Objective To evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the treatment of thyroid-associated oph- thalmology. Design Meta analysis. Participants Published literatures about methylprednisolone pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Methods A meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials was used. Published literatures were selected for study based on a computerized search of the literature and a manual search of the bibliographies of relevant papers. Studies meeting se- lected criteria were reviewed systematically by meta-analysis. Data was extracted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Treat- ment effect was measnred as relative risk(RR) of response rates. Main Outcome Measures The effective rate and the relative risk(RR). Results A total of 6 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The RR (95%CI) were 7.50 (1.14, 49.26) when comparing methylpred- nisolone pulse therapy with placebo, 3.33 (0.51, 21.89) when comparing methylprednisolone pulse therapy with surgical decompression, and 1.50 (1.12, 2.00) when comparing methylprednisolone pulse therapy with oral steroids. The combination of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and orbital radiotherapy was significantly effective than oral steroids combined with orbital radiotherapy which pooled RR (95% CI) was 1.42 (1.11, 1.81). Conclusions Methylprednisolone pulse therapy appears to be an effective treatment for thyroid-associated ophthalmology, and seems to have increased effect when given with orbital radiotherapy.

Objective To investigate the radiologic and angiographic findings of dilated superior ophthalmic vein(SOV)associat- ed with orbital arteriovenous malformations(AVM).Design Retrospective case series.Participants Six cases of orbital AVM patients, with clinical symptoms and signs mimicking a carotid cavernous fistula(CCF).Methods Examinations of the six cases,such as CT, MRI,and selective cerebral angiography,were summarized and analyzed.Main Outcome Measures Images findings and hemodynam- ics.Results All patients were found with dilated SOV on CT and MRI.Additional radiographic findings included proptosis and AVM. All six AVM were located at the orbit,and one of them was also found with AVM in brain.The main draining vein was SOV in all cas- es.The branches contributing to the fistula's blood supply were the middle meningeal artery,the internal maxillary artery,and the oph- thalmic artery.Conclusions Orbital AVM can cause similar clinical signs and radiologic features to those associated with a CCF.How- ever,the bulging cavernous sinus cannot be found in most AVM.Angiography is necessary for definitive management,non-invasive techniques have an important role in pre-angiographic diagnostic decisions.(Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16:395-398)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the numbers, sizes and types distribution of diatoms in drowned and postmortem immersed rabbits' lungs. METHODS: Sixty-two rabbits were randomly divided into drowning group (n = 30), postmortem immersion group (n = 30) and land death group (n=2), and the diatoms in each lung lobe were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by microwave digestion and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: In the drowning group, the diatoms were detected in each lung lobe with Cyclotella and Melosira in the majority. In the postmortem immersion group, Cyclotella was in the majority. And the diatoms weren't detected in some lung lobes in postmortem immersion. There were significant differences in the detection rates of upper lobe of left lung, middle lobe and cardiac lobe of right lung in two groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Based on the microwave digestion and scanning electron microscopy, the numbers, sizes and types distribution of diatoms in drowned and postmortem immersed rabbits' lungs can be analyzed and used as references for testing theory.
Animals ; Autopsy ; Diatoms/isolation & purification* ; Drowning ; Lung/microbiology* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microwaves ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo systematically evaluate the safety and efficacy of natalizumab in treating multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease(CD).

METHODSLiteratures from 1998 to 2009 were searched in databases including MEDLINE,EMBASE,The Cochrane Library, and CBM for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomization controlled trials. Quality assessment and data extraction were conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software and then a Meta analysis was performed. The main indicators included the rate of adverse reactions, the rate of serious adverse reactions,response rate,and remission rate.

RESULTSThirteen trials entered the final analysis. The main findings in the MS trials included: the rate of serious and general adverse effects were no significantly different among different groups (P>0.05). The new lesions rate was not significantly different within 3 months after treatment [RR=0.99, 95%CI (0.82, 1.18), P=0.87], but was significantly lower in 6 months in the treatment group [RR=0.45, 95%CI (0.33, 0.60), P<0.00001], and such advantage was maintained till 2 years later [RR=0.49, 95%CI (0.45, 0.53), P<0.00001]. The 2-year relapse rate was also significantly lower in the treatment group [RR=0.51, 95%CI (0.38, 0.69), P<0.0001]. The main findings in CD trials were as follows: The incidences between serious reactions and general adverse reactions were not significantly different (P>0.05). The remission rate was not significantly different between treatment group and control group in the 2nd week [RR=4.67, 95%CI (0.65, 33.26), P=0.12], but became significantly higher in the treatment group after 12 weeks [RR=1.46, 95%CI (1.26, 1.70), P<0.00001]. The response rate was significantly higher in the treatment group [RR=1.53, 95%CI (1.15, 2.03), P=0.004].

CONCLUSIONSThe rates of serious and general adverse reactions are not remarkably increased after natalizumab treatment for both MS and CD. The new lesions rate and 2-year relapse rate of MS as well as the response rate and remission rate of CD are all improved after natalizumab treatment,especially after long-term administration. Although severe adverse effect such as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy may occur,its clinical application can be further promoted after cautiously balancing the benefits and risks.

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Crohn Disease ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Multiple Sclerosis ; drug therapy ; Natalizumab ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe amplitude changes of low frequency fluctuation in brain spontaneous nervous activities induced by needling at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel, and to preliminarily explore the possible brain function network of Hand Taiyin Lung Channel.

METHODSBy using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), 16 healthy volunteers underwent resting-state scanning (R1) and scanning with retained acupuncture at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel (acupuncture, AP). Data of fMRI collected were statistically calculated using amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF).

RESULTSUnder R1 significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, left inferior parietal lobule, bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left medial frontal gyrus. Under AP significantly enhanced ALFF occurred in right precuneus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, cerebellum, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, and so on. Compared with R1, needing at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly enhance ALFF in right gyrus subcallosum and right inferior frontal gyrus. Significant decreased ALFF appeared in right postcentral gyrus, left precuneus, left superior temporal gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and so on.

CONCLUSIONNeeding at Hand Taiyin Lung Channel could significantly change fixed activities of cerebral cortex, especially in right subcallosal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, and so on.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Bipolar Disorder ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Depressive Disorder ; blood ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Proteomics

Objective To explore the clinical effect of complete transposition of arteriovenous in free flap artery crisis. Methods From October, 2009 to April, 2017, 13 cases of extremities tissue defect were repaired with free flaps.The intractable arterial crisis appeared after transplantation.Repeated anastomosis vessels were adapted but it was not relieved. Then the complete transposition of arteriovenous was adapted in the flaps. Namely the vein of the flap was anastomosed with the arterial in the recipient site to reconstruct the blood supply, and the arterial of the flap was anastomosed with the vein in the recipient site to reconstruct recirculation.Ten cases of hand defect and 3 cases of crus defect were repaired by 5 low abdominal flaps and 8 anterolateral thigh flaps. The tissue defect area was 16 cm× 7 cm-6 cm×4 cm and the flap area was 18 cm×8 cm-7 cm×4 cm. Results Ten flaps survived completely, the other 3 flaps almost survived that scab healed in 1 case and skin grafted in 2 cases. The flap for skin color was from purple red to dark red, and finally close to normal, and skin flap edge would have different degrees of ecchymosis; the bleed-ing from the incision of the skin flap was from dark red to bright red; the swelling of the flap was obvious in the early stage and the later swelling subsided. All cases were followed-up from 6 months to 32 months with an average of 16 months.The wounds healed well.The flaps had a clear boundary and soft texture. Conclusion Complete transposi-tion of the arteriovenous system can be used as an alternative in the presence of intractable arterial crisis after free flap transplantation, to save the flap and to reduce the trauma to the patient.

OBJECTIVETo build three-dimensional (3-D) visible model for surgical treatment of infection of fascial spaces of hand.

METHODSSerial thin cross-sections (0.2 mm) of hand were made by cryomicrotome, and the thin cross-sections of metacarpal parts were observed. A personal computer was employed to reconstruct 3-D model of metacarpal fascial space.

RESULTSThe shapes, locations and adjacent relations of the mid-palmar space, thenar space and metacarpal bones were displayed clearly from computerized 3-D model, which could be the cross-reference of the cross-sections expediently.

CONCLUSIONThe computerized 3-D reconstruction of metacarpal fascial spaces can provide some guidance for surgical treatment of infection and other diseases of metacarpal fascial spaces.

Anatomy, Cross-Sectional ; Hand ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian on the amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of healthy people in resting state (R1) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSTotally 16 healthy subjects received structure scan of T1 and T2. Then two fMRI scans were conducted for each participant. fMRI included the resting-state scan (R1; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s), the stimulating-acupoint scan (AP; the scanning time was 8 min 6 s). fMRI data acquisition from structure scanning and function scanning were processed with format conversion and statistical analysis.

RESULTSUnder R1 state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals included bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, precuneus, superior temporal gyrus, and cingulate gyrus. Under the AP state, brain regions with activated ALFF signals were bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and declivis. Compared with R1 state, obvious difference of ALFF signal areas of the brain caused by acupuncture at pericardium were: bilateral cuneus, precuneus, left posterior cingulate gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, and right occipital lingual gyrus.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at the whole points of Hand Jueyin pericardium meridian could significantly change inherent activity states of the cerebral cortex, especially in bilateral superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, and precuneus.

Acupuncture ; Acupuncture Points ; Brain ; physiology ; Brain Mapping ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Pericardium

To study the relationship of oxidative, antioxidative constituents and antioxidases in blood with chronic cholecystitis containing gallstone, levels of lipoperoxides (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), vitamin C(VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (β-CAR) in plasma as well as level of LPO, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in erythrocytes were investigated by spectrophotometric assay in 107 patients with this condition (PCg) and 100 healthy volunteers (HVs). Compared with HVs group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), while that of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma and the average activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Linear regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg showed that the value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of PCg gradually increased (P<0.0001), representing a significant linear positive correlation. The value of VC, VE and β-CAR in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of PCg gradually decreased (P<0.0001), representing a significant linear negative correlation. Stepwise regression and correlation analysis for 107 preoperative PCg suggested that the closest correlation was observed between the course of disease and the value of NO and VC in plasma and that of SOD, GSH-Px and LPO in erythrocytes, r=0.7306, F=32.1408, P<0.0001. Compared with the preoperative PCg group, the average value of LPO and NO in plasma and that of LPO in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly decreased (P<0.0001). Furthermore, the average value of VC in plasma and that of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in erythrocytes of the postoperative PCg group were significantly increased (P<0.0001), whereas no significant difference was found between their average value of VE and β-CAR in plasma. These findings suggested that oxidative stress was an aggravating pathological condition in PCg group. Therefore, we recommend that in treating PCg, antioxidants such as VC, VE, β-CAR should be given in order to alleviate their potential oxidative damages.