BACKGROUND:At present, a large number of studies have proved that the discectomy and interbody fusion are effective in treatment of lumbar disc herniation. But for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with Modic change, the advantages and disadvantages of above two kinds of surgical methods are stil inconclusive. OBJECTIVE: To systematicaly review the effectiveness of discectomy versus interbody fusion in treatment of lumbar disc herniation with Modic change. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2015), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang database for randomized controled trials on discectomyversus interbody fusion for lumbar disc herniation with Modic change from inception to May 1st, 2015. Clinical outcomes were back pain Visual Analog Scale, leg pain Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, the number of cases affecting complications, and MacNab criteria. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Nine randomized controled trials were included, involving 945 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that compared with discectomy group, back pain Visual Analog Scale was lower [MD=0.81, 95%CI (0.69, 0.92),P < 0.000 01]; Oswestry Disability Index was lower [MD=2.07, 95%CI (1.62, 2.52),P< 0.000 01]; lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was higher [MD=-2.32, 95%CI(-4.32,-0.32),P=0.02] in the interbody fusion group. No significant difference in leg pain Visual Analog Scale and MacNab criteria outcomes was detected between both groups. These findings verified that interbody fusion was safer and more effective for lumbar disc herniation with Modic change, compared with discectomy.

BACKGROUND:At present, a large number of studies have proved that the expandable intramedul ary nail and interlocking intramedul ary nail are effective in treatment of limb fractures. However, for the treatment of tibial fractures, the advantages and disadvantages of the two kinds of fixation methods are stil inconclusive. OBJECTIVE:To systematical y review the effectiveness and safety of expandable intramedul ary nail and interlocking intramedul ary nail for treatment of tibia fracture. METHODS:We searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2015), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data for articles concerning randomized control ed trials on expandable intramedul ary nail versus interlocking intramedul ary nail published from inception to January 1, 2015. The key words were“tibia, fracture, tibia fracture, tibia fractures, expandable intramedul ary nail, expandable nail, intramedul ary nail, interlocking intramedul ary nail”. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Ten randomized control ed trials involving 574 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, compared with interlocking intramedul ary nail, expandable intramedul ary nail was shorter in operation time [MD=-23.42, 95%CI (-26.94,-19.90), P<0.000 01], less in intraoperative hemorrhage [MD=-47.64, 95%CI (-52.21,-43.09), P<0.000 01], less in fluoroscopy times [MD=-1.40, 95%CI (-1.49,-1.30), P<0.000 01], shorter in union time [MD=-30.84, 95%CI (-35.27,-26.41), P<0.000 01], and less in incidence of complications [OR=0.20, 95%CI (0.10, 0.40), P<0.000 01]. The Johner-Wruh scores showed on significant difference. These findings suggest that expandable intramedul ary nail for tibia fracture has more advantages than interlocking intramedul ary nail. That is to say, the expandable intramedul ary nail is an improved nail of interlocking intramedul ary nail, but a large sample of high quality randomized control ed trials are stil needed to confirm the conclusion.

BACKGROUND:Many studies concern the comparison of micro-titanium plate fixation and suture suspension fixation during cervical posterior expansive open-door laminoplasty, but the sample size of many studies has limitations. There is lack of objective evaluation on advantages and disadvantages of micro-titanium plate.
OBJECTIVE:To systemicaly evaluate the efficacy and safety of micro-titanium plate fixationversus suture suspension fixation in cervical posterior expansive open-door laminoplasty.
METHODS: English and Chinese randomized controled trials were searched by two reviewers. They retrieved the Cochrane Central Register of Controled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, EMbase, the ISI Web of Knowledge Database, CNKI, CMB, VIP and Wanfang database for randomized controled trials addressing micro-titanium plate fixationversus suture suspension fixation in cervical posterior expansive open-door laminoplasty published from database foundation to March 1, 2015. The references were also searched by hand. Meta-analyses were performed by using the Rev-Man 5.3 software, provided by the Cochrane Colaboration.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 9 studies involving 642 patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that: (1) safety: There were no significant differences between the two groups in operation time [SMD=-0.02, 95%CI (-0.57, 0.54),P=0.95 > 0.05], and intraoperative blood loss [SMD=0.07, 95%CI (-0.26, 0.40),P=0.69 > 0.05]. (2) Efficacy: compared with suture suspension fixation, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores were higher [SMD=0.26, 95%CI (0.10, 0.42),P=0.001 < 0.05], the angle of the opened laminae was bigger [SMD=0.25, 95%CI (0.02, 0.48),P=0.04 < 0.05], cervical curvature was better [SMD=0.46, 95%CI (0.27, 0.65),P < 0.000 01], and incidence of axial symptoms was lower [RR=0.40, 95%CI(0.29, 0.56),P< 0.000 01] after micro-titanium plate fixation. These findings suggest that during expansive open-door laminoplasty for treatment of cervical spondylosis, micro-titanium plate fixation and suture suspension fixation can obtain good clinical outcomes. However, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores were higher and the angle of the opened laminae was better in micro-titanium plate fixation than in suture suspension fixation. Micro-titanium plate fixation could effectively prevent loss of cervical curvature and reduce the incidence of axial symptoms. For the poor quality of the original studies and smal sample size, a prudent choice is suggested. More high-quality large-sample studies are needed for further verification.

OBJECTIVETo assess changes in prevalence and degree of dental fluorosis in individuals born before and after the introduction of water with 1.2 mg/L fluoride instead of water with 2.0-10.0 mg/L fluoride previously used in Da Li County in China.

METHODSThe students (n = 291) were divided into 2 groups. The dental fluorosis was scored according to Dean's classification. The statistical analysis was performed by t-test and chi(2) tests.

RESULTSThe prevalence of dental fluorosis was significantly lower in the group of the students drinking water from the new well (group 1) as compared to the group of the students drinking the old water (group 2), i.e. 48.8% versus 87.2% (P < 0.01). The percentage of moderate to very severe fluorosis was 13.9% and 0 in group 1 as compared to 32.0% and 8.8% in group 2. The fluorosis community index (FCI), defined by Dean, in group 1 and 2 was medium (1.01) and marked (2.12) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that: (1) The prevalence of dental fluorosis was significantly lowered by the new source of drinking water. (2) Drinking water, even with 1.2 mg/L fluoride, may cause dental fluorosis during the period of tooth mineralization.

Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fluorides ; analysis ; Fluorosis, Dental ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Sex Factors ; Water Supply ; analysis

AIMTo investigate the protective effects of shark hepatic stimulator substance (sHSS) against acute hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen (AAP) in mice.

METHODSAcute hepatic injury model of Balb/c mice was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of AAP (200 mg.kg-1, i.p.). Serum ALT and AST activities were analyzed. The changes of microstructure and ultrastructure of hepatocyte were observed under optical and electronic microscope. The hepatocyte apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometer and the expression level of Fas mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased and both necrosis and inflammatory infiltration were improved in the mice treated with sHSS 3.0 and 1.5 mg.kg-1. sHSS (3.0 mg.kg-1) prevented the ultrastructural changes of hepatocytes caused by AAP, decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells, and downregulated the expression level of Fas mRNA.

CONCLUSIONsHSS protected hepatocytes from AAP-induced injury, which might be associated with its protection of the mitochondria and inhibition of apoptosis and expression of Fas mRNA in hepatocytes.

Acetaminophen ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; etiology ; pathology ; Female ; Growth Substances ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Sharks ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo isolate and purify components from polysaccharides of purple sweet potato (PPSP) and to test their anti-tumor activity.

METHODSDEAE-Cellulose and CM-Cellulose exchange chromatography were applied to separate components of PPSP. The anti-tumor activities of each component were measured by MTT assay on Hela and HepG(2) cells and their monosaccharide composition were analyzed by TLC chromatography, followed by infrared spectroscopy studies.

RESULTSThrough weak anion exchange chromatography and gradient elution by sodium chloride solution, four components were separated and named as PPSP, PPSPII, PPSPIII and PPSPIV, respectively. MTT tests showed that PPSP II and PPSPIII inhibited Hela and HepG2 tumor cells in a certain extent. The structural analysis revealed that PPSPI was mainly composed of glucose and galactose, PPSP II was composed of glucose and had a typical absorption peak of β-D-glucose chitosan pyranose, PPSP III was a glycoprotein showing a protein absorption peak.

CONCLUSIONFour components were separated from PPSP successfully, among which PPSP II and PPSP III shows anti-tumor activities on Hela and HepG(2) cells in vitro.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology

Waste hops are good sources of flavonoids. Extraction of flavonoids from waste hops (SC-CO(2) extracted hops) using supercritical fluids technology was investigated. Various temperatures, pressures and concentrations of ethanol (modifier) and the ratio (w/w) of solvent to material were tested in this study. The results of single factor and orthogonal experiments showed that at 50 degrees C, 25 MPa, the ratio of solvent to material (50%), ethanol concentration (80%) resulted in maximum extraction yield flavonoids (7.8 mg/g). HPLC-MS analysis of the extracts indicated that flavonoids obtained were xanthohumol, the principal prenylflavonoid in hops.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; Humulus ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the polymorphism of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL150 open reading frame (ORF) in low-passaged clinical isolates, and to study the relationship between the polymorphism and different pathogenesis of congenital HCMV infection.

METHODSPCR was performed to amplify the entire HCMV UL150 ORF region of 29 clinical isolates, which had been proven containing detectable HCMV-DNA using fluorescence quantitative PCR. PCR amplification products were sequenced directly, and the data were analyzed.

RESULTSTotally 25 among 29 isolates were amplified, and 18 isolates were sequenced successfully. HCMV UL150 ORF sequences derived from congenitally infected infants were high variability. The UL150 ORF in all 18 clinical isolates shifted backward by 8 nucleotides leading to frame-shift, and contained a single nucleotide deletion at nucleotide position 226 compared with that of Toledo strain. The nucleotide diversity was 0.1% to 6.8% and the amino acid diversity was 0.2% to 19.2% related to Toledo strain. However, the nucleotide diversity was 0.1% to 6.4% and amino acid diversity was 0.2% to 8.3% by compared with Merlin strain. Compared with Toledo, 4 new cysteine residues and 13 additional posttranslational modification sites were observed in UL150 putative proteins of clinical isolates. Moreover, the UL150 putative protein contained an additional transmembrane helix at position of 4-17 amino acid related to Toledo.

CONCLUSIONHCMV UL150 ORF and deduced amino acid sequences of clinical strains are hypervariability. No obvious linkage between the polymorphism and different pathogenesis of congenital HCMV infection is found.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cytomegalovirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; congenital ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Genes, Viral ; Genetic Variation ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

Fraxinellone, the major component of Cortex Dictamni, is naturally degraded limonids compound. Fraxinellone has significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute liver injury model. However, the low solubility and permeability of fraxinellone limited its potential application and even therapeutic effects. The aim of the paper is to increase oral bioavailability of fraxinellone, thus improving its hepatoprotection effect in vivo. We evaluated the effects of different pH values and different solubilizer (PEG 6000, PVP K30, HP-beta-CD, F68 and SDS) on the solubility of fraxinellone. The results showed that HP-beta-CD increased solubility of fraxinellone up to 155 times compared to that of water. More than 2. 1 mg mL1 fraxinellone can be resolved when adding 20% HP-beta-CD. Mouse acute liver injury model induced hy CCl4 was used to evaluate in vivo activity of fraxinellone with or without HP-beta-CD. The result shows that the hepatoprotective activity of fraxinellone in 20% HP-beta-CD solution has been significantly improved compared with that of fraxinellone solution without HP-beta-CD: the former inhibited 59 percent the increase of enzyme activity of ALT in liver, while the latter only inhibited 20 percent. A LC-MS/MS method was also developed to determine the oral bioavailability of fraxinellone. Fraxinellone solution with or without HP-betaCD were administered intra-gastrically to rats, and it was found that the bioavailahility of fraxinellone with HP-beta-CD was 23%, while only 5% without HP-beta-CD. The result showed that HP-beta-CD can significantly increase the solubility and permeability of fraxinellone, and improve bioavailability 3. 5 fold in vivo acute liver injury model as well as administration.
Animals ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Biological Availability ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Female ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solubility

OBJECTIVETo investigate the variability of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL138 open reading frame (ORF) in clinical strains.

METHODSHCMV UL138 ORF was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR amplification products were sequenced directly, and the data were analyzed in 19 clinical strains.

RESULTSUL138 ORF in all 30 clinical strains was amplified successfully. Compared with that of Toledo strain, the nucleotide and amino acid sequence identities of UL138 ORF in all strains were 97.41% to 99.41% and 98.24% to 99.42%, respectively. All of the nucleotide mutations were substitutions. The spatial structure and post-translational modification sites of UL138 encoded proteins were conserved. The result of phylogenetic tree showed that HCMV UL138 sequence variations were not definitely related with different clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSIONHCMV UL138 ORF in clinical strains is high conservation, which might be helpful for UL138 encoded protein to play a role in latent infection of HCMV.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Cytomegalovirus ; classification ; genetics ; Cytomegalovirus Infections ; congenital ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Sequence Alignment ; Viral Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics