OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of octyl-a-cyanoacrylate upon bone healing and its degradation in vitro after middle tibial transverse fracture in rabbitsì and to establish treatment of higher efficacy with the application of octyl-a-cyanoacrylate.

METHODSMiddle tibial transverse fracture model of New Zealand rabbits was established. In the experimental group, internal fixation with 2 mm Kirschner wires was performed and the broken ends were fixed with octyl-a-cyanoacrylate. In the control group, only internal fixation with 2 mm Kirschner wires was conducted. Animals were killed at preset time intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks postoperatively and samples were harvested.

RESULTSTwo weeks after operation, clear fracture lines were observed in both the experimental and the control groups. Fibrous soft tissue connection was noted between the broken ends and there was soft tissue adhesion around the fracture site. There was no callus formation and the broken ends were surrounded by adhesive soft tissues. Obvious external callus formation was confirmed at 8 weeks after operation in both groups with partial disappearance of fracture lines. Ten and twelve weeks after the operation, fracture lines disappeared completely and there was obvious external callus formation and bone union. In the fourth week, fibrous cells and chondrocytes were found to grow into the colloid and surround it at the 6th week. The adhesive material was degraded and gradually absorbed at the 8th week. Chondrification was observed.

CONCLUSIONSTwo weeks after fixation for tibial fracture in rabbits, octyl-a-cyanoacrylate begins in vivo degradation. Chondrocytes and fibrocytes gradually grow into the degradation area and surround the adhesive material, which broke into pieces at 8 weeks. Complete degradation and disappearance of the adhesive material is present between 10 and 12 weeks. No barrier effect hampering fracture healing is noted.

Adhesives ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Cyanoacrylates ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Radiography ; Tibial Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo summarize clinical outcomes of locking compression plate (LCP) combined with minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) for the treatment of Pilon fracture.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2012, Pilon fracture patients treated by LCP with MIPPO were retrospectively analyzed. All open fractures, pathologic fractures and those who had limb vascular disease or nerve injury were excluded. Thirty-eight patients were enrolled, including 29 males and 9 females aged from 21 to 78 years old with an average of 48 years old. According to AO classification, 20 cases were type B, 18 cases were type C. Operative time, blood loss, reduction quality, time of fracture healing complications and postoperative ankle joint function were applied for evaluating clinical outcomes, AOFAS scoring were used for assessing postoperative clinical effects.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 13 to 24 months (averaged 18 months). All patients obtained bone union without any plate failures or loss of fixation/reduction. One patient occurred superficial wound infection, and resolved with antibiotics and local wound care. Postoperative average AOFAS score was 81 (ranged 65 to 97).

CONCLUSIONLCP with MIPPO for Pilon fratcure has advantages of less invasion, fewer complications and satisfactory ankle function.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) after tractive spinal cord injury in rats and to explore the recovery of spinal cord function.

METHODSThe rats were subjected to tractive spinal cord injury at T13-L2. Cortical somatosensory-evoked potential (CSEP) was closely monitored and when P1-N1 wave amplitude decreased to 70% of that before operation, a small-bore catheter was inserted below the injured plane through subarachnoid cavity. In the treatment groups, 20 microl of bFGF solution (containing 20 microg of bFGF) was injected through the catheter right after the operation and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h postoperatively. In the control group, same volume of normal saline was injected and every four rats were killed at 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 d after the operation. Combined behavior score (CBS) and electro-physiological examination were adopted to evaluate function recovery. Expression of GFAP was observed by immuno-histochemical staining and was analyzed quantitatively by computer image analysis.

RESULTSThere was statistically significant difference in GFAP-positive cells between bFGF treatment group and the control group (P<0.01). Similar tendency was indicated by the results of CBS and CSEP.

CONCLUSIONSbFGF can induce large expression of GFAP after tractive spinal cord injury in rats and promote spinal function recovery, which is highly important for spinal cord regeneration.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; drug effects ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recovery of Function ; Reference Values ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Traction

OBJECTIVETo establish an animal model of tractive spinal cord injury in rats in order to investigate its pathophysiological changes and clinical significance.

METHODST(12)-L(3) spines were tracted longitudinally with a special spinal retractor that was put on the proccessus transverses of T(12)-L(3) vertebrae of the rat after exposing T(13)-L(2) spinal cord via dual laminectomy. At the same tine, the spinal cord function was monitored by cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP). Rats were randomly divided into four groups according to the amplitude of CSEP P(1)-N(1) wave, the amount of the decreasing P(1)-N(1) wave was 30% (the 30% group), 50% (the 50% group) and 70% (the 70% group), respectively. After traction, the changes of the neural behavioral function in rats were observed and the morphological structure of the spinal cord was analyzed quantitatively with image analysis system of computer.

RESULTSWith traction of spine, compared with the control group, the 30% group had no marked difference in combined behavioral score (CBS), neuron count, section area of neuron and Nissl body density, but the 50% and 70% groups had marked difference (P<0.01). Light microscope showed that the neuron volume was slightly small and the Nissl body was reduced lightly in the 30% group; the neuron space was enlarged and the neuron was degenerative, reductive, and dissolved, and the spinal cord structure was destroyed in the 50% and 70% groups.

CONCLUSIONSThe animal model of tractive spinal cord injury in rats is a reproducible, graded and clinic mimic. The model in this article provides a valuable assistance in further understanding etiopathology and screening effective measures of therapy and prophylaxis of the injury.

Animals ; Female ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; Traction

OBJECTIVETo observe the immune response after the transplantation of a deproteinized heterogeneous bone scaffold and provides the theoretic reference for clinical practice.

METHODSThe fresh pig bone and deproteinized bone were transplanted respectively to establish BABL/C thigh muscle pouches model of male mice and take the samples for detection at 1, 2, 4, 6 weeks after operation. Lymphocyte stimulation index, subset analysis, serum specific antibody IgG, cytokine detection and topographic histologic reaction after implantation were investigated.

RESULTSAfter the transplantation of deproteinized bone, lymphocyte stimulation index, CD(4)(+) and CD(8)(+) T-lymphocyte subsets, serum specific antibody IgG and cytokines in deproteinized bone group were significantly lower than those in fresh pig bone group at each time point (P<0.05). The histological examination found that in fresh bone group at each time point, a large quantity of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the surrounding of bone graft, and they were mainly lymphocytes, including macrophages and monocytes. In deproteinized bone group, there were few inflammatory cells infiltration around bone graft one week after operation. The lymphocytes were decreased as time went by. At 6 weeks, fibroblasts and fibrous tissue grew into the graft, and osteoclasts and osteoprogenitor cells appeared on the verge.

CONCLUSIONSThe established heterogeneous deproteinized bone has low immunogenicity and is a potentially ideal scaffold material for bone tissue engineering.

Animals ; Bone Transplantation ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo analyze the early clinical and radiographic outcomes of Hoffa fractures treated by a standard protocol of open reduction and internal fixation using headless compression screws combined with back buttress plate in a consecutive series of 8 Chinese patients.

METHODSOpen reduction and internal fixation was performed on all patients. The fractures were anatomically reduced and held temporarily by K-wire. If the ends of fractures were atrophic, autologous bone graft from the ipsilateral iliac crest was packed between the ends. Then the fracture fragments were fixed with AO 6.5 mm headless compression cannulated screws. At least two screws were used to provide rotational stability. One pre-contoured reconstruction plate was placed on the nonarticular surface posteromedially or posterolaterally as back buttress plate.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for at least 12 months (range 12-25 months). All fractures achieved anatomical reduction and healed clinically and radiographically. At recent follow-up, the mean flexion degree was 120.6° (range 110°-135°) and the mean extension degree was 2.5° (range 0°-5°). The average visual analogue scale score was 1.6 points (range 0-3). Six patients were assessed as excellent and 2 as good according to the hospital for special surgery knee score system. There were no superficial or deep infections, or hardware breakages. No patient had giving way or locking of the knee, though some had intermittent pain and swelling after strenuous exercise. Injury mechanism had significant influence on the functional outcome (P=0.046).

CONCLUSIONHeadless compression screws combined with back buttress plate and/or autologous bone grafting to treat old Hoffa fracture is one of effective measures. It would be conducive to not only fracture healing but also early exercise and functional recovery.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of internal fixation performed at different times on therapeutic outcomes of Schatzker IV-VI tibial plateau fractures.

METHODSThe clinical data of 42 cases of Schatzker IV-VI tibial plateau fractures treated in our department were analyzed retrospectively. Among these 42 patients, 21 received surgical treatment within 12 h after injury (Group I), the other 21 were first treated by traction or plaster fixation followed by a delayed internal fixation after soft tissue swelling subsided (Group II). The surgical time, complications, length of hospital stay, cost of hospitalization, and time for fracture union, as well as functional recovery were analyzed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTSAfter 10-28 months follow-up (mean 16.5 months), except 5 cases who lost to follow-up, no differences were found between the two groups regarding surgical time, preoperative and postoperative complications, healing time or the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score at the end of follow-up, but significant differences were found in the length of hospital stay, cost of hospitalization and HSS score at 3 months after operation (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUnder certain conditions, early internal fixation for Schatzker IV-VI tibial plateau fracture is feasible, which can shorten the length of hospital stay, decrease the cost of hospitalization and promote early functional rehabilitation.

Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery

To explore novel antifatigue agents targeting with AMPA receptor, 10 compounds were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. 1-BCP was treated as the leading compound. The antifatigue activities were evaluated by weight-loaded forced swimming test, and the AMPA receptor binding affinities were tested with radioligand receptor binding assays. The results unveiled that 5b appeared to possess potent antifatigue activities and high affinity with AMPA receptor, which deserved further studies.
Animals ; Benzamides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dioxoles ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Fatigue ; prevention & control ; Piperidines ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Radioligand Assay ; Receptors, AMPA ; metabolism ; Swimming

Objective To explore a training system of high level professionals with international vision and meeting the develop-ment of assistive technology in China. Methods The training system was constructed in the theory framework of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health,and work process-oriented. Results and Conclusion A curriculum system with tree-type modes and a practice system with three-level and multi-form of assistive technology specialty were constructed,that was recognized by industry and society in the developing.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of universal newborn hearing screening in countryside in order to provide reliable evidence in launching this program all over the countryside of China. Method:Subjects were 12 638 infants who were born in 9 counties from Jan 2004 to Dec 2005. TEOAE was used for the fast hearing screening. Infants were screened on the 2-7 days after the birth. The re-screening was conducted in 4-6 weeks if failed in the initial screening,and follow-up were provided continually if they also failed in the re-screening. Result; Ten thouand eight hundred and forty-five of 12 638(85. 8%) were screened including 9 963(91. 9%) normal newborns and 882(8. 1%) newborns with high-risk. Seven thouand four hundred and fifty (68. 7%) newborns passed the initial screening, and 3 395 (31. 3%) people failed. One thouand seven hundred and ninty-three (14. 2%) infants were refused to be screened.Only 2 536 (74. 7%) were re-screened on time, and 859(25. 3%) did not receive re-screening. One hundred and twenty were failed in the re-screening or first screening, and 79 (65. 8%)of them received diagnostic assessment. Among the infants received diagnostic assessment, 6(7.6%)ca-ses were found to have profound hearing loss in both ears, 9(11. 4%)cases were found to be severe hearing loss(7 in both ears and 2 in single ear) , 11(13. 9%)cases were found to be moderate hearing loss (5 in both ear and 6 in single ear), 26 (32. 9%) were found to have slight hearing loss (11 in both ear and 15 in single ears), and 27 (34.2%) were normal. Fifty-two infants were diagnosed as hearing loss with a prevalence of congenital hearing loss(in binaural and monaural) of 0. 5%(52/10845)and a prevalence of bilateral hearing loss of 0. 3%(29/10845). A prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0. 2% (22/9 963) in well infants and 3. 4% (30/882) in high risk infants. Among the 13 cases of children with severe and profound hearing loss in both ears children, 8(61. 5%)cases were fitted with hearing aids and 1 (7. 7%) case was implanted with cochlear implants. Conclusion:It is necessary and feasible to conduct hearing screening program in the rural area. However, the suitable model to perform the program in the countryside needs to be set up as soon as possible in order to get more poor infants to participate into the hearing screening program for free and increase the screening rate.