OBJECTIVETo comparatively study the curative effects of combined massage-smouldering-washing therapy (MSW) and mini-invasive surgery in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of mild-moderate degree so as to provide a suitable therapeutic protocol.

METHODSSixty patients with KOA were assigned to two groups. The treatment group was treated with MSW once a day for 10 days as one course, and 4 courses were applied totally with an interval of 3 days between courses. The control group was treated with mini-invasive surgery by arthroscopic mopping, followed with post-operational intra-articular cavity injection with sodium hyaluronate injection, 20 mg every week for 5 times continuously. The therapeutic effect and the changes in scores of clinical symptoms and signs before and after treatment in the two groups were observed and compared.

RESULTSOutcome of 3-month follow-up showed the effective rate was 90% in the treatment group and 93.33% in the control group; scores of clinical symptoms and signs effectively improved in both groups, but the improvement on the 4 items (joint pain, swelling, soreness of loin and knee, and cold aversion of knee) was superior in the treatment group, while that on the other 4 items (pain during squatting or half-squatting, up stairs or down stairs, joint stiffiness and joint kinetic capacity) was superior in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth MSW and mini-invasive surgery have definite curative effect on KOA but with different particularities.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Massage ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy

Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

OBJECTIVETo clone the full-length Rcet3 gene, a novel gene related to family 2 cystatins, from mouse testis or other tissues.

METHODSRcet3 gene was cloned using digital differential display (DDD) and RT-PCR was performed for cloning the full-length Rcet3 gene from adult mouse testis cDNA library with sequence analysis.

RESULTSRcet3 cDNA was 610 bp in length, consisting of 4 exons to encode a protein with 140 amino acid residues. The encoded protein contained a potential signal peptide and a cystatin domain, but lacked critical consensus site important for cysteine protease inhibition. These characteristics could be seen in the Cres subgroup related to the family 2 cystatins. Rcet3 was specifically expressed in adult mouse testis, epididymis and the cerebrum, but at higher levels in the testis than in the epididymis and cerebrum.

CONCLUSIONRcet3 may be a new member of Cres subgroup of family 2 cystatins.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cystatins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Testis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic results of surgical treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred patients (35 males and 65 females, ranging from 50 to 70 years old with an average age of 63 years) with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly and equally divided into treatment group and control group. All patients underwent arthroscopic treatment. The patients in treatment group were treated with medial patellofemoral ligament overlap and lateral patellar retinaculum release, and the patients in control group were just treated with lateral patella retinaculum release which is a current widespread operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed-up with the mean time of 13 months, and were evaluated with HSS (hospital for special surgery) scoring system for the therapeutic effect. The mean score of treatment group (73.52+/-11.17) and control group (65.50+/-13.70) had statistical difference (P<0.05), which indicated that the therapeutic effect of medial patellofemoral ligament overlap and lateral patellar retinaculum release for treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome was satisfying.

CONCLUSIONCompared with lateral patellar retinaculum release, this procedure is superior in correcting the abnormal movement of patellofemoral joint, easily balancing patellofemoral joint space, effectively relieving the pain of anterior knee. No postoperative complications occur, such as intraarticular haematoma, necrosis and dislocation of patella and so on.

Aged ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Patellar Ligament ; surgery ; Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ; surgery

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; administration & dosage ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; Child ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Drug Administration Routes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Perfusion ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the changes of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, left atrial size and atrial premature contraction (PAC) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

METHODSThis study involved 277 patients with OSAS diagnosed after an overnight polysomnography, who underwent a 24-h Holter electrocardiography and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for detection of PAC. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), 137 patients with PAC identified from these patients were classified into 3 groups, namely the mild (5≥AHI<15), moderate (15≥AHI<30) and severe (AHI≥30) groups. Serum CRP level was assessed by a high-sensitivity radio-immunoassay. The left atrial diameter and echocardiographic parameters were recorded by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE).

RESULTSWe found a high prevalence of PAC in these OSAS patients (137/277, 49.4%). Serum CRP was significantly higher in severe OSAS group (5.01∓4.68 mg/L) than in the moderate (3.03∓1.94 mg/L) and mild OSAS (2.98∓1.82 mg/L) groups (P=0.040 and 0.033, respectively). The left atrial diameter was significantly increased in severe OSAS group (40.1∓7.9 mm) as compared to that in moderate (37.9∓5.5 mm) and mild (33.7 ∓ 3.8 mm) groups (P=0.025 and 0.002, respectively). The severity of OSAS was positively correlated to both CRP (r=0.304, P=0.034) and left atrial diameter (r=0.411, P=0.003). After adjusting for gender, age and body mass index (BMI), a strong correlation was found between the left atrial diameter and CRP (r=0.594, P=0.0005).

CONCLUSIONThere is a high prevalence of PAC in OSAS patients. The progression of OSAS is associated with increased serum CRP level and left atrial size in patients with premature atrial complexes. Our study suggests that inflammation associated with OSAS might contribute to atrial structural and electrical remodeling in OSAS patients with PAC.

Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Premature Complexes ; complications ; pathology ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; blood ; complications

OBJECTIVE: To explore the MRI findings of os acromiale and to analyze the relationship between os acromiale and the supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury. METHODS: From January 2010 to August 2020, 21 patients with os acromiale (os arcomiale group) were compared with 21 subjects with no evidence of os acromiale (no os arcomiale group). There were 14 males and 7 females in the os arcomiate group, aged from 29 to 77 years old, mean aged (55.5±11.5) years old. While in the control group, there were 10 males and 11 females in no os arcomiale group, aged from 31 to 70 years old, mean aged (51.1±10.0) years old. The os acromiales were classified as edematous os acromiale or non-edematous os acromiale based on whether the presence of marrow edema, and as displaced os acromiale or non-displaced os acromiale based on whether the presence of displacement of the os acromiale. The MRI features of os acromiale were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the differences between the os arcomiale group and no os arcomiale group regarding rotator cuff tear, supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury. Differences in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear between the edematous and non-edematous os acromiale group, the displaced and non-displaced os acromiale group, the displaced os acromiale and no os arcomiale group were also assessed. RESULTS: On MRI, all the 21 os acromiales appeared as a triangular or irregular bone fragment of the distal acromion, and forms a pseudo-acromioclavicular joint with the acromion. Eleven cases were edematous os acromiale, 11 cases were displaced os acromiale. In the os arcomiale group, 17 had supraspinatus tear, 1 had supraspinatus tendinitis, 11 had infraspinatus tear, and 4 had infraspinatus tendinitis. In the no os arcomiale group, 11 had supraspinatus tear, 2 had supraspinatus tendinitis, 5 had infraspinatus tear, and 1 had infraspinatus tendinitis. No statistically significant difference between the os arcomiale group and no os arcomiale group regarding the rotator cuff tear, supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury (P>0.05). In the 11 cases of edematous os arcomiale, 10 had supraspinatus tear and 7 had infraspinatus tear. In the 10 cases of non-edematous os acromiale, 7 had supraspinatus tear and 4 had infraspinatus tear. No statistically significant difference was noted between the edematous os acromiale and non-edematous os acromiale in terms of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear (P>0.05). In the 11 cases of displaced os acromiale, 11 had supraspinatus tear and 9 had infraspinatus tear. In the 10 cases of non-displaced os acromiale, 6 had supraspinatus tear and 2 had infraspinatus tear. In the no os arcomiale group, 11 had supraspinatus tear and 5 had infraspinatus tear. There was a statistically significant increases in the prevalence of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear in the displaced os acromiale group compared with non-displaced os acromiale group, the displaced os acromiale group and no os arcomiale group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Shoulder MRI can very well depict os acromiale and can reveal associated abnormalities such as adjacent bone marrow edema, displaced deformity, and rotator cuff tear, and it can be used to assess the stability of the os acromiale. The presence of os acromiale may not increase the risk of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear significantly. However, the presence of displaced os acromiale is at greater risk of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tear.
Acromion/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rotator Cuff ; Rotator Cuff Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Shoulder

OBJECTIVEIn mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted.

METHODSAn enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors.

RESULTSFrom June 10 to August 21, 2005, 68 laboratory confirmed cases of human Streptococcus suis infections were reported. All were villagers who gave a history of direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in their backyards where slaughtering was performed. Twenty six (38%) presented with toxic shock syndrome of which 15 (58%) died. Other presentations were septicaemia or meningitis. All isolates were tested positive for genes for tuf, species-specific 16S rRNA, cps2J, mrp, ef and sly. There were 136 clinically diagnosed probable cases with similar exposure history but incomplete laboratory investigations.

CONCLUSIONAn outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections occurred in villagers after direct exposure to deceased or sick pigs in Sichuan. Prohibition of slaughtering in backyards brought the outbreak to a halt. A virulent strain of the bacteria is speculated to be in circulation, and is responsible for the unusual presentation of toxic shock syndrome with high case fatality.

Animals ; Bacteremia ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Shock, Septic ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; veterinary ; Streptococcus suis ; isolation & purification ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; microbiology