Objective To determine the effects of EGCG on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced neuroinflamma-tion and investigate the role of neuroprotection mediated by EGCG .Methods Primary cultures of rat gliacyte were used as an in vitro model to examine the effects of EGCG on LPS-induced neuronal damage .The intracellu-lar Glu andγ-GABA were quantified via HPLC .Then the protein level of TNF-α,IL-1βand IL-8 was determined by ELISA and Western blot assay .Results Compared with the control group , LPS apparently induced the pro-duction of intracellular ROS ( P<0.05 ) and released the TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-8 in the primary cultures super-natant (P<0.05).Compared with the LPS group,EGCG significantly attenuated the release of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-8 ( P<0.05 ) and the level of iNOS protein ( P<0.05 ) .LPS apparently induced the production of intra-cellular ROS( P<0.05 ) and released the TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-8 in the primary cultures supernatant ( P <0.05 ) .EGCG significantly attenuated the release of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-8 ( P<0.05 ) and the level of iNOS protein(P<0.05), and rugulated the concentration of Glu/γ-GABA(P<0.05).Conclusions EGCG is effective in protecting hosts against LPS-induced neuroinflammation through anti-inflammatory effects and regulating extracel-lular Amino acid levels .

In temporomandibular disorders (TMD), pain takes place when neuropeptides stimulate synovial tissue to produce several cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which activate neurons and glia of synovial membrane at the bilaminar regions of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It has been reported that, after neurogenic differentiation, the synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs), deriving from TMJ, possess the same cytological features as the neuronal cells. This study examined the ability of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) to stimulate SMSCs and neurogenic SMSCs secreting inflammatory cytokines during TMD, evaluated the mutual effects of inflammatory cytokines and neuropeptides and tested the analgesic effect of hyaluronic acid (HA). The levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in SMSCs and neurogenic SMSCs in the presence of neuropeptides were measured by ELISA. SP and CGRP produced by SMSCs and neurogenic SMSCs were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that the expression of SP and CGRP was significantly enhanced in the neurogenic SMSCs in response to IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, and the effect was remarkably inhibited by HA. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, in return, could be enhanced in the neurogenic SMSCs upon stimulation by SP and CGRP. Neuropeptides and inflammatory cytokines might work mutually on the TMD pain. The HA-mediated analgesic effect may be implicated in the inhibition of SP and CGRP expression in neurogenic SMSCs.

BACKGROUND:Negative pressure wound therapy has been extensively used, but most people only knew the superiority of negative pressure wound therapy based on clinical experiences or subjective judgment.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of negative pressure wound therapy on the wound on the body surface, and to compare with contemporaneous conventional method.
METHODS:A total of 45 patients with wound on the body surface treated in the Peking Union Medical Col ege Hospital from January 2006 to December 2011 were enrol ed in this study, including 25 patients undergoing negative pressure wound therapy and 20 patients undergoing conventional change dressing method. Al clinical data were recorded.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Negative pressure wound therapy was better than conventional method (P<0.05), on terms of preoperative preparation period, wound granulation, bacterial scavenging, labor intensity of working staff and incidence of postoperative complications. However, no significant difference in therapy cost was detectable (P>0.05). These results suggested that compared with conventional method, negative pressure wound therapy positively contributed to the healing, obviously shortened preoperative preparation, accelerated the diminution of wound, decreased the incidence of complications of reconstruction, lessened patient’s distress, reduced their economic cost, and diminished labor intensity of working staff. Negative pressure wound therapy has been proven an excellent tool of to promote wound healing.

BACKGROUND:Negative pressure wound therapy has been widely recognized, the currently published papers are limited in academic value and lack of scientific, objective, qualified index to confirm the therapy effectiveness. OBJECTIVE:To systemical y evaluate the clinical effect of negative pressure wound therapy, provide more evidence for its clinical application, and guide clinical research.
METHODS:Fifteen articles were screened out of peer-reviewed publications (Cochran library, Embase, PubMed-Medline and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database). Scientific data were col ected and evaluated by two researchers. The data were statistical y analyzed with RevMan software.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Only 15 random-control ed trials were final y preserved, including 10 as B-grade moderate bias risk and focused on the effect of negative pressure wound therapy on chronic wounds, and 5 as C-grade high bias risk and focused on the effect of negative pressure wound therapy on acute wounds. There were significant differences in the main outcome measures between negative pressure wound therapy and conventional wound therapy. As for chronic wound patients, no significant difference was observed in the operation-preparing period, reducing wound area, promoting wound granulation, and amputation rate between two therapies. As for acute wound patients, the differences were significant in the operation-preparing period, promoting wound granulation, wound infection rate, and cost materials between two therapies. However, no difference was significant in the healing of wound and hospitalization time. Our findings indicate that, negative pressure wound therapy is an effective means for both acute and chronic wounds, it can shorten operation-preparing period, promote wound granulation, and reduce amputation rate and infection rate, thus providing evidence for clinical application. The wel-designed study is needed to develop high-quality random control ed trails.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Shenmai Injection (SI) in treating congestive heart failure (CHF).

METHODSThe changes in cAMP, cGMP, serum cardiac troponin T (cTnT, a specific marker reflecting myocardial injury), creatine kinase (CK) and creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) were simultaneously monitored in 62 chronic CHF patients, distributed in the two groups, the routine treatment group and the routine treatment + SI group, by randomized grouping method, and the therapeutic effect of the two groups was compared.

RESULTSThe plasma cAMP/cGMP ratio increased in early stage and decreased in late stage of the course of CHF. The serum cTnT level was progressively increased along with heart function deterioration. After treated with SI for 2 weeks, the CHF patients' hemodynamics got stable and heart function obviously improved. No serious adverse reaction was found in the therapeutic course.

CONCLUSIONThe level of serum cTnT might be taken as a reliable biochemical parameter to predict the prognosis of CHF patients. SI is an effective and safe agent in treating CHF.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panax ; Phytotherapy ; Schisandraceae ; Troponin T ; blood

Objective To compare the effectiveness of expandable intramedullary nail(EIMN) versus locked compression plate (LCP) in the treatment of humeral shaft fractures of AO types A and B.Methods The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and compared of the 44 humeral shaft fractures which had been treated between May 2012 and February 2016.There were 26 men and 18 women,from 23 to 66 years of age (average,41.5 years).By AO classification,22 cases were type 12-A and 22 type 12-B.EINM was used in 22 patients with an average age of 41.3 ± 1 1.7 years and LCP in 22 ones with an average age of 41.6 ± 10.3 years.The 2 groups were compared in terms of intraoperative blood loss,operative time,hospital stay,union time,union rate,Constant and Mayo scores at the final follow-ups,and complications as well.Results The 2 groups were compatible without significant differences in the preoperative demographic data (P ＞ 0.05).All the 44 patients were followed up for 10 to 18 months (average,12 months).The intraoperative blood loss (76.4 ± 18.66 mL),operative time (69.1 ± 13.2 min),incision length (5.8 ± 1.5 cm) and union time (13.2 ± 8.4 w) in the EIMN group were significantly better than those in the LCP group (138.6 ± 39.4 mL,96.4 ± 14.2 min,8.5 ± 1.4 cm and 18.4 ± 6.6 w,respectively) (P ＜ 0.05).There was also a significant difference between the 2 groups in the total complication rate[18.2％ (4/22) versus 50.0％ (11/22)] (P ＜0.05).No deep infection or should pain was observed in either group.Conclusions Inthe treatment of humeral shaft fractures of AO types 42-A and 42-B,compared with LCP,EIMN may have advantages of less intraoperative blood loss,operative time,union time and complications.The 2 methods are similar in hospital stay and final functional recovery of the should joint.

