Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) multi-postprocessing techniques in the evaluation of small bowel obstruction (SBO). Methods Clinical and MDCT imaging data of 90 patients with SBO were collected. Three radiologists respectively applied two protocols (protocol 1 consisted of conventional axial and coronal reformations and protocol 2 involved integration of multiple post-processing techniques) to image post-processing and interpretation of patients' MDCT volume data, and completed condition evaluation reports. Two protocols were compared regarding relevant diagnostic self-confidence, clinical satisfaction, clinical treatment decisions, and radiological adverse events. Results In the same protocol, the diagnostic self-confidence showed no significant difference between three radiologists for any evaluation parameter (P>0.05), but the diagnostic self-confidence of three radiologists was significantly higher in the protocol 2 than in the protocol 1 (P<0.01). The clinical satisfaction was also significantly higher in the protocol 2 than in the protocol 1 for all the individual and compositive illness assessment reports (P<0.01). After protocol 2 was applied clinically, it changed the previous treatment decisions based on protocol 1 in 11 patients (12.22%). About radiological adverse events, regardless of minor, major, or the sum of them, protocol 1 was significantly higher than protocol 2 (P<0.05). Conclusion Integration of multi-postprocessing techniques can improve diagnostic self-confidence and clinical satisfaction of MDCT for assessing SBO and effectively reduce radiological adverse events.

Recent studies have shown that TCM treatment for bone metabolic diseases, such as steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head, has definite efficacy and has received extensive attention. However, due to lack of molecular biological basis of pharmacodynamics mechanism, it has not yet reached the standard of scientific treatment. The discovery of OPG/RANK/RANKL system has become a new breakthrough point in the prevention and treatment of bone metabolic diseases. The pathogenesis of deficiency of spleen and kidney - blood stasis - caused by phlegm arthralgia caused by blood stasis is closely related to the system. The effect of the final control of the system from the deficiency theory can be expressed through the axial micro-information. This article discussed the TCM syndrome differentiation of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and the relation of regulation of bone metabolism combined with the OPG/RANK/RANKL system, and provided the basis for prevention and treatment of this disease.

Objective　To investigate whether matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was synthesized in pregnant cervix during parturition and its source and distribution. Methods　Cervical species (n=10, each weighing about 0.3 g) were taken from pregnant women immediately after delivery. Other cervical species (n=7) were served as negative control from those non-pregnant women but undergoing uterotomy due to other benign diseases. Immunohistochemical method (ABC) was carried out to detect the expression of MMP-9, with a monoclonal antibody against MMP-9. Results　Positive staining of MMP-9 was found in the cytoplasm of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) that had infiltrated into cervix or located in blood vessels of cervix. Scattered light positive staining were found in some interstitial cells of the cervix. No other cells including fibrocytes and lymphocytes were positive to MMP-9. No positive staining was found in control tissues. Conclusion　There are strong expressions of MMP-9 in pregnant cervix in term labor, derived mainly from infiltrated PMN. MMP-9 may be an important regulator in the process of cervical ripening.

Objective To investigate the role of anandamide(ANA)-mediated cannabinoid receptor 1(CB1) on the acquisition of visceral hypersensitivity in rats, and explore its underlying mechanism. Methods The visceral hypersensitivity non-noxious/noxious colorectal distension (NNCRD/NCRD) model of rat was reproduced by ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization combined with NNCRD/NCRD. Fifty-four rats were randomly divided into control group (n=7), saline+CRD group (n=7), OVA+CRD+dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) group (n=8), OVA+CRD+different concentrations of ANA (0.5, 5.0, 10.0mg/kg) groups (8 each), and OVA+CRD+ANA+AM251 group (n=8). The expression and quantitative assessment of CB1 were monitored by immunoflurorescence and laser scanning confocal analysis. The visceral sensitivity was evaluated by the area under curve (AUC) of myoelectrical activity of abdominal wall muscle. Results By NCRD at 80mmHg, the density of CB1 immunofluorescence intensity was significantly higher in L4-L6 of the spinal cord of the rats in saline+CRD group compared with that in control group (P<0.05). The expression of CB1 was higher in OVA+CRD+DMSO group than in saline+CRD group (P<0.05). By NNCRD at 20 mmHg, no statistical difference was found in the AUC of visceromotor reflex (VMR) among various groups (P>0.05). By NCRD at 80mmHg, the VMR-AUC increased obviously in OVA+CRD+DMSO group as compared with that of saline+CRD group, but it decreased significantly in OVA+CRD+high concentration ANA group (P<0.05). When AM251 was intravenously given, VMR-AUC increased significantly in OVA+CRD+ANA+AM251 group compared with that in OVA+CRD+different concentrations of ANA groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Intravenous administration of ANA may mitigate the visceral nociception induced by basic OVA-sensitization combined with NCRD stimulation in CB1-mediated manner. It indicated that anandamide-mediated CB1 cannabinoid receptor may regulate the development and maintenance of visceral hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether dexmedetomidine (Dex) can reduce the production of inflammatory factor IL-1β by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in hippocampal microglia, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response of the central nervous system induced by surgical injury. METHODS: Exploratory laparotomy was used in experimental models in this study. Totally 48 Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 12 for each), respectively sham control (group A), laparotomy only (group B); and Dex treatment with different doses of 5 μg/kg (group D1) or 10 μg/kg (group D2). Rats in groups D1 and D2 were intraperitoneally injected with corresponding doses of Dex every 6 h. The rats were sacrificed 12 h after operation; the hippocampus tissues were isolated, and frozen sections were made. The microglia activation was estimated by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC and IL-1β were detected by immunoblotting. All data were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and independent sample t test was used to analyze the statistical difference between groups. RESULTS: The activated microglia in the hippocampus of the rats significantly increased after laparotomy (group B vs. sham control, p < 0.01). After Dex treatment, the number was decreased in a dose-dependent way (group D1 vs. D2, p < 0.05), however the activated microglia in both groups were still higher than that of sham controls (both p < 0.05). Further Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, ASC and downstream cytokine IL-1β in the hippocampus from the laparotomy group were significantly higher than those of the sham control group (all p < 0.01). The elevated expression of these proteins was relieved after Dex treatment, also in a dose-dependent way (D2 vs. D1 group, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Dex can inhibit the activation of microglia and NLRP3 inflammasome in the hippocampus of rats after operation, and the synthesis and secretion of IL-1β are also reduced in a dose-dependent manner by using Dex. Hence, Dex can alleviate inflammation activation on the central nervous system induced by surgical injury.
Animals ; Dexmedetomidine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammasomes ; metabolism ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Laparotomy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Microglia ; metabolism ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

There are many occupational risk factors in operating room work. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) , as a kind of common bone filling and repairing material, is widely used in the fixation of artificial joints, oral braces and orthopedic prosthesis. However, PMMA will release methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer when it is implanted into human tissues and polymerized to harden, which is toxic to the body. This paper analyzes harmful factors in using PMMA bone cement, and then explores corresponding occupational protection knowledge, in order to reduce the occurrence of occupational hazards related to PMMA bone cement and enhance the self-protection ability of the operation room medical staff.
Bone Cements/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Operating Rooms ; Polymethyl Methacrylate/adverse effects*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEAdenoid cystic carcinoma is primary bronchopulmonary carcinoma with low malignancy, and 43 patients treated in the past 50 years in our hospital were retrospectively studied. The aim of this study is to discuss the clinical symptoms, pathologic characteristic and therapeutic method of primary tracheal or bronchuotracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma.

METHODSThis study summarized total 43 patients of primary tracheal or bronchus adenoid cystic carcinoma treated in our hospital from Jan. 1958 to Dec. 2007. Among them, 40 patients were treated by surgical resection, and 3 patients were treated by fiberoptic bronchoscope's interventional treatment.

RESULTSThe 1-yr, 3-yr, 5-yr survival rates of the 43 patients above were 100% (41/41), 89.5% (34/38), 87.1% (27/31), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPrimary tracheal or bronchus adenoid cystic carcinoma are rare and low malignancy carcinoma. The clinical symptoms of them are not typical. The best treatment is early detection and taking measures of operation plus radiotherapy. The other palliative treatment is fiberoptic bronchoscope's interventional treatment.

Adult ; Aged ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of testis homotransplantation in the treatment of androgen deficiency and infertility.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 12 cases of testis homotransplantation.

RESULTSSurgical success was achieved in 11 cases, all with a significantly increased level of serum testosterone, and markedly improved secondary sex characteristics and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONTestis homotransplantation is highly effective for the treatment of androgen deficiency in males, but has little effect on spermatogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Living Donors ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis ; transplantation ; Testosterone ; blood ; deficiency ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes in terms of vision across distances(near, intermediate and far), contrast sensitivity and subjective patient satisfaction after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery(FLACS)with implantation of an extended range of vision(ERV)intraocular lens(IOL).

METHODS: Forty patients(55 eyes)underwent bilateral or monocular FLACS with implantation of the ERV IOL Tecnis Symfony(Johnson & Johnson Vision)were enrolled. Uncorrected distance(UDVA), intermediate(UIVA)and near visual acuities(UNVA)were evaluated at 3mo after surgery, as well the defocus curve, contrast sensitivity, patient satisfaction and spectacle independence.

RESULTS:No severe complications occurred. All eyes showed a central position of the IOL in the capsular bag without tilting at 3mo after surgery. 3mo postoperative mean logMAR visual acuity at 5 m, 67 cm and 40 cm were -0.04 ±0.08, -0.17±0.22, 0.37±0.17, respectively. All patients obtained satisfactory UDVA and UIVA, as well as functional UNVA, meeting the needs of daily life. Spectacle independence rate was 94.55%. Contrast sensitivity results did not differ from those obtained with monofocal aspheric lenses. Likewise, no moderate and severe photic phenomena were reported. Mean patient satisfaction scores with distance, intermediate and near vision were 9.0, 9.0, and 7.0, respectively.

CONCLUSION: FLACS with implantation of the ERV IOL TECNIS Symfony provides a successful visual restoration at far, intermediate distance and a functional-range near vision acuity, with minimal level of disturbing photic phenomena, and high rates of spectacle independence and patient satisfaction.