OBJECTIVETo introduce the clinical application of venous nutrition flap pedicled by medial plantar artery of the hallux on the medical aspect of the foot.

METHODSBased on the anastomoses between the medial plantar artery of the hallux and the nutritional vein, the flap was designed with the perforator of medial plantar artery adjacent to the first metatarsal bone as the rotation point. The flap axis was along the vein at the medial aspect of the foot between rotation point and medial malleolus.

RESULTS5 cases were treated with primary healing and complete survival flaps. The patients were followed up for 1-12 months with good match of texture and color.

CONCLUSIONSThe venous nutrition flap pedicled by medial plantar artery of the hallux on the medical aspect of the foot can be transpositioned to repair the defect at forefoot.

Arteries ; Forefoot, Human ; Hallux ; blood supply ; Humans ; Metatarsal Bones ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Veins ; Wound Healing

Objective To establish a molecular technique of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing to identify pathogenic fungi species from the fungal sinusitis tissues. Methods Total 270 sinusitis tissues samples were collected by endoscopic surgery from 2006 to 2008. The histopathology, organize spring clip culturation and ITS region (ITS region region of fungal rRNA, including ITS1-5. 8S rRNA-ITS2) sequencing were employed simultaneously. And then to evaluate the ITS sequencing as the tool for identification of pathogenic fungi directly from clinical samples. Results Of the 270 samples, histopathology positive rate was 80.0% (216/270) , organize spring clip positive rate was 80.0% (216/ 270), fungal culturation positive rate was 53.0% (143/270) , ITS region sequencing positive rate was 63. 0% [ (134 +28 +8)/270], There were 22 species and 6 genera identified by fungal culturation, and 32 species identified by ITS region sequencing. Conclusion ITS region sequencing will become a applicable tool in clinical laboratory in future.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Shadu Cao Mixture (SDCM, traditional Chinese medicine) on immune functions of immunosuppression mice.

METHODSFifty BALB/C mice were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, SDCM low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose group. Except the blank control group, other groups were intraperitoneal injected with cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg) to establish immunosuppression mice model. The blank control group and model group received gavage administration with nonnal saline, while the other groups received gavage administration with different doses of SDCM (10, 20, 40 m/kg for 15 days) respectively. The number of leukocytes and serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood, spleen index, and the function of NK cells were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the model group , SDCM increased the number of leukocytes and serum concentrations of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ in peripheral blood and improved the spleen index and the function of NK cells significantly (P < 0.05-0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDCM could remarkably enhance the immune functions of immunosuppression mice induced by cyclophosphamide.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Spleen ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To develop an early-warning indicator system of brucellosis outbreak. Methods The methods of literature review and expert discussion were used to formulate the initiatory framework and indicators, and then Delphi method was used to filter indicators, discuss the boundary of indicators and determine the weighting coefficient. Results The average length of service provided by experts who engaged in prevention and control of brucellosis was (25.10 ± 8.80) years and the positive coefficient of the consultant experts of the two-round results were 95% and 68%, respectively. Kendall coefficients were 0.35, 0.54 and X2R value were 81.31 and 285.27, respectively and P value was all less than 0.01. Five first-level indicators(the host animal, high-risk groups,social environment, index case and the level of previous disease) and 13 secondary indicators were selected to develop the early-warning indicator system of brucellosis outbreak. The weight coefficients of the five first-level indicators were 0.21, 0.22, 0.17, 0.21 and 0.19, respectively. Conclusions The early-waming indicator system of brucellosis outbreak is initially established. We propose to develop the early-warning programs according to local conditions and the indicator system.

To explore the prevention effect of the joint combination of Yindanxinnaotong soft capsule (YDXNT) and exercise (swimming) on atherosclerotic rats. The method of 3 x 3 factorial design, including two factors (YDXNT and swimming) and three levels (0, 1, 2 g x kg(-1) YDXNT; 0, 0.5, 1 h swimming), was mainly adopted. The atherosclerotic rat model was established by ligating their left common carotid arteries and feeding high-fat diet. After 8 weeks, blood samples were collected from their thoracic aorta to determine blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen (FIB), nitric oxide (NO), 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) endothelin (ET) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). The tissues of left common carotid arteries of the rats were collected to detect the positive expression of SM22alpha and determine the semi-quantitation through the immunohistochemical staining. The result showed that the combination of YDXNT and swimming can significantly decrease the plasma viscosity (F = 3.241, P = 0.017), the high and low shear blood viscosity (F = 6.444, P = 0.001; F = 3.002, P = 0.024) and FIB (F = 4.046, P = 0.005). The increased NO and 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) and the decreased ET and TXB2 indicated a significant interaction (P < 0.05). The swimming showed an obvious main effect in the expression of up-regulated protein SM22alpha (F = 8.088, P = 0.001). The study suggested that the combined administration of YDXNT and swimming could improve the hemorheological parameters of atherosclerotic rats, protect the vascular endothelium, inhibit the vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis and positively prevent the atherosclerosis.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Exercise Therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Microfilament Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Swimming

OBJECTIVETo study the impact of organized stroke ward on the therapeutic effect in stroke patients.

METHODSA total of 2637 patients with acute stroke were randomly assigned to organized stroke ward or the general ward for treatment, and the rates of mortality, nonrecovery, improvement, and recovery were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe rates of mortality, nonrecovery, improvement, and recovery in 5 years were 2.00%, 0.90%, 74.94% and 22.16% respectively in the organized stroke ward group, as compared to 3.26%, 1.02%, 74.01% and 21.71% in the general ward group, respectively. The mortality rate was significantly lower in organized stroke ward (P<0.05), but no significant difference was found in the rates of nonrecovery, improvement, or recovery between the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONAdmission of the stroke patients in organized stroke ward for treatment can be associated with lowered mortality rate.

Female ; Hospital Units ; standards ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Care Team ; organization & administration ; Stroke ; mortality ; therapy ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

We determine the contamination and genotypes of Clostridium perfringens isolated from chickens in Macau.C. perfringens were isolated from these samples by double tube method and then identified by biochemical test.Genotyping of i-solated strains was determined by multiplex PCR.A total of 120 samples,the positive rates were 37.5%,respectively.All of the isolated strains were type A.This study indicated that contamination of C.perfringens type A exists in chicken intestines, fresh chickens and chilled chickens in Macau,and provided reference data for the public health problems caused by C.perfrin-gens.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of brain SPECT imaging with a novel Aβ plaque probe,131 I-2-(4'-dimethylaminophenyl) -6-iodoimidazo[ 1,2-α ] pyridine ( 131 I-IMPY) in early AD.Methods Thirteen patients with AD (3 males,10 females,age ranged 52 - 79 y),11 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI,4 males,7 females,age ranged 48 - 67 y) and 14 normal controls (6 males,8 females,age ranged 42 - 67 y) were enrolled in this study.131I-IMPY SPECT imaging was acquired in 2 -3 h after the agent injection.ROIs were drawn on cerebral lobes and cerebellum.The ratios of mean radioactivity of cerebral lobes over cerebellum (Rcl/cb) were calculated.The t-test was used for data analysis.Results In patients with MCI,Rcl/cb ratios were increased in parietal gyrus,temporal gyrus and frontal gyrus (right:1.15±0.18,1.18±0.12,1.14±0.14; left:1.16±0.11,1.19±0.18,1.15±0.09)compared with those in normal control group ( right:1.02 ± 0.12,1.05 ± 0.14,1.01 ± 0.12 ; left:1.03 ±0.13,1.05 ±0.13,1.01 ±0.14; t:2.1642 to 2.8757,all P ＜0.05).Rcl/cb ratios of basel ganglia and occipital gyms in MCI group (right:0.92 ±0.18,1.12 ±0.15; left:0.94 ±0.15,1.13 ±0.17) showed no statistical difference compared with those in normal control group (right:0.82 ±0.15,1.06 ±0.18;left:0.85 ±0.16,1.08 ±0.15; t:0.7805 to 1.4344,all P＞0.05).In patients with AD,Rcl/cb ratios were increased in parietal,temporal,basal ganglia and occipital lobes (right:1.16 ±0.19,1.24 ±0.17,1.16 ±0.13,1.14±0.11,1.23±0.10; left:1.17±0.21,1.25±0.15,1.18±0.08,1.17±0.16,1.25±0.11)compared with those in normal control group( t:2.1001 to 6.2789,all P ＜0.05).Rcl/cb ratios of parietal,temporal and frontal lobes in AD group showed no statistical difference compared with those in MCI group (t:0.1316 to 0.9806,all P ＞ 0.05 ),while Rcl/cb ratios of basal ganglia and occipital lobes in AD group were increased compared with those in MCI group ( t:2.0850 to 3.6772,all P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion 131 I-IMPY as a β- amyloid plaque probe for brain SPECT imaging may be potentially helpful for early diagnosis of AD.

BACKGROUNDAccurate identification of bacterial isolates is an essential task in clinical microbiology. This study compared culturing to analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences as methods to identify bacteria in clinical samples. We developed a key technique to directly identify bacteria in clinical samples via nucleic acid sequences, thus improving the ability to confirm pathogens.

METHODSWe obtained 225 samples from Beijing Tongren Hospital and examined them by conventional culture and 16S rDNA sequencing to identify pathogens. This study made use of a modified sample pre-treatment technique which came from our laboratory to extract DNA. 16S rDNA was amplified by PCR. The amplified product was sequenced on a CEQ8000 capillary sequencer. Sequences were uploaded to the GenBank BLAST database for comparison.

RESULTSAmong the positively cultivated bacterial strains, seven strains were identified differently by Vitek32 and by 16S rDNA sequencing. Twelve samples that were negative by standard culturing were determined to have pathogens by sequence analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe use of 16S rRNA gene sequencing can improve clinical microbiology by providing better identification of unidentified bacteria or providing reference identification of unusual strains.

Bacteria ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Ribosomal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; methods

AIMTo study the effect of lidocaine-dodecanol binary eutectic system on the transdermal permeation of lidocaine.

METHODSBinary eutectic mixture of different proportions of lidocaine and dodecanol were prepared and the patch containing the binary eutectic mixture was developed. The solubilities of pure lidocaine and lidocaine from the binary eutectic system were determined in pH 7.9 phosphate buffer. The transdermal flux of lidocaine from the patches containing the binary eutectic system and pure lidocaine were measured using Franz-type single diffusion cell.

RESULTSThe melting point of the lidocaine-dodecanol binary eutectic system was markedly lower than that of pure lidocaine. The steady state transdermal flux of lidocaine from the patch of the binary eutectic system was six times as much as that of pure lidocaine patch.

CONCLUSIONThe lidocaine-dodecanol binary eutectic system could produce high thermodynamic activity of the drug and the high driving force for transdermal permeation of lidocaine.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Dodecanol ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Stability ; Guinea Pigs ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Skin Absorption ; Solubility