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Biomedical subjects

B Wang

Publications and source records attributed to B Wang.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Effect of the intensity of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on the postoperative analgesic requirement.

Given the inherent side effects associated with both opioid and nonopioid analgesic drugs, a nonpharmacologic therapy that could decrease the need for analgesic medication would be valuable. We designed a sham-controlled study to assess the effect of the intensity of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) on postoperative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) requirement for hydromorphone (HM), the incidence of opioid-related side effects, and the recovery profile after lower abdominal surgery. One hundred one healthy consenting women undergoing lower abdominal procedures with a standardized general anesthetic technique were randomly assigned to one of four postoperative analgesic treatment regimens: Group I (n = 26) PCA only; Group II (n = 25), PCA + sham-TAES (no electrical stimulation); Group III (n = 25), PCA + low-TAES (4-5 mA of electrical stimulation); Group IV (n = 25), PCA + high-TAES (9-12 mA of electrical stimulation). The PCA device was programmed to deliver HM, 0.2-0.4 mg intravenously boluses "on demand," with a minimum lockout interval of 10 min. The TAES skin electrodes were placed at the Hegu acupoint on the nondominant hand and on both sides of the surgical incision. The TAES frequency was set in the dense-and-disperse mode, alternating at 2 Hz and 100 Hz every 3 s, with stimulation of the hand and incision alternated every 6 s. The patients in Groups II-IV were instructed to use TAES every 2 h for 30 min while awake. After discontinuation of PCA, oral pain medications were administered on demand. The postoperative PCA-HM requirement, pain scores, opioid-related side effects, and requirements for antiemetic and antipruritic medication were recorded. High-TAES decreased the HM requirement by 65% and reduced the duration of PCA therapy, as well as the incidence of nausea, dizziness, and pruritus. Low-TAES produced a 34% decrease in the HM requirement compared with only 23% in the "sham" TAES group. We conclude that high-TAES produced a significant decrease in the PCA opioid requirement and opioid-related side effects after low intraabdominal surgery.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1997

The effect of GP683, an adenosine kinase inhibitor, on the desflurane anesthetic requirement in dogs.

UNLABELLED: The availability of an analgesic compound devoid of the side effects associated with the commonly used opioid and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs would be useful during the perioperative period. Although adenosine has analgesic and anesthetic-sparing properties, it also produces dose-dependent cardiovascular depression. Inhibitors of adenosine kinase may be able to provide analgesia without producing acute cardiovascular or respiratory depression. This preliminary study investigated the effects of a novel adenosine kinase-inhibiting drug, GP683, on the minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) of desflurane in dogs. Seven mongrel dogs were administered one of three different GP683 dose regimens (or the solvent) by intravenous infusion on separate occasions according to a cross-over study design. After determining the baseline desflurane MAC value, GP683 was infused at 75, 150, or 300 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for 5 min as a loading dose, followed by 15, 30, or 60 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) for an additional 85 min to maintain a stable plasma drug level. The desflurane MAC was redetermined 30-90 min after starting the study drug or vehicle infusion, and 30-90 min and 120-180 min after termination of the infusion. Cardiovascular variables and plasma concentrations of GP683 were determined at specific intervals before, during, and after the MAC determinations. The three GP683 dose regimens produced 22%, 31%, and 50% decreases in the desflurane MAC, respectively. In addition, there was good correlation between the decrease in desflurane MAC and the plasma GP683 concentration (r = -0.78). Although the mean arterial pressure (MAP) was decreased up to 25% by the highest infusion rate of GP683, adjustments in the desflurane concentration to an equi-MAC value resulted in normalization of the MAP values. Furthermore, GP683 produced no changes in heart rate. In conclusion, the adenosine kinase-inhibiting drug, GP683, produced dose-dependent decreases in the desflurane MAC of dogs without producing untoward hemodynamic changes. IMPLICATIONS: An investigational drug (GP683) that can increase the levels of an important endogenous substance in the body (adenosine) has been found to decrease the anesthetic requirement in dogs without producing adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.

Adenosine Kinase↗
PubMed1997

Eltanolone as an alternative to propofol for ambulatory anesthesia.

UNLABELLED: The intravenous (i.v.) steroid anesthetic, eltanolone, compares favorably to propofol with respect to its induction characteristics. This double-blind investigation was designed to compare the induction and recovery profile of eltanolone (versus propofol) when it was used for both induction and maintenance of ambulatory anesthesia. Eighty-three consenting ASA physical status I-III outpatients undergoing minor gynecologic or urologic procedures lasting 10-40 min were randomly assigned to one of three anesthetic treatment groups. All patients received midazolam, 2 mg i.v., and fentanyl, 50 micrograms i.v., before induction of anesthesia. The control group (Group 1) was induced with propofol, 2.4 mg/kg i.v. (18-60 yr or ASA physical status I or II) or 1.6 mg/kg i.v. (61-80 yr and/or ASA physical status III), followed by intermittent bolus doses of 0.6 mg/kg i.v. in combination with N2O 67% for maintenance of anesthesia. In Group 2, anesthesia was induced with eltanolone, 0.75 mg/kg i.v., (18-60 yr and/or ASA physical status I or II) or 0.5 mg/kg i.v. (61-80 yr and/or ASA physical status III), and maintained with intermittent bolus injections of 0.2 mg/kg i.v. and N2O 67%. Group 3 received eltanolone, 1.0 mg/kg i.v. (18-60 yr and/or ASA physical status I or II), or 0.75 mg/kg i.v. (61-80 yr and/or ASA physical status III), followed by intermittent bolus injections of 0.2 mg/kg i.v. and N2O 67%. In addition to recording the induction and recovery times and side effects, psychomotor testing was performed before and at 30-min intervals after anesthesia. Induction times (57 +/- 23, 67 +/- 26, and 61 +/- 22s, respectively) were similar in all three groups. Although eltanolone produced no pain on injection (versus 52% in the propofol group), 10% of the eltanolone-treated patients (versus none in the propofol group) developed transient cutaneous (rash-like) reactions. The total dose of study medication used during the anesthetic period was 9.2 +/- 3.7 mg.kg-1.h-1 in the propofol group compared with 3.3 +/- 1.4 mg.kg-1.h-1 and 3.3 +/- 1.9 mg.kg-1.h-1 in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. Early recovery times were significantly shorter after propofol anesthesia. However, times to ambulation, micturition, and being judged "fit for discharge," as well as recovery of cognitive function, were similar in all three groups. Although ethanolone seems to be a safe and effective i.v. anesthetic, these data suggest that it is unlikely to replace propofol in the ambulatory setting. IMPLICATIONS: Eltanolone is an investigational steroid anesthetic that causes less pain on injection and less cardiovascular depression than propofol (the most widely used intravenous anesthetic in the outpatient setting). Unfortunately, emergence from anesthesia after ambulatory surgery is slower with eltanolone compared with propofol. Therefore, it is unlikely that eltanolone will replace propofol for outpatient anesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Drug-induced vasodilation in an in vitro and in vivo study: the effects of nicardipine, papaverine, and lidocaine on the rabbit carotid artery.

Extreme arterial vasoconstriction (vasospasm) is a common problem encountered in microvascular surgery. An ideal pharmacologic tool able to counteract ischemia during microsurgery should be easy to apply and exert its action both locally and distally in the microcirculation of the flap. We have compared in vitro and in vivo vascular properties of nicardipine, papaverine, and lidocaine in the rabbit carotid artery. In vitro, rings from the rabbit carotid artery (n = 7) were bathed in Krebs-Ringers solution and stretched progressively to an optimal tension of 3.7 to 4.2 g. The specimens were contracted with norepinephrine (1 microM), and a cumulative dose response curve was established. In vivo, microvascular anastomoses were performed bilaterally in the rabbit carotid artery in 35 animals using 9-0 nylon suture and standard microsurgical techniques. During and after the anastomoses, nicardipine (0.1, 0.01 mg topical, or 0.1 mg/hour IV), papaverine (30 mg/cc topical), and lidocaine (2% with and without epinephrine) were applied (blinded) at the anastomotic site in five rabbits each. Heparinized sodium chloride was used as topical irrigation for control and to clean the anastomosis. Blood flow changes were monitored continuously with the transonic Doppler for 30 minutes after the procedure. The systemic blood pressure was also monitored in a group of pilot experiments. A documented decrease in blood flow was noted in all animals after the microvascular anastomosis. Nicardipine and papaverine evoked a concentration-dependent relaxation to precontracted rings to norepinephrine. Nicardipine was greater than papaverine in inducing relaxation. Lidocaine demonstrated a biphasic response with low concentrations potentiating contraction. Systemic nicardipine and papaverine significantly increased the blood flow in the rabbit carotid artery. Topical application of nicardipine and lidocaine did not significantly alter the blood flow; however, the application of nicardipine demonstrates a trend toward increased flow. Lidocaine with epinephrine significantly decreased the blood flow. No drug was found to alter the blood pressure of the animals. Our results demonstrate that nicardipine and papaverine seem to be pharmacologic tools able to increase the blood flow in anastomotic arteries. In contrast, the use of 2% lidocaine as a spasmolytic agent should be re-evaluated, since this substance may act as a partial agonist.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1997

Effect of sedative and hypnotic doses of propofol on the EEG activity of patients with or without a history of seizure disorders.

Propofol is alleged to possess both pro- and anticonvulsant properties, leading to controversy regarding its use in patients with a history of seizures. Since propofol is administered for both sedation and hypnosis, it is important to understand the effects of low (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) and high (2-2.5 mg/kg) doses of propofol on the electroencephalogram (EEG). In this study, the hemodynamic and EEG effects of cumulative doses of propofol from 0.5 to 2.5 mg/kg i.v. were studied in 30 neurosurgical patients with or without a history of seizure disorders. While continuously recording from scalp EEG electrodes (F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, P4, O1, and O2), propofol 0.5 mg/kg was infused intravenously over 20 s. The same dose of propofol was reinjected four times at 2-min intervals, until a total dose of 2.5 mg/kg had been administered. The number and average amplitude of the EEG waves were counted and measured manually, respectively, from 80 to 90 s after beginning the injection of each dose of propofol. After lower propofol doses (0.5-1 mg/kg), the number of beta-waves increased, while alpha- and theta-waves decreased significantly in all patients. However, with larger doses of propofol (total dose of 2-2.5 mg/kg), the number of beta-waves decreased and delta-waves appeared. The amplitudes of all EEG waves increased and were maintained at a higher level after administration of propofol. Spike (or sharp) waves appeared in 33% of the control patients and in 40% of the epileptic group after propofol 0.5 mg/kg and in 73% of the control and 67% of the epileptic patients after the 1.5-mg/kg dose. In the majority of patients, the spike waves disappeared when additional doses of propofol were administered. One patient in the epileptic group had an EEG-recorded and clinical grand mal seizure after propofol 1 mg/kg, but the seizure disappeared after an additional 0.5-mg/kg bolus dose was administered. The propofol-induced EEG changes appeared initially at the frontal and central EEG electrodes and subsequently at the other EEG electrodes. Overall, there were no significant differences in the spectrum of EEG changes between the two patient populations. It is concluded that propofol produces similar dose-dependent effects on EEG activity in patients with or without a history of seizure disorders. While induction of anesthesia with higher doses of propofol (> 1.5 mg/kg) in neurosurgical patients with well controlled seizure disorder is safe, smaller sedative doses should be administered with caution to epileptic patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

CD45 molecule in gammadelta T-cell generation: disruption of CD45 exon 6 does not affect Vgamma3 dendritic epidermal T-cell development.

There are two distinct lineages of T cells: T-cell receptor (TCR) alphabeta-bearing cells (alphabeta T cells) and TCR gammadelta-bearing cells (gammadelta T cells). All of the alphabeta T cells and most subsets of gammadelta T cells develop in the thymus. It has been demonstrated that the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45 plays a pivotal role in the intrathymic development of alphabeta T cells. Thymocyte maturation is arrested at the transitional stage from immature CD4+ CD8+ double-positive to mature CD4+ or CD8+ single-positive cells after CD45 exon 6 gene disruption. In this study, we examined whether Vgamma3 dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC), a subset of thymus-dependent gammadelta T cells uniquely residing in the murine epidermis, are altered in the CD45 exon 6-deficient mice. In situ immunolabeling on epidermal sheets demonstrated that the CD45-deficient mice had a normal density and immunophenotype of Vgamma3 DETC compared with the wild-type control mice. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction revealed that similar levels of Vgamma3 TCR mRNA were present in the epidermis of CD45-deficient mice and wild-type controls. Flow cytometry demonstrated no significant difference in the proportion of Vgamma3 T cells in the epidermis between the genotypes. In addition, Vgamma2 T cells, another subset of gammadelta T cells, were also examined by flow cytometry. The frequency of Vgamma2 T cells in lymph nodes was normal in the CD45-deficient mice. Our results indicate that although CD45 is crucial for the development of alphabeta T cells, this molecule is not necessary for the thymic maturation of gammadelta T cells, including Vgamma3 DETC and Vgamma2 T cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

The high-affinity receptor for IgE is the predominant IgE-binding structure in lesional skin of atopic dermatitis patients.

While the skin of most patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is known to contain IgE-bearing cells, the contribution of the various IgE-binding structures to this phenomenon is not fully understood. To address this issue, we eluted cell-bound IgE from cryostat sections of lesional AD skin by acid treatment and performed reconstitution experiments with IgE in the absence or presence of reagents directed against the currently known IgE-binding structures. We found that incubation of acid-treated sections, with either chimeric or serum IgE, resulted in the appearance of sizable numbers of anti-IgE-reactive cells. This cellular IgE loading could be entirely prevented by preincubation of the sections with the anti-Fc epsilonRI alpha MoAb 15-1 but not with either antibodies against Fc epsilonRII/CD23 and Fc gammaRII/CD32 or with alpha-lactose. To exclude the possibility that acid treatment of tissue sections may have adversely influenced the IgE-binding capacity of IgE receptors other than Fc epsilonRI, we performed an identical series of experiments on AD skin samples that, as an exception, were essentially devoid of anti-IgE-reactive cells. Again, no IgE loading was detected when these sections were preincubated with anti-Fc epsilonRI alpha MoAbs. In contrast, preincubation of the sections with alpha-lactose and/or MoAbs against Fc epsilonRII/CD23 or Fc gammaRII/CD32 did not affect IgE loading. Together with the observations that anti-Fc epsilonRI alpha-reactive and IgE-binding cells are largely overlapping populations and include cells of the Langerhans cell/dendritic cell lineage, mast cells, and a few dermal dendrocytes and eosinophils, our results demonstrate that Fc epsilonRI is the predominant and, perhaps, the only biologically relevant IgE-binding structure on histogenetically and functionally diverse cell populations of AD skin.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Development and function of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells after bone marrow transplantation of severely immunodeficient mice.

Bone marrow (BM) transplantation experiments were performed in a strain of CD3 epsilon-transgenic mice, termed tg epsilon 26, which are completely deficient in T-cell and natural killer (NK) cell development. We found that an interaction of stromal cells and prothymocytes is required for the induction of a cortical thymic microenvironment. This induction takes place in a time window from fetal development to early neonates. Although the thymic environment is not required for NK-cell development, we found that aberrantly educated alpha beta or gamma delta T lymphocytes can influence NK-cell ontogeny. Surprisingly, BM transplantation of tg epsilon 26 fetuses and neonates results in normal T-cell development, but very low levels of NK cells. The poor NK-cell reconstitution in fetal and neonatal stages could be explained by an inefficient migration of hematopoietic progenitor cells to the BM. By contrast, migration of the progenitor cells to the thymus was efficient to initiate T-cell development. BM transplantation of adult tg epsilon 26 mice resulted in abnormal T-cell development which, in turn, caused an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the recipient mice. Studies in these BM chimeras have revealed that both alpha beta and gamma delta T cells can be pathogenic and, further, that Th1-like cytokines produced by these cells are causal factors in the pathogenesis of IBD.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Uterine natural killer cells do not require interleukin-2 for their differentiation or maturation.

PROBLEM: Natural Killer lymphocytes (NK cells) from the pregnant uterus and from other tissues in pregnant and nonpregnant mammals can be stimulated by interleukin-2 (IL-2) during culture to become Lymphokine Activated Killer (LAK) cells. The susceptibility of cultured trophoblast cells to lysis by LAK cells raises the enigma of why uterine (u) NK cells that are characterized by morphology and by surface phenotyping as "activated," and thus potentially damaging to the placenta, become localized to implantation sites during normal rodent gestation. METHOD: uNK cells migrating from explant cultures of the metrial gland were assessed for expression (mRNA and protein) of each chain of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R). Implantation sites from transgenic mice lacking a functional IL-2 gene were examined histologically for the differentiation of mature, granulated uNK cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Early post-implantation, mRNA from migrating uNK cells contains transcripts for all three chains of the IL-2R. Only IL-2Rgamma was expressed at day 12 of gestation; expression of this gene was also lost by day 16. Loss of IL-2R transcription did not result in loss of protein expression; however, it did coincide with loss of uNK cell viability in vivo. Apparently normal differentiation of uNK cells occurred in IL-2(-/-) mice and in doubly mutant IL-2(-/-).beta2m(-/-) mice. Thus, despite uNK cell expression of the full IL-2R at day 8 of gestation, IL-2 is not required for the maturation of uNK cells to their fully granulated form or for normal placental development.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Keratinocyte proinflammatory responses to adherent and nonadherent group A streptococci.

The gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus) is the causative agent of a wide variety of suppurative infections of cutaneous tissues. Previous analyses have demonstrated that the M protein of S. pyogenes is an adhesin that directs the attachment of the streptococcus to keratinocytes in the skin. In this study, we have examined keratinocyte function in response to S. pyogenes and found that adherent versus nonadherent streptococci promote distinct patterns of expression of several proinflammatory molecules and keratinocyte cell fate. When analyzed by a quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR method, infection of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes with adherent, but not nonadherent, streptococci resulted in increased expression of mRNA for the cytokines interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, and IL-8 but neither infection induced expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha. In contrast, both adherent and nonadherent S. pyogenes induced expression of IL-6 and each promoted synthesis and release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). However, considerably greater levels of IL-6 expression were stimulated by adherent streptococci relative to nonadherent streptococci and the kinetics of PGE2 release in response to nonadherent streptococci was delayed compared to the response to adherent streptococci. Staining with the fluorescent probe ethidium homodimer-1 revealed that keratinocyte membranes were rapidly damaged upon infection with adherent streptococci but were not damaged by nonadherent streptococci. Finally, treatments which inhibited streptococcal metabolism completely blocked the ability of adherent streptococci to elicit responses. These data suggest that expression of an adhesin is a strategy used by S. pyogenes to modulate keratinocyte responses during infection of the skin and implicate additional streptococcal products in these signaling interactions.

Bacterial Adhesion↗
PubMed1997

[A cytogenic study on colorectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the cytogenesis of colorectal carcinoma and to look for colorectal carcinoma related chromosomal fragility sites which could facilitate screening of high risk colorectal carcinoma patients. METHODS: 20 cases of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas and 4 cell lines were analysed cytogenetically. RESULTS: Most of the tumor cells were heteroploid, the chromosome number was predominately hypodiploid. Karyotypic analysis demonstrated an increase of chromosome 13, and loss of chromosome 17 and chromosome 1 appeared frequently. The most frequently found structural abnormalities in colorectal carcinoma were breakpoint 1q21 and 1p13. Highly non-random cancer chromosome breakpoints and fragile sites were compared with the oncogene locus and found that their locus or neighboring locus was 1q21. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that breakpoint 1q21 may be related to tumorgenesis and may be useful in screening and preventing colorectal carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical significance of residual urine volume in bladder outlet obstruction with benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was determined by pressure-flow studies. Residual urine volume was measured by urethral catheterization. Fifty-one patients with or without BOO were investigated for residual urine. The mean residual urine volume was 32.8 +/- 35.9 ml and 25.2 +/- 22.7 ml in BOO group (31 patients) and no BOO group (20) respectively. The range of residual urine volume was from 6 to 210 ml and from 3 to 88 ml in the two groups respectively. Residual urine volume was not statistically different between the BOO group and no BOO group (P > 0.05). The results of pressure-flow studies were significantly different between the BOO group and no BOO group (P < 0.01). Residual urine determination was not a reliable criterion for selection of patients for surgery. The cause of residual urine is not only BOO. The patients with BOO may present insignificant residual urine. It is evident that the absence of post-void residual urine does not rule out BOO.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

[The role of platelet activating factor in pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis in dogs].

17 Beagle's dogs were divided randomly into tree groups: pancreatitis group (PG, n = 6), pan+BN52021 group (BNG, n = 6), control group (CG, n = 5). The acute pancreatitic model of PG and BNG was established by injecting sodium taurocholate and trypsin into the main pancreatic duct. Animals of BNG were injected PAF receptor antagonist BN52021 (5 ml/kg) intravenously 5 minutes and 3 hours respectively after acute pancreatitis induction. Blood amylase activity was determined by Winslow's method. PAF in blood and pancreatic tissue was determined by the platelet accumulation method. Blood amylase activity of PG increased by 466.7 +/- 111.6 than the baseline at 8 hours and increased significantly than that of BNG and CG (P < 0.05). Blood PAF level of PG increased from 30 minutes to 11.81 +/- 0.78 ng/ml at 8 hours. BN52021 inhibited very significantly the increase of PAF level (P < 0.01). PAF level in pancreatic tissue of PG was significantly higher than that of BNG and CG (P < 0.01). PAF may play an important role in early acute pancreatitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

[Clinical analysis of 153 pancreaticoduodenectomies].

153 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed from 1976 to 1995 were analyzed. The morbidity was 41.2% and the mortality 5.2%. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) was the most common complication, and severe complications included introabdominal abscess, upper GI bleeding, and pancreatic fistula. The mortality decreased significantly from 15.6% before 1990 to 0.9% after 1990 and the morbidity decreased from 44.4% to 31.9%, and delayed gastric emptying was the major cause of mobidity after 1990 in pylorus preserving procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[The proliferation inhibition and differentiation inducing effects of all-trans retinoic acid on human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line JF-305].

We detected the antiproliferative effect with MTT test and investigated the changes in biological properties, cytomorphology and ultrastructure through cytopathology and electronic microscopy. Cell growth of JF-305 was inhibited by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The maximal inhibitory rate was 34.7%. The number of proliferative cells reduced (P < 0.01). Cell metabolism slowed down, secretory functions recovered, and malignant degree decreased. ATRA can inhibit the proliferation and induce the differentiation of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma JF-305 cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1997

[Observation of cervical vertebrae and estimation of their bone age].

There are two objectives in this study: the first is to estimate skeletal age by lateral cephalomatric roentgengram of cervical vertebrae instead of X-ray of handwrist, the second is to study the rules of cervical vertebrae's growth and development of children from Beijing. The Auto CAD 12.0 computer software was used in measuring lateral cephalomatric roentgengrams of cervical vertebrae of 280 children from Beijing aged 9-15. The shape of cervical vertebrae of children with that of adults on X-ray films was compared, and the growth and development of cervical vertebrae of 9-15 years old children from Beijing was observed. We found out that the rapid growth period of cervical vertebrae was 12-14 years old for girls and 14-15 years old for boys. During puberty, the change of vertebrae's shape has no difference between male and female. 42 female and 28 male teenagers from the 280 aged 9-13 years old were taken X-ray films of left handwrist. The comparison between the films and roentgengrams shows that the appearance of sesamoid of hand and the concavity of the second vertebrae body is at the same time, which means that the beginning of rapid growth period can be estimated by the lateral cephalometric roentgengrams of cervical vertebrae.

Adolescent↗