BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that osteoporosis often leads to a failure in pedicle screw fixation. Considering that the use of ordinary pedicle screw fixation cannot achieve a strong and stable fixation of the osteoporotic vertebra,special measures to strengthen the internal fixation is indispensable.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of bone cement augmentation combined with expandable pedicle screw fixation on the fixation strength of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebrae.METHODS: Twenty osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral specimens were randomly divided into four groups: conventional pedicle screw group implanted with normal pedicle screw, and the other three groups implanted with expandable pedicle screw. Bone cement augmentation with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and calcium sulfate was done in the PMMA group and calcium sulfate group, respectively, followed by expandable pedicle screw implantation. No bone cement was used in the expandable pedicle screw group. The maximum axial pull-out strength and yield energy absorption value of the unilateral pedicle were detected, and the maximum removal torque of the contralateral pedicle was determined. Bone cement leakage after augmentation was observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional pedicle screw group, the other three groups showed a significant increase in the maximum pull-out strength, maximum removal torque and yield energy absorption values (P < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly higher in the PMMA and calcium sulfate groups than the expandable pedicle screw group and conventional pedicle screw group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the PMMA and calcium sulfate groups (P > 0.05). No leakage of bone cement was found in all the groups. To conclude, the combined use of expandable pedicle screw and can significantly enhance the stability of the osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebrae, and the PMMA and calcium sulfate cements have similar effects.

The adverse reactions caused by traditional Chinese medicine have occurred frequently, but there is a lack of scientific,objective and standardized methods for safety evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine.In the process of preclinical evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine, it is imperative to form a set of scientific, standardized and feasible evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug.We established the preclinical safety evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug including the quality control system of samples for the preclinical safety evaluation, the toxicity evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug and its preparation and the evaluation management system, and standardized each research link of preclinical evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine.Whether from protecting patients' health and increasing the safety of clinical medication, or from enriching and improving traditional Chinese medicine science, developing traditional Chinese medicine and promoting mutual connection of traditional Chinese medicine and international medicine, it has important instructional significance and application value.

Objective To evaluate the safety of human purified Vero cell rabies vaccine(PVRV)after exposure in China by Meta-analysis.Methods With rabies,vaccine and safety as key words,a systematic search was performed in PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane and China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),supplemented by manual retrieval.A Meta-analysis was performed to analyze the incidence of adverse events of two immunization regimens Zagreb and Essen using Review Manager 5.4 software after literature screening and data extraction according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results A total of 12 studies were included,of which 7 were prospective studies and 5 were retrospective studies.Most included in the studies showed a low risk of bias.The incidence of adverse events in Zagreb regimen was significantly higher than that in Essen regimen[relative risk(RR)= 1.01,95% CI = 0.90 ～ 1.14;I2= 73.00%,P<0.05],but there was a high degree of heterogeneity.The incidence of fever,pain and induration in Zagreb regimen was significantly higher than that in Essen regimen(RR = 1.14,0.92 and 0.86,95% CI = 0.82 ～ 1.60,0.73 ～ 1.14 and 0.29 ～ 2.51;I2= 73.00%,P<0.05],but there was a high degree of heterogeneity.The incidence of fever,pain and induration in Zagreb regimen was significantly higher than that in Essen regimen(RR = 1.14,0.92 and 0.86,95% CI = 0.82 ～ 1.60,0.73 ～ 1.14 and 0.29 ～ 2.51;I2= 81%,65% and 92%,respectively,P<0.01).Conclusion Two regimens of PVRV vaccination after exposure showed good safety.However,when adopting Zagreb regimen,attention should be paid to the physical conditions of children and the elderly with relatively poor immunity to avoid adverse events.

OBJECTIVETo study the role of fibrinogen molecule in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

METHODSAn in vitro cell culture model was used. Methyl-(3)H Thymidine radiolabeled Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) ATCC 33277 were examined for their ability to adhere to and invade the confluent monolayers of human oral epithelial KB cells with or without exogenous human fibrinogens by scintillation spectrometry.

RESULTSThe addition of exogenous fibrinogens made more amount of and higher ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg, in contrast to the group without exogenous fibrinogen (P < 0.001). At different concentrations of exogenous fibrinogen, the amount and ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg varied significantly (P < or = 0.007). The higher concentrations of exogenous fibrinogen was added, the greater amount and ratios of adhesive and invasive Pg were found.

CONCLUSIONSFibrinogen promotes the adherence of Pg to human oral epithelial cells and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.

Bacterial Adhesion ; drug effects ; Fibrinogen ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; KB Cells ; Mouth Mucosa ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Periodontitis ; etiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; pathogenicity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) on monocytes chemotaxis ability in vitro.

METHODSTranswell chemotaxis assay was used to evaluate the changes of chemotactic ability of THP-1 monocytes in each group treated with CRP in different concentration.

RESULTSCRP increased the number of attracted monocytes in response to MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). When treated with CRP concentration at 2 microg x mL(-1), the number of chemotactic monocytes increased (P < 0.05). The number of attracted monocytes increased as CRP concentration was elevated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCRP can increase chemotactic ability of THP-1 monocytes in concentration dependent manner.

C-Reactive Protein ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Chemotaxis ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Monocytes

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between plasma levels of fibrinogen, the-beta455 G/A fibrinogen gene polymorphism and the severity of periodontal inflammation and to explore the possible role of fibrinogen in the association of periodontitis with coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSA total of 121 patients with moderate to severe periodontitis and periodontally healthy and gingivitis controls were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood samples were collected and the plasma fibrinogen levels were determined by the clotting method of Clauss. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis with Hae III were used to examine the -beta455 G/A fibrinogen gene polymorphism.

RESULTSFibrinogen levels were significantly higher in moderately or severely chronic periodontitis patients [(3.45 +/- 0.68) g/L] than periodontally healthy and gingivitis controls [(2.47 +/- 0.42) g/L, P < 0.001]. The carrier status of the A allele at position -455 in the beta fibrinogen gene was associated with elevated fibrinogen levels and the frequency of the-A455 allele in the beta fibrinogen gene in the patient group was significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.032). Carriers of the -A455 allele were about 3-fold more likely to have moderate or severe periodontitis as compare to individuals without the -A455 allele( OR = 3. =135, P= 0.008).

CONCLUSIONSFg-beta455 G/A polymorphism may contribute to the elevated plasma fibrinogen levels and put individuals at higher risk of having severe periodontitis. As the independent risk factor of CHD, fibrinogen levels and Fg-beta455 G/A polymorphism may play a role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis.

Adult ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Periodontitis ; genetics ; Coronary Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVETo assess the prevalence of pre-hypertension and hypertension as well as the association with overweight/obesity in Shanghai adolescents.

METHODSSchool children aged 11 - 17 years in four schools in Shanghai were included in this survey. All students were visited in May 2010 at school by trained nurses or physicians who administered a questionnaire and carried out anthropometric measurements. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, heart rate and blood pressure. Repeat measurements were performed in school children with elevated blood pressure within one month. The pre-hypertension and hypertension was defined on the basis of the 2004 National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group definitions. The overweight and obesity was defined using cutoff points recommended by Working Group of Obesity, China (WGOC).

RESULTSThere were 4175 school children aged 11 - 17 years [mean (15.0 ± 1.9) years, 52.3% (n = 2183) girls and 47.7% (n = 1992) boys]. There were 72.5% (n = 3025) participants with normal blood pressure [ girls (n = 1666) 76.3% and boys (n = 1361) 68.3%], 18.0% (n = 750)participants with pre-hypertension [14.2% (n = 310) for girls and 22.1% (n = 440) for boys], 8.3% (n = 346) participants with stage 1 hypertension [8.2% (n = 179) for girls and 8.3% (n = 165) for boys] and 1.3% (n = 54) participants with stage 2 hypertension [1.3% (n = 28) for girls and 1.3% (n = 26) for boys]. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.7% (n = 147) and 3.0% (n = 66) for girls and 13.7% (n = 273) and 6.3% (n = 125) for boys. After adjusting for gender, age, parental history of hypertension and physical activities, multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the overweight [adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.42 (1.16 - 1.75)] and obesity [adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval: 2.35 (1.78 - 3.11)] were independent predictors of elevated blood pressure in this cohort.

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence of elevated blood pressure is common in adolescents in Shanghai. Overweight and obesity are closely associated with the elevated blood pressure in this cohort.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVENeurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus persists in brain of the immature and adult mammalian including human and it can be regulated by physiological and pathological events including nutritional status and seizures. The present study was designed to investigate the potential effects of malnutrition followed by status epileptics on hippocampal neurogenesis in the immature rat.

METHODSRat pups were divided into 4 groups: malnourished (M), nourished (N), malnourished plus seizures (MS) and nourished plus seizures (NS). The rat pups of group M and group MS were maintained on a starvation regimen from postnatal day 2 (P2) to P18. The status epilepticus of the rat pups in group MS and group NS was elicited by unilateral microinfusion of kainic acid (KA) into the amygdula at P15. Rat pups of the 4 groups were given bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) intraperitoneally twice daily for 2 days beginning at P17. At P19, the rat pups were killed and the brains were processed for BrdU mitotic labeling combined with double-label immunohistochemistry using early neuron- or glia-specific markers TuJ1 (beta III tubulin) or GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in the latent time of seizure between group M and group N [(12.4 +/- 2.6) min vs. (12.1 +/- 2.9) min, P < 0.05]. Histological assessment did not reveal any evidence of hippocampal cell loss after status epilepticus in either group. BrdU-labeled cells were significantly higher in the rats of group MS (374 +/- 18) than group M (303 +/- 20), group NS (312 +/- 24) than group N (269 +/- 18), respectively (P < 0.01). There was also significant difference between group M and group N, group MS and group NS, respectively (P < 0.01). No significant difference was seen between the rats of group NS and group M (P > 0.05). Approximately 60% of BrdU-labeled cells coexpressed TuJ1, and 5% approximately 10% of those co-expressed GFAP.

CONCLUSIONEarly malnutrition do not alter KA seizure susceptibility and the behavioral manifestations of seizures at P15. Although malnutrition and status epilepticus can increase the proliferation of newly developed cells in the immature rat respectively, malnutrition followed by status epilepticus further increases this proliferation. Furthermore, most of newly developed cells differentiate into early neurons.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Body Weight ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; analysis ; Hippocampus ; chemistry ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Malnutrition ; pathology ; Neurons ; chemistry ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Tubulin ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between moderately and severely chronic periodontitis and coronary heart disease, as well as the role of fibrinogen in the mechanisms responsible for the correlation between periodontitis and coronary heart disease.

METHODS95 subjects who were systemic health or patients of coronary heart disease with or without periodontitis were enrolled. All the subjects were placed into 4 groups based on their periodontal status and cardiovascular health. The 4 groups were healthy control group (HC), moderately and severely chronic periodontitis group (MSP), coronary heart disease group(CHD), and MSP coexisted with CHD group (MSP+CHD). Clinical periodontal index were examined, at the same time, plasma fibrinogen levels and serological changes used in diagnosing of cardiovascular disease routinely were determined. ANOVA and ANCOVA were used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTSFibrinogen levels of HC, MSP, CHD, and MSP+CHD group were (2.36+/-0.37), (3.63+/-0.73), (4.08+/-0.84), and (4.14+/-0.96) g/L, respectively. Fibrinogen levels of MSP and MSP+CHD group were significantly higher than that of healthy controls (P<0.01). The patients with moderately to severely chronic periodontitis were more likely to have coronary heart disease as compared to periodontally healthy controls (OR=2.527, P=0.047) after adjusted for blood pressure and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONModerately and severely chronic periodontitis maybe a risk factor of coronary heart disease and fibrinogen could be one of the biological basis which links periodontitis with coronary heart disease.

Chronic Periodontitis ; Coronary Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo examine modulations caused by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors on altered microenvironments and overbalanced neurotransmitters in pilocarpine-induced epileptic status rats and to investigate possible mechanisms.

METHODSCelecoxib (a COX-2 inhibitor) was administered 45 min prior to pilocarpine administration. The effects of COX-2 inhibitors on mIPSCs (miniature GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents) of CA3 pyramidal cells in the hippocampus were recorded. Expressions of COX-2, c-Fos, newly generated neurons, and activated microgliosis were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and expressions of alpha-subunit of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA(A)) receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) activity were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSPretreatment with celecoxib showed protection against pilocarpine-induced seizures. Celecoxib prevented microglia activation in the hilus and inhibited the abnormal neurogenesis and astrogliosis in the hippocampus by inhibiting MAPK/ERK activity and c-Fos transcription. Celecoxib also up-regulated the expression of GABA(A) receptors. NS-398 (N-2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl-methanesulfonamide), another COX-2 inhibitor, enhanced the frequency and decay time of mIPSCs.

CONCLUSIONThe COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib decreased neuronal excitability and prevented epileptogenesis in pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus rats. Celecoxib regulates synaptic reorganization by inhibiting astrogliosis and ectopic neurogenesis by attenuating MAPK/ERK signal activity, mediated by a GABAergic mechanism.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Celecoxib ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fibrocystic Breast Disease ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Nitrobenzenes ; pharmacology ; Pilocarpine ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, GABA-A ; biosynthesis ; Status Epilepticus ; chemically induced ; enzymology ; pathology ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; Synapses ; drug effects ; pathology