Machine Learning to Dynamically Predict In-Hospital Venous Thromboembolism After Inguinal Hernia Surgery: Results From the CHAT-1 Study.

BACKGROUND: The accuracy of current prediction tools for venous thromboembolism (VTE) events following hernia surgery remains insufficient for individualized patient management strategies. To address this issue, we have developed a machine learning (ML)-based model to dynamically predict in-hospital VTE in Chinese patients after hernia surgery. METHODS: ML models for the prediction of postoperative VTE were trained on a cohort of 11 305 adult patients with hernia from the CHAT-1 trial, which included patients across 58 institutions in China. In data processing, data imputation was conducted using random forest (RF) algorithm, and balanced sampling was done by adaptive synthetic sampling algorithm. Data were split into a training cohort (80%) and internal validation cohort (20%) prior to oversampling. Clinical features available pre-operatively and postoperatively were separately selected using the Sequence Forward Selection algorithm. Nine-candidate ML models were applied to the pre-operative and combined datasets, and their performance was evaluated using various metrics, including area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Model interpretations were generated using importance scores, which were calculated by transforming model features into scaled variables and representing them in radar plots. RESULTS: The modeling cohort included 2856 patients, divided into 2536 cases for derivation and 320 cases for validation. Eleven pre-operative variables and 15 combined variables were explored as predictors related to in-hospital VTE. Acceptable-performing models for pre-operative data had an AUROC ≥ 0.60, including logistic regression, support vector machine with linear kernel (SVM_Linear), attentive interpretable Tabular learning (TabNet), and RF. For combined data, logistic regression, SVM_Linear, and TabNet had better performance, with an AUROC ≥ 0.65 for each model. Based on these models, 7 pre-operative predictors and 10 combined predictors were depicted in radar plots. CONCLUSIONS: A ML-based approach for the identification of in-hospital VTE events after hernia surgery is feasible. TabNet showed acceptable performance, and might be useful to guide clinical decision making and VTE prevention. Further validated study will strengthen this finding.

Outcomes and complications of open, laparoscopic, and hybrid giant ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: An incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery. AIM: To evaluate the outcomes and complications of hybrid application of open and laparoscopic approaches in giant ventral hernia repair. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent open, laparoscopic, or hybrid surgery for a giant ventral hernia from 2006 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The hernia recurrence rate and intra- and postoperative complications were calculated and recorded. RESULTS: Open, laparoscopic, and hybrid approaches were performed in 82, 94, and 132 patients, respectively. The mean hernia diameter was 13.11 ± 3.4 cm. The incidence of hernia recurrence in the hybrid procedure group was 1.3%, with a mean follow-up of 41 mo. This finding was significantly lower than that in the laparoscopic (12.3%) or open procedure groups (8.5%; P < 0.05). The incidence of intraoperative intestinal injury was 6.1%, 4.1%, and 1.5% in the open, laparoscopic, and hybrid procedures, respectively (hybrid vs open and laparoscopic procedures; P < 0.05). The proportion of postoperative intestinal fistula formation in the open, laparoscopic, and hybrid approach groups was 2.4%, 6.8%, and 3.3%, respectively (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A hybrid application of open and laparoscopic approaches was more effective and safer for repairing a giant ventral hernia than a single open or laparoscopic procedure.

Prediction Model of in-Hospital Venous Thromboembolism in Chinese Adult Patients after Hernia Surgery: The CHAT Score.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) events after hernia surgery influence prognosis and life quality and may be preventable. This study aimed to develop a useful model for predicting in-hospital VTE in Chinese patients after hernia surgery. METHODS: Patients after hernia surgery were retrospectively recruited from 58 institutions (n = 14 322). Totally, 36 potential predictors were involved in the regression analysis. Weighted points were assigned to the predictors of in-hospital VTE identified in the multivariate logistic regression analysis and a prediction model was established. Decision curve analysis was performed to evaluate the net clinical benefit between the established and Caprini models. RESULTS: A total of 11 707 patients were included and five variables were explored as predictors related to in-hospital VTE: varicose veins of lower extremity, history of VTE, family history of thrombosis, interruption of antithrombotic agents, and reducible hernia. The prediction model (the CHAT score) revealed a good performance metrics (c-statistic, 0.81 [95% CI, 0.80 to 0.81]; Nagelkerke R2, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.26 to 0.30]; Brier score, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.23]). The rate of in-hospital VTE after hernia surgery at low-risk (-4 points), intermediate-risk (0-1 points), high-risk (4 points) and very high-risk (≥5 points) were 0.05%, 0.39%, 0.73% and 8.62%, respectively. The CHAT score identified a considerable variability (from 0.05% to 8.62%) for in-hospital VTE among the overall population after hernia surgery. Decision curve analysis found a superior net benefit of the established model than the Caprini score. CONCLUSIONS: The CHAT score is likely to be a practical 5-item supporting tool to identify patients at high risk of in-hospital VTE after hernia surgery that might assist in decision making and VTE prevention. Further validated study will strengthen this finding.

Rationale and design of a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial of postoperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in Chinese adult patients with inguinal hernia (CHAT-3 trial).

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common causes of preventable harm for patients in hospitals. Nearly half of all VTE events was estimated to occur after surgical procedure. The Caprini risk score is the most extensively used risk assessment tool in predicting postoperative VTE, which is too complicate for surgeons to use properly in their clinical practice. METHODS: The CHAT-3 trial will be a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group trial, which is designed to identify patients at moderate or high risk of VTE after inguinal hernia surgery using the previously established three-factor model, and to use low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for VTE prevention, in comparison to the current routine assessment and practice used in those patients. Totally, 1,008 patients planned to undergo inguinal hernia surgery will be enrolled, with cluster randomization at 1:1 ratio into intervention arm and control arm. The primary outcomes are the accordance of perioperative VTE prophylaxis based on current guidelines and the rate of pharmacological prophylaxis for VTE. The secondary outcomes are the occurrences of perioperative VTE, major bleeding, mortality of patients after inguinal hernia surgery, and trend of D-dimer during the follow-up period. DISCUSSION: This study will create evidence that whether the administration based on a simple model is of efficacy and safety for VTE prophylaxis among Chinese patients underwent inguinal hernia surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The CHAT-3 trial (Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000033769).

Fault severity assessment of rolling bearing based on optimized multi-dictionaries matching pursuit and Lempel-Ziv complexity.

For the safe working of rolling bearing, this paper presents a fault severity assessment method through optimized multi-dictionaries matching pursuit (OMMP) and Lempel-Ziv (LZ) complexity. To solve the redundancy problem of over-complete dictionary, the OMMP is proposed by introducing the quantum particle swarm optimization into matching pursuit for best representing the original vibration signal. And then, LZ complexity is calculated as an index of fault severity assessment by reconstructed signal. The performance of assessment method is verified through the measured signals of three bearing tests, and the comparisons with various methods are specifically described. The results indicate that the OMMP method averagely takes the shortest running time for the vibration signal decomposition. The assessment method is able to effectively evaluate different fault sizes of rolling bearing, and has a great applicability to in the condition-based maintenance of rotating machineries.

Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities of Talaromyces sp. LGT-2, an Endophytic Fungus from Tripterygium Wilfordii.

In the present study, eleven compounds (1-11) including nine alkaloids (1-9), one triterpenoid saponin (10) and one formamide (11) were isolated from Talaromyces sp. LGT-2, an endophytic fungus from Tripterygium wilfordi. Their structures were determined based on NMR and ESI-MS spectral data, as well as comparing previous literature data. This is the first report of the isolation of alkaloids (1-9) from Talaromyces genus. In the next step, all compounds were screened for their anti-monoamine oxidase, anti-acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial and antitumor activities. Compound 11 showed moderate anti-monoamine oxidase activity with IC50 value of 61 µM; compounds 3, 4, 8 showed weaker anti-acetylcholinesterase activity; compounds 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 showed moderate antibacterial activities; compounds 7, 8, 9 showed cytotoxicity against B16 cancer cell line with inhibitory rate of 86%, 82%, 78%, respectively, at the concentration of 500 µg/mL.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields stimulate osteogenic differentiation and maturation of osteoblasts by upregulating the expression of BMPRII localized at the base of primary cilium.

