OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanical behavior of lumbar spine loaded by stress and provide the mechanical basis for clinical analysis and judgement of lumbar spine fracture classification, mechanical distribution and static stress.

METHODSBy means of computer simulation method, the constructed lumbar spine three-dimensional model was introduced into three-dimensional finite element analysis by software Ansys 7.0. The lumbar spine mechanical behavior in different parts of the stress loading were calculated. Impact load is 0-8000 N. The peak value was 8000 N. The loading time is 0-40 minutes. The values of the main stress, stress distribution and the lumbar spine unit displacement in the direction of main stress were analyzed.

RESULTSThe lumbar spine model was divided into a total of 121 239 nodes, 112 491 units. It could objectively reflect the true anatomy of lumbar spine and its biomechanical behavior and obtain the end-plate images under different stress. The stress distribution on the lumbar intervertebral disc (L(3)-L(4)) under the axial, lateral flexion and extension stress, and the displacement trace of the corresponding processus articularis were analyzed.

CONCLUSIONIt is helpful to analyze the stress distribution of lumbar spine and units displacement in static stress loading in the clinical research of lumbar spine injury and the distribution of internal stress.

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiology ; Sacrum ; physiology ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral nerve injury in the earthquake.

METHODSFourteen patients with peripheral nerve injury injured in the earthquake were involved the retrospective study. All cases accepted the timely diagnosis and treatment including anastomosis and repair of the nerve and other conservative treatments. Then the therapeutic effects were observed.

RESULTSAll 14 patients got short-term follow-up and attained the improvement in their symptoms of nerve injury.

CONCLUSIONPeripheral nerve injury has a high incidence in the earthquake. Prevention is very important. The timely and effective treatment should be taken according to spot situations and traumatic conditions of casualties in earthquake.

China ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves ; surgery ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; surgery ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To study the mechanism of Heshi-Gejiugao on the nerve endocrine immune network in the treatment of perimenopausal syndrome. Methods: A total of 100 patients with perimenopausal syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group, 50 cases in each group. The control group was only given general treatment, while the treatment group was treated with Heshi-Gejiugao on the basis of general treatment for 30 days. The clinical efficacy, Kupperman score, nerve, endocrine and immune related indexes of the two groups before and after treatment were observed. Results: The total effective rate was 96.0% (48/50) in the treatment group and 50.0% (25/50) in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups (χ²=37.639, P<0.01). The Kupperman score (17.52 ± 2.73 vs. 24.22 ± 6.87, t=6.409) in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, NE (1 878.08 ± 931.57 ng/m vs. 1 278.43 ± 866.32 ng/ml, t=3.331), DA (1 568.56 ± 597.15 ng/ml vs. 1 183.62 ± 798.72 ng/ml, t=2.729) in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); E₂ (42.12 ± 9.77 pg/ml vs. 35.91 ± 12.55 pg/ml, t=2.761), FSH (62.70 ± 15.96 mIU/ml vs. 72.67 ± 30.18 mIU/ml, t=2.065), LH (33.88 ± 12.18 mIU/ml vs. 42.93 ± 9.83 mIU/ml, t=4.089) were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). CD3⁺ (1 087.34/μl ± 432.19/μl vs. 918.27/μl ± 199.72/μl, t=2.511), CD4⁺ (738.16/μl ± 326.75/μl vs. 588.43/μl ± 212.55/μl, t=2.716) and CD4/CD8 (1.87 ± 0.56 vs. 1.16 ± 0.55), t=6.483) were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05); CD8⁺ (788.32/μl ± 214.56/μl vs. 976.37/μl ± 318.62/μl, t=3.462) was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Heshi-Gejiugao can reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life by regulating the multi target and multi direction of the neuroendocrine immune network of perimenopausal patients.

OBJECTIVE: To set up a prostate cancer cell line in which beta-catenin expression is stably suppressed and to investigate the role of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway in prostate tumorgenesis. METHODS: We select 3 sites in the complete coden sequence region of beta-catenin gene as the RNAi targets, ligated the annealed double pre-DNA strands into the retroviral vectors pSUPER-retro and transfected them into the packaging cells PA317, and then collected supernatant with retrovirus to infect DU145. After selection by puromycin and culture expansion, the stable cell clones were attained. Expression of the 2 target genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway cyclinD1 and c-myc, was detected in the beta-catenin RNAi cells by Western blot. The effect of suppressing beta-catenin by RNAi on cell proliferation was quantified by methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay. RESULTS: Western blotting and RT-PCR showed that the expression level of beta-catenin in the 2 stable cell clones apparently decreased. CyclinD1 and c-myc expression decreased in the beta-catenin RNAi cells. MTT showed that the cell number of beta-catenin expression suppression cell clones decreased significantly (P < 0. 05), suggesting the cell proliferation was prevented. CONCLUSION The beta-catenin gene stable suppression cell line was successfully established.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; beta Catenin ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects between moxibustion and infrared therapy for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom January 2007 to June 2008 period, 65 patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into treatment and control groups randomly uniform random number table generated from SAS statistical software. Among 35 patients in the treatment group, 17 patients were male and 18 patients were female, ranging in age from 45 to 75 years, with an average of (61.2+/-6.4) years; the course of disease ranged from 9 to 43 months, with a mean of (23.6+/-13.8) months; the preoperative Lysholm score ranged from 19 to 28 scores, averaged (24.3+/-3.3) scores. In the control group, there were 30 patients, including 13 males and 17 females, ranging in age from 47 to 79 years, with an average of (62.5+/-9.3) years; the course of disease ranged from 8 to 45 months, with a mean of (24.6+/-16.6) months; the preoperative Lysholm score ranged from 20 to 29 scores, averaged (25.9+/-3.0) scores. The patients in the treatment group were treated with moxibustion, and the patients in control group were treated with infrared therapy. All the patients were followed up for 4 weeks. The Lysholm scores were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAccording to Lysholm score for clinical efficacy, treatment group got (87.5+/-5.6) scores and the control group were (85.9+/-3.5) scores, the Lysholm score of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Among pain score, joint flexion and extension score, joint stability score, and up and down stairs score, the pain and joint stability scores of patients in the treatment group were higher than those of control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCompared with infrared therapy, moxibustion treatment for knee osteoarthritis can get better joint function, which is effect to alleviate the patient's pain, improve joint stability, improve the efficacy, and is valued to be promoted.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo apply the scapular free flap extended to the upper arm for resurfacing the face and neck, as well as the upper lip in one stage.

METHODSThe scapular free flap was designed with extended portion to the posterior and interior part of the upper arm. Then the free flap was transferred to resurface the face and neck with the routine portion and to resurface the upper lip with the extended portion.

RESULTS6 cases with extensive upper lip, facial and cervical burn scar were treated with the extended scapular free flaps. The flap size ranged from 22 cm x 11 cm to 40 cm x 9.5 cm (36.57 cm x 10.20 cm in average) for the routine portion and from 7 cm x 4 cm to 12 cm x 4 cm (10.32 cm x 3.67 cm in average) for the extended portion. All flaps survived completely.

CONCLUSIONSThere are direct communicating branches ("choke vessel") between the circumflex scapular artery (CSA) and the posterior humeral circumflex artery (PHCA). When the blood supply of PHCA is cut off, the CSA can provide blood supply through the communicating branches to the upper arm skin area previously nourished by PHCA. So the blood supply of the extended portion of the scapular free flap is not only from the branches of CSA, but also from the direct communicating branches between the CSA and PHCA. The extended scapular free flap has a reliable blood supply and can be applied to construct the facial and cervical scar contraction with the extended portion to resurface the upper lip. The satisfactory result can be expected.

Adult ; Arm ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Scapula ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo provide an ideal method for flap prefabrication.

METHODSThe superficial temporal fascial flap has been elevated based on the superficial temporal vessels during the first-stage procedure. A subcutaneous tissue pocket with appropriate site was formed in the retroauricular and mastoid process region. The fascial flap was transferred into the pocket and fixed properly. The tissue expander was placed under the fascial flap. When the expanding process has been finished, the expander was removed and the expanded induced prefabricated skin flap of the retroauricular and mastoid process region pedicled on the superficial temporal vascular bundle was elevated and transferred to repair the facial skin defect.

RESULTSThere were nine cases in the group. Facial defects after resection of the melanotic nevus was repaired in 2 cases and facial defects after resection of the facial haemangioma and scar were repaired in 2 and 5 cases respectively. Pedicle length of the superficial temporal fascial flap was ranged from 5.5 cm to 7 cm (mean length 6.2 cm). The size of the fascial flaps was ranged from 4 cm x 3 cm to 7 cm x 7 cm (mean size 5.7 cm x 4.9 cm). The size of the prefabricated skin flaps was ranged from 5 cm x 5 cm to 8.0 cm x 7.5 cm (mean size 6.4 cm x 6.1 cm). The average time of the tissue expansion process is 16.1 weeks. All flaps survived postoperatively and the donor sites of the flaps were appropriated directly in 5 cases. The split-thickness skin grafting was used to recover the donor site defects in 4 cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe superficial temporal fascial flap owns the following advantages: the vascular pedicle is much longer and vascular supply is plentiful, and it is convenient to transfer. Meanwhile, the skin of the retroauricular and mastoid process region is most similar to that of the face in texture, color and depth. For the patients selected strictly, the technique mentioned above is somewhat an ideal method for facial defect repair.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Ear, External ; surgery ; Facial Injuries ; surgery ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Skin Transplantation ; methods ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate and analyze the traumatic conditions on the casualties evacuated from Wenchuan earthquake area.

METHODSTraumatic conditions of 34 patients evacuated to Changhai hospital were investigated. Meanwhile, classification of traumatic conditions and therapeutic methods was analyzed.

RESULTSBy organized emergency medical treatment,classification and transmission of casualties, selected application of external fixation,active repair of soft tissue injury, positive psychological assessment and intervention, healing rate was efficiently rasied and complications were decreased.

CONCLUSIONThe summary of traumatic conditions and therapeutic experiences on wounded people of Wenchuan earthquake area can provide the primary basis and treatment methods for the wounded people with earthquake injury.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; Emergency Treatment ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; classification ; psychology ; surgery ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic strategies of the aged wounded patients evacuated from Wenchuan earthquake area.

METHODSThe characteristics of traumatic conditions and therapeutic methods of 14 aged wounded patients evacuated from Wenchuan earthquake area were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSAll cases accepted the effective treatment for 4 to 8 weeks and attained good recovery. There was no anesthetic and surgical complications, deep venous thrombosis, hypostatic pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, bed sore, stroke and other complications happened. When discharged, all medical disorders of the patients were under control and both psychological condition and nutritional status were improved obviously.

CONCLUSIONAssessment of traumatic condition and general status,cooperative nursing, active nutritional support, positive symptomatic treatment and necessary psychological intervention are the key to improve effectively the curative effect of the aged wounded patients in earthquake.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Earthquakes ; Emergency Treatment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; psychology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To identify the promoter of human nicastrin (NCT) gene, a major component of gamma-secretase which is closely related with pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. METHODS: Promoter of human Alzheimer's disease related gene, nicastrin, a 1768 bp fragment was firstly isolated from human genomic DNA by PCR. This fragment's 3 flanking end was 4 bp upstream to the start codon ATG (+1) of the gene. This fragment was used as template, a series of deleted fragments were amplified and constructed to the pGL3-Enhancer plasmid with the artificial designed linkers. The relative activity of their promoter in Hela cells was studied by dual-luciferase assay. RESULTS: The 420 bp fragment showed the strongest activity, and the 237 bp fragment was the minimal fragment in length with activity. CONCLUSION The promoter of NCT is located at -432/-133 region upstream the translational start codon, while its basal promoter is between -359/-90 that drives the transcription of reporter gene in Hela cells.
Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases ; Cloning, Molecular ; Genes, Reporter ; genetics ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics