BACKGROUND:Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation has been applied in the treatment of thoracolumbar fracture,and has achieved satisfactory clinical efficacy.Injectable calcium sulfate holds good biocompatibility,degradability and fast curing.OBJECTIVE:To explore the clinical efficacy of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement for single-level thoracolumbar fracture.METHODS:Clinical data of 40 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were analyzed retrospectively.All fractured vertebrae were compressed more than 30％ and at least one pedicle was complete.All patients were treated with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement.The Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores were recorded at baseline,3 months postoperatively and last follow-up;the height of the fractured vertebra body and sagittal Cobb angle were measured on X-ray;the patient's satisfaction and healing rate were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The Oswestry Disability Index at 3 months postoperatively and last follow-up was 16.3％ and 4.4％,respectively.Compared with baseline,the Cobb angle and Visual Analog Scale scores were significantly reduced,and height of the fractured vertebra body was significantly increased after surgery (P ＜ 0.01).(3) The healing rate at last follow-up was 95％,nonunion was not found,and the patients' satisfaction reached 95％.(4) The loss of vertebral height and Cobb angle was found at last follow-up compared with 3 months postoperatively,but had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).(5) These results indicate that percutaneous pedicle screw fixation combined with calcium sulfate cement is safe and reliable for single-level thoraclumbar fracture,which not only restores the vertebral height and relieves pain,but also has satisfactory long-term curative efficacy and high healing rate.

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar fracture is most common seen in spinal fractures. The paraspinal muscle is subjected to extensive detachment and traction in traditional posterior approach, so the muscular ischemia and denervation lead to muscle atrophy further inducing intractable low back pain. Thereafter, minimally invasive spinal surgery becomes more and more popular.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement for single-level thoracolumbar fracture.METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were analyzed retrospectively, and were then assigned to observation (n=28) and control groups (n=24) according to the treatment method. The patients in the observation group were treated with pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement, and those in the control group were subjected to pedicle screw fixation through posterior approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement. The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time were compared between two groups. The low back pain was observed at baseline, 1 week and 3 months postoperatively, and the percentage of anterior vertebral height revealed on X-ray was observed at baseline, before ambulation, and during last follow-up. Moreover, the complications, loosening and rupture of the screws were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 16-24 months. (2) The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The postoperative visual analogue scale scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery, and the scores showed significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). (4) The percentage of anterior vertebral height before ambulation and during last follow-up in the two groups was significantly improved, and the percentage showed significant difference between two groups at each time point (P < 0.05). (5) These findings suggest that based on strict indications, the pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement is safe for single-level thoracolumbar fracture, which restores the anterior vertebral height rapidly, alleviates pain and exhibits satisfactory long-term efficacy. Furthermore, it holds shorter operation time and less blood loss than the traditional approach.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of paeoniflorin ( PF) on APP/PS1 mice, and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS:Fifteen male 5-month-old APP/PS1 non-dominant mice were chosen as normal control group, 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used as model group, and 15 male 5-month-old APP/PS1 double transgenic mice treated with 5 mg/kg PF by intraperitoneal injection were allocated in administation group. The learning and memory ability of the mice in each group was detected by Morris water maze. The apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL fluorescence staining. The protein expression of PI3K, Akt, p-PI3K, p-Akt, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was detected by Western Blot. The protein expression levels and distribution of caspase-3 and caspase-9 were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:(1) Compared with nor-mal control group, the learning and memory ability declined in APP/PS1 model group. Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF obviously improve the ability of learning and memory in mice. (2) Compared with normal control group, the ap-optosis of nerve cells in APP/PS1 model group significantly increased and distributed in wider areas, while that in PF group was reduced (P<0.05). (3) Compared with APP/PS1 model group, PF could significantly lower pro-apoptotic factors, caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax (P<0.05), and increase the expression of anti-apoptotic factors, p-PI3K, p-Akt and Bcl-2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:PF can up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulate the expression levels of caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax via the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway, thereby inhibiting the nerve cell apoptosis and pro-tecting the nerve cells, so as to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the symptoms and lower airway inflammatory factors of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), and to observe the effect of nasal irrigation in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. METHOD: Sixty-one cases diagnosed as AR after skin prick test (SPT)were selected and randomly divided into three groups: 17 patients in group A used nasal steroid spray; 21 cases in group B used nasal irrigation; 23 patients in group C combined ir rigation with nasal steroid. Before and after 3 months treatment, nasal visual analogue scale (VAS) score, rhino conjunctivtis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) values were observed and compared in each group. RESULT: Before treatment, there is no statistically difference between three groups (P > 0.05). After 3 months of treatment, VAS, RQLQ, FENO of all patients was significantly decreased (P < 0.05); VAS, RQLQ score was not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05), FENO value has no statistically significant difference between group A and group B (P > 0.05), but were less than that in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation can ameliorate nasal symptoms, improve quality of life, decrease lower airway inflammation of allergic rhinitis patients. Nasal irrigation is an effective treatment of allergic rhinitis. Nasal irrigation combined with nasal steroid can achieve more significant efficacy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Lavage ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; China ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Neoplasm Staging ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; methods ; trends

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of penile ventral Z-shaped cross flap and penile dorsal pedicled transfer flap in penoplasty for concealed penis.Methods:From January 2017 to June 2019, the data of 151 patients with concealed penis admitted to our hospital was retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the surgical method. 69 cases were treated with penis ventral Z-shaped cross flap to form penis and 82 cases were treated with dorsal penis pedicled flaps to form the penis. In Z-shaped flap group, the penis length of 33 patients with tight scrotum was (3.06±0.25)cm before surgery and the penis length of 36 patients with relaxed scrotum was (2.99±0.28) cm before surgery. In flap with transfer group, the penis length of 39 patients with tight scrotum was (3.04±0.30)cm before surgery and the penis of 43 patients with relaxed scrotum was (3.04±0.24)cm before surgery. The length of the penis after surgery and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between Z-shaped flap group and flap with transfer group. Common complications included penile body retraction, foreskin edema, foreskin stenosis and penile wound splitting.Results:151 patients were followed up for 6-12 months, and all patients were satisfied with penis appearance. There was no penile necrosis or urinary fistula. In Z-shaped flap cross group, the penis length of 33 patients with tight scrotum extended (2.47±0.22)cm after surgery.The penis length of 36 patients with scrotum relaxation extended (2.61±0.27)cm after surgery, 39 patients was adopted the penile dorsal pedicled transfer flap with scrotum tight had extended penis (2.90± 0.16)cm, which significantly different from the Z-shaped flap group( P<0.05). In flap with transfer group, 43 patients with relaxed scrotum extended (2.79±0.18)cm after surgery, which was significantly different from the Z-shaped flap group ( P<0.05). In Z-shaped flap group, 33 patients with scrotum tight, there were 2 cases of penile retraction, 1 case of stenosis of the foreskin, 2 cases of foreskin edema, 2 cases of penile wound rupture. In transfer flap group, of 39 patients with scrotum tight, there was 1 case of foreskin edema. The incidence of complications that adopted the penile dorsal pedicled transfer flap with scrotum tight was lower than those adopted penile ventral Z-shaped cross flap [2.56%(1/39) vs. 21.21%(7/33), P=0.033]. In transfer flap group, of the 43 patients with scrotum relaxation, there were 3 cases of penile retraction, 3 cases of foreskin stenosis, 2 cases of penile ventral foreskin edema, and 1 case of penile wound rupture. Z-shaped flap group: 36 patients was scrotum relaxation was 1 case of foreskin edema. The incidence of complications that adopted the penile dorsal pedicled transfer flap was higer than those adopted penile ventral Z-shaped flap [20.93%(9/43) vs. 2.78%(1/36), P =0.038]. Conclusions:In terms of children with tight scrotum or loose scrotum, the effect of the transfer flap method to extend the penis is better than that of the Z-shaped flap method. However, the transfer flap method has a low complication rate for children with tight scrotum, while the Z-shaped flap method has a low complication rate for children with loose scrotum.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of melatonin on proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblasts in human hypertrophic scar and its mechanism.

METHODSFibroblasts from human hypertrophic scar were isolated and cultured with DMEM medium containing 10% FBS, and then they were divided into control (C, added with ethanol), low concentration (LC, added with 1 × 10(-5) mmol/L melatonin), middle concentration (MC, added with 1 × 10(-3) mmol/L melatonin), and high concentration (HC, added with 1 mmol/L melatonin) groups according to the random number table. After being cultured for 24 hours, cell morphologic change was observed under microscope; XTT-PMS assay was used to examine cell proliferative activity; cell cycle and apoptosis were assessed with flow cytometry after double staining of FITC and PI, and the levels of cyclin E, p53, and Fas mRNA were determined with fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. Data were processed with analysis of variance and LSD test.

RESULTS(1) Fibroblasts in C group were spindle-shaped with growth in colonies. Along with the increase in melatonin concentration, fibroblasts in LC, MC, and HC groups gradually dispersed, deformed and atrophied, with shrunk cellular membrane, and decrease in ratio of nucleus and cytoplasm. (2) Proliferative activity of fibroblasts in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration (1.49 ± 0.15, 1.24 ± 0.20, and 0.92 ± 0.09), which were lower that in C group (1.79 ± 0.10, F = 67.61, P < 0.05). Cell ratios of S and G2/M phases in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, which were all lower than those in C group [(10.6 ± 1.1)%, (6.1 ± 1.2)%, (3.2 ± 0.8)% vs.(16.9 ± 1.3)%, F = 286.10, P < 0.05; (13.5 ± 1.1)%, (9.8 ± 1.0)%, (6.0 ± 0.7)% vs. (16.7 ± 1.6)%, F = 162.69, P < 0.05]. Apoptotic rates in early and late stages of LC, MC, and HC groups increased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, all higher than those in C group (with F value respectively 424.05, 236.44, P values all below 0.05). The expressions of cyclin E mRNA in LC, MC, and HC groups decreased along with an increase in melatonin concentration, which were lower than that in C group (1.58 ± 0.21, 0.90 ± 0.20, and 0.24 ± 0.12 vs. 2.90 ± 0.30, F = 266.79, P < 0.05), while the expressions of p53 mRNA and Fas mRNA showed opposite tendency (with F value respectively 10.11, 12.03, P values all below 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMelatonin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of fibroblasts in hypertrophic scar through regulating the gene expressions of cyclin E, p53, and Fas.

Adult ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin E ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the trend of total cancer mortality in Linqu County Shandong Province from 1980 to 2002.

METHODSA retrospective survey on all causes of death in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002 was conducted in Linqu County, a high risk area of gastric cancer in Northeast of China, respectively.

RESULTSThe cancer death, was found the third leading cause of death in 1980 - 1982 in Linqu County, and the second to that of vascular disease in 2000 - 2002. The cancer mortality (standardized mortality) was 108.97/100,000 (111.48/100,000), 132.38/100,000 (127.94/100,000) and 148.48/100,000 (105.53/100,000) in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002, respectively. The trend of cancer mortality was significantly increased (Z = 13.42, P < 0.0001). The added cancer-eliminated life expectancy in three periods was 2.46 years, 3.29 years and 3.76 years in male (F = 13.99, P < 0.0001), and 1.67 years, 2.30 and 2.33 years in female (F = 13.61, P < 0.0001), respectively. The standardized mortality of gastric cancer (percentage in all cancer death) was 44.93/100,000 (40.29%), 41.37/100,000 (32.34%) and 27.73/100,000 (26.90%) in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002, respectively. The trend of gastric cancer standardized mortality was significantly reduced (Z = 6.35, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mortality of cancer in Linqu County has been increased from 1980 to 2002, but no such trend was found after adjusting ages. However, there was a decreased trend on standardized mortality of gastric cancer in the past 20 years.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; trends ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo observe dystrophin and utrophin expression in muscle tissues of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) mouse model (dko mouse) after having been treated with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplantation.

METHODSThe fifth generation of MSCs, cultured in vitro, was transplanted into dko mice by tail vein. The fluorescent expression of dystrophin and utrophin in gastrocnemius muscle tissue of dko mouse was detected and the average optical density of positive fibers was calculated.

RESULTSMSCs that had been cultured for three generations had good homogeneousness and the immunological reaction after vein transplantation was low. There was an increasing tendency of dystrophin and utrophin fluorescent expression in sarcolemma of dko mouse within 5-20 weeks. Significant difference existed in fluorescent average optical density of positive fibers fifteen weeks before and after cell transplantation.

CONCLUSIONSMSC has strong plasticity both in vitro and in vivo. MSC has a trend to reach the injured muscle tissues and turn into muscle fibers, which express dystrophin and utrophin. There is some plerosis function for myatrophy of dko mouse by MSC transplantation.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Dystrophin ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Muscle, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne ; metabolism ; surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Utrophin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potentiality of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase transduced endothelial progenitor cells (EPC-TK) as angiogenesis-targeting vector in the glioma treatment in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSEPC-TK were mixed with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), U87 or U251 cells at various ratios for ganciclovir (GCV) treatment. The bystander effect was observed by counting the survival cells using MTT assay, and the apoptotic cells were determined by annexin-V and propidium iodide (PI) staining. EPC-TK, EPCs, or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were injected into the nude mice model of glioma xenograft by tail vein, for the EPC-TK group, EPC group, and PBS group, respectively. And then the changes of tumor volume and tumor vasculature were observed.

RESULTSGCV killed most EPC-TK and reduced the number of other viable cells in a cell:cell ratio-dependent and time-dependent manner. EPC-TK obviously inhibited tumor growth. The tumor volumes on day 21 were 1741.20+/- 576.10 mm(3), 3275.52 +/- 710.86 mm(3) and 3033.09+/-1134.86 mm(3) in the EPC-TK, EPC and PBS group, respectively. EPC-TK also displayed a significant effect on the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

CONCLUSIONEPC-TK can exert a potent antiglioma effect via inhibiting angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Bystander Effect ; Cell Transformation, Viral ; physiology ; Endothelial Cells ; virology ; Endothelium ; Genetic Vectors ; Glioma ; therapy ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Simplexvirus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics ; Transduction, Genetic ; Transfection ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays