Objective To study the effect of low-dose cyclophosphamide (CY) on apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells in the early severe burn stage in rats. Methods Ninety clean SD male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: the normal group (n=10), the experimental group (n=40) and the burn group (n=40). The model of degree III with 30% burn area was made in the experimental group and the burn group. CY (2 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavity right after burn in the experimental group. No treatment was done in the normal group and burn group. Lung tissues were obtained at 3, 6, 12and 24 hours, respectively, after burn, and were observed by HE staining. Apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells was observed by TUNEL. Results Lung tissues were observed under the opticalmicroscopy in the normal group: the pulmonary structure was clear, and there were no inflammatory cells and exudation in the alveolar space and bronchial lumen. Besides, a few RBCs were seen. Pathological changes of lung tissues were observed under the opticalmicroscopy in the burn group: alveolar septum was obviously widened; alveolar wall was destroyed; interstitial edema and atelectasis occurred; and pathological lesion was gradually aggravated as time passed by. The pathological lesion of lung tissues mentioned above in the experimental group was better than those in the burn group. Compared with the normal group, the apoptosis ratio of lung parenchyma cells continuously increased in the burn group from the 3 hour after burn, and reached the peak at 12 hours. There were significant differences between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). However, in the experimental group, the apoptosis ratio of lung parenchyma cells increased at 3 hours after burn, cut down to normal at 6 and 12 hours, respectively, and notably decreased at 24 hours. There were significant differences between the experimental group and the normal group (P lt; 0.05). Compared with the burn group, the apoptosisrate of lung parenchyma cells in the experimental group began to decrease strikingly from the 6 hours after burn, and there were significant differences between the two groups (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Low-dose CY can restrain the apoptosis of lung parenchyma cells in the early severe burn stage in rats and alleviate the injury of the lung.
ObjectiveTo explore the effectiveness of modified inferior pedicle technique with inverted T pattern for severe breast hypertrophy.MethodsBetween January 2016 and May 2017, 15 patients of severe breast hypertrophy had undergone breast reduction using inferior pedicle technique with inverted T pattern combined with dermal suspension sling technique. The patients were 20 to 49 years old, with an average age of 31.6 years. Body mass index ranged from 24.9 to 32.5 kg/m2, with an average of 30.8 kg/m2. Among them, 11 cases had a history of childbearing. The degree of breast ptosis was rated as degree Ⅱ in 6 cases and degree Ⅲ in 9 cases. The unilateral breast reduced 615 g on average (range, 480-1 050 g).ResultsThe skin flap necrosis at the " T” trilateral junction occurred in 3 cases, and healed after dressing changes. The incisions of 12 cases healed and no fat liquefaction, hematoma, or seroma occurred. The sensation of nipple and areola declined at early period after operation in 2 cases, and gradually recovered. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 13 months). The shapes of bilateral breasts and the height and symmetry of nipple-areolar complex were good, and no obvious scar was found. The effectiveness was evaluated by surgeon and showed that there were 12 cases with satisfactory breast shape and 3 cases with unsatisfactory breast shape; 3 cases with obvious scare and 12 cases with insignificant scar; 13 cases with normal nipple sensation and 2 cases with hypoesthesia; 11 cases with symmetric nipples and 4 cases with asymmetric nipples. The effectiveness was evaluated by patients and showed that the satisfactory breast shape in 10 cases, relatively satisfactory breast shape in 4 cases, and unsatisfactory breast shape in 1 case; highly acceptable scar in 9 cases, moderately acceptable scar in 4 cases, and unacceptable scar in 2 cases; overall satisfactory in 10 cases, relatively satisfactory in 4 cases, and unsatisfactory in 1 case, with the overall satisfaction rate of 93.3% (14/15).ConclusionFor severe breast hypertrophy, the modified inferior pedicle technique with inverted T pattern can obtain satisfactory appearance and avoid the mastoptosis.
【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) technique with split middle thickness skin replantation for the treatment of severe skin closed internal degloving injury (CIDI). Methods Between July 2008 and April 2011, 16 patients with severe skin CIDI were treated. There were 11 males and 5 females, aged 17-56 years (mean, 28 years). Injury was caused by traffic accident in all cases. The time between injury and operation was 2-8 hours (mean, 5 hours). Peeling skin parts included the upper limb in 3 cases and the lower limb in 13 cases. The range of skin exfoliation was 5%-12% (mean, 7%) of the body surface area with different degree of skin contamination. After thorough debridement, exfoliative skin was made split middle thickness skin graft for in situ replantation, and then VSD was performed. Results After 7 days of VSD therapy, graft skin survived successfully in 14 cases; partial necrosis of graft skin occurred in 2 cases, and was cured after thorough debridement combined with antibiotics for 7 days. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12 months). The appearance of the limb was satisfactory without obvious scar formation, and the blood supply and sensation were normal.The joint function was normal. Conclusion For patients with severe skin CIDI, VSD treatment combined with split middle thickness skin replantation can improve the local blood circulation of the limb, promote replantation skin survival, and shorten healing time of wound. The clinical effectiveness is satisfactory.
Objective To explore the clinical and inflammatory characteristics and risk factors of severe asthma to improve clinicians' awareness of the disease. Methods The general information of patients with asthma who visited the Department of Respiratory Medicine, the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from May 2018 to May 2021, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, personal history, comorbidities, auxiliary examination, asthma control test (ACT) score were collected. A total of 127 patients were included, including 40 in the severe asthma group and 87 in the mild-to-moderate asthma group. Chi-square test, independent sample t test and logistic regression were used to analyze the clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers and risk factors of severe asthma. Results Compared with the patients with mild to moderate asthma, the patients with severe asthma were more older (51.0±12.0 years vs 40.7±12.8 years, P<0.05), had more smokers (32.5% vs. 14.9%, P<0.05), and more males (67.5% vs. 40.2%, P<0.05). The patients with severe asthma got poor FEV1%pred [(56.1±23.8)% vs. (93.2±18.0)%, P<0.05] and FEV1/FVC [(56.7±13.2)% vs. (75.8±9.0)%, P<0.05)], and more exacerbations in the previous year (2.7±3.1 vs. 0.1±0.4, P<0.05), lower ACT score (14.4±3.7 vs. 18.0±5.0, P<0.05), and higher blood and induced sputum eosinophil counts [(0.54±0.44)×109/L vs. (0.27±0.32)×109/L, P<0.05; (25.9±24.2)% vs. (9.8±17.5)%, P<0.05]. There was no significant difference in the proportion of neutrophils in the induced sputum or FeNO between the two groups (P>0.05). Analysis of related risk factors showed that smoking (OR=2.740, 95%CI 1.053 - 7.130), combined with allergic rhinitis (OR=14.388, 95%CI 1.486 - 139.296) and gastroesophageal reflux (OR=2.514, 95%CI 1.105 - 5.724) were risk factors for severe asthma. Conclusions Compared with patients with mild to moderate asthma, patients with severe asthma are characterized by poor lung function, more exacerbations, and a dominant eosinophil inflammatory phenotype, which is still poorly controlled even with higher level of treatment. Risk factors include smoking, allergic rhinitis, and gastroesophageal reflux, etc.
Objective To explore the characteristics of vibration response imaging ( VRI) among heavy smokers whose pulmonary function is normal. Methods 67 heavy smokers with normal pulmonary function, 60 healthy non-smokers, and 60 patients with COPD were recruited. History taking, physical examination, lung function test, chest X-ray, and VRI examination were performed. The difference of VRI dynamic imaging between the three groups was analyzed. Results VRI vibration energy curve which appeared low, flat, sunken-in, and single peak accounted for 43.3% , 16.4% , 16.4% , and 14.9% respectively in the heavy smokers, accounted for 6.7% , 3.3% ,0% , and 0% respectively in the healthy nonsmokers, accounted for 60% , 33.3% , 18.3% , and 16.7% respectively in the COPD patients. The results between the heavy smokers and the healthy non-smokers were significantly different. Compared with the heavy smokers, the COPD patients exhibited more low and flat in expiration period. The energy peak value ratio of inspiration and expiration phase in the heavy smokers, the healthy non-smokers, and the COPD patients were 0.56,0.74, and 0.54 respectively. There was no significant difference between the heavy smokers and the COPD patients in peak value ratio of inspiration and expiration phase. Conclusion The vibration energy curve of the VRI in heavy smokers with normal pulmonary function is significantly different fromhealthy nonsmokers, but there is no significant difference between heavy smokers and COPD patients.
Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics and management experiences of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after mitral valve surgery. Methods Thirty patients were followed up and reviewed for this report. There were 1 male and 29 female patients whose ages ranged from 32 to 65 years (47.1±92 years). A total of 28 patients had atrial fibrillation and 2 patients were in sinus rhythm. There were 13 patients of mild TR, 10 patients of moderate TR and 7 patients of severe TR at the first mitral valve surgery. Five patients received the tricuspid annuloplasty of De Vega procedure at the same time, 2 patients received Kay procedure. The predominant presentation of patients included: abdominal discomfort (93.3%, 28/30), edema (66.7%,20/30), palpitation (56.7%, 17/30), and ascites (20%, 6/30). Results Nine patients underwent the secondary surgery for severe TR. The secondary surgery included tricuspid valve replacement (6 cases), mitral and tricuspid valve replacement (2 cases) and Kay procedure (1 case). Eight patients were recovered and discharged and 1 patient died from the bleeding of right atrial incision and low output syndrome. Twentyone patients received medical management and were followed up. One case was lost during followup. Conclusion Surgery or medical management should be based on the clinical characteristics of patients with severe TR after mitral valve surgery. It should be based on the features of tricuspid valve and the clinical experience of surgeon to perform tricuspid annuloplasty or replacement.
ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy and safety of Venus A-Valve and other overseas devices in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the baseline characteristics, procedural details, and postprocedural outcomes of severe AS patients who underwent TAVR with Venus A-Valve or overseas devices between April 2012 and January 2019 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University.ResultsA total of 342 AS patients undergoing TAVR were finally included, 238 with Venus A-Valve and the other 104 with overseas devices (43 with CoreValve, 33 with Lotus, 21 with SAPIEN XT, and 7 with SAPIEN 3). Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups, and the proportion of patients with bicuspid aortic valve was around 50% in both groups. After successful valve implantation, all patients’ hemodynamics were significantly improved, with the median of maximum velocity decreased to 2.30 m/s (inter-quartile range: 0.60 m/s) and 2.50 m/s (inter-quartile range: 0.62 m/s), respectively (P=0.003). Postprocedural 30-day and 1-year all cause mortalities were similar (30-day: 5.9% vs. 1.9%, P=0.086; 1-year: 8.4% vs. 5.8%, P=0.307), while low incidence of procedure-related complications and improved life quality were achieved in both groups.ConclusionTAVR with the domestic Venus A-Valve is feasible, safe, and can produce favorable outcomes for AS patients, and especially for Chinese TAVR population with a high prevalence of bicuspid aortic valve.