Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Femur Head Necrosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Young Adult

Objective To explore the strategy and outcomes of surgical treatment of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum(OLF),especially combined with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament,thoracic kyphosis and epidural adhesion.Methods Fifty-three cases of thoracic OLF from January 2003 to December 2009 were reviewed retrospectively.All patients were treated by the methods of en bloc resection of semi-facet and lamina.All patients were followed up for more than half an year,including 32 males and 21 females,aged from 43 to 73 years(average 54.7 years).The lesions located in upper thoracic for 18 patients,and in thoracolumbar for 35 patients.For multi-level or jumping OLF patients,the responsible levels were determined by combination of images and clinical symptoms.For multi-level OLF with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL)or thoracic kyphosis(＞50°),multi-level pedicle screw fixation and correction of kyphosis were performed.For dural adhesion patients,part of cerebrospinal fluid was released with a caudal incision of dural sac resulting in collapse and epidural arachnoid separation.Ossific and adhesion dura mater were removed with integrity of arachnoid.The surgical outcomes were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative thoracic Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score,Nurick grade and neurologic functional recovery ratio.Results Fifty-three cases were followed up for 6 months to 6 years,with an average of 18 months.The average preoperative JOA score was 4.3±2.3,which significantly increased to 8.3±1.8 after operation.Postoperative neurologic functional recovery rates were 11% to 80%(average 65.8%),including excellent in 18 cases,good in 20,fair in 10,and poor in 5.The excellent or good rate was 71.7%.The mean preoperative Nurick grade was 3.7(2-5 grade)and decreased to 2.3 grade after operation.Conclusion En bloc resection of semi-facet and lamina is a safe and effective method for treatment of thoracic OLF.For the patients with OPLL or kyphosis,pedicle screws fixation and kyphosis correction was beneficial for recovery of neurologic function of thoracic OLF patients.

Objective To explore the mechanism of anti-tumor effects of transferring tumor-specif-ic lymphocytes obtained from pre-immunized BALB/c mice with inactive rolL-21 tumor vaccine (mIL-21-Sp2/0)to syngeneic mice, associated with mIL-21 tumor vaccine immunization, in the condition of cyclo-phosphamide (Cy)-induced lymphopenia. Methods Activated lymphocytes of spleen and lymph nodes ob-tained from pre-immunlzed syngeneic mice with irradiated mIL-21-Sp2/0 cells were infused into BALB/cmice treated with Cy 2 days before, subsequently vaccinated with mlL-21 tumor vaccine, after 7 days, chal-lenged with Sp2/0 tumor cells, observed the growth of tumor of mice. T lymphocyte subsets differentiation was measured by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. The proliferation and cytotoxie activities of activated lym-phocytes were analyzed by FCM, respectively, staining with CFSE and 7-AAD. The number of IFN-γ-secre-ting cells was evaluated by ELISPOT. Results The lymphopenic mice were transferred with activated lym-phocytes and inoculated with raiL-21 tumor vaccine might provide superior anti-tumor immunoprotection, re-tard tumor growth of the mice. The proliferating capabilities and killing rate of transferred tumor Ag-specific lymphocytes enhanced obviously, the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells was significantly higher compared with the control groups. Conclusion Under Cy-induced lymphopenia condition, tumor Ag-specific lymphocytes sensitized by raiL-21 tumor vaccine were transferred to mice and immunized with mlL-21 tumor vaccine at the same time, benefit the proliferation of transferred effective cells and immune cells itself, assist to form and sustain special anti-tumor effects.

Objective To demonstrate the relationship between Cdc20 mutation and the promotion of colon cancer via Cdc20loxp/+ APCmin/+ villin-cre+/-compound mutant mice.Methods Cdc20loxp/+ APCmin/+ villin-cre+/-compound mutant mice and APCmin/+ mutant mice were generated by mice mating strategy.The colon tumors of two group mice were compared by phenotypic analysis and histology analysis.Results Phenotypic analysis showed that the number of tumors in Cdc20loxp/+ APCmin/+ villin-cre+/-compound mutant mice group and APCmin/+ mutant mice group was 1.2±0.5 and 1.6±0.5, respectively (t =0.215, P =0.588), and the maximum diameter of tumors was (2.7±0.3) cm and (2.5±0.2) cm, respectively (t =0.568, P =0.575).Pathologic type of Cdc20loxp/+ APCmin/+ villin-cre+/-compound mutant mice was adenocarcinoma, while that of APCmin/+ mice was tubular adenoma.Conclusion Cdc20 carrying a null allele can accelerate the promotion of colon cancer in APCmin/+ mice without influence on the tumor number and size.

Objective To explore the effect of postasphyxial-serum in neonate on the expressions of Bcl-2-antagonist of cell death(BAD)and Bcl-2-associated X protein(BAX)in renal tubular cells(HK-2).Methods HK-2 cells were used as target cells.The experiment were divided into control group,asphyxia group and pyrrolodine dithiocarbamate(PDTC)blocking group.Control group:DMEM culture fluid was not contained asphyxia blood serum in every group;asphxia group:DMEM culture fluid contained 20 mL/L asphyxia blood serum in every group;PDTC blocking group:DMEM culture fluid contained 20 mL/L asphyxia blood serum and 40 ?mol/L PDTC in every group.The expressions of both BAD and BAX on cytoplast were detected by immunohistochemical method.Results Calculated Points according to HSCORE,compared with controls group[(1.97?0.26)and(1.77?0.11)],after stimulated with postasphyxial-serum,the expressions of both BAD and BAX of HK-2 cells of asphyxia group[(2.73?0.20)and(2.44?0.13)] and PDTC blocking group[(2.38?0.13)and(2.17?0.08)] significantly increased[F(BAD)=28.61,F(BAX)=15.51 Pa

OBJECTIVETo examine and analyze semen quality and sperm ultrastructural characteristics of infertile patients with varicocele.

METHODSThis study included 118 infertile patients with varicocele (the VC group) and 76 normal semen donors (the control group). We obtained routine semen parameters, seminal plasma biochemical markers and the levels of reproductive hormones in the subjects, and observed the changes in sperm structure under the scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control, the VC patients showed significantly decreased sperm concentration, sperm progressive motility, sperm viability (P < 0.05), but no remarkable difference in semen volume and non-progressive motility (P > 0.05). The concentrations of zinc and alpha-glycoside enzyme in the seminal plasma were markedly reduced in the VC group in comparison with the controls (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the level of fructose (P > 0.05), nor in such seminal plasma biochemical markers as FSH, LH, T and E2 between the two groups (P > 0.05). The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was dramatically lower in the VC than in the control group ([56.76 +/- 15.32]% vs [12.34 +/- 6.58]%, P < 0.05), and the sperm deformities were mostly in the head and neck, mainly tapering pin head accompanied by complex abnormal differentiation.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that VC may lead to oligo-astheno-terato zoospermia, and hence male infertility, which may be attributed to the changes of seminal plasma microenvironment and sperm ultrastructure.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; ultrastructure ; Varicocele ; complications ; pathology

Oroxylum indicum was a traditional Chinese medicine. In order to study the chemical constituents from the seed of O. indicum, the chemical constituents of 80% methanol extract of seeds of O. indicum were subjected to chromatography on silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and preparative HPLC, leading to the isolation of eleven compounds. The structures were identified by various spectroscopic data including ESI-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR data as oroxin B (1), chrysin (2), baicalein (3), neglectein (4), quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopy ranoside (5), quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6), 2α,3β-dihydroxylluPeol (7), lupeol (8), rengyol (9), β-sitostero (10), and stigmasterol (11). Among them, compound 5 were firstly obtained from O. indicum.
Bignoniaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Seeds ; chemistry

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation combined with endurance resistance exercises in treating female with chronic neck pain, and explore the mechanism. Methods: A total of 57 female patients with chronic neck pain who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a manipulation group (29 cases) and a medium-frequency electrotherapy group (28 cases). Patients in both groups received the same endurance exercise therapy, while those in the manipulation group received additional tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation, and those in the medium-frequency electrotherapy group received additional medium-frequency electrotherapy. Both groups were treated for 5 weeks. Before and after treatment, the neck function of patients was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), Analgesy-Meter, Northwick Park questionnaire (NPQ), root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of surface electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle and posterior cervical extensor muscle, and the patients were followed up at a month after treatment. Results: All patients completed the treatment and were followed up. Compared with the same group before treatment, the VAS scores of both groups decreased, the tenderness values increased, the RMS and MF values increased, and the NPQ scores decreased after treatment (all P<0.05). The improvement of manipulation group was more notable than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy group (all P<0.05). At one-month follow-up, the VAS and NPQ scores of the manipulation group were lower than those before and after treatment, and the VAS and NPQ scores of the medium-frequency electrotherapy group were only lower than those before treatment; the two scores of the manipulation group were lower than those of the medium-frequency electrotherapy group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Tendon-regulating and bone-setting manipulation combined with endurance resistance exercises can relieve neck pain and cervical dysfunction in female patients with chronic neck pain. The efficacy of this method is more durable and better than that of medium-frequency electrotherapy combined with endurance exercises.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Senecionis Scandentis Hebra and their protective effects on cardiomyocyte.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract of S.scandens was isolated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,MCI and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The protective effects of all compounds were tested on myocardial cells H9c2.RESULTS Seven compounds were isolated and identified as(R)-seneterniol(1),(1S,10S),(4S,5S)-germacrone-1(10),4-diepoxide(2),12-hydroxy-cyperone(3),urcumenone(4),isopterchiayione(5),curcumadione(6),gibberodione(7).The survival rates of H9c2 cells in compounds 2-3 and 5 were(75.2±0.54)%,(66.4±0.79)%,(59.7±0.91)%,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new compound.Compounds 2-7 are isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 2-3,5 have protective effects on cardiomyocyte.