[Infrared spectrum analysis of admixture decoction of herba ephedrae with semen armeniacae amarum].

The infrared spectra of decoction of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum and the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum were tested. The change in the the mixed decoction was discussed to study the relationship between herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum after decoction. The results showed that some absorption peaks of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum were retained in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum, such as 1402 and 1076 cm(-1), but some absorption peaks that never appear in the two ingredient spectra increased such as 1394 and 682 cm(-1). New absorption peaks were generated in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum, such as 688 and 1187 cm(-1). It can be showed that there were differences in the chemistry environment of the various chemical groups in the three decoctions introduced above, with the variation in absorption peak position, and the biochemical structure of the material changed, possibly with some new chemical compositions created. Medical ingredients in the mixed decoction of herba ephedra + semen armeniacae amarum were not simply the addition of herba ephedra and semen armeniacae amarum based on studies of infrared spectrum of decoction, and the new notion of prescription spectroscopy was proposed.

Biomechanical and clinical study on screw hook fixation after direct repair of lumbar spondylolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biomechanical effect and clinical results of hook screw fixation after direct repair of lumbar spondylous defects in the pars interarticularis. METHODS: L(2)-L(6) spines of 8 fresh-frozen and thawed calf cadavers were used for mechanical testing. Bilateral spondylous defects were created in the L(4)vertebra. The intervertebral rotation ranges between L(4) and L(5) were scanned and computerized in various states of motion, such as flexion/extension, lateral bending and torsional loadings applied on the intact spine and the spondylous spine when the spondylous spine was fixed with modified Scott's fixation, hook screw fixation and Buck's fixation sequentially and respectively. Between July 2002 and February 2004, 14 young male patients (aged 15-31 years) suffering from symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis were treated with TSRH hook screw fixation after direct repair of the defects. MacNab criteria were used to assess their pre-and post-operative status. RESULTS: Each fixation technique could significantly increase the intervertebral rotational stiffness and made the stiffness return to nearly the intact level. Hook screw technique provided more rotational stability than the others. Hook screw and Buck's techniques provided more flexion/extension stability than modified Scott's technique. Neither complication nor instrumental failure was observed in this study. The mean follow-up period was 21 months. All the patients except one acquired union during the follow-up period. Thirteen patients had a "good" or "excellent" result according to MacNab criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Hook screw fixation shows biomechanical advantages and is safe and effective for young patients with lumbar spondylolysis.