Background The mechanism of both selenite-induced cataract and age-related cataract is oxidative damage.N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is one of the effective antioxidants,but the literature is little about the preventive and treating effects of NAC on cataract. Objective This study attempted to investigate the preventive and therapeutical effects of NAC on the selenite-induced cataract,and to discuss the possible mechanism. Methods Sixty 10-day-old clean SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group-1,normal control group-2,selenite-induced cataract group,NAC preventive group,NAC+normal saline group and NAC treatment group.Selenite cataract models were induced by subcutaneous injection of 3.46 mg/kg sodium selenite once daily for three days.The rats of NAC preventive group received the intraperitoneal injection of 2 mmol/L NAC 30 minutes before the injection of sodium selenite once daily for 6 days.In NAC treating group,2 mmol/L NAC was intraperitoneally injected 1 day after the injection of sodium selenite for 30 days,and the normal saline solution was injected at the same method in the NAC+normal saline group.Lens opacification was graded according to LOCS Ⅲ criteria.Histopathological change of lens epithelium was examined under a light microscope after hemotoxylin and eosin staining,and the ultrastructure was observed under the scanning electron microscope.The expression of caspase-3 in lens was assayed using immunochemistry.The levels of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ),malonaldehyde ( MDA ) in rat lens were detected respectively in corresponding time points.The use of the experimental animals complied with the Regulation for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Committee. Results In 7 days after experiment,lenses were completely clear in the normal control group.Lens opacification of Ⅴ grade was found in 11 eyes in selenite cataract model group,but no lens opacification of Ⅴ grade was seen in NAC preventive group,showing a significant difference(x2 =40.000,P＜0.05 ).In 30 days after experiment,Ⅳ- Ⅴ grades of cataracts were found in 20 eyes both in NAC + normal saline group and NAC treating group (x2=0.153,P＞ 0.05 ).Histopathological examination showed that lens structure was normal,and the separation between LECs and anterior capsule,the rupture of cellular membrane,deformation of cellular nuclei and the feature of lens fiber were seen in selenite cataract group,but the damage of lens was mild in the NAC preventive group.Ultrastructure of lens was obviously abnormal in selenite cataract group,NAC+normal saline group and NAC treating group.Expressions of caspase-3 and SOD in lens were significantly lower,but that of MDA was significantly higher in the selenite cataract group than the normal control group (P＜0.05) ;while those of the NAC preventive group were significantly different from selenite cataract group(P＜0.05).No significant difference was found in the expressions of caspase-3 and the levels of SOD and MDA between NAC+normal saline group and NAC treating group (P＞0.05 ). Conclusions Selenite can induce the apoptosis of LECs.NAC can evidently postpone formation of selenite cataract by increasing the activity of SOD,decreasing the level of MDA and the expression of caspase-3.However,NAC could not reverse selenite-induced lens damage.

The investigators isolated one yeast from China Huaimao sweet flour paste. The strain was identified into Citeromyces, and claimed being a new species. The strain was named as Ctieromyces baadingensis zhang sp. Nov., which differed markedly from Citeromyces matritensis in physiological and biochemical characteristics. Citeromyces baod-ingensis didn't ferment sucrose and raffinose, and assimilated galactose and cellobiose, and didn't assimilate galactose and ceflobiose. The G+C mol% was 48.5.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of acupuncture combined with training of the modified rehabilitation apparatus on upper limb motor function of patients with ischemic stroke.Methods86 patients with ischemic stroke were divided randomly into the treatment group ( treated by acupuncture combined with training of the rehabilitation apparatus) and the control group (treated by simple acupuncture). The upper limb motor function of two groups was evaluated by Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) before and after treatment.ResultsAfter 28 days treatment, scores of FMA of two groups were all raised significantly, but it was significantly greater for the treatment group than the control group (P<0.01).ConclusionIt is shown that acupuncture combined with training of the rehabilitation apparatus can improve the upper limb motor function and activity of daily living of patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of serum cytokines concentrations and A- PACHE scores in evaluating the illness state for critical trauma patients.Methods A clinical prospective self-control trial was performed,in which 36 patients admitted to ICU by SIRS were enrolled.Objects were divided into mild and severe trauma group according to APACHE score.The TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations were determined on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day of admission,the APACHE score were assessed at the same time.Statistic analysis was performed according to this group.Results The TNF-?concentrations decreased continuously in the following days while IL-6 decreased from the 7th day in the mild trauma group.In the severe trauma group the TNF-?and IL-6,APACHE score concentrations kept increasing.There was a significant difference of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations between severe trauma and mild trauma group.Conclusion Dynamic measurement of TNF-?and IL-6 concentrations with APACHE score provide great help to evaluate the illness state and predict the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Disasters ; Earthquakes ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transportation of Patients ; Wounds and Injuries ; complications ; surgery ; therapy

Global Health ; History, 20th Century ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H2N2 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; history ; mortality ; virology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the validity and reliability of Thread-tooth Arc-track Screw Plate System (TASPS) in the fixation fusion through expandable channels.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to August 2010, 108 patients with lumbar instability were treated with surgery, including 61 males and 47 females, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, with an average of 41 years. All the patients were divided into two groups : minimally invasive fusion group and traditional operation group (54 patients in each group). The patients in the minimally invasive fusion group were treated with self-designed TASPS to conduct the fixation fusion through expandable channels by minimally invasive pedicle screw; and the patients in traditional operation group were treated with traditional interbody fixation fusion by pedicle screw. The data were collected and investigated at the 1st week, 3rd month and 1st year postoperatively. The comparative parameters of two groups contained the total operation time, the implanted time, the total amount of bleeding; the VAS score, ODI score and improvement rate at each investigated period; the intervertebral space height of preoperative and postoperative periods; the inefficiency rate of implantation and the fusion rate of postoperative period.

RESULTSAll incisions were healed by first stage without any complications such as dural tear, injury of nerve root or cauda equine, intervertebral space infection. The patients in the minimally invasive fusion group needed longer operative time than that of the traditional operation group, but had less total amount of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and shorter implanted time of pedicle screw than those of the traditional operation group. The VAS scores of two groups at the 1st week after operation significantly decreased compared with that of the 1st day before the operation, and the difference was of high statistical significance. And the VAS scores of two groups at the 3rd month and 1st year after operation also significantly decreased compared with that of the 1st day before the operation, and the difference was highly statistically significant. By comparing the VAS score and ODI score at the 1st week, 3rd month and 1st year postoperatively, the results showed that the VAS score and ODI score of the minimally invasive fusion group were all lower than those of the traditional operation group, and the differences were of high statistical meaningfulness. After 1 year, the improvement rate of the minimally invasive fusion group was (77.46 +/- 6.34)%, while that of the traditional operation group was (72.73 +/- 4.49)%, and the difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.01). The intervertebral space heights of two groups remarkably increased. At the 3rd month after operation, the difference of intervertebral space heights of the two groups was of no statistical significance. At the 1st year after operation, intervertebral space heights of the two groups were lost to some extent, but the height of the minimally invasive fusion group was higher than that of the traditional operation group, and the difference was statistically significant. The fusion rates of the two groups after 1 year were 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe fixation fusion through expandable channels by minimally invasive pedicle screw possesses the characteristics of fewer traumas, less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain and rapid recovery. Since its intervertebral fusion rate is similar to the open surgery, it can be viewed as one effective approach for the treatment of lumbar instability diseases. And TASPS is reasonably designed, easy to install and reliably fixed with good reduction effect, which can be applied through expandable channels.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate direct bone graft repair with lag screw and tension band fixation technique and its value for the treatment of adolescence spondylolysis.

METHODSLysis was prepared and the fibrous tissue within the gap was removed in 12 patients from 12 to 26 years (average 18.4). 1 - 2 mm extra bony element was resected on both sides with fresh interface with the bone graft harvested from the iliac crest. From the entry point 8 mm away from the midline at the inferior margin of the lamina, titanium lag screws of 35 - 45 mm long and 3.5 mm in diameter were placed at 300 upward and outward and tighted through the lysis, bone graft and the superior and lateral aspect of the pedicle. Extra match bone graft was placed around the surface of defect, an high intensity Nilon wire tension band between the cap of the screw and the basis of transverse process was constructed before wound closure and suction drainage. The patients were immobilized with plaster brace of Paris for 2 months.

RESULTSAverage operation time was (10 +/- 55) minutes, and average blood loss was 170 ml. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 36 months (mean 17 months), and cases of 22 lysis healed within 3 months.

CONCLUSIONSTechnique of direct bone graft repair with lag screw and tension band fixation for the treatment of adolescence spondylolysis is simple, safe and reliable. Combined biomechanical and biological processes, it is less invasive but advantageous in preserving the motion in the affected segment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Spondylolysis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe central immediate effect of acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) on passive movement of cerebral infarction paitents with hemiplegia by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and provide reference for clinical treatment.

METHODSWith 1. 5 T MRI scanner, six cases of right cerebral infarction paitents with left hemiplegia in recovery stage were scanned during passive fingers movement before and after acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34), which was controlled with sham-acupoint acupuncture to observe immediate activated part of the corresponding brain.

RESULTSThe activated areas of the passive movement in all the patients were mainly motor sensory cortex on the right side. Compared with sham-acupoint, in the left anterior insula, in ferior frontal gyrus, central gyrus, fusiform gyrus, cerebellum, acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB 34) has better central effect. These areas were involved with several brain networks.

CONCLUSIONThe acupuncture at Yan glingquan (GB 34) could promote recover of helmiplegia by regulating motor-related network.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain ; diagnostic imaging ; Cerebral Infarction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Movement ; Radiography ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the late results of using posterior restoration and three-column fixation to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis.

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-four patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were collected from March 1999 to May 2007, they were treated by posterior restoration and fixation with single nail-grooved tail steel plate and fixed with cage (WDFC). Among these cases, 87 cases were fixed with one WDFC, 97 cases were used two WDFCs.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 69 months(averaged 23 months). According to Nakai standard, the results was excellent in 142 cases, good in 34, fair in 8, the excellent and good rates were 95.6%. Seventy-nine vertebraes with I degree spondylolisthesis were reduced after surgery. Eighty-seven vertebraes with II degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 9 with I degree spondylolisthesis left. Twenty-one with III degree spondylolisthesis were reduced except 5 with I degree spondylolisthesis left; In 2 with IV degree spondylolisthesis, one with I degree spondylolisthesis left and the other with II degree spondylolisthesis left. The follow-up results showed that there was no statistical significance in the height of intervertebral space between preoperation and post-operation, and no recurrence was observed and no single nail-grooved tail steel plate and WDFC were loose or crashed.

CONCLUSIONPosterior restoration and three-column fixation is a positive modus operandi to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis,which can reduce excellently,keep the height of intervertebral space and stabilization of segment, obtain high rate of fusion, and cut down complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery