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Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of combined selective peripheral neurotomy (cSPN) on the spasm of the lower limbs after spinal cord injury. Methods A prospective intervention (before-after trial) with an observational design was conducted in 14 spinal cord injury patients with severe lower limbs spasticity by cSPN. Given the severe spasm of hip adductor, triceps surae, and hamstring muscles in these patients, a total of 26 obturator nerve branches, 26 tibia nerve branches, and 4 sciatic nerve branches partial neurotomy were performed. The modified Ashworth scale, composite spasticity scale, surface electromyography, gait analysis, functional ambulation category, spinal cord independence measure, and modified spinal cord injury–spasticity evaluation tool were used before and after surgery. Results Compared with preoperative, the spasm of the hip adductor, triceps surae, and hamstrings of the lower limbs in the postoperative patients decreased significantly. The abnormal gait of knee flexion and varus in the standing stage were significantly reduced. The grading of walking ability and activities of daily living were significantly improved. Conclusions Combined selective peripheral neurotomy can significantly reduce the spasm of lower limbs post spinal cord injury, improve abnormal gait, and improve motor function and activities of daily living. Trial registration ChiCTR1800019003 (2018–10-20).

Using cholesterol, β-sitosterol, dehydroisoandrosterone and pregnenolone as starting materials, a series of 6- hydroximino analogs of ring B abeo-sterols were synthesized and characterized. The antiproliferative activity of analogs was evaluated against SGC 7901 (human gastric carcinoma), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) and Bel 7404 (human liver carcinoma) cells. The results showed that the presence of a alkyl side chain was very important for their cytotoxicity. However, the presence of 6-hydroximino cannot increase the cytotoxicity of compounds compared with 6-hydroxy group. The information obtained from the studies may be useful for the design of novel chemotherapeutic drugs.

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