Objective To assess true vocal fold (TVF) length and cricothyroid distance(CTD) with ultrasonography in male-to-female (MtF)transsexual voice surgery.Methods Five MtF transsexuals were divided into two groups according to their voice change surgery methods.High-frequency ultrasonography was used to measure the length of true vocal folds and cricothyroid distance.Measurements were compared pre-and post-surgery, and correlations with fundamental frequency (F0) were analyzed.Results The ultrasonography measurements clearly showed the laryngeal structure and TVF measurement marks.After vocal fold shortening and retrodisplacement of anterior commissure(VFSRAC) surgery, the ultrasonographic measurements showed that the shortening length of TVF were 0.37 cm(21%),0.69 cm(37%) and 0.40 cm(25%), respectively.The CTD in ultrasonographicimages were 1.0 cm pre-surgery of cricothyroid approximation (CTA) and-0.33 post-surgery of CTA.The displacement of cricoid cartilage was 1.33 cm, which was consistent with the laryngeal CT image.Conclusion Both TVF length and CTD can be shown by high-frequency ultrasonography, which can be used to quantitatively assessment and follow-up MtF transsexual voice surgery.

With the development of the proteomics technology, more and more tumorous labeled substrates have been discovered and applied to clinical practice. This can provide the forepart diagnosis of tumor and prognosis monitoring with the reliable evidence. A summary is given of the study strategy of proteomics and its application in the prostatic carcinoma research.
Animals ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Proteomics ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To evaluate the application of infrared fluoroscopic navigation guiding pedicle screwfixation of thoracic-lumbarspine.Methods The pedicle screw fixation of thoraic-lumbar spine was adopted in 32 patients,including 19 cases with thoracic-lumbarspine fractures,5 cases with protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc or vertebral canal stenosis,8 cases with lumbar spine slippage.The timefor pedicle screwfixation and amount of bleeding were recorded.The pedicle screwposition was assessed with post-operative CTby using An-drewgrade.Results Totally148 screws were fixed in 32 cases successfully,including10 screws in T11,20 in T12,18 in L1,36 in L2,16 inL3,26 in L4,28 in L5,and 14 in S1.According to andrewgrade,165 screws were inⅠgrade(98%),2 inⅡgrade,and 1 inⅢ grade.Nonerve and spinal cord damage was observed after operation.The average time of per pedicle screwfixation was(10?2.4) min.The averageamount of bleeding was(400?52.3) ml in thoracic-Lumbar Spine fractures,(200?36.8) ml in protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc orvertebral canal stenosis,and(300?44.6) ml in Lumbar Spine slippage.Conclusion Infrared fluoroscopic navigation can improve the pre-cision of pedicle screw fixation of thoraic-lumbar spine,reduce the amount of bleeding,and shorten the operative time.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of polymorphism at the -238 and -308 position of the TNF-alpha promotor region on the clinical outcome of thalidomide (Thal)-based regimens for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSThe polymorphism at the -238 and -308 position of the TNF-alpha promotor region of 168 MM patients treated with Thal-based regimens were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Genotypes were tested for association with overall response by logistic regression, and survival was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTSIn TNF-alpha -238 position, 11 (6.5%) patients had GA genotype and 1 (0.6%) AA genotype. In TNF-alpha -308 position, 19 (11.3%) had GA genotype and 1 (0.6%) AA genotype. In univariate analysis, the TNF-alpha -238 GA + AA genotypes were associated with a significantly prolonged progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.017), and a better overall survival (OS) (P = 0.150). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that TNF-alpha -238 polymorphic status was an independent prognostic factor for prolonged PFS (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONThe TNF-alpha -238 polymorphic status is associated with a favorable clinical outcome in MM patients treated with thalidomide-based regimen. The polymorphism status of TNF-alpha gene might be of promise for developing a more informative stratification system for MM.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Prognosis ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Thalidomide ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

This study aims to clarify out the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan. Chemical constituents of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan identified by UPLC Q-TOF, were submit to Molinspiration, PharmMapper and KEGG bioinformatics softwares for predicting their absorption parameters, target proteins and related pathways respectively; and the gene chip and real time-PCR were carried out to investigate the expression of inflammatory genes on lung tissue of guinea pigs or human bronchial epithelial cell lines. The predicted results showed that 19 of the 24 absorbable constituents affected at 9 inflammation-related pathways through 11 protein targets; Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan treatment can significantly reduce the infiltration of cytokines through ERK1 gene and 5 inflammatory pathways (Focal adhesion, Fc epsilon RI, Toll-like receptors, NK cell-mediated cytotoxic, and ERK/MAPK). The results of real time-PCR further confirmed that the anti-inflammatory effects of Qingfei Xiaoyan Wan were due to active ingredients such as arctigenin, cholic acid and sinapic acid intervened focal adhesion, Fc epsilon RI signaling and ERK/MAPK pathways. The novel approach of 'drug-target-pathway' will present an effective strategy for the study of traditional Chinese medicines.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line ; Cholic Acid ; pharmacology ; Coumaric Acids ; pharmacology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Female ; Furans ; pharmacology ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Lignans ; pharmacology ; Lung ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Receptors, IgE ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptors ; metabolism

Danshen,an efficacious agent for cardiovascular diseases,has been found to play an essential role in kidney injury.In the present study,the effect of Danshen on cisplatin-induced renal dysfunction was investigated in a mouse model.Danshen was administered to mice at a dose of 3 g/kg 4 days before and 3 days after cisplatin treatment.A single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg cisplatin was used to induce nephrotoxicity.The mice were sacrificed 72 h after cisplatin intoxication.Biochemical parameters including serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were analyzed.Histopathological changes of kidney tissues were detected using HE staining.Antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px and SOD) and peroxidative product (MDA) were detected.Protein expressions of Nrf2 and its target genes including HO-1 and NQO1 were measured by Western blotting.The results showed that pretreatment with Danshen significantly reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in the cisplatin-treated mice.Histopathological examination showed that Danshen mitigated the renal damage induced by cisplatin.Moreover,Danshen restored the activities of antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px and SOD) and normalized the MDA contents in renal tissues.Western blotting revealed that Danshen enhanced the expressions of Nrf2 and its target genes in cisplatin-exposed mice.It was suggested that Danshen protects against the cisplatin-induced renal impairment in the mice,which is potentially associated with the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway.

This study was to assess the chronic morbidity and metabolic disordelters in 262 patients with type 2 diabetes.Of all participants,64(24.4%)coexisted with peripheral neuropathy,34(13.0%)combined with peripheral vascular disease.41(15.6%)were diagnosed as diabetic retinopathy,and 46 (17.6%)had concurrent diabetic nephropathy.In comparison with diabetic patients without these complications,those with the chronic conditions generally had higher plasma glucose,blood pressure or body mass index.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total hip and knee arthroplasty in Chinese patients who received prophylactic treatment for DVT.

METHODSWe evaluated 128 total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in 95 patients performed at our center from April 2004 to August 2004, which included 48 THAs in 43 patients and 80 TKAs in 52 patients. There were 27 men and 68 women with a mean age of 59.77 years (range, 23-78 years). All patients had been given low-molecular-weight heparin before operation and for 7-10 days post-operation to prevent DVT. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to detect DVT of bilateral lower extremities in all patients before operation and at 7-10 days after operation. Nineteen clinical factors were examined preoperation and 7-10 days post-operation in order to analyze their influences on DVT formation after surgery.

RESULTSThere were 45 patients who developed DVT after operation. The incidence of DVT in all patients was 47.4% (45/95) and the incidence of proximal DVT was 3.2%. There were more asymptomatic DVT (57.8%, 26/45) than symptomatic ones, and some patients without DVT (14%, 7/50) presented some of the DVT symptoms. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated a definite association of female, obesity (representative by BMI), cement usage and diagnosed RA with DVT with odds ratio of 10.008, 3.094, 8.887, and 0.194 respectively. Other clinical factors had no statistically significant association with DVT.

CONCLUSIONSFemale, obesity, and cement usage were the risk factors for DVT after THA and TKA, and diagnosed RA was the protecting factors for DVT after THA and TKA. Other clinical factors such as age, OA, type of implant, monolateral or bilateral operation, duration of anesthesia, surgery and bandage usage for blood control, time for immobilization et al were not the risk factors for DVT.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; adverse effects ; Bone Cements ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors ; Thrombophlebitis ; etiology ; prevention & control

Drugs, Generic ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate/therapeutic use* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Pyrimidines/therapeutic use* ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome

Although the majority of coronary artery anomalies are found incidentally and not clinically significant, the interarterial course between the major vessels of the aberrant artery may be responsible for syncope, angina, arrhythmias or sudden death. There are only a few case reports describing the origination of all the coronary arteries from a single ostium. This anomaly occurs in only 0.024%-0.044% of the population. Left coronary artery originating from the right coronary is a rare coronary abnormality. Here we report a case of acute myocardial infarction in a patient with anomalous left coronary artery originating from the right coronary artery, as was confirmed by computerized tomography angiogram, which showed that only one single coronary artery stem originating from the right sinus of Valsalva trifurcated into a right coronary artery, left circumflex artery and a hypoplastic left anterior descending artery. Subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures were performed successfully. PCI procedures should be carried out with great caution in such cases, and this condition should be managed as a left main lesion.
Coronary Angiography ; methods ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention