Objective To evaluate the causes,clinical manifestations and diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome. Methods Operation was performed for 18 patients ( 21 sides) with tarsal tunnel syndrome. Preoperative Takakura index was 3-7 points with an average of 6.4 points. Ganglion was found in 15 cases (17 sides), varicosity in 2 cases (3 sides) and lipoma in 1 case. Results The symptoms disappeared without recurrence in 0.5 to 17 years' follow-up (average 7.3). Postoperative Takakura index was 9-10 points (average 9.7). Conclusion Tarsal tunnel syndrome is rare in the clinical practice with varied causes and different clinical manifestations. Operation can be performed with satisfactory results for the patients unsuitable for conservative treatment.

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) can provoke the apoptosis of retinal cells and downregulate the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the retina.Capsaicin promotes the release of CGRP and elicits protective effects on human organs.However,whether CGRP protects retinal cells in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is still unclear.Objective The study was designed to examine the effect of capsaicin on the apoptosis of retinal cells in diabetic rats and its relationship with CGRP.Methods Forty clean healthy adult male Sprague-Dawey rats were randomly divided into the diabetes group,capsaicin pretreated group,streptozocin (STZ)control group,capsaicin control group and plain control group,with 8 rats per group.The diabetic model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg in all rats except those of the plain control group.0.4 mL of a 1％ capsaicin injected at 20 mg/kg was subcutaneously injected for 3 consecutive days prior to model establishment in the capsaicin pretreated group,after which 1.2 mL of STZ was intraperitoneally injected on the fourth day.Rats from the STZ control group were administered intraperitoneally 1.2 mL of 0.1 mol/L,pH 4.5,citrate buffer.The capsaicin control group received subcutaneous injections of 0.4 mL of 1％ capsaicin at 20 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days,after which 1.2 mL of 0.1 mol/L,pH 4.5,citrate buffer was administered intraperitoneally.The rats were sacrificed at the tenth week after model establishment and retinal specimens were prepared for the apoptosis assay by TUNEL staining and the quantitative analysis of caspase-3 activity.Expression of CGRP in the retina and serum was detected using ELISA.The use of experimental animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Retinal cell apoptosis was mainly localized to the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer.The apoptosis rate of RGCs was (43.4±5.0)％ in the DR model group and (30.0±5.1)％ in the capsaicin pretreated group,showing a significant difference (t =5.930,P＜0.01).Compared with the DR model group and capsaicin pretreated group,the apoptosis rates of the DR control group (12.4±9.9) ％ and the capsaicin control group (17.6-±6.1) ％ were significantly lower (t =8.800,t =4.925,P＜0.01).The apoptosis rate of the plain control group was (16.2±6.9)％,exhibiting significant differences in comparison with the DR control group and capsaicin control group (t =-0.989,t =0.951,P＞0.05).The specific activity of caspase-3 was (2.19±0.86) in the DR model group and (1.96±0.56) in the capsaicin pretreated group,presenting a significant difference (t =-0.515,P＜0.05).Those of the DR control group and capsaicin control group were (1.47±0.14) and (0.74±0.27),respectively,with considerable decline in comparison with the DR model group and capsaicin pretreated group (t=2.142,t=2.797,P＜0.05).The retinal and serum CGRP levels were (424.4±44.2)and (148.8±39.1) ng/L,respectively,displaying significantly lower levels than (543.2±74.4) and (237.5±78.7) ng/L (t =3.070,2.359,P＜0.05) from the capsaicin pretreated group.Conclusions Apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells occurs in the STZ-induced diabetic rats.Pretreatment of capsaicin reduces retinal cell apoptosis,which may be associated with an increase of CGRP in the retina.

Esophageal Atresia ; complications ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Respiratory System Abnormalities ; complications ; Trachea ; abnormalities ; Tracheoesophageal Fistula ; complications

Objective To discuss the selections of surgical treatment for lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation and the treatment outcome.Methods Clinical data of 50 cases of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation were analyzed retrospectively.There were 37 males and 13 females at mean age of 41 years (range,20-80 years).Forty-four cases underwent anterior fusion,but 4 with ankylosing spondylitis and 2 with extremely unstable cervical spine were treated with combined posterior fusion.Two cases sustaining ankylosing spondylitis and being unable to be operated via the anterior approach due to the maximum neck flexion limits were treated with posterior decompression and fusion.Two cases developed delayed fracture and underwent posterior release prior to the anterior fixation and fusion.Two cases underwent a second surgery with the posterior release,anterior fusion and posterior fusion performed successively.Neurological performance was evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA)scale.Results All the patients were followed up for mean 28 months (range,12-48 months).Implant loosening and redislocation occurred in one ankylosing spondylitis case 2 months after anterior fusion.Other 49 cases achieved bony fusion in 6 months.Neurological function showed no recovery in complete spinal cord injury cases,but improved for average ASIA 1-2 grades for incomplete spinal cord injury cases.Conclusions Anterior surgery provides good reduction and neurological improvement in treatment of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation.For extremely unstable cases or difficult anterior reduction cases,posterior surgery or combined anterior/posterior surgery should be considered.

Objective To explore the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)in differentiating brain tuberculomas from me-tastases.Methods Conventional and enhanced MRI as well as diffusion weighted imaging (DWI)were performed in 24 cases of brain tuberculomas(immature in 18 cases and mature in 6 case)and 36 cases of metastases.The mean ADC values and relative ADC (rADC)values were calculated from the enhanced and non-enhanced regions of mass and the peripheral edema regions of brain le-sions.Results The mean ADC values and rADC values in the enhanced,non-enhanced and the peripheral edema regions were 796.90×10 -6 mm2/s and 1.1 6,864.85×10 -6 mm2/s and 1.27,1 531.60×10 -6 mm2/s and 2.24 for the immature brain tuberculo-mas;791.95×10 -6 mm2/s and 1.1 6,61 1.80×10 -6 mm2/s and 0.87,and 1 488.45×10 -6 mm2/s and 2.10 for the mature tubercu-lomas;421.95×10 -6 mm2/s and 0.61,961.00×10 -6 mm2/s and 1.36,1 545.00×10 -6 mm2/s and 2.18 for the brain metastases, respectively.There were significant differences in the mean ADC values (H =42.293,P ≤0.05)and rADC values (H =42.575, P ≤0.05)for the enhance regions in the three groups .There were also significant differences in the mean ADC values (H =33.100, P ≤0.05)and rADC values (H =1 7.867,P ≤0.05)for the non-enhance regions.No significant difference in the mean ADC values (H =1.550,P ≥0.05)and rADC values (H =5.511,P ≥0.05)were found for the peripheral edema regions.Conclusion The ADC values of DWI can help to differentiate brain tuberculomas from metastases,when combining with the conventional and enhanced MRI.

Objective:To investigate the volatile constituents in Folium isatidis. Methods:The volatile constituents from Folium isatidis were analyzed by head-space solid micro-extraction coupled with GC-MS for the first time. Results: Thirty-five compounds (89. 95%) were identified from the volatile constituents in Folium isatidis. The main volatile constituents of Folium isatidis were 6, 10, 14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (6. 32%), nonanal (5. 99%), phenethyl isothiocyanate (5. 79%) and palmitic acid (5. 62%). Conclusion:Palmitic acid and benzyl alcohol may be the main effective constituents in Folium isatidis.

60 Gy.The 5-year local control rates are 92%,71% and 87% respectively(P=0.9194),and 5-year overall survival rate are 68%,62% and 53% respectively(P=0.4194).There is no significant difference of overall survival and local control rate between these three dose groups.Five patients with dose of more than 50Gy died of late toxicities.Conclusions:Adjuvant radiotherapy for Stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients with rectal cancer dose not show dose response.There is no improvement of local control and survival due to the escalation of dose.The dose of conventional radiotherapy is better at less than 50Gy.Overdosage may lead to severe toxicities.

Objective To discuss the selection of short- or long-segment posterior fixation for treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A total 134 patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated with pedicle instrument fixation from January 2005 to December 2008 were studied retrospectively. According to AO fracture classification, there were 70 patients with type A fractures, 37 with type B and 27 with type C. The patients were divided into two groups according to the number of instrumented levels; short-segment posterior fixation (SSPF) group (four screws; one vertebral body above or below the fractured vertebrae) and long-segment posterior fixation (LSPF) group (eight screws; two vertebral bodies above or below the fractured vertebrae). Clinical outcomes and radiological parameters (superior-inferior endplate angle, vertebral body angle, displacement of vertebral body) were compared according to AO fracture classification. Results All type A fractures were treated with SSPF, mean superior-inferior endplate angle changed from preoperative 21.3° to postoperative 8.5° and 11.1° at final follow up. There was no statistical difference in the correction of Cobb angle for type B fractures in SSPF group (26 patients) and LSPF group (11 patients), while the correction loss of vertebral body angle was 3. 64° in SSPF group and 1.09° in LSPF group, with statistical difference (P < 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in the correction of Cobb angle for type C fractures in SSPF group (7 patients) and in LSPF group (20 patients), but the correction loss of vertebral body angle was 3.6° in SSPF group and 0. 8° in LSPF group, with statistical difference (P < 0. 05). There was no statistical difference in vertebral displacement correction. Conclusions Most types A and Bl fractures should be treated with SSPF; most types B2, B3 and C fractures should be treated with LSPF.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic versus open omental patch repair for perforated peptic ulcer. Methods One hundred and twenty-seven patients who underwent omental patch repair for perforated peptic ulcer were analyzed retrospectively. There were 74 cases in the laparoscopic repair group (LR group) and 53 cases in the open repair group (OR group) respectively. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss,postoperative pain at 1 d and 3 d.time to first flatus and resumption of diet, time to drainage removal,surgical site infections (wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess),systemic complications and length of postoperative hospital stay were compared. Results LR group experienced less intraoperative blood loss[(32.7 ±25.6) ml], lower postoperative pain at 3 d[(2.8 ±1.5) scores], earlier time to first flatus [ (25.8 ± 20.1) h] and resumption of diet [ (2.7 ±2.1) d ], shorter time to drainage removal [(2.0±1.5) d], less wound infection (0) and shorter hospital stay[(4.8 ±2.3) d] than those in OR group [(53.2±30.0) ml, (36.9±27.9) h, (3.7±2.0) scores, (3.6±2.3) d,(2.9±2.2) d,9.4%(5/53), (6.6±4.0) d](P< 0.01 or <0.05). There were no significant differences in operative time,postoperative pain at 1 d, incidence of intra-abdominal abscess and systemic complications between the two groups. There were no suture-site leakage, reoperation and death in two groups. Conclusions Laparoscopic omental patch repair for perforated peptic ulcer is safe and efficacious. It has significant advantages over open approach with respects of less postoperative pain,earlier return of bowel function,less wound infection and shorter hospital stay.

Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Morphine Dependence ; metabolism ; Neurotrophin 3 ; metabolism ; Prosencephalon ; metabolism