OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficiency of selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor compared to traditional nonselective NSAIDs for the prevention of heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty (THA).

METHODSBy searching Medline, Embase, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and Science Citation Index et al, only randomised controlled studies of selective COX-2 inhibitors VS nonselective COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors for the prevention of HO after THA were included. The quality assessment of included studies was evaluated according to the standard of the Cochrane Collaboration, and the data were analysised by statistic software Stata 10.0. The HO incidence of both groups in different degrees was compared.

RESULTSFour eligible randomised controlled trials of totally 808 patients were included. Meta-analysis results showed that no statistically significant difference was found in overall incidence of HO (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.71-1.64,P = 0.73), incidence of moderate severe HO (Brooker II and III) (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.48-1.42, P = 0.49) and any grade of Brooker classification between two groups. In all included studies, 16 patients receiving nonselective COX inhibitor (4.4%) discontinued treatment because of gastrointestinal toxicity,whereas 10 patients in the selective COX-2 inhibitor group (2.7%) discontinued for gastrointestinal side effects.

CONCLUSIONThe selective COX-2 inhibitors are as equally effective as nonselective NSAIDs for the prevention of HO after THA. Considering the side effects of nonselective NSAIDs, selective COX-2 inhibitors were recommend for the prevention of HO after THA.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; prevention & control ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical effects of three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injury.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to May 2010,three-column reconstruction via posterior approach was implemented to 21 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries. There were 13 males and 8 females, ranging in age from 23 to 54 years old(averaged,35.5 years old). Injured vertebrae: 1 patient had injury in T11, 4 patients had injuries in T12, 8 patients had injuries in L1, 5 patients had injuries in L2, 3 patients had injuries in L3. The Cobb angle was (25.34 +/- 3.42) degrees. The operation time,blood loss during operation, Cobb angle and the bony fusion were observed.

RESULTSTwenty-one patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 24 to 27 years old, with an average of 25.6 months. The operation time ranged from 135 to 275 min, with a mean of 185 min. The blood loss during operation ranged from 700 to 1 650 ml (averaged, 870 ml). All the patients had complete decompression. Postoperative Cobb angle was (4.01 +/- 2.03) degrees, and (4.34 +/- 2.38) degrees at the latest follow-up. All the patients got bony fusion.

CONCLUSIONTo the patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries, three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach has both anterior approach and posterior approach advantages, which can obtain excellent clinical outcomes.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; Radiography, Thoracic

In the viewpoint of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the authors consider that simple obesity is not a disease, which does not fit to be treated according to the models of diagnosis and treatment in TCM. Considering its cause, pathogenesis, syndrome differentiation, principles and methods of treatment, as well as experimental study, etc. , the authors point out that the true effects of acupuncture on weight-loss should be investigated alone and avoid the influence of diet and exercise. Until now, what we have done on the acupuncture for treatment of simple obesity is not sufficient to verify the direct effects of acupuncture for weight-loss. The correct way for weight-loss is health care including dietary regime and regular life schedule. Comparatively, the treatment as the main choice for weight-loss is not recommended.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Humans ; Obesity ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Weight Loss

Objective To explore the effects and safety of hemoperfusion(HP) therapy on tetramine poisoning in infants.Methods Thirty-five infants with tetramine poisoning were divided into two groups: HP group(n=18) and non HP group(n=17).The changes of blood tetramine concentration and clinical symptom improving of both groups after the treatment were observed together with the adverse effects of HP group.Results The average blood tetramine concentration of HP group was higher than that of non HP group(342.2?333.4 vs 117.9?50.8 ?g/L,P

Objective To investigate plasma levels of total carnitine (TC) and free camitine (FC) in patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.Methods 200 cases of normal group came from physical examination in this hospital,all testing cases were the in-hospital patients in the department of nephropathy.TC and FC were determined by use of an enzymatic cycle assay on Hitachi 7170 automatic biochemical analyzer.Results In 200 cases of normal group,TC level was (56.52?9.61) ?mol/L,and FC was (46.60?8.23) ?mol/L.In 37 hemodialysis patients,TC and FC levels were (41.47?13.22) ?mol/L and (24.58?8.91)?mol/L before dialysis,a statistic difference was observed against the control group (P0.05).Conclusions Carnitine deficiency was seen in most patients undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.Furthermore,the deficiency status got worse along with the dialysis course in hemodialysis patients.Carnitine infusion can effectively improve the status of these patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate a new technique for functional treatment of chronic facial paralysis.

METHODSBased on anatomy of intramuscular neurovascular structure in the rectus femoris muscle, 7 consecutive patients with facial paralysis were treated by using a technique of microsurgically free-transferring neurovascular rectus femoris muscle segment to the face in one-stage. Follow-ups were 10 to 24 months.

RESULTSAll of the 7 patients showed significantly improvement in the appearance of the oral commissure and oral competence. No complications occurred in the donor site.

CONCLUSIONSThe above mentioned technique may have the advantages of preventing the intramuscular nerve and vessel from the surgical injury during splitting the muscle. It could also maintain the transferred muscular segment in a proper tension in the recipient site.

Facial Paralysis ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Quadriceps Muscle ; blood supply ; innervation ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Transplant Donor Site ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on gait time cycle of ischemic stroke between yin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique (yin-yang needling) and the conventional acupuncture.

METHODSSixty cases of ischemic stroke were randomized into a conventional acupuncture group and a yin-yang needling group, 30 cases in each one. The basic treatment (the control of blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid, the intravenous drops of ginkgo leaf extract and dipyridamole injection and vinpocetine injection) were applied in the two groups. Additionally, in the conventional acupuncture group, the acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming [Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34), Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Xiajuxu (ST 39), etc.] were selected and stimulated with the even needling technique. In the yin-yang needling group, the acupoints of yin meridians such as Zuwuli (LR 10), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. and the acupoints of yang meridians such as Biguan (ST 31), Liangqiu (ST 34) and Yanglingquan (GB 34), etc. were selected. The reducing manipulation of respiratory reinforcing and reducing technique was applied to the acupoints of yin meridians and the reinforcing manipulation was applied to the acupoints of yang meridians. The kinematics time parameters were determined and compared before and 4 weeks after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the differences in the gait cycle, the phase time of standing (%), the phase time of single support (%), the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot and phase time of double support (%) were significant as compared with those before treatment in the patients of the two groups (all P < 0.05), in which, the gait cycle (1.75 +/- 0.21 vs 2.02 +/- 0.37), the phase time of standing (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(65.41 +/- 5.20)% vs (68.37 +/- 6.24)%, (70.99 +/- 6.47)% vs (74.51 +/- 5.19)%], the phase time of unilateral sway (%) on the affected (healthy) foot [(36.08 +/- 4.86)% vs (33.65 +/- 2.94)%, (31.04 +/- 3.41)% vs (26.77 +/- 2.67)%] and the phase time of double support (%) [(36.91 +/- 5.10)% vs (41.22 +/- 5.39)%] in the yin-yang needling group were improved much obviously after treatment as compared with those in the conventional acupuncture group. The differences in support phase time (%), single support phase time (%) and sway phase time (%) were significant between the affected limb and healthy limb of the two groups after treatment (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYin-yang respiratory reinforcing and reducing needling technique effectively improves hemiplegic gait movement cycle and walking function in patients of ischemic stroke, which is superior to the conventional acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Gait ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Stroke ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Time Factors ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo observe the drug resistance and drug efflux pumps gene mRNA of Saccharomyces albicans, including CDR1 gene and MDR1 gene, at different stage of biofilm formation in chemostat, furthermore to analysis the relationship between the drug efflux pump gene expression and the biofilm related drug resistance.

METHODSTo form the mature biofilm in vitro in chemostat, then collect the biofilm strains at different development stages (2, 12, 24, 48 h) to semi-quantified mRNA amount of CDR1 gene and MDR1 gene by one step RT-PCR method. Using XTT reduction method to test the dynamic change of Saccharomyces albicans drug resistance in biofilm.

RESULTSAntifungal resistance of biofilm-grown cells increased conjunction with the biofilm maturation. Compared with earth stage of biofiom strains, the amount of CDR1 mRNA gene in mature biofilm strains increased, while MDR1 gene did not.

CONCLUSIONThere is positive correlation between drug resistance and biofilm maturation of Saccharomyces albicans. Biofilm related drug resistance appears to be partially associated with the upregulation of drug efflux pumps, although the variation is not shown coincidence. During the biofilm formation, CDR1 gene expression is actively up-regulated, but MDR1 gene expression is stable.

Antifungal Agents ; Biofilms ; Candida albicans ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Fluconazole ; Fungal Proteins ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; Saccharomyces

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of ethylbenzene on the levels of mandelic acid (MA) and phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA) in urine, the ultrastructure and the expressions of mitochondrial apoptotic-related genes in the rat nephridial tissues.

METHODSFour groups of 10 males of Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated randomly into four groups: control (C) group, low (L) group, moderate (M) group and high (H) group, and inhaled daily with different doses of ethylbenzene: 0, 433.5 mg/m(3), 4335 mg/m(3), and 6500 mg/m(3) 6 h per day, 5 days per week for 13 weeks. The mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in the urine was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The ultrastructure of nephridial tissue was observed via electron microscope. The protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 in nephridial tissues were measured by Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSThe levels of MA [(0.303 +/- 0.148) mg/L, (0.404 +/- 0.154) mg/L] and PGA [(0.168 +/- 0.104) mg/L, (0.174 +/- 0.092) mg/L] in the urine of M and H groups were significantly higher than that in the control and L group [(0.084 +/- 0.070) mg/L, (0.041 +/- 0.029) mg/L] (P < 0.05, respectively). It has been shown a dose-effect relationship between the contents of MA, PGA and MA + PGA and inhaled ethylbenzene, respectively. The mitochondria of rat nephridial tissue of H group became a compact and vacuolar structure with disorder and loss of cristae. The expression levels of Bax in mitochondria of nephridial tissues of M and H groups were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Caspase-3 expression level in H group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of cytochrome C and Caspase-9 were enhanced, while the expression levels of Bcl-2 were restrained in all ethylbenzene-treated groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively). The expression levels of Caspase-3 in M and H groups were significantly higher than that in the control group and L group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEthylbenzene can induce apoptosis in the cells of nephridial tissues. The apoptotic mechanism might be involved with up-regulation of Bax, cytochrome C, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3, as well as restraint of Bcl-2. The level of MA and PGA in the rat urine could be a parameter of biological dose in vivo after ethylbenzene inhalation.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Benzene Derivatives ; toxicity ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glyoxylates ; urine ; Kidney ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Mandelic Acids ; urine ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism