BACKGROUND:Exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) plays an important role in the ligament tissue healing process, and the use of transgenic methods to transfect exogenous genes into cells can promote the secretion of bFGF. OBJECTIVE:To observe phenotypic changes and the bFGF protein expression after bFGF recombinant adenovirus was used to transfect rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). METHODS:Passage 2 BMSCs were divided into three groups:Ad.bFGF-eGFP group, Ad.eGFP group and control group. Under a phase contrast microscope we observed the changes in cellmorphology. The expression of bFGF protein in BMSCs was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proliferative curve was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The transfected cells showed a uniform phenotype of fibroblasts. MTT colorimetric assay revealed that more proliferative activity of transfected BMSCs was shown in the Ad.bFGF-eGFP group than in the Ad.eGFP group and control group. ELISA results showed that expression of bFGF protein was higher in the Ad.bFGF-eGFP group than in the Ad.eGFP group and control group (P<0.05). BFGF recombinant adenovirus can induce the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts, increase proliferative ability and promote the expression of bFGF protein.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of our self-designed adjustable weight-bearing brace for AO type B tibial shaft fractures managed by interlocking intramedullary nail.Methods A total of 68 consecutive patients with AO type 42-B tibial shaft fracture who had been managed from April 2013 to March 2015 hy interlocking intramedul]ary nail were recruited into our study.They were randomized into 2 equal groups (n =34).Group A received conventional therapy after operation while group B received auxiliary mauagement with our self-designed adjustable weight-bearing brace after conventional postoperative therapy for one week.The 2 groups were compared at postoperative 1,3 and 6 months and at the final follow-up in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS),weight-bearing status of the affected limb,time for fracture union,Radiographic Union Score for Tibial Fractures (RUST) and Johner-Wruhs scale.Results Of this series,62 cases were followed up for 12 to 18 months (average,14.7 months),5 ones were lost to the follow-up and one withdrew.The mean VAS scores at 3-month and 6-month follow-ups for group B were 2.5 ± 0.8 and 0.9 ± 0.6 respectively,significantly lower than those for group A (3.0 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 0.8 respectively) (P ＜ 0.05).In group A at 1-month,3-month and 6-month follow-ups,the weight-bearing status was 44.1％ ± 17.5％,72.0％ ±17.4％ and 86.4％ ±12.5％ while the mean RUST scores were 5.4±1.4,8.7±1.1 and 10.3 ± 1.1,respectively.In group B at 1-month,3-month and 6-month follow-ups,the weight-bearing status was 53.8％ ± 11.0％,84.1％ ± 12.2％ and 94.4％ ± 10.6％ while the mean RUST scores were 6.5 ± 0.8,9.9 ± 0.9 and 11.3 ± 0.8,respectively.There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the above indexes (all P ＜ 0.05).Group B achieved clinical fracture union after an average of 3.3 ±0.7 months,significantly faster than group A (3.9 ± 1.0 months) (P ＜ 0.05).According to the Johner-Wruhs scoring,group A had 19 excellent cases and 12 good ones while group B had 27 excellent ones and 4 good ones,showing a significant difference between the 2 groups (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Early application of our self-designed adjustable weight-bearing brace for patients with AO type B tibial shaft fracture managed by interlocking intramedullary nail can reduce postoperative pain,accelerate callus growth,shorten bony healing time and achieve satisfactory functional recovery.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of bilateral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in improving intraoperative wake-up quality in the patients undergoing thoracolumbar scoliosis correction with general anesthesia. Methods: Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱor Ⅲ patients of both sexes, aged 18-60 yr, scheduled for elective posterior approach thoracolumbar scoliosis correction, were divided into 2 groups (n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group) and bilateral ESPB group (E group). Bilateral ESPB was performed through injecting 0.375% ropivacaine 15-20 ml to each site in group E. Anesthesia was induced by intravenously injecting propofol, sufentanil and cisatracurium after dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused for 10 min.Anesthesia was maintained by intravenously infusing remifentanil, propofol and dexmedetomidine.Propofol infusion was stopped and the infusion rate of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine was decreased during intraoperative wake-up test.Wake-up test was performed every 30 s starting from 5 min after stopping propofol infusion.The wake-up time, occurrence of agitation and coughing, hemodynamic changes (△MAP and △HR, the difference between MAP while stopping administration before wake-up test and maximum MAP during wake-up test, the difference between HR while stopping administration before wake-up test and maximum HR during wake-up test) and blood loss were recorded.The wake-up quality was assessed during operation. Results: Compared with C group, the wake-up time was significantly shortened, the incidence of agitation and coughing was decreased, blood loss was reduced, △MAP and △HR were decreased, and the wake-up quality was increased in E group (P<0.05). Conclusion Bilateral ESPB can increase the intraoperative wake-up quality in the patients undergoing thoracolumbar scoliosis correction with general anesthesia.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation and single pedicle screw fixation for thoracolumbar fracture with greenstick lamina fracture. Methods: A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 106 patients with thoracolumbar fractures combined with greenstick lamina fractures admitted to the 909th hospital from January 2011 to May 2016. There were 68 males and 38 females, aged 21-58 years [(39.5±7.1)years]. The fracture was located at T₁₁ in 9 patients, at T₁₂ in 6, at L₁ in 28, at L₃ in 11. A total of 58 patients underwent posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation including 37 males and 21 females, aged 23-58 years [(38.7±6.6)years]. The preoperative neurological function was evaluated according to ASIA grade: grade A for three patients, grade B for nine, grade C for 14, grade D for 27, and grade E for 53 patients. A total of 48 patients were treated with single posterior pedicle screws fixation including 31 males and 17 females, aged 21-57 years [(41.4±5.8)years]. Statistical indicators included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae, sagittal Cobb angle, visual analogue scale (VAS), ASIA grading, dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment, and complications. Results: All patients were followed up for 24-72 months [(30.2±4.7)months]. The operation time ranged from 105 to 137 minutes [(113.5±21.3)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 235-310 ml [(252.2±28.6)ml] in the posterior decompression and pedicle screws fixation group. In the posterior pedicle screw fixation group, the operation time ranged from 52 to 85 minutes [(65.3±9.6)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 72-125 ml [(90.2±23.6)ml]. The anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae, sagittal Cobb angle and VAS score of the two groups were significantly improved immediately after operation and at the last follow-up (all P<0.01). At one year follow up, the ASIA grading in patients treated with single posterior pedicle screw fixation remained the same while the ASIA grading of patients treated with posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation was significantly improved compared with before operation. Dural tears were found in 12 patients and cauda equina entrapment were found in five patients during decompression. Three patients had neurological function injury after posterior pedicle screw internal fixation surgery, and they received a second decompression operation. Dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment were subsequently found in all of the three patients. No complications related to internal fixation occurred during follow-up. Conclusions Both posterior decompression pedicle screw fixation and single pedicle screw fixation can effectively correct the kyphosis deformity, restore vertebral body height, and relieve pain in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture with greenstick lamina fracture. Dural tears and/or cauda equina entrapment might be subsequently found in greenstick lamina fracture. Posterior pedicle screw fixation can not release the entrapped cauda nerve, so attention should be paid to the risk of secondary surgery.