[Correction of tibial multiplanar deformities using single Taylor external fixator combined with biplanar osteotomy].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of single Taylor external fixator combined with biplanar osteotomy on correction of tibial multiplanar deformities. Methods: Between October 2016 and December 2021, 11 patients with tibial multiplanar deformities (20 sides) were treated with single Taylor external fixator and biplanar osteotomy. Of them, 4 were male and 7 were female; the average age ranged from 13 to 33 years (mean, 21.9 years). Diagnosis included rickets severe genu varum deformity (7 cases, 14 sides), rickets severe genu valgum deformity (2 cases, 4 sides), multiple osteochondromatosis calf deformity (1 case, 1 side), neurofibromatosis medial lower leg anterior arch deformity with short of leg (1 case, 1 side). After fibular osteotomy and tibial multiplanar osteotomy, a Taylor external fixator was installed. After operation, the deformities were corrected successively and fixed completely. The osteotomy healed, then the external fixator was removed. Before operation and at 12 months after operation, the full-length X-ray films were taken. The leg-length discrepancy, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), posterior proximal tibial angle (PPTA), anterior distal tibial angle (ADTA), and tibial rotation angle were measured. The degree of lower limb deformity was scored with reference to a customized tibial mechanical axis scoring table. Results: Osteotomy was successfully completed without neurovascular injury and other complications. The external fixator was adjusted for 28-46 days, with an average of 37 days, and the external fixator was worn for 136-292 days, with an average of 169 days. Mild needle infection during the fixation period occurred in 3 sides, refracture at the distal tibial osteotomy in 1 side after removing the external fixator, and nonunion of the distal fibular osteotomy in 1 side. All patients were followed up 369-397 days (mean, 375 days). At 12 months after operation, the lower limb discrepancy decreased, but there was no significant difference ( P>0.05). MPTA, LDTA, PPTA, ADTA, and tibial rotation angle improved, and the differences in LDTA, ADTA, and tibial rotation angle were significant ( P<0.05). The score of lower limb deformity was significantly higher than that before operation ( P<0.05), and the results were excellent in 9 sides, good in 8 sides, fair in 3 sides, with the excellent and good rate of 85%. Conclusion: Single Taylor external fixator combined with biplanar osteotomy is effective in the correction of tibial multiplanar deformities.

Explore the effects of pulmonary fibrosis on sperm quality and the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway based on rat model.

Researches were reported that respiratory diseases can lead to male infertility; however, it is unclear whether there is a relationship between pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and male infertility. This study examined the influence of PF on sperm quality and its mechanisms. The key signalling pathway of male infertility caused by PF was predicted based on bioinformatics research. After modelling, we evaluated semen quality. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure the protein and mRNA expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylation-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) in rat testicular cells. Compared with group A (48.77 ± 4.67; 59.77 ± 4.79), the sperm concentration and total sperm viability of group B (8.44 ± 1.71; 15.39 ± 3.48) showed a downward trend (p < 0.05). Western blotting showed that the protein expressions of PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl2 in the testes of group B (0.30 ± 0.06; 0.27 ± 0.05; 0.15 ± 0.03) was significantly lower than those of group A (0.71 ± 0.07; 0.72 ± 0.06; 0.50 ± 0.06) (p < 0.05). The hypoxic environment induced by PF can inhibit the expression of PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl2 protein and eventually cause dysfunctional spermatogenesis.

Surface-Acoustic-Wave-Based Lab-on-Chip for Rapid Transport of Cryoprotectants across Cell Membrane for Cryopreservation with Significantly Improved Cell Viability.

Cryopreservation is essential to effectively extend the shelf life of delicate biomaterials while maintaining proper levels of cell functions. Cryopreservation requires a cryoprotective agent (CPA) to suppress intracellular ice formation during freezing, but it must be removed prior to clinical use due to its toxicity. Conventional multistep CPA loading and unloading approaches are time consuming, often creating osmotic shocks and causing mechanical injuries for biological samples. An efficient surface-acoustic-wave- (SAW-) based lab-on-a-chip (LoC) for fast loading and removal of CPAs is presented here. With the SAW-based multistep CPA loading/removal approach, high concentration (3 m) CPA can be successfully loaded and removed in less than 1 min. Results show that the technique causes the least harm to umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cells as compared to conventional method, and an average of 24% higher cell recovery rate is achieved, while preserving the integrity and morphology of the cells. This device is the first of its kind to combine high loading/unloading efficiency, high cell viability, and high throughput into one LoC device, offering not only a more efficient and safer route for CPA loading and removal from cells, but also paving the way for other cryopreservation-dependent applications.

Epidermal growth factor receptor in glioblastoma.

Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are commonly occurring in glioblastoma. Enhanced activation of EGFR can occur through a variety of different mechanisms, both ligand-dependent and ligand-independent. Numerous evidence has suggested that EGFR is overexpressed in most of primary glioblastomas and some of the secondary glioblastomas and is characteristic of more aggressive glioblastoma phenotypes. Additionally, recent studies have revealed that wild-type EGFR, and to a greater extent hyper-activating EGFR mutants induced a substantial upregulation of Fyn expression. Furthermore, it was determined that Fyn expression is upregulated across a panel of patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) relative to normal progenitor controls. Moreover, researchers are continuously involved in elucidation of novel mechanism linking EGFR EGFR-expressing glioblastoma. The present review highlights current aspects of EGFR receptor in glioblastoma and concludes that the concept of EGFR signaling and related receptors and associated factors is evolving, however, it needs detailed evaluation for future clinical applications in cancer patients.

Evaluation of nano-magnetic fluid on malignant glioma cells.

The temperature variation rule of nano-magnetic fluid in the specific magnetic field and the effect on the treatment of malignant glioma were examined. The temperature variation of nano-magnetic fluid in the specific magnetic field was investigated by heating in vitro, and cell morphology was observed through optical microscopy and electron microscopy. MTT detection also was used to detect the effect of Fe3O4 nanometer magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) on the proliferation of human U251 glioma cell line. The Fe3O4 nano MFH experiment was used to detect the inhibition rate of the tumor volume in nude mice with tumors. The results of the experiment showed that the heating ability of magnetic fluid was positively correlated with its concentration at the same intensity of the magnetic field. The results also indicated the prominent inhibitory effect of nanometer MFH on the proliferation of glioma cells, which was a dose-dependent relationship with nanometer magnetic fluid concentration. The hyperthermia experiment of nude mice with tumors displayed a significant inhibiting effect of Fe3O4 nanometer magnetic fluid in glioma volume. These results explain that iron (II, III) oxide (Fe3O4) nanometer MFH can inhibit the proliferation of U251 glioma cells, and has an obvious inhibitory effect on glioma volume, which plays a certain role in the treatment of brain glioma.

Exosomal communication in glioma - a review.

Cancer research has revealed the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the influence of the surrounding stromal cells present in the microenvironment on CSCs is still poorly understood. The latest studies on gliomas suggested that the microenvironment of human gliomas contains both glioma stem cells (GSCs) and glioma associated (GA)-mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs; (GA-MSCs). Also, studies have suggested that nano- sized vesicles, termed exosomes, have been recently observed to contribute towards intercellular communication within the tumor niche. The present review article will highlight the current view of exosomal communication in gliomas.

Inverse Association between Prediagnostic IgE Levels and the Risk of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

An inverse association between allergic conditions and glioma risk has been suggested in many epidemiological studies. However, the evidence is inadequate to draw robust conclusions for the association between prediagnostic IgE levels and brain tumors risk. The aim of this study was to provide more precise estimates for this association by meta-analysis of all published studies. Overall, 8 individual studies with 2,461 cases and 3,934 controls were included in our study. A decreased risk of brain tumors (RR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.61-0.86, P < 0.001) was observed in relation to elevated level of total IgE. The negative association was significant between elevated total IgE level and the risk of glioma (RR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.62-0.88, P = 0.001). However, no significant relationship was demonstrated between testing positive for respiratory allergen-specific IgE and brain tumors risk. In addition, the role of prediagnostic IgE levels in brain tumors risk did not alter in men and women. The present study suggests that increased level of total prediagnostic IgE but not respiratory allergen-specific IgE plays a protective role in brain tumors risk, glioma in particular. More studies are warranted for further elucidation of the meningioma risk related to prediagnostic IgE levels.

Reproductive factors in relation to risk of brain tumors in women: an updated meta-analysis of 27 independent studies.

Previous studies on the association between reproductive factors and brain tumor risk in women have provided inconclusive findings. Thus, an updated meta-analysis was performed to obtain more precise risk estimates for brain tumor regarding several common reproductive factors. A comprehensive literature search for relevant publications in the PubMed and Embase databases was carried out from their inception up to June 20, 2014. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. There were 27 independent studies with a total of 12,129 cases and 1,433,915 controls included into the present meta-analysis. We found that an elevated risk of brain tumors (RR=1.17, 95% CI 1.06-1.29, P=0.002), particularly glioma (RR=1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.54, P<0.001), was related to older age at menarche. Interestingly, stratified analysis by type of brain tumors showed that the longer duration of breast feeding was associated with the risk of meningioma negatively but glioma positively (for meningioma: RR=0.76, 95% CI 0.64-0.91, P=0.002; for glioma: RR=1.70, 95% CI 1.14-2.55, P=0.010). No significant association was observed when estimating the roles of other reproductive factors including parity, age at first birth, menopausal status, and age at menopause in brain tumorigenesis. Our study suggests that older age at menarche is a risk factor of brain tumors and glioma in particular. Additionally, more studies are warranted to further elucidate roles and mechanisms of common reproductive factors in the risk of brain tumors.

Association between the G870A polymorphism of Cyclin D1 gene and glioma risk.

Previous studies have shown the association of the Cyclin D1 (CCND1) G870A polymorphism with glioma risk, but the findings are inconsistent and inconclusive. To shed some light on the findings across individual studies and acquire a quantitative assessment of this association, we conducted a meta-analysis of all published case-control studies thus far. Four independent studies with a total of 690 cases and 1,014 controls were identified after a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Wanfang databases. The strength of the association between the CCND1 G870A polymorphism and glioma risk was estimated by the pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (95 %CIs). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity was also performed. Overall, a statistically significant association was found between the CCND1 G870A polymorphism and glioma risk in three genetic models (ORA vs. G = 1.178, 95 %CI 1.025-1.354, P OR = 0.021; ORAA vs. GG = 1.328, 95 %CI 1.007-1.750, P OR = 0.045; ORAA + AG vs. GG = 1.253, 95 %CI 1.006-1.516, P OR = 0.044). In subgroup analysis, the pooled ORs suggested that the CCND1 G870A polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of glioma in Caucasians under the heterozygote and dominant genetic models (ORAG vs. GG = 1.329, 95 %CI 1.001-1.766, P OR = 0.049; ORAA + AG vs. GG = 1.332, 95 %CI 1.019-1.740, P OR = 0.036). The meta-analysis suggests that the CCND1 G870A polymorphism is a risk factor for the development of glioma.

[Advancement of rotational alignment of femoral prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the concept and clinical applications of rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) so as to avoided the postoperative complications caused by rotational alignment. METHODS: The clinical and experimental research literature about rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in TKA was extensively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Femoral prosthesis malrotation can lead to flexion gap unbalanced and undesirable patellar track. Rotation alignment of the femoral prosthesis is defined with radiological and computer assisted technique at pre- and post-operation, which can make the rotation alignment of the femoral prosthesis and the function of the knee favorable. CONCLUSION: In recent years, many surgical skills and new techniques of defining the rotational alignment are developed, and good clinical results are achieved.

[Meta analysis of the relationship between tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and human papillomavirus infection].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Previous researches showed that human papillomavirus (HPV) infection was closely related to tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). But the results of these studies have great differences because of different research methods. This study was to evaluate synthetically the relationship between OSCC of Chinese and HPV infection by meta analysis. METHODS: From Jan. 1990 to Apr. 2003, 44 references reported about the relationship between tumorigenesis of OSCC of Chinese and HPV infection were collected from Chinese Biomedical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System for Compact Disc (CBMdisc). There were 10 references accorded with research criteria which was case-control study, and detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fisher and meta analysis were used to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze these references synthetically. RESULTS: The synthetic qualitative analysis by Fisher showed there was significant association between the tumorigenesis of OSCC and HPV infection (P< 0.005). The synthetic quantitative analysis by meta analysis revealed that the combined odds ratioes (ORc) for HPV, and HPV16 infection of OSCC were 8.89 (3.62-21.80), and 6.81 (2.18-21.32) times that of normal oral mucosa. The mean positive rates of HPV, and HPV16 detection in OSCC were 49.02% (36.48%-61.57%),and 45.74% (31.94%-59.54%) higher than that of normal oral mucosa. CONCLUSION: Human papillomavirus infection, especially HPV16, will increase the risk of tumorigenesis of OSCC.

[Treatment of operation of carotid body tumor and glomus jugular tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characteristics and outline of surgery for carotid body tumor and glomus jugular tumor. METHOD: Incisions of anterior border of sterno-mastoid muscle was made for simple carotid body tumor. A big S shape incisions and infratemporal fossa approach were employed which exposure the jugular foramen and apex of petrous for glomus jugular tumor or suffered carotid body tumor and glomus jugular tumor simultaneously in same side. RESULT: Five cases of carotid body tumor were removed thoroughly and the internal carotid artery were intact reserved. In 5 cases of glomus jugular tumor 3 cases were removed thoroughly, other 2 cases of glomus jugular tumor were palliative operation, the remnant tumor have not increased in size after 1 to 3 years follow up. CONCLUSION: Chemodectoma have some genetic characteristic. Surgical intervention is the cardinal method of treatment.

[Two cases of ectopic thyroid tumor].

We report our experience with 2 cases of ectopic thyroid tumor and on the basis of literature review, attempting to investigate the origin, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of this disease.