BACKGROUND: Studies showed that both anterior cervical disc replacement and anterior cervical decompression and fusion can achieve good clinical result in cervical spondylosis. However, it is not conclusive about which kind of surgical method has an advantage in avoiding the adjacent segment degeneration. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect on adjacent segment degeneration of single segment cervical disc herniation treated with anterior cervical decompression and fusion and anterior cervical disc replacement. METHODS: We col ected clinical data of 178 patients with cervical disc herniation and receiving anterior cervical disc replacement or anterior cervical decompression and fusion from January 2009 to December 2012. A retrospective analysis was performed. There were 116 cases in the anterior cervical decompression and fusion group and 62 cases in the anterior cervical disc replacement group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Evaluation: visual analogue scale score, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores and neck disability index were improved significantly in both groups during final fol ow-up compared with that pre-treatment (P < 0.05). (2) No significant difference in range of motion of operation segment, adjacent upper segment and adjacent lower segment was detected between final fol ow-up and pre-operation in the anterior cervical disc replacement group (P > 0.05). At 3 months after surgery, in the anterior cervical decompression and fusion group, surgical segment was confluent, and range of motion lost. During final fol ow-up, range of motion of adjacent upper segment and adjacent lower segment was significantly increased, and the increased range of motion in the upper segment was bigger than that of the lower segment (P < 0.05). (3) During final fol ow-up, X-ray films and MRI images revealed the number of degenerated adjacent segment was more in the anterior cervical decompression and fusion group than in the anterior cervical disc replacement group (P <0.05). The number of degenerated middle and upper segments was more than that of the lower segment in both groups (P < 0.05). (4) The findings confirmed that anterior cervical disc replacement or anterior cervical decompression and fusion for treating cervical disc herniation could effectively relieve nerve symptoms of patients. However, compared with the anterior cervical disc replacement, adjacent segment degeneration occurs more commonly after anterior cervical decompression and fusion.

Objective To investigate the microsurgical treatment of subdural extramedullary tumors in ventral spinal.Methods Retrospectively analyzed 16 cases of subdural extramedullary tumors in ventral spinal which resected by microsurgical technique from January 2000 to December 2013.By summarized the tumor character,location,extent of resection and rehef of symptoms.Results All of 16 cases were successfully resected,in which 14 cases completely resected,2 cases mostly resected.A higher response rate of local symptoms and neurological symptoms obtained postoperatively,2 patients got worse sensory disorders,movement disorder compared with preoperative,cerebrospinal fluid leakage occured in 1 patient.Conclusion Resection of the subdural extramedullary tumors in ventral spinal with microsurgical technique has the advantage of more clearly anatomical level,minimal tissue injury of spinal cord and surrounding tissue,higher tumor removal rate.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among its various active components, glycyrrhizic acid is believed to be the marker component. Squalene synthase (SQS) and beta-amyrin synthase (beta-AS) are key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of glycyrrhizic acid in G uralensis. To reveal the effects of co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS genes on this pathway, 7 yeast expression vectors harboring different SQS1 variants and beta-AS were constructed and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fusion proteins. TLC and GC-MS results showed that co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS enhanced the accumulation of beta-amyrin. The effects of SQS12 were more obvious than the other two SQS1 variants. This study is significant for further investigations concerned with exploring the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in vitro and strengthening the efficacy of G. uralensis by means of increasing the content of glycyrrhizic acid.
Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; genetics ; Intramolecular Transferases ; metabolism ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; metabolism

Objective: To study change of serum high sensitive cardiac troponin T (hscTnT) concentration in coronary circulation of patients with non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Methods: The subjects were all selected from our hospital, including 46 NSTE-ACS patients （NSTE-ACS group）, 42 patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP group) and 30 cases with negative coronary angiography results（healthy control group）The hscTnT concentrations in coronary venous sinus, coronary artery (CA) and peripheral serum were measured in three groups respectively. The results were compared and analyzed. Results: Compared with healthy control group, the hscTnT concentrations in coronary venous sinus, CA and peripheral venous serum all significantly increased in NSTE-ACS group and SAP group, P<0.01 all. Compared with hscTnT levels in CA and peripheral venous serum, there was significant increase in coronary venous sinus [(0.9657±0.5863) μg/L vs. (0.9562±0.7853) μg/L vs. (1.3018±1.1024) μg/L, P<0.05] in NSTE-ACS group. Conclusion: The serum hscTnT concentrations in peripheral vein, coronary artery and coronary venous sinus all significantly increase in NSTE-ACS patients, especially in coronary venous sinus.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of continuous plasma filtration absorption (CPFA) treatment on burn sepsis.

METHODSThirty burn patients with sepsis hospitalized in Beijing Fengtai You'anmen Hospital from July 2009 to October 2012 were treated by CPFA for twice besides routine treatment. The blood samples were collected at five sites (A, B, C, D, and E, respectively) of blood purification equipment before and after CPFA, before and after hemoabsorption, and before hemofiltration. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR) I , and sTNFR-II from sites A, C, and E were determined with ELISA before CPFA was performed for the first time, and those from sites B and D were determined with ELISA after CPFA was performed for the first time. Plasma levels of the above-mentioned cytokines from sites A and B were determined with ELISA before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time. The data of plasma levels of IL-1βP3, IL-1RA, sTNFR-I, sTNFR-II, and TNF-α before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time were collected for calculation of the ratios of IL-1RA to IL-1β and sTNFR-I plus sTNFR-II to TNF-α. The expression rate of human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) on the CD14 positive monocytes, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score, body temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and leukocyte count of patients were evaluated or recorded before CPFA and after CPFA was performed for the second time. Patients'condition was observed. Data were processed with paired t test.

RESULTSThe plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 from site B after CPFA was performed for the second time were significantly lower than those from site A before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values respectively 7.05, 5.23, 4.73, 2.37, P values below 0.01). After CPFA was performed for the first time, the plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from site D were significantly lower than those from site C before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values respectively 5.48, 2. 17, 1.78, P < 0.05 or P <0.01). The plasma levels of all cytokines were close between site B after CPFA was performed for the first time and site E before CPFA was performed for the first time (with t values from 0.04 to 1.05, P values above 0.05). The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 from site B after CPFA was performed for the second time were significantly lower than those from site A before CPFA was performed for the second time (with t values from 1.87 to 5.93, P <0.05 or P <0.01). The ratios of IL-1RA to IL-1β and sTNFR-I plus sTNFR-II to TNF-α, and expression rate of HLA-DR were increased significantly after CPFA was performed for the second time as compared with those before CPFA (with t values from 3.99 to 7. 80, P values below 0.01). APACHE II score after CPFA was performed for the second time was 11 ± 6, which was lower than that before CPFA (22 ± 7, t =4.63, P <0.01). After CPFA was performed for the second time, body temperature, pulse, and respiratory rate of patients were improved (with t values from 1.95 to 3.55, P values below 0.05) , and the leukocyte count was significantly decreased (t =4.36, P <0.01) as compared with those before CPFA. All patients survived and were discharged with length of stay of (27 ± 31) d, and no adverse effects occurred during CPFA treatment.

CONCLUSIONSCPFA, which combines hemoabsorption and hemofiltration, can facilitate the treatment of burn sepsis by decreasing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines efficiently, alleviating systemic inflammatory response, and improving the immune status.

Adsorption ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Burns ; blood ; complications ; immunology ; Cytokines ; blood ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemofiltration ; methods ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; blood ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; blood ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Sepsis ; blood ; immunology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Adolescent ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dystonic Disorders ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male

Adolescent ; Adult ; Astrocytoma ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Brain Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Thalamic Diseases ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Thalamus ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of neutral amino acid on preventing Parkinson disease.Methods Mice were injected with L-Valine,L-Pheylalanine,D-Valine or L-Lysine before or after paraquat administration,by which prakinsonian mouse model was constructed.The paraquat immunoreactivity was observed within nigral cell bodies.Then neurodegeneration and ?-synuclein aggregation were observed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Paraquat immunoreactivity was abolished by the administration of L-Valine,L-Pheylalanine before paraquat exposure.Pre-treatment with these two amino acids also protected the paraquat-induced loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic cells and formation of thioflavine S-positive aggregates.In contrast, paraquat-induced toxicity was unaffected if animals were injected with these two amino acids after paraquat exposure or pre-treated with D-Valine or L-Lysine.Conclusions L-type neutral amino acids such as L Valine and L-Pheylalanine can prevent paraquat-induced neurodegeneration and a synuclein pathology through a competitive inhibition mechanism with stereospecificity in the central nervous system (CNS).Neutral amino acid could protect the dopaminergic neuron in substantia nigra and may prevent Parkinson disease.

Objective To observe the role of rosiglitazone in unclipped kidneys of two-kidney- one-clip hypertensive rats and examine its relationship to angiotensinⅡreceptors.Methods Two- kidney-one-clip hypertensive rats were divided randomly into 4 groups as follows:positive control group (CONT),traditional antihypertensive drugs group (TAHD,reserpine 50?g?kg~(-1)?d~(-1), dihydralazine 6.25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1) and hydrochlorothiazide 6.25 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1),regular-dose rosiglitazone group (RRGL,rosiglitazone 5 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)),and high-dose rosiglitazone group (HRGL, rosiglitazone 20 mg?kg~(-1)?d~(-1)).Sham operation rats were as negative controls.Each group had 8 rats. Animals were monitored and sacrificed at 10th week.Results Blood systolic pressure in TAHD group and HRGL group was significantly lower than that in CONT group [TAHD(137?27 ) mm Hg and HRGL (143?16) mm Hg vs CONT (191?25 ) mm Hg,P＜0.05],but no significant difference between the former two groups was found.Nor did the blood systolic pressure between RRGL group [(176?18) mm Hg] and CONT group.At 10th week,rats in SHAM group and treated groups had lower urinary urinary protein excretion rate,glomerular injury score and wall-to-lumen ratio of arteriole than those in CONT group [vs CONT urinary protein excretion rate (44.60?17.40) mg/24 h,P＜0.05; vs CONT glomerular injury score 60.85?33.05,P＜0.05;vs CONT wall-to-lumen ratio of arteriole 2.33?1.01,P＜0.01,except TAHD group].Though with the similar level of blood pressure,blood glucose and lipid,HRGL,compared with TAHD group showed lower urinary protein excretion rate [HRGL (16.78?3.50) mg/24 h vs TAHD (27.94?12.79) mg/24 h,P＜0.05],decreased glomerular injury score (HRGL 18.04?7.76 vs TAHD 27.92?6.39,P＜0.05) and wall-to-lumen ratio of arteriole (HRGL 1.75?0.38 vs TAHD 2.16?0.90,P＜0.05) in the cortexes of unclipped right kidneys.The expression of type 1 angiotensinⅡreceptor (AT1R) mRNA was no difference in HRGL group and TAHD group,but the expression of type 2 angiotensinⅡreceptor (AT2R) mRNA was more intensive in HRGL group.Conclusion Rosiglitazone can protect the kidneys from hypertensive injury,especially in high dose.The beneficial effects seem incompletely dependent on the metabolism modulating and reduction of blood pressure,but in relationship to the upregulation of AT2R mRNA.

Objective To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of system thrombolysis combined with percutaneous catheter thrombus fragmentation and thrombectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism. Methods Ninteen patients with acute massive pulmonary embolism were treated with IVC filter placement, percutaneous catheter thrombus fragmentation and system thrombolysis combined with anticoangulation using low-molecular-weight heparin.Four of 19 patients underwent adjuvant Stranb Rotarex catheter thrombectomy.Results Twenty-one procedures were performed in 19 patients.Improvement of pulmonary artery patency and initial relief of symptoms immediately occurred in 18 of 19 patients after interventional therapy.The oxygen saturation increased from 86% to 97%.Pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 33? 5mm Hg(1mm Hg=0.133kPa)to 25?5mmHg after interventional therapy(t=13.2,P