Objective To investigate the effect of botulinum toxin type A injection on the expres-sion of substance P, TGF-β1 and α-SMA in rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scar. Methods The hyper-trophic sear model was established in 24 Japanese rabbits'ears. The wounds in ventral surface of ear were divided in Group I (lateral wounds) and Group S (medial wounds), 3 wounds each side per ear, totally 72 wounds each group. The wound-healing time and the growth of scar were observed and recorded. On post-wounding day 28, the wounds were created in another 6 rabbits in the same way and the normal skin were harvested as Group C. Likewise, the scar samples in Groups I and S were harvested. The mRNA expression of substance P, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were detected quantitatively by using real-time PCR and α-SMA was also detected with Western blot. Results No difference between the ratio of healed or infec-tious wounds on post-wounding day 14. The mRNA expression of SP, TGF-β1 and α-SMA in Group I was significantly lower than Group S, but higher than those in Group C (P<0. 01 and <0. 05, respec-tively). The blot density of α-SMA and the ratio of blot density of a-SMA to β-actin in Group I were be-tween that of the other two groups. Conclusion Without delaying the wound-healing, botulinum toxin type A injection significantly decreases the expression of SP, TGF-β1 and α-SMA in rabbit ear model of hypertrophic scar.

Objective To assess the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on motor and ambulatory function in incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods 18 incomplete SCI patients (AIS D) were randomized to treatment group (n=10) and control group (n=8). The treatment group received rTMS while the control group received sham stimulation for 2 weeks. All the patients received routine rehabilitation. They were assessed with Lower Extremity Motor Score (LEMS), 10 m Walking Test for Walking Speed, modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Walking Index for SCI Scale II(WISCI II), and Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) before and after treatment, and followed up for 2 weeks after treatment. Results The treatment group significantly improved in LEMS, walking speed, and SCIM after treatment and during follow up (P<0.05), while the control group improved only in SCIM (P<0.05). There was more significant improvement in LEMS in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05) after treantment and during follow up. There was no difference between two groups in MAS, walking speed, WISCI II and SCIM. Conclusion rTMS can further improve the motor of lowere limbs for incomplete SCI patients.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is usually used for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures,which has various advantages such as easy to operate, short operation time, less trauma, rapid recovery,analgesic effect and so on. But its application is restricted due to nerve compression symptoms and pulmonary embolism caused by bone cement leakage. Thereafter, how to reduce the leakage of bone cement is an issue of concern.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the lumbar quantitative computed tomography (QCT) values and contrast agent dispersion in osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures. METHODS: Sixty cases of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures undergoing PVP were enrolled, and received QCT examination before surgery, and contrast agent was injected intraoperatively. X-ray examination was conducted to detect the bone mineral density, contrast agent dispersion and leakage of bone cement, and the relationship between the lumbar QCT values and contrast agent dispersion as well as leakage of bone cement.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) There were 110 vertebral fractures, and 74 vertebrae with contrast agent diffusing more than vertebral midline, accounting for 67.3%. There was significant difference in the contrast agent dispersion among groups (P < 0.05). (2) The bone cement leakage showed no significant difference among groups after injected with bone cement by unilateral or bilateral approach (P > 0.05). (3) These results suggest that contrast agent dispersion in osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures has a certain relationship with the lumbar QCT values, and lumbar QCT values with more contrast agent dispersion, but the lumbar QCT values have no correlation with bone cement leakage. Therefore, choosing a appropriate approach based on the QCT values and contrast agent dispersion can reduce leakage and improve the safety of PVP.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of large dose of Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus) on the dentritic cell (DC) induction in vitro and augumentation by peripheral mononuclear cell (MNC) and on antigen presenting ability of DC in children with acute leukemia.

METHODSForty-four children with acute leukemia in complete remission stage were divided into two groups. Twenty patients in the Astragalus (90 g daily) group were treated with large dose of Astragalus (90 g daily) based on conventional chemotherapy for one month, while 24 patients in the control group received chemotherapy alone. MNC were extracted from peripheral blood by wall-sticking method and cultured with such cell factors as interleukin-4, gramulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor, tumor necrosis factor-alpha for 7-8 days. Phenotype of DC was assayed by flow cytometry and antigen presenting ability of them was assayed by mixed lymphocyte reaction.

RESULTSThere was no morphological difference in MNC induced DC between the two groups. The average number of DC in Astragalus group and control group was 4.4 x 10(6) / 2.5 x 10(6) MNC and 2.6 x 10(6) / 2.5 x 10(6) MNC, respectively, showing significant difference (P < 0.001). DC in Astragalus group could stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes strongly, showing significant difference when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion Large dose of Astragalus could increase the DC induction of MNC and enhance the antigen presenting ability of DC in acute leukemia patients.

Acute Disease ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; cytology ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; pathology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; pathology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; pathology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured