Adult ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Background:The preferred treatment for uncomplicated type B dissection (thoracic endovascular aortic repair [TEVAR] or medical) is still under debate.Since 2001,our center has performed TEVAR for uncomplicated type B dissection.Based on our data,5-and 10-year survival rates among patients with uncomplicated type B dissection after TEVAR were 96.5％ and 83.0％,respectively.We,therefore,believe that TEVAR is preferable for uncomplicated type B dissections.This study analyzed the impact of a pre-operative smoking history on long-term survival after TEVAR in patients with uncomplicated type B dissections.Methods:From May 2001 to December 2013,data from 751 patients with type B dissections were collected and analyzed.Patients were divided into two groups (337 smoking patients and 414 non-smoking patients).The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare survival curves of the two groups.Multivariable analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the effects of smoking on survival rates.Results:The 5-and 10-year survival rates of non-smokers were 97.6％ (95％ confidence interval [CI],96.0％-99.2％) and 87.0％ (95％ CI,81.6％-92.7％),respectively,and 94.9％ (95％ CI,92.2％-97.7％) and 73.8％ (95％ CI,62.3％-87.5％) for smokers,respectively (Log-rank test,P =0.006).Multivariable analyses showed that smoking increased the risk of death during follow-up,2.1-fold when compared to non-smokers (P =0.039).Conclusion:A pre-operative smoking history increases long-term mortality rates after TEVAR in patients with uncomplicated type B dissections.

OBJECTIVETo assess the early efficacy of metallic modular radial head prostheses in patients with Mason III and IV unreconstructable radial head fractures.

METHODSThe medical records of 16 patients (9 males, 7 females) with a mean age of 43 years old (31 to 57) with Mason III/IV unreconstructable radial head fractures requiring metallic modular radial head replacement between January 2009 and March 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. The functional results were assessed by range-of-movement, Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). All patients underwent radiographic evaluation for radial head height and radiolucent lines.

RESULTSFourteen patients were evaluated with follow-up for 12 to 33 months with an average of 23 months. Range of movement parameters was significantly lower in the affected elbow than in the unaffected side (P < 0.01). MEPS results were excellent in 9 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 2 cases, and poor in 1 case. According to Grewal grading, there were 4 cases of periprosthetic lucencies of the radius and 1 case had significant clinical signs of loosening.

CONCLUSIONRadial head replacement with the metallic modular prostheses yields satisfactory results regarding range of motion and function of the elbow joint in short term. The evolution of this prostheses needs to be evaluated with further studies to assess mid-term and long-term follow-up results.

Adult ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Elbow ; methods ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radius ; surgery ; Radius Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To assess the early efficacy of metallic modular radial head prostheses in patients with MasonⅢandⅣunreconstructable radial head fractures. Methods:The medical records of 16 patients (9 males,7 females) with a mean age of 43 years old (31 to 57) with MasonⅢ/Ⅳunreconstructable radial head fractures requiring metallic modular radial head replacement between January 2009 and March 2012 ,were reviewed retrospectively. The functional results were assessed by range of movement,Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS). All patients underwent radiographic evaluation for radial head height and radiolucent lines. Results:Fourteen patients were evaluated with follow up for 12 to 33 months with an average of 23 months. Range of movement parameters was significantly lower in the affected elbow than in the unaffected side (P<0.01). MEPS results were excellent in 9 cases,good in 2 cases,fair in 2 cases,and poor in 1 case. According to Grewal grading,there were 4 cases of periprosthetic lucencies of the radius and 1 case had significant clinical signs of loosening. Conclusion:Radial head replacement with the metallic modular prostheses yields satisfactory results regarding range of motion and function of the elbow joint in short term. The evolution of this prostheses needs to be evaluated with further studies to assess mid term and long term follow up results.

This study was aimed to investigate the prophylactic effect of Toll like receptor (TLR)5 agonist flagellin on acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and its possible mechanism. The animal model with allo-HSCT aGVHD was established by using purebred mice (male mouse C57BL/6 as donor, female mouse BALB/c as recipient) with complete-unidentical major histocompatibility antigen. The recipient mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 in which mice were injected with high purity (95%) flagellin before and after allo-HSCT respectively, group 2 in which mice received allo-HSCT without injection of flagellin, group 3 in which mice were radiated alone. The aGVHD features of mice in group 1 and 2 were observed and compared. The results showed that the typical symptoms of aGVHD appeared in transplanted mice. The death peak of mice in group 2 appeared at day 4-5 after transplantation. The aGVHD symptoms were obviously alleviated and the mean survival time was prolonged significantly in mice group 1 as compared with mice in group 2 (P < 0.05). The comparison of WBC count in peripheral blood of mice in 3 groups before transplantation showed no significant difference (P > 0.05), while WBC count of mice in group 1 and 2 showed the significant difference at days 14 and 21 after transplantation (P < 0.05). The pathological appearances of aGVHD in mice of group 1 were obviously reduced as compared with mice in group 2. The flow cytometric detection of Treg cell/CD4(+) T cell levels at different time before and after transplantation demonstrated that the Treg cell level in mice of group 1 at weeks 2-4 after transplantation significantly increased as compared with mice in group 2 (P < 0.05). It is concluded that flagellin can effectively prevent the aGVHD occurrence after allo-HSCT, reduce the symptoms and pathological changes of aGVHD, obviously prolong mean survival time of mice in group 1. The mechanism of flagellin effect may be associated to increase of Treg cell level in mice after allo-HSCT.
Animals ; Female ; Flagellin ; therapeutic use ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; methods ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Toll-Like Receptor 6 ; agonists ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo discuss the selection of the initial surgery extent for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) without metastasis.

METHODSThe clinical data of 504 cases with DTC, who accepted the surgical treatment from Jan 1995 to Dec 2004, were analyzed and studied. There were 329 cases without metastasis. The operative extents less than total thyroidectomy were performed on 93 cases (92.1%) with stage T(1), 166 cases (88.3%) with stage T(2), 22 cases (91.7%) with stage T(3) and 12 cases (75.0%) with stage T(4). The recurrence situation after the initial surgery was compared between different T-stage groups and between different surgical extents, total and less than total thyroidectomy.

RESULTSThe recurrence of DTC was found in 37 cases of the follow-up cases (8.9%), including 29 cases without metastasis in the initial surgery. There was no significant difference in the recurrent rate between T(1) and T(2) groups (P>0.05). The significant difference was found in recurrent rate between T(1) and T(3) or T(4) groups, T(2) and T(3) or T(4) groups (P<0.05). No significant difference in the ratio of the initial surgical extent less than total thyroidectomy was found between stage T(1) and T(2) cases without metastasis (P>0.05). The rate of the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1.2%. The transient hypoparathyroidism happened in 2% of the cases, without the permanent hypoparathyroidism.

CONCLUSIONSThe surgical extent less than total thyroidectomy, especially subtotal thyroidectomy, is rational and available to stage T(1) and T(2) cases of DTC without metastasis. It can effectively remove the tumor and avoid postoperative complications. Total thyroidectomy should be performed on stage T(3) and T(4) cases of DTC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDMost patients with epilepsy want to learn as much as possible about the disease, and many have turned to the internet for information. Patients are likely to use information obtained from the internet to control their epilepsy, but little is known about the accuracy of this information. In this survey, we have assessed the feasibility and usability of internet-based interventions for the treatment of epilepsy.

METHODSData were collected from an internet search. Different search terms were used to obtain general information on epilepsy together with information about medication, types of epilepsy, treatment, women's health, and other information. The accuracy of the information was evaluated by a group of experts.

RESULTSA total of 1320 web pages were assessed. The majority were websites related to health. A large number (80.2%) of web pages contained content related to the search term. A significant number of web pages 450/1058 (42.5%) claimed to provide information from a credible source; however, only 206/1058 (19.5%) of the information was accurate and complete; 326/1058 (30.8%) was accurate but incomplete; 328/1058 (31.0%) was correct but nonstandard, and 198/1058 (18.8%) was inaccurate. The authenticity of the information was not significantly different between the two search engines (χ2 = 0.009, P = 0.924). No significant difference was observed in the information obtained from a specialist or nonspecialist source (χ2 = 7.538, P = 0.057). There was also no correlation between the quality of the information and the priority (χ2 = 6.880, P = 0.076).

CONCLUSIONSSearching for information about epilepsy on the internet is convenient, but the information provided is not reliable. Too much information is inaccurate or for advertisement purposes, and it is difficult for patients to find the useful information. Turning to the internet for medical knowledge may be harmful. Physicians should be aware that their patients may search for information on the internet and guide them to safe, reputable websites.

Chi-Square Distribution ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Internet ; Software

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the incidence of precore mutation in HBeAg negative HBV infected patients and the therapeutic effect of the immune therapy (levamisole + HBV vaccine + dipyridamole) on patients chronically infected by HBV with precore mutation.

METHODSThe precore region of HBV from the HBeAg (-) chronic hepatitis patients was sequenced and the patients suffered from HBV with precore mutation were treated with immune therapy.

RESULTSThe precore mutation rate was 10/12. The therapeutic effect of the immune therapy on the precore mutation patients (5/7) was better than that on the HBsAg(+), HBeAg(+) patients (2/11), P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONThe precore mutation rate was quite high in the HBsAg(+), HBeAg(-) patients we studied. The immune-therapy has some therapeutic effects on the patients with precore mutation. But the number of cases was too small, further study is needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Dipyridamole ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Levamisole ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Mutation

OBJECTIVETo study the different features of hyperplasia in castrated and uncastrated mice after testosterone (T) treatment.

METHODSForty-eight BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 in each: castrated (A), uncastrated (B) , castrated + low T (C), uncastrated + low T (D), castrated + high T (E), uncastrated + high T (F). Groups C and D were treated with testosterone solution at the dose of 12.5 mg/(kg d) and Groups E and F at 125 mg/(kg d) for 20 consecutive days, while Groups A and B received saline only. All the mice were sacrificed on the 21st day, their ventral and dorsal prostate glands weighed and their pathological features studied.

RESULTSAtrophic prostates were observed in Group A, but normal in Group B; prostatic hyperplasia was found in both Group C and D, but more obvious in the latter (P <0.05); and a slightly higher degree of hyperplasia was noted in Groups E and F than in C and D. There was an increase in serum T and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration and a decrease in serum estrogen (E2) concentration in the testosterone treated groups.

CONCLUSIONBoth castrated and uncastrated mice develop prostate hyperplasia after short-term testosterone treatment, although in different degrees and with different features, which may help further the studies on the association of castration and androgen with prostate diseases.

Animals ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Testosterone ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mechanism of anticoagulation protein defect in the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent miscarriage.

METHODSFifty-seven patients with a history of unexplained abortion were enrolled as the investigation group for tests of protein C, protein S, antithrombin III (AT-III), as well as activated protein C resistance (APC-R). The control group consisted of fifty healthy women with a history of normal pregnancy and delivery. Blood samples were obtained for, measuring serum activity of protein C, protein S, AT-III, and APC-R. Patients with positive APC-R were tested for factor V (FV) Leiden gene mutation by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSOf the 57 patients, 12 (21.1%), 1 (1.8%), and 5 (8.8%) cases were found with protein S, protein C, and AT-III deficiency respectively, and 13 (22.8%) cases with positive results of APC-R. Of the control group, no protein C or AT-III deficiency was ever found, whereas 2 (4.0%) volunteers were presented with protein S deficiency and 3 (6.0%) with positive results of APC-R. No FV Leiden gene mutation was identified in all the patients with positive APC-R results. Late spontaneous abortion cases had higher incidence of anticoagulation protein defect than the early cases.

CONCLUSIONAnticoagulation protein defect may play a role in the pathogenesis of fetal loss, especially for those occurring in late stage of pregnancy.

Abortion, Habitual ; blood ; etiology ; Activated Protein C Resistance ; blood ; complications ; genetics ; Adult ; Antithrombin III ; metabolism ; Antithrombin III Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Factor V ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Point Mutation ; Protein C ; metabolism ; Protein C Deficiency ; blood ; complications ; Protein S ; metabolism ; Protein S Deficiency ; blood ; complications