Objective To study the anatomic landmarks of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT), and to evaluate the operative skills to avoid nerve injury. Methods 106 patients were enrolled in the study dated between August 2008 and August 2010, in which 8 patients were converted to the conventional thyroidectomy. Intraoperative anatomic landmarks for location of RLN were the gap between trachea and carotid artery (GTC), as well as the middle and posterior portion of tracheal wall. Results 98 RLN were at risk, and 97 (98.98 %) nerves were recognized by means of two landmarks. 1 nerve failed to locate which was non-recurrent laryngeal nerve. Temporary RLN paralysis happened to 1 nerve(1.02 %), and no permanent RLN paralysis appeared. Conclusion GTC combined with middle and posterior portion of tracheal wall are safe and effective anatomic landmarks to locate RLN in MIVAT.

Objective To investigate the difference of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) on the effect of one-stage skin graft and second-stage sugery after scar release.Methods A total of 42 patients who wanted to undergo scar release and skin graft was randomly divided to control group (n =21) and VSD treatment group (n =21).The control group implemented skin graft immdiately after scar release while VSD treatment group were treated with VSD for 3 days after scar release and then implemented skin graft.The rate of subcutaneous blood stasis and the survival rate of skin graft were observed at 7 days after skin graft.The condition of grafted skin contracture and hyperplasia after half a year was also observed.Results The incidcnce of subcutaneous blood stasis was significantly lower in the VSD group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The survival rate of skin grafts was significantly higher in the VSD group than that of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The score of Vancouver scar was significantly lower in the VSD group than that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions VSD treatment of second-stage sugery after scar release can reduce the occurrence of subcutaneous blood stasis,promotc skin graft survival,reduce postoperative skin graft contracture and improve the prognosis of patients compared to one-stage skin graft.

Objective To assess the value of 18 F-FDG PET imaging in the localization of epileptic foci.Methods 18 F-FDG PET were performed in 22 patients with medically intractable epilepsy (15 males,7 females,mean years:19.0 years,mean duration:8.2 years). The open skull operations were undergone in 21 patients according to the results of 18 F-FDG PET, combining with scalp EEG and CT or/and MRI. 1 patient was refered for stereotactic operation. During operation,EcoG was detected for identifying the site of epileptogenic focus and lobectomy was performed . All specimens were examninated with the pathological tests. All patients were followed up for the curative effects. Results PET showed abnormalities in 21 patients(95.5%). Among them,single or multiple focal hypometabolisms were found in 20 patients and focal hypermetabolism in 1 patient. The scalp EEGs showed abnormalities in 17 patients(77.3%),but 8 of them did not showed clear latreralizing manifestations.The abnormalities were found on MR or/and CT in only 5 cases (22.7%).The epileptogenic foci detected by PET were consistent well with EcoG in 18cases(85.7%), consistent approximately in 2 cases and not consistent in 1 cases .Among 19 patients with abnormal PET findings , the pathological abnormalities were found in 18 cases (94.7%).No pathological abnormality was found in the patients with nomal PET imaing. After the open skull operations, 9 patients (42.9%) becomed seizure free . 9 patients (42.9%) had more than 50% seizure reduction and 3 patients (14.3%)showed no improvement. The patient treated with stereotactic operation also showed no significant improvement.Conclusion 18 F-FDG PET imaging is a sensitive and accurate modality to localizate the epileptic foci and has important clinical value in surgical therapy.

Objective The positron generated at the dose deposition site by using high-energy carbon ions to hit the material annihilate with the negative electron in the material to release the gamma photon.The positron-emitting isotope (PEI) distributions in the target volume are activated significantly by carbon ions.Therefore, the mean values of positron emission tomography (PET) activity could be related to the delivered doses to the clinical target volume from carbon ion.This specialty can be used for the image registration fusion of the carbon ion treatment planning computed tomography (CT) and treatment verification PET-CT.After radiation in the almost same decay period, the relationship between the different target volume and the PET-CT SUV of different every single fraction dose can be found, then the range of SUV for the radiation target could be decided.So this PET-CT standardized uptake value (SUV) range can also provide a reference for the correlation and consistency in planning target dose verification and evaluation for the clinical trial.Methods The head phantom was used as a simulation of the real human body, the 1 cc, 4 cc, and 10 cc cube volume target contouring were done in the TPS, the 90 degree fixed carbon ion beams were delivered in different single fraction effective dose of 2.5 GyE, 5 GyE, and 8 GyE.After the beam delivery, later the PET-CT scanning was performed and parameters of scanning followed the trial regulation.The MIM Maestro software was used for the image processing and fusion to determine the maximum, minimum, average, and total values of SUV in the virtual clinical target volumes for the different single fraction dose.Results The results showed that for the same target volume, the SUV range of target had an approximate linear correlation with effective dose of target (P=0.000).The same effective dose for the different target volumes got the same SUV range (P>0.05).Conclusions For the carbon ion treatment plan, the SUV range from image registration and fusion of planning CT and PET-CT after treatment can be used to make an evaluation for accuracy of the dose distribution.And this method also could be used in the hyper-fraction treatment plan.In the SUV range research of different decay periods, the similar method can be performed for the exploration.

Objective To study the rule of lymph node metastasis rate in cN 0 papillary thyroid microcar-cinoma( cN0-PTMC) and to evaluate an appropriate region of neck dissection .Methods Data of 233 cases of cN0-PTMC were retrospectively analyzed .Univariate analysis with chi-square test was used to analyze the statisti-cal correlation between gender , age, tumor diameter and lymph node metastasis respectively .Results 81 out of 233 patients(34.8%)had cervical lymph node metastasis (30.0%in central region and 9.9%in lateral region). For patients with tumor diameter ( D)≤5 mm and D>5 mm, lymph node metastasis rate in central region was 21.6%and 36.6%(χ2 =6.199,P<0.05) and it was 4.9% and 13.7% respectively in lateral region (χ2 =5.035,P<0.05).For male and female patients, lymph node metastasis rate in central region was 42.1% and 26.1%respectively(χ2 =5.224,P<0.05), and it was 21.1% and 6.3% respectively in lateral region (χ2 =10.604,P<0.01).Lymph node metastasis rate in patients≤45 years old and >45 years old was 37.9% and 21.1% respectively (χ2 =7.792, P <0.01 ) .The lateral region lymph node metastasis rate was 17.1% and 6.7%when the central region lymph node was infringed or not (χ2 =5.947, P<0.05).Conclusions All cN0-PTMC patients should have a normative central neck dissection .Male patients with PTMC and tumor diameter >5 mm should receive the lateral neck lymphoid tissue exploration during surgery in order to find subclinical metas -tasis.

To evaluate the efficacy of Tuina and Chinese patent drug Shuxuetong injection in preventing patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty from deep venous thrombosis and in functional rehabilitation.

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important and highly prevalent pathogen of cats that causes feline respiratory disease. The reverse genetic systems for FCV have been established in national and international laboratories since 1995. This technique has been used widely in FCV basic research and good progress has consequently been made to determine the relationship between viral genome structures and the function of their proteins, the expression of foreign proteins, virus-host interactions, and viral pathogenic mechanisms. In this article,we review the state of progress with regards to the establishment and application of the FCV reverse genetic operating system,which will provide a useful reference tool for future related research.
Animals ; Caliciviridae Infections ; veterinary ; virology ; Calicivirus, Feline ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cat Diseases ; virology ; Cats ; Reverse Genetics ; methods ; trends ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To explore the method of pre expanded deltopectoral flap for repairing post burn faciocervical scars.Methods Anterior axillary incisions were made and appropriate expanders were implanted above anterior chest wall at the first stage.After a 4 6 months' expanding,the flaps based on perforating branches of the internal mammary artery,branches from the thoracoacromi al area,or perforating branches from deltoid muscle,were designed and raised according to scars and dominant vessels.The donor sites were closed at same time without skin graft.Results 43 patients with 51 flaps were operated for reconstruction of post burn faciocervical scars.All flaps and donor sites survived well.Conclusions Pre expanded deltopectoral flap is an ideal donor site for repairing post-burn faciocervical scars.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of stiff knee, and discuss the key points of operative technique and rehabilitation. Methods From February 2005 to April 2009, 23 patients with 34 stiff knees were treated with primary TKA. The study included 3 males (4 knees) and 20 females (30 knees), with the mean age of 56.9 years. Primary disease of the patients included rheumatoid arthritis (26 knees in 15 cases) and osteoarthritis (8 knees in 8 cases). Varus deformity was found in 10 knees (5°-15°), and valgus was found in 5 knees (5°-10°). Evaluations included preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) measurement, hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS), blood loss, operative time and assessment of postoperative complications. Results All patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 32.2 (range, 24 to 40) months. At the final follow-up visit, the HSS score increased from 42.9±5.2 preoperatively to 85.7±4.3, the range of motion increased from 42.6°±5.7° preoperatively to 89.2°±10.5°. Sixteen knees in 12 cases underwent manipulation at 3 to 8 weeks postoperatively for unsatisfied ROM, but ROM was still less than 90° in 8 knees at the last follow-up. The average blood loss were (632.4±180.2) ml in first 24 hours (450-850 ml) and the operative time were (98.1±18.6) min (80-150 min). Deep venous thrombosis was found in 3 patients. All the symptoms relieved after anticoagulant therapy. Postoperative varus deformity was seen in one patient, but the function of knee was good. No revision was needed. Conclusion Primary total knee arthroplasty is reliable method in treatment of stiff knees. Sufficient soft tissue release during the operation, postoperative muscle strength exercise and essential manipulation are key points for satisfactory outcomes.

Aptamers are a group of artificial oligonucleotides identified by exponential enrichment system evolution technology (Selective expansion of ligands by exponential enrichment, SELEX). Aptamers have been widely used in basic research, clinical diagnostics, and nano-technology. In this article we will introduce the technology of aptamer and summarize its applications in medical microbiology.
Aptamers, Nucleotide ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Microbiological Techniques ; methods ; Microbiology ; SELEX Aptamer Technique ; methods ; trends