OBJECTIVETo reconstruct a penis with sensation and erectile function maintained by corpora cavernosa lengthening and skin flap transferring in the penis defect cases.

METHODSThe procedure was based on the use of releasing the suspensory ligaments and part of crus, various flaps were designed as coverage material. Penis residual stump was advanced to anterior portion of the newly reconstruction penile body as "glans".

RESULTS40 patients with penis defect have been operated by the above methods. In the cases, length of the penis varied from 0.5-4.0 cm in the flaccid, 1.5-5.0 cm in erect state before operation. And after operation, it turned to 5.0-8.5 cm in the flaccid, 7.0-12.5 cm in erect state. Most of the patients recovered gross tactile sensation and had satisfactory erectile function.

CONCLUSIONWith this method, the reconstructed penis tends to have a better appearance and function. It's a more optimal method compared with the conventional operation.

Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; injuries ; innervation ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Sensation

Adult ; Anti-HIV Agents ; therapeutic use ; Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension ; HIV ; pathogenicity ; Hepacivirus ; pathogenicity ; Hepatitis B virus ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Sulfonamides ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect of transumbilical single-site single-port with that of transumbilical single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele in adolescents.

METHODSWe randomly assigned 80 varicocele patients aged 10 - 16 years to two groups of equal number to receive transumbilical single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomy, respectively. We compared the operation time, postoperative hospital stay, incisional pain, complications and satisfaction with the abdominal cosmetic outcomes between the two groups.

RESULTSAll the operations were successfully performed. The double-port group showed a significantly higher score on the Visual Analogue Scale than the single-port group (4.8 +/- 1.4 vs 3.6 +/- 1.1, t = -4.986, P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the operation time ([29.8 +/- 4.2] vs [31.2 +/- 4.6] min, t = 1.383, P = 0.171), postoperative hospital stay ([1.95 +/- 0.7] vs [1.82 +/- 0.8] d, t = -0.784, P = 0.436), complications (0 vs 0) and scores on the satisfaction with abdominal cosmetic outcomes (4.6 +/- 0.6 vs 4.8 +/- 0.5, t = 1.253, P = 0.214). No recurrence, umbilical hernia, hydrocele and orchiatrophy were found in the two groups of patients at 6 months after operation, and no visible scar was observed on the abdominal surface.

CONCLUSIONWith strict surgical indications, single-site single-port and single-site double-port laparoscopic varicocelectomies have similar clinical effects in the treatment of varicocele, which leave no scar on the abdominal surface. Single-site double-port laparoscopy needs no special instruments and therefore is worthier of wide clinical application.

Adolescent ; Child ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Umbilicus ; surgery ; Varicocele ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical roles of Jiawei Shentong Zhuyu Decoction (JSZD) in preventing the occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and to observe its effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSTotally 100 patients prepared for surgical operation due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random number table, 50 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group additionally took JSZD, one dose per day, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those in the control group took Celecoxib Capsule (200 mg each time, once per day) and Mecobalamin Tablet (0.5 mg each time, 3 times per day). They only took Mecobalamin Tablet from the 11th day. All patients were treated for 30 days. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was performed before treatment, at week 1, after treatment, at 6 months of followed-ups, and at 12 months of followed-ups. And the levels of TNF-alpha in the peripheral blood were observed before treatment and at one month after treatment.

RESULTSTotally 93 patients completed the followed-up study. The JOA scores were improved after treatment, at 6 and 12 months of followed-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The JOA score at 6 months of followed-ups was superior in the treatment group to that of the control group (P < 0.05). Five patients (accounting for 10.6%) suffered from FBSS in the treatment group, while 9 (accounting for 19.6%) suffered from FBSS in the control group. The treatment group was superior to the control group (P < 0.05). The TNFalpha level was improved after treatment in the two groups. Of them, the improvement of TNF-alpha in the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of JSZD was effective for preventing the occurrence of FBSS, and improved the serum TNF-alpha level.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult