AIM: To investigate the effects of early application of thymosin peptide alpha 1 on lymphocyte subsets after operation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-six patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were randomly divided into control and treatment groups for this study. Thymosin α1 at dose of 1.6 mg was injected subcutaneously on day 1, 3, and 5 after operation in treatment group. The percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in both groups were counted before operation and on day 1, 4, and 7 after hepatectomy. RESULTS: CD4+ cell population and CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased, but CD8+ increased after operation in control group (P<0 05). In thymosin peptide alpha 1 treatment group, there was no statistical difference in the percentages of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+/CD8+ before and after operation. In addition, thymosin α1 significantly increased CD4+ cell population and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (P<0 05). CONCLUSION: Operation suppresses the immune function in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Thymosin α1 increases CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets in patients after operation.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between post-stroke urinary incontinence(UI)and 1 year stroke outcomes.Methods One hundred and thirty consecutive cerebral stroke survivors were classified into 2 groups according to their incontinence status at 1 to 10 d after onset.The patients'baseline characteristics,1 year mortality rate,abilities in the activities of daily living(ADL)and Modified Rankin Scale(mRS)scores were compared.Multivariate analysis was applied to highlight UI risk factors and correlations between UI and 1 year outcomes.Results Total anterior circulation syndrome(TACS)numbers and National Institutes of Health stroke assessment (NIHSS)scores in the UI group exceeded significantly those in the non-UI group,and both were significantly associated with initial UI.The 1 year mortality rate,patients'ADL dependence and mRS scores in the UI group exceeded those in the non-UI group significantly.Initial UI was also significantly associated with the 1 year outcome independently,as well as with age＞75 years,Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project(OCSP)classification and initial NIHSS score.Conclusion UI is common in the patients with TACS and higher initial NIHSS scores.Initial UI predicts a poor 1 year outcome,SO treatment should be strengthened.

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of cyclosporine A against cerebral ischemia in a rat model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Methods Fifty-two adult male SD rats, weighted 250-280 gram, were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group (group A, n=6), PBS control group (group B, n=23) and cyclosporine A group (group C, n=23). Group C received hypodermic injection of cyclosporine A 10mg/kg daily after surgery and group B re?ceived equal volume of PBS instead. Modified Neurological Severity(mNss)scores were used to assess the neurological deficits at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days following cerebral ischemia. The infarct volume were measured 3 days after reperfu?sion. The neurons, reactive microglia and astrocytes around the infract area were detected by immunofluorescence at 3 and 30 days after surgery. Results Modified Neurological Severity scores were significantly lower in group C than group B at the third(P=0.003),seventh (P=0.011),Fourteenth (P=0.000),twenty-first (P=0.003) and thirtieth (P=0.004) days after surgery. cyclosporine A reduced infarct volume, reactive microglia and astrocytes while increased survived neurons (P<0.001) in ischemic penumbra 3 and 30 days after reperfusion (all P<0.001). Conclusion Continuous injection of cyclosporine A not only protects neurons against ischemia damage but also improves neurological functional recovery af?ter acute stage of damage, possibly through reduction of reactive microglia cells and proliferation of astrocytes.

[Objective] To optimize the conditions of the extracting process of Hujin Granules. [Methods] The orthogonal design was applied. With the total emodin and the total anthraquinone (TA) content as the parameters for the alcohol-extraction, the concentration of alcohol, the volume of solvent and the extracting time were used for optimization of alcohol-extraction. With the total polysaccharide (TP) as the parameters for water-extraction, the soaking time, the volume of water and the extracting time were used for optimization of water-extraction. [Results] The optimum conditions of alcohol-extraction were: extracting with 70% alcohol 245 mL for 2 hours and extracting twice. The optimum conditions of water-extraction were: extracting with 80 mL water (not for soaking) for 1.5 hours, extracting 3 times. [Conclusion] The results indicate that the extracting process is rational and feasible, and can provide evidence for the extracting process of Hujin Granules.

ObjectiveTo verify the reliability of the mouse model of cerebral cortical microinfarct induced by two-photon microscopy and to explore its pathological changes.MethodsSeventeen male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a microinfarct group (n=11) or a sham operation group (n=6).A thinned cranial window of 3 mm diameter was performed over the cerebral cortex with a high-speed micro-drill until the small blood vessels were clearly observed under a dissecting microscope.Then, a permanent single cortical penetrating arteriole occlusion was induced with a gradually enhanced ultrashort laser irradiation through the thinned cranial window with two-photon microscopy.At 7 days after modeling, the cerebral microinfarct volume was measured with HE staining, and the neuron loss, activation of glial cells and deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine were assessed using immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe target vessels of cerebral cortex in 8 (72.7%) mice were occluded and the microinfarcts formed in the microinfarct group, and the average microinfarct volume was 317.23±20.29 μm3.There were remarkable neuron loss and microglia infiltration in the infarcted core, a large number of reactive astrocytes surrounding the infarcted lesion, and massive deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine in the peri-infarct area.No infarcts were observed in the sham operation group.The deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine in the sham operation group was significantly less than that in the microinfarct group (8.00±1.48 vs.98.38±9.10;t=23.962, P<0.001).Conclusions The mouse model of cerebral cortical microinfarct induced by two-photon microscopy is reliable, and its histopathologic changes are consistent with the pathologic features of cerebral microinfarct.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficiency and safety of femoral head reduction osteotomy for young patients with coxa magna or coxa plana.Methods Between June 2012 and September 2015,the clinical characteristics of 12 patients (13 hips) with coxa magna or coxa plana who underwent femoral head reduction osteotomy were analyzed retrospectively.There were 6 males (7 hips) and 6 females (6 hips) with average age 18.1 years (range,10-25 years).The etiology of the femoral head deformity was multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in 6 hips and Legg-Calvé-Perthes sequela in 7 hips.The head reduction osteotomy was conducted through the surgical hip dislocation approach combined with extended retinacular soft-tissue flap extending technique.All patients underwent simultaneous periacetabular osteotomy and relative lengthening of the femoral neck,of which four also underwent proximal femur derotational osteotomy.All patients received the standardized rehabilitation procedures.The postoperative complications,gaits,the range of motion (ROM) of the hip,Harris hip scores,iHOT scores and VAS were analyzed postoperatively.In addition,the lateral center-edge (LCE) angle,sphericity index and coverage rate of femoral head were assessed as well.Results The average follow-up duration was 28.8 months (range,12-45 months).All patients achieved osteotomy healing of the femoral head and greater trochanter with average healing time 3.7 months (range,3-7 months).Nine of 12 patients had significant gaits improvement.The Harris hip scores (81.08± 12.36 vs.88.38 ± 8.96,t=2.41,P=0.033),iHOT score (51.90± 15.07 vs.67.69±8.70,t=3.63,P=0.003),LCE angle (-1.82°±16.57° vs.36.02°±7.72°,t=10.52,P=0.000),sphericity index of anteroposterior pelvic radiographs (71.08％± 10.32％ vs.81.22％±8.61％,t=7.17,P=0.000) and the coverage index (48.79％±11.85％ vs.87.46％± 10.44％,t=8.56,P=0.000) were all significantly improved when compared to those preoperatively.The VAS score (4.46± 2.37 vs.1.23±0.93,t=4.25,P=0.001) was significantly decreased when compared with that preoperatively.However,for the sphericity index of 65° false profile (78.96％± 10.39％ vs.80.36％±8.42％,t=0.411,P=0.688) and the average hip ROM (264.62°± 32.05° vs.255.00°±40.31°,t=0.89,P=0.391),they did not achieve statistical significant difference.One case of femoral head necrosis site was localized at the lateral-superior part of femoral head,and there was no progression after 3 years follow-up.Moreover,no revision or total hip arthroplasty were observed due to other complications (osteoarthritis,hip pain or non-union).Conclusion The femoral head reduction osteotomy can correct deformity,improve femoral head sphericity,relieve pain and improve gaits and hip function.This procedure leads to satisfied clinical outcomes for patients with coxa magna or coxa plana in early follow-up.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of pretreatment with erythropoietin (EPO) on disordered pro- and anti- inflammatory balance in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSNinety healthy male SD rats were randomized equally into sham-operated group, SAP group and EPO pretreatment group. SAP model was induced in the latter two groups by retrograde injection of 1 ml/kg 3.5% sodium traurocholate into the biliopancreatic duct. In EPO group, 3000 U/kg EPO (1000 U/ml) was administered intravenously 1 h before SAP, and normal saline was administered in the other two groups. Serum amylase activity, interleukin-10 (IL-10)and IL-18 levels were measured at different time points after the operation. The translocation and activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the pancreatic tissue was detected using immunofluorescence staining, and pancreatic pathologies were evaluated.

RESULTSCompared with SAP group, EPO group showed a markedly decreased activation rate of NF-κB after SAP except for 12 h (P<0.05), significantly decreased serum amylase activity at 3, 6, and 12 h (P<0.05) and decreased serum IL-18 levels at 3, 6, 24 h (P<0.05), whereas serum IL-10 underwent no significant changes. The rats in EPO group showed an obviously milder pancreatic pathology than those in SAP group at 6, 12, and 24 h (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEPO can effectively inhibit NF-κB activation by regulating the inflammatory mediators and restoring the pro-and anti-inflammatory balance to alleviate SAP in rats.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Erythropoietin ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-18 ; metabolism ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pancreatitis ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the relationships between the alterations of cervical sagittal parameters and clinical outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).Methods From January 2010 to December 2015,a total of 227 patients with cervical spondylosis who undelwent ACDF in Dongfang Hospital affiliated Tongji University were analyzed in this study.There were 109 male and 118 female,with an average age of 52.2± 10.7 years (ranged from 34 to 78 years).The average duration of follow-up after revision surgery was (21.1 ±9.0) months (12-60 months).Comparing with Japanese 0rthopaedic Association (JOA) score and its improvement rate (IR),visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and neck disability index (NDI) between preoperation and 1 year follow-up.Cervical alignment was assessed with the following 3 parameters:T1 slope (T1S),Cobb's angle of C2 to C7 and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA).And compared the changes of sagittal parameters and clinical efficacy.Results At 1 year follow-up,T1S was increased from 25.4°±8.5° to 27.9°±8.2°,Cobb's angle was increased from 12.7°±8.5° to 15.3°±9.5°,SVA was increased from (21.0± 12.3) mm to (24.30± 11.4) mm,and the differences were statistical significant (P＜ 0.001).JOA score was increased from (8.5±4.0) points to (13.0±2.4) points at 1 year follow-up,however,VAS score was decreased from 2.7± 1.8 points to 0.2±0.4 points,and NDI was decreased from 48.2％±8.2％ to 27.1％± 11.1％,and the differences were statistical significant (P ＜ 0.001).Preoperatively,T1S had positive correlations with both Cobb's angle and SVA before operation (r=0.311,0.213;P=0.000,0.001),but Cobb's angle had negative correlation with SVA (r=-0.246,P=0.000).At 1 year follow-up,T1S had positive correlations with Cobb's angle and SVA (r=0.390,0.392;P=0.000,0.000),and Cobb's angle had negative correlation with SVA (r=-0.131,P=0.048).At 1 year after operation,the change value of Cobb's angle had positive correlation with the change of JOA (r=0.294,P=0.000),but negative correlation with the change of NDI (r=-0.141,P=0.034).Conclusion ACDF is effective in the treatment of cervical spondylosis which the cervical sagittal alignment remains relatively stable,and there were significant correlation between the alteration of cervical sagittal parameters and clinical outcomes after ACDF.

Objective To report the short-term outcomes of the rotational osteotomy on the base of femoral neck in treating osteonecrosis of femoral head.Methods Ten patients (10 hips) with osteonecrosis of femoral head underwent the rotational osteotomy on the base of femoral neck between March 2014 and October 2016.There were 9 males and 1 female.The average age was 29.6 years,ranging from 18 to 42 years.There were 4 patients in right side and 6 in left side.The Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) Stage was from ⅡB to ⅢC (2 cases of ⅡB,2 cases of ⅡC,1 case of ⅢA,1 case of ⅢB,4 cases of ⅢC).The following main procedures were involved in the treatment:surgical hip dislocation,the extension of retinacular soft-tissue flap to protect the main blood supply of the femoral head,anterior or posterior rotational (60°-90°) of femoral head after femoral neck osteotomy.We used three compress cannulated screws to fix the femoral neck osteotomy.The postoperative Harris hip scores (HHS),Western Ontario and McMaster College (WOMAC) score,pelvic A-P view and lateral hip view radiographic characteristics were analyzed to assess the short-term outcomes.Results The average follow-up duration was 16.3 months (7-36 months).No progressive femoral head collapse was observed in 6 patients at the last follow-up.The average post-operative intact ratio was 42.90％± 10.07％.The HHS improved from 80.00±14.93 to 86.83±6.11 (4 cases improved,1 case with no change and 1 case decreased slighdy).The WOMAC score decreased from 16.00±14.53 to 9.00±3.85 (1 cases increased,1 case with no change and 4 case decreased).The remaining 4 cases,however,had the progression of the femoral head collapse.The average post-operative intact ratio was 16.57％±6.57％.The HHS decreased from 77.75±14.66 to 60.75±17.54 (1 case improved slightly and 3 cases decreased).The WOMAC score increased from 12.75±5.06 to 22.50±8.81 (4 cases increased).Conclusion The rotational osteotomy on the base of femoral neck not only shifts the necrosis area away from weight-bearing region but also improves the post-operative intact ratio.Patients with ARCO stage ⅡB-ⅢB may achieve remission of symptoms and improvement of hip function by this surgical technique.However,for patients with ⅢC stage,we should conduct preoperative design to make sure whether the surgery is worth doing or not.Some patients may suffer from post-operative progression collapse of the femoral head.

Developmental dislocation of the hip(DDH) is one of the most serious hip diseases. Patients with unilateral DDH are prone to secondary osteoarthritis, low back pain, gait disturbance and compensatory scoliosis because of the leg length discrepancy. Total hip arthroplasty(THA) is the highly effective treatment for patients with hip pain or dysfunction caused by unilateral DDH, thus decrease the demand for hip-preserving surgeries such as capsular arthroplasty which may postpone or avoid hip replacement. However, the failure rate of THA for young patients is high and the majority of young patients may require one or more revision arthroplasties throughout their lifetime. The basic principle of capsular arthroplasty is that the femoral head wrapped by capsule is placed into a newly reamed socket on the location of true acetabulum. Therefore, hip replacement for patients with previous capsular arthroplasty becomes easier and safer than primary THA. However, the early capsular arthroplasty have been abandoned due to the relatively high rates of femoral head necrosis and hip stiffness. Ganz modified the early procedure with the technique of surgical hip dislocation in 2012, and emphasized the importance of postoperative rehabilitation. The incidence of complication, therefore, decreased greatly due to the preservation of main blood supply of femoral head as well as the proper postoperative management. In order to improve the clinical outcomes of this modified procedure, the selection of indications and surgeons′ experience should also be taken into consideration.