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The irrigation method used in winter wheat fields affects micro-environment factors, such as relative humidity (RH) within canopy, soil temperature, topsoil bulk density, soil matric potential, and soil nutrients, and these changes may affect plant root growth. An experiment was carried out to explore the effects of irrigation method on micro-environments and root distribution in a winter wheat field in the 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons. The results showed that border irrigation (BI), sprinkler irrigation (SI), and surface drip irrigation (SDI) had no significant effects on soil temperature. Topsoil bulk density, RH within the canopy, soil available N distribution, and soil matric potential were significantly affected by the three treatments. The change in soil matric potential was the key reason for the altered root profile distribution patterns. Additionally, more fine roots were produced in the BI treatment when soil water content was low and topsoil bulk density was high. Root growth was most stimulated in the top soil layers and inhibited in the deep layers in the SDI treatment, followed by SI and BI, which was due to the different water application frequencies. As a result, the root profile distribution differed, depending on the irrigation method used. The root distribution pattern changes could be described by the power level variation in the exponential function. A good knowledge of root distribution patterns is important when attempting to model water and nutrient movements and when studying soil-plant interactions.

The microarc oxidation (MAO) coatings produced at different current frequencies on AZ91D magnesium alloys were studied systematically. The morphologies, thickness, corrosion performances, and tribological properties of the coatings were investigated by the scanning electron microscopy, the electrochemical measurement system, and MS–T3000 friction test rig, respectively. The results show that the structure of the coatings becomes denser, and thickness becomes thinner with the increase of the current frequency. It is also found that the corrosion resistance of the coatings produced at higher frequency is improved greatly and the difference of the corrosion current density becomes small with increasing current frequency, which is similar to that of the coating thickness. The tribological test shows that the friction coefficient decreases with increasing the current frequency and the wear resistance of the coatings is influenced by both the thickness and structures. All these results were explained by analyzing the growing process of the MAO coating.

Climate change is recognized to increase the frequency and severity of extreme temperature events. At flowering and grain filling stages, risk of high temperature stress (HTS) on rice might increase, and lead to declining grain yields. A regulated cabinet experiment was carried out to investigate effects of high temperature stress on rice growth at flowering and grain-filling stages. Results showed that no obvious decrease pattern in net photosynthesis appeared along with the temperature rising, but the dry matter allocation in leaf, leaf sheath, culm, and panicle all changed. Dry weight of panicle decreased, and ratio of straw to total above ground crop dry weight increased 6–34% from CK, which might have great effects on carbon cycling and green house gas emission. Grain yield decreased significantly across all treatments on average from 15 to 73%. Occurrence of HTS at flowering stage showed more serious influence on grain yield than at grain filling stage. High temperature stress showed negative effects on harvest index. It might be helpful to provide valuable information for crop simulation models to capture the effects of high temperature stress on rice, and evaluate the high temperature risk.

In the present study, late frost experiments were implemented under a range of subfreezing temperatures (-1 - -9 degrees C) by using a field movable climate chamber (FMCC) and a cold climate chamber, respectively. Based on the spectra of winter wheat canopy measured at noon on the first day after the frost experiments, red edge parameters REP, Dr, SDr, Dr(min), Dr/Dr(min) and Dr/SDr were extracted using maximum first derivative spectrum method (FD), linear four-point interpolation method (FPI), polynomial fitting method (POLY), inverted Gaussian fitting method (IG) and linear extrapolation technique (LE), respectively. The capacity of the red edge parameters to detect late frost stress was explicated from the aspects of the early, sensitivity and stability through correlation analysis, linear regression modeling and fluctuation analysis. The result indicates that except for REP calculated from FPI and IG method in Experiment 1, REP from the other methods was correlated with frost temperatures (P0.05). Thereinto, significant levels (P) of POLY and LE methods all reached 0.01. Except for POLY method in Experiment 2, Dr/SDr from the other methods were all significantly correlated with frost temperatures (P0.01). REP showed a trend to shift to short-wave band with decreasing temperatures. The lower the temperature, the more obvious the trend is. Of all the REP, REP calculated by LE method had the highest correlation with frost temperatures which indicated that LE method is the best for REP extraction. In Experiment 1 and 2, only Dr(min) and Dr/Dr(min), calculated by FD method simultaneously achieved the requirements for the early (their correlations with frost temperatures showed a significant level P0.01), sensitivity (abso- lute value of the slope of fluctuation coefficient is greater than 2.0) and stability (their correlations with frost temperatures al- ways keep a consistent direction). Dr/SDr calculated from FD and IG methods always had a low sensitivity in Experiment 2. In Experiment 1, the sensitivity of Dr/SDr from FD was moderate and IG was high. REP calculated from LE method had a lowest sensitivity in the two experiments. Totally, Dr(min) and Dr/Dr(min) calculated by FD method have the strongest detection capacity for frost temperature, which will be helpful to conducting the research on early diagnosis of late frost injury to winter wheat.

Background: Literature describing the application of modern segmental instrumentation to thoracic and lumbar fracture dislocation injuries is limited and the ideal surgical strategy for this severe trauma remains controversial. The purpose of this article was to investigate the feasibility and efficacy of single-stage posterior reduction with segmental instrumentation and interbody fusion to treat this type of injury. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 30 patients who had sustained fracture dislocation of the spine and underwent single stage posterior surgery between January 2007 and December 2011 was performed. All the patients underwent single stage posterior pedicle screw fixation, decompression and interbody fusion. Demographic data, medical records and radiographic images were reviewed thoroughly. Results: Ten females and 20 males with a mean age of 39.5 years were included in this study. Based on the AO classification, 13 cases were Type B1, 4 cases were B2, 4 were C1, 6 were C2 and 3 cases were C3. The average time of the surgical procedure was 220 min and the average blood loss was 550 mL. All of the patients were followed up for at least 2 years, with an average of 38 months. The mean preoperative kyphosis was 14.4° and reduced to -1.1° postoperatively. At the final followup, the mean kyphosis was 0.2°. The loss of correction was small (1.3°) with no significant difference compared to postoperative kyphotic angle (P = 0.069). Twenty seven patients (90%) achieved definitive bone fusion on X-ray or computed tomography imaging within 1 year followup. The other three patients were suspected possible pseudarthrosis. They remained asymptomatic without hardware failure or local pain at the last followup. Conclusion: Single stage posterior reduction using segmental pedicle screw instrumentation, combined with decompression and interbody fusion for the treatment of thoracic or lumbar fracture-dislocations is a safe, less traumatic and reliable technique. This procedure can achieve effective reduction, sagittal angle correction and solid fusion.

To explore the relationship between variations of severe isthmic spondylolisthesis spino-pelvic parameters and clinical symptoms.A retrospective study of spino-pelvic parameters was conducted for 45 patients with L5 severe isthmic spondylolisthesis. Their spino-pelvic parameters were analyzed on preoperative full spinal radiography: grade of spondylolisthesis, pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), SFHD, SFVD, SC7D and T9 tilting angle. According to the Oswestry score, the patients with low back pain were divided into light and severe groups. T-tests were used to compare their parameters. The analyses of multiple factor correlation, linear regression and stepwise regression were used to examine the associations between all parameters and Oswestry score.Grade of spondylolisthesis, PT, LL, T9 tilting angle, SFHD, SC7D, PT/SS, SFHD/SFVD, LL/TK were significantly greater and SS, SFVD were significantly smaller for patients with severe low back pain versus light low back pain (P0.05). PI or TK had no statistically significant difference between two groups. Multiple factor correlation, linear regression and stepwise regression: Grade of spondylolisthesis, PT, SC7D, LL and SFHD had significant positive correlations with Oswestry score. Degree of positive correlation: Grade of spondylolisthesisSC7DPTLLSFHD. And PI, TK or T9 tilting angle had no significant correlation with Oswestry score. SS and SFVD had significant negative correlations with Oswestry score. Degree of negative correlation: SSSFVD. PT/SS, SFHD/SFVD and LL/TK had significant positive correlation with Oswestry score. Degree of positive correlation: PT/SSSFHD/SFVDLL/TK.Clinical symptoms of severe isthmic spondylolisthesis have significant positive correlations with grade of spondylolisthesis, PT, SC7D, LL, SFHD, PT/SS, SFHD/SFVD, LL/TK and significant negative correlations with SS and SFVD. Low back pain symptom has no significant correlation with PI, TK or T9 tilting angle.

To evaluate the minimally invasive efficacy and surgical outcome of full-endoscopic discectomy via interlaminar approach for lumbar disc herniation (LDH).From August 2008 to February 2009, 56 patients with lumbar disc herniation were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Full endoscopic discectomy (FED) group included 16 males and 12 females, the age was 20 - 51 years with a mean (36 ± 8) years, and the course of disease was 18 - 120 d with a mean (68 ± 26) days. There was L(5)-S(1) LDH in 22 and L(4-5) LDH in 6. Headlamp-assisted mini-open discectomy (HAMOD) group, there were 17 males and 11 females. The age was 17-53 years with an average age of (35 ± 9) years, the course of disease was 19 - 110 d with an average (66 ± 24) days, and the herniated disc located at L(5)-S(1) in 15 cases, and L(4-5) in 13 cases. Perioperative parameters (operation time, bleeding volume and length of hospital stay), complications and VAS of leg and back pain (preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively and final follow-up) were statistically analyzed.All patients were followed up in both groups, and the average follow-up time of full endoscopic was 1.8 years, and headlamp assisted mini-open was 1.7 years. The average operation time in full endoscopic group was (71 ± 30) min and the headlamp group was (60 ± 12) min, which there was no statistical difference (P0.05). There was no measurable bleeding in full endoscopic group, and the headlamp group was (59 ± 10) ml. The average hospital days in full endoscopic group was (5.7 ± 1.4) days, and the headlamp group was (12.3 ± 3.0) days, there was statistically significant difference in both groups (P0.01). The complication rate in full endoscopic group was 7.1%, and in headlamp group was 10.7%, without statistical difference (P0.05). There was no recurrent case in either group. With regard to VAS of back pain and leg pain, statistically significant difference was found in each group between preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, but not between 3 months postoperatively and at final follow-up. With regard to the final follow-up VAS, there was no statistical difference in leg pain between full endoscopic and headlamp group (P0.05). However, there was statistical significance in VAS back pain between the two groups (P0.01).Compared to the headlamp assisted mini-open technique, the full-endoscopic interlaminar approach for the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can achieve similar clinical outcomes with advantage of less iatrogenic trauma and sooner rehabilitation.

to summarize the complications of posterior vertebral column resection (pVCR) and pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of rigid thoracic and lumber spinal deformity.fifty four patients from a single center from February 2000 to February 2009 were included in this study. There were 23 males and 31 females with an average age of 28.3 years (range, 16-58 years). Patients were divided into 4 diagnostic categories: severe scoliosis (n = 9, mean Cobb angle, 91.7°), kyphoscoliosis (n = 22, mean scoliosis, 101.5°, and mean kyphosis, 69.4°), angular kyphosis (n = 21, mean kyphosis, 72.2°), global kyphosis (n = 2, mean kyphosis, 93.6°). All of the patients received one stage pVCR combined correction with pedicle screws and circumferential fusion. Radiographs and hospital charts were reviewed to analyze the outcomes of correction.a mean of 1.4 vertebral levels were resected, the mean operative time was 470 min, and the mean blood loss was 4180 ml. All the patients were followed-up for an average time of 26 months (range, 12 - 66 months). At the latest follow-up, the major curve correction averaged: severe scoliosis 61.4° (67%), kyphoscoliosis 59.7° (56%)/kyphosis 42.3° (59%), angular kyphosis 48.5° (71%), global kyphosis 62.7° (67%). A total of 21 complications (38.9%) occurred in 17 patients, including 5 (9.3%) neurological complications happened in early stage and one case of delayed complete paraplegic. There were 11 (20.4%) non-neurological complications happened in early stage and 5 (9.3%) cases in late stage.one stage posterior-only vertebral column resection can achieve satisfactory correction of severe deformities with limited flexibility. Given its technically demanding and exhausting features, its potential risk of significant complications should be paid more attention.

To explore an effective and reasonable surgical strategy for active spinal tuberculosis with severe kyphotic deformity (kyphotic angleor= 45 degrees).From January 2004 to January 2008, 30 consecutive patients of active spinal tuberculosis complicated with significant angulation were enrolled in this study, including 8 male and 22 female. The average age was 35 years (range, 7 - 60 years), with average angle of kyphosis of 58 degrees (range, 45 degrees - 70 degrees). There were 28 patients complicated with intraspinal abscess, of which 10 patients presented with incomplete paraplegia. According to the Frankel's scoring system, there were 2 patients with Frankel Grade B, 6 with Grade C, 2 with Grade D. After antituberculous chemotherapy (HREZ) for at least 2 weeks, all patients underwent posterior multiple-level pedicle screw instrumentation and kyphotic correction, and then received anterior debridement, decompression and supportive bone grafting, all of which were completed in the same day. The postoperative standardized chemotherapy was 6HREZ/6-12HRE. The angle of kyphosis, curve correction after surgery, and recovery of paraplegia were analyzed. Fusion status and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were recorded to determine the presence of active disease.Operative time was 4 to 6 hours (average 5.2 h), blood loss was 600 to 900 ml (average 760 ml). No perioperative severe complications occurred. The kyphotic angle was corrected to 0 degrees - 10 degrees, and the maximum corrected angle was 65 degrees . The average follow-up duration was 18 months (range, 12 - 48 m). All patients showed evidence of solid fusion and healing of the active disease at 6 months follow-up. Neurologic deficits were improved: 2 patients from B to D, 6 patients from C to E, 2 patients from D to E. No recurrence of the tuberculosis infection or instrumentation failure happened at final follow-up.Combined posterior instrumentation and anterior debridement, fusion surgery in one stage is proved to be successful in treating spinal tuberculosis, correcting the kyphosis, and providing solid fusion.

To analyze the accuracy and safety of thoracic pedicle screws placement with interlaminar fenestration technique in severe kyphoscoliosis treatment.Twenty-three cases of severe kyphoscoliosis between June 1996 and December 2007 underwent pedicle screw placement of thoracic vertebrae by interlaminar fenestration technique. Postoperative CT scan was performed in all cases; there were 9 males and 14 females with the averaging age 17.8 years old. The preoperative Cobb angle of the main thoracic curve was 97.3 degrees in average. The average kyphotic angle in main curve was 67.4 degrees . Patients who underwent screw placement by closing technique and postoperative CT scan in the same stage with severe kyphoscoliosis were selected as control group (B): there were 22 patients with the averaging age 17.2 years old. The preoperative Cobb angle of the main thoracic curve was 96.6 degrees in average. The average kyphotic angle in main curve was 62.1 degrees . The screw-related complications were analyzed and online measure and analyze the degree of screw penetration according to CT by statistics.There were 209 thoracic pedicle screws being inserted in group A, no spinal cord and large blood vessel injury occurred, 5 patients occurred intraoperative pedicle fracture, dura lesion had 4 patients. Screws misplacement ratio was 8.6%, there were 11 screws located in the thoracic pedicle laterally, 6 screws located in medially, 1 screw presented a moderate anterior cortical perforation. The number of screws misplacement in upper and mild thoracic vertebrae were 15, occupied 83.3%; the number of screws misplacement in lower thoracic vertebrae were 3, occupied 16.7%. There was statistics difference (P0.05). Of the total 116 thoracic pedicle screws inserted on the convex side, the ratio of screw misplacement was 5.2%; 93 screws on the concave side, the ratio of screw misplacement was 12.9%, there was statistics difference (P0.05). There were 201 thoracic pedicle screws being inserted in group B, no spinal cord and large blood vessel injury occurred, 16 patients occurred intraoperative pedicle fracture, dura lesion had 7 patients. The ratio of screw misplacement was 22.4%, there were 24 screws located in the thoracic pedicle laterally, 11 screws located in medially, 10 screw presented a moderate anterior cortical perforation. The ratio of screw misplacement in Group B was higher than Group A (P0.05). All cases received 3.2 years and 3.4 years follow-up. There was no obvious loss of correction in coronal and sagittal plane at the latest follow-up.It is technically demanding for placement of thoracic screw in the severe kyphoscoliosis treatment. The interlaminar fenestration technique can increase the accuracy and safety of thoracic pedicle screw placement.

Remnant-like particles (RLPs) are closely associated with coronary heart disease and can induce endothelial dysfunction through oxidative mechanisms. Many risk factors accelerate the onset of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) senescence via increased oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the effect of RLPs on EPCs senescence and function. RLPs were isolated from postprandial plasma of hypertriglyceridemic patients by use of the immunoaffinity gel mixture of anti-apoA-1 and anti-apoB-100 monoclonal antibodies. Our results show that EPCs became senescent as determined by senescence-associated acidic beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-Gal) staining after ex vivo cultivation without any stimulation. Co-incubation with RLPs accelerated the increase in SA-beta-Gal-positive EPCs. The acceleration of RLPs-induced EPCs senescence occurred dose-dependently with a maximal effect when EPCs were treated with RLPs at 0.10 mg cholesterol/mL (P

To explore the operative strategy and clinical outcome of the thoracolumbar fracture dislocation.Forty-two patients with the thoracolumbar fracture dislocation were treated with anterior approach (10 patients), posterior approach (28 patients), and anterior combined with posterior approach (4 patients) in order to construct the stabilities of the spine. The ASIA grades were used to evaluate the recovery of the neurological function, and the improvement of the kyphosis deformities was evaluated by the cobb's angle post-operation.All the patients had no complications of injury in the vascular and neurological system. The ASIA grades after the operation were superior to those of pre-operation, and the cobb's angle was rectified distinctly.When appropriate operative strategies are adopted, thoracolumbar fracture dislocation can be treated with satisfactory outcome.

To evaluate the clinic effects of thoracoscopy-assisted mini-open surgery for anterior column reconstruction of thoracic spine tuberculosis.Sixty patients with thoracic spine tuberculosis, involving segments T4 to T12, with a kyphotic angle of 29.2 degrees (18-42 degrees), 38 males and 22 females, aged 47.4 (19-68), with large paraspinal abscess in 50 cases, pleurisy in 17, and dural compression in 42 cases shown by imaging examination, underwent thoracoscopic-assisted mini-open surgery, including radical debridement and anterior spinal reconstruction. According to Frankel's grade, the preoperative neurological function was judged as: Grade A in 1 case, Grade B in 4, Grade C in 6, Grade D in 19, and Grade E in 30. The patients were followed up for 3.6 years. The outcomes were evaluated retrospectively.The operation was accomplished successfully in all 60 patients. The average operative time was 230 min (180-320 min), the average blood loss during operation was 570 ml (350-1200 ml), the mean drainage duration was 3.6 d (3-5 d). Complications occurred in 18 patients (30%). 30 patients showed neurological improvement from 1 to 3 Grades at the last follow-up. The average correction rate of kyphotic angle was 36.6%, and no obvious correction loss was detected during the follow-up. No patient showed recurrence of tuberculosis.Thoracoscopy-assisted mini-open surgery provides a simple, safe, effective, and practical technology with minimal invasiveness for the treatment of thoracic spine tuberculosis.

To explore the efficiency of the cervical pedicle screws in the posterior reconstructive operation of the lower cervical diseases.From November 2001 to July 2003, 31 patients suffering from the lower cervical diseases were treated with the posterior pedicle screws fixation. We put the screws in the inferior articular process of the upper centrum, the lateral of the intervertebral facet center (3 - 5 mm the medial edge of lateral mass). The angles of toe-in sagittal plane varied from 30 degrees to 45 degrees, and the screws were from 18 to 26 mm (22.3 mm) in average.There were 193 pedicle screws in this group, and no one had spinal cord injury or vertebral artery injury. The improvement rate was 84.5%. Follow-up was from 9 to 28 months (17 months in average). The screws were fixed properly without being loose and broken, and the bone graft fusions within 9 to 12 months in the X-ray and CT scan examination were satisfactory. The Japanese orthopaedics association score (JOA) was 9.7 preoperatively, but it was raised to 16.3 postoperatively.The posterior reconstructive operation with cervical pedicle screws is a good choice for patients with lower cervical diseases.

To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cauda equina syndrome.Thirty-four cases of cauda equina syndrome from 1993 to 2005 were analysed retrospectively. Its clinical representation, pathology character and clinical outcome were observed.At follow-ups of 3 to 102 months after the treatment (averagely 43 months), the muscle strength and function of the constrictor began to resume to different degrees. Muscle strength resumed gradually one week after the operation, resumed faster 3 months after the operation, and resumed completely more one year later. Function of the constrictor began to resume 3 days after the operation, and resumed mostly six months or so after the operation. Sense resumed slowly.Clinical outcome of cauda equina syndrome is good. Resumption after the operation obviously correlates to the time of operation. One week after the operation, the kinetic function resumes best, function of the constrictor resumes well and the sense function of the saddle area resumes not very well.

To evaluate the efficacy of screw-rod technique in treating cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation.The screw-rod technique was used to treat 38 patients with cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation. The JOA scores before and after the surgery were evaluated.No severe complication occurred. The JOA scores were increased by 4.1, 6.7, 7.8, and 8.1 respectively at 0 th, 4 th, 12 th and 24 th weeks after the operation. Neurological deficits were improved one year after the operation in 1 patient.Treating cervical spinal cord injury without fracture and dislocation with screw-rod technique can achive an efficient and safe clinical outcome.

To analyze occurrence, prevention and treatment of the complications of thoracoscopic assisted spine surgery.Retrospective review of 182 patients who underwent standard thoracoscopic technique or video-assisted thoracic surgical procedure from October 1998 to August 2004. The treatment of thoracic diseases included debridement, decompression with (or) reconstruction. The total number of complications were recorded, and its mechanism, prevention and treatment were analyzed.Complications occurred in 16 patients, 12 cases of perioperative complications included 3 patients suffered from pneumonia, 3 pulmonary atelectasis, 2 patients' lung injured by trocar, 1 patient obtained transient monoplegia, 2 suffered from transient intercostal nerve pain and 1 had superficial incision infection. Long-term complications occurred in 4 cases: spinal tuberculosis relapsed 2 cases (one who had diabetes obtained relapse in 8 months of post-operation and another relapsed with complex spinal tuberculosis in 4 weeks postoperation), 2 patients suffered from kyphosis deformity and pain.The type and incidence of complications with thoracoscopic spine surgery mainly depend on indication, operation procedures and anesthesia, only by limit surgical indication, ameliorate technique, obey surgical principle and consummate perioperative treatment can we obtain mini-invasive effect by thoracoscopic assisted spine surgery.

To study the characteristics and treatment of the deep wound infection after thoracic and lumbar instrumentation.Thirty-six cases of deep wound infection after thoracic and lumbar instrumentation were retrospectively reviewed. There were acute deep wound infection in 14 cases and delayed infection in 22 cases. The patients with acute infection were treated with debridement and continuous irrigation and suction. Internal fixators were removed in 3 cases for repeated infection. The patients with delayed infection were treated with internal fixator removal, debridement and continuous irrigation and suction.At follow-up evaluation, only 1 patient had recurrence of infection because of his complicating vertebral osteomyelitis. The most common organisms cultured in acute deep wound infection were staphylococcus aureus and colibacillus while staphylococcus epidermis, micrococcus and diphtheria bacillus in delayed infection. The white cell count and ESR were elevated in the acute deep wound infection while only the ESR elevated and the white cell count remained normal in the delayed deep wound infection.There may be different between the acute and delayed deep wound infection's pathology. The internal fixator could be remained in the acute deep wound infection which need be removed in the delayed deep wound infection.

To analyze the clinical characteristics of fresh thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation combined with paraspinal muscles, ligaments and intervertebral disc ruptures and to discuss the surgical procedure for the fracture.The clinical materials of 15 patients who suffered from the disease mentioned above were retrospectively analyzed.The common physical examination findings were local bump in the dorsal or lumbar spine area and palpation of rupture ends of paraspinal muscles and ligaments. The common MRI manifestations were ruptures of anterior longitudinal ligament, intervertebral disc, paraspinal muscles, and spinous process ligaments. The common operative findings were similar to MRI findings. The fractured vertebrae in 5 patients who underwent posterior reduction and fixation with two-segments pedicle screw did not restore their shape, but 10 patients who underwent posterior three-segments pedicle screw reduction and fixation restored the shape of fractured vertebrae.The fresh thoracolumbar fracture-dislocation combined with paraspinal muscles, ligaments and intervertebral disc ruptures is a severe spine injury. Clinical physical examination and MRI appearance and intraoperative observation are important for the selection of operation procedure. The open reduction and internal fixation with pedicle screw-rod system, and intervertebral resection and fusion via posterior approach is a good procedure for the special thoracolumbar fracture.

To investigate the clinical value of Ventrofix system in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine disorders.Twenty-nine patients of thoracolumbar spine disorders were treated by anterior verterbrae body incision, canal decompression, bone graft by iliac or titanium cage, and fixation with Ventrofix system.All operations were successful. Complications included: low blood volume shock in the operation in one patient, atelectasis in one patient, pleuritis in one patient, and transient chest pain in one patient. All patients were followed up for 3 approximately 15 months. All patients got a good bone fusion, and the spinal cord funciton improved to a certain degree. There was no recurrence in patients with tumor and tuberculosis.The anterior focal cleaning and instrumentation is important in treating thoracolumbar spinal disorders. Ventrofix system is an excellent anterior internal implant system for thoracolumbar spinal disorder, with good biomechanical stability and biosuitbility.

To describe the clinic results and advantages of anterior decompression and reconstruction in the treatment of thoraco-lumbar burst fractures.Sixty-seven cases with the thoraco-lumbar fractures accompanied with the compression of the spinal cord were treated by anterior decompression and internal fixation. The Frankel impair scale of preoperation and postoperation was observed.The follow-up was 30.1 month in average. All postoperation spinal alignments were good. No secondary kyphnosis occurred; in 95.4% of the patients, the Frankel score rose more than one degree.Anterior decompression is complete and anterior reconstruction is strong, and both are fit to spinal biomechanical characteristics.

To investigate the protective effect of Dansheng injection on experimental rabbits' in spinal cord injury.Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were impacted between T12-T1 with a force of 150 g.cm-1 (10 g x 15 cm). The rabbits were randomly divided into the injury group, monitor group, L-NAME group and Dansheng group. The blood was obtained at 0 h, 4 h, 6 h to separate the serum at the end the injured spinal cord. Cord tissues were obtained for histological examination. Methyl-di-aldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitro oxide (NO) from the serum and spinal tissues homogenated were tested.MDA and NO increased in the injury group compared with the others, but SOD significantly decreased in the injury group compared with the others. Histological examination showed that neurons were degenerated and necrosed. The injury group displayed serious changes while the Dansheng group less changes. iNOS expressed in all the groups.Dansheng injection has some protective effect on spinal cord injury in the early stage.

Nano-Ag incorporated hydroxyapatite/titania (HA/TiO2) coatings were deposited on Ti6Al4V substrates by the plasma electrolytic oxidation process. Compared with the substrate, the deposited coatings display attractive mechanical and biomedical properties. First, the coatings have stronger wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Second, they show a strong antibacterial ability. The mean vitality of the P. gingivalis on the coating surfaces is reduced to about 21%. Third, the coatings have good biocompatibility. The mean viability of the fibroblast cells on the coating surface is increased to about 130%. With these attractive properties, Ag incorporated HA/TiO2 coatings may be useful in the biomedical field.

ZrN/TiZrN multilayers are deposited by using the cathodic vacuum arc method with different substrate bias (from 0 to −800 V), using Ti and Zr plasma flows in residual N2 atmosphere, combined with ion bombardment of sample surfaces. The effect of pulsed bias on the structure and properties of films is investigated. Microstructure of the coating is analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, nanohardness, Young's modulus, and scratch tests are performed. The experimental results show that the films exhibit a nanoscale multilayer structure consisting of TiZrN and ZrN phases. Solid solutions are formed for component TiZrN films. The dominant preferred orientation of TiZrN films is (111) and (220). At a pulsed bias of −200 V, the nanohardness and the adhesion strength of the ZrN/TiZrN multilayer reach a maximum of 38 GPa, and 78 N, respectively. The ZrN/TiZrN multilayer demonstrates an enhanced nanohardness compared with binary TiN and ZrN films deposited under equivalent conditions.

A simple dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) jet array was designed with a liquid electrode and helium gas. The characteristics of the jet array discharge and the preliminary polymerization with acrylic acid (AA) monomer were presented. The plasma reactor can produce a cold jet array with a gas temperature lower than 315 K, using an applied discharge power between 6 W and 30 W (Vdis ? Idis). A silk fibroin film (SFF) was modified using the jet array and AA monomer, and the treated SFF samples were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and contact angle (CA). The deposition rate of the poly acrylic acid (PAA) was able to reach 300 nm/min, and the surface roughness and energy increased with the AA flow rate. The FTIR results indicate that the modified SFF had more carboxyl groups (-COOH) than the original SFF. This latter characteristic allowed the modified SFF to immobilize more quantities of antimicrobial peptide (AP, LL-37) which inhibited the Escherichia coli (E. Coli) effectively.

Polytetrafluoroethylene films are treated by room temperature helium atmospheric pressure plasma plumes, which are generated with a home-made single liquid electrode plasma device. After plasma treatment, the water contact angle of polytetrafluoroethylene film drops from 114° to 46° and the surface free energy increases from 22.0 mJ/m2 to 59.1 mJ/m2. The optical emission spectrum indicates that there are reactive species such as O+2, O and He in the plasma plume. After plasma treatment, a highly crosslinking structure is formed on the film surface and the oxygen element is incorporated into the film surface in the forms of —C—O—C—, —C=O, and —O—C=O groups. Over a period of 10 days, the contact angle of the treated film is recovered by only about 10°, which indicates that the plasma surface modification is stable with time.