Metastatic epidural compression of the spinal cord is a significant source of morbidity in patients with systemic cancer. With improvment of oncotheray, survival period in the patients is improving and metastatic cord compression is en- countered increasingly often. Surgical management performed for early circumferential decompression for the spinal cord com- pression with spine instability, and spine reconstruction performed. Patients with radiosensitive tumours without spine instabili- ty, radiotherapy is an effective therapy. Spinal stereotactic radiosurgery and minimally invasive techniques, such as vertebro- plasty and kyphoplasty, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation, radiofrequency ablation are promising options for treatment of cer- tain selected patients with spinal metastases.
Decompression, Surgical ; Humans ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Cord Compression ; therapy ; Spinal Neoplasms ; secondary ; therapy

In this study we present our experiences with the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct the distal lower limb soft tissue defects caused by traumatic injuries. These flap graftings were carried out from Oct. 2010 to Dec. 2012 in our department. The series consisted of 36 patients, including 21 men and 15 women with an average age of 46.2 years (14-83 years) and with a medium follow-up period of 18 months (12-24 months). Of all the cases of acute trauma, there were 10 cases of trauma of distal tibia, 9 cases of trauma of perimalleolus, and 17 cases of trauma of midfoot and forefoot. Related risk factors in the patients were diabetes (2 cases), advanced age (>65 years, 3 cases) and cigarette smoking (6 cases). The reverse flow sural island flap irrigation depended on lower perforators of the peroneal artery. The fasciocutaneous pedicle was 3-4 cm in width and the anatomical structures consisted of the superficial and deep fascia, the sural nerve, short saphenous vein, superficial sural artery together with an islet of subcutaneous cellular tissue and skin. The most proximal border of the flap was only 1.5 cm away from the popliteal skin crease and the pivot point was 5-7 cm above the tip of the lateral malleolus. All the flaps survived. No arterial crisis occurred in any case. The venous congestion occurred in 2 cases and got better after raising the limbs and bloodletting. Only in an old man, 1.5 cm necrosis of distal margin of his flap occurred and finally healed after continuous dressing change. One-stage skin grafting was performed, and all the donor sites were sutured and successfully healed. It was concluded that the reverse sural fasciocutaneous flap is safe and reliable to extend to the proximal third even near the popliteal skin crease. We also concluded this flap can be safely and efficiently used to treat patients with large and far soft-tissue defects from the distal leg to the forefoot with more versatility and it is easier to reach the recipient sites.

The role of methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) in an ApoE-deficient mouse model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) was investigated. Eight-week-old Mbd2/ApoE double deficient (Mbd2(-/-) ApoE(-/-)) mice (n=12, 24 eyes, experimental group) and MBD2 (wt) ApoE(-/-) mice (n=12, 24 eyes, control group) were fed on Western-type diet for 4 months. The mice were sacrificed, and total serum cholesterol levels were analyzed and Bruch's membrane (BM) of the eyes was removed for ultrastructural observation by transmission electron microscopy. Moreover, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) immunoreactivities were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy in sections of the eyes in both groups for further understanding the function mechanism of MBD2. There was no significant difference in the total serum cholesterol levels between control group and experimental group (P>0.05). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that AMD-like lesions, various vacuoles accumulated on BM, notable outer collagenous layer deposits and dilated basal infoldings of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) were seen in both groups, and the BM in control group was significantly thickened as compared with experimental group (P<0.05). Fluorescence micrographs exhibited the expression of ICAM-1 in choroid was higher in control group than in experimental group. We are led to conclude that MBD2 gene knockout may lead to accumulation of more deposits on the BM and influence the pathogenesis of AMD via triggering endothelial activation and inflammatory response in choroid, improving microcirculation, and reducing lipid deposition so as to inhibit the development of AMD-like lesions. Our study helps to provide a new therapeutic approach for the clinical treatment of AMD.

Objective To observed the immigration and proliferation of Schwann cells in acellular xe- no-nerve graft in rats.Methods The sciatic nerves on the right side of the rats were exposc.d and 0.8cm long segments of the nerves were removed from the mid-thigh level and replaced by 1.0cm long rabbit nerves made acellular through chemical extraction.After 4 months,the immigration and proliferation of Schwann cells in the graft were revealed by HE staining,S-100 immunohistochemieal staining and transmission electromicro- scope.Results In the rats repaired by acellular nerves,regenerated axons upgrow into the graft,and a- round regenerated axons there were abundant cells aligned,the cytoplasm of which were S-100 immunoreac- tive.Electromicroscope observing showed that regenerated axons were surrounded by myelin formed by the mi- grated cells reoccupied the acellular segments.Conclusion The host Schwann cells can immigrate into rab- bit nerve grafts made acellular through chemical extraction and form myelin enwrapping regenerated axons in rats.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate cost-effectiveness of poking reduction and open reduction for the treatment of Sanders type II calcaneal fractures, in order to provide evidence for standard treatment.

METHODSFrom 2006.10 to 2008.10, 80 patients with Sanders type II calcaneal fractures were selected from Shandong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and randomly divided into poking reduction group and open reduction group with 40 cases in each group. There were 26 males and 14 females in poking reduction group and 30 males and 10 females in open reduction group. The average age of patients in poking reduction group was (36.60+/-3.15) years, and (37.10+/-3.45) years in open reduction group. Bohler angle, Gissane angle, the width of central calcaneus, stance phase of gait, HM-HL,arch index and subtalair joint flexibility were measured. The clinical results and expenses of the two treatment schemes were compared and concluded with the method of cost-effetiveness analysis.

RESULTSIn the poking reduction group and open reduction group, the Böhler angle were (30.32+/-1.72) degree and (30.54+/-3.13) degree, Gissane angle were (133.73+/-6.73) degree and (134.86+/-4.90) degree, the width of central calcaneus were (30.18+/-1.59) mm and (30.24+/-1.25) mm, stance phase of gait were (0.679+/-0.070) s and (0.715+/-0.090) s, HM-HL were--(36.49+/-7.56) N and -(34.32+/-6.50) N,arch index were (30.26+/-2.69) and (30.47+/-1.89), and subtalair joint flexibility were (10.53+/-2.30) degree and (10.89+/-1.86) degree respectively. The cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) were 6.06 and 136.19 respectively.

CONCLUSIONCost-effectiveness ratio of the poking reduction is superior to that of the open reduction in treating Sanders type II calcaneal fractures. Poking reduction is a useful method to treat Sanders type II calcaneal fractures with rapid wound healing and less cost.

Adult ; Calcaneus ; injuries ; surgery ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; economics ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To provide supportive evidences for the diagnosis of primary major depres-sive disorder (MDD) by analyzing the alterations of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-αas well as the total complement activity (CH50) in serum samples.Methods Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( HAMD) was used to rate the severity of depression with the patients who were diagnosed as primary MDD.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-αand the CH50 in serum samples from 49 patients and 40 healthy subjects .Results Pa-tients with MDD showed significantly different levels of IL-6, IL-18, TNF-αand CH50 in serum samples as compared with that in healthy subjects (P<0.05).No significant difference with the level of IL-1αwas ob-served between the patients with MDD and healthy subjects (P>0.05).There were significant gender differ-ences with levels of IL-1αamong the patients with MDD (P<0.05).However, no significant differences with the levels of IL-6, IL-18, TNF-αand CH50 were found between male and female patients (P>0.05). Conclusion The changes of CH50 and certain proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-18 and TNF-αmight be involved in the progression of MDD , suggesting the possibility of using them as indicators for the di-agnosis of MDD.

Background The in vitro culture of retinal vascular endothelial cells is the foundation of experimental study of retinal vascular disease. Shortage of human donor eyeballs is a main limiting for the laboratory work. The culture method of rat-derived vascular endothelial cells has been established. However, this method is not enough effective because of severer cellullar injury. Objective Present study was to establish a simple and high effective method for the culture of vascular endothelial cells in vitro. Methods The retinas from 5 SPF SD rats was digested by 0. 1% collagenase and cultured with explant culture method. 20% fetal bovine serum, vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) , insulin-transferrin-selenium( ITS) were composed into the endothelial cell culture medium, and enough blowing was performed to get the cells and fragments from retinal tissue. The cellular suspension was prepared and cultured consequently on human fibronectin-coated culture flasks. Cultured vascular endothelial cells were identified by anti-von Willebrand staining factor. Results The cells emerged from the tissue mass,and cells and some tissue fragments attached to the wall after 24 hours of seeding. The cells grew to show the fusiform in 4 days and merged together in 5 to 6 days,and a cell monolayer was seen in the 14th day after culture. The endothelial cells showed the positive response for von Willebrand factor. After passage, the merging-growth statue of the cells was regained in 2 hours after culture. Conclusion Use of retinal pieces and collagenase-digestion can get the vascular endothelial cells with better activity in vitro. The culture method based on highly selective endothelial cell culture medium associated to FN adhesion-promoting is helpful for gaining the purified of endothelial cells.

Objective:By applying moxibustion to the eight confluent points in different periods of time,to observe the changes in thermal pain threshold latency of acupoints based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Methods:A total of 468 healthy college student volunteers received moxibustion at the eight confluent points in three different periods of time,i.e.Chen (7:00-9:00),Wu (11:00-13:00) and Xu (19:00-21:00).The thermal pain threshold latency was adopted to measure the changes in pain threshold of the eight confluent points under different conditions (different periods of time,different genders,different acupoints and different states of the acupoints) based on Fei Teng Ba Fa.Results:Finally,thirty subjects dropped out and 438 subjects were included.The comparison of thermal pain threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in the same opening or closing state based on Fei Teng Ba Fa:latencies of the closing points and adjunct points were significantly different in different periods of time (P＜0.05);the latencies of the males were significantly longer than those of the females (P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the latency between the left and right sides (P＞0.05);in the female group,there was a significant difference in the latency between the lower-limb points and the upper-limb points (P＜0.05).The comparison of thermal point threshold latencies of the eight confluent points in different opening or closing state:in the period of Wu (11:00-13:00),the latencies of the opening points were significantly longer than those of the closing points and adjunct points (P＜0.05);for men,their opening and closing points had significantly longer thermal pain threshold latencies than their adjunct points (P＜0.05);despite the gender,the latencies of the upper limb opening and closing points were significantly longer than the latency of the adjunct points (P＜0.05);in the female group,the latencies of the lower-limb opening points were significantly shorter than those of the lower-limb closing and adjunct points (P＜0.05).Conclusion:Based on Fei Teng Ba Fa,the pain thresholds of the eight confluent points vary in different periods of time,gender,acupoint location and opening/closing state,which can be taken as the evidence of making time-based acupuncture-moxibustion prescriptions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis inducing effects of aqueous extract of Taxus chinensis (AETC) in human lung cancer cell A549 and its molecular mechanisms.

METHODSUsing MTT assay, the inhibition of AETC on the proliferation of A549 cells was detected. The apoptosis was detected by light and electron microscopy, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The expressions of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and survivin were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSAETC could inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells. Obvious apoptotic cells could be seen under light and electron microscope in AETC treated A549 cells. AETC's induction on the cell apoptosis was further confirmed by Annexin V-FITC/PI labeled quantitative detection. Western blot assay showed that AETC could decrease the survivin expressions. AETC showed no effects on ERK1/2 or JNK1/2 protein expressions.

CONCLUSIONAETC could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells and induce the apoptosis, which was mainly achieved through regulating the expressions of survivin.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Taxus

OBJECTIVETo develop an oligonucleotide microarray-based method for the simultaneous detection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection, virulence-associated genotypes, and drug resistance.

METHODSHp was classified into cagA + and cagA- genotypes based on its virulence. Clarithromycin-resistance of Hp was identified by existence of point mutations in 23S rRNA. We constructed an oligonucleotide microarray chip to simultaneously diagnose Hp infection and detect its virulence-associated genotypes and mutations associated with clarithromycin-resistance. The diagnostic accuracy of the constructed microarray was tested with templates of wild type and mutated type.

RESULTSThe oligonucleotide chip accurately detected cagA + and cagA- genotypes of Hp, as well as four common point mutations in 23S rRNA related to clarithromycin-resistance.

CONCLUSIONOligonucleotide microarray chip can be used to diagnose Hp infection and test its virulence-associated genotypes and drug resistance simultaneously.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Clarithromycin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Helicobacter pylori ; drug effects ; genetics ; pathogenicity ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Virulence