Objective By X-ray measurement of metacarpal and phalange bones in the right hand of adult patients with Kaschin-Beck disease in Qinghai Province,to provide anatomic data and information for clinic diagnosis of the disease and application of hand surgery.Methods Fifty-four cases of adult patients with Kaschin-Beck disease,who came from Guide County and Xinghai County in Hainan Prefecture,Qinghai Province,were selected as investigation subjects,then their right hand X-ray film were taken,metacarpal and phalange bones were measured by electronic digital vernier caliper.All data were analyzed with SPSS 19.0.Results The axis length of the metacarpal bones was in the order of:the 2nd metacarpal ＞ 3rd metacarpal ＞ 4th metacarpal ＞ 5th metacarpal ＞ first metacarpal.The axis length of proximal phalange bones was in the order of:the middle finger proximal ＞ ring finger proximal ＞ index finger proximal ＞ little finger proximal ＞ proximal thumb,while the middle,distal phalanx axis length varied greatly.The length of metacarpal and phalange bones of all male was longer than that of female(all P ＜ 0.01).The width of the metacarpal bones was in the order of:the 2nd metacarpal ＞ 3rd metacarpal ＞ 5th metacarpal ＞ 4th metacarpal.The width of the 2nd-5th metacarpal of male and female was (8.57 ± 0.90),(8.25 ± 0.80),(6.84 ± 0.69),(7.70 ± 0.77)mm and (7.40 ± 0.74),(7.36 ± 0.70),(6.00 ± 0.57),(6.62 ± 0.65)mm,respectively,the differences were significant(t =5.24,4.32,4.85,5.55,all P ＜ 0.01).The matacarpal bone index of female[(8.23 ± 0.90)mm] was significantly larger than that of male[(7.61 ± 0.76)mm,t =2.73,P ＜ 0.01].Conclusion X-ray measurement of hand may provide reference information for diagnosis of Kaschin-Beck disease and determination of metacarpal and phalange length in hand surgery.

Objective By investigating newly diagnosed Kashin-beck disease,to understand distribution range,epidemic intensity and prevalence trend of Kashin-Beck disease(KBD)in Xinghai County.Method According to monitoring method on national KBD,we carried on epidemical investigation,clinical examination and X-ray photograph on school children aged 7-13 years in 6 villages from 4 towns in Xinghai County,and hair,grain,water and soil were sampled to detect selenium content using naphthalene fluorescence.Resuit Three hundred and seventy.three school children aged 7-13 years underwent the clinical examination,the prevalence rate was 12.06%(45/373);347 school children were went on X-ray,the detection rate of X-ray was 21.61%(75/347).The selenium content was the lowest in Quanqu Village,Ziketan Town,which were(77.70±42.04),(7.44±6.93)μg/kg respectively;the selenium content Was highest in Cainaihai Village,Qushian Town,which were(103.88±58.57),(29.58±24.11)μg/kg respectively;level of in internal and external environment in 4 KBD region were all low.Conclusion These four region are new KBD region.The prevalence state of KBD is serious,pathogenetic factor of Kashin-Beck disease is very active.

BACKGROUNDMediastinoscopy has experienced a renaissance due to the introduction of neoadjuvant treatment protocols and recognition of the limitations of noninvasive mediastinal staging of lung cancer by CT and PET. The aim of this study is to determine the value of video-mediastinoscopy in mediastinal staging of lung cancer.

METHODSA total of 60 patients who underwent video-mediastinoscopy for known or suspected lung cancer were retrospectively reviewed. There were 52 cervical mediastinoscopies, 2 parasternal mediastinoscopies and 6 combined procedures. All the patients were found to have enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes on radiographic examination of the chest (more than 1.0cm on its shortest axis).

RESULTSOf the 60 patients, 42 patients were found with N2 or N3 disease on video-mediastinoscopy and then were confirmed pathologically. The other 18 mediastinoscopy-negative patients underwent thoracotomy for pulmonary resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection in the same operative session, in which thoracotomy-proven N0 was found in 17 patients, and N2 in 1 patient (false-negative result by video-mediastinoscopy). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of video-mediastinoscopy for mediastinal staging of lung cancer were 97.7%, 100% and 98.3%, respectively. In the entire group of 60 patients, there was 1 complication (1.7%) , and no perioperative death.

CONCLUSIONSVideo-mediastinoscopy is a highly effective and safe procedure. It can be used routinely in mediastinal staging of lung cancer.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epidermis ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; pharmacology

Objective: To discuss the safety issues of moxibustion therapy in view of moxibustion materials. Methods: The analyses and assessment were performed based on the survey carried out on the use of moxa, modem and ancient records, modern studies, and clinical applications. Results:Moxa has been used as both a medicine and a food for a long history in China. Regarding moxibustion specifically, moxa has been proven to be the optimum choice for moxibustion therapy,through practices and experiments by doctors from different generations. No records have shown any side- or adverse-effects of moxa applied in moxibustion therapy. Conclusion: Moxa has been used in multiple ways for several thousands of years by Chinese people. As the main material for moxibustion therapy, its safety has been proven by documents and clinical practices.

To investigate the inherent characteristics of the pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR),analysis of DNA sequence,randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) were used to study the pathogenic and nonpathogenic 10 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica. The Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica of serotyps 0∶3?0∶9 and 0∶5,27 were confirmed containing pathogenic gene of adherent invasion locus(ail) and their DNA fingerprints were much more similar,and it was also found that the serotype 0∶22 contained ail gene whose fingerprints was partly similar with the pathogenic ones in molecular structure. The pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica strains were similar in the inherent and polymorphic. The serotype 0∶22 may have relativly evaluated association with pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica, which is possible that it got potentially pathogenicity.

To investigate the influential factors of different concentrations of some reagents and the comparability among the laboratories of RAPD. RAPD was carried out with different concentrations of reagents and three different amplified cyclers to amplify 11 strains of pathogenic vibrios. 11 strains of pathogenic vibvios were genotyped into 4 types, and could be easily repeated.The different concentrations of primer and 4 dNTP could influence the result of RAPD,but the fingerprints of RAPD produced respectively with 3 amplified cyclers were consistent. It is suggested that RAPD can be compared among the laboratories with the standard reagents.

Objective To report an improved method, color-ultrasonography-guided inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placement, for preventing the pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by the deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Methods Color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter insertion was performed in 9 patients with DVT of lower limb, 1 of which also had PE accompanied with at the time of admission. Out of the 9 patients, 5 patients underwent embolectomy immediately after the filter placement while the other 4 patients were treated conservatively. Results The placements were all completed successfully. Follow-up observations for 1～7 months (mean 2 months) found no complications or occurrence of PE. No recurrence of PE was found in the patient already with PE. Conclusions The color-ultrasonography-guided IVC filter placement can effectively prevent PE caused by DVT. The method is suitable for severe, immovable patients, as well as patients with renal insufficiency and being allergic to intravenous contrast, and is safe, convenient, cheap and prone to popularization.

Objective To investigate the effective predictors of response in HBeAg-positive patients treated with adefovir dipivoxil(ADV)and to provide evidence for individualized treatment.Methods Patients administered with ADV for 48 weeks in a randomized,placebo-controlled,multicenter trial were studied.Statistical analyses,such as Backward stepwise logistic regression and 2?2 method were used for predictors analysis at week 48.Results The baseline serum ALT levels,HBV DNA levels,and undetectable serum HBV DNA by PCR at week 24 were predictors for HBV DNA negativity at week 48.The median of serum ALT levels and HBV DNA levels prior to treatment were 134.5 U/L and 6.57 lg copies/mL,respectively.Patients with baseline ALT levels higher than the median,HBV DNA levels lower than the median,and serum HBV DNA undectectable by PCR at week 24 had greater rate of HBV DNA negativity(93.3%),HBeAg loss(60%)and HBeAg seroconversion(40%)at week 48 than the others.47.8% of patients whose HBV DNA levels were positive at week 24 also achieved HBV DNA negativity at week 48,and 8.6% achieved HBeAg seroconversion.Conclusion Better response at week 48 has significantly higher serum ALT levels and lower HBV DNA levels prior to treatment and HBV DNA negativity at week 24 compared with non-response.Patients whose HBV DNA levels ware still positive at week 24 should continue therapy.

Objective To assess long-term outcomes of electrocoagulation for treating varicose veins of the lower extremities. Methods A retrospective review was made on clinical data of 426 cases of varicose veins of the lower extremities treatd by electrocoagulation from October 1996 to October 2001.Postoperative follow-ups were carried out with clinic checkups or questionnaires.Results Of the 426 cases,follow-ups for 4~9 years(mean,5.8 years) were completed in 364 cases(500 limbs) and a loss to follow-up was encountered in 62 cases,the follow-up rate being 85.4%.The cumulative rate of recurrent varicose veins was 10.4%(52/500),in which the recurrent varicose veins were cured with sclerosing agents in 50 limbs and with re-operations in 2 limbs.The relief rate of sensation of heaviness and tension was 95.1%(309/325).Accompanying venous ulcers in 20 limbs healed up within 2~8 weeks.The incidences of subcutaneous hematoma and saphenous nerve injury were 0.8%(5/594) and 1.2%((7/594),) respectively.Skin burns happened in 5 limbs(0.8%,5/594). Conclusions Electrocoagulation for varicose veins of the lower extremities is proved to be a novel minimally invasive method,with advantages of safety,effectiveness,low costs,and short hospital stay.