Objective To study the auditory perception and speech ability outcomes after cochlear implantation in prelingually deaf children with extremely severe neurosensory hearing loss and comorbid leukoencephalopathy.Methods Our study included 14 prelingually deaf children with leukoencephalopathy (confirmed by preoperative MRI scanning) who were treated with cochlear implantation in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery of Hainan Provincial People''s Hospital, including 8 males and 6 females of 1~6 yr with a mean age of 3.8 yr.Sixteen synchronous prelingually deaf children without central nervous system (CNS) diseases were also included as the control group, including 11 males and 5 females of 1~6 yr with a mean age of 4.4 yr.All the patients underwent pre-surgical assessments of audiology, radiology, speech ability and intelligence before cochlear implantation via transmastoid facial nerve recess approach was done, after which rehabilitation was provided at the Hainan Rehabilitation Center for Deaf Children.Categories of auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rate (SIR) were employed as the assessment criteria for the outcome of surgery, the scores of which at different timepoints after surgery were statistically compared through paired t-test between the two groups.Results All the patients gained post-surgical hearing and speech abilities to different degrees, whereas CAP and SIR scores both chronologically improved in the both groups.No statistical difference was revealed either in CAP or in SIR scores between the two groups at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery (P>0.05).Conclusion Children with extremely severe neurosensory hearing loss can be reated with cochlear implantation even if they have comorbid leukoencephalopathy.The effects of auditory and speech rehabilitation for the same age patients with leukoencephalopathy are similar to those without leukoencephalopathy in 2 years after surgery.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic role of multi-slice CT(MSCT)angiography for tumors of intra-abdominal testes.Methods MSCT angiography of 5 cases with seminoma of intra-abdominal testes proved by surgery and pathology was analyzed.All patients were male,and the age ranged from 33 to 59 years with the mean of 43.6 years.Results(1)The arterial-supply of tumors completely came from the testicular artery of the same side.The arteries went into tumors from the posterior side.(2)The tumors had comparatively large volume with complete or incomplete amicula.The tumor density of 3 cases was inhomogeneous.The degree of entity augmentation of 5 patients was about 14—25 HU.Conclusion MSCT angiography can reveal the tumor vessel and is essential for the diagnosis of tumors of intra-abdominal testes.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of utilizing self-designed score system for lower lumbar vertebral burst fractures to select surgical approach.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to December 2011, the clinical data of 56 patients with lower lumbar vertebra burst fractures who underwent surgical treatment were retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 14 females with an average age of 43.1 years old (ranged, 19 to 65). Causes of injury included falling down (40 cases), traffic accidents (12 cases), and crashing injury by heavy objects(4 cases). Injury site was L3 in 37 cases, L4 in 16 cases, and L5 in 3 cases. According to the AO classification, 17 cases were type A3.1, 14 cases were type A3.2, 25 cases were type A3.3. According to Frankel grade of nerous function, 2 cases were grade B, 5 cases were grade C, 9 cases were grade D and 40 cases were grade E. Surgical methods and approaches were chosen based on the comprehensive evaluation of AO classification, condition of posterior column injury and spinal canal encroachment. Surgical methods and approaches included trans-vertebra fixation (15 cases), intra-vertebra pedicle screw fixation (21 cases), combination of anterior and posterior approaches (11 cases), one-stage posterior approaches (9 cases). Cobb angles, restorations of the affected vertebral anterior border height, and conditions of spinal canal encroachment were compared before and after surgery. Conditions of bone graft fusion and internal fixation (if bending, loosening or breakage existed) were observed. Spinal cord functions were assessed according to Frankel grade. Localized pain and working status of patients were also assessed at the last follow-up.

RESULTSNo incision infection was found and no spinal nerve symptoms improved in all of 56 patients. All patients were followed up for 12 to 60 months with a mean of 28.5 months, without internal fixation loosening or breakage. There was significant differences in Cobb angle, vertebral anterior border height and recovery of spinal canal encroachment between preoperative and postoperative instantly (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference between postoperative instantly and final follow-up (P > 0.05). Thirteen cases obtained fusion by trans-vertebra fixation, 20 cases obtained fusion by intra-vertebra fixation, and 20 cases were treated by the combination of anterior and posterior approaches or one-stage posterior approaches all of patients obtained fusion. Spinal nervous function recovered I to II grade, 1 case was grade C, 3 cases were grade D, 52 cases were grade E. Localized pain was assessed as P1 in 52 cases, P2 in 3 cases, and P3 in 1 case. Working status was classified into W1 in 12 cases, W2 in 39 cases, and W3 in 5 cases.

