OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneal locking plates in treating Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2010 and October 2012, 38 calcaneal fractures with Sanders type II or III were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with calcaneal locking plate. According to the Sanders classification, 15 fractures were classified as type II, 23 fractures as type III. The patients were divided into two groups (group A and B) according to the different fixed methods. Sustentaculum tali was fixed with one screw in group A, including 13 males and 5 females, with a mean age of (38.56±8.03) years old (ranged, 25 to 55). And sustentaculum tali was not fixed in group B, including 16 males and 4 females, with a mean age of (42.35±8.29) years old (ranged, 29 to 53). Clinical effects were evaluated according to the changes of Böhler's angle and the Maryland Foot Score and VAS score.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 20 months with a mean of 14 months. Böhler's angles and subtalar joints obtained satisfactory reconstruction in all patients. One year after operation, the mean Maryland Foot Score was 88.61±7.59 in group A; and was 82.40±9.24 in group B; Maryland Foot Score of group A was higher and foot functional rehabilitation was better than group B. The mean VAS score was 13.39±11.47 in group A; and was 22.50±13.10 in group B; VAS score of group A was lower and foot pain was less than group B.

CONCLUSIONSustentaculum tall screw fixation has advantages of strong fixed strength, high stability, less postoperative pain, rapid functional recovery in treating Sanders type II and III calcaneal fractures.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function

Objective To study the FT-IR fingerprint characteristics of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province; To provide references for identification and application of Hedysari Radix in different producing counties. Methods FT-IR fingerprints of 110 batches of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province were collected in the wave number range of 4000–400 cm-1. The common pattern of the fingerprints were analyzed, and the similarity analysis were used to analyze the FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties. The FT-IR fingerprint characteristics of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province were compared. Results The rank of average similarity of FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties was Tanchang County > Li County > Xihe County > Wudu District > Zhang County > Min County > Longxi County >Weiyuan County, and Hedysari Radix from Longxi County and Weiyuan County were very different from other producing counties. The FT-IR fingerprints of Hedysari Radix from Longnan City (Tanchang County, Li County, Xihe County and Wudu District) were similar, and the average similarity was relatively high; while that from Dingxi City (Zhang County, Min County, Longxi County and Weiyuan County) were similar, and the average similarity was relatively low. Hedysari Radix from every producing county had a significant and unique FT-IR fingerprint characteristic. Conclusion The identification and application of Hedysari Radix from 8 producing counties in Gansu Province can be realized according to FT-IR fingerprint characteristics.

The aim of this study is to develop a convenient and effective method for the identification of heparin from pigs (include Sus scrofa domestica Brisson and Sus scrofa riukiuanus). Based on sequences of D-loop region of pigs and the other animals, two pairs of highly specific primers were designed for distinguishing heparin of pigs from other animals. The primers were employed to amplify D-loop region of DNA templates extracted from pig and seven other animal species that amounted to 49 samples. AS-PCR (allele-specific PCR) and ARMS (amplification refractory mutation system) were all suitable for fast identification of heparin from pig with anneal temperature at 54-56 degrees C in AS-PCR and with wider anneal temperature in ARMS,at 52-58 degrees C. An about 170 bp DNA fragments were amplified from separately pigs and whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other samples under the same reaction condition.
Alleles ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Drug Contamination ; prevention & control ; Heparin ; analysis ; genetics ; Horses ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Quality Control ; Ruminants ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sus scrofa ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo access the effect of wireless biofeedback therapy on bruxism.

METHODSTen voluntary bruxers (seven female and three male, mean age 26.1 years) were invited to participate in this clinical research. An electric resistance strain gauge was embedded in the position of canine of a maxillary splint for monitoring the abnormal clenching or grinding movement of teeth during sleep. The relevant details of bruxism events, including value of relative force, occurring time and duration were recorded and analyzed by the receiver device and monitoring program respectively. Meanwhile, for the purpose of nerve system and muscle relaxation, a watch-style device around the patient's wrist will vibrate to alert the patient of teeth grinding or clenching if the value of biting force and duration exceed the threshold. Total average episodes of bruxism and duration was observed during eight hours sleep, and was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance in SPSS 19.0 by the end of 6th week and three months following biofeedback therapy.

RESULTSThe average episodes of bruxism has declined dramatically from (9.8 ± 2.2) times to (3.0 ± 1.2) times during one night (P < 0.05), and the average duration of bruxism events was reduced from (20.7 ± 12.2) s to (10.0 ± 3.4) s (P < 0.05) after six weeks biofeedback therapy. By the end of three months, the average episodes declined to (2.9 ± 1.2) times (P < 0.05), and the average duration decline to (9.2 ± 2.9) s (P < 0.05) with contrast to preliminary night.

CONCLUSIONSThe pressure-based wireless biofeedback device is able to monitoring clenching and grinding of bruxism. The results suggest that biofeedback therapy may be an effective, novel and convenient measure for treatment of bruxism according to several months therapy.

Adult ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; instrumentation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occlusal Splints ; Sleep Bruxism ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo present 4 cases of hemophilic pseudotumor and to investigate the treatment outcome.

METHODSFour cases of hemophilic pseudotumor were reviewed. The patients were treated by internal medicine combined with surgery and followed up for two years. The feature and diagnosis of the disease were analyzed and the treatment outcome was evaluated.

RESULTSAll of the 4 cases were misdiagnosed with a history of bleeding before operation. One patient was bleeding after biopsy without replacement therapy. One patient was presented with gingival bleeding and anaemia. The final diagnosis of hemophilia A in all the 4 cases was confirmed by the blood test (VIII deficiency). After infusion of factor VIII, operation was performed on all cases. There was no recurrence after two years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSIt should be aware of the rarely encountered disease which is prone to be misdiagnosed. Under factor-deficient replacement therapy, surgical management is the most effective way in preventing from bleeding and avoiding progressive expanding of pseudotumor.

Child ; Diagnostic Errors ; Hematoma ; surgery ; Hemophilia A ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its complex in the urine of the patient with breast cancer.

METHODSUsing substract gel electrophoresis and western-blot analysis, expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-9/NGAL complex in breast cancer (n = 97), breast benign (n = 41) and normal (n = 60) were observed.

RESULTSThere MMP-9 and MMP-9/NGAL complex expressions were 76.29% and 64.95% in breast cancer, 46.34% and 43.90% in breast benign, and 23.33% in normal respectively. The MMP-9 and MMP-9/NGAL complex expressions were higher in breast cancer than those in breast benign and in normal (chi(2) = 7.456, P < 0.01). MMP-9 and MMP-9/NGAL complex expressions in urine of breast cancer had not any relationship with tumor size, TNM stage, patient age, menopause status as well as ER status, but was correlated to lymphatic node status (chi(2) = 5.206, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMMP-9 and MMP-9/NGAL complex expressions in urine are significant in estimating lymphatic node metastasis in breast cancer and a valuable early prognostic factors and screening in breast cancer.

Acute-Phase Proteins ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; urine ; Carrier Proteins ; urine ; Female ; Humans ; Lipocalin-2 ; Lipocalins ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; urine ; Oncogene Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins

Objective To investigate the feasibility of determining the breast cancer extension with diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI)and the apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC).Methods Fifty-nine lesions(57 patients)were studied by using DWI and ADC measurement before surgical excision.The cancer extension was investigated on ADC maps with different b values(b=500 and 1000 s?mm~(-2))according to the threshold values discussed before.The lesion extension on dynamic enhanced images and on DWI was used for comparison.The tumor extension was determined by calculating two lines.Line one:the maximum diameter of lesion.Line two:perpendicular line crossing the midpoint of line one.All measurement was compared with the pathologic specimen.Results(1)There were 48 invasive ductal carcinomas,6 ductal carcinomas in situ with small invasive foci,3 mucinous carcinomas,and 2 medullary carcinomas.(2)The low ADC value on ADC maps at b=500 and 1000 s?mm~(-2)was described as cancer extension.The measurement results were compared to pathologic figures and the pattern of correlation was categorized into 3 groups:Group 1,the area of low ADC values was almost the same as the pathological tumor extension; Group 2(overdiagnosis),the area of low ADC values was wider and more than 20% larger than the area of tumor extension;Group 3(false negative),no area of low ADC value was observed.There were no significant difference between DWI with b of 500 and b of 1000 s?mm~(-2)(X~2=0.160,P=0.689;X~2= 0.172,P=0.679)in Groups 1 and Group 3.There were 2 lesions in Group 2,which were consistent in DWI with b of 500 and b of 1000 s?mm~(-2).There were 14 misdiagnosed lesions,including overdiagnosis in 2 lesions and false negative in 12 lesions.Eight lesions measured at DWI with b of 500 and b of 1000 s? mm~(-2)were not consistent.Five lesions were diagnosed correctly at DWI with b of 500 s?mm~(-2),three of them were duetal carcinomas in situ with small invasive foci.(3)The extension of lesion on dynamic enhanced imaging was measured at 4 minutes after enhancement,and was compared with the extension measured at the same slice on DWI map.Pathologic figures were regarded as the gold standard.The extension of 47 lesions(80%)on enhanced images accorded with DWI.The abnormal area on DWI,which was consistent with pathologic figures,was wider than the area on enhanced images in 8 lesions.Of them,3 lesions were mucinous carcinomas and 5 lesions were grade 3 invasive ductal carcinomas.Conclusion DWI and ADC value have the potential in evaluating the cancer extension.The accuracy of extension measured on DWI map was better than that on dynamic enhanced images for some kinds of breast cancers.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of renal ultrasound scan (RUS) and 99Tcmdimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in children with acute pyelonephritis (APN). Methods In all, 165 children with initial clinical diagnosis of APN, aged from 1.5 months to 11 yrs ( median 20 months), were included in the study, all of which were examined with RUS and DMSA renal scientigraphy. The diagnosis with DMSA renal scientigraphy results was taken as the standard reference to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of RUS. Results Of 99 out of all 330 kidneys that were found abnormal on DMSA renal scientigraphy, 31 were abnormal on RUS. Of the rest normal kidneys on DMSA scans renal scientigraphy, 4 were abnormal on RUS. Thus diagnostic sensitivity of RUS for APN was 31.3%(31/99) and specificity was 98.3% (227/231). Conclusions Although RUS provides with high diagnostic specificity for children with APN, its low sensitivity may underestimate the clinical evaluation of APN.More often than not, 99Tcm-DMSA renal scientigraphy is a clinical necesscity for the definite RUS diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between auto-immune antibodies and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients of Shen deficiency syndrome (SDS), thus providing clinical evidence for further researches on molecular biological mechanisms of RA patients of SDS.

METHODSTotally 451 RA patients were assigned to the SDS group and the non-SDS group. Their general conditions (including gender, age, duration, and age of onset), C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet (PLT), disease activities (DAS28), auto-antibodies [rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodies, anti-nuclear antibody (ANA)] were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS(1) The scores for EST, PLT, and DAS28 were obviously higher in the SDS group than in the non-SDS group (P < 0.05, P <0. 01). (2) The level of average RF was (697.32 +/-1 061.38 IU/mL) in the SDS group, higher than that in the non-SDS group (439.91 +/- 672.24 IU/mL, P <0.01). There was no statistical difference in anti-CCP antibody between the two groups (P >0.05).(3) The ANA positive rate of RA patients was 29. 63% (120/405). It was 37.19% (74/199) in RA patients of SDS and 22. 33% (46/206) in RA patients of non-SDS, showing statistical difference between the two groups (P <0.01). (4) The odds ratio for high level RF positive and ANA positive was 1. 574 and 2. 059 folds in RA patients of SDS as high as that in RA patients of non-SDS.

CONCLUSIONSRA patients of SDS would have higher risk of having auto-immune antibodies, fastened development, more worsen joint damage, and more poor prognosis. Its mechanisms might be closely associated with autoimmune tolerance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; blood ; diagnosis ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of transfection of recombinant human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) into human hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFbs), and to observe NO secretion and the synthesis of collagen I and III.

METHODSRecombinant human eNOS with karyocyte expressive vector was constructed in vitro, then was transfected into HSFbs which was isolated from hypertrophic scar tissues and cultured in vitro (T group). The HSFbs untransfected (normal culture) or transfected with empty-vector was used as control group and empty-vector group respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS, collagen I and III was determined by Realtime PCR. The content of NO was determined by NO assay kit.

RESULTSThe expression of eNOS mRNA in T group was 5.92 +/- 0.21, which was obviously higher than that in empty-vector group (0.98 +/- 0.13, P < 0.05). The expression of collagen I mRNA (0.76 +/- 0.15), and collagen III (0.79 +/- 0.08) in T group was significantly lower than those in empty-vector group (0.98 +/- 0.15, 1.02 +/- 0.12, P < 0.05, respectively). The content of NO in T group (36.1 +/- 0.8 micromol/L) was obviously higher than that in empty-vector group (28.4 +/- 1.0 micromol/L, P < 0.01) and control group (27.7 +/- 1.3 micromol/L, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHSFbs can be the target cells for eNOS gene transfection. The transfected cells can express eNOS and produce NO, which inhibit the synthesis of collagen.

Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Collagen Type III ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection