[An experimental study on the influence of radix astragali on the ressorption of ruptured disc herniation]

Zhongguo Gu Shang. 2009 Mar; 22(3): 205-7Jiang H, Liu JT, Hui RH, Wang YJOBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible mechanism of immune response in the resorption of the ruptured intervertebral disc herniation, and the possible mechanism of radix astragali on the resorption of the ruptured disc herniation. METHODS: Twenty-eight male SD (Sprague-dawley) rats were chosen. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, model group, the group treated with radix astragali injection and the group treated whit thymic peptide. The rats were killed and discs were harvested 10 days after treatment. Flow cytometry and HE staining were used for analysis of cells and tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the proportion of activated T cells (CD4+ and CD8+) and B cells were significantly higher in the two drug-treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Herniated nucleus pulposus attracts activated T and B cells and triggered an immune response. Radix astragali could strengthen the autoimmune response.

Sagittal alignment as a risk factor for adjacent level degeneration: a case-control study.

Orthopedics. 2008 Jun; 31(6): 546Djurasovic MO, Carreon LY, Glassman SD, Dimar JR, Puno RM, Johnson JRThis study examined whether sagittal alignment, preexisting adjacent level degeneration, and smoking predispose patients to adjacent segment degeneration following lumbar fusion. Fifty-one patients with adjacent segment degeneration were identified and matched with control patients based on age, sex, level, and date of index surgery. Preexisting adjacent level degeneration and sagittal alignment through the fusion and from L1-S1 were determined before and after initial surgery. Patients with adjacent segment degeneration had significantly less lordosis through the fusion and lumbar spine following their initial surgery. There was no significant difference in the amount of preexisting adjacent level degeneration and smoking between the adjacent segment degeneration and control groups. Fusion of the lumbar spine in abnormal sagittal alignment, with loss of lumbar lordosis, predisposes patients to the development of adjacent segment degeneration. Adjacent segment degeneration does not appear to be just a progression of preexisting degenerative changes at the adjacent level.

Very late drug-eluting stent thrombosis after nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment despite dual antiplatelet therapy.

Can J Cardiol. 2009 Apr; 25(4): 229-32Merkely B, Tóth-Zsamboki E, Becker D, Beres BJ, Szabó G, Vargova K, Fülöp G, Kerecsen G, Preda I, Spaulding C, Kiss RGBACKGROUND: Drug-eluting coronary stent implantation emerged as a safe and effective therapeutic approach by preventing coronary restenosis and reducing the need for further revascularization. However, in contrast to bare metal stents, recent data suggest a unique underlying pathology, namely late coronary stent thrombosis and delayed endothelial healing. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of very late coronary stent thrombosis (834 days after implantation) requiring repeat urgent target-vessel revascularization. Importantly, six days before the acute coronary event, combined nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy was initiated. RESULTS: Although a dual antiplatelet regimen was continuously maintained, aggregation measurements indicated only partial antiplatelet effect, which returned to the expected range when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were omitted. CONCLUSIONS: The observation indicates that, even 834 days after drug-eluting stent implantation, effective combined antiplatelet therapy might be crucial in certain individuals and the possible impact of drug interactions should not be underestimated. Further efforts should focus on the challenging task of identifying patients or medical situations with prolonged, increased risk of stent thrombosis.