[Effect of ischemia on the structure of bladder in rabbits with partial bladder outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the structures and functions of rabbit bladder after partial bladder outlet obstruction versus without ischemia so as to explore the effects of ischemia on bladder pathogenesis in rabbits with partial bladder outlet obstruction. METHODS: A total of 64 mature male rabbits were divided into 4 groups (n = 16 each). Four of each group underwent operation to establish an ischemic animal model (ischemia group), another 4 underwent operation to establish a partial bladder outlet obstruction animal model (obstruct group), the other 4 underwent operation to establish an ischemic and partial bladder outlet obstruction animal model (combination group) and the remaining 4 underwent a sham operation as control. The rabbits in 4 groups were evaluated at Week 1, 2, 4 and 8 post-operation respectively. The weight of bladder, the thickness of mucosal, submucosa, muscular layer and placenta percreta and the activities of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase citrate synthase of cystic smooth muscle were detected respectively. MASSON staining was used to observe the smooth muscle and collagen in stroma of bladder and S-100 staining for observing the neurons in bladder. RESULTS: In obstruct and combination groups, the weights of bladder at week 1 were (5.10 ± 0.29) g and (4.80 ± 0.37) g respectively. They were both significantly higher than control group [(1.93 ± 0.17) g, all P < 0.05]. The weights of bladder in obstruct and combination groups peaked at Week 4 and they were (18.48 ± 2.03) g and (12.35 ± 0.39) g respectively. The weight of bladder in obstruct group was significantly heavier than combination group in the same terms. And they were both significantly heavier than control and ischemia groups (all P < 0.05). Muscular tissue vicariously thickened during the first 4 weeks, and collagen and stroma increased at Week 4 in obstruct group. Muscular tissue, collagen and stroma all increased initially. But at Week 2 only collagen and stroma increased in combination group. Compare with control group, the other groups all have deletion of neurons, especially in combination group. The activities of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase and citrate synthase of cystic smooth muscle of obstruct group peaked at Week 4. In combination group, the activities of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase and citrate synthase of cystic smooth muscle were decreased over 2 - 8 weeks. In the same terms, the activities of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase and citrate synthase of cystic smooth muscle in control group were significantly higher than those in obstruct and combination groups (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ischemia can reduce the tolerance of bladder and aggravate the impairment of bladder to partial outlet obstruction.

Microscopic Keyhole Technique for Surgical Removal of Thoracic Spinal Meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the microscopic minimally invasive keyhole technique for surgical resection of thoracic spinal meningiomas. METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients with thoracic spinal meningiomas were included in the series from May 2015 to August 2017. All patients were treated using a microscopic keyhole technique through a tubular retractor system. The demographic data and perioperative variables were recorded. At last follow-up, clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale for pain and the American Spinal Injury Association scale for motor and sensory outcome. RESULTS: All patients underwent microscopic keyhole surgery and complete resection was achieved. Mean operative time was 153.2 minutes (range 115-300 minutes). Mean blood loss during surgery was 110.3 mL (range 50-175 mL). No infection or aggravation of spinal cord injury occurred after operation, except for 2 patients who had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage that recovered after conservative treatment. The mean duration of hospital stay was 6.8 days (range 5-10 days). At the last follow-up, all patients had a reduced level of pain as suggested by an average visual analog scale score that improved from 7.6 to 0.2. The American Spinal Injury Association grade improved or remained normal in all patients except 1. No evidence of tumor recurrence or secondary spinal deformity was observed in any patients during the postoperative follow-up period, and spinal stabilities were found to be satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, the microscopic minimally invasive keyhole technique can be used safely and effectively for resection of thoracic spinal meningiomas.

Direct asymmetric aldol reaction of aryl ketones with aryl aldehydes catalyzed by chiral BINOL-derived zincate catalyst.

Direct asymmetric aldol reaction of aryl ketones with aryl aldehydes catalyzed by chiral metal complex is reported for the first time herein. Two novel semicrown chiral ligands 1a and 1b were synthesized from (S)- and (R)-BINOL, respectively, and then employed to catalyze the direct asymmetric aldol addition of aryl ketones to aryl aldehydes. Introduced with 2.0 equiv of diethylzinc, 1b had higher enantioselectivity than 1a. Up to 97% yield and up to 80% enantioselectivity were achieved.

[Comparison of serum biochemistry between specific pathogen-free and conventional aged Wistar rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in serum biochemistry between specific pathogen-free (SPF) and conventional aged Wistar rats. METHODS: Coulter-JT Analyzer was used to measure the values of serum biochemistry in the two grades of rats. RESULTS: The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total protein (TP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, Fe, P, glucose, uric acid (UA), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were very significantly different between male and female Wistar rats of either conventional or SPF grade (P<0.01), which also had significant difference in albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) (P<0.05). Between male aged Wistar rats of the two grades, the differences of TP, albumin, albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, TC, TG, blood glucose, ApoA1, ApoB, UA, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), LDL, and glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) were very significant (P<0.01), with also significant differences in ALT, Fe, Mg (P<0.05). Between the female rats of the two grades, the serum levels of ALT, TP, albumin, A/G ratio, ALP, TG, BUN, creatinine, Fe, ApoA1, APOB, HDL, LDL, and bile acids were very significantly different (P<0.01), and Mg was significantly different (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Different microbiological profiles affect serum biochemistry of aged Wistar rats.

[Fenestration with the spinous process resection in the treatment of central protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a operative approach and its effect to the central protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc. METHODS: From February 1999 to December 2005,34 patients with central protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc were treated with an improved operative procedure. The study involved 25 males and 9 females with an average of 46.4 years (range, 35 to 63 years). The involved level of herniation were at L4,5 in 20 cases and L5S1 in 14 cases. Pains happened on one leg fixedly and seriously with another lightly in 21 cases, on one leg initially and lightly with another seriously later in 8 cases, on bilateral legs alike in 5 cases. Preoperative CT film showed central type in 8 cases and laterocentral type in 26 cases. The corresponding spinous process was resected on the basis of unilateral fenestration. The supraspinous ligament was retained and pulled to the opposite side for revealing spinal canal, and then diskectomy was done. The above procedure was named "fenestration with the spinous process resection". RESULTS: All the 34 patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years. The outcome was evaluated according to the standard of HOU Shu-xun, 20 cases were excellent, 11 good and 3 fair. The total rate of excellent and good was 91.2%. CONCLUSION: The "fenestration with the spinous process resection" not only completed decompression of spinal canal and diskectomy, but also retained opposite lamina and supraspinous ligament and maintained the stability of posterior vertebral column, which are a new improved approach for the central protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc.