Comparison of low-dose sequences of dual-source CT and echocardiography for preoperative evaluation of aortic valve disease

Background Accurate evaluation of coronary artery,aortic valve annulus diameter （AVAD）,and cardiac function in patients with aortic valve disease is of great significance for surgical strategy.In this study,we explored the preoperative evaluation of low-dose sequence （MinDose sequence） scan of dual-source CT （DSCT） for those patients.Methods Forty patients suspected for aortic valve disease （the experimental group） underwent MinDose sequence of DSCT to observe coronary artery,AVAD,and left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）.Another 33 subjects suspected for coronary artery disease （the control group） underwent conventional retrospective electrocardiographically-gated sequence of DSCT.Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （2D-TTE） and four-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography （4D-TTE） were applied in the experimental group to measure AVAD and LVEF and compared with MinDose-DSCT.Results There was a strong correlation between LVEFs measured by 2D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.87,P ＜0.01）,as well as between 4D-TTE and MinDose-DSCT （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.AVAD measured by MinDose-DSCT was in good agreement with corresponding measurements by 2D-TTE （r=0.90,P ＜0.01）.The effective dose in the experimental group was 63.54％ lower than that in the control group.Conclusions MinDose sequence of DSCT with a low radiation dose serving as a one-stop preoperative evaluation makes effective assessment of the coronary artery,AVAD,and LVEF for patients with aortic valve disease.     

Heliox as a driving gas to atomize inhaled drugs on acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective clinical study

Background Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （AECOPD） is a common condition,which affects not only the quality of life of patients but also their prognosis.The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of an inhaled salbutamol sulfate solution and an inhalation suspension of the glucocorticoid budesonide that were atomized with heliox to treat patients with AECOPD.Methods Twenty-three patients with AECOPD were divided into a treatment group （He/O2=70％/30％） and a control group （N2/O2=70％/30％）.The salbutamol sulfate and budesonide were administered by inhalation twice a day for 7 days.Vital signs,arterial blood gas levels,pulmonary function and the levels of serum myostatin （sMSTN） were measured and lung vibration imaging was performed.Results We found that the PaO2 and PaCO2 values were not significantly different between the two groups at the various time points （P ＞0.05）.There were also no significant differences in any of the parameters of pulmonary function between the two groups.However,after baseline correction,the increase rate of the forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1）,the forced vital capacity （FVC）,and the maximum minute ventilation （MW） appeared to be significantly increased at some time points compared with the baseline （before treatment） in both groups （P ＜0.05）.Although the values of quantitative lung distribution （QLD） for different regions and the levels of sMSTN were slightly different between the two groups,the repeated measures analysis of variance （ANOVA） revealed that there were no significant differences between the two groups or within any group （P ＞0.05）.Conclusion Although the use of heliox as a driving gas can improve symptoms and benefit patients with AECOPD,the heliox treatment group did not have significant differences in arterial blood gases,lung function,lung vibration response imaging or the levels of sMSTN compared with the control group.（Chinese Clinical Trial Register Center ChiCTR-TRC-00000273）     

Impact of surgery and epirubicin intravesical chemotherapy on peripheral blood dendritic cell subsets in patients with superficial urothelial carcinoma of the bladder

Background  Superficial urothelial carcinoma (SUC) of the bladder is a common urinary tract tumor in China. There is a high recurrence rate of this tumor even after surgery and intravesical instillation. Previous reports have described a suppression of the immune system in cancer patients. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in the induction of an effective antitumor immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of surgery and epirubicin intravesical chemotherapy (IC) on peripheral blood DCs in subsets of patients with bladder SUC.

Methods  A total of 66 SUC patients and 38 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All the patients had undergone transurethral resection (TUR) of their cancer and adjunctive IC after tumor removal. The patients were divided into a non-recurrence group (n=40) and a recurrence group (n=26) based on the presence or absence of tumor recurrence. Blood samples were taken preoperatively (PreOP), on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 7, and at postoperative month (POM) 3. Flow cytometric analysis was used for the determination and quantitation of the surface markers CD80 and CD86 in circulating DC subsets.

Results  The preoperative percentages of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and expression of CD80 and CD86 were impaired in SUC patients compared to healthy controls (P <0.05). The percentages of mDCs and these surface markers decreased significantly on POD 1 and increased on POD 7, remaining higher than the preoperative values in POM 3 (P <0.05). The percentages of mDCs, and CD80 and CD86 in the non-recurrence group on PreOP, POD 7, and POM 3 were higher than those in recurrence group.

Conclusions  Surgical removal of SUC and adjunctive IC were associated with improved circulating mDC counts and function. Persistent depression of mDC counts and function after treatment in recurrence patients indicated lower antitumor immunity that may lead to tumor recurrence.

     

Effect of partial liquid ventilation on lung function in oleic acid-induced lung injury model of piglets

Background Pediatric patients are susceptible to lung injury that does not respond to traditional therapies.Partial liquid ventilation （PLV） has been developed as an alternative ventilatory strategy for treating severe lung injury.The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of PLV on lung function in immature piglets.Methods Acute lung injury was induced in 12 Chinese immature piglets by oleic acid （OA）.The animals were randomly assigned to two groups （n=6 each group）：（1） conventional mechanical ventilation （MV） group and （2） PLV with FC-77 （10 ml/kg） group.Mean arterial blood pressure （MAP）,mean pulmonary arterial pressure （MPAP）,central venous pressure （CVP）,left atrial pressure （LAP）,systemic vascular resistance （SVR）,pulmonary vascular resistance （PVR）,cardiac output （CO）,mean pressure of airway （Paw）,dynamic lung compliance （Cydn）,and arterial blood gases were measured during the observation period.Results No piglet died in either group with severe lung injury.After four hours of ventilation,pH in the MV group gradually decreased to lower than 7.20,while in the PLV group,pH also gradually decreased but remained higher than 7.20 （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of oxygen in artery （PaO2） decreased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in artery （PaCO2） increased in both groups,but with a significant difference between the PLV group and MV group （P ＜0.05）.Paw increased in both groups,but was not significantly different （P ＞0.05）.Cydn decreased in both groups,but without a significant difference （P ＞0.05）.At four hours,heart rate （HR） and MAP in both groups decreased.MPAP in both groups increased,and there was a significant difference between the two groups （P ＜0.05）.CVP was stable in both groups.At four hours,PVR and LAP were increased in both groups.CO was decreased in both groups （P ＜0.05）.SVR was stable during the observation time.Conclusion PLV did not improve outcome in changes of lung function.     

Platelet function monitoring guided antiplatelet therapy in patients receiving high-risk coronary interventions

Background Large-scale clinical trials have shown that routine monitoring of the platelet function in patients after percutanous coronary intervention （PCI） is not necessary. However, it is still unclear whether patients received high-risk PCI would benefit from a therapy which is guided by a selective platelet function monitoring. This explanatory study sought to assess the benefit of a therapy guided by platelet function monitoring for these patients. Methods Acute coronary syndrome （ACS） patients （n=384） who received high-risk, complex PCI were randomized into two groups. PCI in the two types of lesions described below was defined as high-risk, complex PCI： lesions that could result in severe clinical outcomes if stent thrombosis occurred or lesions at high risk for stent thrombosis. The patients in the conventionally treated group received standard dual antiplatelet therapy. The patients in the platelet function monitoring guided group received an antiplated therapy guided by a modified thromboelastography （TEG） platelet mapping： If inhibition of platelet aggregation （IPA） induced by arachidonic acid （AA） was less than 50% the aspirin dosage was raised to 200 mg/d; if IPA induced by adenosine diphosphate （ADP） was less than 30% the clopidogrel dosage was raised to 150 mg/d, for three months. The primary efficacy endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction, emergency target vessel revascularization （eTVR）, stent thrombosis, and death in six months. Results This study included 384 patients; 191 and 193 in the conventionally treated group and platelet function monitoring guided group, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the baseline clinical characteristics and interventional data between the two groups. In the platelet function monitoring guided group, the mean IPA induced by AA and ADP were （69.2＋24.5）% （range, 4.8% to 100.0%） and （51.4＋29.8）% （range, 0.2% to 100.0%）, respectively. The AA- induced IPA of forty-three （22.2%）     

A new anastomosis method for choledochojejunostomy by the way behind antrue pyloricum

Background Reflux cholangitis has been the most common In this study we intended to evaluate the perioperative and choledochojejunostomy. complication after Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy. long-term efficacy of a new anastomosis method for Methods Clinical data of 143 eligible patients who underwent choledochojejunostomy in the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University, China between January 2007 and December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Among the patients, 38 consecutive cases underwent this new anastomosis method for choledochojejunostomy （improved group, IG） and 105 underwent standard Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy （control group, CG）. Changes in the incidence of cholangitis, the time of beginning to eat liquid meals, post-operative delayed gastric emptying and liver function between the two groups were compared. Results There was no statistical difference in the levels of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphomonoesterase and gamma-glutamy transferase between the two groups. The time of beginning to eat liquid meals was significantly shorter in IG than CG （P 〈0.05）. The incidence of delayed gastric emptying was lower in IG than CG, with statistical tendency between the two groups （P=0.052）. Among nine patients with different degrees of acute cholangitis in the two groups, one patient （2.6%） in IG and eight （7.6%） in CG suffered from acute cholangitis within six months of follow-up after discharge, but with no statistical difference between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. Of the nine patients with acute cholangitis, none in IG and four in CG were hospitalized for further treatment （P 〉0.05）. Conclusions Patients in IG had satisfactory perioperative and long-term prognosis with shorter time of beginning to eat liquid meals and lower incidence of delayed gastric emptying. This new procedure of choledochojejunostomy by the way behind antrue pyloricum was easy and safe to perform with no mortality and low complication rates.     

Impairment of recovery of muscle function by residual rocuronium after re-transfusion of intraoperative salvaged blood

Background Recurarization has previously been described in the context of acute normovolemic hemodilution.The aim of this study was to investigate the impairment of recovery of neuromuscular function after re-transfusion of intraoperative salvaged blood in patients treated with rocuronium.Methods We enrolled 50 patients undergoing general anesthesia for lumbar surgery.Intraoperative blood salvage （IBS） was used in 30 patients （group Ⅰ）; the remaining 20 comprised a control group （group C）.Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl,midazolam,propofol and rocuronium.Rocuronium was infused to maintain neuromuscular blockade during surgery.Blood was collected from the operative field and re-transfused in the post-anesthesia care unit （PACU）.Neuromuscular function was monitored using the train-of-four ratio （TOFr）.Once the train-of-four ratio exceeded 90 in the PACU,neuromuscular function was evaluated every 5 minutes for 30 minutes.The TOFr and incremental recovery of TOFr from baseline were recorded.Salvaged blood was re-transfused at the beginning of the evaluation for patients in group Ⅰ,and afterwards for patients in group C.Blood gas analysis was assessed before anesthesia and in the PACU.Results Incremental recovery of TOFr from baseline was significantly less in group Ⅰ than controls at 25 minutes （6.1±3.2vs.9.1±3.2,respectively; P=0.001） and 30 minutes （7.1±3.2 vs.10.0±2.2,respectively; P=-0.001）.There were no significant differences in gas exchange between the groups.Conclusions In patients who had received a rocuronium infusion during anesthesia,re-transfusion of salvaged blood significantly impaired recovery of neuromuscular function recovery in the PACU,but without significant impairment of respiratory function.     

Effect of refractive correction on ocular optical quality measurement using double-pass system

Background Optical Quality Analysis System II （OQAS, Visiometrics, Terrassa, Spain） that uses double-pass （DP） technique is the only commercially available device that allows objective measurement of ocular retinal image quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of spectacle lenses on the ocular optical quality parameters and the validity of the optometer within OQAS. Methods Seventy eyes of healthy volunteers were enrolled. Optical quality measurements were performed using OQAS with an artificial pupil diameter of 4.0 mm. Three consecutive measurements were obtained from spectacle correction corresponding to subjective refraction and from the OQAS built-in optometer separately. The modulation transfer function cutoff frequency, the Strehl ratio, the width of the point spread function （PSF） at 10% of its maximal height （PSF10）, and the width of the PSF at 50% of its maximal height （PSF50） were analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in any of the parameters between the spectacle correction and the optometer correction （all P 〉0.05, paired t-test）. A good agreement was found between both the methods and a good intraobserver repeatability in both the correction methods. Difference in best focus between two methods was the only parameter associated significantly with optical quality parameter differences. Best focus difference, built-in optometer correction with or without external cylindrical lens, and age were associated significantly with PSF10 difference. No linear correlation between refractive status and optical quality measurement difference was observed. A hyperopic bias （best focus difference of （0.50±0.44） D） and a relatively better optical quality using spectacle correction in high myopia group were found. Conclusions OQAS based on DP system is a clinically reliable instrument. In patients with high myopia, measurements using built-in optometer correction should be considered and interpreted with caution.     

Removal versus preservation of the posterior longitudinal ligament in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty

Background Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty can be used to restore and maintain the mobility and function of the involved cervical spinal segments. The efficiency of posterior longitudinal ligament （PLL） resection in anterior cervical decompression and fusion has been demonstrated. However, no clinical reports have compared PLL removal with preservation in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. This study aimed to assess the role of removal of PLL in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty at an 18-month follow-up.     

Urinary albumin excretion rate: a risk factor for retinal hard exudates in macular region in type 2 diabetic patients

Background The various risk factors for retinal hard exudates are still poorly understood in type 2 diabetic patients.The aim of this study was to determine the association between urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER） and hard exudates in macular region in north Chinese patients.Methods A total of 272 patients （272 eyes） were enrolled for this study,including 154 subjects from group 1 （mild hard exudates）,91 subjects from group 2 （moderate hard exudates） and 27 subjects from group 3 （severe hard exudates） confirmed using colour fundus photography,optical coherence tomography （OCT） as well as slit-lamp biomicroscopy with 78 diopter （D） lens.Each participant underwent a comprehensive assessment that included biochemical,clinical characteristics test and detailed ophthalmic evaluation.One-way analysis of variance （ANOVA） test and chi-square test were performed to analyze the fasting blood glucose （FBG）,glycated hemoglobin （HbA1c）,total cholesterol （TC）,low density lipoprotein （LDL）,high density lipoprotein （HDL）,triglycerides （TG）,full blood counts,urinary albumin excretion rate （UAER）,blood creatinine （CREA）,duration of diabetes,body mass index （BMI）,systolic blood pressures （SBP） and diastolic blood pressures （DBP） between groups.Ordinal logistic regression analysis was further performed in order to eliminating the possible confounding factors.Results Three groups were matched in terms of age and gender.Risk factors which showed significant difference between groups include FBG （P ＜0.001）,HbA1c （P ＜0.001）,LDL （P ＜0.001）,UAER （P ＜0.001）,duration of diabetes （P=0.001）,TC （P=0.005）,SBP （P=0.026）,CREA （P=0.004） and haemoglobin （Hb） （P=0.012）.There was no significant difference between groups for the TG,HDL,DBP,platelet,total white blood cells and BMI.Using ordinal Logistic regression analyses,of all the variables,HbA1c,LDL and UAER which were independent risk factor for hard exudates showed a si     

Efficacy of immediate instillation combined with regular instillations of pirarubicin for Ta and T1 transitional cell bladder cancer after transurethral resection: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study

Background Immediate intravesical instillation of chemotherapeutic agents after transurethral resection (TUR) of nonmuscle invasive transitional cell bladder cancer has recently been suggested and has ...     

Pioglitazone inhibits the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in rat mesangial cells

Background Oxidative Stress and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38MAPK） play a vital role in renal fibrosis. Pioglitazone can protect kidney but the underlying mechanisms are less clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of pioglitazone on oxidative stress and whether the severity of oxidative stress was associated with the phosphorylation level of p38MAPK.     

Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b is a potential biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study in Han Chinese

Background Bone damage around the joints is one of the major pathophysiological mechanisms that leads to rheumatoid arthritis （RA） chronic disability.Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b （TRACP-5b） is secreted by osteoclasts,its activity can be used as a clinically relevant bone resorption marker.The aim of this study was to test whether the measurement of serum levels of TRACP-5b in patients with RA would correlate with measures of disease activity and with responses to therapy.Methods Fifty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive recombinant human cytotoxic tlymphocyte-associated antigen-4 immunoglobulin （RhCTLA4-lg）,infliximab or methotrexate （MTX）.The clinical and serologic indicators of RA activity were evaluated at baseline and at 24 weeks.Serum TRACP-5b was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay （ELISA） at 0,12 and 24 weeks.Hand X-rays were obtained at baseline.Results At baseline,the levels of TRACP-5b correlated with the severity of X-ray damage,disease duration （r=0.332,P=0.012）,and tender joint count （r=0.408,P=0.002）.The 24 weeks values of TRACP-5b for RhCTLA4-lg group and infliximab group differed significantly from the baseline values in each group （P 〈0.05; P 〈0.05）,whereas only the value for RhCTLA4-lg group differed significantly from the 24 weeks value for the MTX group （P 〈0.01）.Considering the two biologics-treated groups together,the TRACP-5b levels at 24 weeks differed significantly from the baseline values only in those patients who reached an ACR70 level （P 〈0.05）.Conclusions Measurement of serum TRACP-5b in RA patients reflects clinical and radiological measures of disease activity,treatment with certain biologics,and degree of response to therapy.TRACP-5b should be investigated further as a potential biomarker to predict response to therapy,including slowing of radiographic progression.     

Effects of plasma ghrelin, obestatin, and ghrelin/obestatin ratio on blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Background Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome （OSAS） is strongly associated with obesity and with cardiovascular disease.Ghrelin and obestatin are two peptides from the same source but have opposite roles.Both of them can affect feeding and regulate vascular tune.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma ghrelin,obestatin,the ratio of ghrelin and obestatin （G/O） and sleep parameters and blood pressure circadian rhythms in patients with OSAS.Methods This study enrolled 95 newly diagnosed over-weight OSAS patients （OSAS group）,30 body mass index （BMI）-match non-OSAS adults （over-weight group） and 30 non-OSAS normal weight adults （control group）.Polysomnography （PSG） was performed in the OSAS group and over-weight group.Blood pressure of all subjects was monitored by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.The concentration of plasma ghrelin and obestatin was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）.Results Plasma ghrelin levels in the OSAS group and over-weight group were significantly lower than that of the control group （P ＜0.05）.Plasma obestatin levels were lower in the over-weight group and OSAS group,but there was no significant difference among the three groups.The blood pressure in OSAS patients was higher,and there was a significant difference in all blood pressure parameters compared to the control group,and in the daytime average diastolic blood pressure （DBP）,nocturnal average systolic blood pressure （SBP） and DBP,DBP variability values as compared to over-weight subjects.Furthermore,there were significantly more non-dipper patterns of blood pressure （including hypertension and normotension） in the OSAS group than in the other two groups （P ＜0.01）.Correlation analysis showed that ghrelin levels had a significant correlation with BMI and nocturnal average DBP but not with PSG parameters.In contrast,the G/O ratio had a negative correlation with apnea-hypopnea index （AHI） （P ＜0.05）,as well as a strong positive correlation with the blood pressure variability values （P ＜0.01）.In multivariate analyses,AHI （P ＜0.05） and G/O （P ＜0.05）were independently related to SBP variability changes,while AHI （P ＜0.05）,G/O （P ＜0.01） and BMI （P ＜0.05） were independently related to DBP variability changes.Conclusions Our data show plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were related to obesity in OSAS.Sleep apnea in OSAS patients could have led to an imbalance in G/O in the basis of obesity.Moreover,the imbalance may promote nighttime blood pressure elevation and affect blood pressure circadian disorder.     

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.

     

Visual function and morphological changes in the macular area of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after intensive insulin therapy

Background Intensive insulin therapy has been found to lessen the progress of diabetic retinopathy （DR） to some extent,while it has also been implicated to be responsible for decrease of DR.We investigated visual function and morphological changes in the macular area in short-term follow-up of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after intensive insulin therapy.Methods This was a prospective clinical study of nonproliferative DR patients （102 eyes,120 patients） undergoing intensive insulin therapy.The Contrast Glare Tester （Takagi CGT-1000） was used to examine contrast sensitivity （CS） and Heidelberg Retina Tomograph （HRT） Ⅱ and Stratus Model 3000 OCT were used to observe the changes of morphology in the macular area.Follow-up times were pre-intensive therapy,3 and 6 months post-intensive therapy.Results CS at low and middle frequencies was higher at 3 and 6 months post-therapy compared with pre-therapy （P 〈0.05）.Significant differences in CS at low frequency were found between 6 and 3 months post-therapy （P 〈0.05）.Macular edema index was lower in the first,second,and third rings of the macular area after intensive therapy compared with pre-therapy （P 〈0.05）.Compared with 3 months post-therapy,the macular edema index was lower in the first,second,and third rings of the macular area at 6 months post-therapy （P 〉0.05）.No significant differences in the thickness of the first,second,and third rings of the macular area were detected between 3 and 6 months post-therapy and pre-therapy （P〉0.05）.Conclusion CS and macular edema indexes were significantly improved in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy patients after intensive insulin therapy,but thickness of the macular area was unchanged.     

Myelin protein zero and its antibody in serum as biomarkers of n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy and neurotoxicity effects

Background Chronic exposure to n-hexane can lead to peripheral neuropathy that no effective treatment regimen could be applied presently. This study investigated whether myelin protein zero （P0） protein and its antibody could be used to distinguish n-hexane intoxication and protect workers from peripheral neuropathy. Methods We compared P0 protein and its antibody among three levels of n-hexane-exposed groups, which included 18 patients with n-hexane-induced peripheral neuropathy as case group, 120 n-hexane-exposed workers as n-hexane- exposed control group, and 147 non-hexane-exposed participants used as control group. ELISA method was applied to detect P0 protein and its antibody. Results P0 protein in serum was significantly higher in the case group and n-hexane-exposed control group in comparison with the control group （P〈0.01）. Compared with the n-hexane-exposed control group, the case group also had significant increase of P0 protein （P〈0.01）. After 6 months therapy, P0 protein was observed to decrease significantly in the case group （P〈0.01）. The P0 antibody in serum was significantly higher in the n-hexane-exposed control group than in the control group （P〈0.01）, but not significantly different between cases and controls. Conclusions P0 antibodies in serum may be a short-term effect biomarker for n-hexane exposure. P0 protein in serum may be an early effective biomarker for peripheral nerve neuropathy and its biological limit value needs investigation in the future study.     

Kyphoplasty versus vertebroplasty for the treatment of malignant vertebral compression fractures caused by metastases: a retrospective study

Background There are few comparative studies regarding kyphoplasty (KP) and vertebroplasty (VP) for the treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures (VCF) in patients with cancer. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively compare KP with VP in pain improvement, cement leakage incidence, and the cost of treatment of malignant VCF.

Methods We performed a retrospective study of clinical data for 80 patients with multiple spinal metastases, treated with KP in 42 cases and VP in 38. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were collected pre-operatively, post-operatively, at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after treatment. Cement leakage was identified using fluoroscopy and CT scan. Total cost per patient was also collected.

Results There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-operative VAS scores (7.4±2.0 to 3.8±1.6, P <0.001 in the KP group; 6.7±2.4 to 3.7±1.4, P <0.001 in the VP group), and was maintained at 1-year follow-up (3.2±1.4 in the KP group, 3.1±1.3 in the VP group). However, the difference in VAS score between these two groups was insignificant at baseline and every follow-up assessment post-operatively (P >0.05). The incidence of cement leakage in the KP group was lower than that of the VP group (16.9% (14/83) vs 30.3% (23/76), P <0.05). However, none of the patients developed any symptoms. The length of postoperative hospital stay in the VP group was shorter than that of the KP group ((2.4±1.3) vs (5.3±1.9) days, P <0.05). Total hospital cost in the KP group was much higher than that of the VP group (RMB Yuan 8 492±3 332 vs RMB Yuan 3 173±1 341, P <0.01).

Conclusions VP and KP are both effective in providing pain relief for patients with cancer-related VCF. KP provides no greater degree of pain improvement. KP is associated with a lower rate of cement leakage compared with VP. VP is associated with lower cost and shorter postoperative hospital stay in China.