BACKGROUND:Studies on the tip position of the conus medullaris in a population have been limited to autopsy and long ago. Therefore, it is necessary to dynamically study the position of conus medullaris (CM) in the Chinese population by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).OBJECTIVE: To observe the variation in position of the CM in a living population without spinal deformity through MRI. DESIGN: A controlled observation.SETTING: Qingdao Municipal Hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 1199 patients who complained of low back pain and underwent MRI examination in the Department of Radiology of Qingdao Municipal Hospital between October 1993 and December 2006 were recruited in this study. The involved patients, including 765 males and 434 females, were averaged (46±14)years ranging from 5 to 85 years old. Among them, 276 patients suffered from metastatic tumor on spinal vertebrae or trauma of spinal column. Patients with scoliosis or congenital diseases of spinal cord and spinal column were rejected. Another 30 volunteers were recruited via advertisement checked up in the Department of Radiology of Qingdao Municipal Hospital.All the volunteers, including 15 males and 15 females, were averaged (32±8)years, ranging from 19 to 52 years.Written informed consents of detected items were obtained from all the subjects.METHODS: Totally 1199 patients underwent lumbar vertebra MRI scanning by a GE Signa 1.5T supraconduction MRI machine. The tip position of the conus medullaris was observed by spin echo T1 weighted and median sagittal imaging.The MRI machine was located according to its corresponding relationship with vertebral body and intervertebral disc. All the volunteers were given the dynamic research conceming the tip of CM in middle, hyperflexion and hyperextension position.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Dynamic observation of the location of tip of CM in the healthy volunteers and the patients who complained of low back pain.RESULTS: The above 1199 patients who complained of low back pain and 30 healthy volunteers participated in the final analysis. ①The mean conus position of the patients who complained of low back pain was the lower third of L1 (range: middle third of T12 to upper third of L3). The variation in conus positions followed a normal distribution. The conus position in female patients was significantly lower than that of male counterparts (t =18.127,P ＜ 0.01). No significant difference in conus position was seen with increasing age (F =0.530, P ＞ 0.05). ②The tip of the CM did not change in relation to the posterior edge of vertebrae when the spine was in hyperflexion or hyperextension position.However, it got close slightly to the posterior edge of vertebrae when in hyperflexion, and got away slightly from it when in hyperextension.CONCLUSION: The location of tip of CM of our group of population ranges from the middle third of T12 to the upper third of L3, and female population have a much lower conus position than that of male ones.

Objective To study the surgical strategies and techniques for the correction of congenital kyphoscoliosis with hemivertebra and evaluate the surgical results. Methods From June 2010 to June 2011,there were 6 congenital kyphoscoliostic patients with fully segmented hemivertebra were undergone hemivertebra resection through posterior approach, which included 4 males and 2 females with an average age of 15.7 years. The average Cobb angle of scoliosis was 73.4° (range, 52°~87°), the average Cobb angle of segmental kyphosis was 67.4° (range, 43°~89°) . The highest level of hemivertebrae was T9 and the lowest was L2. The surgical strategies were designed as followed:For the 2 cases without structural compensative curve, the posterior hemiverte-brae resection and short segmental internal fixation were performed. For the 4 cases with structural compensative curve, whose Risser signs were classified into 2-5, the hemivertebrae resection and long segmental internal fixa-tion were performed, and the compensative curve was included in the instrumentation level. Results The opera-tion time was 2.5~4.0 h (average,3.5 hours), the blood loss was 700-2 000 mL (mean,1 367 mL) . Numb-ness happened in one lower extremity postoperatively in 1 patient, and the symptom released in 1 month. The aver-age postoperative Cobb angle in coronal plane was 21.4° (11°~28°) with a correction rate of 67.9%. The aver-age postoperative Cobb angle in sagittal plane was 17.8° (12°~35°) with a correction rate of 75.2%. The fol-low-up period was from 26 months to 36 months (average, 26 months),no pseudoarthrosis,and obvious correc-tion loss either in coronal or sagittal plane was noted. Conclusion Hemivertebra resection and individualized oper-ation way has a good capability of correcting congenital kyphoscoliosis caused by hemivertebra.

Objective To compare the efficacy of oxycodone versus sufentanil for intravenous analgesia after radical resection of pulmonary carcinoma performed via video-assisted thoracoscope.Methods One hundred fifty-four patients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-25 kg/m2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ , scheduled for elective radical resection of pulmonary carcinoma performed via video-assisted thoracoscope, were randomly divided into either sufentanil group (group S, n=76) or oxycodone group (group O, n =78) using a random number table.The 2 groups received combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia.When postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score ≥ 4, sufentanil 5 μg or oxycodone 2 mg was injected intravenously, and the administration was repeated when necessary until VAS score ≤ 3.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was then used for postoperative analgesia (lasting for 48 h).PCIA solution contained tropisetron 20 mg and sufentanil 200 μg in 100 ml of normal saline in group S.PCIA solution contained tropisetron 20 mg and oxycodone 50 mg in 100 ml of normal saline in group O.The PCIA pump was set up to deliver a 2 ml bolus dose with a 10 min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1 ml/h.VAS score was maintained ≤3.When VAS scores ≥4, morphine 10 mg injected intramuscularly was used as rescue analgesic.The requirement for rescue analgesic, level of patient's satisfaction with analgesia,and analgesia-related adverse events were recorded.Results The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in group O than in group S (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the requirement for rescue analgesic, level of patient's satisfaction, and incidence of dizziness and over-sedation between the two groups (P＞0.05).No patients developed respiratory depression and pruritus in the two groups.Conclusion Compared with sufentanil, oxycodone can produce similar analgesic efficacy when used for PCIA after radical resection of pulmonary carcinoma performed via video-assisted thoracoscope, with lower incidence of nausea and vomiting.

The cyclotides are a family of cyclic "mini" proteins that occur in Violaceae, Rubiaceae and Cucurbitaceae plant families and contain a head-to-tail cyclic backbone and a cystine knot arranged by three disulfide bonds. To study the natural cyclotides of V tianshanica, dried herb was extracted with 50% ethanol, and the concentrated aqueous extract was subjected to a solvent-solvent partitioning between water and hexane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, separately. The n-butanol extract containing cyclotides was subjected to column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20, eluted with 30% methanol. The subfractions were directly reduced by DTT and analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC. The peaks with different retention times were shown on the profile of RP-HPLC and collected. The cyclotides were speculated based on masses range from 3 000 to 3 500 Da. The purified cyclotides were reduced with DTT, alkylated with iodoacetamide, and then were cleaved with endoproteinase Glu-C, endoproteinase Lys-C and Trypsin, separately. The digested peptides were purified on RP-HPLC and analyzed on MALDI TOF/TOF analyzer. A new cyclotide, cycloviolacin T1 and a reported cyclotide varv E were systemically determined using MALDI TOF/TOF system. So the method for the isolation and characterization of cyclotides was quickly built up in succession.

Objective To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of autophagy inhibitor chloroquine on the calcium oxalate crystals formation in rats.Methods From September 2016 to October 2016,Thirty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group,model group and chloroquine intervention group.The method to establish calcium oxalate stone model was drinking water with 1％ ethylene and 1％ ammonium chloride freely.The rats of chloroquine intervention group were treat with chloroquine (40mg/kg · d) by intraperitoneal injection.Modeling was finished after 28 days.The amounts of renalcalcium oxalate crystals were detected by polarizing microscope.For all groups,the amounts of autophagosome were detected by transmission electron microscope.Twenty four hour urine compositions for stone risk factors were detected.The expressions of oxidative stress injury related molecular markers (SOD,MCP-1 and 8-OHdG) and the expressions of autophagy markers (LC3 and P62) were detected by immunohistochemistry.The RNA expressions of SLC26A6 in kidney were detected by Real-time PCR.Results Compared to the model group,the amounts of renal calcium oxalate crystals were significantly reduced in chloroquine intervention group (32.37 ± 5.14 vs.4.18 ± 0.25,P ＜ 0.05).Compared to the control group,the level of autophagy was increased in the model group.Compared to the model group,the level of autophagy was inhibited in the chloroquine intervention group.For control group,model group and chloroquine intervention group,the excretion of urinary oxalate were (3.1 ± 1.5) mmol,(22.5 ± 8.1) mmol,(2.8 ± 1.2) mmol,respectively;the excretion of urinary citrate were (63.4 ± 7.4) mmol,(45.9 ± 9.5)mmol,(15.6 ± 8.2) mmol,respectively.Compared to the control group,the amounts of urinary oxalate weresignificantly elevated in model group (P ＜ 0.05),but citrate were significantly reduced in the chloroquineintervention group(P ＜ 0.05).For control group,model group and chloroquine intervention group,theexpressions of SOD were 42.24 ±4.16,19.21 ± 2.25,39.08 3.53,respectively;the expressions of MCP-1 were 4.02 0.51,8.45 ± 0.55,5.52 ± 0.34,respectively;the expressions of 8-OHdG were 7.16 ± 0.54,11.21 ± 1.12,8.67 ±0.34,respectively;the RNA expressions of SLC26A6 were 0.35 ±0.07,1.02 ±0.17,0.70 ± 0.06,respectively.Compared to the control group,the expressions of SOD were significantly reduced in the model group,but the expressions of MCP-1,8-OHdG and SLC26A6 were significantly elevated(P ＜0.05).Compared to the model group,the expressions of SOD were significantly elevated chloroquine intervention group (P ＜ 0.05),but the expressions of MCP-1,8-OHdG and SLC26A6 were significantly elevated(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The autophagy inhibitor chloroquine could inhibit the formation of calcium oxalate crystals induced by ethylene in rat kidney via inhibit the renal autophagy level and expressions of the SLC26A6,reducing the renal oxidative stress injury and urinary oxalate excretion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Sanchi Tong Shu capsule in the treatment of common aural vertigo. METHOD: A multi-center randomized controlled trial was designed to study 206 vertigo patients who were randomly allocated into one of the two groups. One group was treated with Sanchi Tong Shu capsule for 14 days, another group was treated with betahistine mesilate tablets for 14 days. RESULT: The clinical effectiveness rates of the two groups were 84.86% and 90.92% respectively according to FAS analysis and 84.76%, 90.92% respectively according to PPS analysis. No statistic significance difference was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). After 14 days treatment, total DHI and all the subsection (including body, emotion and function) scores of the two groups were all decreased compared with treatment before (P < 0.01). Compared the difference value of the total DHI and subsection scores before and after treatment, the two groups have no difference (P > 0.05). The adverse effective rate of the two groups were 3.29% and 7.84% respectively and there was no statistic difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Sanchi Tong Shu capsule is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of common aural vertigo.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Betahistine ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meniere Disease ; drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: We used polysomnography (PSG) monitoring and neuropsychological scales to explore the characteristics of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Wuhan, two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 42 patients in the Sleep Medicine Center were diagnosed with insomnia between December 2021 and May 2022; they were divided into the PTSD group (patients with PTSD diagnosed with insomnia after COVID-19 infection) and the non-PTSD group (patients with insomnia without PTSD). A healthy control group was simultaneously included. Results: The PTSD group was more significant than the non-PTSD group in partial manifestations of sleep disorders, neuropsychological clinical symptoms, and partial PSG data. Patients with different COVID-19 subtypes showed significant differences in the course of disease, sleep disorders, neuropsychological clinical symptoms, relevant scale scores, and PSG data analysis. Conclusion The emotional anxiety and depression of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with PTSD two years after the COVID-19 pandemic in Wuhan are more significant, and will not be self-alleviated with the passage of time. It is necessary to continue to pay attention to the PTSD symptoms and sleep psychology of COVID-19 infected patients, and take appropriate measures. Patients with severe and critical COVID-19 have more severe sleep and mental disorders, and there is a significant correlation between the duration of the disease and the severity of mental and mental disorders and sleep disorders after recovery.

Objective: To investigate the outbreak of mumps in a remote village school of Zhaoqing City, to evaluate and vaccine effectiveness ( VE ) of mumps containing vaccine (MuCV), so as to provide reference for the formulation of epidemic prevention and control strategies. Methods: Through on site case investigations and interviews, case data and epidemic related epidemiological information were obtained. Descriptive and retrospective cohort studies were used to analyze the epidemic characteristics, explore risk factors, and evaluate the protective effect of vaccines. Results: Totally 166 cases of mumps were found, and all of them were students. The total attack rate was 7.79% and the outbreak lasted for 60 days. The first case occurred on October 11th and the last case occurred on December 9th in 2018. Most of the cases aged from 10 to 13 years old, accounting for 66.27%. There were 96 male patients and 70 female patients, with no statistically significant sex difference in the incidence rate ( χ 2=2.40, P >0.05). Involving 28 classes, 11 of which had an incidence rate more than 10%, mainly distributed in grades 2, 4 and 6. There were statistically significant differences in incidence rates among different grades ( χ 2=96.89, P <0.01) and different floors ( χ 2=67.35, P < 0.01 ), with the third floor higher than the other floors. Twelve out of 58 boarding pupils were cases, and boarding pupils were 1.89 times higher in risk of contracting mumps than day students ( RR=1.89, 95%CI =1.10-3.23). Pupils without being given the shot of MuCV were higher in the infection rate than those having the shot ( χ 2=5.70, P <0.05), and the VE % was 35% (95% CI = 7%- 55%). The VE % of one dose was 34% (4%-54%), while the effectiveness of protection was declined with time ( χ 2 trend =6.53, P < 0.05). The effectiveness of vaccine almost diasappeared six years after the shot ( χ 2=1.12, P >0.05). Conclusion Delayed case report and isolation, low rate of receiving MuCV, and decreasing effectiveness of one shot MuCV are closely assocaited with the outbreak and ongoing spread of the epidemic.

