[Modified Bianchi orchiopexy for median or low cryptorchidism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of modified Bianchi (single incision in the midline of the scrotum) orchiopexy (MBO) versus that of traditional surgery in the treatment of median or low cryptorchidism. METHODS: Eighty-two children with median or low cryptorchidism were treated from February 2013 to February 2014, 46 (53 testes) by MBO and the other 36 by the traditional method of inguinal incision (control, 40 testes). Comparisons were made in the operation time and postoperative complications between the two surgical strategies. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the MBO group than in the control (ï¼»25±6ï¼½ vs ï¼»35±4ï¼½ min, P<0.05). No testicular atrophy, hernias or hydrocele was found in either group during the 1－2 years of follow-up. Testis retraction was observed in 3 cases in the MBO group as compared with 2 in the control (P>0.05). The incision scar was obvious in all the controls, with 1 case of postoperative inguinal hematoma, but almost invisible in all the MBO cases. CONCLUSIONS: Modified Bianchi orchiopexy is superior to traditional surgery in the treatment of median or low cryptorchidism for its advantages of short operation time, few complications, and satisfactory appearance of the healed incision.

Reconstruction of a new pulmonary artery in arterial switch operation.

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate the new method for the reconstruction of the pulmonary artery in arterial switch operation (ASO). METHODS: A total of 108 consecutive infants with congenital heart disease were treated with ASO in our department between January 2004 and June 2012. The new pulmonary arterial root was reconstructed with a fresh autologuos pericardium which was clipped pants-like with continuous mattress suture of 6-0 Prolene thread. Patients were reexamined consecutively at 3 and 6 months and 1, 2 and 6 years after discharge. The pulmonary arterial blood velocity was measured by continuous Doppler during systole. The pulmonary flow of healthy children of same age was also measured in the control group. Simplified Bernoulli formula was used to calculate the pressure gradient via the pulmonary artery for determining whether there was pulmonary stenosis. RESULTS: In this series, 96 infants survived after the surgery and 88 were followed up with a mean peirod of (22±4) months. No pulmonary stenosis was detected with the simplified Bernoulli formula. CONCLUSION: No pulmonary stenosis was detected with the simplified Bernoulli formula.

Methods for the preparation of a biodesulfurization biocatalyst using Rhodococcus sp.

Several methods to prepare a biodesulfurization (BDS) biocatalyst were investigated in this study using a strain of Rhodococcus sp. 1awq. This bacterium could selectively remove sulfur from dibenzothiophene (DBT) via the "4S" pathway. DBT, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), sodium sulphate and mixed sulfur sources were used to study their influence on cell density, desulfurization activity, desulfurization ability, and the cost of biocatalyst production. In contrast to that observed from bacteria cultured in DBT, only partial desulfurization activity of strain 1awq was induced by DBT after cultivation in a medium containing inorganic sulfur as the sole sulfur source. The biocatalyst, prepared from culture with mixed sulfur sources, was found to possess desulfurization activity. With DMSO as the sole sulfur source, the desulfurization activity was shown to be similar to that of bacteria incubated in medium with DBT as the sole sulfur source. The biocatalyst prepared by this method with the least cost could remove sulfur from hydrodesulfurization (HDS)-treated diesel oil efficiently, providing a total desulfurization percent of 78% and suggesting its cost-effective advantage.