AIM: Anterior cervical discectomy and Cage bone graft fusion followed by steel plate internal fixation can decompress the vertebral canal and then spinal cord in patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Complete decompression is very important for such patients. This study is to investigate the effect of this technique on reconstruction of spinal function.METHODS:①Thirty-eight inpatients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy admitted to Department of Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital between April 2003 and February 2006 were involved in this study. The involved patients, 35 male and 3 female, were aged 43-72 years, with disease course of 0.5 to 5 years. Informed consents of therapeutic regimen were obtained from all the patients.②All the patients underwent anterior cervical discectomy and cage placement operation. The patients with destabilized combination underwent titanium-plate fixation, and those with stabilized combination underwent cage implantation alone. The cage used in the experiment was made of tetragonal polyether ether ketone (Intromed Company), and titatium-plate was Zephir plate (sofarmor Danek Company). The elastic modulus of tetragonal polyether ether ketone Cage was similar to bone tissue and could allow X-ray pass through, which was easy for postoperative fusion of implanted bone. The outer design of Cage bone graft with certain angle could allow cervical physiological antecurvature well recover; Surface radian was the same as end plate, and good fitness contributed to the good fusion rate of bone graft; The sawtooth antiskid design on the surface provided good stability immediately after implantation; Elastic modulus was between os integumentale and cancellous bone that made stress-shielding and subsidence of fusion cage reduced, and had good anticausticity and biocompatibility. ③ The clinical results were evaluated with Japanese Orthopaedic. Association (JOA) scoring system before, 2,8 and 24 weeks after operation: upper limb motor function (4 points), lower limb motor function (4 points), sensation (6 points) and bladder function (3 points). Higher scores indicated better function. Postoperatively, body examination and X-ray and MRI scanning of anteroposterior cervical vertebra were performed.RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy participated in the final analysis. Within postoperative several days, nervous symptoms improved obviously, muscle strength of lower limb was increased, limbs were more flexible after operation than before operation, and paresthesia of two upper limbs recovered in 38 patients. JOA was a score of (9.25±1.85) before operation, and it was (12.4±2.08) at postoperative 2 weeks, (13.2±2.07) at postoperative 8 weeks and (13.8±1.67) at postoperative 24 weeks.CONCLUSION: Multilevel discectomy and Cage implantation obviously improve sensorimotor function and lessen symptoms of patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Objective To analyze the surgical treatment options and its results for thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation.Methods From June 2004 to December 2009,thirty-one patients of thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation with or without ossification of ligament flavum were surgically treated,including 22 males and 9 females,with a mean age of 54 years(range,24 to 71 years).According to Anand and Regan clinical classification,there was type 2 for 1 case,grade 3a for 2,grade 3b for 3,grade 4 for 6,and grade 5 for 19.The neurological status was Frankel B for 2 cases,C for 6,D for 11,and E for 12.Anterior surgeries were performed for 18 patients without ossification of ligament flavum.Anterior decompression was performed through the resection of posterior part of vertebral body,or subtotal resection of vertebral body,followed by strut graft and internal fixation.Posterior surgeries were performed for 13 patients with disc herniation and ossification of ligament flavum.The resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy was performed.Results The complications of 18 patients with anterior surgery included laceration of dura mater in 1 case,nerve root sleeve injury in 1 case,intercostal neuralgia in 3 cases,atelectasis in 1 case,and femoroiliac numbness in 2 cases.The complications of 13 patients with posterior surgery included intra-canal hematoma in 1 cases,leakage of cerebrospinal fluid in 2 cases,infection of incision in 1 cases,and pneumonia in 1 case.The patients were followed for 18 months(range,6 to 48 months).At final follow-up,the neurological status and local symptom improved in all patients,with Frankel C for 3 cases,D for 7,and E for 21;and Anand and Regan type 1 for 2 cases,2 for 1,3a for 1,4 for 2,5 for 10 and no symptom for 15.Conclusion For thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniation,anterior surgery is suitable for patients mainly suffered anterior cord compression.Resection of posterior part of vertebral body or subtotal resection of vertebral body is often needed for sufficient decompression.Posterior surgery is suitable for patients with anterior and posterior cord compression due to ossification of ligament flavum,and the decompression can be obtained by resection of hemi-articular process and total laminectomy.

BACKGROUND:Epidemiologic reports have indicated that excessive weight-bearing exercise is one of important risk factors for lumbar degeneration, but the effects of weight-bearing activity on normal lumbar motion pattern are stil not clear. OBJECTIVE:To measure the changing characteristics and rules of position at the center of rotation of the lower lumbar spine during a weight-lifting activity of normal person. METHODS: Fourteen asymptomatic subjects with a mean age of (25±5) years were recruited for this study. The L4-5 and L5-S1 segments of each subject were CT-scanned to construct 3D models using dual X-ray imaging system and spiral CT examination combined technology in the aid of computer software. The physiological load and lumbar spinal 3D motion under the loading condition were reproduced when matching the flexion, neutrality and extension in the dual X-ray imaging system and on dual oblique lumbar X-ray image. Coordinate systems were established at the vertebral body of L4-S1 to obtain the center of rotation during flexion-to-neutral, neutral-to-extension and the ful flexion-extension motion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Under physiological load, the center of rotation of L4-5 of normal person was located about 1.0 mm anterior to the central axis of the vertebral body, and the center of rotation of L5-S1 was located about 0.7 mm anterior to the central axis of the vertebral body. (2) With weight loading, the center of rotation of both two segments shifted backward about 0.5 mm. There was no statistical difference between these two loading conditions. (3) When the center of rotation in flexion and extension was calculated respectively, the moving range of the center of rotation at both L4-5and L5-S1 became larger due to taking loads of 10 kg (P < 0.05). In flexion, the center of rotation at L5-S1 significantly shifted forward during a weight-lifting activity (P < 0.05). (4) These results confirm that compared with non-weight-bearing condition, the trajectory of the center of rotation was found to be increased when taking loads, especialy during the flexion-to-neutral motion.

Objective To study the expression of Livin,a novel inhibitor of apoptosis protein(IAP)family member in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia(ALL).Methods Livin protein of 40 cases myeloid tissue of children with ALL and 20 cases that of non-leukemia children were assayed by streptomycin avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex staining immunohistochemical method in order to analyze the relationship between Livin protein expression and development of ALL.Results The positive rates of Livin protein expression was 40% in 40 cases ALL,but in control group,the positive rates of Livin protein expression was 5%.The difference of 2 groups was significant(P

Objective To study the expression of novel inhibitor of apoptosis protein(IAP) family member livin gene and its two isoforms(livin ? and livin ?) in brain tissue of children with gliomas.Methods Livin ? and Livin ? mRNA were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) in brain tissue of 30 children with gliomas and 12 healthy children.Result The positive rate of Livin mRNA expression was 83.3%(25/30 cases)in 30 cases of children with gliomas,the positive rate of Livin mRNA was only 8.3%(1/12 case) in normal brain tissue,there was significant difference in 2 groups(P

OBJECTIVETo analyze the electrical activity property changes in nucleus accumbens (NAc) of heroin-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) rats during different stages of heroin dependence and to explore NAc's roles in the formation of drug dependence.

METHODSRecording electrodes were bilaterally embedded into the NAcs of rats with the aid of stereotaxic apparatus, followed by establishment of heroin-dependent rat model. The NAc electrical activity during 3 different stages of heroin dependence, including heroin pre-exposure, immediate post-exposure and heroin withdrawal, were respectively recorded using EEG wireless telemetry techniques. The frequency distribution (ranging from 0.5 to 30 Hz) and the amplitude of NAc electrical activity were analyzed and measured.

RESULTSHeroin-dependent rat models were successfully established and their withdrawal symptoms were evident. All rats showed a conditioned place preference (CPP) for the white box after 5-10 days of heroin-exposure, and displayed a maximum withdrawal symptoms on 2d after heroin- withdrawal. During all statges of heroin-dependence, the NAc electrical activity contained the highest proportion of delta rhythm and the lowest proportion of alpha2 rhythm. The discharge frequence band was similar across different stages. There was a significantly increased ratio of low-frequency discharges (delta rhythm) and decreased ratio of high-frequency discharges (beta rhythm) in NAc of rats during the immediate post- heroin exposure stage when compared with that during pre-exposure and heroin withdrawal stages. During the withdrawal stage, the ratio of at rhythm was significantly lower than during pre- and post-heroin exposure stages (P < 0.01). Further, the mean discharge amplitude in NAcs during immediate post-exposure and withdrawal stages was significantly increased relative to pre-exposure stage. However, the mean discharge amplitude during heroin withdrawal stage was significantly lower than during immediate post-exposure stage.

CONCLUSIONThe electrical activity properties in rat NAcs showed a significant change during different stages of heroin-dependence, which suggested that neuronal activities in NAcs might contribute to the modulation of drug-dependence.

Animals ; Conditioning, Operant ; Heroin ; pharmacology ; Heroin Dependence ; physiopathology ; Male ; Nucleus Accumbens ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Telemetry

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness at anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with a single cage alone in treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease(DDD).MethodsThirty-four patients aged from 26 to 67 years (mean,52) were enrolled in this study,including 10 males and 24 females.Preoperative diagnosis included:degenerative spondylolithesis in 11 cases,discogenic low back pain in 21,and revision for failed posterior surgery in 2.Objective level located in L4.5 in 12 cases,L5S1 in 20,and double discs(L4.5,L5S1) in 2.All the patients received extraperitoneal approach ALIF.Surgical time,blood loss,perioperative complications and postoperative ambulation were noted.Postoperative function status was evaluated by 100 mm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI50).AP,lateral and dynamic X-rays were routinely taken during follow up,according to which disc height,migration of implant and bony fusion were measured.ResultsAll the surgeries were performed successfully with a mean surgical time of 90 min and blood loss of 200 ml.An injury to the bifurcation of vena cave was encountered in an early case,after meticulous repairing of the vessel,the surgery was finished successfully.Peritoneum rupture was noticed in one case.One case of postoperative cage migration was revised and reinforced with additional fixation system.All the patients were followed up for an average of 36 months(range,12-60).All the patients were satisfied with the pain relief and returned to normal social life and working.VAS decreased from preoperative 70 to postoperative 5,and ODI decreased from 41％ to 6％.All but one migration case reached sound fusion with a fusion rate of 97％.ConclusionOwing to multiple advantages,complete removal of degenerative disc,compressive bone graft,sufficient graft area,early ambulation,less complication,extrapefitoneal approach for ALIF comes up with satisfying clinical outcomes.This mini_invasive technique provides a valuable alternative to treatment of lumbar DDD when appropriate indication is selected.

Objective To observe and compare in vivo segmental lumbar motion between symptomatic L4 isthmic spondy?lolisthesis (IS) patients and L4 degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) patients during functional weight?bearing activities. Methods Fifteen symptomatic L4 IS patients and fifteen symptomatic L4 DS patients were recruited. Fifteen asymptomatic volunteers were en?rolled as the control group. The L4,5 vertebral segment motion of each subject was reconstructed using three?dimensional computed tomography and a solid modeling software. In vivo, lumbar vertebral motion during functional postures (flexion?extension, left?right twisting and left?right bending) was observed using a dual fluoroscopic imaging technique. The spinal function unit was divided in?to anterior and posterior segments by the isthmic cleft. Local coordinate systems were established at the vertebral body, to obtain the 6 degree?of?freedom (DOF) intervertebral range of motion (ROM) at L4,5 and the ROM between the anterior and the posterior segments of L4 IS. Results The motion of IS at L4,5 was found to be increased. The migrations along both sagittal and vertical axis were significantly larger than control group (P<0.05). During left?right twisting, the migration along sagittal axis was significantly larger than control group (P<0.05);the rotation along vertical axis was significantly larger than DS and control group (P<0.05). During left?right bending, the migration along frontal axis was significantly larger than DS and control group ( P<0.05). The inter?vertebral ROM at L4,5 showed no significant difference between DS and control group. The migration between anterior and posteri?or segments of IS L4 was larger in standing than supine (P<0.05). The relative migration along sagittal axis between anterior and posterior segments of IS L4 was significantly larger in flexion than standing (P<0.05). Conclusion A spondylolytic defect does lead to detectable instability or hypermobility in the lumbar spine compared with degenerative spondylolisthesis and normal group. From supine to standing posture, migration at isthmic cleft along sagittal and coronal axis are identified in IS spondylolithesis.

BACKGROUND:The cervical spine of the human body is an important structure carrying the head and connecting the spine. Its volume is smal, but its flexibility was great. Activity frequency was highest. Simultaneously, cervical spine is the most complicated bony structure of geometric and kinematic characteristics of human body, bears the physiological load of the head, has functions of flexion and extension, lateral bending and rotation. Therefore, the cervical spine has become one of the most vulnerable structures with degenerative diseases of the spine. Analysis of upper cervical spine biomechanics, recognition and understanding of its normal function and mechanical mechanism wil provide a theoretical basis for better treatment of upper cervical spine disorders.
OBJECTIVE:To observe thein vivothree-dimensional kinematics of the upper cervical spine in healthy human beings under physiological load with dual fluorescence X-ray imaging system and spiral CT.
METHODS:Seventeen healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. The vertebral segment motion of each subject was reconstructed with three-dimensional computed tomography and solid modeling software.In vivo cervical vertebral motion during functional postures was observed with dual fluoroscopic imaging. Coordinate systems were established at the vertebral center to obtain the intervertebral range of motion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) During the flexion-extension motion, significant differences in the distance in coronal axis, sagittal axis and angle of rotation were detected in C1-2 and C2-3segments. (2) During the left-right bending motion, the angle of rotation was obviously greater at C1-2 segment than that at C2-3segment. During the left-right twisting motion, significant differences in distance of the vertical axis and the coronal axis, lateral flexion angle and rotation angle were detectable between C1-2and C2-3 segments. (3) These findings confirmed that dual fluorescence X-ray imaging system combined with CT scan can obtain atlanto-axial three-dimensional instantaneous motion of six-DOF data of healthy adults, and found that the main motion of the C1-2 vertebrae is rotating. These data may provide us with some new information about the in vivo kinematics of the upper cervical spine and the non-fixed surgical operation.

Ethosomes, as a new vector for transdermal drug delivery, could obviously improve the transdermal penetration of drugs. In this study, we prepared testosterone undecanoate ethosomes, with TU ethosomes as the basic remedy, to determine its appearance, particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE) and membrane fluidity. Meanwhile, a transdermal test was conducted in mice, in order to determine the permeability characteristics of ethosomes as a vector for transdermal drug delivery, and compare transdermal behaviors of TU ethosomes, liposomes and their ethanol solutions.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Mice ; Skin Absorption ; Testosterone ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry