BACKGROUND:Lumbar spinal stenosis is clinical repaired with decompression, bone fusion and internal fixation, and different internal fixation materials can be chosen during the surgery. OBJECTIVE:To explore the influence of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) pedicle screw fixation combined with interbody fusion on the bone fusion rate of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was performed in 63 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis undergoing decompression and interbody fusion. These patients were divided into control group (titanium internal fixation system,n=31) and experimental group (PEEK pedicle internal fixation system,n=32) according the internal fixation materials folowed by posterior spinal decompression with interbody fusion. The Oswestry dysfunction index scores before and 4, 12, 24 weeks postoperatively and bone fusion rates at 4, 12, 24 weeks postoperatively were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Oswestry dysfunction index scores showed a gradual decline in both two groups before and 4, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment, but there was no difference at different time (P > 0.05). At 4 and 24 weeks after treatment, there was no difference in the bone fusion rates between the two groups (P > 0.05), but at 12 weeks after treatment, the bone fusion rate in the experimental group was better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). During the surgery, no infection and other adverse events occurred in the two groups. These results indicate that both PEEK and titanium internal fixation systems for lumbar tube stenosis have obtained good results, but PEEK material has a better role in the bone fusion at 4-12 weeks after internal fixation.

AIM:To evaluate treatment value of Xihuang Pill combined gemeitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer patients.METHODS:Thirty-two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomly divided into A group and B group,treated with gemcitabine chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine Xihuang Pill+chemotherapy treatment,respectively.The changes of the solid tumor,serum CA19-9,physical status,clinical symptoms and toxicity were observed.RESULTS:B group(Xihuang Pill combined with gemcitabine)clinical return ratio (CR+PR+NC)was better than A group(gemcitabine).There was significant difference between two groups in the reduction of serum CA19-9 level,Karuofsky score increased,the rate of symptom improvement,Leukopenia reduction(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Integrating Xihuang Pill and gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer:delaying of tumor growth,reducing of CA19-9 level,improving of the clinical symptoms and life quality of patients,reducing of neutropenia in patients(chemotherapy-induced toxicity),shows good clinical benefit response.

Full ceramic prosthesis is becoming the main prosthetic development direction. As an important kind of full ceramic prosthesis, full ceramic veneer has not only natural cosmetic appearance and perfect biocompatibility, but also can preserve tooth structure as much as possible, which would be more easily accepted by patients for cosmetic prosthesis. Many methods, such as slip casting, die casting and CAD/CAM technology are available to make full ceramic veneer. All the methods have their own advantages and disadvantages. Slip casting is easy to be developed widely with low cost, so be used in practical work. In this article, the working process of full ceramic veneer, especially manufacture of removable dies, duplication of refractory models, were introduced, which was supposed to be beneficial for the technicians.

This paper introduces a method for PET data backup and recovery by PC.

AIM:To evaluate treatment value of Xihuang Pill combined gemcitabine for advanced pancreatic cancer patients.METHODS:Thirty-two patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were randomly divided into A group and B group,treated with gemcitabine chemotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine Xihuang Pill+chemotherapy treatment,respectively.The changes of the solid tumor,serum CA19-9,physical status,clinical symptoms and toxicity were observed.RESULTS:B group(Xihuang Pill combined with gemcitabine)clinical return ratio(CR+PR+NC)was better than A group(gemcitabine).There was significant difference between two groups in the reduction of serum CA19-9 level,Karnofsky score increased,the rate of symptom improvement,Leukopenia reduction(P

Objective To assess the relationship of serum prealbumin level with the severity of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).Methods The clinical data of 2522 AIS patients who were admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 to 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.The serum prealbumin and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were evaluated by immunoturbidimetric assay within 24 hours after admission.The AIS severity was evaluated at admission using modified Rankin Scale (mRS).Patients were divided into mild AIS group (mRS score ≤ 3 ) and severe AIS group (mRS score ＞ 3 ).The levels of serum prealbumin and hs-CRP were compared between these two groups,and the relationship between praalbumin and hs-CRP was also analyzed.Results There were 1697 patients in the mild group (average mRS score:1.67) and 825 patients in the severe group ( average mRS score:4.53 ).The severe group had significantly lower prealbumin level [ ( 191.20,82.00)versus (219.18,72.00) mg/L,P =0.000] and higher hs-CRP level [ (6.01,8.22) versus (4.15,6.93) mg/L,P =0.000 ] than the mild group,respectively.Partial regression analysis showed that the stroke severity was negatively correlated with serum prealbumin level (r =-0.115,P =0.000) and positively correlated with hs-CRP level (r =0.098,P =0.000).Serum prealbumin level was inversely correlated with hs-CRP level ( r =- 0.396,P =0.000).Conclusion The prealbumin level is relevant with the severity of AIS and inflammation.

Objective To investigate the effect of fluvastatin (FLV) on the expression of β1 integrin in puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-treated podocytes and its mechanism.Methods Cultured human podocytes were divided into PAN,different concentrations of fluvastatin (1 × 10-8 to 1 × 10-5 mol/L),SOD,H2O21 groups respectively.Expressions of β1 integrin and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in podocytes were detected by Western blotting and DCFHDA (2' 7'-Dichlorofluoresecein 3' 6'-diacetate) respectively.The viability of podocyte was determined by MTT colorimetry.Results PAN and H2O2 significantly decreased the expression of β1 integrin and increased the synthesis of ROS in podocytes (P＜0.05respectively).Lower concentration fluvastatin or SOD treatment up-regulated β1 integrin and downregulated ROS of podocytes induced by PAN (P＜0.05 respectively).MTT revealed that lower podocyte viability was found in higher concentration fluvastatin,PAN and H2O2 groups.Lower concentration fluvastatin and SOD could protect podocytes against PAN.Conclusion Fluvastatin attenuates the injury of podocyte induced by PAN and increases the expression of β1 integrin,whose mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of the ROS activity.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of fluvastatin on the expression of fibronectin(FN) in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high-glucose peritoneal dialysate (HGPDS).Methods Cultured HPMCs were randomly divided into control,HGPDS,HGPDS plus GSK650394 10-5 mol/L (the competitive inhibitor of SGK1),different concentrations of fluvastatin,fluvastatin 10-6 mol/L and GSK650394 10-5 mol/L alone.The morphology change of HPMC was observed by light microscopy.The cellular viability was detected by MTT colorimetry.The mRNA and protein expressions of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) and FN were detected by RT-PCR,Western blotting or ELISA.Results After incubation with HGPDS,the cell morphology changed from typical cobblestone-like appearance to fibroblast-like appearance,and the cell viability was inhibited significantly (P＜0.05).Fluvastatin 10-6mol/L and GSK650394 could improved the cell morphology and the cell viability injured by HGPDS (P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the mRNA and protein expressions of SGK1 and FN increased significantly in HPMC treated with HGPDS(P＜0.05).GSK650394 significantly decreased the high expression of SGK1 and FN (P＜0.05),also the fluvastatin had same effects as GSK650394 in dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05).Conclusions High-glucose peritoneal dialysate can increase FN expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells,which can be attenuated by fluvastatin.The protective role of fluvastatin in HPMC may be partially achieved through the signal pathway of SGK1.

Objective To evaluate multiple minimally invasive techniques in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods The clinical data of 93 patients with SAP who received minimally invasive treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2005 to July 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD),endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP),endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST),endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) and laparoscopy were applied according to the condition of the patients.The efficacies of different treatment methods were evaluated.Results On the basis of comprehensive treatment,32 patients received 1 kind of minimally invasive treatment,41 patients received 2 kinds of minimally invasive treatment,14 patients received 3 kinds of minimally invasive treatment and 6 patients received 4 kinds of minimally invasive treatment.Sixty-nine patients received ultrasoundguided PCD; 28 patients received ERCP,EST and (or) ENBD; 29 patients received laparoscopy; 19 patients received treatments with stepped approach; 4 patients were complicated with abdominal bleeding,and received interventional treatment.The mean time of abdominal pain relief and duration of hospital stay were (37 ± 18)hours and (31 ±21 )days,respectively.The abdominal infection rate,laparotomy transfer rate,curative rate and mortality rate were62％(58/93),4％(4/93),91％ (85/93) and 9％ (8/93),respectively.Conclusion Multiple minimally invasive techniques combined with individualized treatment may significantly improve the curative rate of SAP.

Objective To examine the recurrent ischemic stroke(RIS)in hospitalized patients predicted by Essen Stroke Risk Score(ESRS)and investigate the effect of intensive antiplatelet therapy in patients with high risk of RIS. Methods Retrospective analysis of patients with acute noncardioembolic ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH)during 2001-2008. All 1008 patients were included in this study, 377 hospitalized in 2001-2002, 315 in 2005 and 316 in 2008. High risk of RIS was defined as ESRS ≥3. The average ESRS score in three groups and percentage of patients with high risk of RIS in each group were calculated. Risk of RIS was evaluated by comparing the average ESRS score in these three groups. Patients with high risk and taking clopidogrel treatment were also evaluated. Results Average ESRS score was 2. 67 ± 1.47,3.55 ± 1.40 and 3.93 ± 1.48(F= 150. 85,P=0.000)in groups of patients hospitalized in 2001-2002, 2005 and 2008 respectively. A significant difference was shown in percentage of high risk patients with ESRS ≥3 in three groups: as 51.64% in 2001-2002,77. 19% in 2005 and 85. 45% in 2008(X2=98.30,P=0. 000),showing a trend of increasing risk of RIS. Except for patients age, rates of having the risk factors in patients increased significantly, including hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, myocardial diseases, smoking,vascular disease and stroke history. Clopidogrel usage has been increasing to 25.63% in 2008, but was far behind high ratio of high risk RIS patients(85.45%). Conclusions This retrospective study showd an increasing trend in RIS risk during 2001-2008. Identifying high risk patients and applying intensified antiplatelet therapy might play an important role in reducing the risk of RIS.