Objective To study the long term results of thoracolumbar fractures treatment with AF (atlas fixator) pedicle system. Methods The clinical results of 60 cases of thoracolumbar fractures treated with AF pedicle system from 1996 2000 were analyzed retrospectively. Results The follow ups lasted from 3 to 6 years, averaging 4 years. The neurological function improved by at least 2 ASIA grades in 27 cases and by 1 ASIA grade in 33 cases. The correction of the vertebral body height averaged 95.1%, and the correction loss averaged 19.7%. Degeneration and narrowing of the disc space next to the fractured vertebrae were common, and correction loss was most evident at the upper disc spaces. Conclusions The AF pedicle system can achieve good long term clinical results for the recovery of neurological function and the vertebral body height. But the rates of implant failure and correction loss are still high probably due to deficiency of bone grafting and delayed implant removal.

Objective To evaluate the effects of leucocyte-depleting filtration on systemic inflammatory response in patients undergoing valve surgery. Methods Fifty-two patients underwent elective mitral valve or mitral and aortic valves replacement surgery in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Each group (n=26) was placed on the same cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit except for the arterial line filter. One group of patients (CG) used the TERUMO ordinary arterial line filter as a control, and the Pall LG-6 leucocyte-depleting arterial line filter and TERUMO ordinary arterial line filter were incorporated into the arterial line of extracorporeal circuit in a parallel way in the EG. The leukocyte-depleting filters were used from 5-10 minutes before aortic cross clamp release to the end of CPB. Intra- and postoperative variables consist of leucocyte counts, serum levels of cytokines and complement C_3, body temperature and the usage of antibiotics. Statistical analysis with indepent-samples t-tests, paired-samples t-test, correlate and chi-square (SPSS11.5) was performed on all data to test for significant differences. A P value of

This paper reviews and analyzes 50 articles concerning the treatment of climacteric syndrome by acupuncture and moxibustion therapries. The therapies were single acupuncture, acupuncture combining other methods, auricular-plaster therapy, and some other therapies. Clear diagnostic criteria were found in 39 articles, and the most common-used criteria were Combination of TCMand Western Medicine Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Kupperman Index Scoring and Criterion of Diagnosis and Treatment Effect of TCM Diseases and Syndrome. All together 2946 cases were treated, and the therapeutic effect rates ranged from 58.1% to 100%. There were control group in 16 articles. The syndromes have been classified as 27 types in 15 articles, including type of yin-deficiency of the liver and the kidney, yang-deficiency of the spleen and the kidney, yang-deficiency of the kidney, yindeficiency of the kidney, disharmony between the heart and the kidney, and the liver stagnation, etc.Some effects have been got in treating female climacteric syndrome with acupuncture and moxibustion therapy, however, there were fewer strict randomized controlled trials (RCT).

Objective: This study was undertaken to explore the effect of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) on failing heart after myocardial ischemia. By detecting the changes of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels within 6 hours after the implantation of LVAD, we review the basis on which neurohormones may be used to determine prognoses of failing heart and choose an optimal predictor. Methods: 15 adult healthy dogs were divided into 3 groups randomly. The LVAD was implanted in LA-AO bypass in all three groups. Myocardial ischemia was induced by ligating the main left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). In group A, after a ligation of 10 minutes, the myocardium was reperfused for 6 hours. In group B, after a ligation of 40 minutes, the myocardium was reperfused for 6 hours. In group C, after a ligation of 40 minutes, the LVAD was used for LV support for 6 hours. Results: After 6 hours reperfusion,in group C, the hemodynamics was significantly improved, the ANP, BNP and cTnI were return to normal level, and myocardial ultrastructure was recovered significantly. While in group B, the hemodynamic, the neurohormones, and myocardial ultrastructure were worse. Relational analysis demonstrated that ANP and cTnI levels were influenced by hemodynamics obviously, but there was a weak relationship between circulating BNP and hemodynamics. Plasma BNP level was able to identify the cardiac function status. Conclusion: LVAD can be beneficial to improve cardiac function and can reduce the plasma levels of ANP, BNP and cTnI. Plasma BNP level can identify the cardiac function status. Those findings indicated that plasma BNP determination provides important prognostic information about cardiac function and may be a better prognostic indicator.

Objective To evaluate the risk factors for the postoperative acute renal failure requiring dialysis (ARF-D)after heart valve surgery. Methods Adult patients (age≤18 years) underwent valve surgery with preoperative serum creatinine ＜300 μmol/L were included between January 2005 and December 2008. Fifty patients developed ARF-D within 30 days postoperatively (ARF-D group). While random 220 patients had the same operation without ARF-D served as the control group. Univariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify risk factors of ARF-D after valve surgery.Results The incidence of ARF-D was 1.78%, and the early mortality rate was 65.5%. Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors of ARF-D: age, previous cardiac surgery, preoperative serum creatinine, NYHA class Ⅳ,and low cardiac output syndrome. ARF-D group had a longer hospital stay and ICU stay than that of the control group ( P ＜0.001 ). Conclusion Conclusion ARF-D had a higher mortality rate and longer hospital stay following heart valve surgery.Age, previous cardiac surgery, preoperative serum creatinine, NYHA class Ⅳ, and low cardiac output syndrome were the independent risk factors of ARF-D after heart valve surgery.

Objective: To investigate the possible pathogenesis and report the postoperative results of the late tricuspid regurgitation (TR) after left cardiac valve replacement. Methods: 56 patients developed severe TR after left cardiac valve replacement, including 10 patients with normal prosthesis valve function (group A) and 46 patients with prosthesis valve dysfunction (group B). Four patients underwent mitral valve replacement (MVR) and 6 patients underwent mitral and aortic valve replacement (DVR) in group A. In group B, 36 patients received MVR, 4 aortic valve replacement (AVR) and 6 DVR. Ten patients underwent tricuspid De Vega annuloplasty and 46 patients' tricuspid valves were normal during the initial operation. The surgical treatment of tricuspid valve included tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) in 9 and tricuspid valve plasty (TVP) in 47 at the second operation. Results: Two patients died postoperatively with hospital mortality of 3.6%. The 54 survivors were followed up from 6 to 132 months, mean 79.4 months. The heart function improved significantly in 8 after TVR and 40 after TVP. However, echocardiography showed moderate TR in 5 and severe TR in 1 patient after TVP and medical treatment was needed. Conclusion: The sustained pulmonary hypertension, irreversible right heart impairment, resumption of left ventricular function and sustained atrial fibrillation may be responsible for the development of late TR after left cardiac valve replacement. TVR may achieve a reliable result for severe functional TR and rheumatic tricuspid valve lesion. In some patients with TVP during the follow up, the TR might become more serious.

Objective To investigate the protein expression of cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 and matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and their correlation in human gastric carcinoma.Methods The protein expression of COX-2 and MMP-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry in tumor tissues and adjacent cancerous tissues (3 cm and 6 cm away from tumor margin) of 30 patients with gastric cancer,and in gastric mucosa of 10 healthy individuals.Results Expression of COX-2 was found in cancer cells of 26 out of 30 cases (86.67%),which was significantly higher than that in normal control (0 of 10,P

Objective: To explore the application of extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch for the resection of large sphenoid ridge meningioma. Methods: Thirty-three patients with large sphenoid ridge meningioma underwent operation using the extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch. Twenty patients with large sphenoid ridge meningioma received operation with the traditional pterional approach as the control. The resection rate, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were compared between the groups. Results: Two groups of patients underwent craniotomy under microscope. The Simpon grade I resection and grade Ⅱ resection rate was 93.9％ in the cutting of the zygomatic arch approach group and 60.0％ in the control group (P<0.01). The operative time was (325.2±121.3) min in the cutting of the zygomatic arch approach group, which was significantly shorter than that in the control group with (406.4±182.9) min (P<0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was (502.5±101.8) mL and (697.7±115.4) mL in the two groups (P<0.05). In addition, postoperative complication rate was 15.2％ and 45.0％ in the cutting the zygomatic arch approach group and the control group, respectively (P<0.05). No death was reported in both groups. Conclusion: Extensive pterional approach combined with cutting of the zygomatic arch can fully expose the anatomical structures of the skull base and the sellar region to eliminate the influence of temporal muscle in the exposure of the surgical area. The operative field is exposed to reduce the stretch injury to only the frontotemporal brain tissue, which might be helpful for the complete resection of large sphenoid ridge meningioma, and is more conducive to neurovascular anatomy and relevant functional protection.

Objective: To sieve the bioactive constituents of Radix Puerariae,serum pharmacochemistry research was performed.Method: Based on the establishment of HPLC fingerprints of Radix Puerariae,the constituents absorbed into blood were determined by comparing the HPLC fingerprints of the methanol extracts,tested serum samples and blank serum sample.Results: Four compounds absorbed into blood were detected,among which two were original constituents of Radix Puerariae(including puerarin),the other might be metabolites of the original constituents.Conclusion: These four constituents absorbed into blood were possible bioactive components of Radix Puerariae.Further studies on them will help clarify the bioactive constituents and mechanisms of Radix Puerariae.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of segmental hepatectomy for intrahepatic bile duct stones.Methods In this study, 414 patients suffering from intrahepatic bile duct stones underwent hepatectomy from Jan 1981 to Dec 2001. Stones distribution, operation modality,postoperative complication and therapeutic effect were evaluated. Results Postoperative complications occurred in 72 cases(17.4%), mortality was 0.7%. A follow up of 2 to 22 years was achieved in 305 patients (73.7%), with excellent or good result in 88.9%, residual stone in 15.7%,and stone recurrence in 4.6%.Conclusion Appropriate use of hepatectomy is effective for the treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones.