BACKGROUNDMost cardiac regenerative approaches can restore injured heart muscles. In this study, we investigated if fibrin sealant could help neonatal cardiomyocytes restore myocardial function in a rat model of myocardial infarction.

METHODSThe left anterior descending artery in adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was ligated to make a myocardial infarction model. Neonatal ventricular cardiomyocytes from one-day male SD rats were isolated, labeled and cultured. The cells were injected into the infarcted area three weeks later. The animals were randomized into four recipient groups: (1) cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant (group CF, n = 10); (2) cardiomyocytes alone (group C, n = 10); (3) fibrin sealant recipients alone (group F, n = 10); (4) control group (n = 10). Four weeks after transplantation, echocardiography and Langerdoff model were used to assess heart function. Immunohistochemical staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed to track the implanted cardiomyocytes and detect the sex-determining region Y gene on Y chromosome.

RESULTSEchocardiography showed the fraction shortening (FS) in groups CF, C, F and control group was (27.80 +/- 6.32)%, (22.29 +/- 4.54)%, (19.24 +/- 6.29)% and (20.36 +/- 3.29)% respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). The Langendoff model revealed that the left ventricular development of peak pressure (LVDPmax, mmHg) in groups CF, C, F and control group was 104.81 +/- 17.05, 80.97 +/- 21.60, 72.07 +/- 26.17 and 71.42 +/- 17.55 respectively with statistically significant differences in group CF compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Pathological examination and PCR indicated that transplanted cardiomyocytes in group CF survived better than those in the other groups.

CONCLUSIONTransplanted neonatal cardiomyocytes plus fibrin sealant can survive in myocardial infarctioned area and improve heart function greatly in rat models.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Disease Models, Animal ; Echocardiography ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; transplantation ; Female ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Myocardial Infarction ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; transplantation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical manifestations, pathological characteristics, and treatments of urothelial-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the prostate (UMAP).

METHODSWe reported a case of UMAP, reviewed relevant literature, and analyzed the clinicopaothological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.

RESULTSThe patient was a 60-year-old male and underwent transurethral resection of the prostate for dysuria. Postoperative pathology indicated mucinous adenocarcinoma and sigmoidoscopy revealed no primary colon cancer. Immunohistochemical staining showed the negative expressions of PSA and P504s and positive expressions of CK7, CK34 β E12, CK20, and CDX2. Thus UMAP was confirmed and treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Then the patient was followed up for 30 months, which showed desirable therapeutic result, with neither local progression nor distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONUMAP has a bad prognosis and its diagnosis depends on pathological and immunohistocchemical examinations. It responds well to radical prostatectomy but is not sensitive to endocrine therapy. Radiotherapy can be considered for those who are not fit to receive radical prostatectomy.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Racemases and Epimerases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence and related factors of prostatitis-like symptoms among young men.

METHODSThe study was a cross-sectional survey of 2500 young men aged 18-30 years in the city of Weifang, and all of them completed a questionnaire on prostatitis. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression procedures were used to investigate the risk factors among the young men with chronic prostatitis-like symptoms.

RESULTSThe valid response rate was 85% (n = 2125). Of the 128 subjects (6.02%) identified as having chronic prostatitis-like symptoms, the mean age was 21.8 years, the average pain score was 6.98 +/- 0.29, and the average voiding score was 3.77 +/- 0.25. Of the sampled population, 39 men had prostatitis-like symptoms with an index pain score of 8 or more. Significant risk factors include frequent masturbation, prolonged sitting, long-time fixed posture, cold environment, stress at home and work.

CONCLUSIONThe study suggested that chronic prostatitis-like symptoms are common among young men, and the urethritis history, frequent masturbation, prolonged sitting, long-time urine holding, cold environment, and stress at home and work might be significant risk factors.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prostatitis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of comminuted superior tibial fracture in complex injury according to damage control orthopaedic.

METHODSFrom Jan. 2007 to Jun. 2009,11 patients suffered from comminuted superior tibial fracture with complex injury, including 8 males and 3 females with an average age of 35.2 years. The external fixator were used to fix tibial fracture in emergency treatment, after 6 weeks when the condition of patients were improved, fix the external tibia by LISS plate through litter incision, fix interior tibia by reconstructed plate or sustained plate. The effect evaluated by Lysholm standard, marking system on the basis of limp, walking stick, angina, knee unsteady, pain, swell, up and down floor, squat.

RESULTSAll the postoperative CR showed that the superior tibial fractures were acquired functional reduction, the incision got well and no infection occurred. All 11 patients were followed-up for 12 to 18 months with an average of 14.7 months. According to an evaluation standard of Lysholm, the results were excellent in 5 cases, good in 4 cases, fair in 1 case, poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONAccording to damage control orthopaedic, the treatment of comminuted superior tibial fracture by external fixation and LISS plate is a suitable method for the patient with complex injury who undergo comminuted superior tibial fracture.

Adult ; Female ; Fractures, Comminuted ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To determine the susceptibility genes and resistance genes in HLA-DRB1 alleles in Tibetan patients with cystic and alveolar hydatid diseases,so as to provide the references for the research of the genetic characteristics and infec-tion mechanism of Tibetan hydatid diseases. Methods The case control method was applied. The Tibetan patients with cystic and alveolar hydatid diseases(63 and 73 cases respectively)in Yushu and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,and unrelat-ed healthy people(60 cases)in this area were selected as the study subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-sequence based typ-ing(PCR-SBT)technique was applied for genotyping of HLA-DRB1,and the comparison of the gene frequency. Results The frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 in the alveolar/cystic echinococcosis group was lower than that in the control group(χ2 =4.71, 4.31,both P<0.05). Conclusion HLA-DRB1*04 genotypes may be associated with the resistance of cystic and alveolar echi-nococcosis and its resistance genes.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of electrical acupuncture (EA) at Qiuxu (GB 40) and Tianshu (ST 25), and to probe the factors of influencing the therapeutic effect.

METHODSTwo hundred and seventy-five cases were randomly divided into the test group of 138 cases treated with EA at Qiuxu (GB 40) and the control group of 137 cases treated with EA at Tianshu (ST 25). Their therapeutic effects were observed and the factors influencing the therapeutic effect were analyzed.

RESULTSThe transient effective rate was 70.3% in the test group and 58.4% in the control group with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05), and there were very significant differences between the two groups in the therapeutic effects at treatment of 4 weeks, and following-up 3 and 6 months later (P<0.001), the transient analgesic effect of EA at Qiuxu (GB 40) being better. EA had better transient effect on migraine for the mental workers, or the patient with high pain score at treatment, or more frequent attack. The long-term analgesic effect of EA at Qiuxu (GB 40) was better than Tianshu (ST 25).

CONCLUSIONThe analgesic effect of EA at Qiuxu (GB 40) is better than Tianshu (ST 25) and the profession and conditions of the patient are the factors influencing the therapeutic effect.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Migraine Disorders ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo assess the treatment of patients with infection of enterococcus faecium after surgery who failed to respond to antibiotics.

METHODSFive patients after surgery were proved to have Enterococcus faecium infection by bacterial culture. They were treated by sensitive antibiotics but failed. Comprehensive treatment prescribed included immunoenhancements, enteral nutrition, and traditional Chinese medicines.

RESULTSFour patients were discharged from the hospital after recovery, and was cared else where after 1 month treatment.

CONCLUSIONComprehensive treatment is a better way to treat patients with refractory enterococcus faecium infection after surgery.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Enterococcus faecium ; Female ; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; therapy

