May Measurement Month 2019: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from China.

To report the blood pressure (BP) data obtained in the May Measurement Month (MMM) 2019 in China. Study participants were recruited if ≥18 years of age and had ideally not had their BP measured for ≥1 year. BP was measured three times consecutively with a 1-min interval in the sitting position, using a validated electronic BP monitor. Trained volunteer investigators administered a questionnaire to collect information on lifestyle, medical history, and use of medications. The measurement was performed in 238 387 participants in 250 sites across 31 China provinces. The majority of screening took place in hospitals or clinics (78.7%), with 17.1% in outdoor public areas and 4.2% in other settings. The study participants included 127 853 women (53.6%) and had a mean (±SD) age of 48.9 ± 16.2 years. The mean (of readings two and three) systolic/diastolic BP was 121.8/73.8 mmHg. In all hypertensive patients (n = 66 181, 27.8%), the awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension were 51.5%, 48.4%, and 29.1%, respectively. Linear regression models showed differences in systolic and diastolic BP according to sex and age and several other major characteristics, such as previous stroke, myocardial infarction, and diabetes mellitus, antihypertensive medication use and known hypertension, previous hypertension in pregnancy and current pregnancy, alcohol intake and current smoking, and body mass index. The MMM 2019 campaign has been successful in measuring BP in a large member of participants in China.

Quercetin prevents necroptosis of oligodendrocytes by inhibiting macrophages/microglia polarization to M1 phenotype after spinal cord injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Oligodendrocytes (OLs) death after spinal cord injury (SCI) contributes to demyelination, even leading to a permanent neurological deficit. Besides apoptosis, our previous study demonstrated that OLs underwent receptor-interacting serine-threonine kinase 3(RIP3)/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)-mediated necroptosis. Considering that necroptosis is always accompanied with pro-inflammatory response and quercetin has long been used as anti-inflammatory agent, in the present study we investigated whether quercetin could inhibit necroptosis of OLs and suppress the M1 macrophages/microglia-mediated immune response after SCI as well as the possible mechanism. METHODS: In this study, we applied quercetin, an important flavonoid component of various herbs, to treat rats with SCI and rats injected with saline were employed as the control group. Locomotor functional recovery was evaluated using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) scoring and rump-height Index (RHI) assay. In vivo, the necroptosis, apoptosis, and regeneration of OLs were detected by immunohistochemistry, 5'-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation. The loss of myelin and axons after SCI were evaluated by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopic study. The polarization of macrophages/microglia after SCI and the underlying mechanisms were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. In vitro, the ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level examination, propidium iodide (PI) labeling, and Western blotting were used to analyze the necroptosis of cultured OLs, while the signaling pathways-mediated polarization of cultured macrophages/microglia was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: We demonstrated that quercetin treatment improved functional recovery in rats after SCI. We then found that quercetin significantly reduced necroptosis of OLs after SCI without influencing apoptosis and regeneration of OLs. Meanwhile, myelin loss and axon loss were also significantly reduced in quercetin-treated rats, as compared to SCI + saline control. Further, we revealed that quercetin could suppress macrophages/microglia polarized to M1 phenotype through inhibition of STAT1 and NF-κB pathway in vivo and in vitro, which contributes to the decreased necroptosis of OLs. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin treatment alleviated necroptosis of OLs partially by inhibiting M1 macrophages/microglia polarization after SCI. Our findings suggest that necroptosis of OLs may be a potential therapeutic target for clinical SCI.

Comparison between the antero-posterior and posterior only approaches for treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10-L2) with kyphosis in children: a minimum 3-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: There are few papers in the literature comparing outcomes between antero-posterior and posterior-only approaches for treating thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10­L2) in children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 47 children who were diagnosed and treated as thoracolumbar tuberculosis (T10­L2) in our department from January 2005 to June 2009. Forty-seven cases of thoracolumbar tuberculosis were treated by two different surgical approaches. All the cases were divided into two groups: 25 cases in group A underwent one-stage posterior debridement, transforaminal fusion, and instrumentation, and 22 cases in group B underwent anterior debridement, bone graft, and posterior instrumentation in a single- or two-stage procedure. Two approaches were compared in terms of average operative time, blood loss, hospitalizations, bony fusion, intraoperative and postoperative complications, the Oswestry disability index score, neurological status, and the angle of kyphosis. RESULTS: All 47 patients (24 M/23F), averaged 9.1 ± 2.6 years old (range 5 to 14 years), who were followed up for mean of 49.3 ± 8.6 months (range 36 to 65 months). Spinal tuberculosis (TB) was completely cured, and the grafted bones were fused in 9 months in all cases. It was obviously that the average operative time, blood loss, hospitalization, and complication rate of group A was less than those of group B. Good clinical outcomes were achieved in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both the antero-posterior and posterior approaches can effectively heal T10­L2 vertebral tuberculosis, but the average surgical time, blood loss, complications, and hospital stay following the posterior approach are prominently less than those following the antero-posterior approach. It might be a better surgical treatment for thoracic spinal tuberculosis in children with poor health status, especially for cases in early phase of bone destruction and/or mild and moderate kyphosis.

The role of costotransverse radical debridement, fusion and postural drainage in the surgical treatment of multisegmental thoracic spinal tuberculosis: a minimum 5-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: We present a retrospective study of patients with multilevel contiguous tuberculous spondylitis of thoracic region that underwent single-stage posterolateral debridement and fusion and following posterior instrumentation. METHODS: From June 2000 to March 2009, 870 consecutive spinal tubercular patients including 36 patients who were diagnosed and treated as multilevel contiguous thoracic spinal tuberculosis in our institution. Apart from five patients being treated conservatively, the 31 cases received surgery by single-stage posterolateral debridement, fusion, following posterior instrumentation and postural drainage. The patients were evaluated based on the Frankel scoring system, kyphotic Cobb angle, and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score. RESULTS: The mean duration of postoperative follow-up was 79.2 ± 9.9 months (range 62-98 months). Neither mortalities nor any major complications were found. Solid bony fusion was achieved in all patients. No patients with neurological deficit deteriorated postoperatively. According to Frankel scoring system, 7 cases were rated as Grade D, 24 cases as Grade E at last follow-up. The average preoperative Cobb's angle was 32° (range 21°-39°). The average early postoperative Cobb's angle was 23° (range 15°-32°). The mean latest postoperative Cobb's angle was 26° (range 20°-32°), with a small loss of correction at last follow-up. Pre-op VAS was 8.8 ± 0.7 (range 7-10) and final follow-up was 1.8 ± 1.1. There was a significant difference of VAS between preoperation and the final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage surgical treatment for multilevel contiguous spinal tuberculosis by posterolateral debridement, fusion, posterior instrumentation can be an effective and feasible treatment method.

Cortistatin Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation of Cardiac Fibroblasts During Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Cortistatin is a recently discovered neuropeptide that has emerged as a potential endogenous antiinflammatory peptide. As a clinical syndrome, sepsis occurs when an infection becomes amplified, leading to organ dysfunction or risk for secondary infection. Human septic shock involves excessive inflammatory cytokine production. Interleukin (IL) 1ß is one of these cytokines, and it plays a pivotal role in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether cortistatin inhibits nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor with a pyrin-domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/caspase-1/IL-1ß pathway in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) and whether this role can subsequently affect myocardial injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: To test these processes, a murine model of cecal ligation and puncture in vivo and lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiac fibroblasts were used in vitro. We found that pretreatment with cortistatin inhibited NLRP3-mediated ASC pyroptosome formation, caspase-1 activation, and IL-1ß secretion. Additionally cortistatin inhibits proinflammatory pathways (nuclear factor κB and pro-IL-1ß). CONCLUSIONS: This work provided the first evidence of cortistatin as a new immunomodulatory factor with the capacity to deactivate NLRP3 inflammasome activity and to protect against the myocardial injury induced by sepsis. This study has important implications for the design of new strategies to control NLRP3-related diseases.

Treatment of pediatric spinal tuberculosis abscess with percutaneous drainage and low-dose local antituberculous therapy: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of computed tomography (CT) guidance using percutaneous catheter with low-dose drainage local chemotherapy (modified PCD) and antituberculous therapy (ATT) for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis in children. METHODS: Twenty-seven children suffering from spinal tuberculosis were treated with modified PCD and ATT in our institute from 2002 to 2012. We describe our treatment, which involves CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy (continuous low-dose (20 mL) irrigation). The patients were evaluated based on the Frankel scoring system, the kyphotic Cobb angle, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). RESULTS: All patients were followed up for an average of 31.00 ± 13.94 months. No sinus formation was detected. All patients responded well to this treatment. The ESR values were decreased to normal at last follow-up. The neurological functions show significant improvement after operation. Preoperatively, the kyphotic angle was 22.89 ± 7.06°, and it was measured as 21.19 ± 8.73° at the last visit. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that percutaneous intubation and low-dose irrigation under CT guidance (modified percutaneous catheter drainage (MPCD)) and ATT are easy, safe, efficient, and less invasive methods for the treatment of spinal tuberculosis in children.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on the Th1/Th2 cell balance of rat offspring.

Vitamin D has important functions in the immune system, and it may suppress the proliferation of T helper (Th) cells and modulate their cytokine production. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of maternal supplementation with different doses of vitamin D on the allergy status of the offspring. We gave pregnant female rats a low dose (48000IU/kg, equal to 800IU/d in human) and a high dose (240000IU/kg,equal to 4000IU/d in human) of vitamin D3 intramuscular injection on gestation day (GD)17, and we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of immune responsive cytokines including IL-4, IgE, and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in the offspring. On postnatal day (PND) 21, plasma IL-4 levels were elevated by 10.43% (p < 0.01) in the offspring from the high dose vitamin D3 group compared with the control group. And offspring plasma IL-4 levels in the low dose group decreased by 7.27% (p < 0.05) compared with the control dose group. We found that the offspring of mothers given a low dose of vitamin D3 had a 6.17% (p < 0.01) decrease in their plasma IgE levels compared to control animals, but the high dose of vitamin D3 showed no effect. The serum 25(OH)D3 levels were negatively correlated with the IL-4 (r = -0.561, p < 0.01) and IgE (r = -0.421, p < 0.05) levels of the offspring from the low dose group. In the lung tissues of the offspring of the high dose group, we observed thickening of the alveolar septa and more inflammatory cells compared with the control group and low dose group. Thickened alveolar septa were also found in the lung tissues of the offspring from the control group. We conclude that high dose vitamin D3 maternal supplementation during pregnancy induced an imbalance of Th1 and Th2 cells in their offspring resulting allergic and inflammatory response.

Enhancement of Bone Repair in Diabetic Rats with Metformin-Modified Silicified Collagen Scaffolds.

Regenerating bone defects in diabetic rats presents a significant challenge due to the detrimental effects of reactive oxygen species and impaired autophagy on bone healing. To address these issues, a metformin-modified biomimetic silicified collagen scaffold is developed utilizing the principles of biomimetic silicification. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that the scaffold enhanced bone tissue regeneration within the diabetic microenvironment through the release of dual bio-factors. Further analysis reveals a potential therapeutic mechanism whereby these dual bio-factors synergistically promoted osteogenesis in areas of diabetic bone defects by improving mitochondrial autophagy and maintaining redox balance. The present study provides critical insights into the advancement of tissue engineering strategies aimed at bone regeneration in diabetic patients. The study also sheds light on the underlying biological mechanisms.

Oropharyngeal microbiome profiling and its association with age and heart failure in the elderly population from the northernmost province of China.

Respiratory tract infections are the most common triggers for heart failure in elderly people. The healthy respiratory commensal microbiota can prevent invasion by infectious pathogens and decrease the risk of respiratory tract infections. However, upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiome in the elderly is not well understood. To comprehend the profiles of URT microbiota in the elderly, and the link between the microbiome and heart failure, we investigated the oropharyngeal (OP) microbiome of these populations in Heilongjiang Province, located in the North-East of China, a high-latitude and cold area with a high prevalence of respiratory tract infection and heart failure. Taxonomy-based analysis showed that six dominant phyla were represented in the OP microbial profiles. Compared with young adults, the OP in the elderly exhibited a significantly different microbial community, mainly characterized by highly prevalent Streptococcus, unidentified_Saccharibacteria, Veillonella, unidentified_Pre votellaceae, and Neisseria. While unidentified_Prevotellaceae dominated in the young OP microbiome. There was competition for niche dominance between Streptococcus and member of Prevotellaceae in the OP. Correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of unidentified_Saccharibacteria was positive, while Streptococcus was negatively correlated to age among healthy elderly. The bacterial structure and abundance in the elderly with heart failure were much like healthy controls. Certain changes in microbial diversity indicated the potential OP microbial disorder in heart failure patients. These results presented here identify the respiratory tract core microbiota in high latitude and cold regions, and reveal the robustness of OP microbiome in the aged, supplying the basis for microbiome-targeted interventions.IMPORTANCETo date, we still lack available data on the oropharyngeal (OP) microbial communities in healthy populations, especially the elderly, in high latitude and cold regions. A better understanding of the significantly changed respiratory tract microbiota in aging can provide greater insight into characteristics of longevity and age-related diseases. In addition, determining the relationship between heart failure and OP microbiome may provide novel prevention and therapeutic strategies. Here, we compared OP microbiome in different age groups and elderly people with or without heart failure in northeastern China. We found that OP microbial communities are strongly linked to healthy aging. And the disease status of heart failure was not a powerful factor affecting OP microbiome. The findings may provide basic data to reveal respiratory bacterial signatures of individuals in a cold geographic region.

The use of posterior vertebral column resection in the management of severe posttuberculous kyphosis: a retrospective study and literature review.

PURPOSE: We present a retrospective study of 15 cases with severe posttuberculous kyphosis of thoracolumbar region that underwent posterior vertebral column resection. METHODS: From 2004 to 2009, 15 consecutive patients with posttubercular kyphotic deformity underwent posterior vertebral resection osteotomy. Six subjects were females and nine were males with an average age of 35.8 years (range 20-60 years) at the time of surgery. None of the patients had neurological deficits. The mean preoperative visual analogue scale was 8.7 (range 3-9), and the average preoperative Oswestry Disability Index was 46.5 (range 40-56). RESULTS: The average duration of postoperative follow-up was 36.1 ± 10.7 months (range 24-62 months). The number of vertebra resected was 1.3 (range 1-2) on average. There were ten patients with one-level osteotomy and five patients with two-level osteotomy. The average operation time was 446.0 ± 92.5 min (range 300-640 min) with an average blood loss of 1,653.3 ± 777.9 ml (range 800-3000 ml). The focal kyphosis before surgery averaged 92.3 ± 8.9° (range 74-105°), and the kyphotic angle decreased to 34.5 ± 8.7° on average after the surgical correction. The average kyphotic angle at the last follow-up was 36.9 ± 8.5°, loss of correction was 2.4 ± 1.4° on average. All patients postoperatively received bony fusion within 6-9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that although posterior vertebral resection is a highly technical procedure, it can be used safely and effectively in the management of severe posttuberculous kyphosis. It is imperative that operations be performed by an experienced surgical team to prevent operation-related complications.

RP11-867G2.8 promotes EMT and chordoma malignant phenotypes by enhancing FUT4 mRNA stability and translation.

Chordoma is a rare bone tumor, and the recurrence rate of chordoma is high, the treatment is difficult, and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, it is of great significance to find key target genes for the treatment of chordoma. Microarray was used to analyze the significant gene associated with chordoma. Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression levels of RP11-867G2.8 and FUT4. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to locate the position of RP11-867G2.8 in chordoma cells. MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell assay and Xenograft Mouse Model were used to clarify the function of RP11-867G2.8 and FUT4. RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA stability assay and polysome profiling analysis were used to clarify the relationship between RP11-867G2.8 and FUT4. We found that RP11-867G2.8 is highly expressed in chordoma tissues and cells, and RP11-867G2.8 overexpression promotes the malignant biological behavior of chordoma cells. RP11-867G2.8 overexpression alters the expression pattern of genes modulating signaling pathway. FUT4 is accumulated in chordoma tissues, and RP11-867G2.8 is antisense RNA of FUT4. RP11-867G2.8 can bind to FUT4 mRNA, increasing FUT4 mRNA stability and facilitating translation of FUT4. RP11-867G2.8 binds to EIF4B and PABPC1, which increases the translation of FUT4. Further studies found that FUT4 silence counteracts the effect of RP11-867G2.8 in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest that RP11-867G2.8 promotes the development and progression of chordoma by up-regulating the expression of FUT4.

Meta-Analysis on the Anesthetic Effects of Remifentanil plus Dexmedetomidine versus Remifentanil Alone in Cardiac Surgery.

In this study, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the anesthesia effects of remifentanil plus dexmedetomidine versus remifentanil alone in cardiac surgery. Literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and other databases for relevant literature published in English or Chinese before October 2021. A total of 17 studies, consisting of 1350 patients, were included in this study. Of these, 10 studies showed that remifentanil plus dexmedetomidine had a good anesthesia effect in cardiac surgery (OR = 3.61, 95% CI: 1.73, 7.52, P < 0.001), and 8 studies showed that the Ramsay score test of anesthesia (SMD = 0.88; 95% CI: -0.77, 2.53; P < 0.001) in the experimental group was better than that in the control group. In addition, changes in the hemodynamic heart rate (SMD = -0.74; 95% CI: -1.41, -0.07; P < 0.001) and mean arterial pressure (SMD = -0.18; 95% CI: -0.72, 0.36; P < 0.001) of the two groups of anesthesia were counted in 17 studies, which also showed that the anesthesia effect of remifentanil plus dexmedetomidine was good. Thus, remifentanil plus dexmedetomidine may be a more promising option for cardiac surgery anesthesia than remifentanil alone.

lncRNA HHIP-AS1/HHIP modulates osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs by regulating Hedgehog signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: lncRNA, a type of non-coding RNA, plays an important role in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). In this study, lncRNA and mRNA microarrays were performed to study the change of gene expression during osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs. We focused on Hedgehog interacting protein (HHIP), because HHIP mRNA and lncRNA HHIP-AS1 were gradually down-regulated on days 0, 7, and 14 during osteogenic differentiation. In addition, the gene coding lncRNA HHIP-AS1 is located on the anti-sense of Hhip gene, implying the potential interaction between lncRNA HHIP-AS1 and HHIP mRNA. METHODS: BM-MSCs with over-expressed or silenced lncRNA HHIP-AS1 were constructed to explore the biological role of HHIP-AS1 in osteogenic differentiation. BM-MSCs were lysed to determine the alkaline phosphatase activity. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence were performed to analyze HHIP-AS1, HHIP, RUNX2 and osteocalcin. RESULTS: Overexpression of lncRNA HHIP-AS1 increased HHIP expression, which suppressed Hedgehog signaling pathway, as indicated by the reduction of SMO, Gli1 and Gli2. The suppression of Hedgehog signal was associated with the inhibited osteogenesis. HHIP knockdown abolished the suppression of osteogenesis induced by lncRNA HHIP-AS1 overexpression. Through binding to HHIP mRNA, lncRNA HHIP-AS1 recruited ELAVL1 to HHIP mRNA, whereby increasing the mRNA stability and the protein level. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that down-regulation of HHIP due to lncRNA HHIP-AS1 reduction promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs though removing the suppression of Hedgehog signal.

Neutrophil extracellular traps exacerbate coagulation and endothelial damage in patients with essential hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia.

Patients with essential hypertension (EH) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHCY) suffer from more increased thrombotic events than those in EH alone. However, the underlying mechanisms for this effect are not well understood. This study hypothesized that neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) releasing may be triggered by HHCY in patients in EH, thereby predisposing them to a more hypercoagulable state. Using a modified-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, we observed that cell-free DNA (CF-DNA) and myeloperoxidase DNA (MPO-DNA) in patients With EH and HHCY were significantly higher. The NET formation was also positively correlated with homocysteine levels, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and hypercoagulable markers (thrombin-antithrombin complex, D-dimers). Furthermore, neutrophils from patients in EH with HHCY were found to be predisposed to amplified NET release when compared to patients in EH without HHCY or CTR. Coagulation function assays showed that NETs in patients With EH and HHCY resulted in a significantly increased ability to generate thrombin and fibrin than in those in EH without HHCY or CTR. These procoagulant effects of NETs in patients With EH and HHCY were markedly inhibited (approximately 70%) by the cleavage of NETs with DNase I. Isolated NETs from patients With EH and HHCY neutrophils also exerted a strong cytotoxic effect on endothelial cells (ECs), converted them to apoptosis. This study revealed a previously unrecognized association between the hypercoagulable state and neutrophils in patients With EH and HHCY. Therefore, blocking NETs may represent a new therapeutic objective for preventing thrombosis in these patients.

[Effect of adenovirus-mediated tissue factor pathway inhibitor gene transfer on apoptosis of rat vascular smooth muscle cells].

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies showed potential role of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) on attenuating restenosis, we investigated the effect of TFPI gene transfer on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) apoptosis. METHODS: Human TFPI recombinant adenovirus or LacZ recombinant adenovirus or PBS were transferred to rat aortic VSMCs respectively in vitro. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of exogenous TFPI gene. VSMCs were examined by cell counting and MTT. Apoptosis of VSMCs was detected by flow cytometry, TUNEL and electron microscope at different time after gene transfer. RESULTS: mRNA expression of TFPI was detected in VSMCs at the 3rd day after gene transfer. Cell numbers and absorbance value in Ad-TFPI group were similar as those in Ad-LacZ and PBS groups at the 1st, 3rd and 5th day but significantly lower at the 7th day (P<0.05) after gene transfer. The apoptosis rates in Ad-TFPI group tested by flow cytometry were all significant higher than those in Ad-lacZ groups at each time point. The positive rates in Ad-TFPI group determined by TUNEL were significant higher than those in Ad-LacZ groups at 3rd (10.82% +/- 1.57% vs. 3.46% +/- 0.93%), 5th and 7th (16.95% +/- 2.01% vs. 5.11% +/- 1.29%, all P<0.05) day post gene transfer. Electron microscope evidenced cell contracting, cytoplasm condensing, lightly swelled mitochondria, nucleus pyknosis and apoptotic body formation after gene transfer in Ad-TFPI group which were not shown in cells of LacZ and PBS groups. CONCLUSION: TFPI gene transfer could induce apoptosis in rat VSMCs which might be one of the mechanisms responsible for its beneficial effect on restenosis inhibition after angioplasty.

[Progress in biological effects of cortistatin].

Cortistatin, cloned from cerebral cortex in mammal in 1996, is a sort of polypeptide with multiple biological activities and shares high structural homology with somatostatin. It is widely distributed in tissues and organs of human body, such as brain, coronary artery, stomach, kidney, testis, leukocyte and immunological system. A growing evidence indicates that cortistatin exerts many kinds of biological effects including modulating the process of study and memory, inducing sleep, inhibiting inflammation and regulating endocrine metabolism and homeostasis of cardiovascular system. And these effects are mediated by binding somatostatin receptors, grow hormone secretagogues receptor-1a and Mas-related gene X2 receptor. Cortistatin is considered an important factor regulating the balance of body homeostasis.

The reasons and clinical treatments of postoperative relapse of Pott's disease.

Literature about postoperative relapse of Pott's disease is rare. Accordingly, the risk factors and clinical treatments for postoperative relapse of Pott's disease remain controversial. In order to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical treatment of postoperative Pott's disease relapse, and to investigate its optimal therapeutic procedures with respect to focal characteristics, we performed a retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data that were prospectively collected between July 2008 and May 2014 from 753 consecutive spinal tubercular patients including 67 patients who were diagnosed and treated as postoperative relapse of Pott's disease in our hospital. Apart from 9 patients being treated conservatively, the remaining 58 cases received surgery in our series. Specifically, 12 cases underwent anterior debridement, interbody fusion with instrumentation; 15 cases received posterior instrumentation anterior debridement, and bone grafting; 10 cases underwent posterior decompression, bone grafting, and instrumentation; 7 cases with debridement, 5 with debridement and sinus resection. Nine cases received percutaneous drainage and low-dose local continuous chemotherapy. Clinical outcomes before and after treatment were evaluated with statistical analysis based on hematologic and radiographic examinations, bone fusion, and neurologic status. Patients were followed-up for a mean of 39.2 ±â€Š8.2 months (range, 24-60 months). Postoperatively, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) became normal within 4-6 months in all patients, and solid bone fusion was achieved within 8 months. Patients exhibited significant improvements in neurological deficits postoperatively, while the visual analog scale for pain showed significant improvements in all patients at final follow-up. The outcomes of follow-up showed that the reasons for postoperative relapse of Pott's disease were multiple. Individualized therapeutic methods should be chosen in accordance with the patient's general condition, recurrence focal characteristic, surgeon's experience, but above all is administration of appropriate chemotherapy.

One-stage surgical management for lumber brucella spondylitis with anterior debridement, autogenous graft, and instrumentation.

Literature reporting on lumber brucella spondylitis (LBS) is rare, therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of one-stage surgical management for lumber brucella spondylitis by anterior debridement, autogenous grafts, and instrumentation. This was a retrospective cohort study including 16 patients with lumber brucella spondylitis by treated from January 2009 to October 2011 in our department. All cases underwent one-stage anterior internal fixation, debridement, and bone fusion; clinical and radiographic results were analyzed and compared. All patients were followed up for an average of 35.3 ±â€Š8.1 months (range, 24-48 months). Brucella spondylitis was completely cured in all patients with bone fusion achieved in 4.8 ±â€Š1.3 months. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were significantly improved between the preoperative and last follow-up visit and neurological function classification showed significant improvement after surgical intervention. Preoperatively, the Cobb angle was 20.7 ±â€Š9.8°, and measured 8.1 ±â€Š1.3° at the last follow-up visit. The outcomes of follow-up demonstrated that one-stage surgical treatment with anterior debridement, fusion, and instrumentation can be an effective and feasible treatment method for lumber brucella spondylitis.

The clinical outcomes and surgical strategy for cervical spine tuberculosis: A retrospective study in 78 cases.

Literature on the treatment of cervical spinal tuberculosis (CSTB) is uncommon, the surgical approaches to cervical spinal tuberculosis were controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 3 surgical techniques in CSTB patients, and to determine the most appropriate approach for CSTB patients. Between April 2006 and June 2012, we performed a retrospective review of clinical and radiographic data that were collected from 850 consecutive spinal tubercular patients, including 87 patients who were diagnosed and treated for CSTB in our hospital. Apart from 9 patients being treated conservatively, the remainder (78 cases) underwent surgery by anterior debridement, interbody fusion and instrumentation (A group), posterior instrumentation and anterior debridement, fusion and instrumentation in a single or two-stage operation (AP group), or posterior debridement, fusion and posterior instrumentation (P group). The patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively on the basis of hematologic, radiographic examinations, and neurologic function. The 78 patients were followed up for a mean duration of 41.2 ±â€Š7.2 months (range, 24-65 months). Postoperatively, the preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) value returned to normal within 3 to 6 months in all patients, and solid bone fusion was achieved in 3 to 8 months. The patients exhibited significant improvement in deformity and neurological deficit postoperatively, while the visual analog scale for pain showed significant improvement in all patients at the last follow up visit. The follow-up outcomes demonstrated that all 3 surgical methods were viable management options for CSTB. Individualized therapeutic strategies should be selected according to the patient's general condition, focal characteristics, and the surgeon's experience.