The aim of this study was to investigate features of abdominal earthquake-related crush traumas in comparison with non-earthquake injury. A cross sectional survey was conducted with 51 survivors with abdominal crush injury in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and 41 with abdominal non-earthquake injury, undergoing non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans, serving as earthquake trauma and control group, respectively. Data were analyzed between groups focusing on CT appearance. We found that injury of abdominal-wall soft tissue and fractures of lumbar vertebrae were more common in earthquake trauma group than in control group (28 vs 13 victims, and 24 vs 9, respectively; all P < 0.05); and fractures were predominantly in transverse process of 1-2 vertebrae among L1-3 vertebrae. Retroperitoneal injury in the kidney occurred more frequently in earthquake trauma group than in control group (29 vs 14 victims, P < 0.05). Abdominal injury in combination with thoracic and pelvic injury occurred more frequently in earthquake trauma group than in control group (43 vs 29 victims, P < 0.05). In conclusion, abdominal earthquake-related crush injury might be characteristic of high incidence in injury of abdominal-wall soft tissue, fractures of lumbar vertebrae in transverse process of 1-2 vertebrae among L1-3 vertebrae, retroperitoneal injury in the kidney, and in combination with injury in the thorax and pelvis.
Abdominal Injuries/*radiography ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Disasters ; *Earthquakes ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed

Myopericytoma is a newly proposed subgroup of perivascular tumors in the World Health Organization classification of soft tissue tumors. In this study, we report a case of a benign myopericytoma with detailed multidetector CT (MDCT) findings in the parotid gland, a location that has not been described for this type of tumor previously. The clinical presentation, imaging features, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, and the differential diagnosis with other tumors in the parotid gland are described and reviewed.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Parotid Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/pathology/*radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

Design space approach is applied in this study to enhance the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen) by optimizing parameters. Total flavonoid recovery, dry matter removal, and pigment removal were defined as the process critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plackett-Burman designed experiments were carried out to find the critical process parameters (CPPs). Dry matter content of concentrated extract (DMCE), mass ratio of ethanol to concentrated extract (E/C ratio) and concentration of ethanol (CEA) were identified as the CPPs. Box-Behnken designed experiments were performed to establish the quantitative models between CPPs and CQAs. Probability based design space was obtained and verified using Monte-Carlo simulation method. According to the verification results, the robustness of first ethanol precipitation process of Dangshen can be guaranteed by operating within the design space parameters. Recommended normal operation space are as follows: dry matter content of concentrated extract of 45.0% - 48.0%, E/C ratio of 2.48-2.80 g x g(-1), and the concentration of ethanol of 92.0% - 92.7%.
Chemical Precipitation ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Codonopsis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Objective To study the bone biomechanics of the rabbit osteoporosis models induced by dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection (DX) using a combined treatment modality of 99Tc-MDP and GuKangLing.Methods Rabbits were intramuscularly injected with DX (2 mg/kg) twice a week for 6 weeks.The animal osteoporosis model group (Group C) and normal group (Group A) were compared to confirm the model was available.Another control group (Group B),the osteoporosis control group (Group D) were set for the comparison at the end of the experiment.The 99Tc-MDP therapy group (Group E),GuKangLing therapy group (Group F) and 99Tc-MDP plus GuKangLing therapy group (Group G) were included in the study.The treatment lasted for 16 weeks.The bone biomechanics,cytopathology bone histomorphology,bone mineral density (BMD),X-ray,CT,bone scintigraphy and serum bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP)and P (bone gla protein) were chosen as the markers or methods to evaluate the treatment results (excellent,effective and invalid).The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used for group comparison analysis.Results Cytopathology result indicated that there was no bone trabecula destruction in Group A.However,there was distinct bone destruction in Group C.The bone biomechanics (left femur head (265.914 ±52.773) N,L4(369.671 ±94.919) N),BMD(left femur (0.238 ±0.016) g/cm2,L4(0.236 ±0.016) g/cm2)and bone histomorphology ( (66.230 ± 10.848) ％ ) in Group C reduced clearly as compared with Group A ((405.343±55.410) N,(750.870±53.718) N,(0.294±0.017) g/cm2,(0.302±0.023) g/cm2,( 131.500 ± 21.846) ％ ) ( t ≥4.550,all P ＜ 0.01 ).Radionuclide bone scan also showed that the uptake of tracers was higher by the main arthrosis in Group C than that in Group A.Vertebra was not clearly visualized on bone scan image.There were significant differences between Group A and Group C in serum BALP and P ((45.000±7.303) vs (12.485 ±1.512) U/L,(0.168±0.018) vs (0.115 ±0.017) μg/L,t =4.126,5.476,both P ＜ 0.01 ),which indicated that the animal osteoporosis model was available.The pathological results showed an improved recovery of bone structure and trabecular in Groups E and G,but a worse recovery in Group F.Biomechanics result in Groups E and G (left femur head (386.457 ±77.077) N and (432.771 ± 17.525) N,L4(649.550 ± 126.859) N and (655.443 ±76.555) N) improved apparently,which were similar to Group B.The radiotracer uptake in Group F was lower than that in group D.The bone biomechanics,bone histomorphology,BMD,serum BALP and P after the treatment showed significant differences in Groups E,F and G (F:8.556 - 31.608,all P＜0.01 ),and the bone biomechanics result in Group G was a little better than that in Group E (t =2.625,P ＜ 0.05 ).The results of Group G and E were considered as excellent,and Group F was considered as effective.Conclusions The treatment of 99Tc-MDP combined with GuKangLing could improve the bone biomechanics of rabbit osteoporosis models and may be a potential method to increase the bone strength for resisting external force.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Nomograms ; Prognosis ; Progression-Free Survival ; Retrospective Studies

Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is an exceptionally rare and malignant odontogenic tumor with aggressive growth characteristics. We describe a case of GCOC which was considerably derived from a previously resected calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT). Cellular atypia, mitotic activity, Ki-67 labeling index and matrix metalloprotease-9 positive expression rate were all increased in the currently resected specimen compared to the initial one. This is a rare case of malignant transformation of CCOT to GCOC with respect to its histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.
Odontogenic Tumors

To enhance the efficiency of the expression of target gene in eukaryotic cells, one of the strongest prokaryotic expression systems, the T7 RNA polymerase and T7 promoter, was introduced into eukaryotic cells. A duel-plasmid gene expression system of T7 bacteriophage components was developed; one containing the T7 phage RNA polymerase gene under the control of eukaryotic promoter CMV (pCMV-T7pol) and the other (pT7IRES) containing the T7 promoter and T7 terminator as well as EMCV IRES. To test the feasibility of this plasmid system for eukaryotic expression, hepatitis B virus envelop HBV preS2/S was used to construct pT7IRES-HBs. The target genes were expressed efficiently by the eukaryonized prokaryotic expression system in a variety of the cells indicating C2C12, SP2/0, NIH3T3 and BALB/c 3T3, suggesting the potential applications of the expression system in gene therapy and gene immunization.
Animals ; Bacteriophage T7 ; genetics ; Cell Line ; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases ; genetics ; Gene Targeting ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of insulin growth factor-I (IGF-I) on apoptosis of cardiomyocytes subjected to ischemia and hypoxia and its possible mechanism.

METHODSCardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro, and randomized into hypoxia group, treatment group (T, the cells were treated with IGF-1 before subjected to hypoxia and ischemia) and control group (C, normal cardiomyocytes as controls). Changes in the OD value of cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and relative amount of phospho-Akt protein were observed at different time-points by ELISA, laser scanning with TMRE staining and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSThe OD value of cell apoptosis in control group was 0.18 +/- 0.03, while that in hypoxia group was gradually increased to 0.33 +/- 0.05, 0.61 +/- 0.06, 1.17 +/- 0.08, 2.25 +/- 0.11, respectively at 1, 3, 6, 12 post-hypoxia hours (PHH), showing an increasing tendency (P < 0.01). The OD values of cell apoptosis in T group were 0.26 +/- 0.04, 0.49 +/- 0.05, 0.84 +/- 0.06, 1.63 +/- 0.09, respectively, which were obviously lower than those in hypoxia group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mitochondrial membrane potential (Dymt) values in hypoxia group at 6 and 12 PHH were 18.7 +/- 5.1 and 6.3 +/- 1.9, respectively, which were obviously lower than that in control group (40.2 +/- 10.1, P < 0.01). The DYmt in T group at 6 and 12 PHH were 28.8 +/- 6.2, 12.5 +/- 3.1, respectively, which were obviously higher compared with those in hypoxia group (P < 0.05). The amount of phospho-Akt protein was increased by IGF-I administration.

CONCLUSIONIGF-I exhibits an anti-apoptotic effect on cardiomyocytes subjected to ischemia and hypoxia, and this may be related to the activation of PI3K/Akt signal pathway and stabilization of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; pharmacology ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of the classification of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adluts according to lumbar lordosis (LL) and inflection point (IP).

METHODSWhole spine, standing radiographs of 223 adult volunteers were taken from July to August in 2011 .There were 111 cases(56 female and 55 male) enrolled in the study based on the inclusion criteria. The pelvic and spinal parameters, including thoracic kyphosis(TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis(TLK), LL, sacral slope(SS), pelvic tilt(PT), pelvic incidence(PI), intervertebral endplate angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), spino-sacral angle (SSA) and IP were measured. The spino-pelvic sagittal alignment were classified in to 3 types according to LL and IP. Type I: LL > -40°, IP located below L2 ∼ 3; Type II: -60° ≤ LL ≤ -40°, IP located in L1 ∼ 2 or T12 ∼ L1; Type III: LL < -60°, P located above T11 ∼ 12. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the variables. The parameters in each type were compared by oneway-ANOVA respectively,then additional multiple comparisons were performed.

RESULTSThe mean value of LL was -49° ± 10°, TK was 36° ± 7°, TLK was 6° ± 7°, PT was 11° ± 7°, SS was 34° ± 8°, PI was 45° ± 9°, SSA was 127° ± 9° and SVA was (-2.7 ± 22.8)mm, respectively. Only LL had significant statistical correlation with all the other parameters. Negative correlation presented between LL and TK, PI, SS, SSA (r = -0.387, -0.536, -0.858, -0.801,P < 0.05). Positive correlation presented between LL and TLK, SVA, PT (r = 0.319, 0.296, 0.262, P < 0.05). All the volunteers were classified into the 3 types: Type I1 9 cases, Type II 75 cases,Type III 17 cases. Oneway-ANOVA results showed statistical difference in LL, TK, TLK, PT, SS, PI, SSA, SVA among the 3 types, (F = 164.559, 7.431, 14.099, 4.217, 53.856, 6.252, 35.995, 8.626, P < 0.05 ). Multiple comparisons showed that LL, SS, SSA, PI had statistical difference between each two types comparison (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLL is the central parameter of the spino-pelvic sagittal balance. The patterns of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adults could be classified into three types, according to LL and IP. The classification could describe the morphological differences and balance of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment.

Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Anthropometry ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; Postural Balance ; Radiography ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of unilateral pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) through paraspinal muscle approach for recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability.

METHODSA total of 35 patients with recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability were treated between March 2008 and May 2010, including 15 patients managed by the paraspinal muscle approach with unilateral pedicle screw fixation and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) (unilateral fixation group) and 20 patients by the posterior midline approach with bilateral pedicle screw fixation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (bilateral fixation group). Operation time and intraoperative blood loss were observed, preoperative and postoperative JOA score and VAS score in low back pain and legs pain, the interbody fusion condition were compared between two groups.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 30 months with an average 16.8 months. All clinical symptoms had obviously improved postoperatively. X-rays showed good interbody fusion (only 1 case did not obtain fusion in bilateral fixation group) without cage displacement or settlement and implant loosening or breakage. There was significant difference in operation time and the intraoperative blood loss between two groups (P < 0.05). Postoperative JOA score had obviously decreased than preoperative one (P < 0.05). At 1 week after surgery, there was significant difference in VAS score of low back pain between two groups and there was no significant difference in VAS score of legs pain between two groups (P > 0.05); at final follow-up, there was no significant difference in VAS score of low back pain and legs pain between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTwo methods both can obtain satisfactory effect in treating recurrent lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar instability. Through the paraspinal muscle approach with unilateral pedicle screw fixation and TLIF has advantages of smaller surgical incision, shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, faster relief in low back pain after operation, etc.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pedicle Screws ; Recurrence ; Spinal Fusion ; methods