Management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding from portal hypertension: Elective or emergency operation?

Objective : To evaluate the clinical outcome of emergency and elective operation of splenectomy with periesophagogastric devascularization in treating upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulted from portal hypertension. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 219 patients of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage resulted from portal hypertension treated using emergency or elective operation between Jul 2002 and Aug 2010. The clinical data were collected and analyzed.

Measurement and analysis of prevertebral soft tissue width of cervicothoracic region using magnetic resonance images.

Objective : To evaluate the characterization of normal prevertebral soft tissue width of cervicothoracic region using magnetic resonance images. Methods : Prevertebral soft tissue width in the cervicothoracic region of 165 patients was measured using magnetic resonance images (MRI). The mean and standard deviation of these measurements were calculated and Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to study the influences of age, sex and vertebral level on prevertebral soft tissue width.

Residues R(199)H(200) of prototype foamy virus transactivator Bel1 contribute to its binding with LTR and IP promoters but not its nuclear localization.

Prototype foamy virus encodes a transactivator called Bel1 that enhances viral gene transcription and is essential for PFV replication. Nuclear localization of Bel1 has been reported to rely on two proximal basic motifs R(199)H(200) and R(221)R(222)R(223) that likely function together as a bipartite nuclear localization signal. In this study, we report that mutating R(221)R(222)R(223), but not R(199)H(200), relocates Bel1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, suggesting an essential role for R(221)R(222)R(223) in the nuclear localization of Bel1.

The diagnosis and treatment of traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma.

Objective: To analyze our experiences in patients with traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma, and highlight the problems in diagnosis and treatment to facilitate the surgeons to make decision.

Methodology: One hundred and eight patients of traumatic retroperitoneal hematoma treated in our institution from May 2008 to Jun 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The data including patient's age, type of injury, hospital stays, type of treatment, injured organs and mortality rate were collected.

Do translaminar facet screws have the same stability as pedicle screws in two-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion? A biomechanical study.

Aim: To determine whether translaminar facet screws can provide stability equivalent to pedicle screws in two-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Material And Methods: We performed a biomechanical study using 12 fresh human lumbar spines and tested intact spine, stand-alone two-level ALIF and anterior fusion augmented with pedicle screws or translaminar facet screws under 400N compressive preloads and 7.5Nm moments in flexion, extension, axial rotation and lateral bending, and measured the range of motion and the stiffness of operative level.