Objective To report the outcome of emergency repair of severe complex defect in forearm by transplantation of free flap and simultaneous functional reconstruction.Methods From Mar.1994 to Aug.2003,4 cases with severe complex defect in forearm was repaired by transplantation of free skin flap, free skin flap combined with fibula flap,or fibula osteocutaneous flap in emergency.Simultaneously the flexion and extension function were repaired by muscle transfer and/or tendon grafting,tenonectomy.Results All the cases were successful.Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3 years postoperatively.The blood-supply,tex- ture and elasticity of transferred flaps were excellent with good bone healing.Opposition of thumb with four fin- gers was good.Sensory recovery of the hand was satisfactory.Conclusion Transplantation of free flap com- bined with simultaneous functional reconstruction is an ideal method in emergency repair of severe complex de- fect in forearm.

Objective To investigate the imaging features of active Crohn′s disease on conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Methods The imaging features of 20 patients with an established diagnosis of Crohn′s disease on transabdominal high-frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in Shanghai Tenth People′s Hospital from August 2011 to December 2012 were studied retrospectively. Contrast-specific imaging modes were performed and the ultrasound contrast agent was SonoVue. The thickness of inner, outer and all layers of intestinal walls in the lesion area were observed;the ratio between inner and outer bowel wall thickness was calculated;Limberg classiifcation was determined by Power-Doppler results. Likewise, contrast-enhanced ultrasound was used to evaluate the degree and area of bowel wall enhancement, as well as the changes over time. Variance analysis was applied to compare intestinal wall thickness, arrive time of contrast agent, time to peak and washing time of patients with Crohn′s disease from different Limberg groups, and further comparison between groups were anlysed with LSD-t test. Results The intestinal wall thickness of all 20 patients was larger than 4 mm, while the mean thickness of intestinal walls was (8.8±0.4) mm (range 5.5-12.0 mm);the ratio between inner and outer wall thickness was greater than 1.0. Limberg classiifcation wasⅡin 2 patients,Ⅲin 8 patients andⅣin 10 patients. There were two enhancement patterns shown on contrast-enhanced ultrasound:Pattern 1 in 13 (13/20, 65.0%) patients showing simultaneous enhancement in both inner and outer intestinal walls at the same time. Pattern 2 in 7 (7/20, 35.0%) patients showing outward enhancement from inner to outer wall with a predominance of inner wall. The wall thicknesses of patients with Crohn′s disease from Limberg Ⅱgroup, Limberg Ⅲgroup and Limberg Ⅳgroup were (6.6±0.1), (7.5±0.4) and (10.2±0.4) mm respectively. The thicknesses of inner bowel walls were (3.6±0.6), (5.0±0.2) and (7.3±0.3) mm respectively. CEUS time to peak was (30.5±2.1), (26.9±2.4) and (21.0±1.6) s respectively. The wash-in time of the contrast agent was (18.0±5.7), (10.6±1.0) and (8.7±1.2) s respectively. As the Limberg level increased, the thickness of the entire and inner bowel wall both increased, while CEUS time to peak and wash-in time of the contrast agent became longer. These difference was statistically significant. In addition, the ratio between inner and outter wall thickness also increased as the Limberg level increased, however, the difference was statistically insigniifcant. Likewise, the outer bowel wall thickness and the arrival time of the contrast agent in patients with Crohn′s diseases from different Limberg level groups showed no statistical significance. Conclusions The patients with active Crohn′s disease always showed thickened bowel walls, higher Limberg level and complete or partial enhancement of bowel wall on CEUS. There were some correlations between the above-mentioned ifndings.

Objective To investigate the occurrence of new cretinism cases and the prevalence of endemic goiter, and the reason of lower coverage rate of iodized salt in the iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) high-risk areas of China, so as to put forward target prevention measures for these areas. Methods A hundred and one counties from 11 provinces(autonomous regions, municipality), such as Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, Hainan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, were chosen into the survey by simple random sampling. In the counties of high risk, typical sampling principle was used. In the selected townships, searching for new cretinism cases were carried out in the children under 10 years old, the thyroid volume of children aged 8-10 years old were determined by B-ultrasonography methods and their urinary iodine (UI) were determined by As3-Ce<'4+> catalytic spectrophotometry, the intelligence quotient(IQ) values of children aged 8-10 years old were measured by the combined Raven Test in China. In the household survey, the housewives were asked to fill in the questionnaire, the iodized salt coverage rates and the UI levels of child-bearing age women were investigated, the salt iodine content was determined using self-quantitative kit. Epi Info software was used to analyze the determination results. Results In the 101 high-risk counties, 249 were diagnosed as new cretinism cases from 4122 suspected cases searched. The goiter rate of children aged 8-10 years old by B-ultrasound was 8.28% (4434/53 541), 44 counties had goiter rates in the range of 5%-20%, 5 counties had goiter rates in the range of 20%-30%, and 3 counties had goiter rates of 30%. The mean IQ of children was 85.44, and the percentage of IQ value less than 70 was 16.52%(8713/52 745). The median urinary iodine(MUI) of children was 154.69 μg/L, the percentage of UI less than 50 μg/L was 17.26% (9069/52 558). Twenty-five counties had a MUI of children less than 100 μg/L. The MUI of housewives was 107.14 μg/L, the percentage of UI less than 50 μg/L was 27.50% (3722/13 534). MUI of housewives in 46 counties were less than 100.0 μg/L. The coverage rate of iodized salt at household level was 77.85%(13 150/16 891). The coverage rate of iodized salt was 52.80%(1585/3002), 44.72% (631/1411) and 72.82% (1850/2506) in Tibet, Hainan and Qinghai, respectively. More than 10% residents of Tibet, Sichuan, Hainan, Gansu and Qinghai complained that iodized salt was not convenient to buy. There were 71.39%(7652/10 719) of observed people ate crude salt. The average price of crude salt price(0.30-1.20 Yuan/kg) was lower than iodized salt(1.20-3.00 Yuan/kg). Conclusions In these IDD high-risk areas, the risk of endemic goiter and cretinism prevalence is threatening. The IDD monitoring should be carried out successively in these high-risk areas. The prevention measures, increasing iodized salt coverage rate and establishing the sustainable mechanism for eliminating IDD should be strengthened. Emergent iodine fortification measure for high risk region people should be implemented as soon as possible, a long term effective mechanism of eliminating IDD should be established.

Objective To investigate the relationship between multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging and tumor angiogenesis and cell cycle protein D1 (cyclinD1) expression in patients with peripheral lung cancer. Methods Seventy-three patients with peripheral lung cancer underwent 16-slice spiral CTperfusion imaging. The CT perfusion imaging were analyzed for time density curve (TDC), perfusion parametric maps and the respective perfusion parameters (BF, BV, PS, PH, and PHpm/PHa). Correlation between the respective perfusion parameters and immunohistochemical findings of MVD measurement and cyclinD1 expression were evaluated. Statistical method used one factor analysis of variance (One-wayANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis. Results The shape of TDC of three groups of peripheral lung cancers (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other type of cancer) was similar. They showed a steeper slope, was obvious increase of nodular HU value [ peak height of TDC is respectively (44. 87±6. 83), (34. 91 ± 8.05), (40. 66±5. 87) HU ], changed little after reaching peak height, became flat at peak, had a platform. Forty-four patients were cyclinD1 positive expression, the peripheral lung cancers with cyclinD1 positive expression showed significantly higher MVD value than that of the peripheral lung cancers with cyclinD1 negative expression [ respectively (33.88± 14. 81), (23. 17±11.66) band/high magnification, P < 0. 01]. The cancers with cyclinD1 positive expression showed significantly higher PH,PHpm/PHa, BF,BV, PS value than those of the cancers with cyelinD1 negative expression[respectively P <0. 05]. MVD was positively correlated with PH, PHpm/PHa, BF, BV, and PS of the three groups ofcancers with cyclinD1 positive expression. Among, the correlation coefficient (r value) of BV, PS, BF was0. 409, 0. 517,0. 503 respectively(all P < 0. 01). MVD was significantly correlated with them. The r valueof PH, PHpm/PHa is 0. 319,0. 324 respectively(all P < 0. 05). MVD was less correlated with them. MVDwas not correlated with PH, PHpm/PHa, BF, BV, and PS of the three groups of cancers with cyclinD1 negative expression. Conclusions Multi-slice spiral CT perfusion imaging moderately correlated with tumorangiogenesis and reflected MVD measurement and cyclinD1 expression. It provided not only a noninvasive method of quantitative assessment for blood flow patterns of peripheral lung cancer but also an applicable diagnostic method for peripheral lung cancer.

The therapeutic potential of curcumin (Cur) is hampered by its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability.The aim of this study was to determine whether Cur nanoemulsions enhance the efficacy of Cur against prostate cancer cells and increase the oral absorption of Cur.Cur nanoemulsions were developed using the self-microemulsifying method and characterized by their morphology,droplet size and zeta potential.The results showed that the cytotoxicity and cell uptake were considerably increased with Cur nanoemulsions compared to free Cur.Cur nanoemulsions exhibited a significantly prolonged biological activity and demonstrated better therapeutic efficacy than free Cur,as assessed by apoptosis and cell cycle studies.In siru single-pass perfusion studies demonstrated higher effective permeability coefficient and absorption rate constant for Cur nanoemulsions than for free Cur.Our study suggested that Cur nanoemulsions can be used as an effective drug delivery system to enhance the anticancer effect and oral bioavailability of Cur.

Objective To investigate the role of transcranial magnetic stimulation(TMS)in the modulation of abnormal functional status and damage characteristics of key brain regions in adult patients with anisometropic amblyopia via the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)technique.Methods Single(left)eyes of 20 adult refractive amblyopia patients were included in this study and randomly divided into a surgical group[Implantable Collamer Lens(ICL)surgery]and a TMS combined group(TMS treatment on top of the surgical group),with 10 patients in each group.In both groups,the visual a-cuity of patients was examined before and after treatment via international standard visual acuity charts to evaluate the therapeu-tic effect.Moreover,patients in both groups underwent an fMRI examination once before and after treatment,and local coher-ence(ReHo),amplitude at low frequency(ALFF),and ratio amplitude at low frequency(fALFF)algorithms were used to char-acterize the functional state and response characteristics of the brain regions in the acquired f MRI images.Results Compared with that before treatment,the visual acuity of patients in both groups significantly improved after treatment and was signifi-cantly greater than the pretreatment corrected visual acuity(P＜0.05).Compared with that in the two groups after treatment,the improvement in visual acuity in the TMS combined group was greater than that in the surgical group(P＜0.05).There was no difference in the ReHo or fALFF values before and after treatment between the TMS combined group and surgical group.Compared with those before treatment,the ipsilateral frontal ALFF values were increased in the surgical group after treatment,and the ipsilateral cerebellar ALFF values were decreased in the TMS combined group.Compared with those in the surgical group,the ipsilateral frontal lobe and superior frontal gyrus ReHo values decreased,the contralateral temporal lobe and superior temporal gyrus ALFF values decreased,and the contralateral occipital lobe and cuneiform lobe fALFF values increased after treatment in the TMS combined group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The improvement in spontaneous brain activity in pa-tients with anisometropic amblyopia in the surgical group and in the TMS combined group was significant.ICL implantation may act by activating the ipsilateral frontal lobe,ICL implantation in combination with TMS may act by improving cerebellar func-tion,increasing the excitability of the contralateral occipital and cuneate lobes,modulating neuronal activity in the adjacent cor-tex of the occipital lobe and in the other visually related cortices(ipsilateral frontal and contralateral temporal lobes),and correc-ting the difference in excitability between the two eyes of the patients.and correcting the excitability differences between the pa-tient's two eyes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and the surgical techniques of transnasal endoscopic procedure for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA).

METHODSTwenty-one nasopharyngeal angiofibroma patients were treated using transnasal endoscopic approach. They were divided into group A (without intracranial extension) and group B (minimal intracranial extension) according to the staging of Sessions. The patients were treated mostly with endoscopic surgery. In two midfacial operations cases, endoscopy was also used. The staging, average blood loss during surgery, tumor residual, and (or) recurrent tumor were evaluated.

RESULTSGroup A (19 cases) had an average blood loss of 1000 ml. Nineteen patients had no residual or recurrent tumor over a follow-up of 8-24 months. Group B (2 cases) had an average blood loss of 1500 ml. One of the patients had minimal residual tumor around the cavernous sinus, but showed no progression over a follow-up of 2 years. Another patient had no residual or recurrent tumor over a follow-up of 8 months.

CONCLUSIONSThe data suggests that transnasal endoscopic surgical techniques can be used to treat JNA which either limited to nasal and nasopharyngeal cavities or and the tumor with sphenoid and ethmoid invasions and even minimal intracranial extension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiofibroma ; surgery ; Child ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Nose ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the distribution of the musculoskeletal disorders, work load and working postures in different factories, gender, education levels, age and working years among manufacturing workers.

METHODSIn a cross-sectional study of 5134 manufacturing workers in 12 factories, the morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders in one year period were measured with questionnaires.

RESULTSThe morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders in body sites: waist, neck, shoulder, wrist, ankle/feet, knee, hip/buttocks and elbows were 59.7%, 47.9%, 38.1%, 33.7%, 26.9%, 25.4%, 15.2%, and 14.9%, respectively in one year period. There were significant differences of morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in body sites of workers among different factories (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The morbidities of musculoskeletal symptoms in elbows, waist, wrists and ankle/feet of the workers in refractory material and chemical fiber factories were higher than those in other factories, the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms of workers in garments and diamond factories were lower than those in other factories. The morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders and wrists of female workers were significantly higher than those of male workers (P < 0.01). There were significant differences of the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in body sites among workers with different educational levels (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There were significant differences of the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in neck, shoulders, wrists, hip/buttocks and knee among groups with different age or different working years (P < 0.01), and the morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms increased with age and working years. The proportions of unhealthy working postures and high working load among workers in refractory material and chemical fiber factories were higher; but those in garments and diamond factories were lower.

CONCLUSIONThe morbidities for musculoskeletal symptoms in waist, neck, shoulder and wrists of workers in manufacturing workers were higher; the gender, education level, age and working years could influenced the morbidities for musculoskeletal disorders.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Posture ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo establish a minimum medical geographic information systems (GIS) database as a spatial decision supporting system (SDSS), and to use the database into public health practice in China.

METHODSSpatial data collected from different sources were standardized as decimal degree format, including: (1) satellite images covering areas of China; (2) digital maps of China in vector files; (3) diseases database and relevant models.

RESULTSNecessary satellite images for the database have been collected from NOAA AVHRR, Landsat TM, etc., including the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) images from AVHRR, earth surface temperature images from AVHRR, GTOPO30 DEM images from USGS and landuse images from USGS. The digital vector files for GIS analysis were collected including political (county, provinces, country) boundaries file, environmental (drainage, land cover, soil type) vector file, population data and climate data; Data on diseases mainly generated from survey or case reporting. Relevant models on transmission of Schistosoma japonicum and Plasmodium vivax, and models of Oncomelania hupensis and Anophores sinansis were developed, and the relevant environmental factors related to incidence of cancers were mapped, to test and verify those database.

CONCLUSIONThe database unified the data from different sources for users. Minimum medical data included in the database could be used in the practice of public health. It is expected that this database be used in a wider range.

Animals ; Anopheles ; parasitology ; China ; epidemiology ; Databases, Factual ; Disease Reservoirs ; Disease Vectors ; Ecology ; Geographic Information Systems ; Humans ; Malaria ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Plasmodium vivax ; Satellite Communications ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Snails ; parasitology

BACKGROUNDNurr1 plays an essential role in the development, survival, and function maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and it is a potential target for Parkinson's disease (PD). Nurr1 mRNA can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but whether there is any association of altered Nurr1 expression in PBMC with the disease and DA drug treatments remains elusive. This study aimed to measure the Nurr1 mRNA level in PBMC and evaluate the effect of Nurr1 expression by DA agents in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSThe mRNA levels of Nurr1 in PBMC of four subgroups of 362 PD patients and 193 healthy controls (HCs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction were measured. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed to evaluate the differences between PD and HC, as well as the subgroups of PD. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent association of Nurr1 expression with Hoehn and Yahr scale, age, and drug treatments. Besides, the Nurr1 expression in cultured PBMC was measured to determine whether DA agonist pramipexole affects its mRNA level.

RESULTSThe relative Nurr1 mRNA levels in DA agonists treated subgroup were significant higher than those in recent-onset cases without any anti-PD treatments (de novo) (P < 0.001) and HC groups (P < 0.010), respectively. Furthermore, the increase in Nurr1 mRNA expression was seen in DA agonist and L-dopa group. Multivariate linear regression showed DA agonists, L-dopa, and DA agonists were independent predictors correlated with Nurr1 mRNA expression level in PBMC. In vitro, in the cultured PBMC treated with 10 μmol/L pramipexole, the Nurr1 mRNA levels were significantly increased by 99.61%, 71.75%, 73.16% in 2, 4, and 8 h, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSDA agonists can induce Nurr1 expression in PBMC, and such effect may contribute to DA agonists-mediated neuroprotection on DA neurons.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dopamine Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult