Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of lnstaTrak3500 Plus with Fluoro Trak magnetic imaging guidance for spine surgery, Methods The construction and operation progress of the system were applied in thoracic-lumbar spine surgery, Results The electric-magnetic guided imaging system can improve success rate in thoracic-lumbar spine surgery,and all operative pedicle screw were inserted accurately with no related complications error. Conclusion The electric-magnetic imaging system can improve the accuracy of operations and guide mini-invasive surgery, which can significantly decrease X-ray irradiation dosage.

AlM: To explore the expression and significance of cysteine- rich 61 ( CCN1/Cyr61 ) in oxygen - induced retinal neovascularization ( RNV) of mice and study the inhibition effect of CCN1 specific siRNA on RNV.
METHODS:Two hundred healthy C57BL/6J mice were chosen and randomly divided into control group, hyperxia group, hyperxia control group and CCN1 treated group, with 50 mice in each group. The hyperxia control group was treated with vector plasmids by intravitreal injection. The CCN1 treated group received CCN1 siRNA recombinant plasmids by intravitreal injection. Adenosine diphosphate-ase ( ADPase) stained retina flat-mounts was performed to assess the retinal vascular profiles, HE staining was applied to count the number of vascular endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane, protein and mRNA level expression of CCN1 were measured by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and RT-PCR.
RESULTS: There were large nonperfusion area and a large number of vascular endothelial cell nuclei breaking through the internal limiting membrane ( 25. 25 ± 1. 26;23. 12 ± 1. 16 ) in the hyperxia group and the hyperxia control group. Regions of nonperfusion and vascular endothelial cell nuclei (8. 47±1. 15) were decreased in the CCN1 treated group compared to the hyperxia group and the hyperxia control group. Compared with the control group, there were high protein and mRNA expression of CCN1 in the hyperxia group and the hyperxia control group. The expression of CCN1 protein and mRNA were decreased in the CCN1 treated group compared with the hyperxia group and hyperxia control group (all P<0. 05).
CONCLUSlON: The abnormal expression of CCN1 has close relation with RNV. The development of RNV can be markedly inhibited by RNA interference targeting CCN1, which, we believe, will provide new molecular targets and a rationale for clinical developing new strategy for ROP therapy.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of three-dimensional ultrasound parameters-vascularity index (VI) and the volume of kidney in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods A total of 80 CKD patients at different stages and 30 healthy adults were enrolled in the study. VI and the renal volume were calculated with three-dimensional ultrasound, while resistance index (RI), cortical thickness (CT) and the volume of kidney were calculated with two-dimensional ultrasound, and the correlation of those parameters were analyzed statistically. Results VI of CKD2 patients reduced significantly compared with the control group, and RI of CKD3 patients increased significantly, CT of CKD3 patients reduced significantly. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic value of VI in patients with early and late CKD were all higher than thpse of RI. Compared with the control group, three-dimensional ultrasound of renal volume and two-dimensional ultrasound volume of CKD 1 patients increased significantly, three-dimensional ultrasound volume of CKD2 patients reduced significantly, and two-dimensional ultrasound volume of CKD4 patients reduced significantly. There was significant negative correlation among VI, three-dimensional ultrasound volume, CT, two-dimensional ultrasound volume and pathological change scoring (r=-0.67, -0.52, -0.43, -0.52). Conclusion VI and three-dimensional ultrasound volume can detect renal function damage more earlier and sensitively than RI and two-dimensional ultrasound volume.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has definitely clinical effect in treating hyperlipidemia, but the action mechanism still need to be explored. Based on consulting Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010), all the lipid-lowering Chinese patent medicines were analyzed by associated rules data mining method to explore high frequency herb pairs. The top three couplet medicines with high support degree were Puerariae Lobatae Radix-Crataegi Fructus, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma-Crataegi Fructus, and Polygoni Multiflori Radix-Crataegi Fructus. The 20 main ingredients were selected from the herb pairs and docked with 3 key hyperlipidemia targets, namely 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α ) and niemann-pick C1 like 1 (NPC1L1) to further discuss the molecular mechanism of the high frequency herb pairs, by using the docking program, LibDock. To construct evaluation rules for the ingredients of herb pairs, the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD) value between computed and initial complexes was first calculated to validate the fitness of LibDock models. Then, the key residues were also confirmed by analyzing the interactions of those 3 proteins and corresponding marketed drugs. The docking results showed that hyperin, puerarin, salvianolic acid A and polydatin can interact with two targets, and the other five compounds may be potent for at least one of the three targets. In this study, the multi-target effect of high frequency herb pairs for lipid-lowering was discussed on the molecular level, which can help further researching new multi-target anti-hyperlipidemia drug.
Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Membrane Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; PPAR alpha ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Pueraria ; chemistry

