Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous laser disc decompression on lumbar discogenic pain.Methods56 patients with lumbar discogenic pain were treated with percutaneous laser disc decompression with Nd:YAG laser(wavelength 1064 nm).They were followed up for more than 3 months with Macnab criteria.ResultsAll the patients were followed up.At the end point of postoperative 3 months,32 patients had an excellent outcome,20 were good,3 patients were fair,1 patient were poor.No complication(infection and nerve injury)had been observed.ConclusionPercutaneous laser disc decompression is a safe,little invasive and effective treatment modality for lumbar discogenic pain.

Objective:To study the effects of pulse electro-magnetic fields (PEMFs) on the healing of tibial condylar osteochondral in rabbits.Methods:Sixteen rabbits were divided into two groups,and osteochondral fractures of left tibia condyle were created,internal fixation was performed with steel wire.Group 1 was constantly treated with PEMFs six hours per day;group 2 was not treated.The results were studied by gross morphology,light microscopy and elect ro-microscopy.Results:75% and 13% fractures were repaired by hyalin-like cartilage in group 1 and in group 2 respectively.Conclusion:PEMFs are essential to facilitation of the cartilage repair.

BACKGROUND:Few reports are found about the effect of ovariectomized rats' bone histomorphometry parameters using non-destructive dynamic loading system.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of different loads situations on the bone histomorphometry parameters in ovariectomized rats.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A controlled observation on the bone histomorphometry was performed in the Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of Jilin University from April 2007 to August 2007.MATERIALS:A total of 35 9-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into five groups,including sham operation group,ovariectomized (OVX) control group,OVX loading 1 N group,OVX loading 2 N group,OVX loading 4 N group.There were 7 rats in each group.METHODS:Rats in OVX control group and castration load group were processed into bilateral OVX on the back. The sham operation group only underwent the excision of fat tissues on back,and then sutured. After castration for 1 week,rats were loaded with non-destructive dynamic loading system in the two sides of the tibia,15 minutes a day. The mechanical loads would continue for 4 weeks and the loads were 1N,2N and 4N.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Changes of proximal tibia bone histomorphometry parameters.RESULTS:The area,number and thickness of trabecular bone in OVX loading group were all higher than OVX control group (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX 4 N and OVX 2 N groups were significantly higher than OVX control group (P ＜ 0.001).There was a downward trend of trabecular separation in OVX 4 N group compared with OVX control group (P ＜ 0.05). With the increasing loads,there was an increasing trend of the area,number and thickness of trabecular bone,which were close to sham-operated group. The trabecular separation was declined. Single fluorescent labeled surface and double fluorescent labeled surfaces in sham operated group were all lower than that in OVX control group. With the increase in loads,the single fluorescent labeled surface,double fluorescent labeled surface,interlabeled width and mineral apposition rate had been shown to increase. The OVX 2 N and OVX 4 N groups exhibited a remarkably higher level of mineral apposition rate than OVX control group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:With the increase in load at the range of 1-4 N,all parameters of bone histomorphometry improve in the OVX rats,the bone microstrcture is greatly ameliorated,bone mass loss is reduced and the process of osteoporosis is delayed.

We analyzed genetic evolution characteristics of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus isolated in Zhaoqing,China,2014-2016.Nucleic acid were extracted and sequenced from 17 samples of H7N9 positive cases in Zhaoqing.Genetic characteristics of homology and important amino acid sites were analyzed by using BioEdit5.0 and MEGA6.0.The evolutionary trees were constructed by Neighbor-Joining and the referenced sequences were downloaded from GenBank,Eight nucleic acid fragments from 7 strains of H7N9 viruses were successfully generated.The highest homology was found in HA gene with A/chicken/Dongguan/695/2014(H7N9),and NA gene with A/chicken/Dongguan/1075/2014(H7N9).The internal genes were high homology with avian H7N9 and H9N2 virus from Dongguan and Shenzhen in Guangdong,China.The HA and NA genes were directly evolved in the Pearl River Delta evolution branch with the H7N9 sequences from the cities of Dongguan,Guangzhou and Shenzhen,while the sequences from the provinces of Anhui,Zhejiang,and Jiangsu were in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch.There were 2 alkaline amino acids in cleavage site of HA,2 mutations (G186V and Q226L) in the crucial sites related with the receptor of HA protein,1 mutation (E627K) in PB2 protein,and 1 drug resistance mutation (S31N) in M2 protein.And no evidence of neuraminidase resistance in NA protein was found.In conclusion,the H7N9 virus for human infection in Zhaoqing may originate from avian H7N9 and H9N2 viruses,which circulated in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong from 2013 to 2014.The mutations of G186V,Q226L and E627 K might be related with high susceptibility to human beings.

BACKGROUNDVirtual reality (VR) has been recognized as a useful modality in the training of surgical skills. With respect to basic endoscopic skill training of urology, we sought to investigate the effectiveness of the UroMentor(TM) virtual reality simulator (VRS) in the skill acquisition of flexible cystoscopy.

METHODSUrologists familiar with rigid cystoscopy procedures were selected to take part in a virtual training course of flexible cystoscopy. Changes in total operating time, frequency of injury, number of digital markers inside the bladder, and the global rating scale (GRS) scores were assessed following eight repeated training sessions on the UroMentor(TM).

RESULTSEighteen urologists voluntarily took part in the study. Total operating time was significantly lower after eight sessions of training by comparison ((111 ± 10) seconds and (511 ± 67) seconds, respectively; P < 0.001). Additionally, the frequency of injury decreased with training from (12 ± 2) times to (5 ± 1) times (P < 0.001), while the number of digital markers observed increased from 9 ± 0 to 10 ± 1 (P = 0.005). Finally, training with the UroMentor(TM) resulted in a GRS increase from (1.3 ± 0.2) points to (3.9 ± 0.2) points (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONthe VRS UroMentor(TM) can improve urologists' ability to perform flexible cystoscopy and could be used as an effective training tool for trainees.

Clinical Competence ; Computer Simulation ; Cystoscopy ; education ; Humans ; Urology ; education

BACKGROUNDA virtual reality simulator provides a novel training model for improving surgical skills in a variety of fields. They can simulate a variety of surgical scenarios to improve the overall skills required for endoscopic operations, and also record the operative process of trainees in real-time and allow for objective evaluation. At present, some simulators for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are available. The utility of virtual reality simulators in training of transurethral prostatectomy was investigated.

METHODSThirty-eight urologists were randomly selected to take part in a simulation based training of TURP using the TURPSim(TM) system. Pre and post-training global rate scale (GRS) scores and objective parameters recorded by the simulator were assessed. Then, questionnaires were filled out.

RESULTSCompared with baseline levels, the GRS scores of trainees increased (18.0 ± 4.0 vs. 12.4 ± 4.2, P < 0.001), while the rate of capsule resection (26.3% ± 0.6% vs. 21.2% ± 0.4%, P < 0.001), amount of blood loss ((125.8 ± 86.3) ml vs. (83.7 ± 41.6) ml, P < 0.001), external sphincter injury (3.6 ± 2.9 vs. 2.0 ± 2.0, P < 0.001) decreased significantly after training. Most trainees were satisfied with the simulator based training and believed that the simulator accurately mimicked actual surgical procedures and could help improve their surgical skills.

CONCLUSIONSAs a new method of training on transurethral prostatectomy skills, training of TURP using a virtual simulator can help urologists improve their surgical skills and safety. Therefore, the application of the TURPSim(TM) system in education and training of urologic surgery is warranted.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Humans ; Male ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; education ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; education ; Urology ; education

BACKGROUNDThe need to develop new methods of surgical training combined with advances in computing has led to the development of virtual reality surgical simulators. The PERC Mentor(TM) is designed to train the user in percutaneous renal collecting system access puncture. This study aimed to validate the use of this kind of simulator, in percutaneous renal access training.

METHODSTwenty-one urologists were enrolled as trainees to learn a fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal accessing technique. An assigned percutaneous renal access procedure was immediately performed on the PERC Mentor(TM) after watching instruction video and an analog operation. Objective parameters were recorded by the simulator and subjective global rating scale (GRS) score were determined. Simulation training followed and consisted of 2 hours daily training sessions for 2 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the training session, trainees were evaluated performing the same procedure. The post-training evaluation was compared to the evaluation of the initial attempt.

RESULTSDuring the initial attempt, none of the trainees could complete the appointed procedure due to the lack of experience in fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access. After the short-term training, all trainees were able to independently complete the procedure. Of the 21 trainees, 10 had primitive experience in ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Trainees were thus categorized into the group of primitive experience and inexperience. The total operating time and amount of contrast material used were significantly lower in the group of primitive experience versus the inexperience group (P = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe training on the virtual reality simulator, PERC Mentor(TM), can help trainees with no previous experience of fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access to complete the virtual manipulation of the procedure independently. This virtual reality simulator may become an important training and evaluation tool in teaching fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous renal access.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Computer-Assisted Instruction ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; education ; Urology ; education ; User-Computer Interface

Objective: To establish a TaqMan-MGB probe-based real-time fluorescence RT-PCR assay for avian influenza H5N6 virus used in rapid diagnosis for suspected cases and surveillance for outer environment of live poultry markets. Methods: Based on the conservative sequences of avian influenza H5N6 virus for HA and NA gene published on GenBank, specific primers and TaqMan-MGB probes were designed to develop and optimize for the dual real-time RT-PCR assay. Specificity, sensitivity, repeatability and comparison tests were carried out. Results: This dual real-time RT-PCR detection can be completed within 80 minutes. There was no cross-reaction with other subtypes of influenza virus and common respiratory pathogens. The minimum detection limit could be up to 10 copies/reaction. The correlation coefficient of standard curve for the gene of H5 and N6 were 0.999 and 0.993, and the coefficients of variation for cycle threshold were range from 0.151%-0.549%and 0.213%-0.575%, respectively. The positive and negative coincidence rates of the validation test were 100%. Conclusions This TaqMan-MGB probe-based dual real-time RT-PCR for avian influenza H5N6 virus was rapid, specific and sensitive. It will have a good use in early emergency detection of suspected cases and continuous monitoring of external environment in live poultry trade market.

Objective To investigate the differences of severities of depression and anxiety,clinical manifestations in elderly Kazak and Han post-stroke depression (PSD) patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Four hundred and forty-seven elderly Kazak and Han Ethnic patients with acute cerebral infarction,admitted to our hospitals within 7 days of onset,were chosen; according to the clinical diagnostic criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) scores for PSD,the patients were divided into Kazak PSD group (n=40) and Han PSD group (n=78).The scores of HAMD,Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA),and the clinical features were compared between the two groups.Results The HAMD scores in Han PSD group were significantly higher than those in Kazak PSD group:factor scores of block,sleep disorder,depression were statistically higher than those in Kazak PSD group (P＜0.05).The HAMA scores in Kazak PSD group were significantly higher than those in Han PSD group:the factor scores of mental anxiety were statistically higher than those in the Han PSD group (P＜0.05).The incidences of restlessness,nervous agitation,cardiovascular symptoms in Kazak PSD group were significantly higher than those in the Han PSD group (P＜0.05).The incidences of insomnia,waking up early,too much attention to the body,hypochondria,pessimism about future,gastrointestinal symptoms in Han PSD group were statistically higher than those in the Kazak PSD group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The severity of depression and anxiety,and clinical manifestations are various in elderly Kazak and Han PSD patients.

Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of primary and metastatic malignant tumors. It is traditionally believed that the killing effect of radiotherapy on tumor is based on the direct or indirect damage of ionizing radiation to DNA. In recent years, the anti-tumor role and mechanism of anti-tumor immune response induced by ionizing radiation have captivated widespread attention and achieved significant progress. Among them, Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interference genes (STING) pathway is considered to be one of the key regulatory hubs. cGAS is a cytoplasmic DNA receptor that can bind to tumor-derived double-stranded DNA and activate the downstream STING, thereby activating anti-tumor immune response of the host. In view of the latest progress in this field, the important role and potential mechanism of cGAS-STING pathway in radiotherapy immune effect were mainly summarized, and the application prospect of targeting cGAS-STING pathway in radiotherapy sensitization was explored.