Safety and efficacy of a new procedure for treating traumatic iliopsoas hematoma: a retroperitoneoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment is often recommended for traumatic iliopsoas hematoma. Open surgeries lead to severe surgical trauma, and minimally invasive surgeries cannot completely remove the hematoma. A new treatment protocol for traumatic iliopsoas hematoma by retroperitoneoscopic approach has been introduced. The goal of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic approach used to remove iliopsoas hematoma. METHODS: Between January 2009 and July 2012, 13 patients were diagnosed of traumatic iliopsoas hematoma. Retroperitoneoscopic surgeries were performed on all patients to remove the hematomas after admission. The size of hematoma, VASA score and neurologic status were dynamic evaluated before and after surgery. Soft tissue damage and complications caused by retroperitoneoscopic approach also were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: We performed retroperitoneoscopic surgery to remove traumatic iliopsoas hematoma successfully on 13 patients without complications. The mean procedure time was 52.5 ± 13.4 min, and mean blood loss was 30.7 ± 9.2 ml. Hematoma was completely removed confirmed by ultrasound after surgery. Pain in the affected lower abdominal and thigh immediately was relieved totally for ten patients and partly for three patients after surgery. Quadriceps strength was restored to grade 5 and pain completely disappeared 2 months postoperatively on all patients. Numbness along the femoral nerve distribution disappeared for 11 patients and improved for 2 patients until the last follow-up. None of 13 patients suffered from infection or a new hematoma during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic approach is a safe and effective procedure alternative to conventional surgical approach for treating traumatic iliopsoas hematoma in terms of complete removal of hematoma, minimal invasiveness, absence of radiation, and rapid recovery.

Diploid and tetraploid genomes of Acorus and the evolution of monocots.

Monocots are a major taxon within flowering plants, have unique morphological traits, and show an extraordinary diversity in lifestyle. To improve our understanding of monocot origin and evolution, we generate chromosome-level reference genomes of the diploid Acorus gramineus and the tetraploid Ac. calamus, the only two accepted species from the family Acoraceae, which form a sister lineage to all other monocots. Comparing the genomes of Ac. gramineus and Ac. calamus, we suggest that Ac. gramineus is not a potential diploid progenitor of Ac. calamus, and Ac. calamus is an allotetraploid with two subgenomes A, and B, presenting asymmetric evolution and B subgenome dominance. Both the diploid genome of Ac. gramineus and the subgenomes A and B of Ac. calamus show clear evidence of whole-genome duplication (WGD), but Acoraceae does not seem to share an older WGD that is shared by most other monocots. We reconstruct an ancestral monocot karyotype and gene toolkit, and discuss scenarios that explain the complex history of the Acorus genome. Our analyses show that the ancestors of monocots exhibit mosaic genomic features, likely important for that appeared in early monocot evolution, providing fundamental insights into the origin, evolution, and diversification of monocots.

[Study on ultraviolet upconversion emissions of Gd3+ induced by Tm3+ under 980 nm excitation].

Series of Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped GdF3 powders were synthesized through an easy and mild hydrothermal method. The phase and purity of powders were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) (Rigaku RU-200b). The morphologies of the samples were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE SEM) (Hitachi S-4800). The ultraviolet (UV) up-conversion (UC)emission spectra were recorded by a fluorescence spectrophotometer (Hitachi F-4500) with a 980 nm semiconductor continuous wave laser diode as the excitation source. And the luminescent dynamics was measured by excitation with 980 nm using an optical parameter oscillator (OPO) laser pumped by a pulsed Nd : YAG laser with a pulse duration of 10 ns, repetition frequency of 10 Hz, and the signal was recorded by using a monochromator and an oscillograph. Under 980 nm excitation, Gd3+, acting as a kind of host ion in the studied system, and its UV UC emissions were observed and studied. The luminescent dynamics of the characteristic emission of Gd3+ (311.6 nm, 6P7/2 --> 8S7/2) was explored and studied. The luminescent dynamics analysis results indicated that, on UV UC emissions of Gd3+, Yb3+ ions served as primary sensitizer ions successively transferring energy to Tm3+ to populate the 3P2 level. Then, Tm3+ ions served as secondary sensitizer ions transferring energy to populate the multiple 6 I(J) states of Gd3+ 3P2 --> 3H6 (Tm3+): 8S7/2 --> 6 I(J) (Gd3+). Further, 6D(J) levels were populated through other energy transfer processes between Gd3+ and Yb3+ or Tm3+. Finally, UV UC emissions from the excited 6D9/2, 6 I(J), 6P5/2, and 6P7/2 states to the ground state 8S7/2 were observed. Meanwhile, Tm3+ acted as activator in its own UC emissions, and the article did not put emphasis on those except the 3P2 and 1 I6 levels to the ground state 3 H6 transitions. Especially, the dependences of UV UC emissions of Gd3+ on the Yb3+ concentrations, the Tm3+ concentrations, the annealing temperatures, and the excitation power densities of the 980 nm semiconductor continuous wave laser diode were studied, too.

One-stage reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects in the hands using multidigit, chimeric, lateral arm, perforator flaps.

PURPOSE: To describe our experience using microsurgically fabricated, multilobed, chimeric, lateral arm (LA) flaps to reconstruct hand injuries with complex, multidigit, soft tissue defects and to evaluate the morbidity and esthetic and functional outcomes of the donor sites. METHODS: We performed a single center, retrospective analysis of 21 patients with hand wounds treated from October 2013 to February 2016. All patients underwent reconstruction using multilobed, chimeric, free, LA flaps. A self-reported questionnaire was used to assess donor site morbidity and satisfaction with the esthetic and overall functional result. Outcome measures were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, static 2-point discrimination score, and visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The study included 21 patients (20 males and 1 female), with an average age of 32.14 years (range 18-45 years), who sustained traumatic injuries in road traffic accidents (n = 2) or industrial devices (n = 19). The average DASH score was 28.25 ±â€¯2.3, the average 2-PD score was 7.20 ±â€¯1.30, and the average visual analogue scale (VAS) was 0.38 ±â€¯0.40. All 21 patients had sensory disorders at the donor site. Postoperative donor site complications comprised wound dehiscence (n = 1) and hematoma (n = 3). The patient-rated satisfaction score for the donor site was 5.40 ±â€¯0.90, and 70% of the patients would undergo the same surgery again. CONCLUSION: Microsurgical fabrication of multilobed, chimeric, LA flaps can exhibit sensory recovery and minimal pain but may cause hematoma and sensory disorders at the donor site. The flaps are a viable alternative for the reconstruction of complex, multidigit, soft tissue defects of the hands.

TrkA regulates the regenerative capacity of bone marrow stromal stem cells in nerve grafts.

We previously demonstrated that overexpression of tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) promotes the survival and Schwann cell-like differentiation of bone marrow stromal stem cells in nerve grafts, thereby enhancing the regeneration and functional recovery of the peripheral nerve. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of TrkA in bone marrow stromal stem cells seeded into nerve grafts. Bone marrow stromal stem cells from Sprague-Dawley rats were infected with recombinant lentivirus vector expressing rat TrkA, TrkA-shRNA or the respective control. The cells were then seeded into allogeneic rat acellular nerve allografts for bridging a 1-cm right sciatic nerve defect. Then, 8 weeks after surgery, hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that compared with the control groups, the cells and fibers in the TrkA overexpressing group were more densely and uniformly arranged, whereas they were relatively sparse and arranged in a disordered manner in the TrkA-shRNA group. Western blot assay showed that compared with the control groups, the TrkA overexpressing group had higher expression of the myelin marker, myelin basic protein and the axonal marker neurofilament 200. The TrkA overexpressing group also had higher levels of various signaling molecules, including TrkA, pTrkA (Tyr490), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2), pErk1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204), and the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. In contrast, these proteins were downregulated, while the pro-apoptotic factors Bax and Bad were upregulated, in the TrkA-shRNA group. The levels of the TrkA effectors Akt and pAkt (Ser473) were not different among the groups. These results suggest that TrkA enhances the survival and regenerative capacity of bone marrow stromal stem cells through upregulation of the Erk/Bcl-2 pathway. All procedures were approved by the Animal Ethical and Welfare Committee of Shenzhen University, China in December 2014 (approval No. AEWC-2014-001219).

[A novel red phosphor (La3PO7:Eu3+) prepared by solid state method].

Novel red phosphor, Eu3+ -doped oxyphosphate (La3 PO7:Eu3+), was synthesized by a solid state method under high temperature. All the starting materials were analytical grade. La2O3, EuO3 and (NH4)2HPO4 weighed in appropriated molar ratios and ground in an agate mortar. Then the powder was treated under 1000 degrees C. The crystal phase of La3PO7:Eu3+ was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) using a Cu target radiation resource (lamda = 1.54078 ?) and exhibited prominent peaks accordant with JCPDS standard card (33-0720) of La3PO7 in monoclinic phase. Emission and excitation spectra of La3PO7:Eu3+ were recorded at room temperature using a fluorescence spectrometer (Hitachi F-4500). Under 254 nm excitation, intense red fluorescence was observed from La3PO7:Eu3+, which was assigned to the (5)D0-->(7)F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. The intensity of the (5)D0-->(7)F2 transition is stronger than that of the (5)D0-->(7)F1 transition, showing that the Eu3+ ions were in the non-centrosym-metric sites in La3PO7. The CommissionIn-ternational DeL" Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of La3PO7:Eu3+ is (0.63,0.37) in the red area of CIE1931 XY chromaticity coordinate graph and close to that of Y2o3:Eu3+, but the cost of La3PO7 host is lower. This novel material may have potential applications in plasma display panels and Hg-free fluorescent lamps in the future.

Accessory Anteromedial Portal may not Provide Clinically Superior Results Compared with the Anteromedial Portal in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Techniques using the anteromedial portal (AMP) and accessory anteromedial portal (AAMP) are commonly used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single-bundle ACL reconstruction using the AMP or AAMP technique to drill the femoral tunnel. The records of 157 patients who underwent single-bundle ACL reconstruction using the AMP or AAMP technique between 2011 and 2015 were reviewed. The femoral tunnel clock-face position and femoral tunnel and tibial tunnel anterior-posterior (AP) inclination angles were assessed on axial or AP magnetic resonance images. At last follow-up, the Lachman test and pivot-shift test were used to evaluate AP and rotational stability, respectively. The Lysholm knee scoring scale and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form were used to evaluate clinical and functional results. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in patient age, sex, follow-up period, or affected side distribution. The mean femoral tunnel inclination angle was 31.13 ± 8.06 degrees in the AMP group and 30.17 ± 9.02 degrees in the AAMP group (p = 0.513). The tibial tunnel inclination angle in the AMP group (16.28 ± 7.89 degrees) was not different from that in the AAMP group (13.70 ± 6.08 degrees). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, Lysholm knee scoring scale, or IKDC scores. The AAMP technique was not clinically superior to the AMP technique in ACL reconstruction. This is a retrospective comparative study and its level of evidence is III.

[Luminescence of Eu3+ ions in nanocrystalline zirconia].

Zirconia doped with 1 mol% Eu3+ and annealed at 600, 800 and 1 000 degrees C and zirconia doped with 1 mol%, 3 mol%, 5 mol% Eu3+ and annealed at 800 degrees C were prepared by co-precipitation method; luminescence of Eu3+ ions was investigated under 394 nm excitation, and the emission of 5D0 -->7F2 was peaked at 604 nm in zirconia annealed at 600 and 800 degrees C, however, peaked at 610 nm in the sample annealed at 1 000 degrees C. By studying omega2 of 5 D0 --> 7F2, the authors found that omega2 increased with increasing annealing temperature. When monitored with 604 nm, the authors found that the contribution of population of 5L6 level to the luminescence of 5D0 --> 7F2 increased with increasing annealing temperature. By investigating the luminescence in the samples doped with 1 mol%, 3 mol% and 5 mol% Eu3+ ions, we found that the emission of 5D0 --> 7F1 transition for the sample doped with 3 mol% Eu3+ ions was a broad band peaked at 597 nm.

[Up-conversion luminescence in nanocrystalline zirconia co-doped with Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions].

Nanocrystalline zirconia co-doped with Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions was prepared by co-precipitation. Up-conversion luminescence of the samples doped with different Tm3+ concentrations was investigated under a 980 nm LD excitation. When x = 0.2 and 0.4, the luminescences of the two samples were mostly the same: strong blue up-conversion peaked at 474 nm and very weak red up-conversion were observed, corresponding to the transitions of 1G4 --> 3H6 and 1G4 --> 3F4 respectively. However, there was no luminescence of x = 1. Blue up-conversion luminescence of 0.2 mol% Tm3+-ions-doped nanocrystalline zirconia under different annealing temperatures was investigated. Blue up-conversion emission grew stronger with annealing temperature increasing. With pumping current increasing, blue up-conversion emission grew stronger too. By studying the sources of blue up-conversion, we concluded that it was three-photon process.