OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided needle knife release with different pathways for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: Sixty CTS patients were randomly divided into a transverse group and a longitudinal group, with 30 patients in each group. The transverse group received the needle knife release under ultrasound above and below the median nerve along the short axis, while the longitudinal group received the needle knife release under ultrasound above the median nerve along the long axis. The patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Levine scores, and median nerve cross-section area (CSA) were assessed before treatment, on the 7th, 14th, and 30th days after treatment. The median nerve conduction indexes (motor conduction: latency [Lat], amplitude[Amp], motor conduction velocity [MCV]; sensory conduction: Lat, Amp, sensory conduction velocity [SCV]) were evaluated before treatment and on the 30th day after treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, Levine scores, and median nerve CSA were reduced in both groups on the 7th, 14th, and 30th days after treatment (P<0.05); the transverse group showed lower VAS and Levine scores and smaller CSA than those in the longitudinal group (P<0.05). On the 30th day after treatment, motor and sensory Lat was reduced (P<0.05), motor and sensory Amp was increased (P<0.05), and MCV and SCV were faster (P<0.05) in both groups. The transverse group had shorter Lat, higher Amp, and faster MCV and SCV than those in the longitudinal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The ultrasound-guided needle knife release with transverse and longitudinal pathways could both effectively alleviate pain and improve median nerve conduction in CTS patients, with the transverse pathway showing superior efficacy to longitudinal pathway.
Humans ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Adult ; Median Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Treatment Outcome ; Neural Conduction ; Aged ; Ultrasonography

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects and mechanism of mannose-binding lectin(MBL) on autophagy during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and provide the feasibility for targeting autophagy to prevent obesity and related pathological conditions in natural immunity.Methods:3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in vitro and induced to differentiation. Cell differentiation and lipid accumulation were analyzed by oil red O staining and CCK-8 was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of MBL (0, 1, 5, 10 μg/ml) on cell proliferation ability at different differentiation stages. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of MBL(10 μg/ml) on the key autophagy factors LC3B, Beclin1 and p62 protein at different stages of differentiation, and the changes of lipid droplet accumulation under the intervention of MBL were observed by oil red O staining. The protein and mRNA expression of autophagy key factors under the intervention of different concentrations of MBL were detected by Western blot and qRT-PCR. And autophagy flow analysis based on autophagic degradation was used to further illustrate the autophagic activity. The expression and phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) signaling molecules were analyzed by Western blot. Results:The results of oil red O staining showed that 3T3-L1 preadipocytes could achieve complete differentiation after 10 days of induction. CCK-8 showed that the concentration of MBL (1-10 μg/ml) in the experimental group had no effect on cell proliferation at different differentiation stages. During the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, Western blot and qRT-PCR showed that the expression of autophagy-related proteins and mRNA levels was enhanced in the MBL treated group, and presented a concentration-dependent relationship. Oil red O staining showed that the lipid droplets in adipocytes at different stages of differentiation are reduced to varying degrees under the intervention of MBL. Fluorescence microscopy results further confirmed that MBL enhanced the autophagy activity of adipocytes by increasing the synthesis of autophagosomes. Moreover, under the intervention of MBL, the phosphorylation level of AMPK was significantly up-regulated, while the phosphorylation level of mTOR was significantly down-regulated, also showing a concentration-dependent relationship.Conclusions:MBL accelerates the autophagy process during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes through AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, reduces lipid accumulation, providing a possible functional pathway for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.

Provirus integration site Moloney murine leukemia virus (Pim-1) is a proto-oncogene reported to be associated with cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. This study was to explore the neuroprotective role of Pim-1 in a rat model subjected to optic nerve crush (ONC), and discuss its related molecules in improving the intrinsic regeneration ability of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Immunofluorescence staining showed that AAV2- Pim-1 infected 71% RGCs and some amacrine cells in the retina. Real-time PCR and Western blotting showed that retina infection with AAV2- Pim-1 up-regulated the Pim-1 mRNA and protein expressions compared with AAV2-GFP group. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining, γ-synuclein immunohistochemistry, Cholera toxin B (CTB) tracing and TUNEL showed that RGCs transduction with AAV2-Pim-1 prior to ONC promoted the survival of damaged RGCs and decreased cell apoptosis. RITC anterograde labeling showed that Pim-1 overexpression increased axon regeneration and promoted the recovery of visual function by pupillary light reflex and flash visual evoked potential. Western blotting showed that Pim- 1 overexpression up-regulated the expression of Stat3, p-Stat3, Akt1, p-Akt1, Akt2 and p-Akt2, as well as βIII-tubulin, GAP-43 and 4E-BP1, and downregulated the expression of SOCS1 and SOCS3, Cleaved caspase 3, Bad and Bax. These results demonstrate that Pim-1 exerted a neuroprotective effect by promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery of RGCs. In addition, it enhanced the intrinsic regeneration capacity of RGCs after ONC by activating Stat3, Akt1 and Akt2 pathways, and inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathways. These findings suggest that Pim-1 may prove to be a potential therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of optic nerve injury.

Objective To summarize the clinical and imaging characteristics of Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) in order to improve the diagnosis of the disease.Methods The clinical and imaging features of 10 patients with RDD proved by pathology were retrospectively analyzed and the related literatures were reviewed.Results Ten patients including 7 males and 3 females,aged 8 to 54 years old,with average of 32 years old.White blood cells (BCA) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in 8 cases were normal.Eight cases manifested as painless enlarged lymph node or mass,of which 4 cases were accompanied with multisystem involvement.Three lesions involved lymph nodes,5 lesions were located in extranodal sites,while 2 lesions involved both lymph node and extranodal sites.RDD occurred in lymph nodes (n=3) manifested as multiple enlarged lymph nodes on CT imaging,showing mild or moderate the enhancement,or a heterogeneous ring-enhancement.Of 5 extranodal RDD lesions,3 cases underwent MR exmination.2 lesions manifested as subcutaneous soft tissue mass on left shoulder and anterior abdominal wall,1 lesion manifested as intracranial mass accompany with localised cranial bone destruction.Lesions in all 3 cases had poor margins and showed scatted areas of high signal on diffusion weighted images.Lesions exhibited remarkable heterogeneous enhancement on Gd-DTPA enhanced MR imaging,dural/fascia tail sign and dilated blood vessels could be found around the lesions.Intrahepatic RDD lesion showed fast washing out phenomenon on CT enhanced imaging.In 2 cases involved both lymph node and extranodal sites,1 case manifested as swelling pharyngeal lymph chain and nasopharynx,enlargement of lymph nodes in bilateral submandibular and cervical region abdominal cavity on CT imaging,the enhancement is mild and moderate,accompany with osteolytic lesions in right proximal humerus on X-ray.For the other case,CT images manifested as bilateral neck lymphadenopathy,accompanied with soft tissue mass in nasal cavity,the lesion showed mild/moderate enhancement.Conclusions RDD mostly appears in young and middle-aged men,and is rarely preoperatively diagnosed.RDD mainly manifests as painless enlarged lymph node or mass.RDD has a broad spectrum of radiographic appearance,varied according to different location of lesion.Scatted higher signal areas on diffusion weighted images in the masses and significantly heterogeneity enhancement with dilated blood vessels around the lesion could be helpful in diagnosing of extranodal RDD.

Objective To investigate the correlation between three sperm indexes and the outcome of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVT-ET) before and after semen treatment.Methods The semen derived from 298 male patients treated with IVT-ET from the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University was retrospectively analyzed.Routine analysis of semen before treatment was performed according to the WHO standard.Vitrolife density gradient centrifugation combined with upstream method was used to analyze sperm parameters after sperm analysis,and the observation and statistics were performed after fertilization and sequential culture to day 3.Results The total viability of spermatozoa before and after semen treatment,the percentage of normal spermatozoa,sperm density,and other differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05);The normal sperm morphology rate was positively correlated with fertilization rate(r=0.487,P＜0.01) and cleavage rate(r=0.250,P＜0.05);The sperm vitality of post-processed semen was positively related to the fertilization rate (r =0.249,P＜0.05,);and significantly cleavage rate (r =0.272,P＜0.05);After treatment,sperm density was positively correlated with 2 PN(r=0.609,P＜0.01) and multiple PN fertilization rates(r=0.243,P＜0.05).Conclusion Our experimental results indicate that the parameters of post-processed sperm treated at the day when the oocytes were collected may be more helpful in predicting the fertilization rate and cleavage rate of IVF-ET.Therefore,the IVF-ET treatment protocols should be chose based on the normal sperm morphology rate and sperm vitality after semen treatment.

Objective To evaluate CT findings and dynamic changes of post-traumatic intrapulmonary hematoma.Methods CT data of 43 patients with traumatic intrapulmonary hematomas were analyzed retrospectively.Results A total of 52 lesions were found in 43 patients with intrapulmonary hematomas.The majority of hematomas were located in the peripheral lung fields close to the pleura,single or multiple in number.CT showed nodular,mass,fusiform,ribbon and irregular shadows with uniform and high density in lung.There are two types of evolution: (1) The hematomas gradually reduced in size and finally disappeared;(2)The hematomas evolved into gas-liquid cyst cavity or gas cyst cavity, and then was absorbed gradually.Conclusion CT examination is helpful in the early diagnosis of post-traumatic intrapulmonary hematomas, and can monitor the morphology changes over time.

Objective To discuss the evaluation method of anti-infective therapy by clinical pharmacist .Methods Anti-infection therapy for an AECOPD patient in department of respiration in our hospital was analyzed to discuss the evaluation method of anti-infective therapy .Results The patient had indication to use antibacterial ,and combination of Amikacin and Piperacillin-sulbactam were selected as initial empirical treatment for common respiratory G --bacilli including drug resistant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,which was rationality .But the whole process of using the initial combination linked to the hospital was unreasonable .Conclusion To evaluate the rationality of anti-infection treatment ,the indication to use antibacterial need to be determined firstly ,and combined with the severity of the patient ,prior treatment ,etiology of the site of infection ,and choice of antibiotics to evaluate the rationality of initial empiric regimen secondly .For etiology positive results ,the efficacy of initial empiric therapy ,interpretation of etiology results and the clinical significance ,guidelines recommend should be com-bined ,following-up selection of drug to evaluate the rationality of follow-up treatment .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the location and characteristics of microdeletions of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) genes in infertile males with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in southern Sichuan.

METHODSMultiplex PCR was used to detect 18 sequence tagged sites (STS) involved in Y chromosome AZF microdeletions among 224 infertile males (including 134 azoospermia cases and 90 severe oligozoospermia cases) and 70 healthy males.

RESULTSAmong the 224 infertile males, the overall frequency of microdeletions was 12.1% (27/224), and were 13.4% (18/134) in those with azoospermia and 10.0% (9/90) in those with severe oligozoospermia. The most frequent microdeletions have occurred in the AZFc region (51.9%). Compared with the 6 STS loci recommended by European Academy of Andrology and European Molecular Genetics Quality Network, 22.7% more deletions were detected based on the 18 STS loci selected from the AZF region.

CONCLUSIONIdentification of Y chromosome microdeletions has a significant implication on the diagnosis of male infertility. The most frequent microdeletions have occurred in the AZFc region in southern Sichuan. To use more sequence tagged sites for the screening can improve the reliability and detection rate of Y chromosome microdeletions.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; genetics ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To explore the association between precordial skin temperature and coronary heart disease and effect of moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) on precordial skin temperature in patients with coronary heart disease. Method Thirty healthy volunteers (control group) and thirty patients with coronary heart disease (treatment group) received infrared thermal imaging examination on region A (precordial region) and region B on chest. Afterwards, all subjects were given moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) and then received infrared thermal imaging examination again. The temperatures of before and after moxibustion were compared. Result In the treatment group, there was a significant difference in comparing the average temperature in region A and B before moxibustion (P<0.05), and the difference was statistically significant after moxibustion (P<0.05). After moxibustion, there was a significant difference in comparing the average temperature in region A between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion To some extent, the precordial skin temperature reflects the blood supply condition of coronary artery. Moxibustion at Neiguan (PC 6) can change the temperature and improve the coronary blood supply.

Objective To investigate the influence of processed total motile sperm (PTMS) count of husband on clinical pregnan-cy rate of intrauterine insemination(IUI) .Methods We retrospectively analyzed a total of 229 cycles of IUI among 131 patients in our hospital during the past three years .The cycles were divided into 5 groups according to the PTMS count :group A(<5 × 106 ) , group B(5 × 106 - <10 × 106 ) ,group C(10 × 106 - <20 × 106 ) ,group D(20 × 106 - <30 × 106 ) ,group E(≥30 × 106 ) .The clinical pregnancy rates among different groups were compared .Results The clinical pregnancy rates among 131 patients of IUI was 26 .72% .The clinical pregnancy rates among 229 cycles of IUI was 15 .28% .The clinical pregnancy rate of group A was 23 .08% , the clinical pregnancy rate of group B was 15% ,the clinical pregnancy rate of group C was 18 .18% ,the clinical pregnancy rate of group D was 13 .46% ,the clinical pregnancy rate of group E was 13 .48% .There was no significant difference(P>0 .05) among five groups .Conclusion Ideal clinical pregnancy can be achieved when the PTMS count is between 3 × 106 and 5 × 106 .