Objective To investigate surgical technique and clinical efficacy of Sky bone ex- pander kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures.Methods Eighteen cases with osteoporotic vertebral body compression fractures were treated with Sky bone expander kyphoplasty from August 2004 to November 2005.Under the local anesthesia,3.5-5ml of bone cements were injected into each pathologic vertebral body through unipedicle approach after reduction procedure was done with Sky bone expander.Results The postoperative follow-up ranged from 3 to 11 months, with an average of 4.5 months.Back pain was effectively relieved after the operation in all cases.No complications occurred.Conclusion The Sky bone expander kyphoplasty has the advantages of safe- ty,easy operation,minimal invasion,effective restoration of the vertebral body height and fast relief of pain.

OBJECTIVETo improve the X-ray diagnosis of cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (VCS).

METHODSA blinded design research. The X-ray signs both 60 patients with VCS and 60 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were collected from January 2011 to November 2012. There were 36 males and 84 females, aged from 25 to 65 years old with an average of (48.4 ± 12.3) years old. Cervical curvature, atlanto-occipital joint angle, atlanto-axial joint angle, C2/C3 joint angle and lower cervical instability condition and segmental distribution were measured and recorded by X-rays. These data were analyzed and compared between the two groups after unblended. Combined with clinical manifestations,the X-ray imaging features of VCS were further analyzed.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in cervical curvature between two groups in anteflexion X-ray films (P < 0.05). There was significant difference in extension degree of atlanto-occipital joint angle between two groups (P < 0.01). There was significant difference in atlanto-axial joint angle between two groups in lateral X-ray films (P< 0.05). There was significant.difference in anteflexion degree of atlanto-axial joint angle between two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in C2/C3 joint angle between two groups. There was no significant difference in the lower cervical instability condition and segmental distribution between two groups. In VCS group, the mild and moderate dizziness was main symptom, flexion and extension activities of neck was most common cause in the dizziness; and always accompanied with headache; tenderness mostly concentrated in the upper cervical area.

CONCLUSIONBoth X-ray signs and clinical manifestations can prompt the abnormalities of the upper cervical structure or function in patients with VCS. Anteflexion activities of neck observed by functional position of X-ray films should be emphasized in diagnosis of VCS.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiculopathy ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Spondylosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Vertebral Artery ; X-Rays

Objective To observe the effects of five flavonoids include rutin(RU),dihydromyricetin(DMY),hesperetin(HP),daidzein(DA)and hydroxysaffor yellow A(HYSA)on myocardiocyte apoptosis induced by H2O2 and to explore their relationships with Keshan disease and the possible mechanism.Methods Primary cultured cardiocytes of neonatal rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,and flavonoids preincubation group.The cardiocyte apoptosis was examined by fluorescent staining,the rates of apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,the expression of Bcl-2 family proteins associated with apoptosis were observed:by Western blot.Results Compared with model group[(24.33±6.51)%],RU[(13.95±3.80)%],DA[(11.82±3.50)%],HYSA[(12.33±3.78)%]could decreased the rate of apoptosis(P＜0.05).The five flavonoids could up-regulate Bcl-2 expression,down-regulate Bax expression,and increase the Bcl-2/Bax ratio[RU(0.989±0.094),DMY(0.931±0.280),HP(0.980±0.095),DA(1.049±0.092),HYSA(1.031±0.039),vs model(0.490±0.046),the difference had statistical significances(P＜0.05)],but the Bcl-xl did not significantly changed(P＞0.05).Conclusions RU,DMY,HP,DA and HYSA have antiapoptotic effects on cardiomyocyte via regulating Bcl-2 and Bax,which gives us a hint in prevention and treatment of Keshan disease.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in colorectal carcinoma and its relationship with the clinicopathological findings.

METHODSThe expressions of MnSOD in colorectal carcinoma, adenoma, and adjacent corresponding intestinal mucosal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The relationship between MnSOD expression level in colorectal adenoma and clinical parameters was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression of MnSOD was negative in adjacent corresponding colorectal tissues. The positive expression rate of MnSOD was 44% (11/25) in colorectal adenoma and 76% (19/25) in colorectal carcinoma (P < 0.05 when compared with the colorectal adenoma and its adjacent tissues). The expression of MnSOD was positively correlated with histopathological grades (P < 0.05) but not with other clinicopathological findings (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of MnSOD may be associated with the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal carcinoma, and therefore may be used as a new biomarker.

Adult ; Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effect of low dose pituitrin in children with septic shock.

METHODSA total of 48 pediatric cases with septic shock, in whom 6 hours, conventional treatment could not reverse shock from January 2008 to December 2010, were selected for this study. The patients were divided into two groups randomly (completely random design) (control group 24, remedial group 24). The conventional treatment included antibiotics/fluid resuscitation/correcting acid-base imbalance, glucocorticoid, organ (heart/lung) support, dopamine 1 - 15 µg/(kg·min) and norepinephrine 0.5 - 2 µg/(kg·min) pumped in continuously in the control group. In initial 6 hours the same treatment was given to the remedial group, while low dose pituitrin (0.01 - 0.03 U/min) was pumped additionally during the rest of time. The therapeutic effect on correcting shock was evaluated in both groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 76.2% in the remedial group and 40.0% in the control group; the mortality was 33.3% and 60% respectively. The difference between both groups was significant (P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONLow dose pituitrin could improve the clinical effect significantly in children with septic shock in whom 6 hours conventional treatment failed to correct shock, shorten the total periods of treatment, and decrease mortality.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; therapeutic use ; Pituitary Hormones, Posterior ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Shock, Septic ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and possibly prognositic factors of anterior approach on two-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODSA retrospective review was performed on 44 cases of two-level cervical spondylotic mydopathy from Jun. 2007 to Sep. 2009. Among the patients, 24 cases were male and 20 cases female, with an average age of (60.072 +/- 10.77) years (ranged from 39 to 80 years). The affected segments ranged from C(3.4)-C(6.7). Improvements of cervical curvature and segmental height, preoperative sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression and signal intensity changes on T2WI were respectively measured. Function of nerves was assessed according to Japanese orthopaedic association system (JOA:17 score) before and after surgery. Operation by anterior approach including: anterior corpectomy and titanium cage fusion with internal fixation, anterior corpectomy body and auto iliac bone fusion with internal fixation. Statistical analysis was made on the correlation between JOA recovery rate and prognostic factors.

RESULTSImprovements of cervical curvature was -9.1 degrees to 16.6 degrees with the mean of (1.30 +/- 5.77) degrees and improvements of segmental height was -0.3 to 12.3 mm with the mean of (4.23 +/- 3.08) mm. Sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression was 1.6 to 7.2 mm with the mean of (4.01+/- 1.25) mm. T2WI with high signal changes was in 29 cases, no change in 15 cases. Bleeding amount was 50 to 700 ml with the mean of (242.05 +/- 148.22) ml. Operative time was 90 to 250 min with the mean of (153.75 +/- 34.54) min. All patients were followed up from 6 to 31 months with an average of (17.18 +/- 7.41) months. The mean JOA score preoperatively was (12.73 +/- 2.23); at the final follow-up, the JOA score was(15.09 +/- 1.91); and the recovery rate was (60.01 +/- 26.98)%. According to standard of JOA scoring, 16 cases obtained excellent result, 12 good, 15 fair and 1 poor. The effect of anterior approach had correlations with age, time of course, preoperative JOA score, sagittal diameter of the spinal cord at the site of maximal compression and signal intensity changes on T2WI, but had no correlations with operation time, bleeding amount and improvements of cervical curvature and segmental height.

CONCLUSIONTwo-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy can achieve good effect through anterior approach. The extent of the spinal cord compression may be a reliable and direct factor to judge effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spondylosis ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Time Factors ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEAcute Transverse myelitis (ATM) is a focal inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord, resulting in motor, sensory, and autonomic nerve dysfunction. There is often a clearly defined rostral border of sensory dysfunction. Nowadays, the pathogenesis of ATM is not clear. The present study aimed to understand possible relationship between ATM and infection with Coxsackievirus B.

METHODSIgM antibody against Coxsackievirus B was detected in cerebrospinal fluid of 33 patients with ATM.

RESULTSIn 7 of the 33 cases with ATM, the IgM andtibody Coxsackievirus B (CVB) was positive. No infections with other pathogens were found at the onset of the disease.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogenesis of ATM may involve infection with Coxsackievirus B.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; cerebrospinal fluid ; immunology ; Enterovirus B, Human ; immunology ; pathogenicity ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; cerebrospinal fluid ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelitis, Transverse ; cerebrospinal fluid ; immunology ; pathology ; virology ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory mechanisms of testosterone (T) biosynthesis in rats exposed to dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

METHODSMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups by weight, including 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00 g/kg DBP groups and corn oil control group, with 16 rats in each group. DBP was administered by gavage once a day. After 30 days exposure, eight rats in each group were killed and the others were killed after 15 days without DBP administration. The levels of T and glucocorticoid (GC) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. The expression levels of 11 beta-dedroxysteriod dehydrogenase (11 beta-HSD) mRNA and steroidogenesis acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA were determined by RT-PCR. The protein expression level of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) was investigated by Western blotting.

RESULTSDuring exposure period, in 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg DBP groups, the levels of T were (0.260 +/- 0.218) ng/ml and (0.260 +/- 0.342) ng/ml, the levels of GC were (13.470 +/- 5.661) ng/ml and (13.740 +/- 3.977) ng/ml, the levels of T and GC in control group were (1.045 +/- 1.222) ng/ml and (9.224 +/- 3.496) ng/ml. There were statistic differences between 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg DBP groups and control group (t(T) values were -2.295 and -2.295, t(GC) values were 2.159 and 2.296, respectively, P < 0.05). The expression level of StAR mRNA was significantly down-regulated in 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg DBP groups, while StAR/beta-Actin values were 0.657 +/- 0.060 and 0.407 +/- 0.033, and compared to control group (0.871 +/- 0.081), there was statistic difference (t values were -3.707 and -8.037, P < 0.05). In 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg DBP groups, the expression of 11 beta-HSD mRNA and the expression of GR protein were increased in DBP dose-dependent manner, while 11 beta-HSD/beta-Actin values were 0.538 +/- 0.138 and 0.988 +/- 0.133, and GR/beta-Actin were 0.785 +/- 0.106 and 0.956 +/- 0.076, respectively. There were statistic difference, as compared to the controls (0.285 +/- 0.106 and 0.275 +/- 0.035) (t(11 beta-HSD/beta-Actin) values were 2.829 and 7.860, t(GR/beta-Actin) values were 8.064 and 10.77, respectively, P < 0.05).Linear correlation and regression revealed that there were positive correlation between DBP dose and the expression levels of 11 beta-HSD mRNA and GR protein, with r values of 0.766 and 0.790, respectively. In post-exposure period, there were no statistic differences of all above index among DBP groups and control group.

CONCLUSIONDBP might inhibit T production in rats through GR mediation.

Animals ; Dibutyl Phthalate ; toxicity ; Glucocorticoids ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Testosterone ; biosynthesis ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytomegalovirus infection on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells were cultured in vitro. Cells between 3-6 passages were infected with cytomegalovirus for different time. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity was detected by gel zymography.

RESULTSExpression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 mRNA and its activity 6 hours after infection was almost equal to control, and was greatly enhanced 12 and 24 hours after infection.

CONCLUSIONCytomegalovirus infection up-regulates expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in human endothelial cells. It might be one of the mechanisms that cytomegalovirus is involved in atherosclerosis.

Cells, Cultured ; Cytomegalovirus ; physiology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; virology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of omeprazole on platelet response to clopidogrel and the effect of polymorphisms of CYP2C19 on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.

METHODSPlatelet aggregation (PA) was assessed before 300 mg aspirin plus 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel and after 300 mg aspirin plus 75 mg maintenance dose of clopidogrel 7 days later in 414 patients with acute coronary syndrome who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Thereafter, gastric mucosal protective drugs were given (omeprazolem 20 mg, n=224 or cimetidine 800 mg, n=190). Fourteen days later, PA was measured again. Genotypes of CYP2C19*2 were analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

RESULTSAfter taken aspirin and clopidogrel, PA has decreased significantly in both groups. Compared with cimetidine, omeprazole had no significant impact on PA on 7 and 21 days post PCI. Compared with homozygotes or heterozygotes for the wild-type CYP2C19*2, patients with CYP2C19*2 AA genotype had significantly higher PA on 7 and 21 days post PCI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNo attenuating effect on platelet response to clopidogrel has been observed for Omeprazole. The variant of CYP2C19*2 AA genotype is significantly associated with attenuated response to clopidogrel.

Adult ; Aged ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 ; Drug Interactions ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Omeprazole ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Ticlopidine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology