Objective To investigate the effect of gabapentin on the activation of glial cells in the spinal cord after chronic constrictive injury (CCI) to sciatic nerve in rats.Methods Twenty-four male SD rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 8 each): group Ⅰ sham operation (group S), group Ⅱ CCI and group Ⅲ gabapentin + CCI. Right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 loose ligatures were placed with 6-0chromic catgut. Seven days after operation gabapentin 50 mg/kg in 5 ml was given by intragastric gavage twice a day for 5 days in group Ⅲ. Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation with von Frey filaments was measured one day before (baseline) and at 7, 15 d after operation. The animals were killed at 15 d after operation. The lumbar segment L4-5 of the spinal cord was removed. Immunohistochemical double mark technique was used to detect the activation of astrocytes and microglias in the spinal cord. Results Paw withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimulation was significantly decreased on the 7th and 15th day after CCI operation in group CCI as compared with group S. After 5 day treatment with gabapentin, the withdrawal threshold to von Frey hair stimulation was significantly higher in group Ⅲ than in group Ⅱ . The activation of astrocytes and microglias in the spinal cord was significantly enhanced in group CCI as compared with group S. Treatment with gabapentin significantly inhibited CCI-induced activation of astrocytes and microglias in the spinal cord. ConclusionGabapentin reduces neuropathic pain by inhibiting activation of glial cells in the spinal cord.

BACKGROUND: There are many species of ceramic bonding systems supplied in market, the mechanical strength is aprerequisite condition for resin cement in clinical use.OBJECTIVE: To study the difference of mechanical strength between Panavia F resin cement and self-made resin cement,DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A controlled observational study was performed in the prosthesis laboratory of the FourthMilitary Medical University of Chinese PLA between May 2006 and March 2007.MATERIALS: Panavia F resin cement was sourced from KURARAY MEDICAL INC. (Japan), experimental resin cement wasproduced by College of Stomatological Medicine in the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.METHODS: Five cylindrical compressive strength specimens at an 8-mm height and 4-mm diameter were prepared, as well as5 cylindrical diametral tensile strength specimens at a 3-mm height and 6-mm diameter. AGS-500 universal material testingmachine was applied to detect the compressive strength and diametral tensile strength.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The diametral tensile strength test and compressive strength test of the specimens.RESULTS: The compressive strength of Panavia F resin cement was remarkably higher than that of experimental cement[(238.92±24.54), (149.08±12.13) M Pa, P ＜ 0.05]. There were no significances between two resin cements on diametral tensilestrength (P＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: There were no significance between two resin cements on diametral tensile strength following completecuring. The compressive strength of experimental resin cement can reach the standard of ADA (＞ 70 MPa) although it is lowerthan the compressive strength of Panavia F resin cement.

Objective To investigate the difference of cerebral inter-hemispheric functional connectivity between the patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS) and healthy controls ( HC) by a newly developed voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity ( VMHC) method based on resting-state functional MRI ( rs-fMRI) , as well as its correlation to the structural imaging indices and clinical neurological scales .Methods Twenty patients with ALS ( ALS group ) and 20 age-, and sex-matched healthy controls ( HC group) were examined by rs-fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging ( DTI ) on 3.0 T MR imaging system ( Siemens Trio Tim ).The rs-fMRI data preprocessing were performed using data processing assistant for rs-fMRI ( DPARSF) based on Matlab 2009a, and the rs-fMRI data analysis toolkit ( REST) with an automated VMHC approach was utilized to calculate and compare the VMHC correlation coefficients between the ALS group and the HC group[P<0.05, corrected with false discovery rate (FDR)].Region of interest (ROIs) were prescribed on the regions which showed abnormal VMHC coefficients in ALS group , then the mean time series of the ROIs were extracted to examine the difference of the seed ( ROIs)-based functional connectivity between the ALS and HC groups.At last, linear correlations were performed to assess the relationships among the VMHC coefficients and clinical measures including the revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale ( ALSFRS-r) score, disease duration , the rate of disease progression and fractional anisotropy ( FA) values of the corpus callosum ( CC).Results Compared with HC group , the patients with ALS showed lower VMHC coefficients in the precentral gyrus ( M1 ) , postcentral gyrus ( PCG ) , inferior parietal lobule (IPL), cuneus/precuneus (Cu/Pcu), and anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC).Higher VMHC coefficients were found in the supplementary motor area , superior frontal gyrus , and middle occipital gyrus (P<0.05,FDR corrected).Significant functional connectivity alterations were detected in motor cortex and frontal/temporal/occipital lobe between the ALS and HC groups using seed ( ROIs )-based functional connectivity based on the regions which showed abnormal VMHC coefficients in ALS group ( P <0.05, AlphaSim corrected, clusters≥228 voxels).Significant positive correlation was detected between the VMHC coefficients (0.311 ±0.108) of M1 and FA values (0.394 ±0.016) of CC III region (r=0.530, P=0.016), between the VMHC coefficients (0.767 ±0.043) of ACC and FA values (0.360 ±0.105) of CC I region (r=0.513, P=0.021), respectively.Significant positive correlation was observed between VMHC coefficients (0.311 ±0.108) of M1 and the ALSFRS-r score (35.4 ±2.5) in ALS patients(r=0.447, P=0.048).There was not significant correlation observed between the VMHC coefficients and disease duration , or the ratio of disease prognosis (P>0.05).Conclusions Abnormal VMHC coefficients were detected in ALS patients.The decreased VMHC in ACC and M1 are associated with the reduced micro-structure integrity of CC, meanwhile, and they may be related to disease severity.

Objective To assess the altered regional homogeneity (ReHo) of local intrinsic cerebral activity within sensorimotor network(SMN) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) before or after spinal cord decompression using functional MRI (fMRI). Methods Twenty-one CSM patients who would decompress spinal canal, and 21 healthy volunteers (age, gender and level of education matched) were enrolled from June 2013 to April 2014. All the patients underwent rs-fMRI examination before and 3 months after spinal cord decompression. ReHo measurement was performed statistically within a SMN mask. A second-level random-effect 2-tailed Student's t test was applied to compare the ReHo results between pre-and post-operation CSM patients and healthy volunteers. A second-level paired 2-tailed Student's t test was applied to compare the ReHo results between pre-and post-operation CSM patients. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlations between the altered ReHo and clinical evaluation. Results Compared with healthy volunteers, pre-operation patients showed significantly lower ReHo in the left postcentral gyrus/precentral gyrus, together with enhanced ReHo in the right superior parietal lobule (GRF correction, P<0.05). Post-operation CSM patients showed significantly lower ReHo in the right superior parietal lobule comparing with healthy volunteers, as well as enhanced ReHo in the left postcentral gyrus/precentral gyrus comparing with pre-operation (GRF correction, P<0.05). Abnormal ReHo areas in CSM patients demonstrated no significant correlation with clinical measurements (P>0.05) between pre-operation and post-operation. Conclusions Myelopathy in cervical cord may affect intrinsic cerebral activity, as patients with CSM show disrupted regional homogeneity within sensorimotor network. The change of ReHo following decompression suggests that central plasticity may influence functional recovery.

Objective To observe the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods Seventy patients (17 males,53 females,aged 20-65 years,ASA grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine (group R,n=35) or dexamethasone (group D,n=35).The patients in the group R received 0.5 μg/kg bolus dose and maintenance dose at the rate of 0.5 μg·kg-1·h-1 of dexmedetomidine before intubation.The patients in the group D received 8 mg dexamethasone before intubation.The BP and HR were recorded at the following points: on arrival in the operating room (T1),before intubation (T2),5 minutes after intubation (T3),5 minutes after the beginning of the operation (T4),30 minutes after the beginning of the operation (T5),at the end of operation (T6) and 5 minutes after extubation (T7).The inhaling concentration of sevoflurane,extubation time,operation time and anesthesia time were recorded.The incidence of nausea and vomiting were recorded at 8,24,48 hours after operation.Results The incidence of nausea and vomiting at each point were similar between two groups.The HR at T2-T7 in group D was significantly lower.But MAP was similar between two groups.Conclusion 0.5 μg/kg bolus dose and maintenance dose at the rate of 0.5 μg·kg-1·h-1 of dexmedetomidine reduced the incidence of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy,similar to dexamethasone.

BACKGROUND: Irradiation therapy in the cancer patients after surgery may have negative effects on implant fixation. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of 60Co irradiation and trace element zinc on fixation strengths of titanium implant. METHODS: Thirty-six adult male rabbits were involved. One piece of titanium implant was separately placed into the bilateral proximal tibial heads in rabbits to set up animal models of titanium implants. The animals were randomly divided into control group, zinc supplement group, 60Co irradiation group and 60Co irradiation and zinc supplement group. Zinc sulfate of 10 g/L was administered intramuscularly to animals in the zinc supplement group at the dose of 4 mg/kg once per day, and those in the control group were treated with saline at the same dose. The animals in the 60Co irradiation group received 60Co irradiation at the dose of 45 Gy and saline by intramuscular injection. Those in the 60Co irradiation and zinc supplement group received 60Co irradiation and zinc sulfate. The animals were killed at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. The fixation strengths were measured and compared among groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Zinc supplement made the titanium implants have higher fixation strengths, and reach a high level at 4 weeks after surgery. (2) 60Co irradiation significantly inhibited the fixation strengths of the implants. After 60Co radiation, zinc supplement stil could promote fixation strengths of titanium implants. (3) It is indicated that amount of zinc supplement after irradiation therapy can al eviate the negative effects of irradiation on implant fixation.

BACKGROUND:Poor incision healing and infection often occur in elderly patients with lateral malleolar fractures after traditional lateral plate fixation.With the application of engineering software in medicine,a new type of plate placed posterolateral can be designed to solve the above-described problems. OBJECTIVE:To design a new type of posterior lateral low-profile steel plate with the aid of medical bioengineering software,based on the 3D CT data of the distance between the top of the lateral ankle fracture line to the anterior starting point(ACD),the distance between the top of the fracture line to the tip of the lateral ankle(CTD),the distance between the top of the fracture line to the posterior edge of the fracture line(PCD)and the angle between the anterior and posterior lateral sides of the distal fibula(CA). METHODS:Thirty cases of unstable lateral malleolar fracture and normal ankle were taken for CT scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction.The ACD,CTD,and PCD values in patients with lateral malleolar fracture were measured by 3-matic software,and the characteristics of lateral malleolar fracture line were plotted and described.The mimics software was used to measure the value of CA in the normal ankle joint.Based on the data measured above,3-matic software and solidworks software were used to design the low-profile steel plate and the thickness of the steel plate and the direction of the nail path were constructed.In Geomagic Studio software,fine surface,automatic surface,and fitting surface were used to generate the prototype of the low-profile steel plate,and then 3D printing was performed.After making a posterolateral incision of the lateral malleolus,the peroneus longus and brevis tendons were removed,and the prototype of the 3D-printed steel plate was placed behind the fibula to test its size and fit to the bone surface. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The mean of ACD was(2.97±0.03)cm,and the variation was 5.23.The mean of PCD was(3.17±0.11)cm,and the variation was 17.60.The mean of CTD was(4.52±0.07)cm,and the variation was 8.60.(2)The fracture line of the lateral malleolus was drawn with an inverted"V"shape.The mean of CA between anterior and posterior lateral surfaces of the distal fibula was(103.20±1.94)°.At the midpoint section of the upper and lower vertices of the anterior edge of the distal fibula,the angle of the anterior and posterior lateral sides(CA)of the distal fibula was(78.50±1.78)°.(3)By using 3-matic,Solidworks,and Geomagic Studio software,a new type of posterior lateral low-profile steel could be successfully designed.Three to four holes were reserved for the screw holes at the proximal end of the plate with screw directions from back to front,and three screw holes were reserved on the inner and outer sides at the far end.The direction of the inner three holes could be from back to front,and the outer three screw holes needed to be biased towards the inner side,with an angle of 9.72°-13.28°.(4)It is indicated that the variability of the ACD position on the anterior lateral fracture line of the lateral malleolus is relatively small,while the variability of the posterior lateral PCD position is relatively large.The angle between the anterolateral and posterolateral sides of the lateral ankle fracture block shows a decreasing trend,with a smaller variation in the proximal angle and a larger variation in the distal angle.Based on three-dimensional CT reconstruction data of the external ankle,with the help of computer bioengineering software and the use of reverse design concept,a new type of low-profile lateral malleolus steel plate with a good fit can be quickly and conveniently designed to provide a valuable reference for the design of internal fixation devices.

OBJECTIVETo explore the growth inhibiting effects on human bladder cancer by antisense RNA targeting the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) gene.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression vector for antisense PCNA cDNA was constructed and transferred into a bladder cancer EJ cell line. The PCNA expression in the cancer cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting assays. The in vitro proliferation activities of the transferred cells were observed by growth curve, tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetry, tritiated thymidine ((3)H-TdR) incorporation, flow cytometry and clone formation testing, while its in vivo anti-tumor effects were detected on nude mice allograft models.

RESULTSAfter the antisense vector, pLAPSN, was transferred, cellular PCNA expression was inhibited at both protein and mRNA levels. The growth rates of EJ cells were reduced from 27.91% to 62.07% (P < 0.01), with an inhibition of DNA synthesis rate by 52.31% (P < 0.01). Transferred cells were blocked at G(0)/G(1) phases in cell-cycle assay, with the clone formation ability decreased by 50.81% (P < 0.01). The in vivo carcinogenic abilities of the transferred cancer cells were decreased by 54.23% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAntisense PCNA gene transfer could inhibit the growth of bladder cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, which provided an ideal strategy for gene therapy of human cancers.

Animals ; Cell Division ; genetics ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antitumor efficacy of proliferating cell nuclear antigen antisense oligonucleotide (PCNA-ASO) in combination with recombinant adenovirus p53 (Ad-p53) against bladder cancer EJ and BIU-87 cells in vitro and in vivo.

METHODSCells were transfected with Ad-p53 (100 MOI), and PCNA-ASO (1.6 micro mol/L) was then introduced into the cells using a cationic lipid (lipofectamine, 20 micro l/ml). In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of combining PCNA-ASO with Ad-p53 were measured using the MTT assay, flow cytometry, clone formation, and a nude mice model.

RESULTSThe combination of PCNA-ASO and Ad-p53 inhibited cell viability in both the EJ (89.3%) and BIU-87 (78.6%) cell lines. The ability of the cells to form foci was also reduced by 74.8% in EJ cells and by 67.5% in BIU-87 cells (P < 0.01). A significant decrease of cells in the S phase (11.4% in EJ cells, 14.6% in BIU-87 cells) and a significant increase of cells in G1 phase (62.2% in EJ, 56.8% in BIU-87) were noted. The mean tumor volume after 7 days of treatment with PCNA-ASO or Ad-p53 in combination decreased to 47.6% or 36.4% of the initial tumor size in the two cell lines respectively.

CONCLUSIONThese results indicate that combined PCNA-ASO and Ad-p53 in the treatment of bladder cancer with mutant p53 has important therapeutic potential, significantly suppressing the growth of human bladder cancer both in vitro and in vivo.

Adenoviridae ; Animals ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; administration & dosage ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; administration & dosage ; Recombinant Proteins ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; administration & dosage ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; therapy

To evaluate the effects of adenovirus (Ad)-mediated transfer of p53 and p16 on human bladder cancer cells EJ, EJ were transfected with Ad-p53 and Ad-p16. Cell growth, morphological change, cell cycle, apoptosis were measured using MTT assay, flow cytometry, cloning formation, immunocytochemical assays. Ad-p16 or Ad-p53 alone could inhibit the proliferating activity of EJ cells in vitro. Ad-p53 could induce apoptosis of partial EJ cells. G1 arrest was observed 72 h after infection with Ad-p16, but apoptosis was not obvious. The transfer of Ad-p16 and Ad-p53 could significantly inhibit the growth of EJ cells, decrease the cloning formation rate and induce apoptosis of large number of EJ cells. The occurrence time of subcutaneous tumor was delayed and the tumor volume in 4 weeks was diminished by using Ad-p53 combined with Ad-p16 and the difference was significant compared with using Ad-p53 or Ad-p16 alone. It was suggested that the transfer of wild-type p53 and p16 could significantly inhibit the growth of human bladder cancer in vitro and in vivo.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Division ; Genes, p16 ; Genes, p53 ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Transfection ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy