BACKGROUND:Scholars have studied the three-dimensional finite element models of tibial plateau fractures with different fixation methods, but the research on three-dimensional finite element model of tibial plateau fracture fixation was not much. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical characteristics of external fixator for tibial plateau fracture by using the three-dimensional finite element method. METHODS:The tibial plateau fracture models treated with locking plate fixation and external fixator were established. Three-dimensional finite element analysis was used to analyze the stress distribution and displacement of two kinds of models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The average displacement value and the maximum displacement value of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model group were smal er than that of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model group, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). (2) X axial displacement value and Y axial displacement value were smal er in the tibial plateau fracture external fixator model group than in the tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model group, but no significant difference was found (P>0.05). (3) The stress of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model focused on the junction of the screw and bone tissue as wel as the junction of plates and screws. The maximum stress value of tibial plateau fracture locking plate fixation model (173 MPa) was greater than that of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model (86 MPa). The stress of tibial plateau fracture external fixator model was scattered. Obvious stress concentration did not occur. The stress at the junction of the clamp and the nail and the junction of the connecting rod and screw was higher than that at other regions, and was a weak link in the clinical mechanics. (4) Results showed that external fixation for tibial plateau fractures had better stability and fixing strength as compared with the internal fixation.

OBJECTIVETo study clinical value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome.

METHODSFrom December 2013 to July 2014,30 patients diagnosed as neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome were in the treatment group,including 17 males and 13 females, with an average age of (44 ± 3) years old. Thirty healthy people were in the control group, including 22 males and 8 females, with a mean age of (37 ± 5) years old. The patients in the treatment group were treated with manipulation, once every other day, total 7 times. The SWE was used to detect tension part of trapezius muscle of patients in the treatment group before and after treatment, as well as to detect muscle belly at the descending part of trapezius muscle in the control group. The tissue elasticity and Yang's modulus value were recorded and compared.

RESULTSThe tissue elasticity chart of patients in the treatment group before treatment was mainly greenish blue with the score of 3.70 ± 1.53, and the Yang's modulus was (43.4 ± 15.6) kPa. The tissue elasticity figure after treatment was mainly blue with the score of 2.40 ± 0.87, and the Yang's modulus was (29.0 ± 5.9) kPa. Whereas in the control group, the tissue elasticity figure was mainly blue with the score of 1.60 ± 0.72, and the Yang's modulus was (24.0 ± 7.6) kPa. These were statistical differences between the two groups (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSWE can be used as an evaluation method of manipulation treatment for neck-shoulder myofascial pain syndrome, which is an objective and sensitive detection method.

Adult ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Neck ; Shoulder

AIM:To observe the changes in serum cytokines in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH) following Shenshi Tongluo therapy(discharging damp and dredging collaterals).METHODS:①Forty-three patients with LDH(cold-damp arthralgia type) were selected from Wangjing Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from February to December 2005,and randomly divided into experimental group(n =22) and control group(n =21).The informed consent was obtained from all subjects.Meanwhile,30 healthy volunteers were selected as controls.②The patients in the experimental group orally took modified Semen Coicis decoction(Semen Coicis,eucommia bark,Radix dipsaci,cocculi,Chinese clematis root,caulis millettiae,angelica root,achyranthis,and paeoniae radix) according to Shenshi Tongluo therapy,one dose daily for 4 weeks.The patients in control group took Yaotong Ning capsule,4 pills per day,once daily for 4 weeks.③ Contents of serum interleukin-1 ?(IL-1?),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) in patients were detected using radioimmunoassay before and after treatment.Clinical outcome was evaluated using visual analog scale(VAS) and assessment criteria for low lumbar pain of Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA).RESULTS:①Contents of serum IL-1?,IL-6,and TNF-? in patients were higher than healthy people(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of electro-acupuncture to improve the bladder function after acute spinal cord injury in rats and its possible mechanism.

METHODSSixty healthy adult male SD rats of SPF grade, with body weight of 220 to 250 g, one week after feeding adaptation, were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, electro-acupuncture group, electro-acupuncture control group with 15 rats in each group. Sham operation group underwent no stimulation, and the moderate damage model of spinal cord injury were made in other three groups according to modified Allens method. The model group were not treated, electro-acupuncture group were treated with electro-acupuncture on Zhibianxue and Shuidaoxue, and electro-acupuncture control group were treated with electro-acupuncture on 0.5 inch next to Zhibianxue and Shuidaoxue. The frequency of 2/100 Hz, current of 1 mA, stimulation time of 15 min, once a day, left and right alternately stimulate every time, for a total of 7 times. The changes of residual urine volume and urine output in rats at the 1st and the 7th days after operation were observed. And 7 d later, the rats were sacrificed and the injured spinal cord were taken out to observe the apoptosis, and to detect the changes of Bcl-2, Bax, Bad content.

RESULTSAfter modeling,the rats of three groups showed different bladder dysfunction. In electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group, the residual urine volume of the 7th day after operation was significant lower than the 1st day after operation (P < 0.001), and there was statistically significant difference on the 7th day after operation between two groups (P < 0.001). Compared with model group, the urine output of electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group was significantly increased on the 7th day after operation, and there was sig- nificant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.001). Electro-acupuncture can inhibit apoptosis of spinal cord neurons by TUNEL detection. Postoperative at 7 d, the rate of nerve cell apoptosis in electro -acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group was significant increased than model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and there was significant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.005). Compared with model group, the positive expression rate of Bax, Bad decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and Bcl-2 increased (P < 0.01) in electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group,there was significant difference between electro-acupuncture group and electro-acupuncture control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectro-acupuncture can obviously promote the repair of acute spinal cord injury,its mechanism may be through increasing Bcl-2, inhibiting the expression of Bax, Bad, which inhibits the apoptosis of spinal cord neurons.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Electroacupuncture ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of the Pim-1 gene in the LNCaP cells of the animal model of orthotopically implanted prostate cancer by surgical castration simulating androgen-deprivation therapy.

METHODSWe equally allocated 32 male BALBc-nu mice into 4 groups, androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC), androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) , castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and blank control, and established the models of orthotopically implanted tumor using human prostate cancer LNCaP cells. We detected and ,compared the expressions of Pim-1, PSA, and androgen receptor (AR) in the tumor tissues of different groups by RT-PCR. qRT-PCR, ELSIA and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe relative gray scales in the ADPC and CRPC groups were 0.59 ± 0.01 and 1.14 ± 0.02, with statistically significant differences from 0.62 ± 0.03 in the ADT group (P < 0.05), and the Δ Ct values of Pim-1 were 6.15 ± 0.34 and 4.56 ± 0.23 in the former two groups, also with significant differences from 5.11 ± 0.21 in the latter (P < 0.05). The results of 2-ΔΔ Ct relative quantification analysis showed that the amplification products of Pim-1 in the ADT and CRPC groups increased 2.05 and 3.01 times respectively that of the ADPC group. The concentration of PSA was significantly higher in the ADPC ([480 ± 25] pg/ml) and CRPC ([870 ± 23] pg/ml) than in the ADT ([170 ± 32] pg/ml) and blank control groups (0 µg/L) (P < 0.01). The mean optical densities of Pim-1 and AR proteins were 0.017 ± 0.002 and 0.032 ± 0.009 in the ADPC group and 0.024 ± 0.002 and 0.040 ± 0.011 in the CRPC group, both with significant differences from those in the ADT group (0.018 ± 0.001 and 0.019 ± 0.006) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPim-1 is highly expressed in nude mice with prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy and plays an important role in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer.

Androgen Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Disease Progression ; Gene Expression ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent ; metabolism ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-pim-1 ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study main factors and the influencing extent of the susceptibility of the Han population with coronary heart disease (CHD) of blood stasis syndrome (BSS) in Fuzhou area.

METHODSA case control study was employed in Fujian People's Hospital from August 2009 to January 2010. Patients with recent attack of CHD of BSS and of CHD of non-BSS, as well as patients without CHD of non-BSS were recruited as subjects. Correlated factors with CHD were collected using questionnaire and laboratory examinations. The correlation and the correlation strength between each factor and CHD of BSS were analyzed using one-way and multiple-factor unconditional Logistic regression methods.

RESULTSOf the 403 patients in line with inclusion criteria, there were 176 patients with CHD of BSS, 123 with CHD of non-BSS, and 104 without CHD of non-BSS. Results of one-way analysis were reported as follows. Senility, mental labors, hypertension, excessive consumption of oil and salt, depression, stress, past relevant medical history, abnormal prothrombin time (PT), and abnormal hematocrit (HCT) were high-risk factors for CHD of BSS. Regular physical exercise and adequate sleep were protective factors. Except for the effects by age and sex, mental labors, hypertension, excessive consumption of oil and salt, depression, stress, past relevant medical history were still risk factors for CHD of BSS, with the correlation strength (OR value, 95% CI) being 1.902 (95% CI 1.222-2.959), 2.221 (95% CI 1.181-4.176), 2.945 (95% CI 1.781 4.871), 1.794 (95% CI 1.114-2.890), 3.462 (95% CI 1.555-7.712), 1.517 (95% Cl 1.082-2.128), and 3.159 (95% CI 1.732-5.764). In the comparison between those with CHD of BBS and those with CHD of non-BBS, excessive consumption of salt and meat, and stress were the risk factors for BSS. After the effects by age and sex were adjusted, the OR value were still 1.586 (95% CI 1.051-2.393), 1.801 (95% CI 1.191-2.723), and 1.386 (95% CI 1.024-1.876).

CONCLUSIONSWhen compared with the population of non-BSS, the predisposing factors for the Han population with CHD of BSS in Fuzhou area covered mental labors, hypertension, excessive consumption of oil and salt, depression, stress, and past relevant medical history. Compared with other syndrome types in Chinese medicine, positive correlation existed between BSS and excessive consumption of salt and meat, as well as stress.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDTreponema pallidum (T. pallidum) subsp. pallidum is the causative agent of syphilis. Analysis of recombinant antigens of T. pallidum led to the identification of potential candidate antigens for vaccine development and syphilis serodiagnosis. Tp0965 was predicted to be a membrane fusion protein and was found to be reactive with infected human sera in previous studies, but the results were controversial. In this research, the antigenicity and immunoreactivity of recombinant protein Tp0965 were assessed.

METHODST. pallidum subsp. pallidum (Nichols strain) was propagated and isolated and the genomic DNA was extracted. The Tp0965 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then the recombinant protein Tp0965 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) purification system. The reactivities of protein Tp0965 were examined by immunoblot analysis and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antisera against protein Tp0965 were obtained by immune rabbits and the immunogenicity of antisera were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSRecombinant protein Tp0965 was expressed successfully in vitro. Immunoblot assay showed that the recombinant protein Tp0965 could be recognized by human syphilitic sera of all stages. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed there were only 4 of 74 human syphilitic sera that failed to show reactivity to recombinant antigen Tp0965, and lack of reactivity of Tp0965 to all 28 uninfected sera. A low titer of antiserum against Tp0965 in immune rabbits could be detected after the third time of immunization.

CONCLUSIONSThe recombinant antigen Tp0965 shows excellent sensitivity for the reactivity with sera from syphilitic individuals at all stages. The results also demonstrate a potential application for the serodiagnosis of syphilis.

Animals ; Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; immunology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rabbits ; Syphilis ; immunology ; microbiology ; Treponema pallidum ; immunology ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the changes of the expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1)and the retinoid X receptor(RXR?in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques and to explore the possible mechanisms by which ABCA1 affects the formation of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS). Methods 24 carotid atherosclerotic plaque and 10 intestinal artery specimens were respectively collected to compared the expression levels of ABCA1 mRNA.RXR?mRNA and those protein,ABCA1 and RXR?gene expressions were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)in the specimens,meanwhile the presence of ABCAI and RXRcprotein was assessed by Western blot.Results ABCA1(0.79?0.04)and RXR?(0.73?0.04)gene expression were significantly elevated in carotid atherosclerotic plaques(P

OBJECTIVETo assess the application of rotational atherectomy to improving the success rate and outcome of percutaneous recanalization of resistant chronic total occlusion (CTO), i.e. the guidewire could cross the lesion but it is impossible to advance any device over the wire through the occluded segment.

METHODSFrom August 2008 to December 2012, 26 consecutive patients with 27 resistant CTO lesions were additionally treated by high-speed rotational atherectomy (rotational atherectomy group). The control group included 751 non-resistant CTO lesions. Drug-eluting stents were implanted in two groups after the balloon catheter crossed the CTO lesions. The successful rate of rotational atherectomy and in hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (including cardiac death, interventional treatment related myocardial infarction and target vessel revascularization) were observed.

RESULTSThe rate of heavily calcified coronary lesions was significantly higher in rotational atherectomy group than in the control group[63.0% (17/27) vs. 21.2% (159/751), P < 0.05] according to pre-procedural coronary angiography. Rotational atherectomy was successful in 25 out of 27 resistant CTO lesions (92.6 %). The rate of cardiac death [0 vs. 0.5% (4/751), P > 0.05], interventional treatment related myocardial infarction [38.5% (10/26) vs. 22.2% (167/751), P > 0.05] and target vessel revascularization [0 vs. 1.2% (9/751), P > 0.05] were similar between the rotational atherectomy group and the control group.

CONCLUSIONRotational atherectomy is a safe and helpful technique to overcome the inability of balloon catheter to cross a resistant CTO.

Aged ; Atherectomy, Coronary ; methods ; Chronic Disease ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

This study was undertaken to analyze and evaluate the diagnosis and principal treatment methods for congenital choledochal cyst, focusing on various surgical procedures and clinical outcome. A comprehensive, retrospective study was conducted on 72 adult patients who presented with choledochal cyst from 1985 to 2002. Surgical procedures were cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 25 cases for type I or type IV-B, extrahepatic cyst excision with hepaticojejunostomy in 8 cases for type IV-A, extrahepatic cyst excision with modified hepaticojejunostomy in 2 cases for type IV-B, non-cyst excision with or without hepaticojejunostomy in 27 cases for types I, II, IV-A, IV-B. The early postoperative morbidity and mortality rate were 16.1% (9/62) and 6.5% (4/62) respectively, and the complication rate related to surgical procedure was 30.6% (19/62). The incidence of cholangiocarcinoma with non-cyst excision or non-operated congenital choledochal cyst was 10.8% (4/37). One patient died of primary hepatocellular carcinoma after cyst excision with hepatojejunostomy. In conclusion, our results showed that complete exci-sion of choledochal cyst for types I, II, and IV-B and complete excision of extra-hepatic choledochal cyst from the hepatic hilum in type IV-A with hepaticojejunostomy or modified hepaticojejunostomy are the treatment of choice for choledochal cyst in adult patients.
Academic Medical Centers/trends ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Choledochal Cyst/*epidemiology/*surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy/*methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Jejunostomy/*methods/*statistics & numerical data ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/*epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome