OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of the classification of talus fracture and surgery methods with avascular necrosis.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to November 2013, 78 patients with talus fracture were treated, of them, 43 cases were followed up from 2 to 5 years. There were 27 males and 16 females, aged from 17 to 65 years old with the mean of 38.6 years. Thirty-nine cases had talar neck injury and 4 cases had talar body injury. Different treatments were performed according to different injury conditions. The time from injury to treatment was from 6 to 48 hours. The effect of classification of talus fracture and surgery methods on avascular necrosis was analyzed.

RESULTSIn 43 cases,19 cases occurred avascular necrosis, including talar neck fracture of type I in 2 cases, type II in 5 cases, type III in 5 cases, type IV in 5 cases and talar body fracture in 2 cases (combined with talar neck fracture). And 29 patients were treated with operation, there was no statistically significant differences in avascular necrosis with different operations.

CONCLUSIONCompared with talar body fracture, talar neck fracture is more easily to develop into avascular necrosis. In the 4 types of talar neck fracture, the possibilities of type III and IV were the most ones.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; classification ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteonecrosis ; surgery ; Talus ; blood supply ; injuries

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of policosanol on serum lipid and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in patients with hyperlipidemia.

METHODSThis randomized, open study included 72 patients with hyperlipidemia. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment group (policosanol, 20 mg/d, n = 36) or placebo group (placebo, two tablets/d, n = 36). The levels of serum lipids, hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), HO-1 were assessed before and after 16 weeks treatment. Drug-induced adverse effects and events were recorded during the observation period. The serum HO-1 was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS(1) After 16 weeks, all parameters remained unchanged in the placebo group; the level of TC decreased from (7.01 ± 1.03) mmol/L to (5.66 ± 0.83) mmol/L (-19.4%, P < 0.01), the level of LDL-C decreased from (4.78 ± 0.72) mmol/L to (3.70 ± 0.69) mmol/L (-22.5%, P < 0.01) in the treatment group. TG and HDL-C levels remained unchanged (P > 0.05) while the level of HO-1 significantly decreased from (1.82 ± 1.08) µg/L to (1.45 ± 0.81) µg/L (P < 0.01) and the level of hs-CRP decreased from (3.40 ± 3.64) mg/L to (1.86 ± 2.02) mg/L (P < 0.01) in the treatment group. (2) Safety index was similar between placebo and treatment groups (P > 0.05) and there was no adverse events including allergic reaction, muscle pain in all subjects during the observation period.

CONCLUSIONThe short-term data obtained from this small hyperlipidemia patient cohort suggest that policosanol is a safe lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory agent for hyperlipidemia patients.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Alcohols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; blood ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo measure the iodine nutritional status on adult islanders and to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of iodized salt prophylactic programs.

METHODSA comparative study was carried out in 8 rural townships selected from Dinghai (iodized salt district) and Daishan (non-iodized salt district) of Zhoushan islands by random sampling method. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the urinary iodine concentration and dietary iodine intake of the two groups. Spearman correlation test was used to look for the correlation of urinary iodine concentration and dietary iodine intake in the two groups respectively.

RESULTSThe amounts of daily iodine intake excluding the iodine intake from iodized salt in the two groups were 128 micro g and 147 micro g respectively but the difference was not statistically significant (u = 1.847, P = 0.065). The urinary iodine concentration of non-iodized salt group was 90 micro g/L, lower than 194 micro g/L in iodized salt group (u = 14.673, P = 0.000). There was no significant correlation between daily iodine intake and urinary iodine concentration (r(s) = 0.052, P = 0.095).

CONCLUSIONSIn Zhoushan islands, the daily iodine intake did not meet the daily need (150 micro g/day) suggesting that iodized salt supplement was necessary. However, side effect due to overdose should be brought into attention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Goiter ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infant ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; deficiency ; urine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects

Cytisine (CYT), a partial agonist of α4β2-nicotinic receptors, has been used for antidepressant efficacy in several tests. Nicotinic receptors have been shown to be closely associated with depression. However, little is known about the effects of CYT on the depression. In the present study, a mouse model of depression, the unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS), was used to evaluate the activities of CYT. UCMS caused significant depression-like behaviors, as shown by the decrease of total distances in open field test, and the prolonged duration of immobility in tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Treatment with CYT for two weeks notably relieved the depression-like behaviors in the UCMS mice. Next, proteins related to depressive disorder in the brain region of hippocampus and amygdala were analyzed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of CYT. CYT significantly reversed the decreases of 5-HT1A, BDNF, and mTOR levels in the hippocampus and amygdala. These results imply that CYT may act as a potential anti-depressant in the animals under chronic stress.
Amygdala ; Animals ; Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Hindlimb Suspension ; Hippocampus ; Mice ; Physical Exertion ; Receptors, Nicotinic*

OBJECTIVETo analyze the effects of long-term microwave exposure on hippocampal structure and function in the rat.

METHODSExperiments were performed on 184 male Wistar rats (three exposure groups and a sham group). Microwaves were applied daily for 6 min over 1 month at average power densities of 2.5, 5, and 10 mW/cm2. Learning and memory abilities were assessed by Morris water maze. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect neurotransmitter concentrations in the hippocampus. Hippocampal structures were observed by histopathological analysis.

RESULTSFollowing long-term microwave exposure there was a significant decrease in learning and memory activity in the 7 d, 14 d, and 1 m in all three microwave exposure groups. Neurotransmitter concentrations of four amino acids (glutamate, aspartic acid, glycine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid) in hippocampus were increased in the 2.5 and 5 mW/cm2 groups and decreased in the 10 mW/cm2 group. There was evidence of neuronal degeneration and enlarged perivascular spaces in the hippocampus in the microwave exposure groups. Further, mitochondria became swollen and cristae were disordered. The rough endoplasmic reticulum exhibited sacculated distension and there was a decrease in the quantity of synaptic vesicles.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggest that the hippocampus can be injured by long-term microwave exposure, which might result in impairment of cognitive function due to neurotransmitter disruption.

Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cognition ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; physiopathology ; radiation effects ; Learning ; Male ; Memory ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microwaves ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo compare clinical outcomes of superior labrum from anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair and biceps tenodesis in treating type I SLAP injury.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to March 2012, 38 patients with type II SLAP injury were treated with SLAP repair and biceps tenodesis, and all patients were unilateral SLAP injury. Sixteen patients treated with biceps tenodesis included 8 males and 7 females with an average age of (49.3±3.7) years old (ranged, 45 to 54); 10 cases were on the left side and 6 cases on the right side; 10 cases were caused by falling down, 2 cases were caused by throwing damage and 4 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 8 weeks. Twenty-two patients treated with SLAP repair included 14 males and 8 females with an average age of (49.0±2.8) years old (ranged, 44 to 56); 13 cases were on the left side and 9 cases were on the right side; 14 cases were caused by falling down, 5 cases were caused by throwing damage and 3 cases were caused by daily life damage; the time from injury to operation were from 3 to 7 weeks. Preoperative, postoperative at 6 months, 1 year and 2 years' UCLA and SST score were compared between two groups.

RESULTSThere was no significant differences in UCLA and SST score between two groups before operation. At 6 months after operation, UCLA and SST score in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group, and action,range of anteflexion, strength of anteflexion, degree of satisfaction in biceps tenodesis group was higher than SLAP group. There was no significant meaning in SST and UCLA score between two groups at 1 and 2 years after operation.

CONCLUSIONShort-term efficacy of biceps tenodesis for SLAP injury is better than SLAP repair, but long-term efficacy is fairly.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Tendon Injuries ; surgery ; Tenodesis

OBJECTIVETo establish an porcine model of whole pancreaticoduodenal transplantation with portal venous drainage and enteric drainage for ensuring physiologically normal function without hyperinsulinemia and reducing postoperative complications.

METHODSTwenty sichuan native outbreding white pigs weighing 25-30 kg were divided equally into two groups to serve as the donors and recipients. Cooling of the grafts was accomplished with in situ flush with 4 degrees C UW preservation solution via an aortic cannula. A whole pancreatoduodenal graft with the segment of abdominal aorta and the portal vein was harvested from the donor pigs. Type I diabetes model was established by complete removal of the recipient pancreas. The whole pancreatoduodenal graft was preserved and shaped in UW solution, and the subphrenic abdominal aorta of the recipient was joined with the donor abdominal aorta via a side-to-end anastomosis, and venous reflux was reconstructed between the donor portal vein and the recipient superior mesenteric vein. Side-to-side intestinal anastomosis was performed between the donor duodenum and the recipient jejunum.

RESULTSTen pancreaticoduodenal transplantations (PVE+ED style) were done, and pancreatic graft thrombosis and embolism occurred only in 1 pig 6 days after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONThe model of whole pancreaticoduodenal transplantation with portal venous drainage and enteric drainage is stable and reliable.

Animals ; Drainage ; methods ; Duodenum ; transplantation ; Female ; Intestines ; surgery ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Pancreas Transplantation ; Portal Vein ; surgery ; Swine ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of microwave radiation on GC-2spd cells.

METHODSWe exposed cultured GC-2spd cells to microwave radiation at the average power densities of 0, 10 and 30 mW/cm2 for 15 minutes and, from I to 24 hours after the exposure, we observed the changes in cell proliferation, histology and ultrastructure, cell apoptosis, and cAMP content by MTIT, light microscopy, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the GC-2spd cells showed a significant decrease in proliferation ability at 1 -24 hours after 10 and 30 mW/cm2 microwave radiation, except at 12 hours after 30 mW/cm2 radiation (P <0.05 or P <0.01), with reduced length and number of cell enation and increased intra cytoplasm vacuoles. The rate of cell apoptosis (%) was significantly increased in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 hours (4.56 +/- 2.09 vs 14.59 +/- 1.09 and 8.48 +/- 1.73, P <0.05 or P <0.01) , with agglutination and margin translocation of chromatins and obvious dilation of endo cytoplasmic reticula. The cAMP content (nmol/g) in the GC-2spd cells was remarkably reduced in the 10 and 30 mW/cm2 groups at 6 and 24 hours (2.77 +/-0.24 vs 1.65+/- 0. 17 and 1.96+/-0.10, 3.02 +/-0.47 vs 2.13 +/-0.33 and 1.69 +/-0.27, P <0.05 or P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONMicrowave radiation at 10 and 30 mW/cm2 may cause injury to GC-2spd cells, which is manifested by decreased content of intracellular cAMP, reduced activity of cell proliferation, and increased rate of cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; radiation effects ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Spermatocytes ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVEThe primary aim of this prospective study was to use serial (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging to evaluate the trend of the tumor's maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) during radiotherapy (RT) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), and to explore the possibility of early evaluation of the tumor bio-metabolic response during radiotherapy.

METHODSSixty patients with biopsy-proven primary NPC were prospectively enrolled into the study. All patients underwent four (18)F-FDG PET-CT scans: one initial scan before RT/cisplatin based concurrent chemoradiotherapy, at the point of 50 Gy during RT, the end of RT, and one month after RT, respectively. Tumor (18)F-FDG uptake was analyzed according to the World Health Organization pathological type.

RESULTSThere was a significant difference (P < 0.001) of the mean of SUVmax of the primary site among pretreatment (11.20 ± 5.37) and posttreatment at the dose of 50 Gy (3.50 ± 1.59), at the end of RT (3.05 ± 1.56) and one month after RT (2.52 ± 1.46). There was also a significant difference (P < 0.001) of the mean of SUVmax of neck node site. However, there was a significant difference of the SUVmax between histological WHO type IIb and type IIa in the primary site (P = 0.046) [(67 ± 19)% reduction at dose 50 Gy for type IIb vs. (55 ± 24)% for type IIa] but not in the lymph nodes.

CONCLUSIONSEarly PET scan during or right after RT instead of conventional 3 months interval after RT is indicated to evaluate the tumor response and to develop individualized adaptive radiotherapy in NPC. Our next study will attempt to demonstrate the results based on long-term follow-up data.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Radiotherapy, High-Energy ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To explore and compare the relevant regional anatomies as they relate the fron- tolateral keyhole approach under microscopy and neuroendoscopy for operations in anterior cranial base and sellar region.Methods Fifteen silieone-injected cadaveric heads were dissected to reveal and compare the extent of expesure through the transfrontolateral keyhole approach under neuroendoscopy and microscopy. Results Portions in the areas of olfactory groove,sellar region and sylvian tissure were blind under micro- scope.Endoscope could allow observation of areas considered blind under the microscope.It could increase light intensity during the approach to objects,extend viewing angles,clear depiction of details in close-up po- sitions and inspect hidden structures.But images of endoscope were two dimensional,lack of view depth.Mi- croscopy and neuroendoscopy could help each other to recuperate deficiency.Conclusion Endoscope-assis- ted neuromicrosurgery is helpful,safe and minimally invasive to treat deepseated lesions in anterior cranial base,sellar region by transfrontolateral keyhole approach.