AIM: To determine the effect of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for angle closure glaucoma previously treated by laser iridotomy.METHODS: Thirty-nine patients(39 eyes )with angle closure glaucoma previously treated by laser iridotomy and cataract were divided into two groups according need for anti-glaucoma medications for controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) or not. All the patients underwent phacoemulsification and foldable IOL implantation and were followed up 3 months postoperatively.RESULTS: The best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA) of both groups improved significantly (P<0.05). The post-operative IOP of group I at 3 months was 15.72±3.02mmHg,and that of group Ⅱwas 16.30±3.81mmHg. The IOP of both group decreased significantly(P<0.05). The central anterior chamber depth of group I was deepened from 1.64±0.45mm preoperatively to 3.21±0.41mm at 3 months postoperatively,group Ⅱ was deepened from 1.92±0.52mm preoperatively to 3.18±0.39mm at 3 months postoperatively. The postoperative central anterior chamber depth of both groups increased significantly(P<0.05).Anterior chamber angle was much wider postoperatively.CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification and IOL implantation was effective for angle closure glaucoma previously treated by laser iridotomy,and can improve visual acuity and completely relieve the pupillary block of angle closure glaucoma.

Objective To investigate symptom characteristics and their their prevalence in terminally ill patients with ovarian carcinoma.Methods A retrospective study was carried out based on clinical data of 98 terminally ill patients with ovarian carcinoma who died in our hospital during January 1995 to December 2004.Fifteen most common symptoms were analyzed with a focus on the followings:symptom incidence,survival time after symptom occurrence,regularity of symptom cluster,and common causes of death.Fifteen symptoms were:pain,cachexia,pleural effusion and ascites,dyspnea,fever,intestinal obstruction,renal failure,bone marrow depression,lung infection,hemorrhage,deep venous thrombosis (DVT),intestinal or pancreatic fistula,mycotic infection,jaundice and emergency conditions.Results (1)The most prevalent symptom was pleural effusion and ascites(63%),followed by pain(60%), cachexia(59%),dyspnea(52%)and intestinal obstruction(49 %).(2)The symptom which lasted longest survival time was mycotic infection(77 days),followed by intestinal or pancreatic fistula(75 days), intestinal obstruction(67 days),pain(60 days)and eachexia(60 days).Symptoms such as bone marrow depression,renal failure,dyspnea and emergency conditions were comparatively critical associated with shorter survival times(14,13,12,7 days,respectively).(3)Terminal symptoms occurred typically in clusters,with 4.9?1.5 symptoms per case.Of 98 cases,84 cases(86%)had 4 or more symptoms,with the median survival time of 63 days from the last day of anti-cancer therapy,and a slow death process.The remaining 14 cases(14%)with 3 or fewer symptoms survived only 25 days,of which 10 cases(71%)died of emergency diseases.The survival time for two groups was significantly different(P

This study was aimed to analyze the biological characteristics of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) and their response to different growth factors. Rabbit BM-MSCs were separated from bone marrow mononuclear cells by using adherent cultivation. Biological characteristics were investigated by optical and electron microscopy. Immunophenotype of rBM-MSCs was measured by flow cytometry. The expression of collagen was detected by RT-PCR. Differentiation potential was identified by specific staining and RT-PCR. The response of rBM-MSCs to IL-1, 3, 8 and HGF with different concentrations were tested by MTT. The results showed that the rBM-MSCs gave rise to a population of adherent cells characterized by the presence of a predominant cell type with a typical fibroblast-like morphology and could be cultured for over 15 passages. CD44 was highly expressed on F5 rBM-MSCs (32%) and CD45 was lowly expressed (4.7%). Type I collagen was highly expressed, while type II collagen was lowly expressed and type X collagen was not detected on rBM-MSCs using RT-PCR method. In various conditions inducting differentiation, rBM-MSCs could differentiate into the osteoblast, chondrocyte, adipocyte and neuron-like cells. The rBM-MSCs were sensitive to IL-3, even low concentration (10 ng/ml) of IL-3 could promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively (>32%, P < 0.01), whereas high concentration IL-3 inhibited it significantly. It is concluded that rabbit BM-MSCs were successfully isolated and culture-expanded. The biological characteristics of rabbit BM-MSCs are similar to those of human and rhesus BM-MSCs. IL-3 with low concentration can promote the proliferation of rBM-MSCs effectively, but high concentration of IL-3 can inhibit their proliferation.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment for traumatic intervertebrae disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2008, there were 10 patients with trautimatic intervertebral disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction, which included 6 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 66 years (means 41.5 years). All of them were performed through the transforminal approach combined with internal fixation. After operation all patient underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The function of spine was evaluated by JOA score system.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 16 months(means 13 months). All patients got recovery of spine function to some extent except one case with complete spine damaged. The JOA scores was improved from (8 +/- 3) before operation to (15 +/- 2) after operation.

CONCLUSIONEarly and effective treatment by transforminal operation could be helpful for the recovery of spine function.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

BACKGROUNDPulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal event, occurs more frequently in cancer patients than in the general population. To offer an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment to such patients in China, we analyzed the incidence rate and clinical features of pulmonary embolism in patients with solid tumor hospitalized in the Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was made of the hospitalized patients with solid malignancies complicated with pulmonary embolism who had been admitted into the PUMC Hospital from January 2002 to December 2008.

RESULTSThe incidence of pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients with solid malignancies was 0.27% (120/43 967). The median age at diagnosis was 57.5 years. The male to female ratio was 1.0:1.4 (49:71). Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constituted the largest proportion of the 120 patients (37.5%), followed by patients with breast (9.2%), ovarian (8.3%), pancreatic (6.7%), and liver cancer (6.7%). Eighty patients (66.7%) had stage IV cancer. Bone was the most common site of distant metastasis (46.3%). D-dimer level was elevated in 90.9% of the 66 tested patients. The incidence of bleeding due to anti-coagulation therapy was 3.6%. Thirty-six (30.0%) of the 120 patients had concurrent deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities. Seventeen patients developed acute pulmonary embolism within 2 weeks after surgery, 3 of whom died suddenly. Four patients presented with deep venous thrombosis and 1 with pulmonary embolism prior to the identification of malignancy.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with cancer of the lung, ovarian, breast, pancreas, and liver are more likely to be complicated with pulmonary embolism than those with other types of solid tumors. Patients with distant metastasis are at a higher risk of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism without concurrent deep venous thrombosis is more frequently observed than concurrence of both disorders in the clinical setting.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heparin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms ; classification ; complications ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the value of positron emission tomography(PET)-CT imaging combined with continual detection of CA_(125)in serum for diagnosis of early recurrent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.Methods Twenty six patients received PET-CT imaging,who were all diagnosed as primary epithelial ovarian cancer of stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ and had complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and multiple courses of chemotherapy in Shandong Provincial Cancer Hospital.After a steady period,all patients experienced progressive rising of CA_(125)values 3 times in 2 months.But no positive lesion was found by CT, or although suspicious positive focus was found,the recurrent and(or)metastatic extent was not definite. Out of 26 patients,16 were delivered rechemotherapy and(or)radiotherapy,and 10 received re- cytoreductive surgery.Results(1)Of 26 patients,the value of CA_(125)was more than 35 kU/L in 17,and in 14 of 17,pelvic or abdominal cavity recurrence was diagnosed by CT and PET-CT,and 4 showed simuhaneously distant metastasis on PET-CT.In the remaining 3 patients of which CT findings were negative,2 had pelvic and abdominal cavity recurrence,and one had bone metastasis on PET-CT.Of 9 patients with progressive rising CA_(125)levels but the value was less than cut-off(

We have constituted a mouse model for fetal blood transplantation (FBT) to cross over major histocompatibility complex (MHC) without causing serious GVHD. It seems that full matching at the MHC appears not necessary for FBT, while the nucleated cell dose is critical. Two fetal blood units were combined from different donors to increase the stem/progenitor cell dose so as to explore the possibility of MHC-mismatched allogeneic transplantation. 26 out of 40 mice in mixed FBT group survived in the observation period of 60 days after transplantation without obvious GVHD. Double chimerism was demonstrated by PCR and flow cytometric analysis; and skin transplantation test proved the induction of donor specific immune tolerance. Our data suggest that two MHC-mismatched allogeneic donor fetal blood units could simultaneously engraft and reconstitute immune and hematopoietic system in a mouse model. The result may be beneficial for the expansion of cord blood application and enables more patients to share the advantages of cord blood transplantation.
Animals ; DNA ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; immunology ; transplantation ; Graft vs Host Disease ; immunology ; mortality ; H-2 Antigens ; immunology ; Hematopoiesis ; immunology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation Chimera ; genetics ; immunology ; Transplantation Tolerance ; immunology

BACKGROUNDThe aim of this research was to determine the efficacy of combination therapy using an alginate dressing and mouse epidermal growth factor (mEGF) on proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells (ESCs) in patients with refractory wounds.

METHODSEighteen patients (12 males and 6 females, aged from 18 to 61 years (mean 36.4 years)) with various skin wounds, were treated by dressing changing for one month. The wounds were located in the foot (11), calf (3), thigh (2) and forearm (2). The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: alginate dressing and mEGF (group A; n = 6), mEGF (group B; n = 6) and control (group C; n = 6). Wound closure indexes were measured at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Samples were harvested for pathologic examination, at 7 and 14 days following treatment. Cytokeratin 10 (CK10) and cytokeratin 15 (CK15) positive cells were evaluated using the super-sensitivity (SP) immunohistochemical staining technique.

RESULTSWound healing was promoted in groups A and B. In group A, the wound closure index was increased significantly (P < 0.05), and in one case the maximum cure area reached 102 cm(2). Pathological examination identified a thicker epidermis, active angiogenesis and enhanced granulation in group A compared with groups B and C. Using the SP immunohistochemical staining technique, we showed that ESCs in group A were bigger in size and larger in number than in groups B and C. Overall, there was a significant difference in ESCs proliferation and differentiation between group A and group B (or C).

CONCLUSIONSCombination therapy using an alginate dressing and mEGF shows increased proliferation and differentiation of ESCs in patients with refractory wounds compared with those treated with mEGF alone.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alginates ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bandages ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; therapeutic use ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Glucuronic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Hexuronic Acids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-15 ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Middle Aged ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the relevant position of C(2) pedicle to C(2) inferior articular process, set up a technique of C(2) pedicle screw placement with the inferior articular process of axis as an anatomic landmark.

METHODSFifty C(2) bone specimens were used to measure the distance from the sagittal midline to the medial border, the midpoint and the lateral border of C(2) inferior articular process or C(2) pedicle; the width and the height of the C(2) pedicle were also evaluated. The anatomic relation between the measurements data of C(2) pedicle and that of C(2) inferior articular process were analyzed, and the technique of C(2) pedicle screw fixation was established.

RESULTSThe medial border of C(2) inferior articular process was averaged (3.67 +/- 0.41) mm lateral to that of C(2) pedicle, and the midpoint C(2) inferior articular process was averaged (1.15 +/- 0.44) mm lateral to the lateral border of C(2) pedicle, respectively. Using the C(2) inferior articular process as landmark, two techniques was established for C(2) pedicle screw placement. The entry point of method A was located in 2 mm medial and superior to the central point of C(2) inferior articular process; the entry point of method B was at the crossing point of the medial border C(2) inferior articular process with the superior quarter of C(2) inferior articular process.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a steady anatomic relation between C(2) pedicle and C(2) inferior articular process, the C(2) inferior articular process could be as a convenient key anatomic landmark to determine the location of C(2) pedicle and the position of C(2) pedicle screw entry point.

Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Humans ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of primary cervical malignant melanoma, and its prognosis.

METHODSThe clinical and pathological data of four patients with primary malignant melanoma of the cervix were analyzed retrospectively. Nerve tissue protein S-100 and monoclonal antibody to melanoma (HMB-45) were measured in all cases by immunohistochemical method. All four patients received radical hysterectomy. Three of them received chemotherapy preoperation or postoperation, and one of them received biotherapy with interferon-gamma and interleukin-2 at the same time. All the cases were followed up.

RESULTSThe average age of four patients was 45 years. Clinical symptoms presented with irregular vaginal bleeding, postcoital bleeding, or increase of vaginal discharge. Gynecologic examination showed polypus papilla cauliflower-shaped or nodulated black-brown or black-blue mass on the cervix. All the four cases were pathologically diagnosed with cervical malignant melanoma. S-100 and HMB-45 were positive in all patients. Two patients died at 6 and 41 months postoperation, respectively. The other two patients survived for 3.5 and 7 years postoperation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSS-100 protein and HMB-45 play very important roles in the diagnosis of primary malignant melanoma of cervix. Radical hysterectomy, chemotherapy combined with dimethyl triazemo imidazole carboxamide and biological therapies may improve the prognosis of the primary malignant melanoma of cervix if the disease could be diagnosed in an early stage.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Dacarbazine ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Interferon-gamma ; therapeutic use ; Melanoma ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy