[Introduction and development of the Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire authorized simplified Chinese translation].

Objective: The purpose of this article is to translate and adapt the Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire (TWVQ) into the simplified Chinese version (TWVQ-SC), and to evaluate its reliability and validity. Methods: Authorized by the author of the TWVQ,the TWVQ-SC was developed through translation, back translation,and cross-cultural adaptation.The TWVQ-SC contained 30 items capturing personal perception of vocal function, psychosocial impact of voice, and degree of limitation in social participation. Subjects included 279 trans women in the experimental group, 128 cis women in the control group, and 89 trans women in the retest group. The Cronbach α and the item total correlation coefficient (ITC) were calculated to examine the internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was chosen to examine the test-retest reliability. Regarding validity, the expert judgment method was utilized to examine the content validity. Factor analysis and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used to examine the construct validity, and the discriminant validity was examined by the rank sum test of the total scores of the cisgender and transgender subjects. Results: The Cronbach's α of TWVQ-SC is 0.97 and the ITC of 30 items range from 0.40 to 0.86. The ICC is 0.84. The four principal components' cumulative contribution is 65.12%. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient to VHI-10 is 0.85 (P<0.01). The total score of the TWVQ scale in the transgender female group is significantly higher than that in the cisgender female group (U=1 580,P<0.01). Conclusion: TWVQ-SC demonstrates good reliability and validity and therefore can be used clinically as a self-assessment tool for transgender women to evaluate their own voice.

[Relationship between exposure time and cryopreservation of articular cartilage].

OBJECTIVE: To search an optimal method for improving viability of cryopreserved articular cartilage. METHODS: Articular cartilage which was sampled from the rabbits were randomly divided into 5 groups. Fresh cartilage was group I, other groups were frozen. Before frozen, other cartilage was exposured in 10% DMSO at 4 degrees C for 30 minutes(group II), 1 hour(group III), 2 hours (group IV), 4 hours(group V), then were stored in liquid nitrogen for 1 week. Viabilities of the chondrocytes were detected by Typan-blue staining, electron transmission microscope, and determination of incorporation 3H-TdR after the temperature returned to normal. RESULTS: 1. The cells were injuried at different extent after the cartilage was frozen. In group I, survival rate of cells was 96% and incorporation of 3H-TdR was (4,953.13 +/- 583.27)%, statistic difference was significant between group I and other groups(P < 0.01). The microstructure of group I was normal while other groups all had damage of the organella, 2. Structures and functions of cells in group IV were best among frozen groups. Organella were less damaged than group II, III, V, survival rate of cells was 56% and incorporation of 3H-TdR was (1,139.88 +/- 146.39)%, statistic difference was significant between group IV and group II, III, V(P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: If cartilage are exposured in 10% DMSO at 4 degrees C for 2 hours before frozen, optimal cryopreservation can be achieved.

Modulation of epidermal growth factor receptors by human alpha interferon.

Treatment of Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells with human interferon (IFN)-alpha 2 at 37 degrees C results in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and a reduction of the subsequent binding of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) at 4 degrees C. Human IFN-beta and -gamma, which exhibit little antiviral and antiproliferative activities on MDBK cells, have little effect on cell growth or the binding of 125I-labeled EGF to these cells. The binding of EGF is decreased after exposure to IFN-alpha for greater than 8 hr. Scatchard analyses of the EGF binding data indicate that a 20-hr exposure period results in a decrease in the apparent number of cell-surface EGF receptors and a reduction in the affinity of EGF for its receptor. The rate of internalization of EGF by MDBK cells does not appear to be affected by IFN treatment.

Microlymphaticovenous anastomosis for lymphedema of external genitalia in females.

Lymphedema of the female external genitalia is seldom reported and can be psychologically distressing to the patient. On the basis of microlymphaticovenous operations for lymphedema of the extremities, a new microsurgical operation has been developed for treating lymphedema of the female external genitalia and applied clinically in six patients with good results. Edema of the female external genitalia and of the lower part of the abdominal wall has been reduced postoperatively, the chylorrhea has disappeared and the blisters on the vulva have vanished. The operative techniques and the anatomic basis of the operation are described, the six patient histories are illustrated and the correlation between number of anastomoses and quality of results are discussed herein.

Microlymphaticovenous anastomosis in the treatment of lower limb obstructive lymphedema: analysis of 91 cases.

Since 1980, 110 cases of lymphedema have been treated by microlymphaticovenous anastomosis. Of these 110 patients, 91 with obstructive lymphedema of lower limbs were reviewed. The immediate and long-term results have been very satisfactory. Excellent and good results were obtained in 79.1 percent. An average reduction in circumference of the affected limb of 6.4 cm and an average reduction of excess volume of 59.2 +/- 29.5 percent (representing 703 +/- 850 ml) were obtained. Subjective symptoms and objective signs were improved. Four patients (4.4 percent) showed poor results owing to severe fibrosis of neighboring tissue; no lymphatics could be located for anastomosis. As the authors gained experience with the operation over the last 3 years, they modified the operative procedure, the anastomotic technique, and the selection of collective lymphatics. The data obtained suggest that the quality of results is proportional to the number of anastomoses. In order to obtain the best results, the criteria for selection of patients and avoidance of postoperative relapse are discussed. Finally, a test for determination of the indications for microlymphatic surgery is described.

Influence of vessel clips on vascular patency in microarterial grafts less than 0.5 mm in external diameter.

Autogenous interpositional microarterial grafting of 140 saphenous branches of albino rat femoral arteries with an external diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 mm (mean 0.45 +/- 0.06 mm) resulted in an immediate patency rate of 100%. The patency rate observed at 72 hours was 64.3%. The late patency rate was related to blade tip pressure of the double approximator clip used in the microanastomosis. The patency rate with a clip with a blade tip pressure of 22 gm was 52.7% and that with a clip with a blade tip pressure of 2 gm was 77.3%. When arterial occlusion lasted less than 30 minutes, the late patency rate was 76.9% to 78.3%. If arterial occlusion lasted for as long as 1 hour, the late patency rate of vessels occluded by a clip with a blade tip pressure of 22 gm dropped to 27.8%. These results demonstrate that an interpositional microarterial graft as small as 0.5 mm in external diameter is clinically feasible.

Microlymphaticovenous anastomosis for lymphedema of the breast.

On the basis of microlymphaticovenous anastomosis for treating lymphedema of the extremities, the authors developed a microlymphaticovenous procedure to treat congenital lymphedema of the breast and applied it clinically in two patients. The immediate results have been fairly good. The breast and its nipple had been reduced in size and to a nearly normal level. The results are maintained after a half year of follow-up. The fundamentals and techniques of the operation are described and the two case histories are reported. The cases presented here appear to be the first successful clinical attempts to treat lymphedema of the breast by microlymphaticovenous anastomosis. The clinical character of congenital lymphedema, the indication of the microlymphaticovenous anastomosis, and the factors required for success of microlymphatic surgery are discussed.

Microlymphaticovenous anastomosis for treating scrotal elephantiasis.

Scrotal elephantiasis can be physically disabling and psychologically distressing to the victim. Ablative procedure has been used in its treatment and has achieved limited success. The authors developed a microlymphaticovenous procedure to treat elephantiasis of the scrotum and applied it clinically in three patients. The immediate and long-term (13-24 months) results have been very satisfactory. The scrotum size was dramatically reduced to a nearly normal level, and subjective symptoms and objective signs were improved. The operative techniques are described, the three case histories are illustrated, and the advantages of microlymphaticovenous anastomosis, the selection of patients, and the factors required for success of the surgery are discussed.

Microvascular free transfer of iliac bone based on the deep superior branches of the superior gluteal vessels.

The findings from dissection, injection studies, corrosion specimens, and angiograms in 300 specimens of the iliogluteal region taken from 150 cadavers are reported. These findings suggest that the deep superior branches of the superior gluteal vessels may serve a nutritive pedicle in microvascular free transfer of iliac bone. Therefore, the operative technique has been developed and applied clinically with good results. The selection of different vessels as a nutritive pedicle for the free transfer of iliac bone is discussed.

Microvascular free transfer of iliac bone based on the deep circumflex iliac vessels.

The findings from dissections, injection studies, and angiograms of 180 specimens of the anterior portion of left and right iliac crests taken from 90 cadavers are reported. These findings suggested that the deep circumflex iliac vessels were suitable for use as a nutritive pedicle in microvascular free transfer of iliac bone. Therefore, the technique of microvascular free transfer of iliac bone based on these vessels was developed and applied clinically in 2 cases with good results. The advantages and disadvantages of using the superficial circumflex iliac vessels or the deep circumflex iliac vessels as the vascular pedicle for iliac grafts also are discussed.