Objective To discuss the application of enhanced CT subtraction technique in evaluating residual hepatocelluar carcinoma activity after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).Methods A total of consecutive 22 patients with clinically-confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC),who received TACE,were retrospectively collected.Multi-phase enhanced CT examination of liver was performed in all patients after the initial TACE,and the presence or absence of residual active tumor was determined at the second time of TACE.The enhanced arterial phase CT images were used to subtract the corresponding plain scan images,and the subtraction images were thus obtained.The post-subtraction CT values of the lesions that showed iodine oil deposit were measured,which were compared with angiography findings performed at the second time of TACE.The residual tumor activity indicated by post-subtraction images was statistically analyzed.Results In 22 HCC patients receiving TACE,a total of 37 lesions showed iodine oil deposit after the initial TACE.Assessment of tumor activity indicated that 34 lesions had tumor activity and 3 lesions had no tumor activity.The mean post-subtraction CT value of the lesions in the tumor activity group was (79±68) HU,while it was (1 ±1) HU in the tumor non-activity group;the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.007).Analysis with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that when the post-subtraction CT value of the lesion was greater than one HU,the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing residual tumor were 97.06％ and 100％ respectively,and the area under the ROC curve was up to 0.975.Conclusion The subtraction images obtained by subtracting the enhanced arterial phase CT images from the plain scan images can accurately and intuitively determine the presence or absence of residual active HCC lesions after TACE.

OBJECTIVEAn accurate clinical TNM staging of lung cancer is essential for the precise determination of the extent of the disease in order that an optimal therapeutic strategy can be planned. This is especially true in patients with marginally resectable tumors. Clinical over-staging of the disease may deny a patient the benefit of surgery, whereas under-staging may oblige a patient to accept a fruitless or even harmful surgery. We aimed to analyze preoperative clinical (c-TNM) and postoperative surgico-pathologic staging (p-TNM) of lung cancer patients in order to evaluate the accuracy of our clinical staging and its implications on the surgical strategy for lung cancer.

METHODSWe did a retrospective comparison of c-TNM and p-TNM staging of 2007 patients with lung cancer surgically treated from January 1999 to May 2003. Preoperative evaluation and c-TNM staging of all patients were based on physical examination, laboratory studies, routine chest X-ray and CT scan of the chest and upper abdomen. Other examinations included sputum cytology, bronchoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, bone scintiscan, brain CT/MRI, and mediastinoscopy whenever indicated.

RESULTSIn the present study the comparison of c-TNM and p-TNM staging of 2007 patients with lung cancer revealed an overall concurrence rate of only 39.0%. In the entire series the extent of disease was clinically underestimated in 45.2% and overestimated in 15.8% of the patients. Among all c-TNM stages the c-IA/B stage of 1105 patients gave the highest rate (55.2%) of underestimating the extent of disease. Clinical staging of T subsets was relatively easy with an overall accuracy rate of 72.9%, while that of N subsets was relatively more difficult with an overall accuracy rate of 53.5%. Analysis also showed that c-IV stage may not be an absolute contraindication to surgery, because in half of the patients, c-M1 turned out to be p-M0, providing the possibility of resectional surgery depending on the status of T and N.

CONCLUSIONFor reasons to be further determined, the present preoperative clinical TNM staging of lung cancer remains a crude evaluation. Further efforts to improve its accuracy are needed.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pneumonectomy ; Retrospective Studies

Trimethylamine N-oxide(TMAO), a metabolite of gut microbiota, is closely associated with chronic kidney disease(CKD). It can aggravate the kidney injury and promote the occurrence of complications of CKD mainly by inducing renal fibroblast activation, vascular endothelial inflammation, macrophage foaming, platelet hyperreactivity, and inhibition of reverse cholesterol transport. Thus it is of great significance for clinical treatment of CKD to regulate circulating TMAO and alleviate its induced body damage. Currently, therapeutic strategies for TMAO regulation include dietary structure adjustment, lifestyle intervention, intestinal microflora regulation, and inhibition of intestinal trimethylamine synthesis and liver trimethylamine oxidation. Chinese medicinal herbs have the clinical advantage of multi-component and multi-target effects, and application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) to synergistically regulating TMAO and improving CKD via multiple pathways has broad prospects. This study systematically reviewed the clinical relevance and mechanism of TMAO in aggravating CKD renal function deterioration and complication progression. In addition, the effect and mechanism of TCM in improving TMAO-induced kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis and osteoporosis were summarized. The results provided a theoretical basis for TCM in attenuating gut microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO and improving CKD, as well as a basis and direction for in-depth clinical development and mechanism research in the future.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/drug therapy*