Objective To determine if pregnancy affects the toxicity of bupivacaine and to investigate the effect of Shenfu injectio,a preparation of Chinese herbal medicine,on central nervous system and cardiac toxicity of bupivacaine in pregnant rats.Methods Twenty-four SD rats weighing 320-360 g were assigned to 3 groups(n =8 each):Ⅰ non-pregnant control group,Ⅱ pregnant control group and Ⅲ Shenfu injectio pretreatment group. The animals were anesthetized with isoflorane(2%-4%)-O_2 inhalation which was stopped before bupivacaine infusion was started.Femoral artery was canunlated for MAP monitoring and blood sampling and femoral vein was cannulated for bupivacaine infusion.MAP,HR and ECG were continuously monitored.All animals in the 3 groups received continuous infusion of 5% bupivacaine at 2 mg?kg~(-1).min~(-1).In group Ⅲ Shenfu injectio 10 ml?kg~(-1) was injected intraperitoneally(IP)30 min before bupivacaine infusion whereas in the two control groups(group Ⅰ and Ⅱ)equal volume of normal saline was injected IP instead of Shenfu injectio.The duration between the beginning of bupivacaine infusion and onset of convulsion/arrhythmia(QRS≥90 ms)/asystol was recorded and the amount of bupivacaine infused was calculated.Results There was no significant difference in the amount of bupivacaine causing convulsion and asystol between group Ⅰ and Ⅱ but the amount of bupivacaine causing arrhythmia was significantly larger in group Ⅰ(non-pregnant) than in group Ⅱ(pregnant control group)(P＜0.05).The amount of bupivacaine causing convulsion,arrhythmia and asystole was significantly larger in Shenfu injectio pretreatment group(group Ⅲ)than in pregnant control group(group Ⅱ)(P＜0.05 or 0.01).Conclusion Bupivacaine- induced cardiotoxicity is increased in pregnant rats and Shenfu injectio pretreatment can reduce the systemic toxicity of bupivacaine in pregnant rats.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets on learning and memory capacity and expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model.

METHODThe 2-VO method was used to establish sd rat model learning and memory dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral ischemia. The 50 rats in the successfully established model were randomly divided into the model control group, the Dihydroergotoxine Mesylate tablets group (0.7 mg x kg(-1), Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets high dose (7.56 g x kg(-1)), middle dose (3.78 g x kg(-1)) and low dose (1.59 g x kg(-1)) groups and the sham operation group (n = 10) as the control group. The groups were orally given 10 ml x kg(-1) x d(-1) drugs for consecutively 90 days. On the 86th day, Morris water maze was adopted for them. On the 90th day, a leaning and memory capacity test was held. The brain tissues were fixed with 10% formaldehyde and observed for pathomorphism after routine slide preparation and staining. The expression of hippocampal Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase was detected with immunohistochemistry and image quantitative analysis.

RESULTCompared with the model group, all of Tongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets groups showed significant decrease in the escape latency at the 5th day in the Morris water maze, and notable increase in the frequency of the first quadrant dwell, the frequency passing the escape platform and the frequency entering effective area (p < 0.05). According to the pathomorphological detection, the control group showed a significantly higher pathological score than the sham operation group (p < 0.01), the middle dose group showed a significantly lower pathological score than the model group (p < 0.05). According to the immunohistochemistical detection, the model control group showed a remarkably lower mean OD value of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase than the sham operation group (p < 0.05), high and middle dose groups showed a significantly higher mean od value than the model control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTongluo Xingnao effervescent tablets can improve the learning and memory capacity, reduce pathological changes of hippocampal tissues of rats with chronic cerebral ischemia-induced learning and memory dysfunction model, and promote the expression of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in hippocampus.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; psychology ; Chronic Disease ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Humans ; Learning ; drug effects ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tablets ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical factors that contribute to lowered bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar vertebrae in type 2 diabetic patients.

METHODSForty type 2 diabetic patients with osteoporosis and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals, selected using propensity score method, were examined for BMD of the L1 to L4 vertebrae and the left femur. Age, gender, course of the disease, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, serum calcium, serum phosphate, urinary calcium, and urinary phosphate were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSBMD of the L1 to L4 vertebras was significantly lower in the diabetic group than in the healthy individuals (P<0.05). In the diabetic patients, BMD showed an obvious difference between male and female patients and was negatively correlated with the course of the disease but positively with BMI, fasting blood glucose, urinary calcium and urinary phosphate; BMD was not correlated with age, serum calcium or serum phosphate in these patients.

CONCLUSIONOsteoporosis in type 2 diabetic patients is closely related with gender, BMI, course of the disease and poorly controlled glucose level.

OBJECTIVETo explore the indications of fusion for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis treated by "windows technique".

METHODSFrom December 1999 to December 2005, 145 consecutive patients who were treated by primary decompression with "windows technique" laminoforaminotomy for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis, a retrospective study, were divided into 3 groups (A and B and C) by preoperative lumbar conditions and surgical methods. In group A, 39 patients with spinal instability or degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis or scoliosis underwent decompression and fusion; in group B, 31 patients with spinal instability or degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis or scoliosis underwent decompression alone; In group C, 75 patients without spinal instability or degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis or scoliosis were treated by decompression without fusion. On hospital medical records to review, they were followed up by telephone and out-patient referral. Statistics the duration of hospitalization, operative time, estimated blood loss; Observed recrudescence and reoperation and complication; and using Oswestry Disability Index and Visual Analog Scale and satisfaction rate for efficacy assessment, application SPSS 13.0 software.

RESULTSAll 145 patients had at least a 3-year follow-up (ranging 37 to 108 months). In the group C, the duration of hospitalization less than in the group A or B (P < 0.05); In the group A, the operative time and estimated blood loss greater than in the group B or C (P < 0.05); The group B treated by decompression alone in the presence of instability or spondylolisthesis or scoliosis showed the worst results by the Oswestry Disability Index or Visual Analog Scale or ate of satisfaction (P < 0.05). The same good results can be obtained in the group A and C. There were not different about recrudescence or reoperation or complication in the three groups.

CONCLUSIONSFusion should be performed on patients with instability or degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis or scoliosis after primary decompression with "windows technique" laminoforaminotomy. The patient with simple lumbar spinal stenosis undergone primary surgery does not require fusion.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of placement of short iliac screw using Galveston technique in lumbosacral fusion.

METHODSFrom October 2003 to August 2007, 18 consecutive patients (mean age 46 years ranging from 25 to 62 years) received placement of short iliac screw in lumbosacral fusion. The patients were followed up for a mean of 18 months (12-23 months), and the effect of lumbosacral fusion was evaluated according to standing anterior-posterior and lateral plain films taken before and after the operation and at the follow-up and also on the basis of symptom relief.

RESULTSThe mean time of surgery was 210 min (180-290 min). No complications occurred during and after the operation. According to the evaluation criteria of surgical treatment of low back pain formulated by the spine group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, excellent clinical outcome was achieved in 12 cases, good outcome in 3 cases, and tolerable outcome in 2 cases, with the excellent and good outcome rate of 83%.

CONCLUSIONThe Galveston technique for short iliac screw placement can obtain satisfactory outcome in the lumbosacral fusion.

Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Ilium ; surgery ; Internal Fixators ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of continuous passive motion (CPM) on basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) expression during tendon-bone repair in rabbits and explore the role of stress in the postoperative repair after acute rotator cuff injury.

METHODSSixteen rabbits randomized into CPM group (n=8) and non-CPM group (n=8) were subjected to surgically induced acute rupture of the supraspinatus tendon and subsequent surgical repair, with another two rabbits serving as the control. Two weeks after the operation, the rabbits in CPM group underwent CPM training, and those in non-CPM group were normally fed only. At 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after the operation, 2 rabbits from each group were sacrificed and the tissue samples were obtained for detecting the changes in b-FGF expression.

RESULTSTwo weeks after the operation, b-FGF expression was detected in both groups, and the CPM group showed slightly higher and more diffusive expression. At 4 weeks, b-FGF expression was significantly higher and distributed over a greater area in CPM group and in the non-CPM group. A large number of fibroblasts positive for b-FGF expression were identified in CPM group, aligning in parallel with the tendon membrane. At 6 weeks, b-FGF in the CPM group showed no obvious changes but that in the non-CPM group became lightened. At 8 weeks, b-FGF expression was reduced in both groups, which was more obvious in the non-CPM group.

CONCLUSIONCPM can promote b-FGF expression to enhance type III collagen synthesis at the tendon-bone interface in early stage of tendon-bone repair following acute rupture of supraspinatus tendon in rabbits, thereby contributing to tendon-bone recovery after rotator cuff injury.

Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; drug effects ; physiology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Postoperative Period ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rupture ; surgery ; Tendon Injuries ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Tendons ; metabolism ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo develop a percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus for vertebral bone defect reconstruction in thoracolumbar fracture correction via minimally invasive operation.

METHODSThe percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting apparatus was designed with CAD software, and the reduction effect, range of bone grafting and surgical complications of the apparatus were investigated in adult cadaveric thoracolumbar body and with computerized surgical simulation.

RESULTSThe self-designed apparatus was convenient for percutaneous and transpedical interbody bone grafting that did not give rise to complications. CT showed large bone grafting area with increased density in the vertebral body corrected with this apparatus.

CONCLUSIONThe designed apparatus allows easy manipulation and efficient bone grafting and repositioning. Minimally invasive interbody bone grafting in thoracolumbar fracture can be easily performed with proper application of the apparatus.

Bone Transplantation ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Radiography ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo establish a digital model for reconstruction and three-dimensional visualization of lumbar motion segment from CT images.

METHODSBased on 64 row spiral CT continuous 2-dimensional images of L4-L5 segments, the lumbar structure and various soft tissues were reconstructed with the Mimics software, followed by validation of this model using finite element analysis software.

RESULTSThe established three-dimensional digital model of lumbar motion segment included two vertebral bodies, cortical bone, cancellous bone, endplate, annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus and 6 types of ligaments. The output result of the digital model can be used to for research of computer aided design, rapid rototyping and finite element analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe application of thin-layer CT and Dicom standard ensures more accurate digital model establishment, and Mimics software allows more convenient reconstruction of the human skeleton and various soft tissues to facilitate further research.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Computer-Aided Design ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; physiology ; Male ; Models, Anatomic ; Movement ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To explore the etiology,clinical presentation and treatment of patients with spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH). Methods Twelve patients diagnosed as having SSEH, admitted to our hospital from January 1995 to December 2010, were chosen in our study; 10 underwent surgical operation and 2 chose conversational therapy; the characteristics of onset,clinical presentations, diagnosis, treatment and results of follow-up were analyzed. Results No obvious reasons induced the onset of SSEH in these patients and all manifested as loss/decrement of myodynamia of the involved limbs,and bowel and bladder dysfunctions.Follow-up was performed for 6-18 months; 2 patients received hematoma lesion dissection by spinal canal decompression enjoyed entire recovery of neural dysfunction, while 8 showed no significant amelioration in spinal cord function besides mild improvement of bowel and bladder function; in the 2 patients chosing conversational therapy,1 achieved total recover of the nerve funtion and the other one partially recovered. Conclusion The etiology of SSEH remains indefinite and the prognosis is usually disappointed; permanent spinal cord dysfunction is seemly inevitable in most cases; prompt surgical intervention are of great importance for prognosis of SSEH and should be the first choice of therapy.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of a microencapsule scaffold capable of sustained release of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) in promoting the osteogenic differentiation of rat periosteum-derived stem cells (PDSCs) in vitro.

METHODSPDSCs from 4-week-old SD rats, after identification of the surface markers using flow cytometry, were induced to differentiate into osteoblast, chondroblast, and adipocyte lineages. The differentiated cells were verified by staining with Alizarin red, toluidine blue, alcian blue, oil red O and by immunofluorescence assay. FGF-2/PELA/BMP-2, FGF-2/PELA, PELA/BMP-2 and PELA microcapsules were prepared, examined for surface morphologies using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and tested for controlled release of FGF-2 and BMP-2 using ELISA. The third passage of PDSCs were cultured in the presence of the aqueous extracts of one of the 4 materials, and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity in the culture media was detected at 7 and 14 days of culture; the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes were quantified with quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The osteogenic differentiation ability of the PDSCs cultured with the extracts was compared.

RESULTSThe PDSCs, which expressed mesenchymal stem cell surface markers, were shown to have osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic differentiation potentials. The cells cultured with the extract of FGF-2/PELA/BMP-2 microcapsules showed the highest AKP activity at 7 and 14 days of culture, and their expression levels of OCN and RunX-2 mRNA were the highest among the 4 groups; RunX-2 expression reached its peak level on day 14, and OCN mRNA expression level increased progressively as the culture time extended.

CONCLUSIONFGF-2/PELA/BMP-2 biomimetic controlled release microcapsules preserve the cytokine activities and are capable of promoting the osteogenic differentiation of rat PDSCs.