BACKGROUND: Studies in recent years have suggested the involvement of chemoattractant cytokines in the recruitment of peripheral blood cells to the injured spinal tissue. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) belongs to the CC-type chemokines and is capable of specific chemotactic attraction of the macrophages.OBJECTIVE: To observe MCP-1 expression in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury and explore the possible mechanism of secondary spinal cord injury.DESIGN: A non-randomized and controlled concurrent pilot study.SETTING and PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients with acute incomplete spinal cord injury and 8 with compression fracture of the spine were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. Another 8 healthy subjects were included as the controls.METHODS: In the next morning after hospitalization, totally(8-10) mL of fasting peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients and the serum separated for determination of MCP-1 level with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) . Serum MCP-1 level was also measured in the healthy subjects in the same manner.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum level of MCP-1 in each group.RESULTS: Serum levels of MCP-1 in the healthy subjects, patients with compression fracture of the spine and those with acute incomplete spinal cord injury were(124 ± 15), (184 ±21) and(428 ± 11) ng/L, respectively, with significant differences between any two groups( P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: MCP-1 may induce secondary inflammation by recruiting inflamnatory cells to the injury site and thus aggravate the spinal cord injury.

Objective:To measure the expression of the MCP-1(Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury and explore the possible mechanism of secondary spinal cord injury.Methods:MCP-1 in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury,single spine compression and healthy subjects were detected by ELISA irrespectively.The MRI data of these patients were studied at the same time on a blind base.Results:MCP-1 in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury was correlated positively with the degree of spinal cord compression,which was elevated markedly(P

BACKGROUND: Available evidence suggests that following spinal cord injury, obvious reduction of Mg2+ level occurs in both the serum and the injured spinal cord, which has significant effects on cell membrane permeability, vascular regulation as well as secondary spinal cord injury.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of magnesium sulfate (Mg2SO4) administered via intraperitoneal injection on the injured spinal cord of SD rats.DESIGN: A randomized controlled experiment.SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan UniversityMATERIALS: Forty-eight adult male SD rats were allocated randomly into experiment group and control group with 24 rats in each.INTERVENTIONS: The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from April to August 2002. One hour after establishment of spinal cord injury models, the rats in the controlled group were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline, while those in the experiment group were given intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg Mg2SO4. At each time point of 4, 8 and 24 hours after the treatment, 6 rats were selected from each group for measuring free Ca2+ concentration in the cells at the site of injury with spectrofluorometer . The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the spinal cord were detected by means of xanthine oxidation and thiobarbituric acid was used to determine the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). Lowered SOD activity and decreased MDA level were considered to suggest the protective effect of Mg2SO4 against spinal cord injury. Inclined plane test was used to assess the spinal cord function at 8, 24 hours and 1 week after the injury, in which the rat was made to stand on an inclined plate covered by a piece of rubber and the plate was inclined gradually until the rat was no longer able to stay in the original position for 5 s, and the inclination of the plate was recorded. The test was performed 3 times for each rat and the plate inclinations were averaged. An increased inclination indicated improvement of the spinal cord function.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Intracellular Ca2+ concentration at the injury site. ② Changes in SOD activity and MDA concentration in the spinal cord. ③ Results of spinal cord function evaluation of the rats.RESULTS: Intracellular Ca2+ concentration at 8 and 24 hours after the injury was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group [(376.5±36.2)×10-9vs (425.9±32.7)×10-9 mol/L and (316.3±13.9)×10-9vs (350.2±29.4)×10-9 mol/L, respectively, P ＜ 0.05]. Compared with the control group at each time point, MDA concentration was significantly decreased, while SOD activity of SOD was increased in the experiment group (P ＜ 0.01). The improvement of spinal cord injury was not obvious in the experiment group and was significantly higher than that in the control group until I week after the injury [(53.3±4.3)° vs (44.3±5.7)°, P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal Mg2SO4 injection may significantly lower the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ at the injury site and alters the product of lipid peroxidation, suggesting its neuroprotective effect against spinal injury so as to lighten secondary spinal injury in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of free NgR-modified bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation on axon regeneration in rats after spinal cord injury. Methods Genes encoding free NgR protein were cloned and transduced into BMSCs at passage 3 using a lentivirus vector.Indirect immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of free NgR protein.Meanwhile a spinal cord contusion model was established in 36 adult Sprague-Dawley rats at the T10 segment.The rats were then divided randomly into an experimental group and a control group.NgR + BMSCs were transplanted into the injured site 1 week post-trauma in the experimental group.BMSCs were also transplanted at the same time into the control group.Expression of free NgR at the injury site was detected by immunohistochemical staining at 1 week post-transplantation.The functional recovery of both groups was evaluated at 4 and 6 weeks post-transplantation.Longitudinal sections of the spinal cord were studied for axon regeneration using horseradish peroxidase staining. Results Expression of free NgR was found in the cell plasma of BMSCs by indirect immunofluorescence post-transfection.Positive immunohistochemical staining for NgR was found at the transplant site in the experimental group 1 week post-transplantation.Better axon plasticity could be observed in the experimental group.The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scoring of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the controls at both observation times. Conclusions Free NgR-modified BMSCs can prompt injured axons to regenerate and thus to promote the recovery of neurological function.This might provide a new strategy to treat spinal cord injury.

Objective To detect the inhibitory effect of siliver nanoparticles loaded titanium nanotubes on staphylococcus aureus, and provide a theoretical basis for implant local application. Methods Orderly arrangement of titania nanotubes produced by anodic oxidation, loaded silver nanoparticals by situ replacement. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) were used to detect the morphology topology of silver nanoparticals, titanium nanotubes and siliver particals loaded titanium nanotubes. The minimum inhibitory concentration of silver nanoparticles was calculated. The antibacterial of planktonic bacteria was detected 1 day, 3 days and 5 days after culturing staphylococcus aureus on siliver particals loaded titanium nanotubes. The inhibitory bacterial adhesion properties were detected by scanning electron microscopy. Results The uniform and orderly diameter of 80～120 nm TiO2 nanotubes were prepared under 18 V voltage, loaded diameter of 20 nm silver nanoparticals, which effectively inhibited adhesion and proliferation of staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion Titanium nanotubes produced by 18 V have a stronger drug loading capacity. The 100 mmol/L silver nanopartical solution loaded nanotubes can effectively inhibit staphylococcus aureus adhesion and proliferation within three days.

Objective To study the clinical features and surgical strategies of thoracic spinal stenosis caused by ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL).Methods From January 2004 to March 2009,21 cases of thoracic spinal stenosis casued by OPLL,including 13 males and 8 females,received surgical treatments.Those cases aged from 34 to 71 years,with an average of 51.2 years old.The courses of disease were from 2 to 50 months,averaged 11 months.The lesions located in upper thoracic(T1-T4)for 4 cases,in middle thoracic(T5-T8)for 7 cases,in lower thoracic(T9-T12)for 10 cases.Nine cases were associated with ossification of ligamentum flavum(OLF),and 8 cases combined with cervical OPLL.Eleven cases received laminectomy and 10 cases received anterolateral decompression.Results The operation time was 90 to 240 min for posterior laminectomy with an average of 140 min,and 110 to 360 min for anterolateral decompression with an average of 240 min.All cases had no worse postoperative symptoms,neurological complications,subarachnoid cavity or wound infection.Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score was 8 to 15 with an average of 9.17±1.63 in 6 months after surgery.Nerve function improvement was excellent for 8 cases,good for 6 cases,fair for 5 cases and poor for 2 cases.The excellent and good rate was 66.7%.JOA score was 8-15,averaged 10.23±1.64,in 12 months after surgery.Nerve function improvement was excellent for 8 cases,good for 7 cases,fair for 4 cases,and poor for 2 cases.The excellent and good rate was 71.4%.Conclusion Thoracic spinal stenosis result from OPLL,which often combine with cervical OPLL and OLF,often show multiple manifestations.Posterior laminectomy and anterolateral decompression are suitable for those conditions.

Objective To explore the surgical strategies of thoracic spinal stenosis with dural ossification. Methods One-hundred and eight patients with thoracic spinal stenosis were treated. Dural ossification was found in 29 cases during operation from January 2004 to June 2008. There were 19 males and 10females, with an average age of 56.4 years (42-74 years). The course of disease was 13 months (2-48months). The lesion was located in T1-T4 in 4 cases, T5-T8 in 5 cases, and T9-T12 in 20 cases. All the patients were treated by posterior lamina resection. Both ossificated dural and ossificated yellow ligament were resected in 16 patients. Decompression was performed with partial ossification remaining on dural surface in 13 cases. JOA score was used to evaluate the outcomes 1, 3 and 12 months after operation. Results The average operation time was 140 min, and average bleeding was 300 ml. Dural incisions were repaired with a wound drainage in 11 cases. Seven cases appeared cerebrospinal fluid leakage which healed in 3-5 days.Dural incisions were not repaired without wound drainage in 5 cases. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in these cases healed in 5-7 days. Thirteen cases treated with floating method did not appear cerebrospinal fluid leakage. All patients did not undergo subarachnoid infection and the aggravation of original nervous system symptoms. According to JOA score, all patients were evaluated as excellent in 22 cases, good in 5 and fair in 2 cases, and excellent and good rate was 93%. Conclusion For thoracic spinal stenosis with dural ossification, resection of both ossificated dural and ossificated yellow ligament and complete decompression with partial ossification remaining on dural surface is safe and reliable. Dural ossification does not influence the prognosis, but increase operative difficulty and risk.

Objective By rejuvenation of degradative strain,the effects of Armillearia mellea to promote the growth of Gastrodia elata and to accumulate the gastrodin in G.elata could be recovered.Methods G.elata was inoculated with same variety of G.elata with A.mellea of wild strain,degradative strain for continuously asexual reproduction and rejuvenative strain,and the yield of G.elata and the content of gastrodin of G.elata were determined.Results The significant differences(P

Objective To explore the factors that influence the medical cost of advanced schistosomiasis patients in Anhui Province.Methods The medical records and other related data were collected from 13 pilot hospitals in Anhui Province.Single factor analysis and multiple regression methods on 264 cases of medical cost were used for the analysis.Results The results of single factor analysis showed that the history of ascites,ascites and concomitant diseases for advanced schistosomiasis medical cost had significant differences(P

Objective To investigate the phototoxicity effects of the nanocompound of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) on rat astrocytes in vitro.Methods The spinal astrocytes cells were cultured successfully in vitro and then incubated with the UCNPs-MC540 of various concentrations and exposured 980 nm infrared laser irradiation of different energy densities.The cell survival rates of each group were detected by MTT assay.The cellular morphology was observed via transmission electron microscope after photodynamic therapy.Results UCNPs-MC540 of different concentrations without laser irradiation or laser of different energy had no significant effects on cell survival rates.when cells incubated with 100 μg/ml UCNPs-MC540 for 12 h underwent laser irradiation of different energy,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased energy densities.when the cells incubated with UCNPs-MC540 of various concentrations for 12 h underwent laser irradiation of 2 000 J/cm2,the cellular survival rates significantly decreased with the increased concentrations.Compared with controls,the TEM show the apoptosis sign in the cells incubated with 200 μg/ml UCNPs-MC540 after laser irradiation of 2 000 J/cm2.Conclusion The UCNPs-MC540 mediated photodynamic therapy have effective killing effect on astrocytes by the mechanism of induction the apoptosis.