BACKGROUND:The traditional view is that proximal fibular fractures do not require fixation.Others and our research suggest that the proximal fibular structure plays an important role in the stability of the posterolateral structure of the knee joint,and its mechanism of action is worth studying. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical effects of proximal fibular fractures on various structures of the knee joint in an extended state. METHODS:Finite element method was used to conduct simulated biomechanical experiments.A healthy young male volunteer was selected to establish a finite element model of the knee joint in an extended state using MRI and CT image data,and four proximal fibular shapes were simulated(Model A:intact,Model B:1 cm fracture below the fibular head,Model C:1 cm tip defect fracture from the proximal end of the fibula to the distal end,and Model D:2 cm bone defect from the proximal end of the fibula).A longitudinal concentrated load of 1 500 N was applied to the femoral shaft to compare and analyze the distribution and changing trend of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress of each structure of the knee joint in an extended state under four working conditions. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In Model A,the maximum equivalent stress in the tibial cartilage and lateral compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the medial compartment,while the maximum first principal stress in the tibial plateau and medial compartment of the meniscus was greater than that in the lateral compartment.The maximum equivalent stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the lateral condyle,and the maximum first principal stress of the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage was greater than that of the medial condyle.(2)Compared to Model A,there was no significant difference in the magnitude and distribution of the maximum equivalent stress and maximum first principal stress in the cartilage and meniscus of Model C.(3)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of Model B was in the order of medial tibial cartilage(14.9％),medial condyle of femoral cartilage(13.6％),and medial meniscus(6.6％).The maximum first principal stress increase amplitude was the medial meniscus(11.06％),the medial tibial cartilage(8.65％),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(7.46％).The maximum equivalent stress increase amplitude of the ligament was as follows:popliteal arch ligament(33.2％)>anterior cruciate ligament(21.3％)>fibular collateral ligament(17％)>posterior cruciate ligament(14.3％)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(13.2％)>medial collateral ligament(10.1％).(4)Compared to Model A,the maximum equivalent stress increasing trend of Model D followed the medial tibial cartilage(19.5％),femoral cartilage medial condyle(17.9％),and medial meniscus(9.9％).The maximum first principal stress in sequence was the medial meniscus(14.04％),the medial tibial cartilage(13.03％),and the medial condyle of the femoral cartilage(11.37％).The increasing trend of maximum equivalent stress in ligaments was as follows:anterior cruciate ligament(25.2％)>posterior cruciate ligament(18.9％)>medial collateral ligament(18.5％)>anterior lateral collateral ligament(12.7％).(5)It is suggested that when the knee joint is extended,a 1 cm fracture below the fibular head and a 2 cm fibular tip bone defect have a significant impact on the structure of the medial ventricular cartilage,anterior cruciate ligament,and posterior lateral ligament complex.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) for the treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine.Methods The data of 45 cases with cervical posterior longitudinal ligament ossification treated by ACAF from March 2017 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed,including 25 males and 20 females,age 45-68 years,average 57.5 years.There were 18 cases involving C3 vertebral body,30 cases involving C4 vertebral body,40 cases involving C5 vertebral body,34 cases involving C6 vertebral body,and 7 cases involving C7 vertebral body.The function of the neural function was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system at preoperation and latest follow-up.The curvature of the cervical spine was measured on the lateral X-ray film of the cervical spine,the maximum occupying ratio of the spinal canal was measured on the cross section of the CT scan,and compression of the cervical spinal cord was evaluated by the cervical MRI.Results Patients were followed up for 3 to 6 months (average,3.9 months).The improvement of neurological function was obtained in all the patients.The JOA score improvement rate at the latest follow-up was 71.3％±9.6％.The cervical lordosis was improved from preoperative 4.5°±3.8° to 10.3°±4.8° at the latest follow-up.The canal stenosis ratio was decreased from preoperative 54.3％±8.2％ to 12.5％±5.3％ at the latest follow-up.MRI showed that the cervical spinal cord was adequately decompressed in situ.No specific complications were identified that were associated with this technique.Conclusion The present study elaborates the surgical tips and demonstrates the satisfactory outcome of ACAF for the treatment of OPLL.This novel technique has the potential to serve as an alternative surgical technique for the treatment of cervical OPLL.