OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of PLIF surgery for elderly patients with lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to May 2013, 28 patients with lumbar degenerative disease, aged more than 80 years were treated with PLIF surgery. There were 10 males and 18 females, aged from 80 to 93 years old with an average of (85.44±3.66) years. Course of disease was from 3 to 20 years. The operation time, intra-operative blood loss, operation complications were recorded and JOA scores and Macnab criteria were used to evaluate the clinical outcomes.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 12 to 40 months with an average of 26.5 months. The average operation time was (150.00±26.42) min and the average intra-operative blood loss was (373.33±99.88) ml. The pre-operative JOA score was 12.30±2.43, and the corresponding postoperative JOA score at the final follow-up was 24.81±2.09 which was much higher than the preoperative one (P<0.01). According to the modified Macnab criteria to evaluate at the final follow-up, 16 patients got an excellent result, 10 good, 2 fair. In the weeks postoperatively, injuries of nerve root happened in 3 cases, superficial wound infection with delayed healing in 3 cases, and tear of the dural sac accompanied with cerebrospinal fluid leakage in 1 case. After long term follow-up, adjacent segment degeneration and the corresponding spinal canal stenosis occurred in 1 case at 34 months after operation. All cases got successful fusion without any displacement of internal fixation and pseudoarthrosis formation.

CONCLUSIONWith proper cases, fully preoperative preparation, perfect intra-operative manipulation and active treatment after operation, even advanced ages older than 80 years with lumbar degenerative disease could get satisfactory outcomes after PLIF surgery.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Operative Time ; Spinal Diseases ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; pathology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Genomics ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; genetics ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; genetics

Objective: To explore the relationship between expression of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and electrophysiological heterogeneity in isolated heart tissues and isolated rat ventricular myocytes.The arrhythmogenic mechanisms of TNF-αwere further studied.Methods:Langendorff perfused heart tissues models were used to verify the arrhythmogenic effects of TNF-α.The monophasic action potentials( MAPs) of the endocardium and epicardium from the isolated heart tissues were recorded by elec-trophysiological experiments.The isolated rat ventricular myocytes were obtained by enzymatic dissociation.K+currents(Ito,IK1)were recorded by using whole cell patch clamp technique.Results: Compared to the control group, the difference in MAPD between endocardium and epicardium dramatically increased with TNF-α( P<0.05 ) .TNF-αcould cause MAP duration ( MAPD ) prolongation, and a single dose of TNF-αdifferentially affected the MAPs of endocardium and epicardium of isolated heart tissues.Compared to the control group,the K+currents(Ito,IK1)were dose-dependently decreased with TNF-αin rat ventricular myocytes(P<0.05).However, etanercept had no effects on the MAPD in the absence of TNF-α.Conclusion:TNF-α-induced heterogeneity of MAPD between the endo-cardium and epicardium may provide the substrate for the onset of ventricular arrhythmias during acute myocardial infarction.The effect might be associated with TNF-αcontribute to re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias which resulted from decreased K+currents(Ito,IK1).

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yiqi Wenyang Huoxue Recipe (YWHR) on bone marrow stem cells' mobilization and heart function of myocardial infarction (MI) patients.

METHODSSixty acute MI patients were equally assigned to the treatment group and the control group randomly according to the numeration table. Standard therapy composed of subcutaneous injection of 0.4 mL low molecular heparin every 12 h for 7 successive days combined with continuously orally taken of enteric-coated aspirin tablets 0.1 g, Perindopril 4 mg and Atorvastatin 10 mg once a day (if there was no contraindication), was given to all patients. But to the treatment group, one dose of YWHR was given every day additionally, which consisted of Panax ginseng 10 g, Radix Astragali 15 g, Radix Aconiti lateralis preparata 5 g, Radix Ilex pubesceus 30 g and Herbal Leonuri 10 g for 10 successive days. The change of CD34+ cells' count was observed. The infarcted area size was estimated with QRS scoring system at the end of the 3rd week after onset, and the heart function parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (LVESVI), left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) and wall motion score index (WMSI), were measured with ultrasonic cardiogram.

RESULTSOn the fifth and tenth day, the peripheral CD34+ cell count in the treatment group (48.26 +/- 5.74 and 34.18 +/- 6.70) were significantly higher than that on the day of admission (20.33 +/- 6.01), also higher than the corresponding count in the control group (22.45 +/- 5. 31 and 19.89 +/- 5.93), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). The QRS score (2.68 +/- 0.41) and infarcted area (22.54 +/- 2.49)% in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (3.96 +/- 0. 34 and 29.38 +/- 2.59) respectively. Comparison of heart function parameters between groups showed that LVEF (0.59 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.07) was higher LVEDVI (68.92 +/- 11.52 vs. 78.46 +/- 13.16), LVESVI (27.47 +/- 7.86 vs. 36.71 +/- 8.85), and WMSI (2.10 +/- 0.11 vs. 2.98 +/- 0.12) were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group respectively, also showing statistical difference (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONYWHR has a good effect on bone marrow stem cell mobilization, it can reduce the infarcted area and improve the heart function of patients with acute MI.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Humans ; Injections ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

The chemical investigation on Ganoderma philippii led to the isolation of sixteen compounds by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. On the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were elucidated as 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (1), methyl gentisate (2), (S) -dimethyl malate (3), muurola-4, 10 (14) -dien-11beta-ol (4), dihydroepicubenol (5), 5-hydroxymethylfuran carboxaldehyde (6), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (7), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3-one (8), ergosta-7, 22E-diene-2beta, 3alpha, 9alpha-triol (9), 6/beta-methoxyergo-sta-7, 22E-dien-3beta, 5alpha-diol (10), ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22E-tetraen-3-one (11), ergosta4, 6, 8-(14), 22E-etetraen-3beta-ol (12), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (13), 7alpha-methoxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxyergosta-8-(14), 22E-dien-3beta-ol (14), ergosta-8, 22E-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 7alpha-tetraol (15), and ergosta-5, 23-dien-3beta-ol, acetate (16). All the compounds were obtained from this fungus for the first time, and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from the Ganoderma genus for the first time.
Ganoderma ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification

In the experiment, we designed and synthesized two siRNAs based on the sequence of nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1) mRNA. They were separately subcloned into the plasmid of pSilenCircle (pSC) containing U6 promoter. The pSC-Nurr1 vectors (pSC-N1 and pSC-N2) specific to Nurr1 gene and the negative control vector of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector were constructed. We cultured the dopaminergic cell line MN9D and the verified vectors were transfected with LipofectamineTM 2000 in vitro. The positive cell clones transfected with pSC were obtained after being screened with 500 mug/ml G418. After that, the silencing effects of Nurr1 and TH mRNA or protein were detected by real time RT-PCR and Western blot. The neurite extension of MN9D cells was observed and photographed by inverted microscope. The results showed that Nurr1 mRNA expression in MN9D cells was specifically down-regulated by the vectors of pSC-N1 and pSC-N2, and the silencing effects were 62.3% and 45.6%, respectively. The dopaminergic phenotype of TH mRNA was also suppressed significantly and the silencing effects were 76.3% and 62.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, the expressions of Nurr1 and TH proteins were also significantly suppressed, and the silencing effects of Nurr1 and TH protein were 57.4%, 72.0% and 79.1%, 70.1% respectively. The negative control and liposome groups had no effect on the two genes. In conclusion, Nurr1 shRNA expressing vectors can inhibit the expressions of Nurr1 and TH mRNA or protein in MN9D cells, and Nurr1 might play a role in neurite extension of MN9D cells. Nurr1 shRNA expressing vector may provide a novel applicable strategy for the study on the function of the genes associated with Parkinson disease and the development of dopaminergic neuron.
Cell Line ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Fetus ; Humans ; Mesencephalon ; cytology ; Neurites ; physiology ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; genetics ; metabolism

Relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains a main question on treatment failure.Current strategies for management that usually include salvage chemotherapy,donor lymphocytic infusion and second transplantation.Our study assessed the efficacy of decitabine (DAC) for treating patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who relapsed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 12 patients with relapsed ALL after allo-HSCT who received DAC therapy.Nine patients received DAC combined with chemotherapy and donor stem cell infusion,and 3 patients received single-agent DAC.Ten of the 12 patients achieved complete remission (CR),1 achieved a partial remission (PR),and 1 had no response (NR) after treatment at the latest follow-up (LFU),the median survival was 11.2 months (range,3.8-34,7 months).The 1-and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 50％ (6/12) and 25％ (3/12),respectively.Five patients were still alive;4 had maintained CR and 1 was alive with disease.Patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL had higher survival rate than patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative ALL (57.1％ vs.20％).No aggravated flares of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were observed during DAC treatment.Therefore,DAC may be a promising therapeutic agent for ALL recurrence after allo-HSCT.

Ten dimeric phthalide racemates (1-10) were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head (Guitou) by separation techniques of column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, together with preparative thin-layer chromatography and reversed phase HPLC. The racemates were further separated into (+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-10 with chiral HPLC. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, combined with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations as well as single crystal X-ray diffractions. Compounds (+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-10 are either new structure or new natural product, named (+)-/(-)-angelidipthalidic acids A-H [(+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-8] and (+)-/(-)-angelidipthalidols A and B [(+)-/(-)-9 and (+)-/(-)-10], respectively. Meanwhile, dimeric phthalide mono- and bis-lactone derivatives with 3.3′a,8.6′- and 3.6′,8.3′a-coupling patterns as well as determination of their relative configurations are discussed.

Objective To discuss the risk and strategy of dental implantation in patients with periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes.Methods Retrospective analysis was performed of dental implantation results in 248 patients with periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes from 2000 to 2008.The survival rate was evaluated and the data statistically analyzed.Results The Nobel implant system and CDIC implant system were used.The operation applied flapless and bone expanding techniques.A total of 1190 implants were inserted (333 Nobel Replace implants and 857 CDIC implants).0.5％ (6 implants) lost during the first 6 months healing stage.The l-year,5-year and 8-year survival rate were 98.4％ (1165/1184),95.3％(487/511)and 89.2％(91/102) respectively.Conclusions The patients with periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes are suitable for implant treatment with satisfactory results under the conditions that the indication and risk factors are evaluated and controlled strictly.

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from Daphne acutiloba.

METHODThe constituents were separated by column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses.

RESULTFifteen compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract and identified as wikstroelide M (1), vesiculosin (2), prostratin (3), 7-hydroxy-coumarin (4), 7,8-di-hydroxy-coumarin (5), isodaphnoside (6), daphnorine (7), rutamontine (8), daphnolin (9), daphneticin (10), (+)-pinoresinol-beta-D-glucoside (11), oleodapnone (12), oleodaphnal (13), ergosterol peroxide (14) and cholest-5-en-3beta-ol (15).

CONCLUSIONAll the compounds except for 4, 5 and 14 were obtained from the stems of this plant for the first time.

Coumarins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Daphne ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Furans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Lignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Mass Spectrometry