OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical effects of external fixator combined with limited internal fixation in the treatment of pediatric distal femur fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2014, 17 children of distal femur fractures were treated by external fixator combined with limited internal fixation. There were 12 males and 5 females, aged from 6 to 13 years old with an average of 10.2 years, ranged in the course of disease from 1 h to 2 d. Preoperative diagnoses were confirmed by X-ray films in all children. There were 11 patients with supracondylar fracture , and 6 patients with intercondylar comminuted fracture. According to AO/ASIF classification, 9 fractures were type A1, 5 cases were type A2,and 3 cases were type C1. The intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative radiological examination, lower limbs length and motion of knee joints were observed. Knee joint function was assessed by KSS score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 to 38 months with an average of 24.4 months. No nerve or blood vessel injury was found. One case complicated with the external fixation loosening, 2 cases with the infection of pin hole and 3 cases with the leg length discrepancy. Knee joint mobility and length measurement (compared with the contralateral), the average limited inflexion was 10 degrees (0 degrees to 20 degrees), the average limited straight was 4 degrees (0 degrees to 10), the average varus or valgus angle was 3 degrees (0 degrees to 5 degrees). KSS of the injured side was (96.4 +/- 5.0) points at final follow-up, 16 cases got excellent results and 1 good. All fractures obtained healing and no epiphyseal closed early was found.

CONCLUSIONExternal fixator combined with limited internal fixation has advantages of simple operation, reliable fixation, early functional exercise in treating pediatric distal femurs fractures.

Adolescent ; Child ; External Fixators ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Femur ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male

OBJECTIVETo study the rehabilitation effects ergometry on COPD patients.

METHODSThirty COPD out-patients in our Hospital were randomly divided into 2 groups. Rehabilitation group, 15 patients, performed leg ergometry exercise of 80% peak Watt x 30min/d x 3d/w x 12w. Another 15 patients were control group without exercise. All patients received conventional therapy. Pulmonary function testing (PFT), cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), arterial blood gas analysis (ABG), Borg and CAT sores were done at both baseline and 12 w.

RESULTSThere was no statistically difference in lung function testing, blood gas analysis and cardiopulmonary exercise test when pre- exercises between 2 sub-groups. The IC, peak VO2 and peak, W of rehabilitation group significantly increased (P < 0.05); and Borg and CAT.scores significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from baseline; and other PFT and ABG did not change (P > 0.05). While there was no difference in control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLeg submaximal ergometry rehabilitation improves health condition and ameliorate dyspnea symptoms in COPD patients.

Blood Gas Analysis ; Dyspnea ; therapy ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; therapy ; Respiratory Function Tests

OBJECTIVETo determine the mutation responsible for the congenital fibrosis of the extraocular muscles type I(CFEOM1) in a Chinese family.

METHODSDirect sequencing of exons 20 and 21 in the KIF21A gene was performed for the proband. The mutation c.2860C to T in exon 21 was examined by allele specific-PCR (AS-PCR) analysis in other family members. Haplotype analysis was performed using four STR markers (D12S1668, D12S2194, D12S331 and D12S1048).

RESULTSA heterozygous mutation c.2860C to T in the KIF21A gene was identified in all three affected members with CFEOM1. Haplotype analysis suggested that the mutation might derive from maternal germline mosaicism.

CONCLUSIONThis Chinese family with CFEOM1 may be caused by a c.2860C to T mutation in the KIF21A gene.

Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Child ; China ; Exons ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Kinesin ; genetics ; Mutation ; genetics ; Oculomotor Muscles ; metabolism ; pathology ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVEAt present, blood and skin biopsy tissues are used in the fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) test for the diagnosis of Down's syndrome, however, the samples are usually obtained invasively. This study explores the value of oral mucosa cast-off cells in the FISH test, as samples obtained non-invasively, for the diagnosis of this disorder.

METHODSPeripheral blood and oral mucosa cast-off cells were sampled for the FISH test in 16 children with suspected Down's syndrome between March 2010 and March 2011. Chromosomal karyotype analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes ("gold standard" for the diagnosis of Down's syndrome) was also conducted.

RESULTSThe FISH test, in which both peripheral blood and oral mucosa cast-off cells were examined, showed that 14 children had 21-trosomy syndrome and the other 2 children had normal numbers of cromosome 21. The results of the FISH test were the same as the results of the chromosomal karyotype analysis.

CONCLUSIONSUse of the FISH method to test samples of oral musoca cast-off cells is non-invasive and reliable for the diagnosis of Down's syndrome in children, and is hence worthy of recommendation.

Down Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; cytology

A new method for the preparation of oligonucleotide microarray for gene expression detection was found. The key techniques and standards of quality controlling for preparation of oligonucleotide microarray was explored using gene of human 23 kD highly protein and Luciferase and mouse cytokine-associated genes. By the using of a software system MProbe, oligonucleotide probes were designed and BLAST. All the probes have a very high specificity, i.e. except target sequence, the similarity between the probe and non-target sequences is less than 70% and the hairpin structure are not exist in all probes. All the probes have the same length 40. GC contents in all probes are in a narrow scope (from 45% to 55%). All the probes are modified with amino at 5' or 3' terminal. The satisfied images with good sensitivity and very high specificity were obtained by the using of the methods above and also using of positive and negative controls and some internal controls(house keeping gene) to quantitate and balance expression of genes. High specificity, good sensitivity and stability have been verified by three continuous experiments using the oligonucleotide microarray to study gene expression profile of normal mouse breast grand tissue. The oligonucleotide microarray for expression detection prepared using our method have high specificity, good sensitivity and stability et al. It may be a more advanced method for analysis of gene expression profile.
Animals ; Cytokines ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; genetics ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; metabolism ; Mice ; Nerve Growth Factor ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; methods ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo establish a highly expressing and replicating hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome transgenic mouse models for screening anti-HBV drugs and investigating the pathogenesis of hepatitis B.

METHODSElongated HBV genome as the investigated gene was transducted into the pronuclei of the fertilized eggs of mice by the technique of microinjection, then the eggs were transplanted into the oviducts of the pseudopregnant mice. All the newborn mice were screened and identified by PCR and Southern blot detecting genomic DNA in tail tissue, then the positive mice were examined plasma HBsAg, HBeAg by ELISA and plasma HBV DNA by Southern blot.

RESULTSAmong the 61 offsprings, 18 were positive for tail tissue HBV DNA examination, 7 of which were positive for replication and expression detection.

CONCLUSIONTransgenic mice with elongated HBV genome possess high efficiency of replication and expression, which can be used for further investigation.

Animals ; DNA Replication ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; genetics ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of PDGF and EGF expression in the wound healing between fatal and adult.

METHODSWith the established animal model of fetal scarless healing and the adult samples, an immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate the expression of PDGF and EGF in the normal adult skin, normal fetal skin, and the process of their wound healing.

RESULTS1. The expression of the PDGF was not found in the fetal skin, but a mild amount of the PDGF was shown in the epidermis and the upper dermal layer 12 hours and 1 day after the wounding process. In the normal adult skin, expression of PDGF was shown in the dermal fibroblasts, macrophagocytes and blood capillaries, and a strong expression was presented during its wound healing process. 2. In the fetal skin, the expression of the EGF was seen in the epidermis, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands, but there were no markedly changes during the wound healing. In the adult skin, a positive stain of the EGF was shown in the basal layer of the epidermis while the mild stain in hair follicles and sweat glands. The level of the expression became gradually decreasing with the time going in the wounded adult skin.

CONCLUSIONThe different expression of growth factors between fetal and adult skin in wound healing may be one of the important reasons that the fetal wound could produce scarless healing.

Adult ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Epidermis ; metabolism ; Fetus ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Hair Follicle ; metabolism ; Humans ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Skin ; injuries ; metabolism ; Sweat Glands ; metabolism ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effects of AO distal humerus plate (DHP) for the treatment of distal humeral fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients.

METHODSFrom September 2008 to January 2010, 18 elderly osteoporotic patients with distal humeral fractures were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with DHP. There were 3 males and 15 females, ranging in age from 62 to 83 years (averaged, 71.4 years). According to AO classification, 1 patient was Type A2, 3 patients were Type A3; 2 patients were Type B1, 2 patients were Type B2; 3 patients were Type C1, 4 patients were Type C2, 3 patients were Type C3. The surgical approaches were either bilateral or via olecranon process of ulna. Early mobilization was initiated after surgery. Functional results were evaluated according to the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS).

RESULTSThe average duration of follow-up was 14.6 months (ranged from 11 to 24 months). All the patients had a complete healing of their fractures. There was no infection, hardware failure or loss of reduction after the operations. The average Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) was (92.2 +/- 9.6) (65 to 100 points), among which the score of pain was (42.5 +/- 5.8) (30 to 45 points), the score of motion range was (19.2 +/- 1.9) (15 to 20 points), the score of stability was (9.2 +/- 1.9) (5 to 10 points), and the score of function was (21.4 +/- 2.9) (15 to 25 points). According to MEPS, 11 patients got excellent results, 5 good and 2 fair.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of distal humeral fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients with AO distal humeral plates can obtain immediate stabilization which facilitates early mobilization of the elbow.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; surgery

BACKGROUNDTranscription factor Pokemon, a central regulation gene of the important tumor suppressor ARF gene, exerted its activity by acting upstream of many tumor-suppressing genes and proto-oncogenes. Its expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its clinical significance remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Pokemon in NSCLC and to explore its correlation with the clinical pathological characteristics and its influence on patients' prognosis.

METHODSFifty-five cases of NSCLC were involved in this study. The expression of Pokemon in the tumor tissue, the corresponding tumor adjacent tissue and the surrounding tissue was detected via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, with the aim of investigating the correlation between the expression of Pokemon in tumor tissue of NSCLC and its clinical pathological characteristics. Moreover, a prognostic analysis was carried out based upon the immunohistochemical (IHC) detection of the expression of Pokemon gene in archival tumor specimens (5 years ago) of 62 cases of NSCLC.

RESULTSStatistical significance of the expression of Pokemon mRNA and protein was determined in the tumor tissue, the tumor adjacent tissue and the surrounding tissue (P<0.05). The expression of Pokemon was determined not to be associated with the patients' sex, age, smoking condition, tumor differentiation degree, histology and lymph node metastasis condition. However, its relationship with TNM staging was established (P<0.05). Furthermore, it was shown that the survival rate of patients with negative Pokemon expression was significantly higher than that of those with positive Pokemon expression (P=0.004), therefore, the expression of Pokemon is believed to be an independent factor affecting prognosis (P=0.034).

CONCLUSIONPokemon was over-expressed in NSCLC tissue and the expression of Pokemon might be of clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer prognostic evaluation.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Transcription Factors ; analysis ; genetics

Renal angiomyolipoma is a type of benign tumor that occurs sporadically in addition to being associated with tuberous sclerosis. Preoperative embolization of large tumors is important to avoid excessive blood loss during surgery. We reported a patient with a 5505-g giant renal angiomyolipoma in a solitary kidney. The patient was treated with preoperative embolization and radical nephrectomy without complications. This type of treatment for an enormous angiomyolipoma can reduce the risk of uncontrolled hemorrhage caused by rupture of the tumor during the operation and should be considered for the treatment of similar tumors.
Adult ; Angiomyolipoma ; surgery ; Arteries ; surgery ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; surgery ; Male