Objective To investigate the serum levels of soluble human leukocyte antigen (sHLA)-G in patients with polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM),and to analyze its association with clinical features and possible role in the pathogenesis of PM/DM.Methods Serum sHLA-G levels of 26 patients with PM,70 patients with DM and 35 matched healthy controls were measured by ELISA.The relationship between the sHLA-G levels and clinical features or seroimmunological data in the patients with PM/DM was analyzed.Results Serum levels of sHLA-G in PM/DM patients were significantly higher compared to healthy controls [(44±70) U/ml vs (4±5) U/ml,P＜0.01].There was statistically significant difference between DM patients and PM patients [(54±81) U/ml vs (27±41) U/ml,P=0.004].The incidence of dysphagia was significantly higher in sHLA-G elevated group than those in sHLA-G normal group (P=0.001).Additionally,Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the serum sHLA-G levels were positively correlated with serum C3 (r=0.284,P=0.021),but negatively correlated with CD3+ T cells (r=-0.233,P=0.047) and CD4+ T cells (r=-0.287,P=0.015) in the peripheral blood in patients with PM/DM.Serum levels of sHLA-G in non-treated PM/DM patients were significantly higher compared to treated patients [(77±99) U/ml vs (34±52) U/ml,P=0.021].No relationship between serum sHLA-G levels and PM/DM disease activity,or different drug therapy was found.Conclusion Serum levels of sHLA-G are increased in PM/DM patients.The increased production of sHLA-G,paralleled with higher incidence of dysphagia and lower level of CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells,indicates that sHLA-G may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PM/DM.

Objective To evaluate and compare the presence of the nerve root sedimentation sign in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) and lumbar disc herniation(LDH). Methods One hundred and fifty-one patients with degen?erative lumbar spinal disease treated by surgery from July 2012 to March 2014 were reviewed retrospectively in Tianjin Hos?pital. All the patients were divided into two groups:LS group (48 cases) and LDH group (103 cases). The clinical outcomes were evaluated by Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). The probability of positive sedimentation sign was compared be?tween LS group and LDH group. Correlation between the JOA score and nerve root sedimentation sign were analysed in two groups. Results There was no statistical difference in JOA score between LS group and LDH group (15.83±3.57 vs 16.76± 3.10, t=1.624, P=0.107). A positive sedimentation sign was identified in 39 patients in the LS group (81.25%) but in 65 pa?tients in the LDH group (63.11%). The difference between LS group and LDH group was statistically significant(χ2=5.028, P=0.031). In LS group, JOA scores of patients with positive nerve root sedimentation sign were lower than those of patients with negative nerve root sedimentation sign(15.33±3.50 vs 18.00±3.20, t=2.092,P=0.042);but in LDH group, there was no statistical difference in JOA scores of patients between positive nerve root sedimentation sign and negative nerve root sedi?mentation sign (16.40±3.13 vs 17.37±2.99, t=1.539, P=0.127). Conclusion A positive sedimentation sign also occurs in pa?tients with LDH, but positive nerve root sedimentation sign are more likely to appear in patients with lumbar spondylolisthe?sis who have worse clinical symptoms.

Objective To investigate the multiple risk factors for lower extremity lymphedema in patients following treatment of common gynecologic cancers by meta-analysis for systematic analysis and comprehensive quantitative study.Methods Clinical trials published up until August 2016 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.The quality of the included studies was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and data analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 and RevMan 5.3.The strength of the associations between risk factors and gynecologic cancer-related lower extremity lymphedema was described as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).Results Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, and 8 relevant factors were identified.The risk factors for lower extremity lymphedema after treatment of gynecologic cancer mainly included radiotherapy (OR=2.45, 95%CI:2.05-2.95, P=0.000), FIGO stage (OR=2.29, 95%CI:1.66-3.14, P=0.000), and pelvic lymph node dissection (OR=2.00, 95%CI:1.02-3.91, P=0.040).Conclusions Radiotherapy, FIGO stage, and pelvic lymph node dissection are the main risk factors for lower extremity lymphedema after treatment of gynecologic cancers.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of artificial joint replacement in patients complicated with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM).Methods18 patients with DM accepted the artificial joint replacement after fracture at the femoral neck.They were followed-up with the Harris hip score and radiographs for average 45.5 months(range 23～86 months).The fasting blood glucose(FBG) levels and other associated indexes were monitored during the periods after operation.ResultsAll the patients can walk freely except 3 elder patients that walk with the help of crutch.Radiographic studies showed that 13 cases were excellent,osteophytes appeared around acetabulum in 4 cases,among which 2 cases had the decrease in the hip joint space,and the subsidence appeared in other 2 cases but it was less than 2 mm.The mean of Harris hip score was(81.9±14.8).The body weight index and the level of PBG were negatively correlated with the outcomes of Harris hip score.ConclusionPatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus may accept artificial joint replacement well.It is very important to maintain the body weight and the level of PRG in a normal range after operation.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of coronary renal shunt via splenic vein for portal hypertension (PHT) after splenectomy.Methods The retrospective descriptive study was adopted.The clinical data of 5 patients with PHT who were admitted to the People's Hospital of Ningxia Autonomous Region from August 2012 to April 2015 were collected.Operative procedures:two procedures of coronary renal shunt via splenic vein (SV) were carried out after primary splenectomy.Procedure 1:the SV was freed from the residual end to the right for 5-6 cm in length and end-to-side spleno-renal shunt was carried out.The anterior wall of superior mesenteric vein (SMV) was exposed beneath the pancreatic neck and dissected behind the neck upward until the upper edge of the SV and its confluence with the left gastric vein (LGV) were exposed.The SV was ligated with clip between portal vein (PV) and LGV to let blood flow from LGV drain through the whole course of SV to left renal vein (LRV).Procedure 2:the peritoneum at the inferior border of the pancreas was incised,and the junctions of the SV and SMV and junctions of the SV and LGV were exposed.The inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) was divided between ligations.Dissection of the SV was carried out to the left for 3-4 cm in length and was divided.Its distal end was tied and proximal stump anastomosed to LRV by the end-to-side anastomosis.The SV was ligated with clip between PV and LGV.The right gastric and gastroepiploic vessels were ligated at the junction of the antrum and the body,and from this point,the hepatogastric ligment and the omentum were divided upward and downward respectively to completely separate the venous flow between the hepatointestinal area and the stomach in the two procedures.Patients took oral enteric-coated aspirin and warfarin after operation.(1) Intraoperative observation indicators included surgical procedures,operation time,volume of blood loos and free portal pressure (FPP).(2) Postoperative observation indicators included recovery of patients,time to anal exsufflation,time for diet intake,time of abdominal drainage,duration of hospital stay and occurrence of complications.(3)The follow-up using telephone interview and outpatient examination was performed to detect the changes of platelet (PLT),portal vein thrombosis (PVT),patency of spleno-renal vein anastomosis,oral anticoagulants and gastroesophageal varices up to October 2015.Measurement data with skewed distribution were analyzed by M (range).Results (1)Intraoperative observation indicators:5 patients underwent successful coronary renal shunt via splenic vein.Two patients received procedure 1 and 3 patients received procedure 2.Operation time and volume of blood loss were 226 minutes (range,195-298 minutes) and 425ml (range,235-820 mL).FPP was 3.46 kPa (range,2.69-4.61 kPa) before spleen resection,2.69 kPa (range,2.11-3.07 kPa) after spleen resection,2.98 kPa (range,2.30-3.36 kPa) after spleno-renal anastomosis,respectively.(2) Postoperative observation indicators:5 patients had good recovery,and time to anal exsufflation,time for fluid diet intake,time of abdominal drainage removal and duration of hospital stay were respectively 3 days (range,2-4 days),3 days (range,2-4 days),5 days (range,4-9 days) and 14 days (range,10-17 days).Of 5 patients,1 was complicated with pleural effusion and atelectasis and 1 with serum tumescence of incision.(3) Follow-up situations:5 patients were followed up for a median time of 18 months (range,6-36 months).The level of postoperative PLT was continuously growing,and the dose of oral warfarin was increased according to the level of growing PLT.The follow-up results of procedure 1 in 2 patients:1 patient was followed up for 36 months and complicated with splenic vein thrombosis at postoperative month 6,and underwent transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) due to primary liver cancer at postoperative month 12,and then no special treatment was conducted due to splenic vein occlusion and sever esophageal varices without red-color sign or bleeding at postoperative month 36.The other patient was followed up for 24 months,and didn't undergo special treatment due to mild hepatic encephalopathy with a level of blood ammonia of 76 μmol/L at postoperative month 3,and then was found to have mild esophageal varices at postoperative month 18 by computed tomography (CT) and gastroscopy.Three patients using procedure 2 were followed up at month 6,12,18,with increased body mass index (BMI) and without occurrence of peritoneal effusion and hepatic encephalopathy,and they were complicated with mild gastroesophageal varices by reexamination of CT angiography and gastroscopy at postoperative month 6.Conclusion Coronary renal shunt via splenic vein for PHT after splenectomy could relieve hypersplenism and reduce selectively vein decompression of gastroesophageal varices.

Objective To analyze psychological stress level and features of recruits in training camp.Methods Psychological stress self-evaluation test (PSET) was applied to 1 600 recruits in training camp.Results ①There were 64 recruits(64/1600,4％) who had high level of psychological stress(T score ≥70).②The psychological stress symptoms of recruits in training camp mainly manifested as increased alertness (87.7％),sleep deprivation (57.6％),mental and physical fatigue (48.7％) and nervous irritability (45.2％).③Psychological stress levels of recruits with different ages and different levels of self-feeling in camp had significant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion Recruits in training camp have partly excessive psychological stress responses,targeted emergency decompression trainings should be carried out in recruits.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of varicose vein of lower limbs treated by intravenous laser treatment .MethodIntravenous laser apparatus combin ation with operation was used to treat the varicose vein of the lower extremi ties in 98 patients(all 118 legs).The change of symptoms and signs were recorded and compared before and after operation by using venous ultrasonagraphy and pa thological examination to evaluate the treatment effect.ResultsIn the 84 followed up patieats (104 compromised legs),dull,heaviness were rel ieved completely after operation in 87 legs(83.7%),decreased in 11 legs(10.6%); skin pigmentation obviously decreased in 37 of 44 legs(84.1%);superficial varic ose vein disappeared in all the patients.No blood flow signal was detected in 10 1 legs(97.1%) and slow blood flow in 3 legs(2.9%) were detected by ultrasounogr aphy.Pathological examination revealed various degeneration and necrosis in ful l layers of the vessels;and smooth muscle cells were disrupted,cell nucleus bec ame pyknotic, the internal and external elastic laminar were ruptured and no inflammatory cell infiltration in the lumen and wall of the vessels were seen .ConclusionsIntravenous laser treatment is an ideal method in the treatment of varicose vein of lower extremities .

To reveal the colonization characteristics in host of endophytic biocontrol bacteria NJ13 isolated from Panax ginseng, this study obtained the marked strain NJ13-R which was double antibiotic resistant to rifampicin and streptomycin through enhancing the method of inducing antibiotic. The colonization characteristics in ginseng and its biocontrol efficiency against Alternaria spot of ginseng in the field were studied. The results showed that the strain could colonize in root, stem and leaf of ginseng and the colonization amount was positive correlated with inoculation concentration. Meanwhile, the strain could infect and then transfer in different tissues of ginseng The colonization amount of strain in roots and leaves of ginseng increased first and then decreased. However, the tendency of colonization amount of strain in stems was ascend at first and then descend slowly, and was more than that in roots and leaves along with time, which had a preference to specific tissue of its host. In field experiment, the endophytic bacteria NJ13 was proved to be effective in controlling Alternaria leaf spot of ginseng. The biocontrol efficiency of fermentation broth at the concentration of 0.76 x 10(8) cfu x mL(-1) reached 75.62%, which was close to the controlling level (73.06%) of 0.67 mg x L(-1) 50% cyprodinil WG.
Alternaria ; physiology ; Antibiosis ; Bacillus ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Endophytes ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Panax ; growth & development ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of accessory navicular fusion for treatment of the painful accessory navicular bone of type II in adults.

METHODSFrom June 2006 to June 2012, a total of 38 feet (in 35 adult patients) with painful accessory navicular with type I underwent an fusion operation of the primary and accessory navicular bones,including 26 males and 9 females with a mean age of (32.4±7.3) years old ranging from 18 to 44 years old. The course of disease ranged from 3 to 10 months. The perioperative complications and radiological outcomes were observed and recorded. The foot function before and after operation were assessed by the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot score, and the easement of the pain was evaluated by visual analog score (VAS).

RESULTSTwo patients had transient superficial inflammation of the incision, no obvious perioperative complications occurred. All patients were follow-up for (53.5±14.7) months (12 to 84 months). Bone union was confirmed on plain radiography in 32 cases (35 feet). The mean time from the operation to union was (13.7±2.3) weeks (9 to 18 weeks). Postoperative pain VAS score was improved obviosly than preoperative (V=12.14,P< 0.01). The talar-to-first metatarsal angle [(9.4±3.5)° vs (8.3±2.7)°, t=0.736, P>0.05)], calcaneal tilt angle [(17.7±2.2)° vs (18.9±3.4)°, t=0.794, P>0.05],talonavicular uncoverage angle [(14.3±3.4)° vs(12.5?4.6)°,t=0.947, P>0.05) ],and height of the first tarsometatarsal joint [(14.8±3.1) mm vs (15.9±2.8) mm,t=0.814,P>0.05)] before and after operations had no statistic difference. The AOFAS midfoot score was improced from preoperative 45.6±5.3 to postoperative 82.5±7.4 (t=3.214,P< 0.01).

CONCLUSIONFor the painful accessory navicular bone of type II in adults, if the patient has a large navicular bone and not complicated with rigid flatfoot, once the conservative treatment fails, fusion of the primary and accessory naviculars may be a successful intervention. Overall, the procedure provides reliable pain relief, definite foot function improvement, and good patient satisfaction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Diseases ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Tarsal Bones ; abnormalities ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects