BACKGROUND:Morphological characteristics of the rabbit lumbar vertebrae are of great significance for animal experiments about lumbar spine, but there is a lack of study on the lumbar morphology in rabbits. OBJECTIVE:To establish a three-dimensional model of rabbit lumbar vertebrae, and to observe its morphological characteristics, thereby providing anatomical basis for the animal experiments about lumbar spine.METHODS:Twenty New Zealand rabbits were subjected to 64-row multi-detector CT (Siemens) scan, and the three-dimensional models were constructed based on the CT data from 140 lumbar vertebrae. The morphological parameters of L1-7 were measured, and the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments were observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Changes of the morphological parameters of each lumbar vertebra:the L1-7 height first increased and then decreased, and the shortest height was in the L7, which was (1.12±0.18) cm. L1 vertebral body exhibited the shortest transverse diameter, (1.03±0.15) cm, and the longitudinal diameter did not differ significantly among vertebrae. The transverse and longitudinal diameters of L1-6 spinal canals were on a rise, but decreased abruptly at L7. The pedicle width of L1-7 increased gradually;the pedicle height of L1-5 increased gradually, and then began to decrease markedly, and the shortest at L7, (0.58±0.11) cm. The width and length of L1-6 spinous process increased steadily, but decreased at L7. The length of L1-3 transverse process increased gradually, tended to be steady at L3-6, and increased notably at L6-7;there were significant differences in the transverse process angle at L1-6, but the angle increased markedly to (58±2)° at L7, (2) These results indicate that the internal and external structures of lumbar vertebrae and changes of different segments are obtained through morphological measurement of lumbar vertebrae in New Zealand white rabbit, which provides a detailed anatomical data for relative animal experiments.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect and mechanisms of ceftriaxone combined with ranitidine on the acute pancreatitis.Methods:92 cases of patients with acute pancreatitis were selected and randomly divided into the control group (n=46) and experimental group (n=46),the control group was treated with ceftriaxone,and the experimental group was treated with ranitidine based on the control group,the serum levels of intedeukin-6 (IL-6),c-reactive protein(CRP),platelet activating factor (PAF),superoxide dismutase (SOD),propylene glycol (MDA),gastric secrete element,stomach,heart rate (HR),mean arterial pressure (MAP),and the relief time of clinical manifestation and the clinical efficacy were observed and compared between the two groups.Results:After treatment,the serum levels ofIL-6,CRP,PAF,MDA,gastric secrete element and HR of experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P＜0.05).The serum levels of SOD,stomach motion element and MAP of experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P＜0.05).The relief time of clinical manifestation and total efficiency of experimental group were better than those of the control group (P＜0.05).Conclusions:Ceftriaxone combined with ranitidine could effectively enhance the clinical efficacy of acute pancreatitis,which might be related to the anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation.

Objective To investigate the short and longterm effect of the treatment on acute coronary syndrome(ACS) with percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stenting.Methods 65 patients suffering from ACS were treated with angiography to illuminate the features of lesions and proceeded with percutaneous coronary angioplasty and stenting when the angina was not completed controlled with internal medicine.All patients were treated with a new anti-thrombotic regimen,including aspirin,ticlopidine or clopidogrel, and low-molecular-weight heparin.Results The rates of success for patients and lesions were 96.9% and 82.7% respectively.One patient died without myocardial infarction or emergency bypass surgery.56 patients had no symptom of angina after procedure,and 5 patients had non-typical chest pain which disappeared within 2~3 days.During the 3~54 month follow-up,one patient died,one patient developed myocardial infarction and 4 patients underwent target vessel revascularization(repeated angioplasty 2 and bypass surgery 2).Conclusions With the widespread use of aspirin-ticlopidine-low molecular heparin regimen,ACS patients can undergo PTCA and stenting with high success rate,excellent immediate efficacy and long-term efficacy.

Objective To observe the curative effect of warm needling therapy combined with kidney-supplementing and blood-activating Chinese herbal medicine on patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis and its effects on immunoglobulin IgA, IgG and IgM;To explore the mechanism. Methods Ninety patients with scapulohumeral periarthritis were randomly divided into needle with medicine group, needle group and medicine group, 30 cases in each group. Patients in the needle with medicine group were treated with needle warming therapy combined with kidney-supplementing and blood-activating Chinese herbal medicine, patients in the needle group were treated with needle warming therapy, patients in the medicine group were treated with kidney-supplementing and blood-activating Chinese herbal medicine, 30 days for medicine and every other day for acupuncture. Five time acupuncture was one course of treatment, and patients were treated for 3 courses. Shoulder pain index was evaluated, and the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM was determined before and after 3 courses treatment. The total curative effect of the three groups were compared. Results The total effective rates for needle and medicine group, needle group and medicine group were 93.33% (28/30), 73.33% (22/30), 66.67% (20/30), respectively, with statistical significance between needle and medicine group and the other two groups (P<0.05),without statistical significance between needle group and medicine group (P>0.05). There was statistical significance between the shoulder indexes before and after treatment of the three groups (P<0.05). Before treatment, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM of all three groups increased significantly compared with the normal reference values (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM were reduced significantly in three groups after treatment (P<0.05), the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM in the needle and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion The curative effect of needle warming therapy combined with kidney-supplementing and blood-activating Chinese herbal medicine was better than alone needle warming therapy or kidney-supplementing and blood-activating Chinese herbal medicine. This combined therapy could significantly improve the symptoms of patients, reduce the levels of IgA, IgG and IgM, regulate the body immune function, which is probably one of the mechanisms in the treatment of scapulohumeral periarthritis.

Objective To study the morphologic and pathological characteristics of cat scratch disease(CSD).Methods Eight cases with clinical data and tissue blocks were collected in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Hainan Province.The tissues were successively stained by hematox- ylin and eosin,Warthin-Starry(W-S),acid fast and periodic acid-schiff(PAS)methods to study the histopathological changes and pathogens.Results W-S positive Bartonella henselae was the major pathogen of CSD and there was no acid-fast or PAS positive pathogen could be found in the tissues. There were three forms of histological representation as follows:plasmocytoid monocytes(PMO)and monocytoid B-cells(MBC)hyperplasia plus neutrophils immersion in lymphatic sinus(2 cases); MBC rich granuloma and micro-abscess formation(3 cases); starlit abscess with little or no bacteria in the granuloma(3 cases).Conclusions Bartonella henselae mainly transmits through cats.Contact histo- ry with cats and lymphadenectasis suggest the possibility of CSD.The diagnosis can be confirmed by the presence of W-S staining positive bacteria,MBC rich granuloma or micro-abscess and neutrophil reactions in histopathological exam.

OBJECTIVETo observe the analgesic effect of triptolide (TP) of high, middle and low doses on rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA), and the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and substance P (SP) in spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of corresponding sections, in order to discuss the possible mechanism for the analgesic effect of TP on rats with adjuvant arthritis.

METHODFifty SD rats were selected and randomly divided into the normal group (group A), the model group (group B), and TP low (group C), middle (group D), high (group E) dose groups. Except for the group A, all of the remaining groups were injected with 0.1 mL of Freund's complete adjuvant through their right rear toes to establish the model. At 14 d after the model establishment, rats in C, D and E groups were intraperitoneally injected with different doses of TP (0.1 mg x kg(-1) for the group C, 0.2 mg x kg(-1) for the group D, 0.4 mg x kg(-1) for the group E) once a day for 9 days. Then the 50% mechanical withdraw threshold (MWT) was determined. And the expressions of iNOS and SP in lumbar5 (L5) spinal dorsal horn and DRG were detected with the immunohistochemical method.

RESULTThe 50% MWT of rats in the group B was significantly lower than that of the group A (P < 0.01). After being treated with TP, the Thermal withdrawal latencies of groups C, D and E were significantly higher than that of the group B (P < 0.01). TP could notably increase the MWT of AA rats, with a certain dose-effect relationship. The immunohistochemical results indicated that the iNOS and SP expressions significantly increased in the group B (P < 0.01), while the positive expression levels of iNOS and SP in groups C, D and E were significantly lower than that of the group B (P < 0.01), with a certain dose-effect relationship.

CONCLUSIONTP shows a good analgesic effect on AA, and could inhibit the iNOS and SP expressions in spinal dorsal horn and DRG in rats with adjuvant arthritis, which may be one of action mechanisms for the analgesic effect of TP.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Arthritis, Experimental ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; biosynthesis ; Pain Measurement ; methods ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Substance P ; biosynthesis ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

The 29 medical records about acupuncture and moxibustion in Zhenjiu Dacheng are involved in the internal, surgical, gynecological, pediatric and five sense organs diseases and symptoms. Analysis on characteristics of these medical records and absorbing experiences of predecessors can better guide clinical application. Analysis of results indicates that these medical records have the characteristics of combination of acupuncture, moxibustion and medicine, less and better point selection, and stressing reinforcing-reducing of manipulation, at the same time, it reflects YANG's train of thought in clinical diagnosis and treatment of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Acupuncture ; methods ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Moxibustion ; methods

Humans ; Jaw, Edentulous ; therapy ; Maxilla ; Prostheses and Implants

OBJECTIVETo analyze the status and characteristics of dental manpower in the center for disease controls (CDC) in Sichuan Province and to provide more evidence for strengthening the oral healthcare workforce in the CDC system.

METHODSA mass survey on dental manpower was made in CDCs in Sichuan Province through questionnaire investigation. Data were collected and entered with the Epidemiological Dynamic Data Collection (EDDC) platform and analyzed with SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTSSichuan Province had 0.15 hospitals providing oral health services and 0.38 dentists on average per 10,000 people. About 65.53% (135/206) of the CDCs had one department responsible for the oral health service. However, oral health care personnel comprised only 2.23% (237/10,624) of the personnel of the whole CDC system. About 64.67% (119/184) of county CDCs and 47.62% (10/21) of city CDCs knew well the dental health status of local residents. Less than 5% of the CDCs used the data and assisted in the policy making of public health administrators.

CONCLUSIONThe dental care personal deficit exists in the CDC system in Sichuan Province. The distribution and composition of dental manpower are not reasonable. The oral health service ability of CDCs in Sichuan Province should be strengthened and improved.

China ; Dental Care ; statistics & numerical data ; Dentists ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Stem cell transplantation in repairing infarct myocardium and in improving cardiac function has been widely accepted. However, whether transplanted cells and host cells formed an effective electricity and mechanical couple, whether a relevant independent electrical system with contractile function formed or whether severe malignant ventricular arrhythmia formed, are still unclear.OBJECTIVE: To investigate electrophysiological abnormaltiy and left ventricular remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction following allogenic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal study was performed at the Experimental Center, Guangxi Medical University from December 2005 to October 2008.MATERIALS: A total of 120 healthy Wistar rats were equally randomized into normal control, sham operation, saline control and cell transplantation groups. Healthy Wister rats aged 1 month were selected to harvest bone marrow.METHODS: At the third passage, rat BMSCs were collected and treated with 5-aza, and differentiated into cerdiomyocytes.BMSCs were labeled with DAPI at 2 hours before transplantation. In the saline control and cell transplantation groups, rat models of myocardial infarction were established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. In the sham operation group, the coronary artery was not ligated, but only braid. At 7 days following ligation, BMSCs in the cell transplantation group at 2×10-1/L were infused into the edge and center of myocardial infarct region by multipoint injection. Rats in the other three groups were subjected to an equal volume of saline.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Electrocardiogram and cardiac electrophysiology were performed. Ultrasonic cardiography was used to detect left ventricular function. Infarct size was determined. DAPl-labeled donor cell migration and distribution was observed with a fluorescence microscope.RESULTS: BMSCs could differentiate into cardiacmuscle cell-like cells which were capable of pulsing spontaneously, expressing cardiactoponin T and forming myofilament in vitro. Compared with the saline control group, PR interval, QRS duration and ventdcular effective refractory period shortened, ventricular fibrillation threshold increased at 4, 8 and 12 weeks (P < 0.05); left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole reduced, and left ventricular ejection fraction and shortening traction was significantly increased (P< 0.05). At 8 and 12 weeks, infarct size was significantly smaller (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks, DAPl-labeled BMSCs could be seen under the fluorescence microscope, and still could he detected at 12 weeks. However, the fluorescence became weak with prolonged time.CONCLUSION: BMSCs have the plasticity of differentiating into cardiac muscle cell-like cells, which can modulate theelectrophysiological abnormality and left ventricular remodeling following myocardial infarction.