Adolescent ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Recovery of Function ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the feasibility of culturing dermal papillae cells (DPC) of hu- man hair in a serum-flee medium,and to observe the growth characteristics of these cells.Methods Cell culture flasks (plates) were pretreated with fibronectin,and DPC (2nd passage) were incubated with Williams E serum-flee medium supplemented with insulin-transferrin-selenite (ITS).Cells were observed by an inverted phase-contrast microscope.Proliferation of DPC was evaluated with 3-(4,5-dimethylthia- zol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and by their growth curve.Results In a serum-free medium,2nd passage DPC adhered to the flask surface within two to four hours of incubation; two to three days later,confluence,of the cells was observed,without noticeable proliferation.Four days later,cell connection was interrupted,isolated cells or cell clusters were seen,and detachment of some cells from the flask surface was observed.One to two weeks later,most cells had died.After incubation with 4% bovine serum for ten hours,cell proliferation was observed surrounding the remaining viable cell colonies. DPC growth curve showed stagnant phase and slow growth phase;however,log growth phase was not ob- served.Conclusion DPC could be successfully cultured in serum-free medium.However,the culture con- dition needs to be further optimized.

OBJECTIVETo explore the value of employing the small intestinal feeding tube in treating high position intestinal obstruction of newborn infant.

METHODFive newborn infants (3 males and 2 females; 1 premature infant and 4 fully-mature infants; 2 had membranous atresia of duodenum, 1 had annular pancreas, and 2 had proximal small intestine atresia; 1 infant had malrotation). The duodenal membrane-like atresia and the blind-end of small intestine were removed and intestinal anastomosis was performed, which was combined with intestinal malrotation removal. Before the intestinal anastomosis surgery, the anesthetist inserted via nose a 6Fr small intestinal ED tube, made by CREATE MEDIC CO LTD of Japan[

REGISTRATION NUMBERthe State Food and Drug Administration-instrument (Im.) 2007-NO.2661620]. Twenty-four hours after surgery, abdominal X-ray plain film was taken and patients were fed with syrup; 48 hours later, formula milk was pumped or lactose-free milk amino acids were given by intravenous injection pump through the feeding tube. The amount of milk and fluids was gradually increased to normal amount according to the condition. In initial 3 days the intravenous nutrition was given and one week after operation, the infants were fed through mouth in addition to pumping milk through the tube and stopped infusion. Ten to 22 days after operation, the tube was removed and the infant patients were discharged.

RESULTAll the five infants showed that the feeding through the nutrition tube was accomplished and the time of venous nutrition was reduced and fistula operation was avoided. None of the infants on question was off the tube and no jaundice exacerbation was found and the liver function was also found normal. At the very beginning, the tube was occasionally blocked by milk vale in one infant and after 0.9% sodium chloride solution flushing patency restored. After that, the feeding tube was washed once with warm water after feeding. In one infant vomiting occurred due to enough oral milk. The photograph of upper gastrointestine did not show anastomomotic stricture or fistula, or intestinal obstruction. After pulling out the tube, the symptoms disappeared and then the patient was discharged. One child was found to have diarrhea with no lactose nutrition liquid and given compound lactic bacteria preparations for oral administration, the symptom disappeared. In the 5 cases, the shortest hospital stay was 10 days and the longest was 22 days, the average stay was 16 days. Three to 5 days after operation the weight restored to birth weight, the weight had increased, when discharged, to an average of 5.5 g (kg·d).

CONCLUSIONThe small intestinal feeding tube was very effective for the postoperative nutrition maintenance of high position intestinal obstruction in newborn infants.

Anastomosis, Surgical ; Enteral Nutrition ; instrumentation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intestinal Atresia ; surgery ; Intestinal Obstruction ; surgery ; Intestine, Small ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Nose ; Postoperative Care ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors ; Weight Gain

BACKGROUNDCancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction remains a virulent malignancy with poor prognosis. Rapid progresses were made in chemotherapeutic agents and the development of molecular markers allowed better identification of candidates for targeted therapy. This study aimed to identify the candidate peptides used for anti-angiogenic therapy of esophageal cancer by in vivo screening C7C peptide library for peptides binding specifically to blood vessels of human esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe phage displayed C7C peptide library was injected intravenously into mice bearing human esophageal tumor xenografts under renal capsule. After 5 rounds of screening, 13 clones were picked up individually and sequenced. During each round of screening, titers of phage recovery were calculated from tumor xenograft and control tissues. Homing of these 9 peptides to tumor vessel was detected by calculating phage titers in the tumor xenograft and control tissues (lung and spleen) after each phage was injected into mice model, and compared with the distribution of phage M13 and VIII-related antigen in tumor xenograft by immunohistochemical staining. Comparisons among groups of data were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparisons test.

RESULTSThe number of phage recovered from tumor tissue of each round increased gradually in tumor group while decreased in control groups (P < 0.01 in tumor and spleen, P < 0.05 in lung). Immunohistochemical staining showed similar staining pattern with M13 antibody or VIII-related antigen antibody, suggesting that phages displaying the selected peptides could home to blood vessel of human esophageal cancer. According to their DNA, 9 corresponding peptide sequences were deduced. And the homing ability to blood vessel of phages displaying the selected peptides was confirmed by comparing with their recovery in tumor and control tissues. Two motifs, YSXNXW and PXNXXN, were also obtained by analyzing the homology of these peptide sequences. The staining distribution of phage with the sequence of PNPNNST was similar to that of the blood vessel marker factor VIII-related antigen staining. After sequencing, each phage with the selected peptide of PNPNNST with 1.0 × 10(11) pfu/ml was injected intravenously into mice. The homing ability to tumor vessel of these 9 kinds of peptides in the xenograft was higher than control tissues (lung and spleen).

CONCLUSIONNine peptides obtained from in vivo screening homed to the blood vessel of human esophageal cancer, and the two motifs of YSXNXW and PXNXXN are the possible biochemical recognition units binding to vascular endothelial cells of esophageal cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; therapeutic use

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate variations of pulmonary venous drainage and venous ostium index (VOI) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) prior to radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) by MDCT pulmonary venography.

METHODS16-detector row CT pulmonary venography was performed in 64 AF patients referred to RFCA from June, 2005 to May, 2006. Variations in pulmonary venous drainage were observed in volume render imagines. Anterior-posterior and superior-inferior diameters of pulmonary venous ostium were measured on maximum intensity projection images. VOI derived from left superior, left inferior, right superior, right inferior pulmonary veins and variations in pulmonary venous drainage were calculated.

RESULTSClassic pulmonary veins anatomy was found in 11 patients (17.18%), early branching veins in 45 patients (70.31%), left common ostium in 5 patients (7.81%), right common ostia in 1 patient, right accessory (middle) pulmonary vein in 5 patients (7.81%) and left accessory (middle) pulmonary vein in 1 patient (1.56%). VOI of homolateral pulmonary veins and bilateral superior pulmonary veins were similar (P > 0.05) while there was a significant difference on VOIs derived from left superior and right inferior; two inferior, left inferior versus right superior veins (P < 0.05). Right inferior pulmonary venous ostium was most rounded and had the highest index (0.88) and left inferior pulmonary venous ostium was most oval and had the lowest index (0.72).

CONCLUSIONMultidetector row CT pulmonary venography (MDCT-PV) could provide valuable informations on pulmonary venous anatomy in AF patients referred to RFCA and should be used as a routine examination prior to the operation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDEpidermic studies have suggested a pathophysiological link between obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and atherosclerosis (AS); for which carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) has been considered as an early marker. The pathogenesis by which OSAHS can induce AS has not been elucidated. This study was conducted to investigate the association among plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) levels, carotid IMT and the severity of OSAHS.

METHODSBased on the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) during sleep monitored by polysomnography, 52 male patients with OSAHS were recruited as the OSAHS group which was further divided into mild OSAHS (n = 16), moderate OSAHS (n = 18), and severe OSAHS (n = 18) subgroups. Eighteen healthy subjects were selected as the control group. Of all OSAHS patients, 20 with moderate-to-severe OSAHS underwent continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for 90 days. HDL5000 color Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure carotid IMT. Plasma IL-18 levels were measured by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the plasma IL-18 levels in the control group ((250.27 +/- 76.48) pg/ml), there was a significant increase in the mild OSAHS subgroup ((352.08 +/- 76.32) pg/ml), the moderate subgroup ((600.17 +/- 83.91) pg/ml), and the severe OSAHS subgroup ((9797.64 +/- 109.83) pg/ml) (all P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant difference in plasma IL-18 levels among the three OSAHS subgroups (P < 0.01). Carotid IMT was significantly greater in the severe OSAHS subgroup than in the mild OSAHS subgroup (P < 0.01). Before CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were positively correlated with carotid IMT (r = 0.486, P < 0.001) and with AHI (r = 0.865, P < 0.001). On day 90 of CPAP treatment, plasma IL-18 levels were significantly declined but carotid IMT was not changed significantly.

CONCLUSIONSIn untreated OSAHS patients carotid IMT and plasma IL-18 were positively correlated and were significantly higher than in normal controls; the elevation of plasma IL-18 levels was correlated with the severity of OSAHS. Inflammatory response associated with OSAHS may be related to the development of AS. By improving AHI, miniSaO(2), and reducing plasma IL-18 levels, CPAP treatment may slow down or prevent the development of AS in OSAHS patients.

Adult ; Carotid Arteries ; pathology ; Electrocardiography ; Electroencephalography ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Tunica Intima ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo identify whether Radix Bupleuri (Bupleurum chinense) was fumed with sulfur.

METHODA static headspace GC-MS method was used to detect sulfur in the fumatory Radix Bupleuri, the authentic samples free of sulfur was detected as reference.

RESULTSulfur was detected in six samples from nine samples collected in different locations.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be used to detect sulfur rapidly in the fumatory Radix Bupleuri with sulfur.

Bupleurum ; chemistry ; Drug Contamination ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Hot Temperature ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sulfur ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of using guided bone regeneration (GBR) technique with an bioresorbable collagen membrane for repairing bone defects around dental implants.

METHODSIn 12 mongrel dogs, pure titanium implants were immediately implanted in mandibles after extraction of the mandibular third and fourth premolars of both sides, in which standard bone defects of 3 mm x 3 mm x 5 mm were created at mesial side of the implants. The defects on right side were covered with Co membrane, the left side was uncovered as control. The dogs were sacrificed 1, 2, 4, 6 months postoperatively. The specimens were removed and studied by gross observation, X-ray radiograph, histological examination, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and pull-out test.

RESULTSThe quantity and quality of new bone formation in experimental side which bone defects covered with Co membrane were much better than that in the control side.

CONCLUSIONWith the biodegradable property and excellent biocompatibility, Co membrane can be used for guided bone regeneration to promote the bone repair progress, and the promotion acts mainly at early stage of bone healing.

Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Collagen ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dogs ; Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal ; Mandible ; Membranes, Artificial ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical effects of using the Chinese Shang Ring in circumcision children with either phimosis or redundant prepuce, and to investigate its superiority over the similar devices available.

METHODSA total of 824 children with phimosis or redundant prepuce underwent circumcision with the Shang Ring. The clinical data were assessed concerning the duration of the procedure, incidence of post-operative complications, time of recovery and appearance of the penis.

RESULTSThe procedure duration was (2.6 +/-1.2) min, and the complications included infection in 4 (0.6%), edema in 21 (3.2%), delayed removal of the ring in 10 (1.5%), redundant and asymmetric mucosa attributable to performance in 6 (0.9%) of the cases. The wounds healed and the rings were removed at 13.4 +/- 5.8 days after circumcision, with well-smoothed incision and good cosmetic results.

CONCLUSIONChild circumcision with the Chinese Shang Ring is easy and simple in performance, with less operative time, fewer complications and better cosmetic results.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circumcision, Male ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; surgery ; Phimosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome