Influence of Medial Support Screws on the Maintenance of Fracture Reduction after Locked Plating of Proximal Humerus Fractures / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Technical aspects of the correct placement of medial support locking screws in the locking plate for proximal humerus fractures remain incompletely understood. This study was to evaluate the clinical relationship between the number of medial support screws and the maintenance of fracture reduction after locked plating of proximal humerus fractures.@*Methods@#We retrospectively evaluated 181 patients who had been surgically treated for proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) with a locking plate between September 2007 and June 2013. All cases were then subdivided into one of four groups as follows: 75 patients in the medial cortical support (MCS) group, 26 patients in the medial multiscrew support (MMSS) group, 29 patients in the medial single screw support (MSSS) group, and 51 patients in the no medial support (NMS) group. Clinical and radiographic evaluations included the Constant-Murley score (CM), visual analogue scale (VAS), complications, and revision surgeries. The neck-shaft angle (NSA) was measured in a true anteroposterior radiograph immediately postoperation and at final follow-up. One-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for statistical analysis of measurement data, and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data.@*Results@#The mean postoperative NSAs were 133.46° ± 6.01°, 132.39° ± 7.77°, 135.17° ± 10.15°, and 132.41° ± 7.16° in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively, and no significant differences were found (F = 1.02, P = 0.387). In the final follow-up, the NSAs were 132.79° ± 6.02°, 130.19° ± 9.25°, 131.28° ± 12.85°, and 127.35° ± 8.50° in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively (F = 4.40, P = 0.008). There were marked differences in the NSA at the final follow-up between the MCS and NMS groups (P = 0.004). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) NSA losses were 0.0° (0.0-1.0)°, 1.3° (0.0-3.1)°, 1.5° (1.0-5.2)°, and 4.0° (1.2-7.1)° in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively (H = 60.66, P < 0.001). There were marked differences in NSA loss between the MCS and the other three groups (MCS vs. MMSS, Z = 3.16, P = 0.002; MCS vs. MSSS, Z = 4.78, P < 0.001; and MCS vs. NMS, Z = 7.34, P < 0.001). There was also significantly less NSA loss observed in the MMSS group compared to the NMS group (Z = -3.16, P = 0.002). However, there were no significant differences between the MMSS and MSSS groups (Z = -1.65, P = 0.225) or the MSSS and NMS groups (Z = -1.21, P = 0.099). The average CM scores were 81.35 ± 9.79, 78.04 ± 8.97, 72.76 ± 10.98, and 67.33 ± 12.31 points in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively (F = 18.68, P < 0.001). The rates of excellent and good CM scores were 86.67%, 80.77%, 65.52%, and 43.14% in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively (χ = 29.25, P < 0.001). The median (IQR) VAS scores were 1 (0-2), 1 (0-2), 2 (1-3), and 3 (1-5) points in the MCS, MMSS, MSSS, and NMS groups, respectively (H = 27.80, P < 0.001). Functional recovery was markedly better and VAS values were lower in the MCS and MMSS groups (for CM scores: MCS vs. MSSS, P < 0.001; MCS vs. NMS, P < 0.001; MMSS vs. MSSS, P = 0.031; and MMSS vs. NMS, P < 0.001 and for VAS values: MCS vs. MSSS, Z = 3.31, P = 0.001; MCS vs. NMS, Z = 4.64, P < 0.001; MMSS vs. MSSS, Z = -2.09, P = 0.037; and MMSS vs. NMS, Z = -3.16, P = 0.003).@*Conclusions@#Medial support screws might help enhance mechanical stability and maintain fracture reduction when used to treat PHFs with medial metaphyseal comminution or malreduction.

Design and biomechanical study of a novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate / 医用生物力学

Objective To design a novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate for fixing greater and lesser tuberosities in complex proximal humeral fractures,and evaluate its fixing stability by biomechanical tests.Methods Twelve fresh-frozen humerus specimens with intact rotator cuff were randomly divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) to establish the same greater and lesser tuberosities fracture models.Specimens in Group A were fixed with the double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate,while specimens in Group B were fixed with the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) and tension band suture,and a 3.5-mm cannulated screw was added to stabilize the lesser tuberosity.The tensile test on subscapularis,infraspinatus and teres,supraspi natus as well as the load-to-failure test on greater and lesser tuberosities were performed on specimens in two groups.Results For subscapularis tensile tests,displacements under 150 N tensile stretch and after fatigue test in Group A were both significantly smaller than those in Group B (P ＜ 0.05).For infraspinatus and teres tensile tests,there were no statistical differences between Group A and B in displacements under 150 N tensile stretch and after fatigue test (P ＞ 0.05).For supraspinatus tensile tests,there were no statistical differences between Group A and B in displacements under 90 N tensile stretch and after fatigue test (P ＞ 0.05).For load-to-failure tests on lesser tuberosity,the failure load in Group A was significantly greater than that in Group B (P ＜ 0.05),and the failure displacement in Group A was significantly smaller than that in Group B (P ＜ 0.05).For load-to-failure tests on greater tuberosity,there were no statistical differences between Group A and B in both the failure load and failure displacement (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with the ordinary tension band suture plus cannulated screw for fixing lesser tuberosity,the novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate shows more obvious biomechanical stability,with the advantage of simultaneously fixing greater and lesser tuberosities.The research findings provide a new choice for the clinical treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures.

Design and biomechanical study of a novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate / 医用生物力学

Objective To design a novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate for fixing greater and lesser tuberosities in complex proximal humeral fractures, and evaluate its fixing stability by biomechanical tests. Methods Twelve fresh-frozen humerus specimens with intact rotator cuff were randomly divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) to establish the same greater and lesser tuberosities fracture models. Specimens in Group A were fixed with the double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate, while specimens in Group B were fixed with the proximal humeral internal locking system (PHILOS) and tension band suture, and a 3.5-mm cannulated screw was added to stabilize the lesser tuberosity. The tensile test on subscapularis, infraspinatus and teres, supraspinatus as well as the load-to-failure test on greater and lesser tuberosities were performed on specimens in two groups. Results For subscapularis tensile tests, displacements under 150 N tensile stretch and after fatigue test in Group A were both significantly smaller than those in Group B (P0.05). For supraspinatus tensile tests, there were no statistical differences between Group A and B in displacements under 90 N tensile stretch and after fatigue test (P>0.05). For load-to-failure tests on lesser tuberosity, the failure load in Group A was significantly greater than that in Group B (P0.05). Conclusions Compared with the ordinary tension band suture plus cannulated screw for fixing lesser tuberosity, the novel double-leaf proximal humeral locking plate shows more obvious biomechanical stability, with the advantage of simultaneously fixing greater and lesser tuberosities. The research findings provide a new choice for the clinical treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures.

Biomechanical comparison between triple Endobutton technique and modified Weaver Dunn procedure for anatomical reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament / 医用生物力学

Objective To compare the biomechanical behavior of a triple Endobutton technique for anatomic reconstruction of coracoclavicular ligament and with a modified Weaver-Dunn procedure. Methods Twelve fresh frozen cadaveric shoulders were applied with 70 N in superior, anterior and posterior direction, respectively, to measure displacement of the acromioclavicular joint. The failure test with the load at the rate of 25 mm/min was conducted to record the failure load and failure mode. The specimens were then randomly assigned to 2 groups: the triple Endobutton technique group and the modified Weaver-Dunn procedure group for reconstruction and to conduct displacement test and failure test again. The stability and mechanical strength of acromioclavicular joints after reconstruction under different states were then compared. Results The triple Endobutton technique group had significantly less anterior ((8.72±1.41) mm vs (37.03±5.05) mm) and posterior ((8.03±3.68) mm vs (14.85±1.89) mm) displacement than that in the modified Weaver-Dunn procedure group after reconstruction (P<0.05), and the former had similar displacement ((7.81±2.22) mm anterior and (7.16±1.95) mm posterior) as compared to the intact state. There were no significant differences in superior displacement among the groups. The modified Weaver-Dunn procedure group had significantly smaller failure loads ((172±9) N) than that in the triple Endobutton technique group ((687±115) N) and the intact ligament group ((685±234) N) (P<0.05). Conclusions The triple Endobutton technique has less anterior and posterior displacement and its stability is more closely approximate to the intact ligament; meanwhile, it has similar strength as coracoclavicular ligaments, which can better restore the function of coracoclavicular ligaments.

Identification of CNS neural circuitry involved in the innervation of C7 spinal nerve: a viral transsynaptic tracing study / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Contralateral C7 spinal nerve transfer is a useful operation for the treatment of brachial plexus root avulsion. The recovery of the independent function at the ipsilateral side, however, depends on neural circuitry reorganization in the central nervous system (CNS). This study tried to locate the CNS neuronal elements involved in the innervation of C7 spinal nerve.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Pseudorabies virus (PRV, TK/gG(-), 2 microlitre), which expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP), was injected into the left C7 spinal nerve in 20 adult Sprague Dawley rats. After rats survived for 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 36 h, the C1-C7 segments of the spinal cord and brain were processed using a polyclonal immunohistochemical antibody against PRV.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PRV-labeled neurons were found mainly in gray matter of the C1-C7 segments of the spinal cord and at the following structures of the brain: lateral vestibular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, A5 cells, red nucleus, primary and secondary motor cortexes, primary and secondary somatosensory cortexes. Although located bilaterally, the PRV-labeled neurons existed predominantly in the ipsilateral side of the spinal cord and the contralateral side of the brain at 6-12 h after injection (p.i.). The number of PRV-labeled neurons in the CNS was increasing with rat's survival time and the distribution of these neurons turned bilateral with no obvious dominance to either side at 24 h and 36 h (p.i.).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By use of transsynaptic tracing technique with PRV, the anatomically connected set of neurons, which modulates the activity of C7 spinal nerve, is located successfully in the CNS.</p>

Modern biological basis of Chinese medical theory that "kidney nourishes marrow and brain is sea of marrow" / 中国中药杂志

The theory that "the kidney nourishes marrow and brain is the sea of marrow" has been instructing traditional Chinese medical doctors in preventing and treating dementia in aged people for thousands of years. However, the modern biological basis of this theory has not been systemically studied. In this review, we summarized our serial pharmacological studies on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with Chinese medicinal herbs, using multiple kinds of AD-like animal and cell models. The results show that "kidney-reinforcing" herbs of traditional Chinese medicine play a very important role in the anti-AD effects; and different "kidney-reinforcing" herbs have different effects in brain functions. The common effects of "kidney-reinforcing" herbs are improving cellular energy metabolism, increasing neurotrophic factors and the number of cholinergic neurons, and decreasing neurotoxin production. Based on above results, we propose that the essence of "brain marrow" is the neurons and neurotrophic factors in the brain; "the deficiency of brain marrow" is induced by the decrease in neurotrophic factors and the atrophy and loss of neurons in the brain, thus resulting in cognitive impairment and dementia. The modern biological basis of "reinforcing kidney to replenish marrow" by traditional Chinese medicine includes improving cellular energy metabolism and utilization, enhancing endogenous neurotrophic effects and decreasing neurotoxin production, thus reducing the cell death and increasing the survival and regeneration of neurons.

The study of total spondylectomy in the treatment of cervical spinal tumors / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the surgical indications, approaches and the clinical results of the total spondylectomy and instrumentation reconstruction in the treatment of cervical spinal tumor.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From October 1998 to October 2003, 39 patients with lower cervical bone tumors, including 34 cases with primary tumor and 5 cases with metastatic tumor, were admitted and operated on with total spondylectomy. The patients underwent anteroposterior total spondylectomy including anterior cervical plating, titanium mesh reconstruction and posterior instrumentation based on the location of tumor lesions in the lower cervical spine. One vertebral level total spondylectomy was performed in 29 cases, two level in 7 cases and three level in 3 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The postoperative follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4 years. A majority of patients achieved good results postoperatively. Nineteen cases had complete relief of neurological status. One patient died of multiple metastases and systemic failure 24 months later. One case with malignant neurilemmoma developed local recurrence one year postoperatively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Anteroposterior total spondylectomy and reconstruction can reduce local recurrence, improve neurological function and increase operation therapeutic effect. Meanwhile, the technique of cervical total spondylectomy carries relatively greater risks and should be more attention to the operation indication.</p>

Investigation of resection and reconstruction procedure of high-sacrum tumors / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the way of resection of high-sacrum tumors and the way and duration of the spinal-pelvic TSRH or ISOLA internal fixation.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>From October 1998 through April 2002, 35 patients with sacral tumor were enrolled in our hospital, including 4 cases in L(5)-S(1), 2 in L(5)-S(2), 4 in S(1), 8 in S(1 - 2), 6 in S(1 - 3), 6 in S(1 - 4), 5 in S(1 - 5). 35 patients were followed by lumbo-pelvic TSRH or ISOLA internal fixation and corresponding chemotherapy and radiotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the follow-up period of 6 - 42 months, the short-term results were satisfactory with the lumbosacral pain reduced and the neurological function improved in different degrees, however dysuria occurred in 1 case and skin necrobiosis at coccygeal incision occurred in 1 case; two cases experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage and 1 case experienced postoperative infection and delayed healing, 1 case with chordoma and 2 cases with malignant fibrous histiocytoma recurred 1 year after postoperation, one of these 2 cases with malignant fibrous histiocytoma suffered from lung metastasis and died of system failure 19 months after postoperation. No fractured rod occurred.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Surgical procedure and postoperative comprehensive treatment have important effects on the prognosis. High-sacral tumor resection and reconstruction are effective means of achieving stabilization, providing significant pain relief and preserving ambulatory capacity.</p>

INFLUENCE OF TAURINE ON LEARNING AND MEMORY CYTOKINES IN RATS INTRAHIPPOCAMPALLY INJECTED WITH ?-AMYLOID / 营养学报

Objective: To investigate the effect of taurine on learning and memory impairment, cytokines secretion in rats intrahippocampally injected with ?-amyloid (A?) 1-40. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into control group, A? injected group, taurine (0.3g/kg?d, 0.6g/kg?d) groups. The rats were fed with taurine for 7 days, and then subjected to bilateral intrahippocampus injection of A?1-40 or vehicle. Two weeks later, all rats performed Morris water maze test. The contents of IL-6, TNF-? were checked by way of radio-immunity assay for hippocampus samples. Results: Compared with A?model group, the escape latency and distance were significantly reduced in taurine (0.6g/kg?d) group; the ratio of swimming distance in the target quadrant to that in the whole pool of the probe trial; the content of cytokines of IL-6 and TNF-?in hippocampus were reduced significantly. Conclusion: Taurine can effectively attenuate the cognitive dysfunction caused by A?1-40 in rats. The reduced cytokines content in hippocampus might contribute to this effect.