BACKGROUND:Pedicle screw is a good means for internal fixation and has been widely used in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE:To explore the factors influencing the fixation strength of pedicle screws, and to provide biomechanical basis for clinical selection of pedicle screws. METHODS:The recently published studies addressing the biomechanics of pedicle screws were retrieved, and those focusing on the influence of pedicle screw geometry, implantation technique, pedicle anatomical factor, vertebral bone density, screw manufacturing process and material properties on the fixation strength of pedicle screws were retrospectively analyzed, thus providing theoretical basis for clinical treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Results showed that, the appearances of pedicle screws such as screw size, screw thread form and fatigue property are the main factors associated with the fixation strength, in addition, vertebral bone density, screw manufacturing process and material properties cannot be ignored. The screw withdrawal force and stability can be improved by increasing screw diameter, improving screw design, strengthening bone density, and modifying operations.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the expression of triggering receptor1 present on myeloid cells ( TREM-1 ) in intestinal tissue and intestinal barrier dysfunction in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). MethodsSixty-four male Wistar rats were randomly (random number) divided into sham operation group ( SO group, n = 32) and SAP group ( n = 32 ). The SAP model was established by retrograde injection of 5％ sodium deoxycholate into bile-pancreatic duct. Specimens from blood and intestinal tissue were collected 2, 6, 12 and 48 hours after modeling. The levels of D-lactate, diamine oxidase (DAO) and endotoxin in serum were measured with an modified spectro-photometric method. The expressions of TREM-1, IL-1β and TNF-αt mRNA in terminal ileum were detected by RT-PCR. All data were processed with SPSS version 16. 0 package to make one-way ANOVA and Spearman correlation analysis. ResultsThe serum levels of D-lactate, DAO and endotoxin were significantly increased at all intervals in SAP group compared with SO group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The expressions of TREM-1, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA in terminal ileum of rats in SAP group at all intervals were significantly higher than those in SO group (P ＜ 0. 05 ). The expression of TREM-1 mRNA was positively correlated with expressions of IL-1 β and TNF-α mRNA ( r = 0. 956, P = 0. 044; r = 0. 986, P = 0. 015 ), but correlation was not found between expressions of IL-1β mRNA and TNF-α mRNA ( P = 0. 133 ). ConclusionsThe expression of TREM-1mRNA in intestinal tissue of rats with SAP is elevated, leading to the release of inflammatory cytokines and intestinal mucosal injury, indicating TREM-1 might play an important role in the genesis of intestinal barrier dysfunction in rats with SAP.

Objective To explore the possibility for preventing the underwater blast injuries. Methods Fifty rabbits were divided into two groups: protection and control groups. The animals were placed at the rang of 5.0m to 17.5m far from the explosion point. 0.2kg of TNT Explosives was placed 3 meters under water. Physical parameters of blast wave were measured using pressure transducers. At 6 hours after injury, the mortality rate and morphological alternations were observed. Results The safe devices were shown to be effective against underwater blast injuries. Most of the animals had no or mild pulmonary and intestinal injuries. The whole injury severity was reduced by 2 to 3 degrees with our own made device. Conclusion Our safe device could be used to protect against underwater blast injueirs.

Objective To investigate the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in liver cancer and its clinical significance. Methods The specimens of liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were collected from 50 patients who received radical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University from July 2007 to April 2008. The mRNA and protein expressions of DNMT1,DNMT3a and DNMT3b in liver cancer tissues, adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues were detected by real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. The mRNA expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissues was compared with those in the adjacent tissues, cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues by using t test and Mann-Whitney U test. The correlation between the protein expression of DNMTs in the liver cancer tissue and the clinicopathological features was analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher exact test, and the tumor-free survival time was analyzed by using Kaplan-Meier method and the difference in tumor-free survival rate between different patients was analyzed by Log-rank test. Results The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were 2.57, 2.29 and 4.86 times higher than those in the adjacent tissues (t = 3.94, 2. 72, 4. 06, P ＜ 0.05 ). The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were 2.38,2.14 and 4.66 times higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues, and 6.12, 4.58 and 12.99 times higher than those in the chronic hepatitis tissues. The mRNA expressions of DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b in the liver cancer tissue were significantly higher than those in the cirrhotic tissues and chronic hepatitis tissues ( U = 587.5,730. 0,562.5; 65.5, 64.5, 71.0, P ＜ 0.05). The protein expression of DNMT1 was correlated with the size, number,TNM stages and vascular invasion of tumors ( x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ). The protein expression of DNMT3a was correlated with the size, number and TNM stages of tumors (x2 = 4.08, 5.95, 4.08, P ＜ 0.05 ).The mean tumor recurrence time of patients with low expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a were 9.4 and 8.7 months, which were significantly longer than 5.0 and 3.2 months of those with high expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a (x2 =3.89, 9.91, P＜0.05). Conclusions DNMTs play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis.High expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT3a are correlated with the postoperative recurrence of liver cancer, which are valuable prognostic factors for liver cancer.

Objective To discuss the feasibility and long-term effect of free latissimus dorsi muscle flap in repair of severe lower extremity injury in children. Methods From July 1999 to June 2004, nine child patients (at age of 6-13 years) with severe lower extremity injury involving soft tissue defects a-round the calf and the foot associated with complex open fractures, bare dislocation, and injury of the nerve, tendon and artery were repaired with free latissimus donsi flap, with flap area ranging from 30 cm ×12 cm to 10 cm × 5 cm. Results All the latissimus dorsi flaps survived, with success rate of 100%. A follow-up for 4-9 years showed that the flap had sound shape and function and normal blood supply, without significant influence on donor area. Conclusion Latissimus dorsi flap has advantages of constant anatomical site, abundant blood supply, massive area, strong anti-infection ability and less in-fluence on donor area and hence is an ideal method for repairing severe lower extremity injury in children.

Objective To explore the preparation of liposomal clodronate and investigate its inducing effects on the apoptosis of peritoneal macrophages in rats after severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods Liposomal clodronate was prepared by means of thin film. SAP rat model was established by retrograde injection of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatic duct. The peritoneal macrophages were obtained from SAP rats. After exposure to different doses of liposomal clodronate (50, 100,150 μl), the PM proliferation was determined by MTT colourimetry. The apoptosis of PM was measured by flow cytometry and agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively. Results The prepared liposomal clodronate had a suitable encapsulation efficiency of clodronate (5.8%) with an average size of 200 nm. The spherical shape of liposome was confirmed by transmission electron microscope. Exposed to liposomal clodronate of different doses resulted in a obvious growth depression (P＜0.01). The apoptotic rate of the PM was (10.32±0.34) %, (18.16±0.49)% and (29.87±0.35)% in three different dose groups and the difference was marked (P＜0.01). 1.2% of agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from apoptotic macrophages induced by liposomal clodronate showed clearer and characteristic ladder following the liposomal clodronate concentration. Conclusion Liposomal clodronate has a definite effect on peritoneal macrophages in SAP rats.

Objective To summarize the experience in microsurgical treatment of multiple intracranial aneurysms.Method Eight patients with 17 aneurysms were analyzed retrospectively.Results Seven patients were followed uq from 0.5 month to 10 years. According to Student's standard, the results in 5 patients were excellent and 2 good. One patients with bilateral PCom aneurysm died 1 week after operation.Conclusions Multiple intracranial aneurysms should be removed as soon as possible, especially bilateral ones. The best way is first to clip the bled aneurysm and then the contra lateral one by using coronal incision and bilateral pterional approach. The approach has the advantage of minimal invasion, good exposure, and less time-consuming.

Objective To study the mechanics of moderate and severe brain injury of pedestrians in road traffic accident by establishing the virtual model of impact occipital bone injury.Methods The clinical data were used to analyze comlnon mode and characteristics of moderate and severe brain injury of pedestrians.Then,the corresponding finite element model built by using Hypermesh software was used to to analyze the changes of intracranial pressures and compare with injury characteristics by using Ls-Dyna soft-ware. Results The conlmon injury mode of moderate and severe brain injury of pedestrians wag the con-tact impact of occiputal part,characterized by"eontrecoup injury",mainly including subdural hemorrhage,extradural hemorrhage and contusion in the opposite parts to the impact point.The simtdation resuhs showed that when the impact was at right occiputal bone.the peak value of condensing force decreased from the right occipital lobe.to the left frontal lobe,while the peak value of tension increased gradually and reached maximum at the surface of left frontal lobe. Conclusions Moderate and severe brain injury of pedestrian is commonly caused by impacting the occiputal bone in road traffic accident.The tension deformation in frontal or temporal lobes and the distribution of vessels in grey matter may be main biomeehanies leading to "contrecoup injury".

Objective To develop a device for stretch-induced injury to cultured cells and measure the injury parameters.It makes possible to observe the changes of cell configuration and function directly after injury. Methods The device was developed based on aero-dynamical principle,and consisted of mini-type air compressor,electromagnetic valve,pressure transmitter,PGA amplifier,A/D converter and computer.The computer can accurately control the injury parameters.A new method and device were first introduced to measure the deformation rate and deformation degree of silastic membrance in the stretch induced cultured cell injury process.The device controlled by the computer was used to cause the astrocyte injury.The degree of cell injury was assessed qualitatively by electron microscopy,and quantitatively by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) enzyme release and trypan blue staining.Results The experiment results showed that the injury of different levels could be reproduced by our device under the injury parameters we set.Conclusion The injury device and the measuring system meet the requirements of our design.The results suggested that the new device and the method were much better than those reported in foreign literature.It has the advantages of simple and convenient manipulation,high precision and real-time processing.It can be used for the cell-level experiment research.

Objective To observe the effect of auricular point sticking on the sleep quality of patients undergone liver transplantation.Method The sleep quality was assessed by using sleep quality scale. The patients undergone liver transplantation were randomized into two groups, both receiving auricular point sticking, while the insomnia zone was selected in the observation group and non-insomnia zone was selected in the control group, 4 weeks as a treatment course.Result In 4 weeks after the transplantation, there were significant inter-group differences in comparing the scores of unfreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, nightmairs, medications, post-insomnia reactivity, and the total score of the self-rating scale of sleep (SRSS) (P＜0.05); in 2 months after the transplantation, there were significant differences in comparing the scores of sleep latency, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, sleep medications, daytime dysfunction, and the global score of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) between the two groups (P＜0.05), indicating that the sleep quality in the observation group was markedly improved. Three months after transplantation, there were no significant differences in comparing the sleep indexes between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion Auricular point sticking at the insomnia zone can markedly improve the short-term sleep disorder in patients after liver transplantation, and can reduce the dose of sleep medications.