Objective To evaluate the effect of transverse position and numbers on the stability of the spinal pedicle screw fixation during the pedicle cortex perforation. Methods The vertebral compression fracture was performed in the L1 vertebral body using the Chiba's method from 60 fresh thoracic and lumbar vertebrae samples of sheep(T13-L3),which were randomly divided into 6 groups(A,B,C,D,E,and F)using a lottery method. Bilateral pedicles of vertebral arch of T14 and L2 were inserted pedicle screws,connecting titanium rods to fix T14-L2 segments. Then the samples of groups B,C,D,E,and F were removed a quarter of right side of lateral T14 thoracic pedicle cortical,which were considered the pedicle cortex perforation model. Finally,each group was fixed on different numbers of crosslinks:group A(0 crosslink,Intact),group B(0 crosslink,NCL),group C(1 crosslink,1/2 of the rods,MCL),group D(1 crosslink,1/3 of the rods close to T14,PCL),group E(1 crosslink,2/3 of the rods away from T14,DCL)and group F(2 crosslinks,1/3 and 2/3 of the rods respectively,TCL). After all samples were subject to 10 000 times of fatigue test with biomechanics test machines,the axial compressive stiffness,range of the motion(ROM)of the 6 directions(flexion,extension,lateral bending,and axial rotation),and the maximum pullout of the screws of the T14 pedicle cortex perforation were measured and compared among these 6 groups. Results The axial compressive stiffness in groups A,C,D,E,and F was significantly higher than that in group B(all P<0.05),and group A was significantly higher than group F(P<0.05) . The maximum pullout in groups A,C,D,E,and F were significantly higher than that in group B(all P<0.05),and group A was significantly higher than group F and groups C,D,and E were significantly lower than group F(all P<0.05). ROM of flexion,extension,lateral bending,and axial rotation in groups A,B,C,D,E,and F were significantly lower than that in group B(P=0.000),and ROM of left and right axial rotation in groups C,D,and E were significantly higher than in that group F(P=0.000). Conclusions During the pedicle cortex perforation,adding of one crosslink can improve the stability of the pedicle cortex perforation,and adding of two crosslinks can approximately achieve the same stability as the pedicle screw fixation with no pedicle cortex perforation. The location of the crosslink has no obvious effect on the short segment of spinal fixation.

Objective To investigate the expression pattern of microRNA (miRNA) in the kidneys of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats and to identify specific miRNA related to renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF).Methods Forty-eight male SD rats were divided into two groups:UUO group and sham-operated (Sham) group.Rats were sacrificed at 3,7 and 14 days after operation.Histologic changes were examined by Masson staining.Forty-eight selected miRNAs were examined by stem-loop real-time qPCR.Results At the 3rd day after operation,obstructed kidneys from operation rats showed mild edema in the interstitium and mononuclear cell infiltration.At the 7th day after operation,focal interstitial fibrosis was observed.At the 14th day after operation,fibrosis became more severe.The Sham kidneys showed no pathological changes.At the 3th day after operation,25 miRNAs were differentially expressed.At the 7th day after operation,24 miRNAs were aberrantly expressed,whereas 21 miRNAs were differentially expressed at the 14th day after operation (P＜0.05).Among these miRNAs,miR-132,miR-192,miR-194,miR-29c and miR-203 were consistently up-regulated or down-regulated in a time-dependent manner after operation.There were significantly correlations between the expression of five miRNAs and severity of tubulointerstitial injury (P＜0.05).Conclusions There are at least 20 miRNAs differentially expressed in the process of RIF induced by UUO.There are significantly correlations between the expression of miR-132,miR-192,miR-194,miR-29c and miR-203 and the severity of tubulointerstitial injury.They may be closely related to RIF.A further study is needed.

Electronystagmography ; Humans ; Postural Balance ; Vestibular Function Tests

Humans ; Meniere Disease ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Vascular Diseases ; complications ; Vertigo ; diagnosis ; etiology

A series of tacrine-methoxybenzene hybrids (5a-5i) were designed, synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of cholinesterases (ChEs). All the compounds had better ChEs inhibitory activities than tacrine with IC50 values at the nanomolar range. Compound 5h exhibited the strongest inhibition on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an IC50 value of 6.74 nmol x L(-1) and compound 5f showed the most potent inhibition on butyrylcholinesterase with IC50 value of 3.83 nmol x L(-1). Kinetic and molecular modeling studies showed that these hybrids targeted both the catalytic active site and the peripheral anionic site of AChE.

Adolescent ; Endoscopy ; Ethmoid Sinus ; Frontal Sinus ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoma ; surgery ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms ; surgery

ObjectiveTo observe the projections from respiratory neurons of medulla oblongata to the motor neuron pool of phrenic nerve in rat. MethodsBy using horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing technique after injecting HRP into phrenic nerve, retrograde labelled neurons were found in C3-C5 segment. Then, HRP was injected into the area where the phrenic motor neurons occupied, retrograde labelled neurons were found in medulla oblongata. ResultsPhrenic motor neurons locate in the C3-C5 segment ipsilaterally, occuping the intermediate portion of anterior horn and appearing typical motor neurons. Retrograde labelled neurons were found bilaterally in medulla oblongata, the neurons were located in nucleus retroambigualis (RNA), ventramedial area to nucleus retrofacialis (NRF). ConclusionThe phrenic motor neurons may receive direct projection of respiratory neuron in medulla oblongata, the projecting neurons are distributed in RNA and NRF area.

Guizhi Fuling capsule is a traditional Chinese medicine composed of five kinds of medicinal plants, Cinnamomi Ramulus, Poria, Moutan Cortex, Persicae Semen, and Paeoniae Radix Alba. Pharmacology studies have shown that Guizhi Fuling capsule has many activities: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, regulating smooth muscle, endocrine regulation and enhancing immunity. It achieved obvious effects in the treatment of uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease, dysmenorrheal, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, breast hyperplasia and other gynecological diseases. This paper reviewed the main progress on studies of pharmacological activities and clinical applications of Guizhi Fuling capsule in recent years.
Capsules ; administration & dosage ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans

Objective To understand the pattern of and influencing factors on leisure time physical exercises among adults in Zhejiang. Method Totally 17 437 residents aged 18 years and over selected by stratified cluster random sampling in Zhejiang in 2010 were investigated. Result Overall 21.82%(95%CI:17.12%-27.38%) of adults took part in leisure time physical exercises in 2010. The proportion was higher in urban (29.04%,95%CI:23.46%-35.33%) than in rural (18.81%,95%CI:12.89%-26.61%) (χ2=222.06, P<0.05) areas, and also higher in females (22.91%,95%CI:17.66%-29.15%) than in males (20.56%,95%CI:16.39%-25.48%) (χ2=13.94, P<0.05). Adults aged 18-24 and 55-74 years were more likely to take apart in physical exercises (χ2=266.73, P<0.05), and the lowest proportion was found among farmers (5.33%,95%CI:3.99%-7.11%) (χ2=2 078.40, P<0.05). These proportions both increased along with education level and family income increase (χ2=444.87, P<0.05;χ2=332.20, P<0.05). Overall 83.04%and 90.08%of physical exercisers took part in exercises at least 3 times per week and 30 minutes per time, only 30.67% of those reached moderate or vigorous intensity, and overall 5.38% (95%CI: 3.85%-7.48%) of adults took part in regular leisure time physical exercises in 2010. Multiple logistic regression showed that age, education level, occupation and chronic disease history have influence on regular physical exercises. Conclusion The leisure time physical exercises level was generally low among adults in Zhejiang. Young and middle-aged adults with less education and low income especially farmers should be put on emphasis.

Hypokalemia is a common clinical symptom. It is quite important to clarify the cause of hypokalemia. Autoimmune thyroid disease and primary Sjogren syndrome ( pSS ) have a common genetic predisposition. The coexistence of both diseases is frequent. Renal tubular acidosis ( RTA) is one of the causes of hypokalemia, which can be primary and secondary to other diseases in etiology. Primary RTA is more common in children. As for adults, RTA is often secondary to pSS. In this paper, we reported a case of hypokalemia caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis associated with primary Sjogren’s syndrome and renal tubular acidosis in order to call attention to the special cause and treatment of hypokalemia.