OBJECTIVETo improve the method for monitoring sleep state and respiratory rhythm of SD rats, providing a solution for rats' chewing on the wires, signal loss and instability problems in the animal model of sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).

METHODSWe improved monitoring electrodes of both electrocorticogram (ECoG) and electromyogram (EMG), signal circuit and animal operation.

RESULTSOperation time was shortened and wound exposure time was reduced, which made it easier for postoperative recovery. The ECoG and EMG signals were more stable with sharp image, and signal circuit lines had better conductivity and material durability, achieving continuous monitoring for a long time and high success rate. We could precisely distinguish the sleep wake state and the sleep apnea events in rats according to these signals.

CONCLUSIONThe improved method is more reliable and practical to test the small animal model of SAS, and is more easily to operate and the signals are more stable.

Animals ; Electroencephalography ; methods ; Electromyography ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; methods ; Rats ; Respiration ; Sleep ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; diagnosis

Purpose:An analysis of 27 patients who underwent surgery for their malignant fibrous histiocytoma in the soft tissue of the neck was done to show that compartment dissection of the neck should be the optimal choices of treatment. Methods:From 1 st Jan 1972 through 31 st Dec 1993,27 patients who were referred to the Cancer Hospital for surgical treat- ment were reviewed,including 19 males and 8 females in the age range from 15 to 67,with a mean of 44 years.Surgery was classified as wide resection and compartment dissection of the neck.The two groups were compared for local recurrence and 5 years survival rates.Results:Of the 27 operations,21 were wide resections and 6 compartment dissection of the necks.The average tumor diameter was6 millimeters in patients with compartment dissection of the neck.Local recurrence was encountered in 16 of 21 wide resections (76.2%),and in 1 of 6 compartment dissection of the necks (16.7%).The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P= 0.015).The 5 years survival was 89% for patients without local recurrence and 52% for patients with local recurrence. The difference between them was significant statistically (Log Rank,P=0.0264).Conclusions:For malignant fibrous his- tiocytoma in the soft tissue of the neck,compartment dissection of the neck is recommended as the optimal operation for its ability to the local control of the disease locally.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miRNA-101 on the expression of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EXH2) in human androgen-independent prostated cancer LNCaP cells.

METHODSWe divided LNCaP cells into a blank control, a negative control, and a miRNA-l01 transfection group, constructed the vector by transfecting synthetic miRNA-101 mimics into the LNCaP cells, and evaluated the efficiency of transfection by fluorescence microscopy. Then we determined the expression level of EZH2 mRNA by qRT-PCR in the three groups of cells and that of the EZH2 protein in the negative control and transfection groups by Western blot.

RESULTSGreen fluorescence signals were observed in over 70% of the LNCaP cells in the transfection group after 24 hours of transfection. At 72 hours, the expression of miRNA-101 was significantly upregulated in the transfected cells (P < 0.01), that of EZH2 mRNA was remarkably lower in the transfection group (0.01 ± 0.10) than in the blank control (0.95 ± 0.40) and negative control (0.86 ± 0.30) groups (both P < 0.01), and that of the EZH2 protein was increased in the negative control but decreased in the transfection group with the extension of culture time.

CONCLUSIONmiRNA-101, with its inhibitory effect on the expression of EZH2 in LNCaP cells, is a potential biotherapeutic for prostate cancer.

Androgens ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the internal fixation of sternum with titanium plate for the treatment of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.

METHODSA retrospective study of 26 patients from Jan 2009 to Dec 2011 was carried out. All the 26 cases with sternal wounds infection after cardiac surgery, were treated by internal fixation with titanium plates.

RESULTSAll the patients had chronic infection, lasting for more than 3 months. 3 patients received vacuum-assisted closure treatment after complete debridement. All the wounds were covered with pectoral major muscle flap. All the wounds healed completely with no recurrence of infection.

CONCLUSIONSInternal fixation of sternum with titanium plate can increase the stability. It helps to improve the treatment efficacy of sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Wound Infection ; surgery ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; Thoracic Wall ; surgery ; Titanium

BACKGROUNDMore patients receive organ transplantation surgeries due to the advancement in immunosuppressive agents and surgical techniques. Some of those patients may need to undergo plastic or reconstructive surgery. Long-term use of immunosuppressive agents raises some serious problems. Therefore, this study aimed to introduce our experience about the safety and effectiveness of plastic surgeries after solid organ allograft transplantation.

METHODSA retrospective review of 17 transplant recipients who underwent different reconstructive or cosmetic operations was carried out. The subjects included 1 heart transplant, 1 liver transplant and 15 kidney transplant recipients.

RESULTSAll patients tolerated the plastic surgery procedures well. Flaps and skin grafts were the main constructive methods. There were no postoperative infections and wound dehiscence. Transferred flaps survived completely. Skin grafts took well. Three of the cosmetic surgery patients were satisfied with the results.

CONCLUSIONSImmunosuppressed organ transplant recipients can successfully undergo major reconstructive and cosmetic surgery when given special attention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Heart Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Transplantation ; Surgery, Plastic ; adverse effects ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the rapid development of medical and tissue engineering has provided more choices for making nerve conduit preparation. OBJECTIVE: To review the application of nerve conduits in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: The first author retrieved the CNKI and PubMed databases to search relevant articles published from 2010 to 2016. The key words were "nerve conduit, peripheral nerve" in Chinese and English, respectively.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The nerve conduit materials are mainly classified into biotype and non-biotype. Biotype materials mainly include muscle, amniotic membrane, vein and small intestinal submucosal layer. The non-biotype materials include chitosan, collagen, silk fibroin, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyaniline and silicone tubes. Some materials currently have been approved to enter the clinical stage. There are more or less problems in the clinical application of nerve conduits in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. For example, the length of a defect that can be repaired is limited; the mechanical properties and mechanical properties are not exactly matched with nerve regeneration; the degradation rate is inconsistent with the rate of nerve regeneration; and poor biocompatibility exists.

Although guidelines and formulas have been developed through clinical practice to define infusion rate and volume, over- and under-resuscitation are still common, followed by increasing morbidity and mortality. In order to establish an effective management for early fluid resuscitation, the clinical decision support system (CDSS) has been established. The CDSS, by utilizing information systems coupled with decision support technology, could provide recommendations for the amount of fluid to be infused based on measured biological response. The results showed that patients treated with CDSS had a significantly lower mortality, increased ventilator-free days, and ICU-free days as compared with those treated with traditional fluid management. This article reviews the concepts as well as the result of recent clinical studies of CDSS for burn patients.
Burns ; therapy ; Decision Support Systems, Clinical ; Fluid Therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the oncological and functional outcomes in patients undergoing supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL).

METHODSForty-three cases underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy with functional reconstruction in stage T1b-T4. In these cases, 16 were supraglottic cancers, 21 were glottic cancers, and 2 were subglottic cancers. Three types of supracricoid partial laryngectomy (cricohyoidopexy CHP, cricohyoidoepiglottopexy CHEP and tracheocricohyoidoepiglottopexy TCHEP) were employed accordingly.

RESULTSThe 3- and 5-year accumulative survival rates were 90.7% and 83.7% respectively (Kaplan-Meier method). Median follow-up time was 57 months. Decannulation rate was 95.3% (41/43) in those. The mean time of decannulation was 14 days in patients preserved both cricoarytenoid units and 43 days in those only preserved one cricoarytenoid unit. The removal of epiglottis increased the risk of aspiration and prolonged time of decannulation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSupracricoid partial laryngectomy for selected laryngeal cancer is feasible. The patients can gain satisfied survival rate and quality of life.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; mortality ; surgery ; Cricoid Cartilage ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo report the reduction mammaplasty with vertical incision and superior wide pedicle.

METHODSTypical Lejour mosque-dome design was performed. The inferior part of glandular tissue and skin were excised. The nipple-and-areola complex (NAC) was elevated to normal position with superior wide pedicle. The breast morphology was modified with vertical scar left.

RESULTS46 patients were treated. 4 patients had unilateral breast reduction. 14 breasts had wound dehiscence. 3 breasts received debridement, others were treated conservatively with dressings. No complete NAC necrosis occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe reduction mammaplasty with vertical incision and superior wide pedicle is a safe and effective method with a low risk of NAC necrosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult