Objective To study the relationship between the grading of schistosomiasis japonica hepatic lesions by B-ultrasonography and the portal vein and splenic vein haemodynamics. Methods The grades of 125 schistosomiasis patients’ hepatic lesions were determined by Doppler ultrasonography according to the method recommended by WHO/TDR. The portal vein and splenic vein inner diameters and blood flow velocity were examined and the portal vein and splenic vein volumes of blood flow were calculated in the patients above mentioned and 51 normal persons. Results The inner diameters, blood flow velocity and volumes of blood flow of portal vein and splenic vein in the patients were significantly different from those in the normal persons, and also there were significant differences among the patients with different degrees of fibrosis. Conclusions The changes of schistosomiasis patients’ portal vein haemodynamics is connect with the liver parenchyma characteristics. The step up of the ratio of blood flow volume of splenic vein with the portal vein is breakdown with the aggravate of the hepatic lesion.

BACKGROUND:It is wel-known that vitamin E holds antioxidant capacity, but whether other growth factors have the same effect on endplate chondrocytes has not yet been reported. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of different growth factors on the antioxidant ability of endplate chondrocytes in the intervertebral disc. METHODS:Endplate chondrocytes were primary cultured, and then divided into four groups, including blank control, serum deprivation, hydrogen peroxide stimulation and hydrogen peroxide stimulation combined with different growth factors groups. The 4th group was subdivided into insulin-like growth factor-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factorβ, forskolin and vitamin E groups. The expression levels of caspase-3, matrix metal oproteinase 13 and 3, inhibitor of metal oproteinase 1 as wel as thrombin 4 and 5 were detected by real-time PCR. Cel apoptosis was analyzed through apoptosis kit and flow cytometry. Cel synthesis and secretion were detected by western blot assay. The total antioxidant capacity and the hydrogen peroxide content were determined by kit, and then statistical y analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Different growth factors had significant differences in the endplate chondrocyte apoptosis, secretion and antioxidant capacity. To conclude, transforming growth factorβand forskolin do further damage to the cel s stimulated by hydrogen peroxide, while insulin-like growth factor-1 and vitamin E expose protective effect on the injured cel s.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes using posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy (PECD) for single level cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR).Methods From October 2015 to June 2016,33 patients (23 men,10 women,mean age 54.0 years,range from 30 to 85 years) who had single level CSR were treated by PECD,and the medical records were reviewed.All patients were followed up for an average of 13.5±4.6 months (range from 12 to 22 months).The operation related parameters (operation time,estimated blood loss,length of hospitalization,complications) and clinical parameters,including neck visual analog scale (Neck-VAS),ann visual analog scale (Arm-VAS),neck disability index (NDI) and the modified Macnab criteria were assessed at 3,6,and 12 months postoperatively and last follow-up.Disc height,shell angle,C2-C7 Cobb angle and range of motion were recorded preoperatively and at 3 months,6 months,12 months and last follow-up postoperatively.Results The mean operation time was 76.4±26.6 minutes (range from 40 to 120 minutes),the mean estimated blood loss was 30.2±15.6 ml (range from 20 to 80 ml),and the mean length of hospitalization was 3.5± 1.1 days (range from 2 to 8 days).There was significant decrease at different time points postoperatively in Neck-VAS,Arm-VAS,and NDI when compared with preoperatively (P＜ 0.05).According to the modified Macnab criteria,there was excellent concordance in 20 patients (60.6％),good in 7 patients (21.2％) and fair in 6 patients (18.2％) at the last follow-up.The disc height was significantly decreased at postoperative 3 months and 1 year compared with at preoperative (F=95.1,P＜0.01).The shell angle of index level (F=35.4.,P＜0.01),upper adjacent level (F=30.1,P＜0.01),lower adjacent level (F=1 1.7,P＜0.01) as well as spinal function units (F=22.2,P＜0.01) were increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion of index level (F=8.1,P＜0.01) and upper adjacent level (F=64.0,P＜0.01) increased significantly at postoperative compared with at preoperative.The range of motion in lower adjacent level (F=1.5,P=0.23),spine functional unit of index level (F=2.9,P=0.06),as well as C2-C7 (F=0.6,P=0.56) had no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative 1 year (P＞0.05).One patient turned into traditional ACDF procedure because of hemorrhage limiting the vision during PECD operation.Upper extremity numbness and pain deteriorated in one case after a PECD procedure and was revised with ACDF at last.No other complications,like spinal cord injury,cervical root injury,cerebral spinal fluid leakage,infection as well as recurrence were found.Conclusion PECD,which can maintain normal cervical range of motion and intervertebral disc height,is a minimally invasive and essential procedure for CSR treatment with minor trauma,excellent outcome and quick recovery.Surgeon's experience,however,is needed in case of turning into open surgery for good outcome.