BACKGROUND:Spinocerebel ar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a typical genetic neurodegenerative disease. To establish patient-specific disease models of genetic background contributes to studying the pathogenesis and exploring therapeutic manners.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effectiveness of neural differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cel lines induced by SCA3 and the stability of CAG copy number.
METHODS:Skin tissue of SCA3 patient was obtained clinical y, and specific skin flbroblasts were isolated and cultured. Reprogramming fibroblasts could obtain induced pluripotent stem cel s. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cel s, normal person induced pluripotent stem cel s (NHF) and embryonic stem cel s (ES-10) were induced to differentiate. Flow cytometry was used to compare the efficiency of differentiation. Western blot assay was utilized to detect ataxin-3 protein expression in neurons. Polymerase chain reaction was applied to measure the CAG repeat number of SCA3/ATXN3 gene.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Induced pluripotent stem cel s that had identical genetic background to fibroblasts were successful y obtained, and had similar morphology and multi-directional differentiation potential to human embryonic stem cel s. Each cel line could differentiate into neural stem cel s. The CAG number did not apparently alter before and after reprogramming as wel as induction of neuronal differentiation. The effectiveness of the differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cel s derived from SCA3 into neural stem cel s was lower than that of normal person-derived induced pluripotent stem cel s (NHF) and embryonic stem cel s (ES-10). These findings demonstrate that reprogramming can successful y establish human induced pluripotent stem cel s, and induced the differentiation of above cel s into neural stem cel s. In the whole process, CAG number did not obviously alter, which was consistent with body cel s of patients.

Lactobacillus casei was selected as an antigen delivery vehicle for the development of oral vaccine to express recombinant LTB and porcine parvovirus (PPV) VP2 protein. The fusion protein gene encoding PPV VP2 protein and LTB, was cloned into the surface expression vector pPG, and then the recombinant expression vector pPG-VP2-LTB was electrotransformed into Lactobacillus casei 393, generating recombinant strain pPG-VP2-LTB/L. casei 393. After induced by 2% Lactose in MRS broth, an about 78 kD protein was detected in the recombinant Lactobacillus casei by SDS-PAGE. The result of Western blot indicated that the protein possessed the antigenic specificity same as the native virus protein. The result of the whole bacteria cell ELISA indicated that the LTB protein was expressed at the same time. The results of indirect immunofluorescence test and immuno-gold electron microscopy showed that the interest protein was expressed on the surface of L. casei 393. The results provide potential for the development of lactic acid bacteria oral vaccine of PPV, which used LTB as mucosal adjuvant.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical effect of segmental resection of the liver using Glissonean pedicle transection for primary liver cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 55 primary liver cancer patients admitted from January 2006 to October 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty-five of the patients underwent segmental resection of the liver by Glissonean pedicle transection (group A), and 30 underwent routine hepatectomy (group B). The positivity rate of the resection margin, micrometastasis in the hepatic parenchyma surrounding the lesions and postoperative recurrence rates were investigated.

RESULTSThe positivity rate of the resection margin was 4.0% in group A, significantly lower than that of group B. The number of histological micrometastasis was significantly higher in group A than in group B (16 vs 8). The median distance of histological micrometastasis was 6.8 mm (2.7-25.6 mm) in group A and 4.2 mm (2.4-9.0 mm) in group B. The one-year recurrence rate was significantly lower in group A than in group B (16% vs 26.7%).

CONCLUSIONGlissonean pedicle transection for segmental liver resection is a simpler procedure than routine hepatectomy for primary liver cancer and can reduce the number of histological micrometastasis and recurrence rate.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; blood supply ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo construct an eukaryotic expression vector of open reading frame of unknown KH gene (KH-ORF), and investigate its effect on cell proliferation.

METHODSThe pCI-neo-KH-ORF expression vector was constructed by DNA recombinant technique and was introduced into COS-7 cells and K562 cells by lipofectactin-mediated DNA transfection. Expression of KH-ORF mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. The effect of KH-ORF on cell cycle of COS-7 cells and K562 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). Effect on cell proliferation of COS-7 cells was tested by MTT assay and that on K562 cells was analyzed by growth curves and LDH activity measurement.

RESULTS(1) KH-ORF mRNA was expressed both in COS-7 cells and K562 cells. (2) The cell cycle and cell proliferation of COS-7 cells were unaffected significantly. (3) The proportion of cells in S phase was increased in pCI-neo-KH-ORF-transfected K562 cells; and growth curves and LDH activity indicated enhanced cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONKH gene may be a leukemia gene related to proliferation of K562 cells.

Animals ; COS Cells ; Cell Proliferation ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, Neoplasm ; genetics ; physiology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; physiology ; Plasmids ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; S Phase ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDThe left atrial appendage (LAA) is an important source of thrombus formation. We investigated the feasibility of the recently developed real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) method in assessment of the morphology and function of the LAA.

METHODSNinety-six consecutive patients (58 males with a mean age of (43.4 ± 12.5) years) who were referred for 2-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) underwent additional RT3D-TEE. LAA morphology was visualized in multiple views. Orifice size, depth, volumes and ejection fraction (EF) of the LAA, were measured.

RESULTSAll the patients underwent RT3D-TEE examination without complications. Ninety-two patients (95.8%) had adequate images for visualization and quantitative analysis of the LAA. The LAA exhibited great variability with respect to relative dimensions and morphology. LAA orifice area was (3.8 ± 1.2) cm(2) with a diameter of (2.4 ± 0.9) cm × (1.4 ± 0.6) cm. The mean depth of the LAA was (2.9 ± 0.7) cm. End-diastolic volume (EDV-LAA), end-systolic volume (ESV-LAA) and EF of the LAA were (6.2 ± 3.7) ml, (4.1 ± 2.8) ml, and 0.35 ± 0.16, respectively. EDV-LAA, ESV-LAA and the orifice area of the LAA in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) were larger than those without AF, whereas the EF was smaller in the AF patients.

CONCLUSIONSDefining LAA morphology and quantitative analysis of the size and function of the LAA with superior quality and resolution of images using RT3D-TEE is feasible. This technique may be an ideal tool for guidance of the LAA occlusion procedure. Determination of LAA volumes and volume-derived EF by RT3D-TEE provides new insights into the analysis of LAA function.

Adult ; Atrial Appendage ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEGenetic factors are thought to be involved in the development of vitiligo. The aim of this study is to explore the possible genetic model of vitiligo by analyzing the genetic characteristics of 815 patients from Zhejiang province.

METHODSData for 815 patients with vitiligo together with their first- and second-degree relatives were obtained using a standardized questionnaire. All these information was requested to confirm the answers about family history in order to reduce the possibility of 'recall' bias. The 815 probands would include 411 (50.43%) males and 404 (49.57%) females with a varied age from 2 months to 71 years old. Since the information on general prevalence of vitiligo in this area was absent, a control group was set up to facilitate the calculations of heritability degree. 468 persons of the control group were from non-vitiligo population with a sex ratio of 241(male): 227(female) with varied age of 4 months to 80 years old. Both gender and age were comparable between the vitiligo and the control population. The inheritance pattern estimation, heritability calculation and complex segregation analysis were performed with Penrose method, Falconer regression method and SAGE-REGTL program.

RESULTSIn 815 vitiligo probands, 128 had and 687 had not family histories, with a heritability rate of 15.7%. The vitiligo prevalence in proband's first degree relatives was 2.580%, higher than the prevalence of 0.618% in second degree relatives, and both of them were higher than general prevalence: 0.192%. By Penrose method, the rates on different catagories were as follows: sibling prevalence rates s = 0.080 18; population prevalence rate q = 0.001 92; s/q = 41.76. The ratio of s/q did not approach 1/2q (260.42) or 1/4q (130.21), but approached 1/square root of q(22.82), suggesting vitiligo was consistent with a mode of polygenic inheritance. Using Falconer's method, heritabilities of vitiligo in first-and second degree relatives of probands were 59.61% (95% confidence interval 65.37-53.84) and 55.20% (95% confidence interval 43.88-66.52), respectively. The weighted average of heritability in all relatives was 58.7% (95% confidence interval 53.56-63.83). The results of complex segregation analysis suggested that major gene model including the Mendelian dominant, recessive and additive hypotheses were not rejected (P > 0.05). Purely environmental model and no transmission model were rejected at a 0. 001 significance level. According to AIC, Mendelian dominant inheritance was the best-fitted hypothesis.

CONCLUSIONGenetic factors played an important role in the occurrence of vitiligo, and the genetic model of vitiligo could serve as the polygenetic or multifactorial inheritance with major gene trait.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Genetic ; Vitiligo ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult