Laryngeal interarytenoid neurilemmomas (LIN) is a benign encapsulated tumor originating from the schwann cells lining nerve fibers. Even though LINs are extremely rare in incidence, they could present with potential threat to the airway and thus requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. Here, we report two cases of LINs. Both patients underwent excision of the tumor via microlaryngeal endoscopic procedures and recovered well postoperatively without complications. No recurrence was observed postoperatively on routine follow-up after 14 months.
Endoscopy ; Humans ; Larynx ; pathology ; surgery ; Neurilemmoma ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; Postoperative Period

Objective To identify the therapeutic effect and safety of mini -percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with antegrade modular flexible ureteroscope for the treatment of staghorn stone.Methods The clinical data of 116 patients with staghorn calculi who underwent mini -percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with antegrade modular flexible ureteroscope were retrospectively analyzed.Of the 116 patients,63 cases were men,53 cases were women .Age ranged from 2 5 to 6 7 years .The diameter ofcalculi ranged from 4 6 to 9 8 (mean =4 6 )mm .There were 63 large complete staghorn renal calculi in these patients.Results All procedures were performed successfully using a single lithotripsy tract.The mean surgical time was (125.4 ±30.0)minutes.The initial stone -free rate was 81.03%(94 /116).Twenty -two cases had several residual calculi from 12 to 25mm.Post -procedure complications included hemorrhage in 9 patients,fever(>38.5 ℃)in four patients,and reactive pleural effusion in one patient. Blood loss requiring transfusion,sepsis,adjacent organ injury and kidney loss were not observed.Conclusion Mini -percutaneous nephrolithotomy combined with antegrade modular flexible ureteroscope has good therapeutic effect in treating renal staghorn calculi,since the technique in treating the renal staghorn calculi makes the operation period shorter,the rate of stone -free higher,the operation wounds smaller,the rate of complication lower,the rate of surrounding organ injury less.

Objective To assesse the quality of life of patients after cardiac pacemaker implantation using the Chinese version of SF-36.Methods Ninety-eight patients with permanent cardiac pacemaker implantation were investigated before and after the operation in terms of quality of life by using the Chinese version SF-36.Results Successful surgery was performed on all the 98 patients.The previous symptoms of the patients were improved to vari- ous extend after the operation.The quality of life of the patients was significantly improved after operation as demon- strated by the significant difference of the scores in 9 domains of SF-36 when compared with those before the operation (P

Objective To investigate the relationship between findings of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(~1H-MRS)and tumor proliferative potential in patents with astrocytoma.Methods Thirty four patients of astrocytomas proved by surgery and pathology were examined by MRI and ~1H-MRS,among them 26 were of grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ(low grade)and 8 of grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ(high grade).Twenty one eases of astrocytomas(17 low-grade and 4 high grade respectively)were homogeneous type.Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)was detected by immunohistochemical method of streptavidin- biotin-peroxidase(SP).Results The Cho/NAA and Cho/Cr ratios of high-grade astrocytomas(M=4.895, 4.845 respectively)were significantly higher than those of low-grade astrocytomas(M=2.920, 2.000 respectively)in the 21 homogeneous astrocytomas(Z=-2.597,P=0.009;Z=-2.687,P= 0.007 respectively),and the ratios were found to be significantly correlated to the expression of PCNA(A= 7.880)(r=0.607,P=0.003;r=0.457,P=0.038 respectively).However,the differences of Cho/NAA、 Cho/Cr ratios between the high-grade and low-grade astrocytomas were not significant when 34 cases were included,and no relationship was found between Cho/NAA(M=3.965,2.890 respectively)、Cho/Cr(M= 3.080、1.960 respectively)ratios and the expression of PCNA(A=8.100)(r=0.060,P=0.738;r= 0.125,P=0.480 respectively).Conclusion By measuring the Cho/NAA and Cho/Cr ratios,~1 H-MRS may be a valuable method for presurgical in invo prediction of the malignant degree,tumor proliferative potential and prognosis of homogeneous-type astrocytomas.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and the mid-term effects of unilateral pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in treating lumbar degenerative diseases.

METHODSFrom August 2005 to May 2010, 56 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases underwent lumbar posterolateral fusion,their clinical data were retrospective analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups (unilateral group and bilateral group) according to fixation methods,27 patients in unilateral group who were underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation, including 18 males and 9 females with a mean age of (57.5 ± 7.1) years old (ranged from 41 to 66 years); and 29 patients in bilateral group who were treated with bilateral pedicle screw fixation (on the basis of the above, with contralateral vertebral pedicle screw fixation), including 19 males and 10 females with a mean age of (54.6 ± 5.1) years old (ranged from 43 to 68 years). The clinical data such as operation time, blood loss volume, hospitalization time and cost were compared between two groups. JOA score system was used to evaluate the neurological function. And fusion status and cage-related complication were also analyzed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 36 to 60 months with an average of 45.8 months. No iatrogenic nerve, blood vessels or organs injury were found during operation. Operation time, blood loss volume, hospitalization time and cost in unilateral group were better than that of bilateral group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in JOA score between two groups (P > 0.05). Two patients in unilateral group developed with cage related complications, 1 case was cage displacement and 1 case was cage subsidence, while 2 patients in bilateral group developed with complications of no-fusion, and there was no significant differences between two groups (P = 0.58).

CONCLUSIONUnilateral pedicle screw fixation is a satisfactory method and can obtain good effects in treating lumbar degenerative diseases in mid-term, however, the indications should be well considered.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Nanocarriers generally made of natural or artificial polymers ranging in size from about 10-1 000 nm, possess versatile properties suitable for drug delivery, including good biocompatibility and biodegradability, potential capability of targeted delivery and controlled release of incorporated drugs, and have been extensively used in the development of new drug delivery systems (DDS). These types of nano-DDS have considerable potential to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and recently have attracted increasing efforts on the TCM research and development. In this review, the recently published literature worldwide is covered to describe the latest advances in the applications as TCM delivery carriers, and to highlight the characteristics and preparation methods of some selected examples of promising nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles and nanoliposomes.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of the over-articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy.

METHODSFrom September 2003 to April 2011, 36 patients with Pilon fractures caused by high energy were treated with the over-articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixator. There were 25 males and 11 females, ranging in age from 16 to 72 years old,with an average of 38 years old. The diagnoses of all patients were determined by conventional X-ray examination or three-dimensional spiral CT examination. The AOFAS scoring criteria was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects. The patients with comminuted fractures were treated with screw or Kirschner wire fixation without uncovering periost so as to enhance stability between fracture end and bone blocks,followed by the fixation with over-articular external fixators.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 4 to 27 months, with an average of 13 months. Thirty-two patients got wound healing at the first stage. And the bone union duration ranged from 2 to 6 months, with a mean of 3 months. According to the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot subjective scoring standard, 13 patients got an excellent result, 20 good and 3 fair, with an score of 88.2 +/- 3.6. Twelve patients had infections at pinhole, 5 patients had pinhole pain. One patient had the fixator broken induced by over loading, who was cured after treatment. There were no complications such as nerve or vascular injuries, or osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSIONThe over-articular external fixation combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy is an ideal method, which has such advantages as reliable fixation, simple operation, coincidence with principles of biomechanical fixation, and benefit for fracture healing.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in erectile dysfunction (ED) induced by androgen deficiency.

METHODSWe randomly divided 30 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into six groups: 2-week control (A), 4-week control (B), 2-week castration (C), 4-week castration (D), 2-week castration + androgen replacement (E), and 4-week castration + androgen replacement (F), those in groups E and F subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP) at the physiological dose of 3 mg/kg per day after castration, while those in the other groups with isodose oil instead. At 2 and 4 weeks after operation, we determined the level of serum testosterone (T) , intracavernous pressure (ICP) , mean carotid arterial pressure (MAP) of the rats, measured the concentration of H2S in the plasma and corpus cavernosum tissue, and detected the expressions of cystathionine-P3-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly lower in group C ([0.63 +/- 0.15] nmol/L) than in A ( [ 16.55 +/- 4.17] nmol/L) and E ( [ 18.99 +/- 4.62] nmol/L) (P <0.05), as well as in group D ([0.70 +/-0.22] nmol/L) than in B ([15.44 +/-5.18] nmol/L) and F ([20.99 +/-6.41] nmol/L) (P <0. 05) , and so were ICP/MAP after 5 and 7 V electrical stimulation of the pelvic ganglia (P <0. 05) , H2 S concentration (P <0.05), and the expressions of CBS and CSE (P <0.05). The expressions of CBS and CSE proteins were also significantly decreased in group C as compared with D (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe reduced expressions of CBS and CSE may inhibit the H2 S signaling pathway, which might be one of the mechanisms underlying androgen deficiency-induced ED in rats.

Androgens ; deficiency ; Animals ; Cystathionine beta-Synthase ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; metabolism ; Erectile Dysfunction ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Withanolide A is a biologically active secondary metabolite occuring in roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. In the present study, adventitious roots from leaf explants of W. somnifera were induced for the production of withanolide-A by Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain C58C1 to obtain hair roots. Hair roots induction rate reached 30%. The withanolide A was determined by HPLC in different hair roots lines and different parts of W. somnifera. The average content of withanolide A in all hair roots lines were 1.96 times as high as that in wild-plant, the concentration of withanolide A in hair roots (1.783 mg x g(-1) dry weight) were 1.51 times as high as the roots of wild W. somnifera (1.180 mg x g(-1) dry weight), respectively. It is possible to obtain withanolide A from hair roots culture of W. somnifera.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withania ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Withanolides ; analysis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of adrenoreceptor beta-agonists terbutaline on gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat astrocyte after induction by norepinephrine (NE) and burn serum.

METHODSThe sera of normal and burn rats were separated for use. Primary astrocytes of brain tissue were isolated from neonatal 1-3 d rats and cultured and divided into following groups: (1) CONTROL GROUP: with 10% normal rat serum in the culture medium. (2) NEl, NE2, NE3 groups: with 10% burn rat serum and 10, 20, 50 micromol/L NE in the culture medium, respectively. (3) TBN1, TBN2, TBN3 groups: with 10% burn rat serum and 10, 20, 50 micromol/L NE and 10, 20, 50 micromol/L terbutaline in the culture medium, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF in each group were determined with real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThere was a low protein expression of VEGF in control group, but it increased slightly in NE1 group, and then increase gradually in NE2, NE3 groups, and it was obviously increased in TBN1, TBN2, TBN3 groups. The mRNA expression of VEGF in NE1, NE2, NE3 groups were [(13.26 +/- 0.03), (10.37 +/- 0.04), (14.87 +/- 0.55) copies/g], respectively, which were significantly higher than that of control [(5.72 +/- 0.12) copies/g, P < 0.01]. In addition, the expression of VEGF mRNA in TBN1, TBN2, TBN3 groups was higher than that in control group, and expression of VEGF mRNA [(13.39 +/- 0.19), (15.77 +/- 0.11), (16.00 +/- 0.07) copies/g] was gradually increased, which showed obvious difference between TBN2 and NE2, and also between TBN3 and NE3 groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTerbutaline can increase gene expression of VEGF in rat astrocytes after induction by NE and burn serum.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Burns ; Gene Expression ; Norepinephrine ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serum ; Terbutaline ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism