BACKGROUND: Magnetic nanoparticles have attracted tremendous attention for their diverse biomedical applications involving tumor hyperthermia, drug controlled release and magnetic resonance angiography. The interaction between biomaterials and cells is the major part in the in vitro study, and the evaluation of cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles is indispensable for tumor hyperthermia and drug delivery. OBJECTIVE: To review the progress of evaluation methodology of cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles. METHODS: The articles about magnetic nanoparticles and cellular uptake were retrieved from PubMed, SCI and Embase databases published during January 2010 to June 2017 by the first author using computer. The Mesh terms were "magnetic nanoparticles", and the key words were "cellular uptake", "internalization" or "endocytosis". The logical operator between them was "AND". RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Qualitative quantitative assessment methods for cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles include Prussian blue staining, fluorescence microscopy, confocal microscopy,transmission electron microscopy. Quantitative assessment methods for cellular uptake of magnetic nanoparticles include inductively coupled plasma, magnetization measurements, colorimetry of Prussian blue staining. The development direction of the evaluation methodology is from qualitative to quantitative. As each method has its own merits and demerits, we should choose the right evaluation method based on the function and application of magnetic nanoparticles and then supply the right experimental basis for the biomedical application of magnetite nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of unilateral incision hybrid fixation using pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

METHODSFrom January to June 2010, 18 patients with single-level lumbar disc disease were treated with MIS-TLIF under METRx(TM) X-tube. After decompression and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar screw was inserted from the same incision to the other side. The results of perioperative parameters, radiographic images and clinical outcomes were assessed.

RESULTSAll patients underwent MIS-TLIF were accomplished unilateral hybrid fixation without any neural complication. The average operative time was (107 ± 19) min, the average operative blood loss was (62 ± 21) ml, and the average postoperative ambulation time was (21 ± 5) h. The average length of translaminar facets screw was (52 ± 2) mm, and the postoperative images showed all screws penetrate through facets joint. During the follow-up the visual analogue scale and Oswestry disability index scores were significant improved compared with preoperative (F = 42.221 - 259.833, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSBilateral hybrid fixation could be completed through unilateral incision by pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in MIS-TLIF, and the advantage including less invasion, quickly recovery, short operative time, and saving fixation cost.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Analog Scale ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using hybrid internal fixation of pedicle screws and a translaminar facet screw for recurrent lumbar disc herniation.

METHODSFrom January 2010 to December 2011, 16 recurrent lumbar disc herniation patients, 10 male and 6 female patients with an average age of 45 years (35-68 years) were treated with unilateral incision MIS-TLIF through working channel. After decompression, interbody fusion and fixation using unilateral pedicle screws, a translaminar facet screw was inserted from the same incision through spinous process and laminar to the other side facet joint. The results of perioperative parameters, radiographic images and clinical outcomes were assessed. The repeated measure analysis of variance was applied in the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disablity index (ODI).

RESULTSAll patients MIS-TLIF were accomplished under working channel including decompression, interbody fusion and hybrid fixation without any neural complication. The average operative time was (148 ± 75) minutes, the average operative blood loss was (186 ± 226) ml, the average postoperative ambulation time was (32 ± 15) hours, and the average hospitalization time was (6 ± 4) days. The average length of incision was (29 ± 4) mm, and the average length of translaminar facets screw was (52 ± 6) mm. The mean follow-up was 16.5 months with a range of 12-24 months. The postoperative X-ray and CT images showed good position of the hybrid internal fixation, and all facets screws penetrate through facets joint. The significant improvement could be found in back pain VAS, leg pain VAS and ODI scores between preoperative 1 day and postoperative follow-up at all time-points (back pain VAS:F = 52.845, P = 0.000;leg pain VAS:F = 113.480, P = 0.000;ODI:F = 36.665, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONRecurrent lumbar disc herniation could be treated with MIS-TLIF using hybrid fixation through unilateral incision, and the advantage including less invasion and quickly recovery.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of repairing periodontal defects with carbonated calcium phosphate bone cement (CCPBC) modified with synthesized peptides.

METHODSPeriodontal bone defects in 4 dogs were surgically created and then restored directly with hydroxyapatite (HA), Perioglass, CCPBC and CCPBC modified with peptides. The results were compared at different levels.

RESULTSBone replacement materials were lost in HA and Perioglass groups. In the HA group defects were restored with connective tissue. Perioglass group had only a little new bone around materials by alveolar bone. CCPBC could firmly stay in bone defects to maintain the space of bone defects even without membrane use. CCPBC modified with peptides was superior to HA, Perioglass, and CCPBC, surrounded by a great deal of new bone.

CONCLUSIONUnder limitation of this study, CCPBC modified with peptides has some osteoinuctive activity and may have good prospect for the clinical application in periodontal defect repair.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; therapy ; Animals ; Bone Cements ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Substitutes ; Calcium Phosphates ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Male

OBJECTIVEto evaluate the clinical outcomes of transpedicular lumbar wedge resection osteotomy in treating adult idiopathic scoliosis.

METHODStwenty-five adult idiopathic scoliosis patients treated with transpedicular lumbar wedge resection osteotomy from July 2001 to November 2007 were included, among whom 18 were female and 7 were male. Nine of 25 were with double major curve in thoracic and thoracolumbar/lumbar spine, and 16 were with single curve in thoracolumbar/lumbar spine. The average age was 35 years (29 - 48 years) at operation. Osteotomy were performed at T(11), T(12), L(1) or L(2). The motion evoked potential monitoring system and awaking test were used during surgery. The preoperative, postoperative immediately and latest standing posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were reviewed.

RESULTSall patients were operated successfully. The average operation time was 274 min (range, 220 - 380 min) and the average blood loss were 2328 ml (range, 1500 - 5000 ml). The average coronal Cobb angle of all patients in thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 88° (range, 70° - 121°) before operation, which was corrected to 43° (range, 35° - 70°). The coronal correction rate was 44%. The average kyphosis angle of all in thoracolumbar/lumbar curves was 63° (range, 50° - 90°) before operation, which was corrected to 10° (range, -40° - 21°). The sagittal correction rate was 86%. Nerve root injury occurred in 3 of all patients who complained about postoperative radicular pain. No spine cord injury, delayed paralysis, infection and instrumentation failure were found. With a follow-up of 2 - 4 years, no correction loss or decompensation happened. The back pain existing before operation was relieved in large measure. The cosmetic appearance were all promoted significantly.

CONCLUSIONSthe transpedicular thoracolumbar/lumbar wedge osteotomy is efficient and safe in the correction of adult idiopathic scoliosis. The correction is much better on the sagittal plane than that on the coronal plane.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo assess the reliability and validity of Chinese version of the Abbreviated Burn Specific Health Scale (BSHS-A).

METHODSBSHS-A was translated into Chinese and revised. Eighty-two former burn patients discharged from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical College, and now in rehabilitation stage, were surveyed with the Chinese version of BSHS-A according to the simple random sampling. The psychometric properties of the scale, including internal consistency, test-retest reliability, content validity and discriminant validity, were analyzed.

RESULTSOne hundred and sixty-seven scales were sent to 82 participants and all of them were completed and returned. The rate of eligible questionnaire was 98.2% after eliminating 3 ineligible questionnaires. The Crobach's alpha coefficient of total score of questionnaire was 0.97, and in all domains and sub-domains ranged from 0.83 to 0.96. The test-retest coefficients from 20 participants retested within one week were between 0.74 and 0.98 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Forty-eight participants surveyed within 6 months after burn were divided into mild/moderate burn group and severe burn group. The total scores of questionnaire, scores in all domains and sub-domains of patients in the latter group were lower than those in the former group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe Chinese version of BSHS-A shows satisfactory reliability and validity, and it can be used to investigate quality of life of Chinese burn patients in rehabilitation stage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Male ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo identify the relationship of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents of Beijing so as to provide scientific basis for early prevention of hypertension and to provide evidence for verification on the category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China, recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China (WGOC) to sensitively distinguish the blood pressure in normal weight, overweight and obesity populations.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey on epidemiological characteristics of obesity with stratified cluster sampling method carried out in Beijing in April and May, 2000. 5155 students aged 6 - 15 years were selecte das research subjects. The category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China was recommended by WGOC, the diagnostic criterion of hypertension in children was recommended by CDC in the USA. Statistics analysis system (SAS 8.1) including partial person correlation analysis, t-test, chi(2) test and logistic multi-factors regression analysis was used to analyses the data from 4982 subjects aged 7 - 15 years.

RESULTS(1) after the age and gender were adjusted, the BMI positive correlation with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was found independent in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents (P < 0.0001) and the partial relation coefficients(r) between BMI and SBP and DBP were 0.323 87 and 0.245 88 respectively. (2) the means of SBP and DBP in obesity group were significantly higher then overweight, while overweight was significantly higher then normal weight group (P < 0.0001). (3) the prevalence rates of hyper-SBP, hyper-DBP and hypertension were significantly different (P < 0.0001). When compared with the normal weight group, the relation risk (RR) for hypertension in overweight group and obesity group were 2.96 and 4.85 respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension in overweight and obesity group were 19.70% and 24.22% respectively. (4) the results of logistic multi-factors regression analysis showed that both age and weight were effecting on hyper-SBP, hyper-DBP and hypertension (P < 0.0001). After age was adjusted, the RR for hypertension was 2.62, and their confidence interval (CI) was 2.36 - 2.91 in obesity or overweight, between overweight and normal weight.

CONCLUSION(1) the BMI positive correlation with SBP and DBP was found independent in 7 - 15 years children and adolescents of Beijing, and the risk for hypertension maybe increased when these people with overweight and obesity, it is very important for hypertension prevention and control that overweight and obesity prevention and control in children and adolescents. (2) the sensitivity of the category criterion of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents of China, recommended by WGOC have been verified on distinguish the blood pressure in normal weight, overweight and obesity populations.

Adolescent ; Age Factors ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effects and application value of intraoperative CT in treatment of severe scoliosis with posterior total pedicle screws.

METHODSThirty-two cases of severe scoliosis were retrospectively analysed in our hospital from June 2009 to June 2011,which were treated by posterior total pedicle screws with intraoperative CT including 12 males and 20 females with an average age of 16.8 years ranging from 10 to 38 years. There were 19 cases combined with thoracic kyphosis among 32 cases. Multiple planar reconstruction technology of intraoperative CT was applied to assess screw position. The numbers (rates) of pedicle screws were calculated and evaluated as different grades in upper thoracic vertebra (T1-T4) ,middle thoracic vertebra (T5-T8), lower thoracic vertebra (T9-T12) and lumbar vertebra. The pedicle screws of 2 grade and 3 grade were defined as malpositioned screws. Times of applicating intraoperative CT were calculated. Cobb angle of all cases and kyphosis angle of the cases combined with thoracic kyphosis were measured before and after surgery. Scoliosis correction rates and kyphosis correction rates were calculated.

RESULTSThere were 686 pedicle screws placed in thoracolumbar of 32 patients (including 544 thoracic pedicle screws,142 lumbar pedicle screws) and 14 patients underwent osteotomy. The rate of malpositioned screws in thoracolumbar was 7.3% by evaluating with intraoperative CT,and it respectively was 5.6%,11.1%, 6.7% and 4.3% in upper thoracic vertebra, middle thoracic vertebra,lower thoracic vertebra and lumbar vertebra. The malpositioned screws were amended in surgery. The mean times of intraoperative CT was 2.6 times (ranged from 2 times to 4 times). The mean preoperative Cobb angle was 95 degrees (ranged from 78 degrees to 123 degrees) and the mean postoperative Cobb angle was 340 (ranged from 19 degrees to 53 degrees). The mean correction rate of Cobb angle was 64%. The mean preoperative kyphosis angle of the patients combined with thoracic kyphosis was 69 degrees (ranged from 46 degrees to 82 degrees) and the mean postoperative kyphosis angle was 32 degrees (ranged from 22 degrees to 45 degrees). The mean correction rate of kyphosis angle was 54%. Four patients suffered cerebrospinal fluid leak after surgery. No infection, vascular lesion and nervous lesion were found. All patients had an average 18-month follow-up (ranged from 12 to 26 months). No broken nails, broken rods and pseudarthrosis were founded.

CONCLUSIONApplication of in traoperative CT in severe scoliosis with posterior total pedicle screws can detect and amend malpositioned screws timely in surgery, to avoid secondary surgery for malpositioned screws and protect the safety of surgery. The effects of surgery is satisfactory.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and disadvantages of unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion and unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion in treating single segmental lower lumbar vertebra diseases.

METHODSSixty-two patients with single segmental lower lumbar vertebra disease who received treatment between January 2008 and June 2009. These patients were consisted of 16 males and 46 females, ranging in age from 27 to 72 years old, with a mean age of 51.6 years old. Among these patients, lumbar degenerative disease had in 22 patients, recurrence of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 13 patients, lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompany with spinal canal stenosis in 12 patients, massive lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in 5 patients and lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with degree I in 10 patients. The lesions occurred at L3,4 segment in 5 patients, at L4,5 segment in 42 patients, and at L5S1 segment in 15 patients. Thirty patients underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation (unilateral screw fixation group, group A) and thirty-two patients received unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation (bilateral screw fixation group, group B). Lumbar interbody fusion with intervertebral cages was also performed in all patients. Incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative wound drainage were compared between two groups. Loosening or breakage of internal fixations, displacement of intervertebral cages and interbody fusion conditions were observed in each group. Preoperative and postoperative intervertebral height, coronal and sagittal Cobb angle and wound pain at 72 h after operation were compared between two groups. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system was used to evaluate the cinical effects.

RESULTSNeither wound infection, skin necrosis, nerve root or cauda equia injury, nor worsened neurological dysfunction in the lower limb occurred in each group. There were no significant differences in incision length, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative wound drainage between two groups. The operation time in group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in visual analogue scale value of the wound pain at postoperative 72 h between two groups (P > 0.05). All patients were followed up for 12-48 months,with a mean of 27.5 months. The intervertebral height of all patients had obviously recovered at 5 days after operation, furthermore, at the final follow-up, it still had well maintained. During follow-up, no pedicle screw and/or translaminar facet screw loosening, displacement or breakage and displacement of intervertebral cages were found. The lumbar interbody fusion rate was 96.7% and 96.9% in group A and group B, respectively, and there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). JOA score of all patients got obviously improved after operation (P < 0.05) and there was no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBoth unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion and unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion have advantages of small incision, minimal invasion, simple operation, reliable stability, high interbody fusion rate,rapid recovery, encouraging clinical effects and less complications. Compared with unilateral pedicle screw fixation combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation, the operation of unilateral pedicle screw fixation is simpler and can avoid using special equipments. Therefore, unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus lumbar interbody fusion can be used in treating single-segmental lower lumbar vertebra diseases under the precondition of strictly grasping indications for surgery and improving surgical skills.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

To evaluate in vitro release and transdermal behaviors of Zhitong cataplasm, modified Franz diffusion cell method was applied to investigate in vitro transdermal absorption of Zhitong cataplasm and the content of tetrahydropalmatine was determined by HPLC. In 24 hours, accumulative release rate of tetrahydropalmatine was 81. 9%, transmission rate was 2.26 microg x cm(-2) x h(-1). In 48 hours, accumulative transdermal rate and transmission rate of tetrahydropalmatine were 20.31%, 0.22 pg x cm(-2) x h(-1). So Zhitong cataplasm had a good release and transdermal properties and transdermal actions were consistent with zero-order kinetics process.
Administration, Cutaneous ; Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Skin ; metabolism ; Skin Absorption