OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects between unilateral decompression technique only and open decompression technique with fusion and internal fixation for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to February 2011, 82 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were treated with operations, and divided into two groups. There were 13 males and 19 females in group A, with a mean age of (56.31±4.31) years old. The patients in group A were treated with unilateral decompression via fenestration technique only, including 23 patients obtaining single level decompression and 9 patients obtaining two levels decompression. In group B, there were 18 males and 32 females, with a mean age of (57.53±4.28) years old. The patients in group B were treated with open decompressive technique with fusion and internal fixation, including 38 patients obtaining single level decompression and 12 patients obtaining two levels decompression. The VAS of back pain and leg pain, ODI were recorded before and after surgery to evaluate low back pain,leg pain and walking tolerance.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 10.9 to 43.4 months,with a mean of 32.8 months. There were no differences in age, stenosis level, VAS of back and leg pain and ODI before surgery between two groups. Compared with the corresponding ones in group B, the operation time, blood loss, hospitalization time,recovery time of routine daily life and finacial expenditure of patients were all shorter or less in group A. There was no statistically difference in complications between two groups.

CONCLUSION"Unilateral decompression via fenestration technique" is a less invasive and more effective decompressive technique for degenerative spinal stenosis without posterior elements damage. It has advantages in operation time, blood loss, hospitalization time, recovery to daily life and financial expenditure. When controlling the operative indications strictly, the technique could be an important procedure for surgical treatment of degenerative spinal stenosis, especially in the elderly population.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Stenosis ; surgery

BACKGROUND:The bispectral (BIS) index is a processed electroencephalogram (EEG) parameter with extensive validation and demonstrated clinical utility. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the BIS index and the prognosis of patients with coma in the ICU. METHODS:A total of 208 patients with coma in the ICU were enrolled in this study. According to the BIS value, the patients were divided into four groups:group I, BIS value 0 to 20; group Ⅱ, BIS value 21 to 40; group Ⅲ, BIS value 41 to 60; and group IV, BIS value greater than 60. The difference in BIS values with the differences in prognosis of patients with coma was compared between the four groups, and the prognosis of patients with coma was stratified into consciousness, coma, vegetative state, and brain death. Subsequently, the best cut-off score of BIS values calculated for determining the correlation between BIS value and mental state was proposed. RESULTS:There are no significant differences in the age and APACHE Ⅱ scores between the four groups (P>0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between BIS value and mental state (r=–0.749, P=0.00). According to the ROC curve, as BIS value was greater than 42.5, there were higher sensitivity and specificity in conscious-coma patients. CONCLUSION:BIS value is correlated with the prognosis of patients with coma in ICU, and BIS value can be a useful marker for estimating the prognosis of comatose patients.

The hexane extract from marine actinomycetes 124092 showed potent inhibition on B16 cell line by MTT assay. The hexane extract was fractionationed on silica gel column by vacuum liquid chromatography to afford 6 fractions(Fr1~Fr6), and Fr6 showed cytotoxic activity. To determine the bioacitve components of hexane extract, Fr6 was analyzed by GC/MS. The main components were identified as palmitic acid (11.76%), oleic acid (12.16%), linoleic acid (14.77%), and lactobacillic acid (61.31%). It have been reported that palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid possess cytotoxic activity on rat ascites tumor cells and linoleic acid have suppressive effect on human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

NDV strain ZJ1 strain , a highly virulent NDV strain, has been prevalent among the waterfowls in China mainland in the past years. Multi-basic amino acid sequence distribute in the protease cleavage site of F protein of this strain. Recombinant expressing plasmid pCI-FT, was generated by converting multi-basic amino acid sequence of 112, 115, 117 of the protease cleavage site of F_ 0 protein, to the non-basic amino acid sequence characteristic of avirulent NDV strain. The result from co-expression of mutant or parental F protein with homologous HN protein in COS-1 cells revealed that both mutant and parental F protein had fusion activity. The result from co-expression of mutant or parental F protein with homologous HN protein in CEF cells showed that the cleavage activity of mutant F protein was significantly reduced. The study built a foundation for mutagenesis of amino acid sequence of the protease cleavage site of F_ 0 protein at the full-length cDNA clone level, study on factors contributing to virulence and construction of candidate vaccine strain, and so on.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) of lung qi deficiency and cold syndrome between Jin's three-needle therapy and western medication.

METHODSSixty-six patients were randomized into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 33 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied at three-nose points [Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8) and Yintang (GV 29); Cuanzhu (BL 2) was added for frontal headache] and three-back points [Dazhu (BL 11), Fengmen (BL 12) and Feishu (BL 13)], once every day. Ten treatments made one session. Two sessions of treatment were required. In the western medication group, desloratadine oral suspension was prescribed, 5 mg each time, once a day, for 20 days. The scores of the symptoms and physical signs in AR patients as well as the clinical efficacy were observed between the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.9% (31/33) in the acupuncture group, which was better than 72.7% (24/33) in the western medication group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the scores of AR symptoms and physical signs as well as the total score were all reduced compared with those before treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The score of every item in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the western medication group after treatment (score of symptoms: 4.70 +/- 2.07 vs 6.55 +/- 2. 69, score of physical signs: 0.85 +/- 0.67 vs 1.45 +/- +0.62, total score: 5.36 +/- 2.70 vs 8.00 +/- 2.91, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJin's three-needle therapy achieves superior efficacy on AR of lung-qi deficiency and cold syndrome, which is better than desloratadine oral suspension.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Needles ; Qi ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Young Adult

Eight fragments were amplified and cloned into pCR2.1 vector with the designed primers.The fragments,amplified with primer Ⅰ to Ⅶ,were subcloned into transcription vector to construct the plasmid pNDVZJI which contained the full-length cDNA of NDV ZJI strain.The eukaryotic expression vector pCI-L was constructed by subcloning the fragments,amplified with the primer Ⅴ,Ⅵ and Ⅷ,into the expression vector pCI-neo.The full-length cDNA clone,pNDVZJI,with three helper plasmids,pCI-NP、pCI-P and pCI-L,were cotranfected into BSR-T7/5 cell expressing T7 RNA polymerase.After inoculation of transfected cell culture into embryonated chicken eggs from specific pathogen free(SPF)flock,The NDV of ZJI strain was rescued successfully,which laid a good foundation for the further related research.

Squalene synthase (SQS) is a key enzyme in plant terpenoid biosynthetic pathway. This study focused on cloning and analysis of Huperzia serrata SQS (HsSQS1) gene. After searching the transcriptome dataset of H serrata, one unique sequence encoding SQS was discovered. The primers were designed according to the transcript sequence of HsSQS1 from the H. serrata transcriptome dataset. The open reading frame of HsSQS1 was cloned using RT-PCR strategy. The bioinformatic analysis of this gene and its corresponding protein were performed. The cDNA (named as HsSQS1) contains a 1263 bp open reading frame and encodes a predicted protein of 420 amino acids. The GenBank accession number for this gene is JQ004938. HsSQS1 contains two transmembrane regions, without signal peptide. The conserved domain of squalene synthase was presented in HsSQS1. HsSQS1 was more abundant in H. serrata root than in leaf and stem. This study cloned and analyzed squalene synthase gene from H. serrata for the first time. The result will provide a foundation for exploring the mechanism ofterpenoid biosynthesis in H. serrata plants.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Expressed Sequence Tags ; Farnesyl-Diphosphate Farnesyltransferase ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Genes, Plant ; genetics ; Huperzia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Open Reading Frames ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; enzymology ; Plant Roots ; enzymology ; Plant Stems ; enzymology ; Plants, Medicinal ; enzymology ; genetics ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mandibular bone mineral density (BMD) change of senile osteoporosis patients and the relationship between the mandible bone loss and systemic bone loss.

METHODSForty senile osteoporotic patients (group A), 40 non-osteoporosis control elders (group B) and 40 healthy youths (group C) were included in this study. Standard digital panoramic tomography (SDPTG) was taken for each participant. Cortical width (CW), panoramic mandibular index (PMI), alveolar bone density and alveolar bone height were measured on the SDPTG. Lumbar and hip BMD were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

RESULTSClose relationship was found between CW (3.57 +/- 0.82) and systemic BMD for osteoporosis patients (P < 0.05). All the SDPTG indices including CW, PMI, alveolar bone density and alveolar bone height were different for osteoporosis patients from the healthy youths (P < 0.05). The osteoporosis patients had thinner CW (3.57 +/- 0.82) and smaller PMI (0.29 +/- 0.06) than non-osteoporosis control elders (CW: 4.07 +/- 0.75, PMI: 0.32 +/- 0.07, P < 0.05). The alveolar bone density (105.40 +/- 20.48) and alveolar bone height (10.42 +/- 1.82) of the non-osteoporosis control elders reduced compared with the healthy youths (alveolar bone density: 117.10 +/- 22.23, alveolar bone height: 11.69 +/- 1.63, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe senile osteoporotic patients had significant mandibular cortical bone loss.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography, Panoramic

AIM:To observe the effects of vitamin D on the apoptosis ,prolyl isomerase 1(Pin1)protein ex-pression and activity ,mitochondrial translocation of p 66Shc,and reactive oxygen species(ROS)production in high glu-cose-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs),and to explore the role of vitamin D receptor(VDR)in these processes.METHODS:HUVECs were treated with high glucose(33 mmol/L)in the presence or absence of vita-min D or Pin1 inhibitor juglone.The cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and TUNEL staining.Intracellular ROS levels were examined by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy.The protein levels of Pin1,p66Shc,p-p66Shc,mito-chondria to cytoplasm ratio of p66Shc,and caspase-3 in HUVECs were measured by Western blot.Pin1 activity in HU-VECs lysate was assessed by a commercial kit.Knockdown of VDR by siRNA was conducted to evaluate the role of VDR in the regulatory effects of vitamin D on Pin 1 protein expression and activity in HUVECs under high-glucose condition.RE-SULTS:Vitamin D suppressed the apoptosis and intracellular ROS generation of HUVECs induced by high glucose(P<0.05).Vitamin D inhibited high glucose-induced upregulation of Pin1 protein expression and activity(P<0.05).Vita-min D inhibited the phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of p 66Shc and caspase-3 protein expression induced by high glucose(P<0.05).Knockdown of VDR by siRNA abolished the inhibitory effects of vitamin D on high glucose-in-duced upregulation of Pin 1 protein expression and activity.CONCLUSION:Vitamin D alleviates high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis by inhibition of Pin 1 protein expression and activity ,and attenuation of p66Shc-mediated mito-chondrial oxidative stress ,which are dependent on VDR activation.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the kinetics of hematopoietic cell chimerism in the early period after non-myeloablative stem cell transplantation (NAST) and to investigate the correlation between molecular and hematologic assessment of engraftment or rejection.

METHODShort tandem repeat-polymerase chain reaction (STR-PCR) analysis of chimerism status was carried out in 6 patients who received NAST from HLA-matched sibling donors.

RESULTSIn 5/6 patients, the peripheral blood samples collected on the first day after allograft infusion displayed the presence of mixed chimerism. STR-PCR analysis revealed a gradual increase of the donor-specific allelic signal which became dominant over the recipient-specific allele by day +7. On day +14, hematologic chimerisms were completely donor origin. Their molecular engraftments (ME) were detected at a median time of 6 days, preceding hematologic engraftment by a median of 5 days (P > 0.05). But the sixth patient showed more than 50% host residual cells on day +7 and had no signs of ME on day +14.

CONCLUSIONIt suggested that molecular monitoring of the early dynamics of chimerism after NAST could be useful in predicting engraftment, or rejection. If the engraftment was less than 50% on day +7 and failed to get ME on day +14, the graft rejection would occur.

Adult ; Graft Rejection ; Graft vs Host Disease ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tandem Repeat Sequences ; Transplantation Chimera ; Transplantation, Homologous