Objective To investigate the effect of T lymphocyte proliferation,Th1 and Th2 cytokines on T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)patients by blocking 4-1BB/4-1BBL.Methods The proliferation of T cells from 30 SLE patients and 20 normal controls was detected by MTT and the levels of patients stimulated with anti-CD3 McAb were significantly higher than those of T cells without stimulation(P＜IFN-γand IL-4 in SLE were significantly higher than those of normal controls(P＜0.01).There were more ex-pression of IFN-γ and IL-4 in supernatant of T cells from SLE after stimulated with anti-CD3 McAb(P＜0.01).However,the production of IFN-γ and IL-4 was inhibited by anti-4-1BB McAb(P＜O.05),and especially the level of IL-4 was markedly decreased.Conclusion Blocking 4-1BB/4-IBBL can significantlv inhibit the abnormal activation of T cells and the secretion of Thl and Th2 cytokines of SLE.

Objective To explore the mechanism of therapeutic action of needle knife “regulating sinews and treating bones” on knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by observing the effect of needle knife intervention on KOA rabbit behaviors, mechanical characteristics of patellar ligament (PL), and expressions of interleukin-4 (IL-4), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and aggrecan in knee cartilages.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly allocated to blank, model, needle knife and electroacupuncture groups, 10 rabbits each. A rabbit model of KOA was made by the modified Videman method of immobilization in extension position. After model making, the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups received needle knife and electroacupuncture treatments, respectively. A behavioral assessment was made using the modified Lequesne MG knee grade evaluation method in every group after model making and treatment. The samples were taken after treatment. PL tension, stress relaxation and creep state were tested using a Bose Electro Force 3300 protracted test machine. Cartilage cell IL-4 expression was examined by ELISA. MMP-3 mRNA and aggrecan mRNA expressions were detected by real-time PCR.Results After model making, there was a statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the model and blank groups (P<0.01); there was no statistically significant difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P>0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in the Lequesne MG score between the needle knife or electroacupuncture group and the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups (P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the model and blank groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment post-treatment differences in PL maximum stress, maximum displacement, elastic modulus, stress relaxation rate and creep rate between the needle knife and model groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in elastic modulus between the electroacupuncture and model groups (P<0.01). The IL-4 content and aggrecan mRNA expression decreased significantly and MMP-3 mRNA expression increased significantly in the model group after model making and there were statistically significant differences compared with the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05). After treatment, the IL-4 content increased significantly in the needle knife and electroacupuncture groups compared with the model group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and aggrecan mRNA expression tended to increase in the two groups. The regulation of aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions was better in the needle knife group than in the electroacupuncture groups, but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the model group (P>0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of action of needle knife treatment on KOA may be that it improves ligament mechanical characteristics, regulates intra-articular stress environment, and modulates aggrecan mRNA and MMP-3 mRNA expressions and inhibits cartilage degeneration through IL-4 mechanical signal pathway, to produce the therapeutic effect of “regulating sinews and treating bones”.

BACKGROUND:Open fracture of lower limb with severe soft tissue and bone defects also accompanies anterior tibial soft tissue defects and exposure of sclerotin and steel plate, which can be crucial y treated with strong fixation and use of skin flap to block the wound.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical efficacy of a large area of soft tissue defects in the anterior tibia using vacuum sealing drainage combined with groin free flap.
METHODS:A total of 24 patients with a large area of soft tissue defects in the anterior tibia were included in this study and then divided into two groups, with 12 cases in each group. In vacuum sealing drainage group, the scope of soft tissue defects was ranged from 10 cm×15 cm to 15 cm×20 cm. After the debridement, the fracture was fixed with external fixation scaffold and the wound was covered with the vacuum sealing drainage dressing. The blood clot was rinsed with normal saline via T-tube, and 7-10 days later the vacuum sealing drainage was given. According to the growth of granulation tissue, the wound was secondarily sutured, fol owed by groin free skin flap of superficial iliac circumflex artery with medial knee arteriovenous anastomosis transplantation. In the non-vacuum sealing drainage group, the wound size was ranged from 10 cm×5 cm to 30 cm×20 cm, the period from injury to admission was 1-24 hours. They were given conventional debridement and secondary fixation or skin flap transplantation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The length of preoperative hospital stay and the skin flap are in vacuum sealing drainage group were significantly better than those in non-vacuum sealing drainage group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of postoperative stay and total length of hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The wound infection rate was 0 in vacuum sealing drainage group and 75%in non-vacuum sealing drainage group at 8-14 days after treatment. The wound and donor area incision were healed at I stage, the skin grafts survived. Al the involved patients in two groups were fol owed up, for 6-36 months. During the fol ow-up process, the fracture healing time in non-vacuum sealing drainage group was significantly longer than that in vacuum sealing drainage group. The skin flap in two groups was similar to surrounding skin in color and texture, the flap exhibited no vessels, no ulceration, and no clumsy. The vacuum sealing drainage combined with groin free flap can timely control a large area of soft tissue defects post-trauma, improve wound blood supply, shorten preoperative preparation time, early close the wound, significantly promote the healing of wound and fracture. The skin flap is soft, flexible, wel-looking, and active functional, it significantly shortens the course of treatment and maximizes the recovery of limb function.

Objective To evaluate the application of percutaneous nephroscopy in the treatment of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma, particularly renal pelvic carcinoma. Methods From June 2006 to June 2010, eight cases (with 10 sides) of renal pelvic carcinoma received percutaneous nephroscopy tumor resection. There were six males (with 7 sides) and two females (with 3 sides) in the study group. There were six cases with solitary kidney and two cases with bilateral renal pelvic tumors. There were four cases with high-grade tumors and six cases with low-grade tumors. The age of patients ranged from 52 to 72 yrs (average 61.2 yrs). Tumor sizes ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 cm (average 2.6 cm). Patients were treated with laser or electrocautery through percutaneous nephroscopy. A ureteral stent was placed in the patients after the procedure. Chemotherapy was administered postoperatively through the nephrostomy tube. Results All the operations were successfully completed uneventfully. The operative time was 45-95 min (average 73 min), estimated blood loss was 20-300 ml (average 50 ml). No remarkable differences were found in serum creatinine levels before and after operation. After 10 to 36 mon. follow-up by CT, MRI, and ureteroscopy, one patient died of tumor metastasis and two patients had local tumor recurrence. The remaining patients had no local recurrence. Conclusions Percutaneous nephroscopy in treating renal pelvic tumor is safe and feasible. This is a better choice for the renal pelvic carcinoma patients who are unsuitable for ureteronephrectomy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of using dorsal two wing-shaped flap to reconstruct finger web for treatment of congenital syndactyly.

METHODSThis technique has been used in 19 children with congenital syndactyly. At the dorsum, a flap with V-shaped tip and two wing-shaped pedicle were designed and was just sewed up with an anchor-shaped incision at the palm. The web was primarily reconstructed without skin graft at base of fingers. Distal end of fingers were separated by using serrated flap and were closed after removal of fatty tissue. At some cases with tight skin connection. The defect area at lateral and distal end of fingers was closed by small pieces of skin graft.

RESULTSAll the webs were reconstructed primarily without skin graft at the base of fingers. 7 cases with tight skin connection had small pieces of skin graft at lateral and distal end of fingers. Primary healing was achieved in all cases. After 1 to 6 months of follow-up, both the appearance and function were satisfactory without conspicuous scar. The reconstructed finger webs were in normal depth and width.

CONCLUSIONSPrimary web space can be achieved by dorsal two wing-shaped flap without skin graft at base of fingers. It is one of the best choices for treatment of congenital syndactyly.

Adipose Tissue ; surgery ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Fingers ; surgery ; Humans ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; transplantation ; Syndactyly ; surgery ; Wound Healing

Objective To describe our experience in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP)for incidental prostate cancer after TURP. Methods From April 2007 to July 2010, 5 patients with incidental prostate cancer after TURP were treated with a mean age of 73 years. The patients underwent LRP (2.8± 1.1) months after TURP. Results The five cases of LRP were performed successfully, with 1 case of transperitoneal approach and 4 cases of extraperitoneal approach. Mean operation time was (227.6±38.4) min, mean blood loss was (130±152.5) ml, and the mean follow-up was (16.1 ± 15.9) months. All five patients survived, and their urinary function was good without any incontinence. Conclusions Previous TURP represents a technical challenge when performing LRP, but highly skilled surgeons trained to perform LRPs can handle it.

Objective To investigate the effect of short stature homeobox (SHOX) gene promoter-372G →A mutation on the promoter activity and its mechanism.Methods The luciferase report gene vectors containing human SHOX gene promoter-372G or -372A were contructed.Their transcription activities were detected in chicken chondrocytes.Double-stranded DNA probes containing-372G or-372A were produced by PCR,and used for detecting the affinity with nuclear transcription factors by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).Results The transcription activity in a-372A promoter construct was significantly higher than that in the wild type-372G (P<0.01).The result of EMSA showed that-372A gene mutation resulted in loss of the binding affinity to nuclear transcription factors.Conclusion The-372A mutation increases SHOX promoter activity with decreased DNA binding affinity to transcription factors,which may contribute to impaired long bone growth in patients with idio pathic short stature.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL)guided by ultrasonography through upper pole access. Methods From October 2007 to October 2009, 42 patients with upper urinary tract calculi underwent PCNL through upper pole access.Among these cases, there were 10 cases of staghorn calculi, 22 cases of renal pelvis calculi, 7 cases of the upper calyx calculi, 3 cases of the lower calyx calculi, 4 cases combined with ureter calculi and 2 cases combined with ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The stone measured from 2.0 to 6.5 cm (average: 3.4 cm) in length. Working tunnels (F16-F26) were established through the 10th or llth intercostals. Pneumatic or holmium laser lithotripsy was used to disintegrate and remove stones by nephroscopy or ureteroscopy. Clinical data including operation time, complications and stone free rate were analyzed retrospectively. Results All the operations were completed in one session, single tract was used in 36 cases(85.7%), double tracts were used in the other 6 cases(14.3%). The stonefree rate after one session was 88.1% (37/42), 3 cases(7.1%) received a second-session PCNL, 2 cases (4.8%)underwent ESWL after operation. The mean operative time was 65 min(30- 140 min).Postoperative surgery-related infection rate was 9. 5% (4/42). One patient (2. 4%)required blood transfusion. Perforation of the pelvis occurred in 1 patient(2.4 %). No pleural or important organ injury occurred. Conclusion The upper pole access for PCNL can be convenient to remove stones,this method is a highly efficient and safe technique.

Objective To understand the ethics conflict situations between the pre-hospital patients and ambulance staff's determinations. Methods Taking a survey among the pre-hospital emergency physicians(80 people)and nurses(248 people)by Questionnaire of ethics conflicts during pre-hospital emergeney service,to investigate the ethics conflict situations between the pre-hospital patients and ambulance staff's determinations. Resulls (8.046±6.990)%of the patients who needed treatments refused to be treated completely,and(14.544±10.558)%of them refused partially.(14.451±14.747)% of the patients who needed ambulance transport refused to be delivered.In the patients who refused treatments and transportation.payment problem accounted for(23.52±19.79)%,(22.22±20.84)%of them did not believe they needed.(5.77±4.47)%of them wished to die,(19.44.4±18.65)%of them were hard to be idenfified.Other reasons accounted for(30.08±25.78)%.(20.31.4±16.66)% of the patients refused the ambulance crews' judge for some state.(29.66.4±24.02)%of the patients who got the pre-hospital emergency service were not necessary to call an ambulance.(22.1 l±19.52)%of the patients' demand conflicted with pre-hospital emergency services network management system.Conclusions There exists some conflicts between the pre-hospital patients and ambulance crews' determinations.