Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is common clinical spinal disorders often occurring in the cervical spine, with the main symptom being nerve compression. The specific mechanism of OPLL remains unclear, but genetic factors, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), mechanical stimulation, metabolism abnormality might be involved in the etiology of the disease. Multiple genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the development of OPLL. OPLL has prominent genetic characteristic, and it is associated with SNPs of several genes. Here we review the SNPs of several genes (COL11A2, BMP-2, TGF-β1, TGF-β3, NPPS, COL6A1 and Runx2) which contribute to the development of OPLL, hoping to lay a foundation for future study.

Objective: To observe the bone graft fusion of goat cervical model implanted with anterior cervical-adjustable fusion fixator(AC-AFF), laying a foundation for future studies. Methods: Eighteen experiment goats were implanted with AC-AFF, titanium mesh and autogenous iliac bone combined cervical plate after corpectomy. Six months later, the fused cervical spine vertebrae were collected, prepared, and observed grossly, under microscope, by X-ray photographs and CT scan; the fusion of the graft was evaluated. Meanwhile, the fusion of AC-AFF with the adjacent vertebral surface was observed. Results: All the experiment animals survived after operation; all the implants were stable, without displace or loosening. The interface where the titanium or AC-AFF contacts the vertebral body surface was bulged and ossified. All iliac bone graft fused well and a great deal of bony callus was found covering the vertebral body surface. Lucency area was not seen surrounding the bone graft, titanium and AC-AFF on the X-ray films, and there was new bone formation in the interface of internal fixation and bone. The central region of titanium and AC-AFF became vague and new bone formation was found in the intracavitary area of implants by CT scan. And part of the new bone transited the parietal reticulation and connected with normal ossea at titanium and AC-AFF. A large number of phoroblasts and chondrocytes were found microscopically in the bone fusion sites in all cases; however, the region without bony callus still existed in the titanium mesh lateral wall. Conclusion: There are no differences in bone fusion between AC-AFF with titanium mesh and autogenous iliac bone combined cervical plate. New phoroblasts and chondrocytes can be generated in the bone graft interface. AC-AFF has been proven as an important method for cervical stability reconstruction after decompression operation.

Objective: To establish an animal model for anterior cervical-adjustable fusion fixator (AC-AFF), and to compare the operation time, blood loss, and recovery time of food intake and movement between AC-AFF group and other groups with different cervical reconstruction fixators. Methods: Eighteen goats were evenly randomized into 3 groups: AC-AFF, steel plate+ titanium mesh, and steel plate+autogenous iliac bone group. The 3 fixtors were implanted after corpectomy. The operation time, blood loss during operation, and recovery time of food intake and movement were recorded in each animal and were compared. Results: All experiment animals survived after operation; one animal of steel plate+titanium mesh group suffered from incision infection and recovered 5 days after intramuscular penicillin therapy. Two animals in steel plate+autogenous iliac bone group could not stand on forehoof, but food intake was not influenced; the animals could stand 1 week later without treatment and walked with difficulty, and they recovered normal walk 2 weeks later. Four animals received C3 corpectomy (2 received AC-AFF and 2 received steel plate+titanium mesh) and the rest received C4 corpectomy. It was found that AC-AFF group had the shortest operation time (P<0.01), and there was no difference between the other 2 groups. The intra-operation blood loss in the steel plate+autogenous iliac bone group was significantly higher than that in the other 2 groups (P<0.01), with no significant difference found between the latter 2 groups. Conclusion: AC-AFF is easier to manage than the other 2 fixators; besides, AC-AFF has less blood loss, short operation time, less post-operation complication, and early recovery of food intake and movement.

This research was based on the theory and method of International Classification of Function, Disability and Health (ICF) and looked into the issues of physical function and disability. It tried to explore the purpose, knowledge structure and curriculum of special physical education that met the needs of social development and to restructure the curriculum and content of special physical education. Stu-dents of special physical education should not only master basic specialized knowledge, but also be able to practice theories, so as to better serve all kinds of children with special needs in training, assessment and intervention.

Because of the aggressive threaten of heat stroke and a lack of understanding of the mechanism of action, mammal animal models for experimental heat stroke were well developed. During the past 5 decades, anesthetized mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, baboon and monkey were used as animal model for experimental heat stroke. However, anesthetized mammals models have some limitations, such as neuroprotective effect of anesthetic agents, possible disturbance on injury and recovery of stroke animals by anesthetic agents, difficulty of discussing animal behavior before and after heat stroke, it was also difficult for the models to evaluate cognitive function of animal under hot environment. Considering humanitarian, only awaked and unrestrained mouse heat stroke model was accepted so far. Therefore, we also developed an awaked and unrestrained rat heat stroke model, and found it was helpful to evaluate drug effectiveness for animal behavior and cognitive function under hot environment.
Animals ; Cognition ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heat Stroke ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Rats

Various column chromatography, such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC was used to isolate and purify the chemical constituents from Cinnamomum cassia. The structures were determined on the basis of NMR and MS spectral data analysis, together with the comparison with literature data. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the 85% aqueous ethanol extract of C. cassia, and their structures were identified as (2R, 3R)-5,7,3',4'-tetramethoxyflavan-3-ol( 1), (2R, 3R)-5,7-dimethoxy-3',4'-methylenedioxyflavan-3-ol (2), coumarin (3), cinnamic acid (4), (E)-2-hydroxy-phenylpropionic acid cinnamoyl ester (5), 3, 3', 4, 4'-tetrahydroxy biphenyl (6), methylstictic acid (7), epi-boscialin (8), (1R,2S,3S,4S)-2,3-epoxy-1, 4-dihydroxy-5-methyl-5-cyelohexene (9), 4,5-dihydroxy-3-methyl cyclohex-2-enone (10), cis-4-hydroxymellein (11), and 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyl-cinnamaldehyde (12). Compounds 5-11 were obtained from this genus plants for the first time.
Cinnamomum aromaticum ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to explore the effect of Notch signaling depression on the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells.

METHODSMice RAW264.7 cells were cultured and differentiated into osteoclasts with the induction of RANKL. The expressions of Notch1, Notch2, Deltal, Jagged1, Hes1, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and Cathepsin K genes during osteoclastogenesis were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Osteoclast formation was analyzed using TRAP assay with suppression of Notch receptors by a selective γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI).

RESULTSNotch1, Notch2, Delta1, Jagged1, and Hes1 expressions in RAW264.7 cells were upregulated following 50 ng · mL-RANKL stimulation for 3 d, concomitant with the expression of the osteoclast differentiation markers TRAP and Cathepsin K. Notch2 and Jagged1 had the most remarkable increase in the Notch family members. GSI inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells and Hes1 expression dose-dependently.

CONCLUSIONNotch signaling activation may promote RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells.

Objective To observe the effect of Zhi Qing Capsule on the plaque formation of hyperlipemia rabbits and to discuss its mechanism.Methods Forty-eight New-Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into normal control group,hyperlipemia group,Xuezhikang control group and three Zhi Qing capsule groups.Before and after 2-week treatment,the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) in the serum were determined.After 4-week treatment,TC and TG contents in the liver,and nitric oxide(NO),thromboxan B2(TXB2) and endothelin-1(ET-1) levels in the serum were measured.At the end of the sixth week,all rabbits were killed to observe aorta pathological changes.Results Zhi Qing Capsule can obviously counteract the increase of serum TC,LDL-C and liver TC in the hyperlipemia rabbits,restrain the formation of aorta atherosclerotic plaques,increase the level of NO and decrease the levels of TXB2 and ET-1.Conclusion Zhi Qing Capsule has an evident effect on resisting the lipid metabolism disturbance and atherosclerosis.

Objective To observe the apoptosis of neuron and protein kinase B (Akt) expression after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)in rats, and investigate the interference effect and mechanism of ?-aeacine sodium on ICH injury.Methods All Sprague - Dawley male rats were randomly divided into normal group, pseudo -operation group,model group and therapeutic group treated with ?-sodium aeacine.The latter three groups were divided into five subgroups respectively :6 h,12h,1d,3d and 7d.ICH models were performed by injection Ⅶ type collagenase into the the right globus pallidus.By the methods of in situ terminaldeoxynucleotidyl transferase- mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and immunohistochemistry, The dynamic changes of apoptosis and the expression of AKt protein were observed in the damaged cortex.Results TUNEL-positive cells appeared at 6h after collagenase injection in the model group and the expression of AKt increased at 12 h.They reached their peak at 3rd day, and were still present during 1 week. The numbers of TUNEL-positive cells in 1 d, 3 d, 1 week after ICH decreased markerly in treatment group than those of in model group ( P

Objective To explore surgical techniques and curative effects of microsurgical treatment for tumors in upper cervical spinal canal.Methods A total of 81 cases of tumors in upper cervical spinal canal had received microneurosurgery from January 1990 to December 2005.The operation was conducted through a posteromedial approach.A total tumor resection was performed in 73 cases of neurofibroma or neurilemmoma,3 cases of spinal meningioma,and 3 cases of ependymoma.A subtotal tumor resection was conducted in 2 cases of astrocytoma.Results A complete recovery was achieved in 75 cases,an improvement of symptoms was achieved in 4 cases,and no improvement in 2.No death was encountered.Follow-up observations were carried out in 52 cases for 3 months ～ 3 years(8.5?1.5 months).MRI examinations 3 months after operation in 15 cases found no residual or recurrent tumor.X-ray radiography under anteroposterior,lateral,and open-mouth view 6 months after operation in 32 cases showed no spinal deformation and good vertebral stability.Recurrence of intramedullary tumor was seen in 3 cases. Conclusions As long as tumors in upper cervical spinal canal are diagnosed,a microsurgical treatment should be given as early as possible.Appropriate selection of surgical approach,skillful microsurgical techniques in accordance with pathological types of lesions,and principles of minimal invasion are critical for the operation safety.