OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and the expression as well as the distribution of Sertoli cell vimentin induced by local exposure to heat.

METHODSLocal short-term exposure of prepubertal male rats testis to heat (43 degrees C for 15 min). Histochemical method was used to observe morphological characteristics of seminiferous tubule. The distribution and expression of Sertoli cell cytoskeletons were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and germ cell apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL technique at different hour-intervals.

RESULTSAfter 2 h and 4 h heat exposure, the disattachment phenomenon between Sertoli cell and spermatogonia occurred. Spermatogonia arranged in disorder and displaced away from the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules. Immunohistochemical staining showed that vimentin positive staining was seen radiating from the Sertoli cell perinuclear region with apical "spoke-like" pattern in controls. There was an intense vimentin immunoreactivity surrounding Sertoli cell nuclei along with the collapse of the apical extensions in 2 h group, but no significant difference compared with the controls. The expressions of vimentin in 12 h and 24 h groups were higher than those of the controls (P <0.01), respectively. TUNEL showed that incidence of apoptosis was observed to increases markedly in 12 h and 24 h groups, but it was found that the incidences of apoptotic events were decreased in these two groups compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONThe changes of expression and distribution of Sertoli cell vimentin filaments correlate with the increased germ cell apoptosis. Local heat may disrupt spermatogenesis by injuring Sertoli cell directly.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Hot Temperature ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sertoli Cells ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; pathology ; Vimentin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo introduce a method to reduce the volume of medial gastrocnemius for calf reduction.

METHODSTibial nerve and nerve branches were dissected and explored at popliteal region for morphometry in 20 cadaver-legs. The length, width and the origination position of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius were measured and recorded. During surgery, the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle were explored and cut off. The circumference and the shape of the leg were measured and recorded.

RESULTSThe nerve innervating the medial gastrocnemius originates from the tibial nerve which lies in the fat tissue of popliteal space. In 8 cases (40%) there is only 1 branch to the medial gastrocnemius, and in 4 cases (30%) there are 2 branches. In other 4 cases (30%) the medial sural cutaneous nerve originate from the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius. The nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle branch off at (- 6.6 +/- 13.7) mm; the width is (2.3 +/- 0.4) mm; the length is (42 +/- 12) mm. Neurectomy of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius was performed in 16 cases. After operation, the circumference of the leg was reduced (3.5 +/- 1.1) cm averagely and the curve of the medial line of the calf was reduced. There is no obvious swelling in these cases and the patients were able to walk immediately after operation. The function of the leg was not obviously influenced.

CONCLUSIONSNeurectomy of the nerve to the medial gastrocnemius muscle was a safe and effective method for calf reduction.

Adult ; Bariatric Surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Leg ; surgery ; Male ; Muscle Denervation ; Muscle, Skeletal ; innervation ; Sural Nerve ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of preoperative factors on the function of the cervical spine after Bryan artificial disc replacement.

METHODSFifty patients who underwent cervical disc replacement from December 2003 to January 2006 were investigated. The preoperative factors such as long course of disease, lose of motion or disc height at the operation level were evaluated for their effects on the motion of the operated disc and clinical results at the time of final follow-up. There were 35 males and 15 females. Thirty-nine patients received one-level disc replacement, 11 patients received two-level disc replacement. The age of patients was from 25 to 73 years, average was 49 years.

RESULTSUntil January 2009, 50 cases of all the 53 patient who got operation for more than 3 years were followed up. The follow up period was from 36.0 to 55.6 months, which showed a skewed distribution, with a median of 41.9 months. The patients, who got neural syndrome for more than 3 years, would have worse JOA recovery rate through the surgery compared with the patients who got neural syndrome less than 3 month. As for radiographic results, the preoperative range of movement (ROM) at the implanted disc spaces was 10.4 degrees +/- 5.0 degrees which had significant correlation with the most recent follow-up ROM which was 8.6 degrees +/- 4.8 degrees (r = 0.325, P < 0.05). The group which height ratio of the operative disc and the adjacent discs was less than 0.87 would have worse JOA recovery rate and range of motion at operated level at the most recent follow-up than the group more than 0.87 with statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSFor the patients with cervical spondylosis or cervical disc herniation who get nervous syndrome for more than 3 years, will have worse JOA recovery rate through the surgery, so the patient should get the operation in time to achieve better improvement. When the operated level is severe degenerated, the motion of the replaced disc and the clinical results is dissatisfied at the time of final follow-up, so it is the relative contraindications for the cervical disc replacement.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Atrial Fibrillation ; etiology ; Connexin 43 ; analysis ; Connexins ; analysis ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gap Junctions ; physiology ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of axial rotation of lumbar vertebrae on the accuracy of pedicle screw placement using the traditional method, as well as to assess the value of intraoperative three-dimensional (3D) navigation in improving the accuracy.

METHODSSixteen lumbar simulation models at different degrees of axial rotation (0°, 5°, 10° and 20°), with every four assigned with the same degree, were equally divided into two groups (traditional method group and intraoperative 3D navigation group). Random placement of pedicle screws was carried out, followed by CT scan postoperatively. Then the outer pedicle cortex contours were depicted from reconstructed sectional pedicle images using Photoshop. The accuracy of pedicle screw placement was evaluated by determining the interrelationship between screw trajectory and pedicle cortex (qualitative) and measuring the shortest distance from pedicle screw axis to outer cortex of the pedicle (quantitative).

RESULTSEighty pedicle screws were implanted respectively in each group. In traditional method group, statistical difference existed in the accuracy of pedicle screw placement at different axial rotational degrees (P < 0.05). With degrees increasing, the accuracy declined. The accuracy of intraoperative 3D navigation group was higher than traditional method group in vertebrae with axial rotation (P < 0.01). In qualitative evaluation, the accuracy of the two methods had statistical difference when the degree was 20°, and in quantitative evaluation, statistical difference existed in 5°, 10° and 20° of vertebral axial rotation.

CONCLUSIONSScrew malposition can be caused by vertebral axial rotation in lumbar spine using traditional method. Accuracy of pedicle screw placement declines with the increase of axial rotational degrees. However, the accuracy can be improved by using intraoperative 3D navigation.

Bone Screws ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Models, Anatomic ; Rotation ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

A 9-day-old male patient was admitted to the hospital because of cough, anhelation, feeding difficulty and lethargy. The diagnostic examinations indicated pulmonary infection, severe metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, hyperammonemia and pancytopenia in the patient. Blood and urine screening and isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) gene detection for inherited metabolic diseases were performed to clarify the etiology. Tandem mass spectrometric screening for blood showed an elevated isovalerylcarnitine (C5) level. The organic acid analysis of urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed significantly increased levels in isovaleryl glycine and 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid. Homozygous mutations (c.1208A>G, p.Tyr403Cys) in the IVD gene were identified in the patient. His parents were heterozygous carriers. After the treatment with low-leucine diets and L-carnitine for 3 days, the patient showed a significant improvement in symptoms, but he died one week later. It is concluded that the neonates with pneumonia and metabolic decompensation of unknown etiology should be screened for genetic metabolic disease.
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Isovaleryl-CoA Dehydrogenase ; deficiency ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation ; Pancytopenia ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) and haplotypes of interleukin-18(IL-18) gene associated with the susceptibility to colorectal cancer(CRC).

METHODSTwo SNPs of IL-18 gene promoter -137G/C and -607C/A in 170 patients with CRC and 160 healthy controls matched by age and sex in a Chinese population were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) strategy. Frequency of haplotypes and linkage disequilibrium of IL-18 gene in different groups were analyzed by SHEsis programs.

RESULTSThe distributions of IL-18 gene -607C/A polymorphism did not differ between CRC patients and healthy controls, but IL-18 gene -137G/C polymorphism was significantly different(P<0.05). The relative risk of C allele for CRC was 1.814 times of the G allele (OR=1.814,95% CI:1.246-2.642). Consistent with the results of the genotyping analyses, IL-18 -137G/C and -607C/A polymorphisms showed strong linkage disequilibrium(|D'|=0.945), frequency of the -137C/-607A haplotype in patients with CRC was significantly higher than that in healthy controls(P<0.05). The -137C/-607A haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC(OR=1.637, 95% CI:1.100-2.437).

CONCLUSIONSIL-18 gene -137G/C polymorphism and -137C/-607A haplotype are associated with CRC. -137C allele may be an important genetic susceptibility gene for CRC.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

BACKGROUNDTheoretic advantages of cervical disc arthroplasty include preservation of normal motion and biomechanics in the cervical spine, and reduction of adjacent-segment degeneration. The clinical and radiographic effects of cervical disc arthroplasty in short term have been ascertained. The aim of this study is to research the data of mid-term results.

METHODSIn this prospective cohort study, 50 patients who underwent cervical disc arthroplasty from December 2003 to January 2006 were enrolled. There were 39 patients who received 1-level disc arthroplasty, and 11 patients received 2-level disc arthroplasty, with an average age of 50.9 years (range from 29 to 73). The median follow-up was 41.85 months (range from 36.00 - 55.63 months). Patients were followed prospectively with respect to their symptoms, neurologic signs, and radiographic results.

RESULTSThe median value of Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 14.0 before surgery, and 16.5 at the most recent follow-up (P < 0.01). The median value of the recovery rate of the JOA score was 92.2%. The preoperative range of motion (ROM) at the indexed level was (10.40 ± 4.97)°, which has significantly correlated with the most recent follow-up ROM which was (8.56 ± 4.76)° (P < 0.05, r = 0.33). The ROM at the operative level at the most recent follow-up was greater than the value at the 3-month follow-up of (7.52 ± 3.37)° (P < 0.05). The preoperative functional spinal unit (FSU) angulation was (-0.96 ± 6.52)°, which was not significantly correlated with that of the most recent follow-up value of (-2.65 ± 7.95)° (P < 0.01, r = 0.53). The preoperative endplate angulation was (2.61 ± 4.85)°, which had no significant correlation with that of the most recent follow-up value of (0.71 ± 6.41)° (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe clinical and radiographic results of cervical disc arthroplasty are good in mid-term follow-up. The normal range of motion of the operated level and the biomechanics in the cervical spine are well preserved.

Adult ; Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement ; methods ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the role of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)on HBV replication and the antiviral effect of HO-1 combined with α-interferon(IFN-α).Methods HepG2.2.15 cells and HBV1.3-transfected HepG2 cells(HepG2-HBV1.3)were used as HBV replicating cell models;Hemin treated HepG2.2.15 and HepG2-HBV1.3 cells,to induce the expression of HO-1 molecules.CCK-8 method was used to assess the toxic effects of Hemin on HepG2 and HepG2.2.15;chemiluminescence method was used to analyze HBsAg and HBeAg in the supernatants of Hemin-treated group and si-HO-1 and other experimental groups;RT-qPCR was used to ana-lyze HO-1,IFN-β and HBV-DNA;Western blot was used to analyze the expression of IRF-3 and the expression of related molecules in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway;Hemin combined with IFN-α treated HepG2.2.15 to moni-tor whether HO-1 had synergistic IFN-α antiviral effect.Results Hemin dose-dependently induced HO-1,and HO-1 was induced to exert a significant anti-HBV effect,while the expression of IFN-β,IRF-3,and IRF-9 and MxA,downstream molecules of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway,were all increased.Silencing HO-1 expression reversed the antiviral effect in the Hemin-induced group,and at the same time,type Ⅰ interferon IFN-β showed low expression,and the expression of IRF-9 and MxA in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway was inhibited as well.He-min combined with IFN-α exerted stronger antiviral effects.Conclusion HO-1 can exert an anti-HBV effect,which may be due to increased phosphorylation of IRF-3 to induce type Ⅰ interferon expression and thus activate the JAK/STAT signaling pathway to exert an antiviral effect;HO-1 can synergize with IFN-α to exert an antiviral effect.

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, interventional tumor therapy, involving implantation of intra-cholangial metal stents through percutaneous trans-hepatic punctures, has provided a new method for treating cholangiocarcinoma. (103)Pd cholangial radioactive stents can concentrate high radioactive dosages into the malignant tumors and kill tumor cells effectively, in order to prevent re-stenosis of the lumen caused by a relapsed tumor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of gamma-rays released by the (103)Pd biliary duct radioactive stent in treating cholangiocarcinoma via induction of biliary cholangiocarcinoma cell apoptosis.

METHODSA group of biliary duct cancer cells was collectively treated with a dose of gamma-rays. Cells were then examined by the 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl terazolium-bromide (MTT) technique for determining the inhibition rate of the biliary duct cancer cells, as well as with other methods including electron microscopy, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis, and flow cytometry were applied for the evaluation of their morphological and biochemical characteristics. The growth curve and the growth inhibition rate of the cells were determined, and the changes in the ultrastructure of the cholangiocarcinoma cells and the DNA electrophoresis bands were examined under a UV-lamp.

RESULTSThe gamma-ray released by (103)Pd inhibited cholangiocarcinoma cell growth, as demonstrated when the growth rate of the cells was stunned by a gamma-ray with a dosage larger than 197.321 MBq. Typical features of cholangiocarcinoma cell apoptosis were observed in the 197.321 MBq dosage group, while cell necrosis was observed when irradiated by a dosage above 245.865 MBq. DNA agarose gel electrophoresis results were different between the 197.321 MBq irradiation dosage group, the 245.865 MBq irradiation dosage group, and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS(103)Pd radioactive stents which provide a radioactive dosage of 197.321 MBq are effective in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma; (103)Pd radioactive stents should be useful for the clinical treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; radiation effects ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; ultrastructure ; DNA ; analysis ; Flow Cytometry ; Gamma Rays ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Palladium ; Stents