Association between Physical Activity and Telomere Length in a North Chinese Population: A China Suboptimal Health Cohort Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Several studies have demonstrated an association between physical activity and telomere length; however, the association remains inconsistent. A cross-sectional study consisting of 588 participants (375 females, median age of 33.8 years) was carried out to investigate the association between telomere length and physical activity in a general population from North China. The results show that relative telomere length is not significantly different in participants in the northern Chinese population with different levels of physical activity, either in the model only adjusted for age (F = 2.127, P = 0.120) or in the model adjusted for demographics and lifestyle (F = 1.227, P = 0.294). The gender-stratified analysis also produced insignificant results. Our study confirmed a non-significant association between physical activity and telomere length in the northern Chinese population, which adds to the inconsistent association between physical activity and telomere length across different ethnic populations.

Association between the SUMO4 M55V Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-analysis / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study is to determine whether the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A meta-analysis was performed to detect the potential association of the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM under dominant, recessive, co-dominant (homogeneous and heterogeneous), and additive models.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of eight articles including 10 case-control studies, with a total of 2932 cases and 2679 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The significant association between the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism and susceptibility to T2DM was observed in the dominant model (GG + GA versus AA: OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.05-1.40, P = 0.009), recessive model (GG versus GA + AA: OR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.07-1.356, P = 0.010), homozygous model (GG versus AA: OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.06-1.56, P = 0.001), and additive model (G versus A: OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08-1.29, P = 0.001), and marginally significant in the heterozygous model (GA versus AA: OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.98-1.36, P = 0.080). In subgroup analyses, significant associations were observed in the Chinese population under four genetic models excluding the heterozygous model, whereas no statistically significant associations were observed in the Japanese population under each of the five genetic models.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The meta-analysis demonstrated that the G allele of the SUMO4 M55V polymorphism could be a susceptible risk locus to T2DM, mainly in the Chinese population, while the association in other ethnic population needs to be further validated in studies with relatively large samples.</p>

Vertebra morphology measurement in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis population / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To measurement the vertebra morphology using multi-planar reformations method of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in AIS girls, and To compare with age and gender-matched controls in order to affirm the morphology results of abnormal development of the anterior and posterior elements in AIS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thoracic and lumbar spine multi-slice spiral CT was undertaken on 52 girls with AIS between the age of 10 and 18 years from June 2004 to May 2008 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Beijing Shijitan Hospital, and 54 age and gender-matched non-IS controls. Multiple measurements (including the anterior column and posterior column) of each thoracic and lumbar vertebra were obtained using the 3D-MPR technique. The patients and control were divided into 10-14 years old group and 15-18 years old group. The corresponding vertebral anterior height, vertebral posterior height, transverse distance, vertebra central width, vertebra anterior-posterior distance, area of pedicle, pedicle height, pedicle width, and upper-lower facet distance were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the controls, the 10-14 years old group girls' spine had longer anterior column height, relative shorter posterior column (there are difference from thoracic 2-11 and lumbar 1-3, P < 0.05), relative longer anterior-posterior vertebral distance, vertebral wedging changes in vertebral, distinct vertebral and pedicle asymmetry on the concave and convex side, and upper-lower facet distance asymmetry on the concave and convex side. The difference between the anterior and the posterior column ratio was significantly different from that in the controls (P < 0.01). But there hadn't the same difference in 15 - 18 years old group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There are differences in coronal plane vertebra wedging changes in AIS patient. There are high vertebra height, relative shorter posterior column, relative longer anterior-posterior vertebral distance, and relative slender vertebra in 10 - 14 years old AIS patients. This may lead to the initial and progression of scoliosis.</p>

Surgical treatment for posterior malleolus fracture of external rotation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a surgical technique and outcome and illustrate its important of open reduction and internal fixation for fractures of posterior malleolus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Jan. 2004 to Jan. 2008, 25 cases were treated with open reduction and internal fixation involving 17 males and 8 females with an average age of 34 years (ranged from 21 to 67 years old). According to Lauge-Hansen classification: 13 cases of type pronation-external rotation (IV), 7 and 5 cases of type supination-external rotation (III and IV). Twenty cases were treated with screw, 5 cases were treated with gypsum. To evaluate the outcome of operation with X-ray.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After seven months to three years followed-up, clinic therapeutic effect of each patient was evaluated according to the Leeds scoring system, the results were excellent in 21 cases and good in 2. As compared with the uninjured side on the evaluation of the activity range of ankle joint, there were no significant difference in back-extend and plantar flexion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In order to obtain ankle joint satisfactory result, open reduction and rigid internal fixation must be adopted in the fracture of posterior malleolus.</p>

Simultaneous anterior and posterior hemivertebra resection in the treatment of congenital kyphoscoliosis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of simultaneous anterior and posterior hemivertebra resection in the treatment of congenital kyphoscoliosis caused by fully-segmented hemivertebra.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one consecutive cases with congenital kyphoscoliosis, which were 8 males and 13 females, underwent one-stage operation of anterior hemivertebra resection and posterior instrumentation. All of the hemivertebra were fully-segmented. The average age at surgery was 11.4 (range, 1.5-16) years old.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average follow-up was 23 (range, 6-50) months. The average Cobb's angle of the coronal curve was 51.4 degrees (30 degrees - 120 degrees) before surgery, 16.9 degrees (0 degree - 54 degrees) after surgery, and 19.5 degrees at latest follow-up. The angle of segmental kyphosis was 37.1 degrees (0 degree - 95 degrees) before surgery and 16.1 degrees (0 degree - 48 degrees) after surgery, and 18.2 degrees at latest follow-up. Apical translation was improved from 4.7 cm to 1.9 cm. The average fusion segments were 4.8 (range, 2-10) segments. Complication included pressure sore in one case, pedicle cutting by pedicle screw in one case and elongation of the curve in one case. There was no obvious pseudarthrosis, decompensation, and kyphosis deformity aggravation at latest follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>One-stage hemivertebra resection has a good result in the surgical treatment of congenital kyphoscoliosis caused by fully-segmented hemivertebra, and may shorten fusion levels if performed at an earlier age.</p>