CONCLUSIONThe lower lumbar vertebra and thoracolumbar junction exhibit different injury characteristics due to variations in anatomy and biomechanics. A comprehensive score of the AO classification, posterior column injury and degree of spinal canal encroachment will guide the selection of surgical method and approach for the treatment of lower lumbar vertebra burst fractures.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

BACKGROUNDPatients with severe full-thickness burn injury suffer from their inability to maintain body temperature through perspiration because the complete destructed sweat glands can not be regenerated. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) represent an ideal stem-cell source for cell therapy because of their easy purification and multipotency. In this study, we attempted to induce human BM-MSCs to differentiate into sweat gland cells for sweat gland regeneration through ectodysplasin (EDA) gene transfection.

METHODSThe dynamic expression of EDA and EDA receptor (EDAR) were firstly observed in the sweat gland formation during embryological development. After transfection with EDA expression vector, human BM-MSCs were transplanted into the injured areas of burn animal models. The regeneration of sweat glands was identified by perspiration test and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSEndogenous expression of EDA and EDAR correlated with sweat gland development in human fetal skin. After EDA transfection, BM-MSC acquired a sweat-gland-cell phenotype, evidenced by their expression of sweat gland markers by flow cytometry analysis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed a markedly contribution of EDA-transfected BM-MSCs to the regeneration of sweat glands in the scalded paws. Positive rate for perspiration test for the paws treated with EDA-transfected BM-MSCs was significantly higher than those treated with BM-MSCs or EDA expression vector (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur results confirmed the important role of EDA in the development of sweat gland. BM-MSCs transfected with EDA significantly improved the sweat-gland regeneration. This study suggests the potential application of EDA-modified MSCs for the repair and regeneration of injured skin and its appendages.

Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Ectodysplasins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Ectodysplasin ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sweat Glands ; cytology ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish a high performance capillary electrophoresis method with diode array detection (HPCE-DAD) for simultaneous determination of rutin, isoquercitrin, hyperoside, quercitrin, kaempferol and quercetin in Hyperici Japonici Herba.

METHODBased on the mode of capillary zone electrophoresis, 40 mmol x L(-1) borax was used as buffer solution (pH 8.62), uncoated fused silica capillary (56 cm x 64.5 cm x 75 microm) was used, separation voltage was 25 kV, detection wavelength was at 206 nm, column temperature was maintained at 25 degrees C, and sample was injected at 50 mbar, 8 s.

RESULTSix flavonoids showed good linearity (r > 0.9953) in the range of the tested concentration, the average recoveries of the method were between 98.8%-102.9%.

CONCLUSIONThe method is simple, accurate and reproducible, and can be used for quality control of Hyperici Japonici Herba.

Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypericum ; chemistry ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo study the abnormal reactions of a series of free radicals and the oxidative damages induced by free radical abnormal reactions in the bodies of patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

METHODSEighty chronic glomerulonephritis patients (CGNP) and eighty healthy adult volunteers (HAV) were enrolled in a random control study, in which concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in plasma, lipoperoxides (LPO) in plasma and in erythrocytes, and vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and beta-carotene (beta-CAR) in plasma as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in erythrocytes were determined with spectrophotometric assays.

RESULTSCompared with the average values of the above biochemical parameters in the HAV group, the average values of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly increased (P = 0.0001), while those of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as those of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP group were significantly decreased (P = 0.0001). Pearson product-moment correlation analysis showed that with increase of the concentration of blood creatinine as well as prolongation of the course of disease in the CGNP, the concentrations of NO in plasma, and LPO in plasma and erythrocytes in the CGNP increased gradually, while the concentrations of VC, VE and beta-CAR in plasma as well as the activities of SOD, CAT and GPX in erythrocytes in the CGNP decreased gradually (P = 0.002454-0.000001). The relative risk ratio (RR) of the above biochemical parameters reflecting oxidative damages in the bodies of CGNP ranged from 6.061 to 72.429. The reliability coefficient (alpha) that the above biochemical parameters were used to reflect the oxidative damages of the CGNP was 0.8137, standardized item alpha = 0.9728, Hotelling's T-Squared = 1135680.191, F = 53274.6478, P = 0.000001.

CONCLUSIONSThe findings in this study show that in the bodies of CGNP a series of free radical chain reactions result in severe pathological aggravation and induce oxidative damages in their bodies. Therefore, suitable dose of antioxidants should be supplemented to them so as to alleviate oxidative damages in their bodies.

Adult ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Catalase ; pharmacology ; Chronic Disease ; Erythrocytes ; enzymology ; Female ; Free Radicals ; adverse effects ; Glomerulonephritis ; physiopathology ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of GAD67 and the co-localization with bNOS in the main olfactory bulb of GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction was applied to identify the genotype of GAD67-GFP knock-in mouse, the animals were sacrificed and frozen sections of olfactory bulb were prepared. The Nissl-staining was performed to show an framework of the neuron in the olfactory bulb. The distribution of GAD67 and co-localization with bNOS were detected by immunofluorescence technique.

RESULTSThe proportion of GAD67-positive cells among DAPI-positive cells were (42.98 ± 0.92)% in glomerular layer, (23.64 ± 0.84)% in mitral cell layer and (77.75 ± 0.84)% in granule cell layer; the bNOS-positive cells mainly existed in glomerular layer and mitral cell layer, very few in granule cell layer. No co-localization of GAD67 and bNOS in granule cell layer and mitral cell layer was found, but there was dispersed distribution in glomerular layer.

CONCLUSIONGAD67-positive neurons mainly appear in glomerular layer and granule cell layer, and the bNOS is mostly expressed in glomerular layer and mitral cell layer; while the co-localization of GAD67 and bNOS only occurs in glomerular layer of olfactory bulb.

Animals ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Glutamate Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; metabolism ; Olfactory Bulb ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution

Objective To study the influence on the tumor after percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS in liver cancer as well as its suitable dose.Methods 24 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish the animal model of VX-2 liver cancer,and divided into A,B,C and D groups with individually 37,74,111 and 148 MBq of ~(32)P-GMS being injected,respectively;and then pathological changes of tumor were observed by light and electron microscope respectively.Result The dose of ~(32)P-GMS was obviously correlated with the radioactivity damage of tumor cells.In the A and B groups,the tumor cells were not observed to disappear completely after injection of ~(32)P-GMS,but in C group,tumor cells were almost completely disappeared and surrounded by a lot of connective tissue.Although the tumor cells were found to disappear completely in D group,normal liver tissues were also involved.Conclusion Percutaneous intra-tumor injection of ~(32)P-GMS with suitable dose that may induce the tumor tissue to be maximally damaged and may also provide some significances to prevent the tumor metastasis.

Objective To measure the concentration of intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) in neuron-like cells resulted from rat bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection and provide some theoretical basis for the BMSCs transplantation. Methods The rat BMSCs were separated from rat bone marrow and cultured in vitro. After induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and 10mL/L salvia miltiorrhiza injection, the cells were identified with immunofluorescence staining against NeuN. The same procedure was performed on primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Then, the [Ca2+]i of the differentiated neuron-like cells was determined and compared with primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Results The BMSCs after induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and salvia miltiorrhiza injection expressed neuronal phenotypes similar to the cell appearance of neurons with NeuN. The average fluorescence intensity of the neuron-like cells derived from BMSCs was 984.75±79.51, while the average fluorescence intensity of the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons was 769.42±60.93. No significant difference was found between them (P>0.05). Conclusion The neuron-like cells from rat BMSCs differentiation induced by salvia miltiorrhiza injection possess certain neuronal properties.

Objective To explore the effects of salvia miltiorrhizae (SM) injection on the apoptosis of cultured rat neuronal stem cells induced by hypoxia and the activity of Caspase-3, in order to provide the further evidence for the molecular mechanism of neuroprotection of SM injection. Methods The neuronal stem cells from neonatal rat hippocampus were cultured and divided randomly into normal control group, hypoxia group and SM treatment group. After Hoechst staining, the apoptotic morphological change and apoptosis percentage were observed under fluorescence microscope. The activities of Caspase-3 in the 3 groups were evaluated by the colorimetric assay. Results Compared with normal control group [(2.75±0.28)%, 1.16±0.07], the percentage of apoptosis and the activity of Caspase-3 were increased significantly in neuronal stem cells cultured in hypoxia [(30.12%±2.09)%,3.85±0.41, P<0.05). Application of SM injection reduced markedly the percentage of apoptosis and the activity of Caspase-3 of the neuronal stem cells cultured in hypoxia [(9.16±1.34)%, 1.50±0.09, P<0.05].Conclusion SM injection can depress the apoptosis of the rat neuronal stem cells induced by hypoxia,so as to exert the neuroprotection.