Breeding and variety characteristics of a new variety of Fritillaria thunbergii "Zhebei 3" / 中国中药杂志

A new variety "Zhebei 3(Zhejiao Pharmaceutical 2018002)" was selected and bred from multi seeded Fritillaria thunbergii mutants by systematic breeding method. From 2012 to 2016, the traits assessment, disease resistance appraisal, plot ratios and regional trials of the variety were continuously carried out. The results showed that "Zhebei 3" emerged early and had late seedlings. The average growth period was about 100 days, which was 6 days and 12 days higher than the "Zhebei 1" and "Zhebei 2". The average yield was 5 095.5 kg·hm~(-2), which was 14.42% and 17.71% higher than of the control respectively. The average proliferation rate of bulbs was 261.2%, which was 37.46% and 31.58% higher than that of the control, respectively. The propagation coefficient of bulbs was about 1∶2.6, and the total amount of peimine and peiminine was 0.172 2%, which was 4.49% and 29.47% higher than the control, respectively. The identification of disease resistance showed that it was resistance to bulb stem(soft) rot, better than the control. "Zhebei 3" has stable characters, high yield, good quality, strong disease resistance, and moderate propagation coefficient which is suitable for planting in Zhejiang province.

Ecology suitability study of Trollius chinensis / 中国中药杂志

Based on the distribution information of 110 samples and 55 environmental factors, Maxent model was used to predict the ecology suitability regions of Trollius chinensis. The study aims at providing theory basis for the cultivation of T. chinensis. The results showed that the Maxent model prediction result was good (AUC>0.9) and the main factors effecting the ecology suitability regions of T. chinensis were precipitation in July, standard deviation of seasonal variation of temperature, annual mean temperature, precipitation in August and altitude. The ecology suitable regions of T. chinensis mainly concentrated in Shanxi, Hebei, east of Inner Mongolia, west of Jilin and Liaoning, north of Shaanxi, south of Ningxia, east and south of Gansu, and east of Qinghai. The results indicated that except for traditional distribution regions, north of Shaanxi, south of Ningxia, east and south of Gansu, and east of Qinghai could selected as the regions for cultivation of T. chinensis. It provides theory basis for selecting suitable regions to cultivate T. chinensis.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene Apa I polymorphism and the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between May, 2015 and June, 2016, 100 patients with bone and joint tuberculosis and 100 healthy volunteers were recruited concomitantly in Heyuan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Vitamin D receptor gene Apa I polymorphisms in these subjects were analyzed using SNaPshot.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The genotype frequencies of Apa I-AA, Apa I-Aa and Apa I-aa were 51%, 41%, and 8% in the case group and 33%, 55%, and 12% in the control group, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). The genotype of Apa I-AA was significantly higher in the case group with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.073 (95% CI: 1.142-3.763).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Apa I polymorphisms of the VDR gene are associated with the susceptibility to bone and joint tuberculosis in Chinese Han population, and individuals with a Apa I-AA genotype are at greater risks to develop bone and joint tuberculosis.</p>

Cloning and bioinformatics analysis of Actin gene in Fritillaria thunbergii / 中成药

AIM To clone the Actin gene in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.and to make bioinformatics analysis.METHODS The total mRNA in roots,stems,leaves,flowers and bulbs of F.thunbergii was extracted,and the degenerate primer was designed and synthesized.With total mRNA in leaves as a template,the conserved fragments of Actin gene was cloned by RT-PCR and Ta cloning technology.Using this gene as a reference gene,tissue specificity expression analysis was adopted in 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) gene.RESULTS One gene sequence (463 bp) was obtained by RT-PCR amplification and Ta cloning.The Actin gene in F.thunbergii showed high similarities to those in Lilium regale Wilson,Tulipa gesneriana,Ornithogalum caudatum Jacq.,Dendrobium officinale Kimura et Migo,Diospyros kaki Thunb.,Betula luminifera H.Winkl.and Zea mays L.(84％-98％),the homologies of its amino acid sequence to Drosera adelae F.Muell,Brassica napus L.,Vanilla peanigoeia Ancer,L.regale,Jatropha carcas L.,Lycium barbarum L.and Rhizophora stylosa amino acid sequences were all more than 89％,and the Actin protein had close genetic relationships with Lotus corniculatus L.,L.regale and T.gesneriana.The expressions of HMGR gene in various parts of this plant showed obvious differences,which was in sequence of bulbs ＞ flowers ＞ leaves ＞ stems ＞ roots.CONCLUSION It is the first time that Actin gene (named as FtActin) is coloned in F.thunbergii,which can lay the basis for its effective application.

Fabrication of a new composite scaffold material for delivering rifampicin and its sustained drug release in rats / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To fabricate a new composite scaffold material as an implant for sustained delivery of rifampicin and evaluate its performance of sustained drug release and biocompatibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The composite scaffold material was prepared by loading poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres that encapsulated rifampicin in a biphasic calcium composite material with a negative surface charge. The in vitro drug release characteristics of the microspheres and the composite scaffold material were evaluated; the in vivo drug release profile of the composite scaffold material implanted in a rat muscle pouch was evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography. The biochemical parameters of the serum and liver histopathologies of the rats receiving the transplantation were observed to assess the biocompatibility of the composite scaffold material.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading efficiency of microspheres were (56.05±5.33)% and (29.80±2.88)%, respectively. The cumulative drug release rate of the microspheres in vitro was (94.19±5.4)% at 28 days, as compared with the rate of (82.23±6.28)% of composite scaffold material. The drug-loaded composite scaffold material showed a good performance of in vivo drug release in rats, and the local drug concentration still reached 16.18±0.35 µg/g at 28 days after implantation. Implantation of the composite scaffold material resulted in transient and reversible liver injury, which was fully reparred at 28 days after the implantation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The composite scaffold material possesses a good sustained drug release capacity and a good biocompatibility, and can serve as an alternative approach to conventional antituberculous chemotherapy.</p>

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis for detecting protein kinase C activation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a sensitive and direct method for detecting the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HEK293 cells were transfected with C kinase activity reporter (CKAR) plasmid or/and parathyroid receptor 1 plasmid , and after incubation for 72 h, the fluorescence resonance energy transfer was measured with or without parathyroid or TPA stimulation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TPA reduced the efficiency of FRET and increased the emission ratio of CFP/YFP (C/Y) in HEK293 cells transfected with CKAR. PTH(1-34) could increase the emission ratio of C/Y in HEK293 cells co-transfected with CKAR and PTHR1 but not in cells transfected with CKAR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FRET analysis using CKAR can be utilized to detect the activation of PKC, which provides a useful means for studying the signaling pathways associated with PKC.</p>

Expressions of interleukin 18 and prostaglandin E2 and their correlation in the synoviocytes of patients with osteoarthritis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expression of interleukin 18 (IL-18) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and their relationship in the synoviocytes of patients with osteoarthritis (OA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The synovial tissues were obtained from 30 OA patients to isolate the synoviocytes for primary culture. The concentrations of IL-18 and PGE2 in the supernatants of synoviocyte culture were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The concentration of IL-18 averaged 51.559-/+27.614 pg/ml and PGE2 327.036-/+333.561 pg/ml in the supernatant of the synoviocytes. A significant positive correlation was noted between their expressions (r=0.863, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-18 may induce the production of PGE2, and their interactions they may play an important role in the pathogenesis of OA.</p>

High-performance liquid chromatography for detecting the concentrations of isoniazid and acetylisoniazid in spinal tuberculosis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution of isoniazid and its metabolite in spinal tuberculosis following chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-three patients with spinal tuberculosis received chemotherapy with 2SHRZ/16HRZ (for a total of 18 months). Four weeks after the chemotherapy, all the patients underwent surgery and specimens of the serum, ilium and vertebral tissue including the sclerotic wall, focus inside the sclerotic wall (if present) and destructed foci were obtained. CT was performed in all the cases to test the HU of the foci before operation, and the levels of isoniazid and its metabolite in the specimen were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of isoniazid and its metabolite were the highest in the serum, followed by normal ilium and non-sclerotic bone, and were extremely low in the sclerotic wall and foci. Their levels in the non-sclerotic bone of the compromised vertebra and normal vertebra showed no significant difference (P>0.05), but in the sclerotic bone, their levels were significantly higher than in the normal vertebra (P<0.05). Isoniazid and its metabolite are hardly detectable in the sclerotic foci in the compromised vertebrae.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Isoniazid and its metabolite may reach therapeutic concentration in normal vertebra and nonsclerotic bones of the compromised vertebra, but not in the disease foci or the sclerotic bone of the compromised vertebrae.</p>

Effect of Coflex interspinous stabilization and vertebral arch pedicle screw implantation on the stability of three-dimensional motions of the lumbar spine / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Coflex interspinous stabilization and vertebral arch pedicle screw implant on the stability and motion of the lumbar spine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The range of motion (ROM) of 6 fresh adult human cadaver lumbar spine specimens (L(1) approximately S(1)) was biomechanically tested in forward flexion/extension stretch, left/right lateral bending and left/right axial rotation. The ROM and neutral zone (NZ) of the segments L(2/3), L(3/4), and L(4/5) were measured and compared in 3 conditions, namely intact condition (a), rigid fixation of the segment L(4/5) with vertebral arch pedicle screw (b), and condition b plus L(3/4) stabilization with Coflex device (c).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ROM of segment L(4/5) was significantly smaller in conditions b and c than in condition a in all the directions (P<0.05). The ROM of segment L(3/4) was significantly smaller in conditions a and c than in condition b in extension stretch (P<0.01), smaller in condition a than in conditions b and c in left/right lateral bending (P<0.01), and decreased significantly in the order of a<c<b in forward flexion stretch and left/right axial rotation (P<0.05). The ROM of segment L(2/3) was significantly smaller in conditions a and b than in condition c in extension stretch (P<0.01), but showed no significant differences between the 3 conditions in the other directions (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ROM of the segment superior to the lumbar spine with rigid fixation increases in all the directions, but can be reduced with Coflex device implanted in the superior segment, which results in only increased ROM of the segment superior to Coflex device in extension stretch.</p>

Biological characteristics of human degenerative vertebral endplate cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the morphology and phenotypes of cells extracted from the endplate in the intervertebral discs and identify the factors affecting their biological characteristic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The intervertebral disc endplate were digested enzymatically, and the morphology of the obtained cells was examined under light microscope. Immunhistochemical analysis of collagen II and real-time PCR was carried out, and the morphologies, viability, cell growth, apoptosis and chondrocyte matrix production were compared between the cells isolated from the degenerative and normal vertebral endplates.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cells in primary culture presented with spherical and oval morphology, and the cytoplasm was stained blue with toluidine blue. The morphologies of the cartilage endplate cells and the articular cells were almost identical. All the freshly isolated cells expressed collagen II. The degenerative vertebral endplate cells showed decreased expression of collagen II with increased apoptotic cells as compared with normal vertebral endplate cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The intervertebral disc endplate cells, like articular cartilage cells, express cartilage-specific matrix proteins. Degenerative vertebral endplate cells show decreased cell vitality with increases cell apoptosis.</p>

Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in degenerative lumbar intervertebral disc / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in degenerative human intervertebral disc.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Specimens of the nucleus pulposus of the degenerative discs were obtained from patients with lumbar disc herniation (experimental group), and those from young patients suffering thoracolumbal vertebral bursting fracture served as the control. The experimental group was divided into three subgroups according to the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results. The tissue specimens from all the groups were examined for HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 expressions using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The tissues in the experimental group showed significantly higher expressions of HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the expressions increased significantly with the severity of the degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between the expressions of the HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 in degenerative intervertebral discs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HIF-1alpha and MMP-2 may participate in the degeneration of human intervertebral discs, in which process their expressions show a common pattern of enhancement with the progression of the condition.</p>

Determination of the concentrations of interleukin-18 and other cytokines in the synovial fluid in patients with osteoarthritis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the concentrations of interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-6, IL-8, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the synovial fluid in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), and explore the role of IL-18 in the pathogenesis of OA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The synovial fluid was collected from 30 patients with knee OA, and the concentrations of IL-18 and the other cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A linear regression was performed between IL-18 and the other cytokines.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average IL-18 and PGE2 concentrations were 220-/+304 pg/ml and 89-/+104 pg/ml in the synovial fluid, respectively, and the two cytokines showed a positive correlation in the synovial fluid (r=0.628, P=0.001). The IL-18 concentration was also correlated to the concentrations of IL-6 (1200-/+1587 pg/ml, n=22; r=0.590, P=0.008) and IL-8 (5190-/+6024 pg/ml, n=9; r=0.776, P=0.014).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IL-18 can promote PGE2 production, which causes cartilage degradation in OA, thus therapies targeting this cytokine may prove an effective approach to early OA treatment.</p>

Effect of lidamycin on mitochondria initiated apoptotic pathway in human cancer cells / 药学学报

Although enediyne antibiotic lidamycin ( LDM) is a potent inducer of apoptosis, the underlying mechanisms of its apoptotic functions remain to be explored. Here, we aim to elucidate its possible mechanisms in mitochondria initiated apoptotic pathway involved in human BEL-7402 and MCF-7 cells. Cytochrome c released from mitchondria to cytosol fraction was detected by Western blotting. p53 and Bax, Bcl-2 expressions were detected by Western blotting and RT-PCR. MTT assay was used to detect cytotoxicity of LDM with or without caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. After the BEL-7402 cells were exposed to 0. 1 micromol x L(-1) LDM within 6 h, the increase of cytochrome c in the cytosol and decrease in the mitochondria were observed when compared with untreated cells. The expression of Bax, an important proapoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, increased gradually in the BEL-7402 cells after exposure to LDM of 0. 1 micromol x L (-1) for 2, 6, and 9 h, separately, while Bcl-2 increased at 2 and 6 h, and decreased at 9 h after LDM treatment. Enhanced protein expressions were parallel with respective increased mRNA level for Bax only, but not p53. Caspase inhibitor may inhibit partially the killing effects induced by LDM. Therefore we conclude that the rapid activation of mitochondrial pathway induced by LDM in tumor cells might contribute to its highly potent cytotoxicities.

Perioperative complications of single-stage surgical management for spinal tuberculosis / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the causes of perioperative complications of single-stage surgical management for spinal tuberculosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients with thoracic, lumbar and lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis were treated by single-stage surgical management from January 1997 to January 2006 in our unit, including seventy-five males and forty-five females. The mean age was 34.5 (range 17 to 68) years old. The lesion ranged from T(6) to S(1). The anterior procedures of anterior debridement, interbody fusion and anterior fixation were carried out in sixty-five cases, posterior procedures in twenty-six cases, and combined anterior and posterior procedures in twenty-nine cases, respectively. The complications that occurred during surgical procedure and 1 month after operation were recorded. Underlying causes were analysed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 10 cases (8.3%) were recorded of mild to severe complications during perioperative period in 120 patients. The complications and underlying causes were as follows: (1) A patient died from liver failure and blood coagulation dysfunction after operation due to inappropriate surgical timing (n = 1), in which case the patient with lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis also suffered from alcoholic liver sclerosis and dysfunction. (2) False diabetes insipidus (n = 1) and deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs (n = 1) occurred as result of surgical trauma. (3) Tear of iliac vein (n = 1) occurred with lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis because of unclear anatomical relationships when anterior debridement was performed. Injury of lumbar nerve roots (n = 3) and hemothorax (n = 1) also occurred due to mispractice of surgical procedures. (4) Paralysis intestinal obstruction and hypokalemia (n = 2) occurred after anterior procedures for lumbar spinal tuberculosis as a result of other reasons.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Improper perioperative care will lead to complications of single-stage surgical procedures for spinal tuberculosis. Emphasis should be put on preoperative evaluation, surgical planning, and postoperative caring for prevention of complications.</p>

Analysis of the long-term outcome of anterior approach surgery on cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the long-term efficacy of anterior approach surgery on cervical spondylotic myelopathy and factors affecting prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data in 116 patients suffered from cervical spondylosis from January 1992 to December 2000 were reviewed, including 80 male cases and 36 female cases, whose age ranged from 36 to 76 years (mean, 51 years). The preoperative course of disease was 2 months to 20 years (mean, 19 months). There were 65 cases (56.0%) with single segments involved, 44 cases (37.9%) with two segments, 7 cases (6.0%) with three segments. Ninety-eight cases were onset slowly, 18 cases with no remote cause and aggravating quickly. Three kinds of surgeries were performed: anterior cervical decompression and autoiliac bone interbody fusion, anterior cervical decompression and fusion with threaded fusion cage, anterior cervical decompression and autoiliac bone interbody fusion with anterior screw-plate system. Improvement in spinal cord function was assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring system, the long-term efficacy and influential factors were also analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean follow-up time was 7 years and three months (5 - 12 years). The mean preoperative JOA score was 9.34 +/- 1.81. The mean postoperative JOA score was 10.35 +/- 1.85. At the final follow-up, the JOA score was 14.09 +/- 1.90 and the recovery rate was 63.2%. Among the total patients, 27 cases were excellent, 47 cases were fine, 23 cases were good, 19 cases were poor, the fineness rate was 63.8%. The long-term efficacy of anterior approach surgery has close correlations with time of course, age of onset, preoperative spinal cord function and the number of affected segments, but has no correlations with modes of fusion and internal fixation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The patients will be attentively observed while having a definite diagnosis of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The good long-term results will be obtained after early anterior cervical decompression and fusion.</p>

Effects of AGEs on oxidation stress and antioxidation abilities in cultured astrocytes / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether two kinds of in vitro prepared advanced glycation end products (AGEs), Glu-BSA and Gal-BSA, could change oxidation stress and anti-oxidation abilities in astrocytes, and thus might contribute to brain injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Changes of GSH, MDA, SOD, MAO-B, nitric oxide were measured after AGEs treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both 0.1 g/L Glu-BSA and Gal-BSA could slightly decrease GSH level, while 1 g/L of them significantly decreased GSH level by 35% and 43% respectively. The MDA levels of both 1 g/L AGEs treated groups (306 +/- 13 and 346 +/- 22) were higher than that of the normal group (189 +/- 18), which could be inhibited by free radical scavenger NAC. The SOD activities of both 1 g/L AGEs treated groups (67.0 +/- 5.2 and 74.0 +/- 11.0) were lower than that of the normal group (85.2 +/- 8.0). Both 0.1 g/L AGEs could slightly increase the activity of MAO-B, while 1 g/L of them could increase MAO-B activity by 1.5 and 1.7 folds respectively. Both AGEs stimulation could produce NO level by 1.7 and 2 folds respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Enhanced levels of astrocytic oxidation stress and decrease of antioxidation abilities may contribute to, at least partially, the detrimental effects of AGEs in neuronal disorders and aging brain.</p>

The selection of the surgical approach in the management of fracture and dislocation of lower cervical spine combined spinal cord injury / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate how to select an appropriate surgical approach in the management of fracture and dislocation of lower cervical spine combined spinal cord injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 54 patients of lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 29 cases with vertebral body compressive fracture and dislocation, 7 cases with vertebral body bursting fracture and dislocation, 3 cases with unilateral facet dislocation, 15 cases with bilateral facet dislocation. All cases were associated with spinal cord injury. According to American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grades, 21 cases were in A grade, 5 cases in B grade, 22 cases in C grade and 6 cases in D grade. All patients had surgical reduction, decompression, stabilization and fusion, 43 cases in anterior approach and 11 cases in posterior approach.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up in 12 to 36 months, the mean follow-up time was 18 months. There were no great vessels, trachea, esophagus or spinal cord iatrogenic injury. There were no pull-out and breakage of screws or plates. Fusion was achieved in all patients at an average of 12 weeks postoperatively. There were no pseudarthrosis or bone nonunion. Of all the patients, 96.3% were acquired completely reduction and the normal intervertebral height and lordosis were maintained. Patients with complete spinal cord had no neurologic recovery, but they felt relief from upper limb pain or numb. Incomplete spinal cord lesions improved on average 1-2 Frankel grade after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For lower cervical spine fracture and dislocation, an ideal anatomy reduction can be obtained with either anterior or posterior approach surgery. It is important to select a suitable surgical approach according to different types of cervical fracture and dislocation.</p>

Treatment of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis with posterior STB thoracolumbar transpedicular screw-plate spine fixation system / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of a self-designed posterior STB thoracolumbar transpedicular screw-plate system in the treatment of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This STB screw-plate system is developed with titanium alloy (TC4, Ti6Al4V). During December, 1999 and January, 2001, this system was applied in 51 cases, including lumbar spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (36 cases), degenerative lumbar instability (15 cases). The patients were aged 22 - 78 years, mean age: 47.5 - years; among them there were 14 male cases, 37 female cases; There were 15 cases degenerative spondylolisthesis with grade I-II slip, 36 cases of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis, including 34 cases with grade I-II slips and 2 cases with grade III slips; single level of 33 cases, two levels 3 cases. Decompression was performed for the 43 cases with interbody fusion using iliac crest or bilateral-lateral fusion using demineralized bone matrix and 8 cases were fixed with demineralized bone matrix fusion without decompression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the operations heeded about 60 - 120 minutes, and during the operations bleeding amounts were 200 - 500 ml. The cases completely recovered to work or normal action after 3 months of surgeries. 46 of all cases were achieved to satisfactorily reduction and clinical effect, 5 cases of grade II-III remained incomplete reduction (grade I slip).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This STB system has advantages of biomechanical stability and reduction capability and its effect in clinical application is undoubtedly positive.</p>

Inhibiting effects of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibiting effects and mechanism of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide (ABP) and lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum AGE levels were determined by AGE-ELISA, MTT method was used to determine lymphocyte proliferation, IL-2 activity was determined by a bioassay method. Spontaneous motor activity was used to detect mouse's neuromuscular movement, latency of step-through method was used to examine learning and memory abilities of mouse, colormetric assay was used to determine hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin, pyrogallol autoxidation method was used to determine superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of erythrocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Decreased levels of serum AGE, hydroxyproline concentration in mouse skin and spontaneous motor activity in D-galactose mouse aging model were detected after treated with ABP or LBP, while lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 activity, learning and memory abilities, SOD activity of erythrocytes, were enhanced.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ABP and LBP could inhibit nonenzyme glycation in D-galactose induced mouse aging model in vivo and ABP has a better inhibiting effect than LBP.</p>

The effects of extracorporeal shock waves on the lumbar spinal cord / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To investigate whether or not extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) treatment is safe for treating low back pain caused by lumbar facet joint degeneration by observing its effects on the lumbar segment of the spinal cord.Methods Five adult dogs were used for this study.ESWs were focused on their right L_(4～5) facet joints. The energy output was set at 40% of the maximum output,and a total of 1000 shocks were delivered at a frequency of 120/min.Before and 3 days after the treatment,the somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) induced by stimulating the tibial nerve were recorded from the animals' scalps,and the motor function of their hind limbs was evaluated with Tarlov's scale.The animals were then sacrificed and the L_(4～5) segments of their spinal cords were taken for histopatho- logical observation,with the T_(12) segments taken as controls.Results Three days after ESW treatment,the left and the right hind limbs scored 5 and 4 on the Tarlov scale.The amplitude of SEPs decreased and their latency increased. Histopathological observation showed mild swelling of the L_(4～5) segment of the spinal cord with congested veins on the surface.Erythrocyte and leukocyte exudation as well as myelin sheath swelling in the spinal cord were also observed un- der the microscope,but with no demyelination.Conclusion ESW had some adverse effects on the spinal cord when focused on the facet joint.Further studies of the safety range of ESW energy and distance are needed.