0.05), the leukopenia rates 78.13%(25/32)vs 50.00%(17/34)(P

Spinal biomechanics, especially the range of spine motion,has close connection with spinal surgery. The change of the range of motion (ROM) is an important indicator of diseases and injuries of spine, and the essential evaluating standards of effect of surgeries and therapies to spine. The analysis of ROM can be dated to the time of the invention of X-ray and even that before it. With the development of science and technology as well as the optimization of various types of calculation methods, diverse measuring methods have emerged, from imaging methods to non-imaging methods, from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, from measuring directly on the X-ray films to calculating automatically by computer. Analysis of ROM has made great progress, but there are some older methods cannot meet the needs of the times and disappear, some classical methods such as X-ray still have vitality. Combining different methods, three dimensions and more vivo spine research are the trend of analysis of ROM. And more and more researchers began to focus on vivo spine research. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the methods utilized recently are presented through viewing recent literatures, providing reference and help for the movement analysis of spine.
Animals ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; instrumentation ; methods ; trends ; Radiography ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging

Objective To determine the correlation of plasma brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) with severe degree of dilated cardiomyopathy in children.Methods Thirty children with dilated cardiomyopathy and 30 healthy subjects were selected in this degree of study, plasma BNP concentration was measured and compared among groups by using t test.Correlation of BNP levels with left ventricular ejection fraction and heart function was investigated using linear regression analysis.Results Children with dilated cardiomyopathy had significantly higher mean BNP levels compared with healthy children [(429.4?270.2) ng/L vs (67.0?10.2) ng/L].Significantly positive correlations were found between BNP and heart classification(r=0.950 P

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor on stress-induced myocardial injury.

METHODSHealthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups( n = 6), and the stress-induced myocardial injury model was established with chronic restraint stress method. The protective effects of histone deacetylase inhibitor on stress-induced myocardial injury were observed with Trichostatin A (TSA) intervention. Histone acetylation levels in myocardium of rats were detected by Western blot method, spectrophotometry method was used to dynamically determine the activity of rat serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), serum creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) and Caspase 3, and nagar Olsen staining were used to observe the early myocardial damage.

RESULTSRestraint stress could significantly reduce the level of histone acetylation of myocardium in rats, and TSA intervention could inhibit the stress-induced reduction of myocardial levels of histone acetylation. Restraint stress could cause the significant increase of serum LDH activity ( P < 0.05), serum CK-MB activity ( P < 0.05), and the Caspase 3 activity of myocardial tissue (P < 0.05), and early myocardial damage also occurred during restraint stress. ISA intervention could significantly reduce the serum LDH activity (P < 0.05), the serum CK-MB activity (P < 0.05), the activity of myocardial tissue caspase 3 induced by restraint stress (P < 0.05), and the stress-induced myocardial injury was also attenuated by TSA intervention.

CONCLUSIONThe histone deacetylase inhibitor TSA can protect stress-induced myocardial injury.

Acetylation ; Animals ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Hydroxamic Acids ; pharmacology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Myocardium ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Restraint, Physical ; Stress, Physiological

By comprehensively reviewing the origin and history of Niuhuang Jiedu Wan and its "derivatives", we studied the clinical records of realgar, investigated its clinical usage, dosage, efficacy, and toxicity in the literatures. We pinpointed the factors that might be associated with safety problems of Niuhuang Jiedu Pian (Wan) and other traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations containing arsenic substances. In this article we also put forward suggestions for strengthening the surveillance and administration of similar TCM preparations.
Arsenic Poisoning ; history ; prevention & control ; Arsenicals ; adverse effects ; analysis ; history ; Drug Combinations ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; History, Medieval ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Sulfides ; adverse effects ; analysis ; history

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of serum estradiol increment and serum estradiol/follicles on the day of hCG administration in predicting the clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSA retrospective analysis of the IVF-ET data was conducted involving 121 patients who received a long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) protocol. According to the increment of serum estradiol on the day of hCG administration (relative to the level on the day before hCG administration), the patients were divided into 3 groups (A1, A2 and A3) with a increment ratio below 30%, between 30% and 50%, and over 50%, respectively. In addition, according to the ratio of serum estradiol level on hCG day to mature follicle (diameter ≥ 14 mm) number, these patients were divided into three groups (B1, B2 and B3) with the ratio below 250 pg/ml, between 250 and 350 gp/ml, and over 350 pg/ml, respectively. The hormonal characteristics and clinical outcomes of the IVF-ET cycles were analyzed comparatively.

RESULTSBoth the clinical pregnancy rate (71.05%) and embryo implantation rate (52.63%) were significantly higher in group A3 than in groups A1 and A2 (P<0.05). The best clinical pregnancy rate (67.86%) and embryo implantation rate (49.14%) were significantly higher in group B2 than in groups B1 and B3 (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe variation of serum estradiol shows an important impact on the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET in patients receiving long GnRH-a protocol. Favorable outcomes can be expected with a hCG day serum estradiol increment ratio above 50% and E(2)/follicle ratio between 250 and 350 pg/ml.

Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; administration & dosage ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; administration & dosage ; agonists ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

AIMTo search for new derivatives of diclofenac (DC) having higher potency than the parent drug and lacking its undesirable effects.

METHODSCoupling DC with NO donor 3-hydroxymethyl-4-phenylfuroxan and its isomer through esterification, evaluating anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, observing side effects in the rat gastrointestinal (GI) tract and assessing NO releasing ability both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTSFifteen new compounds including nine target ones (II1-9) were synthesized, and their structures were determined by IR, 1HNMR, MS and elemental analysis. Compounds II3 and II9 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to DC. Compound II2 showed stronger anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities and less GI side effect than DC, and released NO in vivo.

CONCLUSIONCompound II2 is worthy to be intensively studied.

Analgesics ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cyclic N-Oxides ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Diclofenac ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Digestive System ; drug effects ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; chemically induced ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Oxadiazoles ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Pain Threshold ; drug effects ; Rats ; Structure-Activity Relationship

OBJECTIVETo investigate the total alkaloids content profile and diversity of medicinal materials of Tripterygium.

METHODThe total alkaloids were extracted by organic solvent and purified by column chromatography (aluminium oxide), and determined by UV spectrometry.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe total alkaloids content in phloem was 2 to 5 times richer than that in xylem, and their changes had shown concordance. For the different species/types, the content from high to low in order was T. hypoglaucum, Tripterygium F, T. wilfordii and T. regellii, but in each type, the disparity among different populations content was very small. The populations with higher content were in Suichuan, Jiangxi Province, Huangshan, Anhui Province, Jingning, Zhejiang Province and Kunming, Yuannan Province; which came from T. hypoglaucum and Tripterygium F. The degree of difference of total alkaloids content among individuals in each population was different. The populations, which had a rich content diversity, were in Jingning, Zhejiang Province, Taining, Fujian Province and Kunming, Yunnan Province. They will be used for good germplasm selecting. The thickness of medicinal materials did not affect the total alkaloids content in the same plant. The total alkaloids content in xylem changed with seasons: the highest in March, then declining from June to December, the lowest in December, While this did not happen in phloem.

Alkaloids ; analysis ; chemistry ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Seasons ; Tripterygium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical results of pedicle-screw placement and reduction on the level of injured vertebrae in treating thoracolumbar fractures.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to May 2009, 27 patients with thoracolumbar fractures were treated with short-segment fixation system and pedicle-screw placement on injured vertebrae through posterior approach. There were 19 males and 8 females with an average age of 36 years old ranging from 24 to 68 years. Eleven patients were injuried by traffic accident, 9 patients were injuried by falling from high, 5 patients were injuried by crush from weighty object, 2 patients were others injuries. Thoracolumbar fractures were classified according to Gertibein classification: 2 cases were of type A1, 3 cases A2, 12 cases A3, 5 cases B1, 5 cases B2. Among them, 14 cases were accompanied with spinal cord injuries,functional assessment of nerves was assessed according to Frankel criteria: 5 cases were of grade B, 3 cases C, 6 cases D. Lumbago according to Denis standard, grade P5 was in all cases. The injured level of 5 cases was in T11, 11 cases in T12, 8 cases in L1, 3 cases in L2. From injury to operation it was 2-15 days with an average of 4 days. The ratio of vertebral height between anterior and posterior border, anteroposterior Cobb angle were compared before and after operation. Function of nerves and index of lumbago were evaluated by Frankel and Denis classification.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 14 to 17 months with the mean of 15.5 months. At final follow-up,according to Frankel score system to evaluate function of nerve,2 cases were of grade B, 4 case grade C, 3 cases grade D, 5 cases grade E; according to Denis score system to evaluate index of lumbago, there was P1 (without pain) in 17 cases, P2 (between whiles minute pain, need not treatment) in 8 cases, P3 (moderate pain, between whiles need medication) in 2 cases. The ratio of vertebral height between anterior and posterior border from preoperatively 0.32 +/- 0.14 to postoperatively 0.85 +/- 0.03 (P<0.01); anteroposterior Cobb angle from preoperatively (25.3 +/- 7.8) degrees to postoperatively (11.1 +/- 1.5) degrees (P<0.01). At final follow-up, the ratio of vertebral height between anterior and posterior border, anteroposterior Cobb angle were respectively 0.81 +/- 0.06 and (11.8 +/- 1.9) degrees, there was no significant difference between postoperative and at final follow-up (P>0.05). No complications such as infection, internal fixation failure,nerve injuries were found during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONPosterior short-segment fixation system and pedicle-screw placement on level of injured vertebrae is one kind of effective method in treating thoracolumbar fracture, which can maintain corrective effect and obtain better clinical outcomes.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Injuries ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

[Objective]To observe the biological characteristics of CD133 positive cells derived from cutaneous squa-mous cell carcinoma(cSCC),and to investigate the mechanism of self-renewal of cancer stem cells(CSC)and the malig-nant behavior in cSCC.[Methods]The flow cytometry was applied to purify CD133+cells and CD133-from cutaneous squa-mous cell carcinoma cell line Colo-16.The effects of CD133 on the cell proliferative,self renew and migratory activity of two group cells were detected by MTT assay,Sphere formation assay and Transwell assay.Western blot and quantitative flu-orescent PCR were performed to investigate the expression of cancer stem cell associated gene CD44,OCT4 and SOX2 in two groups of cells.Examined the expression level of CD133 in actinic keratosis,squamous cell carcinoma in situ and cSCC by immunohistochemistry.[Result]The CD133+Colo-16 cells exhibited significantly stronger proliferation,self-renewal and metastasis ability(P<0.05)and present higher level protein and mRNA expression on CD44,SOX2 and OCT4(P<0.05). In addition,the expression level of CD133 was dynamic rise during the continuous evolution of actinic keratosis,squamous cell carcinoma in situ and cSCC.[Conclusions]The expression level of CD133 may be related to the tumorigenesis of cSCC and the malignant behavior including proliferative,self renew and migratory activity,and CD133+cSCC cells show the properties of cancer stem cells.The occurrence and development of cSCC may be related to the CSC,which express CD133.