Objective To describe the pathogenic and serological test results of the plague in China from 2001 to 2009, and human and animal plague distribution. Methods Through access to information of the plague surveillance report in China from 2002 to 2010, national plague pathogenic and serological test results and the epidemic situation were analyzed from 2001 to 2009. Results From 2001 to 2009, 2966 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated in the seven provinces which were Guizhou, Guangxi, Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, Gansu and Inner Mongolia. Of these, 1 138 000 animals were detected by bacteriological method, 1998 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;379 227 groups of intermediary animals were detected, 927 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated;41 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from human body. Animal serums of 1 169 702 were detected by indirect hemagglutination assay(IHA), of these 3177 animal serums were positive, 168 human serums were positive;53 323 animal samples were detected by reverse indirect hemagglutination assay(RIHA), of these 500 were positive. There were outbreak or epidemic of plague in 9 types of plague foci, 2925 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated. Two animals and 6 fleas were judged as new reservoir and new vector. There were 23 counties of 6 provinces were judged as plague new natural foci counties. Conclusions The plague epidemic in China is still serious between 2001 and 2009. There are nine types of foci in the active state.

To establish an EDTA complexation extraction pretreatment combining with GFAAS method for the determination of residual aluminium ion in Huoxiang zhengqi pellets without digestive treatment, systematical investigation was made on sample preparation, and EDTA was used for the complexation extraction of residual aluminium ion in samples. The pH, concentration and volume of extraction solution, the temperature and time of microwave extraction, and graphite furnace temperature program were investigated. The results were compared with the microwave digestion. It was showed that, 0.1 g of sample weight was added in 20 mL 0.05 mol x L(-1) EDTA solution (pH 3.5), followed by heating at 150 degrees C for 10 min in the microwave extraction device. The determination of GFAAS was performed at optimized detection wavelength (257.4 nm) as well as graphite furnace temperature program, the detection limits and quantification limits were 2.37 μg x L(-1) and 7.89 μg x L(-1), respectively. The precision (RSD) was less than 2.3%. The average recovery was 96.9% -101%. The present method is easy, rapid and accurate for the determination of residual aluminium ion in Huoxiang zhengqi pellets.
Aluminum ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drug Contamination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Graphite ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; methods ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of free and pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps for repairing skin and soft tissue defects in limbs, neck, axillary and shoulder.

METHODSFrom October 2009 to Auguest 2011, 16 TDAP flaps were used to repair skin and tissue defects. Among them, five ipsilateral pedicled flaps were used to repair wounds in neck, axillary and shoulder. 11 free TDAP flaps were used to repair the wounds with bone or tendon exposure. In 12 cases, the flaps were pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-lateral branches-perforators, in 4 cases, pedicled with thoracodorsal artery and vein-serratus anterior muscular branches-perforators. The deep fascia, the latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve were not included in all flaps. The flaps size ranged from 10 cm x 5 cm to 26 cm x 10 cm.

RESULTSAll 16 flaps survived completely with primary healing both at donor site and recipent area. After a follow-up of 3 to 24 months, all flaps gained good texture and appearance. Only linear scar was left at donor area. The shoulder could move freely.

CONCLUSIONSTDAP flap has good texture, long vascular pedicle,and reliable blood supply, leaving less morbidity at donor site. The latissimus dorsi and thoracodorsal nerve are also preserved. The pedicled TDAP flap is an ideal flap for repairing the ipsilateral skin and soft tissue defects of the neck, shoulder, axillary. The free TDAP flap is suited for repairing skin and soft tissue defects of the extremities.

Arteries ; Axilla ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Perforator Flap ; transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Thoracic Wall ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery

Objective To study the expression and the relation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)and matrix metal proteinase-2(MMP-2)in rectal cancer and evaluate their roles in rectal carcinogen- esis and development.Methods The expression of VEGF and MMP-2 in 52 cases of rectal cancer was de- tected by immunohistochemical SP technique.12 cases normal rectal tissue served as the control group.Re- suits The expression of VEGF in rectal carcinoma(67.3 %)was much higher than that in control group(P

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical characteristics of triceps brachii tendon rupture at olecranon ending.

METHODSFrom June 2005 to November 2011,19 patients with triceps brachii tendon rupture at olecranon ending were treated with surgical technique. Among the 19 patients, 7 patients were male, with an average age of 24.1 years old (ranged, 15 to 41 years old); 12 patients were female, with an average age of 51.4 years old (ranged, 16 to 73 years old). Eight patients had injuries in the left elbows, and 11 patients had injuries in right elbows. Seventeen patients had injuries induced by walking fall and 2 patients had injuries induced by falling down. Thirteen patients were simple triceps brachii tendon rupture at olecranon ending, 6 patients were associated with other elbow injuries. Five patients were associated with radial fracture; 1 patient with capitellum fracture; 1 patient with coronoid process fracture; 1 patient with epitrochlear. All the lateral radiographs of the injuried elbow demenstrated the flecks of avulsed osseous material from the olecranon (flake sign). The associated injuries had the homologus presence. All the patients were treated with surgical techniques:15 patients were treated with figure-of-eight tension-band wire; figure-of-eight tension band wire and Kirschner wire in 1 patient; wire cerclage in 1 patient; nonabsorbable suture in 2 patients. The associated injuries were treated simultaneously. Plaster was applied after operation in 2 patients with heavier elbow associated injuries, other patients without any external fixation. The Mayo elbow score were observed to determinate the function of the elbow.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, 1 patient died of other disease at one year after operation, the other 18 patients were followed up with an average of 47.9 months (ranged from 14 to 91 months). According to the Mayo elbow score, 16 patients got an excellent result and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONTraumatic rupture of triceps brachii tendon at olecranon ending is not a rare injury, which is common in female older than fifty and in male younger then thirty. Surgical results are generally excellent. But dysfunction frequently remains in patients with associated elbow injuries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Olecranon Process ; injuries ; Rupture ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenluotong Decoction (SD) on serum levels of aldosterone, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) in obstructive nephropathy rats, and to explore the initial mechanism of SD for inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =12) and the model group (n =36). Renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After successful modeling, 36 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 12 in each group. Eplerenone was added in the forage at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for rats in the Western medicine group. Chinese medicine was added in the forage at the daily dose of 26 g/kg for rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily. The obstructive kidneys were extracted ten days after medication. The pathomorphological changes were observed. The contents of serum aldosterone and MCP-1, and the protein or mRNA expression of MCP-1, α-SMA, and NF-KB were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, infiltration of a large amount of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition significantly increased, serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1 obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were significantly enhanced in the model group (P <0.01). Com- pared with the model group, infiltration of inflammatory cells and renal collagen deposition were attenua- ted in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group, the serum MCP-1 level were reduced, and the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 were significantly down-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were obviously inhibited (P <0. 01). At the same time, serum aldosterone level was reduced in the Chinese medicine group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSinflammatory lesions of the renal tissue could promote the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy. SD could attenuate interstitial fibrosis through reducing serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1, down-regulating MCP-1/ NF-KB, and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of total colonic exclusion plus side to side antiperistaltic ileorectal anastomosis in the treatment for elderly patients with slow transit constipation (STC).

METHODSClinical data of 13 patients with severe idiopathic STC undergoing the above novel procedure in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between May 2009 and September 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The Wexner constipation score and gastrointestinal quality of life index (GIQLI) before and 6 months after operation were compared.

RESULTSThere were 8 female and 5 male patients, with a mean age of 74 years (range 63-82 years). No procedure-related deaths or any serious complication occurred. The length of follow-up ranged from 6 to 29 months (median,12 months). The duration of surgery was (55±4) min. Blood loss was (30±2) ml. The postoperative hospital stay ranged 10 to 16 days (mean 11.4 days). The first bowel movement occurred in the 4th day (range 2nd-8th day) after operation. There was no intestinal occlusion and anastomotic leakage that required surgery in all the patients. No fecal incontinence or constipation recurrence was found. One patient developed blind loop syndrome 14 months after operation. Postoperative complications included incision fat liquefaction in 2 cases, anorectal bearing-down while bowel movement in 2 cases, and minor defecate difficulty needed glycerin enema in 1 case. Wexner scores was significantly improved from 22.8±3.3 before operation to 5.4±2.1 six months after operation (P<0.05). GQLI was significantly increased from 93.6±20.5 before operation to 120.8±13.0 six months after operation (P<0.05). At 6 months after operation, the outcome was excellent in 11 patients and good in 2 patients.

CONCLUSIONTotal colonic exclusion plus side to side antiperistaltic ileorectal anastomosis is easy, safe and effective in the treatment for selected elderly patients with STC.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Colon ; surgery ; Constipation ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on the differentiation of the implanted human neural stem cells (hNSCs) into neurons in neonatal rats following hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).

METHODSHIBD model was prepared by ligation of the left common carotid artery, followed by 8% hypoxia exposure in 7-day-old Sprague-Dawley rat pups. Three days later, the rats received implantation of hNSCs into the left cerebral ventricles. Then the survived rats were randomly divided into two groups: transplantation alone and transplantation+HBO (n=8 each). HBO treatment was administered (1.8 ATA, 1 hr once daily for 10 days) in the transplantation+HBO group 1 hr after hNSCs transplantation. Brains were removed 10 days after transplantation. Frozen coronal sections were prepared for immunofluorescence analysis to detect the neural differentiation of the transplanted cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.

RESULTSDifferentiated neurons of implanted cells distributed mainly in the cortex and the hippocampus of the injured side. There was no difference in the number of neurons in the cortex between the two groups, while the number of neurons in the hippocampus significantly increased in the transplantation+HBO group compared with that in the transplantation alone group (231.4+15.1 vs 162.6+5.6; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHBO treatment may promote the differentiation of implanted hNSCs into neurons in the hippocampus of neonatal rats following HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; therapy ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSC)with the acellular dermal matrix(ADM) biological patch for the treatment of external anal sphincter injury on the animal models.

METHODSThirty Wistar rats with sphincter injury were randomly divided into three groups. Group A underwent end to end sphincteric repair directly, group B underwent end to end repair and then covered by ADM patch, and group C underwent end to end repair and then covered by ADM which was previously seeded with MSC. After six weeks, the whole ring specimens including anal canal and lower rectum were removed. The hematoxylin and eosin stain and Masson trichrome stain were performed to observe the change of histomorphology.

RESULTSTwo weeks later, the majority of rat models presented with moist anus and crissum with loose stools, which indicated that the model was established successfully. Six weeks after repair, in group A and B, the suffusion of fibrous connective tissue and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were observed at the repair site of sphincter. And lots of collagen fiber which was stained into blue deposited dispersedly at the site of repair with no obvious proliferation of capillaries. However, in group C, the blue collagenous fiber which deposited at the sphincter injury site was less than that in groups A and B. Muscle fibers were observed to be stained into red distributed dispersedly at the repair site of sphincter in group C.

CONCLUSIONSTransplantation of ADM biological patch rich in bone MSC can partly improve the regeneration of rat injured anal sphincter and lessen the formation of cicatrix.

Acellular Dermis ; Anal Canal ; injuries ; surgery ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Wound Healing

Abdomen ; Hernia ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome