Objective To explore the prognostic index for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods The expression of nm23-H 1 protein in the tissue specimens of 115 NPC patients was detected by immunohistochemical S-P staining before radiotherapy. The 115 patients were treated in 1992～1994, underwent the whole radiotherapy, and were followed up for over 5 years. The association of nm23-H 1 protein expression with the clincal staging of NPC, radiosensitivity of tumor, survival rate of patients, and relapse and metastasis of carcinoma was analyzed. Results The positive rate of nm23-H 1 expression in NPC was 47.8%. The tumor clinical staging, lymph nodes metastasis, and patient survival rate were closely correlated with the low level expression of nm23-H 1 protein in NPC. Conclusion The low level expression of nm23-H 1 protein may be associated with the development and poor prognosis of NPC.

Objective To investigate the effect of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase on Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated proinflammatory phenotype of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in mice.Methods NADPH oxidase agonist platelet-derived growth factorBB (PDGF-BB) and inhibitor apocynin were used respectively to treat cultured VSMCs from C57BL/6J and TLR4-/-mice.The fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate was used to detect the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in VSMCs.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the expressions of interleukin (IL)-6,IL-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in VSMCs.Tetrazolium blue staining and Boyden chamber assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration of VSMC.Results The ROS levels were increased in VSMCs both from C57BL/6J and TLR4-/-mice after PDGF-BB treatment,and this could be inhibited by apocynin.PDGF-BB pretreatment significantly upregulated the expressions of IL-6 (52.69 ±3.49 ng/ml vs.35.04 ±2.74 ng/ml; P =0.001),IL-1β (79.68 ±2.33 ng/ml vs.62.38 ±0.54 ng/ml;P=0.000),and TNF-α (218.35± 5.42 ng/mlvs.124.74± 4.59 ng/ml; P=0.000) in VSMCs from C57BL/6J mice,and the abilities of proliferation (1.69 ± 0.53 vs.1.04 ± 0.40; P =0.000) and migration (42.11 ±4.05 vs.1.69 ± 0.53; P =0.000) were increased significantly; apocynin pretreatment significantly inhibit the expressions of IL-6 (42.11 ± 4.05 ng/ml vs.52.69 ± 3.49 ng/ml; P =0.010),IL-1β (67.57 ± 1.36 ng/ml vs.79.68 ±2.33 ng/ml; P =0.000) and TNF-α (156.18 ± 6.98 ng/ml vs.218.35 ± 5.42 ng/ml;P =0.000),as well as proliferation (1.23 ±0.42 vs.1.69 ±0.53; P =0.000) and migration (42.11 ±4.05 vs.52.69 ± 3.49; P =0.000).While there were no significant changes in the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,and TNF-α in VSMCs from TLR4-/-mice after PDGF-BB and apocynin pretreatment.Conclusions NADPH oxidase-derived ROS involved in the TLR4-mediated VSMC inflammatory phenotype as well as proliferation and migration,which may be the important mechanisms of its influencing on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis.

Objective To study the effect of paeoniflorin on inflammatory chemokines and their receptor in a rat model of ovalbumin-induced asthma.Methods Sixty 6-week old SPF female BALB/c mice were used in this study.To es-tablish a mouse model of asthma by sensitizing and challenging with ovalbumin.ELISA was used to analyze the serum IL-6 and TNF-α, and the specific IgE against ovalbumin ( OVA-IgE ) , CCL19 and CCL21 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).RT-PCR was performed to determine CCR7mRNA and protein expression of chemokine receptor CCR7, and the level of NF-κB was tested by Western blot.ResultsIn In the paeoniflorin groups, the serum IL-6 and TNF-αlevels were significantly lower, and the OVA-IgE, CCL19 and CCL21 levels in BALF were significantly reduced, compared with that in the control group.CCR7mRNA and protein expression of chemokine receptor CCR7 and NF-κB in the lung were significant-ly reduced by paeoniflorin.Conclusions Paeoniflorin has a remarkably inhibitory effect on the airway inflammatory chemo-kines CCL19/CCL21 and the receptor CCR7 in the mouse model of asthma.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of bone marrow fenestration technique used for ro-tator cuff repair at the foot-print zone of rotator cuff under arthroscopy. Methods A total of 30 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tear ( from 3 cm to 5 cm) were enrolled for this retrospective study who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics, The People's Hospital of North Jiangsu from January 2015 to December 2016. Of them, 15 were treated under arthroscopy with simple suture bridge technique ( SB group ) and the other 15 under arthroscopy with bone marrow fenestration and suture bridge techniques ( BMSB group ) . The 2 groups were compared in terms of visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons ( ASES ) scale, Constant scores,range of motion of the affected shoulder and rate of retear after surgery. Results All the patients received follow-up for 11 to 14 months. Significant improvements were achieved in both groups in VAS scores at 3 months ( 1.9 ± 0.6 and 0.9 ± 0.6 ) , ASES scores ( 90.7 ± 3.6 and 92.3 ± 4.2 ) and Constant scores ( 88.9 ± 2.5 and 87.4 ± 3.4 ) at the last follow-up, compared with the preoperative values ( 4.7 ± 1.1 and 4.3 ± 1.5, 58.2 ± 7.2 and 55.6 ± 4.4, and 57.3 ± 6.7 and 55.9 ± 10.3, respectively) ( P ＜0.05), but there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in ASES scores, Constant scores or range of motion of the affected shoulder at the last follow-up ( P＞ 0.05). The VAS scores at 3 months for the BMSB group (0.9 ± 0.6) were significantly lower than that for the SB group (1.9 ± 0.6) ( P ＜0.05). There was no significant difference either between the 2 groups in the retear rate [ 20.0% ( 3/15 ) for SB group versus 26.7% ( 4/15 ) for BMSB group ] ( P ＞ 0.05 ) . Conclusion Application of bone marrow fenestration technique in addition to suture bridge technique can obviously relieve pain after rotator cuff repair, though it shows no advantage in functional recovery of the shoulder joint.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of Dog-Bone double button in the treatment of acute acromioclavicular dislocation under shoulder arthroscopy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 20 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation who had been treated at Department of Sports Medicine, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province from November 2018 to December 2020 by Dog-Bone double button under shoulder arthroscopy. They were 11 males and 9 females, aged from 31 to 63 years. Recorded were their visual analogue scale (VAS), Constant-Murley shoulder function score and range of shoulder anteflexion at preoperation and the last follow-up, as well as complications and the X-ray parameters at one month postoperation and the last follow-up [including coracoclavicular distance (CCD), distance between the upper and lower Dog-Bone titanium plates (DDD), angle between the coracoid process tunnel and the tangent line of the superior clavicle (CTCA), and widths of the clavicle tunnel and the coracoid process tunnel].Results:The 20 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (average, 10.5 months). Their preoperative VAS score, Constant score, and range of shoulder anteflexion were 3.0 (3.0, 4.0), 57.0 (54.3, 61.5) and 130° (110°, 140°), which were significantly improved to 0 (0, 0.8), 90.0 (86.5, 91.0) and 170° (170°, 180°) at the last follow-up ( P<0.05). Their CCD, DDD, CTCA, and widths of the clavicle tunnel and the coracoid process at one month postoperation were (5.0±1.0) mm, (32.4±3.5) mm, 91.7° (88.5°, 104.9°), 3.0 (3.0, 3.0) mm and 3.0 (3.0, 3.0) mm, which were significantly improved to (6.3±1.3) mm, (32.8±3.7) mm, 84.8° (81.8°, 92.0°), 3.5 (3.4, 3.6) mm and 3.2 (3.1, 3.3) mm with the exception of DDD at one month postoperation ( P<0.05). The last follow-up observed postoperative reduction loss in only one patient. Conclusion:For acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation, the Dog-Bone fixation technique under shoulder arthroscopy can lead to fine surgical efficacy and patient satisfaction, because it has advantages of limited trauma, good functional recovery of the shoulder, and effective prevention of reduction loss.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the depth of the sperm counting chamber on sperm motility.

METHODSWe measured the depths of sperm counting chambers using the Filmetrics F20 Spectral Reflectance Thin-Film Measurement System. Then, according to the WHO5 manual, we analyzed 36 semen samples for the percentages of progressively motile sperm (PR) and non-progressively motile sperm (NP) and sperm motility (PR + NP) with the Ruiqi CFT-9201 computer-aided sperm analysis system, and compared the results of analysis.

RESULTSThe depths of the 4 sperm counting chambers were 9.8, 12.7, 15.7 and 19.9 microm, respectively, and the obtained PR were (44.00 +/- 11.63), (41.96 +/- 12.62), (40.86 +/- 11.71) and (37.78 +/- 11.38)%, NP (13.54 +/- 3.01), (14.13 +/- 2.94), (14.91 +/- 3.02) and (16.53 +/- 2.77)%, and sperm motility (57.53 +/- 11.06), (56.08 +/- 11.97), (55.78 +/- 11.55) and (54.31 +/- 12.11)% from the 4 chambers, respectively. The depth of the sperm counting chamber was correlated negatively with PR (r = -0.993, P < 0.05) and sperm motility (r = -0.978, P < 0.05), but positively with NP (r = 0.989, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the 9.8 microm and 19.9 microm deep chambers in PR and NP (P < 0.05) though not in sperm motility among the 4 chambers of different depths.

CONCLUSIONThe impact of the depth of the sperm counting chamber on sperm motility should not be ignored, for the deviation of the results from the chambers of different depths may lead clinicians to incorrect diagnosis and consequently inappropriate therapeutic approaches. Different reference ranges of sperm motility need to be normalized in correspondence to the depths of sperm counting chambers.

Obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) refers to apnea and hypopnea caused by repeated obstruction of upper respiratory tract collapse during sleep, accompanied by snoring and irregular snoring, daytime sleepiness and repeated arousal.Studies have shown that arousal is associated with daytime sleepiness and other symptoms and some complications in OSA patients.Based on literature review, this paper reviews the current research on OSA and arousal.

OBJECTIVE: To construct a three-dimensional (3D) finite element mechanical model of total hip arthroplasty for comparison of biomechanical differences of the hip joint following capsule repair and postoperative rehabilitation. METHODS: Six frozen specimens of hip joint posterior capsule ligament complex were collected in a bone-capsule-bone manner, and the load-strain curve and other mechanical properties of the specimens were tested using a universal material testing machine. Thin-section CT data of the pelvis and lower limbs obtained from a volunteer were imported into Mimics software to construct a 3D model of the hip joint. Digital models of the cup, femoral prosthesis and joint capsule were created in CATIA software and imported into Mimics to simulate total hip arthroplasty; the assembled data were imported into ABAQUS software. The properties of the capsule were set according to results of the mechanical test, anatomical studies, and constitutive equations, and the biomechanics of the anatomically repaired and conventionally repaired capsules were compared during hip flexion. RESULTS: The results of testing on the 6 capsule specimens showed a mean ultimate tensile strain of (39.21±5.23)% and a mean of ultimate tensile strength of 1.65±0.38 MPa. The stress-strain curve of the finite element model was consistent with the results of mechanical test on the specimens and the biochemical characteristics of the capsule. The stress was distributed evenly in the anatomically repaired capsule during hip flexion but not in the capsule repaired through the conventional approach; the tensile stress in the lower part of the conventionally repaired capsule reached the ultimate tensile stress measured on the capsule specimens at a 90° flexion. CONCLUSIONS The finite element model allows dynamic, quantitative and visual assessment of stress distribution in the hip joint capsule, and compared with the conventional approach, anatomical repair can achieve better biomechanical properties of the capsule.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Hip Joint/surgery* ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Stress, Mechanical

To solve the problems of small one-time ablation range and easy charring of the tissue around the electrode associated with the tumor radiofrequency ablation needle, based on the multiphysical field coupling analysis software COMSOL, the effects of needle material, the number of sub needles and the bending angle of sub needles on the ablation effect of radiofrequency ablation electrode needle were studied. The results show that compared with titanium alloy and stainless steel, nickel titanium alloy has better radiofrequency energy transmission efficiency and it is the best material for electrode needle. The number of sub needles has a great influence on the average necrosis depth and the maximum necrosis diameter. Under the same conditions, the more the number of sub needles, the larger the volume of coagulation necrosis area. The bending angle of the needle has a great effect on the maximum diameter of the coagulated necrotic area, but has little effect on the average necrotic depth. Under the same other conditions, the coagulation necrosis area formed by ablation increased with the increase of the bending angle of the sub needle. For the three needles with bending angles of 60 °, 90 ° and 120 ° analyzed in this paper, the one with bending angle of 120 ° can obtain the largest coagulation necrosis area. In general, the design of nickel titanium alloy with 120 ° bending 8-pin is the optimal. The average depth of radiofrequency ablation necrosis area is 32.40 mm, and the maximum necrosis diameter is 52.65 mm. The above optimized design parameters can provide guidance for the structure and material design of tumor radiofrequency ablation needle.
Humans ; Needles ; Temperature ; Catheter Ablation/methods* ; Necrosis ; Neoplasms/surgery* ; Alloys

OBJECTIVE: To isolate the phenolic amides from the dried bulbs of Allium chinense and investigate their myocardium protective activities. METHODS: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by combining with silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, HPLC and other chromatography techniques. Their structures were elucidated by NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. The isolated compounds were evaluated to determine their protective effect for myocardium cells in vitro. RESULTS: Two new phenolic amides, namely, alichinemide I ( 1) and alichinemide II ( 2), and six konwn amides were isolated from the dried bulbs of A. chinense. The structures of compounds 3- 8 were identified as 3-indolcarbaldehyde ( 3), 1-(2-aminophenyl)urea ( 4), 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carboxylic acid ( 5), N-trans-feruloyltyramine ( 6), N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine ( 7), and N-(3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl) acetamide ( 8). Compound 3 (50 μmol/L) showed significant inhibitory effect on the damage of H9c2 myocardial cells induced by H₂O₂in vitro. CONCLUSION Compounds 1 and 2 were new phenolic amides. Compound 3 could be one of the potential myocardium protective constituents of A. chinense.