Acupuncture Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Ovulation Induction

BACKGROUND:Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are certainly related to seasons.
OBJECTIVE:To analyze whether there is a seasonal pattern for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) after total hip and knee arthroplasty.
METHODS:We retrospected 866 patients (1 114 joints) underwent total hip and knee arthroplasty. There were 506 cases of total hip arthroplasty, including 287 male cases and 219 female cases, and 608 cases of total knee arthroplasty, including 133 male cases and 475 female cases. The average age was (60.98±0.87) years. After arthroplasty, patients were given color Doppler ultrasound in the deep veins of the lower limbs and pelvis to analyze the correlation between occurrence of deep vein thrombosis and seasons.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was a significant difference in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in summer and winter (χ2=7.190, P=0.007), in summer and spring (χ2=6.995, P=0.008), as wel as in summer and autumn (χ2=5.663, P=0.017). No statistical differences were tested in spring and autumn, in autumn and winter, and in spring and winter (P>0.05). These findings indicate that there is a seasonal variation of deep venous thrombosis after arthroplasty, and the highest incidence of deep vein thrombosis is in winter.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine A-nanoparticles emulsion (CsA-NP) combined with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs)transplantation therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a miniswine model.

METHODSCsA-NP emulsion was prepared by the high-pressure homogenization method. Models were performed by coronary angioplasty for percutaneous balloon occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD). A total of 17 miniswines survived after AMI were divided into four groups: control group (n=5), CsA-NP group (n=4), ASCs group (n=4), and CsA-NP+ASCs group (n=4). ASCs or saline were delivered by intracoronary injection one week after AMI.Before cell transplantation and 8 weeks after cell transplantation, delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) was performed to evaluate cardiac function and viability. The infarcted myocardium and implanted cells were histologically studied.

RESULTSEight weeks after treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)significantly increased in the CsA-NP+ASCs group when compared with the ASCs group [(53.6 ± 2.4)% vs. (48.3 ± 1.8)%, P<0.05]; meanwhile, the infarct size significantly decreased [(6.2 ± 1.7)cm(3) vs.(7.5 ± 0.6) cm(3), P<0.05] and the thickness of the ventricular wall significantly increased (P<0.05). Histology showed that the number of surviving cells increased nearly by three times in the CsA-NP+ASCs group, and the expressions of the cardiomyocyte specific markers (cTnT and α-actin) were detected. Histological samples also showed that CsA-NP+ASCs group reduced fibrotic tissue, and down-regulated the activation of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONThe CsA-NP+ASCs combination therapy can enhance the viability of ASCs by improving LVEF and preventing LV expansion, which may be explained that CsA-NP has the anti-apoptotic effect and can promote the survivals and proliferation of ASCs.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Nanoparticles ; Random Allocation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Swine

Objective To explore the roles of frequency domain OCT in measuring the retinal thickness around the optic disc and optic disc parameters in early glaucoma diagnosis.Methods The optic disc parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in the 40 healthy volunteers (control group) and 85 cases of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG),including 36 patients as the early glaucoma subgroup and 49 patients as the glaucoma evolutum subgroup,were measured by frequency domain OCT.Then,the correlation analysis of RNFL thickness,optic disc parameters and the mean deviation (MD) of visual field in each group was performed,and the area under the curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of RNFL thickness around the optic disc and optic disc parameters in the diagnosis of glaucoma.Results The RNFL thickness and the complete cycle mean RNFL thickness in the temporal,upper,nasal and inferior quadrant in the glaucoma patients were significantly lower than those in the controls (all P ＜ 0.05),and the above indexes in the glaucoma evolutum subgroup were significantly decreased compared with those in the early glaucoma subgroup (all P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the optic disc parameters between the groups except the optic disc area (all P ＜ 0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed the RNFL thickness and the complete cycle mean RNFL thickness in the temporal,upper and inferior quadrant were negatively correlated with the MD in the glaucoma patients (all P ＜ 0.05),and the parameter of optic cup volume and cup/disc area ratio were positively correlated with the MD (both P ＜ 0.05),and the rim area,rim volume and disc volume were negatively correlated with MD (all P ＜ 0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that the largest area under the curve of RNFL thickness in the inferior quadrant of the optic disc region was 0.886,and the specificity and sensitivity was 0.775 and 0.924,respectively.Moreover,the area under the curve of the optic cup/optic disc area was the largest,with sensitivity and specificity of 0.741 and 0.815,respectively.Conelusion OCT for measuring optic disc structure and RNFL thickness can be used for early diagnosis of glaucoma,and it has a high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective To investigate the effect of cyclosporine A-nanopaticals emulsion (CsA-NP) on protecting apoptosis of swine adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASC) and related mechanisms.Methods ASC were randomized to six groups:contronl group,single H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 0.1 mg/ml + H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 1.0 mg/ml + H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 5.0 mg/ml + H2O2 group,CsA or CsA-NP 10.0 mg/ml + H2O2 group.ASC apoptosis was induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2 100 μ mol/L) in vitro.The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed and the number of apoptotic cells was measured.Apoptosis of ASC was detected by flow cytometry using an apoptosis kit.Cell activity was determined by CCK-8 assay.Caspase-3 activity was detected by applying a caspase-3 assay kit.Expression of cytochrome C was investigated by Western blot.Results H2O2 induced ASC apoptosis was evidenced by morphological and biochemical changes,which could be significantly reduced by pre-treatment with CsA or CsA-NP at concentration of 0.1-10.0 mg/ml,and the best effect was observed at concentration of 5 mg/ml (apoptosis rate:CsA:10.6％ ±2.8％ vs.25.2％ ±3.8％; CsA-NP:6.2％ ±2.6％ vs.25.2％ ±3.6％ in control group,all P ＜ 0.01).The cell activity was significantly higher in CsA or CsA-NP pre-treated ASC at concentration of 0.1-10.0 mg/ml than in H2O2 group (P ＜0.01).Pre-treatment with CsA or CsA-NP (0.1-10.0 mg/ml) significantly down-regulated caspase-3 activity.Furthermore,CsA or CsA-NP (5 mg/ ml) completely inhibited the H2O2-induced release of cytochrome C.Conclusions These results suggest that CsA-NP and CsA could protect the oxidative stress-induced ASC apoptosis through decreasing the activation of caspase-3 and inhibiting the release of cytochrome C.

OBJECTIVETo study the polypropylene mesh acted for the moulding and support.

METHODSFour mini-pigs were used in this experimental research. A polypropylene mesh was implanted under the skin on one side of each pig. An expander was thereafter placed in the deep layer to imitate the action of gravity to the skin and mesh. The specimens were collected in two different times for the biomechanics and histology examinations.

RESULTSThe biomechanical data were shown lower and the histological properties were found changeable in the expanded skin without the mesh support, compared with the normal skin. However, the changes did not occur in the expanded skin with the mesh support. Furthermore, the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the polypropylene mesh were significant less than the human skin.

CONCLUSIONThe Polypropylene mesh could prevent the extended skin effectively and has moulding and support effects.

Animals ; Breast ; surgery ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Mammaplasty ; instrumentation ; methods ; Models, Animal ; Polypropylenes ; Surgery, Plastic ; instrumentation ; methods ; Surgical Mesh ; Swine ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDRenal sympathetic nerves are involved in the reflective activation of the sympathetic nervous system in circulatory control. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) ameliorated treatment-resistant hypertension safely, but 10%-20% of treated patients are nonresponders to radiofrequency denervation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficiency of cryoablation for sympathetic denervation in a swine model and to explore a new way of RDN.

METHODSSeven swines randomly assigned to two groups: Renal cryoablation (CR) group and control group. The control group underwent renal angiogram only. The CR group underwent renal angiogram plus bilateral renal cryoablation. Renal angiograms via femoral were performed before denervation, after denervation and prior to the sacrifice to access the diameter of renal arterial and the pressure of aorta abdominalis. Euthanasia of the swine was performed on 28-day to access norepinephrine (NE) changes of the renal cortex and the changes of renal nerves.

RESULTSCryoablation did not induce severe complications at any time point. There was no significant change in diameter of renal artery. CR reduced systolic blood pressure (BP) from 145.50 ± 9.95 mmHg at baseline to 119.00 ± 14.09 mmHg. There was a slight but insignificant decrease in diastolic BP. The main nerve changes at 28-day consisted of necrosis with perineurial fibrosis at the site of CR exposure in conjunction with the nerve vacuolation. Compared with the control group, renal tissue NE of CR group decreased by 89.85%.

CONCLUSIONSPercutaneous catheter-based cryoablation of the renal artery is safe. CR could effectively reduce NE storing in the renal cortex, and the efficiency could be maintained 28-day at least.

Animals ; Cryosurgery ; methods ; Female ; Kidney ; innervation ; Male ; Swine ; Sympathectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate water exposure modes and times of different populations in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic areas and to inform about the control strategies.

METHODSAll 1054 residents from populations around Qionghai Lake were randomly sampled according to occupation for a retrospective questionnaire survey in November 2001. Each individual was interviewed for his/her mode, frequency, and duration of water exposure occurring between April and October 2001.

RESULTSThe average exposure times and intensity were higher in farmers (median: 16 - 18 min/day and 2.41 - 2.5, respectively) who grow rice, tobacco, and vegetables than others (median: 3.74 - 7.39 min/day and 0.81 - 1.52, respectively); exposure frequency was found highest in farmers (median: 2.04 times/day) in all occupations; schoolchildren had low exposure frequency and times, but very high exposure intensity (median 2.34). Between April and June it is an agriculturally busy season, that is also a peak season of water exposure of adults. Schoolchildren's water exposure peaks on July and August, mainly due to playing water and swimming. Exposure times and intensities were higher in females than in males.

CONCLUSIONWater exposure modes, times, and intensities of different populations were different in mountainous schistosomiasis endemic areas of Xichang. Between April and June should be the peak infection season of adults who are engaging in agricultural activities, while July to August should be the peak infection season for schoolchildren with non-agricultural activities.

Adult ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Schistosomiasis ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Topography, Medical ; Water ; parasitology

OBJECTIVETo find out a better therapy for paralytic strabismus.

METHODSNinety cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture-medicine group, an acupuncture group, a western medicine group, 30 cases in each group. The acupuncture-medicine group were treated with acupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26), Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Yiming (EX-HN 14), Taiyang (EX-HN 5), Jingming (BL 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2), etc. intramuscular injection of Vit B1 and Vit B12, and oral administration of ATP; the acupuncture group were treated with simple acupuncture, and the western medicine group were treated with simple western medicine. Their therapeutic effects were compared.

RESULTSThe cured rate of 66.7% in the acupuncture-medicine group was significantly higher than 26.7% in the acupuncture group and 26.7% in the western medicine group (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture combined with western medicine has obvious therapeutic effect, which is better than that of simple acupuncture or simple western medicine.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External ; therapy ; Strabismus ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tongsaimai (TSM) tablets in treating foot trauma of diabetic foot (DF) model rats, and discuss its potential mechanism.

METHODMale SD rats were selected to duplicate the diabetic foot ulcer model and randomly divided into the blank control group, the model group, the metformin treatment group, and TSM 12.44, 6.22, 3.11 g x kg(-1) groups (n = 10). The healing of ulcer wounds were observed on day 1, 4, 8, 13 and 18. After 18 days, a histopathologic examination was conducted for ulcer tissues. The contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by hydroxylamine and TBA methods. The content of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were determined with the radioimmunoassay. The immunohistochemical method was used to observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ulcer tissues and the number of capillary vessels.

RESULTTSM could alleviate the pathological changes of diabetic foot rats, accelerate the ulcer healing on 4, 8, 13, 18 d, reduce MDA, IL-6, TNF-alpha, VEGF content in rat serum at 18 d (after the rehabilitation period), and enhance the SOD content. Specifically, the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group showed significant differences compared with the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). At 18 d after the treatment (the late rehabilitation period), the VEGF expression of TSM 12.44, 6.22 g x kg(-1) groups and the number of blood capillaries of the TSM 12.44 g x kg(-1) group were significantly lower than that of the model group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTSM could promote the foot wound healing of DF model rats, reduce MDA, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels in serum, increase the SOD content and decrease the VEGF expression and the number of blood capillaries in the late rehabilitation period. Its action mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress injury and the inflammatory cell infiltration.

Animals ; Diabetic Foot ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; drug effects