A new method to reconstruct a thumb was worked out in the past few years. It was achieved by inverting the skin flap of the amputated thumb stump and suturing it to an island-shaped skin flap with nerves and vessels from the dorsum of the index finger. A piece of artificial bone was inserted between the two skin flaps into the first phalanx. The operative procedure was described in detail and the indications, advantages and disadvantages of this method were discussed. It is suggested that this method be used to reconstruct a thumb since it is simple and effective.

OBJECTIVE: Measure the space direction of semicircular canals to provide the anatomical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV. METHOD: We calculated angles among semicircular canals of 24 patients using MRI scaning with 3D-CISS sequence. RESULT: The angle between the left and right posterior semicircular canals was 106.61 degress ± 8.58 degrees, so the angle among the posterior semicircular canals and sagittal head plane was 53.31 degrees ± 4.29 degrees. Pairs of contralateral synergistic canal planes were not parallel, forming 171.67 degrees ± 4.36 degrees between the left and right horizontal semicircular canal planes, 154.37 degrees ± 10.87 degrees between the left posterior and right anterior semicircular canal planes and 156.84 degrees ± 9.34 degrees between the right posterior and left anterior semicircular canal planes. CONCLUSION Our measurement of the angles among semicircular canals coincided with those of previous reports. The angles between contralateral synergistic canal planes were close to parallel, but the angle between the posterior semicircular canals and sagittal head plane was great than 45 degrees that traditionally thought to be.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Semicircular Canals ; anatomy & histology

Objective To study the effects of miR-200b on proliferation and migration of sw620 colon cancer cells,and its regulation effect on E-cadherin expression.Methods The expressions of miR-200b in sw620 cells at 24 h and 72 h after pEGP-miR-200b transfection were detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR).The change of the expression level of E-cadherin after miR-200b transfection was detected using the methods of RT-PCR and Western blot.The proliferation and migration abilities were measured by MTT and scratch test after miR-200b transfection.Results The expressions of miR-200b in sw620 cells at 24 h and 72 h after pEGP-miR-200b transfection raised significantly compared to the control group (t =11.579,P ＜ 0.01 ; t =11.579,P ＜0.01).MiR-200b transfection inhibited the proliferation abilities of sw620 cells.It is the most significant of the inhibitory effect on the third day and the inhibition rate was 55.34％.MiR-200b transfection markedly inhibited the migration abilities of sw620 cells.The two groups had significant difference in the migration distance of 24,48,72 h (t =11.579,P ＜0.01 ; t =10.419,P ＜0.01 ; t =6.955,P ＜0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of E-cadherin gene increased significantly by transfecting miR-200b gene in sw620 cells (t =10.432,P ＜ 0.01 ; t =8.325,P ＜ 0.O1).Conclusion Up-regulated expression of miR-200b could inhibite the proliferation and migration abilities of sw620 colon cancer cells.The involved molecular mechanism is probably related to the change of E-cadherin expression.

BACKGROUND: As reported in some literatures, articular dysfunction following limb lengthening is one of the commonest complications, but some scholars believe that the articular dysfunction after lower limb lengthening is avoidable providing appropriate technical operation and effective function prevention.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of articular function of knee during limb lengthening in rabbits so as to provide a experimental basis for clinical tasks.DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial SETTING: Department of Orthopeadics, Affiliated Hospital of Some Military Medical University.PARTICIPANTS: Study was conducted in the Experimental Animal Center of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from February 2001 to June 2002. Totally 30 healthy adult New Zealand rabbits obtained from the Experimental Animal Center of the Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA were randomly divided into lengthening group and delayed observation group(observed at 3 months after the stop of lengthening).METHODS: Every group was further divided into three sub-groups according to distraction range: 10%, 20% and 40%. Upper-tibia metaphysis distraction was adopted at the rate of 1 mm per day . Distraction and iconography changes of knee joint were observed with X-ray. The motive range of knee was investigated at the end of distraction and three months later.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Articular motive range of the knee before the distraction, at the end of distraction and three months later, X-ray resutls RESULTS: ① There was no obvious radiographic change in knee at every time point in each group. ② Significant flexion disorder in knee was found in 20% distraction subgroup( P ＜ 0. 05), which was only 44. 7% of normal motive range in 40% distraction subgroup( P ＜ 0. 01) . Motive functions of knee in delayed observation group were significantly improved; thereinto,20% distraction subgroup returned to preoperative level, while 40% distraction subgroup also had significant improvement compared with that of 3 months earlier but still lower than normal level, which was only about 88.5% of normal level( P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Temporary articular dysfunction might occur during limb lengthening process, and mostly during big range of distraction. Although the dysfunction could be gradually recovered after the stop of lengthening, active prevention is still necessary.

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on ketamine-induced cognitive dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus in aged rats. Methods Thirty-two male SD rats aged 18-24 months weighing 380-470 g were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 8 each) :control group (group C);propofol group (group P);ketamine group (group K) and propofol + ketamine group (group PK). Propofol 30 mg·kg-1·h-1 or/and ketamine 40 mg· kg-1·h-1 were infused for 2 h once a day for 7 consecutive days. After the last day of drug administration cognitive function was assessed using Morris water maze (escape latency and the number of animals' swimming across the platform). The animals were sncrificed after water naze test and their hippocampi were removed for determination of neuronal apoptosis (by TUNEL) and caspase-3 expression (by immuno-histochemistry) in hippocampal CA1 region. Results There was no significant difference in escape latency and the number of the animals,swimming across the platform, the neuronal apoptotic rate (the number of apoptotic neurons/the number of total neurons) and caspase-3 expression between group C and P. In group K and PK the escape latency was prolonged,the number of animals' swimming across the platform was decreased, neuronal apoptotic rate increased and the caspase-3 expression up-regulated as compared with group C. The ketamine-induced changes were significantly attenuated by coadministration of propofol in group PK. Conclusion Coadministration of propofol can ameliorate ketamine-induced cognitive dysfunction and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic efficacy and safety of glutamine combined with low molecular weight heparin in the treatment of elderly severe pneumonia (SP).METHODS:In retrospective study,88 SP elderly patients were divided into control group (44 cases) and observation group (44 cases).Based on conventional treatment,control group was given Enteral nutritional suspension via nasal feeding.Observation group was additionally given Alanyl glutamine injection 20 g,dissolved in Amino acid solution with ratio of 1:5 at least and maximum concentration belowing 3.5％,i.v.,once a day+Low molecular weight heparin calcium injection 4 KU/kg subcutaneously,once a day,on the basis of control group.Both groups were treated for 7 d.Clinical efficacies and postoperative recovery (ventilator support time,pulmonary rale disappearance time and ICU hospitalization time) were observed in 2 groups.The levels of IgA,IgG,TNF-a,hs-CRP,APACHE Ⅱ score,coagulation function indexes (APTT,D-D,FIB,PT,PLT),blood gas analysis indexes [pa (CO2),SpO2,Oi,pa (O2)] and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE),the occurrence of ADR before and after treatment were also observed in 2 groups.RESULTS:Total response rate of observation group (90.91％) was significantly higher than that of control group (72.73％),while ventilator support time,pulmonary rale disappearance time and ICU hospitalization time were significantly shorter than control group;the incidence of ADR was significantly lower than control group,with statistical significance (P＜ 0.05).After treatment,the levels of IgA,IgG,Oi,SpO2 and pa (O2) in 2 groups were significantly higher than before treatment,and the observation group was significantly higher than the control group.The levels of TNF-αt,hs-CRP,APACHE Ⅱ score,coagulation function indexes,pa(CO2) and RAGE in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,with statistical significance (P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Based on conventional treatment,glutamine combined with low molecular weight heparin show significantly effect on elderly SP,effectively improve cellular immune function,coagulation function and blood gas analysis indexes and reduce RAGE level with good safety.

Objective To explore the significance of serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for the death risk evaluation in elderly patients with chronic disease in five years.Methods A total of 765 elderly patients with chronic disease[136 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD),76 patients with hypertension disease (HD),86 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),75 patients with Type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM),76 patients with cerebral infarction (CI),73 patients with coronary heart disease combined with hypertension,71 patients with coronary heart disease combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,61 patients with coronary heart disease combined with diabetic,51 patients with coronary heart disease combined with cerebral infarction,and 60 patients with three comorbidity] were classified into the survival group (312 cases) and the death group (453 cases) according to disease prognosis.The serum NT-proBNP levels of 88 healthy controls and 765 elderly patients with chronic disease were determined by bi-directional lateral flow immunoassay.The death events were followed up and observed for an average of 5 years.The results were analyzed statistically.Results The serum NT-proBNP levels in the death group with various diseases were significantly higher than the survival group (P ＜0.01),the patient's age and the proportion of male in the death group and the survival group had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The serum NT-proBNP levels,the patient's age and the Proportion of male in the death group with various elderly chronic diseases had no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05).The serum NT-proBNP levels in the death group with various elderly chronic diseases had no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05),and were significantly higher than the survival group (P ＜ 0.01).The patient's age and the proportion of male in the death group and the survival group had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The serum NT-proBNP levels in the death group in the different periods had statistical significance (P ＜ 0.01),and were significantly higher than the survival group and healthy control group (P ＜ 0.01).The more shorter of the survival time was,the higher the serum NT-proBNP 1eve was.The serum NT-proBNP levels were negatively correlated with the survival time of the patients (r =-0.378,P =0.000).The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the optimal cut-off values of serum NT-proBNP levels for the death risk evaluation in elder patients with chronic disease were 1 499.50 ng/L.Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the survival rates of serum NT-proBNP levels had significant difference (P ＜0.01).The higher the serum NT-proBNP level was,the more shorter of the Survival rates were.Conclusions The levels of serum NT-proBNP have an important prognostic value in the death risk evaluation in elderly patients with various chronic disease.It is an independent risk factor for the death occurred in eiderly patients with chronic disease.The levels of serum NT-proBNP are closely correlated with the survival rates and survival time of elderly patients,It can be used as a monitoring indicator of the elderly patients with chronic disease in risk stratification.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of the CT angiography (CTA) in the detection of mechanical obstructive cause of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity. Methods Forty-seven cases of CTA and DSA image data of DVT in lower extremity with mechanical obstruction were retrospectively analyzed. The CTA three-dimensional reconstruction images were compared with DSA results, and the position and size of thrombus, collateral circulation of blood vessels, vascular compression area and the corresponding outside vascular lesions were evaluated. The causes of venous occlusion were analyzed. Diagnostic agreement of CTA and DSA was assessed by Kappa statistics. The difference of the accuracy between CTA and DSA in the diagnosis of the left and right iliac femoral vein, inferior vena cava, internal iliac vein thrombosis were analyzed with χ2 test. Results There were 47 patients with lower extremity DVT. Of them, DVT was detected in the left leg in 28 patients, in the right leg in 14 patients and in both lower extremities in 5 patients. Mechanical obstruction caused DVT in all of them. There were 27 patients of iliac vein compression syndrome(IVCS)complicated with lower limb DVT. The left iliac vein was oppressed by the right common iliac artery with compression degree from 55.41%to 100.00%,and mean of(77.1 ± 16.8)%. There was congenital stenosis or occlusion of inferior vena cava in 3 patients. There was Budd-Chiari syndrome in 2 patients. There was pelvic mass pressing the common iliac vein in 4 patients. Enlarged right inguinal lymph nodes oppressed the right femoral vein in 3 patients and enlarged left inguinal lymph nodes oppressed the left femoral vein in 2 patients. Other mechanical obstruction factors caused DVT in 6 patients, including right iliac artery aneurysms,spontaneous hematoma, etc. The agreement of CTA and DSA on the diagnosis of the iliac femoral thrombosis was good (Kappa=0.978), the diagnosis agreement on the inferior vena cava thrombus was good (Kappa = 0.737), while the diagnosis agreement on the internal iliac vein thrombosis was poor (Kappa=0.189). The difference of CTA and DSA in the diagnosis of left and right iliac femoral venous thrombosis was not statistically significant (52,51 case;χ2=0.00, P>0.05), neither was the diagnostic difference of inferior vena cava thrombus (21,17 cases;χ2=1.50, P>1.50). However, the difference of the diagnosis of the iliac vein thrombosis was statistically significant (14,2 cases;χ2=8.33, P<0.05) . Conclusions CTA can clearly show the location and scope of the thrombus. Compared with conventional DSA, CTA shows higher diagnostic coincidence rate, and can accurately determine the mechanical obstruction causes of lower extremity DVT.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) gradient echo (GRE) T2WI sequence in bone injury of knee joint. Methods MRI data of 56 patients with knee injury were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent SE sequence (sagittal T1WI, T2WI) and sagittal MTC-GRE T2WI sequence. The size, signal intensity and margin of bone contusion with different MRI sequence were analyzed and compared. Results Among 56 patients, 43 and 45 cases were demonstrated on SE T1WI and T2WI, respectively; 50 cases were displayed on MTC-GRE T2WI sequence. The size, border of bone contusions and sensitivity displayed on MTC-GRE T2WI sequence were statistically higher than those on SE sequence (P<0.05). Conclusion MTC-GRE T2WI sequence has great diagnostic value in contusion of knee joint, which is superior to FSE sequence.

Objective To investigate the effects of hydrogen gas inhalation on cerebral oxidative stress and inflammation after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats and to understand the mechanism of(I/R neuroprotection.Method Forty-eight healthy male SD rats weighing 285-350 g were randomly allocated to one of 3 groups (n =16 each group):sham operation group (Sham),intestinal I/R group (I/R) and intestinal IR plus hydrogen gas inhalation group (IR + H2).The I/R model was produced by occlusion of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 90 min followed by reperfusion.Inhalation of 2％ hydrogen gas was performed immediately after I/R for 3 h.All animals were sacrificed at 24 h after reperfusion in each group.Brain tissues of 8 animals in each group were harvested for detection of microglia by immunohistochemistry.The remaining 8 rats in each group were used for the following indicators analysis.The protein level of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecular 1 (Iba-1,a marker of microglia) in the cortex was detected by Western blotting.The concentrations of ROS,MDA,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,T-NOS,iNOS and NO in the cortex were measured.The MPO content and SOD activity were also measured.Result The Iba-1 staining was light in Sham group.However,the expression of Iba-1 was increased in I/R group,and H2 inhibited the expression of Iba-l.As compared with Sham group,the Iba-1 protein expression and the number of Iba-1 positive cells were increased significantly in I/R and I/R+ H2groups (P＜0.01 or 0.05).As compared with Sham group,ROS,MDA,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,T-NOS,iNOS and NO levels,and MPO activity were also increased in I/R and I/R + H2groups (P＜0.01 or 0.05).As compared with I/R group,the above indicators in I/R + H2 group were markedly improved (P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion The inhalation H2 could inhibit intestinal I/R-induced activation of microglia and reduce cerebral oxidative stress and inflarnmatory response in rats.