As a novel research tool in the field of the spinal biomechanics, the finite element method (FEM) complements and verifies the traditional research methods, which has been attached increasingly greater importance. In this paper, we briefly introduce the achievement made in the field of spinal biomechanics by FEM in the past decade, summarize the physiological and pathological behaviors of various spinal anatomical parts described by FEM, and present the basic view of using FEM to optimize the surgery instrument design.

The role of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis,which came into application in 1960's,has long been controversial.There are various brace instrument with different reported effectiveness.In this paper,we summarize the research findings and main views in the effectiveness of bracing for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in the past ten years,and explore the possible causes leading to the different results.Besides,we are trying to point out the research trend,in hope of drawing a scientific conclusion on the effectiveness of bracing treatment in the near future.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; methods ; Coronary Artery Disease ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of air pollution on stroke mortality in Tianjin, China, and to provide basis for stroke control and prevention.

METHODSTotal data of mortality surveillance were collected by Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meteorological data and atmospheric pollution data were from Tianjin Meteorological Bureau and Tianjin Environmental Monitoring Center, respectively. Generalized additive Poisson regression model was used in time-series analysis on the relationship between air pollution and stroke mortality in Tianjin. Single-pollutant analysis and multi-pollutant analysis were performed after adjustment for confounding factors such as meteorological factors, long-term trend of death, "days of the week" effect and population.

RESULTSThe crude death rates of stroke in Tianjin were from 136.67 in 2001 to 160.01/100000 in 2009, with an escalating trend (P = 0.000), while the standardized mortality ratios of stroke in Tianjin were from 138.36 to 99.14/100000, with a declining trend (P = 0.000). An increase of 10 µg/m³ in daily average concentrations of atmospheric SO₂, NO₂ and PM₁₀ led to 1.0105 (95%CI: 1.0060 ∼ 1.0153), 1.0197 (95%CI: 1.0149 ∼ 1.0246) and 1.0064 (95%CI: 1.0052 ∼ 1.0077), respectively, in relative risks of stroke mortality. SO₂ effect peaked after 1-day exposure, while NO₂ and PM₁₀ effects did within 1 day.

CONCLUSIONAir pollution in Tianjin may increase the risk of stroke mortality in the population and induce acute onset of stroke. It is necessary to carry out air pollution control and allocate health resources rationally to reduce the hazard of stroke mortality.

Air Pollutants ; analysis ; Air Pollution ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Particulate Matter ; analysis ; Poisson Distribution ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Survival Rate ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral Sarpogrelate hydrochloride in the treatment of chronic arterial ischemia of the lower extremities.Methods In this study 892 patients,who suffered from arteriosclerosis (ASO) or thromboangiitis obliterans ( TAO ) or diabetic foot ( DF ),with symptoms of intermittent claudication, sensation of cold, pain, ulcer, and without a history of vasotransplantation or bypass grafting or interventional therapy, were treated by taking Sarpogrelate hydrochloride tablets 100 mg tid for consecutive 8 weeks.The improvement rate of concomitant symptoms and the total effective rate of ASO, TAO, DF were evaluated.Drug adverse reaction were recorded.Results The improvement rate of intermittent claudication,sensation of cold,pain and ulcer were 96.9％,97.1％,89.0％ and 86.9％ respectively.The total effective rate for ASO,TAO,DF was 83.5％.A total of 81 cases (9.1％) reported mild side effects,including 7 patients with mild rash after 2- 5 days' medication,21 patients with mild nausea and 53 patients with stomach discomfort after 1 - 2 days' medication.Symptoms were managed conservatively without discontinuing taking sarpogrelate hydrochloride.Conclusions Sarpogrelate hydrochloride oral is a safe and effective therapy for chronic arterial ischemia diseases of the lower extremities.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcomes of percutaneous intervertebral foramina endoscopic lumbar discectomy for elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome.

METHODSFrom July 2006 to July 2011, 60 elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome were treated with surgical operation, including 32 males and 28 females with an average age of (66.7 +/- 2.5) years old ranging from 72 to 83 years. These patients were divided into the traditional surgery group and percutaneous intervertebral foramina endoscopic discectomy groups (PTED group), 30 cases in each group. The index of the preoperative and postoperative, operative incision visual analogue scale (VAS) of two groups were compared. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) of two groups at 6, 24 months of the follow-up were also evaluated on activity of daily living.

RESULTSThe average operative time, the average blood loss, the number of cases using analgesic drug, hospitalization time of PTED group were better than those of the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05). The improvement of incision VAS in PTED group was better than that in the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05). All patients were followed up for 24 months at least. The ODI at 1, 24 month after operation were better than that of preoperative in two group respectively (P < 0.05), but the improvement of PTED group was better than that of the traditional surgery group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPTED has the advantages of smaller incision, less bleeding, less postoperative stay and hospitalization time, tissue trauma and quicker recovery. It is a safe and efficacious minimally invasive surgical technique for elder patients with lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Decompression, Surgical ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To observe the efficacy of Chinese herbal fumigant sitz bath for different exposure durations on patients for the complicatiors after mixed hemorrhoidectomy.Methods One hundred and twenty patients with mixed hemorrhoidectomy were randomized into four groups(2 treatment groups and 2 control groups) with 30 cases in each group.The treatment groups were treated with the Chinese Herbal fumigant sitz bath for 10 minutes and 15 minutes respectively;while the control groups were treated with the hemorrhoids lotion for 10 minutes and 15 minutes respectively.The severity of pain,edema,bleeding,constipation and urinary disturbance were scored on the second,seventh and fourteenth days after treatment.Data were analyzed statistically.Results Chinese herbal fumigant Sitz baths for 10 minutes could significantly reduce postoperative pain,edema and bleeding symptoms[(1.72±1.23) points,(0.72±1.25) points,(0.91±1.37) points,respectively,P ＜0.05],followed sequentially by groups of Chinese herbal fumigant Sitz baths for 15 minutes [(1.79±1.21)points,(0.89±1.28) points,(1.03±1.24) points]; The hemorrhoids lotion for 10 minutes ((1.86±1.25) points,(1.14±1.47) points,(1.49±1.56)) and 15 minutes[(2.03±1.48) points,(1.05±1.29) points,(1.39±1.47) points,respectively,P ＜ 0.05]With the successful cases of 27,21,18,and 6 in the groups,respectively.Though the overall response rates of for the groups of 10 min's treatment,15min's treatment and 10 min's control were not significantly different between each other(P =0.0634,P =0.2560),they showed a superior efficacy in the overall response rate to the 15 min's control group(P =0.0064,P =0.0365,P =0.0089),respectively.Conclusion Chinese herbal fumigant Sitz baths for 10minutes have a success rate of 100％ on alleviating complications after mixed hemorrhoidectomy.It has a prominent efficacy on reducing postoperative edema and bleeding symptoms than other treatments studied in this program.

Objective:To observe the change of periphery and centra lymphocyte subsets at the crest-time of MOG_(35-55) induced EAE disease in mice,and to explore the alteration of cellular immunity and humoral immunity in the invasion process in EAE.Methods:MOG_(35-55) was used to establish EAE model in femina C57BL/6 mice.The behavioral changes and the histological scores were recorded after the mice were immuned .The changes of CD3~+CD4~+,CD3~+CD8~+,CD4~+CD25~+ and B220~+ on periphery and centra lymphocytes in spleen,brain and spinal cord were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results:The CD3~+CD4~+,CD3~+CD8~+,CD4~+CD25~+ and B220~+ lymphocytes were detected in the brain and spinal cord of EAE group mice,but they were not detected in CFA control group.The CD3~+CD4~+ and CD3+CD8+lymphocytes in the spleen of EAE crest-time group were lower than those in CFA control group(P＜0.05).The B220~+ lymphocytes were obviously higher than in the CFA control group (P＜0.01).And CD4~+CD25~+ lymphocytes were slight higher than the CFA control group.Conclusion:At the crest-time during EAE,the CD3~+CD4~+,CD3~+CD8~+lymphocytes of spleen reduced obviously,B220~+ lymphocytes increased markedly,and the CD4~+CD25~+ lymphocytes just have the increasing trend.It indicates that cellular immunity and humoral immunity coregulated the patho-process at the crest-time of EAE,T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes all played important roles in the pathogenesy of EAE.