and controls was not significant （P=0.222）.The plasma antidiuretic hormone level of patients suffering from postural tachycardia syndrome with orthostatic hypertension was much higher than that of children having postural tachycardia syndrome without orthostatic hypertension （P ＜0.05）.In postural tachycardia syndrome patients,the updght max heart rate was positively correlated with the plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level （r=0.490,P＜0.05） and the upright systolic blood pressure was positively correlated with the plasma antidiuretic hormone levels （r=0.472,P ＜0.05）.Conclusions There was a disturbance of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and antidiuretic hormone in postural tachycardia syndrome children.     

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion aided with computer-assisted spinal navigation system combined with electromyography monitoring

Background  Minimally invasive techniques are gaining wide-spread application in lumbar fusion surgery, because they may have advantage over conventional open surgery in approach-related morbidity. This research was aimed to evaluate the safety and accuracy of the techniques of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion by using a computer-assisted spinal navigation system combined with electromyography monitoring.

Methods  Sixteen patients underwent minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. A computer-assisted spinal navigation system and electromyography were used for guiding pedicle screw placement. The operative duration, blood loss, complications, and fluoroscopic time were recorded. Clinical outcome was assessed by Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index. Radiographic images were obtained to evaluate the accuracy of pedicle screw placement and fusion rates.

Results  The Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were vastly improved postoperatively. A total of 64 pedicle screws were implanted and three were regarded as misplacement by post-operative CT scan. Three screw trajectories were adjusted according to intra-operative stimulus-evoked electromyography monitoring. The average fluoroscopy time in each patient was 31.8 seconds, which equals to 7.9 seconds per pedicle screw. No patients had instrument related neurological complications, infection, implant failure or revision. Successful fusion was found in all patients.

Conclusions  The combination of navigation system and real-time electromyography monitoring can make the minimally invasive operation more safe and accurate while decreasing radiation exposure time of the medical staff and patient and minimizing the chance and the degree of the pedicle screw misplacement.

     

A preliminary study on correlation between adiponectin genotype polymorphisms and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Background  Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is regarded as a disease with strong genetic background and associated with hypoadiponectinemia. It is worthwhile to investigate the possible correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the adiponectin gene and OSAHS.

Methods  With the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, the SNPs at positions 45 and 276 in the adiponectin gene were determined in Chinese of Han nationality in Nanjing district consisting of 103 OSAHS patients (OSAHS group) and 67 normal controls (control group). The association of adiponectin genotype polymorphisms at positions 45 and 276 with OSAHS was analyzed.

Results  No evidence of a direct association was found between OSAHS and adiponectin genotype SNP at positions 45 and 276 (P >0.05). However, compared with those OSAHS patients having G/T+T/T genotype at position 276, the OSAHS patients with G/G genotype showed a longer neck circumference, a prolonged duration of the longest apnea event, and an elevated level of blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P <0.05).

Conclusions  No direct association was suggested between OSAHS and adiponectin genotype distribution at positions 45 and 276 in Chinese of Han nationality in Nanjing district. However, in OSAHS patients, those with adiponectin G/G genotype at position 276, seemed to have a higher potential risk in development of OSAHS than those having adiponectin SNP276 G/T +T/T genotype.