Objective: To verify the health advisory for short-term exposure to phenol. Methods: The method of this validation experiment was the same as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology for toxicology experiments used to determine phenol drinking water equivalent level (DWEL). Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered phenol in distilled water by gavage at daily doses of 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) from implantation (the 6th day post-mating) to the day prior to the scheduled caesarean section (the 20th day of pregnancy). The following information was recorded: general behavior; body weight; number of corpus luteum, live birth, fetus, stillbirth, and implantation; fetal gender; body weight; body length; tail length; and abnormalities and pathomorphological changes in the dams. Results: In the 60 mg/kg b.w. dose group, the mortality of pregnant rats increased with increasing doses, suggesting maternal toxicity. Fetal and placental weights decreased as phenol dose increased from 30 mg/kg b.w., and were significantly different compared those in the vehicle control group, which suggested developmental toxicity in the fetuses. However, the phenol-exposed groups showed no significant change in other parameters compared with the vehicle control group ( > 0.05). Conclusion Despite using the same method as the US EPA, a different NOEAL of 15 mg/(kg·d) was obtained in this study.
Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Female ; Fetal Development ; drug effects ; Phenol ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Toxicity Tests, Acute

AIM:To explore the effect of HbA1c level in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on the rheological properties of erythrocytes and the structure of hemoglobin (Hb).METHODS:The patients with T2DM were classified into 3 groups:the patients with good glycaemic control (group A, HbA1c<7.0%), the patients with poor glycaemic control (group B, 7.0%≤HbA1c<9.0%) and the patients with persistent hyperglycemia (group C, HbA1c≥9.0%) .The rheological properties of a single living erythrocyte were analyzed by the techniques of static imaging and anal -ysis.Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy was used to study the structure of Hb .RESULTS: Compared with group H , the roundness effect factor (REF) of erythrocytes, which was positively related with HbA1c level, was significantly increased in groups A, B and C (P<0.05).The contact area of erythrocytes in group B and all the morphological parameters of erythrocytes in group C were significantly higher than those in group H ( P <0.05 ) .There were significant differences among groups A , B and C in deformation capacity and elastic parameters of the cell membrane ( P<0.05 ) , but with no difference in the long axis and short axis between group A and group B .Compared with group H , no obvious change in the spectral pattern and spectrum peak of Hb in groups A , B and C was observed.However, the absorbance of Hb, which showed a trend of gradual decline with the increase in HbA 1c level, in group B and group C was significantly decreased as compared with group H (P<0.01), and the Hb absorbance in group C were also lower than that in group A (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:With the increase in HbA1c level, the morphology along with the deformation function of erythrocytes in T2DM changes and declines gradually , and the structure of Hb may also change .

OBJECTIVETo map the frequency and types of EGFR gene mutations present in lung cancer tissues. To evaluate the clinical applicability of a novel real-time double-loop probe PCR of which the ADx-EGFR kit is based, and to compare its performance with traditional Sanger DNA sequencing in the detection of somatic mutations of tumor genes.

METHODSA total of 208 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor samples were tested. Genomic DNA of the tissue samples was extracted and purified, and subjected to both traditional PCR amplification, Sanger sequencing of EGFR gene in exon 18, 19, 20, 21, and ADx's EGFR mutation detection kit. The mutation rates for EGFR gene in exon 18, 19, 20, 21, as well as the frequency of each mutation detected by the two methods, were analyzed.

RESULTSThe traditional Sanger DNA sequencing technique was successfully performed in 196 out of 208 (94.2%) lung cancer samples, and 22 samples (11.2%) showed EGFR gene mutations. ADx-EGFR kit was successfully used in the lung cancers of all of the 208 cases (100.0%), and 40 samples (19.2%) showed mutations. In the lung cancer samples analyzed, mutations were mainly detected in the exon 19 and exon 21 L858R point mutation, i.e. 4.8% (10/208) and 11.6% (23/208) of total mutations, respectively, and the remaining mutations were rare.

CONCLUSIONSThe success rate of ADx-EGFR real-time PCR for formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues samples is significantly higher than that of Sanger sequencing (P < 0.01). There are significant differences between the two methods. ADx-EGFR real-time PCR shows a much higher successful detection rate and mutation rate of lung cancer tissues compared with that of Sanger sequencing. As a result, the real-time PCR with ADx-EGFR kit is proved to have a good clinical applicability and a strong advantage over the traditional Sanger DNA sequencing. It is an effective and reliable tool for clinical screening of somatic gene mutations in tumors.

DNA Mutational Analysis ; methods ; Exons ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Paraffin Embedding ; Point Mutation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of oral contraceptive pretreatment (OCP) in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET.

METHODSWe randomly divided 85 patients with P-COS undergoing IVF-ET into an OCP (n = 53) and a control group (n = 32), the former received OCP, while the latter did not before the cycle. We retrospectively analyzed the data of the patients for the ovulation promoting effect of OCP and its influence on the incidence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and outcomes of IVF-ET.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, OCP significantly reduced the formation of ovarian cyst (P < 0.05), remarkably increased the duration of gonadotropin stimulation and consumption (P < 0.01) , and markedly raised the percentage of mature ova (87.92% vs 92.85%, P < 0.05). But no significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidences of moderate and severe OHSS, number of retrieved oocytes, and rates of fertilization, miscarriage and clinical pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONOCP for patients with PCOS can help to control the time of ovarian stimulation, improve the synchronism of follicular development, and increase the duration of gonadotropin stimulation and consumption, but cannot change the incidences of moderate and severe OHSS.

Adult ; Contraceptives, Oral ; therapeutic use ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; etiology ; therapy ; Ovulation ; Ovulation Induction ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate therapeutic effects of vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of soft tissue defect combined with tendon and bone exposure.

METHODSFrom October 2007 to February 2011, 397 patients (412 feet) with open ankle fracture and dislocation combined with soft tissue defected were treated by VSD. There were 301 males and 96 females with an average age of 36 years (ranging age from 20 to 73 years). According to AO classification, 74 feet were type I, 211 feet were type II, 108 feet were type III and 19 feet were type IV. The mean time from injury to operation was 5.6 h ( 2 to 12 h). The mean treatment time of was 10 months (4 to 19 months).

RESULTSOne hundred and forty-one patients were primarily healed, 97 patients were sutured at stage II. Split-thick skin grafting was performed at stage II was performed in 103 patients; free flap transplantation was performed in 25 patients. Three of the 34 patients with infection were removed steel plate; Eviscerate flap coverage wound was performed in 14 patients caused by the first metatarsal bone exposure; Toe amputation were performed in 22 cases caused by toes necrosis. Tarsometatarasl joints perforators' surgery was performed in 10 patients with forefeet necrosis. Thirty hundred and six patients were followed up from 3 to 20 months (averaged 10 months). The wounds healed well.

CONCLUSIONVSD for soft tissue defects caused by ankle injury is a simple and effective method, but can not replace debridement and transfer flap.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Fractures ; Debridement ; Drainage ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome ; Vacuum ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical results of surgical treatment for Lisfranc fracture-dislocation.

METHODSFrom January 2003 to September 2009, 57 patients with Lisfranc injuries were treated by surgical operation included 41 males and 16 females with an average age of 33.8 years old ranging from 20 to 64 years. According to Myerson's classification, there were 31 cases of middle column injuries, 15 cases of medial-middle column injuries and 11 cases of three-column injuries. Among them, 25 patients accepted the emergency operation (<24 hours) and 32 patients were treated in average 7 days (3 to 11 days) after injury.

RESULTSAll the wounds were healed primarily with a mean operative time of 50 min (30 to 70 min). All patients were followed up for 4 to 70 months (averaged 35 months). The total AOFAS scores (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society) was in averaged of(84.73 +/- 14.26). All the patients returned to normal daily life after a mean time of 5.1 months (3 to 12 months). The average AOFAS scores of 52 anatomical reduction cases was (87.63 +/- 13.71), 5 non-anatomical reduction cases was (74.31 +/- 21.96), 26 multiple column trauma cases was (76.58 +/- 11.51). Complications of osteoarthritis occurred in 8 cases, confirming it was the main complication of these injuries.

CONCLUSIONLisfranc injuries can be surgically treated well. Reduction of the middle column is the key to reestablishment the stability of the tarsometatarsal joint complex. The quality of the reduction correlated with treatment outcome.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot Bones ; injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recovery of Function ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of the proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) system in the treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

METHODSFrom September 2006 to September 2009, 90 patients (40 males and 50 females, ranged in age from 64 to 95 years with an average of 73.2 years with unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures were surgically treated with PFNA. Fifty patients had the fractures in the right hip, and 40 patients had the fractures in the left hip. The fractures were classified according to the AO classification: 11 patients were type A2.1, 21 patients were type A2.2,25 patients were type A2.3 9 patients were type A3.1,6 patients were A3.2 and 18 patients were A3.3. The patients underwent surgery within a mean of 3.2 days(ranged,2 to 20.1 days) from injury. The mean hospital stay was 12.8 days(ranged,7 to 24 days). Closed reduction was achieved in all the patients. Harris hip score were used for the evaluation of clinical effects.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was 36.8 min (ranged, 23 to 110 min) and the mean blood loss was 150 mi (ranged, 100 to 500 ml). The mean follow-up period was 12 months (ranged, 6 to 24 months). All the patients had fracture union. Sixty-nine patients got excellent reduction, 14 good and 7 bad. The mean collodiaphysial angle was 135.60 (ranged, 1260 to 1470). Postoperative complications included secondary varus in 2 patients,calcification at the tip of the greater trochanter in 5 patients, medial thigh pain in 7 patients,and screw cut-out in 1 petient. Ten patients had femoral shortness (mean 9.3 mm,ranging from 8 to 14 mm). The mean Harris hip score was (80.5 +/- 9.8). According to Harris hip scores evaluation system, 26 patients reached an excellent result, 37 good, 18 poor and 9 bad.

CONCLUSIONDue to advantages of high union rate, short operation time, and early postoperative mobilization, PFNA osteosynthesis is an idea method for surgical treatment of unstable intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Hip Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo explore the operative methods and effects of treatment of old acetabular fractures.

METHODSFrom October 2001 to October 2007, 26 patients with old acetabular fractures were treated with operation including 21 males and 5 females with an average age of 34 years ranging from 18 to 65 years. On the basis of the three-dimensional computed tomography, all cases were diagnosed and classified according to Letourne-Judet classification, 9 cases were posterior wall fracture, 3 cases were lateropulsition fracture, 7 cases were lateropulsition and posterior wall fracture, 2 cases were posterior column and posterior wall fracture, 2 were T-shape fracture, 3 were dual column fracture. These patients were treated through the anterior,posterior, combined anterior-posterior approaches. The time from injured to operation was 33 to 141 days (averaged 36.4 days). All the fractures were fixed with screws and AO reconstruction plates.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 6 to 96 months, with an average time of 32.4 months. Evaluated according to Matta criteria, the results of scores was (5.04 +/- 1.04) on pain, (5.23 +/- 0.76) on range of motion, (4.92 +/- 1.16) on walking,and tatal (5.06 +/- 0.99) on average; The functional results of hip joints were excellent in 6 cases, good in 10 cases, fair in 6 cases, and poor in 4 cases. Sciatic nerve injury was found in 2 patients,lateral femoral cutaneus nerve injury in 3 patients, necrosis of femoral head in 1 patient,infection in 1 patient, and ectopic bone formation in 6 patients.

CONCLUSIONGood clinical results can be obtained by careful selection of operative indications of old acetabular fractures in combination with proper operative approach and correct reduction and fixation.

Acetabulum ; injuries ; surgery ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo get morphologic parameters of Chinese adults through observation and measurement on axial laminas, to evaluate the feasibility of placing axial laminar screws and to introduce the technique.

METHODSRelative parameters of 28 sets of fresh Chinese adults'axial specimens, including distance from the superior and inferior entry points of axial laminar screws to the superior margins of axial laminas, superior, middle, inferior thickness and height of the axial laminas, length and angle of the axial laminar screw trajectories, distance from the entry points of axial laminar screws to the transverse foramen and central points of the inferior articular process, were measured with a digital caliper and a goniometer. Data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSAveragely, distance from the superior and inferior entry points of axial laminar screws to the superior margins of axial laminas was 5 mm and 9 mm, superior, middle, inferior thickness and the height of the axial laminas were 3.2 mm, 6.7 mm, 5.5 mm and 12.8 mm respectively, and the length of the superior and inferior axial laminar screw trajectories was 26.2 mm and 25.5 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIt is feasible and reliable to apply posterior laminar screw fixation techniques to the axes of Chinese adults. Also the C2 laminar screw fixation technique can be taken as a supplementary to conventional posterior screw fixations of C2.

Adult ; Aged ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Objective To improve the knowledge about controlling plague in cadres, masses, and the medical staff in plague affected area in Dinghian county of Shaanxi province and to assess the efforts of health education activities. Methods In 2008, the education activities carded out by the government-related departments were investigated. The awareness of plague control and assessment was obtained through a written survey, questionnaire and interviews on clinic. Results Some education activities were carried out in plague area of Dingbian county, such as training, issuing educational materials, broadcasting plague scientific educational films and arranging knowledge grand prix. The rates of knowing plague clinic, epidemiology, prevention and the "three prohibitions and three alerts to report" were as follows: the cadres were 50.50%(101/200),63.69%(414/650),78.67%(118/150), the masses were 64.71% (66/102),87.91% (269/306),76.47% (78/102) and the medical staff were 64.18% (543/846) ,68.51%(322/470),67.02%(63/94). The passing rates of the cadres, the masses and the medical staff were 70.00% (35/50),92.16% (47/51),74.47% (35/47). Conclusions Health education can strengthen health consciousness of cadres and masses and improve the ability of the medical stalf on controlling sudden epidemic situation. Reinforcing plague control knowledge and training of medical staff are still important for health education in the future.