OBJECTIVETo observe preliminary efficacy of decompressive unilateral improved transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to December 2011, 28 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases were treated by decompressive unilateral improved TLIF,including 16 males and 12 females with an average of 61 (aged 46 to 71) years old,the courses of disease ranged from 6 months to 6 years. Among them, 20 cases suffered from lumbar spinal stenosis, 8 cases were lumbar disc herniation. Decompressive range included single segment in 24 cases,and double segments in 4 cases; 15 cases were performed operation on the left side, 13 cases on the right side. JOA lower back pain scoring system (29 points) were applied for evaluate preoperative and postoperative symptoms, physical signs and sphincteral functions;Visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate preoperative and postoperative low back pain.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up 6 to 28 (mean 14) months. Postoperative JOA score and VAS score were 17.9 +/- 2.2, 2.8 +/- 0.7 respectively,and preoperative JOA score and VAS score were 8.5 +/- 1.7, 8.6 +/- 1.2, respectively. There were significant meaning in JOA and VAS scores before and after operation (P < 0.05). Twenty-eight patients were all obtained intervertebral synostosis.

CONCLUSIONDecompressive unilateral improved TLIF for treatment of unilateral radicular lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar disc herniation,which has advantages of minimally invasive,curative effects,decrease medical costs,is worthy spreading in clinical.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of iliofemoral endovascular therapy for the treatment of chronic ischemia of lower extremities due to arterial atherosclerosis. Methods During the period of September 2005-January 2009 percutaneous endovascular angioplasty and stent implantation were performed in 15 consecutive patients with CTA-proved chronic occlusive iliofemoral artery disease. The patients included 11 males and 4 females with a mean age of (72.1 ± 5.9) years (ranged from 61 to 82 years). Before the procedure, all patients underwent clinical and imaging assessments, including Fontaine classification, ankle-brachial pressure index (ABI), and lower limb computed tomography angiography (CTA). According to the length, morphology and location of the occlusive segment, different types of stents were employed together with pereutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) to treat the occluded lilac or superficial femoral artery. At the end of the procedure, distal angiogram was performed to assess the success of the procedure and to exclude thromboembolism or dissection complications. After PTA, the residual stenosis < 30% and/or pressure gradient < 10 mmHg were defined as technical success. Clinical success was identified when patient's clinical symptoms were improved by one or more grade according to Fontaine classification. Results Technical success was totally achieved in all patients with no occurrence of complication. Recanalization of the occluded artery was performed preferably by retrograde ipsilateral femoral artery approach in 5 patients and by contralateral access using the crossover aorta technique in 10 patients. PTA was performed in all patients after stent release to open the occluded vessel to its normal diameter. The mean length of the lilac arterial segment covered with 8 stents was (7.6 ± 1.4) cm (ranged from 6 cm to 10 cm). The mean diameter ± SD of the iliac stents was 9.5 mm ± 1.4 mm (ranged from 8 mm to 12 mm). The mean length of 5 superficial artery implanted stents was (4.5 ± 1.1) cm (ranged from 4 cm to 6 cm). The mean ABI before treatment and six months after treatment was 0.64 (range 0.41 to 0.89) and 0.76 (range 0.50 to 0.95), respectively. The difference in ABI between pre-interventional and post-interventional procedure was statistically significant (t = -4.64, P < 0.01). Clinical improvements according to Fontaine classification were obtained in all patients, in whom technical success was achieved (100%). Conclusion Endovascular interventional procedure is a safe and effective treatment for iliofemoral arterial occlusive disease due to arterial atherosclerosis. PTA combined with subsequent stent implantation can well improve the patient's quality of life as well as the hemodynamics of lower extremities, which is very important for preserving the diseased limb for a long period of time.

BACKGROUNDWe randomly sampled a healthy community to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of urinary incontinence.

METHODSThe survey was performed in Fuzhou, China. Of women over twenty years of age in the city, 3.0% were randomly selected and 4684 evaluated by Bristol Female Urinary Tract Symptoms Questionnaire.

RESULTSOf the women in Fuzhou, 19.0% had urinary incontinence. The prevalence of stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence was 16.6% (n = 777), 10.0% (n = 468), 7.7% (n = 360) respectively. The prevalence of the three types of urinary incontinence increased significantly with age (P < 0.01). In multiple logistic models, age (OR, 1.3, 95% CI, 1.1-1.4), vaginal delivery (3.0, 1.9-4.7), parity > 2 (2.1, 1.5-2.9), hypertension (2.7, 1.4-5.6), constipation (2.6, 1.8-3.8), alcohol consumption (4.7, 1.1-20.2), episiotomy (1.7, 1.4-2.0), higher body mass index (BMI, 1.8, 1.5-2.2) and unskilled worker (0.7, 0.5-0.8) were potential risk factors for stress incontinence. Urge incontinence was associated with age (OR, 1.3, 95% CI, 0.9-1.3), menopause (1.6, 1.1-2.4), Caesarean delivery (0.2, 0.1-0.5), parity > 2 (2.6, 1.8-3.8), constipation (2.3, 1.4-3.7), foetal birthweight (1.7, 1.1-2.4), episiotomy (1.4, 1.1-1.8), higher BMI (1.5, 1.2-2.0) and unskilled worker (0.7, 0.5-0.9).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of urinary incontinence and its subtypes in Chinese women is lower than that of occidental women. In China, age, vaginal delivery, parity, hypertension, constipation, alcohol consumption, episiotomy, higher BMI are potential risk factors for stress incontinence. Urge incontinence is associated with age, menopause, Caesarean delivery, parity, constipation, foetal birthweight, episiotomy, higher body mass index.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; China ; epidemiology ; Episiotomy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Incontinence ; epidemiology ; etiology

Objective To report the therapeutic effect of free dursum flap lnbule grafting to repair soft tissue defects in two or three fingers result from electric bum in just one operation.Methods Seven patients with electric injuries in two or three fingers were treated by the dorsum flap (or composite flap) lohule graft- ing.The procedure is followed:after dehridement,a trifoliated flap composed of medial pedal,first dorsal met- atarsal and lateral pedal flaps or a bifoliated flap composed of first dorsal metatarsal and lateral pedal flaps was designed.The combined flap contained anterior tihial artery and dorsal pedal artery as the stem vessel for anas- tomosing with the supplying vessel.The three tributaries of dorsal pedal artery:medial tarsal artery,first dor- sal metatarsal artery and lateral tarsal artery were enntained in the three leaves respectively.They could contain extensor digitorum longus tendons and cutaneous nerves and be used to cover the skin defect of two or three fin- gers,reconstruct the flexor tendons and finger arteries and nerves at the same time.Results All the flaps were survived completely,the wounds in all fingers healed primarily,however,skin graft in two feet necrosised partly,one got to healing required wound dressing for three weeks,another required further operation of trans- ferring medial supramalleolar flap due to tendon exposure.The patients were followed up from 3 to 24 months, all the flaps were of appropriate thickness,good texture and satisfactory sensation,all the fingers recovered good function of flection and extension except two fingers existing little limitation.Conclusion Free dorsum flap lohule grafting is an ideal way to treat electric injuries of multiple fingers because it can recnnstruct the skin,tendons,blood vessels and nerves in two or three fingers in just one operation.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or posttranscriptional level. Many miRNAs are found to play a significant role in cancer development either as tumor suppressor genes or as oncogenes. Examination of tumor-specific miRNA expression profiles in diverse cancers has revealed widespread deregulation of these molecules, whose loss and overexpression respectively have diagnostic and prognostic significance. Genetic variations, mostly single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNA sequences or their target sites, have been found to be associated with many kinds of cancers. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of miRNAs including their biogenesis and role in cancer development, and finally, how SNPs among miRNAs affect miRNA biogenesis and contribute to cancer.
Animals ; Binding Sites ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oncogenes ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

OBJECTIVESTo compare expressions of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastasis potential and to screen key molecules associated with HCC metastasis and recurrence.

