OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short-term efficacy of ear molding in the treatment of congenital auricular deformation. METHODS Twenty-four infants(twenty-eight ears) were treated with ear molding devices(EarWell Infant Ear Correction System). Doctors and parents were surveyed 1 months after treatment. RESULTS All cases were treated successfully without severe complications. 25 ears(89％) and 26(92％) were rated as very satisfied or satisfied by doctors and parents, respectively. CONCLUSION Ear molding is a noninvasive treatment, and effectively corrects congenital auricular deformation.

Objective To evaluate early and dynamic changes of the left ventricular systolic function of patients with septic shock by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI), and to provide guidance for treatment and prognosis.Methods Fifty-eight septic shock patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Subei People's Hospital from January 2016 to April 2017 were enrolled. The septic shock patients were given early fluid resuscitation. The left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), early diastolic mitral flow velocity/early diastolic mitral annular peak velocity (E/Em) were obtained by conventional echocardiography, and the left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS) were obtained by 2D-STI before fluid resuscitation and 1, 3, 7, 14 days after fluid resuscitation. According to the 28-day survival, the septic shock patients were divided into survival group (38 cases) and death group (20 cases). Thirty normal subjects with age and sex matched were selected as control group.Results① Compared with control group, heart rate (HR) and LVESV were increased [HR (bpm): 92.71±12.51 vs. 73.07±5.52, LVESV (mL): 42.50±7.89 vs. 38.73±4.23, bothP < 0.05], while LVEF, GLS, GCS were decreased [LVEF: 0.57±0.06 vs. 0.61±0.03, GLS: (-17.72±1.35)% vs. (-22.07±1.95)%, GCS: (-17.08±1.49)% vs. (-22.98±1.97)%] in septic shock group (allP < 0.01). ② Compared with the data before fluid resuscitation, heart rate was declined (bpm: 87.83±11.50vs. 92.71±12.51,P < 0.01), while LVEDV and LVEF were increased [LVEDV (mL): 102.32±9.23 vs. 99.24±8.86, LVEF: 0.59±0.05 vs. 0.56±0.06] in patients of the septic shock after fluid resuscitation (allP <0.01). ③ With the extension of treatment time, HR, LVEDV, LVESV, E/Em were increased gradually, and LVEF, GLS, GCS, GRS were decreased gradually in dead patients. In septic shock patients, compared with survival group, GCS was significantly different on day 1 [(-15.98±1.41)% vs. (-17.66±1.22)%,P < 0.05], HR, LVEDV, LVESV, GLS were significantly different on the 3rd day [HR (bpm): 104.60±10.94 vs. 88.71±5.06, LVEDV (mL): 109.69±10.00 vs. 103.99±5.74, LVESV (mL): 47.78±7.21 vs. 42.29±5.13, GLS: (-14.44±0.92)% vs. (-16.36±1.00)%, allP < 0.05], LVEF, GRS were significantly different on the 7th day [LVEF: 0.47±0.07 vs. 0.58±0.04, GRS: (28.27±3.23)% vs. (31.48±3.12)%, bothP < 0.05], and E/Em was significantly different on the 14th day (12.81±1.56 vs. 10.61±1.27) in dead group (P < 0.05).Conclusions Our study demonstrates myocardial dysfunction at the early phase in septic shock patients, and 2D-STI GCS can be more sensitive than the conventional echocardiography to determine prognosis. 2D-STI GCS, GLS, GRS were not volume-load dependent parameter. Low levels of GLS, GCS might suggest a poor prognosis.

Abstract: This study is to improve the affinity of scFv-AK404R against VEGFR2. The secondary mutational library was constructed by hydrophilic shuffling in CDR3 region of the heavy chain. VEGFR2-specific screening was performed by phage display technology and the protein of mutants was expressed in periplasm of E.coli HB2151 and purified by affinity chromatography. The affinity constant of scFvs was measured by competitive ELISA, and the structure of scFvs was analyzed by bioinformatics. The result showed that a library with 6.4x10(5) scFv members was established by electro-transformation. Two mutated clones with high absorbance value were isolated after screening. After purification by affinity chromatography, electrophoretically pure scFv proteins were obtained. The competitive ELISA showed that the affinities of WZ01 and WZ02 were three times higher than that of the parental AK404R, and bioinformatics analysis showed that the enlarged contact surface and fitted closely with KDR3 surface may be the reasons for improved affinity. These results suggest that introducing hydrophilic amino acids to the heavy chain CDR3 region is an effective approach to improve the affinity of scFv.

BACKGROUND:With the development of modern pathological techniques, the misdiagnosis rate has been reduced remarkably, but special stains are still the most important method for pathological diagnosis. OBJECTIVE:To compare the advantages and disadvantages of different special stains used for observing the structure of human lumbar facet joints. METHODS:The specimens of facet joint cartilage at L4/5 level were collected from patients undergoing lumbar surgery, and then stained with hematoxylin-eosin, safranin O, toluidine blue, Masson, and saranin-O-fast green for structure observation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The structure of the articular cartilage could be observed clearly through hematoxylin-eosin, toluidine blue, and saranin-O-fast green staining. The cartilage surface, tidemark, and subchondral bone were shown by the hematoxylin-eosin staining, with the presence of violet chondrocyte nuclei. Safranin-O-fast green staining showed the four layers of the cartilage clearly, including the shallow layer (cartilage surface), middle layer (spherical cells arranged in disorder), columnar cell layer (large and multinucleated chondrocytes arranged neatly), tidemark, subchondral bone layer; and the cartilage matrix was reddish uniformly, the subchondral bone was green, and the cartilage and bone tissue showed a striking contrast. The cartilage structure was unclear in toluidine blue staining, with clear nuclei and almost no coloring cytoplasm, but the matrix appeared with slight purplish blue. Safranin O staining showed that the cartilage was red, which had no obvious boundary with the cartilage matrix, and chondrocytes were stained lightly. Masson staining showed clear collagen fibers, but the structures of the cartilage and subchondral were obscure. To conclude, safranin-O-fast green staining can achieve the best results, followed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining in turn.

Objective To evaluate risk factors of the prognosis in acute arterial embolism of the upper extremities. Methods The clinical data of 62 consecutive patients admired in our hospital with the diagnosis of acute arterial embolism in the upper extremities, from July 1988 to January 2008, were retrospectively reviewed. The risk factors including age, gender, cardiac function, location of embolism, embolectomy and duration of iaehemia were analyzed by cumulative Loots regression. Results There were 62 patients, 33 men and 29 worsen, with a mean age of 63. 5 years (35～86 years). Among them, 37 patients received Fogarty embolectomy and 25 patients received medical treatment including thrombolysis, anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy because of poor risk for surgery. The iachemic status meliorated in 55 patients (88.7%) with 2 patients receiving amputation and 2 patients dying during the peri-operative period. The result of cursulative Logits regression shewed that the duration of ischemia, cardiac function and embolectomy played the significant role on the prognosis (P < 0.01 ), but age, sex and the location of embolism did not show the significant role. In those only receiving the medical treatment, 23 patients restored blood flow to different degree. Conclusions Embolectomy with Fogarty catheter within 8 hours of onset was the most effective treatment for acute arterial embolism in the upper extremities. For peor-risk patients, early medical treatment including thrombolysis, antieoagulation and antiplatelet treatment, can also restore the blood flow in the isehemie limbs.

Objective To report our surgical experience in treating 19 cases of solitary iliac aneurysms (SIA). Methods The clinical data of 19 consecutive patients with SIA between January 1985 and January 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 men and 1 woman, aging from 39 to 77 years ( mean 62 ± 7 years). Results There were 30 SIAs in the 19 patients, including 25 ( 83.3% ) common iliac aneurysms, 4 (13.3%) internal ihac aneurysms and 1 (3. 3% ) external iliac aneurysm. Eleven patients ( 57.9% ) had multiple ancurysms, with 9 patients ( 47.4% ) having bilateral SIA. Two patients had coexistent peripheral vascular occlusive disease. There were 2 patients suffering form ruptured SIA, one was saved by emergency operation and one died before an surgery could be attempted. Seventeen patients underwent successful open aneurysmectomy and artificial graft implantation leaving no ischemic complications of the pelvic organs. One patient with right common iliac aneurysm underwent endovascular repair without endoleak. There was no operative death during porioperative period. The surviving patients remained stable and had good patency of grafts during the follow-up period. Conclusions Early management of SIA is important, CT angiogarphy (CTA) is necessary not only to evaluate the SIAs, but also to detect multiple aneurysms or arterial occlusive disease. Close and long-term follow-up is mandatory for the early detection of the formation of new anearysms.

[ABSTRACT]OBJECTIVETo evaluate the short-term efficacy of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) in the treatment of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction (SETD) by subjective and objective analysis.METHODS Forty patients who underwent ETBD were included. Subjects’ inclusion criteria were as followed: symptoms of ETD (aural fullness predominantly, with or without otalgia, muffle hearing and tinnitus), normal tympanic membrane, type A or C tympanograms, and without a history of any middle ear diseases. Main outcomes including subjective improvement, otoscopy, pure-tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, R-value in tubomanometry (TMM) and Eustachian Tube Score (ETS) were assessed 1 week and 6 months postoperatively.RESULTSAll cases were dilated successfully. A significant effect of treatment was documented when measuring subjective improvement, impedance audiometry, R-value in TMM and ETS 1 week and 6 month postoperatively. Subjective symptoms were not relieved only in one patient. The overall success rate for all patients was 98%.CONCLUSIONETBD can provide short-term benefits to those who are diagnosed with SETD and refractory to medical management. SETD might be an optimal indication for ETBD in the treatment of ETD.

Objective To summarize the condition of surgical treatment and prognosis of 54 cases of jugular foramen tumors in the past 5 years.Methods All 54 cases were treated with operation by Fisch approach.Thirty-eight cases underwent total or near total resection of the tumor.Most resection of the tumor was underwent in 16 cases,in which,7 cases underwent postoperative radiotherapy or gamma knife therapy.The facial nerve monitoring was used in all cases.The facial nerve was anatomized and shifted in 35 cases,was just anatomized like a bridge in 10 cases,and was excised partly in 9 cases,in which,4 cases underwent facial-hypoglossal nerve anastomosis and 3 cases underwent transplantation of facial nerve and great auricular nerve.Results The external auditory canal was closed in 41 cases.The near pedicled temporalis muscle flap was obliterated in the operating cavity in 35 cases.Six cases underwent fat filling in the operating cavity.Eighteen patients showed facial palsy in varying degrees after operation.Among them,14 cases improved to different extents in 2 weeks to 9 months and 4 cases did not improve.One case showed recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis in the same side before operation and improved in half a year after operation.Postoperative subcutaneous hematoma occurred in 2 cases,wound infection in 1 case.All the cases improved by debridement suture and anti-infective therapy.The cavity filling necrosis occurred in 2 cases,which recovered after debridement and dressing.For half a year after operation,except 9 cases of residual or recurrent,and the rest showed no recurrence.Conclusion The Fisch approach of surgical treatment of jugular foramen tumors can provid good exposure,clear vision,facilitate hemostasis.The skills of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring,facial nerve anatomy like a bridge or anatomy and shift when necessary are beneficial to the total or nearly total resection of tumor and reduce the injury of facial nerve.The operating cavity filling and selective external auditory canal closure can effectively reduce the surgical cavity effusion and the incidence of postoperative infection.

Objective To evaluate surgical therapies in patients with popliteal aneurysms (PA).Method The clinical data of 25 PA patients admitted from January 1988 to January 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 21 men and 4 women,the mean age was (56 ± 16)years.There were 27 PA in these 25 patients,with bilateral PA in 2 cases.The main symptoms were pulsatile mass in the popliteal fossa,limb pain,acute or chronic distal limb ischemia and limb edema.Result In this series 23out of 25 PA cases recieved operations,17 of them were treated with aneurysmectomy and saphenous vein interposition or bypass grafting,4 of them were treated with aneurysmectomy and prosthetic grafts interposition,1 was treated with aneurism ligation and 1 underwent end-to-end anastomosis after aneurysm resection.There was no perioperative mortality.One patient recieved amputation for distal anastomotic thrombosis and severe limb ischemia.The mean follow-up time is (6.5 ± 0.5) years.After 4 years,a right subclavian artery aneurysm was found in a bilateral PA case and treated surgically.Conclusions Early elective surgical treatment is recommended for patients with PA because PA may go rupture or induce dital limb ischemia and these patients may have good outcome after surgical treatment.Long-term follow-up is warranted to detect the new aneurysm formation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) in treatment of eustachian tube related diseases. METHOD: Fifteen cases (20 ears) of otitis media with effusion and 22 cases (30 ears) of symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction were recruited. Technique of tubomanometry (TMM) showed obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction in all patients. All the patients were received ETBD and followed up with VAS evaluation of ear fullness, muffled hearing, poping sound in the ear and tinnitus. And also the TMM change and middle ear effusion. RESULT: Ear fullness, muffled hearing released with 1 week (ear fullness: 8.2 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 1.2, P < 0.05, muffled hearing: 6.2 ± 1.2 vs. 3.1 ± 0.8, P < 0.05). No recurrence was seemed within 6 months. The eustachian function test turned better. Symptomatic Eustachian tube dysfunction had an effective rate of 96.6% while otitis media with effusion was 95.0%. CONCLUSION ETBD have good short-term effect in obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction related middle ear dysfunction, which might provide a good way to solve the eustachian tube related diseases.
Catheterization ; Ear Diseases ; Ear, Middle ; Eustachian Tube ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Otitis Media ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; Recurrence