Comparison and Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Severity in Nonhuman Immunodeficiency Virus Patients with Cryptococcal Infection of Central Nervous System / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#The incidence of cryptococcal meningitis among immunocompetent patients increases, especially in China and imaging plays an important role. The current study was to find the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestation and clinical severity in nonhuman immunodeficiency virus patients with cryptococcal infection of central nervous system (CNS).@*Methods@#A total of 65 patients with CNS cryptococcal infection from August 2014 to October 2016 were retrospectively included in this study. All the patients had MRI data and clinical data. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the patients were confirmed with identifiable underlying disease. Comparison and correlation of MRI and clinical data in both groups were investigated using independent sample t- test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test and Spearman rank correlation analysis.@*Results@#In all 65 patients, 41 cases (41/65, 63.1%; Group 1) had normal immunity and 24 cases (24/65, 36.9%; Group 2) had at least one identifiable underlying disease. Fever, higher percentage of neutrophil (NEUT) in white blood cell (WBC), and increased cell number of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) were much common in patients with underlying disease (Group 1 vs. Group 2: Fever: 21/41 vs. 21/24, χ = 8.715, P = 0.003; NEUT in WBC: 73.15% vs. 79.60%, Z = -2.370, P = 0.018; cell number of CSF: 19 vs. 200, Z = -4.298, P < 0.001; respectively). Compared to the patients with normal immunity, the lesions are more common in the basal ganglia among patients with identifiable underlying disease (Group 1 vs. Group 2: 20/41 vs. 20/24, χ = 7.636, P = 0.006). The number of the involved brain areas in patients with identifiable underlying disease were well correlated with the number of cells and pressure of CSF (r = -0.472, P = 0.031; r = 0.779, P = 0.039; respectively).@*Conclusions@#With the increased number of the involved brain areas in patients with identifiable underlying disease, the body has lower immunity against the organism which might result in higher intracranial pressure and more severe clinical status.

Effects of total flavonoid of chrysanthemum on Fas and Fasl expression in lacrimal gland cells of male castrated rabbits with dry eye / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the effects of total flavonoid of chrysanthemum on the expressions of Fas and FasL in male rabbits with dry eye, and to investigate the therapeutic effects of the total flavonoid of chrysanthemum on dry eye. METHODS: Totally 150 male Japanses white rabbits were divided into blank group ( group A ) , sham -operated group ( group B ) , model group ( group C ) , androgen control treatment group (group D), and total flavonoid of chrysanthemum treatment group ( group E ) . The dry eye model was established with orchiectomy on group C, D and E. Rabbits in group E were treated with total flavonoid of chrysanthemum. Rabbits in group D were treated with androgen intramuscular injection. Rabbits in the group A, group B, group C was treated with normal saline. All rabbits were detected with Schirmer's Ⅰ test and tear break-up time (BUT). Fas, FasL were checked on immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:The Schirmer's I test values of group E was significantly higher than that of group C ( P CONCLUSION:The main component of chrysanthemum is flavonoid, which could significantly inhibit happening of dry eye in rabbit after androgen level lowered and lacrimal gland apoptosis and keep basic tears secretory volume and tear film stability.

Direct repair of adolescent lumbar spondylolysis using a pedicle screw-laminar hook system by paramedian approach / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the indication and clinical effect of direct repair of adolescent lumbar spondylolysis by screw-laminar hook system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 2003 to December 2008, 28 patients (13 males and 15 females,ranging in age from 15 and 26 years, averaged 21.6 years) with lumbar spondylolysis were treated with isthmic bone grafting and internal fixation with a pedicle screw-laminar hook system. Three patients had spondylolysis at L3, L4; 5 patients had spondylolysis at L4, L5; 8 patients had spondylolysis at L4; and 12 patients had spondylolysis at L5. All the patients had low back pain and lasted over 6 months. According to preoperative and postoperative plain radiograph, CT scan and Macnab criteria, the fusion rate and clinical effect of this technique were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up with a mean period of 14.9 months, ranging from 9 to 24 months. All the patients had bony union according to the X-rays and CT scan. According to the calculation results of Macnab criteria, 22 patients got an excellent result, 5 good and 1 fair.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The direct repair of adolescent lumbar spondylolysis with pedicle screw-laminar hook system can shorten length of operation,decrease blood loss, preserve more posterior structures of spine and avoid iatrogenic instability of spine. The postoperative immediate stability of vertebral segment is acquired and the mobility of adjacent intervertebral discs is reserved. The screw-laminar hook system for the treatment of adolescent spondylolisthesis can get satisfactory clinical results.</p>