A new anastomat for digestive tract operations, based on the magnetic compressive technique and mechanical transmission mechanism, is composed of a removable head and a reusable body. The head includes two parts: the proximal end can be fixed to the body, and the distal end could be used for performing a purse string suture. The procedure of anastomosis is similar to that of the stapler, and the anastomoses is established using a pair of magnetic rings. The instrument makes magnamosis more simple and feasible, and it would facilitate the clinical application. The body of the anastomat is reusable and the head could be replaced according to the clinical scenarios, these could reduce the medical cost. The magnetic rings would be excreted with the feces, and there is no foreign body response at last.
Anastomosis, Surgical ; instrumentation ; methods ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetics

Objective To explore proprioceptive changes in patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA)before and after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods Thirty-four KOA patients were selected as the experimental group and divided into posterior-cruciate-retaining TKA(CR-TKA)and posterior-stabilized TKA(PS-TKA)groups according to the surgical method and followed up for three months after the surgery.Twenty healthy individuals were included as the control group.The proprioception(position sense,kinesthesia,and force sense)of healthy individuals and KOA patients before and after surgery was assessed using the Biodex system III isokinetic training system,self-designed force sense test equipment,and surface electromyography test system,and the data were processed and analyzed.Results Compared with healthy individuals,KOA patients had significantly worse position sense at 30°,45°,and 60°,kinesthesia,and semitendinosus force sense in the affected and unaffected knees(P<0.05).Three months after surgery,there were significant differences in the force sense of the affected biceps femoris and contralateral semitendinosus forces in the CR-TKA group compared with healthy individuals(P<0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in deviation for preoperative and 3-month preoperative position sense,kinesthetic sense,and force sense on the affected and contralateral knee joints between the CR-TKA and PS-TKA groups(P>0.05).Conclusions Knee proprioception in KOA patients was significantly impaired compared with that in healthy individuals.No significant improvement in proprioception was found three months after TKA in the CR-TKA and PS-TKA groups.There was no difference in proprioception among the different surgical methods.The results can provide data support for clinical diagnosis and treatment,as well as determine a direction for subsequent rehabilitation programs.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of polymorphism in the neurogenic differentiation factor 1(Neuro D) gene in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODSThe genotypes of codon 45 variant (GCC-->ACC) in the Neuro D gene were determined by mismatch PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay in 448 Chinese, including 124 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 324 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diabetic patients were divided into two groups cutting off with the age of 40 at onset.

RESULTSNo homozygote of the Ala45Thr variant was found in these subjects. The frequencies of AT heterozygous type were significantly higher in early-onset type 2 diabetic group than those in the control group and in the late-onset type 2 diabetic group (chi(2)=7.85, P=0.005; chi(2)=8.81, P=0.003). The frequencies of Thr45 allele in the early-onset type 2 diabetic group were significantly different from those of the control group (13.4% vs 5.2%, chi(2)=7.15, P=0.008) and the late-onset type 2 diabetic group (13.4% vs 5.8%, chi(2)=8.13, P=0.004). The presence of Thr45 allele was shown to have an association with early-onset type 2 diabetes (OR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.42-4.49). Furthermore, the subjects carrying the variant appeared to have lower serum concentration of C-peptide in diabetic group. However, the frequencies of polymorphism genotypes of Neuro D gene showed no difference between the late-onset type 2 diabetic group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic polymorphism in the Neuro D is associated with the development of early-onset type 2 diabetes. The presence of Thr45 allele may represent a risk factor for early-onset type 2 diabetes among Chinese.

Alleles ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; DNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Restriction Enzymes ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Trans-Activators ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and plasma homocysteine levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODSTotal of 208 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 57 controls were recruited into the study. MTHFR genetic C677T polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP. Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection.

RESULTSThe frequencies of MTHFR TT homogeneous type, CT heterogeneous type and allele T (28.18%, 41.82%, 49.09%) were significantly higher in the type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic retinopathy group than those without retinopathy (18.37%, 29.59%, 33.16%) and those of controls (17.54%, 28.07%, 31.58%). The presence of the T allele appeared to have a strong association with the development of diabetic retinopathy. The odds ratio was 1.94 with a 95% confidence interval of 1.31 - 2.88. Moreover, plasma homocysteine levels were remarkably higher in patients with TT or CT genotype than in patients with the CC genotype.

CONCLUSIONMTHFR gene C677T mutation associated with a predisposition to increased plasma homocysteine levels may be considered as a genetic risk factor for diabetic microangiopathy (such as DR) in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; etiology ; Female ; Genotype ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective To study the expression of ALK protein in pulmonary adenocarcinoma as detected by Ventana immunohistochemistry, with correlation of clinicopathologic features. Methods Immunohistochemical study for ALK protein using Ventana ALK ( D5F3) kit was carried in 7 371 pulmonary adenocarcinoma samples.The clinicopathologic features were subsequently analyzed.Results ALK fusion protein was detected in 446 of the 7 371 lung adenocarcinoma samples studied ( 6.05%) .The ALK positivity rate in small biopsy samples was higher than that in surgical specimens [ 9.02% ( 153/1 696 ) versus 5.16%(293/5 675);P<0.01] .ALK fusion protein expression correlated with patient age, sample type and smoking history.ALK positivity rate in each age group increased with younger patient age.ALK positivity rate was 45.45%(10/22) in patients younger than 30 years old.The positivity rate of ALK fusion protein in adenocarcinoma in-situ, minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma was 0, 0.48%(2/418) and 5.63% (291/5 165), respectively.The differences of ALK positivity rate amongst different subtypes had statistical significance ( P<0.01 ).Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma had highest ALK positivity rate, followed by invasive adenocarcinoma with predominantly solid pattern.Conclusions ALK fusion protein is more often found in young patients with pulmonary adenocarcinoma, especially in those younger than 30 years old.ALK fusion protein is rarely expressed in early-stage pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma with solid pattern have higher ALK positivity rate than other adenocarcinoma subtypes.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and plasma homocysteine levels in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODSMTHFR genetic C677T polymorphisms were determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Total plasma homocysteine levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection.

RESULTSThe frequencies of MTHFR T homogenetic type and CT heterogenetic type and allele T (28.18%, 41.82%, 49.09%) in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy were significantly higher than those in diabetic patients without retinopathy (18.37%,29.59%,33.16%) or the normal controls (17.54%, 28.07%, 31.58%). Howerver, there were no significant differences in the frequency of MTHFR genotype and allele between the type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy and the normal controls. The presence of T allele appeared to have a strong association with the development of diabetic retinopathy. The odds ratio was 1.94 and the 95% confidence interval was 1.31-2.88. Moreover, the plasma homocysteine levels in patients with TT or CT genotype were markedly higher than those in patients with CC genotype.

CONCLUSIONMTHFR gene C677T mutation associated with a predisposition to increase of plasma homocysteine may represent a genetic risk factor for diabetic retinopathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adult ; Alleles ; DNA ; genetics ; metabolism ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; blood ; etiology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Homocysteine ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Middle Aged ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic

Objective:To investigate the effects of Ligustrazine (TMP) on the expression of caspase-3 and ABR threshold in guinea pig cochlea after gentamicin (GM) ototoxicity. Methods:A total of 80 guinea pigs were randomly divided into saline group, GM group, GM+TMP group and TMP group. The duration of treatment was lasted 10 d continuously in all groups. The dose was decided by their weight. The ABR threshold were measured before and after administration of 10 d. SABC immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 in the spiral ganglion,cochlea hair cells,and stria vascularis of guinea pigs. Results:(1) The average gray value in the spiral ganglion cells, stria vascularis and hair cells in GM group had significant difference with those in the same position of control group (P<0.05) .The average gray value in the spiral ganglion cells and hair cells in GM+TMP group had no difference with those in the same position of control group (P>0.05), but in stria vascularis (P<0.05) . Meanwhile the average gray value in spiral ganglion, hair cells, stria vascularis in TMP+GM group had significant difference with those in GM group (P<0.05) . (2) The ABR threshold had no significant differences before treatment (P>0.05) . After administration of 10 d, the ABR threshold of GM group was significantly changed (P<0.05) . The ABR thresholds in GM group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05) . The ABR threshold in TMP+GM group was lower than that in GM group (P<0.05) . Conclusion:TMP participates in preventing the process of cochlea injury caused by GM,through blocking the expression of caspase-3 in cochlea tissue of GM ototoxicosis probably,which achieve the protection of GM deafness eventually.

A new anastomat for digestive tract operations, based on the magnetic compressive technique and mechanical transmission mechanism, is composed of a removable head and a reusable body. The head includes two parts: the proximal end can be fixed to the body, and the distal end could be used for performing a purse string suture. The procedure of anastomosis is similar to that of the stapler, and the anastomoses is established using a pair of magnetic rings. The instrument makes magnamosis more simple and feasible, and it would facilitate the clinical applicaion. The body of the anastomat is reusable and the head could be replaced according to the clinical scenarios, these could reduce the medical cost. The magnetic rings would be excreted with the feces, and there is no foreign body response at last.

Objective To detect the presence of ROS1 fusion gene in pulmonary adenocarcinoma and its clinicopathologic parameters.Methods Fluorescence RT-PCR was used to detect the presence of ROS1 fusion gene in 369 surgical resection samples of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with known EGFR mutation status.The presence of ROS1 fusion gene in correlation with clinicopathologic features was analyzed.Sixteen positive and 20 negative samples by RT-PCR were further confirmed by direct sequencing.Results ROS1 fusion gene was detected in 16 of 369 lung adenocarcinoma samples (4.3%).The presence of ROS1 fusion gene was not correlated to gender, age, smoking history, tumor site, size, histological subtype, tumor differentiation, T staging, lymph node metastasis, TNM staging and EGFR mutation ( P>0.05).The frequency of ROS1 fusion gene was similar in female and male patients,4.4%(8/183) vs 4.3%(8/186) , P>0.05.The presence of ROS1 fusion gene in patients of ≤60 years of age was higher than that in patients of >60 years,5.1%(10/195) vs 3.4%(6/174), P>0.05.The rate of ROS1 fusion gene of non-smokers was a slight higher than that of smokers, 4.4% ( 14/318 ) vs 3.9%( 2/51 ) , P>0.05.Both positive and negative cases were confirmed by direct sequencing in all cases.Conclusions ROS1 fusion gene occurs more frequently in younger and non-smoking patients of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, and may coexist with EGFR mutations.ROS1 fusion gene seems to define a distinct subset of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Objective To explore the proprioception characteristics of knee joints for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients before unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Twenty-nine single-compartment KOA patients were selected. Fifteen patients were treated with UKA (UKA group) and fourteen patients were treated with TKA (TKA group). The test was performed 1 to 3 days before the operation.The keen society scores (KSS) of KOA patients in UKA group and TKA group were compared, and their joint position sense and kinesthesia were compared with control group. Results Significant differences in KSS were found in TKA group and UKA group, and the knee joint position sense and kinesthesia showed no significant differences between TKA group and UKA group.There were no significant differences in the knee joint position sense and kinesthesia between the operated leg and unoperated leg in TKA group and UKA group, and between the left leg and right leg in control group. Compared with control group, there were significant differences between UKA group and TKA group in 60° position sense of the operated leg and unoperated leg.The kinesthesia of the operated leg and unoperated leg in UKA group and TKA group were also significantly different from that in control group. Conclusions Compared with control group, the proprioception of the knee joint in KOA patients was significantly reduced before the surgery, but the characteristics of proprioception in UKA group and TKA group were similar.