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been considered as a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, however, the mechanism of its action is still elusive. We have previously reported that 50Hz 0.6mT PEMFs stimulate osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization in a primary cilium- dependent manner, but did not know the reason. In the current study, we found that the PEMFs promoted osteogenic differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs) by activating bone morphogenetic protein BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling on the condition that primary cilia were normal. Further studies revealed that BMPRII, the primary binding receptor of BMP ligand, was readily and strongly upregulated by PEMF treatment and localized at the bases of primary cilia. Abrogation of primary cilia with small interfering RNA sequence targeting IFT88 abolished the PEMF-induced upregulation of BMPRII and its ciliary localization. Knockdown of BMPRII expression level with RNA interference had no effects on primary cilia but significantly decreased the promoting effect of PEMFs on osteoblastic differentiation and maturation. These results indicated that PEMFs stimulate osteogenic differentiation and maturation of osteoblast by primary cilium-mediated upregulation of BMPRII expression and subsequently activation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling, and that BMPRII is the key component linking primary cilium and BMP-Smad1/5/8 pathway. This study has thus revealed the molecular mechanism for the osteogenic effect of PEMFs.

[3D Collagen Hydrogel Culture of Rat Calvarial Osteoblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture model with rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs). METHODS: ROBs were obtained through enzyme digestion of segregated neonatal SD rat skull. The collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture model was established by mixing ROBs with different concentrations of type I rat tail collagen (collagen concentration of 1, 2, 3 mg/mL), DMEM medium and NaOH under adjusted PH and a temperature of 37 degrees C. Cell viability and activity were detected by FDA/PI staining and CCK-8 3 d after cell culture. The optimal culture method of 3D collagen hydrogel was identified. Cell distribution was observed using scanning electron microscopy and HE staining. RESULTS: ROBs collagen was formed firmly at 2 mg/mL, which had significantly higher levels of cell viability and activity than those at 1 mg/mL and 3 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy and HE staining showed that cells under the 2 mg/mL collagen culture system adhered with collagen tightly and distributed homogeneously. CONCLUSION: A collagen hydrogel 3D culture model was established successfully by mixing ROBs with collagen at 2 mg/mL.

Free perforating branch flap for primary repairing the huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of free perforating branch flap on the reconstruction of huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face. METHODS: Sixteen cases of huge soft-tissue defects on the scalp and face were reconstructed by nine latissimus dorsi-free perforator flaps and seven anterolateral thigh-free perforator flaps. The defects area was from 12 cm× 7 cm to 20 cm × 11 cm, while the flaps area was from 14 cm × 8 cm to 23 cm × 12 cm. The survival, planeness, chromatic aberration, radiotherapy toleration of flap and the function, scar of donor site were observed postoperatively. RESULT: All of the flaps were survived completely, and 15 cases presented for primary reconstruction; one underwent secondary reconstruction. One of the patients died one-year postoperatively due to intracranial tumor recurrence and the others had no recurrence. All of the flaps showed perfect shape and appropriate thickness. No roentgen ulcer was observed except for some extent of chromatic aberration. The donor-site scar was larvaceous and the function was good. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the latissimus dorsi-free perforator flap or anterolateral thigh-free perforator flap was an ideal choice for the reconstruction of defects on the scalp and face.

Inhibition of Monoamine Oxidase by Stilbenes from Rheum palmatum.

Seven stilbenes and one catechin were bioactivity-guidedly isolated from the rhizomes of Rheum palmatem. Their structures were identified as piceatannol (1), resveratrol (2), piceid (3), rhapontigenin (4), piceatannol-3´-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), rhaponticin (6), catechin (7) and desoxyrhapontigenin (8). Anti-monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities of compounds 1-8 were tested. Compounds 1 and 8 showed significant MAO inhibitory activities with IC50 values 16.4 ± 1.5 µM and 11.5 ± 1.1, respectively, when the IC50 value of iproniazid as a standard was 6.5 ± 0.5 µM. The selectivity of compounds 1-8 against MAO-A and MAO-B were also evaluated. The results showed that compounds 4Ë´6Ë´8 preferred to inhibit MAO-A rather than MAO-B with selectivity values ([IC50 of MAO-B]/ [IC50 of MAO-A]) of 4.74, 10.01 and 9.42, respectively. The preliminary structure-activity relationships (SARs) of these compounds were discussed and the molecular modeling was also performed to explore the binding mode of inhibitors at the active site of MAO-A and MAO-B.

[Icariin enhances differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts in collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of icariin on the differentiation and maturation of rat calvarial osteoblasts(ROB) in collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture. METHODS: ROB were obtained by enzyme digestion from the segregated neonatal SD rats skull and were embedded in 2 mg/mL rat tail collagen for three-dimensional culture. The growth state of ROB was observed by FDA/PI staining, HE staining and scanning electron microscopy. ROB were treated with icariin at the concentration of 1 × 10⁻4, 1 × 10⁻5, 1 × 10⁻6 and 1 × 10⁻7 mol/L respectively. The activity of alkaline phosphatase(ALP) was detected after 3, 6, 9 d of icariin treatment. Three-dimensional cultured ROB were treated with optimal concentration icariin for 12, 24, 36, 48 h and total RNA was extracted and the mRNA expressions of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2) and Osterix were detected by real time RT-PCR. The protein expression of BMP-2, RUNX-2 and Osterix were examined by Western-blotting. RESULTS: ROB were cultured in collagen hydrogel successfully. FDA/PI staining, HE staining, and scanning electron microscopy showed that ROB adhered with collagen tightly and distributed homogeneously. Icariin at final concentration of 1 × 10⁻5, 1 × 10⁻6 and 1×10⁻7 mol/L all enhanced the activity of ALP of collagen hydrogel three-dimensional cultured ROB, and 1 × 10⁻6 mol/L was the optimal concentration. Besides, icariin (1 × 10⁻6 mol/L) increased mRNA and protein expression of BMP-2、RUNX-2 and Osterix compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Icariin can enhance the expression of osteogenic markers of ROB in collagen hydrogel three-dimensional culture significantly.

Two new cyclic dipeptides from Rhinocladiella sp. lgt-3, a fungal endophyte isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.

Two new cyclic dipeptides, rhinocladin A (1) and rhinocladin B (2), were isolated from a fungal endophyte (Rhinocladiella sp. lgt-3) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectra. The monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity of 1 and 2 was also evaluated.

Desmodeleganine, a new alkaloid from the leaves of Desmodium elegans as a potential monoamine oxidase inhibitor.

Desmodeleganine (1), a new potential monoamine oxidase inhibitor, along with three known alkaloids, bufotenin (2), hydroxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine N(12)-oxide (3), 2-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)-N, and N-dimethylethylamine (4) were isolated from the leaves of Desmodium elegans. Their structures were elucidated by IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectra. 1 showed strong monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 13.92 ± 1.5 µM, when the IC50 value of iproniazid as a standard was 6.5 ± 0.5 µM. The molecular modeling was also performed to explore the binding mode of compounds 1, 2 at the active site of MAO-A and MAO-B.

Lichtenstein repair of indirect inguinal hernias with acellular tissue matrix grafts in adolescent patients: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of Lichtenstein hernioplasty using acellular tissue matrix (ACTM) grafts in adolescent patients. METHODS: One hundred patients, 13-18 years old, with primary unilateral indirect inguinal hernias, were randomly assigned to receive Lichtenstein hernioplasty using ACTM or traditional high ligation of the hernia sac (control group).The outcome measures were the length of the operation, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, length of hospitalization, postoperative complications and recurrence rate. RESULTS: The length of hospitalization and VAS score were not different between the groups, and the minimum follow-up was 30 months. No postoperative wound infections, chronic postoperative pain or local foreign body sensation occurred in either group. Six patients (14.3 %) in the experimental group and five (11.6 %) in the control group developed scrotal hydroceles (P > 0.05); all resolved with conservative management. There were no recurrences in the experimental group, while there were three (6 %) in the control group (P > 0.05) and all occurred in patients with Gilbert type 3 hernias. CONCLUSIONS: Lichtenstein hernioplasty using ACTM grafts has comparable safety and efficacy to traditional high ligation of the indirect hernia sac in adolescent patients. ACTM can reduce the incidence of recurrence in adolescents with Gilbert type 3 hernias.

Higher Bioavailability of Organic Bound Zinc from High Zinc-Enriched Fungi.

The organic forms of trace elements are considered more bioavailable than the inorganic forms. Although yeast can enrich metal elements and convert inorganic zinc to organic species, its tolerability and transforming capacity are limited. It would therefore be very interesting to look for higher conversion and accumulation in zinc fungi to obtain organic bound zinc from the natural environment. In this paper, potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium containing 800 µg/mL zinc was used for initial screening, with twenty-two fungal strains that tolerated high zinc isolated from the natural environment, and one strain (No.LZ-1108) growing well at a zinc (II) concentration of 10,000 µg/mL. According to morphological analysis, 18S rDNA sequence analysis, and biophysical and biochemical characteristics, No.LZ-1108 was tentatively identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Using atomic absorption spectrometry, the zinc content in the No.LZ-1108 cells was found to be 6.7 mg/g dry cell. After oral administration to rats at a dose of 10 mg Zn (II)/kg body weight, the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the maximum zinc blood concentration (Cmax) of No.LZ-1108 and zinc gluconate were 8.10 g/L.min and 4.28 g/L.min, 23.72 µg/mL and 6.23 µg/mL, respectively. The AUC of No.LZ-1108 was significantly higher than those of zinc gluconate (P<0.05), and the mean relative bioavailability of AUC(test)/AUC(zinc gluconate) was 190 %, which showed that the bound zinc in No.LZ-1108 was more bioavailable than zinc gluconate. The present study reports an interesting alternative to developing zinc-based supplements from a natural source of zinc.

Effectiveness and safety of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate medical adhesive for noninvasive patch fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to compare the recurrence rate and other clinical outcomes of laparoscopic (LS) transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair using n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for mesh fixation with those of no mesh fixation and mesh fixation with titanium spiral tacks (ST). METHODS: The medical records of patients who received LS TAPP inguinal hernia repair between 2009 and 2012 at our institution were reviewed. Patients were included if the received LS TAPP with either no mesh fixation, mesh fixation with NBCA only, fixation with ST only, or fixation with NBCA + ST. Outcome measures were operation time, postoperative length of stay, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score 24 h after surgery, postoperative complications, and hernia recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1,027 TAPP cases were included. In 552 cases, meshes were fixed with NBCA only, in 89 cases only ST were used, in 47 cases ST and NBCA were used, and in 339 cases meshes were not fixed. The groups were comparable with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics. No surgical complications occurred in any group. VAS pain scores were significantly lower in the nonfixation and NBCA only groups (1.4 ± 0.6 and 1.3 ± 0.6, respectively) than in the ST and NBCA + ST groups (2.2 ± 0.9 and 2.2 ± 0.7, respectively; P = 0.001). The mean follow-up duration was ~19 months. At the final follow-up, no wound infections or hernia recurrences had occurred in any of the groups. No occurrence of chronic pain was noted in the nonfixation and NBCA only groups, whereas two cases (2.2%) were noted in the ST group and one case (2.1%) in the NBCA + ST group (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NBCA medical adhesive for noninvasive patch fixation in laparoscopic hernia repair (TAPP) is effective and safe.

[Effect of osthol on apoptosis and bone resorption of osteoclasts cultured in vitro].

This study is to investigate the effect of osthol on osteoclasts' activity, bone resorption as well as apoptosis in vitro, and explore the mechanism of osthol in preventing osteoporosis. Osteoclasts were separated from long-limb bones of new born rabbits, cultured in 24-well plate with glass slices and bone slices, and treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Osteoclasts were identified by observing live cells with phase contrast microscope, HE staining, TRAP staining and toluidine blue staining of bone resorption pits. The numbers of bone resorption pits were counted as well as the surface area of bone resorption on bone slice. Osteoclasts were stained with acridine orange to detect the cell apoptosis. The ratio of apoptotic osteoclasts was observed under fluorescence microscope. The gene expression of RANKL, OPG, TRAP and p-JNK1/2 protein expression were examined using real time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Comparing with the control group without osthol, the rates of apoptotic osteoclasts increased obviously and the number and area of bone resorption pits decreased evidently with 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. There is significant difference between control group and experiment group treated by 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1) osthol. Therefore, the osthol through RANK+RANKL/TRAF6/Mkk/JNK signal pathway inhibits the osteoclasts activity, enhances osteoclasts apoptotic and inhibits the bone resorption.

NBCA medical adhesive (n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate) versus suture for patch fixation in Lichtenstein inguinal herniorrhaphy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We compared the effectiveness of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and traditional suture for patch fixation in Lichtenstein tension-free herniorrhaphy for inguinal hernias. METHODS: A total of 110 patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were assigned randomly to either experimental or control groups. In the experimental group, NBCA adhesive was used during Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy; traditional suture was used in the control group. We evaluated operation time, postoperative duration of stay, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, incidence of chronic pain and hematoma formation, and hernia recurrence. RESULTS: There was no hernia recurrence or wound infection in either group. In the experimental group, 2 local hematomas occurred while no patients experienced chronic postoperative pain; in the control group, 10 hematomas occurred, and 6 patients experienced chronic pain. There was no difference in postoperative duration of stay between the groups (P > .05), but the experimental group had a lesser operation time and postoperative VAS score (P < .05). CONCLUSION: The use of NBCA medical adhesive in tension-free inguinal herniorrhaphy is effective and safe.

[Inguinal hernia repair with acellular tissue matrix patch for pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of hernioplasty using acellular tissue matrix patch to repair inguinal hernia of pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years. METHODS: Sixty eligible patients aged 6 to 18 years with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly assigned to experimental or control group from June to December 2009. In the experimental group, acellular tissue matrix patch was used during Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy while traditional high ligation of hernial sac was used in the control group. Preoperative and postoperative parameters such as clinical informations of patients, postoperative complications and recurrence rate were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in postoperative length of stay [(31 ± 8) h vs. (34 ± 11) h] and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale Pain Score (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 2.6 ± 1.0) (P > 0.05), but the operation time in the experimental group were longer than that in the control group significantly [(39 ± 4) min vs. (36 ± 4) min, t = 3.357, P = 0.001]. The duration of follow-up ranged from 14 to 20 months. There were no postoperative incisional infection, chronic postoperative pain and local foreign body sensation in two groups. In the experimental group, 3 patients suffered scrotal hydrocele as compared 2 patients in the control group. There was no recurrence in the experimental group as compared 2 patients (6.7%) in the control group, which was no significant difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lichtenstein repair for pediatric patients aged 6 to 18 years with acellular tissue matrix patch has good results and with limited postoperative complications.

[The therapeutic effect of small dose of estrogen on cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of protective effect of estrogen on cerebral damage in ischemic stroke by measuring the estrogen(2) (E(2)), blood lipid, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), nitric oxide (NO), and also assessment according to national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, in order to improve the treatment of cerebral infarction. METHODS: Forty male patients, in whom cerebral infarction due to thrombosis of middle cerebral artery was confirmed by CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were divided into two groups: E(2) therapy (20 cases) and routine therapy (20 cases). Routine therapy was the same in both groups, except 2 mg of E(2) was orally given (2 times a day) to the E(2) therapy group. E(2), testosterone (Ts), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), IL-1 beta, NO, and NIHSS score were measured in each patient at time points of 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. RESULTS: In E(2) group, HDL-C and E(2) were increased significantly, and TC and LDL-C were decreased significantly from 3 days on after treatment, and the changes were obviously more marked than that of routine therapy group (all P<0.05). The changes in TG and Ts were not obvious. NO, IL-1 beta were increased significantly (both P<0.05), and NIHSS score was decreased in routine group form 14 days on after treatment. NO and IL-beta in E(2) group were lower than those in routine therapy group from 3 days on, and the NIHSS score was significantly lower on 14 days and 21 days in E(2) group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The protective effect of E(2) is obvious. It may be due to the results of modulation of blood fat, anti-inflammation and modulation of NO production by the action of E(2). Low dose and short time therapy of E(2) may be beneficial to the patient.