ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Acupotomy on spastic cerebral palsy. Methods105 cases of spastic cerebral palsy were random divided into group A (35 cases with acupotomy), group B (34 cases with physical therapy) and group C (36 cases with acupotomy and physical therapy). Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) was used to assess spasticity before and a month after therapy. ResultsEffective rate of group A was 65.71%, group B was 29.41%, group C was 77.78%, which of group B was significantly lower than those of group A of C. ConclusionAcupotomy can reduce muscular tension of spastic cerebral palsy, which seems more effective than physical therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the role and effect of Schwann cells (SCs) remyelination in contused spinal cord.

METHODSGreen fluorescence protein expressing-SCs were transplanted into the epicenter, rostral and caudal tissues of the injury site at 1 week after the spinal cords were contused. At 6 weeks, the spinal cords were removed for cryosections, semithin sections and ultrathin sections, and then immunocytochemical staining of myelin basic protein (MBP), P0 protein (P0) and S100 protein (S100) was carried out on the cryosections. Qualitative and semiquantitative analyses were performed on the cryosections and semithin sections. Ultrastructure of myelinated fibers was observed on the ultrathin sections under electron microscope.

RESULTSTransplanted SCs and myelinated fibers immunocytochemically labeled by MBP, P0 as well as S100 distributed in whole injured area. The quantity of myelinated fibers labeled by the three myelin proteins showed no statistical difference, however, which was significantly larger than that of controls. On the semithin sections, the experimental group demonstrated more myelinated fibers in the injured area than the controls, but the fibers had smaller diameter and thinner myelin sheath under electron microscope.

CONCLUSIONSCs can promote regeneration of injured nerve fibers and enhance remyelination, which may be histological basis of SCs-mediated functional repair of injured spinal cords.

Animals ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron ; Myelin Basic Protein ; metabolism ; Myelin P0 Protein ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Schwann Cells ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective To observe the changes of autophagy and apoptosis in the cerebral cortex in rats with brain explosive injury and received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment, and investigate the effect and significance of HBO on them. Methods Fifty-four SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=6), explosive injury group (n=24) and explosive injury treated with HBO group (n=24).The control group was not injured and 600 mg TNT electric detonators were exploded over the brain of rats at a 12 cm distance in the explosive injury group and explosive injury treated with HBO group. HBO management was given to the explosive injury treated with HBO group 3 and 22 h after explosive injury and at the same time of the other 6 d. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the changes of Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in the cerebral cortex on the 6th and 24th h, 3rd and 7th d of injury. Results The expression levels of Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in the explosive injury group and explosive injury treated with HBO group were obviously higher than those in the control group (P＜0.05). The levels of Beclin-1and caspase-3 in the explosive injury treated with HBO group were significantly lower than those in the explosive injury group at the same time points (P＜0.05). Conclusion The decreased expressions of autophagy and apoptosis in brain cells by HBO treatment might be one of the possible mechanisms of treating craniocerebral injury.

OBJECTIVEPeripheral nerve regeneration depends on gene regulation by central neurons. To search for more effective treatment methods to improve the regeneration of wounded peripheral nerves, gene expression profile of spinal cord after firearm injury to rabbit sciatic nerves are studied with DNA micro-array technique.

METHODSA total of 54 rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups: Groups d1, d3, d7 and normal control group. Lumbar spinal cords were sampled. RNA and mRNA were extracted, labeled by Cy3 and Cy5, and analyzed by mouse_8192S gene chips.

RESULTSA total of 1367, 923, and 61 genes with differential expression were found on day 1, day 3, and day 7 after trauma respectively. Five expressed sequence tag (EST) sequences demonstrated differential expression during 7 days after trauma.

CONCLUSIONSThere is complex gene profile with differential expression after firearm nerve injury, among which AW701496, U84291, W13926, X04017 and AW822394 EST sequences may be important regulation factors that involved in regeneration of peripheral nerve injury.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Firearms ; Gene Expression ; physiology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Male ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; physiology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Probability ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Reference Values ; Sciatic Nerve ; injuries ; physiology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; Wounds, Gunshot ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo observe the survival and the number of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplanted in the contused spinal cord, so as to provide a basis for further studying the biological action of OECs.

METHODSThe rat spinal cords were contused with NYU-impactor II at T10 level by dropping a 10 g rod from a height of 25 mm. At the 1st week after injury, OECs isolated freshly from green fluorecense protein (GFP) of the rats were transplanted into the spinal cord at injured site and other two sites 1 mm apart from the caudal and rostral ends with the OECs number of 30000/μl x 3 = 90000. The survival and the number of OECs were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively observed under the fluorescense microscope from 1 week to 13 weeks after transplantation. The motor function of the cord was evaluated with BBB score.

RESULTSGFP-OECs could survive at least for 13 weeks within the contused spinal cord. Their arrangement was from tight to loose and their number was decreased from 1 week to 13 weeks after injury. The average number of GFP-OECs was 536 at the 1st week, which was less than 1% of the number as compared with original transplantation. After then, the number of GFP-OECs was continually decreased, but the most obvious decrease was found during 1 week to 2 weeks. The extent of decrease at other time points was relatively mild. In contrast to the cell number, motor function of the cord was gradually recovered after transplantation.

CONCLUSIONSThe survival and the number of GFP-OECs are different between the animals and are affected by the pathological reaction of the host cord. Also it is related to the motor function recovery of the contused cord.

Animals ; Cell Count ; Cell Survival ; Cell Transplantation ; Motor Activity ; Nerve Degeneration ; Olfactory Bulb ; cytology ; transplantation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord ; physiopathology ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; physiopathology ; surgery

Objective Through determination of selenium content in liver and urine of selenium-induced mice, direct sampling atomic fluorescence spectrometry was established to provide a more accurate and convenient determination method for detection of selenium-related biological samples. Methods Selenium in the sample was released by the electrically heated quartz tube,the selenium in the atomic state was captured by the quartz tube,and the selenium released by the heating quartz tube was carried by the argon-hydrogen mixed gas into the argon-argon flame atomic fluorescence detector for determination; standard curve was established based on selenium content and fluorescence area, and then the content of selenium in the sample was calculated. Results The detection limit of selenium in samples by direct sampling atomic fluorescence spectrometry was 0.28 μg/kg, the correlation coefficient of standard curve was 0.999 3, and the relative standard deviation range was 1.82% - 4.19%. The adding standard recovery of the liver in mice was 87.30%- 100.20%; meanwhile the adding standard recovery of the urine in mice was 93.10% - 96.60%. Conclusions Direct sampling atomic fluorescence method is simple and easy to operate, accuracy and precision are better, the linear range is wide. The samples need not be processed by complex pretreatment,such as acid,etc.,elements loss is avoided and efficiency of detection is improved.The method can be used in a variety of samples for rapid detection of trace selenium.

Objective To establish methods for isolating and culturing the olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) from young adult GIT rat to lay the foundation for repair of the spinal cord injury.Methods The OECs were dissociated from the first outer layer of the olfactory bulb of the young adult GFP rat (2.5 months old) under anatomical microscope; enzymatic digestion was performed on these cells and then they were inoculated into DMEM/F12 with 20% fetal calf serum. The morphology of OECs was regularly observed and photographied under light and electronic microscope. On the 10th culture day, the OECs were identified by the immunocytochemistry staining of S-100 and NGFRp75 and the purity (the positive rate) was calculated. Results The OECs showed strong green fluorescence under fluorescent microscope and presented morphological types of bipolar and bearing multipolar. More than 95% of the cultured cells were identified to be OECs, which expressed S-100 and NGFR p75. The cell structure revealed by electron microscope was much accordance with that by light microscope. Conclusion This method is easy to perform and high purity of GFP-OECs can be harvested with the same morphological characteristics and biological activity as general OECs. Therefore, OECs derived from the GFP transgenic rat can be effective tool cells, and widely used in studying the role of OECs in the repair of spinal cord injury

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between clinical ischemic events and carotid calcification detected by 64 slices CT angiography.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the carotid calcified plaques in 116 patients underwent the 64 slices CT angiography. The relationship between the carotid calcification and the clinical ischemic events was analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 377 plaques were detected and the incidence of carotid plaque calcification was 63.40%. Incidence of plaque calcification was significantly lower in patients with ages < 50 years than that in patients with ages 51 - 59 years, 60 - 69 years and higher than 70 years (P = 0.003, P = 0.002, P = 0.000, respectively). The incidence of plaque calcification in the common carotid artery was significantly lower than the carotid bifurcation (P = 0.000) and the internal carotid artery (P = 0.000). The incidences of calcification in the mild, moderate and severe degree of stenosis and occlusion were 46.54%, 33.33%, 26.67% and 0% respectively. The distribution of intraplaque calcium was similar between patients with ischemic event and non-ischemic event group. However, the incidence of calcification was significantly lower patients with ischemic event than that in patients without ischemic event (30.34% vs. 43.10%, P = 0.013). Calcified plaque was negatively associated with ischemic event (beta = -0.688, P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION64 slices CT angiography can analyze the characterization of carotid plaque calcium.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Calcinosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Carotid Stenosis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

Objective To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) in detecting regional cerebral metabolic changes and changes of water molecular motion in rabbits after explosive brain injury at different time points of injury after being treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Methods Ninety New Zealand white rabbits were divided into control group, trauma group and hyperbaric oxygen treatment group. The injured models in the later 2 groups were established using 600 mg TNT equivalent of paper detonators in the rabbit brain at the top of 6.5 cm vertical distance. Rabbits in the trauma group and hyperbaric oxygen treatment group were sub-divided into 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 d treatment groups, respectively. The survival of these rabbits was observed at these time points. Hyperbaric oxygen treatments lasting for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 d were given to each hyperbaric oxygen treatment sub-groups, respectively. Performance under MRS was detected and dynamic changes of N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio and NAA/choline(Cho)+Cr value were observed with MRS. DWI was employed to detect the dynamic changes of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Results The NAA/Cr ratio in the trauma group markedly decreased right after the injury and slightly rose 7 d after the injury. Compared with that in the trauma group, the NAA/Cr ratio in the hyperbaric oxygen treatment group was significantly increased (P＜0.05). The NAA/Cho+Cr value in the trauma group was markedly decreased right after the injury, while that in the hyperbaric oxygen treatment group was obviously increased as compared with that in the trauma group (P＜0.05). ADC values in the region of interest of the trauma group was decreased after 1 d of treatment and gradually increased after 3 d of treatment; the ADC values in the hyperbaric oxygen treatment group was obviously higher than those in the trauma group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Hyperbaric oxygen might improve the prognosis by improving local metabolism of neurons, inhibiting brain edema, and enhancing local gliosis repair;, ultra-early intervention (within one week of injury) may be much favorable for animals/patients after explosive brain injury.

OBJECTIVETo compare the blood flow of left internal mammary artery (LIMA) anastomosed to left anterior descending artery (LAD) with variable degree of stenosis in off pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB).

METHODSFrom 2000.9 to 2002.12, 167 cases (from a total of 209 OPCAB) were involved in this study. According to the degree of stenosis of LAD, all the cases were divided into group A (< 75%), group B (75% approximately 95%) and group C (> 95%). Blood flow of LIMA, routinely anatomized to LAD was immediately measured after anastomosis with transit-time flowmeter (TTFM) and several parameters were recorded.

RESULTSThe mean blood pressure at measurement was not significantly different (P = 0.08). Mean blood flow of group A (11.1 +/- 1.2) ml/min, B (16.3 +/- 1.6) ml/min and C (28.3 +/- 3.2) ml/min and diastolic flow of group A (26.3 +/- 2.8) ml/min, group B (34.8 +/- 3.2) ml/min and group C (55.1 +/- 5.3) ml/min, were significantly different between every two groups (P < 0.01) and the latter was bigger than the former. Systolic blood flow among group A (5.3 +/- 0.7) ml/min, group B (4.3 +/- 1.4) ml/min and group C (4.6 +/- 1.3) ml/min were not different (P = 0.91). Pulsatility index (PI) of group C (2.75 +/- 0.14) was significantly smaller than that of group A (4.36 +/- 0.47) and group B (3.72 +/- 0.31) (P < 0.01), but PI between groups A and B was of no significant difference (P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONMean and diastolic blood flow of LIMA were closely related to the degree of stenosis of LAD. The higher the degree, the bigger the blood flow, and the smaller the value of PI. However, systolic blood flow was not influenced by the degree of lesion.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Stenosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Flowmeters ; Humans ; Male ; Mammary Arteries ; physiopathology ; Middle Aged ; Regional Blood Flow