【Objective】To assess the indications and therapeutic effect of surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation(LDH) associated with lumbar degenerative instability(LDI).【Methods】Fifty-eight LDH associated with LDI patients,which were ineffective after strictly conservative treatment or simple decompression with disc excision,received lumbar vertebral plate resection and disc excision from posterior approach,and transpedicular screw fixation combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion.【Results】A averaged 13-month follow-up was carried out in 54 patients.The therapeutic effect assessed by Japanese Orthopaedics Association(JOA) was as follows: excellent in 37 patients,good in 13,ordinary in 4,and the excellent +good rate was 92.59%.The results of X radiography 3 months after the operation showed that lumbar interbody fusion was successful in 52 patients,the infusion rating being 96.30%.【Conclusion】Lumbar vertebral plate resection and disc excision from posterior approach,and transpedicular screw fixation combined with posterior lumbar interbody fusion are effective for the treatment of LDH associated with LDI.

This article aimed to study the antigenicity of nucleocapsid proteins (NPs) in six pathogenic phleboviruses and to provide theoretical evidence for the development of serological diagnostic reagents. NPs of six pathogenic phleboviruses were expressed and purified using a prokaryotic expression system and rabbits were immunized with individual recombinant NPs. Cross-reactions among NPs and rabbit sera were determined by both indirect ELISA and Western blotting analyses, and the sera titer was determined by indirect ELISA. Furthermore, sera from SFTS patients were also detected by each recombinant NP as a coating antigen using indirect ELISA. The cross-reactions and the sera titer were subsequently determined. Both the concentration and purity of recombinant NPs of six pathogenic phleboviruses met the standards for immunization and detection. The results of indirect ELISA and Western blotting showed that each anti-phlebovirus NP rabbit immune serum had potential serological cross-reactivity with the other five virus NP antigens. Furthermore, the sera from SFTS patients also had cross-reactivity with the other five NP antigens to a certain extent. Our preliminary study evaluated the antigenicity and immune reactivity of six pathogenic phleboviruses NPs and laid the foundation for the development of diagnostic reagents.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Antigens, Viral ; genetics ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Phlebotomus Fever ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Phlebovirus ; classification ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Rabbits

The UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometer was used to explore the chemical compositions in safflower. The rapid separation of the compositions was conducted by the UHPLC, following by high resolution full scan and MS2 scan, under the positive and negative ion mode. The chemical formula of compositions were deduced by full scan data in less than 5, then the potential structures were confirmed by the MS2 data. Forty-nine compounds were detected, of which 26 was identified, and 5 compounds was validated by the standard substances.
Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Objective To explore the characteristics and advantages of the rat model of lumbar nerve root com -pression established via modified hemilaminectomy approach .Methods Forty Sprague Dawley ( SD) rats were randomly divided into two groups ( experimental group and control group ) for establishing a rat model of lumbar nerve root compres-sion.Modified hemilaminectomy apprpoach was used in the experimental group , while total laminectomy was applied in the control group.Duration of operation, estimated blood loss, wound healing status, postoperative mortality, motor function of the lower extremities , pathological changes and the gray level of cytoplasmic TNF-αand IL-1 expression were observed to e-valuate the characteristics and reliability of the two operation approaches in establishing a rat model of lumbar nerve root compression.Results Compared with the control group , duration of operation , estimated blood loss , wound healing sta-tus, postoperative mortality were significantly better in the experimental group (P<0.01), whereas there was non-signifi-cant difference between two groups with regard to motor function of the lower extremities , pathological changes and gray lev-el of the cytoplasmic expression of TNF-αand IL-1 between the two groups .Moreover, the soft tissue structural alterations were reduced in the experimental group , which might be helpful for the rat postoperative rehabilitation .Conclusions Modified hemilaminectomy approach is a reliable alternative method for establishing a rat model of lumbar nerve root com -pression, which is beneficial to shorten the operative time , improve wound healing status , reduce estimated blood loss and damages of soft tissue , and decrease mortality rate .Moreover , this modified method is more consistent with the principles of animal ethics .

ObjectiveTo establish separate and appraisal methods of murine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and optimize the suitable conditions inducting MSCs directional differentiating into adipocytes in vitro.MethodsThe differential adherence to plastic was employed to separate MSCs. CFU-f and successive CFU-f cultures were employed to characterize the potent of proliferation and self-renewal of MSCs. The different adipogenic medium was used as induction for the differentiation of MSCs into adipocytes. The differentiated cells were identified by oil red O immunohistochemistry stain.ResultsThe purified MSCs showed the morphology of fibroblasts. It was found that the number of CFU-f formation depended on the planted number of MSCs. It showed a good relationship. Small type colony of CFU-f had little potent to re-clone, but almost 90% big type colony of CFU-f had the potent to regenerate CFU-f. The MSCs could directionally differentiated into adipocytes induced by different adipogenic medium. But more than 96% MSCs differentiated into mature adipocytes when induced by combined with dexamethasone (DM), 1-methy-3-isobutylxanthine (IBMX), insulin (IS) and indomethacin (ID).ConclusionThe purified MSCs can be harvested by method of differential adherence to plastic, and these MSCs have the potent of proliferation and self-renewal. Moreover, more than 96% MSCs can differentiate into mature adipocytes when induced by combined with DM, IBMX, IS and ID.

This study aims to investigate whether the nucleoprotein (NP) of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) can impact the cellular immunity of host cells. Gene segments that encode the NP and non-structural protein (NSs) of SFTSV were inserted into eukaryotic expression vector VR1012. Host proteins that interact with NP and affect immunity were identified with co-immunoprecipitation (IP), SDS-PAGE, mass spectrometry (MS), and Western blot. Co-localization of NP and the identified host proteins was confirmed by confocal microscopy. A 60kD SSA/Ro, a protein related to immunity, interacted with NP, as found by IP and MS. Confocal microscopy showed that NP and SSA/Ro were co-localized in cytoplasm. These results indicated that SFTSV NP may specifically bind to 60kD SSA/Ro and cause a series of immune responses and clinical symptoms.
Bunyaviridae Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; HEK293 Cells ; Humans ; Nucleoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phlebovirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Ribonucleoproteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

To establish a MacELISA method for the detection of IgM antibodies against Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), we prepared virus like particle (VLP) antigens of CHIKV using the whole structural protein C-E3-E2-6K-E1 encoding gene with a baculovirus expression system in Sf9 insect cells. The VLPs were purified and used to immunize Kunming mice. Then, polyclonal antibodies were purified from the samples of ascites with a protein G HiTrap SP column and labeled with horseradish peroxidase. A MacELISA method for the detection of IgM antibodies against CHIKV was assembled with goat anti-human IgM antibody, VLP antigens and an enzyme-labeled polyclonal antibody. The results were evaluated with a serum panel containing serum samples from laboratory-confirmed CHIK, HFRS patients, healthy donors, and commercially available CHIKV IgM as a quality control. It was shown that the MacELISA had a specificity of 99% (99/100), the coefficients of variation (CoV) within a plate were <10%, and the CoV of different ELISA plates in terms of the plate variation coefficient was <15%. A comparative analysis was performed to compare the current method against a commercial CHIKV IgM antibody detection kit for IIFA-IgM. The detection limit of MacELISA was significantly lower than that of the IIFA-IgM commercial kit (P< 0.0001). Here, we demonstrate that the VLP-based MacELISA is a promising tool for the early diagnosis and epidemiological investigation of CHIKV infection, with a high level of sensitivity and specificity for the detection of IgM antibodies against CHIKV.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Chikungunya Fever ; blood ; diagnosis ; virology ; Chikungunya virus ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; blood ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo study the possibility of measuring quality of life by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey scale and to subdivide grade range of Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-From Health Survey (SF-36) total cents through a Quality of Life questionnaire among the elderly Chinese.

METHODSThe quality of life of the 167 elderly Chinese in Suzhou was measured simultaneously by SF-36 and the Quality of Life questionnaire developed by Epidemiology Group of Geriatric Medicine Committee of China for the elderly. Validity and reliability were analyzed and subdivided the grade range of SF-36 total scores by Quality of Life questionnaire for the Chinese elderly.

RESULTSEight common factors from factorial analysis were in accordance with their theoretical structure, and the cumulative contribution rates of the Quality of Life questionnaire for the elderly and SF-36 were 74.244% and 72.081%. The split-half reliability of the Quality of Life questionnaire for the elderly was 0.6676. The split-half reliability of SF-36 was 0.9384. In SF-36, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.89, which was satisfactory for group comparison except 0.63 for the social functioning and 0.42 for mental health scale and 0.69 for vitality scale. The Quality of Life questionnaire for old people seemed to have good validity and reliability but the SF-36 was better. The cent of the furthest truncation between the good quality of life and the medium one in the SF-36 was 117 with a Kappa value of 0.58.

CONCLUSIONThe SF-36 scale could be used for measuring and evaluating the quality of life for the Chinese elderly. The cent of the furthest truncation could provide reference to judge the level of the quality of life of the elderly.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Random Allocation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse complicated with spinal canal encroachment. Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 27 cases of severe osteoporotic vertebral fractures complicated with spinal canal encroachment. The patients were treated with posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion during the period from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014. All patients were given vertebral pedicle screw fixation after pedicle augmentation with bone cement. The pain scores of visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), Cobb angle , thoracolumbar Cobb angle and the recovery of neurological function(estimated by Frankel grading system) of the patients were compared beforeoperation, one week after operation and at the end of follow-up. The incidences of internal fixation failure, adjacent vertebral fracture and bone cement leakage also were recorded. Results The patients were followed up for an average of 27 months. The spinal canal occupation rate caused by fracture fragment of posterior vertebral wall was 27.41%~63.85%, with an average of(43.24 ± 10.61)%. Postoperative VAS pain scores, ODI, Cobb angle and thoracolumbar Cobb angle were statistically different from those before operation (P < 0.05). The correction rate for Cobb angle and thoracolumbar Cobb angle was (63.31 ± 23.47)%, (61.91 ± 17.54)%respectively. At the end of the follow-up, the correction loss rate for Cobb angle and the thoracolumbar Cobb angle was (15.38 ± 39.92)%, (21.79 ± 32.20)% respectively, the difference being insignificant compared with those one week after operation(P>0.05). In respect of Frankel grading of neurological function at the end of the follow-up, 6 cases were in grade D and 19 cases were in grade E, but the differences were insignificant compared with those before operation (P > 0.05). None of the patients had surgical site infection, screw looseness or breakage, or rod breakage during the follow-up period. There were 8 patients with asymptomatic bone cement leakage after operation. Vertebral compression fractures recurred in 5 patients, of which 2 had adjacent vertebral fractures and 3 had non -adjacent segment. Conclusion The therapy of posterior decompression, internal fixation and interlaminar fusion is effective for the treatment of severe osteoporotic vertebral fracture and collapse complicated with spinal canal encroachment by obviously relieving pain, improving the physiological function of the spine and stabilizing the spine.

BACKGROUND: In lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with severe osteoporosis, screw is easily loose and pul s out during reposition, or loss of reduction and internal fixation failure easily occur after repair. Therefore, it is very important to elevate the intensity of pedicle screw fixation during repair. At present, few studies concern application of bone cement screw enhancement technology in lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate for lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis. METHODS: From June 2009 to June 2011, 27 patients suffering from lumbar spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis were included in this retrospective study. These patients received augmented pedicle screw with polymethylmethacrylate. The levels of disability and pain were evaluated by Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale. The internal fixation and fusion were evaluated by radiological findings. Al complications were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Al cases were fol owed up for 15-37 months. Oswestry Disability Index and visual analog scale scores were significantly better in final fol ow-up than that pre-treatment (P < 0.05). Imaging results revealed that bone cement tightly connected to bone interface. The position of screw and bone cement was good. Symptomatic bone cement leakage was not found. No fixation failure was detected during final fol ow-up. Al patients achieved interbody fusion. These results suggested that polymethylmethacrylate bone cement could increase the gripping force of the pedicle screw in osteoporotic vertebral body. It is safe and effective to treat spondylolisthesis accompanied with osteoporosis with augmented pedicle screws. Satisfactory fixation stability and interbody fusion can be obtained.