OBJECTIVETo study the template design of tissue flaps for covering auricular cage in order to acquire accurate and reliable design method.

METHODSBy the theory of engineering drawing and three-dimensional measuring on CT image, three dimensional configuration of 40 auricular surfaces were expanded approximately, and the character of them was analysed for the template design.

RESULTSIt is similar of the expanded graphs of auricular surface three dimensional configuration in healthy persons, and simplified template of tissue flaps is drawn based on the key points of the above graph.

CONCLUSIONSCT three-dimensional measurement of auricular surface configuration can be used to design the template of tissue flaps for covering auricular cage, and can provide accurate and reliable template of tissue flaps for clinics.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Tissue Transplantation ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cell combined vaccines loaded with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates for treatment of lung cancer in mice. Methods: Bone marrow cells were induced by the recombinant mouse fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 3 ligand (rmFlt3-L) in vitro, myeloid dendritic cells (mDC) and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were separated by magnetic beads. The mDC, pDC, and mDC∶pDC=1∶1 were stimulated with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates, respectively. The effects of each group on stimulating of lymphocyte proliferation and inducing of T cell to kill tumor cells in vitro were compared. The alternations of the immunophenotypes of CD80, CD86, CD40 and major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ (MHC-Ⅱ) were detected by flow cytometry. The secretion of cytokines including interlukin-12 (IL-12), interlukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The lymphocyte proliferation in mice stimulated with mDC+ pDC group loaded with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates was 10.80±0.66, significantly higher than 8.63±0.65 of mDC group and 7.10±0.46 pDC group under the same culture conditions, respectively (P<0.05). When the ratio of effector cells: target cells (E∶T) was 10∶1, the killing rate of the mDC+ pDC group loaded with heat-treated tumor cell lysate was 31.68%±2.93%, significantly higher than 17.44%±0.97% of mDC group and 10.29%±1.33% of pDC group, respectively (P<0.05). When the ratio of E∶T was 20∶1, the killing rate of the mDC+ pDC group loaded with heat-treated tumor cell lysate was 54.77%±3.28%, significantly higher than 35.25%±1.51% of mDC group and 15.52%±0.73% of pDC group, respectively (P<0.05). When the ratio of E∶T was 40∶1, the killing rate of the mDC+ pDC group loaded with heat-treated tumor cell lysate was 73.01%±0.91%, significantly higher than 51.36%±0.58% of mDC group and 22.65%±1.28% of pDC group, respectively (P<0.05). With the rate of E∶T increased, the killing rate also increased. The mean fluorescence intensities of surface molecules including CD80, CD86, CD40 and MHC-Ⅱ of mDC: pDC=1 group pulsed with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates were higher than those of mDC group and pDC group. The IL-6 cytokine concentrations of mDC+ pDC group, mDC group and pDC group loaded with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates were (586.67±52.52) pg/ml, (323.33±67.14) pg/ml and (166.67±16.07) pg/ml, respectively. The concentrations of IL-12 in each group were (2 568.75±119.24) pg/ml, (2 156.25±120.55) pg/ml and (672.92±31.46) pg/ml, respectively. The concentrations of TNF-α in each group were (789.33±48.08) pg/ml, (584.89±116.49) pg/ml and (291.56±40.73) pg/ml, respectively. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-12 and TNF-α secreted by mDC+ pDC group were much higher than those of mDC group and pDC group under the same culture conditions (P<0.05). Conclusions The mDCs and pDCs combined vaccines pulsed with heat-treated Lewis lung cancer cell lysates have synergistic effects on inducing of T lymphocyte proliferation and killing tumor cells in vitro. This synergistic anti-tumor effect is related with up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and increased secretion of cytokines.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effectiveness of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection and diagnosis of breast diseases.

METHODSForty-one patients with 47 breast lesions (20 malignant and 27 benign lesions) underwent preoperative FFDM and MRI, using the pulse sequences including T1WI, T2WI, T2WI/SPIR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWl), and 3D dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.

