Objective: To investigate the influence of esculentoside A（EsA） on production of IL-1 and TNF by rabbit synovial cells induced by LPS. Methods: levels of IL-1 and TNF in the supernatant of rabbit synovial cell were determined by examining proliferation of thymic cells and by bioassay L929 cells as target cells, respectively. Results: EsA in 5-40 μg/ml could significantly inhibit the production of IL-1 and TNF from rabbit synovial cells induced by LPS. Conclusion: EsA can inhibit the production of IL-1 and TNF from synovial cells. It suggests that EsA may play a role in improving the rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To study the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 3 sites allele (T189M, R85H, C121W) of SCN1B and the association between gene distribution and epilepsy. Methods All 330 blood samples of refractory (80 cases), non-refractory (100 cases) epilepsy patients and healthy people (150 cases) were collected. Genomic DNA of leucocyte was extracted. SNPs of three sites allele of SCN1B were tested by allele-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction (ASP-PCR).Data were analyzed by SAS 8.1 statistical software. Results Epilepsy group and healthy group had significantly statistical difference in composition of 3 sites allele on single site genotype (x~2=11.19, 11.14 and 6.50, all P < 0.05).There was no statistical significance between refractory and non-refractory epilepsy group. On gene combination, in 27 different combinations of polymorphism, mutation frequency in 3 sites (CT + AG + CG) was highest in epilepsy group (18.40%).The next was one site in CT + GG + CC (16.80%).In healthy group, frequency of non-variant in CC + GG + CC was highest (16.67%), and the next was 2 sites in CT+ AG+CC (13.73%).Thirty-five cases in epilepsy group (28.80%) had 3 sites mutation compared with 10 cases in healthy group (9.71%), and their difference had statistical significance (x~2=12.54, P<0.05).Eighteen cases in refractory epilepsy group (30.51%) had 3 sites mutation compared with 21 cases in non-refractory epilepsy group (28.77%), and the difference had no statistical significance. Fifty cases in epilepsy group (40.00%) had 2 sites mutation compared with 41 cases in healthy group (40.20%), and there was no statistical significance between them; 25 cases in refractory epilepsy group (42.37%) had 2 sites mutation compared with 21 cases in non-refractory epilepsy group (28.71%), and their difference had no statistical significance. Conclusions Mutation, especially multisite mutation of SCN1B is relatively likely to cause epilepsy in human. Gene distribution and combination of three sites allele of SCN1B in refractory epilepsy is close to that in non-refractory epilepsy.

, which will provide enough seed cells for peripheral nerve tissus engineering research.

Objective To study the prognostic value of procalcitonin(PCT) and C?reactive protein ( CRP ) in critically ill patients with ventilator?associated pneumonia ( VAP )?Methods A single?center prospective observational study was conducted?A total of 67 cases patients with VAP admitted into intensive care unit(ICU) from November 2013 to October 2015 were enrolled and grouped as survivors(43 cases) and non?survivors(24 cases)?Blood samples for PCT and CRP were collected on the day of the pneumonia diagnosis,and the 4th and 8th day after the diagnosis?Results There were 24 cases(35?8 %) died among the 28 days after the pneumonia diagnosis?There was no significant difference between the survivor and non?survivor groups in terms of PCT on the day of the pneumonia diagnosis( P>0?05) ,or CRP on the day of the pneumonia diagnosis, and the 4th and 8th day after the diagnosis ( P>0?05)?But the PCT values on the 4th and 8th day were significantly higher in the non?survivor group than the survivor group(4 d:0?4(0?3,1?1) μg/L vs?4?7(2?3, 10?8) μg/L,P<0?05;8 d:0?2(0?1,1?7) μg/L vs?3?9(3?2,14?8) μg/L,P<0?05)?PCT levels decreased significantly from the day of the pneumonia diagnosis(0?7(0?4,4?2) μg/L) to the 8th day after the diagnosis (0?2(0?1,1?7) μg/L,P<0?05) in the survivor group?The PCT level above 1 μg/L on the 4th day after the diagnosis was the strongest predictor of mortality,with an odds ratio of 23?Conclusion PCT is found to be a more important prognostic marker compared to CRP in terms of predicting mortality in critically ill patients with VAP?The PCT level on the 4th day after the diagnosis is the strongest predictor of mortality in VAP.

BACKGROUND: Vertebral reconstruction is stil a chal enge for spinal surgeons. Ideal reconstruction materials should have good osteogenesis ability, reliable support performance, low price and simple operating steps.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect and feasibility of al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone in the reconstruction of rabbit cervical vertebra defect.
METHODS:Cervical vertebra defect models were established by resection of the fourth cervical vertebra in rabbits. Frozen-dried humeral cortical ring of rabbits was made to prepare the al ogenic cortical ring which was packed with autogenous cancellous bone. Then, al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone, single al ogenic cortical ring and autogenous iliac bone were used to repair rabbit cervical vertebra defects.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The X-ray, histopathological examination, and scanning electron microscope examinations al showed that the bone union was most significant in group reconstructed with al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone. The alkaline phosphates activity in serum was higher in groups reconstructed with al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone and with autogenous iliac bone than in group reconstructed with only al ogenic cortical ring at 2 and 4 weeks after operation (P<0.01), but there was no difference between the former two groups. The biomechanical examination showed that the stability of al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone was higher than that of autogenous iliac bone at 1 month after operation (P<0.01). These findings indicate that the effect of al ogenic cortical ring packed with autogenous cancellous bone in the reconstruction of rabbit cervical vertebra defects is satisfactory, with a good biocompatibility, which is a promising method for the reconstruction of vertebral defects.

BACKGROUND:The effects of both conservative and traditional open reduction and internal fixation are dissatisfactory in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures, however, minimal-invasive percutaneous pedicle screw-rod systems provide a new available method.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant minimal-invasive system in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures.
METHODS:A total of 55 patients, who had undergone percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system (25 patients) or open pedicle screw fixation (30 patients) for single-level vertebral body compression fractures in Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 2011 to January 2013, were enrol ed in this study. They showed no neurological signs and symptoms. The operative time, intraoperablood loss, postoperative drainage amount, length of hospital stay, pre-and post-operative Cobb angle and anterior vertebral body height ratio were recorded and compared between two groups.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Except two patients in open pedicle screw fixation group were lost after discharge, al other patients were fol owed up for 8-14 months. There were significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage amount and length of hospital stay between two groups (P=0.000 0). The post-operative Cobb angle was significantly lower while anterior vertebral body height ratio was significantly higher at one week than those before fixation in two groups (P=0.000 0). No significant difference was found in correction loss between two groups at 8 months after operation. Experimental findings indicate that, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system has a satisfactory outcome in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. However, understanding the correct indications is very important for clinical application.

BACKGROUND:Currently, one of common methods is discectomy, nerve root decompression and fusion rigid fixation from the midline approach for disc herniation which is inefficient by conservative treatments. Thus, it is causing degeneration and limiting lumbar physiological activity of adjacent segments. The treatment of non-fusion lumbar disc herniation with the traditional posterior midline incision approach has some disadvantages such as big incision, wide peeling, and back muscle denervation.
OBJECTIVE:To observe therapeutic effects of dynamic stabilization system through Wiltse approach on lumbar disc herniation, and to compare the outcomes with traditional posterior approach.
METHODA total of 46 patients, who had undergone discectomy and internal fixation using dynamic stabilization systems for lumbar disc herniation at the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2011 to January 2013, were enrol ed in this study. The operation was performed through the traditional posterior approach in 25 patients and Wiltse approach in 21 patients.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al 46 patients were fol owed up for 7 to 31 months (averagely, 13.8±2.4 months). The length of incision, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative drainage amount were less in the Wiltse approach group than in the traditional posterior approach group (P<0.05). No significant difference in visual analog scale scores and operative time was detected between the two groups at 1 week and 6 months after fixation (P>0.05). Radiographs revealed that the position of implants was good in al patients, no loosing or breakage. These data verified that the early effect of dynamic stabilization system through Wiltse approach for lumbar disc herniation is similar to that of traditional posterior approach.

BACKGROUND:Though the effects of conservative or traditional open reduction and internal fixation in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures are reliable and satisfactory for most cases, two methods also have shortages. Minimal-invasive percutaneous pedicle screw system provides a new available method. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the clinical effect of Sextant percutaneous pedicle screw system in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS:A total of 55 patients, who had undergone percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system (25 patients) or traditional open internal fixation (30 patients) for single-level vertebral body compression fractures in Department of Orthopedics of Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from February 2011 to January 2013, were enrol ed in this study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Except two patients in traditional open internal fixation group were lost after discharge, al other patients were fol owed up for 8-14 months. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage amount and hospital day were better in percutaneous pedicle screw fixation group than in the traditional open internal fixation group (P<0.05). Compared with preoperation, the sagittal Cobb angle, visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index after operation were significantly lower (P<0.05), while anterior vertebral body height ratio was significantly higher in each group (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in terms of correction loss and Oswestry disability index between two groups at 8 months after operation (P>0.05). The results show that percutaneous pedicle screw fixation using Sextant system has a satisfactory outcome in the treatment of thoracolumbar fractures. However, obeying indication strictly is very important for clinical application.

Objective To investigate sedation of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam on me-chanically ventilated patients.Methods Seventy-six mechanically ventilated patients were randomly divided into midazolam group (group M)and dexmedetomidine group (group D).The loading dose and maintenance dose of midazolam was 0.06 mg/kg and 0.04-0.2 mg·kg-1 ·h-1 ,and 1 μg/kg and 0.2-0.7 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 for dexmedetomidine.The drug dose was adjusted according to Ramsay score scale.Time when Ramsay reach 2-4 score,the length of ICU stay,mechanical ventilation time,drug adverse reactions,the levels of inflammation factors were recorded and compared between two groups.Results The length of ICU stay and arousing time in group D was significantly lower than that of group M (P <0.05).The levels of TNF-α,hs-CRP in group D were lower after 24 hr treat-ment than that of group M(P <0.05).The levels of hs-CRP in group D were lower after 48 hr treat-ment than that of group M (P <0.01).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine treatment reduced the lengh of ICU stay and levels of inflammatory factors of mechanical ventilated patients.

In order to broaden the application area of the new nitrogen removal technology, a full-scale system for short-cut nitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) was investigated in the nitrogen removal from a strong-ammonium pharmaceutical wastewater. When the influent ammonium concentration was (430.40 ± 55.43) mg/L, ammonia removal efficiency was (81.75 ± 9.10)%. The short-cut nitrification and Anammox system could successfully remove nitrogen from the pharmaceutical wastewater. The start-up of short-cut nitrification system took about 74 d and the nitrite accumulation efficiency was (52.11 ± 9.13)%, the two-step mode using synthetic wastewater and actual wastewater was suitable for the start-up of short-cut nitrification system. The start-up of Anammox system took about 145 d and the maximum volumetric nitrogen removal rate was 6.35 kg N/(m3·d), dozens of times higher than those for the conventional nitrification-denitrification process. The strategy achieving Anammox sludge by self-growth and biocatalyst addition was suitable for the start-up of Anammox system.
Ammonia ; chemistry ; Bioreactors ; Drug Industry ; Nitrification ; Nitrites ; chemistry ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Sewage ; microbiology ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods ; Waste Water ; chemistry