Objective To investigate whether the bone harvested from Cloward discectomy with trephine could substitute for iliac-crest bone grafts in arthrodesis procedure. Methods We reviewed the 30 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy involving a single level, which had been managed with anterior trephination discectomy and arthrodesis by the bone chips harvested from within the trephine. The bone chips harvested with trephine were then trimed and implanted erectedly similar to Robinson arthrodesis procedure. All cases had been followed-up for an average of 4.75 years. The latest results were analyzed according to JOA score system and recovery rate. The fusion outcome were assessed by anteroposterior and flexion and extension lateral radiographs of the cervical spine. Results At the latest followed-up examination, clinical results were excellent in fifteen patients(50％ ), good in eleven(36.7％ ), fair in three(10％ ) and poor in one (3.3％ ). X-ray showed solid fusion in all, and no dislodgment of the grafts. However, the cervical curves had a little loss. There was no significant bone grafts subsidence. Conclusion In cervical anterior decompression the bone chips obtained in trephination could substitute for other type of bone grafts for arthrodesis. The postoperative outcomes were not affected by the loss of the cervical curves.

To study the related substances in nicergoline, electrospray positive ionization high resolution TOF/MS was used for the determination of the accurate mass and elemental composition of the related substances. Triple quadrupoles tandem MS/MS was employed for the determination of the fragmentations of the parent ions. 16 related substances were detected and identified to be eight synthetic by-products and eight degradation products, by using impurity references matching, product mass spectra fragmentations elucidation, and verified further according to synthetic processes and stress testing results. The results obtained are valuable for nicergoline manufacturing process control and quality assurance.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Nicergoline ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Objective To describe the method and clinical result of super sural neuromusculocutaneous flap grafting plus catheter irrigation in the treatment for chronic lateral malleolus osteomyelitis. Methods From March 2000 to March 2008, 17 cases, male 14, femal 3, 21 to 75 years old (average 43-year-old),were underwent reversed saphenous musculocutaneous island flap after wide excision of lateralmalleolus lesion. The cause of lateral-malleolus lesions was trauma. The smallest flap was 5 cm× 6 cm and the largest was 7 cm × 11 cm. Catheter irrigation was used in all cases. Results Follow-up ranged from 12 to 96 months, average 49 months. After operation, the wounds were irrigated with sensitive antibiotics 1 to 2.5 months(average 49 days), and all flaps were survived. Except 2 cases, the other 15 were healed in 1 month.The 2 cases were not healed at first stage. According to the lab result,we changed the antibiotic, and in 2.5 months, we took off the catheter. Conclusion To deal with the chronic traumatic lateral-malleolus osteomyelitis, super sural neuromusculocutaneous flap grafting plus catheter irrigation is approprite and effective.

Objective To investigate the effects of lymph from ischemic/reperfused intestine on the inflammatory factors and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in TLR4 deficient (TLR4-/-) mice.Methods A total of 20 SD rats weighing (300 ±20) g were randomly assigned into two groups:lymph drainage group (group N,lymph drainage for 180 minutes without other treatment) and intestinal ischemia/reperfusion group (group I/R,draining the lymph for 180 minutes while clipping the superiormesenteric artery for 60 minutes followed by 120-minute reperfusion).Thirty-two TLR4-/-mice and thirty-two C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice were each divided into 4 sub-groups (n =8),injected with different fluids through the caudal vein:group N with normal lymph;group I/R with I/R lymph;group Edt with endotoxin;group HMGB1 with HMGB1 protein.The mice were sacrificed 180 minutes after the injection for sample collection.Results The levels of endotoxin and HMGB1 in the lymph drainage of the group I/R rats were significantly higher than that of the group N rats [(0.034 ± 0.050) Eu/ml vs.(0.017 ± 0.023) Eu/ml,P =0.033;(4.293 ± 0.883) ng/ml vs.(0.509 ± 0.128) ng/ml,P =0.006].In the mice injected with HMGB1,the mucosa thickness and villus height in the ileum of the WT mice were significantly lower than that of the TLR4-/-mice [(335.8±43.2) μmvs.(602.1±37.5) μm,P=0.000;(273.0±31.7) μm vs.(404.5 ± 18.6) μm,P =0.000];in both WT and TLR4-/-mice injected with the I/R lymph drainage,the mucosa thickness and virus height were decreased,but the decrements were significantly lower in TLR4-/-mice;there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),endotoxin,and HMGB1 between the TLR4-/-and the WT mice injected with normal lymph or endotoxin.In the mice injected with I/R lymph drainage,the levels of inflammatory factors in the TLR4-/-mice were significantly lower than those in the WT mice [TNF-α:(28.637 ±5.166) pg/ml vs.(41.917 ±8.175) pg/ml,P=0.000;IL-6:(60.900 ±24.729) pg/ml vs.(110.265 ±28.545) pg/ml,P =0.000].In the mice injected with HMGB1,the levels of inflammatory factors in the TLR4-/-mice were significantly decreased compared with those in the WT mice [TNF-α:(20.865 ± 6.464) pg/ml vs.(31.059 ± 6.204) pg/ml,P=0.004;IL-6:(36.268 ±8.977) pg/ml vs.(76.677 ± 14.099) pg/ml,P=0.000].Conclusions The concentrations of endotoxin and HMGB1 are significantly increased during intestinal I/R in rats.After injection of I/R lymph drainage,endotoxin,and HMGB1,the levels of inflammatory factors and HMGB1 in the mice injected with I/R lymph drainage are significantly higher than those in the mice injected with normal lymph;the levels of inflammatory factors and local damage of intestinal mucosa are significantly reduced in the TLR4-/-mice than in the WT mice.The gut-lymph pathway may play a key role in the intestinal I/R injury.

Cadmium ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Metallothionein ; biosynthesis ; Ubiquitin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the roles of cytochrome c (Cyt-c), caspase-9, and caspase-3 in pentavalent vanadium-induced neuronal apoptosis and to provide a basis for mechanism research.

METHODSNeurons from rats aged 1-3 days were cultured and treated with vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) at 5, 10, or 20 mmol/L. Neuronal apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The protein levels of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSApoptosis bodies were detected in the nuclei of neurons by TUNEL. The number of neurons with apoptosis bodies increased with increasing dose of V2O5 The apoptosis index (AI) was significantly higher in the 10 and 20 mm/L exposure groups than in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Western blot showed that the protein expression levels of Cyt-c and caspase-3 significantly increased in the 5 mmol/L exposure group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 10 and 20 mmol/L exposure groups, the protein expression of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 all increased as compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Neuronal AI was positively correlated with Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 (r = 0.954, P < 0.01; r = 0.938, P < 0.01; r = 0.943, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPentavalent vanadium may induce neuronal apoptosis. The protein expression of Cyt-c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 may play an important role in neuronal apoptosis induced by pentavalent vanadium.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Vanadium ; toxicity ; Vanadium Compounds ; toxicity

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the study was to investigate the content of nickel (Ni) ion in patients' saliva after wearing the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) crown or the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium-titanium(Ni-Cr-Ti) crown.

METHODS50 patients who had one molar or premolar needed repairing were selected and divided into two groups randomly. Patients in one group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown and the patients in the other group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown. Collect the patients' saliva before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. The content of Ni ion in saliva was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSThe content of Ni ion in both groups increased at the first week, and go back after 6 months. There were no significant differences before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. There were no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONWearing the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown or the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown has no significant influence on the content of Ni ion in saliva.

Chromium ; Chromium Alloys ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Humans ; Nickel ; Saliva ; Titanium

Objective To study the effects of fluoride on minichromosone maintenance(MCM)3 mRNA and the bone formation-related gene:bone sialoprotein(BSP),osteocalcin(OC),osteopontin(OP)mRNA expression on human osteoblast cells.The expression of MCM3 was tested for diagnosis and surveillance value on osteoblast treated with excess fluoride.Methods Human osteoblast cell(Saos-2)was cultured in McCoy5A medium and treated with fluoride(sodium fluoride,NaF).There were eight groups including:0(control),0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000,20.000,40.000 mg/L groups.Expression of MCM3,BSP,OC,OP mRNA were detected by real-time PCR.Dual-standard curve method was used for analysis.ALPase was determined by measuring the absorbance using a micro titer plate reader. Results Expression of MCM3 mRNA was lower in the 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,20.000, 40.000 mg/L groups(0.059 ± 0.003,0.027 ± 0.001,0.272 ± 0.004,0.115 ± 0.002,0.137 ± 0.004,0.754 ±0.002, all P > 0.05) and was higher in10.000 mg/L group(21.300 ± 1.200, P < 0.01 ) than control group( 1.000 ±0.020), especially 10.000 mg/L group was higher than groups treated with fluoride(all P < 0.01 ), the differences among groups were significant(F = 305.842, P < 0.01 ). Expression of BSP mRNA was significantly higher in 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000 mg/L groups(71.80 ± 3.60,133.00 ± 7.20,85.50 ± 0.60,80.90 ± 1.20,304.00 ± 21.00)than the control group( 1.00 ± 0.04), especially 10.000 mg/L group was higher than others groups treated with fluoride(all P < 0.01 ), the differences among groups were signifieant(F = 159.531, P < 0.01 ). Expressions of OC mRNA were higher in 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000 mg/L groups(110.00 ± 12.00,143.00 ± 2.10,90.60 ± 4.10,23.70±1.20) than control group(1.00 ± 0.01, all P < 0.01), and the differences among groups were significant (F = 158.734, P < 0.01 ). Expression of OP mRNA were higher in 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000,20.000 mg/L groups(167.00 ± 11.20, 111.00 ± 12.10,72.50 ± 3.50,134.00 ± 14.00,42.30 ± 2.40,45.20 ± 3.30) than the control group(1.00 ± 0.04, all P < 0.05 or < 0.01 ), the differences among groups were significant(F = 60.226, P < 0.01 ).Compared with control group(4.2 ± 1.2), the ALPase activity was increased in all groups treated with fluoride (6.0 ± 0.4,5.8 ± 0.1,5.7 ± 0.4,7.7 ± 1.1,19.2 ± 2.4,8.5 ± 3.0,18.1 ± 4.2), but only 10.000 mg/L and 40.000 mg/L groups were higher than control group and other groups treated with fluoride(all P < 0.01 ), the differences among groups were signifieant(F = 7.806, P < 0.01 ). Conclusions Irregular expression of MCM3 mRNA is not suitable as a diagnostic and monitoring biomarker of osteoblasts exposed to excessive fluoride. Fluoride may affect the osteoblast-related gene expression and to promote osteogenic differentiation.

Objective To study the effect of fluoride on expression of osteoblast Runx2, Osterix and their downstream COL I A2 in vitro. Methods Human osteoblast Saos-2 was cultured in vitro. The cells were grouped according to fluoride(NaF) dose used: 0(control ), 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000,20.000,40.000,80.000,160.000 mg/L. Cells were collected after 24 h culture, RNA extracted, and the mRNA expression of Runx2 and Osterix and downstream genes COL I A2 was detected using fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [Real-time (RT)-PCR]). Results After 24 h in vitro cell cultivation with NaF, the expression of Runx2 in 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000,20.000 mg/L groups(388.00 ± 41.80,209.00 ± 25.80,42.80 ±4.52,63.00 ± 16.10,24.30 ± 4.23,16.20 ± 4.32) was higher than that of the control group( 1.00 ± 0.12, all P ＜0.05). The expression of Runx2 in 40.000,80.000,160.000 mg/L groups(0.40 ± 0.05,1.91 ± 0.28,4.87±1.36)compared with that of control group, the difference was statistically insignificant(all P ＞ 0.05).The expression of Osterix mRNA in 1.250,2.500,5.000 mg/L groups(4.04 ± 1.67,229.00 ± 51.00,46.40 ± 10.60) was higher than that of the control group( 1.00 ± 0.42,all P ＜ 0.05). The expression of Osterix mRNA in 10.000,20.000,40.000,80.000,160.000 mg/L groups(0. 16 ± 0.07,0.13 ± 0.01,1.73 ± 0.54,0.01 ± 0.01, 0.09 ± 0.01) compared with that of control group, the difference was statistically insignificant (all P ＞ 0.05). The expression of COL I A2 mRNA in 0.625,1.250,2.500,5.000,10.000,20.000 mg/L groups (2.27 ± 0.89,8.03 ± 2.31,14.20 ± 2.75,7.66 ± 1.34,8.96 ±2.30) was higher than that of the control group (1.00 ± 0.04, all P ＜ 0.05). The expression of COL I A2 mRNA in 160.000 mg/L(0.54 ± 0.01 ) was lower than that of the control group(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride may affect mRNA expression of Osterix and Runx2 in osteoblast and their expression level is related to fluoride concentration.Runx2 and Osterix can also regulate the expression of COL I A2 mRNA.

Comparative analysis of characteristic of species and esterase-isoenzyme of isolates of Polyporus umbel-latus from different regions were processed. The results indicated that isolates of Jizhaoling ( Z) and Zhushiling (ZJ) have significant differences in characteristic, and enzymatic band types of the two species also have significant differences. The homology at genetics between the two isolates is 0% , and consanguinity between the two i-solates is the farthest.