Objective To assess the efficacy of different types of thymectomy for the treatment of myasthenia gravis(MG).Methods A retrospective analysis on 269 cases of MG,who were treated in our hospital from 1991 to 2006 by transsternal thymectomy(January 1991 to May 2002,n=161),thoracoscopic thymectomy(February 2002 to July 2005,n=67),or video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy(VATET,February 2005 to November 2006,n=41).Results The mean operation time of the transsternal group was significantly shorter than that in the other groups [transsternal group vs thoracoscopic and VATET groups:(97.5?17.5)min vs(130.3?31.5)min(q=12.991,P

ObjectiveTo detect the expression levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs),sera and skin tissue fluid from patients with vitiligo vulgaris,and to investigate their clinical significance.MethodsThirty-nine patients with vitiligo vulgaris and 31 age- and sex-matched normal human controls were recruited in this study.Real-time reverse transcription-PCR was employed to assess the expressions of MIF mRNA in PBMCs,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the concentrations of MIF in sera and skin tissue fluid from these subjects.ResultsPatients with vitiligo vulgaris showed a significantly higher level of MIF mRNA in PBMCs (6.70 (2.64 - 8.65) vs.1.67 (1.24 - 2.45),Z=5.895,P＜ 0.05),MIF protein in sera (32.76 (10.67 - 40.98) μg/L vs.7.89 (6.13 - 9.54) μg/L,Z=5.936,P ＜ 0.05 ) and skin tissue fluid ( 167.80 ( 107.40 - 219.60) μg/L vs.42.44 (32.29 - 49.74) μg/L,Z =4.715,P ＜ 0.05) compared with the normal human controls.The expression levels of MIF mRNA in PBMCs,and MIF protein in sera and skin tissue fluid were also higher in patients with progressive vitiligo than in those with stable vitiligo (7.89 (3.89 - 9.12) vs.5.62 (2.23 - 7.29),Z=2.213,P＜ 0.05; 37.80 (29.50 - 45.70) μg/L vs.22.70 (9.36 - 37.78) μg/L,Z=2.141,P＜ 0.05; 211.50 (131.70 - 248.75) μg/L vs.144.65 (89.13 - 167.30) μg/L,Z =2.100,P ＜ 0.05).In addition,the vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score was positively correlated with the expression levels of MIF mRNA in PBMCs (r =0.486,P ＜ 0.05)and MIF protein in sera (r =0.453,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionMIF might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo vulgaris.

ObjectiveTo assess the differences of short- and long-term postintervention status on ocular and systemic symptoms for patients with ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) after pyridostigmine bromide, corticosteroid, thymectomy, or thymectomy-corticosteroid combination therapy ( combination ).MethodsThis retrospective plus prospective study included 180 OMG patients, whose age of onset ≥ 15 years, treated non-randomly with above therapies separately: thymectomy group (60 cases ), corticosteroid group (39 cases), combination group ( 31 cases ), symptomatic group ( 50 cases ). Postintervention status complying with Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA)complete stable remission ,pharmacologic remission, or minimal manifestations was considered as desirable response, which was used as statistical indicator. Results ①Corticosteroid group showed higher desirable response rates on ptosis, ophthalmoplegia and general weakness at 3-6 months after treatment than other groups, and 42. 1％( 16/38 ) of them at 3 months achieved the desired state of ptosis, higher than the symptomatic group (7/48,14. 6％, ×2 = 8. 200, P = 0. 004 ). ② Ascending ideal rates had been presented in both combination and thymectomy groups since 1 year after treatments, while a little bit higher rate was presented in the former. At the end of observation, 21.7％ ( 13/60 )of patients in thymectomy group achieved complete stable remission.By paired longitudinal comparisons,thymectomy group showed higher ideal rates on ptosis (22/40,55.0％ ), ophthalmoplegia ( 16/27,59. 3％ ) and general weakness (20/40,50. 0％ ) at 2 years than that at 3 months( 11/59,18.6％ ;11/44,25.0％ ;9/60,15.0％ ;P =0. 002, 0. 031,0.000). ③For those patients by symptomatic treatment, the average age of onset was (51.9 ± 18.0) years, higher than that by other 3 therapies (F = 10. 563 ,P =0. 000). ④OMG patients with ophthalmoplegia more likely select corticosteroid or combined therapy. Ophthalmoplegia in combination group was higher than that in symptomatic and surgery groups( ×2 = 12. 939,14. 380, P =0. 000 in both). Ophthalmoplegia in corticosteroid group was higher than that in surgery group ( ×2 = 8. 017, P = 0. 005 ).Conclusions Corticosteroid appears to early overcome ptosis, ocular motor dysfunction and general weakness for patient with OMG in early-to-middle adulthood.Thymectomy andsurgery-corticosteroid combinationtherapies bothshowlong-term effectonthem.

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effects between anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction and clavicular hook plate for treatment of distal clavicle fracture of Neer type II b.

METHODSFrom August 2010 to August 2013, 42 patients with Neer II b distal clavicle fractures were randomly divided into two groups as group A and group B. In group A, there were 22 cases including 14 males and 8 females with an average age of (44.2±11.6) years old. In group B, there were 20 cases including 11 males and 9 females with an average of (45.6±12.4) years old. The patients of group A were treated with anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction,the patients of group B were treated with hook plate. All fractures were fresh, the time between injuries and operation was 24 hours to 7 days (mean,72 h). General information between the two groups was comparable before operation(P>0.05). Postoperative radiographic were followed up to observe the fracture healing,internal fixation and to measure coracoclavicular distance of two groups. Shoulder function after operation was evaluated by Constant-Murley score system.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with an average of 16.8 months (ranging 12 to 24 months). There was no nonunion,infection and other complications between two groups. The clavicular stress fracture occurred in 1 clavicular hook patient at 6 months after the operation. According to the Constant-Murley score system, that the scores of group A were 90.6±6.2, 91.8±4.8, 94.7±3.6 and 97.8±1.2 at 1st, 3rd, 6 month and last follow-up after operation were higher than those of group B 74.8±3.4, 78.4±4.4, 82.2±2.8 and 94.6±3.6 (P 0.05). The fracture healing time of group A (21.6±2.2) weeks was shorter than that of group B (25.8±2.5) weeks (P 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in coracoclavicular distance at last follow-up (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe anatomical locked plate combined with coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction need not expose shoulder and can reduce the incidence of postoperative pain and limited activity of shoulder, with fewer complication, it is advantageous to the shoulder joint function early recovery.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Ligaments, Articular ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

Objective To review video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy as a treatment for myasthenia gravis (MG),compare outcomes of thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma and non-thymoma MG,and assess the efficacy of Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Extended Thymectomy (VATET) combined with mediastinoscopy.Methods A retrospective review of 500 patientswith MG who underwent VATS thymectomy between 2001 and 2011 has been done.They were divided into three groups:118 cases of thymoma MG group,thoracoscopy for non-thymoma MG group 301cases,and VATET for non-thymoma MG group 81cases.Results There was no mortality.Thoracoscopic thymectomy was successfully performed for 495 cases.In the thoracoscopy group for non-thymoma MG,the operating time is (111.3 ± 31.6) min,11.0％ having post-operative myasthenic crises ; in the VATET group,the operating time is (145.0 ± 71.6) min,9.9％ having post-operative myasthenic crises ;in the thymoma MG group,the operating time is (128.5 ± 77.8)min,24.6％ having post-operative myasthenic crises.During the follow-up,CSR was 37.3％,36.5％ and 28.7％ in the groups of thoracoscopy for non-thymoma MG,VATET and thymoma MG respectively.However,the disease-free survival curve shows that CSR of the thymoma MG group became lower than other two groups 3 years after surgery,and CSR of the VATET group becoming higher than that of thoracoscopy for nou-thymoma MG group 5 years after surgery.CSRs of groups of thoracoscopy for non-thymoma MG,VATET and thymoma MG might reach 50％,60％ and 36％.Conclusion The VATET combined with mediastinoscopy has a better long-term outcome because the more thymus might be removed comparing with non-thymoma MG,thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma MG had a worse long-term outcome.

Objective To detect the expressions of miR-155,T helper type 17 (Thl7) cells,and Th17 cellspecific transcription factor RORγt and effector cytokine interleukin (IL)-17 in peripheral blood and skin lesions from,and to evaluate their relationship in,patients with atopic dermatitis (AD).Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 37 patients with AD and 33 age-and sex-matched healthy controls,and biopsy specimens from the lesional and perilesional skin of five patients with severe AD as well as from the normal skin of five healthy human controls.Real-time fluorescence-based reverse transcription (RT)-PCR was employed to measure the mRNA expression levels of miR-155,RORγt and IL-17 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and skin specimens,flow cytometry to detect the percentage of Th17 cells in PBMCs,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the plasma concentration of IL-17.Statistical analysis was done using independent sample's t test,one-way analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference test,and linear correlation analysis.Results Compared with the healthy controls,the patients with AD showed a significant increase in Th17 cell percentage (1.78％ ± 0.52％ vs.0.47％ ± 0.15％,P＜ 0.01),mRNA expression levels of miR-155 (5.78 ± 1.78 vs.1.82 ± 0.46,P＜ 0.01),RORγt (6.08 ± 1.04 vs.1.64 ± 0.52,P＜ 0.01) and IL-17 (7.09 ± 1.75 vs.1.71 ± 0.46,P＜ 0.01),as well as in the plasma concentration of IL-17 ((2.51 ± 6.15) pg/ml vs.(11.80 ± 2.24) pg/ml,P＜ 0.01).There was a sequential decrease in the expression levels of miR-155,RORγt and IL-17 mRNA from lesional skin,perilesional skin to normal skin (F =41.803,17.040 and 37.064 respectively,all P ＜ 0.01).The miR-155 mRNA expression level in PBMCs was positively correlated with the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index,Th17 cell percentage,RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expression levels as well as IL-17 plasma concentration (r =0.405,0.426,0.402,0.410 and 0.408 respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).Similarly,the miR-155 expression level was positively correlated with RORγt and IL-17 mRNA expression levels in lesional and paralesional specimens (r =0.428 and 0.435 respectively,both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The up-regulated expression of miR-155,Th17 cells and their effector cytokine IL-17 may be associated with the development of AD.

Objective To explore thc clinical manifestation of secondary generalized myasthenia gravis(GMG) and analyze the factors affecting the progression from ocular myasthenia gravis(OMG) to GMG.Methods This research constitutes a single-center,retrospectively-collected prospective cohort study.We comprehensively reviewed our self-managed myasthenia gravis (MG) database drawn from personal clinical experience from January 2000 to Junc 2013.Patients underwent series of examination including repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) tests,measurement of serum acetylcholine receptors antibody and serum muscle-specific tyrosine kinase antibodies,thymus computer tomography scan etc.Patients were treated with pyridostigmine bromide,corticosteroid therapy and (or) thymectomy based on a nonrandomization pattern and they were documented for their respective symptoms of OMG and GMG and date of GMG conversion.Logistic regression analysis was adopted to determine the influencing factors correlated with the development of GMG during the follow-up.Results Totally 770 patients initially diagnosed with OMG were included,among whom 573 (74％) patients remained with OMG (R-OMG group) and 197(26％) patients developed into GMG (GMG group) during the follow-up.(1) In comparison with their R-OMG counterparts,patients with secondary GMG were older at onset; Displayed more frequent RNS abnormality of facial nerve,accessory nerve and ulnar nerve ; Showed higher incidence of thymoma and were less treated by early corticosteroids.(2) For GMG group,81％ (160/197) of them displayed bulbar MG; 67％ (132/197) of GMG conversion occurred within 2 years,and 84％ (166/197) within 5 years.In comparison with the patients with onset of≤ 14-year-old,both of patients with15-49-year-old and≥ 50-year-old displayed higher conversion rate and shorter conversion duration (median:10 years versus 1 year and 6.5 months).(3) RNS abnormality of accessory nerve(OR =6.650,95％ CI 3.547-12.471 ; P ＜ 0.05) and thymoma(OR =7.924,95％ CI 2.554-24.585 ; P ＜ 0.05) were prognostic factors for the development of GMG,while early corticosteroid(OR =0.232,95％ CI 0.119-0.452 ; P ＜ 0.05) predicted the reduction of the risk of generalization.Conclusions Multiple factors including abnormal RNS of proximal limb muscles,thymoma,early corticosteroids therapy and possibly even onset age of over 15-year-old may involve the generalization in patients with OMG at onset.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of ephedrine hydrochloride,nitrofural and di-phenhydramine hydrochloride in Compound diphenhydramine nasal drop. METHODS:RP-HPLC method was adopted. The determi-nation was performed on Inertsil ODS-3 C18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.05 mol/L potassium dihydrogen phosphate buf-fer(pH 7.0)-acetonitrile(gradient elution)with flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavelength was set at 256 nm,and the col-umn temperature was 35 ℃. The sample size was 20 μL. RESULTS:The concentrations of phedrine hydrochloride,nitrofural and diphenhydramine hydrochloride ranged 122.1-366.3 μg/mL(r=0.9999),5.2-15.5 μg/mL(r=0.9998)and 31.5-94.5 μg/mL(r=0.9994),respectively. The limits of quantitation were 2.442,0.010,2.520 μg/mL,and the limits of detection were 0.810,0.003, 0.830 μg/mL,respectively. RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 1.0%. The recoveries of them were 99.2%-101.7%(RSD=0.9%,n=9),96.4%-102.0%%(RSD=1.7%,n=9),100.2%-101.9%(RSD=0.4%,n=9),respec-tively. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate and reproducible,and can be used for simultaneous determination of ephedrine hydrochloride,nitrofural and diphenhydramine hydrochloride in Compound diphenhydramine nasal drop.

Objective To find out the distribution characteristics of drinking water with high arsenic in Dali Prefecture, Yunnan. Methods General investigation plus sampling survey was adopted in the city of Dali and 11 counties. The arsenic content in water was tested by half-quantitative fast reagent-box method. The water samples exceeding the standard(≥0.03 mg/L) were re-tested by silver diethyldithiocarbamate eolorimetric method or mercury-atomic fluorescence spectrometric method. Population and children exposed by high-arsenic were statistically analyzed. Results Arsenic content in 15 180 samples from 2639 villages are screened, of which 14 976 samples were less than 0.01 mg/L, reaching 98.66% (14 976/15 180); 110 samples was no less than 0.05 mg/L, only accounting for 0.72%(110/15 180). Water sources with excessive arsenic was found in 29 villages, in a percentage of 1.1% of all covered villages(29/2639). The samples were constituted of 10 399 portions of well water(well was less than 10 m deep), 3903 from spring, 93 from river water, 69 from hot spring water, 26 from reservoir water and 690 from surface water. And for the samples which arsenic content were ≥0.05 mg/L, 89 samples(0.86%, 89/10 399) were from well water, 15 from spring water(0.38%, 15/3903) and 6 from spring water(8.70%, 6/69). A total of 1 561 553 individuals were investigated, in a percentage of 67.83%(1 561 553/2 302 156) of the whole population, among those 420 513 were children, rating 26.93% of the investigated population(420 513/1 561 553); 27 865 were exposed to arsenic, accounting for 1.78% of the investigated population 27 865/1 561 553; 8993 children were exposed, rating 2.14% of the investigated population(8993/420 513). Conclusions There exists high-arsenic water resources in Dali Prefecture, Yunan, so the local inhabitants are in the danger of high-arsenic exposure. Urgent attention shall be paid for the endemic arsenic including investigation, prevention and control.

Objective To evaluate the effect of global end diastolic volume index (GEDVI) on fluid resuscitation in elderly patients with septic shock. Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. Septic shock patients over 65 years admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of Shandong Province, Zibo Central Hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were enrolled. The patients were randomly divided into control group and observation group, 20 cases in each group. In accordance with the guidelines for the treatment of septic shock, early goal-directed therapy (EGDT), rehydration in the control group was treated with the guide of central venous pressure (CVP); observation group was received pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) monitoring, and rehydration was treated according to the GEDVI and extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), i.e. GEDVI was maintained in 650-800 mL/m2, EVLWI was not obviously increased compared with the basic value and without the emphasis of CVP. Initial acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ ) score, sequential organ failure score (SOFA), procalcitonin (PCT), mean arterial pressure (MAP), lactic acid (Lac) and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2); serial Lac, central venous to arterial carbon dioxide pressure (Pcv-aCO2), fluid balance, the amount of noradrenaline accumulation, PaO2/FiO2 after 6, 24 and 48 hours resuscitation; mechanical ventilation time, incidence of acute heart failure, ICU hospitalization time and 28-day mortality were recorded. Results There was no significant difference in gender,age, APACHE Ⅱ score, SOFA score, primary disease, infection site and basal PCT, MAP, Lac, PaO2/FiO2 between the two groups. Compared with the control group, 6 hours Lac, Pcv-aCO2 recovery, positive fluid balance, noradrenaline accumulation and PaO2/FiO2 of the observation group showed no significant difference; positive fluid balance 24 hours in the recovery was significantly reduced (mL: 2919.80±986.44 vs. 3991.40±933.53), Pcv-aCO2 significantly decreased [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 5.55±1.43 vs. 7.10±2.38], PaO2/FiO2 significantly improved (mmHg: 194.80±28.57 vs. 177.65±23.46), and noradrenaline accumulation was increased significantly (mg: 40.99±20.69 vs. 27.31±19.34) with statistically significant difference (all P < 0.05); the blood level of Lac 48 hours in the recovery was significantly decreased (mmol/L: 1.16±0.89 vs. 1.85±1.01), Pcv-aCO2 (mmHg: 5.35±1.18 vs. 6.70±2.34), and PaO2/FiO2 (mmHg: 215.75±33.84 vs. 190.60±32.89) were further improved, the positive fluid balance was significantly reduced (mL: 3141.55±1245.69 vs. 4533.85±1416.67, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, mechanical ventilation time (days: 3.65±1.31 vs. 4.50±1.19), ICU hospitalization time (days: 5.80±1.67 vs. 7.15±2.30) was significantly shorter in the observation group (both P < 0.05), acute heart failure rate was decreased significantly (5.0% vs. 30.0%, P < 0.05), but the 28-day mortality showed no statistical significance (25.0% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.311). Conclusions Compared to the conventional EGDT methods, fluid resuscitation under the guidance of GEDVI in elderly patients with septic shock with less liquid loading, can achieve better oxygenation and reduce heart failure, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and play an important significant guidance for elderly patients' fluid resuscitation with septic shock.