[Analysis of the long-term outcomes of different secondary surgeries for recurrent stress urinary incontinence after Burch colposuspension].

Objective: To analyze the long-term outcomes of different secondary surgeries in women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after Burch colposuspension. Methods: Between February 2004 to February 2010, five women with recurrent SUI after Burch colposuspension in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively followed up, and the long-term outcomes of secondary surgeries were analyzed. Subjective cures of Burch colposuspension and secondary surgeries were assessed by patients' self-reported incontinence symptoms and patient global impression of improvement questionnaire; objective cure, improvement or failure were determined by 1-hour pad test. Results: Three women underwent tension-free vaginal tape-retropubic (TVT) as the secondary surgery, one underwent tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O), and one underwent single-incision tension-free vaginal tape-Secur (TVT-Secur). The follow-up period of five women was (14.6±2.4) years (range: 10.8 to 16.9 years). Three women undergoing TVT secondary surgery were subjectively cured; while the other two women undergoing TVT-O or TVT-Secur were not subjectively cured, but the woman undergoing TVT-O was objectively improved. Conclusions: It is feasible for women with recurrent SUI after Burch colposuspension to receive the secondary surgery. Our limited data suggests that TVT could be considered.

[The effects of macrophages with high expression of TL1A on activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in vitro].

Objective: To explore the effects of macrophages with high expression of TL1A on the activation and proliferation of HSCs in vitro. Methods: The Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) and peritoneal macrophages (PMs) from wild type (WT) and myeloid-overexpressed TL1A transgenic mice were isolated, differentiated and activated. HSCs were harvested from activated macrophages culture supernatant (CM). HSCs were detected by immunofluorescence and real-time Q-PCR. And the proliferation was detected by CCK-8 and BrdU assay kit. The levels of IL-1ß and PDGF-BB in macrophage culture supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: BMMs-derived CM-intervention HSCs were used to detect the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day respectively by immunofluorescence method. There was no significant difference between the two groups on the 2 nd and the 6th day, P > 0.05; On day 4, the CM/Tg group was significantly higher than that of CM/WT group, P < 0.01; the results of CMs derived from PMs were consistent with the above trend. The expression of α-SMA mRNA on the 2nd, 4th and 6th day was detected by real-time Q-PCR method using BM-derived CMs. No significant difference was found between the groups on the 2nd day (P > 0.05).α-SMA mRNA increased further on the 4th and 6th day, and the level of CM/Tg in CM/Tg group was significantly higher than that in CM/WT group (P < 0.05). The detection results of CMs derived from PMs were consistent with the above trend. The results of CCK-8 assay and BrdU assay showed that the proliferation rate of HSCs in CM Tg group was significantly higher than that in CM/WT group (P < 0.01). The CMs derived from PMs were used to interfere with HSCs. And the results were consistent with the above trend. For BMMs, the levels of IL-1ß and PDGF-BB in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + IFNγ/Tg culture supernatant were significantly higher than those in the LPS+IFNγ/WT group (P < 0.01). For the culture supernatants of PMs Liquid test results consistent with the above trend. Conclusion: Macrophages with high expression of TL1A could enhance the activation and proliferation of HSCs by increasing the secretion of IL-1ß and PDGF-BB.

Can algae-based technologies be an affordable green process for biofuel production and wastewater remediation?

Algae is a well-known organism that its characteristic is prominent for biofuel production and wastewater remediation. This critical review aims to present the applicability of algae with in-depth discussion regarding three key aspects: (i) characterization of algae for its applications; (ii) the technical approaches and their strengths and drawbacks; and (iii) future perspectives of algae-based technologies. The process optimization and combinations with other chemical and biological processes have generated efficiency, in which bio-oil yield is up to 41.1%. Through life cycle assessment, algae bio-energy achieves high energy return than fossil fuel. Thus, the algae-based technologies can reasonably be considered as green approaches. Although selling price of algae bio-oil is still high (about $2 L-1) compared to fossil fuel's price of $1 L-1, it is expected that the algae bio-oil's price will become acceptable in the next coming decades and potentially dominate 75% of the market.

[Pediatric intranasal and skull base needle endoscopic surgery and examination].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the values of the application of needle endoscope in pediatric nasal cavity and skull base surgery. METHOD: Using a kind of needle endoscope with the diameter of 1.9 mm and digital video image system, 8 cases of pediatric nasal cavity and skull base examination and surgery were performed. RESULT: Of 3 cases of congenital choanal atresia, one improved, the others recovered. One case (2.5 years old) of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae was successfuly repaired under the 1.9 mm needle endoscope. There were 2 cases of congenital meningoencephalocele. One was 1 month newborn. When the diagnosis was confirmed by needle endoscopy and CT scan, the operation was postponed. The other got endoscopic operation and had recovered. Of 2 cases of skull base malignant tumour, the diagnosis was confirmed by intranasal biopsy under needle endoscope. CONCLUSION: With the application of needle endoscope, the pediatric skull base surgery and examination can be performed in the narrow nasal cavities and sinuses with less invasion and good result.

[Compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve at the wrist].

OBJECTIVE: To study the compression factor and clinical manifestation of the compression of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve. METHODS: Anatomic study was done on both sides of 2 cadavers and 6 cases of hand injury in the debridement, the origin, course, branch of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve were observed. From 1995 to 1998, 12 patients of compression of the palmar cutaneous branch were treated by local blockade injection. Among them, there were 8 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 65 years and the course of disease ranged 3 to 12 months. RESULTS: The palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve was (1.3 +/- 0.1) mm in diameter, it could be pulled when the wrist dorsi-extension. All cases showed good recovery of hand function and no recurrence after 4 to 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: The palmar cutaneous branch compression syndrome is closely related to the local anatomy. The diagnosis is definite according to the clinical symptoms and signs, and local blocking is effective on the most patients.