RESULTSThe imaging and pathological findings were compared, and the detection rates of the lesions by FFDM and MRI were 97.87% (46/47) and 74.46% (35/47), respectively (P<0.01). The sensitivity of FFDM and MRI was 70.00% (14/20) and 80.00% (16/20) (P>0.05), with specificity of 62.96%(17/27) and 88.89%(24/27) (P<0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONMRI is superior to FFDM in the detection and diagnosis of breast diseases.

Adenoma ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mammography ; instrumentation ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

To assess relationships between xanthine oxidase (XOD) and nephropathogenic infectious bronchitis virus (NIBV) infection, 240 growing layers (35 days old) were randomly divided into two groups (infected and control) of 120 chickens each. Each chicken in the control and infected group was intranasally inoculated with 0.2 mL sterile physiological saline and virus, respectively, after which serum antioxidant parameters and renal XOD mRNA expression in growing layers were evaluated at 8, 15 and 22 days post-inoculation (dpi). The results showed that serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in the infected group were significantly lower than in the control group at 8 and 15 dpi (p < 0.01), while serum malondialdehyde concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.01). The serum uric acid was significantly higher than that of the control group at 15 dpi (p < 0.01). In addition, the kidney mRNA transcript level and serum activity of XOD in the infected group was significantly higher than that of the control group at 8, 15 and 22 dpi (p < 0.05). The results indicated that NIBV infection could cause the increases of renal XOD gene transcription and serum XOD activity, leading to hyperuricemia and reduction of antioxidants in the body.
Antioxidants ; Chickens ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Hyperuricemia ; Infectious bronchitis virus* ; Kidney ; Malondialdehyde ; RNA, Messenger* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Uric Acid ; Xanthine Oxidase* ; Xanthine*

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of the treatment for the distal clavicle fracture with two different methods.

METHODSThere were 120 cases of the distal clavicle fractures involved in the study. Among them, 75 cases were treated by self-improved elastic band inclined "8" fixation (Manipulation group), 45 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with clavicular hook plate (Operation group).

RESULTSThere was statistically significant difference between manipulation group (6.71+/-2.35 weeks) and operation group (11.38+/-4.58 weeks) in the time of fracture union (P<0.01); but, there was no statistically significant difference between manipulation group (100%) and operation group (97.8%) in the rate of fracture union (P>0.05). According to the evaluation of shoulder-joint function, 56, 14 and 5 cases obtained excellent, good and bad result respectively in manipulation group; 38, 5 and 2 cases obtained excellent, good and bad respectively in operation group. There was no statistically significant difference between manipulation group (93.3%) and operation group (95.5%) in the rate of excellent and good (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with open reduction and internal fixation with clavicular hook plate, treatment with self-improved elastic band inclined "8" fixation can shorten the union time of fracture and reduce therapeutic risks, so it is an economical, practical and safe method for the distal clavicle fracture.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Clavicle ; injuries ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Middle Aged

This study aimed to establish human IFN-gamma (hIFN-gamma) in vitro release assay and to apply it in diagnosis of human tuberculosis. Human IFN-gamma gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant hIFN-gamma was purified and used as immunogen to immunize mice and rabbits respectively. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies were respectively developed and a sandwich ELISA was established. The heparized whole blood from 111 active tuberculosis patients and 292 clinical healthy controls were collected. The blood was stimulated with tuberculosis specific fused antigen ESAT-6/CFP-10 and the plasma was collected for IFN-gamma detection. The sensitivity for tuberculosis diagnosis was 95.5%, whereas the positive detection rate for the healthy controls was 16.7%. There was a significant difference between the patients and healthy controls (P<0.01) indicating that this assay had a high sensitivity and specificity, and thus could be promising in tuberculosis diagnosis.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; secretion ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; immunology ; Rabbits ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Tuberculosis ; diagnosis ; immunology

Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Fractures, Compression ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; pathology ; surgery

A girl, aged 8 years, developed jaundice and liver dysfunction in the neonatal period, with congenital glaucoma diagnosed on day 5 after birth, hypertension and unusual facies (broad forehead, hypertelorism and deep-set eyes). Cholestasis was the main type of liver dysfunction. Cardiac macrovascular CTA showed stenosis at the abdominal aorta and the beginning of the bilateral renal arteries. Whole exon sequencing revealed a heterozygous frameshift mutation, c.1485delC (absence of cytosine), in exon 12 of the JAG1gene. The girl was diagnosed with Alagille syndrome and was given transaminase-lowering, cholagogic and antihypertensive treatment with multiple drugs. There were significant reductions in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bile acid, but blood pressure fluctuated between 102-140 mm Hg/53-89 mm Hg. After renal artery angiography and balloon dilatation angioplasty, the girl was given oral administration of antihypertensive drugs, and blood pressure was controlled at a level of 110-120 mm Hg/60-80 mm Hg. The rare disease Alagille syndrome should be considered when a child has refractory hypertension with the involvement of multiple systems, especially liver dysfunction with cholestasis as the main manifestation. Genetic causes should be analyzed for a early diagnosis.
Alagille Syndrome ; Blood Pressure ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Liver Diseases ; etiology ; Renal Artery

BACKGROUNDAcute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is always associated with a high incidence and mortality. Because of the presence of some concomitant risk factors such as immobilization, bronchial superinfection, patients who are admitted for acute exacerbations of COPD are generally considered to be at moderate risk for the development of venous thromboembolism. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and the clinical manifestations of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to March 2009, 520 consecutive patients were included in this study. On admission, color Doppler ultrasound of lower extremities in all cases was performed for diagnosing DVT. Patients with DVT were compared with those without DVT from such aspects as demographics, symptoms, physical signs and risk factors.

RESULTSAmong the 520 patients, DVT was found in 46 cases (9.7%). In patients with DVT, the duration of hospitalization was longer (P = 0.01), and the mechanical ventilation requirement increased (P < 0.001). Other indicators for patients with more possibility of DVT were immobility exceeding 3 days (P < 0.001); pneumonia as concomitance (P = 0.01); respiratory failure type II (P = 0.013); current smoking (P = 0.001). Lower extremity pain was more common in DVT cases in comparison to those without DVT (34.8% vs. 15.2%, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe acute exacerbation of COPD patients, who were immobilized for over 3 days, complicated by pneumonia and had respiratory failure type II, had a higher risk of DVT. In addition, DVT detection awareness should be increased in cases that had a lower extremity pain.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; complications ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis ; epidemiology ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the minimally invasive efficacy and surgical outcome of full-endoscopic discectomy via interlaminar approach for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

METHODSFrom August 2008 to February 2009, 56 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Full endoscopic discectomy (FED) group included 16 males and 12 females, the age was 20 - 51 years with a mean (36 ± 8) years, and the course of disease was 18 - 120 d with a mean (68 ± 26) days. There was L(5)-S(1) LDH in 22 and L(4-5) LDH in 6. Headlamp-assisted mini-open discectomy (HAMOD) group, there were 17 males and 11 females. The age was 17-53 years with an average age of (35 ± 9) years, the course of disease was 19 - 110 d with an average (66 ± 24) days, and the herniated disc located at L(5)-S(1) in 15 cases, and L(4-5) in 13 cases. Perioperative parameters (operation time, bleeding volume and length of hospital stay), complications and VAS of leg and back pain (preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and final follow-up) were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up in both groups, and the average follow-up time of full endoscopic was 1.8 years, and headlamp assisted mini-open was 1.7 years. The average operation time in full endoscopic group was (71 ± 30) min and the headlamp group was (60 ± 12) min, which there was no statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no measurable bleeding in full endoscopic group, and the headlamp group was (59 ± 10) ml. The average hospital days in full endoscopic group was (5.7 ± 1.4) days, and the headlamp group was (12.3 ± 3.0) days, there was statistically significant difference in both groups (P < 0.01). The complication rate in full endoscopic group was 7.1%, and in headlamp group was 10.7%, without statistical difference (P > 0.05). There was no recurrent case in either group. With regard to VAS of back pain and leg pain, statistically significant difference was found in each group between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, but not between 3 months postoperatively and at final follow-up. With regard to the final follow-up VAS, there was no statistical difference in leg pain between full endoscopic and headlamp group (P > 0.05). However, there was statistical significance in VAS back pain between the two groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSCompared to the headlamp assisted mini-open technique, the full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can achieve similar clinical outcomes with advantage of less iatrogenic trauma and sooner rehabilitation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diskectomy ; methods ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult