BACKGROUND:In the animal model of spinal cord injury associated with fractures, the trauma is severe and postoperative survival rate is low. The improved Al en method and open femoral osteotomy method for making animal model has many advantages, such as simple operation, no need of special equipment, quick establishment, shortened operation time and reduced intraoperative bleeding, so they are suitable for preparing a femoral fracture model combined with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE:To design an animal model of femoral fracture combined with spinal cord injury, which can maintain long time survival, meet clinical features, and is simple and easy.
METHODS:Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into simple femoral fracture group and femoral fracture merging spinal cord injury group. Femoral fracture model was caused by opening osteotomy to cause transverse fracture and implantation of internal fixator in femur. According to the improved Al en method, a self-made blow device was applied to cause acute T 10 segment contusion injury of spinal cord in rats. Thus the femoral fracture model merging spinal cord injury was successful y established. The rats in two groups were grossly observed at different time points after the modeling, and the fracture healing at 4 weeks was detected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al the animal models of femoral fracture with spinal cord injury survived, which exhibited the loss of sensory and motor function of the lower limbs, but could slowly creep forward by the upper limbs. In the first 3 days, the rats had poor appetite and few activity, with tail suspension at night there were no ischemia and necrosis of the limb fracture. At 4 weeks, one rat in simple femoral fracture group died, while four rats in femoral fracture merging spinal cord injury group died, with the survival rate of 83.33%, intramedul ary fixation were not prolapsed. In the two groups, continuous bone cal us formation was found in the fracture, and the bone cal us volume in femoral fracture merging spinal cord injury group was significantly higher than those in simple femoral fracture group. The results demonstrated that combining the improved Al en method with smal lateral incision open femoral osteotomy is a simple and feasible method for the establishment of femoral fracture model merging spinal cord injury, and the models survive for 4 weeks.

28 days after injury (P < 0.05). In the fracture+spinal cord injury group, the level of serum transforming growth factor beta 1 had a rapid increase on the 7th day, and reached the peak on the 14th day, and then, this level had no significant decrease until the 28th day. In the simple fracture group, the level of serum transforming growth factor beta 1 began to increase on the 2nd day, reached the peak on the 7th day, and then decreased gradualy. Remarkable changes of serum transforming growth factor beta 1 levels in patients with bone fracture combined with spinal cord injury may be associated with fracture healing in different periods.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of one stage surgery of release and bone reduction by posterior approach to treat basilar invagination (BI) with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD),and to explore the indications and crucial techniques of posterior approach.Methods All of 17 Consecutive patients (8 males and 9 females) with BI and IAAD who underwent release and reduction by posterior approach from July 2000 to June 2015 were enrolled in the present study,the mean age was 35.2±13.8 years with a range of 12-56 years.The clinical symptoms and signs was recorded,and preoperative imaging examination,including anteroposterior,lateral,dynamic films,MRI and CT of cervical spine,were performed to identify the series.There were 14 cases with atlanto-occipital fusion,7 cases with C2,3 fusion,6 cases with Chiari malformation,6 cases with Syringomyelia,and 8 cases with myelomalacia.The clinic symptoms include occiput/neck pain in 15 cases,cervical movement limitation in 13 cases,short neck in 9 cases,torticollis in 12 cases,Paresthesia in 14 cases,weakness in 13 cases,tendon reflexes hyperfunction in 16 cases and ataxia in 13 cases.The postoperative X-rays,MRI or CT were used to observed the results of decompression,fixation and fusion.Neurological function was assessed by JOA scale and Ranawat's score before,after surgery and at final follow-up.Pre-and post-operative Chamberlain (CL),Wackenheim (WL),McGae (ML),atlantodental interval (ADI) and cervico-medullary angle (CMA) were analyzed by student t-test.Results The average operation time was 145 mins (90-210 mins) and blood loss was 175 ml (150-350 ml).The average follow-up was 44.47 months (9-94 months).JOA score was increased from 8.06 preoperatively to 15.20 postoperatively,the improvement rate was 77.2％.Preoperative Ranawat's score was Ⅱ in 1 case,Ⅲla in 12 cases,ⅢB in4 cases.Postoperative score was Ⅰ in 13 cases,Ⅱ in 4 cases.The preoperative CL,WL,ML,ADI and CMA were (12.52±5.17) mm,(6.59±3.04) mm,(6.96±4.32) mm,(9.88± 1.93) mm,115.35°± 12.40°,respectively.and the postoperative CL,WL,ML,ADI and CMA were (2.0±3.67) mm,(-3.06±1.85) mm,(-1.76±2.88) mm,(1.17± 1.18) mm,136.76°±11.44°,respectively.The perioperative complications were discovered in 2 cases,including 1 case of infection and1 case of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leakage.Conclusion Primary surgery of nerve release and bone reduction by posterior approach may be safe and efficient for the treatment of BI and IAAD.Preoperative evaluation,proper surgical indications and advanced surgical techniques are important for treatment results.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the risk of colorectal neoplasia among patients with gastric or duodenal adenoma.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 39 patients with gastric or duodenal adenomas between 2007 and 2011 as the study group.A total of 78 patients without upper gastrointestinal adenomas who underwent colonoscopy were included as a control group.Colonoscopic findings were compared between the two groups.ResultsPositive finding rate of colorectal neoplasia in study group was 51.3％ (20/39),with adenomas in 38.5％ (15/39) and cancer in 12.8％ (5/39),which were all significantly higher than those of the control group,14.1％ (11/78) ( P ＜ 0.001 ),12.8％ ( 10/78 ) ( P ＜ 0.05 ) and 1.3％ ( 1/78 ) ( P ＜ 0.05),respectively.The results were similar when upper digestive tract was further divided into stomach and duodenum(50.0％ vs.12.5％ and 52.2％ vs.15.2％ ).ConclusionPatients with gastric or duodenal adenomas are at a significantly higher risk for colorectal neoplasia.Colonoscopy should be recommended for these patients.

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of Smad4 in peripheral hepatocytes of lesions in mice with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.Methods Eight mice in the test group were inoculated with alveolar echinococcosis and 8 mice in the control group were injected with normal saline.The expression of Smad4 protein in the hepatic tissue of the mice was detected by immunohistochemistry method,and the data were analyzed by chi-square test.The effect of alveolar echinocoeeosis on the expression of Smad4 protein was investigated.Results Smad4 was detected in cell nuclei and partly in the cytoplasm.Six months after the establishment of the mice model for alveolar echinococeosis,the expression of Smad4 in the hepatic tissue in the test group was significantly higher than in the control group(x2=19.869,P＜0.05).The number of Smad4 with positive expression in the hepatocytes in the test group was slightly higher than in the control group,and the expression intensity of Smad4 in the test group was greater than in the control group(x2=58.3 10,P＜0.05).Conclusions The increase of the expression of Smad4 protein in the periphery hepatocytes and tissues of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis lesions may play a role in hepatic cirrhosis and immune evasion.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of one-stage posterior wedge osteotomy ffor correction ot kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis in children with healed stages of spinal tuberculosis.Methods From January 2002 to December 2012,we retrospectively reviewed 18 patients with tuberculosis of the spine in healed stages which underwent one-stage posterior wedge osteotomy.There were 6 males and 12 females,whose average age was 8.2 (4 to 15) years and average followed-up time was 37.1 (10 to 120) months.The apical vertebrae were located at cervicothoracic segment in 2 cases,thoracic segment in 10 cases,thoracolumbar segment in 5 cases and lumbar segment in 1 case.The lesions involved 2 segments in 3 cases,3 to 5 segments in 9 cases and more than 5 segments in 6 cases.There were 6 cases with neurological dysfunction whose Frankel' s classification was C in 2 cases and D in 4 cases.The coronal and sagittal Cobb angels,thoracic kyphosis,lumbar lordosis,sagittal trunk shifts,number of fixation and fusion segments and bony union were measured on the standing AP and lateral radiographs before,after surgery and at the final follow-up.Results The Cobb' s angels in the sagittal plane were corrected from 71.6° to 14.5°,representing 79.7％ correction rate.The Cobb' s angels in the coronal plane were corrected from 9.4° to 0.7°.Sagittal trunk shift was obviously improved from 3.7mm to 0.5mm.The average fixation segment was 9.6 (5 to 17) segments while the average fusion segment was 4.4 (2 to 8) segments.The neurological function had all been improved at final follow-up.Perioperative complications consisted of fixation loosening in 4 cases,gastrointestinal dysfunction in 2 cases,pleura injury in 5 cases,and cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 3 cases.Conclusion One-stage posterior wedge osteotomy is a safe and effective surgical technique for correction of kyphosis or kyphoscoliosis in children with healed stages of spinal tuberculosis.Both the selection of fusion levels and the appropriate technique of osteotomy are crucial to good outcomes.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of curcumin on LPS-induced inflammation and the activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4 )/NADPH oxidase/reactive oxygen species (ROS)signaling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Primary VSMCs were cultured and divided into control group, LPS group,LPS + curcumin 5 μmol/L group,LPS + curcumin 10 μmol/L group and LPS + curcumin 30 μmol/L group.Cell activity was observed by MTT assay.The secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1 (IL-1)was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)kits.The mRNA expressions of TLR4 and p22phox were detected by real-time PCR.Expression of intracellular ROS was measured by flow cytometry. Results The activities of VSMCs were not significantly affected by curcumin at the concentration between 0 and 80 μmol/L.Curcumin (5,10 and 30 μmol/L)significantly inhibited LPS-induced oversecretion of TNF-αand IL-1, as well as overexpression of TLR4 and p22phox at the mRNA and protein levels,and ROS production in VSMCs in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion Curcumin has a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on the secretion of inflammatory cytokine,overexpressions of TLR4 and p22phox,and production of ROS in VSMCs stimulated by LPS.Furthermore,curcumin may partly depend on TLR4/NADPH oxidase/ROS signaling pathways to inhibit inflammation in LPS-induced VSMCs.

Objective To investigate the effect of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata on intra-abdominal infection and the regulatory mechanism of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor specific inhibitor PD123319 on peritoneal lymphatic stomata.Methods The experimental study was adopted.Forty rats were divided into the control group,sham operation group,intra-abdominal infection group and intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group by the random number table,every group had 10 rats.The classic appendix perforation (CLP) intraabdominal infection model was established in the abdominal infection group.After establishing the model of abdominal infection,PD123319 solution was injected intraperitoneally immediately (0.2 g/kg) in the abdominal infection drug intervention group.Abdominal cavity of the rats in the sham operation group was opened,and then was shut after flipping the intestine.The rats in the control group,sham operation group and intra-abdominal infection group were treated with intraperitoneal injection of 1ml stroke-physiological saline solution.After 2 hours,the rats were sacrificed,and peritoneal tissue was taken for the following tests.(1) The aperture size and distribution density of peritoneal lymphatic stomata were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).(2) The nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the peritoneal tissues was detected using nitric oxide nitric acid reduction method.(3) The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Phospho-eNOS (P-eNOS) were detected by the Western blot.(4) The intracellular Ca2+ concentration were detect by flow cytometry.Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as-x ± s.The comparison among groups was analyzed using the ANOVA and pairwise comparison was analyzed by the LSD test.Results (1) The aperture size and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata in the control group,sham operation group,intra-abdominal infection group and intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group were respectively (2.3 ± 0.4) μm,(2.5 ± 0.5)μm,(4.7 ±0.5)pm,(3.8 ±0.5)pm and (2.0 ±0.8) × 108/m2,(2.1 ±0.7) × 108/m2,(6.2 ± 1.3) × 108/m2,(4.6 ± 1.4) × 108/m2,with statistically significant differences among the 4 groups (F =98.130,56.780,P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the aperture size and distribution density of the peritoneal lymphatic stomata between the intra-abdominal infection group and control group or intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group (t =11.586,8.573,3.854,3.098,P ＜ 0.05) and no statistically significant differences between the control group and sham operation group (t =1.281,0.514,P ＞0.05).(2) The concentrations of NO in the peritoneal tissues in the control group,sham operation group,intra-abdominal infection group and intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group were respectively (0.380 ± 0.024) μmol/gprot,(0.450 ±0.020) μmol/gprot,(1.253 ±0.033) μmol/gprot and (0.579 ±0.035) μmol/gprot,with a statistically significant difference among the 4 groups (F =52.725,P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the concentration of NO between the intra-abdominal infection group and control group or intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group (t =10.536,67.798,P ＜ 0.05) and no statistically significant difference in the concentration of NO between the control group and sham operation group (t =2.007,P ＞ 0.05).(3) The results of Western blot showed that the expressions of eNOS and P-eNOS in the control group,sham operation group,intra-abdominal infection group and intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group were respectively (0.591 ± 0.028)U/mg,(0.603 ± 0.007) U/mg,(0.615 ± 0.027) U/mg,(0.626 ±0.026) U/mg and (0.578 ±0.003)U/mg,(0.603 ± 0.071) U/mg,(0.773 ± 0.033) U/mg,(0.710 ± 0.012) U/mg,with no statistically significant difference in the expression of eNOS among the 4 groups (F =0.902,P ＞ 0.05) and with a statistically significant difference in the expression of P-eNOS among the 4 groups (F =205.062,P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the expression of P-eNOS between the control group and sham operation group or intra-abdominal infection group (t =7.678,13.322,P ＜ 0.05) and between the intra-abdominal infection group and intraabdominal infection drug intervention group (t =4.035,P ＜0.05).(4) The results of flow cytometry showed that Ca2+ concentration in the control group,sham operation group,intra-abdominal infection group and intraabdominal infection drug intervention group were respectively 82.200％ ± 0.060％,81.730％ ± 0.052％,21.980％ ± 0.010％,29.500％ ± 0.004％,showing a statistically significant difference between the 4 groups (F =21 271.030,P ＜ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the Ca2+ concentration between the intra-abdominal infection group and control group (t =164.750,P ＜ 0.05) and between the intra-abdominal infection group and intra-abdominal infection drug intervention group (t =21.338,P ＜ 0.05),and no statistically significant difference between the control group and sham operation group (t =1.861,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The intra-abdominal infection could increase aperture size and distribution density of peritoneal lymphatic stomata,and PD123319 may be through inhibiting the activation of NO synthase to decrease the concentration of NO,enhance the concentration of Ca2+ in peritoneal mesothelial cells and reduce the opening of peritoneal lymphatic stomata.

Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin (Cur)on AngⅡ-induced proliferation and oxidative stress of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).Methods Primary rat VSMCs were cultured and divided into control group,AngⅡ group,AngⅡ+Cur 5μmol/L group,AngⅡ+Cur 10μmol/L group,AngⅡ+Cur 20μmol/L group,and Cur 20μmol/L group.The proliferation of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs was measured by MTT assay.The mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)and p47phox were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot.Nitric oxide (NO)production was measured by Griess reaction.Production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)was measured by DCFH-DA staining,and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD)and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)were detected by xanthine oxidase assay and visible spectrophotometer. small interfering RNA (siRNA)was used to silence the expression of p47phox to further explore the mechanism for Cur inhibiting the proliferation of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs and oxidative stress.Results VSMCs activities were not significantly affected by Cur at the concentration between 0 and 80μmol/L.Cur (5,10 and 20μmol/L)significantly inhibited AngⅡ-induced proliferation of VSMCs.Cur had an inhibitory effect on the overexpression of NO,iNOS, p47phox and ROS in VSMCs and upregulated the activities of SOD and Gpx in a concentration-dependent manner. AngⅡ-induced ROS production in VSMCs was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with p47phox specific siRNA.Conclusion Cur can inhibit the proliferation and oxidative stress of AngⅡ-induced VSMCs.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effects of a single posterior translaminal or transforaminal debridement and internal fixation with bone graft for the treatment of lumbosacral regional spinal tuberculosis. Methods From January 2004 to October 2009, 32 patients with lumbosacral regional spinal tuberculosis were treated by a single posterior debridement and internal fixation with bone graft, including 21 males and 11 females with the mean age of 46 years (range, 32-65). The lesions located: 3 in L3,4, 19 in L4,5, 10 in L5S1. 20 cases were pedormed operation via translaminal approach, 12 via transforaminal approach. The modified Prolo scale, visual analogue scale (VAS), kyphosis angle and the vertebral body loss were measured before and after surgery, and in the final follow-up. Results All the patients were followed up for average 16 months (range, 12-24). The pre-, postoperative and final follow-up mean kyphosis angle were -24.3°,-34.8°, and -32.4° in the translaminal group, -25.4°, -35.2°, and 33.6° in the transforaminal group,respectively. According to the modified Prolo scale, the excellent and good result was 93.8%. VAS decreased significantly from 7.6 points to 2.9 after surgery. Conclusion Debridement and internal fixation with bone graft via a single posterior approach for the treatment of lumbosacral regional spinal tuberculosis was an easy and effective technique. The appropriate selection of indications, careful imaging evaluation and thorough surgical debridement played an important role in the treatment of lumbosacral regional spinal tuberculosis.