Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), is an electromyographic response of vestibular origin evoked by sound, vibration or electrical stimulation. VEMP is widely used as a clinical test of the otolith organs. ...Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), is an electromyographic response of vestibular origin evoked by sound, vibration or electrical stimulation. VEMP is widely used as a clinical test of the otolith organs. Now-adays, two kinds of VEMP, cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) are clinically used. cVEMP is a test of sacculo-collic refex while oVEMP is a test of utri-culo-ocular refex. Absence of responses, large interau-ral asymmetry of amplitudes, prolonged peak latencies, and abnormal thresholds of responses are regarded as abnormal responses. Clinical application to various diseases of the vestibular system was performed. Using VEMP, a new type of vestibular neuritis, inferior ves-tibular neuritis was established. A prominent feature of VEMP in Meniere’s disease is a shift of a preferred fre-quency in cVEMP. The whole aspects of VEMP fndings in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are not clarifed yet. Sensitivity of cVEMP to vestibular schwannoma was 80.0%, while specifcity was 52.7%. Concerning diagnosis of superior canal dehiscence syn-drome (SCDS), oVEMP to air-conducted sound is the most helpful. Augmentation of oVEMP responses is a prominent feature in SCDS. I also presented “idiopathic otolithic vertigo”, which I proposed as a new clinical en-tity based on VEMP fndings. Some patients complained of lateral tilting sensation in the roll plane, or tilting or translational sensation in the pitch plane without rota-tory vertigo. Majority of patients with these symptoms had absent or decreased responses of oVEMP and/or cVEMP. I proposed that these patients could be diag-nosed as having “idiopathic otolithic vertigo”.展开更多
Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a clinically approved procedure for treatment of cancer and infections. PDT involves systemic or topical administration of a photosensitizer(PS), followed by irradiation of the diseased ar...Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a clinically approved procedure for treatment of cancer and infections. PDT involves systemic or topical administration of a photosensitizer(PS), followed by irradiation of the diseased area with light of a wavelength corresponding to an absorbance band of the PS. In the presence of oxygen, a photochemical reaction is initiated, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell death. Besides causing direct cytotoxic effects on illuminated tumor cells, PDT is known to cause damage to the tumor vasculature and induce the release of pro-inflammatory molecules. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that PDT is capable of affecting both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Immune stimulatory properties of PDT may increase its beneficial effects giving the therapy wider potential to become more extensively used in clinical practice. Be-sides stimulating tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells capable to destroy distant untreated tumor cells, PDT leads to development of anti-tumor memory immunity that can potentially prevent the recurrence of cancer. The immunological effects of PDT make the therapy more effective also when used for treatment of bacterial infections, due to an augmented infiltration of neutrophils into the infected regions that seems to potentiate the outcome of the treatment.展开更多
Millions of people worldwide are exposed to harmful levels of noise daily in their work and leisure environment. This makes noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) a major occupational health risk globally. NIHL is the secon...Millions of people worldwide are exposed to harmful levels of noise daily in their work and leisure environment. This makes noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) a major occupational health risk globally. NIHL is the second most common form of acquired hearing loss after agerelated hearing loss and is itself a major contributing factor to presbycusis. Temporary threshold shifts, once thought to be relatively harmless and recoverable, are now known to cause permanent cochlear injury leading to permanent loss of hearing sensitivity. This article reviews the current understanding of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of NIHL with latest findings from animal models. Therapeutic approaches to protect against or to mitigate NIHL are discussed based on their proposed action against these known mechanisms of cochlear injury. Successes in identifying genes that predispose individuals to NIHL by candidate gene association studies are discussed with matched gene knockout animal models. This links to exciting developments in experimental gene therapy to replace and regenerate lost hair cells and post-noise otoprotective therapies currently being investigated in clinical trials. The aim is to provide new insights into current and projected future strategies to manage NIHL; bench to bedside treatment is foreseeable in the next 5 to 10 years.展开更多
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs) represent an important class of immunoregulatory cells that can be activated to suppress T cell functions. These MDSCs can inhibit T cell functions through cell surface interact...Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs) represent an important class of immunoregulatory cells that can be activated to suppress T cell functions. These MDSCs can inhibit T cell functions through cell surface interactions and the release of soluble mediators. MDSCs accumulate in the inflamed tissues and lymphoid organs of patients with autoimmune diseases. Much of our knowledge of MDSC function has come from studies involving cancer models, however many recent studies have helped to characterize MDSC involvement in autoimmune diseases. MDSCs are a heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells with a number of different functions for the suppression of T cell responses. However, we have yet to fully understand their contributions to the development and regulation of autoimmune diseases. A number of studies have described beneficial functions of MDSCs during autoimmune diseases, and thus there appears to be a potential role for MDSCs in the treatment of these diseases. Nevertheless, many questions remain as to the activation, differentiation, and inhibitory functions of MDSCs. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of MDSC subsets and suppressive functions in tissue-specific autoimmune disorders. We also describe the potential of MDSC-basedcell therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and note some of hurdles facing the implementation of this therapy.展开更多
Although the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is often used in head and neck reconstruction, the extension of the skin paddle beyond the inferior limits of the muscle has not been well described. We aim to clarify t...Although the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is often used in head and neck reconstruction, the extension of the skin paddle beyond the inferior limits of the muscle has not been well described. We aim to clarify the design and application of this extended flap in head and neck reconstruction. In this retrospective study, consecutive cases of extended pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of post-ablative head and neck defects at a single tertiary referral center were included for analysis. In 7 cases an extended pectoralis major flap was utilized, in which the skin paddle was extended beyond the inferior border of the pectoralis major to include the rectus sheath. Skin and soft tissue as well as composite defects of the oral cavity, parotid/temporal region and neck were reconstructed. All flaps healed satisfactorily with no loss of skin viability. The extended pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is robust and has versatile applications for reconstruction of large, high and three dimensionally complex defects in the head and neck region.展开更多
Hearing loss is the most common sensory disability with considerable social and economic implications. According to recent World Health Organization estimates,360 million people worldwide suffer from moderate to profo...Hearing loss is the most common sensory disability with considerable social and economic implications. According to recent World Health Organization estimates,360 million people worldwide suffer from moderate to profound hearing loss. Exposure to excessive noise is one of the major causes of sensorineural hearing loss,secondary only to age-related hearing loss(presbyacusis). Since cochlear tissues have limited abilities of repair and regeneration, this damage can be irreversible, leading to cochlear dysfunction and permanent hearing loss. Recent studies have shown that cochlear inflammation can be induced by noise exposure and contribute to the overall pathogenesis of cochlear injury and hearing loss. The cochlea is separated from the systemic circulation by the blood-labyrinth barrier,which is physiologically similar to the blood-brain barrier of the central nervous system. Because of this feature, the cochlea was originally considered an immunologically privileged organ. However, this postulate has been challenged by the evidence of an inflammatory response in the cochlea in the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens or antigens that can cause labyrinthitis. Although the main purpose of the inflammatory reaction is to protect against invading pathogens, the inflammatory response can also cause significant bystander injury to the delicate structures of the cochlea. The cochlear inflammatory response is characterised by the generation of proinflammatory mediators(cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules), and the recruitment of inflammatory cells(leukocytes). Here, we present an overview of the current research on cochlear inflammation, with particular emphasis on noise-induced cochlear inflammation. We also discuss treatment strategies aimed at the suppression of inflammation, which may potentially lead to mitigation of hearing loss.展开更多
Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing freq...Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing frequency in medical literature and usually accompanies severe or lethal conditions. The diagnosis of HPVG is usually made by plain abdominal radiography, sonography, color Doppler flow imaging or computed tomography (CT) scan. Currently, the increased use of CT scan and ultrasound in the inpatient setting allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses and also the recognition of an increasing number of benign and non-life threatening causes of HPVG. HPVG is not by itself a surgical indication and the treatment depends mainly on the underlying disease. The prognosis is related to the pathology itself and is not influenced by the presence of HPVG. Based on a review of the literature, we discuss in this paper the pathophysiology, risk factors, radiographic findings, management, and prognosis of pathologies associated with HPVG.展开更多
Objective:The Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials(CONSORT) statement has already proved to be an efficient standard for reporting quality of randomized controlled trials(RCTs).However,most of the Chinese me...Objective:The Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials(CONSORT) statement has already proved to be an efficient standard for reporting quality of randomized controlled trials(RCTs).However,most of the Chinese medical journals have not endorsed the CONSORT statement.The current situation about the reporting quality of RCTs in Chinese medical journals is still unclear.The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs on papers published in 5 leading Chinese medical journals.Methods:We evaluated 232 original RCT papers using a reporting quality scale based on CONSORT statement from 2001 to 2006 in 5 Chinese medical journals(Journal type 1) without adoption of CONSORT and Chinese Journal of Evidence-based Medicine(Journal type 2) which adopted CONSORT in 2004.We measured the inclusion of 26 items for the reporting quality scale and 6 core items of each RCT report,gave score to each item and calculated the total score obtained in each report and the proportion of reports including individual items.The reporting quality of RCT trials from 2001 to 2003(pre-adoption period) was compared with that from 2004 to 2006(post-adoption period).Results:The average reporting quality of RCTs was moderate(mean score,15.18),and the mean score of the 6 core items was low(mean score,1.09) in 5 leading journals.The difference in the total score and the score of the 6 core items between pre-adoption period(2001-2003) and post-adoption period(2004-2006) was statistically significant(P=0.003;P=0.000).Interaction between journal type and period was not significant(F=0.76;P=0.383).We concluded that the change tendency of reporting quality between Journal type 1 and 2 was not different.But as to the core items of sequence concealment and intention-to-treat analysis,the increases were greater for Journal type 2 when evaluated against Journal type 1(P=0.038;P=0.016).Conclusion:The reporting quality of RCT trials in 5 leading Chinese medical journals is improving.However,the lack of important items in RCT trials remains a serious problem.We recommend the endorsement of the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials statement in Chinese medical journals and the continuing education on evidence-based medicine in China.展开更多
Anal fistula is among the most common illnesses affecting man.Medical literature dating back to 400 BC has discussed this problem.Various causative factors have been proposed throughout the centuries,but it appears th...Anal fistula is among the most common illnesses affecting man.Medical literature dating back to 400 BC has discussed this problem.Various causative factors have been proposed throughout the centuries,but it appears that the majority of fistulas unrelated to specific causes (e.g.Tuberculosis,Crohn’s disease) result from infection (abscess) in anal glands extending from the intersphincteric plane to various anorectal spaces.The tubular structure of an anal fistula easily yields itself to division or unroofing (fistulotomy) or excision (fistulectomy) in most cases.The problem with this single,yet effective,treatment plan is that depending on the thickness of sphincter muscle the fistula transgresses,the patient will have varying degrees of fecal incontinence from minor to total.In an attempt to preserve continence,various procedures have been proposed to deal with the fistulas.These include: (1) simple drainage (Seton);(2) closure of fistula tract using fibrin sealant or anal fistula plug;(3) closure of primary opening using endorectal or dermal flaps,and more recently;and (4) ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT).In most complex cases (i.e.Crohn’s disease),a proximal fecal diversion offers a measure of symptom-atic relief.The fact remains that an "ideal" procedure for anal fistula remains elusive.The failure of each sphincter-preserving procedure (30%-50% recurrence) often results in multiple operations.In essence,the price of preservation of continence at all cost is multiple and often different operations,prolonged disability and disappointment for the patient and the surgeon.Nevertheless,the surgeon treating anal fistulas on an occasional basis should never hesitate in referring the patient to a specialist.Conversely,an expert colorectal surgeon must be familiar with many different operations in order to selectively tailor an operation to the individual patient.展开更多
Reactive oxygen species(ROS) take part in diverse biological processes like cell growth,programmed cell death,cell senescence,and maintenance of the transformed state through regulation of signal transduction. Cancer ...Reactive oxygen species(ROS) take part in diverse biological processes like cell growth,programmed cell death,cell senescence,and maintenance of the transformed state through regulation of signal transduction. Cancer cells adapt to new higher ROS circumstance. Sometimes,ROS induce cancer cell proliferation. Meanwhile,elevated ROS render cancer cells vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced cell death. However,this prominent character of cancer cells allows acquiring a resistance to oxidative stress conditions relative to normal cells. Activated signaling pathways that increase the level of intracellular ROS in cancer cells not only render up-regulation of several genes involved in cellular proliferation and evasion of apoptosis but also cause cancer cells and cancer stem cells to develop a high metabolic rate. In over the past several decades,many studies have indicated that ROS play a critical role as the secondary messenger of tumorigenesis and metastasis in cancer from both in vitro and in vivo. Here we summarize the role of ROS and anti-oxidants in contributing to or preventing cancer. In addition,we review the activated signaling pathways that make cancer cells susceptible to death.展开更多
AIM: To determine whether the outcomes of laparoscopic fenestration (LF) were superior to open fenestration (OF) for congenital liver cysts.METHODS: Comparative studies published between January 1991 and May 2010 on M...AIM: To determine whether the outcomes of laparoscopic fenestration (LF) were superior to open fenestration (OF) for congenital liver cysts.METHODS: Comparative studies published between January 1991 and May 2010 on Medline (Ovid),Emsco,PubMed,Science Direct;Cochrane Reviews;CNKI;Chinese Biomedical Database,VIP and other electronic databases were searched.Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective case-control studies on the management of congenital hepatic cysts were collected according to the pre-determined eligibility criteria to establish a literature database.Retrieval was ended in May 2010.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software (Cochrane library).RESULTS: Nine retrospective case-control studies involving 657 patients,comparing LF with OF were included for the final pooled analysis.The meta-analysis results showed less operative time [mean difference (MD): -28.76,95% CI: -31.03 to 26.49,P < 0.00001];shorter hospital stay (MD: -3.35,95% CI: -4.46 to -2.24,P < 0.00001);less intraoperative blood loss (MD: -40.18,95% CI: -52.54 to -27.82,P < 0.00001);earlier return to regular diet (MD: -29.19,95% CI: -30.65 to -27.72,P < 0.00001) and activities after operation (MD: -21.85,95% CI: -31.18 to -12.51,P < 0.0001) in LF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative complications (odds ratio: 0.99,95% CI: 0.41 to 2.38,P = 0.98) and cysts recurrence rates.CONCLUSION: The short-term outcomes of LF for patients with congenital hepatic cysts were superior to open approach,but its long-term outcomes should be verified by further RCTs and extended follow-up.展开更多
AIM: To study the effect of blocking the eo-2 pathwaon the development and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: We produced mAb directed against eo-2named D8. MOG35-55 induced-EAE ...AIM: To study the effect of blocking the eo-2 pathwaon the development and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: We produced mAb directed against eo-2named D8. MOG35-55 induced-EAE mice were dailintravenously injected with either 25 μg or 100 μg D8or with vehicle control alone [phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)], starting from day 0 post immunization and weremonitored for EAE clinical score (n = 10 in each group)Mice were sacrifced on day 58 and their sera were assessed for the presence of anti-myelin oligodendrocyteglycoprotein (anti-MOG) antibodies autoantibodies, awell as for the profle of pro-infammatory cytokines andchemokines. Histological analysis of brain sections waperformed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.RESULTS: Daily treatment of EAE induced mice with D8 signifcantly decreased the severity of EAE symp-toms. Treatment with both concentrations of D8 ame-liorated EAE symptoms compared to PBS treated mice, starting from day 42 post immunization (0.89 ± 0.35 in D8 25 μg and D8 100 μg treated groups vs 2.11 ± 0.38 in the PBS treated group, P = 0.03). A signifcant im-provement in EAE clinical score compared to total IgG treated mice was observed with the higher concentra-tion of D8 (0.81 ± 0.38 in D8 100 μg treated group vs 2.11 ± 0.31 in IgG1 treated group, on day 56 post immunization, P = 0.04). D8 treated mice with EAE did not signifcantly exhibit lower sera levels of anti-MOG autoantibodies compared to IgG-treated mice. How-ever, they expressed lower sera levels of the pro-in-fammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (7.8 ± 0.2 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 19.9 ± 3.4 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.005) and interferon-gamma (1.4 ± 0.6 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 3.6 ± 0.4 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.02), as well as reduced levels of the chemokine macrophage che-moattractant protein-1 (27.2 ± 3.1 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 63.7 ± 12.3 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.03). These fndings indicate that blocking the eo-2 pathway in EAE may affect not only eosino-phil infltration into the central nervous system (CNS), but also have an effect on monocytes and T cells, but not humoral, mediated responses. Histological analysis of the brains of D8 treated mice with EAE support that this treatment decreases immune cells infltrates in the CNS.CONCLUSION: Taken together, these fndings suggest a role for eo-2 in EAE pathogenesis and consequen-tially may support a therapeutic potential of anti-eo-2 neutralizing mAb in multiple sclerosis.展开更多
文摘Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP), is an electromyographic response of vestibular origin evoked by sound, vibration or electrical stimulation. VEMP is widely used as a clinical test of the otolith organs. Now-adays, two kinds of VEMP, cervical VEMP (cVEMP) and ocular VEMP (oVEMP) are clinically used. cVEMP is a test of sacculo-collic refex while oVEMP is a test of utri-culo-ocular refex. Absence of responses, large interau-ral asymmetry of amplitudes, prolonged peak latencies, and abnormal thresholds of responses are regarded as abnormal responses. Clinical application to various diseases of the vestibular system was performed. Using VEMP, a new type of vestibular neuritis, inferior ves-tibular neuritis was established. A prominent feature of VEMP in Meniere’s disease is a shift of a preferred fre-quency in cVEMP. The whole aspects of VEMP fndings in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo are not clarifed yet. Sensitivity of cVEMP to vestibular schwannoma was 80.0%, while specifcity was 52.7%. Concerning diagnosis of superior canal dehiscence syn-drome (SCDS), oVEMP to air-conducted sound is the most helpful. Augmentation of oVEMP responses is a prominent feature in SCDS. I also presented “idiopathic otolithic vertigo”, which I proposed as a new clinical en-tity based on VEMP fndings. Some patients complained of lateral tilting sensation in the roll plane, or tilting or translational sensation in the pitch plane without rota-tory vertigo. Majority of patients with these symptoms had absent or decreased responses of oVEMP and/or cVEMP. I proposed that these patients could be diag-nosed as having “idiopathic otolithic vertigo”.
基金Supported by United States National Institute of Health grant AI050875the Ph D program of the Medical University of Graz,Austria
文摘Photodynamic therapy(PDT) is a clinically approved procedure for treatment of cancer and infections. PDT involves systemic or topical administration of a photosensitizer(PS), followed by irradiation of the diseased area with light of a wavelength corresponding to an absorbance band of the PS. In the presence of oxygen, a photochemical reaction is initiated, leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species and cell death. Besides causing direct cytotoxic effects on illuminated tumor cells, PDT is known to cause damage to the tumor vasculature and induce the release of pro-inflammatory molecules. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that PDT is capable of affecting both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Immune stimulatory properties of PDT may increase its beneficial effects giving the therapy wider potential to become more extensively used in clinical practice. Be-sides stimulating tumor-specific cytotoxic T-cells capable to destroy distant untreated tumor cells, PDT leads to development of anti-tumor memory immunity that can potentially prevent the recurrence of cancer. The immunological effects of PDT make the therapy more effective also when used for treatment of bacterial infections, due to an augmented infiltration of neutrophils into the infected regions that seems to potentiate the outcome of the treatment.
文摘Millions of people worldwide are exposed to harmful levels of noise daily in their work and leisure environment. This makes noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL) a major occupational health risk globally. NIHL is the second most common form of acquired hearing loss after agerelated hearing loss and is itself a major contributing factor to presbycusis. Temporary threshold shifts, once thought to be relatively harmless and recoverable, are now known to cause permanent cochlear injury leading to permanent loss of hearing sensitivity. This article reviews the current understanding of the cellular and molecular pathophysiology of NIHL with latest findings from animal models. Therapeutic approaches to protect against or to mitigate NIHL are discussed based on their proposed action against these known mechanisms of cochlear injury. Successes in identifying genes that predispose individuals to NIHL by candidate gene association studies are discussed with matched gene knockout animal models. This links to exciting developments in experimental gene therapy to replace and regenerate lost hair cells and post-noise otoprotective therapies currently being investigated in clinical trials. The aim is to provide new insights into current and projected future strategies to manage NIHL; bench to bedside treatment is foreseeable in the next 5 to 10 years.
文摘Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs) represent an important class of immunoregulatory cells that can be activated to suppress T cell functions. These MDSCs can inhibit T cell functions through cell surface interactions and the release of soluble mediators. MDSCs accumulate in the inflamed tissues and lymphoid organs of patients with autoimmune diseases. Much of our knowledge of MDSC function has come from studies involving cancer models, however many recent studies have helped to characterize MDSC involvement in autoimmune diseases. MDSCs are a heterogeneous group of immature myeloid cells with a number of different functions for the suppression of T cell responses. However, we have yet to fully understand their contributions to the development and regulation of autoimmune diseases. A number of studies have described beneficial functions of MDSCs during autoimmune diseases, and thus there appears to be a potential role for MDSCs in the treatment of these diseases. Nevertheless, many questions remain as to the activation, differentiation, and inhibitory functions of MDSCs. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge of MDSC subsets and suppressive functions in tissue-specific autoimmune disorders. We also describe the potential of MDSC-basedcell therapy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and note some of hurdles facing the implementation of this therapy.
文摘Although the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is often used in head and neck reconstruction, the extension of the skin paddle beyond the inferior limits of the muscle has not been well described. We aim to clarify the design and application of this extended flap in head and neck reconstruction. In this retrospective study, consecutive cases of extended pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of post-ablative head and neck defects at a single tertiary referral center were included for analysis. In 7 cases an extended pectoralis major flap was utilized, in which the skin paddle was extended beyond the inferior border of the pectoralis major to include the rectus sheath. Skin and soft tissue as well as composite defects of the oral cavity, parotid/temporal region and neck were reconstructed. All flaps healed satisfactorily with no loss of skin viability. The extended pectoralis major myocutaneous flap is robust and has versatile applications for reconstruction of large, high and three dimensionally complex defects in the head and neck region.
基金Supported by The Auckland Medical Research Foundationthe University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship to Tan WJT
文摘Hearing loss is the most common sensory disability with considerable social and economic implications. According to recent World Health Organization estimates,360 million people worldwide suffer from moderate to profound hearing loss. Exposure to excessive noise is one of the major causes of sensorineural hearing loss,secondary only to age-related hearing loss(presbyacusis). Since cochlear tissues have limited abilities of repair and regeneration, this damage can be irreversible, leading to cochlear dysfunction and permanent hearing loss. Recent studies have shown that cochlear inflammation can be induced by noise exposure and contribute to the overall pathogenesis of cochlear injury and hearing loss. The cochlea is separated from the systemic circulation by the blood-labyrinth barrier,which is physiologically similar to the blood-brain barrier of the central nervous system. Because of this feature, the cochlea was originally considered an immunologically privileged organ. However, this postulate has been challenged by the evidence of an inflammatory response in the cochlea in the presence of bacterial or viral pathogens or antigens that can cause labyrinthitis. Although the main purpose of the inflammatory reaction is to protect against invading pathogens, the inflammatory response can also cause significant bystander injury to the delicate structures of the cochlea. The cochlear inflammatory response is characterised by the generation of proinflammatory mediators(cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules), and the recruitment of inflammatory cells(leukocytes). Here, we present an overview of the current research on cochlear inflammation, with particular emphasis on noise-induced cochlear inflammation. We also discuss treatment strategies aimed at the suppression of inflammation, which may potentially lead to mitigation of hearing loss.
文摘Hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG), an ominous radiologic sign, is associated in some cases with a severe underlying abdominal disease requiring urgent operative intervention. HPVG has been reported with increasing frequency in medical literature and usually accompanies severe or lethal conditions. The diagnosis of HPVG is usually made by plain abdominal radiography, sonography, color Doppler flow imaging or computed tomography (CT) scan. Currently, the increased use of CT scan and ultrasound in the inpatient setting allows early and highly sensitive detection of such severe illnesses and also the recognition of an increasing number of benign and non-life threatening causes of HPVG. HPVG is not by itself a surgical indication and the treatment depends mainly on the underlying disease. The prognosis is related to the pathology itself and is not influenced by the presence of HPVG. Based on a review of the literature, we discuss in this paper the pathophysiology, risk factors, radiographic findings, management, and prognosis of pathologies associated with HPVG.
文摘Objective:The Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials(CONSORT) statement has already proved to be an efficient standard for reporting quality of randomized controlled trials(RCTs).However,most of the Chinese medical journals have not endorsed the CONSORT statement.The current situation about the reporting quality of RCTs in Chinese medical journals is still unclear.The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs on papers published in 5 leading Chinese medical journals.Methods:We evaluated 232 original RCT papers using a reporting quality scale based on CONSORT statement from 2001 to 2006 in 5 Chinese medical journals(Journal type 1) without adoption of CONSORT and Chinese Journal of Evidence-based Medicine(Journal type 2) which adopted CONSORT in 2004.We measured the inclusion of 26 items for the reporting quality scale and 6 core items of each RCT report,gave score to each item and calculated the total score obtained in each report and the proportion of reports including individual items.The reporting quality of RCT trials from 2001 to 2003(pre-adoption period) was compared with that from 2004 to 2006(post-adoption period).Results:The average reporting quality of RCTs was moderate(mean score,15.18),and the mean score of the 6 core items was low(mean score,1.09) in 5 leading journals.The difference in the total score and the score of the 6 core items between pre-adoption period(2001-2003) and post-adoption period(2004-2006) was statistically significant(P=0.003;P=0.000).Interaction between journal type and period was not significant(F=0.76;P=0.383).We concluded that the change tendency of reporting quality between Journal type 1 and 2 was not different.But as to the core items of sequence concealment and intention-to-treat analysis,the increases were greater for Journal type 2 when evaluated against Journal type 1(P=0.038;P=0.016).Conclusion:The reporting quality of RCT trials in 5 leading Chinese medical journals is improving.However,the lack of important items in RCT trials remains a serious problem.We recommend the endorsement of the Consolidated Standards for Reporting of Trials statement in Chinese medical journals and the continuing education on evidence-based medicine in China.
文摘Anal fistula is among the most common illnesses affecting man.Medical literature dating back to 400 BC has discussed this problem.Various causative factors have been proposed throughout the centuries,but it appears that the majority of fistulas unrelated to specific causes (e.g.Tuberculosis,Crohn’s disease) result from infection (abscess) in anal glands extending from the intersphincteric plane to various anorectal spaces.The tubular structure of an anal fistula easily yields itself to division or unroofing (fistulotomy) or excision (fistulectomy) in most cases.The problem with this single,yet effective,treatment plan is that depending on the thickness of sphincter muscle the fistula transgresses,the patient will have varying degrees of fecal incontinence from minor to total.In an attempt to preserve continence,various procedures have been proposed to deal with the fistulas.These include: (1) simple drainage (Seton);(2) closure of fistula tract using fibrin sealant or anal fistula plug;(3) closure of primary opening using endorectal or dermal flaps,and more recently;and (4) ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT).In most complex cases (i.e.Crohn’s disease),a proximal fecal diversion offers a measure of symptom-atic relief.The fact remains that an "ideal" procedure for anal fistula remains elusive.The failure of each sphincter-preserving procedure (30%-50% recurrence) often results in multiple operations.In essence,the price of preservation of continence at all cost is multiple and often different operations,prolonged disability and disappointment for the patient and the surgeon.Nevertheless,the surgeon treating anal fistulas on an occasional basis should never hesitate in referring the patient to a specialist.Conversely,an expert colorectal surgeon must be familiar with many different operations in order to selectively tailor an operation to the individual patient.
文摘Reactive oxygen species(ROS) take part in diverse biological processes like cell growth,programmed cell death,cell senescence,and maintenance of the transformed state through regulation of signal transduction. Cancer cells adapt to new higher ROS circumstance. Sometimes,ROS induce cancer cell proliferation. Meanwhile,elevated ROS render cancer cells vulnerable to oxidative stress-induced cell death. However,this prominent character of cancer cells allows acquiring a resistance to oxidative stress conditions relative to normal cells. Activated signaling pathways that increase the level of intracellular ROS in cancer cells not only render up-regulation of several genes involved in cellular proliferation and evasion of apoptosis but also cause cancer cells and cancer stem cells to develop a high metabolic rate. In over the past several decades,many studies have indicated that ROS play a critical role as the secondary messenger of tumorigenesis and metastasis in cancer from both in vitro and in vivo. Here we summarize the role of ROS and anti-oxidants in contributing to or preventing cancer. In addition,we review the activated signaling pathways that make cancer cells susceptible to death.
文摘AIM: To determine whether the outcomes of laparoscopic fenestration (LF) were superior to open fenestration (OF) for congenital liver cysts.METHODS: Comparative studies published between January 1991 and May 2010 on Medline (Ovid),Emsco,PubMed,Science Direct;Cochrane Reviews;CNKI;Chinese Biomedical Database,VIP and other electronic databases were searched.Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective case-control studies on the management of congenital hepatic cysts were collected according to the pre-determined eligibility criteria to establish a literature database.Retrieval was ended in May 2010.Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software (Cochrane library).RESULTS: Nine retrospective case-control studies involving 657 patients,comparing LF with OF were included for the final pooled analysis.The meta-analysis results showed less operative time [mean difference (MD): -28.76,95% CI: -31.03 to 26.49,P < 0.00001];shorter hospital stay (MD: -3.35,95% CI: -4.46 to -2.24,P < 0.00001);less intraoperative blood loss (MD: -40.18,95% CI: -52.54 to -27.82,P < 0.00001);earlier return to regular diet (MD: -29.19,95% CI: -30.65 to -27.72,P < 0.00001) and activities after operation (MD: -21.85,95% CI: -31.18 to -12.51,P < 0.0001) in LF group;there was no significant difference between the two groups in postoperative complications (odds ratio: 0.99,95% CI: 0.41 to 2.38,P = 0.98) and cysts recurrence rates.CONCLUSION: The short-term outcomes of LF for patients with congenital hepatic cysts were superior to open approach,but its long-term outcomes should be verified by further RCTs and extended follow-up.
文摘AIM: To study the effect of blocking the eo-2 pathwaon the development and severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: We produced mAb directed against eo-2named D8. MOG35-55 induced-EAE mice were dailintravenously injected with either 25 μg or 100 μg D8or with vehicle control alone [phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)], starting from day 0 post immunization and weremonitored for EAE clinical score (n = 10 in each group)Mice were sacrifced on day 58 and their sera were assessed for the presence of anti-myelin oligodendrocyteglycoprotein (anti-MOG) antibodies autoantibodies, awell as for the profle of pro-infammatory cytokines andchemokines. Histological analysis of brain sections waperformed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.RESULTS: Daily treatment of EAE induced mice with D8 signifcantly decreased the severity of EAE symp-toms. Treatment with both concentrations of D8 ame-liorated EAE symptoms compared to PBS treated mice, starting from day 42 post immunization (0.89 ± 0.35 in D8 25 μg and D8 100 μg treated groups vs 2.11 ± 0.38 in the PBS treated group, P = 0.03). A signifcant im-provement in EAE clinical score compared to total IgG treated mice was observed with the higher concentra-tion of D8 (0.81 ± 0.38 in D8 100 μg treated group vs 2.11 ± 0.31 in IgG1 treated group, on day 56 post immunization, P = 0.04). D8 treated mice with EAE did not signifcantly exhibit lower sera levels of anti-MOG autoantibodies compared to IgG-treated mice. How-ever, they expressed lower sera levels of the pro-in-fammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor (7.8 ± 0.2 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 19.9 ± 3.4 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.005) and interferon-gamma (1.4 ± 0.6 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 3.6 ± 0.4 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.02), as well as reduced levels of the chemokine macrophage che-moattractant protein-1 (27.2 ± 3.1 pg/mL in D8 100 μg treated mice vs 63.7 ± 12.3 pg/mL in IgG treated mice, P = 0.03). These fndings indicate that blocking the eo-2 pathway in EAE may affect not only eosino-phil infltration into the central nervous system (CNS), but also have an effect on monocytes and T cells, but not humoral, mediated responses. Histological analysis of the brains of D8 treated mice with EAE support that this treatment decreases immune cells infltrates in the CNS.CONCLUSION: Taken together, these fndings suggest a role for eo-2 in EAE pathogenesis and consequen-tially may support a therapeutic potential of anti-eo-2 neutralizing mAb in multiple sclerosis.