BACKGROUND: The clinical application of one-level osteotomy and multilevel osteotomy has been well documented, but currently few studies were reported to compare their biomechanical characteristics.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of one-level osteotomy with Dick screw fixation and multilevel osteotomy with Luque instrumentation in the treatment of kyphosis.DESIGN: Randomized comparative experiment.SETTING: Laboratory of the Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University.MATERIALS: Fresh specimens of thoracic and lumbar spinal segments obtained from 12 3 or 4-year-old calves.METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the laboratory of the Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between September 2002 and September 2003. Fresh spinal segments T8-L5 from 12 calves were randomized into an intact group, Dick screw group with one-level osteotomy with Dick screw fixation and Luque group with multilevel osteotomy with Luque instrumentation, with 4 spesimens in each group. Lateral bending test of the specimens was performed to examine the physiological overload using an Instron 5 500 universal material testing machine at the constant speed of 10 mm/minute until fracture or dislocation was induced. Changes in the loading were recorded and the induced injuries observed to obtain the load-displacement curve of the injury test.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The load-displacement curve of the destructive right bending test in each group.RESULTS:All the data of 12 canines were involved in the result analysis.The spinal segments of the intact group yielded to the force of 3 600 N with a flat and smooth load-displacement curve, and those of Dick screw group yielded to a load of 2 800 N with also a relatively flat curve, while in Luque group, the segments did not yield until a load of 7 160 N, followed by drastic decrease of the resistance to less than 4 000 N, generating a flat and smooth curve afterwards.CONCLUSION: Luque instrumentation is a little more preferable than Dick screw in terms of the maximum resistance, but this difference does not justify the clinical decision of their superiority. Both techniques benefit postoperative recovery of spinal function with strong stability.

Through detailed investigation of the market circulation of Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix, at the same time, this article collected relevant articles, conducted comparative study on genuine and conventionally used Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix from the aspects of textual research, functions, chemical composition and pharmacological effect, and discussed the results of the study.

OBJECTIVE:To compare the contents of loganic acid,swertiamarin,6′-O-β-D-glucosyl gentiopicroside,gentiopi-croside,sweroside,isoorientin and isovitexin in wild and cultivated Gentiana officinalis,and to provide basis for rational use of G. officinalis. METHODS:UPLC method was adopted. The separation was performed on ACQUITY UPLC? BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1 mm,1.7 μm) with mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.04% phosphoric acid (gradient elution) at the flow rate of 0.3 ml/min. The detection wavelength was set at 242 nm,and column temperature was 30 ℃. RESULTS:For loganic acid,swertiama-rin,6′-O-β- D-glucosyl gentiopicroside,gentiopicroside,sweroside,isoorientin and isovitexin,a good linearity was obtained in the range of 2.1-537.1 μg,1.05-270 μg,0.92-236 μg,11.1-2 830 μg,0.75-192 μg,0.167-102 μg,0.216-52.80 μg(r≥0.999 5), respectively. Their average recoveries were 97.72%-99.84%(RSD≤3.39%,n=6). The contents of loganic acid,swertiamarin, 6′-O-β-D-glucosyl gentiopicroside,gentiopicroside,sweroside and isoorientin in the wild sample were higher than in the cultivat-ed;the content of isovitexin was lower than the cultivated,but there was no statistical significance(P>0.05). The sum of gentiopi-croside and loganin acid content were all higher than 2.5% in both wild and cultivated samples,and met the requirements of 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(first part). CONCLUSIONS:The content difference of 7 indicative constituents in wild and cul-tivated G. officinalis is not statistically significant,and the indicative constituents of the pharmacopoeia is qualified.

Objective To investigate the circulation and use of Akebiae Caulis and Clematidis Armandii Caulis;To provide references for clinical safe medication. Methods Literature review, field survey and telephone interview were used to conduct the investigation. Results ① The market currency of the Akebiae Caulis and Clematidis Armandii Caulis was very confused, and the mainly medicinal materials on the market were Clematidis Armandii Caulis. ② The majority used medicinal materials were Clematidis Armandii Caulis, and Akebiae Caulis was rarely used. ③ The Chinese Pharmacopoeia collected Akebiae Caulis and Clematidis Armandii Caulis separately, but there was phenomenon of using Clematidis Armandii Caulis replacing of Akebiae Caulis. Conclusion Market of Akebiae Caulis is shrinking; the phenomenon of using Clematidis Armandii Caulis to replace Akebiae Caulis widespread in clinic. There are differences in the efficacy of Akebiae Caulis and Clematidis Armandii Caulis, so they should be distinguished and cannot be used to mix or substitute.

Objective : To investigate the effects of 6⁃gingerol on amyloid β ⁃protein(Aβ) induced apoptosis , oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease(AD) rats by regulating Wnt/β⁃catenin signaling pathway. Methods : The rat model of AD was established by injecting Aβ into hippocampus of bilateral brain. The rats were randomly divided into six groups : control group , model group , low⁃dose 6⁃gingerol group , medium⁃dose 6⁃gingerol group , high⁃dose 6 ⁃gingerol group and positive control group. Nerve injury was evaluated by nerve injury score , brain water content was measured by dry/wet method , and hippocampal histological injury was measured by HE staining. The apoptosis of hippocampal cells was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining. The protein levels of iNOS , IL⁃6 , TNF⁃α , SOD , GSH⁃Px and MDA were detected by ELISA. The mRNA and protein relative expression levels of Wnt and β ⁃catenin were detected by qRT⁃PCR and Western blot. Results : Compared with the model group , after 6⁃gingerol treatment , nerve injury score decreased , brain water content decreased , the apoptosis rate decreased , the expression of iNOS , IL⁃6 and TNF⁃α decreased , SOD and GSH⁃Px protein content increased , while MDA protein content decreased. The mRNA and protein relative expression levels of Wnt and β ⁃catenin were up⁃regulated. Conclusion 6 ⁃gingerol can reduce apoptosis , oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in AD rats by activating Wnt/β⁃catenin signaling pathway.