OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of the novel simplified no-flip surgical approach to Shang Ring male circumcision in adults.

METHODSA total of 528 adult males, aged 18 - 58 (mean 35) years, 63 with phimosis and 465 with redundant prepuce, underwent no-flip Shang Ring circumcision with or without removal of the outer ring. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded and observations were made on such complications as postoperative bleeding, infection, edema, and wound dehiscence.

RESULTSThe operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and 2-hour postoperative pain score were (3.8 +/- 0.3) min, (0.6 +/- 0.1) ml, and 7.3 +/-0.3, respectively. Spontaneous ring detachment occurred at 21.6 +/- 2.1 days postoperatively in 12.7% of the patients (67/528) who had chosen not to remove the rings. Of those who preferred removal of the outer ring (87.3% [461/528]), none experienced any pain at the ring removal 7 days after the operation. Postoperative complications included infection in 3 cases (0.56%) and mild edema in 9 (1.70%), but no bleeding and wound dehiscence. Totally, 518 (98.1%) of the patients felt satisfied with the postoperative penile appearance.

CONCLUSIONNo-flip Shang Ring circumcision, with no need for removal of the inner ring, is a safe and simple approach for adult males, which is superior to conventional Shang Ring circumcision for requirement of fewer surgical instruments, shorter operation time, lower incidence of complications, and better satisfaction with the penile appearance. However, these advantages are to be further demonstrated by more randomized controlled trials.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; Young Adult

Vascular endothelium plays an important role in regulating vascular homeostasis. Over the past years, it has become clear that endothelial dysfunction is a key event of pathophysiological changes in the initiation and progression of injuries induced by extreme environmental factors. The present review summarizes current understanding of vascular endothelial dysfunction induced by hypoxia, cold and heat, and provides the information for prevention and treatment of environmental exposure injuries.
Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Environment ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Temperature ; Vascular System Injuries

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristics of dental arches in the patients with facial asymmetry.

METHODS20 facial asymmetrical patients were chosen as the study subjects. They were 8 boys and 12 girls, aged from 12-year to 16-year old. 20 normal occlusion persons without signs of facial asymmetry were chosen as control. Dental casts were measured by 3-dimension measuring machine. Dental arch asymmetry, coordination between upper and lower dental arch, and dental inclination were measured. SAS 6.03 was used in statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe distance from cuspid and the first bicuspid to the median palatal raphe in the side of crossbite was larger than that of contralateral side in maxilla. The distance from cuspid, bicuspids and the first molar to the midline in the side of crossbite was smaller than that of contralateral side in mandible (P < 0.05). The dental arch width of cuspid and first premolar in maxilla was smaller than that of mandible (P < 0.05) . Significant buccal inclination of the maxillary posterior teeth coupled with lingual inclination of the mandibular posterior teeth was found on the crossbite side. In contrast, significant lingual inclination of the maxillary posterior teeth coupled with buccal inclination of the mandibular posterior teeth was found on the contralateral side (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe width of upper anterior dental arch was smaller, and the inclination of upper and lower posterior teeth between crossbite side and counterside was different in facial asymmetry patients.

Bicuspid ; Cuspid ; Dental Arch ; Dental Occlusion ; Face ; abnormalities ; Facial Asymmetry ; congenital ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Tooth

In order to affirm the cardioactive components in Fuzi, we identified a group of aminoalcohol- diterpenoid alkaloids in Fuzi using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS) method. Among a total of forty-one isolated ingredients, thirteen major aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids were identified by comparing their retention times and MS spectra with those of the reference substances. Moreover, Fuzi samples from different places of origin and with different processing methods were examined and their components displayed a pattern of high similarity, though the relative abundance varies probably due to their different processing methods. Furthermore, the cardiac effect of each identified alkaloid was individually evaluated using the isolated bullfrog heart perfusion experiment. Among the thirteen aminoalcohol diterpenoid alkaloids tested, six of them significantly enhanced the amplitude rates. Taken together, we affirm that the cardioactive components in Fuzi are aminoalcohol-diterpenoid alkaloids, shedding light on future studies of the mechanisms and development of these cardioactive compounds.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Amino Alcohols ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Heart ; drug effects ; In Vitro Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Rana catesbeiana ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the different changes after maxillary protraction between the cleft and non-cleft patients with anterior crossbite.

METHODSProspective controlled clinical trial was carried out. Eighteen patients (aged 9.6 +/- 1.2 years) with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) were chosen as the experimental group. Eighteen non-cleft patients (aged 9.8 +/- 1.4 years) with similar malocclusions were selected as control group. All the patients were before puberty according to the evaluation of the hand wrist radiograms. Hyrax appliance and reverse headgear were used in both experimental and control groups. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before and after treatment. Computerized cephalometric analysis was carried out. Paired t tests or t test were performed using software package SAS 8.1.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the main changes in experimental group were: SNA +1.45 degrees , A-TFH +2.19 mm, SNB -2.18 degrees , ANB +3.64 degrees , MP/SN +2.78 degrees , LL-EP +0.88 mm in UCLP group. And in control group were: SNA +1.42 degrees , A-TFH +2.12 mm, SNB -1.32 degrees , ANB +2.68 degrees , MP/SN +1.47 degrees , LL-EP -1.37 mm.

CONCLUSIONSBefore puberty, maxillary protraction could accelerate maxillary forward growth in UCLP patients and the changes were similar to non-cleft patients. The occlusal relationship and soft tissue profile were improved significantly in both patients with or without cleft. The amount of mandibular posterior rotation in patients with UCLP was larger than in those with no cleft.

Cephalometry ; Child ; Cleft Lip ; surgery ; therapy ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Jaw Relation Record ; Male ; Malocclusion ; therapy ; Maxilla ; growth & development ; Osteogenesis, Distraction

Objective To explore role of 64-slices spiral CT in differetiation of acute chest pains.Methods Thirty six patients with acute chest pains were performed 64-slices spiral CT chest angiography.Two-dimensional and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed in all patients by means of multiplanar reconstruction(MPR)(coronal,sgittal oblique),curved planar reformation(CPR), maximum intensity projection(MIP),and volume rendering(VR).All images were blindly reading by two experienced radiologist.DSA were performed at the same time in 16 cases.Results The coronary artery branches,pulmonary artery and aortic artery in all patients were showed clearly,The acute myocardial infarction were showed in 10 cases,The pulmonary artery embolism in 14 cases,The aortic dissection in 6 cases respectively,The Coronary embolism in One case ,pneumothorax In One case The constrictive pericarditis in 1 case respectively.Normal findings in 4 cases.Conclusion 64-slices spiral CT is a useful and noninvasive examination in acute chest pain.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical results between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar(mini-TLIF) and posterior open surgery in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.MethodsFrom March 2008 to August 2010,a total of 49 cases with lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively analyzed,including 23 cases with mini-TLIF and 26 with open surgery.Operation time,intra-operative bleeding,and radiation exposure times were recorded.Pre- and postoperative back pain was assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS),and lumbar function was evaluated by Oswestry disability index (ODI).The clinical results were assessed by Macnab criterion,and the pre and postoperative radiologic parameters were compared.ResultsThe mean follow-up time was 11 months(ranged,9-22).Both groups got good clinical results and satisfactory radiologic parameters.The group of mini-TLIF was superior to the group of open surgery in intra-operative bleeding,VAS of the second day postoperatively and the willingness of reoperation(P＜0.05).The ODI in the patients with open surgery were decreased from 31.2％±8.2％ to 16.1％±6.8％ corresponding to the pre-oporation and the final follow-up.The ODI in the patients with mini-TLIF were decreased from 34.4％±11.7％ to 15.3％±4.3％ corresponding to the pre-operation and the final follow-up.There is no significant difference of the change of ODI between two groups (t=0.673,P=0.412).The group of mini-TLIF need more operation time and were exposed to more X-ray when compared to the open surgery group(P＜0.05).ConclusionMini-TLIF and open surgery can both get satisfactory clinical outcomes in treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.Mini-TLIF was superior to open surgery in intra-operative bleeding and VAS of the second day postoperatively,but it needs more operation time and radiation exposure.

Dehydration-Responsive Element Binding ( DREB) transcription factors, specifically binding with dehydration reponsive element (DRE), activate a variety of stress-responsive genes in plants under abiotic stresses (dehydration, high salt and low temperature). Using PCR and homologous EST search, we isolated a DREB-like gene from Yinxin poplar (Populus alba x P. alba var. pyramidalis) named PaDREB2. Yeast One-hybrid experiment demonstrated that PaDREB2 protein could function as a DREB transcription factor activating target gene expression by specifically binding to DRE cis-element. To study the expression pattern of PaDREB2, RT-PCR was carried out. And the results showed that PaDREB2 is induced by low temperature, drought and high salt.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Cold Temperature ; Droughts ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Populus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of standardized male circumcision with Shang Ring in reducing postoperative complications.

METHODSWe performed standardized male circumcision with Shang Ring for 351 males aged 4-58 (mean 31) years, 46 with phimosis and 305 with redundant prepuce, and observed the complications, including postoperative bleeding, infection, edema, and wound dehiscence.

RESULTSThe main complications included infection (5 cases, 1.42%), mild edema (9 cases, 2.56%), moderate edema (5 cases, 1.42%), and wound dehiscence (6 cases, 1.71%), but no postoperative bleeding was observed.

CONCLUSIONUsing the standard protocol of circumcision with Shang Ring, well-trained male circumcision providers can significantly reduce postoperative complications and enhance the patient's satisfaction. Normalized training of the circumcision providers is essential for the popularization of standardized male circumcision with Shang Ring.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; adverse effects ; methods ; standards ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy on chronic pelvic inflammation between the acupoint embedding therapy and acupuncture, and to compare the efficacy of different patterns/syndroms in differentiation treated with acupoint embedding therapy.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighteen cases were randomized into an embedding therapy group (115 cases) and an acupuncture group (103 cases). In both groups, Shenshu (BL 23), Guanyuanshu (BL 26), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6) were selected as the main points. For qi and blood stagnation pattern/syndrome, Zhongdu (LR 6), Diji (SP 8) and the others were added; for cold and damp stagnation pattern/syndrome, Diji (SP 8) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were added; for stasis and phlegm pattern/syndrome due to spleen deficiency, Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were added. In the embedding therapy group, the catgut was embedded at 7 - 13 acupoints each time, once every 10 days. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture therapy was applied, once a day. The symptom scores were assessed in the aspects of the lower abdominal pain severity and attack frequency, lumbosacral soreness and distention, abnormality of vaginal discharge and the others. The efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.0% (107/115) in the embedding therapy group, which was better than 83.5% (86/103) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05). The symptom scores were all reduced after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.05). In the embedding therapy group, the efficacies were not significantly different among different patterns/syndromes (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint embedding therapy achieves the definite efficacy on chronic pelvic inflammation and obtains the similar efficacies among the different differentiated patterns/syndromes of the disease.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Prostheses and Implants ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult