Objective To study the microsurgical and anatomic structures of brachial plexus roots and vertebral canal to find the best approaches for reimplantation of avulsed brachial plexus ventral roots into the spinal cord.Methods On nineteen cervicothoracic spine specimens,the brachial plexus nerves were exposed along to intervertebral foramen,and the spinal cord and brachial plexus roots were exposed by excising the vertebral arch and sectioning the spinal dura mater.The anatomy of brachial plexus roots and vertebrae,and the relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs were measured and observed.Results The relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs are:C5-7 spinal cord segments face C3,4,C4,5 and C5,6 vertebral discs;and C8 and T1 spinal cord segments face C6 and C7 vertebrae.Based on the anatomic finding,four approaches were found out: the lateroventral approach,the lateral approach by enlarging intervertebral foramen,the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach.Conclusions The brachial plexus ventral roots can be best reimplanted into the spinal cord by the lateroventral approach and the lateral approach.Although the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach are not the best,they are less difficuh and dangerous.

Objective To evaluate the effect of TGF-β3 on rabbit nucleus pulposus( NP) cells cultured in three-dimensional polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)scaffold in vitro.Methods PLGA scaffolds were fabricated by particulate leaching method and soaked in rabbit NP cells suspension(1 × 106/scaffold).PLGA-seeded NP cells were devided into 4 groups: 100 ng/mL TGF-β3/PLGA,500 ng/mL TGF-β3/PLGA,1 μg/mL TGF-β3/PLGA, PLGA control group.Cell proliferation activity was measured using MTT assay.The glycosaminoglycan ( GAG ) analysis were performed by 1, 9-dimethylmethylene blue(DMMB) assay.mRNA expression was measured by quantitive PCR at each time point.Histological observation was performed to elucidate the morphological changes of NP cells in PLGA effected by TGF-β3.Results Higher cellular proliferation activity, GAG production,Collagen type II, Aggrean expression were observed in TGF-β3 /PLGA-seeded NP cells compared with PLGA control group on day-7,day-14,day-21(P<0.05). Higher dose of TGF-β3 exhibited intense cellular proliferation activity and peri-cellular matrix by increasing trend(P<0.05).Histological observation showed TGF-β3/PLGA developed more significant disc cells cluster than PLGA groups on day-21.Conclusion The 3D porous PLGA scaffold-seeded cells using TGF-β3 can promotes cell proliferation, and prompt extracellular matrix(ECM) production.It is a potential biotherapy for the treatment of disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVETo establish a reliable model for drug screening and therapy by culturing rat femoral head and inducing cartilage degeneration quickly in vitro.

METHODSThe femoral heads from the same SD rats of two-month old were divided into control group and experimental group respectively. They were cultured with DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum or DMEM medium plus 10% fetal bovine serum plus 50 ng/ml IL-1β for three days. Femoral heads were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, decalcified, dehydrated, embedded in paraffin and cut into slices. Specimens were stained with Toluidine blue and Safranine O-Fast Green FCF. The protein expression levels of type II collagen, MMP13, Sox9 and ADAMTS5 were analyzed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTSBoth the Toluidine blue and Safranine O staining were pale in the margin of femoral heads which were stimulated with IL-1β for three days compared to that in control group. The Fast Green FCF staining was positive at the edge of the femoral head in experimental group, which indicated that cartilage became degenerated. The expression levels of both type H collagen and Sox9 were decreased significantly while the expression levels of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 were increased in experimental group.

CONCLUSIONThe model of cartilage degeneration is established by culturing and inducing the degeneration of the femoral heads quickly in vitro.

Animals ; Cartilage Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Femur Head ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive internal fixation for femoral intertrochanteric fracture in osteoporotic elderly patients. Methods A retrospective study was conducted in 112 patients using interan nail (IN) or trochanteric antegrade nail (TAN) for the management of intertrochanteric femoral fracture from January 2009 to September 2015 in our hospital. According to AO classification, there were 34 cases of type 31-A.1, and 61 cases of type 31-A.2, 17 cases of type 31-A.3. Clinical and radiological follow-up were available. Surgical and fluoroscopic time, length of hospital stay, blood loss, complications and hip functions were compared between two groups. Results A total of 78 patients meeting the criteria were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 3-27 months). The IN was used in 41 patients and the TAN in 37 patients. Operative time, fluoroscopy time and blood loss showed significant difference between the IN group and TAN group (respectively, 58.9±6.9 vs. 75.6±5.9min; 2.70±0.47 vs. 4.40±0.47min; 107.6±6.7 vs. 127.8±6.8ml, P<0.05), suggesting that patients treated with the IN experienced shorter operative and fluoroscopy times, less blood loss and better hip function (73%) than those with TAN (65%, P<0.05). Rate of postoperative complications was lower in the IN group (4.9%) than in the TAN group (10.8%, P<0.05). There was no difference in hospital stay and fracture healing time between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions For minimally invasive treatment of unstable femoral intertrochanteric fractures, use of either the IN or TAN is clinically effective. However, IN presents more advantages (e.g., easy operation, reliable fixation, less bleeding, better clinical outcomes, and less complications). The use of IN is a suitable option for the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric fractures in osteoporotic elderly patients.

Objective To report the microsurgical outeome of the meningiomas located in the eranio- cervical junction.Methods Seven eases of meningiomas arising from the craniocervical junction operated with microsurgical technique by use of the posterior approaehes including the suboccipital approach,the lower lateral suhoecipital approach and for lateral approach.Reviewed the related ariieales and were analysed relative to their approach selection and outcomes were analysed.Results The tumors ranged in size from 0.8 to 4.8 cm and the tumors location with 2 cases posterior,3 cases anterior and 2 cases lateral to the brain stem.3 in 7 cases were operated by use of the suboccipital approach,2 in 7 cases with the lower lateral suboccipital ap- proach and 2 in 7 cases with farlateral approach.Total excisions were got in 6 of 7 cases,4 in 6 cases with Simpson gradeⅠand 2 in 6 cases withⅡ.The subtotal excision was got in 1 of 7 cass.Follow-up with 6 ca- ses between 6 to 36 months,the occupied symptoms in 6 cases improved good.No remnant tumor and recur- rent were found in the MRI follow-up.Conclusion By using of the proper posterior approaches,the micro- surgical outonmes of the meningiomas arising from craniocervical junction are good.

Humans ; Homicide ; Forensic Pathology

OBJECTIVETo explore the experience on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in adult patients with cardiac failure.

METHODSFrom February 2005 to June 2008, 45 patients (male 34, female 11) undergoing cardiogenic shock required temporary ECMO support. Average age was (49.0 +/- 14.1) years. Average body weight was (67.0 +/- 12.8) kg. Coronary heart disease occupied in 21 cases, valve disease occupied in 8 cases, and cardiomyopathy occupied in 7 cases. All the patients could be divided into 3 groups: post-cardiotomy (group 1, n = 31), post-transplantation (group 2, n = 5), decompensate of chronic heart failure (group 3, n = 9). Fourteen patients need cardiac resuscitation before ECMO support. ECMO implantation was performed through the femoral vessels or axillary artery or through the right atrium and ascending aorta.

RESULTSAverage support duration of ECMO was (126.7 +/- 104.3) h. Twenty-seven patients could be successfully weaned from support (60.0%), additionally, 5 were bridged to heart transplantation. The in-hospital mortality was 42.2% (19/45). Twenty-six patients (57.8%) could be successfully discharged. The discharge rate was 58.1% in group 1, 4/5 in group 2 and was 4/9 in group 3. Twelve patients were re-operated for hemostasis. Three patients need femoral arterial thrombectomy because of ischemia of lower extremity. Additional intra-aortic balloon pumps were used in 11 patients, with 6 patients successfully discharged. The mortality rate for patients with acute renal failure treated by continuous renal replacement therapy under ECMO support was obviously high (7/9). The dominant mode of death was multisystem organ failure (9/19).

CONCLUSIONEarly indication, control of complications, and paying attention to the treatment after ECMO support could improve our results with increasing experience.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; Female ; Heart Failure ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore how to improve follow-up rate and follow-up quality in studies related to quality of life.

METHODSA retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in patients with rectal cancer who underwent primary surgery at the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from August 2002 to February 2011 using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and CR-38 questionnaires. The influence factors of follow-up rate and reasons for missing sex-related items were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 438 questionnaires were issued. Two hundred and eighty-five responses were received and the follow-up rate was 65.1%. Two hundred and sixty-two patients returned the questionnaires by mail. Responders and non-responders did not differ by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics including sex, age, postoperative time, complication, clinical stage and stoma. Significant differences were found when comparing the missing sex-related items grouped by sex, age, education and working status.

CONCLUSIONSFollow-up mode of mail supplemented by interview is suitable for current reality in China in studies on quality of life. Targeted methods should be adopted when investigating the different patient groups to improve follow-up rate of studies on quality of life and sexual function survey.

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms ; psychology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEThe present study aims to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in disease-free survivors after radical surgery for mid-low rectal cancer.

METHODSA retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in patients with rectal cancer who underwent primary surgery between August 2002 and February 2011 by use of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and CR-38 questionnaires (n = 330). The impact of clinical characteristics on HRQoL were assessed and compared by univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTSTwo hundred and four effective responses were received. Patients with stoma were more impaired in HRQoL than those without stoma, especially in the field of social psychology, such as emotional function (M(50) = 91.67, U = 2668.5, P = 0.026), social function (M(50) = 83.33, U = 2095.5, P < 0.001), financial difficulties (M(50) = 0, U = 2240.5, P < 0.001) and body image (M(50) = 88.89, U = 2507.0, P = 0.013). Only in the constipation scale (M(50) = 14.29, U = 2376.0, P = 0.001), nonstoma patients had a better score. The analysis in different types of surgical procedure paralleled those of stoma. Patients with complication had a poorer function in some symptom scales such as dyspnoea (M(50) = 0, U = 1505.0, P < 0.001), gastro-intestinal symptom (M(50) = 6.67, U = 1766.0, P = 0.034) and financial difficulties (M(50) = 33.33, U = 1795.5, P = 0.044), and in some functioning scales such as emotional function (M(50) = 83.33, U = 1608.5, P = 0.009), cognitive function (M(50) = 66.67, U = 1612.5, P = 0.010) and body image (M(50) = 66.67, U = 1617.0, P = 0.012). In our study, HRQoL after rectal cancer surgery improved with time. Our multivariate analysis displayed that stoma and postoperative time were the most significant characteristics. Variables associated with worse financial status were less postoperative months, occurrence of complications and presence of stoma.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent scales of HRQoL in patients of China after curative surgery for mid-low rectal cancer are significantly influenced by different clinical characteristics.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Body Image ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms ; psychology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Stomas ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the effects of different dosages of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the main semen parameters and sperm morphology of the patients after renal transplantation.

METHODSThe semen of 18 patients after renal transplantation treated with different dosages of CsA was analyzed and the semen parameters and sperm morphology were compared with those of 12 normal volunteers.

RESULTSThere was not significant difference between the main parameters of the patients treated with 1.5-3.0 mg.Kg-1.d-1 of CsA and 3.1-5.5 mg.Kg-1.d-1 of CsA and those of the volunteers (P > 0.05), but the rate of normal sperm morphology was significantly different between the two groups(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDifferent therapeutic dosages of CsA did not have any effect on most of the semen parameters of the patients after renal transplantation, but did affect the sperm morphology.

Adult ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Semen ; drug effects ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects