OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical effects of three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach for the treatment of unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injury.

METHODSFrom December 2008 to May 2010,three-column reconstruction via posterior approach was implemented to 21 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries. There were 13 males and 8 females, ranging in age from 23 to 54 years old(averaged,35.5 years old). Injured vertebrae: 1 patient had injury in T11, 4 patients had injuries in T12, 8 patients had injuries in L1, 5 patients had injuries in L2, 3 patients had injuries in L3. The Cobb angle was (25.34 +/- 3.42) degrees. The operation time,blood loss during operation, Cobb angle and the bony fusion were observed.

RESULTSTwenty-one patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 24 to 27 years old, with an average of 25.6 months. The operation time ranged from 135 to 275 min, with a mean of 185 min. The blood loss during operation ranged from 700 to 1 650 ml (averaged, 870 ml). All the patients had complete decompression. Postoperative Cobb angle was (4.01 +/- 2.03) degrees, and (4.34 +/- 2.38) degrees at the latest follow-up. All the patients got bony fusion.

CONCLUSIONTo the patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures accompanied by posterior column injuries, three-column reconstruction via single posterior approach has both anterior approach and posterior approach advantages, which can obtain excellent clinical outcomes.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects ; methods ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Chinese herbs for nourishing yin and removing fire (NYRF) on gene expressions of estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha), insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the epiphyseal growth plate of the female pubertal rats.

METHODSThe rats were randomly divided into the control group and the intervened group. Immunohistochemistry and realtime-PCR methods were used to measure the gene expression of ER alpha, IGF-1R and EGFR and their protein synthesis in epiphyseal growth plate.

RESULTSAfter being intervened with NYRF, the gene expressions of ER alpha and IGF-1R were down-regulated and their protein synthesis markedly reduced, while those of EGFR were unchanged.

CONCLUSIONNYRF can modulate the development and maturation of bone by regulating the expressions of ER alpha and IGF-1R in the epiphyseal growth plate.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Growth Plate ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Protein Biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Yin-Yang

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs) in causing the precocious puberty.

METHODSThe blood samples were collected from 79 cases of precocious puberty patients and 42 cases of normal children. The concentrations of 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 1, 1-dichloro-2, 2, bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethylene (p, p'-DDE) and di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in blood serum samples were measured by using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The volume of uterus and ovary, the bone density, and the content of estradiol (E(2)) in serum were determined at the same time. The contents of EEDs in blood serums of precocious puberty and the indices of the target organs were analyzed by using of correlation and regression.

RESULTSIn normal control group, p, p'-DDE was detected in all the blood samples (14.93 - 40.39 ng/ml), but 4-NP and DEHP were detected in some samples (ND -6.77 ng/ml, ND -17.61 ng/ml). The levels of 4-NP, p, p'-DDE and DEHP in blood serum in precocious puberty group were notably increased than that in control group (P < 0.01). In precocious puberty group, there was a positive correlations between the 4-NP in volume of uterus and the volume of ovary and the density of bone (r = 0.394, 0.286, 0.237, P < 0.01); p, p'-DDE and volume of uterus also showed a the positive correlation (r = 0.306, P < 0.01). The influencing extent of 4-NP was 1.3 times to that of the p, p'-DDE.

CONCLUSIONThe normal children and the children with precocious puberty should be all contaminated by EEDs, and the later be exposured to more EEDs. There might exist a close relationship between EEDs and the precocious puberty, and EEDs should be an important factor in causing the disease. Different kinds of EEDs might have different influencing extents to the target organs.

Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene ; blood ; Endocrine Disruptors ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Polychlorinated Biphenyls ; blood ; Puberty, Precocious ; blood

Objective To investigate the MR imaging technique and features of acute radiation- induced hepatic injury with superparamagnetic iron oxide(SPIO)enhancement in a rabbit model.Methods On the 10th day after half-liver single 40 Gy X-ray irradiation,MR imaging before and after SPIO administration and pathologic study of 12 adult rabbits were performed.Results On the 10th post-irradiation day,TSE T_2 WI before SPIO enhancement,the irradiated liver of two rabbits showed relatively higher signal, and 1 showed slightly lower signal.With SPIO enhancement,the irradiated livers of 9 rabbits were found to be abnormal,manifesting as higher or slightly higher areas on multiple MR imaging sequences,especially the TFE T_1 WI sequence.Histological specimen with HE stain under light microscopy revealed occlusive injury of central veins(veno-occlusive disease,VOD)in each irradiated liver to some extent.Electron microscopy investigation of the irradiated liver disclosed intracellular edema,fibrin deposition,and widening of the Disse-space.Conclusion The early pathologic feature of the irradiated liver is occlusive injury of the central vein.MR imaging with SPIO enhancement is effective to valuate the early irradiation-induced liver injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on the safety in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged patients.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was performed on the complications and the following therapy in peri-operational stage of hip operation in 1872 aged patients, the incidence and treatment of complication were analyzed and compared between patients who received TCM decoction alone and those received TCM decoction combined with Danshen Injection and Shenmai Injection. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTSAll treatments showed good effects in preventing and treating the complications in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged patients, while the effect of combined therapy was better in improving dyspepsia and preventing deep vein thrombosis than that of TCM decoction alone.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with TCM of reinforcing qi and activating blood circulation has favorable effects in preventing occurrence of complication in peri-operational stage of hip operation in aged people.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Preoperative Care ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvia miltiorrhiza

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of high glucose exposure on connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells and investigate the role of p38MAPK pathway in this process.

METHODSHuman renal tubular epithelial cells (HKC) with and without SB203580 pretreatment were cultured in the presence of high glucose levels for 24, 48, 72, 96 h and 20 days. RT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining, indirect fluorescence staining and Western blotting were used to detect the changes in CTGF mRNA and protein expressions in the cells after the treatment.

RESULTSLow levels of CTGF mRNA and protein were detected in cultured HKC cells, and after high glucose treatment, the mRNA expression increased gradually and reached the peak level at 48 h, then followed by gradual decrease till recovering the baseline level at 96 h. Prolonged high glucose treatment for 20 days resulted in persisted high CTGF mRNA expression twice the level in the control group. The expression level of CTGF protein also increased progressively as the treatment time then prolonged, and long-term (20 days) treatment increased the expression by 4 folds in comparison with the expression in the control cells. SB203580 significantly inhibited the increase in the expressions of CTGF mRNA and protein stimulated by high glucose treatment.

CONCLUSIONHigh glucose treatment can increase CTGF mRNA and protein expressions in cultured human renal tubular epithelial cells, suggesting that increased CTGF levels is a key event in the pathogenesis of renal tubulo-interstitial fibrosis in patients with diabetic nephropathy. p38MAPK pathway may also participate in this process.

Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; pathology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To assess the effective length of jejunal graft when the 3~(rd) intestinal artery is u- tilized as vascular pedicle and afford a reliable theoretic base for clinical esophageal reconstruction.Methods In 32 formalin preserved and 21 fresh cadaver specimens,the diameter of 1st to 5th intestinal arteries and diameter of arterial arches are measured with linear calibre.Measure the length of jejunum that can be harves- ted as graft when the arches are extended.In the 21 fresh specimens,the 1st,2nd,4th and 5th intestinal ar- teries are ligated,acetic ester stained with red dye were injected into the lumen of 3rd intestinal artery via catheter.Extent of distribution of the arteries to the jejunum was observed.And then red ABS solution was in- jected into the 3rd intestinal artery to make into cast specimen.The blood supply distribution of jejunum through 3rd intestinal artery-arterial arch and communicating system were observed again.Results The di- ameter of the 3rd intestinal artery was the largest among the 1st to 5th intestinal arteries.The length of jejunum vascularized by 3rd intestinal artery can be as long as (142.2?62.3) (69.0～206.60cm) in acetic ester in- filtrated specimens.While in ABS east specimen,the average available extent of donor jejunum was(30.8?7.3) (23.0～37.3cm).Conclusion As observed by this applied anatomy study,the jejunum graft vascu- larized by 3rd intestinal artery alone has sufficient length to meet the need of esophageal reeonstrution.

Objective To learn the changes of blood lead levels and serum biochemical parameters of the school agechildren from different areas. Methods All research objects, the school age children, were from three different areasrespectively, including a mountainous area (L area), an island area (H area) where there is not history of Pb pollution,and an industry area (N area) in relation to Pb pollution. The morning urine and peripheral venous blood samples werecollected from the school age children. Pb in blood (PbB), δ-aminoaevulinic acid in urine (ALA), Ca2+, BUN, Cr inserum, and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), thyroxin (T4), free thyroxin (FT4) levels were detected. ResultsPbB levels [M was 36.0 ppb] of the school age children from N area were significantly higher than that of L area [22.0 ppb] andH area [23.8 ppb]. On the contrary, serum Ca2+ levels of the school age children from N area were significantly lower than thatof L area and H area. Serum T4 of N area was significantly lower than that of L area and H area. Serum FT4 of H area wassignificantly higher than that of L area and N area. And TSH of N area and H area were both obviously lower than that of L area.But all of these thyroxin indexes were in the range of normal values. Conclusion It should be widely concerned that thesignificant elevation of PbB levels may have a negative impact on school age children in the future.

Objective To investigate the CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region,and to evaluate the value of CT in demonstrating the Madelung's disease in the head and neck region.Methods CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region in 7 cases were analyzed retrospectively.All were males,with the age from 36 to 60 years,mean 51 years.All patients were underwent CT native scan,and enhanced CT scan was performed on 3 of them.Results CT images in the neck of all patients showed accumulation of nonencapsulated fat within the subcutaneous tissue and(or) deep to the platysma,and(or)within the spaces between the muscles.The fat deposits were ill-defined and symmetrical.In most cases the fat deposits involved the anterior part of the neck(infrahyoid and suprahyoid),submandibular region,the subcutaneous tissue of the nape and deep to the stenomastoid muscles.Conclusions Madelung's disease in the head and neck region have characteristic CT findings,and CT has great value in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis in Madelung's disease.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of losartan against angiotensin II (AngII)-induced beta cell (RIN-m) impairment and explore its mechanism.

METHODSIn vitro cultured RIN-m cells were divided into control group, 100 nmol/L AngII group and losartan pretreatment group. After cell incubation with the corresponding agents for 24 h, the amount of basal (3.3 mmol/L) and glucose-stimulated (16.7 mmol/L) insulin secretion (GSIS) was detected by radioimmunoassay, and the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed by flow cytometry with DCFH-DA staining; the mRNA and protein expressions of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe basal insulin secretion showed no significant differences between the 3 groups (P>0.05). The GSIS in 100 nmol/L AngII group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.001), but losartan pretreatment markedly restored the insulin secretion function to a level comparable to that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 100 nmol/L AngII significantly increased the cellular ROS level and the mRNA and protein expressions of UCP2 (P<0.05), and these changes were eliminated by losartan pretreatment.

CONCLUSIONSLosartan pretreatment offers protective effect against AngII-induced impairment of the GSIS of beta cells possibly by antagonizing the effects of AngII that causes increased ROS level and UCP2 expressions in beta-cells.

Angiotensin II ; adverse effects ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Insulinoma ; pathology ; Ion Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Uncoupling Protein 2