Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of oblique intervertebral fusion in the treatment of failed internal fixation of thoracolumbar fractures.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 14 patients who had undergone revision surgery for failed internal fixation of thoracolumbar fracture at Department of Orthopedics, The First Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to December 2021. There were 6 men and 8 women with a mean age of 47.5 (42.0, 54.3) years. Fracture segments: T 12 in 2 cases, L 1 in 3 cases, L 2 in 4 cases, L 3 in 3 cases, and L 4 in 2 cases; AO classification: type A in 1 case, type B in 7 cases, and type C in 6 cases. Their prior surgical method was posterior internal fixation with pedicle screws. The revision surgery consisted of subtotal vertebral resection through the oblique lateral approach, bone column reconstruction and lateral screw-rod internal fixation for intervertebral fusion after posterior internal fixation reset. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and incidence of complications were recorded. Compared were visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores for low back pain at preoperation, 3 days and 3 months postoperation, and the last follow-up, fusion at the last follow-up, and Frankel grading for neurological function at preoperation and postoperation. Results:All the 14 patients underwent surgery successfully and were followed up for 23 (18, 24) months. The operation time was (175.1±28.2) min, the intraoperative bleeding (300.4±122.6) mL, and the postoperative hospital stay 6 (6, 7) d. One case developed postoperative transient hip flexion weakness but was discharged after restoration of normal muscle strength by conservative treatment. Both VAS and ODI scores for low back pain at all postoperative time points were significantly improved compared with the preoperative values ( P<0.05), with a significant trend of 3 days postoperation >3 months postoperation > the last follow-up ( P<0.05). In the 12 patients with preoperative neurological damage, the Frankel grading rose by at least 1 level postoperatively ( Z=-3.110, P=0.002). The last follow-up revealed no loosening or fracture of the internal fixation. Complete bony fusion was visible in all CT sagittal reconstructions. Conclusion:For patients with thoracolumbar fracture undergoing failed internal fixation, oblique intervertebral fusion is an alternative minimally invasive surgical treatment due to its satisfactory overall outcomes.

Objective:To systematically review the qualitative research on dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes.Methods:Qualitative research on the dignity cognition and experience of the elderly in nursing homes was retrieved by computer in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 31, 2021. The quality of the article was assessed using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center.Results:A total of 10 articles were included, and 30 research results were extracted. The research results were grouped into 8 categories, and 4 integrated results were synthesized, namely, the elderly's cognition of dignity, the impact of impaired dignity on the elderly, the factors affecting the maintenance of dignity, and the elderly's dignity maintenance strategies.Conclusions:Nursing homes should attach importance to the dignity of the elderly, provide dignity care, protect the autonomy of the elderly, and strengthen the social support system to promote the realization of the elderly with dignity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of growth hormone (GH) gene on skeletal muscle cell proliferation of Guizhou cattle. The coding sequence of cattle GH gene was amplified by reverse transcription PCR, cloned into the pUCM-T vector and then used to construct the GH gene overexpression vector pEGFP-N3-GH. The expression of the GH gene in skeletal muscle-related tissues (psoas major and longissimus dorsi) of Guizhou cattle was determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). This was followed by culturing and identification of the bovine primary skeletal muscle cells. Subsequently, we introduced the GH gene overexpression vector into the cells to investigate its effect on the proliferation of bovine skeletal muscle cells and the expression of insulin like growth factor 1 and 2 genes related to skeletal muscle growth and development. RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of GH gene was higher in the psoas major than in the longissimus dorsi of Guizhou cattle, and the expression level in the psoas major of Guanling cattle and Weining cattle was significantly higher than in the longissimus dorsi (P<0.05). The transfection and proliferation results showed that pEGFP-N3-GH significantly increased the expression of GH, IGF-1, and IGF-2 genes in skeletal muscle cells compared to pEGFP-N3 (PP<0.05), and that overexpression of the GH gene also significantly increased the proliferation rate of skeletal muscle cells at the four periods examined (PP<0.01). Our results suggest that GH gene can promote the proliferation of skeletal muscle cells of Guizhou cattle and exerts a positive regulatory effect. This lays the foundation for further exploring the mechanism by which the GH gene affects the growth and development of Guizhou cattle.
Animals ; Cattle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cloning, Molecular ; Growth Hormone/genetics* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/genetics* ; Muscle, Skeletal

Cathepsin D (CTSD), the major lysosomal aspartic protease that is widely expressed in different tissues, potentially regulates the biological behaviors of various cells. Follicular granulosa cells are responsive to the increase of ovulation number, hence indirectly influencing litter size. However, the mechanism underlying the effect of CTSD on the behaviors of goat granulosa cells has not been fully elucidated. This study used immunohistochemistry to analyze CTSD localization in goat ovarian tissues. Moreover, western blotting was applied to examine the differential expression of CTSD in the ovarian tissues of monotocous and polytocous goats. Subsequently, the effects of CTSD knockdown on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and the expression of candidate genes of the prolific traits, including bone morphogenetic protein receptor IB (

Objective To retrospectively analyze unplanned secondary surgical operations in neurosurgery. Methods The incidence, causes and time interval from the first operation of unplanned secondary operations were systematically reviewed, and the length of stay, hospitalization expenses and conditions of prognosis of the patients were compared with those who did not suffered from unplanned secondary operations.Results In this study,339 unplanned secondary operations were confirmed from 2012 to 2016 in neurosurgery and the incidence of unplanned secondary operations was 0.65%. 80.24% of the unplanned secondary operations were incurred by postoperative bleeding,which was proved to be higher than other causes. Conclusions Unplanned secondary operations had caused more economic burdens, thus deserving close attentions. Reducing perioperative bleeding and implementing hierarchical operation management would be key to preventing and decreasing unplanned secondary operations.

Objective:Based on the perspective of Universal Health Coverage(UHC),a mathematical model was developed to conduct quantitative study on the development status of Basic Medical Insurance Schemes(BMIS) in China.Methods:A mixed model was developed to conduct quantitative study on the development of BMIS in the period of 2003-2015 from five dimensions:coverage of population,benefit package,reimbursement rate,risk pooling level and unity of the schemes.Sensitivity analysis was also performed.Results:The UHC scores for BMIS in China from 2003 to 2015 fluctuated obviously.Given the range of 0-100 percent,the UHC score in 2003 was 52.2％,28.5％ in 2006,23.9％ in 2010 and 26.5％ in 2015.The integration and equalization of BMIS and scaling up the risk pooling levels were shown to contribute significantly to UHC.Conclusion:The construction of mixed models was developed to provide a new calculation assessment tool for measuring the UHC,which consisted of completed evaluation tool package with addition model and multiplication model.Considering the future development of UHC,there is a still long way to go for BMIS in China.Emphases should be given to integration and equalization of BMIS as well as scaling up the risk polling to provincial and national level.

Objective:To perform textual researches on name, origin and distribution of Maidong to clarify the medicinal varieties and history recorded in ancient literatures and provide evidence for clinical use. Methods:Ancient herbal works were performed textual research, and the resource investigation and modern data were analyzed. Results:According to the ancient herbal records and modern researches, Maidong had lots of alias, while only Maimendong and Maidong were used as the medicine common names. According to the records of main origin, original plant morphological and medicinal characteristics of Maimendong, it was preliminarily concluded that Maidong recorded in the ancient herbal records was mainly produced in Jiande of Zhejiang province, Mianyang of Sichuan prov-ince, Xiangyang of Hubei province and the surrounding areas. The chemical compositions and pharmacological activities of Maidong and Shanmaidong were similar;therefore, they both could be used as the medicines. Conclusion:In the light of the ancient and mod-ern medicinal customs, modern chemistry and pharmacology researches and clinical practice of TCM, it deserves further discussion on whether Maidong and Shanmaidong can be used as multi source varieties of traditional Chinese medicines just like Polygonaceae plants palmatum L. , Rheum tanguticum Maxim, ex Balf. and Rheum officinale Baill. , and Ranunculaceae plants Coptis chinensis Franch. , Coptis deltoidea C. Y. Cheng et Hsiao and Coptisteeta Wall.

Objective: To investigate the early intervention effects of metoprolol on connexin 43(Cx43) and phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43) expression in rabbits with post myocardial infarction. Methods: A total of 24 adult male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into sham group (n=6), early treatment group(n=6), routine treatment group(n=6), and myocardial infarction group(n=6) with a randomized block design blocked by weight. Myocardial infarction was induced by left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation. Rabbits in sham group received similar surgical procedure without LAD ligation. Metoprolol (12.5 mg/kg dissolved in 2 ml distilled water) was applied to rabbits in early treatment group and routine treatment group per gavage immediately after recovery from anesthesia and at 24 hours after myocardial infarction, respectively, then treated daily for 40 days. Rabbits in sham group and myocardial infarction group received 2 ml distilled water per gavage daily for 40 days. Plasma lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) level were detected by automatic biochemistry analyzer after 6 hours in all rabbits. Ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was measured in vivo by bipolar pacing electrodes at 40 days. Cx43 and p-Cx43 distribution in ventricular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence analyses. Cx43 and p-Cx43 protein level in ventricular tissue was determined by Western blot. Results: (1) Plasma LDH ((851.7±85.9)U/L vs. (332.3±39.6)U/L, P<0.01) and CK ((1 192.7±105.3)U/L vs. (462.3±65.6)U/L, P<0.01) were significantly higher in myocardial infarction group than in sham group (both P<0.01). (2) VFT was significantly lower in myocardial infarction group than that in sham group ((470.0±91.0) beats per minute vs. (683.3±60.9) beats per minute, P<0.05), and VFT was significantly higher in early treatment group ((633.3±43.2) beats per minute) and routine treatment group ((645.0±30.8) beats per minute) than in the myocardial infarction group (both P<0.05). (3) Immunofluorescence analyses showed that Cx43 was mainly localized in the intercalated disk, which was perpendicular to the cell long axis with linear arrangement, and less lateral distribution in sham group, early treatment group and routine treatment group, which was significantly different as the case in the myocardial infarction group. The expression of p-Cx43 in myocardial infarction group was less than in sham group, which was significantly upregulated in in early treatment group and routine treatment group when compared with myocardial infarction group, and expression of p-Cx43 was significantly higher in early treatment group than in routine treatment group. (4)The p-Cx43/Cx43 ratio of protein was significantly lower in myocardial infarction group than in sham group (0.165±0.011 vs. 0.363±0.046, P<0.05), and significantly higher in early treatment group (0.720±0.063) and routine treatment group (0.364±0.030) than in myocardial infarction group (both P<0.05), and this ratio was significantly higher in early treatment group than in routine treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion Metoprolol treatment, especially the early metoprolol treatment (within 24 hours after LAD ligation), could significantly improve VFT by ameliorating the distribution and dephosphorylation of myocardial Cx43 in rabbits with experimental myocardial infarction.

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is found to be highly expressed in different kinds of tumor cells,which could regulate the occurrence and development of many kinds of tumor through multiple signal transduction pathways such as inducing the formation of inflammatory carcinoma,accelerating the transcription cycle of tumor cells,promoting the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells,inhibiting the apoptosis of tumor cells and reducing the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy drugs.It suggests that CypA might be considered as a kind of oncogene,which is expected to be a novel target for tumor treatment.

Objective To investigate the relationship between positive experience and perceived social support of the parents with a cerebral palsy child. Methods 105 parents with a cerebral palsy child who were hospitalized in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between November , 2014 and January , 2015 were conveniently selected and investigated about their positive experience and perceived social support with general information questionnaire, positive aspects of caregiving and perceived social support scale. The correlation between the two was analyzed. Results The mean score of the parent′s positive experience was (30.82 ± 5.26); the dimension of self affirmation was (16.71 ± 3.06) and the dimension of life expectation was (14.10 ± 2.85). The scores of the parents′ positive experience were significantly different among gender, education of parents and the age,gender of children. The score of the parents′ positive experience was positively correlated with the total score of perceived social support (r = 0.214, P = 0.029) and the score of other support (r = 0.227, P = 0.020). Conclusions The parents′ positive experience was medium of the high level, which is worth of more attention in order to improve it. The higher perceived social support score is , the more positive experience parents will have.