BACKGROUND:The patients undergoing lumbar discectomy have a higher risk of recurrence. There are many different ways of reoperation, but there are few studies on spine-pelvis sagittal morphology of patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effect of discectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion on spine-pelvis sagittal morphology of patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation. METHODS:Sixty-one patients of recurrent lumbar disc herniation after discectomy were divided into discectomy group (n=30) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion group (n=31) according to the re-repair method. The height of intervertebral disc, lumbar lordosis and pelvic projection angle in the two groups before and after treatment were measured and compared based on standing spine lateral X-ray images. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: After treatment, the height of intervertebral disc, lumbar lordosis and pelvic projection angle of patients in discectomy group were not significantly changed compared with before treatment (P> 0.05). After treatment, the height of intervertebral disc, lumbar lordosis and pelvic projection angle of patients in posterior lumbar interbody fusion group were significantly increased compared with those before treatment (P< 0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in the height of intervertebral disc, lumbar lordosis and pelvic projection angle between discectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion groups (P > 0.05).After treatment, the height of intervertebral disc, lumbar lordosis and pelvic pelvic projection angle were significantly increased in the posterior lumbar interbody fusion group compared with the discectomy group (P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that discectomy cannot significantly change the spine-pelvis sagittal morphology of patients subjected to re-operation, but compared with the discectomy treatment, posterior lumbar interbody fusion has a greater impact on spine-pelvis sagittal morphology of patients subjected to re-operation.

This paper describes a type of blood pressure monitor we have developed using 8031 chip microprocessor based on oscillometric method and the designs of hardware and software. Comparing the measurement results of oscillometric method with that of direct invasive measurement method, we find that the monitor is very useful in clinical applications. Finally in the paper, some improvements that can be made in the monitor are proposed.
Algorithms ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Oscillometry ; Software Design

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention of baicalin on signal transduction and activating transcription factor expression of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

METHODSRecruited were UC patients at Outpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Inpatient Department of Digestive Disease, Center for Digestive Endoscopy of College City Branch, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Southern Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University from June 2010 to January 2011. They were assigned to the UC group (33 cases) and the diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) group (30 cases). Another 30 healthy subjects were recruited as a healthy control group. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were taken from UC patients. IL23R gene expressions in vitro intervened by different concentrations baicalin were detected using Q-PCR. Expressions of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) , STAT6, phosphorylated-STAT4 (p-STAT4), and p-STAT6 were detected using Western blot. Serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Effects of different concentrations baicalin on expressions of PBMCs, and levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 of UC patients were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group, 40 µmol baicalin obviously decreased IL23R gene expression of UC patients (P <0. 01). Compared with the healthy control group and the IBS-D group, p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios increased, p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios decreased, levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 all increased in the US group (all P <0. 05). Compared with the negative control, 5 and 10 µmol baicalin groups, 20 and 40 moL baicalin obviously decreased p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously increased p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios (all P <0. 05); 20 and 40 µmoL baicalin obviously lowered levels of IFN-γ and IL-4, and elevated IL-10 levels (all P <0. 05).

CONCLUSION40 µmoL baicalin could in vitro inhibit p-STAT4/STAT4 ratios, adjust p-STAT6/STAT6 ratios and related cytokines, thereby balancing the immunity and relieving inflammatory reactions of UC.

Activating Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; therapeutic use ; Blotting, Western ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; STAT6 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

Objective To find a way to measure and count plane distribution of cells distributed on single layer and compare differences of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of periosteum germinal layer from different parts of the body.Methods After counting the number of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells of periosteum germinal layer from different parts of the body microscopically and figuring out the number of cells per area unit in each periosteum specimen,the obtained data were statistically analyzed and the stratum structure of periosteum observed microscopically.Results The homogeneity of variance test showed homoscedasticity,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).The analysis of variance found homoscedasticity but showed no statistical significance(F=0.253,P＞0.05).The periosteum of patel- la,tibial plateau and costa had two layers,while the periosteum of costal cartilage had three layers. Conclusions There is no conspicuous difference upon proliferation and evoluting activities of periosteum from different parts of body.Therefore,it is unnecessary to choose specific parts for drawing the periote- um in clinical situation.In the meantime,the structure of periosteum from different parts diversifies.

Purpose: Dignity is a basic human right that is related to psychological distress factors in patients with cancer such as depression and demoralization. Hence, the dignity issue is of great importance to healthcare professionals. The present study aimed to advise healthcare professionals regarding the related distress factors of dignity in patients with cancer by investigating its relationship with patients’ demographics, disease characteristics, and psychological distress. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study design. A convenience sample of 267 patients with cancer from a medical center was recruited into this study. Each patient completed demographics and disease characteristics questionnaires, the Patient Dignity Inventory Mandarin Version, the Demoralization Scale Mandarin Version (DS-MV), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software. Results: Dignity was significantly correlated with age, demoralization, and depression. Cancer patients aged 65 or above were more likely to have a lower sense of dignity. In the present study, the sensitivity and specificity of the Patient Dignity Inventory Mandarin Version for demoralization (DS-MV≥30) were 84.8% and 79.1% and for depression (PHQ-9≥10) were 73.8% and 70.9% in patients with cancer with an aggregate score of 35 or above. Conclusions Dignity is significantly correlated with personal demographic characteristics and psychological distress in patients with cancer. The results provide reference data for healthcare professionals to understand and enable dignity in patients with cancer and aid in the development of methods that promote their dignity.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effect of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) from Spirulina platensis on paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

METHODSA total of 90 healthy Wistar rats were randomly and equally divided into normal control group, model group (PQ group), and C-PC treatment group (C-PC group). Each rat in the PQ group and C-PC group were orally administered with a single dose of PQ (50 mg/kg) to establish a rat model of PQ poisoning. Then, the rats in the normal control group and PQ group were orally given saline solution (1 ml/100 g) every day, and the rats in the C-PC group were orally given C-PC (50 mg/kg) every day. Six rats were randomly selected from each group on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28. The inferior lobe of each rat's right lung was homogenized for the measurement of hydroxyproline (HYP) and maleic dialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Parts of each rat's left lung were subject to HE staining and Masson staining for pathological observation, and the expression of transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe HYP levels on days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 and MDA levels on days 14 and 28 were significantly lower in the C-PC group than in the PQ group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the C-PC group than in the PQ group on days 1, 7, 14, and 28 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The protein content of TGF-β(1) and the activities of NF-κB p65 and TNF-α in the PQ group and C-PC group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group, while the indices in the C-PC group were significantly lower than those in the PQ group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The pathological observation showed that C-PC could alleviate pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis in rats with PQ poisoning.

CONCLUSIONC-PC can significantly inhibit PQ-induced pulmonary alveolitis and fibrosis in rats.

Animals ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Phycocyanin ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

Polyamidoamine-polyethylene glycol (PAMAM-PEG) copolymers were synthesized using IPDI as coupling reagent by two-step method. The copolymers were characterized by IR spectrum and 1H NMR spectrum, and the PEG conjugating ratios of the copolymers were calculated equal to 10% and 30% separately. MTT assay indicated that after PEGylation a lower cytotoxicity of the copolymers could be found, and with increasing PEG conjugating ratio the cytotoxicity decreased obviously. Agarose gel retardation assay demonstrated that PAMAM-PEG copolymers could be combined with DNA and PAMAM-PEG/DNA complexes were prepared by self-assembly. DLS measurement showed that when N/P > or = 50, the particle size of copolymer/ gene complexes was in a range of 150-200 nm, and the zeta potential was in a range of 10-25 mV. In vitro gene transfection illustrated that when N/P < or = 50, the gene transfection efficiency of PAMAM-PEG copolymers was a little less than that of PAMAM-G5, but the transfection efficiency can be raised by increasing N/P ratio or transfection time. Considering both cytotoxicity and transfection efficiency aspects PAMAM-PEG-13 was more effect than PAMAM-PEG-39 in PEGylation.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; DNA ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Dendrimers ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Isocyanates ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Particle Size ; Polyamines ; chemistry ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the initial clinical characteristics, the response to treatment, and the outcome in adult patients with Evans syndrome.

METHODSThe clinical data of 84 adult patients (20 males, 64 females) with Evans syndrome diagnosed at our center between 1984 and 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up for a median duration of 17.5 (0.03 - 140) months. All the patients initially received intravenous steroids with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Forty-seven patients were treated with corticosteroids alone initially. Complete remission (CR) and partial remission (PR) were achieved in 38 of the patients, but 92.1% of them relapsed during a median follow-up of 12 months. Twenty-eight patients who were resistant to corticosteroids therapy or with severe bleeding were subsequently administered immunosupressive agents. CR and PR were obtained in 89.3% of them. Within a median follow-up of 8 months, 84% of these patients relapsed.

CONCLUSIONSEvans syndrome is a chronic and easy to recurrent disease, which is often refractory to conventional therapy. Treatment with combination agents might be a useful therapeutic approach to the patients.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the quality of reports of clinical results concerning burn injury, in order to raise the standard of clinical study of burn care in accordance to the standard of evidence-based medicine (EBM), with the aim of improving clinical research in burn care of this country.

METHODSAll the papers of clinical study published in Chinese Journal of Burns (CJB) from 2000 to 2004 were evaluated according to EBM standard.

RESULTSThere were 89 papers about clinical trials published in the past 5 years, in which 43 (48.3%) of the studies were carried out with random control trials (RCT), and 46 (51.7%) were clinical control trials (CCT). RCT papers increased year by year, while the number of CCT papers fluctuated greatly. The disparity in the quality of research was found as follows. In all the RCT and CCT papers, blinded research was adopted only in 5 papers (5.6%). Strict diagnostic standard including inclusion and exclusion standards were reported in 53 articles (59.6%). The comparison with baselines was not provided in 64 articles (71.9%). P value was given in 10 papers but statistical method was not mentioned (11.2%). Follow-up visits and lost information were only recorded in 2 articles, but no detailed follow-up visiting data were provided. Side effects were reported in 10 articles (11.2%). There were analysis and explanation of mixed interfering factors only in 5 papers (5.6%). There was no explanation of the evaluation of sample size in any one paper.

CONCLUSIONIn summary, the literature concerning clinical studies published in CJB in the past five years has become more extensive. However, the present study indicates that many clinical trials are not designed and ethical consideration is often missing. Therefore, it is deemed imperative to improve the quality of the clinical studies by improving the planning of the protocols of the study and statistical analysis of the research results in future.

Burns ; therapy ; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; standards ; Humans ; Periodicals as Topic ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo investigate the current situation of animal experiments by analysis and evaluation of relevant articles published in the Chinese Journal of Burns during 2000 to 2004.

METHODSAll articles concerning the results of animal experiments related to the treatment and medical studies in the past 5 years were analysed according to the international standard , especially in serval aspects, such as sample size, randomization method, sample choice, comparison measure, baseline comparability, estimate index, statistics method, and so oN.

RESULTSDuring 2000 to 2004, totally 1 116 papers were published in the journal, among them 81 papers were (accounted for 7.3% ) of all articles were reports of treatment related experiments. Out of 81 papers, in 69 experiments ( accounted for 85. 2% ) there was randomized control group, and the main problems lay in calculation of the number of samples, the application of randomization method, and analysis of statistics.

CONCLUSIONApplication of the randomized control modality in animal experiment is popular in our country, but the design of some studies is not so rigorous. Therefore, we should improve the design of every research project before the experiment is carried out.

Animal Experimentation ; standards ; Animals ; Burns ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Periodicals as Topic ; statistics & numerical data