OBJECTIVETo investigate the effcacy of the staple fixation for the treatment of hamate metacarpal joint injury.

METHODSFrom May 2009 to November 2012,16 patients with hamate metacarpal joint injury were treated with staple fixation including 10 males and 6 females with an average age of 33.6 years old ranging from 21 to 57 years. Among them, 11 cases were on the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation without fractures, 5 cases were the fourth or fifth metacarpal base dislocation with avulsion fractures of the back of hamatum. Regular X-ray review was used to observe the fracture healing, joint replacement and position of staple fixation. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated according to ASIA (TAM) system evaluation method.

RESULTSAll incision were healed well with no infection. All patients were followed up from 16 to 24 months with an average of (10.0 +/- 2.7) months. No dislocation recurred, the position of internal fixator was good,no broken nail and screw withdrawal were occurred. Five patients with avulsion fracture of the back of hamatum achieved bone healing. The function of carpometacarpal joint and metacarpophalangeal was excellent in 10 cases,good in 5 cases, moderate in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONThe application of the staple for the treatment of hamatometacarpal joint injury has the advantages of simple operation, small trauma, reliable fixation, early postoperative function exercise and other advantages, which is the ideal operation mode for hamatometacarpal joint injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Carpal Joints ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Hamate Bone ; injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpal Bones ; injuries ; surgery ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Sutures ; utilization ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the dyeing status of cinnabar and its pieces,and provide reference for its quality clinical safetey appicaton. METHODS:TLC was used for the qualitative identification of amaranth,carmine,erythrosine,acid red 73, 808 udan and indirubin. HPLC-MS was used to detect the 808 udan :HPLC conditions were as follows,column was Acquity UPLC BEH C18 with mobile phase of cetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(70∶30,V/V)at a flow rate of 0.3 ml/min,the detection wave-length was 520 nm;MS conditions were as follows,ion source was electrospray ionization source,scanning mode was positive ion scanning with full scanning tandem mass spectrometry,nebulizer pressure was 30 psi,drying gas was nitrogen,ion spray voltage was 4 000 V,collision energy was 30 V,and the injection volume was 5 μl. The volumetric method was used for content determi-nation of HgS. RESULTS:TLC spots of amaranth,carmine,erythrosine,acid red 73,808 udan and indirubin were clear and well-separated. 4 batches of 808 udan dyeing were included in the 18 batches of samples,6 batches had non-compliance contents (including 3 batches of 808 udan dyeing). CONCLUSIONS:Dyeing-doped and other quality problems exist in the cinnabaris in markets,which should be noticed.

Objective To explore the effect of Bailing capsule on epithelial-mesenchymal transition( EMT) in rats with adenine-in-duced tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Methods Tubulointerstitial fibrosis animal models were established and SD rats were divided into mo-del group ( n = 30), treatment group ( n = 30) and control group( n = 30), randomly. Experimental rats were harvested at 7 w, 12 w,17 w after onset of experiment and functional evaluations were performed. Histology, immunohistology were examined to investigateboth histolopathology changes and the expression of bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1 )and a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in kidneys at three time points mentioned above, respectively. Results Compared with controlgroup, 24 h urinary protein in model group lost increasingly and significantly difference appeared at three time points relative to controlgroup ( P ＜ 0.01 ). Urinary NAG in model group was markedly higher than that in control group from 7 w after onset (P ＜ 0.01 ) andwas increasingly raised at 12 w and 17 w (P＜0.01). The value of blood BUN and Cr in model group increased at 7 w (P＞0.05) rel-ative to control group. There was significant difference at 12 w and 17.w (P ＜ 0.01 ). Histologically, kidneys in model group, at 7 w,exhibited tubular casts and gently tubular dilation, granuloma in cortex, mononuclear cells infiltration in tubulointerstitial areas, andmild interstitial fibrosis. At 12 w, the degree of tubular injury and tubulointerstitial fibrosis gradually aggravated. Up to 17 w, diffusetubular dilation or atrophy was observed and focal tubules disappear. Diffuse interstitial fibrosis was exhibited. In normal kidneys, im-munohistochemistry suggested that the light expression of BMP-7 was detected in proximal renal tubular epithelial cells and marked ex-pression was identified in distal tubule, collecting duct, and renal tubular epithelial in junction area between cortex and medulla. How-ever, the expression of BMP-7 in kidneys of model group significantly decreased with increasing tubulointerstitial fibrosis and was nega-tive correlation with the expression of TGF-β1(r = -0. 981 P＜0.01) and α-SMA (r= -0.975 P＜0.01). Bailing capsule ad-ministration protected the expression of BMP-7 and reduced TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression before 12 w(P＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Ourstudy shows an anti-fibrotic reno-protective function of Bailing capsule in rats with tubulointerstitial fibrosis via prevention of epithelial-mesenchymal transition at early stage. However, the beneficial effect lost with increasing tubulointerstitial fibrosis.

Objective To explore the significance of signal and volume change from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of hysteromyoma before and after uterine artery embolization (UAE) in the therapy evaluation. Methods MRI was performed in 30 patients (50 hysteromyoma) before and 3,6 and 12 months after UAE. They were grouped by location, signal and size. The MRI signal changes and the hysteromyoma's volume reduction ratio were measured. Results After 3,6,12 months, MRI of hysteromyoma was changed significantly, and all hysteromyomas had lower T2WI signals than before, some of which had higher T1WI signals. Hysteromyoma's volumes were progressively reduced, the majority of which shrinked significantly within 3 months. Evaluated by 12 month's volume changes, significant volume reduction was found in submucous fibroids, and significant difference was showed compared with intramural fibroids and subserosal fibroids (88.9 % vs. 73.7 % and 68.3 %, P=0.036, P=0.019), meanwhile,the latter two had no significant difference (P=0.384). The volume reduction rate in rich cell fibroids was higher than those in ordinary no degeneration fibroids and degeneration type, and there were significant differences (85.7 % vs. 72.1 % and 63.4%, P=0.038, P=0.014). Besides, the latter two had no significant difference (P=0.364). Large fibroids shrinked more obviously than small ones with significant difference (75.2 % vs. 59.6 %, χ2=4.563, P=0.044). Conclusion MRI is useful for the evaluation of efficacy in hysteromyoma before and after UAE, which can provide the better interventional treatment for the patients in regard to different sensitivity of hysteromyoma to UAE.

Objective To determine the effect of iron deficiency on hemoglobin A2(HbA2) expression in patients with β-thalassemia.Methods The participants were recruited from the out-patient clinics of the Pediatrics Department and Obstetrics Department of Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College and from some β-thalassemia major families.Blood samples from the participants were used for blood smear tests and hemoglobin electrophoresis and to analyze serum ferritin (SF),3 alpha-globin gene deletions,and 17 beta-globin point mutations.Results Of the 408 individuals,304 were assigned to group A (normal controls),26 to group B (iron deficiency),56 to group C (β-thalassemia),and 22 to group D (β-thalassemia combined with iron deficiency). The results for the comparison of the mean HbA2 values among pairs of groups were as follows: group A vs group B,q=5.074 7,P<0.05; group A vs group C,q=37.650 8,P<0.05; group A vs group D,q=16.043 0,P<0.05;group C vs group D,q=7.682 9,P<0.05; Group B vs group D,q=15.806 6,P<0.05. There were no significant correlation between SF and HbA2 in all 4 groups.Conclusions Iron deficiency decreased the HbA2 level in both controls and individuals with β-thalassemia. HbA2 levels decreased significantly in individuals with both β-thalassemia and iron deficiency as compared with β-thalassemia group alone. However,they remained significantly higher than both the control and iron-deficient groups. Therefore,the elevation of HbA2 could be used to diagnose β-thalassemia reliably even in the presence of iron deficiency.

Objective To explorethe effect of Bailingcapsule on epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) inrats withadenine-in-duced tubulointerstitial fibrosis .Methods Tubulointerstitial fibrosis ani mal models were established and SDrats were dividedinto mo-del group (n=30) ,treatment group (n=30) andcontrol group(n=30) ,randomly .Experi mental rats were harvested at 7 w,12 w,17 wafter onset of experi ment and functional evaluations were performed. Histology ,i mmunohistology were examined to investigateboth histolopathology changes and the expression of bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) ,transforming growth factor-?1(TGF-?1)and a-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) in kidneys at three ti me points mentioned above ,respectively .Results Compared with controlgroup ,24 h urinary proteinin model grouplost increasingly and significantly difference appeared at three ti me points relative to controlgroup(P0 .05) rel-ative to control group.There was significant difference at 12 wand 17 w(P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the methods and clinical effects of repairing finger soft tissue defect with free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery.

METHODSFrom February 2010 to December 2012, 16 patients with finger soft tissue defects were repaired by free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery, including 10 males and 6 females with an average age of 38.2 years old ranging from 18 to 52 years. Among them, 5 cases caused by hot crush injury, 8 cases caused by machine crush injury, 3 cases caused by firecracker burst injury. The defect area varied from 1.3 cm x 2.3 cm to 2.6 cm x 5.0 cm. The flap area varied from 1.5 cm x 2.5 cm to 2.8 cm x 5.2 cm. The appearance and two-point discrimination of flap were observed after operation.

RESULTSAll flaps survived and wounds healed primarily. No wound infection and skin necrosis were found in donor site and recipient site. Among repair methods, direct suture in forearm donor site had 11 cases and skin graft had 5 cases. All patients were followed up from 6 to 24 months with an average of 10.8 months. The appearance of flap was not fat or clumsy, texture and color were similar to the recipient site, the sensation were good, two-point discrimination was 6 to 9 mm. The appearance of donor site were well complicated with mild scarring without dysfunction obviously.

CONCLUSIONThe free vascularized flaps based on the wrist cutaneous branch of ulnar artery has the advantages of vascular anatomy constant,thickness moderate and carry sensory nerves, etc, which is effective way to repair finger soft tissue defects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Ulnar Artery ; surgery ; Young Adult

Reduction of nitrate by zero-valent iron is a highly exergonic reaction that has long been known to occur. Use of scrap iron filings (SIF) as the PRB (Permeable Reactive Barrier) material can be used to recycle certain by-products, and identify cheaper replacements for expensive conventional PRB materials, especially pure metallic iron. The feasibility of reductive denitrification of nitrate by SIF was studied by batch experiments. Operational parameters such as pH value, SIF dosage and initial concentration of nitrate were investigated. The removal efficiency of nitrate reached 80% under the conditions of pH of 2.5, nitrate initial concentration of 45 mg/L and SIF dosage of 100 g/L within 4 h. Results indicated that nitrate removal is inversely related to pH. Low pH value condition favors for the nitrate transformation. Different from the results of others who studied nitrate reduction using iron powder, we found that there was a lag time before nitrate reduction occurs, even at low pH. Finally, the possible mechanism of nitrate reduction by Fe0 is discussed.
Computer Simulation ; Feasibility Studies ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Iron ; chemistry ; Models, Chemical ; Nitrates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; isolation & purification ; Water Purification ; methods

OBJECTIVEGuanxin II is a famous modern formula of traditional Chinese medicine. Guanxin II after myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiac anatomy and function. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Guanxin 1I on cardiac protein expression after MI.

METHODRats were randomized into 3 groups, sham, model and treating groups. Model and treating groups were fed with Guanxin II and sham group was fed with water for 10 days before MI. MI operation is to ligate left coronary artery. 24 hours after MI, myocardial protein expression of junctional zone was assessed with 2D gel electrophoresis and mass spectra analysis.

RESULTGuanxin II was found to be able to improve myocardial protein expression, especially 11 proteins. These proteins are mainly involved in suppressing changes of cell shape and structure and energy metabolism.

CONCLUSIONGuanxin II after MI affected myocardial protein expression. Further experiments of larger research extent should be done to receive more results.

Animals ; Cell Shape ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Heart ; drug effects ; Male ; Muscle Proteins ; metabolism ; Myocardial Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo screen the gene GATA4 for novel mutations associated with congenital atrial septal defect (ASD).

METHODSThe clinical data and peripheral venous blood specimen from 85 unrelated subjects with congenital ASD were collected and analyzed in contrast to 200 healthy individuals. The coding exons and the exon/intron boundaries of GATA4 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced using the di-deoxynucleotide chain termination procedure. The obtained sequences were aligned with those publicized in GenBank with the help of programme BLAST to identify the sequence variations. The software Clustal W was applied to analysis of the conservation of altered amino acids.

RESULTSThree novel heterozygous missense GATA4 mutations were identified in 3 of 85 ASD patients, respectively. Namely, the triplet substitutions of ATG for GTG at codon 267, GCC for ACC at codon 354, and CAA for CCA at codon 407, predicting the conversions of valine into methionine at amino acid residue 267 (V267M), threonine into alanine at amino acid residue 354 (T354A), and proline into glutamine at amino acid residue 407 (P407Q), were identified. No mutation was detected in 200 healthy controls. A cross-species alignment of GATA4 encoded protein sequences showed that the valine at amino acid residue 267 and proline at amino acid residue 407 were completely conserved evolutionarily.

CONCLUSIONThree novel heterozygous missense GATA4 mutations were identified in patients with congenital ASD, which reveals new molecular etiology responsible for ASD, and contributes to the early prophylaxis and therapy for ASD.

Base Sequence ; Case-Control Studies ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; GATA4 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Mutation, Missense