Background:Single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE)is a new method for the examination of small intestine,its clinical value in suspected small intestinal diseases need to be further studied. Aims:To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic value of SBE in suspected small intestinal diseases. Methods:A total of 73 suspected small intestinal diseases patients who had undergone 81 SBE examinations from July 2011 to October 2013 at Chengdu Military General Hospital were retrospectively examined,indications,diagnostic and therapeutic value of SBE in suspected small intestinal diseases were analyzed. Results:Of all the 81 examinations,33(40. 7% )were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding,29(35. 8% ) incomplete intestinal obstruction,and 19(23. 5% )chronic abdominal pain or diarrhea. The intubation depth was 230 cm for the oral approach,and 100 cm for the anal approach. The diagnostic yield of SBE was 67. 9% ,the main lesions were small intestinal ulcer,small intestinal inflammation,small intestinal tumor,small intestinal polyp. A total of 8 patients underwent endoscopic therapy,of whom 5 underwent endoscopic hemostatic therapy and 3 underwent resection of polyp. No serious complications were found. Conclusions:SBE is a safe and reliable diagnostic and therapeutic method for suspected small intestinal diseases,and its main indications are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and incomplete intestinal obstruction.

Objective To investigate the growth inhibition of Aspergillns fumigatus by Candida albicans in vitro and to develop the selective medium for clinical isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus.Methods Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans were single or co-cultured in sabouraud dextrose agar(SDA) medium and SDA broth in dark at 25 ℃,and fungal growth,pigmentation,as well as colony diameter weredocumented.Results ①The sensitivity of culture of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans on SDAplate was 100CFU/ml.②The growth of 106CFU/ml and 103CFU/ml Aspergills fumigatus was completely inhibited by 106CFU/ml Candida albicans.③Growth inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus was correlated with the concentration of Candida albicans.④SDA containing 1 mg/L fluconazole inhibited growth of Candida albicans,and no Candida albicans was detected on SDA containing 5 mg/L and 25 mg/L fluconazole.Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus was partially inhibited on SDA containing 25 mg/L fluconazole.Conclusions Candida albicans can inhibit the growth of Aspergillus fumigatus in vitro.SDA containing 5 mg/L fluconazole can be used as the selective medium for the isolation of Aspergillus fumigatus.

BACKGROUND: Experiments has demonstrated that low-intensity pulse ultrasound stimulations(LIPUS) can accelerate bone healing. However, Its affect mechanisms on maturation of regenerated bone remain unclear.OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis that LIPUS has positive effect on maturation of regenerate bone was put forward creatively, and wants to vedfy the hypothesis by compare the difference between LIPUS intervention and no intervention.METHODS: Thlrty-six adult, healthy, New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to LIPUS treatment group and control.group, with 18 animals in each group.All animals were undergone mid-diaphyeaal tibia ostactomy and were immobilized in Orthofix M103 Mini lengtheners. After a eaven-day latency period, gradual distraction of 0.5 mm per twelve hours for 10 days to produce 10 mm distraction. A 4-weeks course of LIPUS treatment was applled over the distraction site for twenty minutes daily starting immediately after the completion of distraction. At weeks 4, 8, 12 after distraction, the bone healing was evaluated by X-ray film, and total mineralized areas were measured by Image J software. The newly formed bone In the lerigthening field was harvested and stained with haematoxylin-eosin, Masson's tdchroma end VG. Thearaas of newly formed bone were measured to calculate a percentage of the total callus area.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Thirty-six rabbits ware included in the final analysis, At week 4 after distraction, the maturation of newly formed bone in LIPUS treatment group appeared eadier than that in the control groups. The bona callus image presented in the marginal and center region of experimental defect, increased greatly and had higher density until filled of the lengthening fields. Many bone-like masses appeared in the newly formed tissues and the tissues surrounding the bone granules partially changed Into bone-like tissues, and the rate of callus production was increased (P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups at weeks 8 and 12 after distraction. Histological results showed that that new bone formation of the LIPUS group was earlier than the control group at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after distraction. The percentage of new bona on total callus area of the LIPUS group was greater than that of the control group at weak 4, but there was no obvious difference at weeks 8 and 12 after distraction. LIPUS accelerates new bone formation, increases the size of the distraction callus, exhibits highly effective in achieving maturation of bone in the animal modal with distraction osteogenesis.

Objective To explore the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LI-PUS) on the maturation of regenerate bone in a rabbit limb lengthening model. Methods Sixty skeletal mature female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into an LIPUS treatment group and a control group. All rabbits were underwent mid-diaphyseal tibial osteotomy and immobilized in an Orthofix M103 Mini lengther. Gradual distraction at 0. 5 mm every 12 h for 10 d was performed at day 7 postoperatively. A 4-week course of LIPUS treatment group was applied over the distraction site for 20 min daily starting immediately after the completion of the distraction only for the treatment group. Rabbits were euthanized and the mid-diaphyseal tibia was harvested for evaluation at 4, 8, and 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol. Radiographic analysis was performed to study the formation of bone callus using the ImageJ software at 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol. Bone mineral density (BMD) of regenerate bone was measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) . Torsional testing to failure was performed on the tibia specimens at 8 and 12 wk after the completion of the bone lengthening protocol. Results Radio-graphic measurement showed higher relative gray scale of bone callus in the LIPUS group than that in the control group at 12 wk (P ＜ 0. 05) . BMD in the LIPUS group was significantly higher than that in control group at 8 and 12 wk (P ＜ 0. 05). Biomechanical testing showed that the ultimate torque, ultimate torsional stiffness, and energy absorption at failure of regenerated bone at 8 and 12 wk in the LIPUS treatment group were better than those in the control group (P ＜ 0. 05) Conclusion LIPUS as a biophysical stimulation may accelerate the formation and maturation of regenerate bone in rabbit tibia lengthening model.

Objective To investigate the effect of arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage. Methods 156 cases diagnosed with moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage were collected from October 2011 to October 2014. Lysholm knee score and preoperative examinations such as anteroposterior, lateral, axial radiographs, the standing full leg length X-ray film and MRI scan of the knee were recommended to definitively understand the osteoarthritis staging and meniscus injury grading. All patients were treated with arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy. After operation, physical rehabilitation exercises and regular clinical follow-up were carried out as planned. The Lysholm knee score data from preoperation and terminal follow-up was statistical analyzed. Results No patient experienced any perioperative and postoperative complications. Statistical analysis showed that the Lysholm knee score of postoperation was significantly higher than that of preoperation [(87.3 ± 7.9) vs (67.5 ± 4.9), P < 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy in treatment of moderate or severe meniscus injury combined with knee osteoarthritis in early or middle stage, gains beneficial effects for its minimal invasion and quick recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of low intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) on accelerating the fibrocartilage layer repair of patella-patellar tendon junction. METHODS: A total of 60 mature female New Zealand white rabbits undergoing standard partial patellectomy were divided into 2 groups randomly. The control group was given comfort treatment and the treatment group was given LIPUS treatment starting from day 3 to the end of week 6 postoperatively. The scheduled time points of animal euthanization would be at week 6, week 12 and week 18 postoperatively. The patella-patellar tendon (PPT) complex would be harvested and cut into sections after decalcification for H&E staining, Safranine o/fast green staining. The thickness and gray value of fibrocartilage layer were analyzed by SANO Microscope Partner image analyzer. RESULTS: At week 6, week 12 and week 18 postoperatively, the fibrocartilage layer in the treatment group was significantly thicker than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the gray value of fibrocartilage layer was significantly smaller than that in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION LIPUS helps to accelerate the fibrocartilage layer repair of patella-patellar tendon junction in rabbit models.
Animals ; Female ; Fibrocartilage ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Patella ; surgery ; Patellar Ligament ; injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Rabbits ; Tendon Injuries ; therapy ; Ultrasonic Therapy ; methods ; Wound Healing ; physiology

Objective To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of the growth differentia-tion factor 15(GDF-15)/glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-like(GFRAL)pathway on the progression of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-mice.Methods Eight 8-week-old male ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group and rGDF-15 group.The mice in the control group received an injection of phosphate-buffered saline via tail vein once a week after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding,and those in the rGDF-15 group received an injection of recombinant GDF-15(0.05 mg/kg)via tail vein once a week after 4 weeks of high-fat diet feeding.The mice were fed with high-fat diet for another 8 weeks,the body weight was monitored during this period.After 12 weeks'feeding,the mice were euthanized.Another 4 normal mice(at the same age,20 weeks old)were subjected and served as normal control group.The levels of fasting blood glucose,blood lip-ids,cortisol,and aldosterone were compared among the three groups.Oil red O staining was used to evaluate plaque size in the aorta,and immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of GDF-15 and GFRAL in the brain tissue.Results The serum level of GDF-15 was higher in the rGDF-15 group than in the control group(52.59±2.90 ng/ml vs 20.09±1.27 ng/ml,P＜0.01).The weight of mice was significantly lower in the rGDF-15 group than the con-trol group during Week 11(28.60±0.22 g vs 29.47±0.25 g,P＜0.01)and 12(28.98±0.22 g vs 30.35±0.13 g,P＜0.01).The rGDF-15 group had a statistically lower level of triglycerides(0.22±0.02 mmol/L vs 0.38±0.09 mmol/L,P＜0.05),lighter plaque burden[(22.22±2.58)％vs(31.61±3.51)％,P＜0.01],and enhanced expression levels of GDF-15 and GFRAL in the brain tissue(0.088±0.007 vs 0.030±0.006,0.031±0.003 vs 0.010±0.001,P＜0.01).The levels of cor-tisol and aldosterone in the control group and rGDF-15 group were significantly higher than those in the normal group(P＜0.01).The aldosterone level in the rGDF-15 group was significantly re-duced compared to the control group(22.013.67 mg/ml vs 87.29±8.63 mg/ml,P＜0.01).Conclusion GDF-15 may regulate body weight and triglyceride and aldosterone levels through GFRAL,and then affect the progression of atherosclerosis.