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Background: Eliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause. A biological method to treat this disorder may be possible by the newly discovered nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs). However, the uncertain characteristics and potential of NPDCs calls for a comprehensive study.Methods: In the present study, nucleus pulposus samples were obtained from 5 patients with IVDD undergoing discectomy procedure and NPDCs were harvested using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) by the co-expression of GD2+ and Tie2+. After in vitro expansion, the properties of NPDCs were compared with those of bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells (BMSCs) from the same subjects.Results: NPDCs performed similar properties in cell colony-forming ability, cell proliferation rate, cell cycle and stem cell gene expression similar to those of BMSCs. In addition, NPDCs could be differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, and are found to be superior in chondrogenesis but inferior in adipocyte differentiation.Conclusions: NPDCs derived from the degenerated intervertebral disc still keep the regeneration ability similar to BMSCs. Besides, the superior capacity in chondrogenesis may provide a promising cell candidate for cell-based regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in IVDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throttle-type self-excitation dust separator was chosen as the study object. Through the study of dust separator's throttle strength value a, total pressure loss value h and throttle liquid-level difference value ΔH, the dust separator resistance characteristics, based on adjustment of liquid phase, was explored. The primary conclusions are as follows: there-is linear relationship between a value and gas velocity value v. And the slope of a-v curve is affected by the equipment resistance coefficient in dust separator. The slope value reduces with the increase of equipment resistance value. The dust separator h-v curve is made up of straight line and parabola. When the initial throttle strength value a0>0 and the gas velocity v is on the small side, the h-v curve exhibits a parabolic distribution obviously. Whereas if the initial throttle strength value a0<0 or a0>0 and the gas velocity v is on the great side, the h-v curve exhibits a linear distribution. The equilibrium condition of force is changed by the self-fluidity of liquid-phase; as the result, the resistance characteristics of dust separator are adjusted by that. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional discectomy surgery (TDS) provides good or excellent results in clinical surgical discectomy but may induce neural adhesion, spinal structural damage, instability, and other complications. The potential advantages of full-endoscopic (FE) procedures over standard TDS include less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and an earlier return to work. However, more evidence is needed to support this new technology in clinical applications., Objective: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the safety and efficacy of FE and TDS., Study Design: Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature., Methods: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, SinoMed, and Cochrane Library, were searched to identify clinical therapeutic trials comparing FE to TDS for discectomy., Results: Six trials comprising 730 patients were included, and the overall quality of the literature was moderate, including 4 Grade I levels of evidence (4 randomized controlled trials, [RCTs]) and 2 Grade II levels (2 non-RCTs). The pooled data revealed no difference in reoperation rates between FE and TDS (P = 0.94), but the complication rate was significantly lower in the FE group (3.86%) than in the TDS group (11.4%). Perioperative parameters (operation time, blood loss, hospitalization time, and return to work days) were significantly lower in the FE group (P < 0.05 for all groups using either score). Postoperative pain and neurology score assessments were conducted at 4 different time points at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Significant differences were detected in the following: lumbar North American Spine Society (NASS) pain at 6 months (P = 0.008); cervical NASS neurology at 6 months (P = 0.03); visual analog scale (VAS) score in leg at 3 months (P < 0.001); VAS score in arm at 24 months (P = 0.002); VAS score in neck at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after therapy (P = 0.003, P = 0.004, P = 0.01); and VAS score in neck at 3 months and 6 months (P = 0.01, P = 0.004). Moreover, the pooled data revealed no statistically significant differences in improvements in the Oswestry disability index (ODI), instability (X-ray), and Hilibrand criteria (P > 0.05 for all groups)., Limitations: Only 6 studies were included, 4 of which had the same authors. Between-study heterogeneity due to differences in socioeconomic factors, nutrition, and matching criteria is difficult to avoid., Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis of 24 months of clinical results, we conclude that the FE procedure is as effective as TDS but has the additional benefits of lower complication rates and superior perioperative parameters. In addition, patients may experience less pain with FE techniques due to a smaller incision and less operative injury. However, large-volume, well-designed RCTs with extensive follow-up are needed to confirm and update the findings of this analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of CO(2) laser treatment as primary therapy for vulvar condylomata acuminate and examine the risk factors and prediction model of single-period CO(2) laser treatment., Methods: Between March 2009 and December 2010, a multicenter prospective study was conducted at three 3A hospitals of China (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Zhejiang Women's Health Hospital & Tongji Hospital). All enrolled patients of vulvar condylomata acuminata received CO(2) laser vaporization as the primary therapy and had return visits at 1, 3 and 6 months individually after treatment. Therapeutic recurrence and side effects were recorded. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between demographic or clinical characteristics and the outcome of single-period CO(2) laser treatment and a prediction model was established subsequently. The optimal cutoff value of model was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC ROC)., Results: A total of 160 patients completed a 6-month follow-up with a loss rate of 9.1% (16/176). And 131 patients (82%) were cured after the single-period CO(2) laser therapy with a total recovery rate of 94% (150/160). Side effects occurred in 50 (31%) patients with a complete self-recovery within 6 months. The most common side effects were local ulceration, pain and edema. No severe side effect was present. Large area of lesion (>8 cm(2)), vagina involved and unemployment were associated with the failure of single-period treatment while pain symptom was a protective factor of effectiveness. Age, marital status, symptom-free and vaginal involvement were not related with outcome. A prediction model was established as follows: Logit (P(0)) = -1.511+1.573X(1)+1.679X(2)+3.254X(3)-1.685X(4) (X(1)-X(4) representing area of lesion > 8 cm(2), vaginal involvement, unemployment and pain symptom respectively). The optimal cutoff value of P(0) was 0.35 with AUC ROC of 0.816 (P < 0.01). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of model were 58.6%, 91.6%, 60.7% and 90.9% respectively., Conclusion: CO(2) laser is effective and safe therapy for vulvar condylomata acuminata. A prediction model has been proposed to predict the outcome of single-period CO(2) laser therapy in initially diagnosed patients. It may guide clinical decision-making.

Aim: To develop a specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the pharmacokinetic study of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB), and study the pharmacokinetics of MLB after i.v. administration in beagle dogs., Methods: Each beagle dog was iv administered MLB 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg random. The serum drug concentration was determined by specific liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assays. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by Drug and Statistics version 1.0 program., Results: The calibration curve for MLB was linear over a range of 16-4096 microg/L with coefficients of correlation >0.999. The intra- and inter-day precisions (CV) of analysis were <10 %, and accuracy ranged from 90 % to 113 %. After i.v. administration of MLB at the doses of 3, 6, and 12 mg/kg, the C(0) values for MLB were estimated to be of 24, 47, and 107 mg/L, respectively. The AUC increased with the increasing doses for iv administration, and the mean AUC(0-t) values were 109.3, 247.9, and 582.4 mg x min x L(-1), respectively. MLB was distributed and eliminated quickly from central compartment, the mean T(1/2alpha) values for MLB at doses of 3, 6, 12 mg/kg were 2.2, 2.7, and 2.9 min, and the mean T(1/2beta) values were 43, 42, and 42 min, respectively., Conclusion: This LC-MS/MS method is rapid, sensitive, and specific for the pharmacokinetic study of MLB. The kinetic process of MLB in beagle dogs in vivo was best fitted to a two-compartment model. For i.v. administration, the pharmacokinetic parameters of C(0) and AUC have good linearity among the doses, and MLB was distributed and eliminated quickly in beagle dogs.