Volume 10 · Issue 04 · 2007

Abstract：Objective:To clone and identify one novel regeneration related gene H3 ( CA854305 ) from the differential expression genes library we had set up before.Methods: Use the method of Northern blot to detect the different expressions of the novel gene under different situations, employ the technique of in silico cloning to scan the span of the novel gene, and analyze their sequences. Also we used reverse transcription PCR to validate the largest open reading frame.Results: Northern blotting results of H3 ( CA854305) showed that the transplanted group had more efficient and extensive expression than untreated and uninjured groups 5 days after spinal cord injury, while the untreated group had more extensive expression than uninjured group. It implied that H3 might have some relationship with nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury. From the results of in silico cloning we got a longest contig of 1635 bp and an largest open reading frame of 542 bp from 49 to 591 bp correspondent with the Cozak rules. Reverse transcription PCR validated the largest open reading frame sequence primarily.Conclusions : We got the sequence of novel gene H3 which might be one of the regeneration-related genes。

Abstract：There is no safer way to transport a child than a school bus. Fatal crashes involving occupants are extremely rare events in the US. In recent years, school bus transportation began to develop in China. We want to bring advanced experience on school bus safety in Western countries such as the US to developing countries.Methods: We searched the papers related to school bus safety from Medline, Chinese Scientific Journals Database and the Web of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).Results: There were only 9 papers related to school bus safety, which showed that higher levels of safety standards on school buses, school bus-related transportation and environmental laws and injury prevention were the primary reasons for the desired outcome. Few school bus is related to deaths and injuries in the developed countries.Conclusions: The developing countries should make strict environmental laws and standards on school bus safety to prevent children's injury and death。

Abstract：Objective:To assess the incidence, etiology, physiological and clinical features, mortality, and predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods: A retrospective analysis of 5 314 patients admitted to the ICU of our hospital from April 1994 to December 2003 was performed in this study. The ARDS patients were identified with the criteria of the American-European Consensus Conference ( AECC ). Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅲ ( APACHE in), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome score (MODS score), and lung injury score (LIS) were determined on the onset day of ARDS for all the patients. Other recorded variables included age, sex, biochemical indicators, blood gas analysis, length of stay in ICU, length of ventilation, presence or absence of tracheostomy, ventilation variables, elective operation or emergency operation.Results:Totally, 131 patients (2.5%) developed ARDS, among whom, 12 patients were excluded from this study because they died within 24 hours and other 4 patients were also excluded for their incomplete information. Therefore, there were only 115 cases (62 males and 53 females, aged 22-75 years, 58 years on average) left,accounting for 2. 2% of the total admitted patients. Their average ICU stay was (11. 27±7. 24) days and APACHE in score was 17.23±7.21. Pneumonia and sepsis were the main cause of ARDS. The non-survivors were obviously older and showed significant difference in the ICU length of stay and length of ventilation as compared with the survivors. On admission, the non-survivors had significantly higher MODS and lower BE ( base excess). The hospital mortality was 55. 7%. The main cause of death was multiple organ failure. Predictors of death at the onset of ARDS were advanced age, MODS≥8, and LIS≥2.76.Conclusions: ARDS is a frequent syndrome in this cohort. Sepsis and pneumonia are the most common risk factors. The main cause of death is multiple organ failure. The mortality is high but similar to most recent series including severe comorbidities. Based on this patient population, advanced age, MODS score, and LIS may be the important prognostic indicators for ARDS。

Abstract：Objective:To study the relationship between inflammation and traumatic deep vein thrombosis (TDVT).Methods : A rat model of deep venous thrombosis was established by directly clamping femoral vein. Based on the different biological situations of femoral vein thrombosis and observation phases, 150 SD rats were divided into 7 groups. Inflammatory cells in vein wall of each group were counted. The fold change and cluster analysis were applied to study the change of gene expression during the development of venous thrombosis. Especially, the genes related to inflammation, fibrinolysis, coagulation of endothelium were analyzed in detail.Results: The inflammation cells in femoral vein wall were mostly neutrophilic granulocytes in Groups B, C and D, while they were lymphocytes in Groups E, F and G. Compared with Groups A, B, E and G, the inflammation cell counts in Groups C, D and F were much higher (P ＜0.05). The results of fold-change analysis showed that 2 504 genes ( Log 2 ratio ≥ 1 or≤-1 ) presented different expressions in the process of TDVT. Most of these genes' functions were not clarified so far and the genes with known functions were involved in inflammation, DNA-dependent transcription regulation, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, etc. Among them, 23 genes related to inflammation had different expressions during TDVT. The cluster analysis showed that the expression changes of several genes, such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, Cinc2, corresponded with the development of femoral vein thrombosis.Conclusion: There is a close relationship between the genes related to inflammation and deep vein thrombosis induced by direct vascular trauma。

Abstract：Objective:To explore the epidemiology, clinical presentation, radiology and surgical treatment outcome in Chinese patients with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum.Methods: Medical notes and imaging data of 18 Chinese patients (14 males and 4 females, aged 43-72 years, mean: 57 years ) with myelopathy caused by contiguous multilevel ossification of ligamentum flavum were studied retrospectively in this article. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination, X-ray films, computerized tomography ( CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning results and pathological results. Sixteen patients were treated by laminectomy and two by laminoplasty. The average follow-up duration was 34 months ( range, 28-49 months ). The outcome was evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) score.Results: The average time for occurring clinical symptoms was 7.5 months (range, 2 days-16 months). All the 18 cases presented with clinical evidences of chronic and progressive thoracic spinal cord compression, which included bilateral leg weakness, spastic gait, numbness in lower limbs, paresthesia in terminal and perineum, and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination revealed severe spastic paraparesis, absence of abdominal reflexes, and reduction of the sensory function below the compression level. The mean JOA score before operation was 3. 6 (range, 0-6). MRI and CT scans of the thoracic spine confirmed the presence of contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum. The mean recovery rate after surgery in terms of JOA score was 66.3% (range, 33.3%-100%), with a mean final JOA score of 8. 3. Thoracic decompression laminectomy or laminoplasty could result in a good postoperative outcome.Conclusions: Contiguous multilevel ossification of the ligamentum flavum is not a common cause of myelopathy in Chinese population and should be treated as early as possible. MRI and CT scan examinations may diagnose the presence of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF). Posterior decompression, especially with en bloc dissection of the laminae, can obtain satisfactory results。

Abstract：Objective:To establish a good recoverable rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to lay the foundation for studying the pathophysiology of CPB.Methods:Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 480 g um via the right jugular vein and further transferred by a miniaturized roller pump to a hollow fiber oxgenator and back to the rat via the left carotid artery. Priming consisted of 8 ml of homologous blood and 6 ml of colloid. The surface of the hollow fiber oxgenator was 0.075 m2. Rats were catheterized and brought in bypass for 120 min at a flow rate of 100-120 ml/kg/min. Oxygen flow/ perfusion flow was 0. 8 to 1. 0, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) kept in 60-80 mmHg. Blood gas analysis, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and survival rate were examined subsequently.Results: All CPB rats recovered from the operative process without incident and remained uneventful within one week. Normal cardiac function after successful weaning was confirmed by electrocardiography and blood pressure measurements. MAP remained stable. The results of blood gas analysis at different time points were within a normal range. No significant haemolysis could be detected in the given time frame under bypass condition by using LDH.Conclusions: The rat model of CPB can principally simulate the clinical setting of human CPB. The nontransthoracic model is easy to establish and is associated with excellent recovery. This well reproducible model may open the field for various studies on pathophysiological process of CPB and also of systemic ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo。

Abstract：Objective:To study the protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (I-pre) and ischemic postconditioning (I-post) against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rat's liver.Methods: Using rat model of hepatic segmental I/R injury, rats were divided into 5 groups: Group A (sham group), Group B (I/R injury), Group C (I-pre group), Group D ( I-post group) and Group E ( combined treatment of I-pre and I-post ). Serum alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase ( SOD ), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in hepatic tissues were determined, respectively. In addition, 7 days'survival of Groups B, C, D and E were evaluated.Results: Compared with Group B, Groups C, D and E exhibited significantly decreased ALT and AST release, minimized tissue injury, suppressed values of MDA and MPO, increased activities of SOD, GSH-Px and GSH (P ＜ 0. 05 ), as well as improved animal survival. The differences among Groups C, D and E were not statistically significant.Conclusions: I-pre, I-post and combined therapy of I-pre and I-post have protective effect against hepatic I/R injury, which is correlated with its function of reducing the production of reactive oxygen species, maintaining the activities of antioxidant systems and suppressing neutrophils recruitment. No additive effect can be obtained in Group E。

Abstract：Objective:To evaluate the clinical results of treatment of midshaft tibial fracture with expandable intramedullary nails compared with interlocking intramedullary nails.Methods: From June 2003 to August 2005, 46 patients (27 males and 19 females, aged 20-74 years, mean = 38. 4 years) with midshaft tibial fracture were treated surgically in our department. The causes of fractures were traffic injury in 21 patients, fall injury in 6, tumbling injury in 11 and crushing injury in 8. According to AO/ ASIF classification, Type A fracture was found in 16 patients, Type B in 11, Type C, in 5, and Type C2 in 2. Open fractures were found in 12 patients, according to Gustilo classification, Type Ⅰ in 9 patients and Type Ⅱ in 3 patients. Based on the patients'consent, 24 patients were treated with expandable intramedullary nails (Group A) and 22 with interlocking intramedullary nails (Group B). The operation time, blood loss during operation, X-ray fluoroscopic times, hospitalization time, weight bearing time after operation, healing time of fracture andcomplications of all the patients were recorded. The clinical effects of all the cases were evaluated according to the criteria of Johner-Wruhs.Results: All the patients were followed up for 12-34 months (mean =16.2 months). The time of operation, the blood loss, X-ray fluoroscopic times, hospitalization time and healing time of fracture of Group A significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05) compared with those of Group B, but the time for weight bearing after operation, the Johner-Wruhs degree of clinical effects and complications had no significant difference between Group A and Group B (P＞0.05).Conclusions: Expandable intramedullary nail can shorten operation time, decrease blood loss and reduce invasion, which is a safe and effective treatment method for tibial midshaft fracture。

Abstract：Objective:To study cellular compatibility of improved scaffold material with deproteinized heterogeneous bone and provide experimental basis on choosing the scaffold material in bone tissue engineering.Methods: Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) were co-cultured with heterogeneous deproteinized bone in vitro. The contrast phase microscope, scanning electron microscope, MTT assay, flow cytometry were performed and the BGP content and ALP activities were detected in order to observe the cell growth, adhesion in the material, cell cycle and cell viability.Results: The scaffold material of deproteinized heterogeneous bone had no inhibitory effect on cellular proliferation, differentiation and secretion function of BMSCs.Conclusions: The established heterogeneous deproteinized bone has good biocompatibility with BMSCs and is a potentially ideal scaffold material for bone tissue engineering。

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the correlation between trauma and pulmonary thromboembolism.Methods: Comminuted fractures and extensive soft-tissue contusion at both hind limbs were made by a falling weight from a height in 16 rabbits. Lung perfusion scanning was performed to obtain the radioactivity counts before trauma, at 1 h, 48 h and 96 h after trauma. All the data were divided into 4 groups based on the above 4 time points. The rabbits were sacrificed when positive findings on the pulmonary perfusion scanning appeared. Their lungs were harvested to be paraffin-embedded and stained with hematoxylin-erosin method for histological examination of thromboembolism. The randomized block design ANOVA and the method of least significant difference (LSD) were used for statistical analysis of the radioactivity counts.Results: The histological findings showed that pulmonary embolism developed in 6 of the 16 rabbits (37.5% ). Five of the 6 pulmonary embolism rabbits presented neither clinical symptoms nor positive pulmonary embolism manifestations in the lung perfusion scanning. A significant difference was found in lung perfusion radioactivity between the pre-traumatic, post-traumatic 1h groups and post-traumatic 48 h and 96 h groups (P＜ 0. 05).Conclusions: Fractures of the hind limbs accompanied with extensive soft-tissue contusion may cause pulmonary micro-embolism that is not sensitive to lung perfusion scanning and tends to have no clinical symptoms. Pulmonary embolism development may take more than two days after trauma。

Abstract：Objective:To introduce the experience of treating fracture of both tibia and fibula with micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation through fracture site approach.Methods : The data of 15 patients ( 11 males and 4 females) , including 14 adults ( aged 22-73 years, mean =40 years) and 1 child (aged 10 years) , with fracture of both tibia and fibula were studied retrospectively in this study. A small incision was made at the fracture site of tibia. Then reposition was made under direct vision, and internal fixation was employed with steel plates inserting through the small incision.Results: Anatomical reduction was obtained. No complication was found. Union occurred on time in 14 patients. One case healed after a second operation.Conclusions: Micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation is beneficial to the healing of bone and soft tissues. Without X-ray examination, it is also easy to reach anatomical reduction and make tibial internal fixation with both plates with micro-invasive percutaneous plate internal fixation。

Abstract：Objective:To study the effect of mild hypothermia on glucose metabolism and glycerol of brain tissue in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) using clinical microdialysis.Methods: Thirty-one patients with STBI ( GCS ≤8) were randomly divided into hypothermic group (Group A) and control group (Group B). Microdialysis catheters were inserted into the cerebral cortex of perilesional and normal brain tissue. All samples were analyzed using CMA microdialysis analyzer.Results: In comparison with the control group, lactate/glucose ratio ( L/G) , lactate/pyruvate ratio ( L/P) and glycerol (Gly) in perilensional tissue were significantly decreased; L/P in normal brain tissue was significantly decreased. In control group, L/G, L/P and Gly in perilensional tissue were higher than that in normal brain tissue. In the hypothermic group, L/P in perilensional tissue was higher than that in relative normal brain.Conclusions: Mild hypothermia protects brain tissues by decreasing L/G, L/P and Gly in perilensional tissue and L/P in "normal brain" tissues. The energy crisis and membrane phospholipid degradation in perilensional tissue are easier to happen after traumatic brain injury, and mild hypothermia protects brain better in perilensional tissue than in normal brain tissue。