Genetic analysis of the Vitamin D receptor start codon polymorphism (FokI) in cervical vertebra and lumbar spine pathologies: a meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI polymorphism has been reported to influence the risk of spinal diseases. However, several studies suggest inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed this analysis to reveal the accurate relationship between VDR FokI polymorphism and spinal diseases.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms do not play a significant role in pain perception in male Chinese Han population.

Polymorphisms in the human catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene have been widely studied for their role in pain and analgesia. In this study, sensitivity to potassium iontophoresis, visual analog scale measurements for fixed twofold pain threshold stimulation and pain threshold changes induced by transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) were assessed in a population of healthy Chinese males. These results were correlated with the alleles of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or diplotypes of common haplotypes designated as low pain sensitive, average pain sensitive, and high pain sensitive in the COMT gene of these subjects.

Establishment and validation of a simple noninvasive model to predict significant liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: There have been still few valuable noninvasive models that can be used as indirect markers of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection.

Methods: In 374 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, the correlation between the conventional parameters and significant fibrosis confirmed by liver biopsy was assessed using univariate analysis and logistic regression. A model was established and assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

Diagnostic Value of Mini-laparoscopy in Patients with Abdominal Neoplasm.

Objective: Blood biochemistry, ascites tests, and imaging examinations have low sensitivities in abdominal neoplasm diagnoses. In addition, exploratory laparotomy is not suitable for final stage patients. Mini-laparoscopy has recently emerged as a new diagnostic technology for abdominal disease.