Objective To study the microsurgical and anatomic structures of brachial plexus roots and vertebral canal to find the best approaches for reimplantation of avulsed brachial plexus ventral roots into the spinal cord.Methods On nineteen cervicothoracic spine specimens,the brachial plexus nerves were exposed along to intervertebral foramen,and the spinal cord and brachial plexus roots were exposed by excising the vertebral arch and sectioning the spinal dura mater.The anatomy of brachial plexus roots and vertebrae,and the relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs were measured and observed.Results The relative positions of spinal cord segments to vertebral discs are:C5-7 spinal cord segments face C3,4,C4,5 and C5,6 vertebral discs;and C8 and T1 spinal cord segments face C6 and C7 vertebrae.Based on the anatomic finding,four approaches were found out: the lateroventral approach,the lateral approach by enlarging intervertebral foramen,the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach.Conclusions The brachial plexus ventral roots can be best reimplanted into the spinal cord by the lateroventral approach and the lateral approach.Although the laterodorsal approach and the lateral and dorsal combined approach are not the best,they are less difficuh and dangerous.

The incidence rate of biliary tract cancer is increasing year by year. Systemic therapy is the most important treatment for patients with advanced or unresectable biliary tract cancer. Gemcitabine combined with cisplatin is still the standard first-line chemotherapy, while gemcitabine combined with TS-1 and gemcitabine combined with nab-paclitaxel are also the first-line treatment options. Studies have confirmed that immunotherapy as a back-line treatment has a significant advantage in survival, and the disease control rate of nivolumab is 61% and the median overall survival is more than 1 year. In addition, targeted drugs targeting FGFR2, IDH1/2, HER-2 and other major driving genes of biliary tract cancer also show good antitumor activity, and become research hotspots in the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer. Summarizing the research progress of systematic chemotherapy, immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer can provide help for clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of the spinal cord during neck flexion in Hirayama disease for diagnosis.Methods MRI examinations in neutral neck position and a fully flexed neck position were performed on 18 cases of Hirayama disease and 31 young normal control subjects.We measured an antero-posterior diameter(APD)and transverse diameter(TD)of the cervical cord at the superior margin of the C6 vertebral body for each position,and investigate the dynamic changes.The different in frequency of these findings between the control and patient groups was examined by means of the x~2 test.The group means were compared by independent-sample t-test.Significance was defined as P

A in vitro platelet aggregation bioassay was developed for the quality control of XST capsules. The in vitro anti-platelet aggregation effect in rats was observed to detect the bioactivity of XST capsules. Panax notoginseng saponins and Xuesaitong lyophilizedpowder for injection were taken as standard control substances to determine the potency. According to the results, XST capsules showeda significant inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. The in vitro anti-platelet activity oflyophilized powder for injection was stabler than that of Panax notoginseng saponins, and so suitable to serve as a standard control substance. The biological potency of XST capsules compared with standard control substance was detected by using parallel line assay. According to the results, the established bioassay method had a good repeatability (RSD 2.92%). The sample test results could pass thereliability test(linear deviation P > 0.05, parallel deviation P > 0.05). This bioassay method could be used as one of the complementary quality control methods for XST capsules.
Animals ; Capsules ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of unilateral versus bilateral pedicle screw fixation in lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODSStudies on comparison between unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation in lumbar spinal fusion were identified from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL (Third Quarter 2011), ScienceDirect, OVID, SpringerLink and The China Biological Medicine Database, and searched several related journals by hand. The included trials were screened out according to the criterion of inclusion and exclusion. The quality of included trials was evaluated. Data were extracted by two reviewers independently. RevMan 5.1.1 was used for data analysis.

RESULTSSeven studies involving 480 patients were included, 246 in unilateral group, and 234 in bilateral group. The results of meta-analysis indicated that statistically significant difference were observed between the two fixation procedures in mean operation time (MD = -24.39, 95%CI: -33.16 to 15.61, P < 0.01), the amount of bleeding (MD = -118.73, 95%CI: -143.43 to -94.03, P < 0.01). There were no difference in inpatient stay, fusion rate, complication rate and excellent and good rate.

CONCLUSIONSBoth unilateral and bilateral pedicle screw fixation are effective in lumbar spinal fusion. To compare with bilateral fixation, unilateral fixation can shorten operation time, reduce amount of bleeding and medical expenses. And there is a similar effect of inpatient stay, fusion rate, complication rate and excellent and good rate.

Bone Screws ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of 3-n-butylphthalide(NBP)on etoposide-induced senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).Methods HUVECs were divid-ed into blank control group,etoposide group(500 nmol/L etoposide+dimethyl sulfoxide),etopo-side+low-,medium-and high-dose NBP groups(500 nmol/L etoposide+5,10 and 20 μmol/L NBP,respectively).Senescence-related β galactosidase(SA-β-gal)staining was used to observe the change in senescent cell proportion.Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to detect the mRNA levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype(SASP),such as IL-8,IL-1β,and CXC chemokine ligand 1(CXCL1).Western blotting was applied to measure the expression level of ag-ing-related protein,P21.Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to detect the proportion of pro-liferation-related protein Ki67 positive cells.Results Significantly higher P21 expression(1.00± 0.00 vs 0.59±0.09),larger ratio of SA-β-gal positive cells(29.58±4.51)％vs(11.27±1.18)％,increased mRNA levels of IL-8(2.49±0.11 vs 1.00±0.03),IL-1β(6.32±0.15 vs 1.00±0.03)and CXCL1(2.40±0.24 vs 1.00±0.04),but reduced proportion of Ki67 positive cells(5.95±1.55)％vs(27.38±7.00)％were observed in the etoposide group than the blank control group(P＜0.05).Low-dose NBP treatment decreased the ratio of SA-β-gal positive cells,P21 protein level,and mRNA level of IL-1β,and increased the proportion of Ki67 positive cells when compared with the etoposide group(P＜0.05).Conclusion NBP has an antagonistic effect on etoposide-induced se-nescence of vascular endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) by observing the dynamic expression changes at mRNA and protein levels early after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/ R).

METHODSThe Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham and I/R group (n = 42), and killed according to different reperfusion time (1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 h and 7 d). Structural and morphous changes of myocytes were observed under optical microscope. The mRNA and protein levels of TLR2 and TLR4 were detected using real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Monocyte chemokine protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukine-6 (IL-6) mRNA levels were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rt-PCR).

RESULTS(1) With the extension of reperfusion time, the myocardial infarct size increased smoothly, and reached the plateau at 4 h, then stayed in the platform. After reperfusion for 7 d, the ventricular had been remodeled. (2) At the beginning of reperfusion, myocardial structure showed no significant change in Sham group, but had different degrees of injury in I/R group. In rats of the group reperfused for 7 d the left ventricular remodeling could be visible. (3) Compared to sham group,TIR2, TLR4, MCP-1, IL-6 mRNA level were increased in myocardium in I/R group. TLR2 and TLR4 both peaked at 4 h of reperfusion, IL6 peaked at 6 h, followed by a gradually decrease. TLR4 and IL-6 mRNA levels rose again at 7 d. MCP-1 level in I/R group remained fairly with sham group at the beginning of reperfusion, and markedly elevated at 7 d.

CONCLUSIONExpression of TLRs mRNA in myocardium during early after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion increased rapidly and activated TLRs might play an important role in MI/RI through promoting the generation of inflammatory factors. At the late reperfusion, TLRs levels raise again and the expression of inflammatory factors increase once again, Those may probably affect the remodeling of ventricular, and injure myocardial structure and function.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the prognosis of childhood asthma and the factors influencing asthmatic attacks and prognosis.

METHODSThe medical data of 212 children with asthma who were followed up for more than 5 years were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSDuring the 5-year follow up, asthmatic attacks termination was found in 121 cases (57.1%) and asthma persistence was observed in 91 cases. Respiratory tract infections were found as the major factors inducing asthmatic attacks (71.7%), followed by inhaled allergens (17.0%).The children with asthma induced by respiratory tract infections had a higher remission rate of asthmatic attacks (61.2%) than those induced by allergens (41.7%) or exercises (26.3%). Three risk factors for asthma persistence were identified: concurrent allergic rhinitis and eczema, parental asthma and allergy-induced wheezing.

CONCLUSIONSThe 5-year follow-up study demonstrated that asthmatic attacks stopped in the majority of children with asthma. Respiratory tract infections may be the major factors inducing acute asthma attacks. The children with asthma induced by respiratory infections may experience a better outcome. Atopic children or children with the genetic background of atopy are at high risks for the development of persistent asthma.

Asthma ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUNDAbout 50% - 70% of patients with Chiari malformation I (CMI) presented with syringomyelia (SM), which is supposed to be related to abnormal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow around the foramen magnum. The aim of this study was to investigate the cerebrospinal fluid dynamics at levels of the aqueduct and upper cervical spine in patients with CMI associated with SM, and to discuss the possible mechanism of formation of SM.

METHODSFrom January to April 2004, we examined 10 adult patients with symptomatic CMI associated with SM and 10 healthy volunteers by phase-contrast MRI. CSF flow patterns were evaluated at seven regions of interest (ROI): the aqueduct and ventral and dorsal subarachnoid spaces of the spine at levels of the cerebellar tonsil, C2 - 3, and C5 - 6. The CSF flow waveforms were analyzed by measuring CSF circulation time, durations and maximum velocities of cranial- and caudal-directed flows, and the ratio between the two maximum velocities. Data were analyzed by t test using SPSS 11.5.

RESULTSWe found no definite communication between the fourth ventricle and syringomyelia by MRI in the 10 patients. In both the groups, we observed cranial-directed flow of CSF in the early cardiac systolic phase, which changed the direction from cranial to caudal from the middle systolic phase to the early diastolic phase, and then turned back in cranial direction in the late diastolic phase. The CSF flow disappeared at the dorsal ROI at the level of C2 - 3 in 3 patients and 1 volunteer, and at the level of C5 - 6 in 6 patients and 3 volunteers. The durations of CSF circulation at all the ROIs were significantly shorter in the patients than those in the healthy volunteers (P = 0.014 at the midbrain aqueduct, P = 0.019 at the inferior margin of the cerebellar tonsil, P = 0.014 at the level of C2 - 3, and P = 0.022 at the level of C5 - 6). No significant difference existed between the two groups in the initial point and duration of the caudal-directed CSF flow during a cardiac cycle at all the ROIs. The maximum velocities of both cranial- and caudal-directed CSF flows were significantly higher in the patients than those in the volunteers at the aqueduct (P = 0.018 and P = 0.007) and ventral ROI at the inferior margin of the cerebellar tonsil (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002), as so did the maximum velocities of the caudal-directed flow in the ventral and dorsal ROIs at the level of C2 - 3 (P = 0.004; P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONSThe direction of CSF flow changes in accordance with cardiac cycle. The syringomyelia in patients with CMI may be due to the decreased circulation time and abnormal dynamics of the CSF in the upper cervical segment. The decompression of the foramen magnum with dural plasty is an alternative for patients with CMI associated with SM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arnold-Chiari Malformation ; cerebrospinal fluid ; complications ; diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Syringomyelia ; etiology

To investigate the neuronal mechanism of retrieval of long-term digital memory in healthy volunteers, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique was used in the study. Twenty-two right-handed volunteers were subjected to a long-term digital memory test with block-design. The memory task and control task were adopted in the experiment alternatively. The fMRI data were recorded by a Siemens 1.5T MR machine and analyzed by SPM99. The activated brain regions were shown in the Talairach coordinate. The results showed that the Brodmann's area (BA) 9 region in left middle frontal gyrus was the most activated cortex during the long-term digital memory task. The left medial frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, right inferior frontal gyrus, cingulate gyrus, left inferior parietal lobule, left superior parietal lobule, right superior parietal lobule, right middle temporal gyrus, left lingual gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, right middle brain, cerebellum and right caudate nucleus tail were also involved. The activation in cortices showed obvious left predominance. It is suggested that a series of brain regions with left predominance are involved in long-term digital memory. Left lateral frontal cortex would be the most important structure for information extraction, while the other cortices and their connections may be important for processing and long-term storage of digital information.
Adolescent ; Brain ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Memory, Long-Term ; physiology ; Parietal Lobe ; physiology ; Young Adult