METHODSUsing two-dimensional electrophoresis, Western blotting and MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, we analyzed tyrosine-phosphorylated protein profiles of Hep3B, MHCC97L and MHCC97H, HCC cell lines with different metastasis potentials.

RESULTS10 spots were detected in Hep3B, 19 in MHCC97L and 17 in MHCC97H. Seventeen significantly different phosphotyrosine proteins in gel were identified by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS, including Annexin I.

CONCLUSIONThe changed expression of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins is associated with HCC metastasis and recurrence.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Phosphotyrosine ; analysis

OBJECTIVEA comparative proteomic approach was used to identify and analyze proteins relevant to metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSProteins extracted from 12 liver tumor tissue specimens (6 with metastases and 6 without) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Comparative analyses of 2-DE protein patterns between the two groups were done using computerized image analysis. Selected proteins exhibiting statistically significant alternations were identified by mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and RT-PCR were performed to examine the expressions of the candidate proteins.

RESULTS16 proteins including HSP27, S100A11, CK18 were identified using mass spectrometry, which were related to cell mobility, signal transduction, and energy metabolism respectively. Of these, HSP27 was found to be uniquely over-expressed in 2-DE maps of all metastatic HCCs when compared to the non-metastatic HCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting of HCC tissues confirmed this difference while RT-PCR did not.

CONCLUSIONThere are different proteins working together that affect the metastasis of HCCs. The overexpression of HSP27 may serve as a biomarker for early detection and therapeutic targets to the metastatic phenotype of HCC. The role of HSP27 in HCC metastasis warrants further investigation.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; pathology ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; HSP27 Heat-Shock Proteins ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; analysis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry ; pathology ; Mass Spectrometry ; Neoplasm Proteins ; analysis ; Proteome ; analysis ; S100 Proteins ; analysis

OBJECTIVEWe have identified a SNP within the seed-binding region for miR-502 in the 3'-UTR of the SET8 gene that codes for a methyltransferase for histone H4. SET8 methylates TP53 and thus regulates cell proliferation and genome stability. This study is to investigate the role for this SNP and its interaction with the TP53 codon 72 SNP in the age of onset of breast cancer.

METHODSWe conducted a case-only study of 1, 110 breast cancer cases. PCR-RFLP was used for SNP genotyping. Ages of onset of breast cancer among different genotypes were analyzed using SAS software.

RESULTSOur analysis revealed that the SET8 CC and TP53 GG genotypes were independently associated with earlier age of onset of breast cancer in an allele-dose dependent manner. Moreover, individuals with both SET8 CC and p53 GG genotypes developed cancer at age of 47.74 years, compared with 54.55 years for individuals with both SET8 TT and TP53 CC genotypes.

CONCLUSIONSmiR-502-binding SNP in SET8 may modulate SET8 expression and contribute to early development of breast cancer either independently or together with the TP53 codon 72 SNP.

3' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; Adult ; Age of Onset ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Binding Sites ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; Codon ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics ; Young Adult

China ; epidemiology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male

Objective To construct an expression plasmid of human papillomavirus type 11 E7 (HPV11-E7)/hurnan IFN?-2b fusion gene, to express the fusion gene in E.coli BL21, and pave way for further immunological study. Methods The recombinant plasmid was introduced into E.coli BL21, then the expression product was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting after induction with isopropy-?-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). Results The fusion gene of HPV11-E7 and human IFN?-2b was successfully cloned into pET-32a by a linker with the same sequence as we expected. The expressed fusion protein was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Conclusions The successful construction of prokaryotic expression plasmid and expression of HPV11-E7/human IFN?-2b fusion gene enable further immunological study.