OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between lumber disc degeneration and sacroiliac joint disorder, in order to provides a new understanding concepts and therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of chronic intractable low back pain.

METHODSFrom August 2009 to October 2010,129 cases with lumbar disc herniation were studied with epidemiological methods. Among them, 61 patients with L4, disc herniation included 37 males and 24 females, ranging in aged from 20 to 75 years old, duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 144 months; The other 68 patients with L5S1 disc herniation included 32 males and 36 females,ranging in aged froml8 to 76 years old,duration of the disease ranged from 0.5 to 240 months. The clinical data, symptoms and signs,X-ray characteristics of lumbar spine and pelvis of the patients were investigated by epidemiological. The risk of lumbar disc herniation was calculated with case-control study; independent variables were screened with single factor analysis; the risk factors for lumbar disc herniation were determined with logistic regression analysis, and biomechanics analyses were taken.

RESULTSAmong 129 patients with lumbar disc herniation, 88 cases associated with sacroiliac joint disorders, sacroiliac joint disorder was a risk factor of lumbar disc herniation (OR = 4.61, P = 0.00); 47 cases associated with sacroiliac joint disorders in 61 patients with L4,5 disc herniation, iliac crest uneven caused by iliac rotational displacement was a high risk factor of L4,5 disc herniation (OR = 11.27, P = 0.00); 41 cases associated with sacroiliac joint disorders in 68 patients with L5S1 disc herniation, lumbar sacral angle abnormalities caused by sacral tilt shift was a high risk factor L5S1 disc herniation (OR = 2.31, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONLumbar disc herniation and sacroiliac joint disorder are two of fallot, the two factors affect each other and there is a causal relationship. They are common exists in low back pain.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; Joint Diseases ; physiopathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacroiliac Joint ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the biomechanical relationship between iliac rotation displacement and L(4,5) disc degeneration, and to provide clinical evidences for the prevention and treatment of L(4,5) disc degeneration and herniation.

METHODSFrom March 2012 to February 2014,68 patients with lumbar disc herniation combined with sacroiliac joint disorders were selected. Among them, 42 patients with L(4,5) disc herniation combined with sacroiliac joint disorders included 22 males and 20 females, ranging in age from 19 to 63 years old, with an average of (51.78 +/- 20.18) years old, and the duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 126 months with an average of (11.18 +/- 9.23) months. Twenty-six patients with L5S1 disc herniation combined with sacroiliac joint disorders included 11 males and 15 females, ranging in age from18 to 65 years old with an average of (45.53 +/- 27.23) years old, and the duration of the disease ranged from 0.5 to 103 months with an average of (11.99 +/- 12.56) months. Sixty-eight anteroposterior lumbar radiographs, 68 lateral lumbar radiographs,and 68 pelvic plain films were taken. The degree of lumbar scoliosis, pelvic tilt,and disc thickness were measured. The correlation between pelvic tilt and lumbar scoliosis ,lumbar scoliosis and disc thickness were studied by using linear and regression methods. The hiomechanical analysis was performed.

RESULTSThere was a positive correlation between pelvic tilt and lumbar scoliosis in patients with L(4,5) disk herniation (R=0.49, P=0.00). There was a causal relationship and good linear proportional relationship (Y=3.05+1.07X, P=0.00) in the two variables. There was a negative correlation between lumbar scoliosis and intervertebral space in male patients with L (4,5) disk herniation (R = -0.50, P=0.01). There was a causal relationship and good linear proportional relationship in the two variables (Y=13.09-0.27X, P=0.02). But there was a positive correlation between lumbar scoliosis and intervertebral space in male patients with L5S1 disk herniation (R=0.46, P=0.04).

CONCLUSIONIliac rotational displacement are closely related with L(4,5) disc degeneration and herniation in biomechanics. A new concepts and therapeutic approach is provided for clinical treatment of chronic and refractory herniation of L(4,5) disc in patients

Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; physiopathology ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rotation ; Sacroiliac Joint ; chemistry ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo biomechanical analysis of the correlation between sacral tilt displacement and L₅-S₁ disc degeneration.

METHODSFrom July 2011 to July 2013, 81 patients with lumbar disc herniation and sacroiliac joint disorder including 45 males and 36 females with an average age of (45.39±1.30) years ranging from 18 to 65 years old were selected. The course of the disease ranged from 1 to 144 months with an average of (12.64±2.19) months. All patients were taken lumbar spine lateral X-ray films, the lumbar curvature angle, L₄-L₅ or L₅-S₁ intervertebral gap distance between points, and the lumbosacral angle was measured and correlated analyzed.

RESULTSThe lumbar curvature of female patients with L₅S₁DH were significantly larger than male patients [(22.18±8.62)° vs (16.17±4.97)°,<0.05]. Lumbar curvature and lumbosacral angle showed a positive correlation in LDH (=0.48,<0.01,y=7.25+0.38x,<0.01); Male patients with L₄-₅DH were more obvious (=0.55,<0.05, y=5.80+0.43x,<0.01); Female patients with L₅S₁DH were particularly evident(=0.74,<0.01,y=0.91x-5.30,<0.01). The lumbosacral angle and L₄-₅ intervertebral gap was a positive correlation in L₄-₅DH(=0.27,<0.05); While L₅-S₁ intervertebral gap and lumbosacral angle were not correlated(>0.05) in L₅S₁DH.

CONCLUSIONSThe sacral tilt displacement and L₅-S₁ disc degeneration were closely related to provide a new understanding philosophy and therapeutic approach for clinical treatment of intractable lumbar L₅S₁DH.

Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a therapeutic method which regulates the biological behavior of cells with light. The effects of LLLT consist of promotion of tissue repair, inhibition of inflammation, and relief of pain by promoting or inhibiting the cell proliferation, increasing or decreasing the release of some bioactive substances. Therefore, LLLT is also known as photomodulation. At present, there are many relevant experimental studies of LLLT abroad, and they are also used clinically. This article reviews the effect of LLLT on wound healing.
Humans ; Low-Level Light Therapy ; methods ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the X-ray characteristics of sacroiliac joint disorders and its clinical significance,so as to provide clinical diagnosis basis for Tuina treatment of sacroiliac joint disorder.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to March 2011,104 patients with sacroiliac joint disorder were reviewed,including 64 males and 40 females,ranging in age from 18 to 81 years, with an average of (45.39 +/- 1.30) years. The duration of the disease ranged from 1 to 144 months,with an average of (12.64 +/- 2.19) months. One hundred and four pelvic plain films and 97 lumbar spine lateral films of the patients with sacroiliac joint disorder were taken. On the lateral X-ray of lumbar,the sacral horizontal angles (lumbosacral angle) were measured; and on the X-ray of pelvis,the vertical distance of two side iliac crest (iliac crest difference), the distance from lateral border to medial margin of two hips (hip width),the clip angle between sacral spin connection and vertical axis were measured,and then the data were analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean difference of iliac crest was (10.34+/-0.73) mm; the mean width difference of hip'was (6.73+/-1.01) mm; and the mean difference of the iliac crest was larger than that of mean difference of hip (P<0.01). The occurrence rate of inequal width of hip was higher(P<0.01). The mean abnormal lumbosacral angle was (7.29 +/- 1.86) degrees,and the mean angle of sacral crest tilting to left or right was (3.18 +/- 0.47) degrees; the mean abnormal lumbosacral angle was larger than that of angle of sacral crest tilting to left or right (P<0.01), and the occurrence rate of sacral crest tilting to left or right was higher

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Rotation ; Sacroiliac Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture therapy on Parkinson's disease (PD).

METHODSFifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group, a Fengfu-Taichong group and a Shuanggu Yitong group. PD model was duplicated by microinjection of 6-Hydroxyl-Dopamine into right corpora striata, and by microinjection of normal saline in sham-operation group. Rats in normal group, sham-operation group and model group were not treated. In Fengfu-Taichong group, the rats were treated by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) on the basis of the PD model, and by electroacupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16), "Taichong" (LR 3), "Guanyuan" (CV 4) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) in Shuanggu Yitong group, once daily for 2 weeks. GDNF and Ret expression were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe number of GDNF positive cells and the content of Ret receptor increased significantly in the two electroacupuncture groups compared with those in the other groups (all P < 0.01), and the expression of GDNF increased significantly in Shuanggu Yitong group compared with that in Fengfu-Taichong group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture can not only increase the expression of GDNF, but also enhance its effect. "Shuanggu Yitong" method is better than simple acupuncture at "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Taichong" (LR 3) in increasing expression of GDNF.

Animals ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Gene Expression ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Parkinson Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDRecent studies showed that aminoglycosides destroyed the cochlear cells and induced ototoxicity by producing reactive oxygen species, including free radicals in the mitochondria, damaging the membrane of mitochondria and resulting in apoptotic cell death. Bcl-x(L) is a well characterized anti-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family. The aim of this study was to determine the potential cochlear protective effect of Bcl-x(L) as a therapeutic agent in the murine model of aminoglycoside ototoxicity.

METHODSSerotype 2 of adeno-associated virus (AAV2) as a vector encoding the mouse Bcl-x(L) gene was injected into mice cochleae prior to injection of kanamycin. Bcl-x(L) expression in vitro and in vivo was examined with Western blotting and immunohistochemistry separately. Cochlear dissection and auditory steady state responses were checked to evaluate the cochlear structure and function.

RESULTSThe animals in the AAV2-Bcl-x(L)/kanamycin group displayed better auditory steady state responses hearing thresholds and cochlear structure than those in the artificial perilymph/kanamycin or AAV2-enhanced humanized green fluorescent protein/kanamycin control group at all tested frequencies. The auditory steady state responses hearing thresholds and cochlear structure in the inoculated side were better than that in the contralateral side.

CONCLUSIONSAAV2-Bcl-x(L) afforded significant preservation of the cochlear hair cells against ototoxic insults and protected the cochlear function. AAV2-mediated Bcl-x(L) might be an approach with respect to potential therapeutic application in the cochlear degeneration.

Aminoglycosides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; toxicity ; Cochlea ; drug effects ; physiology ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; Hearing Loss ; chemically induced ; Kanamycin ; toxicity ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; bcl-X Protein ; genetics

AIM:To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α(PDGFRα) on melano-cyte apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide(H2O2). METHODS:Melanocyte PIGI was used as the research object. Af-ter exposed to H2O2at different concentrations,the cell viability was detected by MTT assay. The PIGI cells were transfec-ted with empty vector pCMV6 or PDGFRα over-expression vector pCMV6-PDGFRα. The transfection efficiency was deter-mined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The effect of H2O2on the viability of the PIGI cells after over-expression of PDGFRα was measured by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The protein levels of p38, p-p38 and cleaved caspase-3 in the cells were detected by Western blot. DCDHF-DA was used to estemate the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. RESULTS:The viability of PIGI cells decreased after exposed to H2O2(P<0.05), and the half maximal inhibitory concentration of H2O2was 0.7 mmol/L. Transfection with PDGFRα over-expression vector successfully induced high expression of PDGFRα at mRNA and protein levels in the PIGI cells,and increased the viability of the cells with H2O2treatment(P<0.05). Over-expression of PDGFRα decreased the apoptotic rate of PIGI cells trea-ted with H2O2(P<0.05),and the level of ROS in the cells(P<0.05). The protein levels of cleaved caspase-3 and p-p38 were also decreased (P <0.05). CONCLUSION:PDGFRα inhibits the apoptosis of melanocytes induced by H2O2,partially reverses the growth inhibition of melanocytes by H2O2,and decreases the ROS level. The mechanism may be related to regulating the protein levels of p-p38 and cleaved caspase-3 in the cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of matrix metalloprotein-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) in the renal allografts of patients with chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR), and explore their role in the pathogenesis of ABMR.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry and computer-assisted image analysis were used to detect the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 in the renal allografts of 46 patients with interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IF/TA), with 15 normal renal tissue specimens as the control. The association of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 with the pathological grade of IF/TA in ABMR was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 significantly increased in the renal tissues of the patients as compared with the normal renal tissues (P<0.05). MMP-2 expression tended to decrease, while TIMP-1 and serum creatinine increased with the pathological grades of IF/TA (P<0.05). In IF/TA group, the expression of TIMP-1 was positively correlated to serum creatinine level (r=0.718, P=0.00<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAbnormal expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 can promote the development of renal fibrosis in chronic ABMR.

Adult ; Antibody Formation ; Complement C4b ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosis ; etiology ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Peptide Fragments ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of X-ray and spiral computed tomography (SCT) in the diagnosis of Swyer-James syndrome (SJS).

METHODSA total of 28 patients, 12 males and 16 females, were studied retrospectively. Ages ranged from 11 to 57 years, the mean age was 32 years. All patients underwent inspiratory chest X-ray films, 5 with expiratory chest films and 1 with bronchogram. Furthermore, inspiratory and expiratory SCT scans were performed. The SCT findings were analyzed and compared with X-ray films.

RESULTSSCT demonstrated 56 lobes with hyperlucency and diminished vascularity. The size of 51 lobes were smaller and 5 were normal. X-ray films showed that hyperlucency was only in 29 lobes, in which 19 lobes were small-sized and the other 10 lobes normal. There were 56 lobes with air-trapping on expiratory SCT scans, but only 5 lobes with air-trapping on expiratory X-ray films. Bronchogram in 1 case demonstrated bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans. SCT showed 24 patients with bronchiectasis, 9 patients with tuberculosis, 10 patients with bronchiolitis, and 2 with segmental collapse.

CONCLUSIONSCT scan is superior to chest radiography in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of SJS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bronchiectasis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Bronchiolitis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lung, Hyperlucent ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; diagnostic imaging