BACKGROUND:Cervical Open-door laminoplasty with unilateral mass screw fixation and laminectomy with bilateral mass screw fixation are both procedures that treat cervical spondylotic myelopathy by expanding the space available for the spinal cord. Effectiveness and safety of two operative methods remain unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biocompatibility of implant and host between open-door laminoplasty with unilateral mass screw fixation and laminectomy with bilateral mass screw fixation to treat multi-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: Data of 117 patients with multi-segment cervical spondylotic myelopathy (≥ 3 segments) were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-five cases underwent open-door laminoplasty with unilateral mass screw fixation (laminoplasty group). Fifty-two cases underwent laminectomy with bilateral mass screw fixation (laminectomy group). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system and by recovery rate. Cervical curvature index and cervical range of motion were assessed by X-ray films in both groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average folow-up time was 28 months (range 12-59 months) in both groups. No C5 nerve root palsy occurred in the two groups. Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were greater during final folow-up than pre-fixation in both groups (P < 0.01). No significant difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, recovery rate, and final folow-up cervical curvature index was detected in both groups (P > 0.05). Cervical range of motion was lower during final folow-up than pre-fixation in both groups (P < 0.01). Results confirmed that open-door laminoplasty with unilateral mass screw fixation and laminectomy with bilateral mass screw fixation have similar effectiveness in the improvement of neurological function, relieving pain and reducing complications, but wil greatly reduce the cervical range of motion.

The role of chronic inflammation and autonomic neuropathy in the crucial underlying process con -tributing to the initiation and the progression of various cardiovascular diseases is well established .It is well known that the immune system is innervated by the autonomic nervous system , and the inflammatory reaction and immune reaction are re-gulated by the autonomic nerve system .Vagus nerve depresses inflammatory reaction via cholinergic anti-inflammatory path-way (CAP), while sympathetic nervous system has bidirectional regulation of pro-inflammation and anti-inflammation, which are affected by several factors such as the concentration of neurotransmitters or types of receptors .In this paper , we reviewed different effects of CAP and sympathetic nervous system on cardiovascular inflammatory reaction .Activation of CAP and regaining normal sympathetic function will improve the chronic inflammation in the process of cardiovascular disea -ses.Low-toxic and selective α7nAchR agonist is expected to be applied in cardiovascular diseases to alleviate chronic in -flammation .

The dialysis for three species of poplar stems apoplast was obtained by microdialysis method, and then the concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+ in the dialysis sample was directly measured by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry ( GF-AAS) . The flow rate of perfusate was 1μL/min and the cut-off molecular weight of probe was 30 kDa. The real-time and non-destructive test technique established for the detection of ion concentration could be applied in research of poplar biochemical physiology. The recovery of the proposed method was 95. 8%-103. 1%. The contents of sodium ion in Populus wutunensis, Populus simonii and Salix matsudana were 1034-1156 μg/L, 1493-1611 μg/L and 1586-1703 μg/L; potassium ion were 1012-1237 μg/L, 941-964 μg/L and 1095-1201 μg/L; calcium ion were 4976-5237 μg/L, 4786-5042 μg/L and 5893-6142 μg/L. The method could provide reliable data for the study of ion concentration changes of plant response to adapt to all kinds of external environment.

Objective To evaluate the application of Sigma stent in treatment for esophagn-tracheal fistula. Methods Clinical data of 22 cases of esophago-tracheal fistula treated with Sigma stent were retrospectively analyzed, including 17 cases of esophageal cancer and 5 cases of benign esophageal diseases, with length of 4 days to 2 months. One single stent was placed in 5 cases, two stents ( both in trachea and esophagus each) in 15 cases, and three stents in 2 cases, and 18 eases with tube-type trachea stent, 3 with obtuse angle L-type and 1 with Y-type. Placement of stent was by interventional method or/and endoscopy. Results Forty-one stents were successfully placed in 22 patients with no death in the procedure. And, all patients with fistula were healed successfully and could have normal eating 2 to 4 days after operation, except 1 patient who received a tracheal stent inserted first, but an esophageal stent inserted again due to incomplete seal of the fistula and another benign case who received surgical operation 1 year after stent placement due to protracted unsealed fistula, with an overall cure rate of 91% (20/22). Conclusions Placement of Sigma stent in the esophagus or/and trachea could effectively heal esophago-tracheal fistula. All the patients can eat normally after the procedure. Stent can be recycled and formation of secondary esophago-traeheal fistula can be prevented effectively with such procedure.

Objective To research the feasibility of using three-dimensional CT (3DCT) associated with active breathing control (ABC) in determination of the individual internal tumor volume (ITV) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) comparing the four-dimensional CT (4DCT).Methods After 4DCT scans of 15 HCC patients who had accepted TACE,completed the 3DCT scans associated with ABC in three ways of breathing:free breathing ( FB),end inspiration hold ( EIH),end expiration hold (EEH).4DCT images were sorted into 10 phases and the maximum intensity projection (MIP) images were constructed.The GTVs were manually contoured on 4DCT and 3DCT images (labeled as GTV0,GTV10.….GTV90,GTVMIP,,GTVFB,GTVEIH and GTVEEH).GTV0…GTV90,GTV0 and GTV50,GTV0,GTV20 and GTV50,GTVEIH and GTVEEH were respectively merged into IGTV1,IGTV2,IGTV3,IGTV4.The volume and geometry displacement of GTVs and IGTVs were compared.Results All patients were compatible with the ABC technique and completed the CT scans in two ways.The motion of diaphragm measured between 4DCT and 3DCT images was not significantly different ( 1.39 cm and 1.39 cm,t =-0.02,P =0.983 ),it was similar to the volume difference among GTV0,GTV20,GTV50,GTVEIH,GTVEEH and GTVFB (56.4,54.6,55.5,55.6,55.2,59.7 cm3,F =0.01,P =1.000 ).The comparison result of volume difference among IGTV1,IGTV2,IGTV3,IGTV4 and GTVMIP (77.9,71.4,73.4,72.3 and 66.3 cm3,F =0.02,P =1.000)were similar to the differences of geometry displacement in x,y and z axial among them (F =0.48,0.04,0.02,P =0.750,0.997,0.999,respectively).Conclusion The application of 3DCT associated with ABC in determination of the individual IGTV for HCC is feasible and safe comparing to 4DCT.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the preventive effect of Guizhi decoction on myocardial injury after chemical sympathectomy induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).METHODS:Wistar rats (n=54) were randomly divided in-to 6 groups.Methycobal and Guizhi decoction ( with different proportions between Ramulus Cinnamomi and Radix paeoniae Alba at 2∶1, 1∶2 or 1∶1) were pre-administered to the rats.Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the cardiac sympathetic nerve distribution.The contents of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), choline acetylaminotransferase (ChAT) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in the left ventricle were measured by ELISA.The serum levels of myocardial en-zymes and morphology of myocardial tissues were also observed.RESULTS:6-OHDA successfully induced cardiac sympa-thetic denervation as the contents of TH and GAP-43 in the left ventricle declined significantly.Compared with model group, the content of TH was elevated in both methycobal group and Guizhi decoction groups, while the content of GAP-43 was elevated only in Guizhi decoction groups.The serum levels of myocardial enzymes and the histopathological changes of the cardiac tissues were deteriorated after injection of 6-OHDA, indicating that the myocardial injury was established. Methycobal and Guizhi decoction normalized the abnormal change.Guizhi decoctions at 2∶1 and 1∶1 showed the best effi-cacy.CONCLUSION:6-OHDA-induced sympathetic denervation causes myocardial injury.Guizhi decoction with the proportions between Ranulus Cinnamomi and Radix paeoniae Alba at 2∶1 and 1∶1 effectively alleviate the myocardial injury after cardiac sympathetic denervation induced by 6-OHDA.

Aim To investigate the preventive effect of Guizhi decoction on cardiac sympathetic sprouting induced by 4-Methylcatechol (4-MC) . Methods The rat models of cardiac sympathetic sprouting were in-duced by 10 mg · L-1 4-MC ( 10μg · kg-1 body weight, i. p. ) . Guizhi decoctions ( with different pro-portion between Ramulus Cinnamomi and Radix Paeon-iae Alba, 1 : 1, 1 : 2 and 2 : 1) and metoprolol were administered to the rats. Heart rate and electrocardio-gram ( ECG ) were observed, the content of norepi-nephrine (NE), growth associated protein (GAP-43), tyrosine hydroxylase ( TH ) and acetylcholine transfer-ase enzyme ( CHAT) in myocardial homogenate of left ventricular and right atrial were determined by ELISA method, and immunofluorescence assay was used to observe cardiac nerve sprouting and sympathetic distri-bution. Results 4-MC caused cardiac sympathetic sprouting and parasympathetic was not influenced. Heart rate of the model group was improved significant-ly and higher than that of the other groups . Compared with the model group, the content of NE, GAP-43 and TH in left ventricle and right atrium of the metoprolol group and Guizhi decoction group were decreased( P<0.05 ) , and the immunofluorescence result showed that the distribution of TH positive nerve was reduced sig-nificantly(P<0.05). It was demonstrated that Guizhi decoction of the proportion between Ramulus Cinnamo-mi and Radix Paeoniae Alba 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 had the best efficacy, which was similar to the efficacy of meto-prolol. Conclusion Guizhi decoction ( with the pro-portion between Ramulus Cinnamomi and Radix Paeon-iae Alba 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 ) effectively inhibits the cardi-ac sympathetic sprouting induced by 4-MC.

Objective:To review the treatment of life threatening head and neck space infection.Methods:Retrospective was con-ducted to analyse the patient characterization,signs and symptoms at the time of presentation,presence of concomitant systemic co-morbidities,treatment,prognosis and bacteriology.Results:32 patients from 2007.01 to 2013.01(mean age was 57.71 years)were included.The cases were increased year by year.1 1 (34.37%)patients had breathing difficulty requiring tracheostomy and 19 (59.3%)had concomitant systemic comorbidities.23 cases recovered completely,8 with severe mediastinal infection were trans-ferred to the department of thoracic surgery or the department of respiratory medicine.1 patient died.Pus submission rate was 96.87%,the bacteria detection rate was 37.50%.Pus culture showed mixed infection dominated by streptococci.Staphylococcus au-reus,pseudomonas aeruginosa,enterococcus faecalis,prevotella and neisseria were detected.Conclusion:Annually incidence of life threatening head and neck space infection is increasing.Treatment of the infection should include:①Ensuring the airway patency;②Surgical incision and drainage as early as possible;③ Hypoglycemic control,maintenance of hemodynamic,nutritional support,and multi-disciplinary approach are the key points in the management of such infections;④ Systemic antibiotics.

Objective To assess the CSCD-covered 7 journals of pediactrics.Methods The average number of refe rences,cited half life, H index, citation half life, self citation, IF, immediate index, self-cited rate of each paper pub-lished in 2013 in 7 journals of pediactric, covered in China Science and Technology Journal Citation Index Database, were divided into positive correlation group and negative correlation group.Their Spider Web maps were plotted.The papers published in the 7 journals of pediactrics were assessed.Results The top 3 journals, assessed according to the average number of references, IF, and immediate index, were Chinese Journal of Pediatrics,Chinese Journal of Prac-tical Pediatrics, and Chinese Journal of Evidence-based Pediatrics while the top 3 journals, assessed according to their citation half life , self citation, cited half life, and self cited rate, were Chinese Journal of Evidence-based Pe-diatrics,Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, and Journal of Clinical Pediatrics.Conclusion The academic level of the 7 journals of pediatrics is rather high.Chinese Journal of Evidence-based Pediatrics and Chinese Journal of Pediatrics have the highest assessment score.There is a large room for the other 4 journals to improve their academic level.