Euthanasia of mouse fetuses and neonates.

We sought to determine whether any of the common methods of euthanasia for adult rodents would lead to an acceptable death for fetuses or neonates. We wanted to identify a method that was rapid, free of signs of pain or distress, reliable, and minimally distressful to the person performing the procedure and that minimized the amount of handling required to perform the procedure. We evaluated six methods of euthanasia, with and without anesthesia, in three age groups of mice: gravid mice (E14-20) and neonatal pups (P1-P7 and P8-P14). Euthanasia methods included: halothane inhalation, carbon dioxide inhalation, intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbital, intravenous potassium chloride, and cervical dislocation with and without anesthesia. Noninvasive echocardiography was used to assess heartbeat during euthanasia. With cardiac arrest as the definition of death, no method of euthanasia killed fetal mice. Halothane inhalation (5% by vaporizer) was not an acceptable method of euthanasia for mice of the age groups tested. Intraperitoneal administration of sodium pentobarbital for euthanasia required a higher dose than the previously established dose, and there is a risk of reduced efficacy in pregnant animals due to potential intrauterine injection. Carbon dioxide asphyxiation was the most efficient method of euthanasia for neonatal mouse pups P1-14. For pregnant adult mice, intravenous potassium chloride under anesthesia, carbon dioxide asphyxiation, and cervical dislocation alone or under anesthesia were excellent methods of euthanasia.     

Method of Euthanasia Influences the Oocyte Fertilization Rate with Fresh Mouse Sperm

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is used to produce mouse embryos for a variety of reasons. We evaluated the effect of the method of euthanasia on the fertilization rate in 2 different IVF protocols. Oocytes collected from C57BL/6J female mice euthanized by CO₂ inhalation or cervical dislocation were used in IVF with fresh sperm from either wild-type or genetically engineered C57BL/6J. Compared with CO₂ inhalation, cervical dislocation improved the resulting rate of fertilization by 18% in an IVF method using Cook media and by 13% in an IVF method using methyl-B cyclodextrin and reduced glutathione. The lower fertilization rate due to euthanasia by CO₂ inhalation was accompanied by changes in blood pH and body temperature despite efforts to minimize temperature drops. In our hands, euthanasia by cervical dislocation improved fertilization rates and consequently reduced the number of egg-donor mice required.Abbreviations: CD, cervical dislocation; IVF, in vitro fertilization; GE, genetically engineeredResponsible laboratory animal care and budgetary constraints require that laboratories reduce the number of animals used to fulfill their needs. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a valuable tool used for efficient assisted reproduction in genetically engineered (GE) mice. IVF is also used for reconstituting mice from cryopreserved sperm, which enables laboratories to archive their valuable genetically engineered strains, thereby reducing animal numbers, rack space, and maintenance breeding.¹⁴ Over the last few years, several modifications of sperm cryopreservation and IVF have been published in an effort to improve the fertilization rate.^{2,13,17,22-24} Many publications do not clearly state how the mice were euthanized, and the effect of the euthanasia method on the fertilization rate has not been examined. This study compares 2 methods of euthanasia, CO₂ inhalation and cervical dislocation (CD), and their effects on the rate of fertilization in 2 different IVF methods using C57BL/6J oocytes with fresh sperm from wildtype or GE C57BL/6J mice, to remove the variable of the sperm''s ability to survive cryopreservation.     

Spinal Cord Injury With a Narrow Spinal Canal: Utilizing Torg’s Ratio Method of Analyzing Cervical Spine Radiographs

A 65-year-old inebriated mancrashed his car and presented with spinal shock and neurogenic shock from a cervical spinal cord injury without cervical spine fracture or dislocation. The lateral cervical spine radiography was initially read as normal, except for degenerative disk disease; however, Torg’s ratio method of analyzing cervical spinal canal sagittal width indicated the spinal canal was congenitally narrow. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed this and showed bulging and herniation of multiple invertebral disks between C2 and C7. This case illustrates the value of using Torg’s ratio method of analyzing lateral cervical spine radiographs. Although Torg’s method has not been prospectively validated, it may be useful to identify patients at risk for cervical spinal cord injuries without fractures or dislocations. An abnormal Torg’s ratio may be the only clue to the fact that the patient is at higher risk of spinal cord injury when the patient’s history or examination is questionable because of head injury, drug intoxication, or therapeutic sedation and paralysis.     

Is systematic radiography needed before spinal manipulation? Recommendations of the SOFMMOO]

OBJECTIVES: The French National Health Authority recommends systematic radiography before lumbar manipulation. However, current research shows radiography to have more disadvantages than advantages. For the cervical spine, in cases of complication following cervical manipulation, the lack of prior radiography is a fault, even if such x-ray results would have advised manipulation. To establish clear recommendations on this topic, we searched in the literature for complications of spinal manipulations that could have been prevented had preliminary radiography been performed to determine whether these complications were anticipated or not by the international guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature search. RESULTS: For the lumbar and thoracic spine, the international guidelines are sufficient, except in cases of aneurysmal bone cyst, which can appear until the age of 25 years. For the cervical spine, despite a lack of data in the literature, prudence and medicolegal issues justify the performance of systematic radiography. CONCLUSION: The SOFMMOO recommends systematic radiography prior to cervical manipulation and in case of back or neck pain in patients of less than 25 years of age. In all other cases, the international guidelines provide sufficient recommendations.     

Evaluation of the aesthetics of physical methods of euthanasia of anesthetized rats

Dissection of living brain tissue for in vitro experiments requires the use of a rapid euthanasia method. However, the method must not subject animals to unnecessary pain and must be aesthetically acceptable to experimenters. The purposes of the current study were to assess the aesthetics of 6 euthanasia methods, measure the procedure duration, and evaluate brain for pathology after each procedure. We digitally recorded euthanasia of isoflurane-anesthetized rats by 6 physical methods: anesthetic overdose, cardiac exsanguination, decapitation, closed intrathoracic transection of the great vessels and heart, thoracic percussion, and thoracotomy with rupture of great vessels. Volunteer researchers and animal caretakers watched the video and completed an associated questionnaire. Anesthetic overdose and cardiac exsanguinations were rated most aesthetically pleasing, although these procedures took the longest to complete. In contrast, decapitation and thoracic percussion were the least aesthetically pleasing, but these methods were the quickest. No demographic factor was identified that could predict whether a given euthanasia procedure would be favored for aesthetic reasons, and participants provided a wide variety of rationales for the aesthetic ratings they assigned. Although all of these euthanasia methods meet the criteria of approved methods of euthanasia of anesthetized rats as defined by the AVMA, aesthetic features and the scientific need for rapid euthanasia are both considerations in selecting a method.     

专业运动员脊柱脊髓损伤后重返赛场的研究进展

专业运动员的脊柱伤病是损伤预防和运动康复领域中的重要临床研究课题。本文根据疾病分类回顾目前运动员脊柱脊髓损伤后重返赛场的相关情况,包括颈椎(颈部软组织损伤、颈椎骨折和脱位、颈椎管狭窄症、颈椎间盘突出症、刺痛和烧灼痛)、胸椎(胸椎骨折)、腰椎(腰肌劳损、腰椎峡部裂、腰椎滑脱、腰椎间盘突出症)和脊髓震荡与脊髓损伤。本文还分析了运动员颈、胸、腰段脊柱脊髓损伤后重返赛场的标准,以期为未来临床管理和建立共识/指南提供参考。     

椎管内肠源性囊肿的MRI表现

目的研究椎管内肠源性囊肿的MRI表现。方法回顾分析20例经手术病理证实的肠源性囊肿的MRI表现及相关临床资料。结果19例位于脊髓腹侧的髓外硬膜下间隙,其中颈段椎管10例,颈胸段4例,胸段5例;胸段脊髓内1例。所有病变平扫表现为长或等T1、长T2信号,边界清楚,信号均匀。15例呈“脊髓嵌入征”。所有病变未见强化。4例合并其他脊椎畸形。结论根据病灶典型的形态及信号特点及好发部位,MRI能在术前正确地诊断肠源性囊肿。     

脊髓血管母细胞瘤MRI诊断

目的:探讨脊髓血管母细胞瘤磁共振成像(MRI)影像学特征。方法:回顾性分析经手术病理证实12例脊髓血管母细胞瘤的MRI表现。结果:在12例中,病灶位于颈髓7例,胸髓3例,颈胸段、胸腰段水平各1例。其中3例为多发灶,1例合并脑内血管母细胞瘤。MRI表现:受侵脊髓局限性增粗,与正常脊髓信号相比,T1WI呈等低信号结节性肿块,其中1例伴斑片状高信号(因出血);T2WI为混杂高信号;增强扫描,肿瘤结节显著强化,边界清晰。在T2WI或增强扫描上,见特征性瘤内或瘤周迂曲的畸形血管流空信号9例,肿瘤上下继发性脊髓空洞或囊肿10例。结论:MRI检查是诊断脊髓血管母细胞瘤的有效手段,有助于诊断和鉴别诊断。     

合并免疫指标异常的视神经脊髓炎临床特点

目的分析合并免疫指标异常的视神经脊髓炎临床特点。方法回顾性分析2009年5月2010年11月收治的62例视神经脊髓炎患者中24例合并免疫指标异常患者的临床资料。24例均为女性,发病年龄14～53岁。对其临床表现、视觉诱发电位、影像学检查结果、免疫检查结果进行分析。结果所有患者均有脊髓和视神经同时或先后受累的表现。24例视觉诱发电位检查23例异常。脊髓MRI显示病变集中于颈段、上胸段脊髓。颈段和胸段脊髓同时受累17例,单纯颈段脊髓受损6例,单纯胸段脊髓受损1例。所有患者抗核抗体滴度均≥1∶100,合并抗SSA抗体阳性14例（55.5%）,同时合并抗SSB抗体阳性11例（45.8%）,合并抗Rib抗体阳性1例,合并抗SCL-70抗体阳性1例,合并抗dsDNA抗体1例。结论视神经脊髓炎合并免疫指标异常的患者以女性较为多见,易复发,青壮年患者发病率最高。脊髓MRI示病变集中于颈段、上胸段脊髓,表现为长节段脊髓损害。视神经脊髓炎患者合并结缔组织病的病例较多。     

Lower Thoracic Spinal Cord Stimulation to Restore Cough in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: Results of a National Institutes of Health-Sponsored Clinical Trial. Part II: Clinical Outcomes

DiMarco AF, Kowalski KE, Geertman RT, Hromyak DR, Frost FS, Creasey GH, Nemunaitis GA. Lower thoracic spinal cord stimulation to restore cough in patients with spinal cord injury: results of a National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial. Part II: clinical outcomes.

Objective

To evaluate the clinical effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) to restore cough in subjects with cervical spinal cord injury.

Design

Clinical trial assessing the clinical outcomes and side effects associated with the cough system.

Setting

Outpatient hospital or residence.

Participants

Subjects (N=9; 8 men, 1 woman) with cervical spinal cord injury.

Interventions

SCS was performed at home by either the subjects themselves or caregivers on a chronic basis and as needed for secretion management.

Main Outcome Measures

Ease in raising secretions, requirement for trained caregiver support related to secretion management, and incidence of acute respiratory tract infections.

Results

The degree of difficulty in raising secretions improved markedly, and the need for alternative methods of secretion removal was virtually eliminated. Subject life quality related to respiratory care improved, with subjects reporting greater control of breathing problems and enhanced mobility. The incidence of acute respiratory tract infections fell from 2.0±0.5 to 0.7±0.4 events/subject year (P<.01), and mean level of trained caregiver support related to secretion management measured over a 2-week period decreased from 16.9±7.9 to 2.1±1.6 and 0.4±0.3 times/wk (P<.01) at 28 and 40 weeks after implantation of the device, respectively. Three subjects developed mild hemodynamic effects that abated completely with continued SCS. Subjects experienced mild leg jerks during SCS, which were well tolerated. There were no instances of bowel or bladder leakage.

Conclusions

Restoration of cough via SCS is safe and efficacious. This method improves life quality and has the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with recurrent respiratory tract infections in this patient population.     

Assessment of xylazine for euthanasia of anoles (Anolis carolinensis and Anolis distichus)

Intracoelomic (IC) injection of xylazine was evaluated as a chemical euthanasia method for Anolis lizards (Anolis carolinensis or Anolis distichus). Lizards were allocated into 5 groups of 10 animals each. Each group was euthanized by one of these methods: 10 mg xylazine (100 mg/mL) IC; 10 mg xylazine and 0.5 mg acepromazine (10 mg/mL) IC; 10 mg xylazine IC followed by intracardiac injection of 0.1 mEq KCl (2 mEq/mL) once heart beats were no longer discernable by Doppler; 500 mg/kg 1% NaCO(3)-buffered MS222 solution IC followed by IC injection of 0.1 mL unbuffered 50% (v/v) MS222 solution (experimental groups); and 1.95 mg sodium pentobarbital, diluted 1:10 in sterile water (38.9 mg/mL) given IC (control group). Compared with those given sodium pentobarbital or MS222, lizards euthanized by using xylazine showed prolonged persistence of purposeful movement after cardiac arrest. Therefore, xylazine is not an acceptable alternative euthanasia agent for use in anoles.     

老年无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤的围手术期护理

目的：探讨老年无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤患者围手术期的护理措施。方法：对29例老年患者术前注重心理护理。做好药物治疗的护理、生活指导及术前准备；术后严密观察生命体征，做好切口护理及脊髓神经功能的观察，注意并发症的预防，指导其功能锻炼。结果：有3例全瘫患者死于呼吸衰竭，其余病例均获得不同程度的恢复，未发生护理并发症。结论：无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤的手术风险大，而老年患者常同时伴有内科疾病，通过科学的围手术期护理是提高颈髓损伤手术成功率，减少并发症，促进功能恢复的重要保证。     

脊髓型多发性硬化的MRI诊断

目的探讨脊髓型多发性硬化MR表现及其诊断价值.方法对20例脊髓型多发性硬化行脊髓和/或头颅MR检查,对其征象进行分析.结果病灶分布上以颈髓受累最多,占40%,颈胸髓同时受累占30%,胸髓受累占25%,全部脊髓受累最少,为5%.病灶形态,以条带状最多见,为40%,斑片状或云雾状为25%.矢状面T2WI均表现高或稍高信号,T1WI 90%为等信号,T2WI轴位病变,以类圆形高信号和点片状高信号为主,增强后病灶强化或不强化.结论 MRI有助于发现病灶,明确病灶位置,是目前诊断脊髓多发性硬化最敏感的影像学方法.     

Ⅰ期前后路联合重建不稳定下颈椎骨折脱位的临床观察

目的 分析Ⅰ期前后路联合手术重建不稳定下颈椎骨折脱位的近期临床疗效.方法 我院2006年3月至2009年7月对37例下颈椎严重骨折脱位患者,行Ⅰ期前路减压植骨融合钛板内固定,同期后路复位椎弓根螺钉内固定术.术前应用X线及64排CT明确骨折脱位下位颈椎的稳定程度,指导术前术式选择,同时测量椎弓根的宽度、高度,指导术中螺钉的选择.定期复查观察损伤节段的稳定性和融合率,采用ASIA分级判定脊髓功能的恢复情况.结果 28例患者获得随访,随访时间16.00～38.00个月,平均(22.37±6.93)个月.获得随访的患者,损伤节段稳定,颈椎椎体高度和生理曲度维持良好,融合率为100%,内固定位置良好.无椎动脉及脊髓损伤,无植骨决脱出或钢板、螺钉松动、断裂等并发症,脊髓功能评价平均提高1.30级,患者术后神经症状无一例加重.结论 Ⅰ期前后路联合重建治疗下颈椎骨折脱位,临床疗效满意,是一种可行的方法.     

胸部损伤的影像诊断分析

目的探讨274例胸部损伤病例的影像诊断资料,总结胸部损伤的检查要点,鉴别诊断,注意事项等,更好地为临床治疗提供科学准确的影像诊断。方法通过胸部平片、旋转透视法、CT等综合分析胸部损伤的影像特点。结果胸部外伤首选的检查方法是透视下点片,必要时可加胸部的转动透视,这是临床诊断中最佳选择;CT在胸部损伤检查中,因密度分辨率高,层次分辨率高能清晰观察肺部损,而且CT对显露胸椎体椎管内情况较常规胸部平片更有优势,对于危重患者应首选CT检查。结论根据胸部患者的不同病情,科学合理地综合运用各种不同的影像诊断方法,会为临床治疗提供准确可靠的影像诊断资料。     

呼吸训练对颈胸段脊髓损伤患者呼吸功能的影响

目的探讨呼吸训练对颈胸段脊髓损伤患者呼吸功能的影响。方法选取我院2018年3月至2019年9月收治的68例颈胸段脊髓损伤患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法将其分为观察组(34例,常规治疗和护理+常规康复训练+呼吸训练)和对照组(34例,常规治疗和护理+常规康复训练)。比较两组患者的膈肌移动度、肺功能指标及临床效果。结果干预后,两组的膈肌移动度均增高,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05)。干预后,两组的呼气峰流速(PEF)、用力肺活量(FVC)、最大通气量(MVV)均增高,且观察组明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组的临床治疗总有效率明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论呼吸训练能有效改善颈胸段脊髓损伤患者的膈肌移动度和肺功能指标,从而改善呼吸功能。     

Cervical anterior spinal artery syndrome associated with cardiopulmonary arrest

Nontraumatic spinal cord ischemia is uncommon, especially when the cervical cord is involved. We present an elderly man who sustained acute occlusion of the anterior spinal artery at a high cervical level. This was followed by a respiratory arrest due to the paralysis of the diaphragm and chest wall muscles. A review of the vascular supply to the cord and of nontraumatic ischemic myelopathy is provided.     

无骨折脱位颈髓挥鞭样损伤的临床特征

背景：无骨折脱化颈髓挥鞭样损伤址一种特殊颈椎、颁髓损伤,其损伤的原洲、机制尚存争议,认识其发病机制可为临床诊断和治疗提供重要的理论牲础。目的：综述国内外无骨折脱位颈髓抨鞭样损伤的发病机制和诊断治疗方法。方法：应用计算机检索中国生物医学文献数据库、中文科技驯川令文数撕库（1975年1月至2011年5月）和PubMed数据库（1950年1月至2011年5月）中与无骨折脱位预髓挢鞭样损伤有天的文学,检索词为“颈髓挥鞭样损伤、发病机制、影像学、治疗”和“cervicalspinalcordwhiplashinjuries;pathogenesis;imaging;treatment”,并限定文章语种为-{r文和诞文。纳入所述内容与颈椎无骨折脱化颈髓挥鞭样损伤定义、发病机制、影像学表现和治疗及预后相关的文章,排除曛复性研究。结果与结论：共柃索到90篇相关文章,纳入符合要求的38篇文献进行综述。无骨折脱位颈髓挥鞭样损伤是‘种特殊的颈椎、颈髓损伤,主要rfl过伸性和过屈性损伤引起。近年来对无骨折脱位颁髓挥鞭样损伤的进一步研究发现,其定义、发病机制、影像学表现和治疗标准存在不同的分歧。常规X射线和CT检查无阳性发现,MRI检查能降低无骨折脱何掣颈髓挥鞭样损伤的误诊率,足一利,最佳枪查方法。根据损伤机制可选择前路于术、后路手术和前后路联合手术治疗。     

脊柱淋巴瘤的CT、MRI表现

目的 探讨脊柱淋巴瘤的影像学表现,评价CT、MRI在其诊断中的价值.方法 16例病理证实的脊柱淋巴瘤患者接受CT检查,12例接受MRI检查.结果 16例患者年龄8～63岁,共65个脊椎受累,颈、胸、腰骶椎分别为15、22、28个.11例患者病灶为多发、连续性,其中3例伴跳跃性分布.CT示病灶为溶骨、成骨、混合性骨质破坏及骨质破坏不明显各13、27、10、15个.MRI病灶以T1WI低或等信号、T2WI等和稍高信号为主.CT及MRI均显示椎管内侵犯范围较椎体破坏范围广泛的特点.结论 CT病灶呈多种形式骨质破坏,MRI以T1WI低或等、T2WI等和稍高信号为主,病灶易侵及椎旁或硬膜外间隙,沿椎管呈纵向分布;MRI对显示病灶较CT更清晰、敏感,部分病灶MRI可见信号异常而CT无明显骨质改变.     

钛网植骨结合椎弓根钉棒内固定修复胸椎结核：重建脊柱生理曲度及稳定性

背景：胸椎结核经前入路或前后联合入路病灶清除、植骨、内固定是常用的修复方案,已沿用数十年,但存在创伤大、切除肋骨、减压不彻底、胸腹腔干扰大、术后疼痛、气胸、胸腔及肺部感染等不足。目的：观察钛网自体骨植骨融合与椎弓根钉棒系统内固定修复胸椎结核,重建脊柱生理曲度及稳定性的随访结果。方法：对32例胸椎结核患者采用后路椎体切除病灶清除,充分解除脊髓压迫,植入钛网自体骨,椎弓根钉棒系统内固定治疗。取后正中切口,应至少包括病变部位头、尾侧各2节脊椎,暴露双侧椎板至小关节外侧及肋骨近端1.0-2.0 cm,并与病椎头、尾侧脊椎双侧分别置入椎弓根螺钉,头、尾侧各2对,一侧固定。在另一侧病椎及下一椎切除一侧椎板、关节突、肋骨头,肋骨切除约1 cm,游离神经根,椎管减压,注意保护脊髓及神经根,吸出椎旁脓肿中脓液。切除椎弓根,受累椎间盘,椎体病灶,直至椎体病灶边缘组织外观正常,无死骨,无结核物质及肉芽组织,椎体破坏严重,两侧椎旁脓肿流注节段较多,经一侧病灶不能清除干净的部分患者,减压侧连接钉棒,以保持病变椎体切除时椎体的暂时稳定。同法从另一侧彻底清除同侧病灶,完全游离硬脊膜,反复冲洗。观察患者的植骨融合时间、骨折愈合、神经功能恢复情况及相关并发症。结果与结论：随访12-38个月,全部患者于治疗后11-19个月（平均16.3个月）植骨融合,脊柱后凸畸形获得70%-100%（平均86%）矫正,脊髓神经功能恢复正常,未出现复发及内固定失效病例。提示Ⅰ期经后路病灶清除、钛网植骨、椎弓根钉棒系统内固定修复胸椎结核,具有病灶清除彻底,创伤小,畸形矫正,植骨融合满意等优点,是修复胸椎脊柱结核的有效方案。