Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopy for adrenal tumor and report the experience with this procedure for adrenal surgery.Methods From June 2003 to March 2007,we performed 24 laparoscopic tumorectomy via the retroperitoneal approach.Results All procedures were successful. The average operative time was 1.7 hours(ranging from 1 to 3.5 hours).All patients had no need of transfusion and no complication.All patients recovered.The average hospital stay was 4.5 days(ranging from 3 to 8 days).Patholog- ic diagnosis:10 cases of nonfunctional adenoma,6 cases of primary aldosteronism,4 cases of adrenal cyst,2 cases of pheochromocytoma,2 cases of Cushing's adenoma.Conclusions Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for adrenal oc- cupying lesion had such advantages as minimal invasive,safe and effective,early recovery and shorter stay in hospital. It should be the flint choice of treatment for adrenal occupying lesion.

OBJECTIVETo study coronary artery stenosis, myocardial ischemia, and left ventricular dysfunction in dual source computed tomography (DSCT) coronary artery angiography.

METHODSTotally 32 patients underwent both DSCT and X-ray coronary angiography within one week to detect coronary artery stenosis separately. Meanwhile, the values of left ventricular myocardial mass (LVMM) , left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) , and left ventricular stroke volume (LVSV) were calculated using cardiac function software in DSCT. Electrocardiography was carried out to diagnose myocardial ischemia. The coronary artery stenosis, values of LVMM, LVEF, and LVSV, and myocardial ischemia were compared.

RESULTSThe results of DSCT and X-ray coronary angiography were not significantly different. LVMM, LVEF, LVSV, and myocardial ischemia were significantly different between two- or three-branch groups or between middle or severe groups (both P<0.05) . However, no such significant difference was observed between single and two branch groups and between mild and middle groups. There were no statistically different findings for LVEF and LVSV, but there was statistical deference between LVMM and myocardial ischemia (P<0.05) . For single branch and middle to severe stenosis in left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery, right coronary artery, left circumflex coronary artery, only the values of LVMM,LVEF,and LVSV in LAD group showed significant difference (P<0.05) .

CONCLUSIONSMore stenotic branches and severer stenosis in coronary artery often are associated with higher incidence of myocardial ischemia and severer left ventricular dysfunction. The stenosis of LAD coronary artery has especially severe impact on cardiac functions. LVMM is a sensitive indicator for myocardial ischemia in coronary artery stenosis.

Aged ; Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Stenosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; etiology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect and mechanism of curcumin derivatives B06 on myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, normal control group (NC group), high fat group (HF group), high fat treatment group (FT group), diabetes mellitus group (DM group) and diabetes treatment group (DT group) (n = 7). The late four groups were fed with high fat food, after four weeks of high fat feeding, the rats from DM group and DT group were injected with low dosage of streptozocin intraperitoneally to induce diabetes mellitus, FT group and DT group were gavaged with curcumin derivatives B06 at the dosage of 0.2 mg/kg x d. The blood glucose and lipid were detected biochemically, blood insulin was assayed by ELISA and the insulin resistance index was calculated, the morphology of myocardium was observed by light and transmission electron microscopy, the protein expression of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPKalpha) and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (p-AMPKalpha) in myocardium were tested by Western blot.

RESULTSThe level of blood glucose, lipid, insulin and the insulin resistance index were increased in HF group and DM group, but they were decreased after the treatment with B06. The expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha were decreased, but they became increased after the treatment of B06. There were increased collagen fibers in interstitium and expansion of mitochondria in cytoplasm of myocardium from DM group, but they were ameliorated in B06 treatment group.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that B06 may relieve the damage of myocardium from type 2 diabetic rats and the increased expression of AMPKalpha and p-AMPKalpha may be involved in it.

AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; physiopathology ; Heart ; drug effects ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical result of 546 tetracycline-stained teeth corrected with Cerinate porcelain laminate veneer system for esthetic purpose.

METHODS546 tetracycline-stained teeth were corrected with Cerinate porcelain veneer system, and bonded with Ultra Bond resin cement. The restorations were recalled after 0.5 year, 1.5 years and 2.5 years, respectively. modified Ryge criteria were used to evaluate the veneers marginal adaptation, interfacial staining, secondary caries, postoperative sensitivity and the patients' satisfaction with the shade of the restorations.

RESULTSthis study found that 99% veneers had excellent marginal adaptations; and less than 1% veneers were rebonded after debond in the first half year application; the color of the veneers was stable and no evident staining was found. Almost all patients were satisfied with their restoration color after 1 year's application.

CONCLUSIONThe research indicated that Cerinate porcelain veneer restoration system is a reliable and ideal choice for the correction of tetracycline-stained teeth.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; adverse effects ; Color ; Composite Resins ; Dental Marginal Adaptation ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; adverse effects ; Tooth Discoloration ; chemically induced ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo measure the spectral transmittance of Cerinate porcelain veneer and enamel in different color and different thickness.

METHODSSamples of Cerinate porcelain veneers were prepared in different thickness (0.50 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.00 mm) and different Vita shade (A1, A2, A3). Enamel samples in shade A2 were made with three thickness (0.50 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.00 mm). A spectrophotometer with spectra range (380-800 nm) was employed to measure the spectral transmittance.

RESULTSSpectral transmittance decreased with the increasing in the thickness of specimens and decreasing in the color darkness. The transmittance of Cerinate porcelain veneer material and enamel in the same color and same thickness hadn't significant difference.

CONCLUSIONThe key factor to spectral transmittance of porcelain veneer materials is veneer's thickness, and the color of the materials has also some influence on it. Cerinate porcelain veneers can properly recover the transparency of teeth.

Ceramics ; Color ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Humans ; Spectrophotometry

OBJECTIVETo investigate if the Ribbond polyethylene fiber has the effect of reinforcing polymethyl methacylate.

METHODS28 specimens were fabricated and divided into 3 groups: group of chemical-cured PMMA, group of chemical-cured PMMA reinforced by stainless steel wire and group of chemical-cured PMMA reinforced by Ribbond polyethylene fiber. A three-point bending test was used to measure the flexural strength and flexural modulus of specimens. Then the data were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe flexural strength of chemical-cured PMMA group was (51.383 +/- 2.761) MPa, the flexural modulus was (1791.2 +/- 113.760) MPa; The flexural strength of stainless steel wire reinforced group was (58.725 +/- 1.218) MPa, the flexural modulus was (2092.76 +/- 120.28) MPa; The flexural strength of Ribbond polyethylene fiber reinforced group was (80.975 +/- 2.58) MPa, the flexural modulus was (2866.53 +/- 107.51) MPa. The one-way analysis of variance showed that the results were significant (P < 0.001). Newman-Keuls method showed that the differences among all groups were significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Ribbond polyethylene fiber can raise the flexural strength and flexural modulu of polymethyl methacylate.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Materials Testing ; Polyethylene ; chemistry ; Polyethylenes ; chemistry ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tensile Strength

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of exemestane (a new aromatase inactivator) in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-three patients with advanced breast cancer entered this study with two patients excluded because of postmenopausal time being less than one year. Therefore, 173 patients could be evaluated for adverse events and 171 patients could be evaluated for efficacy. Exemestane, 25 mg orally daily for 4 weeks as one cycle was given.

RESULTSIn the 171 patients evaluated for efficacy, 4 (2.3%) experienced a complete response (CR) and 40 (23.4%) a partial response (PR), with the overall response rate of 25.7%. Ninety patients (52.6%) had stable disease (SD), with 25 having SD for at least 24 weeks. The clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD > or = 24 weeks) was shown in 69 (40.4%) patients. Progressive disease (PD) was shown in 37 (21.6%) patients. The untreated patients had a higher objective response rate (33.8%) than the retreated ones (18.1%) with significant difference (P = 0.019 7). The response rates for soft-tissue, bone involvement and visceral metastasis were 32.8%, 23.9%, and 12.4% (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in different ages, time of menopause, disease-free interval or receptor status (P > 0.05). Drug-related adverse events were gastric discomfort (17.9%), malaise (17.9%), nausea (13.9%), hot flushes (11.0%) and dysphoria (5.8%). Other side reactions and abnormal laboratory parameters were observed occasionally which were irrelevant.

CONCLUSIONExemestane can be used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer giving only mild adverse reactions which are well tolerated.

Adult ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of GMCSF-absence on the rate of wound healing and neovascularization during wound repair.

METHODS30 wild type (WT) mice and 30 GMCSF- absence mice (GMCSF-KO) were obtained. They were received full thickness skin wound (0.8 cm x 0.8 cm) in each side of midline after deeply anesthesia. In the different post-injury time points, the wound sites were digitally photographed to calculate the percentage of wound closure by using computer image analyses software. The wound specimens were also obtained dynamically for immunohistological analysis of CD31 at wound site.

RESULTSThe analysis of the wound closure showed that wound healing in GMCSF-KO mice was delayed significantly comparing with that in WT mice from the day 3 post-wounding. At days 7 and 10 after wounding significantly more numbers of blood vessels were formed in the WT controls compared to the GMCSF-KO mice.

CONCLUSIONSGMCSF-absence inhibits neovascularization during wound repair and leads to the delay of wound healing.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; deficiency ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Monocytes ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Skin ; blood supply ; injuries ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid in the treatment of bone pain in patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma.

METHODSA randomized, double-blind, double-simulated and multi-center phase III clinical trail with pamidronate as control was conducted. Patients with moderate to severe bone pain (VAS > 50 mm) induced by solid tumor or multiple myeloma were randomized to receive intravenous zoledronic acid 4 mg or pamidronate 90 mg. Then the change of VAS and urinary NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr were observed in two groups.

RESULTSFrom July 2005 to September 2006, 228 patients with bone pain induced by bone metastasis from 15 cancer centers were randomize into two groups: 116 patients in zoledronic acid group and 112 patients in pamidronate group. The VAS value was decreased gradually after treatment in these two groups. Significant improvement in bone pain after treatment were observed both in zoledronic acid group and the control group when compared with baseline VAS on D8 (-11.77% vs. -10.87%), D15 (-24.60% vs. -21.06%) and D28 (-32.37% vs. -31.26%) (P< or =0.0001), but no significant difference existed between two groups (P =0.6587). Compared with baseline, urine NTX/Cr and CTX/Cr level were decreased rapidly after treatment in both groups, the nadir was on D8, the median decreased on D28, which was -36.9% vs. -32.1% for NTX/Cr (P = 0.7922) and -63.2% vs. -47.9% for CTX/Cr (P =0.834). The frequently observed adverse events were pyrexia (19.0% vs. 31.3%), vomiting (6.0% vs. 8.9%), nausea (4.3% vs. 4.5%), fatigue (3.4% vs. 2.7%) and constipation (2.6% vs. 1.8%) in the two groups. Compared with baseline, the serum creatinine level was not significantly increased throughout the study.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous injection of 4 mg zoledronic acid can significantly reduce bone pain and bone resorption marker in urine in the Chinese patients with bone metastasis from solid tumor or multiple myeloma, which is tolerable and also comparable to pamidronate in the efficacy and safety.

Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Density Conservation Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; urine ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Creatinine ; urine ; Diphosphonates ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Intractable ; drug therapy ; etiology ; urine ; Peptides ; urine ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting ; chemically induced

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of liver transplantation (LT) and liver resection (LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) and to investigate risk factors affecting prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 HCC patients with PVTT type I (segmental PVTT) and PVTT type II (lobar PVTT) were involved and divided into LR (n=47) and LT groups (n=47). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared before and after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Prognostic factors for RFS and OS were explored. Results: Two treatment groups were well-balanced using IPTW. In the entire cohort, LT provided a better prognosis than LR. Among patients with PVTT type I, RFS was better with LT (p=0.039); OS was not different significantly between LT and LR (p=0.093). In subgroup analysis of PVTT type I patients with α-fetoprotein (AFP) levels >200 ng/mL, LT elicited significantly longer median RFS (18.0 months vs. 2.1 months, p=0.022) and relatively longer median OS time (23.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p=0.065). Among patients with PVTT type II, no significant differences in RFS and OS were found between LT and LR (p=0.115 and 0.335, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed treatment allocation (LR), tumor size (>5 cm), AFP and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels to be risk factors of RFS and treatment allocation (LR), AFP and AST as risk factors for OS. Conclusion LT appeared to afford a better prognosis for HCC with PVTT type I than LR, especially in patients with AFP levels >200 ng/mL.