OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of free superficial iliac circumflex artery skin flaps, as well as the management of donor site defects.

METHODS17 free superficial iliac circumflex artery skin flaps were applied for the traumatic defects or deformities on face, neck, foot, hand, ankle and lower leg, respectively. The donor site defects were closed directly or covered by paraumbilical island flaps.

RESULTSThe 17 flap size ranged from 5 cm x 3 cm to 19 cm x 14 cm. 16 flaps survived completely except 1 flap with partial necrosis, which was closed by free skin graft. The donor site defects were closed directly in 10 cases, and covered by paraumbilical island flaps in 7 flaps without no flap necrosis. The abdomen had a good appearance.

CONCLUSIONSGood appearance can be achieved with free superficial iliac circumflex artery skin flaps for the defects on face, neck, foot, hand, ankle and lower leg. Paraumbilical island flap can be used for the donor site defects.

Arteries ; Foot ; Free Tissue Flaps ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Skin ; Skin Transplantation ; Transplant Donor Site ; surgery ; Wounds and Injuries ; surgery

Objective To investigate the relationship between different topographic locations and neurological deteriorations (ND) in patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction.Methods One hundred sixty-eight patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction during arch 2012 to March 2016 were identified by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for retrospective review.Patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical symptoms:patients with ND and patients without ND.According to neuroimaging of DWI,the topographic location of pontine infarction was divided into three types:The upper,middle,and lower ones,and the correlations of ND with risk factors,laboratory examination results,clinical manifestations and different topographic locations were explored by statistical tests.Results Of 168 patients,26.8％ (45/168) were diagnosed with ND,and 73.2％ (123/168) were diagnosed without ND.Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in female ratio [62.2％ (28/45) vs 41.5％ (51/ 123)],smoking ratio [13.3％ (6/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)],mean length of hospital stay [(22.83 ± 7.12)d vs (19.31 ± 7.65)d],ratio of worse short-term clinical outcomes [77.8％ (35/45) vs 33.3％ (41/123)],and ratio of lower pontine infarction [55.6％ (25/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)] between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lower pontine infarction was the independent risk factor of ND (OR =1.953,95％ CI:1.092-3.535,P =0.029).Conclusions Topographic location of lower pons lesions may be reliable predictor of ND in acute new isolated pontine infarction.

Objective To analyze the correlation between clinical features and renal dysfunction in patients of acute lacunar infarction with progressive cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). Methods Two hundred and sixty-five patients with first-episode acute lacunar infarction were selected. The serum creatinine was measured within 24 h of admission and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The brain MRI (including gradient-echo images) was examined within 2 d of admission and after 1 years of follow-up, respectively. The progressive CMBs was assessed with microbleeds anatomical rating scale (MARS), and the patients were divided into progressive CMBs group (progressive group, 42 cases) and non progressive CMBs group (non progressive group, 223 cases). The clinical features of 2 groups were compared and the correlation between progressive CMBs and renal dysfunction was analyzed. Results The age, 24 h pulse pressure, incidences of renal dysfunction and CMBs in progressive group were significantly higher than those in non progressive group: (69.8 ± 5.8) years vs. (61.5 ± 4.9) years, (63.3 ± 3.1) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) vs. (51.8 ± 4.2) mmHg, 69.0％(29/42) vs. 39.9％(89/223) and 57.1％(24/42) vs. 25.1％(56/223), and the platelet was significantly lower than that in non-progression group:(168 ± 35) ×109/L vs. (189 ± 40) ×109/L, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05 or<0.01). The Logistic regression analysis result showed that renal dysfunction and CMBs were Independent risk factors of progressive CMBs (OR = 1.571 and 1.054, 95％ CI 1.042 - 2.493 and 1.010 - 1.142, P<0.05). Conclusions The rate of renal dysfunction is higher in patients of acute lacunar infarction with progressive CMBs, and progressive CMBs are associated with renal dysfunction.

Adult ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; etiology

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the proliferation, differentiation of rat hepatic stem like cell line WB-F344 and cytokines in vitro.

METHODS(3)H thymidine labelling of new synthesized DNA was used to examine the mitogenic responsiveness of WB-F344 cells to cytokines, western blot was used to study the expression of cytokines receptors on hepatic stem cells, and apoptotic cells were detected by Flow cytometry.

RESULTSWB-F344 cells showed a proliferative response to the cytokines of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin at the dose of 80 ng/ml, and the relative cpm values are 982.95, 906.32, 863.98 and 968.67 respectively, while non response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the same dose, and an inhibition or apoptosis response to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) at 80 ng/ml with a 26.89% apoptotic rate. Western blot showed that there were HGF, EGF, FGF, TGF-beta receptors expressed on WB-F344 cells. When WB-F344 cells were cultured in the differential system (DMEM, 10% Fcs, HGF 10 to approximately 50 ng/ml, EGF 20 ng/ml, Insulin 1 microg/ml, Dex 1 micromol/L), the cells could differentiated into hepatocytes. In addition, HGF could scattered WB-F344 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation and differentiation of liver stem cells are regulated by various cytokines which may play an important role when liver is damaged seriously.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

It's known to all that the refractory ascites treatment has so far been a very difficult clinical problem. We have extracted much experience from the practical techniques used in the refractory ascites treatments of more than 1,000 cases, and have developed the ascites ultrafiltration & concentration therapeutic instrument--FSCLZLY-A. The clinical applications show that it is very effective. Its effective rate is about 72.08%. Therefore, it is a very useful and important medical device for refractory ascites, for the improvement of renal function, and for the prevention of the infection of abdominal cavity.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ascites ; therapy ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrafiltration ; instrumentation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of application of Bioflex dynamic stabilization system in treating multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSClinical datas of 13 patients with multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease (8 males and 5 females,ranging in age from 51 to 72 year with an average of 65.0) were retrospectively analyzed between April 2008 and May 2009. The involved area included L3-S1 in 7 cases, L2-S1 in 3 cases, L3-L5 in 1 cases, L4-S1 in 2 cases. All patients underwent decompression, dynamic stabilization with Bioflex system, according to the severity of degenerative disc with/without interbody fusion. The clinical effects were evaluated by VAS, ODI. ROM and fusion segments were also observed.

RESULTSThe mean follow up period was 19.5 months (from 12 to 26 months). The mean operative time was 183.4 min (from 90 to 240 min) and the mean volume of blood loss was 610.2 ml (from 400 to 1 220 ml). The mean VAS score was 7.8 +/- 1.3 preoperatively, 2.3 +/- 0.9 postoperatively and 2.1 +/- 0.8 at the last follow up. The average ODI was (60.50 +/- 4.40)% preoperatively, (17.80 +/- 2.10)% postoperatively and (16.20 + 2.40)% at the last follow up. The VAS and ODI significant improved in postoperatively (P < 0.05), and there was no statistical difference between postoperative and last follow up (P > 0.05). ROM of whole lumbar and non-fused segment showed obviously decreased and adjacent segment showed insignificant increased. The fusion rate of interbody fusion level was 95.0% (19/20).

CONCLUSIONThe preliminary clinical results show the Bioflex system combined with intebody fusion is a safe and effective technique in treating multi-segment lumbar degenerative disease.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVEBrugada syndrome is an inherited channelopathy that characterized by ST-segment elevation in the right precordial lead (V(1)-V(3)) on the electrocardiogram with or without right bundle branch block and related with high risk of sudden cardiac death and structurally normal hearts. The first and only gene linked to this disease is SCN5A, a gene encodes for alpha subunit of the cardiac sodium channel. The objective of this study is to explore SCN5A gene mutations in Chinese patients with Brugada syndrome.

METHODSFour patients diagnosed as Brugada syndrome and nine patients with suspected Brugada syndrome were chosen for the study. The exons in the functional regions of SCN5A gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and the amplified products were sequenced with Sanger method. If a mutation was identified, patient's family members were also screened.

RESULTSTwo heterozygous mutations were found in one family diagnosed as Brugada syndrome. One missense mutation was a G-->A transition in the first nucleotide of codon 95 in SCN5A gene exon 3, which was predicted to result in substitution of Valine with Isoleucine (V95I). The other missense mutation was a C-->T transition in the second nucleotide of codon 1649 in SCN5A gene exon 28, which was predicted to result in substitution of Alanine with Valine (A1649V). A heterozygous mutation was identified in one family suspected to have the disease. The mutation was a three nucleotides (TCT) deletion that caused Phenylalanine deletion in codon 1617 in SCN5A gene exon 28. The three mutations were not detected in 100 control chromosomes.

CONCLUSIONSMutation in SCN5A gene is one of the causes of Brugada syndrome in Chinese. Three novel SCN5A gene mutations were identified in Chinese with Brugada syndrome, which expands the spectrum of SCN5A mutations associated with the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brugada Syndrome ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Exons ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; Sodium Channels ; genetics

AIMIn order to seek the marks of the genes, the relation between the influence of endurance training on aerobic ability and ACE Gene I/D Polymorphisms were studied.

METHODS102 army recruits of Han nationality from North China for an 18 week en durance training of 5000m distance. Their VO2(max), VT and the left ventricular structure and function were measured before and after the training. We also tested their ACE Gene I/D Polymorphisms with PCR-AFLP method.

RESULTSThe compliance of VO2(max), VT and left ventricular structure and function had improved after the training; the deltaVO2(max) of ID and II type was obviously higher than that of DD type (P < 0.05); there was obviously diference of deltaVO2(VT) in different ACE genotype (P < 0.05), the deltaVO2(VT) of type II was obviously higher than that of DD type (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONI allele has obviously hereditary advantage on the sensitivity to aerobic training in VO2(max) and VT, and type II has relation on the sensitivity to aerobic training in VT; there is no relation between I/D polymorphism and the sensitivity to aerobic training on the structure and function of left ventricle.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Humans ; Male ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Physical Endurance ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Young Adult