BACKGROUND: Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) has been widely used on clinic; however, there are still few reports addressing rhBMP-2-induced osteogenesis in intervertebral disc.OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of rhBMP-2 to induce interbody fusion in rabbits.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomized controlled animal study and multi-level evaluation, which was performed in Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University from February to July 2007.MATERIALS: 24 adult New-Zealand rabbits weighing 3.5-4.5 kg were used to expose L4-5 and L5-6 intervertebral disc; rhBMP-2 (1 mg/ampoule, purity≥95%) was provided by Beijing Bailingke Biological Products Co., Ltd.METHODS: 24 rabbits were randomly divided into experimental group and control group with 12 rabbits for each. In the experimental group, saline (20 μL, containing 200 μg rhBMP-2) was injected into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc; equivalent saline was inserted into nucleus pulposus of L5-6 intervertebral disc as controls. Rabbits in the control group were injected with saline (20 μL) into nucleus pulposus of L4-5 intervertebral disc.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes of injected segments were observed by hand-feeling check together with histological and imaging tests at 10, 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively.RESULTS: 24 rabbits were included in the final analysis. ①In the experimental group, the motion range of L4-5 segment was not limited at 10 days postoperatively, and lightly limited at 30 days, but severely limited at 60 days postoperatively; L4-5 segment was fixed tightly at 90 days postoperatively. Moreover, motion range of L5-6,segment and articular motion range in the control group were not changed remarkably. ② L4-5 interbedy space was narrowed at 10 days or even disappeared at 90 days postoperatively, and then osteogenesis fusion was formed. Transmittance of intervertebral space in the L5-6 segment and in the control group was not changed obviously. ③ Nucleus pulposus was gradually shrunk at 10 days postoperatively; partial cartilage endplate transformed into mature woven bone, and collagen fiber structure of annulus fibrosus gradually disappeared at 90 days postoperatively. A lot of mesenchymal cells were aggregated surrounding annulus fibrosus at 10 and 30 days postoperatively. Moreover, mature woven bone was formed in annulus fibrosus near to cartilage endplate at 90 days postoperatively. However, histological and morphological changes were not found in the control group at those four time points.CONCLUSION: rhBMP-2 can induce intervertebral disc osteogenesis so as to achieve interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of general anesthesia on postoperative melatonin secretion in 4-to 6-year-old children with snoring. METHODS: Twenty children with snoring aged 4-6 years of either gender (ASA grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ) were selected for adenoidectomy.Before, during and 3 days after the operation, salivary melatonin levels of the children were measured at 11 selected time points (T1-T11).The illumination intensity and body temperature of the children were recorded at each time point of measurement.The sleep time of the children in 3 days after the operation was recorded, and postoperative pain scores (FLACC) and Riker and Rehabilitation Quality Rating Scale-15(QoR-15) scores were assessed.Sleep Apnea Life Quality Evaluation Questionnaire (OSA-18) was used to evaluate postoperative recovery of the children at 28 days after the operation.The incidence of major adverse events of the children during hospitalization was recorded. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in baseline salivary melatonin level among the 20 children before the operation.Salivary melatonin level at 7 am after the operation (T8) was significantly lowered as compared with that before the surgery (T4)( CONCLUSIONS In preschool children with snoring, general anesthesia affects but does not inhibit melatonin secretion on the first night after surgery, and minor surgeries under general anesthesia in the morning do not cause significant changes in melatonin secretion to cause disturbance of the circadian rhythm in these children.
Anesthesia, General/adverse effects* ; Bodily Secretions ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Circadian Rhythm ; Humans ; Melatonin ; Snoring

BACKGROUNDCoronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of heart disease and cause of heart attacks. This study investigated the epidemiological characteristics of CHD and its risk factors in Jiaozhou, Shandong province, to ultimately find a way of reducing the prevalence of cardiovascular disease, and to provide a theoretical basis for establishing a cardiovascular disease management path under the regional medical collaborative mechanism.

METHODSA questionnaire survey was performed including 1 952 people aged 35 years or older who were questioned by means of stratified, cluster, proportional sampling to investigate the prevalence of CHD and its risk factors. The data were inputted into SPSS11.0 statistical software for processing and analysis. We advised the local medical institutions to establish health files for the residents with CHD and risk factors. They were followed up regularly. Their risk factors and life-style were monitored, and advice was given as to proper medications. Green channels were established, and the patients were transmitted in a timely manner to superior hospitals for better treatment if the necessary treatments were not available in the local hospitals. The control of risk factors was observed after the follow-up for half a year.

RESULTSIn Jiaozhou, the rates of coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and overweight were 8.15%, 28.54%, 11.43%, 35.46%, and 18.70% respectively. The rates of hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and overweight were higher than the data published in "The report of Chinese cardiovascular disease 2012"; which are 24%, 9.7%, 18.6%, and 9.7%, respectively. The control of risk factors improved significantly after the guidance of the residents lifestyle and medication for six months.

CONCLUSIONSThe high prevalence of coronary artery disease in Jiaozhou is closely related to age, gender, diet structure, family history of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, overweight, and unhealthy lifestyle. Under the regional medical coordination mechanism, the collaborative management of cardiovascular disease can provide new management concepts for the areas short of medical resources, so as to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors