BACKGROUND: Denervated muscular atrophy is refractory in clinical treatment. To date, there is still no effective treatment for this disease. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of two-division muscular transplantation with the pedicle of blood vessels and nerves on denervated muscular atrophy so as to explore a new thought for denervated muscular atrophy. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Controlled animal trial was performed at the Department of Hand Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University of Medical College between July 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS: Thirty clean-grade healthy Wistar rats, weighing 250 g, irrespective of gender, were selected. METHODS: Gastrocnemius muscle denervation models were established in both lower extremities. At the experimental side, two incisions were made in 1/3 gastrocnemius muscle of the right side, and the pedicle of the blood vessels and nerves was transplanted into the lateral head of gastrocnemius. While in the control side (left side), gastrocnemius muscle was only disconnected. Samples were harvested at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscular appearance and ultrastructure were observed; muscle fiber circumference and cross-section area and collagen fiber content were measured. RESULTS: The gastrocnemius muscle at the experimental side appeared plump and elastic with acceptable color, while the muscle became atrophy with pale appearance at the control side. Circumference and cross-section area of the muscle fibers at the experimental side were significantly larger than the control side (P

Objective To investigate the anatomical characteristics and clinical application of the distal musculocutaneous perforators derived from the descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery in the anterolateral thigh flap transplantation. Methods From July 2007 to December 2009, the anatomic variations of musculocutaneous perforator were investigated in 96 cases who received anterolateral thigh flap and 10 preserved cadavers. Thirty-five cases who received the anterolateral thigh flap using the distal musculocutaneous perforators were included in the study. There were 19 males and 16 females. The age ranged from 28-55 years old, with an average of 38.5 years old. Single flap was used in 20 cases while lobulated flap in 15 cases. Single flap area ranged from 7 cm×15 cm to 9 cm×25 cm, lobulated flap ranged from 5 cm×7 cm to 8 cm×20 cm. Results The cadaver study found that the most musculocutaneous perforators were concentrated in the far fourth of the anterolateral thigh region. The musculocutaneous perforators commonly arose from the the lateral femoral circumflex artery. The perforator arose directly from the femoral artery or the deep femoral artery in one case separately. In the clinical study, 2-5 musculocutaneous perforators were found in 94 cases but not in the other 2 cases. The descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery became the direct m musculocutaneous perforator. The proximal intermuscularseptum perforator was found in 2 cases. Postoperative follow-up time ranged from 6-11 months. All flaps survived in the follow-up.Marginal necrosis was found in 3 cases. Only 1 case had complained of knee joint instability. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the vascular anatomy of the distal musculocutaneous perforator was reliable. The perforator may serve as an option for proximal one in anterolateral thigh flap transplantation.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperglycemia on intracranial pressure (ICP) and neurological outcome following severe brain injury. Methods A retrospective review was done on 79 cases with severe traumatic brain injury (with no history of diabetes or important extracranial complications) who underwent craniotomy for evacuation of intracranial hematoma and were divided into two groups based on Glasgow outcome scales (GOS) score, ie, favorable group with GOS of 5 or 4 and unfavorable group with GOS less than 3. Statistical analysis of data was accomplished by using SPSS 11.5 software. The outcome was assessed at the 6th month after injury. Results A significant correlation was found between ICP levels and admission or postoperative glucose values. The unfavorable group had significantly higher glucose levels both on admission and after operation compared with the favorable group, with statistical difference (P

Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at Tianzhu (BL10) on Blood Stasis Type lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Methods From October, 2013 to October, 2015, 108 LDH cases were randomized into observation group (n=53) and control group (n=55) in accordance with the order of visiting. The observation group received Tuina and acupuncture mainly at Tianzhu, while the control group only received Tuina, for four weeks. The clinical efficacy and improvement of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were record-ed, and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured before and after treatment. Results The VAS score and IL-6 content decreased in both groups after treatment (t>4.220, P<0.001), and decreased more in the observation group than in the control group (t>3.745, P<0.001). The total effective rate was 94.34% in the observation group, more than 81.82% in the control group (χ2=3.997, P=0.046). The incidence of impromvement of JOA scores was 90.57%in the observation group, more than 76.36%in the control group (χ2=3.920, P=0.048). Conclusion Acupuncture at Tianzhu based on Tuina is more effective on Blood Stasis Type lumbar disc herniation, in term of pain and function, which may relate with decrease of the level of IL-6.

Objective To evaluate the clinical results of limited Smith-Petersen approach in the treatment of posterior dislocation of hip with femoral head fracture (Pipkin fracture of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ).Methods From February 2008 to July 2013,21 patients with Pipkin fracture of types Ⅰ and Ⅱ were treated at our department.They were 16 men and 5 women,with an average age of 39.2 years (range,from 19 to 56 years).The left hip joint was affected in 8 cases and the right in the other 13.The interval between injury and surgery varied from 2 to 7 days (mean,4 days).According to the Pipkin classification,there were 11 cases in type Ⅰ and 10 in type Ⅱ.All the fractures were fixated via the limited Smith-Petersen approach.Results The patients were followed up for 11 to 29 months (mean,17.4 months).All the fractures healed after an average of 15 weeks (from 12 to 19 weeks).According to their Thompson-Epstein scores of clinical and radiological outcomes at the final follow-ups,7 cases were excellent,9 good and 5 fair,giving a rate of excellent to good of 76.2％.Avascular necrosis of the femoral head occurred in 3 cases and osteoarthritis in 2.No infection or limb deep vein thrombosis was observed.Conclusion For Pipkin fractures of types Ⅰ and Ⅱof,limited Smith-Petersen approach can provide satisfactory exposure which leads to reduced soft tissue injury,better reduction and fixation,and fewer complications as well.

Object To study the chemical constituents of alkaloids of Amsonia sinensis Tsiang extracted with methanol. Methods Compounds were separated by exchange resin, macroporous resin and silica gel column chromatography. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Results Three compounds were isolated from total alkaloids of A. sinensis extracted with methanol. They were identified as: rhazidigenine (Ⅰ), amsonic acid (Ⅱ), trans-sinapic acid methylester (Ⅲ). Conclusion Compound Ⅱ is a new one, and compound Ⅰ and Ⅲ are obtained from this plant for the first time.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) is a kind of important industrial flame retardants,which widely exists in the environment and biosomes.Some researches have indicated that PBDEs is toxic to the nervous system of animals through affecting the release of neuroendocrine hormone,the signal transduction pathways,the transmission of neurotransmitters,the expression of key proteins in the nervous system,and the apoptosis of neuronal cells.Data from environmental monitoring indicated that environmental exposure to PBDEs in China exists,but the research on the effect of PBDEs on nervous system is very limited,which calls for attention.This article summarized researches on the mechanism of neurotoxic effects induced by polybrominated diphenyl ethers from the aspects such as the release of neuroendocrinal hormone,the signal transduction pathways,the transmission of neurotransmitters,the expression of key proteins in the nervous system,and the apoptosis of neuronal cells,and some ideas about the direction of related researches were presented.

BACKGROUND: Agmatine can enhance the analgesic effect of morphine,and antagonize the tolerant and dependent effect of morphine.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of injecting agmatine on the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in hippocampus of morphine withdrawal rats.DESIGN: A randomized controlled experimental study.SETTING: Department of Anesthesiology, the General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: All the experiments were carried out in the Department of anesthesiology, the General Hospital of Chinese PLA between April and July 2004. Eighteen healthy SD rats were randomly divided into saline control group (n=6), morphine group (n=6) and agmatine-treated group (n=6).METHODS: The rats in the saline control group were treated with subcutaneous injection of physiological saline (10 mg/kg), those in the morphine group were treated with 5-day preconditioning, subcutaneous injection of morphine of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg respectively, twice a day, and those in the agmatine-treated group were treated with subcutaneous injection of agmatine (10 mg/kg) at 30 minutes before morphine was given, but at 6 hours later, before morphine was given for the last time, the rats in the morphine group and agmatine treated group were also given intraperitoneal injection of naloxone (5 mg/kg) to induce morphine withdrawal symptoms.The number of times of the morphine withdrawal symptoms (including physical signs of trembling like a wet dog, chewing, irrigating, drooling, diarrhoea, etc.) were recorded within 1 hour, and the reduction of body mass was calculated according to the different value of body mass before and after the withdrawal symptoms induced by naloxone. The rats were killed under anesthesia after praxiological detection, and then hippocampus was taken out and made into frozen sections, and the nNOS was detected with immunohistochemical staining. The CMIAS systemwas applied for imaging analysis, and the average value of the integral absorbance (A) values in 5visual sights for each section was taken as the integral A value of positive neuron.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The detected results of morphine withdrawal symptoms in each group; ② The changes of the nNOS expressions in hippocampus of rats in each group.RESULTS: All the 18 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① The detected results of morphine withdrawal symptoms in each group: The withdrawal symptoms of trembling like a wet dog, chewing, irrigating, drooling,diarrhoea and reduction of body mass in the agmatine treated group were all obviously lower than those in the morphine group [(2.0±1.3), (5.0±1.1);(0.3±0.4), (1.8±0.7); (3.2±1.2), (6.8±3.1); (0.2±0.4), (1.2±0.9); (2.7±2.1),(6.7±2.1); (6.0±3.0), (12.8±2.7) times, P ＜ 0.01], and close to those in the saline control group (P ＞ 0.05). ② The changes of the nNOS expressions in hippocampus of rats in each group: The positive neurons of nNOS in hippocampus mainly distributed in CA1 region, the cytoplasm was stained buffy, and the round nuclei were stained pale purple by haematine. The immunofluorescent A value of positive neuron in the agmatine-treated group was significantly decreased as compared with that in the morphine group (24.32±8.31, 50.82±15.13, P＜ 0.01), and almost the same as that in the saline control group (24.32±8.31, 15.24±1.88, P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Agmatine can inhibit the morphine withdrawal syndrome and decrease the expression of nNOS in hippocampus CA1 region of morphine-withdrawal rats. Hippocampal nitric oxide pathway takes part in the inhibitory effect of agmatine on morphine withdrawal syndrome.

Objective To introduce ramified anterolateral femoral flaps pedicled with different musculocutaneous branches used for primary repair of soft-tissue defects at different regions of extremities. Methods From January 2008 to April 2009, 15 patients, 10 males and 5 females, were treated with an-terolateral thigh flaps for their soft-tissue defects at limbs which involved 4 hands, 6 feet and 5 legs and an-kles. Different shapes of anterolateral thigh flap were designed according to clinical anatomy and particular conditions of blood vessels and musculocutaneous branches in different cases. The flaps were ramified into 2 independent free flaps to repair 2 independent defects. The maximum distance between 2 defects was 8 cm. The area of defect ranged from 3.0 cm×3.5 cm to 8.0 cm×11.5 cm, and the flap area from 5.0 cm×5.0 cm to 9.0 cm×15.0 cm. Results According to clinical anatomy, the presence of sarco-cutaneous branches was 100%. The source blood vessel of the flaps was quadriceps artery of femur. The 15 patients were followed up from 3 to 8 months. The tissue grafts all survived and the flaps primarily healed at the recipient site. Revisions were done 3 weeks to 3 months after the primary operation to thin down the clumsy skin flaps in 6 cases, The shape and texture of the flaps were satisfactory. Conclusion Ramified anterolateral femoral flaps pedicled with different musculocutaneous branches provide an ideal way of repairing severe and complex soft-tissue defects at extremities.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of dorsalis pedis parallel flaps in repairing perforating skin and soft tissue defects of the palms.

METHODSEighteen patients with perforating skin and soft tissue defects of the palms were hospitalized from July 2008 to November 2010. The area of skin defect ranged from 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm to 5.0 cm x 2.5 cm. The dorsalis pedis parallel flaps were used to repair these defects, with the area ranging from 2.0 cm x 2.0 cm to 5.5 cm x 3.0 cm. The donor sites were covered with autologous full-thickness skin from inner thigh.

RESULTSAll the 18 flaps and skin grafts of donor sites survived completely. Seventeen patients were followed up for 6 to 23 months, with mean time of 10 months, and one patient was lost to follow-up. The texture, elasticity, and appearance of all the 17 flaps were satisfactory, with no obvious pigmentation or cicatricial contracture. At the last follow-up, the distance of two-point discrimination of flaps ranged from 6 to 9 mm, with mean distance of 7.4 mm, and the sensation of flaps reached S3 in 13 patients who had nerve anastomosis.

CONCLUSIONSThe dorsalis pedis parallel flap, with reliable blood supply and flexible design, is a good choice for repairing perforating skin and soft tissue defects of the palms.

Contracture ; Foot ; surgery ; Hand Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult