BACKGROUND:Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is an important mitogen and an indispensable regulator during normal hair cell development. Extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) is also expressed in mammalian vestibular organs.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of the expression and the distribution of IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and ERK1/2 in guinea pig's vestibular epithelium following gentamycin injury.DESIGN: A randomly controlled study.SETTING: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, General Hospital of Chengdu Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: Twenty healthy and adult guinea pigs, weighing 300 to 350 g, provided by the Experimental Animal Center,Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, were randomly divided into four experimental groups and a control group with 4 in each group.METHODS: The experiment was performed at Department of Otorhinolaryngology Research Laboratory of Xijing Hospital,Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from January 2002 to May 2002. In the experimental groups,gentamycin was intraperitoneally administered daily (80 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days. For the control group, 1 mL of 0.9% sterile saline was administered in the same way. The guinea pigs, in which unsteady gait or nystagmus appeared,could be involved in the further experiments. Before being sacrificed, the animals' gait, nystagmus and the amount of food-intake were observed every day. The animals were anesthetized deeply with 50 mg/kg pentobarbital 1, 7, 14 or 21days after the last gentamycin administration and then decapitated. Bilateral otic vesicles were harvested and immersed in 4% paraformaldehyde. Then the specimens were decalcified in 10% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA),thereafter embedded in OCT gel and serially sectioned at a thickness of 10 μm in the cryostat. The behavioral changes of guinea pigs were observed. The morphological changes of vestibular epithelium were examined by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. The expression and distribution changes of IGF-1/1R and ERK1/2 were investigated immunohistochemically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The behavioral, morphological, expression and distribution changes of IGF-1/1R and ERK1/2 of guinea pigs in each group.RESULTS: Twenty involved guinea pigs entered the stage of final analysis. ① All the guinea pigs' vestibular functions were impaired after gentamycin treatment, then partially restored without any pharmaceutical treatment. ②Morphological injury was obvious after gentamycin treatment, and improved 1 week later. ③The expression of IGF-1/1R was low in the control group, and in the 1-day group it increased significantly to its maximum. After that, its expression decreased gradually, but was still higher in the 21-day group than that in the control group. There were significant differences in the expression of IGF-1/1R among different groups (F =51.8,45.7,P ＜ 0.05). The expression changes of IGF-1 and its receptor were similar. ④The expression of ERK1/2 was low in the control group, and increased gradually after gentamycin toxicity. In the 7-day group, the immunoreactivity reached its maximum. Then the levels of ERK1/2 decreased gradually, but were still higher in the 21-day group than that in the control group. There were significant differences in the expression of ERK1/2 among different groups (F =103.7,106.4, P ＜ 0.01), but no significant differences existed in the expression between ERK1 and ERK2 among different groups (P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The expression of IGF-1/1R and ERK1/2 in vestibular epithelium increased after gentamycin treatment,and IGF-1 may play an important role as an endogenous mitogen through a paracrine or autocrine manner in the early stage of hair cell self-repair of guinea pigs. ERK1/2 may play an important role in signal transduction during vestibular hair cell self-repair after gentamycin toxicity in guinea pigs.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Child ; Female ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective　Recently,it was reported the analy sis of bone free radical by using electron spin resonance (ESR),so this article aimed to determine the changes of bone free radical in fluoresis rats.Methods　To analyze the free radical level of bone in fluoresis rats fed with different dose of calcium by ESR method.Results　The free radical of bone in the group of low ca lcium level and the group low calcium+fluorides was higher than that in the cont rol group (P<0.01),but that in normal animal feeds (calcium-rich)+fluoride group was lower than that in the control group.Conclusions　Low doses of fluoride did not resulted in the increase of free radical in calcium-rich condition at short time,but at low calcium condition,fluoride could increase the level of free radical,these suggested that simple overdose of fluoride did not change the level of free radical of bone.

This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of lidamycin (LDM) and rituximab on human B cell lymphoma Ramos cells. Cell proliferation was measured using MTS assay, cell apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-FITC/PI assay, the expression of apoptosis related proteins was analyzed by Western blotting, and the in vivo lymphoma inhibition was verified using BALB/c mice inoculated via tail vein using Ramos cells which stably expressed pEGFP-N1 plasmid. The results showed that, after the pretreatment with rituximab for 48 h, rituximab and LDM showed significantly synergistic effects on cell proliferation. Cells in combined treatment group had a higher apoptosis rate than that in LDM treatment group. Compared with the LDM treatment group, the expression of apoptosis-related proteins such as Cleaved caspase-3, Cleaved caspase-7, Cleaved caspase-9 and Cleaved PARP in combined treatment groups increased, and expression of cIAP-2 and Bcl-2 decreased. The result of in vivo experiment showed that, in the combined treatment group, the survival time of BALB/c mice was significantly longer than the mice in control group and LDM treatment group, and the degree of tumor accumulation and metastasis to lymph nodes and spleen was lower.
Aminoglycosides ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 7 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Enediynes ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rituximab ; pharmacology

Combined Modality Therapy ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Spondylolisthesis ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of short-segment fixation and injured vertebra bone grafting through injured pedicle for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures under MAST Quadrant retractor via a paraspinal muscle approach.

METHODSThe data of 42 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures treated from June 2009 to September 2012 were reviewed. There were 19 males and 23 females, with an average age of (55.2±11.9) years old. The mean injury time was (5.8±4.3) days. Fracture segments included T10 in 3 cases, T11 in 6 cases, T12 in 13 cases, L1 in 9 cases, L2 in 7 cases, and L3 in 4 cases. According to Denis classification, 9 patients were type A, 21 patients were type B, 5 patiens were type C, 5 patients were type D, and 2 patients were type E. All the patients were treated with short-segment pedicle screw-rod system fixation under MAST Quadrant via the paraspinal muscle approach. The operative time, blood loss, complications and the height of vertebra, kyphosis Cobb angle, VAS scores, JOA scores were measured before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, the vertebral height and kyphosis Cobb angle were restored. Compared with preoperative results, postoperative vertebral height and kyphosis Cobb angle, VAS scores and JOA scores were all improved. But there was no statistically significance in vertebral height, kyphosis Cobb angle between postoperative at 1 week and 1 year.

CONCLUSIONInternal fixation combined with injured vertebra bone grafting through the injured pedicle for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures via the paraspinal intermuscular approach under MAST Quadrant is a safe, minimally invasive, effective and satisfactory method.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Spinal Fractures ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

In the criminal cases of driving under the influence (DUI), DNA evidence can be collected from the deployed airbag of the motor vehicle and submitted to the crime lab for touch DNA analysis. The evidence can be acquired when the skin cells are observed on the surface of the airbag in a traffic accident. However, the low quantity or quality of the evidence collected from a crime scene prevents further identification analysis in many cases. In the current study, we reported a case of identifying touch DNA extraction from the shed skin cells from the deployed airbag of a motor vehicle. We managed to collect DNA evidence from the shed skin cells in an airbag using a proper approach of collection and extraction. The 5.87 ng of extracted DNA was sufficient for genotyping and forensic identification, which helped to identify the driver of the car in collision with a pier in the street. In DUI cases and other traffic accidents, therefore, the amount of touch DNA extracted from the deployed airbag can be sufficient for DNA marker genotyping and further analysis.
Accidents, Traffic ; Air Bags ; Alcoholic Intoxication ; Crime ; DNA/analysis* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Motor Vehicles ; Skin/cytology* ; Touch

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafting with anchor repair for the treatment of chronic achilles tendon rupture and severe scarring.

METHODSFrom April 2010 to October 2012,26 patients with chronic achilles tendon rupture(with Myerson type III ) and severe scarring were treated with autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafting with anchor repair. There were 19 males and 7 females,with an average age of 32 years old (ranged, 22 to 47 years). The time from injury to surgery was from 3 to 12 months (7 months on average). The plantar flexion strength of all injuried feet attenuated and single heel rise test were positive in 26 cases before operation. Plaster immobilization and routine rehabilitation therapy were performed after operation. Clinical effects were evaluated by Arner-lindholm criterion and complications were observed after operation.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 12 to 24 months with a mean of 16 months. No complications such as achilles tendon re-rupture, wound infection, etc were found during follow-up period. According to the Arner-Lindholm standard, 15 cases got excellent results and 11 good.

CONCLUSIONUsing autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendon grafts with anchor repair to treat chronic achilles tendon rupture and severe scarring is a perfect surgical procedure.

Achilles Tendon ; injuries ; surgery ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rupture ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treating patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and the effect of IVIG on the level of soluble human leucocyte antigen G (sHLA-G).

METHODSThis prospective trial conducted at PUMC Hospital between 2004 and 2008 included 60 women with URSA. The patients were allocated into IVIG group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). IVIG was intravenously used before conception at a dose of 0.2g/kg; once pregnancy was confirmed,IVIG was continued every 4 weeks till the 20th gestational week. Traditional Chinese medicine or/and progesterone were used in control group. The outcome of pregnancy was evaluated by live birth rate and effective rate(defined as the embryo living 4 week longer than previous pregnancy). Serum samples were collected randomly before pregnancy and in the 6th-8th gestational week from IVIG group (15 samples),control group (15 samples),and healthy women (20 samples). The levels of sHLA-G,interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe pregnancy rate was 93.3% in IVIG group. The live birth rate and effective rate were 85.7% (24/28) and 92.9% (26/28) in IVIG group,which were significantly higher than those in control group [56.7% (17/30) (P=0.021) and 63.3% (19/30) (P=0.011)]. Emesis occurred in one woman (3.3%) in IVIG group had during IVIG infusion but was relieved by lowering the speed of infusion. The mean sHLA-G level was (61.37∓35.57) U/ml in control group and (62.70∓37.24) U/ml in IVIG group (P>0.05); both of them were significantly lower than that of healthy women (88.49∓25.37) U/ml (Pü0.05). After pregnancy was achieved, the levels of sHLA-G and IL-10 were (34.19∓14.21) U/ml and (11.71∓2.75) pg/ml, respectively in the IVIG group, which were significantly higher than those in control group [(23.71∓12.83) U/ml and (8.71∓3.01) pg/ml, respectively] (P=0.008).

CONCLUSIONSLow-dose IVIG before and after pregnancy is a safe and effective in treating URSA. IVIG improves the development of fetus by up-regulating sHLA-G and IL-10 levels.

Abortion, Habitual ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; Female ; HLA-G Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; therapeutic use ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of overdose fluoride on the proliferation of rat's incisor ameloblast.

METHODS20 Wistar rats were divided randomly into 2 groups: Group I (Control); Group II 50 mg/L F(-) were given. After 8 weeks treatment, the AgNORs stain and TUNEL technique were applied to analyze the effect of fluoride on the proliferation and apoptosis of ameloblasts.

RESULTSThe imagination analysis results showed that proliferation of pre-secretion ameloblasts were inhibited in group II as compared with the control group (P < 0.001). There was significant increase of apoptosis with the trend of migration toward secretion stage.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of fluorosis mottled enamel may be the effect of overdose fluoride with inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of ameloblasts resulting in dysfunction of secretion or absorption of enamel matrix proteins.

Ameloblasts ; drug effects ; pathology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dental Enamel ; pathology ; Female ; Fluorides ; adverse effects ; Fluorosis, Dental ; pathology ; Incisor ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar