[Comparison of different methods for drug delivery via the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To compare 3 commonly used methods for drug delivery via the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space in rats. METHODS: We compared the effects of 3 methods for drug delivery via the lumbar spinal subarachnoid space in Sprague Dawley rats, namely acute needle puncture, chronic catheterization via laminectomy, and non-laminectomized catheterization. Body weight changes of the rats were measured, and their general and neurological conditions were assessed after the surgeries. The motor function of the rats was examined using rota rod test both before and after the surgeries. Nociceptive tests were performed to assess nociception of the rats. HE staining was used to examine local inflammation caused by the surgeries in the lumbar spinal cord tissue, and lidocaine paralysis detection and toluidine blue dye assay were used to confirm the precision of drug delivery using the 3 methods. RESULTS: Both needle puncture and catheterization via laminectomy resulted in a relatively low success rate of surgery and caused neurological abnormalities, severe motor dysfunction, hyperalgesia, allodynia and local inflammation. Catheterization without laminectomy had the highest success rate of surgery, and induced only mild agitation, slight cerebral spinal fluid leakage, mild sensory and motor abnormalities, and minimum pathology in the lumbar spinal cord. Catheterization without laminectomy produced less detectable effects on the behaviors in the rats and was well tolerated compared to the other two methods with also higher precision of drug delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Catheterization without laminectomy is a safe, accurate and effective approach to lumbar drug delivery in rats.

[Ultrasound, abdominal X-ray and dual-source CT in the diagnosis of colon tumor mechanical obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of ultrasound, abdominal X-ray, and dual-source CT (DSCT) in the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted among 45 patients who were admitted to our department between October 2010 and August 2011 for abdominal pain. All the patients underwent ultrasound, abdominal X-ray and DSCT examinations and subsequent surgical interventions, which confirmed the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction. RESULTS: DSCT diagnosis was obviously more efficient than ultrasound and X-ray in detecting colon obstruction by neoplasms, and could better predict the position of the obstruction. Complete information of the vessels in the surgical field could be obtained by DSCT imaging three-dimensional reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ultrasound and X-ray, DSCT is more effective in the diagnosis of colon tumor obstruction by acquiring more thorough information by imaging reconstruction and should be considered for a rapid and accurate diagnosis.

[Association of peripheral blood hypoxia-inducible factor-1α with metastasis of colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mRNA levels in the peripheral blood and the metastasis of colorectal cancer. METHODS: HIF-1α mRNA in the peripheral blood was detected by RT-PCR in 40 patients with colorectal cancer and 20 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Seventeen patients with colorectal cancer showed positivity for HIF-1α mRNA, showing a significantly higher positivity rate (42.5%) than the healthy subjects (P<0.05). The expression of HIF-1α mRNA is closely related to the staging of colorectal cancer (CRC). CONCLUSION: HIF-1α mRNA may serve as a potential marker in the detection of metastasis of colorectal cancer.

[Application of intraoperative colon irrigation in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the application of intraoperative irrigation of the colon in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction. METHODS: The clinical data were analyzed in 58 patients with left colon rectal cancer and intestinal obstruction undergoing intraoperative irrigation of the colon for primary anastomosis, and the results were compared with 58 patients receiving conventional primary tumor resection. RESULTS: The mean intraoperative blood loss or postoperative hospital stay was comparable between the two groups, but the patients undergoing colon irrigation had significantly delays in the recovery of bowel movement. CONCLUSION: With strict control of the surgery indication, intraoperative colon irrigation can be safe and feasible in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction.

[Traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of mycoplasmal pneumonia in children and the serum cytokine changes].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) treatments on mycoplasmal pneumonia in children and the changes in the serum cytokines. METHODS: Ninety children with mycoplasmal pneumonia were randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group. TCM was given orally and azithromycin at the daily dose of 10 mg/kg was administered intravenously in the treatment group. In the control group, only intravenous azithromycin was given. After a 7-day treatment, the response rate, time of symptom disappearance, and serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were observed. RESULTS: The total response rate was 93.33% in the treatment group and 73.33% in the control group, showing a significantly better therapeutic effect in the treatment group (P<0.05). The combined treatments also showed better effects in alleviating fever, coughing and rales (P<0.05), and resulted in more obvious reduction in the serum levels of cytokines (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined treatment with TCM and WM produce good therapeutic effects in children with mycoplasmal pneumonia.