Endoscopic instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion with Healos and recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to use a minimally invasive endoscopic surgical technique in a sheep model to evaluate the efficacy of an osteoinductive growth factor, recombinant human growth/differentiation factor-5 (also designated MP52), and an osteoconductive matrix formulation (Healos; DePuy AcroMed, Inc., Mountain View, CA) for inducing and facilitating bone formation. METHODS: Twelve mature sheep underwent bilateral posterolateral lumbar fusion and pedicle screw fixation via a posterior endoscopic approach. Each sheep received two different types of graft material, autogenous iliac crest bone, or a bone graft substitute (MP52 with Healos), inserted into the right and left sides of the spine in an alternating fashion. Groups of four sheep were killed at 2, 4, and 6 months postoperatively for manual, radiographic, and histological evaluation. RESULTS: No neurological impairments, infections, or other complications were observed. After 2 months, partial fusion on both sides was observed, but radiographic evaluation showed greater bone growth on the side that received the bone graft substitute. Solid posterolateral fusion was observed in both autograft and bone graft substitute sites at 4 and 6 months, and autograft and Healos MP52 fusion sites were essentially the same at histological examination. There was no abnormal overgrowth of new bone from either of these two materials. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis and instrumentation is feasible, safe, and effective in a sheep model. Healos is a useful bonding agent that mimics natural bone in posterolateral intertransverse fusion sites. Combined with MP52, it produced fusion comparable to that of autogenous bone graft. Minimally invasive techniques and bone graft substitutes could eliminate morbidity and increase the likelihood of successful fusion.     

Repeated surgeries on the thyroid gland in nodular euthyroid goiter

Medical histories of 214 patients hospitalized with diagnosis "recurrent nodular goiter" were studied retrospectively. Complex clinical, laboratory and instrumental examination was carried out in all the patients. Comparative analysis demonstrated that in the structure of recurrent goiter nodular colloid form dominated (84.1%), only in 42.1% cases repeated surgeries were indicated. Other patients (15.9%) were the ones underwent surgery for other thyroid diseases (hypertrophied form of autoimmune thyroiditis, follicular adenoma, thyroid cysts, thyroid cancer). Inadequate surgery and prophylactic therapy with iodine drugs were the main causes of recurrent goiter. Adequate iodine prophylaxis (potassium iodide 100-200 mg per day), complex examination of patients, correct indications for primary surgery and adequate surgical volume, valuable postoperative therapy (iodine drug, LT-4 if it is necessary) permit to reduce the risk of recurrent nodular (multiple-nodular, diffuse-nodular) goiter. Ways of researches for improvement of diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment results of "recurrence nodular goiter" are projected.     

Tympanic thermometry in diagnosis of exudative otitis media in children

Tympanic and axillary temperatures were measured in 90 children (161 ears) with exudative otitis media (EOM) and 20 otologically healthy children (40 ears). It was discovered that in EOM patients the difference between tympanic and axillary temperatures is greater than in healthy children. This increased difference is caused by the state of the tympanic mucosa. The influence of surgical and conservative treatments on tympanic mucosa temperature and, therefore, on the difference between tympanic and axillary temperatures in these patients are outlined. It is recommended to use tympanic thermometry with consideration of case history data and otoscopic picture as a screening method for diagnosis of EOM in mass prevention examinations of children, in family physician practice and in selection of children for more comprehensive check-up in diagnostic centers as well as for control over treatment results in EOM children.     

刑事警察心理健康调查分析

①目的了解刑事警察的心理健康状况，为心理干预提供依据。②方法对济宁市刑警队员进行症状自评量表（Symptom Checklist 90．SCL-90）、焦虑自评量表（Self—rating Anxiety state，SAS）、抑郁自评量表（Self—rating Depression scale，SDS）评定。③结果济宁市刑警队员的SCL-90、SAS、SDS量表评分与全国常模相比存在显著性差异。④结论。刑事警察职业是一种特殊职业，该职业对队员的心理健康有显著的影响，这种影响随着从事刑警工作时间的不同而改变。     

黄芪注射液对肝纤维化大鼠模型肝细胞胶原及TGF-β_1表达的影响

目的探讨黄芪注射液抗肝纤维化及对TGF-β1、Col-Ⅰ表达的影响。方法将35只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组、CCl4诱导肝纤维化模型组和黄芪干预组。至造模第10周,处死所有大鼠,采用PV免疫组化方法检测Col-Ⅰ在各组肝组织中的表达,ELISA法检测TGF-β1在各组血清中的表达。结果经CCl4诱导成功建立大鼠肝纤维化模型,随着肝纤维化程度的进展,肝组织中Col-Ⅰ和血清中TGF-β1表达明显增强。在正常对照组、黄芪干预组和肝纤维化模型组肝组织中Col-Ⅰ表达的平均光密度值分别为0.298、0.315、0.503,模型组与前两组比较差异均有显著性（P〈0.01）,而黄芪干预组与正常组肝组织比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。在正常对照组、黄芪干预组和肝纤维化模型组大鼠血清中TGF-β1表达含量分别为491.29pg/L、629.91pg/L、959.09pg/L,呈递增趋势。模型组与前两组比较差异均有显著性（P〈0.01）,黄芪干预组与正常组比较其表达含量无显著差异（P〉0.05）。结论黄芪注射液可以显著抑制实验性肝纤维化大鼠模型的肝纤维化,这种抑制作用可能与抑制I型胶原蛋白及TGF-β1的表达有关。     

Parathyroid adenomas evaluated by Tl-201/Tc-99m pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy and high-resolution ultrasonography

Thallium-201/technetium-99m pertechnetate subtraction scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands was performed in a prospective study of 33 patients who had undergone bilateral neck exploration for elevated serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone levels. In 31 cases, the Tl-201/Tc-99m subtraction technique yielded an overall sensitivity of 81%, specificity of 99%, and accuracy of 94% for identifying solitary parathyroid adenomas. Tl-201/Tc-99m subtraction scintigraphy correctly identified 73% of parathyroid adenomas weighing less than 499 mg, 79% of those weighing 500-1,499 mg, and 100% of adenomas weighing more than 1,500 mg. In a subgroup of 24 patients with solitary parathyroid adenomas who underwent both scintigraphy and high-resolution sonography, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both procedures were similar.