Etiology for Degenerative Disc Disease.

Degenerative disc disease is a multifaceted progressive irreversible condition and an inevitable part of aging, which has been found to be a contributing factor for low back pain and might cause radiculopathy, myelopathy, spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, and herniations. Its etiology is complex and multifactorial. Although genetics influence more dominant, the occupational and mechanical influences still persist as a major risk factor.

[Gene Analysis of Thalassemia in Han and Dai Ethnic Childbearing-aged Population of Chinese Yunnan Province].

Objective: To investigate the common mutation spectrum of α- and β-thalassemia in Yunnan childbearing-aged population.

Methods: The common mutation types of α- or β-globin genes were detected by multiple Gap-PCR and the PCR-reversed dot blotting, and the unknown mutation types were determined by DNA sequencing in DNA samples of hypochromic microcytic anemia patients and carriers who were confirmed to be positive by serologic screaning, then the mutation types of globin in Yunnan population were analyzed statistically.

Results: A total of 40 kinds of mutation types were detected in 685 detected persons, among them the 3 commonest mutation types of α-globin genes were --(SEA)/αα (49.

[Inhibition of microRNA-23a increases cisplatin sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells: the possible molecular mechanisms].

Objective: To investigate the changes in cisplatin sensitivity of resistant ovarian cancer A2780 cells after inhibition of miR-23a expression and explore the molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The drug-resistant ovarian cancer A2780 cells were exposed to cisplatin alone or in combination with antagomir-23a. The cell inhibition rates after the treatments were detected using MTT assay, cell cycle changes assessed with flow cytometry; and apoptotic cells observed using Hoechst33258 staining.

Comparing the process of creeping substitution between allograft bone and local bone grafting in lumbar interbody fusion.

Purpose: A self-control study was designed to compare the process of creeping substitution between allograft bone and local bone grafting in lumbar interbody fusion.

Methods: From December 2011 to July 2012, 81 patients (mean age: 56.4) were included in this study and randomly allocated to two groups.

Quantitative assessment of the effect of ABCA1 gene polymorphism on the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a membrane-associated protein which has attracted considerable attention as a candidate gene for Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on its function as a key factor in lipid metabolism by mediating cellular cholesterol efflux, the rate-limiting step in the production of nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. The relationship between ABCA1 common variations (R219 K rs2230806, I883 M rs4149313 and R1587 K rs2230808) and AD has been reported in various ethnic groups; however, these studies have yielded contradictory results. To investigate this inconsistency, we performed a meta-analysis of 13 studies involving a total of 12,248 subjects to evaluate the effect of ABCA1 on genetic susceptibility for AD.

Short-term outcome of bilateral decompression via a unilateral paramedian approach for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with unilateral pedicle screw fixation.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of bilateral decompression via a unilateral paramedian approach for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Forty consecutive patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were divided randomly into groups 1 and 2. Patients were treated with unilateral (group 1) or bilateral (group 2) pedicle screw fixation and bilateral decompression via 1-sided (group 1) or bilateral (group 2) paramedian approach.

Renal insufficiency after liver transplantation in the MELD era compared to the pre-MELD era.

Because the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) system for liver allocation gives priority to patients with a higher creatinine, and because pre-transplant renal function is one determinant of post-transplant renal function, this study compares the burden of renal insufficiency in the pre-MELD and MELD eras. Two hundred and eleven patients, at our institution, transplanted in the pre-MELD era, were compared to 143 in the MELD era. The GFR (mL/min/1.

Prolonged intrahepatic cholestasis and renal failure secondary to anabolic androgenic steroid-enriched dietary supplements.

The illegal enrichment of anabolic androgenic steroids in over-the-counter dietary supplements is well documented, but the health consequences have not been widely recognized. Three recent reports document cholestatic jaundice and nephropathy due to these compounds. We present 3 additional cases of anabolic androgenic steroid-enriched dietary supplement-induced hepatotoxicity and 1 case of renal failure, and we review the literature and the relevant features of this growing health concern.

Effect of transgenic expression of porcine interleukin-6 gene and CpG sequences on immune responses of newborn piglets inoculated with Pseudorabies attenuated vaccine.

Porcine interleukin-6 gene and CpG sequences were used as immunoadjuvants to enhance the immune responses of newborn piglets to Pseudorabies attenuated vaccine (PAV). The titer of specific antibodies to PAV, the proliferation of lymphocytes and induced IL-2 activities were all examined to identify the immune response of the piglets. The results showed that the immune responses with CpG ODN and porcine interleukin-6 gene were significantly stronger than routine immunities.