Abstract Defecation disorder is one of the most common complications after orthopedic surgery, which seriously affects patients' quality of life. Based on review of national and international publications pertaining to influencing factors and interventions of postoperative defecation disorders, this review analyzes the associations of orthopedic surgery-related factors with postoperative defecation disorders, and summarizes the common interventions for postoperative defecation disorders, including medication, physical therapy and daily life management, so as to provide insights into prevention and treatment of defecation disorders after orthopedic surgery.

BACKGROUNDWith economic growth and urbanization there have been significant changes in the life style and diet of urban residents in large cities of China, which is experiencing a rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes. While high prevalence of diabetes has been reported, little is known of the long-term effects of diabetes in such a large population. The aim of this study was to estimate the morbidity rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in a Chinese urban diabetic population with more than 10 years' disease duration, and evaluate the relevant risk factors. The clinical manifestation of DPN and pain status was also assessed.

METHODSFive hundred and sixty-five diabetes patients were recruited into the study. Symptoms and examination helped diagnose neuropathy. The clinical manifestation of DPN was assessed with a visual analog pain score (VAS). Diabetic complication status was determined from medical records. Serum lipids and lipoproteins, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and the urinary albumin excretion rate were measured.

RESULTSThe morbidity rate of DPN was 46.6%. HbA1c, hyperlipidemia, and retinopathy were significantly associated with neuropathy, and these risk factors were correlated with other diabetic micro and/or macrovascular complications. The average VAS pain score of the DPN patients was 4.12 ± 2.07. Severe and moderate pain was experienced by 11.4% and 40.5% respectively of DPN patients. About 3.7% of diabetic subjects had lower limb ulcer or amputation.

CONCLUSIONSThe morbidity rate of DPN for diabetic patients with > 10 years duration is very high compared to the range reported for other populations in the world. The risk factors for DPN include HbA1c, hyperlipidemia, and retinopathy. In long-standing diabetic patients, DPN was not associated with diabetic duration, and half of the DPN patients experienced considerable daily suffering.

Aged ; China ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Female ; Glycated Hemoglobin A ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; epidemiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Urban Population

BACKGROUNDEarly studies showed that naloxone infusion decreases the incidence of morphine-related side effects from intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. This study aimed to determine whether naloxone preserved analgesia while minimizing side effects caused by intravenous tramadol administration.

METHODSEighty patients undergoing general anesthesia for cervical vertebrae surgery were randomly divided into four groups. All patients received 1 mg/kg tramadol 30 minutes before the end of surgery, followed by a continuous infusion with 0.3 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) tramadol with no naloxone (group I, n = 20), 0.05 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) naloxone (group II, n = 20), 0.1 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) naloxone (group III, n = 20) and 0.2 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) naloxone (group IV, n = 20). Visual analog scales (VAS) for pain during rest and cough, nausea five-point scale (NFPS) for nausea and vomiting, and ramsay sedation score (RSS) for sedation were assessed at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Analgesia and side effects were evaluated by blinded observers.

RESULTSSeventy-eight patients were included in this study. The intravenous tramadol administration provided the satisfied analgesia. There was no significant difference in either resting or coughing VAS scores among naloxone groups and control group. Compared with control group, sedation was less in groups II, III, and IV at 6, 12, and 24 hours (P < 0.05); nausea was less in groups II, III and IV than group I at 2, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively (P < 0.05). The incidence of vomiting in the control group was 35% vs. 10% for the highest dose naloxone group (group IV) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONA small-dose naloxone infusion could reduce tramadol induced side effects without reversing its analgesic effects.

Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; methods ; Analgesics, Opioid ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anesthesia, General ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Naloxone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Narcotic Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Tramadol ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDCervicogenic headache (CEH) is caused by a structural abnormality in the cervical spine. Available treatments for CEH include medical therapy, local botulinum toxin injection, cervical epidural corticosteroid injection, and surgery. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a continuous epidural block of the cervical vertebra.

METHODSMedical records were retrospectively analyzed for 37 patients diagnosed with CEH treated by a continuous epidural block of the cervical vertebra with lidocaine, dexamethasone, and saline (5 ml/min) for 3 - 4 weeks and triamcinolone acetonide 5 mg once weekly for 3 - 4 weeks. Pain was measured via the visual analogue scale (VAS) in combination with quality of life assessment. Outcome measures were patient-reported days with mild or moderate pain, occurrence of severe pain, and the daily oral dosages of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use (NSAID).

RESULTSIn the 3 months immediately preceding placement of the epidural catheter, the mean number of days with mild or moderate pain was 22.0 +/- 4.3. The mean occurrence of severe pain was (3.20 +/- 0.75) times and the mean oral dosage of NSAID was (1267 +/- 325) mg. During the first 6 months after epidural administration of lidocaine and corticosteroids, the mean number of days with mild or moderate pain, the mean occurrence of severe pain, and the mean daily oral dosages of NSAIDs were significantly decreased compared to 3-month period immediately preceding treatment (P < 0.01). By 12 months post-treatment, no significant difference in these three outcome measures was noted.

CONCLUSIONSContinuous epidural block of the cervical vertebra for patients with CEH is effective for at least six months. Further research is needed to elucidate mechanisms of action and to prolong this effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia, Epidural ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Post-Traumatic Headache ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Triamcinolone Acetonide ; therapeutic use

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging in evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).MethodsAll 24 patients with IPAH underwent 18 F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging.Right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV)-FDG uptake was calculated by ROI method drawing over the central areas of left and right ventricular free walls.All patients underwent right heart catheterization within 3 days after imaging studies.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were recorded.After six month pharmaceutical treatment,15 IPAH patients were re-examined with 18F-FDG SPECT myocardial imaging followed by repeated right heart catheterization within 3 days.Plasma N-terminal pro-brain naturetic peptide (NT-proBNP) and endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ) were measured in 17 patients using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay and enzyme immunoassay respectively.All patients were followed up for 12 months at least.Correlations between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP and PVR were determined by simple linear regression analysis.Change of RV/LV-FDG before and after treatment was calculated using Student's t-test.Survival in groups with RV/LV FDG uptake ≥ 1.15 and RV/LV-FDG uptake ＜ 1.15 were compared using Log-rank test.ResultsSignificant correlations were found between RV/LV-FDG uptake and mPAP (r =0.562,P ＜ 0.01 ),and between RV/LV-FDG uptake and PVR ( r =0.574,P ＜ 0.01 ).There were no significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG uptake and NT-proBNP( r =0.18 1,P ＞ 0.05 ),but a significant correlation between RV/LV-FDG and ET-1 was observed (r =0.669,P ＜ 0.01 ).The RV/LV-FDG uptake in patients with positive treatment outcome ( n =6) decreased from 1.38 ± 0.52 to 0.92 ±0.26 (t =4.018,P ＜ 0.05) after 6 months treatment.In contrast,no significant change of RV/LV-FDG uptake was seen in those patients (n =9) with negative treatment outcome ( t =1.861,P ＞ 0.05 ).The mean follow-up time was (21 ±8) months.Mean survival time for the patients with RV/LV- FDG uptake ≥ 1.15was 28 months (95％ confidence interval:24-32 months),which was significantly lower than 34 months survival (95％ confidence interval:33-35 months) for the patients with RV/LV-FDG ＜ 1.15 (x2 =3.956,P ＜0.05 ).Conclusions Detection of right ventricle myocardial glucose metabolism level with 18F-FDG SPECT may be a practical method for evaluating haemodynamic change,treatment outcome and prognosis of IPAH.

BACKGROUND: Arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) is a major cause of adult limb loss worldwide. Autophagy of vascular endothelial cell (VEC) contributes to the ASO progression. However, the molecular mechanism that controls VEC autophagy remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the GRB2 associated binding protein 1 (GAB1) in regulating VEC autophagy. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro studies were applied to determine the loss of adapt protein GAB1 in association with ASO progression. Histological GAB1 expression was measured in sclerotic vascular intima and normal vascular intima. Gain- and loss-of-function of GAB1 were applied in VEC to determine the effect and potential downstream signaling of GAB1. RESULTS: The autophagy repressor p62 was significantly downregulated in ASO intima as compared to that in healthy donor (0.80 vs. 0.20, t = 6.43, P < 0.05). The expression level of GAB1 mRNA (1.00 vs. 0.24, t = 7.41, P < 0.05) and protein (0.72 vs. 0.21, t = 5.97, P < 0.05) was significantly decreased in ASO group as compared with the control group. Loss of GAB1 led to a remarkable decrease in LC3II (1.19 vs. 0.68, t = 5.99, P < 0.05), whereas overexpression of GAB1 significantly led to a decrease in LC3II level (0.41 vs. 0.93, t = 7.12, P < 0.05). Phosphorylation levels of JNK and p38 were significantly associated with gain- and loss-of-function of GAB1 protein. CONCLUSION Loss of GAB1 promotes VEC autophagy which is associated with ASO. GAB1 and its downstream signaling might be potential therapeutic targets for ASO treatment.
Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Adult ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans/genetics* ; Autophagy ; GRB2 Adaptor Protein ; Humans ; Phosphoproteins/metabolism* ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Binding ; Signal Transduction

Adult ; CD11c Antigen ; Case-Control Studies ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; immunology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of wortmannin on endothelial cells proliferation and migration induced by high glucose Müller cell conditioned medium (HGMCM).

METHODSImmunofluorescence, flow cytometry and Boyden chamber migration models were used to analyze the effect of wortmannin on endothelial cells.

RESULTS50 nmol/L wortmannin could significantly inhibit the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells induced by HGMCM. The percentage of endothelial cells in S phase was obviously decreased [from (37.82 +/- 0.57)% to (21.91 +/- 0.23)%, P < 0.01], while there was an increase in the percentage of cells in G(0)/G(1) phase [from (54.57 +/- 1.19)% to (65.59 +/- 0.41)%, < 0.01] and G(2)/M phase (< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWortmannin can inhibit proliferation and migration of endothelial cells induced by HGMCM, suggesting that wortmannin carries an anti-angiogenetic ability in diseased retina.

Androstadienes ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rabbits ; Retina ; cytology

BACKGROUNDMyocardial infarction results in tissue necrosis, leading to cell loss and ultimately to cardiac failure. Implantation of skeletal muscle satellite cells into the scar area may compensate for the cell loss and provides a new strategy for infarct therapy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a promising reagent for inducing myocardial angiogenesis. Skeletal myoblast transplantation has been shown to improve cardiac function in chronic heart failure models by regenerating muscle. We hypothesized that VEGF expression and vascular regeneration increased in infarcted myocardium by skeletal muscle satellite cells, which can promote vascular producing and improve survival environment in infarcted myocardium.

METHODSThe skeletal muscle satellite cells were implanted into the infarcted myocardium in a model through ligated left anterior artery in Louis Inbrad Strain rat. Specimens were got for identifying the expression of VEGF and the density of vascular by immunochemical method at two weeks after implantation.

RESULTSThe proliferation and differentiation of the skeletal muscle satellite cell was very well. The expression of VEGF was higher in the implanted group (146.83 +/- 2.49) than that in the control group (134.26 +/- 6.84) (P < 0.05). The vascular density in the implanted group (13.00 +/- 1.51) was also higher than that in the control (10.68 +/- 1.79) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe implanted satellite cell could excrete growth factor that would induce angiogenesis and improve cell survival environment in infarcted myocardium.

Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Satellite Cells, Skeletal Muscle ; cytology ; transplantation ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether the genetic polymorphism, upstream variable number of tandem repeats (uVNTR), in the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene, is associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in adolescents and to test whether there is gene-environment interaction between MAOA-uVNTR polymorphism and stressful life events (SLEs).

METHODSA total of 394 Chinese Han subjects, including 187 adolescent patients with MDD and 207 normal students as a control group, were included in the study. Genotyping was performed by SNaP-shot assay. SLEs in the previous 12 months were evaluated. The groups were compared in terms of the frequency distributions of MAOA-uVNTR genotypes and alleles using statistical software. The binary logistic regression model of gene-environment interaction was established to analyze the association of the gene-environment interaction between MAOA-u VNTR genotypes and SLEs with adolescent MDD.

RESULTSThe distribution profiles of MAOA-u VNTR genotypes and alleles were not related to the onset of MDD, severity of depression, comorbid anxiety and suicidal ideation/behavior/attempt in adolescents. The gene-environment interaction between MAOA-u VNTR genotypes and SLEs was not associated with MDD in male or female adolescents.

CONCLUSIONSIt is not proven that MAOA-u VNTR polymorphism is associated with adolescent MDD. There is also no gene-environment interaction between MAOA-u VNTR polymorphism and SLEs that is associated with adolescent MDD.

Adolescent ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; genetics ; Female ; Gene-Environment Interaction ; Genotype ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Minisatellite Repeats ; Monoamine Oxidase ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic