A novel bioassay to assess bioactivity of PEG-rhGH using Nb2-11 cells / 药学学报

In this study, we established a novel bioassay to determine the activity of polyethylene glycolated recombinant human growth hormone (PEG-rhGH) using Nb2-11 cells. We performed experimental condition optimization and methodological verification, and then detected the relative potency of PEG-rhGH products using this method. We demonstrated that the bioactivity of PEG-rhGH in promoting Nb2-11 cell proliferation displays a dose-response relationship, which conformed to the four-parameter model. Using PEG-rhGH reference as a control, we analyzed the relative potency of six batches of PEG-rhGH products, as well as linearity, regression and parallelism of the obtained curves. The relative potency of six batches of PEG-rhGH products was 95% to 105%. These results implied that the new bioassay established may be employed in quality control of PEG-rhGH products.

Comparison of the outcomes between open and hybrid approaches in the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms repair / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm is one of the most challenging aortic diseases. Open surgical repair remains constrained with considerable perioperative morbidity and mortality. The emergence of a hybrid approach utilizing visceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm repair has brought an alternative for high-risk patients. This study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between hybrid and open repairs in the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.@*METHODS@#In this retrospectively observational study, patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm treated in a single center between January 2008 and December 2019 were reviewed, of whom 11 patients with hybrid repair, and 18 patients with open repair were identified. Demographic characteristic, operative data, perioperative morbidity and mortality, freedom from reintervention, and long-term survival were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In the hybrid repair group, the patients with dissection aneurysm, preoperative combined renal insufficiency, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 or more were significantly overwhelming than in the open repair group. The operation time of debranching hybrid repair was (445±85) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was (955±599) mL. There were 2 cases of complications in the early 30 days after surgery, without paraplegia, and 1 case died. The 30-day complication rate was 18.2%, and the 30-day mortality was 9.1%. The operation time of the patients with open repair was (560±245) min, and the intraoperative blood loss was (6 100±4 536) mL. Twelve patients had complications in the early 30 days after surgery, including 1 paraplegia and 4 deaths within 30 days. The 30-day complication rate was 66.7%, and the 30-day mortality was 22.2%. The bleeding volume in hybrid repair was significantly reduced compared with open repair (P < 0.001). Besides, the incidence of 30-day complications in hybrid surgery was significantly reduced (P=0.011). During the follow-up period, there were 4 reinterventions and 3 deaths in hybrid repair group. The 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year all-cause survival rates were 72%, 54%, and 29%, respectively. In open repair group, reintervention was performed in 1 case and 5 cases died, and the 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year all-cause survival rates were 81%, 71%, and 35%, respectively. There was no significant difference between hybrid repair and open repair in all-cause survival and aneurysm-specific survival.@*CONCLUSION@#Hybrid approach utilizing visceral debranching with endovascular aneurysm repair is a safe and effective surgical method for high-risk patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. The incidence of early postoperative complications and mortality is significantly reduced compared with traditional surgery, but the efficacy in the medium and long term still needs to be improved.

Effect on p53 and caspase-3 of hippocampal neuron in the rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury treated with electroacupuncture preconditioning at the acupoints on the basis of and relationship / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the protective effect and apoptosis-related mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) preconditioning in the rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.@*METHODS@#Sixty male SD rats, 3 months old, at SPF grade were randomized into a sham-operation group, an ischemia-reperfusion group and an EA preconditioning group, 20 rats in each one. In the ischemia-reperfusion group and EA preconditioning group, the modified MCAO suture-occlusion method was adopted to exert ischemia for 2 h and reperfusion for 3 h, and thus, the models of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were prepared on the right side. In the sham-operation group, the right common carotid artery was separated and no more management was given. In the EA preconditioning group, EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) was provided before modeling, with disperse-dense wave, at 2 Hz/100 Hz, 1 mA in intensity. The stimulation for 15 min was taken as one unit (meaning electric stimulation for 10 min and needle retaining for 5 min without electric stimulation). Such preconditioning was repeated continuously for 4 times, totally for 1 h. The neuroethologic condition was assessed in 3 h of reperfusion in each group. TTC staining method was used to determine the percentage of cerebral infarction zone, TUNEL method was to determine the apoptosis index (AI) in hippocampal neuron and the immunohistochemical method (IHC) was to determine the protein expression of p53 and caspase-3.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the sham-operation group, the neuroethologic score, the percentage of cerebral infarction zone and neuronal AI were all increased obviously in the ischemia-reperfusion group (all <0.01). Compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group, the neuroethologic score, the percentage of cerebral infarction zone and neuronal AI were all reduced obviously in the EA preconditioning group (all <0.01). p53's nuclei and caspase-3's cytoplasms were stained. The positive cells of both of them were brown-yellow in color. In the sham-operation group, the structure of the right hippocampal CA3 neurons of rats was clear, with few positive cells. In the ischemia-perfusion group, the positive expressions of p53 and caspase-3 in the right hippocampal CA3 were increased obviously (<0.01). Compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group, the positive expressions of caspase-3 and p53 in the right hippocampal CA3 were significantly reduced in the EA preconditioning group (<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture preconditioning relieves ischemic injury in brain tissue of rats probably through inhibiting the expressions of p53 and caspase-3 to resisting neuronal apoptosis.

Spinal cord stimulation for non-reconstructable chronic ritical limb ischemiae: a case report / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Peripheral arterial disease is one part of systematic atherosclerosis, becoming a heavy burden of human health. Patients in end stage of peripheral arterial disease manifest critical limb ischemia with severe rest pain and refractory ulcer. Surgical revascularization is the optimal option for patients with critical limb ischemia to avoid major amputation and improve quality of life. However, some of them contraindicate surgical revascularizations owing to coexisting morbidities. Spinal cord stimulation is reported to be effective and minimally invasive in pain relief and limb salvage for patients with limb ischemia. Here, we reported one case with chronic critical limb ischemia and gangrene of foot who underwent spinal cord stimulation, which was, as we knew, the first case in China. He was diagnosed with Burger disease and accompanied with history of stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Castleman's disease. It showed totally occlusive lesions of external iliac and femoropopliteal artery and no outflows below the knee in the computed tomography angiography. Given the complexity of lesions and weakness of the patient, spinal cord stimulation was indicated for control of rest pain and limb salvage. As specified, we implanted the temporary neurostimulator as the first step. After 2 weeks from temporary neurostimulator implantation, the patient achieved significant relief in intensity of pain, and acquired 20% improvement of transcutaneous oxygen pressure. The satisfactory results indicated probable effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation, thus we performed the permanent neurostimulator implantation 1 month later. During 2 months of follow-up, the patients stabilized at Fountain III with pain relief with one kind of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. In our case, we confirmed the significant validity of spinal cord stimulation for pain control and consequent improvement of quality of life in non-reconstructable chronic critical limb ischemia. Furthermore, we reviewed that a number of published studies suggested that spinal cord stimulation be a reasonable option for patients with critical rest pain, especially who contraindicated surgical revascularization. The application of spinal cord stimulation in pain relief for non-reconstructable chronic critical limb ischemia was approved by related guidelines released by European Society of Cardiology and Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus. Further investigations are required for assessing the long-term outcome in limb salvage.

Expression of vascular intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and its significance in children with bronchiolitis / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in serum and induced sputum supernatant in children with bronchiolitis, as well as its role in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis in children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 67 children with bronchiolitis who were diagnosed and hospitalized between July 2015 and January 2017 were enrolled. According to the diagnostic criteria, these children were divided into mild group with 22 children, moderate group with 24 children, and severe group with 21 children. A total of 20 children who underwent physical examination were enrolled as healthy control group. ELISA was used to measure the level of ICAM-1 in serum and induced sputum supernatant in the children with bronchiolitis in the acute stage and recovery stage and the children in the healthy control group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the healthy control group, the mild, moderate, and severe bronchiolitis groups had a significant increase in the level of ICAM-1 in serum and sputum (P<0.01). Compared with the mild group, the moderate and severe groups had a significant increase in the level of ICAM-1 in serum and sputum (P<0.01). Compared with the moderate group, the severe group had a significant increase in the level of ICAM-1 in serum and sputum (P<0.01). Compared with the children with bronchiolitis in the acute stage, the children in the recovery stage had a significant reduction in the level of ICAM-1 in serum and sputum (P<0.01). The correlation analysis showed that in the acute stage, the level of ICAM-1 in serum was positively correlated with that in sputum in children with bronchiolitis (r=0.875, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ICAM-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis and is associated with disease severity.</p>

The Blood Oxygenation T₂* Values of Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinomas as Measured by 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Association with Tumor Stage

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between the blood oxygenation T₂* values of resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) and tumor stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 48 ESCC patients and 20 healthy participants who had undergone esophageal T₂*-weighted imaging to obtain T₂* values of the tumors and normal esophagi. ESCC patients underwent surgical resections less than one week after imaging. Statistical analyses were performed to identify the association between T₂* values of ESCCs and tumor stages. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests revealed that the T₂* value could differentiate stage T1 ESCCs (17.7 ± 3.3 ms) from stage T2 and T3 tumors (24.6 ± 2.7 ms and 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, respectively; all p(s) 0.05) or between N stages (N1 vs. N2 vs. N3: 24.7 ± 6.9 ms vs. 25.4 ± 4.5 ms vs. 26.8 ± 3.9 ms, respectively; all p(s) > 0.05). The former tests illustrated that the T₂* value could differentiate anatomic stages I and II (18.8 ± 4.8 ms and 26.9 ± 5.9 ms, respectively) or stages I and III (27.3 ± 3.6 ms). ROC analysis depicted the same cutoff T₂* value of 21.3 ms for either differentiation. In addition, the Student's t test revealed that the T₂* value could determine grouped T stages (T0 vs. T1–3: 17.0 ± 2.9 ms vs. 25.2 ± 6.2 ms; T0–1 vs. T2–3: 17.3 ± 3.0 ms vs. 27.1 ± 5.3 ms; and T0–2 vs. T3: 18.8 ± 4.2 ms vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 ms, all p(s) < 0.001). ROC analysis indicated that the T₂* value could detect ESCCs (cutoff, 20 ms), and discriminate between stages T0–1 and T2–3 (cutoff, 21.3 ms) and between T0–2 and T3 (cutoff, 20.4 ms). CONCLUSION: The T₂* value can be an additional quantitative indicator for detecting ESCC except for stage T1 cancer, and can preoperatively discriminate between some T stages and between anatomic stages of this tumor.

Effects of flood stress on anthocyanins synthesis with relative enzymes and genes of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. 'Hangju' / 中国中药杂志

The study is aimed at determine the content of anthocyanins and expressions of relative genes and activity of relative enzymes. The effects of flood stress on anthocyanins synthesis with relative genes and enzymes of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. 'Hangju' were analyzed. The expression of CHS and the content of CHS presented the trend of first rising and after downward with the increase of flowering degree. The content of anthocyanins, the expression of DFR and the activity of DFR presented the trend of first downward and after rising with the increase of flowering degree. There was a positive correlation among anthocyanins,DFR gene and DFR. However there was no significant correlation among anthocyanins,CHS gene and CHS. Flood stress has significant effects on anthocyanins synthesis with relative genes and enzymes of Ch. morifolium cv. 'Hangju',but don't change the patterns of genes expression and anthocyanins and enzymes accumulation. DFR and DFR are the key gene and key enzyme of anthocyanins synthesis.

Ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis for refractory hematospermia: A report of 32 cases / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To evaluate the effect of ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis in the treatment of refractory hematospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using ureteroscopy, we treated 32 patients with refractory hematospermia by transurethral dilation of the ejaculatory duct combined with clysis of the seminal vesicle with diluent gentamicin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operation was successfully accomplished in 31 cases, with the mean operation time of 32 (26－47) minutes. The patients were followed up for 6－39 (mean 23.6) months. No complications, such as urinary incontinence and retrograde ejaculation, were found after operation. Hematospermia completely disappeared in 27 cases, was relieved in 1, and recurred in 3 after 3 months postoperatively. Those with erectile dysfunction or mental anxiety symptoms showed significantly decreased scores of IIEF-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Ejaculatory duct dilation combined with seminal vesicle clysis under the ureteroscope, with its the advantages of high effectiveness and safety, minimal invasiveness, few complications, and easy operation, deserves general clinical application in the treatment of refractory hematospermia.</p>

Inlaid labial versus bladder mucosal graft repair for complex urethral skin fistula / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To compare the effect of inlaid labial mucosal graft repair (LMGR) with that of bladder mucosal graft repair (BMGR) in the treatment of complex urethral skin fistula after hypospadias repair.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 55 cases of complex urethral skin fistula following hypospadias repair. We randomly assigned them to receive inlaid LMGR (n=36) or BMGR (n=19). After surgery, we compared the incidence of complications and recurrence rate of urinary fistula between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The success rates of operation were 91.7% and 84.2% in the LMGR and BMGR groups, respectively, and the penile appearance was desirable in both groups. Postoperative complications included 2 cases of urinary fistula and 1 case of urethral stricture in each group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the success rate of operation (P>0.05) or the incidence rate of postoperative complications (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both inlaid LMGR and BMGR yield satisfactory results in the treatment of complex urethral skin fistula. However, LMGR involves less injury in mucosa collection and is easier to perform and therefore deserves more clinical attention.</p>

Open and Endovascular Treatment of Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D Aortoiliac Occlusive Lesions: What Determines the Rate of Restenosis? / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Open surgery is the preferred approach for the treatment of type D lesions according to the Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II guideline, but endovascular solutions also appear to be a valid option in selected patients. The study aimed to identify the risk factors of restenosis after open and endovascular reconstruction of symptomatic TASC II D aortoiliac occlusive lesions (AIOLs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six patients (82 limbs) who underwent open repair and endovascular treatment (ET) for symptomatic TASC ΙΙ D AIOLs between March 2005 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Baseline characteristics, preoperative and postoperative imaging, and operation procedure reports were reviewed and analyzed. Restenosis after revascularization was assessed by duplex ultrasound or computed tomography angiogram. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, Log-rank test, and multivariate Cox regression were used to evaluate the relevance between risk factors and patency.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean duration of follow-up was 42.8 ± 23.5 months (ranging from 3 to 90 months). Primary patency rates at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year were 93.6%, 89.3%, 87.0%, and 70.3%, respectively. Restenosis after revascularization occurred in 11 limbs. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Log-rank test revealed that diabetes, Rutherford classification ≥5 th and concurrent femoropopliteal TASC II type C/D lesions were significantly related to the duration of primary patency. According to the result of Cox regression, diabetes and femoropopliteal TASC ΙΙ type C/D lesions were identified as the risk factors for restenosis after revascularization.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study demonstrated that diabetes and femoropopliteal TASC ΙΙ type C/D lesions are risk factors associated with restenosis after open and ET of TASC II D AIOLs.</p>

Study on winter dormancy of Thesium chinense and its phenological phase / 中国中药杂志

In order to explore reasonable artificial cultivation pattern of Thesium chinense, the biological characteristics and nutrients change in the process of winter dormancy of T. chinense was studied. The phenological period of T. chinense was observed by using fixed-point notation and the starch grains changes were determined dynamically by PAS-vanadium iron hematoxylin staixjing method. Soluble sugar and starch content were measured by anthrone-sulfuric acid method and amylase activity was determined by DN'S method. The results showed that the normal life cycle of T. chinense was two years. T. chinense was growing by seed in the first year, but growing by the root neck bud in the second year. During the process of dormancy, starch and soluble sugar could mutual transformation in different periods. T. chinense had sufficient carbohydrate to maintain growth and also a lot of small molecules to improve their ability to fight against adversity.

Closed reduction and three Kirschner pin fixation at the radial side for the treatment of supracondylar fracture in children with Gartland type II and type III / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the characteristics of supracondylar fracture of humerus in children and to explore the effect of closed reduction and internal fixation at radial side on the fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The children with fractures of Gartland type II and type III in our hospital from June 2010 to June 2013 were reviewed. There were 28 males and 7 females, ranging in age from 1 year and 1 month to 2 years and 6 months, with an average of 2 years and 1 month. According to Gartland classification, 19 cases were type II, 16 cases were type III. There were 3 patients with radial nerve injuries, and 5 patients with anterior interosseous nerve injuries. There were no vascular injuries. All the patients were treated with closed reduction and three Kirschner fixation at the radial side, followed by the plaster external fixation with elbowed flexion at 90 °. The X-ray examination was performed at the second day after operation. The joint function exercise began about at 2 to 3 weeks after operation when the plaster fixation was removed, and opportune time for removal of Kirschners depends on the situation of fracture healing. The operation time, nerve recovery, and the elbow joint function were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the children were followed up, and all the fractures had bony union. According to Flynn score system at the final follow-up, 28 patients got an excellent result, 4 good, 1 poor and 2 bad.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Three Kirschner fixation at the radial side for the treatment of supracondylar fracture of humerus has advantages of minimally invasive, shorter time of hospitalization, simple removal of the internal fixation and reliable therapeutic effects.</p>

Risk factors of neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China: a case-control study

Introduction：Neonatal tetanus is a major cause of neonatal mortality in many developing countries and remains a major public health problem. This study aimed to determine risk factors associated with neonatal tetanus in Wenzhou, China.Methodology：Medical records of neonatal tetanus cases from 17 hospitals over a 13-year period (2000–2012) were reviewed for potential risk factors. Controls were selected from neonates with diseases other than tetanus who were admitted to the same facility during the same period. The potential risk factors of the neonatal tetanus group were compared with the control group using univariate analysis and an unconditional logistic regression model.Results：A total of 246 neonates with tetanus and 257 controls were included in this study. Univariate analysis showed that having untrained birth attendants, home delivery, an unsterile method of delivery and being a migrant to Wenzhou were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds of having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery were significantly higher in the tetanus group than the control group (odds ratio: 1371.0; 95% confidence interval: 206.0, 9123.5).Conclusion：This study identified that the main risks of neonatal tetanus in cases from Wenzhou were having an untrained birth attendant, home delivery and an unsterile method of delivery. Preventive measures directed to these risk factors may reduce the occurrence of neonatal tetanus in the studied area.

Effect of Qingyi Chengqi Decoction on severe acute pancreatitis patients: a clinical study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the change of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients, and to study the effect of Qingyi Chengqi Decoction (QCD) on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-six SAP patients from Department of General Surgery and Department of Digestive Diseases, Qingyang People's Hospital, Gansu Province, who were in line with diagnosis standard of SAP, were assigned to the treatment group (44 cases) and the control group (42 cases) from March 2012 to May 2013. All patients received routine Western medicine. Those in the treatment group took QCD additionally. Main clinical symptoms and APACHE II were observed. The serum levels of amylase (AMY), C-reactive protein (CRP), and IAP were examined. The incidence of secondary infection rate (SIR), drainage rate (percutaneous catheter drainage and operation), mortality, and mean days in ward were also recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Main clinical symptoms were significantly improved in the treatment group. APACHE II score, serum levels of AMY, CRP, and IAP obviously decreased in the treatment group. The incidence of SIR, drainage rate, and the mortality were also significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group. The mean days in ward were also markedly shortened (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QCD could relieve inflammatory response, lower IAP, SIR, and mortality, increase the curative rate and improve the prognosis of SAP.</p>

Progress on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation for spinal cord injury / 中国骨伤

Bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) are regarded as donor cells in cell transplantation therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) for they have the ability of favourable proliferation and multi-directional differentiation, and are easily isolated and culturd and have less immunological reaction. It has been confirmed that subarachnoid space injection is the most ideal delivery technique of BMSCs. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation is safe and its reconditioning role is certain for SCI in early clinical application. The mechanism of BMSCs promoting functional recovery after SCI is probably concerned with vicarious function, nerve trophism, immunosuppression and promoting axonal regeneration by BMSCs.

Identification of chemical signals and haustorium induced of Thesium chinense / 中国中药杂志

To separate and identify chemical signals which induce Thesium chinense haustorium formation, the components of T. chinense roots secretion collected with XAD-4 resin were detected by GC-MS. The effect of DMBQ as exogenous signals to induce haustorium formation in T. chinense was studied. Fifty-three compounds of 9 types had been detected, including hydrocarbons, esters, organic acids, ketones, alcohols, nitrogen containing compounds, phenolic acids, aldehyde and quinine. It is worth noting that the 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone has the core structure of 1,4-benzoquinone, which may play an important role in the parasitic relationship of Prunella vulgaris and T. chinense: DMBQ worked effectively on inducing haustoria, but induction effects vary widely in different concentrations. DMBQ with the concentration of 1 μmol x L(-1) showed the best effect of the inducing ability with a ratio of 110.52 when treated to induce haustoria.

Discussion on needling manipulation of Chifeng Yingyuan / 中国针灸

Regarding the needling manipulation, Chifeng Yingyuan, there are different descriptions in ancient medical literature and the current teaching materials or clinical reports, especially for the understanding recorded in Jinzhenfu Poem of Golden Needle). In the current teaching materials and clinical reports, it is described that the needle is inserted deeply at first, and then shallowly; afterward, the needle tip is pushed to the middle layer and manipulated with lifting, thrusting and rotating technique, combined with twisting and flying method. After analyzing the original description in the book and the feasibility of function and operation, the authors introduced their recognition on its manipulation and techniques in this article. This manipulation should be: the needle is inserted to the middle layer, afterward, the needle body is pulled and tilted toward each of the four directions, on this basis, then twisting and flying method is applied.

Patterns of Lymph Node Recurrence after Radical Surgery Impacting on Survival of Patients with pT1-3N0M0 Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate how patterns of lymph nodes recurrence after radical surgery impact on survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. One hundred eighty consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent radical surgery, and the tumors were staged as pT1-3N0M0 by postoperative pathology. Lymph nodes recurrence was detected with computed tomography 3-120 months after the treatment. The patterns of lymph nodes recurrence including stations, fields and locations of recurrent lymph nodes, and impacts on patterns of survival were statistically analyzed. There was a decreasing trend of overall survival with increasing stations or fields of postoperative lymph nodes involved (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that stations or fields of lymph nodes recurrence, and abdominal or cervical lymph nodes involved were prognostic factors for survival (all P<0.05). Cox analyses revealed that the field was an independent factor (P<0.05, odds ratio=2.73). Lymph nodes involved occurred predominantly in cervix and upper mediastinum (P<0.05). In conclusion, patterns of lymph node recurrence especially the fields of lymph nodes involved are significant prognostic factors for survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Factor of Prunella vulgaris yield components and morphological characteristics of relationship in different populations / 中国中药杂志

Prunella vulgaris is a perennial herb whose dry spike is used for medicine in China. It is also a very important traditional medicine. Current study was conducted to the biomass components factors of P. vulgaris in the different ecological environments for the development and protection. The results showed that the contribution factor of the production in different environments was significant differences. In favorable environment, the length of leaf, numbers of leaves, height, reproductive branch number of individuals gave the greatest contribution. In transitional habitats, the diameter of stem and spike, the length of leaf contributed the most. While in the undergrowth and dry hillside, the length of root, the width of leaf, the length of spike were the main factors for biomass.

Diagnosis and surgical treatment results of angio-Behçet syndrome: an analysis of 26 patients / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the diagnosis and surgical treatment results of angio-Behçet syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of pre-operation diagnosis, surgical treatment methods and prospective efficacy of 26 patients who were diagnosed as Behçet syndrome between January 2003 and April 2011 was analyzed retrospectively. There were 23 male and 3 female patients, aging from 20 to 76 years with a mean of (37 ± 6) years. Among them, 3 patients showed the clinical symptoms as arterial stenosis or occlusion, 9 patients had aneurysm, 13 patients had phlebitis or phlebothrombosis. One patient had both aneurysm and venous thrombosis. Totally 11 patients had experienced 22 cases surgical treatment including interventional therapy for 8 cases, open operation for 13 cases and hybrid operation for 1 case.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-two patients (84.6%) were followed up from 3 months to 96 months after various surgical treatment methods. The average follow-up periond was 39.3 months. Totally, perioperative mortality was 1/11 after surgical treatment. Healing rates were 7/8 and 8/13, recurrence rates were 5/8 and 7/8 in patients with interventional therapy compared with that of experiencing open surgery respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Behçet syndrome patients combined with various vascular lesions should be thought of angio-Behçet syndrome. Choosing correct surgical treatment according to patient's condition and timing of pathological changes are the keys of gaining satisfactory results.</p>