[Core techniques and values of full-endoscopic spine surgery via transforaminal approach].

Full-endoscopic spinal surgery via transforaminal approach (TF-FESS) originated from the minimally invasive techniques of percutaneous interventional treatment of intervertebral disc diseases through posterolateral approach.Thanks to the continuous development and improvement of full-endoscopic equipment alongside surgical instruments and techniques, a developed technical system has been established in discectomy, spinal canal decompression, interbody fusion, etc. The combination of these basic techniques can treat relatively complex degenerative spinal diseases. The core techniques of TF-FESS include percutaneous puncture, foraminoplasty, spinal canal decompression, discectomy, annulus fibrosus suture, interbody fusion. This paper elaborates on the key points of the core techniques, indications, advantages, disadvantages, and prospects of the TF-FESS.

[Technical notes and clinical efficacy analysis of full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy via transforaminal approach].

Objective: To study the technical notes and clinical efficacy of full-endoscopic thoracic intervertebral discectomy via transforaminal approach. Methods: We included 16 patients with thoracic disc herniation treated by full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy via transforaminal approach between January 2017 and September 2018 in ours department of orthopedics. The average age is 53.7 years. The compressionare classified by nature: 5 cases of soft thoracic disc herniation, 7 cases of calcified or ossified thoracic disc herniation, and 4 cases of osteophyte protrusion of the posterior edge of the adjacent vertebral body of the diseased disc. All patients had symptoms of thoracic myelopathy before operation, and 7 of them had radiculopathy. Via transforaminal approach under local anesthesia, enlarged foraminoplasty and full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy were used for treatment. Observe the changes of postoperative imaging, pain symptoms and recovery of spinal cord function at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation. Back pain and radicular pain were scored with VAS, neurological function was assessed with Nurick score and mJOA score, and thoracic spine function was assessed with Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: All operations were successfully completed, and no intraoperative conversion of surgical methods occurred. Postoperative thoracic MRI and CT examinations of all patients showed that the spinal cord was fully decompressed without any residual compression. Back pain and radicular pain were all relieved obviously in all patients, and spinal cord function was obviously restored. Transient intercostal neuralgia occurred in 2 cases after operation, and no other surgical complications occurred. Conclusions: Full-endoscopic or fluoroscopic foraminoplasty and full-endoscopic thoracic discectomyvia transforaminal approach under local anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment for soft and hard thoracic disc herniation located on the ventral side of the spinal cord.

The Drosophila homolog of the human tumor suppressor gene BHD interacts with the JAK-STAT and Dpp signaling pathways in regulating male germline stem cell maintenance.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD) is a rare, inherited genodermatosis characterized by hair follicle hamartomas, kidney tumors and spontaneous pneumothorax. The BHD locus was mapped to chromosome 17p11.2 by linkage analysis, and germline mutations in a novel gene (BHD) were identified in a panel of BHD families. Using RNA interference to decrease expression of the Drosophila BHD homolog (DBHD), we have demonstrated that DBHD is required for male germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance in the fly testis. Reduction of DBHD gene activity suppresses the GSC overproliferation phenotype associated with overexpression of either unpaired (upd) or decapentaplegic (dpp). Further genetic interaction experiments suggest that DBHD regulates GSC maintenance downstream or in parallel of the JAK/STAT and Dpp signal-transduction pathways. These findings suggest that the BHD protein may regulate tumorigenesis through modulating stem cells in human.

Stem-Cell-Based Tumorigenesis in Adult Drosophila.

Recent studies suggest that a small subset of cells within a tumor, the so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs), are responsible for tumor propagation, relapse, and the eventual death of most cancer patients. CSCs may derive from a few tumor-initiating cells, which are either transformed normal stem cells or reprogrammed differentiated cells after acquiring initial cancer-causing mutations. CSCs and normal stem cells share some properties, but CSCs differ from normal stem cells in their tumorigenic ability. Notably, CSCs are usually resistant to chemo- and radiation therapies. Despite the apparent roles of CSCs in human cancers, the biology underlying their behaviors remains poorly understood. Over the past few years, studies in Drosophila have significantly contributed to this new frontier of cancer research. Here, we first review how stem-cell tumors are initiated and propagated in Drosophila, through niche appropriation in the posterior midgut and through stem-cell competition for niche occupancy in the testis. We then discuss the differences between normal and tumorigenic stem cells, revealed by studying RasV12-transformed stem-cell tumors in the Drosophila kidney. Finally, we review the biology behind therapy resistance, which has been elucidated through studies of stem-cell resistance and sensitivity to death inducers using female germline stem cells and intestinal stem cells of the posterior midgut. We expect that screens using adult Drosophila neoplastic stem-cell tumor models will be valuable for identifying novel and effective compounds for treating human cancers.

Ion-pair reversed-phase HPLC: assay validation of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate in mouse plasma.

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS), a hydrophilic ionic substance, is used as a cardiovascular drug. An ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (IP-RP-HPLC) method for the determination of STS in mouse plasma was initially developed. The assay involved a rapid and simple extraction process and subsequent detection at 271 nm. The retention time for STS was 7.5 min. Based on extracted STS standard mouse plasma at 1.5,10 and 50 microg/ml, the assay precision were 2.7, 2.1 and 1.7% with a mean accuracy of 96.7, 98.5 and 99.4%, respectively. At plasma concentration of 1.5, 50 and 75 microg/ml, the mean recovery of STS were 93.1, 96.3 and 97.5%. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for STS was 0.1 microg/ml and 0.5 microg/ml, respectively. Linear responses were observed over a wide concentration range (0.5-100 microg/ml) for STS in mouse plasma. STS can be detected after intravenous administration. This method was performed for the first time in pharmacokinetic studies of STS in the mouse.

Prohibitin 1 gene delivery promotes functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a severe health problem worldwide usually associated with severe disability and reduced quality of life. The aim of this work was to investigate the role of prohibitin 1 (PHB1) in the progression of SCI in rats. Firstly, we observed that expression of PHB1 was downregulated following SCI in rats. Then, we hypothesized that PHB1 overexpression by delivery of Ad-PHB1 could result in neuroprotection and promote functional recovery following SCI. Briefly, Wistar rats received a 35-g clip-compression injury and were administered Ad-PHB1 or Ad immediately following SCI. It was found that Ad-PHB1 administration significantly improved locomotor function and increased pain tolerance in rats with SCI. Furthermore, Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI attenuated axonal degradation and increased neuron sparing. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI reduced apoptosis through inhibiting the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI suppressed endoplasmic reticulum stress, evidenced by reduced mRNA levels of CCAAT enhancer binding protein homologous protein, chaperone-ucose-regulated protein 78, and X-box protein 1. Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI restored mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate formation, reduced reactive oxygen species formation, and improved mitochondrial respiration rates. Finally, Ad-PHB1 administration following SCI activated downstream signals including phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and nuclear factor-kappaB. These data indicate that the PHB1 plays an important role in the development of SCI and might provide a therapeutic target to promote recovery from SCI.

[Study on sodium norcantharidate albumin microspheres].

In this paper sodium norcantharidate (Na2NC) was chosen as model drug and sodium norcantharidate albumin microspheres (Na2NC AM) was prepared by an optimal procedure. The embedding nature, appearance, morphology, size and size distribution, release characteristics in vitro, freeze-drying, 60Co radiosterilization and stability of Na2NC AM were tested. The results showed that the mean size was 0.43 +/- 0.12 micron, embedding concentration was 20.34-26.75 micrograms/mg, embedding ratio was 21.9-26.4%, release characteristics in vitro was in accord with Higuchi equation. Freeze-drying and 60Co radiosterilization showed no influence on Na2NC AM. The stability of Na2NC AM was good after 3 months storage.

[Study on mitoxantrone polycyanoacrylate nanospheres].

The mitoxantrone polybutylcyanoacrylate nanosparticles (DHAQ-PBCA-NP) were prepared by emulsion polymerization method. The surface charge, drug loading, morphology, size and size distribution, release characteristics in vitro, stability and distribution in animals of DHAQ-PBCA-NP were studied. The results showed that the mean size was d(av) = 55.23 nm, drug loading was 46.77%, embedding ratio was 84.89%. The surface carried negative charge and the release characteristics in vitro was in accord with two phases kinetics law. The colloidal solution of DHAQ-PBCA-NP can undergo boiling for 30 min sterilization. The radioactivity concentrated mainly in liver after iv 3H-DHAQ-PBCA-NP. The radioactivity in liver tumor was higher than that in the liver tissue. DHAQ-PBCA-NP was observed in parenchymal cell 15 min after iv DHAQ-PBCA-NS. This preparation seems to have important value for increasing the anti-liver tumor effect and decreasing the toxicity of DHAQ.

[Study on albumin microspheres as drug carrier for liver targeting].

In this paper 6 factors and 12 levels of each variable were selected by Uniform Design Method and computer for preparing albumin microspheres with emulsion-chemical cross-linking. An optimal procedure for preparing albumin microspheres was established and the mean diameter of albumin microspheres is 0.41-0.47 micron. Albumin was labelled with 125I-isotope and 125I-albumin microspheres were prepared according to the optimal procedure. The suspension of 125I-albumin microspheres with 0.1% Tween-80 saline was injected via mice tail vein. The animals were sequentially killed and the radioactivity of blood, spleen, liver, kidney, stomach, heart, lung, thyroid and brain were measured. The results showed that albumin microspheres were accumulated mainly in the liver, about 68% of the injected dose at the peak concentration. The pharmacokinetics of albumin microspheres in liver was also studied and two-compartmental model can be used to describe the regulation.

[Feasibility assessment of skin permeation for the local anesthetic lidocaine].

In this paper, the feasibility of skin permeation for lidocaine and pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape formulation containing lidocaine for skin local anesthetic were assessed. Firstly, in vitro skin permeation of the molecular and ionic forms of lidocaine from water and silicone fluid suspensions was measured using a side-by-side two diffusion cells and excised hairless rat skin. Secondly, PSA tape containing lidocaine was prepared by a general casting method using styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer. The in vitro release and skin permeation were evaluated and compared with that of Japan marketed xylocaine jelly. The effect of lidocaine concentration on the steady-state flux of skin permeation from 10% to 60% lidocaine PSA tapes was also evaluated.

[Studies on cisplatinum albumin microspheres for lung targeting].

An optimum procedure was established by orthogonal test for preparing cisplatinum albumin microspheres (CDDP-BSA-MS) with emulsion-chemical cross-linking. The quality, stability, distribution in vivo, kinetic characteristics and safety of the albumin microspheres were studied. The results showed that the surface was regular, the mean size was 13.13 +/- 3.55 microns, embedding ratio was 21.62% and the release characteristics in vitro were in accord with "biphase kinetics equation". The stability of the albumin microspheres was good after three months storage. The microspheres accumulated almost entirely in the lung 15 minutes after intravenous injection to mice. The total amount in the lung was about 97% of the injected dose at the peak concentration. Two-compartmental model can be used to describe the regulation of the pharmacokinetics of albumin microspheres in lung. Observation of the lung slice of mice showed no pathological damage.

[Photodecomposition of artificial calculus bovis].

Artificial calculus bovis (ACB) is widely used in dispensing Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine as a substitute for Calculus bovis. Photodecomposition rule of ACB sample irradiated with three different light sources was studied by diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (DRS) in this paper. The results show that, the photodecomposition rate curves of the ACB sample irradiated by all three light sources are composed of two straight lines of different slopes, indicating that they are of two-step apparent first order reaction, the apparent photodecomposition constants in the first steps are about twice as high as those in the second steps. The ACB sample has the fastest photodecomposition rate when irradiated with the UV mercury-arc lamp and the second with the fluorescent mercury-arc lamp and slowest with the iodine-tungsten lamp. In these three light sources apparent photodecomposition constants of ACB sample are respectively: K1, 2.7629 x 10(-5), 4.4132 x 10(-6); k2, 1.2176 x 10(-5), 2.0684 x 10(-6), 1.4357 x 10(-6) (lx-1.h-1). The apparent constants are independent of the product of the radiation intensity and the irradiation time, but the irradiation time is in inverse ratio of the radiation intensity to get the same proportion of the sample photodecomposition. The fading time of the ACB sample under different radiation intensity can be predicted with the kinetic equations reported. The fading time of ACB sample if directly exposed to light in bright room is 1.6 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Study on cisplatin albumin microspheres for neck external artery embolization].

In this paper the technique of emulsion chemical-crosslinking was used to prepare cisplatin albumin microsphere for jaw squamous cancer by neck external artery embolization. It was yellow powder with yield 80 +/- 5%, mean size 56.3 microns, cisplatin concentration 14.02-14.20%, loading rate 97.08-97.95%. The release characteristics in vitro, sterilization, stability and recipe of disperse solvent of cisplatin albumin microsphere were investigated. Animal test showed that cisplatin albumin microsphere may plug the branches of neck external artery well and remain in local tissue.

[A study on lyophilization injection of cucurbitacin polylactic acid nanoparticles].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare stable and redispersable Lyophilization injection of cucurbitacin polylactic acid nanoparticles(Cu-PLA-NP). METHOD: An optimal supporting agent was chosen to prepare the Cu-PLA-NP lyophilization injection. The physical and chemical properties of the injection were evaluated. RESULTS: The shape, diameters, association ratio, drug loading and pH of Cu-PLA-NP colloidal solution and lyophilization injection were not changed. The content of water consisted with the requirement of lyophilization injection. The critical relative humidity was 69.52%. The stability was good. CONCLUSION: It is practicable to prepare Cu-PLA-NP lyophilization injection with proper formulas and preparation processes.

[Determination of the contents of bufadienolide and borneol in liushen pills].

The contents of bufadienolide and borneol in 01 and 02 Liushen Pills were determined by second-derivative spectrophotometry and gas chromatography respectively. The average recover of bufadienolide by SDS was 100.12% (n = 6, RSD = 1.44%) and of borneol by GC 97.68% (n = 4, RSD = 1.32%).

[Application of beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complex in liushen pills].

01 Liushen Pills (prepared by beta-CD inclusion complex) and 02 Liushen Pills (prepared according to the normal way) were compared by quality inspection, stability test, pharmacological experiments of irritative effects and dissolution test. The results indicated that 01 Liushen Pills were superior to 02 Liushen Pills.

[Stable life prediction for a complex injection of Chinese materia medica by initial average rate stability test].

OBJECTIVE: To predict the stable life for a complex injection of Chinese materia medica. METHOD: The prediction was carried out by initial average rate stability tests, and the contents of puerarin and danshensu (major active components of the injection) were assayed by HPLC. RESULT: The degradation of puerarin followed the first order action, while danshensu was hard to determine; the t0.9,25 degrees C was 3.49 years and 1.69 years respectively. CONCLUSION: The stable life of the injection has been determined as 1.5 years.

[Optimization of the preparing process for sinitang drop pills by orthogonal test].

The preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was optimized by orthogonal test. The results from nine experiments were subjected with three indexes to objective analysis and variance analysis, and an optimum preparing process for Sinitang drop pills was sieved out. The quality of the drop pills prepared in this way was examined to be up to the standard.

Characterization of an injectable chitosan-demineralized bone matrix hybrid for healing critical-size long-bone defects in a rabbit model.

BACKGROUND: The effect of injectable demineralized bone matrix (DBM) on bone repair is not known. Here, we tested the hypothesis that injectable DBM can heal a critical-size diaphyseal radius defect in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone defect was filled with DBM powder, injectable DBM or powdered, freeze-dried powdered allografts. Radiological determination, gross evaluation, histology, and micro-computer tomography was carried out 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the surgery, respectively. RESULTS: The injectable DBM group yielded better when compared with the freeze-dried powder group (p < 0.05). Moreover, biomechanical functionality was restored comparable to normal levels in the injectable DBM group. CONCLUSIONS: The injectable DBM was as effective in structurally and functionally repairing bone defects as the DBM powder and more effective than the freeze-dried bone powder. Thus, our study supports the use of injectable DBM for bone healing.