Forty type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) were assigned to two groups and treated respectively with?-lipoic acid or mecobalamin for 2 weeks.The results suggested that?-lipoic acid could accelerate the nerve conduction velocity and decrease the plasma level of endothelin and C reactive protein as well as microalbuminceria with a effect similar to mecobalamin therapy on DPN.

Background and Objective: Elevated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been found in multiple carcinoma tissues.MMP-26 is highly expressed in prostate and breast cancer tissues,and promotes the invasion of human prostate cancer cells not only through the cleavage of fibronectin and type Ⅳ collagen but also by the activation of pro-MMP-9,a powerful gelatinase. This study was to present a comprehensive protein expression profile of MMP-26 in multiple human cancer tissues. Methods: The protein expression pattern of MMP-26 was examined using immunohistochemistry and multiple-tissue microarray. MMP-26 mRNA expression in coronary artery smooth muscle cells was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results: The expression of MMP-26 in breast,colon,lung, brain, head and neck, prostate cancer, and melanoma tissues was significantly elevated when compared with parallel normal tissues (P＜0.05), while not significantly elevated in kidney cancer,ovarian cancer,and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (P＞0.05).MMP-26 was also detected to express in gastric,rectal,thyroid, esophageal,and pancreatic cancers.MMP-26 protein was expressed in smooth muscle cells of the prostate and associated blood vessels. MMP-26 mRNA was also detected to express in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells. Conclusions: MMP-26 expression may be associated with multiple human carcinomas,and it may serve as a molecular marker for the early diagnosis of these carcinomas.MMP-26 may also contribute to smooth muscle function in the human prostate and cardiovascular system.

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical results of percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation for the treatment of calcaneal fractures, and to compare therapeutic effects between close reduction hollow screw internal fixation and open reduction plate internal fixation.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to May 2010, 53 patients with calcaneal fractures were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into two groups, 25 patients in group A (PR group) treated with percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation, including 17 males and 8 females, with an average age of (39.4 +/- 9.9) years. While 28 patients in group B (OR group) treated with open reduction and plate internal fixation, including 18 males and 10 females, with an average age of (38.6 +/- 10.2) years. According to Sanders classification, there were 18 patients with type II fractures, 29 patients with type III and 6 type IV. In both groups, operative time, blood loss, postoperative complications and radiology were recorded. Functional recovery was evaluated by Maryland score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from nine months to thirty-five months (averaged 20.4 months). There were no significant differences in sex, age, fracture type, fracture classification, initial Böhler angle, or late complications between the two groups. But significant difference can be seen between operative time, blood loss, and skin complications (in group A no nonunion and skin complications occurred, but subtalar posttraumatic arthritis occurred in 1 case; in group B, 3 patients had complications of skin necrosis, 1 patient suffered from a delayed union due to large defect filled with artificial bone, and 1 patient got subtalar posttraumatic arthritis). No difference were found in the latest X-ray film. According to Maryland score, in group A, 8 got an excellent result and 12 good. In group B, 10 got an excellent and 14 good. There were no significant differences between the two groups in Margland score.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggest that in comparison with open reduction, percutaneous reduction and hollow screw internal fixation minimizes complications and achieves good results. Further study of this technique is needed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Calcaneus ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ulinastatin (Uti) and low-molecular-weight heparin (Lmwh) on coagulation function and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing hip joint replacement.

METHODSFrom March to December 2010 150 ASAI-II patients with average age of 72.5 (65 - 85) years undergoing hip joint replacement were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 50 each): normal saline (NS) control group (Group C), Uti group (Group U) and Lmwh group (Group L). Group U received intravenous infusion of ulinastatin (10 000 U/kg) at preoperative, perioperative and after operation 1, 2 and 3 d, respectively. Group C received the same volume of NS instead of Uti. Group L were injected Lmwh subcutaneously (3200 U/d) at preoperative, after operation 1, 2 and 3 d. Blood samples were taken before operation (T(0)), at the end of surgery (T(1)), 1 d (T(2)), 2 d (T(3)) and 3 d (T(4)) after operation for determination the values of R, K, α angle, MA and CI, using thromboelastography, and the DVT were also examined through color Doppler ultrasonography at 3 d after operation.

RESULTSCompared with T(0), R, K were shorter, α angle, MA and CI were larger in group C, the values at T(2) were up to the peak then declined at T(4). Compared with group C, the value of R, K were larger, the value of α angle, MA and CI were shorter in group U and group L. The DVT checked by ultrasonography were found in 20 cases in group C, 1 case in group U, and zero case in group L. The differences were no statistically significant between group U and group L.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of Uti during the period of operation can correct the hypercoagulability of blood and decrease the incidence of DVT after operation.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Blood Coagulation ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology ; prevention & control

Receptors play a crucial role in determining the host specificity and tissue tropism of virus. Foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV)has been showed to use four integrins, ?v?1, ?v?3, ?v?6 and ?v?8 as receptors to initiate infection and ?v?6 functions as the major receptor.The cDNA encoding bactrian camel integrin ?6 from the lung tissue was cloned and sequenced. The 2367bp cDNA of bactrian camel integrin ?6 encodes a polypeptide of 788 amino acids consisting of a 26-residue putative signal peptide, a 681-residue ectodomain with 8 potential N-linked glycosylation sites and 58 cysteine residues, a 29-residue transmembrane domain, and a 52-residue cytoplasmic domain with a NPLY motif and 1 potential N-linked glycosylation site. The nucleotide sequence similarity of integrin ?6 between bactrian camel and cattle, pig, sheep, human, mouse, Norway rat is 91.1%、91.8%、90.6%、90.5%、83.7%、84.1%, and the amino acid sequence similarity is 94.3%、93.4%、93.4%、93.7%、88.7%、88.6%, respectively. The bactrian camel ?6 gene exhibited the higher sequence homology with the ?6 gene of cattle, pig and sheep, indicating their close genetic relationships. It is possible that host tropism of FMDV may related to divergence in ?6 receptors among different species.

Objective To explore the distribution of arsenic speciafion and to estimate the effect of arsenic on glutathione(GSH)levels in the blood and liver of mice exposed to different concentrations of inorganic AsⅢ through drinking water.Methods Mice drank water containing arsenite at concentrations of iAsⅢ of 0(contr01),25,50,100 ms/L for 6 weeks.Blood and liver were sampled to asses$the levels of inorganic arsenic(iAs),monomethylarsenic acid(MMA),dimethylarsenic acid(DMA)by the method of hydride generation trapping and ultra-hypothermia coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry,and the level of GSH by the method of 5,5'-Dithio-bis (2-Nitrobenzoic acid).Results Leveh of iAs.MMA and DMA in blood and in liver increased along with the increase of iAs concentrations in drinking water.Primary methylated index(PMI)and secondary methylation index (SMI)of liver and blood were significantly higher in exposed groups than those in control group(P＜0.05).SMI of liver in 50 mg/L exposed group[(50.45±2.94)%]was significantly higher than those in 25 mg/L and 100 mg/Lgroups[(41.68±7.09)%and(41.19±8.87)%,respectively],the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).The ratio of iAs.MMA and DMA in blood and liver in exposed group were 2:3:5 and 4:3:3,the percentage of level of organic arsenic(MMA+DMA)were 80%and 60%.GSH in blood and liver in exposed group decreased along with iAs concentrations in drinking water and had significant differences compared with those in control group (P＜0.05).However,levels of GSH in liver and blood did not differ significantly between exposed groups and control group(P＞0.05).Conclusions Membolism of iAs in liver is maximized when the iAs concentrations in drinking water increases to a certain level.However,the percentage of arsenic speciation in blood is different from that in liver,suggesting that other organs and tissues may be capable of methylation of inorganic arsenic.The level of GSH in liver and blood in mice is a good mark tO reflect the toxicity of arsenic.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether homeostatic conditions (pH, glycine or ion concentration) affect the protective effects of edaravone on ischemic injury in rat cortical neurons.

METHODSIn cultured rat cortical neurons, the compositions in the experimental solutions were changed to mimic the disturbance of homeostasis after cerebral ischemia. In vitro ischemic injury was induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) for 3 h and reperfusion for 12 h, and the neuron injury was evaluated by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Effect of edaravone on OGD injury was observed in different experimental solutions.

RESULTIn weak alkalified solution (pH 7.8) or the solution containing glycine (10 micromol/L), OGD injury became more serious; but in weak acidic (pH 6.5) or higher Mg(2+) (1.8 mmol/L) solutions, OGD injury was attenuated. Edaravone (1 micromol/L) reversed the injury in the solutions with pH 6.1,7.4 and 7.8 or the solution containing glycine, but did not show protective effect in the solution with pH 6.5 and the higher Mg(2+) or lower Ca(2+) solution.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of homeostatic conditions affect the severity of ischemic injury of neurons and the protective effect of edaravone.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Antipyrine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Glycine ; pharmacology ; Homeostasis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Magnesium ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the indications, surgical techniques and clinical effects of the fixation of posterior malleolus in complicated external rotation ankle fractures and illuminate the importance of anatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation of posterior malleolar fracture.

METHODSFrom July 2007 to June 2009, 32 patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation,involving 21 males and 11 females with an average age of 36 years old (ranged from 19 to 68 years old). According to Lauge-Hansen classification: 13 cases of pronation-external rotation type (IV), 7 and 12 cases of supination-external rotation type (III and IV). Postoperative functional exercise and regular follow-up were done and outcomes were assessed.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 7 to 20 months,with an average of 14.5 months. According to Ankle Hindfoot Clinical Rating System of the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS), 23 patients got an excellent result, 7 good, 2 fair, 0 poor.

CONCLUSIONAnatomical reduction and rigid internal fixation of posterior malleolar fracture as well as early functional exercise have significance in restoring ankle joint function and reducing the incidence of traumatic arthritis.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rotation

OBJECTIVETo explore operative method in the treatment of syndesmosis injury of ankle fractures.

METHODSTwenty-four patients with ankle fractures and syndesmosis diastasis were treated with shape memory fracture staples, including 10 males and 14 females ranging in age from 19 to 71 years, with an average of 43 years. All patients were diagnosised with history, body examination and image data and were operated according to classification of Lauge-Hansen.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 28 months with an average of 16 months, and all fractures healed, with a mean time 9.2 (8 to 14) weeks. Only one case had radiological and clinical manifestations of traumatic arthritis, but no breakage of shape memory fracture staple in all cases. Sixteen patients got excellent results, good in 5, fair in 2, poor in 1.

CONCLUSIONShape memory staple fixation for the treatment of syndesmosis diastasis in ankle fractures not only can perseve the physical motion of ankles, but also be remove earlier before weight bearing.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Fractures ; Ankle Injuries ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the preventive effects of ulinastatin (Uti) on postoperative complications in elderly patients undergoing hip joint replacement.

METHODSFrom Angust 2009 to June 2010, 160 elderly patients undergoing selective hip joint replacement with ASA I to II were assessed according to American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, including 81 males and 79 females ranging in age from 65 to 83 years (mean 73.9 years). All the patients were divided into 2 groups according to random number table (80 patients in each group): control group (group C) and ulinastatin group (group U). The patients in Group U received intravenous injection of ulinastatin with a dose of 10,000 U/kg before skin incision,and then with dose of 5000 U/kg respectively at 1, 2 and 3 days after operatio. The patients in Group C received the same volume of normal saline instead of ulinastatin. Blood samples were taken preoperatively,at the end of surgery and 1, 2, 3 days after operation for determination of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and Plasma D-dimer. Deep vein thrombosis and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) were also examined through color Doppler ultrasonography and neuroeognirive assessment on the postoperative 3 days respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the preoperative values, the contents of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and plasma D-dimer in each group all increased. Compared with group C,the values of ALT, AST, Scr, BUN and plasma D-dimer decreased markedly (P < 0.05). The incidence rate of DVT and POCD was 0 and 3.75% in group U, which were lower than those of patients in the group C (40%, 27.5%) respectively.

CONCLUSIONIntravenous infusion of ulinastatin during operation can protect important organ function, correct blood hypercoagulability, lower the occurrence of DVT and POCD, and prevent the postoperative complications in some degree.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Case-Control Studies ; Cognition Disorders ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Glycoproteins ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Trypsin Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Venous Thrombosis ; prevention & control