Objective To discuss the application of cervical lateral mass plate for the treatment of fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine. Methods From January 1998 to January 2001, internal fixation with cervical lateral mass plate and bony fusion were performed in 21 patients during posterior decompression for the treatment of fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine . A posterior median approach was used to expose the lateral edge of the articular process. All patients received spinal decompression and reduction according to the types of fracture and dislocation. A cervical lateral mass plate was applied in each lateral mass, a suitable bicortical screw was inserted using Magerl technique (the inserting point of the screw was 2 mm medial and superior to the center of lateral mass, the direction was 20?-25? laterally and 30?-40? cranially). Results The follow-up of all 21 cases ranged from 9 months to 3 years and 9 months (with the mean of 27 months). There were 20 cases with complete reduction of antero-posterior and rotational dislocation, and 1 case with incomplete reduction according to post-operative X-ray film. Patients could sit up with the protection by wearing soft collar 4 days (2-7 days) after the surgery. The mean off-bed time of those without spinal cord injuries or with spinal cord injuries less than Frankel C grade were 9 days (3-14 days) after operation. All cases obtained solid bony fusion 6 months postoperatively. Eighteen cases with spinal cord injury improved one ASIA grade, 2 cases without root injury obtained complete recovery eventually. No severe complications such as injuries of vertebral artery, nerve root and spinal cord or aggravation of spinal cord injury occurred. Conclusion Cervical lateral mass plate fixation has the advantages of wide indications, strong stability, short segment fixation and easily reduction. The results suggested that this technique is an efficient, reliable segmental posterior fixation.

Objective To investigate whether vitamin B complex supplements would reduce stroke-related disabili-ty in hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy) patients with recent ischemic stroke. Methods One thousand patients with brain infarc-tion and Hhcy were assigned to receive either a daily dose of vitamin B complex (treatment group, n=500) or not (control group, n=500) on the base of conventional secondary prevention medications for a period of 2 years. The neurological dys-function was assessed by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and stroke disability was evaluated by Barthel Index (BI) score. High performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection was used for the determina-tion of total plasma homocysteine levels. After 2 years of follow-up, the patients in the treatment group, whose tHcy level was reduced by 3-μmol/L or more, was defined as the treatment subgroup. Results The homocysteine levels were significantly reduced after 3, 12 and 24-month treatment than those of control group (P＜0.05). A lower NIHSS scale was found at 12, 18 and 24-month in treatment group compared with that in control group (P＜0.05), no significant differences at other time points between two groups (P>0.05). For the BI score, there were no significant differences at any time points between two groups (P>0.05). After 2 years of vitamin B complex supplementation, there were lower NIHSS scale and higher BI scale in treatment subgroup than those of control group (P＜0.05). Conclusion The lower level of tHcy induced by vitamin B inter-vention may be beneficial to the improvement of neurological deficit in patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the influence of biological rhythm on labor pain,epidural analgesia and delivery mode in parturients.Methods In this retrospective cohort study,3 571 Chinese nulliparas with term singleton cephalic pregnancy who were preparing to deliver vaginally and receive epidural analgesia,were included.Parturients were divided into four groups according to the beginning time of analgesia,i.e.,morning group (7:01 to 13:00,n=955),afternoon group (13:01 to 19:00,n=1 159),evening group (19:01 to 1:00,n=763),and night group (1:00 to 7:00,n=694).Pain scores were assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS) before and after epidural analgesia.Delivery mode,incidence of adverse events and neonatal outcomes were also compared among the four groups with monovariance analysis,LSD,Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test,Bonferroni,General Linear Model (GLM) and Logistic regression analysis.Results (1) The NRS pain scores of morning,afternoon,evening and night groups before analgesia were 8.6± 1.0,8.8± 1.0,8.9± 1.0 and 8.7± 1.0,respectively.After adjusted by GLM,the NRS pain scores of the four groups were 8.6±0.0,8.8 ± 0.0,8.9±0.0 and 8.7±0.0,respectively.Univariate and multivariable analyses showed that pain scores before analgesia were higher in afternoon group than in morning group (P＜0.01),and they were significantly higher in evening group than in morning and night groups (all P＜0.05).(2) At 10 and 30 minutes after epidural analgesia,the NRS pain scores of the four groups were 4.3± 1.0 and 1.8±0.9,4.8± 1.0 and 2.1 ±0.9,4.9± 1.1 and 2.2± 1.0,and 4.4± l.l and 1.8± 1.0,respectively,which were also significantly higher in afternoon and evening groups than in morning and night groups (all P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05) ; and the proportions of analgesia satisfaction (NRS pain score ≤ 3) were 19.7％ (188/955) vs 97.4％ (930/955),11.6％ (134/1 159) vs96.0％ (1 113/1 159),11.3％ (84/743) vs95.2％ (707/743),18.7％ (130/694) vs 95.6％ (670/694),respectively,which were significantly lower in afternoon and evening groups than in morning and night groups (all P＜0.01 or 0.05).(3) Delivery mode,incidence of adverse events and neonatal outcomes were similar among the four groups.Conclusions More severe labor pain before analgesia occur in parturients who receive epidural analgesia in the afternoon and at night,and less efficient analgesia and a lower rate of satisfaction are observed at 10 and 30 minutes after analgesia.However,delivery mode,neonatal outcomes and incidence of adverse events are not influenced by biological rhythm.

Objective To study the influence of short hairpin RNA-mediated inhibition of APRIL gene on proliferation,invasion and metastasis of human colon carcinoma SW480 ceils in vitro. Methods After treatment with shRNA, the expression level of APRIL protein in human colon carcinoma SW480 cells was detected by western blotting. And cell adhesion, cell migration and cell invasion of SW480 cells transfected with sh637 were analyzed respectively as compared with non-transfected SW480 cells and mocktransfectant. Results The expression of APRIL protein in SW480 transfected with sh637 were significantly lower than mock-plasmid groups and untransfected ones (F=42.15, P=0.00). Cell proliferation was markedly inhibited, compared with untransfected groups and negative control ones (F=24.76, P<0.05).And the average absorption of cell adhesion in transfected groups, mock-plasmid and non-transfected ones were 0.343, 0.409, 0.412, respectively. Cell adhesion decreased 39% compared with untransfected groups. Similarly, there was significant difference for cell migration (F=65.53, P<0.01) between transfected groups (The average ceil number in exposed area to migrate was 47.89±13.16) and nontransfected (98.78±23.26) as well as mock-plasmid ones (108.01±39.11). Then, in view of the average absorption of cell invasion between transfected groups(0.58±0.10) and non-transfected (0.94±0.23) as well as mock-plasmid ones(1.11±0.21), a prominently difference for cell invasion was also found between them (F=5.771, P<0.05). Conclusion The results suggest APRIL has a proliferation-inducing effect and probably be involved in cell invasion and cell metastasis of colon carcinoma and it could enhance capacity of invasion and metastasis of SW480 cells.

Objective To realize rapid and non-destructive drug classification and improve the accuracy of drug classification.Methods A model for drug classification based on the combination of principal components analysis and artificial neural network (PCA-ANN) method was introduced.The software for drugs classification was then developed with the utility of MATLAB language.The near infra-red spectrum (NIRS) detection technique was executed on five kinds of drugs (a total of 120 batch samples) and the detection data was collected within the range of 1 350-1 800 nm of excitation wavelength and 0.5 nm of wavelength interval.Results The network training mean square error (MSE) was 5.91e-03,and the prediction error (β) was 2.469％ when the number of the interfering drugs number was less than 5.Conclusions The classification of drugs by NIRS combined with PCA-ANN is feasible and the classification accuracy can be increased.

Objective To investigate the relationship between total homocysteine (tHcy) and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in brain infarction patients. Methods Sixty patients with fasting plasma tHcy levels ≤10μmol/L (non-Hhcy group), 60 patients with fasting plasma tHcy levels>10μmol/L and≤15μmol/L (H1 group), and 60 patients with fast-ing plasma tHcy levels>15μmol/L (H2 group) were chosen in hospitalized patients with acute cerebral infarction. Values of CIMT were detected in three groups of patients. The clinical biochemical indicators including triglyceride (TG), total choles-terol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), fasting blood sugar (FBS), folic acid (FA), Vitamin B12 (VitB12) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also detected. Results There was signifi-cant difference in CIMT between three groups (P<0.01). The value of CIMT increased in H2 group [0.98(0.90, 1.05)mm] com-pared with that of non-Hhcy group [0.85(0.80, 0.95)mm]. The value of CIMT increased in H2 group compared with H1 group [0.98(0.90, 1.05)mm vs 0.85(0.85, 0.95)mm], P<0.05). There were significant differences in tHcy, FA and VitB12 between three groups. Based on the log-transformed values of CIMT as the dependent variable, multiple stepwise linear regression showed significant associations of the following variables with increased CIMT: increasing age, the history of smoking, the history of diabetes, higher LDL-C and tHcy levels. Conclusion Brain infarction in patients with higher tHcy level often have lower levels of FA and VitB12, and increased CIMT. When the level of tHcy >15 μmol/L, there is more significantly higher level of CIMT. The increased CIMT level was associated with some cerebrovascular risk factors in patients with brain infarction.

Objective To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and neurological deteri?oration (ND) during the acute phase in patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 200 hyperten?sive patients with acute minor ischemic stroke were recruited in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: stable group (n=182) and deterioration group (n=18) according to the neurological prognosis. Values of BPV in 24 h ambulatory blood pressure, 24 h systolic blood pressure variation coefficient (24 h CVSBP), 24 h diastolic blood pressure variation coeffi?cient (24 h CVDBP), day time systolic blood pressure variation coefficient (dCVSBP), day time diastolic blood pressure variation coefficient (dCVDBP), night time systolic blood pressure variability (nCVSBP) and night time diastolic blood pressure variability (nCVDBP) were compared between two groups. The related factors of BPV were analyzed by binary logistic method in the acute phase of patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Results There were significantly higher levels of 24 h CVSBP [17.75%(17.54%,19.26%) vs 12.78% (10.67%,14.39%)], 24 h CVDBP [25.48%(20.77%,27.87%) vs 17.95% (14.88%, 21.46%)], dCVSBP [18.61%(17.65%,20.65%) vs 12.30%(10.10%,14.75%)], dCVDBP [25.65%(21.25%,29.78%) vs 17.76%(14.89%,22.19%)] in deterioration group than those of stable group (P<0.01). Results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that values of 24 h CVSBP and dCVSBP were risk factors for neurological deterioration in the acute phase of patients with hypertensive minor ischemic stroke. Conclusion The increased 24 h BPV and day time BPV are correlated with neurologi?cal deterioration during the acute phase in hypertensive minor ischemic stroke patients. BPV should be concerned in the acute phase and secondary prevention in patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the action and mechanism of NF-κB pathway in up-regulating B cell-activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) expression in multiple myeloma cells induced by IFN-γ.Methods Activated NF-κB were detected with Western blot, while the expression of BAFF-R were measured with RT-PCR and ELISA, and investigated the effect of BAY11-7082 on transcription of BAFF-R mRNA and translation of protein in multiple myeloma cells stimulated by IFN-γ. Results IFN-γ can induce the degradation of IκB-α in time-dependent and dosage-dependent manner, and up-regulated BAFF-R expression in multiple myeloma cells. BAY11-7082, an NF-κB inhibitor, inhibited not only the transcription of BAFF-R mRNA but also the protein of regulated by IFN-γin dosage-dependent manner. Conclusion NFκB may play an important role in high expression of BAFF-R in multiple myeloma cells induced by IFN-γ.

BACKGROUND: As a novel procedure in minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), percutaneous laser disc decompression(PLDD) has been applied widely in the recent development in clinical practices.OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the influences of PLDD on the stability in cervical spinal constructs.DESIGN: A before-after comparison trail based on patients.SETTING: The experiment was performed at the spine surgery department of a hospital affiliated to a university.PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-eight patients who were diagnosed as lateral cervical disc herniation at the Spine Surgery Department of Shenzhen People' s Hospital, Second Hospital Affiliated to Jinan University were involved from October 2001 to April 2003. Of all of the patients, 17 were male and 11 were female. They have 29 cervical disc protrusions altogether.INTERVENTIONS: Monitored by X-ray, a 400 μm fixed optical fiber was introduced into the injured intervertebral disc via a 9-gauge flexible trocar through an anterior cervical approach. An Nd-YAG laser system,with a 1 060 nm wavelength and an output power of 15W, was employed to ablate or decompress the inner disc tissue. The disc tissue was exposedto 500- 950 J laser powers.MAIN OUTCOME MMEASURES: Before and 6 months after the PLDD, the deviation of adjacent vertebra displacements was observed and changings of the wedge angles of the intervertebral discs were calculated respectively.RESULTS: The deviation of adjacent vertebra displacements showed no significant difference between before and after operation, when the patients were examined with a more flexed-position or a more extended-position(t=0.811 7-0.827 2, P＞ 0.05), and no significant changes in the wedge angles of the intervertebral discs could be observed either(t=0.768 7-0.827 1,P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Applying percutaneous laser disc decompression to lateral cervical disc herniation has many advantages, such as simplicity of operation, minimal invasion and having no impact on the stability in cervical spinal constructs.

Objective To establish z-score model for fetal aorta (Ao) and pulmonary artery (PA) dimensions base on fetal femur length (FL),then to evaluate them in prenatal diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).Methods Three hundred twenty-nine normal fetuses and 43 fetuses with TOF were involved,Ao and PA dimensions were measured for all cases offline after cardio-spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volume acquisition,and PA to Ao ratio (PA/Ao) was calculated.Normal Ao and PA dimensions z-score models were constructed by using first standard regression analysis using FL as independent variable.Subsequently,the three parameters between normal and TOF fetuses were compared.Results The models use to calculate z-score for Ao and PA dimensions were constructed,FL had close correlation with fetal Ao and PA dimensions.Compared with normal fetuses,the mean z-scores of Ao,PA and PA/Ao ratio were statistical different in TOF fetuses.All Ao z-scores were ＞ + 2 z-scores and all the PA/Ao ratio were ＜ the 95％ CI in TOF group,however,only 48.84％ (21/43) PA z-scores of TOF cases were ＜-2 z-scores.Conclusions The Ao and PA dimensions z-score can provide quantitative evidence in prenatal diagnosis of TOF.Aortic dilatation and abnormal PA/Ao ratio are the main performances in fetal TOF and would be markers for prenatal diagnosis of TOF.