Objective To investigate the effect of L-carnitine on the apoptosis in Schwann cells induced by high glucose.Methods The cell line RSC96 cultured in vitro were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 1.5 × 104/ml (200 μl/well) or in 6-well plates at a density of 2 × 105/ml (2 ml/well) and cultured for 24 h.The cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table:normal control group (group C),high glucose group (group H),high glucose + L-carnitine group (group H + L),and mannitol osmotic control group (group M).The cells in group C were incubated in the plain culture medium containing normal glucose (5.6 mmol/L).The cells were incubated in the medium containing glucose 50 mmol/L in group H or in the medium containing glucose 50 mmol/L and L-carnitine 50 μmol/L (final concentration) in group H + L.The cells were incubated in the medium containing normal glucose (5.6 mtmol/L) and mannitol 44.4 mmol/L in group M.At 48 h of incubation,cell growth conditions were observed under inverted microscope,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was measured by xanthine oxidase method,malondialdehyde (MDA) content was measured by thiobarbituric acid test,cell viability was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.The expression of activated caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) protein was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly decreased,MDA content and apoptotic rate were increased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1 protein was up-regulated in H and H + L groups,and no significant changes were found in group M.Compared with group H,the cell viability and SOD activity were significantly increased,MDA content and apoptotic rate were decreased,and the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1 protein was down-regulated in group H + L.Conclusion L-camitine can attenuate high glucose-induced apoptosis in Schwann cells by inhibiting oxidative stress responses and down-regulating the expression of activated caspase-3 and PARP-1.

Objective To determine the perioperative risks of partial hepatectomy by determining the preoperative liver functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),and to compare the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score with the Child-Pugh classification in predicting prognosis.Methods We reviewed the clinical data of 202 patients with HCC who underwent partial hepatectomy.The MELD score and the Child-Pugh classification were determined preoperatively.Results The incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction happened in 44.0％ of Child A patients,50％ in Child B patients,41.6％in patients with a MELD score below 14,and 91.7％ in patients with a MELD score of ＞ 14.The difference between the rates of postoperative liver dysfunction in patients with a preoperative MELD score above 14 and below 14 was significant (P ＜ 0.05),while that between patients with Child-Pugh A and B was insignificant (P ＞ 0.05).The incidences of postoperative liver dysfunction in patient with a MELD ＜ 8,8 ≤ MELD ≤ 14,MELD ＞ 14 were 38.2％,57.6％ and 91.7％,respectively,indicating that there was a positive co-relationship between the MELD score and the incidences of liver dysfunction.The Spearman rank correlation test showed the MELD score was significant correlated with the Child-Pugh score (r =0.404 ; P ＜ 0.05).The areas under the ROC curves of the MELD score and the Child-Pugh score were 0.703 and 0.587 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The MELD score predicted postoperative liver dysfunction more accurately than the Child-Pugh classification.HCC patients undergoing partial hepatectomy with a preoperative MELD score ＞ 14 had a high perioperative risk.To ensure the safety of partial hepatectomy,HCC patients with a preoperative MELD score ＞ 14 requires active preoperative preparation,bringing the score near to or less than 14.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and plan quality of the image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) based voluntary deep exhale breath-holding technique in the stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for liver tumors.Methods Fifteen patients with liver tumors were involved in this study.All patients were immobilized with voluntary deep exhale breath hold (vDEBH) combined with real-time position management (RPM) respiratory gating system.Treatment was planned using VMAT with 2 modified partial arc and re-planned using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique for comparison.Dosimetric parameters were calculated for plan quality assessment.Quality assurance studies included absolute dose and multiple planar dose verifications,total monitor units and delivery time analysis.Daily cone beam computed tomography imaging was used to verify the motions.Results There were no significant dosimetric differences between VMAT and conventional IMRT plans (P ＞0.05).Both techniques were able to minimize doses to organs at risk including normal liver,kidneys,spinal cord,and stomach.However,the average monitor units with VMAT were significantly lower 28.1％ than those with IMRT(t =3.064,P ＜0.05).The average beam-on time in VMAT plans was 31.6％ shorter than that in IMRT plans(t =2.278,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The utilization of VMAT in the treatment planning of SABR for liver tumors under breath control mode has better dosimetrics.In comparison to conventional IMRT plans,VMAT plans have higher efficiency and feasibility.

The oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and apoptosis have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Recently, more and more research findings have demonstrated that hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) has the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects in vivo and in vitro, and can be used to treat multiple diseases, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, stroke, neurodegeneration, sepsis, neuropathic pain and multiple organ dysfunction syn-drome diseases. This article reviews the possible mechanism of HRS for the treatment of diseases.

Objective To determine the median effective target effect-site concentration (EC50) of sufentanil inhibiting responses to insertion of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) when combined with propofol in the elderly patients.Methods ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 66-75 yr,with body mass index of 19-30 kg/m2,scheduled for elective transurethral resection of prostate under general anesthesia,were included in this study.Anesthesia was induced with propofol given by target-controlled infusion.The initial target effect-site concentration (Ce) of propofol was 1 μg/ml,and the Ce was increased by 0.5 μg/ml every 1 min until it was increased to 2 μg/ml and maintained at this level for 5 min.Sufentanil was simultaneously administered by target-controlled infusion.The target Ce of sufentanil was 0.3 ng/ml in the first patient.The concentration of sufentanil was determined using the modified Dixon's up-and-down method.After the patients lost consciousness,LMA was inserted after the target effect-site and plasma concentrations were balanced.The insertion response was defined as positive when MAP and HR increased by 20％ of the baseline value within 5 min after insertion of LMA.The Ce of sufentanil was increased/decreased in the next patient if the insertion response was positive or negative.The ratio between the two successive concentrations was 1.2.The EC50 and 95 ％ confidence interval of sufentanil blunting responses to insertion of LMA was calculated using Probit analysis.Results When combined with propofol,the EC50 (95％ confidence interval) of sufentanil blunting responses to insertion of LMA was 0.160 (0.130-0.188) ng/ml.Conclusion The EC50 of sufentanil inhibiting responses to insertion of LMA is 0.160 ng/ml when combined with propofol in the elderly patients.

Objective To observe any differences in the morphology of the lumbar multifidus (LM) muscles between normal subjects and persons with chronic lumbar disc herniation (CLDH).Methods Thirty-two persons with CLDH and thirty-five matched,healthy controls performed various maneuvers in prone lying.Ultrasound imaging was used to measure the antero-posterior diameter (A-P),lateral diameter (Lat),cross sectional area (CSA) and flattening ratio (FR) of the bilateral LM muscles at the L4/5 level.Results In the control subjects,A-P,Lat,CSA and FR were not significantly different between the left and right sides.In those with CLDH,A-P,Lat and CSA were significantly smaller on the painful side than on the no-pain side,and this difference showed asymmetry between the two sides.Average A-P,Lat,FR and muscle CSA were all significantly smaller among the CLDH subjects on both sides compared with the controls.Conclusion CLDH induces asymmetric local atrophy of the bilateral multifidus muscles which can be detected and measured using ultrasound.

Objective To investigate the significance of serum procalcitonin(PCT)levels in children with respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)pneumonia and sepsis.Methods 43 cases of children with RSV pneumonia were divided into two groups,including 28 cases of non -sepsis and 15 cases of sepsis.30 cases of healthy children were choosed as a control group in the same period.The serum PCT levels of three groups were compared.The 29 cases of RSV pneumonia with other organ damage except lung were divided into non -severe group and severe group.The differences of serum PCT levels between the two groups were compared.Results The non -sepsis group and sepsis group serum PCT levels were (0.882 ±0.184)μg/L and (1.001 ±0.268)μg/L respectively,which were higher than the control group[(0.365 ±0.085)μg/L,(t =2.607,2.854,all P <0.05)].The serum PCT levels of the non -sepsis group and septic group were significant different(t =0.372,P >0.05);The serum PCT level of the severe group was (1.181 ±0.281)μg/L,which was higher than the non -severe group[(0.448 ±0.140)μg/L],the differ-ence was statistically significant(t =2.473,P <0.05).Conclusion The serum PCT of RSV pneumonia children was increased,the increased PCT can be an observed indicators of severe infection and multiple organ dysfunction.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and possible mechanisms of Xuebijing injection for treatment of rabbits with acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APTE). Methods Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) group and Xuebijing group by random number table, 8 rabbits in each group. APTE model was reproduced by re-infusing autologous blood clots, and nothing was done for the normal control group. After the model was established, intravenous injection of Xuebijing 1 mL/kg from ear marginal vein was given to the rabbits in Xuebijing group, the LMWH 100 U/kg was subcutaneously injected in LMWH group, the same amount of normal saline was given intravenously to model group and normal control group, twice daily for 7 days in all the groups. The changes of plasma D-dimer and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after modeling for 8 hours and 1, 3, 5, 7 days;after 7 days the animals were sacrificed and their lung tissues were removed for the examination of ultrastructural changes under an electron microscope. Results With the prolongation of time, the D-dimer level in the model group was gradually increased, and on the 7th day after modeling, the level was significantly higher than that of the normal control, LMWH and Xuebijing groups (g/L:3.98±1.14 vs. 0.43±0.12, 1.05±0.13, 1.04±0.15, all P<0.05). After modeling for 5 days, the ET-1 level reached its peak in the model group, and it was lowered on the 7th day after modeling, but still significantly higher than that in the normal control, LMWH and Xuebijing groups (g/L:63.8±20.9 vs. 20.0±1.4, 36.5±8.3, 34.2±6.3, all P<0.05). The D-dimer and ET-1 levels in the LMWH and Xuebijing groups were significantly higher than those of the normal control group at each time point, but still obviously lower than those of the model group (all P<0.05), and the differences between the two treatment groups were not statistically significant at each time point (all P>0.05). Electron microscopic examination of lung tissue ultra-structure showed:in the model group, there were the lung tissue basement membrane rupture, the organelle structure in vascular endothelial cells and alveolar epithelial cells typeⅠandⅡnot clear, disappearance of microvilli on cell surface, cytoplasm concentration, nuclear chromatin condensation, a lot of debris due to nuclear lysis, formation of apoptotic bodies after shedding, and mitochondrial structural damage. In LMWH group, the capillary endothelial cell swelling, a lot of necrotized blood cells oozing, blockage of lumen, the cytoplasm of typeⅡalveolar epithelial cell loose, edematous and multiple lamellar bodies vacuolized were seen. In Xuebijing group, capillary endothelial cell swelling, necrotized blood cells blocking the lumen and seeping, the link basically normal, the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cell edematous, mitigation of lamellar bodies emptying were found. Conclusions Xuebijing can significantly reduce the plasma D-dimer and ET-1 levels, adjust the balance of coagulation and fibrinolysis, simultaneously decrease the pulmonary vascular permeability obviously in rabbits with APTE, thus it possesses certain protective effect for endothelial function leading to amelioration of lung injury and reduction of lung pathological damage in rabbits with pulmonary embolism.

Objective To explore the surgery way of anterolateral small incision total hip replacement and evaluate the curative effect after surgery.Methods Clinical data of 41 patients(48 hips)with anterolateral small incision total hip replacement were analyzed retrospectively.The incision length,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative volume of drainage,perioperative complications,hospitalization days,X -ray performance were recorded.Results The incision length was 7-8cm,mean (7.5 ±0.5)cm.The operation time was 60-70min,mean (65 ±5)min.The intraoperative blood loss was 165 -280mL,mean (235 ±44)mL and the postoperative volume of drainage was 85 -120mL,mean (95 ±15)mL.No perioperative complications occurred.The average follow-up time was (36 ±6)months.The preoperative hip joint Harris score was (30.3 ±28.2)points,and the last follow-up score was (98.0 ±4.0)points,the difference was statistically significant(t=15.665,P=0.000),and the excellent and good rate was 100%.Conclusion The anterolateral small incision total hip replacement has small trauma,less bleed-ing,less postoperative pain,quick recovery,better joint stability,and it is suitable for clinical promotion.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the result of hip arthroplasty for failed internal fixation of femoral neck fractures.

METHODSFrom June 2007 to January 2014, 29 cases who underwent hip arthroplasty for failed of internal fixation of femoral neck fractures were reviewed. There were 12 males and 17 females. The mean age was 60.3 years (ranged 43 to 83 years) at the time of the fracture. Left hip was in 16 cases, right hip was in 13 cases. The average interval from fracture to arthroplasty was 23.3 months (ranged, 3 to 48 months).

RESULTSAll of 29 cases were performed total hip arthroplasty. There were 20 cases of cementless cup,7 cases of cementless cup with bone graft, 2 cases of cemented cup with bone graft; 13 cases of cementless stem, 16 cases of cemented stem. There were no complications occurred such as intraoperative fracture of the greater trochanter. The average operative time was (115 ± 38) minutes,the mean intraoperative blood loss was (420 ± 175) ml, the average postoperative drainage volume (240 ± 119) ml, intraoperative blood transfusion was (200 ± 220) ml, intraoperative fluid volume was (2,200 ± 400) ml, the average postoperative blood transfusion was (300 ± 200) ml. There was 1 case get postoperative dislocation. All patients were followed up for 14.7 months in average (ranged, 5 to 24 months). There was no revision for mechanical failure. Harris Hip Score significantly was improved from 51.1 ± 7.5 before the conversion to 88.5 ± 6.4 points at the final follow-up.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of the hip replacement for patients with failed internal fixation of femoral neck fractures was confirmed. This method can shorten the time on the bed and reduce the complications. It benefits the patients earlier functional recovery, but it must control operation indication. The long term efficacy is necessary to further observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Failure