Acupuncture, Ear ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Vertigo ; etiology

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart Failure

OBJECTIVETo search for an optimum method for testicular prothesis implantation in the treatment of testis loss.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the surgical methods and outcomes of 53 cases of terminal prostate cancer and 4 cases of unilateral testicular torsion treated by implantation of testicular prothesis with the polypropylene mesh.

RESULTSThe 57 male patients all received testicular prothesis with the polypropylene mesh. All the patients were satisfied with the appearance and size of the scrotum after surgery. No scrotal hematoma, prosthesis infection, or autoimmune disease occurred postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONTestis loss is not a rare condition clinically, for the treatment of which surgical implantation of testicular prothesis with the polypropylene mesh can achieve both a fine tissue compatibility and a desirable scrotal appearance.

Humans ; Male ; Polypropylenes ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; surgery ; Surgical Mesh ; Testis

Objective To study the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs),and to explore any effect of EA in neurological rehabilitation and its mechanism.Methods Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to establish a model of cerebral infarction in 120 Wistar rats.They were then randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,both of which were further subdivided into 1,3,7,14,21 and 28 day sub-groups with 10 in each sub-group.Bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) was given at the 1st,2nd,6th,13th,20th and 27th day to detect any proliferation and differentiation of NSCs.After 7 days the motor function of the two groups was evaluated using a beam walking test.Rats were sacrificed at the different time points and Brdu labeled cells and nestin-positive cells were determined by immunohistochemistry.The level of basic fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) mRNA was determined by in-situ hybridization.The results were analyzed using a micro-image analysis system.Results The Brdu-labeled cell counts and nestin-positive cells were significantly different between the treatment and control groups at each time point.Motor function improved significantly in the treatment group with EA stimulation compared with the control group,but there was no significant difference between the 21 day and 28 day sub-groups in the treatment group.The expression levels of bFGF-2 mRNA were significantly different between the treatment and control groups at the early time points (up to the 14th day).Conclusions EA can promote proliferation of NSCs and increase the expression of FGF-2 mRNA,particularly early after cerebral infarction.It may be one of mechanisms of EA's effectiveness in treating ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of the modified Kock method of bladder re- construction with ileum,and to provide the objective basis for wide application of this technique.Methods A total of 51 patients with bladder cancer(T_2N_0M_0 stage tumor in 37 cases,T_3N_0M_0 stage tumor in 14; and pathologic gradeⅡ-Ⅲin all)were included.After radical cystectomy,modified Kock reconstruction of bladder with ileum was performed in them.The procedure consisted of preparing the segment of the ileum for reconstruction of the reservoir,anastomosing the low part of the neobladder with the urethra and regaining the original urinary conduit.Results The mean operative time was 6.5h(range,5.5-8.5h);mean in- traoperative blood loss was 650ml(range,300-1200ml),with blood transfusion in 31 cases.Perioperative complications included stress ulcer in 6 cases and urinary leakage in 1.The other 44 cases had no severe complications.Four cases died of cancer metastasis at 6-18 months after operation.During a follow-up of 8 -32 months,the other 47 cases recovered well and have been alive till now.Two cases had ureteral urine reflux with no impairment of renal function.The daytime urinary continent rate was 100%;and nocturnal uri- nary incontinence occurred in 6 cases.Conclusions The modified Koek reconstruction of bladder with il- eum can improve the patients'quality of life with fewer complications,therefore is a better treatment choice for infiltrative bladder cancer after radical eystectomy.

Objective To profile the omp1 genotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) in patients with nongonococcal urethritis (cervicitis) in Guangzhou region. Methods Swab samples were obtained from the urethra of males and cervix of females in clinical settings of venereology and gynecology as well as at outreach sites for the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). DNA was extracted from the swabs and nested PCR was performed to amplify the variable domain (VD) 1 - 3 of omp1 gene of Ct followed by gene sequencing. The genotypes of Ct were determined based on the amino acid mutation in VD 1 - 2 of omp1 gene. Results Totally, 1208 swabs were collected. Of them, 132 were Ct positive, and 130 positive samples underwent genotyping. Ten ompl genotypes were determined in total, including serotype E (38, 29.23%), D (25, 19.23%), J(24, 18.46%), F(21, 16.15%), G(7, 5.38%), H(5, 3.85%), K(5, 3.85%), B(2, 1.54%), Ja (2, 1.54%), I (1, 0.77%). E, D, J and F were the dominant type of Ct in this region, and amounted to 83% of all the Ct isolates. Mutations were observed within VD 1 and 2 of omp1 gene in serotype D, B and K.Serotypes were undetermined for Ct in 2 patients with mixed infection. Conclusions In Guangzhou region, E,D, F and J are the predominant genotypes of Ct, and amount to 83% of all the Ct isolates. Ct serotype B is also observed in the urethra of males and cervix of females in this region.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training in treating pharyngeal deglutition disorder after stroke.Methods:One hundred patients with post-stroke pharyngeal deglutition disorder were randomized into a treatment group and a control group,with 50 cases in each group.The two groups both received routine neurological intervention.In addition,the treatment group was given Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training,while the control group was intervened by swallowing training alone.After eight-week treatment,the two groups were observed in terms of the changes in repetitive saliva swallowing test (RSST),modified water swallowing test (MWST),standardized swallowing assessment (SSA) and swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL).The clinical efficacies of the two groups were also compared.Results:After treatment,the RSST grading,and scores of MWST,SSA and SWAL-QOL changed significantly in both groups (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The RSST grading,and scores of MWST,SSA and SWAL-QOL in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group after treatment (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The total effective rate and markedly effective rate were respectively 100.0％ and 72.3％ in the treatment group,versus 97.9％ and 34.0％ in the control group.There was a significant difference in the markedly effective rate between the two groups (P＜0.01).The difference in the clinical efficacy between the two groups was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Conclusion:Gao's nape acupuncture plus swallowing training is an effective approach for post-stroke pharyngeal deglutition disorder.Its therapeutic efficacy is more significant than that of swallowing training alone.

Objectives To detect the cord blood vitamin D level in neonates and to determine the association between the cord blood vitamin D level and neonatal outcomes. Methods A total of 223 eligible mother-and-singleton-offspring pairs were recruited. The information of mothers' pregnancy was collected by questionnaires. The weight, length, and head circumference of neonates were measured. The levels of 25(OH)D in cord blood of neonates and in blood of late pregnancy mothers were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results The median concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was 20.7 nmol/L, and 82.1% of neonate had vitamin D deficiency, and 12.1% had severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 nmol/L). The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was consistent with that in blood of late pregnancy mother. The distribution of concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood was significantly different in neonates in different seasons of birth (P<0.05). There were more cases <10 nmol/L in winter and spring. The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood had no significant associations with the incidences of low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) (P>0.05). After the variables of sex, gestational age and birth season are controlled, the birth weight and head circumference were significantly different in neonates with different concentrations of 25(OH)D in cord blood (P<0.05). Conclusions The concentration of 25(OH)D in cord blood in term neonates was generally lower. The vitamin D status in neonates was consistet with that in their late pregnancy mothers. Cord blood 25(OH) D levels were associated with neonates' birth weight and head circumference, but it should be confirmed by larger sample size in the future.

BACKGROUND: A great quantity of cell loss in early stage following stem cell transplantation can significantly affect transplantation effect. Presently, it is confirmed that overexpression of AKT1 gene significantly inhibit cell apoptosis. OBJECTIVE: To explore whether AKT1 gene overexpression can block stem cell apoptosis under hypoxic condition following pig autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation, and the effect of repairing damaged myocardium. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal study was performed at the Soochow University from August 2005 to February 2007.MATERIALS: A total of 24 healthy male Meishan pigs were supplied by the Animal Experimental Center of Soochow University. METHODS: The CDS (regulation domin of AKT1) AKT1-cDNA fragment was amplified. Lentivector Packaging Kit was used to transfect BMSCs after synthesized with pCDH1-AKT1 shuttling plasmid. Following BrdU labeling, models of myocardial infarction were constructed by occluding the distal left anterior descending coronary artery in pigs with gelatin sponge. 4 weeks later, pigs were randomly divided into four groups: the model control group, the DMEM group, the BMSCs group, and the AKT-transfected group. In model control group, there was no other injection after occluding the left anterior descending coronary artery. In the DMEM group, 5 mL DMEM was injected into the coronary artery. 5 mL BMSCs (1×10~7 cells) were infused into the coronary artery in the BMSCs group. 5 mL BMSCs transfected with the AKT1 gene were injected in the AKT-transfected group MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Western blot analysis and real time RT-PCR were used to test the plasmid. The cardiac function was evaluated by magnetic resonance image. Histological characteristics of the myocardium were observed using immunohistochemistry. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: AKT1-cDNA was cloned into pCDH1-MCS1-EF1-copGFP and the sequence was confirmed in comparison with the published one. AKT mRNA expression could be detected distinctly 24 and 48 hours after transfecting cells. The expression of AKT1 intensity in MSCs remained strong 2 weeks later with detected by real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. AKT1-mRNA transcriptional levels were 120 times of primary cells. Before the cell implantation, the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension increased and the stroke volume decreased in the myocardial infarction hearts. The cardiac function was significantly improved after cell implantation, and the implanted MSCs prevented the infarct region from thinning and expanding, improved contraction and increased perfusion in all groups relative to the control hearts. The left ventricular chamber size was smaller in the hearts with being transplanted cells than that in the control hearts. Moreover, the improvement was even markedly greater in AKT-transfected group (P < 0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that fibering was significant in the model control group and DMEM group. Island-like myocardium was observed in the infarct zone of the BMSCs group and AKT-transfected group, and plenty of small vessels-shape structure was detected in the AKT-transfected group. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and Cx-43 expression was determined in the myocardium in the BMSCs group and AKT-transfected group, and the proportion of BrdU and Cx-43-positive cells to BrdU-positive cells was significantly greater in the AKT-transfected group compared with the BMSCs group 4 weeks following transplantation (P < 0.05). Following cell transplantation, vascular endothelial growth factor levels were gradually increased, peaked at 1 week, gradually decreased, and reached a normal level at 4 weeks. Transforming growth factor p1 levels were gradually reduced, and significantly less than the model control group, DMEM group 4 weeks later (P < 0.05), and significantly lower than that pretransplantation (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Using lentiviral vector to construct with AKT1 gene could stably make BMSCs overexpress AKT1. The BMSCs engraftment in host myocardium might improve the left ventricle function by attenuating the contractile dysfunction and pathologic thinning in this model of left ventricular wall infarction. AKT1 overexpression can significantly improve cardiac function following infarction.

Objective Coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA),in comparison with Bio-Oss bone meal,is a material with extensive resources but no immunogenicity or risk of disease-transmission. The aim of this article was to study the clinical application of CHA in ridge preservation in the maxillary anterior zone. Methods Twenty-six patients underwent extraction of maxillary anterior teeth (n=26) for chronic periodontitis or periapical periodontitis. The patients were randomly assigned into a CHA and a control group of equal number to receive ridge preservation with CHA and Bio-Oss bone meal respectively. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed immediately and at 4 months after ridge preservation to compare the vertical and horizontal alterations of the alveolar ridge be-tween the two groups of patients. Results After ridge preservation,both the CHA and control groups showed a reduction in the width ([1.1±0.7] vs [1.3±1.9] mm) and height of the alveolar ridge ([1.3±1.6] vs [1.2±1.4] mm),but with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion For ridge preservation in the maxillary anterior zone,CHA has a similar effect to that of Bio-Oss bone meal and therefore is an ideal material for bone graft.