AIM: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and evaluate the application value of pedicle screw system internal fixation in short segment for the treatment of Hangman's fracture. METHODS: A retrospectively analysis was conducted in 17 cases of Hangman's fracture who were treated in Department of Orthopaedics, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital since 2004. According to Levine-Edwards classification, 4 of them belonged to type II, 6 type IIA, 7 type III. According to Frankel classification in function of spinal cord, 12 cases of them belonged to Grade E and 5 cases D. All cases were fixed with C2,3 pedicle screw system short segment implantation materials (product of Medtronic Sofamor) after skull traction and reduction. RESULTS: No vertebra artery injury or spinal injury was found during operation. Postoperational photograph and CT detection revealed bilateral fracture had no reduction in 1 case and cerebrospinal fluid leaking occurred in 1 case who was cured after conventional therapy. All cases were followed up for 12-24 months (average 14.5 moths). All fractures healed within 6 months, and activities of cervical vertebra were not obviously limited. As for nerve function, 4 cases of Grade D recovered up to Grade E. Ti-alloy implant materials used in this study were well biocompatible to the human body. There were no blood, immune, histology reactions, or the corrosion and abrasion of Ti-alloy appeared. CONCLUSION: Pedicle screw fixation in short segment for the treatment of Hangman's fracture is satisfactory in fracture reduction, fixation and healing. There are little lose in function of cervical vertebrae and it promotes functional recovery of spinal cord.

BACKGROUND: Locking pedicle screw system is commonly used in clinic, but it often suppresses spinal longitudinal growth of adolescent at growth phase. Thus, a pedicle screw system that can reduce even avoid the inhibition to spinal growth is needed. OBJECTIVE: To compare the biomechanical performance of sliding instrumentation of pedicle screw system and traditional locking pedicle screw system. DESIGN: Comparative observation. SETTING: Department of Orthopedics, Xinqiao Hospital of Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, and Department of Orthopedics, the 211 Hospital of Chinese PLA. MATERIALS: The experiment was performed at Department of Material Science, Harbin Institute of Technology on June 29th, 2007. Self-designed sliding pedicle screw system was made of Ti alloy by Wujin No. 3 Medical Instrument Factory Co., Ltd., Jiangsu Province. It consisted of sliding pedicle screw, orthopaedic rod and transversal coupling device. Twelve samples of fresh porcine spine were selected, and muscles attached on vertebral bodies of TrL5 were removed carefully but integrity of main ligament and precessus articularis posterior was retained. METHODS: The samples were randomly divided into sliding system group and locking system group with 6 samples in each group. Partial vertebral plate and surrounding ligaments of T12as well as bilateral facet joints between T11-12 and T12-L1 were removed to induce spinal destabilization, then sliding pedicle screw system and locking pedicle screw system were respectively fixed onto T10, T12, and L2 vertebral bodies of two groups. The samples then were fixed into fixture, and put onto INSTAON-4505 axial compressor. The strain gauge was connected with YJ-31 static electricity resistance strain gauge instrument human to simulate human spinal load, and the center of gravity was loaded to induce forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction. Load of 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 N was given gradually, and displacement of T12 was measured under different loads. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Changns in principal stress and displacement under forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction; ②Spinal fixation intensity and rigidity. RESULTS: No statistical difference was detected in main straining, displacement of apical vertebrae and intensity of fixation between sliding system group and locking system group under forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion and axial construction (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sliding pedicle screw system has identical biomechanical stability as locking system. Furthermore, in sliding pedicle screw system, the screw and rod are coupled by sliding pattern, which extend along with spinal growth. It can be used to treat scoliosis at growth phase.

Hespintor is an unknown function protein that was got from hepatoblastoma cell lines HepG2 by suppression subtractive hybridization technique (SSH), sequence analysis showed that the protein is a new member of secretory type of Kazal type serine protease inhibitor (Serpin) family, and has high homology with esophageal cancer related gene 2 (ECRG2). The coding sequence of Hespintor's Kazal domain was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET-40b(+), then transformed into Rosetta (DE3). A recombinant protein about 42 kDa in the form of inclusion body was optimization expressed by inducing with 0.25 mmol/L IPTG, 30 degrees C for 5 h. and its specificity was confirmed via Western blotting. The recombinant protein was purified by metal chelate affinity chromatography (MCAC) and anion-exchange chromatography. The preliminary experimental result showed that the recombinant protein can inhibit trysin hydrolysis activity specifically. The result clearly demonstrated that Hespintor, as a novel member of Serpin, would be valuable in developing anti-tumor agents.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Proteinase Inhibitory Proteins, Secretory ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Serine Peptidase Inhibitors, Kazal Type ; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors ; biosynthesis ; classification ; genetics

To compare the differences on current ethical issues in the areas of epidemiological practice between China and America,to identify the major ethical problems existing in the epidemiological studies in China.Through searching and reviewing papers published on Chinese Journal of Epidemiology and American Journal of Epidemiology from Jan.2006 to Dec.2010,we made a comparison on ethical issues involved in the original studies that focusing on human beings.In total,749 Chinese articles and 1221 American articles were recruited,with the following findings: (1)The proportion with announcements of “Informed consent by the subjects” was 29.24％ in Chinese literature and 38.08％ in the Americans (x2=16.02,P＜0.001 ).The proportion with “having had approvals from the ethic committees” was 29.24％ in Chinese,while 38.08％ in American ( x2=604.40,P＜ 0.0001 ).(2) Both in China and America,there had been an increase of ethical issues in the last 5 years.(3)Articles derived from trial studies had better involvement on ethics than those from observational studies.(4) The level on ethical issues in the American Research Institutes exceeded those in China (5)American studies also had showed better ideas on Ethic issues on biological specimens collection and privacy protection,than those in Chinese studies.Among the studies on Chinese Journal of Epidemiology,the proportion of ‘informed consent' was higher than in ethical review,but both ethical review and awareness on ‘informed consent' had left far behind than the American Journal of Epidemiology.This could be seen at the institution level of the writers,during specimen collection and privacy protection,as well as at the overall level.The results reminded us that the Departments of Technology Management should spend more efforts on the improvement of public education regarding ethics for researchers and to update the process of edition for Journals as well as to reinforce the rules of ethics in epidemiological research.

OBJECTIVETo prepare the polyclonal antibody of human endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1), and to determine the expression of EOLA1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC).

METHODSThe protein samples (sample 1 and 2) expressing EOLA1 were purified and renatured. The protein concentrations were determined with bicinchoninic acid assay. The protein samples were identified with peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF) analysis. Protein sample with higher coincidence rate of amino acid sequence with theoretic protein was used to inoculate 4 mice; another 4 mice inoculated with adjuvant were used as control. Serum was isolated from collected mice blood. Polyclonal antibody of EOLA1 was purified with saturated ammonium sulfate precipitation, and was determined with ELISA for the titer (data were denoted by absorbance value). The expression of EOLA1 in HUVEC was determined with Western blot.

RESULTSThe concentration of protein sample 1 and 2 was respectively 0.124 16 mg/mL and 0.132 15 mg/mL. According to PMF analysis, the coincidence rate of amino acid sequence between protein samples and theoretic protein were 32% (protein sample 1) and 24% (protein sample 2). The polyclonal antibody of EOLA1 with titer more than 1:10 000 was obtained from mice inoculated with protein sample 1. The expression of EOLA1 protein in HUVEC was determined with polyclonal antibody of EOLA1.

CONCLUSIONSThe polyclonal antibody of EOLA1 can be prepared by inoculating mice with EOLA1 prokaryotic expressing protein, which can be used for determination of EOLA1 protein.

Animals ; Antibodies ; Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Mice

Abstract: Our previous work revealed berberine can significantly enhance the susceptibility of fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans, which suggested that berberine has synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. Preliminary SAR of berberine needs to be studied for the possibility of investigating its target and SAR, improving its drug-likeness, and exploring new scaffold. In this work, 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives and N-benzyl isoquinoline analogues were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR and MS. Their synergetic activity with fluconazole against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans was evaluated in vitro. The 13-substitutited benzyl berberine derivatives 1a-1e exhibited comparable activity to berberine, which suggested that the introduction of functional groups to C-13 can maintain its activity. The N-benzyl isoquinolines, which were designed as analogues of berberine with its D ring opened, exhibited lower activity than berberine. However, compound 2b, 2c, and 4b showed moderate activity, which indicated that berberine may be deconstructed to new scaffold with synergistic antifungal activity with fluconazole. The results of our research may be helpful to the SAR studies on its other biological activities.
Antifungal Agents ; pharmacology ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Candida albicans ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Fungal ; Drug Synergism ; Fluconazole ; pharmacology ; Isoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the biological functions of TTG1A in liver fibrosis.

METHODSYeast two-hybrid system was used to screen proteins associated with TTG1A. Briefly, the coding sequence of TTG1A was cloned into pGBKT7 vector, and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into yeast cells AH109 ( a type), then these cells were mated with yeast cells Y187 (a type) transformed with human leukocyte cDNA library plasmid pACT2. The obtained diploid yeast cells were plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium containing X-alpha-gal for double selection. The plasmids from positive colonies were transformed into E.coli and sequenced.

RESULTSThe recombinant yeast expression vector pGBKT7-TTG1A was successfully constructed. Nineteen TTG1A binding proteins, including Homo sapiens major histocompatibility complex, class II DP beta 1 (HLA-DPb1), Homo sapiens ribosomal protein L30 (RPL30), Homo sapiens nucleophosmin Homo sapiens nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), Homo sapiens ash2, variant Gaucher disease and variant metachromatic leukodystrophy, MORF4L1, Homo sapiens ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2L3 (UBE2L3), APOA1, Homo sapiens lectin, and galectin 1, were identified.

CONCLUSIONSThis study may help to elucidate the molecular function of TTG1A.

Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Gene Library ; Genes, Regulator ; Genetic Vectors ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Ribosomal Proteins ; genetics ; Transcriptional Activation ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; genetics ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Yeasts ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of Shenmai injection for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODAll clinical studies of Shenmai for AMI were searched from Cochrane library, Medline, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. For efficacy analysis of Shenmai, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs were included and the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.1 was used for data analysis.

RESULT1) Fifty studies were included for efficacy analysis, in which, only 1 study was true RCT, all of studies did not mention allocation concealment, blind and information of loss to follow-up. The fatality rate during hospitalization (OR 0.43, 95% CI [0.31-0.60]), incidence of heart failure (OR 0.49, 95% CI [0.34-0.70]), incidence of shock (OR 0.53, 95% CI[0.30-0.93]) and incidence of re-infarction (OR 0.16, 95% CI [0.03-0.77]) in Shenmai injection plus conventional treatment group was lower than that in the conventional treatment group, while the rate of recanalization (OR 1.24, 95% CI [0.90-1.71]) was similar between the two groups. 2) For safety analysis, we did not found serious adverse drug reaction/adverse events (ADR/AE) of Shenmai injection for AMI.

CONCLUSIONThe currently available evidence showed that Shenmai injection plus conventional treatment group may decrease the fatality rate during hospitalization, the incidence of cardiac failure, shock and re-infarction. However, these findings should be carefully interpreted due to the low methodological quality and small sample size of trials. Although serious ADR/AE was did not report of Shenmai injection, the post-marketing safety evaluation is need to be performed.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPostoperative knee soft tissue irritation is a common complication after retrograde nail fixation of femoral fractures. Distal locking screw prominence is one of the causes for soft tissue irritation. This study aimed to determine whether the use of the femoral condyles tangential views improve the diagnostic accuracy compared with anteroposterior (A-P) view in detecting distal locking screw penetrations during retrograde femoral nailing.

METHODSThe angle between the sagittal plane and lateral aspect of the condyle and the angle between the sagittal plane and medial aspect of condyle were measured on computed tomography (CT) images. After the angles were measured and recorded, cadaveric femurs were used in a simulated surgical procedure. The retrograde femoral nail was inserted into the femur and placed distal locking screws, which were left 2, 4, and 6 mm proud of the medial and lateral condyles for each femur. A-P view, lateral condyle tangential view and medial condyle tangential view were obtained. All fluoroscopic images were recorded and sent to three observers blinded to the experimental procedure to determine whether screws penetrated the condyle cortex or not.

RESULTSAccording to the results of CT scan, the lateral condyle view was 20.88 ± 0.98° and the medial condyle view was 40.46 ± 3.14°. In the A-P view, we detected 0% at 2 mm penetration, 16.7% (lateral condyle screw) and 25.0% (medial condyle screw) at 4 mm, and 41.7% (lateral condyle screw) and 58.3% (medial condyle screw) at 6 mm. In the lateral tangential view, we detected 91.7% at 2 mm penetration of the lateral condyle and 100% at 4 mm and 6 mm. In the medial tangential view, we detected 66.7% at 2 mm penetration of the medial condyle and 100% at 4 mm and 6 mm. The femoral condyle tangential views provided significant improvement in detecting screw penetrations at all lengths (2, 4, and 6 mm) compared with the A-P view (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe femoral condyles tangential views increased the accuracy of detecting screw penetrations on the medial and lateral condyles. Routine clinical use of the femoral condyles tangential views has the potential to increase accuracy in detecting distal locking screw penetration during retrograde femoral nailing.

Bone Screws ; Femoral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Shuxuetong injection against progressive ischaemic stroke.

METHODRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi randomized controlled trials (quasi-RCTs), which focused on treating patients with progressive ischaemic stroke using Shuxuetong injection were identified from Cochrane library, Medline, EMbase, CBM database, CNKI database, VIP database and Wanfang database. Data was extracted and evaluated with designed form. RevMan 5.1 software was used for data analysis.

RESULTEleven RCTs with 972 patients were included in this review. Only one research reported the mortality rate. None of the trials mentioned dependency of the patients during the follow-up period. The results of Meta analysis were listed as follows. Compared with normal treatment measures, total effective rate of 11 RCTs suggested that Shuxuetong were more effective with OR 4.46, 95% CI [3.02-6.59]. A greater difference in patients using Shuxuetong injection was found in 7 RCTs about the NDS with MD 5.86, 95% CI [4.80-6.93], compared with normal treatment measures. Researches with ADR/AE information of Shuxuetong injection showed that the symptoms of ADR/AE were moderate.

CONCLUSIONConclusions from this review may have a high risk of bias because of the low quality of the researches, hence it was not adequate to draw any reliable conclusions about the efficacy of Shuxuetong injection in progressive ischaemic stroke. More trials with high quality are required in the following researches.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Stroke ; drug therapy ; etiology