A LaCl3-based lithium superionic conductor compatible with lithium metal.

Inorganic superionic conductors possess high ionic conductivity and excellent thermal stability but their poor interfacial compatibility with lithium metal electrodes precludes application in all-solid-state lithium metal batteries1,2. Here we report a LaCl3-based lithium superionic conductor possessing excellent interfacial compatibility with lithium metal electrodes. In contrast to a Li3MCl6 (M = Y, In, Sc and Ho) electrolyte lattice3-6, the UCl3-type LaCl3 lattice has large, one-dimensional channels for rapid Li+ conduction, interconnected by La vacancies via Ta doping and resulting in a three-dimensional Li+ migration network. The optimized Li0.388Ta0.238La0.475Cl3 electrolyte exhibits Li+ conductivity of 3.02 mS cm-1 at 30 °C and a low activation energy of 0.197 eV. It also generates a gradient interfacial passivation layer to stabilize the Li metal electrode for long-term cycling of a Li-Li symmetric cell (1 mAh cm-2) for more than 5,000 h. When directly coupled with an uncoated LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathode and bare Li metal anode, the Li0.388Ta0.238La0.475Cl3 electrolyte enables a solid battery to run for more than 100 cycles with a cutoff voltage of 4.35 V and areal capacity of more than 1 mAh cm-2. We also demonstrate rapid Li+ conduction in lanthanide metal chlorides (LnCl3; Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Sm and Gd), suggesting that the LnCl3 solid electrolyte system could provide further developments in conductivity and utility.

A nested case-control study on the relationship between red blood cell folate and the prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between red blood cell folate (RBC folate) and the prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1). Methods: In the married women cohort established in 2014, 564 women with CIN 1 diagnosed by pathology were recruited. The demographic characteristics and factors of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were collected. Meanwhile, the infection status of human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected by molecular diversion hybridization, and the level of RBC folate was measured by chemical photoimmunoassay. After 24 months of follow-up, pathological examination was performed again to observe the prognosis of participants. The women with reversal were taken as the control group,and those with continuous and progressive CIN 1 were taken as the case group respectively. The relationship between RBC folate and CIN 1 outcome was evaluated by logistic regression model. Results: 453 women completed the follow-up, aged (49.72±6.84) years old. CIN 1 was reversed in 342 women, continued in 58 cases and progressed in 53 cases. The RBC folate level M (Q1,Q3) were 399.01 (307.10, 538.97) ng/ml, 316.98 (184.74, 428.49) ng/ml and 247.14 (170.54, 348.97) ng/ml, respectively. With the decrease of RBC folate, the risk of continuous and progressive CIN 1 increased (all P<0.001), while the risk of reversal CIN 1 decreased gradually (P<0.001). Combined with high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection status, low level of RBC folate could increase the risk of CIN 1 progression regardless of HR-HPV infection (HR-HPV infection: OR=21.34, 95%CI: 3.98-114.54; HR-HPV uninfection: OR=11.15, 95%CI: 2.34-53.13). Conclusion: Low level of RBC folate could increase the risk of CIN 1 persistence and progression regardless of HR-HPV infection.

Lithium Fluoride in Electrolyte for Stable and Safe Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Electrolyte engineering via fluorinated additives is promising to improve cycling stability and safety of high-energy Li-metal batteries. Here, an electrolyte is reported in a porous lithium fluoride (LiF) strategy to enable efficient carbonate electrolyte engineering for stable and safe Li-metal batteries. Unlike traditionally engineered electrolytes, the prepared electrolyte in the porous LiF nanobox exhibits nonflammability and high electrochemical performance owing to strong interactions between the electrolyte solvent molecules and numerous exposed active LiF (111) crystal planes. Via cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy depth analysis, it is revealed that the electrolyte in active porous LiF nanobox involves the formation of a high-fluorine-content (>30%) solid electrolyte interphase layer, which enables very stable Li-metal anode cycling over one thousand cycles under high current density (4 mA cm-2 ). More importantly, employing the porous LiF nanobox engineered electrolyte, a Li || LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 pouch cell is achieved with a specific energy of 380 Wh kg-1 for stable cycling over 80 cycles, representing the excellent performance of the Li-metal pouch cell using practical carbonate electrolyte. This study provides a new electrolyte engineering strategy for stable and safe Li-metal batteries.

[Effect of early continuous blood purification on the prognosis of children with septic shock: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of early continuous blood purification (CBP) on the prognosis of children with septic shock. METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed for the children with septic shock who did not reach the 6-hour initial recovery target and/or had a fluid overload of >10%. According to the treatment time of CBP, they were divided into an early group with 30 children and a conventional group with 28 children. The two groups were compared in terms of the start time of CBP and 28-day mortality rate, as well as the related indexes in the children who were cured. RESULTS: The early group had a significantly earlier start time of CBP than the conventional group (P<0.05). There were 25 children cured in the early group and 22 cured in the conventional group, and there was no significant difference in 28-day mortality rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The children who were cured in the early group had significantly shorter correction time of lactic acid, urine volume, and fluid overload than those in the conventional group (P<0.05). The children who were cured in both groups had significant reductions in the percentages of T-lymphocyte subsets at the beginning (P<0.05); on reexamination on day 7, the percentages of T-lymphocyte subsets were increased and were higher in the early group than in the conventional group (P<0.05). The children who were cured in the early group had significantly shorter duration of CBP treatment, duration of mechanical ventilation, and length of stay in the PICU than those in the conventional group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For children with septic shock who do not reach the 6-hour initial recovery target and/or have a fluid overload of >10%, early CBP treatment can quickly control the disease, shorten the course of disease, and accelerate immune reconstruction.

MiR-152 influences osteoporosis through regulation of osteoblast differentiation by targeting RICTOR.

Context: Evidence suggests that microRNA (miRNA) regulate gene expression and bone tissue homoeostasis of osteoporosis. MiR-152 has found to be abnormally expressed in osteoporosis, but its role in osteoblast differentiation has not been elucidated. Objective: To understand the potential mechanism of miR-152 in osteoblast differentiation via regulation of RICTOR. Materials and methods: The expression of miR-152 and RICTOR were tested in ovariectomized rat models of osteoporosis. Primary osteoblasts and MC3T -E1 cells were assigned into four groups, namely Control, miR-152 inhibitor, miR-control and miR-152 inhibitor + siRICTOR groups. qRT PCR and Western blot were performed to detect the expressions of miR-152 and RICTOR, respectively. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability, and ALP activity determination and mineralization analyses were also conducted. Results: In ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rats, miR-152 (3.06 ± 0.35) in femoral tissues increased significantly, while RICTOR (0.31 ± 0.04) decreased. Compared with Control group, miR-152 inhibitor group presented appreciable reduction of miR-152 in primary osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cells, as well as remarkable increases in RICTOR, p-Akt(s473)/Akt ratio, and osteogenesis-related genes, with enhanced cell viability, ALP activity and mineralization. In comparison with cells in the miR-152 inhibitor group, those in the miR-152 inhibitor + siRICTOR group had no observable difference in miR-152, but were dramatically up-regulated in RICTOR, as well as the corresponding opposite tendencies of other factors. Conclusion: Inhibiting miR-152 promoted osteoblasts differentiation and alleviated osteoporosis by up-regulating RICTOR. Therefore, miR-152 may be an essential mediator of osteoblast differentiation and a new therapeutic strategy for osteoporosis.

Comparison of Precise Powder Decoction Pieces and Original Traditional Chinese Medical Slices of Rhizomatic—A Case Study on Fallopia multiflora Radix Preparata / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study aimed at investigating the drug preparation of precise powder decoction pieces (PPDP) system,Fallopia multiflora radix preparata (FMRP) was employed in this study.Different specifications of PPDP were prepared,their extract rates were in contrast with the original pieces.Compared the quality uniformity of three batches between FMRP original slices and its PPDP extraction,the similarity of the chemical fingerprints was evaluated,and the contents of common peaks and quality uniformity were compared by relative peak areas.ITS2 sequence was taken as a DNA barcode to identify F.multiflora radix (FMR).As a result,the extract rate of PPDP was 2.5 times as much as the original slices.The average content of stilbene glucoside from the three original slices and the PPDP extraction were 3.56 ± 2.61 and 13.23 ± 0.37 mg·g-1,respectively;while the RSD were 73.28％ and 2.82％.The similarity of the fingerprints of the PPDP extraction was almost the same as that of the original slices,but the content and the uniformity of the common peaks of the PPDP extraction were significantly improved.Thus,FMR was accurately identified using ITS2 sequences.It was concluded that the PPDP considerably improve the decocting rate and quality uniformity,indicating that PPDP could save resources and improve the clinical efficacy.

A Quality Research on the Precise Powder Decoction Pieces of Medicinal Leafage Epimedii Folium / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study aimed at evaluating the quality of precise powder decoction pieces (PPDP) of E.Folium (EF) compared with the traditional commercial slices by chemical fingerprint methods and DNA molecular identification technology.Different specifications of PPDP were prepared,and their dry extract contents were in contrast with that of commercial slices.The slices of EF were identified using ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences.Three batches of commercial slices were collected,and the content uniformity,fingerprint and similarity evaluation before and after the mixing and pulverization were detected by HPLC-DAD and DNA sequence alignment.It was found that the paste rate of PPDP was slightly higher than that of the traditional commercial slices.The dissolution of chlorogenic acid of PPDP was higher than that of the traditional commercial slices.RSD of inter-assay dissolutions of chlorogenic acid of commercial slices was 15.56％,which was reduced to 6.82％ after mixing and preparing into PPDP.The fingerprints showed that the similarity of the PPDP of EF was elevated with the inceases of 10 marketed common peaks.The PPDP of EF was accurately identified by ITS2 and psbA-trnH sequences.In conclusion,compared with traditional commercial slices of EF,the PPDP apparently improved the dissolution rate and the quality uniformity,demonstrated that the boiled powder of CRP achieved obvious clinic advantages.

Quality Evaluation of the Decoctions of Platycladus cacumen Between the Precise Powder Decoction Pieces and Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) Slices / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study aimed at comparing the precise powder decoction pieces and market raw TCM slices of P.cacumen over the decocting quality.ITS2 sequence was adopted as a DNA barcode to identify P.cacumen.The chemical composition of the medicinal materials was characterized by HPLC fingerprints for the evaluation of the similarity of precise powder decoction pieces and market TCM slices.The concentrations of quercitrin were determined using UPLC,and the characteristic common peaks were identified.In addition,the extraction efficiency between the market TCM slices and the precise powder decoction pieces was also compared by standard decoction method.It was found that P.cacumen was accurately identified by ITS2 sequences.HPLC fingerprints showed that the extraction efficiency and similarity of the precise powder decoction pieces increased compared with the market TCM slices.However,the extraction yield rate of the precise powder decoction pieces was improved by 20％ increased in accordance with the standard decoction method,while the contents of the index component,quercitrin,presented rare increase and the decocting rates of the other chemical components little change in the study.In conclusion,it was indicated that precise powder decoction pieces improved the extraction efficiency and uniformity in comparison with TCM slices.

Immunophenotypes and clinical features of lymph ocytes in labial gland of patients with primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the consistency of the lymphocyte immunophenotype between labial gland and peripheral blood of patients with primary Sj(o)gren's syndrome (pSS).Methods Seveny-one pSS patients (referred as pSS group) from rheumatology department and 35 subjects patients with maxillofacial trauma (referred as control group) from department of head and neck surgery of general hospital at tianjin medical university (Tianjin,China) during August 2013 to April 2016 were included into this study.Based on the ratio of CD20 to CD3 in labial gland from pSS patients,they were divided into CD20 high proportion group and CD20 low proportion group.Lymphocyte immunophenotypes in labial glands,course of disease,erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),C-reactive protein (CRP) level,immuno-globulin (Ig) and complement levels were compared among groups.Results ① The levels of serum IgG,IgA,IgM and CRP,and ESR were higher,but C4 level was lower in pSS patients than in the control group [IgG:(22 990±8 060) mg/L vs (1 1560±1 290)mg/L,t=l 1.645,P＜0.01;IgA:(3 710±1 400) mg/L vs (2 390±800) mg/L,t=6.138,P＜0.01;IgM:(1 580±1 300)mg/L vs (920±390) mg/L,t=3.893,P＜0.01;ESR:(37±14) mm/1 h vs (14±4) mm/1 h,t=12.723,P＜0.01;CRP:(5.9±8.7) mg/L vs (2.5±1.2) mg/L,t=3.199,P＜0.01;C4:(180±60) mg/L vs (250±40) mg/L,t=-6.850,P＜0.01].② The levels of IgG,IgA,IgM and C3c in labial gland were higher (IgG:Z=-6.264,P＜0.01;IgA:Z=-1.997,P＜0.05;IgM:Z=-5.459,P＜0.01;C3c:Z=-8.533,P＜0.01),but Clq was lower in pSS group than in control group (Z=-4.363,P＜0.01).③ CD20 was detected in labial gland samples of all pSS patients,in which CD3 was positive in 66 patients,and negative in 5.④ Serum IgG level,ESR were higher in CD20 high proportion group than in low proportion group [IgG:(24 970±7 510) mg/L vs (18 860±7 740) mg/L,t=3.176,P＜0.01;ESR:(40±13) mn/1 h vs (32±15) mm/1 h,t=2.148,P＜0.05].⑤ The levels of IgG and Clq in labial gland were higher in CD20 high proportion group than in low proportion group [IgG:Z=-5.387,P＜0.01;C1q:Z=-4.724,P＜0.01].Conclusion pSS patients have a higher proportion of CD20 in infiltrating lymphocytes of the labial gland,accompanied with the changes of immunoglobulins and complements in both labia gland and peripheral blood.

Chinese Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treatment and Research Group Registry IX: Clinical Features and Survival of Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in China / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Approximately 15-20% cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are diagnosed in children. There have been a few studies reporting the epidemiological data of pediatric-onset SLE (cSLE) in China, neither comparing the differences between cSLE and adult-onset SLE (aSLE). The aim of this study was to describe the impact of age of onset on clinical features and survival in cSLE patients in China based on the Chinese SLE Treatment and Research group (CSTAR) database.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We made a prospective study of 225 cSLE patients (aged Results: The mean age of cSLE patients was 12.16 ± 2.92 years, with 187 (83.1%) females. Fever (P < 0.001) as well as mucocutaneous (P < 0.001) and renal (P = 0.006) disorders were found to be significantly more frequent in cSLE patients as initial symptoms, while muscle and joint lesions were significantly less common compared to aSLE subjects (P < 0.001). The cSLE patients were found to present more frequently with malar rash (P = 0.001; odds ratio [OR], 0.624; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.470-0.829) but less frequently with arthritis (P < 0.001; OR, 2.013; 95% CI, 1.512-2.679) and serositis (P = 0.030; OR, 1.629; 95% CI, 1.053-2.520). There was no significant difference in SLE disease activity index scores between cSLE and aSLE groups (P = 0.478). Cox regression indicated that childhood onset was the risk factor for organ damage in lupus patients (hazard ratio 0.335 [0.170-0.658], P = 0.001). The survival curves between the cSLE and aSLE groups had no significant difference as determined by the log-rank test (0.557, P = 0.455).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>cSLE in China has different clinical features and more inflammation than aSLE patients. Damage may be less in children and there is no difference in 5- year survival between cSLE and aSLE groups.</p>

Methylprednisolone promotes recovery of neurological function after spinal cord injury: association with Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway activation.

Some studies have indicated that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway is activated following spinal cord injury, and expression levels of specific proteins, including low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-6 phosphorylation, ß-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß, are significantly altered. We hypothesized that methylprednisolone treatment contributes to functional recovery after spinal cord injury by inhibiting apoptosis and activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. In the current study, 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone was injected into rats with spinal cord injury immediately post-injury and at 1 and 2 days post-injury. Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores showed that methylprednisolone treatment significantly promoted locomotor functional recovery between 2 and 6 weeks post-injury. The number of surviving motor neurons increased, whereas the lesion size significantly decreased following methylprednisolone treatment at 7 days post-injury. Additionally, caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax protein expression levels and the number of apoptotic cells were reduced at 3 and 7 days post-injury, while Bcl-2 levels at 7 days post-injury were higher in methylprednisolone-treated rats compared with saline-treated rats. At 3 and 7 days post-injury, methylprednisolone up-regulated expression and activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, including low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein-6 phosphorylation, ß-catenin, and glycogen synthase kinase-3ß phosphorylation. These results indicate that methylprednisolone-induced neuroprotection may correlate with activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

The advances in nutritional support with glutamine supplementation in critically ill children / 中华急诊医学杂志

At present,nutrition therapy plays a very important role in critically ill children,which can impact on the development and outcome of the disease by the process of metabolism and immunity.Immune-modulating nutrients,such as glutamine,which is a current hot topic,but now there is a little research in it in critically ill children,and this paper summarizes the approach,the dose and the efficacy of glutamine in critically ill children,aiming to offer reference in clinics.

Application of electronic bronchoscopy in pediatric intensive care patients with difficult ventilator weaning / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of electronic bronchoscopy in the etiological diagnosis and treatment of pediatric intensive care patients with difficult ventilator weaning.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 92 pediatric intensive care patients with difficult ventilator weaning and underwent electronic bronchoscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among all the 92 children, the most common underlying disease was respiratory system disease (39 children). Electronic bronchoscopy found abnormalities in 87 children (95%), mainly excessive airway secretions and abnormal airway structure. There was no difference in the severity of tracheobronchial stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia shown by electronic bronchoscopy in children suffering from congenital heart disease (CHD), with and without difficult ventilator weaning. When used to predict difficult ventilator weaning in children with CHD, tracheobronchial stenosis or tracheobronchomalacia had a sensitivity of 68.4% and a specificity of 66.7%. Among the 36 children with atelectasis caused by excessive secretion or phlegm-induced airway obstruction, 23 achieved full or partial re-expansion after bronchial lavage and/or one-lung ventilation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Electronic bronchoscopy helps to clarify the cause of difficult ventilator weaning and perform treatment under an electronic bronchoscope accordingly in pediatric intensive care patients with difficult ventilator weaning. Tracheobronchial stenosis and tracheobronchomalacia shown by electronic bronchoscopy cannot not be used as an index for the prediction of ventilator weaning in children with CHD.</p>

Finite element analysis on three internal fixations for posterolateral tibial plateau fracture under different loads / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the differences in biomechanical properties of 3 internal fixation patterns(the lateral plate and screw group, the rear plate and screw group, and the front and rear lag screw group) for treating posterolateral tibial plateau fracture under different axial loads. Methods Based on CT data of the tibial plateau, the entity model of 1/2 and 1/4 posterolateral tibial plateau fracture with 3 internal fixations were established and meshed to analyze force status of the fracture models with 3 internal fixations under different axial loads. ResultsUnder the axial load of 1 kN, for the 1/2 posterolateral tibial plateau fracture model, the displacements of the fracture fragments in the lateral plate and screw group, the rear plate and screw group, and the front and rear lag screw were 552.082, 67.964, 54.085 μm, respectively, and the stresses on the fixation device were 306.745, 231.844, 73.047 MPa, respectively. For the 1/4 posterolateral tibial plateau fracture model, the displacements in the three groups above were 416.072, 302.107, 150.639 μm, respectively, and the stresses on the fixation device were 306.673, 208.467, 73.607 MPa, respectively. Both the displacements of the fracture fragments and the stresses on the fixation device increased correspondingly under the axial load of 1.5 kN, and the trend of the data was similar to that under the axial load of 1 kN. Conclusions The results from the fracture models with 3 internal fixation patterns show that the front and rear lag screw group has a superior biomechanical stability under two different axial loads, and the similar mechanical properties can be achieved in the rear plate and screw group. Therefore, the front and rear lag screws will be preferred to treat posterolateral tibial plateau fracture with less obvious displacement in clinic.

IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis: A case report and literature review / 中华老年医学杂志

Clinical data of one patient diagnosed as IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis was analyzed.IgG4 and retroperitoneal fibrosis were used as the key words to search literatures from PubMed and Wanfang Database.Clinical data of 27 cases with IgG4 retroperitoneal fibrosis,including clinical manifestation,diagnostic basis,therapeutic method and prognosis,which were retrieved through literatures,were analyzed.A 82-year-old male patient presented with urinary tract obstruction and renal insufficiency.Imaging examination revealed a retroperitoneal irregular lump shadow,and showed chronic inflammation of soft tissues in posterior peritoneum with fibrosis by biopsy pathology.The IgG4-positive plasmocyte infiltration was found by immunohistochemical method.The serum level of IgG4 was significantly increased,which was in accord with IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis.After treatment with methylprednisolone,retroperitoneal lump shadow was obviously dissipated.The serum level of IgG4 became normal.27 cases with IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis were searched through literature retrieval,with 19 confirmed cases,3 suspected cases,and 5 suspicious cases.Male accounted for 92.6％ (25/27),and the average age was 67.6 years old.The cases with the involvement of extraperitoneal organs accounted for 37.0％ (10/27).The misdiagnosis rate was 55.6％ (15/27).23 cases took effective therapy with glucocorticoids.IgG4-related retroperitoneal fibrosis is an orphan disease,which can be misdiagnosed easily.The diagnosis is made with histopathological examination and determination on the serum level of IgG4.The therapy with glucocorticoids is effective.

Linezolid for treatment of nocardiosis in systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review / 中华全科医师杂志

This report presented a case of disseminated infection with nocardia in lupus erythematosus (SLE) and reviewed the current literature. Nocardiosis was a rare, sometimes life-threatening opportunistic infection in SLE patients. The isolation and identification of pathogen was fundamental for the diagnosis of nocardiosis. Sulfonamides were traditionally the agent of choice for treatment of nocardiosis; while it must be given for several months even more than one year, particularly in patients with suppressed immune function. Issues regarding the drug resistance and the toxicity of sulfonamides in long-term therapy needed to be considered. Linezolid could be an effective agent for the treatment of nocardiosis, whether it could reduce the treatment course need to be further studied.

[Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion in the treatment of Hangman's fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacies and features of treating Hangman's fracture by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: Since June 2005 to December 2008, 36 cases with Hangman's fracture were analyzed with their clinical data including history, symptoms, signs, radiological findings and treatments. According to the classification system designed by Levine and Edwards depending on the radiological manifestations of Hangman's fractures, they were subdivided into type I (n = 9) (conservative therapy), type II (n = 17) and type IIA (n = 10). Conservative therapy was offered to type I in 9 cases, while ACDF with cervical gear protection for 4 weeks after surgery was performed to type II in 17 cases and type IIA in 10 cases. A combination of operation time, days of hospitalization, complications, neurological improvement and fusion rate was assessed. RESULTS: An average follow-up of 15 months (range: 10 - 36) was achieved. No vertebral redisplacement and angulation deformity occurred. Axial pain was relieved in each case. The preoperative neurological deficits in all patients got improvements. No spinal cord injury, vertebral artery injury or cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred. No complication related to internal fixator was found. Average operative time and hospitalization were similar to those of ACDF for lower cervical spine (98 minutes vs. 9 days). Fusion was achieved within 6 months in all cases. CONCLUSION: ACDF at C2-C3 may be an effective and safe way to treat Hangman's fracture.

Study on the relationship between serum surfactant protein and interstitial lung disease in systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and -D (SP-D) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated with interstitial lung disease.(SLE-ILD) and its clinical significance.Methods Serum SP-A and SP-D levels of SLE patients and controis were assessed using a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The relationship between SP-A and SP-D and SLE-ILD,the correlation between SP-A and SP-D with age,disease activity index,pulmonary function test and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score were analyzed.Results The level of serum SP-A and SP-D in patients with SLE is higher than that in healthy controls(P＜0.05).The level of serum SP-A and SP-D in patients with SLE complicated with ILD was higher than that in patients without ILD and healthy controls (P＜0.05).The level of serum SP-D in patients with SLE-ILD was correlated positively with HRCT score (r=0.508,P=0.004) and interstitial score (r=0.468,P=0.009),and it correlated inversely with vital capacity (%VC) (r=-0.590,P=0.001 ) and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (%DLCO)(r=-0.588,P=0.001 ).There was no correlation between the level of serum SP-A with SLE-ILD and HRCT score,%VC and %DLCO.The level of serum SP-D in patients with SLE-ILD correlated positively with serum IgG (r=0.376,P=0.040),and the level of serum SP-A in patients with SLE-ILD correlated positively with serum C reactive protein (CRP)(r=0.403,P=0.027).There was a positive correlation between the level of serum SP-D in patients with SLE and age (r=0.352,P=O.001 ).Conclusion The levels of serum SP-A and SP-D may be useful markers for ILD in patients with SLE.There is correlation between the level of serum SPD and HRCT score,pulmonary function test,and it is positively correlated with age and disease activity index.

The relationship between serum osteopontin and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis and the role in interstitial pulmonary fibrosis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum level of osteopotin(OPN) and disease activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and explore the importance of OPN in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in RA. MethodsSixty-five RA patients and 20 healthy controls were pros-pectively enrolled. RA patients were divided into active group(n=43) and inactive group(n=22), and ILD groups (n=24) and non-ILD group (n=41). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum levels of OPN in patients with RA and healthy controls, and the relationship between OPN and other clinical and laboratory findings were analyzed.Results① Serum OPN tended to be significantly higher in RA patients (median, 18.0 ng/ml) than in the healthy controls (median, 14.3 ng/ml), P<0.01; ②The serum level of OPN in RA patients showed a significant positive correlation with the course of disease, numbers of tender joints , ESR and CRP, but no positive relationship was found in number of swollen joints; ③ The serum level of OPN was significantly higher in RA-ILD patients(median, 20.0 ng/ml) than that in non-lLD (median, 17.0 ng/ml, P<0.05). And there was remarkable negative correlation between the concentration of serum OPN and the value of PaO2, but no association was found with pulmonary function %VC and %DLCO. ④ Compared with the non-ILD group, the ILD group had more active disease in terms of tender joint counts and swollen joint counts, ESR, CRP(P<0.01) and the serum titer of RF-IgM,(P<0.05). ConclusionOPN plays a role in the pathogenesis of RA and is related to the disease activity. It may serve as an active disease inflammatory marker of RA . OPN may be involved in the pathogenesis of RA related ILD and is associated with the severity of pulmonary damage.

Relationship between Platelets and Serum Thrombopoietin in Rheumatoid Arthritis / 天津医药

Objective: To investigate the relationship between platelets and serum thrombopoietin (TPO) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the mechanism of RA with thrombocytosis thereof. Methods: The clinical data of 57 patients with RA were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups by platelet count: high platelet count(>300×109/L) and normal platelet count. There were 28 healthy persons as control. Serum levels of TPO and interleukin (IL)-6 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) in patients with RA and healthy controls. Results:(1)Serum TPO and IL-6 were higher in RA with thrombocytosis than those of healthy controls(P ＜ 0.05). Compared the two RA groups, the one with thrombocytosis had higher serum TPO(P ＜ 0.05). (2)The platelet count of RA with thrombocytosis did not correlate with serum level of TPO. It correlated significantly with serum level of IL-6 (r ＝ 0.566, P ＜ 0.01) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (r ＝ 0.401, P ＜ 0.05). (3)The serum level of TPO in RA with thrombocytosis did not correlate with serum IL-6 (r ＝ -0.069, P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion: The serum level of TPO was significantly elevated in RA with thrombocytosis, which suggested that TPO may take part in the pathology of thrombocytosis in RA. The thrombocytosis in RA correlated with inflammatory reaction.