OBJECTIVETo explore the neuroprotective effect of FK506 on acute spinal cord injury in dogs.

METHODSAcute spinal cord injury model was made with the Allen technique. Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group A (n = 8) was the control group and received operation but no therapy, while group B and C (n = 8) received a single dose of FK506 (0.18 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively) administered with an arterial duct 2 h after spinal cord injury (SCI). Spine MRI, neurological function, histopathological examination of injured spinal cord and immunohistochemical examination of expression of NF(200) in neurons and GFAP in astrocytes were assessed at certain time after injury.

RESULTSNeurological function score of group C and B was better than that of group A (P < 0.05), with significance between group C and A, while no significance between group B and A statistically. The signal scope of spinal cord injury on MRI in group C was the smallest among all the groups, and the signal scope in group B was smaller than that in group A, which was directively associated with the neurological outcome. The expression of NF and GFAP was significantly higher in group C than in group A (P < 0.05), but without statistical significance between group B and A.

CONCLUSIONLocal administration of FK506 (0.3 mg/kg) possesses neuroprotective effect on acute spinal cord injury, which can improve neurological function recovery and attenuate secondary spinal cord injury. Local administration of FK506 possesses a dosage-effect relation.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dogs ; Female ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Random Allocation ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; Tacrolimus ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo figure out the incidence and etiology of knee extension limitation and then to find out the proper methods of arthroscopic assisted diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSWe reviewed 303 cases of arthroscopic assisted operation from January to October 2003, 95 cases of which suffered from knee extension limitation before operation, including 54 male and 41female and the mean age was 36.2 years old. The direct reasons of knee extension limitation were identified by routine arthroscopic examination and operations were carried out according to results of the examination.

RESULTSIncidence of knee extension limitation in this group of patients was 31.4%. Trauma, mainly meniscus and ligament injury accounted for 67.4%, which was the most common reason of knee extension limitation. Acute or chronic arthritis like degenerative arthritis, non-specific synovitis, synovial chondromatosis, rheumatoid arthritis, pigmented villonodular synovitis, gouty arthritis and acute pyogenic arthritis formed another common reason. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 20 months, average 13.3 months. 82 cases gained full extension immediately after operation, 9 cases gained full extension after 3 weeks rehabilitation post-operation, 4 cases did not gain full extension 1 year after operation, recurrence was observed in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONSArthroscopy is the best method for diagnosis of knee extension limitation at present. Satisfactory results can be expected after early arthroscopic assisted treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ankylosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Recent randomized controlled clinical trials in Africa have demonstrated that adult male circumcision (MC) efficiently decreases the rate of HIV, HPV and HSV-2 infections. Many studies have clearly shown that MC is a simple, safe, and cost-effective method for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and urinary tract infection, and for improving genital hygiene. While a 30% MC prevalence exists worldwide, only 5% or less of the Chinese males have undergone circumcision. In this review, we report recent trends in international MC and HIV prevention efforts, as well as the potential benefits and importance of promoting MC in China. We appeal to medical and public health authorities to pay close attention to the international experience in MC and HIV prevention.
Circumcision, Male ; HIV Infections ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Reproductive Medicine ; Sexually Transmitted Diseases ; prevention & control

To clone KGF-2 gene, get hKGF-2 protein and detemine its activity. The cNDA of human KGF-2 was isolated from fetal lung by RT-PCR and cloned into pBV220 plasmid. The recombinant pBV220-hKGF-2 plasmid was transformed into E. coli (BL21), induced at 42 degrees C for the expression of hKGF-2. Recombinant human KGF-2 was purified from the ultrasonic-treated BL21 by heparin-Sepharose CL-6B treated column chromatography and cation exchange column chromatography. MTT method was used for the determination of its biological activity. SDS-PAGE showed that rhKGF-2 was expressed in E. coli BL21 as soluble protein of approximately 20kD. The rhKGF-2 protein can stimulate the proliferation of NIH3T3 cells significantly from 1 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL. HKGF-2 cDNA wasclned and highly expressed in E. coli BL21 and the purified rhKGF-2 showed the mitogenic activity on NIH3T3 cells.
Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fetus ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lung ; chemistry ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyze the influence of the number of lymph node metastasis on survival and prophylactic postoperative radiotherapy after radical resection of thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

METHODSFour hundred and ninety-five patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer who had undergone radical resection were randomly divided into surgery group alone (S, 275) and surgery plus radiotherapy group (S + R, 220). The patients were classified into three groups: Group A: 234 patients (47.2%) without lymph node involvement; Group B: 146 patients (29.5%) with 1 to 2 involved lymph nodes and Group C: 115 patients (23.2%) with >or= 3 involved lymph nodes.

RESULTS1. The 5-year survival rate in Groups A, B and C for the same T stage (T3) was 52.6%, 28.8% and 10.9%, respectively (P = 0.0000); the 5-year survival rate in group C was 0% in S group and 19.3% in S + R group (P = 0.0336); 2. In the positive lymph node group, the metastatic rate of intra-thoracic and supraclavicular lymph node was 35.9% and 21.2% in S group and 19.7% and 4.4% in S+R group (P = 0.014 and P = 0.000). In the negative lymph node group, the metastatic rates of intra-thoracic lymph node was 27.8% in S group and 10.3% in S + R group (P = 0.003). The metastatic rate of intra-abdominal lymph node in Groups A, B and C was 3.9%, 9.4% and 17.5%, respectively (P = 0.0000). The occurrence of hematogenous metastasis was most frequent in group C (27.8%) with >or= 3 positive lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION1. The number of metastatic lymph node is one of the important factors which affects the survival of thoracic esophageal carcinoma. 2. Chemotherapy might be given to the patients with three or more lymph nodes involved who have the possibility of developing hematogenous metastasis. Postoperative radiotherapy can reduce the occurrence of intra-thoracic and supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and improve the survival of patients with three or more lymph nodes involvement.

Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; mortality ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo study the guidance of four column theory in decision making of Pilon fractures and its result.

METHODSNinety-one cases of Pilon fractures classified by four column method and treated by open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) were reviewed from March 2005 to June 2009. Four column classification:lateral column of 67 cases were involved, posterior column of 34 cases were involved, medial column of 34 cases were involved and anterior column of 34 cases were involved. Among all the 94 fractures, single column of 20 fractures were involved, 2 columns of 49 fractures were involved, 3 columns of 15 fractures were involved and all of 4 columns of 10 fractures were involved.

RESULTSEighty-nine cases had been followed up. The average follow-up time was 16.2 months ranging between 6.0 and 39.0 months. The average healing time was 3.7 months ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 months. Reduction of 91% reviewed Pilon cases were good or acceptable according to Burwell and Charley's radiology evaluation system. Ankle function of 87.6% cases were excellent or good according to AOFAS evaluation system.

CONCLUSIONAs a simple and comprehensive classification, four column classification can contribute to reasonable operating decision making and good prognosis of Pilon fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decision Making ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDOperative decision-making of Pilon fractures are of great challenges until now. The aim of this study was to investigate the guidance of the four-column theory in decision-making therapeutic strategies for Pilon fractures and its result.

METHODSOne hundred and ten cases (107 patients) of Pilon fractures classified by the four-column theory and treated by ORIF, were reviewed. According to the four-column classification scheme, lateral column of 85 cases, posterior column of 66 cases, medial column of 77 cases, and anterior column of 61 cases are involved. Among all the 110 cases, single column of 14 cases, two columns of 46 cases, three columns of 17 cases, and all of four columns of 33 cases are involved.

RESULTSOne hundred and eight cases have been followed up. The average follow up time is 14.7 months, varying between 7 and 52 months. The average healing time is 3.6 months, ranging from 2.5 to 8.0 months. Reduction of 86.1% reviewed Pilon cases are good or acceptable according to Burwell and Charley's Radiology Evaluation System. Ankle function of 87.1% cases are excellent or good according to the AOFAS evaluation system.

CONCLUSIONAs a simple and comprehensive classification, the four-column classification can contribute to reasonable operation decision-making and good prognosis of Pilon fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; classification ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of FLAMIGEL (hydrogel dressing) on the repair of residual burn wound.

METHODSSixty burn patients with residual wounds hospitalized in 6 burn units from November 2011 to May 2012 were enrolled in the multi-center, randomized, and self-control clinical trial. Two residual wounds of each patient were divided into groups T (treated with FLAMIGEL) and C (treated with iodophor gauze) according to the random number table. On post treatment day (PTD) 7 and 14, wound healing rate was calculated, with the number of completely healed wound counted. The degree of pain patient felt during dressing change was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The mean numbers of wounds with score equal to zero, more than zero and less than or equal to 3, more than 3 and less than or equal to 6, more than 6 and less than or equal to 10 were recorded respectively. Wound secretion or exudate samples were collected for bacterial culture, and the side effect was observed. Data were processed with repeated measure analysis of variance, t test, chi-square test, and nonparametric rank sum test.

RESULTSWound healing rate of groups T, C on PTD 7 was respectively (67 ± 24)%, (45 ± 25)%, and it was respectively (92 ± 16)%, (72 ± 23)% on PTD 14. There was statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on PTD 7, 14 between group T and group C (F = 32.388, P < 0.01). Ten wounds in group T and four wounds in group C were healed completely on PTD 7, with no significant difference between them (χ(2) = 0, P > 0.05). Forty-two wounds in group T and seven wounds in group C healed completely on PTD 14, with statistically significant difference between them (χ(2) = 42.254, P < 0.01). Patients in group T felt mild pain during dressing change for 37 wounds, with VAS score higher than zero and lower than or equal to 3. Evident pain was observed in patients of group C during dressing change for 43 wounds, and it scored higher than 3 and less than or equal to 6 by VAS evaluation. There was statistically significant difference in mean number of wounds with different grade of VAS score between group T and group C (Z = -4.638, P < 0.01). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, Baumanii, and Staphylococcus epidermidis were all detected in both groups, but there was no statistical difference between group T and group C (χ(2) = 0.051, P > 0.05). No side effect was observed in either of the two groups during the whole trial.

CONCLUSIONSFLAMIGEL can accelerate the healing of residual burn wounds and obviously relieve painful sensation during dressing change.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bandages ; Burns ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult