A prospective study of serum fibroblast growth factor 21 changes in nonalcoholic fatty liver patients / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the prospective association of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF-21) with NAFLD development in a 5-year prospective study involving a population-based cohort comprising 352 Chinese subjects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of subjects were recorded, serum FGF-21 levels at baseline and follow-up were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,whether FGF-21 was independent predictor of NAFLD development were identified using logistic regressions. Chi-square test, non-parametric test and logistic regression analysis were used in statistical analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Serum FGF-21 levels of NAFLD group was significantly higher than that of non-NAFLD group (318.34(169.64,520.77)pg/ml vs 197.22 (121.57, 318.76) pg/ml, Probability value less than 0.05). (2)At follow-up,significant increase of FGF-21 level was observed in those subjects who developed NAFLD (399.4 (253.9,754.2) pg/ml vs 318.34(169.64, 520.77)pg/ml, Probability value less than 0.05), but in non-NAFLD group, there was no significant difference of FGF-21 level between baseline and follow-up. (3) BMI, TC, HOMA-IR and FGF-21 were independent predictors of NAFLD through logistic regressions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High FGF-21 levels was independent predictor of NAFLD, it may be useful for early diagnosis and intervention of NAFLD.</p>

Clinical results of pedicle screws with cement augmentation for treating lumbar degenerative diseases in the elderly / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Elderly patients with degenerative lumbar degeneration often appear insufficient holding power of pedicle screw in spine surgery, which is prone to occur de-pinning and leads to insecure fixation. How to increase the holding power of screws has become a hot research. OBJECTIVE:To observe the early clinical effect of pedicle screws with cement augmentation for treating lumbar degenerative diseases in elderly patients. METHODS:A total of 65 old patients with lumbar degenerative diseases received a treatment between August 2012 and April 2014, and were divided into two groups according to the treatment strategy:treatment group (n=24;internal fixation of pedicle screws with cement augmentation) and control group (n=41;routine internal fixation of pedicle screws). General conditions of patients in two groups were observed and compared. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score system were used for evaluating the lumbar and back pain, and restoration of neurological function in lower limbs respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al of the patients successful y received the surgery and then were fol owed up from 3 to 20 months. The anterioposterior and lateral X-ray film revealed no loosening, loss, fracture of the screws, and no loss of intervetebral space height was found. There was no significant difference in the blood loss and hospital stay between two groups (P>0.05). JOA at postoperative 3 and 6 months, and VAS score at postoperative 3 months were significantly improved after the treatment of pedicle screws with cement augmentation, when compared to control group (P0.05). Pedicle screws with cement augmentation for treating lumbar degenerative diseases have the advantages of improving the screws holding strength, reconstructing the stability of lumbar vertebra and obtaining clinical efficacy on degenerative spine.