BACKGROUND: Digit amputation coupled with neighboring composite skin loss frequently occurs. Conventional treatment for this lesion is somewhat less desirable in that it either results in shortened or lost fingers as well as delayed skin resurfacing. Therefore, the curative effect is not satisfactory.OBJECTIVE: To observe free forearm venous flap for soft-tissue reconstruction in digit amputation accompanied with neighboring soft tissue loss and postoperative rehabilitation and its effect on functional recovery.DESIGN: Before-and-after controlled observational trial based on the patients.SETTING: Department of orthopedics of a university hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 11 patients, 8 males and 3 females aged 20 to 45years, who were treated between October 2000 and May 2004 in the Department of Orthopedics, Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,for digit amputations accompanied with composite skin flaps avulsed in dorsal fingers or hand, were recruited.METHODS: Eleven free venous flaps measuring 1. 5 cm × 1.0 cm to 5 cm × 6. 5 cm from anteromedial ipsilateral forearms were elevated and transferred to the defected sites either antegradely or retrogradely with respect to the nature of the defects. Microvascular anastomosis was performed at both ends of the flaps to the wounds in an end-to-end fashion. Digit replantations in 13 digits were performed simultaneously at one stage. The donor sites were closed primarily by direct suturing or skin grafting. After operation, early rehabilitation was initiated under professional guidance.RESULTS: Complete healing was achieved in 9 out of 11 venous flaps and 12 out of 13 replanted digits. After one-year follow-up, finger motion function in seven cases was satisfactory; however, all the flaps presented diminished sensation.CONCLUSION: The free venous flap from anteromedial forearm is an alternative flap for soft-tissue reconstruction in digit amputation. Easy access,ideal thickness, and good pliability are the advantages of the flap whereas limited sensory recovery is the main shortcoming.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endometriosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spinal Canal ; pathology ; surgery ; Spinal Diseases ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEThe aim of the present study was to prepare uniform-sized silybin loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres in study of silybin with stainless steel membrane.

METHODSilybin PLGA microspheres were prepared by stainless steel membrane emulsification. The preparation conditions were optimized by single-factor test and orthogonal experiment, and evaluating the mean diameters, the particle size distribution, drug loading, entrapment efficiency and morphology of microsphere.

RESULTPrepared microspheres were round and surface was smooth. The mean diameter was (4.961 +/- 0.56) microm. The span was (1.75 +/- 0.18). The entrapment efficiency was (54.997 +/- 4.05)% and the average drug loading was (23.6 +/- 1.70)%.

CONCLUSIONThe stainless steel membrane emulsification can be used to prepare the silybin PLGA microspheres. The mean diameters of the silybin PLGA microspheres can be controlled in certain level. Stainless steel membrane emulsification has great potentiality exploitation and utilization.

Drug Compounding ; methods ; Emulsions ; chemistry ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microspheres ; Particle Size ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry ; Silymarin ; chemistry ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong on mammary estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions in rats with dimethylbenzanthracine (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty female SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into a model group of 60 rats and a blank group of 30 rats. The model group received an oral gavage of DMBA for model making. The blank group received an oral gavage of equal volume of sesame oil. At 15 weeks after model making, the model group of rats was randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong, and the control and blank groups, only the same grasp and release. After the completion of acupuncture treatment (twenty-seventh week), abdominal venous blood was taken and serum tumor markers were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Tumor masses were counted and their shapes were recorded. The mass was taken and its height, maximum diameter and vertical diameter were measured using a 1 mm precision vernier caliper. Pathological changes in tumor tissues, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities were observed under an Olympus optical microscope.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the average number and volume of mammary tumors between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the concentrations of various tumor markers (CA724, CA125, CA199, AEP, CA15-3, CEA and CA50) between the treatment or control group and the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in CA15-3 concentration between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01).Conclusions Acupuncture can reduce the occurrence of rat DMBA-induced mammary tumor (including the number and volumes of the tumors). The mechanism of its action may be related to decreasing the concentrations of tumor markers CA724, CA125, CA199, CA15-3, AEP, CEA and CA50 and especially to decreasing CA15-3 concentration, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities.

Objective To examine the inhibitory effect of melatonin (MLT) on the development of pituitary prolactin-producing tumors (prolactinoma) induced by 17-β-estradiol (E2), in vivo, and explore MLT′s oncostatic mechanisms. Methods The prolactinomas were established by implanting E2-1aden silastic capsules subcutaneously in Sprague-Dawley male rats. MLT doses 0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, and 2.00 mg/rat were administrated separately to 5 groups subcutaneously starting seven days prior to tumor induction for 97 days. The matched controls were given equal volumes of 4% alcohol in saline. Results (1) The prolactinoma weights in 0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg MLT dose groups were 25.91% (P＞0.05), 48.78% (P ＜0. 01), 36.78% (P ＜0.05), 31.04% (P＞ 0.05) and35.22% (P＞ 0.05)respectively which were lower than that of control group;(2) The PRL mRNA levels of prolactinoma in 0.05,0.25,and 0.50mg MLT dose groups were 33.67% (P＜0.05), 25.51% (P＜0.05) and 41.84%(P＜0.01)respectively which were lower than that of control group as estimated by Northern Blot, and the in situ hybridization studies; (3) The DNA contents of prolactinoma in 0. 05, 0. 25 and 0. 50 mg MLT dose groups were 40. 73% (P＜0.001), 51.15% (P＜0.001) and 60. 23% (P ＜0. 001) respectively which were lower than that of control group by laser scanning confocal microscopy; (4) Plasma peroxidative lipid contents in 0.05,0.25,0.50,1.00 and 2.00 mg MLT dose groups were 26.45% (P ＜0.05), 23.97% (P ＜0.05), 47. 11%(P ＜0.001), 66. 12%(P ＜0.001)and64.46% (P ＜0.001)respectively which were lower than that of control group. The correlation coefficient between MLT doses and plasma peroxidative lipid contents was - 0.8257 (P＜0.05). Conclusions MLT in suitable doses is able to inhibit the development of E2-induced prolactinoma by inhibiting the expression of PRL gene and the DNA synthesis. The link between MLT antioxidative action and its inhibitory effect on development of prolactinoma should be further investigated.

Purpose To explore the effects of ploidy analysis on thoracic neoplasms based on DNA image cytometry (DNA-ICM), and to look for a meaningful novel diagnostic assay for tumor patients. Methods 4 402 patients who were diagnosed with thoracic disease were recruited in 2 years. By the DNA-ICM analysis, all the specimens were diagnosed as three types——positive, equivocal and negative ones. The results of701 specimens were compared with biopsy and clinical followup. Results DNA aneuploidy detected by DNA-ICM were65％ in confirmed malignant samples, 64％ in equivocal malignancy, and 8％ in non-malignant diseases. The comprehensive performance of DNA-ICM in malignancy was 73％, 93％, 71％, 94％ respectively for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. OR analysis found that the risk ratio of aneuploidy in malignancy was 23.236 compared to non-malignancy. Conclusion DNA-ICM can be applied in thoracic malignancy and have more potential values to be explored in oncology.

To investigate the production status and the safety influence factors of wolfberry in China. We investigated the detailed factors which affect the quality safe of wolfberry in the periods of July-August 2013 and July-September 2009. The factors include fertilizing patterns, the used pesticide and preliminary process wolfberry. The factors were discussed according to the results of investigation, and suggestions were proposed for the management and production departments of wolfberry.
China ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Lycium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; microbiology ; parasitology ; Pest Control ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; parasitology ; prevention & control

AIMTo investigate effects of melatonin on estrogen receptor at the primary stage of melatonin (MLT) inhibiting the proliferation of 17-beta-estradiol (E2)-induced pituitary prolactin-secreting tumor (prolactinoma) and its mechanisms in the rat.

METHODSMLT inhibiting the proliferation of 17-beta-E2-induced prolactinoma was created by administrating different concentration of melatonin subcutaneously at 18:00 in every group of SD rat in vivo. We also examined the expression of MLT receptor in prolactinoma cells and the effects of MLT on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) by in situ hybridization and the effects of MLT on the binding of ER to estrogen response element (ERE) by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA)in primary culture cells iv vitro.

RESULTSThe results showed that the weights of prolactinomas in MLT groups, in which 0.25 mg or 0.50 mg/day/rat melatonin was administrated subcutaneously at 18:00, were decreased significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). The expression of MLT1a and MLT1b were shown in pituitary prolactinoma cells. Compared with the prolactinoma, the expression of ER and the bind of ER to ERE in prolactinoma treated with 0.25 mg/day/rat or 0.50 mg/day/rat MLT was decreased (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThese data indicate that some dosage of MLT inhibit the development of E2-induced prolactinoma in SD rat. One of the mechanisms is involved in suppressing the expression of estrogen receptor and partly inhibiting the bind of ER to ERE.

Animals ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; Prolactinoma ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Estrogen ; drug effects ; Response Elements

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the number of lymph nodes retrieval and the incidence of postoperative complications in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

METHODFrom January 2008 to December 2009, 794 patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent esophagectomy and lymphadenectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The clinical data, surgeons, the extent of lymphadenectomy and its association with operative morbidity were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no operative death. A total of 84 patients with complication(10.6%) were documented. There were 11,770 lymph nodes harvested in total with an average of 14.8. Multivariate logistic regression showed that gender, number of metastatic lymph nodes, level of anastomosis, and surgeons' experience were risk factors associated with postoperative complications (all P<0.05), while the number and group of lymph node resection were not(all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONWithin a rational range of lymphadenectomy(<50) following esophagectomy, the postoperative complications are significantly associated with the gender, extent of regional lymph nodes metastasis, site of anastomosis and the expertise of the surgeons, but not associated with the number and group of lymph nodes resection.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVECigarette smoke extract (CSE) can induce injuries of pulmonary II epithelial cells, activate nuclear factor-kappaB and increase tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) secretion. This study aimed to investigate whether azithromycin can protect pulmonary II epithelial cells from injuries induced by CSE and relevant mechanisms.

METHODSPulmonary II epithelial cells (A549 cells) were cultured in vitro. After 48 hrs of culture the cells were randomly treated with serum-free DMEM only (blank control group), azithromycin + serum-free DMEM, CSE+ serum-free DMEM or CSE+azithromycin. Eight hours later the morphology of A549 cells, the activity of NF-kappaB and the levels of TNF-alpha were measured by inverted microscope, immunohistochemistry and ELISA.

RESULTSThe morphology and structure of A549 cells were changed, NF-kappaB activity increased (dark brown staining ) and TNF-alpha levels (0.307 +/- 0.036 pg/mL vs 0.234 +/- 0.028 pg/mL)increased in the CSE+ serum-free DMEM group compared with the blank control group (P < 0.01). CSE together with azithromycin treatment recovered partly the morphological injuries of A549 cells. It also attenuated NF-kappaB staining and decreased TNF-alpha levels from 0.307 +/- 0.036 pg/mL (CSE+serum-free DMEM group) to 0.269 +/- 0.009 pg/mL (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAzithromycin may inhibit NF-kappaB activity, decrease TNF-alpha secretion and thus lessen cytotoxicity of CSE to A549 cells.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Azithromycin ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Tobacco ; adverse effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis