Objective To discuss the surgical indications,relative merits and clinical outcomes of anterior reconstruction plate fixation for treating unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries.MethodsA retrospective study was done on clinical data of 36 patients with unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries treated with anterior reconstruction plate fixation from August 2004 to July 2010 and followed up for minimum one year.There were 25 males and 11 females,at mean age of 35.8 years ( range,13-62 years).There were two patients with anterior dislocation of the sacroiliac joint and 34 with posterior dislocation.According to Tile classification,there were four patients with type B fractures ( B1:3,B2:1 ) and 32 with type C fractures (C1-1:17,C1-2:12,C2:2,C3:1 ).Results All patients were followed up for average 2.3 years ( range,1-6 years).Fat liquefaction and superficial infection were founded in two patients who were cured by dressing change and frequent but low-dose blood transfusion.Eight patients were subjected to iatrogenic lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury.Meanwhile,five of them was recovered after treatment with neurotrophic drugs,but there were still three patients leaving lateral thigh numbness.One patient had L5 nerve root injury due to pull force,and was recovered after three months of neurotrophic drug therapy.According to Matta and Tometta criteria,the reduction results were excellent in 23 patients,good in 11 and fair in four,with excellence rate of 94％.No reduction loss or implant failure occurred.According to Majeed scoring system,the clinical outcomes were excellent in 17 patients,good in 14,fair in four and poor in one,with excellence rate of 86％.Of the seven patients pre-operatively associated with sacral plexusinjury,three obtained full recovery,two got partial recovery and two were free from recovery.Conclusion The anterior reconstruction plate fixation takes advantages of wide surgical indications,simple exposure,low infection rate,satisfactory reduction and solid fixation and may be a main treatment method for unstable posterior pelvic ring injuries.

Protamine (PRM) is one of the most abundant arginine-rich nucleoproteins in sperm and plays an important role in spermatogenesis. In the late stage of spermatogenesis, the replacement of PRM by histone prompts the closer combination between the nuclear matrix of sperm and nucleoprotein in order for high enrichment and condensation of nuclear chromatin in addition to preventing the sperm genome from mutation induced by internal and external factors. With the development of DNA sequencing techniques, researches on the association between PRM polymorphisms and male fertility are surfacing as a hot field. Many studies show that rs2301365 polymorphism is a risk factor for male infertility and increases the risk of male infertility by 27 - 66%, that rs737008 polymorphism of PRM1 and rs1646022 polymorphism of PRM2 are protective factors against Asian infertility, and that the ratio of PRM1 to PRM2 is intensively associated with male infertility. This review presents an update on the association between PRM gene polymorphisms and male infertility.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Protamines ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa

Ten compounds were isolated from the artificially induced dragon's blood of Dracaena cambodiana by various column chromatographies on silica and sephadex LH-20 gel. Based on spectral analysis of NMR and MS, their structures were identified as 3, 4-dihydroxyallylbenzene (1), 3', 4', 5'-trimethoxycinnamylalcohol (2), pinoresinol (3), (2R)-7, 4'-dihydroxy-8-methylflavane (4), (2R)-7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-methylflavane(5),(2S)-7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxy-8-methylflavane(6) ,(2S)-4',7-dihydroxy-6, 8-dimethylflavane(7), 4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone(8), 4,4'-dihydroxy-2-methoxydihydrochalcon(9) and Cambodianin E (10). Antibacterial activity assay showed that compounds 1, 4 and 10 have inhibitory effect on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cuben, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum and Ralstonia solanacearum.
Antifungal Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dracaena ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Fusarium ; drug effects ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalein on the gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the TM4 Sertoli cells of the mouse testis and its related mechanism.

METHODSWe measured the cytotoxicity of different concentrations of baicalein on the TM4 Sertoli cells in the mouse testis by MTT, detected the fluorescence transfer of the TM4 Sertoli cells by parachute assay, and determined the expression of the protein connexin 43 ( Cx43) in the baicalein-treated cells by Western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSBaicalein produced no obvious cytotoxicity on the TM4 Sertoli cells at the concentration below 60 µmol/L but significantly increased their GJIC at 0-20 µmol/L (P < 0.01). Western blot and immunofluorescence assay showed that 0-20 µmol/L baicalein remarkably elevated the expression of Cx43 in the TM4 cells (P < 0.01) and on the membrane of the TM4 cells.

CONCLUSIONBaicalein at the concentration of 0-20 µmol/L can significantly enhance GJIC in mouse TM4 Sertoli cells by increasing the expression of the Cx43 protein.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; Connexin 43 ; metabolism ; Flavanones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of SilverHawk directional atherectomy for femoropopliteal occlusive lesions. MethodsEighteen ischemia occlusive lesions in 11 patients of the lower extremity were treated with SilverHawk directional atherectomy.The mean lesion number was 1.6 ± 1. 1 per patient. The mean lesion length was ( 3.4 ± 2. 2 ) cm. The average degree of diameter stenosis was 96％ ± 14％. 9 lesions were totally occlusive. Clinical symptoms included claudication in 4 cases ( Rutherford classes: 3) and critical limb ischemia ( Rutherford classes: 4) in 7 cases. Lesions characteristics were divided by TASC classification: TASC B in 7 cases; TASC C in 1 case (in-stent occlusion); TASC D in 3 cases.Mean ABI was 0. 5± 0.4. Patency was evaluated with color duplex sonography or CTA besides clinical examination during follow-up.ResultsNine totally occlusive lesions were recanalizated successfully via intraluminal approach. 18 lesions achieved technical success (residual stenosis ＜50％ ) leaving 15％ ±7％ mean residual stenosis in mean (8 ±3)min, predilation was needed in one lesion ( in-stent occlusion) prior to atherectomy. Clinical symptoms improved or disappeared with mean ABI 1.07 ±0. 12 and Rutherford grades: 0 (n =9) and 1 (n =2). Patency rate was 100％ with mean 0. 93 ± 0. 14 ABI and Rutherford grades remain unchanged after follow-up of mean ( 9 ± 4 ) monthes.ConclusionsSilverHawk directional atherectomy is safe and effective for the treatment of lower extremity ischemia.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical application of endovascular treatment for severe Takayasu's arteritis (TA).MethodsIn this study,35 target lesions in 32 patients [28 women,mean age (30 ±8) years] with severe Takayasu's arteritis were treated with endovascular merthod.The average length of lesion was 3.1 cm( range 2.7 -5.3).The overall average degree of diameter stenosis was 90％ ± 11％ (range 70- 100)in which 15 lesions were completely occlusive.There were 10 patients whose ESR were higher than 20 mm/h( range 25 -37).Follow-up included physical examination and patency evaluated by color duplex souography/computed tomography angiography/angiography at 6 months and then annually.ResultsRecanalization was unsuccessful in 3 completely occlusive lesions,with a successful rate of 80％(12/15).There was one case in which embolization leading to acute thrombogenesis developed during interventional procedure and resulting in severe stroke.The technical successful rate ( residual stenosis ＜ 50％ ) was 88.6％ ( 31/35 ).The transient cerebral ischemia attack ( TIA ) symptoms disappeared in 31 cases.26 cases were followed up for an average of (19 ± 10) months (range 13 -40).Occipital infarction following severe in-stent restenosis developed 13 months later in one case.Symptomatic in-stent restenosis18monthslaterwasfoundin2cases. Patencyratewas88.5％( 23/26 ).ConclusionsEndovascular treatment is safe and effective for severe TA.Strict indication and accurate targeting the lesions help ensure the success of management.

Objective To evaluate the effects of femoral offset (FO) on the stress level of bone cement total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the elder patients by the three-dimensional finite element analysis. Methods The normal bilateral hip joints in two cases was determined with CT imaging,with parameters including FO,neck shaft angle and neck length.The three-dimensional finite element model of THA was built so as to make Von Mises stress analysis of the changes of different neck lengths,neck shaft angles and FO. Results Stress levels in the prosthesis and bone cement reduced monotonically with the increase of neck shaft angles.In the meantime,the stress levels were lowered when neck length was in a range of 35-44 mm,but beyond the range they showed monotonous increase. Conclusions The reduction of stress levels of prosthesis and bone cement,promotion of femur stress and extension of range of motion of hip joints are closely related to FO.FO reconstruction benefits the restoration of abductor force arm and biomechanical function of normal hip joints.

Objective To assess the clinical relevance of polymorphisms at position-251 in the promoter region of IL-8 gene and the incidence of sepsis in patients with severe trauma.Methods A total of 296 patients with severe trauma were included in the prospective cohort study.Incidence of sepsis was decided on the basis of the clinical manifestations and blood culture results.Muhiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) was performed using Marshall' s standard.IL-8/-251 gene polymorphisms were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RFLP).IL-8 plasma level was determined using ELISA method.Results Genotype frequency at IL-8/-251 locus in trauma patients was in accord with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P ＞ 0.05).Sepsis incidence in trauma patients with TT,TA,and AA genotypes at IL-8/-251 locus was 58.1％,49.6％,and 25.0％ respectively.Multiple regression analysis showed inverse correlation between sepsis incidence and quantity of A alleles [OR =0.637,95％ CI (0.421,0.963),P ＜ 0.05].Carriers of AA genotype presented lower MODS score than those of other two genotypes (P ＜ 0.05).IL-8 plasma level presented significant difference among carriers of the three genotypes (P ＜ 0.01) and A alleles were associated with the down-regulation of IL-8 (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion IL-8/-251T/A polymorphisms are implicated in the development of posttraumatic sepsis and AA genotype is protective against posttraumatic sepsis.

Objective To evaluate the function of MRE11 in inflammasome activation.Methods Different stimuli,in-cluding Poly(I∶C), Poly(dA∶dT),E.coli gDNA,293T gDNA,CPPD and HSV,were used to identify the effective inflamma-some activator using ELISA.Then, MRE11 siRNA oligos were sythesized and transfected into THP-1 cells while Western blotting was used to analyze the efficacy of MRE 11 knockdown .Finally ELISA and Western blotting were used to analyze the involvement of MRE11 in inflammasome activation induced by Poly (I∶C), Poly(dA∶dT), E.coli gDNA and 293T gDNA. Results The IL-1βsecretion and pro-caspase-1 activation which induced by Poly ( I∶C) , Poly( dA∶dT) , E.coli gDNA and 293T gDNA were reduced with different degrees in MRE 11-knockdown THP-1 cells.Conclusion These results indicate that MRE11 is required for inflammasome activation induced by genetic materials .

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the mechanism of L-type calcium channel ( L-Ca2+)/calpain signal transduc-tion pathway in verapamil inversing resistance of papillary thyroid carcinoma to doxorubicin .METHODS:Human papillary thyroid carcinoma TPC-1 cells were cultured for 2 d.For determining the appropriate concentrations and treatment time of verapamil and doxorubicin , a compatibility test was conducted to detect the cell viability by CCK-8 assay.The cells were divided into control group , doxorubicin group , verapamil group and doxorubicin +verapamil group .The techniques of whole-cell patch-clamp was used to record L-Ca2+currents.The protein expression levels of calpain 1 and LC3 were detec-ted by Western blot .RESULTS: Compared with control group , the density of L-Ca2+current decreased in doxorubicin group and verapamil group (P<0.05).Compared with verapamil group , the density of L-Ca2+current decreased in doxo-rubicin+verapamil group (P<0.01).Compared with control group, the expression of calpain 1 decreased in doxorubicin group and verapamil group (P<0.05).Compared with doxorubicin group , the expression of calpain 1 decreased in doxo-rubicin+verapamil group (P<0.05).Compared with control group , the expression of LC3 increased in doxorubicin group and verapamil group (P<0.05).Compared with doxorubicin group , the expression of LC3 increased in doxorubicin +ver-apamil group ( P<0.01) .CONCLUSION:The drug resistance of TPC-1 cells to doxorubicin may be related to the in-crease in autophagic activity .Verapamil further increases autophagic activity of TPC-1 cells, resulting in autophagic death and inversing the resistance of TPC-1 cells to doxorubicin .The mechanism may be involved in L-Ca2+/calpain 1 signal transduction pathway of autophagy .