OBJECTIVETFo compare the efficacy and complications rate of intramedullary (IM) nailing or K-wire versus plating fixation for clavicular fractures.

METHODSPubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library databases, CNKI, VIP and Wangfang databases were searched to find all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials of clavicle fractures using plating versus IM nailing or K-wire. The methodologic quality of the studies was assessed. After independent study selection by 2 authors ,data were collected and extracted independently. Outcomes of postoperative shoulder functional measurement, the efficacy and information of the operation and complications rate were meta-analyzed using RevMan 5 software.

RESULTSNine hundreds and seventy-six patients in 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 3 quasi-RCTs were involved in the meta-analysis,of which 5 studies compared the K-wire and the plating fixations and 8 studies compared the IM nailing and the plating fixations. The overall odds ratio(OR) (with 95% CI) of the operation efficacy for K-wire versus the plating was 3.79 (1.93, 7.46). The overall weighted mean difference (with 95% CI) of Constant Shoulder score for plating versus IM fixation was -1.39 (-3.43, 0.65) in 6 studies. The overall OR of the plating versus IM nailing was 9.34(2.70, 32.32) for the overall major complications in 5 studies and 5.04 (1.52,16.77) for the revision rate in 5 studies.

CONCLUSIONThe current limited evidences suggested that the IM fixation could reduce the incidences of the overall major complications and the revision surgery, while the post-operative efficacy of the plating was superior to the K-wire. More high quality RCTs are still needed in the future.

Bone Nails ; Bone Wires ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of using the Chinese Shang Ring in circumcision children with either phimosis or redundant prepuce, and to investigate its superiority over the similar devices available.

METHODSA total of 824 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring. The clinical data were assessed concerning the duration of the procedure, incidence of post-operative complications, time of recovery and appearance of the penis.

RESULTSThe procedure duration was (2.6 +/-1.2) min, and the complications included infection in 4 (0.6%), edema in 21 (3.2%), delayed removal of the ring in 10 (1.5%), redundant and asymmetric mucosa attributable to performance in 6 (0.9%) of the cases. The wounds healed and the rings were removed at 13.4 +/- 5.8 days after circumcision, with well-smoothed incision and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONChild circumcision with the Chinese Shang Ring is easy and simple in performance, with less operative time, fewer complications and better cosmetic results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of telomerase in various lesions of adrenal cortex.

METHODSBy autoradiography-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol, telomerase expression was detected in 36 samples of adrenocortical lesions, including 29 cases adrenocortical adenoma (8 Cushing's syndrome, 17 aldosteronism and 4 nonfunctional adenomas), 5 cases of hyperplasia of adrenal cortex (presented with Chushing' syndrome), 2 cases adrenocortical carcinoma, and 4 samples of normal adrenal cortex.

RESULTSOf the 40 samples, 2 cases of adrenocortical carcinomas had telomerase expression, and the others had no telomerase expression detected.

CONCLUSIONSNo significant telomerase expression was found among different endocrine functional benign adrenocortical lesions. Telomerase expression may be used as an important marker of malignant adrenocortical tumor.

Adrenal Cortex ; enzymology ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; enzymology ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; enzymology ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Cushing Syndrome ; enzymology ; Humans ; Telomerase ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo examine the effects of rat marrow stromal cells (rMSCs) on gene expression of local brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) after injection of rMSCs into Cistern Magnum of adult rats subjected to traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODSA modified Feeney's TBI model was created in 48 adult rats. rMSCs were harvested from 3-month-old rats, and injected into Cistern Magnum in 24 rats subjected to TBI (Group cell transplantation). Saline was given through Cistern Magnum to another 24 rats subjected to TBI (Group saline control). Animals were sacrificed 1, 2 and 3 weeks after intervention, and special brain tissue blocks were dissected for total RNA extraction from each block. BDNF and NGF mRNA were reverse-transcribed into cDNA and further expanded by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The expression of target genes was evaluated using semi-quantitative methods.

RESULTSGroup cell transplantation had higher BDNF and NGF gene expressions than Group saline control during a period of less than 3 weeks (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSrMSCs transplantation via Cistern Magnum in rats subjected to traumatic brain injury can enhance expressions of local brain NGF and BDNF to a certain extent.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Brain Injuries ; metabolism ; therapy ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel ; Gene Expression ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stromal Cells ; Up-Regulation

In order to investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),201 PD patients were enrolled and underwent extensive clinical evaluations.Subjective sleep evaluation was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).It was found that poor sleep quality (77.11％) and excessive daytime sleepiness (32.34％) were commonly seen in PD patients and positively correlated with disease severity.Then 70 out of the 201 PD patients and 70 age-and sex-matched controls underwent a polysomnographic recording.The parameters were compared between PD group and control group and the influencing factors of sleep in PD patients were analyzed.The results showed that sleep efficiency (SE) was significantly decreased (P＜0.01),and sleep latency (SL) and the arousal index (AI) were increased (P＜0.05) in the PD group as compared with those in the control group.SE and total sleep time (TST) were positively correlated with the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage.There was significant difference in the extent of hypopnea and hypoxemia between the PD group and the control group (P＜0.05).Our results indicate that PD patients have an overall poor sleep quality and a high prevalence of sleep disorder,which may be correlated with the disease severity.Respiratory function and oxygen supply are also affected to a certain degree in PD patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antibacterial effect of a particular antimicrobial peptide Cecropin B(CB) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of wound in mice.

METHODSThirty ICR mice were enrolled in the study, and the Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection model was reproduced by excision of the full layer of dorsal skin with an area of 1 cm x 1 cm. Then they were randomly divided into C ( control, n = 10, with wet compress of isotonic saline at 3 postinjury hour( PIH) ) , M (with hydropathic compress of 100 g/L mafenide at 3 PIH), A (with wet compress of 1 000 mg/L Cecropin B at 3 PIH) groups. The changes in body temperature and hemogram in each group were determined before and 4 days after injury. Quantitative examination were used to detect the quantity of bacteria in muscular tissue of the wounds, and the survival of the mice were observed on 4 post-injury day( PID).

RESULTSThe wounds were moist with more exudation in C group,while that in other groups were dry without obvious exudation. The body temperature of the majority of the mice in each group were elevated, but the number of leucocytes in each group was lowered after operation. The quantity of bacteria in muscle in A group[ (42 +/- 50) CFU/g] was obviously lower than that in M group [(886+/-804) CFU/g, P <0.05] , and it was all obviously lower than that in C group[ (41 +/-28) x 10(5) CFU/g, P <0.01]. The number of surviving mice after 4 PID in C group was evidently smaller than that in A and M groups( P <0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe cecropin B possesses obvious anti-bacterial effect on the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa infected wounds of ICR mice, and it can reduce the mortality.

Animals ; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Insect Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Pseudomonas Infections ; drug therapy ; Wound Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology

Objective To detect the hepatotoxicity biomarkers using normal human hepatocyte (HepaRG) and high-content screening,and to combine the micronucleus test and single cell gel electrophoresis to estalish a rapid screening platform for in vitro cytotoxitity and genotoxicity.Methods The effects of rhubarb anthraquinones (AQs) on the reactive oxygen species (ROS),intracellular Ca2+ concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in HepaRG cells were studied using appropriate fluorescent probes Hoechst33342、DCFH-DA、Fluo4-AM、Mito Tracker Red CMX Ros and high-content screening methods,and the potential genotoxiciy triggered by AQs were analyzed using the high-content based cytokinesis block micronucleus test and high throughput comet assay.Results The intracellular ROS level of HepaRG cells was significantly elevated by a 24 h treatment with Emodin (25.0 μg/mL),aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) or chrysophanol (50.0 μg/mL),which are dose-concentration dependent (P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01);the intracellular Ca2+ increased and mitochondrial damage were observed with the treatment of aloe-emodin (25.0 μg/mL) and rhein (50.0 μg/mL,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01).Comparing to control group,Emodin (25.0 μg/mL) induced an increased micronucleus rate (1.59％ ± 0.68 ％,P ＜ 0.01) and significantly higher percentage tail DNA and Olive tail moment (respectively 10.155％ ± 2.17％ and 0.510 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.05 and 0.01) after 24 h;while the chrysophanol increased the micronucleus rate to 1.29％ ± 0.54％ (P ＜ 0.01) after 72 h.Conelnsion The results on the cytotoxicities and genotoxicities of AQs are consistent with the literatures.In this study,a rapid screening model for both hepatotoxicity and genotoxicity was successfully established,which will help with the early screening during the drug development stage.

Objective To study the features of Yersinia pestis(Y.pestis)in areas along Qinghai-Tibet Railroad in Qinghai Province.Methods To identify the biologic types and the molecular biological feathers of Y.pestis isolated from areas along Qinghai-Tibet Railroad in Qinghai from 2001-2006.Results All the tested Y.pestis was biologically of classical type and ecologically of Qinghai-Tibet plateau type.The Y.pestis had high virulence.The Y.pestis of 65×106 plasmids was distributed in the Tanggula area,the Y.pestis of 52×106plasmids,in Tianjun and Delingha areas.The Y.pestis srains carried 52 × 106 plasmids.except the two containing 65 X 106 plasmids in Wulan County.The genetic type of Y.pestis in Tanggula was type 5 and that in Zongwulong of Delingha,Saishike,Keke,Tongpu of Wulan was type 8 except 2 strains of Y.pestis isolated from woodchuck and the patients in Dananwan of Tongpu,Wulan County were type 15.Conclusion The Y.pestis in the area along Qinghai-Tibet Railroad in Qinghai belongs to Qinghai-Tibet plateau type with high virulence.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of action of Tougu Xiaotong Capsule (透骨消痛胶囊, TGXTC) ex vivo in suppressing chondrocyte (CD) apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprussiate (SNP).

METHODSThirty New Zealand rabbits, 2 months old, were randomized by lottery into five groups, six in each: the blank group treated with saline, the positive control group treated with Zhuanggu Guanjie Pill (壮骨关节丸, 70 mg/kg), and the three experimental groups, EGA, EGB, and EGC, treated with low dose (35 mg/kg), moderate dose (70 mg/kg), and high dose (140 mg/kg) of TGXTC, respectively. All treatments were administered via gastrogavage twice a day for 3 days. Arterial blood was collected from the abdominal aorta and drug or drug metabolites-containing serum was prepared. CDs obtained from knee joints of 16 four-week-old New Zealand rabbits were cultured to the third passage and confirmed by toluidine blue staining. SNP of various final concentrations (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mmol/L) was used to induce CD apoptosis, and the dosage-effect relationship of SNP in inducing CD apoptosis was determined. Serum samples from the blank, control, and three dosages of TGXTC-treated rabbits were tested in the CD culture in the presence of SNP. Cell apoptosis was determined by Hoechst 33342 staining, viability of CDs was quantified by MTT, CD apoptosis rate was determined by annexin V-FITC/PI staining, levels of p53 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression in CDs were determined with RT-PCR, and contents of caspase-3 and caspase-9 proteins were determined by colorimetry.

RESULTSCD apoptosis was induced by SNP at all concentrations tested and in a dose-dependent manner. The SNP concentration of 1 mmol/L and treatment duration of 24 h appeared to be optimal and were selected for the study. Serum samples from the positive control rabbits and from the two higher doses of TGXTC-treated rabbits showed reduction of SNP-induced CD apoptosis, decrease in p53 mRNA expression, inhibition of catalytic activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and increase in Bcl-2 mRNA expression when compared with the serum from the blank group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONTGXTC-containing sera antagonized SNP-induced CD apoptosis and the molecular basis for the action was associated with up-regulation of Bcl-2, down-regulation of p53 expression, and inhibition of caspase-3 and caspase-9 catalytic activities.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Biocatalysis ; drug effects ; Capsules ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Nitroprusside ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reproducibility of Results ; Serum ; chemistry ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cellular immune regulation of the long-term intervention of moxa smoke.

METHODSThirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a low concentration group, a medium concentration group and a high concentration group, 8 cases in each group. In addition to the blank group, rats in the other groups were exposed to the corresponding concentration moxa smoke for 20 min every day, the T lymphocyte subsets and proportion of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood were tested by flow cytometry after 6 months.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the proportions of CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+ T cells and CD3+ CD4/CD3+ CD8+ in the other 3 moxa smoke groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05), while the proportions of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells were significantly lower (P < 0.05), but no statistically significant differences among those 3 moxa smoke intervention groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLong-term moxa smoke intervention has no significant effect on the proportions of CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+ T cells and CD3+ CD4+/CD3+ CD8+, but it can decrease the proportions of the CD4+ CD25+ Treg in CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood of rats. The way produced by pretreatment with moxa smoke may play immunomodulatory effect.

Animals ; Lymphocyte Count ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Smoke ; analysis ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; drug effects ; immunology ; Time Factors