ObjectiveTo summary the progress and status of downstaging therapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsThe related literatures were reviewed and analyzed by searching PubMed and MEDLINE. ResultsAlthough the clinical prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was poor, the liver resection or liver transplantation after downstaging therapy could significantly improve the prognosis of patients. However, differences were existed if different downstaging therapies and selections of standard were used. ConclusionTo improve the prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, the downstaging therapy should be ingeniously selected based on the situation of the patients.
ObjectiveTo introduce the general situation about oval cells and the advance in research on relation between the hepatic oval cells and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodRelevant literatures in recent years about oval cells in hepatocellular carcinoma were collected and analyzed. ResultsHepatic oval cells are progenies of the hepatic stem cells that are thought to reside in the terminal branches of the biliary tree, termed the canals of Hering.After severe liver injury resulting in hepatocyte and cholangiocyte necrosis/apoptosis, the dual-potential oval cells will proliferate and differentiate into hepatocytes or cholangiocytes to replace the respective lost cell types.Recent studies have found many new oval cell surface markers, and promoted the recognition of oval cells.The level of oval cells proliferation is positively correlated with the malignant and inflammatory level of chronic liver diseases.More importantly, oval cells is involved in the occurrence, development, recurrence, and metastasis of liver cancer, and closely related to the prognosis of HCC. ConclusionAn improved understanding of the biological behavior of hepatic oval cells may lead to the development of novel diagnosis, treatment regimens, and prevention for hepatocellular carcinoma.
ObjectiveTo evaluate three commonly used internal fixations for general floating shoulder injury by biomechanical testing, in order to provide biomechanics basis for surgical choices. MethodsThe superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC) was anatomized from 7 cases of antisepsis cadaveric specimens including collarbone and scapula. In the man-made damage models, 4 statuses including prefixation, pure acromioclavicular joint fixation, acromioclavicular joint fixation with scapula neck single plate fixation, and acromioclavicular joint fixation with scapula neck double plate fixation were tested to measure the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) of scapula neck under different statuses by spinal motion analysis system, and stabilizing function of different fixations for instable SSSC were compared. ResultsThe biomechanical testing showed that the NZs of acromioclavicular joint fixation with scapula neck double plate fixation were respectively flexion-extension (3.88±1.71)°, lateral-bending (1.89±0.21)°, and axial-torque (3.13±1.37)°, and the ROMs were respectively flexion-extension (12.91±4.82)°, lateral-bending (18.44±4.43)°, and axial-torque (11.27±4.41)°, which decreased more evidently than other fixation groups (P<0.05). ConclusionAcromioclavicular joint fixation with scapula neck double plate fixation is the best treatment for floating shoulder injury, which can restore the stability of the shoulder effectively.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of posteromedial and anterolateral approaches in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures. MethodsNineteen consecutive patients with posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures were treated between August 2010 and August 2013, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 6 females, with an average age of 36.9 years (range, 25-75 years). All cases had closed fractures, involving 8 left sides and 11 right sides. Fractures involved posterior column according to the threecolumn classification based on CT scans; according to the Schatzker classification, all fractures were type Ⅱ; according to the AO/Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification (AO/OTA), all fractures were type 41-B3.1.2. The interval between injury and operation was 7-14 days (mean, 9 days). The reduction of collapsed fractures and implantation of artificial bone allograft were supported by T-shaped distal radius plate via the posteromedial approach. The splited fractures was fixed by less invasive stabilization system (LISS) plate via the anterolateral approach. ResultsThe mean operation time was 69.0 minutes (range, 50-105 minutes). All incisions healed by first intention without neurovascular complications or wound infection. All patients were followed up 14-20 months (mean, 18.2 months). X-ray and CT examinations showed that collapsed tibial plateau and joint surface were completely corrected; bony union was obtained at 12 weeks on average (range, 10-16 weeks). No secondary collapsed fracture and knee varus or valgus occurred. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 2 cases with an excellent and good rate of 89.5% according to the Rasmussen's scoring system for knee function. ConclusionThe posteromedial approach combined with anterolateral approach for posterolateral tibial plateau fractures can fully expose the posterolateral aspects of the tibial plateau, and thus collapsed and splited fractures can be treated at the same time, which will lead to less operative time and good outcomes in the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau collapsed and splited fractures.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between some clinical laboratory tests, such as levels of fasting insulin (FINS), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MethodsA total of 146 male patients were included in this study. All the subjects were from the clinic of West China Hospital and Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2012 to July 2013. Serum FINS, TG, TC and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were tested, respectively. Prostate volume (PV) was measured by ultrasound. ResultsFINS, PAS and annual prostate growth rate increased significantly in the large PV group compared with the small PV group (P<0.01). There was no significant association of PV with body mass index and other laboratory tests like serum TC and TG. PV and annual prostate growth rate increased significantly in the group of high FINS level compared with the group of low FINS level (P<0.01). PV was positively correlated with FINS (r=0.159, P<0.05); and annual prostate growth rate was positively correlated with FINS (r=0.201, P<0.05). ConclusionHyperinsulinism may play an important role in the pathogenesis of BPA.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness between the method of simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation and the method of one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis so as to provide the reference for the clinical treatment. MethodsA retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 148 cases of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis between January 2002 and January 2012. Simple posterior debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and internal fixation was used in 78 cases (group A), and one-stage anterior radical debridement combined with bone grafting and fusion and posterior internal fixation in 70 cases (group B). There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease duration, involved vertebral segments, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, neural function grade of America Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), and kyphosis Cobb angle before operation between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The peri operation period indexes (hospitalization time, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss) and the clinical effectiveness indexes (VAS score, ASIA grade, Cobb angle, and ESR) were compared; the bone fusion and the internal fixation were observed. ResultsIncision infection and paravertebral and/or psoas abscess occurred in 2 and 3 cases of group A respectively. All incisions healed by first intention and 2 cases had pneumothorax in group B. The operation time and the hospitalization time of group A were significantly shorter than those of group B (P < 0.05), and the intraoperative blood lossof group A was significantly lower than that of group B (P < 0.05). All of the cases in 2 groups were followed up 14-38 months, 25 months on average. The VAS, ESR, and Cobb angle were significantly decreased at each time point after operation when compared with preoperative ones in 2 groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between 2 groups (P > 0.05). The neurological function was significantly improved at 3 months after operation; there were 1 case of ASIA grade C, 14 cases of grade D, and 63 cases of grade E in group A, and there were 1 case of grade C, 11 cases of grade D, and 58 cases of grade E in group B; and difference was not significant (Z=0.168, P=0.682). The grafting bone fusion was observed in both groups. The fusion time was (8.7±0.3) months in group A and (8.6±0.4) months in group B, showing no significant difference (t=0.591, P=0.601) was found. At last follow-up, no loosening or fracture of internal fixation was found. ConclusionBased on regular medicine therapy, the effectiveness of the two methods is satisfactory in the treatment of thoracolumbar brucella spondylitis as long as the operation indications should be controlled strictly.
ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge related to evidence-based medicine (EBM) in the medical students of Hubei University of Medicine using a cross-sectional survey approach. MethodsWe conducted an investigation on 600 medical students (extracted by stratified random sampling) from different majors and different grades who were at school using a pre-designed questionnaire from May 10th to May 12th, 2013. The data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2007. ResultsA total of 545 valid questionnaires were recovered with an effective recovery rate of 90.8%. The results showed that 58.5% of the participants heard of EBM for the first time or once heard of it but knew nothing; 38.2% had learnt some knowledge about EBM. However, only 3.3% were familiar with it; all the participants suggested EBM teaching should be performed. ConclusionThe knowledge related to EBM in the medical students of Hubei University of Medicine is low. However, their study attitude towards EBM is pretty good. The level of EBM teaching needs to be improved.
ObjectiveTo summarize our experience of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy for surgical treatment of common congenital heart diseases in infants. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of 369 infants undergoing open heart surgery through right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy in the 153th Central Hospital of People's Liberation Army from April 2009 to April 2013. There were 191 males and 178 females with their mean age of 8.2±3.1 months (range, 3-12 months)and body weight of 7.8±4.5 kg (rang, 4.5-11.2 kg). Surgical procedures included ventricular septal defect (VSD)repair in 290 patients, atrial septal defect (ASD)repair in 16 patients, VSD and ASD repair in 34 patients, VSD repair and mitral valvuloplasty in 4 patients, valvotomy for pulmonary valve stenosis (PVS)in 9 patients, ASD repair and valvotomy for PVS in 6 patients, correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in 4 patients, and correction of partial atrioventricular canal defect in 6 patients. ResultsSix patients (1.6%)died postoperatively. Postoperative complications included right atelectasis in 3 patients, right pneumothorax in 2 patients, pneumonia in 16 patients, incision fat liquefaction in 12 patients, third-degree atrioventricular block in 1 patient, cerebral air embolism in 1 patient, and reexploration for bleeding in 3 patients. A total of 295 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months after discharge. Residual VSD shunt was found in 4 patients, and mild mitral regurgitation was found in 2 patients. ConclusionClinical outcomes of right axillary straight mini-thoracotomy during open heart surgery are satisfactory for infants with common congenital heart diseases, but strict indications and skillful surgical techniques are needed.