OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical effects of short-segment posterior pedicle screw combined with transpedicle vertebral bone grafting in treating thoracolumbar burst fractures.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to March 2013, 62 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with short-segment posterior pedicle screw combined with transpedicle vertebral bone grafting. Including 40 males and 22 females, the age from 17 to 65 years old with an average of 38 years. According to AO classification, 34 cases were type A3.1, 7 cases were type A3.2 and 21 cases were type A3.3. Load-sharing scores were from 4 to 6 points with an average of 5.4 points. According to ASIA grade, 2 cases were grade C, 5 cases were grade D and 55 cases were grade E. Preoperative, postoperative at 3 d and final follow-up, the Cobb angle, the relative height of anterior vertebral body and the encroachment rate of spinal canal were measured by X-ray films and computed tomography (CT) scan, meanwhile, the information of bone healing and spinal nerves recovery were observed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 11 to 14 months with an average of 12.2 months. The duration of removing internal fixation were from 9 to 13 months (averaged, 11.5 months). One suffered from infection and was cured by debridement. Two cases had mild pain of back. At 6 months after operation, according to ASIA grade to evaluate never function, 1 case was grade C, 3 cases were grade D and 58 cases were grade E. X-ray and CT showed the fractures obtained good union at final follow-up. The Cobb angle, the relative height of anterior vertebral body and the encroachment rate of spinal canal had obviously improved at 3 days after operation (P<0.05); but there was no significant differences between postoperative at 3 d and final follow-up (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONShort-segment posterior pedicle screw combined with transpedicle vertebral bone grafting is an effective method to treat thoracolumbar burst fractures. It can reduce the loss of postoperative correction and prevent the internal fixation failure.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

Objective · To compare the prevalence of tobacco advertisement before and after implementation of the new edition of Advertising Law of the People's Republic of China and evaluate the effects of implementation of the new Advertising Law. Methods · Tobacco sales places, public places, and streets in Shanghai were randomly selected to observe tobacco advertisement and complete the survey. The survey was carried out in 10 districts of Shanghai in June 2015 with 10 tobacco sales places selected in each district, and in 4 districts of Shanghai in June 2016 with 25 tobacco sales places selected in each district. Sales places included convenient stores, tobacco stores, supermarkets, and kiosks. In addition, public transport waiting points, public transport vehicles, hospitals, shopping centers, restaurants, bars, and Internet cafes were selected into survey in 2016. Results · In 2016, the proportion of tobacco sales places having tobacco advertisement was lower than that in 2015, but the proportion of tobacco promotion behaviors was higher. In 2016, 128 public places and streets were investigated and only 1 had outdoor tobacco advertisement. Conclusion · The new edition of Advertising Law has significant effect on controlling tobacco advertisement, but tobacco sales places still have tobacco advertisement with various disguised promotion forms. Tobacco sales places have diversified business styles and minors often enter these places. It is recommended that a clear definition of disguised forms of tobacco advertisement should be made, tobacco advertisement at tobacco sales places needs to be supervised, the release of tobacco advertisement should be strictly reviewed, and existing tobacco advertisement should be severely punished, so as to prevent minors from exposing to tobacco advertisement and information luring smoking.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. Methods The MICs of six fluoroquinolones(norfloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) against 35 clinical isolates of E.faecium from eight hospitals in Tianjin were determined by agar dilution method in the absence or presence of multidrug resistance efflux pump inhibitor reserpine.The quinolone-resistance determining region(QRDR)of parC and gyrA were amplified and sequenced.Results No less than twofold decrease in MIC values of the six fluoroquinolones in the presence of reserpine was observed in 35,29,1,0,6 and 2 of the 35 strains of E.faecium respectively.One fluoro- quinolone-susceptible isolate and five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were selected randomly to analyze the QRDR of parC and gyrA.All five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates had single amino acid alteration in both GyrA and ParC.Ser-80 in ParC was substituted by lie(4 isolates)or Arg(1 isolates).Glu-87 in GyrA was replaced by Lys(2 isolates)or Gly(2 isolates). The other one had an Ser-83-to-Ile substitution.The one fluoroquinolone-suseeptible isolate had no alteration in the QRDR of either ParC or GyrA.Conclusions Both target alteration and active efflux are responsible for the resistance to fluoroquinolone in clinical isolates of E.faecium.

Objective: To study the factors and preventive method of post-operative complications of spinal implant operation. Methods: The post-operative complication of 451 cases who had undergone spinal implant operation were analysed retrospectively. The relative factors of complications were analyzed. Results: Infection, thrombosis of deep vein and failed fusion were the most common complications. Among the factors, the age, operation time and blood lose during operation were closely related with the complication. Using antibiotic was effective to reduce the infection. Conclusion: It is effective to reduce the post-operative complication of spinal implant operation by proper pre-operative evaluation. Using antibiotic to control other diseases is also effective.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of DADLE, a δ-opioid receptor agonist, on the proliferation of human liver cancer HepG2 cells and explore the mechanism involving PKC pathway.

METHODSHepG2 cells were treated with DADLE at different doses (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 µmol/L). Cell viability was determined using methyl thiazolyl terazolium (MTT) assay. The expression of PKC mRNA and p-PKC protein were examined by RT-PCR and Western blot assay. After treated separately with DADLE plusing NAL or PMA, the cell cycle of HepG2 cells was analyzed by flow cytometer. MTT was used to detect their proliferation capacity and Western blot was used to examine the p-PKC expression. The growth inhibitory rate of HepG2 cells treated with DADLE and cis-diammine dichloridoplatinum (CDDP) was analyzed.

RESULTSDADLE at different concentrations showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells though inhibiting the expression of PKC mRNA and p-PKC protein. The results of flow cytometry showed that compared with the control group, the percentage of S + G(2)/M cells in DADLE-treated group was lowered by 3.94% (P < 0.01). Meanwhile, after treated with NAL and PMA, the percentage was elevated by 3.22% and 3.63%, respectively (P < 0.01). The MTT and Western blot assays showed that compared with the control group, the values of A570 and p-PKC protein levels in the HepG2 cells of DADLE-treated group were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). After treatment with NAL and PMA, the values of A570 and p-PKC protein levels were elevated significantly (P < 0.01). The growth inhibitory rate of DADLE + CDDP group was 79.9%, significantly lower than 25.2% and 43.2% of the DADLE and CDDP groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSActivation of δ-opioid receptor by DADLE inhibits the apoptosis of human liver cancer HepG2 cells. The underlying mechanism may be correlated with PKC pathway. DADLE can enhance the chemosensitivity of HepG2 cells to CDDP.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cisplatin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Enkephalin, Leucine-2-Alanine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Naltrexone ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Phosphorylation ; Protein Kinase C ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, Opioid, delta ; agonists ; Signal Transduction ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Activation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in neuronal apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The present study examined the neuroprotection of three chloride blockers in an in vitro cell model of cerebral ischemia established by treatment of cultured rat hippocampal neurons with NMDA. Hoechst 33258 staining and MTT assay were used to detect neuronal apoptosis and cell viability, respectively. The neuroprotective effects of chloride channel blockers on the cell viability and neuronal apoptosis were only observed when the blockers were applied before NMDA exposure. In comparison with DIDS, SITS showed more potent protective effect in a dose-dependent manner, whereas NPPB showed no significant neuroprotective effect. The results demonstrate that pretreatment with both SITS and DIDS have protective effect against neuronal apoptosis, which is achieved by blocking both NMDA receptor and chloride channel.
4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; 4-Acetamido-4'-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic Acid ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bisbenzimidazole ; chemistry ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; N-Methylaspartate ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; chemistry ; cytology ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the transcriptional expression of enamelin in developing postnatal rat first mandibular molar germs, for further studies of functions of enamelin in enamel development and mineralization.

METHODSTissue slices of first mandibular molar germ of rat 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 days after birth were prepared. The enamelin mRNA expression was identified by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSEnamelin mRNA was observed in both ameloblast and odontoblast in 1-10 day old rat postnatal first mandibular molar germs. Enamelin mRNA appeared very weakly at 1st day, and increased through 3rd day, reached the maximum at 7th day, and reduced at 10th day and became negative at 14th day postnatally; while the expression of enamelin mRNA in odontoblast maintained lower from 1st to 10th day and negative at 14th day postnatally.

CONCLUSIONEnamelin gene transcriptional expression lasts from preameloblast to maturation ameloblast, which suggests that enamelin may participate in the development of enamel and mantle dentin.

Ameloblasts ; metabolism ; Animals ; Dental Enamel Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; In Situ Hybridization ; Molar ; embryology ; Odontoblasts ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Tooth Germ ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

A simple and sensitive Reverse Transcription Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) method was established to provide a new alternative for clinical diagnosis of Avian influenza A H5N1 virus. The method employed a set of six specially designed primers that recognized eight distinct sequences of the target for amplification of nucleic acid under isothermal conditions. In current study, fifty-one experimentally infected animal specimens and viral cultures that had been tested were analyzed by RT-LAMP for NA gene and HA gene, respectively. The amplification process of LAMP was monitored in real-time by the addition of SYBR Green dye. Meanwhile, the result showed high correlation between nested PCR and RT-LAMP. The specificity of the RT-LAMP assay was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and sequencing of the amplified product. When the sensitivity of this assay was tested by serial 10-fold dilutions of RNA molecules from specimens, it was found that the RT-LAMP method achieved theoretically a sensitivity of 10 RNA molecules. Thus, we concluded that the RT-LAMP assay has potential usefulness for rapid detection of the Avian influenza A H5N1 virus.
Animals ; Birds ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; diagnosis ; virology ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical outcomes of semicircular decompression in treating old thoracolumbar fractures and intractable neuropathic pain.

METHODSFrom September 2009 to September 2013, 21 patients with old thoracolumbar fracture and intractable neuropathic pain were treated with semicircular decompression. Among initial surgery, posterior pedicle screw fixation was used in these patients, with or without laminectomy. All patients were male, range in age from 20 to 28 years old with an average of (25.00±2.38) years. Vertebral body residual bone block resulted in intra-spinal placeholder more than 50%. All patients were complete spinal cord injury (ASIA grade) or cauda equina injury. VAS scores was from 6 to 10 points with the mean of 7.14±0.91. In these patients, MRI, CT, X-rays were performed; denomination and dosage of analgesics were recorded; nerve function and pain status were respectively evaluated by ASIA grade and VAS score before and after operation.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 8 to 32 months with an average of (17.29±6.02) months. All bone fragments of spinal canal were removed and spinal cord decompressions were achieved. At final follow-up, VAS scores were from 0 to 8 points with an average of (2.43±2.46) points, and were obviously reduced than peroperative data (P<0.05). Eleven cases of them stopped analgesic intake and 7 cases reduced using. Three patients' symptoms and VAS scores were not improved.

CONCLUSIONOld thoracolumbar fractures and intractable neuropathic pain need receive imaging examination as soon as possible and consider semicircular decompression therapy if bone fragments were in vertebral canal and spinal canal stenosis existed. This therapy can effectively relieve pain and profit nerve functional recovery.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Neuralgia ; etiology ; surgery ; Pain, Intractable ; etiology ; surgery ; Spinal Fractures ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Visual Analog Scale ; Young Adult

Thermodynamic parameters of complexation of naphto-15-crown-5 with four alkaline earth ions in aqueous media was determined using titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. The stability of the complexes, thermal effect and entropy effect of the complexation is discussed on the basis of the guest ions structure and the solvent effect. The stability constants tendency to vary with ion radius was interpreted. Complex of naphtha-15-crown-5 with calcium ion is very stable due to the synergism of static electric interaction and size selectivity between the host and the guest.
Calorimetry ; methods ; Crown Ethers ; chemistry ; Ions ; chemistry ; Macromolecular Substances ; analysis ; chemistry ; Metals, Alkaline Earth ; chemistry ; Microchemistry ; methods