OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical symptom and effect of arthroscopic treatment of symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cysts of the knee.

METHODSClinical data from 12 symptomatic ACL cysts patients from January 2005 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed,including 8 males and 4 females,with an average age of (33.7±9.5) years old (ranged, 19 to 53 years old). The locations were the left knee in 5 cases and the right knee in 7 cases. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 48 months,with a mean of (15.8±13.2) months. All cysts were arthroscopically resected. Range of motion was measured preoperatively and postoperatively, and Lysholm scoring system was used to evaluate the knee function.

RESULTSAll the incisions healed by first intention, and no complications occurred. Twelve patients were followed up for an average of (32.3±6.6) months(ranged, 24 to 48 months). The symptoms of arthralgia,swelling and interlocking of the affected knees disappeared. There was no recurrence during the follow-up. There were significant differences in the range of motion and Lysholm score between pre-operation and post-operation.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic surgery, showing its advantages of minimal invasion and rapid recovery,is an effective measure in the treatment of ACL cysts.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Cysts ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVETo introduce our experience in diagnosis and treatment of 33 patients with Tessier craniofacial clefts.

METHODS33 patients with craniofacial clefts were classified by Tessier classification. According to the type and severity of the clefts, various techniques, from simple local flap transfer to complicated osteotomy and bone grafting were used to correct the deformity in 29 patients.

RESULTSAll patients who underwent corrective operation were satisfied with the result, and there were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS(1) Tessier classification is very important for plastic surgeon to find potential craniofacial deformities related to main signs. (2) No. 7 cleft is one of most common Tessier craniofacial clefts. (3) Each Tessier cleft is unique, therefore, the treatment plans cannot be standardized. Specific corrective operation must be performed on each patient according to the type and severity of the cleft, including simple local flap transfer to complicated osteotomy and bone grafting or distraction osteogenesis.

Craniofacial Abnormalities ; classification ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin in lung cancer and to study the interaction between the two molecules.

METHODSThe expression and correlation of connexin 43 and E-cadherin were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (S-P method) in 85 samples of primary squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung. In addition, connexin 43 expression vector was transfected into the lung giant cell carcinoma cell line LH(7) followed by analyses of connexin 43 and E-cadherin expressions, the growth rates and cell cycle profiles of the transfected cells.

RESULTSComparing with the adjacent non-neoplastic lung tissue, expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin was decreased in a correlative fashion in both squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas. Their expression reversely correlated to the degree of tumor cell differentiation, P-TNM stage, and status of lymph note metastasis. The expression of connexin 43 and E-cadherin increased significantly after transfection of connexin 43 expression vector into the LH(7) cells (P < 0.05). Both expressions were limited in the cytoplasm before or after the transfection. The proliferation rate of LH(7) cells was significantly decreased by connexin43 expression (P < 0.05), along with an increase of cell population at G(1) phase and a decrease of percentage of cells in S and G(2) phases (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSquamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of lung have a low level of connexin 43 and E-cadherin expression, which are correlated with the clinicopathologic features of the tumors. Transfection expression of connexin 43 gene induces an E-cadherin overexpression and an inhibition of LH(7) cell proliferation indicating the significant role of onnexin 43 in the regulation of cell proliferation.

Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

To investigate the prevalence of drug-resistance mutations, resistance to antiretroviral drugs, and the subsequent virological response to therapy in treatment-naive and antiretroviral-treated patients infected with HIV/AIDS in Henan, China, a total of 431 plasma samples were collected in Queshan county between 2003 and 2004, from patients undergoing the antiretroviral regimen Zidovudine + Didanosine + Nevirapine (Azt+Ddi+Nvp). Personal information was collected by face to face interview. Viral load and genotypic drug resistance were tested. Drug resistance mutation data were obtained by analyzing patient-derived sequences through the HIVdb Program (http://hivdb.stanford.edu). Overall, 38.5% of treatment-naive patients had undetectable plasma viral load (VL), the rate significantly increased to 61.9% in 0 to 6 months treatment patients (mean 3 months) (P＜0.005) but again significantly decrease to 38.6% in 6 to 12 months treatment patients (mean 9 months) (P＜0.001) and 40.0% in patients receiving more than 12 months treatment (mean 16 months) (P＜0.005). The prevalence of drug resistance in patients who had a detectable VL and available sequences were 7.0%, 48.6%, 70.8%, 72.3% in treatment-na(1)ve, 0 to 6 months treatment, 6 to 12 months treatment, and treatment for greater than 12 months patients, respectively. No mutation associated with resistance to Protease inhibitor (PI) was detected in this study. Nucleoside RT inhibitor (NRTI) mutations always emerged after non-nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI) mutations, and were only found in patients treated for more than 6 months, with a frequency less than 5%, with the exception of mutation T215Y (12.8%, 6/47) which occurred in patients treated for more than 12 months. NNRTI mutations emerged quickly after therapy begun, and increased significantly in patients treated for more than 6 months (P＜0.005), and the most frequent mutations were K103N, V106A, Y181C, G190A. There had been optimal viral suppression in patients undergoing treatment for less than 6 months in Queshan,Henan. The drug resistance strains were highly prevalent in antiretroviral-treated patients, and increased with the continuation of therapy, with many patients encountering virological failure after 6 months therapy.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) in the treatment of large airway obstruction.

METHODSTotally 389 patients with treacheobronchial stenosis were treated with APC (ARCO3000 type) by bronchoscopy. The stenoses were caused by carcinomas (203 cases, 52.2%), metastatic tumors (67 cases, 17.2%), benign tumors (18 cases, 4.6%), granulomas (93 cases, 23.9%) and other lesions (8 cases, 2.1%). The rate of recanalization, relief of the symptoms, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS1121 times of APC treatment were performed in the 389 patients. Complete recanalization was achieved in 138 cases (35.5%), partial in 143 (36.8%), mild in 55 (14.1%) and none in 53 (13.6%). The major complications included: super-ventricular tachycardia in 136 cases (34.9%), bleeding in 51 (13.1%), decrease in blood oxygen saturation in 48 (12.3%), asphyxia in 33 (8.5%), ventricular or super-ventricular arrhythmia in 24 (6.2%), short-term aggravation of airway obstruction in 18 (4.6%), and tracheal perforation in 3 (0.78%). All those complications were treated with various measures and no patient died of the complications during the procedure.

CONCLUSIONArgon plasma coagulation is effective and relatively safe in relieving the obstruction and dyspnea in patients with large airway obstruction caused by various reasons. However, for the patients with severe airway obstruction, argon plasma coagulation sometimes may cause severe or even lethal complications. Critical consideration of the indication, operators' skill and taking more precautions during the procedure are required to ensure the safety of argon plasma coagulation treatment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Argon ; therapeutic use ; Bronchial Diseases ; etiology ; surgery ; Bronchial Neoplasms ; complications ; Bronchoscopy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Electrocoagulation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Tracheal Neoplasms ; complications ; Tracheal Stenosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Young Adult

Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Anemia ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Child ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prevalence

BACKGROUNDMultidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) is an important and emerging hospital-acquired pathogen worldwide. This study was conducted to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

METHODSWe conducted a prospective active surveillance study of MDRAB in three ICUs at a Chinese Hospital from April to August 2011, to identify the sources of MDRAB and its role in respiratory tract colonization and nosocomial pneumonia.

RESULTSOne hundred and fourteen (13.0%) MDRAB isolates were detected from 876 specimens, with a sensitivity of 11.6% (55/474) in screening of the pharyngeal and tracheal swabs, and 14.7% (59/402) of the sputum/endotracheal aspirates. MDRAB colonization/infection was found in 34 (26.8%) of 127 patients, including 16 (12.6%) cases of pure colonization and 18 (14.2%) cases of pneumonia (two pre-ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia and 16 ICU-acquired cases of pneumonia). Previous respiratory tract MDRAB colonization was found in 22 (17.3%) patients: eight (6.3%) were pre-ICU-acquired colonization and 14 (11.0%) ICU-acquired colonization. Of eight pre-ICU-colonized patients, five were transferred from other wards or hospitals with hospitalization > 72 hours, and three came from the community with no previous hospitalization. Overall, 6/22 colonized patients presented with secondary pneumonia; only two (9.1%) colonized MDRAB strains were associated with secondary infections. Respiratory tract MDRAB colonization had no significant relationship with nosocomial pneumonia (P = 0.725). In addition, acute respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, renal failure, and prior carbapenem use were risk factors for MDRAB colonization/infection.

CONCLUSIONSA high proportion of cases of MDRAB colonization/infection in ICU patients were detected through screening cultures. About one-third were acquired from general wards and the community before ICU admission. The low incidence of MDRAB colonization-related pneumonia questions the appropriateness of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Acinetobacter baumannii ; drug effects ; pathogenicity ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cross Infection ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; drug therapy ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dimethoate on the monoamine Neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and its metabolite (3, 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, DOPAC) in the serum of rats and furthermore to explore the non-cholinergic mechanism of organophosphate induced toxicity.

METHODSGroups of rats were treated with saline and 38.9, 83.7 and 180 mg/kg dimethoate respectively and were decapitated at the different time course from 0.5 to 24 hours after the administration. The monoamines neurotransmitters were determined by the reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with the electrochemical detection.

RESULTSThe serum concentrations of DA (8.42% - 248.42% of the control), DOPAC (17.22% - 68.21% of the control) increased, according with the DM dosage and the exposure time, while the levels of NE (9.65% - 38.26% of the control) and E (11.00% - 32.62% of the control) contents decreased at the same time.

CONCLUSIONThese findings indicate that dimethoate induced toxic effects can alter the monoamine levels at the different dosage and the time exposure in the serum of rats. It suggests that some non-cholinergic mechanisms may be involved in the dimethoate intoxication.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid ; blood ; Animals ; Biogenic Monoamines ; blood ; Dimethoate ; toxicity ; Dopamine ; blood ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Serotonin ; blood

BACKGROUNDThe pregnancy outcome of the unicornuate uterus is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, cervical incompetence, and a number of obstetric complications. However, at present, there is no accepted treatment method for women with unicornuate uterus, other than expectant measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive outcome of transcervical uterine incision (TCUI) in patients with unicornuate uterus.

METHODSThirty-three patients with unicornuate uterus presented to our tertiary center for infertility or miscarriage. All 33 patients underwent TCUI and were followed up for 10-52 months. The pregnancy outcomes ( first-trimester miscarriage, second-trimester miscarriage, preterm, term, intrauterine death, ongoing pregnancy, and live birth) before and after TCUI were compared by t- test.

RESULTSAmong 31 patients who attempted to conceive after TCUI, twenty conceived including one termination of pregnancy, one second-trimester miscarriage, one ectopic pregnancy, five preterm deliveries, 11 term delivery, and one ongoing pregnancy. There were 16 live births in total. There was significant reduction in the first-trimester miscarriage rate (t = 4.890; P< 0.001), increase in term delivery (t = -3.288; P = 0.002), and live birth rates (t = -4.073; P< 0.001) after TCUI.

CONCLUSIONTCUI appeared to improve the pregnancy outcome in women with unicornuate uterus presenting with infertility or miscarriage.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; surgery ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Urogenital Abnormalities ; surgery ; Uterus ; abnormalities ; surgery