Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae 

About: Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae is an academic journal published by Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 1000-503X. Over the lifetime, 2386 publications have been published receiving 7158 citations. The journal is also known as: Acta Academiae Medicinae Sinicae.

Complications associated with the technique of pedicle screw fixation

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To analyze the causes of the complications associated with the pedicle screw fixation during and after operation, as well as the methods for prevention and treatment. METHODS From January 1988 to December 1999, 475 patients who underwent pedicle screw fixation for various spinal disorders were reviewed retrospectively with statistical analysis. RESULTS Four hundred and twenty-eight patients (90.1% of all) were followed up for (6.0 +/- 3.7) years. Complications of CD, DRFS, Dick, RF and steffee among 72 cases (80% of all) occurred during the operation of pedical screw fixation in 26 cases with the incidence of 5.5% and after the operation in 64 cases with the incidence of 15%. The incidence of operative/postoperative complications were 0-12.9% in CD, 6.8%-11.9% in DRFS, 7.3%-12.7% in Dick, 2.4%-19.5% in RF, and 10.1%-21.5% in Steffee respectively. The main complications included pseudoarthrosis, pedicle screw broken, pedicle screw malposition and so on. The complications were mainly due to unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation, implant defect in design and so on. CONCLUSIONS The complications associated with the technique of pedicle screw fixation must not be neglected. The main causes are laid on unskilled technique of pedicle screw fixation and implant defect in design.

[Effects of NBP on ATPase and anti-oxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation in transient focal cerebral ischemic rats].

Abstract: OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was designed to explore the effect of (+/-) -3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) on ATPase, anti-oxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation of mitochondria and cerebral cortex in rats subjected to 24 hours of reperfusion following 2 hours of cerebral ischemia (tMCAO). METHODS Activities of SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), GSH-Px (glutathione Peroxidase,) and CAT (Catalase), and MDA level of mitochondria or cortex were measured by using biochemical methods in tMCAO rats. RESULTS (1) The activities of mitochondrial Na+K(+)-ATPase, Ca(2+)-ATPase and Mg2+ ATPase were found to decrease significantly in the vehicle group (ischemia + saline). Pre-treatment with NBP (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) 10 min before tMCAO markedly enhanced the activities of Na+K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase, compared with vehicle group. (2) The activities of SOD and mitochondrial GSH-Px were decreased and MDA level increased in vehicle groups as compared with that in sham group (non-ischemia + saline). NBP (20 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly enhanced total mitochondrial SOD activity, and also enhanced cerebral cortex total SOD activity (in 5, 10, 20 mg/kg groups). However, it had no obvious effect on CuZn-SOD activity. NBP (20 mg/kg i.p.) markedly increased mitochondrial (but not in cerebral cortex) GSH-Px activity; NBP 10, 20 mg/kg markedly decreased mitochondrial MDA level compared with that in vehicle group (P < 0.05). (3) The action of raceme NBP on the increase of the activities of ATPase and antioxidative enzymes seemed to be beneficial than that of (-) -NBP or (+) NBP. CONCLUSION The results suggest that NBP improves energy pump and subsides oxidative injury which may contribute to its anti-neuronal apoptotic effect.

[Influence of radiation on the blood-brain barrier and optimum time of chemotherapy].

Abstract: OBJECTIVE A pilot study of the destructive effects of radiation on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) were carried out on 29 patients. METHODS (1) First BBB with localized and limited brain tumors was examined by 99mTc-GH imaging count/pixel, data was obtained from the unirradiated, irradiated, and tumor areas of before and after radiotherapy of 20-40 Gy respectively. (2) The BCSFB was studied quantitatively by observing the effect of methotrexate (MTX) permeation into the CSF before, during, and after brain irradiated after i.v. injection of MTX. RESULTS (1) the BBB in the unirradiated area outside the radiation portal was not changed, (2) the degree of destructive effect on the BBB in the irradiated normal area and on the BCSFB were directly proportional to radiation doses. CONCLUSIONS When the permeation of BBB and BCSFB irradiated, was enhanced the degree of destructive effect were enhanced proportionally with irradiation doses. It was that the BBB irradiated can be recovered at least partially after irradiation of 3 weeks proved. After a dose of 20 Gy irradiation, the BCSFB would gradually open. As compared with the pre-radiation data, the permeability of MTX increased by 1.05-1.3 times. So, it was advisable to give chemotherapy after 20 Gy irradiation.

Expression of programmed cell death 4 and its clinicopathological significance in human pancreatic cancer

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) protein and its clinicopathological significance in human pancreatic cancer. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of PDCD4 protein in 69 specimens of pancreatic cancer and Western blot in 8 fresh specimens. RESULTS The expression of PDCD4 protein was significantly lower in all 8 fresh pancreatic cancer tissues than that in non-cancerous tissues detected by Western blot. Compared with non-cancerous pancreatic tissue (> 80% of positive cells), low PDCD4 expression was shown in 69 pancreatic cancer tissues (< 30% of positive cells in 36 cases and 30%-80% of positive expression cells in 33 cases). In the 33 cases with 30% and 80% of positive expression cells, the expression rates of PDCD4 protein were 57.6%, 24.2%, and 18.2% in well, moderately, and poorly differentiated cancers, respectively. In the 36 cases less than 30% of positive expression cells, however, the expression rate of PDCD4 protein in well, moderately, and poorly differentiated cases were 19.4%, 41.7%, and 38.9%, respectively. 67.4% (15/23) of the moderately differentiated cases and 70% (14/20) of the poorly differentiated cases showed < 30% of positive expression cells. Only 26.9% (7/26) of the well differentiated cases, however, showed < 30% of positive expression cells, indicating that low PDCD4 expression was associated with histological grade (P < 0.01). There was no relationship between PDCD4 expression and other clinicopathological parameters including patients' sex, age, and TNM stage. CONCLUSIONS Expression of PDCD4 protein is low in human pancreatic cancer and is correlated with the differentiation levels of human pancreatic cancer. PDCD4 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of pancreatic carcinomas.

[Epstein-Barr virus early antigen induction in Raji cells by Chinese medicinal herbs].

Abstract: Ether extracts of 495 Chinese medicinal herbs from 106 families were studied for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) early antigen (EA) induction in the Raji cell system. 15 herbs from 10 families were found to have inducing activity. Water extracts of the same herbs also had inducing activity, but it was not as strong. The significance of these herbs in the activation of EBV in vivo and their relation to the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are discussed. No EA-inducing activity was found in 73 samples of 14 different foods tested.